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The University of Akron
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering BYLAWS
of the
ADVISORY COUNCIL
[ click here for text-only version ]
| Article I.
Name and Purpose |
1.
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The
organization shall be known as the Advisory Council of the Mechanical
Engineering Department of the College of Engineering, and shall be
commonly known by the title, Advisory Council. |
| 2. |
The
Objective of the Advisory Council is to develop a close working relationship
between engineering leaders in the greater Akron community, state
of Ohio and the nation, and the administration of the Department
of Mechanical Engineering. Activities and goals to be realized as
a result of this relationship are: |
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a. |
Advocacy.
To function as an advocacy group for the Mechanical Engineering Department. |
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b. |
Performance To assist the Mechanical Engineering Department in attaining high
professional standard, to maintain accreditation and to prepare students
to meet the needs of society and industry. |
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c. |
Research.
To assist in maximizing the research opportunities for the Mechanical
Engineering Department. |
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d. |
Philanthropy.
To assist the Department in the cultivation and solicitation of philanthropic
resources and establish a multi-faceted fund raising program that
will continue into the future. |
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e. |
Employment.
To expand opportunities for students and graduates to find employment. |
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f. |
Recruitment.
To assist the Department in recruiting outstanding students. |
| Article II.
Office and Term |
1.
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The
address of the office of the Advisory Council is the Department of
Mechanical Engineering, The University of Akron, 44325-3903. |
| 2. |
The
term of existence of the Council shall be in perpetuity unless otherwise
determined by the Council. |
1.
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The
Advisory Council will normally consist of at least 10 general members. |
| 2. |
Types
of Membership: |
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a. |
General
Membership. A general member is a currently elected member of the
Council and is entitled to vote on all issues coming before the Council
and shall enjoy such other rights and privileges available to Council
members without limitation. |
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b. |
Emeritus
Membership. A person who has served as a general member of the Council
for at least three years is eligible for Emeritus status[1]. Emeritus
membership shall be elected by the Council for those general members
who have left active involvement with the Advisory Council and who
by their interest, service and support have demonstrated continuing
dedication over a number of years to the Mechanical Engineering Department
including its departmental units or the University. Any member of
the Advisory Council may nominate a past general member to the Council
for emeritus status. After reviewing the recommendations, the Council
shall approve nominees by majority vote. |
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c. |
Ex-Officio
Membership. The Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department and
the Development Officer of the College of Engineering shall both
serve as ex-officio members of the Council. Ex-officio members do
not have voting privileges. |
| 3. |
Removal.
Any member may be removed by the Council whenever in its judgement
the best interests of the Council will be served thereby. A majority
vote of the Council shall be required for such action. |
| Article IV.
Financial Commitment |
1.
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Financial
Commitment. The amount of annual financial commitment in connection
with Advisory Council membership shall be approved by the Financial
Committee and affirmed by a majority of the general membership present
and voting at any regular meeting. The recommended financial commitment
for this Council shall be $2,500. This gift may be personal, corporate
or may be gift-in-kind such as piece of lab equipment or professional
in-kind services. |
| 2. |
Fiscal
Year.
The annual financial commitment shall be due July 1 and payable between
July 1 and June 30 of each fiscal year. |
| 3. |
Records.
All contributions shall be entered upon the books of The University
of Akron Foundation on behalf of the Advisory Council of the Mechanical
Engineering Department for general department use and are not refundable. |
| 4. |
Expenses.
Individual expenses incurred by members of the Advisory Council,
including travel and out-of-pocket expenses, shall be paid by each
individual member. Local expenses incurred by the Advisory Council
at its meetings shall be paid by the Council’s treasury unless
otherwise provided. |
1.
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Regular.
The Council shall normally hold a regular meeting each academic semester
and not less than twice annually, on dates selected by the Council
Chairperson. Regular meetings shall be called with a minimum of two
weeks notice, four weeks notice preferred. |
| 2. |
Special. A
special meeting of the membership may be called by the Council Chairperson
or by a majority of the members of the Executive Committee. Special
meetings shall be called with a minimum of two weeks notice. |
| 3. |
Executive
Committee.
The Executive Committee shall meet from time to time as it deems necessary. |
| 4. |
Voting.
Each Advisory Council general member shall be entitled to one vote
at all meetings at which he is present, except as may be otherwise
provided by these bylaws. All questions shall be decided by majority
vote of the Advisory Council general members present, except those
specific issues which may be otherwise provided for in these bylaws. |
| 5. |
Absentee
Voting.
The Executive Committee may, according to its judgement, approve and
arrange for any ballot to be taken by mail, and may also approve the
acceptance of absentee ballots on any issue, providing that the membership
is given notice of its decision to do so within the notice of the meeting
at which such ballot will take place. |
| Article VI.
Terminology and Definitions |
1.
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Advisory
Council. The group of men and women elected to serve as advocates for
the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Akron. |
| 2. |
Executive
Committee.
Advisory Council members serving as officers, committee chairpersons,
the Immediate Past Chairperson, and the Chair of Mechanical Engineering
shall constitute the Executive Committee. The Chair of the Mechanical
Engineering Department will act as a liaison between the faculty and
the Advisory Council. The Chair shall have ex-officio and non-voting
status and. |
| 3. |
Elections. The
election of officers shall be conducted at the regular spring business
meeting of the Advisory Council by the members of the Council. The
term of office shall be for two fiscal years and an officer may be
re-elected. |
| 4. |
Officers.
Officers must be elected from the general membership of the Council. |
1.
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Elected
Officers. The elected officers shall be a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson,
and a Secretary-Treasurer, each of whom shall be elected by the membership
to hold office for a two-year term commencing on July 1 and ending
on June 30. The Chairperson, upon completion of his term, shall be
succeeded by the Vice Chairperson who will serve a two-year term as
Chairperson. |
| 2. |
Other Officers.
The Council may elect such other officers as it may deem necessary
for the transaction of the business of the organization, each of whom
shall have such authority, shall perform such duties and shall hold
office for such term as may be prescribed by the Council from time
to time. |
| 3. |
Vacancies. Vacancies
in the elected officer positions may be filled by a majority vote of
the Executive Committee, and any person so elected shall hold office
until his or her successor is elected by the Council at the next general
election. |
| 4. |
Officer
Removal. Any elected officer may be removed from officership by the
Council whenever in its judgement the best interests of the Council
will be served thereby. A majority vote of the Council shall be required
for such action. |
1.
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Chairperson.
The Chairperson shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Council
and shall have general supervision of its affairs and shall be subject
to the control of the Council. He/she shall preside at all meetings
of the Council and the Executive Committee and shall carry out the
policies established by the Executive Committee and Council. In questions
of procedure during meetings, the Chairperson shall follow Robert’s
Rules of Order. The Chairperson shall act as the official Advisory
Council spokesperson; appoint committee chairpersons in consultation
with the department chair; appoint committees in consultation with
the appropriate committee chairperson and the department chair; and
call meetings of the Executive Committee and the Council. The Chairperson
is an ex-officio member of all standing and special committees. |
| 2. |
Vice Chairperson.
The Vice Chairperson shall perform and discharge the duties of the
Chairperson in case of his/her absence. He/she shall have general responsibility
for programs at regular meetings. He/she shall also perform such other
duties as the Council or Chairperson may prescribe. |
| 3. |
Secretary/Treasurer.
The Secretary/Treasurer shall give notice of all meetings, or cause
same to be done, where notice may be required. He/she shall keep a
record of the proceedings of all such meetings; conduct correspondence
and shall perform the duties incidental to the office of the Secretary/Treasurer
and such other duties as the Council or Chairperson may prescribe.
He/she shall maintain a record of Advisory Council membership and shall
provide every new member, upon acceptance, with a copy of the Bylaws
and any rules or regulations which may have been adopted.
The Secretary/Treasurer shall be the principal financial officer
of the Advisory Council and should render an accurate account of
the financial condition of the organization at the annual fall meeting
of the membership. He/she shall collect all dues and amounts owing
to the organization and send them to The University of Akron Development
Office for deposit in a restricted account. He/she shall discharge
all financial obligations of the organization as approved by the
Council or the membership. |
The
Bylaws of the Advisory Council may be amended or repealed by a two-thirds
(2/3) vote of the general membership.
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[1] Emeritus status therefore requires at least a three year term on this
Council, but may in some circumstances be based on service to the University
or the Department in a variety of ways. Exemplary active service on the College
Alumni Board or a major financial commitment would also be important considerations
in awarding emeritus status to a past member of the Council.
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The University of Akron
Mechanical Engineering Department
ASEC, Rm. 101.
Akron, Ohio 44325-3903
Department Office: (330) 972-6307
Department Fax: (330) 972-6027
Office Location: ASEC 101
Email: smeier@uakron.edu
Department Chair: Dr. Celal Batur
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