BYLAWS OF THE FACULTY
OF THE SCHOOL OF NURSING

BYLAWS: ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES

A . General Functions

The functions of the Committees of the Schools are: (1) to investigate, advise and recommend regarding designated areas; (2) to carry out assigned duties; (3) to report to the Faculty and the School Director.

B . Standing Committees

1 . Eligibility

Each member of the voting Faculty shall be eligible for membership on standing committees with the power to vote. The School Director is an ex‑officio member of all School committees except Promotion and Tenure and Student Affairs. All matriculated students in the School of Nursing shall be eligible for membership, with the power to vote on selected committees of the School.

2 . Selection of Members

a . Elected Committees (Promotion and Tenure Committee, Committee on Governance)

1. Elections shall be conducted annually by the Committee on Governance. Regular elections for committee members will be held by April 30, with responsibilities beginning on September 1, except for members of the Promotion and Tenure Committee who begin responsibilities in May.
2. If a tie should occur in the election, a second election for that position will be held.
3. In the event a vacancy occurs during the academic year, the Committee on Governance shall conduct an election to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.
4. Two weeks before the election deadline, the Committee on Governance shall prepare a slate of nominees. Nominees shall also be received from the Faculty and placed on the ballot.
5. A mail or computerized ballot shall be conducted by the Committee on Governance.

b. Appointed Committees (Curriculum, Student Affairs, Graduate Education, Safety).

1. Appointments to other standing committees shall be made by the School Director with responsibility beginning on September 1.
2. In the event a vacancy occurs during a term, the School Director shall appoint a replacement for the remainder of that person’s term.

3 . Terms of Office

The term of office for elected or appointed faculty members shall be for two years for a staggered term, once renewable for all committees.

4 . Chairpersons of Committees

Chairpersons of a standing committee shall be selected by the committee members. The term of the chairperson shall be one year, once renewable. No faculty member shall serve as chairperson of more than one School standing committee during any given year.

5. Procedures

a . A majority of faculty committee members must be present for major action to be taken on matters which are to be brought before the School Faculty.

b. All committee meetings will be open to faculty and professional staff with the exception of the School Promotion and Tenure Committee and Committee on Governance meetings, unless a majority of the committee members present vote to have a closed meeting.

c. All committee members, including the chairperson, shall have voting powers. Students shall have voting privileges on selected committees. Majority vote carries as per Robert’s Rules.

d. Minutes of meetings shall be prepared and be distributed to each committee member within two weeks of the meeting. A School copy will be available to other School members.

e. All committees shall supply an annual report of their activities to the School Director prior to the last School meeting in May. These reports shall be filed in the master committee notebook and shall be distributed to each School member, School Director, and the Dean. The annual report shall contain:

Purpose of the committee,
Membership,
Number of meetings,
Actions taken and the committee's rationale,
Recommendations referred for Faculty action,
Matters still under consideration, and
Recommendations for future deliberations of the committee.

C . Ad Hoc Committees

Ad hoc committees may be formed by the Dean, School Director, School Committee Chairpersons, and the School Faculty for a specific purpose. These committees shall be dissolved upon acceptance of a final report or by the organizer.

 

BYLAWS:ARTICLE II
SCHOOL COMMITTEES

A. Promotion and Tenure

1. Composition:

   1. Five tenured faculty members, preferably three at the rank of professor.
   2. The majority of the evaluating committee must be at a rank higher than the person under consideration. It may be necessary to form ad hoc committees in certain cases in order to operate within these guidelines.
      
2. Appointment:

   1. The School Faculty elect committee members.
      
3. Functions

   1. Review dossiers and make recommendations for promotion and tenure.
   2. Carry out periodic review of faculty and to make appropriate recommendations for reappointment. (A majority of the committee members must be present for a vote to be taken on a recommendation for reappointment.)
   3. Make recommendations to the faculty regarding operational aspects of criteria and policies for instruments and/or procedures used in evaluation of faculty; and
   4. approve appointments of adjunct faculty.

B. Committee on Governance:

1. Composition:

   1. Three tenured faculty members, one of whom will serve as committee chairperson
   2. School Director
      
2. Appointment:

   1. The School Faculty elect committee members.
      
3. Functions:

   1. Committees and Nominations
      1. Conduct nominating and voting procedures designated by the School Bylaws. Notify faculty of election results as appropriate.
      2. Solicit and recommend student members for committees as specified in the School Bylaws.
      3. Oversee School committees to ensure that committee functions are maintained and positions are filled.
         
   2. School Bylaws & Policies
      1. Review theSchool Bylaws, Policies, and the Faculty Handbook every two years.
      2. Coordinate Faculty Handbook and Policy revisions received from other school committees.
      3. Revise and recommend changes in School Bylaws, Policies, and the Faculty and book as needed.
         
   3. Hiring
   1. Advise School Director on selection of ad hoc committee to conduct a search for open faculty positions.
   2. One member of the Committee on Governance serves as chairperson of the ad hoc search committee.
   3. Insure the faculty have an opportunity to recommend candidate’s eligibility for rank and hire.
      
   4. Faculty Orientation and Faculty Development
   1. Plan and coordinate new faculty orientation.
   2. Oversee faculty development activities of the School.
      
   5. Faculty Liaison
      1. Functions as liaison between faculty and School Director as needed.
         
   6. Budget and Workload
   1. Make recommendations to School Director on allocation of School budget.
   2. Offer input on workload assignments developed by the School Director in relation to the needs of the School and individual faculty.
      
   7. Public Relations and Outreach
      1. Act as advisory body for recruitment and public outreach activities of the School.

C. Curriculum:

1.  Composition:

   1. Five or more faculty members including:
      1. the Assistant Director of the School,
      2. the facilitator of the Nursing Honors Program,
      3. the liaison to the Distance Education Subcommittee, and
      4. the liaison to the Simulation Laboratory Subcommittee
   2. One or more undergraduate nursing students.
   3. School Director, ex-officio
      
2. Appointment:

   1. The School Faculty elect committee members.
      
3. Functions:
   

   1. Assure that undergraduate curricular components are consistent with College and
   2. School mission statement, philosophy, and curricula expected outcomes;
   3. Review and recommend approval of new undergraduate courses, including independent studies counted as NURS411s;
   4. Review and/or recommend changes in undergraduate course objectives, content, focus or credit allocation;
   5. Evaluate, monitor, and recommend changes in undergraduate curricula based on department evaluation models;
   6. Make recommendations for changes in undergraduate degree requirements to the appropriate College and University committees.

   
   
4. Distance Education Subcommittee:

   1. Composition:
      1. Three faculty members, one who is the Director of Special Program
      2. School Director, ex-officio
      3. Dean of the College of Health Sciences, ex-officio
   2. Appointment:
      1. The School Director appoints subcommittee members.
   3. Functions:
      1. Review and recommend approval of new courses for the Baccalaureate for the Registered Nurse major (BRN). Submit recommendations to the School Curriculum Committee.
      2. Evaluate, monitor, and recommend changes in the BRN curricula based on school evaluation models.
      3. Make recommendations for changes in the BRN degree requirements and submit these recommendations to the School Curriculum Committee.
      
      
5. Simulation Laboratory Subcommittee

   1. Composition:
      1. Two faculty members, one faculty member is the liaison to Curriculum Committee
      2. Laboratory Coordinator, ex-officiob.
   2. Appointment:
      1. The School Director appoints sub-committee members
   3. Functions:
      1. Address and resolve problems related to the simulation laboratory.
      2. Make recommendations to the Curriculum Committee on topics related to laboratory experiences in the undergraduate curriculum.
      3. Make recommendations to the School Director regarding resources and equipment for the simulation laboratory.

D. Graduate Education

1. Composition:

   1. Two faculty members from clinical specialties.
   2. One faculty member from the administration track.
   3. One faculty member from the family nurse practitioner track.
   4. One graduate student as a voting member.
   5. School Director, ex-officio.
   6. Two student alternates to be selected by the Director when a graduate student appeal is heard.
   7. Nurse Practitioner Subcommittee.
      
2. Appointment:
   

   1. The School Director appoints committee members.
      
3. Functions:
   
   1. Conduct periodic review and evaluation of the individual courses and the curriculum of the graduate program;
   2. Review proposals for curriculum development and make recommendations to School Faculty;
   3. Make recommendations for changes in degree requirements to the appropriate College and University committees;
   4. Recommend to the School Faculty policies for admission to, progression in, and graduation from the graduate program;
   5. Review the academic standards (ex. national guidelines) for graduate study;
   6. Conduct periodic review of the graduates of the program;
   7. Review applications for admission to the program as necessary,
   8. Make decisions about exceptions to academic policies as requested by applicants or graduate students;
   9. Make recommendations on awards and honors as appropriate;
   10. Coordinate honors day activities (as related to graduate students) with SAC;
   11. Provide student orientation to the graduate program;
   12. Participate in hearing appeals according to the policies for graduate student appeals;
   13. Periodically review the graduate program policy manual and make recommendations for change as needed;
   14. Develop an annual recruitment plan.
       
4. Nurse Practitioner (NP) Subcommittee :

   1. Composition: All part time and full time faculty members with NP credentials who teach in NP clinical courses are eligible for committee participation.
   2. Appointment: The School Director appoints subcommittee members.
   3. Functions:
      1. Address student issues specific to NP courses.
      2. Conduct periodic review and evaluation of the NP program curricula with recommendations to be made to the Graduate Education Committee.
      3. Review and apply specific NP program standards (NONPF National Task Force Criteria) to curriculum.
      4. Make recommendations related to course offerings/timing.
      5. Monitor student progression in NP programs.
      6. Provide expertise on certification requirements/issues.
      7. Access and evaluate preceptors/clinical sites for NP students.

E. Student Affairs

1. Composition:

   1. Five faculty members (minimum one tenured faculty).
   2. At least one student from the undergraduate programs.
   3. Assistant Dean for Student Services, ex-officio
      
2. Appointment:

   1. The School Director appoints committee members.
      

   Functions:

   1. Collaborate with the Assistant Dean, the School Director, and the Director of the Division of Special Programs on matters related to undergraduate academic advisement;
   2. Orient faculty to undergraduate student advisement procedures;
   3. Collaborate with faculty to handle undergraduate student progression issues;
   4. Consider and make decisions about exceptions concerning undergraduate academic policies according to the School’s appeal process;
   5. Consider and make decisions about nursing course substitutions and sequence.
   6. Periodically review student policies and procedures and make recommendations for change as needed; and
   7. Coordinate undergraduate student Honors Day awards.
      

F. Safety

1. Composition:

   1. One faculty member.
   2. One professional staff or salaried staff person
   3. One student
   4. Director of Occupational Health and Safety (or designee), Ex Officio
   5. School Director, ex-officio
      
2. Appointment:

   1. The School Director appoints committee members.
      
3. Functions:

   1. Assure safety inspections of operations and facilities including storage and store room areas, teaching laboratories, and offices are conducted. Inspections should be conducted at least once each semester (fall, spring, summer) in academic departments and quarterly in non-academic departments:
   2. Advise and seek guidance from the School Director in matters pertaining to safety;
   3. Recommend and/or develop safe practices and procedures such as those related to removal of hazardous waste;
   4. Assist fellow employees and students to comply with safety and health rules through the Right to Know program and annual documentation of immunization status;
   5. Address the safety concerns of fellow School members;
   6. Perform other safety related functions as assigned by the School Director; and
   7. Meet as needed, but no fewer than four times per year and submit an annual report of Committee activities to the School of Occupational Health and Safety and the Director of the School of Nursing.
      

G. Committee on Educational Assessment

1. Composition:

   1. Four or more faculty members (minimum one tenured faculty)
   2. At least one student representative; and
   3. School Director, ex-officio.
      
2. Appointment:

   1. The School Director appoints committee members.
      
3. Functions

   1. Periodically review and revise program evaluation blueprint to insure consistency with school goals and program outcomes.
   2. Maintain ongoing processes for assessment of School structure and function.
   3. Coordinate assessment efforts of various committees and responsible parties.
   4. Develop and maintain a central repository for assessment data.
   5. Design and implement a system to facilitate data analysis, dissemination, and follow-up.
   6. Evaluate assessment tools as needed.
   7. Coordinate the administration of end of program exit and alumni surveys.

 

BYLAWS: ARTICLE IV

AMENDMENTS

The Bylaws may be amended only by a two-thirds vote of the ballots cast by the total voting faculty. Written notice of intent to amend must be received by all voting faculty one week prior to the meeting at which they will be discussed.

Approved by the School of Nursing Faculty on April 16, 2007.

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