ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of the council is The College of Education and Human Ecology Staff Advisory Council (EHE SAC).
ARTICLE II: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purpose of the College of Education and Human Ecology (EHE) Staff Advisory Council is to work toward the betterment of the college and contribute to the overall success of students; to promote mutual respect among faculty, staff, and students; to provide opportunities for staff to engage in service and professional learning experiences in order to develop their skills; and to support opportunities for staff to network and collaborate.
The work of the EHE SAC aligns to and supports the core values of EHE: excellence, integrity, diversity, equity, inclusion, innovation, and internationalization. The EHE SAC will provide leadership in advancing the core values of the college by supporting faculty, staff, and students.
To accomplish this, the EHE SAC will:
- Focus on the success of students
- Represent the interests of all EHE staff
- Maintain a diverse and inclusive council
- Behave ethically and be accountable for its actions
- Seek innovative solutions to address EHE challenges and opportunities
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Regular Members
The council is composed of 12-15 regular members. The council membership shall include representatives from EHE offices, academic departments, and centers, reflecting the composition of the college in an inclusive manner. The EHE SAC seeks to maintain a diversity of membership and viewpoints. Members may serve two-year terms, commencing on July 1 of their appointment to the council. Incumbents may be re-nominated to serve a second two-year term. New members will begin their terms on July 1.
Section 2. Eligibility
Staff eligibility for the SAC requires the following:
- Minimum of one year of employment at Ohio State
- Willingness to make the necessary time commitment
- Ability to represent staff of the college with professionalism and a solution-based orientation
Section 3. Selection
Staff who would like to serve on the EHE SAC should respond to an annual Call for Nominations distributed via a Qualtrics survey. Nominees for new membership and re-nominated members will be voted on by the current EHE SAC membership.
Section 4. Vacancies
Council membership vacancies that arise shall be filled by SAC, in consultation with the Dean, within two months or via the annual selection process, if it is underway.
Section 5. Membership Participation
EHE SAC members may only miss up to three meetings in a calendar year. Additional missed meetings may lead to dismissal from membership. Each EHE SAC member is expected to participate in at least one subcommittee during their term. Exceptions can be made for staff on extended leave for medical reasons.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS
Section 1. Titles
Three members of the EHE SAC will serve as officers: Two Co-Chairs and a Secretary each serving a one year term beginning in July and running through the following June.
Section 2. Duties
The duties of the Co-Chairs are to:
- Facilitate and foster an open, inclusive, and positive atmosphere
- Call meetings and set the agenda
- Preside over and conduct the meetings in accordance with accepted meeting procedures
- Aid the subcommittee chairs in setting the goals and priorities of the subcommittees
- Monitor that the bylaws are followed
- Ensure professional development and staff appreciation events are planned and executed annually
- Represent SAC at meetings with EHE leadership, including the Executive Council, when appropriate
- Manage the EHE SAC website and staff engagement activities
- Create and disseminate the agenda
The duties of the Secretary are to:
- Record minutes
- Maintain archives in an electronic form
- Facilitate communications and outreach activities
- Act in place of the Co-Chairs in their absence
Section 3. Appointment as an Officer
The Co-Chairs shall be voted on by SAC members for the following year and approved by the Office of the Dean. The Secretary will be appointed by the Chair on an annual basis from the EHE SAC members. Nominations and elections by the full SAC will determine selection of the Secretary.
Section 4. Membership on the EHE College Council
The EHE SAC co-chairs shall serve as staff representatives on the EHE College Council or its equivalent, if applicable. The secretary will serve as an alternate member and will serve only in the absence of one of the co-chairs. Staff representatives on College Council shall vote only on non-educational and non-academic policies.
ARTICLE V: MEETINGS
Section 1. Frequency
The EHE SAC will hold monthly meetings. Meeting schedules, agendas, and minutes will be posted online for EHE staff to access. EHE SAC will seek input and participation of EHE staff at monthly meetings. The EHE SAC shall meet with the Dean at a minimum of once per semester.
Section 2. Quorum
A quorum shall consist of an officer and a simple majority of EHE SAC.
Section 3. Voting
The EHE SAC shall strive for consensus decision-making. On issues where consensus is not achieved, voting will be conducted per Robert’s Rules of Order. Voting for the election of officers shall be done electronically using Qualtrics.
Section 4. Special Meetings
The EHE SAC Co-Chairs shall be authorized to call special meetings. Except in the rare case of an emergency, five (5) business days’ notice shall be given.
ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
These Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the EHE SAC by a majority vote of the full SAC. Suggested amendments shall be submitted to the Chair for distribution to the full SAC for consideration and discussion at the next scheduled meeting.
Updated September 21, 2023