Commission on the Status of Women Bylaws

Commission on the Status of Women BYLAWS approved October 2020

ARTICLE I. MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Commission on the Status of Women is dedicated to the support of all women on our campus (faculty, staff and students), regardless of age, race, class, ethnicity, gender identity, disabilities, veteran status, and/or sexual orientation. The Commission will assess the need for and advocate for policies that create a campus climate promoting full and equal opportunity for women to study, work, live, and speak in an environment free of discrimination and harassment. The Commission will undertake this Mission by conducting policy analyses, climate surveys, advocacy, education, and other programming, as appropriate.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The Commission was established to address the need to ensure equity for women and to create an environment based on a philosophy of social, political, and economic equality for all people throughout the institution. We work to influence our culture through policy development and by raising awareness regarding issues that disproportionately impact us based on our genders. The specific objectives of the Commission will be established annually by each Executive Committee of the Commission on the Status of Women, in consultation with the Commission as a whole, in response to the evolving needs of the campus.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP AND ELECTIONS

The Commission on the Status of Women consists of 24 elected, voting members. The Commission represents Faculty (7 tenure/tenure-track, 3 lecturers, 1 adjunct), Staff Members (7 exempt and 3 non-exempt), and Students (2 undergraduates and 1 graduate).   Full time faculty and staff will serve 3-year terms. Students and adjunct faculty serve a 1-year term.  Members may serve a maximum of 2 consecutive terms.  The Commission’s Nominating Committee coordinates elections, with staggered terms.  Self-nominations are welcomed. 

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD

All officers will be nominated then elected from the Commission membership in April or May or each year. The elected Executive Committee will consist of the following:

1. Chair (1 year term)
2. Chair-Elect (1 year term)
3. Past-Chair (1 year term)
4. Representative at Large (1 year term)
5. Recorder/Treasurer (2 years term)
6. Website/Communications Officer (2 years term)

Ex-officio members and/or liaisons will be appointed as needed and directed by the Executive Committee; possible ex-officio members may include representatives from: the Office of Communications and Marketing; the Chancellor’s Office; the Office of Equity and Inclusion; the Center for Women and Gender Equity, etc.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS

Regular meetings of the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Commission on the Status of Women membership will be held monthly on a day and time established by the membership.

Meetings are open; however, voting is limited to Commission members. In addition, special meetings can be called, but only with a previously announced purpose.

The Recorder/Treasurer is responsible for distribution of an annual schedule of regular meeting dates to all commission members. This includes the distribution of the agenda prior to each meeting. The commission chair will oversee each meeting. A quorum will constitute 60% of the members of the body; attendance at regular meetings can be either virtual or in person depending on the needs of the organization. All Commission members are expected to attend and participate in regular and special meetings of the Commission. A member who cannot attend a regular or special meeting is responsible for notifying the chair(s), or Commission support staff of absence and for learning what transpired at the meeting.

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES

Standing Subcommittees will include Executive, Research, and Nominating; additional subcommittees will be determined by the Executive Committee each year as needed.

ARTICLE VII.  AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

These Bylaws can be amended only by a vote of the Commission membership, provided the membership has been apprised of the proposed changes in writing at least one week prior to the vote. Approval of Bylaw amendments requires an affirmative vote of the majority of the voting membership.