Bylaws of the Eastern Illinois University Campus Advising Network
Last update: 7/31/07 - Webpage last updated: 4/15/09
Article I. Name and Acronym
The name of this group shall be the Campus Advising Network. The official acronym of the group shall be CAN.
Article II. Goals
The goals of the Campus Advising Network (CAN) shall be:
To provide leadership in creating a community of academic advisors
To serve as a clearinghouse for information concerning changes in prerequisites, general education and program requirements, certification procedures and criteria, course offerings, transfer course equivalencies, etc.
To develop resource materials to be used by advisors and counselors on campus
To develop, organize and promote professional development and training activities for academic advisors
To facilitate the mentoring of new advisors
To develop working relationships between professional and faculty academic advisors
To increase and improve academic support services for minority and transfer students
To serve as advocates for advisors and students, advising CAA, COTE, and other bodies as to the practical effects of rule and program changes
Article III. Membership
Eligibility. Membership is open to academic advisors from each of the four colleges, the certifying deans in each college, professional advisors in Academic Advising/Minority Affairs/Honors, and academic support staff across campus that perform counseling and advising functions.
Rights. All members shall be eligible to vote, hold office, and attend meetings of CAN and are entitled to all the services and benefits provided by CAN.
Article IV. Steering Committee
Composition and Tenure
The Steering Committee shall be comprised of nine members: One representative from each of the four academic colleges (Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Education and Professional Studies, Business and Applied Sciences), one representative from the professional advisors, one representative from the certifying deans, one representative from Minority Affairs, one representative from Academic Affairs and one student representative.
The Steering Committee shall meet at least once a month during the academic year. Members shall serve for a term of three years and may serve longer based on interest and time commitments. No member may hold more than one seat on the Steering Committee at one time.
In case of vacancy, resignation, or removal of any member of the Steering Committee, the Steering Committee shall announce the vacancy and solicit from the CAN membership nominations for a new Steering Committee member, chosen from the appropriate area, to fill the vacated seat. Self-nominations shall be allowed. After considering all nominations, the Steering Committee shall appoint a new member to fill the remainder of the term.
Officers and Duties
At the final meeting of the Steering Committee during Spring Semester, the Steering Committee shall elect a Chair and Vice-Chair for the following academic year. These positions take effect immediately upon convening of the next Steering Committee meeting.
The Chair shall:
Preside over meetings of the Steering Committee;
Appoint committees and their chairpersons;
Communicate with the administration about the business of CAN;
Call meetings of the Steering Committee; and,
Have overall responsibility for the coordination of all areas of the work of CAN.
The Vice-Chair shall:
Serve as Chair in the absence of the Chair;
Record and publish minutes of each meeting;
Maintain a membership list (directory);
Notify members of upcoming meetings; and,
Record attendance at meetings.
The duties of the Vice-Chair may be assumed by another Steering Committee member while the Vice-Chair serves as Chair. Specific Powers and Responsibilities
The steering committee shall:
Supervise the activities of the Standing Committees.
Prepare and submit an annual report.
Be responsible for meetings of the network.
Seek funding for activities from the office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Removal
Officers and members of the Steering Committee may be removed for just cause by a vote of the majority of the Steering Committee.
Interim Officers
In case of vacancy, resignation, or removal of the Chair, the Vice-Chair shall become the Chair for the remainder of the term and the Steering Committee shall elect a new Vice-Chair from the Steering Committee.
In case of vacancy, resignation, or removal of the Vice-Chair, the Steering Committee shall elect a new Vice-Chair from the Steering Committee.
Article V. Contact Advisors
Contact Advisors
Contact advisors for each of the departments and advising units on campus shall be identified by the chairs or directors of their units and appointed by the Steering Committee for two year terms. Contact advisors serve as liaisons for their units and are instrumental in passing along advisement news and information to colleagues in their units.
Article VI. Standing Committees
Establishment of Standing Committees
Standing Committees of CAN shall include but are not limited to: Communications, Training, and Technology. Additional committees may be established by the Steering Committee as deemed necessary. Each Standing Committee shall prepare an annual report to be submitted to the Steering Committee before the end of Spring Semester.
Nature of Standing Committees
Communications. The purpose of the committee is to establish a communication network among advisors within Eastern Illinois University, publicizing CAN events and circulating useful advisement information to the membership, with special attention to changes in academic programs and policies.
Training. The purpose of the committee is to promote professional growth of the membership for the benefit of advisors, students, and the university as a whole. In addition, the committee shall assist in planning biannual meetings and seminars to promote the professional growth and development of advisors.
Technology. The purpose of the committee is to facilitate the use of technology by advisors and the membership.
Membership in Committees
Membership in the Standing Committees shall be open to all CAN members. Members may join a Standing Committee by communicating their interest to the Steering Committee.
Chairs of Standing Committees
Committee Chairs shall be appointed by the Steering Committee for a one-year term.
Committee Chairs may be reappointed by the Steering Committee.
Article VII. Meetings
Meetings of CAN shall be held at least once in Fall Semester and once in Spring Semester at a date, time, and location established by the CAN Steering Committee. Special meetings and/or conferences may also be held. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings at meetings of CAN.
Article VIII. Amendments to the Bylaws
Any member of the Steering Committee may submit a proposed amendment to the Bylaws to the Chair of the Steering Committee. The proposed amendment must be submitted in writing. The Chair will have the responsibility of publishing the proposed change to the membership, with voting to take place no sooner than one month following such announcement.
Amendments to the bylaws must be ratified by a vote of at least five members of the Steering Committee.
