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Note - the Bylaws listed below have been superceded by the new Constitution, which went into effect on January 1, 2002. Old bylaws are listed below as a reference only.
Bylaws to the Constitution of the Staff Organization of Carnegie Mellon University Item 1: Membership in the Staff Organization1.a) Staff Council Resolutions conferring membership upon qualified individuals (under Article III, of the Constitution) include a description of that individual's association defining the conditions by which he or she remains a member of the Staff Organization.1.b) The Staff Council Secretary maintains a current list of the members of the Staff Council. Item 2: Officers of the Staff Organization2.a) Each of the regular terms of office of the officers of the Staff Organization (described in Article IV, Section 3 of the Constitution) commences or expires at the beginning of the August Staff Council meeting. The mid-point of a one-year term of office (referred to in Article IV, Sections 4 and 5) is defined as the third Thursday in February.2.b) A person may not simultaneously hold more than one of the offices named in Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution. 2.c) If a vacancy occurs in the office of Past Chair before the expiration of the one-year term, the person who most recently satisfies the requirements of Article IV, Section 5 of the Constitution, becomes Past Chair. 2.d) If at any time, no person is available to serve as Past Chair (under the conditions specified in Article IV, Section 5) that office remains vacant until a qualified person is available. 2.e) Should a vacancy occur in the office of Vice Chair, Secretary, or Treasurer, before the completion of a term of office, the Nominating Committee nominates a candidate or candidates for the vacant office and an election is held at the first possible Staff Council meeting. At that meeting, nominations from the floor are acceptable. Such an election is decided by a majority of the secret ballots received from Staff Council members attending the meeting. Officers elected by this method serve to the original expiration date of the term that they have been elected to complete. 2.f) Should a vacancy occur in the office of Chair of the Staff Organization, the Vice Chair of the Staff Organization shall complete that term and a new Vice Chair shall be selected in accordance with Article 2.e of these Bylaws. 2.g) If, at any time during a term, the office of Chair becomes vacant the Vice Chair becomes Chair for the remainder of the term. If the office of Vice Chair is vacant at the same time, a Chair is elected for the remainder of the term. 2.h) If a vacancy occurs in either the offices of Chair, Vice-chair, Secretary or Treasurer, and the position remains vacant after the regularly scheduled meeting of the Staff Council where the vacancy is announced, a special election (according to Section 2.i of these By-laws) for new Members of Staff Council must be held within two months and the terms of the current Elected Representatives expire at the end of this two month period. 2.i) In the event of a Special Election, the forty representatives receiving the highest vote totals will complete the terms of those elected at the last regularly scheduled election. The forty representatives receiving the next forty highest vote totals complete the terms of the forty members elected at the prior regularly scheduled election. Item 3: The Staff Council Office3.a) The Staff Council Office provides a meeting place for Committees of the Staff Council, and provides a location to keep documents and records of Staff Council.3.b) The Staff Council Office is supervised by the Secretary of the Staff Organization, who is responsible for the scheduling and operation of the Council Office under the direction of the Executive Committee. Item 4: Representatives4.a) For the purposes of electing Representatives under Article V, Section 2 of the Constitution, 80 Representatives are elected at-large from the Staff Organization, in accordance with Article III, section 1 of the Constitution.4.b) Representatives are nominated and elected from the eligible members of the Staff Organization. Eligibility is verified by the Staff Council Office. The process of obtaining nominations is coordinated, during each month of March, by the Nominating Committee under the supervision of the Chair of the Nominating Committee. Additional nominations may be made by a petition of five members of the Staff Organization. Such a petition is directed to the Chair of the Nominating Committee before the end of the month of March. Ballots are distributed three or four weeks before the last day of classes. 4.e) The election of Representatives is by secret ballot and is conducted and the results announced by the Staff Council Balloting Committee under the supervision of the Vice Chair of the Staff Organization. Write-in votes for qualified individuals are permitted. The elections are decided by a majority of the votes received for all open seats. 4.f) Alternate Members of Staff Council are those members of the Staff Organization who are nominated to a seat on Staff Council, but fail to achieve a majority of the votes. Alternate Members of Staff Council serve 1 year terms. 4.g) Should a vacancy occur before the completion of a Representative's term, the remainder of the unexpired term is filled by an Alternate Member of Staff Council. The new member is selected by the Executive Committee which must consider the number of votes qualified Alternate Members received as well as their attendance record at Staff Council meetings. 4.h) Any Representative not attending three meetings may be dismissed by majority vote from the Staff Council and replaced according to Section 4 of the Bylaws. 4.i) The term of an Elected Member to Staff Council is two years, except for the conditions described in section 2.h) and 2.i) of these by-laws. Item 5: Members ex Officiis of the Staff Council5.a) Members Ex Officiis are appointed according to Article V, Section 3 of the Constitution.Item 6: Appointed Members of the Staff Council6.a) Members are appointed to non-voting seats on Staff Council for a period of 1 year (according to Article V, Section 4 of the Constitution).Item 7: Meetings of the Staff Council7.a) The Staff Council holds regularly scheduled meetings at least once in each of ten months during each calendar year.7.b) Additional meetings of the Staff Council are held at the call of the Chair of the Staff Organization. The Chair is required to call such a meeting if requested to do so by the President of the University or if requested in writing by at least twenty members of the Staff Council. 7.c) Should both the Chair and Vice Chair be unavailable to preside at a meeting of the Staff Council, the Staff Council appoints, by resolution, one of the Executive Committee present to serve as Chair Pro Tempore. 7.d) Any matter may be placed before a meeting of the Staff Council and acted upon without appearing on the agenda unless the presiding officer decides on a delay. Such a delay must be granted if requested one-third or more of the members present. If consideration of a matter is thus delayed, it is placed upon the agenda for the next meeting of the Staff Council unless the proposers and the Chair agree on another procedure. 7.e) Elections held at Staff Council meetings are by secret ballot and are conducted by the Secretary of the Staff Council. 7.f) In matters not specified in these Bylaws, meetings of the Staff Council are conducted according to the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order. 7.g) Before the first regularly scheduled Staff Council meeting of each academic year, the Chair of the Staff Organization appoints a Parliamentarian from among the members of the Staff Organization who do not hold elected office. Should the Parliamentarian be absent at a Staff Council meeting, an Acting Parliamentarian is appointed by the Chair for the duration of that meeting. 7.h) The Parliamentarian remains a full voting member of Staff Council and retains all the duties and priveledges of membership in the Staff Council. 7.i) Questions of procedure arising during a meeting of the Staff Council are decided by the presiding officer after consultation with the Parliamentarian. A ruling of the presiding officer may be overruled by a majority vote of the Staff Council members present. Item 8: Meetings of the Staff Organization8.a) Meetings of the Staff Organization are called by the Chair only when: the Staff Council so orders, or a written request has been received from twenty (20) members of the Staff Organization, or a written request has been received from the President of the University, or the Chair decides that a matter requires the attention of such a meeting. In every case the request, and the call of the meeting, are to specify the subjects to be discussed. Matters that have not been so specified may be addressed by the meeting only if included in the agenda by unanimous consent.8.b) The presence of twenty or more members of the Staff Organization is required in order to transact business. 8.c) Approval of a resolution requires an affirmative vote of two-thirds or more of the members voting, except for strictly procedural matters which are governed by the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order. 8.d) Actions contained in resolutions of a meeting of the Staff Organization do not take precedence over actions of the Staff Council. A meeting of the Staff Organization has the power, however, to initiate a referendum of the membership of the Staff Organization, as provided in Article VI, Section 1 of the Constitution. A resolution initiating a referendum requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds or more of the members voting. 8.e) All procedures for conducting, recording, and reporting on the actions of meetings of the Staff Organization are the same as those established for the Staff Council in the Constitution and these Bylaws with the exceptions indicated in Items (8.a) through (8.d), above. Item 9: Referenda of the Staff9.a) A question submitted to a referendum of the Staff Organization takes the form of a resolution to be approved or rejected. A resolution of the Staff Council or of a meeting of the Staff Organization that initiates a referendum contains the exact wording of the resolution that is to be put to a vote.9.b) Each referendum is conducted by written secret ballot. The ballots are distributed to all members of the Staff Organization at least fifteen days before the date set for returning them to the Staff Council Office. 9.c) A resolution submitted to a referendum is approved if it receives the affirmative votes of a majority of those voting, provided the affirmative votes constitute one-fourth or more of the membership of the Staff Organization. Item 10: Appointments10.a) Unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws or in the written charge to an Ad Hoc Committee, an attempt is made to provide representation of a variety of Colleges,Schools, and administrative units of the University as appointments are made to any of the committees or councils described in Articles VII and VIII of the Constitution.10.b) Unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws or in the written charge to an Ad Hoc Committee, vacancies in unexpired terms occurring in any of the committees described in Article VII of the Constitution may be filled by qualified persons appointed by the Chair of the Staff Organization. Item 11: The Executive Committee11.a) The Executive Committee is composed of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Past Chair of Staff Council, Chair of the Communications Committee and the Chair of the Staff Affairs Council.11.b) One member of the Staff Council may be elected to an at-large seat on the Executive Committee at the discretion of the Chair of the Staff Organization. 11.c) The Executive Committee meets no less than once each calendar month during the academic year and as needed during the summer. 11.d) Should both the Chair and Vice Chair be unavailable to conduct a meeting of the Executive Committee, the Chair may appoint a member of the Executive Committee to do so. If no such appointment is made, the members of the Executive Committee may appoint one of their members to conduct a meeting. 11.e) A quorum of four members of the Executive Committee is required for the Executive Committee to conduct business. Item 12: The Elections Committee12.a) The Election Committee is chaired by the Vice Chair of the Staff Council and consists of the Secretary and Treasurer of the Staff Council and five Representatives appointed by the Chair of the Staff Council in consultation with the Executive Committee. If the position of ViceChair is vacant or the Vice Chair is unable to serve, the Secretary chairs the Election Committee.12.b) The Elections Committee produces or secures nominations for all elections, and conducts all elections for Staff Council and the Officers of the Staff Organization. The Elections Committee oversees the activities of the Nominating and Balloting Committees. 12.c) Staff Council Nominating Committee 12.c.1) The Chair of this Committee is elected from the membership of the Elections Committee, by majority vote of the same. 12.c.2) The Committee nominates candidates for all elected positions within the Staff Organization. 12.c.3) The Nominating Subcommittee produces a ballot of one or two nominations for each elected position to be filled. 12.c.4) Before March 1 of each year, the Nominating Committee produces a ballot for the election of officers of the Staff Organization as specified in Article IV of the Constitution. Voting of the membership of the Staff Organization for the election of officers (Article IV, Section 6 of the Constitution) takes place each year within three to four weeks of the last day of classes. 12.d) Staff Council Balloting Committee 12.d.1) The Chair of this Committee is the Vice Chair of Staff Council. 12.d.2) The Committee secures procedures for conducting all elections within the Staff Organization. 12.e.3) The Committee is charged with conducting all elections and enforcing all election procedures. It is also charged with verifying the results of all elections within the Staff Organization. 12.e.4) Should an election ballot put before the Staff Organization or the Staff Council result in a tie vote, the Chair of the Staff Organization decides the election. Item 13: The Staff Affairs Council13.a) The Staff Affairs Council consists of members of the Staff Council.13.b) The Chair of the Staff Affairs Council is appointed, from among the members of the Staff Affairs Council, by the Executive Committee upon nomination by the Chair of the Staff Council. This appointment is subject to ratification by the Staff Council. The other members of the Staff Affairs Council are appointed in the same manner, their nomination being preceded by consultation with the Chair of the Staff Organization. 13.c) The term of office of the Chair and members of the Staff Affairs Council is one year. 13.d) The Staff Affairs Council reports to the Staff Council and the Executive Committee. It holds regularly scheduled meetings and also meets when requested to do so by the Staff Council or the Executive Committee. 13.e) Standing Subcommittees of the Staff Affairs Council 13.e.1) Staff Council Benefits Committee The Staff Council Benefits Committee is overseen by the Staff Affairs Council and addresses all issues defined as benefits of employment. 13.e.2) Staff Council Part-Time Staff Committee The Staff Council Part-Time Staff Committee is overseen by the Staff Affairs Council and will address issues relevant to part-time status of members of the Staff Organization. 13.e.3) Committee to Examine Discrimination The Staff Council Committee to Examine Discrimination is overseen by the Staff Affairs Council and will address issues relevant to the University's Statement of Assurance with regard to hiring and employment practices and the general well-being of the members of the Staff Organization. 13.e.4) Activities Committee The Staff Council Activities Committee is overseen by the Staff Affairs Council. It is charged with proposing, arranging and running one-time and on-going recreational activities for the Staff Organization. All activities proposed by this Committee require a majority vote of the Staff Council. 13.e.5) P.E.A.A. Committee The P.E.A.A. Subcommittee is overseen by the Staff Affairs Council. It is charged with communicating with the Pittsburgh Employees Activities Association to facilitate the distribution of discounts to parks, events and businesses and other relevant information to Carnegie Mellon employees. 13.e.6) Service Recognition Committee The Service Recognition Committee is overseen by the Staff Affairs Council. The Service Recognition Committee is charged with identifying and rewarding excellence in service to the University and the greater Pittsburgh Community by members of the Carngie Mellon Staff Organization. 13.e.7) Facilities Committee The Facilities Committee is overseen by the Staff Affairs Council. The Facilities Committee is charged with investigating issues regarding University facilities and suggesting changes to the University. 13.e.8) Committee on the Grievance Procedure The Staff Council Committee on the Grievance Procedure is a subcommittee of the Staff Affairs Council. It is charged with over-seeing the University's Staff Grievance Procedure. This responsibility includes, but is not limited to, evaluating the operation and the effectiveness of the grievance procedure, recommending changes to the grievance procedure, and establishing support mechanisms for staff members that file grievances. 13.e.9) Committee on Professional Activities The Staff Council Committee on Professional Activities is a subcommittee of the Staff Affairs Council. It is charged with over-seeing and advising on University policies and procedures including, but are not limited to, University policies on intellectual property, publications, and internal and external consulting. Item 14: The Communications Committee14.a) The Staff Council Communications Committee is reponsible for the official communications between the Staff Council and the university at large. This includes, but is not limited to, writing articles to appear in Focus and other University publications, and preparing the Staff Organization's report to the President. The Communications Committee is also responsible for announcing to the staff-at-large the University President annual address to the staff, and soliciting questions from the staff in advance of this address for consideration by the President.Item 15: Standing Committees Established in These BylawsThe Standing Committees established in these Bylaws are:15.a) Rules CommitteeThe Rules Committee is chaired by the Parliamentarian of the Staff Organization, as appointed by section 7.g of these By-Laws. The Rules Committee is charged with recommending amendments to the Constitution and the By-Laws of the Staff Organization. It may also be charged with interpreting provisions of the Constitution and the By-Laws of the Staff Organization at the discretion of the Chair of the Staff Organization, or by majority vote of the members of Staff Council present.Item 16: Ad Hoc Committees16.a) Upon the completion of the task assigned to an Ad Hoc Committee, a written report is presented to the Executive Committee.16.b) Written reports from Ad Hoc Committees which have not completed their assigned tasks are prepared for the last regularly scheduled Executive Committee meeting each academic year. Item 17: Staff Council Appointments to University Councils and CommitteesThe University Administration and various units within the University often request Staff Council representation on Committees. These appointments are made by the Chair of the Staff Organization in consultation with the Executive Committee. Appointments are for terms of one year. Appointments to fill vacancies in unexpired terms are made by the Chair of the Staff Organization.Item 18: Publications of the Staff CouncilThe Staff Council publishes an Annual Report to the President.Item 19: Social and Welfare Activities19.a) In addition to the duties described in Article IV, Section 2.b) of the Constitution, the Treasurer of the Staff Organization oversees the social and welfare activities of the Staff Organization. These include, but are not limited to, taking appropriate action, through the Staff Council Office, in the event of continued illness or death of a Staff member or upon the retirement of a member of the Staff Organization. In the performance of these duties, the Treasurer may choose to appoint a Social and Welfare Committee for the duration of the Treasurer's term.Item 20: Effective Date20.a) These Bylaws shall become effective August 1, 1993. Last revised 3-18-95Note - the Bylaws listed above have been superceded by the new Constitution, which went into effect on January 1, 2002. Old bylaws are listed above as a reference only. This
page last updated September 24, 2001 by:
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