Article I. Name
The name of this group is the President’s Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (the “Commission”).
Article II. Purpose
The Commission will serve as an advisory group to the President of Marshall University on matters related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and will take as our guidance the Marshall University Creed, the President’s Goals for the University, and the Commission’s current strategic planning document. The Commission will recommend initiatives and evidence-based programming that supports the recruitment, development, and success of a diverse workforce and student body. Each Commissioner will serve as advocates for increasing diversity in their respective units.
The purpose of the Commission on Diversity Equity, and Inclusion is to facilitate discussion and analysis of issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Marshall University and in the surrounding Huntington communities. The Commission is committed to researching, developing, and implementing educational and social initiatives that reflect the University’s commitment to all stakeholders and its pledge to create and maintain a community for all regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, marital or veteran status.
Article III. Membership
The Commission is comprised of Commissioners from each of the following colleges and organizational units: College of Science, Lewis College of Business, College of Arts & Media, College of Liberal Arts, College of Education and Professional Development, College of Health Professions, College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, University Libraries, Marshall Athletics, Division of Student Affairs, the Division of Academic Affairs, Marshall University Research Corporation (MURC), and the University at Large. All representatives are elected within their respective unit.
Section 1. Election of Members
Nominations for Commissioners will be open during March of each year. Candidates can be nominated by others or self-nominate. Candidates from each college and organizational units will be voted upon by their respective groups in April. Candidates who receive a majority of votes will be elected to represent their College or organizational unit. Newly elected members are invited to attend meetings before officially beginning their term. All terms of membership shall begin on July 1 and end on June 30.
Section 2: Election of Officers
The election of officers will occur in May of each year. Nominations for each position will be collected during the first two weeks of May and voting will occur during the second two weeks in May. If more than one person is running for a position, the person with the majority of votes will serve in this role.
To be eligible for the position, a candidate for Chair or Vice-Chair must have served at least one year on the Commission prior to becoming Chair or Vice-Chair.
Section 3. Elected Members
Elected members shall be faculty and both classified and non-classified staff. Each representative will serve a two-year term. Representatives can serve up to three consecutive terms, if elected. Exceptions to the two-year term will be made when a new member is filling a vacancy or unexpired term of a former member. Elected members will constitute the majority and the voting members of the commission.
Section 4. Presidential Appointments
The President may nominate individuals to serve on the Commission. Presidential nominees may serve on standing committees and/or ad hoc committees for a specific project, issue or time period, at the request of the standing committee, the Executive Committee, or the Chair of the Commission. Appointments by the president will last one calendar year, at which time the President may choose to reappoint the individual.
Presidential appointments will not comprise of more than 20% of the Commission.
Section 5. Ex-Officio Members
Individuals serving in the following University positions are designated as Ex-officio:
- Women’s and Gender Center, Director
- Disability Services, Director
- LGBTQ+ Office, Director
- Human Resources, Director
President or representative of one or more of the following student organizations:
- Student Government Association
Ex-Officio members (or their designee) shall serve on standing committees aligned with their organizational area of focus to support the work of the Commission. They are not voting members of the Commission.
Section 6. Quorum and Adjournment
Meetings attended by at least 51% of the voting membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section 7. Resignations, Vacancies, and Removals
Commissioners must provide written notice of resignation from the Commission as soon as possible. Vacancies can be filled by appointment until the next election cycle. The Chair can make vacancy appointments by recommendation of the college or organizational unit.
Removal of Commissioners will occur if they fail to attend 3 full Commission meetings within a year or refuse to participate in ongoing sub-committee work as assigned. Members may also be removed for violating the principles of the Marshall Creed in professional or personal contexts. The removal process will first involve a formal inquiry by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will put their recommendation for removal before the full Commission for a vote. Once a Commissioner has been removed from their position by a majority vote, a new replacement will be made via the processes outlined in these bylaws at the start of the next fiscal year.
Article IV. Meetings
Section 1. Time of Meetings
At least one meeting of the full Commission will be held quarterly. The location, date, time, and modality will be determined by the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee will also hold at least one meeting each month.
Section 2. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the full Commission may be called by the Chair or Executive Committee.
Section 3. Attendance
Commissioners are expected to attend all full Commission meetings and the meetings of sub committees or groups to which they have been elected or appointed. After missing two meetings within the fiscal year, the Secretary will remind the Commissioner of their obligation to attend all meetings. If a Commissioner misses a third meeting, they will be asked to resign from their post.
A record of attendance will be kept in the minutes of each meeting of the full commission, sub committees, and special tasks forces.
Article V. Officers
The Commission officers will include the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and members of the Executive Committee.
Section 1. Chair
The Chair shall be elected by the full Commission. The Chair will be appointed by nomination or self-nomination by the current Commissioners. If more than one person is running for this position, the person with the most votes will serve in this role. The Chair shall preside over the quarterly meetings of the full Commission and Executive Committee. The Chair may appoint any ad hoc committees necessary for the functioning of the Commission. The Chair of the Commission shall serve for a maximum of 2 consecutive one year terms.
Section 2. Vice-Chair
The Vice-Chair shall be elected by the full Commission. The Vice-Chair will be appointed by nomination or self-nomination by the current Commissioners. If more than one person is running for this position, the person with the most votes will serve in this role. The Vice Chair shall assist the Chair with the organization of the Commission. The Vic-Chair will be available to step in for individual meetings in the absence of the Chair. The Vice-Chair shall be willing to step into the role of Chair in the event this person leaves the university, resigns from their role, or is asked to leave the Commission. The Vice- Chair of the Commission shall serve for a maximum of 2 consecutive one-year terms.
Section 3. Secretary
The Secretary shall be elected by the full Commission. The Secretary will be appointed by nomination or self-nomination by the current Commissioners. If more than one person is running for this position, the person with most votes will serve in this role. The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining the minutes and attendance at all the regular Commission meetings (this does not include the sub-committees or ad-hoc committees). The Secretary shall serve for a maximum of 2 consecutive one-year terms.
Section 4. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be elected by the full commission. The Treasurer will be appointed by nomination or self-nomination by the current Commissioners. If more than one person is running for this position, the person with the most votes will serve in this role. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all accounting duties for the Commission, including but not limited to working with the Foundation regarding the profits made from the annual fundraising event(s). The Treasurer shall serve for a maximum of 2 consecutive one-year terms.
Article VI. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Commission, the Secretary, the Treasurer and Chairs of the standing committees.
Section 1. Chair
The Chair shall serve as chair of the Executive Committee. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall preside and chair the Commission.
Article VII. Commission Committees
Section 1. Standing Committees
There shall be 3 standing committees to address the ongoing Mission of the Commission. The Standing Committees include: Diversity Award Committee, Nominating Committee, and Events Committee.
Diversity Award Committee
This committee is responsible for promoting the annual Diversity Awards on campus. This Committee is responsible for collecting nominations and voting for a faculty, staff, student, alum, and community representative for this award on an annual basis. The Office of the President will provide $1,500 to support the awards each year. During the first year, the committee will be responsible for establishing the award name.
Nomination Committee
This committee is responsible for gathering nominations and holding elections for Commissioners. The membership of this committee must be in their second term of service to the Commission, and thus, would not be eligible to run as Commissioners for the following nomination cycle.
Additionally, this committee shall also oversee the nomination and election process for officers in the Commission (e.g. Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer). These individuals may also run for one of these positions as long as they have not exceeded their term limits.
This committee is in charge of gathering nominations and holding elections for the Commission. The membership must be in their second term of service to the Commission. This committee is also in charge of gathering nominations and holding elections for officers in the Commission.
Events Committee
The committee is charged with creating and managing events that further the mission of the Commission. The Commission currently hosts two fundraising events for diversity scholarships: a SK and homecoming gala.
Section 2. Standing Committee Chair
All Chairs of Standing Committees shall be voting members of the Commission. Standing Committee Chairs may be appointed for one-year term for a maximum of two consecutive terms.
Section 3. Ad-Hoc Committees
The Chair of the Commission and/or the Executive Committee may establish ad hoc committees to accomplish specific administrative tasks or address issues as necessary, including but not limited to:Bylaws and Amendments
- Budget
- Assessment
Ad hoc committees may include active, associate, and/or ex-officio members to accomplish the task or objective.
Article VIII. Amendment of Bylaws
These bylaws can be amended at any regularly scheduled meeting, provided the amendment has been submitted in writing for review by the Executive Committee and voting members. The proposed Bylaw amendment shall be submitted to the full Commission at a regularly scheduled meeting prior to the meeting at which the vote is scheduled. Approval shall require a majority affirmative vote of the full commission of voting members.
