h/s=he/she
h/h=his/her
BYLAWS OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND
ASTRONOMY
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Approved by the faculty,
February 3, 2004
1.1.1. The
Department consists of regular faculty, temporary faculty, research faculty,
visiting and adjunct faculty, specialist, lecturer, research associates,
assistant instructors, A-P staff, technical and clerical staff, performing
duties assigned to them by the Chairperson, and graduate and undergraduate
students who have declared a major offered by the Department. These individuals
shall be known as Department members
1.1.2. Regular
faculty are the sole appointment in the Department in the tenure stream. All
other faculty are appointed for fixed terms.
1.2.1. The
voting faculty are all regular faculty members with tenure-home in the
Department, and all temporary faculty members with salary fraction of at least
51% controlled by the Department. Research faculty do not have voting privileges.
The voting graduate students are the seven members of the Physics Graduate
Council.
1.2.2. Voting
privileges of regular and temporary faculty holding joint appointments shall be
in conformity with the Bylaws for Academic Governance (BAG). Voting privileges
for the graduate student members shall not extend to areas reserved to the
faculty in rule BAG 1.2.3.
1.2.3. Voting
faculty are eligible to participate in Department governance through regularly
constituted standing committees of which the Modes of Participation are
specified herein according to the BAG.
1.2.3.1. None
of the above shall be considered as a restriction on any individual member of
the Department to make h/h views known to the Chairperson in private
conferences.
1.2.4. For
the purpose of electing members of certain standing committees, the voting
faculty shall be divided into interest groups according to their stated
research interests. Currently these interest groups are Nuclear Physics (NP),
High Energy Physics (HEP), Condensed Matter Physics (CMP) and Astronomy and
Astrophysics (AA).
1.2.4.1. Before
the End of Fall Semester each new voting faculty member shall inform the
Chairperson which interest group h/s wishes to join.
1.2.4.2. A
voting member may change h/h affiliation to another interest group. However,
unless informed otherwise, the Chairperson will continue to list the voting
faculty member with the interest group to which h/s belonged the preceding
year.
1.2.4.3. If the
constituency of any of the interest group falls below 10% of the voting
faculty, that interest group shall be discontinued as a separate entity. Each voting faculty member of the
interest group shall have the option of joining any of the remaining interest
groups.
1.2.4.4. If, as
the Department develops, 20% of the voting faculty feel that their common
interests warrant restructuring of the interest groups, such a restructuring
shall be considered at a Department meeting following the procedures of the
³Amendments² section. Such restructuring, if approved, shall become effective
the following Spring Semester.
1.3.1. The
Chairperson shall discharge all administrative duties and responsibilities
consistent with the BAG and Bylaws of the College of Natural Science. The
Chairperson may appoint up to four Associate Chairpersons, an Associate
Chairperson for the Undergraduate Program (ACUP), an Associate Chairperson for
the Graduate Program (ACGP), an Associate Chairperson for Operations (ACO), and
an Associate Chairperson for Astronomy (ACA).
1.3.1.1. In
addition to salary information (2.3.6), non-tenured members of the regular
faculty shall receive from the Chairperson an annual review of their
achievements and progress.
1.3.1.2. The
Chairperson may, at h/h discretion, delegate to other members of the Department
duties and responsibilities.
1.3.2. During
the temporary absence of the Chairperson, the sequential order for serving as
Chairperson shall be the ACO, the ACUP, ACGP, and the Chairperson of ADCOM. If
the designated position for serving as Chairperson is unfilled, or the
designated individual is also temporarily absent, the next person on this list
shall serve as Chairperson.
1.3.2.1. A
temporary absence shall be an absence, for reasons other than health, not to
exceed 12 weeks.
1.3.3. In
the event of an absence by the Chairperson which is anticipated to exceed 12
weeks, an Acting Chairperson shall be selected following the same procedures
that prevail for Election of the Chairperson (3.2).
1.3.4. In
the performance of h/h duties, the Chairperson shall seek the advice of voting
faculty through the various mechanisms provided in these Bylaws.
1.3.4.1. The
Chairperson shall make every reasonable effort to inform the voting faculty,
insofar as h/s is aware, of all College and University decisions, policies,
proposed policies or changes in policies that may bear on the future of the Department
so that h/s may derive the full benefit of informed advice.
1.3.5. The
Chairperson shall serve for four-year terms.
1.3.5.1. There
is no limit, other than the limit imposed by the University rules on retirement
from administration positions, on the number of terms an individual may serve
as Chairperson.
1.4.1. Meetings
of the Department shall be open to all members of the Department. The
Chairperson may restrict meetings to voting faculty in order to deal with
matters reserved to the voting faculty. These matters include:
1.4.1.1. Matters
pertaining to these Bylaws
1.4.1.2. Academic
matters pertaining to programs, examinations, and curriculum.
1.4.1.3. Matters
pertaining to personnel, including hiring, promotion, and staff affairs.
1.4.1.4. Matters
pertaining to departmental budget.
1.4.1.5. Matters
pertaining to space.
1.4.2. Meetings
of the Department may be called by the Chairperson or the Chairperson of ADCOM.
1.4.3. The
Chairperson of ADCOM shall call a department meeting at the request of five or
more voting faculty members.
1.4.4. Department
meetings shall be chaired by the Chairperson or the Chairperson of ADCOM,
whoever called the meeting.
1.4.5. An
agenda for the Department meeting shall be distributed to the voting faculty at
least three working days prior to the meeting. The individual who called the
meeting shall be responsible for the preparation and distribution of the
agenda.
1.4.5.1. The
agenda of Department meetings shall include any item brought by the ADCOM, by
the Chairperson, or two or more voting faculty members.
1.4.5.2. Under
exceptional circumstances a Department meeting may be called by the Department
Chairman or the Chairman of ADCOM on 24 hours notice. In that case, a serious effort shall be made to communicate
the agenda for this meeting to members of the Department. Unless at least two-thirds of the
voting faculty in residence attend this meeting, action on any agenda item
shall be by mail ballot or shall be delayed to a subsequent faculty meeting,
according to the wish of the faculty present at the time.
1.4.6. The
Secretary for the Department meetings shall be the youngest (in terms of
appointment) regular faculty member.
1.4.7. The
Secretary shall prepare and distribute the Minutes of Department meetings.
1.4.8. A
quorum for conducting business shall exist when half of the regular faculty
members in residence are present.
Faculty on authorized travel or on leave are the only individuals not
considered to be in residence.
1.4.9. No
matter shall be voted upon unless it is on the agenda.
1.4.10. Except on matters
reserved to the voting faculty, motions shall be approved by a simple majority
of the total votes cast by the voting faculty and the elected graduate student
representatives who are present at the meeting. On matters reserved to the
voting faculty motions shall be approved by a simple majority of the voting
faculty present. Votes shall normally be by show of hands, but any voter may
request a secret ballot. A mail ballot may be approved by a majority of the
voters present at the meeting.
2.1.1. Advisory-Finance
(ADCOM) consisting of 6 faculty members.
2.1.2. Salary
Review (SRC) consisting of 4 faculty members.
2.1.3. Teaching
Assignments (TAC)
2.1.4.
Undergraduate Program Committee (UPC)
2.1.5. Graduate
Program Committee (GPC)
2.1.6. Graduate
Recruiting and Admissions (GRAC)
2.1.7. Qualifying
Examination (QEC)
2.1.8. Subject
Exam Committee (SEC)
2.1.9. Graduate
Advisors Committee (GAC)
2.1.10. Physics Shop and
Technical Services (PSTSC)
2.1.11. Colloquium and
Seminars (CSC)
2.1.12. Library (LC)
2.1.13. Promotion, Tenure
and Reappointment (PTRC)
2.1.14. Computer
Operations Committee (COC)
2.2.1. The
Mode of Participation of ADCOM shall be Advisory. On matters reserved to the
voting faculty (BAG 1.2.3) for which student input is appropriate, the Mode of
Participation of the student members shall be Consultation.
2.2.2. The
ADCOM shall consist of six (6) regular faculty members; one each from the four
interest groups (1.2.3) and two members-at-large. In addition, if the Physics
Graduate Student Organization (PGO), wishes, it may elect two (2) graduate
students to the ADCOM.
2.2.3. Members
of ADCOM shall serve for two-year terms, starting July 1. Interest groups HEP
and CMP shall elect members one year; interest groups AA and NP shall elect a
member the other year. The members-at-large shall be elected in alternate
years.
2.2.3.1. Graduate
student members shall serve for one-year terms and shall be elected by
procedures formulated by the PGO.
2.2.3.2. If any
interest group is subsumed according to 1.2.4.3. the composition of ADCOM shall
thereafter consist of 6 regular faculty members of whom three shall be members-at-large.
2.2.4. Regular
faculty members of ADCOM shall be elected by the voting faculty according to
the following procedures.
2.2.4.1. Faculty
serving a continuing term on the Salary Review Committee are ineligible to
serve on ADCOM.
2.2.4.2. No
later than the first week of April the interest group whose membersı terms end
the following June 30 shall meet and, by voting procedure, nominate three
regular faculty members for their position on ADCOM. No later than the
beginning of the second week of April the names of the nominees so selected
shall appear on a mail ballot distributed to the voting faculty. Each voting faculty member may vote for
no more than one nominee from those submitted by each interest group. Election
of the interest group member nominees to the ADCOM shall be by a plurality.
2.2.4.3. When a
member-at-large is to be elected to ADCOM, a mail ballot shall be distributed
to the voting faculty listing the names of all regular faculty members, except
members who have been elected to serve on ADCOM after July 1 of that year and
those who are members of that yearıs SRC. There will be an indication of
anticipated leaves on that ballot.
Voting faculty members may vote for two names on that list. The two names receiving the largest
number of votes shall appear on a final ballot to be distributed to the voting
faculty no later than the beginning of the fourth week of April. The regular faculty receiving the
majority of votes shall serve as member-at-large for the following two-year
term.
2.2.4.4. The
Chairperson of ADCOM shall be responsible for following the election procedures
of 2.2.4.
2.2.5. Before
June 15, the Chairperson shall call a first meeting of the newly elected ADCOM.
The only item of business for that group shall be the election of a new
Chairperson and secretary of ADCOM and alternates for these positions who will
serve in the case of their absences.
These new officers shall preside at meetings of ADCOM after July 1. At
this meeting members of ADCOM shall also give to the Chairperson the names of
regular faculty members who shall serve as alternates during the absence of any
elected member of ADCOM.
2.2.6. A
quorum for a meeting of ADCOM shall consist of five members or alternates.
2.2.7. Meetings
of ADCOM shall be open to Department members.
2.2.7.1. Any
member of ADCOM or the Chairperson may request a meeting closed to non-members
of ADCOM. If at least two members of ADCOM object, the meeting shall remain
open. Meetings of the faculty
members of ADCOM to consider candidates for faculty positions shall be closed
to all except regular faculty members. For meetings dealing with other items reserved to the faculty
(BAG 1.2.3), the Chairperson, or any faculty member of ADCOM, may request that
the meeting be closed to all but regular faculty members. If two or more faculty members of ADCOM
object, the meeting shall remain open.
By majority vote of the ADCOM members present, any individual may be
admitted to a meeting which would otherwise be closed to h/h.
2.2.8. The
ADCOM must meet at the request of any one of the members or at the request of
the Chairperson.
2.2.9. An
agenda shall be distributed to all voting faculty members at least two working
days prior to each meeting of ADCOM. Whoever called the meeting shall be
responsible for the distribution of the agenda.
2.2.10. The Secretary
shall be responsible for the preparation and distribution of the Minutes.
2.2.11. Duties of the
ADCOM--All members of ADCOM shall represent the interests of the entire
department.
2.2.11.1. The ADCOM shall
act as a Committee on Committees.
2.2.11.2. The ADCOM shall
recommend to the voting faculty a slate for the Ad Hoc Committee for Election
of the Chairperson.
2.2.11.3. The ADCOM shall
debate matters of concern to the Department. It shall advise the Chairperson on teaching assignments and
all minor matters and refer advice on all major matters to the voting faculty.
Major matters shall include the division of faculty positions, the division of
finances, and recommendations that would result in substantial changes in
curriculum, academic policy and course content. On all other matters, if two or
more members of ADCOM vote to refer to the voting faculty, the issue shall be
deemed a major matter.
2.2.11.4. The faculty
members of ADCOM shall screen all proposed candidates for faculty appointments
and shall make recommendations on such appointments after consulting the
student members of ADCOM.
2.2.11.5. The ADCOM may
constitute subcommittees as needed. Such subcommittees shall be ad hoc
committees and serve for specified purposes and times. Such subcommittees may
draw their membership from the regular faculty, provided at least one member of
each subcommittee is also a member of ADCOM.
2.3.1. The
Mode of Participation of SRC shall be Advisory.
2.3.2. The
SRC shall consist of four regular faculty members, one from each interest
group. The voting members of the SRC shall consult the ACUP and ACGP in
formulating their recommendations concerning teaching and student mentoring.
2.3.3. If
one of the interest groups is subsumed according to 1.2.4.3, a member-at-large
shall be the fourth member of the SRC.
2.3.4. Members
of SRC shall serve for two-year terms, starting July 1.
2.3.5. The
members of SRC shall be elected in a manner identical to the election of
members of ADCOM but in an election following the election for ADCOM (2.2.4).
2.3.5.1. No
individual may serve simultaneously on ADCOM and SRC.
2.3.5.2. Only
those regular faculty members whose salaries are subject to review by the SRC
shall be eligible for election to the SRC.
2.3.5.3.
Each year, the SRC shall designate one of its members as a
Convenor. The Convenor shall be responsible for calling meetings, collecting
data, and coordinating the report of the SRC.
2.3.6. Each
year during April the SRC shall review the faculty folders and all other
relevant information. The members of the SRC shall review the other members of
the SRC, with that internal effort coordinated by the Convenor. The SRC shall
prepare three sets of indicators:
2.3.6.1. An
ordered list ranking the members of the regular faculty. In preparing this list
SRC shall bear in mind both the activities of the current year as well as the
performance of each regular faculty member integrated over the years of
professional activity. The SRC will evaluate its own membership for the
previous year's performance without input of the member being evaluated.
2.3.6.2. As
advice to the Chairperson, a measure of progress averaged over the members of
the SRC of the overall performance for each assistant and associate professor
shall be provided. This progress measure shall indicate: ³1², for less than
satisfactory overall progress toward the next promotion; ³2², for satisfactory
progress toward the next promotion; or ³3², for better than satisfactory
performance toward the next promotion. If relevant, the SRC will evaluate its
own membership for promotion progress without input of the member being
evaluated.
2.3.6.3. As
advice to the Chairperson, three performance measures for all reviewed faculty
shall be provided to the Chairperson: ³3² for above average performance, ³2²
for average performance, or ³1² for below average performance in each of three
different activities: Research, Student Mentoring (including classroom
teaching), and Service. The SRC will evaluate its own membership for the
previous year's performance without input of the member being evaluated.
2.3.6.4. On or
before April 30, SRC shall transmit these measures to the Chairperson. They
shall constitute the advice of the regular faculty to the Chairperson on salary
adjustments for the regular faculty.
2.3.6.5. None
of the above shall be construed as restricting any member of the faculty from
conferring with the Chairperson on salary matters.
2.3.6.6. The
Chairperson shall be responsible for salary recommendations transmitted to the
Dean.
2.3.7. Salary
Information
2.3.7.1. Each
year, after receiving confirmation from the Dean that the transmitted salary
recommendations have been approved, the Chairperson shall transmit to each
voting faculty member at least the following information in the form of a
written Faculty Notification of Salary:
2.3.7.1.1. The salary
increase for that member sent
forward from the College;
2.3.7.1.2. The overall
ranking of that faculty member as determined by the SRC;
2.3.7.1.3. The
individual performance measures in each of the above categories for the
previous yearıs activity as determined by the Chairperson using the information
provided by the SRC plus other information that the Chairperson may gather;
2.3.7.1.4. The progress
measure for each assistant and associate professor as determined by the
Chairperson using the information provided by the SRC.
2.3.7.1.5. The ordered
list of salaries of all faculty, rounded to the nearest $100.
2.3.7.2. Commentary
may be provided by the Chairperson in the Faculty Notification of Salary, but
is not required by the Department of Physics and Astronomy beyond the
information listed above.
2.3.8. Sources
of information for SRC
2.3.8.1. The
duties of each faculty member shall be divided into three major categories: (1)
Research (2) Student Mentoring (including classroom instruction) and (3)
Service to the Department, University, and physics and astronomy communities.
2.3.8.2. Faculty
Folder. It shall be the responsibility of each voting faculty member to
organize and maintain an up-to-date folder describing h/h activities, both past
and present. This folder shall be kept by the Department Chairperson and used
in evaluation procedures, annual report preparation, etc. This folder shall
contain an up-to-date list of talks and publications, selected reprints of
publications, a brief description of on-going research program, and a
description of plans for the future. It shall also contain a list of courses
taught and committees served on during the past three years. It may contain any
other information which a faculty member considers pertinent (for example,
chairing of APS sessions, consulting, seminar talks, etc.)
2.3.8.3. Classroom
Instruction. It is recognized that the evaluation of teaching performance is a
complex process, involving criteria which are not easily quantifiable. It is
also recognized that student evaluation of faculty performance is not always
reliable. Nonetheless, quantitative student evaluation of faculty performance
can provide useful information not easily obtained in any other manner. Each
faculty member, before final examination time, shall request students in h/h
class or classes to evaluate them using a standard form. The form and a
procedure for administering it shall be prepared by the UPC and GPC and
submitted to the ADCOM and then the voting faculty for approval at a
Departmental meeting. The ADCOM shall periodically review this document. The
completed forms shall be placed in the faculty memberıs files; the faculty
member may also append h/h comments, and h/h own evaluation of h/h teaching
performance. In addition to this
information the SRC shall also consider such factors as: the teaching load carried, how long the
faculty member has taught the course in question; whether h/s requested, or was
assigned the course; h/h effectiveness in teaching development; supervision of
graduate students and any other information considered relevant.
2.3.8.3.1. The ACUP and
ACGP shall provide information to the SRC regarding faculty performance in the
classroom, mentoring of students, and a summary of graduate student supervision.
2.3.8.4. Evaluation
of Faculty. To aid in its evaluation of faculty performance, the SRC will solicit from each regular faculty member a written
evaluation of those other members of this voting faculty whom he or she feels
competent to evaluate.
2.3.9. Special
Salary Adjustments. In situations where a special adjustment of the salary of
some faculty member is requested or seems necessary, the Chairperson will
review the matter with the SRC. If the evaluation of the faculty member
compared to h/h salary is deemed to warrant a special adjustment the
Chairperson will seek to obtain the necessary funds from the Dean or other
University sources.
2.4.1. The
Mode of Participation of the TAC shall be Shared Responsibility.
2.4.2. The
TAC shall be consist of the ACUP and the ACGP plus one regular faculty member
appointed by the Chairperson. The ACUP shall be the Chairperson of the TAC.
2.4.3. The
regular faculty member of the TAC shall serve for one year, but may be
reappointed for any number of terms.
2.4.4. The
TAC shall make all assignments of teaching duties of voting faculty with the
approval of the ADCOM.
2.4.5. The
TAC shall, in the performance of its task, solicit information from the voting
faculty as to their teaching relief submitted to the Chairperson.
2.4.6. The
Chairperson shall consult with the TAC as well as ADCOM before acting on any
request for teaching relief submitted to the Chairperson.
2.4.7. The
TAC shall be responsible for scheduling of courses.
2.4.8. The
TAC may constitute subcommittees as needed. Such subcommittees shall serve for
specified purposes and times, and may contain any members of the voting faculty
provided at least one member of each subcommittee is also a member of the TAC.
2.5.1. The
Mode of Participation of UPC shall be Advisory.
2.5.2. The
UPC shall be appointed by the Chairperson with the advice of ADCOM. It will
consist of regular faculty and shall be chaired by the ACUP. The UPC may also
consist of staff members employed to assist in the teaching program.
2.5.3. Members
of UPC shall serve for one year, but may be reappointed for any number of
terms.
2.5.4. The
UPC shall consider and make recommendations on all matters relating to the
Departmentıs undergraduate programs, such as educational policies, service
courses, lecture demonstration facilities, undergraduate laboratory facilities,
courses for physics undergraduate majors, general education courses, etc.
2.5.4.1. A
primary function of the UPC shall be to advise the Chairperson of budgetary
requests. This shall be accomplished by January 15 of each year for the
University fiscal year beginning on July 1. The preparation of these requests
shall occur in public sessions among the members of the UPC and other
interested faculty. It is expected that all requests for funds for the
undergraduate program will come from this discussion.
2.5.5.
The UPC may constitute subcommittees as needed. Such
subcommittees shall serve for specified purposes and times, and may contain any
members of the voting faculty provided at least one member of each subcommittee
is also a member of UPC.
2.6.1. The
Mode of Participation of GPC shall be Advisory.
2.6.2. The
GPC shall be appointed by the Chairperson with the advice of ADCOM. It will consist
of regular faculty and shall be chaired by the ACGP. The GPC shall also consist
of staff members employed to assist in the teaching program.
2.6.3. Members
of GPC shall serve for one year, but may be reappointed for any number of
terms.
2.6.4. The
GPC shall be the oversight committee for all aspects of the graduate program,
including the GRAC, SEC, QEC, and AAC.
2.6.5. The
GPC shall consider and make recommendation on all matters relating to the
Departmentıs graduate programs, such as graduate courses requirements for graduate
degrees, joint graduate programs, and direction of Teaching Assistant
resources.
2.6.5.1. A
primary function of the GPC shall be to advise the Chairperson of budgetary
requests and on matters of the graduate academic program. This shall be
accomplished by January 15 of each year for the University fiscal year
beginning on July 1. The preparation of these requests shall occur in public
sessions among the members of the GPC and other interested faculty. It is
expected that all requests for funds for the graduate program will come from
this discussion.
2.6.6. The
GPC may institute subcommittees as needed. Such subcommittees shall serve for specified purposes and
times, and may contain any members of the voting faculty provided at least one
member of each subcommittee is also a member of GPC.
2.7.1. The
Mode of Participation of GRAC shall be Advisory.
2.7.2. The
GRAC shall be appointed by the Chairperson with the advice of ADCOM. It will
consist of regular faculty and shall be chaired by the ACGP.
2.7.3. Members
of GRAC shall serve for one year, but may be reappointed for any number of
terms.
2.7.4. The
GRAC shall: prepare a graduate brochure, review applications for graduate
admissions and for Teaching Assistantships, and recommend suitable action to
the Chairperson with respect to admission and the granting of teaching
assistantships to applicants.
2.7.4.1. A
primary function of the GPC shall be to advise the ACGP and the Chairperson of
budgetary requests necessary for graduate student recruitment.
2.7.5. The
GRAC may institute subcommittees as needed. Such subcommittees shall serve for specified purposes and
times, and may contain any members of the voting faculty provided at least one
member of each subcommittee is also a member of GRAC.
2.8.1. The
Mode of Participation of the QEC shall be Delegated Authority.
2.8.2. The
QEC shall consist of three regular faculty members appointed by the Chairperson
with the advice of ADCOM. The Chairperson shall designate the Chairperson of
QEC.
2.8.3. Members
of QEC, shall serve for one year, but may be reappointed for any number of
terms.
2.8.4. The
QEC shall prepare, administer and grade the Qualifying Examination offered once
each year.
2.8.5. The
QEC shall perform its duties in conformity with the Handbook for Graduate
Students, Department of Physics and Astronomy.
2.9.1. The
Mode of Participation of the SEC shall be Delegated Authority.
2.9.2. The
SEC shall consist of 10 regular faculty including the ACGP and those teaching
the following courses: Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism (first term),
Statistical Physics, and Quantum Mechanics, or Graduate Astronomy. The Chairperson shall designate the
Chairperson of the SEC.
2.9.3. Members
of SEC shall serve during their teaching assignment, or one year, but may be
reappointed for any number of terms.
2.9.4. The
SEC shall prepare, administer and grade the Subject Examinations offered during
the regular final exam periods of each semester for the courses listed in
2.9.2. They shall also prepare, administer, and grade the Subject Examinations
offered in the early weeks of the Fall Semester.
2.9.5. The
SEC shall perform its duties in conformance with the Handbook for Graduate
Students, Department of Physics and Astronomy.
2.10. Function
and Composition of the GAC
(Graduate Advisors Committee)
2.10.1. The Mode of
Participation of the GAC shall be Delegated Authority.
2.10.2. The GAC shall
consist of three regular faculty members appointed by the Chairperson with the
advice of ADCOM. The Chairperson shall designate the Chairperson of GAC.
2.10.3. Members of GAC,
shall serve for one year, but may be reappointed for any number of terms.
2.10.4. The GAC shall
provide informed and consistent advice to all graduate students. The GAC should
consult with the QEC after each qualifying examination to advise each student
on h/h plan for coursework in the coming year.
2.10.5. The GAC shall
continuously monitor all graduate studentıs progress until they reach the Ph.D.
stream, acquire an MS, or leave the program.
2.10.6. The GAC shall
perform its duties in conformity with the Handbook for Graduate Students,
Department of Physics and Astronomy.
2.11.1. The Mode of
Participation of PSTSC shall be Advisory.
2.11.2. Here, ³shops²
refers to both the Departmental Mechanical and the Electronics Shops.
2.11.3. The PSTSC shall
consist of regular faculty and shall include the ACO. It shall be appointed by
the Chairperson with the advice of ADCOM. The Chairperson shall designate the
Chairperson of the PSTSC. The PSTSC may also consist of supervisory staff
members from the shops.
2.11.4. Members of the
PSTSC shall serve for one year, but may be reappointed for any number of terms.
2.11.5. The PSTSC shall
function as an appeals body concerning the priorities of shop work orders,
shall recommend on purchases of shop equipment, and shall be the primary source
of information to the Chairperson in the evaluation of shop and technical
personnel.
2.11.6. The PSTSC may
constitute subcommittees as needed. Such subcommittees shall serve for
specified purposes and times, and may contain any members of the voting faculty
provided at least one member of each subcommittee is also a member of UPC.
2.12.1. The Mode of
Participation of CSC shall be Shared Responsibility.
2.12.2. The CSC shall
consist of regular faculty appointed by the Chairperson with the advice of
ADCOM. It shall have at least one member from each of the interest groups. Each
member of the CSC shall function in an individual capacity.
2.12.3. Members of the CSC
shall serve for one year, but may be reappointed for any number of terms.
2.12.4. The CSC shall be
responsible for arranging the colloquium and seminar programs of the
Department. It shall invite speakers, plan for their accommodations and
entertainment, and shall be responsible for arranging honoraria for outside
speakers. The CSC shall be advised
of the budget by the Chairperson at the start of each fiscal year and shall be
responsible for operating within that budget. Members of the CSC shall solicit suggestions for speakers
from the faculty.
2.12.5. The CSC may
institute subcommittees as needed.
Such subcommittees shall serve for specified purposes and times, and may
contain any members of the voting faculty.
2.13.1. The Mode of
Participation of the PTRC shall be Advisory.
2.13.2. Each PTRC shall
consist of all tenured, regular faculty members with tenure-home in the
Department of rank higher than those faculty members under consideration for
promotion, tenure or reappointment.
2.13.2.1. The criteria for
evaluation regarding promotion, tenure, and reappointment are based on quality
of (1) Research, (2) Student Mentoring, and (3) Service, in that order of priority.
2.13.3. The Chairperson of
each PTRC shall be the Department Chairperson.
2.13.4. Promotion, Tenure,
and Reappointment Procedures
2.13.4.1. By a date
specified by the Chairperson, each junior faculty member shall submit to the
Department Chairperson a file containing material relevant to promotion,
tenure, or reappointment, presented according to a uniform scheme devised by
the Chairperson. Included should be the name of one senior faculty member (the
faculty mentor) whom the candidate wishes to designate to serve on the appropriate
Review Subcommittee. Said files shall be available for inspection by members of
the PTRC.
2.13.4.2. Whenever any
promotions, tenure decisions, or reappointments are being considered, the
Chairperson shall convene each PTRC and shall briefly review the status and
progress of each junior faculty member, according to a standard procedure. The
faculty mentor for each potential promotion candidate shall briefly describe
the research progress and service contributions of their junior colleague. Data
and information on the student mentoring progress of each junior faculty member
will be available from the ACUP and ACGP at the meeting. After each review, additional comments
shall be solicited from the faculty members present. When all the reviews are completed, a poll shall be taken of
all members present at the meeting.
Each person recommended by at least 60% of the PTRC members present will
be further considered by the Review Subcommittee to be formed from that PTRC.
If the Chairperson states that University regulations require reappointment
recommendations for certain faculty members, then these faculty members will be
considered by the Review Subcommittee regardless of the vote by the PTRC.
2.13.4.3. Based on
recommendations of the faculty members of the ADCOM, the Department Chairperson
shall appoint a Review Subcommittee for each rank drawn from the members of the
appropriate PTRC, to consider all faculty members requiring review as
identified in 2.13.4.2. The size of each Review Subcommittee shall be 3 plus
the number of candidates considered, plus a subcommittee Chairperson who shall
be appointed by the Chairperson on advice of the faculty members of the
Advisory Committee. The Subcommittee membership shall include those persons
designated by the candidates in their files.
2.13.4.4. It shall be the
duty of each Review Subcommittee to study the case for promotion, tenure, or
reappointment of each junior faculty member under consideration. The Department
Chairperson shall provide to each Review Subcommittee a list of information to
be obtained, and a set of guidelines for organizing this information of
representation to the Faculty Committee of Promotion, Tenure, and Reappointment
(PTRC). Each subcommittee shall solicit first hand relevant information from
faculty and students. Requests for
information from sources outside the Department shall originate from the Office
of the Chairperson. The candidate
shall be invited to appear before the subcommittee and present h/h case.
2.13.4.5. No earlier than
four weeks following the formation of each Review Subcommittee, the Department
Chairperson shall call a meeting of each PTRC. The Review Subcommittee shall
present its report and recommendations at that time, having made a written copy
available at least three working days before the PTRC meeting. After the report
has been presented and discussed, a vote shall be taken and the
results--announced to those present--shall constitute the facultyıs
recommendation to the Department Chairperson. A faculty member who is unable to
attend the meeting may give the Chairperson an absentee ballot prior to the
meeting. The vote may be postponed
until a later meeting if the PTRC determines by a majority vote that additional
information is needed before the vote is taken. Such information shall be obtained, and a new meeting
scheduled, as quickly as possible.
2.13.4.6. The Chairperson
shall convene the PTRC whenever promotion of a faculty member to a higher rank
is being considered. In exceptional circumstances the PTRC may recommend or
advise against promotion without prior formation of a Promotion Review
Subcommittee.
2.14.1. The Mode of
Participation of the COC shall be Advisory
2.14.2. The COC shall
consist of regular faculty and shall include the ACO. It shall be appointed by
the Chairperson with the advice of ADCOM. The Chairperson shall designate the
Chairperson of the COC. The COC shall also consist of staff members
specifically charged with matters pertaining to the computing functions of the
Department.
2.14.3. Members of the COC
shall serve for one year, but may be reappointed for any number of terms.
2.14.4. The COC shall
consider and make recommendations on all matters relating to the Departmentıs
computing systems: computers in the teaching program, computers utilized in the
research program, departmental video conferencing systems, as well as all
networking systems and equipment.
2.14.4.1. A primary
function of the COC shall be to advise the Chairperson of budgetary requests.
This shall be accomplished by January 15 of each year for the University fiscal
year beginning on July 1. The preparation of these requests shall occur in
public sessions among the members of the COC and other interested faculty.
2.14.5.
The COC may constitute subcommittees as needed. Such subcommittees shall serve for
specified purposes and times, and may contain any members of the voting faculty
provided at least one member of each subcommittee is also a member of COC.
2.15.1. Any Standing
Committee except the SRC, the SEC, and the PTRC, may be augmented by one or two
students, graduate and/or undergraduate, to be selected by a representative
student organization. If a Committee so desires it may augment its rank from
members of the support staff.
3.1.1. The
Chairperson, with the advice of ADCOM, may appoint any Ad Hoc Committee if h/s
feels such a committee will assist the efficient operation of the
Department. Such committees shall
have a specific purpose and shall serve for a specified time. The Chairperson shall establish the
Mode of Participation of such Ad Hoc Committee.
3.2.1. At
the beginning of the last year of the Chairpersonıs term, an election process
for the office of Chairperson shall be initiated by the following procedures.
3.2.2. A
CEC shall be established which shall consist of five regular faculty members
elected by the voting faculty from a slate proposed by ADCOM plus nominations
from the floor. The election of
the CEC shall be by secret ballot at a regular Department meeting. At this
meeting, the voting faculty shall instruct the CEC to do one of the following:
(a) limit itself to internal candidates; (b) include external candidates; or
(c) examine the advisability of considering external candidates and report back
at a departmental meeting within two weeks, at which time the voting faculty
shall instruct the CEC to do either (a) or (b). If instruction (a) is adopted, the CEC shall adjourn until
the first week after spring break before the end of the Chairpersonıs term. At
this time:
3.2.2.1. The
CEC shall choose its own officers.
3.2.2.2. The
CEC shall develop a slate of candidates for Chairperson. The CEC shall present
to the voting faculty, meeting as a whole in a closed meeting, this slate of
candidates, having first submitted this list of candidates to the Dean for
comments.
3.2.2.3. The
Chairperson of the CEC shall chair this meeting of the voting faculty. Following discussions, during which
each candidate may be asked to state h/h views on the activities of the Department
and answer questions from the floor, the members present (1) shall vote to
determine one or more names to be forwarded to the Dean as the Departmentıs
choice of the new Chairperson. The
members shall also vote to determine the number of names to be forwarded to the
Dean.
3.2.2.3.1. Regular
faculty members who are on leave shall be mailed (or emailed) the slate of
candidates and shall have an opportunity to case a mail (or email) ballot.
4.1.1. Whenever
a regular or temporary faculty member is to be appointed to the Physics and
Astronomy Department an ad hoc Search
Committee shall be appointed by the Chairperson. This committee shall contain
at least two regular faculty members from outside the interest group.
4.1.2. The
Search Committee shall have the responsibility to investigate the credentials
of each candidate fully, including the task of gathering information from all
sectors within the Department as well as from outside the Department. Letters or comments from outside
reviewers to be included in the candidateıs file are to be solicited by the
Chairperson. The Search Committee shall solicit formal advice from the affected
interest group before recommending that an offer be extended.
4.1.3. Candidates
for such a position shall be invited to MSU for interviews and presentation of
colloquia or seminars only after the faculty members of ADCOM have reviewed
their credentials and approved them as candidates for the position.
4.1.4. After
these visits and a recommendation from the Search Committee that an offer be
extended to one of the candidates, the procedure shall normally be as follows.
4.1.4.1. The
relative merits of the candidates will be discussed at a meeting of the faculty
members of ADCOM. This meeting
shall be open to all regular faculty members. Following this discussion, and after consultation with the
student members of ADCOM concerning the teaching qualifications of the
candidates, the faculty members of ADCOM shall vote to recommend to which
candidate, if any, an offer should be extended by the Chairman, and at what
rank that offer should be made. The faculty at a regularly called meeting shall
then advise the Chairman of its preference.
4.2.1. The
same procedure shall prevail in the case of joint appointments.
4.3.1. Research,
Visiting, and Adjunct faculty appointments at all levels shall be recommended
by ADCOM. A vita as well as at least two
external letters and one internal letter shall be available for inspection by
the ADCOM and the regular faculty.
5.1.1. An
instructor has discretion to give a student a ³penalty grade² for alleged
academic dishonesty in class, up to and including a 0.0. The penalty may be for the work at
issue (exam, paper, etc.) or for the entire course.
5.2.1. A
student accused of dishonesty is entitled to a hearing upon written request by
the student. If the dishonesty
offense is considered so serious that disciplinary action is believe warranted
(i.e. a penalty more severe than failing grade, including a possible suspension
from the university), the matter will be heard initially at the college
level. Such matters usually
involve violations of ethical and professional standards, falsification of
academic records, or repeated dishonesty in the classroom. (While a previous finding of guilt
cannot fairly support a second charge of dishonesty, it can support an
increased penalty.) In the event
that the offense warrants only a penalty grade, the hearing will originate in
the PA Department. In this case,
the hearing will follow the procedures described in the document Department of
Physics and Astronomy (PA) Procedures for Hearing Academic Dishonesty Cases.
6.1.1. Any
PA Department faculty member with the rank of professor, associate professor,
assistant professor, lecturer, instructor, assistant instructor, research
associate, specialist, or librarian may initiate a grievance procedure,
alleging violation of existing policies or established practices by an
administrator, by filing a complaint with the University Faculty Grievance
Official (FGO) pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Faculty Grievance
Procedure.
6.1.2. Initiation
of Grievances
6.1.2.1. A
Faculty member who feels aggrieved may without delay discuss the matter in a
personal conference with the FGO.
The FGO shall determine if the grievance falls under the purview of the
Faculty Grievance Procedure, the University Committee on Faculty Tenure, or the
Anti-Discrimination Judicial Board.
6.1.2.2. To
establish and retain access to the formal hearing mechanisms at the PA
Department level, a faculty member must submit a written grievance statement to
the FGO within 30 days of h/h first knowledge of the alleged violation.
6.1.2.3. The
grievance statement shall set forth the alleged violation of existing policy or
established practices, a concise statement of the facts relevant to the
grievance, the name (s) of any administrator (s) whose action is at issue, the
approximate date on which the alleged action took place, and the redress
sought.
6.1.3. The
FGO shall forward a copy of the grievance statement to the administrator(s)
named within 10 days of receipt of the grievance.
6.1.4. Informal
Resolution
6.1.4.1. The
FGO shall investigate the grievance and make every reasonable effort to resolve
it informally. The FGO may
recommend dropping the grievance as lacking merit or for other just cause. Such a recommendation, however, shall
not be binding on the grievant.
6.1.4.2. Within
30 days of the filing of the grievance statement, the parties and the FGO shall
attempt to resolve the grievance informally. If the FGO determines that the grievance cannot be resolved
informally, notice shall be provided to the parties. If the faculty member wishes to pursue the grievance, a
written request for a formal hearing must be submitted to the FGO within 30
days of such notice. Failure to
submit such a request will constitute a waiver of the faculty memberıs right to
pursue the grievance.
6.1.4.3. The
FGO shall determine after consultation with both parties the appropriate
hearing level (department/unit, college, university) and shall notify the
administrator at the appropriate level of the written request for hearing.
6.2.1. A
PA Department hearing panel shall be established by the FGO in the following
manner:
6.2.1.1. A
hearing panel shall consist of 3 members, drawn by lot from the PA Department
faculty. All drawings shall be
conducted by the FGO.
6.2.1.2. The
FGO shall notify each party of the names drawn for the hearing panel and within
10 days either party may challenge any member for cause. In addition, each party shall have one
peremptory challenge. Cause shall
be determined by the ADCOM or its designee(s). Challenged members shall be replaced pursuant to the
procedures stated in 6.2.1.1.
6.2.2. The
hearing panel shall conduct a hearing according to the procedures stated below
and according to guidelines in Articles 3 and 6 of the Faculty Grievance
Procedure.
6.2.2.1. A
hearing shall commence within 14 days of the establishment of the hearing
panel.
6.2.2.2. The
FGO shall assemble the hearing panel and shall supervise selection of the
Presiding Officer from among the members of the hearing panel.
6.2.2.3. The Presiding
Officer shall apply the rules of procedure consistent with the guidelines
stated in Article 6 of the Faculty Grievance Procedure.
6.2.2.4. The
hearing panel shall decide whether the preponderance of evidence does or does
not support the allegation(s) made by the grievant.
6.2.2.5. Findings
and recommendations of hearing panels shall conform to existing policy and
procedures in the PA Department.
6.2.2.6. Whenever
a hearing panel loses a member, the hearing shall be terminated and a new panel selected.
6.2.2.7. Hearing
panels shall report their findings and recommendations in writing, within 14
days of the completion of the hearing, to the FGO, who shall forward them to
the grievant, the respondent, and the administrator who is the respondentıs
immediate supervisor.
6.2.3. The
decision concerning the action to be taken upon the recommendation of the
hearing panel shall be made by the PA Department Chairperson who shall provide
notification of that decision to the parties of the grievance and to the FGO
within 14 days of h/h receipt of the findings and recommendations of the
hearing panel. Failure to provide written notification shall result in
automatic appeal.
6.2.4. If
the grievance is not satisfactorily resolved, either party may appeal the
decision within 14 days of the receipt of the decision of the appropriate
administrator, in accordance with the procedures established in Article 5 of
the Faculty Grievance Procedure.
6.2.4.1. Failure
to appeal within the prescribed time shall be deemed to be acceptance of the
decision.
7.1.1. Amendments
to these Bylaws may be proposed by any regular faculty member.
7.1.2. Such
amendments shall appear in written form on the agenda of a faculty meeting.
7.1.3. Amendments
to these Bylaws shall be passed by a simple majority of the voting faculty in a
mail ballot.