Michigan State University College of Education Alumni Association Bylaws November 1983
Revised February 1991
Revised August 1993
Revised October 1995
Revised September 1997
Revised September 2000
Revised September 2002
Revised March 2016
Revised March 2019
Article I. Name and Affiliation
Section 1.
This organization shall be known as the Michigan State University College of Education Alumni Board, which shall be referred hereinafter as the “Education Alumni” or as the “Board”.
Section 2.
The MSU College of Education Alumni Board shall be an affiliate of the MSU Alumni Board and will be governed by the bylaws of the MSU Alumni Board and by these bylaws.
Article II. Purposes
Section 1.
The purposes of this organization shall be to assist the MSU College of Education with the achievement of its strategic goals through actions of collaboration, service, and promotion. While specific functions of the alumni board are incorporated in these by-laws, the board shall not be limited to those enumerated actions. The Board of Directors is encouraged to develop new, creative, engaging programs inclusive of all departments within the College of Education in order to achieve its purpose.
Section 2.
Annually, the Board of Directors will develop strategic priorities in collaboration with the MSU College of Education. These priorities will be established and publicized following the first fall meeting of the year.
Section 3.
Collaborate with the MSU College of Education
- Upon request of the Dean, serve in an advisory capacity on the future and welfare of the college
- Promote campus and regional programs of the College of Education
- Be a voice representing alumni ongoing professional development interests
Section 4.
Serve alumni and the College of Education by
- Regularly sponsoring programs for alumni needs
- In conjunction with MSU, co-sponsoring courses, workshops, and social activities
- Serving on special committees or in special roles as determined by the MSU Office of Alumni and/or the College of Education
Section 5.
Promote activities associated with MSU alumni and the College of Education
- Provide updates to the college’s Office of Communications on content concerning alumni, schools in Michigan, donors, and other appropriate audiences
- Distribute gifts to graduates at commencement ceremonies
- Provide scholarships and awards with appropriate recognition to College of Education, College of Education Alumni, and Alumni Board of Directors
- Actively participate in MSU Office of Alumni, college, and university functions as special representatives from the board
Section 6.
At the end of each academic year and in conjunction with the College of Education, the board shall review its progress toward the achievement of its strategic priorities.
Article III. Board of Directors
Section 1.
Alumni and friends shall be organized by a Board of Directors, composed of eighteen elected alumni, a recent alumni representative (within five years of graduation), and one representative each from the graduate and undergraduate student body. Additional voting members of the Board of Directors include persons qualified according to later sections of this Article.
Section 2.
Ex-Officio, non-voting members of the Board of Directors shall include but are not limited to the Dean of the College of Education and the annual designee of the Dean.
Section 3.
Each elected board member shall serve a three-year term. The student representatives shall serve no more than three years.
Section 4.
The board members shall be elected at the last scheduled meeting of the current fiscal year with office commencing July 1. Mid-year vacancies shall be filled by the board at the earliest opportunity.
Section 5.
No persons shall be elected to the board for more than two full consecutive terms. By a 2/3 vote of the board of directors, a current board member whose term has expired may serve one additional term.
Section 6.
At the last scheduled board meeting of the fiscal year, the following officers shall be elected for one-year terms, commencing July 1: president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer according to the procedures in Article VI. The president shall serve as board chair.
Section 7.
Members of the board who have completed their terms of office since 1990 are invited to attend all board meetings without voting privileges as Emeritus Board members.
Article IV. Board Meetings
Section 1.
The Board of Directors shall meet at least three times annually. Additional board meetings may be called by the board officers as needed.
Section 2.
A quorum of the board for conducting board business shall consist of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the board members.
Article V. Board Election
Section 1.
A request for nominations shall be made of the College of Education alumni and friends on an ongoing basis.
Section 2.
The board shall elect board members at the last scheduled meeting of the current fiscal year.
Section 3.
The undergraduate and graduate student representatives shall be appointed by the Board of Directors.
Article VI. Board Officer Election
Section 1.
A request for nominations via electronic means shall be made of the Board of Directors at least two weeks prior to its final meeting of the fiscal year.
Section 2.
A Nominations and Elections Committee shall prepare a slate of board officer candidates to present to the Board of Directors.
Section 3.
The board shall elect the new board officers at the last scheduled meeting of the current fiscal year.
Article VII. Committees
Section 1.
The President shall appoint chairs of working and ad hoc committees as needed and deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors. All functioning committees shall be listed in the agenda for each Board of Directors meeting.
Section 2.
All committees shall make oral reports at each meeting. Reports shall be included in the minutes of each Board of Directors meeting.
Article VIII. Awards
Section 1.
The board shall consider an award to a distinguished alumnus/a.
Section 2.
The board shall consider a president’s award for service to the board.
Section 3.
The board shall consider granting award(s)/ scholarship(s) to include, but not be limited to, the following:
- graduate student(s) scholarships
- undergraduate student(s) scholarships
- teacher/educator
- kinesiology student
- distinguished alumnus/alumna(i) of the year awards
Section 4.
Sitting members of the College of Education Alumni Board of Directors shall not be considered as candidates for any awards listed in Sections 1 or 2.
Article IX. Finances
Section 1.
The treasurer shall be responsible for making recommendations concerning the financial requirements of the organization.
Article X. Reports
Section 1.
The board shall place on file an annual report of the Board of Directors business with the dean of the College of Education or designee.
Article XI. Amendments
These by-laws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the voting members of the board at any scheduled or specifically called board meeting, providing each board member shall have a written copy of the proposed amendment(s) at least seven calendar days prior to the board meeting. A written vote may be submitted by absent board members. These by-laws shall be reviewed for potential updates at least every five years.