MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Adopted 02/27/2007
Department Mission
The mission of the Michigan State University, Department of Entomology is to create an environment in which faculty, students, staff, and the public can discover, critically examine, preserve, and transmit knowledge, wisdom and values about arthropods and nematodes that will assure an optimal and equitable quality of life for present and future generations.
Preamble
The purpose of the Department of Entomology Bylaws is to: 1) implement the requirement of the Bylaws of the Michigan State University faculty with reference to Department structure and procedure, 2) provide a Department structure and procedure which will result in optimal progress of the Department, and 3) provide an environment in which each faculty member may make his/her best contribution in his/her own work as well as in the general operation of the department.
Nothing in the Bylaws shall be construed as limiting or discouraging: 1) the rights of groups or individuals of the faculty from initiating actions or resolving problems through direct consultation with the Department Chairperson, and 2) the rights of the Chairperson to discuss and formulate programs of action with individuals or groups as he/she chooses, acting within the general framework of these Bylaws.
The Bylaws consist of three articles: Department Membership, Organization and Governance and Amending the Bylaws.
ARTICLE 1: Departmental Membership
1.1. Faculty
1.1.1. Composition
1.1.1.1. The regular faculty consist of all persons appointed under the rules of tenure and holding the rank of professor, associate professor, or assistant professor in the Department, or jointly appointed between the Department and another unit of Michigan State University. Upon approval of the regular faculty, persons holding full-time instructor, academic specialist (research, teaching, or outreach), or adjunct faculty appointments may be offered regular faculty status, subject to annual review by the Chairperson's Advisory Committee.
1.1.1.2. Temporary faculty consist of all persons appointed to the Department in the rank of professor, associate professor, or assistant professor, but not appointed under the rules of tenure (see Michigan State University Faculty Handbook for regulations covering temporary appointments and other academic personnel policies). Temporary appointments can be made at all three professorial ranks, usually beginning at Assistant Professor, with promotion considered in the same manner as usual for regular faculty.
1.1.1.2.1. Criteria for Appointment for Temporary Faculty
Those appointed to the Temporary Faculty will meet the following criteria:
a) Have sufficient personal or professional resources to cover salary and fringe benefits of appointment;
b) Have an interest in furthering the productivity and quality of the department through research, teaching and/or extension;
c) Have a record of high achievement in professional work in an area(s) compatible with the Department's goals and objectives; and
d) Have financial, equipment, facility, and other needs that are within the means of the Department.
1.1.1.2.2. Procedure for Appointment of Temporary Faculty
1) Candidates who desire a temporary faculty appointment should submit:
a) a letter detailing future plans, likely contributions to the Department's research, teaching and/or extension program, and desired support from the Department;
b) an up-to-date resume;
c) reprints of professional articles written in the last five years; and
d) a letter of support from at least one member of the Department's faculty with whom the candidate will establish a cooperative program.
2) Candidates will be asked to:
a) present a seminar on recent work to the faculty, staff, and students; and
b) if requested, participate in a roundtable discussion of professional experiences and proposed areas of cooperative endeavor in the Department.
3) The faculty, as a whole, will vote on a motion to recommend appointment. This vote, like that for tenure stream faculty, is not binding on the Chairperson.
4) Faculty with a temporary appointment will be reviewed annually during the Department's Tenure and Promotion Evaluation process.
1.1.1.3. The adjunct faculty consists of all persons belonging to, and supported by, organizations other than Michigan State University (such as USDA) and whose continuing appointments are approved by the regular faculty each year. Adjunct faculty share the rights and responsibilities of the regular faculty, with the exception of voting rights unless offered regular faculty status.
1.1.1.4. The honorary faculty consists of all persons designated as distinguished lecturers or those holding emeritus rank. They do not have voting status unless requested and approved by the voting faculty.
1.1.1.5. Administrators outside of the Department who have been appointed from the regular faculty retain status as part of the regular faculty with voting rights as long as they remain active in departmental duties. If any doubt exists as to whether they are "active in the department duties", the voting faculty shall determine their status.
1.2. Visiting Research Associates
1.2.1. Visiting Research Associates (VRAs), often known as 'postdocs', are individuals possessing a PhD and working full time on a specific research project.
1.3. Staff
1.3.1. The Administrative non-academic staff is composed of all regular staff positions in support of Departmental administrative and faculty programs.
1.3.2. The Research/ technical non-academic staff is composed of all persons working in research laboratories or the field in support of Entomology research programs.
1.4. Students
1.4.1. The student body of the Department is comprised of all students who have declared a major or major preference (in case of lower division students) with the Registrar in an academic program administered by the Department.
1.4.2. Students enrolled in graduate programs as candidates for graduate degrees shall be deemed graduate students.
ARTICLE 2: Organization and Governance
The Department of Entomology is a strong advocate of faculty, staff and student participation in academic unit, College and University governance. The unit's administrative structure consists of a Chairperson, Associate or Assistant Chairperson, Secretary, Chairperson's Advisory Committee, Standing Committees and Ad hoc Committees.
2.1. Department leadership
2.1.1. Department Chairperson
- The Chairperson serves as the Chief Academic Officer of the Department. The duties, responsibilities and term of office of the Chairperson are specified by the University Bylaws.
- The Department Chairperson shall inform all faculty members of significant executive decisions, policy changes, projected annual budget, administrative procedures, announcements, and other items of importance.
- The Department Chairperson shall prepare the agenda for faculty meetings, with the advice of the faculty, and shall preside at the meetings.
- Everyday administrative decisions are the Chairperson's responsibility; however, he/she should informally consult with the Chairperson's Advisory Committee, as well as appropriate faculty, staff, and students as he/she deems necessary.
2.1.1.1. Appointment of the Chairperson
At an appropriate interval, prior to the end of their term-of-appointment, the Chairperson, in consultation with the Advisory Committee, will appoint a search committee. The Search Committee must be approved by a majority vote of the voting faculty, and by the CANR and CNS Deans. The Search Committee will lead a faculty meeting in which the preferred candidate is selected based on the majority vote of faculty, staff and student members with voting privileges (see article 2.2.2). The Search Committee will make a recommendation of the selected candidate to the deans and Directors based on the vote.
2.1.1.2. Appointment of Temporary or Acting Chairperson
- The Department Chairperson, in consultation with the Deans and Directors (CANR, CNS, MAES, MSUE), will select a member of the regular faculty who will serve during temporary absences of the Chairperson. In the event of an unexpected, prolonged absence, the Temporary Chairperson will serve until an Acting Chairperson is appointed.
- Written notification of the appointment of a Temporary or Acting Chairperson will be given to the faculty by the Chairperson or lead Dean.
2.1.2. Department Assistant/ Associate Chairperson
The individual shall be appointed at the discretion of the Department Chairperson and serve on the Chairperson's Advisory Committee. The duties of position are also at the discretion of the Chairperson.
2.1.3. Secretary
- A person (hereafter termed "Secretary") designated by the Chairperson shall announce faculty meetings, record attendance, keep minutes of the meetings, record votes, and distribute copies of the minutes to all the faculty.
- The Department Chairperson and Secretary shall prepare and distribute to all faculty the agenda for faculty meetings at least two days in advance.
2.1.4. Chairperson's Advisory Committee
- The Chairperson's Advisory Committee (CAC) shall be composed of the Assistant/ Associate Chairperson, the Extension Program Leader and two faculty members, elected by the faculty, serving staggered two-year terms.
- The Chairperson's Advisory Committee advises the Department Chairperson on Department policies and brings to his/her attention practices and procedures as may be considered to be in the best interests of faculty, students, and other Department personnel.
- The Chairperson's Advisory Committee works with the Deans to establish criteria and procedures (if not specified in the College Bylaws) for the selection of a Department Chairperson when that position becomes vacant. The Acting Chairperson will be chief contact with the Dean's unless another member is appointed by the regular faculty.
- The Chairperson's Advisory Committee assists the Department Chairperson in conducting the annual peer review of faculty.
2.1.5. Participation of Non-Academic Staff and Students in Department Governance
The Visiting Research Associates, Administrative non-academic staff, Research/ technical non-academic staff and Students shall each elect a representative to attend faculty meetings. Participation of the VRA, non-academic staff, and student representatives in Department academic governance bodies shall in all cases be in the same mode as faculty participation, except as reserved. The matters reserved to the faculty are:
- Policy concerning salary, leaves, and retirement benefits of the faculty;
- Decisions concerning the appointment, salary, reappointment, promotion, tenure, or dismissal of individual faculty members;
- Matters affecting the professional responsibility of the faculty to establish and maintain the intellectual authority of the University.
2.2. Departmental Faculty Meetings
2.2.1. Faculty Meetings
- Regular faculty meetings shall be called as necessary by the Department Chairperson, or the faculty may, by majority vote, stipulate when they shall be held. A faculty meeting must be held at least once per academic semester.
- Any three members of the voting faculty may request the Chairperson to call a special faculty meeting if the subject matter cannot be satisfactorily handled at regular faculty meetings. Such special faculty meeting requests must be honored within 2 weeks of a written request.
- Any voting members may place an item on the agenda of a regular or special faculty meeting by submitting the subject to the Chairperson three days before a faculty meeting.
- A quorum consists of at least half the voting faculty, including at least half of the regular and temporary faculty.
- Each voting member has one vote (Department Chairperson included).
- Faculty meetings are conducted in accordance with the latest edition of "Robert's Rules of Order," except as modified by the faculty.
- A voting member may vote by absentee ballot on a specific motion if he/she files the ballot with the Secretary.
- A voting member may request the Secretary to record pertinent discussions at faculty meetings he/she is unable to attend.
2.2.2. Voting Members of the Department
The Voting members of the Department consist of the voting faculty, plus duly elected representatives of the staff and students.
2.2.2.1. Voting Faculty
The Voting faculty consist of all persons belonging to the regular and temporary faculty; administrators with voting status per Article 1.1.1.5; and academic specialists and adjunct faculty with voting status per Article 1.1.1.1.
2.2.2.2. Staff Representatives
The Administrative non-academic staff and Research/ technical non-academic staff shall each elect a representative to attend faculty meetings as voting members of the Department. Staff representative participation in Department academic governance shall in all cases be the same as faculty participation, except as reserved. Non-academic staff may elect alternative representatives who serve in absence of the elected staff representatives.
2.2.2.3. Student Representatives
If an official MSU student organization exists which represents at least two-thirds of the Department's graduate and undergraduate students in residence, one currently-registered graduate student and one currently-registered undergraduate student in the group may be elected to attend faculty meetings as voting members of the Department. Student representative participation in Department academic governance shall in all cases be the same as faculty participation, except as reserved per Article 2.1.6. Students may elect an alternative representative who serves in the absence of the elected student representative.
2.3. Faculty Appointments
2.3.1. Current Faculty
2.3.1.1. All faculty, in consultation with the Chairperson, will have a current description of the duties and responsibilities of their position. The document will be used in the annual evaluation process.
2.3.1.1.1. In addition to academic instruction, research and Extension responsibilities, it is strongly recommended that all faculty participate in academic governance at the Department, College, and University levels.
2.3.1.2. Annual Review of Current Faculty
2.3.1.2.1. Each faculty member shall be evaluated and informed annually (or more often, if appropriate) of his/her progress by the Chairperson, in consultation with the Chairperson's Advisory Committee. Before the review, individual faculty may request to meet with the Chairperson to discuss progress and challenges in their program. After the review, the Chairperson should provide a written evaluation of both positive and negative aspects of progress, deficiencies, and means of correcting deficiencies.
2.3.1.2.2. Each faculty member is responsible for keeping his/her Department file, including curriculum vita, current and up to date. The latest date of revision shall be on the first page.
2.3.1.2.3. A faculty member may examine his/her file at any time.
2.3.2. New Faculty
2.3.2.1. The Department Chairperson is responsible for hiring new faculty in consultation with the voting faculty.
2.3.2.2. The Chairperson will provide new faculty with a formal letter of offer, with a description of the duties and responsibilities of the position, including:
a. time covered by the appointment.
b. salary provision
c. general expectations in regard to the professional responsibilities of the person appointed.
d. expectations in regard to the level of performance of his/her responsibilities.
e. provisions for annual review.
f. provisions for possible tenure and promotion.
g. University rules with regard to outside consulting or similar work.
h. conditions other than the appointee's performance of his/her responsibilities that may make further appointment inadvisable.
2.3.2.3. The Department Chairperson must also provide a newly appointed faculty member with the following documents:
a. Department of Entomology Bylaws
b. Bylaws for Academic Governance
c. The Michigan State University Faculty Handbook
2.3.2.4. Written confirmation of this understanding shall be placed in the faculty member's file, with a copy given to the faculty member.
2.3.3. Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure
2.3.3.1. Reappointments in the tenure system will be recommended for individuals who, in the judgment of the department, have made significant progress toward tenure (See Section 2.3.4). Faculty on untenured (temporary) appointments are expected to meet the same criteria for reappointment or promotion. Academic specialists are expected to meet the criteria which apply to their job description.
2.3.3.2. Promotions will be recommended for individuals who in the judgment of the Department have: (a) developed research, instructional, and/or extension programs of high quality and productivity; (b) participated significantly in the academic affairs and activities (outside of the immediate program) of the Department; (c) advanced in scholarship in their respective area(s) of responsibility since initial appointment or previous promotion; and (d) have met the criteria for tenure if applicable.
2.3.3.3. Tenure will be recommended for those individuals who, in the judgment of the Department, have demonstrated: (a) the attainment of levels of quality and productivity in their area(s) of responsibility (research, instruction, and extension) that compare favorably with their peers, (b) dedication to the pursuit of excellence in both individual, Departmental, and University programs, and (c) evidence for continued scholastic and professional growth.
2.3.4. Recommendations for Faculty Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure
2.3.4.1. Recommendations for Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure in academic rank of all faculty shall be made by the Chairperson in consultation with all regular faculty at and above the level to which the candidate for promotions is being considered. The Chairperson should also consult with other voting faculty, staff, students, and/or other non-departmental qualified individuals.
2.3.4.2. The Chairperson shall maintain, in consultation with the faculty, clearly-formulated objectives, relevant criteria, and procedures for the evaluation of faculty members on tenure system appointments or temporary appointments. These criteria and procedures must be made available to every faculty member, and should also be used as a guide in evaluating specialists.
2.3.4.3. Before consulting with the Chairperson, the appropriate faculty should review the personnel files of each colleague eligible for reappointment, promotion, or tenure. These personnel files will be updated by the faculty prior to a date set by the Chairperson, and will contain information very similar to that requested on the Recommendation Form for Faculty Tenure and Promotion used by the University.
2.3.4.4. The appropriate faculty are to transmit their judgments in writing on a standard form to the Chairperson prior to a designated date. The Chairperson will also consult orally with the appropriate faculty.
2.3.4.5. Sources of all judgments and comments shall be kept in strict confidence by the reviewing Chairperson.
2.3.4.6. The Chairperson, in consultation with the appropriate faculty (see 2.3.3.1.), shall make recommendations with respect to reappointment, promotion, and/or tenure.
2.3.4.7. The Chairperson shall inform the candidates and faculty of his/her tentative recommendation before it is formally presented to the Deans.
2.3.4.8. Pursuant to the Provisions in the University "Statement of Non-Tenured Faculty", the faculty member may request a meeting with the appropriate faculty subgroup or the voting faculty regarding the tentative recommendation before a final decision is made in his/her case.
2.3.4.9. An untenured faculty member appointed in the tenure system who is not given a further appointment shall be given reasons in writing by the Chairperson.
2.4. Departmental Committees
2.4.1. Department Standing Committees
2.4.1.1. Graduate Committees
The committee consists of three faculty and one graduate student. Faculty representatives will be appointed by the Chairperson and will serve three years. Students will be elected by the graduate student organization and will serve one-year terms. All terms begin July 1. Faculty vacancies will be filled by appointment by the Department Chairperson, and student vacancies by appointment by the President of the Graduate, Undergraduate Entomology Student Society (GUESS). Both serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
The Chairperson of the Graduate Committee shall be appointed by the Department Chairperson.
- Graduate Policies and Procedures (Advisory Participation).
The Graduate Committee shall review graduate policies and procedures and make recommendations to the faculty and/or Department Chairperson as necessary to maintain effective procedures and policies for graduate study.
- Teaching Assignments (Advisory Participation). The Committee shall advise the Department on student teaching assignment policy in accordance with the "Policy Statement on Graduate Student Teaching Requirements".
- Graduate Admissions (Advisory Participation). This responsibility is to: (1) review and make recommendations on admissions policy, and (2) to review and make recommendations on other aspects of graduate education as specified below.
- Review. The committee will assist the Department Chairperson in the annual review of individual graduate student progress. A more comprehensive evaluation of the progress may be initiated by request from the student, Department Chairperson, or committee member.
- Ph.D. Enrichment. The Committee will review and approve Ph.D. enrichment proposals.
2.4.1.2. Awards Committee (Delegated Authority Participation).
The committee consists of three faculty, a student representative, and a staff representative. The Committee shall solicit and/or suggest nominees for all appropriate local, state and national awards for faculty, graduate and undergraduate students. They also shall solicit and/or suggest nominees for the Dreisbach, Wooley, McDaniel, Guyer, and Bath Awards, as well as other Department Fellowships/Scholarship Awards for students and staff.
2.4.1.3. Seminar Committee (Delegated Authority Participation).
The committee consists of two faculty and two student members. The faculty members are elected for two-year terms, with one member elected per year. The student members are selected each year by the Department's student organization. The faculty member starting his/her second year on the committee will assume the chair. Terms of duty expire on April 30.
2.4.1.4. Curriculum Committee (Delegated Authority Participation).
The Committee consists of three faculty and two students. The faculty are elected for three-year terms, with one member elected each year. The student members are to be selected by the Department's student organization. The faculty member starting his/her third year on the Committee will assume the chair. Terms of duty expire on April 30.
2.4.1.5. Entomology Research Farm Committee (Delegated Authority Participation).
The Committee consists of a faculty advisor appointed by the Chairperson and the technicians from research programs using the farm facilities. The Committee is responsible for maintaining the farm facilities, setting policies for use space and equipment, and regulatory compliance.
2.4.2. Department Ad Hoc Committees (Any Appropriate Mode of Participation).
Ad hoc committees are appointed by the Department Chairperson with the approval of the Chairperson's Advisory Committee. The membership and duties of Ad hoc committees shall be determined at the time of appointment.
The responsibilities and time frame and an Ad hoc committee will be defined by the Chairperson.
The Chairperson of each committee shall report to the Chairperson's Advisory Committee annually.
Student representatives on appropriate Ad hoc committees are recommended. Such representatives shall be appointed to the committee on recommendation of the President of the Department's student organization and shall have voting rights.
The faculty may establish additional committees, either by election or appointment, upon a majority vote of the faculty.
2.4.3. College and University Committees
Whenever the Department is required to submit nominations to, or elect representatives for, College or University committees, this shall be done by those present at a faculty meeting.
2.5. Grievance and Hearing Procedures
2.5.1. Faculty The Department uses the Model Unit Grievance Procedure published by the University Committee on Faculty Affairs.
2.5.2. Graduate Students Graduate student rights, responsibilities, and grievance procedures are detailed in the appropriate sections of the University publications, "Graduate Student Rights and Responsibilities."
2.5.3. Undergraduate Students Undergraduate students rights, reponsibilities and grievance procedures are detailed in the appropriate sections of the University publication, "Academic Freedom for Students at Michigan State University."
ARTICLE 3: Amendment of the Bylaws
3.1. Procedure
3.1.1. The Department Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting faculty in accordance with the latest edition of "Robert's Rules of Order."
3.1.2. Amendments to be considered must be written and circulated to the faculty not less than 14 days prior to the faculty meeting at which they are to be voted upon.
3.2. Adoption and Effective Date
3.2.1. Adoption of these Bylaws shall be by a two-thirds vote of the voting faculty present (including absentee ballots) at a faculty meeting called for this purpose.
3.2.2. Effective date will be upon adoption by the Department.
Adopted, 02/27/2007