Preamble OF THE RAYMOND A. KENT SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

The Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville (the Kent School) provides excellent academic programs and professional development in social work and in marriage and family therapy consistent with the professional mandate and the mission of the University. The Kent School is committed to providing the means by which all those within the structure of the school have a voice and a vote about matters pertaining to the school.

ARTICLE II

STRUCTURE OF THE KENT SCHOOL

Administration and governance of the Kent School shall be the responsibility of, and shall be executed by the Dean, faculty, staff and student body as established in these Bylaws.

Section A. Dean of the Kent School

The Dean of the Kent School shall be the principal academic and administrative officer of the School in accordance with the authority delegated under The Redbook and duly approved University policies.

The Dean of the Kent School shall be responsible directly to the University Provost for effective administration and conduct of the School's academic programs. The Dean shall be responsible for representing the views of the faculty to the Office of the President. Duties of the Dean shall include assuring adherence to the duly authorized policies, procedures, and regulations adopted by the Kent School Faculty, appropriate University officers, and the Board of Trustees.

1. Appointment

The Dean of the Kent School shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees on the recommendation of the President in accordance with all applicable sections of The Redbook.

2. Selection and Review

The procedures for the selection and review of the Dean shall be consistent with the applicable provisions of The Redbook and in conformity with the University guidelines on search procedures.

3. Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the Dean are outlined in The Redbook, Section 3.2.2. In addition, the Dean, working with faculty and staff, shall be responsible for (a) coordinating academic programs within the Kent School; preparing a strategic plan and priorities for action for the Kent School; (b) creating an environment that facilitates research and scholarly activity; (c) developing and promoting public service; (d) administering personnel actions; (e) developing and administering the Kent School's budget; (f) writing the annual report; and (g) promoting the Kent School through fund-raising and alumni activities.

Section B. The Faculty

The Faculty of the Kent School shall consist of all full‑time personnel holding academic rank, as described in Article 4.1 of The Redbook, and a primary appointment in the Kent School and all persons holding an adjunct appointment in the Kent School. Within committees all duly appointed faculty members shall have one (1) vote.

The Faculty shall have general legislative powers over all matters pertaining to its own affairs as established by these Bylaws and in Sections 3.3.2. and 3.3.3. of The Redbook. Governance of each program rests with the faculty duly appointed to that program.

Full-time probationary and tenured faculty members are entitled to represent the Kent School on standing or appointed University committees except where prohibited by these and other Bylaws. Staff members and student designees shall be voting members of designated Kent School committees.

Section C. Professional & Administrative Staff and Classified Staff

1. Classified Staff

Classified staff are nonexempt positions. A Classified position is a regularly established position assigned to a classification which, by definition under the Fair Labor Standards Act, would not be exempt from overtime provision of the Act.

2. Professional and Administrative Staff

Professional & Administrative positions are exempt positions. These positions are subject to the University=s position classification plan meeting the exemption test prescribed by Kentucky Labor Law as determined by University Personnel Services. These positions are paid a salary rather than an hourly rate and are not subject to overtime pay.

Section D. Students

The students of the Kent School shall consist of those students who have been admitted into one of the academic programs as defined in Article II, Section F.

Section E. Academic Programs

The programs of the school shall consist of those academic degrees or programs in the school that have been approved by the faculty and by the university internal review process.

ARTICLE III

The Kent Assembly

The Kent Assembly consists of all full-time faculty, classified staff, professional and administrative staff and representatives from each student association and from part-time faculty. It is advisory to the Dean on matters related to the mission, budget, and planning of the school. Meetings of the Assembly may be called by the Dean or through a petition submitted to the Dean by 25% of Assembly members.

ARTICLE IV

The Faculty

Section A. Specific Responsibilities

As part of its general legislative power over all matters pertaining to its own affairs, the duties of the Faculty shall include, but not be limited to:

1. Assisting in the development and review of the Kent School's strategic planning and priorities for action.

2. Identifying and exploring areas of faculty concern and recommending appropriate action to the Dean of the Kent School.

3. Recommending to the Dean specific actions, programs, and budget decisions to achieve the overall goals of the Kent School.

4. Promoting collaborative academic, research, and service efforts of the Kent School.

5. Reviewing and submitting recommendations to the Dean for proposals for establishing new degree programs or the dissolution of existing programs.

6. Recommending personnel actions to the Dean, based on recommendations of the Personnel Committee.

7. Creating from its membership standing and special committees, and electing representatives necessary to conduct its business.

8. Developing mechanisms for staff and student representation in school and program faculty meetings.

Section B. Officers of the Faculty

1. Chair of the Faculty

The Dean shall serve as Chair at meetings of the School Faculty.

2. Recording Secretary

The Office of the Dean shall assign a recording secretary. The recording secretary shall insure that the following duties are fulfilled:

a. Maintaining and distributing to the faculty each year a complete file of all committees including members and terms of each member.

b. Preparing and circulating lists of vacancies on the committees soliciting suggestions from the faculty.

c. Assisting the Chair as necessary.

d. Notifying the members of the faculty of meetings.

e. Distributing the agenda.

f. Recording Minutes of the meetings and members present and distributing copies to the Dean, all members of the faculty, and to University Archives. In the absence of the Recording Secretary, the Chair shall appoint a member to record the Minutes.

g. Maintaining a permanent file of the approved minutes and supporting documents.

h. Maintaining the records necessary for Faculty meetings.

Section C. Meetings

1. Regular

a. The Chair of the Faculty shall convene the Faculty during Fall and Spring semesters and at other times as needed.

b. The agenda for such meetings shall be prepared by the Office of the Dean. Written notification of meetings with agendas shall be sent to all members of the faculty at least three working days prior to the date of the meeting.

c. A quorum of the Faculty shall consist of 51% of the total voting Faculty.

d. Minutes of all regular faculty meetings shall be distributed to members of the Kent Assembly and be kept on file in the Dean's office. They shall be sent to the Office of the University Provost, and to the University Archives and shall be available for inspection.

e. The Chair shall insure that the following duties are fulfilled:

(1). Preparing an agenda for each meeting following receipt of items from members of the Faculty.

(2). Holding annual elections for officers and standing committees. Elections shall be held as necessary should vacancies occur.

(3). Convening standing committees and the timely election of their chairs.

(4). Appointing such ad hoc or special committees as may be necessary.

(5). Submitting an Annual Report to the Faculty.

(6). Preparing slates of nominees to fill vacancies on University committees and bodies requiring representatives.

(7). Compiling annual reports of all committees and distributing them to the faculty.

f. The Kent School administration shall maintain a course schedule that secures a time for Faculty meetings.

g. One student representative from each academic program and one representative from each category of staff shall have a vote at meetings of the Faculty.

2. Special

a. Special meetings of the Faculty shall also be convened

upon a written petition signed by 25% of the faculty membership.

b. The agenda for such special meetings shall be prepared by the petitioners and distributed to the Dean and all faculty members ten working days prior to the meeting, except in emergencies.

3. Rules

a. All meetings in the Kent School shall be conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order (newly revised).

Section D. 1. Faculty Grievance Committee

1. Structure

a. The Faculty Grievance Committee shall consist of three (3) tenured members elected from the Faculty to serve three (3)‑year staggered terms. All three committee members shall not be from the same program. One tenured alternate shall be elected each year for a one (1) year term. The election process of the Faculty Grievance Committee shall be determined by policies and procedures established by the Kent School.

b. A member may not serve concurrently on this committee and the Faculty Personnel Committee.

c. No persons directly involved in any action which has given rise to the grievance shall be eligible to serve on the Grievance Committee. Persons directly involved include the grievant and those whose acts are alleged to have brought about the condition upon which the grievance is based. In these cases, the elected alternate shall serve on the committee.

d. The members of the committee shall elect the Chair each year.

e. A faculty member involved in a grievance may challenge a member of the committee for cause. In such instances, the alternate serves.

2. Function

The Faculty Grievance Committee shall:

a. Receive and hear formal grievances of the Kent School faculty except as noted in Section 4.5.3.B.1.c. of The Redbook.

b. Make recommendation to the Dean of the Kent School, or in cases where the Dean is directly involved, to the University Provost.

c. Follow the procedures of the applicable sections of The Redbook, described in Article 4.4.

d. Keep confidential its deliberations and its recorded data regarding individuals.

Section E. 2. Faculty Personnel Committee

The committee shall report directly to the Dean unless otherwise provided for in these Bylaws and Rules.

1. Structure

a. The Faculty Personnel Committee shall consist of five (5) tenured members elected by the Faculty to serve three‑year staggered terms. The staggering shall be created by having two people elected in a year, then two the following year, then one on the third year. If a member must leave the committee before their term is ended, a special election will be held to fill the reminder of their position’s three-year commitment. The election process of the Faculty Personnel Committee shall be determined by policies and procedures established by the Kent School faculty.

b. Members of the Faculty Personnel Committee shall not serve concurrently on the Faculty Grievance Committee. Candidates under consideration for promotion and/or tenure shall not serve concurrently on the Faculty Personnel Committee.

c. A Chair shall be elected annually by the Committee from among the three members.

2. Function

The Faculty Personnel Committee shall:

a. Consider all matters concerning searches,appointments and promotions, changes in faculty classification to full‑time status, the granting of tenure, and make appropriate recommendations to the Kent School Faculty.

b. Adhere strictly to the personnel policies, procedures, and standards as set forth in the Promotion and Tenure Document of Kent School.

c. Forward its recommendations to the Kent School Faculty for action.

Section F. Student Grievance Committee

1. Structure

The Student Grievance Committee shall consist of two (2) faculty members elected by the Faculty each to serve a one (1) year term, one of whom shall serve as Chair, and one (1) student representative. The election process of the Student Grievance Committee shall be determined by policies and procedures established by the Kent School.

2. Function

The Student Grievance Committee shall:

a. Receive and take appropriate action on all student academic grievances in accordance with procedures in Section 6.8 of The Redbook.

b. Develop procedural guidelines consistent with Section 6.8 of The Redbook.

Section G. Faculty Affairs

1. Purpose

The primary responsibility of this committee is the overall welfare of the faculty, including the maintenance of an academic climate and environment that facilitates each faculty persons right to direct scholarly expression in her/his teaching, research and publication. This is done to produce graduates who are trained in handling ideas, judging facts and arguments, thinking independently, and generally participating effectively in the market place of ideas.

2. Chair

The chair will be elected by the faculty and must be tenured. The chair will convene the faculty regarding faculty affairs. Any faculty may bring a concern to the chair. A meeting must be convened at the request of 25% of the faculty.

Section G.1. Faculty Budget Committee

1. Structure

a) The Faculty Budget Committee shall consist of three (3) tenured faculty members, two (2) probationary faculty members, and (1) term research faculty member, and one (1) staff member. Unit Business Manager will serve as an ex officio member of the committee. Members are elected by the Faculty to serve three (3) year staggered terms.

b) The staggering of terms will be created by having three people elected in a year, then two the following year, then two in the third year. If a member must leave the committee before their term is ended, a special election will be held to fill the reminder of their position’s three-year commitment. The election process of the Faculty Budget Committee shall be determined by policies and procedures established by the Kent School faculty.

c) The members of the committee shall elect the Chair each year.

2. Function

The Faculty Budget Committee shall:

a) Review the Kent School Budget and advise the Dean regarding budget planning and management. All such recommendations shall be forwarded to the Faculty for input prior to submittal to the Dean.

b) Initiate meetings at least bi-annually to review budget issues and concerns facing the school. The first of these reviews will take place in the late summer or early fall to review the performance of the previous year’s operational budget and project the following year’s budget. The Committee will meet again in early spring to review the progress of the school’s operational budget and to consider issues that have arisen since the last review.

Section H. Other Committees

The Kent School Faculty may establish other standing and ad hoc committees (e.g., curriculum, admissions, etc.) derived from and consistent with its mission, in accordance with University policies, the Redbook, these Bylaws, and the Kent School's established Policies and Procedures.

Section I. Notification of Meetings

Notice of all Committee meetings shall be sent to the Dean.

ARTICLE V

The Staff

The Kent School recognizes that assemblies of various staff may be organized to promote and support all endeavors of classified and professional and administrative staff interests and should contribute to the overall efficiency of the Kent School and quality of education for all students as well as establish effective communication between the faculty, administration, and other appropriate bodies. These staff assemblies may determine their process of representation to other university bodies by establishing Bylaws and other documents in accordance with all University policies, The Redbook, and the Staff Handbook.

ARTICLE VI

STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS

The Kent School recognizes the student associations of each academic program as organizations to support all endeavors of student interest, as well as to establish effective representation with the faculty, administration, and other appropriate bodies. They may establish Bylaws and other documents in accordance with all University policies, The Redbook, and the Student Handbook. A panel consisting of the President or the President=s designee of each association will determine procedures for representation when one student vote is allowed.

ARTICLE VII

ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT OF THE KENT SCHOOL BYLAWS

Section A. Procedures for Approval of Adoption and Amendments

Adoption and Amendment of the Kent School Bylaws requires that final proposed documents be distributed to each member of the Faculty, as defined in Article III, Section 1, at least ten (10) working days prior to a formal ballot. A vote on Adoption or Amendment shall take place at a Faculty meeting by closed, written ballot. Approval of adoption or amendment shall require a two-thirds majority of the ballots cast. No absentee or proxy ballots shall be accepted Kent School Bylaws or amendments shall take effect immediately upon approval by the President and the Board of Trustees. No Kent School Bylaws or amendments are effective until such approval has been granted.

Section B. Initiation of Amendment

Amendment of the Kent School Bylaws shall be initiated by a written petition of 25% of the Kent School Faculty. A discussion forum shall be convened according to the provisions of Article III, Section 4 of these Bylaws. Approval shall follow procedures specified in this Article, Section 1.