Bylaws

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this Commission shall be the Commission on Diversity and Racial Equality (“CODRE” or the “Commission”).

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The Commission is a Presidential advisory group composed of faculty, staff, administrators, and students from different racial/ethnic, social status, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and religions that reflect the diversity within the university community.

The purpose of CODRE is to serve and advise the University President as the primary policy advisor on issues of diversity and racial equality at the University of Louisville. These issues include, but are not limited to: recruitment, retention, and promotion of faculty, professional and administrative staff, and university staff of color; group based inequalities and inequities; the academic success of students of color (retention, curricular concerns, and Campus Environment Team); and addressing oppression; specifically, sexist and racist conduct that impedes the educational mission of the university; and the development of strategies and practices that support “education that is multicultural.”

CODRE will serve as the Campus Environment Team for the University of Louisville. CODRE will 1) advise the University President, the Council on Post-secondary Education (CPE) and relevant organizations by gathering information on diversity, campus climate and environmental issues from UofL faculty, staff and students; 2) provide the internal and external dissemination of information on the campus climate and environment with regards to diversity issues; and 3) monitor campus climate and diversity issues.

CODRE will monitor and assess university unit actions to develop and implement plans which enhance and promote inclusion, equity, and campus diversity. Specific unit actions in the areas of affirmative action and gender pay equity will be monitored as well as any other unit actions that relate to the enhancement of campus diversity. CODRE will report periodically on the progress in these and related areas and will evaluate them and recommend appropriate courses of action to the University President, Board of Trustees and other concerned university officers.

CODRE will develop and implement collaborative initiatives focused on students, faculty and staff in support of an inclusive educational environment.

CODRE will recommend strategies, policies, and practices for new, revised, and modified initiatives to the University President to make the university an inclusive environment for under-represented groups with a history of discrimination; to improve the working environment for people of color and members of other diverse groups; to develop dialogues across campus constituencies (faculty, staff, students, and community) to promote acceptance of and a common commitment to diverse perspectives; and to attain acknowledgment as a preeminent metropolitan research university.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

The CODRE, is a Presidential advisory group composed of faculty, staff, administrators, and students that reflect the diversity within the university community. The University President will appoint members of the Commission and the Chairperson of CODRE. All terms of membership shall be from July 1st to June 30th of the fiscal year.

       SECTION 1. ACTIVE MEMBERS

Active voting members shall be faculty, staff, and administrators, who shall serve three-year terms and students who will serve annual terms. Active members shall be representative of the diversity of the university and the campuses which comprise the university. Exceptions to 3-year terms are in the cases when a new member is completing the unexpired term of another member. Active members will constitute the majority (not less than 15) and the voting members of the commission.

       SECTION 2. EX OFFICIO MEMBERS

If an ex-officio member is appointed by the President as an active member, another person from that unit (selected by the unit head) may serve as an ex-officio member.

Individuals serving in the following University positions are designated as Ex-officio:

  • Black Faculty and Staff Association, Chair
  • Commission on the Status of Women, Chair
  • Cultural Center, Director
  • Disability Resource Center, Director
  • Diversity Representative from Development
  • Hispanic/Latino Faculty & Staff Association, Chair
  • Human Resources, Associate Vice President
  • International Center, Director
  • Line employee from Physical Plant One from each campus and a Female representative
  • Representative from both LGBT Center @ HSC and Belknap LGBT Center
  • Vice Provost for Institutional Research, Effectiveness and Analytics
  • Vice Provost Diversity and International Affairs
  • Vice President of Athletics

President or representative of one or more of the following student organizations;

  • Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
  • Black Student Nursing Group (BSNG)
  • Black Student Union (BSU)
  • International Student Council (ISC)
  • Latin Student Union (LSU) formally Latin American Student Organization (LASO)
  • MLK Scholars
  • Multicultural Association of Graduate Students (MAGS)
  • National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
  • National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
  • Porter Scholars
  • SHADES (LGBT Students of Color)
  • Student Government Association (SGA)
  • Student National Dental Association (SNDA)
  • Student National Medical Association (SNMA)
  • Athletic sport representatives one female one male


Ex officio members may designate a member of their staff to attend CODRE meetings. Ex-Officio members (or their designee) shall serve on standing committees aligned with their organizational area of focus to support the work of the Commission.

       SECTION 3. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Appointments of associate members shall be determined by the full Commission. Associate members are faculty, staff, administrators and students who may serve CODRE or one of its standing committees and/or ad hoc committees for a specific project, issue or time period, at the request of the standing committee, the Executive Committee, or the Chair of the Commission.

SECTION 3b. AT LARGE MEMBERS

Up to two At-large commissioners may be recommended to the general body for any given annual term by the EC Commissioners.

       SECTION 4. QUORUM AND ADJOURNMENT

Meetings with 51% of the voting membership shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

       SECTION 5. RESIGNATIONS AND REMOVAL

RESIGNATION - any CODRE member may resign from the CODRE at any time by giving written notice to the Chair of CODRE. Resignation shall take effect upon receipt of letter by the Chair of CODRE. Acceptance of resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

When a Commission member’s resignation has been received by the Chair of CODRE, a replacement for said Commission member shall be requested by the Chair of CODRE to the University President. The Chair of CODRE shall submit a list of five individual names for the University President to consider for the replacement. More than six (6) vacancies without designated replacements shall constitute the absence of a quorum for the transaction of business.

REMOVAL - any member may be removed from the Commission for malfeasance for conduct detrimental to the interests of the Commission or for refusal to render ongoing involvement or participation in carrying out the mission, goals and work of the Commission.

ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS

SECTION 1. TIME OF MEETINGS

There shall be at least one meeting held monthly on or near the campus of the University of Louisville, the time to be determined by the Executive Board of the Commission.

Executive Committee meetings are held within the same week of scheduled monthly CODRE meetings.

SECTION 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special meetings of the full Commission may be called by the Chair of CODRE as deemed necessary.

SECTION 3. ATTENDANCE

Commission members have a duty to their constituent group(s) to attend Commission meetings of CODRE, its Executive and standing committees of which, they are members. After three successive absences by a member, the Chair shall remind the member of the Commissioner’s obligation to attend and participate in meetings.

If the Commission member’s absences continue, the Chair shall ask the Commission member to reconsider his/her appointment and may ask for his/her resignation after meeting with Executive Committee.

A record of attendance shall be maintained in the minutes of all CODRE and subcommittee meetings. Commission members unable to attend the established attendance policies found in these Bylaw will be requested in writing by the Chair of CODRE and approved by the Executive Committee of CODRE to resign so that the work of the Commission may advance based upon “value added attendance” and performance.

ARTICLE V. OFFICERS

The officers of CODRE shall be the Chair and Vice Chair of the Commission and the members of the Executive Committee.

Section 1. Chair

The Chair of CODRE shall be appointed by the President and serve as an ex officio member of the President’s staff and the Executive Cabinet. The Chair of CODRE shall serve for a maximum of two consecutive three-year terms.

The Chair of CODRE shall preside over the monthly meetings of the full Commission and Executive Committee. The Chair may appoint any ad hoc committees necessary for the functioning of the Commission.

SECTION 2. VICE CHAIR

The Vice-Chair of CODRE shall be elected by the full commission. The Vice-Chair of CODRE shall serve a three-year term.

ARTICLE VI. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Chair and Vice Chair of CODRE, Vice Provost for Diversity and International Affairs, Chairs of the standing committees.

Section 1. The Chair of CODRE shall serve as chair of the Executive Committee. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair of CODRE shall preside and chair the Commission.

Section 2. The Vice Provost for Diversity and International Affairs serves as a resource to CODRE and will serve on the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VII. BUDGET

Annually a financial budget shall be established to support the administration, programs and activities of the Commission. The Chair of CODRE shall receive release time and/or compensation for assuming the appointment. The Vice Chair of CODRE shall also receive release time and/or compensation for assuming the appointment.

ARTICLE VIII. CODRE COMMITTEES

SECTION 1. STANDING COMMITTEES

There shall be seven (7) standing committees to address specific constituency issues. The standing committees shall be the Faculty Concerns Committee, Staff Concerns Committee, Student Engagement Committee, Diversity Programming Committee, Campus Environment Team Committee, Communications and Marketing Committee, and The Research Grant Committee for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

A. FACULTY CONCERNS COMMITTEE

  1. Faculty representation, increasing the number of faculty of color;
  2. Faculty satisfaction and retention as it relates to faculty of color;
  3. Support faculty satisfaction and retention for other diverse populations (related to gender/identity, language, disability etc.).

B. STAFF CONCERNS COMMITTEE

  1. Gather and disseminate concerns and information from UofL staff regarding diversity and climate issues, retention, employment, recruitment and promotion.
  2. Work collaboratively with UofL Human Resources to enhance the development and implementation of affirmative action and diversity plans and to develop strategies that affect underutilization and under-representation of staff of color.
  3. Work collaboratively with Human Resources to enhance the work life of diverse staff members (social, economic, and professional diversity considerations in addition to gender/identity, language, disability)

C. STUDENT ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE

  1. Gather and disseminate concerns and information from UofL students regarding diversity and climate issues, retention, graduation, academic and student life.
  2. Work collaboratively with UofL Student Affairs and academic units to enhance the development and implementation of affirmative action and/or diversity plans which enhance student development and life; promote the development of cultural pluralism and leadership, work to develop strategies that affect underutilization and under-representation of students of color as developing role models for the UofL student community.
  3. Work collaboratively with UofL Student Affairs and academic units to enhance student life for other diverse student populations (e.g. gender/identity, disability, language, multi-cultural variations).
  4. CODRE will also collaborate with students and student related organizations to provide support for student initiatives that reflect an inclusive educational environment.

D. CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT TEAM

CODRE is to serve as a component of the Campus Environment Team for the University (in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Associate Vice President for Diversity and Equity) and will advise the University President, relevant internal organizational structures and the Council on Post-secondary Education (CPE) by gathering information on diversity, campus climate and environmental issues from UofL faculty, staff and students; CODRE will be instrumental in the internal and external dissemination of information on the campus climate and environment with regards to diversity issues; and the monitoring of campus climate and diversity issues.

Campus Environment Team through developed strategies facilitate discussions with a variety of university related entities in an effort to gather information from the University community on the campus climate and environment as it relates to diversity and campus climate issues.

Chair of the Campus Environment Team shall be jointly held by the Office of the Senior Associate Vice President for Diversity and Equity and a CODRE member.

E. DIVERSITY PROGRAMING COMMITTEE

The Diversity Programming Committee shall be a committee of the Commission which holds responsibility for identification and support of programming for staff and faculty in collaboration with the community that supports an inclusive multicultural learning environment.

The Diversity Programming Committee as a committee is collaborative in nature; promotes diversity as a multi-faceted endeavor, and as such, the Diversity Committee may collaborate with other commission/ university committees to accomplish their tasks (e.g. student concerns committee, community organizations).

The Diversity Programming Committee initiatives support multicultural education; instructional diversity development; and programmatic efforts that enhance and strengthen student’s educational experiences and supports diversity and social justice.

F. COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING COMMITTEE

1. The Communications and Marketing Committee is responsible for the dissemination and publication of CODRE information to membership and the university community. Items the committee develops and maintains can include but are not limited to the following:

  • website, newsletter and calendar,
  • annual goals and report of accomplishments,
  • nomination and new membership information,
  • meeting, election and regular business,
  • orientation booklet for new members, and
  • Commission sponsorships and events

G. THE RESEARCH GRANT COMMITTEE FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

The Research Grant Committee for Undergraduate Students strives to create a culture of research among the diverse student body especially within the undergraduate student population. Research proposals are solicited annually or semi-annually (depending on the availability of funds.) Submitted proposals will be reviewed by Ad hoc members who are selected by the committee chair. The work of this committee greatly symbolizes the collaboration and support among various units of the university to achieve excellence in diversity through research scholarship. The research funds have been traditionally provided through the office of Vice President for Research, School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies, CODRE funds, and through matching funds from various units and departments.

H. STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIR

Section 1. All Chairs are identified Standing Committees shall be voting members of the Commission (with the exception of the Campus Environment Team). Standing Committee Chairs may be appointed by CODRE for 2 - three-year terms.

Section 2. Ad Hoc Committees.

The Chair of CODRE and/or the Executive Committee may establish ad Hoc committees to address issues as deemed necessary and appropriate; and to accomplish specific administrative tasks including but not limited to the following:

A. Budget
B. Research and Assessment
C. Bylaws and Amendments

These ad Hoc committees may include active, ex-officio and /or associate members to accomplish the assign task.

ARTICLE IX. SELECTION OF CHAIR

Selection of a new Chair shall be initiated by the Commission. This selection will be accomplished through a nominating and voting process conducted by the Commission. During the year of completion of a Chair’s term, the full body of the Commission shall nominate three (3) candidates, who have served at least one year on the Commission from the current membership of the Commission. The names of the three nominated candidates shall be forwarded to the University President, for the selection of the Chair of CODRE for the upcoming term.

ARTICLE X. COLLABORATIVE RESOURCE AREAS

The nature of the mission of the Commission sets-forth the following major collaborative working relationships:

  1. Department of Public Safety/Campus police
  2. Faculty/Staff Senate Representative
  3. Latin American/Latino Studies
  4. Pan African Studies
  5. PEACC Center
  6. School of Public Health and Information Sciences
  7. Title IX / ADA Compliance
  8. Women’s Center
  9. Women & Gender Studies

The Commission has a unique relationship with these resource areas as collaborative allies with a shared vision that supports, promotes, celebrates, values and recognizes the inter-sectional nature of race, gender/identity/orientation, and class and which is a central component in the support of diverse students and university wide multicultural efforts, providing support for an inclusive educational environment for students of color in addition to other diverse student groups. The resource areas will collaborate with the Commission toward development of new multicultural strategies, opportunities and initiatives in support of educational growth and development.

ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

These bylaws can be amended only by the full commission, at any regularly scheduled meeting, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing; to the Executive Committee for review, and upon its recommendation has been forwarded to the full Commission. The proposed Bylaw amendment shall be submitted to the full Commission at a regularly scheduled meeting prior to the meeting at which the vote is scheduled. Approval shall require an affirmative vote of a majority of the voting membership of the full commission.

Revised January 14 2021 additional edits to come as approved by the general body.