Article 1: Name and Mission
Article 2: Goals
Article 3: Organization
Article 4: Elections
Article 5: Standing Committee Duties
Article 6: Rules Amendments
Section 1:
The name of the organization shall be the Drake University All Staff Council (ASC). The ASC
shall provide informal representation on behalf of all non-faculty and non-bargaining individuals
employed by Drake University hereafter referred to as staff.
Section 2:
The mission of the ASC is to promote a positive and collaborative campus work environment.
The ASC exists to strengthen communication among and between various University
constituencies; to provide a forum for discussing and defining the role of staff in the University;
to provide a vehicle for communication of interests, concerns and issues that impact staff; to
garner broad-based input into the strategic goals and initiatives of the University; and to
contribute to the University’s culture of inclusion and recognition.
The goals of the ASC shall be to:
▪ serve as a representative advisory council for all staff by including a broad and diverse group of individuals as representatives,
▪ strengthen communication among and between various University constituencies,
▪ ensure that discussion, decision making and communication move forward in a timely fashion to a final resolution,
▪ promote the participation of staff in University initiatives and decisions by nominating staff members to serve on University-wide committees and task forces, as appropriate,
▪ provide input and ideas with respect to University strategic objectives and goals,
▪ support, sponsor and promote staff recognition efforts,
▪ work with Human Resources regarding any concerns or ideas relating to University policies.
Section 1: Structure
Beginning June 1, 2003, the ASC shall consist of an Executive Board, an Advisory Board, and
four standing committees. Beginning June 1, 2005, the ASC shall consist of an Executive Board and four standing committees. The Executive Board shall consist of nine voting members made up of the Chair and Chair-Elect of each of the four standing committees and one at-large member. The at-large member shall be elected for a three-year term beginning with the election in 2005 and shall thereafter be elected in accordance with the Articles of Election set out in ARTICLE IV of these Rules. The four standing committees shall consist of: Governance/Policy (seven members), Communication (seven members), Recognition (seven members), and Special Events/Community Service (nine members). The four standing committees shall meet as a single body at least once per semester. The ASC and the represented staff shall meet as a single body at least once per year. Every meeting shall be conducted as an open, public meeting. Meeting dates and minutes of all meetings shall be published on the ASC Website.
Section 2: Terms of service
Each member of the Executive Board and the standing committees shall serve a three-year term. To negate replacing the entire ASC at any one election, the following schedule of terms shall be used beginning June 1, 2004: Each standing committee shall select two members to serve one year terms, three members to serve two-year terms and two members to serve three-year terms.
The Special Events/Community Service Committee shall select an additional one-year and an additional two-year term member. Beginning with the 2005 elections, all new ASC members shall serve a three-year term allowing for member rotation throughout the committees. There are no term limits.
Section 3: Executive Board
The Executive Board meeting shall be conducted by its Chair and Chair-elect. Meetings shall be held monthly, or on an as-needed basis, directly prior to Faculty Senate meetings and in the same location. The Executive Board shall meet at least twice during each semester. Five members present shall constitute a quorum. Minutes of each meeting shall be posted to the ASC Website. Executive Board duties consist of: coordinating the efforts of all committees providing general oversight for the membership, the formation of ad hoc committees as needed, responding to any issues or recommendations brought before it by the committees or the membership, and working with the ASC Liaison concerning representation with Drake University’s governing entities.
Section 4: All Staff Council Liaison
The Director of Human Resources shall serve as a liaison representing the ASC and its
membership with Drake University’s governing entities. When issues of ASC interest are
brought before a governing entity necessitating the presence of the ASC Liaison, a member of
the ASC Executive Board shall also be present during that discussion.
Section 5: ASC Member At Large
Beginning with the election in 2005, an at-large member shall serve on the ASC. This member
shall attend Executive Board meetings and may attend any other committee meetings.
Section 6: Chair and Chair Elect
By June 1, 2005, each standing committee and the Executive Board shall have a Chair and a
Chair-Elect to conduct the meetings. The Chair and Chair-elect may not be on the same term
rotation. The Chair shall serve for one year at which time the Chair-Elect shall assume the
position of Chair and a new Chair-Elect shall be chosen. The Chair-Elect shall serve as secretary to the Executive Board. Each committee and the Executive Board shall choose its own Chair and Chair-Elect. If a vacancy occurs, that committee shall choose a new Chair or Chair-Elect from among their standing members. Standing committees shall meet a minimum of once per month during the semester. Standing committees may call additional meetings at their discretion.
Section 7: Ad Hoc Committees
The Executive Board may establish ad hoc committees as appropriate. These committees shall serve until their purpose expires. Member selection shall be the responsibility of the Executive Board.
Section 1: Eligible Voters
A list of eligible voters shall be maintained by Drake University’s Human Resources Office and
provided to ASC’s Governance/Policy Committee when requested. Ballots shall be distributed
electronically to all represented individuals with paper ballots being distributed to those without
electronic access. Ballots shall be distributed on the Drake University campus in accordance with ARTICLE IV, Section 2 of this document. The number of open seats on the ASC shall be
determined by the number of members whose terms are expiring.
Section 2: Voting Procedures
The Governance/Policy Committee shall distribute interest forms to all individuals eligible to
vote on the first work-day of March of each year beginning March of 2005. Results of the
interest forms shall determine the slate of candidates. Voting ballots shall be distributed to all
individuals eligible to vote on the first work-day of April each year beginning April of 2005.
Individuals shall have a minimum of two weeks to determine their choices. The Governance/Policy Committee oversees the counting of the votes and notification of
candidates. Human Resources maintains voting results for a minimum of one year. Elected new members begin their terms on June 1 of each year.
In the event of a tie for one available committee position, there will be a runoff election between the candidates who have tied. If candidates have tied and there is a sufficient number of available positions on the committee to place all tying candidates, no runoff election will be required (amended September 2006).
Section 3: Filling Vacant Terms
In the event a member of the ASC does not complete their term of office, the Governance/Policy Committee shall review the ballots from the preceding election to determine candidates next in line for the office. Each candidate shall be contacted, in order, and asked to serve. The order shall be those next in line for the particular committee with the vacancy, then those receiving the most votes. If no candidate is found, the Executive Board shall appoint someone to serve the remainder of the term.
A list of eligible candidates shall be maintained by Drake University’s Human Resources Office and provided to ASC’s Governance/Policy Committee when requested. The list of eligible candidates will be surveyed to determine which are interested in appearing on the election ballot. An eligible candidate may only run for one committee and may not serve on more than one committee at any given time (amended September 2006).
ARTICLE V: Standing Committee Duties
Standing committees consist of the Governance/Policy Committee, the Communication
Committee, the Recognition Committee, and the Special Events/Community Service Committee. Duties of each committee are as follows:
▪ The Governance/Policy Committee finalizes the structure of the ASC by developing a set of rules. This committee conducts yearly elections and attends to any rules changes, recommendations, or policies proposed.
▪ The Communication Committee develops ways to enhance communication between and among staff on campus.
▪ The Recognition Committee works collaboratively with Human Resources in the development and implementation of recognition and reward programs for staff.
▪ The Special Events/Community Service Committee develops and implements plans for special events on campus and shall offers ideas for enhancing community service opportunities across campus.
These rules may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members of the ASC consisting of 31 members. Any staff member may submit proposed rules changes to the Governance/Policy
Committee. Submissions must be in writing. The Governance/Policy Committee then presents
the submission to the ASC for discussion, evaluation and action.
Last Modified: 04/22/2008 21:28:09 by content editor
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