Bylaws

1. Composition

The Board of Higher Education approved the Faculty Advisory Council in its present form in March 1971. The Faculty Advisory Council, an advisory group to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, is a representative group of faculty in the State of Illinois. It has 36 members comprised of one representative from each of the 12 public universities, 12 representatives of the private and proprietary institutions, and 12 representatives of the public community colleges in the state.

2. Representation on the Faculty Advisory Council

1. Each of the 12 public universities is represented continuously. The term of an individual member, who may be appointed for subsequent terms, representing a senior public university is four years. When an institution’s representative leaves in the middle of the term, the incoming representative will serve a full term and not merely the rest of the term.
2. Private/proprietary institutions will have 12 total representatives. Eight members will represent institutions on a rotating membership and serve 4-year terms. The remaining four members will be at-large representatives, at least one from a not-for-profit institution and one from a proprietary institution. At-large representatives will serve staggered two-year terms appointed by the IBHE liaison following consultation with the caucus. An alternate for each at-large representative may be chosen in the same manner as the at-large representative.
3. Public community colleges will have 12 total representatives, including eight representatives who serve staggered three-year terms with membership rotating among the public community colleges, and four at-large representatives appointed by the IBHE liaison following consultation with the community college caucus. An alternate for each at-large representative may be chosen in the same manner as the at-large representative. These at-large representatives will serve staggered, renewable four-year terms, with a limit of two terms.
4. The IBHE staff member who serves as liaison to the Faculty Advisory Council monitors the rotation of institutional membership terms and communicates with the institutions eligible to appoint a representative.
5. If a representative misses two consecutive meetings and has not contacted the chair, the chair or secretary will contact the member and inquire about his/her ability and willingness to continue to serve. If a representative misses three consecutive meetings, the chair or secretary in consultation with the IBHE staff liaison, may declare that seat to be vacant. The IBHE staff liaison shall ask the institution to name a replacement to serve the remainder of the term. Should the institution not be represented at the next regular FAC meeting, the seat shall be considered vacant and the next eligible institution, determined by the IBHE staff liaison, will be given the opportunity to name a representative who will serve the remainder of that term while retaining its eligibility in the representation rotation.
6. Each eligible institution’s faculty senate, council or comparable faculty body shall select a representative from among the faculty. That body may select an alternate to replace its representative who cannot attend a meeting or continue to serve. For the at-large representatives, a pool of alternates equal to the number of at-large representatives will be appointed by the IBHE liaison following consultation with the relevant caucuses. They will serve two-year staggered terms. Alternate representatives are welcome at all FAC meetings. However, each institution or at-large representative has one vote on voting matters.

3. Obligations of Institutions Being Represented

Each institution sending a representative has the following obligations:

1. Reimburse or pay for all expenses incurred by the representative in connection with attending FAC meetings or committee meetings, service as a member of the executive committee, attending meetings of the IBHE and its committees and task forces if an officer or designated representative of the FAC, and participating in FAC activities. These costs are an obligation of the institution and not of the representatives or his/her academic unit.
2. Schedule classes of the representative to accommodate the usual meeting dates of the FAC.
3. Host at least one FAC meeting during its representative’s term as a member of the FAC.

4. Meetings

The Faculty Advisory Council meets approximately ten times a year from September to June or July. The Council holds most meetings on Friday. Committee and other special meetings are usually scheduled for either Thursday afternoon/evening or Friday afternoon/evening. The Illinois Board of Higher Education meetings are usually scheduled bimonthly on the first Tuesday of the month. FAC members should have an opportunity for timely review and discussion of the agenda for each meeting of the Illinois Board of Higher Education and of the Faculty Advisory Council. Most Faculty Advisory Council meetings should be held on or near the campus of the current member serving as the host institution. Meetings usually begin at 8:30 am and end around 3:00 p.m. FAC activities and subcommittee meetings may be scheduled either preceding or following scheduled meetings. FAC meetings are open but non-members do not have floor privileges unless invited or recognized by the chair.

5. Officers and Executive Committee

1. The following officers will be elected to serve for a one-year term from eligible members: chair, vice chair, secretary. Representatives from each of the three membership groups, i.e., senior public universities, private institutions, and community colleges, shall select an eligible member to represent that group on the executive committee. The officers and one representative chosen from each of the three member groups shall form the six-member executive committee. The terms of newly elected officers and executive committee representatives shall begin at the end of the final regular meeting of the academic year that ends June 30.
2. At or prior to the May meeting, a nominating committee, previously appointed by the chair following consultation with the executive committee, shall present a slate of candidates from among eligible members for each officer position. An email or electronic ballot sent to all eligible members will be used for the election of officers. Votes received within seven days after the distribution date will be counted and the results announced at the next regular meeting. All ballots will be received by and counted by member(s) or person(s) designated by the executive committee. Unless he/she is a candidate, this should be either the secretary or the chair of the nominating committee. In the event that no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, a run-off election will be held between the two candidates with the highest number of votes. Ballots received shall be available for review by any member of the nominating committee and retained until the results are presented and accepted at the next FAC meeting or, if there is no meeting before June 30, by majority vote of the executive committee.
3. The executive committee shall advise the chair and handle other functions between meetings that may be deemed necessary and appropriate to serve and advance FAC’s interests. The executive committee may advise the chair regarding establishment of standing and ad hoc committees, a committee’s charge, membership, and deadlines for submitting reports, and other matters as requested by the chair.
4. The chair shall preside at all meetings and after consultation with executive committee prepare agendas for meetings, serve as spokesperson for the FAC at IBHE and other meetings, select and invite speakers, establish committees and appoint committee members, and perform other duties as are deemed appropriate by the executive committee or the FAC as a whole. Should the chair be unable or unwilling to serve, the vice chair shall assume the position of chair and a replacement elected as vice chair.
5. The chair of the Faculty Advisory Council or member(s) designated by the chair will represent the FAC when meeting with the Board of Higher Education staff, attending IBHE meetings, and in other forums as appropriate.
6. The chair shall appoint a webmaster who will be responsible for assuring that all information on the FAC website is complete, accurate, and current.

6. Organization

1. A quorum of one-half plus one of duly appointed representatives from then eligible institutions shall be required to conduct business at a meeting. A majority of those present and voting shall be required to approve any proposal or motion. When a quorum is not present, this rule may be suspended by vote of 75 percent or more of those present.
2. The agenda, proposals and position papers should be distributed to the members at least five days prior to the meeting unless there are extenuating circumstances as determined by the chair.
3. A representative of the IBHE staff is invited to attend and participate in all meetings and activities of the FAC and its committees.
4. Members of the IBHE staff, guest speakers and others may be invited to discuss issues related to higher education issues and concerns,
5. The secretary should distribute minutes of each meeting within five days preceding the next meeting.
6. The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised will govern in all cases in which they are not in conflict with these bylaws and any standing procedures and rules adopted by the council.

7. Purpose and Functions

FAC members may consider any issue deemed to be of significance or interest, including items listed in the agenda of any Illinois Board of Higher Education meeting and instruct the chair on how to react to present the council’s position in formal statements to the Board or in other forums as deemed appropriate.

Any IBHE agenda item may be selected for informational presentation during FAC meetings. Position papers or recommended policy or procedural changes are often developed as a result. Additional topics may be addressed at the Board's request by the FAC.

The Council shall receive and respond in a timely manner to any request by IBHE for input or feedback.

8. Effective Date

This document or any amended version becomes effective upon certification by the secretary that it was approved by the required number of votes. That date shall be included in the footer of each numbered page of the document.