Constitution and By-laws of the Boston University Staff Advisory Council (BU-SAC)

The Boston University Staff Advisory Council (“Council”) is an advisory body whose purpose is to gather information, present concerns, initiate suggestions to improve workplace culture and the work environment, and provide feedback to University leadership as requested on proposed policies that are under review.

The Council will consist of no more than thirty staff members elected through the process set forth in Article 5. Although efforts will be made to ensure that Council members reflect the range of staff demographics at the University, each Council member serves the welfare of the entire staff of Boston University.

Individuals eligible to serve on Council must be actively employed non-represented and benefits-eligible full- and part-time employees (those with assignment durations of nine months or more) who do not hold a faculty appointment and who (i) have a minimum of twelve months of regular University service completed prior to the start of their term as a Council member; (ii) have not already served for two terms on the Council; and (iii) are in good standing in their current role as a Boston University employee.

The Officers of the Council shall be a Chair, a Vice-Chair or Immediate Past Chair, and a Secretary- Treasurer.

The Chair shall serve for a one-year term, or until a successor is installed. A Vice-Chair shall be elected to serve at the same time as the Chair’s term and shall succeed the Chair in office at the end of that time. Until a new Vice-Chair is elected and installed, the immediate Past Chair shall assume the duties of Vice-Chair. The immediate Past Chair may not be a candidate for Vice-chair until at least one year after the expiration of their term as immediate Past Chair. The Chair shall preside at the meetings of the Council and shall perform such additional duties as customarily pertaining to this office. The Vice-Chair shall perform such duties as may be specified or directed from time to time by the Chair.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected to serve a two-year term and may not hold the office again until at least one year after expiration of their term. The Secretary-Treasurer works closely with the Manager of Faculty Council and Staff Advisory Council to keep the minutes of meetings and maintain financial records of the Council.

The Nominating Committee will identify members of the Council interested in running for officer positions and recommend candidates for election by the Council, with the process overseen by the Manager of Faculty Council and Staff Advisory Council.

If a vacancy occurs in the Chair position, the Vice-Chair will immediately assume the role of Chair. If a vacancy occurs in the Vice-Chair or Secretary-Treasurer position, a new election will be held as soon as practicable. The Chair may appoint an interim Vice Chair or Secretary-Treasurer pending the results of the election.

The Nominating Committee will review applications for membership in the spring, and after obtaining approval of a nominee’s supervisor and the Senior Vice President for People, Belonging & Culture will bring forward recommended nominees to the full Council for election.

Elected members will serve a three-year term beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30 three years later, except that in the event of a vacancy caused by a member’s departure during their term, a replacement member may be appointed to fill the balance of that term. Members may be elected to a second, three-year term after one year off the Council.

Meetings shall be held on a regular basis throughout the year. Special meetings may be called by the SVP for People, Belonging & Culture, the Chair, or Executive Committee. The Council may invite members of senior leadership to meetings to provide updates on University initiatives or to provide information on areas of interest to the staff for feedback. Fifty percent of the membership of the Council shall constitute a quorum.

The standing committees of the Council shall, at a minimum, consist of the Executive Committee, the Nominations Committee, and the Awards Committee. The Council may establish additional standing committees or temporary ad hoc committees or task forces as it may deem appropriate.

a. The Executive Committee of the Council shall be composed of the three officers of the Council plus the chairs of all standing committees and ad hoc committees if approved. It shall advise the Chair on the agendas for all meetings, recommend the establishment of new committees, and make recommendations to the Council on matters brought to its attention. The Executive Committee will act on behalf of the Council when the Council is not in session, reporting all actions taken to the next regularly scheduled Council meeting.

b. The Nominating Committee shall consist of no less than four and no more than six members of the Council who shall serve a maximum of three one-year terms. The Executive Committee shall recommend nominees to this committee annually, including a nominee for chair of the Committee, subject to approval by the full Council. The Nominating Committee will review applications to serve on the Council and present nominations for officers for the Council.

c. The Awards Committee shall consist of no less than four and no more than six members of the Council who shall serve a maximum of three one-year terms. The Executive Committee shall recommend nominees to this committee annually, including a nominee for Chair of the Committee, subject to approval by the full Council. The Awards Committee will select candidates for awards distributed by the Council to staff at Boston University pursuant to the list of awards maintained by the Office of Human Resources.

d. Currently the Community and Collaboration Committee is an adhoc committee. It consists of no less than four and no more than six members of the Council who shall serve a maximum of three one-year terms. The Executive Committee shall recommend nominees to this committee annually, including a nominee for chair of the Committee, subject to approval by the full Council. The Community & Collaboration Committee will work to enhance the professional growth, connectedness, and overall experience of Boston University staff.

a. A member of the Council may be removed by vote of the Executive Committee or by the SVP for People, Belonging & Culture when it is determined that the best interests of the University would be served by a member’s removal.

b. Officers or Committee Chairs may be removed from those roles at the discretion of the SVP for People, Belonging & Culture.

These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Council by a majority vote (more than 50% of all votes cast by the members present). Suggested amendments must be distributed to the full Council no later than five calendar days prior to the first meeting of the next month. All amendments must be reviewed and approved by the Chair prior to a vote by the Council. All amendments must be approved by the SVP for People, Belonging & Culture.