SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND CRITICAL THEORY GIDP
BYLAWS
PREAMBLE
Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs (GIDPs) report to the Dean of the Graduate College through the Faculty Director of GIDPs.
The Graduate Interdisciplinary Program (GIDP) in Social, Cultural and Critical Theory offers a Ph.D. minor. In the following Articles and Bylaws, operating procedures, and policies of the Program are outlined. This organization and structure must conform to the guidelines for GIDPs.
Article 1. Membership in the Graduate Program.
Membership in the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Social, Cultural and Critical Theory is open to faculty at the University of Arizona who are willing to make a commitment to the GIDP. This commitment should be expressed through participation in developing and maintaining the GIDP, teaching courses, or supporting the programming for the GIDP. Both tenured or tenure-eligible faculty and untenured or non-tenure-eligible faculty may hold memberships.
Criteria for membership are a commitment to interdisciplinary approaches as well as activity and excellence in research or extension as demonstrated by research funding, publication record and service as advisors to students. Members of the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program will be reviewed periodically by the Executive Committee to ensure that they continue to meet these standards.
Membership can be proposed by candidates themselves or through nomination by a current member of the Program. Consideration of candidacy is initiated by submission of curriculum vitae and a letter of commitment to the Executive Committee. If the Executive Committee votes to recommend membership, a request is then submitted to the Faculty Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs for approval and appointment.
The members of the Social, Cultural and Critical Theory GIDP will meet at least once a year to review the state of the program.
Article 2. Executive Committee (EC) and Chair of the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Social, Cultural and Critical Theory.
The GIDP in Social, Cultural and Critical Theory is administered by a Chair and an Executive Committee (EC), consisting of at least six members. The Executive Committee will be made up of faculty members from at least three colleges, ideally with members from all participating colleges. The Chair is appointed for a renewable three-year term and EC members are appointed for renewable three-year terms. Both the Chair and the EC members will be chosen by vote by participating faculty that hold regular memberships. Nominations from participating faculty for both positions will be received by the EC. A faculty member may run for one or both positions. Fifty-one percent of the members will constitute a quorum. Majority vote of those present at a meeting or 51% return of ballots will rule. The roster of elected members will be forwarded to the Director of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs for approval and appointment. The EC will also have 1 student member elected by the students to a renewable 1 year term.
A) The responsibilities of the Executive Committee are to:
- Devise and implement procedures to be followed in selecting and reviewing members of the Social, Cultural and Critical Theory GIDP;
- Devise and implement appropriate policies and procedures for the operation of the graduate program, such as admissions, curriculum, student supervision, completion of degree program requirements, and decisions regarding program resources;
- Appoint GIDP faculty members to serve on the GIDP’s one standing committee: the Graduate Student Progress Committee (GS-APC); see Article 3;
- Appoint other ad hoc committees as needed for effective operation;
- Act on recommendations of the GS-APC regarding academic counsel to new students and evaluations of students at various stages of progress through the Program;
- Prepare and submit annual reports of the Social, Cultural and Critical Theory program’s activities and accomplishments to the Faculty Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs;
- Ensure that regular academic program reviews, consistent with the Board of Regents and USDA requirements, are carried out;
- Facilitate interaction and communication within the Program in Social, Cultural and Critical Theory and with supporting academic units heads and deans;
- Seek funding from appropriate University, State, Federal and private sources;
- Solicit nominations to vacated slot(s) on the Executive Committee to ensure continuity over time.
- Move consider and approve (by majority vote) all proposals to change the requirement for the minor
B) The responsibilities of the Chair of the Executive Committee (and of the GIDP).
- Administers the Program and activities of the EC with the assistance of the program coordinator of the GIDP;
- Convenes and chairs meetings of the EC;
- Acts on behalf of the EC and the GIDP to implement policies of the Program;
- Serves as representative of the Program to the University Administration, granting agencies, prospective students, etc.;
- Prepares and submits an annual report of activities and accomplishments of the Program according to University regulations.
The GIDP’s Program Coordinator works closely with the Chair of the EC as well as the students, faculty, EC and standing committees to ensure timely fulfillment of the policies of the UA and the Program in Social, Cultural and Critical Theory as well as the flow of information among all concerned.
Article 3. Standing Committees of the Graduate Program.
In addition to the EC, one standing committee carries important responsibilities for the operation and welfare of the Program: the Graduate Student Progress Committee (GS-APC).
The GS-ARC advises the EC with respect to publicizing the Program. It also advises all first-year students who have not identified an advisor from the program, and solicit and evaluate progress reports from all students. Finally, it advises the EC regarding Program policies and procedures as well as revisions of the Program Handbook. Student input will be encouraged.
Article 4. Amendments.
The bylaws shall be amended or revised by movement of the EC and a two-thirds positive vote by the regular membership of the Program.
November 2015