By-laws
Approved: September 20, 2011
ARTICLE I. PURPOSE
The primary purpose of the Classified Staff Advisory Committee (CSAC) is to support the goals and mission of the University and to provide representation of the classified staff employees as individuals and as an employee category to the university administration, the Board of Trustees and the university community.
CSAC shall seek input from and serve as an advocate on behalf of classified staff employees in areas including, but not limited to: compensation, benefits, work conditions, policies and procedures, professional and educational opportunities, job security, discrimination, harassment and other matters related to the well-being of classified staff employees.
ARTICLE II. ORGANIZATION
CSAC shall be directed by the Executive Board made up of a Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary/Treasurer. Membership shall be comprised of elected representatives from identified divisions of the University. Ad hoc subcommittees or representatives to other campus committees shall be established as needed (i.e., Elections, Salaries and Benefits, Parking, Public Relations, SCTE {Secretary Clerical Training Enrichment] etc).
ARTICLE III. COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership
CSAC shall be made up of WSU classified staff who are employed in salaried positions.
Section 2. Apportionment
Membership shall be determined by approximating proportional representation from logical divisions of the University as identified each year by CSAC and approved by the President’s Council. For example, a division which employs 45% of all classified staff shall have proportionate representation on CSAC (45% of all CSAC members).
Section 3. Election of Members to CSAC
An official ballot shall be prepared by the Election Ad Hoc Subcommittee and distributed to all classified staff within each division having vacant seat(s) by the end of March each year. All votes received on, or before the specified due date shall be counted. Within each division, the nominee(s) receiving the highest number of votes from their division shall fill the vacant seat(s). In the event of a tie vote, the Election Ad Hoc Subcommittee shall employ a means of chance to select a winner. Results will be announced through appropriate publicity channels.
Section 4. Term of Office
Subsection 1. Members
Members of CSAC shall be elected to serve a one three-year term.
Subsection 2. Officers
The Vice-Chair and Secretary/Treasurer shall be elected to serve a one-year term (July 1 to June 30). A new Vice-Chair and Secretary/Treasurer are elected from members of CSAC for the next term. At the conclusion of an expired term, the Vice-Chair automatically succeeds to the position of Chair. The outgoing Chair will serve an additional year as an Advisory Chair. Elections for Vice-Chair and Treasurer shall take place during CSAC’s last meeting in May of each academic year.
Subsection 3. Removal for Cause
Any member or officer may be removed for cause (i.e., showing gross neglect of duty) by a majority vote of the quorum. In the event of such removal from office, vacancies shall be filled as outlined in Section 7.
Section 5. Responsibilities of Members
Each committee member shall attend meetings and shall vote on matters of business transacted by CSAC. In addition, committee members shall disseminate pertinent information from CSAC to classified staff employees within their division and shall receive and report to CSAC suggestions offered and issues raised by their constituents.
If members are not able to attend meetings they are responsible to designate representative(s) from their division(s) to attend in their place. Any representative(s) will have full voting privileges during that meeting.
Section 6. Duties of Officers
Chair. The Chair shall preside at all meetings and promote the goals and objectives as set forth by the committee.
Vice-Chair. The Vice-Chair shall assume the duties of the Chair in the event of the Chair’s absence. The Vice-Chair will also accept and carry out special assignments from the Chair (i.e., supervise web site maintenance, updating member roster, etc).
Secretary/Treasurer. The Secretary/Treasurer shall supervise the keeping of true and accurate financial records pertaining to the business of CSAC, record the monthly meeting minutes, provide electronic copies of the minutes to membership and other duties as requested by the Chair.
Section 7. Vacancies
CSAC will facilitate the filling of vacant seats as members transfer or terminate, with six months, or more, prior to completing their elected term. When a seat is prematurely vacated within a division, the Chair will first try to fill the vacancy with an outgoing CSAC member from the same division, with less than six months remaining on their own term, who is willing to complete the term of the vacant seat. If unable to fill the vacancy in this manner, ballots from the previous election (within the same division) will be examined. The nominee(s) receiving the next highest votes in said election shall be invited to fill the vacated seat(s). In the event the nominee(s) receiving the next highest votes result in a tie, the names of the nominees will be presented to CSAC members to be voted upon. The nominee receiving the highest votes will be invited to fill the vacated seat(s). If it is determined that no persons on the ballot can serve, a representative from the vacated division will be appointed by the V.P. over that division. The newly elected member will complete the vacated term.
Should the Chair leave office during her/his term, the Vice-Chair shall become Chair, assuming the duties and responsibilities of Chair for the remainder of the term. If there is less than six months remaining in the Chair’s position, the Vice-Chair will serve the remainder of the Chair’s term as well as a complete term the following year. When the positions of Vice-Chair, or Secretary/Treasurer are vacated for any reason, a member of CSAC shall be elected by majority vote of the quorum to fill the office for the remainder of the term.
ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS
CSAC shall meet as needed, but at least three times between during the academic year. Two thirds of CSAC members (or designated representatives) must be present to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
All meetings (except those mandated as private by GRAMA [Government Records and Access Management Act]) shall be open to any WSU employee. Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used in all meetings of CSAC.
All members of CSAC (or designated representatives) shall have one vote each, except the presiding officer. In the event of a tie, the presiding office may vote. No members may vote by absentee ballot.
ARTICLE V. RULES AND AMENDMENTS
The By-laws shall govern CSAC and shall be consistent with University policies and procedures. The By-laws may be changed or amended by majority vote of the quorum.