BYLAWS

OF

THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE

AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING

Revised
May 2004

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-CLEAR LAKE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS									ii

CHANGE HISTORY									v

PART I PREAMBLE									1

•	Article I Goals and Objectives							1

•	Section A. Mission
•	Section B. Goals
•	Section C. Objectives

•	Article II Scope of Bylaws								2

•	Article III Adoption and Amendment of Bylaws					3

•	Section A. Adoption
•	Section B. Amendment

PART II SCHOOL									4

•	Article I Structure									4

•	Section A. School
•	Section B. Divisions
•	Section C. Disciplines

•	Article II Administration								4

•	Section A. Dean
•	Section B. Associate Dean
•	Section C. Staff
•	Section D. Division Chairs
•	Section E. Discipline Chairs
•	Section F. Joint Administrative Appointments Within the School

•	Article III Faculty									7

•	Section A. Composition of the Faculty
•	Section B. Appointment and Selection
•	Section C. Duties of the Faculty
•	Section D. Responsibilities and Jurisdiction of the Faculty
•	Section E. Meetings
•	Section F. School Policies
•	Section G. Graduate Faculty

•	Article IV Standing Committees							12

•	Section A. Standing School Committees
•	Section B. Membership
•	Section C. Removal
•	Section D. Meetings
•	Section E. The Executive Committee
•	Section F. The Policy and Advisory Committee
•	Section G. The Curriculum Committee
•	Section H. The Student Affairs Committee
•	Section I. The Safety Committee
•	Section J. The Computing, Library and Research Committee
•	Section K. The Post-Tenure Performance Review Committee
•	Section L. Faculty Development Committee
•	Section M. Academic Advising

•	Article V External Advisory Boards							19

•	Section A. External Advisory Boards

•	Article VI Ad Hoc Committees							20

•	Article VII Promotion and Tenure Committees					20

•	Section A. Promotion and Tenure Committees	

•	Article VIII Election of Shared Governance Committee Members			20

•	Article IX Post-Tenure Performance Review						20

•	Section A. Purpose
•	Section B. Policy
•	Section C. Procedures
•	Section D. First Stage Post-Tenure Peer Review
•	Section E. Second Stage Post-Tenure Peer Review
•	Section F. Professional Development Plan
•	Section G. Due Process and Grievance Procedures
•	Section H. Post-Tenure Performance Review for Administrators
•	Section I. Review and Modification of this Article of the By-Laws

PART III DIVISIONS									26

•	Article I Structure									26

•	Section A. Divisions
•	Section B. Faculty

•	Article II Administration								26

•	Section A. Administration

•	Article III Meetings Called by the Division Chairs					27

•	Section A. Division Faculty Meetings
•	Section B. Discipline Faculty Meetings
•	Section C. Agenda and Minutes

PART IV DISCIPLINES									28

•	Article I Faculty									28

•	Section A. Composition
•	Section B. Collective Functions
•	Section C. Administration
•	Section D. Meetings

APPENDIX A.  POST TENURE REVIEW DATE						30

CHANGE HISTORY

•	NAS Bylaws approved by NAS faculty on September 18, 1995.

•	Changes from UH System Legal Offices received and made on May 15, 1997.

•	Changes approved by Senior Vice President and Provost on May 22, 1997.

•	First amended on December 11, 1998, for addition of Post-Tenure Review.

•	Amended on May 20, 1999, for addition of Faculty Development Committee.

•	Amended on April 30, 2004, to reflect name change to School of Science and Computer Engineering; definition of graduate faculty; reflect the number of tenured faculty from each division as voting members of the Policy and Advisory Committee; reflect the number of members chosen equally from each division for the Post-Tenure Performance Review Committee; reflect the number of tenured faculty from each division for the Faculty Development Leave Committee; add the section concerning Academic Advising in SCE; and replace Article V.

•	

BYLAWS

OF

THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-CLEAR LAKE

PART I
PREAMBLE

The School of Science and Computer Engineering adheres to a belief in academic freedom and collegial governance shared between faculty and administration.  Accordingly, these Bylaws define the governance structure of the School of Science and Computer Engineering, the basic procedures under which its components function, and the duties and responsibilities of each component.

ARTICLE I
Goals and Objectives

Section A.  Mission.  The School of Science and Computer Engineering offers high quality academic programs consistent with the role of a regional public university.  Programs within the School prepare graduates to enter fields in natural sciences, mathematics and computing. Individuals in the School's programs are expected to develop skills in problem solving, independent study and critical thinking and be able to adapt knowledge to new situations and to the benefit of society.  Through the guidance of the School's faculty, students in these programs are expected to attain a sense of professional values and ethics as well as knowledge and skills relevant to their specific subject area.  A sense of professional responsibility is essential if society is to benefit from the applications of advanced technology and science.

	The School supports research and development directed toward producing new knowledge and new applications of existing knowledge.  Dissemination of scientific knowledge through publication and presentation is encouraged as is professional service to local, regional, national and international communities.

	Faculty of the School aspires to a professional model that includes balance among the components of the Mission: teaching, research and service.
Section B.  Goals The following goals are established to support the mission of the School of Science and Computer Engineering.  
 
1.	Provide high quality instruction and develop effective, excellent programs that meet the needs of the Gulf Coast community.

2.	Conduct research and development activities that create new knowledge and apply existing knowledge to the solution of problems.

3.	Offer services to and maintain interaction with the University, the public and the scientific, engineering and professional communities.

Section C.  Objectives The following objectives are established to support the goals of the School of Science and Computer Engineering.

1.	Attract and retain faculty committed to excellence in teaching, research and service.

2.	Develop innovative academic directions while maintaining traditional curricular goals.

3.	Attract and retain highly qualified students.

4.	Maintain and improve the facilities, resources and equipment available for instruction and research.

5.	Encourage faculty and student participation in research and scholarly activities.

6.	Encourage faculty and student participation in academic, professional and community service.

ARTICLE II
Scope of Bylaws

The Bylaws as set forth in this document, or as subsequently amended in accordance with Part I, Article III, are established to support the School's mission, goals and objectives.  These Bylaws shall be consistent with, and subordinate to, established policies and rules of the University of Houston-Clear Lake, the University of Houston System Board of Regents, the Higher Education Coordinating Board of the State of Texas, and statutes and the constitutions of the State of Texas and the United States of America.  The policies and rules of UHCL are documented in the most recent copy of the UHCL Faculty Handbook augmented by subsequently approved changes.

ARTICLE III
Adoption and Amendment of Bylaws

Section A.  Adoption The Bylaws of the School of Science and Computer Engineering may be recommended for adoption by a 2/3 majority of the votes cast by the Voting Faculty of the School.  (The 'Voting Faculty' is defined in Part II, Article III of these Bylaws.)  The vote shall be in writing, shall occur during one of the two long semesters of the academic year, and shall follow a period of no less than five working days after the distribution of the proposed Bylaws.  To be valid, the vote requires participation of at least 51% of the Voting Faculty.  The distribution of the Bylaws and the ballots and the collection and tabulation of the ballots shall be the responsibility of an ad hoc committee appointed by the Dean.  Recommended adoption of the Bylaws of the School becomes effective with the approval of the Dean, the Provost and the President.

Section B.  Amendment Amendments may be proposed by a standing committee, the Dean, or by any member of the Voting Faculty.  Amendment of the Bylaws of the School of Science and Computer Engineering may be recommended by a 2/3 majority of the votes cast by the Voting Faculty of the School.  The vote shall be in writing, shall occur during one of the two long semesters of the academic year, and shall follow a period of no less than five working days after the distribution of the proposed amendments.  To be valid, the vote requires participation of at least 51% of the Voting Faculty.  The distribution of the amendments and the ballots and the collection and tabulation of the ballots shall be the responsibility of an ad hoc committee appointed by the Dean.  Recommended amendment of the adopted Bylaws of the School becomes effective with the approval of the Dean, the Provost and the President. 

PART II
SCHOOL

ARTICLE I
Structure

Section A.  School The organization of the School of Science and Computer Engineering shall be the joint responsibility of the Dean and the Faculty of the School as a whole.

Section B.  Divisions For administrative convenience the School may be divided into one or more operating divisions, each consisting of a group of disciplines.  Each Division shall have a Chair who will serve as the administrative officer for the Division (See Part III, Article II). 

Section C.  Disciplines The School of Science and Computer Engineering is made up of Disciplines which serve as operating units of the School.  Each Discipline shall consist of a group of at least three full-time-equivalent faculty who participate in instruction in one or more related degree programs.  The Discipline faculty may include both tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty, but at least one must be tenure-track.  Each faculty member of the School must be assigned to at least one Discipline.

	The Faculty of each Discipline shall be responsible for academic programs within its respective unit.  Each Discipline shall have a Chair who will be selected by its Faculty with the consent of the Division Chair and the Dean.

ARTICLE II
Administration

Section A.  Dean The Dean is the principal administrative, academic, and fiscal officer of the School.  He/she has primary authority over and responsibility for the personnel and activities of the School.

1.	Appointment The Dean is appointed by the President of the University.  The Provost, after consultation with the Faculty, is responsible for recommending a candidate for Dean to the President.  The Dean will serve at the pleasure of the Provost and the President.  However, under certain conditions described in (5) below, the Provost may consult with the faculty regarding a continuation of appointment of the Dean.

2.	Duties The Dean shall be the chief administrative officer of the school. He/she shall administer the financial, teaching, research, service and governance activities of the School. The Dean shall provide leadership for the programs and personnel of the School and serve as a liaison with other units of the University, the UH-System administration, the community, and government agencies.  The Dean will perform other duties as assigned by the Provost or President.

	3.	Selection 

a)	Search Committee The search process is governed by the university policy on "Search and Selection Procedures for Academic Administration, Faculty Members and Academic Professional Staff".

b)	Requirements The Dean must have an earned doctorate, acceptability as a tenured professor in a discipline in the School and at least three years of academic administrative experience.

4.	Evaluation The Dean will be evaluated each year by the Provost and the Faculty according to a procedure approved by the Provost. 

5.	Continuation of Appointment If significant disagreements are documented between the Dean and the Faculty of the School, and if the record documents an impasse between these parties, a written petition signed by at least 2/3 of the Voting Faculty of one Division can be used to express to the Provost a lack of confidence in the current Dean.  After receipt of such a petition, it is expected that the Provost consult with the faculty regarding a continuation of appointment of the Dean.

Section B.  Associate Dean The Associate Dean is the principal administrative staff officer of the School. 

	1.	Appointment

a)	The Associate Dean is appointed by the Dean and serves at the pleasure of the Dean.  A search committee with majority faculty representation is responsible for making recommendations to the Dean on all candidates.  Although the Associate Dean serves at the pleasure of the Dean, under certain conditions described in (5) below, the Dean will consult with the faculty regarding a continuation of appointment of the Associate Dean.
b)	If, for any reason, the individual assigned to this position is unable, ineligible or unwilling to fulfill his/her responsibilities as Associate Dean or at the discretion of the Dean, the Dean may appoint an interim replacement for a period not to exceed one calendar year except in the event that necessity dictates otherwise.  The Dean shall seek input from the Faculty prior to making any such appointment.  During the period of an interim appointment, normal search and selection procedures will be initiated to find a permanent Associate Dean.

2.	Duties The Associate Dean shall be responsible for the supervision of School activities as assigned by the Dean.  These activities will normally include, but are not limited to: admissions, advising, scheduling, catalog revision, Teaching Assistant appointment and evaluation, part-time faculty appointment and evaluation, and supervision and evaluation of administrative and professional staff in the Dean's office.

	3.	Selection 

a)	Search Committee The search process is governed by the university policy on "Search and Selection Procedures for Academic Administration, Faculty Members and Academic Professional Staff".

b)	Requirements Both tenured faculty of the School and qualified faculty candidates from outside the School are eligible to apply.  External candidates appointed to the position are not required to hold an academic appointment within the School.

4.	Evaluation The Associate Dean will be evaluated each year by the Dean with input according to a procedure approved by the Dean.  Normally, such evaluation will be conducted during the spring semester.

5.	Continuation of Appointment    Although the Associate Dean serves at the pleasure of the Dean, a written petition signed by at least 2/3 of the Voting Faculty of one Division can be used to express to the Dean a lack of confidence in the current Associate Dean.  After receipt of such a petition, the Dean will consult with the faculty regarding a continuation of appointment of the Associate Dean.

Section C.  Staff The Dean shall select administrative, professional, clerical and technical staff as needed to assist in the administration and operation of the School.  The Dean may select an administrative and operational structure that is both financially reasonable and fulfills the responsibilities of the School and the office of the Dean.  In turn, the annual evaluation of the Dean by the faculty will consider the collective performance and contributions of the Dean and the Dean's administrative staff.

1.	Selection and Appointment Administrative and professional staff shall be selected in accordance with the university policy on "Search and Selection Procedures for Academic Administration, Faculty Members and Academic Professional Staff".  Before a search for clerical or technical staff begins, the UHCL Personnel Office must be contacted to initiate necessary procedures.  Faculty input shall be obtained in the selection of clerical and technical staff not associated directly with the Dean's office.

2.	Supervision The Dean shall assign staff to supervisors, as he/she deems appropriate.

3.	Evaluation Members of the staff with teaching responsibilities will be evaluated each year by the appropriate Division Chair for teaching responsibilities using the procedures for evaluating faculty instructional quality and by the appropriate supervisor for staff duties using university procedures for professional or clerical staff.  Staff without teaching responsibilities will be evaluated by the appropriate supervisor according to university procedures for professional or clerical staff.  Normally such evaluations will take place during the spring semester.

Section D.  Division Chairs The position of Division Chair is discussed in Part III, Article II.

Section E.  Discipline Chairs The position of Discipline Chair is discussed in Part IV, Article I.

Section F.  Joint Administrative Appointments Within the School In general, no individual may hold more than one administrative appointment within the School at one time.  Exceptions must be documented and approved by the Dean.

ARTICLE III
Faculty

Section A.  Composition of the Faculty The Faculty of the School of Science and Computer Engineering shall consist of all personnel who hold academic rank within the School.  For governance purposes, the Faculty is divided into voting and non-voting categories based on the following:

1.	Voting Faculty This category includes all full time faculty who hold continuing appointments and whose workload consists of at least 50% teaching and/or research and who teach at least the equivalent of two organized classes per academic year.  A Lecturer, Instructor or Visiting Assistant Professor will become a voting member of the faculty at the beginning of their second year of full time teaching in the School.  Members of the faculty on Faculty Development Leave will be eligible to vote on written ballots or at meetings, providing they can be reached and can respond in a timely manner.

2.	Non-Voting Faculty This category includes anyone with faculty rank, assigned to the school, who falls into one or more of the following subcategories:

a)	Cooperating Faculty includes faculty assigned to another school in the University for performance evaluation but teaching courses regularly in the School.

b)	Part-time Faculty includes any faculty who are assigned to the School but who are budgeted for less than 50% of full time equivalent employment within the School or who teach less than the equivalent of two organized classes per academic year.

c)	Retired/Emeritus Faculty includes retired faculty who were voting or non-voting faculty members in the School at the time of their retirement.

		The following are as defined in the UHCL Faculty Handbook:

		d)	Adjunct Faculty

		e)	Visiting Faculty

		f)	Research Associates.

Section B. Appointment and Selection Faculty members are appointed by the Board of Regents based on recommendations from the Dean, Provost and President.  A search committee of Faculty will review candidates for faculty positions and make recommendations on selection to the Dean.  (This process is governed by the policy on "Search and Selection Procedures for Academic Administration, Faculty Members and Academic Professional Staff".)

Section C.  Duties of the Faculty The duties of the Faculty include the following:

1.	to fulfill the School's mission regarding teaching, research, and service  (The discharge of these responsibilities shall be governed by the contractual and other legal obligations of the Faculty as described in the UHCL Faculty Handbook and the policies and procedures of the School, University, UH System, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the statutes and constitutions of Texas and the U.S.A.);

2.	to determine the academic content of the courses, assign grades, advise students and establish admission and degree requirements of the School;

3.	to initiate recommendations on the formation or discontinuance of any new or existing program;

4.	to advise the Dean on all matters dealing with the general educational policy of the School;

	5.	to recommend candidates for degrees; and

	6.	to recommend policies and procedures for the School.

Section D.  Responsibilities and Jurisdiction of the Faculty The responsibilities and jurisdiction of the Faculty include the following:

1.	to establish and sustain the specific program curricula and the requirements for graduation within the School;

2.	to establish and sustain research appropriate to the mission and goals of the School;

           3.	to establish and sustain service appropriate to the mission and goals of the School;

4.	to advise and guide students in professional matters related to curriculum, research, service, ethics and values;

5.	to select from among themselves certain official representatives to advise and communicate with the administration and to serve on appropriate School and University committees and other bodies of elected representatives;

6.	to provide input on important decisions affecting their ability to carry out their responsibilities in teaching, research, and service to the University, the community, and to the science, mathematics, computing and engineering professions;

7.	to work cooperatively and professionally, to treat each other with respect and civility, and to honor the ethics of collegiality;
 
8.	to evaluate the quality of the performance of their peers who are seeking promotion or tenure in accord with university policies and procedures; 

9.	to ensure fair and equal treatment towards persons with minority status and not to discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, color, handicap, national origin, veteran status or sexual orientation; and

10.	to abide by all ethical and professional standards established by the University.
Section E.  Meetings

1.	Frequency of Meetings General meetings of the Faculty will be held on a regular basis as follows:

a)	General meetings of the Faculty will normally be held once each month during fall and spring semesters.

b)	Additional meetings may be called by and at the discretion of the Dean or whenever 10 percent of the Voting Faculty request such a meeting.

c)	An agenda should be circulated at least 24 hours before any faculty meeting.

2.	Quorum A quorum of the Faculty for the conduct of School business shall consist of at least 51% of the Voting Faculty of the School.  Should a quorum not be present at a given general meeting, it may be rescheduled by the Dean and an ad hoc definition of quorum may be adopted by the Faculty present at the second meeting.  No new items shall be added to the agenda of a rescheduled meeting and the written notice shall clearly indicate that for that particular meeting, an ad hoc definition of a quorum may be adopted at the meeting (e.g., those Voting Faculty present).  The meeting will normally be rescheduled with a notice to the Faculty of at least two working days.

3.	Conduct of Meetings Meetings of the Faculty shall be conducted with the following provisions:

a)	The Dean or his/her designated representative will preside over the meetings.

b)	The Voting Faculty present at a meeting may, by majority vote, send an issue of School business on the agenda to the full Voting Faculty for a written ballot.

c)	With the exception of written ballots, a Faculty member must be present to exercise his/her right to vote.

d)	With the exception of ballots on amending or adopting Bylaws and School Policies (which are described in Part I, Article III and Part II, Article III, Section F, below), other actions will pass with a simple majority of the votes cast whenever a quorum is present.  A deadline for return of written ballots will not normally be scheduled earlier than five working days after a written ballot is sent to the faculty.
e)	In the absence of specific rules adopted by the Faculty, the proceedings of all meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Revised Rules of Order.

f)	Minutes of all meetings shall be duly recorded by the Dean's office and made available to the Faculty within a reasonable time.

Section F.  School Policies

1.	Development A School policy may be proposed by a member of the Voting Faculty or the Dean and submitted for discussion to the Curriculum Committee.  If approved by the Policy and Advisory Committee, the proposed policy will be forwarded to the Dean for placing on the agenda of a general meeting of the Faculty, normally the next one to be held.

2.	Approval A School policy will be in effect upon receiving approval by at least a 2/3 majority of the votes cast by the Voting Faculty of the School and the written concurrence of the Dean.  To be valid, the faculty vote requires participation of at least 51% of the Voting Faculty, either at a general faculty meeting or on a written ballot submitted to the faculty. 

3.	Amendment Proposed additions, revisions, or deletions to School policies shall be in effect upon receiving approval by at least a 2/3 majority of the votes cast by the Voting Faculty of the School and the written concurrence of the Dean.  To be valid, the faculty vote requires participation of at least 51% of the Voting Faculty, either at a general faculty meeting or on a written ballot submitted to the faculty.

Section G.  Graduate Faculty  

In the School of SCE, Graduate Faculty members are defined as those faculty who, in addition to holding an earned doctorate in an area of expertise related to their specific program, also meet two or more of the following requirements within his/her discipline over a given five-year period.  The requirements may be satisfied either by accomplishing at least two different criteria or by accomplishing the same criterion at least two times.  Adjunct faculty members may qualify as Graduate Faculty if they can document that they satisfy at least two of these requirements, including within their primary employment, over a give five-year period.

1.	Serve as principle investigator or co-principal investigator on an active, competitively won, externally funded research grant or contract.

2.	Prepare and submit a research proposal to an external funding agency soliciting competitive funding for research.
3.	Write and publish a research article in a peer-reviewed journal.

4.	Make a peer-reviewed research presentation at a conference sponsored by a national or international professional organization.

5.	Write and publish a technical report describing scientific or technical finding to private corporations or governmental agencies.

6.	File a patent application for a research finding or process.

7.	Publish a textbook within the discipline or area of expertise.

8.	Contribute a chapter to books or monographs published within the discipline or area of expertise.

9.	Publish a software product or application within the discipline or area of expertise.

ARTICLE IV
Standing Committees

Section A.  Standing School Committees The Standing Committees of the School of Science and Computer Engineering shall be:

	Executive Committee

	Policy and Advisory Committee

	Curriculum Committee

	Student Affairs Committee

	Safety Committee

	Computing, Library and Research Committee

Post-Tenure Performance Review Committee

	Faculty Development Committee

	Academic Advising

Section B.  Membership 

1.	In order to fill a committee position, a member of the Voting Faculty must receive a majority of votes cast by the Voting Faculty for that position.  In addition, when multiple candidates for similar positions are voted on simultaneously, the positions will be filled sequentially by those candidates receiving, in descending order, the largest numbers of votes cast.  A member of the Voting Faculty may cast only a single vote for an individual candidate but may use less than his/her allotted number of votes.
 
	2.	Elections for the following academic year will be held in April of each year.

3.	Normal terms of office are two years, unless otherwise specified.  In first establishing a committee, approximately half of the elected membership should be appointed for two years and the remainder for one year.  In subsequent elections staggered terms should be maintained to insure continuity.

4.	The Dean will serve or will appoint a representative to serve as a non-voting member of each committee. 

Section C.  Removal Any faculty member elected to committee membership may be removed for three or more sequential absences from committee meetings.  With the concurrence of the committee, the Dean will be responsible for removing the member and proceed to have the Faculty elect a replacement.  

Section D.  Meetings

1.	The meetings shall be scheduled by the committee chairs or called by the Dean.

2.	A quorum shall consist of at least 51% of the Voting Faculty on the committee.

3.	The chair of each committee shall be responsible for seeing that minutes of committee meetings are maintained and that copies are made available as needed.

Section E.  The Executive Committee

1. 	Composition The Dean, Associate Dean, Division Chairs and Chairs of Institutes and Centers housed within the School will make up this committee.

	2.	Chair The Dean will chair the committee.

3. 	Responsibilities The Executive Committee will serve as the principal coordination council of the School.  It will coordinate the development of schedules, plans and other products involving the faculty as needed for the successful operation and well being of the School. 

Section F.  The Policy and Advisory Committee

	1.	Composition

a)	Six tenured faculty chosen equally from the Divisions, elected by their respective Division, shall constitute the voting membership.

b)	The Dean or his/her representative shall attend meetings as a non-voting member.

2.	Chair The voting members shall elect a Chair from among their own ranks.

3.	Responsibilities The Policy and Advisory Committee shall be the principal policy-recommending body in the School.  In addition, the committee will act in a general advisory role to the Dean.  Specific functions include:

a)	initiating, developing and/or reviewing proposed new policies or proposed modifications to existing School policies and structure;

b)  	making recommendations to the Dean on all new policies and policy changes being considered for adoption by the School; and

c)  	advising the Dean on issues involving the School including, but not limited to, School planning and development and facilitation of communications between the School administration and the Faculty.

Section G.  The Curriculum Committee

	1.	Composition

a)  	All the Discipline Chairs in the School shall constitute the voting membership.

b) 	The Associate Dean and the Division Chairs shall attend meetings as non-voting members.

2.	Chair The voting members shall elect a Chair from among their own ranks.

3.	Responsibilities The Curriculum Committee shall be responsible for reviewing and approving all curricular changes, including initiation and discontinuance of programs, to be submitted to the School administration, university governance committees and/or the university administration for approval.  The Curriculum Committee is responsible for recommending operational curricular procedures to the School administration for improving efficiency and effectiveness.  In addition, the committee is responsible for recommending new or revised curricular policy to the Policy and Advisory Committee.

Section H. The Student Affairs Committee

	1.	Composition

a)	Six faculty members elected by the Voting Faculty of the School.

b)	One student member selected by each Division Chair based upon recommendations of the Division Faculty and the consent of the student.

c)	The Dean or his/her representative shall attend meetings as a non-voting member.

2.	Chair	The voting members shall elect a Chair from among the faculty members on the committee.

3.	Responsibilities Address and make recommendations to the Dean on specific student issues for the School: 

a)	questions related to university policy on academic honesty,

b)	student grievances,

c)	grade appeals,

d)	scholarships and fellowships, and

e)	School planning and policies in the area of student needs.

Section I.  The Safety Committee

	1.	Composition

a)	The Radiation Safety Officer

b)	The Chemical Safety Officer

c)	The Laser Safety Officer

d)	The Bio-hazard Safety Officer

e)	Laboratory Supervisors

		 f)	Director of Environmental Health & Safety

The above individuals shall constitute the voting membership and shall be appointed by the Dean with their consent.  In addition, the Dean or his/her representative will serve on the committee as a non-voting member.

2.	Chair The voting members shall elect a Chair from among their own ranks.

3.	Responsibilities The Safety Committee will be responsible for identifying actual and/or potential safety problems in facilities under the control of the School and for recommending corrective actions to the Faculty and the Dean. 

Section J.  The Computing, Library and Research Committee

	1.	Composition

a)	Five members of the Voting Faculty, each elected by a majority of favorable votes cast by the Voting Faculty of the School in a written ballot, shall constitute the voting membership.

b)	The Dean or his/her representative shall serve on the committee as a non-voting member.

2.	Chair The voting members shall elect a Chair from among their own ranks.

3.	Responsibilities The Computing, Library and Research Committee shall provide advice and planning on the computing, library and research resources needed or used by the School.

Section K. The Post-Tenure Performance Review Committee

1.	Composition

a)	Six tenured members of the Voting Faculty of the School of Science and Computer Engineering (SCE), including five regular members and one alternate.

b)	Voting shall elect six members chosen equally from the Divisions.  Both the conduct of the election and the tallying of the results will be carried out by the Dean’s office.

c)	No committee member undergoing post-tenure review may serve on his/her own review committee; the alternate committee member will serve in place of that regular member in such cases.

d)	Of the six-committee members elected, one will be chosen by a random process (e.g., by ‘drawing straws’) at the first committee meeting to serve as the alternate and the others will serve as regular members.  The alternate may serve on the committee whenever a regular member is unable to attend a meeting.

	2.	Chair	The regular members of the committee shall elect a Chair from among their own ranks.

	3.	Responsibilities The Post-Tenure Performance Review Committee shall conduct all first stage post-tenure performance peer reviews.

Section L. Faculty Development Committee

1.	Composition

a)	Six tenured faculty chosen equally from the Divisions, elected by their respective Division shall constitute the voting membership.

b)	One alternate tenured faculty from each Division, elected by their respective
Division faculty, shall replace a regular committee member of that Division in case a proposal submitted by that member is under discussion or in case of  unavoidable absence of that regular member of the committee.

c)	At each year’s election the previous year’s Faculty Development Leave recipients will automatically be candidates from their respective Divisions.

d)	The Dean or his/her representative may attend meetings as a non-voting member.

2.  Chair  The  voting members shall elect a Chair from among their own ranks.

3.  Responsibilities   The Faculty Development Committee shall 

a)  Establish and publish qualifications and guidelines for proposals from individual
     faculty for

i)	Faculty Development Leave,
ii)	Travel Allowance Awards, and
iii)	Other forms of Faculty Development Awards; and 

b)  recommend to the Dean suitable recipients for

i)	annual Faculty Development  Leaves in the number specified by the Dean, 
ii)	Travel allowance Awards, subject to budgetary constraints specified by the Dean, and
iii)	Other forms of Faculty Development Awards, subject to budgetary constraints specified by the Dean

		Proposal qualifications and guidelines are subject to approval by the Dean

Section M.  Academic Advising  

The School or SCE maintains a professional advising staff sufficient to meet the advising needs of currently enrolled students.  In cooperation with and under the guidance of the SCE faculty, the academic advisors prepare student files, evaluate undergraduates for degree plan admissions, and prepare undergraduate Candidate Plans of Study (CPS) in a personal interview with each student.  Files for graduate students are prepared and made available to the admissions committee for the appropriate degree program.  Academic advisors are also responsible for auditing graduation applications.

ARTICLE V
External Advisory Boards

Section A.  External Advisory Boards The External Advisory Boards of the School of Science and Computer Engineering shall include, but are not limited to:

1.	Appointment and Removal The Dean, with input from the faculty of the programs in each SCE Division, shall have the responsibility of appointing and removing members of the School Advisory Board.  However, nominations and recommendations for appointment the board shall be sought from as wide a constituency as is appropriate to insure the best possible membership (e.g., from students, staff, alumni, members of the local community or industry, university colleagues, etc.).

2.	Convener Each external advisory board shall be convened by the Dean or his/her representative.

3.	Meetings The School Advisory Board will meet at least twice over the two long semesters.  Additional meetings may be convened as deemed appropriate by the Dean.  The Program specific advisory boards/committees needed to meet professional accreditation requirements can be coordinated through this group.

4.	Composition The School Advisory Board shall be composed of up to ten individuals in leadership roles from the local community, industries, or government agencies.  Membership should be generally representative of the diversity of degree programs in the school 

5.	Responsibilities The board is responsible for providing advice on improving School services offered to the community and advancing the relationship between this School and the community.  In addition, this board is expected to provide advice and support for development initiatives within the School.

ARTICLE VI
Ad Hoc Committees

	Where appropriate, committees with limited purposes and terms of appointment may be appointed by the Dean or elected in accordance with the Dean's instructions.

ARTICLE VII
Promotion and Tenure Committees

Section A. Promotion and Tenure Committees All promotion and/or tenure committees will be selected and convened in accordance with the UHCL Faculty Handbook.

1.	Chairs The Chair of each promotion and/or tenure committee will be elected by the Voting Faculty participating in that committee.

ARTICLE VIII
Election of Shared Governance Committee Members

	School representatives to the university shared governance committees shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the Voting Faculty of the School in a written ballot.

ARTICLE IX
Post-Tenure Performance Review

Section A.  Purpose

	This Article describes the procedures to be followed in the School of Science and Computer Engineering (SCE) for the post-tenure performance review of faculty.  Such reviews are directed primarily toward the professional development of tenured faculty.  This policy is intended to comply fully with Policy No. FSEC.1998.001 of the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) on Post-Tenure Performance Review, with Section 51.942 of the Texas Education Code and with the University of Houston Board of Regents Policy on Post-Tenure Review.  The procedures described in this Article will become effective on December 31, 1998.

Section B.  Policy

	Post-tenure performance review for tenured faculty in SCE embraces the entire scope of the faculty member’s contributions to the university, the school, the division, the program area(s), the academic discipline and the community.  These contributions will be reviewed in the general categories of teaching, research and service.  In order to ensure a faculty member’s right to due process, such a review will be subject to the provisions of the UHCL Faculty Handbook.

Section C.  Procedures

1.	Each tenured faculty member must undergo a post-tenure performance review at least once in any six-year period.  Texas State law requires that the first post-tenure performance review of faculty tenured prior to January 1, 1998 must occur no later than January 1, 2004.  However, a tenured faculty member may volunteer to undergo a post-tenure performance review during any year.  Following a successful finding from such a review, the faculty member is not required to undergo another post-tenure performance review for another six years.

2.	Specifically, tenured faculty will undergo a post-tenure performance review:

a)	in the sixth year following their date of tenure, or

b)	in any year in which the faculty member volunteers to be reviewed, or

c)	if they have not been reviewed during the previous five years, or

d)	when required by the Dean of SCE to have a post-tenure performance review because that tenured faculty member’s performance is rated ‘unsatisfactory’ as a result of one or more of the following conditions:

i.	the faculty member consistently fails to submit annual reports to the Dean, or
 
ii.	the faculty member receives an evaluation of ‘poor’ (equivalent to ‘unsatisfactory’ in the UHCL Post-Tenure Performance Review Policy) in teaching on two consecutive annual evaluations, or

iii.	the faculty member receives evaluations of ‘poor’ in both research and service on two consecutive annual evaluations, or

iv.	the faculty member receives an evaluation of  ‘less than satisfactory’ or a combination of  ‘less than satisfactory’ and ‘poor’ in teaching on three consecutive annual evaluations, or

v.	the faculty member receives evaluations of  ‘less than satisfactory’ or a combination of  ‘less than satisfactory’ and ‘poor’ in both research and service on three consecutive annual evaluations.

3.	Notification from the Dean of SCE to a faculty member of a required post-tenure performance peer review will be made by September 30th in the year preceding the review (e.g., in the fifth year following the previous post-tenure review).

4.	Post-tenure performance peer review is conducted in two stages.  Only if a faculty member’s contributions are considered to be less than satisfactory after a first stage review will a second stage review be initiated.

Section D.  First Stage Post-Tenure Peer Review

	A first stage post-tenure peer review will be conducted by the Post-Tenure Performance Review Committee of the school.  The committee, as a whole, will be given the opportunity to review a summary statement of the faculty member’s annual evaluations for the past six years prepared by the Dean, the faculty member’s annual evaluations for the past six years and any other materials deemed appropriate by the faculty member.

	If, after the review, the committee concludes that the faculty member’s performance is not judged ‘unsatisfactory’, then the faculty member’s review is complete and that individual is not required to undergo another post-tenure peer review for six years except as noted in Section C, Parts 2b and 2c, above.

	If, after the review, the committee concludes that the faculty member’s performance is ‘unsatisfactory’ (equivalent to ‘seriously neglectful’ or ‘incompetent’ in Texas State Senate Bill 97-149), then the faculty member is considered to be ‘potentially at risk.’  Such a finding will be delivered in writing to both the Dean and the faculty member and a second stage peer review will be initiated.

Section E.  Second Stage Post-Tenure Peer Review

Within 40 working days following notification to the faculty member and Dean that the faculty member is potentially at risk, a second stage post-tenure performance review will be initiated by the Dean.  Only if the Dean recommends and the Senior Vice President and Provost approves a postponement of the second stage post-tenure peer review because of faculty-related extenuating circumstances, may the review be delayed.

The committee for the second stage post-tenure peer review may be constituted in either of two processes as decided by the faculty member:

1.	the committee may be established in the same manner as a promotion and tenure committee in the faculty member’s discipline, or

2.	a seven-member committee may be established in accordance with section 1.3.2 (2) of the UHCL Post-Tenure Performance Review Policy.

The faculty member may provide the second-stage review committee with current curriculum vitae, annual reports submitted by the faculty member for the past six years and any other materials deemed important by the faculty member.  The faculty member will have 50 working days to deliver such materials to the second stage review committee after receiving notification from the Dean of being potentially at risk.

The Dean will provide the second-stage review committee and the faculty member with a detailed, written recommendation on the faculty member’s performance in teaching, research and service relative to normal school expectations.  In addition, the Dean will provide the committee with the annual evaluations for the past six years, all materials that were considered in the Dean’s recommendation, any other materials deemed important by the Dean and other materials relevant to the faculty member which are requested by a committee member or the faculty member.  All materials provided to the committee will be made available to the faculty member for copying.

The faculty member has the right to provide a written response to any material submitted to or considered by the second stage review committee.

The material considered by the committee will be evaluated with regard to the faculty member’s contributions to the university, the school, the division, the program area(s), the academic discipline and the community through teaching, research and service.  By comparison with normal expectations within the school, the review committee will prepare a summary of its conclusions regarding ‘satisfactory’ or ‘unsatisfactory’ performance by the faculty member.  Within 30 working days of receipt of all documents and comments considered by the committee, a copy of the second stage post-tenure performance review committee’s decision and rationale will be sent to the faculty member, the Dean and the Senior Vice President and Provost.

	If the second stage post-tenure performance review committee concludes that the faculty member meets the normal expectations for performance in the school (i.e., ‘satisfactory performance’), then the faculty member’s review is complete.  That faculty member is not required to undergo another post-tenure peer review for six years except as noted in Section C, Parts 2b and 2c, above.

	If the second stage post-tenure performance review committee concludes that the faculty member does not meet the normal expectations for performance in the school (i.e., ‘unsatisfactory performance’), the committee will recommend to the Dean a period of development for the faculty member as described in Section F below.

	The Senior Vice President and Provost has 15 working days from receipt of the committee’s report to sustain or reject, in writing, a finding of ‘unsatisfactory performance’.  The Provost’s response will be sent to the faculty member, the second stage post-tenure performance review committee and the Dean of SCE.

	If the Senior Vice President and Provost does not agree with the finding of ‘unsatisfactory performance,’ then the review is complete and the faculty member is not required to undergo another post-tenure peer review for six years except as noted in Section C, Parts 2b and 2c, above.  Alternatively, if the Senior Vice President and Provost sustains the finding of ‘unsatisfactory performance’, a professional development plan for the faculty member will be initiated. 

Section F.  Professional Development Plan

	In consultation with the faculty member and the Dean, the second stage post-tenure performance review committee alone will create a professional development plan for the faculty member.  The committee will specify, in writing, the deficiencies it has noted, specific goals and measurable outcomes the faculty member must achieve, resources recommended and a timetable for meeting the goals.  The committee must also specify the length of the faculty member’s professional development plan, in the range of one to three years.  When complete, the committee will forward the plan to the Dean for review prior to submitting it to the Senior Vice President and Provost, whose signature signifies approval.  The plan will go into effect upon approval.

	The Dean (or Dean’s designee) will meet at least once each long semester with the faculty member to review his/her progress.  The Dean will prepare a summary report following each meeting and will submit a copy of this report to the faculty member.  Following each academic year during which the plan is in effect, the second stage post-tenure performance review committee will consider the Dean’s reports and the faculty member’s progress.  The committee will submit to the Dean and faculty member, in writing, one of the following three findings:

1.	Satisfactory completion of the professional development plan This finding will be accompanied by a recommendation that the faculty member is performing at least at a ‘satisfactory’ level.  The review and development process is complete and the faculty member is not required to undergo another post-tenure peer review for six years except as noted in Section C, Parts 2b and 2c, above.

2.	Satisfactory progress in meeting the goals of the professional development plan This finding will be accompanied by a recommendation that the faculty member continue the professional development plan.

3.	Unsatisfactory progress in meeting the goals of the professional development plan A recommendation that the faculty member’s tenure be revoked or other appropriate disciplinary action taken will accompany this finding.

Section G.  Due Process and Grievance Procedures

	This post-tenure performance review policy does not supersede the rights of the faculty member to due process and grievance procedures, as articulated in the UHCL Faculty Handbook, in the case of any disciplinary action or revocation of tenure on the basis of performance evaluations.  Nor does this policy deny the opportunity of the faculty member to an alternate dispute resolution process, as described in Chapter 154 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

Section H.  Post-Tenure Performance Review for Administrators

	[This section will be completed when all schools at UHCL have adopted a consistent evaluation method for administrators.]

Section I.  Review and Modification of this Article of the By-Laws

	The Post-Tenure Performance Review Committee of SCE shall review this Article of the By-Laws at least once every six years.  Any modifications shall be made in accordance with Article III, Section B.

PART III
DIVISIONS

Article I
Structure

Section A.  Divisions The School of Science and Computer Engineering shall be divided into Divisions, each composed of Disciplines.  (Each Discipline is included in a Division.)  The names of a Division and its Disciplines are recommended by the faculty of the Division with the consent of the Dean and are approved in accordance with applicable policies and procedures of the University and the State of Texas.  A current list of approved names for Divisions and Disciplines is maintained by and available from the office of the Dean as a part of the School's organization chart.
	
Section B.  Faculty The Faculty of each Division shall consist of those members of the Faculty of the School who are members of the Disciplines in the Division.  (Each faculty member is assigned to one, or more, Disciplines.)  Voting status shall be as in the School.  A current list of faculty assignments to Divisions and Disciplines is maintained by and available from the office of the Dean.

Article II
Administration

Section A.  Administration The Division Chair shall be the chief administrative officer of the Division and report to the Dean.

1.	Selection and Appointment

a)	The Faculty of the Division shall conduct an internal search for Division Chair and will recommend at least two candidates to the Dean for selection and appointment.  The Division Chair serves at the pleasure of the Dean.  The term of appointment for a Division Chair shall be two years.  Under normal circumstances, a faculty member is limited to three consecutive terms as Division Chair.  However, upon a consensus of the faculty within a division, the Division Chair may serve additional terms.

b)	If, for any reason, the individual assigned to this position is unable, ineligible or unwilling to fulfill his/her responsibilities as Division Chair or at the discretion of the Dean, the Dean may appoint an interim replacement for a period not to exceed one calendar year.  The Dean shall seek input from the Division faculty prior to making any such appointment.  During the period of an interim appointment, normal selection procedures described in a) above will be initiated as soon as possible to find a permanent Division Chair.

2.	Duties As the principle administrative representative of the Division, the Division Chair will be responsible for financial, personnel and procedural matters related to the Division.

3.	Evaluation The Division Chair shall undergo a regular annual evaluation by the Dean with input from the Faculty of the Division.  Normally this evaluation will take place in the Spring semester.

4.	Removal A Division Chair may be removed (a) upon the written request of the Dean or (b) by a 2/3 majority vote of the Voting Faculty in the Division, other than the Chair.  In such an event, the Dean will appoint an interim replacement as described in 1.b).

Article III
Meetings Called by the Division Chairs

Section A.  Division Faculty Meetings The Division Chair will be responsible for regularly scheduled meetings with the Division Faculty (to be held at least once in each long semester).  Ad hoc meetings may be called by the Division Chair as needed.

Section B.  Discipline Chair Meetings The Division Chair will be responsible for regularly scheduled meetings with the Discipline Chairs (to be held at least once a month in each long semester).  Ad hoc meetings may be called by the Division Chair as needed.

Section C.  Agendas and Minutes	An agenda should be circulated by the Division Chair at least 24 hours before any regularly scheduled meeting.  Minutes are to be made available after each meeting.  The Chair is responsible for seeing that minutes of committee meetings are maintained and that copies are made available as needed.

PART IV
DISCIPLINES

ARTICLE I
Faculty

Section A.  Composition The Faculty of each Discipline shall consist of those members of the Faculty of the School who participate in the degree programs of the Discipline.  Voting status shall be as in the School.

Section B.  Collective Functions The collective functions of the Faculty of the Discipline as a group are as follows:

1.	to determine and deliver the academic content of the curricular programs in the Discipline;

2.	to establish and sustain research appropriate to the mission and goals of the Discipline;

3.	to establish and sustain service appropriate to the mission and goals of the Discipline;

4.	to advise and guide students in professional matters related to curriculum, research, service, ethics and values in the Discipline;

5.	to formulate general educational policy for the Discipline;

6.	to provide input concerning the introduction or discontinuance of degree programs in the Discipline;

7.	to recruit, recommend selection, and participate in Promotion & Tenure evaluations of faculty in the Discipline according to university policy;

8.	to recommend the introduction, modification, or discontinuance of courses in the Discipline and to recommend appropriate schedules of course offerings;

9.	to conduct the planning for the Discipline; and

10.	to participate in and contribute to the activities of the Division and the School and to support the mission, goals and regulations of the Division and School.

Section C.  Administration The administrative duties of the Discipline shall reside with the Discipline Chair.

1.	Selection and Appointment

a)	The selection process shall be carried out by majority vote in a written ballot of the Faculty of the Discipline.  The Discipline faculty will recommend one or more names to the Division Chair who appoints the Discipline Chair with the consent of the Dean.  The Discipline Chair shall serve for a term of two years.  Under normal circumstances, a faculty member shall not serve for more than three consecutive terms as Discipline Chair.  However, upon consensus of the faculty within the discipline, a Discipline Chair may serve additional terms. The Discipline Chair serves at the pleasure of the Division Chair and the Dean.

b)	If, for any reason, the individual assigned to this position is unable, ineligible or unwilling to fulfill his/her responsibilities as Discipline Chair or at the discretion of the Division Chair, the Division Chair may, with the approval of the Dean, appoint an interim replacement for a period not to extend beyond the end of the current academic year.  The Division Chair shall seek input from the Discipline faculty prior to making any such appointment.  During the period of an interim appointment, normal selection procedures described in a) above will be initiated as soon as possible to find a permanent Discipline Chair.

2.	Duties The duties of the Discipline Chair shall include assisting the Division Chair in the administration of the programs of the Discipline and performing other duties as assigned by the Division Chair, the Associate Dean and the Dean.

3.	Removal A Discipline Chair may be removed (a) upon the written request of the Division Chair or (b) by a 2/3 majority vote of the Voting Faculty in the Discipline.  In such an event, the Division Chair will, with the approval of the Dean, appoint an interim replacement according to 1.b).

Section D.  Meetings The Discipline Chair will be responsible for regularly scheduled meetings with the Faculty of the Discipline (to be held at least once a month in each long semester).  Ad hoc meetings may be called by the Discipline Chair as needed.

Appendix A.
Post-Tenure Review Date Based on
Year Tenure Granted

Tenure Date	
Review Date	
Annual Evaluations Considered	
1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996	1999	1993-1998	
1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997	2000	1994-1999	
1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998	2001	1995-2000	
1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999	2002	1996-2001	
1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000	2003	1997-2002	

Note:  Tenured faculty can volunteer to undergo post-tenure performance review during any year.  And, once they undergo a post-tenure performance review, the faculty member is not required to undergo a post-tenure performance review for another six years.