MIS ADVISORY COUNCIL CONSTITUTION PREAMBLE The Advisory Council of the Management Information Systems Department at the University of Memphis is committed to the goals of academic excellence established by the University of Memphis and the AACSB and operates with the approval of the Fogelman College of Business and Economics with philanthropic administrative support through the Division of Advancement at the University of Memphis.

ARTICLE I - NAME

Section 1 - The name of the organization shall be "University of Memphis Management Information Systems Advisory Council" ("The Council").

 

ARTICLE II - GENERAL

Section 1 - The Council shall consist of persons knowledgeable in the field of public, private or governmental information systems. Generally, council members should be at the senior level of management with at least ten years experience.

Section 2 - A quorum shall be constituted by a simple majority of the voting members of the Council.

Section 3 - The officers of the Council shall be (1) a Chair, (2) a Vice Chair and (3) the MIS department chair. Additional officers may be designated by vote of the membership.

Section 4 - The Council shall hold a minimum of  two regular meetings each year on dates selected and announced at least thirty days in advance by the Council Chair. Typically, these meetings will be held in May and November of each academic year. Special meetings may be called, if deemed necessary, by the Council Chair or the department chair.

Section 5 - The election of officers for the academic year shall usually be conducted at the May meeting, the term of which shall commence at the end of the May meeting.    

Section 6 - By a simple majority vote of Council membership, a member may be appointed to Emeritus status. This appointment and title shall be reserved for members of long standing who have made exemplary contributions to the MIS Council.

 

ARTICLE III - ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 - The Committee on Membership shall make recommendations to the Executive Committee concerning membership on the Advisory Council. After approval by the Executive Committee, the nominated individuals are subject to the approval by a simple majority of the members of the Advisory Council present (or by e-mail ballot).

Section 2 - Members shall be appointed for three-year terms commencing at the end of the May meeting or at the beginning of the meeting immediately following their appointment to the Council.

Section 3 - The Council shall be limited to a maximum of forty 40 full members and 15 associate members.

Section 4 - Each member of the Advisory Council is expected to make an annual gift in support of the MIS Department.  While gifts of any amount are appreciated, a minimum annual gift of $1,000 from each member is recommended.  Gifts of $1,000 and more qualifies for membership in the University’s President’s Society.  

Section 5 -  Each member is expected to actively participate in the activities of the council including attending annual meetings, participating on at least one committee, and assisting in promoting the goals of the MIS department of the University of Memphis.

 

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS 

Section 1 - Term of Office - An officer's term of office shall be one year and commence at the conclusion of the annual May meeting. Officers may be elected to a maximum of three consecutive one-year terms.

Section 2 - Duties of Officers - The Chair shall: be the executive head of the Council and shall preside over its meetings; decide points of order; have the power to appoint any interim officer or Committee Chair in case of vacancy; have general responsibility for programs at regular meetings.

Section 3 - The Vice Chair shall: assist the Chair in the performance of his/her duties; succeed to the Chair's power and duties in his/her absence or disability; typically the Vice Chair shall succeed to the position of Chair at the expiration of the Chair's term; serve as an advisor to the associate advisory council.

Section 4 - MIS Department Chair shall: assist the Council Chair with the structuring of programs at regular meetings; approve all council expenditures; report on the status and use of council funds; make recommendations to the Committee on Membership regarding possible candidates for membership on the Council; provide administrative support for the council (i.e., minutes, correspondence).

 

ARTICLE V - ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 - The Committee on Membership shall nominate individuals for Associate Membership on the Advisory Council. Subject to the approval by a simple majority vote of the Executive Committee, the individuals recommended by the Committee on Membership shall be appointed. Each individual nominated should have received at least a bachelor's degree and have been in career at least two years, but no more than ten years from the commencement of their initial term.

Section 2 - Associate Members shall be appointed for three-year terms commencing at the end of the May meeting or at the beginning of the meeting immediately following their appointment to the Council.

Section 3 - Upon resignation during an individual's term, the Committee on Membership shall nominate another individual to the Executive Committee for approval. The new individual shall complete the term of the resigning individual.

Section 4 - Each Associate member shall be appointed to a committee or task force of the Advisory Council on which to serve.

Section 5 - Associate members have non-voting status and may not chair a committee.

Section 6 - Each Associate member shall be encouraged to make a contribution or to raise funds at a minimal amount of $250 a year, inclusive of matching funds from the individual's employer.  

Section 7 - The president and vice-president of the student chapter of the Association for Management of Information Systems shall be ex officio members. These members are exempt from fund raising.

 

ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES

In order to facilitate its objectives and to better assist the MIS Department with its programs and activities, the Advisory Council shall operate under the following standing committees and others as determined by the Executive Committee. In general, Committee Chairs will be appointed by the Executive Committee. The Council Chair and Committee Chairs, coordinate meetings and activities of the standing or other committees.  At least one MIS faculty member shall be on each committee.

Additional ad-hoc or special purpose committees may be formed by the Council Chair to address other salient needs.

Section 1 - Executive Committee -- Council Chair, Council Vice Chair, Chairs of Committees, immediate past Chair, the MIS department chair, and such other person(s) serving at the request of the Council Chair. This Committee will conduct any necessary business between regular meetings of the Council. The executive committee shall meet at least quarterly.

Section 2 - Committee on Membership -- The Committee on Membership shall recommend to the Executive Committee candidates to fill vacancies on the Council. The Committee shall also make nominations for the office of Chair and Vice Chair and recommendations to the Executive Committee as to membership on all committees.

Section 3 - Committee on Development -- The Committee on Development shall work to promote the understanding and the image of the MIS department in the business community and shall assist the department in obtaining resources from alumni and friends as well as corporations and foundations. The Fogelman College Development Officer and/or his/her designee shall be a permanent member of this committee. This committee is also responsible for creating and disseminating reports on the financial activities of the council.

Section 4 - Committee on Student Services - The committee shall provide input to the faculty concerning the nature and structure of various academic programs and the needs of the business and professional community. The committee shall also provide input to the faculty concerning strategies to recruit and retain high quality students. Additionally, the committee shall provide input to the faculty concerning strategies that will provide all MIS graduates with high potential career opportunities.

Section 5 - Committee on Research -- The committee shall provide input to the faculty concerning strategies that will produce high quality research.

 

ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS

Section 1 - The organizational guidelines may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership regardless of whether or not present at a scheduled meeting of the Council.