College Council By-Laws

ARTICLE I. Name

The name of the organization is the College Council of the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill.

ARTICLE II. Purposes

1. The purposes for which the Council is formed are those set forth in Article 8, Section 356, of the New York State Education Law, as from time to time may be amended, and generally, to promote the welfare of SUNY Cobleskill and its students.
2. The purposes of the Council are promoted through public meetings and attendance at college related functions directed toward students, faculty, and the community; are developed through conferences, committees, projects, and programs; and are governed and qualified by the basic policies set forth in Section 356 of the Education Law, as amended.

ARTICLE III. Basic Policies

1. The Council shall be non-commercial, non-sectarian, and non-partisan.
2. The name of the Council or the name of any member in his or her official capacity shall not be used in any connection with a commercial concern or with any partisan interest for any purpose not appropriately related to promotion of the objectives of the Council.
3. The Council shall cooperate with the college administration of SUNY Cobleskill to support the improvement of education in ways that will assist and enhance the administration of the college.
4. The Council may cooperate with other organizations and agencies concerned with public higher education. Persons representing the Council in such matters shall represent only those policies on which the Council has taken a position of record, and shall bring to the Council for action any proposals for policies or courses of action. 

ARTICLE IV. Powers and Duties

1. Subject to the general management, supervision, control, and approval of, and in accordance with rules established by the State University Trustees, the Council shall exercise the following powers:
2. Recommend to the State University Trustees candidates for appointment as President of the college.
3. Review all major plans of the President and make relevant recommendations before they are submitted to the State University Trustees for approval.

The subject matter for major plans include but is not restricted to:

• plans for the appraisal or improvement of faculty and other personnel;
• expansion or restriction of student admissions;
• appraisal or improvement of academic programs and of standards for
• the earning of degrees;
• expansion of physical facilities; and
• appraisal or improvement of student activities and housing.

1. Make regulations governing the care, custody and management of lands, grounds, buildings and equipment.
2. Review proposed budget requests for the college prepared by the President and recommend to the State University Trustees a budget for the college.
3. Foster the development of citizens advisory committees to render such assistance as the Council may request, and to appoint the members of the committees.
4. Name buildings and grounds.
5. Make regulations governing the conduct and behavior of students.
6. Prescribe for and exercise supervision over student housing and safety.
7. Make an annual report to the State University Trustees on or before September first of each year and report to them from time to time on any matter the Council believes requires their attention
8. Perform such other powers and duties as may be authorized or required by the State University Trustees by general rules or special directives.
9. Make and establish, and from time to time alter and amend, such regulations pertaining to the affairs of the college that may be necessary or appropriate to carry out effectively the foregoing powers and duties.

ARTICLE V: Membership

1. The Council shall consist of ten members, nine appointed by the Governor and one elected by and from the student body of SUNY Cobleskill.
2. Only members in good standing of the Council shall be eligible to vote on matters before the Council, or to serve in any of its elective or appointive positions.
3. To be in good standing, a member shall make every effort to be present at each meeting of the College Council. Excused absence of College Council members shall be noted in the minutes of the meetings of the Council. Excessive absence from Council meetings without good cause and unexcused by the chair may be a valid basis for removal.
4. Council vacancies are filled for the unexpired terms in the same manner as original appointments.
5. Council members receive no compensation for their services, but should be reimbursed by SUNY Cobleskill for expenses actually and necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties.

ARTICLE VI: Officers and their Election

Officers:

• The officers of the Council shall consist of a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and a Secretary. The Chair shall be appointed by the Governor of New York, pursuant to the provisions of the Education Law.
• The Vice Chairperson and Secretary shall be elected annually at the first Council meeting held in the fall semester.
• Only those person who have signified their consent to serve, if elected, shall be nominated for or elected to any office.
• Elected officers shall assume their official duties following the close of the
• meeting at which they are elected and shall serve for a term of one year and until the election of their successor.
• Elected officers shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office.

1. A vacancy occurring in any elected office shall be filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Council, notice of such election having been given. 

ARTICLE VII: Duties of Officers

The Chairperson shall:

• Preside at all meeting of the Council (at which he or she is present)
• Sign documents on behalf of the Council
• Act as spokesperson for the Council
• Appoint committees
• Resolve tie votes of the Council
• Represent the Council at graduation and other official functions
• Insure that agendas are prepared and minutes are kept in accordance with legal requirements
• Insure that qualified candidates are recommended for appointment to fill Council vacancies
• Insure that the annual report of the Council is submitted to the State University Board of Trustees

1. The Vice Chairperson shall act as aide to the Chairperson and shall perform duties of the Chairperson in the event of the absence or the inability of that officer to act.
2. The Secretary shall ensure that the minutes of all meetings of the Council are recorded and shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to him or her.
3. All officers shall:

• Perform the duties prescribed in the parliamentary authority in addition to those outlined in these By Laws and those assigned from time to time.
• Deliver to their successors all official material not later than thirty (30) days following the election of their successors.

ARTICLE VIII: Meetings

1. The Council shall meet at least four times each year, at times to be fixed by the Council.
2. Special meetings shall be held by the call of the Chair, or by petition of any five members at any time.
3. Council meetings are governed by the provisions of the NYS Open Meetings Law.

The Council may act in executive session under the conditions set forth in Section 105 of the Public Officers Law.

1. Resolutions for consideration must be mailed to Council members at least seven days prior to a meeting unless the Chair provides in writing the facts which necessitate immediate action at a meeting. The Council agenda is a public record and must be available at least three days prior to a meeting.
2. Quorum: Five members attending a meeting constitute a quorum, and an act of a majority of the members present at a meeting is an act of the Council.

ARTICLE IX: Standing and Special Committees

1. The Council may create such standing committees as it may deem necessary to promote the purposes and carry on the work of the Council.
2. The Chairperson shall be an ex-office member of all committees. 

ARTICLE X: Roberts Rules

1. Roberts Rules of Order, latest edition, shall be the authority on all questions of parliamentary procedure in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the New York State Law or these By Laws. 

ARTICLE XI: Amendments

1. These By Laws may be amended, repealed, or altered in whole or in part by a majority vote of all Council members at any regular or special meeting of the Council. Council members will be notified of proposed By Laws changes at least seven days prior to a meeting.

Revised: February 17, 2010