International Studies Department Bylaws

The International Studies Department shall operate according to these by-laws that set forth the organization and procedures of the department by which it shall conduct its internal affairs.

I.    PURPOSE

These by-laws are intended to create an atmosphere of open and collegial discussion of all major issues affecting the daily operation and future development of the International Studies Department.

This document, together with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the University of San Francisco Faculty Association (USFFA) and the University of San Francisco (USF), is the official statement of the rights and privileges enjoyed by, and the obligations imposed on, the International Studies faculty by the system of faculty governance in effect at the University of San Francisco.

II.    MISSION

The International Studies Department is a scholarly community that applies global perspectives to foster a more sustainable, humane, and just world. Our mission is to inspire and prepare engaged citizens to have a critical, interdisciplinary understanding of global dynamics.

The graduate and undergraduate programs in International Studies provide our students with the skills to not merely examine the world, but also make it better. To achieve this aim, we integrate theory and practice in order to prepare students for further studies and careers in such fields as government, education, human rights, development, technology, international business, international media and communication, social advocacy, and the law.

III.    OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the International Studies Department shall be:

  1. To plan, organize and deliver a rigorous curriculum to students obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree and/or a Master of Arts degree in International Studies from the University of San Francisco.
  2. To devise and offer courses in the undergraduate and graduate programs that will enable students to think critically and instill an appreciation for the broader issues facing the global community as well as our local community.
  3. To work with other departments and programs at the University of San Francisco to offer students a broad selection of elective courses that will enhance their knowledge and skills in their chosen functional and regional tracks.
  4. To further the University of San Francisco’s mission of providing a “rigorous, world- class education to a new generation of leaders, who will work to create a more humane and just world” through commitment to high quality scholarship, academic rigor, and innovative classes that will not only provide students with a solid grounding in the political, historical, cultural, economic, and social conditions which have shaped our world, but also the skills and tools needed to succeed upon graduation.

IV.    MEMBERSHIP OF THE INTERNATIONAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT FACULTY ADVISORY BOARD

The membership of the International Studies Department Faculty Advisory Board may be composed of the following:

  • All members of the USF Full-time Faculty Association, in good standing, who hold academic appointments in the International Studies Department.
  • Full-time faculty affiliated with the International Studies Department and representing the following departments and programs*:
    • International Studies Department Chair
    • International Studies Department Undergraduate Director
    • International Studies Department Graduate Director
    • Adviser for the Environmental & Development Functional Track
    • Adviser for the International Economics Functional Track
    • Adviser for the Global Politics & Society Functional Track
    • Adviser for the Culture, Societies and Values Functional Track
    • Adviser for the Peace & Conflict Students Functional Track/Representative of the Peace & Justice Studies Program
    • Representative for the Latin American Studies Program
    • Representative for the African Studies Program
    • Representative for the Asian Studies Program
    • Representative for the Middle Eastern Studies Program
    • Representative for the European Studies Program
    • Representative for the Modern & Classical Languages Program
    • Representative for the Politics Department
    • Representative for the Sociology Department
    • Representative for the Media Studies Department
    • Representative for the Cultural Anthropology Program
    • Representative for the Environmental Studies Program
    • Library liaison (non-voting member)
    • *There may be overlap with one faculty member holding multiple positions.
  • Other full-time faculty nominated by the Board and appointed by the Associate Dean for the Social Sciences and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for appointment.
  • The International Studies Department Faculty Advisory Board shall not exceed 20 members, except in exceptional circumstances approved by the Board in conjunction with appointment by the Associate Dean for the Social Sciences and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
  • Members of the Board are nominated by the Department Chair in consultation with the Faculty Advisory Board. Nominations are submitted to the Associate Dean for the Social Sciences and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for appointment.
  • Length of appointments for members of the Board are flexible and are determined in consultation with the Department Chair and the Associate Dean for the Social Sciences and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
  • Faculty on sabbatical or leave are not responsible for attending Board meetings or fulfilling Board responsibilities. An interim representative may be appointed in consultation with the Department Chair and the Associate Dean for the Social Sciences and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for appointment.
  • Board members may be removed if they miss meetings for an entire semester and/or do not fulfill responsibilities. Removal of a Board member is recommended by the Department Chair and occurs by vote of a majority of Faculty Advisory Board Members in consultation with the Associate Dean for the Social Sciences and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

V.    RESPONSIBILITIES OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT BOARD MEMBERS

All International Studies Department Board Members are responsible for the following:

  1. Attending International Studies Department Faculty Advisory Board meetings and participating in the development and evaluation of the department and its programs.
  2. Advising International Studies graduate and undergraduate students as appropriate.
  3. Reporting any changes in the respective regional minor and area programs or within departments relevant to the function of the International Studies graduate and undergraduate programs.
  4. Representing the International Studies Department and its undergraduate and graduate programs to their respective programs and departments.
  5. Assisting with strategic, long-term planning for the International Studies Department and its graduate and undergraduate programs.
  6. Participating in standing and ad hoc committees based on need and faculty interest and expertise.
  7. Participating in program review and assessment.

VI.    DEPARTMENT CHAIR

Pursuant to the CBA and the USF Department Chair Handbook, t he International Studies Department Chair is the chief administrative officer of the department and is responsible for the equitable and effective use of the department’s resources and for providing leadership and focus for the department and its undergraduate and graduate programs.

The International Studies Department Chair shall fulfill their responsibilities in a manner commensurate with the provisions of Article 25 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the University of San Francisco College of Arts and Sciences Department Chair Manual, and these By-Laws.

  • The Department Chair, as Administrative Lead, shall be responsible for:
    • Course scheduling for graduate and undergraduate programs (including summer session and intersession), in consultation with the Undergraduate Director and Graduate Director and in communication with other department chairs and program directors, as needed, with due regard to department needs and, when possible, individual faculty preferences
    • Representing the department at Arts Council and College Council meetings
    • Mentoring new faculty, as tasked by the Associate Dean for Social Sciences
    • Hiring and supervising part-time and temporary faculty, as needed
    • Supervising searches for new hires
    • Overseeing Academic Program Review
    • Overseeing assessment and compliance with university criteria and WASC, in conjunction with Graduate and Undergraduate Directors
    • Overseeing work of standing and ad hoc committees
    • Advising and , assisting with undergraduate group advising, and advising graduate students as needed
    • Point of review and signature for all student needs including graduation checks, add/drop forms, PEAI forms, internship agreements, and thesis agreements, in conjunction with Undergraduate and Graduate Directors
    • Planning and leading International Studies Department Board meetings and, in conjunction with Board, engaging in long-term planning for the department
    • Cultivating and maintaining the necessary relationships with other schools, departments, and programs to ensure the continued interdisciplinarity of the International Studies Department and its programs
    • Providing Program Assistant and Administrative Director supervision and appraisal, when requested
    • Event Planning
    • Overseeing the Department’s budget in consultation with, and on behalf of, the department faculty and provide the International Studies Board with budget summaries for review at the end of each semester.
    • Serving as the point person, in consultation with the Undergraduate and Graduate Directors, for issues and difficulties that arise between students and faculty
    • Answering general questions about the graduate and undergraduate programs for prospective and visiting students
    • Actively participating in the recruitment of new graduate and undergraduate students
    • Department liaison for media inquiries, development, and community engagement
    • Developing branding and marketing for the department, in conjunction with Graduate and Undergraduate Directors and any relevant committees
    • Maintaining department’s social media presence, along with other staff and faculty
    • Planning and running International Studies leadership team meetings, as needed
    • Organizing the International Studies Faculty Research Colloquia
    • Serve as the Chair of the Faculty Advisory Board on Internationalization, as per the FABI mandate
    • Serve as a representative on the Core E Committee, and when time in the rotation as the Core E member on the Core Advisory committee
  • The term of the International Studies Department Chair shall be three years. A year is defined as an academic year. When the Department Chair is not able to fulfill his or her three-year term, an Interim Chair will be selected by the Board in consultation with the Associate Dean for Social Sciences and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The term of the Interim Chair shall be either the remainder of the academic semester in which s/he is appointed or the remainder of the academic year in which s/he is appointed. The length of terms will be determined in consultation with the Board and the Deans. Following the procedures in Paragraph (5), below, the Board will vote on a new Chair to take over at the end of the Interim Chair’s term. The Interim Chair is eligible to be elected Chair for a full three-year term following his or her term as Interim Chair.
  • Nominations for International Studies Department Chair are put forth in the spring semester of the year preceding the end of the current Chair’s term. Any full-time faculty member with a primary or interdisciplinary appointment in the International Studies Department may be nominated for the position of Department Chair. Self- nominations are acceptable. Nominees must approve their nomination. The Department Chair is selected by a simple majority of faculty present in a secret ballot vote of the Faculty Advisory Board, following the voting procedures in Section XII. The selected faculty member’s name is then submitted to the Associate Dean for Social Sciences and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for confirmation and appointment.
  • The International Studies Department Chair may be re-elected following the procedures contained herein for one additional, consecutive three-year term.
  • Exceptional circumstances affecting the nomination, election, or term of the International Studies Department Chair shall be addressed by the Board in consultation with the Associate Dean for Social Sciences and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences on a case by case basis.

VII.    UNDERGRADUATE DIRECTOR

The Undergraduate Director is charged with primary oversight of all daily administrative duties for the undergraduate program.

  • The Undergraduate Director is responsible for:
    • Advising for relevant undergraduate student tracks, serving as the advisor for students who have not yet declared their tracks, as well as general advising
    • Point of review and signature for undergraduate students for graduation checks, add/drop forms, and PEAI forms, along with the Department Chair
    • Chair of the Faculty Student Advisory Council (the monthly meeting of the BAIS peer advisors), which includes assisting the students with event planning and discussions regarding advising and the program
    • Organizing and running peer adviser interviews, organization, training, and monitoring
    • Responsible for the New Student Series (four events per year on the topics of succeeding in the major, study abroad, career planning, and developing expertise)
    • Organizing and assisting with undergraduate group advising
    • Special projects on an ad hoc basis
    • Answering general questions about the undergraduate program, participating in Prospective Student events, and meeting with students visiting campus
    • Participating in leadership team meetings, as needed
    • Participating in searches for new hires
    • Participating in program review, particularly as it relates to the undergraduate curriculum
    • Participating in assessment, particularly as it relates to the undergraduate curriculum
    • Coordinating and implementing undergraduate program development
    • Administrative lead for the 4+1 program (when it is up and running)
    • Overseeing the International Studies University Scholars
    • Faculty Advisor for the USF Sigma Iota Rho Chapter, should a chapter be created, the Honor Society for International Studies
  • The term of the Undergraduate Director shall be two years. A year is defined as an academic year. When the Undergraduate Director is not able to fulfill his or her two- year term, an interim Undergraduate Director will be selected by the Board in consultation with the Associate Dean for Social Science and the Dean of Arts and Sciences. The term of the interim Undergraduate Director shall be either the remainder of the academic semester in which s/he is appointed or the remainder of the academic year in which s/he is appointed. The length of terms will be determined in consultation with the Board and the Associate Dean and Dean. Following the procedures in Paragraph (4), below, the Board will vote on a new Undergraduate Director to take over at the end of the interim Undergraduate Director’s term. The interim Undergraduate Director is eligible to be elected Undergraduate Director for a full two- year term following his or her term as Interim Undergraduate Director.
  • Nominations for Undergraduate Director are put forth in the fall semester preceding the end of the current Undergraduate Director’s term. Any member of the Faculty Advisory Board may be nominated for the position of Undergraduate Director, however, experience teaching in the undergraduate program is preferred. Self- nominations are acceptable. Nominees must approve their nomination. The Undergraduate Director is selected by a simple majority of faculty present in a secret ballot vote of the Faculty Advisory Board, following the voting procedures in Section XI. The selected faculty member’s name is then submitted to the Associate Dean for Social Sciences and the Dean of Arts and Sciences for confirmation and appointment.
  • The Undergraduate Director may be re-elected following the procedures contained herein for one additional, consecutive two-year term.
  • Exceptional circumstances affecting the nomination, election, or term of the Undergraduate Director shall be addressed by the Board in consultation with the Dean on a case by case basis.

VIII.    GRADUATE DIRECTOR

 The Graduate Director is charged with primary oversight of all daily administrative duties for the graduate program.

  • The Graduate Director is responsible for:
    • General advising for graduate students, including assisting with internship placement and thesis adviser placement, in conjunction with the Administrative Director
    • Point of review and signature for thesis agreements and internship agreements, along with Department Chair
    • Chair of Admissions and Scholarship Committees for the graduate program
    • Coordinating and implementing graduate program development, in conjunction with the Department Chair and the Administrative Director
    • Participating in searches for new hires
    • Participating in program review, particularly as it relates to the graduate curriculum
    • Participating in assessment, particularly as it relates to the graduate curriculum
    • Special projects on an ad hoc basis
    • Overseeing event planning, along with the Administrative Director, for graduate programming, including skills programming such as IRB approval and career planning, graduate socials
    • Coordinating guest speaker series
    • Participating in leadership team meetings, as needed
    • Representing department at the College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Directors meeting
    • Administrative lead for the JD/MA program (when it is up and running)
    • Point person for all IRB matters, including reviewing first-round applications for determination as to whether they fall under the MAIS Umbrella IRB or need to apply for university IRB and serving as a point person for questions.
    • Reviewing MAIS travel applications before they are submitted to the Center for Global Education to ensure all information is correct.
  • The term of the Graduate Director shall be two years. A year is defined as an academic year. When the Graduate Director is not able to fulfill his or her two-year term, an interim Graduate Director will be selected by the Board in consultation with the Associate Dean for Social Science and the Dean of Arts and Sciences. The term of the interim Graduate Director shall be either the remainder of the academic semester in which s/he is appointed or the remainder of the academic year in which s/he is appointed. The length of terms will be determined in consultation with the Board and the Associate Dean and Dean. Following the procedures in Paragraph (4), below, the Board will vote on a new Graduate Director to take over at the end of the interim Graduate Director’s term. The interim Graduate Director is eligible to be elected Graduate Director for a full two-year term following his or her term as Interim Graduate Director.
  • Nominations for Graduate Director are put forth in the fall semester preceding the end of the current Graduate Director’s term. Any member of the Faculty Advisory Board may be nominated for the position of Graduate Director, however, persons with experience teaching in the graduate program are preferred. Self-nominations are acceptable. Nominees must approve their nomination. The Graduate Director is selected by a simple majority of faculty present in a secret ballot vote of the Faculty Advisory Board, following the voting procedures in Section XII. The selected faculty member’s name is then submitted to the Associate Dean for Social Sciences and the Dean of Arts and Sciences for confirmation and appointment.
  • The Graduate Director may be re-elected following the procedures contained herein for one additional, consecutive two-year term.
  • Exceptional circumstances affecting the nomination, election, or term of the Graduate Director shall be addressed by the Board in consultation with the Dean on a case by case basis.


IX.    COMMITTEES

To facilitate the running of the International Studies Department and streamline the numerous administrative tasks relevant for the graduate and undergraduate programs, the department will utilize a number of permanent standing committees and ad hoc committees, as necessary.

  • Standing Committees
    • The following standing committees shall be permanently established with the passage of these by-laws:
      • Graduate Admissions & Scholarship Committee: This committee is responsible for reviewing the applications for admissions to the graduate program, meeting to determine admissions, and allocate scholarship funds. Primary time frame for this committee is February 1 – June 1.
      • Curriculum Committee: This committee is charged with the annual review of the graduate and undergraduate curricula and making recommendations to the Board for changes and adjustments. This committee should meet as necessary during the academic year.
      • Recruitment and Retention Committee: This committee is responsible for monitoring and improving undergraduate and graduate student recruitment and retention. This committee should meet as necessary during the academic year.
      • Assessment Committee: This committee is responsible for updating and maintaining the department’s learning outcomes and assessment plans for both the undergraduate and graduate programs, including compiling an annual report for both programs on assessment.
    • Standing committee membership shall be determined by the Department Chair based on nominations and volunteers by September 15 of each academic year. Any Board member is eligible to serve on the standing committees.
    • It is recommended that no one faculty member serves on more than two standing committees. In exceptional circumstances, however, faculty may be appointed to more than two standing committees. Standing committee membership is for one academic year with the possibility of renewal.
    • Each committee must have at least one faculty members whose primary appointment is in the International Studies Department.
    • New standing committees may be proposed by any Faculty Advisory Board member and are approved by a simple majority vote of the Board, following the voting procedures in Section XII.
  • Ad Hoc Committees
    • Ad Hoc committees may be created at the initiative of either the Department Chair or the Faculty Advisory Board. Their personnel shall be nominated by the Chair and approved by a simple majority vote of the Board, following the voting procedures in Section XI.
    • Ad Hoc committees shall remain in existence for the academic year in which they were created, with the possibility for renewal as needed upon the decision of the Department Chair.

X.    LEADERSHIP TEAM

The International Studies Department Leadership Team shall comprise the Department Chair, the Graduate Director, and the Undergraduate Director. The purpose of the Leadership Team is to provide a forum to review and discuss matters crucial to the functioning of the department that do not require discussion of the full Faculty Advisory Board.

  • The Leadership Team will meet as needed upon agreement of the leadership team members. Any member of the Leadership Team may request the convening of a meeting.
  • The Leadership Team is responsible for the daily administrative responsibilities and decisions, including, but not limited to: review of student or faculty issues; discussions of scheduling; periodic review of budget; strategic planning; and brainstorming on ways to better create a unified department vision, cohesion, and integration.
  • The Leadership Team will not make any decisions on those issues which, under these bylaws, require or would benefit from discussion, vote, and/or approval of the Faculty Advisory Board.

 
XI.    FACULTY ADVISORY BOARD MEETINGS

  • Regular meetings of the International Studies Department Faculty Advisory Board will be scheduled at the beginning of each semester. Regular meetings will be held at a minimum once per semester, with additional meetings as needed during the academic year, and are generally scheduled for the first Thursday of the month during the university’s dead hour. If no new business is put forward by the Chair, Undergraduate Director, Graduate Director, or Board, meetings may be cancelled.
  • Faculty Advisory Board meetings shall provide the forum for discussion for all questions of policy, standing committee proposals, evaluation, and coordination with all departments and programs that work in conjunction with the International Studies Department. Active participation by all Board members is welcomed and encouraged.
  • Agenda items for Faculty Advisory Board meetings shall be solicited one week in advance and approved by the Department Chair.
  • A quorum for meetings shall be a simple majority of the Faculty Advisory Board, which includes a majority of the faculty members whose primary appointments are in International Studies. If a quorum is not reached at a meeting, all voting shall be postponed until a future date.

XII.    VOTING PROCEDURES

  • Unless otherwise noted in these by-laws, all measures shall require a majority vote of those present at a Faculty Advisory Board meeting where a quorum is present as outlined in Article XI(4). Should a quorum not be present, the Chair may make a motion of exception to take a vote without a quorum, which, if approved by three-quarters of the members present shall be allowed. Should a faculty member be unable to attend a meeting in person, but wish to participate in the meeting via a video conference procedure such as Skype, prior approval must be obtained by the Department Chair. Such approval will be granted only in exceptional circumstances. For those procedures which require voting by secret ballot as noted in these bylaws, only faculty members present at the meeting will be able to vote.
  • Unless otherwise noted in these by-laws, voting will be by a simple show of hands. Any member of the Faculty Advisory Board may request a secret ballot for a vote. For those procedures requiring voting by secret ballots, ballots will be handed out at the meeting and tabulated by the Department Chair once the voting is complete.
  • If there is a Library Liaison serving on the FAB, he or she is not eligible to vote.
  • Absentee or proxy ballots are not allowed.
  • Faculty on sabbatical or leave from the university are not eligible to vote, unless they have attended the meeting at which the topic under vote has been discussed.
  • Robert’s Rules of Order shall be considered normative but not mandatory for conducting Faculty Advisory Board meetings, subject to the discretion of the Chair.

XIII.    MINUTES

  • Minutes will be taken at all Faculty Advisory Board meetings.
  • Minutes will be uploaded to the Department Canvas site, to which all FAB members have access.

XIV.    APPROVAL OF NEW COURSES

  • New courses proposed for either the graduate or undergraduate curriculum must be approved by a simple majority vote of the Faculty Advisory Board upon recommendation of the Curriculum Committee.
  • Syllabi for proposed new courses will be provided to all Board members for review one week prior to the Board meeting at which the vote will be taken.
  • All courses being proposed for one of the undergraduate functional tracks must be global in scope.
  • Upon approval by the Faculty Advisory Board, new courses will be submitted to the College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee according to current procedures by the faculty member proposing the course.

XV.    BY-LAWS REVISIONS

  • The International Studies Department Faculty Advisory Board shall have the power to alter, amend, or abolish these by-laws or to adopt new by-laws by a two-thirds vote of those present at any faculty meeting.
  • All proposed changes must be distributed to all Faculty Advisory Board members a minimum of one week prior to when a vote would occur.

XVI.    EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES

In the event unforeseen circumstances arise which interfere with adherence to these bylaws, the International Studies Department Chair will bring the situation to the attention of the Faculty Advisory Board for discussion and debate, as appropriate. In addition, the International Studies Department Chair will consult with the Associate Dean for Social Sciences and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences regarding such exceptional circumstances as appropriate.