|
By-Laws
ARTICLE 1: NAME
Section 1. The name of this administrative unit will be the Honors College within The University of Southern Mississippi. In this document, the word College refers to the Honors College.
ARTICLE 2: ROLE AND MISSION
Section 1. The College operates under the Office of the Provost at The University of Southern Mississippi. Its role is to implement the University’s mission through provision of undergraduate classes for high ability students in all academic disciplines, emphasizing the acquisition, creation and application of knowledge, the widening of cultural horizons, and the contribution of intellectual skills to social and economic development and to the cultivation of engaged citizenship. It fulfills that role through:
- Provision of general education courses in small classes that promote oral and written communication.
- A curriculum that incorporates opportunities for active learning, including field trips, laboratory work, participant observation and related experiences.
- Training in critical thinking and research techniques through instruction in the methodologies of investigation and the preparation of a thesis.
- Encouragement to study abroad on courses sponsored by the University’s Office of International Education.
- Support for the other Colleges and agencies of the University in their efforts to fulfill the University’s mission.
ARTICLE 3: MEMBERS
Section 1. The members of the College are those faculty who hold appointments to the Corps of Instruction of the University of Southern Mississippi and who are currently teaching classes on the College curriculum. The University Corps of Instruction includes full-time employees of the University who hold the rank of Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor or Instructor and such other teaching personnel as are approved by the University. Full-time extension and research personnel and librarians may be appointed by the President of the University to the faculty on the basis of comparable education and training.
Section 2. Faculty who are members of the Honors College Council are members of the College by right of appointment even if they are not currently teaching a class on the College curriculum.
ARTICLE 4: ORGANIZATION
Section 1. The administrative officers of the College are the Dean and such other officers as are appointed by the Dean. These officers will perform their duties as prescribed by the College By-Laws and by the Faculty Handbook. The Dean will serve as chair of the Honors College Council.
ARTICLE 5: HONORS COLLEGE COUNCIL
Section 1. The Honors College Council will advise the Dean on the administration of the College. Those faculty who are appointed to the Council will have primary responsibility for decisions relating to curricula, methods of instruction and other aspects of student life that relate to the educational process.
Section 2. The Honors College Council will consist of the Dean of the College, one member of each of the other Colleges of the University, one member of the faculty appointed by the Dean, one representative of freshmen and sophomore Honors students, and one representative of junior and senior Honors students. The faculty representing the Colleges of the University will be tenured faculty having experience of teaching in the College. They will be selected, either by appointment or by election, as determined by the dean of that College, and will serve for a period of three years. Student representatives will be selected, by the Dean and will serve for one year.
Section 3. The Honors College Council will meet at least once every semester and at such other times as are deemed necessary by the Dean. Meetings may also be called by petition of 50 percent of the membership of the Council. Meetings will be open to all members of the College unless they are closed by vote of the Council.
Section 4. A quorum will consist of at least 50 percent of the membership of the Council. Decisions will be by simple majority and on matters other than those relating to curriculum will be advisory. Student representatives may not vote on matters related to the College curriculum or on such other matters as are the prerogative of the University faculty (as prescribed by the Faculty Handbook) but may contribute to discussions on these topics and may vote on all other matters.
ARTICLE 6: AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
Section 1. These by-laws may be amended, in whole or in part, at any meeting of the Honors College Council by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting provided that proposed amendments are submitted, in writing, to each member of the Honors College Council at least two weeks in advance of the meeting.
Section 2. Should any provision of the College by-laws conflict, or be inconsistent with, any University policy or regulations, or with the provisions of the Faculty Handbook, the University policies and regulations, and the provisions of the Faculty Handbook, will prevail.