Bylaws of the Teacher Education Faculty and
the Council on Teacher Education
University of Northern Iowa
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ARTICLE I:  DEFINITIONS AND MEMBERSHIP

  1. Definitions
    1. The Teacher Education Faculty The Teacher Education Faculty of the University of Northern Iowa exists as part of the total University Faculty which is defined in Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Faculty of the University of Northern Iowa.  The primary functions of the Teacher Education Faculty are to provide educational experiences and set policy associated with teacher education programs at the University.  Membership on the Teacher Education Faculty is restricted as defined in these bylaws.
    1. Affiliates of Teacher Education University staff supporting the teacher education program, such as Professional and Scientific and merit, will be considered Affiliates of Teacher Education and will be included in a communication network administered through the office of the Director of Teacher Education.
  1. Membership on the Teacher Education Faculty and Affiliates of Teacher Education
    1. Membership  Members of the Teacher Education faculty consist of voting and nonvoting members.  Voting privileges will be determined in accordance with the Constitution of the Faculty of the University of Northern Iowa. Membership is based on the nature of the teaching assignment and professional activity consistent with the definition of professional education faculty as outlined on the Teacher Education Faculty Application Form. Part of the application process is the selection of a Representation Group as defined on the application form.  The following two categories constitute the Teacher Education Faculty membership:

      2.1.1 Voting

        2.1.1.1 Required faculty membership—Professional Education Faculty

        2.1.1.2Voluntary faculty membership, including teacher education major advisors

      2.1.2 Non-voting: Voluntary term instructor and adjunct faculty, and Affiliate members

    1. Membership Procedures
      • Required Membership (voting) Professional Education Faculty (all faculty members who regularly teach Professional Education Sequence courses, methods courses, and teacher preparation courses in any College, as determined by Department Heads, are appointed to membership in the Teacher Education Faculty upon accepting a position at the university or due to teaching assignment change.  Required members shall complete an application form in order to select a Representation Group and submit it to the Associate Director of Teacher Education.(Office of Teacher Education). Applications are reviewed at the first meeting of the Council on Teacher Education; formal acceptance or denial of applications are made at the second Council meeting of the year.

        2.2.2 Voluntary Membership (voting and non-voting) University faculty outside of the above areas who are involved in course work in teacher education, content area course work, research, or academic advising of teacher education majors, or University administrators may submit applications for membership in the Teacher Education Faculty to the Office of Teacher Education.  The Office of Teacher Education and a committee from the Council on Teacher Education will review applications and present membership recommendations to the Council on Teacher Education for their approval or denial.  Each applicant shall be notified by the Office of Teacher Education of his/her membership and voting status. If an application is denied, the letter shall include information regarding the reason for denial. Applicants may then submit a letter to the Chair of the Council on Teacher Education, requesting reconsideration.

        2.2.3 Affiliates of Teacher Education (non-voting) may request to be added to the Affiliates of Teacher Education list serve by completing the Application to Teacher Education Faculty and submitting it to the Office of Teacher Education who will determine membership and make notification about membership status.

    1. Membership Continuation

        2.3.1 Teacher Education Faculty membership will be automatically continued except under the following conditions: discontinuation of affiliation with the university, leave of absence, or Voluntary Member request to discontinue. Members who wish to change their membership status may do so by notifying the Office of Teacher education in writing or by email.  Changes from voting to nonvoting or nonvoting to voting membership must accompany changes in similar voting stature within the University Faculty.

  1. Rosters
    1. A current list of members of the Teacher Education Faculty will be retained in the Office of Teacher Education and be posted at the Teacher Education web site.
    1. A current list of members of the Affiliates of Teacher Education will be retained in the Office of Teacher Education and be posted at the Teacher Education web site. 

ARTICLE II:  OFFICERS AND DUTIES

  1. Chairperson  The chairperson of the Teacher Education Faculty will be elected by a vote of the Teacher Education Faculty membership in the spring of odd numbered years for a two-year term and may serve for no more than two consecutive terms. The duties of the Chairperson of the Teacher Education Faculty include:

      1.1 Act as Vice-Chair of the Council on Teacher Education

      1.2 Convene regular and special meetings of the Teacher Education Faculty and preside over them.

      1.3 Prepare the agenda for meetings and provide for the distribution of the agenda to the Teacher Education Faculty a minimum of 10 class days prior to the meeting.

      1.4 Act as a spokesperson for the Teacher Education Faculty.

  1. Secretary  The secretary will be appointed by the Chair of the Teacher Education Faculty.  The secretary will record, publish and distribute minutes of meetings of the Teacher Education Faculty with assistance from the Office of the Director of Teacher Education.

ARTICLE III:  MEETINGS

  1. Regular Meetings  The chairperson shall schedule and preside over one regular meeting of the Teacher Education Faculty during each semester of each academic year. 
  1. Special Meetings  Special meetings of the Teacher Education Faculty may be called by petition of twenty percent of the voting members of the Teacher Education Faculty.  The petition is submitted to the chairperson and must specify the reasons for calling the meeting.  Such meetings shall take place within 30 calendar days of receipt of the petition.
  1. Quorum Twenty percent of the voting members of the Teacher Education Faculty shall be present to constitute a quorum for voting.
  1. Procedures  Meetings of the Teacher Education Faculty will be conducted according to parliamentary procedures using the latest revision of Robert’s Rules of Order.
  1. Teacher Education Faculty Review of Council Action Within fifteen days after publication of an action by the Council on Teacher Education, twenty percent of the voting Teacher Education Faculty members may petition for a meeting to review the Council’s action. In the event of a vote by the Teacher Education Faculty, the decision of the Teacher Education Faculty shall prevail.

ARTICLE IV:  COUNCIL ON TEACHER EDUCATION

  1. Powers  The Council on Teacher Education shall be the principal representative agency of the Teacher Education Faculty.  The Council shall have power to act for the Teacher Education Faculty on policy and curricular matters related to teacher education and shall oversee ongoing assessment and improvement of the Teacher Education Program.

    2. Membership  The Council on Teacher Education shall be composed of members elected by and from the voting Teacher Education Faculty from Representation Groups.  The number of council members to be elected by the members of each of these areas shall be:  professional education sequence-one; early childhood education-one; elementary education-one; middle level education-one; special education-one; clinical experience-one; special areas (art, music, physical education, library/media/school technology)-one; secondary education four, one each from: the College of Natural Sciences, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the College of Business Administration, and the College of Humanities and Fine Arts; educational leadership, counseling, and postsecondary education-one; teacher practitioners: early childhood/elementary–one, middle/high school-one; undergraduate students: early childhood/elementary education-one and middle/secondary education-one graduate student.

      2.1 Terms  Terms shall be for three years, with terms of one-third of the membership to expire each year.   

      2.2 Limitation on Terms  A council member shall serve no more than two consecutive full terms, unless there are no other eligible TEF members in the Representation Group to serve.

    1. Alternates  Council members shall appoint alternates from their elective constituencies and shall notify the secretary of the Council of the names of such alternates.  Alternates normally serve during the term of the Council member and exercise the full duties and responsibilities of a member during those meetings during which they substitute for a member.
    1. Vacancies  In case the absence or the incapacity of a Council member should extend beyond a complete semester, or if, in the Council’s judgment, it is likely that it will so extend, the Council shall declare the office vacant and shall request that an election be held by that Representation Group, in accordance with University procedures, to fill the vacancy.  
    1. Members Ex Officio  The chairperson of the Teacher Education Faculty, the Director of Teacher Education and/or designee, a representative of the Office of the Registrar, the Director of Assessment, the Director of Field Experiences and Community College Relations, and a representative of the Office of Academic Affairs shall be ex officio members of the Council, without vote, but with the privileges of motion, second, and debate.
      1. If a sitting Council member is elected chairperson of the Teacher Education Faculty, he/she becomes a nonvoting member of the Council, and an election shall be held by the Representation Group to fill the vacancy.
    1. Student Representation  One graduate student and two undergraduate members of UTESAC, representative of two different constituencies, shall serve as voting teacher education student representatives. 
    1. Practitioner Representation  Two practitioners, representing early childhood/elementary school and middle/high school, identified from student teaching center clinical supervisors or teacher cadre members, as recommended by faculty members assigned to the Office of Clinical Field Experiences, and approved by the Council on Teacher Education, shall serve as voting members.  Practitioner membership is for a 3-year term, renewable for one additional term.
    1. Election Procedures Election of Council on Teacher Education members from the Representation Groups shall be held in accordance with University election procedures.
  1. ORGANIZATION  The Chair of the Council on Teacher Education shall be elected by and from the membership of the Council on an annual basis at the last meeting of the Council in the spring semester preceding the beginning of her or his term of office (2/98). The Chair of the Teacher Education Faculty shall serve as vice-chairperson. The Chair of the Council shall appoint a non-Council member to serve as secretary.
    1. Duties of the Chairperson The chairperson shall perform the following duties:
      1. Preside at meetings of the Council.
      2. Prepare the official agenda of Council meetings with the assistance of the Director of Teacher Education and/or designee and the chairperson of the Teacher Education Faculty.
      3. Call regular and special meetings of the Council.
      4. Prepare and arrange for the distribution of notices for regular and special meetings of the Council so that the notices are received one calendar week in advance of the meetings (as possible and practicable.)
      5. Distribute a draft of the minutes of each Council meeting within one calendar week and the approved minutes one week following Council approval to the Teacher Education Faculty, the Chair of the University Senate, Affiliates of Teacher Education, and appropriate administrative officials.
      6. Make decisions on parliamentary and procedural questions in fulfillment of the provisions of these bylaws, subject to approval of a majority of the Council.
      7. Maintain liaison with the officers of the administration.
      8. Transmit actions of the Council to appropriate University governing bodies or, consistent with Board rules and regulations, the Board of Regents or its committees.
      9. Represent to the press and to the public the established policies and positions of the Council as appropriate.
    1. Duties of the Vice-Chairperson  The vice-chairperson shall perform the following duties:
      1. Preside, in the absence of the chairperson, at meetings of the Council.
      2. Assist in preparing the official agenda of the Council.
      3. Perform other duties as the chairperson may request or as may be appropriate in the temporary absence of the chairperson.
    1. Duties of the Secretary  The secretary shall perform the following duties:
      1. Record and forward the minutes of the Council meetings to the Chairperson  within one calendar week of the meeting (as possible and practicable).
      2. Assist the chairperson of the Council, as needed in the preparation and distribution of notices of meetings of the Council and in the preparation and distribution of the agenda of the Council.
      3. Keep the minutes and other official documents of the Council in a safe and accessible place.
      4. Assist with the Council on Teacher Education membership and officer elections.
  1. MEETINGS  At least three regular meetings of the Council shall be held each semester.
    1. Call for Regular Meetings  The time and place of regular meetings shall normally be determined by the chairperson of the Council, or, in his/her temporary absence, by the vice-chairperson of the Council.

      4.2 Call for Special Meetings  Special meetings of the Council may normally be called by the chairperson of the Council, or, in his/her temporary absence, by the vice-chairperson of the Council.

      1. Upon petition of three current Voting members of the Council or upon petition of twenty percent of the current members of the Teacher Education Faculty, directed to the chairperson of the Council, the chairperson of the Council shall call a special meeting of the Council.  The petition, in either case, shall contain a statement of the subject to be considered and the action deemed desirable by the petitioners.  Petitioned meetings shall be called by the chairperson as soon as possible and practicable but normally no later than five class days after receipt of the petition by the chairperson.  A petition, which in the judgment of the chairperson does not meet the above stipulations concerning:  (1) number of proper signatures; (2) statement of the subject to be considered; or (3) the action requested, shall be returned to the petitioner by the chairperson with a specification of the correct procedure for resubmission.
      1. Upon request by the President of the University, the Vice-President and Provost or the Deans’ Council of Teacher Education to the chairperson of the Council, the chairperson of the Council shall call a special meeting of the Council.  Such requests shall contain a statement of the subject to be considered and an indication of the action deemed desirable by the officer of administration.
  1. FUNCTIONS  The Council on Teacher Education shall carry out the following functions as related to teacher education matters:  policy formation; integration and coordination; consultation; adjudication; and oversight, monitoring and enhancement of the Teacher Education Program.
    1. The Policy Formation Function The Council on Teacher Education acts for the Teacher Education Faculty in the reception of policy proposals initiated by its members, by committees of the Council on Teacher Education, by the Teacher Education Faculty, by officers of administration, by the student government, or by the non-academic staff.  The Council on Teacher Education deliberates and decides upon these matters by majority vote.
    1. The Integrative Function The Council on Teacher Education acts for the Teacher Education Faculty in developing greater coordination and cooperation among the various components of the university and their constituencies with the administration, the University Senate, Teacher Education Students, alumni, the public, and, consistent with Board procedures, the State Board of Regents and its committees.
    1. The Consultative Function  The Council on Teacher Education acts for the Teacher Education Faculty in making provisions for formal and informal consultation with vital parties such as department members during the University curriculum process; state education entities; officers of administration including academic deans, the President of the University,  the Vice-President and Provost; as well as members of the Graduate Council and the University Senate. 
    1. The Adjudicatory Function  The Council on Teacher Education shall act as an appeal body in case of a disputed interpretation of the Council on Teacher Education Bylaws.
    1. The Monitoring and Enhancement of Teacher Education Function The Council on Teacher Education shall act as the body which continually monitors the progress of the Teacher Education Program in meeting and exceeding accreditation standards of the State of Iowa and national agencies of which it is an accredited member.
  1. COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL AND THE TEACHER EDUCATION FACULTY  Except when otherwise directed by the faculty, all ad hoc Teacher Education Faculty committees and all standing and ad hoc Council on Teacher Education committees shall report to and be accountable to the Council.
    1. Committees of the Teacher Education Faculty  Committees of the Teacher Education Faculty shall be accountable to the Council. The Council may schedule regular or special reports from such committees; it may approve reports in part or as a whole; it may amend them; it may return them to the committee for revision or for additional information and recommendations.
    1. Committees of the Council  The Council shall have the power to create, charge, and discharge standing and ad hoc committees, accountable to it; the Council may schedule regular or special reports from its committees; it may approve such reports in part or as a whole; it may amend them; it may return them to the committee for revision or for additional information or recommendations.

        6.2.1 The Council may, by majority vote, delegate to any of its committees the power to decide and act upon a problem subject to subsequent Council review. 

    1. Committee Reports
      1. Form  The Council requests committees reporting to it to present their reports according to a schedule furnished by the chairperson of the Council.  Recommendations for specific action by a committee shall be transmitted immediately to the chairperson to be placed on the agenda.  Since the Council is not principally a fact-finding body, the Council requests committees to include in their reports and/or recommendations whatever information and documentation may be necessary to allow the Council to deliberate upon the committee’s recommendation.
      2. Procedures  Committee reports shall be submitted to the Council chairperson and brought to the attention of the Council as reports are received by the chairperson.  Those reports that the Council wishes to discuss or which appear to require Council action will be placed on the agenda.
  1. PROCEDURES OF THE COUNCIL.  Except as provided by these bylaws, Roberts Rules of Order (latest revision) shall be the parliamentary guide for the conduct of Council business.
    1. Quorum  The presence one more than half the total voting members of the Council or their alternates shall constitute a quorum.
    1. Teacher Education Faculty Review of Council Action  Action taken by the Council shall become effective fifteen Calendar days after publication of the action in the approved minutes of the Council, except when the calendar days occur during a university recess. Within that period, any action of the Council, upon petition of twenty percent of the Teacher Education Faculty members, shall be referred to the faculty for a meeting to review the Council’s action. In the event of a vote, the decision of the Teacher Education Faculty shall prevail.
 
    1. Order of Business  The order of business in Council meetings shall be determined by the Chair and Vice-chair of the Council and the Director of Teacher Education or designee and be approved by the Council.
    1. How Matters May Come to the Council  A matter may come to the Council for consideration from a member of the Council, a member of the Teacher Education Faculty or the University Faculty, a University administrator, or student or non-academic staff member, according to the procedural provisions set forth below
      1. Written Petition  In addition to business introduced under the provisions of the agreed upon agenda format in 7.3, any person or persons in the university community may address a written petition to the Council on any matter within the Council’s jurisdiction by presenting the petition to the chairperson of the Council. The chairperson shall place the petition on the agenda of the Council.  Petitions must be accompanied by information or documentation that may assist the Council in making a determination on the matter petitioned and clearly state what action the petitioner(s) desire(s) the Council to take.

        7.4.2     Resolutions to the Council  Except for business introduced under the provisions of the agreed upon agenda format in 7.3, the individual or group desiring Council action on an issue/motion shall put the action/motion in the form of a signed resolution and file the document with the chairperson of the Council.  The chairperson shall delegate the responsibility of preparing copies of the resolution, together with all support documents, to the secretary or his/her designee, who will then furnish each member with a complete file along with an agenda.  The resolution should present such facts as are needed to establish the importance of the problem and to indicate its present status and should close with the standard phrase, “Therefore, be it resolved…” or some other form of specific proposal in which the petitioner shall clearly indicate the kind of action he/she deems advisable.

    1. Preparation of Agenda The chairperson of the Council along with the Director of Teacher Education and/or designee and the chairperson of the Teacher Education Faculty, shall prepare the official agenda of Council meetings. The chairperson of the Council with the assistance of the secretary shall be principally responsible for the distribution of the agenda for each regular and special meeting one calendar week prior to the called meeting.  Documents supporting petitions to the Council shall be made available for inspection by any member of the Teacher Education Faculty on request to the secretary of the Council.
    1. Students  Students and representatives of the student press are welcome to attend meetings of the Council, except for executive sessions.
    1. The Public  Meetings of the Council, except for executive sessions, shall be open to the public, including the press.  Space considerations may limit the application of this provision.
    1. Voting  Action by the Council shall be determined by voice vote, division, written ballot, or roll call.

        7.8.1 In case of doubt by the presiding officer or upon call by a Council member, the Council shall divide.  A written ballot may be ordered by majority vote of the Council.  Upon request of a member of the Council, the secretary of the Council shall call the roll of the membership in alphabetical order and record the Aye and No vote from each member. 

    1. Executive Sessions  An executive session of the Council is a meeting or a portion of a meeting in which the proceedings are kept secret.  Only council members, their duly selected alternates, or others whom the Council may by majority vote invite, shall be permitted to remain in the meeting room.

        7.9.1 The chairperson shall declare the Council to be in executive session when the Council, by a two-thirds vote, authorizes such a session.

      1. The business of the Council is normally conducted in open and public session.  An executive session will be authorized only when compelling reasons lead the Council to believe that the matters to be discussed, if publicly disclosed, would do serious and perhaps irreparable harm to individuals or to the University.
      2. During an executive session, the only motion in order is a motion to rise from executive session.  When made and voted upon, if the motion carries, the Council finds itself sitting in ordinary session.
    1. Consultative Sessions  When an officer of administration wishes to report to the Council or to ask the advice of the Council on a matter of the sort described in Section 5.3, the Council, by majority vote, may authorize a consultative session.  Alternately, the Council may wish to hear a report from an officer of administration on a matter of joint concern; in this case a Council member may move to invite the appropriate officer(s) of administration to counsel with the Council.

        7.10.1 Either the administrative officer desiring a consultative session informs the chairperson of the Council or, alternately, the chairperson of the Council, majority approval of the Council having been recorded, shall invite the appropriate administrator(s).  In either case, the matter shall be placed on the agenda, for example, “Consultative to the President on…” 

        7.10.2 During the consultative session, the administrative officer normally presents opening remarks and then leads the ensuing discussion.  The consultative session may be terminated by the officer of administration or by the chairperson of the Council when either feels that the session has accomplished its purpose.  During a consultative session, the only motion in order is the motion to rise from consultative session.  When made and voted upon, if the motion carries, the Council finds itself sitting in ordinary session. 

  1. AMENDMENT  These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of a quorum of the Council provided that a notice containing the text of the proposed amendment is sent to the Teacher Education Faculty membership at least ten class days in advance of the Council meeting at which the amendment is considered; no amendment not in conformity with the requirement of the Faculty Constitution shall be in order. 
  1. ADOPTION  These bylaws shall become effective immediately upon their adoption by a two-thirds vote of a quorum of the Teacher Education Faculty.