Our Bylaws:
 

I. PURPOSE

1. The Commission for Women ? Knoxville is a body appointed by the Chancellor to advise on the planning, implementation, and evaluation of University programs, policies, and services designed to improve the status of women on the Knoxville campus.

II. RESPONSIBILITIES

The Commission shall:

1. Recommend changes in policy or procedure relative to the concerns of women.
2. Make recommendations concerning new and existing academic, professional development, and extracurricular programs.
3. Recommend and encourage research to assess the status of women at The University of Tennessee (UT) and compare their status with that of women at other institutions and agencies;
4. Consult in the evaluation, revision and implementation of the University?s Affirmative Action Plan and the state-mandated Title IX Plan, and in so doing promote the hiring and promotion of women;
5. Advise and consult with all University officials on the needs and status of women; and
6. Provide information to the campus and community on Commission and University programs and activities related to women.

III. COMPOSITION

1. Membership
   1. Regular membership.
   2. The Commission for Women shall consist of no fewer than 24 voting members, with a proportionate number of faculty members, exempt and non-exempt staff members and students all equitably distributed among the various colleges, schools, and administrative unites of the University.  Appointments are made annually, usually for three consecutive years.  The voting membership should always include the head of the Women?s Studies Program, a representative from the Women?s Coordinating Council and the immediate past chair of the Commission for Women.
   3. Ex-officio voting membership.
   4. The following members by position (or their designees) are voting members:
      1. Faculty Senate president
      2. Employee Relation Council representative
      3. SGA president
      4. GSA president
      5. Exempt Staff Council - chair
      6. Commission for Blacks - chair
      7. CFW student assistant
      8. Commssion for LGBT People - chair
   5. Ex-officio non-voting membership.
      1. Dean of Students
      2. Director of Human Resources
      3. Director of Equity and Diversity
      4. Director (or designee) of the Center for International Education
2. Chair and Vice Chairs.
3. A Chair recommended to and approved by the Chancellor shall head CFW.  The Chair shall be aided by two Vice-chairs, similarly recommended and approved.  The Chair and the two Vice-chairs shall be elected for two-year terms, once renewable.  The Chair and at least one Vice-chair should have alternating terms.
4. Committees.
5. Volunteers shall be solicited from among CFW membership to serve on the following standing committees:
   1. Chair's Advisory Committee
   2. Communications Committee
   3. Safety Advisory Committee
   4. Work and Family Committee
   5. Equity Issues Committee
   6. Mentoring Committee
   7. Professional Development
   8. Ad-Hoc committees will be formed as needed

IV. SELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIRS

1. Nominations of Chair and Vice-Chairs.
2. At least one month prior to the election of a new chair or vice-chairs, a Nominating Committee shall solicit nominations from the CFW membership. All nominations shall be restricted to present or past members of the Commission.
3. Ballots (Email or Mail).
4. Ballots shall be e-mailed and/or mailed to CFW members two weeks prior to the meeting at which election is to take place. E-mail or messenger may return ballots to the chair of the Nominating Committee prior to the election meeting if the member is unable to vote in person at the election meeting.
5. Election by Simple Majority Vote.
6. The Commission?s recommendation to the Chancellor shall be determined by a simple majority vote.

V. MEETINGS

1. Frequency.
2. The Commission shall schedule regular monthly meetings at a time to be agreed upon at the beginning of each academic year.  Additional meetings shall be scheduled as needed.  The agenda at these meeting shall be determined by the Commission itself and may include items placed on it at the request of the Chancellor, of a member of the faculty, staff or student body with a grievance or concern; or of any member of the UT community with an issue which might demand investigation. All meetings shall be open to any member of the UT community.
3. Robert?s Rules of Order.
4. All CFW meetings shall be conducted according to Robert?s Rules of Order.

VI. BUDGET

1. Funding through Office of the Chancellor and Office of Equity and Diversity. CFW shall be provided with funds through the Office of the Chancellor to cover expenses including telephone service, awards, student assistant, mentoring events, research endeavors, and communications projects (e.g., The Networker?biannual publication serving the faculty, staff and student body).
   1. Student Assistant?At least one student assistant (20 hr/wk) shall be chosen to aid the chair by attending and taking notes at Commission meetings, editing The Networker, assisting with mentoring events or performing other tasks as needed and required.  The student assistant will be selected by and report directly to the Chair.
   2. Secretarial Support ? the Office of Equity and Diversity shall provide the chair with secretarial assistance for meetings and minutes.

VII. APPROVAL AND AMENDMENTS

1. Approval by two-thirds vote of CFW membership.
2. These bylaws shall be approved by two-thirds vote of the CFW membership taken by ballot.
3. Amendments.
4. They may be amended by a similar vote taken at two successive, regularly scheduled meetings.
5. Effective upon approval by Chancellor.
6. Both bylaws and amendments shall become effective upon the approval of the Chancellor.