Structure of the University Advisory Board; Supersedes EM 95-025

From: Manuel A. Esteban, President

Subject: Structure of the University Advisory Board; Supersedes EM 95-025

UNIVERSITY ADVISORY BOARD

California State University, Chico

In order to accomplish its educational and service mission through its strategic plan, the University must regularly confer with friends and supporters about issues and challenges faced by the University. The University Advisory Board serves as an important connection between these individuals and the University. Members are selected for geographic location, academic affiliation, and constituent group membership as well as their commitment to the well-being of the University.

University Advisory Board Purposes and Responsibilities

• Advise the University President on external perceptions and expectations.
• Advise the University President on various issues of community relations, such as communications, student recruitment, image, and academic and professional programs, and issues brought to it by the President.
• Advise and consult on all matters concerning the University and the community which the President may initiate and on matters brought to the attention of the President by members.
• Serve on campus committees and task forces as requested by the President.
• Serve as a liaison between the University and the community and the university's constituents at large.

University Responsibilities

• The University President will call and manage meetings.
• The University President will provide the members with information about the University.
• The University President will connect members to campus.
• The University President will introduce members to key administrators, faculty, and students.
• All formal communications with the Board will originate from the Office of the President.

Membership Criteria, Selection, and Terms

Membership Criteria

• Members will be selected on the basis of distinguished community leadership, interest in and commitment to the welfare of the University, interest in higher education, recognized high integrity, demonstrated good judgment, ability to render sound advice, willingness to accept responsibility, and ability to assist the advancement process.
• Members should be a diverse group representing different professions, academic interests, values, and backgrounds.
• Members should attend at least 75 percent of the meetings during a two-year period.

Membership Selection

• Names may be suggested by Advisory Board members, faculty, and other constituencies of the University.
• The President, in conjunction with the nominating committee, will select nominees with the aid of other campus and community representatives as appropriate.
• All members will be appointed by the President. There will be no fewer than 15 and no more than 30 members.
• Membership will be representative of California counties within the University's primary service area and other counties and regions as reflected by the student population and identified by the President.
• Membership categories may include but are not limited to regional representatives, constituent representatives, representatives within 100 miles of the campus, donors, and friends.

Membership Terms

• The regular term of membership will be four years.
• There will be a maximum of two consecutive four-year terms for any member.
• Terms will be staggered to allow easy transition between the departure of outgoing members and the appointment of new members.

Organization

• The Advisory Board will meet at least three times a year or more frequently as determined by the University President.
• If possible, the first meeting of the new academic year will be held in the fall (preferably in October) and will be the annual meeting.
• The President may appoint standing and special committees and may delegate to these committees such functions as may be advisable and appropriate.
• Because of the need for frequent consultation on local as opposed to regional or statewide issues related to the campus, an executive committee will meet on a more frequent basis as required. The executive committee will be made up of the University President, the chair, vice chair, and immediate past chair of the Advisory Board, and the Vice President for University Advancement. Minutes of the executive committee's meetings will be sent to all members of the Advisory Board.
• A nominating committee comprised of the University President, the board chair and vice chair, and the Vice President for University Advancement, will be established to recommend new names for membership and identify candidates for vice chair.
• There shall be a chair and vice chair who shall serve two-year terms. The vice chair will become chair at the end of the term of the incumbent chair or upon a vacancy. The candidate(s) for the vice chair shall be identified by the nominating committee and normally elected at the last meeting of the academic year. There will be a preference for local leadership or members who can commit the time for dealing with local issues as well as ceremonial and consultative opportunities.

Meetings

• There will be a minimum of three meetings per year.
• Meetings will be a full day in length.
• Agenda
  • The agenda will be set by the University President in consultation with the chair and vice chair of the board. Input will be sought from members of the President's Cabinet.
  • The call for the meeting and the agenda will be sent to the Advisory Board at least two weeks prior to the meeting.

Staff

The Executive Assistant to the President will serve as chief staff member to the President in support of the functions and activities related to the Advisory Board and will be responsible for Advisory Board members' contacts with the Office of the President and for the management of the executive committee's consideration of local issues.