Stony Brook University Council

By-Laws

ARTICLE I. Name
The name of the organization is the Stony Brook Council.

ARTICLE II. Purpose

The purpose for which the council is formed are set forth in the Education law §356 (b), as from time to time may be amended, and generally, to promote the welfare of Stony Brook University, its students, faculty, administration and employees.
Recognizing that Stony Brook is a major university center in the State
University system, the purpose of the Council is to promote the University’s mission in providing quality education which is accessible; promote the University’s goal of enhancing the quality of undergraduate education n a research university setting; promote the development of the local, regional and state economies; and work with the State University of New York, Its Trustees, Governor, state and local legislators and community leaders in meeting the goals and missions of the University.

ARTICLE III. Basic Policies

The Council shall be noncommercial, nonsectarian, and nonpartisan.
The name of the Council or the names of any members in their official
capacities shall not be used in any connection with any purpose not appropriately related to promotion of the objectives of the Council.
The Council shall cooperate with the Stony Brook Administration to support the improvement of education in ways that will assist and enhance the administration of the University.
The Council may cooperate with other organizations and agencies concerned with public higher education. Persons representing the Council in such matters shall represent only those policies on which the Council has taken a position of record and shall bring to Council for action any proposals for policies or courses of action.

ARTICLE IV. Membership

Only members in good standing of the Council shall be eligible to participate in its business meetings, or to serve in any of its positions. To be in good standing, a member shall make every effort to be present at each meeting of the Council. Excused absences of Council members shall be noted in the minutes of the meetings of said Council.

ARTICLE V. Officers

Officers

(a) The officers of the Council shall consist of a Chairperson, a Vice Person and a Secretary. The Chairperson shall be appointed by the Governor of the State of New York pursuant to the provisions of the Education Law.

(b) The Vice Chairperson and Secretary shall be appointed by the Chairperson.

(c) Only those persons who have signified their consent to serve be appointed
for such office.

(d) The Vice Chairperson and Secretary shall serve one year terms with the terms expiring at the end of each calendar year.

ARTICLE VI. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

The Chairperson shall:

(a) preside at meetings of the Council (at which he or she is present);

(b) sign documents on behalf of the Council;

(c) act as spokesperson for the Council;

(d) appoint committee;

(e) resolve tie votes of the Council;

(f) represent the Council at graduation exercises and other official functions;

(g) insure that agenda are prepared and minutes are kept in accordance with legal requirements;

(h) insure that qualified candidates are recommended for appointment to fill Council vacancies; and

(i) insure that the annual report of the Council is submitted to the Trustees.
The Vice Chairperson shall act as side to the Chairperson and shall perform the duties of the Chairperson in the event of the absence or the inability of that officer to act.
The Secretary shall ensure that the minutes of all meetings of the Council are
recorded and shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to him or her.
All officers shall:

(a) Perform the duties prescribed in the parliamentary authority in addition to those outlined by these Bylaws and those assigned from time to time.

(b) Deliver to their successors all official material not later than thirty (30)days following the appointment of their successors.

ARTICLE VII. Stony Brook Council Members

The duties of the Stony Brook Council members shall be:

(a) to transact necessary business at al meetings and in the intervals between meetings of the Council and such other business as deemed necessary by the Council and consistent with the Education Law;

(b) to create standing and special committees;

(c) to approve the plans of work of the standing committees;

(d) to meet all obligations established by the Education Law §356 as amended.
Regular meetings of the Council shall be held at least four times each year at times specified by the Chairperson. A majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum. Special meetings of the Council may be called by the Chair or by a majority of the members of the Council.

ARTICLE VIII. Standing an Special Committees

The Council may create such standing committees as it may deem necessary to promote the purposes and carry on the work of the Council.
The Chairperson of each standing committee shall present a plan of work to the Council for approval. Committees shall recommend action or policies to the Council and shall have no independent authority to act except as specifically authorized by the Council.
The Chairperson shall be a member ex-officio of all committees.

ARTICLE IX. Roberts Rules

Roberts Rules of Order, latest edition, shall be the authority on all questions of parliamentary procedure in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with New York State law or these Bylaws.

ARTICLE X. Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended, replicated, or altered in whole or in part by a majority vote at any regular or special meeting of the Council.

The Stony Brook Council meets in accordance with Article 8, Section 356, of Education Law. The powers and duties of Councils for State-operated institutions are detailed in this section, which prescribes and limits the nature and kinds of business that this Council may conduct. Also applicable to the conduct of this meeting is Article 7, Section 95, of Public Officer’s Law which says, in effect, that members of the public may attend meetings of this kind and listen to the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of local policy. Such right of attendance, however, does not extend to Executive Sessions of the council, held in accordance with Sections 98 and 100 of the Article referred to above.

It is important that all those attending are aware of the limitations that attach to this right to attend and listen. No member of the audience may join in the deliberations of the Council or participate in its decisions. Under the law only duly selected members of the Council may exercise this responsibility. The conduct of all persons at these meetings is subject to the standards imposed by the Rules of Public Order.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, which applies to the conduct of business at this meeting, the Council wants to make it clear that the views of the public are welcome and indeed are solicited. Statements relating to the operation of the State University at Stony Brook or to the conduct of business of the Council may be submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Council, Office of the President, SUNY at Stony Brook. It must be emphasized, however, that the Council and the Council alone prepares the Agenda for this meeting. If members of the public have items they feel have a place one these agenda, they must submit them to the Secretary in the manner suggested above.