Constitution of the Muslim Faculty and Staff Council at IUPUI
PREAMBLE
The Muslim Faculty and Staff Council seeks to connect, represent, and support IUPUI Muslims. We strive to provide an inclusive community as we recognize our diverse intersectional experiences, practices, and backgrounds.
ARTICLE I
The name of this organization is the Muslim Faculty and Staff Council or MFSC at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).
ARTICLE II
The Muslim Faculty and Staff Council is an IUPUI community that seeks to nurture relationships and support members striving to maintain their faith while engaging with the broader IUPUI community, the local Muslim community, and the various communities in Indianapolis.
ARTICLE III
The Muslim Faculty and Staff Council aims to:
- Create a welcoming, warm, and supportive Muslim community for faculty and staff on campus.
- Contribute to IUPUI campus diversity by engaging in meaningful conversations and offering resources about Islamic beliefs, practices, history, traditions, and the Muslim experience in America.
- Offer support and mentorship to Muslim students and the Muslim Student Association.
- Build bridges with various campus partners to advocate for understanding and mutual respect.
- Engage with the broader Indianapolis Muslim community to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion for the good of our campus, our city, our state, our nation, and our world.
ARTICLE IV
This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the Council by a majority vote, provided that either (a) the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting, or (b) the scope of the amendment is limited to changes required to conform to university policies.
BYLAWS of the Muslim Faculty and Staff Council at IUPUI
ARTICLE I – Membership
- Membership is open to anyone who identifies as Muslim and believes in the Oneness of God and the Prophethood of Muhammad peace be upon him.
- The member shall have no annual dues.
ARTICLE II – Officers
Section 1
The Officers of the Council shall be the President, Secretary and Treasurer. These Officers shall serve in the MFSC Executive Board (see Article IV below) and perform the duties prescribed by the Constitution of MFSC, the bylaws, and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Council. All Officer positions can be filled by either faculty or staff members. All members of the Executive Board are volunteers.
Section 2
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Council. The President shall perform other duties prescribed by these bylaws and/or the Council to achieve the Council's stated goals.
Section 3
The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Council and the Executive Board, for the purpose of keeping a true and complete record of the proceedings of such meetings. The Secretary shall collaborate with the Executive Board and the Council to prepare external correspondence and shall present correspondence received from external organizations and shall perform such other duties as the bylaws or the Executive Board may prescribe.
Section 4
The Treasurer shall maintain an accurate record of all Council funds and shall report on the status of the account(s) at Council meetings. The Treasurer shall receive and submit actual receipts for all expenses incurred by the MFSC sponsored events to the office of Assistant Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for MFSC’s account keeping. The Treasurer shall prepare an annual report of the current year’s budget status as well as expenses proposed by the Council for the next year for submission to the office of DEI.
Section 5
Nominations for each office shall be made from the floor (open nominations) during the first meeting of the spring semester or by email prior to the first spring semester meeting. Nominees shall provide acceptance of their nomination to the Secretary two weeks prior to the second spring meeting. Election of Officers shall be conducted electronically one week prior to the second spring meeting and the announcement of the results at the second spring meeting. The new Officers shall take possession of their offices at the end of the second spring meeting. This process may be modified at the discretion of the Council. Majority vote will elect Officers.
Section 6
Officers shall hold office for a term of two years commencing with the election of Officers in May until their successors take possession of the office. Officers may serve an additional term, if elected. Officers who are unable to continue their term due to retirement or any personal circumstances may step down from their position before the end of term by submitting a written notice to the Council's Executive Board.
ARTICLE III – Meetings
Section 1
Regular meetings shall be held at least twice a semester, but no more than once a month during the academic year.
Section 2
Special meetings may be called by the President or by the Executive Board or shall be called upon the written request of three members of the MFSC. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call. Except for cases of emergency, at least five days’ notice shall be given.
Section 3
The members present at any meeting shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at regular and special meetings of the Council. All business will be completed by a simple majority of members present.
ARTICLE IV – Teams
Section 1
The Officers and Team Leads (see below) shall constitute the MFSC Executive Board.
Section 2
The Executive Board shall fix the hour and place of meetings, make recommendations to the Council, and perform such other duties specified in these bylaws. In an emergency, the Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Council between their business meetings, and none of its acts shall conflict with the action taken by the Council.
Section 3
Executive Board meetings shall be held monthly and when called by any (2) two Officers.
Section 4
A simple majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.
Section 5
The Council Teams shall each have a Lead Officer and additional members as needed.
Teams shall include, but not limited to:
- Programming Team: The Programming Team will plan and coordinate cultural, social, and educational activities provided by MFSC and collaborate with activities initiated by the Muslim Student Association (MSA).
- Communications and Networking Team: The Communication and Networking Team will lead the maintenance of the Council's website and relevant resources. It will serve as the liaison between MFSC and other Affinity Councils and maintain connections with the Office of Assistant Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Multicultural Center, and other entities that promote cross-cultural understanding.
- Professional Development and Recruitment Team: The Professional Development Team will recommend and implement educational, professional, recruitment and retention activities for the Council to participate in or undertake for Muslim staff and faculty members.
- Student Advisory Team: The Student Advisory Team will work with the Muslim Student Association directly to offer support and be the contact point for all students seeking mentorship or reporting bias. This Team will also be responsible to plan an annual Muslim Graduates Celebration.
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The MFSC Team
Fall 2021