Statutes of The University of North Georgia

The University of North Georgia (UNG) is an institution within the University System of Georgia. The UNG is subject to the general jurisdiction of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and shall exercise all authority conferred upon it by the Board of Regents.

The term "Board of Regents" as used in these Statutes shall mean the Board of Regents and its executive officer, the Chancellor. The term “Institution” as used in these Statutes shall mean the University of North Georgia.

Mission Statement

The University of North Georgia, a regional multi-campus institution and premier senior military college, provides a culture of academic excellence in a student-focused environment that includes quality education, service, research and creativity. This is accomplished through broad access to comprehensive academic and co-curricular programs that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. The University of North Georgia is a University System of Georgia leadership institution and is The Military College of Georgia.

Sections

1. These Statutes are subordinate to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents and amendments thereto hereafter adopted.
2. Pursuant to federal and state law, the confidentiality and security of faculty, staff, and student files (including electronic files) in offices throughout the campus shall be preserved and protected at all times. No office of the Institution shall disclose information of a personal and private nature about faculty, staff, and students, except (i) upon legal grounds, (ii) for official purposes, or (iii) at the request of and with the consent of the faculty, staff, or student member concerned.
3. The policies and regulations of the Board of Regents will govern the eligibility of persons for employment or retention as faculty, administration, and staff.
4. Recognized subdivisions, councils, or committees of the Institution may create bylaws and other rules of order, consistent with the policies of the Board of Regents and with these statutes, to facilitate orderly and efficient governance.
5. The executive officers of the Institution shall be the President, Provost, Senior Vice President for Business and Finance, Senior Vice President for University Affairs, Vice President for Executive Affairs, Vice President for University Advancement, and Vice President for Student Engagement and Success. All executive officers report directly to the President and make up the Executive Cabinet of the Institution. The President, with the assistance of the Executive Cabinet, shall be responsible for managing the Institution.
6. The University of North Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. The President’s written reaffirmation of the Institution’s equal employment opportunity and affirmative action policies shall be posted in appropriate locations throughout the campus. The University of North Georgia Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Plan shall be available in the office of the Director of Human Resources. All supervisors are accountable for observation of the policy of equal opportunity and its application to all relevant decisions.

Sections

1. In addition to the authority and responsibilities authorized by the Board of Regents (BOR Policy 2.5 “Presidential Authority and Responsibilities”), the President shall have the following specific powers and responsibilities with respect to the internal governance of the Institution:
   1. Shall be responsible for effective channels of communication in the efficient management and operation of the Institution.
   2. Shall have the right to veto any decision or action of the faculty, administrative officers, and student organizations.
   3. Shall receive recommendations from the Faculty Senate, Staff Council, and the Executive Cabinet.
   4. Shall settle all questions of conflict of jurisdiction or interpretation that may arise under these Statutes and any bylaws or other rules of order at the Institution.
   5. Shall have final decision regarding the assignment of any active duty military officer to the Institution in accordance with United States Code, Title 10, Section 2111a “Support for Senior Military Colleges”, subparagraph (c).
   6. Shall confer, on the recommendation of the faculty, all degrees and to issue diplomas in evidence thereof.
   7. Shall prepare, with the assistance of appropriate administrative officers, the annual budget of the Institution for presentation to the Board of Regents.
   8. Shall have the power to appoint special or standing committees to make recommendations regarding matters pertaining to the Institution.
   9. Shall serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Faculty Senate.
   10. The President will be available to meet with the presiding officers of the Faculty Senate and the Staff Council for discussing their recommendations.
2. In the temporary absence of the President, the Provost shall exercise the functions of this office.

Sections

1. In accordance with Board of Regents Policy 3.2 “Faculties”, the faculty will consist of the corps of instruction and the administrative officers. These Statutes affirm that UNG librarians are members of the corps of instruction and hold faculty status. All appointments, reappointments, promotions, and the award of tenure to faculty are the responsibility of the President. The criteria for promotion and tenure, including pre- and post tenure, shall be clearly stated and emphasize excellence in teaching.
2. In addition to the current promotion regulations as adopted by the Board of Regents (Policy 8.3.6, “Criteria for Promotion”), these Statutes further stipulate that each academic unit (defined as an academic department unless a College or campus is governed by an alternative administrative structure) shall develop the criteria and procedures by which a promotion decision is made, and any requirements for promotion shall be clearly and completely stated in writing and made available to all faculty within the unit. Any academic unit of the Institution may develop standards, requirements, and procedures for promotion to supplement those specified in Board of Regents Policy 8.3.6 and these Statutes. Any such supplementary materials apply only to faculty within the unit and must be approved by the faculty of that unit before they can be applied.
3. In addition to the current tenure regulations as adopted by the Board of Regents (Policy 8.3.7, “Tenure and Criteria for Tenure”), these Statutes further stipulate that the length of service at the Institution as specified in the policies of the Board of Regents shall be taken into consideration in determining whether a faculty member is eligible for tenure consideration. For each academic unit (defined as an academic department unless a College or campus is governed by an alternative administrative structure), the criteria and procedures by which a tenure decision is made, and any requirements for tenure shall be clearly and completely stated in writing and made available to all faculty within the unit. Any academic unit of the Institution may develop standards, requirements, and procedures for tenure to supplement those specified in Board of Regents Policy 8.3.7 and these Statutes. Any such supplementary materials apply only to faculty within the unit and must be approved by the faculty of that unit before they can be applied.

Sections

1. Purpose. The purpose of the Faculty Senate shall be to provide a systematic means of recommending policy matters to the President and to the Faculty as described in Board of Regents Policy 3.2.4. The Faculty Senate has the responsibility to create and maintain a university committee structure that supports the mission of the institution and shared governance. Representatives of the Faculty Senate will be included in the committees for strategic planning and budget processes to support the success of the academic mission of the University. The Senate shall define the purpose and membership of statutory, standing, and special committees under the purview of the Senate as described by its Bylaws. The Faculty Senate shall be the body to which the statutory, standing, and special committees of the Faculty Senate shall report their activities and these reports will provide counsel to the President and other administrators.
2. Bylaws. The Bylaws of the Faculty Senate shall prescribe policies governing organization, membership, terms of service, officers, elections, meetings, and the committees of the Faculty Senate.
3. Activities of the Senate. Any recommendation of the Faculty Senate to alter its Bylaws shall be distributed to all faculty members eligible to vote. If at least 2/3 of the faculty members eligible to vote indicate approval, the recommendation shall be delivered to the President for consideration. Any other recommendations of the Senate shall be delivered to the President for consideration following a first and second reading and a vote in support by a majority of Senators eligible to vote. Within 30 days of receipt of a recommendation, the President shall approve or disapprove the recommendation and report his or her decision to the presiding officer of the Faculty Senate in accordance with Board of Regents policy.

Sections

1. The Staff Council supports and facilitates the mission of the University of North Georgia, a leadership institution of the University System of Georgia. The Council will act as an advisory body to the University President and will act on behalf of the Staff of the University as a voice to the University regarding policy decisions that affect staff. Representatives of the Staff Council will be included in the committees for strategic planning and budget processes to support the success of the academic mission of the University.
2. The Bylaws of the Staff Council shall prescribe policies governing organization, membership, terms of service, officers, elections, meetings, and the committees of the Staff Council.
3. The Staff Council shall be responsible for delivering staff recommendations to the President of the University. It shall also serve as an advisory body to the university administration. Any recommendation of the Staff Council to alter its Bylaws shall be distributed to the Staff Council to vote. If at least 2/3 of the Staff Council eligible to vote indicates approval, the recommendation shall be delivered to the President for consideration. Any other recommendations of the Staff Council shall be delivered to the President for consideration following a first and second reading and a vote in support by a majority of Staff Council members eligible to vote. Within 30 days of receipt of a recommendation, the President shall approve or disapprove the recommendation and report his or her decision to the presiding officer of the Staff Council in accordance with Board of Regents policy.

Sections

1. Any member of the faculty or staff can propose amendments to these Statutes. The proposed amendment(s) must be submitted in writing to the Faculty Senate and/or the Staff Council for consideration. If the amendment pertains to faculty members only or to staff members only, the Faculty Senate or the Staff Council will recommend such amendments(s) to the whole faculty or the whole staff upon approval of a 2/3 majority of its members. If the modification pertains to all employees, both the Faculty Senate and the Staff Council will, upon approval of a 2/3 majority of their members, recommend such amendments(s) to all members of the University faculty and staff. The modification also requires the approval of the President and a 2/3 vote of the faculty and/or staff.
2. The President shall interpret these Statutes and any bylaws, when necessary, and shall exercise expressed and implied powers to implement them.