ARTICLE II.  MISSION

2.1  The mission of the CCEE department is to impart specialized knowledge in the fields of civil, construction and environmental engineering to students enrolled in the University at both undergraduate as graduate levels. Students of SDSU originate in San Diego County, the state of California, the United States of America, and the world at-large.

2.2  Concurrent with its statutory teaching mission, the CCEE department recognizes the perceived need for its faculty to: (a) conduct instructionally related research in the fields of their competence, and (b) to engage in departmental, college, university, and community service.

ARTICLE III.  MEMBERS

3.1  The CCEE department has the following constituents: (1) full-time faculty, with either probationary or tenured status, (2) lecturers, with either a full-time or part-time appointment, (3) adjunct faculty, (4) emeriti faculty, and (5) support staff, consisting of administrative and technical staff.

3.2  Full-time faculty are appointed to rank through a competitive selection process, following university rules and procedures. Once in rank, probationary faculty shall follow the established course to seek tenure status.

3.3  Departmental staff are appointed to rank through a competitive selection process, following university rules and procedures. Once in rank, probationary staff shall follow the established course to seek permanent status.

3.4  Upon faculty recommendation, following a demonstrated staffing need, the department chair may appoint a part-time or full-time lecturer for the performance of teaching duties in an area/field which is not staffed by full-time faculty.

3.5  An adjunct faculty appointment is a privilege awarded to a demonstrably qualified individual who is ready, willing and able to serve the CCEE department without remuneration.

3.6   Adjunct faculty appointments are subject to CCEE faculty approval and subsequent recommendation to the Chair and Dean of the College. Adjunct faculty appointments are subject to revision and renewal every three years.

3.7   Emeriti faculty are retired faculty who have been recognized as such by the University.

ARTICLE IV.  ORGANIZATION

4.1  All departmental policy decisions are voted and decided upon at regular faculty meetings.

4.2  The executive officer is the Chair of the department, hereafter "the Chair". Acting upon the recommendation of the faculty, the Chair is designated by the Dean of the College and appointed by the president of the University.

4.3  The Department Chair is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the department, consisting of:

• Supervising faculty and staff.

• Representing the department in College of Engineering Executive Committee meetings and other college and university meetings.

• Preparing the teaching schedule, in close coordination with departmental and college staff.

• Administering the department's financial and budgetary matters, in close coordination with departmental and college staff.

• Leading the formulation of the department's teaching and research vision.

• Leading the departmental efforts in strategic planning, in securing external funding for teaching and research, and in maintaining effective ties with the community.

• Leading the department's efforts in obtaining timely and effective accreditation of all departmental programs.

• Mentoring of new faculty.

• Encouraging a collegial atmosphere in all departmental affairs.

• All other matters of a supervisory nature which may come to his/her attention.

4.4  The duration of the position of Chair is three years, renewable every two years thereafter. By March 1st on the year that it is due, the Chair shall submit a Self-Study Report to the CCEE department's Personnel Committee (Refer to Article 7.2 of these Bylaws).

4.5  The CCEE department's Personnel Committee shall meet to evaluate the Chair's Self-Study Report and submit a departmental recommendation to the Dean of the College of Engineering no later than March 31.

4.6  The Graduate Advisor is a full-time faculty member appointed by the department chair upon recommendation of the CCEE faculty.

4.7  The Graduate Advisor performs the following duties:

• Oversees the execution of departmental policy in all matters pertaining to the graduate program.

• Interacts with the Division of Graduate Affairs as required to assure the smooth operation of the program.

• Advises graduate students, and coordinates with the CCEE full-time faculty the advising of graduate students in matters pertaining to their respective fields of specialty.

• Handles all other matters pertaining to the administration of the graduate program.

4.8   The Graduate Advisor is appointed for a term period of three (3) years, beginning in the Fall Semester. The position may be renewed for one or more three-year terms.

4.9  On completion of the third year of his/her appointment, near the end of the Spring Semester, the Graduate Advisor must be reappointed or replaced by the Chair, following a faculty recommendation. The decision shall be communicated to the incumbent no later than April 30.

4.10  In the event of vacancy in the position of Graduate Advisor, due to leave or resignation, the Chair may appoint, at his/her discretion, an interim Graduate Advisor for the purpose of completing the term. Following the completion of the term, reappointment of the interim Graduate Advisor to permanent status must originate in a faculty recommendation.

ARTICLE V.  PROGRAMS

5.1  The CCEE department has three academic programs:

1. Civil Engineering

2. Construction Engineering

3. Environmental Engineering

5.2  The director of the Civil Engineering Program is appointed upon faculty recommendation to the Chair. Upon the Chair's recommendation, the Dean of the College appoints the Director of the Civil Engineering Program.

5.3  The director of the Construction Engineering Program is appointed upon faculty recommendation to the Chair. Upon the Chair's recommendation, the Dean of the College appoints the Director of the Construction Engineering Program.

5.4  The director of the Environmental Engineering Program is appointed upon faculty recommendation to the Chair. Upon the Chair's recommendation, the Dean of the College appoints the Director of the Environmental Engineering program.

5.5  The duration of a program director's appointment shall be three years, subject to review on the third year, and every three years thereafter.

5.6   By March 1st on the year that it is due, a program director shall submit a Self-Study Report to the Chair, who shall forward it to the CCEE department's Personnel Committee for review and recommendation (Refer to Article 7.2 of these Bylaws).

5.7  On the year that a program director's Self-Study Report is due, the CCEE department's Personnel Committee shall meet to evaluate the report, and shall submit a recommendation to the Chair no later than March 31st.

5.8 Upon recommendation of the faculty, the CCEE department chair may function as the director of any of the programs. In this case, no director appointment or review is in order.

5.10  The program directors are responsible for the operation of their respective programs, consisting of:

• Supervising program staff.

• Representing the program in CCEE and COE faculty meetings.

• Assisting the department chair in the preparation of the teaching schedule, in matters relating to their respective program.

• Administering their program's financial and budgetary matters, in close coordination with departmental and college staff.

• Leading the formulation of their program's teaching and research vision.

• Leading their program's efforts in strategic planning, in securing external funding for teaching and research, and in maintaining effective ties with the community.

• Leading their program's efforts in securing accreditation.

• Mentoring of new faculty assigned to their program.

• Encouraging a collegial atmosphere in all affairs of their program, including cooperation with other departmental programs.

• All other matters of a supervisory nature pertaining to their program, which may come to his/her attention.

ARTICLE VI.  MEETINGS

6.1  Departmental regular faculty meetings shall be held during the Fall and Spring semesters, at intervals of two weeks, i.e, fortnightly. A schedule of regular faculty meetings shall be communicated to the full-time faculty and posted on the departmental website in a timely manner.

6.2  The regular meeting's agenda shall be communicated to the full-time faculty at least five days prior to the day of the meeting.

6.3  No regular faculty meeting(s) shall be held outside of the official academic year (Fall and Spring semesters).

6.4  Regular faculty meeting shall consist of full-time tenure-and-tenure-track faculty, with full voting privileges. Other members, including full-time and part-time lecturers, and support staff, may be invited at the Chair's discretion. Full voting privileges are reserved for full-time tenure-and-tenure-track faculty only.

6.5  The minutes of the faculty meetings shall accurately reflect all decisions taken. The Chair may delegate the taking and preparation of the minutes to either faculty or support staff.

6.6  Quorum is constituted by a simple majority (more than 50%) of all full-time, tenure and tenure faculty, excluding those that are on leave at the time of the meeting.

6.7  Faculty on leave of any kind may choose to attend a meeting if they wish to do so. If present at a meeting, a faculty member on leave will have full voting privileges and be counted as part of the quorum.

6.8  The Chair is responsible for the preparation of the agenda and the conduction of the meeting. He/she shall vote only in the following cases: (a) when necessary to break a tie; and (b) when the vote is by ballot.

6.9   A simple majority of those present and voting (including proxies), excluding abstentions and null votes, shall be necessary to pass any motion.

6.10  Attendance at the regular faculty meetings is mandatory. In the event of illness or other demonstrated hardship, a faculty member may wish to excuse his/herself from attending a particular meeting.

6.11  Request for excuse should be submitted in writing to the Chair, at least 48 hours prior to the day/time of the meeting. In case of emergency, the Chair may waive this time requirement.

6.12  The Chair shall assess the merit of the request for excuse as either justified or unjustified, and communicate his/her decision, in writing, to the requestor.

6.13  Three consecutive unexcused non-attendances at regular faculty meetings shall be grounds for inclusion of the matter in the subject's personnel file, with timely communication by the Chair to the next higher level.

6.14  When warranted, the Chair may call a special faculty meeting to consider and act on an important and urgent matter. In this case, the faculty shall be informed of the nature of the business to be dealt with, in writing, at least 24 hours prior to the time of the meeting. Every effort should be made to attend a special meeting when called.

ARTICLE VII.  STANDING COMMITTEES

7.1  The CCEE department standing commitees are:

1. Personnel

2. Bylaws

3. Curriculum

4. Finance

5. Graduate

6. Website

7.2  The Personnel Committee reviews and makes recoomendations on all personnel matters, including reappointment, tenure, and promotion. The Chair of the Personnel Committee is elected by the full-time faculty, every year, normally in the first regular meeting of the academic year (Fall Semester).

7.3  The Personnel Committee consists of all full-time tenure and tenure-track faculty. Faculty under review for reappointment, tenure, and promotion shall excuse themselves from deliberating in the Personnel Committee on matters pertaining to their review.

7.4  Only associate and full professors shall participate in Personnel Committee deliberations for promotion to associate professor. Only full professors shall participate in Personnel Committee deliberations for promotion to full professor.

7.5  The Bylaws Committee reviews and decides on all matters pertaining to the letter of the Bylaws, and forwards its recomendations for approval by the faculty at a regular faculty meeting.

7.6  The Curriculum Committee reviews and decides on all matters pertaining to the curriculum, and forwards its recommendations for approval by the faculty at a regular faculty meeting, or at a special meeting specifically called for this purpose.

7.7  The Finance Committee reviews and makes recommendations on all financial matters which are brought to its attention by the Chair. The decisions of the Finance Committee are of an advisory nature to the Chair.

7.8  The Graduate Committee recommends on policy regarding the conduct of the department's graduate programs, and reviews and takes action on all applications for acceptance to the programs.

7.9   The Website Committee plans, implements, and follows up on website development and maintenance. The Chair of the Website Committee is the Departmental Webmaster. As appropriate, the committee may delegate routine website maintenance to the support staff.

7.10  The composition of the standing committees, other than the Personnel Committee, shall be renewed every year and established by election, normally in the first regular meeting of the academic year (Fall Semester).

7.11  Faculty may be proposed and elected to committees even though they are not present at the meeting. In this case, the appointment shall be deemed of a temporary nature, until the decision is communicated to the subject faculty, and he/she accepts the appointment.

7.12  The standing committees, other than the Personnel Committee, shall be composed of at least three tenure and tenure-track full-time faculty members.

7.13  The Graduate Committee shall consist of at least three members, one of which must be the Graduate Advisor, who functions as committee chair. The Graduate Committee must have at least one member from each of the three programs.

7.14  Once constituted, the standing committees, other than the Personnel and Graduate committees, shall meet promptly to elect a chair.

7.15   The committee chair is responsible for calling and chairing the meetings, and for reporting the committee's findings in a timely manner to the next appropriate level.

7.16  Standing committees shall meet periodically or when necessary to conduct the business of the committee.

7.17  Attendance at committee meetings is mandatory. Three consecutive nonattendances, without appropriate justification, is grounds for inclusion of the matter in the subject's personnel file.

7.18  Quorum is constituted by a simple majority of those eligible to vote. In the absence of a quorum, no official business may be conducted. In the event that a faculty member permanently leaves a meeting which is taking place, the committee chair should check the quorum and proceeed accordingly.

7.19  Decisions are taken by a simple majority, i.e., more than fifty percent of the members present and voting. Abstentions and null votes are not included in the counting.

7.20  Proxies shall be stated as either of general or limited type. A general proxy may be used for all matters being considered by the assembly. Limited proxies are restricted to specific issues. Unless otherwise specifically stated, proxies shall be considered of a general type.

7.21   General proxies shall be counted as part of the quorum, as if the member submitting the proxy were present at the meeting where the proxy is to take effect. Limited proxies shall not be counted as part of the quorum.

ARTICLE VIII.  AD-HOC COMMITTEES

8.1  Upon the recommendation of the faculty, ad-hoc committees may be established, normally for a specific purpose and timeframe.

8.2  The composition of an ad-hoc committee shall be at least three full-time faculty members.

8.3  The duration of the ad-hoc committee shall be established at the time of the committee's appointment, and shall normally run for one year, or to the end of the academic year, whichever comes first.

8.4  An ad-hoc committee with unfinished business shall be subject to reappointment for a second year, as deemed appropriate by decision of the full-time faculty.

8.5  An ad-hoc committee may operate up to a maximum of two years. After this time, the CCEE full-time faculty shall decide if a new standing committee is established to continue the business of the defunct ad-hoc committee.

8.6  Faculty search committees are ad-hoc committees established to carry out a specific search to fill an authorized faculty position. Only full-time faculty may participate in search committees.

8.7  Normally, a faculty search committee is established in the fall semester, and disbanded after an offer has been made and accepted.

8.8  All records pertaining to a faculty search shall be kept in the care of the department for at least five years following the completion of the search.

ARTICLE IX.  VALIDITY OF VOTING

9.1  To be counted as valid, voting requires physical presence, unless a proxy is submitted in writing to the Chair in a timely manner. If a faculty member has to leave a meeting early and a certain vote is pending, he/she may submit his/her proxy to the Chair, either orally or in writing, in full presence of the assembly.

9.2  Electronic or email voting may be used in exceptional cases of demonstrated urgency, provided it is announced reasonably well in advance. Such mode of voting may proceed provided no one in the voting membership challenges its validity by means of a written and timely communication to the Chair. If this is the case, voting shall default to the regular procedure.

ARTICLE X.  FACULTY LEAVES

10.1  Leaves of absence are subject to provisions established in the CSU Collective Bargaining Agreement.

10.2  With the exemption of sick leave, requests for all other faculty leaves require Personnel Committee review and subsequent recommendation to the Chair.

10.3  Leaves of absence without pay may be recommended for up to two years. An extension of such leave may be granted for up to one year at a time.

10.4  Requests for a leave of absence without pay lasting more than two years shall be subject to strict scrutiny at the departmental level. Such leave shall be recommended for award only in extremely unusual circumstances, and provided the subject leave is proven not to substantially affect the department's normal operations.

ARTICLE XI.  PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

11.1  The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Revised (RROR) shall govern departmental faculty meetings.

11.2  The chair of the Bylaws Committee shall serve as the de facto Parlamentarian. A copy of RROR shall be available for consultation upon demand.

11.3   All efforts shall be made to conform with established parliamentary procedures. An exception is warranted when a specific RROR rule is inconsistent with these Bylaws, in which case the latter shall prevail.

ARTICLE XII.  IMPLEMENTATION, AMENDMENT, OR REPEAL

12.1  These Bylaws supersede all other bylaws of the CCEE department. They shall become effective immediately after their adoption, by a three-fifths majority (60%) of the eligible members of the faculty.

12.2  Within one calendar year of its formal adoption, these bylaws may be amended by a three-fifths majority (60%) of the eligible members of the faculty.

12.3  After one calendar year of its adoption, these Bylaws may be amended or repealed, in part or in whole, at a regular meeting, by a two-thirds majority (67%) of the eligible members. The motion to ammend or repeal shall be communicated, in writing, to the eligible members of the faculty at least two weeks prior to the meeting when the decision is to be voted upon.