Mission and Bylaws

Section 1.

Fellows shall consist of those nominated from the UW-Madison faculty and academic staff who have directly and/or indirectly highly impacted teaching and learning at UW-Madison for at least three (3) years and have demonstrated a commitment to the university’s educational mission. The Executive Committee (EC) will vote on nominations for fellows.

Section 2.

Fellows are encouraged to be active participants in Teaching Academy events, serve on subcommittees and provide input into Teaching Academy initiatives by (a) sharing their enthusiasm and expertise as educators with others, (b) weighing in on policy issues that affect teaching and learning at UW, (c) enriching the community of committed educators.

Section 3.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Teaching Academy Future Faculty Partners (FFPs) are graduate students and postdocs who are actively involved in the classroom, field, outreach or extension instruction. The EC will vote on nominations for FFPs.

Section 4.

For educators in any setting who wish to affiliate with the Teaching Academy, the EC shall create policies as needed.

Section 5.

Academy fellows and future faculty partners can resign their membership in the Academy at any time. FFPs who take a teaching position at UW-Madison may transition to fellow status by request. A member may be removed from the Academy if a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the EC approves the dismissal.

Section 1. Executive Committee

The Academy must maintain an Executive Committee (EC) as its governing body. Vacancies shall be filled to maintain at least seven (7) and no more than fifteen (15) Academy members, all of whom serve a three-year term. A term may be interrupted by no more than one year and successive terms are permitted. Staggered terms are recommended. The EC should contain approximately equal numbers of faculty, academic staff, and FFPs. Candidates for the EC may nominate themselves or be nominated by members. The current EC elects new EC members by a simple majority of the quorum.

Section 2. Procedures

The EC must elect three co-chairs from EC members for staggered two-year terms by vote of a quorum (see Article 4, Section 3). Co-chairs may serve consecutive terms. One of the co-chairs must be faculty, one co-chair must be academic staff, and one co-chair must be a FFP. Exceptions to this structure of co-chairs may be made by a simple majority vote of the EC. A co-chair may be removed from office prematurely by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the EC. The title “interim” attached to any co-chair position shall recognize an exceptional condition lasting no more than one year from election. The EC shall meet at least six (6) times per academic year. Every EC meeting must be communicated to every EC member by e-mail or post at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the start time. Off-site EC members may participate remotely, at the discretion of the co-chairs. Such participation will count toward quorum.

Section 3. Voting

Votes shall be taken with a quorum, defined as a simple majority of the entire EC. Unless noted otherwise in these bylaws, all votes pass with a simple majority. Voting may be conducted anonymously and implemented by voice or paper ballot. Electronic voting is permitted unless any member of the EC requests further discussions. Results of votes shall be announced after each is completed.

Section 1. Co-Chairs

Academy co-chairs shall be the executive officers and representatives of the Academy unless they all agree to delegate such tasks. Co-chairs preside at EC meetings, determine the agenda for meetings of the EC, and serve as ex officio members of all subcommittees. Co-chairs are responsible for submitting annual reports and responding to external requests directed to the Academy. Co-chairs are responsible for planning and oversight of all financial transactions of the Academy. The co-chairs must draft an annual budget that must be approved by a simple majority of the EC before July 1 each year. By agreement between co-chairs, co-chairs may absent themselves from no more than three (3) regular EC meetings per academic year. By agreement between co-chairs, the above duties may be delegated to subcommittees or individual members. Such delegation does not absolve co-chairs of ultimate responsibility for the above duties.

Section 2. Subcommittees

The co-chairs may establish as many subcommittees as needed to support the Academy’s mission. Removal of subcommittee chairs is at the discretion of the co-chairs. Subcommittee chairs must report subcommittee activities each year by May 31. Co-chairs may request reports on activities more frequently. Voting procedures in subcommittees are conducted at the discretion of subcommittee chairs. Subcommittee chairs shall inform co-chairs of meetings when requested.