Bylaws of the Board of Regents

Board of Regents Bylaws PDF

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BL01. Name, Authority, and Seal. 

A. Name.

The official name of the Board of Regents will be the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska. In these bylaws, the term “board” means the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska.

B. Constitutional Authority.

  1. The University of Alaska is established by the Constitution of the State of Alaska, Article VII, Section 2, which provides:  

    The University of Alaska is hereby established as the state university and constituted a body corporate. It shall have title to all real and personal property now or hereafter set aside for or conveyed to it. Its property shall be administered and disposed of according to law.

  2. The Board of Regents and its authority over the University of Alaska is established by the Constitution of the State of Alaska, Article VII, Section 3, which provides:

    The University of Alaska shall be governed by a board of regents. The regents shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by a majority of the members of the legislature in joint session. The board shall, in accordance with law, formulate policy and appoint the president of the university. He shall be the executive officer of the board.

C. Statutory Authority.

Statutory provisions related to the authority of the Board of Regents over the University of Alaska are contained in AS 14.40.

D. Corporate Seal. 

 Corporate Seal

The corporate seal of the University of Alaska will contain an inner circle and an outer circle. The outer circle will contain the name "University of Alaska" and the inner circle will contain the words "corporate seal," and the year "1917" signifying the founding of the University of Alaska.

(09-27-12)

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BL02. Appointment, Term of Office, Compensation and Orientation.

 A. Appointment of Regents

Regents will be selected, appointed, and will hold office in the manner provided by law. For purposes of determining the qualifications for office of the student regent appointed pursuant to AS 14.40.150(b), "full-time student" as used in AS 14.40.130(e) means a student enrolled in at least 12 units, or 9 units if admitted as a graduate student. Unless otherwise disqualified for academic or disciplinary reasons, a person who has met the standard of "full-time student" ceases to be a student only upon failing to enroll as a full-time student at the university by the end of the last applicable late registration deadline for two consecutive semesters. For purposes of the preceding sentence, "semester" includes the fall, spring, or summer semester, summer session, or summer term.

B. Term of Office 

The term of office for a regent other than the student regent appointed pursuant to AS 14.40.150(b) is eight years as provided by AS 14.40.140. The term of office begins on the first Monday in February of the year in which the appointment is made. The term of office for the student regent appointed pursuant to AS 14.40.150(b) is two years and begins on June 1 of the year in which the appointment is made as provided by AS 14.40.150(b). Regents serve for the length of their term, until resignation, or until a replacement has been named by the governor.

C. Compensation

Regents receive no compensation for their service. Regents will receive per diem and reimbursement for travel expenses for attendance at board meetings or for other university purposes approved by the board chair.

D. Orientation

Each regent will be informed of the powers and responsibilities of members of the board by the board chair and the university president within a reasonable time following the regent's appointment.

(09-27-12)

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BL03. Duties of the Board of Regents.

The board will be responsible for the governance of the university as provided by the Constitution of the State of Alaska and the laws enacted pursuant thereto.  The board shall annually review the performance of the board and set annual goals.  A failure to perform an annual review is an internal matter and does not affect the validity of any action.

The board will govern the University of Alaska System and its constituent institutions consistent with the System’s status as a constitutional corporation and a single legal entity. The board will serve as the governing body for each accredited institution and the system as a whole. Each member of the board will uphold their constitutional and fiduciary duty to act prudently, in accordance with law, and in the best interests of the University of Alaska System. The board, pursuant to the constitution and law, will formulate policy and appoint a president, who will serve as the executive officer of the board. The board will accomplish its oversight responsibilities primarily through the president, who serves as the board’s surrogate across the system. The board will reserve authority to itself, establish the scope of authority of the president and other officers, and provide direction through its bylaws and policy, as well as direction of the full board, acting as a committee of the whole. Consistent with law and board policy, the board will reserve to itself authority in areas including: appointment of officers and reporting relationships with the internal auditor, chief finance officer, and general counsel; collective bargaining agreements; structure of academic units; salary structures and employee benefits; budget, debt, finance, tuition, real property, capital planning, philanthropy/development, athletics, and degree programs; fiduciary responsibilities for certain funds, endowments, and trusts; and initiation, augmentation, reduction, or discontinuation of teaching, research, and service programs. The board will delegate its authority as prudent, necessary, and consistent with law, with the board and its members ultimately retaining legal responsibility for compliance with law, governance, and fiscal stability of the University System. Delegations of board authority will be consistent with the delegee’s level of responsibility in the organization, reflect the integrated nature of the institutions and the system, and ensure continued board oversight.                                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             (09-10-20)

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BL04. Officers.

The officers of the board will be chair, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer. The board may establish or abolish from time to time such offices and positions as may be appropriate to perform the functions of the board. 

(02-07-07)

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BL05. Officer Election, Term of Office, Removal from Office, and Vacancies.

 A. Election.

At the annual meeting of the board, the officers of the board will be elected by a simple majority vote. Voting may be by secret ballot. Nominations will be taken from the floor.

B. Term of Office. 

The officers of the board will serve a 1-year term of office or until a successor is elected. A regent may not hold office as chair for more than three full consecutive terms.

C. Removal from Office.

An officer of the board may be removed from the office by a simple majority vote of the whole board at any regular or special meeting.

D. Vacancies.

Upon completion of service of a regent holding office, the office becomes vacant. A vacancy created by death, resignation, expiration of the term of appointment or otherwise may be filled at the same meeting, or the next regular or special meeting of the board. A person elected to fill a vacancy serves the remainder of the term of the office vacated.

(02-07-07)

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BL06. Duties and Powers of Board Officers.

A. Chair. 

The board chair will preside at all meetings of the board; will establish and eliminate committees of the board as appropriate; will appoint the chairs and members of all committees of the board unless otherwise specified in these bylaws; will assign individual regents to external boards and commissions; and will perform such other duties as may be provided by these bylaws or by law. All decisions of the chair are subject to the will of the board. The chair will be entitled to vote in all matters.

B. Vice Chair.

The vice chair will, in the case of the vacancy, absence, incapacity, or resignation of the chair, perform the duties of the chair until the chair returns or is replaced in the manner provided by these bylaws.

C. Secretary.

The secretary will cause to be kept minutes of the meetings of the board; and the serving of all notices required by these bylaws after consultation with the board chair and the university president; will attend to such correspondence as may be assigned; and will perform all duties incidental to the office of secretary.

D. Treasurer.

The treasurer will cause the funds and securities of the university to be deposited in the name of the university in such bank and investment accounts in accordance with policies approved by the board. The treasurer will cause to be paid out money under the direction of the board, and exhibit the records at any time to any person authorized to inspect the same.

E. Secretary or Treasurer Pro Tem.

In the absence of the secretary or treasurer, the chair may appoint a regent to serve as secretary pro tem or treasurer pro tem who will have all authority of the secretary or treasurer. The appointments may be terminated by a majority vote of the board.

F. Delegation of Powers.  

In case of the absence of any officer of the board, or for any other reason that the board may deem sufficient, the board, by majority vote, may delegate the powers or duties of such officer to any member of the board.

(11-09-17)

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BL07. Committees of the Board of Regents.

A. Scope.

The committees of the board will study problems in the areas assigned to them and advise the board as to appropriate policy changes and action. Each committee will keep informed with respect to the manner in which the policies of the board are being administered in its assigned area. Unless otherwise specifically directed by action of the board, all committees will be advisory to the board. Committees will be established and eliminated by the board chair. Decisions of committees may be overruled by action of the board.

B. Composition.

Unless committee composition is otherwise provided by these bylaws, committees will consist of not less than three, nor more than five regents appointed by the chair with the chair serving as an ex-officio member of each committee.

C. Committee Chair.

The board chair will appoint and may remove the chair of each committee unless otherwise specified in these bylaws.

D. Term.

The 1-year term of all committee appointees will expire concurrently with the term of the officers of the board.

E. Specially Designated Committee Members.

The chair of each committee may designate any regent who is present at a committee meeting, but is not a regular member of that committee, to serve as a special member of the committee in the event that a regular member is absent from the meeting. Specially designated committee members will enjoy all the rights and privileges of regularly appointed committee members for the duration of the scheduled meeting, including the right to vote.

F. Audit  and Finance Committee.

The Audit and Finance Committee is established as a standing committee of the board.  The committee shall be responsible for advising the board on matters relating to stewardship of university finances and assets, for receiving financial reports, for oversight of internal and external audit functions, for ascertaining the existence and adequacy of accounting and internal control systems and safeguards over university assets, and exercise reasonable oversight of the controls and systems in place to prevent and detect significant noncompliance with legislative and regulatory requirements and standards. The committee shall recommend to the board the selection of the university's external auditors.

G. Audit and Finance Committee Charter.

  1. The primary function of the Audit and Finance Committee is to assist the board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to: the university's financial position, financial results, and financial statements, systems of internal control, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, promoting an organizational culture that encourages ethical conduct and a commitment to compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements and standards, and the independence and performance of the external and internal audit and compliance functions. The committee shall maintain free and open communication among the committee, independent auditors, the internal auditors, the institutional compliance professional and management of the university.

  2. Members shall be independent of management of the university and its component units and related organizations, and be free of any financial or personal relationship that would impair such independence. If possible, a majority of members shall be financially literate and at least one member shall be a financial expert. “Financial literacy” means being able to read and understand fundamental financial statements. “Financial expert” means a person who has one or more of the following: an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements, experience applying such principles, experience preparing or auditing financial statements, experience with internal controls, and an understanding of audit and finance committee functions.

  3. Management is directly responsible for the preparation, presentation, and integrity of the university’s financial statements and for the appropriateness of the accounting principles and reporting practices used by the university. The committee is responsible for overseeing management’s efforts to meet those responsibilities in a reasonable and appropriate manner. The principal duties and responsibilities of the committee include:

a. recommend the appointment, compensation, oversight, and retention of the independent external auditor; the external auditor shall report directly to the committee;

b. the approval of all audit and non-audit services provided by the external auditor; pre-approval authority may be delegated to the committee chair, subject to later ratification by the committee;

c. appropriate rotation of the lead external audit partner on the audit engagements;

d. providing sufficient opportunity for the external auditors, the internal auditor, the institutional compliance professional and the general counsel to each meet privately with the committee;

e. be knowledgeable about the content and operation of the institutional compliance and ethics programs and exercise reasonable oversight with respect to the implementation and effectiveness of the programs;

f. inquiring of management to ensure the organization is abiding by federal guidance for effective compliance and ethics programs and measures by which compliance programs are evaluated;

g. inquiring of management and the external auditor about the effectiveness of the university’s system of internal controls;

h. inquiring of management, the independent auditors and the internal auditors about: the appropriateness of the university’s accounting principles, the consistency in the application of those principles, the degree of aggressiveness or conservatism used in applying those principles;

i. inquiring of management, the external auditors and the internal auditors about the clarity and completeness of the financial statements and related disclosures, including the appropriateness of any significant changes in accounting principles;

j. reviewing with management and the independent external auditor all matters required to be communicated to the committee under generally accepted auditing standards, including communications under Statement of Auditing Standards No. 16 "Communications with Audit Committee," as amended; reviewing and approving the annual financial statements of the university and the audit report on Federal Awards as required by the OMB Uniform Guidance, also known as the single audit. The report on the single audit may be completed at a later date than the university’s financial statements;

k. participating in the internal auditor’s performance evaluation and decisions that impact the internal auditor’s remuneration;

l. providing advice and consent for the appointment and removal of the internal auditor;

m. reviewing periodic reports from the internal auditor regarding all audit activities at the university;

n. reviewing, as needed, the internal audit charter and audit protocols under P05.03.010 – 05.03.030 and making recommendations to the board regarding changes and enhancements;

o. maintaining adequate policies and procedures for addressing complaints regarding accounting controls and reports of financial fraud and to prevent and detect significant noncompliance with regulatory standards;

p. reviewing briefings from the internal auditor, general counsel, or management on financial fraud situations and/or whistleblower complaints;

q. the development and monitoring of the university’s conflict of interest policies, principles of employee conduct, and fraud policy;

r. receive and review financial reports related to the university system, universities, campuses, facilities, auxiliaries, and programs;

s. inquiring of management to determine if high-level personnel of the university have supported and ensured that the organization has effective compliance and ethics programs and that specific individual(s) within high-level personnel at each university have been assigned overall responsibility for the compliance and ethics programs;

t. receive and review periodic reports from individual(s) with operational responsibility on the effectiveness of the institutional compliance program and confirm with those individual(s) that, to carry out such operational responsibility, such individual(s) have been given adequate resources, appropriate authority, and direct access to the Audit and Finance Committee;

u. confirming with management that reasonable steps are taken after significant noncompliance has been detected to respond appropriately to the noncompliance and to prevent further similar conduct, including making or suggesting;

v. reporting the results of the committee’s activities to the board; and

w. the committee shall consist of five members of the board.

H. Special Committees.

The board chair may appoint such special committees with such membership and responsibilities as the chair may determine.

(02-24-23)

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BL08. Meetings of the Board of Regents and Committees.

A. Open Meetings. 

Meetings of the board and its committees are subject to the Alaska Open Meetings Act. The board will provide adequate facilities for members of the public to attend board meetings.

B. Executive Session. 

To the full extent allowed and pursuant to procedures provided by AS 44.62.310, the board or a committee of the board may go into executive session upon majority vote. Voice votes are authorized on all motions made during executive sessions. At any time during executive session, without regard to how the regent voted, a motion to reconsider the motion to go into executive session may be made by any regent, and discussed by the board or committee in executive session. If the board makes findings during an executive session, the findings will be made a part of the record of the proceedings and will be open to inspection by the public at reasonable times.

C. Meeting Dates.

The date and location of regular or special meetings of the board will be fixed by the board from time to time. Special and emergency meetings may also be called by the board chair, university president, or at the written request of any three regents, provided that notice as required by these bylaws is given.

D. Annual Meeting. 

The Annual Meeting of the board shall be the last regular meeting of the calendar year. The board shall elect its officers at the annual meeting.

E. Notice of Meetings.

  1. In accordance with AS 14.40.160(b), thirty days public notice will be provided for regular meetings of the board. Ten days public notice will be provided for special meetings of the board. Emergency meetings may be called without public notice.

  2. Notice of all board meetings will be given to each regent and will specify the time and place of the meeting. Unless all regents are present in person or via remote conferencing (audio or video), action taken at a special or emergency meeting must be directly related to the purpose of the meeting as noticed to regents. Notice will be deemed given, whether or not such notice is actually received, by means of any of the following methods:

a. mailing written notice by the United States Postal Service postage prepaid to the last known address of the regent at least 96 hours prior to the time of meeting;

b. attempting to give verbal notice by telephoning the business, cell phone or residence of the regent at the last known telephone number of the regent and leaving a message notifying the regent of the meeting; or leaving a message to return the call, and, if the call is returned, notifying the regent of the meeting;

c. providing written notice by facsimile transmission to the last known facsimile telephone number of the regent; or

d. mailing notice to the last known email address of the regent.

F. Disputes Concerning Notice.

The board has the final determination of all disputes concerning the giving of notice.

G. Quorum and Voting.

No business may be transacted at any meeting of the board unless at least six regents are present, either participating in person or by remote conferencing (audio or video). There will be no proxy permitted. There is no quorum requirement for committee meetings. Official action of the board requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the whole board. During public session of the full board, any vote may be taken by roll call at the discretion of the chair. Except for organizational matters, roll call votes must be taken when regents participate via remote conferencing. Roll call votes will not normally be used in committee meetings except those conducted by teleconference.

H. Rules of Order.

When not in conflict with any of the provisions of these bylaws or other law, the latest revision of Robert's Rules of Order will constitute the rules of parliamentary procedure applicable to all meetings of the board.

I. Unanimous Consent. 

In meetings of the board or its subcommittees that are not held by teleconference, the chair may elect to seek unanimous consent, in which case, the following process shall be used. The chair shall ask if there is any objection to unanimous consent to a motion or action. If no regent objects, all regents present at the time shall be counted and recorded as voting to approve the action or motion. In such event, the chair should announce that there was no objection so all regents present will be counted as voting in favor of the action or motion. If any regent present objects to unanimous consent or requests another method of voting, a roll call vote or other appropriate method of voting shall be used.

J. Agenda. 

  1. An advance agenda for committee and full board meetings will be prepared by the president after consultation with the officers of the board, and distributed along with relevant supporting papers, reports, or other communications or exhibits pertaining to agenda items so that it is received by each regent at least seven days prior to any meeting of the board. The 7-day requirement may be waived by the chair of the board at the request of the president. The provisions of this paragraph are for guidance in preparation for meetings and do not affect the validity of actions of the board.

  2. The first order of business at any meeting of the board will be the adoption of the agenda for the meeting. At that time, an item of business may be added to or deleted from the agenda upon a majority vote of the board or committee members present. After the agenda has been adopted by the board or committee, changes can be made upon a two-thirds vote of the members present. Unless all regents are present, action taken at a special or emergency meeting must be directly related to the purpose of the meeting as noticed to regents.

  3. The board, its committees, and subcommittees, may conduct public forums or hearings without a formal agenda for the forums or hearings, provided that such meetings are properly noticed in accordance with these bylaws.

K. Effective Date of Actions  

Board action will be effective at the time of the action, unless otherwise specified in the motion.

(11-09-17)

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BL09. Public Testimony.

Subject to the will of a majority of the board, the chair may offer an opportunity for public testimony upon such terms as deemed appropriate and may limit the amount of time allocated to any particular individual or issue.

(11-09-17)

BL10. Presentations.

The board may allow presentations by individuals or groups external or internal to the university. Persons or groups not having submitted a timely request in advance of the meeting to make a presentation at a board meeting may be recognized from the floor at the sole discretion of the chair. The chair may limit the length of any presentation. 

(02-07-07)

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BL11. Minutes; Public Inspection.

A. The minutes of full board meetings will record the action taken on motions or resolutions and, once approved, will be the official record of board actions. The minutes will reflect at least the statement of the problem considered, pertinent recommendations, action taken by the board, and the result of the vote. The minutes will reflect how each regent voted. Separate minutes will not be prepared for proceedings of executive sessions and committee meetings. 

B. The approved minutes of the board and other records of public sessions of the board will be available for public inspection under reasonable rules during regular office hours. Minutes shall be retained indefinitely in electronic form. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      (11-11-22)

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BL12. University President.

In accordance with Article VII, Section 3, of the Alaska Constitution, the board will appoint the president by a majority vote of the whole board and fix the president's compensation. The board shall annually review the performance of the president, who serves at the pleasure of the board. The evaluation requirement does not alter the at-will employment status of the president. A failure to conduct a performance review is an internal matter and does not affect the validity of any action.

 The president will serve as the executive officer of the board and the chief executive officer of the University of Alaska System, administering the University System through and consistent with authority and responsibilities delegated by statute, Board Bylaws, policy, and direction by the full board, acting as a body. The president will facilitate the development by the board of the university’s direction, goals, strategy, and policies, implement the policies and objectives of the board including through adoption of regulations, and keep the board informed of all significant developments affecting the University System. Except as may be provided otherwise in law, these Bylaws, or board policy: the president will serve as the guardian of the public trust, ensuring legal and ethical compliance; the president will have broad general authority and responsibility for oversight of the entire University of Alaska System, including its institutions, personnel, and academic structure and programs, representing the institutions to the board; the president will administer the central and/or system-wide functions of the university including financial operations and audit, human resources, information technology, labor relations, legal affairs, philanthropy, procurement, and risk management; the president will develop and, upon the approval of the board, manage the University System budget, capital planning, real property transactions, bond issuances, as well as appropriation and statutory change requests; the president will appoint, support, evaluate, and supervise chancellors and other senior positions across the University System in consultation with the board, delegating authority as prudent and necessary; the president will be responsible for the efficient and effective operation and management of the University System’s administrative and educational services and programs, instituting exceptional reviews and integration as appropriate; the president will seek consultation and advice from the chancellors collectively and individually on matters pertaining to the System and each institution; the president will consult with faculty governance, consistent with shared governance principles, on issues of significance to the general welfare and conduct of the faculty; the president will serve as principal administrative spokesperson for the University System, promoting the University System’s interests and managing its reputation with external stakeholders; and the president will represent the University System before the executive and legislative branches of the state and federal governments, and of any foreign governments.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      (09-10-20)

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BL13. The Chancellors.

 

 Except as may be provided otherwise in law, these Bylaws, or board policy: chancellors will be appointed by the president in consultation with the board, and report to the president; chancellors will serve as the CEOs of the institutions they lead, implementing the policies and objectives of the board and of the president of the University System, apprising the president and board of significant developments affecting the institutions and the University System; chancellors will serve as advisors to the board and the president, actively contributing to strategic leadership of the UA System, including through support of system-wide initiatives, promoting collaboration at all levels of UA institutions, and actively engaging in system-wide planning; chancellors will be responsible for the supervision, implementation, and periodic review of the academic programs of the institution, as well as integration of its programs with others in the system, appointing in consultation with the president and the board the institution’s chief academic officer, who will advise the chancellor and the university’s vice president/chief academic officer; consistent with the policies, budget, strategic goals, delegations, direction, and oversight provided by the board and president, chancellors will have authority and be responsible for internal administration of each institution, including its efficient operation, fiscal, facilities, and risk management, legal and ethical compliance, public safety, discipline, and dispute resolution, oversight of the institution’s faculty personnel and other staff, appointing, evaluating, tenuring, promoting, and terminating instructional staff as appropriate, coordination with the Statewide Development Office regarding philanthropic and development activities, student services including residence life, athletics, health and counseling, and financial aid, oversight of research, scholarship, and creative activity, consulting with faculty governance consistent with shared governance principles, setting the institution’s policies, goals and strategic direction, and serving as its principal spokesperson and liaison to the communities served.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              (09-10-20)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      [Return to Top]

BL14. Idemnification.

The board will defend, indemnify, and hold harmless board members and officers, university officers and employees, and members of advisory bodies and councils established by policy or regulation from any and all liability or damage arising out of acts on behalf of the board and the university performed within the course or scope of their official duties.

(02-07-07)

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BL15. Board Policies.

The board may adopt, amend, or repeal policies from time to time. Policy changes affecting university obligations to third parties shall have prospective effect unless specifically provided otherwise. Action by the board to adopt or amend a policy of the board may be taken at any regular, special, or emergency meeting by a majority vote of the whole board. However, any proposed policy or policy proposed for amendment must appear in the advance agenda of the meeting unless the advance agenda requirement is waived by unanimous consent of all regents who are not disqualified from acting on the matter.

(11-09-17)

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BL16. Bylaws and Policy Manual.

The board will maintain its bylaws and policies in the form of a compiled manual entitled "Regents' Bylaws and Policy," which will be made available for public inspection.

(02-07-07)

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BL17. University Regulations.

The president is authorized to adopt regulations consistent with bylaws and policies of the board and maintain them in the form of a compiled manual entitled "University Regulations," which will be made available for public inspection. The lack of a regulation anticipated in policy is an internal matter and does not create a right of action for any purpose.

(02-07-07) 

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BL18. Actions by the Board of Regents; Ratification; Objections.

A. The board at any meeting may take action by motion that is consistent with these bylaws, even if inconsistent with adopted policy.

B. Requirements of these bylaws may be waived at any time by unanimous consent of all regents who are not disqualified from acting on the matter. Actions of the board in violation of these bylaws may be ratified by a majority vote at a meeting of the board at least three days following notice of the action to all regents.

C. Objections to proceedings or action taken during meetings must be made as soon as reasonably possible and the right of a regent to object may be waived by action of that regent which is inconsistent with the objection. 

(02-07-07)

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BL19. Priority in the Event of Conflict.

 If provisions conflict, the following order of priority will apply:

  1. Bylaws 
  2. Regents' Policy
  3. University Regulation
  4. Major Administrative Unit (MAU) Rules and Procedures

(02-07-07)

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BL20. Amendment and Review of Bylaws.

A. Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the whole board at any regular or special meeting. Any proposed amendment, however, must be filed with the secretary of the board at least 14 days prior to the meeting at which the proposed bylaw or amendment to these bylaws will be acted upon, and a copy of the proposed bylaw or amendment to these bylaws will immediately be transmitted by the secretary to each member of the board. A proposed amendment filed and noticed timely may be further amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the whole board at the regular or special meeting specified in the notice. 

B. The filing and notice provisions of this section may be waived by unanimous consent of all regents who are not disqualified from acting on the matter.

C. Every five years, the university administration will report to the board on the status of the bylaws, making such recommendations as to revisions, additions and/or deletions as appear appropriate.

(11-09-17)

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BL21. Referral of a Regent for Possible Impeachment.

A. Upon a simple majority vote of the whole board finding that it is in the best interests of the university to do so, the board may refer a regent to the senate with a recommendation that the senate consider impeachment of the regent.

B. Grounds for referral may include:

  1. A criminal complaint, presentment, information, indictment or conviction involving a felony in any jurisdiction;

  2. An information, formal criminal charges or conviction of a misdemeanor involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or the University of Alaska;

  3. A probable cause determination of a knowing ethics violation under AS 39.52 that results in an accusation under consideration by the personnel board, or a recommendation of removal from office under AS 39.52.410(b)(3);

  4. Circumstances indicating: conduct that necessarily brings the university into disrepute; material, repeated and documented neglect of duty; or a regent’s inability to serve for an extended period;

  5. Judicial proceedings involving or an adjudication of incompetence;

  6. A formal allegation or charge, or a final decision, by a professional or occupational licensing body, alleging or finding a violation of the relevant licensing statutes or regulations that is related to the regent's ability or fitness to serve as a regent; or

  7. Failure to possess the qualifications of a regent under AS 14.40.130.

C. The following process shall be followed in considering a motion to refer for possible impeachment. Consistent with AS 44.62.310(d)(5), the Open Meetings Act does not apply and all meetings regarding a possible referral shall be conducted in executive session. The process shall maintain confidentiality consistent with the circumstances and the requirements of the review:

  1. Any member may request an executive session to discuss appointment of a review committee;

  2. The board may consider a motion to appoint a review committee. If a simple majority of the whole board approves the motion:

    a. The chair shall appoint a review committee of not less than three members and provide written notice to the affected member of the makeup of the committee and the stated grounds for possible referral;

    b. The review committee shall gather information relevant to the stated grounds for referral, offer the affected member an opportunity to comment on the information gathered, and make a written report of its review, findings and recommendation to the secretary of the board. The report shall be confidential unless a referral for impeachment is made, at which point any further release shall be  made in accordance with this bylaw and applicable law. The secretary shall immediately distribute the report to all members of the board, including the affected member.

  3. The chair shall schedule a meeting to consider the report, to occur at least 14 calendar days after distribution. The board shall consider information the affected member provides in response to the report that is relevant to the issue of referral and consistent with the question before the board.

  4. The board shall consider whether it is in the best interests of the university to refer the affected member for possible impeachment.

    a. In accordance with AS 39.52.120(a)(4), Roberts Rules of Order and this bylaw, the affected member may not participate in the vote, but Bylaws of the Board of Regents 13 is considered an active member for purposes of the required majority.

  5. If the motion passes by the required majority the secretary immediately shall transmit the motion, the report and any written response or materials provided by the affected member to the president of the senate.

    a. The board shall reconvene in public session and the motion shall be entered in the official minutes of the board.

(03-09-12)

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