Bylaws

SCHOOL OF DATA SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE

ARTICLE I. PURPOSE

Section 1. The primary purpose of the SDS Advisory Board (hereinafter “Board”) shall be to advise the Executive Director of the School of Data Science (SDS) and program leadership in the planning, evaluating, and strengthening the School of Data Science.

Section 2.

The objectives of the Board shall include the following:

  1. Provide input during the design and evaluation of the School’s Programs.
  2. Suggest ways in which the School could meet the educational needs of the
    students.
  3. Provide and induce funding for the programs of the School including
    philanthropic, research and conference support.
  4. Assist in locating sources of financial support for students.
  5. Increase the awareness and the interest of the community, corporations, and
    potential students in the Programs of the School.
  6. Provide information about current and emerging labor market needs.
  7. Recommend ways in which the School can strengthen its ties with the data
    science and analytics community and potential employers, with a special
    emphasis on the State of North Carolina and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg
    region.
  8. Share information on industry standards, practices, and data science and
    business analytics advancements for integration into the School’s Programs.
  9. Assist in the recruitment of students, identification and provision of
    experiential training sites, and the placement of graduates.
  10. Recommend ways to augment the program’s computational, software, and
    data infrastructure.
  11. Be a champion for our students and program within your work and
    community.

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. The Board shall consist of at least twelve (12) members who represent data science and health analytics businesses or user agencies in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area and the surrounding counties and/or are community leaders or representatives with substantial interests in data science and health analytics issues. The number of members shall be established from time to time by resolution of the Board, and the number shall include ex officio members. The Board may appoint student or alumni members to the Board.

Section 2. The Executive Director of SDS shall serve as a non-voting, ex officio member of the Board.

Section 3. Each member shall volunteer to serve on one or more of the committees of this Board. Committees must have a minimum of five voting members.

Section 4. Each committee will elect a chair on an annual basis; the chair of each standing committee will serve a year unless re-elected.

Section 5. Members and officers of the Board shall serve on a pro bono basis without any financial compensation from the Schools.

Section 6. Members and officers of the SDS advisory board shall not be personally liable for the Schools’ debts, liabilities, or other obligations.

Section 7. Members and officers of the SDS advisory board shall be indemnified by UNC Charlotte to the greatest extent possible under the laws of the State of North Carolina.

ARTICLE III. OFFICERS

Section 1. The Board shall elect a Chair and Vice Chair. The Vice-Chair shall automatically assume the office of Chair when the Chair’s term expires, or the office becomes vacant. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall be members of the Board.

Section 2. The Chair’s duties shall include:

  1. Preside at meetings of the Board.
  2. Appoint such ad hoc committees as are necessary to conduct the business of the Board.
  3. Assume such other duties as are necessary for the effective functioning of the Board.
  4. Consult with the Executive Director for the development of meeting agendas.

Section 3. The term of the Chair shall be for two years or until a successor Chair assumes the office.

Section 4. The Vice Chair’s duties shall include:

  1. Preside at meetings of the Board in the absence of the Chair.
  2. Assume such other duties as are necessary for the effective functioning of the Board, as determined by the Chair.
  3. The Vice-Chair shall assume the position of Chair after the current Chair’s term.

Section 5. The term of the Vice-Chair shall be for two years, or until a successor is elected, whichever occurs later.

ARTICLE IV. SELECTION AND TERM OF BOARD MEMBERS

Section 1. The Nominating Committee shall seek candidates and refer nominations of new Board members to the Executive Director.

Section 2. The members of the Board shall be appointed by the Executive Director of the School of Data Science upon the recommendation of the Nominating Committee.

Section 3. Any member of the Board may recommend candidate Board members to the Nominating Committee.

Section 4. All other terms of service shall be three years except for student members who shall be one year.

Section 5. Any Board member shall be eligible for reappointment for a second term. Ordinarily, a member who has served two consecutive terms shall not be eligible for another reappointment for at least one year.

Section 6. Board members will not be automatically dismissed if they change employers. However, their membership may be reevaluated based on their contribution to the Board and ability to continue their involvement.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS

Section 1. The Board shall hold four regular meetings each year. One of the four meetings will reflect on Board’s annual achievements, contributions, and involvements as well as next year’s goals.

Section 2. The Chair or Vice Chair may call special meetings as the business of the Board requires.

Section 3. Members of the Board are expected to attend a minimum of one meeting a year to retain their membership.

Section 4. The Chair or Vice Chair of the Board shall preside over all regular or special meetings of the Board.

Section 5. The agenda for each meeting shall be developed by the Chair in consultation with the Executive Director of the School of Data Science and shall be distributed to each member in writing at least one week before the meeting. Board members are encouraged to suggest agenda topics prior to the board meeting.

Section 6. 30% of Board Members are required for a quorum.

Section 7. Board members may vote by proxy. They must notify the Board Chair and Executive Director in writing prior to the meeting.

Section 8. The affirmative vote of a majority of the members participating in a meeting shall be the act of the Board.

Section 9. At the discretion of the Chair, an act may be put before the members of the Board between the Board’s regularly scheduled meetings. In such a case, a member shall Vote by communicating his or her response to the Chair via e-mail, facsimile, or U.S. Mail. An affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum of members of the Board shall be the act of the Board.

ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS

Section 1. The Bylaws may be amended at any duly held meeting of the Board. Notice of any proposed change must be distributed with the agenda for the meeting at which the change is to be considered.

Section 2. A two-thirds majority vote of the Board shall be required to amend the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VII. STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1. The Board has two standing committees:

  1. Executive Committee
    1. The purpose of the Executive Committee is to provide guidance, advice, and support for fundraising, long-term strategic planning, and key issues facing SDS. Members are the top supporters of SDS through personal financial gifts, introductions to others in data science, and time to SDS initiatives.
    2. The Executive Committee is composed of Founding members of the School of Data Science. B. Nominating Committee
  2. The Nominating Committee shall recommend new Board members to the Executive Director.
    1. The Nominating Committee shall be made up of the current Board Chair, Vice-Chair, Chair of the Executive Committee, the Director of the SDS(ex officio), and at least one at-large member of the Advisory Board.

Section 2. The Chair or Vice-Chair may propose the creation of temporary ad hoc committees as the Board requires. Examples of ad hoc committees include:

  1. Infrastructure Committee
  2. Conference and Event Committee
  3. Talent and Professional Development Committee
  4. Curriculum Committee
  5. Research Committee
  6. Social Good Committee

Section 3: Any board member can propose the creation of an ad hoc subcommittee.

Section 4: A majority vote of a quorum of the Board shall be required to create a new committee

Section 5: Committees must meet a minimum of three times and produce at least one report-out to the full board.