Organization:
The current organization and membership structure was initially approved by Planning Council in December 2001, with amendments made in January and March 2002. The Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs is the chair and appoints members, based upon recommendations and nominations from other Vice Presidents and constituency groups. The planning officer serves as a resource person and coordinates the support to the Planning Council. Modifications to the organizational structure should be brought before the Planning Council and approved by a simple majority of the voting members. The Planning Council will follow Roberts Rules of Order.

Membership:
Members are classified as either ex-officio (meaning service by position) or officio members and voting or non-voting. Ex-officio members serve for as long as they remain in their positions. Officio members serve for a three-year term that is renewable (based upon recommendations from the appropriate vice president or constituency group and approved by the Provost). Terms would begin in June. To avoid a large number of terms expiring at the same time, the first class of members drew lots to stagger terms for either a one-, two-, or three-year term that would subsequently be renewable for the standard three-year term.

The non-voting members include the members of the Executive Cabinet (except for the Provost) and the planning officer. If any member is unable to attend meetings due to an academic year or semester scheduling conflict, the Provost can appoint a replacement. However, the individual will still be encouraged to continue service on any subcommittees, if able.

Attendance:
Attendance will be taken at each meeting. Absences will be marked as excused or unexcused. If a pattern of unexcused absences is noted for a member, the Provost has the option to replace that member. A member cannot send a substitute or proxy to vote or act in his/her absence.

Meetings:
The Planning Council meets regularly once a month (generally the third Wednesday of the month) and will have occasional special meetings. All meetings are open. The schedule of regular meetings is published on a yearly basis. A general notice of meeting will be sent out prior to each meeting.

Committees (currently called Subcommittees)
Committees should be made up of individuals from the Planning Council and from “experts” around campus. Planning Council members who have rotated off should be encouraged to remain on committees to provide continuity. Currently, two committees of the Planning Council exist: the Budget Subcommittee and the Tuition and Enrollment Management Subcommittee. Other committees should be developed as appropriate to facilitate the work of the Planning Council.