Article 4: Officers and Organization of the Board

Chairperson. At the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Board in January immediately following each biennial fall election for Trustee, the members of the Board shall elect a chairperson of the Board. The chairperson's term in office shall be two years and shall expire at the first regularly scheduled meeting in January immediately following the next biennial fall election for Trustee. In the event of a vacancy in the office of chairperson during the two-year term, at its next meeting after the vacancy occurs the Board shall elect a new chairperson to serve for the remainder of the term. The chairperson shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by law or by the Board.

Vice Chairperson. Immediately after the election of the Board's chairperson, the members of the Board shall elect a vice chairperson of the Board. The vice chairperson shall serve until the election of the next chairperson of the Board. In the event of a vacancy in the office of vice chairperson, at its next meeting after the vacancy occurs the Board shall elect a new vice chairperson to serve until the election of the next chairperson of the Board. Only Trustees who are not members of the chairperson's political party shall be eligible for election as vice chairperson, unless seven or more Trustees are members of the same political party, in which case all Trustees, other than the chairperson, shall be eligible for election as vice chairperson. The vice chairperson shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by law or by the Board. The vice chairperson shall also assume the duties of the chairperson during the latter's absence and, in the event of a vacancy in the office of chairperson, until the election of a new chairperson.

President. The Board shall, as often as necessary, elect a president of the University who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. The President shall be, ex officio , a member of the Board without the right to vote, and be its sole administrative officer. The President shall preside at meetings of the Board, shall have the authority and shall perform the duties usually attached to the office as presiding officer.

The President, as the principal executive officer of the University, shall exercise such powers as are inherent in the position in promoting, supporting, or protecting the interests of the University and in managing and directing all of its affairs; may issue directives and executive orders not in contravention of existing Board policies; shall be responsible for all business policies as heretofore enacted or modified or hereafter established subject to the general policies established by the Board; shall instruct the proper administrative officers to prepare an annual budget which upon approval, shall be recommended to the Board; shall be responsible for the preparation of the annual reports of the Board; shall exercise such other powers, duties, and responsibilities as are delegated or required by the Board of Trustees.

In case of a vacancy in the office of the President, under conditions other than those specified in Article 14, the Board at the time of the announcement that the President is leaving shall elect immediately an Acting President for the interim period who shall exercise the functions of the President as stated in these Bylaws while serving as Acting President.

Provost of the University. The Provost of the University shall be appointed by the Board upon recommendation of the President, shall serve at the pleasure of the Board, and shall give bond satisfactory to said Board to secure the faithful performance of the duties of the office. Subject to the President and the Board, the Provost:

Shall be the principal academic officer of the University and administer the various colleges, special units and academic support facilities.
Shall be responsible for assembling and administering the academic budget.
Shall be responsible for faculty personnel administration including procedures for faculty appointments and terminations, salaries and promotions, working conditions, and tenure.
Shall be responsible, with advice from the faculty, for development of new academic programs and for keeping existing programs updated and in conformity with University educational policies.
Shall be responsible for insuring that administrative procedures preserve academic freedom and insure academic responsibility.
Shall be responsible for supervising procedures and policies related to the admission of students, and liaison with high schools and community colleges.
Shall be responsible for supervising the registration process and for the orientation of new students.
Shall be responsible for administering academic facilities and support units such as Libraries, Computer Laboratory, Instructional Development and Telecommunication Services, and the Museum.
Shall be responsible for liaison with State Department of Education.

Vice President for Administration and Public Affairs [Vice President for Governmental Affairs]. The Vice President for Administration and Public Affairs shall be appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the President, shall serve at the pleasure of the Board, and shall give bond satisfactory to said Board to secure the faithful performance of the duties of the office. Subject to the President and the Board, the Vice President for Administration and Public Affairs:

Shall be the principal liaison officer and official contact between the University or any of its component parts and the State Legislature for all presentations made to the Legislature, or to any individual legislator on behalf of any projects of the University. All presentations on behalf of such projects shall be cleared with the Vice President for Administration and Public Affairs prior to their presentation.
Shall be responsible for the administration of personnel and employee relations policies and procedures related to the clerical, technical, administrative, and professional personnel who are not Board appointed. For these personnel the Vice President for Administration and Public Affairs shall administer such rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to the classification, evaluation, employment, absences, leaves, vacations, promotions, and terminations of employment which may be established from time to time by the Board of Trustees.
Shall be representative of the University in its relations with labor unions organized among its nonacademic employees.
Shall perform such other duties as may be required by the President and the Board of Trustees.

The Vice President for Finance and Operations and Treasurer. The Vice President for Finance and Operations and Treasurer shall be appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the President of the University. Subject to the President and the Board of Trustees, the Vice President and Treasurer:

Shall be responsible for the collection and custody of, and accounting for all moneys due the University.
Shall pay all obligations of the University in accordance with budgets, contracts, grants, and policies established by the Board of Trustees.
Shall exercise general control over the regular accounting service through the controller who may refuse expenditures not authorized by such budget rules as the Board may adopt, as well as expenditures that would incur an overdraft in any fund or item in the annual budget or in special projects.
Shall have supervision over and custody of all deeds, contracts, agreements, trust indentures, etc., of which the University is a part.
Shall be a University officer authorized to sign formal applications for grants of funds for research, extension, or other University purposes and directed by the Board.
Shall have general administrative supervision over the Physical Plant Division, Housing and Food Services, and General University Services departments.
Shall continuously monitor and review the actions of the investment manager and the status of the University's investment portfolio.
Shall prepare an annual financial report at the close of each fiscal year and such other interim reports as the President and the Board of Trustees may request.
May act to execute contracts on behalf of the Board of Trustees as authorized by the Trustees.
Shall give bond satisfactory to the Board for the faithful performance of the duties of the office.
Shall perform such other duties as may be required by the President and the Board of Trustees.

Secretary of the Board. The Secretary of the Board shall be appointed by the Board upon recommendation of the President, shall serve at the pleasure of the Board, and shall give bond satisfactory to said Board to secure the faithful performance of the duties of the office. Subject to the President and the Board, the Secretary:

Shall keep a record of all the transactions of the Board which shall be open to public inspection; shall have custody of such books, papers, documents, records, and other property deposited in the Secretary's office, and shall be the custodian of the corporate seal and shall cause its imprint to be placed wherever appropriate.

General Counsel. The General Counsel and Associate General Counsel shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the President and approval of the Board. The General Counsel shall attend meetings of the Board and render such professional services as are required by it and the officers of the University. The General Counsel shall have authority to execute all legal documents including those required for purposes of litigation and/or court proceedings.

Ineligibility. No member of the Board shall be eligible to appointment as secretary or treasurer or to any paid employment in the University.