1.) Released [ 12/1/2004 ]

2.) Revision Number: 1

ARTICLE I: NAME AND REGULATION

Section 1. The organization shall be known as the Student Council for Integrated Education Research and Development hereinafter designated as “CIERD.”

Section 2. The purpose of CIERD is to promote integration of various educational and research fields, to assist students' research in existing interdisciplinary programs, to foster profession-focused communication among Duke students, to disseminate knowledge, and to advance Duke students' professional experience. CIERD will focus its attention in areas related with rapidly growing fields including but not limited to nano- and biotechnologies, computational biology, information technology, humanities, environment, and science policy. CIERD is a nonprofit organization.

ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES

Section 1. The objectives of CIERD shall be to: (1) establish and support an online forum for discussion of academic and research affairs of Duke students (2) form network of department representatives throughout the university to facilitate exchange of information and interaction between students (3) invite distinguished speakers conducting interdisciplinary research (4) promote the career development and provide opportunities for networking for Duke students (5) foster integration of different fields in education and research to create new scientific frontiers that can facilitate to economic growth, effectiveness of health care and societal development

ARTICLE III: CIERD BOARD OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERY BOARD.

  Section 1. CIERD Board of Directors shall consist of a Chair, a Co-Chair for communications and information, a Co-Chair for research and academic affairs, a Co-Chair for corporate relations, a Treasurer and a Secretary

Section 2. The Executive Committee shall include CIERD Board of Directors and at least two other members-at-large of CIERD. Members-at-large shall be elected each year for a one-year term, which commences on June 1.

Section 3. The term of office for officers is one year. The terms of office shall commence on June 1, but in any case, shall continue until successors are duly elected and take office.

Section 4. Management of CIERD shall be established by an Executive Committee consisting of the CIERD Board of Directors and the members-at-large. The duties of the CIERD board of directors and its Executive Committee Members shall be as stated in Article VI of these by-laws.

Section 5. CIERD Advisory Board shall consist of university faculty members and staff interested in CIERD. A member of CIERD Advisory Board must agree to advise on academic and research issues of Duke students that cannot be resolved by Executive Committee or members of CIERD.

Section 6.

Should any member, other than the Chair, withdraw or for any reason fail to serve, such vacancy shall be appointed by the CIERD Board of Directors and approved by two-thirds vote of members present as stated in article V of these by-laws . Incoming member shall serve until the normal term of the predecessor has expired. If the Chair withdraw or for any reason fail to serve, a Co-Chair determined by majority vote of Executive Committee members , shall immediately become Chair and shall serve for the chair's unexpired term.

Section 7.

Any Executive Committee member may be dismissed by a majority vote whenever that member misses two (2) consecutive regular Executive Committee Meetings. The Executive Committee shall consider prior contributions and reasons for missing these meetings, and this provision may be set aside by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Any student at Duke University will be accepted as a member of CIERD.

Section 2. Any employee of the Duke university will be accepted as a member of CIERD but shall not have the right to hold office or vote.

Section 3. To be a member of CIERD All interests in CIERD or in its property or funds on the part of any member of CIERD shall terminate and vest in CIERD upon his/her ceasing, for whatever cause.

ARTICLE V: ELECTION OF CIERD BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Section 1. CIERD shall hold an annual business meeting to elect CIERD Chair, Co-chairs and all members of Executive Committee. The annual business meeting shall usually be held in the April-May time frame.

Section 2. To be eligible for election, the nominee must be a CIERD member-at-large and attended at least two Executive Committee meeting in the past.

Section 3. Nominations will be open for at least three weeks prior to the annual meeting.

Section 4. Election will be by a majority of votes cast by those members present at the election meeting.

Section 5. The officers shall serve for one year, effective June 1

Section 6. No member may serve in the office of CIERD board of directors for more than two consecutive years.

Section 7. An elected officer can be removed from office for misconduct or failure to perform the duties of his/her office. A motion for removal may be introduced by any member of CIERD at any meeting of CIERD, provided the meeting has been announced to all members. The motion may be discussed but not voted on before the next CIERD meeting, provided that meeting is also announced to the members. The motion for removal must be approved by a two-thirds vote of members present at that meeting.

ARTICLE VI: DUTIES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND ADVISERY BOARD,

Section 1. CIERD Board of Directors is the principal unit and is responsible for leading CIERD and managing its activities in accordance with these by-laws. CIERD Board of Directors shall be the representative body responsible for leading CIERD and, as such, shall have, hold and control all activities and funds of CIERD in accordance with these by-laws and Duke University policies. CIERD Board of Directors has the responsibility to furnish appropriate guidance in CIERD matters and will act in behalf of the members-at-large. It is the responsibility of the CIERD Board of Directors to review the financial status of CIERD annually to insure appropriate handling of all funds.

Section 2. The Chair shall preside at all meetings of CIERD and of its Executive Committee. Chair shall coordinate the activity of CIERD Co-chairs and ensure CIERD good standing.

Section 3. Co-Chairs shall preside at the meetings of their committees and ensure CIERD good standing.

Section 4. The Secretary shall (1) cause notices of all meetings to be served as prescribed in these by-laws (2) keep the minutes of all CIERD and Executive Committee meetings, (3) work closely with Co-Chair for communication and publicity to distribute and to receive all literature pertaining to the operation of CIERD, and (4) submission of any proposed amendment to these by-laws. In case of temporary incapacity of a Co-Chair the Secretary will take over the duties of that Co-chair.

Section 5. The Treasurer shall keep a strict accounting of all income and expenditures. He/she may pay out such funds as authorized by the CIERD Board of Directors to meet all obligations of CIERD. He/she shall issue a report of the financial standing of CIERD at the annual business meeting or whenever requested by the CIERD Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall have signature authority over CIERD financial accounts.

Section 6. The Executive Committee members shall act as an advisory body to the CIERD Board of Directors in matters pertaining to the objectives ofCIERD, meetings, organization, policy and such other matters that preserve the integrity of the CIERD and make it responsive to the needs and wishes of its membership. Executive Committee majority vote shall approve the annual CIERD budget.

Section 7. The Advisory Board responsibilities are to: (1) assist in academic and research matters of Duke students, (2) promote good student relationships, (3) help maintain university standards in all CIERD activities, (4) represent CIERD interests to university, administration and employers.

  ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES AND OPERATION

Section 1. CIERD Board of Directors , including a least two other CIERD members-at-large shall constitute an Executive Committee charged with the responsibility of CIERD management, programming, reporting, and activities. Executive Committee shall include recommendations of CIERD Advisory Board pertaining to CIERD programming and activities.

Section 2. The standing committees of CIERD shall be Communications and Publicity, Research and Academic Affairs, and Program. The number and functions of the committees shall be determined by CIERD activities and goals. The Communications and Publicity Committee shall maintain a mailing list and an online forum, publish and distribute all notices and publicity for and to the members of CIERD, communicate with university faculty and administration, organize and implement programs that promote student membership. Research and Academic Affairs committee shall plan and conduct CIERD events as a way to explore interdisciplinary education and research. The Program Committee shall plan and make arrangements for the technical programs of CIERD meetings in accordance with the membership's interests and the goals of CIERD.

Section 3. With the recommendation of CIERD Executive Committee, the Chair may appoint additional committees as appropriate. Any Nominating Committee, shall consist of at least three voting members of CIERD, at least two of whom shall not be members of the Executive Committee.

Section 4. CIERD member appointed by the CIERD Board of Directors shall govern each committee. If needed, any member of CIERD Board of Directors can share a position of a Committee Chair. Committee Chair shall select as many members of the Chapter to serve on the Committee as needed. At the annual business meeting, each Committee is to file with the Executive Committee a report with reccomendation partaining to the matters in their charge Each Committee budget proposal shall be submitted to the Executive Committee for approval. Expenses incurred by the Committee shall be limited to the budgetary amount.

ARTICLE VIII: BUDGET

Section 1. An annual report for CIERD and any budget request for the ensuing year shall be submitted by the Executive Committee to university devisions and departments providing funding to CIERD.

Section 2. CIERD shall be authorized to incur only such expenses as may be contained within CIERD budget as approved by the Executive Committee.

Section 3. University shall be informed of all CIERD activities. All dues, fees, and funds imposed or solicited by CIERD are subject to review and revision by the university administration.

Section 4. University shall setup and provide the overall service of managing CIERD's funds. CIERD may also open additional accounts for handling some of CIERD activities.

ARTICLE IX: MEETINGS AND QUORUM

Section 1. Regular CIERD meetings shall be held as planned by either the Executive Committee or the Program Committee. These meetings shall be devoted to educational, research or technical purposes. CIERD shall hold meetings only in places that are open and accessible to all its members. The CIERD Chair may call a special meeting at any time.

Section 2. Notices of all regular CIERD meetings shall be sent to all members at least two (2) weeks prior to the date of the meeting. These notices shall contain a time, location and full agenda of the meeting.

Section 3. In addition to the its regular meetings, CIERD shall hold at least one business meeting each year. This annual meeting shall be at the end of the calendar year and shall be announced to all members of CIERD at least four (4) weeks prior to the meeting. Treasurer shall present his/her financial reports at CIERD annual meeting. CIERD board of directors shall report on the activity of CIERD during the year, future program and all other matters of interest to CIERD members. This report shall be filed for inspection by CIERD members. The Executive Committee shall determine time and location of the annual meeting.

Section 4. Meetings of the CIERD Board of Directors shall be held at such times as shall be found necessary. These meetings may be called by the Chair of CIERD at his/her own discretion or shall be called at the request of other members of the CIERD Board of Directors. This meeting shall be at any reasonable time during the year and shall be announced to members of CIERD Board of Directors at least one (1) weeks prior to the meeting.

Section 5. A quarter of the full members shall constitute a quorum thereof for the transaction of business at a regular or annual business meeting. The act of the majority of the members at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act thereof.

Section 6. At least three (3) voting members of the CIERD Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at all

meetings of CIERD Board of Directors. A majority but not less than two (2) members of the CIERD Board of Directors must be present.

ARTICLE X: DISSOLUTION

Section 1. At any time when CIERD shall become inactive (as determined by CIERD Executive Committee), it shall be deemed to have ceased to exist. Upon dissolution, after payment of all debts, no part of the remaining assets may be distributed to any member of CIERD. All assets of CIERD shall be forwarded to the university for final disposition. University accountant shall oversee the transferral of CIERD funds to the university.

ARTICLE XI: BY-LAWS AMENDMENTS

Section 1. University administration, or any three (3) CIERD members-at-large or five (5) percent of the CIERD membership, whichever is greater, can propose amendments to these by-laws. CIERD Executive Committee shall consider each amendment proposed and prepare an analysis of the effects of the proposed amendment on CIERD business and shall submit this analysis together with its recommendation to CIERD Chair and all its Co-chairs.

Section 2. All amendments shall require the approval of both the Executive Committee, by a minimum of a

two-thirds majority, and by a two-thirds vote majority of all CIERD members attending the next regular

meeting, provided that such two-thirds majority shall include at least one third the members of CIERD.

CIERD will adhere to the CIERD By-Laws and other laws governing Duke University and its students. CIERD will not discriminate based on race, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.