Clinical Sciences Department Bylaws - NMU Policies and Requirements

Clinical Sciences Department Bylaws

Note: Amended bylaws added to the Policy Database February 2026. Full Bylaws and all attachments are included as a pdf doc. Requested digitally accessible format for attachments to be provided by April 2026. 

BY-LAWS
SCHOOL OF CLINICAL SCIENCES 

ARTICLE 1 MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING  

1.1 Membership in the School of Clinical Sciences (SOCS) consists of all faculty holding academic rank and appointed to the SOCS. Per 1.1.8 of the AAUP Master Agreement (M.A.), the Associate Dean will be a nonvoting ex-officio member of departmental committees.
1.1.1 A member of the School on leave or sabbatical retains all membership rights during that leave.
1.2 All voting must be decided by a simple majority vote of the school membership. 

ARTICLE 2 COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATION

2.1 Standing Committees
2.1.1 Within SOCS there must be two standing committees: the Committee of the Whole and the Faculty Evaluation Committee. 
2.1.2 Any bargaining unit member is extended the privilege of forwarding input to the SOCS Committees. Non-bargaining unit members may be invited to provide input where appropriate. 
2.2 Committee of the Whole 
2.2.1 The Committee of the Whole must be composed of those members as specified in 1.1. 
2.2.2 This Committee of the Whole is responsible for:
a. Review and recommendation of SOCS Bylaws
b. Coordination of student grievance procedures in accordance with the Student’s Rights and Responsibilities.
c. In collaboration with the Associate Dean, undertake a general review of faculty needs, course enrollment and program needs.
d. Formation of ad hoc committees as needed. 
2.3 Faculty Evaluation Committee 
2.3.1 A Faculty Evaluation Committee (FEC) must be organized each year on a rotating basis by a Chair elected by the membership of SOCS. The Chair shall set up subcommittees of three members each which must then be assigned a SOCS faculty member’s evaluation. The Chair of each subcommittee must officiate their meetings and must author the evaluation letter for the faculty member. The Chair of the FEC must monitor progress of each subcommittee and ensure that all evaluation letters are completed and submitted to the Associate Dean by April 1. When possible, every subcommittee must include one faculty member from the same discipline as the member being evaluated. 
For purposes of promotion and tenure, only tenured faculty or those with Continuing Contract Status and rank of Associate professor or Professor shall be members of the Faculty Evaluation Committees. For a faculty member seeking just Continuing Contract Status, committee members can also include those persons holding Continuing Contract Status and rank of Assistant Professor. When necessary, other tenured, full-time members from the NMU AAUP Bargaining Unit, preferably from the College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies, may act as a member of the Faculty Evaluation Committee.
2.3.2 A Faculty Evaluation Committee must:
a. Evaluate each SOCS member in accordance with the current M.A. and according to the eligibility and judgmental criteria as specified in the SOCS Bylaws.
b. Evaluate sabbatical applications based upon the evaluative criteria specified in the M.A. The Associate Dean must be a voting member of this committee for the sole purpose of evaluating sabbatical applications.
c. Review requests and make recommendations for promotion, tenure and Continuing Contract Status.
2.4 Faculty Search Committees 
2.4.1 Faculty shall participate in the recruitment, orientation and retention of faculty. In cases of recruitment, a Faculty Search Committee shall be formed. Membership must include faculty from the SOCS, preferably fro the discipline represented in the search. Members from outside of the SOCS may be recruited as deemed appropriate. 
2.5 Academic Senate Representative
2.5.1 In accordance with the Bylaws of the Academic Senate, School members must elect a representative to the Academic Senate who is a member of the SOCS. The term of office must be for two (2) years. Academic senators are eligible for re-election and preferably shall have been on the NMU faculty at least three (3) years. 
2.5.2 The Senator must represent the interests of the School in the Academic Senate, and consult with and report to the members on a regular basis and as pertinent issues arise. 
2.6 Faculty Council Representative 
2.6.1 SOCS members must elect a SOCS faculty council representative to liaise between SOCS faculty and the bargaining council, in accordance with the Bylaws of Northern Michigan University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). 
2.6.2 The Faculty Council Representative must be a dues-paying member of the NMU Chapter of the AAUP.2.6.3 The term of office shall be for three (3) years and faculty council representatives are eligible for re-election.
2.6.4 The faculty council representative shall serve as the liaison between the faculty unit members and the faculty council, and must consult with and report meeting minutes to the members of the SOCS.
2.7 College Advisory Council (CAC) Representative 
2.7.1 In accordance with the Bylaws of the College Advisory Council, and the M.A., a dues-paying faculty member must be elected by the voting membership during fall orientation, as College Advisory Council representative. 
2.7.2 CAC representatives must serve two-year (2-year) terms and are eligible for re-election. 
2.7.3 CAC representatives must hold the rank of Assistant Professor or higher and be tenured or have Continuing Contract Status. 
2.8 Academic Program Committees
2.8.1 An Academic Program Committee (APC) shall be established for each academic program within the SOCS. Membership of each discipline specific APC must consist of all SOCS faculty with major teaching responsibilities in that specific program. Per 1.1.8 of the M.A., the Associate Dean serves as a nonvoting ex-officio committee member. Additional faculty/students may be invited to participate in program meetings when appropriate. The APC shall meet on an ad hoc basis. 
2.8.2 The primary areas of responsibility of each APC must include:
a. Recommend policies and procedures for the conduct of the program
b. Develop and review curriculum
c. Provide Outcomes Assessment reports for the program to be used for the Associate Dean’s report.
d. Plan and recommend the program course offerings for each semester and individual faculty teaching schedules for Associate Dean approval.
e. Recommend new course offerings and programs for Associate Dean approval.
f. Recommend budget priorities within the program and submit to Associate Dean. 

ARTICLE 3 SCHOOL OF CLINICAL SCIENCES MEETINGS 

3.1 Monthly School Meetings 
3.1.1 SOCS meetings shall be held periodically throughout the academic year at a time to be determined at the beginning of the semester.
3.1.2 At the discretion of the Associate Dean or from a petition of at least two (2) SOCS faculty, additional meetings may be called.
3.1.3 Faculty members are encouraged to attend all meetings.
3.1.4 An agenda must be distributed at least three (3) working days in advance of the meeting.
3.1.5 SOCS meeting minutes shall be filed and stored in the SOCS office, and on a Share Drive.

ARTICLE 4 SCHOOL OF CLINICAL SCIENCES OFFICERS 

4.1 The Associate Dean functions as the administrator of the SOCS and serves as chair for SOCS meetings.  
4.1.1 Associate Dean of SOCS. Recommendations for the Associate Dean of Clinical Sciences include possession of a terminal degree (MS or higher) in one (1) of the School’s academic disciplines (or closely related field) along with the appropriate certification(s) for that discipline. Additionally, three (3) years of administrative experience and or leadership in a national accredited program as a Program Director is preferred.
4.1.2 In addition to those functions that are specified by the Board of Control and the M.A., the Associate Dean:
4.1.2.a May speak for the faculty on matters of SOCS concern.
4.1.2.b Shall serve as ex-officio, nonvoting member of all SOCS committees except the FEC (unless the latter is involved in ranking sabbatical applications) per 1.1.8 of the M.A.
4.1.2.c Shall convey information and relay concerns to the administration on all matters relating to the SOCS. Conversely, conveys information and relays concerns of the administration to the faculty. 
4.1.3 During the process of selecting an Associate Dean the faculty of the School must follow the procedure outlined in the M.A. 
4.1.4 Evaluation of the Associate Dean must be conducted as outlined in the M.A. 
4.2 The Chair of the SOCS faculty must be elected from the Committee of the Whole. This person must perform duties as specified in the M.A. 
4.2.1 The Chair of the SOCS Faculty Chair shall be responsible for managing all extra-departmental communications between the SOCS faculty and the administration and must serve as SOCS coordinator when the Associate Dean is unavailable.
4.2.2 Election of the Chair must take place at the first SOCS meeting of every academic year. The term of office must be one (1) year. 

ARTICLE 5 FACULTY RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1 The SOCS has multiple programmatically accredited programs (see Appendix C) These programs each require a Program Director. The title Program Director is used to identify a faculty member that has been vetted through the Department faculty and the appropriate accreditor. Program Directors must be appointed by the Associate Dean following consultation with faculty. A Program Director assures effective program operations and maintenance of accreditation. Should the expected duties of a Program Director be changed by an accrediting agency, these Bylaws must automatically integrate those changes without triggering the need for a Bylaws revision, so long as those changes do not in any way conflict with other sections of these Bylaws or the M.A. School members shall be responsible for the following:
5.2 Teaching and assigned responsibilities as stated in the M.A.
5.2.1 Workload assignments must be based on mutually agreed upon written guidelines developed annually by the Associate Dean following input from and discussion with the SOCS faculty as described in the M.A.
5.3 Program Director for each Clinical Laboratory Science program must meet National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) Program Director qualification requirements. 
5.3.1 The primary role of the Program Director (s) for each NAACLS accredited program (Medical Lab Technician [MLT], Medical Laboratory Scientist [MLS], Diagnostic Molecular Scientist [DMS], Cytogenetic Technologist [CG]) includes the duties listed below: 
5.3.1a Maintain programmatic accreditation in accordance with unique programmatic (NAACLS) standards.
5.3.1b Draft and submit annual outcomes report to NAACLS.
5.3.1c Participate In programmatic assessment of learning and draft Assessment of Learning (AoL) reports.
5.3.1d Perform curriculum reviews and propose updates as needed.
5.3.1e Assure ongoing quality improvement of the program.
5.3.1f Conduct annual advisory board meetings.
5.3.1g Maintain clinical affiliations sufficient for the program’s enrollment.
5.3.1h Coordinate clinical placements for qualified students.
5.3.1i Review of student eligibility for clinical placement.
5.3.1j Preparation of Practicum Manuals.
5.3.1k Development of the practicum schedule.
5.3.1l Prepare clinical rotation examinations.
5.3.1m Provide counseling sessions for students prior to placement.
5.4 The CLS Clinical Coordinators are responsible for the duties listed below: 
5.4a Communicate with clinical affiliates to coordinate student placements.
5.4b Advise the Program Director on clinical placements.
5.4c Review of student eligibility for clinical placement.
5.4d Provide counseling sessions for students prior to placement.
5.4e Review of practicum manuals with students.
5.4f Personalize student practicum schedule(s) in accordance with affiliate resources
5.4g Supervise clinical rotations, assignments, and examinations.
5.4h Provide regular communication with clinical affiliates during student clinicals.
5.4i Meet with administrators at clinical sites as needed.
5.4j Document clinical affiliate and student communication.
5.4k Assist with programmatic assessment and effectiveness evaluations.
5.4l Assist the PD with outcomes assessment reports /data collection.
5.5 The Clinical Molecular Diagnostics (CMD) Program Director must provide academic leadership for implementation of the programs. The person holding this position, along with the Associate Dean, shall be responsible for the duties listed below:
5.5a Oversees all aspects of the graduate CMD graduate programs.
5.5b Monitoring and evaluation of faculty and staff performance and advises the Associate Dean in formulating recommendations for faculty and staff hiring, merit, equity, promotion, tenure, and termination.
5.5c Development of educational policies for CMD academic programs.
5.5d Participation in Graduate Programs Directors meetings.
5.5e Preparation of outcomes assessment reports for the NMU AoL.
5.5f Development and updating the graduate curriculum to reflect current clinical processes.
5.5g Recruiting for the graduate programs in conjunction with the NMU School of Graduate Studies and Research and the School of Clinical Sciences.
5.5h Establishing admission requirements for graduate program admissions.
5.5i Admission of new students and advising for CMD students.
5.5j Maintaining the molecular diagnostics laboratory.
5.5k Developing program policies and procedures implementation.
5.5l Creating and implementation of a strategic plan for the CMD Program.
5.5m Maintaining current knowledge of the professional discipline and educational methodologies. 
5.6 The Radiography Program Director must be appointed by the Associate Dean following consultation with faculty and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The Radiography Program Director must provide academic leadership for the Radiography Program. 
5.6.1 Specific Radiography Program Director duties may include but are not limited to:
5.6.1a Responsible for managing the classroom and clinical education policies of the program in compliance with current JRCERT standards.
5.6.1b Provides leadership and vision for the creation and implementation of a strategic plan for the Radiography Program.
5.6.1c Develops new curriculum and ongoing revisions that align with accreditation standards.
5.6.1d Functions as the instructional leader for the Radiography Program in the development, assessment, and revision of curricula, program outcomes, and student learning outcomes in collaboration with faculty.
5.6.1e Maintain current knowledge of the professional discipline and educational methodologies through continuing professional development.
5.6.1f Provide timely, appropriate and educationally valid clinical experiences for students.
5.6.1g Assist in the development, administration, and assessment of student learning activities and evaluations in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings.
5.6.1h Recommend yearly budgetary expenditures, ensuring adequate program resources.
5.6.1i Responsible for student advisement, records, selection, registration, progression and graduation requirements, program printed materials and other related activities.
5.6.1j Prepare reports each semester, annually, and as needed to adhere to institutional and JRCERT standards.
5.7 The Radiography Clinical Coordinator must be appointed by the Associate Dean following consultation with faculty and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The Radiography Program Clinical Coordinator must coordinate and oversee clinical training for the Radiography Program.
5.7.1 Specific Radiography Clinical Coordinator duties may include but are not limited to:
5.7.1a Correlating and coordinating clinical education with didactic education and evaluating its effectiveness.
5.7.1b Participating in didactic and/or clinical instruction.
5.7.1c Supporting the program director to assure effective program operations.
5.7.1d Participating in the accreditation and assessment processes.
5.7.1e Maintaining current knowledge of the professional discipline and educational methodologies through continuing professional development.
5.7.1f Maintaining current knowledge of program policies, procedures, and student progress.
5.8 Program Director for Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences (SLHS) graduate and undergraduate programs shall be responsible for the following duties. 
5.8.1 Specific duties of the Program Director for Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences (SLHS) graduate and undergraduate programs may include, but are not limited to the following: 
5.8.1a Recommend academic and clinical compliance and adherence to Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) accreditation standards and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certification requirements.
5.8.1b Monitor and evaluate faculty and staff performance and advises the Associate Dean in formulating recommendations for faculty and staff hiring, merit, equity, promotion, tenure, and termination.
5.8.1c Oversees all aspects, academic and clinical, of the graduate and undergraduate SLHS programs.
5.8.1d Completion of all CAA documentation and reports in a timely manner. This must include completion of an annual outcome assessment comprised of outcome data as well as alumni feedback.
5.8.1e The Program Director must meet with the board members annually to assess program strengths, weaknesses, and outcomes.
5.8.1f Contact clinical affiliates annually for feedback on the program and for information on updates in the field.
5.8.1g Annual review and analysis of the enrollment must be conducted by the program director.
5.8.1h Preparation of outcomes assessment reports for the NMU AoL.
5.9 Director of Clinical Education for Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) graduate and undergraduate programs must be appointed by the Associate Dean following consultation with faculty. The Director of Clinical Education is responsible for the oversight of all clinical practicum training for the SLHS undergraduate and graduate program on-campus and off-campus. 
5.9.1 Specific duties of the Director of Clinical Education may include, but are not limited to the following: 
5.9.1a Conducting meetings with off-campus clinicians and their supervisors as needed throughout the semester.
5.9.1b Coordinate all off-campus practicum sites.
5.9.1c Oversees supervision of on-campus therapy sessions.
5.9.1d Develops and maintains new off-campus clinical sites. 
5.91.e Coordination of telepractice treatment options.
5.9.1f Development of on and off-campus policy manuals.
5.9.1g Coordination of background checks, drug testing, and fingerprinting.
5.9.1h Coordinate training for off-campus supervisors in the CALIPSO system web-based application system.
5.9.1i Monitoring that on and off-campus supervisors are current with state licensure, ASHA certification, and training requirements for supervisors.
5.9.1j Marketing of SLHS program clinical services to the community.
5.9.1k Coordination of community support events (ex. hearing screenings, health fairs, etc.).
5.9.1l Under the guidance of the Program Director, the Director of Clinical Education must ensure clinical program accreditation standards and guidelines are met.
5.9.1m Oversees and maintains the clinical sites, by reviewing and evaluating the clinical effectiveness.
5.9.1n Ensures that students meet all clinical affiliate site requirements. 
5.10 The Surgical Technology Program Director (title required by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) shall coordinate administrative duties associated with the Surgical Technology Program. Program Director may also serve as Clinical Coordinator. 
5.10.1 Specific Surgical Technology Program Director duties may include, but are not limited to the following: 
5.10.1a Recommend the curriculum to meet the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC-STSA) standards for course content.
5.10.1b Maintain relationships with the accrediting body and complete the required annual report for this agency.
5.10.1c Prepare and publish the most recent/current Outcome Assessment Examination (OAE) results.
5.10.1d Prepare for site visits ten-year (10-year) cycle including completion of written self-study for accreditation and site evaluation.
5.10.1e Establish and maintain communication with affiliate sites.
5.10.1f Chair, organize and conduct meetings with the Advisory Board for the Surgical Technology program.
5.10.1g Conduct marketing and recruitment for the program.
5.10.1h Conduct outcome assessments.
5.10.1i Provide guidance to the Associate Dean regarding the course schedule as needed. 
5.10.1j Conduct advising for surgical technology students.
5.10.1k Newly appointed Program Directors should participate in an ARC/STSA sponsored Accreditation Fundamentals for Educators workshop within (1) year of their appointment. 
5.10.1l The Program Director should participate in an ARC/STSA sponsored accreditation workshop at least once every five (5) years.
5.10.1m Policy and procedure development.
5.10.1n The Program Director must be responsible for all aspects of the program, including the organization, administration, continuous review, planning, development, and general effectiveness of the program.
5.10.1o Responsibilities include didactic, laboratory instruction, and maintenance of lab, (in addition to clinical instruction), direction and guidance of clinical instructors.
5.10.1p The Surgical Technology Program Director, in addition to the above stated duties, must assume the duties of the Surgical Technology Clinical Coordinator when the clinical coordinator is off contact.
5.11 Specific Surgical Technology Clinical Coordinator duties may include, but are not limited to the following: 
5.11.a Coordinate the didactic education with the laboratory education.
5.11.b Coordinate/correlate all clinical experiences for students.
5.11.c Oversee and maintain the clinical sites and affiliates, by reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of clinical affiliates.
5.11.d Responsible for student placement at established clinical affiliates and ensuring students meet all site requirements.
5.11.e Work with the Program Director to ensure program accreditation standards and guidelines are met.
5.11.f Maintain clinical and surgical case records as required.
5.11.g Establish and maintain relationships with educational and community partners (i.e., surgeons, Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) instructors and hospital administrators.
5.11.h Maintain inventory in the Surgical Technology Laboratory.
5.11.i Prepare and organize supplies for the week’s laboratory assignments. 
5.11.j Provide laboratory instruction in preparation for off campus clinical practicum.
5.11.k Act as liaison between NMU and Clinical Sites/Preceptors.
5.11.l Make daily clinical assignments in practicum settings.
5.11.m Ensure clinical evaluations are completed and placed in the student’s file. 

ARTICLE 6 ELIGIBILITY FOR NEW ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTION

6.1 Terminal Qualifications - Ranks awarded for new faculty must follow the procedures outlined in the M.A. Terminal qualifications required for specific degree programs in SOCS are presented below. 
6.1.1 Terminal Qualifications for Undergraduate SOCS Faculty: For all tenure-earning or term positions in Associate and Bachelor’s Degree SOCS programs, terminal qualifications include a Bachelor’s Degree for Associate degree programs and a Master’s Degree or Clinical Doctorate from an accredited institution in a relevant discipline for Bachelor’s Degree programs. Additionally, at least three years of clinical practice experience is required. A doctoral degree in the discipline or a closely related field, plus a minimum of three years of clinical practice experience is necessary to be promoted to Full Professor.
6.1.2 Terminal Qualifications for Graduate SOCS Faculty: For all tenure-earning or term positions in graduate degree programs in SOCS, terminal qualifications include an earned doctorate (e.g. PhD, EdD) in the same or closely related field. Three or more years of clinical experience is preferred.
6.2 Eligibility to apply for promotion must follow the procedures outlined in the M.A. and as presented below: 
6.2.1 Assistant Professor – An earned Doctorate from an accredited institution or earned Master’s Degree (for undergraduate programs) from an accredited institution plus certification/s or licensure and clinical experience necessary for programmatic needs and/or accreditation standards, subject to review and approval of the appropriate Dean and the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Exceptions may be made because of unusual scholarly and/or professional achievements. 
6.2.2 Associate Professor – An earned Doctorate from an accredited institution or earned Master’s Degree (for undergraduate programs) plus certification/s or licensure and clinical experience necessary for programmatic needs and/or accreditation standards, subject to review and approval of the appropriate Dean and the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Five (5) years of full-time higher education experience at the rank of Instructor or above with evidence of teaching excellence, scholarly or creative professional achievement, and service is required. Exceptions may be made because of unusual scholarly and/or professional achievement. 
6.2.3 Professor – An earned Doctorate from an accredited institution and eleven (11) years of full-time teaching experience at the rank of Instructor or above or other related professional experience (as credited in the faculty member’s initial letter of appointment), subject to the review and approval of the appropriate Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Evidence of excellence in teaching, distinguished scholarly achievement, and service. Exceptions may be made because of unusual scholarly and/or professional achievements.

ARTICLE 7 General Principles for Promotion, Tenure and Continuing Contract Status 

7.1 Promotion and Tenure must be recommended for faculty in accordance with the M.A. and Judgmental Criteria specified in these by-laws. See Appendices A and B for assessment criteria and a rubric of SOCS judgmental criteria. 
7.1.1 The Judgmental Criteria include: (1) teaching and/or assigned responsibilities, (2) scholarship and/or professional development, and (3) service. Criteria for the SOCS are detailed in Appendix B. According to the M.A., Teaching and assigned responsibilities are given the highest priority and should carry the most weight in evaluating the professional achievements of faculty. Relative emphasis on scholarship/professional development or service must be specified in annual evaluation materials. For tenure earning appointments, this determination must initially be established in the letter of appointment and may be redefined subsequent to tenure as a result of dialogue between the faculty member, SOCS Evaluation Committee, and the Associate Dean. 
7.1.2 In determining whether the judgmental criteria for the three areas of evaluation have been met, both quantity and quality of achievement need to be addressed. The number of activities is not the only factor to be considered for promotion and tenure purposes. Two (2) additional qualitative standards must be met. These include evidence of “effective” achievement of judgmental criteria in order to clarify how well an activity was done. Secondly, the activities listed as achievements may vary notably in their merits and description of these merits may be required. 
7.1.3 The criteria for promotion to each rank are outlined in the rubric which begins in Appendix B. Faculty members are not expected to meet all standards that are listed. Faculty must meet the criteria and minimum number of points for the rank at which they are performing, and must choose the criteria that most reflect their interests and skills. For annual evaluations, achievements in each of the three (3) judgmental areas must at the very least be commensurate with the faculty member’s rank. For all evaluations and applications for promotion, tenure, and continuing contract, the evaluation document must include a scored evaluation rubric (Appendix B). 
7.1.4 Criteria for Tenure: Tenure must be recommended for faculty members by the School in accordance with the M.A. Judgmental criteria must be effective performance in the three judgmental areas  listed under promotion to Associate Professor in the rubric that begins in Appendix B. In addition, tenure is awarded with the expectation, based on evidence contained in the cumulative evaluation, of continued effective performance and ongoing contributions in teaching and assigned responsibilities, scholarship and/or professional development, and service.
7.1.5 Continuing Contract Status: Candidates eligible for Continuing Contract Status must follow procedures outlined in the M.A. and must be assessed on the basis of their teaching, assigned responsibilities, and SOCS service. The focus on teaching and service must not preclude a candidate from including scholarship and/or professional development activities for consideration in the review for Continuing Contract Status. Criteria for teaching/assigned responsibilities and service must be the same as those listed for Assistant Professor. If the candidate for Continuing Contract Status wishes to apply for promotion, an area of emphasis (scholarship and/or professional development or service) must be identified with the mutual agreement of the Evaluation Committee and Associate Dean. The criteria for teaching, scholarship and/or professional development, and service must be met for the rank to which the candidate is applying.
7.1.6 Contingent Status: Contingent faculty are part-time faculty who shall be evaluated on an annual basis as specified in the M.A. according to their rank.

ARTICLE 8 AMENDMENTS 

8.1 Bylaws must be reviewed and amended as needed and must be congruent with the contractual agreement. 
8.2 Proposed amendments shall be distributed to all members of the SOCS at least one (1) week prior to the meeting at which they are to be introduced and discussed. They must be voted on within one (1) week after they have been discussed via a ballot circulated to the voting membership or at a SOCS meeting. 

ARTICLE 9  RATIFICATION 

These Bylaws and amendments must be approved by a simple majority of the voting members of the SOCS. Adopted amendments must be forwarded as stipulated in the M.A. to proceed through the review process.