University of Maine at Fort Kent Board of Visitors By-laws

ARTICLE I: Name

The name of this organization shall be the University of Maine at Fort Kent Board of Visitors.

ARTICLE II: Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be to:

  • Advocate for the University;
  • Raise private funds for the University;
  • Advise the head of the campus on community and regional needs;
  • Review for final recommendation to the Board of Trustees tuition increases, new academic programs, and the five-year plan of the University.

ARTICLE III: Membership

Section 1. The membership of this organization shall be limited to twenty (20) members.

Section 2. Members must be recommended by the University President and confirmed by the University of Maine System Board Of Trustees. The regular term of appointment shall be three years with a maximum of two terms. Each term shall expire on July 1st of the appropriate year. In order to continue the staggered nature of the terms of the Board of Visitors, initial appointments shall be proportionate numbers of three-year, two-year, and one-year appointments. Anyone appointed to fill a vacant position will be appointed to an initial three-year, two-term appointment.

  • Membership must reflect the mission of the University and the region it serves.
  • Membership will be drawn from the external University community.
  • No more than one-third of the membership may be a non-resident of Maine.
  • Membership must demonstrate sensitivity to diversity.
  • The University President and the elected Chair of the Faculty Assembly or his/her designee will be non-voting, ex-officio members of the Board of Visitors.
  • There shall be a voting member duly elected or appointed as proscribed by the Student Senate and confirmed by the University President. The Student Representative shall serve for a term of one year beginning each September.

Section 3. Any member desiring to resign from this organization shall submit his/her resignation in writing to the Recording Secretary, who shall present it to the Board for action.

ARTICLE IV: Officers

Section 1. The officers of the Board of Visitors shall be a President, a Vice-President, and a Recording Secretary. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these by-laws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the organization.

Section 2. At the regular meeting held in March, a Nominating Committee of three members shall be elected by the organization. It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate candidates for the offices to be filled at the annual meeting in June. Before the election at the annual meeting in June, additional nominations from the floor shall be permitted.

Section 3. The officers shall be elected by ballot to serve for one year or until their successors are elected, and their term of office shall begin at the close of the annual meeting at which they are elected.

Section 4. No member shall hold more than one office at a time, and no member shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.

ARTICLE V: Meetings

Section 1. The regular meetings of the organization shall be held quarterly.

Section 2. The regular meeting in June shall be known as the annual meeting and shall be for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports of officers and committees, and for any other business that may arise.

Section 3. Special meetings may be called by the President of the Board and shall be called upon the written request of ten members of the organization. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call. Except in cases of emergency, at least three days’ notice shall be given.

Section 4. Fifty percent (50%) of voting members of the organization, present and/or participating by teleconference or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, shall constitute a quorum.

Section 5. All votes shall be by affirmation of a majority of members participating and voting.

ARTICLE VI: Executive Committee

Section 1. The Executive Committee of the University of Maine at Fort Kent Board of Visitors shall consist of the President of the Board, the Vice President of the Board, the Secretary of the Board, and the chairs of the standing committees authorized by the Board. The President of the University shall be an ex officio member.

Section 2. The Executive Committee shall have authority to execute the orders of the Board; transact business to carry on the operations of the Board between meetings; participate in the preparation of the agendas for Board meetings; and facilitate and disseminate the work of the committees of the Board.

  • All actions taken and business transacted by the Executive Committee shall be reported to the Board and presented for ratification by the Board at the next Board meeting after any such action is taken or business transacted.
  • The Executive Committee may not act for the Board on matters which are reserved for the Board: election of Board members, modifications to Board mission and purposes, or changes to the By-laws.

Section 3. The Executive Committee shall meet upon the call of the President of the Board or the President of the University.

Section 4. Meetings may be conducted either in person at such location as designated in the call or through the use of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participating in any meeting so conducted shall constitute attendance and the equivalence of presence in person at the meeting of each person so participating.

Section 5. The minutes of the Executive Committee meetings shall indicate the votes or actions taken.

Section 6. A majority of the members of the Executive Committee having the right to vote shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VII: Committees

Section 1. Committees, standing or special, shall be appointed by the President of the Board or the Executive Committee, from time to time, as deemed necessary to carry on the work of the organization. The President of the Board shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.

ARTICLE VIII: Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with these by-laws and any special rules of order the organization may adopt.

ARTICLE IX: Amendment of By-laws

These by-laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the organization by a two-thirds vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting

Review/Revisions – July 2011, March 2013, July 2013, March 2016, June 2021

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