Council Leadership
Stephanie Franklin Chair	P.K. Hightower Vice Chair	Evelyn Allen Secretary	Ahmed Samaha Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs

Members
Richard Allen	Dr. Andrea Alsobrook	Rev. Brendolyn Jenkins-Boseman	Byron Bush
Brian Coulter	Pat Crawford	Gail Diggs	Shawn Foster
Dr. Daniel Heimmermann	Wesley Hightower	Dr. Melencia Johnson	Meredith Ashley McCray
Cynthia Mitchell	Audrey Ogletree	Larry Ogletree	Dr. Joyce Pompey
Kevin Price	Sharon Rodgers	Louisiana Wright Sanders	Prof. Elizabeth Webb

Interested in Serving?

Bylaws

Article I - Name

The name of this organization shall be the Inclusion Advisory Council (IAC) of the University of South Carolina Aiken.

Article II - Purposes

The purpose of IAC of the University of South Carolina Aiken is to provide guidance and support for the improvement of the University of South Carolina Aiken. Towards this end the Council shall:

(1) Establish a continuing relationship between USCA and the surrounding community for the enhancement and improvement of USCA through networking events and other engaging activities (such as mentoring and DEI educational activities).

(2) Seek to develop an inclusive environment addressing diversity and equity issues by acting as a change agent and remaining current with regional and national trends in DEI.

(3) Provide support and guidance for employing a diverse faculty/staff, recruiting a diverse student body, and developing leaders to influence the university system and consistently model the ideals of the university’s strategic plan.

Article III - Offices

The offices of the IAC shall be the same as the Chancellor of the University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken, South Carolina.

Article IV - Council Members

Section 1. General Powers.

The members of the Inclusion Advisory Council shall have the entire and exclusive control and management of the Council and will be advisory to the Chancellor of the University of South Carolina Aiken.

Section 2. Number and Qualifications.

The number of Council Members shall be a minimum of (12) and a maximum of (20). In addition, six (6) Council Members shall be ex-officio members, who shall be the Chancellor of USCA, the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs/Provost, the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and External Affairs the Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement and Inclusivity, and the Director of Diversity Initiatives.

Section 3. Method of Selection.

At the first meeting each year the Executive Committee shall propose individuals to serve as Council Members for three (3) year terms. Additionally, the committee shall propose persons to fill any unexpired terms. The committee shall distribute the list of nominees to each Council Member in advance of the annual meeting (which will be held every September). The new Council Members shall be elected by a majority vote of Council Members prior to the annual meeting. All outgoing Council Members shall be eligible to vote.

Section 4. Term of Office.

The elected Council Members shall serve for terms of three (3) years each. Council Members may not serve more than two (2) terms of office consecutively.

Section 5. Vacancies.

Unexpired terms may be filled by a majority of those present and voting at any regular or special meeting of the Council. An outgoing Council Member shall be entitled to vote in such an election.

Section 6. Meetings.

(a) Regular Meetings. There shall be at least (1) meeting per semester of the Council (4 meetings yearly). The regular meeting in the fall shall be designated as the annual meeting.

(b) Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Council may be called either by the President of the Council, by the Executive Committee, or by petition signed by three (3) or more Council Members in accordance with the provision of the notice of meetings.

(c) Place of Meeting. The President shall designate the time and place for all regular and special meetings.

(d) Notice of Meetings. Written or printed notice stating the place, day, and hour of all meetings of members shall be delivered, either personally or electronically, to each member entitled to vote at such meetings, not less than five (5) or more than sixty (60) days before the date of such meeting, by or at the direction of the President or the Secretary. In case of special meetings, the purpose for which the meeting is called shall be stated in the notice.

(e) Quorum. A simple majority (50% plus one) of a quorum of the Council Members is required for any meeting, at least one of whom shall be an ex-officio member.

(f) Planning Retreat. A Planning Retreat of the IAC shall be held each summer. At the planning retreat the IAC should develop goals for the academic year that include, but are not limited to, networking events with students and panels that revolve around issues in diversity, equity and inclusion.

Section 7. Committees.

Committees will be determined as needed. The Executive Committee is a required committee and other committees will be appointed as needed. Examples of committees can include, but are not limited to:

(a) Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers, the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor of Student Engagement and Inclusivity, and the Director of Diversity Initiatives.

(b) Scholarships and Fundraising Committee. The Scholarships and Fundraising Committee shall assist in raising funds for scholarships and programs and offer guidance on USCA’s practices for scholarship development and implementation. The committee shall collaborate with stakeholders to advance and evaluate fundraising opportunities for scholarships.

(c) Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Wide Celebration Committee: The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Wide Celebration Committee shall plan and implement the annual program.

(d) Nominating Committee: The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for seeking out eligible and qualified candidates to fill officer positions as well as Committee Chair positions on the Council. The Nominating Committee will also identify Chair Elects for committees.

Section 8. Emeritus Members of the Council.

The Inclusion Advisory Council may vote to bestow the title of Emeritus Member of the Council. This is a special title intended to honor selected members who have, through the years, demonstrated distinguished service to the Council and to USC Aiken. An Emeritus member shall be a non-voting member.

Section 9. Attendance Requirement

The Inclusion Advisory Council members shall have to attend 2 regularly scheduled meeting a year. Attendance of all members is encouraged to ensure the goals and vision of the IAC.

Article V - Officers

Section 1. Number.

The officers of the Council shall be a President, Vice President and Secretary.

Section 2. Election and Term of Office.

The officers of the Inclusion Advisory Council shall be elected members of the Council and shall be elected for a term of two (2) years by the Council Members at the 1st meeting of an election year (each odd year). Vacancies may be filled or new offices created and filled at a regular meeting of the Council Members. Each officer shall hold office until a successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

Section 3. Duties.

a. The President shall: (1) in conjunction with the Vice Chair, schedule and set the agenda for all IAC meetings, (2) convene and serve as the presiding officer for all IAC meetings, (3) in conjunction with the Finance Officer, oversee the IAC budget, (4) oversee IAC elections, (5) communicate to the Chancellor and the interests, concerns and activities of IAC. (6) the President shall make an Annual Report on the Council’s activities to all Council Members.

b. The Vice President shall: (1) in conjunction with the President, schedule and set the agenda for all IAC meetings, (2) in the absence of the President, execute all powers and duties of the President, (3) upon the President’s resignation, recall or inability to serve, execute all powers and duties of the Chair for the remainder of the President’s term, (4) have full voting power over matters under consideration, and (5) in conjunction with the Secretary, maintain an archive of IAC documents, including but not limited to meeting minutes, financial documents, and programming records.

c. The Secretary shall: (1) take minutes at each meeting detailing the events of the meeting (2) send notice of the meeting and agenda to all committee members so that they will receive them at least a week before the meeting is arranged. These should always be sent out even if they are held at the same time and place each week or month, (3) keep a complete and approved up to date record of minutes, (4) read minutes of previous meeting (unless already sent out), (5) read out all correspondence received and report any action taken since last meeting, and (6) keep record of everyone attending the meeting or collect their names in an attendance book.

Section 4. Committee Chairs and Chair Elects

Committee Chairs and Chair Elects will be selected annually at the 1st meeting of the year Chair Elects will automatically become the Chair at the end of the his/her term as Chair Elect.

Section 5. Impeachment of Officers

An impeachment motion should be brought before the IAC and properly seconded by another member to begin impeachment proceedings. The President shall govern the proceedings. If the President is the officer in question, the Vice Chancellor of Student Engagement and Inclusivity shall govern the proceedings. A two-thirds vote by anonymous ballot shall be required to remove the officer from their position

Article VI - Records

The Inclusion Advisory Council shall keep correct and complete records and minutes of the proceedings of its meetings. All records of the Council may be inspected by any Council Member for any proper purpose at any reasonable time. The Office of the Chancellor or designee shall be responsible for maintaining copies of all records and minutes.

Article VII - Amendments to By-Laws

Amendments to these By-laws may be adopted by three-fourths (3/4) of the Council Members present at any regular meeting, providing that at least thirty (30) days written notice is given of the intention to adopt new by-laws at such meeting.

Article VIII - Ratification

These By-laws shall become effective when they are adopted by a three-quarter (3/4) vote of the Council Members present at a meeting especially called for this purpose.

Revised as of February 28, 2022