BYLAWS
THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in
SLAT PROGRAMS
Mission Statement
The mission of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Second Language
Acquisition and Teaching (SLAT) is: (1) to provide rigorous and high quality
graduate-level training for researchers, teachers, curriculum specialists, and
administrators at all levels of instruction who are concerned with aspects of
second language acquisition, learning, and teaching; (2) to facilitate
scholarly communication and collaboration among faculty with different
disciplinary traditions and identities at The University of Arizona who have
expertise and interests in language acquisition, learning, and/or teaching; (3)
to enhance the quality of undergraduate foreign language education at The
University of Arizona and other institutions; and (4) to provide outreach
support to the community, state, and beyond in relation to social needs and
policy issues concerning language learning and multilingualism.
To fulfill its mission in the context of the University, the
Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching
reports through the Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs to the Vice
President for Research, Graduate Studies and Economic Development.
Faculty Membership in SLAT
' Regular' faculty membership on the Interdisciplinary Committee on Second
Language Acquisition and Teaching is intended to be broadly representative of
faculty who have tenured or tenure-track appointments in any department or
program at The University of Arizona and a significant level of interest and
expertise related to second language acquisition and teaching, including
language analysis, language use, language processes, and language pedagogy or
assessment. 'Affiliate' faculty membership in SLAT is available to
non-tenure-track personnel at The University of Arizona who have comparable
interest/expertise. 'Associate' faculty membership is available to tenure-track
faculty who have expertise in an area related to SLAT, such as literature, literacy,
or statistics, and also some level of interest/expertise in second language
acquisition and teaching. Affiliate and Associate faculty members may not chair
comprehensive examinations or dissertation committees.
Qualifications for membership in SLAT are reviewed by the Executive Council
(EC), and recommendations for appointment to the Committee are submitted by the
EC to the Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs for approval and
processing. Any faculty member may request withdrawal of his/her membership in
SLAT, or termination of membership may be recommended by the EC in the case of
members who do not maintain interest/expertise in scholarly activities related
to SLAT. Recommendation by the EC for termination of membership is subject to
approval from the Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs.
Expectations of faculty members differ depending on their role and level of
activity in language research and teaching, but include willingness to mentor
SLAT students and to serve on examination and dissertation committees, as well
as to teach courses related to SLAT interests/requirements.
All members of the Committee are to be informed of SLAT activities and EC
proceedings on a regular basis, and invited to have input on all matters
related to SLAT. A meeting of the full SLAT faculty must be called at least
once each year. Additional meetings must be scheduled on petition from ten or
more regular faculty members on the Committee.
In the event that one or more faculty lines are assigned to SLAT, recommendation
for appointment of internal members to such lines requires a two-thirds vote of
the EC. Recruitment of external candidates for such lines involves appointment
of a search/review committee by the EC, including a student representative as a
non-voting member, and proceedings in accord with all University regulations
regarding affirmative action. All search/review committees report to the EC.
The EC determines the acceptability of candidates by a two-thirds vote, and
submits its recommendation(s) for appointment to the Director of Graduate
Interdisciplinary Programs for approval and processing.
Executive Council
The Executive Council (EC) is charged with determining policy and procedures
related to student admission and evaluation, to program implementation
(including curricular requirements), and to selection/appointment of Committee
membership and administrative officers. Any of these responsibilities may be
delegated to individuals or subcommittees with a two-thirds vote of the EC. All
EC members are appointed to the council by the Director of Graduate
Interdisciplinary Programs.
The EC consists of nine to twelve members selected from the regular SLAT
faculty, appointed by the Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs for
three-year terms. All faculty terms begin and end with the academic year.
Members may serve consecutive terms on the EC. To insure interdisciplinary
representation, membership should draw equally from the colleges participating
in SLAT. EC members who are on leave may be replaced by a temporary
appointment, preferably from the same department.
Nominations for EC membership will be invited from all SLAT Committee
members. Recommendations for appointment will be made by vote of the current
Executive Council.
In addition, two student representatives will meet with the EC on an ad hoc
(non-voting) basis. These representatives will be elected by the student
association (SLATSA) for one-year, staggered terms, and will be eligible to
serve one additional term in office. The student representatives will not
participate in any discussions relating to faculty or student
admission/evaluation.
The EC will meet at least twice each semester. A quorum consists of one more
than half of the EC membership.
Administrative Officers
The Chair of the EC also serves as Director of the Ph.D. Program in SLAT. S/he
will be a tenured faculty member on the SLAT Interdisciplinary Committee,
nominated by vote of the EC, and appointed by the Director of Graduate
Interdisciplinary Programs.
The Chair will normally serve a five-year term, and may be appointed for no
more than two consecutive terms. It is expected that the primary affiliation of
this administrative officer will rotate among various departments that
contribute to the SLAT program faculty membership. In the event of a vacancy in
this office, the EC will nominate an Acting Chair to fill out the term.
The Chair represents the program to the administration and to the community.
S/he will handle the daily administration of the program and will be
responsible for oversight of all aspects of program operation, including budget
and personnel. S/he will call and preside at meetings of the EC as needed but
not less than twice per semester, and call and preside at meetings of the full
SLAT Interdisciplinary Committee at least once per year and as needed. Specific
administrative duties may be delegated to other individuals or to committees
with the advice and consent of the EC.
A Graduate Advisor will be appointed by the Chair from the regular
membership on the SLAT Interdisciplinary Committee, with approval of the EC.
S/he will be responsible for student advising, and for scheduling and coordinating
the qualifying examinations. S/he will be recommended for appointment to EC,
and will serve as a voting member upon invitation by the Director of Graduate
Interdisciplinary Programs.
Promotion and Tenure Review
All faculty members on the SLAT Interdisciplinary Committee who are undergoing
review for promotion or tenure will have input from this program to that
process, in accord with university policies and procedures. All members of the
EC who are of appropriate rank will be involved in P & T reviews, unless
the EC decides that there is already adequate SLAT representation on the
departmental review committee. Similar input will be provided for second and
fourth year reviews at the request of a candidate and/or department head.
Annual Performance Review
The SLAT Interdisciplinary Committee will provide input for the Annual
Performance Reviews of 'regular' faculty members. For this purpose the EC will
appoint an Annual Performance Review Committee (APRC), which will solicit
information from faculty members regarding their contributions to the Program.
Based on the information submitted by the faculty member, the APRC will write a
letter to the appropriate department head (or in the case of faculty who are
department heads, to the appropriate dean) describing each faculty member's
contributions to SLAT. Faculty members may opt to appeal the APRC's review with
the Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs or the Graduate
Interdisciplinary Review Committee, in accordance with Graduate College procedures.
Adoption and Amendment of Bylaws
A draft of suggested bylaws and any subsequent amendments will be circulated
for input from all faculty members on the SLAT Interdisciplinary Committee and
from all SLAT students. Adoption/amendment requires a two-thirds vote of the
Executive Council. The EC vote will occur no earlier than thirty days after
distribution of the document to faculty and students. The by-laws are reviewed
and approved each year by the Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs.
All revisions or amendments to the by-laws are reviewed by GIDPAC before
receiving final approval by the Director.
Revised 5/99, 3/05
