Governance Committee – May 6, 2015 – Agenda

University Area Commission – Governance Committee 

Agenda –May 6, 2015

According to Article IV Section 7: The Governance Committee shall:

  1. Implement these by laws and elections rules as required;
  2. Research the effectiveness and applicability of these by laws and make recommendations to the Commission for amendments to the by laws;
  3. Conduct the orientation of new commissioners;
  4. Coordinate t he internal activities of the Commission.

Agenda:

  • Discuss Proposed by law language changes and take vote on final language to take forward to the full Commission

 

  • Discussed language change to clarify the UAC by laws regarding Group Commissioner
    • Original Text: Article II Section 3, paragraph a
      • By September 1 of each year, the Corresponding Secretary shall notify in writing all represented organizations that the term of their member shall end at the start of the annual meeting; and that it should submit in writing a representative to the Commission for the new term as set forth in Article II, Sections 1(b) and 1(C). This must be done by October 1 so that the Commission may certify the new members before the next annual meeting.
        1. Organizations in 1(b) shall be notified to appoint a commissioner.
        2. Organizations in 1(c) shall be notified to nominate a commissioner.
      • Proposed Changes:
        • By September 1 of each year, the Corresponding Secretary shall notify in writing all represented organizations defined in 1(b) that the term of their member shall end at the start of the annual meeting; and that it should appoint in writing a representative to the Commission for the new term. This must be done by October 31 so that the Commission can file paperwork with the City of Columbus so the new appointment can begin their term at the beginning of the annual meeting.
        • By September 1 of each year, the Corresponding Secretary shall publicly announce the call for nominations from organizations defined in 1(c) to nominate in writing a representative from their group. This must be done by October 31 so that the Commission can vote on nominated members before the next annual meeting. The term will start at the beginning of the annual meeting.
  • Discussed language to clarify the UAC by laws regarding what happens in the event an organization or group seat becomes vacant and needs to be filled.
    • Original Language: Article II Section 4, paragraph b
      • If a vacancy occurs in an organization or group seat on the Commission because of resignation, death, disqualification, or other means, the Corresponding Secretary shall give notice to the organization or group to fill the vacancy in the same manner as set forth in Article II, Section 1(b) and 1(c), to serve until the next Annual Meeting.
  • Vote on removing existing Standing Rules in the UAC by Laws since they are no longer applicable.
    • In the year 2013 all elected, appointed and nominated Commissioners in good standing at the time of the June meeting will have their terms in office extended to the beginning of the January 2014 Commission meeting.
    • In the year 2013 all terms of office as described in Article II section 2 of the University Area Commission By Laws are here by extended one time by 7 months.
  • Election Rule 7.4.1 reads: All candidates and electors must provide identification and proof of residence… At any time prior to the day of the election, any commissioner may dispute the residency of any candidate by so informing the board of elections. In such case, the board shall contact the candidate to verify residency.
    • Proposed Changes:
      • All candidates and electors must provide identification and proof of residence… At any time prior to the first day of the elections, any commissioner may dispute the residency of any candidate by so informing the board of elections. In such case, the board shall contact the candidate to verify residency.
  • Election Rule 2.6 reads: Candidates may withdraw from the ballot no later than 4:30 pm on the Thursday prior to the election. Upon notice of a candidate’s death or disqualification, the Board shall remove the candidate’s name from the ballot.
    • Proposed Changes:
      • Candidates may withdraw from the ballot no later than 4:30 pm on the Thursday prior to the first day of elections. Upon notice of a candidate’s death or disqualification, the Board shall remove the candidate’s name from the ballot.
  • Proposed Changes:
    • If a vacancy occurs in an organization seat defined in 1(b) on the Commission because of resignation, death, disqualification, or other means, the Corresponding Secretary shall give notice to the organization to appoint someone to fill the vacancy and serve until the start of the next Annual Meeting.
    • If a vacancy occurs in a group seat on the Commission because of resignation, death, disqualification, or other means, the Corresponding Secretary shall give public notice to call for nominations from organizations defined in 1(c) to nominate in writing a representative from their group. The Commission will vote on nominated members to fill the vacancy who will serve until the start of the next Annual Meeting.
  • UAC By Laws Article VI Section 1 reads: Elections shall be held on the last Wednesday in October and the first Saturday November of each year. All elections shall be secret ballot. Elections shall be determined by plurality vote.
    • Proposed Changes:
      • Article VI Section 1: Elections shall be held on the Wednesday preceding the first Saturday November and the first Saturday in November of each year. All elections shall be secret ballot. Elections shall be determined by plurality vote.
  • Election Rule 7.1 reads: On the last Wednesday of October the polls shall be open from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. On the first Saturday in November the Polls shall be open from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.
    • Proposed Changes:
      • The polls shall be open from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on the Wednesday preceding the first Saturday in November. On the first Saturday in November the Polls shall be open from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.
  • Election Rule 2.10 reads: Candidates may withdraw from the ballot no later than 4:30 pm on the Thursday prior to the election. Upon notice of a candidate’s death or disqualification, the Board shall remove the candidate’s name from the ballot.
    • Proposed Changes:
      • Candidates may withdraw from the ballot no later than 4:30 pm on the Thursday prior to the first day of elections. Upon notice of a candidate’s death or disqualification, the Board shall remove the candidate’s name from the ballot.
  • UAC By Law Section VI Section 7 reads: At any time prior to the day of the election, any commissioner may dispute the residency of any candidate by so informing the board of elections. In such case, the Board shall contact the candidate to verify residency.
    • Proposed Changes:
      • At any time prior to the first day of the election, any commissioner may dispute the residency of any candidate by so informing the board of elections. In such case, the Board shall contact the candidate to verify residency.
  • Discuss changes to the By Laws related to minimum age of voters
  • Article VI Section 2: Any person eighteen years of age or older and is a resident in the University Area, shall be an elector.   Electors need not be registered with the Franklin County Board of Elections.

Committee Members 2015 Commission Year

Commissioner Present Absent Excused
Colin Odden
Jen Mankin
Doreen Uhas-Sauer
Sharon Young
Steve Volkmann
Kate Neithammer X
David Hegley

 

 

Note: Agenda subject to change

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