Bylaws

KASC promotes the study and understanding of Africa in the state, the region, and the country, and it coordinates and develops the interdisciplinary interests of Africanists across the University of Kansas. Its mission includes the sponsorship of research, teacher training and curriculum development, the organization of conferences, the promotion of special projects, the acquisition of library and related resources, the conduct of outreach programs and opportunities, as well as the seeking and acquisition of grants and special funding to make these activities possible, while assisting the university in the realization of these goals.

The Center's focus of activity is guided by the following objectives:

• To enhance the African Studies curriculum at both the undergraduate and graduate levels
• To facilitate and promote the African language program at the University
• To sponsor, coordinate, and promote interdisciplinary research and programs
• To develop proposals and seek funding that strengthens the institutional infrastructure of the University in all areas of African Studies
• To facilitate outreach and enhance opportunities for school teachers and other segments of the public in learning about and appreciating Africa and its peoples
• To promote and encourage field research in Africa by faculty and students from the University
• To build collaborative relationships with African institutions of higher education

The African Studies Council includes faculty, administrative staff, and students at the University of Kansas with strong interest and active participation in African area studies. Demonstrated interest and participation include attendance at KASC activities and professional conferences, teaching Africa-related courses, conducting research on Africa-related issues, and/or knowledge of an African language. The Council is responsible, in conjunction with the Executive Committee, for maintaining a list of active and prospective Council members. The Council functions in an advisory capacity to the Executive Committee. The Council is responsible for electing five at-large members to the Executive Committee. All faculty, graduate students, and administrative staff who are in attendance at Council meetings may vote. All interested undergraduate students may attend, but only two undergraduate representatives, chosen by their peers, may vote.

The Council ordinarily meets once each year, normally in late Spring. Special meetings are called whenever necessary.

As the representatives of the Council, the Executive Committee meets at least once each semester and functions as the major policy-formulating body for the KASC's activities.

The Executive Committee includes the following:

Voting members

• The KASC Director
• The KASC Administrative Assistant Director
• The KASC Faculty Associate Director
• The KASC Language Coordinator
• The Africana Librarian or his/her representative from KU Libraries
• One member of the AAAS Department, chosen by the Department
• Five at-large members with at least one representative for the constituencies of the professional schools and at least three representatives of the constituencies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences)
• KU student representative in residence

Ex Officio members

• The Chair of the AAAS Department
• The Associate Vice-Provost for International and Global Engagement
• The contact Associate Dean from CLAS for KASC

Procedure for election of members

The general membership of the African Studies Council will elect the at-large members, who serve a term of two years. Nominations for at-large membership on the Executive Committee are made by members of the African Studies Council at the request of the Executive Committee. After an appropriate number of nominations are secured, the Executive Committee prepares a ballot and distributes it at the Spring Council meeting, where an election is held for terms that begin the following academic year.

The student membership of the African Studies Council will elect the student representative, who serves a term of one year. The election will happen at the annual meeting of the Council. Any member of the Council can make nominations for the student representative, but only graduate student members of the Council who are present in person or online are eligible to vote for the student representative. As with other Council matters, undergraduate students in attendance at the meeting may choose up to two (2) peers who vote for the student representative on their behalf.

Normally, the Director of the KASC is responsible for calling and presiding over meetings of the Executive Committee and the African Studies Council.

Motions for amendments or revisions to the By-Laws may be entertained by or recommended to the Executive Committee, but all changes in the By-Laws must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the African Studies Council.