H. SLAT PROGRAM BYLAWS
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.
Current members
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
