Center for Research on Vermont Bylaws

The Center for Research on Vermont represents the formal institutionalization of the responsibility and commitment felt by a segment of the scholarly community to develop and pursue opportunities for research on Vermont. The existence of the Center can help enhance public awareness of the need, possibility, and significance of such scholarly work and demonstrate the University's attention and responsiveness in an area that is uniquely important.

 A. Purposes

To promote and facilitate research, teaching, and related scholarly activities dealing with the state of Vermont or matters of interest to the state, particularly in, but not confined to, the disciplines of the social sciences and humanities.
    1.    To bring together academic resources and outside financial sources to respond to research needs of the state.
    2.    To generate research data on Vermont.
    3.    To use Vermont data for pure research and laboratory purposes.
    4.    To enhance intellectual awareness of various aspects of the state's problems.
    5.    To improve public perception of the University's readiness and ability to contribute to the understanding and resolution of state problems.

B. Membership

Members of the University of Vermont faculty with a demonstrated interest in research on Vermont may be appointed Fellows of the Center by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences upon nomination by the Executive Committee. Members of the faculties of other Vermont educational institutions or any other persons with demonstrated research interests on Vermont may be appointed by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences as Associates of the Center upon nomination by the Executive Committee.

C. Governance

    1. There is an Executive Committee consisting of nine members and a Director recommended by the Center and appointed by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
    2.    One-third of the membership of the Executive Committee is appointed each year for three-year terms
    3.    Elections are held at the last meeting in the spring of each year.
    4.    A Nominating Committee will submit the names of three or more nominees to the annual business meeting of the Members.
    5.    The Members each vote for three candidates to the Executive Committee. The top three candidates who accept nomination are recommended to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for appointment.
   6.    Members of the Executive Committee are eligible for renomination and reappointment. Members may serve no more than two consecutive three-year terms.
    7.    The Executive Committee through the Director is responsible for the direction and oversight of the Center program and staff; the Coordinator manages the day-to-day operation of the Center.
    8.    The Executive Committee shall meet on a regular basis at a time selected by the members.
    9.    The Executive Committee recommends a Director from among Center Fellows subject to approval and appointment by the Dean. The Director serves a three-year term.
    10. Any proposals for amendment of this statement must be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee at least one month prior to the annual spring meeting, and will be adopted upon the concurrence of two-thirds of the Members present at the meeting.

D.    Functions

    1.    To plan and coordinate research activity and to secure funds for support.
    2.    To provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of research work in progress.
    3.    To develop in-depth research projects in response to expressed public needs and possibilities for funding.
    4.    To promote the collection of documentary, statistical, and oral source materials in cooperation with the University Library and other pertinent agencies.
    5.    To develop a publication program of documentary and monographic material in cooperation with the New England Universities Press.
    6.    To channel inquiries to knowledgeable individuals.
    7.    The Center may propose, in cooperation with the appropriate college, to offer undergraduate or graduate courses of an interdisciplinary nature bearing on Vermont. As appropriate, undergraduate and graduate students may be involved in and supported by Center research projects.

E.    Funding

The Center is supported directly by the University as regards office space, basic overhead, and administrative service. It is not contemplated to draw on University general fund money to support specific research projects. The Center may facilitate individual research proposals by its Fellows and Associates, or it may secure project funds from outside sponsors on behalf of the Center and make awards to or employ individuals to execute such projects. Funds may be used to put scholars on part- or full-time research, releasing departmental funds for replacements.

No restriction is placed on the nature or public dissemination of the conclusions arrived at by any research project administered by the Center. On the other hand, the Center and individual researchers are responsible for observing rules of confidentiality pertaining to primary source information, written or otherwise recorded, that may be entrusted to them.