University of Illinois
Program in Translation and Interpreting Studies
Bylaws
Revisions approved by TIS faculty, April 5, 2021
I. Name
The name of the unit is the Program in Translation and Interpreting Studies (TIS). TIS is an academic unit in the School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics (SLCL) in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS), at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
II. Mission
The core of TIS's mission is teaching and research in the disciplines of translation and interpreting studies. TIS is also committed to public engagement that models best professional practices in collaboration with wider communities.
III. TIS Faculty and Faculty Privileges
1. TIS faculty are those who are tenured or receiving probationary credit toward tenure, hold the rank of professor, associate professor, or assistant professor, and also hold at least a 0% formal appointment in TIS.
2. TIS faculty privileges as specified in these Bylaws will be extended to those who are neither tenured nor receiving probationary credit toward tenure and who hold the rank or title of professor, associate professor, assistant professor, instructor, lecturer, senior lecturer, teaching or research assistant professor, teaching or research associate professor, or teaching or research professor; with or without the modification of “adjunct,” “clinical,” and/or “visiting;" and who also hold at least a 0% academic appointment in TIS.
3. Meetings of all TIS faculty and those holding faculty privileges will be called at least once per academic year for explanation and discussion of unit policies, educational procedure, and research. An agenda shall be posted prior to each meeting. Minutes of each meeting (except executive sessions held for the discussion of personnel issues) shall be made available.
IV. Administration
1. Director. TIS is administered by a Director who serves as chief Executive Officer for the unit.
a. The Director is appointed by the Dean of LAS, in accordance with University of Illinois Statutes, Article IV, Section 3; and with the appropriate procedures of the College.
b.The Director shall have general direction of the work of the unit. The Director shall
(1) consult with the TIS Advisory Committee in regard to TIS policy;
(2) be responsible for the organization of the work of TIS, for the quality and efficient progress of that work, for the formulation and execution of TIS policies, and for the execution of University and College policies insofar as they affect TIS;
(3) report on the teaching and research of TIS;
(4) have general supervision of the work of students in TIS;
(5) prepare the TIS budget in consultation with the TIS Advisory Committee; and
(6) be responsible for the distribution and expenditure of TIS funds and for the care of TIS property.
The Director, in consultation with the Advisory Committee, shall also recommend individuals for academic appointment in TIS.
c. Review of the TIS Director. The performance of the Director of TIS shall be reviewed at least every five years by a panel appointed by the Dean of LAS in a manner to be determined by College bylaws. As one component of this evaluation, views shall be solicited from all TIS faculty and those holding TIS faculty privileges as defined in Article III, sections 1 and 2, in such a way as to preserve confidentiality.
2. Staff. Additional staff of TIS may be recommended for appointment by the Director, for the purposes of advising, instruction, outreach, or other TIS activities consistent with its mission.
3. Standing Committees
3.1. Advisory Committee
3.1.1. The Advisory Committee shall function in accordance with University Statutes, Article IV, section 3 (f). It shall:
a) provide for the orderly voicing of suggestions for the good of TIS;
b) recommend procedures and committees that will encourage faculty participation in formulating policy;
c) advise the Director on financial commitments of TIS and the appointment of individuals to academic positions in TIS;
d) advise the Director in cases of alleged capricious grading and appeals of charges of student academic misconduct;
e) consider grievances brought against any member of the TIS faculty, administration, or staff; except that if a grievance is brought against a member of the Advisory Committee, that member shall be recused from consideration of the grievance;
f) assist in the annual performance reviews of TIS faculty members whose primary appointment is in TIS; except that members of the advisory committee who are neither tenured nor receiving probationary credit toward tenure shall be recused from these discussions;
g) perform such other tasks as may be assigned to it.
Any faculty or staff member of TIS shall be entitled to a conference with the committee or with any member of it on any matter properly within the purview of the committee.
3.1.2.a. The Advisory Committee shall consist of at least four members, elected by secret ballot by and from among those who hold at least a 0% appointment in TIS and who are faculty or who hold faculty privileges as defined in Article III, Section 2 of these Bylaws. Three members shall be elected by and from among those members of the TIS faculty who are tenured or receiving probationary credit toward tenure and hold the rank of professor, associate professor, or assistant professor. One member shall be elected by and from among those who are neither tenured nor receiving probationary credit toward tenure and hold the rank or title of professor, associate professor, assistant professor, instructor, lecturer, senior lecturer, teaching or research assistant professor, teaching or research associate professor, or teaching or research professor; with or without the modification of , “adjunct,” “clinical,” and/or “visiting."
b. Elections of all members of the Advisory Committee shall be held by secret ballot.
c. In the initial round of elections to the Advisory Committee, half of the elected members will be designated by lot to serve a one-year term, and the remaining members will serve two-year terms. Beginning in the second year, all members will serve two-year terms, with half of the members being replaced each year.
3.1.3. The Advisory Committee shall meet at least once and as needed each semester. A meeting of the Advisory Committee may be called by the Director or by a majority of its members. An agenda shall be posted prior to each meeting. Minutes of each meeting (except executive sessions held for the discussion of personnel issues) shall be made available.
3.2. Additional standing committees are appointed by the Director from among all those holding formal academic appointments in TIS.
a. The Curriculum Committee will propose or consider proposals related to TIS courses and curricula.
b. The Admissions Committee will evaluate admissions applications and recommend candidates for admission to TIS graduate programs. The Admissions Committee may also make recommendations regarding application procedures and admissions criteria.
3.3. The director may appoint ad hoc committees as necessary.
V. Amendments
1. Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by and voted on by any faculty member holding at least a 0% appointment in TIS and any of those holding TIS faculty privileges, as defined in Article III, sections 1 and 2 of these Bylaws; except that voting on proposed revisions regarding the provision of faculty privileges is restricted to TIS faculty, as defined in Article III, section 1 of these Bylaws.
2. Any proposal to revise the Bylaws must be circulated to all those eligible to vote at least ten working days in advance of the collection of votes. Voting must be carried out by secret ballot.
3. For amendments of these Bylaws to be adopted, they must be approved by a two-thirds majority of those voting.
4. These Bylaws are to be reviewed at least once every five years by the Advisory Committee.