MPPA Bylaws

1. Advisory Board members are selected by the Director of the MPPA program in consultation with the MPPA faculty.  The criteria used to select Board members should include (a) an affiliation with the program or the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, (b) a diversity in the graduates from the program, and (c) an interest in improving the quality of education and opportunities for professional development, public service, and research provided in the program.  Ex-officio members of the Board include the Director of the MPPA Program, the Head of the Department of Political Science, and an MPPA student chosen by the membership of the UT ICMA chapter.
2. Board member terms are limited to five years and may receive one renewal.
3. A Chair of the MPPA Advisory Board should be selected by the Board and serve a three-year term, which may receive one renewal.  The Chair is responsible for preparing a brief annual report of the Board and communicating with Board members on issues that pertain to the Board and the MPPA program.  This does not preclude any Board member from engaging in direct correspondence with fellow board members or with the Program Director.  A Vice-chair of the Board should be selected to assist in leading Board initiatives and projects.
4. Board meetings should occur at least annually but may be scheduled more frequently with the consent of a majority of Board Members.  Special meetings can occur at the discretion of the Program Director.  
5. Minutes of each meeting shall be kept and distributed to Board members.
6. The role of the UT MPPA Advisory Board is to provide advice and counsel to the MPPA Director and faculty and to help assure that the program grows and adapts in ways that are tactically and strategically sound and well-geared to the public and non-profit sectors that the program ultimately serves. Board members can be expected to:
   • help the faculty, staff, and students to enhance our tradition of excellence,
   • disseminate news and achievements of the department to appropriate constituent groups,
   • provide feedback and perspectives to the program director and faculty regarding program initiatives, events, and curriculum,
   • assist in the professional development of MPPA students, 
   • support the program by promoting public service professions, identifying opportunities for and contributing to development efforts for MPPA scholarships, assistantships, and MPPA program activities.  

Adopted May 8, 2015