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Home » Student Affairs » Committee on Student Affairs

Regents Administrative Committee on Student Affairs (RACSA)

Statement of Mission and Bylaws

The Regents' Administrative Committee on Student Affairs (RACSA) is comprised of the Chief Student Affairs Officers at the thirty-five institutions in the University System of Georgia. The mission of RACSA, as approved by the membership in 1995, is:

• to consider policies and advocate those that foster campus learning environments and maximize opportunities for student growth, development, and success
• to promote programs and services for students that facilitate the successful attainment of their educational goals

RACSA supports the educational mission of the University System of Georgia and its members serve as full partners in planning and implementing strategies designed to enhance the learning environment on each System campus. The focus of RACSA is on quality and availability of services, programs and learning opportunities that assist students in accessing higher education and in achieving success both in and out of the classroom. In collaboration with its academic counterpart, RACSA collects information, identifies shared concerns, engages in strategic planning and proposes strategies in support of the total learning experience for System students. To this end, RACSA encourages the exchange of ideas and expertise and promotes practices that are in keeping with the principles and purposes of public institutions of higher education. RACSA is an administrative committee of the University System and serves as liaison to the Chancellor and to the Board on all matters related to the educational experiences of system students. RACSA is committed to ensuring that the student life experience in the University System of Georgia provides opportunities for students to acquire:

• the knowledge and skills needed to be productive citizens and the motivation to contribute to the communities in which they live;
• an understanding and appreciation of diversity and the values that foster fairness, respect and equity among all people;
• an understanding of and appreciation for the peoples and cultures of a global and multicultural society;
• an understanding of the concept of lifelong learning and the importance of physical and mental health;
• well developed career goals with an appreciation of continuing and progressive career development.
• the skills and knowledge to achieve quality in life and contribute to the welfare of others through worthwhile work and service.

RACSA provides leadership to the System by working collaboratively to develop and recommend policies impacting students and student services; by planning, promoting and implementing strategies that utilize technology and other means to enhance or improve services to students; by providing an open forum for discussion of issues of concern to institutions, students, and student services professionals; and, by promoting professional development for student affairs personnel in the University System of Georgia. RACSA works closely with other Regents' administrative and advisory committees and councils to focus on policies and issues that directly affect students in the University System of Georgia. These committees and councils include, but are not limited to, those dealing with admissions/records (RACRA), financial aid, student activities, career development/services, housing, counseling, institutional effectiveness (RACIE), learning disorders (RCLD), and the student advisory council (SAC). In addition, RACSA works collaboratively with the Regents' committees for academic affairs and business affairs. As with other administrative and advisory groups, RACSA serves as a recommending body to the leadership of the University System of Georgia.

RACSA recognizes that student learning is the primary mission of higher education and the primary measure of institutional effectiveness within the University System. It is one responsibility of RACSA to provide a forum for communication and recommendation among student affairs professionals on System campuses and the administrative leadership at the University System Office (USO). RACSA also actively participates in and encourages on-going communication with state and federal government and the public on matters related to all concerns, issues, and challenges related to higher education - particularly those impacting the student learning environment both within and outside the traditional classroom. In addition, RACSA encourages continual assessment and improvement of programs and services that support access to and success in higher education.

In order to serve students, system institutions and student affairs professionals, RACSA seeks an active role in all decisions impacting student learning and the development and maintenance of quality learning environments. Communication between RACSA, the University System Office, other advisory/administrative groups, the Chancellor and Board is facilitated by the following:

• Planned contact between the RACSA Chair or his/her designee and key administrative staff in the University System Office including, but not limited to, the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Fiscal Affairs, the Vice Chancellor for Academics, Faculty, and Students, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, and the Senior Advisor for Student Enrollment and Information Services.
• On-going collaboration between the RACSA Chair and chairs of other advisory/administrative groups including participation in meetings when appropriate. This includes systematic and substantive communication with the President of the Student Advisory Council.
• Scheduled meetings of all RACSA members no less than three times per year including at least one joint meeting with the Regents' Administrative Committee on Academic Affairs.
• A strong presence on the University System web page with dissemination of minutes and other pertinent information to all constituents seeking such information.
• Communication with councils and committees representing student service functions (i.e. counseling center directors, financial aid directors, residence life personnel, etc.)
• Maintenance and use of the RACSA Listserve for sharing issues and information among members and with staff in the University System Office.
• Ongoing assessment, both formal and informal, of student needs, issues and concerns on system campuses with results serving as a foundation for recommendations to the University System Office.

REGENTS' ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE ON STUDENT AFFAIRS BY-LAWS

ARTICLE 1 - NAME, PURPOSE

Section 1: The name of the organization shall be The Regents' Administrative Committee on Student Affairs (RACSA).

Section 2: RACSA represents services and programs that foster student learning and personal development at institutions within the University System of Georgia. RACSA has responsibility, shared with other administrative/advisory groups, to make recommendations to the Chancellor and, through the Chancellor, to the Board of Regents regarding curricular and co-curricular experiences and services which support System educational objectives.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Membership shall consist of the Senior Student Affairs Officers from the 35 institutions within the University System of Georgia.

Section 2: The Senior Student Affairs Officer from each institution shall be the designated representative on matters requiring a vote of the membership. Each institution shall receive one vote. The Senior Student Affairs Officer may identify a designee to serve as institutional representative in her/his absence.

Section 3: A simple majority of voting delegates will constitute a quorum.

Section 4: The University System Office shall be represented at RACSA meetings by the Vice Chancellor for Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and the Senior Advisor for Student Enrollment and Information Services who serve as non-voting, ex-officio members of RACSA.

ARTICLE III - ANNUAL MEETINGS

Section 1: RACSA will meet a minimum of three times each calendar year with one meeting scheduled during fall term, one during spring term and a joint meeting with the Administrative Committee on Academic Affairs during summer term.

Section 2: The dates of the fall and spring meetings will be set by the Executive Committee of RACSA who will also set the time and place. The dates, time and place of the summer meeting will be set by the Executive Committee in collaboration with the Executive Committee of the Administrative Committee on Academic Affairs.

Section 3: The Chair of RACSA who also chairs the Executive Committee may call Special meetings.

Section 4: All RACSA members will receive written notification of each meeting at lease two weeks prior to the scheduled date and time unless immediate need prohibits such notification.

Section 5: RACSA meetings shall be open to others who may choose to attend including staff members invited by voting delegates and additional staff from the University System Office. Participation will normally be limited to voting and ex-officio members. Others may participate at the discretion of and upon recognition by the Chair.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS AND DUTIES

Section 1: There shall be six officers consisting of the Chair-Elect, Chair, Immediate Past-Chair, and three sector representatives - one from each of the following sectors: Two Year Colleges; Four Year Colleges and Universities; and Research/Regional Universities. These officers shall comprise the Executive Committee and be responsible for the following duties:

The duties of the Chair are:

• To serve as Chair of both RACSA and the Executive Committee of RACSA
• To serve on the Nominating Committee
• To initiate and monitor the elections of sector representatives
• To coordinate and facilitate at least two RACSA meetings and one joint meeting with the Administrative Committee on Academic Affairs each year
• To convene the Executive Committee at least once per year and otherwise as needed
• To represent the issues and concerns of RACSA to key staff members in the University System Office including the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Fiscal Affairs, the Vice Chancellor for Academic, Faculty, and Students, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the Senior Advisor for Student Enrollment and Information Services, the Vice Chancellor for Information Services and Technology and the Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Research and Analysis and their staffs
• To inform RACSA members of system initiatives, issues and concerns related to student learning and services
• To represent RACSA as an advocate for students through close collaboration with the Student Advisory Council and by staying abreast of student issues and concerns on system campuses through RACSA members
• To solicit input from RACSA members and the University System Office and compile agendas for annual meetings
• To facilitate communication between RACSA and other administrative groups responsible for student learning and services on System campuses and serve as liaison between these groups and RACSA in representing the needs and interests of students

The duties of the Chair-Elect are:

• To serve on the Executive Committee
• To serve as Chair of the Nominating Committee for Chair-Elect
• To compile and distribute accurate records of RACSA meetings to all members and to submit approved minutes for posting on the University System of Georgia Web Site
• To assure the accuracy of the RACSA Directory and monitor timely distribution.
• To facilitate the involvement of new RACSA members by informing them of the purpose and structure of RACSA and assuring their participation in RACSA decision-making and activities
• To work closely with the Chair in identifying issues and preparing agendas for RACSA meetings
• To serve as Chair of the RACSA Technology Committee

The duties of the Immediate Past Chair are:

• To serve on the Executive Committee
• To serve on the Nominating Committee
• To serve as the RACSA liaison to the Student Advisory Council and its Executive Committee
• To facilitate the change in leadership upon selection of the Chair-Elect
• To compile and disseminate accurate records of all Executive Committee meetings

The duties of Sector Representatives are:

• To represent the issues, concerns and interests of each sector as members of the Executive Committee
• To bring forth items from sector meetings for consideration by the full RACSA membership as needed
• To assure that meeting agendas reflect the needs, interests and concerns of all system institutions
• To chair all sector meetings and keep accurate records of these meetings
• To conduct elections of sector representatives and monitor compliance with By-Laws

ARTICLE V - ELECTIONS

Section 1: The Chair-Elect shall be confirmed by a majority vote of RACSA members present at the summer meeting. The Nominating Committee will present one candidate for consideration and additional nominations will be requested from the floor. The Chair will conduct the election and announce the new Chair-Elect immediately following election by the membership.

Section 2: The Chair-Elect shall serve a three year term as an officer of RACSA - one year as Chair-Elect, one year as Chair, and one year as Immediate Past Chair.

Section 3: Sector representatives will be elected at the sector meetings during the summer RACSA meeting. During the first year of electing sector representatives, the RACSA Chair will assign a RACSA member to conduct elections by soliciting nominations and asking for a show of hands from sector attendees. During subsequent years, (delete) Outgoing sector representatives will conduct elections. Sector representatives will be selected from those nominated by a majority vote of those attending the summer sector meetings.

Section 4: Sector representatives will serve one year terms but may be reelected to second and third terms. No representative will serve more than three consecutive terms.

Section 5: Terms of service for each officer will begin at the conclusion of the summer meeting at which elections occur and end at the conclusion of the following summer meeting.

Section 6: When an office becomes vacant during a term of service, the Executive Committee shall select an appropriate representative to complete the specified term of office.

ARTICLE VI -COMMITTEES

Section 1: There will be three standing committees of RACSA: The Executive Committee, The Nominating Committee, and the Technology Committee.

Section 2: The Executive Committee shall provide leadership to RACSA by reviewing major issues and communicating such issues to RACSA members, by assuring that the interests and concerns of student affairs professionals are communicated effectively to the University System Office, and by apprising the membership of system-wide issues, concerns and initiatives with potential impact on student learning.

Section 3: The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Chair, Chair-Elect, Immediate Past Chair and one representative from each sector - two year, four years and regional/research universities.

Section 4: Sector representatives shall be elected at sector sessions during the summer meeting and shall serve one-year terms. Sector representatives shall be eligible for re-election following first and second terms. No representative shall serve more than three consecutive terms. Elected RACSA Chairs will serve three-year terms as Chair-Elect, Chair, and Past-Chair.

Section 5: The Executive Committee will meet a minimum of once per year following the election of sector representatives. Any member of the Executive Committee may request a special meeting. All meetings will be called by the Chair who will determine time and place and will notify other committee members at least two weeks prior to a called meeting unless such notification is prohibited by urgency.

Section 6: The Executive Committee shall be empowered to represent the full membership of RACSA in the event that a called meeting of RACSA is not feasible to address an immediate concern or respond to a request from the University System Office.

Section 7: The Nominating Committee is comprised of the Immediate Past Chair, the Chair, and the Chair-Elect.

Section 8: The RACSA Chair-Elect will convene the Nominating Committee prior to the summer meeting. A candidate for Chair-Elect will be identified and contacted to verify willingness to serve if elected. The Chair-Elect will represent the Executive Committee in presenting the candidate to the membership for consideration.

Section 9: The RACSA Chair-Elect will chair The Technology Committee. The RACSA Chair will serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member and will appoint two willing members from each sector to serve on the Technology Committee.

Section 10: The primary purposes of the Technology Committee are:

• To provide leadership to RACSA in addressing technology issues which impact students and student services and programs
• To represent the interests and needs of RACSA members in the decision-making process regarding technology at the system level
• To collect and disseminate information to RACSA members on types and uses of technology to enhance student programs and services and, subsequently, student learning
• To provide leadership to RACSA in long-term planning regarding the use of technology to promote learning and service delivery
• To serve as liaison between RACSA and the Vice Chancellor of Information and Technology to meet both institutional and system needs

Section 11: Additional committees may be appointed on an ad hoc basis by the Executive Committee to address specific concerns.

ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS

Section 1: These Bylaws may be amended when necessary by a two-thirds majority of RACSA members present and voting. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Executive Committee for review. All proposed amendments will be distributed to the full membership prior to a vote. The Executive Committee may, for good cause, offer support or non-support for an amendment. Amendments will be determined by a two-thirds majority vote of RACSA members present and voting at the time of the proposed amendment(s).

The Bylaws were approved by the RACSA membership on June 5, 2001. Amendments were approved by the RACSA membership on June 18, 2002