CHARTER
CENTRAL AMERICAN RESEARCH AND POLICY INSTITUTE
OF THE
COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
In keeping with the guidelines and procedures outlined in Organization and Administration of Centers (AA 150-60 of April 28, 2000) and the directives of the College of Humanities, the Central American Research and Policy Institute shall be named, organized, and administered as follows:
I. Name
Central American Research and Policy Institute (CARPI)
II. Purpose and Functions
The purpose of the Central American Research and Policy Institute also referred to as CARPI, is to research, policy and knowledge supporting social, economic, cultural and civic development of the Central American community in the United States. In addition, it will work towards establishing an ongoing transnational relationship with entities in the United States and in the Central American region around issues of common concern, such as migration, economic development, cultural identity, and academic research.
III. Membership (if applicable)
The membership of the Central American Research and Policy Institute will be comprised by the institute's Director, faculty members of the Academic Advisory Board, and the members of the Community Advisory Board.
IV. Organization of the Center
A. Supervising University Unit
Central American Research and Policy Institute shall be operated under the College of Humanities.
B. Organizational Structure
Central American Research and Policy Institute shall be managed by its Director, the faculty affiliated with the institute, and a community board drawn from the community.
1. Director
The Director of the Central American Research and Policy Institute will be appointed by the Dean of the College of Humanities for a renewable period of one year. The Director shall be directly responsible to the Dean of the College of Humanities. Up to this point, no additional administrative and management position have been established. Should any additional administrative and/or management positions be established, these will be established by the Dean of the College of Humanities in consultation with the Director of the Central American Research and Policy Institute. Should the Director of the Central American Research and Policy Institute be unable to perform his or her duties, and/ or if deemed appropriate, the Dean may function as Director.
2. Advisory Board
The Central American Research and Policy Institute is supported by Academic Advisory Board formed by its affiliated faculty at California State University, Northridge and at Central American universities with standing collaborative programs with CARPI. In addition, CARPI is supported by a Community Advisory Board formed by members of the community with links to diverse organizations and with the commitment to further the mission and vision of the Central American Research and Policy Institute. All members of the Advisory Board will normally serve for a renewable period of one year. New members of the Community Advisory Board will be nominated by the Director or by current members of the Community Advisory Board, and shall be elected by its members.
C. Administration
1. Administration: Director
Under the oversight of the Dean of the College of Humanities, the Director shall be responsible for the general operation and administration of the Central American Research and Policy Institute, but may delegate responsibilities for direct operation of any specific programs, as well as other responsibilities of the Director as necessary.
The Director shall be responsible for allocating funds, staffing programs, administrative operations, and for arranging for space, equipment, and other resources and facilities required to support and promote the work of the Center. All decisions concerning staffing and expenditures made by the Director must have approval of the College Dean of the College of Humanities. The Director is also responsible for the preparation of the Center's annual report, as required by University policy.
In addition, the Director, in consultation with the Dean of the College of Humanities, is responsible for ensuring that the institute's activities are consistent with both the mission and policies of California State University, Northridge, the College of Humanities, and the Central American Studies Program.
2. Administration: Advisory Board
The Advisory Board shall serve as a scholarly resource for the Central American Research and Policy Institute, while the Community Advisory Board shall serve as an administrative resource for the Central American Research and Policy Institute. In both cases, the Director will serve as Chair of the Advisory Board and will set the agenda for meetings in consultation with all members of each of the boards. Each advisory board will meet ideally once every semester, and at least once every academic year. Each advisory board will elect a secretary from its body. The secretary will be responsible for ensuring minutes are prepared for each meeting and distributed in a timely manner to all members of the board. Both boards will be responsible for assuring that all activities of the Institute are consistent with its mission and goals, as well as with the policies and academic programs at CSUN. In addition, the boards will serve as resources for linking the Institute's research and academic work to the transnational community that it serves.
3. Administration: Dean
The Dean of the College of Humanities will be responsible for reviewing and approving all Central American Research and Policy Institute's activities and published material. This review and approval process shall ensure that activities and published material of the Center contributes to the fulfillment of the CSU and CSUN missions, the mission of the College of Humanities, and the Central American Studies Program, and are consistent with acceptable standards of scholarship, the charter of the Center and goals of the College, and otherwise conform to applicable laws, regulations, and policies of the University.
V. Finances
A. Source of Funds
Central American Research and Policy Institute will be a self-supporting operation funded by grants, donations, and contracts from public and private sources and any proceeds generated by the Institute's activities. Any surplus shall be spent on the Institute's programs, projects, events, and scholarship. The Director will work with the Academic Advisory Board, the Community Advisory Board, and the College of Humanities Director of Development to obtain further funding.
B. Operations
In consultation with the College Dean of the College of Humanities, the Director the Central American Research and Policy Institute will be responsible for all financial operations and transactions of CARPI as well as for maintaining its financial soundness.
C. Management of Resources
In consultation with the Dean of the College of Humanities, the Director of the Central American Research and Policy Institute will be responsible for the management of the Institute's resources. The use of resources shall be subject to review and must be approved by the Dean of the College of Humanities.
VI. Annual Report
A. Proposed Activities
Each year by a date established by the Director of the Central American Research and Policy Institute shall submit to the Dean of the College of Humanities a proposed plan for the coming academic year as part of the annual report. The Director will then meet with the Dean to review all proposed activities, publicity, plans, advisory board changes, and budget projections for proposed CARPI projects. The Dean will review additional activities proposed during the academic year, as necessary.
B. Submission of Annual Report
By September 15 of each year, the Director of the Central American Research and Policy Institute shall issue a written report to the Dean of the College of Humanities, who will then present it to the appropriate administrative representative (s), to the Provost or their designee a copy of the completed annual report. The Central American Research and Policy Institute's Academic Advisory Board and the Community Advisory Board will review the annual report prior to the submission, as appropriate.
C. Contents of Annual Report
The Central American Research and Policy Institute annual report shall include summary of the Center's programs and activities and an income statement and balance sheet for the previous year. Additionally, this report shall contain a narrative and budget plan for the next academic year.
VII. Period of Operation
The Central American Research and Policy Institute will be dissolved no later than June 30, 2016, unless this Charter is renewed prior to that date upon application to the Provost. Similarly, all projects and component organizations of the Central American Research and Policy Institute shall operate for fixed periods and shall be automatically dissolved at the end of the period unless renewed by the Director, in consultation with the Academic Advisory Board, the Community Advisory Board and the Dean.