White ball on green concrete

CHART OF

JUNETEENTH INTERCONTINENTAL UNIVERSITY

Motto: Veritas I Spasenje (Truth and Salvation)

ARTICLE I: NAME, PURPOSE, AND MISSION

Section 1.1 - Name

The name of this institution shall be "Juneteenth Intercontinental University" (hereinafter referred to as "the University" or "JIU").

Section 1.2 - Purpose

The University is established as a non-profit educational institution dedicated to higher education, research, and community service.

Section 1.3 - Mission Statement

Empowering the next generation of leaders by providing them with culturally relevant educational experiences that amplify the voices of marginalized communities.

Section 1.4 - Vision Statement

We envision a future where education serves as a catalyst for change.

Section 1.5 - Motto

The University motto "Veritas I Spasenje" (Truth and Salvation) shall guide all institutional activities and decision-making processes.

ARTICLE II: GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

Section 2.1 - Board of Trustees

The Board of Regents shall be the highest governing body of the University, consisting of not less than nine (9) and not more than twenty-seven (27) members.

Section 2.1.1 - Composition
  • Nine (9) community representatives

  • Three (3) alumni representatives

  • Three (3) faculty representatives

  • Two (2) student representative

  • Two (2) staff representative

  • Up to eight (8) at-large members with relevant expertise

Section 2.1.2 - Terms

Regents shall serve three-year terms, renewable for one additional consecutive term.

Section 2.1.3 - Powers and Duties
  • Appoint and evaluate the President

  • Approve strategic plans and budgets

  • Establish policies and bylaws

  • Confer degrees and academic credentials

  • Ensure fiduciary responsibility

Section 2.2 - President

The President shall serve as the chief executive officer of the University.

Section 2.2.1 - Appointment

The President shall be appointed by the Board of Regents following a comprehensive search process.

Section 2.2.2 - Powers and Duties
  • Implement Board policies and strategic plans

  • Oversee daily operations

  • Represent the University externally

  • Supervise senior administrative staff

  • Report to the Board of Regents

Section 2.3 - Academic Senate

The Academic Senate shall be the primary academic governance body, consisting of elected faculty representatives from each academic division.

Section 2.3.1 - Composition
  • Elected faculty representatives (one per 10 full-time faculty members)

  • Provost (ex-officio)

  • Student representatives (undergraduate and graduate)

Section 2.3.2 - Powers and Duties
  • Approve curriculum and academic programs

  • Establish academic standards and policies

  • Review faculty appointments and promotions

  • Advise on academic matters

ARTICLE III: ACADEMIC ORGANIZATION

Section 3.1 - Academic Divisions

The University shall be organized into the following academic divisions:

Section 3.1.1 - School of Social Justice and Community Development
  • Programs in social work, community organizing, public policy

  • Microfinance and community development initiatives

  • Research in social equity and justice

Section 3.1.2 - School of Cultural Studies and Liberal Arts
  • Africana studies, Indigenous studies, multicultural literature

  • Arts, humanities, and cultural preservation programs

  • Language, communication and journalism studies

Section 3.1.3 - School of Science, Technology, and Innovation
  • STEM programs with focus on underrepresented groups

  • Research initiatives in applied sciences

  • Technology for social good programs

Section 3.1.4 - School of Business and Entrepreneurship
  • Business administration with social enterprise focus

  • Entrepreneurship and innovation programs

  • Cooperative and community-based business models

Section 3.1.5 - School of Education and Human Development
  • Teacher preparation programs

  • Adult and continuing education

  • Educational leadership and policy studies

Section 3.1.6 - School of Divinity and Religious Sciences
  • Covenantal, Scriptural, and Social Justice programs

    Biblical, ethics, and spirituality studies

    Preparing leaders to serve diverse communities from a Hebrew perspective

Section 3.1.7 - Institute of Holistic Medicine and Health Sciences
  • Prepares medical, naturopath, and healthcare (nurses, dentists, etc.) pactitioners

  • Advances integrative education and research

  • Promotes comprehensive, patient-centered healthcare

  • Harmonizes conventional and natural healing practices

Section 3.2 - Academic Standards

All academic programs must align with the University's mission of empowering marginalized communities and promoting social justice.

ARTICLE IV: FACULTY GOVERNANCE

Section 4.1 - Faculty Categories
Section 4.1.1 - Tenure-Track Faculty

Full-time faculty eligible for tenure consideration after six years of service.

Section 4.1.2 - Clinical Faculty

Practitioners with professional expertise in specialized fields.

Section 4.1.3 - Adjunct Faculty

Part-time faculty contributing specialized knowledge and skills.

Section 4.1.4 - Visiting Faculty

Temporary appointments for specific periods or projects.

Section 4.2 - Faculty Rights and Responsibilities
Section 4.2.1 - Academic Freedom

Faculty shall have the right to free inquiry, research, teaching, and publication within their areas of competence.

Section 4.2.2 - Professional Development

The University commits to supporting faculty professional growth through sabbaticals, research funding, and conference participation.

Section 4.2.3 - Shared Governance

Faculty shall participate in institutional decision-making through committees and the Academic Senate.

Section 4.3 - Tenure and Promotion
Section 4.3.1 - Criteria

Evaluation based on teaching excellence, scholarly research, and community service, with emphasis on culturally relevant pedagogy and social justice scholarship.

Section 4.3.2 - Process

Comprehensive review by departmental, college, and university-level committees following established timelines and procedures.

ARTICLE V: STUDENT GOVERNANCE AND RIGHTS

Section 5.1 - Student Government
Section 5.1.1 - Student Government Association

Elected body representing all enrolled students in university governance.

Section 5.1.2 - Student Representatives

Students shall have voting representation on key university committees and the Board of Regents.

Section 5.2 - Student Rights
Section 5.2.1 - Academic Rights
  • Right to quality education

  • Freedom from discrimination

  • Due process in academic matters

  • Access to academic support services

Section 5.2.2 - Campus Life Rights
  • Freedom of expression and assembly

  • Right to organize student groups

  • Safe and inclusive campus environment

  • Confidentiality of educational records

Section 5.3 - Student Responsibilities
Section 5.3.1 - Academic Integrity

Students must maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity.

Section 5.3.2 - Community Standards

Students are expected to contribute positively to the university community and uphold its values.

ARTICLE VI: ADMISSION AND ACADEMIC POLICIES

Section 6.1 - Admission Principles
Section 6.1.1 - Holistic Review

Admissions decisions based on comprehensive evaluation including academic preparation, life experiences, and commitment to social justice.

Section 6.1.2 - Access and Equity

Special consideration for first-generation college students, underrepresented minorities, and economically disadvantaged applicants.

Section 6.2 - Academic Policies
Section 6.2.1 - Degree Requirements

All degree programs must include courses on social justice, cultural competency, and community engagement.

Section 6.2.2 - Assessment

Student learning outcomes aligned with university mission and values.

Section 6.2.3 - Academic Support

Comprehensive support services including tutoring, mentoring, and counseling.

ARTICLE VII: FINANCIAL GOVERNANCE

Section 7.1 - Budget Process
Section 7.1.1 - Annual Budget

The President shall present an annual budget to the Board of Trustees for approval by June 30 of each year.

Section 7.1.2 - Financial Oversight

The Board Finance Committee shall oversee financial operations and ensure fiscal responsibility.

Section 7.2 - Funding Sources
Section 7.2.1 - Diversified Revenue

The University shall pursue diversified funding through tuition, grants, donations, and social enterprises.

Section 7.2.2 - Microfinance Initiative

The University shall establish and maintain a microfinance institution to support community development.

Section 7.3 - Financial Aid
Section 7.3.1 - Need-Based Aid

Priority given to students with demonstrated financial need, particularly from underrepresented communities.

Section 7.3.2 - Merit Scholarships

Recognition of academic excellence and community service commitment.

ARTICLE VIII: RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP

Section 8.1 - Research Mission

Research activities shall focus on addressing social inequities and advancing knowledge in areas relevant to marginalized communities.

Section 8.2 - Research Ethics
Section 8.2.1 - Institutional Review Board

All research involving human subjects must receive IRB approval.

Section 8.2.2 - Community-Based Participatory Research

Emphasis on research conducted with, not on, community partners.

Section 8.3 - Intellectual Property
Section 8.3.1 - Community Benefit

Research outcomes should benefit the communities that participate in or inspire the research.

Section 8.3.2 - Open Access

Commitment to open access publication and knowledge sharing.

ARTICLE IX: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS

Section 9.1 - Community Partnership Principles
Section 9.1.1 - Mutual Benefit

Partnerships must provide reciprocal value to both the University and community partners.

Section 9.1.2 - Cultural Responsiveness

All community engagement must be culturally appropriate and respectful.

Section 9.2 - Service Learning
Section 9.2.1 - Curriculum Integration

All degree programs must include service-learning components.

Section 9.2.2 - Community Impact

Service learning projects must address real community needs and challenges.

Section 9.3 - Strategic Partnerships
Section 9.3.1 - Corporate Partnerships

Partnerships with organizations that align with university values and mission.

Section 9.3.2 - International Collaborations

Engagement with global institutions focusing on social justice and equity.

ARTICLE X: DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Section 10.1 - Institutional Commitment

The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment that values diversity in all its forms.

Section 10.2 - Diversity Goals
Section 10.2.1 - Representation

Strive for diverse representation among students, faculty, and staff that reflects the communities we serve.

Section 10.2.2 - Inclusive Excellence

Integration of diversity and inclusion into all aspects of university operations.

Section 10.3 - Anti-Discrimination Policy

The University prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, or socioeconomic status.

ARTICLE XI: QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ASSESSMENT

Section 11.1 - Key Performance Parameters

The University shall regularly assess performance using the following metrics:

Section 11.1.1 - Retention Rate

Measure of student persistence and engagement in academic programs.

Section 11.1.2 - Graduation Rate

Tracking successful program completion across all student populations.

Section 11.1.3 - Learning Outcomes

Assessment of student achievement of program-specific and institutional learning goals.

Section 11.1.4 - Student and Industry Satisfaction

Regular evaluation of stakeholder experiences and program effectiveness.

Section 11.2 - Continuous Improvement
Section 11.2.1 - Data-Driven Decisions

Use assessment data to inform policy and program improvements.

Section 11.2.2 - External Review

Regular external evaluation of academic programs and institutional effectiveness.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENT PROCEDURES

Section 12.1 - Chart Amendments
Section 12.1.1 - Proposal Process

Chart amendments may be proposed by the Board of Regents, President, Academic Senate, or petition of 10% of full-time faculty.

Section 12.1.2 - Review and Approval

Amendments require review by relevant constituencies and approval by two-thirds vote of the Board of Regents.

Section 12.2 - Policy Development
Section 12.2.1 - Stakeholder Input

All major policy changes must include input from affected stakeholders.

Section 12.2.2 - Implementation

New policies require appropriate training and communication before implementation.

ARTICLE XIII: CORE VALUES INTEGRATION

Section 13.1 - Excellence

The search for excellence is the hallmark of all university endeavors, from academic programs to student services to community engagement.

Section 13.2 - Learning

Student learning and satisfaction are the primary measures of institutional success, informing all policy and practice decisions.

Section 13.3 - Scholarly Research

The University engages in reflective practice through the scholarship of discovery and the scholarship of teaching, with emphasis on research that benefits marginalized communities.

Section 13.4 - Free Exchange of Ideas

A respectful climate for open discourse promotes innovation, discovery, and social responsibility across all university activities.

Section 13.5 - Openness and Flexibility

Reducing barriers to education enhances access and social equity, guiding admissions, financial aid, and program delivery decisions.

Section 13.6 - Diversity and Inclusiveness

Diversity and inclusiveness enhance the quality of both learning and the workplace, requiring intentional effort in recruitment, retention, and climate initiatives.

Section 13.7 - Employee Value

The commitment, innovation, creativity, and continuous learning of every employee contribute to institutional success, warranting investment in professional development and workplace satisfaction.

Section 13.8 - Accountability

The University is accountable to students, employees, and the public, requiring transparent reporting and responsive governance.

Section 13.9 - Truth

Commitment to transparency, authenticity, and integrity in all communications and interactions, recognizing that "The truth is sincere, it is honest, it is hard, it is sharp, it is uncomfortable but it always leaves the conscience calm and the heart happy." — Ortego (2017)

ARTICLE XIV: EFFECTIVE DATE AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Section 14.1 - Effective Date

These bylaws shall become effective upon approval by the founding Board of Trustees and shall supersede any previously adopted bylaws.

Section 14.2 - Transitional Provisions

During the initial establishment period, the Board may adopt temporary policies necessary for university operations, subject to review and formal adoption within two years.

Section 14.3 - Review Schedule

These bylaws shall be comprehensively reviewed every five years to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness.

Adopted: [Date]
Last Revised: [Date]

Board of Regents Certification:
These bylaws have been duly adopted by the Board of Trustees of Juneteenth Intercontinental University in accordance with applicable laws and regulations governing higher education institutions.

Signature: ________________________
Chair, Board of Trustees

Date: ________________________