Innovations in Aging

David Beyda
BioEthics & Medical Humanism

Heidi Legg Burross
Education

Heather Carlisle
Nursing

Christine Childers, Executive Committee
Orthapedic Surgery

Altaf Engineer
School of Architecture

Mindy Fain, Executive Committee
Medicine - Tucson

Scott Going, Executive Committee
Nutritional Sciences

Jennie Gubner, Executive Committee
School of Music

Linda Hollis
Psychology

Kathleen Insel
Nursing

Cheryl LaCasse
Nursing

Carrie Langley
Sociology

Jeannie Lee, Executive Committee
Pharmacy

Bernardo Lemos
Pharmacology & Toxicology

Lisa O'Neill
Arizona Center on Aging

Linda Phillips, Chair
Medicine - Tucson

Kimberly Shea, Executive Committee
College of Nursing

Yumi Shirai
Family and Community Medicine

Tara Sklar, Executive Committee
College of Law

Amanda Sokan, Executive Committee
Public Health

Mohan Tanniru
Public Health

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE - TUCSON

• Department of Medicine

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE - PHOENIX

• UA Center on Aging
• Department of Bioethics and Medical Humanism

COLLEGE OF NURSING

• Biobehavioral Health Science Division

COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

• Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science

MEL & ENID ZUCKERMAN COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

• Department of Public Health Practice & Translational Research

HEALTH SCIENCES GLOBAL AND ONLINE

THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA INNOVATIONS IN AGING GIDP BYLAWS

Preamble:

The Innovations in Aging Graduate Interdisciplinary Program (GIDP) provides graduate education and professional training in the interdisciplinary fields of gerontology and aging sciences. The Innovations in Aging GIDP involves faculty members from diverse colleges at the University of Arizona who share a common interest in the professional training and education about aging sciences and services for students. The programs are intended for those interested in pursuing careers in public and private service, research, and education. The GIDP program offers enrollment for students in the

• Graduate Certificate in Innovations in Aging
• Master of Science in Innovations in Aging

The Graduate Certificate in Innovations in Aging provides the critical foundation needed for students who are interested in enhancing their professional goals. The Master of Science provides students with the necessary foundation to provide leadership within the field and enhances students’ abilities to pursue a doctoral degree in aging sciences and related fields. Additionally, the expertise of the University of Arizona faculty from the many notable colleges across campus are leveraged to create programs that provide students with a truly unique opportunity to explore areas ranging from health sciences to business, law, and humanities. Because challenges and opportunities in aging are not confined to one discipline, strong partnerships have been cultivated with experts across disciplines to provide one-of-a-kind educational, research, and applied practice opportunities for students in the programs.

It is the responsibility of the Innovations in Aging GIDP to provide graduate educational programs in the various disciplines of gerontology interfacing with business and law, humanities, health and biological sciences, social and behavioral sciences, engineering, and architecture; to publicize the program; and to maintain graduate participants of the highest quality. The aspirational goal of this program is to contribute to improving lives of older adults by (a) enhancing knowledge about aging and aging research among the Arizona, United States, and global workforce, (b) creating a community of scholars dedicated to expanding research and applying knowledge about aging, and (c) producing graduates who appreciate the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and continued learning in the field of aging.

The following sections outline the bylaws that govern policies and operating procedures.

Article I. Organization and Governance

I.1: Governing Bodies and Organizational Structure

1. 1. The Innovations in Aging program is subject to all the rules, policies, and regulations of the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), University of Arizona policy, GIDP policy and Graduate College policy.
   2. The structure and organization of the Innovations in Aging GIDP shall conform to the Guidelines for Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs established at http://gidp.arizona.edu. 
   3. The graduate certificate will provide a core of content that aligns with Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) core competencies.
   4. The program is aligned to the University of Arizona Graduate Certificate program guidelines and complements the larger charge of the university to expand human potential and enrich life for all.

I.2: Executive Committee and Administrative Structure

1. 1. The program shall be governed by an Executive Committee (EC) that consists of no less than 5 and no more than 10 members elected from general faculty affiliated with the program. The Executive Committee is responsible for nominating or receiving nominations for new members of the Executive Committee and will vote on these nominations. Members of the Executive Committee will be appointed only from the membership of the Innovations in Aging faculty. Each Executive Committee member will serve a three-year term. Each of these three-year terms can be renewed by vote of the Executive Committee and appointed by the Dean of the Graduate College. A term year runs from July 1 to June 30.  The EC also has one student member who is appointed by the EC based on the student applications for the position.

I.3: Sub-committees

1. The Executive Committee will sanction the establishment of Standing and Ad-hoc Subcommittees as needed for the administration of the program as defined in Article I, subsection 1.

Article II. Chairperson and Program Chair of the Innovations in Aging GIDP

II.1: The duties of the Chairperson of the Innovations in Aging GIDP

1. The Chairperson of the Executive Committee will also be Program Chair of the Innovations in Aging GIDP. The Program Chair of the Innovations in Aging GIDP, with the advice of the Executive Committee (EC) and with the input of the faculty, is granted those powers and responsibilities necessary for a well-functioning program.
2. Administer the program and activities of the EC with the assistance of the program coordinator of the GIDP.
   
   2. Convene and chair meetings of the EC, not less than once per semester.
   3. Act on behalf of the EC and the GIDP to implement policies of the program.
   4. Serve as the representative of the program to the University Administration, e.g., Graduate College/GIDP; granting agencies; prospective students; etc.
   5. Prepare and submit an annual report of activities and accomplishments of the program according to university regulations.
   6. Administer the operating budget of the GIDP.
   7. Appoint sub-committees, such as curriculum, admissions, resources, activities etc., as necessary.
   8. Prepare Annual Performance Reviews for faculty that request them.
   9. Prepare and evaluate documentation of GIDP participation for faculty undergoing promotion & tenure and continuing status review.

II.2: Election of the Chairperson

1. The Dean of the Graduate College will appoint a member of the Executive Committee, nominated with the input from the Innovations in Aging faculty, to serve as Program Chair of the Innovations in Aging GIDP. Appointment of the Program Chair requires a two-thirds positive vote by Innovations in Aging faculty. The Program Chair will serve a five-year term with the possibility of one re-election.
2. In all matters where a quorum is required, a quorum shall constitute one-third of the Innovations in Aging faculty members.

Article III. Duties of the Executive Committee and Advisory Board

III.1: Duties of the Executive Committee

1. 1. Devise and implement procedures to be followed in selecting and reviewing members of the GIDP.
   2. Devise and implement appropriate policies and procedures for the operation of the graduate program, such as admissions, curriculum, student supervision, completion of degree program requirements, and decisions regarding program resources.
   3. Serve on sub-committees as needed for effective operation.
   4. Assist in providing academic counsel to new students and evaluations of students at various stages of progress through the program.
   5. Assist the Program Chair in the preparation of annual reports of the Innovations in Aging program’s activities and accomplishments to the Dean of the Graduate College.
   6. Prepare the materials for Academic Program Reviews.
   7. Facilitate interaction and communication within the program and with supporting academic units’ heads and deans.
   8. Formulate the annual budget and seek funding from appropriate university, state, federal, and private sources.
   9. Solicit nominations to vacated slot(s) on the Executive Committee to ensure continuity over time.

III.2: Duties of the Advisory Board

1. 1. Advise the Program Chair and Executive Committee about issues of curriculum, community needs and new issues and innovations in the private sector.
   2. Advocate for the program to Government and community partners.
   3. Assist students in securing internship positions and in job-placement.
   4. Assist the program in fund-raising, budgeting, and other financing.
   5. Include members from the community.

Article IV. Membership

IV.1: Membership

1. Membership in the Innovations in Aging GIDP consists of tenure or continuing-status eligible faculty members at the University of Arizona who participate in graduate and professional education, and research in aging. 
2. An affiliate membership is available to tenure eligible or continuing-status eligible faculty who meet some of, but not all, the criteria for regular membership or for faculty who are not tenure or continuing status-eligible.

IV.2: Criteria for Membership

1. Regular members
   1. Tenure or continuing-status eligible faculty shall be nominated for membership in the Innovations in Aging GIDP by submitting a request for membership and a recent curriculum vitae to the Executive Committee.  A two-thirds majority of positive votes of the Executive Committee shall be required for nomination to membership to the Dean of the Graduate College who shall confer membership.  Criteria for membership can include demonstrated research activity, significant contacts with community or the public sector, deep interest in graduate education, and resources for graduate training.
   2. A member of the Innovations in Aging GIDP shall be dropped from membership for failure to participate in the activities of the Committee. Participation includes service as a capstone advisor, service on at least one Innovations in Aging GIDP subcommittee, and active participation in Executive Committee meetings where a quorum is required. Members should anticipate teaching a graduate course used in the program curriculum or giving a seminar/colloquium on a topic related to aging, geosciences and/or gerontology.
   3. Membership shall be subject to periodic review conducted by the Executive Committee, and failure to satisfy those criteria as decided by a two-thirds majority of the Executive Committee shall result in loss of membership or change in status to affiliate membership.
   4. Members dropped from membership or changed to affiliate status may reapply for regular membership.
   5. Members of the Innovations in Aging GIDP may serve as academic and research advisors, chairs/advisors of graduate capstone project/internship committees, and as members of master’s committees.
   6. Members of the Innovations in Aging GIDP shall meet annually and as needed.
   7. Each member of the Innovations in Aging GIDP shall have one vote on matters brought to the faculty by the Executive Committee.  A quorum shall constitute one-third of membership.  Failing a quorum, a mail/email vote shall be required.
2. Affiliate Members
   
   2. Non-tenure eligible faculty who otherwise meet the criteria for membership and tenure/continuing-status eligible faculty who meet some but not all the criteria for membership may apply for affiliate membership in the GIDP by submitting a request for membership and recent curriculum vitae to the Executive Committee.  A two-thirds majority of positive votes of the Executive Committee shall be required for election to affiliate membership.
   3. All affiliate members shall have all the privileges and responsibilities of regular members except that they are non-voting. Affiliate members with non-tenure continuing-status eligible faculty must also seek the approval of the Graduate College to serve on graduate committees.

IV.3: Membership Responsibilities

1. Tenure track members of the Innovations in Aging GIDP may serve as project advisors for students in the Innovations in Aging Graduate Interdisciplinary Program. Career-Track faculty who wish to supervise a graduate student must request special permission from the Graduate College Dean’s office through the Innovations in Aging GIDP, for permission to mentor a student in the program.
2. Members of the Innovations in Aging GIDP may be asked to serve on the various subcommittees of the program, to participate in teaching, to act as a project advisor, to serve on a project committee, or to participate in other scholarly activities of the program.
3. Members serving as major advisors for graduate students in the Program, will be expected to share in the support of graduate students in the Program at a level determined by the Executive Committee.

IV.4. Voting.

1. Each faculty member of the Innovations in Aging GIDP shall have one vote on matters brought to the program by the Executive Committee. A quorum shall constitute one-third of the faculty membership.

IV.5. Annual Innovations in Aging GIDP Surveys

1. Annual surveys will be sent out to monitor the participation and enthusiasm of the faculty. Questions will include what percentage of faculty time is spent involved at any level with the Innovations in Aging GIDP and whether faculty still wish to be involved with the Innovations in Aging GIDP program.
2. Annual surveys will be sent out to monitor the participation and enthusiasm of the students. This survey will also be used to improve course and program development over time.

Article V. Amendments

1. These Bylaws will be reviewed and amended as needed by majority vote of the Executive Committee and approved by a two-thirds vote of the Innovations in Aging faculty. A quorum shall constitute one-third of the Innovations in Aging faculty.

Review and approval by Innovations in Aging Executive Committee and Dr. Linda Phillips, Committee Chairperson and Program Chair, on January 8, 2023.

Revised version; Review and approval by Innovations in Aging Executive Committee and Dr. Linda Phillips, Committee Chairperson, on April 6, 2023.