Directory

EAB Charter

Columbia University

The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science

Department of Mechanical Engineering

External Advisory Board (EAB)

Charter

(Adopted February 28, 2007)

Advisory Board Mission Statement

To provide advice and counsel to the Department and to act as spokespersons for the Department in matters important to the well being and future of the Department. To help achieve strategic goals; to advise industrial and societal needs and trends; to assist departmental development; to help recruitment of high quality faculty and undergraduate/graduate students; and to help reach out to a larger group of ME alumni.

Advisory Board Principles:

• ME Department Chair will provide overall leadership guidance to the Board.
  

• Members’ roles and responsibilities are advisory.

• Members should

• have a high interest in the ME Department success
• be participative and interactive
• express a willingness to contribute skills and influence
• maintain communication among members and with the Department Chair
• seek faculty and staff involvement

• maintain awareness of the academic, social, and career needs of students.

   

Advisory Board Roles and Responsibilities:

• Support the ME Department Chair, faculty, and staff in the achievement of strategic goals.
• Become an active and positive external spokesperson for the Department.
• Provide advice and counsel to the Department, as requested, regarding industry’s and other constituents’ needs and trends.
• Provide a skilled resource to the Department for special studies or tasks.
• Promote a high quality and effective relationship between faculty, students, staff, and the EAB.
• Recruit additional Board members.

Advisory Board Academic Leadership:

• ME Department Chair.

Advisory Board Leadership, Membership and Charter:

• Advisory Board Chair.
• Nominated by the ME Department Chair
• Elected by the EAB (majority vote)
• One-year term, two consecutive terms maximum.
• Board Members:
• Maximum active membership of 15
• Nominated by the ME Department Chair and Advisory Board Chair
• Elected by the Advisory Board (majority vote)
• Three-year term, two consecutive terms maximum. For the inaugurating board, some members' term could be two-years for board continuity.
• Membership Rollover:
• For maximum continuity, rollover of 1/5 to 1/4 membership/year as a guideline
• Partial terms will not count in total terms served.
• Honorary Members:
• EAB Honorary membership, if desired, has no limitation.
• Honorary Board members must have served a minimum of three years of active membership.
• Additions, deletions, or revisions to the Charter may be incorporated as follows:
• Recommendations for consideration presented to the Board membership for discussion by the Chair or any Board member.
• Adoption requires 2/3 Board majority vote including ME Department Chair affirmative vote.

Advisory Board Meeting Process:

• Yearly meetings

• Autumn on campus
• Spring by teleconference if necessary
• Ad hoc special meetings, if required, at the discretion of ME Department Chair and EAB Chair.
• Agenda is the responsibility of Department Chair and EAB Chair with input from the full Board.

• Committee structure or special study groups, if required, at the discretion of the Department Chair and EAB Chair.
• Special reports may be requested from faculty, students, or EAB members.
• Faculty attendance is required and student attendance by invitation from Department Chair and EAB Chair.