OFFICERS

Charter University Materials Council *

1. To help define and influence the directions and scope of the field of Materials Science and Engineering; to promote the field as an entity; to strengthen the educational content and the educational process in Materials Science and Engineering; to increase the quality and quantity of students in the field.
2. To be the organization that speaks for the broad materials academic community, including departments and sub-groups that focus on a single material or process class. Exert influence during the planning and implementation stages on the broad directions of government funded research programs and facilities. Aim to be represented on appropriate national committees and boards. Example of actions might include:
   • Independent studies (including distillation of existing information relating to the academic community) and issuance of reports;
   • Suggesting studies to be undertaken by other organizations such as the National Materials Advisory Board;
   • Holding open meetings to which government personnel are invited, to consider important materials issues;
   • Encouraging university-industry-government interaction, and
   • Provide constructive input to accrediting agencies through appropriate societies.
3. To serve as a collection and distribution agency for data relating to academic aspects of the field of Materials Science and Engineering that could be of value to universities, industry, and government agencies.

Membership

The University Materials Council is composed of Department Heads, Chairpersons, Directors, and other group leaders from academic programs in the Materials field in North American universities. Other leaders of the academic materials community would be admitted (up to a maximum of 20% of the total membership) at the discretion of the Policy Committee. Immediate-past-chairs of the University Materials Council who are no longer department heads shall be invited to serve on the Council as ex-officio members (non-voting status) for two years past the completion of their terms.

Officers

The officers and Executive Committee of the UMC include the Past Chairperson, Chairperson, First and Second Vice-chairpersons, two at-large members and the Treasurer.

A Chairperson shall be elected for a one-year term of office to direct and manage the actions of the Council. This person shall be assisted by a First Vice-Chairperson and a Second Vice-Chairperson, who are elected for a one-year concurrent term of office with the Chairperson. It is anticipated that the first Vice-Chairperson will succeed the Chairperson and the Second Vice-Chairperson will succeed the First Vice-Chairperson. The Chairpersons and the Vice-Chairpersons shall have the primary administrative role for materials education in a university; i.e. they will usually be Department Heads or Department Chairpersons and must hold such office during the tenure of their Chairpersonship. The at-large members are elected for staggered two-year terms. The Treasurer is a standing position that is approved each year and can serve multiple consecutive terms. The Treasurer shall maintain the finances of the UMC, collect annual dues, and pay expenses with the approval of the Chairperson.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall comprise seven individuals, including the Past-Chairperson, Chairperson and the Vice-Chairpersons of the University Materials Council, the two at-large members and the Treasurer. The membership of the committee shall be broadly representative of the field and shall include representatives of the metals, ceramics, and polymers sub-disciplines.

The Executive Committee is intended to serve as a sounding board for the Council Chairperson and to approve or disapprove actions of the Policy Committee. The Chairperson of the University Materials Council shall act as a Chairperson of the Executive Committee. The Chairperson shall represent the University Materials Council and be its outside spokesperson, or, with approval of the Executive Committee, shall appoint others to act. As an example, the Chairperson may choose to appoint individual members of the Executive Committee (with approval of the Committee) to speak relative to their specific intellectual disciplines.

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee shall be appointed each year by then current Chairperson of the University Materials Council. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members and will always include at least one member not on the Executive Committee. The Nominating Committee will present a slate of candidates each year for the Executive Committee. Nominations will usually be presented to the council at its spring meeting. The Council will vote at the time on the nominations made by the Nominating Committee, and on any additional nominations from the floor.

Policy Committee

The Policy Committee shall consist of five members of the Executive Committee, plus approximately seven other individuals. Any member of the University Materials Council is eligible for membership on the Policy Committee. Members on the Policy Committee will be appointed for two year terms by the Chairperson of the University Materials Council with the approval of the Executive Committee.

Functions of the Policy Committee are to include the following:

1. Recommend issues for study;
2. Recommend programs for the Council meeting;
3. Assume responsibility for conducting special meetings and preparing special reports;
4. Prepare policy stands, and
5. Serve as a focal point to identify critical issues for attention of the University Materials Council.

[1] Last revision approved at the May 1, 2006 UMC meeting in Washington, D.C.

Last Updated: April 21, 2008