The Council on University Planning and Budget approved a new set of bylaws at their meeting last Friday.

The changes to article IV of the council’s bylaws revised the roles of CUPB’s advisory subcommittees and was met with opposition from some members of the council.

Faculty Senate last week voted to recommend postponement of discussion about the bylaws until after a new president is chosen, because Article IV’s revisions alter the role of the president in dealing with advisory subcommittees.

The new bylaws avoid directing persons external to CUPB – such as the president and vice presidents – to perform various duties, and instead extend those responsibilities to the CUPB’s subcommittees.

The CUPB had been discussing the bylaw changes since early last semester, with the council’s relationship with persons external to the CUPB as the main stumbling block. At Friday’s meeting, many council members were not receptive to the idea of prolonging the process.

“It seems we have more important business at hand,” said council member Kelly Miller, assistant housing director. “It would be a breath of fresh air to come in here and do work.”

The vote to postpone the discussion of bylaw changes failed, and the council instead voted article by article to approve the changes, with some amendments.

Article V, which deals with calling special meetings, was amended at the meeting so that 10 members, rather than a majority of the council, are needed to call a special meeting.

The amendment was made on the grounds that a majority of a group the size of CUPB (roughly 35 people) can be difficult to achieve on short notice, and most organizations don’t require a majority for special meetings.

An amendment was made to Article VI, adding the line “The council will request a report from the president and vice presidents as to the final disposition of all budget and planning recommendations.”