European Union Universities of Small States

Transcription

1 European Union Universities of Small States JUNE 2011

2 Statutes European Union Universities of Small States (EU²S²) Association The undersigned Parties: Cyprus The University of Cyprus Cyprus University of Technology Cyprus Open University Luxembourg University of Luxembourg Malta University of Malta Estonia University of Tartu Tallinn University of Technology Tallinn University Estonian University of Life Sciences Latvia University of Latvia Riga Technical University Riga Stradins University Daugavpils University Liepaja University Latvia University of Agriculture Lithuania Vilnius University Vytautas Magnus University Klaipeda University Siauliai University Slovenia University of Ljubljana University of Maribor University of Primorska have together decided to form, an international network with the purpose of furthering scientific and educational objectives. They have fixed the statutes as set forth herein:

3 CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1. The Association shall be named European Union Universities of Small States"(EU²S²). It was formed on the 17 th June 2011 during a founding assembly at the University of Cyprus. Article 2. The name of the Association is legally reserved. Article 3. The Association shall be registered in Cyprus as an International Non-profit Making Network. The seat and headquarters of the Network shall be located at the University of Cyprus, Anastasios G. Leventis University House, 1 University Avenue, P.O.Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus. Article 4. The Association shall exist for an indefinite period of time, starting on the day of the adoption of the present document. Article 5. The scope of action of the Association shall be driven towards the promotion of knowledge society within the European Union and the promotion of excellence within its member universities. Article 6. The Association can use its stamp with the logo shown above. Article 7. The Association has the status of al legal entity. Article 8. These statutes comply in all its articles with the Associations and Foundations Law of the Republic of Cyprus, Law 57/1972, which shall be applied to any aspect not included in this document. Article 9. The aims of the Association are: CHAPTER II AIMS to promote the interests of small, state/public universities in the European Union to strengthen and structure the collaboration between member universities in the fields of higher education, research, training and administration to promote the implementation of common strategies and projects to disseminate and circulate essential information (European programmes, cooperation agreements, etc.) to facilitate and promote contacts and exchanges of information and experience

4 to facilitate and encourage the mobility of students, academics and members of staff, both academic and administrative amongst its member universities to promote and encourage joint research projects, joint degrees and programmes amongst its member universities, and to promote and encourage collaboration with public and private institutions Tuition fees will be waived for exchange students, in the context of mutual agreements and with the aim of achieving a general balance in the number of students exchanged. Study periods spent in member universities will be recognised as an integral part of a student s degree programme in the context of bilateral agreements; such periods to be preferably of one academic year s duration, with appropriate arrangements for credit transfers. Assistance in arranging accommodation for those participating in exchange programmes will be provide by host institution to promote the exchange of curriculum information, academic and distance learning materials, as well as the curriculum development to promote joint social, cultural and sport activities to strengthen the collaboration concerning issues of quality assurance. CHAPTER III MEMBERSHIP-ADMISSION-TERMINATION-SUBSCRIPTION Article 10. The members of the Association have to be state/public universities located in European Union countries, whose population does not surpass 3.5 million inhabitants. They may thereby profit from their situation and from the similar political and social environment with which they are each confronted. Special attention shall be paid to co-operation in fields which result from this situation. Article 11. Applications for membership shall be addressed to the President of the Associations. Membership shall be decided by the Steering Committee after consulting in writing all members. Member universities shall send a written endorsement and the decision of the Steering Committee shall be ratified by the General Assembly. Each member of the Association shall undertake to carry out the following functions: a) to liaise with corresponding member universities; b) to encourage staff and student mobility; c) to assist in identifying areas of co-operation for the development of joint programmes and research projects; d) to care for the welfare of visiting students and staff; e) to ensure that records of courses taken by a student and the results of examinations are transmitted to the student s home university. Article 12. The number of members is unlimited, provided they meet the necessary conditions for membership.

5 Article 13. Annual subscriptions for members for the following calendar year shall be decided by the affirmative votes of the majority of the members in attendance or represented in the General Assembly following a proposal of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee shall determine the annual subscription each year and their proposal shall be circulated to all members of the Association at least one month before the General Assembly. Any alternative proposals (hereafter referred as amendments) must be communicated in writing to the President not less than two weeks before the General Assembly. Any such amendments must have the support of at least two full members. In the event of one or more alternative proposals being received, the voting procedure at the General Assembly shall be as follows: 1) A voting card shall be provided for each member. Members are required to register (at the same time of notification of intention to attend the General Assembly) the member of their delegation who is entitled to vote. 2) Each amendment shall be voted on in turn and those which do not receive majority shall be eliminated. 3) Those amendments which do secure majority, in addition to the proposal of the Executive Committee, shall be discussed prior to voting. The first motion (amendment or Executive Committee proposal) to achieve a two-thirds majority shall be adopted. 4) If no motion receives a two-thirds majority, the motion receiving the lowest number of votes shall be eliminated. This process shall continue until a two-thirds majority is achieved or until only two motions remain, in which case the motion which receives a simple majority shall be adopted. 5) With regards to the relations of the Network with the EU, each member-state shall have one vote 6) With regards to the internal relations of the members, each University shall have one vote New members shall pay the full annual subscription for the calendar year in which they were admitted. Resigning members shall pay their full subscription for the calendar year in which they resigned. Article 14. Membership shall terminate: 1.Through voluntary resignation subject to a written prior notice of a minimum of six months. The member doing so shall remain obliged to complete those activities already started under the Agreement. 2.Through expulsion of a member. The expulsion of a member may be decided by the General Assembly by the affirmative votes of two-thirds of the members in attendance or represented. The member shall have the opportunity to be heard before a decision is taken. 3.In the event of subscriptions being in arrears by more than two years. In this case, if three months after a final demand of the Steering Committee there is no acceptable explanation, expulsion shall be automatic. CHAPTER IV

6 GOVERNING BODIES Article 15. The governing bodies of the Association shall be: - The General Assembly - The President - The Steering Committee Article The General Assembly shall hold one meeting every academic year, which shall rotate within the universities of the Association. 2. The General Assembly must have at least half of the members participating or represented in order to be formally constituted. 3.Member universities shall be represented by their Rectors or their nominees with full powers of decision. It is permissible for a member to designate in writing another member to act as proxy for purposes of participation of voting, save that no member may act as proxy for more than one other member. 4. The General Assembly shall elect each time a chairperson to conduct the meeting. 5. Each member shall be entitled to one vote on any resolution. Unless otherwise specified elsewhere, resolutions shall be adopted if the votes cast in favour, exceed those cast against. In the case of equal votes, a second vote shall take place after opportunity for further discussion within the meeting. If the votes remain equal after a second vote, the chairperson shall be empowered to decide. Article Each state shall nominate its candidates for the Steering Committee. 2.The General Assembly shall elect the members of the Steering Committee based on the states nominations. 3.The Steering Committee shall elect the President and the Vice-President of the Association for a period of office of two (2) years by the affirmative votes of the majority of the members. The President and the Vice-President may be re-elected for a second and final term of office. 4.The President and the Vice-President must be a Rector (or of equivalent academic rank) of one of the member universities and shall be their representatives to the General Assembly during the period of office. 5.If the President ceases from Rector of his University, the Vice-President shall replace him/her until the next General Assembly. 6.The President shall be the legal representative of the Association. 7.The President and the Vice-President must come from different states. Article 18. The General Assembly shall elect from its members a Steering Committee. Each member state shall have a representative in the Steering Committee. The President and the Vice- President shall be one of the members of the Steering Committee. The other members of the Steering Committee shall be elected for a period of two years and may be re-elected for an additional two years by the General Assembly. The immediate past President shall be invited to attend the Steering Committee meetings. The General Assembly shall appoint or re-appoint an auditor every two years. The auditor cannot be a member of the Steering Committee.

7 Article 19. The Steering Committee shall be responsible for the preparation and execution of the programme of activities of the Association. The Steering Committee shall prepare the General Assembly meetings. It shall present to the General Assembly: 1. The Annual Report of Activities. 2. The Financial Report for the preceding calendar year and the Budget for the following year. 3. The Programme of future activities. 4. Proposals about membership. Article 20. The Meetings of the Association shall be: 1.The General Assembly: one meeting every academic year. An extraordinary General Assembly may be called at the request of the Steering Committee or by two-thirds of the full members. 2.The Steering Committee: at least two meetings every academic year. The General Assembly meetings shall be called by notice from the President with the agenda of the meeting circulated at least three months in advance. CHAPTER V ASSETS Article 21. The assets of the Association shall consist of real estate, movables, and funds, other property and non-property rights, in particular: - membership fees; - financial support from EU Programmes; - financial support from sponsors; - income from services rendered; - donations; - income from statutory activity - other sources. Article 22. The membership fee shall be paid by the members of the Association until May 31st each year. The membership fee will be 500euros annually. The General Assembly has the right to change the membership fee. Article 22. The Bank Account (in Euro currency) of the Association shall move each time to the state that holds the Presidency.

8 Article 23. At the end of each year, the state holding the Presidency of the Association shall be responsible to submit to the General Assembly a financial audit. Article 24. Ideally the Association s Secretariat must reside in Brussels. CHAPTER VI AMENDMENT OF THE STATUTES Article 25. The General Assembly shall have the sole right to amend the Statutes observing the following procedure: 1.The written notice convening the meeting and the agenda shall announce that the General Assembly shall be called upon to amend the Statutes; 2.The amendment shall be carried at the General Assembly by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members present or represented. CHAPTER VII DISSOLUTION Article 26. The consent of at least two-thirds of the members shall be required for dissolution of the Association. Members can give their consent through a letter. In the event of dissolution the assets of the Association shall be distributed as donations among non-profit organisations or institutions with similar objectives designated by the General Assembly or its liabilities shall be met by them up to a maximum of the annual subscription. CHAPTER VIII INTERNAL REGULATIONS Article 27. The Steering Committee may propose Internal Regulations to the General Assembly.