ICHE | The International Council for Higher Education

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Bylaws of the ICHE

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Characteristics of Excellence in Higher Education

1. The name of the council is: The International Council for Higher Education.

2. The Registered office of the Council will be Moosbrunnenstrasse 11, 8426 Lufingen/Zürich, Switzerland. The Council will operate through its office for all matters relating to the official status. The Executive Board may authorize officers and offices in other locations to function on its behalf.

3. The International Council for Higher Education is an association committed to advancing the cause of Christian scholarship all over the world, particularly in countries where educational opportunities are restricted, and to helping our members develop sustainable and integrated models of higher education that reflect biblical faith through learning and service.

Management

The Council shall conduct its affairs through meetings, appointed officers, and an Executive Board. The Officers of the Council will be:

1. The Chancellor. Responsibilities of the Chancellor include a) chairing all meetings of the Council and the Executive Board; b) upholding the Statement of Faith and the Standards of Excellence of the Council; and c) providing accountability for other officers of the Council. The Chancellor shall be a full member of the Council unless otherwise determined by the Council, and shall be elected by the Council to a six-year term, and may not succeed himself/herself. The term of the Chancellor shall expire at the close of a Triennial Assembly.

2. The Vice Chancellor / President. Responsibilities of the Vice Chancellor/President include a) providing vision and leadership in pursuit of the aims and objectives of the Council; b) maintaining records of Council membership and business; c) supervising the operations and affairs of the Council, including the Council's office; and d) calling meetings of the Executive Board, in consultation with the Chancellor. The Vice Chancellor/President is the chief executive officer and the chief academic officer of the Council and shall be accountable to the Executive Board through the Chancellor. The term of the Vice Chancellor/President shall be appointed by the Executive Board, with the terms of reference to be determined by the Board.

3. The Vice President for Financial Affairs. Responsibilities of the Vice President for Financial Affairs include a) providing for receipting, banking, accounting and disbursing of Council funds; b) arranging an annual audit of the Council's financial accounts; and c) issuing financial reports, as appropriate, to members of the Executive Board and the Council. The Vice President for Financial Affairs is the chief financial officer of the Council, shall be elected to a three-year term, and may be reelected one time after which s/he may not succeed himself.

Other officers may be nominated by the Executive Board and elected by the Council, as required. The title and responsibilities of other officers shall be determined by the Executive Board and ratified by the Council.

Membership

Membership to the Council is open to educational institutions, individuals, students, and agencies of higher education throughout the world, and to those organizations whose reputation is founded upon a commitment to the aims and objectives listed in these Bylaws, which members are required to affirm.

Members are granted one of the following categories of membership status:

1. Full Members. Full membership is open to institutions and agencies engaged in higher education; they are entitled to one vote in the Council.

2. Associate Members. Associate membership is open to individuals, students, or professionals engaged in higher education; they are entitled to voice, but no vote, in the Council.

All members will be expected to attend the Triennial Assembly of the Council and will pay annual membership fees set by the Council.

Membership in the Council shall be reviewed triennially. Inactive or delinquent members shall be notified six months in advance of the Triennial Assembly that their membership is in jeopardy, in order to give opportunity for indication of support for the Council prior to the Triennial Assembly. Membership may be terminated by two-thirds majority vote of the Council for reasons seen to be detrimental to the Council.

Meetings

Regular meetings of the Council will be held every three years and will be designated the Triennial Assembly of the Council. Dates for the Triennial Assembly will be set by the Executive Board at least one year in advance, with notice of dates and venue circulated to all Council members. One-third or more of the full members must be present to establish a quorum in any meeting.

International conferences may be convened by the Council with a focus on themes and issues in higher education. Such conferences will provide opportunity for interaction with experts from government and non-government agencies, universities, and with scholars of international repute.

Special meetings of the Council may be called by the Executive Board. Notice of special meetings must be sent to all Council members at least three months prior to the date set for the special meeting and shall be accompanied by an agenda which clearly identifies the purpose of the meeting and states a motion of motions for action on the declared purpose of the meeting. Members unable to attend the special meeting may submit a brief to the Vice Chancellor/President and full members may cast a mail ballot on the stated motion(s). The Vice Chancellor/President shall read all briefs in the special meeting and mail ballots shall be counted with the ballots of members present and voting.

Characteristics of Excellence in Higher Education

The International Council for Higher Education advocates the following characteristics as being essential for institutions engaged in higher education:

1. Integrity in the institution's conduct of all its activities through truthful, equitable, and humane policies dealing with students, faculty, staff and other constituencies;

2. Clearly stated mission and goals appropriate to the institution's resources and the needs of its constituents;

3. Programs and courses which develop general intellectual skills (such as the ability to understand and test truth claims, to identify assumptions, and to conceive and weigh alternatives), which nurture moral and spiritual growth, which develop relational and professional effectiveness, and which cultivate ability to communicate effectively in a culturally diverse world;

4. Curricula which are grounded in Biblical truth, even when they address human cultures, arts and sciences, or when they attend to occupational requirements;

5. Intellectual, physical, financial, and human resources adequate to support the mission and programs of the institution and to assure its continuing viability and success;

6. Policies and procedures which lead to the effective assessment of institutional and program goals, and of student learning;

7. Organization, administration and governance which facilitate teaching and learning, and which foster their improvement within a community committed to the pursuit of truth;

8. Responsiveness to the need for institutional change and renewal appropriate to institutional mission, goals, and resources.