Governance Policies and Bylaws.
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Awarding of Honorary Degrees - Policy Statement
A Fielding Graduate University Honorary Degree is one of the most significant honors bestowed upon selected distinguished individuals who merit special recognition for achievements and distinction in a field or activity consistent with the Vision, Mission, and Goals of the University. Only the Fielding Board of Trustees may authorize the awarding of an honorary degree.
To request a copy of the policy & procedures please e-mail the Board of Trustees Office at:
bot@fielding.edu.
Conflict of Interest – Policy Statement
To ensure that the Fielding Graduate University (“FIELDING”) complies with California law under which it is organized, its Board of Trustees (individually, “Trustees” and collectively, “Trustees” or the “Board”) hereby adopts this conflict of interest policy ("Policy"). The Policy applies to members of the Board and also applies to FIELDING’s [directors, officers and senior-level employees] (collectively, “Employees”), where applicable. This Policy outlines procedures to be followed when the Board contemplates entering into a transaction or arrangement that might implicate the private interest of a Trustee or Employee of FIELDING. This Policy is intended to supplement, but not replace, any applicable state laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable corporations.
To request a copy of the policy & procedures please e-mail the Board of Trustees Office at: bot@fielding.edu.
Dean Emeritus Title – Policy Statement
Dean Emeritus is an honorary title, with no associated material benefits. Dean Emeriti shall be honorary members of Fielding Graduate University and be welcome at sessions and graduation activities.
To request a copy of the policy & procedures please e-mail the Board of Trustees Office at: bot@fielding.edu.
Faculty/Professor Emeritus Title – Policy Statement
The Board of Trustees wishes to recognize long, meritorious and loyal service of faculty members to Fielding. To this end, it establishes the title of Faculty/Professor Emeritus which may be awarded to specific individuals by action of the Board.
The title Faculty/Professor Emeritus may be conferred on faculty members who wish to retire from Fielding in recognition of lengthy, meritorious and loyal service to Fielding. Recommendations for award of the title must be approved individually by the Board of Trustees.
Holders of the title Faculty/Professor Emeritus will be entitled to the following privileges:
- They will receive an appropriate recognition document.
- They may attend Fielding events without registration charge. However, unless they are specifically invited by the program to make presentations or other contributions, they will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.
- They may be invited to make contributions to regular and special faculty retreats when their expertise is requested by the program. In these cases, their expenses for attending the session will be covered by the university. Emeritus Faculty/Professors, however, are not voting members of the faculty for purposes of making formal decisions.
- Emeritus Faculty/Professors may be invited to participate in Fielding sessions and to give seminars and workshops on other occasions when these presentations are consonant with program plans. Payment for services and expenses will follow the pattern established for outside speakers and presenters and presenters will require approval of the academic program chair.
- Emeritus Faculty/Professors will continue to receive regular Fielding notices and publications, such as bulletins, newsletters, and special announcements.
To request a copy of the policy & procedures please e-mail the Board of Trustees Office at: bot@fielding.edu.
Formulation & Issuance of University Governance Policies - Policy Statement
The Board of Trustees formally approves, issues, and maintains in a consistent format official university governance policies. Individuals engaged in developing and maintaining university policies must follow the requirements outlined in this document for drafting, approving, revising, and withdrawing university governance polices.
To request a copy of the policy & procedures please e-mail the Board of Trustees Office at:
bot@fielding.edu.
Investment Policy – Policy Statement
This statement of investment policy is set forth by the Budget, Finance, and Audit Committee (hereafter referred to as the BFA Committee) of the Fielding Graduate University in order to:
1. Define and assign the responsibilities of all involved parties.
2. Establish a clear understanding for all involved parties of the investment goals and objectives of Fund assets.
3. Offer guidance and limitations to the Investment Management Consultant and all Investment Managers regarding the investment of Fund assets.
4. Establish a basis for evaluating investment results.
5. Manage Fund assets according to prudent standards as established in common trust law.
6. Establish the relevant investment horizon for which the Fund assets will be managed.
In general, the purpose of this statement is to outline a philosophy and attitude which will guide the investment management of the assets toward the desired results. It is intended to be sufficiently specific to be meaningful, yet flexible enough to be practical.
Officer Nomination – Policy Statement
The Trusteeship Committee holds the responsibility for recommending the slate of officers to the Executive Committee and to the full Board at the Spring Board Meeting.
The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chair, a Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary and such other officers and assistant officers as the Board may determine. The Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected from among the Trustees. The criteria for election of a Chair, a Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary are: a) must have been on the Board for at least two years; and b) must have demonstrated substantive involvement in the work of the Board. Neither the Secretary nor the Treasurer may serve as the Chair or President at the same time.
To request a copy of the policy & procedures please e-mail the Board of Trustees Office at:
bot@fielding.edu.
Performance Review of the Board – Policy Statement
In the interest of ensuring exceptional leadership and leadership practices at Fielding Graduate University and by recognizing that the students and extended learning community that Fielding serves benefit professionally and personally from constructive reviews of how we exercise our responsibilities; the Board of Trustees established this policy on Board performance assessment. In doing so, the Board acknowledges the importance of meeting its responsibilities, for effective Governance.
To request a copy of the policy & procedures please e-mail the Board of Trustees Office at:
bot@fielding.edu.
Performance Review of the President – Policy Statement
In the interest of ensuring exceptional leadership and leadership practices at Fielding Graduate University and by recognizing that the students and extended learning community that Fielding serves benefit professionally and personally from constructive reviews of how we exercise our responsibilities; the Board of Trustees established this policy on Presidential performance assessment. In doing so, the Board acknowledges the importance of meeting its responsibilities, with the president, for effective Management.
To request a copy of the policy & procedures please e-mail the Board of Trustees Office at: bot@fielding.edu.
President Emeritus – Policy Statement
President Emeritus is an honorary title, with no associated material benefits. President Emeriti shall be honorary members of the Fielding Graduate University convocations and related graduation activities.
To request a copy of the policy & procedures please e-mail the Board of Trustees Office at: bot@fielding.edu.
Trustee Emeritus – Policy Statement
Trustees who have served with distinction for a minimum period of Five (5) years of service, whose commitment to the institution remains strong and who cannot or should not be expected to meet the same obligations as regular trustees, are eligible for election to Trustee Emeritus.
Trustee Emeritus designation will be a lifetime appointment. These individuals should continue to do something of note to justify the distinction bestowed upon them. All Emeritus Trustees should be encouraged to serve on Board Committees, for example, and all should feel free to participate in annual Board meetings. They do not have voting privileges.
What is evident is that appointment to “trustee emeritus” status should be based primarily on the quality of service demonstrated as a Board member rather than time served; that is, it should be a clear recognition of distinguished service. It is also important to know that such a designation includes a presumption of “retirement” from active service on the Governing Board, a standard that defines a far more limited scope of authority.
Trustee Nomination – Policy Statement
The Trusteeship Committee and the President are responsible for vetting and recommending candidates to the Board. The Trusteeship Committee along with the Executive Committee will evaluate Board membership annually to discuss membership levels. The Bylaws of Fielding Graduate University under Article 2 section 2.01 state that there shall not be fewer than (12) nor more than (30) trustees (“Trustees”).
All Trustees, as well as staff, faculty and alumni, are encouraged to submit nominations to be considered for election to the Board. The person nominating the individual is responsible to submit a Nomination Form and a resume to the Trusteeship Committee, and to speak on the individual’s behalf, including an analysis of the potential candidate’s capacity for time, talent and treasure, at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Trusteeship Committee.
Trustees shall be elected by a majority of the Trustees present at any regularly scheduled meeting of the Board or by written consent of two-thirds of the full Board.
To request a copy of the policy & procedures please e-mail the Board of Trustees Office at:
bot@fielding.edu.
Trustee Travel – Policy Statement
This policy has been developed to ensure that Fielding Graduate University, a private, not for profit educational institution, utilizes its financial resources in a prudent and responsible manner. To fulfill their responsibilities, Trustees are expected to cover their own expenses, except as outlined below.
Fielding Graduate University will reimburse Trustees who travel away from home on University related business for the following:
- To attend one National Session during the early part of their term as a Trustee and again after completing eight years of service
- For the Board Chair to attend one National Session annually
- To attend a conference on behalf of Fielding when requested by the President
- To attend planning or other meetings when requested by the President
- Where necessitated by personal circumstances Public and Alumni Trustees may request reimbursement for all or part of their expenses related to attending Board meetings
Fielding Graduate University will reimburse Student and Faculty Trustees who are required to travel away from home to attend University Board of Trustees meetings, if so requested by the Trustee according to the guidelines below.
Fielding maintains a Business Expense Reimbursement and Travel Policy that is posted on line at http://www.fielding.edu/private/travel/expreimbursementpolicy.htm. The guidelines below are intended to provide the necessary information from the University policy as it applies to Trustee travel. Exceptions to this policy for Trustees require advance approval by the Chair of the Board.
To request a copy of the policy & procedures please e-mail the Board of Trustees Office at: bot@fielding.edu.
Tuition & Fees Policy & Procedures – Policy Statement
It is the policy of Fielding Graduate University that the Board of Trustees and the President approve amounts charged to students for tuition and other charges. Further, it is Fielding’s policy to have a written policy communicating the process of setting, approving, and announcing tuition and fees for all students.