Michigan Journal of Public Affairs Constitution

Preamble

The Michigan Journal of Public Affairs (MJPA) is the student-run academic journal of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. The MJPA promotes dialogue on a wide range of public policy issues by publishing a diverse group of contributors, from students to public policy professionals.

Article I. Name

Section 1: Name The name of this organization will be the Michigan Journal of Public Affairs, abbreviated MJPA. Section 2: Purpose/Mission The Michigan Journal of Public Affairs (MJPA) is the student-run academic journal of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. The MJPA promotes dialogue on a wide range of public policy issues by publishing a diverse group of contributors, from students to public policy professionals.

Article II. Purpose

Section 1: Purpose/Mission The Michigan Journal of Public Affairs (MJPA) is the student-run academic journal of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. The MJPA promotes dialogue on a wide range of public policy issues by publishing a diverse group of contributors, from students to public policy professionals.

Article III. Membership

Section 1.

Section 1: Eligibility for Membership Membership in the MJPA is open to any currently enrolled student at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. The membership consists of executive and non-executive positions.

Section 2.

Section 2: Executive Positions The executive positions of the MJPA shall be the co-Editors-in-Chief (2), the Managing Editor (1), the Business Manager (1), the Senior Editors (2), and the Submissions Editor (1). An officer must meet all membership eligibility requirements. Section 3: Non-Executive Positions The non-executive positions of the MJPA shall be the Assistant Editors (6). The number of assistant editors may vary from year to year at the discretion of the executive membership.

Section 3.

Section 1: Timeline for Selection of Members There will be two membership selection periods. The membership selection for executive officers will occur in the spring for the following academic year. The membership selection for non-executive positions will occur early in the fall semester. Section 2: Term of Office The term of membership for all members is one academic year (fall and winter term). Section 3: Selection of Executive Members During the spring selection phase, a call shall be issued for eligible applicants to fill executive positions. The current membership of the MJPA, including executive and non-executive members shall decide by majority vote who shall fill the positions. Applicants may apply for more than one position, but cannot hold more than one. Applicants should rank their preferences for positions in which they are interested. The decision-making shall happen in the following order: Editors-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Senior Editors, Submissions Editor, and the Business Editor. Any unfilled positions can be filled during the fall application/selection process. Any current executive member seeking executive membership again may not vote in selection. Section 4: Selection of Non-Executive Members During the fall selection phase, a call shall be issued for eligible applicants to fill non-executive positions and any unfilled executive positions. The elected executive members shall review the applications and select members by majority decision.

Article IV. Officers

Section 1.

Section 4: Duties of Members a) Co-Editors-in-Chief: Editors-in-Chief are responsible for the overall progress of the publication and the logistics behind the production of the journal. Some of these duties include creating a production schedule, editorial management, and formulation of budgetary and business plans. EICs will have full control over the editorial process and the final word on all editorial decisions. b) Managing Editor: The Managing Editor is responsible for trafficking and managing the flow of articles in the editorial process. The Managing Editor will assist in the managing of deadlines for submission, edit rounds and fact checking processes. The Managing Editor will assist the Submissions Editor in the submissions process when necessary. The Managing Editor will also manage, with the Editors-in-Chief, the reading weekend for selection of articles for publication. c) Business Manager: The Business Manager will assist the Editors-in-Chief in the administrative management of the journal. This will include applying for funding and executing the budget. The business manager will be the “treasurer” of the organization. d) Senior Editors: Senior Editors will be at the forefront of the editorial process. They will manage the editorial process for chosen articles assigned to them during the editorial phase and be assigned a staff of Assistant Editors to work with them on the tasks. Senior Editors will be assisted by the Editors-In-Chief and the Managing Editor in the article revision and fact checking process. Senior Editors will also be expected to attend executive committee meetings to help in strategic planning for the journal. Senior Editors will participate in the reading weekend to select articles for publication from submissions. e) Assistant Editors: Assistant Editors will assist the Senior Editors in the editorial process, which includes content and grammar editing, fact checking, communication with authors, and other duties. Assistant Editors will also participate in the reading weekend to select articles for publication. f) Submission Editors: The Submissions Editor will manage the submissions process with consultation from the Managing Editor and Editors-in-Chief. This process includes issuing the “Call for Papers” announcement, publicity of the journal to increase the number of selections, correspondence with the authors prior to the reading weekend, and prepping the articles for the reading weekend. The Submissions Editor shall be the keeper of the contact list for the journal and will be responsible for enhancing and managing that list. Article III: Selection of Membership Section 1: Timeline for Selection of Members There will be two membership selection periods. The membership selection for executive officers will occur in the spring for the following academic year. The membership selection for non-executive positions will occur early in the fall semester. Section 2: Term of Office The term of membership for all members is one academic year (fall and winter term). Section 3: Selection of Executive Members During the spring selection phase, a call shall be issued for eligible applicants to fill executive positions. The current membership of the MJPA, including executive and non-executive members shall decide by majority vote who shall fill the positions. Applicants may apply for more than one position, but cannot hold more than one. Applicants should rank their preferences for positions in which they are interested. The decision-making shall happen in the following order: Editors-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Senior Editors, Submissions Editor, and the Business Editor. Any unfilled positions can be filled during the fall application/selection process. Any current executive member seeking executive membership again may not vote in selection. Section 4: Selection of Non-Executive Members During the fall selection phase, a call shall be issued for eligible applicants to fill non-executive positions and any unfilled executive positions. The elected executive members shall review the applications and select members by majority decision.

Section 2.

Section 2: Executive Positions The executive positions of the MJPA shall be the co-Editors-in-Chief (2), the Managing Editor (1), the Business Manager (1), the Senior Editors (2), and the Submissions Editor (1). An officer must meet all membership eligibility requirements.

Section 3.

Section 1: Selection The MJPA shall have an advisor (or more than one advisor) amongst the faculty of the Ford School of Public Policy (or other affiliated faculty). A list of possible candidates will be formulated by the executive membership and shall be asked to fill the position. Section 2: Duties Advisors will provide guidance for the process of managing an academic journal, navigation of administrative obstacles, provide historical continuity, and provide general support and advice.

Article V. Operations

Section 1.

Section 3: Selection of Executive Members During the spring selection phase, a call shall be issued for eligible applicants to fill executive positions. The current membership of the MJPA, including executive and non-executive members shall decide by majority vote who shall fill the positions. Applicants may apply for more than one position, but cannot hold more than one. Applicants should rank their preferences for positions in which they are interested. The decision-making shall happen in the following order: Editors-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Senior Editors, Submissions Editor, and the Business Editor. Any unfilled positions can be filled during the fall application/selection process. Any current executive member seeking executive membership again may not vote in selection. Section 4: Selection of Non-Executive Members During the fall selection phase, a call shall be issued for eligible applicants to fill non-executive positions and any unfilled executive positions. The elected executive members shall review the applications and select members by majority decision.

Section 2.

Section 3: Selection of Executive Members During the spring selection phase, a call shall be issued for eligible applicants to fill executive positions. The current membership of the MJPA, including executive and non-executive members shall decide by majority vote who shall fill the positions. Applicants may apply for more than one position, but cannot hold more than one. Applicants should rank their preferences for positions in which they are interested. The decision-making shall happen in the following order: Editors-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Senior Editors, Submissions Editor, and the Business Editor. Any unfilled positions can be filled during the fall application/selection process. Any current executive member seeking executive membership again may not vote in selection. Section 4: Selection of Non-Executive Members During the fall selection phase, a call shall be issued for eligible applicants to fill non-executive positions and any unfilled executive positions. The elected executive members shall review the applications and select members by majority decision.

Section 3.

Section 3: Selection of Executive Members During the spring selection phase, a call shall be issued for eligible applicants to fill executive positions. The current membership of the MJPA, including executive and non-executive members shall decide by majority vote who shall fill the positions. Applicants may apply for more than one position, but cannot hold more than one. Applicants should rank their preferences for positions in which they are interested. The decision-making shall happen in the following order: Editors-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Senior Editors, Submissions Editor, and the Business Editor. Any unfilled positions can be filled during the fall application/selection process. Any current executive member seeking executive membership again may not vote in selection. Section 4: Selection of Non-Executive Members During the fall selection phase, a call shall be issued for eligible applicants to fill non-executive positions and any unfilled executive positions. The elected executive members shall review the applications and select members by majority decision.

Section 4.

none

Article VI. Finances

Section 1.

Section 1: Required Documents Defined To ensure the success of the MJPA, there are a number of items that must be codified but cannot appear in this Constitution because of their evolving nature. The texts of these documents and/or the process for formulating/approving them shall be contained in the By-Laws of the Michigan Journal of Public Affairs.

Section 2.

Business Manager

Article VII. Amendments

Section 1.

Section 1: Ratification/Amnedments Amendments to the Constitution must be passed by a 2/3 majority of members.

Section 2.

Officers

Section 3.

Section 1: Ratification/Amnedments Amendments to the Constitution must be passed by a 2/3 majority of members.

Article VIII. Registration Renewal

Section 1.

Article IX. Removal of Membership

Section 1.

Section 3: Removal from Position Any member continually failing to fulfill their duties can be removed from their position. When unavoidable, a forced removal must be initiated by a member and decided by a 2/3 majority of the executive membership. The person subject to removal is guaranteed his or her chance to address the membership to contest the removal. If a vacancy should occur because of a removal, it shall be filled using the process in Article IV, Section 1.

Section 2.

Section 3: Removal from Position Any member continually failing to fulfill their duties can be removed from their position. When unavoidable, a forced removal must be initiated by a member and decided by a 2/3 majority of the executive membership. The person subject to removal is guaranteed his or her chance to address the membership to contest the removal. If a vacancy should occur because of a removal, it shall be filled using the process in Article IV, Section 1.

Section 3.

Section 3: Removal from Position Any member continually failing to fulfill their duties can be removed from their position. When unavoidable, a forced removal must be initiated by a member and decided by a 2/3 majority of the executive membership. The person subject to removal is guaranteed his or her chance to address the membership to contest the removal. If a vacancy should occur because of a removal, it shall be filled using the process in Article IV, Section 1.

Section 4.

Section 3: Removal from Position Any member continually failing to fulfill their duties can be removed from their position. When unavoidable, a forced removal must be initiated by a member and decided by a 2/3 majority of the executive membership. The person subject to removal is guaranteed his or her chance to address the membership to contest the removal. If a vacancy should occur because of a removal, it shall be filled using the process in Article IV, Section 1.

Article X. By-Laws

Article I: Authority Section 1: Defined These by-laws were created by Article VIII, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Michigan Journal of Public Affairs: “To ensure the success of the MJPA, there are a number of items which must be codified but cannot appear in this constitution because of their evolving nature. The texts of these documents and/or the process for formulating/approving them shall be contained in the By-Laws of the Michigan Journal of Public Affairs.” Article II: Application for Membership Section 1: Creation of the Application for Membership The Editors-in-Chief with the advice of the executive membership shall design the application for membership. The application for membership can include, but is not limited to: a resume, written statement or interview. Article III: Production Schedule and Timeline Section 1: Creation of the Production Schedule and Timeline The Editors-in-Chief and the Managing Editor, with the consultation of the membership if necessary, will formulate a production schedule and timeline at the beginning of the year. This task shall be required every year at the open of the term. Article IV: Selection Criteria for Articles Section 1: Description In order to fairly assess the quality of every article submitted, a standard rubric and process must be decided upon for the reading weekend. Section 2: Process for creating the rubric The Editors-in-Chief and the Managing Editor shall be responsible for the creation of the selection criteria and are encouraged to seek input from the membership. The selection criteria should address issues of eligibility and evaluation of submissions, and include input from within the membership. The selection criteria must be crafted as far in advance of the reading weekend as possible. Article V: Creation of a Long Term Business Plan Section 1: Description The long-term business plan shall contain strategic planning information for the future of the MJPA. It should include possible funding sources, content and thematic suggestions, suggestions for management changes, and any other changes relating to long term goals and shall be updated and assessed every year. Section 2: Creation of the Business Plan The plan shall be formulated with the consultation of the membership, but ultimately managed by the Business Manager. Article VI: Changes to These By-Laws Section 1: These by-laws may be amended by a majority vote of the membership.