A symbiotic relationship between the School of Business and Public Administration (BPA) and employers of the School’s graduates is undeniable. The establishment of a system of communication between these two groups is a key factor in the effectiveness of the school’s educational efforts. All will benefit from a high degree of student preparedness and all will feel the impact of a high-quality educational program.
Businesses and public agencies will benefit from higher employee productivity and shorter job orientation periods, greater innovation and creativity by employees who bring knowledge of a variety of management techniques, and employees who possess experience in the most advanced computer technology.
The school will benefit from the prestige gained by the high demand in business, industry, and the public sector for its graduates; from technologies and trends shared by our constituencies that can be incorporated into the curriculum; and the sense of pride in knowing that it's graduates are prepared for their future roles as business and industry leaders.
This mutually beneficial partnership is managed and directed by representatives from business, industry, and the public sector working with the school in the form of an advisory committee called the Executive Advisory Council (EAC). This document serves as the EAC charter and defines its structure, responsibilities, and initial goals and objectives. It is intended that this charter be reviewed periodically and, if necessary, revised by consensus of the EAC members. All recommendations of the EAC will be presented to the Dean of the School of Business & Public Administration, who will consider them carefully and implement them as possible.
GOAL
It is the goal of the EAC to assist the BPA in its mission (see Mission Statement attached) by recommending programs, policies, procedures, and actions that work toward the elimination of possible gaps between what a student must learn to graduate from the BPA, and what the same student must know to assume an entry-level position within a progressive, competitive organization.
OBJECTIVES
The prime objective of the EAC is to establish a vehicle for stakeholder-school communication as a forum for the presentation and discussion of mutual concerns. This active partnership shall address the needs of both communities and make constructive recommendations for the improvement of student education. The business, industry and public sector members provide guidance, technical expertise, and support for the continued advancement of the programs of the BPA. The academic members serve as consultants to our stakeholders; staff the educational programs; and provide the means for evaluating, implementing, and assessing the recommendations of the council members.
Because the relationship between the school and the stakeholder community is dynamic, the EAC must be flexible enough to change its objectives as the Council determines what is feasible, practical, and beneficial. The categories of mutual concern to be addressed by the EAC include the following:
- Setting goals for academic and professional accomplishments;
- Assisting in the school’s strategic planning process;
- Developing resources for financial and technical support for the school; and
- Coordinating the needs of stakeholders with the curriculum of the school.
MEMBERSHIP
The school welcomes experienced business, industry, and public sector leaders who are decision-makers in their fields as members of the EAC.
Members can be nominated to the dean, who may then invite them to serve for an initial two-year term. To ensure continuity in the projects undertaken by the EAC, some of the initial appointments maybe for three years. The dean may invite, as no-voting visitors, other members of the CSU Bakersfield community.
ORGANIZATION
The EAC is governed by a chair, who is a stakeholder member selected by the EAC membership and approved by the dean of the BPA. The chair presides over all formal meetings for two academic years. A vice-chair, who presides over meetings in the absence of the chair, is selected by the same means as the chair and, with the above approvals, ordinarily advances to chair for the next academic year.
COMMITTEES
The EAC chair, with the approval of the dean, may organize and convene subcommittees of the EAC to address specific topics of concern to the School. These ad hoc committees and special working groups may recruit members from outside the EAC membership.
MEETINGS
The EAC meets quarterly during the academic year, on-campus or off-campus, at the discretion of the chair and/or dean. The tentative schedule of future meetings is agreed upon by the members of the EAC at the beginning of each academic year. Agenda items are the joint responsibility of the EAC chair and the dean, and are sent to each EAC member in advance of the meeting. The chair distributes minutes of the meetings with the assistance of a school staff member. Files of minutes, records, and other communications are maintained by BPA.
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Findings and recommendations by the EAC for action on specific issues are discussed within the context of EAC meetings. When appropriate, a formal action plan may be submitted to the dean for consideration and presentation, at his discretion, to appropriate university administrators.
In the event that the dean does not agree with a Council recommendation, he will provide a written explanation for that rejection.
FINANCIAL EXPECTATIONS
Members of the EAC are not required to make a personal contribution to the School. They are, however, encouraged to request that their employers become Business Partners with the School and contribute $500 in cash or $5,000 in gifts-in-kind annually. EAC members also are encouraged to use whatever influence is appropriate within their respective companies and with their business associates to develop student internships and senior projects, garner technological support whenever possible, and assist in identifying employment opportunities for BPA graduates.