Disability Caucus

Name	Role
David Thomas	Co-chair
Amanda Martin	Co-chair
Katelyn Manwiller	Secretary

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE DISABILITY UNIVERSITY CAUCUS

Section I. Name

1. The name of this committee shall be the Disability University Caucus (hereafter referred to as "the Caucus").

Section II. Mission

1. The Disability University Caucus at West Chester University cultivates a community of support for disabled employees and allies and advances disability inclusion at WCU. We advocate for inclusion and accessibility by endorsing inclusive policies, driving accessible recruitment and retention efforts, and creating spaces for active, meaningful social and educational engagement for our campus. We confront ableism directly by advancing the understanding of disabled identities. Through recommendations and direct action within the university structure, the Disability University Caucus strengthens and supports West Chester University's commitment to inclusion, access, and excellence.

Section III. Membership and Membership Responsibilities

1. The Caucus membership is open to any full-time or part-time faculty or staff member who formally requests to join the Caucus.
1. The membership of the Caucus shall not be restricted to members of a certain identity (see section III.1.b. for examples).
2. Membership of the Caucus shall strive to represent the diverse array of identities represented at WCU including but not limited to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, romantic orientation, gender identity, gender expression, socio-economic class, disability, religion, rank (title and position), age, and nationality.
2. Membership on the Caucus is not term limited.
3. All members of the Caucus are expected to do the following:
1. Attend the general body Caucus meetings that take place throughout the year and events that are either sponsored by the Caucus or support the disability community.
2. Communicate with the co-chairpersons when unable to attend meetings and/or events.
3. Participate in Caucus votes either in person at meetings or virtually via email within three days of the called vote.
4. Bring constituency concerns to the Caucus's attention.
5. Suggest agenda items at least one week prior to the scheduled meeting by contacting the co-chairpersons.
6. Take information back to their respective constituencies.
4. Co-Chairpersons of the Caucus
1. One faculty member and one staff member, preferably who have served on the Caucus for at least one year previous to the current year, are eligible to serve as co-chairperson of the Caucus.
1. Although general membership of the Caucus is not limited to any individuals of a certain identity, at least one co-chairperson should identify as a member of the disability community at any given time. This identity is self-identified to ensure clarity and respect for privacy.
2. The term of co-chairpersons of the Caucus is two years, beginning with their election at the end of the spring semester and ending with the election of the next co-chairperson at the end of the spring semester two years later.
1. At the conclusion of a co-chairperson's term, the next co-chairperson is selected by a vote of the Caucus present at the last meeting of the Caucus during the spring semester. If a Caucus member wishes to participate in the vote but cannot attend the meeting, they should send an email vote to the person in charge of the vote.
2. The next Caucus co-chairperson shall be determined by majority vote for a single candidate. If no majority is found after a first vote, members will rank all candidates in order of preference and the candidate with the lowest score shall be the determined the winner.
3. The Caucus shall have two chairpersons serving at any given time.
4. Terms of co-chairpersons shall be staggered so that at any given time at least one of the co-chairpersons has served in that role for at least one year.
5. Co-chairpersons are eligible for re-election for subsequent terms.
6. The co-chairpersons shall be responsible for sending all communications regarding upcoming meeting/events and shall include Zoom information so that members can attend and contribute virtually.
7. Administrative support will be the responsibility of the co-chairpersons or an elected secretary position, should the Caucus determine it is necessary.
8. The leadership is to provide consistency and coordination, not more voice - all members are equal in their voices.
5. Liaisons to the Caucus
1. The following persons are accorded liaison responsibilities:
1. One representative of student disability groups including but not limited to an Office of Educational Accessibility (OEA) registered student, Dub-C Autism Program (D-CAP) student, and WCU Eagles Autism Foundation (EAF) student,
2. The President or one representative from the ADA Committee,
3. The Director or one representative of the Office of Educational Accessibility (OEA),
4. One professional staff representative from Dub-C Autism Program (D-CAP).
5. The Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer or one representative from the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance professional staff (EQOC), and
6. One representative from the Faculty Senate.
2. Liaisons may attend all general body Caucus meetings and shall hold power to vote in elections and on Caucus decisions.
3. Liaisons shall serve one term, lasting a full academic year (Fall to Spring), and may continue to serve in that role at the discretion of the liaison's department.

Section IV. Procedures

1. Caucus Meetings
1. The Caucus shall hold at least two meetings a semester at rotating meeting times/dates in order to accommodate the schedules of membership as best as possible. Although members are encouraged to attend in person, members are welcome to attend virtually through the Zoom links provided by the co- chairpersons.
2. In the case where a Caucus member is unavoidably prevented from attending meetings for a majority of the academic year, the Caucus member has the responsibility to consult with the Caucus co-chairpersons and with the relevant working group leads, if applicable, to ascertain how they will contribute to the work of the Caucus.
3. Votes taken to advance Caucus work will be held on a simple majority basis and follow the participation guidelines documented under Section III.
2. The Caucus works in partnership with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance to develop and address budgetary needs and interests meant to support employee engagement, retention, and special projects. The Caucus co-chairpersons will compose a written budget (by September or in line with fiscal budget planning schedules) and will meet annually with the Chief Diversity Officer to finalize the budget request for the next academic year. If more funding is needed during the current year, the Caucus chair(s) will send a written proposal to the Vice President for the Division of Access, Compliance, and Engagement to determine if additional funding is available.

Section V. Working Groups

1. Working group membership and working group project leads shall be developed by the membership of the Caucus at the beginning of the academic year when goals are determined.
2. At their inception, working groups shall set appropriate timeframes for their goals and shall maintain communication on their projects with the Caucus co-chairpersons.
3. At the end of the academic year, goals will be reviewed and working groups will be subject to renewal or disbandment.

Section VI. Amendments to "Policies and Procedures of the Disability University Caucus"

1. Amendments to the Policies and Procedures of the Caucus shall require approval by two-thirds (⅔) of the members of the Caucus. The Caucus will only consult with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance when it involves a major change to the structure of the Caucus.
2. The Policies and Procedures of the Caucus shall be reviewed by the full Caucus at three-year intervals beginning in 2025.

Section VII. Publicly Published

This document will be publicly published on the Caucus' website.

Section VIII. Dissolution

Upon dissolution, funds in any Caucus account will be returned to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance.

These Policies and Procedures were constituted on May 20th, 2025.