1. Definition
Present principles set the working rules of “Eastern Mediterranean University Social Awareness Center". Eastern Mediterranean University will be referred as “University" and Social Awareness Center as “Center" in the principles.
2. Aim
The Center aims to:
(a) improve the living conditions of disadvantaged groups of the society such as children, women, handicapped and elder individuals and, increase their satisfaction of life levels,
(b) carry out scientific research, practice and educational studies that will ensure and develop the solidarity between social groups in order to ensure more effective participation of young people in democratic social governance and to increase their social, cultural and academic knowledge by undertaking responsibilities in this direction, and to disseminate them in the society, to conduct researches, applications and consultancy services in this direction,
(c) raise awareness of young people against social problems and risks, enable them to develop sensitivity and to serve them in a way to transform the city and the country where the university serves with the bond they establish with the society,
(d) make contributions to social life skills of the young people and, contribute to their moral and conscience developments,
(e) raise individuals who are environmentally-conscious.
3. Field of Study
The Center carries out the below-mentioned studies in line with its set aims:
(a) Improving the living conditions of disadvantaged groups of the society such as children, women, handicapped and elder individuals and, developing social responsibility projects with the active participation of young people,
(b) Organizing educational programs and publications in the field of democratic governance and social responsibility aimed at raising the awareness of the society, primarily young people, organizing cultural events, participating and supporting projects with similar objectives,
(c) Ensuring the realization of new projects or taking part in existing projects in cooperation with other centers operating within the body of the university and, with national or international institutions and organizations,
(d) Ensuring student exchanges with the aim of enhancing student experience within the framework of cooperation with similar projects abroad,
(e) Providing the opportunity of professional practice experience for students through social responsibility projects and, providing financial assistance for students who participate in the projects and experience financial difficulties,
(f) Ensuring supportive education and training towards increasing the capacities of young people in the field of interest and to ensure adaptation,
(g) Developing and implementing new projects in above-mentioned subjects approved by the Administrative Board,
(h) Carrying out other activities to be decided by the Administrative Board.
4. Organization and Administration
The administrative bodies of the Center are as follows:
(a) Chair
(b) Administrative Board
(c) Advisory Board
5. Chair
The Chair is appointed by the Rector's Office for a duration of three years and is chosen among university academic staff members who have experience on research, application and training within the scope of the Center's set aims. The Chair, whose term of office has expired, may be reinstated. The Chair appoints a Vice Chair among the academic staff members in the Administrative Board. Vice Chair fulfills the duties of the Chair when s/he is not in line of duty. If the service period of the Vice Chair exceeds four months, a new Chair is appointed to fulfill the duties of the chair position until the service period expires.
6. Responsibilities of the Chair
The duties of the Chair is to:
(a) convene the Administrative and Advisory Boards and to preside these boards,
(b) ensure that the Center, Units operating under the Center, Project Groups and staff members of the Center work effectively and systematically,
(c) prepare the annual work report of the Center, the draft of next year's work program and the budget proposal and, present it to the Administrative Board at the end of each activity period.
7. Administrative Board
The Administrative Board consists of 3 (three) academic staff members appointed by the Chair and the Rector's Office, two members from outside the university who work in the Center's working areas and a student representing the Student Council. The term of office for the Administrative Board is three years. A member whose membership expires can be reappointed. In an event of a member resigning from the Administrative Boards for any reason, a new member is appointed to replace the resigning member to complete the remaining term of service.
8. Responsibilities of the Administrative Board
The Administrative Board is obliged to convene at least once a month with the absolute majority of the members upon the request of the Chair to perform the following duties:
(a) Making decisions regarding the Center's studies and administration,
(b) Preparing instructions determining the organization and working principles of Project Groups,
(c) Initiating protocols to ensure that studies requiring interdisciplinary cooperation (between Faculties and Schools of the University) are being carried out,
(d) Evaluating the annual work plan prepared by the Chair and presenting an evaluation report to the University Executive Board,
(e) Preparing the next year's work program by assessing the views and suggestions of the Chair (and the Advisory Board),
(f) Determining the basic principles of joint studies to be conducted with national and international institutions,
(g) Analyzing and approving the budget proposal prepared by the Chair,
(h) Specifying the principles regarding the certificates to be issued to the participants of the professionally-certified training programs of the Center and, informing the Continuing Education Center regarding the matter.
9. Advisory Board and its Responsibilities
The Advisory Board consists of persons and institution representatives who work in line with the purpose of the Center and are recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by the Rector's Office. The term of the Advisory Board members is two years. The member whose term has expired can be re-appointed. The Advisory Board meets at least once a year, evaluates the work of the Center and reports its opinions and suggestions on new studies to the Administrative Board. Majority is not required for the meetings of the Advisory Board.
10. Center Units and Project Groups
In line with the Chair's suggestion and the decision taken by the Administrative Board, Center Units and Project Groups can be established to operate research, development and educational studies within the framework of labor division. The establishment and studies of the Center Units and Project Groups are operated in accordance with the principles determined by the Administrative Board. Assignments and appointments of staff members to work within the Center Units are administered with the recommendation of Center Chair and the approval of the Rector's Office.
11. Revolving Funds
The principles of Regulations for Revolving Funds for Research and Application Centers are applied for consultancy and project studies to be carried out by the university faculty members through Research Centers affiliated to the Rector's Office within the framework of the Revolving Funds Regulations.
12. Social Responsibility Projects Fund
A Social Responsibility Project Fund is established in order to achieve the goals of the Center. The resources of the fund consist of donations made by individuals, institutions and organizations and, revenues from the firms that the University has agreements with.
13. Coming into Force
These principles come into force following the date of the approval by the University Executive Board.
14. Executive Power
These principles are executed by Eastern Mediterranean University Rector's Office.
