Charter
Michigan Tech Transportation Institute
Mission
The Michigan Tech Transportation Institute will provide the operating structure, resources, recognition, and leadership, in a collaborative environment, that supports research, education, and outreach leading to sustainable solutions for transportation.
Vision
Partnering for the future of transportation.
Statement of Purpose
The Michigan Tech Transportation Institute (MTTI) at Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) is a multidisciplinary affiliation of faculty and professional staff actively engaged in a wide range of transportation-related activities. MTTI is both an Institute and a Department as defined by Michigan Tech policies and procedures. As an Institute, MTTI has a singular charge; to leverage University resources for the purpose of increasing external funding of transportation-related activities including research, education, training, product development, outreach, and technology transfer to assist in development of transportation systems. As a University department MTTI provides an administrative structure and resources for programs, individuals and initiatives designated by the University as direct reports to MTTI. MTTI resources are necessarily distributed to support activities of the Institute and the Department. Individuals assigned to MTTI as their home department do not have any additional or special rights or privileges relative to the actions of MTTI as an Institute.
Key Interfaces
MTTI reports directly to the Vice President of Research (VPR) and operates separately in governance and reporting from all academic departments, colleges and schools at Michigan Tech. MTTI is reviewed by the VPR every 5 years.
Membership
MTTI membership is available to all Michigan Tech faculty and staff involved in or pursuing MTTI Activities as defined in the MTTI By-Laws. The MTTI By-Laws also provide detail regarding terms of membership, membership benefits and responsibilities.
Governance
MTTI is governed by a member elected, and VPR approved, Director and also by a member elected Executive Committee.
The Director serves as the chief executive officer for the organization and is responsible for the overall operation of the Institute and the Department, including supervision of MTTI employees. The Director represents the Institute to Michigan Tech, other universities, state and federal agencies and private organizations. The Director is installed, renewed, or removed in accordance with procedures outlined in the MTTI By-Laws.
The Executive Committee will establish policies/procedures and recommend strategic financial decisions, including but not limited to an annual MTTI operating budget, project cost share commitments, staffing decisions to support the activities of the Institute, capital investments, and other strategic initiatives. The Executive Committee will be elected in accordance with procedures outlined in the MTTI By-Laws.
Resources
MTTI receives funding through Internal Research and Development (IRAD) funds and through gifts and other program income. These funds are used for Institute and Department operating expenses and also for strategic investments. Processes for managing these resources are described in the MTTI By-Laws.
Charter and By-Laws Amendments
Support of a 2/3 majority is required to amend the MTTI Charter or By-Laws.
Voting
Voting procedures are described in the MTTI By-Laws.
July 1, 2010
By-Laws
Terminology
Unless otherwise stated, annual or yearly references are based on the Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) fiscal year beginning on July 1 and ending June 30 of the following calendar year.
Activities
A Michigan Tech Transportation Institute (MTTI) Activity is defined as any externally-funded research, education, training, product development, outreach, or technology transfer project that is transportation-related, has been processed with a transmittal form indicating MTTI as the designated institute, and has been approved by the Michigan Tech Sponsored Programs Office (SPO). Internal Research and Development (IRAD) funding provided to MTTI is proportional to the indirect cost (IDC) recovered from MTTI Activities. The level of IDC recovery provided to the University helps define the level of membership described in the following section. Final approval for submission of a project as a MTTI Activity is the responsibility of the MTTI Director.