Page Comparison

Download PDF 

Authored in May 2017

The Texas Data Repository (TDR) Steering Committee is the mechanism for local Data Repository Liaisons at TDR member libraries to provide Texas Digital Library (TDL) feedback and make decisions about TDR services. The purpose of the Committee is to provide strategic planning support and policy oversight to ensure focus and direction of programs and services.

Membership

Membership consists of one Data Repository Liaison from each TDR member institution as well as the Texas Digital Library’s TDR Services Manager. Data Repository Liaisons are assigned at the time that the MOU for TDR Dataverse is completed and updated or reconfirmed annually or as needed by the institutional member.

Guests may attend meetings if a Data Repository Liaison is not able to attend a meeting, she/he can send a representative to act and vote on her/his behalf.

Duration

This is a standing committee which will meet at a frequency set by the committee itself.

Activities, Duties and Responsibilities

• Acting with the TDL Director and TDR Services Manager, the Steering Committee is charged to:
• Develop and recommend to TDL policies, procedures, and best practices governing the TDR programs and services.
•  Provide guidance and consultation for setting priorities for TDR technical development, programs and services.
• Communicate TDR priorities and objectives in an informal public roadmap.
• Establish guidelines regarding training, including workshops, screencasts, web conferences,
• in-person consultations and resources. This could include outside presenters, TDR users and
• providers of services offered by TDL.
• Establish a process for evaluating TDR services that measures and reports the extent to which
• the TDR is serving its community.
• Regularly use evaluation data to inform and continuously improve TDR services.
• Educate the community (including funders) using evaluation metrics, gathering resources for
• member use, and good practices for research data.
• Liaise with TDR service communities (e.g. Dataverse) to improve technologies.
• Identify, engage and collaborate with other data-focused projects and services.

Delegation of Authority

The TDR Steering Committee will make recommendations to TDL via the TDR Services Manager. All recommendations which fundamentally change the service, website, or business model or commit TDL to strategic collaborations or resource expenses require approval by the TDL Director prior to implementation or advancement.

Examples of actions that the committee can take without formal approval from the Director:

• Dissemination and outreach
• Creation of training materials
• Formation of working groups
• Engage with and investigate other data-focused projects and services
• Set agendas, hold meetings, conduct committee business, and decide on committee procedures

Chairperson

The TDR Steering Committee Chairperson will be selected from the Data Repository Liaisons on the Committee and will serve for a one year term. There will also be a Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect. The Vice-Chair will serve for one year and then move into the Chair position for one year.

The Vice-Chair will be selected at an annual meeting of the TDR steering committee, to be held during or around the time of the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries (TCDL). New officers will take office on July 1 of the same year.

An institution’s liaison may only serve as Chairperson once every 5 years.

The TDR Services Manager will administer meeting logistics but will not participate in committee votes.

Decision-making

When votes are called by the Chairperson, a quorum must be present virtually or in-person and is established if two-thirds of voting committee members are present. Motions pass by a majority of votes of those present.

Between meetings, the Chairperson may also call a vote virtually. All votes must be received by a specified date. Votes must be received by a two-thirds majority of the committee to establish quorum. Motions pass by a majority of votes received.

Committee Procedures

• The TDR Steering Committee will meet as necessary and appropriate as decided by majority, or at the call of the Chairperson or TDL in special situations.
• Meeting frequency will be reviewed on a regular basis.
• Meetings are predominantly virtual with at least one in-person meeting per year.
• Agendas will be set by the TDR Services Manager and Chairperson and be available to the entire committee at least one week before each meeting.