GVSU-AAUP
[ Home ] [ Officers ] [ Presidential Letter ] [ Constitution ] [ News ] [ National AAUP ] [ Michigan AAUP Conference ] [ How To Join ] [ Info About AAUP ]
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS FOR THE
Grand Valley State University Chapter of the
American Association of University Professors
Article I - Name
The name of this organization is the Grand Valley State University Chapter of
the American
Association of University Professors.
Article II - Purposes
The purposes of this chapter are to:
1. Support the policies and goals of the association as found in Article I of
its
national constitution ...... to facilitate a more effective cooperation of
teachers
and research scholars in universities and colleges, and in professional schools
of similar grade, for the promotion of the interests of higher education and
research, and in general to increase the usefulness and advance the standards,
ideals, and welfare of the profession.
2. Defend academic freedom at Grand Valley State University.
3. Encourage faculty participation in governance at Grand Valley State
University.
Protect and advance the professional status and interests of all faculty.
5. Facilitate the dissemination among members and nonmembers of the Association
of
information on higher education principles and practices.
6. Convey the policies and views of the Association to administrators, governing
boards, local and state legislative bodies, and the general public.
7. Participate in the Michigan State Conference of ASAP.
8. Develop necessary and proper chapter programs for the accomplishment of the
aforementioned purposes.
In furtherance of the purposes described above, but not in
limitation thereof, the Chapter shall
have power to conduct studies; to disseminate statistical and other information;
to engage in
various fund-raising activities; to conduct promotional activities, including
advertising and
publicity, in or by any suitable manner or media; to hold such property as is
necessary to
accomplish its purposes; and to employ individuals to represent the Chapter in
lawsuits,
negotiations, and for other purposes. This Chapter is organized and operated for
the above-
stated purposes, and for other nonprofit purposes, and no part of any net
earnings shall inure
to the benefit of any member.
Article III - Members
There shall be five classes of members as described in
ARTICLE III -Membership the
Constitution of the American Association of University Professors.
Chapter membership shall become effective upon payment of dues in an amount
determined
by the Executive Committee and as approved by two third vote at a meeting of the
Chapter.
Notification to the National AAUP and the State Conference of membership in the
Chapter
shall be the responsibility of the Chapter Secretary.
Article IV - Officers and Organization
The officers of this organization shall be a President, vice-president,
Secretary, Treasurer
and Membership Chairperson.
The term of office shall be two years. Persons so elected may serve only two
consecutive
terms.
President. The duties of the President shall include carrying out the
policies of the Chapter,
appointing all committees of the Chapter, exercising general supervision over
the activities of
the Chapter, and presiding at meetings of the Chapter and Executive Committee.
In the
absence of the President, the vice-president shall serve in the President's
stead. The
President shall be a member ex-officio of all committees, but the President
shall not be
counted in determining a quorum in these committees.
Vice President. The duties of the Vice President shall include those
usually appertaining to
that office and those delegated by the President.
Secretary. The duties of the Secretary shall include the keeping a record
of all proceedings,
and correspondence of the Chapter, sending such notices as may be required,
keeping the roll
of members of the Chapter, certifying Chapter delegates to the Annual Meeting,
preparing
newsletters for the distribution to the faculty (in the absence of another
person(s) delegated to
that responsibility), maintaining official contact with the National
Association, its officers and
staff, and the State Conference.
Treasurer, 'The Treasurer shall receive the dues of the members and keep
an accurate record
of all money received and of all disbursements including dues to the National
AAUP and
State Conference, promote the establishment of dues deduction to facilitate the
recruitment
and retention of members, prepare an annual budget and report of finances, and
submit for
approval an annual chapter budget. The Treasurer shall preside at meetings and
assume
responsibility for the leadership of the Chapter in the absence or withdrawal of
the President,
vice-president, and Secretary, and until a new Executive committee can be
elected.
Membership Chairperson. The Membership Chairperson shall supervise the
regular and
continuous recruitment of new members, using suggestions supplied the National
AAUP and
others as may be applicable to the institution. The Executive Committee shall
constitute the
core of the Membership Recruitment Committee.
.
Article IV Vacancies
1. Resignation. When an officer has resigned or is disqualified, the
office
shall be fined by special election of the chapter. The Executive committee
is empowered to fill vacancies in any elective office until a special election
is held. The person so elected shall hold office for the remainder of the
unimpaired term.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the President
or to the Secretary of the Chapter.
2. Recall. All members of the Executive Committee are subject to recall.
A. A two thirds (2/3) vote by the members at a regular scheduled
meeting, or a petition signed by thirty (30%) percent of the
Chapter members, shall cause a recall election to be conducted
within one (1) calendar month.
B. Upon a two thirds (2/3) vote of the Chapter members casting
ballots, the officer shall be recalled and shall vacate his or her
seat on the Executive Committee but may remain an AAUP
member.
3. Other conditions. Should circumstances arise where there is but one
remaining officer, an Executive Committee shall be recruited from
qualified faculty and confirmed by the membership at the next regular
meeting.
Article V - Committees
Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall
consist of the elected officers of the
Chapter, the immediate past President, and two (2) members elected at large. It
shall act as
the governing body of the Chapter between meetings of the Chapter. A majority of
the
elected members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the
conduct of
business of the committee.-
The Executive Committee shall assume responsibility for the Chapter's continuing
effective
presence at the institution, keeping all positions on the Executive Committee
filled as
vacancies occur.
Among the duties of the Executive Committee are the following:
1. Meet regularly with a partially open agenda to enable response to any
faculty
member seeking assistance.
2. Regularly recruit members and encourage maintenance of membership by
established members.
3. Make necessary appointments to complete an unexpired term of any officer.
4. Set the agenda for Chapter meetings.
5. Consult regularly with the administration on matters of mutual interest.
6. Respond to inquiries from the news media
7. Supervise the preparation and distribution of the newsletter to inform
members
and other faculty of recent activities of local and national importance.
8. Promote the establishment of a dues deduction plan to encourage membership
recruitment and membership maintenance.
Nomination Committee. A Nominating Committee of four (4)
members shall be appointed by
the President with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee and shall
broadly
represent the faculty at the institution. (In small Chapters, with a minimum
membership, the
executive Committee may serve as the Nominating Committee.) The Nominating
Committee seek to
represent the diverse interests, genders, and cultures of the faculty in
submitting
the names of candidates for each office to be filled. The names candidates shall
be sent to members
by the Secretary at least one (1) calendar month before the chapter election
meeting.
Additional nominations of candidates for elective office may be submitted
from the floor
by an Active Member of the chapter. A plurality of votes shall be required for
election to any office.
In the event no candidate receives plurality, there shall be an immediate
run-off election
between the two (2) candidates receiving the higher number of votes. The
candidate receiving
the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.
Candidates shall be members who have familiarized themselves with the
Association's body
of knowledge, its principles and procedures, and who have enthusiasm for active
promotion of
and campus wide understanding and appreciation for AAUP principles.
Standing committees. A Chapter may create standing and ad hoc committees from
time to
time as they are deemed necessary to promote the welfare of the chapter's
program at the
institution. The chairperson and members of these committees shall be
appointed by the
President. Some Standing Committees may be:
Academic Freedom and Tenure
Status of Women and Minorities
Professional Ethics
Accreditation of Colleges and Universities
Membership, Elections, Dues, and Chapter
Organization
Publications and Library
Relationships with Local, State, and Federal
Governments
Faculty Participation in College and University
Governance
Economic Status
Article VI - Meetings
The chapter shall hold regular Chapter meetings not less
than four times each academic year
according to a schedule prepared by the Executive Committee and published
-January of each
year for that year. The Executive Committee shall hold at least ten (10)
meetings per year
according to a schedule prepared by the Executive Committee and published in
January of
each year for that year.
Special meetings of the Chapter may be called by the President or a majority of
the
Executive committee. Written notice of such meetings shall be provided by each
member by
the Secretary at least five (5) calendar days in advance of the date selected.
The President
shall call special meetings of the Chapter within seven (7) days when directed
by the
Executive Committee or by petition signed by ten (10%) percent of the members of
the
Chapter.
The quorum required for the transaction of business at all meetings of the
Chapter shall
consist of five (5%) of the Active Members of the Chapter.
Associate members of the Association may attend Chapter meetings at the
invitation of the
Executive Committee.
Article VII - Amendments
This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3)
affirmative vote of a quorum of the
Chapter at a regular or special meeting, provided that a notice setting forth
the proposed
amendment or amendments with reasons thereof and setting forth any known
objections
thereto shall have been mailed to each member at least ten (10) calendar days
prior to the
meeting of which the amendments are to be voted upon. A petition of ten (10%)
percent of
the Chapter Membership may also initiate amendments. The approval of two-thirds
(2/3) of
the Active Membership responding to a written ballot under the preparatory
conditions cited
above shall also constitute approval.
Article VIII - Dues
Chapter dues shall be levied by secret ballot upon Active
Members only, the amount to be
determined annually at the February meeting of the Chapter. Payment of
current national AAUP dues,
State Conference Dues and Chapter Dues shall be a prerequisite for Chapter
Membership.
Article IX
Robert's Rules of Order Revised (latest edition) shall be
the authority for this Chapter in all
matters of Parliamentary procedure to which they may apply and in which they are
not
inconsistent with any provisions of this Constitution or special Rules of .this
Chapter.