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CCSU-AAUP Constitution Approved
December 2, 1977 Article I Name of
Organization The name of the
organization shall be the Central Connecticut State University Chapter of the
American Association of University Professors (CCSU-AAUP, or the Chapter). This
organization is one of the constituent units of the Connecticut State University
American Association of University Professors (CSU-AAUP) and is a chapter of the
national American Association of University Professors (AAUP). Article II
Objectives The CCSU-AAUP shall
promote the professional and economic interests of the CCSU faculty. CCSU-AAUP
shall work with CSU-AAUP and shall follow and implement the policies and
standards recommended by the national AAUP wherever possible and appropriate. In
cooperation with CSU-AAUP, CCSU-AAUP shall provide fair and adequate
representation through collective bargaining and grievance procedures to all
members of the faculty. Special efforts shall be made to ensure that all
segments of the faculty gain equity through the bargaining process. CCSU-AAUP
shall encourage research, cultural activities and other intellectual pursuits in
concert with students and administrators. Article III
Membership Only individuals
with appointments at CCSU who are eligible for membership in national AAUP are
eligible for membership in CCSU-AAUP. There shall be four categories of
membership: Active, Associate, Graduate Student, and Retired. (a)
Active Membership shall be automatic to every member of CSU-AAUP who signs a
membership form. Active members shall have the right to vote,
serve on committees, participate at meetings and, after six months, hold
office. (b)
Associate Membership shall be automatic to every associate member of national
AAUP. Associate members may, with the approval of the Executive Committee,
participate without the right to vote, hold office, serve on committees, or
attend certain meetings. (c)
Graduate Student Membership shall be automatic to every graduate student member
of national AAUP. Graduate Student members shall have the right to serve on
committees and participate at meetings; they shall not have the right to vote or
hold office. (d)
Retired Membership shall be automatic to every retired member of national AAUP.
Retired members shall have the right to serve on committees and participate at
meetings; they shall have the right to vote, except on matters pertaining to
collective bargaining. Article IV
Officers (a)
Officers shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. They
shall be elected from the eligible active membership by secret ballot for
two-year terms that shall begin May 1. (b)
The President shall assume executive responsibility for all organizational
activities and contractual responsibility of the Chapter, preside over meetings
of the Chapter and of the Executive Committee, be a member ex-officio of all
Chapter committees, be a member ex-officio of the CSU-AAUP Council, and
represent the chapter, in person or through a delegate, at appropriate national
and state AAUP meetings. Regular communication with the membership is also the
responsibility of the President. (1) The
President, in consultation with the Executive Committee, shall appoint the
chairpersons and the members of each of the Standing Committees or any other ad
hoc committees for one-year terms commencing on May 1 or after of
each year. Each committee shall consist of at least three active members. In the
first newsletter of the Fall Semester, or as soon as possible, the President
shall publish the names of all members appointed to all committees. Any
appointments made during the academic year will be published in a
subsequent newsletter. (2) The
President shall be limited to serving three (3) consecutive 2 year terms, at
which time the President must leave office for at least one term. This should
not prohibit the President from serving in other capacities. (c)
The Vice President shall assume such functions and responsibilities as the
President may delegate, in the absence of or incapacity of the President shall
act as President. (d)
The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping minutes of Chapter and Executive
Committee meetings and maintaining membership records and rolls. (e)
The Treasurer shall pay all bills approved by the Executive Committee, keep all
Chapter accounts, and prepare an annual budget and financial report for
presentation to the Executive Committee. (f)
In case of vacancy in the office of the President, the Vice President shall
succeed to that office on an interim basis. In the case of a vacancy of any
other office, the President, with the consent of the Executive Committee, may
make an interim appointment. A special election to fill any vacated office shall
be held if the unexpired term exceeds six months. (g)
Removal of officers shall be initiated by a majority vote of the Executive
Committee or by petition of ten (10) percent of the active membership. Elected
officers may be removed by a majority vote of the active membership. Article V Council
Representatives (a)
CCSU-AAUP shall be represented on the CSU-AAUP Council according to the
provisions of the CSU-AAUP Constitution. Only eligible active members shall
serve as Council Representative or alternate. (b)
In case of a vacancy in the office of elected Council Representative, the
alternate from the Chapter shall succeed to that office on an interim basis. A
special election to fill any vacated office shall be held if the unexpired term
exceeds six months. (c)
Removal of elected Council Representatives shall be initiated by a majority vote
of the Executive Committee or by petition of ten (10) percent of the active
membership. Elected Council representatives may be removed by majority vote of
the active membership. Article VI
Executive Committee (a)
The Executive Committee shall act on behalf of the membership in carrying out
the purposes of the organization. To this end, the Executive Committee may
establish committees, delegate authority to committees or individuals, call
meetings of the Chapter and call for special elections. (b)
The membership of the Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers, the
immediate past President, the Council Representatives, including the alternate
and two delegates-at-large and the chairpersons of standing committees. Only
active or retired members shall serve on the Executive Committee, although any
other individual may be invited as a continuing or temporary non-voting member. (c)
A quorum for the Executive Committee shall be a majority of the regular members
of the Executive Committee. Decisions shall be by a majority of those voting. (d)
Any action of the Executive Committee may be reversed by a majority vote of the
active membership. Such vote shall be conducted within a 30-day period within
the academic year by the Executive Committee upon receipt of a petition to that
effect from ten (10) percent of the active membership. (e)
Ordinarily, meetings of the Executive Committee shall be monthly during the
academic year or more often as the President deems necessary. (f) These meetings shall be
open to members as observers except when the President deems that the issues to
be discussed are of a confidential nature, requiring the Executive Committee to
go into executive session where only the Committee members and appropriate staff
are present. Article VII
Elections (a)
Election of Officers and Council Representatives and alternates shall be by
secret ballot of the active membership of CCSU-AAUP. A majority of the votes
cast shall be required for election. If no candidate for an office receives a
majority of the votes cast, there shall be a run-off election for that office
between the two top vote getters, and those who tie them. (b)
By February 1, the Executive Committee will select an Elections Committee of
four active members and the chair of that Committee. Any Elections Committee
member who is or becomes a candidate for any office shall be replaced by another
active member. The committee shall call for nominations from each member of the
chapter, obtain the agreement of the nominee to be a candidate, publicize the
nomination and election, and be responsible for the preparation, distribution,
collection and counting of the ballots. (c)
Chapter elections shall be held in early April. The President and Executive
Committee members elected take office on May 1. Article VI
FINANCE Membership dues will
be collected from the integrated dues or service fees paid by CSU-AAUP
bargaining unit members and reimbursed to the Chapter by Connecticut State
University AAUP. The chapters fiscal year shall begin July 1. Special
assessments may be authorized by a majority vote of the membership. Article VIII
Chapter Meetings (a)
The Executive Committee shall conduct a minimum of one Chapter Meeting each fall
and spring semester. The purpose shall be to report activities and seek advice
from the membership. (b)
The Executive Committee may call other Chapter meetings. The Executive Committee
must call a meeting upon receipt by the Secretary of a petition from five (5)
percent of the active members of the Chapter requesting such a meeting. (c)
Notice of any meeting called shall be made public to the membership by the
Secretary not less than three (3) days, nor more than fourteen (14) days prior
to such meeting. Article IX
AMENDMENTS AND BY-LAWS (a) Amendments
1. This Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the
membership from the Chapter, by written ballot provided that such amendment
shall previously have been presented and discussed at a meeting of the chapter,
and have been distributed in writing to each member at least two (2) weeks
before such vote is taken.
2. Amendments not at variance with this Constitution may be
initiated either by majority vote of the Executive Committee or by petition of
five (5) percent of the membership.
3. This Constitution shall be amended provided at least 1/3 of
the active membership vote and at least 2/3 of those voting approve. (b) Bylaws
1. By-laws not at variance with this Constitution may be
initiated either by majority vote of the Executive Committee or by petition of
five (5) percent of the membership.
2. These bylaws shall be amended provided at least 1/3 of the
active membership vote and at least 2/3 of those voting approve.
3. Chapter Meetings
(a) A quorum at chapter meetings shall be five percent of the
active membership, but not less than twenty (20) members.
(b) Minutes of all chapter meetings shall be taken by the
Secretary and shall be available to any member.
4. Standing and Other Committees
(a) There shall be the following three (3) Standing
Committees: Contract Administration and Grievance Committee (C & G
Committee), a Legislative Committee, and a Collegiality Committee.
(b) The President, in consultation with the Executive
Committee, shall appoint the chairpersons and the members of each of the
Standing Committee for one-year terms commencing on May 1 of each
year. Each Committee shall consist of at least three members, a majority of
whom, including the chair, shall be active members.
(c) The Contract Administration and Grievance Committee shall
be responsible for implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement;
processing grievances of the members; identifying and advising the Executive
Committee and membership of general trends and issues in grievances; and
maintaining records on grievances and contract issues. Chapter grievances, which
are filed on behalf of the entire membership, shall be drafted and filed by the
Committee Chairperson when so directed by the Executive Committee.
(d) The Legislative Committee shall be responsible for
communicating with the members and the CSU-AAUP Political Committee on statewide
political matters; building and maintaining relationships with legislators in
the central Connecticut region; and gathering recommendations from the
membership regarding political endorsements. Statewide political action in the
form of endorsements is the role of the CSU-AAUP Political Committee.
(e) The Collegiality Committee shall be responsible for
promoting collegiality between members; encouraging positive relationships
between students, faculty, administration, staff and the academic
community-at-large; identifying and advising the Executive Committee and
membership of collegial, social and cultural opportunities.
(f) Each Standing Committee shall meet initially by June 15 to
receive its charge from the President and to clarify procedures, and shall meet
subsequently as needed to discharge its duties.
(g) The Chairperson of all committees shall report to the
Executive Committee at its regularly scheduled meetings.
(h) The Executive Committee can, in addition, appoint ad hoc
committees from time to time for specified purposes and specified time periods.
5. Department Liaisons Each University department or comparable unit shall be asked to select, annually in September, a person to serve as a liaison to the President and the Executive committee. The Vice-President shall keep a roster of liaison personnel.
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Central Connecticut State University American Association of University Professors CCSU, Marcus White Hall, Rooms 310, New Britain, CT 06050 * Phone (860) 832-3790 * Fax (860) 832-3794 |