The Chapter's Constitution is available in pdf format.
Constitution of the Notre Dame de Namur University chapter of the American Association of University Professors
Article V: Officers and Organization
Effective: May 13, 2004
The name of this organization is the NDNU chapter of the American Association of University Professors.
The Purposes
of this chapter are to:
1. Support the policies and goals of the Association as found in Article
1 of its national constitution:
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 NDNU.
3. Encourage faculty participation in governance at NDNU.
4. Protect and advance the professional status and interests of all faculty.
5. Facilitate the dissemination of information on higher education principles and practices.
6. Inform the academic community about AAUP standards and policy statements.
7. Participate in the state conference of chapters.
8. Develop necessary and proper chapter programs for the accomplishment of the aforementioned purposes.
9. In furtherance of the purposes described above, but not in limitation thereof, the chapter shall have power to conduct studies; to disseminate statistics and other information; to engage in various fund-raising activities; to conduct promotional activities, including advertising and publicity, in or by any suitable manner of 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 AAUP 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.
The membership of this chapter shall be limited to those persons who are National members of the American Association of University Professors with the status of Full-time, Entrant, Joint, Part-time, or Emeritus. Administrators, including deans, are not eligible to join the chapter.
Chapter membership shall be effective upon approval by majority vote at a meeting of the Executive Committee.
Notification of membership in the chapter shall be the responsibility of the chapter Executive Committee.
Article V. Officers and Organization
The officers of this organization shall be two co-presidents, vice president, secretary-treasurer, and membership chair. The term of office shall be one year. Persons so elected may serve two consecutive terms.
Co-President: The duties of the co-presidents shall include carrying out the policies of the chapter, appointing all committees of the chapter, exercising a general supervision over the activities of the chapter, and presiding at meetings of the chapter and Executive Committee. In the absence of the co-presidents, the vice president shall serve in their stead. At least one co-president shall be a member ex officio of all committees, but a co-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 the office and those delegated by the president.
Secretary-Treasurer: The duties of the secretary shall include keeping a record of all proceedings, and correspondence of the chapter, certifying chapter delegates to the Annual Meeting, preparing newsletters for distribution to the faculty [in the absence of another person delegated that responsibility], maintaining official contact with the National Association, its officers and staff.
The secretary-treasurer shall conduct all elections and balloting.
The secretary-treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all money received and of all disbursements, and prepare a report of finances. The secretary-treasurer shall preside at meetings and assume responsibility for the leadership of the chapter in the absence or withdrawal of the co-presidents, or vice president, until a new Executive Committee can be elected.
Membership Chair: The membership chair shall supervise the regular and continuous recruitment of new members, using suggestions supplied by National AAUP and others as may be applicable to the institution. The Executive Committee shall constitute the core of the Membership Recruitment Committee.
Vacancies/Resignations: When an officer has resigned or is disqualified, the office shall be filled by a 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 unexpired term.
Executive Committee: The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers of the chapter, the immediate past president, and [two] members elected at large. It shall act as a governing body of the chapter, but only in pursuit of a prior resolution of the chapter or as needed to uphold the constitution. The majority of the elected members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for 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 to enable response to any faculty members seeking assistance.
2. Conduct the business of the chapter between chapter meetings.
3. Regularly recruit members and encourage maintenance of membership in established members.
4. Make necessary appointments to complete an unexpired term of any officer.
5. Set the agenda for chapter meetings.
6. Consult regularly with the administration on matters of mutual interest.
7. Respond to inquiries from the press.
8. Supervise the preparation and distribution of a newsletter to inform members and other faculty of recent activities of local and national importance.
9. Nominations of candidates for elective office will be submitted to the Executive Committee by any active member of the chapter. A plurality of votes shall be required for election to any office.
The 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 chair and members of these committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.
The chapter shall hold regular meetings, not less than twice each academic 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 each member by the secretary of the chapter at least five days in advance of the date selected. The quorum required for the transaction of business at all meetings of the chapter shall consist of 20 percent of the active members of the chapter.
This constitution may be amended by the three-fourths (3/4) 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 sent to each member at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting. 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.
Except as otherwise specified, those eligible to vote in any mail ballot shall be all members in good standing as of one week before the date on which the ballots are mailed. Unless the Executive Committee shall declare that an emergency exists requiring a shorter period, no less than two weeks shall be allowed from the date of mailing to receive and count returned ballots.
Except as otherwise specified, matters submitted to the membership by mail ballot shall require only a simple majority of those casting ballots.
This Constitution shall become effective on an interim basis upon adoption by the Executive Committee and shall become permanent when approved by a majority of the membership responding to a mail ballot, which shall be conducted within thirty days after the approval of the Executive Committee.
Roberts Rules of Order Revised shall be the authority for this chapter in matters of procedure not specified above.