CONSTITUTION

Central Connecticut State University Chapter of

The American Association of University Professors

A Constituent Unit of Connecticut State University

American Association of University Professors

Approved December 2, 1977

Revised March 9, 2001

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 1st.

(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 1st 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 1st.

Article VIII – 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 chapter’s fiscal year shall begin July 1. Special assessments may be authorized by a majority vote of the membership.

Article IX – 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 X – 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 1st 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.