AAUP Bylaws

The name of this organization is the Coppin State University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

• Support the policies and goals of the Association as set forth in Article 1 of the AAUP constitution, and in all matters act in harmony with the principles and procedures of national Association and its constitution and its stated policies and resolutions;
• Advance the standards and ideals of the academic disciplines at Coppin, and protect and advance the professional status and interests of all faculty;
• Facilitate the cooperation of teachers and research scholars in the University's Units (School of Arts and Sciences, School of Professional Studies, School of Education, and School of Nursing Division) 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. (AAUP Policy Documents and Reports, 199, p. 188;
• Advocate for the interests of higher education at Coppin, in concert with students, staff, administrators, and the Board of Regents;
• Promote the identification and support of professional needs common to faculty members;
• Defend academic freedom at Coppin State University and throughout academe;
• Encourage faculty participation in governance at Coppin State University;
• Encourage the dissemination of information on higher education principles and practices;
• Inform the academic community about AAUP standards and policy statements; and
• 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 statistics and other information; to engage in appropriate fundraising 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 further its purposes under Article II. This chapter is organized and operated for the above stated purposes, and for other nonprofit purposes. No part of its assets, income, or profits shall be distributable to, or inure to the benefit of, any individual, except in consideration of services rendered.

Eligibility for membership in this chapter shall extend to all current and retired faculty members at Coppin State University. Active Member: Any member of the Coppin State University Faculty who is a national member of AAUP (Full-time, Part-time, Emeritus, or Graduate Student Member), provided that current dues as established in Article V, have been paid.

All active chapter members may vote in chapter matters.

The officers of this organization shall be the president, vice president, recording secretary, correspondence secretary, and treasurer. The term of office shall be two years.

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. The president shall be a member ex officio of all committees. The president shall be the official spokesperson for the chapter.

Vice President: The duties of the vice president shall include those usually appertaining to the office and those delegated by the president. In the absence of the president, the vice president shall serve in the president's stead.

Recording Secretary: The duties of the secretary shall include keeping and disseminating approved records of all proceedings, and in the absence of the president and vice president, presiding over chapter meetings, maintaining official contact with the national Association and certifying chapter delegates to the Association's annual meeting.

Correspondence Secretary: The duties of the correspondence secretary shall be to prepare or oversee the preparation of all communications, including newsletters for distribution to the faculty if such shall be desired. It shall be the duty of the secretary to provide the secretary-treasurer of the National AAUP Association the names of the officers of the chapter and the chapter bylaws and to conduct the correspondence of the chapter with same secretary-treasurer.

Treasurer: The treasurer will be responsible for the receipt and disbursement of funds and shall keep an accurate record of all funds received and disbursed. The treasurer shall prepare an annual chapter budget and report of finances, and submit them for approval. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to remit to the Association and/or to the applicable state conference any dues collected on behalf of the Association and/or conference. In the absence of the president, vice president, and recording secretary, the treasurer shall preside at meetings of the chapter.

In the event that an officer has resigned or is disqualified and a vacancy occurs between elections, the office shall be filled by a special election of the chapter, which shall be held as promptly as is feasible. 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 term.

The chapter membership may establish and adjust chapter dues. Any chapter dues will be established by a secret ballot vote conducted among voting chapter members (majority decision). The vote may be conducted either by mail ballot (e-mail ballot) or, after reasonable notice, at a regular or special membership meeting. Chapter members must pay current AAUP dues, any mandatory conference dues, chapter dues, and any service dues.

• Executive Committee
  The executive committee shall consist of the elected officers of the chapter. The majority 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. The executive committee shall:

• Meet regularly;
• Receive faculty concerns and bring them to the attention of the chapter;
• Conduct the business of the chapter between meetings;
• Regularly recruit members and encourage maintenance of membership;
• Make necessary appointments to complete an unexpired term of any officer;
• Consult with chapter members to set the agenda with appropriate notice for chapter meetings;
• Represent the chapter to the administration;
• Respond to inquiries from the media;
• Report its actions and findings to the entire membership;
• Propose a slate of nominees for offices at the appropriate spring meeting.
• There may be nominations from the floor.

• Membership Committee
  The membership committee shall regularly recruit new members and encourage the maintenance of membership. Working with the treasurer and other applicable chapter officers, the committee shall promote the establishment of a dues deduction plan and other appropriate plans to encourage membership recruitment and maintenance.
• Other Committees
  The chapter may create additional standing and ad hoc committees as necessary to promote the welfare of the chapter. The chair and members of these committees shall be appointed by the executive committee. Possible committees may be, but are not limited to:

• Academic freedom and tenure
• Status of women and minorities
• Professional ethics
• Accreditation
• Elections, dues, and chapter organization
• Relationships with local, state, and federal governments
• Faculty participation in college and university governance
• Economic status of the profession
• Professional Environment
• Departmental Relationships

The chapter shall hold regular meetings once each month. 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 to each member by the recording secretary of the chapter at least five days in advance of the meeting date. The president shall call special meetings of the chapter within seven days of being so directed by the executive committee or by a petition signed by ten percent of the members.

The quorum required for the transaction of business at all meetings of the chapter shall consist of 20 percent of the membership, with at least a minimum of five members.

Upon dissolution of the chapter, its assets shall be distributed to the National AAUP Association.

These bylaws may be amended, altered, or adopted by majority vote of the members, provided that a notice setting forth the proposed amendment or amendments an explanation thereof and known objections thereto shall have been sent to each member at least thirty days prior to the vote. Any member of the chapter may initiate an amendment.

Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall be the authority for this chapter in matters of procedure not specified above. In cases of conflict between Robert's Rules of Order and these Bylaws, the latter shall prevail.