AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS

Bylaws for University of Missouri-Kansas City Chapter

Article 1- Name

The name of this organization is the University of Missouri - Kansas City Chapter of the

American Association of University Professors

Article II - The purposes of this chapter are to:

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."

1. Defend academic freedom at the University of Missouri - Kansas City.

2. Encourage meaningful faculty participation in governance at the University of Missouri -

Kansas City

3. Protect and advance the professional status and interests of faculty, individually and

collectively.

4. Facilitate the dissemination of information on higher education principles and practices.

5. Inform the academic community about AAUP standards and policy statements.

6. Participate in the state conference of chapters.

7. Develop necessary and proper chapter programs for the accomplishment of the

aforementioned purposes.

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

charitable and educational organization or to a successor chapter organization.

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.

Article III – Members

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, Part-

time, Emeritus, or Graduate Student Member.

Chapter membership shall become effective upon payment of chapter dues in an amount

determined by the Executive Committee and as approved by a two-thirds vote at a meeting of the

chapter in accordance with the procedures specified in Article V - Dues. Notification of

membership in the chapter shall be the responsibility of the chapter Executive Committee.

Article IV-Officers and Organization

The officers of this organization shall be a president, vice president/treasurer, secretary, and

membership chair. The term of office shall not exceed two years.

President: The duties of the president 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. 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. The President has authority to write checks on behalf of the chapter.

Vice President :/ Treasurer: 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. The vice president shall receive the dues of

the members and keep an accurate record of all money received and of all disbursements,

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 Vice-President has authority to write checks on behalf of the chapter.

Secretary: The duties of the secretary/ treasurer 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, maintaining official contact with the National

Association, its officers and staff. The secretary shall preside at meetings and assume

responsibility for the leadership of the chapter in the absence or withdrawal of the president, and

vice president, and 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.

Nominations and Elections:

The Executive Committee shall serve as the Nominating Committee. Nominations of candidates

for elective office will be submitted from the floor at a Fall meeting of the chapter. Only active

members of the chapter may submit nominations. Elections shall take place by mail ballot.

Ballots will be sent to active members of the chapter. A plurality of votes shall be required for

election to any office.

Vacancies/Resignations /Removals

Officers must be active members of AAUP and the local chapter. An officer may be removed by

the chapter membership through a 2/3s vote of active members, to be conducted by mail ballot.

When an officer has resigned or is disqualified, the office shall be filled by a special election of

the chapter. The person so elected shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term. The

Executive Committee is empowered to fill vacancies in any elective office until a special election

is held.

Appointed Officers

The Executive Committee is authorized to fill various appointed offices that they choose to designate. The exact list of appointed offices will vary, but might include such positions as Webmaster, Faculty Advocate Editor, Grievance Advisor, or State Conference Representative. If the President or Vice President/Treasurer gives authority in a written letter to the bank, an appointed officer may have authority to write checks on behalf of the chapter.

Article V-Dues

1. Dues may be set or increased only by a ballot vote conducted among Association Active

members in the chapter. The vote may be conducted either by mail ballot, e-mail or, after

at least a 10 day notice, at a regular or special membership meeting.

2. Chapter dues shall be levied upon members in the amount to be determined annually at

the meeting of the chapter. Payment of current national AAUP dues, conference dues in

states with comprehensive dues, and chapter dues shall be a prerequisite for chapter

members.

Article VI - Committees

Executive Committee: The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers of the

chapter, the immediate past president, and all appointed officers. 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. Promote the establishment of a dues deduction plan to encourage membership

recruitment and membership maintenance.

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

chair and members of these committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee. Some

standing committees may be as follows:

Academic freedom and tenure

Status of women and minorities

Professional ethics

Accreditation of colleges and universities

Membership, elections, dues, and chapter organization

Relationships with local, state, and federal governments

Faculty participation in college and university governance

Economic status

Part-time faculty issues

Article VII - Meetings

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 or email 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 president shall

call special meetings of the chapter within seven days when directed by the Executive Committee

or by petition signed by ten percent of the members of the chapter.

An emergency meeting of the chapter may be called by any two elected officers with 24 hours written or email notice.

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.

Article VIII - Amendments

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 or e-mail ballot under the

preparatory conditions cited above shall also constitute approval.

Article IX

Roberts Rules of Order Revised shall be the authority for this chapter in matters of procedure not

specified above.

Note: These bylaws were last revised during the chapter business meeting held on 30 October 2009.