Indiana Conference of the American Association of University Professors

Bylaws

Preamble

With these By-laws, we set forth our commitment to improving higher education in Indiana, defending values common to College and University faculty, extending academic freedom, and promoting cooperation among AAUP chapters in this state.

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be THE INDIANA CONFERENCE OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS, hereinafter referred to as the CONFERENCE.

Article II – Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be:

  1. To provide leadership and assistance in the strengthening of existing chapters and in the formation of new chapters in the State of Indiana,
  2. To identify and support professional needs common to College and University faculty members in Indiana,
  3. To promote the general objectives of the National AAUP and the Assembly of State Conferences as expressed in the Constitutions, stated policies, and resolutions, and
  4. To assist with and to promote actively the exchange and dissemination of information among the members and chapters of AAUP in the State of Indiana.

Article III – Membership

The membership of the Conference shall consist of any individual who is a paid up member of National AAUP and of the Conference.

Article IV – Officers, Their Duties and Terms of Offices

  1. The officers of this Conference shall be: a. President, b. Vice -President who shall have the right of succession as President Elect, c. Treasurer, and d. Secretary.
  2. The terms of office for each officer shall be two years, beginning at the conclusion of the annual meeting at which the officer is elected.
  3. The officers shall be charged with performing the usual duties of the office to which elected. The president shall preside at all meetings of the State Conference, appoint all committees of the Conference and shall be ex officio member of all except the Nominating and Credentials Committees.
  4. The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in case of the President’s absence or disability.
  5.  The secretary and the Treasurer shall perform the duties usually associated with those offices.
  6. Filling Vacancies. If a vacancy occurs in an elective office, the President, after consultation with an approval by the Executive Board, shall have the authority to appoint a member to fill the vacancy. The appointed member shall serve until the next annual election.
  7. A vacancy may be declared by a majority vote of the executive board if an officer or board member fails to attend or otherwise participate in three consecutive executive board meetings.

Article V – Election of Officers

  1. It shall be the duty of the Nomination and Credentials Committee to determine the availability and willingness of the selected nominees to serve. Only paid up members of the National and the State Conference are eligible for election as officers. Nominees will be selected from the public and private sectors to assure a balanced representation, and an effort will be made to ensure that no more than one of the State Conference’s elected officers, including the Members-at-large of the Executive Board will be elected from the same local chapter. The slate of nominees shall be included in the written notice of the meeting at which officers will be elected, and will be distributed to the members at least two weeks prior to the meeting.
  2. The Nominating and Credentials Committee (VI,3) shall present a slate of nominees at the Annual Business Meeting. Nominations will be accepted from the floor during the election meeting, but only when satisfactory evidence has been provided that the nominee is willing to serve.
  3. Officers shall be elected by secret ballot at the Annual Business Meeting (VUU,1) by a majority of at the State Conference members present and voting.

Article VI – Structure: Executive Board and Committees

  1. There shall be an executive Board composed of the following: a. the President, b. the Vice President, c. the immediate Past President, d. the Treasurer, e. the Secretary, f. the editor who will be appointed or reappointed by the President and approved by the other members of the board, and who will be responsible for the publication and distribution of the Conference Newsletter, and g. four individuals from the membership-at-large, nominated and elected by the same procedures and at the same time as the officers of the Conference. The term of office of a member-at-large shall be two years and the terms of the members-at-large shall be staggered.
  2. The Board shall carry out the purposes of the State conference and, subject to the authority of the State Conference By-Laws, act for the State Conference.
  3.  There shall be a Nominating and Credentials committee consisting of three persons: the Vice-President and two other members appointed by the President, who shall designate one of the appointees as the chair.
  4. There shall be a Program Committee of three members as follows: the Vice President, who shall chair the committee, the Treasurer, and one member appointed by the President, preferably a member of the Conference Chapter which is to host the next Annual Meeting.
  5. Standing Committee appointees shall serve two years. The terms in office shall be staggered so that one half of the membership of each Committee will be appointed each year. Ad Hoc Committees shall be appointed when deemed appropriate and necessary.
  6. Upon a majority vote of the Executive Board, any member of the Board shall be eligible to serve as conference delegate to the annual meeting of the AAUP and its Assembly of State Conferences.

Article VII – State Conference Meetings

  1. There shall be an ANNUAL Meeting, the date and place of the meeting to be chosen by the Executive Board. The meeting shall include a Program session and a Business session.
  2. Special Meetings may be called by the President. The President shall call a special meeting at the request of the Executive Board.

Article VIII – Dues and Assessments

Each active member of the National AAUP who wishes to be a member of the Conference shall be assessed annual dues at a rate to be set by the Executive Board and ratified by the delegates at the Annual Meeting. No change in dues may be voted upon unless a copy of the proposed change has been included with the written notice of the meeting at which action on the proposed change is to be taken.

Article IX – Liaison with the National Office of AAUP

It shall be the duty of the officers of the Conference to inform the General Secretary and other appropriate officers of the AAUP of any action taken by the Conference relating to matters of State-wide, regional, or national import.

Article X – Quorum

  1. Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum of the board; two of these five must be officers of the board.
  2. Members from at least 10 different colleges and universities shall constitute a quorum at a special or annual meeting.

Article XI – Amendments

These By-Laws may be amended at the Annual Business Meeting by an affirmative secret ballot vote of two thirds of members present and voting. However, no amendment may be voted upon unless a copy of the proposed amendment has been included with the written notice of the meeting at which action on the proposed amendment is to be taken.

Article XII – Parliamentary Authority

Except as provided in these By-laws or in the rules adopted pursuant to it, the meeting of the Sate Conference shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.

Article XIII – Relation to Faculty for Higher Education, Inc.

The Executive Board of ICAAUP shall appoint the elected officers of ICAAUP, upon their election, to become members of the Board of Directors of Faculty for Higher Education, Inc.

Final revision and Adoption March 10, 1971

  • Amended October 2, 1975
  • Amended November 4, 1978
  • Amended September 19, 1981
  • Amended August 27, 1983
  • Amended October 29, 1988
  • Amended April 4, 2007