Bylaws of the Wesleyan University Chapter of the AAUP

Article I: Name

The name of this organization is the Wesleyan University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP or the Association).

Article II: Purposes

The purposes of this chapter are to:

1. 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;

2. Facilitate the 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;

3. Defend academic freedom at Wesleyan University and throughout academe;

4. Encourage faculty participation in governance at Wesleyan University;

5. Protect and advance the professional status and interests of all faculty, including equal pay for equal work;

6. Promote administrative transparency and unrestricted dissemination of institutional data and information;

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

8. Inform the academic community about AAUP standards and policy statements; and

9. 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.

Article III: Members

Eligibility for membership in this chapter shall extend to all current and retired faculty members and graduate students at Wesleyan University who are national members of the American Association of University Professors, except for associate members. All chapter members may vote in chapter matters.

Article IV: Officers and Organization

The officers of this organization shall be two co-presidents, one secretary, and one treasurer. The term of office shall be two years. Officers may serve no more than two consecutive terms.

Co-Presidents: The duties of the two co-presidents shall include carrying out the policies of the chapter, exercising general supervision over the activities of the chapter, and presiding at meetings of the chapter and executive committee.

Secretary: The duties of the secretary shall include keeping a record of all proceedings and correspondence of the chapter, certifying chapter delegates to the Association's annual meeting, and maintaining official contact with the Association. It shall be the duty of the secretary to provide the secretary-treasurer of the Association the names of the officers of the chapter and the chapter bylaws and to conduct the correspondence of the chapter with the secretary-treasurer. In the absence of the co-presidents, the secretary shall preside at meetings of the chapter.

Treasurer: The treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all funds received and disbursed. At the request of the executive committee, 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 co-presidents and secretary, the treasurer shall preside at meetings of the chapter.

When an officer has resigned or is disqualified, 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.

Officers elected by secret ballot shall also serve as chapter delegates/alternates to AAUP meetings and any applicable AAUP state conference meetings in the order listed above.

Article V: Dues

The chapter may establish chapter dues. Any chapter dues will be established by a secret ballot vote conducted among voting chapter members. The vote may be conducted either by mail ballot or by format selected by the executive committee, after reasonable notice, at a regular or special membership meeting. Chapter members must pay current AAUP dues, any mandatory conference dues, and any chapter dues.

Article VI: Committees

A. Executive Committee

The executive committee shall consist of the four elected officers of the chapter, the immediate past co-president(s), and three members elected at large. Representatives from the ad hoc committees are also invited to attend executive committee meetings. 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:

1. Meet regularly;

2. Respond to faculty members seeking assistance;

3. Conduct the business of the chapter between meetings;

4. Constitute and appoint all other committees of the chapter;

5. Regularly recruit members and encourage 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. The Executive Committee may constitute and delegate such

duties to a separate Membership Committee;

6. Make necessary appointments to complete an unexpired term of any officer;

7. Set the agenda with appropriate notice for chapter meetings;

8. Consult regularly with the administration on matters of mutual interest; and

9. Respond to inquiries from the media.

B. 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. Some such committees may be, but are not limited to:

Academic freedom and tenure

Gender and sexuality

Faculty of color

International faculty

Pre-tenure faculty

Non-tenure track faculty

Compensation and benefits

Professional and workplace ethics

Climate catastrophe

Disability

Investment and divestment

Accreditation of colleges and universities

Elections, dues, and chapter organization

Middletown community relations

Campus labor relations

Faculty participation in college and university governance

Publications and communications

Economic status of the profession

Shared student-faculty concerns

Article VII: Meetings

The chapter shall hold regular meetings at least twice each academic year. Special meetings of the chapter may be called by a majority of the executive committee or by a petition signed by ten percent of the members. The executive committee must call a meeting within seven days of receiving a petition. Written notice of such meetings shall be provided to each member by the secretary of the chapter at least five days in advance of the meeting date. The quorum required for the transaction of business at all meetings of the chapter shall consist of 20 percent of the members.

Article VIII: Dissolution

Upon dissolution of the chapter, its assets shall be distributed to the Association, a professional association.

Article IX: Amendments

These bylaws may be amended by majority vote of the members, provided that a notice setting forth the proposed amendment or amendments and 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.

Article X: Rules of Order

Normal business will be conducted according to an open-meeting, consensus model. Prior to a meeting, any member can request that Robert’s Rules of Order Revised be used as the procedural rules for the forthcoming meeting.

Enacted this 9th day of December in the year 2021.