Chapter Bylaws

Middle Tennessee State University Chapter
American Association of University Professors


Adopted November 26, 2007


Article 1: Name

The name of this organization is the Middle Tennessee State University chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

Article 2: Purposes

The purposes of this chapter are to:

  1. 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.
  2. Defend academic freedom at Middle Tennessee State University.
  3. Encourage faculty participation in governance at Middle Tennessee State University.
  4. Protect and advance the professional status and interests of all faculty.
  5. Facilitate the dissemination of information on higher education principles and practices.
  6. Inform the academic community about AAUP standards and policy statements.
  7. Participate in the state conference of chapters.
  8. Develop necessary and proper chapter programs for the accomplishment of the aforementioned purposes.
  9. Upon dissolution of the chapter, its assets shall be distributed to National AAUP, a charitable and educational 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 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 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 3: 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 5: Dues. Notification of membership in the chapter shall be the responsibility of the chapter Executive Committee.

Article 4: Officers and Organization

The officers of this organization shall be a president, president-elect, secretary-treasurer, and membership chair. The term of office shall not exceed two years. Persons so elected may serve two consecutive terms.

  • 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 the Executive Committee. In the absence of the president, the president-elect shall serve in the president’s stead. 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.

  • President-Elect: The duties of the president-elect are those normally associated with the office of vice president. The president-elect shall assume the office of president when for any reason the duly elected president is unable to fulfill her or his elected term of office. Otherwise, the president-elect shall assume the office of president at the conclusion of her or his term of office as president-elect.

  • Secretary-Treasurer: 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; maintaining official contact with the National Association, its officers and staff; receiving the dues of the members and keeping an accurate record of all money received and of all disbursements; promoting the establishment of dues deduction to facilitate the recruitment and retention of members; preparing an annual budget and report of finances; and submitting for approval an annual chapter budget. The secretary-treasurer shall preside at meetings and assume responsibility for the leadership of the chapter in the absence or withdrawal of the president and president-elect, 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 membership chair shall also, in cooperation with the Executive Committee, prepare a chapter newsletter and maintain the chapter web site. The Executive Committee shall constitute the core of the Membership Recruitment Committee.

  • Vacancies/Resignations: When an officer has resigned or is disqualified, the office shall be filled by a special election of the chapter. 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 unexpired term.

Article 5: Dues

  1. Dues may be set or increased only by a secret ballot vote conducted among Association active members in the chapter. The vote may be conducted either by mail ballot or, after reasonable 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, and chapter dues shall be a prerequisite for chapter members.

Article 6: Committees

  1. Executive Committee

    The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers of the chapter, the immediate past president, and a member elected at large. 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 bylaws. 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 Middle Tennessee State University, 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.

  2. Nominating Committee: A Nominating Committee of three members, appointed by the Executive Committee, shall broadly represent faculty at Middle Tennessee State University. The names of all candidates shall be sent to members by the secretary-treasurer at least one month before the chapter election meeting. Additional nominations of candidates for elective office 4 may be submitted from the floor by an active member of the chapter. A plurality of votes shall be required for election to any office.

    Standing Committees: The 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 MTSU. The chair and members of these committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee. Some standing committees could include:

    1. Academic Freedom and Tenure
    2. Status of Women and Minorities
    3. Professional Ethics
    4. Accreditation of Colleges and Universities
    5. Membership, Election, Dues and Chapter Organization
    6. Relationships with Local, State, and Federal Governments
    7. Faculty Participation in University Governance
    8. Economic Status of Faculty

Article 7: 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 notice of such meetings shall be provided each member by the secretary-treasurer 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.

The quorum required for the transaction of business at all meetings of the chapter shall consist of twenty percent of the active members of the chapter.

Article 8: Amendments

These bylaws may be amended by the three-fourths affirmative vote of a quorum of the chapter at a regular or special meeting, provided that 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 days prior to the meeting. A petition of ten percent of the chapter membership may also initiate amendments. The approval of two-thirds of the active membership responding to a written ballot under the preparatory conditions cited above shall also constitute approval.

Article 9: Procedures

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