About
Officers
President
Christel Manning
Professor of Theology & Religious Studies
Vice President
Enda McGovern
Professor of Marketing
Treasurer
Anna Price
Professor of Public Health
Secretary
Brian Stiltner
Professor of Theology & Religious Studies
At-large members of the Executive Committee will be voted on at a future members' meeting.
Chapter Bylaws
These bylaws were enacted on October 29, 2024
Article I: Name
The name of this organization is the Sacred Heart University (SHU) chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP or the Association).
Article II: Purposes
The purposes of this chapter are to:
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 the national Association and its constitution.
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 advance the standards, ideals, and welfare of the profession.
Defend academic freedom at SHU and throughout academe.
Encourage faculty participation in governance at SHU.
Protect and advance the professional status and interests of all faculty.
Facilitate the dissemination of information on higher education principles and practices.
Inform the academic community about AAUP standards and policy statements.
Develop necessary and proper chapter programs for the accomplishment of these 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 incur 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 at SHU who are national members of the American Association of University Professors. All chapter members may vote in chapter matters.
Faculty members of the chapter must be those on full-time faculty contracts (tenured or on the tenure track, and professors at all levels in the teaching track, clinical track, and professor of practice track) or adjunct faculty. Faculty who are department chairs or program directors may be members. Assistant or associate deans, college deans, and other administrators, regardless of faculty/department status, are excluded from chapter membership so long as they are serving in those positions.
When any question of disputed eligibility for membership in the chapter arises, a majority vote of a duly called meeting of members shall decide the matter.
The chapter may decide, by proper amendment of its bylaws, to add the category of associate members, defined by Association as “persons who are not eligible for membership, including the general public and persons serving as higher education administrators… Associates are not members of the AAUP and are not required to be affiliated with a chapter.”
Article IV: Officers and Organization
The officers of this organization shall be the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. The term of office shall be two years. Officers may serve no more than two consecutive terms. (The AAUP constitution requires that the chapter elect, from its active members, at least triennially, a president, a secretary, and a treasurer or secretary-treasurer, and such other officers as the chapter may determine.)
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.
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, or at the president's discretion, the vice president shall serve in the president's stead.
Secretary: The duties of the secretary shall include keeping a record of all proceedings and correspondence of the chapter, overseeing the chapter’s website and the preparation of any newsletters, and serving as the official point of contact with the national AAUP. In the latter role, the secretary provides the chapter’s bylaws and list of officers to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Association, certifies chapter delegates to the Association's annual meeting, and conducts the correspondence of the chapter with the Secretary-Treasurer. These activities may be conducted by other officers when necessary. In the absence of the president and vice president, 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 president, vice president, 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, at a duly called meeting, 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, after reasonable notice, at a regular or special membership meeting. Chapter members must pay current national AAUP membership dues, and chapter dues if they are established.
Article VI: Committees
A. Executive Committee
The executive committee shall consist of the elected officers of the chapter, the immediate past president, and two members elected at large. The majority of the executive committee shall constitute a quorum for the 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. The executive committee shall meet monthly during the academic year, and its meetings may be part of the chapter meetings or held in conjunction with them. Other of its meetings may be held online or in hybrid format.
Respond to faculty members seeking assistance.
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.
Set the agenda with appropriate notice for chapter meetings.
Consult regularly with the administration and faculty governance on matters of mutual interest.
Respond to inquiries from the media.
B. 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.
C. Other Committees
The chapter may create additional standing and ad hoc committees as necessary to promote the welfare of the chapter and to advance its purposes. Such committees may be tasked with researching issues of concern in higher education that affect the work of SHU faculty and with recommending actions to be taken by the chapter. The chair and members of these committees shall be appointed by the executive committee.
Article VII: Chapter Meetings
The chapter shall hold regular meetings for all members at least twice each semester. Meetings will often be open to all faculty who are eligible to become chapter members. However, a meeting, or a portion of a meeting, may be open only to members when chapter business needs to be conducted; teh executive committee shall decide such matters. The executive committee may invite special guests and guest presenters to a meeting. The meeting schedule for the year shall be published at the start of the academic year and updated as needed.
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 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 members.
Article VIII: Dissolution
Upon dissolution of the chapter, its assets shall be distributed to the Association, a professional association.
Article IX: Amendments
The initial enactment of these bylaws shall be made by a majority vote of the initial members of the chapter. These bylaws may be amended 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.
Article X: Rules of Order
Roberts Rules of Order Revised shall be the authority for this chapter in matters of procedure not specified above.