BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES OF NEW JERSEY
COUNCIL OF AAUP CHAPTERSArticle I NAME AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The name of this organization shall be the BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES OF NEW JERSEY COUNCIL OF AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS CHAPTERS (“AAUP- BHSNJ” or “Council of AAUP Chapters” or “Council”).The Biomedical and Health Sciences of New Jersey Council of AAUP Chapters represents the members of the several units of the health science schools of Rutgers and Rowan Universities in continual efforts to advance the cause of higher education and to improve conditions of faculty employment. The principal purpose of this Council is to work cooperatively to solve problems and take action with respect to matters of mutual concern, including:
- The maintenance and improvement of the quality of medical, dental and allied health education in New Jersey;
- The support of the principles and policies of AAUP, including academic freedom, shared governance, and tenure;
- The pursuit of quality and equity in academic employment relationships;
- The enhancement of the economic welfare and the work environment of the members of the Council of AAUP Chapters through collective negotiations and other mechanisms.
Article II DEFINITIONS
1. Council of AAUP Chapters (the “Council” or “AAUP-BHSNJ”) – faculty and librarians of the several units of the former University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey: New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Nursing, University Libraries, School of Public Health, School of Health Professions2. AAUP - The American Association of University Professors
3. Newark Chapter – The Newark chapter consisting of the New Jersey School of Medicine, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Studies, the School of Nursing, and the School of Health Professions
4. RWJMS/ SPH Chapter - The Robert Wood Johnson Medical School/School of Public Health chapter
5. SOM Chapter - School of Osteopathic Medicine Chapter
6. University- Rutgers University (for all other represented faculty and librarians) and/or Rowan University
7. Executive Boards – A semi-autonomous governing body of the Newark Chapter, the RWJMS/SPH Chapter, or Rowan SOM Chapter, which reports to the Council of AAUP chapters.
8. Association – Biomedical and Health Sciences of New Jersey, American Association of University Professors, (AAUP-BHSNJ)
Article III MEMBERSHIP OF AAUP AND COUNCIL
Section 1: AAUP MembershipA. Representation - The Council is the exclusive negotiating agent for all full-time teaching and/or research faculty and all part-time teaching and/or research faculty as defined by the Agreement between the AAUP and the applicable University.
B. Membership - All faculty who are represented by the Council under Article III, Section 1.A. may become members of the AAUP upon authorization of payment of local AAUP dues. Those faculty members wishing to end their membership may only do so as provided by state statute. Only members in good standing shall have the power to participate in chapter elections and vote on the question of ratification for negotiated collective bargaining agreements.
Section 2: Chapters
A. Current Chapters - The chapters of the Council are:
1. The Newark Chapter of the AAUP
2. The RWJMS/SPH Chapter of the AAUP
3. The Rowan University SOM Chapter of the AAUP
B. Establishment of New Chapters - Each faculty, school or other appropriate unit of the Universities and/or their successors may establish a chapter of the AAUP-BHSNJ and apply for membership in the Council. Membership in the Council is open to any chapter which:
1) is a bona fide chapter recognized by AAUP National,
2) shall have expressed a desire to join the Council, and
3) the current chapters of the Council shall have unanimously agreed to include it, each by a majority vote of its Executive Board.
Section 3: Council Membership
A. Members of the Council will be elected by Chapter Executive Board Members at the first chapter meeting following the annual chapter Executive Board general election. The term of service shall be for (2) two years.
B. Each chapter shall have at least two (2) representatives to the Council, whom will ordinarily be the Chapter President and the Immediate Past Chapter President.
C. At-Large Council members will be based on proportional representation: each 100 bargaining unit members will entitle a Chapter to one (1) At-Large representative (rounding up for 51 and down for 50). The number of bargaining unit members will be based on a bargaining unit list that is no older than six months.
D. The Chapter President and Immediate Past President specified in B above shall count towards each chapter’s proportional representation as specified in C above.
E. Each At-Large Council member shall serve for a period of (2) two years. If any Council member resigns or is unable to serve, the affected chapter shall select a new representative to fill the Council vacancy as soon as possible
Article IV OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL
Section 1: The officers of the Council shall be a president, a vice president, an immediate past president, a secretary, and treasurer.Section 2: The duties of these officers shall be as follows:
a. President - The President shall call for and preside at Council meetings, develop agendas, execute policies and Council decisions, appoint chairs and members of committees with advice of the Council, be an ex officio member of all committees, be the official representative of the Association to the Administration, the National AAUP and to any other organization designated by the Council, may consult with the Association’s legal advisors and accountants, and any other duties as specified by Council.
b. Vice-President - The Vice-President shall act in the absence of the President as presiding officer at Council meetings. The Vice- President shall assist in the duties of the President and be an ex officio member of all committees.
c. Immediate Past President: The Immediate Past President shall assist the incumbent president in their duties. In absence of both the President and Vice-President, serve as presiding officer at Council meetings.
d. Secretary - The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping, maintaining and distributing the minutes of Council meetings. The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining copies of all official correspondence, reports, records, and other documents and for their preservation in a permanent form. At the end of each term of office, the Secretary shall collect all the records for that term and be responsible for transmitting them in good order together with all previous records to the incoming Secretary. The Secretary shall be required to make any of these documents available to any Active Member upon reasonable notice.
e. Treasurer - The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of all monies, and for the discharge of all financial obligations of the Association. The Treasurer shall maintain the official financial records, may consult with the Association accountant and is authorized to sign checks.
The Treasurer shall keep regular financial statements and assist in the preparation of an annual budget in accordance with Association policies. The Treasurer shall present a monthly report of income and expenses to the Council. At the end of the term office, the Treasurer shall transmit either the originals or copies of all financial records and correspondence to the Secretary for preservation in the permanent records.
The Treasurer shall be authorized to:
1. Pay National dues;
2. Pay all legal and administrative fees which have been contracted for by the Council;
3. Pay all other bills which have been authorized by the Council;
4. Participate in the preparation of an independent full or partial audit on an annual basis
Section 3: The terms of officer positions shall be for (2) two years.
Article V THE COUNCIL
Section 1: DutiesThe Council shall a) approve policies,
b) determine the annual dues and regulations governing their payment and collection,
c) manage its property and financial affairs with power to accept gifts and review/approve conflicts of interest;
d) construe the provisions of these bylaws;
e) provide for regular communication to the membership;
f) recruit and hire an executive director, and such other employees as shall be necessary to administer its affairs;
g) contract for the services of legal and financial advisors;
h) authorize the establishment of committees of the council;
i) carry out collective bargaining negotiations on behalf of its members and oversee administration of the resulting contract.
Section 2: Meetings
A: General: The Council shall meet at regular intervals, with at least 9 meetings per year. These will be scheduled at time most convenient for members. Additional meetings may be called at the request of the president or at the request of any chapter. The meetings shall conform to Robert's Rules of Order except as otherwise specified in these Bylaws. Council meetings shall be open to all AAUP-BHSNJ members. The President may also invite observers to attend Council meetings. The Council, upon majority vote of its representative present, may enter into executive session.
B. Notice. The Council shall create an annual meeting schedule at the first meeting, after the selection of officers. Representatives will be given notice at least ten (10) calendar days in advance of scheduled meetings and will have until seven (7) calendar days before the scheduled meeting to RSVP. The President may also call an emergency meeting to discuss an issue of special concern to one or more Council members at his/her discretion. Such emergency meetings need not follow the notice requirements specified in this paragraph, but the President or his/her designee will make a good faith effort to contact Council members.
C: Quorum. A quorum of the Council shall consist of at least seven (7) representatives provided that there are at least three (3) representatives from at least two (2) chapters in attendance.
D: Location. The meetings of the Council shall ordinarily rotate between the northern and central New Jersey Chapter locations (Newark and New Brunswick/Piscataway)
E: Attendance Requirement. Failure to attend at least two-third (2/3) of scheduled meetings during a calendar year either in person or by phone/video may lead to replacement on the Council.
F: Voting: Each member of the Council shall have one vote. Any representative may make a motion. All actions shall be based upon the vote of a majority of those members of the Council present and voting.
Section 3: Removal
An AAUP Council member may be removed from office only for good cause by a 3/4 vote of all Council members. “Good cause” means a violation of AAUP-BHSNJ policies and/or a sustained failure to perform the duties required of the position. A member will be provided with (30) thirty working days notice by email of any proposed removal before any action is taken by the Council. Such notice will contain a statement for the reasons why the Council is considering such an action. Upon receiving the notice, the member may request to meet with the Council and answer the allegations prior to the proposed removal action. If the member does not request such a meeting, the Council may take up the removal action after the (30) thirty working day period has elapsed. If the member does request the meeting, the Council will meet with member and consider his/her statements in its final deliberations. In the later instance, the Council may act prior to the end of the (30) thirty working day period. Either the Council or the accused member may bring an attorney to a meeting. However, attorneys shall not be permitted to speak. The party seeking to bring the attorney will be responsible for payment of that attorney.
Section 4: Standing Committees
A. The Council may establish and terminate Standing Committees. Membership on the committees need not be drawn from representatives of the Council; however, each Council member shall serve on at least one Standing or Ad Hoc Committee. A Standing Committee shall be established by a majority vote of the representatives to the Council. Termination of standing committees likewise requires a majority vote.
1. (a) Negotiations Advisory Board – The Council shall establish an Advisory Board drawn from representation from each of the schools, one librarian, and at least one faculty member familiar with clinical compensation. This body shall provide opinions and assist in the recruitment of faculty for the collective bargaining agreement negotiation, as well as for any interim negotiations which may occur.
(b) Negotiating Committee(s) - The Council shall establish one or more Negotiating Committees consisting of members drawn from the Negotiations Advisory Board above. The Negotiating Committee(s) shall act as a standing committee and shall report to the Council. The Negotiating Committee(s) shall represent the Council at contract negotiations with the Administration of the Universities. The Negotiating Committee(s) shall have the authority to make proposals and counter proposals in the course of negotiations. The Council shall oversee the progress of the Negotiating Committee(s) and shall have final authority to approve the negotiated proposals for presentation to the voting members of the bargaining unit for ratification. Members of the Negotiating Committee(s) shall be chosen by the Council. Chief Negotiator(s) - The Council shall elect up to two Chief Negotiators as chairman of the Negotiating Committee(s). The Chief Negotiator(s) shall be ex officio members of the Council.
2. Membership Committee: The Council shall establish a committee for the purpose of increasing faculty membership and engagement within the Association.
3. Government Relations Committee – The Council shall establish a committee for the purpose of enhancing relations between the Association and government leaders, and for the promotion of issues that benefit the faculty.
4. Finance and Personnel Planning Committee - The Council shall establish a committee for the purpose of advising the Association with respect to its finances and the hiring of staff.
5. Bylaws Committee – These Bylaws shall be reviewed every three (3) years. In a reviewal year, the Council shall establish a committee for the purpose of revising or amending these Bylaws, if necessary.
6. Ad Hoc Committees - From time to time, the Council may establish ad hoc committees. An ad hoc committee may exist for a period of time no longer than six months without specific Council renewal of its charge. All ad hoc committees report to the Council.
Article VI ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS
Section 1: Election of Council President after Chapter ElectionsAt the first meeting of the Council after Chapter elections, an election of the officers shall be conducted. A majority vote of the representatives is sufficient for election. The President shall ordinarily be from a different Chapter than he/she was in the prior year (subject to changes due to vacancies see Section 3.) In addition, the Council will attempt to seek a President who already has one-year of experience as a member of the AAUP Council. Only members are eligible to be President.
Section 2: Election of Other Officers after Chapter Elections
The vice president cannot be from the same chapter as the president. The secretary and the treasurer may be from any of the chapters. Each officer shall take office at the first Council meeting after Chapter elections and continue until the end of the two (2) year term. Only members are eligible to be officers.
Section 3: Vacancies
In the event that the president resigns or otherwise becomes unable to serve, the vice president shall assume the office of president. If the vice-president's (now president) chapter is next in line for rotation, that chapter shall remain eligible for providing the next president. If the vice president resigns or is unable to serve, or assumes the office of president, a vice president shall be elected by the representatives to serve the remainder of the term. If the secretary or the treasurer resigns or otherwise becomes unable to serve, a secretary and/or the treasurer shall be elected by the representatives. Candidates must be nominated and seconded by a Council member during the announced period. Upon successful nomination, the nominee will notified and an election will occur at the next Council meeting.
If a representative resigns or otherwise becomes unable to serve, the governing body of the chapter shall select a new representative for the remainder of the term.