Lake Forest College Chapter of the American Association of University Professors Bylaws
The name of this organization is the Lake Forest College chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP or the Association).
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 Lake Forest College and throughout academe;
4. Encourage faculty participation in governance at Lake Forest College;
5. Protect and advance the professional status and interests of all faculty;
6. Facilitate the dissemination of information on higher education principles and practices;
7. Inform the academic community about AAUP standards and policy statements; and
8. 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.
Eligibility for membership in this chapter shall extend to all current and retired faculty members at Lake Forest College, including full-time and part time faculty, lecturers, non-tenure track faculty, instructional staff, non-teaching employees with faculty status, and any employees engaged in teaching and/or research. All chapter members may vote in chapter matters.
To become a local member of the Lake Forest College Chapter, dues of at least $20 are required to be paid to the Treasurer of the Chapter.
Upon application for membership, eligibility will be examined by the Secretary. Member status and voting rights will be confirmed between one and four weeks after the application for membership.
In addition to being a Local Chapter Member, to be a candidate for an executive office, or to serve as a standing committee chair, full membership in the American Association of University Professors national organization is required.
When a Chapter Member assumes a role in administrative leadership of the College as a Dean, Associate Dean, Provost, Vice President or similar position, they shall for the duration of their role in leadership be disqualified from participating in Chapter business including meetings, votes, and internal Chapter communications.
The officers of this organization shall be the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. The term of office shall be one year, with elections held in April and officers starting their terms of service May 1st.
The duties of the president shall include serving as spokesperson for the Chapter, carrying out the policies of the chapter, appointing all committees of the chapter in consultation with the Executive Committee, 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.
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, the vice president shall serve in the president's stead.
The duties of the secretary shall include maintaining a current role of all Chapter Members, keeping a record of all proceedings and correspondence of the chapter, distributing meeting minutes to chapter members, certifying chapter delegates to the Association's annual meeting, preparing or overseeing the preparation of newsletters for distribution to the faculty if such shall be desired, 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 president and vice president, the secretary shall preside at meetings of the chapter.
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.
If thirty percent of the Chapter Members petition for the removal of an executive officer, a vote of the membership will be conducted within one month of the petition being received by the Executive Committee. The officer whose removal has been requested shall be removed from office if two-thirds of the membership vote in favor of removal.
When an officer has resigned, disqualified, or is removed, 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.
The chapter requires chapter dues of at least $20 per member. Any changes to chapter dues will be established by a secret ballot vote conducted among voting chapter members.
If the Executive Committee determines that additional resources are urgently needed, Chapter Members must approve special one-time emergency dues of not more than three times the regular annual dues. Special emergency contributions must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the membership.
Article VI: Committees
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 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. Regularly recruit members and encourage maintenance of membership;
5. Make necessary appointments to complete an unexpired term of any officer;
6. Set the agenda with appropriate notice of at least one week for chapter meetings;
7. Consult regularly with the administration on matters of mutual interest; and
8. Respond to inquiries from the media.
Each term the President and Executive Committee shall appoint the chair and membership of the following standing committees, with each having a membership of from three to five members.
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.
The academic freedom committee shall work to defend the principles of academic freedom. They shall provide consultation, advice, and support for faculty who have concerns about the protection of their rights to academic freedom. The committee shall work to promote greater awareness on campus and in the community of the principles of academic freedom.
The faculty governance and elections committee shall work to ensure that faculty governance rights are respected in all relevant decision-making spaces including faculty meetings, faculty votes, and faculty governance committees. They shall in consultation with the Executive Committee provide voting recommendations for all major faculty governance elections.
The civil rights committee shall advocate for the equal rights and professional standing of all members of the campus community, with particular attention given to advocacy for the rights of individuals from historically underrepresented and racialized minority groups, for women in male-dominated fields, for queer and gender non-conforming individuals, for individuals with disabilities, and for individuals whose immigration status places them in a potentially vulnerable position.
The compensation and benefits committee shall research and study the compensation and benefits provided at Lake Forest College and similar peer institutions, survey Chapter Members and the broader faculty on the main priorities for improvements in compensation and benefits, and cooperate with the Executive Committee in communicating with the College leadership to ensure that the needs and interests of faculty are reasonably considered in the development and implementation of the annual budget.
This committee shall advocate for the specific interests and concerns of adjuncts, lecturers, part-time instructors, non-teaching employees with faculty status, and all other employees engaged in teaching and/or research at the College.
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.
The chapter shall hold regular meetings at least 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 including an agenda with any voting items shall be provided to each member by the secretary of the chapter at least one week 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.
All votes will be conducted online and sent to all eligible Chapter members with at least 24 hours allowed for ballots to be submitted. For a voting item to pass, at least 20% of members must cast a ballot.
For maximal inclusion and participation of Chapter Members, all meetings shall be held with the option of remote or online participation.
Upon dissolution of the chapter, its assets shall be distributed to the Association, a professional association.
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.
Roberts Rules of Order Revised shall be the authority for this chapter in matters of procedure not specified above.
Enacted this 17th day of April the year 2025.