CONSTITUTION

THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE, CHAPTER OF
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS

Article I -- Name, Objects, and Functions

The name of this organization shall be the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

Its objectives shall be to promote the interests of higher education and research and to advance the standards and ideals of the profession. Specifically, the Chapter shall consider questions related to the professional well-being of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, faculty, shall serve as a nucleus in initiating faculty action, and shall take action upon matters submitted to the Chapter by the American Association of University Professors.

Article II -- Membership

1. The classes of membership shall be those defined by the national association. The current classes of membership are: Active, Graduate Student, Retired, and Associate.
   
   
2. Active members: Any person who is an active member of the national association and a member of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, teaching or research staff, either full-time or part-time, may become an active member.
   
   
3. Associate members: Any active or graduate student member who ceases to be eligible for active or graduate student membership because his/her work in the University has become primarily administrative may be transferred, with the approval of the Chapter, to associate membership.
   
   
4. Retired members: Any active member retiring from a position in teaching or research on the University staff may be transferred, at his/her own request and with the approval of the Chapter, to retired membership.
   
   
5. Graduate student: Any person who is or who has been a graduate student within the past five years may become a graduate student member.
   
   
6. Graduate student and retired members shall have the same rights as active members to speak and vote at Chapter meetings and to hold office. Associate members shall have the right to attend and speak at Chapter meetings.

Article III -- Officers

1. The officers of this chapter shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
   
   
2. The functions of the officers shall be those usually associated with these offices.
   
   
3. The terms of these officers shall be for one year commencing June 1. Officers may succeed themselves, but for not more than two terms, so that the maximum continuous period for holding any of these offices shall not exceed three years.
   
   
4. All officers shall be elected by a secret mail ballot early in April of each year. All active, graduate student, and retired members are eligible to hold office. Recommendations for officers shall be solicited by a Nominating Committee appointed each year by the President.

Article IV -- Executive Committee

1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the four officers and five elected members. The elected members shall be elected by ballot in April at the same time as the officers. The five elected members shall serve for a term of two years; they may succeed themselves for one term, so that the maximum continuous period of an elected member shall be four years. The terms of the elected members shall be staggered so that two positions are filled one year and the other three the next, so as to give continuity to the Executive Committee.
   
   
2. The President shall serve as Chairperson of the Executive Committee.
   
   
3. The Executive Committee is charged with the coordination of the activities of the Chapter. It shall carry out policies and programs set forth by the membership. It may act for the Chapter when matters arise which, because of the time or nature of the matter, do not require or permit the consideration of the Chapter. It shall exercise supervision of the expenditure of funds. One member of the Executive Committee shall coordinate membership development efforts.
   
   
4. A vacancy occurring during the first year of an Executive Committee member's two-year term shall be filled temporarily by action of the Executive Committee. The balance of the two-year term shall be filled by election at the next regular election of officers and committee members. A vacancy occurring during the second year of an Executive Committee member's two-year term shall be filled by action of the Executive Committee.

Article V -- Committees

1. The Standing Committees of the Chapter shall be a Program Committee and an Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee.
   
   
2. Special or temporary committees may be created by the Executive Committee or by the full membership at a Chapter meeting.
   
   
3. The Vice President shall serve as Chairperson of the Program Committee.
   
   
4. All committees shall be appointed by the President, with the approval of the Executive Committee.

Article VI -- Meetings

1. Regular Chapter meetings shall be held at least once per semester. Notice of the time and place shall be sent to all members at least one week in advance.
   
   
2. The Executive Committee may call other Chapter meetings.
   
   
3. A special meeting of the Chapter shall be held upon written request by at least five members. Members shall be notified at least seventy-two hours prior to any special meeting. Special meetings may not deal with matters not included in the notice sent to the membership.
   
   
4. The Executive Committee shall meet at least once every four weeks during the regular academic year.
   
   
5. A quorum for Chapter meetings shall be ten percent of the total Chapter membership.
   
   
6. In all meetings, the proceedings shall be governed by the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised.

Article VII -- Dues

All members shall pay state and chapter dues in addition to national dues. The chapter dues, if to be changed, shall be set by a secret ballot vote of the Chapter at a regular semester meeting, adequate notice having been given to Chapter members.

Article VIII -- Termination of Membership

1. Members may terminate their memberships by resignation communicated to the Secretary in writing.
   
   
2. Membership in the Chapter shall terminate whenever a membership is cancelled in the national association for cause under Article II, Sec. 3 of the national constitution.

Article IX--Amendments

1. Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by the Executive Committee or by a petition from at least one-third of the active members of the chapter to the Executive Committee, which will then refer the amendment to the membership in accordance with Section B below.
   
   
2. The Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting on the proposed amendment. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to notify all members of any proposed amendment at least one week before the regular meeting.

Article X

This Constitution shall become effective when approved by the Chapter as provided in Article IX for the Amendment of the Constitution.

Revised November 16, 2006