Constitution and Bylaws

Constitution of the Campus Faculty Association
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

ARTICLE I: NAME

This organization was founded in 1972 as the Union of Professional Employees at the University of Illinois, Urbana. Effective January 1, 2007, the organization shall be known as the Campus Faculty Association.

ARTICLE II: MISSION STATEMENT

CFA aims to create an open and democratic university by balancing the power of the administration with a strong faculty voice through an open process of collective bargaining. We respect the values of a merit-based, research-oriented university and our other core missions of outstanding teaching and service to the people of this state, the nation, and the world.

CFA strongly supports the ideal of shared governance and in that spirit, will work for transparency in all budgeting and decision-making. We will defend academic freedom and the right to criticize without reprisal. We will strive to protect the interests of community members at risk as a result of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, or citizenship status bias. An outstanding university needs the skills and efforts of us all, and we stand in solidarity with the fight for the rights of women and minorities on campus.

We will work closely with our students, other campus workers, and the broader public to ensure the future of accessible public higher education, the vital foundation for a healthy democratic society, while also promoting the economic and general welfare of the faculty at the University of Illinois

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Campus Faculty Association is available to all of the faculty at the University of Illinois, Urbana, as well as to all who were members as of September 1, 2006. Retired members of the campus academic staff are also eligible for membership if they would otherwise be eligible for membership in the Campus Faculty Association.

No person shall be barred from membership or from becoming an officer because of race, ethnicity, gender, creed, country of origin, age, sexual preference, or any other category of identity.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

The officers of the organization will include President or Co-Presidents, Vice President, and Treasurer. The duties and terms of office of those individuals are specified in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES

The committees of the organization are: The Executive Committee, Permanent Standing Committees as specified in the Bylaws, and Special committees created for specific purposes by methods detailed in the Bylaws.

The Executive Committee consists of the officers of the organization (President or Co-Presidents, Vice-President, Treasurer), representatives elected by the members to the AFL-CIO of Champaign County, the chairpersons or co-Chairpersons of all the Standing Committees and up to five members selected by the nominating committee and approved by the executive committee and membership.

The Executive Committee will be the administrative authority of the organization and will be chaired by the President. It shall carry out general policy as set by the membership. In the absence of specific policy instructions from the membership and in situations where immediate action is imperative, it shall make and carry out policies necessary to further the good and welfare of the membership. In all policy matters, the ultimate authority resides in the membership.

ARTICLE VI: AUTHORITY OF THE MEMBERSHIP

All authority is reserved to the membership except that which is specifically delegated to the Officers and Executive Committee by the Constitution and Bylaws. In accordance with this authority, all organization records which do not specifically pertain to matters of personnel confidentiality are open to the membership.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS

Proposed amendments to this Constitution must first be endorsed in writing by at least 5 percent of the full membership. They must then be distributed, along with the written endorsement, to all members. At least ten, but no more than forty working days must elapse between the distribution of the proposed amendments and discussion of them by the full membership, at a membership meeting and/or via electronic postings. In case of the latter, at least five working days must be allowed for electronic discussion; this time period will be announced in advance. Within five working days of the close of discussion, a statement containing the specific wording of the proposed amendment and the language for which it is to be substituted, shall be provided to the full membership, along with either a secret paper ballot or instructions for accessing a secure web site. At least two weeks shall elapse before votes are counted by a three-person committee mutually agreed to by the President and the member introducing the Amendment. Amendments to the Constitution require an affirmative vote of two-thirds of those voting.

Bylaws of the Campus Faculty Association
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

ARTICLE I: MEMBERS

  1. All members of the faculty who are employed at least one-half time are eligible for membership, as are all who were members of the Union of Professional Employees as of September 1, 2006.
  2. A member in good standing is defined as an individual meeting the criteria specified in this article whose application has been processed and whose dues payments are not more than two months in arrears.

ARTICLE II: TERMS AND SUCCESSION OF OFFICERS

  1. Officers and delegates to affiliate organizations shall be elected annually in accordance with Article III.
  2. All officers shall continue to perform the duties of their offices until their successors have been duly elected.
  3. Should an office or delegate position become vacant between elections, the vacant post shall be assumed by an individual designated by the President in consultation with the Executive Committee, and approved by the Executive Committee, except that if the Presidency should become vacant the duties of this office shall be assumed by the Vice President.
  4. Any elected officer or representative may be recalled two weeks after receipt of a recall petition signed by at least 5% of the membership. The Executive Committee shall appoint a Recall Election Committee consisting of three persons including at least one petitioner. Balloting shall proceed according to the applicable provisions of Article III, section 4.

ARTICLE III: ELECTIONS

  1. Membership in good standing is required to hold office and vote in elections.
    A three-member Committee on Nominations and Elections will be appointed by the Executive Committee 30 days before the spring membership meeting. This committee will prepare a slate of candidates for presentation to the membership at the regular spring meeting, and assume responsibility for preparation and counting of ballots.
  2. Nominations of officers of the Campus Faculty Association normally will be made at the regular spring membership meeting. Notice will be given to each member at least 15 days prior to the meeting that nominations will be in order. Nominations from the floor must be accompanied by the oral consent of the member nominated, given at the meeting, or by a signed consent-to-serve statement.
  3. Short biographical sketches of each candidate, prepared by the candidate or his/her selected representative, will be provided to each member in good standing within ten working days of the nomination meeting. Also within ten working days, members must be provided with the opportunity to cast their votes, using a secure web site. Members in good standing must submit their names when they cast their ballots to avoid duplicate ballots, and names will be checked against a current membership list prior to acceptance of the ballot by the Committee on Nominations and Elections.
  4. At least two weeks shall elapse before votes are counted by the Committee on Nominations and Elections. The candidate receiving a majority of votes cast will be declared elected. If no candidate receives a majority, the two leading candidates will participate in a run-off election held immediately after the ballots are counted, with ballots to be returned to the Committee on Nominations and Elections within 15 days of the date the ballots were sent to the membership.
  5. The term of office will be from June 1 to May 31 of the subsequent year.

ARTICLE IV: RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS, DELEGATES, AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

  1. The officers will report at each membership meeting regarding Campus Faculty Association activities since the last meeting including actions taken by the Executive Committee and the status of any resolutions or motions passed at a prior assembly which were directive upon the officers and Executive Committee.
  2. The President or Co-Presidents will:
    1. preside over meetings of the membership and the Executive Committee;
    2. be responsible for the administration of the organization and any staff employees;
    3. upon nomination by the Committee on Nominations and Elections and approval of the Executive Committee and membership, appoint the chairpersons of all standing and special committees except the Committee on Nominations and Elections;
    4. report to the membership on the year’s activities at the final membership meeting of the academic year;
    5. perform all other functions usually attributed to this office.
  3. The Vice President will:
    1. temporarily assume the duties of the President in the absence or disability of that officer;
    2. perform such other duties as the President may delegate.
  4. The Treasurer will:
    1. be the custodian of the funds of the organizations;
    2. keep accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements of funds by Campus Faculty Association and report such to each meeting of the membership and the Executive Committee;
    3. keep the President and Executive Committee informed of the financial condition of the organization;
    4. prepare an annual financial statement to be made available to members;
    5. dispense organization funds in accordance with an annual budget approved at a Spring membership meeting. Expenditures not provided for in the budget must be specifically authorized by the Executive Committee.
    6. be ex officio a member of the Budget Committee.
  5. Delegates to affiliate organizations shall be responsible for representing the Campus Faculty Association in all meetings with affiliates.
  6. The Executive committee will be the administrative authority of the organization and shall be chaired by the President. It shall carry out general policy as set by the membership. In the absence of specific policy instructions from the membership and in situations where immediate action is imperative, it shall make and carry out policies necessary to further the good and welfare of the membership. In all policy matters the ultimate authority resides in the membership.
  7. The Committee shall also:
    1. establish administrative policy governing the affairs of the association, including the hiring of an Executive Director as the need arises;
    2. transact the business of the Campus Faculty Association between regularly scheduled meetings of the membership;
    3. provide for implementation of action and directives of the membership and coordinate Campus Faculty Association activities;
    4. be charged with the duty to manage, invest, and expend the finances of the Campus Faculty Association. However, any contracts or investments extending more than nine months beyond the term of the officers incurring such responsibilities shall be subject to approval by the full membership;
    5. appoint a Committee on Nominations and Elections at least 30 days before the annual spring membership meeting that a slate of candidates for office and committee chair-ship for the next year may be prepared;
    6. call for an audit at least every second year.
    7. solicit annual reports of the activities of the various committees.

ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES

  1. The standing committees of the Campus Faculty Association shall be:
    1. Membership
    2. Equal Opportunity
    3. Budget
    4. Grievance
    5. UIUC Senate Caucus
    6. Campus Labor Coalition
    7. Communications
    8. Events
  2. The Chairpersons, or Co-Chairpersons, of each of the standing committees will be appointed by the President, upon nomination by the Committee on Nominations and Elections and approval of the Executive Committee and membership. They serve at the pleasure of the President and Executive Committee. They may be removed by a vote of the Executive Committee.
  3. Ad hoc committees, with the exception of the Committee on Nominations and Elections, may be appointed by the President, with the approval of the Executive Committee. Ad hoc committees will be dissolved upon completion of their appointed charge.
  4. The special Committee on Nominations and Elections will consist of three members and be appointed by the Executive Committee.
  5. Members of each Committee, except the Committee on Nominations and Elections, will be appointed by the Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons of the Committee.

ARTICLE VI: GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF STANDING COMMITTEES

  1. Membership Committee: To serve as a communications network between the membership of the Campus Faculty Association and the Executive Committee, to recruit new members, and to assist in identifying those members with interest in and ability to perform Campus Faculty Association business. To develop strategies for ensuring that membership is representative of the faculty as a whole with respect to diversity. To work with the Communications committee to develop information about CFA initiatives and events that can attract and involve members.
  2. Equal Opportunity Committee: To respond to campus incidences of inequity or hostility based on race, gender, sexuality, disability, or other categories of identity, particularly as they affect the campus’s faculty members. To monitor and review campus policies for their effects on equity and fairness, especially as they affect faculty members. To advocate for greater equity and more effective recruitment and retention of diverse faculty.
  3. Budget Committee: To propose an annual budget to the Executive Committee and present it at the final general membership meeting of the academic year which is based on the Committee’s best estimate of the Campus Faculty Association’s projected income during the following year. To monitor and maintain the CFA’s finances, checking and savings accounts and investments, to keep accounts of income and disbursements, and provide regular financial reports to the Executive Committee. In addition, the committee shall provide oversight of University finances and budget with the goal of advocating for greater budgetary transparency and budgetary priorities that advance the best interests of faculty and students.
  4. Committee on Unit Work Conditions: Grievances brought by individual faculty members to the Chair or Co-chairs of the Committee on Unit Work Conditions are confidentially communicated to members of the committee. The committee will keep an up-to-date list of campus and community resources for advocacy and advice. Within departments where CFA has membership, it will work to advance mentorship programs to support the needs and concerns of individual faculty members.
  5. UIUC Senate Caucus: This committee is composed of Campus Faculty Association members who also serve on the Faculty Senate. Members typically meet once a month to preview issues on the Senate agenda.
  6. Campus Labor Coalition: Coordination of planning and action in cooperation with delegates from other campus unions representing academic professional, clerical, service, and craft workers on campus.
  7. Communications Committee: To help the CFA communicate with membership, the campus, and the public. It will write and commission members to write statements, articles, fliers, blog-posts, letters to the editor, and other forms of communication and distribute them. It will make available press contacts, press releases, and briefings, at the request of the President, Executive Committee, or other standing or ad-hoc committees. It will maintain the CFA web page and social media and such newsletters as the Executive Committee approves. It will liaise with CFA staff about the maintenance of up-to-ate contact information and e-mail lists of members.
  8. Events Committee. To develop in consultation with the Executive Committee events to inform and mobilize CFA members regarding important issues of concern to faculty. Members of this committee will commit to helping with at least one event to arrange venues, and amenities such as food and speakers (in consultation with members where appropriate), and work with the Communications Committee to publicize events.

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

  1. Regular Membership Meetings
    1. The time and place of regular membership meetings will be fixed by the Executive Committee, with at least 5 days advance written notice to the membership. An agenda will accompany the announcement.
    2. There will be at least 2 regular meetings per academic year. Normally one of these will be held in the fall and one in the spring.
    3. A special membership meeting must be called if 5% of the membership ask for such a meeting by petition. It must be held within 2 weeks of the receipt of the petition by any Executive Committee member or at the Campus Faculty Association office.
  2. The Executive Committee is empowered to call emergency meetings of the membership with 24 hours advance written notice. A detailed statement of justification must accompany the notice, and the meeting will deal only with the material included in the statement.
  3. Executive Committee Meetings
    1. The time and place of Executive Committee meetings will be fixed by the Executive Committee, with at least 5 days notice.
    2. There will be at least six Executive Committee meetings per year.
    3. The President must call a special meeting of the Executive Committee upon receipt of a petition signed by at least 5 members of the Committee. The meeting will be held within one week of receipt of the petition.
    4. The President is empowered to call emergency meetings of the Executive Committee with 24 hours advance written notice. A detailed statement of justification must accompany the notice, and the meeting will deal only with the material included in the statement.

ARTICLE VIII: QUORUM

  1. At all membership meetings, a quorum for the transaction of business will consist of two officers and five percent members who are not officers.
  2. At an Executive Committee meeting, a quorum for the transaction of business will consist of one-third of the Executive Committee members, including at least two officers.

ARTICLE IX: CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised will govern in all cases in which they are applicable and not inconsistent with these Bylaws.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting at any regular membership meeting provided the membership has received written notice of the proposed amendment at least one month prior to the meeting in which they are to be acted upon. For a proposed amendment to come to the notice of the membership it must be contained in a petition signed by 5% of the membership in good standing.

ARTICLE XI: SEPARABILITY

A legal decision that any Article or Section of this constitution or Bylaws is invalid will be construed to apply only to that Article and not to the complete Constitution or Bylaws.

Updated 7/24/2017