Staff Association Constitution and Bylaws | The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma

UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND ARTS OF OKLAHOMA

CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE

The staff employees of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, having recognized the need for representation and involvement of staff employees in the affairs of the University with the objective of strengthening University goals and functions, herein establish this Constitution for the UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND ARTS OF OKLAHOMA STAFF ASSOCIATION.

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of the organization shall be the UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND ARTS OF OKLAHOMA STAFF ASSOCIATION, sometimes hereinafter referred to as the Association.

ARTICLE II. AUTHORITY

The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Staff Association shall function under this Constitution as approved by the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Staff, the President of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, and the Board of Regents for the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma; and the Association shall continue to function until such time as the Association dissolves itself.

ARTICLE III. PURPOSE

Function and Responsibility

The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Staff Association is organized for the following functions:

A. To serve and participate in an advisory and referral capacity to the President of the University and the University Administration in such policy matters which may directly affect the staff employees and to recommend changes in existing policies as needed.

B. To foster and enhance communication and involvement between members of the University Administration, Faculty, Alumni, and Staff.

C. To serve as a liaison with staff, faculty, academic professionals and administration and to serve

on standing committees where membership would be beneficial to staff and the university.

ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP

Any employee in a staff position at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is eligible to participate in the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Staff Association Council.

The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Staff Association neither supplants nor supersedes any

duly-constituted organization or any approved policy or procedure currently in effect and there shall be nothing contained or implied in this Constitution that shall infringe on the rights and the privileges of an individual staff employee, nor shall it deny any staff employee the pursuit of individual action that such an employee may deem necessary for his or her personal welfare.

ARTICLE V. COUNCIL

Section 1.

The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Staff Association Council shall consist of representatives

to be elected from the Professional, General, and Maintenance Staff of the University of Science and Arts

of Oklahoma.

Section 2 .

The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Staff Association Council shall consist of elected members herein known as the Council. The voting council of the Association will be made up of representatives of member groups elected by the group members as stated in the Bylaws.

Section 3 .

The representatives will be elected by vote of staff employees (from respective member groups on campus).

Section 4 .

The term of office for voting council members will begin January 1st of each year and will end December 31st of the same year. Elections shall be held annually.

Section 5 .

When a vacancy occurs, the member group shall name a replacement from the respective member group.

ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS

Section 1. The Officers of the Council shall be the Chairperson, the Vice -Chairperson, the Recorder, and the Treasurer.

Section 2. The Officers of the Council shall be selected from the membership of the Council.

Section 3.The term of office for each Officer shall be one (1) year. Any Officer may succeed himself or herself in the same office for not more than one (1) additional term.

ARTICLE VII. PERMANENT AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Section 1. All permanent and special committees shall be established by Council action. Each permanent and special committee shall have a committee chairperson appointed by the Council, and the committee members shall select a recorder for the committee from its membership. All permanent and special committees shall be subject to the call of their respective chairperson.

ARTICLE VIII. MEETINGS

An annual membership meeting shall be held in January at which time the installation of the newly elected Council members and Officers shall take place.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS, ALTERATIONS, ANNULMENTS, SUSPENSION

Section 1.

A proposed amendment, alteration, or annulment, or a proposition to amend, alter, or annul the Constitution shall be presented in writing to the Recorder, who shall provide copies to all members of the Association at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to consideration by the Council.

Section 2.

Amendments to, alterations to, or annulment of the Constitution shall be made only by a three-fourths concurrence of the representatives of the Council.

Section 3.

Amendments to, alterations to, or annulment of the Constitution approved by the Council shall be sent to the President of the University for his/her approval and transmittal to the University Board of Regents if required.

UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND ARTS OF OKLAHOMA STAFF ASSOCIATION

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I. MEMBERSHIP

Staff Association members have the right to participate in all Staff Association meetings and to bring forth any concerns or suggestions. Staff Council representatives have the right to vote on all motions raised in Staff Association meetings.

ARTICLE II. COUNCIL

Section 1. Any staff employee of the University may make nominations for Council

Section 2. Nominations of candidates for election must be made using the designated

form available through the Nomination Committee. All nominations must have the consent of the nominee and the signature of the nominator and nominee must validate all nominations.

Section 3. Election of members to the Council shall be made annually by ballot.

Section 4. Vacancies:

A. There will be no alternates for representatives of the Council.

B. Staff Association Council member vacancies shall occur when a member terminates

employment with the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

C. Any Council representative who changes staff classification shall be removed from

his/her seat and a vacancy declared.

D. When a vacant position occurs, the Chairperson shall call upon the Nomination

Committee who will be responsible for submitting names of candidate(s), with their consent, to

be placed in nomination to fill the unexpired term of the declared vacancy. The Nomination

Committee may consider the unelected nominees of the affected membership group from

the preceding election including the membership group at large where the vacancy exists.

ARTICLE III. OFFICERS

Section 1. The Chairperson of the Council shall:

a. Preside at all meetings of the Council

b. The Chairperson shall be a non-voting member of the Council except in instances in which

a tie-vote occurs; at which time the Chairperson shall cast the deciding vote.

c. Perform other duties commonly associated with the position of Chairperson.

Section 2. The Vice-Chairperson shall:

a. Preside in the absence of the Chairperson:

b. Succeed to the office of Chairperson for the unexpired term, in the event of a vacancy in that Office;

c. The Vice-Chairperson of the Council shall serve as parliamentarian; and

d. Perform other duties commonly associated with the position of Vice-Chairperson.

Section 3. The Recorder shall:

a. Keep minutes of all meetings, and submit them to the Council for review and approval; and

b. Perform other duties commonly associated with the position of Recorder.

c. The Recorder shall, at the expiration of the term of Office, turn over to his or her successor

all records and pertinent data of the Council held in his or her possession.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall:

a. Adhere to current guidelines for fiscal control and budget planning;

b. Review purchase requests according to guidelines established by the Council.

c. Coordinate the preparation of budgets and financial reports; and

d. Perform other duties as requested by the Council.

e. The Treasurer shall, at the expiration of the term of Office, turn over to his or her successor all records and pertinent data of the Council held in his or her possession.

Section 5. The Immediate past Chair shall be a nonvoting member of the Council and shall not serve as a representative of his/her member group. The Immediate past Chair, in the absence of both the Chair and the Vice-Chairperson, shall preside at the Council meetings.

ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular meetings of the Association shall normally be held at a time and place designated by the Council. Notice of all meetings shall be furnished prior to the meeting.

Section 2. All agenda items shall be submitted to the Council Chairperson.

Section 3. Each member of the Association shall be furnished a copy of the meeting agenda prior to the

meeting.

Section 4. Any meeting of the Association shall be open to the public.

ARTICLE V. MEETING PROCEDURES

Section 1. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Association in all cases which they are applicble and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.

Section 2. At least a majority of members of the Council must be present to constitute a quorum authorized to discuss business at any meeting of the Association. If during the course of a meeting the number of members present falls below the majority of eligible membership, the meeting shall be recessed until such members are present.

ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS

Section 1. A proposed amendment, alteration, or annulment, or a proposition to amend, alter, or annul the Bylaws of the Association shall be presented in writing to the Recorder, who shall provide copies to all members of the Association at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to consideration by the Council.

Section 2. Amendments to, alterations to, or annulment, of the Bylaws shall be made only by a three-fourths concurrence of the representatives of the Council.

Section 3. The Bylaws of the Council, or any part thereof, may be suspended by a three-fourths concurrence of the representatives of the Council.