Constitution and Bylaws

Article I. Preamble

The Salt Lake Community College (“SLCC”) faculty body created the Faculty Association (“Association”) to continually improve faculty working environment and conditions to ensure equitable and effective learning opportunities for students. The Association collectively advocates on matters of faculty rights, responsibilities, compensation, and benefits stated in SLCC College policy and procedure. This document sets forth the governing principles and procedures for the SLCC Faculty Association.

Article II. Purpose

The purposes of the Association are:

To advocate for the best possible working conditions for SLCC faculty within SLCC.
To provide a forum for faculty to work collectively towards professional dignity.
To serve as a knowledge base on SLCC policy and procedure that affects faculty working environment and conditions.
To speak as an authoritative faculty voice on shared governance and decision-making processes that affect faculty working conditions and compensation.
To protect faculty rights of academic freedom
To promote equity-based decision making and processes.
To pursue institutional transparency and accountability regarding faculty working conditions and compensation.
To evaluate proposed changes to faculty rights and responsibilities.
To communicate information regarding faculty working conditions.
To advocate for or support faculty experiencing working condition disputes with the college
To ethically manage funds or property to accomplish the purposes above.

Article III. Membership, Requirements, Privileges, Dues & Donations

Membership

Membership in the Association is voluntary.
All SLCC full-time and adjunct faculty as defined in the Academic Freedom, Professional Responsibility and Tenure (“AFPRT”) policy.
Academic Supervisors, in their role as faculty, shall retain their rights to Faculty Association advocacy and legal consultation if they continue paying dues during their time as Academic Supervisors. We reserve the right to ask supervisors to leave a meeting during executive sessions.
Membership starts when the Membership Director receives a completed membership form from the faculty member.
All Full-time faculty must pay Association dues for membership.
Adjunct faculty can choose to pay Association dues for membership.

Privileges

All faculty paying Association dues are eligible to:
1. Vote on Association matters
2. Receive faculty advocacy support from Association
3. Receive an hour of paid legal counsel if needed
4. Have access to many more specific opportunities for service in Shared Governance.

Dues

Full-time faculty and adjunct faculty dues are set by the Executive Board
Any changes to dues must be approved by Association members by March 31 for the next academic year.
Full-time faculty must authorize bimonthly payroll deductions for dues.
Adjunct faculty members may choose to pay dues through bimonthly payroll deduction.
The Membership Director will conduct regular reviews of the membership list and will contact faculty who are delinquent on dues.
1. Faculty will have two pay periods to authorize deductions.
2. If a payroll deduction is not authorized, the Membership Director will remove faculty from Association membership.
Donations to the Association do not replace membership dues.

Article IV. Officers, Terms, Elections and Duties

Officers

The Association shall be governed by an Executive Board comprised of voting and non-voting officers.
Voting Officers:
1. President
2. Vice President
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Communications Chairperson
6. Membership Services Director
7. Discussion Team Member
8. Adjunct Faculty Chair
Non-Voting Officers (ex officio)
1. The most recent Faculty Association past President
2. Faculty Senate President
3. Faculty Senate Vice President
4. Faculty Senate Adjunct Faculty Impact Chairperson
5. Staff Association President (or designee)
No member shall hold more than one officer position at any time

Terms

All voting officers will be elected by Association members to a two-year term which will start on June 1.
There are no term limits for officers.
Any officer may resign their position after giving one month notice.
1. A resigning officer may be required to provide this notice if there are extenuating circumstances for the resignation

Elections

Nominations
1. The Secretary calls for nominations at the February meeting for all open officer positions.
2. The Secretary calls for two members to serve on the Nominating Committee
3. Any member with voting privileges may make a nomination.
4. Nominated members may accept or decline a nomination.
5. The Executive Board reviews and approves candidates prior to its March meeting.
6. Offices without a nominee will be identified as “vacant.”
  1. Vacant offices may be filled with candidates at any time outside of the official voting cycle through a two thirds majority vote of the executive board.
7. The Secretary will announce the candidates at the March meeting.
8. The Secretary will request statements from candidates that will be included with the election materials.
9. The candidates and their statements will be posted on the Association Canvas page.
Ballots and Voting
1. The Secretary will be the Nominating Committee chairperson.
2. The Nominating Committee constructs a digital ballot with:
  1. Officer position description and responsibilities
  2. Names and statements from candidates
  3. Space for write-in candidates
  4. Deadline for submission
  5. Additional provisions requiring an Association member vote.
3. The digital ballot is to be distributed to voting members at least twelve calendar days prior to the April meeting. The vote will be open for 10 days.
4. Votes must be received by the deadline to be counted.
5. The Nominating Committee verifies and counts the votes.
6. A simple majority of votes cast determines the selected candidate.
7. The Secretary submits a report on the selected candidates and the vote tallies to the Executive Board. This report must be submitted at least two business days prior to the April meeting.
8. The Secretary announces the results at the April meeting.
9. In the case of a tie, the Nominating Committee will conduct a run-off election prior to the end of the spring semester.
Referenda and Voting
1. Any member of the Executive Board can call for a referendum vote.
2. The Executive Board approves the referendum by a simple majority vote.
3. The Secretary (or Executive Board designee) constructs a digital ballot with:
  1. Referendum statement
  2. Arguments for referendum
  3. Arguments against referendum
4. The digital ballot is to be distributed to Association voting members with notice of the deadline date and percentage majority required for passage.
5. Votes must be received by the deadline to be counted.
6. The Executive Board verifies and counts the votes.
7. The Executive Board announces the results of the vote to the Association membership at the April General Meeting.

Officer Duties

President
1. Leads the Faculty Association
2. Schedules, develops agenda, and presides over Association meetings and Executive Board meetings
3. Reports to Executive Board and Association membership on college matters
4. Represents the Association on college committees
5. Regularly meets with the Provost to discuss faculty concerns that should be communicated to Cabinet
6. Co-chairperson of the SLCC Discussion Team
7. Chairperson of the Discussion Team Committee
8. Attend Board of Trustee meetings
9. Interface with external professional support
10. Oversees disbursement of Association funds
11. Delegates responsibilities as needed.
Vice President
1. Assists the president
2. Serves on SLCC Discussion Team
3. Serves as Parliamentarian in Association meetings
4. Constitutional Review Committee Chairperson and
5. Serves as interim president until next election if President is unable or unwilling to complete term.
Secretary
1. Distributes and posts Association meeting agendas and other notices to membership
  1. Agendas shall be posted at least three calendar days prior to meeting.
2. Records all motions and votes
3. Records attendance at Association meetings
4. Record, prepare, and posts approved minutes of all Association meetings
5. Maintains Association calendar
6. Maintains standing ad hoc committee reports, recommendations, and files and
7. Nomination Committee Chairperson.
Membership Chairperson
1. Maintains accurate membership lists in consultation with Treasurer
2. Promotes Association membership in collaboration with Communications Chairperson and
3. Coalition Building Committee Chairperson.
Treasurer
1. Manage Association financial assets and obligations including:
  1. Deposits and withdrawals
  2. Payments, disbursements and, procurements
  3. All disbursements must be authorized by the Executive Board and College President.
2. Reconciles financial statements
3. Provides financial reports to membership in September and April, and as requested by Executive Board and
4. Posts approved annual budget to Association website.
Communications Chairperson
1. Maintains Association’s digital presence
2. Edits and distributes monthly newsletter to membership
3. Serves as official spokesperson for Faculty Association
4. Supports membership director on recruitment materials and
5. Faculty Advocacy Committee Chairperson
  1. Train faculty advocates on member rights, benefits, and SLCC complaint and grievance processes
  2. Publish contact information for Faculty Advocacy committee members
  3. Maintains records of faculty advocacy
At-Large Discussion Team Member
1. Represents Association on college Salary and Benefits Committee
2. Prepares report on Discussion Team agendas and decisions for Association membership.
Adjust Faculty Chairperson
1. Represents adjunct faculty issues to the Executive Board and General Membership
2. Attends and participates as a full voting member of the Association’s Executive Board
3. Attends and participates in the General Meetings of the Association.
  1. Position Conditions:
    1. Must be an adjunct faculty member in good standing
    2. Must have academic supervisor approval to hold this position
    3. Will apply to the Association’s Executive Board and be elected by majority vote of those board members.
    4. Term will be one year and can be renewed three times for a total of three-year service.
    5. This position will be compensated up to 6 hours per month paid for by the Provost’s office.

Duties

Executive Board
1. Meets at least monthly during Fall and Spring semesters
2. Approves regular Association meeting schedule and agendas
3. Convenes special Association meetings as needed
4. Brings issues for discussion and voting by the membership
5. Convenes ad hoc committees as needed
6. Reviews and votes on:
  1. Executive Board minutes
  2. Financial Reports and Budgets
  3. Association membership requests
  4. Committee recommendations
  5. Removal of officers or committee members.
Removal of Executive Board member
1. Upon a motion, the Executive Board, by a majority vote, remove an Executive Board member if
  1. The member submits their resignation
  2. The member fails to attend meetings and/or communicated on Executive Board matters for more than thirty consecutive days.
2. If the Executive Board removes a member, it may, by majority vote,
  1. Declare the position vacant
  2. Appoint an interim member until the next election cycle

Article V. Committees, Membership & Duties

Standing Committees

The Association’s Standing Committees are:
1. Coalition Building Committee
2. Constitutional Review Committee
3. Discussion Team Committee
4. Faculty Advocacy Committee
5. Nominating Committee
General Rules
1. Standing committees are chaired by an Executive Board Officer.
2. Voting committee members will be nominated and approved by Executive Board.
3. Terms are two academic years which begin and end on June 1 to May 31, respectively.
4. There are no term limits.
5. All Committees are expected to meet in a timely manner befitting their charge.
Committee Chairperson Duties
1. Set regular meetings
2. Prepare agendas
3. Chair meetings
4. Prepare minutes
5. Provide monthly report on committee activities at each regular Association meeting
6. Transfer files to incoming officer by June 1
7. Transfer files to Executive Board within five business days if a term cannot be completed.

Committee Membership and Duties

Coalition Building Committee
1. Members:
  1. Membership Director Chairperson
  2. Two additional Association members (voting).
2. Duties
  1. Organize with other USHE faculty organizations
  2. Organize with SLCC Student Association and Staff Association
  3. Promote participation in local and national politics within SLCC policy
    1. Employees may not use SLCC email in political participation.
  4. Educate and advocate on behalf of Association membership
  5. Solicit and maintain voluntary personal email list of membership.
Constitutional Review Committee
1. Members
  1. Vice President (Chairperson)
  2. Two additional Association Members (voting)
2. Duties
  1. Annually review Association Constitution and Bylaws
  2. Review proposals for changes from Association members
  3. Prepare revisions for Executive Board by the last day in February, or as needed
  4. Provide revisions to Nominating Committee for inclusion on annual digital ballot
  5. Receive results of ballot and make approved changes to Constitution and Bylaws
  6. Post revised Constitution and Bylaws to Association website
  7. Maintain master copy of current approved Constitution and Bylaws
  8. Review college policies in collaboration with Faculty Senate leadership.
Faculty Discussion Team Committee
1. Members:
  1. President (chairperson)
  2. Vice President
  3. At-Large Discussion Team Member
  4. Faculty Senate President (ex officio)
  5. Faculty Senate Vice President (ex officio)
  6. Two Association Members
2. Duties
  1. Assist President in setting Association priorities for Discussion Team (DT) by end of September;
  2. Comprehensive understanding of SLCC policy and Faculty Handbook for Compensation and Workload;
  3. Research and prepare data, materials, and proposals for DT meetings;
  4. Review and prepare DT issues for Association meetings; and
  5. Maintain records of DT discussions and decisions for Association.
Faculty Advocacy Committee
1. Members:
  1. Communications Director (Chairperson)
  2. Full-Time (“FT”) Association Member (ACDM)
  3. FT Association Member (BUS)
  4. FT Association Member (HSS)
  5. FT Association Member (HS)
  6. FT Association Member (SLTC)
  7. FT Association Member (SME)
  8. FT Association Member (Adjunct)
2. Duties
  1. Understand college policies relevant to faculty working conditions.
  2. Serve as first contact for faculty concerns
  3. Document concerns
  4. Educate faculty on college policy
  5. Assist faculty to connect with Association Executive Board
  6. Maintain records of documented concerns and
  7. Support Executive Board with faculty concern processes (grievances, corrective action, EEO, etc.).
Nominating Committee
1. Members
  1. Secretary (Chairperson)
  2. Two voting Association members
Duties:
1. Manage the nomination and election of officers as outlined above
2. Maintain ballot records for two years

Ad hoc committees

The President may establish an ad hoc committee with approval of the Executive Board.
Process
1. Provide a charge for the committee.
2. Provide a deadline date for the committee to complete its charge.
3. Appoint a chairperson and members.
4. Inform the Association membership of the committee charge, timeline, chairperson and members at the next regular meeting.
The committee will provide a report and any recommendations to the Executive Board upon completion of the charge.
The President will share the report and recommendations with the Association membership at the next regular meeting.
When the business of the ad hoc committee is completed, it will be dissolved.
The Secretary will maintain all ad hoc committee reports and recommendations.

Section VI. General Association Meetings

All Association meetings will be convened and governed by this Constitution and Bylaws and Roberts’ Rules of Order.

Association meetings are not subject to the Open and Public Meetings Act. Upon majority vote, the Executive Board may close a meeting to non-Association members.

Frequency

Association meetings will be held monthly from September to April. There will be no meetings in May, June, July, August, and December.
Other meetings may be convened by the President or by a majority of the Executive Board.
Meetings may be held electronically.

Notice

The Secretary will distribute the following notices and post to website:
1. The regular meeting schedule for the academic year by the end of August.
2. Each regular meeting’s agenda at least three days prior to the meeting
3. A notice for a special meeting at least one day prior to the meeting.
Regular meeting notices will be distributed to:
1. All full time and adjunct faculty;
2. Staff Association President;
3. Student Association President;
4. Provost for Academic Affairs;
5. Vice President for Finance and Administration; and
6. College President

Agendas

Association members should propose agenda items and submit reports to the Secretary at least two business days prior to the Executive Board meeting.
The Executive Board will review and vote to approve the meeting agenda at least one business day prior to the meeting.

Quorum

Regular Association meetings require a majority of officers to be present
Executive Board meetings must have a quorum to conduct business.

Voting

All Association proposals and ballots are approved by a majority vote.
Each voting officer has one vote in Association and Executive Board meetings;
Each voting-eligible member has one vote in Association meetings.
Voting may be done by proxy under the following conditions:
1. Proxies must be submitted in writing to the Secretary prior to the vote and will include:
  1. Member’s name
  2. Proxy’s name
  3. Date
  4. Issue being voted upon

Process

The presiding officer or chairperson calls the meeting to order.
Minutes are presented and approved, if required.
The presiding officer or chairperson manages the meeting according to the approved agenda.
The presiding officer or chairperson adjourns the meeting.

Minutes

The Secretary prepares minutes for regular, special, and Executive Board meetings.
1. The chair prepares minutes for standing and ad hoc committees.
The Executive Board reviews and approves minutes.
1. Minutes may be redacted of confidential content.
The Secretary distributes approved regular meeting minutes to:
1. All full-time and adjunct faculty
2. Staff Association President
3. Student Association President
4. Provost for Academic Affairs
5. Vice President for Finance and Administration
6. College President
The Secretary will post the approved minutes to the Association website.

Section VII. Adoption and Amending the Constitution and Bylaws

The Constitution and Bylaws shall be adopted or amended by two-thirds vote of returned ballots of the Association members who are in favor of the proposed changes.
Any Association member may propose in writing to the Constitutional Review Committee an amendment to the Constitution and Bylaws.
Upon receipt of the written proposal the Constitutional Review Committee will inform the Executive Board of the proposed amendment at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
The Constitutional Review Committee will review the proposed amendment as set forth in the process set forth in section V. C.2.

Faculty Association