Harper College Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate would like to acknowledge the diligence of this committee in completing its task and thank its members for their careful attention to this important document. Our thanks go to:

Mary Singelmann, chair
Wallace Dean Davis
Jack Gallagher
Paul Guymon.
Mike Vijuk

After the Constitution was revised, it was submitted to the Harper College Faculty. On March 18 and 19, 1997, the Faculty voted to accept the revision.

The By-Laws were accepted by the Faculty Senate on March 18, 1997.

The Constitution can be changed only with approval of the majority of the entire faculty; however, the by-laws can be changed by the Faculty Senate.

Because the Constitution and the By-laws are two separate documents, each with a different revision process, the Constitution Committee requested they be bound separately.

The Faculty Senate Executive Committee, 1996-1997

George Evans, President
Pauline Buss, Vice-President
Julie Fleenor, Secretary
Rob Held, Treasurer
Phil Stewart, Grievance Officer

ARTICLE I
Purpose of the Organization

We, the Harper College Faculty, declare this Chapter to have the following purposes:

To increase the usefulness and to advance the ideals, standards, and welfare of its Members.
To promote the interests of the students, the faculty and the community in higher education.
To safeguard the guarantees and implementation of academic freedom, the Contract, and tenure laws.
To cooperate with teacher organizations and with organized labor in achieving democratic programs and practices.
To take positions on social and political matters through agreement of the Assembly of Local 1600 of the Cook County College Teachers Union.
To seek and attain these objectives by orderly democratic processes.

ARTICLE II
Name, Affiliations, and Definitions

Section 1: The name of this organization will be the William Rainey Harper College Chapter of the Cook County College Teachers Union, chartered as Local 1600 by the American Federation of Teachers (AFL-CIO) and subject to the Constitution and By-laws of the William Rainey Harper College Chapter.

Section 2: The William Rainey Harper College Chapter, hereafter referred to as the "Chapter," is the exclusive bargaining agent of Faculty Members as defined in Article 1 of the College Agreement. The Chapter will be directly affiliated with the Cook County College Teachers Union and its affiliates.

Section 3: Delegates to meetings of these affiliates will be determined in accordance with rules set forth by the affiliates and by the Chapter Constitution.

Section 4: Definitions of terms used herein are as follows:

Contract--The agreement between the Board of Trustees of Community College District 512, County of Cook and State of Illinois, and the Chapter.
Member--Full--dues-paying person covered by the Contract, belonging to the Chapter, eligible to vote in the Chapter, and accepted by the Cook County College Teachers Union.
Fair Share Person--One who is covered by the Contract but is not a Member as defined.
Faculty--All regularly-employed, full-time teachers, department chairpersons, coordinators, librarians, and counselors.
Chapter-- All dues-paying Members entitled to vote.
Assembly--All Faculty covered by the Contract.
Officer-- Member, elected by the Chapter to serve as President, Vice- President, Secretary, Treasurer, or Grievance Officer. The immediate Past President will be considered an ex-officio Officer of the Senate. No Officer may simultaneously serve as Senator.
Executive Committee--All Officers.
Senator--Member elected at-large or by a division to serve as a representative in the Senate. No Senator may simultaneously serve as an Officer.
Senate--All Officers and Senators.
Delegate--Member elected at-large by the Chapter to represent the Chapter at the Cook County College Teachers Union and meetings of the IFT and the AFT, as appropriate.
Alternate Delegate--Member elected at-large by the Chapter to serve as Delegate in the event the Delegate cannot or will not serve.
Consent--subject to the consent of majority of Senators at regularlyscheduled Senate meetings.
AFT--American Federation of Teachers
IFT--Illinois Federation of Teachers
Ex-officio Members--in all committee assignments, ex-officio members serve by virtue of their office and without voting rights.

ARTICLE III
Membership

Section 1: Full Membership will be open to all full-time Faculty.

Section 2: All Members on sabbatical or paid leaves will be considered full Members and will pay full dues.

Section 3: Membership in this Chapter may be forfeited for such causes as are specified in the Constitution.

Section 4: Any former Member of the Chapter may be reinstated in Membership by the Senate.

ARTICLE IV
Policy

Section 1: The Chapter has the final authority regarding the policies of this organization and will have the power to amend or set aside Senate policy actions. A special meeting may be called for this purpose.

ARTICLE V
Composition of the Senate

Section 1: All Officers are members of the Senate.

Section 2: Senators of the Division: Each academic division with twenty-four or fewer full-time Faculty will elect one Senator to the Senate. Each academic division with twenty-five or more full-time Faculty will elect two Senators.

Section 3: Senators-at-large: In addition to Senators of the Division, a total of six Senators will be elected from the Chapter-at-large.

Section 4: All Senators will be eligible to succeed themselves.

Section 5: The term of office for Senators will be two years.

ARTICLE VI
Executive Committee

Section 1: Subject to direction and sanction by the Senate, the administration of the Chapter will be the responsibility of the Executive Committee.

Section 2: Should any elected Office except the Presidency become vacant, a replacement will be chosen by the Executive Committee, subject to Senate approval, until the next regularly-scheduled election.

Section 3: The second Faculty Representative on the Council for the Coordination of College Committees (4 Cs) should be selected by the Executive Committee with the consent of the Senate.

ARTICLE VII
Duties of the Officers

Section 1: PRESIDENT. It will be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Chapter and the Senate. The President will be an ex officio member of all Chapter committees. He or she will discharge all other duties imposed upon him or her by parliamentary usage and this Constitution. Should the Office of the President become vacant, the Vice-President will become Acting President, and will serve until the next regularly-scheduled election. It will be the duty of the President to represent the Chapter on the Council for the Coordination of College Committees (4 Cs).

Section 2: VICE-PRESIDENT. It will be the duty of the Vice-President to discharge the duties of the President in his or her absence, or in his or her inability or refusal to act.

Section 3: SECRETARY. It will be the duty of the Secretary to keep an accurate record of all the business transacted by the Chapter and the Senate: he or she will issue orders and warrants and countersign the same; he or she will attend to all printing and correspondence; and will deliver copies of all official records to the Archival Committee. Publicity for the Chapter will also be the responsibility of the Secretary.

Section 4: TREASURER. It will be the duty of the Treasurer to account for the receipt and disbursement of the Chapter's money. He or she will pay all approved bills; he or she will deposit all funds to the credit of this Chapter in such bank or place as may be directed by the Senate; and he or she will collect fines and fees.

Section 5: GRIEVANCE OFFICER. It will be the duty of the Grievance Officer to convene a Grievance Committee to consider grievances under the Contract. The Grievance Officer will preside at meetings of this Committee. The Grievance Officer will report to and recommend action by the Executive Committee on grievances at the second step of the grievance procedure specified in the Contract. The Grievance Committee will recommend action on submitting a grievance to the Cook County College Teachers Union Grievance Committee. The Grievance Officer will be the representative of the Harper College Faculty Senate to Local 1600's Grievance Committee. The Grievance Officer will recommend and appoint members to the Grievance Committee, whose role is advisory in nature to the Grievance Officer.

Section 6: The term of all officers shall be for two years, beginning at the May meeting of each even-numbered year and ending at the May meeting of the second year following.

ARTICLE VIII
Duties of the Senators

Section 1: It will be the duty of the Senators to conduct the business of the Chapter within the limits of this Constitution.

Section 2: It will be the duty of the Senators to establish By-Laws to this Constitution.

ARTICLE IX
Committees

Section 1: It will be the responsibility of the Executive Committee to ensure that all committee Memberships reflect, in so far as it is feasible and in the best interest of the Chapter, representation broadly-based, according to constituency, and also proportional to number of constituents served.

Section 2: The Executive Committee, as defined by this Constitution, shall appoint all non-elected Committees of the Faculty Senate, with the exception of the Grievance Committee, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Section 3: The Constitutional Committees that will exist and function are: the Executive Committee, the Archival Committee, and the Election Committees.

Section 4: The Standing Committees which are created with the advice and consent of the Senate and are regularly functioning shall be (but are NOT limited to): the Grievance Committee, the Chapter Scholarship Committee, the Welfare Committee (which includes Amenities and Social Committees), the Membership Committee, the Faculty Development Committee, and the Legislative Committee.

Section 5: Ad-hoc committees may be established by the Executive Committee as needed. The Chairperson and Members of the Ad-hoc Committees will be appointed by the Executive Committee with the consent of the Senate. Ad-hoc Committees will be established for periods not to exceed one year. With the approval of the Executive Committee, they may be extended for a period not to exceed an additional year.

Section 6: Only Chapter Members may serve on Constitutional and Standing committees.

ARTICLE X
Conduct of Official Meetings

Section 1: A quorum of the Executive Committee will consist of four Officers, including the President.

Section 2: A quorum of the Senate will be a majority of that body.

Section 3: A quorum of the Chapter will be a majority of the Members.

Section 4: Robert's Rules of Order, Revised will govern in all cases not covered by this Constitution or the By-laws.

Section 5: All Senate meetings will be open. The right to vote or to make or second motions at Senate meetings will be limited to Senators and Officers. The right to sign nomination petitions will be limited to Members.

Section 6: Senate meetings will be held monthly, September through May, unless otherwise scheduled by the Executive Committee or provided by the Constitution.

Section 7: Meetings of the Chapter may be called by the Executive Committee or upon petition of five percent of the total Membership. Such meetings require three academic calendar days notice to the Membership.

Section 8: The Senate may conduct business in an Executive Session.

ARTICLE XI
Dues, Assessments, Finance

Section 1: Annual dues will be set by the House of Representatives of the Cook County College Teachers Union in accordance with procedures set forth in the Cook County College Teachers Union By-laws.

Section 2: Special assessments may be recommended by the Executive Committee subject to approval by the Senate and ratification by the Chapter. Such ratification by the Chapter will be voted upon only after written notice has been given to the Members at least three academic calendar days prior to the meeting and will require a majority of "yes" votes by those voting.

Section 3: No Member will profit by crossing official Chapter picket lines. Any Member who crosses those lines will pay an amount to the Cook County College Teachers Union treasury equal to his or her net pay during the days the violation continued and other penalties authorized by the Cook County College Teachers Union House of Representatives and may forfeit his or her Union Membership. If any Member desires a hearing regarding his or her violation of policy, he or she will have the right to appear before a special meeting of the Cook County College Teachers Union House of Representatives to answer charges, to call witnesses in his or her behalf, to cross-examine witnesses, and to be represented by counsel at the Member's own cost. Such hearing will take place within a two-month period of the Member's receipt of written notice of the charge.

ARTICLE XII
Compensation and Expenses

Section 1: The Senate will create a budget which will provide a contingency fund to meet emergency expenses of the Chapter. Those expenses which can be anticipated will be included in the budget. All expenses except those expenses reimbursable by the Cook County College Teachers Union will be reported to the Senate for its approval and subsequent payment by the Treasurer.

ARTICLE XIII
Nominations and Elections

Section 1: No later than the first of February of even-numbered years, the Members are to receive written notice of the dates of elections of Officers and the method of nomination.

Section 2: No later than the first of February of each year, the Members are to receive written notice of the dates of elections of one-half of the number of Senatnrs and the method of nomination.

Section 3: No Member may stand for election unless that Member has been in good standing for at least one year. The Election Committee will ensure that the candidates are members-in-good-standing.

Section 4: Nominations will be conducted in a manner set forth by the Executive Committee. Nominations will also be taken in the February meeting of the Senate.

Section 5: Elections will take place during the month of March, except for special elections to fill vacancies.

Section 6:

a. In the election for the position of Senators-at-large, the nominees accruing the greatest number of votes will be elected until all openings are filled.

b. In elections for positions on the Executive Committee (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Grievance Officer), candidates receiving a majority of the votes cast will be declared elected. In the event no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, a run-off election will be held within two weeks between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes.

c. For all other elected offices, the candidates receiving the most votes from those cast in the election will be declared elected.

d. In the event of a tie vote, the Constitutional Election Committee, when necessary, shall conduct another election to break the tie within two weeks.

Section 7: Those elected will take Office at the May meeting and will serve until the May meeting of the second year following.

ARTICLE XIV
Contract and Ratification

Section 1: The Negotiating Committee and the Executive Committee may enter into a tentative agreement with the Harper College Board of Trustees on any new Contract.

a. In the event that such an agreement is reached prior to the expiration of a previously-ratified conkact, any provisions in the proposed new Contract which constitute changes from provisions which exist in the most recently ratified Contract must then be submitted, in writing, to the Chapter Members.

b. In the event that such an agreement shall be reached after the expiration of a previously-ratified Contract, any provisions in the proposed new Contract which constitute changes from provisions which existed in the most recently expired Contract must then be submitted, in writing, to the Chapter Members.

Section 2: Balloting by the Chapter Members on the proposed new Contract shall take place only after the Chapter Members have had the proposed changes for three academic calendar days. A simple majority of those voting will be sufficient for the ratification of the new Contract by the Chapter Members.

ARTICLE XV
Removal from Office

Section 1: Any Officer may be removed or suspended from Office for cause which may include but is not limited to misappropriation of Chapter funds, failure in duties of Office etc. by a "do remove" or a "do suspend" vote of at least fifty percent plus one of the Chapter membership listed at the time of the balloting. The Senate will be responsible for bringing forth a motion to remove or to suspend the Officer. In order for the "do remove" or "do suspend" motion to pass, a majority of the membership of the Senate must vote to remove or suspend. Such a motion shall require that a special meeting of the Chapter will be called for this vote. Such removal or suspension will render the person incapable of holding any Office or position of trust until such disability will have been removed by a majority vote of the Chapter. That person will also, for such offense, be liable for expulsion from Membership.

Section 2: Any Senator may be removed from Office for cause by a "do remove" vote of at least fifty percent plus one of the constituency that the Senator represents, i.e. the Division or the Chapter. Such removal is further subject to other penalties as noted in Section 1 of this Article. The Senate will be responsible for bringing forth an action to remove any Senator. Voting procedure will be as in Section 1, above.

ARTICLE XVI
By-Law Amendments, Additions or Suspensions

Section 1: The By-laws may be amended by a "yes" vote of at least fifty percent plus one of the members of the Senate, provided that written notification of any addition or change was sent to the Members at least three academic calendar days prior to the meeting.

Section 2: Any Senate action to amend or add to the By-laws may be negated by a majority vote of the Members at a special Chapter meeting called for this purpose.

Section 3: Suspension of any one or all of the By-laws may occur only at a regularly-scheduled meeting, only for the duration of that meeting, and only with a four-fifths majority vote of Senators and Officers present.

ARTICLE XVII
Constitutional Amendments

Section 1: Proposed amendments to this Constitution will be initiated on recommendation of the Executive Committee, or on petition of ten percent of the Chapter Membership.

Section 2: This Constitution may be amended only by a "yes" vote of at least fifty percent plus one of the Chapter membership listed at the time of balloting, provided that written notice is given each Member not less than ten academic calendar days prior to the voting. The proposed amendment will be voted upon within thirty academic calendar days.

ARTICLE XVIII
Ratification

Section 1: This Constitution will be effective upon ratification by the Chapter.

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