Constitution

CONSTITUTION FOR THE
ASSOCIATION FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS AT CATHOLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
(ASACCU)

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of the organization shall be the Association for Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASACCU)

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

Section A:

The purpose of ASACCU is to promote an understanding of the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and its relevance for student affairs professionals who are working or will be working at Catholic colleges and universities*. Through its activities and programs ASACCU will encourage and facilitate the sharing of ideas and cooperative efforts among its members.

Section B:

This purpose shall be accomplished in the following ways:

1. By providing educational opportunities to learn about the Catholic intellectual tradition;
   
   
2. By establishing an active network through which colleagues working in Catholic institutions of higher education can share ideas, concerns, and challenges;
   
   
3. By encouraging dialogue to assist student affairs professionals in developing practices and programs well-grounded in and respectful of the Catholic identity of their institutions.

Section A:

There shall be two types of membership in ASACCU: institutional membership and honorary membership.

1. Institutional membership: Catholic colleges and universities may become members of ASACCU as institutions. Institutional membership shall be solicited through and decided by the Senior Student Affairs officer. The SSAO shall have the right to select student affairs or other professionals from his/her institution for membership. All individuals shall be members of ASACCU.
   
   
2. Honorary membership:Professionals and others (e.g., faculty, who are not part of an institutional membership) may be given an honorary membership, which is at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. Honorary membership also includes Directors Emeriti.
   
   
3. All members of ASACCU shall have the same rights and responsibilities within the organization. These rights include: the right to be considered for the Board of Directors, to attend ASACCU activities, to participate in the “members only” sections of the ASACCU website, to elect the Board of Directors, and to approve this constitution and any amendments thereto. All members have the corresponding responsibility to abide by the constitution in the conduct of the activities and operations of ASACCU.
   
   
4. Membership shall be annual commencing upon the receipt of annual dues (September 1 – August 31).

ARTICLE IV: DUES

Annual dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section A: Membership

There shall be nine (9) members of the Board of Directors chosen from among the active institutional membership of ASACCU.

There shall also be one (1) member of the Board of Directors who shall serve as the Spiritual Advisor to the Board chosen from among the religious serving at institutions with active institutional membership of ASACCU.The role of the Spiritual Advisor shall be to advise the Board on issues with respect to keeping a balance on matters spiritual, attention to Church teaching, matters liturgical and any other function delegated by the Board.

Section B: Selection

Individuals are nominated to become Board members by the current Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will also seek nominations from the general membership.

A slate of Board members (new and eligible for reelection) is presented to the membership for election at the business meeting during the ASACCU conference. If no conference is held during a given year, an election will be conducted through the mail, electronically or a combination of both. Election will be by simple majority of the ballots received by a specified date.

Section C: Term of Office

1. Terms of office shall be three years. Board members are eligible to run for election for up to two full consecutive terms. At the conclusion of the second term, a Board member must rotate off the Board for one year before she or he can be re-elected to the Board.
   
   
2. Normally, two (2) Board members shall be elected each year to provide for the continuity of the Board.
   
   
3. Terms of office shall begin and end at the business meeting of the annual conference. If no conference is held, the term of office shall expire on the third anniversary of the election of the Board member.
   
   
4. In the event that a Board member resigns before the term expires, the Board of Directors will elect a new Board member from the ASACCU membership to serve the remainder of the term. A Board member so appointed, is eligible for election to the Board for two additional three-year terms.

Section D: Responsibilities

1. The responsibilities of the Board of Directors include: planning the annual conference and other ASACCU activities, determining annual membership dues, approving the annual budget and overseeing the expenditure of ASACCU monies, governing and representing the association throughout the year, planning for its own continuity through nomination of new Board members to stand for election, and making decisions not specified in this constitution for the good of the organization.
   
   
2. The Board of Directors shall meet at least twice per year and shall maintain more regular contact throughout the year. The Board shall determine the time and place of its meetings. Meetings may be conducted electronically or by conference call if determined as necessary by the Board.
   
   
3. Decisions of the Board of Directors shall be made by a simple majority of the members present.
   
   
4. The Board of Directors has the responsibility of electing the Chair from among its membership.

Section E: Emeriti

The founding directors of ASACCU are Directors Emeriti.

Section F: Ex officio

If the chair of the annual conference is not a member of the Board of Directors she or he shall serve as a non-voting ex officio member of the Board from the business meeting of the preceding conference to the business meeting of the conference she or he is chairing.

ARTICLE VI:CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Section A: Term of Office

1. A Chair shall be elected by a simple majority of the Board of Directors for a term of three years for up to two full consecutive terms subject to approval of the Board after the first term. At the end of the Chair's term(s), the Chair must rotate off the Board for at least one year before she or he can be re-elected to the Board.
   
   
2. The Chair may nominate a Vice-Chair from current Board members, up to two years prior to the Chair leaving office, which Vice Chair will be elected Vice Chair by a simple majority of the Board of Directors.  The Vice Chair, thus nominated and elected, will serve as the Chair Elect.
   
   
3. If the Chair resigns or is removed from office during her or his term, a vacancy shall occur, and the Vice Chair will assume the Chair responsibilities and begin a full-three-year term.  If there is no Vice Chair, the Board will elect a new Chair for a full three-year term.
   
   
4. The Chair is a member of the Board and retains her or his voting privileges.

Section B: Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Chair shall include: managing the ASACCU office throughout the year and conducting regular business on behalf of the Board, preparing an annual budget for the approval of the Board, working with the conference chair to plan the annual conference, conducting the annual business meeting, chairing meetings of the Board of Directors, and representing the Board to the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) and other appropriate organizations.

Section C: Removal

The Chair may be removed for cause by a vote of 3/4 of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VII: ADOPTION

This constitution shall be effective immediately upon its adoption by two thirds of the members voting at the annual business meeting.

ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS

Section A:

The Board of Directors will propose amendments to this Constitution to the membership of ASACCU at the annual business meeting. Any member of ASACCU may propose amendments to the Board for consideration.

Section B:

Amendments will be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the membership voting at the annual business meeting. If no conference is held during a given year, an election will be conducted through the mail, electronically or a combination of both. Election will be by two-thirds of the ballots received by a specified date.

*As contained in the Kennedy Directory

Approved: July 31, 2010
Amended: July 26, 2012
Amended: July 25, 2013
Amended: July 19, 2018