IUPC Constitution & Bylaws

INDIANA UNIVERSITY BLOOMINGTON

PROFESSIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Section 1: The Professional Staff
The professional staff shall consist of those employees coded as professionals in the Indiana University budget. Such employees must be appointed at 50 percent or more full time equivalent to be eligible for representation.
Section 2: Certification of Members
Certification of persons qualifying under the definition of Section 1 shall be made by the Payroll Department.

ARTICLE II THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY BLOOMINGTON PROFESSIONAL COUNCIL

Section 1: Representation
Representation of professional staff located in Bloomington shall be delegated to a body of twenty-one (21) elected representatives, the Bloomington Professional Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council.
Section 2: Purpose of Professional Council
The Council shall provide professional staff members with a means of representative participation through recommendations and advice in the formulation of policies and in the solution of problems affecting the general welfare of, the working conditions of, and the services rendered by the professional staff of the University. The Council shall submit formal proposals to the Vice President for Administration, who will confer and/or consult with other necessary University officials and who will submit such proposals to the Board of Trustees, if necessary. The Council shall also provide a medium of exchange of information relating to the problems of the employees and those of the Administration. The Council shall also promote the value of the professional staff in helping the University in the attainment of its goals and objectives and shall encourage the opportunity for continuing professional education for the professional staff.
Section 3: Meetings
The Council shall meet at least once per month. Council meetings shall be open to non-members as provided in the bylaws.
Section 4: Policy Functions
All matters appropriate to the purpose of the Council may be considered by the Council. The Council may act or may refer such matters to the professional staff.
Section 5: Administrative Functions
The Council shall have administrative powers to carry out its functions and to adopt its own bylaws.
Section 6: Responsibility to Professional Staff
- A. The Council shall report its proceedings to the professional staff.
- B. On votes dealing with substantive matters, the reports shall include an accounting of how the individual Council members or their proxies voted.
- C. At the request of a majority of the Council members present, any matter may be submitted to the staff for consideration, either by mail ballot or at a special meeting.
Section 7: Organization
- A. Officers: The Council shall elect the President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Parliamentarian.
- B. Elected Membership: The Council shall consist of twenty-one (21) professional staff members elected by the professional staff.
- C. Ex-Officio Membership: Representatives of other employee groups; a representative of the Bloomington Faculty Council, and a representative of the Indiana University Student Association shall be ex-officio, non-voting members of the Council.
- D. Term of Office: Elected members of the Council shall hold office for a three-year term as provided in the bylaws. An elected member shall be eligible to serve two consecutive terms but then shall be ineligible for the next two elections.
- E. Manner of Nomination and Election: One-third of the members of the Council shall be elected to the Council each year, in the manner specified in the bylaws.

ARTICLE III ORIGINATION OF MATTERS FOR COUNCIL ATTENTION

Section 1. Matters for Council attention may originate from any of the following sources:
- A. Any individual staff member through an elected Council representative, or by placing on file with the secretary of the Council a signed written statement of the matter.
- B. Any group of staff members in the same manner prescribed in (A) above.
- C. Any Council member.
- D. The University administration.

ARTICLE IV AMENDMENTS

Section 1: Initiated by a Meeting of the Professional Staff
- A. A motion to amend this constitution may be presented to and discussed at a special meeting of the professional staff. If those attending the meeting vote in favor of the amendment by a two-thirds majority, the President shall proceed according to Section 3.
Section 2: Initiated by the Council
- A. A motion to amend this constitution may be presented to and discussed by the Council. The Council must approve constitutional amendments by a two-thirds majority vote.
Section 3: Ratification by the Professional Staff
- A. Amendments approved by the Council shall be circulated by a mail ballot to the professional staff. The mail ballot shall be accompanied by a summary of arguments presented during any meeting at which the amendment was considered. A majority of the professional staff voting, which must be at least 33% of those eligible, shall be necessary for the adoption of the amendment. The president shall count the ballots and report the results to the entire professional staff. The ratified amendment shall then be submitted to the Board of Trustees for approval.