Constitution of the Western Illinois University Council of Administrative Personnel

Preamble

In accordance with the recognition granted by the President of Western Illinois University, the Western Illinois Council of Administrative Personnel does hereby establish this Constitution as a means of providing representation for administrative personnel on all employee issues.

Article I - Name

The name of this group shall be the Western Illinois University Council of Administrative personnel, hereafter referred to as "COAP."

Article II - Purpose

The purpose of this organization is to provide input to the policy-making officers of the University and the governing boards to obtain and ensure ethical, acceptable, and equitable standards for all administrative personnel.

Article III - Membership

COAP includes administrative personnel who are full-time University employees with academic contracts and whose primary function is other than teaching. Primary policy-making officers, the President and Vice Presidents are excluded from membership. All COAP members are eligible to hold office and vote.

Article IV - Officers and Area Representatives

Section 1
The officers of COAP include a President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Immediate Past President. The Executive Board comprises these officers, one Area Representative from each University Vice Presidential area, one Area Representative from the University President's staff, and one area representative from WIU-Quad Cities.

Section 2
The slate of COAP officers will be presented by the Executive Board to the membership at the spring membership meeting. The COAP Vice President automatically assumes the position of President when the President's term is completed. Nominations for Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Area Representatives will be solicited from COAP members prior to the spring meeting

Section 3
Officers will serve for a term of two years and assume office on June 1 following the election. The Vice President will be selected in even years. The Secretary/Treasurer will be selected in odd years. Area Representatives will serve a term of two years and assume office on June 1 following the election.

Section 4
The COAP Executive Board is responsible for conducting the business of the organization.

Section 5
Officers are elected by the COAP membership. In the event an officer cannot complete his or her term, the Executive Board will appoint a replacement. Area Representatives are elected by colleagues within each University division; in the event an Area Representative cannot complete his or her term, the division head will be asked to name a replacement.

Article V - General Membership Meetings

Section 1
Meetings shall be called by the Executive Board at least two times a year, generally in October and April. The Executive Board may call special meetings with a minimum of two weeks' written notice to the membership.

Section 2
A quorum shall consist of the members present at the meeting. A majority vote of the members present shall be decisive for voting purposes.

Section 3
COAP proposals regarding university policy recommendations will be forwarded to the University President.

Section 4
Minutes of COAP meetings shall be distributed to all members of COAP, the University President, and University Vice Presidents.

Article VI - Committees

Standing and special committees shall be appointed as deemed necessary for the Executive Board.

Article VII - Amendments

Amendments to this Constitution may be presented in writing by any COAP member. Proposed amendments will be sent to all COAP members for consideration. COAP shall act on the proposed amendment at the next general membership meeting.

Article IX - Ratification of Constitution

This Constitution shall be ratified upon approval by a majority of COAP members as defined in Article III of the Constitution, and upon approval by the University President.

Amended: June 7, 1974; September 9, 1975; November 11, 1976; May 8, 1978; October 19, 1990; March 14, 1994; May 1998; June 1999; May 2001.

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