Article I – Purpose
The Professional Employees Assembly shall provide a forum for The University of Maine at Augusta’s professional employees to meet, share information, and encourage joint support for the development of our members and the education of our students. The forum shall make recommendations to the President on matters of direct relevance to the Assembly. Collaboration with all of The University of Maine at Augusta employees shall be encouraged.
Article II – Authority
The Professional Employees Assembly acknowledges that the University of Maine System Board of Trustees is the legal governing body of the University of Maine System. Nothing within this constitution, nor its accompanying By-Laws, shall be construed as granting to the Professional Employees Assembly the authority to act outside the policies of the aforementioned Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees delegates to the Chancellor the authority for approval of this Constitution.
Article III – Name
The name of the organization is the Professional Employees Assembly and shall hereinafter be referred to as the PEA.
Article IV – Membership
The University of Maine at Augusta’s professional employees are members. The President, and Executive Vice-President and Provost of The University of Maine at Augusta shall be non-voting, ex-officio members.
Article V – Senate
The PEA shall be governed by a nine member senate. Eight (8) senators shall be elected from within and represent specific functional areas. One (1) senator shall be selected at-large by the eight elected senators. The eight (8) functional areas are:
- Academic/Administrative Personnel
- Administrative Services and Finance & Data Office
- Computing/Technical Services
- Admissions & Records
- Financial Aid and Student Accounts
- Libraries and Academic Support
- Maine Centers for Women, Work, and Community
- Student Services
Election for senators shall be held bi-annually. Terms of office shall be from June 1 of the first year to May 31 of the second year. The at-large senator shall be selected in May. Members may vote only within their functional areas.
Each senator shall have a special role. The roles shall assist the senate in performing the purposes of the assembly and recognizing the need of the assembly to maintain active, formalized networks with other constituent groups.
The roles are chosen/elected among the senators < every other May. The roles are:
- Chair
- Vice Chair
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Liaison to the Faculty Senate
- Liaison to the Student Government Association
- Liaison to the Classified Employees Assembly
- Chair of Professional Development
- At Large
Article VI - Executive Board
The executive board shall consist of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. The purposes of the executive board shall be (1) to set the agenda for the full assembly, (2) to choose representation to any relevant ad hoc committee(s) or meetings, and (3) to meet for emergency decisions.
Article VII – Meetings
Three types of meetings shall exist.
(1) Assembly
The assembly meetings shall be open to all professional employees of The University of Maine at Augusta. The assembly shall meet at least once a semester. Any member of the PEA may request an assembly meeting. The Chair shall have the right to determine if the request warrants a meeting. Two-thirds of the senate (six senators) shall be required for a quorum of the assembly meetings.
(2) Senate
The senate meetings shall be closed for senate membership only. The senate shall meet as necessary. Any member of the senate may request a senate meeting. The Chair shall have the right to determine if the request warrants a meeting. Two-thirds of the senate (six senators) shall be required for a quorum of the senate meetings.
(3) Executive Board
The executive board meetings shall be closed. Non-board individuals/ groups shall be invited based on a ¾ vote of board members. The executive board shall meet as necessary. Three-fourths of the board (3) members shall be required for a quorum. Any member of the executive board may request a board meeting. The Chair shall have the right to determine if the request warrants a meeting.
Article VIII – Voting
In general, only senators shall have voting privileges; each senator shall communicate with his/her constituents to garner their input prior to voting. Senate votes are decided by a majority of the senators voting, providing that at least six senators (a quorum) cast votes.
Under special circumstances and at the discretion of the Chair, voting shall be open to all members. Under such circumstances, a majority vote of The University of Maine at Augusta professional employees voting shall be required for passage.
Article IX – By-Laws
An ad hoc subcommittee shall be formed annually to review the By-laws, and make revisions as necessary.
Proposed for approval:
December 2002
