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:
- By providing educational opportunities to learn about the Catholic intellectual tradition;
- By establishing an active network through which colleagues working in Catholic institutions of higher education can share ideas, concerns, and challenges;
- 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.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section A:
There shall be two types of membership in ASACCU: institutional membership and honorary membership.
- 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.
- 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.
- Membership shall be annual, commencing upon the receipt of annual dues.
ARTICLE IV: DUES
The Board of Directors shall determine annual dues to be paid on a calendar year basis.
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 be one (1) voting 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.
There shall be one (1) additional non-voting member of the Board who serves as the Association’s Operations Coordinator. The Board appoints the Operations Coordinator from among the membership and serves in an ex officio capacity on the Board of Directors. The Operations Coordinator manages the Association’s website, membership rolls, communications, and any other function delegated by the Board. The Operations Coordinator receives a semesterly stipend, as determined by the Board.
There shall also be one (1) liaison from the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) who serves in a non-voting, ex officio capacity. The liaison from ACCU shall be appointed by ACCU and ratified by the ASACCU Board. The responsibilities of the liaison are to serve as a connector between the Association and ACCU, advise on movements within Catholic higher education, 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 electronically. Election will be by simple majority of the ballots received by a specified date.
Section C: Term of Office
- 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.
- Board members shall be elected based on term vacancies to provide for continuity in the board.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- The Board of Directors shall meet at least twice per year in-person and shall maintain more regular contact throughout the year via virtual meetings. The Board shall determine the time and place of its meetings. Meetings may be conducted electronically if determined as necessary by the Board.
- Decisions of the Board of Directors shall be made by a simple majority of the members present.
- 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. Individuals deemed suitable by the Board of Directors may be named Director Emeriti.
Section F: Conference Chairs
If the chairs of the annual conference are not a member of the Board of Directors they 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. The chairs will provide the Board with regular updates on the planning of the Annual Conference at regular Board meetings, including financial updates.
ARTICLE VI: CHAIR OF THE BOARD AND OFFICERS
Section A: Chair of the Board
- 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.
- The Chair is a member of the Board and retains their voting privileges.
- If the Chair resigns or is removed from office during their term, a vacancy shall occur and the Vice Chair will assume the Chair responsibilities and begin a full three-year term.
- The responsibilities of the Chair shall include: managing the ASACCU operations 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.
- The Chair may be removed for cause by a vote of 3/4 of the Board of Directors.
Section B: Vice Chair
The Chair will 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. The election of Vice Chair shall occur at the Annual Meeting of the Association.
Section C: Past Chair
The Chair serves one year after term is up as Past Chair and remains a voting member of the Board of Directors.
Section D. Treasurer
- The Treasurer 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 Treasurer’s term(s), the Treasurer must rotate off the Board for at least one year before she or he can be re-elected to the Board.
- The Treasurer responsible for overseeing its financial affairs and ensuring sound fiscal management. This role includes safeguarding the association’s funds, maintaining accurate financial records, and preparing annual budgets for the Association.
- The Treasurer works with the co-chairs of the Annual Conference to ensure the annual conference stays within budgetary guidelines as directed by 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.
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, electronically. 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
Amended: June 25, 2026
