The Association of Business Administrators

CONSTITUTION

Article 1

NAME

The name of the organization shall be the "Association of Business Administrators" of the University of Pennsylvania.

Article II

PURPOSE

  1. The exchange of information among those responsible for administration of the University's business with the end result of solving common problems.
  2. The development and promotion of professional standards.
  3. To improve the interaction between the members of this association, the faculty, and the University administration.
  4. To work for improvement of communications, dissemination of information and operating efficiency on a University-wide basis.
  5. Such other activities as the membership of the Association shall adopt.

Article III

MEMBERSHIP

Section I: Type of Membership

1. Business Management Membership

Business Management Membership is limited to fully affiliated professional administrative (A-l) staff who perform various business management functions as the major part of their professional activity within the University with the following titles: Business Administrators; Managers, Administration and Finance; Directors of Administrative Affairs; Business Managers; Financial Administrators; and Clinical Department Administrators (Medical School only).

2. Central Administrative Membership

The Steering Committee of the Association will determine the necessity of representation by any particular Central Administrative Service area for membership in the Association. These members will adhere to all rules and regulations of the Association.

This type of membership consists of personnel from service areas (i.e. Comptroller's Office, Business Services [Purchasing, etc.], Human Resources, Office of Research Administration, Physical Plant, Student Financial Aid, etc.). If there is representation as stated in Article III, Section 1, paragraph 1, no additional representation is needed.

If there is no representation the Steering Committee will request the Director of a Central Administrative Area to name at least one representative to become a member. A Director may request more than one representative by submitting such request in writing to the Steering Committee for review. The ind- ividual(s) must be responsible administrator(s), who is/are authorized to represent and communicate decisions, policies, and procedures of his/her central administrative area. This representation must be A-1.

Section II: Conditions of Membership
  1. The Membership Sub-committee of the Association of Business Administrators will review the qualifications of prospective members and determine eligibility for membership in accordance with these by-laws.
  2. Should an applicant be judged ineligible for membership by the Membership Sub-committee, he or she may appeal such a decision to the Steering Committee for further consideration. The decision of the Steering Committee will prevail.
  3. The Steering Committee will be responsible for updating the Association's membership list on an annual basis.
  4. Members cannot send a non-member or bring a guest to a function without special permission from the Steering Committee.
  5. All members as of January 1, 1987 will be grandfathered prior to these revised and adopted bylaws regardless of their title.
Section III: Special Affiliates

The Steering Committee may offer special affiliation to designated senior administrative personnel (i.e., Comptroller, Director of Business Services, Director of Office of Research Administration, Director of Physical Plant, etc.) and others as the Committee determines the necessity of representation by any particular service area, who by nature of their positions are involved with the Association of Business Administrators either directly or indirectly. They are not required to meet the minimum attendance requirements.

ARTICLE IV

AFFILIATIONS

The Association of Business Administrators may seek affiliation with other organizations upon recommendation of the Steering Committee and two-thirds approval of members present and voting at a regular scheduled meeting.

ARTICLE V

STEERING COMMITTEE

The Association of Business Administrators shall be governed by the permanent committee whose members will be elected by the membership.

1. A Steering Committee of seven members, at least five (5) of whom are Business Administrators; Managers, Administration and Finance; Directors of Administrative Affairs; Business Managers; Financial Administrators; and Clinical Department Administrators (Medical School only) by title, shall serve their elected terms beginning June 1987. One of these seven Steering Committee members will be elected chairperson by the other members of the Steering Committee and serve as the presiding officer of the Association. The Chair person will serve a one-year term of office and may not succeed him/herself.

2. The Chairperson shall appoint two members at large, who are not candidates for election to the Steering Committee, to tabulate results of the ballots.

3. In the event there would be a complete change of all members of the Steering Committee, the Chairperson of the new Steering Committee will appoint the Chairperson of the outgoing Steering Committee to serve as ex-officio for a period of four (4) months.

ARTICLE VII

COMMITTEES

In addition to the one permanent Steering Committee there will be one permanent Membership Sub-Committee and other sub-committees as required. These sub- committees will be chaired by a member of the Steering Committee, who will be appointed by the Chairperson.

The Membership Sub-Committee shall consist of the appointed Chairperson plus two (2) regular members. The members of the Membership Sub-Committee will be appointed on a yearly basis and these members cannot succeed themselves.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

Any constitutional amendment may be passed, upon approval of two-thirds of the members present and voting at a meeting, provided that all members are given five (5) days notice of such changes prior to the meeting at which the vote is to be taken.



Revised and Adopted


__________________
Date
Benjamin Franklin