TAUP Constitution & Bylaws

Temple Association of University Professionals (TAUP), American Federation of
Teachers, AFTPA, AFL-CIO, Local 4531.

TAUP is a democratic union of faculty, librarians, and academic professionals that protects academic freedom and faculty governance in 13 schools and colleges, and two libraries at
Temple University. We are committed to the historic mission of Temple University, to our obligations to our students, and to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We uphold the ideals of opportunity, quality, equity, and accountability and maintain that faculty, librarians, and academic professionals, on all tracks and of all ranks, must be treated equitably, professionally, and with respect. TAUP seeks to improve the working conditions of the members of our collective bargaining unit, the learning conditions of students, and the well-being of the wider community through collective bargaining, organizing, political action, community engagement, and the work of our members. TAUP is committed to dismantling systemic racism that intersects with discrimination based on age, class, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, religion, and sexual orientation, among others. We are committed to dismantling these systems within TAUP and Temple University.

Faculty in the schools and colleges of Temple University, academic professionals, and librarians, who are eligible according to the PLRB, and/or as modified by the parties in negotiation are members of the TAUP Collective Bargaining Unit (CBU) (CBU members). Individuals who are ordinarily CBU members and are on a paid or unpaid leave of absence remain CBU members during the period of the leave.

2. Active membership is contingent upon payment of appropriate dues to TAUP. All active members as defined by Article V.8 shall also be members of TAUP national, state, and local affiliates. TAUP pays affiliate dues on behalf of members.

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a. A CBU member who has submitted a valid authorization for dues payment but has not yet had their dues deduction processed by Temple shall be considered an active member.

b. A CBU member on paid leave who begins or continues to pay dues shall be considered an active member.

3. An adjunct faculty member who was an active member at the end of their most recent semester of employment and has not resigned their membership shall continue to be considered an active member until the start of the third consecutive semester (counting Fall, Spring, and Summer) that they are not working at Temple, subject to Article III.6.a. An adjunct faculty member whose employment resumes must resume paying dues to continue as an active member.

4. A CBU member on unpaid leave who was an active member at the beginning of their unpaid leave and has not resigned their membership shall be considered an active member during the term of their unpaid leave. A CBU member who returns from an unpaid leave must resume paying dues to continue as an active member.

5. All active members shall be entitled to the full privileges and benefits of membership.

6. Only active members are eligible to vote in TAUP elections, and on contract ratification and other significant TAUP concerns. a. To comply with Pennsylvania law, only active members who are also CBU members at the time of a contract ratification vote may vote on contract ratification, even if they are otherwise considered active members under Article III.3, Article III.4, and/or Article V.8.

1. The Executive Committee shall call general active membership meetings no less than once a year.

   2. The Executive Committee may call additional meetings of the active membership.

   3. At least one open meeting must be held to solicit the views of active members during the preparation of contract proposals.

1. 1. Tenured faculty – faculty who have been granted tenure by the Temple University Board of Trustees.

   2. Tenure Track faculty – faculty hired with the possibility of achieving tenure.

   3. PIRC (Practice, Instructional, Research, Clinical) Non-Tenure Track faculty – full-time faculty who are on fixed-term appointments or who hold presumption of continued appointment.

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   4. Adjunct faculty – part-time faculty meeting the definition provided in Article 1.C. of the TAUP-TU collective bargaining agreement.

   5. Academic Professionals – a full-time employee of the University whose work is necessary or adjunct to the teaching of students or to research functions of the University.

   6. Librarians – full-time professional librarians functioning primarily as librarians, on the Charles Library budget, the Health Science Library or in a college or school included in the bargaining unit.

   7. CBU Member – a member of the TAUP bargaining unit as defined in Article 1 of the TAUP-TU collective bargaining agreement who is covered by the terms and conditions set forth in the CBA.

   8. Active member – a CBU Member who is paying dues to TAUP, whether in regular employment or while on a paid leave of absence; or a CBU Member who has submitted a valid authorization for dues deduction which has not yet been processed by Temple; or a previously employed adjunct faculty member meeting the criteria in Article III.3; or a CBU member on unpaid leave meeting the criteria in Article III.4, who has not resigned from membership. Active members are eligible to vote on union matters, including contract ratification, and to run as candidates in union elections, to the extent permitted by Article III.6.a and Pennsylvania and federal law.

1. Retiree membership shall be open to all Temple University retirees who have been active members for at least one year prior to retirement.

2. A Retiree Chapter shall be established within the TAUP for the purpose of: a. Maintaining the ties of professional unity between working members and retirees.

b. Representing and promoting the interests of retiree members.

c. Providing a forum for exchanging information of interest and benefit to retiree members and for the expression of their views.

3. All members of the Retiree Chapter shall hold simultaneous membership in the state and national affiliates as a retiree.

4. The Retiree Chapter shall establish bylaws that delineate membership, officers, committees, and their responsibilities.

5. The Retiree Chapter president or a designee shall serve as a member of the TAUP Executive Committee and shall have voting privileges on all matters

1. 1. The Executive Officers shall be: a. President

   b. Vice Presidents i. Vice President of Operations

   ii. Vice President of Organizing

   c. Treasurer

   d. Secretary

   2. Election of officers a. The President, Vice Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected by TAUP’s active members. i. The term of office for officers is two (2) years, from May 1 to April 30.

   ii. Vice Presidents will be elected in alternating years.

   iii. If an elected officer loses their employment at Temple University involuntarily or voluntarily retires from Temple, they may remain in their position until the next regular election for which they are not an active member at the opening of the nomination period with the approval of the Executive Committee.

1. President
   1. Shall be the presiding officer at all meetings of the membership and the Executive Committee or may delegate these responsibilities to one or both Vice Presidents when appropriate.
   2. Shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees except the Elections Committee.
   3. Shall nominate, with the approval of the Executive Committee, standing and special committees and will designate chairs of each committee with the exception of the Elections Committee.
   4. Shall be the principal executive officer of the organization.
   5. Shall be the supervisor of all employees of the organization and shall work with the Vice Presidents of Operations and Organizing who coordinate employee work and projects.
   6. Shall be among the responsible financial officers of the organization and shall be authorized to co-sign financial instruments and make regular and usual disbursements of funds.
   7. Shall work with both the Vice Presidents to coordinate TAUP engagement and representation before bodies of the employer, and government representatives / legislators, affiliates and other unions, the public, student and community organizations, and the news media.
   8. Shall approve an agenda for monthly Executive Committee meetings.
   9. Shall submit a report for monthly Executive Committee meetings.
   10. Shall be, by office, a delegate to the Central Labor Council, and the state AFL- CIO body.
   11. Shall be, by office, a delegate to the convention of the American Federation of Teachers and meetings or conventions of its affiliated bodies.
   12. Shall make an annual report to the organization’s active membership.
   13. Shall be able to delegate the responsibilities of the office except where otherwise specified by the Constitution.
2. Vice Presidents
   1. The two Vice Presidents shall work with the President in overseeing the organization’s operations, organizing and communications.
      1. Vice President for Operations
         1. In consultation with the President, oversees TAUP internal operations, including but not limited to overseeing projects, systems, and procedures with staff, making sure the office can be as useful and effective as possible in working with CBU members and TAUP elected leaders.
         2. Shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Personnel Committee.
         3. Shall co-sign financial instruments in the absence of the President or Treasurer.
      2. Vice President of Organizing
         1. In consultation with the President, oversees TAUP external operations, including but not limited to engagement and representation before bodies of the employer, government representatives/legislators, affiliates and other unions, the public, student and community organizations, and the news media.
         2. Oversees staff in organizing, increasing membership and other projects related to external operations.
         3. Attends Organizing Committee meetings and school/constituency meetings as needed to help shape organizing plans with staff and Organizing Committee leaders.
         4. Approves organizing plans in consultation with the President, Vice President for Operations, staff organizer(s), and other appropriate staff members.
         5. Acts as liaison between the Executive Committee and  Organizing Committee, working with staff organizers to ensure that key information and strategic plans are discussed among both bodies.
   2. In the event of the absence, illness or death of the President, their duties shall be assumed by one of the Vice Presidents, designated by the EC.
   3. Shall each submit a monthly report to the EC for its monthly meeting.
   4. Shall perform other duties as delegated by the President or assigned by the Executive Committee.
   5. Shall be, by office, a delegate to the Central Labor Council, and the state AFL- CIO body.
   6. Shall be, by office, a delegate to the convention of the American Federation of Teachers and meetings or conventions of its affiliated bodies.
3. Treasurer
   1. Shall oversee the maintenance, or ensure that appropriate staff maintain all financial files and records of the organization, and assure that the appropriate staff members are properly carrying out these duties.
   2. Shall receive, record, and deposit all dues monies and other income in the name of the organization, or assure that the appropriate staff member is doing so.
   3. Shall be one of the responsible financial officers of the organization and be authorized to co-sign financial instruments and make regular and usual disbursements of funds.
   4. Shall arrange for an independent audit of the finances of the organization annually or ensure that the appropriate staff member does so, and make the audit available to the Executive Committee, Representative Assembly and active membership.
   5. Shall ensure that per capita payments are remitted on a regular basis to the Secretary Treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers and similar officers of all other bodies with which the organization is affiliated.
   6. Shall be, by office, a delegate to the Central Labor Council, and the state AFL-CIO body.
   7. Shall be, by office, a delegate to the convention of the American Federation of Teachers and meetings or conventions of its affiliated bodies.
   8. Shall report to the EC concerning the budget and financial health of TAUP in monthly EC meetings.
4. Secretary
   1. Shall prepare and distribute minutes of the meetings of the Executive Committee, Representative Council, and the General Membership Meetings.
   2. Shall collect minutes from Constituency Council and committee meetings to distribute in preparation for Executive Committee meetings.
   3. Shall serve as a member of the Executive Committee and prepare records of the Executive Committee decisions.
   4. Shall maintain, or ensure that appropriate staff maintains, all non- financial files and records of the organization including but not limited to meeting minutes, nomination and election records, documents related to negotiations such as proposals, data reports, surveys, etc.
   5. Is responsible for ensuring the maintenance of all non-financial external reports.
   6. Shall help in preparing and distributing communications to the membership and the press.
   7. Shall be, by office, a delegate to the Central Labor Council, and the state AFL-CIO body.
   8. Shall be, by office, a delegate to the convention of the American Federation of Teachers and meetings or conventions of its affiliated bodies.
   9. Shall maintain accurate membership records, or ensure that the appropriate lead staff member is so doing.

1. The highest-level decision-making body shall be the Executive Committee.
2. Its members shall comprise:
   1. President
   2. Two Vice Presidents
   3. Treasurer
   4. Secretary
   5. Five Constituency Chairs with one elected constituent representing each of the following:
      1. Academic Professionals
      2. Adjunct faculty
      3. Librarians
      4. PIRC Non-tenure Track faculty
      5. Tenured and Tenure Track faculty
   6. One Vice Chair member from each of the Constituency Councils
   7. The Vice Chairs from the Librarian and Academic Professional Constituency Councils may not vote except in the absence of the respective Chair, in accordance with Article X.4.c
   8. Retiree Chapter President
   9. Two Racial Equity & Justice Council (REJC) Co-Chairs
   10. No individual shall hold more than one position on the Executive Committee, except as a temporary appointment to fill a vacancy.
       1. No individual shall have more than one vote on the Executive Committee.
3. Constituency Council Chairs
   1. Shall assist the President and Vice Presidents in the execution of their respective duties.
   2. Shall bear responsibility for calling monthly meetings of their respective Constituency Councils.
   3. Shall preside at meetings of the Constituency Councils.
   4. Shall communicate and meet with members of their constituencies, work with appropriate union leadership and/or staff in responding to constituent concerns, and represent their constituents’ concerns in all aspects of their union work.
   5. Shall be responsible for CBU member engagement and mobilization among their constituency.
   6. Shall be, by office, delegates to the Central Labor Council, and the state AFL- CIO body.
   7.  
4. Constituency Council Vice-Chairs
   1. Shall assist the Constituency Council Chairs in the execution of their duties.
   2. Shall stand in for the Constituency Council Chair in event of their absence, resignation, or unavailability.
5. REJ Council Co-Chairs
   1. Shall assist the President and Vice Presidents in the execution of their respective duties.
   2. Shall bear responsibility for calling monthly meetings of their Council.
   3. Shall preside at meetings of the Council.
   4. Shall communicate and meet with members, work with appropriate union leadership and/or staff in responding to racial equity and justice concerns, and represent their concerns in all aspects of their union work.
   5. Shall be, by office, delegates to the Central Labor Council, and the state AFL- CIO body.
   6.  
6. Powers and Duties of the Executive Committee
   1. Adopt an agenda for each Executive Committee meeting.
   2. Meet at least once per month and additionally as requested by the President or at the petition of one-third of the members of the Executive Committee.
   3. During contract negotiations meet often enough to keep apprised of all developments, proposals, and counter proposals.
   4. Vote on legal actions such as bringing grievances to arbitration, filing unfair labor practice claims (ULPs), other similar contract enforcement actions, and job actions such as picketing and strikes.
      1. An Executive Committee member who is the grievant in an individual grievance being considered for arbitration by the Executive Committee or similar contract enforcement action relating only to themselves shall recuse themselves from discussion and voting related to that particular case.
   5. Discuss, approve, and monitor compliance with TAUP’s annual budget.
   6. Formulate and vote on policies for the operation of TAUP.
   7. Approve expenditures over $500.
   8. Approve political endorsements.
   9. Appoint members to the Elections Committee and select a chair.
   10. Approve written agreements on behalf of TAUP.
   11. Approve the employment and salary of staff.
   12. Approve appointments to committees upon recommendation from the President and/or Vice Presidents, and may by majority vote, create or alter the membership of any appointed (not elected) committee at any time, including the Negotiating Team.
   13. Delegate responsibilities to any committees it may appoint or to any established by the membership. All such committees are responsible to and shall report to the Executive Committee.
   14. Oversee Standing Committees and receive regular reports from them:
       1. Grievance Committee
          1. Has primary responsibility over contract enforcement, grievances, arbitration, discipline proceedings, and other advocacy on behalf of CBU members experiencing challenges related to their employment at Temple.
       2. Organizing Committee
          1. Has primary responsibility for organizing and building power to improve working conditions and protect employee rights. Coordinates efforts, along with the Constituency Councils, to organize CBU Members internally and to recruit and engage new members. Coordinates efforts for intra-union organizing at Temple, and solidarity work with other labor organizations regionally and nationally.
       3. TAUP Staff Personnel Committee
          1. Has primary responsibility for creating staff evaluation processes and forms, proposing salary levels and increases, hearing staff complaints, and making recommendations to the Executive Committee on policies concerning staff members. The Committee conducts staff evaluations, makes recommendations for improvement as well as discipline as per the collective bargaining agreement with the Guild.
       4. Elections Committee
          1. Has primary responsibility for ensuring the integrity of elections including:
             1. Creating an annual elections calendar to be approved by the EC.
             2. Making sure that all election-related deadlines are met.
             3. Seeking nominations for open seats.
             4. Communicating with nominees.
             5. Making sure the vote is conducted properly.
             6. Ensuring records from the election are kept while in progress and that they are passed on to the Secretary upon completion of the election.
       5. COPE (Committee on Political Education) Committee
          1. Has primary responsibility to make funding recommendations relating to state and city political candidates and to help elect candidates who support the union’s goals and positions, particularly in the areas of education, labor, and human rights, regardless of party affiliation, including:
             1. Administering the COPE fund in accordance with Bylaw VII, in consultation with the Treasurer and appropriate TAUP staff
             2. Making recommendations for political endorsement and donations to the TAUP Executive Committee
             3. Meeting with/interviewing candidates for political endorsement
             4. Organizing and coordinating any political events/get out the vote activities on behalf of the union’s members
             5. Conducting research into relevant political issues impacting the union and university
             6. Coordinating with political action elements of other labor unions and federations
             7. Liaising with relevant elected officials on TAUP/labor issues
             8. Soliciting COPE contributions from non-contributing members
   15. Fill officer vacancies on an acting basis until an election can be held for the remainder of the term as provided in the Bylaws.
   16. Removal of elected individuals consistent with TAUP’s bylaws, the TAUP Constitution, and the AFT International Constitution.
   17. Negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with any staff union and establish salaries for staff in accordance with such an agreement; establish policies for management of full and part-time staff of the union in accordance with any collective bargaining agreement; and establish reasonable stipends for officers and other active members performing service to the union.
7.  

1. There shall be five (5) Constituency Councils, elected by active members, each with its own Chair. 
2. The Constituency Councils are:
   1. Tenured/Tenure-track faculty
   2. Practice/Instructional/Research/Clinical Non-tenure track faculty
   3. Adjunct faculty
   4. Librarians
   5. Academic Professionals
3. For the three faculty constituencies, the Council membership shall be determined by electing the number of representatives equal to 1 member per 100 CBU members in that constituency, to the nearest hundred. For Librarians and Academic Professionals, all active members shall comprise the Council.
   1. The number of CBU members in each faculty constituency for purposes of Constituency Council representation shall be determined by counting any individual who was on Temple payroll in a TAUP-represented faculty position at any point in the previous fiscal year. e.g. for elections taking place in April 2025, any TAUP-represented faculty member who was on Temple payroll at any point between January 1st, 2024 and December 31st, 2024 would count toward the size of their respective constituency.
   2. Each faculty Constituency Council shall consist of no fewer than six (6) representatives, regardless of the number of CBU members calculated under Article X.3.a above.
4. Election of Constituency Council representatives
   1. Terms of office for elected representatives will be three (3) years from May 1 to April 30.
   2. The active membership of each faculty constituency respectively will elect representatives from their constituency.
   3. Active Librarians and Academic Professional members will elect a Constituency Chair and Vice Chair for each of their councils no later than May 15th. Both the Chair and Vice Chair shall be members of the Executive Committee, provided that the Librarian and Academic Professional councils shall each receive only one vote on the Executive Committee. If both the Chair and Vice Chair of the Librarian or Academic Professional council are present for business requiring an Executive Committee vote, only the Chair may vote. The Vice Chair may vote only in the absence of the Chair.
   4. Elected members of the faculty Constituency Councils shall elect their Chair and Vice Chair no later than May 15th of each year. Both shall be voting members of the Executive Committee.
5. Each Constituency Council shall meet monthly during the academic year, in advance of the monthly Executive Committee meeting, and additionally as needed.
6. Duties of Constituency Councils
   1. Their principal functions are:
      1. To organize active members and potential members around issues and concerns related to their jobs at Temple University, and higher education as a whole.
      2. To communicate issues from the particular constituency council to the EC.
      3. To communicate TAUP-wide issues from the EC to constituents.
      4. To be a forum for fielding, discussing, and working on issues of concern, potential grievances, etc. from members of the specific constituency.
      5. To work on issues impacting the specific constituency across the University.
      6. To take an active role in representing / working on areas of need, coordinating with TAUP staff as needed.
      7. To develop and lead programs, training, workshops, information, organizing, etc. for the specific constituency.
      8. To work with TAUP staff to introduce new University hires within the specific constituency to the Union; get training on organizing conversations; help recruit and retain membership.
      9. To identify issues and solutions around possible contract violations, reporting them to the Executive Officers and grievance handlers.
      10. To create and foster an engaged and mobilized membership that will ensure the growth and furthering of the goals of TAUP.
      11. To recruit and engage new members of TAUP.
      12. All Constituency Council members shall be, by office, delegates to the convention of the American Federation of Teachers and meetings or conventions of its affiliated bodies.
7.  

1. The REJ Council shall consist of 8 members, ideally with one member from each constituency.
2. Election of REJ Council members
   1. Terms of office for elected members will be up to three (3) years from May 1st to April 30th.
   2. The active membership will elect REJ Council members.
   3. Elected members of the REJ Council shall elect two Co-Chairs no later than May 15th of each year. Both shall be voting members of the Executive Committee.
3. The REJ Council will, in its make-up and mission, aim to reflect the diverse population of TAUP and Temple University as a whole. Membership will be open to all active members with the primary intention of fully embracing and amplifying the voices of TAUP’s Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) members.
4. The REJ Council shall follow the same election rules as the Constituency Councils. 
5. While all members of TAUP leadership– officers and constituency councils– are expected to center issues of racial equity and justice, the REJ Council will be particularly responsible for focusing on these issues and bringing them to light within the context of our jobs, higher education, and the surrounding community.
6. With this responsibility in mind, the REJ Council will research, identify, and report to the Executive Committee, practices within TAUP and the larger Temple community that sustain systemic racism.
7. The REJ Council will work with other Temple unions, student groups, staff, administrators, and community members to undo white supremacist structures and cultures within TAUP and the larger Temple Community.
8. All REJ Council members shall be, by office, delegates to the convention of the American Federation of Teachers and meetings or conventions of its affiliated bodies.
9.  

1. In addition to the Officers, Constituency Council Chairs, and REJ Council Co-Chairs, there shall be Delegates whose function is to attend city, state, or national affiliate councils and conventions.
2. Delegates shall be elected for a period of twelve (12) months from May 1 to April 30, at the same time as the annual election for Executive Committee members.
3. The number of Delegates to be elected shall be determined in accordance with the Constitutions and Bylaws of our affiliate organizations.
4. In the event that the number of Delegates permitted by the Constitutions and Bylaws of our affiliate organizations is exhausted by the Delegates by position according to Article XII.1, further Delegates shall not be elected.
5. In the event that fewer than the current number of Delegates may attend a city, state, or national affiliate council or convention in accordance with the relevant Constitution and Bylaws of the affiliate organization, Delegates shall attend according to the following priority:
   1. President
   2. All other available officers in the order in which the positions are listed in Article IX.2
   3. All available Constituency Council Chairs and REJ Council Co-Chairs, prioritized at random.
   4. All available Constituency Council Vice-Chairs, prioritized at random.
   5. Any other available Delegates by position, prioritized at random.
   6. Any available elected Delegates, prioritized at random.
6. Delegates shall not have voting power over any issue, except at the meetings of our affiliate organizations.
7.  

1. All officers, members of the Executive Committee, and delegates (including those appointed to fill vacancies) are subject to recall by the active membership.
2. A petition brought by fifteen (15) percent of active members shall require the Executive Committee to institute a recall vote by the active membership by secret ballot on an officer or delegate. A petition brought by fifteen (15) percent of the active members of a Constituency shall require the Executive Committee to institute a recall vote of a member of the Constituency Council by secret ballot of the active members in that Constituency.
3. The Executive Committee shall within fifteen (15) days have the signatures on such a petition verified by the Elections Committee that served for the immediately preceding election. If sufficient valid signatures exist, ballots shall be sent within ten (10) additional days to all members who were active as of fifteen (15) days prior to the receipt of the petition for recall by the Executive Committee.
4. A majority of the votes cast in the secret ballot shall constitute recall. Due diligence shall be taken to assure anonymity and that each person is limited to one vote.
5. No recall vote on an officer, Executive Committee member, or delegate shall be conducted within one (1) year after a recall of this individual has failed to achieve a majority of those voting. No recall vote shall be held within ninety (90) days preceding the termination of a collective bargaining agreement, or between the expiration of an agreement and forty (40) days following the ratification of its replacement by TAUP and Temple.
6.  

1. The Executive Committee shall choose a Negotiating Team of active members a reasonable time before the current TAUP-Temple contract expires to prepare for and then conduct negotiations.
   1. It shall be the duty of this team to meet with Temple management and negotiate a successor agreement.
   2. Generally, the Negotiating Team shall include a chief negotiator, the President, the Vice Presidents, and the Secretary. At least one (1) member from each Constituency Council plus a Librarian and an Academic Professional shall make up the rest of the team. In special circumstances, other members may be added when their unique abilities or knowledge would prove useful to the negotiations.
   3. Any member of the team may be chosen as chief negotiator, or a specially designated person from within or outside of TAUP may be chosen.
2. The Contract Action Team (CAT) shall serve as the coordinating body to research, disseminate, discuss, revise, and endorse proposals for the Negotiating Team’s work in negotiating a successor agreement.
   1. The CAT will be comprised of the following members:
      1. All voting members of the TAUP Executive Committee as specified in Article IX.2
      2. The Vice Chairs of the Librarian and Academic Professional Constituency Councils
      3. All elected members of faculty constituency councils and the REJ Council
      4. Any other members of the Negotiating Team.
   2. The Contract Action Team shall convene at least one (1) year before the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement, and continue to meet regularly until the ratification of a successor agreement. 
   3. All members of the Contract Action Team shall have access to the notes, drafts, and other documents produced in their work. Due to the sensitive nature of these materials, all Contract Action Team members must abide by confidentiality and/or non-disclosure policies as adopted by the TAUP Executive Committee. Violation of the confidentiality and/or non-disclosure policies shall be grounds for removal from the Contract Action Team.
   4. Voting
      1. Voting members of the Contract Action Team shall consist of:
         1. Each member of the Negotiating Team who is part of the TAUP bargaining unit.
         2. Each officer
         3. Each Chair and Vice Chair of the three faculty Constituency Councils
         4. The Chair of the Librarian Constituency Council
         5. The Chair of the Academic Professional Constituency Council
         6. Each REJ Council Co-Chair
      2. In the event that a person occupies two or more of the roles listed in Article XIV.2.d.vi above, that person may cast only one vote.
      3. Any voting member of the Contract Action Team may designate a representative to cast a vote on their behalf in their absence. That designee must be a member of the Contract Action Team who would otherwise be a non-voting member and must be a CBU member.
3. Conduct of Negotiations
   1. The Contract Action Team shall keep the Executive Committee fully apprised of their work in preparing for negotiations, and as negotiations progress. There shall be a monthly written report provided to the Executive Committee.
   2. The Negotiating Team shall keep the Executive Committee fully apprised of the proposals both sides may make, all tentative agreements as they may occur, and any other important aspects of the negotiations.
   3. The chief negotiator, the President and other members of the Negotiating Team shall discuss with the Contract Action Team and the Executive Committee strategy, responses to Temple’s proposals and actions, and all other vital issues or questions that arise during negotiations. The Executive Committee shall help formulate decisions about what to do, and shall vote to approve or disapprove any such actions that are contemplated.
   4. If the chief negotiator(s) and a majority of the Negotiating Team present at a negotiating session agree that they are prepared to sign a final Tentative Agreement  between Temple and TAUP, the members of the Negotiating Team shall meet within 24 hours to discuss and vote among themselves whether to approve or disapprove the document. A vote must take place at that meeting.
   5. Should the Tentative Agreement fail to gain a two-thirds majority of votes of all members of the Negotiating Team, negotiations must continue.
   6. Should a two-thirds majority of all members of the Negotiating Team vote “yes” on the proposed Tentative Agreement, it shall then be signed by the Negotiating Team and presented to the Executive Committee for their vote.
   7. The Executive Committee shall meet to discuss the Tentative Agreement for as long as necessary. Then a vote shall be taken.
   8. If a majority of the Executive Committee votes “no” on the Tentative Agreement, then negotiations with Temple must start again.
   9. If a majority of the Executive Committee votes “yes,” then the Tentative Agreement will be presented to all active members who are permitted to vote on contract ratification in accordance with Pennsylvania law and Article III.6.a for their vote.
   10. A simple majority of votes cast is sufficient for ratification of the Tentative Agreement.
   11. If the Tentative Agreement is rejected by a majority of the votes cast, negotiations between Temple University and the TAUP Negotiating Team must resume.
   12. Membership votes on contract ratification shall be conducted according to the procedures in the TAUP Bylaws.
4.  

TAUP shall remain affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and its affiliated
bodies until a referendum of membership shall determine otherwise, in accordance with the
provision on Amendments to the Constitution. Officers and delegates shall represent TAUP at
conventions and meetings of affiliates.

1. Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by the Executive Committee or by petition containing verified signatures of no fewer than ten (10) percent of the active members.
2. The Executive Committee shall distribute these proposed changes, along with its recommendations, via email, to the active membership at least twenty-one (21) days prior to voting. A referendum on the amendments shall be held for active members no later than thirty (30) days after a proposed amendment has been approved by the Executive Committee or has been received by petition.
3. Votes on amendments shall take place only during the regular academic year between September 1st and April 30th, provided that voting shall not be held between December 15th and January 15th.
4. Approval by two-thirds of those voting shall be required for the amendment(s) to pass.
5. Voting shall be by secret ballot, with all due diligence taken to ensure anonymity and a limit of one vote per person.
6.  

1. TAUP is a labor organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.
2. No part of the net earnings of this organization shall inure to the benefit of or be distributed to any officer, Executive Committee member, delegate, employee or other individual, partnership, estate, trust, or corporation having personal or private interest in the TAUP. Compensation for services actually rendered and reimbursement for expenses actually incurred in attending to the affairs of the TAUP shall be limited to reasonable amounts.
3. Upon dissolution of TAUP, its assets shall be disposed of in accordance with the Constitution of the American Federation of Teachers.
4.