University Libraries Constitution

Preamble

The University of Minnesota Libraries, Twin Cities, is dedicated to supporting the goals and missions of the University and its various departments in the areas of research, education and outreach as reflected in the Libraries’ mission statement. It is the purpose of this constitution to foster an active, informed staff, and to promote open communication with all staff. Toward this end, the constitution provides an inclusive framework in which are defined the roles of its academic, administrative, and civil service staff in initiating recommendations, formulating decisions, and communicating the basis for decisions to those affected.

Article I. General Powers

Section 1. Powers

All actions of the University Libraries will be taken in compliance with University rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. All matters relating to the educational and administrative affairs of the University Libraries are committed to the University Librarian as delegated by the Board of Regents and in accord with the constitution of the University Senate, and consistent with actions of these bodies heretofore or hereafter taken.

Article II. University Librarian

Section 1. Appointment of the University Librarian

The University Librarian is appointed by, and serves at the discretion of, the Executive Vice President and Provost, subject to the approval of the Board of Regents. The Executive Vice President and Provost has sole authority and responsibility for decisions related to the University Librarian's employment, including but not limited to selection, performance evaluation, and termination. A search committee will be appointed by the Executive Vice President and Provost and its membership will normally include representatives from University Libraries constituencies, including faculty, staff, and students. The search process will provide faculty, staff, and students with an opportunity to meet with and hear in a public forum from candidates who are announced as finalists for the position, and allow for input to the Executive Vice President and Provost. Interim appointments will be made by the Executive Vice President and Provost, after consultation with Libraries staff.

Section 2. Duties and Authority of the University Librarian

The University Librarian shall have general administrative authority over the University Libraries, Twin Cities Campus. The University Librarian shall represent the Libraries in University administrative planning, including making recommendations regarding the budget, academic appointments, promotions, salary adjustments, and appointment of administrators following Libraries procedures. The University Librarian shall provide leadership in formulating policies to accomplish the mission of the Libraries, to develop programs for improvement of the collections and services, and to interpret Libraries goals and needs to the University community. The University Librarian and his or her designees shall be responsible for implementing policy. The University Librarian shall consult with staff in making decisions concerning personnel policy, planning, and general programs when appropriate as described in the bylaws.

Article III. Employee Groups

The employee groups in the University Libraries are: Academic Professional and Administrative Employees, Civil Service Employees, Labor Represented Employees, Graduate Students, and Student Employees.

Academic Professional and Administrative Employees: As described in the Employee Work Definitions policy from the Board of Regents, these include the following sub-groups of employees: (1) Academic Professionals. Academic professionals parallel faculty in having the requisite preparation and specialized knowledge in an academic discipline or field and in exercising independent professional judgment. These individuals may be engaged in teaching, research, service, and a wide variety of other professional functions within the University. (2) Academic Administrators. Academic administrators are involved in policy development and execution, and in directing, coordinating, or supervising activities of the University. (3) Professionals-in-Training. Professionals-in-training are involved in teaching and research. They hold internships, residencies, or are otherwise involved in further training in a disciplinary field.

Civil Service Employees: The University civil service employee group includes exempt and non-exempt staff whose work supports the academic and administrative functions. Staff perform work that includes, but is not limited to, the following: business operations, information technology, student services, service/maintenance, purchasing, and accounting. Administrative civil service positions typically have a span of control at 
the department/division level or below.

Labor-represented Employees at the Libraries include members of AFSCME Clerical and Office Unit 6 and AFSCME Technical Unit 7. The University and the Libraries recognize these groups of staff employees as having exclusive representation under law and as being statutorily governed.

Graduate Students are enrolled in the graduate school and who hold the rank of research assistant, teaching assistant, teaching associate I or II, project assistant, or administrative fellow I or II.

Student Employees are those individuals registered for classes who hold employment in non-academic student positions, and undergraduate teaching and research assistant positions.

Article IV. Governance Groups

Section 1. University Libraries Academic Professional and Administrative Committee

The purpose of the University Libraries Academic Professional and Administrative Committee is to represent the issues and concerns of all Academic Professional and Administrative (P&A) employees in the 93xx and 97xx classes.

The University Libraries P&A Committee assumes an advocacy role on issues relevant to P& A employees where there is a general consent among the group. In this capacity, the Committee makes recommendations to the University Librarian regarding personnel policies and practices related to P&A employees, either at its own initiative or at the initiative of the University Librarian. The Chair of the University Libraries Academic Professional and Administrative Committee serves on the University Libraries' Executive Committee and carries forth to that body issues and concerns on which the P&A employees have reached general consent. On all issues and concerns, the University Libraries Academic Professional and Administrative Committee's activities are informed by widespread, regular consultation with the P&A staff.

Section 2. Librarian Committee

The purpose of the Librarian Committee is to represent the issues and concerns of all those Academic Professionals in the 97xx classes who hold the positions of Assistant Librarian (9715), Associate Librarian (9714), and Librarian (9713), in either the continuous appointment or annual renewable tracks.

The Librarian Committee assumes an advocacy role on personnel and professional issues relevant to the Librarian series where there is a general consent among the librarians. In this capacity, the Committee makes recommendations to the University Librarian regarding personnel policies and practices related to librarians, either at its own initiative or at the initiative of the University Librarian. The Chair of the Librarian Committee serves on the University Libraries’ Executive Committee and carries forth to that body issues and concerns relevant to the librarian appointments on which the librarians have reached general consent. The Chair also serves on the Libraries’ Academic Professional and Administrative (P&A) Committee and carries forth to that body issues and concerns relevant to the P&A class on which the librarians have reached general consent. On all issues and concerns, the Librarian Committee's activities are informed by widespread, regular consultation with the librarians.

Section 3. Libraries Civil Service Committee

The Libraries Civil Service Committee (LCSC) represents Libraries civil service employees. LCSC has a maximum of 14 members, with a minimum of one representative from each University Libraries division, currently Content & Collections, Data & Technology, Health Sciences, Libraries Administration, Minitex, and Research & Learning. The Committee provides a forum to promote communications between the LCSC, Civil Service staff, and University leadership at all levels.

Section 4. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of one representative from each of the University Libraries' personnel committees; three members elected at-large to one-year terms by the voting members of the Assembly; and the University Librarian. At-large Executive Committee members shall serve for no more than three consecutive one-year terms. The Executive Committee shall serve as an advisory body to the University Librarian and as the collective representative of the library personnel groups to which it is responsible. It shall make recommendations to the University Librarian.

Article V. Libraries Assembly

The official convening and reporting body of the Libraries shall be the Library Assembly. It shall include all staff in the University Libraries or hired through the University Office of Human Resources and affiliated with the University Libraries. It will be a forum, scheduled quarterly for the purposes of communicating the work of administrative and governance groups, as well as policy and programs.

Article VI. Implementation, Interpretation, and Amendments

Section 1. Implementation

This constitution shall become effective immediately after its adoption by a simple majority of members of each governance group defined in this document and its approval by the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs or designated authority.

Section 2. Interpretation

Final authority to interpret this constitution shall reside in the Libraries Executive Committee.

Section 3. Amendments

The constitution of the University of Minnesota Libraries, Twin Cities Campus may be amended by a adoption by two-thirds majority of members of each governance group and its approval by the University Librarian and the Executive Committee. The amendment to the constitution will become effective when approved by the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs or designated authority. Approved amendments shall be presented to the Library Assembly.

Section 4. Constitution and Bylaws Review

The Constitution and Bylaws shall be reviewed periodically, but no less than every five years, by the Executive Committee and University Librarian.

Article VII. Bylaws

Section 1. Definition

The bylaws provide procedures for operating under the constitution.

Section 2. Amendments to the bylaws

The bylaws of the University of Minnesota Libraries, Twin Cities Campus may be amended by an adoption by simple majority of members of each governance group and its approval by the University Librarian and the Executive Committee. Approved changes to bylaws shall be presented to the Library Assembly.

History

• Approved by Librarian Committee July 20, 2016
• Approved by PA Committee, August 2, 2016
• Approved by Civil Service Committee, August 1, 2016
• Approved by Executive Vice President and Provost, February 6, 2017