Council of 1890's Universities Rule of Operation

ARTICLE 1. PURPOSE 
ARTICLE II. INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP 
ARTICLE III. ORGANIZATION 
ARTICLE IV. COMMITTEE STRUCTURE OF THE COUNCIL 
ARTICLE V. MEETINGS 
ARTICLE VI. ELECTIONS 
ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS 
 
ARTICLE 1. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Association of Public and Land-Grant University (APLU) Council of 1890 Universities is to represent collectively the interests of 1890 land-grant institutions including Tuskegee University, University of the District of Columbia and the University of the Virgin Islands. The Council seeks to maintain, insure and increase funding, to present a unified approach for presentation of views regarding these institutions and to serve as a forum to share ideas and resources. The Council works with other 1890 associations in developing a comprehensive agenda for APLU regarding congressional and federal policies and programs impacting 1890 institutions.  

The Council focuses on the following major concerns:
Creating new initiatives and strengthening existing federal policies and programs that may 
broaden opportunities to engage 1890s in the continued advancement of agricultural sciences and 
related disciplines. Increase the quality and quantity of resources for the enhancement of 
research, teaching and extension programs. Broaden the range of resources available to the 1890 
community at the state and federal level, while strengthening the mission of 1890 colleges and 
universities.  

Drawing on the experience and insights of a broad cross-section of the higher education 
community, the Council fosters communication within and beyond APLU. The work of the 
Council helps to link the 1890s to comparable institutions within APLU's membership.  

ARTICLE II. INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP 
The Council shall include the presidents/chancellors of 1890 institutions including Tuskegee 
University as well as the presidents and chancellors of the University of the District of Columbia 
and the University of the Virgin Islands, as associate members.  

ARTICLE III. ORGANIZATION 
Section l. Structure
The governing body of the Council shall consist of an executive committee. The Executive 
Committee shall be made up of the chair, immediate past chair and three at-large members. 
Terms of the Executive Committee of the Council shall consist of the following: two-year term 
for the chair and immediate past chair and three-year term for the three at-large members. The 
three-year terms of the three at-large members shall be staggered by one year. The longest 
serving member-at-large shall have the title of vice chair and serve in that role for their final year 
on the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall establish standing and ad hoc 
committees as it deems appropriate. 

The Council shall develop its own policies and practices governing the nomination and election 
of officers, and its administrative relationship with the APLU Board of Directors. 

Section 2. Officers
The officers of the Executive Committee of the Council shall be: 
*Chair  
*Immediate Past Chair  
*Vice Chair 
 
These officers shall be ex-officio members of all committees of the Council.  

The chair in consultation with the Council shall (1) call meetings of the Executive Committee 
and the Council; (2) establish an agenda and preside at meetings of the Executive Committee and 
the Council; and (3) appoint chairs and members of standing and ad hoc committees as 
appropriate. 

The Vice Chair shall be responsible for working with APLU staff in planning the annual meeting 
and/or program in conjunction with the Program Committee of the Council.
 
The immediate past chair shall be responsible for leading the Nominating Committee. 

Section 3. Council Executive Committee
The Council's Rules of Operation shall be established by its executive committee and approved 
by the Council. 

The Executive Committee of the Council shall consist of the following elected officers:
*Chair
* Immediate Past Chair 
*Vice Chair (the longest serving member-at-large)
*Two -at Large Members  

The primary responsibility of the Executive Committee shall be to develop a national agenda 
reflecting the major interests and goals of the Council. 

The Executive Committee shall be responsible for communicating the policies and programs of 
the Council to all committees, 1890 associations and other policy making bodies of the APLU. 
The chair of the Council shall serve as the Council's representative on the APLU Board of 
Directors for a period of two years consistent with APLU's bylaws and practices.  

ARTICLE IV. COMMITTEE STRUCTURE OF THE COUNCIL 

Section 1. Appointment
Terms on a standing or ad hoc committee shall not exceed three years. In consultation with the 
Executive Committee, the chair of the Council is authorized to established standing and ad hoc 
committees as necessary to carry out the purposes and mission of the Council. 
Chairs and members of standing and ad hoc committees shall be appointed by the chair of the 
Council, including the nominating and program committees. 

Section 2. Council Standing Committees
Nominating Committee 
The Nominating Committee shall recommend nominees for officers of the Council. The 
Nominating Committee shall be led by the immediate past chair and consist of the current chair 
and a past chair (to be selected by the chair).  

Program Committee 
The Program Committee shall work with APLU staff in the development of the meeting and 
program activities of the Council, including the summer meetings and Council meeting/program 
at the annual meeting of APLU.  

The Executive Committee of the Council shall establish other standing and ad hoc committees as 
appropriate. 

Section 3. Reports
The standing and ad hoc committees shall make reports annually to the Council on program and 
policy initiatives.  
  
ARTICLE V. MEETINGS 
Section 1. Meetings of the Council
The Council shall hold a summer meeting and an annual meeting/program in conjunction with 

APLU's annual meeting and shall meet on other occasions as deemed appropriate. The purpose 
of the summer meeting is to share ideas and expertise in conjunction with other 1890 
associations and the leadership of public and private enterprises central to advancing the 1890 
mission. The purpose of the annual meetings shall be to establish and formalize the Council’s 
national agenda. This will include activities central to carrying out congressional and federal 
relations. The annual meeting of the Council shall include members of the executive, standing 
and ad hoc committees and members of the Council. 

Section 2. Rules
Meetings of all bodies within the Council shall be conducted in accordance with the latest edition 
of Robert’s Rules of Order. 

ARTICLE VI. ELECTIONS 
At the Council summer meeting, the Nominating Committee shall recommend candidates to the 
Council and conduct an election annually for all positions that will become open following the 
next APLU Annual Session. The election shall be conducted in accordance with policies and 
procedures as stipulated in the Rules of Operation and consistent with APLU's bylaws.
 
Two months prior to the Council summer business meeting, the APLU Office of Access and 
Success shall notify all presidents and chancellors at Council of 1890 Universities of the 
position(s) on the Executive Committee that will be open following the next APLU Annual 
Session. A thirty-day window will be announced wherein eligible candidates can be nominated 
by a current member of the Council. 

Eligible candidates are current presidents and chancellors at Council institutions. “Interim” 
presidents and chancellors are not eligible.
 
Following the thorough review of all eligible candidates nominated for an open position, the 
Nominating Committee will submit a slate of candidates to the Council prior to the summer 
business meeting.  

Voting for Executive Committee members shall be made only by current Council presidents and 
chancellors. Paper ballots will be distributed in person to presidents and chancellors at the 
summer business meeting and electronic ballots will be emailed to presidents and chancellors not 
at the summer meeting. 

Emergency Elections 
An emergency election shall occur when a member of the Executive Committee with more than 
six months remaining in their term leaves the Council (such as a departure from a member 
institution).  The APLU Office of Access and Success shall notify all presidents and chancellors 
at Council of 1890 Universities of the positions on the Executive Committee that will be open for 
emergency election.  A twenty-one-day window will be announced wherein eligible candidates 
can be nominated by a current member of the Council.  Following the thorough review of all 
eligible candidates nominated for an open position during the emergency election, the 
Nominating Committee will submit a slate of candidates to the Council and provide fourteen 
days for voting. 

ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS 

These Rules of Operation shall be amended by a two-thirds majority of the Council. Members of 
the Council shall be notified in writing at least thirty (30) days in advance of intent to amend the 
Rules of Operation.