Effective October 1, 1984
(Incorporates amendments from August 1990, August 1991, August 1994,
March 1998, August 2000, August 2002, August 2004, August 2006, August 2014 and September 2023.)
ASJMC Constitution
ARTICLE I – NAME AND OBJECTIVE
Section A.
This organization shall be known as the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication (hereafter referred to as the Association).
Section B.
This Association is organized exclusively for educational purposes under the meaning of Section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. The Association will seek to achieve those purposes both in independent efforts and programs, and in cooperation with other similar organizations.
Section C.
The specific purpose of this Association is to support the purposes of schools of journalism and mass communication abroad and in the U.S. in a manner consistent with the Internal Revenue Code Section 509(a)(1) or Sections 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) or 170(b)(1)(A)(v) in order to achieve the following aims:
(1) To foster, encourage and facilitate high standards and effective practices in the process and administration of education for journalism and mass communication in institutions of higher learning.
(2) To cooperate with journalism and mass communications organizations in efforts to raise professional standards and to promote a public understanding of the role of journalism and mass communications in a democratic society.
(3) To support and participate in the accreditation process of journalism and mass communications units through the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).
(4) To support and, as requested, participate in the peer evaluation, outcomes assessment and internal program review processes of journalism and mass communication units through the ASJMC Consulting Service and other means.
Section D.
This Association will not, as a substantial part of its activities, carry on propaganda or otherwise attempt to influence legislation directly and this Association will not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
ARTICLE II—BYLAWS
Section A.
Bylaws to this Constitution may be adopted by a majority vote of the quorum of Institutional Members present and voting at the Annual Meeting of the Association or by online ballot. Members shall be notified 30 days prior to the vote on proposed Bylaws.
Section B.
Bylaws adopted in conformity with Section A of this Article shall become effective on October 1 following adoption, unless the text of the Bylaw specifically provides otherwise.
ARTICLE III—DISPOSAL OF ASSETS
Section A.
This Association may dissolve itself by a two-thirds vote of the quorum of Institutional Members present at any Annual Meeting. Proxy votes shall not be accepted in votes on dissolution.
Section B.
Upon dissolution of this organization, all net assets shall be disposed of by transfer to such organization(s) organized and operated exclusively for educational purposes. U.S. organizations shall at the time qualify as exempt under Section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law), in such portions as the Executive Committee shall determine.
ARTICLE IV—AMENDMENTS
Section A.
The Constitution and Bylaws of this association may be amended by a majority vote of the quorum of Institutional Members present and voting at the Annual Meeting, or by online ballot. Members shall be notified 30 days prior to the vote on proposed Constitutional amendments.
Section B.
Amendments adopted in conformity with Section A of this Article shall become effective October 1 following the Annual Meeting.
ASJMC Bylaws
ARTICLE I —MEMBERSHIP
Section A.
There shall be three classes of members in this Association: Institutional, Individual, and Associate. There are two types of Institutional Members: U.S. and International.
Section B.
U.S. and International institutions may be approved as voting Institutional Members. In the case of U.S.-based institutions, only universities or colleges in the United States, which are tax-exempt as Section 501(c)(3) organizations or governmental entities and which are fully accredited by a recognized regional accrediting association may be approved as voting Institutional Members. For Institutional Membership, U.S. and International institutions’ course offerings in the various aspects of journalism/mass communications must constitute a major field of study in which an undergraduate or graduate student may take a baccalaureate or master’s degree. The institutions shall be represented by a chief administrative officer who devotes a major portion of their employment to administering a sequence, department, division, school or college of journalism or mass communications or affiliated program or center or who serves in an equivalent or higher administrative capacity while retaining appointment in the JMC unit in such university or college. This individual must be designated by the chief administrative officer of said unit as its voting representative. The term Institutional Member used herein refers both to the institution and to its designated representative.
Section C.
Any current or former journalism and mass communications education administrator employed at a university or college holding Institutional Membership in this Association may be elected to Individual Membership with advisory but not voting privileges and may serve on and chair appointed committees.
Section D.
Any individual representing a journalism or mass communications program that does not qualify for Institutional Membership may be elected to Associate Membership with advisory but not voting privileges and may serve on and chair appointed committees. Also, any practitioner of journalism or mass communications, who has at least five years of practical experience and who, in the judgment of the Executive Committee, has achieved distinction in their field, may be elected to Associate Membership with advisory but not voting privileges and may serve on and chair appointed committees.
Section E.
Only Institutional Members, or their designated proxies, will have voting privileges and may hold elective positions in this Association and the Association will recognize only one Institutional Member per university or college.
Section F.
Each nominee or applicant for membership must be approved by the Executive Committee, which shall establish appropriate application procedures.
Section G.
For proper cause, any member may be suspended or have their membership terminated by a two-thirds vote of the quorum of Institutional Members present at the Annual Meeting of the Association. Proper cause shall consist of personal or institutional activity seriously detrimental to the ethical practice of journalism or mass communications or journalism or mass communications education. In all cases under this section, both the member and the institution shall be notified at least one month in advance that a hearing on the question of suspension or termination will be afforded if requested and that no action will be taken by the Association until completion of the hearing.
ARTICLE II—OFFICERS
Section A.
The elected officers of this Association shall be President, President-elect and Vice-President.
Section B.
The term of office shall be one year, unless otherwise provided in this Constitution, beginning at the association’s Annual Business Meeting, which usually occurs at the national convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Section C.
The President shall conduct the business of the Association at any meeting, shall be chairperson of the Executive Committee and shall speak for the Association in periods between meetings.
Section D.
The President-elect shall automatically assume the presidency on completion of their term or at the time of any emergency that would make it impossible for the president to continue to serve. The President-elect shall serve as presiding officer of the Association in the absence of the President, shall serve as coordinator of service activities of the Association and shall have fiscal oversight responsibilities. Before the Annual Meeting at which they assume the presidency, the president-elect shall prepare and submit to the Executive Committee for its approval, a budget recommendation for their term as President.
Section E.
The Vice President shall automatically assume the position of President-elect at the association’s Annual Business Meeting, which usually occurs at the national convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication in the year following their year of election. The Vice President shall coordinate all program activities of the Association and shall perform such other duties as assigned by the President.
Section F.
An Executive Director shall be appointed by the Executive Committee. Appointment shall be for three-year renewable terms.
(1) The Executive Director shall be the administrative officer of the Association and shall report to the President. They shall perform duties assigned by the President, and the Executive Committee.
(2) The Executive Director shall serve as secretary of the Association, shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee, and shall circulate information and report to the membership as appropriate.
(3) The Executive Director shall serve as financial officer of the Association, shall assist the President and the President-elect in developing and maintaining an annual budget and shall report on the financial condition of the Association at the Annual Meeting.
(4) The Executive Director shall serve as a non-voting member of the Executive Committee.
(5) The Executive Committee shall review the performance of the Executive Director on an annual basis.
Section G.
Unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws, officers and members of elected committees shall be chosen from the Institutional Membership. If an officer or member of an elected committee ceases to be the institutional member from a program, that position shall be declared vacant and the appropriate replacement process shall be followed.
Section H.
Elections to fill all elective offices and positions may be conducted at the Annual Meeting or by online ballot before the Annual Meeting, at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
Section I.
Elected officers may be removed from office by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Committee and only for failing to perform official or required duties or for grievous misconduct.
(1) Prior to any vote, the executive committee must provide a written Statement of Performance to the officer who is the subject of the proceeding. The performance statement must provide specific details of the officer’s failure to perform the official duties of the association and/or grievous misconduct. The statement is a private record and part of the association’s files. It remains a private record unless or until:
the officer waives in writing the right to privacy; or
the Executive Committee votes to remove the officer from office.
(2) Prior to any vote, the Executive Committee must hold a hearing at which the officer has an opportunity to respond to the charges detailed in Executive Committee’s Statement of Performance. The hearing will be closed to all but the members of the Executive Committee, the officer subject to the proceeding and their legal representative, and the ASJMC executive director.
(3) The officer who is the subject of the proceeding may waive in writing the right to a closed hearing.
Section J.
Only elected officers may fill a vacant elected position. In the event an officer resigns or is removed from office, the Executive Committee shall determine how that office will be filled. While it usually requires the ascension of the duly elected officers, it may be in the interest of the organization and/or the elected officer that another procedure be followed, including sharing the responsibilities of the vacant office among the elected officers.
ARTICLE III—EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section A.
The Affairs of the Association shall be administered by an Executive Committee, which shall consist of the President, President-elect, Vice President and immediate Past President of the Association, President of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), President of the Black College Communication Association (BCCA), and Chairperson of each Elected Standing Committee of the Association, and one representative from each of the size categories listed in Section C of this Article.
Section B.
With the exception of the President, President-elect, and Vice President, any vacancy occurring on the Executive Committee in the interval between Annual Meetings may be filled until the next Annual meeting by a vote of a majority of the remaining members of the Executive Committee.
Section C.
One representative shall be elected to the Executive Committee from small programs, medium programs, and large/extra-large programs, with each category representing approximately one-third of the membership as audited on a three-year basis. Each program representative shall serve a three-year term, with one program representative being elected each year. No one may serve more than two consecutive terms.
Section D.
When warranted, the Executive Committee may issue resolutions on behalf of the Association when it is impractical to submit such resolutions to the entire membership for consideration and approval. At least a two-thirds majority vote of the committee would be required in such instances.
ARTICLE IV—COMMITTEES
Section A.
There shall be one Elected Standing Committee: the Committee on Program Standards, Evaluation and Accreditation.
Section B.
The Committee on Program Standards, Evaluation and Accreditation shall consist of elected representatives to the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). Due to the bylaws of ACEJMC, representatives to the Council from academic organizations must be from accredited programs. As a result only accredited ASJMC representatives will be nominated to run for these seats
(1) Terms shall be for three years, on a rotating basis. Members may be elected to no more than two consecutive terms. Incomplete terms shall be filled for the duration of the current year by the Executive Committee. The person selected must not be a member of the Executive Committee.
(2) In addition to service on the Accrediting Council, the duties of the committee shall be to monitor, observe and evaluate the accrediting process and the program review, evaluation and outcomes assessment procedures mandated by regional accrediting groups, state governments and/or universities. The Committee shall report to the members appropriate information or recommendations pertaining to these concerns and seek such information from members as would be appropriate to its work.
(3) The Chair of ASJMC representatives to ACEJMC shall report on Accrediting Council actions and developing issues to the ASJMC President and to each Executive Committee meeting and shall propose and lead appropriate accreditation sessions at the winter meeting and summer convention.
Section C.
The Publications Committee shall be responsible for overseeing all of the association’s publications. The Publications Committee shall consist of six Institutional Members, appointed by the Executive Committee.
(1) Terms shall be for three years, on a rotating basis. Members may be appointed to no more than two consecutive terms.
(2) The Publications Committee shall represent the Association in matters pertaining to Association publications and shall with approval of the Executive Committee appoint editors for Association publications.
Section D.
The Elected Standing Committee shall choose its chair before the end of the summer convention.
Section E.
The Nominating Committee shall consist of up to five Institutional Members, appointed by the Executive Committee on recommendation by the past president.
(1) The Association’s immediate past president shall serve as chairperson of the committee and the term of office for all members of the committee shall be one year.
(2) The Nominating Committee shall solicit nominees from among Institutional Members for the offices of President-elect, Vice President, the Elected Standing Committee, and one representative from each program size category. It shall certify the eligibility and willingness of nominees to serve and shall submit a list of candidates to Institutional Members at least 30 days before the date on which officers are to be elected.
(3) The ballot shall be official when the Nominating Committee reports the slate of candidates to the Executive Director and the President.
(4) The election shall be official when the Executive Director informs the President of the election outcome.
Section F.
(1) The President of this Association may appoint such ad hoc committees as they consider appropriate for the conduct of Association affairs and may designate the chairpersons of such committees. Institutional, Individual, and Associate Members may serve on and chair ad hoc committees.
(2) The terms of ad hoc committees and of their members shall expire at the end of the appointing president’s term.
ARTICLE V—MEETINGS
Section A.
The Annual Meeting of the Association shall be held at a time and place coincident with the annual convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the president coordinating with convention officials.
Section B.
The Association may call special meetings in addition to the Annual Meeting on the call of the president or by a petition of at least 10 members. Such meetings may be called for any appropriate purpose. Any official business may be transacted at such special meetings except: (l) elections, (2) removal of current members and (3) dissolution. Actions specified in the exceptions shall be considered only at Annual Meetings. All proceedings shall be conducted under Roberts Rules of Order.
Section C.
Members unable to attend a called meeting may be represented by written proxy.
Section D.
The Executive Committee shall meet prior to the Annual Meeting, prior to any called meeting and at such other times and places as deemed necessary by the President to conduct the business of the Association. Any action of the Executive Committee, which, in the judgment of the committee, should have a referendum vote by members of the Association, shall be presented to the members at the Annual Meeting or by online ballot for a vote. The Executive Committee, at its discretion, may poll the members by online survey between Annual Meetings to determine the “sense of the membership” on any matter.
Section E.
Except as may otherwise be provided in this Constitution, decisions of the Association shall be effected by a majority vote of the quorum of Institutional Members by an online ballot. Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, decisions of the Executive Committee shall be effected by a majority vote of the members of the Executive Committee present at a meeting duly called at which a quorum is present. Members of the Executive Committee may not vote by proxy.
Section F.
A quorum for a meeting of the members shall be one-third of the Institutional Membership. A quorum for the meeting of the Executive Committee shall be a majority of the membership of such committee.
Section G.
Certification by the Executive Director that notice has been given to members of the Association or to the members of the Executive Committee as required under this Constitution shall be conclusive.
ARTICLE VI—DUES
Section A.
The annual assessment of each member shall be set by the membership, payable annually in advance of the due date. Any members whose dues are 90 days in arrears shall be removed, following notification, from the rolls of the Association. Payment in full of the arrears shall result in automatic reinstatement of a member removed for nonpayment; this requirement may be waived by action of the Executive Committee.
Section B.
In the event that a program’s Institutional Member leaves their administrative position, a new representative shall be chosen by the chief executive of the Institution, and the former representative of the Institution may apply for Individual Membership.
ARTICLE VII—PUBLICATIONS
Section A.
In order to achieve its purpose and to assist its members, the Association may issue such publications as its members may determine appropriate.