Statement of Rationale for Proposed Bylaws Changes March 2013

The ACPA Bylaws serve as an important articulation of the governance structure and values of the Association. Bylaws, by their nature, serve as the foundation for an association’s structure rather than as an expression of operating policies or procedures. As such, any recommended changes to the Bylaws are considered carefully by the leadership and recommended for membership vote only when it is believed that the changes are of significance. ACPA’s Bylaws state that all members in good standing have the right to vote on Bylaws changes.

The Bylaws vote is the culmination of two years of work by the ACPA Bylaws Committee and the ACPA Governing Board. We believe that these changes, in their entirety, reflect our on-going commitment to:

• Leadership in higher and tertiary education;
• Equity, inclusion, and social justice; and
• Providing outstanding member benefits to students, faculty, and professionals in student affairs and student services
• The Bylaws vote is officially closed. It was open from March 22-31, 2013

Download the Bylaws with markup showing what would be revised. (PDF)

Definitions/Explanation

Student Services – A terminology used outside of the United States to reference student affairs. Given our growing numbers of international members this terminology is more inclusive and reflective of our work around the globe.

Tertiary Education – A terminology used outside the United States to reflect post secondary educational opportunities. For example, our current International Division (of fifteen years) in the Caribbean is called Caribbean Tertiary Level Personnel Association (CTLPA). ACPA membership is represented in twenty- one (21) other countries and many of these countries reference higher education as tertiary education.