• ARTICLE I: Name and Purpose
• ARTICLE II: Membership
• ARTICLE III: Officers and Executive Committee
• ARTICLE IV: Steering Committee
• ARTICLE V: Advisory Councils
• ARTICLE VI: Presidents’ Council Liaison Committee
• ARTICLE VII: Finances
• ARTICLE VIII Amendments

ARTICLE I: Name and Purpose

Section 1: The name shall be the New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability (NJHEPS).

Section 2: The purpose is to promote sustainability, and its inter-related environmental, social, political and economic dimensions, in higher education in New Jersey and adjacent areas through programming and initiatives that encourage integration of sustainability in:

a. Curriculum, academic programs and research

b. Operations of the physical plant and grounds

c. Campus activities and student engagement

d. Partnerships and cooperation between the academic community and corporations, advocacy groups, non-profit agencies, and civic and community associations

e. Professional development for practitioners

ARTICLE II: Membership

Section 1: Membership in the New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability shall be open to all institutions of higher education in New Jersey and adjacent areas. Members must pay annual membership dues, as set by the Steering Committee, to remain in good standing.

Section 2: Member institutions will designate a representative to the NJHEPS Steering Committee from among its faculty or staff. A student may also be designated, in addition to a staff or faculty member representative. The NJHEPS Steering Committee designee(s) will serve as NJHEPS liaison to their home institution, in addition to fulfilling the duties of a Steering Committee member.

Section 3: The current list of dues-paying member institutions, officers, committees and/or implementation teams and their members will be maintained by the Secretary and posted on the NJHEPS website. The Steering Committee will annually ratify, by vote or by proclamation of affirmation, the list of member institutions in good standing.

Section 4: Additional member institutions may be admitted by the decision of the NJHEPS Executive Committee, based on policies approved by the Steering Committee. Membership may also be terminated by decision of the Executive Committee, based on policies approved by the Steering Committee.

ARTICLE III: Officers and Executive Committee

Section 1: The voting Officers of NJHEPS are the President, President-Elect Past-President, up to 8 Vice-Presidents responsible for specific priority areas as defined by the President and approved by the Executive Committee, Secretary, and; non-voting Officers include the Executive Director, host institution Liaison, and one or more Senior. Together, these shall constitute the NJHEPS Executive Committee.

Section 2: Each VP position will be assigned to a specific organizational priority area, as defined by the President and approved by the Executive Committee. Each VP will serve as Chair of an implementation team or committee associated with their area of responsibility, and will be responsible for developing related programming, and reporting activities to the Executive Committee. Vice-Presidents will appoint participants in these implementation teams or committees who represent NJ higher education institutions as well as individuals (not limited to the higher education sector) who posses the expertise necessary for implementation of Executive Committee approved programming or initiatives. Vice-presidents are expected to annually propose a programming budget for consideration by the Executive Committee. .

Section 3: A quorum for Executive Committee meetings shall consist of the majority of the Executive Committee membership.

Section 4: Decisions by consensus are strongly preferred, but in the case of voting, a majority of votes present at that meeting is required in order for motions to pass.

Section 5: The Executive Committee develops and implements policies and programs, recommends the dues structure to Steering Committee, and oversees administrative operations. Policies require approval of Steering Committee prior to implementation.

Section 6: The President will serve as chairperson of the Executive Committee.

a. The President serves as the signatory of NJHEPS.

b. In the event an authorized signature is required and the President is unavailable, a Vice President will be designated by the President to act as signatory.

c. Commitments at or above $5,000 require approval by the Executive Committee.

Section 7: The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping the minutes of the Executive and Steering Committees, and for maintaining in good order the official documents of NJHEPS.

Section 8: The Executive Director shall be the chief administrative officer and will report to the President.

Section 9: The Officers shall be elected by the Steering Committee and serve two-year terms beginning July 1.

a. The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee to nominate officers.

b. The terms of Vice-Presidents shall be staggered in alternate years.

c. Vice-Presidents are designated specific roles, as determined by the President and approved by the Executive Committee.

d. Vice-Presidents have the authority, with final approval by the President, to appoint individuals to committees and/or implementation teams associated with their area of responsibility, in the spirit of Article III, Section 2 above.

e. The Nominating Committee shall seek to achieve diversity in race, gender, academic discipline, and institutional type in the nomination of Officers.

Section 10: Senior Advisors may be appointed at the discretion of the President as non-voting members of the Executive Committee. Their role is to act as an advisor to the President and Executive Committee. Each Senior Advisor will develop a written statement of any proposed roles and activities beyond advising the President and Executive Committee, to be approved by the President. Those additional roles or activities that require Presidential approval may include participation on committees or implementation teams, advocating or public speaking on behalf of NJHEPS, fundraising, recruitment, and other activities.

Section 11: With the approval of the President), any member of the Executive Committee may establish implementation teams and/or committees as needed and appoint members in order to carry out NJHEPS’ activities.

Section 12: A majority of the persons serving on the Executive Committee must be employees of member institutions in good standing, and all must be aligned with the purpose of NJHEPS as stated in Article I, Section 2.

ARTICLE IV: Steering Committee

Section 1: The members of the Steering Committee are the Chair of the campus sustainability team from each member institution or his/her designated representative, and members of the Executive Committee. Other members of the campus sustainability teams are welcome to attend Steering Committee meetings but have no authority to cast a vote.

Section 2: The responsibility of the Steering Committee is to review and comment on NJHEPS’ programs; review and ratify the budget and policies which significantly impact member institutions; approve the dues structure for the upcoming year; and elect the officers of NJHEPS.

Section 3: Decisions by consensus are strongly preferred but in the case of voting, each member institution has one vote cast by the Chair of the campus sustainability team or his/her designated representative. A majority of votes is required for decisions.

Section 4: The Steering Committee is chaired by the President or in her/his absence a Vice-President as designated by the President.

Section 5: The Executive Committee members are non-voting members of the Steering Committee unless they are the Chair of the campus sustainability team or his/her designated representative to a Steering Committee meeting.

Section 6: The Steering Committee will meet at least once each year.

Section 7: A quorum for Steering Committee meetings shall consist of a majority of the Steering Committee membership. A majority of votes present at that meeting is required in order for motions to pass.

ARTICLE V: Advisory Councils

Section 1: The Executive Committee may recommend members for Advisory Councils to be appointed by the Steering Committee from educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, government, and private industry.

Section 2: Each Advisory Council will consist of no more than twelve members.

Section 3: Each Advisory Council will offer support and advice to NJHEPS.

Section 4: Each Advisory Council may form committees to carry out its duties.

ARTICLE VI: Presidents’ Council Liaison Committee

Section 1: NJHEPS shall provide staff support to the NJHEPS Liaison Committee of the New Jersey Presidents’ Council.

ARTICLE VII: Finances

Section 1: The Treasurer shall submit the annual budget to the Steering Committee for review and ratification prior to adoption by the Executive Committee.

Section 2: The Executive Director shall administer all accounts in cooperation with the Treasurer.

Section 3:The Steering Committee shall receive an annual audit of all funds, accounts and records.

Section 4:The fiscal year shall run from July 1 to June 30 each year. The membership year shall run concurrently with the fiscal year, with the payment of dues established for July 1. Any institution that has not paid dues by the last day of September shall be dropped from membership. Institutions may be reinstated upon receipt of payment.

ARTICLE VIII Amendments

Section 1: Amendments shall be adopted by consensus, or in the case of a vote, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Steering Committee. Electronic voting on amendments or other issues may be allowed at the discretion of the President.