The dissatisfied UCLA Faculty Center members who approached the Daily Bruin assert that Michael Rich is entitled to a position on the ballot because he was nominated as president-elect by another member. Those members misread very clear provisions of the association’s bylaws.
Article IV, section G.3.b. of the bylaws states that the Nominations and Elections Committee shall prepare the slate and may solicit nominations informally or formally from the membership. It does not require all nominations to be placed on the ballot. Indeed, if that requirement existed, there would not even be a need for the Nominations and Election Committee to exist.
A unanimous Faculty Center board recommended to the Nominations and Election Committee that the current presidential leadership be nominated to serve one additional year in order to maintain momentum on strategic planning currently underway for a secure future for the Faculty Center. Re-election of board members is permitted under the bylaws so long as a member has not already served six consecutive years. The Nominations and Election Committee unanimously agreed with the board’s recommendation and prepared the ballot pursuant to the bylaws. Voting is currently underway. Should the membership disapprove the slate, the Nominations and Election Committee would need to meet again, propose a new slate and hold a new election.
We would urge interested members to visit the Faculty Center website to read the bylaws for themselves, and to review recently posted consultant reports that provide extensive research and survey data and make important recommendations for the board and membership to consider.
Sincerely,
Albert E. Aubin
Secretary, Faculty Center Board of Governors
Julie A. Sina
President-elect, Faculty Center Board of Governors
Chair, Nominations and Election Committee