HR12 Professional Organization Memberships

POLICY'S INITIAL DATE: September 1, 1959

THIS VERSION EFFECTIVE: July 1, 2022

Contents:

PURPOSE:

To state University policies concerning memberships in professional societies, associations, or organizations.

GENERAL:

In an institution of higher learning, it is recognized that in order to maintain professional competence in the various disciplines, it is necessary to maintain contacts in the disciplines through memberships in professional societies and associations. Professional societies provide an opportunity to maintain and upgrade competence and professional standards by face-to-face discussions, by journals distributed as part of the membership, and by meeting where papers are presented. 

MEMBERSHIPS:

When dues or fees are paid by the University, membership in a professional society or association is considered to be an institutional membership in the name of the University. In most instances, a senior staff member (General Officer, Staff Officer, Dean, Department Head, and Professor) is named as the institutional representative for the University. 

The senior staff member may vote in the name of the University and may hold office in the organization. 

APPROVAL OF MEMBERSHIPS:

Institutional memberships will be considered when it appears to be in the best interest of the University and is approved by the budget executive. 

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS:

Normally, the University will not pay for individual memberships to organizations. However, some organizations are structured in such a way that only individual memberships are available. In rare instances where, in the judgement of the budget executive, the University can only be represented in such a manner, charges for individual memberships will be processed for payment.