Article III - Membership

Section 1. Eligibility:
Within the Association, there shall be the following membership classifications: Institutional, Associate, Sustaining and Honorary and/or Retired.

a. Institutional Membership: Institutional membership in this Association shall be limited to the administrator of the law enforcement or security function of every institution of higher education in South Carolina and to members of his/her command staff as designated by the administrator. Such institutions include colleges, universities, two year colleges, technical schools above the secondary level, teaching hospitals, seminaries and all other institutions of higher education which offer a degree requiring at least two years of academic credit. Branches of parent institutions, having separate geographic locations are entitled to membership. Those institutions which do not have law enforcement or security functions established are entitled to membership. That member would be an administrative officer having responsibility for protection of life and property on that campus. Institutional members are entitled to vote and hold office in the Association.

b. Associate Membership: Associate membership is available to employees of the institution, other than the chief administrative officer, who have direct responsibility for the provision of security or law enforcement services. Associate membership may only be approved for those employees whose administrator currently holds an Institutional Membership in the Association. Contract guards, not employed by the institution, are ineligible for membership.

1. Associate members may hold any elected office other than president or vice president and would hold executive voting privileges as that office holder.

2. Associate members may vote on all issues other than officer elections.

c. Sustaining Membership: All persons or businesses who are donors of funds to the Association for the purpose of advancing, improving or bettering the campus law enforcement profession may be recommended to the Executive Board to become sustaining members of this Association under such rules as the Executive Board may establish and approve. If the person or business accepts the recommendation, such membership shall be with all the privileges except that of holding office and voting.

d. Honorary and/or Retired Membership: The active membership shall determine the criteria to be met in each individual case involving such membership. This membership holds rights and privileges of an Associate Member.

Section 2. Election to Membership:

a. All applicants for membership shall complete and sign the form of application provided by the Association and submit the application to the treasurer. Such application shall include an agreement by the applicant to abide by the Association’s purpose.

b. Admission of applicants for all classes of membership shall be by majority vote of the Executive Board.

Section 3. Termination of Membership:

a. Any member may resign from the Association by submitting a written resignation to the Executive Board. Such resignation shall be effective as of the date received by the Association, unless said resignation specifies another date.

b. Members of any classification may be removed from membership for cause by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board. For any cause other than non-payment of dues, removal shall occur only after the member against whomever complaint was made, has been advised of the complaint and has been given reasonable opportunity for defense; and such member, if removed, may appeal the decision of the Executive Board at the next general meeting of the Association, providing that notice of intent to appeal is submitted to the President at least ten days in advance of the meeting. The Executive Board shall be empowered to order suspension of any member upon receipt of a unified complaint of misconduct. The person against whom the complaint was filed shall be notified in writing.