Purpose of the Michigan College English Association
Recognizing the value of writing, literature, and teaching in an increasingly complex world, this organization is committed to making space for robust discussions of
- The humane and practical study of writing and literature
- The implications of literature, literary studies, and writing in college and high school classrooms
- The challenges and opportunities of related teaching and labor practices
- The complex ways that literature and writing can intersect with other fields and disciplines, both in and out of the academy.
The MCEA values diverse voices and perspectives, including those of graduate and undergraduate students, independent scholars, and creative writers, as well as community leaders, librarians, and museum staff—all of whom have enriched past MCEA conferences.
As an affiliate of the national College English Association, we encourage “inclusion of faculty from diverse backgrounds and life experiences without regard for race, ethnicity, religion, age, socio-economic background, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, physical ability, or other areas that may be seen as exclusionary or divisive. Both in our CEA publications and in our national and regional conferences we promote inclusion and equitable freedom of expression of ideas through academic research that explores a diversity of perspectives” (from the CEA website).
Article I: Membership
Section I: Membership in the Michigan College English Association shall be open to all teachers of undergraduate English in colleges and junior colleges in the State of Michigan and to those residents of Michigan who have so taught. The MCEA also welcomes graduate / undergraduate students, high school teachers, independent scholars, and creative writers as members. Anyone eligible may become a member by paying the membership dues.
Section II: The amount of dues may be revised from time to time, as decided upon at a regular MCEA Board meeting.
Article II: The Board and Officers
Section I: Board members must be current with dues and have attended and actively participated in at least one MCEA conference. New Board members are elected by seated Board members at a Board meeting.
Section II: Officers, as elected from the Board members
The officers of this organization shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Program Chair(s), a Site Coordinator, a Website Coordinator, and a CEA Liaison. Some of these roles may overlap; that is, a program chair may also serve as site coordinator. These officers shall be elected following the annual conference. The President and the Vice President shall hold office for one year or until their successors are elected. Other officers shall hold office for two years or until their successors are elected. A vacancy in any office will be filled by in-person or virtual voting at an MCEA Board meeting and/or by email election after a call for nominations.
Fuller descriptions of these positions may be found here, in the MCEA’s “How-To for Board Rules and Duties.”
Other positions may be created according to need, at the Board’s discretion.
Article III: Meetings
There shall be an annual meeting during the fall—the time, place, and modality to be selected by the Board. Additional meetings may be held throughout the year, either in-person or online, at the Board’s discretion and as needed.
Article IV: Committees
Committees shall be formed and/or amended by the MCEA Board as it deems necessary to carry on its work.
Article V: Amendments
The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the MCEA Board members, via Zoom, online, or in-person voting.