5.1     The constituency of each academic department, program, and professional unit within the bargaining unit shall be represented by a Department Representative.

5.2     The Department Representative shall serve, protect, and represent the best interests of the constituency under the terms of the existing contract by:  a) assisting the members of the constituency with problems bearing on the condition and terms of the contract; b) keeping the constituency fully informed of MSP policies and actions as well as developments bearing on the interests of the bargaining unit; and c) serving as spokesperson before the Officers and Executive Board of the MSP for the individual and collective concerns of the constituency.

5.3(a)     Department Representatives shall be elected within thirty calendar days after the beginning of each academic year for a term of one year by a majority vote of the MSP members in good standing of the constituency concerned.  A quorum shall consist of one-third of the MSP members in good standing of the constituency concerned.  The voting period may be modified by the Executive Board.

5.3(b)     Each academic department, program, and professional unit within the bargaining unit shall be entitled to one Department Representative.  In cases where an academic department, program, or professional unit has more than 20 members of the bargaining unit, that unit shall be entitled to one Department Representative per 20 members of the bargaining unit, rounded to the nearest 20.

5.3(c)     Elections of Department Representatives normally shall be conducted by the Department Representatives of the previous academic year who shall inform their constituencies and the Secretary/Clerk of the MSP of the results.

5.3(d)     When it is not possible to hold an election in a particular area, an Executive Board Member from the College involved will be responsible for recruiting a Department Representative for that area.

5.4     The Department Representatives shall meet at least once a term at the call of the President or one of the Vice-Presidents designated by the President for the purpose of informing them of developments concerning them and to seek their counsel on matters of concern to their constituencies.