Constitution

Constitution of

University of Iowa
Black Student Union

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 Preamble:

Black Student Union

Date:

4/26/2012

Article I

Purpose:                              The Black Student Union (BSU) is dedicated to fostering Unity through community involvement, cultural activities, and academic excellence in the African American community at the University of Iowa.  Our vision is to encourage retention and recruitment of  African American students at the University of Iowa and to increase recognition of BSU on the University of Iowa Campus.

Article II

Membership:                   In no aspect of its programs shall there be any difference in the treatment of persons on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preference, or any other classification which would deprive the person of consideration as an individual. The organization will guarantee that equal opportunity and equal access to membership, programming, facilities, and benefits shall be open to all persons.

Section 1:         Members of this organization must be currently registered at the University of Iowa, and with the executive Cabinet of the BSU (BSU officers have the right to see the students identification card if the registration of a member of perspective member is questioned).  If a student is no longer enrolled for any reason, their membership in the BSU is automatically cancelled pending the reinstatement of the student.

                                Section 2:            Rights and responsibilities of Members

A.      Members must attend a minimum of four meetings per semester, two consecutively.

B.      Members have full voting rights.

C.      Only BSU members can run for office.

Article III

Officers and Duties:       Officers shall serve no more than two, one year, terms in a particular position. Officers must be currently enrolled at the U of I, and be a member of the BSU.  Officers must attend all meetings unless excused by the advisor at the advisors discretion.

                                Section 1:            Executive Cabinet          

The Executive Cabinet shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Programs chair person, and an Advisor. The advisor does not have voting privileges.

                                Section 2:            PRESIDENT        

The duties of the president shall be as follows:

A.      The President is responsible for the successful implementation of all BSU programs.

B.      To preside over all business and cabinet meetings (retaining the privilege of inviting the Vice-President to preside).

C.      To be fully informed of all BSU programs, committee activities and other business that might concern the BSU

D.      To sign contracts and requisitions.

E.       To hold bi-weekly business meetings and monthly cabinet meetings.

F.        To form temporary or permanent committees as they are needed.

G.      To vote only in the case of a tie.

H.       To call emergency meetings as needed

Section 3:            VICE PRESIDENT              

The duties of the vice-president shall be as follows: 

A.      To assist the president in performance of their duties.

B.       To preside over the meetings in absence of the President.

C.      They shall assume the duties of the president in the event of the president’s illness or inability to complete their term in office.

D.       In the absence of the president or treasurer the vice-president's
 signature will accompany legal contracts and requisitions.

E.        To perform other duties as may be requested by the cabinet or members.

F.       To serve as sergeant of arms during all business meetings.

Section 4:            SECRETARY        

The duties of the Secretary shall be as follows:                                                 

A.      To keep the minutes of all business and cabinet meetings and make them available to all members of the organization (the minutes will be read at the beginning of each meeting)

B.      The secretary will be responsible for all organizational

correspondence

C.  Take roll call at the beginning of meetings. 

D.  Keep up-to-date records of active members

Section 5:            TREASURER

                The duties of the treasurer shall be as follows:

A.      Maintain a current and complete file of financial business and make them available for all members of the organization

B.      The treasurer is responsible for the collection and dispersal of all organizational funds

C.      To sign contacts and requisitions

D.      To apply for all funding

Section 6:            PARLIMENTARIAN

The duties of the parliamentarian shall be as follows:

A.      To have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of

parliamentary procedures (As outlined in Robert's rule of order)

B.      To familiarize and advise the officers. committee chairs, and members on parliamentary rules and procedures       

Section 7:            PROGRAMS CHAIRPERSON

                                The duties of the programs chairperson shall be as follows:

A.      Responsible for the advertising/marketing of all organizational programs

B.      They will notify members of meeting dates, times, and locations

C.      To coordinate and maintain a calendar of events which relate to the interests and concern of the B.S.U.

D.      To coordinate and preside over monthly programs committee meetings

E.       To report results of programs committee meetings to the executive board during the following executive cabinet meeting

Section 8:            Publicist

                                The duties of the publicist shall be as follows:

A.      Responsible for the advertizing of all organizational programs

B.      Responsible for engaging new and perspective members

C.      Responsible for all issues concerning communication with the press

D.      Responsible for discerning and conveying positive and appropriate B.S.U. image

E.       To approve all B.S.U. insignia, items, and advertisements before public dispersal

Section 9:            Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Cabinet

A.      To formulate the agenda for general meetings.

B.      To approve prior to signing all binding documents.

C.      To fix date, hour and location of meetings.

D.      To formulate perspective budgets for upcoming academic year.

E.       To attend monthly cabinet meetings

F.       The members of the Executive Cabinet will be considered for impeachment following their unexcused absence from any two consecutive meetings or a total of three cabinet meetings per academic year.

Article IV

Advisor:              

Section 1:            The Advisor acts as a guide for the executive cabinet.

Article V             

Elections:

                                Section 1:            A general election will be held for the following officers:

A.      President

B.      Vice-President

C.      Secretary

D.      Treasurer

E.       Parliamentarian

F.       Programs Chair person

G.     Publicist/Communicator

Section 2:            ELECTION COMMITTEE 

The Election Committee duties shall be as follows:

A.      The Chairperson of this committee shall be elected by the members of the B.S.U. organization.

B.      At the first regularly scheduled meeting of the second semester nominations for the position of election committee Chair will be taken.

C.      The committee will consist of 6 members, 5 will be selected by the drawing of lots amongst interested members. (randomly selected)

D.      No (incumbent or office holder or candidate) may be seated on the election committee, or participate in counting ballots.

Section 3:            Responsibilities of the election committees:

A.       All complaints regarding election procedures must be filed within 5 days preceding the closing of the polling area.

B.      It shall be the responsibility of the election committee to hear such complaints and to make the said hearings open to the members.

C.      All complaints must be resolved and registered prior to the tallying of the ballots.

D.      At least eight (4) of the ten (6) members must reach a consensus concerning the validity of the election for the committee to proceed.

E.       In the event that the eight (4) members of the committee cannot reach a positive or negative consensus. The question must be put before the active members of the B.S.U. body at an emergency meeting 48 hours later.

F.       It will be the responsibility of the election committee to preside over and notify active members of the meetings to be held.

G.     In the event that such a meeting is held the Advisor shall hold the ballots until the final decision is made.

Section 4:            EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTION PROCESS

A.      Elections will be held annually (once a year), during the month of February. 

B.      Members will be notified about upcoming elections during the month of December.

Article VI            

Impeachment:

Section 1:            All elected officials will be subject to impeachment for any one of the reasons outlined in section 2 of this article upon documentation.

Section 2:            Any of the following shall be considered grounds for impeachment:

A.      Negligence of duties as outlined in Article II.

B.      Missing 2 (2) unexcused meetings consecutively.

C.      Misuse or embezzlement of organizational materials, records and/or financial assets.

Section 3:            Impeachment Proceedings:

A.      Any member may initiate impeachment proceedings against an officer upon presentation of a petition, that meets the following requirements:

1)             Specification of charges.

2)            Signature of at least 75% of the active membership.

B.      The Executive Board will make an announcement to the  
          organization after the receipt of the petition.

C.    The grievance committee, composed of 6 of the 7 members of
        the executive board, shall specify date, hour and location. Of

The hearing. And preside over the meeting to hear charges brought against the officer.

D.      The hearings will be subject to the following stipulations:

1)          The hearings will be open to all members of the

organization.

2)      The plaintiffs (petitioners) will appoint one member to
          present the charges for impeachment.

3)      The defendant (accused officer) will present their defense

          after the presentation of the charges.

4)      All questioning during the hearing will be limited to the
          grievance committee.

5)      Upon presentation of all facts the grievances committee

          shall adjourn the hearing.

6)      A vote for removal of an officer by the Executive cabinet

          must be carried by a 2/3 vote by members of the B.S.U.

          body

7)      The decision will be announced at the next regularly
          scheduled Black Student Union meeting.

8)      Upon presentation the decision will be final.

Article VII           

Meetings:

Section 1:            General meetings of the BSU membership shall be held the first of each month.  Members will be informed of special meetings a week in advance.

Section 2:            All meetings of the B.S.U. shall be run by parliamentary procedure as outlined by “Roberts rule of order”.

Section3:             Emergency meetings may be called by the President of the Executive Cabinet.

Section 4:            Quorum – at least one- Third of active membership will be required in order to conduct business.

Article VIII

Finances:

                                Section 1:            MEMBERSHIP DUES

                                                               

A.      There are no dues to be a member of this organization.

Section 2:            DISSOLUTION

A.      Upon dissolution, state money and mandatory student fees revert back to the granting organization. Group fees should be divided as stated in the Constitution and carried out by the dissolving group’s members and officers. If the group has dissolved and group fees have not been divided as stated in Constitution by five years from last account activity, monies in the group’s 00 account will revert to an account specified for this purpose within UISG/ECGPS. These funds will then be available for distribution through SABAC or GPAC guidelines in compliance with University of Iowa policy.

B.      The UISG/ECGPS should be given access to the BSU 00 account, and allowed to distribute the remaining funds to other multicultural organizations at the University of Iowa.

Article IX            

Amendments of the constitution:

Section 1:            Proposals:

A.      Any active member of the B.S.U. may propose amendments to the constitution to the active membership of the organization at a general meeting.

B.      A proposal to amend must be approved by a 2/3 vote active membership.

C.      The amendment shall be voted upon after the following stipulations are met.

1) It must be proposed and voted upon between the months of   
    September and May.

2) Six regularly scheduled meetings must have been held before  

    a vote for ratification can be taken .

Section 2:            Ratification of Amendments:

A Proposed amendment shall be ratified if 3/4 of active membership votes in its favor

Article X              

Ratification:

Section 1:            All persons voting for the ratification of this document must be a registered member.

Section 2:            This document shall be ratified by a 2/3 majority of all eligible voting members.

Section 3:            After ratification the stipulations of this document shall be retroactive