Constitution Of African Students Union-updated

CONSTITUTION OF AFRICAN STUDENTS UNION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI Ratified: November 1988 Updated: April 27, 2008 <- change this date Article I. Name This organization shall be named African Students Union at the University of Miami. African Students Union may also be referred to as ASU. Article II. Statement of Purpose Section 1. Guiding Principle The purpose of African Students Union is to view the increasing number of African students at the university and view the current changes which are currently taking place in Africa. Section 2. Objectives A. To act as a representative organization of students from the continent of Africa and other nations on matters of local, national, and international concern and of significance to ASU. B. To open and maintain channels of communication with organizations and other bodies whose objectives and activities and concerns are in line with those of ASU. C. To offer assistance to and help in the orientation of potential ASU members. D. To offer a forum for discussion of ASU affairs with a view to finding a solution and to encourage a spirit of cooperation amongst members. Article III. Affiliation Statement This Organization shall be affiliated with Committee of International Student Organizations. Article IV. Responsibility Section 1: African Students Union shall comply with all University of Miami policies and procedures, including but not limited to those policies set forth in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, the Student Organization Handbook, as well as local, state, and federal laws. Article V. Membership Section 1. General Membership Membership of African Students Union shall be open to all

University of Miami students in good Academic Standing who have paid their Student Activity Fee. African Student Union shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, handicap, age, sexual orientation, or political and religious affiliation in any of its policies, procedures, or practices.** Non-voting memberships may be extended to interested faculty, administration, staff members, and alumni of the University. Section 2. Active Membership A. Active membership in African Students Union is defined as those students who are paid members and/or who consistently participate in meetings and events (at least 1/3 of one semester). B. Benefits of Active membership include the right to vote. Article VI. Executive Board Section 1. Positions 1) President i.) Descriptions/Responsibilities • Presides over all General and Executive meetings • The spokesperson of African Students Union • Direct ASU’s finances in consultation with the Treasurer and with the consent with the Executive Board • The representative of the African Students Union in the Council of International Students and Organization • Attend Weekly COISO Council of Presidents Meeting • Create General and Executive Board Meeting Agendas • Regularly update Advisor about Organization events and activities • Can appoint positions for executive duties. a.) Optional appointments: Philanthropy Chair, Webmaster, or what deemed necessary by President and 2/3 of executive board members 2) Vice President (2) i.) Descriptions/Responsibilities • Assist the President in his or her regular duties • Act for the President in the event of the latter’s absence • Be the interim President in the event of vacancy in the President’s position, pending a by-election • Searches for current events and discussion topics for general meetings • Contacts members from the country of the day to help assist with general meetings

3) Treasurer i.) Descriptions/Responsibilities • Collect membership dues • Maintain records of the organization’s finances • Allocates the organizations funds upon arrival of the president and advisor • Submit financial reports to Executive Board at Executive Board meetings • Prepare SAFAC Budget Requests and presentations • Prepare any forms dealing with monetary transaction 4) Secretary i.) Descriptions/Responsibilities • Record minutes of all meetings and makes them available to active members upon request • Maintains a roster of active members • Generates all outgoing correspondence and processes all incoming correspondence for the organization 5) Historian i.) Descriptions/Responsibilities • Develops and keeps a scrapbook for the organization • Decorates meeting room for general meetings • Provides decorative displays for tables/booths, and/or any location where the organization is appearing publicly and privately • Collect pictures/videos/documentation of meetings and events 6) Public Relations Chair (2) i.) Descriptions/Responsibilities • Producing flyers, programs, and agendas for general meetings • Updates ASU publicity through various campus media 7) Appointed Positions i.) The President can assign/appoint positions if he/she deems necessary and approved with two-thirds (2/3) executive board vote. A. Eligibility Requirements Executive Board Membership is open to active members of ASU who are full or part-time students of the University of Miami

and have paid their activity fee and are in good standing with the University. B. Length of Term The length of the term of office for Officer/Executive Board members will be for one academic year. C. Installation Installation of new Officer/Executive Board members will occur in the spring semester and is to be facilitated by the exiting executive board and the advisor. D. Vacancies/ Succession If a vacancy occurs in a position, two-thirds (2/3) of the Executive Board must agree to an election for a replacement. E. Impeachment/Removal of Executive Board Section 1. Petition Two-thirds (2/3) of the Executive Board must agree or twothirds (2/3) of active numbers must sign a petition to ask for impeachment of executive board member. Section 2. Process Active members, the Officers/Executive Board, Advisor, and Office/Executive Board member being impeached must be notified at least two weeks in advance of the impeachment hearing. The impeachment hearing must occur while classes are in session. Section 3. Hearing The moderator of the impeachment hearing will be the advisor. Three-fourths (3/4) of active members must be presented in order for the impeachment hearing to begin. Each side will be given the opportunity to present their case and the active members may ask questions. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of active members present is needed for conviction and removal. Article VII. Elections Section 1. Timeline Election will be held in the spring semester at a time and place left at the discretion of the board. Section 2. Procedures A. Any member may nominate an active member for any office prior

to the election. Elections are done by secret ballot and require a majority vote. In the event that no candidates receives a majority of the votes, a runoff election between the two candidates shall be held immediately. B. Announcement of Annual Election: All members shall be notified of the date, time, and location of the election meeting at least four weeks in advance. A notice containing this information shall also be published in a campus wide publication and in any electronic media generally utilized for graduate student communication. Nomination of Candidates for Elective Offices: Nominations for executive board positions shall be opened no later than four weeks prior to the election. Candidates for the executive board must be nominated by an active member of the organization. Candidates may be nominated for more than a single office, however, once elected to a position; their name shall be removed from consideration for any subsequent office. Voting Procedure: 1. Officers will be elected in the following order: a.) President b.) Vice-Presidents c.) Treasurer d.) Secretary e.) Public Relation Chairs f.) Historian 2. Ballots for each position will be distributed but facilitator must present all confirmed position candidates at the beginning of elections. 3. A candidate for office need not be present at the Election, but he or she must accept their nomination either in person at a general meeting, or in writing to the President. In their absence, candidate is encouraged to send in a brief speech to be read by facilitator of elections. 5. Candidates will one at a time give a brief speech, followed by questions and answers from the active members present. Time limits for speech and questions shall be determined by the board. 6. Write ins on ballot will be permitted but must be confirmed prior to candidate speeches for that position.

7. Candidate(s) that did not win may choose to roll down his or her nomination to the next elected position up for election. C. Appeals Process 1.) Petition Appeals process for election requires two-thirds (2/3) of current Executive board and the advisors’ consent to agree to unfair election procedure. 2.) Re-election In the event that the Executive Board and advisor find elections unfair, a re-election will be held at a time and date agreed upon by the standing Executive board. Article VIII. Advisor The Advisor of African Students Union shall be a full-time faculty, administrator, or staff member at the University of Miami. Article IX. Meetings Section 1. General General member meetings will be agreed upon by the members of the Executive Board. Section 2. Officers/Executive Board Executive Board meetings will be held biweekly at a time agreed upon by the Executive Board. Section 3. Special Special meetings will be held, as needed, at a date and time agreed by the active members. Article X. Committees Section 1. Special Committee Special committees may be appointed by the Executive Board for fundraising and special events. Article XI. Discipline Section 1. Reason Executive Board Members may be disciplined if they fail to carry out their responsibilities as outlined by the constitution. Section 2. Process In the event that a complaint is brought to the Executive Board by

one of its members, the matter will be investigated. If the compliant is found to be valid then a warning will be issued. If there are any further complaints pertaining to the same party, a mandatory meeting between the member being disciplined, the advisor, and the President shall be held at a time and place agreed on by all parties involved to determine the proper disciplinary measures. Section 3. Consequences Based on severity of the action, the Executive Board member will be disciplined accordingly. Discipline of an Executive Board member will result in temporary removal from position. Article XII. Amendments Section 1. Submission Amendments to this constitution shall be submitted to title in writing for submission to the active members for vote. Section 2. Vote A vote ¾ active members is needed for the adoption of any amendment. Section 3. Final Amendment Amendments must be represented to the Committee on Student Organizations for approval prior to implementation. Article XIII. Dissolution of the Organization Section 1. Process African Students Union may be dissolved after dissolution is approved by the Executive Board by a vote of ¾ active members at least sixty days prior to the vote. Section 2. Obligations Upon dissolution, the Executive Board will utilize assets of the organization to pay all obligations and expenses of the organization. Section 3. Approval Notice of dissolution must be presented in writing to the Committee on Student Organizations.