PSUSA Constitution

I)     The Political Science Undergraduate Student Association:

i)      The Political Science Undergraduate Student Association is an organization dedicated to raising political awareness and efficacy within the university community and the community at large. Our purpose is to facilitate interaction between students and political actors.

II)  Terms of Membership

a)     Any student officially registered at the University at Buffalo is eligible for membership.

b)     Voting membership is limited to undergraduate students.

c)     In order to participate in trip subsidized by the club, a member must have attended at least one community service event as well as met the minimum fundraising requirement to be set by the club.

d)     Non-voting membership is available to any member of the university community.

e)     Voting membership concerning the election of officers, fiscal issues, and the impeachment and subsequent removal of an officer, shall be reserved to members who have attended at least three meetings during the current semester. During the first three meetings of the semester voting on the aforementioned issues will be reserved to members who attended at least three meetings during the previous semester.

f)      In the event of an emergency, the Executive Board has the authority to convene and vote on an issue needing immediate attention. At the next general meeting, the Executive Boards decision shall be reviewed.

III)         Government

a)     Only full time Department of Undergraduate Education students are eligible to be elected to office.

b)     The Executive Board shall include the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Student Association Liaison, and no more than three (3) publicity officers.

c)     The Executive Board shall maintain confidentiality of all club information and records.

d)     The Executive Board shall maintain constant communication during the academic year and breaks.

IV)        Duties of officers

a)     Each officer and chairperson will present a report regarding their responsibilities and accomplishments at each general meeting. With the exception of President, when any officers resign or are otherwise removed, the President shall appoint a replacement who shall serve until such time as an election can be held. This election much be held within two weeks.

b)     President:

i)      Convene general meetings.

ii)    Set the agenda.

iii)  Promote faculty/student interaction.

iv)   Convene meetings of the Executive Board.

v)     Shall use all available resources to promote the association’s purpose and objective.

vi)   Shall be responsible for making sure the club abides by all Student Association regulations and meets all Student Association requirements.

vii) Shall be responsible for creation of temporary committees, for the creation of standing committees which shall include a fundraising committee and a graduation committee.

viii)         Shall be responsible for the designation of chairpersons and a Webmaster with the approval of a majority of the general membership present at the meeting when the appointment is made, an exception shall be made in the case of the Fundraising Committee which shall be chaired by the Treasurer.

c)     Vice President:

i)      Shall be responsible for overseeing the implementation of committee’s objectives.

ii)    Shall be responsible for coordinating club events and activities.

iii)  Shall be responsible for reserving space for club meetings and activities.

iv)   Shall be responsible for maintaining Executive Board communication which chairpersons and head delegates.

v)     Shall assume the responsibilities of the President in the event of the Presidents temporary absence, if the President resigns or is otherwise removed the Vice President shall become President, upon assuming the presidency the new President shall appoint an interim Vice President who shall serve until such time as an election can be held, this election much be held within two weeks.

vi)   Shall be Chairperson of the Community Service Committee.

vii) Shall pick-up mail from the Student Association office on a regular basis.

d)     Secretary

i)      Shall be responsible for recording the minutes of each meeting, the Secretary much distribute the minutes at the next meeting and before that meeting by electronic mail.

ii)    Shall be responsible for distributing information of interest to members.

iii)  Shall be responsible for informing member of upcoming events and activities.

iv)   Shall maintain and keep up to date record of membership and attendance.

e)     Treasurer:

i)      Shall be responsible for maintaining club funds.

ii)    Shall be responsible for maintaining a budget and the allocation of money.

iii)  Shall be responsible for submitting the proposed budget for the upcoming year.  This budget is to be approved by a majority of the general membership present when the budget is proposed.

iv)   Shall be responsible for informing members of the status of the budget and upcoming expenditures.

v)     Shall be the chairperson of the Fundraising Committee.

f)      Student Association Liaison

i)      Shall facilitate interaction between the Student Association and the Political Science Undergraduate Student Association.

ii)    Shall attend monthly Academic Club Council meetings.

iii)   Shall be responsible for informing members of Student Association events.

iv)    Shall facilitate interaction with other Student Association clubs.

v)     Shall assist the President in making sure that the club acts in accordance with Student Association regulations and rules.

g)     Publicity Officer(s):

i)      Shall be responsible for placing ads in the Spectrum and the Generation.

ii)    Shall be responsible for disseminating information via posters and flyers.

iii)  Shall be responsible for distributing press releases.

iv)   Shall be responsible for advertising club activities.

V)   Elections

a)     Nominations for Executive Board positions shall be made prior to April 25^th of each year.

b)     Elections shall be held prior to May 1^st of each year. Once elected, new officers shall learn their duties and responsibilities by shadowing old officers.

c)     The new Executive Board shall take office at the last meeting of the year.

d)     Club elections much comply with Student Association rules and regulations.

e)     Impeachment and removal of an officer

i)      Impeachable offences:

(1)  Dereliction of duties

(2)  Misconduct

(3)  Misrepresentation of the club or university

(4)  More than two unexcused absences for general meetings or unexcused absences for Executive Board meetings.

ii)    Process

(1)  Impeachment of an officer shall be accomplished by a motion to impeach. This motion much be seconded. Only participating members are eligible to raise or second a motion to impeach.

(2)  There shall be debate and an opportunity for the officer to defend them at the subsequent meeting. Whoever raised the motion to impeach will be expected to argue in favor of impeachment.

(3)  At the conclusion of the debate, a motion to dismiss can be raised. This motion must be seconded. In order to dismiss the impeachment, a majority of the members who are present much vote to dismiss.

(4)  If no motion to dismiss is made and/or not passed, there will be a final vote on the articles of impeachment. A two thirds majority shall be necessary to remove an officer.

VI)          Meetings

a)     There must be a minimum of one meeting per month during the academic year. There will be an Executive Board meeting before each general meeting.

b)     Club meetings will be regularly announced through the appropriate channels one week in advance, except in the case of an emergency.

VII)       Conduct of club members

a)     The following shall not be tolerated:

i)      Misuse of club lists, or misuse of personal information pertaining to members.

ii)    Misrepresentation of the club or university, especially with respect to trips and activities.

iii)  Unprofessional conduct at meetings, club related activities, and trips.

iv)   Each member is entitled to confidentiality of personal information.

v)     This club does not practice, endorse, or tolerate any type of discriminatory practices or behavior.

vi)   If this code of conduct is violated, the Executive Board shall have the right to refer the matter to the Student Wide Judiciary.

vii)  All members are subject to the rules and regulations of the University at Buffalo.

VIII)    Fiscal policy

a)     The club shall abide by all Student Association regulations.

b)     All fiscal matter shall be voted on by eligible club members before encumbrance of money is made.

c)     In case of an emergency, the Executive Board shall convene and make a decision which much is presented to the general membership at the next meeting.

d)     Only the President and the Treasurer have the authority to withdraw funds from the Student Association account. The President and Treasurer shall maintain open communication with regard to fiscal matters.

IX)          Amendments and ratification.

a)     Amendments shall be proposed to the Executive Board for consideration.

b)     The Executive Board shall present its recommendations at the subsequent meeting.  In order to be ratified, the amendment much pass via two thirds vote.