Black Student Union (B.S.U.)

Constitution

 

PREAMBLE

 

We, the Black students of Purdue University Calumet, recognizing the need for coordination and improvement in our current university community, and realizing that progress, academic, moral and social strides must be  made toward the unification and enlightenment of our entire student body, do establish this union of students of Purdue University Calumet.

 

ARTICLE I

 

Purpose and Goals

 

Section I – Purpose:

  1. To provide hope to Blacks and other minorities.
  2. To provide academic, social, and spiritual support.
  3. To promote a sense of belonging and identification.
  4. To alleviate a sense of isolation.
  5. To provide cultural awareness to the student population.
  6. To enhance and encourage multi-ethnic relationships.

 

Section II – Goals:

  1. Scholarship – Improving the academic development and retention and graduation ratios of black students at Purdue University Calumet.
  2. Service – Promoting community involvement for the advancement of social and economic standards.
  3. Spiritual Uplift – Providing a non-denominational support system for spiritual growth.
  4. Social Engagement – Moving toward unification of the entire student body concerning cultural and social issues.
  5. Health Awareness – Promoting proactive education for the mental and physical well being of the minority community.

 

ARTICLE II

 

Membership

 

Section I – Requirements:

  1. The Black Student Union is not a special interest group and is open for the enhancement of all students.
  2. Any full or part-time student enrolled at PUC is eligible for membership.

 

Section II – Types:

  1. Voting Member:

1.      Active – Extent of participation shall be determined by the executive board, which will take into consideration the entire academic school year. 

2.      Good standing - recognized as having all dues paid in full.

3.      Dues shall be $5 per academic semester.

 

  1. Member-at-Large:

1.      Disallowed from voting.

2.      Disallowed from holding an office until all Voting Member requirements met.

3.      May participate in any other activities sponsored by the B.S.U.

 

ARTICLE III

 

The Governing Body

 

Section I – Executive Council:

      The governing body of the Black Student Union is here-in termed the Executive Council and shall consist of an elected President, Vice-President, Secretary, Sergeant of Arms, Committee Chairperson, and Chaplain.

 

Section II – Executive Council Duties:

  1. President:

1.      To preside over all meetings.

2.      To handle all business transactions with other organizations.

3.      To delegate officer responsibility.

4.      To appoint non-executive student leadership positions within the organization.

5.      To serve as moderator during elections.

 

      B.   Vice-President:

1.      To assume the responsibilities of the President in his/her absence.

2.       Treasurer

a. To record and handle all financial transactions.

                        b. To keep record of all cash receipts and disbursements.

 

     C.   Secretary:

1.      To record the minutes of all attended meetings.

2.      To coordinate all minutes and correspondence with and between the secretaries of the various committees.

3.      Any tasks delegated by the President.

 

     D.   Sergeant of Arms:

1.      To maintain order at all BSU meetings and functions.

2.      To assure that all meetings are carried out in parliamentary procedure.

 

     E.    Committee Chairperson:

1.      To organize and oversee the operations of all committees.

2.      To perform as a liaison between each of the coordinated committees and the Executive Council.

 

     F.    Chaplain:

1.      To provide spiritual guidance for BSU members.

2.      To assist the Executive Council in implementing sufficient programs and activities for achieving the goal of Spiritual Uplift as described in Article I-Section II.C.

 

Section III- Requirements:

  1. Eligibility of BSU officers shall be limited to Voting Members (Article II-SectionII.A) with at least 24 semester hours of academic credit.
  2. The tenure of the President and his/her cabinet shall be one academic school year.
  3. Elections for the following school year shall be held in the month of May with the newly elected Executive Council taking office no later than one week after confirmed elections. 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Voting and Meetings

 

Section I – Voting:

  1. Every Voting Member shall be entitled to one vote.
  2. The President shall exercise his/her vote in the event of a tie.
  3. Motions that have been second are passed with a majority vote.

 

Section II – Meetings:

  1. The Black Student Union shall meet at least once a week during each semester.
  2. BSU meetings shall only be called by or through the consent of the President.  All other meetings shall be deemed illegal, or unrecognized.
  3. No official business, elections, motions, or proposals shall be officially recognized unless a roll quorum is present.  (A roll quorum consists of 51% of Voting Members).

 

ARTICLE V

 

Amending the By-Laws

 

Section I:

  1. By-Laws shall be amended by the Executive Council.
  2. Ratification of proposed amendments must be obtained by a majority vote of the Executive Council.
  3. An amendment may be presented by Voting Members in written form to the Executive Council one week prior to the next BSU meeting.

By-Laws

 

AMENDMENT I

 

Appointments

 

Student leadership positions within the organization appointed by the President shall include but not be limited to; Web-Site Coordinator, Choir Director, and Vice-Chairpersons, who shall head the various committees and maintain correspondence with the Committee Chairperson of the Executive Council.

 

AMENDMENT II

 

Attendance for Events

 

VIP guests during BSU events shall not pay any entrance fees.  VIP guests shall include all members of the Executive Council.  Any member or non-member seeking VIP status for a BSU event must be presented and approved by the entire Executive Council at least one week prior to the event.

 

AMENDMENT III

 

Elections

 

  1. Members may be nominated for multiple offices, but are not permitted to run for more than one Executive Council position.
  2. BSU members must submit questions for the candidates one week prior to the nomination process.
  3. The questions must then be reviewed by the President who stands as Moderator and/or the current BSU Advisor, or the Organization Designee who shall be chosen from the Student Life and Activities office. 
  4. At least one question from each of the following categories shall be chosen and presented to the candidates during elections: Academics, Leadership, Cultural Awareness, and Goals for the Organization.
  5. All primary questions asked by the Moderator, must be directed towards each candidate in order to promote fairness during elections.  The floor will be open to any secondary questioning by the BSU membership in attendance at elections after the primary question has been answered.  Candidates are not required to answer any secondary questions. 
  6. In the event that the current BSU President runs for future office, the BSU Advisor or the Organization Designee shall then be his/her replacement as Moderator for that year’s election.
  7. In order to achieve a roll quorum during elections, BSU Voting Members must be allowed to cast their vote via e-mail at least two days prior to the date of elections.
  8. All ballots via e-mail and by paper must be counted by the BSU Advisor or the Organization Designee.

 

AMENDMENT IV

 

Succession and Impeachment

 

Section I – Succession:

In the event that a member of the Executive Council chooses to secede or is dismissed from his/her office, then the next officer in line should replace him/her and assume all responsibilities immediately thereafter.  Should that officer decline, then it is the responsibility of the President to appoint a member in good standing to fill all vacancies.

 

Section II – Impeachment:

A.     Officers may be impeached and dismissed upon conviction by the Executive Council for inappropriate behavior found detrimental to the organization by way of the Dismissal Process.

B.     Dismissal Process:

1.      Impeached Executive Officer will be notified via letter, email, and/or phone concerning offense.

2.      Each case will be tried by the Executive Council.

3.      Conviction and subsequent removal of an Executive Officer will be determined by the voting results as follows:

a)      Executive Council members other than the President can be dismissed from their position by a two-thirds (2/3) vote from the Executive Council.

b)      The President may be dismissed from office by a three-fourths (3/4) vote from the Voting Members of the entire BSU.

 

AMENDMENT V

 

Auxiliaries and Committees

 

Section I – Implementation:

  1. The Executive Council shall have the right to organize any Standing Auxiliary and/or Committee as deemed necessary for the advancement of the purposes and goals of this Black Student Union. 
  2. Any Standing Auxiliary and/or Committee shall be implemented upon a majority vote of the Executive Council and subsequently amended to the By-Laws.
  3. The President shall appoint a Standing Chair for each Auxiliary and/or Committee.

 

 

 

Section II – Standing Auxiliaries/Committees:

Voices with a Vision – Serves as the official Black Student Union gospel choir.  Rehearsals, events, fundraisers or any activity specifically performed by the choir will be organized by the appointed Choir Director and executed upon approval of the President.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Constitution for the Black Student Union of Purdue University Calumet is hereby ratified on ______May 5, 2006___________________ by the following Executive Officers:

 

 

 

 Marisol Edmond

______________________________

President

 Miranda Mathena

______________________________

Vice President

 Antwana Grant

______________________________

Secretary

 Marissa Rosario

______________________________

Sergeant of Arms

 Raphael Swift

______________________________

Chaplain

 Michael Johnson

______________________________

Faculty Advisor/Witness