Black Student Union

at the University of Delaware

Constitution of the Black Student Union

Preamble

The Black Student Union and all members hereafter will adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by this Constitution of the Black Student Union of the University of Delaware.

Article I – Name and Type

The name of this organization shall be the Black Student Union (BSU); a non-profit student run organization: hereafter referred to as BSU.

Article II - Purpose

The purpose of the Black Student Union shall be:

To represent Black students in political matters and community matters.
To serve as the primary advocacy organization for Black students.
To act as chief liaison between Black students and the University administration.
To take active measures toward fostering and enriching environment for Black students attending a predominately Caucasian university.
To actively participate in functions on and off campus, for example, leadership conferences, that provides enrichment and enlightenment to the plight of Black (meaning those of African descent) at a majority Caucasian University.

Article III - Membership

General Membership of BSU will consist of:

All registered undergraduate and graduate students of African descent (Black) and those in support of the purposes stated in Article II

Active Membership entails:

Any undergraduate or graduate student who has attended two consecutive meetings or programs and therefore after, become involved on a committee

Article IV- Executive Board, Executive Council, Committees

Section I. Officers

The officers of this organization shall be as listed below. Each officer shall sign an agreement indicating that he/she will fulfill the duties and responsibilities of his/her office as specified by this Constitution. When necessary new officers shall be added by a two-thirds vote of the active members' quorum or appointed by the executive board.

A. Elected Officers

Sophomore Class Representative

President

Freshman Class Representative

First Vice President

B. Appointed Officers

Second Vice President

Mr. and Miss BSU

Recording Secretary

C. Appointed Positions

Corresponding Secretary

Pamoja Representative

Treasurer

Public Relations Chairperson

Historian

Recruitment Chairperson

Parliamentarian

Community Service Chairperson

Senior Class Representative

Fundraising Chairperson

Junior Class Representative

Programming Chairperson

Section II. Executive Board

The executive Board will consist of the President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Historian and Parliamentarian.

Section III. Executive Council

The Executive Council will consist of the Executive Board, each class representative, and all other appointed officers. All members of the Executive Council, with the exception of the Freshman Class Representative, must hold at least a 2.0 grade point average for the fall semester to continue in office for the spring semester. Each member of the Executive Council shall serve an office term of one year beginning in the fall semester of each academic year. No member of the Executive Council may hold the same office more than two consecutive terms. The Executive Council shall assist in maintaining all committees and carry out the aims and objectives of the BSU and be well versed in the history of the BSU.

Section IV. Responsibilities and Duties of the Officers

A. The President shall:

1. Preside over all formal, informal, and executive meetings.

2. Call meetings of the Executive Council and general body when necessary.

3. Act as BSU representative and spokesperson, or appoint alternate.

4. Be responsible and held accountable for the BSU budget in coordination with the Treasurer.

5. Confer with the advisor on business matters.

6. Give advice to the Executive Council in the discharge of responsibilities and duties.

7. Appoint Ad Hoc Committees.

8. Provide for orderly transfer of all documents at the end of his/her term to the Student Activities Office and newly elected BSU officers.

9. Uphold the purpose of the BSU (stated in Article II).

B. The First Vice President shall:

1. Enforce due observance of this Constitution.

2. Preside in the absence or inability of the President.

3. Represent the BSU in all internal functions.

4. Succeed the President in the event of resignation or impeachment.

5. Operate and manage the Black Leadership Council.

6. Oversee all committees.

C. The Second Vice President shall:

1. Preside in the absence of the President and/or First Vice President.

2. Represent the BSU in all external functions (Delaware Undergraduate Student Congress).

3. In the event of the succession of the First Vice President to the President, take on the position of First Vice President and the duties of the Second Vice President shall be dispersed among the Executive Board.

D. The Recording Secretary shall:

1. Maintain an accurate and permanent record of the minutes of the Executive Council and General Body meetings.

2. Distribute copies of the minutes to the Executive Council and place such minutes and the Treasurer's Report on file.

3. Expedite transfer of all files and records of the BSU to the newly elected recording secretary at the end of each term.

4. Take and maintain a record of attendance at all Executive Council and General Body meetings. Submit this record as an end of term attendance report.

5. In the absence of the Corresponding Secretary, assume the responsibilities of the Corresponding Secretary

E. The Corresponding Secretary shall:

1. Conduct all official correspondence for the Executive Council and the General Body.

2. Notify the Executive Council at least on day in advance of all emergency meetings.

3. In the absence of the Recording Secretary, assume the responsibilities of the Recording Secretary.

F. The Treasurer shall:

1. Maintain an accurate account of all BSU financial transactions.

2. Present a written report of all financial transactions to the Executive Council

3. Produce and be held accountable for the BSU budget in coordination with the President

G. The Historian shall:

1. Be well versed in the history of BSU.

2. Maintain visual records of events.

H. The Parliamentarian shall:

1. Be well versed in Robert's Rules of Order.

2. Advise the President of proper parliamentary procedure at all BSU meetings.

3. Advise the Executive Council on the BSU Constitution.

I. The Class Representatives shall:

1. Serve as primary liaison between his/her specific class and the Executive Council.

2. Conduct at least one class meeting per month.

3. Serve as a Committee Chairperson.

J. Mr. And Miss BSU shall:

1. Co-chair the Community Public Relations Committee.

2. Co-chair the Mr. And Miss BSU Pageant Committee.

K. Committee Chairs shall:

1. Submit a monthly activity report to the First Vice President.

2. Carry out duties as delegated.

Article V. - Nominations

Open nomination forms will be sent out to all Black students, either by mailing or distributing through the Center for Black Culture. All forms must be returned to the Center. Nominations will be accepted at the general body meeting preceding the vote. Only officers not running can handle ballots. All nominees will be notified to present speeches on a designated night. The policies of Robert's Rules of Order must at all times be adhered to. In order to be nominated for an eboard position, one must fit the membership criteria in Article III, Section II.

Article VI. - Code of Conduct

All officers of the BSU are subject to probation or impeachment by a three-fourths vote of the Executive Council.

Grounds for probation and impeachment are:

1. Failure to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of office.

2. Misuse of BSU funds or property.

3. Unexcused absences of Executive Council meetings exceeding two per semester.

4. Unexcused absences of General Body meetings exceeding one per semester.

5. Conduct, which disgraces the BSU.

If impeached, ability to run for any BSU Executive Board position is suspended for one year.

Article VII. - Amendments

The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Council. The Executive Council must meet quorum requirements (Article IX-4). The Amendment may not be voted upon if in conflict with the Purpose (Article II) of the BSU.

Article VIII. - Meetings

1. The Executive Council shall meet at least twice each month in a closed session.

2. General Body Meetings shall be held at least once each month, excluding May and December.

3. Robert's Rules of Order shall govern all Executive Council and General Body Meetings.

4. Quorum at Executive Council Meetings shall consist of a minimum of two-thirds of the elected Executive Council members.

5. Quorum at General Body Meetings shall consist of twenty members and a minimum of eight Executive Council Officers.

6. The Pamoja Representative will meet with the Executive Council once per month prior to printing deadline.

Article IX. - Dissolution

The BSU will be dissolved by a three-fourths vote of the General Body at quorum.

Revised 4/20/03

J.L.B.