CONSTITUTION OF THE VIRGINIA TECH UNION. 1. The Name of this organization shall be the Virginia Tech Union

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1 CONSTITUTION OF THE VIRGINIA TECH UNION Article I. Article II. Article III. Name and Purpose Name 1. The Name of this organization shall be the Virginia Tech Union Purpose 1. The purpose of the Virginia Tech Union is to provide quality educational and social entertainment that represents the diverse culture of Virginia Tech s students and its community. In addition, the Virginia Tech Union enhances Virginia Tech students out-of-classroom experience through leadership and volunteer opportunities. Membership Eligibility 1. Membership in the Virginia Tech Union is open to all Virginia Tech students. Non-discrimination Statement 1. No qualified individual shall be excluded from membership on the basis of age, race, gender, ability, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, or political affiliation. Advisors Faculty Advisor 1. The Faculty Advisor for the Virginia Tech Union shall be selected by the Student Engagement and Campus Life Department and their duties shall be determined by Policies 8005, 8012 and the employee standards set by Virginia Tech. 2. The Faculty Advisor shall serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Program and Executive Councils. Graduate Advisor 1. The Graduate Advisor for the Virginia Tech Union shall be selected by the Student Engagement and Campus Life Department and their duties shall be determined by their direct supervisor. 2. The Graduate Advisor shall serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Program and Executive Councils.

2 Article IV. Article V. Article VI. Governance Officers 1. The officers of the Virginia Tech Union shall be called the Program Council. 2. The Program Council shall be led by the Executive Council. 3. The members of the Program and Executive Councils shall be defined in the By-Laws of the Virginia Tech Union. Parliamentary Authority 1. The current edition of Robert s Rules of Order shall govern Virginia Tech Union meetings. 2. The Executive Council shall have parliamentary authority over Program Council meetings. 3. Program Council members shall have parliamentary authority over their respective standing committees. University Policy 1. This organization shall abide by all applicable policies contained in University Policies for Student Life. Meetings Time and Place 1. Program Council shall hold regular weekly meetings at a time and place to be determined by the Program Council. 2. Executive Council shall hold regular weekly meetings at a time and place to be determined by the Executive Council. Quorum 1. Two-thirds (⅔) of voting membership of the Program Council constitutes a quorum. Consensus 1. Decisions made by the Program Council must be reached by consensus through an affirmative majority vote. 2. One-half (½) plus one of voting membership present shall constitute a majority. Finance and Budget Operating Budget 1. The operating budget of the Virginia Tech Union shall be based upon the total allocation from the Student Budget Board and/or carryover revenue from programs. 2. The budget shall reflect all expenses associated with the overall operation of the Virginia Tech Union.

3 Article VIII. Policy 1. Funds allocated from the Student Budget Board will conform to the funding policies for University Chartered Student Organizations. Amendments Notice of Intent 1. These articles may be amended by the Program Council at any specifically called meeting. 2. Notice of intent to amend the constitution must be given to each member of the Program Council at least two weeks prior to the scheduled meeting. Ratification 1. A two-thirds (⅔) affirmative vote will be necessary for the ratification of a proposed amendment. 2. Amendments to the constitution are subject to the approval of the Commission on Student Affairs. Amendment Dates April 4, 2018

4 BY-LAWS OF THE VIRGINIA TECH UNION Article I. Article II. Governance Officers 1. The elected officers of the Virginia Tech Union shall be President, Vice President of Communication, Vice President of Finance, Vice President of Membership Development, Director of Alternative Sounds, Director of Comedy, Director of Concerts, Director of Films, Director of Graphic Design, Director of Speakers, Director of Special Events, and Director of Web Design. 2. Only currently enrolled Virginia Tech students may be officers of the Virginia Tech Union. 3. Officers must have and maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average to hold office. 4. The President and Vice Presidents must have and maintain a 2.3 cumulative grade point average to hold office. Executive Council 1. The Executive Council shall consist of the President and the Vice Presidents of Communication, Finance, and Membership Development. 2. The advisors shall serve as ex-officio, non-voting members of the Executive Council. Program Council 1. The Program Council shall consist of the elected officers of the Virginia Tech Union as stated in Article I, Section A of the By-Laws. 2. The advisors shall serve as ex-officio, non-voting members of the Program Council. 3. Chairperson of special committees shall serve as non-voting members of the Program Council. Committees Membership 1. Eligibility for membership shall be defined as in Article II, Section A of the Constitution of the Virginia Tech Union. 2. Individuals may hold membership in more than one Virginia Tech Union committee. Programs 1. All programs shall be implemented by the standing committees or special committees as authorized the Program Council. 2. All programs must be proposed in writing prior to implementation.

5 3. Programs must receive a majority affirmative vote from the Program Council before implementation. Section D. Article III Addition or Removal of Standing Committees 1. Standing committees may be added or removed by a member of the Virginia Tech Union at any time. 2. The addition or removal of a standing committee must receive the sponsorship of a voting Executive Council member. 3. A proposal for the addition or removal of a standing committee must be presented before the Program Council 4. All proposals shall require a majority vote to pass. 5. Denied proposals can be reconsidered after one academic year. Special Committees 1. Special committees may be proposed at any time by any member of the Virginia Tech Union. 2. Special committees must have a defined start and end date. 3. The addition of a special committee must receive the endorsement of a voting Program Council member. 4. Special committees must be approved by a majority affirmative vote from the Program Council. Officer Selection Applications 1. All candidates must submit an application and complete the interview process. 2. Applications will be made available to the student body at least one month prior to their due date. 3. In the event of a position vacancy, applications will be reopened. Executive Council Election 1. Any qualified member of VTU who seeks to become President or Vice President will submit their name to the Program Council during the specified selection period. 2. Each candidate will individually present their argument on their qualifications for the President or Vice President position(s) before the Program Council. 3. Candidates for the President or Vice President positions may not be present for other Presidential or Vice Presidential candidate presentations nor participate in voting procedures. 4. Each position will be chosen by secret ballot vote of eligible Program Council members. 5. Successful candidates must be chosen by a majority affirmative vote. Program Council Selection 1. The Program Council selection committee will be chaired by the President-Elect.

6 2. The selection committee will consist of the Vice Presidents-Elect and all outgoing Program Council members. 3. In the event there are less than three (3) outgoing Program Council members, the vacancies will be filled by officers from other University Chartered Student Organizations as determined by the President-Elect. 4. Advisors will serve as ex-officio, non-voting members of the selection committee. 5. The selection committee must remain the same throughout the selection process. Article IV Terms of Appointment Officer Term 1. Officers terms will begin on May 1 and end on April 30 of the following calendar year. 2. Officers will be selected by the spring break prior to beginning of their term. 3. Officers will train with their predecessor upon being selected until their term begins. Vacancies 1. In the event of a Program Council member being unable to complete his/her term, it is up to the President to open elections to the VTU membership as soon as possible. 2. The vacancy will be filled following the selection procedures outlined in Article III, 3. In the interim, the President will appoint an acting Director to fill the roles that the position entails. The acting Director will not have a vote on Program Council. 4. The acting Director will hold the position until a permanent decision is made. Termination 1. If an officer does not uphold their assigned duties, they will be issued a formal warning from the Executive Council. 2. Should behavior not improve after receiving a formal warning within fourteen (14) calendar days, the officer will be subject to termination upon further review by the Executive Council. 3. In the event an officer commits an egregious act that reflects poorly on the organization, they can be immediately terminated upon review by the Executive Council. 4. Officers who are dismissed from the Program Council may appeal the decision through a formal written request to the Advisor(s). Appeals must be submitted within one week of notification of termination. 5. Officers found in violation of university policy, local, state, or federal law will be subject to a meeting with the Advisor(s) to determine if the

7 officer is eligible to remain on the Program Council. Article V Values 1. The values of the Virginia Tech Union will inform all of the programming that the organization creates. 1. Diversity: To foster an environment in which students from all backgrounds feel comfortable and equally represented through the events put forward by the organization. 2. Creativity: To encourage the student body to express themselves and find their creative passions. 3. Curiosity: To encourage a spirit of interest and discovery among the student body through the creation of informative, entertaining, and unique events. 4. Open mindedness: To expand the perspectives and worldviews of students by providing opportunities for open-dialogue and student feedback, and new experiences.