The Constitution of the International Student Council at Vanderbilt University

Transcription

1 The Constitution of the International Student Council at Vanderbilt University

2 Preamble: We, the International Student Council, being the members of student organizations at Vanderbilt University, shall ensure integration and cooperation between multi-cultural organizations and the University, and shall ensure integration and cooperation among the different multicultural organizations on campus. Article I: Name Section I: Name The full name of this organization shall be the Vanderbilt University International Student Council (ISC). Article II: Purpose and Goals Section I: Mission Statement ISC s objective is to serve as a platform that ensures and enhances communication and cooperation among the International Community, the Vanderbilt community, and the Nashville communities. Section II: Purpose Vanderbilt University International Student Council (ISC) is a non-political and non-profit student organization. The goal of ISC is to unite all the undergraduate and graduate international students on campus, and acts as an advocacy platform to promote cultural diversity to the Vanderbilt and Nashville communities. ISC dedicates to promote mutual cultural and intellectual sharing among international students and American students, to promote the welfare of international students, and to work as a liaison between ISSS and international students. Article III: Authority Section I: Affiliation This organization is advised by International Students and Scholar Services Office (ISSS) and wishes to express its desire to work and collaborate with other organizations and individuals that support and promote international issues. Section II: Accountability This organization is a recognized student organization at Vanderbilt University and adheres to all campus policies as set forth in the Vanderbilt University Code of Student Conduct and the Vanderbilt University Student Organization Policies and Guidelines.

3 Article IV: Membership Section I: Eligibility I. ISC members include all students, scholars, staff, and their families at Vanderbilt University. Section II: Members Rights and Responsibilities Rights of ISC members - To vote on resolutions and to be voted as ISC committee member. - To receive information from the ISC mailing-list. - To run activities organized by ISC. - To join in the discussion and decision of big events. Responsibilities of ISC members: - To read and respect the constitution of ISC and amend the constitution when deemed necessary. - Be respectful of opinions from all members of ISC. - Support and participate in the ISC meetings, initiatives, activities and events. Article V: Executive Board Officers Section I: Positions There shall be an executive board within the International Students Council. The current executive board members shall decide on the following semester s board structure. The executive board of the ISC include but are not limited to the following positions: I. President II. Vice President(s) III. Chief of Staff IV. Finance Director V. Public Relation Director VI. Career Development Director VII. Advocacy Director VIII. Community Services Director IX. Cultural Awareness Director

4 Section II: Eligibility I. Open to all full time Vanderbilt students, both undergraduate and graduate students II. Candidates for any position shall be a member of ISC in good standing prior to the election process. All candidates must meet Vanderbilt University guidelines in regard to Student Organizations. III. The officers cannot hold two officer positions in one term IV. All officers must serve for a term of one year until their successors be duly elected V. Executive board members shall not represent their personal beliefs, especially not politically and/or religiously, in the name of ISC. VI. For undergraduate students the minimum grade point average (GPA) for all previous semester at Vanderbilt is For graduate and professional students the minimum GPA is Section III: Duties In addition to the duties as prescribed by ISC as in Section II, the duties of the officer shall be to: President I. Chair ISC bi-weekly executive board meetings and monthly general members meetings. II. Shall have the power to negotiate all agreements and legal matters on behalf of the association. III. Act as a representative between the association and the university administration IV. Shall be responsible for all decision making. V. Responsible to consult any decisions with the ISC s advisor. Vice President I. Chair ISC meetings in absence of the President II. Taking responsibility of President in the event that the acting President is absent or is no longer able to fulfill her/his duties. III. Responsible in assisting the President on a day-to-day basis IV. Serve as an adviser and consultant to members of ISC V. Serve as a liaison to ISSS and ISC. Treasurer / Finance Director I. Maintain an accurate record of all organization transactions. II. Approve all ISC transactions and expenditure before they take place. III. Prepare and give statement updates at regular executive board meetings. IV. Develop budget guidelines and prepare budget for requesting funds from Vanderbilt University in the spring semesters. V. Solicit additional funding if needed and arrange fundraising opportunities for ISC. VI. Responsible for issuing P-Card and complete the documentation for AcFee application.

5 Secretary I. Conduct official correspondence for ISC. II. Responsible for the setup, notification, coordination, and reservation of locations for executive board and general members meetings of ISC. Take meeting notes for both meetings and send the notes to advisors for approval within 24 hours of the meeting. III. Record membership attendance during all events and meetings IV. Supervise elections for officers of ISC, check qualifications of candidates for ISC officer positions. V. Maintain membership directory. VI. Correspond when necessary with university administration and otehr recognized organizations. Public Relation Director I. Hold responsibility in handling all official incoming and outgoing mail. II. Responsible to create advertisement/publicity for ISC events. III. Help to create awareness among education students. IV. Work closely with ISSS office for promotion and publicity of ISC events. V. Maintain and update ISC flyers, brochures, and web materials. Cultural Awareness Director I. Plan and direct major ISC events, such as international education week committees, welcome events, food fair. II. Coordinate with other cultural students organization on campus. III. Cooperate with on and off-campus officials for cultural based programs. IV. Make sure that the approved calendar of events is carried out in a timely fashion. V. Work closely with ISSS to organize events. VI. Work along the side with ISSS to create awareness for all the international students Community Services Director I. Responsible for planning community services for ISC II. Investigate any issues regarding international student community on campus III. Collaborate with other service organizations including ISSS on campus IV. Create awareness on international humanitarian issues V. Make sure that the approved calendar of events is carried out in a timely fashion VI. Recruit and coordinate volunteers. Advocacy Director I. Investigate any issues regarding international student community on campus II. Communicate with ISSS Student Advisory Board to better facilitate the issues III. Responsible to work with Vanderbilt s administration to deal with the issues IV. Shall practice positive manner whenever voicing out concerns/issues considering that you represent Vanderbilt international student community

6 V. Make sure that the approved calendar of events is carried out in a timely fashion Career Development Director I. Investigate any issues regarding career development for the international student community on campus II. Responsible to work with appropriate office to facilitate the issues. (Ex. Career Center) III. Shall practice positive manner whenever voicing out concerns/issues considering that you represent Vanderbilt international student community IV. Make sure that the approved calendar of events is carried out in a timely fashion Article VI: Election Section I: Application I. Nominations for all officer positions shall be announced at the first regular meeting of general members meeting in spring semester. II. Advertisement shall be made within one week after the opening of nominations. Section II: Interview I. The ISC interviewing committee is composed of the ISC President, Vice President(s), Treasure / Finance director, and ISC advisor(s). II. The committee will make recommendations for appointment of the following positions: President-Elect, Vice-President(s)-Elect, Treasure/Finance Director-Elect and Secretary-Elect, based on experience, presentation and leadership skills demonstrated by the candidates during the interview. III. The committee will do its best to appoint a diverse group of leaders as ISC-Elect. IV. In case of rejection of any nominees, the meeting shall be adjourned to another time, when other applicants to the respective position shall present themselves to the general members. V. Once the top four position have been filled for the ISC-Elect, a second round of interviews will take place in order to elect other positions such as Public Relation Director, Cultural Awareness Director, Community Service Director. VI. The second round of interviews will be conducted by the interviewing committee and and newly elected President-Elect, Vice-President(s)-Elect, Treasure/Finance Director-Elect, and Secretary-Elect. VII. The executive board-elect shall shadow current executive board officers. Together they shall begin planning ISC activities for the following year. VIII. All newly elected officers shall be seated in the annual meeting as in Article VII.

7 Article VII: Meetings Section I: Executive Board Meetings I. The Executive Board shall meet bi-weekly during the fall and spring semesters unless otherwise deemed by the President. II. Attendance at all meetings of the Executive Board shall be mandatory unless otherwise excused by the President. Special meetings of the executive board may be called by the president or by the request of three executive board members, as long as the call is made prior to the special meeting. III. The last meeting of spring semester shall be known as the Annual Meeting and shall be for the purpose of receiving reports from officers, committee chairs and for any other business that may arise. IV. This same meeting shall also end the duties and responsibilities of the executive board officers and have the new executive board officers-elect be seated. Section II: General Members Meetings I. The General Body shall meet once per month during the fall and spring semesters unless otherwise deemed by the President. II. Attendance at two-third of all General Members meetings in the immediately preceding year is required for those considering running for officership in the Organization. Article VII: Constitutional Amendments Section I: Amendments Amendments to this constitution shall require a majority vote of the ISC and must be approved at the ISC meeting. When voting on amendments to the constitution, all said members of the council can vote for or against any amendment. This includes Executive Board members. Section II: Ratification This Constitution shall become effective when ratified by a two-thirds vote of all members of the ISC. As of date the ratification of the constitution, it shall remain as the guiding structure for said Council.