The Constitution of Reynolds Residence Hall at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Transcription

1 The Constitution of Reynolds Residence Hall at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Preamble We the Residents of Reynolds, in order to form a more perfect Community, Enhance the Residential Experience, Promote the General Welfare of Students, and Secure the Benefits of Residential Education to Ourselves and to future Residents, do Ordain and Establish this Constitution for Reynolds Residence Hall. Article I Mission of the Residence Hall Association It is the mission of the Residence Hall Association at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro to advocate, provide high quality programming and leadership opportunities, and in general to continually improve the atmosphere of on campus living for all residents. RHA is committed to the residential experience and thus strives, through various avenues, to make our Residence Halls and campus into a HOME for all residents. Article I Establishment of Government The governing body of Reynolds Residence Hall shall be known as the Reynolds Hall Council, hereafter referenced as Hall Council. Hall Council shall be a constituent member of the Residence Hall Association, hereafter reference as RHA, at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, hereafter reference as UNCG. Article II Membership The membership of Hall Council include all Officers of the Executive Council and all residents of Reynolds Hall. Furthermore, all residents of Reynolds are, by virtual of their residence, members of RHA. Article III Purpose The purpose of Hall Council shall be to: 1. Represent the concerns of students residing in Reynolds Hall before the RHA, and the Office of Housing and Residence Life, hereafter referenced as HRL, at UNCG. 2. Implement diverse social, educational, and philanthropic programs within Reynolds Hall through efficient allocation of community funds. 3. Facilitate the recognition of residence hall leaders within Reynolds Hall. 4. Promote the initiatives, programs, and purpose of RHA to the campus community. 5. Connect Reynolds Hall with the larger University campus and the Greensboro Community. Article IV Duties and Powers of Hall Council The Duties and Powers of Hall Council shall be as follows: A. To represent the interests of Reynolds residents to RHA and HRL. B. To establish the by-laws of Hall Council and other procedures for operation. 1

2 C. To consider all matters of official business related to Hall Council. a. Quorum, defined as two-thirds of eligible voting members, must be present in order for Hall Council to conduct official business. b. Quorum may be suspended to conduct meetings, but any official business must be tabled until quorum is reached. Article V Executive Council Section 1 Membership The Executive Council shall consist of the President and the Executive Officers. All executive power shall be vested in the President, who shall direct the following Officers: 1. Vice President 2. Administration Chair 3. Programming and Community Outreach Chair 4. Marketing Chair 5. Recognition Chair 6. Intramural Chair 7. RHA Representative Section 2 President The Duties and Powers of the President shall be as follows: 1. To serve as the primary student representative of residents of Reynolds Hall before the RHA General Assembly, HRL, Student Government, the faculty, the administration of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and other entities as deemed necessary by the Executive Council. 2. To serve as Chief Executive in all matters of official business of Hall Council. 3. To call and preside over meetings of Hall Council, and to create detailed agendas for all meetings. 4. To appoint all additional members of Hall Council, including floor representatives and secondary officials, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council. 5. To establish and direct committees of Hall Council as necessary and serve as an ex-officio member. 6. To administer the governing documents of Reynolds Hall and RHA. 7. To assist the Coordinator for Residence Life, hereafter referenced as the CRL, in the training and development of members of Hall Council. 8. To hold at least two hours of office hours in an area of common access each week. 9. To hold regular one-on-one meetings with other members of the Executive Council. 10. To learn the Reynolds Constitution and the RHA Constitution in full. Section 3 Vice President The Duties and Powers of the Vice President shall be as follows: 1. To assume the responsibilities of the President in his or her absence. 2. To maintain an accurate account of Hall Council revenues and expenditures. 3. To, in conjunction with the President, prepare the annual Hall Council budget for approval by the Executive Council and General Assembly. 4. To provide updated budget reports to the members of Hall Council on a regular basis, or at the request of the President. 5. To supervise the expenditure of all Hall Council funds and ensure the efficient allocation of resources. 6. To chair the Committee on Current Issues. 7. To learn the Reynolds Constitution and the RHA Constitution in full. 8. To complete other tasks as requested by the President or CRL. Section 4 Administration Chair The Duties and Powers of the Administration Chair shall be as follows: 9. To maintain important records of all official business of Hall Council, including accurate accounts of meeting Minutes and all Legislation approved by the General Assembly. 10. To maintain copies of all significant documents, including the constitutions of RHA and Reynolds Hall. 11. To serve on the Committee on Current Issues. 2

3 12. To learn the Reynolds Constitution and the RHA Constitution in full. 13. To complete other tasks as requested by the President or CRL. Section 5 Programming and Community Outreach Chair The Duties and Powers of the Programming and Community Outreach Chair shall be as follows: 1. To direct the planning, execution, and delegation of duties for all social and educational programs of Hall Council. 2. To submit program proposals at least one week in advance of all Hall Council programs. 3. To actively seek out collaborative opportunities with outside organizations. 4. To chair the Committee on Programming and Community Outreach. 5. To learn the Reynolds Constitution and the RHA Constitution in full. 6. To complete other tasks as requested by the President or CRL. Section 6 Marketing Chair The Duties and Powers of the Marketing Chair shall be as follows: 1. To design and distribute all forms of publicity related to programs and other initiatives of Hall Council. 2. To coordinate the social media presence of Reynolds Hall. 3. To manage the community website in cooperation with the CRL. 4. To document Hall Council programs and initiatives through photographs, videos, and other media. 5. To promote and increase the presence of the Hall Council within Reynolds Hall and throughout the University and Greensboro communities. 6. To serve on the Committee on Recognition. 7. To learn the Reynolds Constitution and the RHA Constitution in full. 8. To complete other tasks as requested by the President or CRL. Section 7 Recognition Chair The duties and responsibilities of the Recognition Chair shall be as follows: 1. To coordinate recognition of residents, hall council members, and other residence hall leaders by various means to be determined by Hall Council. 2. To compose and submit no fewer than three (3) National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) Of-the- Month Award (OTM) nominations per semester, and to encourage the submission of said awards by other residents and members of Hall Council. 3. To coordinate recognition of birthdays and other momentous events for members of Hall Council. 4. To coordinate Hall Council socials at least once per semester. 5. To chair the Committee on Recognition. 6. To learn the Reynolds Constitution and the RHA Constitution in full. 7. To complete other tasks as requested by the President or CRL. Section 8 Intramural Chair The Duties and Powers of the Intramural Chair shall be as follows: 1. To direct the planning and execution of athletic programs within Reynolds Hall. 2. To coordinate intramural athletic teams consisting of residents of Reynolds Hall. 3. To coordinate group attendance at athletic events at UNCG. 4. To otherwise promote the physical health and wellness of Reynolds residents. 5. To learn the Reynolds Constitution and the RHA Constitution in full. 6. To complete other tasks as requested by the President or CRL. Section 9 RHA Representative The Duties and Powers of the RHA Representative shall be as follows: 1. To serve as a liaison between Reynolds Hall and RHA. 2. To represent Reynolds residents as a member of the RHA General Assembly. 3. To attend weekly meetings of the RHA General Assembly. 4. To learn the Reynolds Constitution and the RHA Constitution in full. 5. To serve as the official parliamentarian of Hall Council. 6. To serve as the primary representative of Reynolds Hall in the President s stead, and to exercise the executive authority of the President where he or she is unable to do so. 3

4 7. To complete other tasks as requested by the President or CRL. Section 10 Order of Succession In the event the President should leave office, either by resignation or impeachment, the Order of Succession shall be as follows: 1. Vice President 2. RHA Representative 3. Administration Chair 4. Programming and Community Outreach Chair 5. Marketing Chair 6. Recognition Chair 7. Intramural Chair In the event none of the above officers are willing or able to fulfill the role of President, a special election will be held within ten (10) days under the direction of the Coordinator for Residence Life. Section 13 Elections A. The President and other members of the Executive Council shall be elected within one month of the commencement of the Fall Semester at a date to be determined by the RHA Executive Council, and shall assume office within one week of their election. a. In the event of administrative need as determined by the RHA Advisor, the CRL reserves the right to appoint the RHA Reprsentative in advance of the election. B. In the event no candidate obtains a majority of the vote, a runoff election shall take place within one week. C. The members of the Exeuctive Council shall be inaugurated at a special ceremony following their election, at a date to be determined by the RHA Executive Council. Section 14 Additional Officers The President reserves the right to establish additional officers within the Executive Council, pending approval by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all voting members of Hall Council. All additional officers shall serve as voting members of Hall Council. Article VI Non-Voting Members Section 1 Coordinator for Residence Life The CRL shall act as an advisor to Hall Council and shall attend all meetings, notwithstanding personal or professional conflicts. Section 2 Resident Advisor Liaison A. The Resident Advisor (RA) Liaison shall act as a liaison between the Reynolds Staff and Hall Council and shall attend all meetings. B. The RA Liaison shall be appointed by the CRL. Article VII Standing Committees Section 2 Appointment and Composition A. The Vice Presidents of Hall Council shall be responsible for appointing interested members of Reynolds Hall to one of three (3) standing committees, which have primary responsibility for the planning and execution of Hall Council initiatives. B. Each Committee shall be obliged to meet weekly, at a time and location to be determined by the committee co-chairs. C. The committee chairs shall report on the activities of their respective committees during weekly meetings of the Executive Council. 4

5 D. Members of the committees shall be obliged to assist in the planning and implementation of committee initiatives. Section 1 Committee on Programming and Community Outreach Chair A. The Committee on Programming shall be responsible for planning and directing the programming efforts of Hall Council, with support and assistance from the Executive Council. B. The Programming and Community Outreach Chair shall serve as chair of the committee C. The Committee shall be obliged to conduct now fewer than four (4) social, educational, and/or philanthropic programs per semester. D. The Committee shall establish rules and procedures regarding its own operation, with the exception of those stated above. Section 2 Committee on Recognition A. The Committee on Recognition shall be responsible for all matters of recognition within Hall Council, including, but not limited to, the following: a. Submitting no fewer than three (3) OTM nominations per semester to NRHH. b. Writing and submitting bids for the annual RHA awards. c. Other forms of recognition as recommended by the President or Executive Council. B. The Recognition Chair shall serve as chair of the committee. C. The Committee shall establish rules and procedures regarding its own operation, with the exception of those stated above. Section 3 Committee on Current Issues A. The Committee on Current Issues shall be responsible for gathering input from residents regarding emerging issues, concerns, or problems in the community. Furthermore, it shall be responsible for all community advocacy initiatives, including, but not limited to, policy changes, facilities improvements, and other building enhancements. B. The Vice President shall serve as chair of the committee. C. The Committee shall establish rules and procedures regarding its own operation, with the exception of those stated above. Article VIII Removal of Officers Section 1 President A. The President may be removed from office under the following circumstances: a. A petition signed by two-thirds (2/3) of Reynolds Hall residents is submitted to the Vice President. b. A two-thirds (2/3) majority of voting members of Hall Council votes to remove the President. B. The CRL may unilaterally remove the President in the event he or she violates HRL policy or the Student Code of Conduct. Section 2 Executive Officers A. An Executive Officer may be removed from office under the following circumstances: a. The President, with reasonable cause and approval from the CRL, dismisses the Officer. b. A two-thirds (2/3) majority of voting members of Hall Council votes to remove the Officer, with reasonable cause. B. The CRL may unilaterally remove an Officer in the event said Officer violates HRL policy or the Student Code of Conduct. Section 3 Committee Members Members of the Standing Committees may be removed from office under the following circumstance. A. The Committee Chair, with reasonable cause and approval from the President, dismisses the member. B. A two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Committee votes to remove the member, and pending approval by the President. C. The CRL may unilaterally remove a member in the event said member violates HRL policy or the Student Code of Conduct. 5

6 Article IX Meetings Section 1 Regular Meetings Hall Council shall meet regularly throughout the academic year, excluding university holidays and final exam sessions. The President reserves the right to cancel a meeting if it is deemed unnecessary. Section 2 Special or Emergency Meetings Special or Emergency Meetings of Hall Council may be ordered by the President or by petition fifty (50) percent of voting members. Notification of special or emergency sessions must be delivered no fewer than twenty-four (24) hours in advance. Section 3 Presiding Officer A. The President shall serve as Presiding Officer during all meetings of the Hall Council. B. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall serve as Presiding Officer. C. In the absence of the President and the Vice President, the President shall appoint another member of Hall Council to serve as Presiding Officer. Section 4 Voting A. All members of the Executive Council shall exercise voting power within Hall Council, and each member shall have one vote. B. All voting shall be by voice or division vote. A roll call vote may be taken at the request of any member present. C. The President (or designated Presiding Officer) shall not vote except in the event of a tie. Section 5 Rules of Order A. Robert s Rules of Order shall govern all official business of Hall Council, except in cases of conflict with the Constitutions of Reynolds Hall or RHA. B. The Presiding Officer shall designate the duty of keeping Robert s Rules of Order during sessions to any member of the Executive Council other than himself or herself. C. The right to speak on matters of official business shall be restricted to the President, Executive Officers, Advisor, and RA Liaison. a. The President may recognize an outside individual to speak unless a majority of Hall Council votes to block such a measure. b. Any voting member of Hall Council may yield his or her speaking privileges to any resident of Reynolds Hall should said member desire to register his or her opinion on a matter of official business unless a majority of Hall Council votes to block such a measure. Section 5 Attendance A. Full attendance (described as being present for at least fifty percent of the designated meeting time) shall be required for all members of the Executive Council. B. The Administration Chair shall be notified via of all absences no less that two (2) hours in advance of the meeting. C. The accumulation of three (3) tardy arrivals will constitute one (1) absence. A tardy arrival is defined as entering the meeting room at any point after the Presiding Officer has called the meeting to order. D. The accumulation of more than two (2) absences will result in an administrative review of the member s position by the President and possible removal from office. Article X Finances Section 1 Receipt of Government Funds Hall Council shall receive an annual allocation of funds from RHA. The portion shall be determined by the RHA Executive Council, and shall be utilized to implement the goals and objectives of Hall Council. 6

7 Section 2 Appropriation of Funds A. The appropriation of funds shall be approved by a simple majority of Hall Council. B. The Vice President shall be responsible for tracking all expenditures of Hall Council in conjunction with the CRL. C. All expenditures shall require approval by Hall Council and the CRL. Section 3 Remaining Balances Any remaining balances in the Hall Council account at the end of the academic year shall revert back to RHA Section 4 Supersession of RHA Governing Documents All provisions of this article shall be superseded by the RHA Governing Documents, which shall take precedence in the event of conflict. Article XI Ratification and Nullification Section 1 Ratification This constitution, and laws enacted under its authority, shall take effect as the governing documents of Reynolds Hall when ratified by a two-thirds majority of Hall Council. Upon ratification, all previous constitutions of Reynolds Hall shall be rendered null and void. Section 2 Nullification This constitution shall be considered null and void only when a new constitution is ratified. Article XII Process for Amendment Section 1 Proposal A. Any resident of Reynolds Hall may propose an amendment to this constitution, provided such amendment is supported by a written petition of at least thirty (30) percent of Reynolds Hall residents. B. Any member of the Court may propose an amendment to this constitution without petition. Section 2 Approval A. Proposed amendments shall be presented to Hall Council and voted upon within three weeks. B. The proposed amendment shall be considered valid only when approved by two-thirds (2/3) of all voting members of Hall Council. Article XIII Jurisdiction of this Constitution Section 1 Jurisdiction This Constitution and all laws enacted under its authority shall apply to Reynolds Hall and the residents thereof. Section 2 Supersession Reynolds Hall Council and all associated entities shall fall under the jurisdiction of RHA. This Constitution shall be superseded in all cases in which it may come into conflict with the Constitution of or laws of RHA or the Student Constitution of UNCG. 7