Resident Housing Association Constitution. Florida Gulf Coast University

Resident Housing Association Constitution Florida Gulf Coast University Ratified June 2010 Updated October 2018

Article I GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 1. Section 2. Section 3. Section 4. Section 5. Section 6. Section 7. Name The name of this organization shall be the Resident Housing Association and abbreviated as RHA. Mission Statement To serve as the governing body that instills power, responsibility, and tradition in students. To ultimately serve as the voice of the students residing in Florida Gulf Coast University s housing community and to encourage change for the best possible living experience for the students. Preamble We, the students of the Resident Housing Association at Florida Gulf Coast University, do ordain and establish this organization as a selfgoverning body; where residents can share ideas, suggestions, and concerns while building tradition. We will serve as a bridge between resident students and the University Housing Administration, faculty, and staff. The Resident Housing Association will provide social, educational, and community service programs for its residents as well as leadership opportunities for its members. Resident Housing Association will respect and uphold the desires of the students residing in the housing community at Florida Gulf Coast University. Resident Student Body The Resident Housing Association is comprised of the students who live in the housing community at Florida Gulf Coast University, with the exception of Resident Assistants, Residence Life Staff, and Administration. Eligibility Any member of the Florida Gulf Coast housing community wishing to hold an elected or appointed position must be in good academic and disciplinary standing set by Florida Gulf Coast University. Authority The Resident Housing Association shall be the official voice of the resident student body and shall present concerns to the Housing Administration, Faculty, and Staff at Florida Gulf Coast University. Branches of Government The powers of the Resident Housing Association shall be divided into legislative and executive branches. No person belonging to an appointed or elected position shall hold an office title in another appointed or elected position internally within the Resident Housing Association. Section 8. Allocation and Distribution of Funds RHA s budget is comprised of a $15 fee each housing resident pays in the fall and spring semester as part of his/her housing fee. Funding will be broken down as follows: 1. 1. University Overhead Costs will be taken out as required 2. 3% of the budget will be allocated to the Board of Directors for operational costs to be approved with a 2/3 Board of Director vote 3. Area Council s will receive $2000 or 4%, whichever is greater, as its funds a. Any money that is unallocated at the end of the semester will be swept and placed 2

back into the main RHA budget. b.councils are not allowed to pass blanket spending legislation or purchase gift cards for remaining funds in order to rollover funds to the next semester. c. Any moneys allocated from the Fall budget for Spring programming must be spent by January 31st 4. The remaining budget will be dispersed at the discretion of the Board of Governors. Section 9. Affiliation Affiliation is mandatory to the following organizations; National Association of College and University Residence Halls, South Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls, and Florida Association of Residence Halls. Section 10. Discrimination prohibited The Resident Housing Association shall not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, disability, or any other classification. ARTICLE II THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH Section 1. Section 2. Section 4. Executive Powers All executive powers of the Resident Housing Association shall be vested in the President, assisted by an Executive Board of Directors. Term The term for all Executive Board of Directors positions begins during the last general meeting of the spring semester. Qualifications of all Board of Directors members (a) All members of the Board of Directors must be housing residents at Florida Gulf Coast University; with the exception of Resident Assistants, Resident Life Staff, and Administration. (b) All members of the Board of Directors must have and maintain a cumulative 2.5 grade point average. If at any time their GPA should drop below a 2.5, or he/she is no longer in good academic standing, he/she will be removed from their position effective immediately. (c) Any member of the Board of Directors who is no longer in good standing with the Office of Housing and Residence Life or Florida Gulf Coast University due to disciplinary standing will be removed from their position effective immediately. (d) No person shall hold multiple elected positions within the Resident Housing Association Board of. Except in the interim of a vacancy of an Executive Branch position or as stated in the powers and duties section of the constitution. (e) No person shall hold a position within the Executive Branch of the Florida Gulf Coast University Student Government Association. 3

Section 5. Section 6. Section 7. Vacancies If the office of President becomes vacant, the powers and duties of President shall be filled temporarily by the Vice President until an emergency election is held. If the Vice President Position is vacant, the line of succession is as follows; National Communications Coordinator, Director of Communications. If all Executive Board positions are vacant, the Resident Housing Association Advisor(s) shall assume all powers and duties until an emergency election is held at the next general meeting. If any other executive cabinet position becomes vacant, applications will be collected, interested candidates will be interviewed and the remaining board of director members will decide who should be appointed to the position. The successful candidate will present a 5 minute presentation to the Board of Governors and will be appointed only by a 2/3 majority vote of the Board of Governors. If a candidate does not receive a 2/3 majority, a new candidate will be brought to the Board of Governors for consideration until a successful candidate is elected. Area Council Support System (a) Area Council buddies will be split amongst each member of the Board of Directors based upon set meeting times and availability. (b) Each member of the Board of Directors will be responsible for attending at least one of their respective buddy s meetings a month. (c) This will serve as a means for a consistent show of support from the Board of Directors. As well as a way for the area councils to have another means of open dialogue with Board of Directors. Powers and Duties of the President Duties of the President include but are not limited to the following: (a) Chief Executive of the Resident Housing Association; (b) Ensure that all provisions of this Constitution and the laws of the Resident Housing Association are faithfully executed; (c) Chairs the Board of Governors Meetings (d) Point of contact for any bill submissions and requests for guest presentations at Board of Governors (e) Oversee the appointment of vacant Board of Directors with a majority vote by the Board of Governors ; (f) Delegate duties of absent Board of Director positions; (g) Give a regular and consistent report to the Board of Governors on executive activities; (h) Organize volunteers to assist in duties not defined in this Constitution; (i) Oversee all Resident Housing Association events, including the planning process; (j) Meet regularly with Resident Housing Association Adviser(s) and the Director of the Office of Housing and Residence Life. (k) Responsible for representation at Fall and Spring Check-in as well as Eagle Expo; (l) Attend conferences as delegate cap and conference agenda allow. (m) Complete a minimum of a 5 hour commitment per week within the Resident Housing Association Office. On the weeks when the 4

(n) (o) (p) (q) (r) (s) (t) university has a holiday the Board members must complete one hour for every day classes are in session that week. Responsible for attending Executive Branch training and retreat (s). Be present for each Resident Housing Association Board of Director chaired event unless written notice is brought to the Adviser(s) 48 hours prior to the event. Required to attend all weekly Board of Governors Meetings Oversee the planning and coordination of the End of the Year Banquet, oversee and coordinate Area Council Elections for the Fall semester Perform all requirements as an Area Council Buddy Perform any other power or duty provided for in this Constitution. Section 8. Powers and Duties of the Vice President Duties of the Vice President include but are not limited to the following: (a) Exercise the powers and duties of the President in the absence of the President; (b) Make recommendations to the Board of Governors for student appointments to University committees. If no recommendations can be made the Vice President or his/her designee shall assume the position; (c) Regularly review the work of the Board of Directors, Executive Cabinet, and committee chairs and make recommendations to the President concerning corrective action; (d) Enforce parliamentary rules and procedures during all Board of Governors Meetings; (e) Serves as the chief financial officer of the Resident Housing Association; (f) Keep complete and accurate accounts of all Resident Housing Association funds and deposits; (g) Give a full financial report to the Executive Branch weekly and at Board of Governors meeting, as well as supply information on the Resident Housing Association s financial report to any housing student that request such. (h) Responsible for collecting a copied expenditure form from all purchases for events, travel, and related activities; (i) Responsible for representation at Fall and Spring Check-In as well as Eagle Expo (j) Coordinate Area Council Training and Area Council retreat. (k) Meet regularly with a Resident Housing Association Adviser(s) (l) Apply to attend conferences as desired or needed. Responsible for attending Board of Directors training and retreat(s) (m) Complete a minimum of a 5 hour commitment per week within the Resident Housing Association Office. On the weeks when the university has a holiday the Board members must complete one hour for every day classes are in session that week (n) Be present for each Resident Housing Association Board of Directors chaired event unless written notice is brought to the 5

(o) (p) (q) President and Adviser 48 hours prior to the event. Required to attend all weekly Board of Governors Meetings Perform all requirements as an Area Council Buddy Perform any other powers or duties provided for in this Constitution. Section 9. Powers and Duties of the National Communications Coordinator Duties of the National Communications Coordinator include but are not limited to the following: (a) Responsible for attending conferences, including but not limited to the Mini-Florida Association of Residence Hall, South Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls, Florida Association of Residents Halls, South Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls No-Frills, and National Association of College and University Residence Halls Conferences, and serve as delegation leader at those conferences; (b) Responsible for coordinating all conference preparation, including conference delegation selection with the assistance of the President or acting Co-National Communications Coordinator, (c) Complete conference preparations also including researching and planning details of conference travel arrangements, hotel reservations, registration, excursion options, and related expenses (d) Responsible for preparing and submitting any award essays, bids, and or programs to be presented, judged, and or voted on at conferences as necessary; (e) Responsible for completing affiliation with required organizations; (f) Responsible for fulfilling all conference duties, including representation of Florida Gulf Coast University at all conference business meetings; (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l) (m) (n) (o) Responsible for writing the Annual Affiliation Report; Coordinate all school award, individual award, and positional bid submissions, including the approval of the Board of Governors as needed; to the Florida Gulf Coast University body for confirmation; Assist National Residence Hall Honorary in any and all bids for regional or national awards; Inform Florida Gulf Coast University of state, regional, and national residence hall news; Be responsible for representation at Fall and Spring Check-In as well as Eagle Expo Meet regularly with a Resident Housing Association Adviser(s) Responsible for attending Board of Directors training and retreat(s) Complete a minimum of a 5 hour commitment per week within the Resident Housing Association Office. On the weeks when the university has a holiday the Board members must complete one hour for every day classes are in session that week Be present for each Resident Housing Association Board of Directors chaired event unless written notice is brought to the President and Adviser 48 hours prior to the event. 6

(p) (q) (r) (s) Required to attend all weekly Board of Governors Meetings Perform all requirements as an Area Council Buddy Write at least one OTM a month on behalf of RHA Perform any other powers or duties provided for in this Constitution. Section 10. Powers and Duties of the Director of Communications Duties of the Director of Communications include but are not limited to the following: (a) Responsible for taking minutes at the Board of Governors and Board of Directors Meetings, accurately keeping track of them, and making them available to the public as well as the Board of Governors. (b) Responsible for keeping a record of attendance at Board of Governors and Board of Directors meetings, (c) Responsible for keeping a record of RHA s Constitution and Rules and Procedures and each Area Council s Constitution and Rules and Procedures. (d) Responsible for maintaining the Resident Housing Association email account, sending mass emails, including but not limited to updates, announcements, and reminders to the Board of Governors; (e) Provide a monthly calendar of events that would be available for all Board of Governors; (f) Maintain records of all bills passed through the Board of Governors including the bill numbers, votes, and presenters; (g) Oversee the creation of the association with an end of the year report in collaboration with the other Board of Directors members; (h) Responsible for maintaining a current bulletin board to be changed by the 5 th of every month; (i) Responsible for advertising, promoting, and publicizing all events and programs through digital and physical methods, and Resident Housing Association itself; (j) Responsible for updating and maintaining information on the Residential Housing Association website (including but not limited to weekly agendas, minutes, calendar of events and photos. (k) Responsible for the researching and providing of accurate information in regards to the technology needed for the Resident Housing Association and handling all of RHA s technological equipment; (l) Be responsible for representation at Fall and Spring Check-In as well as Eagle Expo (m) Meet regularly with a Resident Housing Association Adviser(s) (n) Apply to attend conferences as desired or needed. (o) Responsible for attending Board of Directors training and retreat(s) (p) Keep a running record of Area Council Points. Each week at the Board of Governors meeting, a report on Area Council standings is to be given (q) Responsible for overseeing and keeping a current list of all Housing Delegates from each Area Council; (r) Complete a minimum of a 5 hour commitment per week within the 7

Resident Housing Association Office. On the weeks when the university has a holiday the Board members must complete one hour for every day classes are in session that week (s) Be present for each Resident Housing Association Board of Directors chaired event unless written notice is brought to the President and Adviser 48 hours prior to the event. (t) Required to attend all weekly Board of Governors Meetings and one RHA Town Hall Meetings per semester. (u) Perform all requirements as an Area Council Buddy (v) And perform any other powers or duties provided in this Constitution. Section 11. Powers and Duties of the National Communications Coordinator in Training (NCC- IT) Duties of the NCC-IT include but are not limited to the following: (a) Learn all aspects of sending delegates to a conference working with the NCC. (b) Assist the National Communications Coordinator with Of the Month and Florida Excellence in Housing Awards. (c) Must attend two conferences, one being No Frills. (d) Hold the position of NCC the following year; this is a year and a half commitment (spring to spring). (e) Responsible for attending Board of Director Training & Retreats (f) Be responsible for representation at Fall and Spring Check-In as well as Eagle Expo (g) Attend bi-weekly meeting with NCC (h) Is required to attend all weekly Board of Director and Board of Governors meetings. Section 12. Powers and Duties of the Director of Outreach Duties of the Director of Outreach include but are not limited to the following: (a) Foster communication between the Resident Housing Association and other student and campus organizations; updating on relevant activities and announcements (b) Be responsible for representation at Fall and Spring Check-In as well as Eagle Expo (c) Organize a minimum of one collaborative program each semester with another student organization or office not affiliated with the Office of Housing and Residence Life; (d) Meet regularly with a Resident Housing Association Adviser (e) Responsible for attending Board of Director Training & Retreats (f) Be present for each Resident Housing Association Board of Directors chaired event unless written notice is brought to the President and Adviser 48 hours prior to the event. (g) Required to attend all weekly Board of Governors and Board of Directors Meetings (h) Perform all requirements as an Area Council Buddy 8

(i) Perform any other powers or duties provided for in the constitution. Section 13. Powers and Duties of the RHA Adviser(s) Duties of the RHA Adviser include but are not limited to the following: (a) Interpret institutional policy and parliamentary procedure as appropriate. (b) Provide guidance and advice to RHA members as appropriate. (c) Assist in all RHA development programs for all RHA meetings. (d) Serve as a resource for RHA. (e) Meet with each Board of Directors member regularly (f) Is responsible for tracking and managing the RHA budget and expenditures in conjunction with the Vice-President. (g) Responsible for providing training and retreats for the Resident Housing Association Board of Governors and Area Councils in conjunction with the Vice President. (h) Plans Board of Directors retreats in collaboration with the President (i) Responsible to verifying all Board of Directors are in good academic and disciplinary standings (j) Responsible for attending conferences, including but not limited to the Mini-Florida Association of Residence Halls, South Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls, Florida Association of Residence Halls, South Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls No-Frills, and National Association of College and University Residence Halls Conferences, and serve as an adviser at those conferences. (k) Coordinate Board of Directors elections with the President or his/her designee RHA Adviser(s) are selected by the Office of Housing and Residence. If at any time the Board of Directors feels their adviser(s) are not fulfilling the Adviser(s) duties outlined in this constitution, the Board of Directors may talk with to the Associate Director for Residence Life regarding the Adviser(s) performance. Article III LEGISLATIVE BRANCH Section 1. Legislative powers All legislative powers of the Resident Housing Association shall be vested in the Area Council Vice-Presidents. The Area Council Vice Presidents are members of the Board of Governors along with the Board of Directors. However, the only voting members of the Board of Governors are the Area Council Vice Presidents. Section 2. Section 3. Composition The Board of Governors shall be composed of the Area Council s Vice-Presidents,, and the Board of Directors. Apportionment The Board of Governors shall reapportion itself following the opening or closing of a Housing facility to be effective for the following academic term. 9

Section 4: Qualifications- All Vice Presidents serving on the Board of Governors must meet the following qualifications: (a) Be housing residents at Florida Gulf Coast University; must have and maintain a cumulative 2.5 grade point average. If at any time their GPA should fall below a 2.5, or he/she is no longer in good standing he/she may be brought up for removal. (b) Any member who is no longer in good standing with the Office of Housing and Residential Life or Florida Gulf Coast University due to disciplinary standing will be removed from their position immediately. (c) No person shall hold multiple elected positions within RHA. Section 5. Section 6. Powers of the Board of Governors The Board of Governors shall have the power to: (a) Amend the Rules and Procedures Bylaws; (b) Determine the time and place of Resident Housing Association general meetings, provided that it meets 1. Weekly 2. after 9:30 PM 3. on no special circumstances, such as holidays recognized by Florida Gulf Coast University etc; (c) Decide all tie elections; (d) Vote on Resident Housing Association President s recommendations of appointed Board of Director positions; (e) Provide for the control and disbursement of the Resident Housing Association funds through bill approval; (f) Require information and appearance from any individual of an organization requesting to receive Resident Housing Association funds; (g) Exercise any other power or duty provided for in the constitution or laws of the Resident Housing Association. Prohibitions The Board of Governors shall not: (a) Enact any law that abridges its powers delegated by the constitution; (b) Appropriate funds for a period more than 365 days from approval, with the exception of allocated rollover money; (c) Infringe the secrecy of the ballot in any Resident Housing Association election; (d) Deny speaking privileges in the Board of Governors to the Resident Housing Association President, Vice President, National Communications Coordinator, Director of Communication, and Resident Housing Association Advisor(s). (e) Meet in a closed session; (f) Change the dates of Resident Housing Association elections in the four weeks before the scheduled election; (g) Change the election laws during the four weeks before the scheduled election to be effective for that election (h) Shall not bring a bill embracing more than one subject matter 10

Section 7. Procedures (a) A bill must be presented to the Board of Governors, introduced by a member of the Board of Governors, and passed through a roll call vote by a simple majority vote during a Board of Governors meeting in order to become law. (b) Bills that are requesting funding greater than $1,000 dollars must go through a two week reading process. Any bill under a thousand dollars may have the first reading waived and be voted on that night. (c) Full procedure can be found in Rules and Procedures Document Section 2. F. (b) ARTICLE IV ELECTIONS Section 1. Section 2. Section 3. Qualifications to vote The Area Council Vice-Presidents shall comprise the electorate. Each member of the electorate shall be entitled to vote in Resident Housing Association Board of Directors Election Management The Resident Housing Association Adviser(s), in conjunction with the President or his/her designee, shall coordinate all Resident Housing Association elections. Election Results Tallying of votes shall be supervised by the Resident Housing Association Advisers in conjunction with the RHA President or his/her designee. The results of all Resident Housing Association elections shall be announced immediately following the tallying of votes. Section 4. Board of Directors & Qualifications Qualifications for a potential candidate include but are not limited to the following: (a) Must be a residential student at the time of elections in the Spring as well as the following academic year. (b) Must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA at the time of application. Those applicants not meeting the 2.5 GPA requirement may write a formal appeal to the RHA adviser detailing the reason for requesting exception to the requirement. Approval of the appeal is at the discretion of the RHA Adviser. (c) Be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the time of application (d) Must have had 2 semesters of experience in an elected position within RHA including the semester of election; with the exception of the NCC- IT. The RHA adviser may grant exemptions for special cases. Must meet in person with the Board of Directors. 11

ARTICLE V SUSPENSION AND REMOVAL OF OFFICERS Section 1. Section 2. Recall Election Any elected member of the Executive Branch may be removed from office by recall election. A 2/3 rd vote of the Board of Governors approving a recall resolution may initiate such an election. The grounds for removal of an Executive Branch member by recall resolution or recall petition must be expressly contained in the recall resolution or petition and are limited to the following: malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, or conviction of a felony. The election must be held within 30 calendar days of the initial election. A simple majority vote of the Board of Governors is required for removal. In the event of removal a replacement will be appointed until the re-election, which must be held within 2 weeks of the appointment. Impeachment Any elected or appointed member of the Executive Branch may be impeached for the following: malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, termination determined by delegate point system, conviction of a felony, or not adhering to all qualifications under Article III Section4. Five elected members of RHA must cofile the impeachment resolution and the affected person must receive a true copy of the impeachment resolution for impeachment proceedings to be initiated. The impeachment shall be tried at the next Board of Governors Meeting. The Board of Governors shall provide in their rules and procedures for the manner in which the impeachment trial will be conducted. A 2/3 rd vote of the Board of Governors shall be required for removal. In the event of impeachment a replacement will be appointed until the re-election, which must be held within 2 weeks of the appointment. ARTICLE VI AMENDMENTS Section 1. Section 2. Proposal by an Elected Position Amendments to the constitution may be proposed by a Board of Governors member. Amendments must be distributed 36 hours in advance of the next Board of Directors meeting. The amendment must then go through two readings. The second reading may not be waived. Proposal by initiative Residential students may propose amendments to the constitution by submitting along with the amendment a verifiable petition containing the signatures of 15% of the residential student body to the Board of Directors. Such residential students would then become the author of that amendment. Each amendment proposed shall embrace only one subject and 12

matter directly connected to that subject. Section 3. Requirement for ratification A two-thirds Board of Governors approval vote is necessary to ratify all constitutional amendments. Section 4. Publication requirement The text of all amendments and the ballot summary shall be published On the RHA website. (a) 13