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The Constitution
of
The Clarion University of Pennsylvania Chapter
of
The Society of Physics Students
Article I
Name
The name of this organization shall be “The Clarion University of Pennsylvania Chapter of the
Society of Physics Students”.
Article II
Purpose
The purpose of this Chapter shall be the advancement and diffusion of knowledge of the science
of physics and the encouragement of students’ interest in physics throughout the academic and
local communities.
Article III
Membership
Section 1.
Membership in this Society of Physics Students Chapter shall be open to all
individuals interested in physics and currently enrolled students.
Section 2.
Membership in Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics honor society included within this
Society of Physics Students Chapter, shall be based upon character and academic
and professional attainments and is not restricted to physics majors. Election to
Sigma Pi Sigma membership shall be conducted by the active Sigma Pi Sigma
members from among those candidates presented by the Sigma Pi Sigma
membership nominating committee appointed by the Chapter Advisor.
Clause 1.
(a)
(b)
(c)
For undergraduate students in physics or related fields, the minimum
requirements for Sigma Pi Sigma membership within this chapter shall be
as follows:
All members elect shall have completed at least the equivalent of three
semesters of full-time college work.
All members elect shall have completed at least three semester courses in
physics, each of at least three credit hours, which may be credited toward
a physics major.
All members elect shall have attained at least a 3.0 grade point average on
a 4.0 system for physics courses and for cumulative course grades in all
courses.
Clause 2.
For undergraduate students in physics or related fields, all members elect
either (a) shall meet the requirements for undergraduate members elect,
based upon their undergraduate records, or (b) shall have completed at
least one year of graduate work, meeting departmental standards for
satisfactory progress towards advanced degree.
Clause 3.
For faculty members, research staff members, and other qualified
individuals, who are in physics or related fields, election to membership
shall be based upon their professional attainments.
Article IV
Officers
Section 1.
The officers of the Chapter shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and
a Treasurer; succession shall be in accordance with this order. Any two of the last
three offices may be combined. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed
by this constitution and by the parliamentary authority adopted by this Chapter.
Section 2.
Officers shall be elected at a scheduled meeting in April of each year.
Nominations shall be by open nomination at a meeting in the previous month. The
election shall be by closed ballot. Officers elect shall assume their offices
immediately following the election and shall hold office for one year or until their
successors are duly elected.
Section 3.
The President shall be the official chief executive officer of the organization. The
duties of the President are:
(a) to exercise general supervision of the members and committees of the
organization.
(b) to preside at all meetings, and to call special meetings of the organization
(c) to perform all other obligations and/or tasks placed upon the chief executive
officer of the organization.
Section 4.
The duties of the Vice President shall be:
(a) to exercise general supervision of members and the organization in the
absence of the President
(b) in the event of resignation or permanent disability of the President to succeed
him until a special election has been held to fill the vacancy
(c) to act as the liaison between the members and the President
(d) to act as the coordinator of all committees.
Section 5.
The duties of the Secretary shall be:
(a) to keep accurate and complete records of all business conducted during
meetings and otherwise
(b) to prepare written minutes for presentation at all meetings
(c) to secure and maintain all records of the organization
Section 6.
The duties of the Treasurer shall be:
(a) to coordinate all organizational and committee finances
(b) to collect all dues and assignments of the organization
(c) to manage and pay all bills, and maintain permanent records of all receipts of
the organization
(d) to give periodical financial reports at regular meetings
Upon the installment of a Sigma Pi Sigma Chapter within the Society of Physics
Students Chapter, one of the Officers, who is a Sigma Pi Sigma member, and the
Chapter Advisor shall be given specific responsibility for the affairs of the Sigma
Pi Sigma Chapter.
Section 7.
Article V
Chapter Advisor
The Chapter Advisor shall be a faculty member appointed by the Chairman of the Physics
Department, after consultation with the chapter officers. The Chapter Advisor shall provide
liaison among the Chapter, the Physics Department, and the National office of the Society of
Physics Students. The Chapter Advisor will supply counsel to the Chapter, furnish continuity of
experience in chapter operations, and provide long range perspective to insure departmental
interest in and support of the Society of Physics Students. The Chapter Advisor shall assist the
Secretary in furnishing the National Office with the required data and shall assist the Treasurer in
transmitting fees and dues to the National Office.
Article VI
Meetings
Regular meetings shall be held monthly as determined by the officers. Special meetings may be
called by the President or Vice President. There shall be at least six meetings per year.
Article VII
Finances and Funding
Section 1.
Dues
(a) Dues amounts shall be established per semester for all members who wish to
become active
(b) Dues shall be collected by the treasurer in addition to the dues required by the
National Office
(c) Dues shall be decided by an absolute majority of those present at the first
meeting of each semester
Section 2.
Funding
(a) Financial assistance will be requested from the Student Senate with
knowledge that this request may be denied.
(b) The organization shall obtain additional funding through various fundraising
activities; sponsored in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
college and community.
Article VIII
Rules of Order
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall
govern the Chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not
inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Chapter may adopt.
Article IX
The Constitution
Section 1.
Amending the Constitution
(a) All constitutional amendments must be submitted to active membership in
writing at two consecutive meetings.
(b) An absolute majority vote of the active membership is required to adopt the
amendment.
(c) Amendments that are approved by the necessary majority shall then be
submitted for the approval of the President of Clarion University of
Pennsylvania, the Student Senate, the Vice President of Student Affairs, and
shall conform to the regulations established by the National Constitution of
the Society of Physics Students.
Section 2.
Suspension of the Constitution
(a) The removal of a section in the Constitution requires:
1. A motion made by an active member regarding the said section.
2. (and) A second made by another active member of the
organization.
3. The said motion must then be reviewed by the Executive Board.
4. After the review by the Executive Board, the said motion is voted
on and passed only by absolute majority vote of the active
membership.
(b) The suspension becomes effective at the end of the meeting which it was
voted on and upon approval by the President of the Clarion University of
Pennsylvania, Vice President of Student Affairs, and Student Senate.
Section 3.
Accepting the Constitution.
Acceptance of the Constitution requires a statement of simple majority vote of the
active membership.
Article X
Ratification
This Constitution shall be ratified by the acceptance of a simple majority vote of active members
and the approval of the President of Clarion University of Pennsylvania, the Vice President of
Student Affairs, and Student Senate.
Chapter Bylaws
1. These bylaws can be amended by a two-thirds vote provided that the amendment shall
have been proposed at least one meeting prior to the time of the vote.
2. No vote can be taken unless ½ plus one of the active membership is present
3. Additional officers may be elected or appointed as needed by the organization.
4. Regular meetings will be tentatively held on the first Thursday of the month and will be
announced on CUConnect.
5. Special meetings shall be called by the President, Executive Board, or 1/3 of the active
members of the organization. Members must be notified 24 hrs prior to a special meeting.
of
The Clarion University of Pennsylvania Chapter
of
The Society of Physics Students
Article I
Name
The name of this organization shall be “The Clarion University of Pennsylvania Chapter of the
Society of Physics Students”.
Article II
Purpose
The purpose of this Chapter shall be the advancement and diffusion of knowledge of the science
of physics and the encouragement of students’ interest in physics throughout the academic and
local communities.
Article III
Membership
Section 1.
Membership in this Society of Physics Students Chapter shall be open to all
individuals interested in physics and currently enrolled students.
Section 2.
Membership in Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics honor society included within this
Society of Physics Students Chapter, shall be based upon character and academic
and professional attainments and is not restricted to physics majors. Election to
Sigma Pi Sigma membership shall be conducted by the active Sigma Pi Sigma
members from among those candidates presented by the Sigma Pi Sigma
membership nominating committee appointed by the Chapter Advisor.
Clause 1.
(a)
(b)
(c)
For undergraduate students in physics or related fields, the minimum
requirements for Sigma Pi Sigma membership within this chapter shall be
as follows:
All members elect shall have completed at least the equivalent of three
semesters of full-time college work.
All members elect shall have completed at least three semester courses in
physics, each of at least three credit hours, which may be credited toward
a physics major.
All members elect shall have attained at least a 3.0 grade point average on
a 4.0 system for physics courses and for cumulative course grades in all
courses.
Clause 2.
For undergraduate students in physics or related fields, all members elect
either (a) shall meet the requirements for undergraduate members elect,
based upon their undergraduate records, or (b) shall have completed at
least one year of graduate work, meeting departmental standards for
satisfactory progress towards advanced degree.
Clause 3.
For faculty members, research staff members, and other qualified
individuals, who are in physics or related fields, election to membership
shall be based upon their professional attainments.
Article IV
Officers
Section 1.
The officers of the Chapter shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and
a Treasurer; succession shall be in accordance with this order. Any two of the last
three offices may be combined. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed
by this constitution and by the parliamentary authority adopted by this Chapter.
Section 2.
Officers shall be elected at a scheduled meeting in April of each year.
Nominations shall be by open nomination at a meeting in the previous month. The
election shall be by closed ballot. Officers elect shall assume their offices
immediately following the election and shall hold office for one year or until their
successors are duly elected.
Section 3.
The President shall be the official chief executive officer of the organization. The
duties of the President are:
(a) to exercise general supervision of the members and committees of the
organization.
(b) to preside at all meetings, and to call special meetings of the organization
(c) to perform all other obligations and/or tasks placed upon the chief executive
officer of the organization.
Section 4.
The duties of the Vice President shall be:
(a) to exercise general supervision of members and the organization in the
absence of the President
(b) in the event of resignation or permanent disability of the President to succeed
him until a special election has been held to fill the vacancy
(c) to act as the liaison between the members and the President
(d) to act as the coordinator of all committees.
Section 5.
The duties of the Secretary shall be:
(a) to keep accurate and complete records of all business conducted during
meetings and otherwise
(b) to prepare written minutes for presentation at all meetings
(c) to secure and maintain all records of the organization
Section 6.
The duties of the Treasurer shall be:
(a) to coordinate all organizational and committee finances
(b) to collect all dues and assignments of the organization
(c) to manage and pay all bills, and maintain permanent records of all receipts of
the organization
(d) to give periodical financial reports at regular meetings
Upon the installment of a Sigma Pi Sigma Chapter within the Society of Physics
Students Chapter, one of the Officers, who is a Sigma Pi Sigma member, and the
Chapter Advisor shall be given specific responsibility for the affairs of the Sigma
Pi Sigma Chapter.
Section 7.
Article V
Chapter Advisor
The Chapter Advisor shall be a faculty member appointed by the Chairman of the Physics
Department, after consultation with the chapter officers. The Chapter Advisor shall provide
liaison among the Chapter, the Physics Department, and the National office of the Society of
Physics Students. The Chapter Advisor will supply counsel to the Chapter, furnish continuity of
experience in chapter operations, and provide long range perspective to insure departmental
interest in and support of the Society of Physics Students. The Chapter Advisor shall assist the
Secretary in furnishing the National Office with the required data and shall assist the Treasurer in
transmitting fees and dues to the National Office.
Article VI
Meetings
Regular meetings shall be held monthly as determined by the officers. Special meetings may be
called by the President or Vice President. There shall be at least six meetings per year.
Article VII
Finances and Funding
Section 1.
Dues
(a) Dues amounts shall be established per semester for all members who wish to
become active
(b) Dues shall be collected by the treasurer in addition to the dues required by the
National Office
(c) Dues shall be decided by an absolute majority of those present at the first
meeting of each semester
Section 2.
Funding
(a) Financial assistance will be requested from the Student Senate with
knowledge that this request may be denied.
(b) The organization shall obtain additional funding through various fundraising
activities; sponsored in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
college and community.
Article VIII
Rules of Order
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall
govern the Chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not
inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Chapter may adopt.
Article IX
The Constitution
Section 1.
Amending the Constitution
(a) All constitutional amendments must be submitted to active membership in
writing at two consecutive meetings.
(b) An absolute majority vote of the active membership is required to adopt the
amendment.
(c) Amendments that are approved by the necessary majority shall then be
submitted for the approval of the President of Clarion University of
Pennsylvania, the Student Senate, the Vice President of Student Affairs, and
shall conform to the regulations established by the National Constitution of
the Society of Physics Students.
Section 2.
Suspension of the Constitution
(a) The removal of a section in the Constitution requires:
1. A motion made by an active member regarding the said section.
2. (and) A second made by another active member of the
organization.
3. The said motion must then be reviewed by the Executive Board.
4. After the review by the Executive Board, the said motion is voted
on and passed only by absolute majority vote of the active
membership.
(b) The suspension becomes effective at the end of the meeting which it was
voted on and upon approval by the President of the Clarion University of
Pennsylvania, Vice President of Student Affairs, and Student Senate.
Section 3.
Accepting the Constitution.
Acceptance of the Constitution requires a statement of simple majority vote of the
active membership.
Article X
Ratification
This Constitution shall be ratified by the acceptance of a simple majority vote of active members
and the approval of the President of Clarion University of Pennsylvania, the Vice President of
Student Affairs, and Student Senate.
Chapter Bylaws
1. These bylaws can be amended by a two-thirds vote provided that the amendment shall
have been proposed at least one meeting prior to the time of the vote.
2. No vote can be taken unless ½ plus one of the active membership is present
3. Additional officers may be elected or appointed as needed by the organization.
4. Regular meetings will be tentatively held on the first Thursday of the month and will be
announced on CUConnect.
5. Special meetings shall be called by the President, Executive Board, or 1/3 of the active
members of the organization. Members must be notified 24 hrs prior to a special meeting.