BSU Constitution

Constitution of the Black Student Union

University of Delaware

Preamble

The Black Student Union and all members hereafter will adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by this Constitution of the Black Student Union of the University of Delaware.

Article I – Name and Type

The name of this organization shall be the Black Student Union (BSU); a non-profit, student-run organization: hereafter referred to as BSU.

Article II – Purpose

The purpose of the Black Student Union shall be:

  1. To represent Black students in political matters and community matters.

  2. To serve as the primary advocacy organization for Black students.

  3. To act as chief liaison between Black students and the University administration.

  4. To take active measures toward fostering an enriching environment for Black students attending a predominately white institution (PWI). To actively participate in functions on and off campus, for example, leadership conferences, that provides enrichment and enlightenment to the plight of Black (meaning those of African descent) students at a predominately white university.

Article III – Membership

General membership of BSU will consist of:

  1. All registered undergraduate and graduate students of Black and or African descent and those in support of the purposes stated in Article II.

Active General Body membership entails:

  1. Any undergraduate or graduate student who has attended or supported meetings and/or programs by the Black Student Union.

Article IV- Executive Board, Executive Council, Committees

Section I. Officers

The officers of this organization are listed below. Each officer shall sign an agreement indicating that he/she will fulfill the duties and responsibilities of his/her office as specified by this Constitution. When necessary new officers shall be added by a two-thirds vote of the active members’ quorum or appointed by the executive board.

Elected Officers

President

First Vice President

Second Vice President

Treasurer

Secretary

Public Relations Chair

Historian

Parliamentarian

Appointed Officers

Community Service co-chairs (formerly known as Mr. & Ms. BSU)

Pamoja Publication Representative

BSU Interest members (Formerly known as Class Representatives)

Appointed Positions

Executive Council members

Section II. Executive Board

           The executive board will consist of the President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian and Parliamentarian.

Section III. Executive Council

           The Executive Council will consist of the Executive Board and all other appointed officers. All members of the Executive Council must hold at least a 2.0 grade point average for the fall semester to continue in office for the spring semester. Each member of the Executive Council shall serve a term of one year beginning in the fall semester of each academic year. No member of the Executive Council may hold the same office more than two consecutive terms.  The Executive Council shall assist in maintaining all committees and carry out the aims and objectives of the BSU and be well-versed in its historical imprint at the University of Delaware.

Section V. Responsibilities and Duties of the Officers

The President shall:

  1. Must be an executive board member the year prior to appointment. Furthermore, this individual must be in good standing with the organization and campus community.

  2. Preside over all formal, informal, and executive meetings.

  3. Call meetings of the Executive Council and general body when necessary.

  4. Set agenda for all meetings.

  5. Act as BSU representative and spokesperson, or appoint alternate.

  6. Be responsible and held accountable for the BSU budget in coordination with the Treasurer.

  7. Confer with the advisor on business matters.

  8. Give advice to the Executive Council in the discharge of responsibilities and duties.

  9. Oversee all day-to-day operations of the organization.

 

  1. Appoint Ad Hoc Committees.

Provide for orderly transfer of all documents at the end of his/her term to the Student Centers Office and newly elected BSU officers.

Uphold the purpose of the BSU (stated in Article II).

The First Vice President shall:

  1. Enforce due observance of this constitution.

  2. Preside in the absence or inability of the President.

  3. Represent the BSU in all external functions.

  4. Oversee all committees and chairpersons including the execution of community meetings.

  5. Serve on external committees as needed.

  6. Succeed the President in the event of resignation or impeachment.

 

The Second Vice President shall:

  1. Preside in the absence of the President and/or First Vice President.

  2. Represent the BSU in all external functions and committees including the Black Leadership Council.

  3. Reserve all rooms and space for the organizational events, programs, etc.

  4. Oversee the election process for the organization. This should be in collaboration with the historian and a graduating executive council member.

  5. In the event of the succession of the First Vice President to the President, the Second Vice President will take on title and duties of First Vice President. The duties of the Second Vice President shall be assumed by the Treasurer.

The Treasurer shall:

  1. Maintain an accurate record of all BSU financial transactions and account balances.

  2. Present a written report of all financial transactions to the Executive Council.

  3. Produce and be held accountable for the BSU budget in coordination with the president.

  4. Oversee all financial reimbursements to BSU members in a timely manner.

  5. Oversee completion of all contracts of vendors and artists.

  6. Oversee all payments and delivery of payments to all contracted vendors and artists.

  7. Proficient understanding in all UD financial policies and guidelines as it pertains to registered student organizations.

  8. In the event of the succession of the Second Vice President to the First Vice President, the Treasurer will take on the duties and title of Second Vice President. The duties of the Treasurer will be appointed to an Executive Council member.

 

The Secretary shall:

  1. Maintain an accurate and permanent record of the minutes of the Executive Council and General Body meetings.

  2. Distribute copies of the minutes to the Executive Council and maintain a record of all documents, including the Treasurer’s Report.

  3. Expedite transfer of all files and records of the BSU to the newly elected Secretary at the end of each term.

  4. Send out all official BSU Emails, including meeting reminders, program advertisements internally and externally.

  5. Notify the Executive Council at least 24 hours prior to all emergency meetings.

 

The Public Relations Chair shall:

  1. In the absence of the secretary, assume the responsibilities of the Secretary.

  2. Update and manage all BSU social media accounts under the direction of the President.

  3. Develop advertisements, flyers in a timely manner for all BSU events and programs.

  4. Send all advertisements to President and or executive council for approval prior to posting, etc.

 

The Historian shall:

  1. Be well-versed in the history of BSU.

  2. Maintain visual records of all events.  Photograph all BSU events and programs.

  3. Maintain hardcopies and or electronic files of all organization advertisements.

  4. Maintain accurate records (dates, locations, attendance, etc.) of all BSU events, meetings, and programs.

  5. Update and manage content on official website.

  6. Assist Second Vice President executing the organization’s election process.

 

The Parliamentarian shall:

  1. Be well-versed in Robert’s Rules of Order.

  2. Advise the President of proper parliamentary procedure at all BSU meetings.

  3. Advise the Executive Council on the BSU Constitution.

  4. Assist in keeping meetings moving forward and adhering to agenda and or tasks at hand.

  5. Document and maintain a record of attendance of all BSU sponsored events, Executive Council and General Body meetings. Submit report of data collected as needed and in the end year report.

 

Pamoja Editor and Chief shall:

        SEE Article VIII.

Community Service Co-Chars (Formally Mr. And Miss BSU) shall:

  • Coordinate general body community service projects.
  • Coordinate Executive Board community service projects.

Committee Chairs shall:

All committee members shall present written and verbal reports as needed or requested. All reports should be sent to the First Vice President and President.

 

Article VI. – Code of Conduct

All officers of the BSU are subject to probation or impeachment by a three-fourths vote of the Executive Council.

Grounds for probation and impeachment are:

  1. Failure to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of office.

  2. Misuse of BSU funds or property.

  3. Unexcused absences of Executive Council meetings exceeding two per semester.

  4. Unexcused absences from Community/General Body meetings exceeding one per semester

  5. Conduct, which shames and or disgraces the University of Delaware and the BSU.

If impeached, ability to hold office for any BSU Executive Board and or Council position is suspended for one year.

Article VII. – Amendments

The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Council. The Executive Council must meet quorum requirements (Article IV). The Amendment may not be voted upon if in conflict with the Purpose (Article II) of the BSU.

Article VIII. – Meetings

  1. The Executive Council shall meet at least twice each month in a closed session.

  2. General Body Meetings shall be held at least twice a semester, excluding May and December.

  3. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all Executive Council and Community/General Body Meetings.

  4. Quorum at Executive Council Meetings shall consist of a minimum of two-thirds of the elected Executive Council members.

  5. Quorum at General Body Meetings shall consist of twenty members and a minimum of eight Executive Council Officers.

  6. The Pamoja (BSU official publication) Editor and Chief or appointed representative will meet with the BSU President and or Executive Council once per month or as needed prior to printing deadline.  This meeting should serve to inform the BSU President and or Executive Council on upcoming publications, events and to address any other concerns.

Article IX. – Elections

  1. All current board members must go through a reelection process whether positions will be opposed or unopposed.

  2. Process facilitated by Second Vice President and at least one graduating board member.

  3. The election of a new executive board should take place over a consecutive number of weeks to insure a thorough and inclusive process.

  4. First, informal meetings will be held to generate interests and inform the university community about all elected positions.

  5. Next, open nominations and general applications should be made available to the university community. Applications should be given a deadline to be returned to the BSU election officials.

    1. Nominations will be accepted at the general body meeting preceding the vote. In order to be nominated for an Executive board position, one must fit the membership criteria in Article III, Section II.

  6. Then, applications should be collected and reviewed by the BSU election officials.

  7. Lastly, voting should take place in a public forum which allows the general university community the opportunity to cast their votes for desired candidates. All votes should be counted and confirmed by the Second Vice President and at least one graduating senior board members.

Article X. – Dissolution

The BSU will be dissolved by a three-fourths vote of the General Body.

Revised 7/26/2013