UMD - Kirby Student Center

COORDINATOR OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES

SAMPLE GUIDELINE FOR A STUDENT ORGANIZATION CONSTITUTION

The following outline and questions are designed to help you write a constitution for your organization. The constitution should contain statements concerning enduring aspects of the organization. Items that are subject to frequent revision (such as time and date of meeting) should be included in the by-laws. You may want to delete certain sections and add others to your constitution. University policies that apply to registration of your organization are included in the outline.

CONSTITUTION OF (NAME)

Is a preamble desirable? Often the purposes of the organization are most effectively stated in a preamble. There should be a statement here or in Article I of the group's willingness to abide by established University policies.

ARTICLE I - Name and Purpose (if not in preamble)

Section 1 : What is the exact title to be used in addressing this organization?
Section 2 : What is (are) the purpose(s)? Is it fostering a broad educational goal? Will it train leadership? Has it a social or cultural aim?

ARTICLE II - Membership

Section 1 : Who is eligible for membership? Are there any restrictions on University students? How does one become a member? (University policy requires that there be no arbitrary exclusion on the basis of race, color, or religion).
Section 2 : Are there categories of membership? (For example: Associate Membership for non-student members). If so, what are they? What are the priviliges and responsibilities of the separate categories? (Control and leadership of the organization rest with University of Minnesota students).
Section 3 : Do you want to provide for withdrawal of membership? Can a member remain in the organization if be fails to pay dues or if be has broken group rules? Who or what board has the right to request a request to withdraw?

ARTICLE III - Officers

Section 1 : How many officers are there? What are their titles and duties? Do you want to include special offices for Social Service or Human Relations? Will the officers constitute an executive committee? Description of committees likely to undergo change should be in the by-laws.
Section 2 : How are the officers elected? When and for what period? Who is eligible for office? (University policy restricts officer positions to students enrolled for 6 or more credits). When do officers assume office? How my officers be removed? You my wish to specify me exsistance of an adviser and define his/her role.
Section 3 : The incorporation of the ACSA group responsibility policy of May, 1954 (Conduct Control policy) into the groups constitution or its operation incorporated in the by-laws.
- Who (or what group) will be responsible for the conduct of maters at group sponsored activities? (This may be the President, the executive committee, or a specially designated judiciary group).

ARTICLE IV - Amendments

Section 1 : How are amendments to be proposed and by whom? What vote is required to adopt? (usually 2/3's of voting membership) Because constitutional changes are to be filed with the Student Activities Center, a statement to that effect should be decided as a reminder to future officers.

ARTICLE V - Provision for By-Law

Section 1 : Can by-laws be established for this organization? (Because by-laws are traditionally easier to establish and amend, include in the by-laws the rules most subject to change: time of meeting, ammount of dues, date of elections, committee structure, etc.).
Section 2 : How many votes are necessary to establish or alter by-laws? (Usually a majority vote). By-law changes should also be filed with the Student Activities Center.

Note: If you need any help with any section of your constitution or by-laws, please talk with either of the Student Activities Advisors.

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