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Cato 317
Phone: 704.687.7197
Fax: 704.687.3116
Email:
The University Honors program
is a subset of the Honors College.

UHPSA: Constitution

 

The Constitution of the University Honors Association of

the University Honors Program at

the University of North Carolina at Charlotte

 

Preamble

                We, the members of the University Honors Program Student Association (UHPSA), with the desire to preserve in these organizations an atmosphere of community, free discussion, inquiry, and self-expression; to provide educational, social, cultural, and emotional growth; to insure the personal freedom and general welfare of the members; and to assist in the formation and execution of the policies of the University Honors Association, and its parent program, the University Honors Program, do hereby establish this Constitution for the members of the University Honors Program Student Association. 

 

Franchise and Membership

                All who are eligible to participate in the UHPSA shall be entitled to vote in the University Honors Association elections and to participate in any and all UHPSA programs, meetings, and events. 

 

Article I

University Honors Program Student Association Structure

Section I- Executive Board

The Executive Board of the UHPSA shall consist of the President, the President-Elect, Secretary, Historians, and Treasurer.  The Executive Board shall be elected at the end of the Spring Semester by a majority of the members voting in the UHPSA elections.  The Executive Board shall have the power to create Standing Committees, where they do not conflict with the Constitution, and to appoint members of the UHPSA as Chair-persons of these committees.  The Advisory Committee shall consist of the Executive Board, chairs of the Standing Committees, and the Honors Program Advisor. 

Section II- Officer Job Descriptions

A.    Powers and Responsibilities of the President

  1. The President shall call meetings of the UHPSA, and shall preside at these meetings.  He/She shall confer with the Advisory Committee on all UHPSA affairs.
  2. The President shall have a working knowledge of the UHPSA Constitutional articles and provisions.
  3. The President shall serve as a liaison to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Student Government Association.

B.    Powers and Responsibilities of the President-Elect

  1. The President-Elect shall act as an assistant to the President in doing his/her duties.
  2. The President-Elect shall act as President if he/she cannot perform his/her duties.
  3. The President-Elect shall be the primary impetus for provisions for, and the means of such, opportunities for the members of the UHPSA to grow educationally, socially, culturally, and emotionally.  Normally these means include, but are not limited to programs, seminars, and workshops. 
  4. The President-Elect will be the primary coordinator for community service activities.
  5. The President-Elect shall assume the responsibilities and duties of the President during the second year of their term.

C.    Powers and Responsibilities of the Secretary

  1. The Secretary shall take minutes of all the UHPSA meetings.
  2. The Secretary shall be responsible for at least one (1) publication of the newsletter per semester, and any additional publications per advice of the Advisory Committee. 
  3. The Secretary shall be entrusted with administration of and pertinent publicity for said election process. 
  4. The Secretary shall keep record of membership in the UHPSA.

D.    Powers and Responsibilities of the Historians

  1. There shall be two (2) Historians of the UHPSA.
  2. The Historians shall be responsible for the documentation of UHPSA programs, meetings and events.  This documentation must be kept in yearly increments.  Normal means of documentation include, but are not limited to, photographs, slides, and media articles pertaining to the UHPSA.
  3. The Historians shall become familiar with the UHPSA Constitution and shall advise the membership of the UHPSA of the Constitutionality of any proposed actions.

E.    Powers and Responsibilities of the Treasurer

  1. The Treasurer shall be expected to give a clear and complete report of all financial transactions of the UHPSA after any money is allotted or whenever deemed necessary by the Association.
  2. The Treasurer shall make the books available to all UHPSA members upon request.
  3. The Treasurer shall allocate funds only with the consent of the Executive Board of the UHPSA.
  4. The Treasurer shall also be the primary coordinator of Social Events.

Section III- Funds

The UHPSA shall appropriate any and all funds entrusted to the Association.

Section IV- Elections

All elections of officers to the Executive Committee of the UHPSA shall follow the guidelines listed below:

A.    Nominations

  1. Nominations for the offices of President-Elect, Secretary, Historian, and Treasurer shall begin a month prior to Spring examination period, and shall follow the manner and order of the guidelines below.
  2. Nominations shall begin with a general meeting of the UHPSA, with nominations announced at this meeting.  Nominations in writing shall also be received by the Secretary for two (2) calendar days after said meeting. 

B.    Elections

  1. All members in good standing may vote in UHPSA elections.  Nominees for offices must be in good standing.  Membership in good standing is outlined in section IV, subsection B, of this document.
  2. Elections for all offices shall take place two weeks prior to the Spring Examination Period. 
  3. A general meeting of the UHPSA shall be held three (3) days prior to election day for the purpose of discussion and debate relative to the upcoming election. 
  4. Election procedure shall not be directly supervised by any person seeking office.
  5. Statement of Discussion designed to influence voting shall not take place in the vicinity of the polling place.
  6. 51% majority wins. In the case of a tie, a run-off will be held within five (5) days.

C.    Complaints and Contests

  1. Complaints and contests (including requests for recounts) to the election process shall be issued in writing to the Executive Committee within three (3) days subsequent to the election.  The Executive Committee shall rule on the complaint within one (1) week. 
  2. The Executive Committee shall take any and all further precautions to insure fair elections.

Section V- Eligibility and Membership

A.    Eligibility

  1. Any one with affiliation to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with expressed written interest shall be considered for membership by the UHPSA Executive Board. 
  2. In accordance with both good ethical behavior and the policies of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, UHPSA shall be open to all peoples regardless of gender, color, national origin, race or ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, religion, major, area of concentration, or degree track, CGPA, or class standing at UNCC. 
  3. The UHPSA also does not discriminate based on any of the aforementioned criteria in V, A, 2.

B.    Membership

Constitution of membership in good standing is based upon the following guidelines:

  1. Three (3) semester hours of University Honors Program course-work over the period of two (2) calendar years, or;
  2. Thirty (30) hours of documented community service over the period of two (2) calendar years, or;
  3. Attendance of fifty percent (50%) of scheduled programs, meetings, and events in one (1) calendar year. 
  4. A student may be removed from the UHPSA if they are not in good standing for over one semester.
  5. A member may be removed for any violation of UNC Charlotte as judged by the UNC Charlotte Dean of Student Affairs Office.

Section VI- Miscellany

A.    Special Projects

The UHPSA shall have the right to initiate projects for the benefit of its members.

B.    Procedures Regarding General Meetings

  1. The UHPSA will operate under the parliamentary authority of the 1971 edition of Robert's Rules of Order when the need arises.
  2. The UHPSA shall establish its own meeting times, provided that it shall meet at least once a month or as deemed necessary by the Advisory Committee.

 

Section VII - Advisor

A. The Advisor is the Director of the University Honors Program or appointed person.

B. The Role of the Advisor is as follows:

  1. Counsels group in creating and revising goals
  2. Acts as a liaison between the University and the group in developing policies and using resources.
  3. Supports the smooth transfer of responsibility within the group, in particular between new officers and former officers. 

 

Section VIII - Alignment with UNC Charlotte Policies

The University Honors Program Student Association is willing to abide by all UNC Charlotte policies and guidelines relating to on or off campus activities which our organization may sponsor or in which we may participate.

Article II

Legislation: Regarding By-Laws and Amendments

 

Section I- New Legislation

The UHPSA shall have the right, through the addition of an amendment or by-law to this constitution, to enact any law or rule necessary to promote the general welfare of its membership.

 

Section II- Procedure

Amendments and by-laws to this constitution may be proposed in the following manner and order:

A.    Proposal

Firstly,

  1. By written submission of a petition signed by at least one-third (33%) of all members of the UHPSA to either The University Honors Program Advisor or the Executive Committee

Or

  1. A signed petition from the Executive Committee to the University Honors Program Advisor, or the UHPSA members at a General Meeting.

B.    Voting

  1. A vote of all UHPSA members shall be taken on a proposed amendment/ by-law to this constitution within one (1) calendar month of the date that said amendment/ by-law has been proposed, according to the provision of either sub-section 1 or 2 of section II of this article, provided that public notice is given at least two (2) weeks prior to taking the vote. 
  2. Two-Thirds (67%) of the votes cast shall be in favor of the proposed amendment/ by-law to make it a part of this Constitution.  Amendments/ by-laws approved by members of the UHPSA shall become effective immediately unless otherwise stated in the amendment/ by-law.

 

Article III

Impeachment

Any officer of the UHPSA may be removed from office provided all of the following conditions have been met:

A.    Petition

  1. A petition citing misconduct, malperformance, or maleficence must be submitted to the UHPSA Advisor with the signature of at least one-third (1/3) of the UHPSA members.
  2. The UHPSA Advisor shall, after deeming the petition in order, call a general meeting of UHPSA members.

B.    Due Process

  1. This meeting shall take place no more than ten (10) days subsequent to the reception of the petition.
  2. At this meeting, the officer in question will be given opportunity to address the concerns stated in the aforementioned petition.
  3. A vote of the UHPSA shall be held not more than five (5) days subsequent to the aforementioned meeting.
  4. In order for the officer to be impeached, three-fourths (3/4) of the votes cast must be in favor of impeachment of said officer.