North Halls Association of Students
NHAS
Origin: 1970
Constitution
Article I. Purpose
In order to encourage the betterment of the social and academic atmosphere within the North Halls residence area, to realize the opinions, needs, and desires of the individual student, and to constantly strive for the improvement of the quality of residence hall life in North Halls, we hereby establish the North Halls Association of Students (NHAS).
Article II. Membership
A. Membership shall consist of active and associate members.
1. Active membership shall consist of all currently registered, full-time, undergraduate students residing in Holmes, Leete, and Runkle Halls. Active membership shall be divided into general business voting membership, and general election voting status.
a. Membership on NHAS Council shall include:
1.) All elected floor representatives
2.) Any person holding any office listed in Article III section B
b. General Business voting membership shall include only those acting as a floor representative at a given meeting
c. General election voting membership shall include all active members.
2. Associate membership shall consist of all persons wishing to further the goals of the organization. Associate members may not hold officer, vote, preside, officiate, or solicit funds on behalf of the organization.
B. Currently registered students living in North Halls must be admitted as active members.
Article III. Officers
A. Only full-time officially registered students living in North Halls shall be eligible to serve as appointed or elected officers. Limitations are subject to USG Supreme Court approval.
1. The President and the Vice-President shall run under a common ticket, with the Presidential nominee having at least one full semester previous experience in NHAS Council and the Vice-President having at least one semester previous experience in any of the following:
a. ARHS Council
b. NHAS Council
c. WHRA Council
d. EHRA Council
e. PHRA Council
f. SHRA Council
g. ENRA Council
With each organization’s constitution stating the qualifications to be considered a Council member.
2. The President, the Vice President, the Executive Vice President, The Treasurer and the Secretary shall be popularly elected under the guidelines established in the ARHS election code.
3. The USG Senators shall be popularly elected under the provisions of the USG Constitution By-Laws.
4. The two ARHS Representatives shall be popularly elected under the guidelines of the ARHS Election Code.
5. The term of office for the elected officers of NHAS shall be from the twelfth week of the spring semester to the twelfth week of the following spring semester.
B. Offices
1. President: The President shall:
a. Call and conduct meetings of the Executive Council, which shall formalize long range and immediate financial and organizational goals, and to determine methods to increase the effectiveness of present policy.
b. Call and conduct the meetings of the NHAS Council.
c. Appoint the officers listed in Article III, Section B, Number 6, with a 2/3 -majority vote in council. The President shall have the power to nominate chairpersons to additional committees, as they become necessary with Council approval.
d. Have the power to veto any legislation that he/she feels does not represent the best interests of North Halls. This veto must be submitted in writing to the Secretary before the next scheduled meeting. A particular legislation may only be vetoed once. A veto may be overridden by a ¾ vote of NHAS general business voting membership.
e. Serve with the two separately elected representatives and the appointed Executive at Large as the North Halls delegation to the Association of Residence Hall Students (ARHS) Council.
f. Sign all binding contracts concerning NHAS.
g. Have the power to fire any appointee, with a 2/3 -majority vote of general business voting membership.
h. Shall accept/reject all liaisons to outside organizations as he/she sees fit.
i. Appoint liaisons to outside organizations, where he/she deems necessary.
j. Enforce the execution of the constitution.
k. Attend the regular Housing meeting with the North Halls Assistant Housing Manager, the North Halls Assistant Director of Residence Life, and the North Halls Coordinator.
2. Vice-President: The Vice-President shall:
a. Assist the President in the performance of his/her duties.
b. Administrate standing committees.
c. Be an ex officio, non-voting member of all committees.
d. Assure that the Constitution and all legislation is being executed properly.
e. Fill in as proxy for the President when the President is unable to fulfill the duties of said office.
f. Organize and update the office hour system each semester.
3. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall:
a. Be responsible for all financial affairs of NHAS.
b. Keep complete and accurate records of all receipts and expenditures and shall report this information regularly to the NHAS Council, and shall be open for examination by any member of the NHAS Council at any time.
c. Oversee, but not necessarily run, all fundraising activities for NHAS.
d. Supervise the area budget in cooperation with the other executive officers, consisting of the president, the vice-president, the secretary, and the treasurer.
e. Handle all Treasury Appropriations.
1.) All Treasury expenditures shall be handled by one of the following methods:
a) Budgeted Basis: The expense is covered under a long-term budget approval by NHAS Council legislation.
b) Legislation Appropriation: The expense is specifically appropriated by NHAS Council legislation.
c) Emergency Expenditures: A payment from NHAS funds without prior advice and consent of council.
i. The Treasurer and President may make emergency payments, no single payment to exceed forty dollars.
ii. The total of all emergency payments made during a semester shall not exceed one hundred and fifty dollars.
iii. Council may extend the one hundred and fifty dollars per semester limit.
4. Secretary: The Secretary shall:
a. Be responsible for all non-financial records and correspondence of NHAS.
b. Be responsible for taking roll and minutes of all council meetings.
c. Notify all members of regular and special meetings called by the President.
d. Supply a copy of the Constitution and minutes to anyone who desires one.
5. Executive Vice-President: The Executive Vice-President shall:
a. Serve as Blood Drive Chairperson and coordinate volunteers for blood drives if no chair exists.
b. Interpret parliamentary procedure according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
c. Administrate ad hoc committees.
d. Be responsible for the upkeep and cleanliness of the NHAS Office.
e. Assist the President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary with their duties as requested.
6. Committee Chairs
a. Blood Drive Chair: The Blood Drive Chairperson(s) shall:
1.) Act as a liaison between NHAS and the Student Red Cross Club.
2.) Coordinate Volunteer Schedule and related table for NHAS Sponsored Blood Drives.
3.) Be the overall representative for NHAS Blood Drives
b. Condom Co-op: The Condom Co-op Chairperson(s) shall:
1.) Maintain a supply of high-quality Condoms and Lubricants for the residents of North Halls to purchase.
2.) Coordinate volunteers to orchestrate CONDOM-mania day once a week to offer said products.
3.) Educate the North Halls Public by offering materials related to safer sexual practices at said sales.
c. Fundraising: The Fundraising Chairperson(s) shall:
1.) Plan and execute with council’s consent at least 1 major fundraiser per semester.
2.) Plan and execute additional fundraising opportunities as needed or required.
d. Public Service: The Public Service Chairperson(s) shall:
1.) Plan and execute with council’s consent at least 2 public service projects per semester for both council involvement and the resident’s of North.
e. Publicity: The Publicity Chairperson(s) shall:
1.) Develop and execute advertising campaigns
publicize all NHAS sponsored events.
2.) Maintain and Update the NHAS Bulletin Board
3.) Coordinate Publicity between Residence Life
(Stall Stories) and the NHAS Technology Chairperson.
f. Social: The Social Chairperson(s) shall:
1.) Plan and execute with council’s consent “North Wars” to be held during or immediately after homecoming week.
2.) Plan and execute additional social events for the residents of North.
3.) Plan and execute development opportunities for the members of NHAS Council such as retreats and trips.
g. Sports: The Sports Chairperson(s) shall:
1.) Plan and execute with council’s consent the “Fall Sports Cup” consisting of basketball and volleyball tournaments amongst the floors in North.
2.) Plan and execute additional athletic competitions for the residents of North as opportunities and interest demand.
h. Technology: The Technology Chairperson(s) shall:
1.) Coordinate and Maintain the NHAS Website.
i. THON: The THON Chairperson(s) shall:
1.) Educate the North Halls Community about
Penn State Dance Marathon
2.) Recruit for and lead Canning Trips to raise
money for THON.
3.) Coordinate Fundraising Activities within North
Halls to benefit the Four Diamonds Fund/THON
7. Liaisons:
a. ARHS Representatives:
1.) There shall be two representatives from ARHS to NHAS.
2.) Said Representatives will supply information between NHAS and ARHS.
b. USG Representatives:
1.) There shall be one representative from USG to NHAS.
2.) Said Representative will supply information between NHAS and USG.
3.) If the seat is vacated it will be filled in accordance to the USG Constitution.
c. Residence Assistant Liaison(s)
1.) Residence Life will designate a committee to serve as the liaison between NHAS and the Residence Assistants.
2.) Said liaisons will supply information between NHAS and the Residence Assistants.
d. Residence Life Liaison
1.) Residence Life will designate a liaison between NHAS and Residence Life.
2.) Said liaison will supply information between NHAS and Residence Life.
8. Other Duties include:
a. Council members are required to sit a one-hour shift per week in the NHAS office.
b. Transition their newly appointed or elected successors to the new position, its duties and responsibilities for a period of two weeks.
c. Council members are required to attend all scheduled NHAS Council meetings. They are allowed two un-proxied, unexcused absences per semester.
d. Executive Council and all presidential appointments may not hold any other executive office in NHAS.
C. Impeachment
1. Grounds of impeachment of any officer or member of the NHAS Council shall be embezzlement, malfeasance in office, or actions contrary to, or in violation of the constitution of NHAS; unexcused absences from two regular meetings per semester for House Representatives and for Executive Council members, constitutes malfeasance.
2. Impeachment charges shall be presented to NHAS at least one week prior to the initiation of impeachment proceedings in council.
3. A vote of two-thirds by the general business voting membership shall be required to begin impeachment proceedings in council.
4. A special session of Council will be called with the highest ranking member of Council presiding.
5. A ¾ quorum of the general business voting membership will be required for the meeting.
6. An officer or member may, after the initiation of impeachment proceedings against him/her, be removed from office by a three-quarters majority vote of the general business voting membership.
7. Anyone under impeachment shall be permitted to see in writing the charges presented against him or her, and shall be able to question witnesses, shall be presented with all the evidence, and shall be given the chance to defend himself or herself.
8. All voting in cases of impeachment or removal from office shall be made by secret ballot vote. The accused shall not be excluded from listening to any of the discussion of debate or the vote result although he/she shall be excluded from taking part in the vote.
D. Filling Vacancies
1. Nominations are taken the meeting of and the meeting following the announcement of the vacancy. Elections take place the following week.
2. The quorum is two thirds of the general business voting membership for an election to take place.
3. Election of a new NHAS Council Member requires a 50%+1 of quorum. If a majority is not obtained by one of the candidates, the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes is eliminated, and the general business voting membership will vote again.
4. Any executive vacancy or non-voting NHAS position shall be filled by appointment by the NHAS President, with 2/3 majority consent of the general business voting membership. The President must present the officer to council by the second meeting following the resignation for approval/disapproval. A 2/3 quorum is required at any meeting to fill any executive vacancy. A ¾ majority of quorum is required for approval.
5. Any vacancy left by a resigning member of the NHAS Council must be filled within two weeks of its becoming vacant.
E. Succession
1. If the President resigns, the Vice-President shall assume the Presidency and serve in the full capacity of President. By the second meeting following the resignation, the new President presents a Vice President to Council for approval/disapproval. A 2/3 quorum is required at the meeting to fill the vacancy. A ¾ majority of quorum is required for approval.
2. If the President and Vice-President resign at the same time, the NHAS general business voting membership shall elect a President to serve in the full capacity of the President. The general business voting membership will vote for the new President by the second meeting following the resignations. A 2/3 quorum is required for approval. The following officers, listed in order of succession, will chair the meetings of the NHAS Council as acting President until a new President is elected.
a. Treasurer
b. Secretary
c. Executive Vice-President
Article IV. Floor Representatives
A. Floor representatives shall seek the view of their house and represent them on council.
B. Floor representatives shall keep their floor informed of NHAS business and help promote NHAS activities, by taking and posting NHAS notes on their respective floors.
C. Floor representatives are required to attend all scheduled NHAS Council meetings. More than two unexcused absences per semester will result in referral from Council to floor requesting disciplinary action.
D. Floor representatives are required to sit one office hour per week in the NHAS Office.
Article V. Meetings
A. The minimum number of meetings per semester will be ten.
B. 48 hours advance notice needs to be given in the case of a cancellation.
C. Special Sessions
1. The President may, at any time, call a special session of Council. The President must call a special session with a written request signed by 1/3 of general business voting council membership.
2. A meeting may be called by presentation to the President of a written petition signed by one half of the general business voting members specifying the date and time of the called meeting.
3. Council members must be given 48 hours notice for a meeting.
Article VI. Voting
A. The sixteen floor representatives, two per floor and elected by their respective floors will be the voting members of NHAS. If a particular floor is unable to produce two representatives, the floor’s RA may designate a representative to serve in their capacity. The RA may also serve as a floor representative if one is not produced by the floor.
B. In the case of a tie vote from the floor representatives, the President of NHAS shall make the deciding vote.
C. Any active member of NHAS will be able to make a motion.
D. The quorum to conduct business is 1/3 of the general business voting members.
E. Matters pertaining to finance shall require a 2/3rds majority of yes votes from the general business voting members for passage. Votes of abstention count as neither a yes or no vote. All non financial matters shall require a 50% plus one majority for passage, unless a stricter requirement has already been set by this constitution.
F. Any active member may introduce a constitutional amendment in the new business section of the meeting. At the following meeting, the general business voting members shall vote on said amendment in the new business section of the meeting. If the amendment passes, it shall be sent to approval from the USG Supreme Court.
G. All amendments are subject to the approval of the USG Supreme Court, and
will not take affect until after the USG Supreme Court has approved said amendment.
Article VII. General Business Meetings
A. General business responsibilities of NHAS shall rest with Council. Only active members may sit on council.
Article VIII. Finances
A. All funds are to be deposited and handled through the Associated Students Activities (ASA) in the HUB-Robeson Center.
B. There shall be no dues.
C. No money will be appropriated for non-NHAS activities.
D. Control of Finances
1. The power to pay bills, to sign contracts, and to transact any other financial business involving the procedural or dispersal of NHAS funds shall be reserved solely to the NHAS Treasurer and President, with each requiring the other’s consent.
Article IX. Elections
A. Elections shall be overseen by the ARHS Elections Commissioner.
B. No individual who is involved in conducting the elections may be an
official candidate for the offices of the President, Vice President, Executive Vice President, Treasurer, and/or Secretary.
C. The President of NHAS shall administer the following oath to the officer-elect of NHAS at the time they assume office: “I (name), do solemnly swear or affirm that I shall faithfully execute the office of (office) of the North Halls Association of Students of the Pennsylvania State University, uphold its Constitution, and serve the residents of the area and the university as a whole.”
Article X. New Membership and Recruitment
A. Any and all members will be given full disclosure during recruitment, including but not limited to the disclosure of:
1. New Membership Manual
2. Schedule of New Member Events and Activities
3. A list of responsibilities
4. A definition of personal rights, and a copy of the University Hazing Policy, prescribed by Policies and Rules for Student Organizations.
All of these documents will be available upon request by the USG Supreme Court.
B. All members, including but not limited to new members and recruits, reserve the right to refrain from participating in any activities without consequence, based upon personal/religious beliefs, personal values, or moral reserve as defined by the member.
C. Any and all interaction/activity between members and/or new members will be limited to guidelines stated by university policy, as well as local, state, and federal laws.
Article XI. Parliamentary Authority
Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used in all cases not covered by this constitution.
Revised 3/05