Constitution

The Constitution of Columbia University Chinese Students and Scholars Association

Article One: Definition

The name of this organization is the Columbia University Chinese Students and Scholars Association, herein after referred to as CUCSSA.

Article Two: Statement of Purpose

1. CUCSSA is a non-profit student group at Columbia University, recognized by the Interschool Governing Board (IGB).

2. CUCSSA is dedicated to promote traditional and modern Chinese culture and build bridges to introduce the notion of China's peaceful rising on campus. CUCSSA believes that positive perception of Chinese culture and the peaceful rising of China would benefit the global community.

3. CUCSSA is dedicated to provide its members with the opportunity of exchanging ideas and participating in activities with other organizations that have relevant interests, to enrich their cultural life and improve their life quality.

4. CUCSSA is interested in improving communications among various schools on campus.

Article Three: Membership

1. Membership with CUCSSA is open to all students and scholars at Columbia University. Membership for CUCSSA is also extended to Columbia alumni and interested community members upon written request to cucssa@columbia.edu.

2. CUCSSA membership can be formally withdrawn by sending email to cucssa@columbia.edu.

3. Any existing CUCSSA members are obligated to provide their basic personal information including name, affiliation and contact information. CUCSSA is responsible for protecting the privacy of its members.

4. CUCSSA does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, disability, martial status, and sexual orientation as defined by law.

Article Four: Leadership Structure

1. The executive board of CUCSSA consists of the President, the Treasurer(s), the Secretary(s) and 4-6 Vice Presidents.

2. The divisions of CUCSSA consist of Department of Public Relations, Department of Logistics, Department of Culture and Department of Social Life. Each department includes one Departmental chair and 2-4 vice chairs.

3. There are also departmental representatives, club managers, event managers and a volunteer panel.

4. The working committee shall consist of all mentioned above.

Article Five: Executive Board Elections

1. The executive board shall be elected annually in April or May, before the end of the spring semester, in the annual CUCSSA election meeting. Nomination is open to any CUCSSA member who is full-time students or scholars from Columbia University. President nominees must have previously served as a CUCSSA committee member or attended at least 6 CUCSSA held community activities during the year of election. Nominees of the executive board should be nominated two weeks before the election date. Nominees are required to attend the election meeting to validate their nomination. After the election, there is a transition period of two weeks, during which the former working committee should assist the elected executive board in the transition.

2. The executive board shall be elected by the general CUCSSA members. All current CUCSSA members who attended 6 or more CUCSSA held community activities on the secretary’s attendance list during the year of election have the rights to vote. If a member is not eligible to vote, s/he can appeal to the executive board for an exception. Exceptions will be made on a case by case basis and the number of exceptions given will be limited. Each eligible voter shall be entitled to one secret ballot. Written proxies shall not be allowed. Executive board nominees must obtain a majority of all votes from all of the submitted ballots. At least 20 qualified voters are required for a valid election. In the event that no nominees receive a majority, a run-off shall be held between the two nominees with the highest number of votes.

3. The elected executive board shall be responsible for the construction of the new working committee during the transition period. The new working committee shall commence duties two weeks after the election date.

4. New division chairs and vice chairs shall be nominated by the executive board unanimously and approved by CUCSSA members.

5. Impeachment of the president shall be for the reason of inability to perform in the best interest of the organization, and activity unbecoming a leader, as deemed by the organization. The procedure of impeachment includes presenting a formal written charge to the executive board, discussion and ballot. A majority of votes from the working committee who attend the discussion and ballot is necessary to pass the impeachment of the president.

Article Six: Duties of CUCSSA Committees

1. The president, treasurer(s), secretary(s), vice presidents and departmental chairs are the officers of CUCSSA and shall exercise general supervision and provide overall control over its programs.

2. The president represents CUCSSA in public occasions. If the president leaves office prior to completion of term, the executive vice president shall assume office temporarily and schedule an election to appoint a new president within two months. The president shall call regular board meetings of the CUCSSA no less than once every month.

3. The treasurer(s) should report to the president and the executive board all transactions and account status monthly at the board meetings. The treasure(s) should also be responsible for coordination with IGB budget allocation staff.

4. The vice presidents assist the president in coordinating various activities and should be responsible for specific events and general managements of CUCSSA.

5. Secretary(s) shall keep the meeting minutes, keep activity attendance sheet, collect and organize the records and relevant material of the events, and remind members in charge to keep events going. The secretary should also be responsible for coordination with committee members.

6. Departmental chairs are responsible for organizing activities related to their department' duties. They are also responsible for timely reporting to the President and the working committee any activities or plans related to their departments. Department vice chairs are responsible for initiating and participating in activities according to CUCSSA members’ interests and availabilities.

7. Club managers are responsible for initiating and organizing activities in their clubs according to their members’ interests. Event managers are responsible for initiating some specific events. Departmental representative serves as the connection between CUCSSA and each school or department, reflecting members’ need and participating activities. Volunteer panel will assist other working committee members in organizing and promoting events held by CUCSSA.

8. Duties of executive Board and each department

a) The executive board shall be responsible for managing general affairs in CUCSSA, and maintaining contact with various Columbia administration offices.

b) The department of public relations shall be responsible for: 1) maintaining and developing external relationships and contacts with other students group at Columbia University, relevant students associations at other universities; 2) advocating the activities to the public; 3) applying for or soliciting funding through various channels.

c) The department of logistics shall be responsible for general logistics support for all CUCSSA events. This department shall also responsible for maintaining and updating the website for the CUCSSA (www.cucssa.org).

d) The department of culture shall be responsible for organizing events related to culture and arts; and promoting cultural exchange among China and the world.

e) The department of social Life shall be responsible for providing members with life guidance, creating good living and studying environment, and improving members’ life quality. This department is also responsible for coordinating clubs’ management.

9. All resources of CUCSSA, including information and material goods, shall be the full property of CUCSSA and should be passed to the new committee during the transition period. Any other organization or individual who uses or holds part of the property without authorization from CUCSSA executive board shall be subject to legal measures. The major resources owned by CUCSSA include but not limited to the following:

a) The name

b) CUCSSA email list cucssa@columbia.edu and cucssa-list@columbia.edu

c) website/homepage www.cucssa.org and www.columbia.edu/cu/cucssa

d) BBS of CUCSSA including the domain www.columbiabbs.com

e) Registration, management and hardware.

f) Financial accounts

g) Seal of CUCSSA, flag of CUCSSA, and banner of CUCSSA, etc.

Article Seven: Amendments and Ratification

1. At least ten members (including no less than four CUCSSA executive board members) are required for submitting proposal of constitution amendments. Any proposed amendments should be communicated with the executive board at least one week prior to the upcoming monthly executive board meeting.

2. A majority of all votes from all the working committee members who attend the general committee meeting and submit the ballot is necessary to pass the proposed amendment to this constitution.

3. Final constitution is ratified and approved by IGB executive board.

Advising Office

Interschool Governing Board (IGB)

Advisor at IGB

Walter G. Rodriguez