Preamble
In recognition of and pursuant to the highest aspirations of social and cultural heritage and awareness, the Black Student Union Constitution seeks to outline and preserve the individual and collective rights of its members. The Constitution, all amendments to the Constitution, and the Bylaws shall be the governing rules to be followed by the Executive Board, the faculty advisor(s), the various committees, and the general body. The provisions of this Constitution, its amendments, and the by-laws hereto, and the laws, actions, and rules of the organization which it establishes presently, or hereafter enacted, shall be subject to the laws of United States, the District of Columbia, The George Washington University, and Student Association of the George Washington University.
Article I - Name and Affiliation
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Black Student Union at The George Washington University, hereafter referred to as "BSU." This name shall be used only in conjunction with the official business and activities of the organization.
Section 2. The organization shall be affiliated with the National Black Student Union and is recognized as the official Black Student Union at The George Washington University.
Article II - Purpose
Section 1. The purpose of the Black Student Union shall be education, group unity, business networking, entrepreneurial encouragement, and community development.
Article III - Membership
Section 1. The membership shall be restricted to members of the George Washington University, in accordance with university regulations.
Section2. Eligibility for membership shall be restricted by Section 1 and granted to individuals who believe and support the traditions, philosophies, and parameters of the BSU.
Section 3. A person shall be recognized as a member of the BSU general body, with all the rights and privileges afforded all persons with such membership, only after submitting a membership contract and the established dues.
Section 4. Annual membership contract and dues are required of freshmen, transfer students, and previous members to establish or renew their one-year membership status.
Subsection A. All new members who join during the summer term will be granted full voting status when presented to the Executive Board by the Membership Director at the first official Executive Board meeting of the semester.
Section 5. The Executive Board determines membership dues in plenary session upon a full fiscal report presented by the Treasurer. This report is given at the first official Executive Board meeting of that particular year.
Section 6. Upon election, members of the Executive Board are automatically recognized as members of the General Body as well. Also, these officials are allotted the same powers as the General Body in conjunction to the powers and privileges inherited through election.
Section 7. Each year the Executive Board must submit in writing to the Student Association of The George Washington University their choice as honorary faculty advisor(s).
Subsection A. Any other individuals besides an honorary faculty advisor(s) who seek honorary membership status, can only garner such status upon the recommendation of the Executive Board and a majority vote of the General Body members present and voting. An honorary member can’t ascertain any BSU membership powers or privileges unless they submit a membership contract and dues.
Section 8. The honorary faculty advisor(s) of The George Washington University should join with their fee waived as an honorarium. Consequently, the honorary faculty advisor(s) don’t have voting privileges.
Section 9. An honorary faculty advisor may become eligible to vote only in the event of an emergency deemed valid by the Executive Board. The advisor(s) must confirm such a decision by submitting a membership contract and the fiscal year’s dues.
Section 10. Members of the BSU, including the Executive Body, must complete some form of community service during their one-year membership tenure (a minimum of 10 hours/year). Such service includes working through a BSU committee, an outside organization or committee, or individually. Evidence of community service must be submitted to the Community Affairs Director no less than 3 weeks after its completion.
Section 11. No member shall commit the following forbidden acts:
A. Have the right or authority to bind or obligate the BSU to any extent whatsoever with regard to any matter outside the scope of the organization.
B. Use the BSU’s name, credit, or property for other than organizational purposes.
C. Do any act detrimental to the best interest of the BSU, or which would make it impossible to carry on the business or affairs of the organization.
Article IV – The Executive Board
Section 1. The Executive Board shall act as the supervisory and administrative organ of the BSU, for the development of policy, and the execution of organizational legislation.
Section 2. The Executive Board shall consist of eight elected officials and one appointed officer: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership Director, Community Affairs Director, Public Relations Director, Freshmen Representative, and the Director of Operations and Administration.
Section 3. Every executive officer, whether elected or appointed, shall only serve a one-year tenure.
Section 4. The term of each officer shall begin with the last regular Executive Board meeting of the spring semester, with the exception of the Freshmen Representative and the Director of Operations and Administration. The Freshmen Representative is elected from the freshman class in the fall and the Director of Operations and Administration is appointed by the President-elect and approved by the Executive Board-elect right after the election, but before the end of the spring semester.
Section 5. Executive Board officers shall each have one vote to cast on official Executive Board business. The President shall only vote if needed to break any tied votes that may arise during executive business.
Section 6. The Executive Board shall specify the number of office hours its members will keep (minimum of 6 hours/week).
Section 7. The Executive Board shall create or eliminate existing Board positions by a 2/3 majority of a quorum of existing Executive Board members.
Section 8. Upon creation of a new Executive Board position, a majority vote of the Executive Board shall decide whether to fill said position through appointment or elections.
Subsection A. Consideration for an appointed position shall be based on interviews open to all active BSU members. Members shall be notified at least one week prior to the interviews, and shall be filled by majority vote of the Executive Board.
Section 9. All officers may appoint assistants and members of the committee they chair to serve at their discretion.
Section 10. The President alone may create, at the individual’s discretion, non-standing committees and may appoint members, at his discretion, to any committee.
Subsection A. All appointments not sitting on the Executive Board, serve at the discretion of the executive branch of the BSU, and are dismissed by a simple majority of the Executive Board officers at any time. If a protest is filed with the Vice-President before the next regular Executive Board meeting, then the individual shall have the right to address the Executive Board, and ask for the appeal of the Executive Board’s previous ruling. At the time, the Executive Board may vote on the matter, or discuss it and vote the following week. A vote on an appeal must be held within three weeks of the complaint. A simple majority, plus one, is required to overturn the Executive Board’s decision.
Section 11. No member shall hold more than one position on the Executive Board at any given time.
Section 12. Executive Policy
Subsection A. The Executive Board holds the exclusive right to execute decisions and policies in all cases when it is impractical for the general body to meet and subsequently act.
Subsection B. All pronouncements and actions taken by the Executive Board are subject to approval by the general body at the ensuing general body meeting after the decision is rendered.
Article V – The Executive Board Positions and Powers
Section 1. The President
Subsection A. The President shall be recognized as the Chief Executive General Body Officer of the BSU.
Subsection B. The President shall be the official spokesperson for the BSU.
Subsection C. As the official spokesperson of the BSU, the President must approve all out-going publicity and correspondence with assistance from the Public Relations Director.
Subsection D. After representing the BSU formally in public, the President must report to the Executive Board, and then the general body about the proceedings of that particular function.
Subsection E. The President oversees all of the BSU’s activities and affairs.
Subsection F. The President is responsible for establishing the time and location to conduct Executive Board meetings.
Subsection G. The President shall prepare an agenda for and preside over, all Executive Board and general body meetings.
Subsection H. The President may impose any rules necessary and proper for the enforcement of this Constitution and BSU policies. As a result, the President must maintain the official copy of the BSU Constitution and Bylaws.
Subsection I. The President has the right to veto any decision made by the Executive Board, general body, or both. In any of these specific events, the particular veto can be overridden by a 2/3 majority vote after a period of discussion.
Subsection J. The President ay any time, can sponsor legislation to the general body.
Subsection K. The President is responsible for the prompt execution of resolutions and amendments adopted by BSU members.
Subsection L. The President may at any time during their term, delegate some of his/her duties to fellow Executive Board officers or other general body members.
Subsection M. Upon winning the BSU election the spring semester before, the President must appoint a Director of Operations and Administrations as a member of the Executive Board. The Executive Board must approve the selection with a 2/3 majority.
Subsection N. The President possesses the power to make all appointments and nominations. Thus, the President can appoint or create any committees that the individual deems necessary. If The Executive Board or general body disapproves of the Presidential appointments two different times, the floor shall be open for nominations by the general body.
Subsection O. Under the authority of the BSU, the President can remove at his/her discretion any appointed member of the Executive Board, other than the Vice-President. Therefore, the President can dispose of any appointees, nominees, or committees.
Subsection P. The President has the sole responsibility of replacing any vacancies in conjunction with a 2/3-majority vote of approval by the BSU general body.
Subsection Q. Each fall and spring, the President must aid the Treasurer in creating and submitting a budget proposal and report covering the entire fiscal year to the BSU members and the George Washington University Student Association Finance Committee.
Subsection R. The President each spring semester, must deliver an annual written summary termed “The President’s Report,” with the assistance of the Executive Board, and present it to the entire BSU body.
Section 2. Vice-Presidents
1st Vice President will mainly handle all Academic Affairs and 2nd Vice President will mainly handle Black History Celebration.
Subsection A. The primary responsibility of the 1st and 2nd Vice-Presidents is to assist the President in every way possible to promote the BSU.
Subsection B. The 1st and 2nd Vice-Presidents must act to fulfill any duties assigned to the individual by the President.
Subsection C. In the event that the President becomes unavailable, the 1st Vice-President assumes the role of President.
Subsection D. The 1st and 2nd Vice-Presidents works in conjunction with the President to provide and organize the BSU general body meetings.
Subsection E. The 1st Vice-President, working with the Community Affairs Director, is responsible for the BSU’s educational program.
Subsection F. The 1st Vice-President shall serve on all committees as an advisor, but will have no voting privileges except in the event of a tie.
Subsection G. The 2nd Vice-President shall supervise all special events with the Membership Director.
Subsection H. The 1st and 2nd Vice-Presidents must assist in matters of budget and finance.
Subsection I. The 2nd Vice-President shall chair the Black History Celebration Committee, which coordinates the annual Black History Celebration that involves The George Washington University administration, the George Washington University community, and surrounding communities.
Subsection J. The 1st Vice-President shall advise the Freshmen Representative.
Subsection K. The 1st and 2nd Vice-Presidents may delegate their duties as the individual deems fit.
Subsection L. The 1st Vice-President shall succeed the Office of the President upon formal resignation, impeachment, or discontinued presence of the President. The BSU as a whole must nominate and elect a President if the Vice-President declines to accept the Presidency.
Section 3. Treasurer
Subsection A. The Treasurer maintains the BSU financial records and monitors all monetary activities.
Subsection B. The Treasurer shall collect dues, collect any contributions, disburse funds appropriately, maintain a set of books covering the organization’s financial operations and assets, and issue receipts to members for contributions. The Executive Board, followed by the general body, must approve all financial decisions executed by the Treasurer.
Subsection C. Each month, the Treasurer prepares a financial statement concerning the BSU’s receipts and disbursements to present to the Executive Board and the entire general body.
Subsection D. The Treasurer shall also report the financial standing of the BSU at each meeting.
Subsection E. The Treasurer shall keep account of all transactions of the organization. These books must be available and open to inspection and examination by any member during regular meeting hours.
Subsection F. Funds deposited in the BSU bank account shall be withdrawn by checks co-signed by the President and the Treasurer. In the event the President, Treasurer, or both are unavailable, one or two other authorized Executive Board officers may be assigned to sign for the checks.
Subsection G. The Treasurer serves as the chair of the Fundraising Committee.
Subsection H. At the first and last meetings of the term, the Treasurer shall present the “Financial Report,” a full and complete financial report of the BSU to the entire body.
Subsection I. While being accompanied by the President, Vice-President, or both, the Treasurer shall present financial reports and proposals to The George Washington University Student Association.
Section 4. Secretary
Subsection A. The Secretary shall be primarily responsible for recording the minutes of all BSU Executive Board and general body meetings.
Subsection B. The Secretary works especially under the President carrying out any delegated duties.
Subsection C. The Secretary shall be responsible for recording attendance at each Executive Board and general body meetings.
Subsection D. The Secretary shall prepare and type the official minutes of each and every meeting and disburse them to all the members in attendance of the subsequent meeting.
Subsection E. At the beginning of each meeting, the Secretary reads the minutes of the previous meeting and makes corrections if needed. Then, two motions of confirmation deem the minutes deemed official.
Subsection F. The Secretary must keep a copy of all Executive Board meeting minutes, general body meeting minutes, financial information, and all other BSU activities.
Subsection G. The Secretary must keep updated records of all administrative contacts with the George Washington University, the George Washington University community, and with people and organizations outside the George Washington University.
Subsection H. Therefore, the Secretary serves as the official Historian of the BSU. Consequentially, the Secretary chairs the Historian Committee and the Alumni Committee.
Subsection I. The Secretary assists the President in establishing meetings between other businesses, organizations, etc.
Section 5. Membership Director
Subsection A. The Membership Director is responsible for regularly coordinating the contact of BSU members to inform them of upcoming meetings, events sponsored by or co-sponsored by the BSU, etc.
Subsection B. The Membership Director shall maintain a current roster listing all names, addresses, phone numbers, electronic mail accounts, and University relationships of all BSU members.
Subsection C. The Membership Director serves as the primary liaison between the President and any organization the BSU plans to work with or sponsor.
Subsection D. The Membership Director is responsible for the recruitment of prospective members to the BSU.
Subsection E. The Membership Director shall chiefly work with the Vice-President and the Public Relations Director to coordinate BSU events. The Membership Director especially aids the Vice-President in every way possible to promote the Black History Celebration.
Subsection F. The Membership Director is responsible for the “Shout-Out” Board, which announces any news, events, birthdays or any other important information.
Subsection G. The Membership Director shall be responsible for securing speakers for BSU events when needed or requested.
Subsection H. Throughout this individual’s term, he or she is responsible for holding various forums on issues and opinions that concern the BSU body. These forums give members a chance to really speak out about any and everything.
Subsection I. The Membership Director will serve as chair of the Membership Committee, which shall coordinate the recruitment, and involvement of new members.
Subsection J. The Membership Director chairs the Programming Committee, which provides quality BSU programming for the BSU and the university community as a whole. He or she also chairs the Political Action Committee, which keeps the BSU abreast of politics within and outside Washington, DC.
Subsection K. The Membership Director must help the President coordinate The George Washington University’s annual Colonial Inauguration for incoming freshmen. As a result, The Membership Director is responsible for creating information packets to send to all current, prospective members, and especially freshmen.
Section 6. Public Relations Director
Subsection A. The Public Relations Director shall be the primary liaison between the BSU and the media, including but not limited to, newspapers, television, and magazines.
Subsection B. The Public Relations Director will be responsible for all promotion and publicity concerning BSU sponsored and co-sponsored events.
Subsection C. When deemed necessary by the Executive Board, the Public Relations Director will issue the official BSU statements to the press, The George Washington University community including various student organizations, and the District Columbia communities in written form or otherwise.
Subsection D. The Public Relations Director shall serve or appoint someone to serve as Editor-in-Chief of the BSU’s bi-weekly official newsletter, known as The Voice. Consequently, the Public Relations Director is responsible for hiring the entire staff of The Voice with the approval of the President.
Subsection E. The Public Relations Director shall serve as Chairman of the Media Relations Committee. The Media Relations Committee is responsible for creating and distributing all materials for mass awareness (i.e. Hatchet advertisements, signs, posters).
Subsection F. The Public Relations Director shall be responsible for appointing a Technical Support Director to manage the upkeep of the BSU web site.
Subsection G. The Public Relations Director shall administer and manage all advertising and press relations for the BSU, both external and internal.
Subsection H. The Public Relations Director will advise, assist, and coordinate marketing for the BSU where appropriate.
Subsection I. The Public Relations Director shall work directly with the Community Affairs Director and the Membership Director to help promote the BSU and all its activities.
Section 7. Community Affairs Director
Subsection A. The Community Affairs Director is responsible for all of the BSU’s community activities and projects.
Subsection B. The Community Affairs Director shall aid the Vice-President with the BSU’s educational program. The Community Affairs Director is responsible for establishing tutors and study groups for its members, especially freshmen.
Subsection C. The Community Affairs Director shall serve as chair of the Community Service Committee.
Subsection D. The Community Affairs Director shall instill, within and out of the BSU, a greater awareness of the needs of the black community, and will develop a greater commitment to those by coordinating specific efforts.
Subsection E. The Community Affairs Director shall advise and assist other students and other student organizations with The George Washington University community relations and community service projects, where appropriate.
Subsection F. The Community Affairs Director shall coordinate all activities and events sponsored by the BSU concerning the community at large. Therefore, the Community Affairs Director is responsible for networking with the George Washington University community (including university organizations), other area organizations, other colleges and universities nationwide and their organizations (especially black organizations), and businesses (especially black entrepreneurs).
Subsection G. The Community Affairs Director must be aware of the issues concerning the neighboring communities surrounding the George Washington University community.
Subsection H. As a result of Subsection G, the Community Affairs Director is responsible for regularly attending the meetings of neighboring community organizations and neighborhood watch organizations.
Subsection I. The Community Affairs Director shall represent the interests and viewpoints of the BSU on issues involving the neighboring communities, especially those listed in Subsections G and H. Consequently, the Community Affairs Director must be informed enough to make recommendations to the BSU on issues involving the George Washington community and neighboring communities.
Subsection J. The Community Affairs Director shall organize events and services, which facilitate and maintain positive relations between the BSU, The George Washington University, and the area communities.
Subsection K. Since the Community Affairs Director is a direct liaison between the BSU and neighboring communities, this individual will be in charge of making sure members fulfill there community service commitment with area high schools, local foundations, student organizations, shelters, food drives, etc.
Section 8. The Director of Operations and Administration
Subsection A. The Director of Operations and Administration is a member of the Executive Board appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Board. This individual must first be a member of the BSU.
Subsection B. The Director of Operations and Administration is the primary liaison between the general body and the Executive Board.
Subsection C. The Director of Operations and Administration’s main responsibilities entail serving as administrative officer of the BSU and maintaining its operational order.
Subsection D. The Director of Operations and Administration shall coordinate the flow of reports and other materials from the Chairpersons of all of the BSU committees to the Executive Board.
Subsection E. The Director of Operations and Administration works directly under the Vice-President. Therefore, The Director of Operations and Administration is a member of all BSU committees and has full voting privileges in them.
Subsection F. The Director of Operations and Administration must keep themselves abreast of changes in The George Washington University policy, attitude, and curriculum, and report such changes to the Executive Board and then the general body.
Subsection G. As a result of the above subsection, Subsection F, the Director of Operations and Administration Chairs the Academic Affairs Committee.
Subsection H. The Director of Operations and Administration shall be responsible for maintaining the BSU Resource Center to include any reading material, employment listings, educational opportunities, and financial aid rewards.
Subsection I. The Freshmen Representative works directly under the Director of Operations and Administration. Thus, the Freshmen Committee, chaired by the Freshmen Representative, answers to the Director of Operations and Administration.
Subsection I. The Director of Operations and Administration chairs the Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) Committee, which seeks to maintain strong, ties between the BSU and the MSSC.
Section 9. Freshman Representative
Subsection A. The Freshman Representative is the only member not voted by the entire general body.
Subsection B. After the second general body meeting, the freshmen class shall stay behind to vote for the Freshman Representative. This individual must first be a member of the BSU.
Subsection C. After being elected, the Freshman Representative immediately joins the Executive Board with full rights. Thus he or she chairs the Freshmen Committee.
Subsection D. The Freshman Representative shall be the liaison between the freshmen class and the Executive Board.
Subsection E. The Freshman Representative shall be responsible for expressing the concerns of the freshmen class to the Executive Board.
Subsection F. The Freshman Representative must hold monthly membership meetings with the freshmen class to facilitate interest and involvement in the BSU pursuant to Article II. This individual shall then report the progress at the next Executive Board meeting.
Subsection G. The Freshman Representative shall work directly under and in conjunction with the Director of Operations and Administration.
Article VI – Meetings Quorums
Section 1. The Executive Board
Subsection A. The Executive Board shall meet once a week. The times, dates, and location are determined by the President in conjunction with majority approval by the Executive Board.
Subsection B. The Executive Board and active members shall be notified by the President, 24 hours in advance of any changes in the times, dates, or location of an executive meeting.
Subsection C. All Executive Board meetings are open to all active BSU members unless a two-thirds majority rule by the Executive Board officers deems the meeting “closed to the public.”
Subsection D. A quorum to conduct business of an Executive Board meeting shall be a majority of the voting members of the Executive Board unless there is a request for a two-thirds quorum by at least two Executive Board members, at which time, the motion in question will be tabled until a 2/3 quorum can be reached.
Subsection E. Executive Board decisions may be overruled by a 2/3 majority of active members present and voting at a general body meeting. The President has the authority to veto the general body’s overruling decision. If this process occurs twice concerning the same issue, then a final vote will occur, in which everyone, including the President will vote at the next general body meeting.
Subsection F. All Executive Board votes are to be hand held except when a majority of the officers present vote for a secret ballot.
Subsection G. If an Executive Board officer can’t attend an executive meeting, they can assign a proxy. However, this individual must first notify at least two Executive Board members who will be present at that meeting a week in advance. All proxies shall be superseded by attendance.
Subsection H. Each Executive Board officer is entitled to two proxies per term. Proxies must be typewritten, dated, signed by the individual and the two officers notified of the proxy, and the meeting date for which the proxy is to be specified. The acceptance of a proxy’s validity is at the discretion of the President.
Subsection I. The Executive Board, with two-thirds approval and at the first regularly scheduled executive meeting of the fall semester, shall determine the number of meetings Executive Board members are permitted to miss per term. If any Executive Board officer goes pass this limit, they are expected to submit their resignation to the Executive Board. The Executive Board in extreme circumstances may waive this subsection with a unanimous approval of the executive officers.
Subsection J. In addition, any Executive Board officer without good reason, who misses two consecutive general body meetings and/or Executive Board meetings, will be expected to submit their resignation. If good cause is shown for this absence, all is null and void.
Section 2. The General Body
Subsection A. The general body must meet bi-weekly for the entire academic year.
Subsection B. It’s the responsibility of each active BSU member to attend designated general body meetings.
Subsection C. Twenty-five percent of the active BSU members must be attendance at any general body meeting to constitute a quorum necessary to transact official business.
Subsection D. Any resolution voted upon, accepted or rejected by a majority of the general body present at any general body meeting, shall not be subjected to reopening at subsequent meetings, unless three-fourths of the membership present at the next general body meeting vote to do so.
Subsection E. All meetings of the general body shall be open to all interested persons. The first general body meeting of the year shall serve as an orientation meeting for previous members and prospective members of the BSU.
Article VII – Voting
Section 1. Every Executive Board officer is entitled to one vote during an Executive Board meeting or a general body meeting. Unless the rules and regulations state otherwise, a simple majority is need by the Executive Board to vote for or against an issue.
Section 2. Every active BSU general body member is entitled to one vote at any general body meetings, when voting is required to resolve an issue.
Section 3. Unless stated otherwise by the Executive Board, any issue that the general body votes on requires a majority vote either in favor or against the subject in question.
Section 4. The President shall not vote on issues presented to during general body meetings or Executive Board meetings, except in the case of a decisive deadlock or tie. The President shall cast their vote only as a resolution to the deadlock.
Article VIII – Legislation
Section 1. Proposed legislation must be submitted, in writing, a minimum of one (1) week prior to the vote by the general body.
Section 2. Emergency legislation can be brought up at the same meeting it is introduced, voted upon, and acted upon if the majority of the general body present, declare the legislation an emergency.
Section 3. Only members of the BSU can introduce legislation for this particular organization. Consequently, legislation is either approved or disapproved by the general body.
Section 4. All legislation approved by the general body shall be submitted to the President within three days after passage, for written approval.
Section 5. If the President vetoes a measure, it must be refuted with written objections, to the general body within seven days of its receipt. The general body may override a veto by a two-thirds vote within twenty days of the date of receipt of the veto.
Section 6. If the President has neither signed nor vetoed the measure within seven days of its receipt, the legislation shall automatically be enacted.
Article IX - The Election Process
Section 1. Executive Board elections, except for Freshmen Representative and the Director of Operations and Administration, shall be held no later than six weeks before the last day of classes of the spring semester.
Section 2. All active BSU members shall be informed in writing of the date of the election one month prior to the election.
Section 3. One month prior to the election, the BSU shall hold a general body meeting solely for the purpose of nominating candidates to run for Executive Board positions. This nomination process doesn’t pertain to the Freshmen Representative or Director of Operations and Administration.
Section 4. All BSU members who decide to nominate them self or someone else for office must not only announce the statement at the general body meeting stated above, but must also submit this nomination in writing at this particular meeting.
Section 5. A nominee may accept the nomination to run for an Executive Board position only if that individual meets the BSU eligibility requirements. The Elections Commission must clear all nominees. If the individual declines the nomination, that person may not re-enter the election under any circumstances. If a nominee is absent during the nomination process, than that person is automatically considered a candidate until further notice.
Section 6. Eligibility
Subsection A. A candidate running for a position on the Executive Board must be a registered full-time student at the George Washington University.
Subsection B. Any individual running for a position on the Executive Board must be in good faith with The George Washington University and must not be on academic probation.
Subsection C. Persons who have not submitted a membership contract and dues to the BSU at least thirty days prior to the election, may not campaign for elected office or except any nominations. The only exception to this rule is the Freshmen Representative.
Subsection D. All persons who have not paid their dues or agreed to the terms of the BSU membership contract at least thirty days prior to the election, may not vote in election nor nominate any candidates for office.
Subsection E. The Elections Commission, after reviewing the must current membership list, shall determine the number of eligible voters. In extreme cases, exceptions can be made by a two-thirds vote by the Elections Commission.
Section 7. After the Elections Commission clears all nominations, each nominee must submit an Election application to this committee. There will be a two-week period after all the nominees are cleared for applicants to pick-up applications and then return applications.
Section 8. The Elections Commission shall review, and approve or disapprove all applications. There must be at least 2 individuals campaigning for each office.
Section 9. The election of the Freshmen Representative is unique in itself. The Freshmen Representative shall be elected no more than six weeks after the first day of fall semester classes. Only freshmen are allowed to vote for a Freshmen Representative during a BSU freshmen only meeting.
Section 10. All freshmen BSU members shall be notified of the Freshmen Representative election at least one week before the elections are slated to occur. Nominations will be taken from the freshmen on the night of the elections. Only active freshmen BSU members shall be nominated, elected, or allowed to vote in the election.
Section 11. The Freshmen Representative shall be elected to represent freshmen BSU members and will serve on the Executive Board with all the privileges and voting power delegated to the BSU executive branch. This individual shall take office and the Oath of Office, as detailed in Article XVII, Section 1, at the commencement of the regularly scheduled Executive Board meeting immediately preceding their election.
Section 12. The Director of Operations and Administration is not elected, but instead appointed by the President and approved by an Executive Board two-thirds majority vote.
Section 13. On the night of the Executive Board elections, after the officers are chosen, the current Executive Board shall announce that the position of Director of Operations and Administration is open to any individuals interested.
Section 14. The President-elect, during the Transition of Power period (the time from the night of the election to the last day of classes that spring semester) has the power to select a Director of Operations and Administration. The Director of Operations and Administration must be appointed by the President and approved by two-thirds of the Executive Board-elect by the second general body meeting of the preceding fall semester classes.
Section 15. The Elections Commission
Subsection A. The current BSU President must select and appoint an Elections Commission, including its Chairperson. The Elections Commission may consist of as many as five members, but no less than three individuals who are current members of the BSU. The appointments are subject to Executive Board majority vote.
Subsection B. The Elections Commission shall be appointed and approved within the first two weeks of the commencement of spring semester classes, and shall serve until the end of that particular spring semester.
Subsection C. The Elections Commission shall publicize the elections, collect and approve all nominations, disburse and collect all candidate applications, conduct and certify the election, establish campaign rules, hear and act upon election complaints and violations; and report to the BSU general body all Election Commissions actions.
Subsection D. In conjunction with Subsection C, the Elections Commission is responsible for supplying all candidates with the official membership list and overseeing any other election proceedings.
Subsection E. Election officials may not campaign for any elected office, work on the behalf of any candidate, nor declare their intention to run for any appointed position until after the winners have been declared. They may not publicly endorse any candidate for office. However, these officials are allowed to vote.
Subsection F. The Elections Commission establishes all rules and regulations for elections. Therefore, their decisions on all election matters are final.
Section 16. Prior to the commencement of voting in any BSU Executive Board election, an event known as the Election Forum shall be held to allow all official candidates to speak to the general membership body.
Subsection A. The Election Forum should be held directly one week before the election night.
Subsection B. Immediately after the Elections Commission Chairperson has officially started the Election Forum, each nominee will be given an opportunity to formally accept or decline their nomination for office. If a nominee is absent at this time without prior notice to an Elections Commission member, that person is automatically considered an official candidate. As a result, this particular person will compete in the election without being able to publicly unveil their platform to the general body membership.
Subsection C. After commencement of the Election Forum, if at any time a nominee expresses to a member of the Elections Commission a desire to withdraw from the election, that particular nominee will be formally withdrawn. At this point that individual may not under any circumstances re-enter the election as a formal candidate.
Subsection D. Each Presidential and Vice-presidential candidate will be given a seven-minute period to state their qualifications and platform. This time may be used at the direction of the candidate to address any pertinent information.
Subsection E. Each candidate for the remaining offices will have approximately five minutes to accomplish the goals as outlined in Subsection D.
Subsection F. After each candidate delivers their address, the Elections Commission and the audience will have an opportunity to question the candidates in a debate style platform. The time period shall not exceed twenty minutes for the Presidential and Vice-presidential candidates and ten 10 minutes for all other candidates. During this period, at the discretion of the Elections Commission, candidates will be allowed to ask each other two questions. This question and answer period shall not exceed fifteen minutes for Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates, and ten minutes for the other candidates.
Subsection G. Members of the audience will not be allowed to ask two (2) successive questions.
Subsection H. Any disruptive individual(s) who in any way impede the process of the Election Forum will be asked to remove him/herself from the premises.
Section 17. Campaigning
Subsection A. The Elections Commission before hand must clear all campaign materials used by all candidates.
Subsection B. Candidates for executive office in the BSU may not at any time verbally campaign within the Multicultural Student Services Center.
Subsection C. Candidates may not post campaign materials (i.e. posters, fliers, etc.) anywhere within the BSU office.
Subsection D. In addition, a candidate may not remove, destroy, or defame another candidate’s campaign materials. Violation of any of these stipulations will result in the automatic disqualification of the violating candidate.
Subsection E. Candidates are not allowed to start publicly campaigning and posting campaign material until the all nomination applications are submitted and cleared by the Elections Commission.
Subsection F. No member of the BSU, at any time, is permitted to use the organization’s treasury funds to finance their campaign.
Section 18. Voting
Subsection A. All voting shall be conducted by a secret ballot.
Subsection B. A ballot must list all official candidates for each office.
Subsection C. The ballot must have a space for a write-vote designated for each office.
Subsection D. Every BSU member is entitled to one vote during the election of Executive Board officers.
Subsection E. All ballots should only go to the Elections Commission to tally.
Subsection F. Any majority of votes cast for one candidate running for one Executive Board office, after the election is completed and the Elections Commission tallies the votes, entitles that candidate to hold the desired office through its duration.
Section 19. Results
Subsection A. The same night of the election, after the ballots have been collected and tallied, the Elections Commission shall announce the results.
Section 20. Runoff
Subsection A. In the event that no candidate running for a particular office receives a simple majority of votes cast (a tie), a runoff election shall be implemented.
Subsection B. The runoff election shall be held within ten working days.
Subsection C. The Elections Commission shall create a new ballot listing only the run-off candidates for each necessary office. The general body through voting shall determine the runoff results.
Section 21. Vacancies
Subsection A. In the event of a vacancy in the Office of the President, the Vice-President shall ascend to that office. If the Vice-President fails to succeed the President, the general body shall elect a new President. The succession of the Vice-President shall be as soon as the previous President resigns or is impeached. If the Vice-President declines the offer, then with a one-week notice, the election of a new President shall take place.
Subsection B. If any other office becomes vacant, the President shall appoint an Acting Officer and inform the Executive Board of the pending election. The election to fill the vacancy will occur no sooner than one week and no later than three weeks after the vacancy occurs. This vacancy, and the impending election must be announced to the general body at least a week before the election.
Subsection C. Acting Officers shall not have a vote on the Executive Board.
Subsection D. Should a vacancy occur in an appointed office, the President shall have the sole right to name the replacement.
Subsection E. Vacancies in elected positions occurring with less than one month left in the academic year shall be filled with the term carried out by an appointee of the President. The Executive Board must approve this decision with a 2/3 vote.
Subsection F. In the event that the electoral process is deemed necessary to fill vacancies, all the aforementioned regulations and provisions from Article IX are applicable.
Article X – Terms of Office
Section 1. The Executive Board shall serve a regular term commencing the last regular general body meeting, and ending the next spring semester during the last regular general body meeting.
Section 2. The newly elected Executive Board shall serve a Transitional Period of Powers before taking over the executive branch of the BSU. The only exception to this rule is if the current Executive Board is re-elected.
Section 3. Each Executive Board officer shall take the Oath of Office during the last regular general body meeting. After the swearing-in ceremony, the officers’ terms commence.
Article XI – The Transitional Period of Powers
Section 1. The Transitional Period of Powers is the time between the certification of the election results by the Elections Commission and the last general body meeting during which the elected officers are sworn-in.
Section 2. During this transition period, the current Executive Board must hand over all duties (i.e. e-mail passwords, keys, Treasury book, etc.) and other important information to the Executive Board-Elect. Generally, this change of powers takes place during the last regular Executive Board meeting. Therefore, the elected Executive Board members are prepared to be sworn-in during the last general body meeting.
Section 3. During the Transitional Period of Powers, the Executive Board-Elect shall adopt a budget for the following fiscal year, prepare a tentative schedule for the preceding academic year, and act upon the appointments of the President-Elect (i.e. the Director of Operations and Administration).
Section 4. Incumbent Executive Board officers retain all powers and responsibilities. In the event an entire Executive Board is re-elected, the Transitional Period of Powers become invalid. As a result, these officers continue to serve in the same capacity as before, but still must be sworn-in during the last general body meeting.
Article XII – Impeachment
Section 1. Every elected officer to the BSU Executive Board may be subject to impeachment if the Executive Board receives a petition containing the signatures of one-fourth of the total active members requesting such or two-thirds of the Executive Board votes for removal.
Section 2. If an officer is impeached, the President should lead a panel formed to oversee the impeachment hearings. In the event the President is the individual who the BSU seeks to impeach, then the next highest-ranking officer (in this scenario the Vice-President) shall lead the panel.
Section 3. Grounds for the impeachment of an Executive Board officer are as follow:
Subsection A. Unethical or incompetent behavior, and/or
Subsection B. Failure to faithfully execute the required duties of the particular office, and/or
Subsection C. Failure to attend the required number of Executive Board meetings (an officer can not miss more than two executive meetings) and/or general body meeting (an officer can not miss more than two general body meetings) without notifying the Executive Board, and/or
Subsection D. Refusal to pay any debts owed to the BSU or pay any debts incurred on the BSU by this particular officer, and/or
Subsection E. Causing general embarrassment to the BSU that directly conflicts with the organization’s purpose as stated in Article II, Section 1, and/or
Subsection F. Disclosure of any activities or discussion that take place in an Executive Board meeting closed to the public.
Section 4. Twenty-four hours after an impeachment petition has been filed, the individual in question shall be presented with a written copy of the charges against them and the names of those persons filing the charges at least one week before the general body is to hear the matter at a preliminary hearing.
Section 5. The individual concerned shall have the opportunity to speak before the general body in an official capacity at the preliminary hearing before the general body votes whether or not to ask for the individual’s resignation.
Section 6. If at the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, the general body recants the impeachment allegations, then there will not be an official impeachment trial, and the individual will be cleared of all charges.
Section 7. In the event that at the conclusion of the preliminary hearing the general body reaffirms the impeachment charges, then the general body should request the individual concerned submit their resignation.
Section 8. If the individual refuses to resign, that person shall be informed that the impeachment trial will occur a week from the day of the preliminary hearing.
Section 9. The accused shall have the right to answer any charges before a vote is taken and shall have the right to counsel. No matter what the circumstances are, the accused gets to defend one self, period.
Section 10. After the trial has taken place, the general body will vote on impeachment. The impeachment must pass by a two-thirds vote, or otherwise all charges are dropped.
Section 11. In the event of impeachment of an Executive Board officer, all regulations required for filling a vacancy are applicable to Article IX, Section 21.
Article XIII – Amendments
Section 1. Any member of the organization may propose an amendment to the BSU Constitution.
Section 2. A proposed amendment shall be submitted in writing by a member of the BSU and delivered to the Executive Board one week before voting is held.
Section 3. Upon the introduction of the amendment, the President shall call a “Constitutional Convention.”
Section 4. At the “Constitutional Convention,” ratification will require a two-third-majority vote by the members present to adopt the amendment. Twenty-five percent of the general body must be present to vote on the amendment in question.
Section 5. Even if the amendment passes by a majority vote by the general body, it shall be subject to the power of Presidential veto and general body override provisions in Article VIII, Section 4, 5, and 6.
Section 6. Upon acceptance of any amendments, it is the duty of the President to see the prompt execution of the new policies.
Section 7. If during the year there are no amendments proposed, the Executive Board shall conduct a year-end review of the Constitution for relevance.
Article XIV – Liquidation and Dissolution
Section 1. The Constitution may be dissolved and liquidated by a three-fourth vote of the general body. Such an act must be submitted to the President in writing one week before the vote takes place.
Section 2. In the event The George Washington University Student Association dissolves the BSU, such actions shall include provisions for the payment of the BSU’s liabilities, disbursal of its assets, and the delegation of its duties.
Section 3. All records of the BSU shall be deposited with and maintained by the Multicultural Student Services Center upon dissolution.
Article XV – Guaranteed Constitutional Rights
Section 1. In addition to the rights guaranteed by the specific provisions of this Constitution, all BSU members shall be guaranteed at minimum:
Subsection A. Due process in the construction and implementation of the provisions of the Constitution and the Bylaws created pursuant to the powers contained herein; and
Subsection B. The equal protection of the provisions contained in this Constitution and the Bylaws created pursuant to the powers contained herein.
Article XVI – Enabling and Implementation
Section 1. This Constitution and all its provisions supersede all previous documents and charters of any George Washington University Black Student Union Movement or Black People’s Union Movement.
Article XVII - Oath of Office
Section 1. All officers shall be required to take the following Oath of Office at the last regular general body meeting of the spring semester in order for their term to commence:
"I, (state your name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, uphold, and defend the tradition and mission of the Black Student Union at the George Washington University and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to its Constitution, Bylaws, and all other facets of the Black Student Union; that I take this obligation freely, without mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter, so help me God."
Article XVIII – Ratification of the Black Student Union Constitution
Section 1. This Constitution of the Black Student Union shall become effective as of Thursday, November 30, 2000 at 8 PM in Government Hall Room 104.
