CONSTITUTION

Preamble

Article I: Membership

Article II: Association Body

Article III: Association Executive Board

Article IV: Association Committees

Article V: Association Business

Article VI: Association Finances

Article VII: Advisors

Article VIII: Process for Dissolution

Article IX: Non-Discrimination

Article X: Amendments

Article XI: Constitutional Authority

PREAMBLE

Section 1: Name. The name of this organization shall be the United States Institute of Theatre Technology (U.S.I.T.T.) Student Chapter at The Pennsylvania State University, hereafter referred to as the Association.

Section 2: Purpose. The purpose of the Association shall be:

a. To promote the advancement of knowledge and skills of its members in the area of theatrical technology.
b. To encourage active participation in U.S.I.T.T. and similar organizations.
c. To hold educational, social, philanthropic, and recruiting activities.
d. To communicate with U.S.I.T.T., other Student Chapters, and other Student Organizations on campus.

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ARTCLE I: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Definition. All persons shall be a member in the Association in accordance with the following:

a. They are a registered student at the Undergraduate or Graduate level in the Pennsylvania State University for the semester of requested membership.
b. They have paid the current rate of dues required for membership in the Association for the duration of membership requested.

Section 2: Minimum Membership Requirements. There shall at all times be at least 20 members in the Association who are not Honorary Members. At all times, at least 6 of these members shall be a current member of the United States Institute of Theatre Technology. The simple majority of the membership shall be undergraduate students at all times.

Section 3: Honorary Membership. An Honorary Member of the Association shall be any person who does not meet the requirements for membership into the Association as stated in Article I, Section 1, and is designated an Honorary Member by the enactment of legislation. An Honorary Member of the Association shall not be made to have any financial commitment to the Association. An Honorary Member shall have no powers related to submission of legislation, debate, or voting in Association business. An Honorary Member may not serve as an officer. Honorary Membership may be revoked at any time at the discretion of the Association or the Honorary Member.

ARTICLE II: ASSOCIATION BODY

Section 1: Definition. The Association Body shall be the legislative assembly of the Association, considering legislation to further the purposes of the Association. The Body shall take on any additional powers enumerated by this Constitution or its Bylaws.

Section 2: Membership. All persons who are members of the Association and hold neither an elected or appointed Executive Board position, and are not Honorary Members, shall be considered members of the Association Body.

Section 3: Duties and Powers.

a. The Body shall consider and vote upon all Association legislation.
b. The Body may override all Presidential vetoes.
c. The Body shall hold nominations and elections for Executive Board positions.
d. The Body shall consider and vote upon all Executive Board appointments.
e. Each member of The Body shall serve on one Association Committee.
f. The Body shall assume all duties, necessary to the functioning of the Association, not already delegated by another body or official.

ARTICLE III: ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1: Definition. The Executive Board shall supervise and direct those bodies and individuals involved in the execution of this Constitution, its Bylaws, duly passed legislation and all procedures and regulations of the Association, The Pennsylvania State University, and the U.S.I.T.T.

Section 2: Membership. The Executive Board shall consist of the elected and appointed officers of the Association.

Section 3: Elected Officers of the Association. The elected officers of the Association shall be: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The elected officers shall be elected in the manner that is directed by this Constitution or its Bylaws. No elected officer may hold more than one position on the Executive Board.

Section 4: Duties and Powers of Elected Officers.

a. The President shall:

1. Verify quorum and attendance at Executive Board meetings.
2. Report to the Body on all Executive Board actions.
3. Serve as the Association representative.
4. Appoint non-elected Association officers by the second Regular Session of the academic year.
5. Appoint replacements for unfilled Executive offices.
6. Not have power to submit legislation to the Association Body, except for Budget Bills.
7. Not have the right to vote, make, or second motions.
8. In good faith, and to the best of their ability, enact all duly passed legislation.
9. Direct action to the Association and committees.
10. Form Special Committees and appoint their Chairs.
11. Submit a balanced budget for Association approval by the second Regular Session of the academic year.

b. The Vice President shall:

1. Set agendas for, call, verify quorum and attendance, and preside over Regular Sessions of the Association.
2. Assume the duties of the President in the event of, and for the duration of, the President’s absence.
3. Not have the right to vote, except in the event of a tie.
4. Not have the right to make or second motions.

c. The Secretary shall:

1. Take and distribute minutes of the Association and the Executive Board.
2. Keep a record of those minutes.
3. Submit materials to the Association Historian.
4. Preside over Regular Sessions of the Association in the absence of the Vice President.

d. The Treasurer shall:

1. Keep and maintain all financial records and business of the Association.
2. Report to the Association upon request, regarding the financial records and business of the Association.

Section 5: Appointed Officers of the Association. The appointed officers of the Association shall be: Historian, Public Relations Official, Programming Director, and Advertising and Marketing Director. The appointed officers shall be appointed in the manner that is directed by this Constitution or its Bylaws. No appointed officer may hold more than one position on the Executive Board.

Section 6: Duties and Powers of Appointed Officers.

a. The Historian Shall:

1. Maintain records of all legislation, Association business, agendas, minutes, photographs, and all Association materials.
2. Maintain and regularly update the Association website.
3. Report to the Association upon request, regarding previous Association business.

b. The Public Relations Official shall:

1. Maintain communications with other U.S.I.T.T. student chapters.
2. Maintain communications with U.S.I.T.T. and its officials.
3. Maintain communications with other Student Organizations on campus.
4. Generally provide for social networking of the Association members to outside interests.

c. The Programming Director shall:

1. Preside over the Programming committee and its meetings.
2. Report to the Body and the Executive Board all actions of the Programming committee.
3. Have any other responsibilities as prescribed by this Constitution or its Bylaws.

d. The Advertising and Marketing Director shall:

1. Preside over the Advertising and Marketing committee and its meetings.
2. Report to the Body and the Executive Board all actions of the Advertising and Marketing committee.
3. Have any other responsibilities as prescribed by this Constitution of its Bylaws.

Section 7: Executive Board Meetings. The Executive Board shall meet at the discretion of the President, with at least 24 hours prior notice. Quorum shall consist of a simple majority of all members of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE IV: ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES

Section 1: Types and Concerns. There shall be two types of committees: Association Committees, and Special Committees.

a. Association Committees shall be concerned with the educational, social, philanthropic, and recruiting activities of the Association.
b. Special Committees shall be concerned with those matters, pressing or of limited duration, not adequately addressed by other committees.

Section 2: Membership. All Association Body members must serve on one, and only one, Association Committee. Body members may serve on an Association Committee as well as any Special Committee. The President and the Vice President shall be non-voting members of every committee, having the right to attend all meetings and functions. Chairpersons of Special Committees shall become members of the Executive Board for the duration the committee exists.

Section 3: Powers and Duties of Association Committees.

a. The Programming Committee shall:

1. Plan, execute, and evaluate all events sponsored by the Association, including educational, social, philanthropic, fundraising, and recruiting activities.
2. Coordinate its efforts with other organizations to co-sponsor events.
3. Execute any other directives made by this Constitution, its Bylaws, or legislation.

b. The Advertising and Marketing Committee shall:

1. Research, solicit, and evaluate advertising campaigns for all of the Association’s events, including educational, social, philanthropic, fundraising, and recruiting activities.
2. Coordinate its efforts with other organizations to co-market events that are co-sponsored by the Association.
3. Execute any other directives made by this Constitution, its Bylaws, or legislation.

ARTICLE V: ASSOCIATION BUSINESS

Section 1: Parliamentary Authority. At the first Regular Session of each academic year, the Vice President shall recommend a form of parliamentary authority. The Body shall, by a two-thirds majority vote, approve or deny the recommended form.

Section 2: Regular Sessions. Regular Sessions of the Association shall set by the Executive Board with at least forty-eight hours prior notice. Regular Sessions shall be held at least every two weeks during the academic year.

Section 3: Quorum. Quorum for Regular Sessions shall consist of a simple majority of the members of the Body. A majority for a vote shall be derived from members present.

Section 4: Chair of Regular Sessions. Regular Sessions of the Association shall be chaired by the Vice President. Should the Vice President be absent then the Secretary shall be the Chair Pro-Tem. In the event that both the Vice President and the Secretary are absent, then a Chair Pro-Tem shall be selected by a simple majority vote from the Body.

Section 5: Rights of Debate in Regular Sessions. All members of the Body may speak, make and second motions, and vote on all Association business, unless otherwise restricted from doing so. The President, while not being a member of the Body, shall have the right to speak during Regular Sessions. The Vice President, while not a member of the Body, shall have the right to speak during Regular Sessions, except when prohibited from doing so in accordance with parliamentary authority. The Secretary and Treasurer, while not being members of the Body, shall have the right to speak during Regular Sessions.

Section 6: Voting. Members must be present to vote. No member shall cast more than one vote per balloting. In the event of a tie, the Chair shall cast the deciding vote.

Section 7: Special Sessions. Special Sessions of the Association (which must have twenty-four hour prior notice) shall be immediately called by the Vice President upon occurrence of one of the following:

a. The reception of a petition signed by one-third of the membership of the Association; or,
b. Body approval of a motion calling for such a meeting; or,
c. The reception of a Presidential order calling for such a meeting.

Section 8: Legislation. All business to be voted on by the Association shall be presented to the Body in the written form of legislation. Legislation shall be passed by a simple majority, unless otherwise specified by this Constitution, its Bylaws, of parliamentary authority. Budget Bills shall require a two-thirds majority vote.

Section 9: Legislative Veto. Upon passage by the Body of the Association, by the margin specified in this Constitution, its Bylaws, or parliamentary authority, legislation shall be forwarded to the President for approval or veto. Should the President sign the legislation or fail to veto it prior to the Regular Session immediately following original passage, the legislation shall be considered passed and enacted appropriately. A valid veto shall have the word "veto" written across each page of the legislation. The President shall also sign and date the legislation at the time of veto. Vetoed legislation shall not be considered passed and shall not be executed. Legislation not vetoed in this manner will be considered passed and will be executed accordingly. The President shall, at the Regular Session immediately following original passage, notify the Association that the legislation was vetoed. Should the President fail to inform the Association in said manner, the legislation shall be considered passed and shall be enacted accordingly. Vetoed legislation must appear on the agenda by the second Regular Session following original passage. At that time the Association may consider overriding the Presidential veto. Legislation not appearing on the agenda by said meeting shall be considered passed and shall be enacted accordingly. With a two-thirds majority vote the Association may override Presidential vetoes. For legislation that originally required a two-thirds majority vote for passage, a three-fourths majority vote shall be required to override a Presidential veto. Legislation dealing with the impeachment or removal of Officers or amending this Constitution are not subject to veto.

Section 10: Filling Vacancies in Elected Positions. Should a permanent vacancy occur in the office of the President, the Vice President shall assume the office of the President. Should a permanent vacancy occur in the office of the Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary, then the President shall appoint a replacement within seven days. Should permanent vacancies occur simultaneously in the offices of the President and Vice President then the Secretary shall assume the duties of the Presidency until a special election can be held. The date of the special election must be set within seven days of the Secretary’s assumption of office. The special election shall be conducted in the manner that is directed by this Constitution or its Bylaws. Should simultaneous vacancies occur in the offices of the President, Vice President, and Secretary, the Body shall then, by majority vote, select a President pro-tem. The President pro-tem shall serve as Chair of the Association meetings. The President pro-tem must meet all qualifications for being an Association officer. Until the election of a new President, no legislation may be passed nor any appointments made. The President pro-tem must set the date of the special election within seven days of their assumption of office. The special election shall be conducted in the manner that is directed by this Constitution or its Bylaws. Should simultaneous vacancies occur in the offices of the Vice President and Secretary, a temporary Chair shall be chosen by majority vote of the Body. The temporary chair shall serve until a new Vice President is appointed. Should the Body not approve a nomination, the President shall nominate a different candidate within seven days.

Section 11: Filling Vacancies in Appointed Positions. The president shall make nominations for all appointments by the second regular meeting of that Academic year. Appointed officers shall assume office upon approval by the Association. If a permanent vacancy occurs in an appointed office the President shall select a nominee within seven days. Should the Body not approve a nomination, the president shall nominate a different candidate within seven days.

Section 12: Impeachment of Elected Officers. Impeachment proceedings shall be initiated by the passage of a Resolution of Impeachment. Said resolution shall: detail the charges against the officer, require a two-thirds majority for passage, not be subject to prior notice, review or Presidential veto. Upon passage of a Resolution of Impeachment, the accused officer shall have their case heard before the Association. If said officer is convicted by the Association, they shall immediately be removed from office. Valid grounds for impeachment shall be:
a. Failure to discharge the duties of the office.
b. Conduct unbecoming of an Association officer.

Section 13: Removal of Appointed Officers. An appointed officer may be removed by legislation specifying such action. Said legislation shall: detail the charges against the officer, require a two-thirds majority for passage, not be subject to prior notice, review or Presidential veto. Upon passage of the legislation, the accused officer shall have their case heard before the Association. If said officer is convicted by the Association, they shall immediately be removed from office. Valid grounds for removal of appointed officers shall be:
a. Failure to discharge the duties of the office.
b. Conduct unbecoming of an Association officer.
c. Failure to work in accordance with Association and Executive Board directives.

ARTICLE VI: ASSOCIATION FINANCES

Section 1: Dues. At the first Regular Session of the academic year, the Body shall set rates of dues for membership into the Association for that academic year. There shall be two rates of Dues: one semester membership, and one year membership. The one semester membership rate shall be more than fifty percent of the one year membership, but not more than the full one year amount. Each member must pay the full amount for the membership requested before becoming a member of the Association.

Section 2: Financial Services. All Association funds shall be handled exclusively through the Associated Student Activities Office.

Section 3: Budgetary Authority. The Association shall operate within its budget. No revision subsequently made to the budget shall place the proposed expenditures of the Association in excess of its current financial resources.

Section 4: Distribution of Finances / Proper Business Authority. No part of the net earnings of the Association shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the Association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in this Constitution or its Bylaws. No substantial part of the activities of the Association shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Association shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, the Association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

ARTICLE VII: ADVISORS

Section 1: Definition. The Association shall have two advisors. They may advise either the Association or the Executive Board.

Section 2: Qualifications of Advisors. An advisor of the Association or Executive Board shall be a faculty member of the School of Theatre at the Pennsylvania State University – University Park campus.

Section 3: Appointment of Advisors. The President shall appoint advisors at the first Regular Session of the academic year. Advisory appointments require a three-fourths majority vote for approval.

Section 4: Term of Advisors. The Association shall elect to appoint the advisors of the Association and Executive Board for a term of one year.

Section 5: Duties and Powers of Advisors. An advisor of the Association shall have the same rights of debate as a voting member of the Body, but shall not have the right to make, second, or vote on motions of the Body.

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ARTICLE VIII: PROCESS FOR DISSOLUTION

Section 1: Dissolution. Upon the dissolution of the Association, the Board of Trustees shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all liabilities of the Association, dispose of all the assets of the Association exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization (2) under Section 501 (c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Board of Trustees shall determine. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the Association is then located, exclusively for such purposes to such organization(s), as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

ARTICLE IX: NON-DISCRIMINATION

Section 1: Non-Discrimination Policy. The United States Institute of Theatre Technology Student Chapter at The Pennsylvania State University shall not discriminate in its membership, appointments, nor actions when discrimination is defined as denying membership, appointment or fulfillment of an Association action on the basis of a person's characteristics, including but not limited to age, race, national origin, color, gender, sexual orientation, creed, or handicap.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS

Section 1: Constitutional Amendments. Amendments to this Constitution shall require one week prior notice and a three-fourths majority vote to be passed. Upon Association passage, they shall be forwarded to the USG Supreme Court and the GSA Judiciary Committee. Upon passage by the USG Supreme Court and the GSA Judiciary Committee, the amendment shall become valid immediately, or at a later time as specified in the enacting legislation of the amendment. Upon failure of the amendment by either the USG Supreme Court of the GSA Judiciary Committee, the amendment shall be considered null and void. Constitutional amendments shall not be subject to Presidential veto.

Section 2: Bylaw Amendments. Amendments to the Bylaws of this Constitution shall require one week prior notice, and two-thirds majority vote to be passed. Upon passage, the amendment shall become valid immediately, or at a later time as specified in the enacting legislation of the amendment.

ARTICLE XI: CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY

Section 1: Constitutional Authority. This Constitution is the final authority in all Association business. Any bylaw, legislation, or action that conflicts with this Constitution shall be considered null and void.

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