Article I: Name

Section 1:        The name of this organization shall be the Pennsylvania State University Student Chapter of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM-PSU).

Section 2:        This organization is a student chapter associated with the Allegheny Branch of the
American Society for Microbiology.

Section 3:        This constitution shall be the governing law of this organization

Article II: Purpose

Section 1:        The purpose of this organization shall be to:
A.  promote communication among students interested in microbiology.
B.  provide academic guidance for students.
C.  maintain intellectual curiosity.
D.  promote awareness of various opportunities available to students in the field
of microbiology.

Article III: Membership

Section 1:        Membership to this organization shall be open to all students of the Pennsylvania State University who are interested in microbiology or related fields.

Section 2:        Membership dues shall be collected annually from each general and executive member that are:
A.  determined by a consensus of all executive officers.
B.  not excessive in nature.
C.  utilized for the funding of events and activities deemed appropriate for the common good of the members.

Section 3:        Active membership shall be defined as:
A. the attendance of one-half of the general meetings held each semester. If there  is an odd number of general meetings held in one semester, then attendance of a simple majority of such meetings is required for active membership, and 
B.  the involvement with one or more organizational committees at a level deemed sufficient by the committee chairperson.

Article IV:  Executive Officers

Section 1:        The executive officers of this organization shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Activities director, and Technology Director. The collective function of these officers shall be to direct and advise the organization.

Section 2:        The President shall:
A.  function as the chief spokesperson for the organization.
B.  preside over both the general and executive officers’ meetings.
C.  serve as the chairperson of the Education Committee.

Section 3:        The Vice-President shall:
A.  become the presiding officer in the absence of the president.
B.  assist the president in performing the duties of the office.
C.  serve as the chairperson of the Service Committee.

Section 4:        The Secretary shall:
A.  prepare the minutes of each general and executive officers’ meetings and present such minutes at the subsequent general meeting.
B.  maintain a list of all current members and manage their committee affiliations, if any.
C.  serve as the chairperson of the Publicity Committee

Section 5:        The Treasurer shall:
A.  oversee and document all financial transactions and shall report the status of the same at each general meeting.
B.  coordinate the responsible collection and safe-keeping of all funds of the organization, including membership dues, in the account held with the Office of Associated Student Activities.
C.  serve as the chairperson of the Fundraising Committee.

Section 6:        The Activities Director shall:
A.  organize and administer all activities planned by the organization that are academic, social, or otherwise.
B.  serve as the chairperson of the Social Committee.

Section 7:        The Technology Director shall:
A.  manage the official website of the organization and update it’s content in a timely and accurate manner.
B.  manage the membership list-serv.
C.  ensure the proper function of all computers and other technological entities during any organization sponsored event or activity.

Article V:  Organizational Committees

Section 1:        The primary decision-making bodies, below the level of the executive officers, shall consist of five organizational committees: Education Committee, Service Committee, Fundraising Committee, Publicity Committee, and Social Committee.

Section 2:        Each organizational committee shall be:
A.  chaired by one executive officer who must approve all agendas advanced by the members of the respective committee.
B.  comprised of any members, general or executive, who wish to take part in the activities of said committee.

Section 3:        There shall be no limits imposed on the number of members comprising each committee or the number of committees with which each member may affiliate.

Section 4:        The chairperson of each committee shall be entitled to organize the formation of temporary sub-committees, assigned to manage a particular activity or event, or series of activities or events, in an effort to facilitate the committee’s operation.

Section 5:        The Education Committee shall:
A.  organize activities and events for the members of the organization and for the members of the Penn State community that are educational and/or informative in nature. 
B.  be chaired by the President.

Section 6:        The Service Committee shall:
A.  organize activities and events in the realm of public service that positively impact the Penn State and/or local community.
B.  be chaired by the Vice-President.

Section 7:        The Publicity Committee shall:
A.  Promote all activities and events sponsored by the organization to both it’s members and the members of the Penn State and/or local community.
B.  be chaired by the Secretary.

Section 8:        The Fundraising Committee shall:
A.  organize activities and events designed to generate revenue to supplement the funding of any organization endeavor deemed appropriate for the common good of the members.
B.  be chaired by the Treasurer.

Section 9:        The Social Committee shall:
A.  organize activities and events designed to promote the amicable communication and social interaction of the members of the organization.
B.  be chaired by the Activities Director.

Article VI:  Meetings

Section 1:        General meetings shall be held at least 4 times each semester of the academic school year.

Section 2:        Executive meetings shall be held at the discretion of the executive officers.

Article VII: Elections and Voting

Section 1:        The voting body shall be limited to the active membership.

Section 2:        A quorum for all voting shall be defined as thirty-three percent of the active membership.

Section 3:        Nominations and elections shall:
A. take place during the third general meeting of the spring semester.
B. be publicized during the first two meetings of the spring semester.
C. be communicated to each member as to the date of such meeting.

Section 4:        Each active member shall:
A.  have the right to be nominated for any office.
B.  have one vote per officer position.

Section 5:        A quorum of active members shall cast written, secret ballots for the candidate of their choice.

Section 6:        Election results shall be computed publicly at the same meeting of the election.

Section 7:        Any active member who wishes to review election results shall have the right to do so at the same meeting of the election.

Section 8:        A simple majority (50% +1) of the voting body shall be required to assume an office position.  If such majority cannot be obtained, the candidate with the lowest number of votes shall be excluded and the active membership shall vote again. In the event of a tie, the ballot shall be recast.

Section 9:        Any candidate elected to an executive officer position shall:
A.  assume the duties of the position at the first general meeting of the subsequent fall semester.
B.  maintain the right to remain in such position until graduation from the University.

 
Article VIII: Amendments to the Constitution

Section 1:        Any active member shall have the right to introduce an amendment to the constitution during any general meeting.

Section 2:        Voting to amend the constitution shall:
A. occur at the meeting immediately following the introduction of an amendment.
B. require a two-thirds majority of a quorum of the active membership.

Section 3:        Amendments to the constitution will take effect immediately following UPUA approval.

Article IX: Accesibility to the Constitution

Section 1:        The constitution shall be made available to any individual upon request.

Article X: Non-Discrimination Statement

Section 1:        The Pennsylvania State University Chapter of the American Society for Microbiology does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of (but not imited to), age, ancestry, color, disability, nationality, race, religious creed, sex,   sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Article XI: Hazing

Section 1:        The ASM-PSU does not tolerate acts of hazing under any circumstances.  In agreement with the Pennsylvania State University Student Guide to General University Policies and Rules, hazing shall be defined as any situation that:                             

A.  intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student.
B.  willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of admission or maintaining membership in any organization or group associated with the University.

Article XII: Member Expulsion

Section 1:        The ASM-PSU reserves the right to expel any member who violates the policies of the organization, or the polices of the University.

Section 2:        The expulsion of a member from the organization shall require a unanimous decision on behalf of the executive officers.

Article XII: Parliamentary Authority

Section 1:        Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall serve as the authoritative reference in all instances not addressed by the Constitution.