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THE CONSTITUTION OF THE BLACK STUDENT ASSOCIATION AT APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

 

Our Name

Section 1 --- Name

1.1 The name of this esteemed organization shall henceforth be the Appalachian State University Black Student Association (BSA).

1.2  The Black Student Association will be advised by staff in the Office of Intercultural Student Affairs located in Plemmons Student Union, Suite 255. 

1.3 All references to “the Constitution” in this document are referring to the Constitution of the Black Student Association.

Article II

Our Purpose

Section 1 --- Mission Statement

1.1 Our mission is to actively make a change for unity by encouraging the principles of scholarship, leadership, cultural uplift, diversity, and community service. In addition, BSA is committed to promoting a positive image at Appalachian State University and the black community at large.

Section 2 --- Objectives

2.1 The primary objectives of BSA are as follows:

2.1.1 To be the voice behind the black students at Appalachian State University. 

2.1.2 To preserve the essence of black heritage.

2.1.3 To promote cultural awareness.

 

2.1.4 To cultivate a continuous relationship with the administration, black faculty/staff and black students at Appalachian State University.

2.1.5 To work to bring unity amongst multicultural organizations on Appalachian State University’s campus.

2.1.6 To promote community outreach and service. 

Section 3 --- Meetings

3.1 The Black Student Association shall hold one general meeting per week and no more than fifteen per semester. Scheduled BSA meetings shall be widely advertised and open to any Appalachian State University student, staff and/or faculty.

Article III

Overview of Membership

Section 1 --- Membership

1.1 Appalachian State University students committed to the mission and objectives of the Black Student Association are considered general members. 

1.2 Members who would like to receive a Kente Cloth paid for by the Black Student Association must attend 5 meetings or programs the year leading up to graduation. 

Section 2 --- Non-Discrimination Clause

2.1 The Black Student Association (BSA) states that no student will be excluded from membership or participation on the basis of their race, color, religious status or historic religious affiliation, sex, national origin, age, political affiliation, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, or unless exempt under Title IX, gender. The BSA agrees to follow all Appalachian State University, State, and Federal laws and policies.

Article IV

Duties and Responsibilities of the BSA Executive Board 

Section 1 --- BSA Executive Board

1.1 The elective officers of the BSA Executive Board shall be the President, the Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Programming Chair, Marketing Chair, Historian, Chief of Staff, and Public Relations.

1.2 All members of the BSA Executive Board must be enrolled students (at least 12 semester hours) at Appalachian State University and are responsible for observing the Appalachian State University Code of Conduct.

1.3 All officers must maintain a grade point average of at least a 2.5 on a semesterly basis.

1.4 All officers will be voted on by the General Body of the Black Student Association after the candidate has made their formal announcement of candidacy.

1.5 All officers will meet every week for an Executive Board Meeting.

1.6 All officers are required to serve at least 2 hours per week in the BSA Office located on the 2nd floor of Plemmons Student Union.

1.7 The BSA Executive Board will consist of no more than 10 qualified candidates. These individuals will need to demonstrate an ability to lead, the ability to work well with others, represent other students, plan programs and follow-through, and attend mandatory fall and spring retreats.

1.8 Each member of the BSA Executive Board shall have many responsibilities including participation in one or more committees.

1.9 BSA Executive Board members are encouraged to continue to develop leadership skills and to participate in leadership training activities and leadership conferences.

Section 2 --- President 

2.1 The President of the BSA Executive Board must hold at least sophomore status and maintain a semester grade point average of 2.5. That person will be voted on by general members.

2.2 The President will preside over all BSA Executive Board meetings.

2.3 The President will be the liaison with the BSA advisor and the Student Affairs (Director/Associate Director).

2.4 The President will be required to attend a weekly meeting with the advisor of the Black Student Association.

2.5 The President may exercise the right to hold mandatory monthly meetings with each Executive board member on an individual basis if needed, so long as there is a formal communication (i.e. email) 72 hours in advance.

2.6 The President is required to serve at least 2 office hours in the BSA office located on the 2nd floor of Plemmons Student Union. 

2.7 The President must attend or delegate an Executive Board member to represent the Black Student Association at sponsored events. If the President cannot attend, a delegate may take their place so long as the stand-in member has been notified 24 hours in advance. 

2.8 The President will be the face/voice between the Black Student Association and the University Executive-Level Administrators. 

2.9 The President will assist the Treasurer with coordinating the preparation and presentation of budget materials for the academic year. 

2.10 The President will ensure that each BSA Executive Board Member is performing their specific duties.

2.11 The President will create a weekly agenda for Executive Board Meetings to be emailed no later than 24 hours in advance of the meeting time. 

2.12 The President will regularly check the BSA mailbox in the Intercultural Student Affairs office and in the Club Hub Office. 

2.13 The President will delegate relevant responsibilities to other board members as needed.

2.14 The President will be responsible for reserving a room at the end of the spring and fall semesters for meetings. 

2.15. The President will be responsible for ensuring the continued relationship with the local police departments with a Monday meeting or Event per semester. 

Section 3 --- Vice-President 

3.1 The Vice-President of the BSA Executive Board must hold at least sophomore status and maintain a semesterly grade point average of 2.5. That person will be voted on by general members. However, if need be, the executive board has the right to suspend this rule with the approval of the Advisor(s). 

3.2 The Vice-President will assume the responsibilities of the President in the President’s absence.

3.3 The Vice-President will assist the President in responsibilities as delegated.

3.4 The Vice-President will submit proper registration for Homecoming events.

3.5 The Vice-President will coordinate participation in Homecoming events.

3.6 The Vice-President will assist the President with planning the Fall/Spring Leadership Retreat for BSA. 

3.7 The Vice-President will maintain a minimum of 2 office hours weekly in the BSA Office.

3.8 The Vice-President will be required to attend a weekly meeting with the Advisor of the Black Student Association. 

3.9 The Vice-President will attend all BSA-sponsored retreats/events unless otherwise arranged with the President or the Advisor.

3.10 The Vice-President will coordinate the Annual Blood Drive.

3.11 The Vice-President will be a stand-in for other committees as needed when the President is not in attendance.

Section 4 --- Secretary

4.1 The Secretary of the BSA Executive Board must hold at least sophomore status and maintain a semester grade point average of 2.5. That person will be voted on by general members. However, if need be, the executive board has the right to suspend this rule with the approval of the Advisor(s). 

4.2 The Secretary will be responsible for recording meeting minutes and distributing those minutes to the Executive Board. 

4.3 The Secretary will be responsible for recording minutes of all regular and special meetings and a record of all actions taken by the Executive Board and members.

4.4 The Secretary will be responsible for submitting meeting minutes typed and emailed within 48 hours of the adjournment of a meeting to the Executive Board members and Advisor(s).

4.5 The Secretary will be responsible for maintaining a file (Google Drive), which will include the minutes of meeting, agendas of every meeting, correspondences, and other relevant forms and documents for BSA. 

4.6 The Secretary will be responsible for maintaining all contracts made by the organization.

4.7 The Secretary will be responsible for creating weekly Powerpoint presentations including announcements for general members.

4.8 The Secretary will be responsible for corresponding with the President to organize an effective means of communication regarding scheduled or emergency meetings.

4.9 The Secretary will be responsible for all correspondence generated by or directed towards the organization.

4.10 The Secretary will maintain the BSA Calendar through the Google platform.

4.11 The Secretary will coordinate with the Marketing Chair and the Historian to maintain the BSA website. 

4.12 The Secretary will coordinate with the Marketing Chair to publish monthly newsletters on the BSA website.

4.13 Will be keeper of the Master Calendar of all black affiliated organizations to be posted on the BSA website.

Section 5 --- Treasurer 

5.1 The Treasurer of the BSA Executive Board must hold at least sophomore status and maintain a semesterly grade point average of 2.5. That person will be voted on by general members.

5.2 The Treasurer will act as custodian of funds for the Black Student Association.

5.3 The Treasurer will prepare a physical financial statement for the organization each month. 

5.4 The Treasurer will generate receipts for all money spent for the organization. 

5.5 The Treasurer will maintain financial records and coordinate with the Advisor to make payments of all purchases for the organization. 

5.6 The Treasurer will present a budget for approval by the Executive Board at the beginning of each academic year, and be responsible for maintaining a said budget for the duration of the term.

5.7 The Treasurer will present a financial status report to the Executive Board as requested by the President.

5.8 The Treasurer will manage and maintain invoices of the Executive Board.

Section 6 --- Programming Chair 

6.1 The Programming Chair and Programming Co-Chair, if appointed by the President/Advisor will be responsible for organizing logistics of special events and planning along with assembling an itinerary by corresponding with the President/Vice-President.

6.2 If the President/Advisor has appointed a Programming Co-Chair, that Officer will be responsible for sharing the duties of the Programming Chair to operate more effectively. 

 

Section 7 --- Marketing Chair

7.1 The Marketing Chair and Marketing Co-Chair, if appointed by the President/Advisor, will be responsible for updating general members on events through weekly emails within 24 hours in advance of the General Body meeting.

7.2 The Marketing Chair will be responsible for managing social media platforms (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram).

7.3 The Marketing Chair will be responsible for creating flyers and media for all BSA-sponsored events.

7.4 The Marketing Chair will be responsible for creating designs for BSA media (i.e. pens, stickers, buttons, t-shirts, etc.) pending approval from general members.

7.5 The Marketing Chair will coordinate with the Secretary and the Historian to maintain the BSA website.

7.6 The Marketing Chair will coordinate with the Secretary to publish weekly recorded Zoom meetings on the BSA website.

7.7 If the President/Advisor has appointed a Marketing Co-Chair, that Officer will be responsible for sharing the duties of the Marketing Chair to operate more effectively. 

Section 8 --- Historian 

8.1 The Historian will be responsible for the preparation and publication of a series of significant events arising throughout the year of the Organization’s continuity, and the establishing of its traditions.

8.2 The Historian will maintain an archive of BSA events and programs on the BSA website and social media platforms (i.e., Instagram, Twitter, & Facebook).

8.3 The Historian will coordinate with the Secretary and the Marketing Chair to maintain the BSA website.

Section 9 --- Public Relations

9.1 The Public Relations Officer will be responsible for creating relationships with Multicultural Student Clubs and Organizations in an effort to build an alliance.

9.2 The Public Relations Officer will be responsible for providing a weekly report to the Executive Board of potential partnerships and programming from the Multicultural Student Club and Organization (i.e. ASA, LHA, MSA, NASA, etc.).  

9.3 The Public Relations Officer will be seen as the point of contact for any potential partnerships or collaborations. 

Section 10 --- BSAA  Liaison

10.1 The BSAA Liaison will be responsible for sustaining the relationship between the Black Student Association (BSA) and the Black Student-Athlete Association (BSAA).

10.2 The BSAA Liaison will be up to date on all events and activities put on by both organizations to ensure there is adequate support and no overlap of events.

10.3 The BSAA Liaison will keep the BSA Executive Board up-to-date with issues going on with Black student-athletes. 

10.4 The BSAA Liaison must conduct at least one event a semester between the two organizations.

Section 11 --- Chief of Staff

    11.1  The Chief of Staff will function as the internal liaison between executive officers. 

    11.2 The Chief of Staff will be responsible for assisting and supporting executive officers with delegated tasks.    

11.3 The Chief of Staff will be responsible for 

  1. Assisting the Programming Officers during large-scale events such as Homecoming and Black History Month.   

11.4 The Chief of Staff will be responsible for the completion of follow-up reports on programming events to be presented at the following executive board meeting.

 

Section 12 --- Advisor

12.1 The faculty/staff advisor will be appointed by the Director of the Office of Intercultural Student Affairs.

12.2 The faculty/staff advisor will have the following duties:

12.2.1 Will oversee the elections to the executive board. 

12.2.2 Will help coordinate the activities of the BSA within the larger goals of the Office of Intercultural Student Affairs.  

12.2.3 Will regularly attend BSA Executive Board meetings. 

12.2.4 Will aid BSA members in utilizing campus resources. 

Article V

Election of BSA Officers

Section 1 --- Elections

1.1 Candidates interested in being on the BSA Executive Board shall present their platform at the first regular meeting in March. 

1.2 Election of BSA Officers shall be held at the second regular meeting in March, and the successful candidates shall take office at the last regular meeting in the month of April. 

1.3 BSA Officers shall serve a term of one year.

1.4 An elected officer must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater in order to hold office within the BSA Executive Board. 

1.5 Special Elections will be held as necessary at the discretion of the BSA Executive Board. 

1.6 It is recommended that the President serve at least one year on the Executive Board prior to running for the President position.

Article VI

Duties and Responsibilities of Committees

Section 1 --- Committees

1.1 Each committee shall consist of members from the General Body.

1.2 Each committee will have a chair that is an Executive Board Member that exercises the right to call meetings as deemed necessary under the same requirements as the President per Article IV, Section 2.5.

1.3 All committee meetings are mandatory.

1.4 Each committee is responsible for reporting all pertinent information regarding their duties.

1.5 Each committee must designate a member of the committee as a recording secretary.

The BSA Committees are defined as the following:

  • Ad Hoc Committees (as deemed necessary)

  • Annual Blood Drive

  • Black Arts

  • Black Excellence

  • Black History Month

  • Homecoming

  • Kwanzaa

Amendments

Section 1 --- Amending the Constitution

1.1 This constitution may be amended on a 2/3 majority vote of Black Student Association members attending the regular weekly meeting, provided that adequate notice of the meeting has been given.

Section 2 --- Ratification  

2.1 This constitution may be amended on a 2/3 majority vote of Black Student Association members attending the regular weekly meeting, provided that adequate notice of the meeting has been given.

By-Laws

Section 1 --- Attendance Policy

1.1 Each officer of the BSA Executive Board will be held to a higher standard.

1.2 Each officer should be present at all BSA-sponsored meetings, events, etc.

1.3 Officers must notify the President/Advisor within 48 hours of an absence from a BSA-sponsored meeting, event, etc. or they will get a strike.

 

Section 2 --- Penalties

2.1 All Officers will be granted 3 strikes they may receive within a one-year term. Once receiving a third strike member(s) will be forced to resign from the Executive Board. 

2.1.1 Failure to notify the President/Advisor within a 48 hour time period of absence will result in a strike.

2.1.2 If notice is made within less than a 24-hour notice, it will be considered by an Advisor(s) at their own discretion. However, member(s) may still receive a strike at the discretion of the Advisor(s).

2.1.3 Failure to show up to a BSA sponsored meeting, event, No-Call-No-Show, will result in a strike.

2.1.4 Failure to show up to Executive/General Body meetings will result in a strike.

2.1.5 Each officer will be given a 5-minute grace period. Failure to show up before/within the 5-minute grace period will result in a strike. 

2.1.6 Failure to complete assigned task (without valid reason) Note: Valid reason will be determined on a case-by-case basis and in the opinion of the Executive Board.

2.1.7 Dereliction of duties outlined in the constitution.

2.2 Any Officer not adequately fulfilling the duties of their position will result in a strike.

2.3 Each officer who violates the constitution will result in a strike.

2.4 Advisor(s) will be granted 3 strikes they may receive within a one-year term. Once receiving a third strike advisor(s) will be asked to resign or will be terminated from their position indefinitely.

    2.4.1 Failure to abide by the policies outlined in Section 11.2

Section 3 --- Any board member in violation of the above-stated regulations shall be sanctioned by the Advisor on a case-by-case basis.