of Lamar University

Drafted: May 16, 2000 

ARTICLE I

NAME 

The official name of this organization shall be the Honors Student Association of Lamar University. 

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this organization shall be to promote academic excellence and intellectual  involvement within the Lamar University community; to coordinate student service and social activities within the Honors Program; to foster the intellectual growth and development of its membership and of the University Honors Program. 

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP 

Section 1.  All Lamar University students who are officially  enrolled members of the University Honors Program and who maintain a GPA of 3.2 or above are eligible for membership in the Honors Student Association. 

Section 2. Only members in good standing may vote and participate in major Association activities. To maintain good standing  within the Honors Student Association, a member must attend meetings regularly, participate in ordinary Association activities, and pay dues as specified in the by-laws .  

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS 

Section 1. The officers of the Honors Student Association of Lamar University shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Student Government Association Representative, and Reporter. 

Section 2. The officers of the Honors Student Association, along with the chairs of duly constituted standing committees, shall comprise the Executive Committee of the Association. The Executive Committee shall stand in an advisory capacity to the Director of the University Honors Program, representing the needs and views of the Honors Program students.

Section 3. The officers of the organization shall be elected by the membership of the Association by simple majority vote on or about the last meeting of the spring semester annually, as specified in the by-laws . 

Section 4. The chairs of standing committees shall be appointed by a committee consisting of the officers, the Faculty Advisor, and the Director of the University Honors Program. 

Section 5. The duties of the President shall include, but shall not be limited to:

A. Represent the Association in its dealings with the Director of the University Honors Program, the University Honors Council, the University, and the community at large.

B. Preside over meetings of the Association and of the Executive Committee of the Association.

C. Prepare agendas for all meetings in consultation with the Faculty Advisor.

D. Appoint chairpersons to lead special committees as needed.

E. Perform additional duties as described in the by-laws . 

Section 6. The duties of the Vice President shall include, but shall not be limited to:

A. Perform the duties of the President in his/her absence.

B. Act as Parliamentarian at all official meetings of the Association.

C. In the event of the inability of the President to fulfill the duties of his/her office for whatever cause, the Vice President shall assume the office of the President temporarily until a new President can be elected as prescribed in the by-laws .

D. Assist the President where necessary in representing the Association to the Director of the University Honors Program, the University Honors Council, the University and the community at large.

E. Handle publicity for Association events as required.

F. Perform additional duties as described in the by-laws . 

Section 7. The duties of the Secretary shall include, but shall not be limited to:

A. Keep an accurate attendance record for all of the Association’s meetings.

B. Keep accurate minutes of all Association meetings and all meetings of the Association’s Executive Committee. Such minutes will be presented for approval at the next subsequent meeting.

C. Handle correspondence for the society as required.

D. Perform other duties as described in the by-laws . 

Section 8. The duties of the Treasurer shall include, but shall not be limited to:

A. Maintain an accurate accounting of all financial transactions of the Association.

B. Present a current financial report at all Association meetings and all meetings of the Association’s Executive  Committee.

C. Handle all responsibilities related to maintaining the Association’s Student Club Account at the Office of Student Organizations.

D. Coordinate fund raising activities for the Association.

E. Perform other duties as described in the by-laws . 

Section 9. The duties of the Student Government Association Representative shall include, but shall not be limited to:

A. Adhere to all of the requirements prescribed by SGA to maintain the status of representative.

B. Represent the Association at all SGA meetings by providing information about Association activities and voting by proxy on behalf of the Association at all SGA meetings.

C. Present a report at each Association meeting and at each meeting of the Association Executive Committee regarding SGA activities and indicating what issues the Association will be expected to address by vote at the following SGA meeting.

D. Perform other duties as assigned by the President of the Association or as described in the by-laws . 

Section 10. The duties of the Reporter shall include, but shall not be limited to:

A. Keep the Bulletin Board posted neatly and attractively with current information at all times.

B. Submit ads and articles to the University Press about Honors Student Association activities and achievements.

C. Maintain the Honors Program scrapbook with information about the HSA and its members.

D. Record meetings and events visually with the use of the video camera and digital camera. 

ARTICLE V

REQUIREMENTS FOR OFFICERS 

The officers of the Honors Student Association of Lamar University, to be eligible to be elected to the office and to hold office, shall meet the requirements of the policy on eligibility for extracurricular activities of Lamar University and shall be members in good standing of the Honors Student Association. 

ARTICLE VI

MEETINGS 

Section 1. Regular meetings of the Honors Student Association of Lamar University shall be held monthly during the regular academic year, at the times and places specified in the by-laws . 

Section 2. Special meetings may be called by the President or Faculty Advisor with 48 hours notice to all members of the Association. 

ARTICLE VII

FINANCES 

Section 1. All money received by the Association, for whatever purpose, shall be deposited in the Student Clubs Account in the Student Organizations Office of Lamar University. 

Section 2. All disbursements will be made upon requisition to the Office of Student Organizations of Lamar University. 

ARTICLE VIII

BY-LAWS 

Section 1. The by-laws of the Association shall be used to provide for more specific information that expands the information already provided for in the constitution. These by-laws may not rescind, negate, or conflict with any part of the Constitution, nor with any policy set by Lamar University, the Texas State University System, or local, state, or national governments. 

Section 2. The by-laws will be set forth by 2/3 majority vote of the voting membership of the Association. Any subsequent changes to the by-laws will be set forth by proposal from the floor during any regular or special meeting and require 2/3 majority vote of the voting membership of the Association for adoption. The by-laws will be officially ratified by the signature of the president and Faculty Advisor of the Association. The new set of by-laws will replace the previously ratified set and will be enforced from that date forward. 

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS 

This constitution may be amended or revised at any time by a 2/3 majority vote of the voting membership of the Association and upon approval of the University through the Office of Student Organizations. At that point, any and all previous constitutions of this Association will be superseded by the newly enacted constitution.

The parliamentary system used in conducting meetings of the HSA shall be fair and grounded in the current edition of the Robert’s Rules of Order to the extent that they ensure members rights and add to the effective administration of the meetings and the HSA in general order to the extent that they ensure members rights and add to the effective administration of the meetings and the HSA in general.