The Society of Systems and Computer Science

CONSTITUTION

of the

SOCIETY OF

SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

Howard University School of Engineering, Architecture, and Computer Sciences

2300 Sixth Street NW Washington DC 20059

11^th April 2000

Preamble

�� The Society of Systems and Computer Science has existed in the School of Engineering at Howard University since the spring semester of 1990.� This article is the third constitution to be drawn up for the organization, and is based in part upon the first and second such documents, and follows the �Guide to Developing a Constitution� of the Howard University Office of Student Activities, Blackburn Center.

Article One � NAME

1.1

�� The official name of the organization shall be �THE SOCIETY OF SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE�.� This name may be abbreviated to the following: �SSCS; and also to �S²CS�.

1.2

�� The Society of Systems and Computer Science agrees to abide by and be subordinate to established University policy and regulations.

Article Two � OBJECTIVE AND PURPOSE

2.1

�� The objective of the Society of Systems and Computer Science is to support the members of the Department of Systems and Computer Science in their pursuit of academic, career, and other success during their enrollment at Howard University.� This is to be accomplished by:

Creating and atmosphere of unity and of enthusiasm for the relevant fields of study;
Fostering feelings of mutual respect and of sharing a common goal between the students, faculty and appropriate industry representatives, and encouraging networking among those individuals;
Increasing computer literacy, and cultivating exposure to contemporary software and hardware systems and developments;
Advocating excellence, and assisting wherever possible with the development of technical skills related to the field, both in members and non-members.

Article Three � MEMBERSHIP

3.1: ELIGIBILITY

�� Eligibility requirements for membership in the Society of Systems and Computer Science are as follows:

The member of prospective member must be currently pursuing a course of study in the Department of Systems and Computer Science of the School of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Sciences, Howard University.
The member or prospective member must be in good and regular academic and disciplinary standing with Howard University, the School of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Sciences and the Department of Systems and Computer Science.

3.2: MEMBERSHIP

Requirements for membership in the Society of Systems and Computer Science are as follows:

The member of prospective member must complete an application form drawn up by the Executive Board of the Society of Systems and Computer Science, for membership during the current academic year.
The member or prospective member must pay in full the dues for that term of membership, whether it be a semester or a year.
Any new member or prospective member, i.e. one who was not a full member for the term immediately preceding the current term, must pay the full fee required for the membership application process.

3.3: FEES

�� Fees and dues for the Society of Systems and Computer Science shall be as follows:

Late payment fee:�� $1.00
Dues:��

One Year�� -�� $5.00

One Semester �� -�� $3.00

3.4: AFFILIATE MEMBERS

�� Affiliate members may be allowed to form part of the general body of the organization, under certain conditions to be specified by the Executive Board for each class of affiliate member.� Persons eligible for affiliate membership shall be a member of at least one of the classes of person listed below:

Persons pursuing an Engineering degree at Howard University;
Persons pursuing Computer Science or Information Systems as either a major or minor course of study at Howard University;
Persons functioning in a professional capacity in any of the areas of Computer Science, Engineering or Information Systems.��

Article Four � OFFICERS

4.1 Duties

�� The titles of the officers of the Society of Systems and Computer Science and the respective eligibility requirements for each office and the duties of that office are as follows:

A. President

The president shall be an elected officer.
The president shall oversee the development and progress of all SSCS activities.
The president shall preside over all SSCS meetings.
The president shall develop and maintain communication links amongst the Executive Board members.
The president shall act as a point of contact for outside organizations and delegate responsibilities as necessary.
The president shall preside over the Grievance Committee.
In the absence or unavailability of the treasurer the president will be responsible for all funds collected and maintained in the office.
The president shall act as the liaison between the organization and the department faculty and staff.
The president shall act as advisor to the CSE Day Committee.

B. Vice President

1. The vice president shall be an elected officer.

2. In the absence of president, the vice president shall preside over all meetings.

3. The vice president shall act as advisor to the Student Support Committee.

4. In the absence of the president, the vice president shall act as a liaison between the organization and the department faculty and staff.

5. The vice president shall oversee SSCS external activities as assigned by the president.

C. Secretary

1. The secretary shall be an elected officer.

2. The secretary shall attend and record detailed minutes of all General Body and Executive Board meetings.

3. The secretary shall maintain the SSCS mailbox in the department office.

4. The secretary shall maintain an activities calendar of all SSCS activities.

5. The secretary shall maintain an activities calendar of all School of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Science activities.

6. The secretary shall maintain an active database of all paid member information.

7. The secretary shall maintain an active database of all alumni member information.

8. The secretary shall act as advisor to the Publicity Committee.

9. The secretary shall act as advisor to the Elections Committee.

D. Treasurer

1. The treasurer shall be an elected officer.

2. The treasurer shall responsible for all funds collected.

3. The treasurer shall maintain an accurate transaction log of all account deposits and withdrawals.

4. The treasurer shall maintain an accurate record of membership dues, paid and unpaid.

5. The treasurer shall maintain an accurate record of all funds raised; inclusive of the activity, amount of startup funds, and the profit rose.

6. The treasurer shall be responsible for the development of activities to generate funds for the organization.

7. The treasurer shall act as advisor to the Fundraising Committee.

8. The treasurer shall act as advisor to the Social Committee.

E. Student Representatives

1. Student representatives shall be required to attend Faculty Meetings.

2. Student representatives shall report the information disseminated at the Faculty Meetings to the Executive Board of the SSCS.

4.2: ELECTIONS

Elections shall be held in the second week of April of each school year.
Candidates for each office may be nominated for more than one office.
Candidates may not be nominated for more than one office.
A member may run for an office only if he/she has been nominated.
Qualifications

Every officer must:

a. be enrolled as a fu l time student in the semester in which the office becomes effective.

b. be an active member of the organization.

2. Individual officer qualifications are described below.

a. The secretary and Treasurer must each have a Grade Point Average of at least 2.0 at the time of election.

b. The President and Vice President must each have a Grade Point Average of at least 2.5 at the time of election.

F. Winner Determination

1. Candidates must secure a majority vote from the General Body.

2. In the event of a tie, a run off election will be held.

G. Voter Qualifications

1. The voter must be a paid and registered member of SSCS.

Vacancies

In the event of resignation of an officer, the Executive Board shall appoint a replacement chosen amongst written requests from the General Body.

a. Individuals interested in filling a vacant position must submit a letter of interest to the Executive Board.

2. In the event of termination of an officer, the Executive Board shall appoint a replacement chosen amongst written requests.

a. See subsection a. of section 1 of Vacancies.

b. An officer may be removed from office

4.3: TERM OF OFFICE

1. All executive offices shall serve a term that begins April 30 of the year in which they are elected.

2. All executive offices shall serve a term which ends April 30 of the year following that in which they were elected.

3. No executive officer shall serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.

Article Five � MEETINGS

5.1: REGULAR AND ANNUAL MEETINGS

GENERAL BODY MEETINGS

�� Annual General Body Meeting will be held in the first full month of the fall semester in the fall semester.� The purpose of this meeting is to announce the agenda for the year, to appoint/elect chairpersons and members for various committees and to accept new members.

�� Bi-Weekly meetings will be held on the second and forth Wednesdays of each month in the fall semester.� At least two members of the Executive Board must be in attendance at the General Body meeting.� One of these two Executive Board members must be either the President or the Vice President of the organization.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS

�� The Executive Board will meet weekly. All members of the Executive Board must be in attendance at these meetings.

5.2 SPECIAL MEETINGS

CRITERIA FOR AUTHORIATION

�� Any member of the Executive Board may call special meetings.� Any registered organization member may petition to have a special meeting. The meeting will be authorized if the petition is signed by at least ten registered members and if at least one Executive Board member agrees to attend the meeting.

CRITERIA FOR ADVANCED NOTICE

�� All Special meetings must be announced at least three school days in advance. A written notice must be placed on the authorized organization bulletin board.

5.3: QUORUM

�� A quorum is denoted by an agreement of at least 2/3 of the total number of registered members.

Article Six � COMMITTEES

6.1

�� The following committees shall be an active part of SSCS:� the Publicity Committee, the Fundraising Committee, the Social Committee, the Student Support Committee, and the CSE Day Committee.

The Publicity Committee (PC)

The PC shall post flyers for all General Body meetings.
The PC shall post flyers for all SSCS sponsored events.
The PC shall maintain the SSCS Bulletin Board.

B. The Fundraiser Committee (FC)

1. The FC shall sponsor at least two (2) fundraising events per semester.

2. The FC shall develop and execute fundraising activities for SSCS.

3. The FC shall maintain an accurate record of all activities (both successful and unsuccessful) to be presented to the treasurer upon completion of each activity.

C. The Social Committee (SC)

1. The SC shall sponsor at least three (3) activities per year.

2. The SC shall develop and execute activities to promote membership, intercommunication amongst members, and change amongst SSCS and other organizations.

D. The Student Support Committee (SoS)

1. The SoS shall sponsor resume writing skills workshops.

2. The SoS shall sponsor tutoring workshops either through SSCS or through Student Activities.

3. The SoS shall develop and maintain activities that aid students in the development of good study skills.

4. The SoS shall develop and maintain activities that aid students in the �real world� environment.

5. The SoS shall develop and maintain activities that aid in the development in a strong understanding to the fundamental courses in our department.

E. CSE Day Committee (CSED)

1. CSED shall develop a presentation for the students and faculty of the School of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Science at Howard University.

2. The purpose of CSE Day is to present the latest developments it technology and afford students the opportunity to display their talents.

3. At minimum, there shall be three (3) corporate presenters in attendance.

4. At minimum, there shall be three (3) student presenters/representatives in attendance.

F. Chairperson Appointment

1. All committee chairpersons shall be appointed with a majority vote of the Executive Board.

2. Committee chairpersons will be selected based on letters submitted by interested individuals indicating interest in the position.

3. All committee chairpersons are required to attend all Executive Board Meetings.

G. Committee Members

1. Committee membership is open to all organization members.

2. Duties performed by the members shall be accomplished as assigned by the committee chairperson.

Article Seven � PARLIAMENTARY

7.1: PROCEDURE

The Society of Systems and Computer Science agrees to abide by the guidelines set forth in Robert�s Rules of Order, Revised Edition.

Article Eight � AMENDMENTS

8.1

�� Any requests for amendments may be brought forth by the Executive Board in the form of a proposal to be accepted by the General Body; of by a registered member in good and regular standing, to be submitted to the Executive Board and General Body and accepted by the General Body.

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