Constitution:

We the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Rochester do hereby establish the Brain and Cognitive Sciences Undergraduate Council of the University of Rochester and enact this constitution for its government. Failure to follow this constitution could result in revocation of Students’ Association recognition of this group.

Article I. Purpose of Organization

The purpose of this organization is to provide students with a means of interacting with other students and faculty in the Brain and Cognitive Sciences department. Furthermore, the council wishes to education students, faculty, staff, and community members about available opportunities and current issues within the field of BCS and promote a sense of community between undergraduates in the field. The council plans and executes educational, social, and community events to promote awareness of the field of Brain and Cognitive Sciences.

Article II. Meetings

Section A. A meeting is valid if a quorum plus one officer is present.
Section B. A quorum is defined as five student members.

Article III. Membership and Voting

Section A. Membership
1. All students, faculty, and staff are eligible for group membership.
2. A member is defined as any university member interested in Brain and Cognitive Sciences who has registered with the group.
Section B. Voting
1. Voting on any issue is official only if the meeting is valid.
2. All members have one vote on a given issue.
3. The procedure is that the secretary must count how many hands are raised in favor of and against the issue at hand.

Article IV. Officers and Qualifications

Section A. Council officers are President, Vice President, Business Manager, Secretary, and Webmaster.
Section B. Duties of Officers
1. All officers must be members of the Students’ Association.
2. All officers shall promote active recruitment of new members.
3. At least one officer will be responsible for maintaining a current copy of this constitution open to inspection by all members of this group, Senators, and all members of the Students’ Association.
4. All officers must enforce this group constitution.
5. All officers are responsible for knowing the sections of the Students’ Association constitution and by-laws that apply to this group.
6. Some member shall be responsible for keeping an accurate list of the group members to be presented for inspection upon request of any group member, or member of the Students’ Association.
7. Some member must preside over the meetings; some member shall take minutes and roll; some member shall be responsible for finances.
Section C. Nominations and Elections
1. Nominations and elections must be held during valid council meetings. Group members can nominate other members or themselves for an officer position. Nominations must be seconded by another, different member. Elections are held by a blind vote, with votes being tallied by the secretary. Only present members are allowed to vote.
2. Elections are to be held once per year at the start of the spring semester in January.
3. The term of office is one year from election to election.
Section D. Vacancies and Resignations
1. At the official meeting following a vacancy of an office, the position is to be filled in accordance with the specifications listed in the constitution of each group.
2. If a vote of no confidence on any officer is to take place, it must be given an official meeting’s notice. Any member of a group can call for no confidence.
3. A vote of no confidence shall be defined as a two-thirds affirmative vote.
4. An office is declared vacant by a vote of no confidence.
Section E. Provisions of Advisors
The Brain and Cognitive Sciences Undergraduate Council of the University of Rochester will actively recruit a faculty advisor from the BCS department.

Article V. Finances

Section A. Students’ Association members shall receive priority at SA funded events conducted by this group.
Section B. SA funding is needed to conduct all events executed by this group and will be handled conservatively on an as-needed basis throughout the academic year.

Article VI. Amendments

Section A. Adoption and ratification of amendments to this constitution shall follow the same procedure as adoption of the entire constitution.

Article VII. Adoption of the Constitution

Section A. Two-thirds of the membership must approve the constitution.
Section B. This constitution will be ratified upon approval of the Senate and the signature of the Speaker.
Section C. This constitution should not conflict with the Students’ Association constitution or by-laws.

Article VIII. By-laws

Section A. By-laws can be adopted at any valid council meeting.
Section B. At least a majority of the membership must approve the by-laws.
Section C. By-laws should not conflict with this constitution or the Senate Association constitution or by-laws.

Article IX. Hazing Policy

The harassment of one individual by another individual or group (sometimes called hazing) is not permitted by the Brain and Cognitive Sciences Undergraduate Council. Behavior prohibited under this rule includes actions threatening substantial risk of physical or mental injury; actions exposing the individual to distressing, repulsive, or alarming situations or sensations; forced consumption of alcohol or drugs; actions in the form of social pressure which might cause harm to an individual.

Article X. Discrimination Policy

The University of Rochester Brain and Cognitive Sciences Undergraduate Council does not discriminate against any individual or group of individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, handicap, or religious affiliation.