BCS & NSC
Undergraduate Council
Constitution
We the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Rochester do hereby establish the Brain & Cognitive Sciences and Neuroscience Undergraduate Council of the University of Rochester and enact this constitution for its government. Failure to follow this constitution could result of 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 & Cognitive Sciences (BCS) and Neuroscience (NSC) departments. Furthermore, the council wishes to educate students, faculty, staff, and community members about available opportunities and current issues within the field of BCS and NSC, 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 BCS and NSC.
Article II. Membership
Section A. Membership
- All Students' Association members shall be eligible for membership. An SA Member is a University of Rochester undergraduate of the College who has paid their SA activities fee. All University of Rochester faculty, staff, graduate students, and Eastman students shall be eligible for associate membership. All members and associate members shall be listed on the group's Campus Club Connection site.
- A member is a regular attendee of meetings. Regular attendance is attending at least two meetings in a row.
- An associate member is defined as any university member interested in BCS or NSC who has registered with the group and is on the mailing list.
- An executive board member is a member who has been elected to the position by other members of the group.
Article III. Meetings and Voting
Section A. Meetings
A meeting is valid if a quorum plus one officer is present. A quorum is defined as 50% of student members.
Section B. Voting
- Voting on any issue is official only if the meeting is valid.
- All members have one vote on a given issue.
- All decisions shall be arrived at by simple majority using a hand vote unless otherwise specified by the presiding officer. The President shall only vote to break a tie.
Article IV. Officers and Qualifications
Section A. Officer Positions
Council officers are one each of the following: President, Vice President, Business Manager, Secretary, and Webmaster. The term is one calendar year (from election to election). There is no limit on the number of terms that a person may serve on the council or in any one position.
Section B. Duties of Officers
- All officers shall be members of the Students' Association.
- All officers shall promote active recruitment of new members.
- All officers shall enforce this constitution.
- All officers shall be responsible for knowing the sections of the Students' Association constitution and by-laws that apply to this group.
- The President shall preside over the meetings and shall maintain organization within the club, communicate with other officers and delegate duties to maintain a functioning club that fulfills the purposes set forth above.
- The Business Manager will be responsible for maintaining all finances and keep detailed records of all transactions.
- The Secretary shall 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. Also, the Secretary shall take roll call at all meetings, tally votes, keep an accurate list of group members and take and maintain meeting minutes.
- The Vice President shall assist the President in keeping meetings in order. This person will also share some of the responsibilities of the President, as mutually agreed upon.
- The Webmaster will keep the CCC site up to date.
C. Nominations and Elections
- Nominations and elections must be held during valid council meetings. Group members can nominate other members or themselves for an officer position. Elections are held by a blind vote, with votes being tallied by the Secretary. Only present members are allowed to vote. In the event of a tie: if the incoming President has already been selected, then this person casts the tie-breaking vote; if not already selected, the incumbent President casts this vote.
- Elections are to be held once per year at the start of the spring semester in January.
- The term of office is one year (from election to election).
Section D. Vacancies, Resignations, and Removals
- At the valid meeting following a vacancy of office, the position is to be filled by the same manner described under Nominations and Elections.
- A vote of no confidence is a vote to remove an officer. Such a vote shall require 2/3 majority of the membership to pass the motion.
- 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 the group can call for a vote of no confidence.
- An office shall be declared vacant as the result of a vote of no confidence.
Section E. Provisions of Advisors
The BCS and NSC Undergraduate Council of the University of Rochester will actively recruit a faculty advisor from the BCS or NSC department. Advisors will act as liaisons between the group and necessary external groups, such as the BCS and NSC departments, when it comes to securing resources needed for upcoming events.
Article V. Finances
Section A.
Students' Association members shall receive priority at SA funded events conducted by this group.
Section B.
Funding The BCS and NSC Undergraduate Council of the University of Rochester shall be an SA funded group.
Article VI. Classification
Section A.
The BCS and NSC Undergraduate Council of the University of Rochester shall be classified as an Academic Council.
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. Amendments
Section A.
Adoption and ratification of amendments to this constitution shall follow the same procedure as adoption of the entire constitution.
Article IX. By-laws
Section A.
At least a 2/3 majority if the membership must approve the by-laws and any amendments.
Section B.
By-laws should not conflict with this constitution or the SA constitution or by-laws.
Article X. Hazing Policy
Hazing, defined as the harassment of one individual by another individual or group, is not permitted by The BCS and NSC Undergraduate Council of the University of Rochester. 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 XI. Discrimination Policy
The BCS and NSC Undergraduate Council of the University of Rochester does not discriminate against any individual or group of individuals on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or political affiliation.