RHA Constitution

The University of West Alabama

Residence Hall Association

Adopted September 29, 2005

Revised October 10, 2005

 

ARTICLE I

Name

The name of this organization shall be the Residence Hall Association (RHA).

 

ARTICLE II

 

The purpose of this organization shall be to enhance residential life by:

1.      Keeping University Administrators informed about, and involved with residential life, and

2.      Promoting resident interaction through educational, social, cultural, and recreational programming.

3.      Acting as representatives of the student body living in on-campus housing.

ARTICLE III

Membership

Section 1:         The General Membership shall consist of all students residing in The University of West Alabama residence halls and

                 campus apartments.

 

Section 2:         The voting membership shall consist of each member of the General Membership in attendance at any general meeting.

 

ARTICLE IV

Affiliation

 

The association will be a member in good standing of the following organizations and will participate in their activities:

·        Alabama United Residence Halls (ALURH)

·         South Atlantic Affiliation of College and University Residence Halls (SAACURH)

·        National Affiliation of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH)

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

Advisor

 

The Director of Student Life and Housing at The University of West Alabama will appoint the advisor for the Residence Hall Association.

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Officers

 

Section 1:         The executive board officers of this organization shall be the President, Vice President of Residential Affairs, Vice President of Residential Activities, Secretary, and Treasurer.

 

Section 2:         All officers shall be elected on an annual basis, as determined by the RHA advisor.

 

Section 3:         Candidates for office must meet the following criteria:

·        Must be a currently enrolled student in good standing at UWA

·        Must maintain a 2.5 GPA each semester while in office

·        Must maintain residence in UWA housing during the term of office

 

Section 4:         All elections shall be by simple majority cast for nominees meeting the qualifications as outlined in Article VI, Section 3.

 

Section 5:         All vacancies shall be filled by special election at the first meeting following the primary election.

 

Section 6:         This organization shall have as many directorships as created by the president or his designated representative. Candidates must meet the officer qualifications as outlined in Article VI, Section 3 and are appointed by the president. All appointments are subject to approval of the voting membership.

 

 

Section 7:         The duties of the officers shall be as follows:

 

 

A.               President:

1.      Shall preside at all meetings,

2.      Shall have the power to call or cancel any special or regular biweekly meetings, except in the case of impeachment,

3.      Shall have power to vote in case of a tie vote of the voting membership,

4.      Shall have power to appoint and oversee the directorships and special committees. All appointments are subject to approval of the voting membership,

5.      Shall be able to introduce new legislation for approval to the voting membership.

 

B.               Vice President of Residential Affairs:

1.      Shall assume the duties of the president in the president’s absence,

2.      Shall handle all problems brought to RHA dealing with Residence Halls and report back to RHA on their status,

3.      Meet regularly with the President of the Student Government Association to work on the improvement of the Residence Halls,

4.      Shall work in conjunction with the VP of Residential Activities,

5.      Shall assume other responsibilities as assigned by the President.

 

C.               Vice President of Residential Activities:

1.      Shall coordinate and implement service activities throughout the residence halls and work in conjunction with the RHA Treasurer for RHA fundraisers,

2.      Shall coordinate one major RHA sponsored activity per semester (Such as Dorm Games),

3.      Shall be in charge of advertising for all RHA activities and meetings,

4.      Shall work in conjunction with the VP of Residential Affairs,

5.      Shall assume other responsibilities as assigned by the President.

 

D.               Secretary:

1.      Shall keep minutes and Roll of the organization meetings

2.      Shall keep a calendar of the organization’s activities,

3.      Shall be responsible for all correspondence of the organization, except for that of the directors,

4.      Shall act as parliamentarian during regular or special meetings,

5.      Shall organize, plan, represent, act as chairperson in conference business,

6.      Shall serve as National Communications Coordinator

7.      Shall post meeting minutes on a Residence Hall Association web page that is regularly updated,

8.      Shall Promote and advertise RHA and it’s meetings and activities,

9.      Shall keep an accurate history of RHA and act as a historian for RHA

 

E.                Treasurer:

1.      Shall deposit and disburse all funds belonging to the organization and be responsible for fundraising,

2.      Shall keep an accurate record of said funds received and expended,

3.      Shall make regular reports concerning conditions of the budget,

4.      Shall assume other responsibilities as assigned by the President.

 

 

Section 8:         Duties of Directors shall be as follows:

1.      Shall present an oral report to the General Membership covering areas of success and failures in planning, set-up, and organization

2.      Shall submit written recommendations for future directors to the Executive Committee,

3.      Shall take on any additional duties pertaining to their function as Directors as assigned by the Executive Committee.

 

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Executive Board/Committee

 

Section 1:         The elected officers shall hereafter be known as the Executive Board. The Executive Board, along with directors and Advisor, shall be hereafter known as the Executive Committee.

 

Section 2:         The Directors of any committees shall be voting members of the Executive Committee.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

Impeachment

 

Section 1:         Any member of the Executive Board shall have the power to call for special impeachment proceedings at the request of any member,

 

Section 2:         After a request for impeachment has been made, the Executive Committee shall hold a special meeting, called by the board member to whom the request was submitted, without the impeachee present, to decide by ¾ vote, whether or not an Impeachment Council is necessary, in which case each member of the committee receives 1 vote. In case of a tie, the committee will present the evidence to the sponsor and sponsor will make the decision to send it to Impeachment Council.

Section 3:         If an Impeachment Council is called, then the powers of the impeachee, as outlined in Article VI, Section 3, shall be suspended pending investigation and verdict of the Impeachment Council, and shall be assumed by the other members of the Executive Board.

 

Section 4:         Impeachment Council

A.     The Executive Committee, Advisor, and the impeachee shall nominate an Impeachment Council to investigate the evidence and decide by a 2/3 vote if removal is necessary.

B.     Verdict shall be announced at the next meeting; offices will then be filled if necessary by special election to be held at the next meeting.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Voting

 

Section 1:         The method of voting shall be decided at each meeting by the secretary.

 

Section 2:         Fifty percent plus one of the Executive Committee must be present for a vote on business matters to occur.

 

ARTICLE X

 

Amendments

 

This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the organization by a 2/3 vote of the voting membership.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

Ratification

 

This constitution becomes effective immediately upon approval of 2/3 vote of the voting membership.