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The RSA By-Laws

These are the laws which govern our fair RSA.

 

Elon University Resident Student Association Constitution

These are the laws that govern our fair RSA.
Mission Statement
The mission of RSA is to make residence hall life more enjoyable for the residents, to develop a sense of pride regarding his/her residence hall, and to promote a healthy living environment for the residents.  RSA strives to achieve these goals by providing educational and social programming, actively participating in community service, improving hall facilities, representing student ideas and issues to the administration, attending state, regional, and national conferences, and providing opportunities for student leadership.

Article I. Name and Membership
Section I. The name of this organization shall be the Resident Student Association of Elon University, hereafter referred to as RSA.

Section II. RSA shall not discriminate against individuals or groups on the basis of creed, ethnic origin, gender, race, religion, age, or sexual orientation.

Section III. All students living on campus of Elon University are members of RSA. An active member must attend 2/3 of all general body meetings to obtain voting rights.

Article II. Structure
Section I. The offices of the Executive Council shall include the following structure:

  1. Executive Board:
  2. President
  3. Vice-President
  4. Secretary
  5. Treasurer
  6. Board of Directors
  7. Campus Improvements Director
  8. Programming Director(s)
  9. Service and Outreach Director
  10. National Communications Coordinator (NCC)
  11.  Board of Governors
  12. The Colonnades Governor
  13. Danieley Center Governor
  14. East Area Governor
  15. Learning Communities Governor
  16. North Area Governor
  17. The Oaks Governor
  18. West Area Governor

Article III. The Executive Board
Section I. General Membership

  1. The President, Vice President, Secretary, and the Treasurer serve as the Executive Board.  The Executive Board and the Board of Directors will act as the policy making group for RSA.
  2. All members of the Executive Board must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher when elected and throughout their term of office.
  3. Executive Board members must live on campus while holding office.
  4. All Executive Board members must have been an active member of RSA’s General Body, one of its committees, or their Area Council for at least one semester with the exception of the President who must have been an active member for at least one year.  
  5. An appeal for special circumstances may be made to the Executive Council by a student who does not meet this criterion. All appeals must be made at least 2 weeks before elections, or two weeks before the President may place this person in office while filling a vacancy. All appeals must be in the form of a formal letter.

Section II. Duties and Powers 

  1. As a member of the Executive Board each Executive Board member in adherence with his/her duties and powers will:
    1. Write at least one Of The Month (OTM) each semester.
    2. Participate in RSA evaluations.
    3. Maintain at least 2 office hours per week while in office with the exception of the President who will serve at least 6 office hours per week and the Vice-President who will serve at least 4 office hours per week.
    4. Conduct one roundtable with their counterparts from the Area Councils each semester.
    5. Meet with his/her designated Advisor to discuss progress weekly.

Section III. President

  1. In adherence with his/her duties and powers the President will:
  2. Preside over Executive Board.  Make sure all Executive Board Officers are fulfilling their job responsibilities. Facilitate general meetings and Executive Board meetings.
  3. Act as the representative for RSA at any University functions requested, if available.  If not, make sure someone is there to represent RSA.
  4. Act as the representative for RSA to other campus organizations and events.
  5. Maintain contact with the Advisor(s) and other professional Residence Life staff members as needed.
  6. Delegate tasks not constitutionally delegated to other Executive Board and/or Board of Directors member(s).
  7. Coordinate semester evaluations of all RSA activities and functions.
  8. Organize the End of the Year RSA Banquet to be held in April or May with the Vice-President and Secretary.
  9. Meet at least once a semester with each Executive Board member and Board of Directors member.
  10. Work with Executive Board and Board of Directors to update RSA Constitution annually.
  11. Work with Vice-President on recruitment and retention of members.


Section IV. Vice-President

  1. In adherence with his/her duties and powers the Vice-President will:
  2. Fulfill any responsibilities the President is unable to carry out.
  3. Be in charge of recruitment of new members.  Specifically:
      1. Lead recruitment efforts in conjunction with Secretary at organization fair and beginning of year.
      2. Make recruitment signup sheets to be available at/for RSA functions.
      3. Lead orientation events for incoming freshman in spring.
  4. Coordinate RSA Banquet with President and Secretary.
  5. Organize and coordinate RSA’s Area Council Retreat/Workshop in the fall.
  6. Help delegate and coordinate the public relations for special events and theme weeks with Secretary.
  7. Work with each Area Council throughout the year.
  8. Provide help in establishing each Area Council at the beginning of the year and help update each Area Council Constitution.
  9. Visit Area Councils throughout the year to act as a representative of RSA.
  10. Update Turtle of Excellence and keep track of Area Councils progress throughout the year.
  11. Educate Area Councils about Area Council Cups in Highest GPA, Community Service, and Intramural competitions. Keep track of data for the competitions, prepare awards, and award each semester.
  12. Coordinate semester meetings of RSA Executives with corresponding Area Council Executives.
  13. Handle all inter- Area Council competitions that occur throughout the year.
  14. Communicate with Assistant Directors and RACs (Resident Assistant Coordinators).

Section V. Secretary

  1. In adherence with his/her duties and powers the Secretary will:
  2. Promote RSA as an Organization.
  3. Keep in contact with media outlets.
  4. Design and distribute promotional items.
  5. Maintain website regularly.
  6. Publish and distribute information pertaining to RSA events and opportunities on a regular basis, or as deemed necessary by the Executive Council.
  7. Form a Public Relations Committee - facilitate meetings and delegate to members
  8. Communicate with Programmers about event advertising.
  9. Help delegate and coordinate the public relations for special events and theme weeks with Vice-President and Secretary.
  10. The Programming and Public Relations Committees will meet regularly.
  11. Work with NCC on state, regional, and national recognition pieces.
  12. Coordinate RSA Banquet with President and Vice President.

Section VI.  Treasurer

  1. In adherence with his/her duties and powers the Treasurer will:
  2. Keep accurate financial records and process daily all needed financial transactions for RSA and Area Councils. 
  3. Be responsible for putting together and submitting RSA’s budget proposal(s) and for representing RSA at all budgetary hearings.  Work with RSA President and Advisor(s) to determine RSA’s budget proposal.  
  4. Be responsible for RSA fundraising efforts outside of conference fundraising
  5. Work and meet with Area Council Treasurers to keep accurate budget records for areas.
  6. Help with preparing budget wish list.
  7. Update RSA Executives and Board of Directors on financial status of treasury at one Executive meeting each month.

Article IV. The Board of Directors
Section I. General Membership

  1. The Campus Improvements Director, Programming Director(s), Community Service Director and NCC shall serve as the Board of Directors. 
  2. All members of the Board of Directors must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher when hired and throughout their term of office.
  3. Board of Directors members must live on campus while holding office.
  4. All Board of Directors members must have been an active member of RSA’s General Body, one of its committees, or their Area Council for at least one semester.

Section II. Duties and Powers 

            1. As a member of the Board of Directors each Board of Directors member in adherence with his/her duties and powers will:
  1.  Write at least one Of The Month (OTM) each semester.
  2. Participate in RSA evaluations.
  3.  Maintain at least 2 office hours per week while in office.
  4. Conduct one roundtable with their counterparts from the Area Councils each semester.
  5. Meet with his/her designated Advisor to discuss progress weekly.

Section III. Campus Improvements Director
A.  In adherence with his/her duties and powers the Campus Improvements Director will:

  1. Build relationships with campus constituencies.
  2. Attend one Area Council meeting for each area every semester.
  3. Build relationships with key campus departments and people.
  4. Keep RSA informed of key issues/events.
  5. Assess and identify needs of students as well as campus improvements needed and find acceptable solutions to these needs.
  6. Act as the liaison for the students and the university.
  7. Form and maintain a Campus Improvements Committee.
  8. Communicate with the Secretary to promote students use of RSA’s Campus Improvements Committee.
  9. Act as a liaison between RSA and Residence Life by meeting with appropriate staff.
  10. Manage RSA’s participation in Homecoming and other campus wide events.
  11. Apply for the Student Government Association’s Programming Seat and if selected: Act as the liaison between RSA and SGA reporting what is happening in each organization. Attend all weekly SGA meetings. Be a committed and dedicated member of SGA in order to promote RSA’s name in a positive manner.

Section IV. Programming Director(s)
A.  In adherence with his/her duties and powers the Programming Director(s) will each:

  1. Be responsible for planning, attending, and coordinating events sponsored and co-sponsored by RSA. 
  2.  Maintain a good working relationship with other programming organizations on campus.
  3. Maintain and improve traditional events as well as develop new events. 
  4. Develop, call, facilitate and maintain Programming Committee meetings to encourage involvement from the General Body members.
  5. Work with the Secretary to create publicity for programs.
  6. Assess all events and keep accurate records for future programs, working with Treasurer and Secretary to keep records of attendance and cost for historical records.
  7. Ensure that Programming and Public Relations Committees will meet regularly.
  8. Plan one campus or area wide program with each Area Council each year.

Section V. Service and Outreach Director

  1. In adherence with his/her duties and powers the Service and Outreach Director will:
  2. Provide service opportunities for Elon University students, on and off campus.
  3. Coordinate with the Campus Improvements Liaison and the Campus Improvements Committee to create service opportunities on campus.
  4. Form and maintain a Service and Outreach Committee.

Form and maintain contact with other service opportunities and organizations.
Section VI. National Communications Coordinator (NCC)

  1. In adherence with his/her duties and powers the NCC will:
  2. Maintain contact with North Carolina Association of Residence Halls (NCARH), South Atlantic Association of College and University Residence Halls (SAACURH), and National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH). 
  3. Communicate regularly with the Regional Board of Directors and other NCCs in our region.
  4. Answer all correspondence (letters, questionnaires, etc.) promptly.
  5. Request files from the National Information Center and Resource File Index to be used by RSA.
  6. Represent RSA on the Campus OTM Selection Committee.
  7. Coordinate RSA conference delegations, which includes but is not limited to:
    1. Submitting conference registration materials, programs and fees on time.
    2. Encouraging programs from Elon at state, regional and national Conferences.
    3. Producing and collecting conference evaluations.
    4. Recruiting delegates from RSA, Area Council and ResLife.
  8. Work with Secretary on state, regional, and national recognition pieces.

Article V. The Board of Governors
Section I. General Membership

  1. The RSA Board of Governors shall include one Governor elected by his/her area of campus in each of the following areas: the Colonnades, Danieley Center, East, North, the Oaks, and West.
  2. All members of the Board of Governors must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher when elected and throughout their term of office. The exception will be if the Governor is in their first semester at Elon University and is not a transfer student. Transfer students with no Elon GPA will present their GPA from their last institution of higher learning, which must also be at least a 2.5 or above.
  3. Board of Governors members must live on campus and within the area which they represent while holding office.
  4. Duties and Powers
  5. As a member of the Board of Governors each Area Governor in adherence with his/her duties and powers as a Board of Governors member will:
    1.  Abide by and carry out the duties and responsibilities laid out in their own Area Constitution.
    2. Work with the RSA Vice-President to update and maintain their Area’s Constitution.
    3. Attend scheduled roundtables with both the RSA President and RSA Vice-President each semester.
    4. Attend the RSA/ Area Council retreat/workshop in the fall.
    5. Attend RSA General Body Meetings as a representative of their Area Council.
    6. Act as the liaison between their Area Council and RSA’s Programming Director(s) when planning co-sponsored events with RSA.
    7. Act as the liaison between their Area Council and the Campus Improvements Liaison.
    8. Have both voting and speaking rights at RSA Executive Council meetings.
    9. Work towards making real and tangible improvements towards their area of campus and to residence communities at Elon University as a whole.

Article VI. The Area Councils
Section I. General Membership

  1. Each residence area (the Colonnades, Danieley Center, East, North, the Oaks, and West), as defined by the Office of Residence Life, will have an Area Council.  Area Council membership is open to all residents of that area.  The Area Council strives to meet the same goals in their area as RSA strives to meet for the campus.  Each area will have its own Executive Board.  The Area Councils will plan and promote activities that occur in their areas. 

Section II. In adherence with their duties and powers each Area Council will:

  1. Abide by the Area Council By-Laws which will be updated and maintained by the Vice-President of RSA.

Section III. Forming an Area Council

  1. An area is any housing area recognized by the Office of Residence Life.

The Colonnades, Danieley Center, East, North, the Oaks, and West are officially recognized under RSA. As new residence areas of Elon University campus are created, students in such an area may appeal to RSA to create an Area Council.

Article VII. The Residents
Section I. General Membership

  1. A resident will be defined as any member of the Elon student body living in any of the following areas: East, West, North, Danieley Center, The Oaks, and The Colonnades.

Article VIII. Advisors
Section I.  Advisors will be chosen by the Office of Residence Life.

Section II.

  1. In adherence with his/her duties and powers the Advisors will:
  2. Guide and provide support the Executive Council.

Article IX. Election of Executive Board Members
Section I. To be elected as an Executive Board member a student must be either an active member of RSA’s General Body, and/or an active member of their Area Council.

Section II. Timing

  1. Election of the Executive Board Officers must take place within the window of time after the beginning of the Spring Semester and before the beginning of March of each school year. 

 

Section III. Nomination Process

  1. Nominations will be held at least two weeks prior to the RSA General Body Election Meeting. 
  2. The nomination process must occur at a General Body meeting of RSA.
  3. Nominations must be made by an active member of RSA. Students may nominate themselves if they meet the criteria for RSA Executive officers outlined in Article (1.1).
  4. All nominations must be seconded by an active member of RSA.
  5. All nominations must be accepted by the nominated member.
  6. If the nominated member is not present to accept their nomination they must submit a formal letter to the Executive Council within forty-eight hours of their nomination in order to accept the nomination and formally run for office.
  7. The Secretary will confirm the nominations.

Section IV. Letters of Intent

  1. All those whose nominations have been confirmed must submit a letter of intent to the Executive Council at least 8 days before the day of elections.
  2. The letter must outline the position that the candidate is running for and their reasoning for running.
  3. This letter will then be distributed to the General Body by the RSA secretary.
  4. No candidate may run for more than any one office. The only exception comes if there are no candidates for a specific office (see Article 9.11)

Section V. Speeches

  1. Speeches will be made by each of the candidates and no speech will be permitted to last more than three minutes.
  2. During each speech all other candidates for the position at issue must be outside the voting area.
  3. Active members will have no more than five minutes to ask questions of each candidate following each speech.

Section VI.  Voting Procedures

  1. A silent ballot election will be held at the RSA General Body Election Meeting and all ballots will be collected and counted by the RSA Advisor(s).
  2. Candidates will not be allowed to cast a vote in the election in which they are running.
  3. If a simple majority (50%+1 of all active members in attendance) is not reached, the top two candidates will have a runoff.  This runoff will be a simple majority vote as well.  In the event of a tie, the outgoing President will cast the deciding vote unless the President is a candidate in that election. Then, all other members of the Executive Board and Board of Directors will cast a vote (one vote per person) to decide on the winner of that particular election. A member that is part of the tie, may not cast a vote in the tie break.

Section VII. Vacancies

  1. If after elections are held there is an open seat on the Executive Board any member of the General Body may bid from the floor for the position. This includes those who have run and were not able to secure another position.  
  2. Bids from the floor will follow the speech and voting procedures outlined in Articles (9.4 & 9.5)
  3. If there is a vacant seat on the Executive Board, the incoming President has four weeks to fill the position. The President’s nomination must be approved by a simple majority of the active members of the General Body in attendance at a meeting held in the fifth week.
  4. If a suitable candidate is not found the President may delegate the tasks of the empty office to any member(s) of the Executive Council.

Section VIII. Transition

  1. A transition retreat must be held before the end of the school year, and will be organized by the incoming and outgoing Presidents.

Article X. Hiring of Board of Directors
Section I. Applications

  1. Applications will be created by the President and Vice-President in consultation with the Advisors.
  2. Applications will be distributed on the day of RSA Elections following the election of officers.
  3. Applications will be made available for at least 13 days before interviews can occur.

Section II.  Interview Process and Hiring

  1. Interviews will be conducted by the President and Vice-President in consultation with the outgoing Board member for each position.
  2. The President and Vice-President will then decide whom they wish to hire.

Article XI. Grounds for Dismissal of an Executive Council Member
Section I. If found guilty of any one or more of the following through impeachment hearings the guilty party will be dismissed from all positions they hold with RSA and/or Area Councils:

  1. Failure to fulfill duties.
  2. Misappropriation of University facilities and/or funds.
  3. Misrepresentation of RSA.
  4. Failure to uphold the University Code of Conduct and Honor Code.
  5. An excessive amount of absences from regularly scheduled meetings per semester (as determined by the Executive Board at the first executive board meeting).
  6. A drop in cumulative grade point average below 2.5.
  7. In this case the impeachment process is not necessary; the student will be dismissed by the Advisor(s).

Article XII. Impeachment
Section I. Bringing forth impeachment hearings

  1. Impeachment can be brought by any Executive Board or Board of Director Officer or any Area Governor.
  2. A written letter describing the specific reason(s) for a request for an impeachment hearing must be submitted to the Advisor and President (Vice President if the President is involved in the impeachment) and a minimum of one week notification will be given to the person being impeached if the circumstances are determined by the President and Advisor sufficient to hold an impeachment hearing.  
  3. The person being impeached will have the opportunity to present his/her case to the RSA General Body at the RSA General Meeting in which the impeachment case is heard and then a vote will be taken. 
  4. The President (Vice President if the President is involved in the impeachment) and Advisor will head impeachment hearings.  Any removal from office requires a two-thirds vote of active General Body members in attendance.  All impeachment proceedings must be done by written ballot. 

Article XIII. General Body Voting Procedures
Section I. Any Executive Council member may call for a vote on a proposal. The President will orally review the proposal and open the floor for discussion (not exceeding five minutes).  The President will close the floor at his/her discretion. The Advisor then may make any final comments. The President will then call for a vote.  This vote may be taken in any manner appropriate for the situation.  A majority vote of the active members in attendance is needed to pass a proposal (unless specified otherwise by this Constitution).  The President does not receive a vote except in the case of a tie.  Quorum is half plus one of the official members of the RSA General Body.

Article XIV. Resignation and Succession of Office
Section I. Resignation

  1.  Any Executive Board or Board of Director Officer wishing to resign must submit a letter of resignation to the President and the Advisor, two weeks prior to their actual resignation.

Section II. Succession

  1. Vacant Executive Board slots will be filled by an appointment by the President (in the case of the President’s position, the Vice President will succeed with approval of the Executive Board and two-thirds vote of approval by the RSA General Body).  The Vice President slot will then be filled by appointment by the President and a two-thirds vote of approval by the RSA General Body. 

Article XV. Interim Positions
Section I. Applications, Hiring and Transition

  1. All those wishing to serve as an interim Executive Council member must fill out an application created by the Council member that is taking a leave of absence.
  2. Each Council member that chooses to take a leave of absence while studying abroad will have the final decision whom they hire to fulfill their duties in their absence.
  3. All Council members that have hired an interim are required to lead their interims transition before they leave their position .

Article XVI. Amendments and Ratification
Section I. The process of making amendments to this Constitution will follow normal RSA General Body Voting Procedures (Article XIII) with the exception that they must be passed by a two-thirds vote of members in attendance to be ratified. Amendments must be presented to the RSA General Body Meeting at least two weeks prior to voting on the amendment.