Residence Hall Association Constitution University of Wisconsin La Crosse (Modified Spring 2005)
*** RHAC is current working on making amendments to the constitution though none of those amendment changes will be in effect until next year***
Preamble
We, the students of the Residence Halls of the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, in order to provide for the development of an effective democracy through responsible student participation in policy and in decision making processes in Residence Hall administration and governance, do hereby ordain and establish this constitution of the University of Wisconsin La Crosse Residence Hall Association.
Article I. Name The name of this organization shall be the Residence Hall Association of the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, hereafter referred to as R.H.A.
Article II. Membership Section 1. Association Membership A student shall automatically be a member of the R.H.A. while residing in one of the University of Wisconsin La Crosses Residence Halls without regard to discrimination on the basis of gender, race, color, creed, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity, expression and characteristics.
Article III. Governance All governing and representative responsibilities of the R.H.A. herein granted by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse, shall be vested in the Residence Hall Association Council, hereafter referred to as R.H.A.C. Section 1. Structure of the R.H.A.C. A. The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, National Communications Coordinator, hereafter referred to as the N.C.C., two Student Senators, and the Public Relations Coordinator, all being full-time University of Wisconsin La Crosse Residence Hall students (undergraduate or graduate). At least one Central Staff member from the Office of Residence Life and two Graduate Assistants from the Office of Residence Life shall serve as ex officio advisors. B. The voting membership of the R.H.A.C. shall consist of: 1. The Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, N.C.C., two Student Senators, and the Public Relations Coordinator, each being elected by the R.H.A. for a term of one year. 2. Two Representatives from each Residence Hall elected for a term of one year, by the residents of the hall, in which the Representative occupies. C. Succession 1. In the event of the President being unable to perform his or her duties for any reason the following succession of officers shall be instilled. This succession is valid for any and all activities where the R.H.A.C. representation is needed, unless otherwise noted in this Constitution. President. Vice-President. Secretary. Treasurer. N.C.C. Senators (succession in alphabetical order by last name). Public Relations Coordinator. 2. This same succession shall take place if the President must pass the gavel during an R.H.A.C. meeting. 3. This succession in no way applies to any vacancies in the Executive or Hall Representative positions. D. The non-voting membership of the R.H.A.C. shall consist of the President and the N.R.H.H./R.H.A.C. Liaison. The President will be elected by the R.H.A. for a term of one year. The President may only vote in the case of a tie. E. All responsibilities of newly elected Executive Board members shall begin, with the assistance of the Executive Board members at the completion of their terms, at the final business meeting of the R.H.A.C. of the academic year. In turn, Executive Board members of the completed one-year term shall relinquish all powers at the closing of said same meeting, with the exception of vacant positions. Newly elected Executive Board members must attend at least one R.H.A.C. meeting prior to the final business meeting, if time permits, when elected by the R.H.A.
Article IV. Responsibilities, Duties and Expectations
Section 1. Responsibilities and Duties of the R.H.A.C.
A. The responsibilities and duties of the R.H.A.C. shall be:
1. To allocate fees available to the R.H.A.C. within the laws and policies (36.09(5)) of the State of Wisconsin, Board of Regents, and the Chancellor.
2. To act on behalf of and serve as the representative voice of the residents of the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Residence Halls.
3. To protect and defend the interest of the members of the R.H.A.
4. To determine guidelines and policies necessary for the effective operation of the R.H.A.C.
5. To coordinate functions and activities of the R.H.A.
6. To serve as an information source for all Hall Councils and hall residents.
7. To approve all appointees representing the R.H.A. unless otherwise specified in the R.H.A. Constitution.
8. To establish any committees, sub-committees, and task forces it deems necessary.
Section 2. Expectations of the R.H.A.C. Representatives and Executive Officers. A. Requirements of Office. 1. All R.H.A.C. members shall abide by all existing University policies. 2. All R.H.A.C. members shall uphold and carry out the provisions of the R.H.A. Constitution. 3. All R.H.A.C. members shall assist the President and the Executive Board in carrying out the operations of the R.H.A.C. 4. All R.H.A.C. members shall support all official R.H.A.C. functions. 5. All R.H.A.C. members will be working with a diverse group of students, therefore it is important to recognize and not discriminate based on the reasons delineated in Article II, Section I of this Constitution. 6. R.H.A.C. members positions are highly visible among Residence Hall students. R.H.A.C. members are looked upon as leaders in the halls and should be good examples to everyone. 7. All members of the R.H.A.C. will have a minimum 2.0 semester GPA in the previously completed 16 week semester, and a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, excluding first semester freshman, and remain in good academic standing while in office. a. All members will be required to sign a waiver making their academic standing reviewable by the R.H.A.C. executive board to enforce the GPA requirement. 8. No member of the R.H.A.C. shall hold a permanent position as a Hall Council Executive Board member other than that of a R.H.A.C. Representative. 9. No member of the R.H.A.C. shall hold a Resident Assistant, Desk Coordinator, or Assistant to the Hall Director position during his or her term of office with the exception of the N.R.H.H./R.H.A.C. Liaison.
Section 3. President of the R.H.A.C. A. Responsibilities and Duties of the President of the R.H.A.C. shall be: 1. To act as the representative voice of the residents between the R.H.A. and the Office of Residence Life. 2. To act as an authority to interpret the R.H.A. Constitution on behalf of the membership. 3. To carry out the actions and directives of the R.H.A.C. 4. To oversee all the functions and operations of R.H.A.C. 5. To oversee all R.H.A.C. retreat activities. 6. To hold one-on-one meetings with three Hall Representatives at least twice per semester. 7. To meet with the R.H.A.C. Advisors once per week outside the Executive Board meeting. 8. To attend at least one full Hall Council meeting in each hall once per academic semester.
Section 4. Vice-President of the R.H.A.C. A. The responsibilities and duties of the Vice-President of the R.H.A.C. shall be: 1. To represent the R.H.A. when the President is unavailable. 2. To act as an advisor to the co-chairs of the Specific Issues Committee and attend all meetings. 3. To assign the R.H.A.C. members as representatives of the R.H.A.C. on University committees. 4. To hold one-on-one meetings with three Hall Representatives at least twice per semester. 5. To meet with the R.H.A.C. Advisors outside of the Executive Board meeting when needed, but at least once every two weeks. 6. To attend at least one full Hall Council meeting in each hall once per academic semester. 7. To serve as the official RHAC parliamentarian.
Section 5. Secretary of the R.H.A.C. A. The responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of the R.H.A.C. shall be: 1. To keep an accurate record of the official proceedings of the R.H.A.C. 2. To see that the official records of the official proceedings are promptly distributed to members of the R.H.A.C., Hall Presidents, Office of Residence Life Professional Staff, and appropriate Administrators. 3. To submit a budget request for office needs such as supplies and equipment to the R.H.A.C. Treasurer on a date to be determined by the Executive Board, for the following academic year. 4. To collect hall council minutes from every hall and keep them on file in the R.H.A.C. office for two academic years. 5. To act as a co-advisor with the Public Relations Coordinator to the Activities and Relations Committee and attend all meetings. 6. To assist the Public Relations Coordinator in planning socials and volunteer activities for R.H.A.C. 7. To work on recognition for the R.H.A.C. Executive Board with the help of an advisor. 8. To hold one-on-one meetings with three Hall Representatives at least twice per semester. 9. attend at least one full Hall Council meeting in each hall once per academic semester. 10. . To meet with the R.H.A.C. Advisors outside of the Executive Board meeting when needed, but at least once every two weeks. 11. To keep an accurate and current record of all office hours served, as referenced in
Article III Policies; Section 3; Point C of the By-Laws.
Section 6. Treasurer of the R.H.A.C. A. The responsibilities and duties of the Treasurer of the R.H.A.C. shall be: 1. To coordinate all fund raising activities and programs for the R.H.A.C. 2. To maintain an accurate record of financial transactions of the R.H.A.C. 3. To make periodic reports of the R.H.A.C. budget to the R.H.A.C. members. 4. To compile an annual R.H.A.C. budget, subject to approval by the R.H.A.C. 5. To submit the annual R.H.A.C. budget to the Office of Residence Life by a date to be determined by the appropriate Office of Residence Life Professional Staff members. 6. To assure that the budget has been reviewed and approved by a date to be determined by the appropriate Office of Residence Life Professional Staff members. 7. To update the year-to-year reference of expenditures. 8. To hold one-on-one meetings with three Hall Representatives at least twice per semester. 9. To meet with the R.H.A.C. Advisors outside of the Executive Board meeting when needed, but at least once every two weeks. 10. To attend at least one full Hall Council in each hall once per academic semester.
Section 7. National Communications Coordinator/Wisconsin Communications Coordinator (N.C.C./W.C.C.) of the R.H.A.C. A. The responsibilities and duties of the N.C.C. of the R.H.A.C. shall be: 1. To attend all National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH), Great Lakes Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (GLACURH), and Wisconsin United Residence Hall Association (WURHA) conferences. 2. To abide by and perform all N.C.C. position responsibilities pertaining to NACURH, GLACURH, and WURHA governing documents. a. To send monthly reports about the R.H.A.C. and the University of Wisconsin La Crosse to the GLACRUH/WURHA Regional Communications Coordinator and GLACURH/WURHA N.C.C.s. b. To serve on all GLACURH and WURHA committees as deemed necessary. c. To make sure all dues are paid on time. 3. To serve as the University of Wisconsin - La Crosses vote at all business meetings and conferences. 4. To serve as delegation representative at all conferences. 5. To oversee the nomination and election of a delegation leader who will be elected from the current delegation. This process will be done for NACURH, GLACURH, and WURHA. 6. To train the NCC-Elect who will be elected prior to the end of first semester. 7. To report all state, regional, and national business to the R.H.A.C. 8. To submit a budget request for membership dues, conference dues, conference fees, and conference travel for NACURH, GLACURH, and WURHA conferences to the R.H.A.C. Treasurer by a date to be determined by the R.H.A.C. Executive Board, for the following academic year. 9. To oversee the creation of a conference wrap-up report after each conference to be turned in to a designated professional staff member. 10. To hold one-on-one meetings with three Hall Representatives at least twice per semester. 11. To meet with the R.H.A.C. Advisors outside of the Executive Board meeting when needed, but at least once every two weeks. 12. To attend at least one full Hall Council meeting in each hall once per academic semester.
B. The responsibilities of the N.C.C.-Elect shall be: 1. To attend French Dip and actively participate in the slection and general conference process leading up to and throughout NACURH, including the wrap-up report. Section 8. Student Senators of the R.H.A.C. A. The responsibilities and duties of the R.H.A.C. Senators shall be:
1. To report all necessary information from the R.H.A.C. to the Student Association and Student Association information back to the R.H.A.C.2. To represent and vote on behalf of the R.H.A.C. at Student Association Senate meetings.3. To abide by and perform all Senator duties and responsibilities pertaining to their positions outlined in the Student Association governing documents.4. To hold one-on-one meetings with two Hall Representatives at least twice per semester. 5. To meet with the R.H.A.C. Advisors outside of the Executive Board meeting when needed, but at least once every two weeks. 6. To attend at least one full Hall Council meeting in each hall once per academic semester. Section 9. Public Relations Coordinator of the R.H.A.C.
A. The responsibilities and duties of the Public Relations Coordinator shall be: 1. To act as co-advisor with the Secretary to the Activities and Relations Committee and attend all meetings. 2. To produce and distribute a R.H.A.C. newsletter once per month. Content of the newsletter shall be approved by the Executive Board. 3. To update and maintain the R.H.A.C. website. 4. To write the weekly R.H.A.C. article for the Racquet student newspaper. 5. To coordinate the R.H.A.C. socials. 6. To coordinate all R.H.A.C. group volunteer opportunities. 7. To coordinate the R.H.A.C.s involvement in on-campus activities. 8. To assist the R.H.A.C. with all the publicity. 9. To hold one-on-one meetings with three Hall Representatives at least twice per semester. 10. To coordinate the Thomas Harris Award. 11. To maintain the general R.H.A.C. yearbook. 12. To meet with the R.H.A.C. Advisors outside of the Executive Board meeting when needed, but at least once every two weeks. 13. To attend at least one full Hall Council meeting in each hall once per academic semester. Section 10. N.R.H.H./R.H.A.C. Liaison of the R.H.A.C.
A.The responsibilities and duties of the N.R.H.H./R.H.A.C. Liaison of the R.H.A.C. shall be: 1. To serve on the R.H.A.C. in accordance with the N.R.H.H. Constitution. Section 11. Hall Representatives of the R.H.A.C. A. The responsibilities and duties of the Hall Representatives of the R.H.A.C. shall be: 1. To serve on R.H.A.C. committees with each hall having one representative on each committee: Activities and Relations Committee or Specific Issues Committee. 2. To serve on one or more Office of Residence Life or University committees. 3. To assist the treasurer during fundraising events as dictated by the treasurer. 4. To assist the R.H.A.C. as necessary as determined by the Executive Board. 5. To be a responsible and active member in Hall Council. 6. To report all necessary information from the R.H.A.C. to their Hall Council and Hall Council information back to the R.H.A.C. Article V. Meeting Procedures
Section 1 Quorum A. Two-thirds of the filled membership of the R.H.A.C. shall constitute a quorum. This established quorum must be present to vote on all matters of business.
Section 2 Visitors A. All R.H.A.C. meetings are open to visitors. Guest speakers must abide by the Guest Speaker Policies established by the Executive Board. Visitors may speak on New and Old Business issues only if recognized by the President or yielded to by an R.H.A.C. member.
Section 3 Meetings A. All non-executive R.H.A.C. board meetings will be open to the public. B. Any member of R.H.A.C. may close a meeting with consultation of the executive board and in accordance with US Code: Title 5, Section 552b.
Section 4 Special Meetings A. The R.H.A.C. President at his or her discretion may call special meetings of the R.H.A.C. Any other member of the R.H.A.C. may call a special meeting by presenting a petition signed by a majority of the R.H.A.C. members to the Executive Board. Article VI. Committees of the R.H.A.C. Section 1. Membership A. Committee members shall be appointed by the Vice-President. Section 2. Authority A. Committees shall be responsible to the R.H.A.C. and operate in accordance with the R.H.A.C. Constitution and R.H.A.C. by-laws. Section 3. R.H.A.C. Standing Committees
A. Activities and Relations Committee 1. An Activities and Relations Committee shall be established for the purpose of planning and organizing all social type activities for the entire R.H.A. and to increase communication between the individual Residence Halls by providing an opportunity for the members of the halls to meet. 2. The committee shall consist of R.H.A.C. Representatives, one from each Residence Hall. 3. The committee may use funds as designated in the R.H.A.C. budget. 4. The committee with have two co-chairs, elected from within the committee, who shall be from the R.H.A.C. a. It will be at their discretion whether they serve on a Residence Life or University committee. 5. The committee will have one secretary, elected from within the committee, who shall be from R.H.A.C. 6. When a co-chair position becomes vacant, the committee shall elect a new co-chairperson by a simple majority of those present. The Secretary and Public Relations Coordinator preside over all committee elections. 7. The co-chair shall always have a vote on behalf of their hall. In the event of a tie, the vote will be brought to R.H.A.C. for the deciding vote. 8. The co-chair will submit their budget request to the R.H.A.C. Treasurer by a date to be determined by the Executive Board of the R.H.A.C.
B. Specific Issues Committee 1. A Specific Issues Committee shall be established for the purpose of working on specific tasks or goals that may vary over the course of the year to better the living environment of the Residence Halls. 2. The committee shall consist of R.H.A.C. Representatives, one from each Residence Hall. 3. The committee may use funds as designated in the R.H.A.C. budget. 4. The committee will have two co-chairs, elected from within the committee, who shall be from the R.H.A.C. a. It will be at the discretion of the co-chairs whether they serve on a Residence Life or University committee. 5. The committee shall have one secretary, elected from within the committee, who shall be from the R.H.A.C. 6. When a co-chair position becomes vacant, the committee shall elect a new co-chair by a simple majority of those present. The Vice-President shall preside over all committee elections. 7. The co-chair shall always have a vote on behalf of his/her hall. In the event of a tie, the vote will be brought to the R.H.A.C. for the deciding vote. 8. The co-chair will submit their budget request to the R.H.A.C. Treasurer by a date to be determined by the Executive Board of the R.H.A.C. Section 4. Affiliated Committees
A. Executive Board 1. Membership shall consist of the R.H.A.C. officers and all advisors. 2. Responsibilities and Duties of the Executive Board. a. To consider policies and establish priorities for the R.H.A.C. and its committees. b. To make recommendations to the R.H.A.C. concerning internal and external policies and procedures. c. To act as a coordinating body for the R.H.A.C. d. To consider all matters of personnel.
B. Constitution Committee 1. A Constitution Committee will be established for the purpose of maintaining the Constitution and proposing amendments should the need arise. 2. It will contain a minimum of three R.H.A.C. members and one R.H.A.C. advisor. 3. The President of the R.H.A.C., as the authority to interpret the Constitution, shall preside as the chair of the Constitution Committee. 4. It will look over and suggest any changes to the R.H.A. Constitution and its By-laws.
C. Election Committee 1. An Election Committee shall be established for the purpose of governing and organizing the elections of the R.H.A.C. Executive Officers in accordance with the R.H.A.C. Election By-laws. Article VII. Vacancies Section 1 Vacancies by Position A. When a Hall Representative position becomes vacant, the Residence Hall involved shall elect a new representative to the R.H.A.C. In the interim, the Hall President or his/her proxy thereof shall attend and have the ability to vote at the R.H.A.C. meetings. B. When a Student Senator position becomes vacant, the President and other current Senator of the R.H.A.C. shall appoint a new Senator, subject to confirmation by a majority of the voting membership of the R.H.A.C. C. When the position of President becomes vacant, the Vice-President shall permanently become President and the Vice-President position shall be filled by a member of the R.H.A., elected by a majority of the voting membership of the R.H.A.C.
D. In the event of vacancies to both the President and Vice-President, the Secretary will assume the responsibilities of the President on a temporary basis. During this time, the Treasurer will assume the responsibilities of the Vice-President, also temporarily. The positions will be filled by members of the R.H.A., elected by a majority of the voting membership of the R.H.A.C.
E. When the position of Vice-President, Public Relations Coordinator, Secretary, Treasurer, or N.C.C. becomes vacant, the position shall be filled by a member of the R.H.A. elected by a majority of the voting membership of the R.H.A.C. Section 2 Executive Board Interim Elections A. In times of vacancy, the vacancy will be announced at the next possible R.H.A.C. meeting and will be voted on two meetings after the posting. B. In the event that more than two people are running for one position, a primary run-off election shall be held. The two highest vote recipients will then be in a runoff immediately following. C. All persons running for office shall meet the requirements as stipulated in Article IV, Section 2, Sub-section A. D. Executive Board members shall forfeit their vote for Executive Board Interim Elections.
Article VIII. Impeachment and Removal Section 1 Impeachment Procedures
A. Residence Hall Representatives and Executive Board members are responsible for upholding this Constitution and conducting themselves in a manner consistent with this Constitution. Failure to do so may be grounds for removal from office by the R.H.A.C. The Hall Council of the Residence Hall that they represent may also remove Residence Hall Representatives from office for improper behavior.
B. In order for the R.H.A.C. Representatives or Executive Board members to be impeached, there must be written statements, signed by at least two members of the R.H.A.C. and 72 hour notification to the accused, recommending the impeachment of the accused. The statements will be presented by the presiding officer at the next R.H.A.C. meeting at which the accused is present. 1. In the instance the accused is not present at that meeting they forfeit all rights to defend themselves and are therefore impeached.
C. After the presentation of charges, the R.H.A.C. Executive Board will vote on whether an impeachment hearing process shall be held. A majority vote is needed to call the hearing.
D. The impeachment hearing shall be held at the following meeting and will be held prior to any R.H.A.C. business. 1. In the instance the accused is not present at the impeachment hearing, they forfeit all rights to defend themselves and are therefore impeached.
E. An impeached member will not be permitted to run for the impeached position indefinitely.
F. An impeached member may not run for any other R.H.A.C. position for one academic year.
G. An impeached member may not be a proxy for any hall for a period of one academic year.
Section 2 Hearing Procedure A. The R.H.A.C. President shall preside over the hearing. If the President is accused then the Vice President shall preside over the impeachment hearing. B. The charges shall be re-read by the R.H.A.C. Secretary, or acting Secretary if the Secretary is accused. C. The accusers shall have ten (10) minutes to present their case. D. The R.H.A.C. members shall have ten (10) minutes to question the accusers. E. The accused shall have ten (10) minutes to present their case. F. The R.H.A.C. members shall have ten (10) minutes to question the accused. G. The accusers and accused as well as all non-voting members of the R.H.A shall leave the room while the remaining R.H.A.C. members deliberate and make a decision. H. The accusers and accused members shall be present when the presiding officer reads the decision. I. Each charged member shall be impeached separately. J. 2/3s of the voting members of the R.H.A.C. shall be necessary to Impeach. All Executive Board members forfeit voting privileges for the Impeachment hearing. K. The final decision shall be binding. L. The hearing shall be held in a closeable room. Article IX. - Advisors The R.H.A.C. shall maintain at least one Central Staff member from the Office of Residence Life and two Graduate Assistants from the Office of Residence Life who shall serve as ex-officio Advisors. Article X. Amendments
Section 1 Proposal of Amendments A. An amendment to this R.H.A. Constitution may be proposed by a simple majority of a Hall Council or the R.H.A.C. Constitution Committee. B. Upon receipt of a proposed amendment, the Secretary of the R.H.A.C. shall be responsible for the publication and distribution to all Hall Councils and the R.H.A.C. members. Section 2 Ratification A. All proposed amendments may not be ratified before 14 days or after 28 days of their publications. B. Executive Board members shall forfeit their vote when amending this R.H.A.C. Constitution. Each representative shall have exactly one vote. 2/3s of voting members of the R.H.A.C. shall be necessary to pass all amendments.
Article XI. By-laws of the R.H.A.C. Section 1. Proposal of By-laws A. Proposed bylaws of this R.H.A. Constitution shall be submitted by a member of the R.H.A.C., but may not be approved until the following meeting. Section 2. Adoption of the By-laws A. Proposed bylaws must be approved by 2/3s of the voting members of the R.H.A.C. Section 3. Amending By-laws A. Proposed amendments to the R.H.A.C. bylaws may be proposed by any member of the R.H.A.C. Article XII. Precedence This Constitution shall take precedence over any Hall Council Constitution of the University of Wisconsin La Crosse Residence Halls.