IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY
CONSTITUTION OF THE SOCIETY OF PHYSICS STUDENTS
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Society of Physics Students of Idaho State University, do hereby constitute ourselves an organization subject to the following provisions.
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this organization shall be "The Idaho State University Chapter of the Society of Physics Students".
ARTICLE II
Purpose
The purpose of this Chapter shall be the advancement and diffusion of knowledge of the Science of Physics and the encouragement of interest in physics throughout the academic and local communities.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Section I - General Members
Membership in the Society of Physics Students Chapter shall be open to all students interested in physics. This organization shall not deny membership to any person on the basis of race, age, religion, sex, color, creed, language, marital status, handicap or national origin.
Section II - Membership In SPS
Membership in the physics honor society, Sigma Pi Sigma (SPS), is not restrictive to physics majors. Membership of this society within the Society of Physics Students Chapter shall be based upon character, academic and professional attainments. The Chapter Advisor will appoint a membership nominating committee, which will present candidates for membership in SPS. Election to SPS membership shall then be conducted by the active SPS members.
A. For undergraduate students in physics or related fields, the minimum requirements for SPS membership within this chapter shall be as follows:
1. All members-elect shall have completed at least the equivalent of three semesters (five quarters) of full-time college work.
2. All members-elect shall have completed at least three semester (five quarters) courses in physics, each of at least three credit hours, which may be credited toward a physics major.
: 3. All members-elect shall rank in the upper one third of their college class.
4. All members-elect shall have attained at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 system for physics courses and for cumulative course grades in all courses.
B. For graduate students in physics or related fields, all members-elect shall meet one of the following two requirements:
1. The requirements for undergraduate members- elect, based upon their undergraduate records, or
2. Completed at least one year of graduate work, meeting departmental standards for satisfactory progress towards an advanced degree.
C. For faculty members, research staff members, and other qualified individuals who are in physics or related fields, election to membership shall be based upon their professional attainments.
ARTICLE IV
Government
Section I - Meetings
Regular meetings will be held monthly as determined by the officers. Special meetings may be called by the President or Vice-President. There shall be at least six meetings per year.
Section II - Parliamentary Procedure
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with this constitution and any special rules of order the Chapter may adopt.
Section III - Attendance
The quorum to conduct business at a meeting shall be the attendance of greater than fifty percent of the membership in person or by proxy. Any member of the chapter may sign a proxy for another member, said proxy to be valid only for the next meeting of the chapter.
ARTICLE V
Administration
The officers of the Chapter shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer; succession shall be in accordance with this order. Any two of the last three offices may be combined. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by this constitution and by the parliamentary authority adopted by this Chapter.
Section I - Duties of Officers
A. President:
1. To preside over all meetings of the chapter.
2. To represent the chapter to the national organization, the University, and the local community.
3. To announce elections.
4. To oversee the budget.
5. To call special meetings.
6. To enforce the Constitution.
7. To fulfill any duties usually associated with this office that are not specifically mentioned in this Constitution.
B. Vice President:
1. To assist the President in all duties listed for that office.
2. To assume the duties of President in the absence of the President.
C. Secretary:
1. To keep the minutes of chapter meetings.
2. To keep the records of the chapter.
3. To direct any advertisement campaigns for the chapter.
4. To direct correspondence with the national organization and other local chapters of the Society.
D. Treasurer:
1. To keep track of the clubs accounts.
2. To assist the President and Vice-President with the budget.
3. To collect and record dues.
4. To report the financial status of the club at meetings.
ARTICLE VI
Elections
Section I - Nominations
Officers of the Chapter shall be nominated at a scheduled meeting at the beginning of each school year. The nominations for officers shall be made by open nominations at this meeting. Only full-time students with at least a 2.0 gpa can be nominated and hold an office. The office of president shall be restricted to a junior, senior, or a graduate student majoring in physics.
Section II - Elections
The officers shall be elected at a scheduled meeting in October at the beginning of each school year. The election shall be determined by a closed ballot. The officers-elect shall assume their offices immediately following the election and shall hold office for one year or until their successors are duly elected. It is suggested that the officers of the club represent more than one class. If the president and vice-president are not present at the first of the school year, the secretary or any appointed member shall act as president until elections are held for that school year.
Section III - Elections for SPS
One of the officers who is a SPS member and the Chapter Advisor shall be given specific responsibility for the affairs of the SPS Chapter.
ARTICLE VII
Finances
Section I - Dues
Dues of $10.00 annually shall be collected by the Treasurer in addition to the dues required by the National Office.
ARTICLE IX
Advisor
The Chapter Advisor shall be a full-time faculty member appointed by the Chairman of the Physics Department, after consultation with the chapter officers. The Chapter Advisor shall provide liaison among the Chapter, the Physics Department, and the National Office of the Society of Physics Students. The Chapter Advisor will supply counseling to the Chapter, furnish continuity of experience in Chapter Operations, and provide a long-range perspective to insure departmental interest in and support of the Society of Physics Students. The Chapter Advisor shall assist the Secretary in furnishing the National office with the required data and shall assist the Treasurer in transmitting fees and dues to the National Office.
ARTICLE XVI
Amendments
This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote, provided that the amendment shall have been proposed at least one meeting previous to the time of vote. Such amendments shall conform to the regulations established by the National Constitution of the Society of Physics Students and Idaho State University.
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President - Society of Physics Students
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Advisor - Society of Physics Students
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University Title
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Date Submitted