South Asian Student Association Constitution
Article I Article II Article III Article IV
Article V Article VI Article VII Article VIII
The name of this organization shall be South Asian Student Association, hereafter referred to as SASA.
The organization celebrates the South Asian cultures of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka through music, dance, holiday celebrations, and social issues that impact the South Asian identity at Texas Tech University and the surrounding community. We intend to provide social and service activities for all the Texas Tech University members. SASA intends to promote identity and unity among the South Asian undergraduate population of Texas Tech University.
Section 1. The organization does not discriminate in the selection of members or appointments when discrimination is defined as denying membership or appointment on the basis of a person's race, creed, national origin, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation, in accordance with Title IX regulations of federal law.
Section 2. Membership to SASA shall be open to:
A) Full time undergraduate students enrolled at Texas Tech University.
Section 3. Students shall be declared a member upon payment of dues and satisfaction of requirements as defined by SASA at Texas Tech University.
Section 4. Membership duties are as follows:
A) Membership dues must be paid by the date stipulated by the executive board each semester.
B) All members must attend 25% of meetings each semester.
C) Members must attend two activities coordinated by SASA each semester.
Section 5. Revocation of membership can occur at any time if members are not in compliance with Article III. Section 4. Membership revocation process is as follows:
A) Executive board must inform the active body if any members are in violation of Article III. Section 4.
B) 51% of the active body must vote in favor of revoking membership before membership may be revoked.
C) Executive board must unanimously approve of membership revocation before membership is revoked.
Article IV: Executive Board Officers
Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of the offices of President, Vice-President and Treasurer.
A) The Executive Board consists of all current officers. The President shall be the chairman of this board.
B) The Executive Board shall meet on a bi-weekly basis, or as often as deemed necessary by the President. All officers shall be notified at least three days in advance.
C) The Executive Board shall make decisions on behalf of SASA as deemed appropriate due to time constraints and those not requiring the general assembly.
D) The Executive Board must attend all bi-weekly meetings and 75% of general meetings.
Section 2. Powers and Duties of Officers
A) The President shall:
1. Preside over general meetings and meetings of the executive board.
2. Call meetings of the general assembly and of the executive board.
3. Act as the primary contact for SASA.
4. Prepare the agenda for both general meetings and the executive board meetings.
B) The Vice President shall:
1. Assume the duties and responsibilities of the President in cases of absence.
2. Appoint, maintain, and monitor the activities of the committee chairperson and report to the executive board.
3. Act as secondary contact for SASA .
4. Assume the duties and responsibilities of SOAC representative.
C) The Treasurer shall:
1. Report financial status of SASA at a minimum of every ten business days.
2. Ensure that all expenditures have prior approval from the Executive Board.
Section 3. Election Procedures and Office Terms
A) Elections must be held one month prior to the end of the academic school year.
B) Members interested in executive board positions must give intent to the secretary two weeks prior to elections.
C) Members may only vote if they have attended 75% of general meetings.
D) Voting shall take place in an open forum by show of hands.
E) Members must be present at the open forum in order to vote.
F) The term of the office shall begin at the end of the academic school year.
Section 4. Nominees of the Executive Board must meet the following criteria:
A) Must be enrolled as a full time student at Texas Tech University.
B) Must have completed one year as a full time student at Texas Tech University.
C) Must have attended 75% of all meetings including fall and spring semesters, prior to elections.
D) Must provide executive board of official transcript as evidence of the above stipulations.
Section 5. Vacancies in the executive board will be filled by a member appointed by the Executive Board.
Section 1. The general assembly shall convene bi-weekly or as determined by the executive board.
Section 2. All general voting will take place only with those members in attendance.
Section 1. Standing chairs shall consist of:
Service Chair, Fundraising Chair, Athletic Chair, Social Chair, and Webmaster.
Section 2. Duties and responsibilities of each Chair Person:
A) Service Chair shall:
1. Promote the organization in a positive cooperative effort through volunteer community service.
2. Provide service activities for members to attend.
3. Maintain a record of all projects and contacts.
B) Fundraising Chair shall:
1. Generate ideas for organizational funding in a positive cooperative effort.
2. Maintain records of all money received and forward all money to the Treasurer immediately.
3. Oversee all fundraising activities.
C) Athletic Chair shall:
1. Promote all athletic events for the organization.
2. Maintain organization and participation in athletic events.
D) Social Chair shall:
1. Organize social events on behalf of the organization.
2. Maintain organization and participation at social events.
3. Oversee all aspects of social events.
4. Forward money received to the Treasurer immediately.
E) Webmaster shall:
1. Setup and maintain a webpage for SASA.
Section 3. All chairpersons' terms shall be for one academic year.
Section 4. Committees shall be formed through chair person's appointments, which shall do work for the organization.
Section 5. Chairpersons shall meet with executive board on a bi-weekly basis. Duties shall be determined by executive board.
Section 6. Chairpersons must be in attendance of 75% of general meetings.
Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution shall follow the procedure:
A) An amendment resolution must be presented to the executive board stating amendments and citing reasons.
B) The executive board shall discuss the proposed amendment.
C) Only a unanimous vote by the executive board shall amend the constitution.
D) If the amendment is approved, the Vice President shall carry out the constitutional amendment and submit new copies to the appropriate personnel.
Section 1. There shall be at least one full time University faculty/staff advisor.
Section 2. Advisor will be selected and voted by the executive board.
Section 3. Advisors must be in good standing with the University.
Section 4. Advisor shall:
A) Attend meetings and functions as often as possible.
B) Recommend alternatives on matters concerning the organization.
C) Guide adherence to University regulations and the organization's constitution.
This SASA constitution was created June 12, 2003 by the founding members:
Sheena Kurian
Linu Samuel
Rakesh Singh
Updated 11/3/11 Email Webmaster: jaydeep.patel@ttu.edu