CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I - NAME

• The name of the student body shall be African Students Union.
  

ARTICLE II - DEFINITION

• African Students Union is a student body created to promote African culture at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• To identity African students with other national and international student bodies.
• To be cooperative with other student associations which are willing to identity themselves with A.S.U. and to work hand in hand with all peace loving clubs at Stony Brook.
• To promote mutual understanding amongst African students, and to arouse the awareness of the African culture amongst Stony Brook students.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

A. Membership

• Membership of A.S.U. shall be opened to every student at Stony Brook who accepts the aims and objectives of A.S.U. as set out in Article III.
• Any student wishing to become a member shall register with the secretary of the A.S.U.
• Any student can join and withdraw voluntarily from A.S.U. when he/she wishes to do so.
• A student has to attend three at least four meetings in a semester to be in good standing with the club.
• This club does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, creed, ethnic or national origin religion or sexual preference, etc.
• This club fully abides by the office of Civil Rights Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Guidelines,rules and regulations of the Undergraduate Student Government of Stony Brook University and the policies of the Stony Brook Univesity.
  

B.Rights and Obligations

• A member of A.S.U. has the RIGHT:
• To put forward a proposition and defend his/her opinion before agreement is reached on the matter under discussion.
• To vote at meetings on decisions to be taken in relation to matters discussed.
• To receive concrete and timely answers to his/her questions.
  
• A member of A.S.U. has the following OBLIGATION:
• To work in harmony and mutual brotherhood and/or sisterhood with other members aiming at the success of A.S.U.
• To be of exemplary conduct.
• To attend meetings of A.S.U. regularly.
• To express in such meetings his/her opinions and contribute to discussions.
• To participate in all events that are proposed.
• To observe and comply with the decisions of the majority, even though he/she might have voted against them.

C. Termination of Membership

• Membership may be terminated on the failure to comply with the rules and regulations of the club.
• Termination shall be decided by two-thirds of the house.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

A. Election Procedures
• The President shall appoint a three-member electoral committee to oversee and run the elections according to the rules enshrined in this costitution.
• Prospective candidates of A.S.U. may be elected or nominated by majority or one half of the total members present.
• Only members in good standing with A.S.U. shall be eligible for nominations and office
• Only present of past executive board members shall be eligible for the office of President.
• Prospective candidates for office must have at least a full academic year left before graduation to be eligible for office.
• Only bonafide members are eligible to vote. The electoral officers have a voice but has no vote. In the event of a tie, the election officers can break it.
• Elections shall only be held by secret ballot.
• The President and Vice-President shall validate ballot papers with thier signatures about an hour prior to an election for authenticity.
• Winners of an election shall be determined by simple majoirty.
• Office bearer shall be elected toward the end of the academic year.
B. Functions of the Executive Committee
• It is a policy making body.
• The executive body comprises of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Public Relations Officer, Cultural Affairs Officer,Recruitment Officer and Historian.
• To set up programs and activities for the semester, including agendas for regular meetings.
• To nominate or appoint persons to various responsibilities within A.S.U.
C. Frequency of Meetings
• As a rule, there shall be general meetings every thursday throughout the semester.
• Emergency meetings can called at any time by the executive board.
D. Tenure of the Office
• All the elected officials shall hold the offices for two semesters. They are eligible for reelection.
• Bye elections, as set out in Article V(A), shall be conducted in the event that vacancies occur in the executive board during term in office.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

A. President
• He/she is the executive head of A.S.U.
• He/she will preside over both the executive committee and the general body meetings.
• He/she shall maintain order during the meetings and has power to adjourn or cancel the meeting.
• He/she shall coordinate the undertakings of A.S.U.
• He/she shall maintain a close relation with Administration, Undergraduate Student Government, Student Activity Board, and the office of Foreign Students Affairs.
B. Vice-President
• He/she will deputize for the president of A.S.U
C. Secretary
• He/she shall record the minutes at all regular and executive meetings.
• He/she maintains a register of all A.S.U. members.
• He /she shall make known to all members the policies and activities of A.S.U.
• He/she is responsible for sending out invitations.
D. Treasurer
• He/she shall be responsible for all A.S.U. funds.
• Any payments made with the authority of the executive committee out of A.S.U. funds shall bear the Treasurer's and President's signatures.
• He/she shall present a financial report income and expenditures of A.S.U. to the executive board.
• He/ she shall keep and maintain account books, vouchers and other financial documents of A.S.U.
• He/she shall study possibilities and make proposals about the appropriate ways and means of raising funds for A.S.U.
• The President and Treasurer shall be cosigners in order to effect any withdraws from the A.S.U. accounts.
E. Public Relations Officer
• He/she shall be required to keep regular communication with other friendly student bodies.
• He/she shall be responsible in consultation with the other members of the executive committee for the release of African students Union press statements.
• He/she shall be responsible for sending out invitations by letters or other approved methods to the outside world.
F. Cultural Officer
• He/she shall be responsible for the promotion of cultural activities.
• He/she shall study possibilities, make proposals concerning the holding of cultural events and coordinate the holding of cultural events.
G. Recruiting Officer
• He/she shall be responsible for recruiting new members.
• He/she shall be responsible for the composing, editing, publication and distribution of fliers and pamphlets of A.S.U. in cooperation with the public relation chairperson.

H. Historian

• He/she shall be responsible for mantaining and keeping the A.S.U. website up-to-date.
• He/she shall make a scrap book of all A.S.U. programs and activities.
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Elected officials may be removed from office if he/she fails to attend three consecutive meetings without valid reasons.
• Impeachment may be initiated from any member of A.S.U.
• Elected officials may be removed from office if he/she flouts the policies and objectives of A.S.U. as set out in Article III.
• Any removal of an elected official shall be supported by at least two-thirds of the majority members.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Any amendment on the constitution shall be decided by two-thirds of the registered members.