Collegium V Constitution

Adopted 8/24/01

We, the members of Collegium V, do hereby establish an elected Council to represent the membership in matters of planning, organization, and administration. The Council's responsibilities, organization, and structure are outlined herein.

Article I: The Council's Structure and Means of Election

Section A: Number of Members on the Council The Council shall consist of seven members. Additional Council seats may be added as necessary at any time by a two-thirds majority of the Council. Council seats may be removed only upon resignation of a Council member or immediately preceding an election, upon a two-thirds majority vote to eliminate one or more chairs. At no time shall the Council have less than 5 nor more than 10 members.

Section B: Election Procedure Council members are elected by the membership at large during the Spring semester, at a time designated by the Director. Council members may serve an unlimited number of terms pending re-election. All members of Collegium V are allowed to vote for as many candidates as there are seats on the Council. Members are allowed to vote during University business hours throughout the week of elections. The candidates with the most votes will fill the open Council positions in succession. The two candidates nearest to selection will become Council alternates and will immediately fill vacant seats. A tie for the second alternate shall be decided by the Director.

Section C: Additional Provisions During extended periods when Council members are unavailable, such as during the Summer semester, the Speaker may place the Council on quorum status. As a quorum, votes require only a majority or two-thirds majority (as denoted) of those present.

Article II: Responsibilities of the Council and Limitations of Power

Section A: Mission of the Council In order to continually expand and refine CV, the Council evaluates the needs and desires of the Honors Program, brings them before CV Administration (the Director's office), assists Administration in fulfilling those needs, and appoints committees to assist in its duties.

Section B: Election of a Speaker The first duty of the Council is to elect a Speaker, as described in Article III, Section B.

Section C: Council Meetings Council meetings shall be scheduled as necessary by agreement of the Speaker and Director. Any Collegium V officeholder whose absence hinders the Council's duties may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the Council. Should excessive absence in any way hinder the operation of the Council, the member may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote. Council meetings are open to the entire Collegium V body, including administrators and faculty associated therewith. As outlined in Article III, Section C, the Speaker may also call special meetings with little or no forewarning.

Section D: Powers of the Council 1. The Council may create temporary or permanent committees at its discretion to deal with specific concerns regarding the program, its management, and its advancement. 2. The Council shall solicit from the membership comments on existing Collegium V courses and professors, and on possible courses to be offered in the future. The Council shall report their findings to the Director, membership, and faculty committee where appropriate. 3. The Council shall organize social events and activities open to the entire membership. 4. The Council shall advise on any disputes involving Collegium V issues, concerns, or property. 5. The Council shall advise the Director in matters of finance, as they pertain to Collegium V and its constituents. 6. The Council shall bring before the Director recommendations to remove from the Honors program any Collegium V members found in violation of the Honor Code. 7. The Council shall establish, through the By Laws, rules regulating the use of the lounge and Collegium V property.

Section E: Council Votes Any and all split votes shall be settled by the Director. Abstentions from voting are encouraged when and only when a Council member's vested interest in an issue prevents just representation of Collegium V.

Article III: Role and Duties of the Speaker

Section A: Role of the Speaker The Speaker is first among equals, the primary face and voice of the Honors Program whenever a single representative is needed. He/she must represent the interests of Collegium V, as do the other Council members, but has the added duties of calling and moderating Council meetings, and is the primary contact point between the Council and the University at large. The Speaker for the Council alone represents the Collegium V membership, though specialized representational authority is granted to Committee heads. As chairperson of the Council, the Speaker is responsible for organizing meetings and providing the agenda. The Speaker may call special sessions of the Council to discuss Constitutional issues or other matters of immediate concern. Attendance at these meetings is mandatory. These meetings are open but may or may not be advertised, at the Speaker's discretion. Changes to the Constitution must comply with the rules set forth in Article IV.

Section B: Election of the Speaker At the first formal meeting of the Council, by a plurality vote, Council members will elect a Speaker from among their number. A split vote shall be settled by the Director. There can be only one.

Section C: Resignation/Removal of the Speaker The Speaker retains the right to resign at any time. If the Speaker is unable to fulfill the duties of the office, any Council member supported by majority of the Council may call for the Speaker's resignation. The Speaker can be removed by a two-thirds majority of the Council, pending approval of the Director. Upon removal, the Speaker becomes a member of the Council. Upon resignation/removal of the Speaker, a new Speaker shall be chosen by a plurality vote of the Council from among their number.

Article IV: Amendments to this Constitution Amendments may be made to this Constitution at special meetings of the Collegium V Council as described in Article III, Section C. Changes to the Constitution must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Council, approved by the Director, and reported to the membership within one week. Amendments take effect when the revised Constitution is filed in public record.

 

Amendments (2007)

Collegium V Executive Council
Constitutional Amendment

l. The Selection of Alternate to fill a vacant council seat
The privilegeo f successiown ill be givent o the alternatew ith morey ears
experience previously serving on the Collegium V Executive Council, If no
candidate displays seniority on council, seniority will base itself on years spent
in the Collegium V program If, after these previous criteria have been applied,
no candidate can be chosen the matter will be put to a closed vote. As always,
ties are broken bv the Director.
2, Policy for ReAdmittance following resignation/removal
Should any council member or alternate, after resignation or removal,
wish to rejoin the Executive Council they must submit a written request
detailing their reasons and any extenuating circumstances that should be
consideredT. his requestw ill be revieweda nd voted upon by the council body
in a closedm eetingw ithin a reasonablep eriod of time. No personm ay be readmittedl
esst han one month prior to the electionsf or the next councilb ody.
3. Establishment and Election of the Interim Speaker
Whereas, if a Speaker for a council body has not been named, and
whereas,i f the council body, by simple majority, seest he needf or orgamzation
during extended periods of restricted participation, such as in the summer
months, then the position of Interim Speaker may be created and will endure
until a Speaker is named under Article II, Section B. This position may be
created at any time these criteria are met. The interim Speaker will be elected by plurality vote.