CONSTITUTION OF
THE UNIVERSITY APARTMENTS COMMUNITY COUNCIL
AT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
The University Apartments Community Council exists to provide a forum for the residents of the university apartments to have an active voice in the affairs of the university apartments.
Article I. Name
The name of the student organization shall be known as the University Apartments Community Council (UACC).
Article II. Purpose & Goals
The purpose and goals of the UACC are to:
A. Encourage University Apartment community participation
B. Encourage a working relationship between residents and the apartment management staff.
C. Serve as a liaison between Texas A&M University and the residents.
D. Provide pertinent information to the residents in a timely manner.
E. Provide for social, cultural and intellectual development of residents.
F. Provide a forum for individual residents to voice their concerns about the apartment complex.
Article III. Membership
This organization will not discriminate or withhold membership from any individual on the basis of race, color, gender, physical challenge, sexual orientation or national origin.
All residents 18 years or older are members of the organization.
Article IV. Officers and Representatives
Section I Requirements
(a) The officers of this organization must meet the following requirements:
Have a minimum grade point ratio (GPR) as stated below and meet that minimum GPR in the semester immediately prior to the election/appointment, the semester of election/appointment and semesters during the term of office.
1) For undergraduate students, the minimum GPR is 2.00. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration. In one limited circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point ratio prior to election/appointment, at least six credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s).
2) For graduate level students the minimum GPR is a 3.00. In order for this provision to be met, at least four hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration. In one limited circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point ratio prior to election/appointment, at least four credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s) unless fewer credits are required as they complete the final stages of their degree.
(b) Be in good standing with the university and enrolled:
1) At least half time (six or more credit hours), if an undergraduate student (unless fewer credits are required to graduate in the spring and fall semesters) during the term of office, and
2) At least half time (four or more credits), if a graduate level student (unless fewer credits are required in the final stages of their degree as defined by the Continuous Registration Requirement) during their term of office.
(c) Be ineligible to hold an office should the student fail to maintain the requirements as prescribed in (a) and (b).”
Section II Officers and Duties
The Executive board shall constitute the President, the Executive VP, VP of Finance, VP of Information Technology, VP of Programs, VP of Publicity
President
a) Shall be the executive head and representative of the UACC
b) Shall preside over all meetings of UACC and the executive board.
c) Shall exercise general supervision over the affairs of the UACC
d) Shall enforce the constitution and the by-laws and shall ensure that all resolutions and proceedings of the UACC are carried out.
e) Shall appoint all committees to carry out the business of UACC.
f) Shall hear complaints, recommendations and suggestions presented by the Executive Board.
VP of Finance (formerly Treasurer)
a) Shall keep records on the finances, collect monies, make deposits and withdrawals and be responsible for paying all the financial responsibilities of the UACC.
b) Shall prepare the annual budget proposal for the following school year in co-operation with the other officers.
c) Shall be prepared to inform members about the state of the budget upon request.
d) Shall maintain the UACC inventory list.
VP of Information Technology (formerly Secretary)
a) Shall record and distribute the minutes of each UACC meeting, including the issues voted upon during the meetings.
b) Shall handle all UACC correspondences, including inviting University officials to UACC functions.
c) Shall take roll at all meetings and keep accurate attendance records.
d) Shall work with the University Apartments Programming Office in communications with the residents such as the newsletter and advertisements for upcoming UACC events.
e) Shall be the Web Master and the Communications Officer of the Council
Executive VP (formerly Vice President)
a) Shall inform new residents of UACC and its purpose.
b) Shall preside over meetings of UACC and executive board in the absent of the President.
c) Shall ensure that the projects sponsored by UACC conform to the University Regulations and all applicable laws.
d) Update the Council Constitution and Bylaws for approval by General body
VP of Programs (added position)
a) Shall recruit and designate committees for organizing UACC social events
b) Act as the primary contact between UA Programming Staff and other departments, organizations and student groups related to programming
c) Shall work with VP of Finance regarding funding for programs
d) Announce program ideas at UACC meetings
e) Work with VP of publicity to publicize programs and activities by UACC
f) Gather information regarding Campus wide programs related to graduate students, families, children and other UA populations.
VP of Publicity
a) Publicize all UACC programs and activities
b) Keep a historical record of UACC events, programs, activities
c) Primary contact with Media and Newspaper groups related to Media coverage (prior approval through Residence Life Admin for Media submission)
The Executive board shall nominate interested members of the UACC to serve as Area Representatives. Area Representatives shall be responsible for hearing recommendations and suggestions from the residents living in his/her area and report them to the executive board. The Vice President shall coordinate the activities of the Area Representatives. They shall support and work with the Vice President to implement programs and events at the apartments.
Section III Election and Term of Office
a) The election of all the Executive Board officers shall be held during the last two (2) weeks of April.
b) The members of the executive board shall serve in their office from the date of election until the end of the Spring session the following year.
c) The Area Representatives shall be filled on a voluntary basis unless there are more volunteers than seats, in which case the UACC members will vote to elect a suitable representative.
Section IV Qualifications for the Executive Board officers
a) A candidate for a council seat must meet the requirements stated above in Article IV, Section I titled requirements.
b) Plan on being a resident of the University Apartments at least until the end of the next spring semester.
Section V Removal of Officers
a) Any officer absenting him/herself for 2 consecutive meetings can be recommended for removal. The removal process will include sending a notice requesting the concerned person for a written explanation, which he/she should provide within a period of two weeks. The Board shall then decide by two-third vote from all voting members present at the meeting.
b) If an UACC Executive Officer or Area Representative do not maintain the requirements found in Article IV Section 1 and 2 they will be recommended for removal on the UACC Board. The removal process will include sending a notice requesting the concerned person for a written explanation, which he/she should provide within a period of two weeks. The Board shall then decide by two-third vote from all voting members present at the meeting.
c) If an UACC Executive Officer or Area Representative violates a University or Community Center Policy the UACC Board by two/thirds vote elect to enforce a sanction or elect toward removal from the UACC Board depending on the degree of the violation. The UACC Board member who has violated a policy or rule can be placed on temporary suspension from duties until a decision is reached by the UACC Executive Board. The removal process will include sending a notice requesting the concerned person for a written explanation, which he/she should provide within a period of two weeks. The Board shall then decide by two-third vote from all voting members present at the meeting.
d) Repeat of a prior violation or offense shall be grounds for an officer's removal.
Section VI Impeachment of Officers
a) Action for impeachment may be initiated by a petition submitted by any UACC member or board member.
An Executive Officer not complying with any of his/her duties may be a candidate for impeachment.
b) Petitions for impeachment should be presented to the UACC Executive board for review.
c) Three-fourths vote of the UACC Executive Board shall be required to impeach and remove the Officer
from his/her office.
d) If a decision to impeach an officer has been made, the Executive Board will grant the officer the opportunity
to step down. If the officer will not step down, the Executive Board shall be required to impeach and remove
the officer from his/her office.
Section VII Vacancies
a) If the President’s position is vacated, it is to be filled by the existing Vice Presidents if he/she meets the criteria; otherwise the position shall be filled by an open election.
b) Should any other vacancy occur, the Council and other members will ensure that a new candidate appointed by the President temporarily fills the position. The residents shall be properly notified of the vacancy, time, and place of elections.
Section VIII UACC Resident Membership
a) All members of University Apartment Community Council are subject to all official Student Rules and set forth by
Texas A&M University, the Department of Student Activities and the Department of Residence Life (including
University Apartments Community Center Rules and Regulations)
b) Any member who ceases to be a resident of University Apartments shall automatically cease to be a member of the
UACC.
Article V. Advisors
Section I Expectations
a) The advisor to the University Apartments Community Council shall be a Texas A & M University employee as defined by the Human Resources Department. The advisor will be willing to obtain an appropriate level of experience, resource information and knowledge related to the mission, purpose and activities of the club.
b) The advisor will regularly attend executive and general meetings. They will be available for consultation outside of these meetings.
c) The advisor will assist the organization with the development of goals and objectives for the academic year. The advisor will also assist the organization with event planning and facilitation. When necessary, the advisor will be willing to attend events when necessary as identified through the planning process.
d) The advisor will be aware of the University Student Rules and will assist the organization with adherence to these expectations.
Article VI.
Section I Meetings
A). General Body Meetings:
a) The General Body meeting shall be held a minimum of three times during a regular semester (Fall and Spring).
b) Parliamentary procedure can be followed, but it is not mandatory.
c) UACC will have the power to make its own by-laws, upon a favorable two-thirds vote of the quorum. A quorum will be consisted of those voting members present at the meeting.
B). Executive Board Meetings
a) The executive board shall meet at least once monthly, during regular semesters (Fall and Spring). The day and time of the meeting will be decided by a majority of the officers present at the previous meeting.
b) The President as necessary can call emergency meetings.
Section II Voting
All members of the UACC who are students of Texas A&M University are eligible to vote. If a student resident cannot participate he/she can nominate a proxy. A proxy shall be a family member who is 18 years or older.
Article VII. Finances
Section I Dues
Membership is free and there are no dues.
Section II Financial Transactions
All monies belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed through a bank account established for this organization at the Student Organization Finance Center and/or the Fiscal Office. All funds must be deposited within 24 hours after collection in the SOFC. The advisor to this organization must approve and sign each expense before payment.
Article VIII. Amendments and Revisions
Section I Amendments
Amendments to this constitution shall require the favorable two-thirds majority vote of the voting members present at the meeting and the approval of the director of student activities
Section II Revision
This document must be reviewed every year and resubmitted to the Department of Student Activities.