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RHA Constitution

Preamble

We, the residential students of Clark University, do hereby ordain and establish this constitution, which is dedicated to the idea that all members of the residential community play a critical role in community development and governance. 

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Article I:  Name

The name of this organization shall be the Clark University Residence Hall Association, and shall be abbreviated hereafter as RHA.

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Article II: Mission

As the RHA of Clark University, our mission is to represent the needs and wants of the resident student population.  We solemnly swear to uphold this goal by way of serving as the official liaison between the students living in Clark University Residence Halls and Houses and the staff and administration of the Office of Residential Life and Housing; to act as a programming organization to the students living in these Halls and Houses, promoting community, diversity, and awareness; to strive to make Clark Residence Halls and Houses a continually more serviceable and livable community; to be an advocacy organization for the students living in these Halls and Houses; and to be the means by which the resident student population affiliates itself with the National Association of College and University Residence Halls, Inc.

Article III:  Statement of Diversity

The RHA and its members will strive to promote awareness and acceptance of diversity in the Clark community.  This goal will be met through active and passive programming, community wide events, and speakers, keeping in mind that promoting diversity is an ongoing process. 

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Article IV:  Membership and Structure

Section 1:  All students living in Clark University residential buildings are considered members of RHA.

Section 2:  All Residential Life and Housing staff members (including Resident Advisers) are ex-officio members of the RHA.

Section 3:  All RHA meetings shall be open to non-resident students and other members of the Clark Community.

Section 4:  The RHA voting body will consist of a Board of Directors as described below and two representatives of each of the Residence Hall Councils (hereafter referred to as HC).

Section 5:  Positions of Board of Directors (Board, E-board) of RHA and responsibilities of each. Responsibilities should be discussed and updated during E-Board Transitionals and the new E-Board Retreat in April and May of each year. 

President

• Facilitates RHA Meetings
• Holds E-board and hall council members accountable
• Serves as the tie-breaking vote
• Creates agendas for all RHA Meetings (E-Board, Big House, etc.)
• Spokesperson for RHA to other clubs, offices, and facets of campus
• Sets example for all RHA members
• Serves as the Chair of the Advocacy committee
• Serves as a liaison for a hall council
• Responsible for holding a set-hour amount of weekly office hours
• Cannot be an RA

Director of Operations

• Is a voting member of the RHA E-board
• Works in recruiting new members
• Works to retain current members
• Facilitates RHA and HC elections
• Serves as the technical coordinator (including updating and facilitating RHA website and RHA email account)
• Serves as publication coordinator
• Public relations
• Serves as a liaison for a hall council
• Responsible for holding a set-hour amount of weekly office hours

Director of Administration

• Is a voting member of the RHA E-Board
• Takes minutes at all RHA meetings and makes them accessible to RHA members
• Responsible for receiving and keeping track of all HC minutes and programming publicity
• Responsible for sending updates/reminders for upcoming meetings, programs, events, committee meetings, and conferences
• Keeps track of membership list
• Keeps records and history of RHA
• Responsible for maintaining office space
• Maintains the office RHA timeline
• Public Relations Assistant
• Serves as a liaison for a hall council
• Responsible for holding a set-hour amount of weekly office hours

Director of Finance

• Is a voting member of the RHA E-Board
• Is responsible for maintaining, processing, and executing business and financial affairs for RHA
• Produces financial reports, keeps budget updated, and all other financial paperwork
• Processes co-sponsorship requests and HC request in a timely fashion
• Shall give a financial report to RHA on a timeline established by RHA E-Board
• Serves as a liaison for a hall council
• Responsible for holding a set-hour amount of weekly office hours
• Cannot be an RA

Directors of Programming

• Are voting members of the RHA E-Board
• Co-chairs the Programming Committee
• Are responsible for the planning and execution of all programs, on-campus fundraisers, and events put on or co-sponsored by RHA, including filling paperwork with the Office of Student Leadership and Programming
• Assist in making publicity for upcoming programs and coming up with slogans
• Coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the various RHA events and assist with the planning and execution of HC events
• Create and maintain a programming resource binder that includes publicity, a description and evaluation of all RHA and HC programs
• Serve as liaisons for a hall council
• Responsible for holding a set-hour amount of weekly office hours

Director of Advertising

• Is a voting member of the RHA E-Board
• Responsible for making publicity for upcoming programs and coming up with slogans
• Serves as a liaison for a hall council
• Responsible for holding a set-hour amount of weekly office hours

Director of Recognition

• Is a voting member of the RHA E-Board
• Responsible for promoting recognition of students and organizations on campus through OTMS, bids, and on-campus awards
• Serves as a liaison for a hall council
• Responsible for holding a set-hour amount of weekly office hours

National Communication Coordinator

• Is a voting member of the RHA E-Board
• Chairs all conference delegations
• Represents Clark University in business meetings at Subregional Meetings, Regional Conferences, National Conferences, and Regional listserves
• Represents NACURH and NEACURH at RHA meetings
• Responsible for promoting recognition of students and organizations on campus through OTMs, bids, and on-campus awards
• Adheres to the NCC duties as set forth in the NACURH policy book
• Coordinates the bid process
• Coordinates all fundraising efforts throughout the year
• Serves as a liaison for a hall council
• Responsible for holding a set-hour amount of weekly office hours

NEACURH Regional Board of Directors - positions held by Clark Students (not required)

• Holds an ex-officio position on the RHA E-Board
• Responsible for attending E-Board, Big House, and other meetings as decided by the RHA E-Board
• Helps with fundraising and programming efforts
• Fulfills their NEACURH RBD position in accordance with the NEACURH policy book
• Responsible for holding a set-hour amount of weekly office hours

RHA Advisor

• The Advisor position is served by a professional staff member from the Office of Residential Life and Housing
• Not a voting member of RHA, but works to advise the organization
• Attends all the RHA E-Board meetings, and a majority of other RHA meetings, as stipulated by the current RHA E-Board
• Attends a majority of RHA campus-wide programs
• Voices RHA and student concerns to the Office of Residential Life and Housing professional and paraprofessional staff, and Student Affairs staff
• Serves as the professional staff member of RHA in matters which students are incapable of handling
• Participates on the NEACURH Advisor's listserve

Section 6: Each hall shall have one elected Hall Representative.  The Hall Representative’s duty is to RHA.  They shall attend RHA meetings, and help in the planning and executing of RHA’s campus-wide programs, fundraisers, and advocacy efforts.  They must serve on at least one RHA Committee.  It is not required that a Hall Representative be an active member of their hall’s HC, but also not forbidden. 

Section 7:  The nine HCs will represent:  Bullock Hall, Wright Hall, Maywood Street Hall, Dodd Hall, Dana Hall, Hughes Halls, Johnson Hall, Sanford Hall, and all University Houses.  The structure of the HCs will be as described below.

Section 8:  Residence Hall Councils are established and maintained by resident students.  Every student living in a particular living environment is technically a member of their HC.  Their budget is allocated by RHA, and they may request for additional funds if necessary.  They are namely a programming body for the residence hall, and also work towards the needs of their students.  They hold weekly meetings where they plan upcoming events and how to spend their budget.  The HC is RHA’s link to the vast majority of the resident students, and as such, in order to keep their allocated budget, must attend bi-weekly RHA Big House Meetings.  They are advised by their Head RA.

Section 9:  Structure of HC

Each individual HC will be made up of a three primary elected E-Board positions including the Chairperson, Treasurer, and Secretary. Other members will be elected as Programmers/General Members.  Any and all students living in the hall can run for any HC position, or serve as a General Council member.  HCs can add positions and titles as they see fit for their particular program.

Section 10:  Positions of the HC and duties of each.

Ø      Runs all HC meetings, creates agenda

Ø      Runs HC e-board meetings

Ø      Co-coordinates proposals for financing Hall programs

Ø      Responsible for requesting monies for hall programs

Ø      Keeps track of monies spent and monies raised for their hall

Ø      Responsible for keeping minutes at HC meetings and reporting them to the Secretary of the RHA as well as other members of the HC

Ø      Maintains attendance records

Programmers/General Council Members

Ø      Responsible for attending HC meetings and working on hall programs

Ø      Responsible for bringing to the attention of the HC the needs and desires of the residents they represent

Ø      Responsible for planning and implementing programs

Section 12:  Resident Advisers can hold any RHA position unless otherwise noted.  RAs can also serve as General Council Members of their HC, and other positions after approval from the RHA E-Board.  It is expected, however, that RA and RHA/HC programming will be separate in accordance with the stipulations of both groups.

Section 13:  All HC and RHA voting members are expected to attend all programs sponsored by this organization.

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Article V:  Elections

Section 1:  RHA Executive Board of Directors

1. Elections will be completed one week following the housing lottery to allow for timely selection of the National Conference Delegation
2. A transitional period shall run from election date until close of NACURH conference
3. Any member of RHA or HC, or an RA, in good standing may be nominated to be an officer of the RHA upon presentation of a letter of intent by the predetermined deadline to the RHA Advisor
4. At next RHA meeting, open nominations will take place
5. The following meeting will be an election meeting

Section 2:  HC voting members

1. Elections will be held within three weeks of the beginning of the academic year.
2. Any resident of University Housing can run for that Hall’s Council upon completion of an application.
3. Applications will be due at a predetermined date to the RHA Board.

Section 3:  Requirements for Positions

1. Students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or higher
2. Students must be in good judicial standing as determined by RLH Administration

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Article VI:  Line of Succession and Vacancy

Section 1:  The line of succession of the RHA Board of Directors shall be President, Director of Operations, Director of Administration, Director of Finance, Directors of Programming, Director of Advertising, Director of Recognition, and National Communications Coordinator. 

Section 2:  If the office of any member of RHA is vacated, a Notice of Vacancy must be posted within one week.

Section 3:  Any member of the RHA may be nominated to fill a vacancy upon presentation of a letter of intent to the RHA Advisor within one week following the Notice of Vacancy.

Section 4:  The position will be filled by the RHA Board of Directors and ratified by the voting members.

Section 5:  Abandonment Any voting member of this organization who does not attend related activities for one month will no longer be considered a voting member.  This situation shall be handled as a vacancy.

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Article VII:  Dismissal and Impeachment

Section 1:  Grounds for dismissal or impeachment must deal directly with the failure of an association member to perform the duties necessary to the proper function of her/his office, or failure to fulfill the requirements of her/his position as stated in this constitution.

Section 2:  Any member of the RHA may be dismissed according to the following procedures.

a.       A petition stating specific dismissal or impeachment charges will be presented to the Advisor of the RHA forty-eight (48) hours prior to a regular meeting of the RHA.

b.       Upon receipt of such petition by the advisor he/she will inform the individual who is being charged, and call a special meeting of the RHA (if necessary) notifying the entire council of the dismissal or impeachment charges.  The petition must be accepted by at least one fourth (1/4) of the entire membership. 

c.       At the next regular RHA meeting, the individual who is being charged shall be given adequate time to respond to allegations.

d.       All votes to determine dismissal or impeachment shall be conducted by secret ballot.

e.       Dismissal or impeachment of the officer or representative shall be effected by no less than two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present.

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Article VIII:  Meetings

Section 1:  RHA Big House meetings will be held bi-monthly at a posted time and place determined by the RHA E-Board at the beginning of each semester.  Big House Meetings should be attended by the HC President and any other members and the RHA E-Board.  Big House Meetings are open to all students. 

Section 2:  RHA meetings will be held weekly at a time and place determined by the E-Board at the beginning of each semester.  RHA Meetings should be attended by the RHA E-Board.

Section 3:HC general council meetings will be held weekly in an accessible poster location in the Hall at a time determined by the HC.  The meeting is open for all residents to attend.

Section 4:  Additional HC and RHA Executive Board, General Council, and Full House Meetings may be held if deemed necessary.  Students are expected to attend if given timely notice.

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Article IX:  Committees

Section 1: The following committees will be permanent and established at the beginning of each academic year by the appropriate Director: Programming and Advocacy.

Section 2:  Other committees will be formed on a need basis and will be established by the Director of Operations, or a determined E-Board member. 

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Article X:  Conference Delegations

Section 1: Clark participates in two regional conferences, one national conference, and two Subregional meetings as an affiliate of NEACURH and NACURH

Section 2:  Conference delegations shall be chosen by the NCC through an application process.

a.       Applications shall be made available online and in hardcopy at RHA Full House Meetings.

b.       Students attending conferences must attend weekly delegation meetings leading up to the conference.

c.       Conference delegates are expected to be part of the planning and execution of fundraising events, and pay a portion of their registration fee in order to attend.

d.       Conference delegates must adhere to all NEACURH and NACURH policies while attending and traveling to the conferences, making their experience, among other things, a drug and alcohol free weekend (or week).

e.       Upon returning, delegates should present at least one program, and play an active role on RHA/HC the upcoming semester (if applicable). 

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Article XI:  Parliamentary Authority

The rules of order as established in Robert’s Rules of Order:  Newly Revised Edition will govern RHA in all cases in which they are applicable and where they are not in conflict with any portion of this constitution or any rules, bylaws, or procedures that RHA may adopt.

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Article XII:  Amendments

Section 1:  RHA reserves the right and power to make any amendment to this constitution, which is deemed by the membership to be in the best interest of the Association.

Section 2:  Amendments may be proposed by any member.  Such proposals must be made in writing and presented at any regularly scheduled meeting. 

Section 3:  All voting on proposed amendments shall be normally tabled until the next regularly scheduled meeting unless otherwise waived by RHA.

Section 4:  Amendments to this constitution shall be effected with no less than a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present.

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***This Constitution was revised by the exiting 2005-2006 E-Board and the incoming 2006-2007 E-Board.***