| Article I: Name |
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The name of this organization shall be the Residence Hall Association, hereafter referred to as RHA.
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| Article II: Purpose |
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The purpose of RHA shall be to develop an inclusive community and environment in which to live and to learn by acting as representatives to govern each house. RHA will act as a liaison to Housing and Residence Life, to promote cooperation between the houses, and promote discussion and offer recommendations on the policies of Housing and Residence Life and Youngstown State University.
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| Article III: Membership |
| Section 1: |
RHA shall consist of representatives to each house of Youngstown State University, namely: |
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- Cafaro House
- Kilcawley House
- Lyden House
- Weller House
- Resident Assistant liaisons
- Residents at large
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| Section 2: |
Member Selection |
| 2.1 |
All members of RHA, excluding advisors, shall be residents and full-time students in good standing with the University. |
| 2.2 |
RHA shall not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, handicap, or sexual orientation in the selection of its members or in its programs.
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| Section 3: |
Duties of each Representative |
| 3.1 |
To attend all RHA general sessions. |
| 3.2 |
To attend all meetings of his/her hall senate. |
| 3.3 |
To serve on and attend all meetings of the standing committee to which they are assigned. |
| 3.4 |
To serve on and attend all meetings of an ad-hoc committee which they may join. |
| 3.5 |
To attend all RHA sponsored events unless granted otherwise.
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| Article IV: The Executive Board |
Section 1: |
The members of the Executive Board shall consist of: President, National Communications Coordinator (NCC), Cafaro House Vice President, Kilcawley House Vice President, Lyden House Vice President, Weller House Vice President, Webmaster, Secretary, Treasurer, Graphic Design, Committee Chairs, and Advisor. Not all of these positions are necessary for RHA to function, however, it is the goal of RHA to fill as many of these positions as possible.
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Section 2: |
The duties of the Executive Board shall be to:
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2.1: |
Hold one closed session meeting per week, in addition to the general body meeting.
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2.2: |
Audit the Treasurer’s records and the end of every fall and spring semester.
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2.3 |
All officers and committee chairs will write a year end review and report.
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2.4: |
Return to campus the Sunday before move-in, or as indicated by Housing and Residence Life. |
2.5: |
To conduct an election pursuant to Article VIII.
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| Article V: Officers’ Duties |
Section 1: |
Advisors |
1.1: |
There shall be at least one Housing and Residence Life professional staff member who serves as an advisor to RHA. |
1.2: |
Only the advisor(s) can sign documents when dealing with business or legal matters. (This includes fundraising.) |
1.3: |
Advisors shall attend all the Executive meetings and assist the Executive Board in any manner deemed necessary. |
1.4: |
Advisors shall attend all General meetings and assist the RHA Body in any manner deemed necessary. |
1.5: |
The advisor shall appoint member to act as President should the position become vacated, until an election can be held.
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Section 2: |
President |
2.1: |
Plan the weekly agenda for Executive Board meetings. |
2.2: |
Appoint members to fill Executive and/or committee chair positions should they become vacant, until an election can be held within RHA. |
2.3: |
Preside over the Executive and General meetings in an unbiased manner. |
2.4: |
Facilitate communication between the administration and RHA. |
2.5: |
Shall attend at least one Facilities and Policies meeting per month, and any others as deemed necessary. |
2.6: |
Shall serve as a resource to all members as needed.
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Section 3: |
National Communications Coordinator (NCC) |
3.1: |
Communicate with the Central Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (CAACURH), the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH), and any other organizations as deemed necessary. Shall serve as a resource to all members as needed. |
3.2: |
Submit monthly reports to other schools. |
3.3: |
Approve and coordinate all conference delegations. |
3.4: |
Chair the conference delegation committee. |
3.5: |
Be a resource for spirit. |
3.6: |
Comply with all regulations set forth in the NCC handbook. |
3.7: |
Train newly elected NCC.
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3.8: |
In charge of all gathering and sending out OTMs (of the Month awards) |
Section 4: |
Vice Presidents |
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Vice Presidents are responsible for the following tasks within their respective house:
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4.1: |
Plan the weekly agenda for Hall Senate meetings.
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4.2: |
Facilitate communication between Hall Senate and RHA.
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4.3: |
Preside over general and executive meetings of Hall Senate in an unbiased manner.
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4.4: |
Attend Resident Assistant staff meetings as requested.
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4.5: |
Coordinate internal and external RHA recognition. (I.e. RHA body, hall senates, and Housing & Residence Life staff)
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| In addition, if one or more of the Vice Presidential positions are vacant, the serving Vice President(s) will evenly divide the duties of the Vacant positions. |
Section 5: |
Webmaster |
5.1: |
To update and manage the RHA website. |
5.2: |
To take pictures at all functions and organize pictures before end of each semester.
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5.3: |
To update the calendar of election dates. |
Section 6: |
Graphic Designer |
6.1: |
Design and implement all RHA advertising as directed. |
6.2: |
Update all Bulletin Boards per instruction.
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6.3: |
Design all RHA logo or T-shirt designs and implement them. |
6.4: |
To design and updated the RHA scrapbook |
6.4: |
To assist the Webmaster in picture taking and other duties as deemed necessary. |
Section 7: |
Secretary |
7.1: |
Take minutes of the executive Meetings and file them for records in the yearly binder.
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7.2: |
Take minutes of the General Body Meetings and distribute them to all members within four days.
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7.3: |
Keep accurate and up-to-date records, such as phone list and roll call.
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7.4: |
Manage the RHA office including upkeep, organization, or any other responsibilities deemed part of office management
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7.5: |
Create Coordinate, communicate with all committees, and attend Standing Committee Meetings as deemed necessary.
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7.6: |
Gather mail from Student Activities on the morning of each general body meeting |
Section 8: |
Treasurer |
8.1: |
Record and handle all RHA funds accurately and responsibly.
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8.2: |
Shall attend all Budgetary, Finance, and Fund Raising Committee Meetings.
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8.3: |
Prepare monthly budget reports for presentation to the general body.
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8.4: |
Within the first month of classes present a tentative budget for the year and have approved by a 2/3 vote.
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8.5: |
Present all budget requests to the General Body to be voted on. (Majority vote required to pass)
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Section 9: |
Committee Chairs |
9.1: |
| Budgetary, Finance, and Fundraising Chair |
| A. |
To be in charge of the budgetary, finance, and fundraising committee, and see that all committee needs are met. |
| B. |
Facilitate Fundraising |
| C. |
To ensure that all duties listed under Article IX are met for the committee. |
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9.2: |
| Programming Chair |
| A. |
To be in charge of the Programming Committee and to see that all committee needs are met. |
| B. |
To ensure that all duties listed under Article IX are met for the committee. |
| C. |
To work with the Public Relations Chair in order to make sure that all programs are publicized efficiently. |
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9.3: |
| Public Relations Chair |
| A. |
To be in charge of the Public Relations committee, and see that committee needs are met. |
| B. |
To ensure that all duties listed under Article IX are met for the committee. |
| C. |
To work with the Programming Chair in order to make sure that all programs are publicized efficiently. |
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9.4: |
| Facilities and Policies Chair |
| A. |
To be in charge of the Facilites and policies committee, and see that all committee needs are met. |
| B. |
To ensure that all duties listed under Article IX are met for the committee. |
| C. |
Along with President, shall attend any Administrative Meetings as deemed necessary. |
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Section 10: |
Vacant Positions
Vacant Positions may be filled by an appointment by the president or the advisor from the General Body who would accept the position. The president position must be filled before any other positions. Any appointments must then be approved by a majority of the General Body. If there is nobody to fill a selected position, that position's duties may be delegated to other officers at the discretion of the executive board with the aid of the advisor.
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| Article VI: Voting |
Section 1: |
A quorum, which shall consist of two-thirds of the members on roll, must be present in order to vote on any amendment.
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Section 2: |
Voting Members |
2.1: |
The voting Members shall consist of all RHA members on roll except the President. |
2.2: |
The President shall vote only in case of a true tie vote. All abstentions shall count as a nay votes.
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| Article VII: Meetings |
Section 1: |
The RHA General Body Meeting shall be held once per week at a regular day and time to be specified by the Executive Board at the beginning of each academic year.
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Section 2: |
The Executive Board shall meet once per week at a regular day and time to be specified at the beginning of each year.
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Section 3: |
Each standing committee shall meet once per week or as deemed necessary by the Chair. Each committee must meet no less then once per month.
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Section 4: |
Following the Spring General Election, all newly elected Officers shall attend the regularly scheduled Executive Board meetings. These meetings shall be known as Transitional Meetings, during which all relevant information and materials shall be passed on to the new Officers.
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Article VIII: Officer Elections |
Section 1: |
Presidential Election |
1.1: |
Elections shall be held throughout the Houses for the President.
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1.2: |
Presidential Candidates must turn in a petition signed by fifteen residents from each house no later than 5pm the Thursday before Spring Break.
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1.3: |
All presidential candidates must turn in a one page letter of intent that is to be turned in and made available to all voters.
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Section 2: |
Vice Presidential Elections |
2.1: |
Elections for the Vice Presidents shall be held within their respective house.
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2.2: |
Vice Presidential candidates must turn in a petition signed by twenty-five members from their house no later than 5pm the Thursday before Spring Break.
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Section 3: |
Selection of Officers |
3.1: |
All other Executive Board positions (NCC, Webmaster, Secretary, and Treasurer) must be applied for by 5pm a week after the elections of the President and the Vice Presidents.
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3.2: |
The Advisor, incoming president, and incoming vice presidents will select the four remaining officers no later then two meetings after the applications are due.
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3.3: |
Appointed Officers must each then be approved by two-thirds of the General Body.
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Section 4: |
Committee Chairs |
4.1: |
All Committee Chairs must be selected by the end of September. |
4.2: |
Committee Chairs shall be selected from within the committee, but must be approved by a majority of the General Body. |
4.3: |
Any replacement of a committee Chair, whatever the reason may be, must be approved by a majority vote of the General Body.
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Section 5: |
Candidates |
5.1: |
| A candidate is anyone who turns in their petitions by the Thursday before spring break and meets the following requirements: |
| A. |
full time student |
| B. |
resident in one of the Residence Halls |
| C. |
in good standing with the House in which they live and housing department as a whole. |
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5.2: |
A student may not serve as both a Resident Assistant and as an officer of RHA during the same time period.
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Section 6: |
Election |
6.1: |
Elections shall be held two weeks after spring break.
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6.2: |
All residents are allowed to vote.
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6.3: |
Residents are only allowed to vote in their house for President and respective Vice President.
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6.4: |
Candidates are allowed to vote.
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Section 7: |
Installation |
7.1: |
Installation shall be no later then the last meeting in April.
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7.2: |
All time between the election and selection processes shall be used as training and serve as a transitional period.
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7.3: |
Newly elected Officers must attend all meetings, General Body, Executive Board, and Committee, during the transitional period.
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7.4: |
All newly elected RHA Officers from the Spring General Election shall be installed at the second to last General Meeting and shall preside over the last General Meeting.
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7.5: |
The newly elected Officers shall be sworn in by the outgoing Officers.
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Section 8: |
Spirit and Election Committee |
8.1: |
Has the authority to enforce all election rules and regulations.
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8.2: |
If election rules are violated the Spirit and Election Committee along with the advisor has the right to remove anyone from the election.
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Section 9: |
Election Invalidity |
9.1: |
A majority is required for Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates to be elected.
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9.2: |
In the case of a tie vote the ballots will be redistributed for a reelection of the contested position.
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9.3: |
Any problems with the election process shall be taken to the Spirit and Election Committee to be discussed and handled.
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Section 10: |
Officer Replacement |
10.1: |
An officer who wishes to resign must present the RHA Executive Board with his/her letter of resignation no less then two weeks before it is to take effect.
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10.2: |
Upon receiving an Officer’s letter of resignation or removing an Officer, the RHA Body shall take all necessary actions to replace the Officer, including accepting nominations, choosing a member to run elections, and installing the newly elected Officer.
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| Article IX: Committees |
Section 1: |
The Standing Committees shall be Programming, Facilities and Policies, Budgetary, Finance, and Fundraising, Public Relations, and Spirit and Elections.
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1.1: |
Each Committee is required to have a chair.
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1.2: |
All Committee Chairs are required to write a year in review, which is due the Friday before finals.
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Section 2: |
Programming |
2.1: |
Shall be responsible for arranging and running all RHA programs and events. |
2.2: |
Will work with the Public Relations Committee on publicity for all events.
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Section 3: |
Facilities and Policies |
3.1: |
Shall be responsible for communicating with the Administration on the facilities and policies being discussed by RHA and the Administration. |
3.2: |
Shall meet with Housing & Residence Life to discuss any issues which directly involve the Houses, so that they can be kept informed.
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Section 4: |
Budgetary, Finance, and Fundraising |
4.1: |
Shall be responsible for all RHA fund-raising. |
4.2: |
Will work with the Treasurer in any other manner deemed necessary. |
4.3: |
Approve initial recommendations on all budgetary requests.
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Section 5: |
Public Relations Committee |
5.1: |
Responsible for ensuring all events are made known to the residents. |
5.2: |
Will handle communication with the media. |
5.3: |
Will handle communication with other organizations. |
5.4: |
Consult Graphics or University Public Relations department for publicity.
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Section 6: |
Spirit and Elections Committee |
6.1: |
Responsible for keeping meetings fun and spirit high for all members. |
6.2: |
Work with the NCC on awards for members and for conference delegations. |
6.3: |
Work with the Advisor in running the election as easily and fairly as possible. |
6.4: |
Handle any problems that may arise during elections.
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Section 7: |
Ad Hoc Committees |
7.1: |
The RHA body has the right to create any and all Ad Hoc Committees as they see fit.
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7.2: |
Chairs of all Ad Hoc Committees shall be appointed by the President and approved by a Two-thirds vote of the general body.
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7.3: |
Ad Hoc Committee chairs shall attend all Executive meetings for the duration of the existence of said committee.
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| Article X: Reprimand of Members |
Section 1: |
If a complaint about a member’s attendance is brought to attention, of the Secretary shall handle the issue with consultation of the advisor; any other issue concerning members may be brought to the attention of the advisor or president.
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Section 2: |
An Executive Board member may be removed by a petition signed by two-thirds of the General Body and an attached complaint.
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Section 3: |
Removal of a representative by the Executive Board |
3.1 |
The only grounds on what a representative may be removed by the Executive Board is when a representative has accumulated three or more unexcused absences in one semester.
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3.2: |
The Secretary must submit to the General Body a report of the member’s absences.
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3.3: |
The Executive Board may then vote to remove the representative by a two-thirds vote. The General Body must then approve the removal by a two-thirds vote.
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3.4: |
The representative has the right to appeal the decision of the Executive Board at any time before the Executive Board meeting that follows his removal. At this time the member must present his/her case.
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Section 4: |
Removal of Committee Chairs |
4.1: |
A complaint signed by two-thirds of a committee shall suffice to require the Executive Board to consider impeachment of the Committee’s Chair. |
4.2: |
A committee Chair may be impeached by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board, not including the committee chairs. |
4.3: |
Upon the impeachment by the Executive Board, the RHA Body may remove the chair by a two-thirds vote.
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| Article XI: Amending the Bylaws |
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The Bylaws may be amended at any General Meeting of RHA by a two-thirds vote, providing that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous General Meeting. The same amendment must then pass at the next consecutive meeting by a two-thirds vote. |
