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Club Constitution

Governing document

Review the constitution that guides the organization’s leadership structure, membership expectations, elections, and governance.

System Impacted Scholars Group Constitution

Fall 2024 - Spring 2025

Columbia University

School of General Studies

PREAMBLE

We, the System Impacted Scholars (SIS) group, shall represent the diverse undergraduate population of the School of General Studies by pursuing academic, social, administrative, and policy initiatives of interest to our members. We shall responsibly manage and distribute our resources; actively advocate on behalf of our members; and act as a liaison between the student body and the School of General Studies’ administration, the Columbia University community, and other individuals and organizations.

Article I: Name

The name of this body shall be the System Impacted Scholars, hereafter referred to as the SIS.

Article II: Mission and Objectives

In order to carry out its mission/objective: “The System Impacted Scholars aim to gather system impacted students to offer support, community, advocacy and elevate our voices on campus.”

The SIS will have the authority and responsibility to:

  1. Formulate and manage the budget of the SIS.
  2. Distribute any allocated funds according to the needs of the group.
  3. Express its will through resolutions reflecting and representing the views of the members.
  4. Issue reports to the SIS members on activities and efforts, including meeting minutes and budget updates.

Article III: General Membership Rules

Section 1. Eligibility

To be eligible to hold a SIS elected or appointed position, one must:

  1. Be a student of the School of General Studies in good standing with the Dean of Students Office.
  2. Have and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
  3. Remain enrolled as a GS student at least half-time each term in office.
  4. Obtain the identity of a person who is formerly incarcerated, or system impacted.

Members are not eligible to vote on executive board business until they have been elected by the group or appointed and confirmed by the executive board.

Section 2. Terms of Service

All executive members shall serve a term of one school year, beginning after commencement ceremonies and ending at the following year’s commencement ceremonies, unless voted into next term. No executive members can hold more than four consecutive terms. At all times the executive members will be a minimum of 60% BIPOC and have a minimum of 2 genders represented. No SIS executive may simultaneously hold more than one elected or appointed position within the SIS.

Section 3. Code of Conduct

An executive member of the SIS acknowledges that they are representing the group and the university, and any violation of the SIS Code of Conduct or the University Code of Conduct will be considered grounds for impeachment. Every executive member must maintain the highest standard of conduct for the duration of their service. Executive members members will:

  1. Behave ethically and respectfully in pursuit of official duties.
  2. Not abuse their authority in a way that is not in concordance with the SIS Constitution and By-Laws.
  3. Recognize that any disciplinary or legal charges incurred during their term that come to the attention of the executive members could subject the member to disciplinary actions up to and including impeachment. However, this will be on a case by case basis and voted on by executive members.
  4. Not speak or enter into agreement on behalf of the SIS without explicit consent from relevant members of the executive board.

Section 4. Attendance

(a). All Executive Board Members must attend each board meeting and all other meetings pertinent to their position. If a Board Member is absent from a meeting relevant to their position, that Member will provide all necessary information to keep the SIS informed and shall be responsible for staying updated on all pertinent meeting information. Should a member accrue two or more unexcused absences from meetings they are required to attend, they shall be subject to impeachment.

(b). Group Members are not required to attend all meetings.

Section 5. Responsibilities

Each Executive Board Member must be responsible for the implementation and publicity of events that fall under the jurisdiction of their position, which shall include making use of all available resources.

Article IV: Members

Section 1. Voting Members

The roles and responsibilities of each position are outlined below:

President:

  1. Uphold the Constitution and ensure its execution by the SIS.
  2. Serve as the primary spokesperson for the SIS and GS student body by maintaining relationships with university administrators and other student governments.
  3. Set the framework for achieving goals that benefit the general student body.
  4. Chair the meetings of the executive members, voting only in the event of a tie.
  5. Chair the bi-weekly group member meetings.

Vice President:

  1. Assist the President in fulfilling their duties and take on specific responsibilities as assigned.
  2. Cover all logistics and planning in accordance with the President.
  3. Managing room reservation spaces, and keeping track of ongoing projects.

Secretary:

  1. Maintain records of all meetings, including minutes and attendance.
  2. Handle official correspondence and documentation (e.g., new letters, group member chat, emailing mailing list of bi-weekly meetings and programs).

Treasurer:

  1. Manage and oversee the budget of the SIS.
  2. Maintain and make accessible detailed records of revenues, expenditures, and encumbrances.
  3. Provide financial reports to the SIS as needed.
  4. Manage fundraising activities.
  5. Maintains SIS Lionlink Account (FTFs, Budget Transfers, etc).

Communications:

  1. Oversee and facilitate communications within the SIS, to the GS student body, and to the wider university population.
  2. Ensure publicity of the SIS and its events to the student body through necessary forms of publicity, including sending out updates.
  3. Manage all social media, creating content, creating flyers (e.g., instagram, linkedin).

Article V: Executive Board and Budget

Section 1. Executive Board

The Executive Board of the SIS shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Communications. The responsibilities of the Executive Board include, but are not limited to:

  1. Holding bi-weekly community meetings.
  2. Setting meeting agendas for bi-weekly community meetings.
  3. Mediating internal conflicts.
  4. Serving in an advisory role to the rest of the SIS.
  5. Continue one program activity and one advocacy event each semester.

Section 2. Budget

The budget shall be defined as funds received from allocations and revenue. The Treasurer shall present a preliminary budget for the year detailing monetary allocation. The budget must be ratified by a majority of the executive board. SIS budgetary allocations are restricted to the term for which they are allocated.

All expenditures are subject to voting limitations as outlined in the By-Laws. Funds must be approved before any funds are promised to external sources. The Treasurer must review and approve all expenses, which may be vetoed by the President.

Article VI: Meetings

Section 1. Bi-Weekly Meetings

The SIS shall meet bi-weekly while fall and spring semester classes are in session.

Quorum: A quorum shall be defined as a majority of all eligible Voting Members. If Members choose to abstain from a vote, they are still counted towards the quorum.

Parliamentary Procedures: The SIS may adopt rules governing meeting procedures as needed.

Meeting Publicity: All meetings of the SIS shall be open to the public. The President retains the right to initiate any closed discussion or vote within the course of a meeting.

Article VII: Elections, Appointments, Succession, and Impeachment

Section 1. Elections and Appointments

The SIS shall hold an application cycle during the Spring semester among its members. Applicants will interview with the current executive board who will vote and come to consensus on new appointed positions. Non-elected positions and vacancies will be filled by appointment.

Section 2. Impeachment

Any Member of the SIS who is found to be in violation of the Code of Conduct or failing in their duties will be subject to impeachment. Impeachment proceedings require a report from the President and the right for the Member to submit a rebuttal. A secret ballot will be taken for impeachment decisions.

Section 3. Resignation

In the event that an executive member resigns the process is the same as Section 1, not constrained to the Spring semester.

Article VIII: Supremacy of the Constitution

This Constitution, including the articles and amendments contained within, is the absolute authority in all matters pertaining to the governance of the SIS. The responsibilities and duties of all members are derived from this Constitution and By-Laws. Amendments must be passed by a 4/5 majority of the quorum and take effect at the commencement ceremonies following their approval. By-law changes take effect immediately upon approval.