These are the laws which govern our fair RSA.

Elon University
Resident Student Association
By-Laws

NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Resident Student Association of Elon University, hereafter referred to as RSA.

PURPOSE

The purpose of RSA is to make residence hall life more enjoyable for the resident, to develop a sense of pride regarding his/her residence hall, and to promote a healthy living environment for the residents.  RSA strives to achieve these goals by providing educational and social programming, improving hall facilities, representing student ideas and issues to the administration, attending state, regional, and national conferences, and providing opportunities for student leadership.

MEMBERSHIP

All on-campus students are members of RSA.  An active member must attend 2/3 of all general body meetings to obtain voting privileges. 

STRUCTURE

The Executive Board

The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, the National Communications Coordinator (NCC), and Advisor(s) serve as the Executive Cabinet.  The Executive Board and the Board of Directors will act as the policy making group for RSA.

The Board of Directors

This board consists of the chairs of each committee: Programming Chairs, Campus Relations Chair, Public Relations Chair, and SGA Representative. The Executive Board and the Board of Directors will act as the policy making group for RSA.

The Area Councils

Each residence area (East, West, North, and Danieley Center, the Oaks, and the Colonnades), as defined by the Office of Residence Life, will have an Area Council.  Area Council membership is open to all residents of that area.  The Area Council strives to meet the same goals in their area as the entire RSA strives to meet for the campus.  Each area will have its own Executive Board.  The Area Councils will plan and promote activities that occur in their areas.   They will also send area representatives to the RSA meetings to represent the area as voting members.

The Residents

A resident will be defined as any member of the Elon student body living in any of the following areas: East, West, North, Danieley Center, the Oaks, and the Colonnades.

QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS

• Executive Board and Board of Director Officers
• All Executive Board members are elected by the RSA General Body except the position of the National Communications Coordinator, hereafter referred to as the NCC.  The Board of Directors will fill out an application to the Executive Board and will be selected after elections by the incoming President, Vice-President, and Advisor and be approved at the next RSA General Meeting.  This approval is by majority of the RSA General Body.  The new Board of Directors will transition after their selection. The NCC will be selected by the outgoing NCC, in consultation with the President and Advisor. The transition of the NCC will take place when the outgoing NCC feels ready to step down but only after the outgoing and ingoing NCC have had the opportunity to attend one conference together.
• All Executive Board and Board of Director Officers must maintain an overall grade point average (GPA), as well as a semester average while on RSA of 2.5.  If the GPA falls below a 2.5, the officer will be placed on academic probation for the following semester and their semester GPA must be a 2.5 the next semester or the officer will be released from their position.  The officer is not taken off academic probation until the cumulative GPA is a 2.5 or higher.
• All Executive Board Officers must have been an active member of the RSA General Body for at least a semester except the President who must be an active member for one year.  The Board of Directors must have been an active member of the RSA General Body for one semester.  If this requirement is not met, an appeal can be made to the President.  The President will then take this appeal to the Executive Board and if approved by majority, the appeal passes.

 Advisor(s)

• The Advisor must be a professional Residence Life staff member.  The Advisor works with RSA to achieve its mission and goals, and serves as a resource to the students in RSA.  The Advisor will attend meetings and participate in RSA functions. 

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS

The President will:

• Preside over Executive Board.  Make sure all Executive Board Officers are fulfilling job responsibilities. Facilitate general meetings and executive board meetings.
• Act as the representative for RSA at any university functions requested, if available.  If not, make sure someone is there to represent RSA.
• Act as the representative for RSA to other campus organizations and events.
• Maintain contact with the Advisor and other professional Residence Life staff members as needed.
• Delegate tasks not constitutionally delegated to another board member.  Make minor and emergency decisions that do not have to be made by the Executive Board.
• Coordinate semester evaluations of all RSA activities and functions.
• Organize the End of the Year RSA Banquet to be held in April or May.
• Write at least one OTM per semester.
• Meet at least once a semester with each Executive Member and Director.
• Work with Executive Board and Board of Directors to update RSA By-Laws annually.
• Work with Vice-President on recruitment and retention of members.
• Meet with the Area Council Presidents in a roundtable discussion twice a semester.
• Work at least six hours in the RSA office per week.

The Vice-President will:

• Fulfill any responsibilities the President is unable to carry out.
• Be in charge of recruitment of new members. 

1. Lead recruitment efforts in conjunction with Public Relations Chair at organization fair and beginning of year.
2. Make recruitment sign up sheets to be available at/for RSA functions.
3. In charge of orientation events for incoming freshman in spring.

• Participate in RSA Evaluations.
• Coordinate RSA Banquet with President.
• Organize and coordinate RSA’s Area Council Retreat/Workshop in the fall.
• Write at least one OTM per semester.
• Work at least two hours in the RSA office per week.
• Help delegate and coordinate the public relations for special events and theme weeks with Public Relations Chair and Secretary.
• Work with each Area Council throughout the year.
• Provide help in establishing each Area Council at the beginning of the year and help interrupt and update Area Council Constitution.
• Visit Area Councils throughout the year to act as a representative of RSA.
• Update Pyramid of Excellence and keep track of Area Councils progress throughout the year.
• Educate Area Councils about Area Council Cups in Highest GPA, Community Service, and Intramural competitions. Keep track of data for the competitions, prepare awards, and award each semester.
• Coordinate semester meetings of RSA Executives with corresponding Area Council Executives.
• Handle all other Area Council competitions that occur throughout the year.
• Communicate with Assistant Directors and RACs.
• Update Area Council Constitution.

The Secretary will:

• Aid the Executive Board Officers in administrative tasks, including chairing meetings that both the president and vice president are unable to attend.
• Maintain the RSA files, Blackboard, office computer, etc.
• Record and distribute the agendas and minutes (may be online) at all Executive meetings.
• Maintain a roster of all Executive Board members and RSA and Area Council members and keep weekly meeting attendance.
• Be responsible for the ordering of all office supplies.
• Reserve rooms for all Executive Board and general body meetings.
• Participate in RSA Evaluations.
• Meet with the Area Council Secretaries in a roundtable discussion twice a semester.
• Write at least one OTM per semester.
• Work at least two hours in the RSA office per week.
• Help delegate and coordinate the public relations for special events and theme weeks with Vice-President and Public Relations Chair.
• Coordinate banquet with Vice-President and President.
• Work with NCC on recognition pieces.
• Bids for NCARH, SAACURH, and NACURH.
• Educate RSA and Area Councils about OTMs.
• Recognition pieces in RSA General Body meetings.
• Other recognition opportunities.

The Treasurer will:

• Keep accurate financial records and process daily all needed financial transactions for RSA and Area Councils. 
• Responsible for putting together and submitting RSA’s budget proposal(s) and for representing RSA at all budgetary hearings.  Work with RSA President and Advisor(s) to determine RSA’s budget proposal.  
• Responsible for RSA fundraising efforts outside of conference fundraising
• Work and meet with Area Council Treasurers to keep accurate budget records for areas.
• Help with preparing budget wish list.
• Write at least one OTM per semester.
• Work at least two hours in the RSA office per week.
• Participate in RSA evaluations.
• Meet with the Area Council Treasurers in a roundtable discussion twice a semester.
• Update RSA Executives and Board of Directors on financial status of treasury at one Executive meeting each month.

The National Communications Coordinator (NCC) will:

• Maintain contact with North Carolina Association of Residence Halls (NCARH), South Atlantic Association of College and University Residence Halls (SAACURH), and National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH).  This includes sending correspondences on listserves, as well as writing the National Information Center (NIC) Report and articles for newsletters.
• Communicate regularly with the Regional Board of Directors and other NCCs in our region.
• Answer all correspondence (letters, questionnaires, etc.) promptly.
• Request files from the National Information Center and Resource File Index to be used by RSA.
• Will represent RSA on the Campus OTM Selection Committee.
• Coordinate RSA conference delegations, which includes but is not limited to:

• Submit conference registration materials, programs and fees on time
• Encourage programs from Elon.
• Produce and collect conference evaluations.

• Keep a notebook or file on correspondence sent and received.
• Write at least one OTM per semester.
• Work at least two hours in the RSA office per week.
• Organize and submit a resource report to the National Information Center once per year.
• Participate in RSA evaluations.
• Work with Secretary on state, regional, and national recognition pieces.

VII. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTOR OFFICERS:

 Programming Chair:

Responsible for planning, attending, and coordinating events sponsored and co-sponsored by RSA.  Programmers will delegate responsibilities. Programmers will also maintain a good working relationship with other programming organizations on campus.

Maintain and improve traditional events and develop new events. 

Develop, call, facilitate and maintain program committee meetings to encourage involvement from the general body members.

Create publicity for programs and work with Public Relations Chair.

Write at least one OTM per semester.

Work at least two hours in the RSA office per week.

Meet with the Area Council Programming Chairs in a roundtable discussion twice a semester.

Assess all events and keep accurate records for future programs, working with Treasurer and Secretary to keep records of attendance and cost for historical records.

The Programming and Public Relations Committees will meet regularly.

B.   Public Relations Chair:

Promote RSA as an Organization.

Keep in contact with media outlets

Design and distribute promotional items

Maintain website regularly

Publish and distribute newsletters monthly.

Form a Public Relations Committee - facilitate meetings and delegate to members

Communicate with Programmers about event advertising.

Write at least one OTM per semester.

Work at least two hours in the RSA office per week.

Communicate with Campus Relations Chair

Help delegate and coordinate the public relations for special events and theme weeks with Vice-President and Secretary.

The Programming and Public Relations Committees will meet regularly.

C.  Campus Relations Chair

Build relationships with campus constituencies. 

Attend Area Council meetings for each area per semester.

Build relationships with key campus departments and people.

Keep RSA informed of key issues/events.

Work with SGA representative to better assess students needs.

Assess and identify needs of students as well as campus improvements needed.

Find acceptable solutions to these needs.

Act as the liaison for the students and the university.

Communicate with Publicity relations chair.

Write at least one OTM per semester.

Promote RSA involvement in the community.

Form and maintain a Campus Relations Committee.

Work at least two hours in the RSA office per week.

Residence Life Representative:

Act as a liaison between RSA and Residence Life by meeting with appropriate staff.

Serve as a member of the Campus Relations Committee.

Manage RSA’s participation in Homecoming and other campus wide events.

Apply for the Student Government Association’s Programming Seat and if selected: Act as the liaison between RSA and SGA reporting what is happening in each organization. Attend all weekly SGA meetings. Be a committed and dedicated member of SGA in order to promote RSA’s name in a positive manner

Write at least one OTM per semester.

Work at least two hours in the RSA office per week.

VIII. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Election of the Executive Board Officers will take place before Spring Break.  Nominations will be held at least one week prior to the RSA General Body Election Meeting.  Nominations must be seconded and accepted at the RSA General Body Meeting.  The Secretary will confirm the nominations.  Speeches will be made by each of the candidates and a silent ballot election will be held at the RSA General Body Election Meeting.

To qualify to be president, a person must live on campus and be an active member for at least one year.  To qualify for the other positions, a person must live on campus and be an active member for at least one semester, unless special circumstances arise and are approved by the current Executive Board.

Anyone who fulfills the qualifications to be an officer may nominate himself or herself.  Officers will be elected by a simple majority of the RSA General Body present at the election meeting.  Each active RSA General Body member will have one vote.

If a simple majority is not reached, the top two candidates will have a runoff.  This runoff will be a simple majority vote as well.  In the event of a tie, the President will cast the deciding vote unless the President is a candidate in that election. Then, all other members of the Executive Board and Board of Directors will cast a vote (one vote per person) to decide on the winner of that particular election.

Officer transition will occur before the end of the year.

IX.  GROUNDS FOR THE DISMISSAL OF AN EXECUTIVE BOARD OR BOARD OF DIRECTOR OFFICER

Failure to fulfill duties.

Misappropriation of University facilities and/or funds.

Misrepresentation of RSA.

Failure to uphold the University Code of Conduct and honor code.

An excessive amount of absences from regularly scheduled meetings per semester (as determined by the Executive Board at the first executive board meeting).

A drop in cumulative grade point average below 2.5.

X. IMPEACHMENT

The President (Vice President if the President is involved in the impeachment) and Advisor will head impeachment hearings.  Any removal from office requires a two-thirds vote of Chapter members in attendance.  All impeachment proceedings must be done by written ballot. 

Impeachment can be brought by any Executive Board or Board of Director Officer or any Area Representative.  A written letter describing the specific reason(s) for a request for an impeachment hearing must be submitted to the Advisor and President (Vice President if the President is involved in the impeachment) and a minimum of one week notification will be given to the person being impeached if the circumstances are determined by the President and Advisor sufficient to hold an impeachment hearing.  

The person being impeached will have the opportunity to present his/her case to the RSA General Body at the RSA General Meeting in which the impeachment case is heard and then a vote will be taken. 

XI. RESIGNATION OF OFFICE

Any Executive Board or Board of Director Officer wishing to resign must submit a letter of resignation to the President and the Advisor, two weeks prior to their actual resignation.

XII. SUCCESSION OF OFFICE

Vacant Executive Board slots will be filled by an appointment by the President (in the case of the President’s position, the Vice President will succeed with approval of the Executive Board and two-thirds vote of approval by the RSA General Body).  The Vice President slot will then be filled by appointment by the President and a two-thirds vote of approval by the RSA General Body. 

XIII. RSA GENERAL BODY VOTING PROCEDURES

Any Executive Board Member may call for a vote on a proposal.

The President will review (orally) the proposal and open the floor for discussion (not exceeding 5 minutes).  At a reasonable interval the chair will close the floor.  The Advisor then may make any final comments.

The President will then call for a vote.  This vote may be taken in any manner appropriate for the situation.  A majority vote of the Chapter members in attendance is needed to pass a proposal (unless specified otherwise in these by-laws).  The President does not receive a vote except in the case of a tie.  Quorum is half plus one of the official members of the RSA General Body.

XIV. FORMING AN AREA COUNCIL

An Area is any housing area recognized by the Office of Residence Life.

East, West, North, Danieley Center, The Oaks, and the Colonnades are officially recognized under RSA.

XV. AREA COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITIES

All Area Councils will abide by the Area Council By-Laws which will be updated and maintained by the Vice-President of RSA.

XVI. AMENDING THE BY-LAWS

Amendment to these by-laws will follow normal RSA General Body Voting Procedures (Article XIII) with the exception that they must be passed by a two-thirds vote of members in attendance.
Amendments must be presented to the RSA General Body Meeting at least two weeks prior to voting on the amendment.

WE HEREBY RATIFY THESE BY-LAWS AS OF MAY 2003.

WE HEREBY AMEND THESE BY-LAWS AS OF SEPTEMBER 2005.

WE HEREBY AMEND THESE BY-LAWS AS OF SEPTEMBER 2007.