Article 1: Name

The official name of the organization is the Middle Eastern Students Association also known as M.E.S.A.

Article 11: Purpose

The mission of M.E.S.A. is to act as an adhesive tool to unite students, alumni, faculty, and staff at the University of Texas at Arlington who are of Middle Eastern descent or have an interest in the culture. Through the sponsorship of various activities, M.E.S.A. will attempt to educate the UTA students and Middle Eastern communities elsewhere, and to eliminate any false stereotypes pertaining to the region that may be perpetuated within the media or mainstream society. The means to accomplish this purpose shall be non-political and secular.

Article 111 Membership

Official members of M.E.S.A. must be UTA students, faculty, staff or alumni. Participation in M.E.S.A.'s events will be open to anyone showing interest. In order to be considered an official member of M.E.S.A. one must fill out the proper membership application form and pay the applicable membership fee by the deadline. A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required. Each member will have the right to one vote in organizational meetings and the right to enjoy the advantages of M.E.S.A.

Article 1V Consultants

Consultants to M.E.S.A. shall include UTA alumni as well as representatives from other organizations who are affiliated with Middle Eastern culture and issues and/or have a Middle Eastern constituency. These consultants will act as an advisory resource for M.E.S.A. in which co-sponsorship of events can be arranged, yet they will not have a right to vote or hold office in M.E.S.A.

Article V Executive Board

The names of offices by title in order of power shall be the President, Vice President, Chancellor, Public Relations Officer, Treasurer and Secretary respectively. They will each be elected at anytime within the last four (4) weeks of school during each spring semester for the following school year (fall and spring). If a candidate is scheduled to graduate in the fall of a school year he/she may still run for office, with the exception of the office of President who must serve for a full year and a new person can be elected into the position anytime within the last four (4) weeks of that fall semester. A candidate shall attain a position on the executive board through the attainment of a majority vote by all official members of M.E.S.A. The minimal duties of each officer is as follows:

  • President : Act as the main representative of M.E.S.A. both within and outside the UTA community. Is responsible for creating the agenda for each official meeting prepare a schedule of formal meetings and to reserve a congregational room. Shall overlook the responsibilities of the other officers and act as backup. Will be mainly concerned with delegation and supervision of duties in order to
    guarantee harmonious and productive achievement within M.E.S.A.
  • Vice President : be acting President in the absence of the President. Shall act as the default committee chair. Shall be responsible for staying in touch with non-UTA organizations affiliated with the Middle Eastern culture and issues.
  • Secretary : Will be responsible for taking minutes during each organizational and officer meetings. Shall be acting as book keeper and records holder. Will keep track of membership information and
    periodically update it as deemed necessary. Must be in touch will all the officers at all times.
  • Treasurer : Will be responsible for recording all financial transactions affiliated with M.E.S.A. including membership fees, profits from fundraising activities, funds from external sources, depositing, and withdrawal of funds. Shall report M.E.S.A.'s budget to the executive board and members, and meet the financial needs of the organization. Must arrange for fund raising plans and the keep records of the expenses. A business major is most recommended.
  • Public Relations : Shall be responsible for all forms of advertisement and arrangement of events sponsored or co-sponsored by M.E.S.A. including flyers, posters, invitations, ticketing, advertisements, etc. Will act as a representative to set up events with other organizations.
  • Chancellor : Is the chief of judge. Shall be responsible for enforcing the constitution and making sure that each officer performs his/her job duties. Shall act as a mediator between officers in case of conflict as well as during organizational meetings and events. See ('Amendment 2')

Article: VI Meetings

Meetings shall be advertised throughout the UTA campus with various forms of paraphernalia including flyers, signs and announcements. M.E.S.A. shall hold a minimum of one organizational meeting and two officer meetings per month with the option to hold more if the executive board sees it fit with the approval of teh advisor. The President shall reside over the meetings with the Vice President acting as his/her substitute in the absence of the President. The
organizational meetings shall be held on the UTA campus unless otherwise agreed upon by a majority vote by the members.

Article VII: Cost of Membership

The cost of membership shall be determined by the Executive Board with the approval of the advisor. It is to be collected on a rolling basis throughout the year. The Executive Board is to determine the dues and the deadlines. The dues are to be collected on a semester basis.

Article VIII: Committees

Each member has the right to form a committee that consists of members and officers. The committee will be determined upon the needs for assistance. one officer must be chosen to be the commuter between the committee and the officers. The member will act as the chair of the committee and the person to report to.

Article IX: Affiliations

The constitution allows this article to be amended on a semester basis depending on the progress of the organization.

Article X: Advisor

The official advisor to M.E.S.A. must be staff, faculty, or a professor at UTA. He/She should either be of Middle Eastern descent or have an interest in the region's culture. Nomination and selection of the advisor is done by both the Executive Board and the members. The function and duty of the advisor is to act as a guiding force for the organization ad as a liaison with UTA Administration.

Article XI: Amendments

Officers are held responsible for updating the constitution as they see fit, to the best of their knowledge and for the benefit of the organization. Members can overrule officers decisions by a voting system where 2/3's of the members must agree. The name of the organization shall not be amended.

Article XII: Rules and Regulations

  • Causing trouble or problems by any of the members could slow the progress of the organization and may result in disqualification of membership through the majority vote by members.
  • Dues are non-refundable
  • Members are required to attend two meetings per semester
  • Deadlines for member and dues are four weeks after the semester starts.
  • Ethics and commitments by members and officers are required and benefit the organization.

Amendments : All Amendments were passed November 16,2001

Amendment 1

The elected council will meet at least three (3) times a semester.

Amendment 2

The 'Chancellor' position is no longer needed. The 'Chancellor' position will be discontinued as of the 2002-2003 academic calendar.

Amendment 3

Any council member who is not present for at least 2 (two) meetings within the semester will be removed by a vote to be taken by the council. The vote must be in the majority.

 

 

 

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