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  Constitution of the Asian Students Association at the University of Texas at Arlington  

ARTICLE I. Name, Mission Statement


Section 1. Name

The official name of the organization will be The Asian Student Association at the University of Texas at Arlington (ASA-UTA).  ASA will operate in accordance with University rules and regulations, and will not be affiliated with any state or national organization.          


Section 2. Mission Statement 

The mission of ASA-UTA will be to promote unity among individuals of multi-cultural backgrounds at the University of Texas at Arlington and to facilitate the learning and acknowledgment of the various Asian American cultures that exist on the UTA campus.  We will strive to enhance the welfare of the Asian American community and will work diligently to preserve and cultivate Asian American culture.  Our purpose is to build a strong, cohesive network of friends and peers that can provide an environment where people of similar backgrounds can come together and participate in university functions, take part in philanthropic activities, and serve actively in the Asian American community. 

 

ARTICLE II. The Cabinet

Section 1. The Cabinet shall be comprised of these Officers:

1.   The President
2.   The Internal Vice President
3.   The External Vice President
4.   The Secretary
5.   The Treasurer
6.   The Historians
7.   The Ambassador
8.   The Web Team
9.   The Public Relations
10.  The Sports Chairperson(s)

 
Section 2. Powers and Duties


1.  The President

a.  Acts as the official spokesperson of ASA.
b.  Acts as the chairperson at all meetings of the cabinet.
c.  Acts as the coordinator and supervisor of all the activities of ASA.
d.  Oversees the spending of ASA money.
e.  Organizes an election at the end of his/her term.
f.  Appoints a representative to participate in the activities of other organizations and associations.
 

2.  The Internal Vice President

a.  Keeps a copy of all the records of ASA.
b.  Represents the President in deciding matters within ASA in the case the President is absent or unable to fulfill
      his/her duties.
c.  Helps the President in planning, coordinating, and supervising all ASA activities.

 
3.  The External Vice President

a.  Acts as a liaison between ASA and other organizations, associations and the community.
b.  Represents the President in deciding matters outside of ASA in the case the President is absent or unable to fulfill
     his/her duties.
c.  Represents ASA on UTA campus and in the community.

 
4.  The Secretary

a.  Records and prepares the minutes at each and every meeting of the ASA.
b.  Works with the Historian in keeping the records of the ASA.
c.  Works with the Public Relations Chairperson(s) and Web Team in communicating with the ASA members concerning
     the Association’s activities.

 
5.  The Treasurer

a.  In charge of bookkeeping and fund-raising for ASA.
b.  Responsible for maintaining ASA accounts record spreadsheet.
c.  Will seek the President’s approval for any expenditures and notify the President of profit/loss. 

 
6.  The Historians

a.  Records the activities of the ASA.
b.  In charge of keeping the records of the ASA. This includes documents, photographs, computer files, etc.


7.  The Ambassador

a.  Promotes favorable public relations with other Asian and non-Asian organizations at the university and off campus.


8.  The Web Team

a.  Maintains and updates the official Web site of ASA.
b.  Communicates electronically to members concerning matters of ASA.
c.  In charge of organizing photos, video clips, articles and other documentation to be     used on the web page.

 
9.  The Public Relations

a.  Distributes publications such as flyers, banners, or newsletters regarding ASA.
b.  Makes any official announcements concerning ASA at school functions involving members of the faculty, staff, and other student organizations.

 
10.  The Sports Chairperson(s)

a.  Organizes the ASA sport events.
b.  Establishes contacts with interested parties and recruits for tournaments.

 

Section 3. Procedures for governing

 
1.  The Cabinet shall be convened at least once a week at a designated time and location.
2.  General meetings for members and cabinet members will be held once weekly.
3.  All resolutions concerning ASA shall be passed by majority votes of all Cabinet Officers and members present at time of voting.
4.  Every Cabinet Officer shall be eligible to vote except the President. In the case of a tie, the President shall make the final decision.
5.  All Chairpersons of the committees shall be responsible for the activities of their committees, except when the Cabinet intervenes.
6.  There shall be a change-over session for the outgoing Cabinet and the incoming Cabinet.


 

ARTICLE III. Committees

 

Section 1. Procedures for establishment


1. ASA member(s) wishing to form a Committee must first seek the Cabinet’s endorsement.
2.  A charter outlining the purposes and goals of the Committee must be drafted by the Committee Chair and approved by the Cabinet and members by two-thirds majority vote.
 

Section 2. Procedures for governing


1.  The Committee, acting within its approved charter, will use the name of ASA-UTA.
2.  The Special Committee shall be composed of ASA-UTA members, unless otherwise specified by Cabinet Officers.
3.  The Committee Chair acts as the official liaison between the Committee and the Cabinet.
4.  The Cabinet and members have the power to dissolve a Committee by a two-thirds majority vote of all Cabinet Officers and members.

 


ARTICLE IV. Membership in ASA-UTA


Section 1.

Membership shall be opened to all University of Texas at Arlington registered students, faculty, and staff without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disabilities.

 
Section 2. Membership Requirements

1.  Official members
a.  UTA registered student, faculty, or staff.
b.  Voluntary participation and payment of membership dues.

 

2.  Honorary members
a.  An alumnus/alumna of UT Arlington.
b.  Voluntary participation.
c.  Following all the rules and regulations set forth by ASA.


Section 3. Rights of Members

1.  Official members
a.  The official members shall have the right to participate in all ASA activities, to nominate and elect Cabinet Officers, to run for a position in the Cabinet, and to attend Cabinet meetings.

b.  All activities of the official members concerning the principles and properties (as described in Article VIII) of ASA require the approval of the Cabinet.


2.Honorary members
a.  The honorary members shall have the right to participate in all ASA activities.  All activities of the honorary members concerning the principles and properties of the ASA require the approval of the Cabinet.

 

ARTICLE V. Nomination and Election


 Section 1. Term of office

1.  The term of office for the President and Internal and External Vice Presidents shall be two semesters.
2.  The term for all Cabinet Officers, except for President and Vice Presidents, shall be one semester.
3.  Elections for new Cabinet Officers shall be held no later than the fifth week of the semester.
4.  Election for the President will be at the end each Fall semester and he/she will serve as President Elect the following Spring semester and be inducted into office the following Fall semester.
5.  Elections for Vice Presidents will be held at the end of each Spring semester and will serve the following Fall and Spring semesters. 


Section 2. Procedures for running for office and for appointments

1.  The President and the two Vice Presidents

a.  The candidates for President and the two Vice Presidents are required to be official members of the ASA for at least one semester prior to Election day.  In addition, the candidate for President is required to be a previous Cabinet Officer for at least one term.
b.  In the case that the candidate for President has never been a Cabinet Officer, two-thirds vote of approval of all ASA members and Cabinet are needed before he/she can run for office.
c. The President, once elected, shall have the power to appoint his/her Vice President(s) if needed.

2.  All Chairpersons of the committees are required to be official members of ASA while holding office.

 

Section 3. Procedures for election

1.  The election for all offices shall be done openly and properly.

a.  The election of the President shall be done by secret ballot.
b.  The election of the other offices can either be done by secret ballot or hand approval.

2.  The candidate for an office shall win the office if he/she receives majority vote of ASA members present at the election.

3.  In the case that not all of the Cabinet Offices are filled after the election, the President Elect has the power to appoint Cabinet Officers for these positions with the approval of the Cabinet.

4.  In the case that more than half the Cabinet is filled but the Presidency is not, the newly elected Cabinet Officers have the power to appoint a President. This appointment will be decided by a two-thirds majority vote of approval of the newly elected Cabinet Officers.

 

ARTICLE VI. Procedures for Amendment, Removal of a Cabinet Officer, and Exclusion of Membership

 

Section 1. To make amendments to the Constitution:

1.  A proposal must be approved by two-thirds vote of the Cabinet Officers.
2.  A general of the ASA members will be called to amend the Constitution.


Section 2. The Amendment shall be passed if it receives two-thirds votes in favor by the ASA members present and if it is in compliance with UTA and Student Governance regulations and policies.
1.The Amendment must then be filed with Student Governance Office within one week of adoption.
2. The Amendment shall be become effective immediately after it is passed.


Section 3. A two-thirds vote of approval of all the ASA members and Cabinet Officers present at a general meeting are needed to remove a Cabinet Officer.

1.  The President or the Internal and External Vice Presidents together shall have the power to call such a meeting.

2.  ASA members by majority vote to move forward have the power to call such a meeting when:
a.  The President or Vice Presidents have refused.
b.  The Cabinet has been given five school days prior notice.

 

Section 5. Procedures for succession

1.  If the President cannot complete the full term of office then the Internal Vice President shall assume the office of Presidency.
2.  If the President and the Internal Vice President cannot complete their full terms of office then the External Vice President shall assume the office of Presidency.
3.  If the President and the two Vice Presidents cannot complete their full terms of office then the Secretary shall call a general meeting to elect a new Cabinet.
4.  If one of the two Vice Presidents or one of the chairpersons cannot complete his/her term of office then the President shall appoint an ASA member to fill the vacancy with the majority vote approval of the Cabinet.
5.  Each ASA member can only hold one office except when item 5.1 or 5.2 above applies.

 

ARTICLE VII. Procedures for the Selection of an Advisor
  

Section 1. ASA will have an Advisor who will be selected from the faculty or staff at UTA.  The appointment will be made by two-thirds vote by Cabinet Officers.  The acceptance and desired length of assistance is left to the discretion of the Advisor.  The role of the Advisor will be to contribute to the well being and growth of the organization and its members.

 

ARTICLE VIII. The Properties of ASA-UTA
  

Section 1. The properties of the ASA-UTA shall be composed of:

1.  Member dues
2.  Any UTA funding
3.  All donations, either cash or goods, from other organizations or individuals
4.  Money from fundraising events
5.  All assets and documents