As ratified by student vote, October 2005.
The North Carolina State University Union is an organization comprised of fee-paying students, as well as faculty and staff. These fees provide its members with the right to participate in the Union Activities and to use the facilities of the University Student Center and its annexes, which are maintained for their benefit.
The Union Activities Board develops and carries out social and cultural programs for the benefit of the members, utilizing, but not confined to, the University Student Center facilities. The Student Centers Board of Directors represents the fee-paying students, as well as faculty, staff, and special members, to ensure that both the facilities and the social and cultural programs are operated in their best interest. The mission of the Student Centers Board of Directors is to advise and direct the Associate Vice Chancellors for Student Affairs regarding the programs and operation of the Student Centers.
SECTION ONE – Union Membership. The regular membership of the Union is composed of fee-paying students, as well as faculty and staff. Special memberships may be granted by the Student Centers Board of Directors as provided for in the Union Statutes.
The Student Centers Board of Directors
SECTION TWO – Student Centers Board of Directors. The power of general oversight of the Union shall be vested in the Student Centers Board of Directors.
SECTION THREE – Student Centers Board of Directors Composition. The Student Centers Board of Directors shall be comprised of:
A. The Student Centers President, non-voting except in the event of a tie;
B. The Student Centers Vice President;
C. The Student Centers Treasurer;
D. The Student Centers Secretary;
E. The Union Activities Board President, ex-officio
F. One member of the Union Activities Board, elected by the Union Activities Board;
G. Two (2) student representatives, elected by and from the Campus Arts Council;
H. The Student Body Treasurer, ex-officio;
I. Four (4) fee paying students, elected at large;
J. One (1) faculty representative appointed by the Chair of the Faculty;
K. One (1) student representative appointed by and from each of the following organizations and who is not a member of the Union Activities Board or Campus Arts Council:
1. African-American Cultural Center
2. Inter-Residence Council
3. Off Campus Residents’ Association
4. Student Media Authority
5. Student Senate
6. Women’s Center
L. The Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs who serves as Union Director, ex-officio, non-voting.
M. The Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs with oversight of arts programs, ex-officio, non-voting.
SECTION FOUR – Student Centers Board of Directors Membership. All student members of the Student Centers Board of Directors must be currently enrolled fee-paying students in good standing with the University academically and disciplinarily. In the selection of the membership of the Student Centers Board of Directors, every effort should be made to balance the diversity of all the student members of the Board to ensure that a variety of cultures, races, interests, gender, abilities and so forth are represented. However, these clauses shall not infringe upon the right of an organization or other constituency to choose representatives as deemed in their own best interest.
SECTION SIX – Student Centers Board of Directors Vacancies. Vacancies created by the resignation or removal of a duly selected non-ex-officio Board member shall be filled by a replacement member selected by the same method as the original member, unless another method is specified in this constitution. This replacement member shall serve the duration of the unexpired term. Replacement of at-large student members shall be appointed by the Student Centers President, subject to confirmation of the Student Centers Board of Directors.
SECTION SEVEN – Student Centers Board of Directors Operations. All meetings of the Student Centers Board of Directors shall be operated under a parliamentary authority as enacted in the Union Statutes. A quorum of a majority of the voting members presently appointed or elected shall be required to transact business. At no point shall quorum be determined to be less than eight (8) members.
SECTION EIGHT – Student Centers Board of Directors Annual Duties. Each term, the Student Centers Board of Directors shall:
A. review the priorities for funding and management of the facilities and services that comprise the Students Centers to best meet the needs of the campus community;
B. provide input to the students who lead the Union Activities Board and the Campus Arts Council as to the needs and interests for programs amongst the student body;
C. encourage prompt and proper communication amongst all users of the University Student Centers;
D. provide an annual report on the activities of the board for inclusion in the Student Center Annual report;
E. confirm or reject appointments of the Union Activities Board President by a majority vote;
F. review and recommend changes as needed to the annual Union Activities Board Programming Budget;
G. approve the University Student Center operational budget for recommendation to the University Administration;
H. evaluate programming within the Union and recommend changes to the Union programming bodies.
SECTION NINE – Student Center Board of Directors Additional Powers. The Student Center Board of Directors shall be empowered to:
A. recommend to the University Administration policies under which the University Student Center building may operate for approval by the University Administration;
B. enact by a two-thirds majority vote the Union Statutes;
C. award special membership as provide by the Union Statutes;
D. receive and administer gifts to the Union and to the University Student Centers;
E. review the performance of Student Centers Officers, Union Activities Board Officers, Union Activities Board Committee Chairpersons, and Student Centers Board of Directors Members, and shall, in cases of malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance of duty, remove such persons from the position they hold with the Union by two-thirds majority vote; and
F. evaluate the performance of the University Student Center personnel for report to the University Administration.
G. set a procedure in the Union Statutes regarding major financial transactions concerning the Student Centers.
SECTION TEN – Student Centers Board of Directors Meetings. The Student Centers Board of Directors shall establish its own meeting times, but shall have a monthly regular meeting during the academic year. Special meetings may be called by the Student Centers President or by any four members of the board.
SECTION ELEVEN – Student Centers Board of Directors Committees. The concerns of the Student Centers Board of Directors shall be investigated and the policies of the Board shall be formulated by the Student Centers Board of Directors Standing Committees. The specific area of concern and the specific duties of each Standing Committee shall be as chartered in the Union Statutes. Membership on the Board of Directors Standing Committee shall be limited to members of the Student Centers Board of Directors.
SECTION TWELVE – Monthly Administrative Reports. The units within the Student Centers shall report to the Student Centers Board of Directors at each regular meeting of the Student Centers Board of Directors. They shall inform the Student Centers Board of Directors as to the activities, functions, and financial status of their independent units. This report is to ensure that the Student Centers Board of Directors is fully aware of the current status of the Student Centers and their programming.
SECTION THIRTEEN- Annual Administrative Reports. Early in the fall semester, the units and directorates within the Student Centers shall present a comprehensive annual report to the Student Centers Board of Directors, as defined in the Union Statutes.
SECTION FOURTEEN – Authority. The Student Centers Officers, along with the Union Personnel, shall be responsible for the execution of the policies and programs of the Union. The Officers shall be responsible to the Student Centers Board of Directors.
SECTION FIFTEEN – General Qualifications. Each Student Centers Officer shall at the time of their selection be a student in good standing, regularly enrolled in the University, and a fee-paying member of the Union. Furthermore, the Student Centers Officers must remain enrolled in the University, remain students in good standing, and remain fee-paying members of the Union for their entire term in office. No Student Centers Officer may be the President of any organization with representation on the Student Centers Board of Directors per Section Three Part K. Further requirements for Student Centers Officers shall be listed in the Union Statutes.
SECTION SIXTEEN – Presidential Election. The Student Centers President shall be elected for a one-year term by a majority of those voting in the Student Body Elections. Unless waived by the Student Centers Board of Directors, the President shall have served at least six (6) months as member of the Student Centers Board of Directors.
SECTION SEVENTEEN – Officer Elections. At the start of the Student Centers Board of Directors term and whenever the offices may be vacant, each of the Student Centers Officers, except the President, shall be elected by and from the student membership of the board. The term of the Student Centers Officers shall be one year, beginning and ending at the last Student Centers Board of Directors meeting of the spring semester. Upon election, the officer shall surrender the seat they previously held on the Student Centers Board of Directors; accordingly, ex-officio members shall be ineligible to hold Student Centers Office.
SECTION EIGHTEEN – Student Centers President. The Student Centers President shall:
A. call and preside at meetings of the Student Centers Board of Directors;
B. set the agenda for the Student Centers Board of Directors meetings, with input from the other officers and staff advisors;
C. represent the Union and the Student Centers Board of Directors in formal matters to other bodies;
D. investigate complaints or charges against the Union and recommend corrective actions, if needed, to the Board of Directors; and
E. appoint the chairs and members of the Student Centers Board of Directors committees, except as provided otherwise in the Union Statutes.
SECTION NINETEEN – Student Centers Vice President. The Student Centers Vice President shall:
A. exercise the powers of the Student Centers President if he/she is prevented from exercising his/her powers;
B. serve as a liaison between the Union and the campus community;
C. coordinate relations with the regional ACU-I; and
D. assist the Student Centers President in the performance of his/her duties.
Should the Student Centers President be a member of any organization with a representative on the Board of Directors per Section Three Part K, the Student Centers Vice President may not also be a member of that organization.
SECTION TWENTY – Student Centers Secretary. The Student Centers Secretary shall:
A. prepare minutes of all meetings of the Student Centers Board of Directors;
B. be responsible for the safekeeping of all records of the Union;
C. be responsible for the timely announcement of all meetings of the Student Centers Board of Directors; and
D. compile the end of year report evaluating the events and programs of the Union regarding the current term
SECTION TWENTY-ONE - Student Centers Treasurer. The Student Centers Treasurer shall:
A. be the chief financial officer of the Union;
B. submit reports to the Student Centers Board of Directors {regarding the status of the Union unit budgets};
C. prepare the initial draft of the annual Student Centers Board of Directors Budget; and
D. serve as a liaison to other organizations on matters of Union finances.
E. serve as a liaison to the Student Centers financial director
SECTION TWENTY-TWO – Line of Succession. If the Student Centers President is removed or leaves office for any reason the Student Centers Vice President shall serve the remainder of his/her term as President. If for some reason, the office of Vice President is vacant, then the Student Centers Secretary shall succeed to the Student Centers Presidency. If for some reason both the offices of Vice President and Secretary are vacant, then the Student Centers Treasurer shall succeed to the Student Centers Presidency.
SECTION TWENTY-THREE – Officer Remuneration. The Student Centers President shall be paid a stipend or salary not less than the lowest paid popularly elected Student Body Official. No change in compensation rates shall go into effect until an election intervenes.
The Union Personnel
SECTION TWENTY-FOUR – Appointment of Senior Union Administrators. The senior Union administrators are employed by and responsible to the University Administration. The Student Centers Board of Directors will advise the University Administration on the appointment of any such administrator.
SECTION TWENTY-FIVE – Employment of Union Personnel. The senior Union administrators recommend the employment of all staff to the University Administration. In so doing, the Director consults with the Student Centers Board of Directors on the matter of personnel needs.
Article II UNION ACTIVITIES BOARD
SECTION ONE – Union Activities Board. The Union Activities Board shall be vested with the authority to execute the Union Program as provided by the UAB Bylaws.
SECTION TWO – Union Activities Board Composition. The Union Activities Board shall be compromised of:
A. The Union Activities Board President;
B. The Union Activities Board Vice-President;
C. The Union Activities Board Treasurer;
D. The Union Activities Board Secretary;
E. The Chairs of the Union Activities Board Programming Committees;
F. Non-voting representatives of the Department of Campus Activities.
SECTION THREE – Qualifications for Union Activities Board. Each student member of the Union Activities Board shall at the time of their selection be a student in good standing, regularly enrolled in the University, a fee-paying member of the Union, and have a cumulative GPA of not less than 2.5. Furthermore, the members must continue to meet these qualifications for their entire term in office. No Student Centers Officer shall hold a position on the Union Activities Board. Further requirements for membership shall be listed in the UAB Bylaws.
SECTION FOUR – Union Activities Board Training Requirements. There shall be a mandatory training program for members of the Union Activities Board, as established in the UAB Bylaws.
SECTION FIVE – Union Activities Board Powers and Duties. The Union Activities Board shall:
A. review and approve or reject all changes in programming;
C. organize and, if necessary, implement program in areas not assigned to Programming Committees or auxiliary units;
D. administer the Union Activities Board discretionary fund as provided in the Union Program Budget;
E. override a program veto of the Union President by two-thirds vote of members present;
F. recommend policies to the Student Centers Board of Directors; and
G. enact by a two-thirds majority vote the UAB Bylaws.
SECTION SIX – Union Activities Board Operations. The Union Activities Board shall meet at least once every two full class weeks (i.e. biweekly), at the call of the Union Activities Board President. A quorum of a majority of the voting members must be present to conduct business. The board shall be governed by such operating rules set out in the UAB Bylaws.
SECTION SEVEN – Summer Programming. Insomuch as possible, the members of the Union Activities Board shall organize at least one program per summer session with funds provided for that purpose. In the event the members of the Union Activities Board are unavailable, the Union Activities Board President shall determine the best means to ensure summer programs.
SECTION EIGHT- Union Activities Board Committees. The Union Program shall be planned, supervised, and executed by the Union Activities Board Programming Committees. The specific area of concern and the specific duties of each committee shall be as charter in the UAB Bylaws. All members of the Union shall be eligible to join a Union Activities Board Programming Committee.
SECTION NINE – Union Activities Board Committee Chairs. Each Union Activities Board Programming Committee shall be headed by a single chair, appointed by the Union Activities Board President, subject to the confirmation of the Student Centers Board of Directors. Such Chairs shall serve a one year term, starting at the transition meeting of the Student Centers Board of Directors. The Programming Committee Chairs may have additional duties as provided in the UAB Bylaws, but shall at minimum:
A. call and preside at meetings of the committee;
B. ensure proper management of the committee budget;
C. attend meetings of the Union Activities Board;
D. attend Union Activities Board events, as much as needed and possible;
E. submit paperwork regarding the committee’s programs in a timely fashion; and
F. prepare and publish a semiannual report on the committee’s activities.
SECTION TEN – Executive Board of the Union Activities Board. The Union Activities Board President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary shall constitute the Union Activities Board Executive Board. The Executive Board shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Union Activities Board between its meetings, and when it cannot be reasonably convened.
SECTION ELEVEN – Presidential Election. The Union Activities Board President shall be elected for a one-year term by a majority of those voting in the Student Body Elections. Unless waived by the Student Centers Board of Directors, the Union Activities Board President shall have served at least six (6) months as member of the Union Activities Board.
SECTION TWELVE – Officer Appointments. The Union Activities Board President shall appoint, at the start of his term and whenever the offices may be vacant, each of the Union Activities Board Officers, subject to the confirmation of the Student Centers Board of Directors. The term of the officers shall be one year, beginning and ending at the last Student Centers Board of Directors meeting of the spring semester. The officers shall be selected from the Student Body at-large, and there shall be a general, campus-wide application process, lasting at least two (2) class weeks. Insomuch as practical, each officer shall have had at least six (6) months experience in a Union Activities Board Programming Committee.
SECTION THIRTEEN – Union Activities Board President. The Union Activities Board President shall:
A. call and preside at meetings of the Union Activities Board and Union Activities Board Executive Board;
B. with the Union Activities Board Secretary, set the agenda for Union Activities Board and Union Activities Board Executive Board meetings;
C. serve as a liaison between the Union Activities Board and all campus groups;
D. serve as an ex-officio member of all Programming Committees;
E. maintain a balance in programming;
F. appoint the Union Activities Board Officers and the Union Activities Board Programming Committee Chairs, subject to confirmation by the Student Centers Board of Directors;
G. investigate complaints or charges against the Union Activities Board and apply corrective actions, if needed;
H. have the power to veto any Union Program for cause;
I. remove any Programming Committee Chair from office, subject to the simple majority approval of the Student Centers Board of Directors; and
J. make interim appointments to the Union Activities Board for a period not beyond the next meeting of the Student Centers Board of Directors.
SECTION FOURTEEN – Union Activities Board Vice President. The Union Activities Board Vice President shall:
A. exercise the powers of the Union Activities Board President if he/she is prevented from exercising his/her powers;
B. provide leadership for the Union Activities Board in recruiting members and volunteers for committees and programs;
C. coordinate public relations, serving as a liaison between the Union Activities Board and the campus community, including the faculty, staff, and media.
SECTION FIFTEEN – Union Activities Board Secretary. The Union Activities Board Secretary shall:
A. prepare minutes of all meetings of the Union Activities Board and Union Activities Board Executive Board;
B. collect and file committee minutes and function reports;
C. collect and file all programming-related paperwork (e.g. pre-event proposals and post-event evaluations);
D. keep written accounts of all Union Activities Board functions;
E. compile an accurate end-of-year report evaluating the events and programs of the year by the Union Activities Board; and
F. collect items for Union Activities Board and Union Activities Board Executive Board meeting agendas and work with the President to set and distribute them to the membership and advisors.
SECTION SIXTEEN – Union Activities Board Treasurer. The Union Activities Board Treasurer shall:
A. be the chief financial officer of the Union Activities Board;
B. keep a record of all allocations and expenditures of the Union Activities Board;
C. each month reconcile the Union Activities Board records with the university accounting report with the assistance of the Union’s financial personnel;
D. prepare the initial draft of the annual Union Program Budget; and
E. advise the Union Activities Board of needs or opportunities to re-allocate funds within the budget.
SECTION SEVENTEEN – Line of Succession. If the Union Activities Board President is removed or leaves office for any reason the Union Activities Board Vice President shall serve the remainder of the term as President. If for some reason, the office of Vice President is vacant, then the Union Activities Board Secretary shall succeed to the Union Activities Board Presidency. If for some reason both the offices of Vice President and Secretary are vacant, then the Union Activities Board Treasurer shall succeed to the Union Activities Board Presidency.
SECTION EIGHTEEN – Vacancies and Attendance. There shall be a comprehensive attendance policy established in the UAB Bylaws. In the event of a vacancy on the Union Activities Board other than the Presidency, a new member shall be selected to serve out the unexpired term by the same means for selecting the original official.
SECTION NINETEEN – Basic financial governance. The basic support of the Union Activities shall be derived from the fees collected by the University for the Union Activities Board program, along with any revenue generated by ticket sales or co-sponsorships. The Union Activities Board Treasurer is responsible for the developing of the budget, in collaboration with the Executive Board, the Program Chairs and the advisors, subject to the review of the Student Centers Board of Directors. The Union personnel are charged by the University with the safekeeping of the Union Activities Board budget and are responsible for the training of the Union Activities Board members to assure that the budget is executed lawfully and appropriately.
SECTION TWENTY – Budget Process. The Union Activities Board members in consultation with the advisors shall prepare a budget for the next fiscal year using anticipated fee revenue amounts, based on enrollment projections provided by the University Budget Office, for review and recommendation by the Student Centers Board of Directors. Line-items shall be maintained to address the needs of the Union Activities Board in fulfilling the programmatic duties and functions, including upkeep of office equipment and the campus cinema.
SECTION TWENTY-ONE – Unused funds. At the end of the Spring Semester, any remaining unexpended funds will be reallocated to the Union Activities Board for budgeting in the upcoming year. A 10% budget reserve will be maintained in the annual budget. If the Union Activities Board spends into that reserve in a given fiscal year, the reserve must be replenished at the beginning of the following fiscal year, and budget adjustments made accordingly.
The Union Statutes shall be the by-laws of this Constitution and shall require passage by a two-thirds majority vote of the Student Centers Board of Directors. No provision in the Union Statutes shall be enacted in conflict with this Constitution.
The UAB Bylaws shall be specific by-laws of Article II of this Constitution, and shall require passage by a two-thirds majority vote of the Union Activities Board. No provision in the UAB Bylaws shall conflict with this Constitution or the Union Statutes.
All amendments to this Union Constitution shall require a two-thirds majority vote of those students voting in a Student Body Referendum following:
A. a two-thirds majority vote of the Student Centers Board of Directors, or
B. a petition signed by fifteen percent of all University enfranchised students
Prior to considering proposed amendments concerning the Union Activities Board, the Student Centers Board of Directors shall solicit the input of the Union Activities Board, and shall proceed only with the simple majority endorsement of the Union Activities Board.