BUSA Constitution

Article I: Purpose (Back to top)

1. The name of this organization shall be the Biology Undergraduate Students Association (BUSA).
2. The purpose of this organization shall be to serve the needs and interests of all MIT undergraduates interested in biology by providing social and academic activities, resources, and support.

Article II: Membership (Back to top)

1. All members of the MIT community interested in biology may become a member of this organization. Voting membership is restricted to registered MIT undergraduates. All other members (i.e. graduate students) will be considered associate members.
2. One is considered a member if signed up on the BUSA email list.
3. The membership of this organization will at all times contain at least 5 MIT students and be more than 50% MIT students.
4. This organization will not discriminate based on any characteristic listed in MIT's Nondiscrimination Statement.
5. If this organization charges any monetary dues, there will be exceptions made for students who cannot afford these dues.

Article III: Officers (Back to top)

1. Officers of this organization shall constitute the BUSA Executive Board (Bexec).
2. Officers are required to attend at least two-thirds of all Bexec meetings. Repeated absences may be grounds for impeachment proceedings.
3. This organization will have at a minimum three officers:
   1. President:
   1. The president shall be the official representative of BUSA to any other organization and to MIT.
   2. The president will preside over all Bexec and BUSA General Meetings.
   3. The president will attend regular meetings of the Biology Department Undergraduate Committee.
   4. The president shall have final responsibility for the assignment and completion of all BUSA Projects.
   2. Vice President
   1. The vice president will assist the president as requested.
   2. The vice president will assume the duties of president in cases of the president's absence or illness.
   3. The vice president will assume the office of president in cases of the president's resignation or removal from office.
   3. Secretary
   1. The secretary will maintain and update the BUSA membership/email lists.
   2. The secretary will take minutes of each Bexec and BUSA General Meeting and distribute them to the email lists.
4. Other Officers:
   1. Treasurer: The Biology Department Undergraduate Administrative Assistant shall fulfill the duties of treasurer of the club. Other officers of the club may be designated to assist in this role.
      1. The treasurer is responsible for the finances of the group.
      2. The treasurer or designated officer is required to sign all checks/vouchers of the group.
   2. Additional officers:
      1. One or more Officers-at-large may be elected at a BUSA General Meeting at the discretion of Bexec.
      2. Additional officers may be appointed by the president at any time to carry out specific duties (e.g. webmaster, newsletter coordinator). Appointments must be approved by Bexec.
5. Elections
1. Elections of President, Vice President, and Secretary shall occur in order on an annual basis during Spring Term at a BUSA General Meeting.
2. Any member of this organization who will remain a registered MIT undergraduate the following year is eligible to run for office.
3. Quorum for elections is 30 voting members or one-third of the membership, whichever is smaller.
4. Any member is elected if he or she wins a majority of the voting members.
5. If more than two people are running and no one wins a majority, then the person with the fewest votes is dropped from the ballot and votes are recast.
6. Officers take office immediately upon election.
6. Officers shall serve a term of one year.
7. Removal
1. Any voting member may initiate impeachment proceedings against an officer during the fall or spring terms under grounds of failure to fulfill the responsibilities of his/her position or for violation of the articles of the Constitution. Upon receiving a request for impeachment proceedings, Bexec will schedule a BUSA General Meeting within three weeks.
2. Officers may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the voting members at a BUSA General Meeting that is announced at least one week in advance.
3. Quorum for removal of an officer is 30 voting members or one-third of the membership, whichever is smaller.

Article IV: Meetings (Back to top)

1. General Meetings shall be held at least once per term (fall/spring).
2. BUSA Executive Board (Bexec) meetings shall be held at least once per month during the fall and spring terms.
3. Quorum for a Bexec meeting is one-half of its members.
4. Meetings shall be presided over by the president, unless he/she is absent, in which case the Vice President shall preside.

Article V: Amendments (Back to top)

1. Any member of the organization may present amendments to Bexec.
2. Bexec will discuss the amendment, vote by simple majority for a recommendation in favor of or against the amendment, and schedule a BUSA General Meeting within three weeks for a general vote on the amendment.
3. Bexec will present its recommendation and rationale regarding the amendment at a BUSA General Meeting that is announced at least one week in advance.
4. Amendments shall be passed by a two-thirds vote of the voting members present.
5. Quorum for amending the constitution is 30 voting members or one-third of the membership, whichever is smaller.

Article VI: ASA God Clause (Back to top)

The Biology Undergraduate Students Association (BUSA) agrees to abide by the rules and regulations of the Association of Student Activities, and its executive board. This constitution, amendments to it, and the by-laws of this organization shall be subject to review by the ASA Executive Board to ensure that they are in accordance with the aforementioned rules and regulations.