Article I. NAME

This organization shall be known as the Computer Information Association of Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Article II. PURPOSE

The purposes and objectives of this organization are to:

A. Provide an atmosphere for discussion of cutting edge computer technology and development of personal

interest/research projects.

B. Develop problem-solving skills and increase general knowledge of the membership.

C. Foster relationships and communication between student in all levels of CS courses as well as engineering and IS students.

D. Foster career development of members and networking with technology professionals.

E. Provide a voice for the students concerning computer related issues on campus at IPFW.

Article III. MEMBERSHIP

Section I. Qualification:

1. Membership in this organization shall be open to all IPFW students and may include a limited number of non-students, not to exceed one-third of the total membership, unless consent is granted through a simple majority vote of the voting membership.

2. Student members must have a 2.5 grade point average during each semester of participation unless a pardon is granted by the President on an individual basis.

3. Membership and participation shall be free from discrimination and harassment per the policies of the IPFW Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct as stated in Part I, Section A, Items 3 and 4.

Section II. Types of Membership:

1. Membership shall be open to all students currently enrolled in at

least one credit hour at IPFW, and

2. Non-student memberships may be held by faculty, staff, alumni, or community members. These members may vote, but, unlike students, they may not hold office, and may not represent the organization/university in an official capacity.

Section III. Financial Obligation:

1. The Executive Branch shall decide, prior to each fall semester, whether, and at what amount, dues shall be assessed for the membership.

2. Dues are not to exceed $10 per year or $5 per semester.

3. All members shall pay organization dues when required. Then, they may attend all meetings and social functions of the organization and may vote and hold office when permitted.

4. Upon payment of dues, when required, a person will be placed on the members list. Non payment of dues will result in removal of name from members list.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

Section I. Officers:

1. The Executive Branch of this organization shall be comprised of a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section II. Officer Qualifications:

The organization’s President, Vice President, and Treasurer must:

1. Be currently enrolled students at IPFW.

2. Have least a 3.0 grade point average over the past two semesters of enrollment at IPFW.

3. Have been a member of the organization for at least one semester or 18 weeks, whichever occurred first.

4. Have been elected by the voting membership of the organization by a majority vote.

Section III. Duties and Powers

1. The President shall complete the requirements for annual recognition by the Student Life office, call the first meeting of the semester, call special meetings, call meeting of the Executive Branch, form research groups/committees, and appoint research/committee leaders and with the consent of the membership.

2. The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in his/her absence or if he/she is incapable of performing said duties, maintain a listing of members, coordinate the activities of all research groups, preside over general meetings, schedule future meetings with two thirds approval from the membership, and assist the President.

3. The Secretary shall maintain the attendance log for meetings and events, record and make public to the organization the minutes of regular and Executive Branch meetings, notify the membership of the time and place of meetings, shall assume the duties of the President in his/her temporary, and perform all other secretarial duties.

4. The Treasurer shall complete the requirements for annual recognition by the Student Life office, maintain an accurate record of receipts and disbursements of funds, maintain the organization’s account in accordance with University regulations, submit to the appropriate office such financial statements as are requested, and coordinate fundraising efforts

Section IV. Terms of Office

1. Once elected, the officers of this organization shall hold office as of the last meeting in April.

2. Officers shall remain in office for the following year or until such time as they fail to comply with the stated qualifications or membership standards.

Section V. Nomination and Election

1. Nominations of officers for this organization shall be made by the voting members during the last March meeting.

2. Nominated candidates shall be elected by a simple majority vote of the voting members.

3. Officers may be re-elected for the same office twice consecutively with the exception of the President who may be elected three times consecutively.

Section VI. Vacancies

1. In the event the President of this organization can no longer assume the duties of the office, the Vice President shall become President.

2. In the event that a vacancy occurs in any office other than the Presidency, the Executive Branch shall nominate a candidate from the membership for the office that is vacant. The organization shall then approve the nomination by simple majority vote.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS

Section I. Frequency

1. This organization shall hold at least one regular meeting per month, except during the months of June and July.

2. Meetings shall be open to the entire student body. Any student shall be allowed to attend meetings three times during the period of one year before membership is required to attend another meeting during that year.

Section II. Time and Location

1. The time and location of regular meetings shall be determined by a 2/3 vote at the beginning of each semester.

Section III. Quorum

1. 60% of the voting membership shall constitute a quorum.

Section IV. Attendance

1. Members missing three consecutive meetings without prior notice will be placed on probation. The probationary period will last until the member attends two consecutive meetings.

2. Two additional unexcused absences by a member on probation will warrant expulsion from the organization for the remainder of the semester.

Section V. How Meetings are Conducted

1. Meetings shall be conducted at the discretion of the Executive Branch.

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES

Section I. Executive Committee

1. The Executive Committee shall consist of all officers

2. A quorum for the Executive Committee shall consist of 50% percent of members.

Section II. Other Committees

1. Additional ad hoc committees will be formed at the discretion of the President or simply by interested members who notify the President of their committee’s formation.

2. Should an ad hoc committee remain active for 550 days after inception, it shall be eligible for recognition in the Constitution of the Computer Information Association.

ARTICLE VII. ADVISOR

One (1) full-time faculty, administrative, clerical, or service staff member of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne shall be invited by the organization to serve as their primary advisor. The advisor shall serve as an advocate for the organization and insure that all business conducted by this group meets university standards. The organization agrees to keep their primary advisor informed of all activities, meetings, plans, and events. The organization may have as many secondary advisors as deemed appropriate.

ARTICLE VIII. IMPEACHMENT

Section I. Reasons for Impeachment

1. Officers may be impeached for malfeasance in office, dereliction of duty, conduct unbecoming, or by failing to comply with the purposes and objectives of this organization.

Section II. Initiation of Impeachment proceedings

1. A petition signed by 50% of members of this organization shall initiate impeachment proceedings.

2. The signed petition shall be submitted to the Executive Committee.

Section III. Procedures

1. The President will coordinate impeachment proceedings and chair the meeting.

2. The officer in question shall be notified in writing at least 10 days prior to the meeting scheduled to discuss his/her impeachment. The time, location, and all allegations shall be specified in this correspondence. During this meeting, the officer in question shall be provided with an opportunity to address the allegations.

3. In the event the President is being impeached, a sponsor shall chair the meeting.

4. A 3/4 secret vote of the total voting members in a closed meeting shall constitute impeachment for the remainder of the academic year and one consecutive year thereafter.

Section IV. Retention of Membership

1. In the event an officer is impeached, he/she may retain active membership in this organization excluding the right to vote.

ARTICLE IX. EXPULSION

Section I. Reasons for Expulsion

1. Members may be expelled from this organization for conduct unbecoming and for violations of the student code of conduct.

Section II. Initiation of Expulsion proceedings.

1. A petition signed by 50% of members of this organization shall initiate expulsion proceedings.

2. The signed petition shall be submitted to the Executive Branch.

Section III. Procedures

1. The President will coordinate expulsion proceedings and chair the meeting.

2. The member in question shall be notified in writing at least 10 days prior to the meeting scheduled to discuss his/her expulsion. The time, location, and all allegations shall be specified in this correspondence. During this meeting, the member in question shall be provided with an opportunity to address the allegations.

3. A ¾ secret vote of the total voting members in an open meeting shall constitute expulsion for the remainder of the academic year. If the member had previously been expelled from the organization, expulsion shall remain in effect permanently unless the Executive Branch grants a pardon by a ¾ vote.

ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS

Section I. Process

1. All amendment(s) to this constitution shall be introduced in writing at an organizational meeting. It shall be reread and voted upon at the next meeting. At least one week’s time must lapse between initial presentation and voting on the amendment.

2. Each amendment, having been passed by a 3/4 vote of the voting membership shall become effective only after the IPSGA Senate has granted approval of the amendment.

ARTICLE XI. RATIFICATION

This constitution shall be officially ratified when signed by at least 3/4 of the total members of this organization and granted approval by the IPSGA Senate.

ARTICLE XII. ENABLING ACT

Upon ratification and approval of this constitution by Computer Information Associates and the IPSGA Senate, this constitution shall become effective immediately. Officers of this club shall be elected as soon as possible and shall serve for the remainder of the term of office.