Constitution of the Wesleyan University Chapter of the Society of Physics Students

ARTICLE I. NAME

1. The official name of this organization shall be "The Wesleyan University Chapter of the Society of Physics Students." In general usage Wesleyan SPS, or when used in a context where there is no confusion with the national organization or other institution's SPS chapters, simply Society of Physics Students or SPS shall suffice.

ARTICLE II. OBJECTIVES

1. The purpose of this Chapter shall be the advancement and diffusion of physics knowledge, the encouragement of interest in physics throughout the academic and local communities, and the introduction of students to the professional community.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership in this Society of Physics Students Chapter shall be open to all individuals interested in physics, whether they be undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, or staff. Interested persons need have no formal association with the Wesleyan physics department, i.e. undergraduate students need not be physics majors.
2. While there are no formal requirements for membership, all members are highly encouraged to pay national Society of Physics Students dues, especially officers. In addition, one must have attended at least two prior meetings before becoming a voting member.
3. At this time we do not have a Sigma Pi Sigma chapter.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

1. The officers of the Chapter shall be a President, Vice-President, Online Managing Editor, and Secretary; the succession shall be in accordance with the above order. No single person may hold more than one of the above offices at a time. Should any officer be unable to perform his or her duties, either temporarily or permanently, their immediate subordinates will be called upon to fill this void. In the case of permanent leave of absence or other mitigating circumstances, the officer in question shall forfeit any claim to the post, and be replaced within two weeks via a special recall election. All officers must present at least one project to the chapter during their term in office and all officers count as voting members.
2. The duties of the officers as follows:
   1. President - The SPS President will preside over meetings, coming up with an agenda beforehand. He or she will guide discussion, schedule and make arrangements for the various projects and presentations in future meetings. Ultimate responsibility for the chapter's actions reside with the President, however, the President does not have ultimate authority.
   2. Vice-President - The SPS Vice-President will work with the President in preparing for future meetings and provide an authoritative conscience in determining the future direction of the chapter.
   3. Online Managing Editor - The SPS Online Managing Editor manages the Chapter's web page, keeping it current, and providing online space and hosting.
   4. Secretary - The SPS Secretary is responsible for taking notes of what occurs at meetings and providing this information to the other officers and members. This includes taking attendance and securing those records.

ARTICLE V. CHAPTER ADVISOR

1. The Chapter Advisor shall be a faculty member appointed by the Department (by any means the Department chooses) after consultation with the chapter officers. The Chapter Advisor shall provide a liaison among the chapter, Department, and the National Office of the Society of Physics Students. The Chapter Advisor will supply counseling to the chapter, furnishing experience and provide long-range perspective to insure departmental interest in and support of SPS.

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS

1. Meetings will be held once a week at a time determined by the members. On occasion weekly meetings may be canceled or moved due to SPS projects via decision in a preceding meeting.
2. The President will present the agenda for meetings and propose options for the chapter to decide upon. If a decision is not unanimously agreed upon, the President will have the ability to overrule any majority decision with the support of either the Vice-President or both the Online Managing Editor and Secretary. But a 2/3 majority vote of all members will override any decision.
3. No member is able to filibuster a decision. If a decision cannot be unanimously agreed upon, at the motion of two officers or three voting members, discussion will cease and the decision be voted upon.

ARTICLE VII. ELECTIONS

1. Annual elections shall be held in the spring semester. The requirements for running for any office are:
   • An understanding of the duties and responsibilities of that office and the time required to perform them.
   • A majority attendance at the previous year's meetings. This is initially determined by the Secretary, though if his or her decision objectionable, can be overruled with a 2/3 majority vote of all members.
   • Having presented a project in the previous year. This is initially determined by the President, though can be overruled as above.
2. Any election meetings, whether a normal annual or special recall must be announced at least one week in advance. Ideally beforehand, members will nominate themselves or others for a particular post. If being nominated by another member, the nominee has the right to refuse to run. At the election meeting, all candidates running for a particular post will voice why they believe they are best suited for said post, then leave the room. Members may then voice any additional questions or concerns before taking a vote. Each member may cast one vote and not change it once tallied. The highest ranking officer left at the meeting will tally the votes. Whichever candidate receives the most votes is the new officer.

ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION

1. The Constitution can not be amended unless a motion to make an amendment is presented by two officers or any three voting members. Once the motion passes, there will be a chance to write an amendment and for it to be ratified with a 3/4 majority vote once the amendment is written.
2. A current copy of the Constitution must be kept somewhere secure, such as in the SPS closet, as well as all drafts for the past year.
3. The initial acceptance of the constitutional draft requires a 3/4 majority vote as well.