CUCR

Preamble

The Columbia University College Republicans is a political organization and chartered member of the Earl Hall Student Governing Board, formed to both publish and promote ideas and positions of the Republican Party, foster community among Republican students on campus, and provide support for the political activities of Republican students on campus.

Definitions

The Columbia University College Republicans, hereafter referred to as “the organization,” shall be governed by a board of officers, hereafter referred to as “the Executive Board.”

Article I: Purpose

Section I: Primary Purpose

The organization shall aim to keep the university population apprised of contemporary principles and positions of the Republican Party, to promote these positions, foster community among Republican students on campus, and to provide support to election campaigns conducted by the Party. Such support must be through semiautonomous student campaign groups, and the organization may not officially endorse any off-campus candidate or group in the process of providing logistical support as per Student Governing Board regulations.

Section II: Diversity and Dialogue

In fulfilling its mission, the College Republicans will recognize the diversity of its members and encourage dialogue and discussion among its membership. The organization will make every attempt to incorporate differing views of its members in its dialogue and to recognize independent initiatives and efforts of its members.

Section III: Executive Board Purpose

The Executive Board shall facilitate the above stated purpose of the organization by: a) Keeping the general body of the organization current on Republican positions and principles b) Organizing events to promote these positions or principles, including but not limited to: visiting speakers, regular meetings, and social events c) Informing the general body of the organization of opportunities to assist in Party election campaigns and liaising with the Earl Hall Student Governing Board to ensure that the above stated events and opportunities comply with pertinent regulations The organization shall form a liaison with the Earl Hall Student Governing Board to ensure that the above stated events and opportunities comply with pertinent regulations. The Executive Board shall adhere to procedural guidelines in the Operations Manual.

Article II: Membership

Section I: Qualifications

Membership shall be open to all members of the Columbia University community who are students in Columbia University and who express an interest in becoming College Republicans general body members. Interest in the College Republicans can be expressed via e-mail or attendance at College Republicans-sponsored events. Requests to be added to the College Republican mailing list, and presence on that list, do not in and of themselves constitute proof of membership or interest in becoming a member. While the Executive Board may infer that such requests constitute such expression, if reasonable doubts arise about a member’s true interest the Executive Board may seek clarification through inquiry.

Section II: Privileges and Responsibilities

The privileges and responsibilities of membership are the opportunity to participate in and attend College Republicans-sponsored events. Participants must act in a responsible manner while attending College Republicans events. While all Columbia University affiliates will have access to events, access may be denied to non-members by the Executive Board.

Section III: Revocation

Membership may be revoked based upon a breach of the laws of the United States of America, the State of New York, the City of New York, or the rules of Columbia University as outlined in FACETS (Facts About Columbia Essential to Students) or the Columbia University Code of Conduct. Also, disruptive conduct at a College Republicans-sponsored event, or the intent to engage in such conduct, may be grounds for immediate revocation of membership privileges. Revocation of membership privileges may also be considered for those who are members of organizations that seek to overthrow the United States government, or who have shown public contempt for this organization. Such contempt may be considered retraction of any previously expressed interest in this organization. Revocation procedures must be initiated by a member of the Executive Board and must be ratified by a majority of the Executive Board at the earliest possible meeting.

Article III: Meetings and Procedures

Section I: General Body Meetings

The Columbia University College Republicans will meet on a semi-regular basis as a general body held at a constant location and time throughout each semester. General Body meetings shall be at least twice a month during the academic year, subject to cancellation by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

Section II: Policies and Procedures

All internal policies and procedures of the CUCR Executive Board shall be dictated by the Operations Manual. The Manual shall be an extension of this Constitution and carry the same weight of authority. Amendments or additions to the Manual shall be governed by its own procedures.

Section III: Maintaining Order

If, during the course of a College Republicans-sponsored event, a disruption occurs, the Executive Board member in charge of the event shall have the right to take appropriate steps to maintain order, including removing disruptive persons and notifying authorities.

Section IV: Events

Efforts should be made to make events available to as much of the Columbia University community as possible. Given safety or space concerns or constraints, the organization’s membership may be granted the privilege of priority access, and access may be denied to non- Columbia affiliates by the Executive Board. Reservations may be required for events for which there is limited seating capacity.

Section V: Executive Board Meetings

The Executive Board shall meet at least once a week during the academic year at a time and place it will decide, unless the Executive Board votes to cancel the meeting for that week. Executive Board Meetings shall be closed to the public, but non-Board members may attend meetings at the invitation of a Board member. Two-thirds of the existing Executive Board constitutes quorum for voting, though non-binding business may be conducted without quorum. Attendance at the weekly meetings and all events organized by the CUCR shall be mandatory for all officers. If an officer cannot attend s/he must inform the President of the fact and why 24 hours before the meeting or event.

Article IV: Officers

Section I: Qualifications and Terms

The organization shall have the following officers, to be elected in the Spring Semester of every academic year, to fill one-year terms. Nomination is open to anyone who has attended at least two College Republicans-sponsored events or meetings during the previous semester and is a member in good standing. Students who were not on campus due to study abroad, withdrawal from school, or other factors that would preclude attending meetings the previous semester are exempt from this stipulation. The four permanent Executive Board positions are only open to full-time students from Columbia College, Barnard College, the School of General Studies, and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Section II: Officer Positions

The Executive Board of the College Republicans shall be a directorship. There shall always exist a President, Executive Director (Vice-President), Director of Finances (Treasurer) and Director of Communications (Secretary). There may be no less than four (4) and no more than twelve (12) full directors. The four permanent positions and other suggested positions are described below. As new positions are created, their titles, descriptions, and list of duties shall be recorded as an appendix to the constitution, and will be available to future leadership. Positions may be created or modified through the Constitutional amendment process. All directors are full voting members of the executive board. All directors are encouraged to take on deputies to assist with their tasks to facilitate the development of future leadership for the organization. Such deputies shall not posses equal voting privileges as the rest of the Executive Board. The Deputy program shall be governed by the Operations Manual. 1) President: To be eligible for the Presidency, a candidate must have been a board member for at least a full year (twelve months) prior to the election. A sitting President cannot be the president or other top leader or spokesperson for any other political or ideological group on campus during his or her tenure. The President has the following duties: a) Responsible for CUCR’s adherence to Constitution and Operations Manual b) Responsible for EBoard Meetings, including voting c) Acts as public spokesperson and representative for CUCR, both on and off campus d) Oversees delegation process for special events and committees as directed in the Operations Manual e) Oversees transition to new EBoard as directed in Operations Manual f) Alternate liaison to SGB in place of Director of Intergroup Affairs 2) Executive Director: The Executive Director has the following duties: a) Acts as proxy to President in discussion of CUCR events and policies or conducting Executive Board meetings when necessary b) Manages communication between board members c) Manages Deputy program as outlined in the Operations Manual d) Responsible for General Body Meetings as outlined by the Operations Manual 3) Director of Finances: The Director of Finances has the following responsibilities: a) Maintains close scrutiny over budget and finances and ensure the legal, ethical, and prudent allocation of resources. b) Prepares budget requests for SGB each year and processes reimbursement forms in a timely fashion. c) Provides vouchers and handles account transfers. d) Assumes primary responsibility for fundraising efforts. e) Attends SGB Townhall meetings and acts as general SGB liaison for CUCR. 4) Director of Communications: The sitting Director of Communications may not be the spokesperson for any other political or ideological group on campus during his or her tenure. He or she has the following duties: a) Responsible for weekly General Body communications as outlined in the Operations Manual b) Responds to emails to club alias and directs interview requests to appropriate members c) Responsible for announcements and media publicity for CUCR events d) Responsible for meeting notes, event records, voting records and attendance records. e) Responsible for organization and safekeeping of important CUCR documents such as the Constitution and Operations Manual. 5) Director of Operations: The Director of Operations has the following responsibilities: a) Reserves space, equipment, refreshments, staff, and security for events and meetings as requested by the Executive Board b) Ensures compliance with Administration policies regarding banners, fliers, and activities. c) Maintains CUCR and EBoard listserv and mailing lists 6) Director of Public Relations: The Director of Public Relations has the following duties: a) Responsible for writing or delegating editorials in campus publications b) Supervises any CUCR material publications including newsletters, fliers, signs, banners, shirts, and buttons. c) Ensures compliance with SGB and Administration rules for publications. d) Manages dispersion of publicity materials for campus events e) Coordinates efforts to bring speakers to CU 7) Director of Intergroup Affairs: The Director of Intergroup Affairs has the following duties: a) Responsible for maintaining relationships with other conservative clubs on campus. b) Responsible for getting co-sponsorships from other clubs for CUCR events and presenting co-sponsorship requests from other clubs to the EBoard for a vote. c) Responsible for presenting requests for CUCR’s participation in multi-club activities to the EBoard (ie Glass House Rocks, etc) Social Director: The Social Director has the following duties: a) Directs recruitment efforts, including tabling. b) Plans social events as outlined by the Operations Manual c) Plans charitable outreach for CUCR d) Responsible for taking attendance at EBoard Meetings 9) Creative Director: The Creative Director has the following duties: a) Designs publicity material, such as fliers, as requested by event coordinators b) Maintains online presence of CUCR, including social networking and the CUCR website.

Section III: President Emeritus

There shall be the title of President Emeritus bestowed among all former Presidents of the Columbia University College Republicans. A President Emeritus shall qualify as a voting member of the Executive Board prior to graduation, though voting rights may be terminated by excessive absence from Executive Board meetings. For this purpose, 5 absences a semester or three consecutive absences shall be deemed excessive and will result in revocation of voting privileges. Such revocations may be reversed by majority vote of the Executive Board prior to their automatic implementation.

Section IV: CPU Representative

The position of College Republican Representative on the Governing Board of the Columbia Political Union shall be regulated by the Operations Manual.

Article V: Electing, Appointing, and Removing Officers

Section I: Elections

Election will take place yearly at a publicized general body meeting. Candidates meeting the above qualifications may be nominated, and will be given an opportunity for a short speech and a question-and-answer period. No candidates may vote in their own contest, nor distribute campaign materials. All members who have attended at least two (2) CUCR events in attendance may vote except the Executive Board official presiding over the election. The presiding official will count votes while the nominees are absent from the room. In case of a tie, the presiding official will ask for a second vote between the candidates receiving the most votes, and if necessary, further speeches by the candidates. In the case of a second tie, the presiding official will flip a coin to determine the winner. Voting shall be done by secret ballot. The presiding official shall count such ballots at the time of election. A call of the ballots can be called by anyone in the group upon challenge of results. The creation or removal of Executive Board positions is achieved through Constitutional amendment (see IV.II), which can be voted on prior to the election.

Section II: Vacancies

In case of a vacancy, the Presidency will be filled by the current Executive Director unless overruled by a majority of the Executive Board. In case of vacancy of other Executive Board positions, the President, in consultation with the official vacating the position, shall nominate a successor, preferably from within the Board or Deputies. Confirmation of the replacement shall be by majority vote of the Executive Board.

Section III: Impeachment and Removal

Executive Board members may be removed by a formal vote of two-thirds of the Executive Board (subject to override by three-fourths of those present at the next general body meeting) or three-fourths of the entire general body in attendance at a subsequent meeting. Executive Board members may also be removed for excessive absences. For this purpose, more than 4 excused or 2 unexcused absences from Executive Board meetings or 3 unexcused absences from General Body meetings in the period of one semester shall result in automatic removal of the member. The Operations Manual shall dictate the terms of an unexcused or excused absence. The Executive Board may, by a 2/3 vote at each subsequent meeting for which the member is absent, choose to retain the member on the Board. Without a successful vote of retention for a subsequent absence, the member shall automatically be removed and replaced according to the process outlined in Section II.

Article VI: Amendments and Ratification

This document must be ratified by a majority of the College Republicans general body in attendance at the meeting. Amendments may be proposed by any group of three general body members, or any Executive Board member. All amendments must be ratified by two-thirds of the general body in attendance at a subsequent meeting. The final interpreter of the meaning of the Constitution of the Columbia University College Republicans is the Executive Board.