The Epsilon Chapter of Theta Tau Constitution
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THE EPSILON CHAPTER OF THETA TAU CONSTITUTION PREAMBLE We, the brothers of the Epsilon Chapter of Theta Tau, in order to unite our brotherhood behind our pillar values of brotherhood, service, and professional development, do ordain and establish this Constitution for this chapter in Theta Tau. The Chapter shall abide by all rules set forth by the Constitution of the Epsilon Chapter of Theta Tau. Article I – NAME The name of this fraternity shall be The Epsilon Chapter of Theta Tau, herein called the Chapter. The abbreviation of Theta Tau shall be ΘΤ. Article II – PURPOSE The purpose of Theta Tau is to develop and maintain a high standard of professional interest among its members, and to unite them in a strong bond of fraternal fellowship. Article III – MEMBERSHIP We will not haze according to California State Law. We will not restrict membership based upon race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services (including membership, application for membership, performance of service, application for service, or obligation for service in the uniformed services). Section 1: Eligibility A. Membership in this Fraternity shall be open to engineers who possess the qualities of brotherhood, as determined exclusively by the Chapter, and demonstrate a professional attitude beneficial to the fraternity. B. Members must be over eighteen years of age, but a younger student may be pledged. C. Student membership is limited to those enrolled in a curriculum leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree which is accredited there by the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission. Exceptional circumstances for membership, such as for those pursuing minor degrees in the College of Engineering or in Chemical Engineering or higher degrees in engineering may be approved by a four-fifths vote for exception by the Chapter and approved by the Theta Tau Executive Council. D. An individual interested in membership must have a grade point average greater than 2.0 and be in good standing with the University. E. Freshman students may not be initiated in their first semester at the University, or until they have completed an equivalent number of credits. Students within six months of graduation may not be initiated. F. Members of the following national professional fraternities are not eligible for membership in Theta Tau nor can our members join the same: Alpha Chi, Alpha Rho Chi, Kappa Eta Kappa, Scarab, Sigma Phi Delta, Triangle, Alpha Omega Epsilon, Alpha Sigma Kappa, Phi Sigma Rho, Sigma Beta Epsilon, Sigma Rho. G. Eligibility into this Fraternity requires that students interested in becoming a member of the Chapter be subject to a Rush/Bidding Process, Pledging Process, Election to Membership, and Initiation as outlined by the Chapter Constitution and Bylaws. H. The Chapter shall have no more than 70 members at any time unless waived by the Executive Director. I. Only currently registered students, faculty and staff may become active members in a registered student organization. Only active members may vote or hold office. Section 2: Active Membership 1. All active members shall have paid their dues, by the time set forth at the first general meeting each semester, and before the semi annual deadlines set forth by the national organization, or be subject to late fees. Delinquent members who deliberately refuse to pay their fees and/or debts shall be expelled, also to be known as ‘blackballed’. 2. All active members shall support the activities and development of the Chapter as outlined in the Chapter By-Laws to the best of their abilities. Section 3: Non-Active Membership 1. Inactive Membership 1. If a member of the Chapter, due to extraordinary circumstances, is unable to participate as an active member for a particular semester, his or her dues may be reduced to one-fourth the normal dues amount with the approval of a majority of the Cabinet. 2. If a member of the Chapter is offered a Co-op that will require them to temporarily withhold education at their designated campus, 1. The distance of the Co-op must be greater than 60 miles in order to be declared inactive for the semester AND to avoid semiannual dues. 2. If the distance of the Co-op is less than 60 miles, the member must receive the approval of a majority of the Cabinet in order to receive reduced dues. 3. Members deemed inactive do not have the right to attend active-only events put on by the Chapter unless designated otherwise. 2. Alumni 1. Once a member has completed his coursework and acquired his/her degree, he/she is no longer obligated to Chapter fees and is designated a Chapter Alum. 2. Alumni do not have the right to attend active-only events put on by the Chapter unless designated otherwise. 3. The Chapter will incorporate alumni into its program to the best of its abilities. Section 4: Deactivation and Expulsion A. Deactivation 1. A member may choose to deactivate from Theta Tau, in which case they are removed from Chapter correspondence, meetings, events, and any member responsibilities. 2. Deactivated member are erased from the database after 2 years. 3. A deactivated member may request reactivation within 1 years of absence and be readmitted only with a 100-percent approval from the active members. B. Expulsion 1. Expulsion may also be referred to as “Blackballing”. 2. Members are eligible for expulsion and are deactivated when they have shown inability to abide to the Chapter Constitution, By-Laws, and Amendments. 3. Members are expelled from the Fraternity by an affirmative vote as specified in the By-Laws. Article IV – EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, CHAIRS, COMMITTEES, AND ELECTIONS Members elected to an officer position in the Chapter should demonstrate exemplary responsibility, leadership, authority, and commitment to the Chapter, and should be elected on this basis. The term of all officer positions, with the exception of Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, and Emerging Events Coordinator, shall be one academic semester. All Chapter members shall be restricted to two consecutive terms and no more than four total terms for any single position. All positions shall be held by one and only one persons, with the exception of the Pledge Instructor, Emerging Event Coordinator, Historian, Rush Chair, and Fundraising which may be held by up to two persons. Section 1: Executive Officers The Executive Officers of the Chapter comprise of the Regent, Vice-Regent, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and Corresponding Secretary, herein referred to as the Cabinet. Members must have prior officer experience in the Chapter before running for positions within the Cabinet. A. The duties and powers of the REGENT shall be: 1. To act as the chief representative of the Chapter. 2. To work with the Vice-Regent to monitor the actions of all members and officers. 3. To delegate tasks to the officer corps and to oversee the operations of the Chapter. 4. To preside at all meetings, initiate all pledges, and witness the records of all initiates. 5. To be responsible for the Charter, Ritual, Constitution, and Roll Book. 6. To be jointly responsible with the Treasurer and Scribe for the execution of their duties. 7. To appoint all non-elective officers and committees. 8. To adhere to aspects of our Risk Management Policies. 9. To execute any other duties imposed by this Constitution or the Chapter. B. The duties and powers of the VICE-REGENT shall be: 1. To act as the Chief-of-Staff and monitor the actions of all members and officers, and coordinate and oversee the work of all committees. 2. To act as presiding officer in the absence of the Regent. 3. To be in charge of reserving and maintaining the chapter room. a. Sign-up as a student group Signatory with the Campus, Life, and Leadership. b. Submit room requests. 4. To see that the officers are at their stations at the opening of meetings. 5. To be prepared to handle the duties of the Regent should you be called upon to take the Regent's place temporarily. 6. To assist in the fulfillment of the Regent’s responsibilities. 7. To execute any other duties imposed by this Constitution or the Chapter. C. The duties and powers of the RECORDING SECRETARY, also to be known as the SCRIBE, shall be: 1. To record and distribute the minutes of all meetings of the Chapter. 2. To maintain the records of all other officers’ files, including committee meeting minutes, event/project proposals and evaluations, etc. 3. To work in conjunction with the Corresponding Secretary in order to fill out and send in Pledge Forms & Fees within 2 weeks of pledging, Officer Election Reports right after elections, and Membership Status Change right after graduation. 4. To perform any other duty the Regent may require. D. The duties and powers of the TREASURER shall be: 1. To keep financial records of the Chapter’s funds and transactions, and be able to present a verbal financial report of the organization's holdings at any meeting. 2. Have the financial records of the chapter audited regularly and prepare a written report of the fiscal year at the end of each academic term. 3. To work with the Corresponding Secretary in order to complete the financial portion of the chapter's Annual Report to Nationals. a. Collect initiation fees and badge costs from new initiates before initiation and remit them with the Combination Form to the national Fraternity promptly after initiation. b. Coordinate with the Scribe in completing the report and payment of Initiation Fees and Badge Costs using the Initiation Report and Jewelry Price List worksheets found on the website at: http://www.thetatau.org/?page=forms c.