Nu Rho Psi Extracurricular Club Constitution

ARTICLE I The name of the organization shall be “Nu Rho Psi Extracurricular Club” (NRP Club)

ARTICLE II The purpose of the organization shall be to prepare undergraduates at all stages of neuroscience research at Rutgers University for induction into the Nu Rho Psi Honor Society. This includes beginner-level students just starting their careers in research as well as senior-level students intending to enter a countrywide network of neuroscience researchers post-graduation. In line with nationally established values of the honor society, the primary goals of this club are to: encourage professional interest and excellence in neuroscience scholarship, award recognition to students who have achieved such excellence, encourage intellectual and social interaction between students, faculty and professionals in neuroscience and related fields, promote career development, increase public awareness of neuroscience and its benefits for the individual and society, and encourage service to the community.

Section I NRP Club will hold bi-weekly meetings to discuss various contemporary topics in neuroscience research. These topics may include newly-developed experimental methodology, effective techniques in scientific paper comprehension, implications of scientific papers in the research conducted by the student members, etc.. Additionally, NRP Club will host faculty members of Rutgers University to speak about their research and offer their perspectives / guidance on careers in neuroscience. Specific events to be organized are:

• Networking events with Neighboring chapters of Nu Rho Psi — Invite and host members of neighboring Nu Rho Psi chapters (Drew University, U. Penn, etc.) to network with future researchers of neuroscience. • Research Boot Camp — Introduce new researchers about the necessary skills to effectively process scientific papers; learn about what questions should be asked, how to critically look at the data, and the areas of the paper that can be improved upon. • Faculty & Student Researcher BBQ — Offer opportunities for undergraduates to meet PIs and learn about their work in a relaxed, social setting; undergraduates can match with PIs for future work, or learn about the research climate at Rutgers University.

ARTICLE III Membership shall be open to all Rutgers University students and must comply with federal laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, military service, and veteran status, and any other category protected by law.***

ARTICLE IV The officers of the Executive Board shall be Internal President, External President, Treasurer, and Vice President.

Section I The INTERNAL PRESIDENT shall lead the Chapter, preside over regular and executive meetings, coordinate group activities and communicate with the officers and advisor(s) on all matters, and oversee all curricular activities.

Section II The EXTERNAL PRESIDENT shall represent the organization at university functions, represent Nu Rho Psi Omega within Rutgers University (e.g., to other clubs, organizations, departments, etc.) and outside Rutgers University.

Section III The TREASURER shall, consistent with the rules of the College/University, maintain a checking (or other) account exclusively for the organization, collect dues, pay bills, oversee other monetary transactions including fundraising, and prepare, maintain, and present a budget and financial report at least once per year.

Section IV The VICE PRESIDENT shall assist the External and Internal Presidents, linking the two operational halves of Nu Rho Psi Omega. The VP will preside over meetings in the absence of the Internal President, and represent the organization at university functions in the absence of the External President. The Vice President is also an important conduit for information to flow to the rest of the board and to appropriate Chairs.

ARTICLE V At a regular Chapter meeting preceding the meeting at which the election of officers is to be held, a nominating committee of three to five members shall be elected. The chair shall be a member of the Executive Committee (i.e., the officers of the Chapter and the Chapter advisor, see below), and at least one member of the committee shall be a faculty member. It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate candidates for the offices to be filled at a regular meeting in May. Before the election, additional nominations from the floor shall be permitted. • The officers shall be elected by ballot to serve for one year or until their successors are elected. • The term of office shall begin in July of the election year. • Election shall be by simple majority vote of the active members present and voting during the meeting. • A vote shall be taken on one office at a time, beginning with the External Presidency. • In the event that no one receives a majority for a given office, then the two candidates with the most votes shall be in a runoff. • In the event that an office is not filled, the president-elect may appoint a member to that office. • No member shall hold more than one office at a time, and no member shall serve more than two terms in the same office. • Should the office of External or Internal President become vacant, it shall be filled by the Vice President. A vacancy in any other office shall be filled by the Executive Committee with the approval of the Chapter Advisor.

ARTICLE VI Any officer may be removed from office for failure to adequately perform his/her duties. Removal from office requires a majority vote of the Executive Committee, two thirds vote of all Board Members and the approval of the Chapter Advisor.

ARTICLE VII These bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Chapter by a two-thirds vote, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing at a previous regular meeting or has been submitted in writing or email to all active members of the Chapter at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which it is to be considered. Changes to the Bylaws must be consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the National society and forwarded to the National Council upon adoption.

ARTICLE VIII Active membership/ voting rights shall be determined on the basis of attendance at a minimum of two-thirds of NRP Club events and/or meetings before the organization’s spring elections.

ARTICLE IX This organization shall abide by all applicable laws of the State of New Jersey and the United States. ***

ARTICLE X This organization shall abide by all applicable rules and regulations of the University and under the privileges as granted by the Division of Student Affairs and by the rules and regulations of the Board of Governors.***

ARTICLE XI The dues for membership will be determined by the officers and must be approved by a majority vote by the members and will not exceed $5.00 per semester. Members are not required to pay dues. Dues will be used to help the organization in raising funds for items not funded by the RUSA Allocations Board.

ARTICLE XII Admission into NRP Club requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Failure to reach the minimum GPA may restrict admission into NRP Club.