The Current Constitution

Constitution of the University of Maryland Society of Inquiry

Preamble

We, the members of the University of Maryland Society of Inquiry do hereby establish this Constitution in order that our purposes be realized to its fullest extent.

Article I – Name

The name of the organization will be the University of Maryland Society of Inquiry, henceforth referred to as UMDSI.

Article II – Purpose

UMDSI is established for the expressed purpose of:
a) Providing verifiably accurate information on specific subjects of interest to the University of Maryland community.
b) Promoting a skeptical mindset.
c) Advocating for scientific inquiry.
d) Creating a community of students interested in furthering the above.

UMDSI understands and is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities of abiding by University of Maryland College Park Policies.

Article III – Membership

Membership shall be limited to persons officially connected with the University of Maryland, College Park as faculty, staff or registered students. All members must complete a statement of membership at least on an annual basis. Students enrolled in the spring semester as well as students enrolled in summer school are eligible for summer membership.

In addition, the following requirements are necessary to constitute voting membership:
-Currently registered undergraduate.
-Attendance of at least 3 meetings during the current or previous semester.
-Active participation in the organization to be determined by the organization.

UMDSI openly admits students to its membership and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Article IV – Officers

UMDSI will be governed by the following means:
1. An elected President will preside at all meetings of UMDSI. The President will maintain the power to appoint all committee chairpersons, shall present all motions to the body present and shall be present at 90% of the meetings of UMDSI. The President of UMDSI will be the SGA liaison.

2. UMDSI shall also maintain a Vice President. The Vice President’s duties shall be to preside at all meetings and functions that the President cannot attend.

3. Club members shall also elect a Treasurer who will handle all dues, accounts, new members, and rule observances at stated meetings.

4. The role and duties of the faculty advisor shall include attending meetings and providing counsel to the organizations officers etc.

5. All officers of UMDSI must be currently registered undergraduate students.

Article V – Operations

1. Voting Eligibility: Members meeting all requirements of voting membership as set forth in Article II will be granted voting privileges.

2. Election Process: All officers shall be elected by a majority vote of eligible voting members of UMDSI. All elections will be held on an annual basis during the month of April.

The president will take nominations from the floor, the nomination process must
be closed and the movement seconded. The nominated parties will be allowed to
vote.

Officers shall be elected by secret ballot to be collected and tabulated by the Treasurer and one voting member of UMDSI, appointed by the outgoing President.

3. Removal: Any officer of UMDSI in violation of the constitution may be removed from office by the following process:

a. A written request by at least three members of UMDSI.
b. Written notification to the officer of the request, asking the officer to be present at the next meeting and prepared to speak.
c. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote is necessary to remove the officer.

4. Meetings: At least five meetings pre semester will occur with sufficient notice and will include the following if applicable:
a. Attendance.
b. Reports by the President.
c. Committee Reports
d. Votes on all committee motions and decisions
e. Any other business put forth by the members of the club.
f. Dismissal of the President.

Article VI – Finances

UMDSI will finance the activities it engages in by the following means:

1. Activity fees
a. To be determined by the officers.

UMDSI will submit a budget to the Student Government Association Finance Committee on an annual basis.

Article VII – Amendments

The constitution is binding to all members of UMDSI. But the constitution is not binding unto itself.

a. Amendments to the constitution may be proposed in writing by any voting member of UMDSI at any meeting at which 2/3 of the voting members are present.
b. These amendments will be placed on the agenda for the next regular meeting of the executive council or other officer grouping.
c. Proposed amendments will become effective following approval of two thirds (2/3)-majority vote of voting members.

Article VIII - Registration Renewal

UMDSI will apply to the Office of Campus Programs for registration on an annual basis one month after UMDSI’s new officer elections.