Constitution of the Society for Women Students and Supporters (University of Oklahoma)

Ratified 28 Feb 2000
Amended 27 November 2000

Article 1. Name

The name of the organization shall be the Society for Women Students and Supporters [SWSS]. (the organization was formerly known as the Society for Women's Studies Students)

Article 2. Purpose

SWSS supports both feminist scholarship and feminist activism, by:

• educating ourselves, other students, and the local community about women's issues, gender issues, women's/gender studies, and the Women's Studies Program at OU;
• forming a support network both within and outside of academia;
• providing an open forum for the discussion of women's and gender issues;
• organizing, and assisting in organizing, activities related to women's issues;
• providing support for the recruitment, retention, and promotion of women faculty;
• engaging in high school outreach;
• establishing viable and long-term relations with other student organizations to achieve common goals;
• doing community outreach with women's organizations; and
• planning programs and events which engage students and stimulate critical thought and discussion on gender issues.

Article 3. Membership

All students at the University of Oklahoma may become members of SWSS. Members of the surrounding community may become associate members of SWSS. Membership is conferred immediately upon attending any SWSS meeting and signing in.

Article 4. Administration

SWSS is administrated democratically. Issues will be decided on at open meetings, by consent or by vote, if requested. In order to vote, a full member must have attended at least three of the last nine general meetings, not including the meeting at which the vote is taken. If requested, eligibility will be verified using sign-in sheets from previous meetings. New members, or members without the required attendance, may be permitted to vote by consent of the members who are eligible to vote. A quorum of five members, including two officers, must be present in order to conduct business. Officers may designate a proxy, by written note, if they are unable to attend. The elected officers of SWSS, considered the Executive Council, are responsible for ensuring that decisions of the group are carried out in accordance with the constitution.

Article 5. Special Positions

Sponsor - a member of the faculty or staff who shall act as an adviser to the officers of SWSS. The sponsor will also assist in coordinating events which involve planning by both SWSS and the Women's Studies Program.

Officers - elected positions. The four officers are responsible for planning meetings, projects and events.

President: sets the agenda and presides over meetings, acts as a community liaison, creates and oversees committees, and is responsible for making sure all business is addressed and paperwork is completed.

Vice President: presides over meetings in the absence of the president, and assists the president in all activities.

Secretary: takes minutes of meetings, keeps track of attendance at meetings, maintains a list of members and other necessary records, notifies members of upcoming meetings and events, and places notices in the campus newspaper.

Treasurer: manages finances and maintains records.

Appointments - voluntary positions which may be either appointed by the officers or elected, at the officers' discretion. Alternatively, these duties may be taken on by officers.

Historian: is responsible for documenting all events involving SWSS.

Web developer: updates and maintains the SWSS web site.

Article 6. Process of Officer Elections

Elections will be held at the end of the Fall semester, or whenever necessary to fill a vacated position. Quorum must be met, and the members must be notified of the election at least 13 days in advance in the case of an annual election, or six days in advance for other elections. Annual elections must also be announced in the student newspaper. Candidates must be enrolled as undergraduates or graduates at the University of Oklahoma and have the desire and motivation to take an active role in SWSS throughout the following academic year. If more than one position is to be filled, each position will be voted on before nominations are heard for the next position. Elections will proceed in the following order: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer. If no candidate has a majority of votes, run-offs shall be held. Members must be eligible to vote, as outlined in Article 4, to vote in elections.

Article 7. Meetings of the Organization

General meetings will be held either weekly or bi-weekly, at a time and location to be determined by the officers. Notice of each meeting will be emailed to members as well as posted in the campus newspaper. Separate officer meetings may be scheduled as needed.

Article 8. Parliamentary Authority

The presiding officer is entrusted with the responsibility of running each meeting efficiently and fairly. Robert's Rules of Order may be imposed at any meeting by one member's request and a vote in favor by at least one-third of the members present.

Article 9. Amendment Procedures

The constitution may be amended at any open meeting of which members are notified at least six days in advance. Quorum must be met, and no proxy will be allowed. A regular review of the constitution will be held at the end of the spring semester.