2024-2025 Constitution for the College Democrats at the University of South Florida – St. Petersburg campus
The purpose and goals of this organization are to work to promote the principles and values of the Democratic Party at the local, state, and national levels through engaging the student body and promoting their participation in the political process. The College Democrats will work with Democratic elected officials, candidates, and community leaders to promote Democratic Party values and raise awareness of these values at the University of South Florida.
Article I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be College Democrats.
Article II. PURPOSE, GOALS, and AFFILIATION
The purpose and goals of this organization is to work to promote the principles and values of the Democratic Party at the local, state and national level through engaging the student body and promoting their participation in the political process. The College Democrats will work alongside Democratic elected officials, candidates, and community leaders to promote Democratic Party principles and increase awareness of these principles at the University of South Florida.
Article III. MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS
A. Requirement for Membership Only undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled on the University of South Florida- St. Petersburg campus are eligible for membership. 100% of active membership must be USF- St. Petersburg students and open to all students. Associate members may be USF faculty, staff, or alumni and spouses and domestic partners of student members. These associate members shall not be given the rights and privileges of active USF students including but not limited to voting rights, use of facilities, or equipment, and/or benefits from student-funded resources.
B. Length of Term for membership will take effect when an interested party confirms membership on the organization roster. Active membership continues for one (1) academic school year or until an individual has been removed by the organization. Associative membership continues until either the individual withdraws or has been removed by the organization.
C. Requirements for continued membership Members are required to uphold the objectives, purpose of the organization, and to comply with University policies. They must also be currently enrolled students. These are the only requirements for membership.
D. Specifications for the removal of members from the group If any member fails to uphold the purpose and objectives of the organization, does not meet membership requirements, or does not comply with University policies, he/she may be held accountable and in jeopardy of losing their membership. Reason for removal of member must be presented to the Executive Board. Written notification shall then be presented with reason for removal to the member in question. The member in question has the right to speak to the board on their own behalf. Then, a vote is taken and he/she may be removed by a 2/3’s vote of the Executive board.
E. Voting Rights Only Active USF – St. Petersburg students in the organization have voting rights. Non-USF- St. Petersburg students do not have voting rights.
Article IV. DUES/FEES
No local dues, fees, assessments, donations, or other charges are levied for membership.
Article V. QUORUM
A quorum shall be composed of 50% + 1 of current, active voting members. Quorum must be present for any vote to take place on organization issues or amendments to this constitution.
Article VI. OFFICERS
A. Officer Positions The required officer positions include: President, Vice President, and Treasurer. These officers are elected to serve a one (1) academic school year term. These positions are included in the Executive Board. Optional officer positions may be created by a majority vote of the Executive Board to serve the organization. Optional officers are elected to serve a one (1) academic school year term. For the office of the President a student shall serve at least (1) academic school year term as a member of the executive board to be eligible to run for President. The duties and titles of these offices will be created and established in the organizational bylaws.
B. An Executive Board comprised of Officers will govern the activities of the organization, and the specific duties of the Officers will be as follows: President: shall preside over meetings, oversee organizational functions, and act as a primary University liaison. Vice President: shall assist the President with his/her duties and preside over the organization in the President's absence. Treasurer: shall receive, dispatch, and keep accurate records of all financial matters regarding the organization and submit the organization's annual budget to Student Government for A&S allocation.
C. All USF- St. Petersburg students who are registered members of the organization must be allowed to run for an E-Board/ Officer position regardless of college/major.
D. Only current USF student members can hold office. If an officer fails to maintain enrollment in the University, they shall resign and/or be removed from office immediately.
E. In the event of the officer board does not meet quorum, by discretion of the President new officers can be appointed to ensure the Executive Board is able to continue business.
F. Committees, Committees may be created as necessary by the President for specific events and projects not to last longer than the current officer term. Each committee will have a chair, as appointed by the President. Any member or officer may be selected as a committee chair. Any number of members may be on a committee.
Article VII. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
A. The elections for officers for the forthcoming year will take place in the month of April. Any student member may campaign or be nominated for any position on the Executive Board.
B. The President must notify members of the election timeline and nomination process at least two weeks prior to the elections meeting. Nominations may be sent in advance to the President or taken during the election meeting.
C. As stated in Article VII C, all USF students who are members of the organization must be allowed to run for an E-Board/Officer position regardless of college/major.
D. Nominees shall be given time to present themselves during the election meeting. Members of the organization may ask candidates relevant questions to their position. Discussion may occur after the questioning period. Voting shall commence afterwards.
E. Elections will be conducted by ballot. The candidate for each office receiving a majority vote of members present at the elections meeting will be considered the victor. If no candidate receives a majority vote, then there will be a run-off between the two candidates with the most votes. The candidate who receives the most votes will be the victor. If a tie still remains, the highest-ranking outgoing officer not involved in the run- off will make the final decision. No member can be elected to more than one position on the Executive Board at one time.
F. New officers take office at the last meeting of the semester in which the elections take place and remain in office until the next election.
G. If a position remains unfilled after the elections process, the newly elected or appointed President will appoint a member to the position or re-assign duties to another officer.
H. In the event that a required officer position becomes vacant, an election to fill that position will automatically occur. If the Executive Board does not have quorum the elected President or appointed President is able to appoint officers to continue business for the academic school year. In the event the President’s position is vacated, the Vice President takes on the interim responsibilities of the President until the next election cycle. If Vice President also resigns the sitting President must appoint a new President to continue business.
I. In the event of the officer board still does not meet quorum, by discretion of the President new officers can be appointed to ensure the Executive Board is able to continue new business.
Article VIII. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS
A. If an officer fails to maintain enrollment in the University, he or she shall resign immediately.
B. If it is believed that an officer fails to uphold the purpose and objectives of the organization, to fulfill the duties of the office, to meet membership requirements, or comply with University policies, he or she may be removed from office. Any member of the organization may exercise the options in this article for removal of officers. One option is a petition signed by at least half of the voting membership or Executive Board requesting his or her removal. The petition must be verified for validity by the Executive Board if signed by the voting membership or the organization advisor if signed by the Executive Board. A second option is to bring forth a vote of ‘no confidence’ and written rationale to the Executive Board. A copy of the ‘no confidence’ written rationale must be submitted to and verified by the organization advisor. Either option must be presented at a general meeting or Executive Board meeting depending on the origin. The officer in question must receive at least two written notifications. Then, another meeting shall be held at which the grievance will be presented, with both sides having the opportunity to present a case.
C. The Advisor, if appropriate, shall preside over the removal hearing. After all arguments have been heard, a secret-ballot vote shall be heard. If at least two-thirds of the voting members present vote for removal, the officer shall be removed immediately.
D. Removed officer positions will be filled in accordance with Article VII G.
Article IX. ADVISOR(S)
A. A full-time USF faculty or staff member advising as part of their position responsibilities will serve as Advisor to the organization.
B. Nominations for Advisor will take place within the Executive Board. An Advisor will be chosen within two weeks of a vacancy. The Executive Board will choose the Advisor by a majority vote and invite him/her to serve as Advisor for the academic year.
C. During officer elections, the organization will vote on whether to continue the Advisor appointment or not. The vote must be a majority of those voting in order to retain the Advisor for the next academic year.
D. The duties of the Advisor include: meeting with organization officers, reviewing the yearly budget, signing all required paperwork and advising on issues of risk management, organization leadership, and USF policy.
E. The Advisor can be removed for not carrying out the duties and expectations as defined in this document. Any member can bring concerns to the Executive Board. The Executive Board will meet with the Advisor to discuss the concerns. After this meeting, the Executive Board will vote on whether to remove the Advisor. If there is a majority vote, then the Advisor will be removed.
F. If an Advisor steps down, is removed, or is not re-appointed, the Executive Board will follow the process stated in Article IX, B.
Article X. MEETINGS
A. The President and Executive Board shall determine the time and place of General meetings by majority vote. The Executive Board shall determine the frequency, time and place to meet for Executive Board meetings by majority vote. Members shall be notified with reasonable notice of the time and place before a meeting occurs.
B. Special meetings may be called upon by any Executive Board member and require at least 48 hour notice to all members.
C. The officer transitions meeting will be held within at least 2 weeks following the election of new officers.
Article XI. RULES OF ORDER
Meetings shall be run according to Robert’s Rules of Order. Robert’s Rules of Order will be used in instances not covered in this constitution.
Article XII. AMENDMENTS
A. Amendments to the constitution shall be submitted by members of this organization to the Executive Board in writing for consideration.
B. Written notification of the proposed amendment to all voting members must be made by mail or email, at least two weeks in advance of any vote on changes in the constitution.
C. A two-thirds vote of members present will be required for adoption.
D. Amendments must be submitted to, and are subject to review and approval by, the respective campus office responsible for student organizations for where the organization will primarily function.
Article XIII. ANTI-HAZING CLAUSE
“This organization prohibits its members, both individually and collectively from committing any acts of hazing as defined herein: “Hazing" as defined by
§1006.63, Florida Statutes, means any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes including, but not limited to, initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate. "Hazing" includes, but is not limited to, pressuring or coercing the student into violating state or federal law; any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance; or other forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the student; and also includes any activity that would subject the student to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment, or other forced activity that could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the student. Hazing does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions or any activity or conduct that furthers a legal and legitimate objective. In addition to Florida Statutes §1006.63, hazing as defined by the USF system also includes, but is not limited to, the forced use of alcohol; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; physical and psychological shocks; deception; verbal abuse; personal servitude; kidnapping; deprivation of privileges granted to others in the organization by use of force or duress; and any other activities which are contrary to academic achievement, the stated purpose of the local and/or (inter)national organization, and/or the mission, policies or regulations of the USF system or applicable state law.”
Article XIV. ORGANIZATION AGREEMENT
The organization agrees to comply with all university policies or procedures, as stated in the Student Handbook, Student Organization Handbook, and Code of Student Conduct, as well as any policies or procedures set forth by the respective campus’ office responsible for student organizations for where the organization will primarily function. If this organization applies for funding through the Student Government Activity and Service funding process, this organization agrees to abide by all Student Government policies.