CEU Alumni & Friends Association
CONSTITUTION
Preamble
We, the alumni of Central European University, adopt this Constitution in order to establish
and guide the CEU Alumni & Friends Association.
CONTENTS
ARTICLE I – NAME
ARTICLE II – GENERAL STRUCTURE & DEFINITIONS
ARTICLE III - MISSION
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE V – THE CEU ALUMNI COUNCIL
ARTICLE VI – THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
ARTICLE VII – SPECIAL COMMITTEES
ARTICLE VIII – ALUMNI CHAPTERS
ARTICLE IX – ADOPTION & AMENDMENTS
ARTICLE I – NAME
The association shall be known as the CEU Alumni & Friends Association (hereinafter
referred to as the CEU-AFA).
ARTICLE II – GENERAL STRUCTURE & DEFINITIONS
The CEU-AFA shall operate as a network of local alumni chapters and individual alumni. The
CEU-AFA shall have a four-tier structure consisting of the following bodies:
a.) Alumni Council: the highest decision-making body of the CEU-AFA;
b.) Executive Board: the executive body of the CEU-AFA;
c.) special committees: working groups formed by the Alumni Council to take
responsibility for specific activities of the Association;
d.) chapters: local groups of CEU alumni.
ARTICLE III – MISSION
The Association shall serve to establish and enhance a mutually beneficial, enduring
relationship among alumni, and between alumni and the University. The Association shall
promote the CEU’s values and mission. More specific goals shall be as follows:
a.) Networking
The CEU-AFA shall support networking among individual alumni and alumni chapters,
and between the alumni and the University, helping them all to enhance the interests of
alumni and the wider University community.
b.) Recruitment
The CEU-AFA shall assist in the University-led recruitment process, for instance by
promoting and distributing admissions material, organizing information sessions at local
universities or organizing pre-departure orientations, in accordance with CEU’s policies
concerning recruitment.
c.)
Publicity & Communications
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The CEU-AFA shall utilize the Internet and other media channels to enhance
communication and effectively fulfill its mission. All communications published by the
CEU-AFA and its chapters, whether in print or electronically, shall carry a standard
disclaimer clarifying that the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of CEU.
d.) Services & Benefits
CEU-AFA members shall be eligible for a wide range of services and benefits, which
shall promote communication, networking, continuing education, and recreation in the
alumni community. These services shall be provided by the University and/or local
alumni chapters. The Alumni Affairs Office (AAO) shall publish an annual portfolio
outlining benefits and services.
e.) Career Exploration
The CEU-AFA shall assist its members in career development and placement. The CEUAFA, the AAO, and the Student Advising Center shall jointly administer the Alumni
Mentor Program, providing both ad hoc career consulting services and mentoring.
f.) Fundraising & Community Service
If approved by the University or upon University’s request, fundraising projects may be
initiated to serve the interest of the University community. These projects may be
campaigns or fundraising events for scholarships, awards, or other legitimate purposes. In
accordance with the mission of CEU, the Association may also offer community service
coordinated by local alumni chapters.
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
Types of Membership
a.) Regular Members: alumni. Any CEU graduate* is by definition an alumnus/ alumna, and is eligible
for benefits offered by the CEU-AFA.
b.) Associate Members: former CEU students who have not graduated from the University, as well as
individuals or friends willing to support the Association and act in accordance with its mission.
c.) Honorary Members: other individuals whose active participation or regular donations have
resulted in major development of the Association or the University.
Section 2.
Further Aspects of Membership
The AAO shall issue CEU-AFA membership cards to eligible individuals. Local chapters’ membership
policies (if any) may differ from those of the Association, but shall by no means contradict or limit the
membership criteria or members’ rights and privileges stated in Section 1 of this Article.
Section 3.
Nominations
The Alumni Council shall award Honorary Member status upon recommendation by alumni chapters.
The Executive Board may approve Associate Membership status upon request of the Applicant.
ARTICLE V – THE CEU ALUMNI COUNCIL
Section 1.
Purpose
The CEU Alumni Council shall be the highest decision-making body of the CEU-AFA and shall be
empowered to undertake and regulate any action on behalf of the Association. It shall have all power
necessary and consistent with this Constitution to carry out its activities and those of the Association.
The Council may amend this Constitution, adopt its own standing rules of procedure, select members
of the Executive Board and special committees consistent with this Constitution.
Section 2.
Composition
The CEU Alumni Council shall be composed of the following voting and non-voting members:
a.) voting members
i) one representative of each local alumni chapter, who shall be a regular member of the
CEU-AFA;
*
CEU students that fulfilled all the requirements of a certificate program prior to a program was
accredited shall be regular members.
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ii) the CEU Alumni Affairs Officer; and
b.) non-voting members
i) chairs of committees;
ii) the CEU Vice President for Student Services, or his/her designee;
iii) a representative of the CEU Student Council;
iv) a representative of the faculty, nominated by the CEU Rectorate.
In addition, the Council shall have the right to co-opt further individuals as non-voting members,
including but not limited to alumni volunteers and contact persons not represented by a chapter.
Section 3. Meetings
The Alumni Council shall determine the dates of its meetings. At least one meeting shall be
held each year (Regular Annual Meeting). Extraordinary meetings of the Council may be
called upon the written request of the Executive Committee or at least half the voting
members of the Council. Virtual meetings or teleconferencing may be used when appropriate.
The Council shall maintain minutes of its meetings, and these minutes shall be available to all
CEU-AFA members upon request.
Section 4. Voting Procedure
A quorum of the Alumni Council shall consist of half the voting members, plus one. Council
decisions shall require a simple majority of voting members present, except as specified in
Art. X.
Section 5. Terms of Service
The members of the Council, as provided in Section 2 of this Article, shall serve one-year
renewable terms, beginning with the first regular annual meeting of the Council. Apart from
ex officio members, Council members may not serve more than three consecutive terms. First
inaugural meeting of the Council shall be convened by the AAO and based upon the list of
local alumni groups and contact individuals registered with the AAO.
ARTICLE VI – THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. Purpose
The Executive Board elected by the Alumni Council shall be responsible for the co-ordination
and management of the Association’s day-to-day activities, and shall report to the Alumni
Council.
Section 2. Composition and Voting
There shall be five Board members. Four shall be Council voting members, of whom at least
one shall be resident in Budapest, and the fifth shall be the Alumni Affairs Officer ex officio.
The members of the Board shall be elected annually by the Alumni Council upon consultation
with CEU. A quorum of five shall be required to make decisions; voting shall be by simple
majority.
Section 3. Correspondence
Each alumnus/alumna may contact the Board in writing, and the Board must consider, and
respond to, this correspondence within reasonable time.
ARTICLE VII – SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Section 1. Purpose
For the purpose of effective planning and implementation of CEU-AFA programs, the
Alumni Council may form committees, which may include but need not be limited to those
listed in Section 2. Each committee shall report to the Executive Board. Committee
membership shall be open to all members of the CEU-AFA.
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Section 2.
Structure
a.) Recruitment & Admissions Committee
This committee shall assist the University to implement its recruitment and admission
policy.
b.) Publications & Public Relations Committee
This committee shall assist the University to evaluate its editorial policy and content
of alumni publications. It shall also be responsible for maintaining and updating the
CEU-AFA’s web resources.
c.) Career Network Committee
This committee shall be responsible for implementing the Alumni Mentor Program
and other career-related programs for current students and alumni.
d.) Development & Fundraising Committee
This committee shall help to promote University-led development activities, and
coordinate alumni fundraising drives.
e.) Reunions & Events Committee
This committee shall plan and coordinate reunions and other major alumni events.
ARTICLE VIII – ALUMNI CHAPTERS
Section 1. Purpose
Chapters are self-organizing local alumni communities. Alumni groups provide a structured
vehicle through which alumni foster links among themselves and with the University. The
chapter network allows the University to extend its visibility and influence beyond campus.
Section 2. Chapter Establishment & Maintenance
Chapters may have different goals and aims, but these goals and aims shall be consistent with
the mission and principles of the CEU-AFA stated in this Constitution. The Alumni Council
shall recognize an alumni group as a CEU-AFA chapter on the basis of the following criteria:
a.) a sufficient number of graduates in the area to form a chapter, as determined by the
Alumni Council;
b.) a core group of willing individuals who shall take the organizational initiative and help
sustain it;
c.) at least one annual reunion and regular networking activities;
d.) participation in any of the following University-led activities: fundraising, recruitment,
public relations, and other activities aimed at the enhancement and support of the
University.
The Council must provide reasons for its decisions and suggest alternatives should it find a
chapter’s establishment or continuation unviable. A negative decision shall not preclude an
alumni group from reapplying.
ARTICLE IX – ADOPTION & AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Adoption
This Constitution shall come into effect upon review and approval of the CEU Planning &
Budget Committee and upon approval by a simple majority of all CEU alumni voting in a
referendum.
Section 2. Amendments
Any member of the Alumni Council may propose amendments to this Constitution. The
Alumni Council may amend this Constitution by a three-fourths majority vote of voting
members present at the Regular Annual Meeting of the Council, provided that a written copy
of the proposed amendment is endorsed by the CEU Planning & Budget Committee and
submitted to the members of the Council at least one month before voting.
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CEU Alumni & Friends Association Constitution
CEU Alumni Referendum Ballot
Name (First / Last):
Graduation year (s):
CEU academic department (s):
Contact address:
Contact phone number:
E-mail address:
I vote to adopt this Constitution for the CEU Alumni and Friends Association.
YES
NO
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