Constitution for the Tufts University History Society
March 2015
Article I
Purpose
Section I.
The purpose of the History Society is to create a productive community among students
in history at Tufts University. We will: aid in the administration of course evaluations at
the end of each semester; aid with the history department student-faculty social in the
spring semester; arrange guest lectures and off-campus historical tours; help apportion
departmental funds for student activities; and discuss with the department chair any
academic problems or concerns that need attention.
Section II.
One of more members of the History Society may be invited to attend department
meetings when appropriate, or to help participate in interviewing candidates for positions
in the department when requested by the department.
Section III.
We will also arrange an internship program for history-related internships, acting as a
liaison between the student, the department, and the organization. Further, we will
arrange for the publication of student papers in the form of a history journal.
Article II
Membership
Section I.
Membership shall be open to all members of the Tufts community who have paid the
Student Activities fee and who have an interest in history.
Section II.
The Tufts University History Society does not discriminate based upon race, religion,
gender, nationality, handicap, sexual orientation, or age, etc. for club membership,
leadership, etc.
Article III
Meetings
Section I.
Meetings shall be held on a bi-weekly basis during the academic year.
Article IV
Voting
Section I.
A voting member shall be one who attends meetings on a regular basis. (Sign-in sheets
will be retained from every meeting.)
Section II.
A majority shall rule in all voting matters, except as otherwise indicated.
Section III.
In the event of a tie in the voting process, a decision will be made by the President as to
the proper course of action.
Section IV.
A quorum is established by the attendance of a least ten members except as otherwise
indicated.
Article V
Faculty Advisor
Section I.
The faculty advisor shall be selected by the History Department. The advisor will remain
in this position until either: he/she resigns; or an officer recommends the he/she be
replaced, another officer seconds the recommendation, and three-fourths of the officers
vote that he/she should be replaced and two-thirds of the voting members support the
officers’ decision, by vote, at the next meeting.
Article VI
Officers and Elections
Section I.
The officers of the History Society shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and
Treasurer. Each office can be filled by as many as two people.
Section II.
Elections shall be held at the end of the spring (and if necessary, at the start of the fall
term) and shall affect the forthcoming academic year.
Section III.
If a seat becomes vacant, elections to fill it will be held at the next announced meeting.
Section IV.
If an officer chooses not to run again, he/she may oversee the elections. If all returning
officers are running for office again, or if all officers have graduated, the faculty advisor
must be present to oversee elections.
Section V.
Notification of the election will be made one meeting prior to it or via email one week
prior to aforementioned election.
Article VII
Duties of Officers
Section I.
The President
a. Shall preside over all meetings;
b. Has the authority to act on behalf of the History Society when matters require
immediate action;
c. Shall act as a liaison between History Society and its advisor;
d. Shall be responsible for obtaining re-recognition from the TCUJ every other
fall;
e. Shall be a signatory for the History Society.
f. Shall oversee committees responsible for arranging faculty-students events,
guest speakers, and off-campus trips and activities.
Section II.
The Vice-President
a. Shall take over the responsibilities of the President in his/her absence;
b. Shall assist the President in carrying out his/her duties;
c. Shall oversee the committees responsible for student run events.
Section III.
The Secretary
a. Shall keep minutes of all meetings;
b. Shall be in charge of club advertising;
c. Shall be responsible for contacting members about History Society meetings
and any information that the President needs to have communicated to them.
Section IV.
The Treasurer
a. Shall keep all financial records;
b. Shall take responsibility for preparation of the budget of the History Society;
c. Shall be signatory for the History Society.
Article VIII
Officers and Impeachment
Section I.
An officer may be impeached when he/she:
a. Fails to attend History Society meetings on a regular basis;
b. Fails in his or her duties as an officer and/or as a member of the organization;
c. Acts in a manner detrimental to the History Society.
Section II.
Charges for impeachment must be brought to the attention of the highest ranking officer
whose position is not in question (Rank: 1. President; 2. Vice-President; 3. Secretary; 4.
Treasurer).
Section III.
A vote shall be held at the next announced meeting of the History Society. Both parties
will have the opportunity to present their arguments in a dialogue that shall be moderated
by the highest ranking officer whose position is not in question. A two-thirds approval
vote is needed to enact the impeachment.
Article IX
Amendments
Section I.
An amendment may be proposed and seconded by the officers.
Section II.
The amendment will be voted on at the next announced meeting.
Section III.
A three-fourths approval vote is needed to pass an amendment.
Section IV.
All amendments must comply with the rules, laws, and regulations of the Tufts Judiciary
and must be approved by that body.