PATCHIN-JONES HALL
CONSTITUTION
Oklahoma State University
PREAMBLE
We, the residents of Patchin-Jones Hall, in accordance with the laws and regulations
of Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma State University Residence Halls Association,
and Oklahoma State University Regents, in effort to encourage community and promote
education, do solemnly establish the following constitution.
The purpose of this establishment is to stimulate leadership and community
development through a strong hall government in order to accomplish the goals of higher
education, scholarship and growth.
ARTICLE I.
Section 1.
The name of this organization shall be Patchin-Jones Hall Government.
Section 2.
All persons contracted with Oklahoma State University Department of
Residential Life for Patchin-Jones Hall are therefore residents and subject to
this constitution
Section 3.
Patchin-Jones Hall does not discriminate against race, sex, religion, creed,
sexual orientation, or physical disability. Therefore, all Patchin-Jones Hall
residents are entitled to vote in hall-wide elections.
Section 4.
A copy of this constitution will be available upon request. All requests should
be made to the Hall Secretary.
ARTICLE II.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1.
The Executive Board will include:
Hall President, Hall Vice-President, Hall Secretary, Hall Treasurer, Hall Historian
and RHA Senators.
Section 2.
Requirements for members of the Executive Board:
A.
Must be a member of Patchin or Jones Hall
B.
C.
D.
Section 3.
Must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.2
Must attend all Hall Government Meetings unless approved by the Hall
President or the Hall Vice-President prior to absence.
Must attend the monthly Executive meeting.
Powers and duties of members of the Executive Board:
A.
Hall President:
1. Will attend and preside over monthly Executive Board meetings.
2. Shall preside over Hall Government meetings and is a non-voting
member of the body.
3. Shall establish, in agenda format, tentative goals and objectives to
serve as starting points for Hall Government meetings.
4. Will be responsible for submitting OTMs each month.
5. Will co-sign all vouchers concerning hall funds.
6. Will complete a report in association with the Board of Executives
outlining programs and events occurring during the year.
7. Will attend the weekly RHA presidents meeting.
8. Will hold at least one monthly Executive Board Meeting to conduct
business for the Hall Government.
9. Will carry out any correspondence on behalf of Patchin or Jones Halls.
10. Will sign all bills voted on in Hall Government.
11. Will work with other executives to make sure Hall Government
members are fulfilling the duties of their offices and will seek
corrective measures including but not limited to training or removal
from office.
12. Will hold and post a minimum of three office hours per week in
exception to school holidays.
13. Will be responsible for upholding and therefore implementing the
Patchin-Jones Constitution.
B.
Hall Vice President
1. Will attend monthly Executive Board meetings.
2. Will attend weekly Hall Government meetings.
3. Will be responsible for overseeing the activities of Hall Government
committees.
4. Will maintain communication with the Committee Chairpersons.
5. Will complete the tasks assigned by the Hall President and Hall
Government.
6. Will assume the duties of Hall President in his or her absence.
7. Will hold and post a minimum of two office hours per week in
exception to school holidays.
8. Will work with other executives to make sure Hall Government
Members are fulfilling the duties of their offices and will seek
corrective measures including but not limited to augmented training or
removal from office.
9. Will be responsible for upholding and therefore implementing the
Patchin-Jones Constitution.
C.
Hall Secretary
1. Will attend monthly Executive Board meetings.
2. Will attend weekly Hall Government meetings.
3. Will keep an accurate attendance to Hall Government meetings.
4. Will keep accurate records regarding who is eligible to vote and who is
not.
5. Will record the minutes of all Hall Government, Executive Board, and
Board of Presidents meetings and post them within 24 hours after each
meeting is held.
6. Will keep copies of the minutes, agendas, and all paperwork for the
Hall Governments for subsequent years.
7. Will record the vote on each bill brought before Hall Government to
be included and posted with the minutes.
8. Will complete tasks assigned by the Hall President and Hall
Government.
9. Will hold and post a minimum of two office hours per week in
exception to school holidays.
10. Will work with other executives to make sure Hall Government
members are fulfilling the duties of their offices and will seek
corrective measures including but not limited to training or removal
from office.
11. Will be responsible for upholding and therefore implementing the
Patchin-Jones Constitution.
D.
Hall Treasurer
1. Will attend monthly Executive Board meetings.
2. Will attend weekly Hall Government meetings.
3. Will keep an accurate record of funds dispersed by Hall Government.
4. Will make a weekly financial report to the Hall Government.
5. Will make the necessary reports to the university.
6. Will attend a university-sponsored Purchase-card training session and
fill out all appropriate paperwork.
7. Will meet will the Patchin-Jones Hall Advisor on a bi-weekly basis for
the purpose of checking P-card screens and making sure all records are
accurate.
8. Will execute duties of the office as dictated by Oklahoma State
University, Resident Halls Association, and Patchin Hall Government.
9. Will complete tasks assigned by the Hall President and Hall
Government
10. Will hold and post a minimum of two office hours per week in
exception to school holidays.
11. Will work with other executives to make sure Hall Government
members are fulfilling the duties of their offices and will seek
corrective measures including but no limited to training or removal
from office.
12. Will be responsible for upholding and therefore implementing the
Patchin-Jones Constitution.
E.
Historian
1. Will attend monthly Executive Board meetings.
2. Will attend weekly Hall Government meetings.
3. Will be responsible for obtaining pictures from all events.
4. Will be responsible for making the hall scrapbook at the end of the
year.
5. Will complete tasks assigned by the Hall President and Hall
Government.
6. Will hold and post a minimum of one office hours per week in
exception to school holidays.
7. Will work with other executives to make sure Hall Government
members are fulfilling the duties of their offices and will seek
corrective measures including but no limited to training or removal
from office.
8. Will be responsible for upholding and therefore implementing the
Patchin-Jones Constitution.
F.
RHA Senators:
1. Will be responsible for attending weekly RHA Senate Meetings.
2. Will be responsible for obtain and relaying information shared at RHA
Senate Meetings.
3. Must always express the views and concerns of Patchin-Jones Hall to
the Senate accurately.
4. Maintain contact with residents to be able to accurately represent view
of their residents.
5. Will attend weekly hall government meetings.
6. Be responsible for writing bills representing the needs of the Hall
Government.
7. Will always vote for the best interest of the residents of Patchin-Jones
Hall.
ARTICLE III.
HALL GOVERNMENT
Section 1.
The Patchin-Jones Hall Government will include:
Executive Board, Board of Presidents, RHA Senators, Uhuru House President,
Hall Government Advisor, Hall Committees and all other Voting Members.
Section 2.
Powers and duties of Hall Government:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Section 3.
Members:
A.
Voting Members:
Voting members shall be the Executive Board excluding the Hall
President (in exception of a tie vote), Community Presidents (or proxies),
RHA Senators, the Uhuru House President, and Committee Chairs.
B.
Section 4.
To uphold the Patchin-Jones Constitution.
Coordinate and regulate the activities and programs of Patchin and Jones
Halls.
To approve the Patchin-Jones Hall Budget.
To authorize disbursement of Patchin-Jones Hall funds to external parties
To represent the concerns of the residents of Patchin Hall.
To hold weekly Hall Government meetings.
Non-voting Members:
Non-voting members shall be Patchin-Jones Hall residents, excluding
Community Presidents (or proxies), and the Hall President, except in the
case of a tie vote.
General requirements of Voting Members:
Requirements of voting members:
1.
2.
Section 5.
Resignations:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Section 6.
Must be a resident of Patchin-Jones Hall.
Must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.2.
If a member is unable to fulfill the requirements of voting members, the
member in question must resign his/her seat.
When resigning a seat, a formal written letter of resignation must be
signed and submitted to the Executive Board and Hall Advisor.
Copies of the resignation must be submitted to the Hall President and the
Hall Government Advisor.
Two weeks notice is expected.
Quorum:
A quorum of fifty percent plus one of the voting members is required for an
official meeting of the Patchin-Jones Hall Government meetings.
Section 7.
Attendance:
1.
All voting members are required to attend all Hall Government meetings.
2.
In the case of an unavoidable absence a proxy can be sent with full
responsibilities and duties of the member in his or her absence.
3.
4.
5.
A proxy must be a resident of Patchin or Jones Hall and cannot be a
community facilitator.
Voting members may have a maximum of three absences from Hall
Government meetings.
After the third absence, the member is suspended and disciplinary action
may be taken.
ARTICLE IV.
COMMUNITY REPRESENTATION
Section 1.
Community Representation will include:
Community Presidents and any appointed positions.
Section 2.
Powers and duties of Community Representation:
A.
Community President
1.
Will attend all Patchin-Jones Hall Government meetings.
2.
Will attend all Board of Presidents meetings.
3.
Will represent questions, concerns, and interests of the residents of
their communities to the Patchin-Jones Hall Government.
4.
Will be responsible for organizing a minimum of one Community
Program a month.
5.
Will be responsible for organizing a minimum of one Community
Service Program per semester with the help of the Community
Service chair-person (in-addition to a monthly program).
6.
Will be responsible for using all four aspects of the program model
throughout the year.
7.
Will complete tasks assigned by the Patchin-Jones Hall President
and Hall Government.
8.
Will have the power to appoint positions within community.
ARTICLE V.
UHURU HOUSE
Section 1.
Powers and Duties of the Uhuru House President
1.
2.
3.
4.
Will provide weekly report of floor activities to Hall Government.
Will follow the descriptive duties assigned by RHA and Residential Life.
Will attend all weekly Hall Government Meetings.
Will obtain and relay information and materials between the house and Hall
Government.
5. Will post information and materials for upcoming events.
6. Will represent the views and concerns of the house in Hall Government.
7. Will be responsible for upholding and therefore implementing the PatchinJones Constitution.
ARTICLE VI.
JUDICIAL BOARD
The Judicial Board shall maintain and follow the regulations set forth by the Campus Wide
Judicial board. Please refer to policies set up by the Judicial Board system.
ARTICLE VII.
HALL GOVERNMENT ADVISOR
Section 1.
The Hall Government Advisor will provide requested guidance to Hall
Government and Hall President during meetings.
Section 2.
Will provide any and all information not relayed by floor representatives as
pertains to Patchin-Jones Hall.
Section 3.
Will be available for consultation to any and all committees.
Section 4.
Will attend Hall Government and Executive Board meetings.
Section 5.
Will hold and post office hours.
Section 6.
Will make a weekly report to Hall Government.
Section 7.
Will check grades each semester for every member of Hall Government and take
appropriate actions as stated within the constitution.
Section 8.
Cannot appoint to the various positions in the Hall Government except on a
nomination basis, nor a voting member of the Hall Government.
ARTICLE VIII.
HALL COMMITTEES
Section 1.
Standing Hall Committees:
A. Activities Committee:
1. Is responsible for social programming in Patchin and Jones Hall.
2. Is responsible for one big event per semester.
3. Is responsible for the planning of the Annual Tea Party.
4. Will meet biweekly.
5. Will report to the Hall Government.
6. Will complete tasks assigned by the Hall President or the Hall
Government.
B. Homecoming Committee:
1. Will plan and implement homecoming activities for Patchin and
Jones Halls.
2. Will be responsible for attending weekly campus wide
homecoming meetings.
3. Will be responsible for obtaining and relaying information from
campus wide homecoming meetings.
4. Will make weekly report to Hall Government.
C. Life Skills Coordinator:
1. Will be responsible for all implementation and up-keep of a
recycling program for Patchin and Jones Halls.
2. Shall report to Hall Government meetings when requested.
D. Hall Improvement Committee:
1. The Hall improvement Committee will direct projects aimed at
renovations and maintenance that will improve the community and
way of life for Patchin-Jones Halls
2. The Patchin-Jones HIC will hold one meeting per month.
E. Constitution Committee:
1. Will review the constitution for annual acceptance during spring
semester elections.
2. Will make reports to the Government on an as needed only basis.
F. Community Service Committee:
1. Will work with Board of Presidents to implement community
service activities.
2. Will report to the government on an as needed basis.
3. Is responsible for four community service projects per semester.
4. Will attend weekly hall government meetings.
5. Will arrange meetings on an as needed basis
Section 2.
Ad-hoc Committees:
Ad-hoc Committees shall be created by the Hall Government in order to address a
specific issue not currently designated to a standing committee. Requirements for
such committees shall be established when the committee is created.
ARTICLE VIII.
ELECTIONS & SUCCESSION OF ELECTED OFFICIALS
Section 1.
General Hall Elections:
A.
Elections for Fall Semester:
1.
2.
3.
4.
The Election Committee Chair will be appointed by the VicePresident with the approval of the other Executive Board members
and a two-thirds (2/3) confirmation vote of voting members in Hall
Government meeting.
The election will include the following positions: Hall President,
Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian and RHA Senators.
The winner of the election is determined by which candidate has a
majority vote.
In the event of a tie, or where no candidate receives a clear
majority, a run-off election will be held within one week.
.
Section 2.
Section 4.
Elections inside Hall Government meetings:
A.
In the event that an Executive Board position opens during the semester,
the Hall President may appoint a replacement who must receive a twothirds (2/3) confirmation vote of voting members of Hall Government for
the appointment to be recognized.
B.
In the event a Hall Executive Board position is vacant during the semester,
excluding Hall President, an election may be held within a Hall
Government Meeting. Whoever receives the majority of votes from voting
members shall take the vacant position.
Special Elections
A.
Special Elections will be held:
1.
2.
B.
Section 3.
To approve amendments to the constitution.
To approve or reject measures initiated by petitions meeting those
requirements stated in the constitution.
Special elections will be held within ten (10) school days after a measure
has been introduced to Hall Government. This election must be advertised
in a way that all residents are aware of it.
Succession of Elected Officials:
A.
If the Hall President is temporarily unable to fulfill and perform the duties
of the office due to incapacitation or an absence from campus, the Hall
Vice-President will perform the duties of the Hall President upon
assignment from the Hall President or Executive Board. If Vice president
is unable to perform the duties, the next shall be the Treasurer and then the
Secretary.
ARTICLE IX.
IMPEACHMENT
Section 1.
Charges for impeachment can be brought forth by any member of Hall
Government against any member of Hall Government. Charges can be
substantiated by any resident, with a petition of a minimum of thirty percent of
Patchin-Jones residents’ signatures.
Section 2.
Elected officials who can be impeached:
Section 3.
Section 4.
A.
Any voting member of Hall Government.
B.
Members of the Hall Executive Board.
C.
Members of the Hall Cabinet.
Causes for impeachment:
A.
Failure to fulfill those powers and duties as described in the Patchin-Jones
Hall Constitution.
B.
Malfeasance in office.
Impeachment process:
A.
Any member wanting to bring impeachment charges must submit the
proper documentation to the Hall Secretary in writing one week before
action can be brought.
B.
This documentation will include:
1.
2.
3.
C.
Written charges against the member.
Signatures of two members who are in agreement to the charges.
These two members cannot be those bringing forth charges for
impeachment.
Signature of the Hall Secretary. In the case that charges are being
brought against the Hall Secretary, the Hall President will sign.
The articles of impeachment must be tried within two weeks after the
articles have been enacted.
D.
After charges have been brought forth, the Hall Secretary shall notify the
accused member of the enacting of proceedings against him/her one week
prior to the next meeting of Hall Government.
D.
In the case that charges are being brought against the Hall Secretary, the
Hall President shall notify him/her.
E.
A three-fouths (3/4) majority vote of voting members of the Hall
Government trying the articles of impeachment is required to remove the
member from office.
F.
The member removed from office is ineligible to hold any position in Hall
Government for the remainder of the academic year.
ARTICLE X.
RATIFICATION, AMENDMENTS & BY-LAWS
Section 1
Ratification:
This constitution will be ratified if it receives fifty percent plus one of votes of the
residents of Patchin and Jones
Section 2
Amendments:
A. Proposed amendments to this constitution must be presented in writing to the
Hall Government at least one week before the amendment is to be voted on.
A written copy must be filed with the Hall Secretary.
B. Amendments may be proposed by any member of Hall Government or by
petition of at least twenty-five percent of Patchin-Jones residents.
C. A two-thirds confirmation vote of voting members of Hall Government is
needed before the amendment can be moved to a special election.
D. A majority of fifty percent plus one of Patchin and Jones residents is required
for the acceptance of proposed amendments.
Section 3
By-Laws:
A. By-Laws to this constitution must be proposed to the Hall Government one
week prior to being voted on.
B. A two-thirds majority of voting members of Hall Government is needed to
adopt a by-law.
C. By-Laws will not come into conflict or in any way violate this constitution or
the constitution of the Residence Halls Association
ARTICLE XI.
PETITONS
Section 1.
Section 2.
Initiative:
A.
An initiative is the process by which a group of residents may propose by
petition a legislative measure to be voted on by the residents of PatchinJones Hall.
B.
75 percent of the residents of Patchin-Jones Hall signing a petition and
presenting it to the Hall Government will be sufficient to immediately
begin legislation of the subject matter contained in the petition.
Referendum:
A.
A referendum is the process by which a group of residents may challenge
by petition a legislative measure passed by Hall Government to be
accepted or rejected by vote of the residents of Patchin-Jones Hall.
B.
51 percent of the residents of Patchin-Jones Hall signing a petition and
presenting it to the Hall Government one (1) week after legislation being
challenged will be sufficient to require the Hall Government to submit a
contested action to a special vote of the residents of Patchin Hall.