CONSTITUTION OF THE VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY STUDENTS FOR LIFE
Preamble
A campus pro-life group was first organized at Valparaiso University in 1973 as a
recognized student organization. It was reorganized and its constitution revised in 1985
and again in 1996. This Constitution is intended to update and rename the group in
keeping with the nature and spirit of the pro-life movement, effective upon ratification in
2006.
Article 1 – Name
The name of this organization shall be “Valparaiso University Students for Life.” This
shall be abbreviated as VUSFL. The organization shall be located on the campus of
Valparaiso University in the city of Valparaiso, state of Indiana.
Article 2 – Purposes
The purposes of the Valparaiso University Students for Life shall be the following:
1. To support and promote reverence for equal protection of the lives of all human
beings, especially the unborn, the aged, the ill and infirm, and the mentally and
physically disabled.
2. To study and discuss pro-life positions on abortion, infanticide, euthanasia,
human experimentation, and other appropriate issues; and to attempt to promote,
especially through educational efforts, a pro-life position on these issues to the
campus of Valparaiso University.
3. To provide a setting in which those who share the group’s concerns can meet
regularly to discuss issues of concern and to look for ways to work within the
community in order to enhance the lives of those who are especially vulnerable.
Article 3 – Membership
Voting membership in the organization is open to all Valparaiso University students who
support the purposes enunciated in Article 2 of this Constitution. Membership shall not
be influenced or decided on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin, or
disability. All members shall be eligible for election to any vacant officership.
Article 4 – Meetings
The Executive Board, comprised of the elected officers, shall meet biweekly. The
organization at large shall meet biweekly. These meetings shall take place on alternating
weeks. All meetings shall be announced at least five days in advance.
Those members present at meetings of the organization at large shall constitute a quorum.
In cases of votes concerning appropriation of funds in excess of 1,000 dollars, or changes
to the Constitution, a majority of members listed on the organization’s roster shall
constitute what shall be referred to as a superquorum.
Article 5 – Officers
Officer positions in the organization shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and
Treasurer. These officers shall comprise the Executive Board. Terms of offices for each
position shall extend for the duration of the academic year and the summer prior to that
year. Officer elections shall take place during the final members’ meetings of the school
year. Terms shall begin immediately upon Valparaiso University’s scheduled summer
recess.
Officers for each position shall be elected by a majority of the quorum. Elections shall be
held in an orderly and logical manner. Casting of votes shall be by secret ballot. In the
case of a non-majority vote, the top two vote-getters shall be voted upon a second time in
a runoff election, to be held by secret ballot, immediately following the first vote.
A faculty advisor shall serve to advise officers, but shall not be a voting member of the
organization.
The President shall oversee the work of the organization, and shall execute any and all
other duties inherent in this officership.
The Vice President shall preside over meetings, and shall act as a liaison to other pro-life
groups, as well as to community groups, and shall execute any and all other duties
inherent in this officership.
The Secretary shall maintain a membership roster, shall prepare meeting minutes and
agendas, shall inform members of upcoming meetings, shall handle correspondence for
the organization in coordination with the Vice President, and shall execute any and all
other duties inherent in this officership.
The Treasurer shall prepare biannual budget statements in relation to each semester of the
Valparaiso University calendar, shall be responsible for all bursarial activities, shall
maintain a continuous, uniform and transparent system of financial record-keeping, shall
be responsible for maintaining funds and assets both in cash and accounts, shall maintain
communication with all chairs of all fundraising committees, and shall execute any and
all other duties inherent in this officership.
In cases of necessity, the Treasurer may form a Treasury Committee to assist in
performance of financial and bursarial duties. Such a committee shall be formed by
unanimous vote of the Executive Board, and membership shall be decided by
appointment by the Treasurer. All appointees must be unanimously approved by the
Executive Board. The Treasurer shall act as chair of the Treasury Committee. No
Treasury Committee members shall be considered members of the Executive board, with
the exception of the Treasurer.
Article 6 – Amendments
All proposed amendments to this Constitution shall be presented to the Executive Board
at the first Executive Board meeting of the month. The President shall present any and all
proposed amendments to the organization at large at the next possible opportunity. Notice
of any proposed amendments must be presented to the members at large at least two
weeks in advance of any vote on said amendments. Any amendments to the Constitution
shall require a majority vote of the superquorum.
The Executive Board may veto amendments by unanimous vote. A two-thirds majority of
the superquorum shall be sufficient to override this veto. The opportunity for an override
vote shall be provided to the members at large at the first opportunity after the Executive
Board exercises its veto powers. Any and all vetoes shall be made public at the first
opportunity.
Article 7 – Finances
Any and all fundraising activities shall be conceived, planned and executed by
committee. All such committees shall be comprised of at least one officer of the
organization, and an appropriate number of members at large. All fundraising activities
conceived by committee shall be approved before execution by the organization at large
by a majority vote of the quorum.
No dues shall at any time be required of officers or members. In case of unplanned lack
of necessary funding, voluntary donations from officers or members at large may be
solicited. Payment or nonpayment of said donations shall not result in addition or
removal of organizational rights or duties, nor shall it hold bearing on membership status.
Any solicitation of voluntary donations must be approved by the Treasurer and a majority
of the officers. Any voluntary dues collected shall be reimbursed in the most expedient
manner possible.
Any and all costs that shall arise from the execution of organizational duties, if such costs
are paid by officers or members at large, shall be reimbursed to said parties from
organizational funds.
All funds collected or otherwise received by the organization shall be deposited into an
account at the most immediate possible date after funds are acquired. Any and all
withdrawals of funds from organization accounts shall be approved by the Treasurer and
a majority of officers, and be disclosed in full to the organization. All accounts shall be
registered under “Valparaiso University Students for Life.” The Treasurer, President,
Vice President and faculty adviser shall have access to the account, but no single officer
of adviser may withdraw funds without the presence of at least one other officer or
adviser, or the express consent of all officers. All due consideration and research shall be
implemented in opening or closing any accounts, and any such action shall be approved
by unanimous vote of the officers and a majority vote of the quorum.
Appropriation and disbursal of funds shall be approved by the Treasurer and a majority
vote of the officers, and shall be disclosed to the organization at large within a reasonable
period of time afterward. Any appropriation in excess of 1,000 dollars shall be approved
by the Treasurer, a majority vote of the officers, and a majority vote of the superquorum.