TITLE: CONSTITUTION OF THE MULTI-ETHNIC ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE ASSOCIATION
PREAMBLE: This organization is designed to encourage interaction among under-represented (multiethnic or minority) engineering students from diverse backgrounds and cultures. It is intended to be a
service and social organization for multi-ethnic students, that actively pursues a program of high academic
standards, group representation, career development, and as a support mechanism in these and other
activities of interest to minority engineers at the university.
ARTICLE I
Purposes, aims, functions:
1.)
To promote interaction amongst minority engineers at the university.
2.)
Promote and encourage recruitment of undergraduate, and graduate students in engineering at the
university.
3.)
To assist and promote minority engineers toward academic excellence through the identification of
tutoring services.
4.)
Inform minority engineers of career and summer job opportunities available from the placement
office.
5.)
To provide a communication link between the College of Engineering administrators and minority
students.
6.)
Seek interaction among other organizations within the School of Engineering that promotes the
engineering profession.
7.)
Serve as a support group, provide encouragement, and understanding of concerns unique to
minority engineering students.
8.)
Provide information to students via bulletin board.
ARTICLE II
Membership:
1.)
In no aspect of its programs shall there be any difference in the treatment of persons because of
race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation,
gender identity, or associational preference, or any other classification which would deprive the
person of consideration as an individual. The organization will guarantee that equal opportunity
and access to membership, programming, facilities, and benefits shall be open to all persons.
2.)
Membership is open to all under-represented (multi-ethnic) engineering students in the
undergraduate and graduate program. Membership is also open to faculty, stuff and community
members, and all other persons interested in issues of concern to minority engineering students at
the University.
3.)
Members are requested to participate in at least one activity per semester.
4.)
Members are requested to attend at least one monthly meeting per semester.
5.)
Complete the application for membership.
6.)
All other decisions related to membership are decided by majority vote by the organizational
board members.
ARTICLE III
Officers and Duties:
1.)
The MESA board shall consist of: a.) President, b.) Vice-president, c.) Treasurer, and d.)
Secretary. In the case this positions are absent, the President shall distribute the positions and
responsibilities amongst the filled positions on the board.
2.)
Qualifications for board members are: 1.) Currently enrolled student to served at least one
semester to a year. 2.) Willingness to put forth the effort to accomplish the goals of the
organization.
3.)
Officers will be elected by majority vote of registered members of the organization.
4.)
Removal from office will be determined by majority vote of registered members.
5.)
The board retails the discretion to resolve any issues of concern to the organization not covered in
this constitution in the most democratic means.
ARTICLE IV
Advisor:
The advisor will selected by the board and registered members. He/She may be a member of the
administration, staff, or community with a interest in the organization’s concerns.
ARTICLE V
Meetings:
1.)
Meetings will be held once a month at a agreed location by the board. In the event a meeting is not
held, all current activities shall b posted on the bulleting board within the School of Engineering.
2.)
Members will be notified of meetings at least two days in advanced. They will be notified by
electronic mail.
3.)
Any member of the executive board has the authority to call meetings
ARTICLE VI
Elections:
1.)
Elections will be held in April or 0May for the upcoming academic year. In the event a position is
vacated in the school year; the board shall appoint a registered member to serve the remaining
term.
2.)
All board positions are for at least one semester. Board members may retain their position far the
academic year if uncontested.
3.)
Only registered members are allowed to vote in any elections.
4.)
Members will be notified two weeks in advance of an upcoming election
ARTICLE VII
Finances:
1.)
At the present time, no dues are required. Hence, donations are encouraged to help with
organizational expenses. This amendment may change at any time upon the request of the board.
The membership fee would also be decided by the board with the collective agreement of
registered members.
2.)
The treasurer will be responsible for all financial matters of the organization. The advisor will
have the authoritative responsibilities in terms of authorization and expenditures.
3.)
Upon dissolution state money and mandatory student fees revert back to the granting organization.
Group fees should be divided as stated in the constitution and carried out by the dissolving group's
members and officers.
4.)
If group has dissolved and group fees have not been divided as stated in constitution by 5 years
from last account activity monies in group's 00 account will revert to an account specified for this
purpose within UISG. These funds will then be available for distribution through SABAC
guidelines in compliance with University of Iowa policy
Upon dissolution, group fees will be divided between the University of Iowa chapters of the
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers. If these
chapters are not active at the time, the group fees will be given to the college of engineering.
ARTICLE VIII
Amendments:
1.)
All eligible voting members will be informed of the proposed amendments at the meetings or via
MESA bulletin board.
2.)
2/3 vote of those present and voting is required to ratify an amendment.