ETA THETA CHAPTER BYLAWS
ALPHA PHI SIGMA
ARTICLE I
NAME
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be Eta Theta, a local chapter of Alpha Phi
Sigma, which is the National Criminal Justice Honor Society.
ARTICLE II
MISSION/GOALS/PURPOSE
Section 1. The Mission of Alpha Phi Sigma is to promote analytical thinking, rigorous
scholarship and life long learning; to keep abreast of the advances in scientific research; to
elevate the ethical standards of the criminal justice professions; and to sustain in the public
mind the benefit and necessity of education and professional training.
Section 2. Goals. The Goals of Alpha Phi Sigma shall be to honor and promote academic
excellence, service, leadership, and unity.
Section 3. Purpose. The purpose of Eta Theta Chapter shall be to promote critical thinking,
rigorous scholarship, and life-long learning; to keep abreast of the advances in scientific
research; to elevate the ethical standards of the criminal justice professions; and to sustain in
the public mind the benefit and necessity of education and professional training in criminal
justice.
Section 4. Oath of Membership. In the presence of the Alpha Phi Sigma members here
assembled, I do hereby solemnly promise to uphold the ideals and traditions, maintain high
moral character and commit myself to be governed by the Bylaws of the Alpha Phi Sigma, the
National Criminal Justice Honor Society and the local and national Officers.
Section 5. Regular Meetings. Eta Theta shall meet by teleconference monthly. All members
may attend, however, the Board of Directors shall be required to attend or give notice of their
absence to the President.
Section 6: Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the President or upon request
of four (4) board members of the chapter.
ARTICLE III
CHAPTER MEMBERS
Section 1. Membership. Eta Theta shall have the following membership types:
Collegiate/Student Members and Faculty Members (otherwise known as “Active Members”),
Honorary Members (otherwise known as “Members”), Alumni Members (otherwise known as
Alumni Members or Alumni Association Members), and Professional Members. Criteria for
memberships are set forth below.
Section 2. Criteria for Membership. Members of the Eta Theta chapter shall meet the following
minimum membership criteria:
A. Collegiate/Student Members (Active Members). Collegiate members shall be students
enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs at University of Phoenix. Membership
shall be determined by the procedure below. Membership applications shall be signed
by the Chapter Advisor and submitted/accepted by the Alpha Phi Sigma National
Headquarters.

Undergraduate students shall be enrolled in University of Phoenix, have declared
a major, minor, or equivalent in the criminal justice or security field, have
completed seven core/major courses, and have a minimum grade point average
of 3.6 on a 4.0 scale.

Graduate students shall be enrolled in a graduate program in criminal justice or
security field; have completed four courses; and have a minimum GPA of 3.75 on
a 4.0 scale.

Transfer Members. Any Alpha Phi Sigma member in good academic standing
who transfers to University of Phoenix from another Alpha Phi Sigma college or
university chapter, shall be accepted into the Eta Theta Chapter and shall pay
the local chapter fee. With the exception of the 3.6/3.75 GPA requirement, the
member shall immediately be subject to all rules and regulations of Eta
Theta. After completion of four (4) University of Phoenix criminal justice or
security courses, the member shall be subject to the minimum 3.6/3.75 GPA
requirement specified by the degree level. National Headquarters shall not issue
a new certificate of membership unless specifically requested by the Chapter
Advisor and paid for by the member.
B. Faculty Members (Active Members). Faculty and administration involvement shall be
recognized and encouraged. Candidates for faculty membership shall be faculty or
administrators in a criminal justice or security field. They shall have completed a
minimum of three (3) years of teaching (21 courses) or 3 years of full-time administrative
duties in the College of Criminal Justice and Security at the University of Phoenix and be
faculty in good standing (no scheduling restrictions or Code of Conduct violations).
Applicants shall receive a recommendation from their Campus College Chair (or
designee) in order to be accepted. Membership applications shall be approved and
signed by the Chapter Advisor and elected by majority vote at a regular meeting.
Applications shall then be submitted to and accepted by National Headquarters.
C. Honorary Members (Members). Honorary membership recognizes individuals in the
community who have made distinctive scholarship and research contributions to the
criminal justice or security field or who have provided outstanding support for Eta
Theta. The Eta Theta Board shall approve nominations. Eta Theta shall grant no more
than three honorary memberships in any year. Honorary members shall be elected by a
majority vote of the Board. Membership applications shall be approved by the Board
and signed by the Chapter Advisor, submitted to and accepted by National
Headquarters. Students shall not be eligible for honorary membership.
D. Professional Members (Members). Professional membership recognizes individuals in
the community who have made important differences by contributing to the safety and
well-being of citizens and communities. Individuals shall not have been previously
initiated into the Society. Professional members shall hold one or more degrees in
criminal justice, security, or related fields. The Eta Theta Chapter Advisor shall approve
nominations. Professional members shall be elected by a majority vote of the Board and
shall be granted professional membership by the Eta Theta Chapter. Professional
members shall contribute a one-time fee to Alpha Phi Sigma National Headquarters.
E. Alumni Members. Eta Theta members in good standing at the time of graduation from
the University of Phoenix shall become alumni members of the Eta Theta Chapter.
F. National Alumni Association Members. Alumni Association Members are Alpha Phi
Sigma alumni members who have applied for membership in the National Alumni
Association. There are three categories in the National Alumni Association: Annual,
Lifetime, and Professional Members. Interested members shall contact the National
Chapter for more information.
Section 3. Nondiscrimination. Membership in Eta Theta shall be open to qualified candidates
without regard to age, disability, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, and/or sexual
orientation.
Section 4. Privileges of Membership. Active Members shall have the right to vote, hold office,
and be elected or appointed to committees of the Eta Theta Chapter.
Section 5. Dues. The national dues, fees, and assessments for each category of membership
shall be determined annually by the Alpha Phi Sigma National Advisory Board. Local Eta Theta
Chapter dues shall be established by the Eta Theta Board through a simple majority vote.
A. For students who express interest in receiving financial support with the membership
fees, Eta Theta will offer a grant which students are eligible to apply for. Up to 4
students each membership drive (twice a year) may be eligible for such a grant to
cover the membership fees.
The requirements for this grant are as follows:
1. Submit an essay on “What it means to be a member of Eta Theta.”
 The essay must be at least 300-1000 words and submitted in a Word
document.
2. The essay must be submitted by a deadline established by the advisors during
each membership drive.
3. The essay will be reviewed by the board for eligibility and the board will elect up
to 4 applicants for the scholarship fee of $125. The essay will be reviewed in
the first board meeting following the essay submission deadline.
Students will be notified of the outcome of the board decision within two days of the
board meeting. In the event you are not selected for this grant, your deadline for
submission of application and membership fees will be extended to a date
established by the advisors during each membership drive.
Section 6. Voting of Active Members. Each Active Member of Eta Theta shall be entitled to one
vote upon each matter submitted to a vote. Chapter voting shall be in accordance with the
bylaws of this chapter.
Section 7. Resignation/Reinstatement of Membership. A member desiring to resign from the
Society shall submit such resignation in writing to the Chapter Advisor. The Chapter Advisor
shall forward the acceptance of such resignation to the Executive Director of Alpha Phi Sigma,
who shall remove the name from the National Registry. A member resigning shall not be
entitled to return of dues, either local or national. Any individual having resigned from
membership may be reinstated with good reason upon application to the Chapter Advisor and
upon meeting such uniform terms and conditions as may be established by the Chapter and the
National Advisory Board. After acceptance by the Chapter Advisor, the application shall be
submitted with explanation to the Executive Director of Alpha Phi Sigma.
Section 8. Suspension or Termination of Membership. Membership in the Society may be
suspended or terminated by the Alpha Phi Sigma National Advisory Board for just cause.
Sufficient cause for such suspension or termination of membership may result from violation of
the National Bylaws or any lawful rule or practice adopted by the Society or other conduct
deemed by the National Advisory Board to be prejudicial to the best interests of the Society. A
statement of the charges shall be sent by registered mail to the last recorded address of the
member, accompanied by notice of the time and place of the meeting at which the charges are
to be considered. At least thirty days notice shall be given, and the member shall have the
opportunity to appear in person or to be represented by counsel and to present any defense to
such charges before action is taken by the National Advisory Board. The Board may adopt such
rules as may be necessary to assure due process to the member. The decision for suspension
or termination shall be by a two-thirds vote of the National Advisory Board. A member
suspended or terminated for just cause shall not be entitled to return of dues. Membership may
be terminated or suspended according to the process outlined below.
A. Grounds for Removal: Any member not fulfilling the requirements as outlined in the
bylaws of this organization to the satisfaction of the Board or violating the University of
Phoenix policies or the Student Code of Conduct may be removed from membership. A
simple majority vote of the Board shall be required for removal of any member.
B. Notice of Charges: The motion to remove a member from Eta Theta shall be presented
in writing to the Board at least 2 weeks before the meeting at which the removal is
scheduled for a vote.
C. Right to Fair Hearing: The member subject to removal shall have the right to present
his/her case to at the meeting in which the vote for removal is to take place.
D. Right to Appeal: Appeals relating to the removal of members shall be submitted through
the National Chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma.
ARTICLE IV
CHAPTER BOARD
Section 1. Membership. The Eta Theta Board of Directors shall be composed of the current
Chapter Officers or Executive Board (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chapter
Faculty Advisor and Immediate Past President), the Regional Advisors, and any other current
members appointed by the Society Board.. The Chapter Executive Board consists only of the
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chapter Faculty Advisor, and immediate Past
President. The description of membership roles and responsibilities are provided in Article V of
these by-laws.
Section 2. Responsibilities. The Chapter Board shall be responsible for the general supervision
of the Chapter and shall have full power to conduct all business of the Chapter between
meetings. The Board shall be subject to the orders of the Chapter and none of its actions shall
conflict with action taken by the Chapter. The duties of the Chapter Board shall
include: appoint a Chapter Council; financial reports of the Chapter to be examined annually
and at the time shall determine what level of examination is needed; submit a budget to the
Chapter Board for final approval and adoption; approve such amendments to the budget as may
be necessary or appropriate; review reports of Officers and committees of the Chapter and any
recommendations and resolutions to come before the Society meeting and make
recommendations; adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of the affairs of the Chapter.
Section 3. Regular meetings. Regular meetings of the Chapter shall be held by teleconference
monthly. All members may attend, however, the Board of Directors shall be required to attend
or give notice of their absence to the President.
Section 4. Special meetings. Special meetings of the Chapter Board shall be called by the
President or upon request of four (4) board members of the Chapter.
Section 5. Quorum. A majority of the voting members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS/ EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. Membership. The Chapter Executive Board consists only of the elected Officers of
the Eta Theta Chapter, as follows: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chapter
Faculty Advisor, and immediate Past President.
Section 2. Qualifications. During the term of office, an Officer shall be a member in good
standing as defined under Article III. Any student member or alumni member shall be eligible
for an elected office position.
Section 3. Officers and Duties. The elected Officers shall be the members of the Chapter
Executive Board. Management of the organization shall be vested in the Executive Board,
responsible to the entire membership to uphold these bylaws. The Officers shall perform the
duties described by these bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the society.
A. President. (Elected - Executive Board Member). The President shall have general
supervision of all Officers of the Chapter (with the exception of the Chapter Faculty
Advisor), shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter, shall approve the chairs of
committees, and may be a member of committees as needed. The President shall
preside at all monthly and special Board meetings of the Chapter.
B. Vice President. (Elected - Executive Board Member). The Vice President shall promote
the purposes of the Chapter and support the President. The Vice President shall be
responsible for upholding the Chapter’s mission and all philanthropic activities. Vice
President shall assume the duties of the President during his/her absence and shall
succeed to the Office of the President in the event that the position becomes vacant until
the next election; shall be responsible for writing or amending the Bylaws of Eta Theta
and submitting them for approval to the total voting membership at the annual meeting.
C. Secretary. (Elected - Executive Board Member). The Secretary shall keep record of the
meetings of the Chapter. The Secretary shall also be responsible for the Call for
Nominations process and the election of new Officers. The Secretary shall be
responsible for all official Eta Theta and Alpha Phi Sigma correspondence.
D. Treasurer. (Elected - Executive Board Member). The Treasurer shall prepare a chapter
budget and shall report at the monthly Board meetings. Treasurer shall be the financial
Officer of the Eta Theta Chapter; shall report on accounting of revenues and expenses
upon request at any organizational meeting, and shall prepare an annual report of all
financial records for submission to Alpha Phi Sigma.
Section 4. Reports. Each Officer shall present or submit a report at each Board meeting. All
Officers shall prepare transition reports to include work performed, procedures established and
recommendations for future Chapter endeavors.
Section 5. Term of Office. Officers shall be elected for a term of two years, or until their
successors are elected. The term of office shall begin July 1st of the year in which they are
elected.
Section 6. Elections. All candidates for Board Officer shall be current students or alumni and
have a minimum 3.85 GPA. Other criteria may be established by vote of the Chapter Board of
Directors. The election process shall be as follows:
A. Candidates shall submit an essay and a presentation. The content requirements shall be
established and published by the Chapter Board. The Chapter Board shall also develop
standardized, documented criteria by which the submissions shall be judged.
B. The Chapter Secretary shall announce board member elections prior to the end of
current terms and shall publish criteria and instructions for candidates.
C. Members who are interested in running for office shall submit a letter of intent, along with
the essay and presentation, to the Chapter Board of Directors.
D. The Chapter Board shall review submissions and select final candidates for each office.
E. The Chapter Faculty Advisor shall establish an online forum for each candidate. The
candidate’s essay and presentation shall be posted to the forum. The forum shall offer
members an opportunity to review submissions and to engage in discussion with
candidates.
F. The Secretary shall manage the electronic voting process; voting shall be open for one
week to eligible Chapter members in good standing.
G. Board members shall tally votes and publish the results.
Section 7. Removal of Officers. Any elected Officer of the Chapter may be removed for just
cause. Sufficient cause for such removal may be violation of the Chapter Bylaws or Society
Bylaws or any lawful rule, practice, or procedure adopted by the Chapter or other conduct
deemed to be prejudicial to the best interest of the Chapter. In the absence of formal policy for
the removal of elected Chapter Officers for just cause, the Chapter shall adhere to the following
procedures. For removal it shall be necessary for the Chapter Executive Board to hold a formal
hearing. A statement of the charges shall be sent by registered mail to the last recorded
address of the Officer, accompanied by notice of the time and date of the teleconference
meeting at which the charges are to be considered. At least thirty days notice shall be given,
and the Officer shall have the opportunity to a respond during the teleconference, or to be
represented by counsel, and to present any defense to such charges before action is
taken. The Chapter Executive Board shall adopt such rules as may be necessary to ensure due
process for the Officer. Upon a two-thirds affirmative vote, the Chapter Executive Board may
recommend removal to the Alpha Phi Sigma National Advisory Board. The National Advisory
Board shall, by majority vote, approve or reject the recommendation of the Chapter Executive
Board either at the next meeting or through an electronic meeting.
Section 8: Vacancies. Should any office become vacant for any reason, it shall be filled by the
candidate receiving the second most votes at the prior election, with the exception of the
vacancy of the Presidential position, which is succeeded by the Vice President in accordance
with these bylaws.
Section 9. Leave of Absence from Program Attendance. Current students serving as board
Officers who require a leave of absence from their academic program shall notify the Board with
an explanation. With Board approval, the student Officer may remain on the Board for up to six
months without actively taking courses. If the leave of absence from program attendance
extends beyond six months, the student Officer shall be replaced as described in these
bylaws.
ARTICLE VI
APPOINTED MEMBERS/NON-MEMBERS
Section 1. Regional Advisors. (Appointed - Board Members) The Regional Advisors shall
represent each of the six defined regions of the University of Phoenix (UOPX). The Regional
Advisors shall sit on the Chapter Board and assist the chapter in coordinating and addressing
issues within their Region. Regional Advisors shall be appointed to their positions by the
Chapter Faculty Advisor.
Section 2. Assistant Advisors. (Appointed Position – Non-Members, do not sit on Board). The
Assistant Advisors shall be full time faculty or academic affairs administrative staff at the
campus level. They shall assist the Chapter at the campus level and will be in charge of
chapter recruitment and development. Duties shall include all issues pertaining to eligibility and
induction as well as member issues at their campus. The Assistant Advisors shall be appointed
to their position by the President and Chapter Faculty Advisor.
ARTICLE VII
CHAPTER FACULTY ADVISOR
Eta Theta chapter shall have a volunteer Chapter Faculty Advisor, who is a full time academic
affairs administrative staff and faculty member. Eta Theta shall have volunteer Regional
Assistant Advisors, who are full-time or part-time academic affairs administrative staff or faculty
members. The Chapter Faculty Advisor and all Regional Assistant Advisors shall be chosen for
their interest, ability to work effectively with students, desire to promote the ideals of the Society,
and high professional and ethical standards.
ARTICLE VIII
MEETINGS
Section 1: Board Meetings. The Board of Directors shall meet monthly with the exception of the
month in which the Alpha Phi Sigma general membership meeting is held and the month of
November when the Eta Theta Chapter general membership meeting is held. The Alpha Phi
Sigma general membership meeting is held in conjunction with the annual Academy of Criminal
Justice Sciences (ACJS) Conference shall substitute for the spring Board of Directors meeting.
The President or a majority of the Board may call special or emergency meetings.
A. Quorum. To conduct business, a simple majority of the total voting Board shall be
present at the meeting. A simple majority of the total voting Board shall be present for
determining all election outcomes.
B. Voting Percentages. Motions dealing with amendments and the removal of Officers
shall require a simple majority vote of the Board. All other motions shall require a simple
majority vote of the quorum to pass.
C. Parliamentary Authority. The Bylaws of the Eta Theta Chapter shall be the supreme
authority in parliamentary procedure at all meetings. The Bylaws of Alpha Phi Sigma the
National Criminal Justice Honor Society shall be the next highest authority. Robert’s
Rules of Order shall be the procedure used to conduct meetings except where it conflicts
with these bylaws.
Section 2: Campus Meetings. At the discretion of campus administration and local members of
the Eta Theta Chapter, campuses may conduct meetings for local members. Campus
administration, in coordination with local members, shall develop procedures for the conduct of
these meetings. These procedures shall be consistent with the Eta Theta Chapter Bylaws.
Procedures shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Board of Directors for approval by the
Board. Minutes of the meetings shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Board of Directors as
part of the official record of Eta Theta Chapter activities.
Section 3: Annual Eta Theta Chapter Meeting.
A. There shall be an annual Eta Theta chapter meeting open to all members in the month
of November via teleconference or other similar technology.
B. Fourteen days prior to the meeting, the Secretary of the Board shall call for agenda
items.
C. The annual civics project topic to be adopted by the Chapter shall be discussed and
determined at this meeting. Local administration and members shall determine details
for specific application at each campus.
ARTICLE IX
COMMITTEES
Section 1. Special Committees. Special committees may be established by the President or the
Board to conduct and facilitate the business of the Chapter.
Section 2. Standing Committees. Standing Committees may be established by the President or
the Board to conduct and facilitate the standing business of the Chapter.
Section 3. Committee Leadership. The President shall appoint the Chair of committees, except
as otherwise provided for in these Bylaws, and shall be ex-officio a member of all committees of
the Chapter.
ARTICLE X
FINANCIALS
Section 1. NonProfit Status. The Eta Theta Chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma is a nonprofit society
with an Employer Identification Number (EIN) assigned by the Internal Revenue Service. The
Chapter has received its assigned EIN from the IRS through Alpha Phi Sigma Headquarters.
Eta Theta Chapter is organized exclusively for educational, charitable, and academic purposes,
including for such purposes as making distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt
organizations under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the
corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.
Section 2. Use of Funds. No part of the funds of Eta Theta Chapter shall be used to the benefit
of any private individual or organization. No substantial part of the activities of the Chapter shall
involve propaganda or otherwise attempt to influence legislation. The Chapter shall not
participate in or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office
(including the publishing or distribution or statements).
Section 3. Funding Sources. The finances of the Eta Theta Chapter shall come from dues,
chapter awards, and individual contributions.
Section 4. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year for the Eta Theta Chapter shall be September 1 through
August 31.
Section 5. Dissolution. If the Eta Theta Chapter dissolves, any remaining funds shall be given
to the Alpha Phi Sigma National Headquarters. In the event of dissolution, University of
Phoenix shall not be eligible to charter another chapter until three (3) years after the dissolution
of the existing Chapter.
Section 6: Annual Accounting. An annual accounting of the ledgers shall be conducted by the
Treasurer and shall be available to the membership upon request.
ARTICLE XI
STANDING RULES, BYLAWS, AMENDMENTS
Section 1: Standing Rules. This Chapter may approve standing rules for the specific operation
of Eta Theta at the campus level.
Section 2: Bylaws. No bylaw shall be adopted that is contrary to the provisions of the Alpha Phi
Sigma National Bylaws. The chapter may adopt, amend, or rescind any bylaw by a simple
majority vote of the Board of Directors. The Board Secretary shall publicize to the general
membership in writing any proposed Bylaw prior to the meeting at which the vote will be taken.
Section 3: Amendments. A proposed amendment shall be adopted by a majority of the total
voting membership of the Board of Directors to become effective.
ENACTMENT:
Approved by Denise M. Stravia, Secretary on November 15, 2011
By a unanimous vote of the Board:
Dr. Franzi Walsh
Faculty Advisor, Associate Dean
Danny Scalf
President, Faculty Member
Stephanie Neuhring
Vice President, Associate Director, Office of Dispute
Management
Lisa Corprew
Treasurer, College Campus Chair, Phoenix, Arizona
Denise Stravia
Secretary, Assistant Dean
Allen Autrey
College Campus Chair, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Dr. Ernie Fullerton
Director of Academic Affairs, Pittsburgh
College Campus Chair, Harrisburg, Philadelphia
James Henderson
College Campus Chair, Southern California
Craig Vanhoutte
Program Manager, Criminal Justice and Security,
Colorado Campus