The Constitution

Our Mission Statement

Our mission as the Vietnamese Student Association is to strengthen the Vietnamese-American awareness in our college and community. We will accomplish this by having our members well-informed and active in social and cultural events. Our goals are to participate in community service and contribute to charitable organizations. Most importantly, we aim to create a sense of unity between the Vietnamese and American societies.

Preamble

We, the members of the Vietnamese Student Association, do hereby establish this constitution in order that our purpose be realized to its fullest extent.

Article I - Name

Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the Vietnamese Student Association at Louisiana State University and Agriculture and Mechanical College at Baton Rouge

Article II - Purpose

Section 1: This organization exists to promote an interest in the Vietnamese culture and to foster a strong sense of community among the members.

Article III - Basic Policies

Section 1: The organization shall be non-commercial.

Section 2: The name of the organization or the names of any members in their official capacities shall not be used in connection with commercial concern.

Section 3: The organization shall cooperate with Louisiana State University to support the improvement of education in ways that will not interfere with administration of the University.

Section 4: The organization may cooperate with other organizations and agencies, but persons representing the organization in such matters shall make no commitments that bind the organization.

Section 5: The organization agrees to abide by all University policies and local, state and federal laws.

Article IV - Membership

Section 1: Active membership shall be offered to any individual who expressed an interest in the Vietnamese culture and is restricted to students. Associate membership is restricted to LSU faculty and staff. Associate members are non-voting members.


Section 2: Any individual who subscribes to the purpose and basic policies of the organization may become a member of this organization, subject only to compliance with the provisions of the constitution. No student who meets the other criteria for membership can be denied membership on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veterans status, or sexual orientation.


Section 3: Any member who violates this constitution or whose character is deemed unworthy may be deprived of his/her membership. Charges must be presented in writing to the Executive Board at least one week prior to a scheduled meeting and a vote for dismissal by two-thirds (2/3) of the attended voting members is necessary.


Section 4: In the event this organization becomes inactive, all monies left in the treasury after all outstanding debts and claims have been paid shall be donated to a charity chosen by the Executive Board.

Article V - Office and Their Election

Section 1: Eligibility for office

1. In order to be eligible for election or appointment to any office under this constitution, an individual must have the following qualification:


must be a voting member of the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA)

must not be on any type of disciplinary or deferred suspension as defined by the University regulations

must be a full-time student as defined by the University regulations

must have attended LSU for at least one full semester

must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.


2. In order to be eligible for the office of President, a person must have completed at least one term in another office within VSA.


Section 2: The legislative and executive powers shall be vested in the Executive Board.


Section 3: The governing body, further defined in the by-laws, shall be the Executive Board and shall be composed of the following members:


The President

The First Vice-President

The Second Vice-President

The Secretary

The Treasurer

The Historian

The Public Relations officer

The Webmaster


Section 4: Voting privileges are bestowed upon active, student members. Associate members shall not receive voting rights in any election regarding this organization. Each voting member shall be entitled to cast one vote by secret ballot in all general elections.


Section 5: Intention of candidacy

A person shall become a candidate for office by filing his/her intention and choice of office. Filing shall be open at the general meeting prior to the election. The Executive Board shall decide with a majority vote whether to extend the filing period beyond that meeting.


Section 6: Election procedure; Terms of office

Elections shall be held in the spring of each year, with the date and time to be determined by the Executive Board. All persons elected must receive a majority of votes cast. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, the top two candidates will compete in an immediate run-off election. After validation, elected officers shall be installed and assume their duties in the fall semester following the election and shall serve until the completion of the ensuing spring semester or the termination of their office. No person shall simultaneously hole more than one elected or appointed office established under this constitution.

Article VI - Meetings

Section 1: Regular meetings shall be held at least three (3) times each semester. The time and place shall be determined at the discretion of the President with a majority approval of the Executive Board.


Section 2: Special meetings may be held upon seventy-two (72) hours notice by:


The President
A majority vote of the Executive Board
A petition signed by one-third (1/3) of the voting membership.


Section 3: In the event of a voting members excusable absence, a vote by proxy may be allowed with sufficient verification.


Section 4: No business, other than adjournment, may be conducted without the presence of a quorum. This quorum shall consist of one-third (1/3) of the voting membership.

Article VII - Parliamentary Authority

Roberts Rules of Order Revised shall govern this organization in all cases in which they are applicable.

Article VIII - Amendments

Section 1: Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by either of the following:


A member of the Executive Board
A petition signed by at least ten percent (10%) of the voting membership


Section 2: Following a period of at least seven (7) days from the date of proposal, amendments may be ratified by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the voting membership of the Executive Board.


Section 3: Amendments must be further approved by a majority of the voting membership. Amendments must be published and made available to the voting membership upon passage by the Executive Board and at least one (1) week prior to a ratification election.


Section 4: Amendments not ratified by the Executive Board within a month of date of proposal shall be considered "dead" and will not be considered without resubmission.


Section 5: All amendments proposed are subject to the approval of the Dean of Students or his/her designee.

Article IX - Registration Renewal

The Vietnamese Student Association will apply to the Center for Student Leadership and Involvement for registration on an annual basis two weeks after the Vietnamese Student Associations new officer elections.