The Student Chapter of the

Oklahoma Business Ethics Consortium Constitution

PREAMBLE

Inasmuch as the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) is a value centered institution, this leads naturally to an emphasis on forming a foundation for ethical business practices as students graduate.  One such foundation is the formation of a student organization dedicated to the promotion of high personal and business ethical standards.   This organization is to be modeled after the Oklahoma Business Ethics Consortium (OKEthics).  Through the efforts of passionate, committed members, OKEthics strives to establish Oklahoma as a state known for high personal and corporate ethical standards.  The Consortium provides a forum of support to the Oklahoma business community so that ethical standards and integrity in the workplace can be discussed, defined, and reinforced.  Initiatives include networking & resources, education, and mentoring.

ARTICLE I

NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION

This organization shall be known to all as the UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA STUDENT OKLAHOMA BUSINESS ETHICS CONSORTIUM (Herein referred to as

UCO-Ethics.)

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZSATION

The purpose of this organization shall be:

Section 1:    The guiding principles of OKEthics are to ensure the Consortium fosters positive characteristics of integrity in the successful achievement of its goals.

Section 2:    The guiding principles are:

1.      Responsibility to self and others through service, collaboration, and respect.

2.      Leadership with integrity by demonstrating dependability, initiative to recruit members, honor, and courage to speak the truth.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

Membership and qualifications for such membership in UCO-Ethics are as follows:

Section 1:     Any student at UCO can become a member without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, disability, or status as a veteran.  Regular voting members must be UCO students.

Section 2:     To become a member, a student must attend a meeting, fill out an application, and pay any applicable dues.

Section 3:    Members are encouraged to attend all meetings.

Section 4:    Advisors/sponsors shall consist of at least one full-time faculty or staff member who agrees to serve the organization.  The advisor/sponsor, or a designated representative, must be present at each function held by the organization.  The officers and the present membership shall recommend advisors.  The duties of advisors/sponsors shall be those of an advisory capacity.  They shall provide guidance to the operation of the organization and shall establish and maintain good relations with the UCO Administration. 

Section 5:     Members will adhere to the OKEthics’ guiding principles.

Section 6:     At the discretion of the president, vice president, and faculty advisor of the UCO-Ethics, any member who does not exhibit high ethical standards may be expelled from the UCO-Ethics.  This must be a joint decision between the president, vice president, and faculty advisor.  An expulsion may be appealed to the officers of the UCO-Ethics.  The appeal must be in writing.  One copy of the appeal provided to the president and faculty advisor.  After reviewing the appeal, these officers will decide to uphold or vacate the expulsion. 

Section 7:    Membership dues will be assessed as is deemed necessary by unanimous vote of the UCO-Ethics officers.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 1:    The leadership of the UCO-Ethics shall consist of the following executive officers:

1.      President

2.      Vice President

3.      Secretary

4.      Treasurer

5.      Public Relations

6.      Student Senator

7.      Faculty Advisor/Sponsor(s)

Section 2:    The duties of the officers are as follows:

1.      President:

a.       Presides over all meetings.

b.      Coordinates with the faculty advisor.

c.       Delegate responsibility to keep all members well informed of UCO-Ethics events.

d.      Maintains order during UCO-Ethics meetings.

e.       Appoints any additional offices to assist with the responsibilities.

f.        Coordinates with campus officials.

2.      Vice President:

a.       Presides over meetings in the absence of the president.

b.      Assists the president with responsibilities.

c.       Assign chairpersons to committees.

d.      Coordinate recruitment.

3.      The Secretary:

a.       Maintains updated membership list.

b.      Attends and maintains records of meetings.

4.      Treasurer:

a.       Collects dues and other financial income for deposit in appropriate financial institutions.

b.      Consults with the president and/or advisor about the treasury.

c.       Maintains all financial records of UCO-Ethics.

5.      Public Relations:

a.       Coordinates publicity for the UCO-Ethics.

b.      Circulates information about meeting dates and special events.

c.       Coordinates social events.

            6.   Student Senator:

                  a.   Attend weekly UCOSA meetings.

            b.   Give a UCOSA report at regularly scheduled UCO-Ethics meetings.

             7.  Faculty Advisor:

a.       Advises officers on appropriateness of organizational events.

b.      Attends meetings and events.

Section 3:     Any officer may be removed from office with a two-thirds vote of the members.  In this instance, nominations and elections to fill the position will be made immediately, unless the officer removed was the president.  If the president is removed, nominations and voting will take place at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

Section 4:    All officers must be enrolled at UCO.

ARTICLE V

MEETINGS

Section 1:    Meetings will be scheduled and arranged by the president of the UCO-Ethics.  Meetings will be held in September, October, November, February, March, and April of each academic year. 

Section 2:    Officers should attend all meetings, unless previous arrangements have been made. 

Section 3:    The president will arrange executive meetings. 

Section 4:    The guidelines governing the organization shall be the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.

Section 5:    One faculty advisor/sponsor must be present at every organizational meeting.  Two designated chaperones must be present at all social and entertainment programs.

ARTICLE VI

ELECTIONS AND/OR VOTING PROCEDURES

Section 1:    The president shall announce election dates at a minimum of two weeks in advance.

Section 2:   Those voting must be UCO-Ethics members.

Section 3:   Nominations for offices will be presented and voted on in the same meeting.

Section 4:   Nominations must be seconded.

Section 5:   Candidates will leave the meeting when the voting occurs.

Section 6:   Votes will be accepted from all UCO-Ethics members present at the meeting.

Section 7:   Prior to the vote, candidates will have the option to speak on behalf of their candidacy.

Section 8:   Except for the initial election, presidential nominees must be a UCO-Ethics member for at least one semester.

Section 9:  If a position opens before the end of the term, a voting session will take place to fill the position.

ARTICLE VII

EXPENDITURE AUTHORIZATIONS:

Section 1:    The Executive Committee shall be authorized to spend funds no more than three hundred dollars per semester of UCO-Ethics funds.

Section 2:    Funds in excess of amounts authorized in Section (1) above shall be approved by majority vote of the membership on any regularly scheduled meeting.

ARTICLE VIII

BY-LAWS

Section 1:    The by-laws are established to govern and expedite club business.

Section 2:    By-laws may be changed by a simple majority vote of membership present at any regular meeting.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

Section 1:    A proposal to amend the constitution shall be presented to the faculty advisor/sponsor in writing. 

Section 2:    All proposed amendments to the Constitution must be presented to the membership in a regular meeting.  The vote on the proposed amendments will take place at the following schedule meeting.

Section 3:    An amendment must be passed by two-thirds of the members that are in attendance.

Section 4:    The amendment must be submitted in writing and approved by the Vice President of Student Services or the Vice President’s designee before becoming effective.

ARTICLE X

UCO REGULATIONS

Section 1:    The members of this organization expressly agree to abide by the rules and regulations of UCO as stated in the UCO Handbook.

Section 2:    Monies collected and dispersed for the organization will be deposited and handled through the UCO Finance Office.

Section 3:    In case of conflict that necessitates authoritative interpretation of the meaning of a student organization’s constitution of such consequence that it cannot be settled in the organization, the conflict shall be submitted to the Director of Student Activities for resolution.

Section 4:    This constitution shall go into effect upon approval of the Director of Student Activities and the UCO Student Association.

ARTICLE XI

PUBLICITY

The President and Executive Committee shall be the official spokesperson for the organization.  General inquiries of a member by the press, community, or by a college agency, concerning the organization, shall be referred to the President or Information Officers.  All publicity, news release, and/or newspapers concerning UCO and its organizations must be cleared through the Public Information Office.