ISU Constitution (Last Updated: September 18, 2008)

The purpose of this organization is to provide a support network for the international students. We encourage the involvement of the international students in the University activities and assist them in the interaction with Americans and the new environment.

Membership is open to all students of Northern Kentucky University and is free of charge. To join ISU, potential new members need to contact any of the officers listed on our ICS (Office of Student Life homepage) page or e-mail nku.isu@gmail.com.

Expectations:

1. Be willing to assist the officers through helping organize events and to participate in the committees.
2. Attend and participate in the programs and activities of the Union.

Privileges:

1. Voting rights.
2. Can be elected as an officer.
3. Can attend the officers’ meetings only by notifying the president well in advance.
4. Eligible to apply for a scholarship from ISU Scholarship Fund.

The Union faculty advisor(s) will be chosen with the 2/3 of majority vote of the officers present.

The president is to formally approach the person(s) selected to be the Union’s faculty advisor and ask for his/her approval to be a faculty advisor.

Faculty Advisor(s) Duties

1. Attend ISU meetings.
2. Be available to advise the officers upon necessity.
3. Support and promote the union.

The Assistant Coordinator of the Office of International Students and Scholars will serve as the Union’s Staff advisor.

Staff Advisor

1. Attend the Union meetings.
2. Be a joint signatory to withdraw cash from the Union account with the treasurer of the Union.
3. Assist and advise the Union officers with budget, program planning, constitution planning and enforcement, university procedures and other Union issues as needed.
4. Advise the Union officers on leadership development.
5. Provide staff support for the Union concerns.
6. Serve as a liaison between the Student Affairs staff/ International Student Affairs office and the Union.

When an NKU student accepts a position as an officer in the International Student Union, that student also agrees to fulfill the responsibilities of the position as it is outlined in this constitution.

The executive office of the Union will have a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Public Relations officer, a Treasurer, a Webmaster, Two Social Chairs and Two United States Representatives.

All the officers are required to:

1. Attend all executive meetings held on Fridays at 3:00pm in UC 303 during fall 2008 and SU 108 during spring 2009. Each officer is allowed to have 3 absences throughout the semester. However, ISU President needs to be notified at least 24 hours in advance.
2. Attend all ISU general meetings. Each officer is allowed to have 2 absences throughout the semester. However, all other officers need to be notified at least 24 hours in advance.
3. Attend at least 80 percent of the events organized by the Union throughout the semester.
4. Help organize all the events.

An officer who fails to perform his/her responsibilities can be asked to resign from the Union upon the approval of the 2/3 majority of the officers.

Based upon the decision of the 2/3 majority of the Union officers, the position of the resigned officer may or may not be filled by the end of the academic year. A vacant position can be filled by a popular vote.

President

1. Preside over the officers’ meetings.
2. Serve as a spokes person of the Union.
3. Call meetings of the Union.
4. Make the final decisions for the Union.
5. Can veto any motion passed by the organization. The veto can only be overridden with a 2/3 majority of officers voting against the veto.

Vice President

1. Assist the president.
2. Act in the absence of the president.
3. Oversee committees of the Union.
4. Oversee the Annual International Potluck Dinner and Talent Show.

Secretary

1. Keep the minutes of the meetings.
2. Keep the attendance records of the meetings.
3. Keep the members and the officers informed about the Union activities.
4. Help the President and the Vice President and act in their absence.
5. Maintain the record of all the Union activities organized throughout each academic year.
6. Write / type any official letters or documents needed by the Union.

Public Relations Representative

1. Act as an ISU spoke person to NKU organizations, agencies, and outside organizations within the community as a whole.
2. Check ISU mailbox systematically and publicize, at ISU weekly meetings, any activities that might be of the interest or require members’ involvement or participation.
3. Actively and constantly advertise ISU interests and agenda to faculty, administration, and organizations onside and outside NKU.

Treasurer

1. Carry out and record all financial transactions of the Union.
2. Take care of the Union Account.
3. Be a joint signatory to withdraw cash from the Union account with the staff advisor.
4. Collect money at the time of the fundraising.
5. Help the secretary.

Website Manager

1. To update website as needed.
2. Maintain on-line forms.

Two social chairs

1. Organize social activities and events.
2. Promote and advertise the events and activities scheduled by the Union.
3. Be liaisons to the Office of Student Life and other social organizations.

Two US Representatives

1. Offer US perspective.
2. Provide support for the Union activities.
3. Promote the Union and its activities to US students.

Elections

Elections will be held every year during the spring semester. Only active members can vote. The membership status of a member may be decided by a majority officer vote. Candidates will be nominated throughout the spring semester. New officers will be announced at the annual International Potluck Dinner and Talent Show, which is to take place towards the end of the spring semester of every academic year. An orientation session organized by ISU President is to be held at the end of the spring semester to help new officers get familiar with their duties. Both past and newly elected officers are required to attend. New officers will be initiated into their office positions after the orientation.

1. Candidate can only run for one position of the executive office.
2. No more than two officers can be elected from the same country of citizenship.
3. Minimum GPA of 2.75 is required for running in elections.
4. An officer can be terminated due to the lack of performance by the 2/3 majority vote of the executive officers.

1. The Union will hold weekly meetings.
2. The time of the meetings is 3:30 – 4:30 PM on Friday. The meetings will be held as scheduled in UC 303 during fall 2008 and in SU 108 during spring 2009.
3. International Potluck Dinner and Talent Show Committee meetings as directed by the Vice President will be held throughout the duration of Potluck preparation.

This constitution can be ratified and amended at any time by the 2/3 of majority vote of the active members in attendance during the ratification. The copy of the ratified constitution is to be kept in the Office of International Students and Scholars and in the Office of Student Life.