Constitution of the Vietnamese Student Association at The University of Texas at Austin
(updated 5/16/2021)
Mission Statement
To enhance the understanding of the Vietnamese culture among students and promote awareness to the Austin community.
Article I – Constitution
Section 1 - General Points
This Constitution will be made accessible to all VSA officers and members online.
Amendments to the constitution may be made by following the rules in Article V, Section 2.
The Constitution MUST be reviewed annually by September and updated by the officers as needed.
For the Supplementary to the Constitution, see Article IV Section 3.
Article II – Goals
The main objectives of the Vietnamese Student Association shall include the following:
To strengthen the relationship between members and the community by actively participating in community service, social, and cultural events.
To assist the Vietnamese community.
To actively raise cultural awareness at The University of Texas at Austin.
Article III – Members
Section 1 - Restrictions and Eligibility
In accordance with Sec. 6-202(a)(2) and Sec. 6-302 of the Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities and Information on Students' Rights and Responsibilities, this organization restricts membership to students, faculty members, and staff members of the University
Members will consist of all those who pay the required membership fee, including officers.
In accordance with Sec. 6-202(a)(3) of the Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities and Information on Students' Rights and Responsibilities, this organization may not deny membership on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, except that a registered student organization created primarily for religious purposes may restrict the right to vote or hold office to persons who subscribe to the registered student organization’s statement of faith; and a registered student organization may restrict membership based on the provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
Section 2 - Member Rights
Members shall reserve the right to see all documents concerning the treasury.
Members may propose amendments to the Constitution by following the rules in Article V, Section 2.
If a member is not satisfied with a particular decision made by the officers, he/she may propose an alternative to the solution and summon for a vote at a general meeting as described in Article VI, Section 1.
If a member is not satisfied with the integrity or capability of an officer or member, he/she may put forward a motion of no- confidence on that person described in Article V, Section 2.
Article IV - Officers
Section 1 - Definition
Executive Officers will consist of the five elected officers, namely: President, VP External, VP Internal, Secretary, and the Treasurer.
Junior Officers will consist of those officers listed in the Supplementary to the Constitution.
All officers are also considered members and must pay the required membership fee.
Section 2 - Officer Integrity
No officer shall use VSA property (those items listed in the inventory for his/her personal benefit).
No officers shall use VSA money for his/her personal benefit.
At the end of each school year, a minimum of $1,000.00 must be passed on to the new officers. If the balance of the account is lower than the minimum, then the officers of that school year are accountable for the difference.
Section 3 - Executive Officers
President
Ensures that the organization operates in conformity with the principles set forth in this Constitution.
Presides over general meetings and officer meetings.
Appoints all Junior Officers along with the Executive Board.
Revises the Supplementary to the Constitution by September 31st of each year. It should reflect the needs and goals of the new school year.
Delegate responsibilities.
Set goals for the officers and for the organization.
Vice-President Internal
Second-in-command at the request of, or during the absence of, the President.
Serves as an official VSA representative in campus-related activities.
Vice-President External
Serves as the official VSA representative outside The University of Texas at Austin.
Secretary
Organizes and files all VSA documents, excluding those concerning the treasury.
Treasurer
Maintains a detailed documentation and prudently monitors accrued expenses, bank balances, reserves, and all sources and uses of funds.
Oversees the usage of all VSA money and property.
Maintains a statement of income and expenditures to be held accountable at all times to the officers and members upon request.
Organizes and files all VSA documents concerning the treasury.
Periodically updates the VSA inventory.
Article V - Officer Meetings
Section I - General Voting Among Officers
Most decisions will be made by the President and with mutual agreement among the officers. However, in the event that an officer is not satisfied with the outcome of a decision, the officer opposing the President's decision may propose an alternative solution and summon for a vote.
Voting must be done with [1] a secret ballot, [2] at least 2/3 of the officers present, and [3] a 2/3 vote supporting the motion. All numbers shall be rounded to the nearest whole number (ie. 2/3 of 8 officers is 5.33, or 5 officers).
In the event that less than 2/3 of the officers are present, the President must call another officer meeting within two days. If less than 2/3 of the officers are present at the following meeting, the voting will be carried out regardless of attendance.
There shall be no absentee voting.
Only in cases where the circumstances are significantly altered may the President choose to have a re-vote.
Section 2 - Constitution Updates
All amendments or changes to this constitution must be reflected in an updated constitution that must be submitted to Student Activities in the Office of the Dean of Students at 2609 University Ave., Suite 2.112 within 14 days of its approval.
A written proposal must be presented to all of the officers.
A vote shall be made with [1] a secret ballot, [2] at least 3/4 of the officers present (whichever is smaller), and [3] a 3/4 vote supporting the motion. All numbers shall be rounded to the nearest whole number (ie. 3/4 of 14 officers is 10.5, or 11 officers).
In the event that less than 3/4 of the officers are present, the voting shall be postponed until the next officer meeting.
The proposed revision (if approved by the officers) must finally be ratified by ½ of the members present by the following general meeting.
Section 3 - Removal of an Officer or Member by an Officer
Any officer may put forward a motion of no-confidence on another officer or member by informing the President.
The President must then call an extraordinary officer meeting within 2 weeks of the notice. All officers must be notified of the meeting.
In the event that the motion of no-confidence is served upon the President, the Vice-President Internal shall assume the responsibility of the President by calling the meeting presiding over the meeting, and superseding the President (if the motion is passed).
At the extraordinary officer meeting, the person who moved the motion and the person whom the motion is served upon (if present) shall each be given 5 minutes to speak before the officers and 10 minutes to answer questions.
Following that, a vote shall be called with a [1] secret ballot, [2] at least 3/4 of the officers present (whichever is smaller) and [3] a 3/4 vote supporting the motion. All numbers shall be rounded off to the nearest whole number (i.e. 3/4 of 15 officers is 11.25 or 11 officers.)
In the event that less than 3/4 of the officers are present, voting shall be postponed by one week. At the subsequent meeting, should there again be less than 3/4 of the officers present, the motion shall be defeated.
If the motion is defeated, then a motion of no-confidence cannot be served upon him/her again in the future based on the same accusations.
Article VI - General Meetings
Section 1 - General Voting Among Members
If a member is not satisfied with the outcome of a decision made by the officers, he/she may propose an alternative solution and summon for a vote on the issue.
All officers are considered members and can vote.
Voting must be done with [1] a secret ballot and [2] a 2/3 vote supporting the motion.
There shall be no absentee voting.
Only in cases where the circumstances are significantly altered may the President choose to have a re-vote.
Section 2 - Removal of an Officer or Member by a Member
Any member may put forward a motion of no-confidence on any officer or member provided he/she has supporting signatures on behalf of 100 or ½ (whichever is smaller) of the total membership. This petition must be submitted to the President.
The President must call an extraordinary general meeting within 2 weeks of the notice. All members must be notified of the meeting.
In the event that the motion of no-confidence is served upon the President, the Vice-President Internal shall assume the responsibility of the President by calling the meeting and presiding over the meeting.
At the extraordinary general meeting, the person who moved the motion and the person whom the motion is served upon (if present) shall each be given 5 minutes to speak before the members and 10 minutes to answer questions.
Following that, a vote shall be called with [1] a secret ballot, [2] at least 1/2 of the total membership present (whichever is smaller), and [3] a 3/4 vote supporting the motion.
In the event that less than 1/3 of the total membership is present, voting shall be postponed by one week. At the subsequent meeting, should there again be less than 1/3 of the total membership present, the motion shall be defeated.
If the motion is defeated, then a motion of no-confidence cannot be served upon him/her again in the future based on the same accusations.
Section 3 - Officer Elections
Officer elections will be held once a year in April.
Rules for election:
Each member/officer will be given one ballot for all officer positions.
Candidates for the 5 Executive Offices must be nominated by officers.
The order for election of each office will be as follows: Treasurer, Secretary, VP External, VP Internal, President.
For the election of EACH officer position, the following rules will be applied:
The order of the speech will be determined alphabetically by last name, then first name.
Other candidates must leave for the duration of the speech and questions.
Each candidate shall be given 5 minutes for the speech and 5 minutes to answer questions from members.
Secret ballots will be collected at the end of all presentations.
The result of the election will be announced at the end of the day.
Section 4 -Appointment of Junior Officers:
1. Members interested in obtaining a Junior Officer position must complete an application by the same deadline given to the Executive Officers.
2. The method of appointment shall be determined by the new Executive Officers. New officers will hold office beginning on May 15th.
Article VII - Statement of University Compliance
This organization is a recognized student organization at The University of Texas at Austin and shall comply with all campus policies as set forth in the Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities and Information on Students' Rights and Responsibilities.
Article VIII - Prohibition of Hazing Policy
State law and Sec. 14-103(3) of the Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities and Information on Students' Rights and Responsibilities define hazing as any intentional, knowing or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in or maintaining membership in any organization whose members are or include students at an educational institution.
Article IX - University Advisor
In accordance with Sec. 6-101 (14) and Sec. 6-101(15) of the Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities and Information on Students' Rights and Responsibilities, this organization may have a University Advisor who is at least twenty-one years of age, is not enrolled as a student at the University, and serves as either:
a part-time or full-time employee of the University.
a representative of a national organization that is associated with the registered student organization.
serves as either.
a part-time or full-time employee of the University.
a representative of a national organization that is associated with the registered student organization (registered student organizations only).
Article X - Miscellaneous
All items listed in the VSA inventory must be passed on from year to year. Any additions or lost items must be reported to the Treasurer.
If for some reason VSA will cease to exist for the following school year, all assets of VSA will be donated to Walnut Creek Elementary School in Austin, Texas.