Student Chapter of the Society of Hispanics
Professional Engineers at
The ODU-SHPE Student Chapter with the Dean of the
and Technology Dr. Oktay Baysal and the Faculty Advisor Dr. Rafael Landaeta
The Student Chapter at the SHPE National meeting
The Student Chapter Mentoring
The Student Chapter participation in Canstruction with a Maya Piramid.
BYLAWS OF
THE SOCIETY OF HISPANIC PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS
STUDENT CHAPTER
ARTICLE I
NAME OF ORGANIZATION
The name of this organization shall be The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers SHPE, Old Dominion University Student Chapter.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE AND GOALS
The purpose of this student chapter is to:
- Increase the number of Hispanic engineering and science students at
- Promote the advancement of Hispanic engineers and scientists in industry, government and education.
- Develop and participate in programs with industry and the university, which benefit all students.
- Improve the retention of Hispanic students enrolled in engineering and science as well as other disciplines.
- Provide a forum for the exchange of information pertinent to Hispanic engineering and science students enrolled in
- Assist the college of engineering and the college of science at
- Assist students in the development of leadership skills.
ARTICLE III
ASSOCIATION
SECTION 1. AFFILIATION
The ODU student chapter will be an affiliated chapter of Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Inc. (SHPE Inc.). The organization possesses the right to adopt its own rules and procedures within the framework of SHPE's rules and regulations. This student chapter will be part of the "local" as defined by the regional Vice-President and the "local" professional chapter presidents.
SECTION 2. NON-DISCRIMINATION
No person shall be denied membership in this organization because of race, color, sex, handicap, nationality, religious affiliation, belief or sexual orientation even though the name Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers was chosen. This organization will neither participate in nor support any activity that does discriminate in any way.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. REGULAR MEMBERSHIP
A Regular Member shall be:
An undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at
SECTION 2. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
An Associate Member shall be:
Any student, who does not meet the requirements for regular membership, but supports the purpose and objectives of this chapter. This membership shall include all students who are affiliated with other academic disciplines besides engineering, science and math. These members shall be eligible to vote and hold a certain elected office as specified by the chapter.
SECTION 3. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
An Honorary Member shall be:
Any person who supports the purpose and objectives of this chapter as well as SHPE and contributes to the causes outlined in this document. This membership shall include representatives of industry, supporting faculty and private individuals. Honorary members are not eligible to vote or hold an elected office.
ARTICLE V
ADMINISTRATION
SECTION 1. STRUCTURE
The administration shall consist of an executive board, non-executive board, and any specially elected officers. The offices of the administration are elected positions. The term of office is one full year extending from April 21 of year of the winning election to April 20 of the following year. No office may be held by the same person for three consecutive terms.
SECTION 2. EXECUTIVE BOARD
The executive board of the chapter shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
President
The President shall represent the chapter and be responsible for all business concerning the chapter. The President shall facilitate discussions in the management and business of the chapter or other functions or activities under the direction of this chapter. The President shall be the official spokesperson for the chapter, manage the other operating officers and be responsible for communication between the chapter and the advisors. The President shall conduct all Executive Officer's meetings as well as general meeting.
Vice-President
The Vice-President shall assist the President in all business concerning the chapter and shall act as President in the President's absence. The Vice- President shall oversee the external affairs of the chapter (industry relations, company tours, symposiums, etc.). The Vice-President shall be responsible for communications with national and regional chapters. The Vice-President shall consolidate and coordinate chairs as well as appoint chairperson.
Secretary
The secretary shall take the minutes of the meetings and present them at the beginning of each general meeting. The Secretary shall coordinate the SHPE bulleting board. The Secretary shall be responsible for journalistic duties including the writing and/or coordinating of articles and written material to be published within or outside of the organization. The Secretary shall keep up-to-date records of the membership and all chair and sub-chair members
Treasurer
The Treasurer shall keep accounts and records of money received or disbursed as well as all receipts involved. The Treasurer shall make monthly financial reports listing all liabilities and assets of the organization to the Executive Officers and the general membership. It will be the Treasurer's responsibility to present the annual budget and complete financial report to the Executive Board as well as a financial projection for the next fiscal year during the second to last general meeting of the spring semester.
SECTION 3. NON-EXECUTIVE BOARD
Director of Internal Affairs
The Director of Internal Affairs shall control and coordinate all recruitment of new members. The Director of Internal Affairs shall oversee all ACE programs directed toward the active membership of the chapter (i.e. tutoring, mentors). The Director of Internal Affairs shall direct the social activities and publicity functions of the chapter as well as all informational distributions. This includes freshman orientation, freshman recruitment, social activities of the general membership, and publicity through publications. The Director of Internal Affairs shall be responsible for the banner, posting informational flyers and coordinating with Student Services and student organizations within the university. The Director of Internal Affairs shall coordinate members in committees formed by the Executive Officers, with chairs appointed by the Vice-President, that fall under his/her jurisdiction.
Director of External Affairs
The Director of External Affairs shall control all correspondence between the chapter and all professional and student SHPE chapters. The Director of External Affairs will be responsible for publicizing ACE activities and organizing all outreach programs. The Director of External Affairs shall be responsible for publicizing and coordinating all symposiums, conferences and activities presented by SHPE or otherwise. This includes company tours and field trips. The Director of External Affairs shall coordinate members in committees formed by the Executive Officers, with chairs appointed by the Vice-President, that fall under his/her jurisdiction.
SECTION 4. SPECIALLY ELECTED OFFICERS
Specially elected officers shall be the head of any office, which is created by the Executive Officers. Specially elected officers shall perform such duties as may be delegated by the President or the Executive Officers.
ARTICLE VI
ELECTIONS/VOTING
SECTION 1. NOMINATIONS
- Nominations are to be held no later than a month before the end of the spring semester.
- Nominee must be an active regular member of the local chapter, must be in good academic standing and be in compliance with all University Regulations for eligibility. Persons wishing to be nominated shall submit an application for nomination no less than one week before nominations are to take place.
SECTION 2. VOTING
- Voting shall take place on the day of nominations.
- Elections shall be confirmed by simple majority vote (51%).
- All persons who have become active regular members of the chapter shall be eligible to vote.
- The chapter shall hold elections a month prior to the last regular day of the spring semester. Election date will be posted two weeks prior to the election.
- Votes shall be cast by secret ballot and compiled by two designated members who are not running for office. Absentee votes may be scored only by submitting the vote personally to one of these designated members. These two members are also responsible for tallying election votes. These members shall be chosen in the general meeting prior to the nominations/elections meeting.
- Newly elected Executive Officers shall hold office for the period of one year. The newly elected Executive Officers shall take office on the next to last general meeting of the spring semester.
ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS
SECTION 1. GENERAL MEETINGS
General meetings shall be held every two weeks during the academic year.
SECTION 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special meetings shall be held at the discretion of the President or upon the request of five (5) members of the general body.
SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF QUORUM
A quorum shall consist of two-thirds of regular members of the general body at the meeting. Voting of chapter policies, general body motions, and elections cannot take place unless the meeting has quorum.
SECTION 4. VOTING
All voting on chapter policies and legislative motions can only be approved with 51 percent of the general body vote.
ARTICLE VIII
RESIGNATIONS AND IMPEACHMENT
SECTION 1. RESIGNATIONS
- A letter of resignation shall be submitted to the President or Vice-President by any person wishing to resign from office at least one week before the next general meeting.
- During a meeting, when a resignation is presented, nominations will be taken to fill the office. A person shall be elected by the membership during the next general meeting. The President or Vice-President shall appoint a temporary officer after the resignation and before a replacement officer is confirmed.
SECTION 2. IMPEACHMENTS
- When any member feels that an officer is not fulfilling his/her duties, he/she may call upon the Executive Board officers to discuss the matter.
- During the impeachment proceedings, the case for impeachment will be presented. The officer under question will be given the opportunity to present his/her defense before the other officers and the advisors. Then they will determine with a majority vote whether to present an impeachment vote to the members. If the vote for impeachment goes to the members, a 2/3 decision will be necessary for impeachment to occur. All faculty advisors must be consulted of impeachment proceedings and retain the opportunity to appeal the Executive Officer's vote. In the case of an advisor's appeal, the Executive Officers will consider the case again at the next Executive Officer's meeting.
- If an officer is impeached, a new officer will be nominated and elected at the next general meeting with a temporary officer appointed by the President or Vice-President acting in the interim.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
- Proposed amendments shall be presented in writing to the Executive Officers at least one week before being presented to a general meeting.
- A favorable vote shall be considered 2/3 of the membership present.
- The amendments shall be submitted to the SHPE National Student Affairs Committee (NSAC) for approval.