ASCE Constitution

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT CHATTANOOGA

STUDENT CHAPTER OF THE

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 1. NAME
The name of this organization shall be the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Student Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers, hereinafter called UTC-ASCE. The American Society of Civil Engineers will be referred to hereinafter as ASCE.

ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE
Section 1. The purpose shall be the dissemination of knowledge of the theory and practice of all aspects of Civil Engineering and the allied branches of engineering or the related arts and sciences, as well as the furtherance of the professional development of the students.

Section 2. The activities of UTC-ASCE shall be in keeping with the regulations of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, with the objectives of the ASCE and with the Constitution and Bylaws of UTC-ASCE.

Section 3. UTC-ASCE shall work in harmony with the student chapters of other engineering societies, and shall encourage its members to affiliate with the technical societies of their choice.

ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership shall be limited to graduate and undergraduate students of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Students who are not majoring in civil engineering but express an interest in the field are permitted to become members and enjoy full member privileges.

Section 2. To maintain UTC-ASCE membership in good standing, a member must have paid current dues in full; both to ASCE and UTC-ASCE.

Section 3. Only full members in good standing shall have the right to hold office.

Section 4. Meetings are open to all students of the university and to alumni or others who may care to attend.

ARTICLE 4. OFFICERS
Section 1. The Officers of UTC-ASCE shall be President, Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. If UTC-ASCE feels it is appropriate during any term it may combine the offices of Secretary and Treasurer.

Section 2. The President shall be a member of the Senior or Junior Class. The Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer may be of any Class.

Section 3. To be eligible for office, a candidate must be enrolled as a student member of the ASCE and a member in good standing in UTC-ASCE.

Section 4. The term of office shall be one academic year.

Section 5. Election of officers shall be held at the END of the Fall Semester. The current UTC-ASCE President shall be responsible for ensuring that this meeting takes placeat the end of the Fall Semester. Newly elected officers hall assume their offices at the start of the Spring Semester Old officers should be prepared to brief their successors on their duties, responsibilities and current projects.

Section 6. There must be a 5 day notice given before an election can take place. The Secretary has the responsibility of obtaining nominations for all offices at least 1 day before the elections. A minimum of 2 nominations for each office are required, and nominees may be nominated for more than one office. Self-nominations are acceptable. Any member who is in good standing but is unable to be present at the elections meeting may submit their ballot to the President prior to the meeting. For each office, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected. In the event of a tie, a coin toss or similar tie-breaker may be used.

ARTICLE 5. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. President

He/she shall:

1. Preside at each meeting by following a prepared agenda and shall perform such other duties as are incumbent on such an office.
2. Appoint the Chairperson and members of all UTC-ASCE committees.
3. Call all special meetings, regular meetings, and any joint meeting of officers and chairpersons which may be necessary.
4. Maintain a close contact with the Faculty Advisor and the Executive Committee.
5. Represent UTC-ASCE on the affairs of the ASCE which are felt to be important to UTC-ASCE.
6. Become familiar with the structure of the section or branch and the national society.
7. Introduce himself/herself to the Contact Members.
8. Set an example of professionalism.
9. Serve as officer advisor to Special Projects Committees.
10. His/her signature is required on membership cards.

Section 2. Vice-President

He/she shall:

1. Perform the duties of the President in the absence of that officer and/or at the incapability or request to perform those duties delegated.
2. Oversee and work with Chairpersons of any UTC-ASCE committees which are in progress.
3. Whenever possible, accompany the President in representing UTC-ASCE.
4. Shall be in charge of overseeing the completion of the annual report by all officers.

Section 3. Secretary

He/she shall:

1. Maintain a complete up-to-date file of records concerning every activity that goes on. These records include membership lists, meeting minutes for all major and minor meetings, attendance records of each regular Chapter meeting, complete reports on each activity or project including names of participants, date, functions performed, etc., copies of correspondence, copies of Chapter publications, ASCE scholarship applications, and other equally important records.
2. Be responsible for recording the proceedings of all meetings and reading these minutes at the following meeting for approval by member.
3. The Secretary is responsible for obtaining all other records from the respective officers or committee chairpersons.
4. The Secretary is responsible for the typing and publication of UTC-ASCE material (i.e., lists, reports, other records) except correspondence material. These should be distributed in copy to officers and committee chairpersons if necessary.
5. All records should be readily accessible to the officers, committee chairpersons, and Faculty Advisor upon request. These records shall be kept in a filing section designated for use by UTC-ASCE.
6. Do all activities concerning his/her job in an organized and neat fashion.

Section 4. Treasurer

He/she shall:

1. Keep a complete and up-to-date account of monies. Standard accounting and bookkeeping practices should be followed in maintaining these accounts.
2. Prepare a proposed operating budget each semester for any expected future expenditures.

Items may be:

National dues	Photography – (film, etc.)
Program – (meals)	Newsletter – (materials)
Publicity – (material)	Supplies – (postage, paper)
Activities – (outings & field trips)	Cash on Hand
Refreshments	Miscellaneous

 

3. Work closely with the faculty advisor in maintain the ASCE Check Register (in Excel).

Section 5. Annual Report

It shall be the duty of all officers to complete the annual report to ASCE which is due no later than Feb. 15 of each year. Reports which are delinquent after April 1 will cause UTC-ASCE to be on probation and reports not received by September 15 will cause disestablishment of UTC-ASCE. Sample forms for the annual report are in the Student Chapter handbook. Although it is the duty of all officers to complete the annual report, the Vice-President of UTC-ASCE shall be head of, and in charge of, seeing that this matter is carried out in a prompt and organized fashion.

ARTICLE 6. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. The management of the affairs of UTC-ASCE shall be in the hands of the Executive Committee, consisting of the duly elected officers of UTC-ASCE and the Faculty Advisor. The President of UTC-ASCE shall be Chairman of the Executive Committee.

Section 2. The Executive Committee shall be the governing body of UTC-ASCE and shall transact all business it deems appropriate, including the filling of vacancies in offices, authorization of expenditures, etc.

Section 3. The Executive Committee shall report all transactions, which are done outside of regular meetings, to the members of UTC-ASCE during the next regular meeting following any such transactions.

ARTICLE 8. MEETINGS
Section 1. The Branch shall hold regular and special meetings at such places and time as designated by the Executive Committee or the President.

Section 2. There shall be a minimum of two meetings per year (at least one per semester).

Section 3. Meetings can only be held if twenty-four hours notice is given on the bulletin board labeled UTC-ASCE.

ARTICLE 9. ADVISORY BOARD
Section 1. One or more members of the faculty of the College of Engineering of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga shall be appointed as faculty advisor(s). The faculty member(s) shall be appointed by UTC-ASCE membership. The Faculty Advisor(s) will also serve other functions in UTC-ASCE.

Section 2. Usually two contact members will be appointed to the club from the Local Chapter of ASCE. These contact members will be on the Advisory Board.

ARTICLE 10. DUES
Section 1. The Executive Committee of UTC-ASCE shall have the power to levy the dues which shall be paid by the members of UTC-ASCE. The total amount of dues shall be made up of dues to ASCE and the dues to UTC-ASCE.

Section 2. Nonpayment of transnational dues will automatically result in suspension of membership in ASCE and in UTC-ASCE. Nonpayment of local dues may result in suspension of membership in UTC-ASCE but will not result in suspension of membership in ASCE.

Section 3. In the event of the dissolution of UTC-ASCE, any unexpended funds of UTC-ASCE shall be used for the benefit of students of the College of Engineering on the authority of the Faculty Advisor(s).

ARTICLE 11. AWARDS
Section 1. UTC-ASCE shall sponsor a yearly award to be given to an “Outsanding Senior” who is concentrating in Civil Engineering.

Section 2. The recipient of this award shall be chosen by the faculty advisor and anyone he/she wishes to confer with on the matter.

Section 3. The award shall be based on attitude, professionalism, service to school and UTC-ASCE, and the advancement of Civil Engineering in any manner. The senior must be graduating in the semester in which the award is given.

Section 4. The award shall be purchased with UTC-ASCE funds and it shall be the duty of the faculty advisor(s) to make this purchase.

Section 5. UTC-ASCE will sponsor an event at the end of each semester in which graduating civil engineering students are recognized with certificates of congratulations and gift(s). The “Outstanding Senior” may be given at this time. Additional awards may be created and presented and this time as well.

ARTICLE 12. AMENDMENTS
Section 1. The Executive Committee is empowered to make amendments

ARTICLE 13. POSTING OF CONSTITUTION
This constitution and any by-laws which are attached to it shall be posted at all times on the bulletin board marked UTC-ASCE.

ARTICLE 14. EFFECTIVE DATE
This constitution shall become effective upon approval by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and upon acceptance as a chapter member of ASCE.

RATIFICATION DATE: 3-18-2008