Eta Kappa Nu, Gamma Chapter Constitution

Article I: Name, Affiliation, and Non-Discrimination Policy

Section One: Name and Affiliation

The name of the organization shall be Eta Kappa Nu, hereafter referred to as HKN. HKN shall be affiliated with the national IEEE-HKN organization, the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and The Ohio State University.

Section Two: Non-Discrimination policy

This organization does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other bases under the law, in its activities, programs, admission, and employment.

As a student organization at The Ohio State University, Eta Kappa Nu expects its members to conduct themselves in a manner that maintains an environment free from sexual misconduct. All members are responsible for adhering to University Policy 1.15, which can be found here: https://hr.osu.edu/public/documents/policy/policy115.pdf. If you or someone you know has been sexually harassed or assaulted, you may find the appropriate resources at http://titleIX.osu.edu or by contacting the Ohio State Title IX Coordinator at titleIX@osu.edu.

Article II: Purpose

Section One:

It is the purpose of HKN and constitution to create an Honor Society for Computer and Electrical Engineers. Through this honor society, we aim to recognize those students that have high academic accomplishments, service the community, and have excellent character. Through the work of HKN, we strive to provide services to the ECE department, retain youth in the department, serve the community, and provide a social atmosphere for our members.

Section Two:

HKN abides by and supports established The Ohio State University policies, State and Federal Laws.

Article III: Membership

Section One: Invitation for Membership

Membership is offered on an invitation basis to registered ECE students at The Ohio State University that are ranked in the top 1/4 of the Junior Class and the top 1/3 of the Senior Class. Active members shall include all students that met the fore mentioned requirements and completed the HKN initiation process. Anyone who is a member of HKN thereof shall be bound by all sections of this constitution. Both HKN and The Ohio State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability or status as a U.S. Veteran.

Section Two: Membership Removal

Upon the event that a member is unsuitable for membership in HKN is brought to the attention of the Cabinet, the Cabinet shall commence discussions as to whether the member in question will have his or her membership privileges revoked. Reasons that a member may be reported to the Cabinet as unsuitable for membership may include but need not be limited to incidents of academic misconduct and removal from the University. A meeting shall be held after the discussions of the Cabinet have taken place where Cabinet members must pass a vote by 75% to remove the member in question from HKN.

Article IV: Advisors

The advisor of HKN is selected once and maintains that position until either resigning or removed. Selection of the advisor is limited to interested ECE Faculty at The Ohio State University. The Advisor provides advice to the cabinet and is responsible for authorizing all purchases of HKN through both the Department account and the off-campus chapter account.

Article V: Legislative Body

Section One: Members
The Legislative Body will be composed of all HKN members. All members attending an official meeting have the right to vote.

Section Two: Meetings

Scheduled meetings will be held at a time and place determined by the Cabinet. Notice of all meetings will be made at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the meeting.

Section Three: Voting

The quorum necessary to conduct business at a meeting shall be 50% of the active membership. All election procedures must have a 50% participation of the active membership to be considered valid. During the meetings, voting will be based on a majority poll. When the issue is brought to question, the voting members will raise their hands for, against, or abstaining from the vote. Non-student members and the Advisor cannot vote.

Article VI: Cabinet

Section One: Positions
The Cabinet will be comprised with a President and Treasurer, at minimum. The Cabinet is fully comprised of the following offices: President, Treasurer, and Corresponding Secretary. Other positions determined necessary may be created at will by cabinet and put into effect immediately. All cabinet positions are elected positions and are subject to removal procedures as detailed below. All members of the Cabinet, excluding the President, shall be voting members of the House.

Section Two: Duties

The Cabinet will consist of all elected Officers
The Cabinet will collectively discuss and execute any HKN business.
The Cabinet will design and supervise any programs desired by HKN. Programs should effectively serve the needs and desires of HKN, the ECE Department and The Ohio State University.
All Cabinet members are expected to regularly attend meetings. If The Cabinet feels it is necessary, an officer may be removed by a majority vote of the Parliamentary Body.

Section Three: Eligibility
The Cabinet Members of HKN must meet the following requirements:

(a) Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) as stated below and meet that minimum cumulative GPA in the quarter immediately prior to the election/appointment, the quarter of election/appointment and quarters during the term of office. For undergraduate, graduate and professional students, the minimum GPA is 2.00. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the quarter under consideration.

(b) Be in good standing with the university and enrolled: at least half time (six or more credit hours), if an undergraduate student (unless fewer credits are required to graduate in the fall, winter, and spring quarters) during the term of office, and at least half time (four or more credits), if a graduate level student (unless fewer credits are required in the final stages of their degree as defined by the Continuous Registration Requirement) during their term of office.

Section Four: Terms of Office

All Cabinet Positions are elected on an annual basis. The elections shall be held one quarter prior to service, i.e. Fall cabinet positions are elected in the previous spring quarter, and take effect immediately with guidance from previous cabinet members.

Section Five: Offices and Responsibilities

President

Presides over the Cabinet and Cabinet Meetings.
Maintains constitution and by-laws.
Shall call meetings and post notification of meetings twenty-four hours in advance of meetings.
Is responsible for knowing and presiding over HKN elections processes including ballot counting.
In order to be elected president, one year of cabinet experience is required.

Treasurer

Maintains financial records for HKN.
Collects any dues and any other payments as necessary.
Pays all bills
Attends mandatory treasurer training session each year (provided by the SOURCE).
Maintains records of Department account and off-campus account.

Secretary

Keeps minutes of all meetings.
Posts and distributes meeting minutes to members (usually within 48 hours of the meetings).
Keeps track of attendance at meetings and events.
Shall keep records of cabinet members and committee chairpersons.
Shall keep records of updates to the Constitution.

Advisor

Maintain communication and meet with cabinet regularly
Awareness and approval of financial expenditures
Ensure that the organization is operating in conformity with the standards set forth by The Ohio State University and SOURCE.

Section Six: Creating Cabinet Positions

Other cabinet positions may be created at any time during the academic year if deemed necessary by the cabinet. Procedure for this is to be in keeping with all Cabinet positions and will abide by the election procedures detailed in Article VII.

Section G: Resignation of Cabinet Members

The officer shall give a two-week notice before resignation. A special election will be held within two weeks of this notice. This election will follow normal election procedures.

Section H: Removal of Officers/Advisor

Any elected Cabinet Member may be impeached or Advisor removed.
Proceedings may be initiated by a majority vote of the cabinet.
A meeting shall be called one week after the initiation of proceedings. At this time the Cabinet Member or Advisor in question may present his/her defense to the members. A secret ballot shall then be made. A vote of 75% of all the members is required for removal from the office.
The President shall conduct proceedings unless the President is being impeached, than the Treasurer will conduct the proceedings
A special election will be held within two weeks of removal. This election will follow normal election procedures.

Article VII: Elections

Section A: Candidates

All members of HKN are eligible for all cabinet positions given he/she meets all cabinet eligibility requirements in Article VI.
Interested ECE Faculty at The Ohio State University are eligible for Advisor selection
Nominations may be made by the individual candidate or can be initiated by other members.
Nominees may accept or decline nomination.

Section B: Procedures

Every position (excluding Advisor) will be elected annually.
Advisor of HKN is selected once and maintains that position until either resigning or removed
The elections shall be held one quarter prior to service, i.e. Fall cabinet positions are elected in the previous spring quarter.
Nominees will be given an opportunity to present a brief speech during the meeting before voting commences.

Section C: Selection of Officers / Advisor

The President will monitor election procedures.
Special Elections, to fill new or vacant positions, may be held when necessary.
Vote will be conducted by general consensus.
The election will only be considered valid with a minimum of 50% participation.
The candidate receiving the greatest number of votes shall be elected. In the event of a tie, the President shall cast a vote to resolve the tie.
Should an office be vacated, a special election shall be held consistent with the aforementioned procedures.
If a person is running for a position unopposed, a vote of confidence can be called to elect him or her to the position without the use of secret ballot.

Article VIII: Finances

Section A: Dues
HKN collects dues from new members during initiation activities. The maximum amount collected will be no more than twice the mandatory dues required by the National HKN organization. Of this, the per member amount required by the National HKN organization will be transferred to the National HKN organization office. The remainder is deposited in HKN’s bank account established for this organization. These are mandatory dues. No refunds of dues will be paid. All monies belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed through a bank account established for this organization. All funds must be deposited within 48 hours after collection.

Section B: Expenditures
The Cabinet does not need any further approval of members to spend money. The Cabinet may make purchases under $250 with a unanimous Cabinet Vote and purchases greater than $250 with Advisor approval and a unanimous Cabinet Vote.

Article IX: Amendments to the Constitution and Ratification

Section A: Proposal

One or more members of HKN may form an ad-hoc committee to draw up an amendment to this constitution at any time. The amendments must be presented to HKN at an official meeting. Amendments must be posted immediately after presentation. Posting must detail current language, proposed language and purpose for the change or addition.

Section B: Ratification

Once in its final form, the amendment must be approved by 75% of all HKN members within two weeks of its proposal. The ratification can be done in a meeting or by petition. The constitution shall become effective upon ratification and shall supersede and make void any previous constitutions. The Secretary shall then be responsible for adding the amendment to the constitution and prompt submission (less than 10 days) of an updated constitution to