Constitution Of The Residence Hall Association
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Residence Hall Association of Humboldt State University, in order to form a cooperative democratic government, provide for the efficient handling of affairs, and insure the rights and benefits of duly authorized and organized government do ordain and establish this Constitution. The Residence Hall Association is dedicated to the improvement of the residence hall community and to the representation of residence hall student interests in the governing of that environment.
ARTICLE I
Name
Section 100.0This organization shall be known as the Residence Hall Association of Humboldt State University (RHA). Any student who resides on campus shall be considered a member of RHA.
ARTICLE II
Affiliation
Section 200.0The Residence Hall Association is affiliated in an advisory capacity with the Department of Housing and Dining Services of Humboldt State University. The Residence Hall Association will annually renew its membership in the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH) and/or the appropriate area association.
ARTICLE III
Residence Hall Association Executive Council
Section 300.0Any RHA member is eligible for election/appointment to an office, committee chairmanship, and/or committee of RHA.
Section 310.0 Residence Hall Association Executive Council is the representative body for Humboldt State University students residing on campus and its membership is inclusive of all RHA members.
Section 320.0 Representation:
320.1Representation on the Residence Hall Association Executive Council shall consist of the Residence Hall Association President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, National Communications Coordinator (NCC), two elected/appointed officials from each Council recognized by the Residence Hall Association (one President and one Representative), one elected/appointed Representative from each Board recognized by the Residence Hall Association, a Res-Life representative, and an Associated Students of Humboldt State University (AS).
320.2 Representatives to the Residence Hall Association Executive Council shall be appointed/elected, according to the procedures outlined in their respective constitutions, to represent their organizations at the RHA executive Council Meetings. The term of office for these representatives shall be one academic year commencing in the fall term and ending with the spring term.
Section 330.0The voting members of the Residence Hall Association Executive Council shall be all officers and representatives except the presiding officer, who shall vote only to resolve a tie.
Section 340.0A quorum shall exist when a majority (50% +1) of the voting members of the RHA Executive Council are present at any meeting.
Section 350.0A representative from the Department of Housing and Dining Services shall serve as advisor to the Residence Hall Association. The advisor will serve as an ex-officio member of RHA and shall not have voting privileges.
ARTICLE IV:
Elected/Appointed Officers
Section 410.0The elected officers of the Residence Hall Association shall be the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and the National Communications Coordinator (NCC).
Section 420.0The term of office for all officers shall begin at the last Executive Council meeting in May and shall continue for one academic year.
Section 430.0Elections:
430.1The RHA president will annually appoint an RHA Election Commissioner to administer the election of RHA Executive Council Officers in a timely, equitable fashion.
Section 440.0 Appointment Procedures
440.0The President will appoint on an as-needed basis all other officers and/or representative not mandated by the constitution. Such appointments might include representatives to other boards, committees or task forces formed by the Department of Housing and Dining Services, other campus organizations, or the community.
440.1The AS Representative will be appointed in the same procedure as normal appointments, but will be appointed at the same time as RHA Executive Board Elections.
Section 450.0Removal and Vacancies
450.1In the case of a vacancy in an elected office, the President shall appoint a person to fill the unexpired term, subject to the approval of a simple majority (50% +1) of those voting members of the Executive Council.
450.1.1Should the office of the President be vacant, the Vice-President shall automatically assume the office and duties of the President. The office of the Vice-President shall then be vacant.
450.1.2Should the office of the President and the office of the Vice-President be vacant simultaneously, then the Treasurer shall assume the office and the duties of the President and the offices of the Vice-President and Treasurer shall then be vacant.
450.1.3The continuing line of succession for Presidency in case of vacancy shall be secretary and then the NCC.
450.3Any elected/appointed RHA Executive Council member may be removed from office under the following Procedures:
450.3.1The charge following a reason from By-Laws Section III Subsection a must be brought about in the form of a written document by a member of the RHA Executive Council to be presented to the RHA advisor.
450.3.2From the advisor, the document is brought anonymously to the RHA Executive Council.
450.3.3The RHA Executive Council will decide by a majority (50% +1) vote if there is a valid cause for removal proceedings.
ARTICLE V
Committees
Section 510.0RHA shall maintain the following standing committees: the RHA Executive Board, the Board of Finance, the Board of Archives, the Legislative and Advocacy Board, the Residence Official Board of Technology, the Residents of Culture Council and the Residence Programming Board.
ARTICLE VI
Powers of the Residence Hall Association
Section 610.0To draft laws and regulations of the organization.
Section 620.0To raise and appropriate funds from the treasury.
Section 630.0To conduct and/or dispose of any business of the organization.
Section 640.0To endorse appointments made by the President.
Section 650.0All actions to be taken by the Residence Hall Association must be approved by a simple majority (50% +1) of the quorum unless otherwise stated by the constitution.
SECTION 660.0 All elected officials must abide by the By-laws and Policy Book of the Residence Hall Association of Humboldt State University.
ARTICLE VII
Authority
Section 710.0This Constitution is based on the Authority of the Constitution of the Associated Students of Humboldt State University, and nothing herein shall be construed in violation thereof.
Section 720.0 Proposed Amendments:
720.1Amendments to this Constitution shall be made in the form of a petition. Any RHA member may present such a petition to the President.
Section 730.0Procedure:
730.1The RHA Executive Council shall call a secret ballot election three weeks after the petition has been announced at a regular scheduled council meeting. At least two announcements of the time and place of the election must appear in the residence hall communities before balloting on the petition takes place.
Section 740.0Validation:
740.1To be adopted, the petition for amendment must receive at ¾ majority of the voting members present at a regular council meeting. Upon approval by the membership, the student judiciary, and the Student Legislative Council, the amendment shall go into effect immediately.
ARTICLE VIII
Enabling Clause
Section 810.0This constitution shall become the official governing document of the Residence Hall Association of Humboldt State University upon Ratification by a ¾ majority vote of the voting council members present at the Constitution enabling Meeting and approval and acceptance by the Associated Students Council of Humboldt State University.
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Final Revision: 10/6/2018