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Constitution
 Adopted and effective March 5, 2002

Constitution for the Undergraduate History Association
at the University of California, Los Angeles

Article I: Mission Statement

The Undergraduate History Association at U.C.L.A. seeks to enrich the undergraduate History student's experience as a History major. In pursuit of this goal, the Undergraduate History Association will serve in the following capacities:

1. As a forum for History students to meet, socialize, exchange ideas, and make personal
and academic connections.
2. As the voice of History students within the History Department and on the U.C.L.A.
campus.
3. As a resource offering academic workshops and social events to all undergraduates.

Article II: Statement of Non-Discrimination in Membership and Practice

The Undergraduate History Association, in accordance with applicable Federal and California State law and University of California policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, citizenship, or medical condition. Meetings and events are open to anyone. Membership in this organization is based solely on criteria stated in Article IV. The Undergraduate History Association will always function in a respectful and open capacity.

Article III: Organizational Structure and Selection of Board Members

A board of undergraduate students will govern the Undergraduate History Association. Term of office is one year starting at the end of each spring quarter. Board members will fill the following positions:

• President - oversees all organizational activity, leads general membership meetings.
  
• Two Vice Presidents - aids the President, assumes President's duties in her/his absence.
  
• Secretary - keeps meeting minutes, submits minutes for review at general meetings,
  sets general membership meeting agenda and accepts agenda proposals.
  
• Treasurer - creates quarterly budget, manages organizational funds, accepts and tracks
  membership fees.
  
• Publicity Committee Head - oversees publicity and advertising for UHA events
  
• Fundraising Committee Head - oversees fundraising for UHA
  
• 2 Programming Committee Heads - oversees program planning and execution
  Student-Department Relations Committee Head - oversees efforts to discover the sentiments of undergraduate History student concerning their academic experiences and efforts to foster communication between undergraduate History students and the History department. Also attends regular History Department meetings as UHA representative.
  
• Web Coordinator - maintains and updates UHA website, manages e-mail correspondence.

  The general membership and acting board members will elect board members to fill these positions annually.

Article IV: Eligibility for Membership and Voting Privileges

To become a member and remain in "good standing" within the organization, an individual must:

1. Complete and submit an application form to the board
2. Pay the one-time membership fee
3. Attend 3 general membership meetings per quarter

A member has one quarter "grace period" before she/he falls out of "good standing." Thus, if the member does not pay the necessary fee or attend the prescribed number of meetings in one quarter, she/he may remain in "good standing" if she/he meets the requirements in the immediately successive quarter. A member who falls out of "good standing" may resume their role in the organization with said status by submitting an additional fee of half the membership fee.

Article V: Operating Procedures

The Undergraduate History Association will meet biweekly throughout the regular school year, for a total of 5 general membership meetings per quarter. The president or a designated party will run the meetings. Each officer will report to the general membership at each meeting. Additional proposals for the meeting's agenda must be submitted to the secretary prior to the meeting. All members in "good standing" are allowed to vote during meetings. While the membership must strive for consensus, all matters that come before the general membership at the meetings for vote (constitutional amendments excluded) must pass by at least simple (51%) majority.

Article VI: Undergraduate History Association Departmental Advisors

UHA will work with an advisor from U.C.L.A.'s History department. This advisor will serve as an intermediary between the department and UHA. UHA's president or designated representative will meet with this advisor on a regular basis. This advisor will assist in the case of impeachment, conflict between board members, and in any other situation that is deemed appropriate and/or necessary.

Article VII: Election Protocol

The Undergraduate History Association will hold elections for board positions annually during the spring quarter. Any member in good standing may run for a position. Candidates will submit a written statement to the board outlining her/his reasons for running, qualifications, and plans for fulfilling the duties of the position. The board will make this statement available to the general membership before the election. Candidates will also have an opportunity to make a short speech to the general membership before the election. Volunteers from the general membership who are not running for office will oversee the election. They will conduct 2 days of voting, the first voting period will be during a general membership meeting, the second voting period will be the following day for those members who were not present at the meeting. Members will vote by secret ballot. In the case of a tie, the top two vote-getters for the position will have a run-off. The current board members will yield to the next year's board at the final general meeting of the school year.

Article VIII: Procedures for Impeachment of Board Member

Any member of UHA in good standing may submit a written request for impeachment of a board member to the organization's advisor (department undergraduate advisor). The advisor and the entire board would meet to explore the allegations. This meeting would be open to all members in good standing, though only the board could decide whether a vote was necessary. If a vote is warranted, then simple majority passes. Behavior warranting impeachment includes:

1. misuse of organizational funds
2. abuse of power
3. falling out of good standing
4. breaking University rules

Article IX: Special Elections

If a board member is unable to complete her/his year of duty, a special election will be held to fill the vacancy. Candidates will submit written statements of candidacy, as in the regular election, to the Secretary. The board will hold a special election meeting when each candidate will make a short statement and field questions. At least ¾ of the board must be present for the vote. Any member in good standing may attend the special election meeting. Only the board may vote in the secret ballot election during special elections. The candidate must win by a simple majority. If one candidate does not earn at least 51%, a run off between the top two candidates will be held. Any vacancy in the board must be filled within one month.

Article X: Procedure for Amending the Constitution

Any member in "good standing" may propose constitutional amendments. All proposed amendments to this constitution must be typed and submitted to the president or designated board member for consideration at the next general meeting. A ¾ majority vote is required for amendment of the constitution.

Article XI: Financial Records Access

The Undergraduate History Association will make financial records available to authorized University officials upon request.