Rhode Island College

RESIDENT STUDENT ASSOCIATION

Constitution

ARTICLE I NAME
1.1 The name of the organization shall be Resident Student Association (RSA).

ARTICLE II PURPOSE
2.1 The purpose of this organization is to act as an advocate for the needs and concerns of the
residence hall students.
2.2 It will serve to create and administer programs for the benefit of the Rhode Island College
community with an emphasis on residential students.
2.3 To provide official and meaningful connections between resident students within all residence
halls maintained by the college.
2.4 To offer students, with an emphasis on residential students, of all class years a wide variety of
leadership opportunities on the college, local, regional, and national levels.
2.5 RSA is committed to providing diverse development opportunities for all students and does not
discriminate based on, including but not limited to culture, ethnicity, religion, veteran status,
race, sexual orientation, gender, ability, socioeconomic status, or age.

ARTICLE III BODY

3.1 The organization shall consist of a General Membership, an Executive Board, all committees and
commissions of the organization, and the advisors.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
4.1 ELIGIBILITY
4.1.1 The organization shall consist of any and all student activity fee paying Rhode Island
College students who are interested in any issues regarding residential life, or wish to
give back to the residential community at RIC.
4.2 MEMBERSHIP
4.2.1 Those members who attend at least fifty percent (50%) of the semesters regular
meetings and events to date, from the members first meeting.
4.3 VOTING RIGHTS
4.3.1 Voting on all financial and electoral matters shall be limited to active Rhode Island
College Student Activity Fee paying members.

Resident Student Association Constitution Page 1 of 10

4.4 EX-OFFICIO MEMBERSHIP
4.4.1 Advisors, Hall Directors, and Professional Staff are non-voting, ex-officio members.
ARTICLE V MEETINGS
5.1 Regular meetings of the Executive Board and General Membership shall be held on a weekly
basis and/or when deemed necessary by the Executive Board, or a majority of the membership.
5.2 Meetings shall be called by the President, the Executive Board, or majority of the regular
membership in attendance.
5.3 Meetings must be announced five (5) days prior to the meeting to the entire membership.
5.4 Special meetings shall be held upon majority vote of total membership present or by the
Executive Board.

ARTICLE VI EXECUTIVE BOARD

6.1 MEMBERSHIP
6.1.1 The Executive Board shall consist of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary,
National Communication Coordinator, and Public Relations Officer(s).
6.2 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
6.2.1 Conduct general management of the affairs and purposes of the RSA.
6.2.2 Discuss the agenda for the meetings.
6.2.3 Be present at all meetings for the full duration of meetings.
6.2.3.1 With a majority vote of regular membership in attendance, may be granted a
leave of absence if ill, on the official business of the organization, or attending
to personal business.
6.2.4 Assist in the creation and implementation of activities and approved programs.
6.2.5 Is required to recognize at least, but not limited to, one (1) member of the organization at
the appropriate time set aside in the general meeting.
6.2.6 Appoint a liaison representative to attend Student Community Government, Inc.
Parliament/Round Table meetings.
6.2.7 All Executive Board members must attend all events unless agreed upon by the
membership pending academic schedule.

ARTICLE VII OFFICERS/ADVISOR

7.1 PRESIDENT
7.1.1 Is the chief executive officer of the organization.
7.1.2 Has the responsibility of the good and efficient management of the organization.
7.1.3 Serves as the official representative of the organization.
7.1.4 Presides over all meetings.
7.1.5 Shall be a non-voting ex-officio member of all committees of the organization.

Resident Student Association Constitution Page 2 of 10

 7.1.6 Votes only in case of a tie.
7.1.7 Shall provide the agenda for general meetings and prepare and provide the agenda for
Executive Board meetings.
7.1.8 Shall have the option to veto actions taken by RSA with a letter delivered to the Secretary
within five (5) days of the memberships approval.
7.1.9 Has the power to create or eliminate, at will, positions within RSA that are not part of the
Executive Board and do not alter the membership of the organization.
7.1.10 Is required to hold three (3) office hours per week.
7.1.11 Is required to attend all NEACURH and NACURH conferences and sub-regional
meetings when institution attends.
7.1.12 Has all other duties and powers usually pertaining to the office.
7.2 VICE PRESIDENT
7.2.1 Performs the duties of the President in his/her absence.
7.2.2 Acts as a liaison with individual Hall Councils and meets at least once per semester with
the Hall Councils.
7.2.3 Shall be the Director of Programming.
7.2.3.1 Is responsible for facilitating the coordination of RSA programming.
7.2.4 Appoints all committees and commissions of the organization with the advice and
consent of the Executive Board.
7.2.5 Will be responsible for annual review of the organizations constitution.
7.2.6 Is required to hold three (3) office hours per week.
7.2.7 Assumes all other duties agreed upon by the Executive Board.
7.3 SECRETARY
7.3.1 Records all minutes of the organization and Executive Board meetings.
7.3.2 Carries on the regular correspondence of the organization.
7.3.3 Makes minutes public to RIC students on the RIC website.
7.3.4 Preserves letters, papers, and documents of the organization.
7.3.5 Keeps an accurate count of the membership of the organization.
7.3.6 Keeps the reference of all records of RSA including attendance and other eligibility
records of the membership.
7.3.7 Sends out all letters approved by the majority of the membership of the organization.
7.3.8 Informs the members of the time and location of each meeting.
7.3.9 Keeps the Secretary of Student Community Government, Inc. updated on any and all
changes to the constitution and officers information.
7.3.10 Completes Student Community Government, Inc. Program/Event Evaluation Report.
7.3.11 Must notify membership of any vetoes.
7.3.12 Assumes all other duties agreed upon by the Executive Board.

Resident Student Association Constitution Page 3 of 10

7.4 TREASURER
7.4.1 Oversees the receipts and disbursement of the funds of the organization, while keeping an
accurate and itemized account thereof.
7.4.2 Prepares the annual budget request of the organization for the submission to the Finance
Commission of Student Parliament.
7.4.3 Shall follow the Funding Policies of the Student Parliament Finance Commission.
7.4.4 Shall prepare a Treasurers Report to the membership at every first meeting of every
month and as needed. This shall include, but is not limited to, an update of the budget and
all expenditures of the organization.
7.4.5 Shall produce all financial reports as requested by the Executive Board, General
Membership, and its subsets.
7.4.6 Assumes all other duties agreed upon by the Executive Board.
7.5 RHODE ISLAND COLLEGES NATIONAL COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR (NCC)
7.5.1 Represents Rhode Island College as the NCC at National Association of College and
University Residence Halls (NACURH) and North East Affiliate of College and
University Residence Halls (NEACURH) conferences.
7.5.2 Chairs all conference delegation meetings.
7.5.3 Represents NACURH at RSA Meetings.
7.5.4 Has liaison authority with other delegations at regional and national conferences, regional
and national boards, and NCCs.
7.5.5 In addition to provisions set forth in this constitution, the NCC will adhere to the NCC
duties as set forth in the NACURH constitution and all policies set forth by NACURH
and NEACURH, as well as following the guidelines set forth in the NCC manual.
7.5.6 Brings programming and administrative ideas from conferences to the general
membership and Executive Board.
7.5.7 Required to submit reports when requested to the Executive Board and all required
reports to Student Community Government, Inc.
7.5.8 Shall decide by the last meeting in the Fall Semester on their intention of seeking election
to the office for the next academic year.
7.5.9 Assumes all other duties agreed upon by the Executive Board, regarding
NEACURH/NACURH conference situations.
7.6 PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER(S)
7.6.1 Is responsible for all advertisements, including programs and other approved actions.
7.6.2 Is the chairperson of the Public Relations Committee.
7.6.3 Is responsible for all member recognition.
7.6.4 Assumes all other duties agreed upon by the Executive Board.
7.7 ADVISOR
7.7.1 Duties and Responsibilities
7.7.1.1 Advisor shall attend all meetings and activities sponsored by RSA.
Resident Student Association Constitution Page 4 of 10
 7.7.1.2 Advisor shall inform RSA on college policies and procedures.
7.7.1.3 Advisor shall act as counsel with regards to the RSA Constitution.
7.7.1.4 Shall act as a liaison between college administration, faculty, and staff and
RSA.
7.7.1.5 Advisor must sign and abide by the advisor contract of Student Community
Government, Inc.
7.7.2 Appointments of Advisors
7.7.2.1 A member of the Rhode Island College Faculty or Staff shall be selected and
approved by a majority vote of the Executive Board and general membership of
RSA.
7.7.2.2 RSA reserves the right to request a new Advisor if the current advisor does not
fulfill their duties and responsibilities. Such actions shall be taken upon a recall
vote as described in Article XI Section 3 of this constitution.

ARTICLE VIII COMMITTEES

8.1 AD HOC COMMITTEES
8.1.1 Membership
8.1.1.1 Shall consist of regular members that agree to serve on the committee and are
appointed by the Vice President with approval of the Executive.
8.1.2 Duties and Responsibilities
8.1.2.1 Shall perform the duties and responsibilities that the committee is empowered to
fulfill, as specified by the regular membership and approved by the majority of
the active membership in attendance.
8.2 PUBLIC RELATIONS STANDING COMMITTEE
8.2.1 Membership
8.2.1.1 Shall consist of regularly attending members that agree to serve on the
committee and are appointed by the Vice President with the consent of the
Executive Board.
8.2.1.2 Is chaired by the Public Relations Officer(s).
8.2.2 Duties and Responsibilities
8.2.2.1 Assists Public Relations Officer(s) in their duties.
8.3 RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION STANDING COMMITTEE
8.3.1 Membership
8.3.1.1 Shall consist of regularly attending members that agree to serve on the
committee and are nominated by fellow regular members with the consent of
the Executive Board.
8.3.1.2 Is chaired by an elected member of the regular membership if needed.

Resident Student Association Constitution Page 5 of 10

 8.3.2 Duties and Responsibilities
8.3.2.1 Coordinates recruitment and retention initiatives for the organization.
8.3.2.2 Shall advertise for the organization to gain membership.
8.3.2.3 Shall organize and provide a presentation for Student Activities Day in the fall
semester and the Student Showcase in the spring semester.

ARTICLE IX ELECTIONS
9.1 ELIGIBILITY
9.1.1 Any Rhode Island College student who is considered an active member in the
organization may run for an office.
9.1.2 Eligibility for the position of National Communication Coordinator (NCC) additionally
includes having attended at least one regional or national conference with either the
North East Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (NEACURH) or the
National Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH) prior to
nomination for the position.
9.2 NOMINATIONS
9.2.1 An open nomination period shall be held for one (1) week prior to the elections and shall
last until 12 noon on the day prior to the election.
9.3 ELECTION MEETING
9.3.1 The incumbent President shall summon the membership to convene by April 30th to elect
all electable officers by and from the student nomination list.
9.3.2 The President shall preside, announce the meetings purpose and the declared candidates
for each office, conduct remarks and voting, and announce results.
9.3.3 The organization may request to have an impartial member of the Student Community
Government, Inc. Elections Commission supervise their elections.
9.3.3 If the incumbent President is running for re-election, an officer not seeking re-election
shall preside. If all officers are seeking re-election, the most senior RSA member present
shall preside with a majority vote of the membership.
9.3.4 A majority vote of members voting shall be necessary to elect.
9.4 TERM OF OFFICE
9.4.1 The term of office shall begin on June 1st, at 12:00 a.m. and conclude on May 31st, at
11:59 p.m. of the following year.
9.5 MAJORITY
9.5.1 For all Articles of this Constitution, a majority will be defined as a simple majority of the
membership, minus leaves of absences and abstentions, unless otherwise and specifically
noted.

Resident Student Association Constitution Page 6 of 10

ARTICLE X FILLING OF VACANCIES
10.1 Vacancy in an office due to voluntary or involuntary resignation, expulsion, impeachment, or
death of the incumbent shall be filled by a special election in accordance with Article IX.
10.2 Vacancy in the office of the President during the academic year shall be filled by the succession
of the Vice President.
10.3 A member recalled or impeached shall not be eligible to fill the vacancy so caused.

ARTICLE XI GENERAL PROVISIONS

11.1 COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS
11.1.1 Committees, Commissions and the Executive Board shall report through their
chairpersons to the membership for its review of all business conducted.
11.1.2 Committees and commissions may adopt such policies and procedures as they determine
necessary for the proper and responsible management of their duties and powers with the
majority approval of the membership.
11.1.3 The organization may establish such ad-hoc committees as it deems necessary for a set
time and charge after which they shall report and expire.
11.2 EXPULSION
11.2.1 Active members shall be reduced to regular membership status if absent without leave
from twenty-five percent (25%) of the regular meetings to date.
11.3 RECALL OF OFFICERS AND ADVISOR
11.3.1 Officers and the advisor of RSA shall be subject to recall from office by the members of
the organization.
11.3.2 Petition of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the active members of the organization
shall be necessary to call a special election to determine whether or not an officer or
advisor shall continue to serve.
11.3.2.1 A petition shall be defined as a letter expressing the reasons why an officer or
advisor should be recalled that is signed by the appropriate number of people.
11.3.3 An impartial member of the Student Community Government, Inc. Elections
Commission shall preside over the recall election.
11.3.4 Speeches shall be allowed by the officer in question as well as any other petitioner in
favor of the recall.
11.3.5 A majority vote of those voting in favor of the recall shall be necessary for removal of the
officer or advisor from office.
11.3.6 Upon conclusion of said majority vote of active members, the officer shall be
immediately removed from office and shall lose all rights and privileges thereof.
11.3.7 If less than a majority of members voting vote in favor of recall from office, the officer or
advisor in question shall retain his/her office and shall retain all rights and privileges
thereof.
11.3.8 A no confidence vote cannot be taken until the third meeting of a given semester.

Resident Student Association Constitution Page 7 of 10

 11.3.9 A recalled officer shall not lose their membership in the organization.
11.4 IMPEACHMENT
11.4.1 Any member of the organization may move impeachment with the impeachment
indictment requiring a majority of those active members in attendance.
11.4.2 The organization shall meet within one (1) week to conduct a hearing on the
impeachment requiring a majority vote of those active members voting.
11.4.3 The Speaker of Parliament will preside at any and all impeachment hearings and shall
follow Roberts Rules of Order, Revised.
11.4.4 The impeachment hearing shall be conducted in public or private at the wish of the
indicted member. The member who moved indictment shall show cause for the indicted
representative to be removed. The indicted representative shall show the cause why they
should not be removed from membership. Each shall be allowed to present evidence and
call witnesses to justify their position. The Secretary of Student Community
Government, Inc. shall keep a record of the proceedings, which shall be available for
inspection by any student of the College.
11.4.5 When the hearing is completed, the Speaker of Parliament shall order a roll call on the
impeachment indictment. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of active members voting
shall be necessary to impeach.
11.5 PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
11.5.1 RSA shall follow the Student Organization Policy of Student Community Government.
11.6 SPONSORSHIP
11.6.1 Resident Student Association
11.6.1.1 Funding for programs and activities must be approved by a majority of all
members in attendance.
11.6.2 Co-Sponsorship
11.6.2.1 All Funding requests must be approved by a majority of all active members in
attendance.
11.6.2.2 In order for outside people or organizations to receive funding, they must fulfill
these criteria before disbursement of funds.
11.6.2.2.1 First general membership meeting shall include presentation of idea.
11.6.2.2.2 At second general membership meeting, the active membership of
the organization shall vote on funding requests.
11.6.2.2.3 After the approval by the active membership, planning of the event
may commence including the disbursement of money after the
receiving of receipts.
11.6.2.2.4 After the event, the membership shall assess the strengths and
weaknesses of the event along with any other topics deemed
necessary by the membership.

Resident Student Association Constitution Page 8 of 10

11.7 LEAVES OF ABSENCE
11.7.1 The RSA membership may grant a leave of absence to an individual member of RSA for
not being able to attend a meeting for varying reasons.
11.7.2 Each member of RSA can be granted a maximum of three (3) leaves of absence each
semester.
11.7.3 The leave of absence process is as follows:
11.7.3.1 The member requesting a leave must email the organizations email address no
later than thirty (30) minutes prior to the meeting including a simple reason as
to why the request should be granted.
11.7.3.2 At the beginning of the meeting the Executive Board shall announce the
requested leave(s) of absence stating the reason for the request. The reason for
the request will not violate any privacy or confidentiality should the nature of
the reason call for such.
11.7.3.3 Members are not permitted to have a discussion, debate or ask questions
regarding the reason the request is being made.
11.7.3.4 All leaves of absence must be approved by a majority vote of the membership

ARTICLE XII VETO OVERRIDE

12.1 The membership shall have the option to override any veto made by the executive of the
organization.
12.2 The membership, after being notified of the veto by the Secretary of the organization, shall have
the option of overriding the veto at the next regular meeting or by calling a special meeting of the
body.
12.3 To override the veto, the organization must have two-thirds (2/3) of the active membership
voting in the affirmative for override.
12.4 After the vote has been taken, the override action is declared overridden or affirmed by the
Secretary of the organization.
12.5 After the vote, the action shall be put into effect immediately or considered dead to the
membership.

ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS

13.1 All amendments must be presented by a petition to the Executive Board.
13.2 If this petition is signed by ten percent (10%) of the members of the organization, the Executive
Board shall call a special meeting.
13.3 If the petition contains less than ten percent (10%) of the signatures of the organization, the
Executive Board shall discuss the proposed amendment at their next meeting.
13.4 A special meeting shall be held within two (2) weeks of the meeting at which the proposed
amendment was discussed.
13.5 For the amendment to be passed and adopted, two-thirds (2/3) of those voting must approve it.

Resident Student Association Constitution Page 9 of 10

13.6 All amendments must be approved by the Student Organizations Committee and Student
Parliament.

ARTICLE XIV RATIFICATION

14.1 This document shall become effective as the constitution of the organization one (1) day after it
is ratified by Student Parliament.

APPROVED BY STUDENT PARLIAMENT: April 25, 2012

APPROVED AS AMENDED BY STUDENT PARLIAMENT: April 19, 2017

SIGNATURE OF SECRETARY, SCG, INC.: Laurie Cepeda

Resident Student Association Constitution Page 10 of 10