Constitution of the Statistics & Data Science Organization (SDO)

10/24/2019

Article I - Purpose 

This organization will be known as the Statistics and Data Science Organization. The purpose is to promote social and academic advancement in the field of statistics and data science for undergraduate students at the University of Iowa. SDO will provide as many resources and development events as possible to help the students get involved in school and have a good understanding of the careers that relate to this field.

Article II – Membership

a) UI Human Rights Clause

In no aspect of its programs shall there be any difference in the treatment of persons on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, associational preferences, or any other classification which would deprive the person of consideration as an individual. The organization will guarantee that equal opportunity and equal access to membership, programming, facilities, and benefits shall be open to all persons.  Eighty percent (80%) of this organization’s membership must be composed of UI students. 

b) UI Human Rights Clause for all social fraternities and sororities at the University of Iowa

In no aspect of its programs shall there be any difference in the treatment of persons on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex*, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, associational preferences, or any other classification which would deprive the person of consideration as an individual. The organization will guarantee that equal opportunity and equal access to membership, programming, facilities, and benefits shall be open to all persons.  Eighty percent (80%) of this organization’s membership must be composed of UI students. (Updated 9/13/18)

*Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 1681(a)(6)(A), social fraternities and sororities may limit membership on the basis of sex.

c) Different Classes of Membership

  1. Executive Board (Must be a member in good standing)
  • President (Primary Representative)
  • Vice-President (Secondary Representative)
  • Treasurer (Authorized Signer 1) and must be a different individual than the President
  • Secretary/Recorder
  • Public Relations Director
  1. General Members:
  • UI Students (must comprise 80% of the total organization membership) are eligible to vote and hold office within the Organization.
  • Non-UI Students (cannot exceed 20% of total organization membership) are not eligible to vote or hold office within the organization.
  1. Members in Good Standing:
  • To be a member in good standing, one must have paid dues (if applicable), met GPA requirements as set forth in By-Laws (if applicable), and met meeting attendance requirements as set forth in the By-Laws (if applicable). Members in Good Standing have the right to vote as well as seek and hold an elected/appointed office or position.

d) The Procedure for Selection of Membership

  • Membership will be granted in one of three categories: Full Membership, General Membership, Resting Membership. 
  • All University of Iowa students are entitled to full membership in the organization.
  • All faculty, staff, and interested community members will receive general membership in the organization.
  • Members who will be unable to participate in the club for an extended time will be granted resting membership. Resting membership can be due to situations including but not limited to study abroad programs, etc.

e) the Procedure for the Addition or Revocation of Membership

Membership may be revoked for reasons including but not limited to:

  • Unappreciated behavior;
  • Not make an appearance in the meetings or events for a whole semester;
  • Arrears organization fee;

-All situations of revoking membership will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the officers of the club, who are in charge of the revocation process.

-Revocation of membership occurs after two written warnings in one semester and will involved a written notice.

-Individuals may appeal the revocation of their membership by contacting an officer and will appeal to a committee of members supervised by either an advisor, an officer, or a combination of officers, members, and the advisor.

Article III - Officers/Executives and Duties

a) Officers or executives must be enrolled University of Iowa students. They represent the organization membership. These individuals are selected from the ranks of the organization's voting membership.

b) Below are the positions available, titles, term lengths, and the duties and responsibilities associated with each:

NOTE: The duties of the President shall include, but shall not be limited to:

  1. President (Primary Representative)
  • Maintaining the Constitution and University registration of the organization;
  • Keeping in contact with the organization('s) advisor(s);
  • Organizing and conducting periodic board meetings;
  • Preparing meeting agendas and collecting information from board members on projects/tasks;
  • Announcements prepared for meetings;
  • Settling disputes with the organization's Executive Board;
  • Assisting Officers with excessive duties;
  • In the event of an emergency and in the absence of the Finance Director, signing appropriate financial documents.
  1. Vice-President (Secondary Representative)
  • Sending weekly mass emails for all upcoming organization events, as well as, additional reminders the day preceding or day of an event;
  • Assisting with meetings and matters concerning the organization;
  • Working with the President to complete tasks and succeeding the President in the event he or she is unable to perform assigned duties.
  1. Treasurer
  • Preparing and presenting balance reports as necessary
  • Authoring and acquiring vouchers for supplies and any other purpose
  • Assisting with the formal budgeting procedures through student government, including supplemental budgeting if necessary
  • Handling all revenue and making deposits regularly
  • Keeping records including all receipts and balance statements
  • Ordering of supplies and items for the organization
  1. Secretary/Recorder
  • Coordinating and confirming a schedule of speakers for meetings
  • Reserving rooms for all meetings and social events
  • Providing the President and Vice President with information about upcoming meetings to be sent to members
  • Providing the Public Relations Director with information about upcoming meetings to be advertised
  1. Public Relations Director
  • Setting up events to promote camaraderie and relationship building between organization membership
  • Organizing study groups during exam weeks
  • Assisting others in planning events related to their duties

-All Executive Board members are expected to attend all meetings each semester unless a previous arrangement has been made or an pre-existing engagement prevents them from attending. All members of the Executive Board are strongly encouraged to attend other activities and unofficial meetings.

-Should an Executive Board Member need to be removed from office, a meeting of the Executive Board shall be held and a vote taken, with removal occurring as the results of a majority vote. A reason for removal includes, but is not limited to, failure to comply with officer duties.

Article IV – Advisors

a) Margie Ebert -- Assistant for Graduate Studies, Actuarial Science Coordinator, Statistics ITC Supervisor, and Department Webmaster.

b) The advisor shall:

  • Serve for at least one academic year and shall attend the meetings of the organization and and aid and advise the organization on matters under consideration.
  • The advisor shall be responsible for the continuity of records and other property of the collegiate chapter.
  • Additional persons, faculty and/or non-faculty or staff may be asked to join the appointed advisor whenever tasks involved make it feasible to have additional representation. Only the appointed advisor may vote as a board member if he or she is granted that right.
  • The advisor may serve as the official advisor and contact with the organization's local, regional, national or international affiliate or headquarters.

 Article V – Meetings

a) Executive Board Meetings and General Membership Meetings will be held separately.

b) Executive board meetings will be held at minimum twice a month and are mandatory for all board members. General membership meeting will be held by weekly; one meeting attendance a month will be required for general members.

c) Emails will be sent at least 2 business days in advanced to notify members of meetings and events.

d) 1/2 of members present in good standing.

e) Any member of the Executive Board has the authority to call meetings.

f) The minimum number of meetings for Executive Board will be 6 meetings per semester, for general members will be 13 meetings. (can be determined by Executive Board)

Article VI – Elections

a) Membership will be notified of upcoming elections at least two weeks in advance by announcement at a previous general meeting and by email communication.

b) Elections will occur each November.

c) Members who run for the elections must have attended three organization meetings.

d) Student Organization Leadership shall be elected during the fall semester to serve one year until the next fall election. Chapter officers may run for re-election if they will continue to be at the University of Iowa for at least one more year.

All elected officers shall be chosen by secret ballot, and nomination shall be made from the floor. The candidates receiving a plurality of all votes cast shall be elected.

e) Elections will be conducted in person by secret ballot with the winner receiving 51% of the vote at a general meeting.

If no candidate receives 50% of the vote a run-off shall be held between the top two vote receivers.

Article VII – Finances

a) Dues will be determined and voted on by the Executive Board prior to the beginning of the academic fall semester. Members will be notified of dues payment and expected to pay dues to participate in organization activities. 

b) The Treasurer shall be responsible for all collection of dues, budget application processes, disbursement of funds, and payment authorization. The Treasurer is also responsible for following all University of Iowa cash-handling and accounts payable polices are followed.

c) Required Financial Clause:

Statistics and Data Science Organization is required to deposit all receipts in and make disbursements through the Student Organization Business Office, Fraternity Business Services, or Recreational Services. Upon dissolution, state money and mandatory student fees revert back to the granting organization.  Inactive organizations will be considered dissolved after five years of no account activity.  Revenue generated dollars or “00 funds” must be divided as stated in this Constitution and carried out by our leadership. Our organization’s remaining revenue generated dollars or “00 funds” will be divided or disbursed the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at the University of Iowa.  If this organization has dissolved and revenue generated dollars or “00 funds” have not been divided as stated in this Constitution by five years from last account activity, funds in our “00 account” will revert to an account specified for this purpose within student government(s). These funds will then be available for distribution through student government(s) guidelines in accordance with University of Iowa policy.

Article VIII - Amendments 

a) Proposed amendments to this constitution must be submitted in writing by membership to the Executive Board. Amendments shall not be acted upon during a general meeting of the organization membership. Amendments should be read again at a specified number of subsequent general meetings and then the general meeting in which votes will be taken.

There will be three readings of a proposed amendment before a vote will be taken to adopt changes to the organization's constitution. 

b) Members will be notified of a proposed amendment by two consecutive readings at a general membership meeting or posted notification by email communications.

c) A 3/4 vote is required by members in good-standing to ratify an amendment.

d) All amendments or changes to this constitution must be reflected in an updated constitution that must be submitted to the Center for Student Involvement & Leadership located at 145 Iowa Memorial Union.

Article IX – Ratification

a) This constitution is ratified on 10/28/2019.