University of South Florida | Tampa | usfmfao@gmail.com
Constitution
MFA Organization
The name of this group shall be Master of Fine Arts Organization, abbreviated as MFAO or MFA Organization.
Purpose
The purpose of the MFA Organization shall be to serve as a forum and resource for graduate students in the School of Art and Art History. Goals of he MFA Organization will include (but are not limited to): supporting workshops, organizing artist lectures, exhibition visits/tours, and providing members with exhibition opportunities locally, state-wide, nationally, and internationally.
Affiliation Statement
MFAO has no affiliation, national or otherwise.
Membership Qualifications
A. Requirement for Membership: 100% of active membership must be USF students. Members shall be Graduate Students in the School of Art and Art History. Associate membership may be granted to non-USF students under special circumstances; these associate members shall not be given the rights and privileges of active USF students.
B. Active membership continues until either the individual graduates or has been removed by the organization. Associative membership continues until either the individual withdrawals or has been removed by the organization.
C. Upholding the objectives and purpose of the organization, plus any requirements set upon by the executive board are the only requirements for continued membership.
D. If any member fails to uphold the purpose and objectives of the organization, does not meet membership requirements, or does not comply with University policies, he/she may be removed by a 2/3’s vote of the Active, voting members.
E. Only Active USF students in the organization have voting rights. Non-USF students do not have voting rights.
Dues/Fees
No dues, fees, assessments, donations, or other charges are levied for membership into the MFA Organization.
Quorum
A quorum shall be composed of 50% + 1 of current, active voting members.
Officers
The required officer positions include: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. These officers are elected to serve a term following elections of new officer(s) to the following school year’s elections (i.e. May through April). These officers are included in the Executive Board.
The optional officer positions include: Historian, Public Relations, Service Chair, and Webmaster. These officers are elected to serve a term from September to April and are included in the Executive Board. Additional officers may be created by a majority vote of the Executive Board to service the organization. The duties and titles of these offices will be created and established in the organizational bylaws.
Elections of Officers
One month prior to the last general meeting of the Spring semester, the President must notify the members of the annual election of officers. The election shall take place during the last general meeting of the Spring semester.
Elections are by secret ballot. In the event of a tie, a run-off between those candidates who tied will take place the following week. If a tie still remains, the elected officer will be determined by a simple majority vote of the Executive Board, after individual interviews.
In the event that a required officer position becomes vacant during the school year, the President must motion for the election. In the event that the President’s position is vacated, the Vice President takes on the interim responsibilities of the President and makes the motion for the election. In the event that the Vice President’s position is vacated, the Secretary makes the motion. In the event that the other officers’ positions are vacated, the Treasurer makes the motion. The motion must be seconded. The motion carries with a simple majority vote of the Executive Board. The members must be notified one week prior to said election.
In the event that any other position is vacated during the school year, a simple majority vote of the Executive Board is required for the election. The members must be notified of said election.
Removal of Officers
If any officer fails to uphold the purpose and objectives of the organization, fulfill the duties of office, meet membership requirements, or does not comply with University policies, a vote of “no confidence” must be presented to the Executive Board. Written notification shall then be presented with reason for removal to the office in question. After the officer in question has had his/her right to speak to the board on their own behalf, a vote is taken from the Executive Board. The officer in question does not have a vote. He/She may be removed by majority vote of the Executive Board.
Advisor(s)
The advisor is chosen by a majority (50%+1) of the membership after the executive board has reviewed the individual being considered for the position and has met all criteria set by the membership. The minimum duties for the advisor to fulfill his/her role is to 1) Attend the Center for Student Involvement Advising 101 Workshop; 2) Meet with the Organization President and/or the Organization Executive Board a minimum of once a semester; 3) Be placed on all communication venues (listservs, blackboard etc.) the organization has set in place; 4) Attend a minimum of 1 meeting/event the organization holds a semester; 5) Provide general advisement/guidance to the organization and its members on organizational matters.
Meetings
The officer transitions meeting will be held 2 weeks following the election of new officers. Executive Board and General Member meetings are held once per month. The decision to call for more frequent meetings may be made by the decision of the Executive Board. The decision to call a special meeting may be made by any officer, when deemed necessary, with a 48 hour notice.
Rules of Order
Meetings shall be run according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
Amenments
The MFA Organization shall operate in accordance to all University, Student Government, and Student Activities provisions. Any amendment or bylaw changes regarding the MFA Organization shall be passed by a quorum vote (50+1), and will be considered pending until presented to and reviewed by Student Activities.
Anti-hazing Clause
"This organization prohibits its members, both individually and collectively from committing any acts of hazing as defined herein:
"Hazing" as defined by 1006.63, Florida Statutes, means any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes including, but not limited to, initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution, regardless of a person's willingness to participate. "Hazing" includes, but is not limited to, pressuring or coercing the student into violating state or federal law; any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance; or other forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the student; and also includes any activity that would subject the student to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment, or other forced activity that could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the student. Hazing does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions or any activity or conduct that furthers a legal and legitimate objective.
In addition to Florida Statutes 1006.63, hazing as defined by the USF system also includes, but is not limited to, the forced use of alcohol; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; physical and psychological shocks; deception; verbal abuse; personal servitude; kidnapping; deprivation of privileges granted to others in the organization by use of force or duress; and any other activities which are contrary to academic achievement, the stated purpose of the local and/or (inter)national organization, and/or the mission, policies or regulations of the USF system or applicable state law."
Organization Agreement
Organization agrees to abide by Florida State Statue #240.262 regarding hazing. Furthermore, agrees to abide by all Student Activities policies as outlined in the student handbook, to check the organization’s mailbox regularly, to communicate via email upon request, and to update the organization’s records (Officer Listings Form) whenever there is a change.
Organization Agreement
Organization agrees to abide by Florida State Statute #1006.63 regarding hazing. Furthermore, agrees to abide by all Center for Student Involvement policies as outlined in the student handbook, to check the organization’s mailbox regularly, to communicate via email upon request, and to update the organization’s records whenever there is a change.
MFA Organization
The name of this group shall be Master of Fine Arts Organization, abbreviated as MFAO or MFA Organization.
Purpose
The purpose of the MFA Organization shall be to serve as a forum and resource for graduate students in the School of Art and Art History. Goals of he MFA Organization will include (but are not limited to): supporting workshops, organizing artist lectures, exhibition visits/tours, and providing members with exhibition opportunities locally, state-wide, nationally, and internationally.
Affiliation Statement
MFAO has no affiliation, national or otherwise.
Membership Qualifications
A. Requirement for Membership: 100% of active membership must be USF students. Members shall be Graduate Students in the School of Art and Art History. Associate membership may be granted to non-USF students under special circumstances; these associate members shall not be given the rights and privileges of active USF students.
B. Active membership continues until either the individual graduates or has been removed by the organization. Associative membership continues until either the individual withdrawals or has been removed by the organization.
C. Upholding the objectives and purpose of the organization, plus any requirements set upon by the executive board are the only requirements for continued membership.
D. If any member fails to uphold the purpose and objectives of the organization, does not meet membership requirements, or does not comply with University policies, he/she may be removed by a 2/3’s vote of the Active, voting members.
E. Only Active USF students in the organization have voting rights. Non-USF students do not have voting rights.
Dues/Fees
No dues, fees, assessments, donations, or other charges are levied for membership into the MFA Organization.
Quorum
A quorum shall be composed of 50% + 1 of current, active voting members.
Officers
The required officer positions include: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. These officers are elected to serve a term following elections of new officer(s) to the following school year’s elections (i.e. May through April). These officers are included in the Executive Board.
The optional officer positions include: Historian, Public Relations, Service Chair, and Webmaster. These officers are elected to serve a term from September to April and are included in the Executive Board. Additional officers may be created by a majority vote of the Executive Board to service the organization. The duties and titles of these offices will be created and established in the organizational bylaws.
Elections of Officers
One month prior to the last general meeting of the Spring semester, the President must notify the members of the annual election of officers. The election shall take place during the last general meeting of the Spring semester.
Elections are by secret ballot. In the event of a tie, a run-off between those candidates who tied will take place the following week. If a tie still remains, the elected officer will be determined by a simple majority vote of the Executive Board, after individual interviews.
In the event that a required officer position becomes vacant during the school year, the President must motion for the election. In the event that the President’s position is vacated, the Vice President takes on the interim responsibilities of the President and makes the motion for the election. In the event that the Vice President’s position is vacated, the Secretary makes the motion. In the event that the other officers’ positions are vacated, the Treasurer makes the motion. The motion must be seconded. The motion carries with a simple majority vote of the Executive Board. The members must be notified one week prior to said election.
In the event that any other position is vacated during the school year, a simple majority vote of the Executive Board is required for the election. The members must be notified of said election.
Removal of Officers
If any officer fails to uphold the purpose and objectives of the organization, fulfill the duties of office, meet membership requirements, or does not comply with University policies, a vote of “no confidence” must be presented to the Executive Board. Written notification shall then be presented with reason for removal to the office in question. After the officer in question has had his/her right to speak to the board on their own behalf, a vote is taken from the Executive Board. The officer in question does not have a vote. He/She may be removed by majority vote of the Executive Board.
Advisor(s)
The advisor is chosen by a majority (50%+1) of the membership after the executive board has reviewed the individual being considered for the position and has met all criteria set by the membership. The minimum duties for the advisor to fulfill his/her role is to 1) Attend the Center for Student Involvement Advising 101 Workshop; 2) Meet with the Organization President and/or the Organization Executive Board a minimum of once a semester; 3) Be placed on all communication venues (listservs, blackboard etc.) the organization has set in place; 4) Attend a minimum of 1 meeting/event the organization holds a semester; 5) Provide general advisement/guidance to the organization and its members on organizational matters.
Meetings
The officer transitions meeting will be held 2 weeks following the election of new officers. Executive Board and General Member meetings are held once per month. The decision to call for more frequent meetings may be made by the decision of the Executive Board. The decision to call a special meeting may be made by any officer, when deemed necessary, with a 48 hour notice.
Rules of Order
Meetings shall be run according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
Amenments
The MFA Organization shall operate in accordance to all University, Student Government, and Student Activities provisions. Any amendment or bylaw changes regarding the MFA Organization shall be passed by a quorum vote (50+1), and will be considered pending until presented to and reviewed by Student Activities.
Anti-hazing Clause
"This organization prohibits its members, both individually and collectively from committing any acts of hazing as defined herein:
"Hazing" as defined by 1006.63, Florida Statutes, means any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes including, but not limited to, initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution, regardless of a person's willingness to participate. "Hazing" includes, but is not limited to, pressuring or coercing the student into violating state or federal law; any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance; or other forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the student; and also includes any activity that would subject the student to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment, or other forced activity that could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the student. Hazing does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions or any activity or conduct that furthers a legal and legitimate objective.
In addition to Florida Statutes 1006.63, hazing as defined by the USF system also includes, but is not limited to, the forced use of alcohol; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; physical and psychological shocks; deception; verbal abuse; personal servitude; kidnapping; deprivation of privileges granted to others in the organization by use of force or duress; and any other activities which are contrary to academic achievement, the stated purpose of the local and/or (inter)national organization, and/or the mission, policies or regulations of the USF system or applicable state law."
Organization Agreement
Organization agrees to abide by Florida State Statue #240.262 regarding hazing. Furthermore, agrees to abide by all Student Activities policies as outlined in the student handbook, to check the organization’s mailbox regularly, to communicate via email upon request, and to update the organization’s records (Officer Listings Form) whenever there is a change.
Organization Agreement
Organization agrees to abide by Florida State Statute #1006.63 regarding hazing. Furthermore, agrees to abide by all Center for Student Involvement policies as outlined in the student handbook, to check the organization’s mailbox regularly, to communicate via email upon request, and to update the organization’s records whenever there is a change.