Columbia Southern University Student Veterans of America Bylaws

*This document is considered draft until the new student leadership ratifies this document and gets the charter approved.*

ARTICLE I – Name

The name of this student organization shall be in accordance with the Charter for Columbia Southern University Student Veterans of America [CSUSVA].

ARTICLE II – Purpose

The purpose of the CSUSVA is to provide student veterans a mechanism to succeed with academic and personal goals. The CSU vision is that all veterans will succeed in higher education, achieve their academic goals, and gain meaningful employment. The mission is to provide military veterans with the resources, support, and advocacy needed to succeed in higher education and beyond graduation.

ARTICLE III - Membership

SECTION I

a. Membership is based on the following criteria:

  1. Student Member – Columbia Southern University students, either full or part-time, who are actively servicing military members or veterans of any military branch based on “Federal Definition: 38 U.S. Code § 101: The term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.” Student Members are the only members of the chapter that are eligible to vote in elections and by-law amendments.

  2. Mentor Member – Former members of the CSUSVA that have graduated and do not qualify under the definition of a “Student Member.” Mentor Members do not have voting eligibility.

  3. Friend of the CSUSVA – Membership is identified as CSU students/alumni, faculty, and staff who support CSUSVA student veterans in the CSU vision, mission, and goals.

  4. Advisor - There is only one Chapter Advisor position. This positon is appointed by the University and recorded in the Student Veterans of America (SVA) Chapter Directory. The Chapter Advisor is a member of the CSUSVA Governing Board in accordance with Article IV, Section 4.

b. No person is charged a fee to join the CSUSVA. “Student Veterans of America does not charge our members or member chapters membership dues. We recognize that the cost of a college degree is rising and many of our members have educational debt.”

ARTICLE IV – Governing Board

SECTION 1

The Governing Board is comprised of any of the following during their tenure in a governing body position found in Article IV, Section 2: CSU faculty, staff, and student members.

SECTION 2

The Governing Board shall consist of the President, Vice President, Treasurer/Secretary, and Advisor.

SECTION 3

The Governing Board can establish standing committees, all of which are encouraged to include faculty, staff, and CSUSVA members.

SECTION 4

The CSUSVA will have a chapter advisor. This position must be filled with a full-time member of Columbia Southern University faculty or staff.

SECTION 5

The Governing Board will establish and maintain standing operating procedures (SOP) which will provide guidance on CSUSVA day-to-day activities. This SOP will be reviewed and adopted for use at least biennially.

ARTICLE V – Officers

SECTION 1

The elected officers shall be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The positions shall be occupied by a Student Veteran unless no interest then a non-student veteran may apply. Candidate must be a current registered member of the CSUSVA prior to running for an officer position. Membership to the CSUSVA social media sites does not constitute registration as a CSUSVA member.

SECTION 2

The President shall serve a one or two-year term. Preside over meetings of the society, and appoint committees with the approval of the Governing Board. The President coordinates elections at the end of his/her term and ensures the transfer of all paperwork regarding the CSUSVA.

SECTION 3

The Vice President shall serve a one or two-year term and preside in the absence of the President and the President-elect.

SECTION 4

The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings and shall handle chapter communications. In lieu of committees, the secretary shall create/maintain social media presence for members, while following University policies.

SECTION 5

The Treasurer shall create an annual budget requesting funds from various resources, create/ maintain a bank account for the CSUSVA, and report on all monies collected or disbursed.

ARTICLE VI – Committees

SECTION 1

The basic committees of the CSUSVA include the following:

  • Membership Committee

  • Program Committee

  • Publicity Committee

Other committees may be established by the Governing Board as needed.

SECTION 2

Membership Committee – The Membership Committee shall attend or create events (in association with the Program Committee) where student veterans may be present and recruit to increase and maintain membership as the Governing Board determines.

SECTION 3

Program Committee – The Program Committee shall plan activities for the CSUSVA in accordance with University policies. They will adhere to University policy regarding utilization of University resources and other University policies.

SECTION 4

Publicity Committee – The Publicity Committee shall create and maintain social media sites as well as plan and arrange for the publicity of the activities and accomplishments of the CSUSVA in accordance with University policies.

ARTICLE VII – Elections

SECTION 1

Elections will be conducted by on-line ballot not sooner than 90 days prior to the next scheduled meeting of the CSUSVA and shall include a provision for write-in candidates.

SECTION 2

Election to office will require a majority of the valid ballots cast.

ARTICLE VIII – Amendment of Bylaws

SECTION 1

Proposed amendments to the Bylaws must be presented in writing at least three months before they may be voted upon.

SECTION 2

Approval by two-thirds of the voting members shall be required for passage of a proposed amendment. The amendment shall be put into effect immediately unless otherwise stipulated in the amendment.

ARTICLE IX – Meetings

SECTION 1

There will be at least two meetings of the Chapter per year.

ARTICLE X – Parliamentary Authority

SECTION 1

Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the society in all cases to which they are applicable.

ARTICLE XI – Budgeting and Fundraising

SECTION 1

Budgeting. Each year, no later than 30 June of each fiscal year, the CSUSVA Governing Board will submit a budget request for the next fiscal year. The budget request will be submitted to the Department of Veteran Initiatives for inclusion in the departmental budget as a special line item. Format for budget submission is in accordance with Departmental and University policy.

SECTION 2

Fundraising. Fundraising will be conducted within all local, state, and federal laws. Accountability and proper utilization of funds raised by the CSUSVA Chapter are the responsibility of the Governing Board as specified in Article ? Section ?.

ARTICLE XII – Organizational Compliance

SECTION 1

If there is a conflict between our national parent organization’s rulings, constitution, or direction and Columbia Southern University Student Code, the Student Code preempts the national or parent ruling.

SECTION 2

The CSUSVA is subject to Local, State, and Federal Laws.

SECTION 3

Membership in, association with, and benefits emanating from this student organization and its related activities shall be based upon such considerations as performance, educational achievement, and other criteria related to the goals of this organization and purposes of its activities. Judgments based solely on an individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, marital status, or political belief are forbidden from consideration. Further, the purpose of this organization shall be consistent with public policy as established by prevailing University Community standards.

Revised: Original

*This document is considered draft until the new student leadership ratifies this document and gets the charter approved.*