The Constitution of

The Upstart Crows

at The University of Akron

Article I – Name

The official name of this organization shall be The Upstart Crows.

Article II – Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be to foster widespread interest in all forms of
literature. In addition to discussing poetry, prose, drama, and essays, we also seek to explore
less common forms of literature, and how they are understood in the context of the written and
spoken word. We strive to increase public involvement with activities relating to literature by
sponsoring events such as poetry readings, film festivals, and plays, as well as performing
literacy-oriented community service. Additionally, we encourage the creative development of
our members by providing an environment wherein they may read, edit, and critique each
others’ new work.

Article III – Membership

A. Those eligible for membership must adhere to the following criteria:

1. Currently enrolled students at The University of Akron.

2. In good standing with the university, which includes but is not limited to:

* at least a 2.0 GPA

* being clear of academic probation or suspension

* being clear of disciplinary probation or suspension

* being clear of unsatisfied financial obligations to the university

* being in good standing as defined by the student's academic college or

program
 B. Membership will consist of the following types:
1. Voting members will consist of those individuals who are enrolled as students at The
University of Akron and are intensely interested in literature and/or literary pursuits
and who attend one function a month during a semester.

2. Non-voting members will consist of those individuals who are students at The
University of Akron but do wish to participate via regular meetings and activities.

C.[B.] Membership will be revoked by the organization under the following situations:
1. Failure to remain in good standing with the University; or, failure to abide by the
organization's purpose as stated in this constitution.

Article IV – Officers

A. Officer positions in this organization include: President, Vice President, and Treasurer.
B. The powers and duties of the officers shall be:
1. President
a. The President shall oversee the day-to-day business of the organization,
delegate organizational responsibilities, and conduct meetings.

2. Vice President
a. The Vice President shall assist the President in facilitating organizational
activities and day-to-day business. The Vice President shall also keep the
minutes of all organization meetings and executive board meetings, shall
maintain membership lists, and shall be responsible for other
correspondence and organization records.

3. Treasurer
a. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the organization's finances, and
fund-raising activities.
C. The officers of the Upstart Crows shall be chosen in the following manner during the
penultimate membership meeting of the spring semester.
1. To be eligible for officership, one must be an enrolled student of the University of
Akron, either an undergraduate or graduate, academically in good standing with the
University, and a member of the Upstart Crows.
2. Nomination of officers will be by motion from the floor during a meeting of the
Upstart Crows with a quorum being president.
3. The prescribed election procedure to be used will be a single ballot listing all the
nominees for each of the offices.

i.) The nominee receiving a majority of the votes cast for each
office shall be declared the winner

ii.) If no nominee for a given office receives a majority of the votes

cast, there will be a run-off election between the two nominees
receiving the most votes.

4. The nominee declared the winner for each office will assume their respective
offices during the last membership meeting of the Spring semester.
a. The term of office for each officer shall be for one year; from the meeting
after their election to the final meeting of the Spring semester of the next
year.

5. Should vacancies occur before the completion of a term of office, the vacancy
will be filled in the following manner:
a. At a membership meeting consisting of a quorum, nominations can be
made by motion from the floor, following be election for that office, and
the candidate receiving the majority of the votes cast shall be declared
the winner for that office and immediate assume the office.

b. In the event that nominations may not proceed, an interim officer may
be selected by the former officer and student advisor. Elections should
be held at the first opportunity for the subsequent semester.
 6. Impeachment charges can be brought against any officer for the following
reasons:
a. Failure to abide by the duties outlined here in this constitution, failure to
maintain membership eligibility in the Upstart Crows as outlined, or failure
to maintain good standing with the University of Akron.

7. Impeachment proceedings may be enacted upon a two-thirds vote of voting-

membership present at a membership meeting where a quorum is present.
8. If an impeachment proceeding is voted to occur, the following procedures will
be followed:
a. The officer in question shall be formally notified of the charges and the
special meeting to be held for the impeachment

b. At the impeachment meeting, a quorum of the membership shall be

present, charges will be formally presented and described, the officer in
question will respond to charges, and afterward, the membership will
vote on the question of the removal; with a vote of three-fourths, or 75
percent, of the membership present and voting in favor of the removal,
the office shall be declared vacant, and filled in the manner outlined here
in this constitution.

Article V – Organizational Structure

A. The Executive Committee shall consist of the following persons:
1. The President

2. The Vice President

3. Treasurer

4. Secretary

5. The previous year’s President

 6. The chairs of the standing committees in existence at the time

a. The Faculty Advisor of the Upstart Crows shall be an ex officio member

of the Executive Committee.

B. The Executive Committee’s duties shall be to oversee the business of the Upstart Crows
outside regular business meetings.
1. The President shall authorize the formation of standing committees as they are
deemed necessary by the Upstart Crows and appoint an eligible member as the chair of
each committee.

Article VI – Campus Advisor

A. In order to qualify to be the Campus Advisor, the individual must be a full-time
faculty or contract professional at The University of Akron. Final approval of the
Campus Advisor will rest with the Department of Student Life.
B. The Campus Advisor shall be selected by two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee.
C. The term of office for the Campus Advisor shall correspond to the lengths of the terms
of the officers.
D. In the event that the Campus Advisor fails to meet the organization’s requirements
outlined in Article VI, Section A., the following procedure shall be taken for removal of
office:

1. The Executive Board shall notify the organization at a meeting consisting of at least two-
thirds (2/3) of all active members.

2. The membership will hold a vote of confidence for the Campus Advisor.

i. All members shall vote either “Confidence” or “No Confidence”

3. If the Campus Advisor receives a vote of “No Confidence” from two-thirds (2/3) of the
membership, the Campus Advisor will be notified in writing and shall be removed from
advising the organization.

4. If deemed necessary, a Campus Advisor may also be removed at the discretion of the Vice
President of Student Affairs.

E. In the event of a vacancy within the position of Campus Advisor, it is the responsibility of
the organization to appoint a new Campus Advisor within five (5) business days. No
 business shall be conducted until a new Campus Advisor has been appointed and approved
through the Department of Student Life (via OrgSync) or before conducting business.

Article VII – Rules or Organizational Procedures

A. Attendance policy for members shall be at least one meeting per year.
B. Organizational meetings shall be held at least once per semester, at a time and place
designated by the Executive Committee.
C. In order to conduct business, a quorum shall consist of 50% +1 of the active members.
D. In the event of conflict concerning proper rules of procedure, Robert’s Rules of Order will
serve as the recognized authority concerning proper parliamentary procedure.
Article VIII – Finance

A. Dues for membership to the organization shall be $ 0.

B. The Upstart Crows shall manage its own finances in accordance with the rules
and regulations prescribed by The University of Akron. Registered student
organizations, with the exception of those under the Office of Fraternity and
Sorority Life Programs, are not permitted to have outside accounts, other than
the provided UAF/EAF and SAF accounts which are administered by the
Department of Student Life and the SOuRCe.
Article X – Amendments
A. The following process must be followed to amend this constitution:
1. Any proposed amendment must be presented in writing to the Executive
Committee who will then present it to the membership at the next meeting.
2. Discussion shall then occur among the membership concerning the proposed
amendment.
3. A vote for acceptance of the proposed amendment shall occur at the meeting
following the discussion meeting, which will give the members time to consider the
proposed amendment.

4. The amendment shall become part of this constitution upon a vote of three-fourths
(3/4, or seventy-five percent) of the membership present and voting for the proposal,
and a quorum having been present.
Article XI – Nondiscrimination Clause
It is the policy of this institution that there shall be no unlawful discrimination against any
individual in employment or in its programs or activities at the university of Akron because of
race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national or
ethnic origin, disability, status as a parent during pregnancy and immediately after the birth of a
child, status as a parent of a young child, status as a foster parent, military status, genetic
information, or status as a veteran. The university of Akron prohibits sexual harassment of any
form in all aspects of employment and in its programs and activities and prohibits discrimination
on the basis of sexual and racial or ethnic orientation in employment and admissions. See UA
Board Rule 3359-38-02.
Article XII – Student Life Clause
The Upstart Crows shall maintain a current registration form, including a list of
officers, their addresses, the name of the Campus Advisor, active membership
roster, and the most recently amended constitution with the Department of Student
Life.