Our Constitution

 

ARTICLE I: NAME AND NATURE

The organization shall be called the Muslim Students' Association of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, hereinafter referred to as the MSA.

ARTICLE II: AIMS AND PURPOSES

The aims and purposes of the MSA shall be to serve the best interest of Islam and Muslims in WPI so as to enable them to practice Islam as a complete way of life. Towards this end, it shall be in cooperation with the community of WPI:
  1. Assist Muslim students at WPI organize themselves for Islamic activities;
  2. Help Muslim students at WPI carry out Islamic programs and projects;
  3. Carry out educational programs that will help establish a relationship between the Muslim students and the WPI community that is based on mutual respect and understanding.

ARTICLE III: ACTIVITIES

The MSA shall fulfill its aims and purposes by carrying out activities such as:
  1. Inviting speakers to lecture about topics of interest to the WPI community.
  2. Planning educational, social, and athletic events that would benefit the WPI community.

ARTICLE IV: AFFILIATION

Section 1 : Conditions of Affiliation

Any WPI student may become affiliated with the MSA provided that the student fulfills the following conditions:
  1. The student does not engage in any activity that conflicts with any of the Articles of this Constitution.
  2. Such a student shall be called a Member and shall have the rights and responsibilities stated in this constitution.

Section 2 : Rights and Responsibilities of Members

A member shall have the right to participate in voting on all matters, to become elected to the executive committee, and to benefit from its services. Members reserve the right to discontinue membership at any time.

Section 3 : Suspension and Expulsion

Upon written charges being brought against a member and upon filing of such charges with the Secretary and upon hearing thereof by the Executive committee in a duly conveyed meeting, the Executive committee may recommend to the members of the MSA that the said student be suspended or expelled from the MSA. Any student to be expelled or suspended and not reinstated, shall have the right to a hearing by the members in a duly conveyed meeting. Any affirmative majority vote of the members to approve such suspension or expulsion shall be final.

Section 4 : Meetings

  1. The MSA shall establish regular meetings. At least one general body meeting shall be held every school term. The Executive Committee shall convene at least three times a term.
  2. A special meeting of the general body may be held at the request of one-third of all members or two-thirds of the Executive Committee.
  3. The presence of one-half of all members shall constitute a valid meeting.

ARTICLE V: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1 : Composition

The Executive Committee shall consist of the following officers:

Section 2 : Functions and Responsibilities

  1. Implementing the Constitution of the MSA.
  2. Implementing the decisions of the MSA members.
  3. Establishing procedures in routine matters.
  4. Appropriating funds for various committees and activities.
  5. Formulating and supervising projects and programs to promote the aims and purposes of the MSA.

Section 3 : Meetings

  1. There shall be a minimum of three Executive committee meetings during each school term, called by the President.
  2. An emergency meeting may be called at the request of a simple majority of the Executive committee members.
  3. The presence of two-thirds of the members of the Executive committee shall constitute a quorum at any duly called meeting.
  4. When the Executive committee is not in session, the President shall take decisions after consulting with at least three other Executive committee members and present such decisions in the next Executive committee meeting for endorsement.

Section 4 : Term

Each member of the Executive committee shall hold office for a period of one year provided that he does not hold the same office for more than two consecutive years.



ARTICLE VI: REMOVAL AND SUCCESSION

Section 1 : Removal

Any member of Executive committee may be removed from office by a vote of three of the Executive committee members present at any of their meetings if charges of a direct violation of the Constitution or gross misuse or misappropriation of funds or obvio us damage to the existence or interest of the MSA are proven to be true.

Section 2 : Succession

Upon a position becoming vacant on the Executive committee, the order of succession shall be as follows:
  1. The Vice-President shall succeed the President.
  2. The position of the Vice-President shall be filled by a member of the Executive committee selected by it.
  3. Other positions falling vacant shall be appointed by the President from among the members of the MSA.
  4. If the President is re-elected or is not otherwise available to take office as Ex-Officio member of the Executive committee, the immediate past Ex- Officio may continue to serve as Ex-Officio. In case he is also not available, the Executive committee may fill this vacancy according to Section 2.3 of this Article.



ARTICLE VII: ELECTION

  1. Election of Executive committee members shall be held at the second week of the last term of the WPI academic year.
  2. Each member shall have one vote.
  3. The total number of the members present at the elections meeting shall have to exceed two-thirds of the total number of the members of the MSA. Failing to achieve this proportion, a second meeting shall take place.
  4. Any member who was absent in more than a third of general body meetings in a given year shall not be nominated for an office for the following year.

ARTICLE VIII: FINANCE AND MEMBERSHIP FEES

  1. The membership fee of the MSA shall be five dollars per WPI academic year.

ARTICLE IX: DISSOLUTION

Upon dissolution of the MSA, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all the liabilities of the MSA, all money given by WPI that remains shall be returned to WPI.



ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS

  1. Amendments to this Constitutions shall be submitted in writing to the President of the MSA.
  2. The Executive committee, after approving a proposed amendment by a simple majority, shall present it to the members at the general meeting.
  3. A two-thirds vote of the members present in the general meeting shall be necessary for the adoption of an amendment.


ARTICLE XI: SOC ENABLING CLAUSE

    The MSA agrees to abide the policies of Worcester Polytechnic Institute as well as all federal, state and local laws. This Constitution and any revisions or amendments must be approved by the Student Organization Council prior to implementation.