CONSTITUTION OF BALDWIN HALL

Revised: August 28, 2011

Ratified: August 2011

We, the residents of Baldwin Hall, dutifully ratify this constitution and swear to uphold it to the best of our abilities. We are also in agreement that the sole purpose of Government is to serve the residents, not ourselves.

ARTICLE I - NAME

Section 1The Representative organization herein created shall be known as the Baldwin Hall Government.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

Section 1The purpose of Baldwin Hall in its entirety is to provide a safe social residency in which residents of the Hall actively participate in events and feel at home in a learning environment. Moreover, the Hall shall assist and guide residents to higher moral, physical, and intellectual growth striving for excellence.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1The BHG shall be composed of a hall government and advisors.

Section 2The Baldwin Hall Government shall consist of a President, a Vice President or Co-President, a Treasurer, an RHA representative, a Recreational Representative, a Social Media Representative, a Historian, a Music Advocate, a Diversity Advocate, a Gaming Coordinator, a Green Advocate, a Floor Governor from each floor, and the advisor(s).

Section 3The advisors to the Baldwin Hall Government shall be the Residence Hall Director, Assistant to the Director, and a staff liaison.

Section 4 Each member of Baldwin Hall Government shall be in good standing with the university with a GPA of 2.0 or better. If a member is placed on academic probation because of his/her GPA, he/she will also be placed on government probation.

Section 5Baldwin Hall Governmentmembership will be open without regard to age, race, creed or religion, color, handicap, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.

Section 6A Baldwin Hall Government Executive Board, composed of the President, Vice President, Treasurer and RHA Rep will meet with the Residence Hall Director on a weekly/bi-weekly basis and maintain at 2.5 GPA or better

ARTICLE IV - HEAD BOARD

Section 1The powers and duties of the President(s) shall be as follows:

1. To preside at all meetings.

2. To serve as the official spokesperson of Baldwin Hall.

3. To call all special meetings of the Baldwin Hall Government.

4. To attend hall staff meetings on pertinent discussions or when deemed necessary by the RHD.

5. To serve as chairperson of the elections committee, or to appoint another member of Baldwin Hall Government to act as chair.

6. To enforce this constitution and its bylaws at all times.

7. To require attendance at all meetings.

8. To vote in the case of a tie.

9. To appoint residents to temporary positions when vacancies occur in the Executive Board.

10. To have and keep agendas for each meeting.

11. To fulfill all RHA outside commitments.

12. To meet weekly/bi-weekly with the Residence Hall Director and the

Baldwin Hall Government Executive Board.

13. To provide feedback once a semester to each Head Boardmember

individually.

16. To support others in programs and ideas.

14. To interpret conflicts in which the Constitution can resolve in coherence with advisor(s)

15. To put on one program a month.

Section 2The powers and duties of the Vice President shall be as follows:

1. To preside over and conduct all meetings in the absence of the President.

2. To write into the constitution all new amendments upon the ratification by Baldwin Hall Government.

3. To bring a copy of the constitution to every Baldwin Hall Government

meeting.

4. To be responsible for all Hall correspondence not otherwise delegated.

5. To notify all Baldwin Hall Government members of special meetings or a

change in the regular meeting time.

6. To assist the President in carrying out the executive duties of Baldwin Hall.

7. To have one vote on legislative matters unless there is a Co-President.

8. To record the minutes of all Baldwin Hall Government meetings.

9. To post the minutes from the Baldwin Hall Government general meetings

weekly.

10. To keep a permanent record of the minutes of all proceedings of Baldwin

Hall Government.

11. To support in programming and brainstorming.

12. To meet weekly/bi-weekly with the RHD and the Baldwin Hall

Government Exec Board.

13. To put on one program a month.

Section 3The powers and duties of the Treasurer shall be as follows:

1. To keep accurate records of all monetary transactions.

2. To give a weekly report concerning the state of the Hall treasury.

3. To authorize all monetary transactions of the Baldwin Hall Government.

4. To collect all money due to the Baldwin Hall Government.

5. To promptly process all purchase requests and reimbursements.

6. To create a semester projection of the budget by the second month of each

semester.

7. To meet weekly/bi-weekly with the RHD and the Baldwin Hall

Government Exec Board.

8. To have one vote on legislative matters.

9. To support in programming and brainstorming.

10. To put on one program a month.

Section 4The powers and duties of the RHA Representative shall be as follows:

1. To attend weekly meetings of the RHA and give weekly reports at the Baldwin Hall Government and All Hall meetings.

2. To be a member of a standing RHA committee.

3. To fulfill all RHA duties outside the hall.

4. To meet weekly/bi-weekly with the RHD and Baldwin Hall Government

Exec Board.

5. To have one vote on legislative matters.

6. To put on one program a month.

Section 5The powers and duties of the Recreational Representativeshall be as follows:

  1. To keep the hall informed of recreational events and campus wide activities.
  2. To assemble intramural groups and promote these activities.
  3. To have one vote on legislative matters.
  4. To coordinate one recreational program a month.

5. To arrange and find captains for various intramural teams.

6. To work with other members of the House Board in creating athletic activities for the house.

7. To post and advertise all athletic events in a timely matter.

8. To maintain and improve Wellness Room.

9. To coordinate monthly fitness activities.

10. To collaborate with Health Advocate and Health Liaisons.

Section 6The powers and duties of the Social Media Representative shall be as follows:

  1. To keep the hall informed of all events and campus wide activities.
  2. To meet with the RHD as needed.
  3. To have one vote on legislative matters.
  4. To put on one social program a month.

5. To chair in one all hall event per semester.

6. To maintain supplies in Leadership Resource Room

7. To update the Baldwin Hall Facebook page.

  1. To meet with the RHD as needed.
  2. To actively promote and support in all hall activities
  3. To assist any Baldwin Hall Government member with in hall programming publication upon request.
  4. To promote and make posters for Baldwin Hall
  5. To work with LT members on graphic designs in general for floors and/or otherprograms/events/promotions

Section 7The powers and duties of the Advisor(s) shall be as follows:

1. To act as an aid to the discussion of legislation and propose ideas concerning it.

2. To inform group when decisions are inappropriate by University policy.

3. To be present at all meetings.

4. To provide feedback to all HB members through individual meetings.

5. To meet with each HB member as needed.

6. To support all programming efforts.

7. To have veto power for conflict issues with university outlook.

Section 8The powers and duties of the Floor Governors shall be as follows:

1. To serve as a liaison between government and the residents of their house.

2. To give a weekly report concerning the state and activities of their house.

3. To hold floor governor executive meetings as needed.

4. To hold floor meetings a minimum of once a month.

5. To post minutes and posters of activities that concern the house residents.

6. To meet weekly with the CA Advisor(s).

7. To have one vote on legislative matters.

8. To put on one program a month with the floor CAs, LCAs, and ARCs

9. To update the floor bulletin board once a month.

Section 9The powers and duties of the Hall Historian shall be as follows:

  1. To maintain and update the Baldwin Hall scrapbook.
  2. To have one vote on legislative matters.
  3. To attend events of Baldwin Hall and take pictures.
  4. To put on one program a month.

Section 10The powers and duties of the Diversity Advocate shall be as follows:

  1. Attend all meetings.
  2. Host students at Viewpoint tours by showing future students the leadership aspects of the university.
  3. To have one vote on legislative matters.
  4. To put on programs according to their job description.
  5. Meet with the RHD as needed.

Section 11The powers and duties of the Music Advocate shall be as follows:

1. To keep the hall informed of music related programs happening on campus.

2. To be a resource for residents interested in music.

  1. To promote the Music Advocate position in other halls.
  2. To have one vote on legislative matters.
  3. To improve and maintain the music room.

6. To resolve noise issues having to do with the music room and find solutions.

7. To meet with the RHD as needed.

8. To put on one music-related programs a month.

Section 12The powers and duties of the Gaming Coordinator shall be as follows:

1. To coordinate monthly programs.

2. To replace/replenish board games behind desk.

3. To introduce new games to the residents of Baldwin Hall.

4. To support leadership team programming in the hall.

Section 13The powers and duties of the Green Advocate shall be as follows:

  1. Attend all Green Committee Meetings
  2. Attend all government meetings
  3. Assist with the planning and development of monthly green programs as determined by the Green Committee.
  4. Facilitate and carryout Green Committee programs in assigned hall
  5. Perform and/or assist other programming duties as directed by HD that meets SPECIES programming model
  6. Meet with hall director as determined to discuss programming initiatives of Green Committee
  7. Assist and/or advise Hall Staff responsible for hall environmental programming
  8. Promote and assist with the planning and setup of Greenest Resident Room Open House Tours

Section 14The powers and duties of the Members at Large shall be as follows:

  1. Any Baldwin Hall Resident may attend a HB Meeting, even if they don’t want to join government
  2. They can help out with and plan programs when necessary
  3. If they express interest, they can also be put on government mailing lists.
  4. If they do attend a meeting, they must be an official member of HB in order to have voting rights

Section 15Qualifications for members of the Baldwin Hall Government Exec Board and

Baldwin Hall Government.

1. To be a resident of Baldwin Hall and to maintain this residency throughout the term of office.

2. To be a registered student in good standing, (academic, conduct, 2.0 G.P.A)

3. If qualifications become in question, a probationary period will be assessed by President and Advisor(s).

Section 16Members of BHG shall be accepted as follows:

We, as a Hall, have decided that we want to accept everyone who wants to be involved. It is for this reason that any interested person is able to join government. They shall fill out an interest form to choose a position. If two people want a position, an election will be held to vote for who will receive the position.

1. Interest Forms

a. Interest forms for positions will be available from any current memberand Advisors at any time throughout the year.

2. Appointment

a. Members of the Baldwin Hall Government shall be selected by the current Presidents and Advisors, based on their interest form and/or voting.

3. Time

a. Interest forms will be available any time throughout the year.

b. Major recruitment will happen at the beginning and end of each semester.

4. Term of office

a. This is an annual position.

b. If there is a vacancy in the office of the President, the Vice-President will be given the opportunity to take the office of President or stay as Vice President.

Section 17It shall be the duty of the Baldwin Hall Government Members to uphold and enforce this constitution and its bylaws at all times.

A)Each member of Baldwin Hall Government will provide a transition report at the end of his/her term to the new incoming members of Head Board.

B)If a Baldwin Hall Government member is unable to attend two meetings and fails to notify the President they must meet with the President and The Hall director to review their position.

ARTICLE V - MEETINGS

Section 1BHG meetings shall be held weekly or bi-weekly throughout the term, depending on the decision made by the RHD. Attendance is required unless excused by the President or Hall Director prior to the meeting.

Section 2Committee meetings will be called by the committee chair when deemed necessary.

Section 3Special Baldwin Hall Governmentmeetings may be called by the President twenty four hours in advance, and must be called at the request of five or more members. The purpose of the meeting must be stated both in the demand and in the call.

ARTICLE VI - VOTING

Section 1The voting policy shall be as follows:

1. The President shall preside over the vote.

2. A motion may be made by any Head Board member except the President and Vice President.

3. The vote shall be made by show of hands unless requested as a secret ballot.

4. The President shall break all ties.

5. Any Baldwin Hall resident has the right to know and attend all voted actions.

ARTICLE VII - IMPEACHMENT

Section 1It is recommended by the members of the Baldwin Hall Government that if an individual is observed as inadequately fulfilling their responsibilities, they should first be confronted personally on a one-on-one level. After the initial confrontation, if performance does not improve, the President must be notified. The President will then confront the individual in question. The President must also consult the Executive Board of the matter. When behavior does not improve, the Executive Board must vote to put the individual in question on probation. Probation is a three week period in which the individual must improve their professional performance. Each individual is only allowed one probationary period per term of office. After the probationary period, the Executive Board will review the performance of the individual in question. If they decide that performance has not been improved, the individual in question will be given the opportunity for a voluntary resignation. If the resignation is declined, the individual will move to impeachment. The Baldwin Hall Government will vote on a secret ballot for the impeachment of the individual in question. The vote must pass with a 2/3 majority.

ARTICLE VIII – RESIGNATION

Section 1Resignation for President and Vice President shall proceed as follows: If the

President or Vice President resigns, an election will be held to fill that position. The individual elected must win by majority vote. The election will first be offered to Head Board. If the position is still vacant after an election held within Head Board, the position will be offered to Baldwin Hall Residents.

Section 2If a position becomes vacant during the process of Presidential and/or Vice Presidential Election, an election will be held in the Head Board to fulfill that position. The individual must win a majority vote. If the position is not fulfilled in the Head Board Election, the election will be offered to Baldwin Hall Residents. If the position is still vacant after the Baldwin Hall Election, it will remain vacant until the next election of offices.

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS

Section 1Amendments must be submitted in writing at any Baldwin Hall Government meeting. The amendment will be read and discussed, then the Vice President or Co-President will table the amendment until the next regularly scheduled Baldwin Hall Governmentmeeting. During the next meeting more discussion and voting must be done. The amendment will be ratified if there is a 3/4 majority vote of Baldwin Hall Government.

Section 2Bylaws of this constitution shall be adopted upon a 3/4 vote of the Baldwin Hall Government. Their purpose is to further define the workings of Baldwin Hall Government.

ARTICLE X - RATIFICATION

Section 1This Constitution shall go into effect with a 3/4 vote of the present functioning Baldwin Hall Government, and with the approval of the Residence Hall Director.

Section 2All present officers and other Baldwin Hall Government shall retain their

present offices.

Section 3This constitution shall be revised and with the election of each new Baldwin

Hall Government.

BYLAWS

  1. If the Treasurer is unavailable to approve a purchase, then the purchase may be approved by the advisor.
  1. Membership in Baldwin Hall Government is open to anyone regardless of race, color, sex, physical ability, creed or sexual orientation.

3. In case of a tie in an officer election the parties will be given the opportunity to

Co-facilitate the position. If one or more refuses the Baldwin Hall Government will

appoint a candidate.

4. The President and/or other delegated member shall count all ballots for elections and referendum.

5. By choosing to reside in Baldwin Hall, resident must agree to follow the Baldwin Hall policy statement which follows:

ACADEMIC ATMOSPHERE WITHIN BALDWIN HALL

Minimum standards on achieving a productive academic atmosphere shall consist of the following:

1. Recognition and obedience of the house agreements in regards to consideration of quiet hours, public property, and community damage.

BALDWIN HALL POLICY STATEMENTS

1. VISITATION

Residents must follow the visitation policy drafted by the RHA (1993).

2. ALCOHOL/PARTIES

Residents must follow the alcohol policy drafted by the RHA (1993).

3. STEREO POLICY

Stereos may be played in individual rooms at a reasonable levelin conjunction with University Policy.

4. GAMES IN THE HALLWAY

In support of community development, there are to be no "outdoor type" games played inside the building (i.e. golf, Frisbee, football, soccer, hacky sack). The RHD reserves the right to confiscate all equipment if there continues to be a problem.

5. UNIVERSITY PROPERTY

University property is for designated use only. Misuse of property will result in a fine to be determined by the Head Board.

6. PUBLIC POSTING

1. Materials should only be posted on bulletin boards or other designated posting areas.

2. Materials displayed on bulletin boards, in hallways, in bathrooms, on exterior doors facing the hallway, or on the windows facing out of student rooms, are considered posted in public areas.

3. Materials found to be racially, sexually, or generally offensive to groups or individuals will be removed. Examples of these include:

- Signs that threaten or offend a particular group and cause members of said group to fear for their safety.

- Signs that present any groups in a demeaning fashion.

- Signs which endorse violence within the community.