Phi Gamma Chapter

National Order of Omega

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be the University of Texas at Tyler National Order of Omega, Phi Gamma chapter.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of the Phi Gamma chapter of Order of Omega shall be threefold:

  1. To recognize those students who have attained a high standard of leadership in inter-Greek activities, to encourage them to continue along this line, and to inspire others to strive for similar conspicuous attainment.
  1. To bring together the most representative fraternity and sorority members, and to create an organization which will help to mold the sentiment of the institution on questions of local and intercollegiate affairs.
  1. To bring together members of the faculty, alumni, and student members of the institution’s fraternities and sororities on a basis of mutual interest, understanding, and helpfulness.

ARTICLE III: EMBLEMS & COLORS

  1. The emblem of the Order shall be the Greek letter designating Omega.
  1. The colors of the Order shall be ivory and gold.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

  1. The membership of this Order shall be confined to members of Greek-letter social organizations.
  1. There shall be four classes of members:

·  Student – Student members shall be those duly elected to membership as undergraduate students by a chapter and they shall be so designated during the remaining period of their undergraduate, post baccalaureate, and/or graduate enrollment.

·  Faculty - Faculty members shall be those members of the faculty or administrative staff of a collegiate institution elected by a chapter as faculty members, or those formerly elected to membership who may subsequently be serving on the faculty or staff of The University of Texas at Tyler.

·  Alumni - Alumni members shall be all former student members after their graduation or their termination of their collegiate enrollment.

·  Honorary - Honorary members shall be those elected honoris causa by a chapter of the Order.

  1. Membership in the National Order of Omega entitles the person elected to the rights and privileges of life membership, except that only active student members may vote and hold office.
  1. The active student membership of the Order shall consist of the student members who remain in good standing with the Order, their fraternal organization, and The University of Texas at Tyler. An active student member may not maintain good standing with the Order if the student misses more than two regular meetings of the Order during any semester.
  1. The total number of faculty and alumni members shall not exceed forty percent (40%) of the membership of the chapter.
  1. A student enrolled at The University of Texas at Tyler who was initiated into a Greek organization at another institution that is not represented at The University of Texas at Tyler may be selected into membership. Verification of the affiliation must be confirmed with the national office of the fraternity or sorority before the student may be considered for membership.
  1. Should a student’s fraternal organization close or lose official institution recognition, the student may be eligible for membership or may maintain membership in the Order as long as eligibility requirements of Article V are met.

ARTICLE V: ELIGIBILITY

  1. The qualifications for membership in the Order shall be character, scholarship, intelligence, service, and leadership in the inter-Greek affairs of The University of Texas at Tyler.
  1. Exemplary character shall be the primary consideration for membership in this Order.
  1. To be eligible for membership in the National Order of Omega, a student shall meet the following minimum requirement:
  1. One full academic year of residence at The University of Texas at Tyler.
  1. Junior or Senior (undergraduate) standing.
  1. Rank academically above the all-Greek grade point average.
  1. Be in good standing with their fraternal organization.
  1. At least one third of each group of initiates shall have junior status at time of initiation.
  1. In the selection of student members, the complete collegiate record of each candidate (both in and out of The University of Texas at Tyler) shall be obtained and considered in the following order:

A.  Character

B.  Scholarship

C.  Greek offices held

D.  Greek participation

E.  Service to The University of Texas at Tyler

F.  Service to the community

ARTICLE VI: ELECTION OF MEMBERS

  1. New Members may be chosen either annually or semi-annually.
  1. The number of students elected to membership in any one year may not exceed three percent (3%) of the total number of enrolled full-time Greek undergraduates on the main campus at the beginning of the academic year, or fifteen (15), whichever number is greater.
  1. The Phi Gamma chapter of the National Order of Omega shall determine the number of candidates selected at each election of membership.
  1. The election of student members shall be based on an application and raking system. Eligible candidates must submit an application to the Phi Gamma chapter of National Order of Omega for consideration. Each active member shall rank each candidate based on the eligibility requirements set forth in Article V, Section 4. Upon compiling the total scores, the candidates with the highest scores shall be granted membership in the Order.
  1. There shall be a one-time initiation fee of $50.00 for each undergraduate initiate. This shall include the pin and certificate. This fee should be sent with the form provided by the Executive Office at least 4 weeks before the date of initiation. In addition to the one-time initiation fee, there is a $10.00 fee each semester for local dues.

Two-thirds (2/3) of the active members of the Phi Gamma National Order of Omega must be present in order to conduct an election of membership. In cases where the number of members participating in membership selection is ten or less, two (2) negative votes shall exclude a candidate from membership. When the number participating in membership selection is from eleven to twenty inclusive, three (3) negative votes shall exclude a candidate. When the number participating in membership selection is twenty-one or more, four (4) votes shall exclude a proposed member.

ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS

  1. The elected officers of the Phi Gamma chapter of the National Order of Omega shall be:
  1. President (must have been an active member for one year)
  2. Vice President
  3. Secretary
  4. Treasurer
  1. Ad Hoc committee will be formed as needed and committee chairs will be elected as the committees are formed.
  1. The officers are elected for a term of one academic year with elections being held the first meeting in November.

Officer Duties:

President

·  Responsible for seeing that the chapter continues to grow according to the principles and goals of the Order.

·  Responsible for planning, organizing, and presiding over all meetings of the chapter

·  Preside at rituals of the chapter.

·  Perform any other duties related to this position.

Vice President

·  Responsible for all duties of the President in the case of his/her absence.

·  Chair the election of membership process.

·  Make all physical arrangement prior to ritual ceremonies.

·  Provide for the safekeeping of all ritualistic properties.

·  Perform any other duties related to this position.

Secretary

·  Maintain minutes of all meetings of the chapter.

·  Maintain a current copy of chapter constitution & bylaws.

·  Maintain an accurate roll of attendance.

·  Update the chapter history annually

·  Perform any other duties related to this position.

Treasurer

·  Maintain accurate financial records.

·  Disburse all financial obligations of the chapter.

·  Collect all dues and other funds owed to the chapter.

·  Perform any other duties related to this position.

ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS

  1. Regular meetings of the Phi Gamma chapter of National Order of Omega shall be held the first and third week of each month at a time and place to be determined the first meeting of the academic year.
  1. Special meetings may be called by the President when necessary.
  1. In order to conduct business, a quorum of fifty percent (50%) plus one (1) of active members shall be required.

ARTICLE IX: AMEMDMENTS

This constitution may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active members of the Phi Gamma chapter of National Order of Omega provided notice of the proposed amendment has been given in writing at the preceding regular meeting.