Bylaws for the Columbia University Student Chapter of the

Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)

Article I – Name

1. The name of the organization shall be the Columbia University Student Chapter of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences.

Article II – Purpose

1. To promote interest in the fields of operations research and the management sciences (ORMS);
2. To facilitate the exchange of ideas and information regarding methods and techniques in ORMS;
3. To foster a sense of community among students in ORMS;
4. To provide mentoring for students seeking careers or higher education in ORMS;
5. To connect students in ORMS with speakers from industry and academia.

Article III – Membership

1. Any undergraduate or graduate student of ORMS at Columbia University may become a general body member of this chapter by expressing interest through the link provided on our website.
2. All members shall have equal rights, duties and privileges. Only undergraduate general body members have the opportunity to hold executive positions of the organization.
3. Membership and participation shall be free from discrimination based on race, religion, ethnic group, national origin, handicap, sex, or sexual orientation.

Article IV – Officers

1. Officers of the organization and their duties shall be the following:
1. A president who shall preside at meetings and represent the Chapter in external affairs.
2. A vice president who shall take over the duties of the president in his/her absence.
3. A secretary who shall take the minutes of the meetings and shall be responsible for such matters as correspondence and notification of meetings. The secretary shall maintain contact with the INFORMS liaison (as designated by the INFORMS Board) and shall file an annual report describing the Chapter’s activities and financial state.
4. A treasurer who shall be responsible for all financial matters, including all financial records and an annual financial statement to be included with the annual report. The treasurer shall keep accounts, deposit the organization’s funds, and make expenditures in a fiscally sound manner.
5. A webmaster who shall be responsible for the maintenance of the Chapter’s website, including updating a calendar of upcoming events.
2. Terms of Office: The terms of each officer position shall be one academic year. Each officer will be elected at a designated date in the spring semester by a majority of votes cast by members present.
3. Nominations: Candidates for the officer positions shall be nominated through petitions signed by at least five active members of the organization.
4. Voting: Elections shall be held by secret ballot at a designated date in the spring semester. All general body members may vote in officer elections. A majority of ballots cast by members for each office shall be necessary for election. Ties shall be resolved by means of fair random processes.

Article V - Duties of the Executive Board

1. The executive board will manage the name and maintain the mission of CUINFORMS as defined in this constitution.
2. All proposals for discussion at general body meetings must be submitted to the executive board beforehand. The executive board then will vote by majority on whether or not the topic is to be brought up at general body meetings.

Article VI – Amendments

1. Amendments to the Bylaws may be made in any meeting following announcement in a previous meeting or by the Secretary.
2. Any general body member may propose an amendment at a general body member meeting.
3. The Secretary, no later than a week before the following meeting, shall submit in writing the proposed Amendment to all members of the Chapter and the vote will occur at the next meeting.
4. The Amendment must be approved by two-thirds of the general body members present.
5. In order for a proposed amendment to the constitution to be presented for approval by the secretary, two-thirds of the Executive Board needs to be present.

Article VII – Meetings

1. The Chapter will hold at least two meetings per semester. The time, place and purpose of each meeting shall be determined by the officers and announced at least a week in advance.