Article I – Name
The official name of this organization shall be the Library and Information Science Student Association of Simmons University School of Library and Information Science, hereinafter known as LISSA.
Article II - Purpose
The purpose of LISSA shall be to provide an effective student government within the School of Library and Information Science and to serve as a means for cooperation, communication, and exchange of viewpoints among students, faculty, administration, and alumni on all matters concerning the School and the University. LISSA encourages constructive change in the School and University and acts to promote increased student participation in the decision-making process.
Article III - Membership
Membership in LISSA shall automatically include all students currently enrolled in the School of Library and Information Science who have paid their activity fee. This fee shall be collected by the appropriate administrative authority of the University, the amount to be decided by the Executive Council of LISSA.
Article IV – Officers and their Function
Section A – Officers of this organization shall include: President, Vice-President of Finance, Vice-President of Events, Treasurer, Secretary, two (2) Student-Faculty Representatives, and Webmaster
Section B – Function
1. The President shall be a student of the School of Library and Information Science at the time they take office, and shall:
a. be elected by the student body in accordance with the Bylaws b. be the chief executive officer c. appoint acting Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary and Student-Faculty Representatives if no nominations for these posts are received d. shall keep records and turn them over to their successor
e. be the official representative of LISSA, unless they delegate this responsibility f. be the permanent member of the Executive Council and act as its chairman g. call meetings of the Executive Council when necessary and upon request of any other officer h. be responsible for coordination of communication among the students, faculty, administration, and alumni i. appoint and abolish such committees as the majority vote of the Executive Council shall from time to time deem necessary in the conduct of affairs j. attend faculty meetings if the Student-Faculty Representatives are unable to attend k. have such additional powers and duties as are provided for by this Constitution and the Bylaws of LISSA
2. The Vice-President of Finance shall be a student of the School of Library and Information Science at the time they take office and shall:
a. be elected by the student body in accordance with the Bylaws b. be a permanent member of the Executive Council c. be responsible for the accurate accounting of the funds of LISSA d. Will submit relevant records to the Secretary to ensure consistent organization and ease of transfer to successor e. act as President in the case of the President’s absence f. have such additional powers and duties as are provided for by this Constitution and the Bylaws of LISSA.
3. The Vice-President of Events shall be a student of the School of Library and Information Science at the time they take office and shall:
a. be elected by the student body in accordance with the Bylaws b. be a permanent member of the Executive Council c. be responsible for the planning and organization of LISSA events d. Will submit relevant records to Secretary to ensure consistent organization and ease of transfer to successor e. act as President in the case of the President’s absence f. have such additional powers and duties as are provided for by this Constitution and the Bylaws of the LISSA.
4. Student-Faculty Representatives (2) shall be students of the School of Library and Information Science at the time they take office and shall:
a. Be elected by the student body in accordance with the Bylaws b. Attend all SLIS faculty and curriculum meetings and represent concerns of SLIS student body c. Report to SLIS student leaders at student leader meetings d. Will submit any faculty meeting minutes to the LISSA Secretary.
5. The Webmaster shall be a student of the School of Library and Information Science at the time they take office and shall:
a. be elected by the student body in accordance with the Bylaws b. be a permanent member of the Executive Council c. Will submit relevant records to Secretary to ensure consistent organization and ease of transfer to successor d. act as President in the case of the President’s, Vice-President's’, Treasurer’s, Secretary’s, and Student-Faculty Representatives’ absence. e. develop and maintain technology and social media on LISSA’s behalf f. have such additional powers and duties as are provided for by this Constitution and Bylaws of LISSA
6. The Secretary shall be a student of the School of Library and Information Science at the time they take office and shall:
a. be elected by the student body in accordance with the Bylaws b. be a permanent member of the Executive Council c. managing the LISSA Google drive, and ensuring their successor has access d. act as President in the case of the President’s, Vice-President's’, Treasurer’s, Secretary’s, Student-Faculty Representative’s, and the Webmaster's absence. e. keep, organize, and gather archival materials from all student groups for preservation in the Simmons College Archives f. taking meeting minutes and notes g. have such additional power and duties as are provided for by this Constitution and Bylaws of LISSA.
Article V – Executive Council
Section A – Description
The Executive Council shall consist of the seven permanent officers listed in Article IV and those co-officers or appointees deemed necessary by the Executive Council.
Section B – Quorum
A quorum of the Executive Council shall consist of a simple majority.
Section C – Voting
Voting in the Executive Council may be by absentee ballot.
Section D – Function
The Executive Council shall implement the purpose of the LISSA as stated in Article II.
Section E – Grievances
1. Individual students may request a private appearance before the Executive Council to express grievances. 2. Sponsorship by at least one member of the Executive Council is necessary for a grievance to be considered. 3. The Executive Council must render a confidential response to the grievance heard. Section F – Dismissal of Officers
Members of the Executive Council may be dismissed only in accordance with the Bylaws of the LISSA.
Article VI – General Meetings
Section A – Description
The Executive Council may call general meetings of LISSA provided one week’s advance notice of the time and place is posted on the official bulletin board and/or electronically mailed to the members of LISSA.
Section B – Quorum
The number present shall constitute a quorum for that meeting.
Section C – Voting
The present nature of the School prohibits the gathering of a majority of the students at any one time. Therefore, the LISSA Executive Council assumes the responsibility of distributing and collecting ballots from all students outside general meetings. Under normal circumstances, general meetings will be held to solicit opinion and distribute information.
Section D – Agenda
1. The Executive Council serves as the agenda committee. 2. Any individual student or faculty member may suggest items for inclusion on the agenda to any member of the agenda committee.
Article VII – Emergency Meetings
Section A – Description
Emergency meetings may be called without the stipulated one week notice by the unanimous vote of the Executive Council. All attempts possible should be made to publicize the meeting.
Section B. – Quorum
A quorum will exist when members of the Executive Council present do not exceed one quarter of the total number of LISSA members present.
Section C – Voting
In emergency meetings official votes may be taken and the members of the Executive Council may vote. To pass an action, three-quarters of the members present must vote in favor of that action.
Section D – Meeting Minutes
Meeting minutes will be made available by request to LISSA secretary.
Article VIII – Constitutional Amendment
This Constitution may be amended only in accordance with the Bylaws.
Article IX – Faculty Representative
LISSA extends an invitation to the faculty and the administration to attend all open meetings, and to appoint an official delegate to report and represent faculty opinion. The Faculty Representatives shall: a. keep records and turn them over to their successor.
Article X – Association With Other Groups
This Constitution provides for the possibility of including LISSA in regional, national, or international organizations subject to the voting procedures outlined in the Bylaws for Amendments. This Constitution further provides for the possibility of affiliating LISSA with other groups of graduate students at Simmons College, for the purpose of increasing student participation in the College as a whole.
adopted: September 1969 retyped: March 1974 amended: May 1985 retyped: August 1985 retyped: June 1988 amended & name change: Fall, 1991 retyped: Spring 1994 retyped: November 2006 proposed amended: February 2008 (reversed to previous version June 2008) amended: March 2010 proposed amended: January 2013 amended: May 2013 amended: September 2017 Bylaws; amended: October 2018; amended September 2019
Article I – Ratification of the Constitution
This Constitution and Bylaws will be ratified by the student body of Simmons College School of Library and Information Science by the following procedures:
1. A rough draft of the proposed constitution and bylaws shall be presented at the LISSA open meetings at the beginning of a new term. 2. At the open meeting the draft will be read and all suggested additions and changes will be discussed. 3. The LISSA Executive Council will then consider the additions and changes suggested and will make appropriate changes in the draft. 4. The final draft will be posted and reviewed for a voice vote. 6. A majority opinion in favor of adoption will ratify this Constitution and Bylaws. 7. The Constitution and Bylaws will take effect from the time of ratification and a copy will be posted to the LISSA website. 8. Prior appointments will not be ruled invalid but are subject to dismissal procedures. Article II – Amendment of the Constitution and Bylaws
Amendments may be proposed by the Executive Council or by individual students at any time and action must be initiated within three months of receipt of the Executive Council, following the same procedures as above.
Article IV – Election of Officers
To insure continuity of office, elections for a post will be held a minimum of twice per year, at the discretion of the LISSA Executive Council.
Section A - Advertising Open Positions
1. One representative from each student organization will confirm with the LISSA President the open positions in their groups. 2. Open positions will be advertised on LISSA website and social media prior to the nomination period. 3. Those student leaders serving in acting-roles must nominate themselves for their position in the semester in which they intend to serve.
Section B – Nominating Procedures
1. Nominations will be solicited for a one week period through electronic notification. 2. During this time candidates will submit brief statements of intentions and interests to LISSA. This information will be distributed to the student body via email and be available in a Google Form.
Section C – Voting Procedures
1. Ballots will be distributed electronically to each member of the LISSA. 2. The candidate receiving the greatest number of votes will be declared winner.
Section D – Term of Office
The members of the Executive Council are required to serve in office for at least two semesters (one year).
Section E – Reelection
An officer may not serve in the same office for more than two semesters. An office becomes vacant when the officer is not currently enrolled in the Simmons University School of Library and Information Science as a student.
Article V – Removal of Officers
Section A – Impeachment of Elected Officers
1. Impeachment procedures against elected officers are initiated by a petition signed by at least 10 members of the SLIS student body which is presented to any member of the Executive Council. 2. The impeached officer has a right to a hearing before the general meeting of members of the LISSA. The only non-members in the attendance shall be those specially requested by the impeached officer. 3. The Executive Council is required to hold a vote according to the voting procedures of the Bylaws (Article III, Section B). 4. Nominations will then be accepted according to the Bylaws for the vacant position (Article III, Section A). Section B – Dismissal of Appointed Officers An appointed member of the Executive Council may be dismissed only by a majority of the Executive Council.
adopted: September 1969 retyped: March 1974 retyped: Spring 1994 retyped: November 2006 proposed amended: February 2008 amended: September 2017 amended: October 2018 amended September 2019 amended 2023