NrHH Constitution

NRHH CONSTITUTION

Saint Louis University, Janelle Carolyn Wilson Chapter

Preamble:

We, the members of the Saint Louis University National Residence Hall Honorary, in order to recognize individuals who contribute outstanding service and who provide important leadership in the advancement of residence hall systems; and to maintain a commitment to scholastic achievement; do hereby ordain and establish this constitution.

Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be the Janelle Carolyn Wilson Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary at Saint Louis University, herein after referred to NRHH.

Article II: Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be to recognize outstanding residence hall students who have exhibited exceptional service and valuable leadership in the advancement of the residence halls. The organization is to embody a leadership-based honorary that upholds the two values of the National Residence Hall Honorary- recognition and service.

Article III: NRHH Values

NRHH is a leadership based honorary comprised of exemplary residential students who value recognition and service.

Article IV: Membership Qualifications

Once an individual has shown dedication and commitment to NRHH according to their chapter’s standards, they will become an NRHH member for life.

1. Candidate Membership
   1. The Candidate Member is a pre-membership status in which the student has shown interest through intent to become an NRHH Member.
   2. The Candidate member must submit a formal intent of pre-membership to the chapter.
   3. The Chapter must confirm status of pre-membership to candidate member.
   4. The Chapter must educate the candidate on the following topics before the candidate can be inducted:
      1. NRHH History
      2. OTM’s
      3. Membership Qualifications
      4. Membership Selection Process
   5. Before a Candidate Member can be inducted, they must meet the following requirements:
      1. A Candidate Member seeking induction must be a student of Saint Louis University.
      2. Students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or professional degrees are all eligible for induction.
      3. At the time of induction, the Inductee must be a student possessing at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent.
      4. Candidate member must be living in institutionally owned or contracted housing and has lived in institutionally owned or contracted housing for at least one semester.
      5. Candidate Member must have made positive contribution to the residence hall system through engagement with the values of service and recognition.
      6. Candidate Members must write a leadership blurb about themselves to be published about them at future NRHH induction ceremonies before Spring Induction.
   6. Once a candidate member has met all NACURH and chapter requirements, they will be eligible for induction.

1. On-Campus Membership
   1. An On-Campus member of an NRHH Chapter is a member that lives in institutionally owned or contracted housing and meets the chapter and NACURH membership qualifications.
   2. On-Campus members must meet the following requirements to maintain their membership:
      1. The On-Campus Member must be a student of Saint Louis University.
      2. The On-Campus member must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalency.
      3. On-Campus Member must be living in institutionally owned or contracted housing.
      4. On-Campus Member continue to make a positive contribution to the residence hall system through engagement with the values of service and recognition.
      5. Members are required to participate in Community Service Activities each semester. Each member must participate in a minimum of ten (10) hours of community service each semester. Members must submit the appropriate community service form to the Vice-President of Membership and Service.
      6. Members must attend two (2) General Body Meetings for each semester and attend the Fall and Spring induction ceremony. All absences must be cleared with the Vice-President of Administration beforehand.
      7. Members must write two (2) OTMs each semester. OTMs must be submitted to the OTM website by the 7th of the month, after the month in which they are recognizing (both OTMs may not be written in the same month). OTMs must be at least ½ of the maximum word count (typically between 250-300 words).

1. Off-Campus Membership
   1. An Off-Campus member of an NRHH Chapter is a member that does not live in institutionally owned or contracted housing and meets the chapter and NACURH membership qualifications.
      1. The Off-Campus Member must be a student of Saint Louis University.
      2. The Off-Campus member must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalency.
      3. Off-Campus Member continue to make a positive contribution to their community through engagement with the values of service and recognition.
      4. Members are required to participate in Community Service Activities each semester. Each member must participate in a minimum of ten (10) hours of community service each semester. Members must submit the appropriate community service form to the Vice-President of Membership and Service.
      5. Members must attend two (2) General Body Meetings for each semester and attend the Fall and Spring induction ceremony. All absences must be cleared with the Vice-President of Administration beforehand.
      6. Members must write two (2) OTMs each semester. OTMs must be submitted to the OTM website by the 7th of the month, after the month in which they are recognizing (both OTMs may not be written in the same month). OTMs must be at least ½ of the maximum word count (typically between 250-300 words).

1. Membership Capacity
   1. The total active membership of a chapter may include up to, but not more than, 1% of the total residence hall population that year, or 20 members, whichever is larger. The total 1% membership does not include Candidate, Off-Campus, or Lifelong Members.
   2. Membership capacity and selection are based on the population of each on-campus residence hall and apartment, which includes: Reinert Hall, Marchetti Towers, Grand Forest Apartments, Griesidieck complex, Grand Hall, Fusz Hall, Spring Hall, Marguerite Hall, the Village Apartments, Marguerite Hall, and DeMattias Hall.

Section IV: Outstanding Service Award Process

1. An Outstanding Service Award is designed to recognize those who have demonstrated outstanding support and service to the residence hall students. This may include but is not limited to housing personnel, instructors, and college or university staff.
2. Individuals who could qualify for membership including first term students, with the exception of those graduating in the current academic term, cannot be given an Outstanding Service Award.
3. The maximum number of Outstanding Service Awards which may be given in a year is equal to the number of regional affiliates within NACURH.
   1. A member within the chapter must elect an individual to receive the Outstanding Service award. This motion will be discussed at the next general assembly meeting. Once discussion has ended, a motion to vote must be made. Once a vote is seconded, a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of active members or proxy must be made.
   2. The Outstanding Service Award will be granted at the following Diamond Reception.

Section V: Probation

1. A member must meet all the requirements listed above, complete service work, attend meetings, and write OTMS to remain a good standing member.
2. If a member fails to meet those guidelines, the member must make up missed work along plus an extra 25%.
3. The executive board can review special circumstances, and assignments given then reviewed by the President.

Section VI: NRHH Member Removal Policy

1. The Removal Policy may be enacted if an Active member can no longer meet the chapter membership expectations.
2. If an Active member is removed, they no longer count towards the 1% membership cap
3. The following guidelines apply to the procedure for the removal of an Active member:
4. The member and/or chapter must complete the NRHH Member Removal Application.
   1. This form can be obtained from the region’s AD-NRHH.
   2. The form must include the electronic signatures of the chapter President and chapter advisor.
   3. This form must be submitted electronically.
5. The completed Member Removal application shall be submitted to the region’s AD-NRHH for approval.
6. The amount of members for removal is up to the discretion of the chapter.
7. It is the right of the region’s AD-NRHH to deny requests for removal for reasons including, but not limited to:
   1. Submission of an incomplete application form
   2. The region’s AD-NRHH does not believe that sufficient measures have been taken by the chapter to address the member’s inactivity or ineligibility within the chapter prior to submission of the application.
8. If the member and/or chapter wish to appeal the decision, they may appeal to the Regional AD-NRHH through written request as to why the Candidate deserves to continue as a member of NRHH.

Section VII: NRHH Membership Transfer Policy

1. NRHH members that are transferring schools at any educational level, including incoming graduate and incoming doctoral students, are able to apply to have their NRHH membership transferred from their outgoing institution to Saint Louis University.
2. The NRHH chapter is able to accept/reject transfer members at their own discretion. If accepted, these members shall become active members of the new chapter.
3. Transfer students interested in entering the NRHH chapter of Saint Louis University must meet the following expectations:
   1. The student applying to transfer their membership must be fully matriculated at Saint Louis University.
   2. The student seeking to transfer membership must contact the chapter president and advisor in writing detailing why they want to transfer their membership, how they benefited their previous chapter and residence hall system, and how they hope to be involved in the new chapter.
4. If approved, the student and/or new chapter must complete the membership transfer application.
   1. The membership transfer application may be obtained from the MACURH AD-NRHH.
   2. The membership transfer application shall include signatures from the following individuals:
      1. The Saint Louis University chapter President
      2. The Saint Louis University chapter advisor
      3. The NRHH transfer member seeking membership
   3. The completed application shall be submitted to the MACURH AD-NRHH for approval.
   4. It is the right of MACURH’s AD-NRHH to deny requests for reasons including, but not limited to:
      1. The application form is incomplete
      2. Adding new member(s) puts the chapter over its member cap
5. If the member and/or chapter wish to appeal the decision of MACURH’s AD-NRHH, they may appeal to the entire NNB. The decision of the NNB shall be final. In the event of an appeal to the NNB:
   1. Each AD-NRHH shall have one vote
   2. A simple majority shall be necessary, with tie-breaking vote when necessary.

Article IV: Nominations

Section I: Nomination Procedure

Nominations may be made by the Executive Board members of the Residence Hall Association (RHA), Hall or Apartment Council Executive Board, faculty and staff members of Saint Louis University, active members of NRHH, or Housing and Residence Life student staff. Upon nomination, the NRHH Selection Committee will send out applications to those who have been nominated.

Section II: Selection Procedure

1. Selection Committee

1. The selection committee shall be comprised of up to five (5) active members selected by the Vice-President of Membership, in consultation with chapter President.

1. Honorary membership nominations shall be made by any active or alumni members. The chapter President will submit a list of candidates to the voting membership, who will select honorary members by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of active members or proxy.
   1. There shall be no limit to the number of honorary members that the chapter may have. The number of honorary members a chapter shall be able to induct per academic year will not exceed 10% of the chapter’s membership cap.
   2. Individuals that were NRHH active members at another college or university may not be honorary members of the Janelle Carolyn Wilson Chapter.

1. Selection Standards

At no time shall the active membership of this chapter exceed one (1) percent of the on-campus population. Each candidate must be considered to have contributed outstanding service, leadership, and involvement for the advancement of the residence hall system. The Selection Committee shall review all applications during each nomination cycle. Selection must occur at least once each academic year. If membership falls below two thirds (2/3) of one (1) percent of the on campus population then selection should happen in both the fall and spring semesters.

Article V: Executive Structure

Section I: President

1. The President must be a student in good standing with the University and must have been an active member of NRHH for at least one year prior to election.

1. If no such active member is interested in the position, the election will be open to all active members.

1. The President shall assume the roles of the Vice Presidents if those positions cannot be fulfilled.

1. The President shall facilitate all General Assembly and Executive Board meetings.

1. The President shall draw up an agenda for all General Assembly and Executive Board meetings.

1. The President shall oversee the tasks of the Vice Presidents.

1. The President shall appoint members to the committees mentioned in the Article V, Section I (B), unless asked otherwise.

1. The President shall be the official representative and serve as the official spokesperson of the organization.

1. If the President is unable to represent the organization, the President shall appoint an active member as a temporary representative.

1. The President shall submit an End of the Year Progress Report at the culmination of the spring term and register the organization with the National NRHH Office, before the MACURH conference.

1. Failure to abide by these aforementioned details can result in impeachment of office.

Section II: Vice-Presidents

1. There shall be three (3) Vice-Presidents who are all students in good standing with the University and may be any active members who have attended one prior NRHH meeting.

1. The Vice- President of Administration shall:

1. Compile and distribute minutes of all NRHH meetings.
2. Work with the President and Advisor to create an annual budget at the beginning of the fall semester.
3. Maintain appropriate financial records for the chapter’s budget.
4. Aid the President in his or her duties.
5. Keep all speakers lists at General Assembly meetings.
6. Be responsible for taking roll call and minutes at General Assembly meetings.
7. Record and certify all General Assembly votes
8. Coordinate the records of NRHH in an orderly fashion.
9. Be responsible for ensuring votes are only conducted when NRHH General Assembly meetings have met quorum.

1. The Vice-President of Recognition shall:

1. Be responsible for submitting OTM nominations to MACURH by the 11^th of each month.
2. Be responsible for writing and submitting at least one OTM nomination during each month of the academic year.
3. Coordinate the OTM process and educate the residence halls on their usage.
4. Coordinate one large academic campus recognition event per year for all residence hall students as budget allows.

1. The Vice-President of Membership and Service shall:

1. Coordinate the process for selecting new member, including the selection committee.
2. Coordinate induction ceremonies.
3. Serve as the new member coordinator, which entails recruiting, training, and retention of all members of NRHH.
4. Be responsible for coordinating at least two service project a semester to assist NRHH members in reaching their required service hours. (Make a difference day and SOS)
5. Maintain a partnership with the NRHH and RHA philanthropy.

Section III: Election and Term of Office

1. Election of the President and Vice-Presidents shall be held in the spring semester following the selection of the members.

1. They shall be elected by a simple majority for a term of one (1) academic year.

1. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President, the successor shall be chosen from the current executive board by an election of the active members.

1. In the event of a vacancy in the office of a Vice-President, an election will be held at the next meeting to fill the vacancy.

1. All officers appointed in the manner described in Article V, Section III (C and D) shall serve in that office until the completion of the preceding officer’s term.

Section IV: Executive Board

The President and Vice-Presidents shall comprise the NRHH Executive Board, which shall meet on a regular basis. In an occurrence of a tie on the executive board, the Advisor shall be given an executive vote. The Executive Board will decide when general assembly meetings are each semester.

Section V: Advisor

1. The Advisor shall:

1. Be a professional staff member of the Housing and Residence Life Department at Saint Louis University who is appointed by the Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life in consultation with the NRHH Executive Board or the chapter President.
2. Attend all NRHH meetings.
3. Meet with the President regularly to discuss the activities and the future of the chapter.

Section VI: NRHH Standing Committees

1. NRHH shall have two standing committees tasked with improving function of the Honorary, that shall be created as needed by chapter officers.

1. Each committee will be chair by member(s) of the NRHH executive board, who will directly oversee the operation of the committee.

Article VI: Impeachment Procedure

If the President or Vice-Presidents fail to complete the aforementioned duties, impeachment may occur. A motion of impeachment may be made by any active member. First the motion must be made in front of the Executive Board, or in front of the general assembly of active members. If seconded, the motion shall be tabled for one week. All active members should be notified that discussion of impeachment and voting will be brought to the floor at the next meeting. All active members shall have the ability to vote or proxy at the next meeting. The motion is then discussed with the subject of the motion being absent from the room. Once discussion has ended, a motion to vote must be made. Once a vote is seconded, a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of active members or proxy must be made. If such a vote does not occur, the motion is either defeated or tabled until at least two more meetings, in which time the subject may try to complete the failed requests.

Article VII: Non-Campus Affiliation

This chapter must follow the rules and by-laws of the National Residence Hall Honorary.

Article VIII: Amendments to the Constitution

Amendments may be submitted by any member of the chapter in writing to the President, who will call a meeting with at least one week’s notice. Amendments to the constitution may then be adopted or amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of active members at this meeting or proxy.

Article IX: Parliamentary Procedures

A quorum shall consist of 50% + 1 of the membership. Quorum is a necessity; if a quorum is not met then no business shall be voted upon. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern NRHH in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order NRHH may adopt.

Article X: Fees and Dues

Rolling fees shall be determined by the Executive Board. The chapter must remain in good standing with NACURH and NACURH offices. The Vice-President of Administration will create a budget every fall which will be voted on by the chapter with a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote. The budget will be sponsored by the Saint Louis University chapter of Residence Hall Association.

Article XI: Nondiscrimination clause

This chapter shall not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression in the selection of its members or in its programs.

Article XII: Enactment

This constitution must be ratified by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of active NRHH members, voting RHA Representatives, and members of the Executive Board.

This Constitution was ratified on January 30, 1995.

This Constitution was amended on February 28, 1996, October 8, 2000, November 3, 2004, March 5^th 2006, October 2, 2008, October 10, 2012, September 21, 2014, March 16, 2015 and April 24, 2018.