CMEDSA Constitution
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1. Name
2. Purpose and Philosophy
3. Membership
4. Eligibility
5. Leadership Council
6. Committees
7. Terms of Office
8. Special WVU Requirements
9. Meetings
10. Powers
11. Procedure for Constitutional Amendment

I. Name

This organization shall be known as the Community Medicine Student Association of West Virginia University (CMEDSA).

II. Purpose and Philosophy

CMEDSA shall serve as a liaison between all students in the West Virginia University Department of Community Medicine Educational Programs and the program faculty and staff. CMEDSA will represent student interests, facilitate exploration in their field of study, introduce students to job opportunities in the community, and maintain contact with program alumni.

III. Membership

The voting membership of this organization shall be limited to full- or part-time students enrolled in a degree program within the Department of Community Medicine. Eligible voters must have completed course work in the last two years or must be currently enrolled in at least 6 credit hours of CMED courses. Membership is open to all CMED full- and part-time students regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, race, color, national origin, veteran status, disability, or religion.  Non-degree students interested in pursuing and MPH or CHP degree are welcome to participate as non-voting members and are eligible to request assistance for conferences with the understanding that priority is given to admitted students in CMED.

All students will be asked to submit their e-mail addresses to the Educational Programs staff, who will then create a listserve. Communication with the voting constituency will be accomplished via the listserve.

IV. Eligibility

CMEDSA shall seek to maintain membership representative of the student population and welcomes all CMED students interested in health issues.

V. Leadership Council

A council of no fewer than five and no more than thirteen members shall lead CMEDSA. From these individuals, a spokesperson shall be selected to represent the organization to faculty, staff, and other entities. Should a tie ensue in any voting, the spokesperson will cast the deciding vote. Each council member shall have an equal voice in all matters pertaining to CMEDSA.

The council shall select representatives for the faculty committees having the most direct impact on student life: (1) Academics Standards, (2) Curriculum, (3) Practicum and Evaluation, and (4) Search. Committee representatives must be full- or part-time students in the MPH or CHPR program in good academic standing. Since faculty committees have access to sensitive information such as grades, each committee will need to approve the student selected as a representative. If the committee should reject a designated representative, the committee must notify the council spokesperson of their decision in writing. The council will then select another representative for committee approval. The committee may ask the student to sign a confidentiality agreement in order to safeguard sensitive information.

VI. Committees

• Committee chairpersons shall be solicited by the membership through email.

• CMEDSA has the power to create and terminate committees and task forces as deemed necessary.

• Appointed committee chairpersons shall give a report at every CMEDSA general meeting.

• Leadership Council will address the following as needed:

• Finance – will oversee CMEDSA finances and the manner in which funds are spent. This committee will be responsible for the organizational budget and for any fundraising that CMEDSA may undertake.

• Constitution – will retain the current constitution as well as copies of previous versions of the CMEDSA constitution.

• Professional Development – will oversee activities designed to increase employment prospects, i.e., scholarship/grant announcements, and job openings.

• Student Activities – will plan various activities focusing directly on students. The year-end banquet will fall under this committee’s purview.

• Additional committees shall be created as needed.

VII. Terms of Office

Officeholders must have completed at least 6 credit hours and must have a cumulative grade-point average not less than 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Students on academic or disciplinary probation are ineligible to hold office. Council members shall serve a term of one full year beginning on May 1. Council members may be reelected for a successive term or for a separate term of office, and may serve a maximum of two terms. Past council members may remain CMEDSA members.

Voting/Council Election:

• Any CMEDSA member may vote.

• Any CMEDSA member may volunteer for council office.

• All CMEDSA voting shall be conducted by electronic means.

• Selection of council members shall be held at the end of April. Term of office shall last one year, from May 1 through April 30.

• If a council member resigns or is removed from office, a volunteer will be solicited to fill the vacancy if such vacancy reduces total council membership to fewer than five members.

Removal of a Council Member:

Council members may be removed for the following infractions:

• Misappropriation of funds

• Academic dishonesty

• Violation of the Honor Code

Council members may be removed through the following process:

• A petition signed by one-fourth of the total membership shall initiate removal proceedings.

• A vote of three-fourths of the total membership in favor of removal shall remove the member from council office.

VIII. Special WVU Requirements

CMEDSA will adhere to the WVU Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

IX. Meetings

CMEDSA shall operate on a continuing basis. In addition to conducting its program for the current year, it shall develop a budget for the following year. The budget shall be provided to all members for examination and comment.

1. The CMEDSA shall hold general meetings at least once per month during the academic year or as deemed necessary.

2. Standing committees shall meet as necessary.

X. Powers

1. CMEDSA shall have the power to propose, plan, and coordinate any programs that facilitate the realization of its purposes as enumerated above.

2. CMEDSA shall advise on the expenditure of budget funds and shall appoint committees and committee chairpersons to assume designated responsibilities.

3. CMEDSA shall provide a budget statement to all students in the Department of Community Medicine at least once per semester.

4. Any matter concerning students in the CMED Educational Programs may be brought before CMEDSA for discussion and recommendation.

5. For CMED matters not covered by the specific powers above, CMEDSA shall consider itself advisory to the Department of Community Medicine.

XI. Procedure for Constitutional Amendment

1. The constitution must be reviewed yearly. Copies of the current and all previous constitutions must be kept for at least seven years.

2. Any CMEDSA member may propose, in writing, an amendment to this constitution.

3. The proposed amendment shall be presented electronically to the council, who will make it available to all CMEDSA members.

4. The council will open the proposal for discussion at the following meeting, and shall call for a vote at the conclusion of the discussion. A majority vote in favor shall pass the proposal. After passage, the proposal will then be sent to the student body for comments and a final vote. A majority vote will be needed to adopt the amendment.