Constitution of the
Honors Student Association

ARTICLE I

NAME 

The official name of this organization shall be the Honors Student Association of Lamar University. 

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this organization shall be to promote academic excellence and intellectual involvement within the Lamar University community; to coordinate student service and social activities within the Reaud Honors College; and to foster the intellectual growth and development of its membership and of the Reaud Honors College. 

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP 

Section 1.  All Lamar University students who are officially enrolled members of Lamar University’s Reaud Honors College, and who maintain a GPA of 3.5 or above (unless arrived prior to Fall 2023, then 3.4 GPA) are eligible for membership in the Honors Student Association. 

Section 2. Only members in good standing may vote and participate in major Association activities. To maintain good standing within the Honors Student Association, a member must attend meetings regularly, participate in ordinary Association activities, and pay dues as specified in the bylaws.  

Section 3. Membership will be granted to any and all students who reach the specified requirements. This means that any student who requests membership in this organization must be accepted as long as he/she meets the requirements as applied to all potential members. All requests for literature related to this organization and to new member intake will be filed without regard to race, color, creed, or national origin. Charges of discrimination will be investigated thoroughly and appropriate action taken, should this article not be fulfilled to the letter.  

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS 

Section 1. The officers of the Honors Student Association of Lamar University shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Student Government Association HSA Representative, and Student Government Association RHC Senator, who collaborate with committee chairs for Intramural Sports and Peer Mentor.

Section 2. The officers of the Honors Student Association, along with the chairs of duly constituted standing committees, shall comprise the executive committee of the association. The Executive Committee shall stand in an advisory capacity to the Dean of the Reaud Honors College, representing the needs and views of Reaud Honors College students.

Section 3. The officers of the organization shall be elected by the membership of the Association by simple majority vote on or about the last meeting of the spring semester annually, as specified in the bylaws. 

Section 4. The chairs of standing committees shall be appointed by a committee consisting of the incoming President and the Faculty Advisor, who shall be the Dean of the Reaud Honors College.

Section 5. The duties of the President shall include, but shall not be limited to:

1. Represents the Association in its dealings with the Dean of the Reaud Honors College, the University Honors Council, Lamar University and the community at large.
2. Presides over meetings of the Association and of the Executive Committee of the Association.
3. Prepares agendas for all meetings in consultation with the Dean.
4. Appoints chairpersons to lead special committees as needed.
5. Presents appointments to initially vacant positions or to fill vacancies that occur during his/her term.
6. Performs additional duties as described in the bylaws. 

Section 6. The duties of the Vice President shall include, but shall not be limited to:

1. Performs the duties of the President in his/her absence.
2. Acts as Parliamentarian at all official meetings of the Association.
3. In the event of the inability of the President to fulfill the duties of his/her office for whatever cause, the Vice President shall assume the office of the President temporarily until a new President can be elected as prescribed in the bylaws.
4. Assists the President where necessary in representing the association to the Dean of the Reaud Honors College, the University Honors Council, the University and the community at large.
5. Handles publicity for Association events.
6. Approves all appointments of the President of the Association by a simple majority of the members present.
7. Performs additional duties as described in the bylaws. 

Section 7. The duties of the Secretary/Treasurer shall include, but shall not be limited to:

1. Maintains an accurate accounting of all financial transactions of the Association.
2. Keeps accurate attendance records and minutes for all meetings of the Association and Executive Committee, and presents those minutes for approval at the subsequent meeting.
3. Presents a current financial report at all meetings of the Association Executive Committee.
4. Provides all details for Honors Student Association events and news for the monthly Reaud Honors College newsletter during the academic year.
5. Handles all responsibilities related to maintaining the Association’s student club account at the Office of Student Organizations.
6. Coordinates fundraising activities for the Association.
7. Handles correspondence for the Association as required.
8. Approves all appointments of the President of the Association by a simple majority of the members present.
9. Perform other duties as described in the bylaws. 

Section 8. The duties of the Student Government Association HSA Representative shall include, but shall not be limited to:

1. Adheres to all of the requirements prescribed by SGA to maintain the status of Representative.
2. Represents the Association at all SGA meetings by providing information about Association activities and voting by proxy on behalf of the Association at all SGA meetings.
3. Presents a report at each Association meeting and at each meeting of the Association Executive Committee regarding SGA activities and indicating what issues the Association will be expected to address by vote at the following SGA meeting.
4. Approves all appointments of the President of the Association by a simple majority of the members present.
5. Performs other duties as assigned by the President of the Association or as described in the bylaws.

Section 9. The duties of the Student Government Association RHC Senator shall include, but shall not be limited to:

1. Adheres to all of the requirements prescribed by SGA to maintain the status of Senator.
2. Represents the Reaud Honors College at all SGA meetings by providing information about College activities and voting by proxy on behalf of the College at all SGA meetings.
3. Presents a report at each Association meeting and at each meeting of the Association Executive Committee regarding SGA activities and indicating what issues the College will be expected to address by vote at the following SGA meeting.
4. Approves all appointments of the President of the Association by a simple majority of the members present.
5. Performs other duties as assigned by the President of the Association or as described in the bylaws.

Section 10. The duties of the Intramural Sports Chairs shall include, but shall not be limited to: 

1. Gauge HSA members’ interest in each intramural sport offered and create teams as needed.
2. Assign a team captain to each team (if the Intramural Chair is participating on a team, that person should be the captain as well) and provide a written record of team members for all games played.
3. Determine 24 hours prior to any game if there will be an adequate amount of players and make a decision to forfeit or not.
4. Take photos of events for social media and other promotional efforts.
5. Perform other duties as assigned by the President of the Association or as described in the bylaws.

Section 11. The duties of the Peer Mentor Chairs shall include, but shall not be limited to: 

1. Organize peer mentor and mentee membership.
2. Assign mentees to their mentors, and provide communication details.
3. Plan and facilitate mentor/mentee social events.
4. Perform other duties as assigned by the President of the Association or as described in the bylaws.

ARTICLE V

REQUIREMENTS FOR OFFICERS 

The officers of the Honors Student Association of Lamar University, to be eligible to be elected to the office and to hold office, shall meet the requirements of the policy on eligibility for extracurricular activities of Lamar University and shall be members in good standing of the Honors Student Association and the Lamar University Reaud Honors College.  They must also participate in at least two events on behalf of the Honors Student Association throughout the academic year to maintain their position.

ARTICLE VI

MEETINGS 

Section 1. Regular meetings of the Honors Student Association of Lamar University shall be held four times during the regular academic year, at the times and places specified in the bylaws. 

Section 2. Special meetings may be called by the President or Faculty Advisor with 48 hours notice to all members of the Association. 

ARTICLE VII

FINANCES 

Section 1. All money received by the Association, for whatever purpose, shall be deposited in the student clubs account in the Student Organizations Office of Lamar University. 

Section 2. All disbursements will be made upon requisition to the Office of Student Organizations of Lamar University. 

ARTICLE VIII

BYLAWS 

Section 1. The bylaws of the Association shall be used to provide for more specific information that expands the information already provided for in the Constitution. These bylaws may not rescind, negate, or conflict with any part of the Constitution, nor with any policy set by Lamar University, the Texas State University System, or local, state, or national governments. 

Section 2. The bylaws will be set forth by two-thirds majority vote of the voting membership of the Association. Any subsequent changes to the bylaws will be set forth by proposal from the floor during any regular or special meeting and require two-thirds majority vote of the voting membership of the Association for adoption. The bylaws will be officially ratified by the signature of the President and Faculty Advisor of the Association. The new set of bylaws will replace the previously ratified set and will be enforced from that date forward. 

ARTICLE IX

QUORUM

Section 1. Quorum is defined as the minimum number/percentage of members necessary for any voting that occurs within the organization. Quorum should be defined as at least 50% of the organization’s membership.

1. A quorum shall consist of 50% of the total membership + 1 and must be present to conduct business.
2. In Executive Committee official business, a quorum is that of 50% of the Officers present +1, and can be broken by the Past President if/when needed.

Hazing will not be used as a condition of membership in this organization. For a definition of hazing, please see the Lamar University Student Organization Student Handbook.

Section 1. Executive Committee leaders or members may at any time choose to remove themselves from the group.

Section 2. If an Executive Committee leader or member conducts himself or herself in such a manner deemed detrimental to advancing the cause of this organization or is in violation of the Lamar University Student Code of Conduct, they can be removed through a due process that must include a majority vote of the other voting membership or unanimous vote of the Officers and members, under the counsel of the Advisor.

Section 3. If the member would like to appeal the decision of the organization, that member must draft a statement and submit it to the Coordinator of Student Organizations.