Constitution of the Residence Hall Association of the Pennsylvania State University, Capital College
The Residence Hall Association (RHA) of Penn State Harrisburg is for students interested in developing leadership abilities while practicing good social skills. RHA is a student run organization which represents and protects the views, concerns, and rights of the residential community, and strives to improve the quality of life on campus. The Residence Hall Association most importantly, strives to promote a sense of unity amongst all Penn State Harrisburg students.
Article I. Organization
The official name of the organization shall be the Residence Hall Association of Penn State Harrisburg.
Article II. Affiliation
This organization is affiliated with Residence Life within the Department of Student Affairs.
Article III. Purpose of Organization
Section I. The purpose of this organization shall be to establish more effective communication between students, and also to allow students to voice their concerns on current issues regarding on-campus living and the campus environment.
Section II. The purpose of the executive board is to document the efforts of the committees set in place. They are to also delegate duties amongst members and keep order as well as resolve conflicts that may rise.
Article IV. Membership
Section I. Active members shall be defined as currently registered students at Penn State Harrisburg.
Associate members shall be defined as all other persons, including but not limited to, faculty, staff, and community members.
Section II. All Penn State Harrisburg students and administration are able to attend General Body Meetings
Section III. The membership of the General Body shall consist of Building Representatives. These members selected by each building and or floor can rise and address issues as needed.
Section IV. The responsibilities of the Building Representatives include, but are not limited to the following:
- Attend, participate in, and accurately represent his or her building or floor at General Body meetings
- Actively participate in at least one (1) major program sponsored by RHA.
- Relays all pertinent information to his or her building or floor.
- Upholds the RHA Constitution
Section V. In order to be a building or floor representative member, one must be a registered student with Penn State Harrisburg. Members will also need to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5. Member status will and can expire if GPA requirements are not met, if one is to graduate or lose registered status.
Section VI. A minimum of three excusals are permitted for mandatory executive and general body meetings per semester. Three tardies are equivalent to one excuse. Failure to comply or to give reason for the absence can and will result in loss of membership.
Section VII. Nondiscrimination and anti-hazing policies
Penn State’s nondiscrimination policy:
“The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and harassment against any persons because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University”.
Penn State’s anti-hazing policy:
The University defines hazing as any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or that willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in any registered student organization. Hazing includes, but is not limited to any brutality of a physical nature such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor drug, or other substance or any forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health and safety of the individual to extreme mental stress such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment, or any other forced activity that could adversely affect mental health or dignity of the individual, or any willful destruction of or removal of public or personal property. Any activity as described in this definition upon which the initiation or admission into or affiliation with or continued membership in a registered student organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be " forced" activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding, any registered student organization that commits hazing is subject to disciplinary action by the appropriate registered organization."
Article V. Officers and Committee Chairs
Section I. The RHA Executive Board shall consist of four (4) elected officers.
Section II. The Executive Board shall include the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Section III. Elected executive officers shall be elected by the entire on-campus resident community during the Spring Semester.
Section IV. The duties and responsibilities of the elected office members shall be
1. President
a. The President will convene all club meetings, suggest activities, and accept feedback from other officers and club members about the organization’s status.
2. Vice President
a. The Vice President will work in tantum with the President, convene any meetings which the President is unable to attend, and will also perform all duties as assigned
3. Treasurer
a. The Treasurer will oversee all financial expenses incurred by the club. This position will manage the club’s budget and complete deposits into the SGA club account.
4. Secretary
a. The Secretary will take accurate minutes of all Executive Board and General Body meetings; maintain all RHA correspondence and record, post minutes of all RHA meetings and also notify members of information as needed
Section V. Each Executive and General Member will assist the President and Vice President to promote and publicize future club events, activities, or upcoming meetings.
Section VI. Each elected official will serve the term of one academicyear (Fall- Spring). In order to serve additional academic years the official must be nominated and reelected.
Section VII. The standing committees in place will consist of: Fundraising Committee, Public Affairs Committee and Events Committee
Section VIII. Committees will be led by a chairperson that will be designated by the Executive Board based on need if no other general member volunteers for the position. If more than one person wishes to have the position it will be left up to the executive board’s discretion whom becomes chairperson.
Article VI. Electing, Appointing, Impeachment and Removing Officers
Section 1. Officers shall be elected during the spring semester for the following academic year or until resignation. Officers must run for re-election the next academic year.
Section II. If any elected position becomes vacant, the executive members shall appoint another member to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term of office.
Section III. If the President resigns the Vice President shall automatically become President.
Section IV. Officers shall only be full-time currently registered Penn State Harrisburg students.
Article VII. Advisor Appointment
Section I. The advisor of RHA must be a full time Penn State Harrisburg Residence Life Professional staff member. RHA may have co-advisers.
Section II. The advisor assigned by Residence Life will remain in this position until removal by Residence Life or resignation.
Article VIII. Amendment
Section I. This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by the majority vote of the active membership. It may also be amended at a special meeting called for the purpose with previous notice and majority vote. All proposed amendments shall be approved by the Student Court in conjunction with Student Activities.
By-Laws of the Residence Hall Association of the Pennsylvania State University, Capital College
Article I. Meetings
Section I. Regular General Body meetings of the organization shall be held biweekly.
Section II. Special meetings may be called by the executive board members at request of the other members.
Section III. Executive Officers and Building Representatives shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Quorum is defined as half the representatives plus one.
Section IV. Committee chairpersons shall report any updates and provide the members of the organization with appropriate information dealing with tasks in the different committees.
Article II. Standing Committees
Section I. Fundraising Committee
Subsection I. The Fundraising Committee will be responsible for spearheading fundraising efforts for the club. This committee will work closely with the Treasurer in order for funds to be properly managed
Section II. Public Affairs Committee
Subsection II. The responsibility of the Public Affairs Committee is to document club activities by using photographs and other media to create a reference of past initiatives. This documentation will serve to provide a record of events for future endeavors. Also this Committee will be responsible for handling any concern relating to the image of the club. Furthermore, public relations will be responsible in raising awareness of RHA and the activities it holds.
Section III. Events Committee
Subsection III. The Events Committee will be responsible for planning and executing the club events each semester. This committee will work closely with the Executive Board to build community for Penn State Harrisburg through programming.
Article III. Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in this constitution shall govern proceeding of this organization except in such cases as are covered in the constitution, by-laws, and standing rules adopted by this organization
Article IV. Amendments to By-Laws
Amendments to by-laws shall follow procedure as set forth in Article VIII.