Article I- Name
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Masters in Business Administration Association, abbreviated MBA Association or MBAA.
 
Article II – Purpose  
Section 1. It shall be the mission of the MBAA to represent the interests of all MBA students. The MBAA shall strive to improve educational, social, and business opportunities by fostering interaction among the administration, faculty, MBA candidates, alumni, other business schools, and the business community.
 
Article III – Membership 

Section 1. Membership – All University of Washington Graduate School of Business MBA students who have paid MBAA dues are considered members of the MBAA.


Article IV – Officers, Organization, and Elections  

Section 1. The officers of the MBAA shall be the President, Executive Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and eleven divisional Vice Presidents. Their duties and responsibilities shall be as follows:
 
a. President – The President shall be accountable and responsible for long-range strategic planning and maintaining close relations with the Dean of the School of Business and the MBA Program Director. The President shall preside at all Executive Board and Council meetings.

b. Executive Vice-President – The Executive Vice President shall be accountable and responsible for short-range program execution and coordination of the activities of the divisional Vice Presidents and MBA club presidents. The executive Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in the President’s absence.
 
c. Secretary – The Secretary shall be accountable and responsible for the administrative functions of the Executive Board and Council. Additionally, the Secretary shall schedule club events and conduct annual elections. The Secretary shall assume the responsibilities of the Executive Vice-president in the Executive Vice-President’s absence.
 
d. Treasurer – The Treasurer shall be accountable and responsible for the management of the annual budget, disbursement of funds, and business cards for MBAA members. Additionally, the Treasurer shall be responsible for managing MBA Club membership lists The Treasurer shall assume the responsibilities of the Secretary in the event of the Secretary’s absence.

e. Divisional Vice-Presidents – The eleven Divisional Vice Presidents shall be accountable for their particular area of responsibility. Major initiatives they desire to undertake shall be discussed and approved by the MBAA Council. Since the initiatives will routinely cross lines of responsibility, Divisional Vice Presidents are expected to work closely together to ensure coordination. Each of the MBAA Divisional Vice Presidents shall be specifically elected to one of the following positions:  

back the top

1. Vice President of Academic Affairs
2. Vice President of Alumni Affairs
3. Vice President of Business and Community Relations
4. Vice President of International Affairs
5. Vice President of Program Development
6. Vice President of Resource Development
7. Vice President of Student Affairs 1
8. Vice President of Student Affairs 2
9. Vice President of Information Technology
10. Vice President of Evening Student Internal Affairs
11. Vice President of Evening Student Business Affairs

Section 2. Executive Board - The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Executive Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Executive Board shall concern itself with the strategic planning and coordination of the activities of various members of the MBAA Council. The Executive Board shall have authority to approve non-budgeted expenditures, which are in accordance with the approved budget and are less than $100.00 in the aggregate.

Section 3. Council - The Council shall consist of the Executive Board, the Divisional Vice Presidents, and four first-year section representatives (two full-time, two evening).
 

Section 4. Officer Elections – The Secretary shall obtain nominations from MBAA members for the President, Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer positions during Winter Quarter. The election of these officers shall be held during the following week. Following these elections, nominations shall be sought for the eleven Vice Presidents. The newly elected officers shall assume office the first week of the Spring Quarter.
 
The winner of the position will be the person with the most votes. In the event of a tie, there will be a runoff between the tied individuals. The winner of the runoff will be considered the winner of the position. If there is a tie after the runoff, the existing MBAA officers will vote on the winner of the position. In the event that the MBAA vote results in a tie, the MBAA President will make the final decision. Candidates in a runoff that is decided by the MBAA will have the opportunity to present their position in front of the MBAA in an emergency meeting or at the next MBAA meeting.
 
The official policy of the MBAA is to maintain the confidentiality of the exact vote totals of the MBAA elections. Results will be certified by the MBAA executive council and made public. The intention of this policy is to avoid discontent and division among MBA class members regarding the specific vote totals from the elections. If there is concern over the fairness of the election process and results, the MBA program office will be the final arbiter of the compliance with MBAA elections processes and procedures.
 
Section 5. Full-Time First-Year Representatives – The two full-time, first year representatives shall be elected by the first year full-time MBA Candidates to serve as liaisons between the MBAA and the full-time first year students and to represent the interests of the entering class of graduate business students. The elections shall be conducted during the third week of Autumn Quarter coinciding with the election of the Masters Program Committee and the Graduate and Professional Student Senate Representatives. Separate elections shall be conducted for each of the two Autumn Quarter sections, such that there is one representative from each Autumn Quarter section. All full-time first-year MBAA members may vote in both of the two sectional elections. Terms of the office shall commence upon election and expire on the last day of Winter Quarter.

Section 6. Masters Program Committee Representatives and Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) Representatives – The MBAA is responsible for conducting elections during the Autumn Quarter to determine the above representatives who shall serve for a period of two years.

Section 7. Honor Council Representatives - The MBAA is responsible for conducting elections during the Autumn Quarter to determine the above representatives who shall serve for a period of two years.

Section 8. Evening First-Year Representatives – The two evening, first year representatives shall be elected by the first year evening MBA Candidates to serve as liaisons between the MBAA and the evening first year students and to represent the interests of the entering class of graduate business students. The elections shall be conducted during the third week of Autumn Quarter coinciding with the election of the Masters Program Committee and the Graduate and Professional Student Senate Representatives. Terms of the office shall commence upon election and expire on the last day of Winter Quarter.  

Article V – Meetings 

Section 1. The Executive Board shall meet at the discretion of the President. Executive Board meetings shall be open to any MBAA Council member who wishes to attend.
 
Section 2. The MBAA Council shall meet at the discretion of the MBAA Council. MBAA Council meetings shall be announced in advance to all MBA candidates and shall be open meetings. However, if sensitive issues are to be discussed, the President may elect to hold a closed meeting. If a closed meeting is held, the President and Secretary shall ensure appropriate minutes detailing any and all decisions are posted for review. Standing committee and Ad Hoc committee chairpersons, although not considered voting members of the MBAA Council, are encouraged to attend MBAA Council meetings.
 
Section 3. A quorum of seven MBAA Council members shall be present at any general or council meeting to conduct business of the MBA Association. A quorum of three Executive Board members shall be present at any Executive Board meeting to conduct business of the Executive Board.
 
Section 4. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern meetings of this organization within the requirements of this constitution and the bylaws adopted by the membership of this organization when requested by a member present at the meeting.  

back the top

Article VI – Financial Polices 

Section 1. The fiscal year shall begin on the day following termination of spring quarter.
 
Section 2. Sufficient funds shall be retained to ensure continued operation of the MBAA during spring quarter while annual funding is being obtained.
 
Section 3. The incoming treasurer shall submit a budget proposal for the current fiscal year early in spring quarter. This requires incoming officers to consult with outgoing officers on their budget proposals, sometime between their election and the first meeting of Spring Quarter. The MBAA Council shall review and discuss the budget. Additionally, this budget shall be distributed to the student body for review and comments. A two-thirds majority vote of the MBAA Council is required to modify and approve the annual budget as submitted by the Treasurer. The annual budget shall be approved by the final day of Spring Quarter.
 
Section 4. At least two of the following officers; the President, Executive Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer, shall endorse checks disbursing MBAA finds (unless the value is less than $25). The Executive Board shall have the authority to approve expenditures as outlined in Article IV, Section 2.
 
Article VII- Committees
 
Section 1. There shall be two basic types of committees, standing and ad hoc committees. The council shall charter standing committees at the beginning of each academic year. Ad hoc committees may be chartered at the direction of a council officer, usually a Divisional Vice President.
 
Section 2. Standing committees shall be chartered for the entire academic year. Members desiring to be appointed chairperson of a standing committee shall make application to the council. The council shall review applications and select the best-qualified chairperson. The committee charter shall provide for all direction, including recruitment of members, specific goals, and required reports.
 
Section 3. Ad hoc committees shall be chartered for specific purpose and shall be of short duration. As noted in Section 1, any council officer may charter an ad hoc committee. However, if the actions of the committee are expected to extend beyond a single quarter, the need for the committee shall be reviewed and approved by the council. Consideration during the review shall be given towards establishing the committee as a standing committee.
 
Article VIII –Advisor  
Section 1. The Director of the MBA Program shall act as the Administration advisor to the MBA Association and shall have no vote in the business of the Council.
 
Article IX – Amendments  
Section 1. Proposed constitutional amendments may be submitted at any time during the academic year. Proposals for amending the constitution should be prepared in writing, stating the affected Article and Section of the constitution, the desired wording, and the desired affect of the amendment. The Council should submit the proposal to the Secretary for review. The Council shall review and discuss all constitutional amendments submitted. A vote shall be conducted using Robert’s Rules of Order and recorded by the Secretary in the minutes of the meeting. A two-thirds majority vote is required to amend the constitution. Votes on constitutional amendments shall be recorded by indicating the name of each Council member and their vote.  

Section 2. In the event an amendment is proposed and more than one-half, but less than two-thirds of the council, vote in favor of the amendment, the amendment shall be bought before the general membership for a vote. The amendment shall be bought before the next regularly scheduled general membership meeting, which will allow at least two weeks advance notice of the vote to general membership.
 

back the top

 
Article 1 – Professionalism 
Section 1. Officers of the MBA Association shall conduct all organization business in a professional manner.
 
Article II – Attendance 
Section 1. Attendance at Executive Board, Council and General meetings for the respective officers shall be considered mandatory. The President and Executive Vice President shall determine excused absences. In cases where the President and Executive Vice President are absent, the council shall determine whether the absences are excused.
 
Section 2. An officer with three or more unexcused absences shall be considered in breach of duty. If such a breach of duty occurs, a motion may be made by the President or Executive Vice President to relieve the officer of his or her duties. Such a motion must be approved by a two-thirds majority of all MBAA officers for removal from the office to take effect.
 
Article III – Vacancies

Section 1. MBAA Council vacancies, either through resignation, removal, leave of absences, retirement, or graduation, may be filled by the MBAA Council. An appropriate search shall be made for a candidate to fill the vacated position. If sufficient interest is indicated in the position, a special election may be conducted at the discretion of the MBAA Council. If no special election is to be conducted, the President may nominate a candidate. A two-thirds majority of all MBAA Council members is required for appointment of council members.

Section 2. Filling of temporary vacancies (one quarter or less in length) shall be the responsibility of the individual Council member, subject to the approval of the MBAA Council.

Section 3. Appointed or elected members shall complete the remainder of the current term for the vacant position subject to the expectations of the MBAA Council members.

back the top

Election By-Laws

Articles IV – Election Conduct

Section 1. All individuals nominated for the MBAA Council positions must conduct their campaigns in a professional manner.

Article V – Election Expenditures

Section 1. Nominees for the MBAA Council positions may not advertise outside of the Graduate Student Lounge. No funds may be expended by any individual on behalf of another nominee’s campaign.

back the top

Article VI - Election Procedures

Section 1. The MBAA Secretary shall notify in writing on the first day of the fall quarter all first year students of the nature of the first year representative positions and election procedures.

Section 2. Solicitation of candidacy statements and nominations for all officer positions shall take place prior to elections. The MBAA Secretary is responsible for soliciting nominations and obtaining candidacy statements. Students seeking office shall submit candidacy statements limited to 150 words, not including qualification and background information concerning their reasons for seeking office. Candidacy statements shall be distributed to the student body in a manner determined by the Secretary.

Section 3. For MBAA Council elections held in the Winter Quarter, the MBAA Council shall hold election forums where nominees will have the opportunity to convey their platforms to the membership. The MBAA Secretary shall be responsible for arranging and moderating the election forums.

Section 4. The MBAA Secretary shall prepare an electronic ballot with candidates for each position arranged in alphabetical order by last name. A separate line will be added for each position and labeled “write-in”.

Section 5. The MBAA Secretary assisted by two volunteer MBAA Council members shall certify all results as valid and declare a winner for each position as determined by a simple plurality of votes cast. Officers elected in the fall quarter shall assume office immediately. Officers elected in the winter quarter shall assume office on the day following the winter quarter end and shall serve until the last day of the following winter quarter.

Section 6. In autumn quarter representative elections (full-time and evening), all students are eligible to vote. In winter quarter MBAA council elections, only MBAA members who are first-year full-time and first- and second-year evening students are eligible to vote.

Section 7. In the event that a situation that is not covered by the Constitution or these bylaws arises during the election process, the Executive Council shall be empowered to determine the appropriate manner in which to resolve the situation.

back the top

Article VII By-Law Violations

Section 1. Any violation of the articles of these by-laws may be brought before the MBAA Council for review and adjudication. The MBAA Council by a two-thirds majority vote shall determine appropriate action to be initiated if charges of by-law violations are found justified.

Section 2. Members of the MBAA Council who are nominees involved in proceedings mandated under Section 1 must refrain from review.

Section 3. Election results will not be declared official until violation reviews are completed.

back the top