Box 357230, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7230
1999 Constitution of SPHA (for student review)
I. Statement of Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be the coordination, communication and overall unification of students within the School of Public Health.
The organization will seek to integrate students across multiple departments and it will establish and create a consolidated voice to address student concerns as they arise.
The organization and its members will be guided by several principles.
(1) Foster a positive graduate school experience for all members
(2) Create interdisciplinary learning and understanding between departments
(3) Encourage open communication among all departments within the School of Public Health and at the University of Washington
(4) Develop respect for individual departments
(5) Promote open communication with the Dean’s office and other decision making bodies in the School of Public Health
(6) Bolster social interaction amongst students and faculty with the purpose of relaxation, networking and enjoyment.
II. Affiliations
The SPHA will not be officially connected to any local, state or national organizations. However, SPHA members or alumni will not be restricted from having memberships in any organizations of their choosing.
III. Membership
All registered students in the School of Public Health (undergraduate and graduate) will automatically be given membership. However, students from other departments (including the School of Nursing, School of Social Work, etc.) who wish to become a member of the SPHA may apply.
The application process for non-School of Public Health registered students will consist of a simple form indicating; name, school, graduation date, reason for application. All UW students who apply will be awarded membership. However, non-School of Public Health students will be ineligible to become committee representatives or serve as Board members.
Membership will comply with the University of Washington’s Non-Discrimination statement. As a result, no students will be denied application based on age, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or gender.
Upon graduation from the University of Washington, members will be considered Alumni Associates and will receive all member benefits.
IV. Officers of the Board
The SPHA will be governed by a 5 or more member Board (with preferably 7 members with at least one student from each of the following departments; Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Health Services, Pathobiology). Officers are defined as follows:
(1) Chair - Responsible for running meetings, ensuring activities occur as scheduled, and is the liaison to the Dean’s office.
(2) Assistant Chair - Discharges the duties of the Chair in the Chair’s absence and assumes the duties of the Chair in the event that the chair vacates office or is unable to perform his/her duties.
(3) Secretary - Takes meeting minutes, ensures that data files are kept
(4) Communications Chair - Makes sure that the proper information is distributed to students in the School of Public Health.
(5) Logistics chair - Responsible for coordinating, and planning various events both academic and social. This chair will coordinate with the Social Committee who are will help in planning social events.
(6) Interdisciplinary Chair - Responsible for the coordination and planning of brown bag lunches and other intellectual, learning activities.
(7) Treasurer - Keeps accurate financial records, maintains financial records, collects money, and distributes SPHA funds as needed
In the event of a vacancy, volunteers will fill the vacancy, or, the Board will recommend individuals to fill the duties of the office (volunteers and recommended individuals will be voted on by the Board with at least a 2/3 majority).
Any member who has been a registered student of the University of Washington for at least 2 quarters, and is a member of the organization, will be eligible for each office. Or, any student approved with at least a 2/3 majority vote from the officers of the organization will be eligible for each office.
V. Elections
Each candidate for the SPHA Board or Committee Representative shall be required to submit a brief paragraph about themselves and their goals as representative.
V.1. Board Member Elections
Board elections will be held in the Spring Quarter by secret ballot to elect 4 or 5 board members. An additional 2 or more members if necessary will be elected in the fall. All members of the SPHA will be able to vote with 7 votes that may not be accumulated (=each candidate can receive only one vote per person). Voting must occur in person, and proxy votes will not be accepted. Individuals who receive a majority vote will be elected to the Board. Attempts will be made towards ensuring adequate representation of small departments (e.g., There are no term limits for Board members).
· Clause 1 Any SPHA member can request a recount.
V.2. Officer Elections
Elections for officers will be held within the SPHA Board. Every Board member may run for as many positions as they like. Every Board member has one vote for each officer position. Candidates for that position are not permitted to vote.
V.3. Committee Representative Elections Committee Representatives will be elected for a year, usually in the Fall quarter. There are no term limits on Committee Representatives. The number of Committee Representatives will be determined each quarter by the number of committees developed by the School of Public Health. At least two SPHA members will be elected for each committee to attend committee meetings and shall be responsible for reporting activities of interest to students. Board members are eligible to become Committee Representatives. Non-School of Public Health students will be ineligible for becoming Committee Representatives. Committee Representatives, independent of whether they are Board members are encouraged to attend all Board meetings.
· Clause 1
During the first two weeks of fall quarter, or at any time during the year that committees are created by the School of Public Health, SPHA Board members of each academic area shall collect the names of those registered students from their academic area interested in being Committee Representatives. Flyers announcing open committee positions will be distributed at the Communications Chair’s discretion.
· Clause 2
The Board will elect volunteers to become Committee Representatives. Each volunteer will be required to meet with at least 3 Board members for an informal interview. Individuals who successfully complete the interview process will be considered eligible to become a Committee Representatives. The two persons receiving the most Board votes will become Committee
Representatives.
VI. Board Meetings
Board meetings will take place two times or more during the quarter. A quorum is established when at least 5 Board members are present. The Communications Chair will be responsible for notifying members of meeting times. Appropriate notification methods include; e-mail, posters in the School of Public Health or flyers and are up to the Communication Chair’s discretion.
VI.1. Voting
Every SPHA member present at the Board meeting can vote with one vote. Voting on issues will require a simple majority. The Board has the perogative to utilize veto power on any . Non-secret voting on issues can be conducted by email.
VI.2. Amendments to the Constitution
Amendments to the constitution may be proposed by any member at the Board Meetings. A 2/3 majority vote of members present will initiate any amendment. The Board has the prerogative to utilize veto power on any amendment deemed unacceptable by a 2/3 majority vote of Board members.
· Clause 1 The proposed amendment to this constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Chair at least two weeks before it can be considered.
· Clause 2 The Communications Chair shall distribute copies of the proposed amendment to SPHA members at his/her discretion.
VII. Finances
Dues will not be required, but donations will be accepted in the name of: SPHA. The treasurer will be responsible for dispensing funds.
· Clause 1 Requests for fund disbursement requires a written note at least 2 weeks before it can be considered.
· Clause 2 The Board will vote on any fund requests. A 2/3 majority vote by the Board will grant the fund request