The Organization of Black Students at the University of Chicago

Our Constitution

The Organization of Black Students

Revised: March 30^th, 2005
Presented to General Assembly: April 12^th, 2005

Preamble

In accordance with and in order to uphold democratic principles and philosophy, the Organization of Black Students, herein establishes this, its constitution, as the basic law of the Organization of Black Students of the University of Chicago

Article I. Name

The name of this Recognized Student Organization (RSO) shall be the Organization of Black Students, referred to as OBS. OBS shall be affiliated with the University of Chicago.

Article II. Purpose

The purpose of the Organization of Black Students (OBS) at the University of Chicago shall be to provide an organizational framework to address issues of concern to the Black community.

The goals of OBS shall be to ensure the continuity and growth of Black educational, cultural, social, and political institutions on campus as well as in the greater Chicago community.

The Organization of Black Students shall serve as a support group to Black Students. Additionally it will endeavor to build a better understanding of the Black experience that, through its members, programs, resources and functions, will permeate the University atmosphere. In this respect, OBS shall contribute to the pursuit of multicultural expression, understanding, and awareness.

Article III. Membership

Admission shall not be based on ethnic group, religion, race, affiliation or other discriminatory criteria.

Membership shall be constituted of those that participate actively in one or more of the ten committees.

Voting members shall be required to show a commitment to the organization by attending General Assembly meetings, OBS-organized and sponsored functions, but mostly actively participating in one of the nine committees. Only those that actively participate on committees will be allowed to vote. (Participation in cultural show is on a volunteer basis)

Article IV. Committees

At the start of Autumn 2006, the Organization of Black Students will carry out its events though ten committees. Again to be a member of OBS is to participate actively one of the following nine committees. Students have the opportunity to sign up to be on these committees at any time by contacting the chair(s) of the committee.
Business and Finance Board- This important committee is responsible for the submission of budgets to SGFC and the coordination of fundraising from outside sources specifically by maintaining a running total of the money in the account. This board is responsible for ticket sales that take place in the Reynold's Club. The treasurer is the designated chair and final decision maker for this board. The fundraising chair will be the assistant chair of the board.
Promotions Team - The promotions team will be one of the means in which OBS events and initiatives will be promoted. Whether that is through minutes, posters, pictures on the website. General Assembly Members who choose to be on this committee will work with the Secretary and Two Publicity Chairs.
Campus and Community Relations Committee - The campus and community relations committee is one of the most important committees in the organization. This committee will work together to publish & respond to �questionable� articles in the Maroon (at least one viewpoints a quarter). This committee will work with other RSO's to co-sponsor events, work with administration and other initiatives that strongly impact students of color and shall coordinate activities between OBS and the greater Black community. This committee is chaired by the campus liaison. This committee will take notes at big forum that speak about admissions, police brutality and the diversity center and attend all Brown bag lunches that will address the concerns of Black students on this campus.
Action Committee- The action committee will be our political voice on campus. This committee is responsible for taking action nationally and is chaired by the Political Chair. This committee is responsible for being more political outside of UC realm community and working with the campus liaison when the political need arises. OBS political voice is generally with events (one event a quarter), it can also be in other forms such as attendance at important events on campus that discuss things like aids in the national Black community, economic issues, the following of elections, the institution of protests.
Diversity Committee - Chaired by the Diversity Chair, the diversity committee will have one major focus: Embracing the diversity of our constituency. This will be achieved by having different events that cater to our diverse membership. Examples of topics this committee is responsible for addressing are: Black Identity, Gender in the Black Community, and Religion in the Black Community, Aids in Ethiopia , or the historical political unrest in Trinidad . There will be one official diversity event quarterly, but this committee is free to start different awareness campaigns that reflect the diversity in the Black community. This committee is responsible for some type of ongoing initiative during Black History Month. (i.e. Black History Thursdays). Basically this committee is responsible for creating and organizing functions and activities that promote awareness and understanding of the Black American (and African, Caribbean , South and Central American) cultures, traditions, and history. The Diversity committee will also be knowledgeable of political issues abroad.
Social Events Committee - This committee will be in charge of two social events per quarter. The social events committee is also responsible for setting up informal events to like dinner, shopping, or the movies. The social chair chairs the Social Events committee.
Alumni Relations Committee - This committee is responsible for one event quarterly, a quarterly alumni newsletter, and all other communication with OBS alumni. This communication could include but is not limited to, invitations to alumni for the Kent Lecture and Cultural Shows. This committee shall keep a running list of all OBS Alumni and obtain contact information from outgoing OBS members. . Events include the yearly Autumn Career Exploration Night Dinner and Spring OBS reunion. Winter and Spring Quarter events can be changed yearly. The alumni relations chair will chair this committee.
Member Support Team- This team will be responsible for supporting OBS members through many realms�academic and organizational. Responsibilities should be disseminated as such.
- The Academic Chair, with the First Year Representative as his/her assistant, are responsible for the academic facets of this committee. Annually, we will have a Fourth Year Legacy Dinner in spring and a Freshman Welcome Dinner in the fall. Suggested events include a quarterly support dinner, autumn meet and greets with Black faculty members, graduate student panels and quarterly study-breaks.
- The historian is responsible for organizational support. Organizational support can be defined by the responsibilities that will strengthen the organization in the future. This role is unique and integral to OBS's survival. This part of the committee should do things like conducting surveys on how the organization can improve, publish a fourth year advice column to be given to first years at the welcome dinner, create evaluation sheets to be filled out anonymously at large scale events, and the creation of an OBS brochure that can be given to anyone interested in the organization. This team is also responsible for the collection of old tests, notes, papers, labs, and books, as well as OBS publications from previous years.
The Support Team, as a whole, is also responsible for organizing members to support the Blue Gargoyle Youth Center by committing two hours a week tutoring youth. This is an important part of OBS since this will serve as our official ongoing community service project.
Blacklight Production Team - The Blacklight production team collects prose for the annual OBS publication, plans a major Black History month event that culminates Black History Month festivities. This team also hosts a high school competition and will be chaired by the Black Light Editor.
Cultural Show Committee- This committee will be responsible for fulfilling all aspects of the cultural show. The cultural show committee will chair this committee.

Article IV. Executive Board

The Executive Board shall function as the administrative and governing body of the General Assembly of the Organization of Black Students. Undergraduate students registered at the University of Chicago must fulfill each of these positions.

The Executive Board shall be composed of members in the following seventeen elected positions: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Fundraising Chair, Political Chair, Social Chair, Blacklight Editor, Diversity Chair, Publicity Chair 1, Publicity Chair 2, First Year Representative, Academic Chair, Diversity Chair, Campus Liaison, Historian, and Cultural Show Director. The cultural show director will is the only position that is not elected by the general assembly, he/she will be appointed by the previous board. Executive Board members shall be responsible for creating and organizing functions and activities that foster fellowship and support among members of OBS, the University of Chicago community, and the Black community as a whole.

Article V. Executive Board Members

The President shall be the chief executive officer and official spokesperson for the organization. He/She shall convene and preside over all meetings (both Executive Board and General Assembly); assign/delegate projects to the other Executive Board members; and set/promote the organizational standard for excellence on the Executive Board (and General Assembly), regarding completion of projects and demonstrating respect for all peoples. The President shall prepare the agenda for all meetings (both Executive Board and General Assembly) and shall have the responsibility for attending all meetings with the University administration and signing all binding (contractual) documents. The President shall maintain an information directory for registered African American students of the University of Chicago (obtained from the University administration), and moderate the OBS facilitated e-mail list host-the Grapevine. He/She shall ensure that all standing committees are functional. The President shall also be responsible for communication with the Office of the Reynolds Club and Student Activities (staffed) Advisor and the appointed members of the Faculty/Staff Advisory Committee. Finally, the President shall be an advocate for members who need one, and work to create a culture of communication on issues pertaining to African Americans , and underrepresented minorities alike, at the University of Chicago and in the greater society.

The Vice-President shall organize and maintain a functioning Executive Board, ensuring that all positions are filled and that agendas are prepared for Executive Board (and General Assembly) meetings. He/She shall serve as the advisor to the President in matters pertaining to the organization and its members and as an informational resource for students (as liaison to University administration, campus offices/resources and OBS graduate affiliates). The Vice-President shall be responsible for reserving all rooms and equipment required for official 065 functions and activities. He/She (with the help of the Treasurer & Secretary) shall also be responsible for writing a year-end history of events and activities and preparing for annual allocations in Spring Quarter (with the help of the Treasurer). In the event of the President's absence, the Vice-President shall assume his/her duties. Likewise, in the event of the President's permanent incapacitation or removal from office, the Vice-President shall become the Acting President of OBS. Finally, alongside the President, the Vice-President shall be an advocate for members who need one, and work to create a culture of communication on issues pertaining to Black Americans, and underrepresented minorities alike, at the University of Chicago and in the greater society.

The Treasurer shall be responsible for all financial transactions of OBS: including all billing and deposits. The treasurer shall be in direct contact with the Office of the Reynolds Club and Student Activities' Financial Operations/Bookkeeping Office and Resource Coordinator. The Treasurer shall be responsible for being knowledgeable of all Reimbursement and Expense Request activity. He/She shall also be responsible for presenting the President with an updated "Status and Activity of Funds" report at the end of each month . The Treasurer, in collaboration with Executive Board "Event Chairs," shall prepare and present budgets to the Student Government Finance Committee for all OBS-organized and sponsored functions. Finally, he/she (with the help of the Vice-President) shall be responsible for writing a year-end history of events and activities and preparing for annual allocations in Spring Quarter (with the help of the Vice-President). See Business and Finance Board for more information.

The Fundraising Chair shall work closely with the Treasurer and ensure that all funds that are not supplied by the Student Government Finance Committee are supplied from another (other) source(s): University departments, co-sponsorships, outside sponsorships, or fund-raising functions/activities, grants. He/She shall assist the Treasurer in whatever is needed. Finally, the fundraising chair shall work to establish relationships with University departments and outside donors for significant annual events, such as the George E. Kent Memorial Lecture and Cultural Show & Dinner. See Business and Finance Board for more information.

The Secretary shall be the chief recording and corresponding officer for OBS, preparing the minutes for all meeting (Executive Board and General Assembly); distributing these minutes within three (3) days via e-mail, and archiving these minutes (along with the President's prepared agenda). He/She shall also maintain an information directory for members of the Executive Board, and shall take and maintain records of attendance at all meetings and events . (Executive Board and General Assembly). In the event of his/her absence, the Secretary shall be responsible for arranging with another Executive Board member to fulfill these duties. The secretary will also moderate the obs-events and obsofficers listhosts. See Promotions team for more information.

The Publicity Chairs shall be in direct communication with the Executive Board "Event Chairs," working to prepare and distribute all publications for functions and meetings (including, but not limited to flyers, banners, e-mail reminders over the OBS-Events and the Grapevine, personal invitations, and chalking). They shall be held accountable for the publicizing of all events and for the distribution commitments of their peers on the Executive Board. The Publicity Chairs shall use the contact information for other student organizations at other Chicago/Chicago area college and university campuses to publicize OBS functions and events. If at all possible the promotions team, in collaboration with the political chair and campus liaison, should attempt to visit other schools to promote OBS events. See Promotions Team for more information.

The Campus Liaison will be responsible for responding via maroon on any issues that occur on the UC campus or locally that affect the members of OBS or other Black students. The campus liaison would ideally be a regular member of SOC, PIMI, and other organized minority initiatives. The liaison must be knowledgeable of administration. The campus liaison shall also serve as the liaison between OBS and other student organization on other college and university campuses in Chicago/Chicago area, maintaining a list of these contacts, and communicating with them on issues pertaining to Black Americans, and underrepresented minorities alike in the greater society. See Campus and Community Relations Committee for all information.

The Political Chair shall be responsible for acting as the liaison between OBS and other organizations, with respect to national political issues; and creating/coordinating an agenda conducive to the political interests of OBS. The Political Chair shall also be responsible for keeping the Executive Board informed-through whichever medium he/she chooses-of the political activities and opportunities in which to take part in the community around global issues. Finally, the Political Chair, shall organize and institutionalize open forums for discussion and action (organized protests and exhibitions) surrounding issues of chief concern to Black Americans and underrepresented minorities alike, at the University of Chicago and the in the greater society. The political chair would ideally be a regular member of SOC, PIMI, and other organized minority initiatives. See Action Committee for more information.

The Diversity Chair is responsible for one event quarterly that is in appeal to all �Black� students on campus. These types of events should embrace the diversity of all of the Black Students on campus. For instance an event that speaks about homosexuality in the Black community, or the divide between descendants and non-descendants would be diversity events. The diversity chair shall serve as the coordinator/facilitator of Black History Month functions and activities. He/She shall oversee the Executive Board's creation and organization of functions and activities that promote awareness and understanding of the Black American (and African, Caribbean , South and Central American) cultures, traditions, and history. See Diversity Committee for more information.

The Social Chair shall be responsible for providing an avenue for Black students to express themselves through coordination and participation in cultural and social events of interest to OBS members. He/She shall be responsible for informing students-through calendars at General Assembly meeting and e-mails over the Grapevine-about social/cultural events throughout Chicago that may be of interest to the Black community. He/She shall oversee the Executive Board 's creation and organization of functions and activities, which foster fellowship and support among members of OBS, the University of Chicago community, and the Black community as a whole. See Social Events committee for more information.

The Historian (with help from the promotions and the support committee) is responsible for the website obs1.uchicago.edu. The making a scrapbook at the end of each year that includes pictures and descriptions of all events, taking pictures at all events, having pictures of all active members, and updating the constitution when needed and being knowledgeable of all constitution rules and ensuring that they are followed. The Historian should know the constitution. The historian is also responsible for compiling information about each event (budgets and such), publications from the promotions team, and upperclassmen's academic contributions for the OBS archives so future boards won't have to reinvent the wheel. See Member Support for more information.

Academic Chair is responsible for OBS's commitment to its members to create an academically supportive community. The Academic Chair's responsibilities are covered in Member Support Team. See Member Support Team for all information.

The First Year Representative serves as the co chair for the member support team and provides major assistance to the academic chair. The first year representative is the designated voice for Black first years on campus to the executive board of the organization of Black students. Elected at second general assembly meeting. See Member Support Team for all information.

The BlackLight Editor shall be responsible for actively recruiting a committee of students within the organization (writers, reporters, and poets) to aid with the production and distribution of a publication that is to be published yearly. See Blacklight Production Team for responsibilities . The BlackLight Editor shall oversee article turn-in, editing, assembly, and delivery. He/She is also responsible for working with the fundraising chair obtaining financial contributions for the production of the newsletter, if at all possible. See Blacklight Editing Team for more information.

The Cultural Show Director is responsible for every facet of the show, which is to take place the second week of Spring Quarter from herein, unless a majority vote by the board is taken. Always ensure that no other event conflicts with the show and that the rehearsal schedule does not conflict with SOC Fly-in. The Cultural show the previous board will choose director. See Cultural Show Committee for all information.

Article VI. Executive Board Regulations

Vacancies on the Executive Board shall be filled by temporary appointment until filled by a special election called for by the Executive Board, unless the President decides otherwise.

The Executive Board shall meet every other week-five (5) times per ten (10)-week quarter.

The date and time for Executive Board Meetings shall be determined by the Executive Board and approved with a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote at the beginning of each new quarter-three (3) times per academic year.

No Executive Board member shall miss more than three (3) meetings per quarter, unless there is an academic obligation or inevitable conflict.

Each Executive Board member shall abide by the provisions of this constitution.

The following shall be the provisions for the removal of Executive Board members from office:

Members of the Executive board shall be impeached if they neglect their duties on the Executive board.
Any member of the Executive board shall be able to bring up the charge of impeachment, which shall then be discussed at a special Executive board meeting.
A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote shall be required for impeachment to pass.

The following shall be the provisions for the occurrence of vacancies in the Executive board and for resignation from the Executive board:

In the event of a vacancy in the President's position, the Vice-President shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the President.
In the event of vacancies of both the President and Vice-President positions, the secretary shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the President.
A member of the Executive board may resign by submitting a written letter of resignation to the President at least two weeks prior to the day it is to take effect. After notification of the resignation, the resignation of the officer shall be presented to the General Assembly.
Any vacancy in the Executive board shall be filled by an appointee of the Executive board, pending approval of its members.

Article VII. Office of the Reynolds Club and Student Activities (Staffed) Advisor

The Organization of Black Students shall have a staff advisor appointed by the Office of the Reynolds Club and Student Activities at the University of Chicago whose role is to oversee and advise on the programming of the organization. He/She shall be the staffed liaison between OBS and the University administration.

The advisor to the Organization of Black Students shall not have voting privileges and will be in communication with the Executive board on a regular basis.

Article VIII. Faculty/Staff Advisory Committee

At the beginning of each academic year, an advisory committee-comprised of no more than four (4) University of Chicago faculty and/or staff members-shall be established.

Members of the Faculty/Staff Advisory Committee shall be invited to serve as advisors that act and intervene in the event of misdirection, and/or the President's misuse and abuse of authority.

Members of the Faculty/Staff Advisory Committee shall also serve to bring a different and unbiased perspective to new and foreign situations/predicaments, if needed.

The President and Vice-President shall keep members of the Faculty/Staff Advisory Committee abreast of all OBS activities.

Article IX. General Decision Making

Every decision shall be based upon deliberation for consensus.

In the event that consensus is not achieved, voting shall be performed.

A quorum shall consist of fifty percent (50%) of the Executive board members.

Votes shall be cast by a quorum of all Executive board Members. In the event, of a tie the President shall make a decision.

If the president deems decisions extreme he/she may veto, and make the decision that he/she sees fit.

Article X. Election Procedures

Fourth years are strongly recommended not to be president of the OBS.

Anyone who chooses to be president or vice-president of OBS must have served on the OBS board for at least one year.

Every voting member of the General Assembly shall have a right to elect and to be elected as a member of the Executive board.

Nominations for the following academic year's Executive board shall be accepted by e-mail only to the Secretary, commencing the night of the Spring Quarter's second (2) General Assembly meeting. The election will take place at the third general assembly meeting and people will have the opportunity to sign up for new committees during the fourth general assembly meeting.

The elections meeting should not be extremely long, speeches should be at most 60 seconds long and questions should be answered quick and concisely. (Questions cannot include, "What was the last thing you were saying," "Repeat that last part")

Election shall be held by voting members of the General Assembly secretively, directly, independently, and free from intimidation.

Voting members of OBS shall be those who have actively participated on committees. These records shall be obtainable from the Secretary's records.

Nominees for the Executive board shall be presented to the General Assembly (and shall present a verbal statement and answer questions from the General Assembly) and shall be elected at the third (3rd) General Assembly meeting of Spring Quarter by a pluralistic majority.

In the event of a tie, there will be a revote. The secretary will take attendance at the election and he/she will ensure that only those that have voted revote. Members that leave the meeting will not be contacted for the revote. It is the responsibility of members to stay at the entire meeting.

Graduating members of OBS as that are members (actively on a committee) shall be allowed to vote.

Election results shall be announced the night of elections and sent out over the Grapevine & OBS-Events to the General Assembly within twenty-four (24) hours.

The term of office for the Executive board members shall be one academic year and officers are eligible for re-election for the same position only once , after which they may seek election for different positions, if they so desire.

Article Xl. General Assembly

General Assembly meetings shall be held five times a quarter (4) times per ten (10)-week quarter: first (1^st), third (3^rd), and fifth (5^th) seventh (7^th), and ninth (9^th) weeks each quarter.

The President shall call the General Assembly meeting beyond the three (4) scheduled at anytime within one (1) week's notice.

All changes within the Executive board shall be reported to the General Assembly.

All revisions and amendments to the constitution shall be reported to the General Assembly.

General Assembly meeting should be in a forum setting, not a lecture setting, if you want active members you best adhere to this.

Article XII. Constitution Revisions and Amendments

The following shall be provisions for revisions and/or amendments to the constitution:

The constitution shall be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Executive board members.
An amendment shall be proposed in writing to the OBS Executive board by at least fifty percent (50%) of the Executive board.
The proposed amendment shall be submitted to all Executive board members at least two (2) weeks in advance of the voting.