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Article I :  Name and Purpose

Unity is the official Rose-Hulman gay, bisexual, lesbian, transgender & straight alliance.

The purpose of Unity is twofold; to provide a place where individuals can be themselves without fear of prejudice or hate, and to promote an environment on campus and throughout our community that is tolerant of all people.

This organization is not affiliated with any local, state, or national group.

Unity does not, as a club, officially adopt or act upon any moral viewpoint or belief, other than the idea that intolerance and bigotry should be stopped wherever present.

Article II :  Membership

Membership in this organization shall be without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, handicap, age, marital status, political belief or affiliation, or membership or non-membership in any other organization.

1. Anyone may become a member who is a student or a faculty/staff member at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
    
2. Voting members shall consist of all members who have attended three previous meetings, or two consecutive meetings within the current academic year.
    
3. Non-student members cannot vote on matters dealing with:

1.   Election or removal of officers.
2.   Removal of members.
3.   Amendments to the constitution.
4.   Financial matters.

If a member of the group harms another member or threatens another member in such a way that they fear for their personal safety, or if a member is part of harassment or disruptive behavior, that member may be removed by the following process:

1. A petition to remove the member in question must be submitted to an officer   and must consist of a statement of motivation.  When the petition is received, the president shall call a meeting of the advisor, member in question, and the president to discuss the petition.
    
2. If A fails to solve the problem, then the grounds for removal are to be presented at the meeting by the president.
    
3. The member in question shall be provided an opportunity to present a defense either in person or in writing.
    
4. Voting on removal shall not occur sooner than one week after the presentation of grounds and defense have been made and will be by secret ballot. A majority vote of the members present shall be required for removal.

Article III :  Officers

The Officers of the organization shall be:

1. President
2. Vice President
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Webmaster

In order to be eligible to hold an office, the candidate must be a student member of the organization with voting status and must plan to attend Rose-Hulman for the entirety of the elected term.  Any officer may hold two or more offices, but there must always be a different president than vice president.

1. The officers of the organization shall be elected for a term of one academic year.
    
2. Elections will be held during the 7^th week of the winter term of the school year.
    
3. Election shall be determined by a secret ballot vote.The candidate receiving the highest number of votes will win the election.
    
4. The newly elected officers will begin their terms of office at the end of the meeting in which they are elected.

1. The President shall be the principal executive officer and shall have the following duties:
    
   1. To preside at all meetings of the organization.
   2. To call special meetings when required.
   3. To handle public relations.
2. The Vice President shall have the following duties:
   
    
   1. To preside in the absence of the president.
   2. To represent the group at Institute functions whenever possible.
   3. To coordinate the various committees and collect their reports.
   4. To perform other duties as requested by the president.
3. The Secretary shall have the following duties:
    
   1. To keep minutes of each meeting of the organization.
   2. To notify all members of meetings.
   3. To handle all official correspondence with members.
   4. To prepare and file any reports required by the Institute.
   5. To maintain contact with the Unity Alumni Association, and keep a record of its membership.
   6. To perform duties as requested by the president.
4. The Treasurer shall have the following duties:
    
   1. To keep all financial records of the organization.
   2. To prepare and submit financial reports to the members.
   3. To prepare the annual budget and all budget requests for funds.
   4. To perform duties as requested by the president.
5. The Webmaster shall have the following duties: 
   1. To update the Unity website as needed.
   2. To maintain the Unity and Unity Alumni Association mailing lists as needed.
   3. To ensure the display box in the Commons is updated on a regular basis.
   4. To perform other duties as requested by the president.

Section 5.   Vacancy of an Office

A.   In the event of a vacancy in the office of the president before the expiration of a full term, the vice president shall assume all duties until a special election can be held within two weeks to fill the vacancy.
B.   In the event of a vacancy in any office other than the President before the expiration of a full term, a special election shall be called by the president within two weeks to fill the vacancy.

Section 6.   Removal of Officers

An officer may be removed by the following process:

A.   A petition to remove the officer in question must be submitted to the advisor and must consist of a statement of motivation.  When the petition is received, the advisor will call a meeting of all the officers.
B.   If A fails to solve the problem, then the grounds for removal are to be presented at the meeting by another officer.
C.   The officer in question shall be provided an opportunity to present a defense either in person or in writing.
D.   Voting on removal shall not occur sooner than one week after the presentation of grounds and defense have been made and will be by secret ballot. A majority vote of the members present shall be required.

Article IV :  Advisor

Section 1.   Selection of Advisor

The Advisor to this organization must be a member of the RHIT faculty or staff.

Section 2.   Role of the Advisor

A.   The Advisor shall assist the officers and members in accomplishing the purpose of the organization.
B.   The Advisor shall be contacted with petitions regarding removal of officers or members.
C.   The Advisor shall be present in meetings regarding removal of members between the president and member in question.

Article V :  Amendments

Section 1.   Ratification

A.   A proposed amendment to this constitution shall be presented to the membership at least one meeting prior to the meeting at which the vote is to be held.
B.   Ratification of an amendment to this constitution requires 2/3 vote of the members present at a scheduled meeting.