Rose-Hulman
Inter-Fraternity Council
Constitution of the Interfraternity IFC at Rose-Hulman Institute of
Technology
Preamble
We, the men’s social Fraternities of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, realizing the need to strengthen the Fraternity system, to promote leadership, education, and service, and to uphold the unbiased regulation of interfraternity affairs, do hereby establish and subscribe to this Constitution.
Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the Interfraternity IFC of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, hereafter known as “IFC”.
Article II:
The IFC is designed to be a self-governing body which strives to promote the continuation and improvement of Greek life.
Article III: Responsibilities
Section 1: Rush
IFC shall provide a structured and effective rush program.
Section 2: Social Affairs
IFC shall sponsor activities that encourage interfraternal association.
Section 3: Scholarship
IFC shall promote high academic standards amongst the Greek community.
Section 4: Service
IFC shall encourage Greek participation in philanthropic events in the community.
Section 5: Arbitration
IFC shall mediate interfraternal disputes when necessary.
Section 6: Colonization
IFC shall oversee the admission of additional men’s social fraternities into the Greek community of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in accordance with the IFC by-laws.
Article IV:
Membership
Section 1: Full Membership
All men’s social Fraternities within the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology community must be represented on the IFC, and hereafter will be referred to as Members.
Section 2: Probationary Membership
Upon receiving approval for colonization from the Institute, a Fraternity is admitted to IFC as a Probationary Member and assumes all the responsibilities thereof.
Section 3: Admission into Full Membership
Probationary members shall receive full membership with a unanimous vote of the IFC upon verification of the following criteria:
A. Scholarship - The Probationary Member’s cumulative GPA must be at or above 2.50.
B. Service – The Probationary Member must participate in at least two (2) IFC sponsored service events.
C. IFC Attendance – The representative for the Probationary Member must attend at least 75% of the weekly IFC meetings per quarter.
D. Application for Full Membership – The Probationary Member shall be considered for full membership upon submitting a report detailing the completion of the above items after at least six months from the date of admission to probationary status.
Section 4: Rights of Membership
A. Full Membership
1. Members are entitled to appoint two representatives to the IFC.
2. Representatives of Members are eligible to run for a position on the Executive Committee.
B. Probationary Membership
1. Probationary Members are entitled appoint one representative to the IFC.
2. Representatives of Probationary Members are not eligible to run for a position on the Executive Committee.
Article V: Organization & Operation
Section 1: Advisor
The Associate Dean of Students for Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology shall serve as the advisor to the IFC. The advisor shall hold no direct influence over IFC decisions, having no vote on IFC matters.
Section 2: Executive Committee
The Executive Committee (EC) is the body through which IFC policy is enacted. Its members do not vote on IFC matters. The EC shall be made up of the following members:
A. President
1. It is the duty of the President to call and preside over IFC meetings.
2. The President may call special meetings in accordance with Article V, Section 4 and the IFC by-laws.
3. In the case of a tie, the President shall serve as the deciding vote for IFC decisions.
B. Vice President
1. In accordance with IFC by-laws, the Vice President must preside over IFC meetings in the absence of the President.
2. The Vice President is responsible for providing guidance and direct oversight to the EC chairmen.
3. The Vice President shall serve as Parliamentarian for the IFC.
C. Secretary/Treasurer
1. Secretarial Responsibilities
i. The Secretary/Treasurer is responsible for the maintenance and distribution of IFC minutes.
ii. The Secretary/Treasurer will keep an accurate attendance record for all IFC meetings.
iii. The Secretary/Treasurer is responsible for the maintenance and distribution of the IFC calendar.
iv. The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain an up-to-date IFC website.
2. Treasury Responsibilities
i. The Secretary/Treasurer shall provide a quarterly budget for all IFC income and expenditures.
ii. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep accurate records of all expenses.
iii. The Secretary/Treasurer shall ensure that all expenses are divided equally among the constituent chapters.
iv. The Secretary/Treasurer is responsible for collecting dues from each constituent chapter.
D. Rush Chairmen
1. The Co-Rush Chairmen shall coordinate the fall rush program.
2. The fall rush program must include, but is not limited to, the preparation and distribution of a schedule for one informal and two formal rush parties in accordance with IFC by-laws.
E. Greek Activities Chairman
1. The Greek Activities Chair shall serve as the IFC’s representative on the RHIT IM Council.
2. The Greek Activities Chair shall coordinate IFC involvement in the quarterly campus blood drives.
3. It is the responsibility of the Greek Activities Chair to plan and prepare for the IFC-sponsored Greek Games, to be held in the spring academic quarter.
4. The Greek Activities Chair shall assist the Office of Student Affairs with the planning and preparation of other IFC-sponsored functions.
F. Public Relations Chairman
1. The PR Chair shall serve as the public voice of the IFC.
2. The PR Chair is responsible for the preparation of the IFC rush pamphlet, due be distributed to the freshman class each fall.
3. It is the responsibility of the PR Chair to coordinate IFC presence at the fall student activities fair.
4. The PR Chair shall keep the campus community informed of IFC events through the Residence Hall Staff.
5. The PR Chair shall coordinate with the RHIT External Affairs Department as needed.
Section 3: Representatives
A. IFC Responsibilities
1. A Representative holds one vote on all IFC matters.
2. If a Representative is unable to attend an IFC meeting, he must appoint a member of his chapter to attend in his stead.
3. Representatives may also serve on committees created by the EC chairmen.
B. Selection – Representatives are appointed to the IFC by their respective Fraternities in accordance with Article V, Section 5.
Section 4: Meetings
A. Regular Meetings
1. Weekly IFC meetings shall be scheduled by the President.
2. The President may cancel IFC meetings with at least three days advance notice.
3. Three-fourths of the voting members shall constitute a quorum.
4. A simple majority vote shall decide any matter of organizational business.
5. IFC policies require a three-fourths majority vote for approval.
6. All meetings shall be run in accordance with the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, except when in conflict with this Constitution, the IFC by-laws or IFC judicial procedures.
B. Special Meetings
1. All IFC gatherings that are not regular, weekly meetings shall be considered special meetings.
2. Special meetings may be called by the President with two days advance notice.
3. Special meetings shall be run in accordance with the procedure for regular meetings.
Section 5: Elections
A. Schedule
1. A “term of service” shall be defined as the period of time between the installation of a new Executive Committee and the following Executive Committee elections.
2. Nominations for all Executive Committee positions shall be open during the first two IFC meetings of the calendar year.
3. Elections to the Executive Committee shall be held during the third meeting of the calendar year.
4. New Executive Committee officers shall be installed in the meeting following the elections.
5. IFC Members shall appoint new Representatives during the weeks while nominations are open. The new Representatives will begin their respective terms of service when the new officers are installed.
B. Eligibility
1. IFC Representatives wishing to run for executive office must have served at least one term prior by the day of elections.
2. Representatives serving the IFC before the adoption of this Constitution will be eligible for the election immediately following said adoption.
C. Procedure
1. A “candidate” shall be defined as a Representative who is nominated and seconded for an Executive Committee position.
2. The elections shall be held in the following order: President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Rush Chairmen, Greek Activities Chairman, and finally Public Relations Chairman.
3. Candidates for each position will be given two minutes to speak regarding their election platform.
4. After speaking, the floor will be opened for IFC questions directed to the candidates.
5. The candidates will be removed from the meeting room, and the floor will remain open for discussion of the current position up for election.
6. When discussion is closed, a majority vote will decide the winner.
Article VI: Amendments
Section 1: Procedure
A proposed amendment must be distributed to the IFC Representatives at least one week prior to holding a vote. At the following meeting, the floor must be opened for discussion of the amendment before a vote can take place.
Section 2: Approval
A three-fourths majority vote of the IFC is required in order for the amendment to take effect.
Article VII: Adoption
A unanimous vote of the IFC is required for the adoption of this Constitution. When approved, the Constitution will take effect at the start of the meeting immediately following the adoption vote.