THE CONSTITUTION OF THE BRADLEY UNIVERSITY CHAPTER
OF THE
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE BRADLEY UNIVERSITY CHAPTER OF THE
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
Article I: Name
Article IV: Executive Officer
Section I. Duties, Rights, and Conditions
Article V: Elections
Article VI: Relationships
Section I. American Society of Civil Engineers
Article VII: GLSC
Section I. Conference Residency and Responsibility
Article IX: Hierarchy
Article X: Amendments
Article XI: Bylaws
Article XII: Ratification
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
Article I: Name
- The name of this organization shall be the Bradley University Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers, hereafter abbreviated BU ASCE. BU ASCE shall also be referred to as “the chapter” in this document.
- The objective of this Chapter is the same as the national chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers in that it facilitates the advancement of technology, encourages lifelong learning, promotes professionalism and the profession, and develops civil engineering leaders, and advocates infrastructure and environmental stewardship. In addition to the national chapter, BU ASCE shall provide students with opportunity to learn various professional and personal skills, grow as a student, and member of their trade, skill, or profession, and above all, have fun with other students in a welcoming and encouraging environment.
- The only qualification to become a member of BU ASCE is to be currently enrolled at Bradley University.
- As a member of BU ASCE, you are obligated to pay chapter dues, and attend monthly general meetings each semester, unless written consent from an executive member or faculty advisor is obtained for an absence.
- The character of BU ASCE members shall be faithfully respectful, trustworthy, responsible, fair, caring, law-abiding, and providing their utmost performance in all actions.
- Members of ASCE are to be in good academic standing with both the members’ college and Bradley University.
- The rights of chapter members include voting, running for executive positions, in accordance with Article IV and V, voting on amendments to this constitution, participation in regional and national competition teams, as well as eligibility to attend the Great Lakes Student Conferences and other conferences.
- Members of BU ASCE shall subscribe to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Chapter as well as the Code of Ethics, provided by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
- Membership shall not be denied regardless of race, creed, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or marital, paternal, and veteran status.
- Membership of BU ASCE does not automatically grant student membership to the American Society of Civil Engineers, nor is it the responsibility of anyone other than the individual to obtain that membership, if desired.
- Dues for each year shall be established by the Executive Board for the first general meeting and collected no later than the third (3) general meeting.
Article IV: Executive Officer
Section I. Duties, Rights, and Conditions
- The Executive Officers, also known as the Executive Board, shall be elected members of BU ASCE, except in the case of the AISC Steel Bridge Chairman who is not required to be a member of ASCE. They shall be obligated to perform the functions of their role outlined in this article.
- Executive Officers and Guest Executive Officers shall also be obligated to meet on a weekly basis, attend and operate ASCE related events, and shall receive the right to vote in executive weekly meetings, and on other executive matters.
- Executive Officers and Guest Executive Officers shall also be obligated to meet on a weekly basis, attend and operate ASCE related events, and shall receive the right to vote in executive weekly meetings, and on other executive matters.
- When BU ASCE is selected to host conferences, such as the Great Lakes Regional Conference or the National Concrete Canoe Competition, a Conference Chair shall be installed to the executive board in addition to the permanent roles.
- The Conference Chair shall be temporary and will dissolve before the next term without a conference.
- The Conference Chair shall be temporary and will dissolve before the next term without a conference.
- President:
- To preside over and schedule all ASCE-related meetings, create agendas, attend ASCE events, communicate with local professional chapter, prepare the annual chapter report, work closely with chairmen in projects and competitions, and other various tasks to make the chapter operate at its fullest potential.
- To preside over and schedule all ASCE-related meetings, create agendas, attend ASCE events, communicate with local professional chapter, prepare the annual chapter report, work closely with chairmen in projects and competitions, and other various tasks to make the chapter operate at its fullest potential.
- Vice President:
- To assist the president with tasks as necessary, work with other chairmen with projects and competitions, assist in annual chapter report, and lead amendments and bylaw additions.
- To assist the president with tasks as necessary, work with other chairmen with projects and competitions, assist in annual chapter report, and lead amendments and bylaw additions.
- Secretary:
- To keep proper documentation through the school-year, run the BU ASCE email account to send general emails, track all active members and their necessary information, assist in annual chapter report, and assist various chairmen with projects and competitions.
- To keep proper documentation through the school-year, run the BU ASCE email account to send general emails, track all active members and their necessary information, assist in annual chapter report, and assist various chairmen with projects and competitions.
- Social Chairman:
- To work with other Executive Board members to create, organize, assist in annual chapter report, and run social events for members; create, order, and distribute club t-shirts; create, organize, and run fundraisers with Treasurer; and update club information with Bradley University and the Student Activities Office (SAO).
- To work with other Executive Board members to create, organize, assist in annual chapter report, and run social events for members; create, order, and distribute club t-shirts; create, organize, and run fundraisers with Treasurer; and update club information with Bradley University and the Student Activities Office (SAO).
- Treasurer:
- To oversee all money related to BU ASCE and assist in annual chapter report. This includes financial updates, reimbursements, detailed expense records, and fundraiser coordination.
- Collecting dues, confronting those who fail to pay dues, and those who spend beyond allotments.
- To oversee all money related to BU ASCE and assist in annual chapter report. This includes financial updates, reimbursements, detailed expense records, and fundraiser coordination.
- Concrete Canoe Chairman:
- To run the Concrete Canoe Competition as part of the Great Lakes Student Conference (GLSC) and the National Concrete Canoe Competition (NCCC).
- This member of the Executive Board is appointed by the previous board to allow for the best fit for this position. The Executive Board shall have a majority vote for this appointment.
- To run the Concrete Canoe Competition as part of the Great Lakes Student Conference (GLSC) and the National Concrete Canoe Competition (NCCC).
- AISC Steel Bridge Chairman:
- To run the AISC Steel Bridge Competition as part of the Great Lakes Student Conference (GLSC) and the National Student Steel Bridge Competition (NSSBC), and attend ASCE Executive Board meetings as an invited guest.
- This role is a Guest Executive Officer. Due to the close relationship of ASCE and AISC in the past, the BU ASCE Executive Board shall host this position as a guest to promote camaraderie between student organizations and bolster the Civil Engineering Profession.
- This member of the Executive board is appointed by the previous chairman to allow for the best fit for this position. The Executive Board shall have a majority vote for this appointment as a means of agreement or disagreement with the AISC Steel Bridge Team. The final decision will be determined ultimately by the previous chairman.
- To run the AISC Steel Bridge Competition as part of the Great Lakes Student Conference (GLSC) and the National Student Steel Bridge Competition (NSSBC), and attend ASCE Executive Board meetings as an invited guest.
- Conference Chairman:
- To oversee the planning of the applicable conference, appoint and manage co-chairs, collaborate with the Bradley University Department of Civil Engineering and Construction, the Bradley University College of Engineering, Bradley University, the BU ASCE Executive Board, all sponsors, businesses, local organizations, conference committees, and the local and national chapters of ASCE.
- To ensure smooth operations and enjoyable activity for all attendees, guests, and professionals, operate in compliance with all applicable regulations set forth for a conference whether they are from local municipality, the University, or the conference committee.
- To ensure to the best of their ability that Bradley University, the College of Engineering, the Department of Civil Engineering, and ASCE is properly represented to all visitors, guests, professionals, and the public.
- The Conference Chair position shall have the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of an executive officer.
- For hosting of the Great Lakes Student Conference, a Conference Chair shall be installed three (3) years prior to the conference, and for national competitions, a conference chair shall be installed two (2) years prior to the competition.
- Any other conferences that should require this role shall have the positions installation date determined by the sitting executive board.
- To oversee the planning of the applicable conference, appoint and manage co-chairs, collaborate with the Bradley University Department of Civil Engineering and Construction, the Bradley University College of Engineering, Bradley University, the BU ASCE Executive Board, all sponsors, businesses, local organizations, conference committees, and the local and national chapters of ASCE.
- The President of BU ASCE is required to have served on the previous executive board, unless they obtain pre approval by the current executive board by a majority vote prior to elections, and must possess a minimum 3.0 major GPA in addition to the requirements of Article V.
- The Conference Chairman is required to have attended the Great Lakes Student Conference at least once to be eligible for election, and in the event of hosting a national competition, they shall have attended at least one (1) regional variant of said competition, in addition to the requirements of Article V.
- The Conference Chairman has the right to appoint up to a maximum of three (3) co-chairs to assist in the planning, organizing, and operations of these events.
- The President and Vice President are to personally assist one (1) each of either the Concrete Canoe Chairman or the AISC Steel Bridge Chairman, to ensure these competitions are run to the best of their ability.
- The Concrete Canoe Chairman and AISC Steel Bridge Chairman have the right to appoint one (1) co-chair each to assist in the operation of running of these competitions.
- Appointed Concrete Canoe and AISC Steel Bridge co-chairs shall have the option, within two (2) weeks of appointment, to declare whether they will undertake executive function in addition to their assistance to their respective Chairman. This declaration shall be documented in writing and archived by the sitting Secretary. Should a co-chair declare to undertake executive function, they shall share the same responsibilities, obligations, and rights of an executive officer. Conference co-chairmen appointed by the elected Conference Chairman shall not have this option.
Article V: Elections
- Elections for the Executive Board will take place during the second semester, no later than the last general meeting prior to the Great Lakes Student Conference (GLSC).
- All members of BU ASCE are able to vote for Executive Board members, see article III.
- Terms for the Executive Board Members shall be one (1) year long.
- Any student member is eligible for application as an officer of the Executive Committee who; (a) meets a 2.5 GPA or has consent from faculty advisor or Executive Board Members; and (b) fulfills any position specific requirements of Article IV.
Article VI: Relationships
Section I. American Society of Civil Engineers
- BU ASCE shall be under the jurisdiction of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
- The Chapter shall reside in Region 3 and fall under the Central Illinois Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
- The Chapter will subscribe to the constitution, Bylaws, Rules of Policy and Procedure, and the Code of Ethics as adopted by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
- If any provisions of this constitution shall at any time conflict with provisions adopted by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the provisions in the constitution and Bylaws shall become null and void.
- BU ASCE shall also be under the jurisdiction of Bradley University.
- The Chapter shall also adhere to the authority of the Caterpillar College of Engineering and Technology and the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction.
- The Chapter will subscribe to the Bradley University Student Code.
- The Chapter will be a Registered Student Organization of Bradley University and adhere to the rules and regulations that follow with this designation.
- If any provisions of this constitution shall at any time conflict with provisions adopted by Bradley University, the provisions in the constitution and Bylaws shall become null and void.
- The Illinois Valley Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers shall appoint practitioner advisors to the organization.
- The appointment stands until the Illinois Valley appoints a new practitioner advisor or the student chapter submits a request for a new advisor.
- The position of faculty advisor shall be established by enquiring with desired faculty members, approval of the Bradley University Department of Civil Engineering and Construction, and two-thirds vote of the Executive Board.
- The faculty advisor shall be employed within the Bradley University Department of Civil Engineering and Construction.
- As a last resort, if remediation attempts and proper cooperation fails, and the Executive Board deems the faculty advisor unfit to hold the position via a two-thirds vote, the Board shall notify the faculty advisor that his/her termination may occur, exhibit documented remediation attempts to the advisor, and give a one (1) month period in which the advisor shall attempt to address the Board’s concerns. If after this one (1) month period, a two-thirds vote still deems the advisor unfit, the board shall inform the current advisor of their termination and select a new advisor.
- The faculty advisor shall make every attempt to attend regular weekly officer meetings.
- The BU ASCE Chapter shall host the AISC Steel Bridge Chairman as a Guest Executive Officer on their Executive Board as outlined in Article IV, Section I, Sub-Section 7.
- The BU ASCE Chapter shall make all possible efforts to assist the AISC Steel Bridge Chairman in their efforts related to the Steel Bridge as a means to promote camaraderie between student organizations and bolster the Civil Engineering Profession.
Article VII: GLSC
Section I. Conference Residency and Responsibility
- BU ASCE currently resides in the Great Lakes Student Conference (GLSC) and BU ASCE shall compete in the GLSC and honor their duty to host the conference a minimum of once per full conference rotation.
- The exception to this would be in the case that the board passes a two-thirds vote, receives approval from the faculty advisor, the Bradley University Department of Civil Engineering and Construction, the Bradley University College of Engineering, and Bradley University, to volunteer Bradley to the highest available position in the conference rotation.
- The other exception to this would be in the case that the board passes a two-thirds vote, receives approval from the faculty advisor, and the Bradley University Department of Civil Engineering and Construction, to volunteer BU ASCE to co-host with another University ASCE Chapter, both of which would put BU ASCE to the end of or to the lowest position in the rotation after the hosting school and any other co-hosts if they receive the lower position in the rotation.
- The exception to this would be in the case that the board passes a two-thirds vote, receives approval from the faculty advisor, the Bradley University Department of Civil Engineering and Construction, the Bradley University College of Engineering, and Bradley University, to volunteer Bradley to the highest available position in the conference rotation.
- BU ASCE shall honor, uphold, contribute, and adhere to the “Constitution and By-Laws of the Great Lakes Regional Conference of Student Chapters of the American Society of Civil Engineers” in all matters pertaining to the Great Lakes Student Conference.
- Concrete Canoe:
- BU ASCE shall make all possible efforts to compete to the best of its abilities in the Regional Concrete Canoe competition and shall continue efforts to compete to the best of its abilities in the National Concrete Canoe competition when applicable.
- The Concrete Canoe Chairman shall lead all endeavors related to the Concrete Canoe, while being assisted by other Executive Board members and members as the Concrete Canoe Chairman sees fit.
- BU ASCE shall make all possible efforts to compete to the best of its abilities in the Regional Concrete Canoe competition and shall continue efforts to compete to the best of its abilities in the National Concrete Canoe competition when applicable.
- AISC Steel Bridge:
- BU ASCE shall make all possible efforts to assist the AISC Steel Bridge Chairman to compete to the best of their abilities in the Regional AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition and shall continue efforts to assist them to compete to the best of their abilities in the AISC National Student Steel Bridge competition.
- The AISC Steel Bridge Chairman shall lead all endeavors related to the Steel Bridge, while being assisted by other Executive Board members and team members as the AISC Steel Bridge Chairman sees fit.
- This competition is separated from the ASCE Regional conference, but is typically held on the same weekend as the GLSC. In the event it is not, BU ASCE shall make all possible efforts to assist the BU AISC Steel Bridge Chairman to promote camaraderie between student organizations and bolster the Civil Engineering Profession.
- BU ASCE shall make all possible efforts to assist the AISC Steel Bridge Chairman to compete to the best of their abilities in the Regional AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition and shall continue efforts to assist them to compete to the best of their abilities in the AISC National Student Steel Bridge competition.
- Small Competitions:
- Various other competitions are traditionally offered at GLSC. It is the duty of the combined Executive Board to vote/appoint members to lead these events in a manner they deem fit. The Executive Board shall encourage all members to be involved in these Competitions.
- Various other competitions are traditionally offered at GLSC. It is the duty of the combined Executive Board to vote/appoint members to lead these events in a manner they deem fit. The Executive Board shall encourage all members to be involved in these Competitions.
- General Meetings shall be held no less than once each month (excluding August) that school is in session.
- A General Meeting shall consist of:
- Introduction
- Announcements
- Old Business
- New Business
- Special Program (if scheduled, includes lectures, presentations, social activities, etc.)
- Closing and announcement of next meeting.
- Introduction
- A schedule of General Meetings for each semester shall be agreed upon by the Executive board, with input from the membership, and shall be sent to all members via e-mail and other platforms if possible. This shall be considered the Regular Schedule. Updates to the Regular Schedule shall be announced at the meetings, via e-mail and other platforms if possible.
- Special Meetings, service events, and other Chapter activities should be added to the Regular Schedule as soon as they are finalized.
Article IX: Hierarchy
- If any position on the Executive board becomes available, a vote among the general membership will be held within three (3) weeks. Any current member of the Executive Board is eligible to run for the open position. Should no students step forward to fulfill the position, the role shall either be filled by the collective effort of the executive board or be filled by the officer in the role following theirs in the order of President, Vice President, Treasurer, Social Chair, Secretary.
- Competition Chairmen shall be excluded from this hierarchy and their co-chair if applicable shall fulfill the chairman role should they step down. Should no co-chair be present, the executive board shall appoint a new chairman as soon as possible. Should the co-chair step down, it is up to the chairman to appoint a new co-chair if they so desire one.
- Any general member, Executive Officer, or Advisor may write a proposal to remove a member of the Executive Board from office. The written proposal shall provide ample reason, and documented evidence if possible as to why the officer deserves to be removed. This proposal will be submitted to the Advisor and the President.
- If the President is in question, the proposal must be submitted to the Vice President and Faculty Advisor.
- If the proposal is against all members of the Executive Board, the proposal must be submitted to the Faculty Advisor.
- The Faculty Advisor will review the proposal, meet with the member who submitted the proposal and decide if the proposal has merit and should be pursued.
- At the next Executive Board meeting, both the President and the accused shall have the opportunity to address the Executive Board. The President will anonymously express the proposal and the accused will have the opportunity for rebuttal.
- The Executive Board, excluding the accused, shall vote on the motion for removal.
- The motion for removal may be passed with a two-thirds vote, with the Faculty Advisor making decision in the event of a tie.
- At the next General Member meeting, the President will announce the removal of the officer and that there is an Executive Board position that needs to be filled. However, in the case of as President removing themselves, they will be able to make the announcement on their own behalf.
Article X: Amendments
- An Amendment or Revision to this Constitution may be proposed by any member who presents to the Executive Board a proposal for the Amendment accompanied by the signatures of at least one-fourth of the chapter membership.
- For the proposal to be heard at the next general meeting, the proposal shall be submitted not less than seven days prior to the meeting.
- The proposal shall be written in appropriate language to expedite the review process, and in the case of a revision, shall specify the Article, Section, and Subsection(s) it applies to.
- For the proposal to be heard at the next general meeting, the proposal shall be submitted not less than seven days prior to the meeting.
- If the proposal is received in the appropriate time frame, the Executive Board, shall review the proposal and revise it as needed for clarity or language use, without changing the intent of the proposal.
- The reviewed proposal shall be advertised at least two (2) days prior to the meeting and shall be read aloud at the meeting in its entirety.
- Any changes to the proposal shall be passed with approval of the majority of members present.
- The Secretary shall then review and revise the proposal in accordance with the changes called for.
- The reviewed proposal shall be advertised at least two (2) days prior to the meeting and shall be read aloud at the meeting in its entirety.
- For an Amendment or Revision to be adopted, two-thirds of the votes shall be in the affirmative. The Amendment or Revision becomes effective immediately and shall be recorded in the Constitution no later than one (1) week after its adoption.
Article XI: Bylaws
- Bylaws of this constitution shall be reviewed on an annual basis.
- Any proposed change to the bylaws shall be presented to the Chapter Secretary in the form of a petition stating the desired change.
- Every proposed bylaw shall be voted on a case by case basis by members at the first (1) general meeting of the school year.
- Revisions to the bylaws must pass with two-thirds vote. Changes go into effect immediately, unless otherwise stated.
- The process to turn bylaws into amendments will be the same process as adding a new amendment.
Article XII: Ratification
- The ratification of all elected Executive Officers in this Autumn of Two Thousand and Eighteen shall be necessary for the establishment of this Constitution of the Bradley University Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Scribed in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the Nine Members present, the First Day of August in the Year Two Thousand and Eighteen, for the Enrichment of the Bradley University Chapter of The American Society of Civil Engineers. In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our Names.
Cody M. Gastel
Grant D. Hischke
Hannah L. Engel
Ryan C. Rembert
Ayman N. Abdelalhaleem
Joseph R. Davenport
Andrew J. Sciarini
Rhome A. Apton
Jared A. Fischer
Updated: March 2nd, 2020
Cody M. Gastel
Grant D. Hischke
Hannah L. Engel
Ryan C. Rembert
Ayman N. Abdelalhaleem
Joseph R. Davenport
Andrew J. Sciarini
Rhome A. Apton
Jared A. Fischer
Updated: March 2nd, 2020