California State University, Fullerton
RESIDENT STUDENT ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the California State University, Fullerton Resident Student Association, hereinafter called RSA.

Section 2: The purpose of RSA is to be the residence hall government. We plan community-wide recreational and educational activities for the residents. In addition, RSA acts as a liaison with the full-time management staff of the Housing Office to voice student concerns and resolve problems.

Section 1: Membership in this organization shall not be denied to any student at California State University, Fullerton on the basis of race, creed, religion, gender, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or physical handicap.

Section 2: Any person living as an official resident in the CSUF Residential Suites shall be eligible for membership in the Resident Student Association.

Section 3: Voting membership is limited to regular enrolled (non-extended education) students at California State University, Fullerton.

Section 4: Any member may be suspended or expelled from the organization for conduct obviously contrary to the constitution of the RSA conduct, which impairs the rights of the members to enjoy the benefits of the organization. The offense must be in writing and submitted by a club member. After the offense is submitted to the organization, the offending member has the right to a 24 hour notice of a hearing before his/her peers at a regular meeting and the offending member may be suspended or expelled by a ¾ affirmative vote of the voting members present.

Section 5: All elected officers and House Delegates of RSA are required to sign a contract, affirming that they have read and fully understanding the constitution.

Section 1: There shall be twenty-two voting members of the RSA which consist of twenty-one House Delegates, from each area of Resident Advisor (RA) responsibility, and the President, however, the President shall only vote to make or break a tie. The RSA Executive Staff including the Vice-president, Treasurer, Secretary/ NCC, Campus Liaison and Program director can make motions but do not hold voting rights. These officers act in the best interest of all members of the RSA. The term of office for each shall be one year (two semesters) beginning July 1st. All officers are required to attend all meetings.

Section 2: RSA Officers are required to verbally present the Constitution to all House Delegates at the first meeting of the year. Delegates shall also receive a copy as well. The RSA Contract, as previously mentioned in Article II, Section 5, will then be signed.

Section 3: Powers and Duties of the RSA President

Clause 1: The President shall act as the chief executive officer and official spokesperson for Resident Student Association.

Clause 2: The President will facilitate all functions and meetings of the RSA. And as previously stated make or break a tie.

Clause 3: The President and the RSA Advisor shall meet weekly.

Clause 4: The President shall maintain close communications with RSA Officers and House Delegates.

Clause 5: The president shall be responsible for the functions and actions of the RSA governing body.

Clause 6: The president shall; have the power to appoint members to all committees and fill all positions, with majority approval from the RSA Executive Board, unless otherwise stipulated by the Constitution.

Clause 7: The President shall represent and act on behalf of the Resident Student Association at any applicable event, meeting, etc., unless otherwise stipulated by this Constitution.

Clause 8: The President or designated representative shall serve as an ex-officio member of all committees or organizations of the RSA; exempt individual community floor councils.

Clause 9: The President shall act as a liaison between the RSA and the Housing Services and the Residence Life Office, and shall provide organization for and assistance to all RSA Officers and House Delegates, ensuring open communication between all aforementioned personnel.

Clause 10: The President, with majority approval of the RSA Board may appoint a parliamentarian who will advise the President on Parliamentary procedure.

Clause 11: The President shall be empowered to make all decisions concerning the efficient day-to-day operation of the Resident Student Association. In occurrence with the RSA Advisor, the President may make line item transfers up to $50.00 and must report said transfers to the RSA Board at the next week’s meeting.

Section 4: Powers and Duties of the RSA Vice President

Clause 1: The Vice President shall perform all duties of the President in the case of vacancy or absence and will assume the office of the President if the President’s vacancy becomes permanent, until a present council member is elected by a majority vote of the RSA Board (Refer to Article III, Section 12).

Clause 2: The Vice President shall also be given special projects and/or other projects as deemed appropriate by the President or RSA Board.

Clause 3: The Vice President shall meet with the President weekly.

Clause 4: The Vice President shall serve as one who assists with the working of the House Delegates.

Clause 5: The Vice President shall help identify and assist in establishing committees to perform the various functions of the RSA. The Vice President will oversee all committee chairs (refer to Article X).

Section 5: Powers and Duties of the National Communications Coordinator (NCC)/ Secretary

Clause 1: The NCC/ Secretary shall keep in correspondence with NCC’s at other Pacific Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (PACURH) member schools.

Clause 2: The NCC/ Secretary shall be responsible for the NCC handbook and its files of correspondence of Regional and National business and any other NCC material. 

Clause 3: The NCC/ Secretary shall be responsible for all information regarding PACURH and National Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH)  and will be held accountable to the President and RSA Board.

Clause 4: The NCC is the only voting member and representative of CSUF at the Board meetings held at the National and Regional conferences.

Clause 5: The NCC/ Secretary shall perform the duties of the President in the case of absence of the President or Vice President.

Clause 6: The NCC/ Secretary shall keep written records of all meetings and roll call of the RSA Board meetings open to all residents. He/she shall, unless otherwise stipulated, handle all written correspondence of the RSA Board (including: proposals, amendments to the Constitution, etc.)

Clause 7: The NCC/ Secretary shall type and prepare minutes to be printed and distributed to all RSA Officers and the RSA Advisor, and posted for all residents, no later than three days following the RSA Board meeting. Minutes should include an in depth description of what took place at the previous RSA meeting, as well as a “members present report”.

Clause 8: The NCC/ Secretary shall work with the President to prepare the RSA weekly agenda, and post said agenda at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.

Clause 9: The NCC/ Secretary shall ensure that he/she and all other RSA officers keep accurate continuity files, and ensure that all officers prepare a continuity letter at the end of their term of office, to explain to the respective incoming officers what occurred during the previous term (how the job was done, any advice to the new officers, etc.).

Clause 10: The NCC/ Secretary will transition the newly selected candidate for his/her position during the period between his/her election and the end of the school year.

Section 6: Powers and Duties of the RSA Treasurer

Clause 1: The Treasurer shall, with the President, be responsible for all monies the Resident Student Association and shall keep itemized accounts.

Clause 2: The Treasurer shall have basic accounting skills.

Clause 3: The Treasurer shall, with the consultation of the RSA President and the RSA Advisor, be responsible for the annual budget. The budget must receive majority approval from the RSA Board.

Clause 4: The Treasurer shall, with the consultation of the RSA President, be responsible for all contracts made by the RSA.

Section 7: Powers and Duties of the Campus Liaison

Clause 1: The Campus Liaison shall act as a designee for the RSA President.

Clause 2: The Campus Liaison shall be the RSA representative of residence life to the Titan Student Union Governing, and shall adhere to all of its bylaws (Including meeting attendance as well as serve on a committee of the TSU Governing Board).

Clause 3: The Campus Liaison shall be the RSA representative for Associated Students Incorporated (ASI) Executive Senate. If the Campus Liaison is unable to attend, the President or a designee shall attend the meeting instead.

Clause 4: The Campus Liaison shall keep in contact with the RSA President to discuss campus wide news that could benefit RSA.

Clause 5: The Campus Liaison shall keep in contact with the RSA Treasurer and keep up-to-date reports with the budget to report back to the TSU Governing Board and ASI.

Clause 6: The Campus Liaison shall be the representative for RSA in front of the ASI Board of Directors. If the Campus Liaison is unable to attend, the President or a designee shall attend the meeting instead.

Clause 7: The Campus Liaison will transition the newly selected Campus Liaison during the period between his or her election and the end of the school year.

Clause 8: The Campus Liaison is responsible for the promotion and advertisement on the general campus for upcoming RSA events.(e.g. in the TSU, classrooms, through the portal etc.)

 
Section 8: Powers and Duties of the RSA Program Director

Clause 1: The Program Director shall work with their committee to assist in the planning of programs sponsored by RSA.

Clause 2: The Program Director shall see that events are being planned which address he/she holistic needs of students.

Clause 3: The Program Director shall keep a master calendar of the events and activities planned or coordinated through the RSA with other campus-wide activities in mind (RA’s, Housing, TSU, ASI, etc.).

Clause 4: The Program Director is required to promote and advertise throughout the Residence Halls for upcoming events.

Section 9: Powers and Duties of the NRHH Chair

Clause 1: For all duties and responsibilities refer to the NRHH Constitution

Section10: Powers and Duties of the Delegates

Clause 1: The number of delegates shall match the number of RA’s. Delegates shall represent the same area that their RA is assigned to.

Clause 2: The House Delegates shall represent their community in regards to programs, policies, and concerns.

Clause 3: The House Delegates of RSA shall report back to their own areas and shall be responsible for facilitating involvement and communication between their areas and the RSA Board.

Clause 4: The House Delegates must serve on one committee as initiated/ formed by the Vice President.

Clause 5: The House Delegate shall attend all RSA general meetings.

Section 11: Officer Qualifications

Clause 1: Must be a regular enrolled (non-extended education) student in good standing at CSUF.

Clause 2: All members of the Executive Board shall have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 upon election.

Clause 3: All members of the Executive Board shall maintain a minimum semester GPA of 2.0 and a cumulative GPA of a 2.5 throughout their term of office.

Section 12: Recall, Initiative, and Referendum

Clause 1: Recall of the President

1. Within one week after the RSA Executive Staff has received a position containing 30 percent of the signatures of all members, a recall vote shall be called. With a 3/4 vote of all house delegates needed for removal. If the recall is successful the RSA Vice-President shall hold the Presidency for the remainder of the term.
OR
2. A ¾ vote of all RSA Board voting members.

Clause 2: A ¾ vote of the RSA Board voting members is needed for the recall of any Executive Board Officer.

Clause 3:  If there is a vote to remove an Executive Board member because of 3 unexcused absences there will be a ¾ vote required to remove that officer.

Section 13: Vacancies

Clause 1: In the event that an elected officer is unable to fulfill his/her term of office, the Council shall have the power to fill the vacant position with a current RSA member by majority approval.

Section 1: Regular meetings are scheduled at least once every week for transaction of business, with the first meeting in each semester being no later than the fourth week of classes.

Section 2: Executive Board meetings are scheduled, at least once every week for transaction of business, with the first meeting in each semester being no later than the fourth week of classes.

Section 3: If circumstances exist where a special meeting needs to be called to order, the President may do so. However, at least 3 Executive Board members need to be present at that meeting.

Section 4: Business cannot be conducted unless a quorum of the membership is present. A quorum for any special or regular RSA Board Meeting shall consist of 50% + 1 of the existing voting RSA General Council members and the RSA President or designee. (Thus meaning, 11 voting members must be present in a general meeting in order for quorum to be met).

Section 5: A quorum for any Executive Board Meeting shall consist of any three voting Executive Council Members and the RSA President or designee.

Section 6: All meetings of the RSA Board shall be open to any and all RSA general council members of the RSA who shall have the right to participate fully in the meeting, except that they shall not have the right to make motions or vote.

Section 7: If a board member is absent from a regularly scheduled meeting without notifying the President, that member, at the next meeting, will be required to give a verbal excuse explaining why they missed the meeting. The Board will vote if they are willing to accept the absence with a majority vote required. After the second unexcused absence, a vote of removal will take place.

Section 8: If a delegate is going to be absent, he/she must inform the RSA President, and send a designee in his/her place. If delegate fails to comply, actions from Section 7 will take place. The RSA Advisor will then be notified, and the delegate’s Resident Advisor will choose his/her replacement. Upon removal from the RSA Board, the delegate’s replacement will be required to sign the contract previously mentioned in Article 2, Section 5.

Section 9: All regularly scheduled RSA Board Meetings shall comply with the Gloria Romero Act, which states that all meeting minutes and agendas be publicly posted.

Section 1:
Clause 1:  Officers are elected once an academic year. Election for President, Vice President, NCC/Secretary, and Treasurer, shall take place no later than 7 calendar days after RA selection of the semester proceeding the term of office. Elections for House Delegate shall take place no sooner than five days after move-in at the start of the term and no later than 21 days after move-in day.

Clause 2: The positions of Campus Liaison and Program Director shall be filled by application no later than 7 days after RA selection of the semester preceding the term of office.

Clause 3: The RSA President shall initiate election procedures in coordination with the RSA Advisor unless the RSA President is running for re-election or another RSA office, or if the RSA Advisor or RSA Board decides involvement would be inappropriate. In such a case, the RSA Board shall appoint an Election Chairperson to govern the elections. The Election Chair shall ensure fairness throughout the election proceedings.

Clause 4: At least one week’s notice will be provided for any meeting at which an election is held.

Clause 5: A candidate must receive the highest number of votes to win the election. A run-off will be necessary I there is a tie between two candidates.

Clause 6: If there is no candidate running for any of the positions, the Executive Board has the power to appoint, and the appointed person shall assume all privileges and responsibilities of said position.

Clause 7: A copy of the Constitution shall be given to all candidates prior to elections.

Section 2: Vacancies

Clause 1: Should a House Delegate position become vacated during term of office or at the end of Fall Semester (due to graduation, desire to leave, etc.), the former House Delegate’s floor shall have the power to fill the vacant position with a current RSA member within seven days. After which the Executive Council shall have the power to fill the vacant position.

Section 3: Campaign Materials

Clause 1: All candidates for office may campaign with posters, banners, flyers, literature, etc., for six days prior to the election.

Clause 2: All posters, flyers, banners, and/or literature shall be removed no later than one hour after the polls close.

Section 4: Election Regulations

Clause 1: Elections shall be held on a weekday. Polls shall be open at a time and place determined by the present Executive Board.

Clause 2: No one may display literature, flyers, posters, banners, or campaign in any way within the polling area on election day, specifically, nowhere within the first floor of Cypress, up to and including three yards outside of all doors which access the polling area. This includes the Multi-Purpose Room, Study Lounge, Laundry Room, and both outside access doors. Violations of any of these stipulations will result in candidate disqualification.

Clause 3: The President or his/her designated Election Chair, with the approval of the RSA Advisor, shall select 3 RSA members not running for office to assist them in counting ballots after the polls close. Votes will be cast by ballot and counted by the election committee. Election results shall be announced as soon as possible. Numerical results (placing and actual numbers) shall be available for majority approval by the Executive Board. All ballots shall be kept for one calendar year.

Section 1: The Program Director shall be chosen through a selection process by a special committee consisting of the current NCC, all other Executive Board members, and one student-at-large from the resident community.

Section 2: The Program Director selection shall take place no later than 7 days after RA selections of the semester proceeding the term of office.

Section 3: The Program Director position shall be open to all residents currently living in the Residence Halls.

Section 1: The Campus Liaison shall be chosen through a selection process by a special committee consisting of the current Campus Liaison, all other Executive Board members, and one student-at-large from the resident community.

Section 2: The Campus Liaison selection shall take place no later than 7 days after RA selections of the semester proceeding the term of office.

Section 3: The Campus Liaison position shall be open to all residents currently living in the Residence Halls. It is highly encouraged that the applicants possess some experience with RSA and/or ASI.

Section 1: An individual employed on a more than half time basis by CSUF will serve as an advisor to this organization.

Section 2: The advisor shall be the Associate Director within the residence halls.

Clause 1: In the event the Associate Director cannot be present, a Residential Community Coordinator may act in their place.

Section 3: The advisor may be removed by a 2/3 vote of the membership at a regularly scheduled organization meeting.

Section 4: A staff member from the Dean of Students Office or a school based Assistant Dean may be assigned to work with this organization to assist the faculty advisor and the organization.

Section 1: The RSA Board shall be empowered to act upon policies and legislation, which each residence hall must enact.

Section 2: The RSA Board shall be empowered to make all rules and regulations necessary to carry out all duties forth written in this Constitution.

Section 3: The RSA Board shall be empowered to act as the only representative body on behalf of all hall residents when dealing with other groups or organizations (on and off campus).

Section 4: Any person or group wishing political endorsement from the RSA Board or and hall must present a written request to the RSA Board President in keeping with current constitution and must be approved by the RSA Board. A 2/3 majority vote is needed for endorsement.

Section 5: Monetary Requests
Clause 1: All requests for monetary allocations from the RSA General Council must be presented to the Executive Staff 8 business days prior to the date of the event or need. If it is not done at least 8 business days prior, the request will not be placed on the agenda.

Clause 2:  Requests for donations from RSA funds by any group are subject to approval only by ¾ votes of the RSA Executive Board. If passed, ¾ of the present voting members must approve the request.

Clause 3: Requests made by outside groups, are required to place the ASI logo on all advertisements if monies are being taken out of the RSA-ASI Account.

Clause 4: Request made by outside groups are required to promote their event and state that RSA has sponsored the event if monies are taken from the RSA Agency Account.

Section 6: The RSA Board shall have the power to create or dissolve any committee, sub-committee, or organization under the auspices of RSA other than individual hall councils or the individual hall committees.

Section 1: Committees may be established at the discretion of the Executive Board.

Section 2: The RSA Vice-President shall be the advisor to all committee chairs, and will report back to the Executive Board as to events and progress made by each committee.

Section 3: Ad-hoc committees are chaired by the RSA Vice-President or a volunteer from RSA. Members are appointed by the RSA President on the basis of interest or necessity. These committees are established temporarily based on short-term issues and projects.

Section 4: Any RSA member is eligible to be a member of any RSA committee.

Section 5: Each committee chairperson will be required to give an oral report on committee meetings and actions taken at each meeting.

Section 6: Interim committee chairs will be appointed by the incoming Executive Board seven days before spring move-out to serve until permanent committee chairs are in place in the Fall Semester.

Section 7: Permanent committee chairs shall be approved by the committees using a pluralistic vote and the committee chair will be approved by the RSA Executive Board by a majority vote. The only exception applies to the Program Director, in which it in his/her duties to chair the Programs Committee. (Refer to Article III, Section 8, Letter A). If a chairperson is not appointed by the committee members, the RSA Vice President will appoint a chairperson into office.

Section 8: If a committee member is unable to attend a regularly scheduled committee meeting, he/she must inform the committee chair prior to the time the meeting is held, and give the status of their work in progress (projects, special assignments, events, etc.).

Section 1: The RSA Executive Board has the right to decide if they would like to use RSA Membership Cards. If choosing to do so, procedures are as follows:

• A. An RSA card must be printed for all RSA members.
• B. Upon purchase of an RSA card, members are entitled to reduced rates at events held under the auspices of the association. Such special rates will be determined by the RSA Board or their designee.
• C. Only current RSA cardholders shall be entitled to check out any RSA equipment.

Section 2: All money paid to the RSA for membership shall be deposited into an Associated Students, Incorporated Accounting Office agency account.

Section 3: If a request is made to purchase an item that affects all students that reside in the halls, it shall be under the jurisdiction of Housing to purchase the item.

Section 1: Any legislation voted by the RSA Board requires a majority vote to be passed except in amending the Constitution, other votes included in this constitution, and what is defined in Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.

Section 2: At the beginning of Fall Semester, all Executive Board members should be informed of the procedures of Robert’s Rules of Order by the RSA Advisor. In turn, the Executive Board members shall present it to the rest of the RSA Board.

Section 1: Proposed constitutional amendment or changes will be presented, in writing, to the organization one meeting before this amendment is voted on.

Section 2: This Constitution may be amended by a 2/3 approving vote of those RSA Board members present and voting.

Section 3: Amendments to this Constitution become effective immediately upon adoption.

Section 4: A copy of this Constitution and/or amendments to this Constitution must be filed in the Dean of Student’s office at CSUF.

Section 5: Amendments to this Constitution must be proposed and approved by a “Constitution Revision Committee” before presentation to the full RSA Board for approval.

Section 1: In the event the Resident Student Association should become defunct, all assets will be turned over to Housing and Residence Life.

Section 1: This organization is affiliated with PACURH (Pacific Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls). We are also affiliated with NACURH (National Association of College and University Residence Halls).

Section 2: A copy of any constitution/bylaws of PACURH and NACURH must be filed in the Dean of Student’s Office at CSUF.

Section 1: The RSA accepts parliamentary law set forth in the Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.

Section 2: Any issue not directly written in this document will refer to the Robert’s Rules of Order.

Section 1: RSA and the Housing and Residence Life Office shall be responsible to one another in all matters concerning the residence halls.

Section 2: In all matters, RSA is to act in accordance with the board policy guidelines set forth by the Housing and Residence Life staff.

Section 3: RSA will annually apply for on-campus status and will abide by the regulations thereof.