Alpha of Florida Constitution

Alpha of Florida

The Phi Beta Kappa Society

Constitution

 

Article I—Organization Name

Section 1.01    The chapter of Phi Beta Kappa at the Florida State University shall be designated as the Alpha Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society in the State of Florida.  The organization may also be referred to as “PBK.”

 

Article II—Purpose

Section 2.01    The purpose of Phi Beta Kappa is to recognize and encourage scholarship, friendship, and cultural interests, and to support excellence and integrity in the pursuit of the liberal arts.  Chapter activities shall encourage liberal education, scholarship, and concern for the responsible uses of knowledge.  Individuals elected to membership commit themselves to advancing the goals of Phi Beta Kappa.

 

Section 2.02    All activities and functions of the Alpha Chapter of Florida, Phi Beta Kappa shall be legal under University, local, state, and federal laws.

 

Article III—Membership

Section 3.01    The membership of the chapter shall include:

  1. Charter Members: the Phi Beta Kappa members of the faculty to whom the charter of the chapter was granted;
  2. Foundation Members: honorary members elected only at the founding of the chapters;
  3. Associate Members: members (including alumni and honorary members) of Phi Beta Kappa, elected by this chapter or other chapters who  become members of the faculty or staff of the Florida State University, including retired faculty and staff;
  4. Members in course: all members of the chapter elected at the Florida State University as undergraduates;
  5. Alumni/ae Members: elected from among those graduates of the Florida State University or the Florida State College for Women whose scholarly achievement subsequent to graduation merits such election;
  6. Honorary Members: graduates of institutions of higher learning other than Florida State University chosen on the same basis as the alumni/ae members;
  7. Affiliate Members: members of Phi Beta Kappa not described above who reside in Tallahassee or its vicinity.

 

Section 3.02    Charter and Foundation Members, Associate Members, local Members in course, local alumni/ae Members, and local Honorary Members shall constitute the resident membership.  Only resident members may vote on candidates for election to membership, new chapters, amendments to this constitution, and matters pertaining directly to the University; only they may serve as president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary of the chapter.  Other members of the chapter shall otherwise have full membership privileges.

 

Section 3.03    Election to membership

New members shall be added to the chapter according to category as follows:

  1. No further Charter Members may be elected.
  2. No further Foundation Members may be elected.
  3. Neither Associate nor Affiliate Members need be elected.  The secretary shall notify Associate Members of their status soon after they become officially connected with the Florida State University.
  4. Members in course shall be elected as described below from among Florida State University juniors and seniors who meet the following criteria:
    1. Whether elected as juniors or seniors, potential members must:
      1. Exhibit scholarly achievement, good character, and varied intellectual and cultural interests.
      2. Be completing requirements for a major in liberal subjects and studies.  Here and elsewhere in this constitution liberal subjects and studies shall be considered to be those designated principally for knowledge or understanding, or appreciation of nature and society, as contrasted with training intended to develop skill or vocational techniques.  At the Florida State University all major programs in the College of Arts and Sciences and Social Sciences, and the Department of Art History, shall be considered to be liberal in nature.  Candidates from other programs may also be considered on an individual basis.
      3. Complete six hours of college-level mathematics
    2. The following criteria shall apply to senior election:
      1. Timing: a student may be considered for the first time during the term in which he or she applies for graduation.  If the student is not elected, he or she may be reconsidered at the earliest opportunity after graduation.
      2. Liberal Hours: the student must have completed or be enrolled in the ninety-fifth hour of courses that the chapter considers liberal in content.  All credit acceptable to the university as fulfilling Liberal Studies requirements, including exemption credit, shall be counted as Liberal hours.
      3. Grade-point Average: the student must have achieved a grade-point average of 3.65 or above in all courses taken for credit at the Florida State University and in all courses undertaken for credit towards the bachelor’s degree.
      4. Residence: the student must have completed or be enrolled in the sixtieth hour at the Florida State University.  A student with fifteen or more hours at another institution sheltering a Phi Beta Kappa chapter may meet the residence requirement if enrolled in at least the forty-fifth hour at Florida State.
      5. Language: the student must have completed or be enrolled in the final course of the foreign language (modern or ancient) sequence required of Bachelor of Arts candidates.  The language requirement may be met by transfer or exemption credit, and courses may be taken on an S/U basis.
    3. The following criteria apply to junior election:
      1. Timing: a student may be considered for election in the first, and, if necessary, the second semester after the  semester in which he or she has for the first time attained seventy-five hours of college credit.
      2. Special Requirements: the student must have at least sixty hours of actual course work at Florida State.  At least fifty-four hours of Florida State University course work must be in graded courses or honors seminars.  Any combination of Florida State University course work, transfer course work, and/or exemption credit (via Advanced Placement, CLEP, or departmental examination) may be used to make up the difference between sixty hours of Florida State University credit and the seventy-five hours of college credit required for election.
      3. Liberal Hours: at least eighty percent of the student’s course work must have been in courses that the chapter considers liberal in content.  All course work acceptable to the university as fulfilling Liberal Studies requirements shall be counted as liberal hours.
      4. Grade-point Average: the student must have achieved a grade-point average of 3.90 or above in all courses taken for graded college credit.
      5. Language: Arts and Sciences majors and eligible majors in programs with the BA language requirement must have completed the first course of the foreign language (modern or ancient) sequence required of Bachelor of Arts candidates.  Students in all other majors must have completed or be enrolled in the final course of the sequence.  The language requirement may be met by transfer or exemption credit, and courses may be taken on an S/U basis.
    4. Method of Election:
      1. New members in course shall be elected at least twice each year.  There shall at minimum be a fall and spring election.  The chapter may also vote to hold a summer election.
      2. The Membership Chair shall present to the chapter for consideration a list of recommended students meeting requirements for election, as set forth in Article III of this constitution.
      3. The Membership Chair need not recommend and the membership need not elect every candidate who meets the minimum numerical requirements listed above.  However, neither the Membership Chair nor the chapter shall categorically exclude candidates based on factors in the academic record not listed above.
      4. Election of candidates recommended by the Membership Chair requires a three-fourths vote of the resident members present and voting. Members may cast votes electronically as well.  Candidates not recommended by the Membership Chair, but presented by any resident member present at a meeting called for the purpose of electing new members, may be elected with a four-fifths vote of the resident members present and voting.
      5. The total number of senior members in course elected in any year shall ordinarily not exceed ten percent of the students receiving  the liberal bachelor’s degree (as defined in this article, above) during that time period.  The total number of junior members in course elected in any year shall be one-third or fewer of the number elected as seniors.  Exceptions to this rule shall require a four-fifths vote of the resident members present and voting.
    5. For purposes of choosing Alumni/ae and Honorary Members, scholarly achievement is defined as demonstrating breadth of culture and high intellectual powers and making scholarly contributions to literary, scientific, educational, or social progress.  Alumni/ae Members may receive consideration on the tenth anniversary of their graduation or thereafter.  Alumni/ae may be recommended by any resident member of the chapter, and may be brought before the chapter via a written statement of qualifications.  Election requires a four-fifths vote of those resident members present and voting.  No more than two Alumni/ae Members may be elected in any year, nor more than four in any triennium.
    6. Procedures for the nomination and election of Honorary Members shall be the same as for Alumni/ae Members, except for the following:
      1. No graduate of another institution sheltering a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa shall be recommended for election unless the parent chapter has been notified and has raised no objection within a two-month period.
      2. No more than two Honorary Members may be elected in any triennium.

 

Section 3.04    All discussion pertaining to the election of members shall be held inviolably secret. 

 

Section 3.05    No hazing or discrimination will be used as a condition of membership in this organization.  Information regarding hazing can be found at http://hazing.fsu.edu.

 

Section 3.06    This organization agrees to adhere to the University non-discrimination statement: No university student may be denied membership on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, military or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other protected group status.

 

Section 3.07   Membership in the national Phi Beta Kappa Society is for life and  cannot be revoked for any reason. Most new members elected as seniors graduate soon after their induction into the Society.

 

Article IV—Initiation and Admission to Membership

Section 4.01    Prospective members elected by the chapter become official members according to category as follows:

  1. Associate and Affiliate members shall be invited by the Secretary to sign the membership roll.  By so doing they indicate their acceptance of membership in Alpha of Florida.
  2. Members in course, Alumni/ae and Honorary Members shall become official members after being initiated by the society.  Members in course must pay initiation fees prior to initiation.  Initiation shall ordinarily be accomplished within a year of election. The prospective member may petition in writing for initiation in the chapter after one year from election, and may be initiated if the Executive Committee considers that there are extenuating circumstances warranting an extension of the invitation to join.  Election in the manner shall require a four-fifths vote of the Executive Committee.  Initiation may be accomplished through any of three routes:
    1. Initiation in person by Alpha of Florida: electees who have not yet received their degrees are expected to participate in the initiation ceremony.  Instructions to all electees shall emphasize the importance of personal participation in the initiation ceremony.
    2. Initiation in person by another Phi Beta Kappa chapter:  electees who have graduated and cannot return to Tallahassee, but who live near an institution sheltering another Phi Beta Kappa chapter, may ask the secretary of our chapter to arrange initiation at the other institution.
    3. Initiation in absentia: electees who are unable to be initiated in person may indicate in writing to the secretary their wish to be initiated in absentia.  The request for initiation in absentia shall be acted on by the Executive Committee. 
  3. The initiation fee for members in course shall be determined by the Executive Committee.  It shall cover, at a minimum, the cost of entry to the initiation event and the registration and Council Fund payments due to the United Chapters.  The chapter shall be responsible for registration and Council Fund payments for Honorary and Alumni/ae Members, who shall have no initiation fee.  The initiation fee must be paid between election and initiation.  In instances of financial hardship, the Executive Committee may vote to offer a reduced fee on an individual basis.
  4. The chapter shall ensure all duly elected and initiated new members in course and Alumni/ae and Honorary members are admitted as bona fide members of Phi Beta Kappa as follows:
    1. The chapter shall send to the Treasurer of the United Chapters the name of each new member with a registration and Council Fund payment for each person.
    2. In the case of new Alumni/ae and Honorary members, the qualifications of each person initiated shall be entered upon the minutes of the chapter and submitted for the record to the secretary of the United Chapters.

 

Article V—Organization and Officers

Section 5.01    There shall be two sets of officers for the chapter: the Executive Officers, who shall consist of chapter members holding Associate Membership status in the chapter (as defined in Article II of these bylaws) and who shall comprise the Executive Committee of the chapter, and the Student Officers, who shall consist of members in course of the chapter elected as undergraduates at the Florida State University or who are graduate students at Florida State University but were initiated at another university with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.

  1. The Executive Officers of this chapter shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Historian, an Encouragement of Scholarship Chair, a Membership Chair, and an Awards Chair, and they shall perform the duties usually incumbent on such officers or as described in other sections of these bylaws.  The President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary must be resident members.  Executive Officers shall be elected at the first regular meeting of the academic year. Nominations shall be made by any resident member of the chapter. Elected officers shall assume office immediately and continue in office one year or until their successors have been elected. Officers may serve consecutive terms in office.
  2. The Student Officers of this chapter shall be a Student President, a Student Vice President, a Student Secretary, and a Student Treasurer.  The Student Officers are responsible for complying with all requirements to maintain the chapter’s status as a Recognized Student Organization (RSO) at the Florida State University.
    1. The Student President shall organize and run the operations of the student officers.  The Student President shall be the primary student liaison to the Executive Committee, attending meetings and executing agreed upon events.  The Student President shall also work closely with the other student officers to organize student member participation for chapter events and initiations.
    2. The Student Vice President shall assist the Student President in his/her responsibilities and assume the responsibilities of the Student President should he/she be unable to fulfill the duties of office for any reason.  The Student Vice President shall assist the Executive Secretary of the Chapter as needed.
    3. The Student Secretary shall be responsible for all official correspondence between the student membership of the chapter and the Executive Committee.  The Student Secretary shall serve as the primary assistant for the Executive Secretary of the Chapter as needed, and shall be responsible for coordinating communication to current and potential student members of the chapter.
    4. The Student Treasurer shall serve as assistant to the Executive Treasurer of the chapter as needed.  The Student Treasurer shall assist in financial transactions by the chapter as approved by the Executive Committee and Executive Treasurer. The Student Treasurer shall coordinate all student fundraising activity of the chapter, and shall be the primary liaison between the chapter and the Student Government Association on all financial matters.

 

Section 5.02    The officers shall appoint and serve on four standing committees as follows:

  1. An Executive Committee, which consists of the Executive and Student Officers of the chapter.  The Executive Committee shall conduct all official business with the United Chapters of Phi Beta Kappa, including reporting, correspondence, and financial duties as mandated by the United Chapters.  Duties regarding review and election of new members to the chapter, under the direction of the Membership Chair, shall be conducted by the Executive Committee. Student members of the Executive Committee shall be excused from proceedings involving discussion of student records, in order to adhere to educational privacy regulations. The Executive Committee may fill any vacancy that may occur in any office or committee of the chapter.
  2. An Encouragement of Scholarship Committee, which shall devise and, with the approval of the Executive Committee, carry out plans for the encouragement of scholarship.  This committee shall be chaired by the Encouragement of Scholarship Chair, and shall be open to all resident members of the chapter.
  3. An Awards Committee, which shall select recipients for awards and scholarships given by the chapter. This committee shall be chaired by the Awards Chair, and shall be open to all resident members of the chapter.
    1. The Marion Jewell Hay Award shall be given to an outstanding senior initiate or member of the chapter, as recommended by the Awards Committee and the student’s major department chair. The award shall be given at the Fall and Spring initiation events of the chapter.
    2. The Excellence in Teaching Award shall be given to a Florida State Faculty Member who has  demonstrated an exceptional commitment to sharing knowledge. The award will be given to at the Spring initiation ceremony.
    3. The chapter may, when funding is available and with approval of the Executive Committee, create other awards and scholarships that further the goals of the chapter.
  4. An Activities and Fundraising Committee, which shall, with the approval of the Executive Committee, organize and conduct the events of the chapter and, in conjunction with the Executive Committee, work to raise funds for the chapter through requests to the Florida State University Student Government Association and through other endeavors. This committee shall consist of at least three members, including the Student President and Student Treasurer of the chapter. Members in course of the chapter shall be encouraged to serve on this committee.

 

Section 5.03    The President may appoint an Auditing Committee consisting of the Treasurer, Secretary, Student Treasurer and Student Secretary of the chapter.  When appropriate, this committee shall review the accounts of the chapter and report the results to the membership in a timely manner.

 

Section 5.04    The retiring president shall appoint annually a Nominating Committee, consisting of at least three members, to nominate officers for the ensuing year.  This committee shall be appointed at least two months before the annual meeting, and shall present nominations to the resident members at least one week before the annual meeting.

 

Section 5.05    Other committees may be appointed as needed by vote of the Executive Committee to conduct chapter business beyond the scope of the standing committees.

 

Section 5.06    Requirements: All Student Officers of the Alpha of Florida Chapter shall be enrolled at least part time at the Florida State University and be members (as defined in Article III) in good standing with the chapter.  Undergraduate and graduate students may be considered for officer positions within the chapter.

 

Section 5.07    Eligibility: Only active members who meet the requirements of membership stated in Article III, Section 1 are eligible to hold offices.

 

Section 5.08    Selection: Student Officers shall be selected, with approval of the Executive Committee, from members in course of the chapter, initiated as undergraduates at the Florida State University or at another Phi Beta Kappa chapter, if they are currently enrolled as graduate students at Florida State. Invitations to apply for the student executive council shall be sent to all initiates who will not be graduating during the current academic year. Interested PBK student members shall apply to be considered for election to the student executive board in the spring semester of each year. Applicants shall submit a completed application listing their qualifications and the qualities that they believe would contribute to their success in a leadership position. Eligible Student Executive Officers shall be selected by the outgoing Student Officers of the chapter with approval by the Executive Officers of the chapter. In cases where outgoing Student Officers are unavailable or unable to select new Student Officers for the year, including the initial selection, they shall be selected by the Executive Officers of the chapter.  The selection of Student Officers shall take place no later than the end of the Spring Semester. If the number of applicants to the student executive board in any single year exceeds the number of available positions, additional positions can be created to allow all interested students to actively participate in the organization.

 

 

Section 5.09    Term: The length of office shall be no longer than one calendar year.  Newly elected officers shall take office at the end of the Spring semester, and their term shall end at the end of the following Spring semester.

 

Section 5.10    Removal: Any officer may be removed from office upon a three-fourths vote of the current membership of the chapter.  The officer shall be notified in writing of the possible termination or removal at least 72 hours prior to the vote and will be allowed to address the committee in order to relate to members any relevant defense prior to the voting for removal.

 

Section 5.11    Resignation: Student Officers no longer wishing to serve on the Board must submit their resignation to the Student President at least two (2) weeks in advance.  Prior to their final day, they  shall provide all documents relating to the organization and brief their replacements on current projects in their care.

 

Section 5.12    Filling Vacant Officer Positions: In the event an officer is removed or resigns, the selection process stated in Article V, section 8 will take place as soon as possible.  The newly elected officer’s term shall end at the designated termination date of his/her predecessor.

 

Article VI—Meetings

Section 6.01    At least four regular Executive Committee meetings shall be held each year:

  1. The first shall be the annual business meeting, which shall be held before the end of October.  At the annual meeting, the normal order of business shall be as follows:
    1. Call to order and acceptance of agenda
    2. Reading of the minutes of the preceding annual business meeting and of intervening business meetings  If the minutes of the preceding annual business meeting were distributed electronically, and all members present have read them, the minutes may be approved as distributed or as amended.
    3. Report of the Executive Committee
    4. Report of the Treasurer
    5. Reports of other committees
    6. Unfinished business
    7. Consideration of the communications from the United Chapters
    8. New business
    9. Election of officers
    10. Adjournment.
  2. A meeting will be held as soon as feasible in the fall semester for the election of new members.
  3. A meeting will be held on or near December 5th, in celebration of the anniversary of the founding of Phi Beta Kappa.  Members elected in the fall may be initiated at this meeting.
  4.  A meeting will be held as soon as feasible in the spring semester for the election of new members.
  5. The spring initiation ceremony may be followed by an additional meeting which may be open to the public.

 

Section 6.02    At least three regular General Body meetings shall be held each semester:

  1. The first meeting shall be preceded by a meeting of the Executive Committee to discuss topics to be covered in the first General Body Meeting.  The first meeting shall be dedicated  to chapter business, goals, and those items outlined by the Executive Committee.  The first meeting shall be held no later than the fourth week of classes in the Fall or Spring semester.
  2. The second meeting shall be held as a social of chapter members and current elected officers.
  3. The third meeting may be held after the semester initiation ceremony which may be open to the public.

 

Section 6.03    The Student President shall be in charge of calling General Body meetings, and the Student Secretary shall be responsible to notifying all members.  Members must be notified of meetings at least 48 hours in advance and shall be notified via e-mail, telephone, and/or any other acceptable medium.  The Student President shall preside over all General Body meetings and shall follow standard rules of parliamentary order in conducting organizational meetings.

Section 6.04    The exact dates of Executive Committee meetings shall be designated by the President, with approval by the Executive Committee.  The Secretary shall give at least seven days’ notice of all meetings to all members of the Executive Committee and faculty members.  All notices shall state the purpose of the meeting and the business to be transacted.

 

Section 6.05    The exact dates of the General Body meetings shall be designated by the Student President, with approval by the Executive Committee.  The Student Secretary shall give at least seven days’ notice of all meetings to all members of the General Body.  All notices shall state the purpose of the meeting and the business to be transacted.

Section 6.06    Special meetings may be called by the President or the Executive Committee, and shall be called upon written request by five resident members.  At a special meeting no business shall be transacted other than that stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 6.07    The presence of five resident members of the chapter shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Section 6.08    The business of the Chapter shall be conducted in accordance with standard rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

Article VII—Advisory Committee

Section 7.01    The Advisory Committee shall consist of those faculty members serving on the Executive Committee of the Chapter.  Selection of these faculty members shall follow those procedures outlined in Article V. The Advisory Committee is primarily responsible for inviting  new student members. Student Officers are not permitted involvement in the invitee selection process in order to ensure the privacy of potential invitees. The Advisor to the Alpha of Florida Phi Beta Kappa RSO is appointed from eligible faculty and staff by the Executive Committee President. The Advisor works with the Student Officers, engaging them in the work of the chapter. For example, Student Officers help contact new invitees to encourage their acceptance. They also help at initiations and lectures hosted by PBK. In addition, Student Officers consult with the Advisor as they carry out projects of their own, like the Excellence in Teaching Award ( the student-driven faculty recognition project), fun activities for the membership, and  the election of their successors, ensuring  a smooth transition to the next year.

 

 

Article VIII—Finances

Section 8.01    Membership dues shall be determined by the Executive committee as outlined in Article 4, Section 1.  No electee shall be initiated without collection of membership dues.  No university student may be denied membership due to inability to pay dues.  If a member is not able to pay dues, other arrangements will be made.

 

Section 8.02    It shall be the responsibility of all account signers to change contact information as well as assist in the update of new account signatures after each appointment with the organization’s financial institution.  In addition, the Treasurer will be responsible to pass along all information from the previous year’s budget and current budget.

 

Section 8.03    In the event that the student section of the chapter ceases to exist, any funds remaining in the organization’s account shall be remitted back to Alpha of Florida Chapter faculty section.

 

Article IX—Publications

Section 9.01    All advertisements of the organization must comply with the University Posting Policy (http://posting.fsu.edu).

 

Section 9.02    The Student Secretary and Student President must approve all publications, shirts, flyers, and any other informational or promotional material  prior to duplication and distribution.

 

Article X—Amendments

Section 9.01    Amendments to these bylaws not inconsistent with the constitution and other lawful regulations of the United Chapters may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the resident members present at any meeting, if:

  1. the motion was presented and tabled at the preceding regular or special meeting; or
  2. written notice of the proposed changes was sent to all resident members at least one month in advance of the meeting. Resident members may also submit votes for or against amending the bylaws electronically during this one month period, and those votes shall be counted in addition to the votes of the resident members present at a meeting deciding bylaws amendments.

Section 9.02    Any amendment so adopted must receive the approval of the United Chapters before being entered finally on the records of the chapter.

 

History of Constitution

Created: 20th Day of September, 2009

Modified: 31st Day of July, 2012, to reflect changes in required wording.

Modified: 8th day of August, 2012, for Grammar and Syntax.