Lamar University

Constitution
Of the
Society of Hispanic Professionals Engineers
Amended September 2015
ARTICLE I
Name

The official name of this organization shall be Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Lamar University. Neither
the student organization nor its representatives may suggest that either is acting with authority or as an agent of Lamar
University.

ARTICLE II
Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be to promote service at Lamar University community at large, to provide for
professional development of our membership, and to offer a social outlet to all those interested in STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math).

ARTICLE III
Membership

Section 1. All Lamar University students, who are officially registered, faculty and staff who are interested in the
STEM are eligible for membership into the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at Lamar University.

Section 2. In order to be regarded as a regular member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at Lamar
University with voting privileges, a student must participate in at least two of the organization's sponsored functions
per semester, maintain a 75% attendance record, and maintain good academic and judicial standing with Lamar
University.

ARTICLE IV
Officers

Section 1. The officers of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at Lamar University shall consist of
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, SGA Representative, Community Service Chairperson and what are
stated in the bylaws.

Section 2. The officers of the organization shall be elected by the membership of the group by simple majority vote
at the end of the Spring Semester specified in the bylaws.

Section 3. The duties of the President shall include, but not be limited to:
A. Represent the organization in its dealings with the University and community at large.
B. Preside over the meetings of the organization and function as the Parliamentarian at
all official meetings.
C. Appoint chairpersons to special committees as the need arises to complete the work of
the organization and to call special meetings as necessary as provided in the bylaws.
D. To perform any additional duties as prescribed for the President in the bylaws.

Section 4. The duties of the Vice President shall include, but not be limited to:

A. To perform the duties of the President in his/her absence.

B. In the event of the inability of the President to fulfill the duties of his/her office
for whatever reason, the Vice-President shall assume the office of the President
temporarily until a new president can be elected as prescribed in the bylaws.
C. Coordinate the functioning of any standing or special committees for the organization
as prescribed in the bylaws.
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D. Assist the President where necessary in representing the organization to the University
and community at large.
E. Perform any additional duties prescribed for the Vice President in the bylaws.
Section 5. The duties of the Secretary shall include, but not be limited to:

A. Keep an accurate attendance record of all of the organization’s meetings and report to the
President any members who have failed to maintain a good attendance record.
B. Keep accurate minutes of all regular and special meetings of the organization which will
be presented at each subsequent meeting.
C. Handle all of the correspondence done by the organization and to coordinate any publicity
done by the organization.
D. Perform other duties as prescribed for the Secretary in the bylaws.

Section 6. The duties of the Treasurer shall include, but not be limited to:

A. Maintain an accurate accounting of all financial transactions of the organization.

B. Present a financial report at all organization meetings of the financial transactions to date
and report the current balance.
C. Handle all responsibilities related to maintaining the organization’s Student Club Account in
the Office of Student Organization Services.
D. Coordinate all fund-raising activities for the organization.
E. Perform other duties as prescribed for the Treasurer in the bylaws.

Section 7. The duties of the SGA Representative shall include, but not be limited to:

A. Adhere to all of the requirements prescribed by SGA to maintain the status of a representative.
B. Represent the organization at all SGA meetings by providing information about organization
activities and voting by proxy on behalf of the organization at SGA meetings.
C. Present a report at every organization meeting about SGA activities and indicating what issues
the organization will need to vote on for the following SGA meeting.
D. Perform other duties as assigned by the President of the organization or as prescribed for the
SGA Representative in the bylaws.

Section 8. The duties of the Community Service Chairperson shall include, but not be limited to:

A. Preside over the Community Service Committee of the organization.

B. Coordinate all the Community Service projects on behalf of the organization.
C. Present a report regarding current Community Service projects at all organization meetings.
D. Coordinate and report all projects with the Office of Student Organization Services and handle
any additional reporting responsibilities.
E. Perform any other duties as assigned by the President of the organization or prescribed by
for the Community Service Chairperson in the bylaws.

ARTICLE V
Requirements for Officers

The officers of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at Lamar University to be eligible to be elected to the
office and to hold the office shall fulfill the requirements of the policy on eligibility for extracurricular activities at
Lamar University/LIT.

ARTICLE VI
Meetings

Section 1. Regular meetings of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at Lamar University shall be held once
a month during the regular academic year. Specific meeting times and places should be listed in the bylaws.

Section 2. Special meetings may be called by the president or advisor within 48 hour’s notice to all members of the
organization.
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ARTICLE VII
Finances

Section 1. All money received from Lamar University, will be deposited in the Student Club Bank Account in the
Cashier’s Office located in the Wimberly Building.

Section 2. All money that was not received from Lamar University, will be deposited in the bank account stated in
the bylaws.

Section 3. Disbursements of the money that is in the Student Club Bank Account will be made by requisition in the
Office of Student Organization Services in Room 212, SSC.

Section 4. The disbursement of the money that is not in the Student Bank Account will be made by requisition and
approval of the President and Treasurer.

ARTICLE VIII
Bylaws

Section 1. The bylaws of the organization shall be used to provide more specific information that expands on the
information already provided for in the constitution. These bylaws may not rescind, negate, or conflict with any part
of the Constitution, or any policy set by the Texas State University Systems or local, state and national governments.

Section 2. The bylaws will be set forth by 2/3 majority vote of the voting membership of the organization. Any
subsequent changes to the bylaws will be set forth by proposal from the floor during any regular or special meeting
and requires 2/3 majority vote of the voting membership of the organization. The signature of the President and
Advisor(s) of the organization will officially ratify the bylaws. The new set of bylaws will replace the previously
ratified set and will be enforced from that date forward.

Section 3. The meeting times and places will vary.

ARTICLE IX
Amendments

This constitution may be amended or revised at any time by a 2/3 majority vote of the voting membership and upon
approval of the University through the Office of Student Organization Services. At that point, all previous
constitutions would be substituted with the newly enacted constitution.

Tiffany Fierro September 8, 2015

Name of President Date

Dr. Alberto Marquez September 8, 2015

Name of Advisor Date