PREAMBLE
     We, the students of Boston University College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), in order to further, preserve and protect our interests, rights and ideals and to foster cooperation among students, faculty, administration, and alumni do establish this constitution.
 
ARTICLE I- COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Section A: Name
     This organization shall hereby be called the Boston University CAS Forum.
Section B: Purpose
1. The CAS Forum is instituted by the students of CAS to serve as their representative, empowered to in such a manner as to best serve their interest. The students of CAS shall be the final arbiters of their interests.
2. The CAS Forum shall be the sole agency for distributing that part of CAS students’ activity fees which has been set aside by Boston University for college student governments.
Section C: Powers
1. The CAS Forum is empowered to:
     a. Allocate CAS student funds.
     b. Establish programs beneficial to the students of CAS.
     c. Conduct investigations into matters of concern to the students of CAS.
     d. Call for and administer CAS student referenda.
     e. Appoint and create committees within the Forum. 
     f. Nominate all undergraduate members to committees of the college.
2. The CAS Forum shall establish any and all rules pertaining to Forum affairs in a manner consistent with the Constitution.
     a. The CAS Forum shall be the sole interpreters of this constitution.
     1) If at any time the CAS Forum cannot decide by a majority vote of the voting members as defined by Article I, Section J, of the constitutionality of an issue, a committee shall be formed consisting of the President and two other members appointed by the President, and confirmed by a majority voted, who will act as the CAS Forum Tribunal and rule on this issue.
     2) A decision of the CAS Forum Tribunal is final.
Section D: Role of the Administration
     A representative of the Administration of Boston University College of Arts and Sciences or a member of the Faculty of CAS shall serve as an advisor to the CAS Forum.
     1. The Assistant Dean for students on of CAS shall be the official designated by the Administration of Boston University to review allocations of students’ funds by the CAS Forum.  The Dean may veto an allocation for violations of federal, state, and local law only.
     2. If any allocation is to be vetoed, the Assistant Dean of CAS shall inform the Executive Board of the CAS Forum of the reasons for the intended veto before it is executed.  The Assistant Dean for Students shall meet and review with the Executive Board before rendering a final decision.
     3. The decision of the Assistant Dean shall be forwarded in writing to the Executive Board, informing them of the reasons for the decision and citing appropriate Federal, State, or Local laws if applicable.
     4. The CAS Forum has the right to appeal any decision of the Associate Dean for students to the Dean of CAS.
Section E: Rules of Order
     CAS Forum meetings shall be conducted in a manner adapted from Robert’s Rules of Order.  The manner of which is to be prescribed by the CAS Forum Executive Board.
Section F: Composition
     1. The CAS Forum shall consist of three divisions.
     a. The Executive Board (E-Board).
     b. CAS Forum Class Officers
     c. CAS Forum Body of Delegates.
     2. All members shall be registered CAS students.
     3. Voting members of the Forum shall include each E-Board member, excluding the President, and the President of each class in good standing.
     4. The quorum needed to conduct business shall be a majority of existing members.
Section G: Responsibilities and Duties of Forum Members
     1. A CAS Forum member shall attend no less than three-fourths of the meetings of the CAS Forum held per semester.
     2. A CAS Forum member shall attend no less than three-fourths of the meetings of any committee of which he/she is a member.
     3. All members must serve on at least one committee of the CAS Forum.
     4. A member may appoint a proxy to attend meetings in his/her place, but the member shall have a half absence charged to his/her record.
     5. An absences may be deemed excused at the discretion of the CAS Forum Executive Vice-President.
Section H: Elections
     1. Elections shall be held in a manner dictated by the Student Union Elections Commission (SUEC) by the third week of April for all Executive Board Officers. The Executive Board of the previous Forum shall retain control of funds until the date set by Boston University for the transfer of authority to the newly elected Forum.
     2. All positions vacated after the elections may be filled in a manner decided by the CAS Forum Executive Board.
Section I: Voting
     1. General Forum Vote
          In the case of a vote on a general group allocation, or any other vote specified by this constitution of the Executive Board to be a General Forum Vote, each class government and each member of the Executive Board will have one vote. A majority vote by existing voting members will be the quorum needed to pass the motion in question, allowing that the President shall not vote except in the case of a tie.
     2. Executive Board Vote
         In the case of an Executive Board Vote, each member of the Executive Board shall hold one vote. A majority vote is the quorum needed to pass the motion in question. Executive Board votes include any decision affecting those powers or responsibilities of the Executive Board, specified in Article III.
      3. Confirmation Vote
      In order to confirm any nominations by the Executive President, every elected, non-Executive Board member of the CAS Forum shall vote to confirm or reject the President’s nominee.  In the case of a tie, the Executive President shall cast the tie-breaking vote.
ARTICLE II- THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section A- Power
     The executive power of the Forum shall be vested in the Executive Board.
Section B- Responsibilities
     1. The Executive Board is empowered to:
     a. Implement the decisions and acts of the CAS Forum.
     b. Represent the Forum to the administration.
     c. Oversee and assist the Class Officers and the Body of Delegates.
     d. Act in place of the Forum at times when the Forum cannot meet and establish a quorum.
     e. The budget of the Executive Board will be allocated according to Article VII, Section A.
     f. When the CAS Forum cannot meet and establish a quorum and an emergency allocation is needed, the Executive Board, by majority approval, may allocate up to five hundred dollars to said program. The Executive Board should act in the best interest of CAS Forum.  In the event that there is a no confidence vote, the money should be rescinded, if still possible. After two no confidence votes, the Executive Board shall lose this privilege.
     2. The Executive Board officers shall include a President, an Executive Vice-President, a Vice-President of Student Affairs, a Vice-President of Financial Affairs, and a Vice-President of Internal Affairs.
     3. All decisions and acts of the Executive Board may be changed and /or overruled by a majority vote of the Forum or the CAS students in a referendum.
Section C- Vacancy of Seats
     1. If the office of the President is vacated, the Vice-President shall become President unless two-thirds of the current voting members of the Forum disapprove.
     2. If a vacancy exists in the Executive Board, the officer in direct line of succession will assume the office unless two-thirds of the voting members of the Forum disapprove or if said officer declines the position.  The direct line of succession is Executive Vice-President, Vice-President of Financial Affairs, Vice-President of Student Affairs, and Vice-President of Internal Affairs.
     3. If the said officer declines the vacated position, a general election within the Forum by secret ballot will be held to elect the new officer.  Any Forum member is eligible to run for the vacancy.  An election must be held within two weeks of the said vacancy.  The election will be decided by a majority vote.

ARTICLE III- RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICE
Section A- President
1. The President shall be the presiding officer of the Forum and Executive Board.
2. The President shall be empowered to:
            a. Call meetings of the Forum and Executive Board.
            b. Recognize chairpersons and members of committees.
            c. Suspend chairpersons of committees until the next Forum meeting.
            d. Decide upon the agenda of the Forum and Executive Board meetings with the Vice President of Internal Affairs.
            e. Periodically meet with the advisor.
f. Nominate the Ambassador to the Student Union (Article V, Section A) who shall serve ad interim until the first official meeting of the CAS Forum, where he or she shall stand before the Forum for confirmation as describe in Article III, Section II, 2.
i. In the case that the Forum rejects the President rejects the President’s nominee, the Executive Vice-President shall temporarily serve as Ambassador while the President seeks a new nominee, who shall stand before the Forum for confirmation the first meeting following his or her nomination
      3. The President shall not vote, except in the case of a tie during a Forum vote. The President may vote in the Executive Board decisions.
     4. The President shall also serve as a member of the Student Union Council of Presidents.
     5. The President holds the sole power to veto any decision of the standing committees or class governments within the limits of this Constitution.
Section B- Executive Vice-President
     1. In the case of absence of the President, the Executive Vice-President shall assume the responsibilities of the Presidency.
     2. The Executive Vice-President shall assume the role of chairperson at every general Forum meeting.
     3. Shall act as the office manager in the CAS Forum.
     4.  Serve as a liaison between the CAS Forum and the Student Activities Office.
     5.  Serve as a liaison between the CAS Forum and the Office of Programs.
     6.  Coordinate programs with both members of CAS Forum and student organizations.
     7.  Coordinate all Forum and Executive Board publicity.
     8.  Assist class governments with their own class-oriented programs.

1.       9. Should the Forum reject the President’s nominee for Ambassador to the Student Union, the Executive Vice-President shall temporarily fulfill the responsibilities of the Ambassador until the Forum confirms another of President’s nominees.

Section C- Vice-President of Financial Affairs
     1. Care for the accounting and disbursement of all Forum funds.
     2. Present regular reports concerning the state of the budget at every general Forum meeting.
     3. Keep and maintain a working budget in hard copy in the Forum office.
     4. Report to the CAS Forum advisor about the state of the Forum budget on a monthly basis.
     5. Have the duty of completing and caring for all responsibilities associated with the Student Activities Office.
Section D- Vice-President of Student Affairs
     1. Serve as a liaison between the administration and students on general CAS concerns.
     2. Serve as a liaison between faculty and students on academic and general CAS concerns.
     3. Serve as a liaison between the CAS Forum and student organizations.
     4. Responsible to call a CAS Town Hall meeting when necessary.
    
Section E- Vice-President of Internal Affairs
     1. To coordinate all Forum and Executive Board correspondence and publications.
     2. To notify all Forum members of impending meetings.
     3. To take attendance at all Forum and Executive Board meetings.
     4. To confer and decide, with the President, upon the content of the weekly agendas for Forum and Executive Board meetings.
     5. To record and disseminate the minutes of all Forum and Executive Board meetings in a timely fashion to the members of CAS Forum and to the CAS Forum advisor.
     6. To regularly update and monitor the CAS Forum website.

ARTICLE IV- CLASS GOVERNMENTS
Section A- Purpose
     Each class government shall assist the Executive Board to plan and coordinate activities for the students of the College of Arts and Sciences and their respective classes. At least one yearly event must be planned for each class.
Section B- Composition
     1. The Senior, Junior, Sophomore, and Freshmen classes shall each have their own governments which will be independent of the Executive Board.
     2. Each class government shall consist of four officers: a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and Treasurer,, all of whom shall attend all CAS Forum general meetings and class meetings.
Section C- Responsibility of Class Officers
         1. Class President shall:
     a. Preside at all class meetings.
         c. Decide upon agenda for each class meeting.
     2. Class Vice-President shall:
     a. Fill all responsibilities of the Class President in his/her absence.
         d. In the absence of a representative, the Vice-President shall assume the additional duties of the position.
     3. Class Treasurer shall:
     a. Care for the accounting of all class funds.
     b. Work with and report to the CAS Forum Vice-President of Financial Affairs.
    
     4. Class Secretary shall:
     a. Document all class proceedings.
     b. Give report of class meetings at CAS Forum general meetings.
     c. Notify all class government members of impending meetings.
        

ARTICLE V- REPRESENTATIVES
 
Section A- Ambassador to the Student Union

1. Responsiblities
1. Serve as the CAS Forum’s representative to the Student Union.
2. Fulfill all Student Union responsibilities
3. Inform the CAS Forum of all Student Union Proceedings
4. Keep and Submit minutes of the Student Union proceedings to the General Assembly.
2. Section B- Definition of a Forum Representative

     A CAS Forum representative is any Forum member who is given authority by the Executive Board to act as a delegate from the group for a specified meeting, event, or ay other way.  This delegate will act on behalf of the Forum for the duration of said event, or until the Forum as a whole can attend the event.
Section C- Responsibilities of CAS Forum Representatives
     1. Attend all specified events or meetings for the Forum.
     2. Report to the CAS Forum at the next general meeting.
     3. Serve as a liaison between the students, the faculty, and the administration for the specified amount of time.
     4. Make note of all possible decisions, which need to be made and wait for the next general Forum meeting to present those decisions. 
 
ARTICLE VI- STUDENTS
Section A- Freedom of Inquiry and Expression

     Boston University recognizes the right of its students to the freedoms of expression and speech and shall not impede on these rights.
Section B- Discrimination
     CAS Forum shall not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, culture, or background
Section C - Freedom and Protest
     The right of peaceful protest within Boston University shall be preserved.
Section D- Right to Petition Boston University
     Boston University recognizes and respects the right of a student or student group to initiate petitions for the consideration and action of student organizations faculty bodies, or administrative officers.
Section E- Right to Petition the CAS Forum
     1. The students of CAS have the right to petition the CAS Forum.
     2. Any written petition, signed by a full-time student in CAS, shall be considered in the same manner as would a motion made by a member of the CAS Forum.
     3. The petitioner has the right to participate in any debate regarding the position.
Section F- Referenda
     1. The students of CAS may, by a petition signed by no less than 3% of the students of CAS, demand a referendum on an issue.
     2. The Executive Board shall administer the referendum.
     3. A two-third majority of voting CAS students in an assembled Town Hall meeting is required for passage of a referendum. The Town Hall meeting shall be conducted under the procedures set forth in the Robert’s Rules of Order.
     4. A CAS Forum Town Hall meeting must be called by the Executive Board’s Vice-President of Student Affairs within one week from the formal submission of a demand for a referendum but may be called at other times.
     5. The results of the referendum shall be binding and shall overrule any decision of the CAS Forum.
Section G - Exercise of Rights of Citizenship
     1. Students of the College of Arts and Sciences shall enjoy the same freedoms enjoyed by citizens of the United States including but not limited to: speech, peaceful assembly, right to petition, and due process.
     2. Faculty members and the administrative officers of Boston University shall ensure that the institutional powers of Boston University are not employed to inhibit the exercise of rights of citizenship both on and off campus or any right in this constitution.

ARTICLE VII- FINANCES
The CAS Forum budget will be allocated as follows:
(Note: All percentages are of the CAS Forum total budget)
Section A- General Assembly Budget
     A. Class Accounts- 15%
     Class governments will be given 15% at the start of each year, which will be split up by class.
          1. The Senior class will receive 5%.
          2. The Junior class will receive 4%.
          3. The Sophomore class will receive 3%.
          4. The Freshman class will receive 3%.
Section B. Permanent Contribution- 10%
     Each year, the CAS Forum will attempt to create a contribution which will enhance the Boston University environment or community.  This contribution needs not to be a yearly endeavor, but it meant to give service or increase spirit on campus.
     For this one program, 10% of the CAS Forum budget will be allocated yearly.
Section C. Dean’s Hosts- 12%
     Each year, the CAS Dean’s Hosts will be allocated 12% of the CAS Forum budget.  This money will be used for the yearly budget of the Dean’s Hosts and must be used by the Dean’s Hosts accordingly.  This account will be given full autonomy.  However, as with the class governments, if the CAS Dean’s Hosts are found to misuse the funds, any subsequent requests for funding will be dismissed, by the authority of the Executive Board.
Section D. Academic- 10%
     Each year, 10% of the CAS Forum budget will be allocated to academic programs.  These will include such programs as speakers, forums on university issues, documentaries, and such.  This amount is not to include programs external to the CAS Forum, as these would fall under Article VII, Section B.
Section E. Executive Board- 33%
     The remaining 33% of the CAS Forum budget will be allocated to the Executive Board, to be used for the rest of the CAS Forum’s programs and activities.  This 33%  will be divided into five basic parts, on an ‘as-needed’ basis by the Executive Board:
     1. Programming
     The majority of the Executive Board’s funds will be used to support or create events directly under the CAS Forum.  Events which the Executive Board creates will be voted on by the Executive Board and will require a majority vote from the 7 standing Executive Board members to pass.
     In addition to solely Executive Board events, the class governments can approach the Executive Board for additional funds.  These issues will be voted on by the entire CAS Forum, as specified in Article I, Section J.
     2. Promotion
     Under the Executive Board there will be appointed a Public Relations Committee.  It will be the responsibility of this committee to promote all CAS Forum events, monitor  how money is allocated for promotions by separate classes, and to help organize and support promotions for all student groups working with or through CAS Forum on external events.
     3. One-Time Costs
     The Executive Board will allocate no more than 2%  per year on CAS Forum one-time improvements.  This includes such additions as a computer, furniture, fax machine, or any unforeseen costs which will make the office more efficient.  However, this amount may be increased under the provision that the Dean approves the transaction, or the one-time costs fund has not been allocated in previous years.
     d. Office Management
     The Executive Vice-President, who is responsible for keeping the office in running condition, can allocate money for office supplies or other practical needs in the CAS Forum office.  Expenses will be controlled by the Vice-President, but overseen by the Executive Board on a semesterly basis.  
Section B- Student Group Allocations- 20%
   Of the total funds allocated to the CAS Forum each year, 20% will be directed towards Student Groups in the College of Arts and Sciences.  These funds will be split into two main parts:
     1. Promotions
     Of the 20% directed towards student groups, 10% will be allocated to promotions.  Overseen by the Public Relations Committee chairman, these funds will be used to pay for publicity associated with student group events outside of the CAS Forum. (This will include such things as Free Press advertisements, flyers, posters, GSU boards, etc.)
     2. Event Fund
     The other 90% of funds allocated for student group events will be used directly to sponsor events, expenses, or programs needed by student groups throughout the year.  To qualify for these funds, every student group requesting an allocation must:
     a. Fill out two copies of the CAS Forum Funding Application, which can be picked up in the CAS Forum Office, CAS 319.  One copy is for the CAS Forum’s records and one is for the CAS Forum Vice-President of Financial Affairs to keep track of the year’s events.  Applications will be reviewed at the next general meeting of the CAS Forum.  Emergency allocations are possible, but an application must still be filled out.  Student groups will not receive funds without a complete form. 
     b. Be listed on the Student Activities Office database and present their proposal for allocation at either an Executive Board meeting or a CAS Forum general meeting.
     3. The CAS Forum tries to make the allocation process as simple and flexible as possible, but will reserve the right to turn down groups on the bases of disorganization, need, and availability of funds.  See the Funding Application for more information .
 
ARTICLE VIII- COMMITTEES
Section A- Membership
    1. The CAS Forum shall select all chairpersons to committees of the Forum, subject to the provisions of Articles III Section A, Part 2b, and 2c.
     2. The CAS Forum shall select all members to its committees and shall be the sole judge of the membership of its committees.
     3. Membership on CAS Forum committees is limited to CAS students.
Section B- Standing Committees
    1.Student Affairs Committee
     a. Shall investigate academic and general concerns of the CAS student body.
     b. Is responsible for coordinating CAS Forum Town Hall meetings.
     c. Will administer all referenda.
2. Programming Committee
     a. Shall plan and execute programs with the CAS Forum in correlation with the Student Activities Office.
     b. Work closely with the class governments to implement their programs.

3. Constitution Committee
            a. Shall be assembled by the Executive Board, consisting of one member of the Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior Class, and chaired by a member of the Executive Board.
            b. Shall be responsible for preparing all amendments of the CAS Forum Constitution and presenting them to the Rules Committee in a timely manner, so as to facilitate the Amendment process.

4. Rules Committee

1. All proposed Forum rules and constitutional amendments shall be reviewed by this committee.
2. This Committee shall consist of one member of each class, and shall be chaired by a member of the Executive Board.
3. After review, the committee shall recommend whether or not to adopt the new rules or amendment, and provide its rationale should it reject a proposition.

5.  Election Committee
     1. Shall administer all elections of Class Officers.  Candidates must declare their intent by the third week of September, since the campaigning will be held the fourth week of September and the elections will be held the first week of October.
     2. Shall develop and submit to the Forum rules for the administration of elections.
     3. No member of the Election Committee may be a candidate, campaign associate, or in any way partial in an election which it administers.
Section C-Ad Hoc Committees

1.             1. The Executive Board is empowered to create any committee that it deems necessary.  The committee shall be dissolved at the end of the Forum term, or when its obligations have been fulfilled.

ARTICLE IX- DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
Section A- Removal for Excessive Absences
     1. The voting privileges of an individual will be lost if he/she has missed more than one meeting per month.
     2. The Forum may, by a majority vote, remove a member who does not meet the requirements of Article I, Section G.
     3. When a motion for removal occurs, the voting powers and the chair responsibilities of the member so named shall be suspended until such time as the Forum decides on the member’s status.
     4. The member so named may select a representative to act in his/her behalf.
     5. The member so named shall be notified of the motion for the removal and may participate in the debate on his/her status or have his/her representative participate in the debate.
     6. Debate and voting on the status of a member shall occur at the Forum meeting following the one at which the motion for removal occurred.
Section B- Censure
     1. A motion calling for the censure of a Forum member must be passed by a majority vote of the Forum.
     2. The member so named may select a representative to act in his/her behalf.
     3. The member so named or his/her representative shall have the right to participate in the debate.
     4. The vote for censure shall not affect a member’s overall status, voting powers, or privileges but the member may not vote on the matter of censure.
Section C- Removal for Neglecting Duties of Misusing Funds
     1. Call for Removal
     a. A majority of the entire CAS Forum may call for a hearing to determine whether a Forum member should be removed from office.
     b. The CAS Forum must explicitly list all charges against a member in its call for removal.
     c. When a motion for removal occurs, the voting powers and chair responsibilities of the member so named shall be suspended until the motion is defeated.
     d. The Executive Board shall inform the Advisor of the CAS Forum of the call for removal to advise him/her of all the charges against the member.
     2. The ground for removal shall be:
     a. Failure to carry out one’s duties, exclusive of Article I, Section G.
     b. Misuse of Forum funds.
     3. Representation
     a. The CAS Forum member in question may appoint a person or persons to act in his/her behalf before the CAS Forum.
     4. The removal hearing for the member in question will consist of the whole CAS Forum.
     5. Removal Hearing Procedures
     a. The Executive Board President shall notify in writing at least one week in advance the member in question of the time and place of the removal hearing and furnish all charges and witnesses brought against her/him by the CAS Forum.
     b. In the case that the Executive Board President is cited for removal, the Executive Vice-President should assume all presidential duties during the duration of the hearing. 
     c. The CAS Forum Advisor shall preside at the hearing, but may not vote.
     d. The removal hearing shall be conducted in accordance with due process.

ARTICLE X- AMENDMENTS
Section A
     1. All proposed amendments shall be discussed one Forum meeting after completion of review by the Rules Committee.
     2. Voting on the amendment shall take place at the first Forum meeting after the report of the Rules Committee to the Forum.
     3. A two-thirds vote of the Forum is required for passage, providing a quorum is present.
Section B
     The proposed amendment may be passed by a two-thirds majority of the CAS Forum in a vote, in addition to which the CAS Forum’s Advisor must be consulted for discussion and approval.

 

 

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