Sample Constitution

Article I.          Name of Organization
The name should reflect the nature of the organization. Make sure to include any acronyms that may be used to refer to the group on and off campus.
Article II.         Mission
Article III.        Purpose
Section 1        This section states the purpose, aims and functions of the organization. It also includes the standard statement below:
“The Student Organization will not tolerate any activities that cause mental or physical stress to its members, the student body or any PMU constituents. It will not use any technique to hinder or destroy individual’s critical thinking capabilities.”
Section 2    This section states that the organization commits to abide by all policies and procedures established by the University:
“The organization shall adhere to all policies and regulations of PMU.”
“The Organization fund raising activities shall be carried out in accordance with the rules and policies of the Division of Student Affairs.”
Article IV.       Membership and Dues
Section 1        This section states the membership criteria, the requirements and size limitations of the membership.

• The active (voting) members, officers, and recognized representatives of the organizations must be students who are enrolled at Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University. 
• Students who are on academic probation or disciplinary probation may not serve as active members of any student organization at PMU.
• The number of student members shall always exceed the number of non-student members at meetings and programs do not open to the general public unless with prior approval from the Dean of Students.

Section 2        This section determines the existence of dues, if any.
Section 3        This section states that the organization does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, and physical or mental disability:
“The Organization shall not deny membership on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, identity or disability.”
Section 4        This section describes the rights of the members.
Section 5        This section describes the duties and responsibilities of the members.
Section 6        This section describes the member’s resignation and expulsion procedures.
Section 7        This section clarifies that members take full responsibility of their membership and participation in activities and events:
“The release of indemnity statement
All and every member of the student organization hereby discharges PMU, its employees and representatives from all claims, demands, costs, in respect to any damage to persons or property connected to their participation in the events organized or conducted by the Club/Society and sponsored by PMU, whether at its facilities or not.”
All and every member of the student organization also agrees to hold harmless the student organization (club or society) and PMU, its employees and representatives, from all claims connected with their participation in the activities of the student organization.”
Article V.        Officers
Section 1        This section describes the officers’ positions (not names of individuals) and the duration of their terms. Mandatory officers’ posts are: the President, the Vice-President and the Treasurer.
Section 2        This section describes the duties of each officer.
Section 3        This section describes the resignation or impeachment procedures.
Article VI.       Function and Operation
Section 1        This section states how officers are elected and if nominations shall be held. It also includes criteria of nominations (i.e. GPA requirement) and determines the members eligible to make nominations.
Section 2        This section determines candidates’ nominations process (secret ballot, nominations committee).
Section 3       This section illustrates the voting process (i.e. ballot, vote, show of hands). Also, determine what constitutes a majority vote.
Section 4        This section specifies when elections are held.
Section 5        This section determines the impeachment process of officers.
Article VII.      Advisor
Section 1          This section states the role of the advisor.
Article VIII.     Finances
Section 1        This section states the organization’s plans to finance its activities.
“The Organization fund raising activities shall be carried out in accordance with the rules and policies of the Division of Student Affairs.”
Section 2        This section describes the financial commitment of the organization
“At the end of each spring semester, the organization shall provide the Campus Life Department with a financial statement. This shall include monies received and paid.
The University reserves the right to audit business and financial records of campus organizations”.
Article IX.        Meetings
Section 1        This section states the provisions for setting up a regular meeting time, as well as any provisions to be made for calling for special meetings.
Article X.         Quorum
Section 1        This section states the rules pertaining to the number of members, or the percentage of membership, required to be present at a meeting to transact business.

• In order to conduct the business of the organization a quorum of more than 50% of the active student membership should be present at the meeting.

Article XI.        Committees
Section 1        This section lists committees within the student organization: standing and Ad-hoc committees
Section 2        This section states the purpose and structure of each committee
Article XII.       Amendments
Section 1        Amending the constitution may destabilize the student organization; therefore it should be subject to strict conditions and final approval by the Department of Campus Life. Any major amendments that may affect the mission or main purpose of the organization may be submitted for review by the Student Affairs Committee.
“Any amendments to this constitution shall be submitted to the PMU Campus Life Department for final approval.”
This section states the process to propose & submit amendments and the voting process to adopt them.