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These documents were ratified by the members of MASA on Sunday, November
21, 1999 by a 16-1-1 vote.
The Constitution was unanimously approved by the Students' Association
Senate on Monday, January 17, 2000.
Document Quick Jump:
Constitution of the
MEN AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT
We, the students, faculty, and staff of the University of
Rochester, do hereby establish the Men Against Sexual Assault Organization
of the University of Rochester and enact this constitution for its government.
Any failure to follow this outline could result in the revocation of Student's
Association recognition of this group.
Article I. Purpose of the Organization
This Organization was formed to educate men about the facts and myths regarding
sexual assault. Our primary goals are to inform the public and prevent the
continuance of sexual crimes. We feel targeting a male-only audience allows
us to address some serious and controversial issues through hour-long presentations
and open discussions. Under specific circumstances, we also feel that mixed
gender groups allow us to open up lines of communication about some of these
important issues. By providing the population, particularly males, with the
necessary information, we feel we can reduce the occurrence of sexual assault.
In pursuit of these objectives, Men Against Sexual Assault will continue to
build a strong membership base and maintain a highly knowledgeable group of
educators in order to further our efforts throughout the University of Rochester
community.
Article II. Meetings
Section A. A meeting is valid if a quorum, plus one officer is present.
Section B. A quorum is defined as two-thirds of the active membership.
Article III. Membership and Voting
Section A. Membership
1. All students, faculty, and staff are eligible for membership.
2. Any person who shows interest in our mission as Men Against Sexual Assault
can be a member of our group. The member must show active participation and
cooperation within the group in order to maintain membership.
3. Having two consecutive unexcused absences from meetings will result in a
membership probation period. This probation can be lifted by being present
at the following two consecutive meetings.
Section B. Voting
1. Voting on any issue is valid only if the meeting is valid.
2. All members have one vote on a given issue and each vote is given equal
weight.
3. Members must be present in order to cast their vote. No advance ballots
or non-present votes will be honored.
4. Voting will be tallied by a simple hand vote with majority counting as a
win and an abstention counting as a non-positive vote.
Article IV. The Core and Qualifications
Section A. The Core is the executive council of MASA. The Core has the
responsibilities of coordinating all activities and of having the final decision
on all disputed matters.
Section B. The Core is comprised of the Project Leaders, all Educators,
and the Advisor.
1. Project Leaders: The official representatives of MASA, responsible
for calling meetings for the Core and standing committees as well as facilitating,
with the rest of the Organization, the activities and agenda of MASA.
2. Educators: These people will be doing the actual field work. Being an Educator
means knowing the program and the statistics very well, and being able to present
that information to the groups who have requested a program. There is periodic
training for Educators.
3. Advisor: A member of the University of Rochester professional faculty or
staff who shall oversee the proceedings of MASA and help regulate finances.
Section C. The makeup of the Core will not change, regardless of changes
in the standing committees.
Section D. Nominations and Elections
1. Members will nominate people for the Project Leader positions
and will take votes through ballots.
2. Elections shall take place between February 1st and March 1st.
3. The term of office will be one year.
Section E. Vacancies and Resignations
1. At an official meeting following a vacancy of office, the position
is to be filled in accordance with specifications listed in this constitution.
2. If a vote of no confidence on any member is to take place, it must be announced
at least one meeting prior to when the vote will take place. Any member of
the group can call for a vote of no confidence.
3. A vote of no confidence is shall be defined as a two-thirds affirmative
vote, with an abstention counting as a non-positive vote.
4. An office is declared vacant by a vote of no confidence.
Article V. Finance
Section A. Students’ Association members shall receive priority
at S.A. funded events conducted by this group.
Section B. The Organization will actively seek funding from the S.A.
Appropriations Committee, outside sponsors, the Office for Residential Life,
and other administrative offices, and will accept funding from the S.A.
Article VI. Amendments
Section A. Adoption and ratification of amendments to this constitution
shall follow the same procedure as adoption of the entire constitution.
Article VII. Adoption of the Constitution
Section A. Two-thirds of active membership must approve the constitution.
Section B. This constitution will be ratified upon approval of the Senate
and the signature of the Speaker.
Section C. This constitution should not conflict with the Students’ Association
constitution or by-laws.
Article VIII. By-laws
Section A. Adoption of by-laws shall occur via the procedure listed
in the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.
Section B. A majority of active membership must approve a by-law.
Section C. By-laws should not conflict with this constitution or the
Students’ Association constitution or by-laws.
Article IX. Hazing Policy
The harassment of one individual by another individual or group (sometimes
called hazing) is not permitted by Men Against Sexual Assault. Behavior prohibited
under this rule includes actions threatening substantial risk of physical or
mental injury; actions exposing the individual to distressing, repulsive, or
alarming situations or sensations; forced consumption of alcohol or drugs;
and actions in the form of social pressure that might cause harm to an individual.
Any member found engaging in any of these activities, or any other activities
that constitute hazing, shall immediately and permanently be stripped of his/her
membership. Furthermore, the mission of MASA is deeply rooted in the promotion
of responsible behavior among members of the community. It is inconsistent
with our shared values and principles that any member should be involved in
any form of harassment or coercion. We believe that acquaintance sexual assault
is the outgrowth of irresponsible behavior, undue social pressure and a lack
of respect for self and for members of the community. We are strongly committed
to the eradication of these dangerous behaviors and attitudes.
Article X. Discrimination Policy
The University of Rochester Men Against Sexual Assault does not discriminate
against any individual or group of individuals based on race, color, sex, sexual
orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, handicap, or religious background.
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By-laws of the Men Against Sexual Assault
Article I. Standing Committees
Section A. Men Against Sexual Assault shall have standing committees
to carry out its function and purpose.
Section B. The standing committees of MASA shall be composed of but
not limited to the following:
Campus Liaisons
Publicity Group
Research Team
1. Campus Liaisons: As the title says, members of this group are
the liaisons to campus leaders, officials, educators, and students. They are
responsible for keeping in contact with student government members, sexual
assault policy members, various administrators, and, most importantly, with
the student body. This entails both scheduling programs and following up with
more information when necessary.
2. Publicity Group: The key to being discovered is advertising. Members of
this group will be responsible for designing and hanging flyers for various
events or just for the web site. This also includes helping to design and publish
the brochure and to gather more materials for the presentations when needed.
3. Research Team: Working with the Educators, the members of the Research Team
are responsible for finding the most up to date statistics, facts, and figures
available. It is also the job of the members of this group to identify and
secure current media resources, or additional audio and/or video supplements.
Section C. Membership of these standing committees will be decided by
the wishes of the general membership.
Article II. Definitions
Section A. As defined in Article I of the Constitution of the Men Against
Sexual Assault, "specific circumstances" shall stand to reference
the Yellowjacket Day program and the RA Training Programs.
Section B. Other co-ed presentation requests will be evaluated and honored
if determined by a majority of the active membership to be in the best interest
of the Organization.
Article III. Training
Section A. Training of the Educators shall be done at times when it
is deemed necessary. The Advisor will choose two highly trained active members
of MASA to conduct the training.
Page Last Modified: Wednesday, August 20, 2008
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