Constitution

Article 1 - Name

The name of this organization shall be: "TEXAS A&M HONG KONG STUDENTS ASSOCIATION." Here after referred to as the HKSA or the association.

Article 2 - Objective

As a member of the International Student Association (ISA), the purpose of the association is to help new students from Hong Kong to adapt to the environment of the Texas A&M University and to promote cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and international students. Moreover, HKSA is to develop and promote the general welfare and the intellectual, physical and social faculties of the members.

Article 3 - Official Languages

The official languages of the HKSA shall be Cantonese and English.

Article 4 - Membership

Section 1 - Eligibility

1. Regular Membership: All registered students in Texas A&M are eligible.
2. Associate Membership: Anyone who is interested in joining the association is welcome to join as associate members. Associate members cannot be nominated as officers.

Section 2 - Rights and Obligations

1. All members are entitled to participate in activities sponsored by the HKSA.
2. All members are entitled to be benefited by the welfare facilities of the HKSA.
3. All members are entitled to vote, to impeach committee officers, and to propose amendment to the constitution.
4. Regular members are entitled to be nominated as committee officers.
5. All members are to abide by the Constitution.
6. All members are to pay membership dues prescribed by the Executive Committee.
7. All members are required to attend the General Meetings called by the executive committee. It is the members' responsibility to check their emails periodically or through any other means to find out the date, time, and place of the General Meetings.

Section 3 - Removal Procedures

Any member or officer who have two unexcused absences a semester and any member whose behavior is considered as disruptive by a majority of the Executive committee are subject to Removal. A quorum of fifty percent plus one must be present at a General Meeting and a 2/3 vote must be obtained to remove the individual.

Article 5 - Executive Committee Officers

Section 1 - Eligibility

(This section is required by the regulation of Texas A&M University). The officers of this organization must meet the following requirements:

1. Have a minimum grade point ratio (GPR) as stated below and meet that minimum GPR in the semester immediately prior to the election/appointment, the semester of election/appointment and semesters during the term of office.
   1. For undergraduate students, the minimum GPR is 2.00. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration. In one limited circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point ratio prior to election/appointment, at least six credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s).
   2. For graduate level students the minimum GPR is a 3.00. In order for this provision to be met, at least four hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration. In one limited circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point ratio prior to election/appointment, at least four credit hours must have been taken during the course for either the full or two summer session(s) unless fewer credits are required as they complete the final stages of their degree.
2. Be in good standing with the university and enrolled:
   1. at least half time (six or more credit hours), if an undergraduate student (unless fewer credits are required to graduate in the spring and fall semesters) during the term of office, and
   2. at least half time (four or more credits), if a graduate level student (unless fewer credits are required in the final stages of their degree as defined by the Continuous Registration Requirement) during their term of office.
3. Be ineligible to hold an office should the student fail to maintain the requirements as prescribed in (a) and (b).

Section 2 - Officers and Duties

• President - shall presides over regular and executive meetings, coordinate group activities, communicate with the officers and advisors on all matters.
• Vice-President - shall assist president and preside over meetings in the absence of the president.
• Secretary - shall keep record and check attendance at all meetings and functions.
• Treasurer - shall collect dues, pay bills, oversee other monetary transactions including fund raising and social activities, and prepare and maintain annual budget.
• The executive committee as a whole is also responsible for the following duties:
  1. Maintain the HKSA homepage.
  2. Make the constitution and member list available to all members.
  3. Maintain the welfare programs.
  4. Produce a monthly report at the beginning of each month. The report should include accomplishment of the executive committee and a treasury summary of the month.
  5. Announce the time, date, and location of General Meetings, functions or activities to all members.

Section 3 - Election Process

Elections shall be held at the end of the academic year (in May). A quorum of 50% + 1 must be present and a simple majority vote will win. Newly elected officers shall assume responsibility immediately after the meeting. All regular members are eligible to be nominated. Current officers can be re-elected as well.

Section 4 - Impeachment

Any Executive Committee Officer can be dismissed at the written request of 50% of the Executive Committee and a quorum of fifty percent plus one must be present at a General Meeting and a 2/3 vote must be obtained to remove the individual. Advisor's consent is also necessary.

Section 5 - Vacancy

Another election to fill the vacancy will be held immediately.

Article 6 - Advisor Expectation

To be an advisor of a recognized student organization, one must be a Texas A&M University employee as defined by the Human Resources Department and must advise at level consistent with the categorization of the corresponding organization. The advisor is expected to actively assist the executives of the organization in decision-making and co-ordinates activities, while students are given a certain degree of autonomy. Statements from the Student Organization Finance Center (SOFC) will be sent on a regular basis to notify the advisor about the financial status of the organization. If there is any violation or potential violation to the University Student Rule and other institutional guidelines, the advisor should immediately report to the appropriate university official.

Article 7 - General Meeting

Executive committee shall call and conduct the General Meetings. A quorum shall consist of 50 percent plus one (50% +1) of the membership and must be present to conduct official business.

Article 8 - Amendments and Provisions

This constitution may be amended or revised at any time by two-thirds (2/3) vote of a quorum of fifty percent plus one (50% + 1) in a General Meeting, subject to the approval of the Director of Student Activities. This document must be reviewed every two years and resubmitted to the Student Activities Office.

Article 9 - Finances

Section 1

Dues shall be determined per academic year and will be collected from all members (including Officers) of this organization.

Section 2

(Required by the Student Activities Office) All moneys belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed through a bank account established for this organization at the MSC Student Organization Finance Center and/or the Fiscal Office. All funds must be deposited within 24 hours after collection. The advisor to this organization must approve and sign each expenditure before payment.