All recognized student organizations are required to create and maintain a constitution in order to remain in good standing. The constitution is an important document that guides the operation of your organization and is considered an official university document. Constitutions should be reviewed annually by organization members and uploaded to the organization's Be Involved page during registration or after any major changes have been made. Organizations may have to update required clauses in their constitution as mandated by Student Leadership and Involvement and JMU.
Below is an overview of what sections are required.
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Organization Structure (Requirements for Officers, Executive Board Positions, Elections, Officer Removal Process, Position Vacancies)
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Membership (Non-Discrimination Statement, Eligibility, Selection Process, Member Expectations, Member Removal Process, Stop the Haze requirement [if applicable])
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Adviser (Policy No. 3101, Adviser Selection, Adviser Role, Adviser Removal)
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Meetings (Meeting Structure, Quorum, Rules of Procedure, Meeting Minutes)
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Finance (Dues, Use and Responsibility of Funds, Bank Accounts)
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Hazing
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Risk Management
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Amendments
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Ratification
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Dissolution of Organization
Required Statements
The following statements must be included verbatim in the organization’s constitution:
Membership Statement – Membership in this organization is open to all JMU students and will not be restricted on the basis of age, ability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or political affiliation except in circumstances outlined in federal and state laws.
Adviser Statement – The adviser shall be a full or part-time faculty or staff member at James Madison University. The adviser will assume those responsibilities as outlined in this constitution and/or found in University Policy No. 3101 entitled “Faculty Advisers to Student Organizations.”
Ratification Statement – Ratified constitutions must be uploaded to the organization’s Be Involved page as a publicly viewable document after major changes or amendments.
Anti-Hazing Statement – “Name of organization”, in keeping with JMU’s expectations for a positive academic and social environment, unconditionally opposes hazing. No individual member of our group or the group itself may engage in or plan any activity that may be defined as hazing.
“Name of organization” opposes any situation created intentionally to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule to its members or potential members. In addition, no individual nor recognized organization may, by physical or mental stress or by subtle or covert technique, impair, make captive or destroy an individual’s freedom of thought and choice.
"Name of organization" will review the JMU Student Handbook Policy on Hazing on each semester with the entirely of the organization. The policy can be found in the JMU Handbook. It will be the duty of the officers of “Name of Organization” to educate the membership of this policy.
If you have any questions, please contact OSARP at osarp@jmu.edu or Student Life at beinvolved@jmu.edu