The Constitution of the Columbia Math Club
Revision of: September 23, 2006
ARTICLE I - Name
Section 1. The name of the organization shall be the Columbia Math Club, hereafter referred to as the “COLMAC.”
ARTICLE II - Purpose
Section 1. Statement of Purpose
COLMAC is the organization that coordinates activities for people interested in mathematics. The purposes of COLMAC include:
• Creation of close community of students interested in mathematics.
• Promotion of mathematical ideas among all Columbia students.
• Creation of a strong Putnam Team (Mathematical competition).
• Creating a stronger bond between faculty members, graduates and undergraduates.
ARTICLE III - Objectives
Section 1. To achieve the goals set above COLMAC shall implement the following activities:
• Organize social gatherings (e.g. mathematical dinners, study breaks, open problem discussions).
• Organize “Mathematical Movie Nights” on which movies related to mathematics will be shown. The movies will range from films about mathematicians (e.g. “N Is a Number”—movie about Paul Erdos) and understanding (or misunderstanding) of mathematics (e.g. A Beautiful Mind ), to clips about mathematical concepts (e.g. Powers of Ten ) and lectures from conferences (e.g. The Millennium Prize Problems—Clay Mathematical Institute).
• Invite professors from the mathematical department to COLMAC events to promote communication between students and faculty at Columbia Mathematics Department and invite professors from other universities to create ties with other colleges.
• Create team and individual competitions in mathematics at Columbia .
• Mix mathematical and non-mathematical activities (e.g. “mathematical run,” which will combine problem solving and jogging).
ARTICLE IV - Membership
Section 1. The general body of COLMAC must be comprised of at least two-thirds Columbia College and School of Engineering and Applied Science students. Members should be willing to pursue their interest in mathematics and contribute to the life of the club.
Section 2. COLMAC shall not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, veteran's status, or physical handicaps .
Section 3. All members shall be allowed to participate in any COLMAC activities and events.
ARTICLE V - Meetings and Procedures
Section 1. The President shall decide the days that are appropriate for the meetings of COLMAC Executive Board. These meetings shall be held at least once a month.
Section 2. Formal policy decisions shall be rendered by the Executive Board. The bill at hand shall be first discussed by the members of the Executive Board and the members of the COLMAC appropriate committee. The decision of the majority shall constitute the new policy of COLMAC.
ARTICLE VI - Officers
Section 1. COLMAC shall be managed and directed by the Executive Board, which shall include President, the Vice President, a Treasurer, and Secretary(ies). Elections shall be held via secret ballot. A majority of general Membership is required to elect a member to the Executive Board. Only members who are undergraduate students in Columbia College , School of Engineering and Applied Science, or Barnard College shall be eligible to vote and hold the office of Vice President or Secretary. The position of President or Treasurer shall be restricted to members who are undergraduate students in Columbia College or School of Engineering and Applied Science. No member shall hold two positions in the Executive Board. Elections shall be coordinated by the Elections and Nominations Committee.
Section 2. The duties of each officer shall be:
President shall
· coordinate and oversee the activities of the Executive Board
· supervise the execution of COLMAC events and programs
· call and preside over all meetings of COLMAC, except for the meetings of Special Committees
· make appointments to the committees with a unanimous approval of the Executive Board
· submit a report of the work done during his/her term of office for the succeeding President
Vice President of Events shall
· call, arrange, and preside over the meetings of the
· report directly to the President
· inform the general Membership of the new events
· assume the title and the duties of the President in case the President resigns or is impeached
· perform duties of the President (or Vice President of Information) in case of temporary absence of the President (or Vice President of Information)
Vice President of Information shall
· be responsible to read any e-mails directed for the club attention and notify appropriate E-board members if needed
· be in long-time communications with other clubs
· handle all correspondence
· keep records, publications, and clippings relevant to COLMAC
· perform duties of the President (or Vice President of Events) in case of temporary absence of the President (or Vice President of Events)
Secretary(ies) shall
· notify COLMAC members of the meetings
· arrange meetings, whether scheduled or called by the President
· record accurate minutes of all meetings
· provide the Student Activities office a list of executive officers every year
· furnish a copy of the minutes of a meeting for all interested members to read
· assume the title and the duties of the Treasurer in case the Treasurer resigns
Treasurer shall
· maintain all records of COLMAC financial transactions
· receive and deposit all money due to the COLMAC
· be responsible for planning of the COLMAC annual budget
· provide financial reports to the Executive Board and the general Membership
· submit financial records to the Student Activities office for audit
· perform the duties of the Secretary in the temporary absence of the Secretary
Webmaster shall
· maintain a working COLMAC website
· post all the upcoming events on the website
· update the website as directed by the president
Section 3. Each member of the Executive Board shall remain an officer two weeks after the day of the next general elections. There shall be no term limitations upon any office in the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII - Electing, Appointing, and Removing Officers
Section 1. General elections shall be held on the last Friday of March, unless otherwise specified by the Executive Board or the Union of Student Organizations office.
Section 2. Officers' term of office shall begin two weeks after election. During the two-week transition period, the Executive Board and the newly elected Executive Board shall cooperate and transfer information about officer responsibilities, administrative procedures, and leadership in general.
Section 3. In case a member of the Executive Board opposes the purpose or the ideals of the COLMAC, or is idle at his/her post, that officer may be impeached and removed by unanimous vote of the Executive Board. If an officer decides to resign, he/she shall express that decision to the Executive Board in writing.
Section 4. If an officer resigns or is impeached, a new officer shall be elected according to the rules described in ARTICLE VI, Section 1.
ARTICLE VIII - Committees
Section 1. The following is the list of regular committees which will be created before corresponding event:
Election and Nomination Committee (shall be created for yearly elections):
· organize and run elections
· announce the results of the elections to the general Membership
Freshman Introduction Committee (shall be created in the fall of each year):
· organize active invitation to freshmen.
· serve a purpose of advising students considering mathematics as a major.
· promote mathematics among freshmen.
Section 2. There shall be no more than five members in each Committee. These members shall be appointed to a committee by the President, with a unanimous support from other members in the Executive Board. A member may be removed from a Committee by a unanimous vote of the Executive Board.
Section 3. Special temporary committees may be formed and dissolved by COLMAC. These committees may be formed by the President with a unanimous approval from other members in the Executive Board. The President shall have the right to dissolve committees, but only if other members of the Executive Board unanimously approve.
ARTICLE IX - Bylaws
Section 1. Bylaws of COLMAC shall be established by Executive Board.
Section 2. Bylaws of the Executive Board shall be established and altered by the unanimous vote of the members of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE X - Amendments to the Constitution
Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution may be introduced by any member of COLMAC. They must be submitted in writing and sponsored by a member of the Executive Board. If the Executive Board unanimously agrees to cast a vote on the amendment, the general Membership shall vote by secret ballot. The amendment shall be approved by at least two-thirds of the vote.
ARTICLE XI - Ratification
This Constitution shall be established by a vote of a three-fourths majority of the membership of COLMAC.
ARTICLE XII - Funding
The following are the activities intended for the members of COLMAC:
For activity (1) COLMAC will require a room with a TV-projector and some funding to purchase movies. The Mathematics Department cannot sponsor this event.
For activity (2) the Mathematics Department will provide room space. However, COLMAC will need additional funding to purchase prizes for the winners.
For activity (3) the Mathematics Department will provide room space. However, COLMAC will need additional funding to purchase origami paper.
For activity (4) COLMAC will require a room large enough to fit all its members as well as additional funding for refreshments.
For activity (5) the Mathematics Department will provide room space. However, COLMAC will need additional funding for refreshments.