Group Constitutions
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY MODEL UNITED NATIONS
Constitution

Signed in New York City, 1993

I The name of our organization shall be Columbia University Model United Nations, hereinafter referred to as CUMUN.

II The purpose of our organization is entrenched in its principles . and manifested in all of its activities. The main goals are of educational nature, particularly with regards to learning about the world, its numerous cultures, social and political systems, and fostering understanding and active cooperation among people of all backgrounds. Recognizing the increasingly global reality of human existence, CUMUN takes upon itself the responsibility of preparing its members to be the leaders of the greater global community, whether this is manifested on the local or the international level.

III The basic premise of CUMUN's existence is the recognition of the humanity shared by all people, and the necessity to consistently look for the ways to improve upon the current international mechanisms. Furthermore, CUMUN subscribes to the notion that education is the essential factor in preparing the future generation for a peaceful and more prosperous international co-existence.

 

IV The organization of CUMUN is rooted in the principle of modern parliamentary democracy, with the emphasis on an ethical code, which presumes that all of its members are to participate in CUMUN activities with a great sense of honor, honesty and integrity. The structure of CUMUN is to include the following clauses, which are not open to amendment:

  1. All Columbia College and Barnard College students are eligible to become members of the club;
  2. The governing body of CUMUN is the board of officers. These are to include a president and no less than three (3) but no more than eight (8) other members, whose titles are to be decided either i) Prior to election and designated by the acting board; or ii) After the election and designated by the elected members with a mandatory approval of the president;
  3. The board members are to be elected by the general body of all CUMUN members. The number of positions open for the election is to be decided upon by the acting board. Each member must win at least 50% of the general body vote, in order to be considered elected. If no one member secures 50% of the vote, two candidates with the highest percentage of votes will participate in a run-off. Abstentions are not permissible for the members present at the time of the election.
  4. The duties of board members are as follows: i) The President of CUMUN is the executive official who, under the ethical code, must be consulted if and before executive action is to be taken by other members of CUMUN. Other board members of the club may take executive action on their own, as long as the consent of the President and other board members is implied. The President is to carry out executive functions, particularly with regards to organization and/or participation in various Model United Nations conferences and events. Under the ethical code, the President must act in good faith, after consulting the other board members, or under their implied approval. Any serious violation of this ethical code may result in president's impeachment, as well as the same of any other board member. The impeachment vote is to be passed by 4/5 of the board and is subject to majority approval of the general body of CUMUN. e) Specific topic committees shall be formed and presided over by one board member, or an approved-by-the-board member. These topics may include, but are not limited to, issues such as regional organization, peacekeeping, human rights, disarmament, United Nations Charter status, etc.

V Meetings shall be organized at least twice per month, as prescribed by the board, and may be held as often as possible. Board meetings shall be more frequent and are to be organized by the President of CUMUN. Policy decisions are to be made by the board, with the direct consent of the general body of CUMUN. Implied approval may be used under the ethical code. Unless differently specified, policy resolutions shall be passed by the simple majority. The board quorum is 3/5.

VI Amendments to the constitution may be made by 4/5 of the board and the simple majority of the general body of CUMUN. President may deny the introduction of the amendment, if he/she believes it would be detrimental to CUMUN's interests.

VII Appointments to various conferences shall be made by the simple majority vote of the board.

VIII The Code of Ethics:

CUMUN membership requires that all of its members, particularly the elected board representatives, always act in good faith, without selfish interests, under the understanding that we are all bound by the principles of honor, honesty and integrity. CUMUN members shall excercise respect and consideration when dealing with the matters pertaining to the organization. All forms of prejudice are inexcusable and shall be considered violations of this code which

Amendment I to the constitution of Columbia University Model U.N.

The following amendment was unanimously passed by the membership of Columbia University Model U.N. (CUMUN) on December 2. 1994 in the City of New York:

Article IV, Section A has been amended to include "School of Engineering and Applied Science" and now reads:

IV, a All Columbia College, School of Engineering and Applied Science, and Barnard College students are eligible to become members of the club:

Article V, Section C has been rewritten to specify when elections will be held and now reads:

IV, c. The board members are to be elected for a period of one year by the general body of all CUMUN members during yearly elections which will be held each April or whenever a vacancy occurs in one of the required positions. The number of positions open for the election is to be decided upon by the acting board. Each member must win at least 50% of the general body vote in order to be considered elected. If no one member secures 50% of the vote. the two candidates with the highest percentages will participate in a run-off. Abstentions are not permissible for the members present at the time of the elections:




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