PREAMBLE

We, the members of the Columbia University Undergraduate Law Society, seek to provide a forum where undergraduate students can learn about the law school application and admissions process, law schools, and the legal profession in general through interaction with practicing attorneys, educators, and law students.

ARTICLE I--NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Columbia University Undergraduate Law Society, hereafter referred to as the Undergraduate Law Society.

ARTICLE I I --PURPOSE AND GOALS

Section 1--The purpose of this organization is to provide undergraduate students who are considering careers in law with information about the profession and the law school application and admissions process. We seek to fulfill our stated purpose by. sponsoring individual speakers, panel discussions, workshops, and other law school or law-related activities.

Section 2--The goals of this organization are 1) to give all undergraduate students opportunities to learn about the legal profession; 2) to assist students in making important career decisions by sponsoring events that shed insight into the legal field; and 3) to create a forum where students can explore how the study and the practice of law intersect with important contemporary social and political issues .

ARTICLE III --MEMBERSHIP

Section 1--Any Columbia University undergraduate, without regard to race, gender, religious beliefs, disability, or sexual orientation, is eligible for membership and its attendant responsibilities and privileges.

Section 2--a) Responsibilities of members consist of attending clubsponsored meetings and events on a regular basis (at least 2 meetings/events per semester) and providing feedback to the executive board as to the types of activities that they would like to see the Undergraduate Law Society undertake.

b) Privileges of membership include the following: the right to vote in elections, to serve as officers, and to contact individuals and use other informational resources that can clarify the law school application process as well as educate undergraduate students about the diversity of the legal profession.

Section 3--Membership may be revoked if a member violates the code of student conduct as determined by Columbia University.

ARTICLE IV--GOVERNANCE

Section 1--All members shall be eligible to serve as officers, who will be elected by secret ballot in a general election by members of the society. Nominations will be accepted by the executive board during a general meeting to be held in March. At that time, all nominees will either accept or decline the nomination; if a nomination is accepted, the nominee will then present a brief speech, and after all the candidates for a given office have spoken, votes will be cast. The new executive board will work with the outgoing executive board for the remainder of the semester, assuming full control at the last meeting of the school year.

Section 2-- a) The duties of the President include, but are not limited to, presiding over all general and executive board meetings and other events, and overseeing the progress of the Undergraduate Law Society toward fulfilling its stated organizational purpose and meeting its goals.

b) The duties of the Vice-President of Publicity include, but are not limited to, serving as a liaison between the Undergraduate Law Society and speakers whom we wish to invite and setting agendas for all special events (other than general and executive board meetings).

c) The duties of the Vice-President of Operations include, but are not limited to, handling the logistics (e.g., obtaining approvals, scheduling, securing meeting places, purchasing refreshments) of all meetings and special events.

d) The duties of the Secretary include, but are not limited to, maintaining a record of all organization activities and minutes of all general and executive board meetings, keeping track of membership rolls and attendance at Undergraduate Law Society events, and notifying members of upcoming events.

e) The duties of the Treasurer include, but are not limited to, maintaining an accurate and current record of all Undergraduate Law Society financial transactions and presenting financial updates at general and executive board meetings.

f) The duties of the Barnard Liaison include, but are not limited to, serving as a liaison between Columbia College and Barnard College to facilitate cooperation between the two schools in organizing meetings and special events and to contact the Barnard Pre-Law Advisor to coordinate activities. If this office is not filled during regular elections, the executive board can appoint a Barnard Liaison by a majority vote.

g) The Undergraduate Editor of the Undergraduate Journal of Law and Public Policy, a non-voting office to be filled by presidential appointment, will also be subject to approval by the Editor-in-Chief of the Undergraduate Journal of Law and Public Policy. The duties of the Undergraduate Editor are to be determined by the Editor-in-Chief.

h) Additional offices may be established as needed by a 3/4 majority vote of the executive vote. Said offices go into effect during the semester in which they are created and are to be filled by holding special elections.

Section 3--All officers will serve for a period of one academic year. Officers may run for reselection and may occupy the same of other offices for four years. No officer, excepting the Undergraduate Editor, may occupy more than one elected office during a given academic year.

Section 4--Impeachment proceedings may be initiated against an officer who has violated the code of student conduct as determined by Columbia University or who has been deemed derelict in the execution of his or her duties. A 3/4 vote of the executive board is required to recommend impeachment to the general membership, or the membership can initiate impeachment proceedings with a motion at any meeting followed by a ¾ vote by the membership to pursue impeachment. In event of an impeachment originating from the executive board, a majority vote of the general membership is necessary to initiate impeachment proceedings. This vote by the general membership must take place at the next general meeting subsequent to the call for impeachment by the executive board, and at the same meeting, and at the same meeting for a motion for impeachment approved by the general membership. A quorum will not be necessary for the vote to take place.

ARTICLE V--PROCEDURES

Section 1--General meetings will be held on a monthly basis and will be called by the executive board. Additional activities will be scheduled throughout the academic year as opportunities arise.

Section 2--All policy decisions will be subject to the approval of the executive board. A 3/5 vote of the executive board will be required to effect any policy changes.

ARTICLE VI--ELECTIONS

Section 1--All elections will be administered by the executive board and executed through secret ballot. The votes will be tallied by a board appointed representative from the general membership who is not also a candidate for any office. removal of officers will be handled pursuant to the guidelines established in Article IV, Section 4. A special election will be held for any office left vacant by the impeachment of an officer and for additional offices created by the executive board during the academic year. Individuals already holding elected offices will be eligible to run for any vacant positions, but may not occupy two offices simultaneously. If said officer is elected to fill the vacant position, a replacement will be voted upon to fill that officer's previous position.

ARTICLE VII--AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

Section 1--Amendments to the Constitution of the Undergraduate Law Society can be proposed by any member. A 2/3 vote of the membership will be required for the amendment to then be voted by the executive board. A 2/3 vote by the executive board will result in passage of the amendment. If the amendment fails to garner a 2/3 vote in the executive board, it will be sent back to the general membership. At this time, a 3/4 vote of the membership will result in passage of the amendment, overriding the decision of the executive board. Should the amendment fail to win a 3/4 vote, it shall be considered dead, but may be reintroduced at the next general meeting. Robert's Rule of Order will govern debate over all amendments. Amendments may be proposed at any general meeting and will be voted upon at the meeting.

ARTICLE VIII--COMMITTEES

Section 1--While the Undergraduate Law Society at its inception has no committees, committees may be created and abolished as needed and at the discretion of the executive board.

ARTICLE IX--PROVISIONS FOR BY-LAWS

Section 1--By-laws can be proposed by any member to any member of the executive board. If the board decides to recommend passage of the bylaw to the general membership, it will be voted on at the next general meeting. A majority vote will result in passage of the by-law. All non-constitutional matters will be covered under the auspices of Article IX.