Article I :

By the Authority granted by the International Students Union, as established by the Virginia Legislature and Assembly and extended through the President of George Mason University, the Hindu Student Council (HSC) establishes this constitution on the First of November, of the year Two Thousand and Four. All actions of the Hindu Student Council of George Mason University shall be in accord with the provisions of the Constitution.

Article II - PURPOSE

Its main purpose will be to provide social, religious and cultural activities for its members and interested non-members. To help appreciate the rich cultural heritage of the Hinduism in Asia and various other places in the world, by raising awareness about the religion. It shall endeavor to sponsor, promote and coordinate activities designed to encourage communication amongst its members, and also to promote inter cultural and religious understanding within the George Mason University Community, and between other various international and cultural groups within George Mason University. The Hindu Student Council of George Mason University shall use its entire means to attain this purpose and in addition, function in any manner desired by a majority of the members in accordance with the International Students Union and George Mason University.

Article III - MEMBERSHIP AND RIGHTS

Every person who has paid the membership fee has been given the power of one vote. Each member will automatically be placed in the General Council. A person who has not paid the membership fee cannot be a member of The Hindu Student Council of George Mason University. Membership in this Organization will not be restricted on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, sex or age. All members must be enrolled George Mason University Students with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0, and in good academic standing with the university.

Article IV OFFICERS

Section I

The Hindu Student Council Executive Council shall consist of the following members: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, International Students Umbrella Representative and Graduate Student Representative, Freshman and Sophomore Representatives, Website/Technology Coordinator, Public Relations. Each Executive Officer has to be voted into office for each seat on the Executive Council. Each Executive Officer can appoint an assistant of his or her choice who will work closely with the Executive Officer and may represent the Executive Officer in the Executive Council meetings, in the case of his or her absence. Each Executive Officer must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA to be considered an Executive council member. The length of each executive Council members’ term will be one Semester year (Fall-Spring-Summer).

Section II

The responsibilities of the members of the Executive Council will be as follows:

PRESIDENT

Serve as chairman of the Executive Council and of the General Council of the Hindu Student Council of George Mason University. The Official Spokesman of and for the Hindu Student Council of George Mason University for internal and external representation of its member body. The Supervisor of the procedures of the appointment of the Hindu Student Council Executive members. To coordinate with Executive Council members of any organized Hindu Student Council activity.

VICE PRESIDENT

Serves as vice chairman of the Executive Council and of the General Council of the Hindu Student Council of George Mason University. In case of absence of the President of the Hindu Student Council, the vice president takes charge of the Presidential Role. To liaise with the President about the progress of each activity of The Hindu Students Council.

SECRETARY

To keep a book of all General Assembly and Executive Council meetings. To maintain a database of all members of The Hindu Student Council. To maintain and file all documents concerning all business of The Hindu Student Council. To operate the mailbox and mailing lists for all mail outs to members. In case of absence of the President and Vice President of The Hindu Student Council, the secretary takes charge of the Presidential Role.

TREASURER

To keep an account of all receipts and disbursements of The Hindu Student Council.
To receive and be responsible for all moneys of The Hindu Student Council.

ADVISOR

The Primary advisor shall be a member of the faculty or staff at George Mason University. The Advisor will be selected by the Executive Council and will be asked for their involvement, the selected advisor has the right to reject the Council’s proposal for any reason. The Advisor has the right to give guidance or support during elections, but does not have the right to vote.

Article V - TERMS OF OFFICE AND ELECTIONS

The terms of office for the Executive Council of the Hindu Student Council at George Mason University shall be that of one year, from the First of July to the First of July of the next year. In case any officers vacate their position during the year, the Executive Council shall appoint a substitute for that position until the elections are held for the next Executive Council. In the absence of the President of the Hindu Student Council, the Vice President shall take over the Presidential Role for a maximum of 8 weeks, after which the General Council shall elect a new president. An Executive Officer (Except that of the President of the Hindu Student Council) shall vacate his position, if he or she does not attend 4 consecutive Executive Council meetings. The Executive Council has the authority to excuse an Executive Officer from their nominated position, who is acting irregularly or against the wishes of the General Council or Executive Council. If he or she has no valid reason for doing so. A General Council member may be nominated for an Executive position, if he or she is already a member of the Hindu Student Council of George Mason University.
Each Executive Officer has to be voted in to each Executive position, found in the Executive Council. These elections will be held after the Presidential elections have taken place. Executive Council members may offer themselves for re-election, for as long as they are students of George Mason University. Each member of the General Council of the Hindu Student Council of George Mason University shall have the right to vote and contest for a position in the Executive Council. All Executive Council members must not be in academic warning to maintain their right as Executive Council members. Elections will be held in the Beginning of March. The method used for elections will be secret ballot, in case of a tie, another election featuring the tied candidates will be held at the end of the month following more campaigning.

Article VI - MEETINGS AND GENERAL PROCEDURES

General Council meetings shall not occur less than eight times during the academic session, at a time and place announced by the Hindu Student Council secretary in the initial meeting of the year and by written letter through e-mail to each member. Any changes shall be notified by the preceding meeting and by official e-mail to each member. The first General Council meeting of each academic session shall occur within two weeks of the first day of classes, when all newcomers shall also be welcomed, by the Hindu Student Council Executive Council. The Executive Council shall meet no less than twelve times during the academic session. The currently elected Executive Council members shall decide the membership fee.

ARTICLE VII – FINANCE

The treasurer will maintain all matters pertaining to money received by the HSC. Dues will be collected at the beginning of the semester when students become members of the organization. Any other moneys received by the council during the course of the semester year will be placed in the councils’ funds for future use.

Article VIII - CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Amendments to the constitution of the Hindu Student Council of George Mason University can be made only at the request of the Executive Council and by a formal written request of at least twenty members of the General Council of the Hindu Student Council of George Mason University. The Executive Council shall not and does not have the right on its own to amend the constitution. Amendments brought forward to the Executive Council must be presented to the General Council two weeks before a General Council meeting. These amendment proposals must be officially sent by mail or e-mail to all members of the Hindu Student Council of George Mason University. Ratification of any amendments must require of at least a two thirds majority at any date specified General Council meeting. The office of Student Activities must review all amendments in the same manner as a completely new constitution.

ARTICLE IX – RATIFICATION

This Constitution shall become effective upon approval by a ¾ vote of the membership, the Council of Student Organization Umbrella Leaders and the Associate Dean of University Life/Director of Student Activities.

Article VII - NO CONFIDENCE MOTIONS

Any member of The Hindu Student Council of George Mason University can propose a no confidence motion against any member of the Executive Council at any time.
A written motion stating the name of the Executive Council member and the cause of the motion must be forwarded to the President. In the case that the motion is against the President, the motion must be forwarded to the Vice President.
The President or the Vice President as the case may be, must try to resolve the conflict by mediating with and between both parties. In the event that the person proposing the motion is dissatisfied with the resolution put forward by the President or Vice President, then the matter must be brought forward to the Entire General Council members. A General Council meeting will then be called, with the General Council members receiving two weeks of prior notification by mail or e-mail of such meeting.
For a motion of no confidence to be passed, the motion must at least receive seventy five percent of the votes of the General Council members present at that General Council meeting. No voting by proxy is allowed for a no confidence motion unless allowed by the President or Vice President as the case may be, and only due to exceptional circumstances.