Physics Club Constitution

Purpose

The name of this organization shall be “The Physics Club of Illinois State University Chapter of the Society of Physics Students”. The purpose of this Chapter shall be the advancement and diffusion of knowledge of physics, the encouragement of interest in physics throughout the academic and local communities, and the induction of students to the professional community.

Membership

Membership in this Society of Physics Students Chapter shall be open to all individuals interested in physics. The ISU Physics Club will require its members to be active parts of the club. This includes serving on committees, voting on items, and participation in some of the various activities which the club endeavors upon. Therefore, any ISU student who so desires, and is a willing active participant, may join the ISU Physics Club. Membership includes, but is not limited to the following rights and responsibilities:

  • Each member must pay dues of $10.00 per semester or $15.00 for a full year of membership during the fall semester.
  • Each member is entitled to cast one vote each time a vote is called and is in order
  • Each member may attend any ISU Physics Club meeting, including officer meetings and committee meetings
  • Each member must attend at least two general meetings per semester
  • Each member will have any and all SPS options available to them

All undergraduate students in physics or related fields, are allowed to apply for Sigma Pi Sigma membership. The minimum requirements for Sigma Pi Sigma membership within this Chapter shall be as follows:

  • All members-elect shall have completed at least the equivalent of three semesters (five quarters) of full-time college work.
  • All members-elect shall have completed at least three semester (five quarters) courses in physics, each of at least three credit hours, which may be credited toward a physics minor.
  • All members-elect shall rank in the upper one third of their college class.
  • All members-elect shall have attained at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 system for physics courses and for cumulative course grades in all courses.

All graduate students in physics or related fields, all members-elect either (a) shall meet the requirements for undergraduate members-elect, based upon their undergraduate records, or (b) shall have completed at least one year of graduate work, meeting departmental standards for satisfactory progress towards an advanced degree.Faculty members, research staff members, and other qualified individuals, who are in physics or related fields, election to membership shall be based upon their professional attainments.

Elections

Officers should be elected at a scheduled meeting in April of each year. Nominations shall be by open nomination at a meeting in the previous week before the week of voting. The election shall be by closed ballot. Officers-elect shall assume their offices immediately following the election and shall hold office for one year until their successors are duly elected.

Voting

Two-thirds of a quorum of club membership vote is required to make a change to the constitution. A quorum is defined as the average of overall attendance at general meetings. Officers will be elected by a simple majority of club members present at the meeting. Tie(s) will be broken by secret ballot vote from the four standing officers and faculty advisor.

Officers

The officers of the Chapter shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Advisor; succession shall be in accordance with this order. Any two of the last three offices may be combined. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed below.

  • President

    The club president has ultimate control of, and responsibility for, the club and all of its actions. This includes running/overseeing all club meetings and functions in a safe, responsible, and democratic fashion. The president acts as liaison between the club and the university--meeting with the club's faculty advisor, keeping the club registered as an official ISU student organization, and making sure the club upholds all university rules and regulations.

  • Vice-President

    The vice-president has the duty of assisting the president in his/her duties. This includes acting in place of any officers who cannot attend a meeting. The vice-president acts as liaison between the officers and the club members--overseeing committees, setting up meeting sessions, and enforcing all university and club rules and regulations at club functions.

  • Secretary

    The secretary has the duty of keeping all club records. This includes the club roster, attendance records, and meeting minutes. The secretary reports directly to the president. The secretary reads the minutes from last meeting at the present meeting.

  • Treasurer

    The treasurer has the duty of keeping the financial records of the club. This includes collecting, safe-keeping, recording, and dispersing all club funds. The treasurer reports directly to the president. In addition, the treasurer is responsible for submitting a budget once a semester and maintaining and ending balance of $225.

  • Advisor

    The faculty advisor to the Physics Club will be appointed by the Physics Department and will have the duty of being the liaison between the faculty/department and the Physics Club. The advisor will oversee all physics club activities and will be informed of any and all information dealing with the club.

Meetings

  • General Meeting

    Regular meetings shall be held monthly as determined by the officers. Special meetings may be called by the President or Vice-President. There shall be at least six meetings per year.

  • Officer's Meeting

    Meeting should take place prior to each general meeting. Officers create the agenda for the general meeting during this meeting. No rules of discussion/debate need to be followed. General members may attend officer’s meetings, but are only allowed to speak when called upon.

  • Committee Meeting

    Committees will be formed by officers to assist in the carrying out of certain activities, duties, etc. of the Physics Club. Members of the committee must be nominated by club or appointed by the officers except for standing committees as defined in the constitution. The chair will be appointed or elected by the committee. The committee must meet by consensus, and rules of the meetings will be decided upon by consensus as well.

  • Impeachment of Officers and Chairman

    Officers may be removed from the office from for a valid reason with the support of one officer and two-thirds of a quorum vote from the entire body of the club. Chairman of committee may be removed/replaced by a vote from officers and faculty advisor.

  • Punishments

    First offense will be given a verbal warning. Second offense will be given a written warning. Third offense will be given a referral to Student Judicial Office and membership revoked, forgoing any dues. Officers and the club advisor have the right to impose any punishment necessary and may skip to the second or third punishment depending on the offense.

  • Other Rules

    SPS bylaws and constitution are attached and should also be followed.

Standing Committees

    Committees

    The committee sets its own rules regarding the process of completing their specified purpose. The committee is required to finish their job by the given due date. The committee will be required to present information regarding the specified purpose at each general meeting. There is no limit to the number of committees that club member can join. The committee will be dissolved after the completion of its purpose, except for standing committees.

  • Fundraising

    The treasurer is the Chairman of this committee, and the committee’s purpose is to raise funding for the clubs events and activities.

  • Tutoring

    The Vice President is the Chairman of this committee. Tasks include organizing free physics tutoring for general education students and paid tutoring for students who wish to have ongoing or one-on-one physics help.

  • Student Advisory

    • The Vice President is also the Chairman of this committee. This committee is designed to help the Physics department faculty make decisions which affect the department and student activities.

  • Recruitment and Public Relations Committee

    The Secretary is the Chairman of this committee. This committee is responsible for recruiting new members for the club and advertising club meetings. The committee is also responsible for publishing a semi-annual newsletter and maintaining the website. The Secretary may designate a webmaster to maintain the website. The webmaster is a member of the Recruitment committee and reports directly to the Secretary.