Sec 1
The name of the organization is Pi Sigma Alpha, distinguished as the Tau Chapter thereof; hereinafter referred to as PSA.

Sec 2
PSA shall have an official seal, amendable by the general membership. The seal, which is impressed on the title page of these by-laws, is the official seal of the UNL student chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha.

Back to top

The purposes for which the organization is established are as follows:

Sec 1
To operate and maintain a political science honor society.

Sec 2
To promote worthwhile curricula and extracurricular activities related to political science.

Sec 3
To stimulate scholarship and intelligent discourse about political science.

Sec 4
To advance and diffuse knowledge and interest in political science.

Back to top

Sec 1
This organization does not discriminate in the selection of members or appointments when discrimination is defined as denying individuals membership or appointment on the basis of a person's age, race, national origin, color, gender, sexual orientation, creed, handicap or place of residence.

Sec 2
Those students majoring or minoring in political science, having completed twelve (12) hours in political science and having a grade point average of at least 3.20, are eligible to apply for membership. A student will be eligible for membership if these requirements will be met by the end of the semester for which he/she applies.

Sec 3
A student organization shall consist of at least five currently enrolled student members. Non-students will be allowed to participate in any student organization activity, but will not be a voting member, or an elected or appointed officer of said organization. A non-student is someone who is not currently enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the Fall or Spring semester.

Sec 4
Members considered active will be those who have paid national dues and received their certificates at the time they initially joined.

Sec 5
Current members shall be defined as those active members who attend at least fifty percent (50%) of the regularly scheduled meetings during the semester. Only current members shall have voting privileges.

Sec 6
All members shall have the privilege of requesting and receiving from PSA all such advise and assistance as may be currently available to any other member. Additionally, all members shall have the right to attend and be heard at all official meetings of the general membership.

Sec 7
It is the duty of each member to assist in any feasible manner in promoting the objectives of PSA as set forth in these By-laws.

Sec 8
Any individual member may terminate his or her membership at any time by a resignation in writing, hand serviced in person to the secretary of PSA, but said member shall not be entitled to any refund of dues or contributions already submitted.

Sec 9
Any individual member may be suspended for having obtained membership in PSA by false or misleading statements. A suspended member may apply for re-admission. No member so suspended shall be entitled to a refund of dues or contributions already submitted.

Back to top

Sec 1
The officers of PSA shall consist of one president, one vice-president, one secretary and one treasurer.

Sec 2
Officers must be voting members of PSA.

Sec 3
Officers shall be elected once per year at a special meeting called for that purpose during the Spring semester, and shall serve the next academic year. Officers shall be elected by majority vote of the current members. The outgoing officers shall serve as trustees, having voice but not vote, attending all PSA meetings. The trustees shall serve a term of one academic year. No officer shall serve in the same position for more than two terms, or two academic school years.

Sec 4
Powers and Duties of Officers:

a) The officers shall formulate the policies and manage and have general charge of the affairs and the property of PSA in accordance with all applicable laws and the By-laws as herein described.

b) The president shall preside at all meetings. The president shall recommend to the organization such measures as deemed necessary for the best interests of the organization and shall see that all decisions are faithfully executed. The president shall perform all such other duties as normally pertain to the office.

c) The vice-president shall preside at those meetings absented by the president. The vice-president shall perform the duties of the president in his/her absence or at his/her request. The vice-president shall assist the president in any organizational matter deemed appropriate by the president.

d) The secretary shall maintain a roster of active membership and will make this list available to the membership at regular intervals. The secretary will record and distribute the minutes of each meeting to the membership on a regular basis. The Secretary will be responsible for notifying active members and the general public of meeting times and places. The secretary shall assist the president and vice-president in any organizational matter deemed appropriate by them.

e) The treasurer shall receive all funds and make all disbursements as authorized by the organization. The treasurer will be responsible for the collection of dues. The treasurer will present a financial report at the beginning of each meeting. The treasurer shall assist the president and vice-president in any organizational matter deemed appropriate by them.

Sec 5
Officers may be removed for cause by a three-fourths majority vote of the Planning Committee.

Sec 6
A vacancy of any officer position shall be filled by a current member of PSA. The replacement shall be nominated by the remaining members of the Planning Committee and approved with a two-thirds affirmative vote of the current members.

Sec 7
The faculty advisor shall be recommended by the Planning Committee and approved with a two-thirds affirmative vote of the current members. The advisor shall then be appointed by the Department of Political Science.

Sec 8
The faculty advisor shall be an ex-officio member of PSA, with voice, but without vote (with the standing exception of breaking all tie votes). All advisors must be Academic/Administrative or Managerial Professional faculty staff of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Back to top

Sec 1
At the beginning of each semester, the returning officers shall determine an appropriate date and time for the first meeting. The secretary shall be responsible for notifying members and placing advertising in the Daily Nebraskan specifying date and time of said meeting.

Sec 2
All meetings other than the first will be held at regularly scheduled times, not less than once per month.

Sec 3
Special meetings may be called either by the president or with a majority vote of the current members in attendance.

Sec 4
Twenty-five percent (25%) of the voting members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.

Sec 5
At any meeting of the members, a member entitled to vote may do so either in person or by proxy executed in writing by the member. No proxy shall be valid after fifteen days from its date of execution.

Back to top

Sec 1
The Planning Committee shall consist of all the appropriately elected officers and trustees.

Sec 2
The Planning Committee shall hold periodic meetings separate from the general membership meetings as deemed necessary. Any member may attend Planning Committee meetings.

Sec 3
All Planning Committee members shall serve without compensation.

Back to top

Sec 1
PSA shall require dues for the national organization. Chapter dues may be adjusted with a two-thirds affirmative vote of the current members.

Sec 2
Dues shall be collected at the first general meeting of the membership by the treasurer. Thereafter, persons seeking membership will hand deliver appropriate dues to the treasurer or faculty advisor.

Sec 3
All dues shall be delivered to the treasurer or faculty advisor within 30 days of membership application.

Sec 4
Organizational monies will be handled by the Student Activities Financial Services regardless of source.

Sec 5
The president and the treasurer are the chief executive and financial officers. They are responsible for the sound financial planning and fiscal integrity of the organization.

Back to top

Sec 1
Roberts Rules of Order (newly revised) shall be the parliamentary authority governing PSA.

Back to top

Sec 1
The principle organization is called Pi Sigma Alpha and is located at 1527 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20037.

Sec 2
The parent organization aids in the promotion of scholarship and intelligent interest in political science.

Sec 3
The financial relationship between the two organizations require that new members pay a flat fee for national dues. Said fees will be sent to the parent corporation, who will then mail back certificates of membership.

Back to top

Sec 1
This constitution may be amended by a three-fourths affirmative vote of the current members. Amendments may be proposed at one meeting, but may not be ratified sooner than at the next meeting.

Sec 2
Amendments must be ASUN approved.

Back to top

Constitution  effective  February 26, 1996
Approved by ASUN  March 7, 1996