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USAC Constitution
Preamble
The Underrepresented Student Advisory Council (USAC) is a multicultural programming and leadership development council composed of various recognized, university student organizations. The council welcomes and supports organizations whose majority membership includes persons from groups that have been and continue to be underrepresented in higher education and include a multicultural and cross cultural educational component in their programming. The mission of USAC member organizations is to represent and promote diversity and equal opportunity programming initiatives in support of a more inclusive society. USAC supports this mission by funding events and activities that enhance a diverse environment here at Texas State.
Article I: Name
Section 1. This organization shall be known as the Underrepresented Student Advisory Council (USAC).
Article II: Membership
Section 1. This USAC Council shall be open to any university organization in good standing that serves a constituent population of underrepresented students and works towards improving the diverse culture at Texas State University.
Section 2. Organizations desiring membership in USAC must:
A. Add support and promote diversity initiatives on campus
B. Agree to maintain all requirements for active status
Section 3. To attain membership into USAC:
A. The organization must be nominated for membership by at least one of the following:
1. Advisors
2. Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)
3. Cultural Representative (CR)
4. Other USAC organizations
B. The organization’s request for membership into USAC must be approved by a majority vote of the Cultural Representatives (this can be achieved at a USAC meeting or over e-mail)
C. The organization must review USAC’s constitution with his/her Cultural Representative
Section 4. Each member organization will be assigned a Cultural Representative, who will serve as the liaison between the member organization and the USAC council.
Section 5. Each member organization is required to elect or appoint one delegate to serve on the council. These delegates will be elected in April to ensure that new delegates will be trained in preparation for the next academic year.
Article III: Active Status
Section 1. To remain in good standing and maintain active status member organizations must:
A. Be in compliance with USAC and SOC (Student Organization Council) regulations, including but not limited to:
1. Current registration with the campus activities office with the proper documentation on file
2. Assign a Delegate to attend all USAC bi-weekly meetings
3. Attend all required USAC events
4. Attend any SCO functions (i.e. Leadership Exchange in April)
5. Follow appropriate procedures when turning in USAC funding forms
Section 2. Member organizations in good standing and active status will be able to submit funding requests that will be reviewed by the USAC Cultural Representatives.
Article IV: Inactive Status
Section 1. Organizations will be on "Inactive Status" if the organization has three unexcused absences at events and/or meetings. In order to not receive a penalty, the organization must request an excuse of absence from the USAC GRA three days prior to the event.
Section 2. If a member organization is put under inactive status for two consecutive semesters, this will result in removal from the council for the next academic year.
Article V: Cultural Representatives
Section 1. The Cultural Representatives and the Graduate Research Assistant shall comprise the Executive Board and they shall coordinate all activities of the USAC between regular meetings.
Section 2. Cultural Representatives shall cover the following populations:
A. African American
B. Asian, African, and International
C. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) and Disabilities
D. Hispanic
E. Native American
Section 3. Cultural Representatives shall serve a full term, from September to May or when no longer supported by the USAC budget.
Section 4. Cultural Representatives will be paid up to 5 hours per week.
Section 5. Cultural Representatives shall function as liaisons between their assigned USAC organizations and the GRA or the Multicultural Student Affairs office. Duties shall include/ but are not limited to:
A. Maintain adherence to the USAC Constitution
B. Correspond with organizations and other entities of the community
C. Attend all USAC meetings
D. Make recommendations to the GRA on funding for student organizations
E. Distribute minutes and agenda by e-mail to delegates of member organizations after each USAC meeting
F. Attend at least one meeting per semester of each member organization
G. Attend all Bobcat Days
H. Attend any USAC related events
I. Represent USAC at university events
Section 6. Nominations for Cultural Representatives will be appointed or recommended by the Associate/Assistant Directors and/or Graduate Research Assistant.
Section 7. To qualify for Cultural Representative Candidacy, the applicant must:
A. Be upperclassmen (30 or more credit hours)
B. Hold a minimum 2.6 Texas State GPA
C. Have previous USAC experience as a delegate
D. Have leadership experience with student organizations
E. Be knowledgeable of organizational dynamics
F. Be knowledgeable about University and USAC organizations
Article VI: Delegates
Section 1. A Delegate represents their respective organization during any USAC function.
Section 2. Delegates shall serve a full term, from September to May.
Section 3. Delegates shall function as liaisons between their respective organization and their assigned Cultural Representative, GRA or the Multicultural Student Affairs office. Duties shall include/ but are not limited to:
A. Report any information discussed at the USAC meetings to their respective organization
B. Attend all monthly USAC meetings
C. Assign one person to attend the USAC meeting if they will be absent
D. Review all funding proposals from their respective organization to ensure that the proposal is properly completed and submitted
Section 4. Nominations for Delegates will be appointed or recommended by a Cultural Representative.
Section 5. To qualify for Delegate Candidacy, the applicant must:
A. Be upperclassmen (30 or more credit hours)
B. Hold a minimum 2.3 Texas State GPA
C. Be knowledgeable of organizational dynamics
D. Be knowledgeable about University and USAC organizations
Article VII: Advisor
Section 1. USAC shall be advised by the Associate/ Assistant Directors of the Multicultural Student Affairs Office and the Graduate Research Assistant.
Article VIII: Meetings
Section 1. USAC shall meet twice a month, at a location to be determined by the USAC council.
Section 2. The Cultural Representative’s meetings will be once a week, at a location determined by the Cultural Representatives, GRA, and Associate/Assistant Directors.
Section 3. Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the Cultural Representatives or upon majority affirmative vote of the board or council delegates.
Article IX: Funding
Section 1. In order to be eligible to apply for funs, the organization must:
A. Be on active status
B. Submit an on-line USAC Funding Application to their assigned Cultural Representative
Section 2. The funding application will be reviewed if:
A. The event promotes multicultural awareness on campus
B. The event is open to the public
C. The application is turned in two weeks prior to the event
D. The application contains no spelling errors
E. The application includes a budget worksheet
Article X: Amendments to the Constitution
Section 1. Proposed amendments to the constitution or its by-laws must be presented in writing, tabled for one week and voted upon at the next meeting.
Section 2. A two-thirds (2/3) vote from organization members shall be required for ratification
Article XI: Member Organizations
African Student Association
Alpha Lambda Omega Christian Sorority
Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Psi Lambda
Asian Student Association
Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO)
Black Men United (BMU)
Black Student Alliance (BSA)
Black Woman United (BWU)
Bobcat Equality Alliance
Chi Upsilon Sigma
Delta Sigma Theta
Fashion Nation
FOCUSED
Gospel Expressions Association (GEA)
Harambee Dance Group
Hillel at Texas State
Hip Hop Congress
Hispanic Business Student Association (HBSA)
Hombres Unidos
IMPACT Movement
International Student Association
Japanese Language and Culture Club
Kappa Delta Chi (KDChi)
Lambda at Texas State
Lambda Theta Phi
Latinas Unidas
Latino Student Assoc. (LSA)
National Assoc. of Hispanic Journalist
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
Omega Psi Phi
Phi Beta Sigma
Rincon Hispano Universitario
Sigma Delta Lambda (SDL)
Sigma Lambda Beta
Sigma Lambda Gamma
The Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists
Zeta Phi Beta