The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) was founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1974 by a group of engineers employed by the city of Los Angeles. Their objective was to form a national organization of professional engineers to serve as role models in the Hispanic community.
The concept of Networking was the key basis for the organization. SHPE quickly established two student chapters to begin the network that would grow to encompass the nation as well as reach countries outside the United States. Today, SHPE enjoys a strong but independent network of professional and student chapters throughout the nation.
The Texas A&M University Chapter of SHPE was founded in 1994 to create an organization where hispanic engineers could come together. Since then, SHPE-TAMU has become a premiere club on campus. SHPE-TAMU has received recognition from the Hispanic Presidents' Council, an umbrella organization, as Hispanic Organization of the Year 2002-2003. In addition, this organization has been awarded as the best of 700+ clubs on the Texas A&M Campus with the title of Recognized Student Organization of the Year 2002-2003. SHPE-TAMU has also been noticed on the regional level as it received the Regional Chapter of the Year 2003-2004 for Region V. We hope to continue this commitment to excellence in the years to come.
ARTICLE I - NAME OF ORGANIZATION
The name of this organization shall be
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Texas A&M Student Chapter.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE / OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this student chapter is to:
- Increase the number of Hispanic engineering and science students at Texas A&M University.
- Promote the advancement of Hispanic engineers and scientists in industry, government and education.
- Develop and participate in programs with industry and the university which benefit all students.
- Improve the retention of Hispanic students enrolled in engineering and science as well as other disciplines.
- Provide a forum for the exchange of information pertinent to Hispanic engineering and science students enrolled in Texas A&M University.
- Assist the College of Engineering and the Colleges of other math based sciences at Texas A&M University.
Section 1.
Affilation
The Texas A&M student chapter will be an affiliated chapter of Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Inc. (SHPE Inc.). The organization possesses the right to adopt its own rules and procedures within the framework of SHPE's rules and regulations. This student chapter will be part of the "local" as defined by the regional Vice-President and the "local" professional chapter presidents.
Section 2.
Non-Discrimination
No person shall be denied membership in this organization because of race, color, sex, handicap, nationality, religious affiliation, belief or sexual orientation. This organization will neither participate in nor support any activity that does discriminate in any way.
ARTICLE III- MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Regular Membership
A Regular Member shall be:
Any student who is enrolled full-time or part-time in engineering or math
based science at Texas A&M University. Full-time enrollment is defined
as at least twelve hours during the spring or fall semester and nine hours
during the summer semester. Regular members shall be eligible to vote and
hold an elected office.
Section 2. Associate Membership
An Associate Member shall be:
Any student who does not meet the requirements for regular membership, but
who supports the purposes and objectives of this chapter. This membership
shall include all students who are affiliated with other academic disciplines
besides engineering, science and math. These members shall be eligible for
all committee chairs but will not be eligible to hold an elected office or
vote.
Section 3. Honorary Membership
An Honorary Member shall be:
Any person who supports the purposes and objectives of this chapter and of
SHPE national and contributes to the causes outlined in this document. This
membership shall include representatives of industry, supporting faculty and
private individuals. Honorary members are not eligible to vote or hold an
elected office.
Section 4. Removal of a Member
4.1 Any member regular or otherwise, may terminate his/her membership at
anytime, upon written notification to the Secretary of this organization the
effective date of resignation.
4.2 The Board of Directors may terminate any member for any infraction of
the Bylaws, rules and/or regulations of this corporation. Following the determination
that a member should be expelled, the following procedure shall be implemented:
4.2.1 A notice shall be sent by e-mail of the member as shown on the organization’s
records, setting forth the expulsion and the reasons therefore. Notice may
also be provided by personal delivery or any other method provided that actual
notice by the member can be confirmed. Such notice shall be sent at least
15 days before the proposed effective date of expulsion.
4.2.2 The member being expelled shall be given an opportunity to be heard,
either orally or in writing, at a hearing to be held not fewer than 5 days
before the effective date of the proposed expulsion. The hearing will be held
by a special member expulsion committee composed of one or more persons appointed
by the President and the Advisor. If the President is the subject of the expulsion
then the Vice-President will appoint one or more persons to the expulsion
committee including the Advisor. The notice to the member of his or her proposed
expulsion shall state the date, time, and place of the hearing on his or her
proposed expulsion.
4.2.3 Following the hearing, the expulsion committee shall decide whether
or not the member should in fact be expelled, suspended, or sanctioned in
some other way. The decision of the committee shall be final.
ARTICLE IV - EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Section 1.
Officers shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer,
Director of Internal Affairs, Director of External Affairs and any specially
elected officers. The term of office is one year. The officers of this organization
must meet the following requirements: a) have at least a 2.0 Cumulative grade
point ration and at least a 2.00 grade point ration in the semester immediately
prior to the election/appointment, the semester of election/appointment and
semesters during the term of office. In order for this provision to be met,
at least six hours must have been taken for that semester.
Section 2. President
The President shall represent the chapter and be responsible for all business
concerning the chapter. The President shall facilitate discussions in the
management and business of the chapter or other functions or activities under
the direction of this chapter. The President shall be the official spokesperson
for the chapter, manage the other operating officers and be responsible for
communication between the chapter and the advisors. The President shall conduct
all Executive Officer's meetings as well as general meetings.
Section 3. Vice President
The Vice-President shall assist the President in all business concerning the
chapter and shall act as President in the President's absence. The Vice- President
shall oversee the external affairs of the chapter (industry relations, company
tours, symposiums, etc.). The Vice-President shall be responsible for communications
with national and regional chapters. The Vice-President shall consolidate
and coordinate chairs as well as appoint chairpersons.
Section 4. Secretary
The Secretary shall take the minutes of the meetings and present them at the
beginning of each general meeting. The Secretary shall coordinate the SHPE
bulletin board. The Secretary shall be responsible for journalistic duties
including the writing and/or coordinating of articles and written material
t be published within or outside of the organization. The Secretary shall
keep up-to-date records of the membership and all chair and sub-chair members.
Section 5. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall keep accounts and records of money received or disbursed
as well as all receipts involved. The Treasurer shall make monthly financial
reports listing all liabilities and assets of the organization to the Executive
Officers and the general membership. It will be the Treasurer's responsibility
to present the annual budget and complete financial report to the Executive
Board as well as a financial projection for the next fiscal year during the
second to last general meeting of the spring semester.
Section 6. Director of Internal Affairs
The Director of Internal Affairs shall control and coordinate all recruitment
of new members. The Director of Internal Affairs shall oversee all ACE programs
directed toward the active membership of the chapter (i.e. tutoring, mentors).
The Director of Internal Affairs shall direct the social activities and publicity
functions of the chapter as well as all informational distributions. This
includes freshman orientation, freshman recruitment, social activities of
the general membership, and publicity through publications. The Director of
Internal Affairs shall be responsible for the Zachry banner, posting informational
flyers and coordinating with Student Services and student organizations within
the university. The Director of Internal Affairs shall coordinate members
in committees formed by the Executive Officers, with chairs appointed by the
Vice-President, that fall under his/her jurisdiction.
Section 7. Director of External Affairs
The Director of External Affairs shall control all correspondence between
the chapter and all professional and student SHPE chapters. The Director of
External Affairs will be responsible for publicizing ACE activities and organizing
all outreach programs. The Director of External Affairs shall be responsible
for publicizing and coordinating all symposiums, conferences and activities
presented by SHPE or otherwise. This includes company tours and field trips.
The Director of External Affairs shall coordinate members in committees formed
by the Executive Officers, with chairs appointed by the Vice-President, that
fall under his/her jurisdiction.
Section 8. Director of Technical Support
The Director of Technical Support will be responsible for development and
maintenance of any electronic devices or software required by the organization.
The Director of Technical Support is also responsible for creating the PowerPoint
presentation required for each organizational meeting. The Director of Technical
Support must either develop or maintain the webpage, and update the page on
a regular basis.
Section 9. Director of Freshman Activities
The Director of Freshmen Activities will develop new activities or programs
for the benefit of all freshmen, incoming freshmen, and potential freshmen
tot help them succeed academically and help with retainment of members. The
Director of Freshmen Activities is responsible for the organization of the
High School Conference. The Director of Freshmen Activities shall control
the placement of mentors and mentees for the Mentoring program.
Section 10. Specially Elected Officers (Title to be given
upon confirmation)
Specially elected officers shall be the head of any office which is created
by the Executive Officers. Special offices may be created by a simple majority
(50%+1) vote of the Executive Officers. Specially elected officers shall perform
such duties as may be delegated by the President or the Executive Officers.
ARTICLE V - ELECTIONS / VOTING
Section 1.
Nominations
- Nominations are to be held no later than the fifth week before the end of the spring semester.
- Nominee must be an active regular member of the local chapter, must be in good academic standing (GPA 2.0 or higher) and be in compliance with all University Regulations for eligibility. Persons wishing to be nominated shall submit an application for nomination no less than one week before nominations are to take place. Applicants may apply for more than one office.
- Candidates may be nominated for more than one office provided that the member will take the highest ranking position first.
Section 2.
Voting
- Voting shall take place on the day of nominations.
- Elections shall be confirmed by simple majority vote (50% + 1) with quorum
as defined in Article VII, Section 1.
- All persons who have become active regular members of the chapter shall
be eligible to vote.
- The chapter shall hold elections annually before the fifth week prior
to the last regular day of the spring semester.
- Votes shall be cast by secret ballot and compiled by two designated members
who are not running for office. Absentee votes may be scored only by submitting
the vote personally to one of these designated members. These two members
are also responsible for tallying election votes. These members shall be
chosen in the general meeting prior to the nominations/elections meeting.
- Newly elected Executive Officers shall hold office for the period of one
year. The newly elected Executive Officers shall take office on the penultimate
general meeting.
Section 3.
Resignations
- A letter of resignation shall be submitted to the President or Vice-President
by any person wishing to resign from office at least one week before the
next general meeting.
- During a meeting, when a resignation is presented, nominations will be
taken to fill the vacated office. A person shall be elected by the membership
during the next general meeting. The President or Vice-President shall appoint
a temporary officer after the resignation and before a replacement officer
is confirmed.
Section 4.
Impeachment
- When any member feels that an officer is not fulfilling his/her duties,
he/she may call upon the officers and advisors during the next Executive Officer
meeting to discuss the matter.
- During the impeachment proceedings, the case for impeachment will
be presented. The officer under question will be given the opportunity to
present his/her defense before the other officers and the advisors. The remaining
elected officers will determine with a simple majority vote whether to present
an impeachment vote to the members: If the vote for impeachment goes to the
members, a 2/3 (based on the 20% requirement stated in Article VI) decision
will be necessary for impeachment to occur. All faculty advisors must be consulted
of impeachment proceedings and retain the opportunity to appeal the Executive
Officer’s vote. In the case of an advisor’s appeal, the Executive
Officers will consider the case again at the next Executive Officer’s
meeting.
- If an officer is impeached, a new officer will be nominated and elected
at the next general meeting with a temporary officer appointed by the President
or Vice-President acting in the interim.
ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS
Section 1.
Quorom shall be met if 20% of membership is present.
Section 2.
General meeting shall be held at least once a month.
Section 3.
Election meetings shall be held on the date of a general meeting.
Section 4.
Special meetings may be called by simple majority vote (50% + 1) of the Executive Officers with at least one week notification to membership.
Section 5.
Executive Officer meetings shall be held at intervals defined by a simple majority vote (50% + 1) of the Executive Officers.
ARTICLE VII - ADVISOR
Section 1. Expectations
Advisor must be a Texas A&M University employee as defined by the Human
Resources Department and must advise at level consistent with the organization.
The Advisor must be a faculty member, professional or associate staff member,
or graduate assistant. It is vital that the Advisor be familiar with the activities
of the organization and have (or be willing to obtain) an appropriate level
of experience, resources, and knowledge related to those activities and the
mission of the organization.
Advisor should meet with the officers of the organization to discuss expectations
for roles and responsibilities. The Advisor should regularly attend executive
as well as general meetings and be available outside those meetings for advice
and consultation related to the operations of the organization. Additionally,
you should assist the organization developing realistic goals for the academic
year. This will contribute to the educational and personal development of
the students involvement.
As an advisor, you should participate in event planning and attend events
when possible or when identified as necessary through the planning process
and e aware of the organization’s financial status via review of these
statements and approval of expenditures. Completion of the required on-line
education process for the SOFC.
Advisor should be aware of the University Student Rules and other institutional
guidelines that establish expectations for student behavior and activities.
The Advisor will also ensure that the group and its officers know where consequences
for choosing to operate outside their parameters. As an employee of Texas
A&M University, the Advisor will report all rule violations or potential
violations to the appropriate university official, and must be familiar with
the organization’s constitution and all other governing documents, so
that they may advise effectively.
Section 2. Replacement
If for any reason the advisor is no longer willing and/or able to fulfill
their responsibilities, they will formally communicate this to the student
organization and the Department of Student Activities in writing. The organization
will then determine the appropriate course of action for replacing the advisor.
ARTICLE VIII - FINANCE
Section 1. Dues
Dues shall be determined by the national organization and will be collected
from all members of this organization.
Section 2. Financial Transactions
All monies belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed
through a bank account established for this organization at the Student Organization
Finance Center and/or the Fiscal Office. All funds must be deposited within
24 hours after collection. The advisor to this organization must approve and
sign each expenditure before payment.
ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
Section 1.
Amendments to Bylaws
- Proposed amendments shall be presented in writing to the Executive Officers at least one week before being presented to a general meeting.
- A favorable vote shall be considered 2/3 of the membership present (base on 20% requirement stated in Article VII).
- The amendments shall be submitted to the SHPE National Student Affairs Committee (NSAC) for approval.
