Students of Mixed Heritage at Amherst College

ARTICLE I: Name

This organization shall be officially known as Students of Mixed Heritage at Amherst College.

ARTICLE II: Purpose

Historically, society has tried to define and place mixed peoples into narrow boxes. Mixed people have been written off as "marginal" or hopelessly confused. But mixed people are not confused - society is confused. SMHAC claims for its members the right of self-definition. Persons of mixed heritage have the right to choose to identify with all sides of their heritage or one side or none at all. It is important that mixed heritage people have the power to name themselves.

SMHAC provides a space for students of mixed heritage and those interested in issues of mixed heritage issues to express their concerns and interests to each other and the college community at large. SMHAC seeks to increase community awareness of issues facing students of mixed heritage while celebrating the role of people of mixed heritage within our increasingly multicultural society. SMHAC represents students of mixed heritage on campus in voicing their political, cultural and social interests while recognizing that each of its members has a unique voice.

SMHAC will facilitate greater awareness on campus of mixed heritage issues by sponsoring various events such as films, lectures, open forums, workshops, and general meetings.

ARTICLE III: Membership

  • All members of the Amherst College community who are committed to seeing the issues involving students of mixed heritage are fully represented in the community are not only eligible, but are encouraged to join the Students of Mixed Heritage at Amherst College and become part of the active membership.
  • Similarly, those who are not officially members of the Amherst College community are encouraged to join the Students of Mixed Heritage at Amherst College.
  • Because the Students of Mixed Heritage at Amherst College seeks to break down discriminatory barriers within the Amherst community we proudly pledge the following: we will not restrict membership based upon race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or handicap.
  • Although membership is open to the entire community, the distinction of active membership shall be limited to those Amherst College students who have attended at least two SMHAC general meetings in the current academic year.

ARTICLE IV: Officers

  • The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the organization and administration of group activities.
  • Eligibility for an Executive Committe post shall be restricted to the active membership.
  • The Executive Committee shall consist of the following offices:
    • Co-Facilitator (Calendar and Academic Year) - The duties of this office include, but are not limited to: acting as the official representatives of SMHAC in all external capacities, performing administrative responsibilities, preparing meeting agendas, directing meetings, and facilitating discussions.
    • Secretarial Officer - The duties of this office include, but are not limited to: reserving rooms for meetings, taking minutes, taking attendance, maintaining an updated membership list and attendance roster, and upkeeping of the SMHAC archives.
    • Finance Officer - The duties of this office include, but are not limited to: submitting budget proposals and appeals to the Student Finance Committee, final approval of all expenditures, reimbursements, and maintenance of complete financial records.
    • Communications Officer (Calendar and Academic Year) - The duties of this office include, but are not limited to: overseeing the production and distribution of publicity for events and meetings of Students of Mixed Heritage at Amherst College, maintaining communication within the Executive Board and between the Board and general membership, and maintaining the SMHAC World Wide Webpage.
    • First Year Representative - The duties of this office include, but are not limited to: each semester, organizing at least two activites specifically targeted towards the first year class; representing the ideas and opinions of the first year class membership at all Executive Committee meetings; and aiding in the maintenance of communication with other student and community organizations.

ARTICLE V: Elections

  • One Co-Facilitator and one Communications Officer shall be elected on the calendar year. One Co-Facilitator and one Communications Officer shall be elected on the academic year. Elections for the calendar year posts shall be held no later than the second week of December and no later than the last week of April for the academic year posts.
  • Elections for the Finance Officer shall take place no later than the second week of December.
  • Elections for the First Year Officer shall take place no later than the second week of October.
  • Elections for the Secretarial Officer shall be held no later than the last week of April.
  • Executive Committee officer terms shall last for two semesters.
  • Voting privileges for all elections (excluding the First Year Representative elections) shall be restricted to the active membership. In the case of elections for the First Year Representative, the entire first year class, and only the entire first year class, shall be eligible to vote.

ARTICLE VI: Meetings

  • The time and place of meetings shall be determined by the Executive Committee.
  • Meetings will be called to order by the Co-Facilitators.
  • 1/2 of the active membership present at an official meeting constitutes a quorum.
  • The Secretarial Officer shall maintain an attendance roster of all those present at the meeting.
  • Special emergency meetings shall be called at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VI: Constitutional Amendments

  • Amendments can be proposed by any active member.
  • Voting on proposed amendments will be take place no less than one week after proposal, with the membership having ample time to hear debate on the proposal as determined by the Executive Committee.
  • Amendments shall pass by a 2/3 vote of a quorum.

ARTICLE VII: Settlement of Constitutional Disputes

The presiding authority for points not covered herein shall be Roberts Rules of Order Revised.

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