Bylaws

CONSTITUTION

Biostatistics Student Association at

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

ARTICLE I                 NAME

Section 1

The name of this organization shall be the Biostatistics Student Association (BSA) at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.  This is a student chapter of the American Statistical Association (ASA), which is the main professional organization for statisticians and related professionals in the United States.  The ASA was founded in Boston, Massachusetts on November 27, 1839.

ARTICLE II               PURPOSE

Section 1

The purpose of this organization is to

  • Foster student development, both academic and professional, in ways that compliment those offered by the department or the University.
    1. Provide professional development services by organizing events such as guest speakers, CV workshops, and mock interviews.
    2. Provide academic development services such as programming workshops and thesis presentation practice sessions.
    3. Provide opportunities for students to get involved in community service related to statistics and/or science.
  • Provide a sense of community among students across all years in the Department of Biostatistics and Informatics at the University of Colorado, School of Public Health.
    1. Assist with student visit days and recruitment
    2. Provide informational and social events for all students throughout the school year.
  • Facilitate student involvement in the American Statistical Association (ASA), via promotion of and attendance at local ASA chapter events.
  • Provide a link to Biostatistics Department faculty and other graduate students in the School of Public Health and/or Graduate School.
    1. Students appointed to department or graduate school representative positions should be invited to participate in the BSA, if not already involved.

 

ARTICLE III              AUTHORITY

Section 1

This organization is a recognized student organization at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and adheres to all campus policies at set forth in the Student Code of Conduct and Student Organization policy manuals.

Section 2

This organization is affiliated with the American Statistical Association and adheres to its constitution and bylaws.

Section 3

This organization will establish bylaws to govern administrative and procedural matters (such as time and location of meetings, etc.).  Bylaws shall not conflict with this constitution.  Bylaws may be adopted, amended, or temporarily suspended by a majority vote present at an organization meeting where a quorum is present.

 

ARTICLE IV              MEMBERSHIP

Section 1

Membership in the organization shall be open to those regularly-enrolled University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus students who are seeking a degree or concentration within the Biostatistics and Informatics Department.

Section 2

Eligibility for membership or appointed or elected student officer positions may not be limited on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or disability. The organization shall have no rules or policies that discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or disability.

Section 3

This organization shall have associated members who are not students within the Biostatistics and Informatics Department. Associated members shall have all membership privileges except for the right to hold office.

Section 4

This organization shall have honorary members who were former members of the organization but have since graduated from Biostatistics and Informatics Department.  Honorary members shall have all membership rights except for the right to vote or hold office.

 

ARTICLE V                OFFICERS

Section 1

The officers of the Biostatistics Student Association shall be PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT(S), SECRETARY, TREASURER, and FIRST-YEAR REPRESENTATIVE.

Section 2

In order to run for office in the organization, members must be a matriculated student and in good academic standing with the Biostatistics and Informatics Department, which is defined as “…to maintain at least a ‘B’ (3.00) average in all course work attempted while enrolled.”

Section 3

In order to run for PRESIDENT of the Biostatistics Student Association, the student must have already served at least one term as an officer.

Section 4

While in office, officers must hold current memberships within the ASA and must stay in good academic standing with the Biostatistics and Informatics Department.

Section 5

All officers serve a term of ONE (1) YEAR or until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified.

Section 6

Any officer who, during the term of his/her office, ceases to be a voting member, or fails to maintain his/ her status as a matriculating student in good academic and disciplinary standing with the Biostatistics and Informatics Department, shall be removed from his/her office and a replacement shall be elected, if necessary.

Section 7

An officer who misses more than 1/3 of the Biostatistics Student Association officer meetings or sponsored events shall be removed from his/her office and a replacement shall be elected, if necessary.

ARTICLE VI              MEETINGS

Section 1

Regular officer meetings shall be held twice a month (i.e., bi-monthly) during the academic year.  All member meetings shall be held once every academic semester.

Section 2

Special meetings may be called by the President or a majority of the Executive Committee.  All members required to attend any special meeting must be given a minimum of 24 hours’ notice prior to the meeting time.

Section 3

Members must be present to vote.

Section 4

In order to vote, a member must satisfy Article IV, Section 1 or Section 3 of the organization’s constitution.

ARTICLE VII             UNIVERSITY ADVISOR(S)

Section 1

The Biostatistics Student Association shall have a university advisor who will be a full- or part-time member of the University faculty, staff, or administration within the Biostatistics and Informatics Department.  The advisor will fulfill the responsibilities specified Student Organization policy manual.  Advisors can serve for multiple, consecutive academic terms.  Once an advisor’s term ends, a successor will be selected by the faculty of the Department of Biostatistics and Informatics.

ARTICLE VIII                       FINANCES

Section 1

Organization funds shall not be used to purchase or reimburse members for alcoholic beverages.

ARTICLE IX              DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS

Section 1

All members of the Biostatistics Student Association are expected to uphold the rules and regulations of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Student Code of Conduct and adhere to the policies and procedures set for in the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Student Organization policy manual.

Section 2

Members that violate the Student Code of Conduct and Student Organization policies may face disciplinary action.

ARTICLE X                AMENDMENTS

Section 1

Proposed amendments to this constitution shall be presented to the membership, in writing, one meeting prior to the meeting where the amendment will be voted upon.  The Executive Committee shall review and make recommendations on all bylaw revisions prior to consideration by the membership.

Section 2

Constitution amendments require approval by two-thirds of the voting members present at an all-members meeting. The amendment shall be effective immediately unless otherwise stipulated in the amendment.

Section 3

A copy of any amendments to this constitution must be submitted to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus within two weeks after adoption

 

 

 

BYLAWS

Biostatistics Student Association at

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Section I - The officers of the Biostatistics Student Association shall be the:

  1. President- Harris Butler
  2. Vice President(s)- Ilana Trumble
  3. Secretary- Kevin Josey
  4. Treasurer- Alexandria Jensen
  5. First-year student representative- TBD

Section II – Powers and duties of the officers

  1. The President shall serve as chief executive officer of the organization, shall preside at all meetings of the organization, and shall prepare the agenda for meetings. The President shall appoint all committees and committee chairs.  The President shall have other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the organization.
  2. The Vice President(s) shall preside at organization meetings in the absence of the President. The Vice President(s) shall perform all legal duties assigned by the President.  If the organization has only one Vice President for the academic year, the Vice President shall assume the office of the President if the office becomes vacant.  If the organization has more than one Vice President for the academic year, a vote shall be held within the Executive Committee to choose which Vice President shall assume the Presidency if the office becomes vacant.
  3. The Treasurer shall handle all financial affairs and budgeting of the organization, maintain all necessary accounting records, and prepare financial reports for the membership. The Treasurer shall collect all dues (if applicable) and revenue and submit it to the appropriate location for deposit.
  4. The Secretary shall take minutes at all meetings of the organization, keep these on file, and submit copies to organization members upon request. The Secretary shall be responsible for all organization correspondence and shall keep copies on file. The Secretary shall maintain membership records for the organization.
  5. The First-year student representative shall serve as a communicating branch between the executive committee and student members in their first year of study at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Department of Biostatistics and Informatics. This officer shall attend all officer meetings and perform organizational duties as required.

Section III – Qualifications necessary to hold office in the Biostatistics Student Association are as follows:

  1. The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus policies require that in order to maintain satisfactory academic progress, advance to candidacy, and earn a graduate degree, students are required to maintain at least a ‘B’ (3.00) average in all course work attempted while enrolled.
  2. No member shall hold more than one office at a time. No member shall serve more than two consecutive years in the same office.

Section IV – Elections

  1. Elections are held near the end of spring semester and shall take place via a survey emailed to all registered members. At least one week’s time shall be allowed between survey distribution and ballot counting.
  2. Nominations for officers shall take place via email. Members may nominate themselves for an office. If there are no nominations for a particular office, the executive committee shall recruit nominees for the positions from the membership.
  3. Officers shall be elected by majority vote. If no candidate receives a majority vote, a runoff election shall be held between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes.
  4. Votes shall be cast by secret ballot; however, when there is only one candidate for an office, a motion may be made to elect the candidate.
  5. Nominations of the PRESIDENT will be made by the executive committee members only, and will take place at the executive member meeting prior to the last meeting of the spring semester. The election will be held at the final executive meeting of the spring semester.
  6. At the beginning of the fall semester, the FIRST-YEAR REPRESENTATIVE shall be recruited by the executive committee from the group of incoming students.

Section V – Executive board/committee

  1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected and appointed officers, with the advisor(s) serving as non-voting member(s).
  2. The Executive Committee shall have general supervision of the affairs of the organization between meetings and is authorized to take action when action must be taken prior to the next meeting.
  3. The Executive Committee shall report to the membership all actions taken between meetings. Except when it is too late to do so (such as when a contract has been executed), any actions taken by the Executive Committee may be rescinded or modified by the membership by a majority vote.

Section VI – University advisor(s)

  1. The advisor shall fulfill the responsibilities specified in the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Student Organization policy manual. Advisors shall serve on an academic year basis or until their successor has been selected.
  2. The advisor shall participate in the Student Organization recertification process yearly.

Section VII – Meetings and voting

  1. Regular meetings shall be scheduled during the academic year.
  2. Special meetings may be called by the President or a majority of the Executive Committee. All members must be given a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to the meeting time.
  3. Business cannot be conducted unless a quorum of the Executive Committee is present.
  4. Members must be present to vote. Absentee or proxy voting is not permitted.
  5. In order to vote a member must be regularly-enrolled student on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Section VIII – Special committees

  1. Special Committees may be established by the Executive Board and shall perform such duties as defined in their establishment.
  2. The Executive Board shall appoint, and may remove, committee members and a Chairperson for each committee.

Section IX – Finances

  1. Occasionally the Biostatistics Student Association may need to assess a fee or collect money from the membership for special events/purposes. The amount of money collected shall be determined by a majority of the membership at a regularly scheduled meeting.
  2. Organization funds shall not be used to purchase or reimburse members for alcoholic beverages.
  3. The Biostatistics Student Association may initiate other fundraising activities to fund their events. Funds raised will be handled by the Treasurer and in accordance with the University of Colorado Anschutz policies for Associated Student Organizations.

Section X – Discipline of members

  1. When a member believes that another member has engaged in conduct that is detrimental to the organization, a conversation should be held with either the University Adviser or a member of Campus Student Services.
  2. If warranted, a written charge may be filed with Campus Student Services. Campus Student Services shall review the charge(s) and may conduct a preliminary investigation if deemed appropriate. If the preliminary investigation concludes that misconduct appears to have occurred, Campus Student Services work with the Executive Committee to determine if any sanctions are warranted. Possible sanctions may include expulsion, suspension, or lesser sanction(s) including, but not limited to, a reprimand, removal from office, a fine or other corrective remedies.

Section XI – Dissolution

  1. Upon a dissolution of the Biostatistics Student Association for any reason, all work, funds, and property controlled by the organization shall be turned over to the Biostatistics and Informatics Department.

Section XII – Non-hazing clause

  1. The laws of the state of Colorado concerning hazing shall be observed.
  2. Hazing shall be defined as participating in or allowing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act that creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person. A forced or coerced activity shall also be considered hazing when the initiation or administration into, or continued affiliation with, a university organization is directly or indirectly conditional upon performing the activity. In no event shall the willingness of an individual to participate in such an activity serve as defense in cases of hazing.
  3. Actions and activities, which are explicitly prohibited, include, but shall not be limited to the following:
    1. Any activity that creates a substantial risk of physical or mental harm.
    2. Paddling, beating, or hitting individuals.
  • Wearing anything designed to be degrading or to cause discomfort.
  1. Depriving individuals of the opportunity to obtain a minimum of six hours of sleep per day,
  2. proper and adequate means, or access to means, of maintaining body cleanliness.
  3. Activities that interfere with an individual’s academic efforts by causing exhaustion of loss of reasonable study time.

Section XIII – Impeachment

ANY MEMBER MAY INITIATE OFFICERS REMOVAL BY THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE.

  1. Petition Executive Board with signatures of 1/3 of all voting members petition should state reason for removal.
  2. Executive Board shall then notify officers and call for removal vote within fourteen days of the filing of the petition.
  3. Memberships shall be notified at least one week prior to removal vote meeting.
  4. At the meeting for removal, the petition's stated grievances shall be made public and the officer charged shall be allowed to respond to the charges of the petition.
  5. Removal from office shall require a vote of 2/3 of all voting members.

Section XIV – Vacancy of office

  1. In case of resignation or removal of any officer, an interim acting officer shall be appointed by the Executive Board.
  2. The President shall call for an election within fourteen days after vacancy of any office.
  3. Elections shall be conducted as stated in the bylaws.
  4. Should the office of President become vacant:
    1. If the organization has only one Vice President for the academic year, the Vice President should complete the President’s unexpired term and call for an election for Vice President consistent with the elections process set forth in the bylaws.
    2. If the organization has more than one Vice President for the academic year, the Executive Committee shall call for an election within the Executive Committee for President consistent with the elections process set forth in the bylaws. Following the election of a new President, who will complete the former President’s unexpired term, the Executive Committee shall determine whether an election should be called to fill the vacant Vice Presidency.  If so, the elections process will be consistent with what is set forth in the bylaws.

Section XV – Amendments

  1. Proposed amendments to these bylaws shall be presented to the membership, in writing, one meeting prior to the meeting where the amendment will be voted upon. The Executive Committee and/or Bylaws Committee shall review and make recommendations on all bylaw revisions prior to consideration by the membership.
  2. Bylaw amendments require approval by two-thirds of the voting members present at an all member meeting. The amendment shall be effective immediately unless otherwise stipulated in the amendment.
  3. A copy of any amendments to these bylaws must be submitted to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Campus Student Services within two weeks after adoption.

These bylaws were adopted on December 5, 2017 and most recently revised on October 14, 2019.