Inter-Society Council Constitution

PREAMBLE

The Inter-Society Council (“ISC”) exists to promote beneficial relationships between the social Societies of Whittier College, providing self-governance of Society affairs and a venue to resolve differences between Societies.

ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING RIGHTS IN ISC

Section 1. Each Society duly recognized and in good standing with ISC is allowed one vote in all ISC affairs, except those directly concerning an individual Society. Societies in poor standing or on probation with ISC are not permitted to vote in ISC affairs.

Section 2. Each individual member of all Societies recognized by ISC is a member of the Council as a whole and is expected to uphold all aspects of this constitution..

Section 3. At the commencement of education of new members (“New Member Education Program”), a copy of this Constitution will be distributed to all new members and an appropriate amount of time will be given for the purpose of reading and understanding the contents of this constitution.

Section 4. At the commencement of each academic year, a copy of this constitution will be emailed to all active Society members.

ARTICLE II: DUES

Section 1. Individual Societies will be assessed $5.00 in dues per semester for each active member of their Society. Dues shall be paid in full by the third regular ISC meeting of the semester.

  1. The ISC Treasurer shall inform ISC of any Society which has not paid dues in full by the beginning of the third meeting shall be duly authorized to declare a Society in poor standing with ISC, subject to override by 2/3rds of the Societies present and voting at that meeting.

Section 2. The amount for dues may be changed by at least 2/3rds vote of the Societies recognized and in good standing with ISC, one weeks’ notice having been given before such a vote is taken.

ARTICLE III: SOCIETY REPRESENTATIVES TO ISC

Section 1. Each Society recognized by ISC, or seeking recognition thereof, shall elect from their membership two representatives to ISC.

Section 2. Representatives to ISC will be empowered to act on behalf of the Society in all affairs on ISC.

Section 3. A Society must send representatives to all meetings of ISC. Failure to send an ISC representative to three or more meetings shall place the respective Society on poor standing with ISC.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS OF ISC

Section 1. The Chief Executive Officers of ISC will be two ISC Chairs.

  • One Chair shall be male and one female;
  • The Chairs shall have been through at least two New Member Education Program sessions: their own and one subsequent session and had to have been continuously active for each session.
  • The chairs must have served on ISC or attended the majority of ISC meetings for a semester.
  • The Chairs may not be members of the same Society;
  • No Society’s members may hold either Chair position for more than two years in a row.
  • The Chairs shall serve a term of one year, beginning on the second regular ISC meeting of the Spring semester;
  • Chairs shall act impartially in all affairs and shall defer to the other Chair in situations involving their own Society;
  • Chairs shall keep a current list of all Society members and their status within Societies, including Officer positions, for those Societies recognized by ISC;
  • Chairs shall be responsible for conducting any meeting of ISC;
  • Chairs may call emergency meetings of ISC with appropriate notice to the Societies
  • Chairs shall represent the interests of the Societies to the Associated Students of Whittier College (“ASWC”) and the administration, staff, and faculty of the College;
    • The Chairs shall report the status of individual Societies to the ASWC when any matter concerning a specific Society is brought before the ASWC’s governing body.

Section 2. The Treasurer of ISC will be one individual, and shall:

  • serve a term of one semester;
  • be appointed by the Chairs and subject to removal by the Chairs;
  • report weekly to ISC on the funds available to the Council;
  • collect dues from the leadership of each Societies;
  • report to ISC the list of Societies which have and have not paid dues;
  • determine, as per Article II, the status of a Society based on its payment or non-payment of dues;
  • monitor, in conjunction with the Chairs, all expenditures involving the ISC budget.

Section 3. The Secretary of ISC will be one individual, and shall:

  • serve a term of one semester;
  • be appointed by the Chairs and subject to removal by the Chairs;
  • be appointed by the Chairs of ISC, with approval of at least 2/3rds of Societies present and voting;
  • record minutes of all ISC meetings and distribute them via email to all Society members within 48 hours of the meeting;
  • record a list of the number of absences of officers and Societies at any ISC meetings;
  • organize and oversee the election of any officers on ISC.

Section 4. The Publicity Chairs shall:

  • be two individuals, each serving a term of one semester;
  • be appointed by the Chairs and subject to removal by the Chairs;
  • be responsible for promoting events sponsored by ISC to the student body;

Section 5. Ad-Hoc Chairs may be appointed by the ISC Chairs to oversee particular functions of and events held or sponsored by ISC. Their terms shall automatically expire when the terms of the Chairs expire.

ARTICLE V: ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF OFFICERS

Section 1. Elected officers of ISC may be nominated by any ISC representative at the first meeting of the spring semester. Any active member of a Society may be nominated. Nominations must be seconded by another Society’s representative.

Section 2. Elections shall be held during the second regular ISC meeting of the semester. A candidate must receive a majority vote (50%+1) of the Societies present and in good standing. In the event that no candidate receives a majority vote, a runoff shall be immediately held.

Section 3 . Officers of ISC may be removed by at least a 2/3rds vote of the Societies, for any cause. In the event of a removal, the regular process of nominations and elections will be used to fill the position for the remainder of the term.

ARTICLE VI: ISC MEETINGS

Section 1. All ISC meetings shall be conducted according to this Constitution. In matters where this Constitution does not provide explicit guidance, Robert’s Rules of Order, newly revised shall be used, a copy of which will be available in the office of the ISC advisor.

Section 2. All regular meetings of ISC shall be conducted in public, open to all members of the student body, faculty, and administration, unless, by at least 2/3rds vote, the Societies vote to close the meeting.

  • If a meeting is closed, only the ISC representatives, Presidents of the Societies, may remain.
  • ISC may admit additional individuals to remain at the meeting, or invite others to the meeting, by majority vote during the closed session.
  • The closing of a meeting is to be an exception, not standard operating procedure.

Section 3. An agenda for each meeting shall be drafted by the Chairs and distributed to all ISC representatives at the beginning of the meeting. For all regular meetings, the agenda shall be as follows:

  • Call to Order.
  • Moment of Silence.
  • Roll Call (by the Secretary).
  • Message from the Chairs
  • Treasurer’s Report.
  • Publicity Chairs’ Report.
  • Reports from Ad Hoc Chairs
  • Reports and Announcements from the Societies (in alphabetical order).
  • General Business, Discussion.
  • Adjournment.

Section 4. Quorum at an ISC meeting shall be at least one representative from at least 2/3rds of the Societies recognized by ISC, no matter their standing. Quorum shall be necessary to conduct any official business and must be maintained during any vote.

Section 5. Any proposal to ISC affecting the Societies must be first read at an ISC meeting at which quorum is established. The proposal may be amended and voted on at the next regular ISC meeting.

  • The proposal may receive a “friendly” amendment if the original mover has no objections to the amendment;
  • The proposal may be amended by a majority vote of Societies present and in good standing;
  • Proposals may be made and adopted at the same meeting when they concern issues pending before the governing body of the ASWC or the College administration and require immediate or quick attention, as determined by the Chairs.
  • Proposals may be tabled to future meetings.
  • Proposals may be passed by a majority vote, quorum being present.

ARTICLE VII: SOCIETY STANDING WITHIN ISC

Section 1. Each Society shall fall under one of three levels of status within ISC: good standing, poor standing, and probation.

Section 2. A Society in good standing with ISC is that which has not violated the rules established in this Constitution and has adhered to the qualifications and guidelines as established by Whittier College. Societies in good standing with ISC are granted all the privileges ordained in this Constitution, including the ability to attend all ISC-sponsored functions and meetings, the ability to vote in ISC affairs, and eligibility for funding from ISC and the ASWC. Societies on good standing retain the ability to participate in and host social functions, including, but not limited to, stags, parties, dances, et cetera.

Section 3. A Society in poor standing with ISC is that which has violated one or more of the rules established in this Constitution. A status of poor standing may be accorded pursuant to those powers granted to officers or to judicial proceedings in ISC. Societies in poor standing do not have the ability to vote in ISC affairs, but are permitted to attend ISC meetings and retain full discussion privileges. Societies in poor standing are ineligible for any form of funding from ISC or the ASWC and may not, as organizations, participate in functions sponsored by ISC. Additionally, Societies in poor standing may not participate or host social functions, as defined in Section 2 of this Article, nor may they conduct New Member Education events.

Section 4. A Society on probation is that which has recently been recognized by ISC, or has violated a minor rule (as decided by 2/3 votes of the voting members of ISC) which does not merit the full punishment mandated by a status of “poor standing”, or of expulsion from ISC. A Society on probation may not vote on ISC affairs, but is otherwise accorded the privileges granted to those Societies on “good standing”.

Section 5. The designation of “social probation” is rescinded and may not be enacted.

ARTICLE VIII: RECOGNITION OF SOCIETIES

Section 1. A Society seeking admission to ISC and recognition by the College as an official organization will be recognized provided it meets, in good faith, the qualifications for being a Social Society, including:

  • The completion and presentation of a proposed Constitution to the Office of Student Activities (“OSA”) and to ISC.
    • ISC may deny recognition of the Society’s Constitution in the event that it directly conflicts with the explicit requirements of the ISC Constitution.
  • The presentation of a proposed New Member Education program to the Advisor of ISC for review of compliance to ISC standards, Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
  • The identification of a staff or faculty advisor.
  • The presentation of a proposal to the Dean of Students outlining intent, purpose of organization and added benefit to the campus community and how it differs from other Societies.
  • The agreement by the applicant Society that it accepts and will comply with all aspects of the ISC Constitution.

Section 2. Upon completion of these steps, the Chairs will call for a vote to determine whether the applicant Society has met the steps outlined above. If at least 2/3rds of the Societies present and in good standing concur that the applicant Society has met the qualifications, the applicant will be recognized by ISC. If the vote fails, those voting against the applicant Society must specify their reasons for doing so in accordance to section I, and the Chairs will communicate those reasons to the applicant Society.

Section 3. A new Society recognized by ISC shall be given the designated status of probation for its first semester of membership.

  • Within this designated probation period they must hold two service project events one on campus event, and one off campus event.

Section 4. An application for recognition may be denied to organizations, or those comprised of former members of organizations, which have been previously expelled from ISC.

ARTICLE IX: ISC JUDICIAL DECISIONS

Section 1. Complaints or charges regarding offenses to the ISC Constitution, individual Societies’ constitutions, or those offenses against the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities by Society members alleged to have acted as a Society, whether officially or unofficially, are to be adjudicated in an Executive Session of ISC.

  • An Executive Session of ISC shall involve at least one Chair who is designated to run the Session, the Advisor to ISC, and the Presidents (or their designee, as outlined in the individual Societies’ constitutions) of all Societies except those facing charges.

Section 2. Complaints or charges may be initially made to the Chairs or Advisor to ISC, who will then determine whether the charges are plausible. Witnesses or parties to the complaint may be interviewed by and in the presence of at least one Chair and the Advisor to ISC. If the charges have merit, an Executive Session will be called to order within 72 hours.

  1. If the charges concern a Society of which a Chair is a member, the Chair shall recuse him or herself of involvement in the matter and need not be informed of an ongoing investigation until charges are officially brought.
  2. The Advisor or Chairs have the right and obligation to suspend a New Member Education Program of any Society against which plausible charges of hazing are made.
  3. The Chair(s) and Advisor shall keep a log of all interviews conducted during an investigation.
  4. Witnesses may be granted anonymity, at the discretion of the Advisor, when providing information, under the condition that their information is truthful and given in good faith.
  5. Parties to the complaint may be granted any level of immunity, at the discretion of the Advisor, when providing information, under the condition that their information is truthful and given in good faith.

Section 3. Upon the determination that charges have merit, the leadership of the accused Society will be notified at least 48 hours in advance of proceedings via letter delivered by Campus Safety, email to the Society's official email address, email to the Whittier email addresses of all Officers of the Society, and via telephone of the nature of the charges, the time and location of the hearing, the potential consequences of the charges, and a copy of this section of the ISC Constitution, outlining their rights and responsibilities before the hearing board.

Section 4. The hearing shall be conducted as follows:

  1. At the hearing, all parties will be informed that the proceedings are strictly confidential.
  2. The meeting shall be recorded on tape, the sole copy of which shall remain the property of the Dean of Students.
  3. All evidence and information collected by the Chairs and Advisor shall be presented to the body and the accused.
  4. The accused will be asked to provide a rebuttal statement.
  5. The accused may then call any witnesses they desire.
    1. A list of desired witnesses must be delivered to the Chairs or Advisor at least 24 hours before the proceedings.
    2. The Advisor shall take all appropriate action to request or compel the attendance of the witnesses to the proceedings.
    3. The witnesses may be questioned by the accused, the Chairs, the Advisor, and the Presidents in attendance.
    4. After the accused parties’ case has been presented, the accused parties, all witnesses, and all others who are not the Advisor, Chairs, or Presidents will be excused from the room.
    5. The Presidents, moderated by the Chairs, will debate to ascertain whether the accused were more likely than not to have committed the allegations. A vote of at least 2/3rds of the Society Presidents present must concur to the positive in this regard.
    6. If the accused are found more likely than not to have committed the offense alleged, the Presidents will then determine the appropriate actions, subject to the following conditions
      • If the charge is hazing, the members of the Society will be referred to the Dean of Students for possible violation of the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, and the Society must:
        • cease all New Member Education programs underway;
        • be prevented from admitting new members for at least one year;
        • be placed on poor standing status for at least one year;
        • be required to submit a new New Member Education program for approval by the Advisor before the expiration of other sanctions;
        • be considered for permanent removal from ISC;
      • In all other cases, ISC shall determine appropriate sanctions, amending this Constitution to set precedent, which may include any combination of the following:
        • Prevention of admitting new members;
        • Poor standing or probationary status for up to one year;
        • The levying of reasonable fines;
        • Permanent removal from ISC
  1. In the event that the accused do not show up to the hearing, the Council shall hear the evidence and has the option of rendering a judgment against the accused, based on the information available. This judgment may not be appealed to the Council.
  2. The decisions made by the Presidents carry the weight of any other ISC decision and may not be appealed to ISC or removed by subsequent action, absent unanimous consent.

Section 5. Whittier College retains the right to adjudicate charges against individuals for alleged acts of hazing and other violations of the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities irrespective of any action taken or decision reached by ISC.

ARTICLE X: MEMBERSHIP WITHIN INDIVIDUAL SOCIETIES

Section 1. As Societies are private organizations and retain the right of associative freedom, ISC shall not have the power to regulate which individuals Societies may offer or permit membership to, except to regulate minimum academic standards which must be met to be eligible for New Member Education.

Section 2. If their Constitution permits it, Societies retain the right to expel members who seek membership in another Society. Societies also retain the right to deny membership to those who hold current or past memberships in other Societies.

Section 3.  In the event that a current or former member of a Society seeks membership in another Society, at no time will they be expected or asked to disclose any information, knowledge, or traditions which another Society might consider confidential or privileged.

  • Any violation of this expectation, officially or unofficially, by a Society, subsequently convicted under the authority of ISC, requires a mandatory one-year status of poor standing.
  • Should a Society member or members violate this expectation, their Society must require them to go inactive for the duration of at least one year and prohibit them from attending New Member Education events. Failure to do so will indicate endorsement by the Society of the violation of the expectation of secrecy.
  • In order to pledge another society you must become officially disassociated from your former society through the dean of students office by mid-semester break

ARTICLE XI: NEW MEMBER EDUCATION

Section 1. Societies will be limited to one session of New Member Education per calendar year.

Section 2. The “Pledge master”, “Pledge mistress”, or any other similarly designated leader shall be the individual with the primary responsibility to ensure that New Member Education is free of hazing, mistreatment, or endangerment of new members;

  • This section shall not be construed to remove responsibility from other members of the Society for their actions or their refusal to reasonably prevent such offenses.

Section 3. Each Society shall designate up to three alumni of Whittier College as “Alumni Advisors”, at least one of which will be present during any New Member Education event or activity.

  • The Alumni Advisors shall be responsible for ensuring that New Member Education events are free of hazing, mistreatment, or endangerment of new members.
    • This section shall not be construed to remove responsibility from other members of the Society for their actions or their refusal to reasonably prevent such offenses.

Section 4. At the commencement of New Member Education, there shall be an education session organized by or at the direction of the Chairs and the Advisor. All prospective new members are required to attend this session. Failure to do so, without due cause (as approved by the Advisor), will result in the absent individual’s inability to continue with New Member Education.

Section 5. In order to participate in New Member Education programs, the prospective new member must meet the following conditions:

  • The prospective new member must have a minimum 2.25 cumulative GPA;
  • The prospective new member must have a minimum 2.25 GPA in the preceding semester;
  • The prospective new member must currently be a full-time student enrolled at Whittier College;
  • The prospective new member must inform the Dean of Students office of their acceptance of a bid with a particular Society.

Section 6. Any prospective new member who willfully or by vote of the Society fails to complete the New Member Education process will be free from public disparagement, humiliation, harassment, threats, or other abuse.

Section 7. A Society may make available the option of removing prospective new members during the course of New Member Education, as per the Society’s constitution or bylaws.

Section 8. At the conclusion of New Member Education, the new Society members will be presented to the other Society members in a traditional event arranged by the Chairs and Advisor.

ARTICLE XII: RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COLLEGE

Section 1. Except in cases where there is an immediate threat to life, limb, or property which can only be addressed by the College or other relevant organizations, ISC shall have original jurisdiction over any organizational policies and punishments related to the individual Societies, in consultation with the Dean of Students.

Section 2. ISC, and the Chairs thereof, are tasked with representing the concerns of the Societies to the administration, staff, and faculty of Whittier College.

ARTICLE XIII: RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ASWC

Section 1. ISC, through its Chairs, is responsible for representing the concerns and interests of the Societies to the Associated Students of Whittier College through its governing body.

Section 2. ISC is a regulatory body of the ASWC’s governing body, responsible for determining the social organizations recognized by the ASWC and determining whether a Society may receive funding.

ARTICLE XIV: ADVISOR

Section 1. ISC shall have at least one advisor designated by the Dean of Students.

Section 2. ISC may request the presence of an advisor from the Office of Student Activities.

ARTICLE XV: RESERVED POWERS

Section 1. All powers not granted to ISC in this Constitution shall be the domain of individual Societies.

ARTICLE XVI: AMENDMENTS

Section 1 This Constitution may be amended by a vote of at least 3/4ths of the Societies present and in good standing at a meeting called for that purpose. At least two weeks’ notice must be given to the Societies in advance of a vote to amend this Constitution.

Section 2. Upon amendment, an updated copy of this Constitution will be transmitted from the Chairs to all active members of Societies recognized by ISC, to the Advisor to ISC, to the Office of Student Activities, and to the governing body of the ASWC.

ARTICLE XVII: DISSOLUTION

Section 1. ISC may be dissolved by a vote of three quarters, a quorum being present, at least 2 week’s notice given to the general membership by the Chairs before such a vote is taken.

ARTICLE XVIII: RATIFICATION

This Constitution is ratified by a vote of at least 3/4s of the Presidents of all Societies recognized by ISC during the Fall 2007 semester and shall become effective upon ratification.

Signees:

_______________________________________

President, Athenian Society

_______________________________________

President, Franklin Society

______________________________________

President, Ionian Society

_______________________________________

President, Lancer Society

_______________________________________

President, Metaphonian Society

______________________________________

President, Orthogonian Society

______________________________________

President, Palmer Society

______________________________________

President, Sachsen Society

_______________________________________

President, Thalian Society

_______________________________________

President, William Penn Society

 

Witnesses:

_______________________________________

Michael Muse, Inter-Society Council Chair

_______________________________________

Malyssa Robson, Inter-Society Council Chair

______________________________________

Andre Coleman, Associate Dean of Students