Constitution

Constitution

National Residence Hall Honorary

 

Constitution Revised October 5th, 2022

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Linda Long Chapter Constitution

 

Article I: Name

This organization will hereafter be known as the National Residence Hall Honorary—Linda Long Chapter.

Article II: Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be to provide recognition for those individuals living in and/or serving the residence halls and to promote leadership both on campus and in our community.

 

Article III: Values of NRHH

The National Residence Hall Honorary (hereafter known as NRHH) is a leadership-based honorary comprised of exemplary residential students who value recognition and service.

Article IV: Membership

Membership consists of the top 1% of all University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (hereafter known as UWW) students living in the UWW residence halls as selected for active membership by the new member selection committee. Once an individual has been inducted as an NRHH Member, that individual is a NRHH member for life.

Section 1: Qualifications:

  1. New active members will be selected based on academic achievement in their university experience, service to students living in the residence halls, commitment recognition, strong character, leadership potential, and potential contribution to NRHH.
  2. Persons seeking active membership must meet the following requirements.
    1. Have lived at least two semesters in (a) collegiate residence halls(s).
    2. Currently reside in any properties operated by University Housing.
    3. Have a 2.5 cumulative collegiate grade point average.
    4. Have been active in RHA and/or in the residence halls for at least 1 full semester.
    5. Complete the proper membership application process.

Section 2: Member Status

  1. Aspiring Membership
    1. The Aspiring Member is a pre-membership status in which the student has shown interest through intent to become an NRHH Member.
    2. The Aspiring member must submit a formal intent of pre-membership to the chapter.
    3. The Chapter must confirm status of pre-membership to candidate member.
    4. The Chapter must educate the candidate on the following topics before the candidate can be inducted:
      1. NRHH History
      2. OTM’s
  • Membership Qualifications
  1. Membership Selection Process
  2. Have been active in RHA and/or in the residence halls for at least 1 full semester
  1. Before an Aspiring Member can be inducted, they must meet the following requirements:
    1. An Aspiring Member seeking induction must be a student of the college or university with which the chapter is affiliated.
    2. “Student” shall be defined by the chapter’s host institution.
  • Students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or professional degrees are all eligible for induction.
  1. At the time of induction, the Inductee must be a student possessing at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalency.
  2. Aspiring Member must be living in institutionally owned or contracted housing and has lived in institutionally owned or contracted housing for at least one academic term, as defined by the affiliated institution, upon induction.
  3. Aspiring Member must have made positive contribution to the residence hall system through engagement with the values of service and recognition.
  • Additional requirements as deemed necessary by the chapter requirements, they will be eligible for induction.
  1. Once an Aspiring Member has met all NACURH and chapter requirements, they will be eligible for induction.
  1. On-Campus Membership
    1. Is a UWW student who currently lives in a UWW Residence Hall.
    2. Is not a residence life professional staff member.
    3. Has voting rights on all topics and are eligible to serve on the executive board.
    4. Can temporarily leave on-campus housing by notifying the Leadership Team with a reason and duration of absences.
    5. On-Campus Member continue to make a positive contribution to their community through engagement with the values of service and recognition.
    6. Is still a member under temporary leave.
  2. Off-Campus Membership
    1. Is a member who has moved off campus.
    2. The Off-Campus Member must be a student of the college or university with which the chapter is affiliated.
    3. Has voting rights on all topics and are eligible to serve on the executive board.
    4. Can temporally leave on-campus housing by notifying the Leadership Team with a reason and duration of absences.
    5. On-Campus Member continue to make a positive contribution to the residence hall system through engagement with the values of service and recognition.
    6. Is still a member under temporary leave.
    7. Must submit a letter for permanent or temporary leave.
    8. If temporary, leave must state duration of leave.
    9. Is not allowed to vote if member who has submitted a notice of permanent leave returns.
    10. May participate in any and all chapter activities.
    11. Does not have the right to vote or seek a Chair position.
  3. Lifelong Membership
    1. Is a member who is no longer a student and shown dedication and commitment to NRHH according to their chapter’s standards, they will become an NRHH member for life.
    2. Anyone who leaves the chapter and institution in institutional good standing and meets the chapter’s requirements for membership for life would become a Lifelong Member.
    3. By becoming a Lifelong Member, a member would have to uphold the lifelong commitment to the NRHH Values of recognition and service.
    4. Lifelong Members are eligible to participate in chapter-specific and NACURH activities at the discretion of NACURH Leadership and their chapter, respectively.
  4. Outstanding Service Award
    1. The Outstanding Service Award is designed to recognize those who have demonstrated an outstanding support and service to the residence hall students. This may include, but is not limited to housing personnel, instructors, and university staff.
    2. Individuals who could qualify for active membership, including first term students, with the exception of those graduating in the current academic term, cannot be given an Outstanding Service Award.
    3. The maximum number of Outstanding Service Awards which may be given in a year is equal to the number of regional affiliates within NACURH.
    4. These members do not count in the 1% membership cap.
    5. Individuals receiving the award will be nominated by NRHH in the spring and will receive their award at the Reception of Excellence.
      1. Have made positive contributions to the residence hall system.
      2. Otherwise be ineligible for active membership.
    6. Member Removal Policy
      1. The Removal Policy may be enacted if an Active member can no longer meet the chapter membership expectations.
      2. If an Active member is removed, they no longer count towards the 1% membership cap.
      3. The following guidelines apply to the procedure for the removal of an Active member:
        1. The member and/or chapter must complete the NRHH Member Removal Application.
        2. This form can be obtained from the region’s AD-NRHH.
  • The form must include the electronic signatures of a member of the Leadership Team and chapter advisor(s).
  1. This form must be submitted electronically.
  2. The completed Member Removal application shall be submitted to the region’s AD-NRHH for approval.
  1. The amount of members for removal is up to the discretion of the chapter.
  2. It is the right of the region’s AD-NRHH to deny requests for removal for reasons including, but not limited to:
    1. A submission of an incomplete application form.
    2. The region’s AD-NRHH does not believe that sufficient\measures have been taken by the chapter to address the member’s inactivity or ineligibility within the chapter prior to submission of the application.
  3. If the member and/or chapter wish to appeal the decision, they may appeal to the Regional AD-NRHH through written request as to why the Candidate deserves to continue as a member of NRHH.
  1. NRHH Membership Transfer Policy
    1. NRHH members that are transferring schools at any educational level, including incoming graduate students and incoming doctoral students, are able to apply to have their NRHH membership transferred from their outgoing institution to their incoming institution.
    2. Each NRHH chapter is able to accept/reject transfer members at their own discretion. If accepted, these members shall become active members of the new chapter. The Membership Transfer Policy must be outlined according to the following:
      1. The student applying to transfer their membership must be fully matriculated at the new institution.
      2. The student seeking to transfer their membership must contact the chapter president and advisor in writing detailing why they want to transfer their membership, how they benefitted their previous chapter and residence hall system, and how they hope to be involved in the new chapter.
  • Each chapter is able to come up with their own process detailing how letters will be evaluated.
  1. If approved, the student and/or new chapter must complete the membership transfer application.
  2. The membership transfer application may be obtained from the region’s AD-NRHH.
  3. The membership transfer application shall include signatures from the following individuals:
    1. The incoming chapter’s Leadership Team
    2. The incoming chapter’s Advisor.
  • The NRHH member who is seeking to transfer their membership.
  1. The completed application shall be submitted to the region’s ADNRHH for approval.
  2. It is the right of the region’s AD-NRHH to deny requests for reasons including, but not limited to:
    1. The application form is incomplete.
    2. Adding new member(s) puts the chapter over its member cap.
  3. If the member and/or chapter wish to appeal the decision of the region’s AD-NRHH, they may appeal to the entire NNB. The decision of the NNB shall be final. In the event of an appeal to the NNB:
    1. Each AD-NRHH shall have one vote.
    2. A simple majority shall be necessary, with tie-breaking vote when necessary.

Article V: Selection of Members

At or before the second general meeting of spring semester the Leadership Team will develop a timetable for the selection process, the committee members will meet to select new members in the spring semester pending on member capacity. Formal invitations to the honorary will be delivered at least two weeks before the annual recognition event.

The selection process will proceed as follows:

  1. Nominations–New members must be nominated by a Residence Life professional staff member, or a residential student of UW-Whitewater
  2. Nominees must fill out and return the NRHH application form, reference form(s), and complete any additional steps required as stated on the application.
  3. The final selection committee will review each nominee based on their applications and select the best candidates based on the criteria outlined above.
  4. The new member selection meeting committee will consist of four of the following five:
    1. Linda Long or non-Residence Life professional
    2. Residence Life professional staff member
    3. One NRHH advisor
    4. A member of the NRHH Leadership Team
    5. One NRHH member, appointed by the Leadership Team and may be a member of the Leadership Team
  2. The names of the applicants will be replaced with numbers or be otherwise made anonymous throughout their entire selection file.

Article VI: Executive Structure

Section 1:  General Expectations for the Leadership Team:

  1. Must maintain active membership throughout one’s term.
  2. Hold office for one academic year unless one becomes ineligible or resigns.
  3. Assist the successor to one’s position during the transition at the end of one’s term in office.
  4. Uphold the Chapter NRHH Constitution and the National Constitution.
  5. Attend all NRHH functions unless excused by the Advisor(s).
  6. Must maintain a minimum cumulative collegiate GPA of 2.5 throughout one’s term.
  7. Preside over each chapter meeting on a rotation to be determined at the beginning of each semester.
  8. Shall be responsible for the coordination and facilitation of each committee and its respective responsibilities.
  9. Inform members of upcoming meetings and programs.
  10. Meet with the NRHH Advisor(s) as often as needed.
  11. Shall determine who among the four will attend the sub regional, regional, and national conferences and business meetings and will be the official voting representative for the chapter at these conferences. (If one is unable to attend, the opportunity will be open to all members of NRHH).

Section 2: Specific Responsibilities

  1. The Meeting Facilitator will:
    1. Shall affiliate annually with the NSRO, correspond with the Office as needed, and be responsible for ordering Bronze Pins and Outstanding Leadership Pins from the Office.
    2. Shall keep accurate records, including, but not limited to:
      1. Accurate lists of all members, phone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses
      2. Listserv or email list of members
  • Minutes
  1. Up-to-date budget
  2. Keep track of Chapter’s historical records, such as awards, members lists etc.
  1. Maintain and update the Chapter’s website and other social media outlets.
  2. Facilitate weekly meetings
  1. The Service Chair will:
    1. Plan and implement at least one philanthropy project each academic year.
    2. Plan and implement at least one service event each semester.
    3. Create an NRHH newsletter to spread news of the organization to the halls.
    4. Coordinates the NRHH Representatives at weekly RHA meetings.
  2. The Recognition Chair will:
    1. Maintain chapter marketing and social media
    2. Coordinate the Chapter induction banquet.
    3. Coordinate the recognition week in the spring semester.
    4. Implement a recognition system involving general member participation to recognize other members of the chapter.
    5. Keep Value Points up-to-date.
  3. NRHH-CC
  4. Serve as a liaison between the Linda Long NRHH Chapter and NACURH
  5. Serve on the OTM committee
  6. Represent UW-Whitewater in voting maters at regional and national conferences
  7. Reaffiliate the chapter with NRHH each year
  8. Maintain updates to the constitution

Section 3:  Advisor

  1. The advisor(s) will be an official non-voting member of the Chapter.
  2. The UWW Office of Residence Life will appoint the advisor(s).
  3. Responsibilities:
    1. Have regular communication with the Leadership Team.
    2. Attend NRHH Chapter and Leadership Team meetings.
    3. Work on teambuilding with the Leadership Team.
    4. Be available for advice and consultation.
    5. Interpret the Constitution

Section 4:  Qualifications and Elections:

  1. Qualifications:
    1. Any candidate for office must meet all active membership requirements.  Any candidate for Leadership Team must have completed at least one semester as a NRHH member and shall not be a member of the RHA Executive Board during one’s term.
  2. Elections:
    1. Elections will take place within the four weeks prior to the close of the spring semester.
      1. Nominations of eligible candidates for office shall open one meeting prior to the meeting at which the elections will be held and will close at the meeting of the elections.
    2. In the event that no one runs for a position, a special election will be held within three meetings of the beginning of the fall semester.
    3. Upon vacancy of any Leadership Team positions during the academic year, a new election will take place within two meetings to fill that position.  In the case that no one runs for a vacant position, the Leadership Team will determine the procedure for addressing the position and its related responsibilities.
    4. The candidate who receives greater than 50% of the vote will be elected.  In the case that there are three or more candidates, and none receive greater than 50% of the vote, the top two candidates only will participate in an electoral run-off, and this election must occur immediately after the initial election (no additional speeches, question and answer, or discussion time will be allowed.)
    5. The new Leadership Team will take office at the end of spring semester.
    6. Members must be present to be nominated for and elected to the Leadership Team.  Exceptions to the requirement of being present to be elected to office may be overridden by a simple majority vote of the voting members present at meeting at which the election would take place.
    7. Candidates will submit a resume and cover letter prior to running for the Leadership Team in a format prescribed by the current Leadership Team.
  3. Election Procedure:
    1. Elections for each Leadership Team position will be held in the following manner:
      1. Each candidate will give a presentation lasting no more than 5 minutes, non-extendible.
      2. The presentation will be followed by a 5-minute question and answer period.
  • There will then be a discussion regarding all candidates running for a particular position.
  1. Following the discussion, votes will be cast by secret ballot and counted by an NRHH advisor(s).

Section 5: Recall

  1. The following procedure outlines how to recall a Leadership Team Member
    1. A motion to bring up the removal of an officer requires a two-thirds majority vote to bring to question.
    2. If the motion passes, discussion on removal of the officer will commence at the next scheduled meeting.
    3. The officer in question will be allowed to speak on their behalf, followed by a question and answer and discussion.
    4. After discussion, a two-thirds vote is required to remove the officer from office

Article VII: Funds

The non-profit, self-funding status of this organization requires financial support through the venue of fund-raising.  Chapter members, under the guidance of the Leadership Team, will decide upon fund-raising projects in order to maintain the financial stability of the chapter.

A majority of the NRHH voting members must approve any expenditure of over 50 dollars that has not been allocated in the Chapter budget.  The executive board may spend up to 50 dollars on any NRHH sponsored event without seeking the approval of the NRHH voting member

Article VIII: Meeting Structure

Section I: Meetings

Regular meetings will be held throughout the semester to discuss the business of NRHH.  Special meetings may also be called for any reason at any time as long as both the advisor and the Leadership Team feel a meeting is in the best interest of NRHH. All on-campus, off-campus, and aspiring members shall be informed if a special meeting is to take place.

Section II: Voting

A quorum of 50% on campus voting members must be present in order for the meeting to be considered official and for voting to take place. A voting member is considered to be any active, general member.

Article IX:  Parliamentary Authority

Parliamentary Procedure will be used for elections and constitution changes.

Article X:  Honors and Awards

 

Section 1: Honor Cords

 

All NRHH active and alumni members will receive honor cords upon graduation and completion of attending 25% of meetings each semester they are considered an active member after August 30th, 2022. Appropriate exceptions to this stipulation include but are not limited to a class conflict with the meeting times, studying abroad, or student teaching. Exceptions to this stipulation must be proven and proof must be provided to either the current institution advisor or president. Honor cords will be awarded during the last NRHH meeting of Fall Semester and Spring Induction Ceremonies.

Section 2: Outstanding Leadership and Service (OLS) Pins

  1. The Leadership and Service Pin is the highest individual honor an NRHH Chapter can award to its members.
  2. The pin shall be awarded to NRHH Members (active, alumni, or honorary) that have provided outstanding Leadership and Service to their NRHH Chapter.
  3. The maximum number of pins which may be given in a year is 8.
  4. This pin should not be substituted for a bronze pin as they recognize different students.
  5. The Leadership Team, in consultation with the advisors, will select winners of the pin and present them at the Reception of Excellence.

Section 3: Bronze Pins

  1. The Bronze Pin is the highest individual honor given by the RHA President or the NRHH Leadership Team.
  2. The pin shall be awarded to individuals who have provided leadership and direction to their campus organizations.
  3. The maximum number of pins which may be given in a year is 8.
  4. The Leadership Team and the RHA President will select winners of the pin and present them at the Reception of Excellence.

Section 4: Current executive board members may adopt more awards at their discretion.

Article XI: Amendments of the Constitution and the Recall of an Officer

 

Section 1: Constitutional Amendments.

The constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the Chapter by a quorum vote of 50% of on-campus members, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous meeting.

The Advisor(s) of NRHH, in consultation with the Leadership Team, may make minor grammatical and formatting based changes to the Constitution of NRHH provided that they do not alter the intention or interpretation of the edited portion.

 

Section II. Recall Process:

Any Committee Chair may be recalled. In order to recall a Committee Chair, a motion to bring up the Chair’s removal will require a majority, 50% of on-campus members, vote to bring to question. If the motion passes, discussion on removal of the Chair will commence at the next scheduled meeting. The Chair in question will be allowed to speak on their behalf. After speaking, the on-campus members will vote, and with a 50% vote, the Chair in question will be removed from the office.

 

Section III: Amendments Regarding Affiliation

When the NRHH National Board of NACURH and GLACURH passes a policy change at the NACURH/GLACURH-level and mandates the same change at the local level, the formal amendment procedure shall be bypassed. The Advisor(s) of NRHH, in coordination with the Leadership Team, shall be empowered to update this constitution immediately following such a change in NACURH/GLACURH policy as well as the policies of University Housing, UW-Whitewater, UW-System, or any other federal, state, or local jurisdiction. Following the update, the Advisor(s) of NRHH shall inform all members of the change before the next NRHH meeting. At the discretion of the NRHH Advisor(s), a discussion of the policy change can be held at the next meeting. A discussion of the policy change may also be requested by a majority vote of the NRHH active members present at the next meeting.

 

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