Residence Hall Association Constitution
PREAMBLE
Section A: Title
This organization shall be known as the Residence Hall Association of Pace University in
New York City – henceforth known as RHA.
Section B: Mission Statement
It is RHA's duty to foster a unifying community in all the residence halls through
programming, community service, cultural development, and Hall Councils. We also work
to promote leadership and communication by serving as a liaison between the Office of
Housing and Residential Life and the student body. Additionally, RHA seeks to improve
residence halls through working with OHRL.
Section C: Affiliation
Pace University will hold affiliation regionally with NEACURH and nationally with NACURH.
Article I: Structure
RHA will be comprised of three entities, the General Body, Hall Councils, and the Executive
Board.
Article II: Membership
Section A: Qualifications for General Body membership
All Pace University students qualify for General Body membership in Residence Hall
Association.
Section B: Qualifications for General Body in good standing
 Must be a student that lives in any Pace University residence hall
 Be present at three-fourths of the RHA meetings for the semester
 Attend at least half of the RHA programs and community service activities
Section C: Commuters
Commuters are allowed to attend meetings and events, however they are not allowed
voting rights.
Article III: Executive Board
(See Appendix A for specific position responsibilities)
Section A: Positions
The Executive Board will consist of the President, Vice President and Director of Internal
Communications, Director of National Communications (NCC), Director of Administration &
Finance, and the Director of Committees.
Section B: Qualifications for Executive Board
 Must have one semester of experience in the General Body with good standing
 Executive Board members must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5
 No person shall hold office in RHA while simultaneously participating as an RA
 Must live on campus during the academic year
Section C: General Responsibilities
 Attend all Executive Board meetings – except with a valid excuse
 Attend all General Body meetings – except with a valid excuse
 Attend all RHA programs and community service activities – except with a valid excuse
 Keep the General Body informed of every activity encompassing RHA
 Appropriately transition replacements
 Prepare a report for every Executive Board meeting
 Prepare an End of the Semester Report
 Other duties as assigned
Section D: Term
Executive Board members will hold office from election to election unless they:
 Resign
 No longer live in the residence halls
 Fail to meet their responsibilities
 Are removed by the General Body
 Are removed by the advisor for disciplinary reasons
 Removed by the Executive Board
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Article IV: Attendance Policy
After one unexcused absence from a regularly scheduled meeting, a warning will be
sent to the absent member
After two unexcused absences from a regularly scheduled meeting, the Executive Board
will hold a vote determining whether the member will be removed or put on probation.
A request for an excused absence must be sent to the RHA executive board 48 hours
prior to the scheduled meeting unless an unexpected circumstance arises
o In unexpected circumstances the remaining Executive Board members shall vote to
determine if an emergency excuse is valid, if a 3/4ths vote is not received, the
advisor shall be responsible for determining the excuses validity.
If two unexpected circumstances occur, the Executive Board member will be issued a
warning.
After three circumstances occur, the Executive Board member will be given unexcused
absences
Article V: Probation
Probation is a trial period in which your character and abilities are tested to see whether
you are suitable for work or membership. Probation will last the period of four academic
weeks. Any member of the Executive Board will be put on probation by a 3/4 vote of the
executive board if:
 They do not adhere to the attendance policy
 They consistently fail to perform the duties outlined in the constitution
 Probation is broken if the executive board member continues to violate the
constitution. If probation is broken, the Executive Board must call an emergency
meeting to discuss the penalties, which can include:
 Immediate removal
 Extended probation
Article VI: Removal
Any member of the Executive Board will be removed by a unanimous vote of the executive
board if:
 He or she is not performing his or her constitutional duties
 He or she accumulates two unexcused absences from meetings over the course of the
semester
 Voting on the removal will be during the next appropriate Executive Board meeting
 A General Body member in good standing submits a written request to the Executive
Board
 A General Body vote will be taken and a 2/3 vote will result in the removal of the
Executive Board member
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Article VII: Replacement
If any member of the Executive Board leaves office prior to transition, the President will
appoint the new Executive Board member pending a 2/3 vote among the current
Executive Board.
If the President leaves office after transition; the Vice President will assume the duties
of the President until the election can be held.
The Vice President can defer this responsibility to another Executive Board member
with approval of the Executive Board.
Article VIII: Elections
Section A: Procedure before Elections
All candidates must complete the general application for election no later than one week
prior to the election. Every candidate should submit -or accept- a nomination no later than
one week prior to election. Off the floor nominations are accepted from candidates
regardless of a completed and submitted election packet prior to elections. All candidates
must be a member in good standing with RHA.
Section B: Election Day
 Election procedures are as follows and can be modified if voted on by a majority.
 A candidate may run down for another position if not elected.
 If a candidate loses an election for a position they may be nominated from the floor
for another available position
 The nomination must be seconded
 An election is won when a candidate receives a majority vote
 If there are more than two candidates, and none receives a majority, there will be a
run-off election between the two candidates with the most votes
 Members must be present to vote, no proxy voting
 Voting will take place by secret ballot
 Any member can request a public recount
 One vote per person
 In case of a tie, another ballot will be run
 General Body members in good standing and Executive Board members are allowed to
vote and nominate
 An RHA advisor will supervise the election and count the votes
 The current RHA E-board, not running for re-election will run the election
 In case none of the Eboard members can run elections, the RHA Advisor will run
elections
 If an advisor is not available, RHA E-board will appoint the task to a member in good
standing. Said member is not allowed to vote
 If no General Body member in good standing volunteers to run the election, the election
will be postponed to the next scheduled meeting
Section C: Elections Within the General Body
Committee Chairs, Hall Council Building Presidents, and Hall Council Building Vice
Presidents elections will be run as needed, but may be appointed. Any General Body
member may run for the Committee positions. Any General Body member living in the
residence halls may run for the Hall Council Building positions.
Article IX: Meetings
Section A: Scheduling
The General Body and Executive Board will meet weekly during the Academic year, except
when the University is closed.
Section B: General Member Meetings
The President will schedule general meetings on a weekly basis. The President will
facilitate these meetings. These meetings may follow Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section C: Executive Board Meetings
The Executive Board members will schedule meetings on a weekly basis. The President will
facilitate these meetings. These meetings may follow Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section D: Conference Delegation Meetings
The NCC will schedule meetings to devote time in preparation for regional and national
conferences. The NCC will facilitate these meetings. These meetings may follow Robert’s
Rules of Order.
Section E: Committee Meetings
The Committees will schedule meetings to devote time in preparation for upcoming
programs. The Director of Committees will facilitate these meetings. These meetings may
or may not follow Robert’s Rules of Order. Director of Internal Communications will assist
as needed.
Section F: Voting
All members in good standing have voting rights that include one vote. Voting may take
place via ballot, placard, and acclimation (unanimous agreement). Representatives must be
present at roll call to vote.
If a representative is not present at roll call, then they cannot vote during that specific
meeting. Motions will be used by anyone present to bring attention to a specific issue or
concern. Motions include the following items:
 Main Motions – used to introduce items to the membership for their consideration.
They cannot be made when any other motion is on the floor and yield to privileged
motions.
 Privileged Motions – used to bring up items that are urgent and unrelated to the
pending business.
Motions may be countered with a decent, which provides a reason why a motion should not
be carried through. The motion can then be retracted from the original speaker. The decent
can be seconded and put to a vote. Every motion must be put to a vote and pass with
majority in order for it to be carried out.
Article X: Committees
Section A: Structure - Marketing, Decorations & Prizes, Recruitment & Retention, &
Conference, Hall Council Committee
 Consists of any General Body members, however it is not mandatory
 General Body members may only be a member in one committee at a time
 A committee member may change committees for each program
 A committee chair will be delegated by the Director of Committees
 Committee chairs may only be members of that one committee
Section B: Duties of a Committee Member
 Must attend all committee meetings
 Must consistently participate to further the goals of the committee
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Must perform all duties and meet all deadlines assigned by the committee chair and/or
Director of Committees
Section C: Duties of a Committee Chair
 Keep in regular contact with Director of Committees
 Attend all Committee Chair meetings (if scheduled)
 Delegate all duties assigned by the Director of Committees
 Keep track of the progress and deadlines
Section D: Formation of Committees
Committees may be dissolved or created throughout the year by the Director of
Committees with approval of the Executive Board.
Article XI: Hall Council
(See Appendix B for complete Hall Council Constitution.)
Section A: Mission Statement
It is Hall Council’s duty to build a sense of community within their buildings by informing
residents of upcoming Hall Council and Residence Hall Association events, planning and
executing various building-wide events, and responding to various issues as reported by
the residents.
Article XII: Interpretation
In the event of any questions concerning the interpretation of this Constitution, the
Executive Board will interpret the passage(s) in question.
Article XIII: Amendments
Section A: Proposal
Changes may be proposed by either general members in good standing, or by the Executive
Board. Any amendments must be written or typed documents. The Executive Board must
review all proposed amendments of this constitution
Section B: Voting for the Constitution
The amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the General Body.
Article XIV: Review
At the beginning of each academic year, the Executive Board must review this document
and make any necessary changes.
Written: August 30th, 2009
Revised: September 2nd 2010
Revised: December 6th, 2010
Revised: August 25th, 2011
Revised: August 22nd, 2012
Ratified: October 9th, 2012