Arkansas State University Literary Society |
Constitution, September 2004 |
Preamble
We, the students of Arkansas State University and members of the Arkansas State Literary Society, establish this constitution for the members of our organization with the belief they will carry out its intentions to the best of their ability.
Article I - Arkansas State Literary Society
This organization shall be known as the Arkansas State University Literary Society(referred to hereafter as ASU Literary Society).
Article II - Purpose
The Purpose of the ASU Literary Society is to provide the student body and surrounding community with an aesthetically pleasing and intellectually challenging form of entertainment, and to offer students the opportunity to have their writing and artwork peer-reviewed and published. We, as an organization, aim to produce an annual literary journal consisting entirely of submissions from ASU students. Our magazine, Tributary, will contain selected pieces of fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and art representing the finest artistic, critical, and creative work available from our students. The ASU Literary Society will provide students with the opportunity to improve editorial, organizational, and communication skills through publication and experience with the printing process. Not only will the ASU Literary Society provide the public with a sample of the local literary and artistic talent, it will also help students build an academic portfolio or resume.
Article III - Membership
Membership in the ASU Literary Society is open to all members of the student body, both undergraduates and graduates, who have a current GPA of 2.5 or better. Membership is without regard to race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, national, cultural, or ethnic origin, or marital status. All members must pay an annual membership fee of ten dollars, may attend oganizational meetings, and have full voting rights. Students who submit two or more works for publication in Tributary and pay the ten dollar submission fee are automatically made members of the ASU Literary Society and have full voting rights. There is no limit regarding the number of members for the organization, and visitors are welcome to attend monthly meetings or any other event that is previously designated as "open."
Article IV - Officers
All officers must be currently enrolled ASU students with a GPA of 3.0 or better and have junior, senior, or graduate class standing. At least two officers, including Editor-in-Chief, must be English majors. Because of the responsibilities and nature of the position, it is the recomendation of the previous editorial staff members and the faculty advisor that the Editor-in-Chief be a graduate student. The other two officers may be elected from any academic discipline; however, it is strongly suggested that the design editor have a background in journalism or graphic arts. In addition, at least one member of the editorial staff needs to have experience maintaining and updating a web site. The titles and duties of offices are as follows:
| * Editor-in-Chief - The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for the overall pulling together and establishment of the journal in its final published form and signing of on the final proofs for printing. This office facilitates meetings, serves as a liason with administration, faculty, staff, and other members of the community, and functions as the President of the ASU Literary Society. The Editor-in-Chief also serves as the Non-Fiction editor by viewing and selecting student submitted non-fiction for inclusion in the literary journal. |
* Poetry Editor - The Poetry Editor is responsible for the viewing and selection of student-submitted poetry for inclusion in the literary journal. This office may facilitate a meeting in the absence of the Editor-in-Chief and serves as the Vice President of the ASU Literary Society. |
| * Fiction Editor - The Fiction Editor is responsible for the viewing and selection of student-submitted fiction for inclusion in the literary journal. This office may facilitate a meeting, if necessary, and serves as etiher the Secretary or Treasurer of the Literary Society. |
| * Design Editor - The Design Editor is responsible for the viewing and selection of student-submitted art for inclusion in the literary journal, designing the page layout, and submitting the final files for the publication to printing services. In the absence of the Editor-in-Chief, the Design Editor may sign off on the final proofs for printing. This officer also serves as either the Secretary or Treasurer of the ASU Literary Society. |
In the event of maleficence or gross negligence of responsibilities, a member of the editorial staff may be removed from their position with the unanimous approval of the other three editors and the faculty advisor.
Article V - Elections
Elections for editorial staff and officers are held each May for the following school year. All members are eligible to nominate officers and vote at the election meeting, which is the final meeting of the year for the ASU Literary Society. Final decisions must be approved by the editorial committee and the faculty advisor, Dr. Tom Williams.
Article VI - Committees
The ASU Literary Society will consist of one committee entitled The Editorial Committee. The Editorial Committee will be composed of the four members of the editorial staff and the faculty advisor. This committee will meet bi-monthly or more often, if needed, to discuss membership, donations, submissions, printing schedules, budget, and any other topic of concern. Records of the Editorial Committee's meetings are kept by the Editor-in-Chief and Secretary and may be provided upon request to any officer who misses a meeting. If the need for an additional committee arises for any reason, the existing officers will select new committee members and determine its existence.
Article VII - Meetings
The ASU Literary Society will meet monthly. Any editor or the faculty advisor has the ability to call a meeting. In the case of an emergency meeting, members will be notified through every available medium. The editorial committee, the Editor-in-Chief, or the faculty advisor will prepare the meeting's agenda. To make any group decision, all members of the editorail staff and the faculty advisor must be present.
Article VIII - Amendments
Amendments can and will be specified at any meeting. All articles are subject to change. Any changes must be approved by the editorial committee and the faculty advisor.
*This constitution was last updated on October 27, 2004. The original ASU Literary Society Constitution may be viewed at www.geocities.com/asulitsociety.