BY-LAWS OF DELTA ETA CHAPTER
PHI BETA DELTA
HONOR SOCIETY FOR INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
The name of this society shall be Delta Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Delta.
The aim of Phi Beta Delta is to recognize and encourage high professional, intellectual and personal achievements in the field of International Education. The Society will serve as a means of promoting the exchange of ideas and information in the area of international affairs among students, faculty and staff of the University community and between it and other academic institutions.
Section 1
Membership shall be based on criteria established by the membership committee and approved by the governing board in accordance with the aims of the organization. The criteria are as follows:
FOR STUDY ABROAD STUDENTS:
- Upper division or graduate standing*
- Completion of a minimum of one academic year abroad [three (3) quarters or two (2) semesters in sequence] from one of the following:
- U.S.A. International Programs
- U.S.A. Exchange Programs
- Direct enrollment in a foreign university
- Participation in study abroad program sponsored by another university acceptable for U.S.A. transfer credit
- Authorized Independent Study
*Study Abroad Services is responsible for verifying eligibility.
FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:
- Upper division or graduate standing*
- Minimum one year resident at University of South Alabama in their specific major.
- Demonstrated academic excellence (Minimum Cumulative GPA)*
- Graduate Students 3.5
- Undergraduate Students 3.5
*International Student Services is responsible for verifying eligibility.
FOR FACULTY AND STAFF:
- Nomination by two members in good standing*
- Demonstrated interest and involvement in international scholarly activities (e.g. Research or teaching overseas, Publications/Presentations, significant contribution to campus international educational programs)
*Nominators will complete nomination from which is then submitted to Membership Committee.
Section 2
All candidates shall be duly initiated according to the rites of the society.
Section 1
The Governing Board shall include both faculty and student members and may include members of the University staff.
Section 2
The Governing Board shall consist of President, Vice President, Student Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and chairpersons of the four standing committees.
Section 3
The Governing Board shall establish standing committees, all of which must include faculty and student members and may include members of the University staff.
Section 1
The elected officers shall be President, Vice President, Student Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2
The President shall preside over meetings of the society, shall appoint committees with the approval of the Governing Board, and shall perform all other duties belonging to the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 3
The Vice President shall preside in the absence of the President and shall perform other duties as assigned by the President.
Section 4
The Student Vice President shall serve as the liaison between the Governing Board and may be appointed by consent of the Governing Board to preside in the absence of the President and the Vice President.
Section 5
The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings, shall handle chapter communications, shall keep a complete roster of all members initiated and shall keep a record of candidates eligible for membership.
Section 6
The Treasurer shall collect and give receipts for all monies collected, shall make disbursements upon order of the society, shall keep an accurate and complete record of all receipts and disbursements and shall report this record of funds to the society.
Section 1
The standing committees of the society shall include the following:
- Membership Committee
- Program Committee & Publication Committee
- Scholarship Development Committee
Other committees may be established by the Governing Board as needed.
Section 2 - Membership Committee
The Membership Committee shall recommend standards for admission to the society and will receive and recommend nominations for membership, and shall consist of minimum five (5) members.
Section 3 - Program & Publicity Committee
The Program & Publicity Committee shall plan activities and ceremonies and arrange for publicity of such activities and accomplishments for the society and shall consist of minimum five (5) members.
Section 4 - Scholarship Development Committee
The Scholarship Development Committee shall plan, coordinate, and implement the scholarship program of the society and shall consist of minimum five (5) members.
Section 1
The membership initiation fee shall be paid by each undergraduate, graduate, faculty and staff candidate at the time of initiation in the society. The amount of this fee shall be determined by the governing board and shall be paid to the treasurer before initiation into the society. At this time, national and chapter dues will also be paid.
Section 1
The Governing Board shall establish a nomination committee which will recommend a single slate of officers to the board during the Spring Semester.
Section 2
Elections will be conducted by secret ballot and shall include a provision for write-in candidate. Secret ballots shall be mailed to the general membership at least two weeks prior to the date set for the counting of ballots.
Section 3
Election to office will require an absolute majority of the valid ballots cast.
Section 1
Proposed amendments to the by-laws may be presented to the society in writing one meeting before it may be voted upon.
Section 2
Approval by two-thirds of the voting members present a regular meeting shall be required for passage of a proposal amendment. The amendment shall be put into effect immediately unless otherwise stipulated in the amendment.
Section 1
The percentage of members that constitute a quorum shall be fifty-one percent.
Section 2
In voting, a majority shall consist more than fifty percent of those voting.
Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the society in all cases to which they are applicable.
Amendment I
In Article III, Section 1, the minimum required cumulative Grade Point Average for undergraduate students shall be 3.3.
Amendment II
In Article IV, Section 2, Article V, Section 1 and Section 4, the position of Student Vice President shall be dissolved, and the position of Vice President shall be occupied by a student member.
Amendment III
In Article IV, Section 2, Article V, Section 1 and Section 4, the position of Secretary and Treasurer shall be combined into one position – Secretary-Treasurer. The Secretary-Treasurer shall perform the duties of both offices as outlined in Article V, Section 4 and Section 5.
Amendment IV
In Article III, Section 1, upper division or graduate domestic study abroad students who meet the minimum academic qualifications of membership in the Chapter may be nominated for membership if they have participated in a minimum of one semester in an approved study abroad program.
Last By-Law Revision November 16, 2004
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