Chapter 1

ASSOCIATED STUDENTS UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Section 1. Associated Students University of Washington

The Associated Students of the University of Washington represents student governmental and service interests on campus. The major financial support of ASUW programs and activities is provided through a Board of Regents allocation from the Services and Activities Fee. The ASUW is headed by a president and three officers elected by the student body during winter quarter each year. The Board of Control (BOC) is the legislative body governing the ASUW, and consists of the four ASUW officers, seven students elected at large, one Graduate Senate representative, and three faculty representatives who serve ex-officio without vote. Board of Control meetings are held weekly and are open to the campus community. The ASUW provides a broad range of services to students, particularly through its commission structure. Students interested in becoming involved in governmental areas of the ASUW, including seats on University faculty-student-staff committees, or in any programming area, are urged to talk with the ASUW officers or a staff adviser in the HUB.

Section 2. Articles of Incorporation and ASUW Constitution*

[* For this Section, the format is basically that of the original document. ]

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That, We, Chas. W. Hall, James W. Dootson, Mildred Boyd, Helen M. Vaupell, Fred Hastings, J. Webster Hoover, E. Rex Smith, Citizens of the State of Washington, and residents of the City of Seattle, County of King, and State of Washington, and being members of the unincorporated association known as the Associated Students of the University of Washington, desire to incorporate ourselves under the provisions of the law of the State of Washington entitled "An Act to provide for the Incorporation of Associations for Social, Charitable, and Educational Purposes," approved March 21st, 1895, do hereby agree and certify as follows: to-wit:

The name of this corporation shall be "The Associated Students of the University of Washington."

The purposes and object for which this corporation is formed are as follows:

1. To promote, manage, control and encourage all kinds of field and athletic sports, and promote and encourage the sport, pleasure, exercise and recreation of its members, to arrange, promote, manage and control athletic contests, and for this purpose to purchase, hold, acquire, buy, sell, lease, mortgage and hypothecate both real and personal property, to erect buildings, or other structures necessary and proper for the purposes before mentioned. To borrow and loan money and do any and all things whatsoever which may be requisite, necessary and proper in and about the carrying out of the purposes and objects hereinbefore mentioned.
2. To promote and encourage education and culture among the members of this corporation, and to this end to promote and encourage literary efforts of every kind, name, nature and description. To manage, promote and conduct educational and literary contests among the members of this corporation, and between this corporation and other like bodies in this State, and in other States and Territories and any foreign countries.
3. To promote and encourage scientific study and investigation in all the sciences and to this end to promote and encourage contests and exhibitions among the members of this corporation and between the members of this corporation and other like bodies in this, and all other States and Territories.
4. To promote and encourage musical education and entertainments and to this end to promote and encourage musical entertainments and performances among the members of this corporation and other like bodies in this State and any other State and Territory.
5. To promote and encourage debating and oratory and to promote, manage and encourage any and all forms of student activities of the University of Washington and to this end to have power and authority to do any and all things which are necessary, convenient or incident thereto.
6. To make, execute and enter into contracts of every kind and character with individuals, firms, associations and corporations, private, public and municipal, and bodies politic, and with the Government of the United States, and with any State or Territory or Colony or district thereof and with any foreign country.
7. To do each and everything necessary, suitable or proper for the accomplishment of any of the purposes or the attainment of any one or more of the objects herein enumerated or which shall at any time appear expedient for the protection or benefit of its members either as holders of or interested in any property, and it being the intention that the objects and purposes herein specified shall in no wise be limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any other paragraph, in this instrument, but that the objects, purposes and powers specified in each of the clauses of this second paragraph shall be regarded as individual objects, purposes and powers.
8. This corporation may hold real and personal estate and may hire, purchase or erect suitable buildings for its accommodation to be devoted to the purposes set forth in this agreement of association, and may receive and hold in trust or otherwise sums received by gift or bequest to be devoted by it to such purposes, and for the purpose of the Corporation shall have power to issue its promissory notes, bonds, or other obligations to be secured by mortgage upon its real estate and other property in such manner as may be provided by its By-Laws.

This corporation shall be located at the University of Washington, in the City of Seattle, in the County of King and State of Washington.

This corporation shall not have any capital stock.

The time of the existence of this corporation shall be perpetual. [As amended May 10, 1955.]

All matters or things in any way appertaining to the affairs of this corporation wherein it has not been otherwise herein provided shall be subject to the regulation and control of the by-laws adopted by the members of this corporation, which shall be known as the Constitution of the Associated Students of the University of Washington. [As amended May 10, 1955.]

All registered students who have paid the students annual fee shall be members of the corporation.

The first meeting of the subscribers to this agreement was held on the eighteenth day of April, 1906. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands in triplicate this 18th day of April, A.D. 1906.

Chas. W. Hall
Fred W. Hastings
Helen M. Vaupell
Mildred M. Boyd
Jas. W. Dootson
J. Webster Hoover
E. Rex Smith

In order further to encourage and to facilitate student responsibility for student affairs and activities on the campus of the University through the Associated Students of the University of Washington as provided in its Articles of Incorporation, the President of the University, acting for the Board of Regents, approves, subject to the rules and regulations of the University, this Constitution as the By-Laws under the governing Articles of Incorporation of the Associated Students of the University of Washington.

Charles E. Odegaard
President, University of Washington
January, 1964

We, the Associated Students of the University of Washington, in order to initiate and co-ordinate student activities; to promote student interests; to provide the opportunity to develop individual leadership qualities and an understanding of group action; to supplement and complement formal education on the University of Washington campus; to represent student interests, needs, and welfare within the University community; to provide for the expression of student opinion and interests to the community at large on issues affecting student life; and to provide a physical and social environment in which to achieve the above objectives in accordance with the educational and cultural standards of the University, do affirm and establish this Constitution of the Associated Students of the University of Washington.

The name of the Association under this constitution shall be "The Associated Students of the University of Washington."

Since the government of the University of Washington is vested in a Board of Regents, the Board of Regents has delegated to the President of the University authority to formulate rules incident to the management of student affairs, all action taken by the Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW) shall be consistent with University rules as well as with all provisions in the Articles of Incorporation of the Associated Students of the University of Washington.

All regularly enrolled full-time students of the University of Washington who have paid supporting fees established by the Board of Regents shall be members of the Association. Other regularly enrolled students who comply with the rules of membership as delineated in the By-Laws may become members of the Association by paying the supporting fees. Only members of the Association shall be entitled to vote in any Association election, to represent the Association, or to hold any office controlled by the Association.

Section 1.

The management and control of the Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW) shall be vested in a Board of Control, which shall employ necessary staff and shall maintain student administration as hereinafter provided.

Section 2.

The members of the ASUW recognize that the ASUW is an integral part of the University of Washington, that the ASUW exercises power delegated to it by the University, and that the President of the University, acting for the Board of Regents, therefore has the right of final approval of or disapproval of all actions of the ASUW and its governing body and agent or agencies.

Section 1. Officers of the Association.

The officers of the Association shall be a President, Vice President for Governance, Vice President for Finance/Treasurer, and an Assistant Vice President for Personnel/Secretary. The President, with the assistance of the other officers, shall exercise the executive functions of the Association. He/She shall call and conduct meetings of the Association and shall act as the official representative of the Association.

Section 2. Vacancies.

(a) If the ASUW Presidency becomes vacant, the ASUW Vice President for Governance and then the ASUW Vice President for Finance/Treasurer shall automatically succeed to the office of the President. If the ASUW Vice President for Governance becomes vacant, the ASUW Vice President for Finance/Treasurer shall automatically succeed to the office of Vice President for Governance. The ASUW Assistant Vice President for Personnel/Secretary shall not automatically succeed to the office of President or Vice President.

(b) In the event the office of either ASUW Vice President for Finance/Treasurer or the office of ASUW Assistant Vice President for Personnel/Secretary becomes vacant, the Board of Control shall call for and consider applications, and shall appoint to the office a member of the ASUW who is eligible for the position.

Section 3. Recall of Officers.

(a) Petition. A petition for recall of any ASUW officer shall require the signatures and permanent student file numbers of at least 5 per cent of the current members of the Association.

(b) Special Election. Upon receipt by the Board of Control of a petition for recall, duly certified by the Registrar to contain the names and permanent student file numbers of at least 5 per cent of the current members of the Association, it shall be the duty of the Board of Control to hold a special election for recall. No other issue than the recall shall be presented to the voters at said election.

(c) Recall. The ASUW officer shall be recalled by majority vote, provided that the total number voting amounts to at least three-fourths of the total vote cast for the office at the election in which the officer was elected. The vacancy thus created shall be filled immediately as provided.

Section 1. Membership.

(a) There shall be 12 student members as follows:

ASUW President
ASUW Vice President for Governance
ASUW Vice President for Finance/Treasurer
ASUW Assistant Vice President for Personnel/Secretary
Seven representatives-at-large as delineated in the By-Laws of the Board of Control
One Graduate Student

(b) There shall be three faculty members, without vote, appointed by the President of the University.

(c) The manager of Activities employed by the ASUW shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Control without vote.

(d) An official representative of the University Administration, designated by the President of the University, shall be an ex officio member of the Board of Control without vote.

Section 2. Officers of the Board of Control.

The ASUW President shall be the Chairman of the Board of Control and the ASUW Vice President for Governance shall be the Vice-Chairman.

Section 3. Eligibility.

Rules of eligibility for candidacy for election to and holding of ASUW and Board of Control positions shall be established by the Board of Control in its By-Laws, and shall be consistent with University rules. Any officer of the ASUW or member of the Board of Control who, under the rules of the University or the ASUW, becomes ineligible for such office, shall, upon determination of such fact and without further action, cease to hold such office. The vacancy shall be filled as provided.

Section 4. Election of Officers and Board of Control Members.

(a) The ASUW President and all Board of Control members at large shall be elected the eighth week of Winter Quarter, and shall take office May 20.

(b) The graduate representative shall be elected within his/her constituency and shall take office as prescribed in the By-Laws.

(c) In the event of an irregularity in elections which results in the nullification of one or more of the electoral races by the Board of Control, a re-running of said positions shall be made within one month of the ASUW General Election.

Section 5. Vacancies.

(a) In the event of a vacancy in the positions, the Board of Control shall call for and consider applications, and shall appoint to the office a student who is eligible for the position, who shall complete the term of office.

(b) In the event of vacancy in any position held by a representative to the Board of Control of an organization, the vacancy shall be filled by a representative appointed by that organization, who shall complete the term of office.

Section 5.5.

(a) Petition. A petition for recall of BOC members shall require the signature and permanent student file numbers of at least 5 per cent of the constituency of the respective board member.

(b) Special Election. Upon receipt by the BOC of a petition for recall, duly certified by the Registrar to contain the names and permanent student file numbers of at least 5 per cent of the constituency of the respective board member, it shall be the duty of the BOC to hold a special election for recall. No other issue than the recall shall be presented to the voters at said election.

(c) Recall. The BOC member shall be recalled by majority vote, provided that the total number voting amounts to at least three-fourths of the total vote cast for the office at the election in which the Board of Control Member was elected. The vacancy thus created shall be filled immediately as provided.

(d) The BOC shall have the power to expel members in accordance with the By-Laws.

Section 6. Appointment of Faculty Members of the Board of Control.

Faculty members of the Board of Control shall be appointed by the President of the University and shall serve for a term of one year beginning in October.

Section 7. Functions and Powers of the Board of Control.

The Board of Control shall have general supervision and control over all ASUW activities. It shall govern either directly or through its appointed agencies, the following:

(a) Exercise of final legislative, executive, and judicial powers of the Association, subject to the exercise of such powers ultimately resident in the membership of the Association.

(b) Enactment of By-Laws and Rules necessary for the regulation of the affairs of the Association, and of the Board of Control, under this Constitution.

(c) Recommendation of the appointment and removal of all salaried officers, employees, and agents of the ASUW.

(d) Approval of all appointments made by the chairman of the Board of Control.

(e) Approval of the budget and expenditure of the ASUW. The Board of Control shall have final authority to budget, disburse, and withhold funds, or to authorize entry into contractual or financial relationships, on behalf of the Association.

(f) Publication of an annual ASUW Financial Statement.

(g) Establishment of election rules, procedures, and qualifications for office and participation in Association activities.

(h) The Board of Control may, as it sees fit, empower committees, members, or the employed staff, to act in specific areas without specific approval of the Board of those acts.

(i) The right of final approval or disapproval of all legislative, executive, or judicial acts of its committees or agents.

(j) Establishment of rules for the approval of student organizations by the ASUW and granting of approval according to such rules.

(k) Expression of opinion and interests of members of the Association to the community at large on issues affecting student life.

(l) Exercise, directly or through its agents, of student leadership and representation in publications, athletics, student organizations, Union Building program and management, University Book Store management, student welfare, student housing, educational affairs, and other critical issues of student life.

Section 8. Meetings of the Board of Control.

(a) Regular meetings of the Board of Control shall be held at least once each calendar month throughout the regular school year.

(b) Special meetings of the Board of Control may be called by the Chairman at any time on 18 hours notice to all members. Special meetings shall be called at any time on 18 hours notice to all members when such meeting is requested by five members of the Board of Control.

(c) A quorum shall be a majority of the voting members of the Board of Control as of the current date. There shall be no voting by proxy.

Section 9. Budget Approval.

The new Board of Control, upon certification of all its members, shall create an acting Finance and Budget Committee, which shall hear and prepare a budget for the forthcoming fiscal year.

(a) The acting Finance and Budget Committee shall make its recommendations to the incoming Board of Control one week after it shall take office.

(b) The Board of Control shall take action by approving the budget not more than one month after it shall take office.

(c) The Board of Control shall approve this budget as presented by the Finance and Budget Committee, or, in the case of disapproval, shall refer the item disapproved to the Committee for reconsideration before taking final action.

(d) It shall be the responsibility of the incoming Board of Control to determine the priorities upon which the acting Finance and Budget Committee shall make its decisions.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed as permitting the incoming Board of Control and ASUW President from creating a permanent committee before it is officially in office.

Section 10. Enactment of By-Laws.

The By-Laws of the Board of Control must be approved or amended at two meetings of the Board of Control not less than five days and not more than one month apart. They must have an affirmative vote of an absolute majority of the voting members of the Board of Control to become effective.

The ASUW may acquire, own, hold, manage, control, mortgage, pledge, rent, lease, use, sell, dispose of, or otherwise deal in and occupy property of any kind and nature wherever situated or located for the purposes and in the manner provided by the Articles of Incorporation and this Constitution.

Section 1. Finance and Budget Committee.

(a) Membership

1. There shall be three faculty members, one of whom shall be a member of the Board of Control. Save for the faculty member from the Board of Control, appointment shall be for two year terms.
2. There shall be six student members at least four of whom shall be members of the Board of Control including the President of the ASUW.
3. The Chairman shall be a student member of the Board of Control.
4. There shall be ex officio members without vote as follows:
   
   a. The representative of the administration to the Board of Control as specified in Article VI, Section I, Paragraph d.
   b. The manager of ASUW activities.
   c. The University Vice President for Business and Finance, or his representative.
   d. The manager of the Union Building.

(b) Functions of the Committee. The Finance and Budget Committee shall:

1. Prepare and submit to the Board of Control an annual budget which shall include an allocation of funds for the activities of the ASUW.
2. Recommend to the Board of Control action on expenditures not provided for in the annual budget.
3. Recommend admission fees to ASUW events.
4. Make recommendations on salaries, salary ranges, and contracts.
5. Provide through the Comptroller of the University for an annual audit of the accounts of the ASUW.
6. Prepare and submit a financial report quarterly to the Board of Control.

Section 2. Constitution and By-Laws Committee.

(a) Membership

1. There shall be three student members as follows: one student who has satisfactorily completed at least one year in the School of Law, who shall serve as chairman; one student from the Board of Control, and one student who shall not be on the Board of Control or in the School of Law.

(b) Functions of the Committee

1. To review proposed revisions of the Constitution of the ASUW and By-Laws of the Board of Control.
2. To review proposed By-Laws or amendments to the By-Laws of ASUW agencies.
3. To interpret the Constitution of the ASUW and the By- Laws of the Board of Control.

Section 3.

Other standing and special committees shall be established by the Board of Control, or the President of the ASUW.

Section 1. Appointment of Members.

Student members of all committees established in this Constitution or by the Board of Control, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Control, shall be appointed by the ASUW President, with the approval of the Board of Control. The ASUW President shall be an ex officio member with vote, of all ASUW Committees. Faculty Members of the Board of Control and of all committees established in this Constitution or by the Board of Control shall be appointed by the President of the University. Membership on committees is for one year unless otherwise provided. All ASUW boards, bureaus, panels, commissions, and the like shall be considered committees for the purposes of this Article.

Section 2. Powers.

(a) No action of any committee shall be final until it has been approved by the Board of Control, except in cases where the Board of Control has delegated specific authority to the committee.

(b) Any individual member, or group of members of the Association shall have the right of appeal directly to the Board of Control from the decisions of any committee of the ASUW.

Section 3. By-Laws of Committees.

Each committee established in this Constitution or by the Board of Control may formulate its own By-Laws. Such By-Laws shall require the approval of the Board of Control before becoming effective.

Section 1. Legislative Powers.

The legislative powers of the Association shall be vested in the Board of Control, subject only to the right of the members of the Association to propose any legislation, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, and to enact or reject the same.

Section 2. Initiative and Referendum.

(a) Petition for Initiative. The Board of Control shall provide for an initiative vote whenever a petition for a legislative act, duly certified by the Registrar to contain the signatures and permanent student file number of at least 5 per cent of the current members of the Association, shall be presented to it.

(b) Referendum. The Board of Control shall provide for a referendum vote whenever a two-thirds vote of the Board of Control shall approve the presentation of a referendum measure to the Association.

(c) Initiative or Referendum Vote. Such initiative or referendum shall be submitted to the members of the Association at the next regular election, or at a special election called earlier by the Board of Control. In no case shall less than twenty school days elapse between the certification of such petition or referendum and the election. The initiated or referred measure shall be adopted if a majority of those voting on the measure vote in favor of it; whereupon the measure shall become effective immediately.

(d) Laws Binding Until Repealed. Any initiative or referendum adopted by a majority of the members of the Association voting on the measure in such an election, shall be binding upon the Association, its officers, and the Board of Control until repealed. Such laws may be repealed or rescinded by a constitutional amendment or by a subsequent initiative or referendum election.

Section 1. Proposal of Amendments.

(a) A proposed amendment to this Constitution shall be placed on the ballot if adopted by a majority of the voting membership of the Board of Control.

(b) A proposed amendment to this Constitution shall be placed on the ballot upon receipt by the Board of Control of a petition requesting such action, duly certified by the Registrar to contain the signatures and permanent student file numbers of at least 5 per cent of the current members of the Association.

Section 2. Adoption of Amendments.

Proposed amendments to this Constitution shall be submitted to the members of the Association at the next regular election, or at a special election called earlier by the Board of Control. In no case shall less than 20 school days elapse between the proposal of such amendment and the election. The amendment shall be adopted if a majority of those voting on the amendment vote in favor of it; whereupon, the amendment shall become effective immediately.

Section 1. Board of Control.

(a) The Board of Control, by majority vote, may call a meeting of the members of the ASUW Corporation. (b) The meeting shall take place within twenty calendar days of the passage of the motion.

Section 2. Petition.

(a) Upon receipt by the Board of Control of a petition requesting such action, duly certified by the Registrar to contain the signatures and permanent student file numbers of at least five per cent of the current members of the Association, the Board of Control shall call a meeting of the members of the ASUW Corporation.

(b) The meeting shall take place within twenty calendar days of the submittal of the petition to the Board of Control.

Section 3. Meeting.

(a) All amendments to the ASUW Articles of Incorporation shall become effective upon approval of 2/3 of the members present at the meeting at which time a majority of the members of the Board of Control and the ASUW President shall sign the amendments and submit them to the Secretary of State of the State of Washington with the required fee.

Section 4. Quorum.

(a) No action taken at a general meeting of the Association shall be valid unless at least three per cent (3%) of the current members of the Association are present at such meeting.

Section 5. Agenda of General Meeting.

(a) The agenda for a general meeting of the Association shall be published in the student newspaper at least one week prior to the day on which the general meeting is to be held.

(b) No action taken at a general meeting of the Association shall be valid unless it relates to the subject matter of an item on the agenda.

(c) Any proposed item or items to be placed on the agenda for a general meeting of the Association must be limited to the purpose and function of the ASUW as defined in Article II of the ASUW Articles of Incorporation.

(d) Items shall be placed on the agenda upon receipt by the Secretary of the Association of a written agenda request at least ten days prior to the day on which the general meeting of the Association is to be held.

Section 1.

The Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) shall be separated from the ASUW, and shall be a totally autonomous political unit subject to funding by the Board of Regents.

Student approval, January 1964; revised to January 1978

Section 3. Board of Control By-Laws, Article XIII: Appeal Procedure

[The Board of Control of the ASUW has incorporated within its By- Laws a procedure by which members of the corporation (students) may appeal the allocation of funds by the ASUW if such expenditures are believed to be illegal. The relevant article is appended here for information; it does not form a part of the foregoing Constitution.]

Article XIII--Appeal of ASUW Allocations of Funds

Section 1. Appeal Procedure.

A student who wishes to object to an allocation of ASUW funds that has received the approval of the Board of Control must submit a written complaint to the ASUW President before five o'clock p.m. of the University school day immediately following the day of the action by the BOC allocating such funds, unless good cause is shown why an extension of the deadline should be granted. Such a complaint must allege a violation of the State Constitution, applicable state laws, applicable University rules and regulations and/or the ASUW Constitution and By-Laws. The burden of proof to demonstrate such a violation shall be on the complainant. No complaint shall serve as the basis for freezing ASUW expenditures unless it addresses itself to the above-mentioned provisions to the satisfaction of the ASUW President.

Upon decision by the ASUW President that the complaint addresses itself to violations of the above-mentioned provisions, the ASUW President shall:

a) freeze the expenditure under question until the issue has been resolved.

b) notify the Student Activities Manager, the Vice President for Student Affairs, and the Attorney General's Division of the nature of the complaint,

c) meet with the ASUW Constitution and By-Laws Committee within two (2) University school days of the filing of the complaint and request an official report to the BOC regarding any illegality or violation as indicated in the complaint. The University Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her chosen representative and a representative from the Attorney General's Division shall be invited to attend. The Constitution and By- Laws Committee may wish to ask the Attorney General's Division for a legal opinion, but in no case shall the Committee exceed its deadline if the Attorney General's Division fails to respond,

d) request that the Finance and Budget Chairperson submit a written account of the ASUW actions in connection with the contested expenditure to the Constitution and By-Laws Committee at its meeting to review the complaint.

Section 2.

The ASUW Constitution and By-Laws Committee shall hear the complaint and submit an official report to the Board of Control at its next regularly scheduled meeting for final action. The BOC may reconsider the initial allocation and revert the money to the Special Appropriations Fund or dismiss the complaint and unfreeze the appropriation. Prompt notice of the final decision shall be given the complainant. This appeal procedure shall be the sole and final ASUW administrative procedure available to appeal the actions of the ASUW in connection with ASUW funds.

Section 3. Disclosure of ASUW Allocations.

The ASUW shall post all recommendations of the Finance and Budget Committee, with respect to the allocations of ASUW funds, in an easily accessible location in the Student Union Building and within 18 hours of their respective actions. The location shall be chosen in consultation with the HUB Manager and shall be made public to the student body.

Section 4.

Instructions for the filing of a complaint under this appeals procedure and appropriate sections of the ASUW Constitution and By-Laws shall be available upon request at the Student Activities Office.

From Board of Control By-Laws, January 1978