The Constitution & Law of Chi Pi Sigma Fraternity
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ARTICLE 1 – NAME
The name of this organization shall be Chi Pi Sigma Fraternity. The first chapter, established at San Jose State University on October 14, 1935, shall be designated Alpha Chapter. Subsequent chapters will be designated, in order of initiation, according to the progression of the Greek Alphabet. Chi Pi Sigma is not affiliated with San Jose State University.
ARTICLE 2 – PURPOSE
“The purpose of this Fraternity shall be to develop a common bond of brotherhood, and to further our educational, professional and social growth.”-Founders 1935
Students of the San Jose College Police School (SJSU) founded this Fraternity in order to bring together individuals who aspire to become criminal justice professionals. The primary goal of the organization is to assist members with academics, career preparedness, career selection, and in career acquisition. The Fraternity’s purpose is to teach the value of ethics and instill discipline in order to prepare members for a successful life of public service. The secondary goals of the organization are
to work with the university to improve the Justice Studies Department, the campus environment and
to make positive contributions to the local community.
ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERSHIP SECTION 1 – Classifications
The members of the Fraternity shall be students and alumni.
SECTION 2 – Student Members
a) Student membership of the Fraternity shall consist of currently enrolled undergraduate students of San Jose State University who are pursuing a degree in the Justice Studies Department and
SJSU currently enrolled undergraduate students of other majors whose career goals are to
become criminal justice professionals. All student members (100%) must be matriculated, currently enrolled undergraduate students at San Jose State University who are pursuing a degree in the Justice Studies Department and SJSU currently enrolled undergraduate students of other majors whose career goals are to become criminal justice Professionals. All active student members are voting members.
(b) Student members must be of the highest moral and ethical character. All members will be upstanding citizens who obey all federal, state, university and local laws. No student shall be admitted to the Fraternity that has been convicted of any felony or any crime of violence or prejudice. No persons who use illegal drugs shall be admitted to this Fraternity.
(c) Members must excel in all academic pursuits. No student shall be admitted or maintained
who has less than a cumulative 2.0 grade point average.
(d) The expected commitment of time and resources both personal and financial to the fraternity necessitates that prospective members make a choice between participation in Chi Pi Sigma and a social fraternty or sorority.
A student who does not meet the criteria stated in this constitution shall not be granted membership. Any member who gains entry upon deceit or fails to maintain the standards of membership set forth by this constitution shall be subject to suspension and/or expulsion.
Students meeting above criteria (a-d) and selected for possible membership shall be called “pledges”. Pledges shall be required to attend the Fraternity pledge program. Upon successful completion of their duties the pledges may be granted membership through election by the Active Fraternity members of the chapter.
Membership in Chi Pi Sigma will not be denied to anyone on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, gender, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or disability. The prohibition on discrimination on the basis of gender does not apply to social fraternities or sororities or to other university living groups. (Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 41500).
No member of Chi Pi Sigma shall engage in hazing, participate in hazing, or commit any act that causes or is likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to any fellow student or person attending this institution . (California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Article 2, Standards for Student Conduct, Section 41301(b)(8). Individual student may be disciplined for hazing under Section 41301(b)(8).)
SECTION 3 – Alumni Members
Alumni status will be bestowed upon any student member in good standing, who has met one of the following requirements:
(a) Graduates from the university with two “active” semesters of service to the Fraternity.
(b) Obtains full-time employment in the criminal justice field. (c) Becomes a full-time student of a law school
(d) Completes four years as a student member.
(e) Is approved by a 2/3 vote of the chapter student Executive Council and the Alumni
Board for a waiver based upon personal or financial hardship. Alumni are non-voting members of the fraternity.
SECTION 4 – Inactive Members
Inactive members are members who have applied for and received a waiver to temporarily release them from Fraternity duties and dues. This is a temporary status, not to exceed two semesters which may be granted by approval of 2/3 of the chapter’s student Executive Council. The Council will grant this status to a member who requests a recess from obligation in order to resolve personal business with a vow to renew active membership upon conclusion. If granted, student will relinquish voting privileges, cannot hold office, and time as inactive will not count toward the service requirements for alumnus status. The Alumni Association Secretary must be immediately notified of any changes in a member’s status or position with the Fraternity.
SECTION 4.1- Process for Inactive Member Status:
(a) Student active applies for status change, in writing, to the chapter’s Executive Council.
Student must state; reason for request, vow to re-establish active status, and date of return to
active membership.
(b) Executive Council reviews application to determine if a reasonable basis for status change
exists and votes on action.
(c) Student member’s application must be approved by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Council.
(d) One appeal will be permitted following reapplication.
(e) If a student breaches the agreement he/she will be suspended and may be expelled. (See
Article 3,Sections 12 and 13)
SECTION 5 –Nomination of Pledges
Any qualified student shall be invited to become a pledge of the Fraternity upon nomination by an active member of the chapter . Nomination can be in written or verbal form to the chapter Pledge Master or Active President. If any active is opposed to the nomination an invitation shall not be offered. Alumni with information regarding the nomination of a perspective pledge will direct it to the Alumni president.
SECTION 6 – Pledge Ceremony
A student nominated for membership shall be designated a “pledge” of Chi Pi Sigma Fraternity in a ceremony officially provided for this purpose, in accordance with the ritual and Law of the Fraternity, in which the individual swears an oath of allegiance to the Fraternity.
SECTION 7 – Pledge Program
Pledges shall be required to attend a semester long program in which they will learn about the
Fraternity, their pledge classmates, themselves and aspects of the Justice Studies field. During this period the pledge will be respectfully considered a provisional member of the Fraternity. He/She will be required to successfully complete the pledge program and all duties assigned to him/her in order to become eligible for election to active membership. Upon completion of the program the Pledge Master shall evaluate the pledge’s performance and submit a report to the President. Chi Pi Sigma Fraternity prohibits hazing . Any members found to be involved in this illegal conduct shall be expelled as per Article 3, Section 13.
Pledges will be required to:
(a) Diligently complete all duties in an exemplary manner.
(b) Punctually attend all pledge meetings and required Fraternity events.
(c) Assemble a pledge book. (d) Pass all Fraternity exams.
(e) Complete all pledge projects.
(f) Maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average.
(g) Present and conduct himself/herself in a professional manner.
SECTION 8 – Termination of a Pledge
A pledge may be dismissed by the Pledge Master, Active President, or Alumni President, upon the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) When he/she is dropped, expelled or suspended from the college or university. (b) When he/she remains a pledge for more than two semesters or four quarters. (c) Whenever the chapter members vote to terminate a pledge by a majority vote. (d) Pledge fails to achieve or maintain sufficient grade point average. (2.0+) (e) Pledge fails to pay his dues or fines assessed
(f) Pledge found to have engaged in disrespectful behavior towards any member.
(g) Pledge violates any governmental law, Fraternity law, or violates any university code of conduct.
(h) Pledge found to have gained admission to program upon fraudulent statement or deceit. (i) Pledge fails to successfully complete pledge duties and therefore fails the pledge
program.
(j) Pledge fails to receive votes required for election to active membership.
SECTION 9 – Requirements for Pledge Initiation and Active Membership
majority of the active chapter are in favor of his/her election.
following requirements:
(a) All qualifications of membership regarding good moral and ethical character, academic status and
career goal as stated in Article 3, Section 2.
(b) Successfully passes all Fraternity exams and completes all duties assigned to him/her as a
pledge.
(c) Demonstrates ideals, characteristics, and principles determined by the student members to
be compatible with those of the Fraternity and it is believed that he/she would become an asset to the Fraternity.
SECTION 10 – Initiation Ceremony
The promotion of pledges to active membership status shall be conducted in a closed formal ceremony at a date following the pledge election meeting and prior to the end of semester. All pledges and members of the active chapter must be present for the ceremony. During the ceremony the Active or Alumni President will preside over the administration of the membership oath, pin and formally promote the pledges to active membership.
SECTION 11 – Resignations
Any student or alumnus member of the Fraternity shall have the right to resign from the Fraternity. No member shall be permitted to resign if he/she owes any dues, fees, assessments or property to the Fraternity. A member shall tender his/her resignation in writing to the active chapter stating his/her reason for the resignation. The President shall, at the next regular business meeting, examine the petition and determine if the party is eligible for resignation and conduct a vote of members present to determine whether the exiting member shall be recommended for reinstatement if, at a later date, the individual petitions for reinstatement. Upon conclusion, the results shall be mailed to the individual and the Alumni Association Secretary. A member who fails to settle obligations prior to departure will be suspended and may be expelled as per Article 3 Sections 12 & 13. An active member who fails to attend 3 consecutive meetings, without notice to the Active President, shall be presumed to have relinquished membership and shall be suspended pending formal action by the Active Judicial Committee.
SECTION 12 – Suspensions
A student member may be placed on suspension by the chapter Active President or Alumni President, pending a hearing by the Active Judicial Committee, if there is reason to believe that the individual has done any of the following:
(a) Has failed to fulfill duties of a member and/or officer of the Fraternity.(includes attendance violations and failure to pay debts)
(b) Has failed to maintain academic standard. (c) Has broken his/her oath to Fraternity.
(d) Has been arrested for or convicted of any local, state, or federal law classified a felony. (e) Has violated any Fraternity or university code of conduct and ethics.
(f) Has committed any offense that has brought shame or disdain to the Fraternity’s name.
Upon being placed on suspension a student member will be temporarily relieved of all Fraternity duties, will not have voting privileges, and shall not have contact with pledges. Suspended members may attend regular business meetings, but no social events or ceremonies. This restricted membership shall remain in effect until the Active President removes the suspension. The affected member shall immediately be notified in person or by certified mail of the date of his/her required appearance before the Judicial Committee and the charges against him/her. This notification must occur 48 hours prior to the Judicial Committee hearing. The suspended member shall appear at request of the Judicial Committee. Failure to appear as requested shall be a substantial infraction under Section
13- Expulsion provisions. The Judicial Committee will convene, investigate the charges, make a determination of guilt, and make a recommendation to the Active President within 5 days of the notification of a complaint. The member has the right to appeal the finding of the Judicial Committee,
in writing within 5 days of the punitive action being ordered, to the chapter Active Executive Council.
The finding of the Executive Council shall be final and binding. In cases where the Alumni President has initiated the suspension the case will be deliberated by the Alumni Judicial Board. No appeal will be allowed to the Boards disposition.
SECTION 13 – Expulsions
Student members will be expelled from the Fraternity by the chapter Active or Alumni President, upon a determination by the Active Judicial Committee or an Alumni Board that said member is guilty of an offense warranting expulsion. The Active Judicial Committee, presided over by the Vice President, shall have the authority and responsibility to investigate any allegations of misconduct by a member of the Fraternity. The Alumni Board may conduct an investigation itself or assign it to the Active Judicial Committee. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the Active Judicial Committee shall determine the validity of the allegation with a finding of guilt or innocence. If the accused is
found guilty by a 2/3 vote of the Judicial Committee a recommendation for expulsion shall be
forwarded to the Active President for execution. Criteria for expulsion of a Fraternity member shall be:
(a) Found guilty of committing a “substantial” offense – those offenses listed in Article 3, Section
12, as (c), (d), (e), or (f). (Burden of proof shall be a preponderance of evidence.) OR
(b) Article 3, Section 12 offense listed “ a” or “b” was committed by member after he/she was instructed to rectify conduct and/or he/she failed to fulfill the terms of assigned punitive action (pay fine etc…) while on suspension. See Article 3, Section 12 “suspension guidelines”.
SECTION 13.1- Process and Rules of Expulsion Hearing:
President.
deposition. Members who fail to appear may be convicted in absentia.
innocence.
for disposition of case to the Active President. Or Alumni President.
appeal to the Alumni Judicial Board.
accused.
decision of Active Judicial Committee.
SECTION 14 – Reinstatement
Any member who has resigned from the Fraternity may be reinstated in good standing if he/she;
(a) Files a written petition for reinstatement with the chapter Fraternity Secretary and Alumni
Association Secretary.
AND
(b) The petition is approved unanimously by the active chapter members and the Alumni
Association President.
ARTICLE 4 – FRATERNITY GOVERNMENT
The government of the Fraternity chapter will be comprised of the democratically elected Active Executive Council, the appointed officers, and the appointed committees. All elected and appointed officers and appointed committee members must be matriculated currently enrolled undergraduate students of San Jose State University who are pursuing a degree in the Justice Studies Department and SJSU currently enrolled undergraduate students of other majors whose career goals are to become criminal justice professionals. The Executive Board (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer) and appointed officers and committee members must maintain a minimum overall 2.0 grade point average, must be enrolled in at least 6 units and must be in good standing with San Jose State University during their term in office. Two Executive Council officers and advisors of the fraternity are required to complete an Alcohol Training offered by SJSU Student Involvement.
SECTION 1 – Chapter Active Executive Council
The Executive Council shall be comprised of the President, the Vice President, the Secretary and the
Treasurer.. These officers will be elected by a majority vote of the chapter’s active student
membership. The Council shall be the governing body of the Fraternity chapter, but shall operate under
the authority of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. The Executive Council shall be empowered to make decisions regarding the active Fraternity, its operation, and disbursement of funds.
The duties of the Active Executive Council shall be:
activities in conjunction with the alumni, committees and appointed members.
committees.
The Executive Council shall have the authority to:
Membership in the organization shall be open to all those matriculated, currently-enrolled San José State University students who are interested in membership. There shall be no other requirements for admission to regular membership. Each regular member has equal rights and privileges.
SECTION 2 – Elective Officers
Nominations for Elective officers shall be made from the floor by any active student member at the last meeting of the concluding semester. Candidates for each office shall be elected by a simple majority of the chapter actives at the same meeting. Term of office shall be one semester. These officers are, in order of authority, are:
In the event that an officer resigns or is removed from office before his/her term is over the position will be filled by the next ranking officer until an election is held to fill the vacancy. Duties of an officer temporarily absent will also be fulfilled by the next ranking officer.
SECTION 3 – Appointed Officers
The appointed officers of the Fraternity chapter shall be chosen by the Active President immediately following his election and shall serve a term of one semester. The appointed officers shall fulfill their duties at the direction of the chapter Active President and the Active Executive Council.
SECTION 4 – Duties of Elected Officers
Eligibility for membership or appointed or elected student officer positions shall not be limited on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or disability. The organization shall have no rules or policies that discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or disability (Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 41500).
President- The chief executive officer of the Fraternity. The duties of the chapter’s Active President shall be:
Vice President
The duties of the Vice President shall be:
The Vice President shall have the authority to:
Secretary
The duty of the Secretary shall be:
directed by President or Vice President.
members at each regular chapter meeting.
all meetings, Judicial hearings, Fraternal correspondence, and the Fraternity member and alumni address and phone book.
and university. Preparing all invitations, notifications, and notes of gratitude, business orders, requests, and news releases.
The Secretary shall have the authority to:
disbursement, facility rentals, event reservations and arrangements with the approval of the
Executive Council
Council.
Treasurer
The duties of the Treasurer shall be:
President.
Executive Council and chapter membership.
The Treasurer shall have the authority to:
SECTION 5- Authority and Duties of Appointed Officers
Pledge Master
The duties of the Pledge Master shall be:
Executive Council for approval.
Executive Council for approval.
Liaison Advisor.
The Pledge Master shall have the authority to:
Council.
House Manager (Appointed by the Alumni Association)
The duties of the House Manager shall be:
Treasurer.
These “parking fees” shall constitute the House Manager’s discretionary fund – which is to be used for repairs, supplies and the benefit of the Fraternity House.
Executive Council.)
House residents as directed by the Treasurer of the Alumni Association.
Association.
expenditures.
house projects, rental rates, parking rates, house rules, and fine schedule and submit it to the Executive Council and Alumni Association for approval.
Council for approval.
The House Manager shall be granted the following authority by the Executive Council:
Sergeant–at-Arms
The duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms shall be:
meetings and ceremonies.
Executive Council’s fine schedule.)
Authority of the Sergeant-at-Arms:
Executive Council.
Executive Council.
Pledge Trainer
The duties of the Pledge Trainer shall be:
Pledge Master.
Social Chair
The duties of the Social Chair shall be:
The authority of the Social Chair:
Historian
The duties of the Historian shall be:
SECTION 6 – Committees
There shall be at least two committees, the Judicial Committee and the Social Committee. The fraternity President shall appoint chairpersons and committee members.
Judicial Committee
The Judicial Committee shall be the judicial body of the Fraternity. The Committee shall examine all incidents of member misconduct brought to its attention and determine punitive action to be taken. The Committee shall be composed of the Vice President and three active members of the Fraternity who have been appointed by the President.
The duties of the Judicial Committee shall be:
suspension, or expulsion.
the Executive Council.
The Judicial Committee shall have the authority to:
Social Committee
The Social Committee shall be composed of the Social Chairman, the Secretary, the Pledge Master and at least one other member of the Fraternity. The purpose of this committee shall be to provide the Fraternity with an array of social and professional activities.
The duties of the Social Committee shall be:
ARTICLE 5 – MEETINGS and EVENTS
There shall be two types of meetings: regular business meetings and special business meetings.
Business and Special meetings
(a) The President shall determine meeting dates, times, location, and dress code.
(b) Business meetings shall be the regular weekly chapter meetings and ceremonies. (c) Special meetings are those meetings convened by the President other than the regular
business meetings.
(d) The Secretary shall notify all members of meetings and specify the dress code.
(e) Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used to conduct all meetings.
Events
Events shall be any activity, other than a business meeting, that member attendance has been deemed mandatory by the President. These events include; Rush/recruiting activities, social events, and professional activities.
SECTION 1- Conduct and Rules of Meetings & Events.
made without permission of the President.
-Arms according to a fine table and conditions approved by the Executive Council.
from the President.
reason for his/her absence.
shall be presumed to have relinquished his/her membership with the Fraternity and will be immediately placed on suspension.
ARTICLE 6- DUES, FEES, and FINES
Pledge Fees
All persons accepting pledge ship in the Fraternity shall pay to the active chapter Treasurer a fee set by the Executive Council. This fee shall be due five days after the date of pledge initiation unless a pledge enters into an alternative payment agreement with the active chapter Treasurer prior to the required payment date. The pledge fees is not refundable. Failure to pay the fee is grounds for dismissal from the program. If for any reason a pledge depledges or is depledged and then returns to pledge again he/she will be required to pay the fee again. 20% of all pledge fees shall be reimbursed to the Alumni Association for chapter fraternity house upkeep and maintenance.
Active Semester Dues
Every semester the Treasurer shall collect dues from each active student member of the chapter. The due amount and date of payment shall be set by the Executive Council and shall be posted in the chapter house. Usually dues will be collected at the second regular meeting of the semester. 25% of the active dues total shall be reimbursed to the Alumni Association for chapter Fraternity house upkeep and maintenance. Failure to pay dues diligently will result in disciplinary action as per Article 3 Section 12 (a).
Fines.
Fines may be imposed upon members as punishment for misconduct and for delinquency in payment of monies owed to the Fraternity. Fines shall be set by the Executive Council each semester and delivered to the active membership. This money shall be deposited into the general Fraternity account, unless the fine was collected by the House Manager. Members failing to pay fines will be immediately reported to the Vice President for disciplinary action by the Judicial Committee.
ARTICLE 7- FACULTY ADVISOR
Each semester the Fraternity shall choose a University Faculty Advisor. The Advisor must hold at least a bachelors degree and be employed as a faculty or staff member by the Justice Studies Department, San Jose State University. A Graduate Assistant/Intern may assume the Advisor role if approved by the University Student Involvement staff.
The Faculty Advisor will be elected by a majority vote of the active student membership. The Advisor shall be a non-voting member of the fraternity.
The active chapter Secretary shall notify the Alumni Association of the selection.
Advisors are invaluable assets to the Fraternity. They are our lobbyists and communications link to
the University who keep us involved with and knowledgeable of departmental issues.
The Advisor shall be invited to all Fraternity events and may be permitted to attend meetings.
At the end of each semester the Faculty Advisor will be honored for his/her contributions.
ARTICLE 8- AMENDMENTS
Any active student member may present an amendment to the Constitution. All proposed amendments must be presented in writing for consideration by the chapter members. Members may adopt the amendment with a ¾ vote majority of the active chapter. If an amendment passes it shall be forwarded to the Alumni Association President for approval. Upon approval, the amendment shall become effective immediately.
Adopted on September 29, 2011 by unanimous vote of the active student membership. Approved on October 5, 2011 by Alumni Association President Jason Kidwell.