THE CONSTITUTION OF THE INTERFRATERNITY COUNCIL
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
2 February, 2000
PREAMBLE
The social fraternities of RPI, in order to provide an agency for fraternity self government, to provide a medium for democratically considering the needs, purposes, problems and conditions arising out of fraternity life on and off campus, to provide a medium for effecting worthy programs and activities consistent with the purposes of fraternity life, and to provide an organized vehicle for integrating the interests and affairs of fraternity life with the mission of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, do hereby establish and agree to abide by this Constitution.
ARTICLE I Name
This organization shall be known as the Inter-Fraternity Council of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. It may be referred to in this Constitution, the Bylaws and any other documents as the IFC. The executive body of this organization shall be referred to as the Cabinet. Committees are also executive in nature, and they fall under the Cabinet. The legislative body of the IFC, which consists of a delegate from each member chapter and over which the Cabinet presides, shall be referred to as the Council. The judiciary body of the IFC shall be known as the Judicial Board, which the Judicial board chairman oversees.
ARTICLE II The Council
Section I Membership
A. Membership in the Council shall be of two classes: associate membership and full membership, as established in the Bylaws.
B. Nothing stated herein, in the Bylaws, or in any other document of the IFC, as regards to the two classes of membership shall be construed as differentiating between a local petitioning chapter and a petitioning chapter of a national fraternity.
C. This organization will not discriminate regarding race, creed, color, religion, national origin,k sexual preference, or handicap
D. Members of the Council can be either in good standing or not in good standing, as outlined in the Bylaws. Good standing members have all rights and privileges given to them in the Constitution, Bylaws, and all other IFC documents. Good standing statues can be revoked as outlined in the Bylaws.
Section II Representation
A. Each member fraternity shall be required to have a Chapter Delegate at each and every meeting of the Council
B. This delegate shall be either the chapter president or some other responsible person who has a place on the chapter’s executive committee or similar body.
C. Each chapter is encouraged to appoint Associate Delegates. Associate Delegates could be individuals who show interest in the IFC, but may benefit by getting more experience in both IFC and chapter operations.
D. The Chapter Delegates shall be considered to have the elective power of their respective member chapters, and as such have the power to vote on all matters that arise without first reporting back to their houses except in matters concerning constitutional amendments or by the discretion of the IFC president
Section III Finances
A. All members shall be required to pay dues as outlined in the Bylaws.
B. All members shall be required to contribute equally toward any assessments except as stated in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE III The Cabinet
Section I
The officers of the Cabinet shall be the President, Executive Vice President, Social Vice President, Rush Vice President, Risk Management Vice President, Philanthropy Vice President, Public Relations Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The Greek Senator, a Panhellenic Association Member-At-Large, the IFC Judicial Board Chairman, the Former IFC President, and the Dean Of Students Office Greek Advisor shall be ex-officio members of the Cabinet.
Section II
Committees, both standing and ad hoc, act under the authority of the Cabinet. Their actions are guided by the Cabinet and are subject to council review, as outlined in Article V of this Constitution. Committees and their chairmen shall be appointed by the Vice Presidents and are subject to the approval of the Cabinet.
ARTICLE IV The Judicial Board
Section I
The Judicial board consists of a chairman and a body of members selected by a selection committee as outlined in the Bylaws.
Section II
The Judicial Board is a joint IFC-Panhel body and, therefore, the members and Chairperson may be from either organization.
Section III
To maintain the supportive role of the IFC while allowing for a necessary but limited regulatory role, the Judicial Board shall operate as an entity separate from the Cabinet and the Council, acting collaterally only as outlined in the Bylaws. The Judicial Board, in addition to the IFC Bylaws, has separate Judicial Board Bylaws that both the IFC and Panhellenic Council must approve.
ARTICLE V Powers, Jurisdiction, Authority, and Responsibility
Section I
The IFC shall have the authority and responsibility to act in ways that support the
member chapters and also to regulate them when such regulation is necessary and appropriate. The fraternities are understood to be responsible for any violations of any provision set forth by Rensselaer of the IFC by their individual members or guests.
Section II
The Council shall legislate on matters that affect the welfare of the fraternity system by maintaining and amending this Constitution, the Bylaws, and any policies, guidelines, programs, and resolutions. Any formal action of the Council shall be binding on all members of the IFC. Except as outlined in the Constitution or Bylaws, the Council can approve or preclude any executive action that is not specifically authorized. Any of the above-mentioned legislative actions are termed Council review. Council review is enacted by voting procedures outlined in the Bylaws and Constitution.
Section III
The Cabinet shall have the responsibility of managing all operations of the IFC. This
may include but is not limited to establishing committees, promoting workshops, and organizing meetings. The Cabinet shall have the authority to award incentives and establish penalties to ensure the health of the IFC operations.
Section IV
The Judicial Board shall have the responsibility of interpreting this Constitution, the Bylaws, the Institute Grounds for disciplinary action, and all other rules and policies that may apply in the even of judicial proceedings as outlined in the Bylaws or the Rensselaer Handbook. The Board shall have the authority to inflict penalties as outlined in the above-mentioned documents. The Judicial Board shall only operate by Bylaws approved
by the Council.
Section V
Each of the branches of the IFC, the executive, legislative, and judicial, are parts which constitute the whole IFC organization. The IFC aims to coordinate the activities of each through a system of checks and balances, striving to maintain an organization that operates smoothly, and fairly for all those concerned.
ARTICLE VII Documents and Amendments
Section I
This Constitution is subject to amendment by a three-fourths vote of all full member fraternities in good standing.
Section II
The Bylaws shall be subject to amendment by a two-thirds vote of all full member
fraternities in good standing.
Section III
Amendments shall, unless otherwise specified, be proposed in one meeting and shall be voted on no sooner than the next regular meeting; provided that at least one full week shall have elapsed between meetings.
Section IV
This Constitution shall supersede all previously existing constitutions of this Council
Section V
Policies shall be maintained by committees or officers to ensure smooth IFC operations
as necessary. Policies are binding for all members. All policies and amendments to policies require approval by a majority of all member fraternities in good standing.
Section VI
All supportive programs and guidelines shall be documented and managed by the Cabinet
or a designated committee. They are subject to Council review.