The Constitution of

The Pennsylvania State University

Muslim Students Association (MSA)
Date of Origin: February 12th 1964

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Article I. Name:

The name of the organization shall be "Muslim Students' Association of the Pennsylvania State
University" hereon referred to as the "Association".

Article II. Purpose:

A. To unite all Muslim students of all nationalities, races and ethnic backgrounds under one
organization and under the banner of " ! $% ! *)(' +, ./ , " (There is no GOD but Allah and
Muhammad is his messenger).
B. The Association shall be a non-profit organization and the fundamental purpose of the
Association shall be to encourage and to enable Muslims with the basic knowledge and
competence in Islam to contribute both individually and collectively toward meeting human
needs in conformity with Islamic doctrines and belief. It shall also be the purpose of the
Association to promote true Islamic practices and to create a feeling of brotherhood in an
Islamic social environment.
C. To create a haven for Muslims on campus, where they can freely and easily practice their
religion by providing a suitable environment and the necessary facilities.
D. To foster friendly relations with all other students at the Pennsylvania State University and
provide an atmosphere for acquiring the correct knowledge about Islam by means of lectures,
discussions, etc.

Article III. Membership:

The Association's membership shall consist of two memberships, active and associate
membership.
A. Active members shall consist of Muslims who paid their annual active membership dues and are
full time students at the Pennsylvania State University. Only active members may vote, preside,
officiate or solicit funding on the Association's behalf. Furthermore the Association shall at all
times consist of at least 10 active members.
B. Associate members shall consist of all other individuals including but not limited to, faculty, staff,
and community members who paid the annual associate membership dues.

Article IV. Officers:

A. The Executive Committee shall be composed of:

1. President
a. Shall be the official spokesperson for the Association.
b. Preside over all meetings of the Association.
2. Vice-President
a. Substitute for the president when the latter is absent or relinquishes the chair.
b. Assist the President in fulfillment of his/her duties.
3. Secretary
a. Shall be responsible for notifying members of all meetings of the Association.
b. Shall be responsible for keeping the minutes of the General Assembly and the
Executive Board meetings.
4. Treasurer
a. Shall be responsible for collecting dues, writing receipts, and paying the necessary
bills.

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 b. Keep all accounts of the finances of the Association and submit an annual financial
report of the Association's account to the General Assembly.
5. Diversity Coordinator
a. Shall be held by an active female member of the Association.
b. Shall be responsible for contacting and addressing issues and concerns of various
members of the Association.
6. Webmaster
Shall be responsible for updating the Association's website as directed by the
president.
B. The Executive Board shall also consist of any other active members appointed by the president.
C. The members of the Executive Committee shall hold office for one year and shall be eligible for
reelection.
D. Vacancies in the Executive Board; except for the president's position; shall be appointed by the
president. When the presidents' position is vacant for reasons other than an impeachment then
the vice-president assumes presidency and will then appoint a new vice-president.
E. Impeachment
1. If the president is impeached, an election must be held between 5 and 15 school days,
for which the vice president will be an automatic candidate.
2. Until a new president is elected, the vice president shall assume the responsibilities of
the president.

Article V. Meetings:

A. Meetings
1. The President shall decide the frequency of all meetings.
2. Any active member of the Association can make a proposal for a special meeting by
filling a petition with any executive board member signed by at least ten other active
members. After the reception of the petition the executive board must hold a special
General Assembly meeting between three and ten schooldays during the fall and spring
semesters.
3. The executive board is responsible for notifying all of the Association members at least
three days in advance for special meetings, and at least five days in advance for normal
meetings by the means of electronic mail and other available forms of communication.
B. Board meetings
1. Board meetings will consist of elected and appointed officers.
2. The President may invite guests to board meetings, however, the guests are limited to
observing the meeting. The guests may make suggestions or advise with a prior
approval from the president.
3. Active members of the Association may request to attend a board meeting with the prior
approval of the President, however, they will be limited to observing the meeting,
andmay make suggestions or advise only with the prior approval of the president.
C. General Assembly
1. General Assembly meetings will consist of active and associate members.
2. The General Assembly can only be held during fall and spring semesters, and should be
held at least twice a semester.
3. Quorum
a. The quorum will be in effect during the General Assembly meetings if the General
Assembly meeting was announced at least five schooldays in advance and if at least
twenty one active members or at least fifty percent of the total active membership is
present, whichever is lower.

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 b. If the minimum requirement for the quorum is not met on the day of The General
Assembly meeting, then another General Assembly meeting shall be held between
five and ten schooldays, any number of active members present shall suffice the
quorum for this meeting.
4. Any amendment, proposal, or impeachment sanctioned by the quorum shall be final.

Article VI. Voting:

A. Election
1. Only active members of the Association are eligible to vote during the elections.
2. A simple majority of votes is required for electing a candidate into office.
3. Each voting member is allowed one vote per office.
4. No proxy votes are allowed.
5. In case of a tie the head of the election committee shall cast the tie breaking vote.
B. General proposals
1. Only active members of the Association are eligible to vote for general proposals.
2. A simple majority of votes is required for passing a general proposal.
3. Each voting member is allowed one vote.
4. No proxy votes are allowed.
5. In case of a tie the president shall cast the tie breaking vote.
C. Amendments
1. Only active members of the Association are eligible to vote for amendments.
2. A simple majority of votes is required for passing an amendment.
3. Each voting member is allowed one vote.
4. No proxy votes are allowed.
5. In case of a tie the president shall cast the tie breaking vote.
D. Impeachment
1. Only active members of the Association are eligible to vote for an impeachment.
2. A minimum of 60% of votes is required for enacting an impeachment.
3. Each voting member is allowed one vote.
4. No proxy votes are allowed.

Article VII. Finances:

A. All of the Association's funds are to be handled solely by the Associated Student Activities (ASA)
at the the Pennsylvania State University. The Association will not have an off-campus account.
B. Active membership dues shall be collected annually and shall be a minimum of one U.S. Dollar
($1).
C. Associate membership dues shall be collected annually and shall be a minimum of one U.S.
Dollar ($1).

Article VIII. Elections:

A. Election Committee
1. The election committee shall be selected by the executive board and one of the election
committee members shall be appointed by the executive board as the head of the
election committee.
2. Eligibility
a. The election committee members must be active members of the Association and
must not be running for any office in the election.

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 b. Election committee members nominated for any position in the election must reject
their nomination at least two days before the election day or their election committee
membership will automatically terminate.
c. Executive board members are also eligible to be on the election committee if they are
not running for any position in the election.
3. Duties
a. The election committee is responsible for all the election day activities.
b. The election committee will contact the nominees to confirm their candidacy and
publish their names at least two days before the election day.
c. The Election committee is responsible for advertising the election.
d. The head of the election committee shall cast a tie breaking vote in case of tie during
the elections.

B. Eligibility
1. Candidate Status
a. All candidates must be active members of the association and must have acquired
full membership at least five days before the day of the election.
b. All candidates are eligible to run for only one position.
c. Candidates must be physically present during the elections.
2. Nominations.
a. Candidates for all positions other than the presidency may nominate themselves or
be nominated by a proposer.
b. The candidates for presidency my not nominate themselves and must be nominated
by a proposer.
c. All proposers for candidate nominations must be active members of the Association.
d. The Election Committee will start accepting nominations two weeks before the
election and stop accepting nominations five days before the election day.
e. The proposers of candidates and the candidates themselves may give speeches on
election day, the duration of which shall be at the discretion of the election
committee.
C. The newly elected board shall assume office seven days after the election results are
announced.

Article IX. Amendments to the Constitution:

A. Eligibility
1. Only the quorum of active members of the Association shall have the power to amend
any or all parts of this constitution except Article II Section B.
2. Any active members of the association can propose an amendment by filling a petition
with any executive board member.
3. For an amendment to be considered the petition must be signed by at least five active
members or one percent of the Association members, whichever is higher.
B. Procedure
1. After an amendment is considered it must be published and made available to all the
Associations members.
2. Once an amendment is considered a General Assembly meeting must be held to vote
upon the proposed amendment(s) between five and fifteen schooldays.

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C. Once passed by the General Assembly all amendments are subject to approval from the Office
of Student Activities, where the the amendments shall take effect immediately after the approval
fromthe Office of Student Activities.

Article X. Parliamentary Authority:

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, by Sarah
Corbin Robertsshall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which
they are not inconsistent with this constitution and any special rules of order the Association may
adopt.

Article XI. Accessibility of this Constitution:

This constitution will be available to everyone upon request at the Office of Student Activities at the
Pennsylvania State University.

Article XII. Advisor:

A. The Association will have one advisor who is a full time faculty or staff members at the
Pennsylvania State University.
B. The advisor shall be chosen through a majority vote by the General Assembly meeting.

(Approved by the General Assembly on the 21st of April 2010 A.D.)

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