October 25, 1999
Authored by David Wilburn,
Amended, May 1, 2003,
Amended, April 17, 2019,
Amended, September 2023,
Amended, June 2025
This organization shall be called the James Madison University Unix Users Group. The Unix Users Group is also referred to as the UUG.
The Unix Users Group is an organization for users of UNIX-like systems, as well as users and contributors of a wider open-source software ecosystem. The UUG engages in education and advocacy in these areas, and encourages its members to develop more effective ways of working with UNIX-like and open systems. The UUG also emphasizes sharing of knowledge in these areas and contributing back to the global computing community.
Officers must be full-time students at JMU. The term of office will be one full year, from April to April, though outgoing officers should spend the remainder of the year ensuring the incoming officers are prepared for their new duties. All officers shall comprise the Executive Committee of the organization. The Executive Committee shall meet in addition to regular organization meetings.
The officers and individual duties shall be:
-
President
- Set meeting schedule and preside over all meetings
- Ensure that the organization is operating in conformity with the standards set forth by James Madison University and the Office of Student Activities & Involvement
- Cosign organization checks with Treasurer
- Maintain communication with organization adviser
-
Vice-president
- Preside over meetings in the absence of the President
- Coordinate organization online projects, such as open-source repositories
-
Secretary
- Maintain an accurate record of business meetings
- Correspond with members and send meeting announcements
-
Treasurer
- Maintain accurate record of organization transactions
- Collect dues if required, and record membership roster
- Develop organization budget for club approval
- Cosign organization checks with President
- Arrange fundraising opportunities for the organization
All officers are expected to help promote the organization around campus, and take on additional duties as necessary for the operation of the UUG, as determined by their fellow officers.
Election of officers will require a majority vote from the general membership. Nominations will be collected from members in advance, and a ballot distributed to members for any contested positions.
Officers may be removed from office by ½ vote of the other officers and ¾ of the general membership if actions are deemed inappropriate by the membership.
Officer vacancies shall be filled by either appointment or special election, by consensus of the remaining officers and advisers with respect to how long until the next regular election.
Membership in this organization is open to all JMU students and will not be restricted on the basis of age, ability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, color, religion, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or political affiliation except in circumstances outlined in federal and state laws.
The UUG strives to maintain an open door policy for its meetings, so membership is not required for attendance, and anyone from the university or wider community may attend. Membership dues will be set by the officers during the first business meeting, and membership will be open the first month of the semester. Dues paying members will be eligible to vote in matters when the officers deem it necessary. Members will also be eligible to run for officer positions.
Caution will be taken to not make dues a financial burden. Officers may grant exemptions on a case-by-case basis to members experiencing a hardship, with consideration given to the member's past and expected contributions to club meetings and projects.
Membership will be revoked by ½ vote of officers plus ¾ vote from the general
membership if actions are deemed inappropriate by the membership. Dues are
non-refundable, regardless of voluntary membership termination or revocation.
Once a person's membership has been revoked (whether paid or not), they shall
not attend any future meetings.
Organization funds from dues and fundraisers shall be stored in the club bank account. Funds shall be used for activites of general benefit to members, at the discretion and consensus of the officers. The treasurer and advisers shall have access to the club account.
The adviser shall be a full or part time faculty or staff member at James Madison University. The adviser will assume those responsibilities as outlined in this constitution and/or found in University Policy No. 3101 entitled “Faculty Advisers to Student Organizations.”
The adviser will be selected by a ½ vote of the Executive Committee and then presented to the general membership for a ¾ vote.
The adviser shall have the following responsibilites:
- Call business meetings as necessary
- Ensure the officers provide effective leadership of the club
- Exercise the powers of the officers in case of an emergency
- Call for officer nominations and conduct elections annually
- Audit club finances
Advisers not fulfilling responsibilities or abiding by the organization's purpose may be removed from the position by a ½ vote of the officers. The officers must have a bonafide offer from a substitute adviser before beginning removal proceedings.
The organization shall hold regular weekly meetings during the academic term except when holidays, examination periods, or other events make meeting impractical. The meeting day/time will be determined at the beginning of each semester by the officers, with advice from members.
The officers shall hold business meetings as necessary through the semester, to plan content and strategy for the regular meetings and club projects. The outcomes and decisions of these meetings shall be presented to the club members at a regular meeting as necessary and appropriate.
Quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the membership and is only required during votes. Voting shall be postponed or kept open until quorum is achieved.
Meetings shall be conducted at the discretion of the weekly presenter invited by the officers.
Meeting minutes are not normally taken, though presenters are encouraged to post their presentation notes for members to reference later.
Unix Users Group, in keeping with JMU’s expectations for a positive academic and social environment, unconditionally opposes hazing and other organizational misconduct. No individual member of our group or the group itself may engage in any activity or behavior that may violate any university policy.
All members, officers, advisers and affiliates of Unix Users Group are required to follow the Standards of Conduct & Policies, as outlined in the JMU Student Handbook. The most up-to-date policy definitions can be found here: https://www.jmu.edu/osarp/handbook/osarp/standardsandpolicies.shtml
The most up-to-date definition of the university Hazing policy can be found here: https://www.jmu.edu/osarp/handbook/osarp/standardsandpolicies.shtml#Set-2-A-hazing Any member, officer, adviser and/or affiliate can report an allegation of hazingr or other organizational misconduct to the Office of Student Accountability & Restorative Practices (OSARP). More information on reporting, including information about anonymous reporting, amnesty processes related to certain reporting, and campus and community resources for those who are considering a report can be found on the OSARP website: https://www.jmu.edu/osarp/reportingosarp/index.shtml#organizational
This section is hereby incorporated as part of this constitution and will serve as a guide for action by the university and Name of Organization if there is an instance of hazing or other organizational misconduct by this organization or any of the members of this organization. It will be the duty of the officers of Unix Users Group to educate the membership regarding the Standards of Conduct and Policies in the JMU Student Handbook.
The executive board is responsible for overseeing the well-being of the organization, members and guests at activities and events sponsored by the organization. Violations of JMU policy, local, state or federal law at any meeting or event is strictly prohibited. Any violation should be reported directly to OSARP and/or Title IX.
Amendments to this constitution must be submitted in writing at a regular meeting of the organization. Said amendment(s) will be voted on at a subsequent meeting. In order to adopt the amendment, a vote of 2/3 of the general membership is necessary.
In some situations, changes to the constitution may be mandated by the Office of Student Activities and Involvement in order to retain good standing. These changes should be announced at a regular meeting of the organization; however, they do not need to be voted on by the membership.
This constitution shall become effective upon approval by a ¾ vote of the membership. Ratified constitutions must be uploaded to the Be Involved organization page in a timely manner after substantial amendments and submitted each year with Annual Organization Registration.
In the event of dissolution of the Unix Users Group, the final officers and advisors shall decide how to distribute remaining funds to organizations such as other Computer Science clubs or local charities.