All recognized student organizations are required to create and maintain a constitution in order to remain in compliance with Student Leadership and Involvement. The constitution is an important document that guides the operation of your organization and is considered an official organizational governing document. Constitutions should be reviewed annually by organization members and uploaded to the organization's BeInvolved page during Annual Registration and after any major changes have been made. Organizations may have to update required clauses in their constitution as mandated by Student Leadership and Involvement and JMU. Below is an overview of what sections are required.   

• Organization Name 
• Organization Purpose 
• Organization Structure (Requirements for Officers, Executive Board Positions, Elections, Officer Removal Process, Position Vacancies)   
• Membership (Non-Discrimination Statement, Eligibility, Selection Process, Member Expectations, Member Removal Process, Stop the Haze requirement [if applicable])  
• Adviser (Policy No. 3101, Adviser Selection, Adviser Role, Adviser Removal)  
• Meetings (Meeting Structure, Quorum, Rules of Procedure, Meeting Minutes)  
• Finance (Dues, Use and Responsibility of Funds, Bank Accounts)  
• Hazing and Other Misconduct 
• Risk Management   
• Amendments   
• Ratification   
• Dissolution of Organization  

The following statements must be included verbatim in the organization’s constitution: 

Membership Non-Discrimination Statement –  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, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or political affiliation except in circumstances outlined in federal and state laws. 

Adviser Statement – 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.” 

Ratification Statement – Ratified constitutions must be uploaded to the BeInvolved organization page in a timely manner after substantial amendments and submitted each year with Annual Organization Registration. 

Hazing and Other Misconduct– "Name of Organization," 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 "Name of Organization" 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 hazing 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 "Name of Organization" to educate the membership regarding the Standards of Conduct and Policies in the JMU Student Handbook. 

If you have any questions, please contact Student Life at beinvolved@jmu.edu.