Section 1. Society of Physics Students Membership

Membership in this Society of Physics Students Chapter shall be open to all individuals interested in physics.

Section 2. Sigma Pi Sigma Membership

Membership in Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics honor society included within this Society of Physics Students Chapter shall be based upon character, academic, and professional attainments and is not restricted to physics majors. Candidates for Sigma Pi Sigma membership are determined and presented by a Sigma Pi Sigma nominating committee, which is appointed and assembled by the Chapter Advisor. The active Sigma Pi Sigma members shall conduct election of these candidates to Sigma Pi Sigma membership.

Clause 1. For undergraduate students in physics or related fields, the minimum requirements for Sigma Pi Sigma membership within this chapter shall be as follows:

1. All members-elect shall have completed at least the equivalent of three semesters of full-time college work.
2. All members-elect shall have completed at least three semester courses in physics, each of which at least three credit hours, which may be credited toward a physics major.
3. All members-elect shall rank in the upper third of their college class.
4. All members-elect shall have attained at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 system for physics courses and for cumulative grades in all courses.

Clause 2. For graduate students in physics or related fields, all members-elect either (a) shall meet the requirements for undergraduate members-elect, based upon their undergraduate record, or (b) shall have completed at least one year of graduate work, meeting departmental standards for satisfactory progress towards an advanced degree.

Clause 3. For faculty members, research staff members, and other qualified individuals, who are in physics or related fields, election to membership shall be based upon their professional attainments.

The officers of the chapter shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer; succession shall be in accordance with this order. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by this chapter.

Clause 1. Two of the following offices may be combined: Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Clause 2. If, for any reason, any chapter officer can no longer fulfill his duties as a chapter officer, the officer may resign from his or her office. If such resignation occurs or, for any reason, a vacancy occurs in one or more of the chapter offices, the President or Vice-President of the chapter shall call a special meeting of the chapter officers and advisors. In this meeting, the officers shall nominate another chapter member to fill the officer vacancy and hold an election. A two-thirds vote of all-remaining officers and advisors is required to officially elect this nominee. If elected, the electee shall be immediately installed as a new officer.

Clause 1. Elections of the SPS officers will take place each fall semester one week before Thanksgiving.

Clause 2. Nominations shall be by open nomination at a meeting at least one week prior to the election.

Clause 3. All nominees shall have their names and prospective offices posted on the door of the Physics Department Office at least one week prior to the election.

Clause 4. The election shall be by a closed ballot and shall be decided by a simple majority vote of those chapter members in attendance.

Clause 5. The newly elected officers shall be referred to as "electees" until they are officially installed as the new officers during the first meeting of the spring semester.

Upon the installation of a Sigma Pi Sigma Chapter within the Society of Physics Students Chapter, one of the officers, who is a Sigma Pi Sigma member and the Chapter Advisor shall be given specific responsibility for the affairs of the Sigma Pi Sigma chapter. If no officer is a member of Sigma Pi Sigma, the Chapter Advisor shall appoint a member of the Sigma Pi Sigma chapter to fulfill these responsibilities until one of the officers attains membership in Sigma Pi Sigma.

ARTICLE V. CHAPTER ADVISOR

Section 1. The Chapter Advisor

The chapter advisor shall be a faculty member appointed by the Chairman of the Physics Department, after consultation with the chapter officers. The chapter advisor shall provide liaison among the chapter, the Physics Department, and the National Office of the Society of Physics Students. The chapter advisor will supply counseling to the chapter, furnish continuity of experience in chapter operations, and provide long-range perspective to insure departmental interest in and support of the Society of Physics Students. The chapter advisor shall assist the chapter secretary in furnishing the National Office with any required data and shall assist the chapter treasurer in transmitting fees and dues to the National Office. The chapter advisor will assist the chapter secretary in reapplying for University recognition during the first week of each fall semester.

Section 2. Assistant Chapter Advisors

The Chairman of the Physics Department, after consultation with the chapter officers, may appoint any number of assistant chapter advisors. The responsibilities of each assistant chapter advisor shall be assigned by the Chairman of the Physics Department, after consultation with the chapter advisor and the chapter officers.

Section 1. Chapter Meetings

Clause 1. Regular meetings shall be held biweekly as determined by the officers.

Clause 2. An announcement of each regular meeting with an agenda shall be posted on the door of the Physics Department Office at least four class days in advance of each meeting.

Clause 3. There shall be at least fourteen meetings per year, including a minimum of seven meetings held in each the fall and spring semesters.

Clause 4. A quorum will consist of those present at a meeting; those absent from the meeting will have no vote.

Section 2. Special Meetings

The President or Vice-President shall have the authority to call special meetings of the officers and advisors.

ARTICLE VIII. DUES

Yearly dues shall be collected by the Treasurer as required by the National Office of the Society of Physics Students. The Chapter shall not request any mandatory chapter dues in addition to the yearly dues; however, the chapter can accept voluntary contributions.

ARTICLE IX. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the chapter may adopt.

ARTICLE X. CREATION AND AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

Section 1. Creation of Bylaws

Any member of the chapter may propose a Bylaw to be added to the chapter bylaws at a regular chapter meeting. To accept any bylaw and place it in the chapter constitution requires the consent of a simple majority or members present at a regular chapter meeting. Such by-laws shall conform to the regulations established by the National Constitution of the Society of Physics Students.

Section 2. Amendment and Repealing of Bylaws