Associated Students of New Mexico [ASNM]
Constitution

PREAMBLE

We, the students of the member schools of the Associated Students of New Mexico, do hereby ordain and establish this constitution of the Associated Students of New Mexico. This document, and all the amendments to it, shall be the governing rules to be followed by the Association in decisions of actions applicable to the student community; and shall be subject to the laws of the United States, the State of New Mexico, and shall not violate the laws of any member school. The purpose of the organization shall be to provide a forum among member schools for the discussion of concerns, the exchange of information; and to establish, expand and defend the rights of college and university students as both taxpayers and citizens of the State of New Mexico and the United States. The purpose shall be achieved through united lobbying efforts and communication between the member schools to enhance student life across the state.

ARTICLE I: NAME

This body shall be officially designated the Associated Students of New Mexico, herein "ASNM." It shall be represented legally by that name and incorporated under the laws of the State of New Mexico as an organization not for pecuniary profit.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

A. Membership shall be available to all post-secondary schools, both 2 year and 4 year, whose student body president shall have been elected in a democratic fashion by his constituency.
B. Membership shall be granted by a majority of the General Assembly.
C. Provisional membership (not to exceed one year without paying fees) may be granted by the majority of the Convened Association, to schools with the intent of joining ASNM. Provisional members are without voting rights but have full speaking privileges.

ARTICLE III: DEFINITIONS

A. Member Schools- Those schools granted membership and in good standing.
B. Good Standing- Those schools owing no delinquent dues and those not on probation.
C. Convened Association- A voting quorum present at any regular meeting.
D. Cosignator- A person who signs a document jointly with another, or others.

ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS
Section 1. Regular Meetings

A. The date, time and location of such meetings shall be determined by the officers with the approval of the of the Convened Association.
B. Adequate written notice of the date, time, and location shall be given to the member schools no later than fourteen days prior to the regular meetings.
C. Members schools will host regular meetings on a rotating basis.

Section 2. Special Meetings

A. Special meetings may be called by the Director or by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the member schools.
B. The date, time and locations of such meetings shall be determined by the Director or by the member school calling the meeting.
C. Adequate written notice of the date, time, and location shall be given to the member schools no later than fourteen days prior to the special meeting.

ARTICLE V: QUORUM

A. A simple majority of member schools shall constitute a quorum.
B. In the event that a quorum is not available, ASNM may meet to discuss matters, but any decisions must be approved by the Convened Association at the next meeting.

ARTICLE VI: PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES

The rules and parliamentary practices as set forth in Robert's Rules of Order shall govern ASNM in all cases not covered in the by-laws and Constitution.

ARTICLE VII: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Duties and Responsibilities of the Director

A. The Director of ASNM shall be the principal executive officer of ASNM and shall have signatory authority on behalf of ASNM under that title.
B. The Director shall preside at all meetings of ASNM but shall only vote in the event of a tie.
C. In financial matters, the Director shall have the power to act as a cosignatory agent of ASNM with the Treasurer.
D. In the event of a vacancy in any executive office, the Director shall inform member schools and facilitate an immediate election to fill the vacancy.
E. The Director shall act as an official lobbyist on both the state and national levels for the ASNM Platform, as determined by the ASNM Lobbying Committee which will be made up of a representative(s) from each member school. Each member school will have one vote on the Lobbying Committee.
F. The Director will visit each member school between the final ASNM General Meeting and the second week of the following September. These visits will be planned with either the President of the Student Body or the Director of Lobbying at the member scho ol no less than fourteen (14) days prior to arrival, and reconfirm, by phone, seventy-two (72) hours in advance.
G. The Director shall be responsible for compiling a transition manual to be turned over to his/her successor at election time.

Section 2. Duties and Responsibilities of the Public Information Director

A. The Public Information Director shall disseminate any and all information regarding student concerns on the state and national levels to the Director, member schools, and the media, as appropriate.
B. The Public Information Director shall keep and maintain the minutes of ASNM meetings, and shall include all reports in the minutes. A copy of the minutes shall be sent to the member schools no later than fourteen days after the close of ASNM meetings.
C. The Public Information Director shall keep the files and the historical documents of the ASNM, and pass those on to his or her successor, as well as submit a report to ASNM at each meeting, and be available to the Director to assist in carrying out the business of ASNM.
D. The Public Information Officer shall be responsible for compiling a transition manual to be turned over to their successor at election time.

Section 3. Duties and Responsibilities of the Treasurer

A. The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all the funds and property of ASNM with the cosignator.
B. The Treasurer shall disburse funds upon order of the Director, and keep an accurate account of all moneys. In addition, the Treasurer shall compile and submit a quarterly financial report, including copies of monthly statements, at all regular meetings of ASNM, and will provide the same information to the officers and member schools upon request.
C. If the Treasurer has any objections to an expenditure, the objection must be put in writing and submitted to member schools within fourteen (14) days.
D. The Treasurer shall be available to the Director to assist in carrying out the business of ASNM.
E. The Treasurer shall maintain a Financial Procedures document, to be accepted by the convened Association, by which all financial proceedings shall follow.
F. The Treasurer shall be responsible for compiling a transition manual to be turned over to the successor, along with all financial paperwork, at election time.

Section 4. Duties and Responsibilities of the Associate Director

A. The Associate Director shall act as an official lobbyist on both the state and national levels for the ASNM Platform, as determined by member schools, in conjunction with the Director of ASNM.
B. In the event that the Director of ASNM is unable to fulfill his/her role, the Associate Director will act in his/her place.
C. The Associate Director will keep all ASNM schools informed of issues that are of importance to the students of New Mexico. The Associate Director shall provide a written report to the Public Information Director monthly when the Legislature is out of session and twice a month during the Legislative session.
D. The Associate Director shall submit a report to ASNM at each meeting and be available to the Director to assist in carrying out the business of ASNM.
E. The Associate Director shall be responsible for compiling a transition manual to be turned over to his/her successor at election time.

Section 5. Qualifications for Office

A. All officers must be from member schools in good standing.
B. The officers of ASNM shall be elected or appointed representatives of their respective member schools.

Section 6. Elections and Terms of Office

A. The officers of ASNM shall be elected for a one (1) year term by the member schools for ASNM. The term shall begin May 1 and shall end April 30.
B. Candidates must receive a simple majority of the votes cast to be elected.

Section 7. Vacancies

A. If, for any reason, the office of the Director shall become vacant, the Associate Director shall assume the title and duties of the Director.
B. If any office is vacant, an election shall be held to fill the vacant office at the next regular or special meeting of ASNM. The person filling the vacant seat will serve the remainder of the term.

Section 8. Transfer of Officers

In the event that an officer is no longer a representative of the member school from which they were elected to serve, but still eligible, the officer must receive a two thirds (2/3) vote of confidence to remain in office.

Section 9. Removal

A. Any officer of ASNM is subject to removal whenever the officer in question has been found to have committed acts in violation of his/her constitution, or has performed in a manner that has or would prove detrimental to ASNM.
B. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Convened Association is necessary for the removal of any officer.

Section 10. Ex-Officio Members

The voting and non-voting student members of the Commission on Higher Education shall serve as ex-officio members to the Board of Directors of ASNM

ARTICLE VIII: MEETING SCHEDULE

Regular meetings shall be held each year according to the following schedule: