Bylaws

The Iowa Alpha Chapter of Tau Beta Pi at Iowa State University abides by and supports established Iowa State University policies, State and Federal laws and follows local ordinances and regulations. The Iowa Alpha Chapter of Tau Beta Pi at Iowa State University agrees to annually complete President’s and Treasurer’s Training.

• • C-VI, 3 – National Constitution Article VI, Section 3.·
  • B-V, 5.02 – National Bylaw V, Section 5.02.·
  • IAA-X, 1 – Iowa Alpha Chapter Bylaw X, Section 1.

Membership shall be open to all registered students at Iowa State University who meet the eligibility requirements (as described in IAA-VII, 1-7). The Chapter shall be composed of members chosen from among eligible students and alumni of Iowa State University on the basis of distinguished scholarship or professional attainment and exemplary character, as stated in C-I and in the Eligibility Code of the Association. Iowa State University and the Iowa Alpha Chapter of Tau Beta Pi  do not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, race, ethnicity, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as a U.S. Veteran.

The Cabinet shall consist of the following officers: President, Vice-President, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Engineering Student Council Representative, Project Officers, Communications Director, Initiation Officer, Graduate Initiation Officer, Assistant Initiation Officers, Corporate Liaison, Chapter Survey Officer(s), TBP Scholars’ Program Chair, and Alumnus Advisors. Other positions may be created on an ad hoc basis as deemed necessary by the Cabinet. The normal term of office shall be one year for student officers and four years for Advisors.

The Advisory Board shall be composed of the President, the Vice President, the Corresponding Secretary, and four of the Alumnus Advisors of the Chapter as described in C-VII, 8. The past President (if still an Iowa State student), the Treasurer, and the remaining Advisors shall be ex-officio non-voting members of the Advisory Board.

___________  Page 2___________

The duties of the officers shall be those prescribed by the National Constitution and Bylaws of the Association, along with those prescribed in IAA-III, by the President and Vice President, or by Chapter action.  The duties of the President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and Alumnus Advisors as stated in C-VII, 10. are:

(a) The President, as the chapter’s responsible agent and leader, shall see that the other chapter officers perform their duties in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws and the chapter’s bylaws.

(b) The Vice President in the absence of the President, shall fulfill the duties of the office of the President.

(c) The Recording Secretary shall keep the chapter’s roll and record books and the chapter’s meeting minutes.

(d) The Corresponding Secretary shall ensure all required reports are completed and submitted to Headquarters by the stated deadlines.

(e)  (1) The Treasurer shall collect the new member initiation fees and remit the portion payable to the Association within two weeks after each initiation.

     (2) The Treasurer shall maintain the chapter’s financial records in a bookkeeping system recommended by the Executive Director except when the institution’s rules require the chapter’s financial records be maintained in a specified manner.

(f) The primary duty of the advisors is to provide for continuity of chapter operations. They shall see that the Chapter:

     (1) Selects candidates who meet the eligibility requirements of Constitution Article II, the chapter’s bylaws, and the institution’s academic regulations.

   (2) Balances its financial accounts and pays all bills by the end of the academic year.

  (3) Effects an orderly transition following the election of officers.

(g) Additional duties of each office include those defined by the chapter’s bylaws, those assigned by the chapter membership or by the President, and those applicable to the office as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.

The additional duties of the President shall be as follows:

• Updating the list of active chapter committees and assigning cabinet members to committees as appropriate. (See Bylaw VI).
• Providing each officer and committee chair with a written list of all specific duties for which each is responsible.
• Arranging a meeting of the Advisory Board with the Dean of Engineering in the Fall semester to discuss ways in which the Chapter may be of service to the College of Engineering. The substance of such discussions shall be reported to the Chapter at the next scheduled meeting.
• Scheduling regular general and committee meetings and presenting a formal agenda.
• Registering the Chapter as an official student organization with the University at the beginning of each academic year.

___________  Page 3 ___________

• Follows local ordinances and regulations, agrees to annually complete President’s Training

The additional duties of the Vice-President shall be as follows:

• Assisting the President with all duties outlined in IAA-III, 2.
• Coordinating travel plans for the National Convention and the District Meeting.
• Organizing an Engineering Futures Session every semester.
• Be responsible for risk management to:

[a] help minimize potential risks for club activities,

[b] recommend risk management policies or procedures,

[c] to submit documentation to ISU’s Risk Management Office and

[d] to ensure that proper waivers and background checks are on file with Risk Management for events (if applicable).

The additional duties of the Corresponding Secretary shall be as follows:

• Seeing that all National deadlines are met and handling any additional contact with National Headquarters as it arises.
• Presenting any correspondence requiring action at the first scheduled meeting after receipt.

The additional duties of the Treasurer shall be as follows:

• Receiving, collecting, disbursing, and depositing all funds of the Chapter under direction of the Chapter or as prescribed further in IAA-IX.
• Transferring to his or her successor in office, all Chapter money, books, and property in his or her possession.
• Preparing an annual Chapter budget and updating it each semester.
• Follows local ordinances and regulations, agrees to annually complete Treasurer’s Training

• Organizing and maintaining historical Chapter records.

• Attending all meetings of the Engineering Student Council, reporting to the Chapter on Council actions and activities, and making the views and opinions of the membership known to the Council.
• Assisting the President and Vice-President in providing direction for the Chapter.

• Maintaining and making available to the Chapter a current list of the names and email addresses of all active members, Cabinet members, initiates and electees.

• Organizing and implementing ongoing projects of the Chapter, and recruiting volunteers to assist in their implementation
• Developing and organizing new projects, and recruiting participants.
• Assist the Initiation officers with initiation related projects.

• Publicizing all Chapter meetings and events.
• Emailing weekly E-Bent.
• Maintain Chapter website.

The duties of the Initiation Officers shall be as follows:

___________  Page 4 ___________

• Coordinating all activities relating to initiation, including obtaining lists of eligible students and organizing initiate meetings.
• Providing each eligible candidate seeking membership with access to The Constitution and Bylaws and Eligibility Code of the Tau Beta Pi Association, these Bylaws, and any other relevant materials.
• Working with the Project Officers in organizing projects for the initiates.
• Organizing the initiation banquet.

• Assisting in organizing and publishing the annual Chapter Survey.
• For each Chapter activity, obtaining a project report from the person responsible for the activity.

• Serving as liaisons between the Tau Beta Pi – Iowa Alpha Scholars and the Iowa Alpha chapter.
• Coordinating and assisting in organizing and implementing activities for the Scholars.

• Providing continuity in all areas of Chapter activity, including participation on committees.
• Providing the Registrar’s Office with the list of new members each semester for recognition of Tau Beta Pi membership on their transcripts.
• Ensuring that the chapter is operating in conformity with the standards set forth by Iowa State University and Student Activities Center

The first general meeting of each semester shall be held within three weeks after the start of the semester. Additional general meetings shall be scheduled as appropriate. As a general practice, regularly scheduled general meetings will be held alternate weeks throughout the semester

___________  Page 5___________

(1) one-half of the active chapter membership (See Const. Art. VII, Sec. 1) for the consideration of routine business;

(2) three-fourths of the active chapter membership eligible to vote thereon for the election of new members, for the revocation of election, for changing the chapter’s initiation fee or dues, and for the passing of an assessment on chapter members; and

(3) three-fourths of the active chapter membership for the approval of a proposed amendment to the Constitution and Bylaws or the chapter’s bylaws.

Officers elections shall be held in the fall semester during the month of November and spring semester during the month of April. The terms of office shall be one year or until the officer vacates the position. Officers are eligible for election to their previously held position or to any other position. The new officers shall take office at the end of the semester.

___________  Page 6 ___________

The student officers of this organization shall be enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students and in good standing with the university.

In accordance with the with the regulatins of Iowa State University, the officers must meet the following requirements:

(a) Be in good standing with the university and enrolled: at least half time (six or more credit hours), if an undergraduate student (unless fewer credits are required to graduate in the spring and fall semesters) during the term of office, and at least half time (four or more credits), if a graduate level student (unless fewer credits are required in the final stages of their degree as defined by the Continuous Registration Requirement) during their term of office.

(b) Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) as stated below and meet that minimum GPA in the semester immediately prior to the election/appointment, the semester of election/appointment and semesters during the term of office. For undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, the minimum GPA is 2.00. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration.

(c) Be ineligible to hold an office should the student fail to maintain the requirements as prescribed in (a) and (b).

Elected officers and advisors may be removed from office for actions deemed inappropriate by the membership. Removal from office shall conform to the following  procedure: An elected officer or advisor of the Chapter may be removed for cause. Sufficient cause for removal may include, but is not limited to: having continued unexcused absences from the meetings of the Chapter; not attending to assigned or elected duties of the Chapter; inexcusably failing to meet financial obligations to the Chapter; violating the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association or the Bylaws of the Chapter; violating a rule, practice, or procedure adopted by the Chapter; or displaying conduct deemed contrary to the interests of the Chapter.

(1) Any member(s) who wish(es) to remove an alleged offender shall notify a Chapter Advisor, who shall convene a meeting of the Advisory Board to consider the charge(s). Any charged offender who is a member of the Advisory Board shall be excluded from the meeting.

(2) If the Advisory Board decides that a charge has merit which warrants removal from office, the charged offender will be suspended from all duties as an officer/advisor. The Advisory Board shall provide the offender in question with the opportunity to defend the charge(s) in a formal hearing at which counsel may represent the charged offender.

(3) The Advisory Board shall adopt rules and format to ensure due process, compose a statement of charge(s), notify the charged offender that a suspension has occurred, and establish a time and place for the hearing where the charge(s) will be considered. At least 21 days in advance of the hearing date, the Chapter must confirm that the charged offender has received these items.

(4) After the hearing has been conducted and considered, the Advisory Board shall, by majority vote, recommend whether or not to remove the charged offender. The Advisory Board shall call a meeting of the active membership at which it will present its recommendation.

(5) The Chapter may remove the charged offender by a two-thirds vote from at least one-half of the active members of the Chapter. Unless a majority votes to remove the charged offender, he or she shall be reinstated immediately.

(6) A removed officer/advisor may appeal the decision to the Tau Beta Pi Executive Council.

(7) If a charged officer/advisor resigns from office at any time during this process, the removal process shall cease immediately.

___________  Page 7___________

Executive, Initiation, Projects, Chapter Improvement, Communications, and other such committees as the Chapter shall desire and establish. Appointments shall be made within the first three weeks of each semester.

(i)   students shall be in their third or later semester of enrollment at Iowa State University and have completed 35 or more credit hours of ISU coursework.

(i) students shall be in their second or later semester of enrollment at Iowa State University

(ii) students shall have completed a minimum of 11 credit hours of Iowa State University administered courses towards their degree requirement.

Scholastically eligible graduate students as defined by C-II, 3 in Aerospace Engineering, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Energy Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Systems Engineering shall be considered as eligible candidates for membership in the Chapter.

___________  Page 8___________

The major professors of the scholastically eligible graduate students shall be notified of their students’ interest in membership and shall be asked to submit a letter of nomination as proof that the student meets the requirements of C-II, 3 and the additional requirements specified in paragraph 1 above.  The letters of recommendation must be provided at least two weeks prior to the graduate student initiate election meeting.

After eligible undergraduate and graduate candidates have indicated interest in membership, their character shall be evaluated through their participation in the following activities. These requirements shall be clearly described to the candidates.

To qualify for membership, on-campus candidates are expected to:

(i) participate in an initiate small group project and be evaluated by their small group leaders;

(ii) attend a general meeting of the Chapter, where small group presentations occur; those unable to attend may participate in an alternate general meeting;

(iii) contribute to the development of the Chapter through participation in a committee meeting;

(iv) attend an Engineering Futures session, or perform compensatory community service;

(v) participate in a Chapter project, or perform equivalent community service;

(vi) polish a flat casting bonze bent;

(vii) pass a quiz on the history, organization, and objectives of Tau Beta Pi and the Iowa Alpha chapter.  Distance education graduate students who are unable to participate personally in the on-campus initiation activities shall be interviewed thorough electronic means and fulfill requirement (vi) and (vii) above and perform equivalent community service in compensation for other requirements.

If a candidate objects to the required duties and the chapter cannot resolve the objection, the candidate may appeal to the chapter’s Advisory Board. If the candidate is not satisfied with the Advisory Board’s decision, the candidate may contact one of the chapter’s District Directors (see Const. Art. XI, Sec. 6) to mediate and help resolve the situation. The Advisory Board will either affirm or modify their decision. This action is final (see Const. Art. VII, Sec. 11(b)).

Candidates are required to participate in the initiation ceremony to become Tau Beta Pi members.  Candidates unable to attend the Iowa Alpha initiation ceremony may have their initiation postponed – C-IV, 5; be initiated into Iowa Alpha by another chapter; or be initiated through a remote initiation.

Projects and other initiation activities that involve physical violence, hazing as defined by University policy, offense to dignity or decency, and/or public exercises that make the candidate ridiculous in any way are strictly prohibited.

Election Meeting Procedures: The Eligibility Code shall be read before the election of candidates.  The names of eligible candidates who participated in an initiate small group shall be submitted to the Chapter membership in groups by the initiate small group in which they participated along with the initiate small group’s leaders recommendation for each candidate in the group. If any active member has a concern about any of the candidates in a group, that

___________  Page 9 ___________

candidate’s name shall be removed from the group and considered separately.  The Chapter shall vote on the remainder of the group.  Each candidate whose name was removed from a small group shall be considered for election individually after all groups have been voted on.

Candidates, such as distance education graduate students, alumni candidates, and eminent engineers shall be considered for election individually.

Candidates who are not elected may be considered for membership in subsequent semesters, if then eligible.

Candidates shall be elected only be an affirmative vote of at least three-fourths of the active chapter membership eligible to vote thereon who are present and voting affirmative or negatively, in accordance with C-III, 3 (b) (3)

Chapter finances shall be handled as stated in C-III, 6. Contributions, grants, and other funds may be used to supplement these finances, through accounts with Iowa State University Campus Organizations, the ISU Foundation and the Tau Beta Pi National Headquarters.  However, all disbursements will be made through the Campus Organization account listed in Section 4 below. The President and Treasurer shall be holders of purchasing cards.

___________  Page 10___________

the Chapter. The fee for alumni and eminent engineers shall be the same as the initiation fee set annually by the Tau Beta Pi National Convention.

There shall be one Campus Organization account:

This account, PG-109246, shall be used for:

– initiation banquets, payment of assessments and supplies from Headquarters, and general Chapter expenses. The primary source of funds for these purposes shall be initiation fees.

– the travel of Chapter members to conventions and regular project activities. The primary source of funds for these purposes shall be endowment income, alumni and corporate donations and Chapter fundraisers.

– other income and expenses of the Chapter.

All monies belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed through the bank account established for this organization by the Campus Organizations Accounting Office and/or approved institution/office (must receive authorization via Campus Organizations Accounting Office).  All funds must be deposited within 48 hours after collection.  The Faculty Advisor to this organization must approve and sign each expenditure before payment.

The Chapter’s books shall be audited by the University auditing service annually.

• Be a Cabinet member
• Be a initiate Small Group Leader
• Regularly attend Cabinet, General or Committee meetings of the Chapter
• Volunteer at one or more Chapter Service Projects

• free attendance at the Tau Beta Pi banquet (cost currently paid by the Chief Advisor)
• graduating distinguished members are eligible to receive a free Tau Beta Pi Stole

___________  Page 11___________

Section 3.

Amended or ratified Bylaws shall be submitted within 10 days to the Student Activities Center for approval.

These Bylaws were adopted by vote of this Chapter and its Advisory Board and became effective on 6 September 2023,

___________  Page 12 ___________