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of Princeton University
Article 1: Name Article 2: Purpose Article 3: Membership Article 4: Definition of the Term "Ally" Article 5: Denial/Revocation of Membership Article 6: Division of Labor Article 7: Office Bearers Article 8: Queer Core Article 9: Groups and Meetings Article 10: Cooperation with the Administration and other Student Organizations Article 11: Appointments to Positions Article 12: Traditional Activities Article 13: Media Article 14: Statement of Diversity/Non-Discrimination Clause Article 15: Amendments to the Constitution Article 16: Ratification PreambleIn May of 1972 a student, looking for other Princetonians, placed a classified advertisement in the Daily Princetonian reading "Closet Queens Unite!" The following fall a group of students founded the Gay Alliance of Princeton (GAP) and sought recognition as a student organization. The Alliance sponsored discussion groups and social events; in May 1973, it held the largest (up to that date) gay dance in the state of New Jersey. GAP officially welcomed men and women from the very beginning. While the organization in the beginning also attracted townspeople, they soon split off to create Gay People of Princeton. GAP later evolved into Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Princeton (GALAP) and eventually into Princeton University’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual Alliance. Initially, The Alliance was associated with the Office of Religious Life, but now works closely with the Dean of Student Life Office as well.Article 1: NameSection 1: Current NameThe official name of this organization shall henceforth be "Lesbian Gay Bisexual Alliance" (hereafter referred to as LGBA or as The Alliance). Section 2: Future RenamingThis shall not preclude future alteration of the name of this same organization to reflect a changing community, and in particular shall not exclude the addition of the word "transgender" to the official name of the Alliance. Article 2: PurposeIt shall be the purpose of The Alliance to:Section 1:represent the interests of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning members of the community at Princeton University in all matters which affect and are relevant to it. Section 2:provide an accepting and comforting social environment for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning and allied members of the University community be they self-identified as such or not. Section 3:provide support to individual members in their dealings with their own sexual orientation or in coping with the reactions of other persons towards their sexual orientation. Section 4:be active in campus politics in order to promote the cause of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning members of the Princeton University community, i.e. increasing the awareness and acceptance of its members in the eyes of the student body, the faculty, staff and alumni of the University. Section 5:be open towards non-members of the LGBA and provide information and encourage dialogue regarding sexual orientation issues. Article 3: MembershipSection 1: Types of Membership
Full members of The Alliance shall be eligible to vote or run for any office of the organization except for the condition that only undergraduate students may hold the position of President, Vice-/Co-President, Treasurer or Secretary. Full members have the right to participate in any activity sponsored or co- sponsored by The Alliance. Associated members have the right to participate in any activity sponsored or co-sponsored by The Alliance, but may neither vote for any full member running for office, nor are they eligible for any elected office. Section 2: Eligibility for Membership
All undergraduate and graduate student, faculty or staff of Princeton University who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender identified or who consider themselves "allies" (as defined in Article 4) may become full members of The Alliance upon their request. Every full member shall be able to hold a position in Queer Core unless otherwise stated in Section 1, Paragraph 1. All alumni of Princeton University, persons formerly affiliated with the University, or persons living in vicinity of the university who either self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, are questioning their sexuality or sexual identity, or consider themselves to be "allies" (as defined in Article 4) may choose to become associated members upon request. Article 4: Definition of the Term "Ally"An "ally" of the LGBA shall be defined as a person who does not self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender nor questioning and who is substantially supportive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning people, their rights, and the purpose of the Alliance (as defined in Article 2). Article 5: Denial/Revocation of MembershipAny person requesting or already holding membership in the alliance who cannot upon questioning by a Queer Core member in full conscience certify that they fulfill the conditions for membership as defined in Articles 3 and 4 may be denied membership to the LGBA or their membership may be revoked. Furthermore, behavior either considered harassment as defined by the Queer Core and the University, or to be in violation of University policy or of the rules as set forth in this Constitution or as stipulated by the Queer Core may be grounds for denial or revocation of membership. Article 6: Division of LaborSection 1: Queer CoreThe LGBA shall be headed by a governing board henceforth referred to as "Queer Core". The members and members’ duties are outlined in Article 8. Section 2: Undergraduate OfficersThree undergraduate members of Queer Core shall volunteer to be recognized as officers by the university and shall hold the positions of President, vice-president or Treasurer. Their duties are outlined in Article 7, Sections 1 through 3. A fourth undergraduate member of Queer Core may volunteer to be recognized as Secretary. The secretary’s duties are outlined in Article 5, Section 4. Article 7: Office BearersSection 1: President
Section 2: Vice-President
Section 3: Treasurer
Section 4: Secretary
Article 8: Queer CoreSection 1: DescriptionThe Queer Core is the governing board of the LGBA. It consists of the executive officers and several other members of the organization. All meetings are convened by either one of the co-presidents. Section 2: MembersThe Queer Core should consist of at least the following members: Peer Education Chair, Publicity Chair(s), Social Chair(s), Treasurer, Representative to the Graduate Student Union (GSU). Other positions may be added if deemed necessary by the Queer C ore. The LGB Concerns Coordinator is the official advisor to the Queer Core and should be notified of all meetings. The positions shall be defined as follows:
help in the coordination of the LGB Peer Education Program headed by the LGB Concerns Coordinator in the Dean of Student Life Office.
organize and implement all social activities. Shall organize and conduct regular and pre-announced meetings of the support groups they are heading. Those support groups shall be known as "Women’s Group", "Men’s Group" and "Bisexual Interest Group". This position shall preferably be held by undergraduate or graduate students if at all possible or by the LGB Concerns coordinator if appropriate. may be added if deemed necessary by the Queer Core and their duties shall be defined at that instance. A member of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Concerns Task Force may be chosen to serve as liaison between Queer Core and the Task Force. Section 3: MeetingsThe board meetings shall always be open to interested members of the organization and meeting times shall be advertised in the newsletter or via e-mail to anyone interested in attending. Meetings shall be held on a regular basis while classes are in session. The membership of The Alliance at large should be notified of the agenda of any given Queer Core meeting. Article 9: Groups and MeetingsSection 1: Community MeetingsMeetings of the entire lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning community should be called by The Alliance or the LGB Concerns Coordinator on a regular, preferably monthly basis while classes are in session. These meetings should be used by Queer Core to assess the opinions of the general membership and discuss programming and policy issues in a wider group. Section 2: Support GroupsTraditionally, The Alliance has held regular meetings of support groups that pertain to the various sexual orientations of its members. All meetings are private and confidential and attendance shall not be taken. All those who attend must agree to ke ep confidential the identity of participants as well as the contents of the conversations. These groups currently are:
This group shall address issues of bisexual identified or questioning men and women and is open only to men and women who self-identify as bisexual. This group shall address issues of gay, bisexual or transgender identified or questioning men and is open only to self-identified gay or bisexual men and those who are currently questioning their sexuality or gender identity. This group shall address issues of lesbian, bisexual or transgender identified or questioning women and is open only self-identified lesbian or bisexual women, or those who are currently questioning their sexuality or gender identit y. Article 10: Cooperation with the Administration and other Student OrganizationsSection 1: LGB Concerns CoordinatorThe LGBA shall work as closely as possible with the LGB Concerns Coordinator in the Dean of Student Life Office. This shall include the LGB Concerns Peer Education Program that originates from this office. Section 2: LGB Concerns Task ForceThe Alliance shall put all possible efforts in coordinating policies and interest with the University’s LGB Concerns Task Force. Section 3: Fund For ReunionAll alumni relations shall go through the Fund For Reunion (FFR). Each spring the LGBA will assist the FFR in encouraging graduating students to join. Section 4: Office of Religious LifeThe Alliance should work closely with the Office of Religious Life as has been done in the past. Section 5: Other Allied OrganizationsThe LGBA shall cooperate in every possible way with allied student and other organizations on campus on relevant issues. Such organizations may include, but are not limited to: And Justice for All, Coalition Against Homophobia, Princeton AI DS Awareness, etc. Article 11: Appointments to PositionsThe appointment of officers and members of the Queer Core shall be on a purely voluntary basis unless an officer position is contested. In this case an election will be held following the rules of the Undergraduate Student Government (USG). Article 12: Traditional ActivitiesThe Alliance shall organize at least three major activities during the school year unless there are extenuating circumstances that prohibit them. Those three major activities shall be Awareness Week, Queer Articulations, and Pride. These may be held in cooperation with various other student organizations on campus. Planning committees for each one of the three events may be instated if the Queer Core deems so necessary and are strongly encouraged. Section 1: Awareness Week
Section 2: Queer Articulations (Film Festival)
Section 3: Pride
Article 13: MediaThe LGBA shall communicate with its members on a regular basis by a variety of means that make it accessible also to non-members who may have an interest in joining The Alliance at a later date. Section 1: Monthly Newsletter
Section 2: E-mail List and E-mail account
Section 3: World Wide Web PagesThe Alliance shall seek to provide information to its membership and other interested persons through on-line publications. Maintaining the pages shall be the responsibility of the publicity chair(s). Section 4: Ownership of MaterialsAny printed or electronic publication written or designed for the LGBA by any of its officers or members shall become property of The Alliance. Any reproduction of these materials shall be subject to Queer Core’s approval; however, th e original authors may freely reproduce their work for the sole purposes of self-promotion and display of talent or ability in design. Article 14: Statement of Diversity/Non-Discrimination ClauseSection 1:The Alliance, as an official organization of Princeton University, will uphold Princeton University's nondiscrimination clause and will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran. In addition, the Alliance will not discriminate on the basis of gender identity. Within the restrictions of status as an undergraduate student organization, the Alliance will not discriminate on the basis of position within or outside of the University. Section 2:The Alliance may initiate outreach or affirmative action programs for Queer Core membership to any group which the Alliance recognizes as having been or having felt unwelcome and/or discriminated against and consequently underrepresented in Alliance leadership. Section 3:At the present time, the Alliance officially seeks to fill the position of President by the appointment of two co-presidents, one man and one woman. Article 15: Amendments to the ConstitutionAny amendment to this constitution may be presented by any full member of The Alliance to Queer Core for debate. All amendments have to be publicized to the full membership of the LGBA and all members must be invited to discuss these amendments or to Q ueer Core meetings for that purpose. After due consideration the proposal may enter into effect if a two-thirds majority of the full Queer Core accepts the amendment. Article 16: RatificationThis Constitution has been unanimously ratified by the undersigned members of the Queer Core, governing board of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Alliance of Princeton University. Ana Berlin, Co-President Nicholas Salvato, Treasurer David Johnson, Secretary Michelle Amt, Publicity Derrick Brown, Men's Group Suman Chakraborty, Public Relations Stephanie van Duren, Publicity Tim Howe, Men's Group Nicolas Janberg, Publicity Christine Jones, Peer Education Albert Lee, Social Chair Caitlin Shaw, former officer Malissa Taylor, former officer |
This document (/~lgba/Documents/constitution.shtml) was last modified on 18 March
1999 |
