Fundamental Principles
The Latin American Student Association is a student body organized within the
rules and regulations of the Columbia University School of International and
Public Affairs Student Association (SIPASA).
The Association promotes the interaction and coexistance of people from the five
continents who share an interest for Latin America. LASA organizes academic
and social events in order to disseminate aspects of Latin American life, culture,
tradition and values while enhancing the interaction between the SIPA community
members.
Attendance to LASA events is open to all persons and not restricted to members
of the SIPA community.
Membership
1. LASA membership is open to all people interested in Latin American and Latino affairs in the SIPA community. The association does not discriminate the inclusion of members because of academic program, country of origin, race, religion, ethnicity or preferences.
Executive Board
1. The Executive Board consists of elected and appointed members. Elected positions are President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Academic Chair, Cultural Chair, Social Chair, and Communications Chair. The Executive Board has the prerogative to appoint any other board positions during their administration.
2. In order to fulfill the goals of the Association, the Board is obliged to perform the following duties:
a. Develop and execute a program of activities for each semester;
b. Submit a detailed budget to SIPASA, following student groups’ guidelines;
c. Encourage the participation of the SIPA community in the execution of events;
d. Create synergy with other student groups at SIPA and other graduate programs;
e. Organize elections for the next Executive Board.
3. The Board is responsible for the obedience of the articles of this Constitution.
4. The Board serves from the first week of January to the last week of December.
5. At the end of its period, the Board is responsible for the transmission of all documents, resources and relevant information to the incoming board.
Elections
1. Only first year students at SIPA may request to run as candidates.
2. Only LASA members can cast votes during the elections.
3. Elections are held on the first week of the month of December, as follows:
a. The Board must convene an open assembly for the sole purpose of holding elections;
b. Students interested in being Board members must present their candidacy to the Assembly;
c. Candidates must present proposed activities according to the post they are running for;
d. Assembly members will cast their vote for each position through closed ballots which will be counted at the end of the Assembly.
e. The winners will be those who get the plurality of votes on the day of the election
Elected Officers and their Duties
President: As chief executive officer for LASA, the President oversees all aspects of the Organization’s operations. The President will work cooperatively with the other officers and the cabinet to achieve the organization’s overall goals.
Vice-President: It is the responsibility
of the Vice President to assist the President in the workings of the Organization’s
operations. The VP directly oversees the cabinet of appointed officers as well as assists
in the coordination of activities sponsored by LASA. In the event that the president is unable to execute the responsibilities of
his or her office, the VP will assume the office of the President until
the elected President of that term returns to his or her post or a new
election for the office of the President is held.
Treasurer: As chief financial officer for the Organization,
it is the responsibility of the Treasurer to oversee all the financial aspects
of LASA’s activities. These activities include but are not limited to: budget planning and presenting,
special financial requests, budget for social, cultural and academic events,
and general management of funds. All receipts collected on the behalf of the Organization must be submitted to
the Treasurer.
Secretary: It is the responsibility of the secretary to
maintain a complete and accurate record of all meetings and activities of the
Organization. Other responsibilities of the secretary include, but are not limited to, compilation
and maintenance of an Organizational calendar of events, distribution of events
and announcements, all correspondence, and control of the listserve of all
members and individuals connected with LASA.
Amendments
1. In order to amend the present constitution, any officer may present a proposal, and it must be ratified by the majority of the members of the Executive Board.