Adopted October 8, 2000
Revised May 09, 2007
Article I - Description of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society
Section 1 - The University of Kansas chapter of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society is to function as an honor and professional society for students of the biological sciences.
Section 2 - The society's activities shall promote high academic achievement, scholarly research, dissemination of knowledge and service to the university community.
Article II - Membership
Section 1 - Active members, through formal review of applicants shall determine the membership of the society. Application for membership shall contain criteria related to academic performance, extracurricular activity, commitment to service and professional ambitions.
Section 2
– The membership shall be divided into four classes: regular, associate,
graduate and honorary.
Section 3 – Regular membership
requirements:
a) Undergraduate majors in the biological sciences
b) Completion of at least one semester of the second year
c) Completion of at least three biology courses, of which at least one is not an introductory course, with the average grade of a B.
d) Uphold good academic standing
Only regular members may hold chapter offices, vote on chapter membership nominations and national questions, and represent the chapter or vote at national conventions.
Section 4 - Associate members shall be those undergraduates whose interests include the life sciences in some significant way but who are ineligible for regular membership. Associate members shall be eligible to participate in all local, district, and national activities except those specifically reserved to regular members as specified in the by-laws.
Section 5 - Graduate members shall be graduate students currently enrolled in the biological sciences. They may participate in the local activities of the chapter except for the holding of offices and voting on chapter membership and national matters. They may attend district or national conventions.
Section 6 - Chapter honorary members may be elected in recognition of significant accomplishments as biologists, or of outstanding service to the chapter.
Section 7 - Attendance of all members to events and projects of the society is strongly recommended. Failure to notify the chapter prior to the second missed meeting will result in termination of a member’s status.
Article III - Initiation Dues and Conditions
Section 1 - Members shall pay either national or chapter dues prior to initiation.
Section 2 – Regular, graduate and honorary members will be required to contribute dues to the society in one of two ways.
a)
National dues shall be a one-time fee determined by the National Office.
b) A chapter fee of $5.00 per year may be paid instead. This option does not
include national recognition from the society.
Section 3 - Associate members will also be required to contribute dues to the society in one of two ways.
a)
National dues shall be a one-time fee dictated by the National Office .
b) A chapter fee of $5.00 per year may be paid instead. This option does not
include national recognition from the society.
Section 4 - In the event that an associate member should become eligible for regular membership, he/she may pay an additional $10.00 to the national society in order to gain national recognition.
Section 5 - Upon receipt of the initiation fee (national dues), the national Secretary-Treasurer will forward appropriate membership certificates to the chapter.
Section 6 - For each regular, graduate and honorary member registered at the National Office, the chapter shall receive a two-year subscription to BIOS, a scientific journal maintained by the society. For each associate member registered, the chapter shall receive a one year subscription.
Section 7 - Once initiated, regular and graduate members are:
a)
National members for life, provided national dues have been paid.
b) Chapter members for as long as they remain a student at the university and
meet their obligations to the chapter as specified in its by-laws.
Section 8 - Chapter honorary members are national members for life.
Section 9 - Associate members terminate both national and chapter membership when they graduate or otherwise terminate their student status at the university, unless they have previously been elected to regular membership.
Article IV- Administration of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society
Section 1 - The society will be governed by the President, the Vice President and a cabinet of officers, including: Vice Presidents of Service, Social Activities, Recruitment and Public Relations; a Treasurer, a Secretary, a Historian, a Webmaster and a Faculty Advisor.
Responsibilities of Officers:
a)
President: The President shall preside over all meetings and official
business of the society. The president will contribute to all programming and
activity of the society. The president will act as the official representative
of the society to the Biology Club Executive Committee and the Biology
Department of KU.
b) Vice President: The Vice President shall assist the President in all
duties and preside when the President is not in attendance. The term of the Vice
Presidency will be in conjunction with that of the President and last for the
term of one year from the time of election.
c) VP of Service: The VP of Service will coordinate all aspects of
service projects undertaken by the society. He/She will serve as the society's
liaison to the Center for Community Outreach and will represent the society at
any outside service events.
d) VP of Social Activities: The VP of Social Activities shall be
responsible for planning social events of the society. He/She will also arrange
accommodations for all meetings of the society. The VP of Social Activities
works in conjunction with the VP of Recruitment to coordinate the annual
anniversary banquet and installation celebration.
e) VP Recruitment: The VP of Recruitment will plan and execute all
recruitment and installation activities, including the annual anniversary
banquet. The VP of Recruitment will design a membership application and maintain
its availability in the KU Biology Department office.
f) VP Public Relations: The VP of Public Relations shall be responsible
for the advertisement of meetings and general promotion of Beta Beta Beta at the
university. He/She will make and post flyers stating the time and location of
meetings as well as purchasing and designing ads for the newspaper when needed.
g) Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be responsible for the management of
all funds (dues and donations) of the society. The Treasurer shall serve as the
representative of the society in all matters pertaining to its finances.
h) Secretary: The Secretary shall be responsible for recording the
business discussed at meetings of the society and posting these minutes in a
place accessible by members to view. As well he/she will deliver these minutes
to the National Organization contact.
i) Historian: The Historian shall be responsible for maintaining the
archives of the society. This includes maintaining the chapter membership
logbook, documenting events of the society by taking pictures (ie: special
events, induction of new members as well as initiation of the new executive
board) and keeping the awards won by the society.
j) Webmaster: The Webmaster shall design, maintain and frequently update
the society's webpage with information concerning membership, activities and
opportunities offered through the society.
k) Faculty Advisor: The faculty advisor shall assist and advise the
chapter and especially its officers in carrying out the chapter programs and aid
in developing new policies and programs that contribute to its local
effectiveness.
Section 2 - Any officer may be removed from office by a 2/3 silent vote.
Section 3 - Officers are responsible for submitting reports that are requested by the national and district officers. The faculty advisor shall review such reports for accuracy prior to submission.
Article V- Election and Commitment of Officers
Section 1 - Elections will be held once per year in the month of March. Newly elected officers will be formally inducted at the annual celebration and will retain their positions until the following March unless removed by a 2/3 silent vote. All offices will be open to all regular membership.
Article VI - Society Events
Section 1 - The society will recognize it's founding date as well as install new members at an annual celebration.
Section 2 - The annual celebration will be held at the end of the spring semester.
Article VII - Amendments to By-laws
Section 1 - Amendments to the by-laws can be proposed by any member of the society. Passage of an amendment will require the agreement of 2/3 of the membership.
Section 2 - New Graduation Requirements: