Student Organization Constitution Guidelines

To be recognized as a student organization with all rights, responsibilities, and benefits at DePaul University, a student organization must submit a constitution for their student organization. The information below is required to be included in the student organization's constitution. There are also recommended topics for consideration.

  • Name of Student Organization

    • Include Pseudonyms, Acronyms, and Abbreviations

  • Mission Statement

    • What is the purpose of your organization?
    • What community of students do you seek to serve?
    • What are the values of your organization? How do they relate to DePaul's Mission & Values.

  • Non-Discrimination Clause (Must be written exactly as shown below)

    • "Membership, leadership, and activities will not be restricted on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, family relationship status, physical or mental disability, military status, genetic information or other status protected by local, state, or federal law."

  • Amendment Clause

    • Who may propose amendments to the constitution?
    • What must be included in the amendment proposal?
    • How must one submit an amendment proposal (e.g. at a general body meeting, by email)?
    • How long after the proposal shall an amendment be ratified?
    • Who votes on an amendment to ratify it?
      • This cannot say the officers only. A membership consensus vote must be included (ex. Simple majority of the membership, 2/3rds majority of the member/general body, etc.

  • Officer Titles & Duties

    • What types of officers does your organization require to run effectively?
    • Which officer(s) will be responsible for event management?
    • Who is responsible for organization finances and SAF-B?
    • Which officer completes the annual DeHub registration?
    • Whose concern is the organization communications (i.e. DeHub and Email)?

  • Officer Election Process

    • When will elections take place (e.g. first week of Spring, end of Fall quarter)?
    • How will the votes be counted (e.g. in person ballot, DeHub poll)?
    • What are the candidate eligibility requirements?
    • Removal: Describe the grounds that may remove an officer and the process to be carried out if such situation arises. How and when can an officer be removed. *As a reminder, this cannot include a violation of the University Code of Student Responsibility as student organizations are not privy to the outcomes of individual student conduct cases.*

  • Membership Requirements

    • What are the qualifications, requirements, rights and duties of membership?
    • Who is eligible for membership?
    • Is there a minimum attendance requirement?
    • Are dues required?
    • Removal: Describe the grounds that may terminate membership and the process to be carried out if such situation arises. How and when can membership be revoked? *As a reminder, this cannot include a violation of the University Code of Student Responsibility as student organizations are not privy to the outcomes of individual student conduct cases.*

  • Recommendations

    • Meeting Order of Operations
    • Outside Organization Affiliations
    • Anti-Hazing Statement
    • Social Media Guidelines
    • Advisor Expectations/Requirements
    • Organization Specific Events & Campaigns

DOWNLOADABLE COPY OF SAMPLE CONSTITUTION