About ASU

ASU Mission Statement
The Asian Student Union is an organization designed to promote awareness and understanding of Asian-American cultures within the JMU student body. Although one of the goals of ASU is to provide support for JMU's Asian-American population, its primary focus is multicultural. All are welcome!

ASU Constitution

Article I – Name of Organization
The official name of this organization shall be the Asian Student Union of James Madison University (ASU).

Article II - Purpose of Organization
The Asian Student Union is an organization designed to promote awareness and understanding of Asian-American cultures within the JMU student body, as well as the Harrisonburg community. Although one of the goals of ASU is to provide support for JMU's Asian-American population, its primary focus is multicultural.

Article III - Membership
Membership in this organization is open to all JMU students and will not be restricted on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation or political affiliation. All members are required to pay dues every semester, a stated amount determined by the Executive Board. Membership fees should be paid by the first meeting in October for the first semester, or by the first meeting in February for the second semester. Membership privileges include discounts on social events, participation in elections, and involvement in the bigs and littles program.

Article IV – Officers
Section 1. Election of Officers
Any current and active undergraduate member is eligible to run for office. Elections will be held in November. Each member will have one vote. Each candidate must have the majority vote to be elected as officer. If a candidate fails to receive a majority of votes, a run off election will be held within the top two candidates that received the most votes. People interested in becoming an officer must be a paid member of ASU. The term of office will be one full year (November to November). All officers shall comprise the Executive Board of the organization. Officer positions will consist of a President, Internal Vice President, External Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, and Webmaster.

Section 2. The Officer Duties and Responsibilities
The Executive Board shall meet in addition to regular organization meetings. Officers must be present for ¾ of the general body meetings. Executive Board meetings will be set at the beginning of the semester. Attendance at executive board meetings is mandatory for officers. If an officer cannot attend, he or she must give three days prior notice to the President or Secretary. The Executive Board shall appoint such committees that are needed to carry out organizational goals. In addition to the responsibilities stated above, individual officer duties include:
     A. President
       • Preside over all meetings
       • Represent organization on campus
       • Ensure that the organization is operating in conformity with the standards set forth by James Madison University and Student
         Organization Services
       • Cosign organization checks with Treasurer
       • Solicit additional funding if needed from SGA in conjunction with the Treasurer
       • Maintain communication with organization adviser
       • Attend CMSS Roundtable Meetings
     B. Internal Vice-president
       • Preside over meetings in the absence of the President
       • Work with other organizations at JMU
       • Coordinate events within ASU
     C. External Vice President
       • Keep contact with other similar collegiate organizations at other institutions.
       • Coordinate events outside ASU
       • Establish educational programming
     D. Secretary
       • Maintain an accurate record of all organization meetings
       • Maintain membership directory
       • Correspond when necessary with University administration and other recognized organizations
     E. Treasurer
       • Maintain accurate record of organization transactions
       • Collect dues
       • Develop organization budget
       • Cosign organization checks with President
       • Arrange fundraising opportunities for the organization
       • Solicit additional funding if needed from the Student Government Association in conjunction with the President
     F. Historian
       • Take photos of ASU events
       • Advertise events by utilizing the Clubhouse, table tents, banners, and The Breeze
       • Present ideas for special events during organizational meetings and will keep record and physical history of club activities.
       • Work in conjunction with the Webmaster to advertise events
     G. Webmaster
       • Work in conjunction with the Historian to advertise events and meetings on the web
       • Update website

Section 3. Impeachment
Officers may be removed from office by ¾ vote of the other officers and ½ vote of the general
membership if actions are deemed inappropriate by the membership. The officer is permitted to speak before the Executive Board and the general membership about the charges made concerning his/her performance. The officer is not permitted to participate in the deliberation of the Executive Board regarding the charges.

Article V - Adviser
The adviser shall be a full time faculty or staff member at James Madison University. The adviser will assume those responsibilities as outlined in this constitution and/or found in University Policy No. 3101 entitled “Faculty Advisers to Student Organizations.” The adviser will be selected by a ½ vote of the Executive Committee and then presented to the general membership for a ¾ vote. Advisers not fulfilling responsibilities or abiding by the organization’s purpose may be removed from the position by a ½ vote of the Executive Board. Expectations of an advisor include: meeting with officers on a regular basis, assistance with events, and attendance at major events (i.e. Culture Show).

Article VI - Meetings
The organization shall hold regular meetings during the academic term except when holidays, examination periods or other events make meeting impractical. Organization meeting day/time will be determined in the beginning of each semester by the Executive Board. Attendance at organization meetings is expected. If a member must miss a meeting, correspondence with the secretary is appreciated. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the membership plus one officer. Robert’s Rules of Order (newly revised) shall govern all meetings.

Article VII - Finance

The organization may establish reasonable dues that must be paid by all members. The amount of the dues will be determined in the beginning of the academic year by the Executive Board. Dues must be paid by the first meeting in October. The treasurer shall maintain all financial records and shall cosign with the president for all organization transactions.

Article VIII - Hazing

Asian Student Union, in keeping with JMU’s expectations for a positive academic and social environment, unconditionally opposes hazing. No individual member of our group or the group itself may engage in or plan any activity that Article VI - Meetings
The organization shall hold regular meetings during the academic term except when holidays, examination periods or other events make meeting impractical. Organization meeting day/time will be determined in the beginning of each semester by the Executive Board. Attendance at organization meetings is expected. If a member must miss a meeting, correspondence with the secretary is appreciated. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the membership plus one officer. Robert’s Rules of Order (newly revised) shall govern all meetings.
may be defined as hazing.

Asian Student Union opposes any situation created intentionally to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule to its members or potential members. In addition, no individual nor recognized organization may by physical or mental stress or by subtle or covert technique, impair, make captive, or destroy an individuals’ freedom of thought and choice.

Hazing, under Virginia law, is defined as activities for the initiation or induction into an organization which include calisthenics or other strenuous physical activity; exposure to inclement weather; consumption of food, liquid, beverage, drug or other substance; confinement in any room or compartment; spraying, painting or pelting with any substance; burying in any substance; burning, branding or tattooing or another activity which may result in physical injury or endanger the health or life of the individual being hazed.

J17-101 Section 18.2-56 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, which declares hazing illegal, establishes conditions for civil and criminal liability and outlines the duties of the university when a student has been found guilty of hazing.

It is hereby incorporated as part of this constitution and will serve as a guide for action by the university and Asian Student Union if there is an instance of hazing by this organization or any of the members of this organization. It will be the duty of the officers of the Asian Student Union to educate the membership of this policy.

Article IX - Amendments
Amendments to this constitution must be submitted in writing at a regular meeting of the organization. Said amendment(s) will be voted on at a subsequent meeting. In order to adopt the amendment, a vote of 2/3 of the general membership is necessary.

Article X - Ratification
This constitution shall become effective upon approval by a ¾ vote of the membership. Ratified constitutions must be submitted to Student Organization Services with in 10 days for final approval.

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