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The MSA institutes a specific system in order to get general body members involved. Instead of the e-board members holding just their traditional responsibilities as defined in the constitution, they are also be responsible for delegating to a committee of members of the MSA. This hopefully allows for more a more productive student group, as well as spreading out the workload for the seperate positions.
Below listed is the official Constitution for the MSA:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Preamble:
The Muslim Students’ Associations’ Shura ratified this document as the Constitution on Thursday, March 31st, 2005.
Article I. Name
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Muslim Students’ Association of Michigan State University (MSA), a chapter of MSA ñ National.
Article II. Mission Statement
Section 1. In submission to Allah (swt), we, the MSA shall promote unity and Islam awareness.
Section 2. The MSA will not discriminate on the basis of age, color, gender, disability status, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or weight. Only MSU students shall be Executive Board (Shura) or voting members.
Article III. Purpose
Section 1. To bear witness that there is no deity worth of worship except Allah (swt), and that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) is His last messenger.
Section 2. To follow and uphold the commands of Allah (swt) through education, prayer, and through Muslim brotherhood/sisterhood.
Section 3. To establish and sustain unity amongst Muslims.
Section 4. To provide an inviting Islamic environment in which students can learn, mature, and grow.
Section 5. To educate Muslims and non-Muslims about Islam.
Section 6. To voice the concerns of Muslims in the affairs of the University and the community.
Section 7. To help Muslims and non-Muslims in times of need.
Article IV. Chapter Affiliation
Section 1. We are in affiliation with the Michigan Council of MSA National.
Section 2. As per the Council’s guidelines, two spokespersons are required. One spokesperson shall be appointed by the Executive Board (Shura) as the official council liaison, and the other shall be the President of the MSA.
Section 3. The duties of the council liaison are to represent the MSA in the Council meetings, to inform the Shura of the Council’s activities, as well as take responsibility for carrying out any work delegated to our MSA.
Article V. Membership and Participation
Section 1. Membership in this organization is open to all students and faculty members of Michigan State University. Members may be sold membership cards at a price to be determined by the Shura.
Section 2. Members of the MSA have the right to propose and petition the Shura.
Section 3. Shura meetings shall be open to all. However the Shura may have a closed door meeting if a majority of the Shura decides that it is necessary.
Section 4. Participation in MSA events and meetings are open to all regardless of their enrollment with MSU.
Article VI. Organization and Administration
Section 1. The Shura shall be the governing body of the MSA and must uphold the general principles of the MSA.
Section 2. The Shura is the representative of the general body of the MSA on campus.
Section 3. Shura members must be practicing Muslims who are currently enrolled as students at Michigan State University. Behavior that contradicts Islamic teachings may result in removal of their position from the Shura. Removal will be determined by the Shura and/or advisors. Removal is to be used as a last resort.
Section 4. The Shura shall consist of the elected/appointed representatives of the general body, the Vice president, the President and the advisor(s).A Shura may, at any point, may appoint a maximum of two Graduate Advisors (preferable one brother and one sister) to help direct the Shura. The Advisor(s) shall have the authority to vote on all issues. The committees are: Education, Community Service, Finance, Political Action, Public Relations, and Social/Outreach. A member may serve on as many committees as he/she sees fit.
Section 5. In order for votes to be taken at the meeting, at least half of the Shura members must be present. Decisions in Shura will be decided on a majority basis, with each member receiving one official vote. In the advent of a tie, the president will cast the deciding vote.
Section 6. Each Shura member must attempt attend all MSA activities.
Section 7. Each Shura member must attend all Shura meetings. If one cannot attend, they shall submit any concerns or opinions to someone who will be in attendance. The President, Vice President, or secretary must be notified of the absence prior to the meeting.
Section 8. Tardiness to Shura meetings will be dealt with by the Shura.
Section 9. The Shura shall appoint a faculty advisor who is a practicing Muslim. If no candidate is available, one from the community may be appointed.
Section 10. Meetings can not take place until all members of the Shura are aware that such meeting is taking place.
Article VII. Elections
Section 1. General Rules
I. All nominees must be members of the MSA.
II. All nominees must agree to implement the principles in the constitution.
III. No individual shall be denied the right to an elected position based on gender. The only exception will be in terms of brothers' and sisters' social, where the appropriate gender should assume the respected position..
IV. A nominee may run for no more than 2 positions.
V. All nominees will be asked to fill out some standard form or questionnaire, which is determined by the Executive Board. The above mentioned items will be on display for the voters while voting is occurring.
VI. In the event of a tie, the individual with the most 2nd place votes for the contested position will win the position.
VII. If an individual wins 2 different E-Board positions, that individual will choose which position he/she can most benefit the MSA with. If by doing so one position for which this individual was elected is left vacant, and there are no candidates who came in second place for that vacant position, then that position will go back to a vote by the General Body after a period of nominations to be determined by the Shura.
VIII. Terms for all positions will start and commence at the beginning of the summer semester of Michigan State University.
IX. In the event that an executive board member is no longer able to carry out the duties of his/her position and thus feels the need to step down, it is strongly encouraged to find a replacement before resigning.
Section 2. Shura Members Elected by the General Body
I. It will be the job of the current Executive Board to appoint one brother and one sister to handle the MSA’s Elections. These individuals will constitute the Election Committee. These candidates must not be running for any position and should preferably be an alumnus of the MSA, graduating seniors, etc.
II. Elections shall be announced at a General Body meeting no later than the fourth week of March. Nominations will be taken, from any General Body meeting participant, by the Election Committee. Nominations will be accepted until a time determined by the current Executive Board.
III. At the election meeting, the nominees will be announced, and the elections will take place. Prior to the elections, the committee must ask all nominees if they accept their nominated position, and verify the nominees’ eligibility.
IV. If a Shura position does not have any accepted nominations, then the incoming Shura will subsequently appoint an individual to fill the vacant position.
V. The results will be emailed by the Election Committee that same night.
VI. The Shura must hand over all their files for the year and train the new individuals for their designated position as soon as possible following the election.
VII. If a candidate is elected to and accepts a position on the E-Board and after which resigns from that position before their elected term commences with the start of the summer semester, then it will be the job of the General Body to elect a new individual to that position.
VIII. If an individual wins 2 different E-Board positions, this person does not assume the roles and responsibilities of either of those position until they choose which position they feel they can best help the MSA.
Section 3. President/Vice President/Graduate Advisor
I. The election for presidency will commence a week after the new Shura is elected.
II. All nominees for President, preferably, should have attended Executive Board meetings for at least one year, and have been an active member in the MSA. Nominations will be taken from the Shura.
III. The President will be selected via a joint meeting between the current Shura and the newly-elected Shura. Each member will receive one vote regardless of whether they happen to be on both the current and newly-elected Shura.
IV. If a newly elected Executive Board member is selected as President, then the current and newly-elected Executive Board members shall nominate and vote on a member to replace the vacant position.
V. The advisor(s) shall be appointed by the newly elected Shura.
Article VIII. Officers and Duties
Section 1. President The president is responsible for all of the affairs within the MSA. The president shall strive to be an ideal Muslim on campus, as well as encourage each Amir(a) to live up to his or her potential as a practicing Muslim. The president is also responsible for presiding over all Shura meetings and representing the MSA of Michigan State University at the Michigan Council meetings.
Section 2. Vice President The vice president is responsible for assisting the president and overseeing the operations of each committee. In the event of an absence of the president, the vice president shall preside over the Shura meetings and assume responsibilities of the president. The vice president (unless otherwise delegated) also serves as a representative to different student groups as well as to different university officials of MSU. The Shura shall not, in any circumstance, leave vacant the position of Vice President. If the Shura is unable to appoint anyone to the position of Vice President, it shall designate the position of Vice President to a sitting Shura member other than the President.
Section 3. Special Events Coordinator The Special Events Coordinator is responsible for overseeing all of the affairs of the Special Events Committee. This committee shall provide assistance to Finance with football parking, will be in charge of room reservation, and will be head of Diversity Dinner.
Section 4. Finance Committee Chair The Finance Head is responsible for overseeing all of the affairs of the Finance Committee. The Finance Head is also in charge of maintaining and presenting to the Shura the status of the MSA bank account(s). This committee head is also in charge of reimbursements, heading new fundraising ideas, and regulating membership cards and fees.
Section 5. Education Committee Chair The Education Head is responsible for overseeing all of the affairs of the Education Committee. This committee shall provide a continuous educational program via a curriculum that will educate Muslims and non-Muslims on campus. This committee shall also coordinate the annual Islam Awareness Week.
Section 6. Public Relations Committee Chair The Public Relations Head is responsible for overseeing all of the affairs in the Public Relations Committee. This committee is in charge of advertising MSA events off and on campus. This committee is also in charge of keeping in contact with local media outlets about MSA events, maintaining the MSA list-serv, and representing MSA-MSU at Michigan Council meetings.
Section 7. Social Committee Chairs These committee heads are responsible for overseeing all the affairs of the Social/Outreach committee(s). This committee(s) is in charge of conducting social events and activities, holding purpose of unifying the Muslims on campus. This committee will assist in planning the Eid Dinner and Ramadan events.
Section 8. Media Coordinator The Media Coordinator will keep a documentation of MSA events and achievements. The Media Coordinator shall also be responsible for compiling any newspaper articles that the MSA or MSA members are featured in, maintaining the website, maintaining analytical records for each event, compiling MSA slideshows, and developing an MSA scrapbook.
Section 9. Community Service Committee Chair This committee head is responsible for engaging the MSA in various volunteer activities both for the Muslim and non-Muslim communities of MSU and surrounding areas. This committee will also be in charge of coordinating volunteer work with the Islamic Center.
Section 10. Political Action Committee Chair This committee head is responsible for representing the MSA in various political activities and events around MSU and surrounding areas. This committee will keep the MSA up to date about political issues that the MSA should be involved with.
Section 11. Masjid Liaison The Masjid Liaison is responsible for overseeing all of the affairs in the Masjid Liaison Committee. This committee is in charge of attending all executive board meetings from the Islamic Center of Greater Lansing and will be required to keep in regular contact between the center. This position also entails being a representative that the Islamic Center of Greater Lansing can access without hardship.
Section 13. Graduate Advisor(s) Up to 2 graduate advisors may be appointed. The role of the graduate advisor is to guide the MSA to its potential and to offer proper advice to the E-Board and the President. The graduate advisor is an appointed position.
Article IX. Amending the Constitution
Section 1. This Constitution shall be amended by the Shura. Amending the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority of the entire Shura and votes shall only be cast by Shura members. Any member can propose Constitutional amendments.
Section 2. At least a three day prior notice shall be given to the Shura before a vote on a proposed Constitutional amendment is made. Shura can determine how notice is given.
Section 3. A record shall be kept of all proposed amendments including the specific language proposed, voting date, and voting outcome (number of yeas and nays). Any accepted amendment shall be noted in the Constitution itself as to its adoption date.
Article X. Impeachment
Section 1. Shura shall only remove a Shura member on the rule prescribed under Article VI, Section 3 or on any basis listed in the Constitution.
Section 2. A list of reasons (for which Impeachment is to occur), with one minimum reason, shall be given for Impeachment. Each reason shall be voted on separately and independently of other issues. Two-thirds of the Shura Body shall vote for dismissal for a Shura member to be removed.
Section 3. The individual being impeached shall not have the right to vote on that issue but has the right to attend the meeting. The Impeachment meeting shall be a closed meeting. Upon removal, the removed Shura member shall be given an option to resign from the Shura.
Article XI. Miscellaneous
Quorum: In order for the meeting to become official and for votes to be taken, at least two-thirds of the Shura members must be present.
Attendance: A Shura member is excused from missing up to three meetings per semester. A fourth absence shall lead to automatic dismissal unless the Shura, by a two-thirds vote, grants the Shura member another chance. Dismissal may also take place if a Shura member displays a pattern of extreme tardiness.
Advisor(s): A Shura may, at any point, may appoint a maximum of 2 Graduate Advisors (preferable 1 brother and 1 sister) to help direct the Shura. The Advisor(s) shall have the authority to vote on all issues.
Definitions:
MSA: Only the Muslim Students’ Association of Michigan State University
Shura: The Executive Board (E-Board).
Shura member: An Executive Board member only.
Member: Anyone who is officially recognized as an MSA member and has the right to vote/run in elections.
Participant: Anyone who participates in any MSA event. Need not be an MSU student. A Participant, if present at the electoral General Body meeting, may nominate a Member for elections.
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