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\begin{document}

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\begin{center}
  {\LARGE
	The Constitution of the Student Information Processing Board \\
	of the Undergraduate Association \\
	of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology \\
  \vspace{\baselineskip}}
  {\large \datechanged}
\end{center}

% ARTICLES

\article{Preamble}

The members of the Student Information Processing Board, in order to
provide students with improved access to computational facilities, to
serve as an advocate for the MIT Community to the Faculty and the
Administration in computer-related topics, to function as an
information center for members of the MIT Community interested in
topics in computer science or computing, to conduct, manage, and
support experiments run by students to advance the techniques of
organization, planning, and administration of access to computers, and
to initiate, develop, and provide computer services deemed valuable to
the MIT Community, do establish this Constitution as a framework for
conducting business to meet these goals.  All affairs of this Board
shall be conducted in light of these purposes with service to the
students of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology always being
held the uppermost among all considerations.


\article{Purpose}

To this effect, the \SIPB{} shall administer such funds as MIT has
allocated to this \SIPB{} for these functions, subject in purpose and
actual operations to the decisions of the MIT Administration.  The
\SIPB{} shall also enter into negotiations with managers of computers
affiliated with MIT research projects, to the end that the MIT
Community may make use of these facilities.  Finally, the \SIPB{}
shall investigate the possibility of using computers outside of MIT
jurisdiction.


\article{Membership}

\asection{Requirements}
Full membership in the \SIPB{} is open to all students of the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology; associate membership is open to
anyone.  Any person may join and remain a member of the \SIPB{} by
assenting to its principles as described in this Constitution, by
participating in the work of the \SIPB{}, and by acceptance by the
\SIPB{} according to the procedure in \ref{Election of Members}.

\asection{Associate Membership}
An associate member of the \SIPB{} shall not vote in elections and
shall not hold any position on the \EC{}, but may participate fully in
the work and activities of the \SIPB{}.  Consideration of a person for
associate membership shall be accomplished by the procedure outlined
in \ref{Election of Members}.

\asection{Full Membership}
Only full members may vote in elections and hold positions on the
\EC{}.  Full members shall be expected to participate in the work and
activities of the \SIPB{}.  Consideration of a person for full
membership shall be accomplished by the procedure outlined in
\ref{Election of Members}.

\asection{Membership Status}

An active member of the \SIPB{} shall be defined as a member in good
standing who has participated in some service furthering the goals of
the \SIPB{} and has attended at least one meeting during the preceding
month.  Any member not conforming to these minimum criteria shall be
classified as inactive, at the discretion of the \EC{}.  The status of
any member immediately following any academic vacation of duration of
a week or more shall be defined to be the status of that member
immediately upon beginning that vacation.  Only active members may
vote in elections and hold positions on the \EC{}.

\asection{Prospectives for Membership}
Any person interested in applying for membership in the \SIPB{} shall
undertake an introductory period during which that person, referred to
as a prospective, may be familiarized with the operation of the
\SIPB{}.  The introductory period shall last at least one month, and
the prospective shall attend at least four general meetings of the
\SIPB{} during the introductory period.  After such an introductory
period has been served, that prospective may become an active member
of the \SIPB{} by the procedure in \ref{Election of Members}.


\article{Election of Members}

\asection{Nomination of Prospectives}
In order to consider a prospective for membership in the \SIPB{}, a
motion nominating the prospective for membership shall be proposed and
seconded by active full members present at a meeting of the \SIPB{},
and accepted by the prospective.  By accepting this nomination, a
prospective shall assent to the principles of the \SIPB{} as described
in this Constitution and agree to participate in the work of the
\SIPB{}.  This motion to consider the prospective shall be carried by
a majority of the active full members of the \SIPB{} present.

\asection{Notification of Election of Prospectives}
The prospectives shall be elected to membership in the \SIPB{} by the
active full members of the \SIPB{}.  The meeting at which the
membership elections for those nominated shall be held shall be
scheduled no sooner than six (6) days following the meeting at which
the motion to consider the prospectives for membership was
entertained.  Each active full member shall be sent a notification of
the date of the elections and a list of the prospectives nominated for
membership at least four (4) days in advance, unless the member waives
such notification in writing to the Chair.

\asection{Absentee and Proxy Voting for Prospectives}
Absentee voting shall be allowed for the purpose of electing the
prospectives.  Absentee ballots shall be valid only if presented to
the Chair before voting commences.  Proxy voting is not allowed.

\asection{Quorum}
Quorum for the election shall be the number of votes needed to pass
(as stated in Section 6 (Election)) plus two; absentee ballots
shall be counted towards this quorum.  If quorum is not achieved or if
the prospective is not present, the election shall be rescheduled by
the Chair, and all absentee ballots shall be voided (and must be
resubmitted for the rescheduled election).  If, on two separate
occasions, quorum is achieved but the prospective is not present, the
nomination of that prospective member shall be automatically
withdrawn.

\asection{Questioning of Prospectives}
Anyone present at the election may question the prospectives for
membership; this questioning period must be closed before voting
commences.  The Chair may restrict questioning and limit discussion
as the Chair deems appropriate.

\asection{Election of Prospectives}
All voting shall be by secret ballot.  If more than one prospective is
under consideration, ballots not exactly marked with the name (first
and last names, or just first name or last name if unique) or username
of each prospective shall be wholly discarded as abstentions.  Ballots
not exactly marked with ``yes'', ``no'', or ``abstain'' for each
prospective shall be wholly discarded as abstentions.

These conditions satisfied, new membership shall be granted by
garnering the floor of one-half of the total active full membership and
the floor of two-thirds of the active full members voting:
\begin{displaymath}
{\rm max}
\left(\left\lfloor{1\over 2}\times
        {\it number\ of\ active\ full\ members}
\right\rfloor,
\left\lfloor{2\over 3}\times
        {\it number\ of\ yes\ or\ no\ votes}
\right\rfloor\right)
\end{displaymath}
For the purpose of this calculation, abstentions shall not count as
votes.

\asection{Revocation of Membership}
Revocation of membership shall be accomplished by the procedure
outlined in \ref{Election of Members}, subject to identical
restrictions upon meeting schedules and approval required for the
carry of the respective motions, except that the member in question
need not be present.  A member's membership may be suspended, until
this revocation procedure is complete, by a two-thirds vote of the
\EC{}.  Should the revocation motion fail, the current \EC{} shall not
suspend the member's membership again.


\article{Officers and Duties}

\asection{Duties of the \EC{}}
The governance and all decision-making of the \SIPB{}, subject to the
limitations specified in this Constitution, shall be vested in a
nine-member \EC{}, which shall be composed of four officers plus five
Members-at-Large.

The \EC{} shall interpret by a majority vote the meaning of any
portion of this Constitution should a question arise.  Any
interpretation shall be reported at the next general meeting of the
\SIPB{}.

The \EC{} may appoint working committees from the general membership
of the \SIPB{} as it deems necessary.  At least one member of the \EC{}
shall be on each one of these working committees.  The \EC{} shall be
empowered to dissolve any working committee as it deems necessary, and
shall have final review of all decisions of said committees.

Those members of the \SIPB{} who shall have charge of a service of the
\SIPB{} shall be appointed in accord with guidelines set down by the
\EC{}.  The \EC{} shall be empowered to remove any such member for
failure to perform the duties of that service or for other violations
of this Constitution.

\asection{Chair}
The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the \SIPB{} and of the
\EC{}, shall serve as an official spokesperson for the \SIPB{}, shall
guide the long-term planning of the \SIPB{}, shall ensure that the
duties of the other officers are completed in their absence, and shall
ensure that all elections proceed fairly and according to the proper
procedure described in this Constitution.

\asection{Vice-Chair}
The Vice-Chair shall serve as an advisor to the Chair and shall be in
charge of the general operations and daily affairs of the \SIPB{},
including delegating responsibility for the upkeep of services and
resources.  The Vice-Chair shall assume all responsibilities of the
Chair in the Chair's absence.

\asection{Treasurer}
The Treasurer shall keep accurate records of all financial dealings of
the \SIPB{}, and shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Chair and
the \SIPB{} in matters pertaining to financial policy.  The Treasurer
shall preside at meetings in the absence of both the Chair and the
Vice-Chair.

\asection{Secretary}
The Secretary shall keep records of all meetings, shall direct all
necessary correspondence and contact information, shall be charged
with maintaining general office records and files, and shall keep
records pertaining to the current active or inactive status of all
members.  The Secretary shall preside at meetings in the absence of
the other officers.

\asection{Members-at-Large}
In addition to the four officers, five Members-at-Large shall serve on
the \EC{} in advisory and voting capacities.


\article{Election of the \EC{}}
\label{Election of EC}
\asection{Date of Elections}
Elections of the \EC{} shall be held annually at the second general
meeting of the Spring academic term, at the discretion of the \EC{},
and subject to the normal override procedure described in
\ref{Review of Decisions}.

\asection{Notification of Election}
The \EC{} shall be elected by the active full members of the \SIPB{}.
Each active full member shall be sent a notification of the date of
the elections and a list of members eligible for election to the \EC{}
at least six (6) days in advance, unless the member waives such
notification in writing to the Chair.

\asection{Qualifications}
The officers and Members-at-Large of the \EC{} must be active full
members in good standing.  There shall be no campaigning before the
elections.

\asection{Election Order}
All elections shall be by secret ballot.  Elections shall be held
first for Chair, then for Vice-Chair, then for Treasurer, and finally
for Secretary.  Following these elections, elections shall be held for
the five Members-at-Large.

\asection{Description of Duties}
Preceding each election, the description of the duties of the position
shall be read from \ref{Officers and Duties}.

\asection{Nominations}
Candidates for offices must be nominated and seconded by active full
members present, and must accept the nomination.  By accepting this
nomination, a candidate shall agree to perform all the duties of the
office if elected.  All eligible active full members are automatically
nominated as Members-at-Large, but may decline the nomination if they
choose.

\asection{Questioning of Officer Nominees}
Anyone present at the election may question the nominees for each
office; this questioning period must be closed before ballots are
distributed.

\asection{Election of Officers}
Election of officers shall be by a majority (more than half) of those
voting.  For the purpose of this calculation, abstentions shall not be
counted as votes. Valid ballots must be exactly marked with the name
(first and last names, or just first name or last name if unique) or
username of a single candidate; ``yes'' (in the event only a solitary
candidate is running); ``no'', ``none'', or ``none of the above''; or
``abstain''. All valid ballots marked ``abstain'' and all invalid
ballots shall be wholly discarded as abstentions.

If the ballots marked ``no'', ``none'', or ``none of the above''
garner a majority of the votes, that election and all elections
following shall be postponed to a later time to be determined by the
\EC{}.  Otherwise, if no candidate garners a majority of the votes,
then the election shall proceed according to the following procedure
after any candidates receiving zero votes in an election are
automatically dropped.

If no candidate receives a majority of the votes, then all candidates
in last place shall be dropped provided that the sum of votes cast for
them is less than half of the votes cast.  If the sum of votes cast
for the last-place candidates is at least half of the votes cast, a
runoff election shall be held to determine which of the last-place
candidates to retain on the ballot.  In this runoff, the first-place
candidate(s) shall be retained on the ballot, and all other runoff
candidates shall be dropped.  Any additional candidates may be dropped
only by unanimous consent of the active full members present. If,
however, no candidates are dropped in this procedure, that election
and all elections following shall be postponed to a later time to be
determined by the \EC{}.

In either case, a vote for the remaining candidates shall be held.
 
In case of a tie among all candidates, that election and all elections
following shall be postponed to a later time to be determined by the
\EC{}.

\asection{Election of Members-at-Large}
For the election of Members-at-Large, each active full member shall be
allowed five votes, for five different candidates.  Ballots not
exactly marked with five votes, with each vote consisting of the name
(first and last names, or just first name or last name if unique) or
username of a candidate, shall be wholly discarded as abstentions.

Candidates receiving a plurality of votes shall be elected; that is,
the five candidates receiving the largest number of votes shall be
elected.

In case of a tie for last position, the candidates of the tie shall be
chosen by a runoff election to be held as soon as possible.  In this
runoff election, each ballot must contain a choice for each remaining
opening in the \EC{} from among the candidates of the tie, and the
final member or members of the \EC{} shall be elected upon receipt of
a plurality of votes.

\asection{Absentee and Proxy Voting}
Absentee voting shall be allowed for the purpose of electing the
Members-at-Large.  Valid absentee ballots must contain at least the
same number of votes as the total number of officers and
Members-at-Large being elected (nine at the annual election), ranked
in order for different eligible candidates.  The first votes on an
absentee ballot for eligible members shall be counted for the number
of Members-at-Large needed.  Absentee ballots shall be valid only if
presented to the Chair before the election meeting is called to order.
Proxy voting is not allowed.

\asection{Start of Term of Office}
The newly elected \EC{} shall take office at the next general meeting
of the \SIPB{}, unless a member contests an election in which case the
current \EC{} shall be allowed to remain in office for an extra week
to evaluate any unresolved complaints.

\asection{Approval of Elections}
Should a member contest the results of a particular election, that
member shall notify the \EC{} of the complaint within four (4) days
after the election.  Based on this complaint, the electoral process
must be evaluated as soon as possible by the current \EC{}.  A
particular election can only be dismissed by a two-thirds vote of the
\EC{}.  If the \EC{} dismisses a particular election, all the
elections for the \EC{} that followed are automatically dismissed, and
new elections for those positions must be held as soon as possible.
Grounds for dismissing an election shall be limited to failure to
abide by the proper electoral procedure.  The decision of the \EC{} to
approve or dismiss an election is subject to the normal override
procedure described in \ref{Review of Decisions}.  Should the
current \EC{} fail to dismiss the contested election before the time
specified in Section \ref{Start of Term of Office}, then the newly
elected \EC{} shall take office and the complaint shall be
automatically dismissed.

\asection{Revocation of Membership in the \EC{}}

Membership in the \EC{} shall be automatically revoked by resignation
or by loss of membership in the \SIPB{}.  Membership in the \EC{}
shall not be revoked by loss of MIT student status until an election,
scheduled by the \EC{} and subject to the normal override procedure
described in \ref{Review of Decisions}, has replaced the member.

Membership in the \EC{} can be revoked according to the normal
override procedure described in \ref{Review of Decisions}.

\asection{Filling Vacancies in the \EC{}}
Vacancies occurring in the \EC{} shall be filled by special election
following the same procedure as described in \ref{Election of EC}, at
a date determined by the \EC{}, subject to the normal override procedure
described in \ref{Review of Decisions}.


\article{Meetings}

\asection{General Meetings}
General meetings of the \SIPB{} shall be held periodically, at a time
and place arranged by the \EC{}, upon notice to all members of the
\SIPB{} at least seven (7) days in advance.  Any member of the \SIPB{}
may call for a general meeting at a specified time and place.  The
majority of the active full members of the \SIPB{} must approve the
meeting for it to be held, and this vote is not subject to the
approval of the \EC{}.  All general meetings of the \SIPB{} shall be
open to the public unless a meeting voted closed to non-members of the
\SIPB{} by a majority of all active full members of the \SIPB{}
present.  Nominations and elections of prospectives and of the \EC{}
may be entertained at general meetings.  Business shall be conducted
at general meetings subject to the approval of the \EC{}.

\asection{Special Meetings}
Any member of the \SIPB{} may call for a special meeting at a
specified time and place.  The majority of the active full members of
the \SIPB{} must approve the meeting for it to be held, and this vote
is not subject to the approval of the \EC{}.  Any business suitable
for general meetings may be conducted at a special meeting, unless the
meeting is designated for a particular purpose.  A quorum for
conducting business may be designated at the general meeting calling
for the special meeting.  Business conducted at special meetings is
not subject to the approval of the \EC{}.

\asection{Meetings of the \EC{}}
Meetings of the \EC{} shall be held at the request of any member of
the \EC{}, or in accord with guidelines set down by the \EC{}, at a
time and place arranged by the Chair.  Five members of the \EC{},
including at least one officer, shall constitute a quorum for
conducting business.

Meetings of the \EC{} shall be open to all members of the MIT
Community unless a meeting is voted closed to non-members of the \EC{}
by a unanimous consensus of all members of the \EC{} present.  Any
member of the \EC{} shall be free to invite any individual to attend
its meetings, and shall be free to ask any such person to serve in an
advisory capacity to the \EC{}.

The discussion and business of all meetings of the \EC{} shall be
conducted through the consultation of the participants thereof, in a
spirit such that each participant remains objective, and understands
that his or her ideas, once expressed, become the property of the
\EC{}, rather than of his or her own self and desires.  All business
conducted at a meeting of the \EC{} must be reported to the general
membership of the \SIPB{} by the next general meeting of the \SIPB{}
to remain valid.


\article{Review of Decisions}

In the case that a decision of the \EC{} is felt detrimental to the
goals of the \SIPB{}, the general active membership of the \SIPB{} may
choose to overrule the decision in question.  The procedure for
overruling a decision of the \EC{} shall be accomplished by the
procedure outlined in \ref{Election of Members}, subject to
identical restrictions upon meeting schedules and approval required
for the carry of the respective motions, except that members of the
\EC{} need neither be present nor approve the overruling.


\article{Relations with the MIT Community}

\asection{Discipline} In cases of discipline, the \SIPB{} may choose
to withhold its services from certain individuals determined eligible
for such treatment by the \EC{} thereof.  In such case,
the person(s) deprived of services shall have the right of appeal
before a meeting of the \EC{}.

\asection{Severe Cases} In severe cases of discipline, the \EC{} may 
request more formal action from the Administration or Faculty of MIT.

\asection{Avenues for Appeal} If a person is displeased with a guideline or
a ruling of the \EC{}, or with the execution thereof, or if he has
important business to discuss, he may receive an audience at a
forthcoming meeting.


\article{Amendments}

This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the
\EC{} of the Student Information Processing Board of MIT, subject to
the review of the General Assembly of the Undergraduate Association of
MIT.


\article{Affiliations}

\asection{Undergraduate Association} 
This \SIPB{} shall be a General Committee of the Undergraduate
Association of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  As such,
the \SIPB{} is subject to all portions of the Constitution and By-Laws of
the aforementioned Undergraduate Association.

\asection{MIT} This \SIPB{} shall seek advice from, and abide
by, all relevant decisions of the Faculty and of the Administration of
MIT.


\article{Organization}

Upon ratification of this Constitution by the current members of the
\SIPB{}, and approval of the General Assembly of the Undergraduate
Association of MIT, this Constitution, and the organization of the
\SIPB{} outlined herein, go into immediate effect.

\end{document}