In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Constitution of the Rutgers University Muslim Students Association
ARTICLE I. Name and Nature
Section 1: Name
The name of this organization is the Rutgers University Muslim Students’ Association henceforth called MSA.
Section 2: Nature
The MSA shall be a non profit, non-discriminatory student based membership organization. The MSA’s membership shall be open to all Rutgers University students and must comply with federal laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, military service, and veteran status, and any other category protected by law. This organization shall abide by all applicable laws of the State of New Jersey and the United States. This organization shall abide by all applicable rules and regulations of the University and under the privileges as granted by the Division of Student Affairs and by the rules and regulations of the Board of Governors.”
ARTICLE II. Purpose and Goals
Section 1: Purpose
The purpose of the MSA will be to provide all members of the Rutgers Community with an understanding of Islam according to the Qur’an and the practices of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The MSA is committed to the unity of all Muslims standing under the banner of “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His final messenger”
Section 2: Goals and Objectives
The primary goal of the MSA will be to serve the best interests of the students of Rutgers University from within the framework of Islam by adhering to the guidelines provided in the Quran and the Sunnah. The specific goals of the MSA include, but are not limited to, creating and raising awareness and understanding of Islam on campus as well as fostering a sense of community and brotherhood among Muslims. The MSA will also promote a sense of appreciation of the core Islamic teachings to both Muslims and non-Muslims through its events and activities while providing services to facilitate a comfortable, safe, and peaceful campus environment. Towards this end, the MSA shall provide services that are:
a. Educational
The MSA is committed to educating students about spiritual, traditional, social, cultural, theological, political, and contemporary issues. The MSA is also dedicated to developing critical skills from within an Islamically intellectual perspective while providing an environment that is respectful to academic exchange. Examples of how this objective can be achieved include, but are not limited to, seminars, lectures, classes, and meetings.
b. Social
The MSA is committed to developing a distinct environment within the Muslim community consisting of people from diverse origins, nationalities, backgrounds, and cultures that ultimately serves the needs of its students by engaging the merits of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood.
c. Philanthropic and Community Service Orientation
The MSA is committed to effecting social betterment and initiating humanitarian activities, drives, and events throughout the greater Rutgers University community. The inclusion of the MSA and its members in these community service initiatives is in effect, an implementation of the Islamic principles of kindness, tolerance, and humanity.
Article III. Membership
Full and active membership in MSA shall be limited to matriculated students of Rutgers University New Brunswick. Full membership status shall be contingent upon an individual’s acceptance and compliance with the constitution of the MSA. Fulfillment of these two requirements shall be among the necessary criterion for eligibility to serve on the Executive Board (Shura) of the MSA.
ARTICLE IV. Voter Eligibility
Section 1. Attendance
To be eligible to vote, active members must have attended and signed an attendance sheet for at least 30% of MSA functions for the year.
To be eligible to run for a position, active members must have attended and signed an attendance sheet for at least 40% of MSA functions for the year
Section 2. Definition of an MSA Function
An MSA function is defined as: weekly MSA Meeting, Committee Meeting, MSA sponsored event, or any other MSA activity or event that provides an attendance sheet
ARTICLE V. Executive Board Members
Section 1: Term and Eligibility
All the officers shall be elected or appointment for their respective offices and positions and shall hold these positions for a full one-year term. Only active members who are also eligible voters may seek a position on the Executive Board. For a full discussion concerning the requirements of active membership, refer to Article III as well as Article IV, Section 1. Two nominations by officers or members are required for acceptance on the ballot.
Section 2: Composition
The MSA Executive Board shall be comprised of the following positions:
Primary Executive Board Members:
1 President
2 Vice-Presidents
2 Secretaries
1 Treasurer
1 Events Coordinator
Specialty Officers:
2 Educational Outreach Representatives
2 Public Relations/Web Design Heads
1 Sisters Social Committee Head
1 Brothers Social Committee Head
1 Community Service Committee Head
Section 3: Officer Duties
The President
The President shall oversee the performance of all executive board members in order to ensure that their constitutional obligations and duties are fulfilled. Where and when necessary, the President shall assist the MSA Executive Board members in fulfilling said duties.
The President shall serve as the official spokesperson of the organization
The President shall preside over all organizational, executive, and weekly meetings as well as events.
The President’s decision is final
Only in special circumstances can that final decision be overturned by the rest of the board and requires 5 of the 7 agreeing to overturn it.
The President shall preside over all board member
The President shall ensure that conflicts, potential or realized, whether they be internal or external to the organization, do not jeopardize the existence or functioning of the MSA.
The Vice Presidents
The Vice Presidents shall assume the obligations and responsibilities of the Presidents in their absence
The Vice Presidents shall coordinate the efforts of the MSA’s sub-committees.
The Vice Presidents shall serve as outreach co-ordinators to other groups on campus and further strengthen the ties between the MSA and other organizations.
The Vice Presidents shall maintain and foster ties with the Office of the Chaplaincy at Rutgers University.
Recording Secretary
The Secretary shall take official minutes of all MSA executive board meetings, ensuring their both a high level of quality and accuracy. S/he will produce them for review by the executive board no more than one week from the date of the meeting. Under the discretion of the board they can be approved and published to the MSA general body.
The Recording Secretary will keep an accurate record of membership and attendance at weekly MSA meetings as well as all MSA functions and events.
Correspondence Secretary
The Correspondence Secretary will maintain and update a speakers’ and contacts’ list that will further streamline the event-planning process.
The Secretary shall maintain an updated record of any and all official documentation conducted by the MSA. This may include an archive of MSA activity and organizational, or operational documentation.
The Treasurer
The Treasurer shall handle all financial transactions taken on behalf of the MSA.
The Treasurer shall maintain all accurate and complete documentation and receipts of outgoing and incoming funding from MSA University accounts.
The Treasurer shall maintain a record of said transactions and will audit and balance said records consistently and completely.
The Treasurer shall consult with the President to construct a budget for the fall and spring semesters.
Events Coordinator
The Events Coordinator shall be responsible for all room bookings and reservations, completing of necessary forms and paperwork, and maintaining communication with the offices and individuals necessary for achieving this task.
The Events Coordinator shall be responsible for delegating all aspects of event planning which may include but are not limited to, contacting the proposed speaker(s), arranging for food, ensuring the event is in order and that all requirements have been met, and furthermore evaluating an event and providing a feedback report to the Executive Board.
The Community Service Committee Head
The Community Service Committee Head shall be responsible for engaging the MSA in various volunteer activities both for the Muslim and non-Muslim communities of Rutgers University and the surrounding areas.
The Community Service Committee Head will also be in charge of coordinating volunteer work with other organizations and groups.
Educational Outreach Representatives
The Educational Outreach Representatives are responsible for overseeing all of the Islamic outreach affairs of the MSA.
The Educational Outreach Representatives shall provide a continuous educational presence that will educate Muslims and non-Muslims on campus.
The Educational Outreach Representatives shall also coordinate the MSA’s annual Islam Awareness Week.
Public Relations Officers
The Public Relations Officers shall effectively maintain the MSA email list-serv, adding or removing members based on requests received via the website or membership forms.
The Public Relations Officers shall maintain and update the MSA website, ensuring the proper functioning of the website and updating relevant event information, postings, and flyers.
The Public Relations Officers shall be responsible for publicizing all MSA events, meetings, and activities.
Social Representatives (Brothers/Sisters)
The Social Representatives shall be responsible for planning targeted social events on behalf of the MSA.
ARTICLE VII. Elections
Section I: General Rules
All nominees must be members of the MSA who agree to implement the principles in the constitution. No individual shall be denied the right to an elected position based on gender.
Section 2: Primary Executive Board Members
The President, Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Events Coordinator, and Secretaries will be elected by the general body of eligible voters.
It will be the job of the current Executive Board to appoint 3 individuals from a third-party to handle the MSA’s Elections. These individuals will constitute the Election Committee.
The current President will take nominations only from those individuals who are eligible to vote.
Those individuals who nominate must outline reasons why the nominee should be a candidate for the Executive Board
A different eligible voter must second the nomination by again outlining reasons why the nominee should be a candidate for the MSA Executive Board.
All those eligible to vote shall choose seven members on the ballot from the nominee list.
Voters shall specify who they would believe should be MSA President for the following term.
The Election Committee shall count the votes via secret ballot. They may only reveal election results and may not disclose voting or election statistics.
The top seven elected members will be chosen for the General Elected Committee.
At this point, the Election Committee shall determine who the voters have nominated as President. This collective vote will constitute only “one vote” in the General Elected Committee caucus and vote for President
The members of the Elected Committee shall conduct a brief caucus followed by a vote for presidency from amongst themselves.
This vote shall be tallied and the collective vote of the general MSA membership for president shall be added to the vote’s result to determine who will be president.
The remaining officer positions will be discussed and voted upon by the remaining elected members.
In order to be President, you must have been on the board from the previous year. This rule will not apply if
All members of the previous board are graduating
All eligible members for the president position from the previous board decline their nominations to run
There is only one eligible person from the previous board who can be chosen as president
After positions have been decided upon, the Nominated Committee will preside as the elected MSA Executive Board.
Section 3: Specialty Officer Board Members
A nominee may run for no more than two positions. The positions include :Educational Outreach Representatives, Public Relations/Web Design Committee Heads, Sisters Social Committee Head, Brothers Social Committee Head, and Community Service Committee Head shall be appointed by the elected Executive Board members.
It will be the responsibility of the newly elected Executive Board to consult the previous executive board when selecting qualified and eligible members to these positions.
Individuals who would like to be considered for these positions must submit a brief essay outlining the skills and previous experience they believe qualify them for the position 72 hours prior to the date the newly elected exectuve board will meet to finalize positions and on this day, they will decide and announce the newly selected specialty officer board.
All nominations for these positions will be taken in writing in either electronic or printed format
As these positions are selective, the nominees need to posses the skill set necessary to fulfil these roles
Each position will be decided based on the qualifications the nominee presents to the Executive Board as well as previous leadership experience.
The MSA Executive Board shall announce the respective Committee heads on the day of the secondary elections.
ARTICLE VIII. Impeachment and Removal of Executive Board Members
Section 1: Resignation
In the event that an Executive Board member resigns, they must write a letter of resignation to the Executive Board. The Executive Board will deliberate with the resigning member and agree to the resignation. However, a replacement must be found to fulfill the resigning members position before the resignation is to take effect. The executive board members are encouraged to look within the specialties selected officers for the replacement.
Section 2: Impeachment
An individual shall be provided an opportunity to defend themselves against the alleged charges. 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.
The remaining executive board members must unanimously decide to impeach the individual in order for it to be carried out.
The executive board members have the ability to remove someone from the sepecialy selected officer board with a majority and decision of the president.
The individual being impeached shall not have the right to vote on these issues but has the right to attend the meeting.
Upon removal, the removed Executive Board member shall be given an option to resign from the Executive Board.
ARTICLE IX. Amendment to the Constitution
Any MSA member may submit an amendment to the Constitution in writing to the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall take necessary & due actions in order to gain information about the proposed amendment. The Executive Board will vote on the proposed amendment. A unanimous vote amongst the Executive Board will ratify the proposed amendment.