The Constitution for the Pi Upsilon (P U ) cast of Alpha Psi Omega (A Y W )

Purpose

The purpose of this, the Pi Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Psi Omega is to stimulate interest in dramatic activities at Tennessee Technological University, to secure for the college all the advantages and mutual helpfulness provided by a large national honorary fraternity, elect students to membership, and to serve as a reward for the efforts in participation in the plays staged by this college. This cast will in no way take the place of the regular university theatre club.

ARTICLE I

Name

The name of this organization shall be the Pi Upsilon chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, and this national name shall be used in all correspondence and affairs of the organization.

ARTICLE II

Members

Section I

1. A regularly enrolled student of this college who has satisfactorily participated in two major roles in two long plays, or four major roles in four one-act plays, shall be eligible for membership in this cast of Alpha Psi Omega.

2. Participation in four minor roles of long plays, or one major role and two minor roles in long plays may  be accepted as meeting the requirements of membership.

3. Efficient work as stage manager, business manager, carpenter, property man, electrician, or work in scene painting, costume making, lights, sound and designing may be credited toward membership as equivalent to major or minor roles depending upon the amount and quality of the work done.

4. Efficient work as student director of one long play will be considered equivalent to one major role.

5. A student who has written a play that has been publicly produced may be eligible.

6. Speaking parts in radio plays and operas may be credited on the same basis as roles in stage plays.

7. Honorary and faculty membership may be conferred upon persons vitally interested in dramatics.

Section II

Any regularly enrolled student of the University (TTU) shall be eligible for consideration for membership in Alpha Psi Omega upon completion of the following requirements:  

1.   To be eligible for membership a student must attain a total of one-hundred points, which are to be earned while working on or in productions sponsored by TTU English Department or Alpha Psi Omega.

2.   Of these one-hundred points, a minimum of thirty points must be earned in a production aspect, twenty in acting, and the remaining fifty must be earned from any other areas listed in part three of section two.

3.   

Section III

1. A point committee composed of the advisor, president, vice-president, officers, and one member appointed by the president shall determine the number of points to be given when the number is flexible.

2. There shall be no maximum number of points that can be earned in one play; but a student must participate in more than one play to become eligible for membership in the fraternity.

3. Students working toward membership and members of the organization must keep an accurate record of their hours on forms provided by the APO officers, in order to facilitate accurate rewarding of points.

4. The points awarded for participation in a play are based on the number of hours spent on the task and the quality of the workmanship.

Section IV

Any student shall be eligible for consideration for membership in Alpha Psi Omega who has obtained a total of 100 points through acting, directing, participation on production staff, or general duties.

Section V

Upon earning the required number of points for membership in Alpha Psi Omega, and attaining a 2.5 grade point average, the student shall be eligible for pledging. This ceremony is to take place at a regular meeting immediately after the meeting is called to order, and will consist of informing the prospective members of their status as a pledge. Each pledge shall be given the information concerning pledging duties and procedures for initiation along with work duties on the current production.

Section VI

Initiation ceremonies for acceptance into the Alpha Psi Omega fraternity shall take place following the pledging ceremony at a time set by the governing committee.

Section VII

The national initiation fee of $20.00 to Alpha Psi Omega National Honorary Fraternity shall be paid by the pledge. The organization is never to pay the fee for an individual nor is any of the Theatre Department funds to be spent for that purpose.

Section VIII

Members shall pay social dues of $10.00 per semester.

ARTICLE III

OFFICES

Section I

The officers of this organization shall be the President, Vice-President, Business Manager, Treasurer, and Historian.

Section II

The election of officers shall occur at least one month before the close of the spring semester.

Section III

The election of officers shall be by written ballot and the nominee shall receive a plurality of the vote before they are elected.

Section IV

Special elections shall be called to fill any vacancy before a term of office has expired.

Section V

In case officers fail to return to school, new officers shall be elected to fill the vacancies at the first meeting of the year.

Section VI

Each officer shall take an oath pledging themselves to carry out the duties of the office conferred upon them to the best of their ability and always with decorum and dignity worthy of the fraternity.

ARTICLE IV

AMENDMENTS

Section I

All amendments to the constitution and by-laws shall be submitted in writing to each member.

Section II

Constitutional amendments and amendments to the by-laws shall be read at the first meeting they are submitted. They shall be discussed and voted upon at the first meeting following their submission.

Section III

All voting upon constitutional amendments shall be by written ballot.

Section IV

To become operative all amendments must receive a two-thirds vote of the active membership and be approved by the Social Standards Council.

ARTICLE V

MEETINGS

Section I

There shall be a meeting on the first or third Friday of each month, or as often as the need arises.

Section II

At least one social function shall be held each school year by the cast.

Section III

Special meetings may be called at any time by the President, or at the request of the faculty sponsor.

Section IV

A Quorum shall consist of a majority of the cast membership.

Section V

Meetings shall be conducted under Robert’s Rules of Order.

BY-LAWS

  ARTICLE A

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section I

The duties of the advisors shall be to supervise all dramatic work of the fraternity, and to aid the officers whenever they need such help.

Section II

The president shall preside at all meetings and call all special meetings as the occasion demands. They may also act as an ex-officio member of all committees.

Section III

The vice-president shall be in charge of all social activities sponsored by the fraternity. It will be their duty to take charge of all business meetings of the fraternity in the absence of the president.

Section VI

The historian shall keep an accurate account of all business transacted in the respective meetings. The historian shall be custodian of all records, except those specifically assigned to others. They shall keep the roll, notify new members of appointments and furnish records to all committees or other delegates to do certain work. The historian shall also record absences and report those members not in good standing because of unexcused absences.

Section V

The treasurer shall have charge of fraternity finances, and prepare the treasurer’s report.

Section VI

The historian shall keep a record of all plays, including programs, pictures, and newspaper clippings. They shall keep an accurate account of all work done by members of the cast, and those who are striving for membership in the chapter.

ARTICLE B

TERM OF OFFICE

All officers shall continue in office until the first regular meeting following the election at which time the new officers shall begin their duties and continue until the next annual election.

ARTICLE C

MEMBERSHIP

Section I

The number of members in this national organization shall be unlimited.

Section II

Any members who find it necessary to be absent from a regular meeting of the chapter must present a written excuse to be read and acted upon at the same meeting by the members present. A vote may decide whether the excuse be charged for an unexcused absence.

ARTICLE D

DUTIES OF MEMBERS

Section I

Each member is expected to take an active part in the work of the organization, to serve in any capacity they can, and to accept a sense of responsibility for the welfare of the organization.

Section II

All members are required to maintain 25 work points per school year in order to remain active in the organization. Failure to comply with these requirements shall prohibit the individual the privilege of attending or participating in any special activities of the organization.

ARTICLE E

ELECTION OF FACULTY ADVISOR

Section I

This organization shall elect a faculty sponsor or sponsors at the same time they elect officers.