Preamble
We, the Knights of the Roundtable of Lynn University, strive to provide a voice for representation and advocacy of students. We work to serve as a liaison between the student body, faculty, staff, and administration, while promoting scholastic pride and ethical integrity.
Article I - Name
The name of this organization shall be the Knights of the Roundtable of Lynn University hereinafter referred to as KOR.
Article II - Purpose
The purpose of KOR is:
• To make recommendations, to state opinions, and voice the concerns of the students in order to promote advocacy of students and services to the Administration.
• To promote the University in all matters pertaining to the improvement of the institution.
• To serve the community through public service and serve as an ambassador to the university.
• To provide programming options to enhance on campus programming efforts.
• To be responsible for the distribution of funds to University clubs and organizations.
Article III - Membership
KOR will be composed of the Knights and the General Assembly.
Knights
• There will be twelve knights; each knight will represent a specific court.
• Knights cannot represent any organization in the general assembly during an open meeting.
General Assembly
• Is the student body at large and consist of all enrolled students at Lynn University.
• Staff and Faculty are permitted as members of the general assembly.
• Representation from Clubs and Organizations is mandatory.
Article IV - Code of Conduct
Section 1: Behavioral Policies
KOR will uphold all policies written in Lynn University Student Handbook and regulations from the Office of Student Involvement.
Section 2: Code of Silence
Knights are expected to uphold a code of silence regarding matters discussed in closed meetings.
Section 3: Code of Honor
Knights will model civility and will:
• Treat all students, faculty, and staff with respect in a professional and courteous manner at all times, whether in person or in written communication (including e- mail).
• Refrain from using profanities, insults, or other disparaging remarks.
• Endeavor to cite only the truth and not knowingly misrepresent, mischaracterize, or misquote information received from others.
• Take responsibility for your own actions instead of blaming others.
• Work together with other students, faculty, and staff in a spirit of cooperation toward our common goals of seeking and providing a quality education.
• Strive to uphold the right to privacy and not talk about others.
• Respect the differences in people and their ideas and opinions and reject bigotry.
• Refrain from speaking poorly of fellow Knights, students, and other University community members.
Section 4: Breaking the Code of Honor
• If a Knight finds another Knight breaking the Code of Honor, they will discuss the infraction with the Knight in a private setting.
• If the Knight continues to behave inappropriately, the Knight will be brought to the advisors’ attention.
Article V - KOR
Section 1. Composition.
KOR Composition – There will be 12 Knights.
Section 2: Term of Office
• Knights will serve a term beginning in the Spring semester and ending at the conclusion of the Fall semester of the following academic year.
• Knights serving a term in the 2015-2016 academic year will serve a three semester term (Fall/Spring/Fall) to facilitate the transition of active terms of office.
• Knights are not allowed to serve more than 2 years consecutively.
Section 3. Court Representation.
- Each member of KOR will be one of the following Knights elaborated on in the Bylaws:
- Information Knight
- Academic Knight
- Student Affairs Knight
- Athletics Knight
- Auxiliary Services Knight
- International Knight
- Community Knight
- Financial Knight
- Secretary Knight
- Parliamentarian Knight
- Clubs/Organizations Knight
- Public Relations Knight
Section 4. Meetings.
• Closed Meetings - KOR shall meet every week as designated in the Bylaws.
• Closed Committee Meetings - KOR committees shall meet as needed as designated in the Bylaws.
• Open Meetings - KOR shall hold 1 open meeting per month with the general assembly.
Section 5. Voting.
KOR shall transact all business by a majority vote of the members present and voting, unless dictated otherwise by the governing documents or the parliamentary authority.
Section 6. Quorum
Quorum to conduct business is one more than half of the composition of KOR (7 Knights).
Section 7. The Monarch
• Each week, the Monarch position, which is the leadership position of KOR, will rotate to another Knight.
• The Monarch term will be from the start of the weekly closed meeting until the next closed meeting, unless otherwise dictated by an open meeting.
• The Monarch running the meeting does not vote and serves as the tie breaker should a tie arise.
Article VI - Committees
Section 1. Standing Committees
Standing committees of KOR shall be Finance, Election, and Transition. KOR shall appoint the members and chairs of the standing committees except as otherwise provided in the bylaws.
Section 2. Duties of Standing Committees
The standing committees shall perform such duties as provided in the bylaws.
Section 3. Special Committees
Special committees may be created as necessary by KOR. KOR shall appoint the members and chairs of special committees.
Section 4. Ex-Officio Membership
The advisors serve as ex-officio members of each standing and special committee.
Article VII - Elections
Section 1: Application Requirements
• Must be enrolled on campus for the full academic year
• Undergraduate - Must have attended Lynn for 1 full academic year and have a minimum Cumulative 2.75 GPA.
• Graduate – Must be enrolled full time with Cumulative 3.0 GPA.
Section 2: Election Committee
An election committee will be comprised of no more than 4 current Knights, who will not be returning to office the following year, voted on by KOR.
Section 3: Process
• Interested students must submit an application with a resume and personal statement.
• The committee will review all applications with the ability to invite potential candidates for interviews.
• The committee will appoint all Knights.
Section 4: Vacancies
In the event an elected office becomes vacant, the elections committee will form to fill the vacancy as provided in the constitution.
Article VIII - Removal of Officers
Section 1: Dismissal Process
A Knight will be dismissed if a Knight misses more than two (2) unexcused meetings or violates the code of conduct. If a Knight is dismissed after February, the duties will be absorbed and distributed amongst remaining Knights.
Section 2: Impeachment Process
KOR Senate shall have the power to impeach and remove any of its members for violating the Code of Honor by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the current total membership for reasons deemed necessary by the Constitution with written documentation.
Section 3: Appeal Process
If the Knight chooses to appeal an impeachment or a dismissal, a written appeal must be submitted within 2 business days to the Secretary Knight, who will then present the appeal to Advisors. A decision will be rendered, by advisors, within 1 business day of the appeals review.
Section 4: Resigning of a Knight
In the event that a Knight resigns during the academic year, a letter of resignation must be presented to the Parliamentarian Knight and the Advisors. The letter of resignation shall reside with the Parliamentarian Knight.
Article IX - Clubs and Organizations Policy
KOR will work with the Center of Student Involvement to ensure that the organizations and clubs are appropriately funded as designated in the bylaws.
Article X - Advisors
The Advisors for KOR will hereby be the Vice President of Student Affairs and the Assistant Dean of Student Involvement.
Article XI - Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the proceedings of KOR in all cases to which they are applicable.
Article XII - Appointment of a New Knight
In the event of a Knight leaving the Knights of the Roundtable during the academic year, whether by resignation or through the impeachment process, it will become necessary for the Knights of the Roundtable to select a new Knight. During a Closed Meeting, the floor shall be opened for discussion so as to allow the Knights to present the names of potential candidates. Knights will submit a list of no fewer than five names to the advisors for future review. One of these names will be selected by the advisors as the new Knight. KOR will then vote on that name to determine membership. In the event of a Knight leaving office after October, appointment of a new Knight will not take place.
Article XIII - Amendement
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting body at any KOR Closed Meeting provided that any proposed amendment has been submitted to the Parliamentarian Knight in writing two weeks prior to the vote.
The Bylaws of the Knights of the Roundtable
I. Membership Requirements
Complete 2 hours of office tasks per week. Tasks may include but not be limited to: Meeting with administration, tabling, utilizing office space.
Knights are required to serve on at least 1 sub-committee per year.
c. Knights are required to wear KOR attire that is provided by the Division of Student Affairs at the appropriate meetings and functions; unless otherwise dictated.
d. Knights will have to maintain a cumulative 2.75 GPA throughout their term of office.
e. Knights, who fall below a cumulative 2.75 GPA, will receive one semester of academic probation. If the GPA is not above a cumulative 2.75 GPA following that academic probation period, the Knight will be dismissed.
II. Duties of each Knight
a. The duties and responsibilities of each Knight can be located in Enclosure (1).
III. Meetings
a. At least one open meeting will be held per month decided upon by KOR each semester. Every attempt will be made to ensure uniformity for time of meeting (i.e. every second Tuesday of the month at 5p.m.).
b. Closed meetings for KOR members will be held weekly, at a pre-prescribed time, with the possibility of a second meeting to be called by the sitting monarch. Additional meetings must be announced two days prior to proposed time and must confirm quorum the day prior.
c. Closed committee meetings for KOR members will be held weekly as dictated by member schedules and availability.
d. Closed meetings will take precedent over closed committee meetings.
IV. Absences
a. Excusable events include: university athletics, academia, illness, accident, severe injury, death, or an immediate family occasion (wedding, baptism, funeral, graduation, religious holidays, etc.).
b. Any member who finds it necessary to be absent must submit in writing to the Secretary Knight within no less than 24 hours of a scheduled meeting. Secretary Knight will notify Advisors and Parliamentarian Knight of impending absences. If the absence is for a personal matter, Knights may contact the Advisors directly.
c. In the event of an emergency or unavoidable cause, the Advisors must be contacted no more than one week after the event. The validity of the excuse will be at the discretion of the advisor.
V. General
a. Permanent Files of KOR
i. KOR will keep 5 years of records of all agendas, minutes, and funds requests housed within the Center for Student Involvement.
b. Regalia
i. KOR will provide each member with Graduation Cords to be worn during the Knight’s Graduation exercises as long as the past or present Knight leaves their term in good standing.
VI. Standing Committees Duties
a. Finance Committee
i. Will work with the Center of Student Involvement to fund the Organizations and Clubs that submitted Budget requests.
b. Election Committee
i. Will work with the Advisors to ensure that the elections process is a fair and just process in appointing the KOR members.
c. Transition Committee
i. Will work with incoming members to facilitate times and events for new members to shadow their exiting counterparts. Will also be in charge of ensuring each member completes transition binders which will be received by incoming members.
VII. Organization/Club Funding Policy
1. Absence from two meetings will result in any KOR allocated funds to be frozen. President of organization will be notified, in writing, following first absence.
2. Clubs or Organizations, who have had their budgets frozen, will submit a reason of absence to the Center for Student Involvement to be reviewed in a closed meeting by KOR.
3. KOR will hold a majority vote to decide if the budget will be unfrozen.
VIII. Proviso
The elected 2012-13 KOR members are grandfathered for the number of consecutive terms allowed listed in the corresponding governing documents.
Bylaws & Enclosure (1)
A. Information Knight
• Will serve as the liaison between the areas of Information Technology and Library as set by the Bylaws and KOR.
• Will receive and organize all concerns, comments, and questions for the respective affair.
• Will report valid and substantiated concerns, comments, and questions to KOR.
• Will research concerns, comments, and questions and aid KOR in implementing responses and/or solutions.
• Will schedule meetings at least twice a month with the Chief Information Officer.
• Will attend two-separate club and organization meetings, assigned by the Club & Organization Knight.
B. Academic Knight
• Will serve as the liaison between all colleges and the Institute of Achievement and Learning as set by the Bylaws and KOR.
• Will receive and organize all concerns, comments, and questions for the respective affair.
• Will report valid and substantiated concerns, comments, and questions to KOR.
• Will research concerns, comments, and questions and aid KOR in implementing responses and/or solutions.
• Will meet with the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Executive Director of the Institute for Achievement and Learning, at least twice a month.
• Will attend Faculty meetings.
• Will attend two-separate club and organization meetings, assigned by the Club & Organization Knight.
C. Student Affairs Knight
• Will receive and organize all concerns, comments, and questions for the respective affair.
• Will report valid and substantiated concerns, comments, and questions to KOR.
• Will research concerns, comments, and questions and aid KOR in implementing responses and/or solutions.
• Will schedule an initial meeting with the Vice President of Student Affairs within the first three weeks of school.
• Will schedule meetings at least twice a month with the Dean of Students.
• Will attend two-separate club and organization meetings, assigned by the Club & Organization Knight.
D. Athletics Knight
• Will serve as the liaison between all sports that fall under the Athletics Department as set by the Bylaws and KOR.
• Will receive and organize all concerns, comments, and questions for the respective affair.
• Will report valid and substantiated concerns, comments, and questions to KOR.
• Will research concerns, comments, and questions and aid KOR in implementing responses and/or solutions.
• Will represent all areas within Athletics.
• Will schedule meetings at least twice a month with the Athletic Director.
• Will be a representative on Student Athletic Council.
• Will attend two-separate club and organization meetings, assigned by the Club & Organization Knight.
E. Auxiliary Services Knight
• Will serve as the liaison between all areas of Auxiliary services as set by the Bylaws and KOR.
• Will receive and organize all concerns, comments, and questions for the respective affair.
• Will report valid and substantiated concerns, comments, and questions to KOR.
• Will research concerns, comments, and questions and aid KOR in implementing responses and/or solutions.
• Will meet with the Senior Vice President for Administration within the first 3 weeks of school to introduce yourself and hold meetings as needed.
• Will schedule meetings at least twice a month with the Director of Auxiliary Services.
• Will attend two-separate club and organization meetings, assigned by the Club & Organization Knight.
F. International Knight
• Will serve as the liaison between the International Students and the Center for Learning Abroad and the International Student Services Office as set by the Bylaws and KOR.
• Will receive and organize all concerns, comments, and questions for the respective affair.
• Will report valid and substantiated concerns, comments, and questions to KOR.
• Will research concerns, comments, and questions and aid KOR in implementing responses and/or solutions.
• Will schedule at least once a month meetings with the following staff members: Director of the Center for Learning Abroad or Director of International Student Services.
• Will attend two-separate club and organization meetings, assigned by the Club & Organization Knight.
G. Community Knight
• Will serve as the liaison between the Lynn Student community as set by the Bylaws and KOR.
• Will receive and organize all concerns, comments, and questions for the respective affair.
• Will report valid and substantiated concerns, comments, and questions to KOR.
• Will research concerns, comments, and questions and aid KOR in implementing
responses and/or solutions.
• Will schedule meetings at least twice a month with the Center of Student Involvement.
• Will serve as the representative for the Greek community.
H. Financial Knight
• Will be responsible for all the KOR financial affairs and transactions.
• Will serve on the Finance Committee
• Will provide a financial report at every KOR meeting.
• Will schedule a meeting each semester with recognized clubs and organizations to discuss fund distribution procedures and policies.
• Will schedule meetings at least twice a month with the Associate Dean of Student Involvement and the Coordinator of Student Involvement, who oversees programming.
• Will attend two-separate club and organization meetings, assigned by the Club & Organization Knight.
I. Secretary Knight
• Will prepare the minutes and distribute them before each meeting.
• Will create the KOR agendas and minutes.
• Will track attendance at all KOR meetings and will report to the Parliamentarian Knight
• Will maintain all KOR files within the Center of Student Involvement.
• Will schedule meetings at least twice a month with the Assistant Dean of Student Involvement and the Vice President of Student Affairs.
• Will serve as a liaison with the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs and the Coordinator of Student Involvement who oversees programming.
• Set up calendars and schedules, including meeting times.
• Will send end of year reports and documents to the University Archivist
• Will coordinate the iTunes U course.
• Will coordinate all reports and concerns to appropriate knights and advisors.
• Will attend two-separate club and organization meetings, assigned by the Club & Organization Knight.
J. Parliamentarian Knight
• Will insure all KOR actions are run in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order, KOR Constitution, and KOR Bylaws
• Will insure all KOR members are familiar with Robert's Rules of Order.
• Will maintain the Governing Documents of KOR
• Will track all office hours of KOR members.
• Will schedule meetings twice a month with the Vice President of Student Affairs and the Assistant Dean of Student Involvement.
• Will attend two-separate club and organization meetings, assigned by the Club & Organization Knight.
• Will coordinate after action reports and proposals and send copies to the Secretary Knight.
• Will coordinate one procedural training session with clubs and organizations per semester.
K. Clubs/Organizations Knight
• Will represent all Club and Organizations
• Will receive and organize all concerns, comments, and questions for the respective affair.
• Will report valid and substantiated concerns, comments, and questions to KOR.
• Will research concerns, comments, and questions and aid KOR in implementing responses and/or solutions.
• Will schedule at least two meetings a month with the Coordinator of Student Involvement who oversees: Programming and Service/Leadership.
• Will attend two-separate club and organization meetings.
• Will coordinate which Knight attends club and organization meetings.
• Will hold a Presidents meeting once a month.
L. Public Relations Knight
• Will be responsible for promoting and strengthening the positive and consistent image of KOR through the use advertising strategies, public relations and raising awareness of accomplishments and progressive movement of KOR.
• Will also be responsible for advertising for all KOR general meetings.
• Will schedule meetings as needed with the Vice President of Student Affairs.
• Will be liaison with Marketing, including the Director of Marketing and Communications.
• Will meeting at least twice a month with the Center of Student Involvement.
• Will coordinate and use Social Media daily.
• Will promote club & organizations event.
• Will attend two-separate club and organization meetings, assigned by the Club & Organization Knight.