Your Organization’s Constitution contains the fundamental principles which govern its operation. A constitution will serve to clarify the organization's purpose, outline its basic structure, and provide a cornerstone for building an effective organization. It will also allow members and potential members to have a better understanding of the organization's purpose, and mission and how the organization functions. 

 

The following Articles & Sections are required to be included in your organization's constitution: 

 

ARTICLE I – NAME 

*Special Note: Your organization’s name cannot include Red Raiders, Texas Tech, TTU, Wreck’em, or Texas Tech University 

 

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE 

*Special Note: be as detailed in this article as you can, your organization is held and limited to the actions listed here! 

 

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP 

*Remember to include the University’s anti-discrimination policy, it is included in the template above* 

* The only exception to defining membership in a student organization is if a registered student organization is created primarily for religious purposes, they may restrict the right to vote or hold office to persons who subscribe to the registered student organization's religious beliefs. All student organizations registering as a single-sex social fraternity or social sorority also have an exception to defining their membership if the organization can show proof of their Title IX to Student Involvement by providing their letter of exemption from their national affiliate with their IRS 501(c)7 number. 

 

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS 

 

ARTICLE V – MEETINGS 

 

ARTICLE VI – RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS  

*Special Note: Some organizations do not have a relationship with other local, state, or national organizations. In this case, please explicitly state the situation of non-affiliation. 

 

ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES (OPTIONAL) 

 

ARTICLE VII – ADVISOR 

 

ARTICLE IX – LEGAL AGREEMENT 

Section 1: The organization agrees to abide by all federal, state, and local laws; and by Texas Tech University Policies and Procedures. 

*Special Note: This is already included in our template! 

 

ARTICLE X – AMENDMENTS 

 

*Special Note: always include the date of the approved draft of our constitution in the header or footer of the document! 

By-laws establish specific rules of guidance by which the organization is to function. The Constitution covers fundamental principles, but not procedures for operating the Constitution.  

By-laws outline in detail the procedures the organization must follow to conduct business in an orderly manner. They provide further definition(s) to the Constitution and can be changed more easily as the needs of the organization change. By-laws must not contradict provisions in the Constitution.  

Student Involvement accepts a Constitution and/or By-laws. They can be included in the same document. The Constitution/By-laws must meet the requirements of the Student Handbook.