Beta Alpha Psi:: Phi Chapter Bylaws

Article I: Identification
Article II: Purpose
Article III: Categories of Membership
Article IV: Eligibility for Membership
Article V: Attendance and Participation
Article VI: Initiation and Dues
Article VII: Meetings
Article VIII: Elections and Officers
Article IX: Officers and Duties
Article X: Committees
Article XI: Amendmants

Article I - Identification

This organization, a national scholastic and professional Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences fraternity, shall be known as the Phi Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi at Louisiana State University.

The objective of Beta Alpha Psi includes the following: the promotion of the study and practice of Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences; the provision of opportunities for self-development and association among members and practicing accountants; and the encouragement of a sense of ethical, social, and public responsibilities.

Membership in the fraternity shall be limited to those persons of good moral character who have achieved scholastic and/or professional excellence in the field of Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences; who have been initiated according to the official ritual; and who are in good standing.
Members of the fraternity enrolled as students at Louisiana State University shall be designated as student members.
Members of the fraternity who are on the instructional, research, or administrative staff at Louisiana State University shall be designated as faculty members.
Persons nominated by members of the fraternity and are neither students nor faculty at Louisiana State University shall be designated as honorary members.
Members of the fraternity once classified as student or faculty members who are no longer associated with Louisiana State University shall be designated as alumni members.

Undergraduate students at Louisiana State University shall be eligible for election to membership after they:
- Have declared Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences as a major.
- Have completed at least 4 semesters of Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences study including at least 2 courses of Intermediate Level Financial Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences.
- Have an upper-level Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences GPA of at least 3.0 and
  - Have an overall GPA of at least 3.0 or
  - Have attained at least a 3.25 cumulative grade average on the most recent 45 quarter hours
    or:
  - Have achieved a rank within the top 35% of their university class.
- For computation of 3 above, cumulative grade averages shall be computed using all grades earned in upper-level Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences courses.
Transfer students must meet the Section 1 requirements and have completed at least two upper level Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences courses at Louisiana State University with a 3.0 average. Section 3. Graduate students at Louisiana State University shall be eligible for election to membership after they:
- Have formally declared a major in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences with the University.
- Have completed at least two semesters of graduate Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences study at Louisiana State University.
- Have attained a cumulative average in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences courses taken at AU as a graduate student of at least 3.5 (where A is equal to 4.0).
- Have attained a cumulative average in all graduate courses at AU of at least 3.25 (where A is equal to 4.0).
If a student does not meet the above requirements, but feels certain circumstances warrant consideration for membership, the student should submit an application to the officers of the Phi Chapter for review.
Full-time members of the Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences faculty shall be eligible for election as faculty members.
Persons who have achieved prominence in the field of Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences and who possess those qualities that Beta Alpha Psi fosters may be elected as honorary members. Section 7. Candidates for membership must be present for the initiation ceremony. Initiation in absentia is not permitted.
Membership in this organization is open to interested and otherwise qualified students without regard to race, sex, or handicap.

Article V - Attendance and Participation

In order to stay in good standing a member may miss no more than one chapter event per quarter. Members not in good standing will be limited in the events they are allowed to participate in. Limitations will be assessed according to the events of current and upcoming semesters. Once an absence results in a member being removed from good standing, they may submit a letter of appeal to the officers. The officers will rule on the appeal within two weeks.
Three unexcused absences in one quarter will result in automatic suspension of the member from the chapter.
Active participation within the chapter by each member is expected and required.

Initiation of new members will be held 2 times each year (once during fall and spring semesters).
A one-time initiation fee is determined by a majority vote of the officers of the Phi Chapter. The fee will be paid by each member before initiation.

There shall be at least four meetings per quarter. The meetings will normally be held on Tuesdays. Meetings are held fall, winter, and spring semesters.
To conduct official business, a quorum must be present. A quorum will consist of a majority of active members.
There shall be at least two professional meetings per quarter.

Election of officers shall be held twice a year.
To qualify for nomination, a candidate must be a member or pledge in good standing morally, academically, and financially.
Elections shall be held within two weeks following nominations. The floor will be open for further nominations at this meeting.
Officers shall be chosen for a term of two semesters by first a vote of plurality and second a vote of majority.
A current officer may hold a particular office consecutively for a maximum of two terms (four semesters).
Chapter officers-elect shall be installed prior to or at the last meeting of the academic quarter in which the election was held, with the retiring officers conducting the installation.
A chapter shall have the power to remove an officer for continued absence or failure to administer the duties of the office properly, and to elect another member to fill the vacancy thus created. Vote for expulsion of the officer must pass with 2/3 majority vote.
A vacancy of the president's office shall be filled by a vice president of activities. A vacancy of the office of vice president of activities, vice president of pledges, recording secretary, reporter, or treasurer shall be filled through nomination and proper vote in a special election.

The officers of the chapter and faculty advisor shall have the following duties and powers:
- To act in all matters except revision of the chapter constitution or bylaws.
- To act on matters concerning election, initiation, and the nomination of officers.
- To discuss matters of importance in order to increase the efficiency and the effectiveness of both regular chapter meetings and officers' reports.
- To participate in planning and executing the Program for Chapter Activities.
- To perform new member initiation and new officer installation ceremonies as laid out by the national handbook.
- To work in conjunction with the Director of the School of Accountancy in the appointment and maintenance of a faculty advisor.
- To approve nominations for Honorary membership.
The PRESIDENT shall have the following duties and powers:
- To call and preside at meetings of the chapter and of the officers.
- To announce items of significance at the regular chapter meetings.
- To direct, organize, and coordinate planning for all functions of the chapter.
- To determine that all reporting responsibilities and other duties of the vice presidents, reporter, recording secretary, and treasurer are performed in accordance with the National Constitution.
- To represent the chapter in the College of Business and University activities. If the president is unable to serve in this capacity, the other officers shall appoint a member in good standing to represent the fraternity.
- To serve as a liaison with the faculty.
- To appoint such committees as the bylaws provide or are deemed necessary.
- To perform other duties to promote the welfare and the efficient operation of the fraternity.
The VICE PRESIDENT OF ACTIVITIES shall have the following duties and powers:
- To preside over all meetings in the absence of the president.
- To assist the president in the performance of prescribed duties.
- To be responsible for the Chapter Activity Plan and for the proper execution of activities as prescribed by the Program Calendar made in conjunction with the officers.
- To work with the reporter in filing the necessary reports to the Director of Activities.
- To attend and participate in activities as discussed in officer meetings.
- To perform other duties as assigned by the president.
The VICE PRESIDENT OF PLEDGE ACTIVITIES shall have the following duties and powers:
- To assist the president in the performance of prescribed duties.
- To administer the pledge program for each quarter.
- To administer the initiation ceremony each quarter.
- To coordinate pledge activities with the chapter.
- To attend and participate in activities as discussed in officer meetings.
- To perform other duties as assigned by the president.
The REPORTER shall have following duties and powers:
- To maintain official correspondence with external parties.
- To transmit to the director of chapter activities a completed form for each new initiate, filed within 15 days of initiation with the initiation dues; a list of new chapter officers within 15 days of installation; to prepare and transmit other reports as may be required by national officers and the Chapter Activity Plan.
- Prepare the annual Chapter Activity Plan.
- To call upon the recording secretary for assistance when an increased workload necessitates.
- To attend and participate in activities as discussed in officer meetings.
- To perform other duties as assigned by the president.
The RECORDING SECRETARY shall have the following duties and powers:
- To be responsible for the recording of all official meetings and functions of the fraternity.
- To maintain a current and complete membership roster.
- To assist the reporter in duties when called upon.
- To attend and participate in activities as discussed in all officer meetings.
- To perform other duties as assigned by the president.
The TREASURER shall have the following duties and powers:
- To be responsible for all financial matters of the fraternity.
- To collect initiation fees and any assessments of the fraternity and to maintain proper records thereof.
- To prepare a monthly bank reconciliation.
- To arrange for an audit of the financial statements for the fiscal year ending April 30.
- To fill out Form 90 before June 15 of each year and submit to the Internal Revenue Service or the national office of Beta Alpha Psi.
- To attend and participate in activities as discussed in all officer meetings.
- To perform other duties as assigned by the president.
The FACULTY ADVISOR shall have the following duties and powers:
- To attend all regular and special meetings of the fraternity and of the officers.
- To act in an advisory capacity whenever called upon by the officers or members of the fraternity relative to the conduct of the chapter business.

The officers and faculty advisor shall have the power to approve nominations for Honorary members. The officers shall also confer with the Director of the School of Accountancy in the appointment of the Chapter's faculty advisor. The officers shall also have the duty to review all new member applications. To act favorably upon admission will require a vote of two-thirds of the officers. They shall also monitor the status of current members and take such disciplinary action as set forth in the constitution and bylaws.
The President shall have the power to appoint other such Committees necessary for efficiency in carrying out the programs of the Chapter.

The Bylaws of this chapter may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership present at a regular or special meeting. A copy of the Bylaws as amended must be provided to the Activities Advisor in the Office of Student Affairs for submission for approval by the Student Senate or its organizations. committee. Amendment 1 Louisiana State University changed from a quarter system to a semester system the fall of 2000. This caused a change in Article IV-Eligibility for Membership. Section 1 should now read:Undergraduate students at Louisiana State University shall be eligible for election to membership after they have met the following requirements:
- Completion of ACCT 3110 and enrolled in ACCT 3120, or making progress towards the completion of an Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences degree.
- Must have a 3.0 overall GPA or a 3.25 GPA on most recent 45 quarter or 30 semester hours.
- Must have an Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences GPA of 3.0 which includes all ACCT courses taken as well as an upper level ACCT GPA of 3.0.
- Transfer students must complete two upper level Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences courses at Louisiana State with at least a 3.0.
- Graduate students must complete one semester of graduate study with at least an overall GPA of 3.25 and an Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Decision Sciences GPA of 3.5
- Members must maintain the GPA requirements to remain in BAP.