South Asian Law Students Association

From samosa parties to political discussions, the South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA) was formed to promote an understanding and appreciation of South Asian political, legal, and social issues. In the past, we have invited South Asian political, judicial and academic figures, screened films pertaining to South Asian history, engaged in a variety of social events with the U of C and broader Chicago communities. SALSA provides students with many opportunities to meet with firms, engage in pro bono initiatives, and explore possibilities of working abroad. With the current and powerful trend of globalization, many law firms are setting up branch offices in South Asia. We welcome you to learn more.

SALSA's Purpose and Constitution

Purpose:
The purpose of the South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA) at the University of Chicago shall be to provide an organizational framework to address issues of concern to the South Asian community. The goals of SALSA shall be to ensure the continuity and growth of South Asian educational, cultural, social, and political opportunities on campus as well as in the greater Chicago and American communities. SALSA shall serve as a support group to South Asian students. Additionally it will endeavor to build a better understanding of the South Asian experience that, through its members, programs, resources and functions, will permeate the University atmosphere. In this respect, SALSA shall contribute to the pursuit of multicultural expression, understanding, and awareness.

Constitution:
In accordance with and in order to uphold the law, the South Asian Law Students Association, herein establishes this, its constitution, as the basic law of the South Asian Law Students Association of the University of Chicago.

The name of this Recognized Student Organization (RSO) shall be the South Asian Law Students Association, referred to as SALSA. SALSA shall be affiliated with the University of Chicago.

The purpose of the South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA) at the University of Chicago shall be to provide an organizational framework to address issues of concern to the South Asian community. The goals of SALSA shall be to ensure the continuity and growth of South Asian educational, cultural, social, and political opportunities on campus as well as in the greater Chicago and American communities. SALSA shall serve as a support group to South Asian students. Additionally it will endeavor to build a better understanding of the South Asian experience that, through its members, programs, resources and functions, will permeate the University atmosphere. In this respect, SALSA shall contribute to the pursuit of multicultural expression, understanding, and awareness.

Membership is limited to registered students of the University of Chicago. Admission shall not be based on ethnic group, religion, race, affiliation or other discriminatory criteria. Membership shall be constituted of those that desire to participate. Voting members shall be required to show a commitment to the organization by attending at least one meeting per quarter that is organized or sponsored by SALSA, or by participating in the planning of any SALSA event.

All Executive Board members must be registered University of Chicago Law students. The Executive Board shall function as the administrative and governing body of SALSA. Law students registered at the University of Chicago must fulfill each of these positions: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, First Year Representative, and Events Chair. Executive Board members shall be responsible for creating and organizing functions and activities that foster fellowship and support among members of SALSA, the University of Chicago community, and the South Asian community as a whole.

The President shall be the chief executive officer and official spokesperson for the organization. S/he shall convene and preside over all meetings, assign/delegate projects to the other Executive Board members, and set/promote the organizational standard for excellence on the Executive Board completion of projects and demonstrating respect for all peoples. The President shall prepare the agenda for all meetings and shall have the responsibility for attending all meetings with the University administration and signing all binding (contractual) documents. The President shall also be responsible for communication with the Office of the Reynolds Club and Student Activities (staffed) Advisor and the appointed members of the Faculty/Staff Advisory Committee. Finally, the President shall be an advocate for members who need one, and work to create a culture of communication on issues pertaining to South Asians, and underrepresented minorities alike, at the University of Chicago and in the greater society.

The Vice-President shall organize and maintain a functioning Executive Board, ensuring that all positions are filled and that agendas are prepared for Executive Board meetings. S/he shall serve as the advisor to the President in matters pertaining to the organization and its members and as an informational resource for students (as liaison to University administration, campus offices/resources and SALSA graduate affiliates). The Vice-President shall be responsible for reserving all rooms and equipment required for official 065 functions and activities. S/he (with the help of the Treasurer) shall also be responsible for writing a year-end history of events and activities and preparing for annual allocations in Spring Quarter (with the help of the Treasurer). In the event of the President's absence, the Vice-President shall assume his/her duties. Likewise, in the event of the President's permanent incapacitation or removal from office, the Vice-President shall become the President of SALSA. Finally, alongside the President, the Vice-President shall be an advocate for members who need one, and work to create a culture of communication on issues pertaining to South Asians, and underrepresented minorities alike, at the University of Chicago and in the greater society.

The Treasurer shall be responsible for all financial transactions of SALSA, including all billing and deposits. All SALSA funds collected shall be deposited in SALSA's ORCSA account. The treasurer shall be in direct contact with the Office of the Reynolds Club and Student Activities' Financial Operations/Bookkeeping Office and Resource Coordinator. The Treasurer shall be responsible for being knowledgeable of all Reimbursement and Expense Request activity. S/he shall also be responsible for presenting the President with an updated "Status and Activity of Funds" report at the end of each quarter. The Treasurer, in collaboration with the Executive Board, shall prepare and present budgets to the Student Government Finance Committee for all SALSA-organized and sponsored functions. Finally, s/he (with the help of the Vice-President) shall be responsible for writing a year-end history of events and activities and preparing for annual allocations in Spring Quarter (with the help of the Vice-President).

The Event Chair shall work to prepare and distribute all publications for functions and meetings (including, but not limited to flyers, banners, e-mail reminders over the SALSA listserv, and personal invitations). S/he shall be held accountable for the publicizing of all events and for the distribution commitments of his/her peers on the Executive Board. The Event Chairs shall use the contact information for other student organizations at other Chicago/Chicago area college and university campuses to publicize SALSA functions and events.

Executive Board Regulations
Vacancies on the Executive Board shall be filled by temporary appointment until filled by a special election called for by the Executive Board, unless the President decides otherwise.

The Executive Board shall meet twice (2) a quarter. The date and time for Executive Board Meetings shall be determined by the Executive Board. No Executive Board member shall miss more than one (1) meeting per quarter, unless there is an academic obligation or inevitable conflict.

Each Executive Board member shall abide by the provisions of this constitution.

The following shall be the provisions for the removal of Executive Board members from office:

  • Members of the Executive Board shall be impeached if they neglect their duties on the Executive board.
  • Any member of the Executive Board shall be able to bring up the charge of impeachment, which shall then be discussed at a special Executive Board meeting.
  • A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote shall be required for impeachment to pass.

The following shall be the provisions for the occurrence of vacancies in the Executive Board and for resignation from the Executive Board:

  • In the event of a vacancy in the President's position, the Vice-President shall become the President.
  • In the event of vacancies of both the President and Vice-President positions, the Secretary shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the President.

Office of the Reynolds Club and Student Activities (Staffed) Advisor
SALSA shall have a staff advisor appointed by the Office of the Reynolds Club and Student Activities at the University of Chicago whose role is to oversee and advise on the programming of the organization. S/he shall be the staffed liaison between SALSA and the University administration. The advisor to SALSA shall not have voting privileges and will be in communication with the Executive Board on a regular basis.

At the beginning of each academic year, an advisor of one (1) University of Chicago Law faculty or staff members-shall be established. The Faculty/Staff Advisor shall be invited to serve as an advisor that acts and intervenes in the event of misdirection, and/or the President's misuse and abuse of authority. The Faculty/Staff Advisor shall also serve to bring a different and unbiased perspective to new and foreign situations/predicaments, if needed. The President and Vice-President shall keep the Faculty/Staff Advisor abreast of all SALSA activities.

Voting
Every decision shall be based upon deliberation for consensus. In the event that consensus is not achieved, voting shall be performed. A quorum shall consist of 2/3 of the Executive Board. If the President deems decisions extreme s/he may veto, and make the decision that he/she sees fit.

Third years are strongly recommended not to be president of SALSA. Anyone who chooses to be president or vice-president of SALSA must have been an active member for at least one year. Every voting member shall have a right to elect and to be elected as a member of the Executive Board. Nominations for the following academic year's Executive Board shall be accepted by e-mail only to the Secretary, commencing the night of the Spring Quarter's third (3) week. The election will take place in the fourth (4) week. The elections meeting should not be extremely long, speeches should be at most 60 seconds long and questions should be answered quick and concisely. Election shall be held by voting members of the General Assembly secretively, directly, independently, and free from intimidation.

In the event of a tie, there will be a revote. The Secretary will take attendance at the election and s/he will ensure that only those that have voted revote. Members that leave the meeting will not be contacted for the revote. It is the responsibility of members to stay at the entire meeting. Graduating members of SALSA shall be allowed to vote.

Election results shall be announced following the elections in person or via email within twenty-four (24) hours. The term of office for the Executive board members shall be one academic year.

Constitution Revisions and Amendments
The following shall be provisions for revisions and/or amendments to the constitution:

  • The constitution shall be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Executive Board members.
  • An amendment shall be proposed in writing to the SALSA Executive Board.
  • The proposed amendment shall be submitted to all Executive Board members at least two (2) days in advance of the voting.