about societas philosophiae
Constitution and By-Laws
Preamble
We the members of the Societas Philosophiae under the College of Arts, Department of Humanities, believe in student empowerment through the recognition of the potentials of students in both academic and non-academic competitiveness by building the interest of every member in different fields, enhancing their skills in reading and understanding, developing their social awareness and making things happen; that is the structure in PUP regulations and Philippine Constitution, respect student rights, beliefs, dignities and capabilities.
Article I
General Provisions
Section 1: This constitution and By-Laws shall be known as the Constitution of the Societas Philosophiae.
Section 2: For purposes, Societas Philosophiae will otherwise be known as SP.
Article II
Name and Domicile
Section 1: The name of the organization shall be known as Societas Philosophiae.
Section 2: SP shall be recognized as the official organization of Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.
Article III
Declaration of Principles
Section 1: SP adheres to the principle of academic competitiveness. The belief or the proper education is rudimentary and insists equality for every student’s rights.
Section 2: SP firmly adheres to the principle of democratic participation and consultation in all its activities and endeavors. It commits itself that the rights of each member be exercised in all matters that are of concern to the organization.
Section 3: SP recognizes the relevance and urgency about the issue of education, and commits itself to the promotion of academic competitiveness through enhancing one’s interest on reading.
Section 4: Aside from the above mentioned objectives, SP also develops:
a) Nationalism, moral character, personal discipline, leadership, self-confidence and efficiency among members.
b) Unity among leaders and the body,
c) Physical, mental, and social capabilities of every member.
Article IV
Membership
Section 1: Only a student of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines who is enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy Program is welcome to join the SP.
Section 2: Violations of the constitution, policies and programs adapted by the organization shall be subjected to disciplinary actions that would be determined by the leading bodies.
Article V
Rights and Privileges
Section 1: Every member has the right to enjoy responsible freedom of speech and expression.
Section 2: Every member has the right to avail all the services offered by the SP.
Section 3: Every member has the right to participate in all SP activities.
Section 4: Every member has the right to vote, be nominated, and be elected in a position.
Section 5: Every member has the right to be informed on all the issues and matters concerning them.
Section 6: Every member has the right to be represented in the different meeting and assemblies of the organization regarding their welfare.
Section 7: Every member has the right to due process.
Article VI
Duties and Responsibilities
Section 1: Every member has the responsibility of observing the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and the rules and regulations of the school at all times.
Section 2: Every member is encouraged to pay all the SP fees as approved by the majority of the members, Department Chairman, College Dean and the College Student Council.
Section 3: Every member must support and promote the objectives, vision and mission of the SP, of the College and School.
Section 4: Every member must abide by the Constitution and By-Laws.
Section 5: Every member must participate actively in all the activities of SP and strive for academic excellence.
Section 6: Every member must exercise his/her rights and do his/her responsibilities as an SP member.
Article VII
Composition of Officers, Election and Term of Office
Section 1: Officers of the SP are duly elected President, Vice President for Internal Affairs, Vice President for External Affairs, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, P.R.O. and Year Level Representatives and by the appointed Committee Heads.
Section 2: The Year Level Representatives are the elected Homeroom Presidents.
Section 3: Election of the executive committee (President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor and P.R.O.) shall be conducted every second week of February annually.
Section 4: Campaign Period shall not be more than three school days prior to the SP election.
Section 5: Candidate for all SP elective position must be:
a) Member of the Society (SP)
b) Of good academic standing without any failing grades
c) Of good moral character
Section 6: Officers of the SP shall hold one academic year.
Article VIII
Duties and Functions of Officers
Section 1: The president shall be the chief executive officer of the SP. He/She shall have the following duties:
a) Preside all meetings and/or may designate another officer to preside a specific meeting;
b) Enforce this Constitution, By-Laws and other regulations that may be promulgated;
c) Sign all official minutes, resolutions, correspondences, and other official papers of the SP.
d) Represent the SP or designate his/her representative for any external or internal affairs and functions;
e) Implement the SP programs and projects;
f) Perform other functions inherent and incidental to his/her office.
Section 2: The Vice President for external affairs shall have the following duties:
a) Assist the president in all matters where his/her assistance is necessary;
b) Assume the office of the president when the position became vacant;
c) Secure the entrustment of the SP outside the society limits.
d) Responsible for representations for external affairs and functions;
e) Perform other duties assigned by the SP President.
Section 3: The Vice President for internal affairs shall have the following duties:
a) Assist the president in all matters where his/her assistance is necessary;
b) Take over the Vice President of external affairs and President positions if the VP of external affairs and the President is vacant;
c) Supervise members in planning and arranging meetings, programs or activities.
d) Perform other duties assigned by the President of SP.
Section 4: The Secretary shall have the following duties:
a) Keep accurate records of the minutes and documents proceedings of every meeting;
b) Keep a file of all pertinent documents and papers of the SP and make them accessible to all;
c) Call and prepare all notices of the SP meetings;
d) Perform such other duties assigned by the SP President.
Section 5: The treasurer shall have the following duties:
a) Keep all financial records of the SP;
b) Serve as the disbursing officer of all SP funds;
c) Prepare financial reports every month, after and activity and after the term;
d) Formulate pertinent financial guidelines for the organization;
e) Perform other duties assigned by the President of the SP.
Section 6: The Auditor shall have the following duties:
a) Certify the legitimacy and correctness of the disbursement of funds;
b) Audit all expenditures;
c) Assist the treasurer in formulating guidelines and reports;
d) Keep and update inventory in all SP’s property;
e) Perform other duties assigned by the President of the SP.
Section 7: Public Information/Relation Officer shall have the following Duties:
a) Popularize the thrusts and objectives of the SP.
b) Build and maintain a credible image;
c) Take charge of the promotion of all SP’s projects and activities;
d) Perform other duties assigned by the President of the SP.
Article IX
Representations and Committees
Section 1: There shall be four representatives.
Section 2: The representatives shall have the following duties:
a) Act as the Year level coordinator of all SP programs and projects;
b) Represent his/her year level in all the meetings of the SP;
c) Serve as the grievance desk for their respective year level
d) Assist in the effective implementation of the SP programs and projects;
e) Perform other duties assigned by the SP.
Section 3: There shall be six permanent committees in SP namely:
a) Academics Committee
b) Special Projects Committee
c) Sports and Cultural Committee
d) Fund Raising Committee
e) Facilities and Maintenance Committee and
f) Arts and Letters Committee
Section 4: Academics Committee is responsible for the academic standards and academic development of each member, conducts academic contests, seminars, trainings and workshops and opens each member’s social awareness.
Section 5: The Special Projects Committee is responsible in implementing projects that are necessary for the development of the members-conducts outings, team buildings and community services.
Section 6: The Sports and Cultural Committee is responsible for the development of each members’ physical capability, conducts sports fest and other cultural activities.
Section 7: The Fund Raising Committee is responsible for the projects that assure fund inflow.
Section 8: Facilities and Maintenance Committee is responsible for the maintenance of facilities and securing that these are conductive for learning.
Section 9: Arts and Letters Committee is responsible for the information propagation and for formal letters and displays.
Article X
Funds
Section 1: SP funds are classified as;
a) Thrust funds
b) Special funds
c) Class funds
Section 2: Thrust funds are acquired through the organization’s membership fees.
Section 3: Solicited funds are money from solicitations, donations and fund raising activities.
Section 4: Class funds are money from regular or ordinary payment by the student, 60% of the collection will be used by the respective class/section as their class thrust fund while the remaining 40% shall be donated to the Society.
Article XI
Commission on Election
Section 1: The Commission on election wherein referred as the SP COMELEC, shall be established and organized one month before the election.
Section 2: The SP COMELEC shall be the only agency/committee that will manage the electoral process and campaign.
Section 3: The SP COMELEC shall be composed of seven members:
a) Four from each level who have no vested interest in the election
b) Three from the outgoing officials who will not run again
c) And the SP Adviser
Section 4: The SP COMELEC shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
a) Conduct fair, honest and systematic election;
b) Validate the electoral proceedings and result;
c) Accept or revoke candidacy;
d) Proclaim the new set of officers;
e) Keep all the pertinent election papers and documents;
f) Decide upon protest relative to the conduct and result of the elections;
g) Prepare and distribute the necessary election paraphernalia, certificate of candidacy, forms and other election related materials before, during and after election and;
h) Disqualify candidates who have violated any of the guidelines, which have been promulgated.
Article XII
Amendments
Section 1: This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended annually in full or in part.
Section 2: Proposals shall be carried through a resolution duly signed and concurred in by the majority of the SP officials.
Section 3: Proposed amendments shall be transmitted to the Chairperson of Humanities and SP Adviser.
Section 4: Amendments of the Constitution and By-Laws shall take effect immediately after its approval.