ByLaws

Article I: Name of the Organization

University of Vermont (UVM) chapter of the Materials Research Society (MRS)

Article II: Purpose and Goals

The purpose of this MRS chapter will be to promote interactions and discussions between students and faculty in the field of Material Sciences, to generate university interest in Material Sciences, help foster the exchange of information pertaining to this field of science and make the research efforts of associated collaborators better known within the university and greater scientific community. These objectives will be accomplished through activities such as but not limited to research seminars, professional and social networking events, periodic meetings and discussions.

Article III: Membership

Membership to the UVM chapter of the MRS will be limited to the graduate students and faculty of UVM. All membership dues collected are to be strictly spent on the cause of advancement of the purposes mentioned above for this MRS chapter. Undergraduate UVM students and nonUVM affiliates can be granted membership under specific circumstances.

  1. Eligibility

    Any graduate student or faculty member employed by or attending UVM may become a MRS chapter member upon payment of the set dues for this MRS chapter. Undergraduate UVM students and non-UVM affiliates can be eligible to join the chapter upon the approval of the University chapter executive committee and payment of the set dues for this MRS chapter.

  2. Cost of Membership

    The membership dues for being a member of UVM chapter of MRS will be decided each year after the annual Spring meeting and not later than the end of the academic semester at UVM. The office bearers are responsible for the meeting arrangements, followed by which new office bearers will be voted in to office and make a collective and informed decision on the membership dues.

  3. Revocation of Membership

    Office bearers need to maintain their national MRS membership to get elected and avoid revocation of MRS chapter membership. All other members must be in good academic standing at UVM.

Article IV: Officers

The UVM MRS executive committee shall consist of the officers of University chapter. The Officers of the UVM chapter of MRS will be elected annually and shall include a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. The offices of the secretary and treasurer may be combined and held by one person. Office bearers need to maintain their national MRS membership to be eligible for election and hold office throughout the year.

There must be a minimum of eight Student Members and two Regular Members who are faculty of UVM. Student members must be currently enrolled in the university and in good standing. One of the Faculty Members must have tenure at the institution, and both Faculty Members must agree to advise the University Chapter for a minimum of two years.

The University Chapter executive committee shall manage the affairs of the University Chapter; pass upon and authorize the annual budget controlling expenditures; pass upon the eligibility of applicants for membership; fill all vacancies; approve all appointments; and consider and dispose of all matters referred to it by the University Chapter. Any duties not otherwise specifically mentioned which tend to better the welfare of the University Chapter may be assumed by the University Chapter executive committee, insofar as they are consistent with the objectives of the Society.

By April 1st of each year, the University Chapter shall submit to the Materials Research Society a brief financial statement including total revenues and expenditures for the prior calendar year, and the current balance. By May 15th of each year, the University Chapter shall submit a summary of University Chapter activities for the previous academic year (May 1 through April 30) to the Materials Research Society including the number of meetings held, a list of newly elected officers, the number of current Chapter Members, as well as a notice of significant meetings for the current academic year. The University Chapter shall not incur indebtedness on behalf of the parent society without the prior approval of the Board of Directors.

Article V: Elections of Office Bearers

Elections will be held on an annual basis for all positions on the Executive Board. Mid-term elections may be held with the explicit consent of Executive Board members under the special circumstances. Nominations for all the positions will be open for the regular members for at least two weeks before any annual or mid-term election. All the office bearers will be selected by the process of election where all the affiliated members will vote. Office bearers need to maintain their national MRS membership to be eligible for election and hold office throughout the year.

Article VI: Meetings

Compulsory meetings will be held at the beginning and end of each fall and spring semester. However, meetings may be called by any member of the executive committee or the faculty advisors. Two-thirds of total number of members of the chapter shall constitute as a quorum for the transaction of official business.

Article VII: Amendments to the ByLaws

These Bylaws are subject to approval of the UVM MRS chapter members and can be subject to revision by the executive committee. These Bylaws may be revised at any time by a vote as long as the quorum is maintained during a chapter meeting.

Article VIII: Equal Opportunity

The University of Vermont and State Agricultural College is committed to a policy of equal educational opportunity. The University therefore prohibits discrimination on the basis of unlawful criteria such as race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity or expression, as those terms are defined under applicable law, in admitting students to its programs and facilities and in administering its admissions policies, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, and other institutionally administered programs or activities made available to students at the University. The University also prohibits harassment, as defined in the Vermont Statutes at Title 16, section 11(a)(26). Unlawful harassment is a form of discrimination and is therefore prohibited. Sources: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Vermont Public Accommodations Act; and such other federal, state, and local non-discrimination laws as may apply. The UVM chapter of the MRS shall abide by the UVM policy stated above in its endeavour of achieving the goals of this organization.