Northern Illinois University Student Chapter of the American Correctional
Association
CONSTITUTION
Consistent with the mission of the American Correctional Association,
the mission of the Northern Illinois University Student Chapter of the
American Correctional Association is to provide Northern Illinois University
students and members of the DeKalb community with an opportunity to learn
about and promote knowledge and understanding of all areas of the justice
system, especially corrections and juvenile justice.
The organization will provide a means of
communication for individuals having an interest in the corrections field and
current correctional issues. The Northern Illinois University Student
Chapter of the American Correctional Association will focus on the
correctional field of the criminal justice system.
Our goals include:
1) promoting membership to the American Correctional Association,
building an education about the correctional system, and developing
relations with other members of the correctional community.
2) Fostering student understanding of the criminal justice systems,
especially in the prevention, processing, and reintegration of
offenders, and to recognize the broader social context in which
corrections occurs
3) Providing information about career opportunities in corrections,
social welfare, intervention, law enforcement, probation/parole, and
other professions addressing the sources, processes, and contexts of
social offense
4) Exchanging information, both through events at the annual
meetings,through a newsletter, and networking with others
within the University and Northern Illinois region
5) Promoting the Sociology Department's and NIU's mission of social justice
6) Promoting the ACA mission of professional excellence
and awareness of issues in corrections
5) Promoting diversity within the NIU community
7) Promoting excellence in teaching of corrections and criminal justice
MEMBERSHIP
To become a member of the Northern Illinois University Student
Chapter of the American Corrections Association, one must be in good
academic standing with the University; this does not apply to members not
attending the University, who may continue as associate ACA members
after graduation. Members are also required to pay national and
chapter dues. Members of the student chapter must become members of the
American Correctional Association within thirty days of admission to the
Northern Illinois University Student Chapter of the American Correctional
Association. All officers of the Northern Illinois University Student
Chapter of the American Correctional Association must be enrolled students
in good standing, academic and disciplinary, with the University, and
maintain no less than a 2.0 grade point average.
Members are expected attend meetings on a regular basis or otherwise
participate fully in the Chapter.
Role will be taken at the beginning of each meeting to assure that members
are active in the organization. It is also the duty of the members to be
engaged in the organization's activities.
Five officers will serve the Northern Illinois University
Student Chapter of the American Correctional Association for a term of one
academic year. The President shall preside at all meetings and shall appoint
leaders to any committees that need to be formed. All other Executive duties
not herein delegated shall be the President's responsibility.
The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in the
President's absence.
The Secretary shall maintain official records of the organization's meetings.
The Treasurer shall maintain a complete record of all income and expenses of
the chapter and shall pay bills as authorized by the President. Both the
President and the Treasurer must sign all checks.
The Academic Advisor will serve as a
liaison between the students and the faculty as well as a source of guidance
and knowledge.
The five officers make up what is called the Executive
Committee. All members of the Executive Committee must be members of the
American Correctional Association.
Voting for officers will take place at the second meeting of the Fall
semester of the academic year. The outgoing President will take nominations
at this time. A member of the organization must second nominations. A secret
ballot vote will be taken by electronic ballotting.
To be elected, one must receive the
majority of the votes. The Advisor will be responsible for running
the election and will count the ballots.
To remove an elected officer from duty, the issues must be
brought to the other three members of the Executive Committee and the
advisor. The members of the Executive Committee will confront the officer in
question. If the problem remains unresolved, the issues will be brought before
the organization. A motion must be made to remove the officer from his or her
position and the motion must be seconded. A secret ballot vote will be taken
and the Advisor will organize the voting and count the ballots.
The organization has the authority to create any committees when the
need arises. The created committee must serve a legitimate purpose for the
organization. The Executive Committee will appoint leaders to the
committees.
Any amendments made to the Constitution of the Northern Illinois University
Student Chapter of the American Correctional Association must be voted on
by the organization and passed with full consent of those members present. In
order to vote on an amendment, the amendment must be proposed and
seconded. The vote for the amendment will be taken by a show of hands if
conducted in a meeting, or by secret ballot if done by eletronic voting;
The Faculty Advisor will organize the ballotting and count the votes.
The Advisor of the Northern Illinois University Student Chapter of the
American Correctional Association will be an active member of the American
Correctional Association and will provide continuity as student leadership
changes. The Advisor will also promote good relationships between faculty
and students, provide financial supervision when necessary, and will
represent the student chapter to the University's faculty and administration.
The highest-ranking officer present will call each meeting of the
Northern Illinois University Student Chapter of the American Correctional
Association to order. The minutes from the previous meeting will be
presented, followed by old and new business. The floor will then be opened
up to any discussion and/or presentation. The highest-ranking officer will
adjourn the meeting.
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