Article I. Name and Purpose

Section 1. Name of the Organization.

The society shall be named the Society for Law, Science and Technology (SLST).

Section 2. Organizational Purpose.

The aim of the Society for Law, Science and Technology is to increase awareness about the interrelated disciplines of law, science and technology, both within and beyond the Columbia Law School community. SLST shall carry out this mission by conducting meetings and discussions, and by inviting speakers to share their scholarship with the membership and with the broader Columbia community.

Article II. Membership

Section 1. Requirements for membership

Full voting membership shall be open to any student at the Columbia Law School who wishes to join.

Membership is initiated by expressing an interest to either of the Co-Presidents of the organization.

Article III. Board/Officers

Section 1. Co-President Description.

The society shall have two Co-Presidents.

They shall be responsible for coordinating activities of the group and the other officers. The Co-Presidents shall call board meetings and general society meetings when necessary. They shall serve as the primary representatives and spokespersons of the SLST.

They shall assume the duties of the Vice-President in case of vacancy or incapacity.

Section 2. 1L Representative Description.

There shall be two 1L Representatives.

Selections of 1L representatives shall be announced during the first two months of the fall semester. All interested shall submit an application. Decisions shall be made by the Co-Presidents.

These individuals shall attend all board meetings to voice the opinions and ideas of the 1L membership of the organization. They shall also be responsible for assisting the other officers of the organization in the planning and orchestration of events and activities.

Section 3. Vice-President Description.

There shall be one Vice-President, who shall coordinate and monitor the activity of the committee chairs. The Vice-President shall assume the duties of a Co-President or of the Treasurer in case of vacancy or incapacity.

Section 4. Treasurer Description.

There shall be one Treasurer, who shall manage financial record keeping including Senate budget and audit requests and expense reimbursement.

Section 5. Committee Chair Description.

The Board may, at its discretion, create and disband committees according to the needs of the society. The Chairs of committees shall serve as officers.

Article IV. Meetings

Section 1. Generally.

Meetings shall be conducted on an informal basis throughout the school year with dignity, fairness and openness as the governing principles.

The Co-Presidents shall schedule all meetings and strive to provide all members of with reasonable notice of time and location.

Section 2. Decisions.

Decisions may be arrived upon by a majority vote of those in attendance at a meeting. In the case of a tie, the Co-Presidents shall make a final decision.

The Co-Presidents may make decisions upon determining the consensus of the Board, via electronic mailing list or any other method.

Alternately, decisions may be arrived at by a two-thirds vote of the Board, with the membership able to override the decision by simple majority at the following general meeting.

Article V. Officer Selection

Section 1. Timing.

Selection of officers, except 1L representatives, will be held in the April preceding the school year in which the officers wish to serve. New officers assume office one week before the start of Spring final exams.

Section 2. Officer Selection Process.

Nominations for officers will open one month before the start of Spring final exams. Nominations may be made during the following two-week period by e-mailing the Board. Members may nominate themselves or others. Nominees must indicate the office desired and provide a brief candidacy statement.

The 1L and 2L members of the current Board shall review the applications and select the officers for the following year.

Section 3. Removal.

An officer may be removed by a three-fourths vote of the Board.

Section 4. Filling Vacancies.

The Board shall fill vacant offices from the membership or designate existing officers to perform the duties of vacant offices as soon as is practicable.

Article VI. Non-discrimination

Section 1. Generally.

This Constitution and the Society for Law, Science and Technology operate under the belief that SLST is open to all students on an equal basis. As such SLST affirms that the membership and leadership policy is in accordance with the Student Senate Nondiscrimination Policy set forth in Section 6(b)(5) of the Senate’s bylaws.