Constitution of Business Students Association (BUSA) UDS Study Notes

THE CONSTITUTION OF BUSINESS STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (BUSA) UDS

CHAPTER 1 - THE CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 1 - NAME AND MOTTO
  • The legitimate representative body of the undergraduate students of the UDS Business School shall be known and called 'BUSINESS STUDENTS ASSOCIATION-UDS', hereinafter referred to as "BUSA-UDS."
  • The motto of the association shall be known as 'the minds behind the wealth'.
CORE VALUES
  • The Business Students Association (BUSA) UDS NYNKPALA is committed to upholding its core values:
    • Teamwork
    • Honesty
    • Reliability
    • Integrity
    • Commitment for capacity building
    • Student development
    • Mutual respect
    • Communication and information sharing
ARTICLE 2 - SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION
  1. This constitution shall be the supreme law of governance of the BUSA-UDS.
  2. The constitution shall be subject to the SRC constitution, the University Act and Statutes, and the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
  3. In the event of any conflict, the provisions of this Constitution shall take precedence.
ARTICLE 3 - ENFORCEMENT
  1. Any student or group of students may apply to the Judicial Board if they allege that an act or omission contravenes this constitution.
  2. The Judicial Board shall make orders and directives as it deems appropriate.
  3. Members must obey directives from the Judicial Board; failure to do so may lead to ineligibility for elections or removal from office.
  4. The Judicial Board reserves the right to interpret the Constitution.

CHAPTER 2 - AIMS, FUNCTIONS AND MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE 4 - AIMS AND FUNCTIONS
  1. To achieve global recognition as a center of excellence in management education.
  2. To unite students from various departments of the UDS Business School.
  3. To serve as the mouthpiece of the student body.
  4. To coordinate religious, social, political, and intellectual activities.
  5. To enhance student image through exchanges and events.
  6. To determine annual dues for the association.
  7. To maintain healthy relationships within and outside the campus.
  8. To ensure good interactions between students and lecturers.
ARTICLE 5 - MEMBERSHIP

  1. Membership requirements:

    • All undergraduates from UDS Business School are substantive members.
    • Membership is open to all interested individuals at UDS; they must apply in writing for associate membership.
    • Associate members do not have voting rights.
    • All members must pay dues to maintain good standing.

  2. The Association shall have at least two Patrons, open to all lecturers of the School of Business and Law, subject to approval.

    • Patrons shall counsel the association and be signatories to its accounts.

CHAPTER 3 - THE STRUCTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE 6 - GOVERNING STRUCTURE
  1. The Association's structure comprises:
    • The General Assembly
    • Executive Officers
    • The Executive Committee
ARTICLE 7 - THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF BUSA-UDS

  1. Comprises:

    • Speaker (appointed by the President, approved by Assembly)
    • Deputy Speaker (appointed by the Assembly)
    • Two secretaries (appointed by the Assembly)
    • Class representatives and deputies from all year groups.
    • Committee chairs and members.

  2. Membership is subject to reappointment annually.

  3. The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body with

    • A quorum of at least 2/3 of the members.

  4. Duties include approving dues, receiving audit reports, and summoning the President or Executive Committee when necessary.

  5. Attendance policy: missing two consecutive sittings without permission leads to loss of membership.

ARTICLE 8 - FUNCTIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  • Receive, discuss, and approve the Association's budget.
  • Debate issues affecting students' interests.
  • Call upon members for explanations on relevant issues.
  • Conduct first meeting appointments.
ARTICLE 9 - RIGHT TO OBSERVE
  • All students may attend and observe proceedings subject to limitations on voting rights.
ARTICLE 10 - THE SPEAKER, DEPUTY SPEAKER AND CLERKS
  1. The speaker is appointed by the President; the Deputy Speaker is elected from voting members.
  2. Speakers and clerks are non-voting members.
ARTICLE 11 - EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
  1. Comprises the Executive Committee and chairpersons of non-independent committees.
  2. Acts on behalf of the General Assembly during recess.
  3. Accountability to the General Assembly.
ARTICLE 12 - THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

  1. Comprises:

    • President
    • Vice President
    • General Secretary
    • Treasurer
    • Organizing Secretary
    • Financial Secretary
    • Women’s Commissioner

  2. Responsible for day-to-day administration and appointing chairpersons for committees.

  3. The committee must consult with the Judicial Board for resources as needed.

CHAPTER 4 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

ARTICLE 13 - THE PRESIDENT
  • Leader and chief spokesperson of the Association, presides over meetings, signs for banking, represents at conferences, oversees general administration, and reports to the General Assembly.
ARTICLE 14 - VICE PRESIDENT
  • Acts in absence of the President and coordinates welfare projects. Is accountable to the General Assembly.
ARTICLE 15 - THE GENERAL SECRETARY
  • Summons meetings, keeps records, and handles correspondence. Must present financial results and member lists to the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE 16 - THE TREASURER
  • Collects, manages funds, and is accountable for financial matters. Must deposit funds promptly and oversee the petty cash account.
ARTICLE 17 - THE ORGANISING SECRETARY
  • Chairs the Organizing, Sports, and Entertainment Committee, develops sponsorship proposals, and manages event publicity.
ARTICLE 18 - FINANCIAL SECRETARY
  • Records financial transactions, provides receipts, and prepares financial audits during transitions.
ARTICLE 19 - THE WOMEN'S COMMISSIONER
  • Chairs Women's Development Committee, supports female students, and organizes activities for female participation.

CHAPTER 5 - INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE/BOARD

ARTICLE 20 - ESTABLISHMENT OF INDEPENDENT BODIES
  • Entities to include the Judicial Board, Electoral Committee, and Audit Committee.
ARTICLE 21 - JUDICIAL BOARD
  1. Comprises five (5) members, led by a chairperson appointed by the President.
  2. Sovereign power over constitutional matters and electoral petitions.
  3. Handles impeachment proceedings and maintains discretion over disciplinary actions.
ARTICLE 22 - ELECTORAL COMMITTEE
  1. Comprises five members including the Chairperson,
  2. Responsible for conducting elections and managing election rules.
  3. Holds authority over election processes to ensure fairness and integrity.
ARTICLE 23 - AUDIT COMMITTEE
  • Comprises five members that audit association accounts and report findings each trimester.

CHAPTER 6 - OTHER COMMITTEES

ARTICLE 24 - WELFARE COMMITTEE
  • Chaired by the Vice President. Responsible for welfare activities and maintaining alumni relations.
ARTICLE 25 - ORGANISING, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS COMMITTEE
  • Chaired by the Organising Secretary. Focuses on organizing events and activities.
ARTICLE 26 - MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE
  • Comprises five members and manages transport services and properties of the Association.
ARTICLE 27 - FINANCE & FUND-RAISING COMMITTEE
  • Chaired by the Treasurer, responsible for collecting dues and raising funds for the Association.
ARTICLE 28 - ACADEMIC AND LIBRARY COMMITTEE
  • Chaired by the General Secretary, ensures academic resources are available to students and manages library issues.
ARTICLE 29 - PUBLICITY AND EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
  • Chaired by the PRO. Responsible for communications and managing publicity for events.
ARTICLE 30 - THE WOMEN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
  • Supports female students and enhances their participation in school life and activities.

CHAPTER 7 - ELECTIONS

ARTICLE 31 - QUALIFICATIONS
  • All executive positions are elected through secret ballot. Requirements to contest and conduct nominations are specified including GPA and conduct criteria.
ARTICLE 32 - CONDUCT OF ELECTION
  • Details procedures for conducting elections, including timelines and eligibility.
ARTICLE 33 - DECLARATIONS AND CHALLENGING OF ELECTORAL RESULTS
  • Provisional results can be challenged within 72 hours; the Judicial Board resolves disputes.
ARTICLE 34 - BY-ELECTIONS
  • Conducted for vacancies created as specified; by-elections must occur without delaying governance.
ARTICLE 35 - ELECTORAL OFFENCES
  • Outlines the consequences of any electoral misconduct.
ARTICLE 36 - HANDING OVER
  • Procedures for newly elected officers to assume office and handover ceremonies.

CHAPTER 8 - MEETINGS

ARTICLE 37 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS
  • Frequency and requirements for meetings, including quorums and decision-making processes.
ARTICLE 38 - EMERGENCIES
  • Procedures for convening emergency meetings and the conduct thereof.
ARTICLE 39 - PETTY CASH ACCOUNT
  • Management and conditions of the petty cash account.
ARTICLE 40 - DISABILITY FUND
  • Conditions and operations regarding a fund for needy disabled students.

CHAPTER 9 - ABANDONMENT OF POST

ARTICLE 41 - RESIGNATION
  • Resignation procedures and implications for officers.
ARTICLE 42 - VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE
  • Processes for passing a vote of no confidence against an officer.
ARTICLE 43 - REMOVAL FROM OFFICE
  • Procedures for impeaching officers and conditions for their removal.
ARTICLE 44 - GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL
  • Specifies misconduct leading to removal from office.
ARTICLE 45 - AMENDMENTS
  • Procedures for revising or amending the constitution.

CHAPTER 10 - HONORARY, INTERPRETATION AND MISCELLANEOUS

ARTICLE 46 - HONORARY
  • Guidelines on awarding honors to deserving individuals and conditions for forfeiture.
ARTICLE 47 - INTERPRETATIONS
  • Definitions of terms for use within the constitution.
ARTICLE 48 - MISCELLANEOUS
  • Additional provisions addressing special operational matters of the Association.

CHAPTER 11 - STANDING ORDERS FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

  1. Members can file motions or proposals with proper format and protocol.
  2. Voting procedures to ensure fairness and transparency are laid out clearly.
  3. Rules of proceedings that govern meetings, including conduct and how points of order are managed, solidify the constitutional framework.