Career Connections

• Job Postings
• Awards
• Career Centers
• University Chapters
  • Current Chapters
  • University Chapter FAQ's
  • Chapter Resources
    • MRS University Chapter Annual Activity Report and Chapter Rebate Submission
    • MRS University Chapter Officer and Faculty Advisor Responsibilities
    • Recruiting Members
    • University Chapter Constitution and Bylaws
    • University Chapter Benefits
    • Petition to Organize an MRS University Chapter
• Women in Materials Science and Engineering
• Fellowships, Internships, and Scholarships
• Funding Resources
• Diversity

University Chapter Constitution and Bylaws

 The MRS Constitution and Bylaws include basic “rules” governing the formation and operation of University Chapters.

From the MRS Constitution, Article V:  

2. The Board of Directors may establish subsidiary units (such as local sections, student Chapters, and affiliated organizations) to advance the interests of the Society. Such units shall be governed by bylaws or policies established by the Board of Directors. No subsidiary unit or any officer or member thereof may act as an agent for the Society, except as specifically authorized in writing by a person so empowered by the Board of Directors.

 

From the MRS Bylaws, Article XI:  

A. Establishment of a University Chapter shall be authorized by the Board of Directors. Petitions requesting the organization of a University Chapter shall be addressed to the Board of Directors and shall be signed by at least eight student members and by two regular members who are on the faculty of the academic institution to be served by the proposed University Chapter. 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 title of the University Chapter shall contain the name of the institution with which it is associated.

B. University Chapters may be affiliated with other materials professional societies.

C. Any Society member employed by or attending the academic institution may become a University Chapter member upon payment of University Chapter dues.

D. Nonmembers of the Society may, upon approval of the University Chapter and payment of dues, become members or associate members of the University Chapter.

E. The officers of the University Chapter shall include a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. The offices of secretary and treasurer may be combined and held by one person.

F. The University Chapter executive committee shall consist of the officers of the University Chapter.

G. 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.

H. By April 1 of each year, the University Chapter shall submit to the Society a brief financial statement including total revenues and expenditures for the prior calendar year, and the current balance. By June 15 of each year, the University Chapter shall submit to the Society a summary of University Chapter activities for the previous academic year (June 1 through May 31) including the number of meetings held, a list of newly elected officers, the number of current Chapter members, and a notice of significant meetings for the current academic year.

I. The University Chapter shall not incur indebtedness on behalf of the Society without the prior approval of the Board of Directors.

J. A University Chapter shall be placed on inactive status if its membership declines below two members and three student members for a period of 12 months. Assets of an inactive University Chapter shall be forwarded to the Society. Application for reactivation shall follow the same procedure as a petition for a new University Chapter. A University Chapter that is inactive for two years shall be dissolved.

K. While the Constitution and Bylaws of the Society shall govern the procedures of a University Chapter, no action or obligation of the University Chapter shall be considered an action or obligation of the Society. A statement to this effect shall be imprinted in any contractual or financial agreement entered into by a University Chapter.

L. The Society reserves the right to dissolve a University Chapter at any time if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, such action is in the best interests of the Society.