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MRS University Chapter Officer and Faculty Advisor Responsibilities

Chapter officers and faculty advisors must be familiar with the articles of the MRS Constitution and Bylaws which govern University Chapters. They are responsible for fulfilling such obligations as the annual activity reports.

• Chapter officers and faculty advisors must be current members of the MRS. To start or reactivate a Chapter will require at least 10 current members of the national MRS—8 students and 2 regular (faculty). According to the Bylaws, a University will be deemed inactive if its membership declines below two regular members and three student members for a period of 12 months.
• University Chapters are part of their host academic institution Chapter officers and faculty advisors are responsible for the resources of their organization and are encouraged to follow the policies and procedures of their host academic institution.
• We ask that you keep us posted on changes in Chapter leadership. For us to serve you better, we need to get complete address information about your officers and faculty advisors. Please advise us whenever there’s a change.
• Each active University Chapter must submit, by April 1, an annual financial report covering the prior calendar year. The report should include a summary of revenue and expenses. For your convenience, an annual financial report form is included in this handbook.
• Each active University Chapter must also submit an annual activity report by June 15 of each year.
  For your convenience, a more complete explanation of the annual activity report may be found on
  page 9 of this handbook.
• A University Chapter Representatives Meeting is held at most of the MRS Spring and Fall Meetings. This is a great way to learn more what other Chapters are doing, about programs offered by MRS, and about the most effective ways to succeed as a Chapter. Please make plans to have a representative at each MRS meeting as the travel reimbursement is contingent upon at least one person from the Chapter being present at the University Chapter Representatives Meeting. If your Chapter is not represented at the meeting, your travel reimbursement may be disallowed.
• Chapters are eligible for up to $500 per year in travel reimbursements to help student members attend the MRS Spring and Fall Meetings. However, the Chapter must have a written policy regarding award of these travel reimbursements. Requests for reimbursement need to be made in writing by the Chapter president. And as noted above, the travel reimbursement is contingent upon at least one person from the Chapter being present at the University Chapter Representatives Meeting. If your Chapter is not represented at the meeting, your travel reimbursement may be disallowed.
• The MRS Constitution prohibits University Chapters from entering into agreements in the name of the Materials Research Society without prior written authorization from the MRS President. University Chapters cannot incur indebtedness on behalf of the Society without similar written authorization.
• No action or obligations of a University Chapter shall be considered an action or obligation of the Materials Research Society. A statement to this effect must be imprinted in any contractual or financial agreement entered into by a University Chapter. MRS and its officers, directors members and employees are not liable for any actions taken by University Chapter officers and faculty advisors.