By-Laws

(Established 2005)

Article I. Name

The official name of the Liberty University chapter of 
Sigma Delta Pi is Pi Chi.

Article II. Purposes

The purposes of this society are:

1. To honor those who attain excellence in the study of the Spanish language and in the study of the literature and culture of the Spanish-speaking peoples;

2. To honor those who have contributed to furthering excellence in the study of the Spanish language and culture through honorary membership;

3. To encourage the students of Liberty University and its community to foster interest in Spanish language and culture;

4. To encourage the involvement of both native and non-native Spanish speakers;

5. To serve its membership in ways which will contribute to the attainment of the goals and ideals of Sigma Delta Pi and Liberty University as outlined in the Liberty Way.

Article III. Membership

Section 1.

Pi Chi shall receive into its membership those who demonstrate Christian character, show interest in Spanish study, and have good academic standing. Membership shall be conferred in strict accordance with the standards established by the Association of College Honor Societies. The bases of selection shall be: (1) the scholastic or professional record of the candidate; (2) the distinction the candidate has achieved in the field of Hispanic studies; (3) the candidate's demonstrated support of the goals and ideals of the chapter; (4) the character of the candidate.

Section 2. 

There shall be three classes of membership: active, alumnus, and honorary as enumerated in the national by-laws.

Section 3. Active Membership.

To become a member, a student must have a 3.25 GPA in Spanish courses and a 3.0 GPA overall.  The student must have obtained 18 hours of Spanish credits including two 300/400 level Spanish courses.

Pi Chi does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, or disability.

Each member will be required to attend one chapter meeting per semester.  Attendance will be taken at each meeting through the use of a sign-in sheet.  Those who do not meet the minimum requirements of membership will not receive their graduation cords/stoles. 

Cords and stoles must be paid for by each member. All members have the option of purchasing a Spanish Gold stole, but only officers have the option of purchasing a Pageant Stole.

Section 4.  Election of Membership

The officers, the advisor, and Spanish professors will work in conjunction to identify prospective members based on academic performance and officer and professor recommendations.  Candidates who meet the qualifications for active membership will be notified through a personal presentation of an invitation during a Spanish class when possible. 

Section 5. Presentation of Membership Invitation

Officers will personally present the invitation to the candidate in his or her current Spanish class when possible.  This will occur within the first two months of the fall semester of the new school year.  The officer will obtain permission from the professor to address the class before the class begins.  He/she will present the invitation to the student with the following announcement in English or Spanish:

“My name is ­­__________.  I am the (officer title) of Pi Chi, Liberty University’s chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Spanish Honor Society.   SDP is a prestigious society honoring college students who excel in Spanish studies.  In order to qualify for membership, students must have displayed academic excellence by obtaining a 3.0 overall GPA with a 3.25 GPA in Spanish classes and must be a person of good moral standing.  We would like to invite the following student(s) to apply for membership in Pi Chi. 

“Me llamo __________. Soy el/la (título de oficio) de Pi Chi, el capítulo de la Universidad Liberty de Sigma Delta Pi, la Sociedad Nacional Honoraria Hispánica. SDP es una sociedad estimada que reconoce a estudiantes universitarios destacados en los estudios hispanófilos. Para hacerse socio, el estudiante tiene que demostrar su excelencia académica por mantener un promedio de 3,0 en todos sus cursos universitarios y un promedio de 3,25 en sus cursos de español. Además, se le obliga a ser personas de gran integridad. Queremos invitarles a los estudiantes siguientes que se hagan socios:”

Section 6. Alumnus Membership.

Any member of Sigma Delta Pi, upon concluding his/her institutional studies, gains the status of alumnus member as delineated by the national by-laws. 

Section 7. Honorary Membership.

Pi Chi has the right to bestow Honorary Membership on reputable persons in the community who have furthered interest Spanish language and culture. This class is not open to students, graduate or undergraduate. For honorary and all other types of members, the national initiation fee must be paid by the chapter and the membership certificate and insignia presented during the initiation ceremony.

Section 8. Initiation Ceremony.

The initiation ceremony shall be conducted according to the national by-laws with the exception that “el altar” shall be referred to as “la mesa.”   The ceremony should be held in October or early November of each academic year.

Article IV. Amendments

These by-laws may be amended by a simple majority vote.  Written notice of any proposed amendment must be signed by members.  Amendments must remain within the confines of the national by-laws and the Liberty Way.

Article V. Officers

Section 1. President

The president will be the chief collaborator with the faculty advisor.  He/she will be responsible for the scheduling and order of officer meetings.  The president will also oversee the officer meetings and will serve as a mediator between the chapter and the advisor.  The president must an elected officer who will serve no more than one full school year in office.

Section 2. Vice President

The Vice President shall provide support for the President and Secretary-Treasurer and enhance communication within the Executive Committee. He/She shall be responsible to fulfill Presidential duties in the President’s absence.

Section 3. Secretary

The Secretary shall take careful notes during each meeting and from these prepare an accurate set of minutes in duplicate, one copy for the chapter’s record book and one for the adviser’s file.  The Libro de Registro will be kept in the adviser’s office, where the Secretary shall be free to consult it.  All chapter records maintained by the Secretary during the academic year shall be left with the adviser during the summer.  The Secretary also handles most of the correspondence of the chapter, including the preparation and mailing of invitations to prospective and elected candidates.  Special invitations to proposed honorary members and speakers or lecturers should be sent with the signature of the chapter President.

Section 4. Treasurer

The positions of Secretary and Treasurer may be performed simultaneously by one officer.

Section 5. Webmaster

The Webmaster is responsible for updating the chapter website after each election with the new officers’ names and maintaining the calendar of events.  The website may include a page for photographs and links to other chapters and to the SDP homepage.  This may be a separate position or another officer may assume these duties.

Section 6. Officer elections

New officers will be chosen via elections at an officers meeting toward the end of the spring semester (March or April).  At this, a new president will be selected.  There is no need to elect other officers unless a seat is vacant.

Section 7.  Replacement of Elected Officers

If the President, for any reason, is no longer able to fulfill his/her duties, the Vice-President shall assume the duties of President.  If, for any reason, the Vice President or Secretary-Treasurer can no longer fulfill their prior duties, the Executive Committee, with the approval of the advisor, will elect a member to fulfill the vacant position.

Section 8.  Removal of Officers

If any of the officers shows a repeated lack of competence, cooperation, and commitment to their position or exhibits actions directly contrary to the code of conduct in the Liberty Way, they may be removed by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Committee with the approval of the advisor.  The officer may also be offered the opportunity to resign his or her position.  The position will be filled as per the guidelines for normal officer elections.  If the President is removed, the Vice-President will assume the role of President and another member will be appointed as Vice-President with the approval of the Executive Committee and the advisor. 

Article VI. CSER credit

Officers may use their time in office to fulfill the CSER requirement at Liberty University.

Article VII. Dues and Fees

Section 1. Member Installation Fee.

To be installed as an active member in the Pi Chi chapter a member must pay an initial fee.  This fee provides for lifetime membership, a membership certificate, and the society insignia in the form of a lapel pin. The payment of the fee applies only to active and honorary members.  Whereas active members must personally pay the Installation Fee, Pi Chi will pay for the membership fee for nominated honorary members.  Alumnus members are not required to pay again when they affiliate with a local chapter since they have already paid this fee to another chapter of Sigma Delta Pi.  This amount of the installation fee will be determined by the officers of Pi Chi before sending membership invitations. 

Section 2. Membership Dues.

No annual dues are required to retain membership. 

Section 3. Fundraising.

A portion of the payment for the installation of new members will aid in paying for the aforementioned certificates and lapel pins.  In addition to this, this payment will also aid in funding future initiation ceremonies and events for Pi Chi.  In order to further the goals of Pi Chi, fundraising may be necessary.  Aside from the use of the initiation fees to fund meetings, students might be required to participate in chapter-wide fundraising events.  These fundraising events, though not required, are to be held when needed.

Article VIII. Chapter Activities

 
Section 1. Minimum Requirements

 

Pi Chi will hold a minimum of two chapter meetings per semester.  All active members and faculty advisors shall attend at least one chapter meeting per semester.  Officers should attend both chapter meetings.

 

Section 2. Activities

 

Officers may also schedule activities that would be considered beneficial to the goals of Pi Chi.  Some examples may be coordination with other chapters, going to dramas, or serving the community.

 

Section 3. Officer/Executive Council Meetings

 

Officers should hold biweekly meetings throughout each semester.  Additional meetings will be conducted on an as-needed basis.