UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
STUDENT ORGANIZATION
CONSTITUTION

1. Name of Organization: STUDENTS IN FREE ENTERPRISE (SIFE)
2. Statement of Purpose:

The purpose of Students in Free Enterprise (hereinafter referred to as SIFE) is to provide college students the opportunity to develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills by applying free enterprise concepts learned in the classroom to real world situations.

These goals shall be accomplished through various local and university community outreach projects relating to the topics of entrepreneurship, business ethics, financial independence and free market economics. The projects will be developed and implemented by the members of SIFE team working through a team-leader approach.

3. Membership Eligibility Requirements:

Individual membership requirements are as follows:

1. Enrolled as a student of The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
2. Register with www.sife.org as a SIFE student.
3. Be a Business Minor, Business Major or Business Pre-Major

 

OR

In the estimation of the faculty of The College of Business Administration or of the current SIFE members, is a motivated team player whose experience and work ethic would constitute an asset to the SIFE team.

Any individual meeting the above requirements is eligible for membership in this organization regardless of race, sex, handicap, or national origin.

4. Officers:

Elected Officers, mandatory but not limited to, of this organization shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. These roles will be defined solely as an organizational means for the university. Other officers can be elected and appointed as needed by the SIFE team. Project team leader positions can be created and terminated at any time at the discretion of the SIFE team. Duties of the officers are as follows:

Officers must meet all membership criteria.

He/she must be in good academic standing at the time of appointment as well as during his/her term of office.

An officer will be ineligible for the office if found guilty of violating any Student Standards of Conduct or if he/she is on disciplinary probation.

5. Terms of Officers and Electing/Appointing Procedures:

Officers shall be elected annually by the SIFE team members during the third meeting of the month of April. Ballot will consist of Nominated and Self Declared candidates for elected positions. There must be at least two candidates for each elected position in order to ensure the fairness of the election.

An officer's term shall be for one year unless he/she is no longer able to fulfill his/her function, resigns or becomes ineligible for membership. If an officer is unable to complete his/her term of office, a new officer shall be appointed within one week of the beginning of the vacancy by the President.

Project Leaders shall be appointed by a consensus of SIFE team members present at the approval of the project at hand. If a Project Leader is unable to fulfill his/her duties, then either a new Project Leader is appointed or the project is terminated at the discretion of the SIFE team members present at the meeting.

Any SIFE team member is eligible to be appointed or elected to a position of office regardless of race, sex, handicap, or national origin.

6. Frequency of Meetings:

It is suggested that SIFE team shall meet weekly during fall and spring semesters except when such meetings would occur during breaks (Christmas, Spring Break, etc.) or on other holidays. Meetings may be held at other times of the year at the discretion of each project committee.

7. Financial Statement:

Should SIFE receive any funds from the University Programs and Service Fee Funds, such funds will be received and disbursed through the Student Activities Business Office. In the event that SIFE is dissolved, any funds received from the University Programs and Service Fee Fund will revert to that source and all other funds and/or property remaining will be distributed as determined by majority vote of the remaining members. SIFE is a non-profit organization.

8. Faculty Advisor:

One or more faculty advisors shall be selected by the membership of SIFE after the placement of officers in the fall semester or at anytime throughout the school year by the discretion of the current faculty advisor(s). SIFE may have multiple faculty advisors throughout the school year, however only one advisor will carry the title of "Active" Advisor. The role of the Active Advisor will be to mediate the meetings of SIFE and to encourage the formulation of project ideas.

9. Business Executive Advisory Board:

Five or more business executives from the surrounding area shall be asked to sit on a Business Advisory Board (BAB) to offer project suggestions and objective critique of SIFE's annual mission statement and project plans. A BAB member's term of office shall be for at least one year unless he/she is no longer able to fulfill his/her functions or if he/she should resign. SIFE will actively seek BAB members throughout the year. The advisory board will meet at least one time annually during the spring semester. Any additional meetings of the advisory board may be held throughout the year as deemed necessary by the current faculty advisor(s).