San Diego State University

Asian Pacific Student Alliance

Official Bylaws

Article I - Name

The name of the organization shall be the Asian Pacific Student Alliance (APSA). (Revised Spring 19)

Article II - Purpose

The Asian Pacific Student Alliance (APSA) is a non-profit, culturally-based organization established to unite diverse students at San Diego State University. APSA endeavors to encourage its members to learn about and celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) cultural identities, traditions and beliefs. Ultimately, the organization aims to inform and involve all members in issues that may affect their lives as AAPI individuals or the welfare of the AAPI community. (Revised Summer 20)

Article III - Membership

Section A. General Information

Eligibility for membership or appointed or elected student officer positions may not be limited on the basis of race or ethnicity (including color and ancestry), religion (or religious creed), nationality, citizenship, age, medical condition, genetic information, gender (or sex), gender identity (including transgender), gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran or military status, or disability. The organization shall have no rules or policies that discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity (including color and ancestry), religion (or religious creed), nationality, citizenship, age, medical condition, genetic information, gender (or sex), gender identity (including transgender), gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran or military status, or disability. Participation and membership in the organization shall be open to those enrolled at San Diego State University. (Revised summer 2021)

Section B. Voting Membership

To hold active voting membership status during the current election period, a member must have attended at least three (3) general meetings, and three (3) events. (Revised Spring 20)

Section C. Voting Rights

  1. Voting privileges are restricted to members of active status (a member must have attended at least three (3) general meetings, and two (2) events to be considered active), (Revised Spring 21) Executive Board members and APSA Auxiliary Heads (Revised Fall 22).
  1. A majority vote is required in the membership for any legislation to pass during general meeting other than amendments, ratification or impeachment during general meetings.

Section D. Associated Students

Only active members (a member must have attended at least three (3) general meetings, and two (2) events to be considered active) are entitled to Associated Students funds for the purposes set by “How to Spend Your A.S. Dollars”.

Section E. Student Life and Leadership

Officer qualifications and eligibility necessary to hold office in this organization are as follows:

  1. California State University policies require that to be eligible for office, candidates must be in good standing and enrolled students at San Diego State University
  2. California State University and San Diego State University policies require that the President and Treasurer must be matriculated at a CSU campus maintaining a minimum on campus term and cumulative 2.0 grade point average (GPA), are in good standing, and must not be on academic, disciplinary or administrative probation. The President and Treasurer must be enrolled in at least six units each semester while holding office. Graduate and credential officers must earn 3 semester units per term while holding office.
  3. Undergraduate students are allowed to earn a maximum of 150 semester units or 125 percent of the units required for a specific baccalaureate degree objective, whichever is greater. Graduate and credential students are allowed to earn a maximum of 50 semester units or 167 percent of the units required for the graduate or credential objective, whichever is greater. Students holding more than this number of units will no longer be eligible.

(Revised Summer 2021)

Section F. Membership Dues

There are no dues required for membership.

Article IV-Executive Board

Section A. Executive Board Positions

The Executive Board consists of the following positions: President; Executive Vice President; Vice President, Internal Affairs; Vice President, External Affairs; Director of Finance; Executive Secretary; Political Coordinator; Academic Coordinator; Activities Coordinator; Cultural Coordinator; Membership Secretary; Webmaster; and Historian. (Revised Spring 21)

Section B. General Information

  1. Voting Executive Board members shall include all officers, except for Advisor(s) and President.
  1. The President will only vote in the event of a tie.
  1. Quorum can be established with a population of one-half (1/2) + one (1) voting executive officers present.
  2. Any resignations from an Executive Board position must give a notice one (1) month, at minimum, to the Executive Board in order to appoint a replacement.
  3. Prior to Summer Retreat, co-directors and co-coordinators must collaborate to draft up mutual duties and expectations.

Section C. Executive Board Meetings

  1. Mandatory Executive Board meetings, separate from general meetings, shall be conducted weekly, unless otherwise specified.
  2. Special meetings may be called at the request of any Executive Board member.
  3. General members are allowed to attend and participate in Executive Board meetings under the following conditions:
  1. Do not hold voting privileges.
  2. Refrain from disrupting the meeting’s orderliness.

Section D. Elected Officer Duties

President:

  1. Represent APSA at all SDSU functions and external events.
  2. Chair and maintain order during Executive Board meetings.
  3. Supervise all Executive Board members for completing his/her respective duties and take disciplinary action if necessary.
  4. Appoint committees and vacant position with 2/3 approval of Executive Board.
  5. Oversee all APSA related activities, events, projects, and meetings.
  6. Held responsible for actions of the organization and its members during any of the organization’s activities.
  7. Conduct preparations and rehearsals for general meetings (e.g. obtain posters, props; check reservation with Meeting Services).
  8. Collaborate with the Executive Vice President to plan Summer and Winter Executive Board retreats.

Executive Vice President:

  1. Oversee Director of Finance, Executive Secretary, and the Political Coordinator in the completion of their respective duties.
  2. Perform the duties of the President in the President’s absence and in case of the vacancy of that title, shall succeed to the position of the President for the duration of the vacancy.
  3. Coordinate the annual Fashion Talent Show (FTS).
  4. Collaborate with the President to plan Summer and Winter Executive Board retreats.
  5. Director of Extended Executive Board.
  1. Chair and maintain order during the Extended E-Board Meetings.
  2. Provide opportunities for general members to participate in the organization’s planning
  3. Official representative liaison between the general members and the Executive Board.
  1. Plan and host a welcome back event for APSA at the beginning of fall semester.

Vice President, Internal Affairs:

  1. Oversee Activities Coordinator and Membership Secretary in the completion of their respective duties.
  2. Manage affairs and publicity within the SDSU campus.
  3. Coordinate all activities related to Homecoming, Greenfest, and Student Involvement Expos.
  4. Maintain relationships with other student organizations by creating a mutually beneficial relationship.
  5. Gather information about the events of other student organizations.
  6. Become the official APSA representative for the Student Diversity Commission, or assign an official delegate from within the Executive Board.

Vice President, External Affairs:

  1. Oversee Academic Coordinator, Historian, Cultural Coordinator, and Webmaster in the completion of their respective duties.
  1. Collaborate with Academic coordinators in order to establish and maintain relations with high schools within San Diego by providing workshops and other resources.
  1. Direct APSA promotional activities and events outside of the SDSU campus.
  2. Keep an updated record of APSA shirts for sale, including quantity and size.
  3. Coordinate community service events for APSA each semester.
  4. Purchase Executive Board apparel at the start of the term (e.g. name tags, jackets).

Political Coordinator: (Effective Immediately Executive Board 2015-2016).

  1. Raise awareness of Asian Pacific Islander (API) issues within the community.
  2. Collaborate with the Cultural Coordinator to coordinate at least one event per semester which educates and raises awareness about current API issues.
  3. Maintain and update a personal segment
  4. Act as a liaison for the APIDA Resource Center (Revised Spring 2022)
  1. Must organize a rollout to at least one APIDA related event every semester

Director of Finance:

  1. Provide financial reports to officers at every other Executive Board meeting.
  1. Following financial reports, authorize reimbursements; maintain records of all reimbursements, in conjunction with the President.
  1. Deposit funds into the APSA banking account and sign all checks for disbursements.
  2. Coordinate fund-raisers throughout the year, with the assistance of Executive Board members.
  3. Manage financial budgets for High School Conference (HSC), Fashion Talent Show (FTS) and additional APSA events requiring a budget.
  4. Maintain good relations with sponsors by properly fulfilling sponsorship contracts.
  5. Maintain records for gas reimbursements for Executive Board and General Board Members.

Executive Secretary:

  1. E-Mail all Executive Board members the logistics of conducting the general meetings.
  2. Prepare agendas for general meetings and Executive Board meetings.
  3. Document and maintain records of minutes during Executive Board meetings; additionally, upload minutes to Google Documents and disperse via e-mail.
  4. Maintain a record of all APSA events and activities throughout the academic year. (APSA Archives)
  5. Set-up and maintain account with printing services company. (Revised Spring 2021)
  6. Update the APSA events calendar.
  7. Maintain an updated record of the APSA Property List following each event.

Membership Secretary:

  1. Maintain a record of all existing and new members.
  2. Record members’ attendance at weekly general meetings and events.
  3. Maintain a record of current voting status for active members prior to election period.
  4. Outreach and update members regarding club activities.
  5. Maintain the APSAlumni Coalition, in conjunction with the Historian (see Article XII).

Academic Coordinator:

  1. Coordinate the High School Conference and its different committees that he/she/they organizes to execute APSA’s annual High School Conference.
  2. Be the APSA High School Conference Board Representative for the academic year he/she is sworn under.
  3. Responsible for updating and maintaining academic activities (i.e. study sessions, mentor/mentee program, etc).
  4. Be accessible for any questions or concerns regarding academics.
  5. Maintain a monthly reward system encouraging general board members to excel academically (Revised Spring 2022)

Activities Coordinator:

  1. Coordinate weekly icebreakers for general meetings.
  2. Plan and organize social activities (e.g. Knockout and Explore SD) throughout the academic year within APSA. (Revised Spring 16)
  3. Family System
  1. Assign officers to be “parents” (mentors) of different families
  2. Assign general members to be “children” of different families
  3. Coordinate family socials and competitions (e.g. FamBam Competitions and Coin Wars)
  4. Maintain an unbiased point system for the family competitions.

Auxiliary Director:

  1. Coordinate and manage intramural sporting events.
  2. Coordinate special sporting events with a minimum of one (1) during the academic year (e.g. Powder Puff, Sports Day, Beach Day).
  3. Coordinate an APSA social at a San Diego State University sporting event.
  4. Maintain a bi-weekly activity encouraging general body members to participate in physical activity per semester. (Effective Immediately Executive Board 2021-2022)
  5. Refer to Section B of Article XIII in the APSA Bylaws.

Cultural Coordinator:

  1. Provide insight into Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander issues at general meetings. (Revised Spring 16)
  2. In charge of coordinating cultural presentations twice a month.
  3. Work in conjunction with the VP External to provide guest speakers for cultural presentations.
  4. Coordinate the annual Night Market. (Revised Spring ’15)

Webmaster:

  1. Maintain an easily navigable web page consisting of:
  1. About / Purpose
  2. Events Calendar
  3. Alumni page
  4. Executive Board Members
  5. Contact information
  6. Sports
  7. High School Conference
  8. Fashion Talent Show
  9. Social Media links
  1. Work in conjunction with Executive Board members to outreach toward members, other organizations and the general public to achieve goals towards the benefit of APSA by:
  1. Update and maintain all other APSA pages on popular networking websites with respect to the delegations of webmaster. (Revised Spring ‘17)
  2. Create and maintain event notifications on networking websites, one (1) week prior to the event.

Historian:

  1. Document APSA’s events and activities through pictures and videos.
  2. Create an annual Executive Board member photo composite.
  3. Maintain a copy of flyers for all APSA events.
  4. Maintain APSAlumni Coalition, in conjunction with Membership Secretary (see Article XII).
  5. Make recap/slideshow of events for necessary purposes.
  6. Upload and maintain multimedia for archiving purposes. (e.g. Youtube and Flickr)

Section E. Appointed Officer Duties

Co-coordinator/Director:

  1. Hold voting rights consistent with Executive Board members.
  2. Hold all the same bylaws as their respective director/coordinator.
  3. Co-coordinators and co-directors will be overseen by their respective director’s Vice President.

Executive Assistant:

  1. Act as an assistant to the Executive Vice President, performing any task delegated by the Executive Vice President.
  2. Assist the Executive Vice President in organizing, planning, and hosting weekly E^2 meetings and the Fashion Talent Show.
  3. Act as an assistant to executive board to the discretion of the President and Vice-Presidents
  4. Plan and host a welcome back event for APSA at the beginning of fall semester.

Section F. Student and Community Advisor(s)’ Duties (Revised Fall 2016)

Student and Community Advisor(s)

  1. Provide advice, guidance, contact information, and one-on-one training to any Executive Board member to effectively perform their duties whenever needed.
  2. Temporarily authorized by the President to perform any Executive Board members’ duties only during emergencies if qualified.
  3. Must address any important issues to the President on any matters dealing with APSA-related functions, activities, and committees.
  4. Will be held personally responsible for his/her actions in assisting APSA, its officers, and its members during any of its activities.
  5. Be the mentor and resource for knowledge pertaining to the e-board.
  6. Record any vital information that improves and maintains the well being of APSA if  needed.

Section G. Faculty Advisor Duties

  1. The organization shall appoint an individual employed as a faculty or staff member by San Diego State University to serve as the university advisor to this organization as required by the California State University. The advisor shall fulfill the responsibilities specified in the SDSU Student Organizations Handbook. Advisors shall serve on an academic year basis or until their successor has been selected.
  2. [Optional] The organization shall also appoint a Community Advisor.

Article V - Committees

  1. Committees formed shall implement all policies, decisions, and programs concerning that committee at the discretion of the Executive Board.
  2. Executive Board members shall elect a committee chair who must be present at all Executive Board meetings and be responsible for all obligations imposed by the Executive Board.
  3. The purpose of a committee shall not overlap or conflict with existing committees.
  4. In the event, the individual is on two (2) or more standing committees, that individual may only chair one (1) committee.

Article VI - Parliamentary Authority

Executive Board meetings of APSA shall be conducted according to parliamentary procedures as set forth in the simplified version of Robert’s Rules by the president.

Article VII - Amendments

  1. Amendments to the Bylaws can be proposed and submitted in writing to the Executive Board to be voted on at the next Executive Board meeting.
  2. Bylaws will be amended by two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote by Executive Board members.

Article VIII - Impeachment

  1. An Executive Board member will be subjected for impeachment in the event of:
  1. Failure to comply with obligations and/or responsibilities.
  2. Committing detrimental conduct towards the organization.
  1. Impeachment shall be initiated by
  1. Four (4) or more active voting members; or,
  2. Two (2) or more current Executive Board members.
  1. The organization faculty advisor shall preside over trials of impeachment, where seven (7) jurors have active voting membership.
  2. A unanimous affirmative vote from the jury shall result in the removal from office.

Article IX – Interpretations

The Executive Board shall decide upon any areas not defined by the bylaws in the best interest of the organization, and make note of any discrepancies for future amendment to the bylaws.

Article X - Awards

Section A. Award Categories

  1. Member of the Year: This award will be given to a maximum of three general body members for outstanding dedication, and participation in fulfilling the mission of the Asian Pacific Student Alliance for the academic year. (Revised Spring 16)
  2. Officer of the Year: The award shall be chosen by the President and given to a maximum of three Executive Board members that have demonstrated outstanding leadership above and beyond their call of duties in fulfilling the mission of Asian Pacific Student Alliance for the academic year. (Revised Spring 16)
  3. Humanitarian Award: This award shall be given to one (1) individual who has demonstrated selfless commitment to an event, which fulfills the mission of the Asian Pacific Student Alliance for the academic year.
  4. Lifetime Achievement Award: This award shall be given to one (1) graduating student who has shown commitment and significant contribution to the Asian Pacific Student Alliance throughout their educational career at San Diego State University.
  5. APSA Graduation Award: Given to all graduating students of APSA that have been actively involved in any given time period during their enrollment at SDSU.

Section B. Guidelines

Guidelines for all awards:

  1. Recipients of last year’s award(s) shall not be eligible for the same awards.
  2. All members are eligible for the awards, in the case they have not won the year before.
  3. The voting members of Executive Board shall decide which awards will be given out.
  4. The President will be responsible in assigning a designee.
  1. Awards are appointed at either the last General Board Meeting of the academic school year or at the end of the year Banquet.

Article XI - Election

  1. All candidates must have attended three (3) general meetings and two (2) events in the current academic year they are running for office or by appeal by President and Executive Vice President.
  2. Candidates for President, Executive Vice President, External Vice President and Internal Vice President must have held an Executive board position for a year or by appeal from the Executive Vice President and President.
  3. Student Advisor(s) position(s) shall be appointed and is open to former e-board members willing to volunteer their time and efforts to assist APSA and must receive personal approval by both President and Executive Vice President elect.
  4. Eligible voters must meet the criteria of membership as set forth by Article III, Sect. B in the Bylaws.
  5. APSA election committees will consist of officers not running for office. Interpretations of election’s criteria shall be conducted by Executive board if necessary.
  6. Applications for election shall be open three (3) weeks prior to Election Day.
  7. Elections shall consist of a 4 (four) week process:
  1. Introduction
  2. Nominations
  3. Speeches/Interviews
  4. Silent Ballot
  1. Date(s) of election process to be determined by the current Executive board.
  2. Candidates running unopposed need over 2/3rds votes in the election to win the position. If over ⅓ votes go to abstain, the position turns to an interview process. (Revised Spring 17)

Article XII - APSAlumni Coalition 

Section A. Name

APSAlumni Coalition (Asian Pacific Student Alumni Coalition)

Section B. Purpose

The Asian Pacific Student Alumni Coalition is an alumnus-based coalition established to unite San Diego State University graduates, formerly involved in APSA.

Section C. Membership

Membership in the APSAlumni Coalition shall be open to former APSA members that have attended and/or graduated from San Diego State University. Members must have a submitted information sheet on file.

Section D. Duties & Responsibilities

  1. Send out bi-monthly bulletins of current and future events.
  2. Act as a resource center, which will be accessible to all APSAlumni members.
  3. Offer benefits to APSAlumni members during APSA events (e.g. Discounted admission, priority seating, special recognition, etc.)
  4. APSA Alumni Coalition will be responsible for APSA Graduation at APSA’s end of the year Banquet.

Section E. Members

  1. Provide advice, guidance, contact information, and one-on-one training to any Executive board member so he/she is able to perform their duties.
  2. Record any vital information that improves and maintains the well being of APSA.
  3. Be held personally responsible for his/her actions in assisting APSA, its officers and its members during any of its activities.
  4. Attend special meetings that may be called at the request of any member of the APSAlumni Coalition.
  5. Recruit other possible APSAlumni members to further expand the coalition.

Section F. Coordinators & Duties

Historian:

  1. In charge of sending a bi-monthly APSA bulletin to the members of APSAlumni Coalition.
  2. Bi-monthly bulletins must contain:
  1. APSA upcoming Events in the following Months.
  2. Previous APSA events (Pictures, Video, Mini-Article).

Membership Secretary:

  1. Maintain membership information and data for future members.
  2. Responsible for identifying current graduating APSA members and recruiting them.
  3. Have applications available for membership.
  4. Maintain hard-copies of applications.
  5. Work in coordination with Historian in gathering articles for the bulletin

Article XIII – APSArts

Section A. Program Structure

The officers of the program shall be the APSArts Director(s), APSA Music Coordinator(s), APSA Dance Coordinator(s), APSA Media Coordinator(s), and APSA Visual Arts Coordinator(s). Cultural Coordinator  will oversee all of APSA Arts Directors and coordinators. (Revised Spring 21)

Section B. Powers and Duties

APSA’s Auxiliary Director will take the position of the APSArts Director. The APSArts Director will oversee the APSArts Program as a whole and will head the Cultural division of the program by planning cultural performances and workshops. They will also be responsible for appointing APSA Music Coordinator(s), APSA Dance Coordinator(s), APSA Media Coordinator(s), and APSA Visual Arts Coordinator(s). (Revised Spring 17)

These bylaws were adopted on August 25th, 2022 and most recently revised on August 25th, 2022.