Article I. Name

The name of the organization shall be the Linguistics Group (LinG).

Article II. Purpose

This organization seeks both to promote the interests of the undergraduates affiliated with the Linguistics Department of Harvard University and to promote the study of linguistics in the campus community at large. The group will attempt to further its goals through appropriate means such as organizing and sponsoring public events, fostering a sense of community among linguists, and supporting the research and career-related efforts of the body of student linguists.

Article III. Membership

1. Membership in this organization shall be open to all students in good standing currently enrolled in Harvard College, regardless of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, or physical disability.

2. Membership shall be automatically extended to all concentrators registered with the Department of Linguistics, with each individual membership immediately terminable upon request of the student. Otherwise, membership shall be retained until the student severs relations with the University, whether by graduation or otherwise.

Article IV. Officers

1. The officers shall consist of a president, a vice-president of internal affairs, a vice-president of external affairs, a treasurer, and a secretary.

2. All officers shall be registered undergraduates in Harvard College.

3. The president shall be chief executive officer of the group and will take responsibility for general supervision and control of its activities, as well as leading the executive committee and presiding over the meetings thereof.

4. The vice-presidents shall assist the president and assume his or her duties, including the running of meetings, on occasions when the president is unable to attend. The vice-presidents shall also take charge of primary coordination and supervision of activities within their own specialty areas, where the vice-president of internal affairs specializes in events related to programs and speakers, and the vice-president of external affairs specializes in internship and career-related matters.

5. The treasurer shall have general charge of the financial affairs of the group and will take responsibility for the accurate upkeep of the records thereof. He or she shall also submit applications to any and all relevant grants and otherwise seek to further the financial well-being of the group.

6. The secretary shall be charged with keeping a record of all meetings of the group and of all activities and programs, as well as distributing those records as necessary. Any other publications of the group will also fall under the responsibility of the secretary.

Article V. Elections

1. Officers shall be elected annually by the members of the group. Elections shall be held during the fall term at a general meeting called for that purpose. The term of office shall start immediately upon election and shall terminate with the subsequent election meeting.

2. Any undergraduate member of the group may be nominated for election. Votes shall be held by secret ballot; members may vote by written proxy if necessary. Offices shall be awarded according to a majority vote of those attending the election meeting.

Article VI. Meetings

1. Meetings of the group shall be held for the purpose of determining policy, activities, programs, and other business. Meetings will be called as deemed necessary by the president or by the request of any three members of the group.

2. A simple majority of the executive committee shall constitute a quorum.

3. All members of the executive committee shall have one vote with respect to any resolutions put forward during a meeting. Votes may be submitted by written proxy if necessary.

Article VII. Amendments

1. This constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the group.

2. Any three members of the group may propose an amendment, which will subsequently be debated by the group at large. Amendments may be voted on at regular or special meetings.