Multicultural Student Journalists Coalition
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Multicultural Student Journalists Coalition, who are pursuing a more diverse, intersectional, and
inclusive educational experience that promotes a journalistic environment conducive to success regardless of ethnicity,
gender, disability, color, national origin, race, sexual orientation, subscribe to the regulations and policies of Arizona State
University, establishing this Constitution to govern the matters within our organization.
Article I - Name and Purpose
Section 1 The name of this organization shall be: Multicultural Student Journalists Coalition; MSJC
Section 2 NAJA at ASU; NABJ at ASU; NAHJ at ASU; AAJA at ASU
Section 3 The purpose of this organization shall be to:
Create a coalition of multicultural student journalists dedicated to:
a) Advocating for students who experience discrimination within the educational space and hold
the instituition accountable
b) Serving as a resource for the student body as a bridge of communication to the institutional
administration
c) Requiring a professional staff that is more accurately reflective of the fast-changing journalistic
work field
d) Requiring an academic curriculum that is more accurately reflective of the fast-changing
journalistic work field
e) Being involved in the hiring process of new Cronkite faculty to ensure student input is given
space
f) Creating dialogue between the different organizations working towards intersectional progress
Article II – Non-Discrimination Statement
Section 1 Membership and all privileges, including voting and officer positions, must be extended to all students
without regard to age, ethnicity, gender, disability, color, national origin, race, religion, sexual
orientation, or veteran status. Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 106.14, makes an
exception for social fraternities and sororities, in regard to gender, for membership criteria. Religious
student organizations will not be denied registration solely because they limit membership or leadership
positions to students who share the same religious beliefs. These groups, however, may not
discriminate in membership or leadership on any other prohibited basis (i.e., age, ethnicity, gender,
disability, color, national origin, race, sexual orientation, or veteran status).
Article III - Membership
Section 1 Members must be active participants in at least one of the existing diversity organizations, meaning they
have paid dues and attended at least one meeting or event per semester. As well as a student at the
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Section 2 There shall be (1, 2, or more) faculty/staff advisors who shall be member(s) ex-officio with no voting
privileges.
Article IV - Officers
Section 1 Elected officers of this organization shall consist of:
a) Two Co-Presidents: Serve as student liaisons, and club representatives for meetings outside of
the coalition. Work to maintain active membership and participation, coordinate statements and
delegate within the executive board to complete projects. Set agenda for meetings, keep track
of standing items of discussion, and send to the secretary 24 hours prior to meetings. Develop
a timeline that states coalition priorities as well as long term and short term goals, consistently
refer back to the timeline with the executive board to ensure the coalition stays on track.
b) Secretary: Serves to organize meeting notes and minutes, keeps track of executive boards
schedule’s on a spreadsheet so we know generally what days work for who. Organizes polls for
meetings, event calendar and schedules meetings. Keeps shared drive organized and on track.
c) Treasurer: Serves to coordinate coalition funds, fill out the budget request, purchase request,
and take the lead on fundraising. Serves to keep track of the coalition's debit card. Work with
the Co-President as needed. Attends finance meetings if possible.
d) Public Relations: Serves to keep in contact and work with member organizations (NABJ, NAHJ,
NAJA, and AAJA), make ourselves known as a resource to member organization members.
Serves as a point of contact for other coalitions such as the BAC and other student unions for
potential collaborations.
e) Marketing: Serves to facilitate media relations for stories and other purposes. Manages social
for MSJC and member organizations including promotional items and external marketing.
Works closely with the public relations team.
Section 2 Qualifications for each office: Must be an active member of the Multicultural Student Journalists
Coalition, and subsequently an active member of at least one of the diversity organizations at Cronkite,
for at least one academic year.
Section 3 Term of office shall be: Terms of office for the executive board shall be two years. All officers and
representatives of the organization shall be elected at an annual meeting and may serve in the same
office no longer than two consecutive terms.
Section 4 Provisions for removal of an officer shall be: Co-Presidents, with the executive board's approval, shall
have the authority to remove from his or her seat any officer, representative or regional director who has
not been active or devoted the time necessary to carry out his or her duties.
Section 5 Vacancy of an Office: In the case of a vacant officer position, the Co-Presidents and remaining executive
board will split the duties of said office.
Article V - Elections
Section 1 Election of officers shall be held: At the end of the academic year (March or April) elections will be held
for all positions on the executive board.
Section 2 Provisions for filling vacancies: A removed officer shall be replaced by one elected by a plurality vote of
the Chapter membership. If there are no members interested, the executive board will split the role of the
position for the remainder of the academic year. Vacancies shall be filled at the meeting following the
removal.
Section 3 Procedures for voting shall be: All members who are in good academic standing and have attended at
least one meeting per semester are eligible to vote in the election that year. Elections will happen in a
general council meeting specified by the executive board, a majority is needed to win the desired
position.
Article VI - Meetings
Section 1 Regular meetings of this organization shall be held: Organization meetings shall be held once a month,
according to the availability of the executive board.
Section 2 A quorum shall consist of (X) voting members or a percentage of voting members present at any
meeting: Three-sixths of the executive board must be present in order to conduct a meeting.
Article VII - Advisors
Section 1 There shall be (1, 2, or more) faculty/staff advisors who shall be member(s) ex-officio with no voting
privileges.
Section 2 Method of selecting advisor: Interviewed by the general body of the coalition and elected in a vote by the
executive board.
Section 3 Duties or responsibilities of the advisor shall be: The advisor of MSJC will help the executive board
serve the overall organization. The advisor shall work hand in hand with the executive board
to ensure that all duties are being responsibly carried out.
Article VIII - Amendments
Section 1 The constitution may be amended by a vote of: Any member who is in good standing and has attended
one meeting per semester may propose an amendment to the constitution. The amendment must be
given to the president a week before a biweekly meeting to be reviewed by the executive board along
with the advisor before the next meeting. The amendment will be voted on and must receive at least a
two-thirds majority to be put into place.
Date 6/25/2020
Signature of 1st Officer
Nicole Shinn
Co-President
Date 06/25/20
Signature of 2nd Officer
Raphael Romero Ruiz
Co-President
