Preamble:
The Multicultural Leadership Council (MLC) aims to create an environment for graduate students of diverse backgrounds to thrive at the University of Michigan. All MLC activities share the common goal of ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral parts of the graduate student experience at UM. The MLC is inclusive of racial/ethnic minority, women and gender minorities, international, LGBTQ-identified, disabled, first-generation graduate, or otherwise underrepresented students.
Article I: Name
The name of the organization will be The Multicultural Leadership Council
Article II: Affiliation with other groups
We currently represent graduate students from STEM, social sciences, and the humanities, including but not limited to leaders from the following organizations:
Students of Color of Rackham (SCOR)
Rackham Student Government (RSG)
Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO)
The Network for SPhDiversity at SPH
Multicultural Information Exchange (MIX)
Black Student Psychological Association (BSPA)
Integrating Diversity and Equality in the Academy (IDEA)
Society of Minority Engineers & Scientist (SMES-G)
Movement of Under-represented Sisters in Engineering and Science (MUSES)
Females Excelling More in Math, Engineering, and the Sciences (FEMMES)
Black Law Student Association (BLSA)
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Graduate Chapter (SHPE-GRAD)
Association of Multicultural Scientists (AMS)
Society for Advancement of Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
Political Science of Color (PSOC)
Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA)
African Student Association (ASA)
African Business Club (ABC)
SNRE Envoys
Black Medical Association (BMA)
Medical School Student Diversity Council
Public Health Students of African Descent (PHSAD)
Fordies4Inclusion (F4I)
Article III: Purpose, vision, mission, aims, functions of the organization.
Section 1. Purpose:
Ensure that diversity and inclusion are integral parts of the graduate student experience at UM
Support the academic experience and professional success of graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds
Create a safe space for underrepresented students to cultivate informal and formal social interactions across UM
Demonstrate meaningful allyhood by acknowledging privilege and accepting as truth the unique lived experiences of members
Provide a forum for graduate student-led organizations to share knowledge and resources that contribute to our shared vision of a more socially just and equitable society
Section 2. Mission:
The Multicultural Leadership Council (MLC) is a coalition of graduate student organizations representing diverse intersectional identities, communities, and academic disciplines across the University of Michigan. The MLC fosters collaboration and mutual support among our member organizations. We coordinate strategic actions that advance equity and promote an inclusive environment so that students at UM can thrive. We work with key stakeholders across campus and demonstrate meaningful solidarity with community-led movements at UM and beyond.
Section 3. The Multicultural Leadership Council understands and is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities of abiding by the University of Michigan policies and procedures.
Article IV: Membership
Section 1. Active membership shall include:
The following requirements are necessary to constitute active members: a) serves as a board member or chair of student organization serving graduate students at the University of Michigan, b) Attendance of at least one MLC meeting during a given semester.
MLC is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status in its membership or activities unless permitted by university policy for gender specific organizations.
Section 2:
Joining the organization: Interested individuals may join the organization by attending a meeting, requesting to be added to the MLC listserv, contacting a member, or emailing the group. To be considered active, the individual must meet the requirements outlined in Article IV, Section 1.
Upon joining the organization, all members agree not to undermine the purpose or mission of the MLC.
Section 3: A member may voluntarily withdraw from the organization by notifying the MLC of their desire to discontinue membership.
Article V: Officers
The Students of Color of Rackham (SCOR) Political Action Chair or co-Chairs will serve as the primary facilitator of MLC meetings. Facilitator(s) will preside at all meetings. Facilitators will be selected based on SCOR’s election procedures.
The MLC does not have a residing President or Chair. All member organizations share equal decision-making power.
Article VI: Advisor
The role and duties of the faculty/staff advisor shall include attending meetings, providing counsel to the executive committee, and advising the organization on policies, decision making, and leadership development. A willing faculty or staff member can be asked to serve in the role by the executive board in consultation with the general body members. The advisor shall not vote on official organization business.
Article VII: Operations
Section 1. Voting Eligibility:
Those members meeting all requirements of active membership as set forth in Article IV, Section 1 will be granted voting privileges. One vote is permitted per student organization represented. The organization voting must have been represented in at least one MLC meeting prior to the vote taking place. Organizations that do not meet voting eligibility may have a non-voting presence at the MLC meeting during which voting shall take place. The MLC shall maintain records of active member organizations that are eligible to vote. Any active organization may propose that a vote take place.
Section 2: Voting Procedure:
a) Group decisions will be determined by a supermajority (2/3) or more vote based on those in attendance at a monthly MLC meeting.
b) At least two days prior to an MLC meeting, the designated representatives for each member organization will be informed that a vote shall take place, and that if they cannot be present at the MLC meeting they may nominate a representative to take their place.
c) In the case that a member organization wishes to vote and cannot be in attendance or find a replacement, they may contact the MLC co-facilitators directly informing them of their desire to vote for, against, or abstain from a group decision.
d) MLC organization members will be given the option to attend a meeting and vote by phone or conference call if they cannot send a member organization representative to participate in-person.
Organizations that vote in favor, against, or abstain from voting will be made public to MLC membership.
For time-sensitive decisions, an online vote shall take place that requires complete consensus from active member organizations. An online vote will remain open for 48 hours at minimum. A single dissenting vote (excluding abstentions) from an active member will call for an in-person vote at the next MLC meeting, requires supermajority vote.
Section 3: Meeting structure.
All meetings will occur on a monthly basis at a time determined by the MLC co-facilitators to best accommodate the membership availability.
Article VIII: Finances
No dues will be collected by the MLC. Individual members’ organizations are responsible for costs their members incur. Individual members’ organizations may also collaborate and cosponsor fellow members’ initiatives.
Article IX: Quorum
Two-Thirds (2/3) of active members must be present ( in person, by phone or by representative) to constitute quorum for elections and official business that requires a vote.
Article X: Removal of Members and Officers
Section 1: Removal of Members
Any member in violation of Article III may be removed and replaced by a different representative from their organization through the following process: a) A written request by at least three members of the MLC.
b) Written notification to the organization, asking for an alternative representative to participate at future meetings
c) In the event that an alternative representative cannot be identified, the organization will be considered inactive until a representative is found.
Section 2: Removal of Organization
Any organization in violation of Article III may have their privileges as a member for the academic year revoked through the following process:
a) A written request by at least three members of the organization must be sent to the executive committee. b) Written notification to the organization in question, asking a representative to be present the next MLC meeting and prepared to speak.
c) A two-thirds (⅔) supermajority decision by active organizations (excluding the organization in question) for removal from the MLC for the remainder of the academic year.
d) Following removal, the organization may regain their privileges as members in the subsequent academic year.
Article XI: Ratification
This constitution must be ratified by two-thirds of all active members to take effect and shall be reviewed every 2 years.
Article XII: Statement of Compliance
The MLC has read and agrees to fully comply with the University's policies. We understand that the organization's registration is contingent on acceptance of these policies.