The Columbia University Foreign Language Initiative
Constitution
Preamble:
Students often face several obstacles when attempting to develop their foreign language skills in college.
Although college-level language instruction in the classroom is excellent, it can be very challenging to find
ways to put foreign language skills to use in practical settings. Many students find it difficult to incorporate
a language into their schedule. The Columbia University Foreign Language Initiative aims to address these
issues and to help promote multilingualism in an increasingly globalized world.
Article I: Name
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be The Columbia University Foreign Language Initiative,
hereafter referred to as CUFLI.
Article II: Purpose
Section 1. The purpose of this organization shall be to promote language learning among students by
providing casual language instruction as well as innovative, engaging opportunities and events though which
students can practice their foreign languages outside a classroom setting.
Section 2. The Executive Board will serve as the leadership team and represent the Chapter. The
membership of the Executive Board shall include a Coordinator, Vice Coordinator, Treasurer, Secretary,
Mentoring Chairs, Tutoring Chair, Academic Events Chairs, Publicity Chairs, Webmaster, Historian, First
Year Representatives, Social Events Chairs and if applicable, Senior Advisor(s).
Article III: Membership
Section 1. Membership in this organization is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff
and alumnae. The group will not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, religion,
creed, color, handicap, disability, veteran status, national origin, ancestry or sexual orientation.
Members may discontinue membership at will.
Section 2. A CUFLI member is defined as a student who attends a minimum of two meetings
throughout the academic year. In order to be considered an active member, a
student must attend at least half of the events each semester. Only active members may vote or hold office.
Article IV: Executive Board
Section 1: The Executive Board will serve as the leadership team and represent CUFLI. The
membership of the Executive Board shall include a President, Vice President, Treasurer,
Secretary, Education Chairs, Conversation Chairs, Special Events Chairs, and Publicity Chairs.
operations, delegate responsibilities
Section 2: President
The president of CUFLI shall organize and preside over group activities and meetings. He/she shall be
charged with ensuring that club activities are faithful to CUFLI’s purpose, serving the interest of CUFLI
members, enforcing the duties of other officers, and upholding the laws and regulations of the Constitution.
Section 3: Vice President
The Vice President is responsible for assisting the President in carrying out the duties described in Section 2.
He/she shall also initiate contact, establish collaborative working relationships, and maintain communications
with other student groups/university organizations.
Section 4: Treasurer
The Treasurer shall manage the Chapter’s budget as outlined by ABC and Columbia University. The
Treasurer shall also provide regular updates on the budget during Executive Board meetings and work
with all the Chairs to come up with an outlined budget for their respective events at least 1.5 weeks prior to
the scheduled event. The treasurer shall also keep track of all receipts and records relating to the financial
transactions of the club.
Section 5: Secretary
The Secretary shall be responsible for club communications, as well as other administrative tasks. It is his/
her duty to take notes at meetings and to email these to the Executive Board, to email club communications
to members, to promote events in other list-servs, and to generate sign-in sheets for meetings and non-
mentoring events. The secretary shall also keep track of attendance and active members, as well as maintain
the club list-serv.
Section 6: Education Chairs
There shall be two Education Chairs in charge of planning/implementing language learning events and
teaching activities, as well as delegating responsibilities tied to these events. The chairs will be responsible
for organizing the CUFLI Language Lessons program, which shall met at least four times per semester. It
is the duty of the chairs to recruit and select teachers, as well as to budget for and advertise the program.
Lessons will be taught in at least one but preferably two or more languages. In addition, the chairs shall plan
at least one other language learning event per semester.
Section 7: Conversation Co-Chairs
There shall be two Conversation Chairs in charge of planning/implementing conversation and language
practicing activities, as well as delegating responsibilities tied to these events. The chairs will be responsible
for organizing the CUFLI Hungry for Languages conversation groups, which shall meet two to four times per
month. In addition, the chairs shall plan at least one other conversation event per semester.
Section 8: Special Events Co-Chairs
There shall be two Special Events Chairs in charge of planning/implementing special events and activities
that fulfill the purpose of CUFLI, as well as delegating responsibilities tied to these events. The chairs will be
responsible for organizing CUFLI Cultural Outings, which shall occur at least twice a semester. In addition,
the chairs shall plan at least one other special event per semester.
Section 9: Publicity Co-Chairs
There shall be two Publicity Chairs in charge of publicity for the group. The duties of the chairs include
designing publicity materials, coordinating/executing publicity campaigns, and updating social media.
The publicity chairs shall also be responsible for creating and distributing an end of semester newsletter
summarizing the year’s events.
Section 10: Officer Selection
At the end of each school year elections will be held for existing positions. Any new positions as
determined by the board will be filled through application and interview process. Current board members
must attend the interview of potential officers.
Section 11: Terms of Office
New board members shall be chosen at the end of spring semester and serve for one academic year.
Section 12: Officer Replacement/Removal
Officers may be replaced or removed as requested by a minimum of six CUFLI
members. Petitions for replacement must be submitted in writing to the Executive Board. The Board is
responsible for assessing the situation and call for a majority vote on the matter.
Article V: Dues
CUFLI will not charge dues.
Article VI: Amendments to By-Laws
Any active member may propose an amendment to the constitution. Members must provide
written notice of the proposed amendments to the Executive Board to analyze and review.
Furthermore, members will be informed of the proposed amendments. In order to pass an amendment, a
quorum of active members must be present to vote and the amendment must pass by a two-thirds majority.
Article VII: Agreement to abide by university policies
CUFLI agrees to abide by the policies of Columbia University, Barnard College, as
well as all federal, state and local laws.
Article VIII: Ratification
This constitution shall be established by a vote of a ¾ majority of the membership of the organization.
This document was written on the sixteenth of February, 2012.