CONSTITUTIONArticle I- Name, purpose, and non-discrimination policy of the organization

Section 1: Omega Tau Zeta at The Ohio State University

Section 2: The primary purpose of Omega Tau Zeta is to promote sisterhood, eternal friendships, scholarship, humanitarianism, and Asian-American awareness in the University and in the community.

Section 3: This organization and its members shall not discriminate against any individual(s) for reasons of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or handicap.

Article II - Membership: qualifications and categories of membership:

Membership for the specific chapter at The Ohio State University is limited to those that are currently enrolled at The Ohio State University. To receive active membership one must be unanimously voted in by current members. Members must be in good academic standing in accordance to the rules designated by the Greek Office at The Ohio State University.

Article III - Organization Leadership: titles, terms of office, type of selection, and duties of the leaders:

The legislation committee will be comprised of the officers. The election committee will be comprised of the officers and members. The term of office starts fall quarter and continues until spring quarter. During mid-spring and summer the transition period occurs for the upcoming officers.

A) The President will: 1. Serve as spokesperson2. Represent the group3. Facilitate chapter meetings4. Oversee officers and member functions5. Be responsible for all necessary organization paperwork6. Serve as liaison for university and community networks

B) The Vice President will:1. Serve as the primary contact person2. Be in charge of scheduling of meetings3. Serve as liaison for the President4. Facilitate chapter meetings in the event of an absence from the

President5. Oversee members and group activities

C) The Secretary will:

1. Contact the members of Omega Tau Zeta for scheduled events and to schedule events

2. Maintain a schedule of events3. Maintain meeting minutes from every meeting

D) The Treasurer will:1. Be responsible for finances including all activity budgets, trust

budgets, and membership dues budgets2. Maintain a bank account of Omega Tau Zeta funds3. Maintain a history of budget use and activity4. Be in charge of fundraising5. Maintain tax information if necessary

E) The Public Relations Representative:1. Maintain a history of Omega Tau Zeta activities2. Serve as a contact for organized events3. Prepares and maintain literature for Omega Tau Zeta publicity

functions

F) Pledge Chair:1. Recruit members for Omega Tau Zeta2. Educate the new members about Omega Tau Zeta3. Plan, oversee, and execute all functions of all processes of

pledging4. Serves as main contact for new or interested members5. Provide guidance for new members

G) Philanthropy Chair1. Plan and execute all functions for annual Petal by Petal event2. Update ovarian cancer information as needed3. Serve as main contact for Petal by Petal event4. Serve as main contact for Petal by Petal Trust Fund and all

application procedures related to the Trust Fund5. Seek funding for Petal by Petal Event and maintain a record of

all annual funding sources

H) Webmaster1. Maintain osu.edu and omegatauzeta.com website and update

weekly2. Maintain website guestbook3. Maintain listserv and membership on listserv4. Required to keep a portfolio of website folders and subsequent

files5. Required to have ftp access and an html editor6. Serve as contact for website issues

I) Advisor1. Share knowledge, expertise, and experience2. Serve as a resource3. Aid in required organization paperwork

Article IV - Executive Committee: size and composition of the Committee:

The committee is comprised of the elected officers of Omega Tau Zeta. This Committee represents the general membership and conducts business of the organization between general meetings of the membership and reports its actions at the general meetings of the membership.

Article V - Standing Committees: names, purposes, and composition:

A) Fundraising Committee1. Purpose: Work with treasurer to determine, plan, and execute

active fundraisers to promote the finances of the group.2. Composition: Appointed members as deemed necessary by the

executive committee will determine the composition of this standing committee.

B) Rush/Pledge Committee1. Purpose: To aid the pledge chair to determine, plan, and execute

recruitment of new members and the process of pledging and initiation of new members.

2. Composition: Appointed members as deemed necessary by the executive committee will determine the composition of this standing committee.

C) Sisterhood and Special Activities Committee1. Purpose: To determine, plan, present, and execute active

sisterhood and special activities for the membership of Omega Tau Zeta.

2. Composition: Appointed members as deemed necessary by the executive committee will determine the composition of this standing committee.

D) Community Service Committee1. Purpose: To determine, plan, and execute community service and

community outreach events for the active membership of Omega Tau Zeta.

2. Composition: Appointed members as deemed necessary by the executive committee will determine the composition of this standing committee.

Article VI – Adviser(s) or Advisory Board: qualification criteria:

Advisers of student organizations must be full-time members of the University faculty or administrative and professional staff.

Article VII – Meetings of the Organization: required meetings and their frequency:

Meetings are held once every week and are mandatory for every member.

Article VIII – Method of Amending Constitution: proposals, notice, and voting requirements.

Proposals for Constitution amendment may be accepted from any active members of Omega Tau Zeta. The executive committee will undergo review of proposals. Legislation will require a majority vote of the voting executive committee present at the scheduled amendment meeting. A 2/3 majority vote of the voting active membership present at the scheduled amendment meeting is required if the preliminary review of proposal is passed by the executive committee.

Article IX – Method of Dissolution of Organization:

Dissolution of the organization must be agreed upon by the entire executive committee and voted upon by the organization as a whole. The dissolution of Omega Tau Zeta requires a unanimous vote from the current active membership.

BY LAWS

Article 1 – Parliamentary Authority: Parliamentary authority is given to the executive committee and majority vote of the membership organization. Absentees and non-voting membership during the execution of the vote will not be counted in the 2/3 majority. Only active members and therefore dues-paying members will be given the right to vote at the time of the vote.

Article II- Membership: New members must be unanimously voted in by current active members and must go through a pledging process. Once the pledging process is completed the new members become active members. All members are required to pay dues every quarter. The dues must be paid in full by the end of each quarter otherwise the member will not be able to participate the following quarter and will be considered inactive unless the executive committee provides lenient terms for compassionate circumstances and a budget plan for the member who is experiencing financial difficulty.

Article III- Election / Appointment of Government Leadership: Election will take place at or near the end of October. Ballot elections will be held for the above officer positions; if needed, new positions can be proposed and fulfilled. Anyone is eligible for office except for the position of president. The candidate for

presidency must serve on the executive committee to be considered for this position unless under extreme circumstances in which there are not enough members to account for the leadership position. In such circumstances, a nomination is required from the executive committee and approved by the membership. Those seeking a position shall request nominations. Election of positions will require a majority vote by the officers and members in a silent ballot. Appointment will go into effect the day after the members have been elected and the quarter will be termed transitory. All new officers are required to seek advisement from previous officers before assuming the new positions.

Article IV- Executive Committee: The specific duty of the executive committee is to serve as the preliminary authority to major actions taken in the organizational structure including Constitutional amendments, By-Law amendments, and appointments of sub-committees and standing committees. The executive committee is also responsible for determining disciplinary actions for non-complying members. The executive committee oversees all responsibilities of sub-committees and standing committees and membership behavior. Appointment of responsibilities must be constitutional and solely serve the advancement and maintenance purposes of the organization.

Article V- Standing Committee: The standing committee and sub-committees are under the government of the executive committee. All committee responsibilities henceforth will be determined by the executive committee as determined by the needs expressed by the executive committee and the general membership. All purposes served and responsibilities granted for and by the standing committee will be solely in the interest of Omega Tau Zeta.

Article VI - Adviser/Advisory Board Responsibilities: The advisor must be available to meet with the President once a month to provide guidance and support. Also, the advisor must be able to attend a dinner meeting with the organization once a quarter.

Article VII - Meeting Requirements: All members are required to attend a weekly meeting. Members have one excused absence and one unexcused absence a quarter. Disciplinary action will be assumed if a member misses more than two meetings.

Article VIII - Method of Amending By-Laws: By-laws may be amended by proposing in writing and reading the change at a general meeting of the membership and then bringing the proposed change up for a vote at the next general meeting with a 2/3 majority vote of the membership present.

Addendums to ConstitutionAs of May 2005

Vice President❖ In charge of winter retreat❖ Scheduling meetings is responsibility of secretary, not VP❖ In charge of quarterly member evaluations

Secretary❖ Keep record of meeting and event attendance and tardiness❖ Schedule OTZ as an organization❖ Reserve rm 311 for OTZ

Treasurer❖ Attend treasurer’s training meeting❖ Keep track of all receipts❖ Source website funding❖ Announce members’ quarterly dues balance❖ Update budget at end of each quarter

Public Relations Representative responsibilities are Social Chair responsibilities

Pledge Chair – does not recruit, recruitment is responsibility of Rush Chair

Advisor – Attend advisor meetings

Rush Chair❖ Keep records of all interested girls

❖ Provide interested girls with OTZ and Greek life information❖❖❖ Plan and propose rush events, involvement fairs, Asian mixer

❖ Pass out bids

❖ Keep interested girls updated on OTZ events❖ Discuss dues with interested girls❖ Contact interested girls continuously❖ In charge of inventory and crossover

Expansion Chair❖ In charge of application process❖ Maintain contact with interested schools❖ Serve as liason between interested schools and OTZ❖ Arrange for travel ❖ In charge of pledging interested schools

Historian❖ Take pictures throughout the year❖ Make a scrapbook at end of year

Philanthropy Chairs are also Spring Retreat Chairs

Retreat Chair❖ Reserve retreat location❖ Plan spring retreat – meals, activities, transportation

Greek Chair❖ Attend MCGC meetings

❖ Update chapter on events of other Greeks

Exec Board is composed of: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Pledge Chair

Meetings❖ You are allowed one excused and one unexcused absence❖ Please inform the entire sorority if you will be absent from a meeting as

soon as possible❖ In case of emergency, please attempt to first contact President ❖ Tardiness is defined as being late by five minutes or more

o Two tardies counts as one absenceo Each additional tardy will count as an absenceo Punishment for tardiness is $1/girl to the sorority funds (treasurer

adds to dues)

New members pay initiation fee at crossover that covers the cost of materials

Members undergoing Academic Remediation do not have to meet with Chapter Advisor and University Advisor

GRACE PERIOD❖ Meet with President and Exec board

❖ Must fill out grace period application forms

❖ Pay 1/4 of that quarter's dues

❖ Can only apply once during lifetime

❖ Must attend meetings, retreat, initiation, crossover, and final dinner

❖ Other events are by invitation only from President, Vice President,

Secretary, Treasurer, and Pledge Chair

❖ Pay for self at these invitation-only events

❖ Extra costs from mandatory events is out of pocket

❖ One major project to re-activate:

o Within two weeks, must present an action plan with:

▪ the necessary contact info for implementation of plan

▪ Event must be related to: service or Asian awareness (OTZ

pillars)

▪ Event ideas include mini-retreat, fundraiser, campus-wide

event that promotes OTZ/Asian awareness, or volunteering

event

GRACE PERIOD APPLICATION

Name:Date:

Please state your reason for requesting a Grace Period: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What are your current goals?

How can Omega Tau Zeta help you attain your goals during your grace period?

I, _______________, hereby have read and agreed to all the terms regarding the Grace Period status from Omega Tau Zeta. I understand my responsibility to the group during the one-quarter grace period of going to required meetings and events. I understand that at the end of the Grace Period I will automatically be changed to Activated status and cannot apply for a Grace period for the rest of the year. In order to be inactivated from the sorority, I will need to file for an Inactivation process. I understand that becoming an “Associate Member” or an Inactive member is a serious process and will be regarded as a serious situation.

Signature: _________________ Date: _________________

Chapter Advisor Approval:

Please state a brief reason for your approval of the Grace Period application:

Signature:__________________ Date:__________________

PROBATION PERIODIn addition to the stipulations for the grace period, you must also:

● On applications, specify that this is a probation period

● Study with an active sister at least once/week

● Must keep study log (on honor system)

● Turn in study log sheet at every chapter meeting to Vice President

● Have two consecutive quarters to bring up GPA to 2.50, if not, then

are forced to inactivate

PROBATION PERIOD APPLICATION

Name:Date:

Please state your current situation regarding a Probation Period: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What are your current goals?

How can Omega Tau Zeta help you attain your goals during your probation period?

I, _______________, hereby have read and agreed to all the terms regarding the Probation Period status from Omega Tau Zeta. I understand my responsibility to the group during the probation period of going to required meetings and events. I understand that at the end of the Probation Period I will automatically be changed to Activated status. In order to be inactivated from the sorority, I will need to file for an Inactivation process. I understand that Probation Period is a serious process and will be regarded as a serious situation. I will do my best improve academically.

Signature: _________________ Date: _________________

Exec board Approval Signatures:

Date:_________________

1._________________2._________________3._________________4._________________5._________________

INACTIVATION / RE-ACTIVATIONRULES & REGULATIONS

Executed as of Retreat - May 2004

INACTIVATION

• Unless you are required to be inactivated by the sorority due to academic, behavioral (meeting absences), or financial reasons (unable or unwilling to pay dues), you must follow the rules of inactivation

• Rules of reactivation are the same in ALL circumstances• Must fill out appropriate paperwork to start process• Counseling session is required• The chapter advisor must sign final paperwork after a meeting with the

advisor.• DO NOT announce your intent to inactivate as it causes unnecessary

anxiety within the sorority

An Inactive member:• Cannot remain on the email listserv• Cannot wear OTZ letters• Cannot attend OTZ meetings• Does not retain active membership privileges• May attend an OTZ sisterhood event with an invitation from the chapter• Is encouraged to attend OTZ public events.• Is still a sister, but is “Inactive.”

Reasons to go inactive:• Required by OTZ to assume inactive status due to financial or behavioral

reasons (e.g. not attending functions, academic delinquency, not paying dues).

• Extreme financial difficulty• Academic delinquency (i.e. GPA dropping below 2.5)• Compassionate family circumstances• Life-threatening circumstances (e.g. health problems)

Wrong reasons to go inactive: • Does not feel the ‘sisterhood’• Does not like the company of one of the members• Heard something from someone that someone said something bad about

me.• Wants more time to party• Has poor time management skills• Wants extra money to spend on things you don’t need

How going Inactive affects the sorority:• Brings undue stress on the sorority• Sorority takes heat for losing a member. Others will wonder, why did so

and so become inactive?• Many sisters will be disappointed, upset, and sad if a sister goes inactive.

If you are required by OTZ to go inactive:• You will need to fill out the application for Inactivation• If you do not fill out the application, you will be considered Inactive 2

weeks from the date the application was sent to you.• If you do not fill out the Inactivation application, you will not be eligible for

Reactivation.• All rules regarding inactivation will apply to you.• You must follow the same rules for reactivation.

REACTIVATION

• Must have a previous Inactivation application on file.• An application process is required to reactivate.• Must have a majority vote from current membership to rejoin.• Your Big serves as your advocate and will present your case to the active

members at a meeting.• If reactivation is allowed you will be required to go through a ‘Re-pledging’

process.

Re-pledging consists of:• A major OTZ project• Planning and executing an important event for the sorority• Your active status will be based on your actions during the re-pledging

project (i.e. were you responsible? Was the event successfully completed? Did you show a considerable amount of effort? Did you adhere to professional standards?)

REACTIVATION APPLICATION

Name:Date:Current Cumulative GPA :(Will be checked with University Records)

Please state your reason for petitioning for reactivation: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What were the reasons for your inactivation?

How can you ensure that another inactivation will not be repeated in the future?

How do you feel you can contribute to the Sorority after reactivation?

I, _______________, hereby have read and agreed to all the terms regarding the Reactivation process from Omega Tau Zeta. I understand my responsibility to the group during the process and understand that there is a required Re-pledging session. I understand that I will not be considered activated until I successfully complete the Re-pledging process. I understand that my Big Sister will be my petitioner. I understand that reactivation is a serious process and will be regarded as a serious situation by the Sorority. I agree to keep all information regarding the Re-pledging process confidential from all non-Omega Tau Zeta members.

Signature:_________________ Date:_________________

E-Board Approval: Y or N Date of Approval:E-board sign in space below:

Academic RemediationInformation & Guidelines

Omega Tau Zeta Sorority wishes to uphold the standard of academic excellence among the active members of the organization. The Greek Office Standard minimum cumulative G.P.A. is 2.25. Each quarter, the Greek Office will disclose the G.P.A. of all active and new members of the organization to the Chapter Advisor. The Chapter Advisor will review the information and inform the Chapter President and Vice President of those who will be required to enter academic remediation. Omega Tau Zeta will actively begin the remediation process for active members whose cumulative G.P.A. is at 2.50 or below.

The following persons will guide academic remediation:1. Current Chapter President2. Current Chapter Vice President3. Chapter Advisor(s)4. University Academic Advisor

- The member requiring academic remediation will first be informed by the Chapter President or Vice President about the notice of default in grades and the implementation of academic remediation. A confidentiality statement will be signed by the Chapter President and Vice President and will be included in the remediation packet to be given to the member.

- The packet will include the information and guidelines regarding academic remediation and a series of forms that must be completed by the member.

- The member will be required to list reasons for her academic problems in the past and how she plans to change your situation to ensure better success.

- The member will be required to have one meeting with a Chapter Advisor of Omega Tau Zeta. There will be a form to be completed for this portion of the remediation.

- The member will be required to have one meeting with an Academic Advisor of the University. There will be a form to be completed for this portion of the remediation.

- All forms must be completed and returned to the Chapter President or Vice President within 1 month from the date the remediation packet is received.

- The member in academic remediation will be set on a probationary period beginning with the current quarter. The member is required maintain a 2.75 quarter G.P.A. or higher for three consecutive quarters or until her G.P.A. is above 2.5 as an active member. Failure to do so will result in inactivation of the member from Omega Tau Zeta, which results in a suspension of privileges from the Sorority.

- Academic remediation can only be implemented once every 2 years. In the event that a member is required to be on academic probation twice within this time frame, the member will be inactivated, which will result in a suspension of privileges from the Sorority.

- Reactivation into Omega Tau Zeta is possible, given that the member has a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.51 or higher. The regular process and rules of reactivation will be implemented.

- Executive Officers must also uphold this standard of academic excellence. If her GPA falls below that standard 2.5, she will be also entitled to academic remediation and must abide by the same guidelines as above. The next highest officer will assume her position if she fails to reach the goals listed in the outlines and has to be inactivated due to academic difficulty.

- All forms must be completed and reviewed by the President and Vice President for completion. Failure to complete the forms in the requested time frame will result in automatic inactivation from Omega Tau Zeta.

- These forms will be kept on file with the Chapter Advisor in the event that you wish to reactivate into the Sorority at a future time. The Chapter Advisor will then review the forms if necessary.

TZ Symbols and MeaningsΩColors:

❖ Columbia blue- the founders mistook it for Columbus blue❖ Old gold- purity❖ Royal purple- royalty

Letters❖ Ω- balance of life❖ TZ- angel (in Chinese)

Motto - “Forever sisterhood we embrace strength in timeless friendship”

Stone - Jade

Symbol - Angel

Founding date - June 1, 2000

Pillars❖ Sisterhood❖ Academics❖ Service❖ Asian Awareness

Crest: ❖ Water lily- we are each a petal, like the water lily we cannot stay afloat

without one another❖ Water droplets- each droplet stands for one of the founders❖ Griffin- OTZ mascot, our protector, protects gold❖ Pyramid- building blocks of knowledge❖ Infinity sign- forever sisterhood❖ Molecules- stands for the overwhelming science majors of the founders❖ Banner – “She who knows all”

Pledging:❖ Gray – dirty ❖ Thursday- all gray because the founders crossed over that day❖ All white- purity❖ Tea- cleanse you❖ Bell- receiving your wings as an angel and part of the

sisterhood❖ Everything has do with hardship and cleansing❖ 7am- water lily blooms❖ Numbering by birthday- respect your elders❖ Pin- infinity sign

❖ Mr. Man- main library stands for knowledge and reconstruction of OTZ

Creed

We the women of Omega Tau Zeta represent a timeless sisterhood

among Asian Americans. We embrace the strength of our heritage,

which was bestowed upon us at birth. Like the river, the history of

our culture runs true and never ending. It is within all of our being

and through our blood. We are taught to respect the elders,

ourselves and fellow friends. The power of knowing who we are

gives us a sense of self-identity and confidence in all that we do.

We take this and see the world from a different perspective. We

have a lucid vision of our goals as Asian Americans. We benefit

from the two cultures. Diversity allows us to be well-balanced

individuals.