Constitution of the Students for a Fair Society
The mission of Students for a Fair[1] Society at Franciscan University of Steubenville (SFS at FUS) is to foster the growth of a spirit of solidarity and duty – after having encouraged an understanding and awareness of the human condition – for the University community. “Solidarity highlights in a particular way the intrinsic social nature of the human person, the equality of all in dignity and rights and the common path of individuals and peoples towards an ever more committed unity. Never before has there been such a widespread awareness of the bond of interdependence between individuals and peoples, which is found at every level” (Compendium of Social Doctrine §192). Too, SFS will attempt to provide interested students with reasonable opportunities and means for taking action to outweigh the influence and effects of various unfair situations, thoughts, ideals and movements in accordance with tenants and presuppositions of fairness as made manifest by the social and moral doctrine of the Church, instituted by Christ, and the life models of Saint Francis of Assisi and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, henceforth recognized as the patrons of this organization. In many respects, this organization intends to bring the “pro-life” movement to its more perfect fulfillment.
Various antithetical situations, thoughts, ideals and movements to Students for a Fair Society include but are not strictly limited to the following:
1. The dignity of the human person is being abused and ignored. Throughout the world, discrimination in many forms – especially against the pre-born, the poor, the weak, those suffering from bullying and/or sexual exploitation, the uninsured, the underinsured, the uneducated, the homeless, the hungry, the immigrant (viz. xenophobia), the imprisoned and those of varied sexual orientations/the LGBTQ[2] – is growing, and as a result, equal civil rights and due process is lacking;
2. Unchecked Capitalism, Liberalism, and Corporatism are leading to a further abuse of the human person;
3. Persons without work, unsafe jobs, work conditions that are discriminatory, a just living wage, paid leave and economic protection is absent;
4. The idea that a country or entity may go to war and participate in occupying various countries without just cause, meanwhile adhering to policies that allow ‘for-profit’ military contracting, which aid to the committal of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes against peace;
5. The government – nationally and locally – are too often unaccountable for their actions according to our domestic and international laws, meanwhile numerous citizens 18 years of age and over are overwhelmed by barriers in the voting process;
6. Media, though ideally well-intended, often times portrays what they report on with a discrimination and a bias.
The action of SFS will be the striving to provide interested students with the reasonable opportunities and means for taking action to outweigh the influence and effects of all unfair and unjust situations, thoughts, ideals, and movements through potentially hosting educational and information workshops, distributing flyers, constructing a website with various information regarding Catholic Social Teaching, publishing articles and editorials in SFS and other student periodicals, assisting in voting-drives, potential protests and boycotts, etc. As political interests may arise, attacks may come to face the organization regarding a Democratic, or a Liberal, or a Progressive point of view or approach. Having said this, our points of views happen to conform to the doctrine of the Church in various stances that the organization will take. Following the theological tradition of our patrons, we do not attempt to work from either Left or Right, but ever upward and always from Christ, the Center.
Membership is open to Franciscan University faculty, staff and students who, simply by their desire for a fair society, are presumed to be incorporated.
Voting privileges are available to all student members who have participated in at least one event; however, faculty, staff and community members are permitted to voice their opinions.
The organization is served by a President, a Prime Minister, and a Secretary.
-The President is responsible for the overall direction of the organization. The President is held responsible for every action of the organization and is entrusted with the constant overlooking of all the organization’s tasks and efforts, ensuring that the mission is always first. The typical term of the President is the remaining part of the semester that the person is voted in, plus two semesters or after having left the university, which ever happens first. The President may step down at any time; however it is recommended that he or she presents a worthy candidate to take his or her place should he or she desire to step down. Election, will take place 30 days into the President’s last semester, for the purpose of being shadowed until after the position is newly assumed. The President is voted in by a majority vote of the organization, and is able to appoint the PM and Secretary after their respective term.
-The Prime Minister’s (PM) role is to work with the President and organization to delegate tasks according to the capacity, as made available by the members, and the needs of the University community. Although the PM works with the President and the organization, the PM is entrusted with ensuring that the President is held accountable for his or her actions, in regard to school policy, law (where made available) and the organization’s mission, meanwhile being the direct influence of the internal workings of the entire organization’s membership. The PM may, once per President’s term, propose an impeachment of the President and succeed with two-thirds vote of the organization. Terms for PM should last one semester into succeeding President’s term.
-The Secretary’s primary role is to communicate information to and from the President(s) and note dialogue, or exchange, or conduct such dialogue or exchange on the behalf of the President. The Secretary will take minutes of the meetings.
The club will be funded by members, donations from friends and benefactors, and student funding from Student Government.
Amending to the constitution can take place when the President or the club members believe there is a situation that calls for a change. Any amendment must be put forth by the president and approved by at least a two-thirds vote of the club, with the presence of all the above mentioned officers. Consequently, if not all the officers approve the amendment it cannot be brought to vote.
The constitution is hereby ratified by majority vote of the club on the 4th day of October, 2011, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, a Patron of SFS.
[1] To avoid any and all confusion about our terminology of “fair” we defer to the definition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on Justice (§1807): “Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor. Justice toward God is called the "virtue of religion." Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good.” We have chosen the term “fair” with this meaning in mind, using it for syntactical purposes as opposed to ambiguity.
[2] While SFS is committed to ending unjust discrimination against those with same-sex attractions or who struggle with gender identity, SFS at the same time unreservedly supports the teaching of the Catholic Church on homosexuality as defined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and all the various pastoral directives regarding this issue. SFS affirms that Catholic moral teaching is not unjustly discriminatory, but rather this teaching affirms and supports the fundamental truth and dignity of each human person.
Various antithetical situations, thoughts, ideals and movements to Students for a Fair Society include but are not strictly limited to the following:
1. The dignity of the human person is being abused and ignored. Throughout the world, discrimination in many forms – especially against the pre-born, the poor, the weak, those suffering from bullying and/or sexual exploitation, the uninsured, the underinsured, the uneducated, the homeless, the hungry, the immigrant (viz. xenophobia), the imprisoned and those of varied sexual orientations/the LGBTQ[2] – is growing, and as a result, equal civil rights and due process is lacking;
2. Unchecked Capitalism, Liberalism, and Corporatism are leading to a further abuse of the human person;
3. Persons without work, unsafe jobs, work conditions that are discriminatory, a just living wage, paid leave and economic protection is absent;
4. The idea that a country or entity may go to war and participate in occupying various countries without just cause, meanwhile adhering to policies that allow ‘for-profit’ military contracting, which aid to the committal of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes against peace;
5. The government – nationally and locally – are too often unaccountable for their actions according to our domestic and international laws, meanwhile numerous citizens 18 years of age and over are overwhelmed by barriers in the voting process;
6. Media, though ideally well-intended, often times portrays what they report on with a discrimination and a bias.
The action of SFS will be the striving to provide interested students with the reasonable opportunities and means for taking action to outweigh the influence and effects of all unfair and unjust situations, thoughts, ideals, and movements through potentially hosting educational and information workshops, distributing flyers, constructing a website with various information regarding Catholic Social Teaching, publishing articles and editorials in SFS and other student periodicals, assisting in voting-drives, potential protests and boycotts, etc. As political interests may arise, attacks may come to face the organization regarding a Democratic, or a Liberal, or a Progressive point of view or approach. Having said this, our points of views happen to conform to the doctrine of the Church in various stances that the organization will take. Following the theological tradition of our patrons, we do not attempt to work from either Left or Right, but ever upward and always from Christ, the Center.
Membership is open to Franciscan University faculty, staff and students who, simply by their desire for a fair society, are presumed to be incorporated.
Voting privileges are available to all student members who have participated in at least one event; however, faculty, staff and community members are permitted to voice their opinions.
The organization is served by a President, a Prime Minister, and a Secretary.
-The President is responsible for the overall direction of the organization. The President is held responsible for every action of the organization and is entrusted with the constant overlooking of all the organization’s tasks and efforts, ensuring that the mission is always first. The typical term of the President is the remaining part of the semester that the person is voted in, plus two semesters or after having left the university, which ever happens first. The President may step down at any time; however it is recommended that he or she presents a worthy candidate to take his or her place should he or she desire to step down. Election, will take place 30 days into the President’s last semester, for the purpose of being shadowed until after the position is newly assumed. The President is voted in by a majority vote of the organization, and is able to appoint the PM and Secretary after their respective term.
-The Prime Minister’s (PM) role is to work with the President and organization to delegate tasks according to the capacity, as made available by the members, and the needs of the University community. Although the PM works with the President and the organization, the PM is entrusted with ensuring that the President is held accountable for his or her actions, in regard to school policy, law (where made available) and the organization’s mission, meanwhile being the direct influence of the internal workings of the entire organization’s membership. The PM may, once per President’s term, propose an impeachment of the President and succeed with two-thirds vote of the organization. Terms for PM should last one semester into succeeding President’s term.
-The Secretary’s primary role is to communicate information to and from the President(s) and note dialogue, or exchange, or conduct such dialogue or exchange on the behalf of the President. The Secretary will take minutes of the meetings.
The club will be funded by members, donations from friends and benefactors, and student funding from Student Government.
Amending to the constitution can take place when the President or the club members believe there is a situation that calls for a change. Any amendment must be put forth by the president and approved by at least a two-thirds vote of the club, with the presence of all the above mentioned officers. Consequently, if not all the officers approve the amendment it cannot be brought to vote.
The constitution is hereby ratified by majority vote of the club on the 4th day of October, 2011, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, a Patron of SFS.
[1] To avoid any and all confusion about our terminology of “fair” we defer to the definition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on Justice (§1807): “Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor. Justice toward God is called the "virtue of religion." Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good.” We have chosen the term “fair” with this meaning in mind, using it for syntactical purposes as opposed to ambiguity.
[2] While SFS is committed to ending unjust discrimination against those with same-sex attractions or who struggle with gender identity, SFS at the same time unreservedly supports the teaching of the Catholic Church on homosexuality as defined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and all the various pastoral directives regarding this issue. SFS affirms that Catholic moral teaching is not unjustly discriminatory, but rather this teaching affirms and supports the fundamental truth and dignity of each human person.