Article I: Purpose
The purpose of the Texas Blazers is threefold:

1. To serve the University of Texas and Austin community through volunteerism
2. To uphold and promote University of Texas spirit and traditions
3. To provide campus leadership through involvement while maintaining high standards of academic excellence

Article II: Membership

A. The Texas Blazers are chosen on the basis of proven scholarship, campus leadership, campus and community service, and a sincere desire to maintain the traditions, further the goals, and contribute to the development of the University of Texas at Austin.

B. Members must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

C. The Texas Blazers strive to maintain membership that is representative of the diverse student body at the University of Texas.

D. The Texas Blazers do not tolerate hazing of any kind. Members who haze may be dismissed by a majority vote of the Texas Blazers officers.

Article III: Eligibility for Membership

A. Prospective members must be University of Texas students who have completed a minimum of two long semesters in residence at the time of application.

B. Prospective members must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the time of application.

C. Prospective members must apply with the intent to remain at The University of Texas for at least two long semesters, including the current semester.

Article IV: New Member Selection

A. Selection of new members will take place within six weeks of the first class day each long semester.

B. All applicants are required to submit a written application. A letter of recommendation from either a University of Texas alum or a member of the University of Texas faculty or staff may also be submitted with the written application.

C. All applicants are reviewed by a selection committee consisting of, at minimum, the Vice Chair of Membership, the Chair, two other Blazer officers, and three general members. The Vice Chair of Membership presides over this committee.

D. Applicants are reviewed in accordance with the selection process as outlined in Section 11 of the Texas Blazers Bylaws.

Article V: Officers

A. The officers of the Texas Blazers are: Chair, Vice Chair of Membership, Vice Chair of Campus Service, Vice Chair of Community Service, Vice Chair of Public Relations, Vice Chair of Traditions, Treasurer, Secretary, and Historian.

Chair: The Chair presides over all general meetings, appoints ad-hoc committees and chairs as he deems necessary, and coordinates and oversees all officers and committees.

Vice Chair of Membership: The Vice Chair of Membership coordinates and oversees the selection and orientation of new members and keeps accurate record of member attendance at all official Texas Blazer functions and service projects.

Vice Chair of Campus Service: The Vice Chair of Campus Service coordinates and oversees all campus service projects. This includes establishing and maintaining relationships with University officials.

Vice Chair of Community Service: The Vice Chair of Community Service coordinates and oversees all community service projects.

Vice Chair of Public Relations: The Vice Chair of Public Relations is responsible for all Texas Blazers publicity and external correspondence, including the web site.  The Vice Chair of Public Relations is also responsible for completion of any organizational application, most notably the Texas Blazers’ Swing Out application.

Vice Chair of Traditions: The Vice Chair of Traditions organizes all traditional Blazer functions and serves as the resident expert on all University of Texas and Texas Blazer traditions.

Treasurer: The Treasurer collects membership dues, creates and implements all fundraising activities, and keeps accurate records of all organizational funds and financial transactions in accordance with University of Texas regulations.

Secretary: The Secretary records the minutes at all meetings, creates and distributes the organizational roster, and is responsible for all of the organization's internal communication.

Alumni Liaison: The Alumni Liaison is responsible for maintaining all alumni relations, including the alumni newsletter and an annual alumni reception. The Alumni Liaison is responsible for keeping a scrapbook containing photographs and other memorabilia collected from all Texas Blazer events.

B. Officers serve one-year terms and may be reelected. All officers must adhere to the Constitution.

Article VI: Meetings

A. The Texas Blazers meet regularly, preferably once per week.

B. Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the Chair.

C. A quorum must be present in order to vote upon the following: new member selection, officer elections, member or officer dismissal, amendment of the Constitution or Bylaws, and any other items deemed necessary by the Chair.

D. A quorum is two-thirds of the Blazers active membership, as defined in Section 1 of the Bylaws.

Article VII: Amendments

A two-thirds majority vote is required to amend the Constitution. A simple majority is required to amend the Bylaws.

Last Updated Mar. 23, 2004