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Purpose/ Mission Statement

The purpose of Interfaith@MIT is to catalyze relationships between religious groups on campus and to invite the MIT community to take notice and take part in activities that reach across cultural, intellectual and religious bounds. Specifically, Interfaith strives towards the following goals:

  • Interfaith Catalyst
    *: To bring religious or belief groups on campus together, two at a time, to deepen understanding and cultivate respect at both the religious and personal level;  to involve the MIT community in interfaith activities on campus; to promote interfaith and faith-specific events on campus and encourage attendance from all belief groups. 
  • Common Action
    *: Interfaith cooperation such as service-learning and social action that will influence both personal attitudes and the bonds of a community through a common goal and a positive collective experience.
  • Faith Focus
    *: To celebrate the diversity and 

Definition of Membership

  1. Any member of the MIT community is eligible to become a member of SYNBUM. There is no course preference for students; we especially encourage students without biology backgrounds. One is considered a member of this organization in any given academic term if she has attended at least one club activity and one meeting in the preceding or current term and is a member of the SYNBUM mailing list.
  2. The organization’s membership will at all times consist of at least 5 MIT students and be more than half MIT students.
  3. This organization will not discriminate based on any characteristic listed in MIT's Nondiscrimination Statement.
  4. If this organization charges any monetary dues, there will be exceptions made for students that cannot afford these dues.

Officers

Election Procedures and Dates

  • Elections will take place at the end of the fall semester and occur by democratic (majority) vote of active members.
  • Platforms will be submitted and emailed to all active members at least one (1) day before elections. Votes will be tallied by the current executive board.
  • Votes of all members will have equal weight.

Terms of Office

  • There are no course or year restrictions on the eligibility to run for office. Both MIT undergraduate or graduate students of any major or background may run for office.
  • Duration of each officer position lasts for one year, starting from December of election year to December of the following year.

Duties of Officers

  • The organization will have, at all times, the following officers:
    • President
      **: Represent SYMBUM to the undergraduate and professional communities; plan and oversee the general activities of the executive board.
    • Treasurer
      **: Serve as the liaison between SYNBUM and the Student Financial Activities Office (part of SAO); maintain and track the SYNBUM budget, also handling reimbursement.
  • The following positions may be elected based on size of membership:
    • Secretary
      **: Keep record of all meeting minutes and events; compiles and sends out bimonthly newsletters to all active members. Work closely with executive board to ensure all officers stay current.
    • VP of Education and Outreach
      **: Plan events geared towards education and outreach to the community, including educational events, community service opportunities, and the IAP class. Inform and encourage members to participate in educational synthetic biology events.
    • VP of Academic and Corporate Relations
      **: Form and maintain relationships between members of SYNBUM, the MIT faculty, industry leaders, as well as other professional resources; provide SYNBUM members with unique opportunities in the form of networking events and career workshops.
    • VP of Membership
      **: Maintain the SYNBUM mailing list, track membership statistics, and encourage social aspects of SYNBUM, including boding events. Publicize events and increase visibility of SYNBUM.

Removal Process for Officers

  • Officers may be removed by petition of more than two thirds (2/3) of active members or unanimous vote of the executive board.

Meetings

Frequency

  • SYNBUM meetings will occur monthly for all active and potential members.
  • SYNBUM executive board meetings will occur at least bimonthly. Select executive board meetings may be open to all active members.

Making Decisions

  • Disputes with no clear deadline may be motioned to be tabled until the next meeting for up to two times. Decision will then be made via majority vote of the executive board.
  • Disputes with impending deadline or or critical importance can be motioned for immediate end of discussion and majority vote.

Amendment Procedures

The Constitution may be amended based on petition by more than two thirds (2/3) of active members of majority of executive board. Voting is open to all active members. Amendment is accepted contingent upon majority vote of active members.

ASA Governance Clause

The SYNBUM agrees to abide by the rules and regulations of the Association of Student Activities, and its executive board. This constitution, amendments to it, and the by-laws of this organization shall be subject to review by the ASA Executive Board to insure that they are in accordance with the aforementioned rules and regulations.

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