Article I: Name

§ 1.01. The name of this organization is to be officially known as the Muslim Law Students Association (“MLSA”).  It shall be a non-profit organization.

Article II: Purpose

§ 2.01. Purpose: It shall be the purpose of the Muslim Law Students Association to provide a forum for the discussion of legal and non-legal issues that are pertinent to the Muslim community, to the university community and to the community at large.

Additionally, MLSA’s purpose is to provide a fellowship for Muslim and non-Muslim law students through monthly meetings, educational and religious events, and regular social activities. MLSA will be also used as a source to educate and promote tolerance and understanding on campus and in the greater community. MLSA will do so through interactive and educational lectures about Islam and relevant issues facing the Muslim community. MLSA will also coordinate with other religious student associations to engage in interfaith dialogue and to promote understanding and to build bridges between members of all faiths.

§ 2.02. The organization is open to Muslims as well as Non-Muslim students in Washington University School of Law.   

Article III: Affiliation

§ 3.01.  The MLSA is not affiliated with any other organization. 

 Article IV: Membership

§ 4.01.  To be eligible for membership, candidates must be enrolled students in the Washington University School of Law.

§ 4.02.  A WashU cumulative grade point average of 2.00 is required for membership.

§ 4.03.  Students must comprise one hundred percent (100%) of MLSA’s membership.

§ 4.04. Membership is limited to those Students that have submitted payment of annual dues. Article X details payment and calculation of annual and lifetime dues.

§ 4.05. No Student shall be barred from membership because of race, sex, ethnic identity, national origin, religion, age, political views, sexual orientation, or handicap, as defined by law.

§ 4.06. Members and officers must follow this Constitution, all rules set forth in this Constitution, and all rules as amended from time to time by the Executive Board.

§ 4.07. Members in violation of the School of Law’s Honor Code may be removed from MLSA by a Simple Majority vote of the Executive Board.

Article V: Officers

§ 5.01. The officers of MLSA shall be: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Programming Chair, and Community Service Chair.

§ 5.02. Each MLSA officer must be a Member of MLSA.

§ 5.03. Officers shall be elected on the first Tuesday in April when school is in session. Officers shall be elected in a method to be reasonably determined on an annual basis by the Executive Board.

§ 5.04. Each officer shall retain the position to which he or she has been elected, for a period of one year, to begin immediately following the election as detailed in Section 5.03.

§ 5.05. New officers shall be appointed based on interest expressed. If more than one person expresses interest in the position, executive board members shall be elected by a majority vote amongst executive board members. The secretary position shall be reserved for an incoming 1L.  Nominations shall occur two weeks prior to elections.

§ 5.06. Officers’ Responsibilities:

  • President – The President’s duties include planning, leading events, and presiding over meetings; coordinating with other officers in planning events; leading as a spiritual leader or appointing another qualified individual to do so; informing the officers of their duties; and overall maintaining order of the organization. 
  • Vice President – The Vice President’s duties include assisting the President in planning and carrying out events, as well as, presiding over meetings in the President’s absence; coordinating with other officers in planning and carrying out events; and all other necessary duties for the position, or as required by the President.
  • Secretary – The Secretary’s duties include assisting the President in planning and carrying out events; keeping the records of all current members and their relevant membership information; taking meeting minutes which will be recorded and transferred to members via electronic format; keeping records of prospective speakers; coordinating with other officers for records information; assisting the other officers in planning and carrying out events; and all other necessary duties for the position, or as required by the President.
  • Treasurer – The Treasurer’s duties include: assisting the President in planning and carrying out events; helping other officers obtain funding for the events; keeping records of membership dues; and all other necessary duties for the position, or as required by the President. 

§ 5.07. Officers in violation of the School of Law’s Honor Code may be removed from their positions by a Simple Majority of Members.

§ 5.08. Officer tenure is from May 1st to April 30th.

Article VI: Removal Of Officers

§ 6.01. An officer may be removed from their position is they are not fulfilling the duties of their office.  The officer may be selected to be removed by the suggestion of the President or any other officer, including the MLSA’s advisor, and then by a majority vote of the officers or a majority of active members.  If the vote is tied- the officer will not be removed.  If an office is vacant, the President shall appoint an individual for the vacant office.  If the president is removed, the vice-president will succeed the president.  The line of succession is President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.  If an officer refuses to succeed a president, the position shall go to the next officer in the line of succession.  If no officer agrees to assume the position, then an emergency meeting may be called and the highest ranked officer may appoint an interim President.  If there are none to be appointed- the highest ranking member assumes the President’s position.

Article VI: Officer Transition Meeting

§ 6.01. An officer transition meeting shall be held within two weeks after elections.  All information of past year’s events, contact information, budgeting, passwords, and points of reference shall be passed to the new officers. 

Article VII: Meetings

§ 7.01. Meetings shall be held on a monthly basis in the school year. 

§ 7.02. Any officer may call for a special meeting, with the approval of the President, or highest ranked officer, if certain issues arise that must be resolved or discussed collectively. 

Article VIII: Quorum

§ 8.01. A quorum of at least 75% of its members must be available in order to vote on issues relating to the MLSA’s operation or its constitution. 

Article IX: Dues and Fees

§ 9.01. Members qualified to vote and participate in organizing events are active members showing genuine interest.

§ 9.02. No annual dues or fees are required of members. 

§ 9.03. MLSA may wish to request funds from the appropriate fee council, i.e. the Student Bar Association at the beginning of every fiscal year.

Article X: Amendments to the Constitution

§ 10.01. A Simple Majority of MLSA officers must vote on the amendment, and absentee votes can be taken prior to the vote.

§ 10.02. A vote to amend must be initiated by an appropriate motion and seconded at a regular meeting or special meeting.

§ 10.03. Amendments must receive readings at two regular or special meetings before the vote can be conducted.

Article XI: History of Constitution

§ 11.01. The MLSA Constitution was created on September 13, 2021

Article XII: Jurisdiction

§ 12.01. Final interpretation of this Constitution and all other governing instruments shall be made by a majority vote of MLSA officers.

Article XIII: Governance

§ 13.01. The organization and its members agree to abide by University policies and all federal, state, local laws.

§ 13.02. Non-Discrimination:  Membership, leadership and participation in the organization must be open to all students without regard to race, color, sex (unless exempt under Title IX), age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran.

§ 13.03. Hazing Policy:  This organization prohibits its members, both individually and collectively from committing any acts of hazing as defined in the Student Code of Conduct at Washington University School of Law.

§ 13.04. Organization Agreement:  This organization agrees to abide by the Washington University School of Law Student Code of Conduct.

Article Xiv: Conflict of Inconsistency

§ 14.01. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Constitution and any terms or conditions set forth by Washington University School of Law, the terms and conditions set forth by Washington University School of Law shall prevail.