The Constitution of the Urban Planning Association

Updated in May 2026; In Effect May 2026

ARTICLE I. NAME

Section 1. The name of this club or organization shall be the Urban Planning Association (UPA), “the Association” hereafter in this Constitution.

Section 2. The UPA is affiliated with Boston University (BU) through the Boston University Metropolitan College City Planning & Urban Affairs (CPUA) program.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE / MISSION STATEMENT

Section 1. The purpose of the Urban Planning Association shall be to create opportunities for students in the Master of Science in City Planning, Master of Science in Urban Affairs, and Graduate CPUA Certificate programs to connect and facilitate career development and further experiential, practical, and academic learning. The Association commits to advancing cross-cultural, social, service, learning, and networking events to bolster the sense of community within the programs and to further students’ interests in the various fields of urban affairs and planning.

Section 2. The Association, its members, officers, and advisors shall abide by all university policies and procedures.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. The Association offers three levels of membership.

  1. Student Membership. To be eligible for Student Membership, members must be matriculated BU students in the following programs: Master of Science in City Planning, Master of Science in Urban Affairs, and Graduate CPUA Certificate programs. Members in good standing must be in good academic standing according to the standards set by BU Metropolitan College CPUA and be enrolled in at least one CPUA course for the academic year.
  2. Alumni Membership. To be eligible for Alumni Membership, members must have successfully graduated from BU with one of the following degrees: Master of Science in City Planning, Master of Science in Urban Affairs, and Graduate CPUA Certificate programs.
  3. Associate Membership. Associate Membership is open to all students, staff, and faculty of the BU community, the Boston Consortium for Higher Education, and the local community (at the Association’s discretion) who have demonstrated interest in urban affairs and planning.

Section 2. Membership in the Association is open to all meeting the above criteria, irrespective of race, color, age, criminal record, physical or mental disability, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics, natural or protective hairstyle, military status, immigration status, English language proficiency, or any other factor prohibited by law in its programs and activities.

ARTICLE IV. EXECUTIVE BOARD & OFFICERS

Section 1. All members of the Association’s Student Executive Board (SEB) will serve as liaisons to the BU Metropolitan College Department of Applied Social Sciences and the City Planning and Urban Affairs Programs. The respective responsibilities of the board members shall be as follows:

  1. President
    1. Serves as the Chief Executive Officer, overseeing the SEB
    2. Presides over meetings of the Association, including SEB meetings and events
    3. Sets the UPA’s agenda items and priorities in coordination with the SEB
    4. Serves as the main spokesperson and representative of the Association at official functions and meetings
    5. Acts as the main liaison to the CPUA student body and administration, BU-affiliated entities, BU student groups, and external entities.
    6. Evaluates opportunities for partnerships and sponsorships on an ongoing basis
    7. Nominates appointees for SEB officer and committee positions for confirmation
    8. Coordinates SEB transitions
  2. Vice President
    1. Assumes the duties of the President in his or her absence
    2. Serves as parliamentarian and presiding officer for the election of the SEB and impeachment proceedings
    3. Leads the planning and facilitation of CPUA events in coordination with the President and SEB, including academic, networking, and community service opportunities by working and forming relationships with various members of the media, private sector, academia, government, and the general public
    4. Coordinates SEB meetings and prepares meeting agendas in collaboration with the Secretary
    5. Performs other duties as directed by the President
  3. Communications Coordinator
    1. Creates and maintains UPA media assets, including but not limited to the UPA website, social media, press releases, graphics, and designed materials
    2. Proposes and executes communications and outreach initiatives in collaboration with the SEB, CPUA administration, and external partners
    3. Disseminate UPA media assets as needed on behalf of the SEB
    4. Serves as the liaison with BU Today, media outlets, and coordinates with BU and external partners on communications strategy, public relations, and strategy implementation
  4. Treasurer
    1. Maintains and processes financial accounts and transactions, including purchases, revenue flows, reimbursements, and disbursements
    2. Prepares an annual budget proposal for approval by a majority vote of the SEB at the beginning of the academic year
    3. Advises the Association on financial and fiscal matters
    4. Performs other duties as directed by the President
  5. Secretary
    1. Keep an accurate record of all past and current proceedings for the Association, including all meetings of the SEB
    2. Coordinates with and assists the Communications Coordinator on the distribution and preservation of digital and/or physical records, minutes, and materials
    3. Records and distributes meeting minutes in collaboration with the Vice President, President, and the SEB
    4. Reserves appropriate facilities for the Association’s activities
  6. International Affairs Officer
    1. Serves as an advocate and liaison for all international students in the CPUA program
    2. Engages with international student organizations and offices at Boston University.
    3. Performs other duties as directed by the President
  7. Alumni Representative
    1. Serves as the liaison between the SEB and the CPUA alumni community
    2. Provides advice and assistance to the SEB and facilitates networking opportunities in coordination with the Vice President
  8. Officer-at-Large
    1. Assists the Association as a permanent standing committee member with assigned portfolio(s) by the President
    2. Serves as an ambassador for the SEB to the CPUA student body and newly matriculated CPUA students
    3. Performs other duties as directed by the President

Section 2. Officers must be either current full-time or part-time students in the Master of Science in City Planning, Master of Science in Urban Affairs, or Graduate CPUA Certificate programs, with the exception of the Alumni Representative.

  1. The Alumni Representative must be a graduate of the CPUA program in the Master of Science in City Planning, Master of Science in Urban Affairs, or Graduate CPUA Certificate programs.
  2. Officers in good standing are defined as officers who attend a requisite number of official meetings and events as prescribed in Article VI, Section 4.

Section 3. Once elected, officers will hold their position until they graduate or resign from the SEB. Outgoing officers will remain in their office until a handover can be conducted with their successor, at which time their terms will expire.

  1. The length of an SEB term is one full academic year, with an official SEB term beginning after the end of the BU spring semester and ending at the end of the BU spring semester.
  2. If an officer vacates their seat on the SEB for any reason, the President will appoint a candidate to fill the vacancy, subject to a majority vote of the SEB at an official meeting.
  3. Officers are limited to two terms, and term limits apply to consecutive, non-consecutive, and partial terms upon resignation.
  4. With the exception of the Officer-at-Large position, only one occupant may hold a SEB officer position at any given time unless waived by 2/3 majority assent of the SEB.

Section 4. An officer may be removed for cause upon a vote with a quorum of the majority of the members of the SEB at an official meeting. The officer in question must be provided due process, meeting notice with rationale(s), and a forum during a SEB meeting for impeachment proceedings.

  1. Officers may be impeached for the following reasons:
    1. Dereliction of duty, including continuous meeting absences without cause, and failing to comply with the duties, tasks, and responsibilities of an SEB officer
    2. Disciplinary and behavioral infractions in accordance with BU disciplinary policies
    3. Unethical and illegal actions, including embezzlement, fraud, and unauthorized usage of UPA materials and information
  2. In the case that the Vice President is impeached, the President shall act as the presiding officer.

Section 5. Each member of the SEB is responsible for maintaining office-relevant records, rosters, and information for SEB transitions and recordkeeping.

Section 6. The SEB, led by the President, shall be required to issue the following public statements and announce on social media and email:

  1. Welcome Address – Introduces and explains the Association to newly admitted students in the Master of City Planning, Master of Urban Affairs, and Bachelor of Science in Urban Affairs programs; distributed at the beginning of each semester in September and January.
  2. Farewell Letter – A recap of a semester, including farewells to outgoing officers, summarizing the Association’s business. The Farewell Letter must be distributed at the end of each semester in December and May.

Section 7. The SEB shall appoint, with a majority vote at an official meeting, members of the UPA committees. UPA committee members may comprise SEB officers and UPA student members. Committee members may be confirmed en bloc.

  1. Standing Committees
    1. Events Committee — Oversee and coordinate event planning and logistics
    2. Public Affairs Committee — Oversee and execute communications and outreach initiatives
    3. Fundraising & Recruitment (F&R) Committee — Oversee and coordinate fundraising and recruitment efforts for the UPA
  2. Ad Hoc Committees
    1. Ad Hoc Committees may be created under the auspices of the President, with the consent of a majority of the SEB at an official meeting.

ARTICLE V. ELECTIONS & SELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1. Upcoming vacancies must be identified at the end of each academic year at least two weeks before the last SEB meeting, and provide ample time for prospective candidates to apply for a position. The current SEB shall prepare an announcement informing members of the vacancies and their associated responsibilities, and, at the final SEB meeting of the academic year, presided over by the Vice President, announce the election results of the elected positions. Candidates may stand for more than one elected position, but must withdraw upon being elected to a position in order of precedence. En bloc confirmations are permitted.

Section 2. The Vice President is vested with the authority to select the method for filling positions, including elections, appointments, or other approaches.

Section 3. In the case of a state of emergency (i.e., if there is a tie or no candidates for the position), the newly elected President may nominate, vet, and confirm a candidate by majority vote, based on an assessment of the candidates’ qualifications. If the office of the President is in a state of emergency, the SEB may nominate, vet, and confirm a candidate for President by majority vote at the final SEB meeting of the academic year.

  1. If all positions are vacant, the UPA advisor may select a new President, and the President shall be conferred state of emergency powers to appoint SEB members.

Section 4. To qualify for elected positions, candidates must have participated in at least three UPA events per semester and be in good academic and officer standing. The offices of the President and Vice President are only open to current SEB members. Committee members not on the SEB are not eligible to stand for the positions of President and Vice President.

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS

Section 1. The Association will hold SEB meetings regularly, as defined by the President and with the assent of the majority of the SEB at the beginning of each SEB term. Informal (lacking a quorum) and committee meetings may occur as needed. A meeting will be considered official if a quorum is established.

Section 2. Each member of the SEB and the Faculty Advisor has the authority to call meetings. The Secretary shall provide members with advance notice and a reminder, including an agenda, no later than 24 hours before the meeting.

Section 3. Quorum shall consist of at least half of the current SEB.

Section 4. Officers may not miss two or more consecutive meetings, and may not miss more than half of all official meetings and UPA events, without prior notice and reasonable justification. Officers will not be considered in good standing for an elected position if they fail to abide by both requirements.

ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS & RATIFICATION

Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution may be entertained at the end of each academic semester (fall, spring, summer). The President shall call an official meeting prior to or use the last SEB meeting to debate and amend the Constitution, presided over by the Vice President. Amendments shall be submitted to the Vice President no later than 48 hours prior to the aforementioned established meeting time.

Section 2. Ratification of amendments shall require a majority vote of the SEB.

ARTICLE VIII. ADVISORS

Section 1. At least one full-time CPUA faculty or staff member must advise the Association as an ex officio member of the SEB.

Section 2. The SEB advisor shall be responsible for the following:

  1. Advise the SEB as required in Association affairs in which s/he may have experience or expertise, upon request of the board
  2. Consult for questions regarding budgetary allocations, fundraising, and general Association activities, including professional and social networking, alumni outreach, event planning, advertising and branding, and community and professional outreach and learning activities. However, such suggestions are not binding at any time
  3. Help to arbitrate disputes in the Association if called upon by the SEB