The Eta Kappa Nu Association was founded at the University of Illinois at Urbana in 1904 by Maurice L. Carr, to encourage excellence in education for the benefit of the public by: Marking in a fitting manner those who have conferred honor upon engineering education by distinguished scholarship, activities, leadership and exemplary character as students in electrical or computer engineering, or by their attainments in the field of electrical or computer engineering; Providing educational and financial support to said students; and Fostering educational excellence in engineering colleges. To carry out the purposes and objects of this Association, we do hereby ordain and enact the following Constitution:
The Eta Kappa Nu Association is a not-for-profit corporation chartered in 1951 in the State of Delaware.
The governing bylaws of The Corporation are the Constitution and Bylaws.
The Board of Directors for The Corporation shall be called The Board of Governors.
This organization shall be known as the Eta Kappa Nu Association, often referred to as Eta Kappa Nu.
The symbol shall be the early form of the Greek letters Eta, Kappa, and Nu. Use of the symbols HKN shall be permitted.
Colors of the Association shall be navy-blue and scarlet.
The emblem of the Association shall be the Wheatstone bridge.
The official publication shall be called THE BRIDGE, which shall be published at least four times each year.
There shall be four geographic regions, with boundaries and names established by The Board.
Membership shall be by qualification, election, and induction.
Chapters of the Association shall include College Chapters, an Eta Chapter, and Alumni Chapters.
Legislative powers shall be vested in The Annual Convention (The Convention).
Policy determination, advisory, and judiciary powers shall be vested in a Board of Governors (hereinafter often referred to as The Board).
Administrative powers shall be vested in The Executive Council. The Executive Council shall report to The Board and be responsible for administrating the Association between meetings of The Board.
A College Chapter may be established at any school that awards the degree of Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Science degree in electrical or computer engineering, or the equivalent, and that meets the requirements of a recognized regional or professional accrediting agency.
A petition for the establishment of a College Chapter, or reestablishment of a Closed Chapter, may be made by no fewer than eight undergraduate students who are qualified for membership. It shall be accompanied by written endorsements of the President or Chancellor, the Dean of Students, the Dean of Engineering, and the Head of electrical or computer engineering of the petitioning school, or their equivalents.
The petition for a College Chapter, or reestablishment of a Closed Chapter, requires unanimous approval of The Executive Council.
College Chapters shall be installed by the Eta Kappa Nu President, or by a deputy appointed by the President.
Charter members of a new chapter shall include all the petitioners duly inducted and any other members inducted at the installation ceremonies that the petitioners desire to be distinguished as charter members.
The chapter shall request the head of the electrical or computer engineering department to appoint a faculty advisor for the chapter. The Faculty Advisor shall be a member of Eta Kappa Nu and a faculty member in electrical or computer engineering of the school in which the chapter is installed. The Faculty Advisor shall serve as liaison officer between the chapter and the college.
Active membership of a College Chapter shall consist of its undergraduate and graduate student Eta Kappa Nu members at the school, regardless of prior chapter affiliation, who signify their intent of remaining or becoming subject to the bylaws of the College Chapter.
Officers of a College Chapter shall be a President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, BRIDGE Correspondent and Treasurer. If desired, any two of these offices may be combined by the chapter and assigned to a single member.
A quorum for the legal transaction of chapter business shall consist of at least one-half of the total active members of the chapter. Student members pursuing a cooperative program or off the campus on an industrial assignment at the time of balloting shall not be counted in the total membership for the purpose of determining a quorum.
Bylaws adopted by a College Chapter for its government shall not conflict with the Constitution. Such Bylaws and all changes thereto, must be approved by each member of The Executive Council. In the event of enactment of any future amendments to the Constitution, with which the chapter Bylaws may become in conflict, such conflicting Bylaws shall thereby become void.
Whenever it appears that there will be an insufficient number of students on the campus to maintain an Active College Chapter, the chapter shall elect a trustee committee, consisting of three or more members of Eta Kappa Nu, who shall assume custody of chapter assets until reactivation of the chapter, and the chapter Faculty Advisor shall notify the Executive Director of their Inactive status. Absent such Inactive Chapter notification from a chapter, the Board shall declare as Inactive any College Chapter that has not inducted a new member in the most recent two year period. Chapters determined to be Inactive shall not have a vote in The Convention and shall not induct new members. An Inactive Chapter may be reactivated by submitting a letter request, signed by the Faculty Advisor or Department Chair, to the Executive Director requesting Active Chapter status. This letter may accompany a request to process new initiates.
The Charter of any Chapter that has become permanently inactive (Closed) for reasons such as closure of the electrical or computer engineering department, loss of accreditation, college management decision to no longer host a chapter, etc., shall be withdrawn by action of the Executive Council. Said Closed Charter may be reestablished in accordance with Section 2 of this Article. Closed Chapter names shall remain in the records of the Association and shall not be reassigned to another chapter.
To provide for membership of qualified undergraduate and graduate students of electrical or computer engineering in schools which meet the same degree of accrediting requirements as for College Chapters and where no College Chapter of Eta Kappa Nu exists, there shall be a chapter known as Eta Chapter.
A branch of Eta Chapter may be established by unanimous action of The Executive Council, with approval of the college concerned.
The Executive Council shall function as the officers of the Eta Chapter. The Eta Chapter shall have no vote in The Convention.
To provide for strengthening and furthering the aims of Eta Kappa Nu by alumni members, an Alumni Chapter may be established in any locality, upon petition of at least five members, and subject to the unanimous approval of The Executive Council.
An Active Alumni Chapter shall have limited power to confer membership in Eta Kappa Nu as specified in Article VII Section 9, shall not be subject to any assessment or dues other than by a vote of its own members, and shall not have a Convention vote on questions involving the levying of assessments or the expenditure of money (Article VIII, Section 2).
An Active Alumni Chapter must consist of 5 or more active members, elect officers, and must complete and submit an Alumni Chapter Annual Report to the Executive Director. Failure to submit an Annual Report form each year shall cause the chapter to be an Inactive Alumni Chapter. An Inactive Alumni Chapter shall not have a vote in The Convention, and shall have no member induction authority. An Inactive Alumni Chapter may be reactivated to Active status by having a minimum of 5 active members, electing officers, and submitting a petition as defined in Section 1 of this Article.
Induction to membership in Eta Kappa Nu Association shall be as either a Member or an Eminent Member.
To be eligible for induction as a Member, a candidate must meet at least one of the following conditions:
Undergraduate candidates shall be selected from those students in the Junior or Senior class who are pursuing courses leading to a Baccalaureate or equivalent degree in electrical or computer engineering.
Candidates for membership to Eta Kappa Nu, in addition to having the required scholastic rank, must be of unimpeachable character, have ability to make use of the knowledge and information acquired, have capacity and willingness for hard work, and have a genial nature and ability to work in harmony with all types of people.
Graduate student candidates shall have graduated from a school of recognized standing and shall possess substantially the same scholastic and other qualifications required for undergraduate membership. Graduate students may be nominated to membership by any member of Eta Kappa Nu, provided they have completed the equivalent of one-half of one academic year of full-time study in the school wherein is located the College Chapter or branch of Eta into which the graduate student is proposed to be inducted, and further provided that such study is generally applicable to an advanced degree in electrical or computer engineering. Such nomination shall require endorsement by the Head of the electrical or computer engineering department of said school.
In order for a non-student to be eligible for induction by an Active College Chapter, the faculty advisor of the nominating chapter and the Head of the department of the college shall give their approval.
An invitation to membership is valid only for the specified term or semester in which it is offered. If it is not accepted the Active Chapter may tender a new invitation for a subsequent term or semester.
Induction as Eminent Member is reserved for those individuals who, by their technical attainments and contributions to society, have shown themselves to be outstanding leaders in the field of electrical or computer engineering, and great benefactors to society.
Active College Chapters may confer membership in Eta Kappa Nu. Alumni Chapters may confer membership in Eta Kappa Nu only as provided in Section 2.D. of this Article, and subject to the approval of The Executive Council. The Board may confer membership and Eminent Membership in Eta Kappa Nu.
Members who have heretofore been elected to diverse classes of membership shall continue to hold their certificates as issued with all rights and privileges as heretofore.
Each chapter shall have the power to discipline its own members.
Any exceptions to the provisions of this Article must be made on an individual basis and have the prior approval of The Executive Council.
Actions for the regulation of the Association, not in conflict with this Constitution, may be enacted or repealed by The Annual Convention (The Convention) in the exercise of its legislative powers. The Convention may be either a Mail Convention or an Assembled Convention. The Board shall determine the type of The Convention.
Each Active College and Alumni Chapter shall have one vote, by delegate, at an Assembled Convention, or by ballot at a Mail Convention except Alumni Chapters shall not have a vote on questions involving the levying of assessments or the expenditure of money. Said Assembled Convention delegate shall be the Active Chapter President or the Active Chapter appointed alternate.
On matters in this Constitution which require approval or ratification by three-fourths of the Active Chapters voting, each said chapter shall require a two-thirds majority approval by the active members voting.
In preparation for The Convention, the Executive Director shall communicate with all Active College and Alumni Chapters and with The Board, calling for the nomination of candidates, proposals for new legislation, and other matters to be submitted to The Convention for approval. The Executive Director shall set a reasonable deadline by which all nominations and proposals shall be received.
Except as otherwise specifically provided, a majority of votes cast shall be necessary for the determination of any question, including the election of officers and directors and repeal or enactment of contracts. In the case of a tie vote on any question, The Board, by plurality vote, shall cast the deciding vote.
The Officers of the Association shall be the President and Vice-President, and such Other Officers as may be designated and selected by the Board pursuant to Section 6 of this Article.
The Board may designate and select such Other Officer positions that the business of the Association may require, each of whom shall have the title, hold office for the period, have the authority, and perform the duties as determined by the Board. These may include but are not limited to a Secretary and/or Treasurer. Other Officer positions shall not be members of The Board nor have a vote on the Board, unless an Other Officer is also a Director.
The Board of Governors shall consist of the following nine members of Eta Kappa Nu.
The President and Vice-President shall be the Chair and Vice-Chair of The Board.
The Board shall be responsible for the interpretation of the Constitution. The Board shall request an analysis and opinion on the matter in question from the Constitution and Bylaws Committee before rendering an interpretation. Any such interpretation by The Board shall, at the request of any Active Chapter, be subject to majority approval by the next Convention.
The Board shall determine the Bylaws and the policies of the Association.
The Board shall meet at least two times a year at dates and locations to be selected by the Executive Council. The Board may meet at other times at the request of the Executive Council or two-thirds of the membership of The Board.
The Board shall have access to all records of the Association and may call at any time upon an Officer, Director, Committee Chair, or any Active or Inactive College or Alumni Chapter for a written report on any of their activities.
The Board has the authority to create committees to address the needs of the Association.
The Board, by a two-thirds vote, shall have the power at any meeting to remove any member from The Board for good and sufficient cause. A copy of the motion for removal must have been provided to all Board members, including the individual whose removal is proposed, at least two weeks before the meeting. The individual shall have the right of defense.
The Executive Council shall consist of the President, Vice-President, and Past President.
The Executive Council shall make a report of its actions to The Board.
The duties of the Executive Director shall be defined by The Board.
The Executive Director shall be appointed by The Board for a term not to exceed three years. The Executive Director may be re-appointed.
Before assuming office, the Executive Director shall give an approved bond, the amount of which shall be fixed by The Executive Council.
The Executive Director may be compensated for his or her services. The Board shall set such compensation and related benefits.
Each Active College Chapter shall be assessed an induction fee for each of its inductees to defray the cost of a certificate, a copy of the Constitution and a three-year subscription to THE BRIDGE magazine for each inductee, for expenses of The Board, and for the expenses of chapter services, including conventions and visitations. The amount of the induction fee shall be approved by The Board with any changes ratified by The Convention.
Any chapter may fix assessments, dues or fees by a majority vote of its members, except that any local induction fee of a College Chapter shall be subject to approval by The Executive Council.
The Convention shall have power to fix and levy a per capita tax on each inductee and/or active member of an Active College Chapter or a branch of Eta Chapter, for expenses in the conduct of the business of the Association.
Any per capita tax of a member of the Eta Chapter shall be the same as that fixed for members of College Chapters.
Eminent Members will not be subject to assessments, fees or dues.
The subscription price for THE BRIDGE shall be set by The Executive Council.
The Association may establish designated funds separate from other funds, by legislative action of The Convention or by action of The Board. Such action must have the unanimous recommendation of the members of The Executive Council. Such funds must be used for one or more of the following purposes: charitable, scientific, literary, recognition, scholarship, or educational. If the action is to be taken by The Convention, approval must be received from at least three-fourths of the Active College and Alumni Chapters voting. If the action is to be taken by The Board, approval must be received from at least three-fourths of all of the members of The Board.
The Board may adopt bylaws, not in conflict with this Constitution, for the governing of the Association.
The property of this corporation is irrevocably dedicated to charitable purposes and no part of the net income or assets of this corporation shall ever inure to the benefit of any director, officer, or member thereof or to the benefit of any private person. Upon dissolution or winding up of the corporation, its assets remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of the corporation shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes and which has established its tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments to this Constitution must be ratified by a three-fourths majority of the Active Chapters voting.
The mission of The Board of Governors (The Board) is to further the objectives of Eta Kappa Nu as defined by the Constitution. The Board shall determine the policies of the Association.
The purpose of these Bylaws is to document the activities to be performed by The Board. The rules, procedures, and organization of activities in these Bylaws have the additional objective of providing stability in the administration of the Association. The changing membership of The Board and its infrequent meetings require assignment of duties to provide continuity of action.
The Board shall be governed by such parts of the Constitution of the Association as apply to the conduct of its business and these Bylaws. Should there be a conflict between these Bylaws and the Constitution, the Constitution shall prevail.
The geographic regions shall have the following names and include the designated states.
Both fiscal and administrative years begin July 1.
The Executive Council shall appoint an editor of THE BRIDGE; said appointment shall be subject to approval by The Board. The editor shall be responsible for the execution of the editorial policy and the publication of THE BRIDGE. The Executive Council shall determine the editorial policy subject to approval by The Board.
The books of The Corporation shall be located at Eta Kappa Nu Headquarters; 606 Saddle Road, Wheaton, IL 60187 (1-800-406-2590)
A quorum of at least one half of the members of The Board is required for The Board to conduct business.
Except as noted specifically otherwise, all motions considered by The Board shall require a majority of affirmative votes of attending members of The Board.
Any member of The Board who cannot attend a meeting may vote by proxy signed by the member, and filed with the Executive Director before the meeting occurs.
The Executive Director shall reimburse any member of The Board for out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Association when approved by two members of the Executive Council.
The Executive Council may engage one or more Investment Managers to manage funds of the Association, and/or authorize the Executive Director to execute specific investment transactions, in conformance with established fiscal policies established by the Board, with the written consent of all members of the Executive Council.
The Board shall approve the individual or company to conduct the Association’s annual audit.
Eminent Members shall be inducted by the President, or by a designee appointed by the President.
The Board shall hold one of its meetings in the fall and one in the spring at time and locations determined by The Executive Council.
A special meeting of The Board, either assembled or telephonic conference, may be called at any time by the Executive Council or upon written request of two-thirds of the membership of The Board. All Board members shall be notified by the Executive Director at least two weeks in advance of such special meeting.
The induction fee charged to college chapters for each new inductee shall be $40.
A member of The Board, preferably a Director appointed by the President, may make visits to College Chapters. The visit should be arranged in advance for the convenience of the chapter, and the visiting member shall make a report on the activities of the chapter to The Board.
The Executive Council shall have the power to decide all questions of expense incident to the installing of new chapters; provided, however, that no assessment be placed on the charter members of the new chapter in excess of the amount per inductee provided by Section 1 above.
That portion of the induction fee used to cover the three-year subscription to THE BRIDGE for new members is due with and shall accompany the Requisition for Certificates and shall be credited to THE BRIDGE by the Executive Director.
There shall be established a Life Subscription Plan whereby members pay the sum of Sixty dollars ($60) for a subscription for life. This sum is to be invested by the Executive Council and the income derived therefrom to be credited to the current account of THE BRIDGE to pay for the subscription.
The Executive Director shall transfer from General Surplus to the Life Subscription Reserve the sum of sixty dollars ($60) for each Eminent Member inducted and list each as a Life Subscriber to THE BRIDGE.
The staff of THE BRIDGE shall be composed of an editor, a BRIDGE correspondent from each chapter, and such other staff members as may be appointed by the Executive Council.
The subscription price to THE BRIDGE shall be determined by the Executive Council.
These Bylaws are subject to the Constitution of the Eta Kappa Nu Association and to future changes in that document. In the event of conflict, the Constitution shall prevail.
Amendments to the Bylaws may be presented by any member of The Board. Approval requires a two-thirds vote of all members of The Board. A notice of the proposed amendment and its content shall be in the hands of all members of The Board at least two weeks before The Board meeting where the change is to be approved.
After any amendment to either the Constitution or the Bylaws has been approved, an updated version shall be complied and distributed to all members of The Board. The most recent version of the Constitution and Bylaws shall be made available electronically to all members of The Association.