Preamble: We, the members of Student Housing for Academic and Residential Experimentation (SHARE), currently housed on the second floor of Edens 3A, Decker Tower, have created this document in order to describe and ensure the best possible living environment: an environment based on freedom and commitment. Here, we respect individual freedoms of expression, creativity, and belief. Members are free from coercion, derision and peer pressure because personal differences are celebrated. Above all, we promote free intellectual, social and artistic exchange. To seed the greatest experimentation along these lines, we encourage faculty involvement and academic innovation as much as possible. Discussion thrives; time-honored topics receive fresh treatments and new avenues of intellectual inquiry are explored. We also seek to realize radical and perhaps controversial residential ideas. SHARE looks to define, and be on the cutting edge of, all areas of university life.

We model ourselves as a family whose members support and nourish each other emotionally and intellectually; where ties and commitments evoke the cherishing of differences rather than the fear of them. In this spirit we celebrate both group solidarity and personal expression. SHARE aspires to be a place where one member's freedom is bounded only by mutual respect.

I. Membership

A. Full members

• 1. Residents
• 2. Have paid dues as set by the membership at the beginning of each academic year
• 3. Have gone through the application and acceptance process

• 1. Non-residents (including those studying abroad or on leave) who wish to play a role in the life of SHARE
• 2. Have gone through the application and acceptance process
• 3. Payment of dues as set by the membership at the advent of each academic semester
• 4. May hold any office not specifically delegated to dorm residents, as per Duke guidelines (see Article II)
• 5. Voting privileges --Associate members may vote on the following SHARE issues:
  • a. Policies which will shape the future of SHARE (i.e.: all constitutional issues)
  • b. Membership
  • c. Budgeting
• 6. Faculty members are eligible for associate membership; their dues are waived
• 7. Those who apply for full membership to SHARE and are not immediately accepted are eligible for associate membership

• 1. At the beginning of each academic year, an application for SHARE will be approved for usage during that academic year
• 2. All interested applicants for both full and associate membership are to be provided with a SHARE application on request
• 3. Completed applications are due no later than the deadline determined by the selections committee in conjunction with the housing representative and the president
• 4. Members can examine any original SHARE application at any time
• 5. Files of original applications will be maintained by the house officers for perusal by members and applicants
• 6. During the week before new members are accepted, a copy of each application will be kept in a folder in the Commons room for review by all members and prospective members

• 1. At the second meeting of the academic year, a committee will be set up to determine several possibilities for different procedures to be used in accepting new members
• 2. This committee will post through several well placed bulletins the options to be considered and is required to post all of the options proposed to them by SHARE members
• 3. Any SHARE member may design a procedure, but is required to submit it to the committee for posting
• 4. The bulletins should be as detailed as possible and be posted at least 48 hours before the appropriate dorm meeting
• 5. During the third meeting or a specially convened meeting, SHARE members will discuss and vote on the acceptance process
• 6. The acceptance process should make provisions for accepting members (or not) during the course of the semester

• 1. Applications must be submitted by interested applicants in accordance with previous guidelines listed in the Constitution.
• 2. Applications are available for perusal by all SHARE members in accordance with previous guidelines listed in the Constitution
• 3. In the case of more applicants than spaces, the following process is followed:
  • a. A ballot with the names of all applicants is given to each member of SHARE at a house meeting. Next to each name are the words "Yes" and "Abstain"
  • b. Each voter will mark "Yes" or "Abstain" or nothing for each name on the form. Proxy votes are accepted.
  • c. The presiding officer (the President unless designated otherwise by the President) will mark off voters names when their ballots are submitted to make sure each persons submits only one ballot
  • d. The number of "Yes" votes for each member will be counted and tallied.
  • e. Every prospective member who garners a number of "Yes" votes greater or equal to 2/3 of the number of voting members is placed in a primary priority Pool A
  • f. All other applicants are combined in a secondary priority Pool B.
  • g. Names are drawn at random from Pool A until all available spaces are filled. If the number of available spaces exceeds the number of names in Pool A, then all people in Pool A are automatically accepted.
  • h. If, after Pool A has been exhausted, there are still spaces available, these spaces will be filled by random drawing from Pool B.
  • i. The wait list will be determined by random drawing from among those names not guaranteed a space in the dorm. The drawing will commence with Pool A, if it is not yet exhausted, and then proceed with Pool B until all names have been drawn and ranked according to wait list priority.

• 1. Members are expected to hold at least one Share hour per semester
• 2. The aiding and abetting of all officers in their duties

II. Officers

• A. Are required to keep records of the appropriate process/procedures and recommendations for future officers
• B. Resignation of Officers
  • 1. Officers are strongly encouraged to step down if for some reason they are unable or unwilling to perform their function in SHARE
  • 2. The post should be filled through a timely election
  • 3. The resigning officer should act as a mentor to the newly elected officer until the master can no longer serve the apprentice
• C. Disputes among officers should be resolved in a gelatin pit (only store brand gelatin may be used, but the flavor will be left up to the membership to decide)
• D. Offices mandated by Duke University - these posts are reserved for full members of SHARE
  • 1. Co-President of Internal Affairs
    • a. Runs house meetings in conjunction with the other co-president or appoints a replacement to do the same
    • b. Supervises and coordinates the activities of house officers
    • c. Coordinates the scheduling of dorm events
    • d. Is responsible for posting all pertinent information not specifically handled by another dorm officer and polices the bulletin boards for outdated or inappropriate flyers
    • e. Works with selection committee and housing representative in all parts of the application and acceptance process
    • f. Supervises and coordinates room picks
    • g. Assumes all presidential duties if the other co-president resigns until a new co-president can be elected
  • 2. Co-President of External Affairs
    • a. Runs house meetings in conjunction with the other co-president or appoints a replacement to do the same
    • b. Represents SHARE in Housing Administration affairs (i.e. dorm damage appeals)
    • c. Represents SHARE in dealings with the university administration
    • d. Represents SHARE in dealings with any other living group(s) sharing the dorm
    • e. Serves as SHARE representative to the Upper-class House Association. In the case of schedule conflicts, the CP must arrange for the election of a UHA representative from among the full members of SHARE.
    • f. Work with selection committee and housing representative in all parts of the application and acceptance process
    • g. Ensures that the constitution kept in University files is updated whenever appropriate
    • h. Assumes all presidential duties if the other co-president resigns until a new co-president can be elected
  • 3. Treasurer
    • a. Attends any certification courses required by the university
    • b. Maintains accurate, up-to-date dorm accounts
    • c. Reports state of dorm finances to the residents at house meetings
    • d. Reports state of dorm finances when requested by the university
    • e. Collects dorm dues as set by the membership and pursues violators as per university regulations
    • f. Dispenses dorm moneys properly appropriated for dorm functions
    • g. Is responsible for keeping an up-to-date IR on file at the Bryan Center Information desk
    • h. Is encouraged to carry on the tradition of walking around the dorm with chest bared
  • 4. Secretary
    • a. Ensures that notes are taken at each house meeting
    • b. Posts minutes from each house meeting and delivers a copy to the Historian
    • c. Composes and sends any correspondence if requested to do so by either of the co-presidents
    • d. Posts the calendar approved by the house council or the co-presidents
    • e. Contacts associate members whenever a meeting or event is scheduled. In the case of a meeting, the secretary is responsible for notifying associate members of the scheduled agenda items 24 hours in advance.
• E. Posts peculiar to SHARE
  • 1. Programming Chair
    • a. There shall be a separation of powers (not like church and state, that was so last century) into the Internal Programming Chair and the External Programming Chair. The Chairs will
    • a. Ensure that the vitality of the SHARE community be expressed through creative programming
    • b. Ensure that university mandated programming requirements are met
    • c. Keep a record of all dorm events and composes the year-in-review report
    • d. Chair the Programming Committee which will
      • i. Create a list of suggested programs to be brought to SHARE over each semester
      • ii. Act as midwife to the birthing of dorm programs
      • iii. Responsible for each program appearing on the calendar far ahead of the scheduled date
      • iv. Responsible for overseeing aspects of advertising of programs
  • 2. Recruitment Chair
    • a. Oversees all recruiting activities for SHARE
    • b. Establishes as early as possible a phone and address list for potential SHARE members
    • c. Makes sure that the people on the list are contacted about any and all upcoming SHARE events and made to feel a part of the community
    • d. Ensures that recruiting activities are well publicized
    • e. Chairs the Recruiting Committee which will
      • i. Create a hunting strategy for recruiting that covers the entire year
      • ii. Be responsible for the phone-list of potential residents
      • iii. Extends invitations to the people on that list to dorm functions
      • iv. Keep the statistics of recruits and bed spaces filled, and keep the house council apprised of those figures
  • 3. Housing Representative
    • a. Responsible for all communication with the Office of Student Development on behalf of SHARE
    • b. Responsible for all deadlines and procedures mandated by University policy in regards to room selection, independent placement, acceptance of new members, etc.
    • c. Keeps an updated list of all vacancies within SHARE assigned space visibly posted for the edification of current and potential members
    • d. Represents and actively pursues the needs of SHARE within the university administration in reference to condom distribution in the dorm
  • 4. Historian
    • a. Preserves and documents the lengthy, illustrious and improbable history of SHARE
    • b. Organizes SHARE files
    • c. Introduces SHARE minutes into the SHARE files
    • d. Provides sporadic or scheduled reports about the history of SHARE
    • e. Introduces a copy of the records kept by the past officers to the SHARE files and ensures that they will be given to future officers upon election
  • 5. Service Representative--Responsibilities
    • a. Coordinates all the service activities of SHARE
    • b. Polls the SHARE community with regards to participation in particular service projects
    • c. Keeps abreast of other service projects in the University and Durham communities so that SHARE may participate
    • d. Ensures that service projects are properly publicized
    • e. Keeps the SHARE community updated on the service projects pursued by individual SHARE members
  • 6. Lint Czar--Responsibilities (as such)
    • a. Carries out the sacred, secret, yet demented agenda of SHARE--the collection and flaunting of lint
    • b. Thumbs its nose at theme dorms with trivial and silly theme ideas
    • c. Oversees the year-round, perennial lint harvest, ensuring that said harvest is not seized upon by the ever watchful eyes of the evil and villainous fire marshal
    • d. Proselytizes about the many powers and uses of a good batch of lint
    • e. Organizes the Spring Lint Parade and the Fall Lint Promenade
    • f. Presides over Lint Initiation
    • g. Knights a Lint Sergeant at Arms to carry on the secret and subversive duties, as the Czar desires
  • 7. Moviemeister--Responsibilities
    • a. Polls SHARE opinion about which flicks members would like to see
    • b. Procures said cinema
    • c. Publicizes the viewing of said cinema
    • d. Assures that viewings do not conflict with other scheduled events
  • 8. Dorm Hair
    • a. Parades the ultimate coif for worldwide emulation
    • b. Recites the poem "Her Hair" at any given moment during any given dorm function meeting
  • 9. GOOFY (Guerrilla Organized Offense for You)
    • a. Is granted divine right
    • b. Will persecute (using any methods deemed necessary to bring SHARE's ideals to the world forum) the foppish student government of Duke University (DSG)
    • c. Harvests at least one copy of the Duke Review (tongs are recommended) for group perusal
  • 10. Wild Eyed Poet Sorcerer
    • a. Spouting through the acrimonious malaise
      of the whole-hearted, hip-warranted, mind-strung parades
      Frequently forlorn by the reverberating howls
      Harmoniously hissing despite the entangled shrouds.
      Mis-spoken emulations erupting uncontrollably beneath
      the forewarned outcries of those who believe
      themselves to be enshrined above the half-stripped olive leaves.
      (Remembering how easily passed their two-second flashes of flaunting mind penetration.)
      Yet, ominously endangered by pretentious pronouncements,
      But still consumed, by doses of love and ear-swallowed approbations,
      Purely to quell the piercing sound of all those fools following their own persuasions.
• F. Election of Officers
  • 1. Nominations
    • a. Nominations for officers will be opened at the first SHARE meeting of the academic year
    • b. Nominations will remain open until the next SHARE meeting
    • c. Any SHARE member can nominate any other SHARE member for any office
    • d. A SHARE member may nominate him or herself
    • e. Nominations must be seconded
    • f. For a nomination to be valid, the nominee must accept the nomination
  • 2. The Campaign
    • a. Nominees are encouraged to proclaim elaborate and messy election promises
    • b. Tasteless but friendly mudslinging is sanctioned upon provocation
    • c. Should have no bearing on the election process or outcome
    • d. Monetary or sexual promises may not be exchanged for votes (the GOOFY representative is excepted from this rule)
  • 3. The Elections
    • a. Shall be held at the second SHARE meeting of the academic year
    • b. Each candidate for the following offices will be allowed to a two minute filibuster describing her/his manifold qualities and why he/she are the best person for the job, followed by a maximum of two minutes of questions (from the voters):
      • i. Co-Presidents
      • ii. Treasurer
      • iii. Secretary
      • iv. Programmer
    • c. Each candidate for all other offices is allowed 60 seconds to explain just why we should vote for her/him, followed by a maximum of two minutes for questions, with the exception of the LINT CZAR, who should be too imperial to allow for more than one
    • d. Elections shall be run at the outset by the previous year's President or the person who has convened the meeting, and then by the newly elected President
    • e. After the nominees have answered the questions, the nominees must leave the room
    • f. Before a vote is taken, members of SHARE can discuss nominees, but for no more than two minutes per nominee
    • g. Vote is taken by a show of hands, unless any member of SHARE prefers a secret or written ballot
    • h. A simple majority wins
    • i. If no candidate wins a majority, the top two candidates will engage in a run-off, which will be settled by a second vote, with only the top two candidates still competing
    • j. Newly elected officers assume their posts immediately

III. Dorm Meetings

• 1. A meeting of the members of SHARE can be called by any member
• 2. At least 48 hours notice must be given for the meeting
• 3. Notice must be given through well-placed bulletins throughout the dorm
• 4. Included on the notice should be time, place and agenda

• 1. In order for business that affects SHARE to be conducted at a dorm meeting, a quorum must exist
• 2. A quorum is established once half of the SHARE full members are present 3
• . Proxy votes will only count toward quorum for the specific voting issues they deal with

• 1. Members of SHARE are encouraged to raise issues for debate at meetings
• 2. Agenda items must be submitted to the convening member 24-hours before the meeting. The convening member is responsible for noticeably posting agenda updates.
• 3. So that the previous declared agenda may be dealt with, the introduction of an issue not on the posted agenda requires 2/3 of the members present
• 4. Reports from the officers and committee chairs are standing agenda items. If the report will contain particularly pertinent, alarming or pressing information, then it too should be placed on the posted agenda.

• 1. Will be moderated by the Co-Presidents or whomever they delegate to do so
• 2. Can be curtailed by any call for a vote (if one is applicable), if 1/2 of the members present agree to end the discussion in a vote

• 1. If a vote is called for, it will be done by a show of hands unless any SHARE member requests a secret or written ballot
• 2. A vote will be decided by a simple majority with the exception of constitutional modifications and amendments
• 3. Proxy vote
  • a. Are to be counted equally with the votes of the present members and in all voting situations
  • b. Must be submitted in writing to the convening member
  • c. May specify the member's voting preference or may give permission to another member who is present at the meeting to cast their vote, provided that other member has also signed the proxy
  • d. Will only count toward quorum for the specific voting issues they deal with
• 4. Votes from associate members should be counted in certain voting situations, as delineated in section I.B.5 of this most hallowed constitution

IV. Housing Policy

• 1. Seniority, defined as number of semesters a SHARE resident has lived in the house in which SHARE resides while at the same time being a member
• 2. Semesters abroad or On leave do count as 1/2 a semester toward seniority, but a maximum of 1/2 semester can be counted toward seniority
• 3. A semester will be counted only if the resident is a member by the deadlines set by the membership at the third dorm meeting of the academic year. A member who moves in after this deadline will have 1/2 semester counted toward seniority.
• 4. If there is a tie in seniority, priority goes to higher class (i.e. Class of '96 over '97, not aristocrat over proletarian)
• 5. If a tie still exists, we bow to random lottery
• 6. For incoming new members, priority is given to higher class

• 1. Will be compiled by the recruitment committee, the housing representative, and the Co-Presidents
• 2. A temporary list should be posted with the agenda for the meeting before roompicks for correction and revision purposes
• 3. Will be approved by the membership at the meeting before roompicks
• 4. Will remain visibly posted until roompicks takes place

• 1. Roompicks will be conducted by the SHARE President of Internal Affairs and the RA
• 2. A list of all the rooms available, whether the rooms are doubles, singles or suites, and a map of our living environment with the rooms available to SHARE marked should be posted 24 hours before room picks and be available during the meeting
• 3. All rooms will be up for grabs, heedless of sex, trouser size, or standing in the greek community
• 4. Roompicks will proceed as follows:
  • a. The RA has a few minutes for the blessing of his/her flock and the laying down of the law or the laying on of hands, should a spanking be warranted. The RA explain this procedure to the assembled masses and answer any ensuing questions.
  • b. The member with the highest seniority is given first choice of the listed rooms. After announcing her/his intentions, the member will approach the Master RA and sign the proper documentation.
  • c. The roompicks process will continue as per the approved seniority list
  • d. A member may not pick a double without having already made arrangements for a roommate. Without a roommate, a member either has to pick a single or be bumped to the end of the seniority list.
  • e. When a member picks a double, his/her roommate is also assigned to that room at that time and should also approach the Master for documentation. (Therefore, a roommate pair automatically assumes the seniority of the one with the highest seniority.)
  • f. After each room is picked, the president will announce which room has been assigned in a booming voice loud enough for the entire assemblage to hear
  • g. You can pick your friends and you can pick your room, but you can't pick your friend's rooms, unless you have their written permission prior to roompicks

• 1. Previous residents should declare their residential plans by the deadline voted on at the third meeting of the academic year
• 2. Declaration should be made by signing a form prepared by the president, recruiting committee, and housing representative
• 3. Penalties shall be as follows:
  • a. Any member not signing the form before the deadline will be tarred and feathered or moved to the bottom of the seniority list for roompicks, as the mob decrees
  • b. Any member declaring intent to leave and then deciding to stay will first be hugged, goosed and kissed repeatedly by the membership in warm reacceptance and then will be bumped down the seniority list to the position just above all incoming members. (In the case of a tie for this position, the tie will be broken according to the above delineated seniority rules.)
  • c. Any member declaring intent to stay and then bailing out will first be pummeled with offal and second be flogged at high noon in front of the Chapel with a wet carp (be sure to keep it wet) and third in the event of returning to SHARE be placed at the bottom of the seniority list or be assigned to reside forever in the short-hall stairwell, as the mob decrees.

V. Constitution

• 1. Amendments to this constitution may be introduced as agenda items.
• 2. Ratification of an amendment is contingent upon its garnering 2/3 of the absolute membership of SHARE.

• 1. Typographical errors
• 2. Rewording sections of the constitution for clarification purposes
• 3. Incorporation of approved amendments into the body of the constitution

Amendments:

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