About us

CSSA OF UWaterloo is a non-political association of, by, and for the students, scholars from the People's Republic of China (PRC) and their spouses at the University of Waterloo (UW). CSSA OF UWaterloo is formed by over 500 members who are mainly UW students, scholars, faculty and staff originally from Mainland China.

CSSA serves as an important vehicle in enhancing mutual help and affinity among individuals of the local Chinese community. CSSA also serves as link between the Chinese students/scholars at UWaterloo and the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in toronto.

Because of the academic prestige of UW and our large membership, CSSA OF UW has been an active and influential force in organizing and participating activities both on the UW campus and in the Chinese community of Kitchener-Waterloo region.

PREAMBLE
The Chinese Student and Scholar Association (CSSA) is a non-political, autonomous association of, by, and for Mandarin-speaking students, scholars from the People's Republic of China (PRC) and their spouses at the University of Waterloo (UW).

ARTICLE I: OF THE NAME
The name of the association shall be "Chinese Student and Scholar Association" and will be hereafter acronymized as and referred to as "CSSA".

ARTICLE II: OF THE PURPOSE
1. To promote communication, friendship and academic exchange among its members.
2. To offer assistance for and services for its members, especially those who are new to UW.
3. To promote friendship, mutual understanding and information exchange between its members and other UW student communities.

The goal of the CSSA is to promote internal solidarity, to provide opportunities for mutual help and benefit, and to exchange information for its members. As most of the CSSA members are citizens of the PRC, CSSA also serves as link between the Chinese students/scholars at UW and the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Toronto.

ARTICLE III: OF THE MEMBERSHIP
The CSSA is a voluntary student association. To apply for or withdraw from its membership is voluntary.

Membership:
SECTION 1: Membership can be acquired by every UW Chinese student/scholar and his/her spouse if he/she applies for his/her membership via e-mail or other written means.

SECTION 2: Membership may also be acquired by other member of UW community, if such a person attends CSSA activities and applies for/her his membership.

Voting Membership:
SECTION 3: All CSSA members who are full-time UW Chinese students/scholars and have worked for CSSA have the right to vote on any issues pertaining to CSSA.

ARTICLE IV: OF THE STRUCTURE
SECTION 1: CSSA is represented in any event by the executive board. The CSSA board shall consist of: President, Vice President, Treasurer and four to seven additional members as necessary.

SECTION 2: The President, the Vice President and the Treasurer shall be elected at the general election meeting of CSSA members.

SECTION 3: The tenure of the President, the Vice President and the Treasure shall not exceed one year. After one year there will be a election to have the new executive board of CSSA.

SECTION 4: Additional board members shall be appointed by the President. The total number of executive board members shall not exceed ten.

SECTION 5: An appointed board member may resign at the President's approval. The resignation must be submitted at least 10 days in advance. The President reserves the right to remove an appointed board member from his/her position if he/she fails to fulfill his/her obligations. The President shall be responsible for filling the vacancy within one month.

SECTION 6: An elected board member may resign at his/her will. The resignation must be submitted at least 10 days in advance. The president shall be responsible for holding a special electoral meeting to elect a replacement for the leaving board member. The removal of any elected board member must be proposed in writing by no less than 30 CSSA members. The President shall be responsible for reviewing the proposal. In the case of impeachment of the President, an executive board member shall be appointed by the executive board to review the proposal. If the proposed removal or impeachment is approved, a general voting shall be called within two weeks. The proposed removal or impeachment shall be passed or ejected by the majority rule. If the proposed removal is passed, a special electoral meeting shall be called within two weeks to elect a replacement for the removed or impeached board member. Election rules are established in ARTICLE VI.

SECTION 7: Only full-time UW Chinese students/scholars are eligible for the position of President, Vice President or Treasurer.

ARTICLE V: OF THE DUTIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS
President: shall be responsible for initiating, coordinating and executing all the activities of CSSA, and for appointing non-elected officers and subcommittee members.

Vice President: shall act as an associate to the President in all activities and shall act in the capacity of the President when the President is absent.

Treasurer: shall be responsible for keeping all records of CSSA's financial activities and reporting the financial status of CSSA to the executive board.

ARTICLE VI: OF THE ELECTIONS
SECTION 1: The general election shall be held at the end of each school year and shall be announced no later than one week
prior to the election date.

SECTION 2: The outgoing President shall preside over the general election meeting.

SECTION 3: Winner(s) shall be decided by the majority rule.

ARTICLE VII: OF THE FUNDING
The sources of CSSA's funding shall come from:
--Admission fees in CSSA organized activities
--Grants and donations

ARTICLE VIII: OF THE AMENDMENTS
The CSSA executive board shall have the sole authority to interpret the constitution of CSSA. Any amendments to the constitution shall be proposed by the executive board to CSSA members. The president shall be responsible for calling a general voting two weeks after the proposal of the amendment(s). The authorization of the rejection of the amendment(s) shall be determined by the majority rule.

CSSA at UW

About us