We, the residents of Metanoia House, hereby associate under this Constitution for the purpose of planning and facilitating activities, creating a vehicle for leadership development, and serving as a liaison to other organizations, thereby enhancing the common good of Willamette University. Our purpose is to create a forum for the expression of student opinion and to promote an academic environment, fostering unity and fellowship among residents, and to both nurture diversity and pursue growth on personal, family, and community levels by accepting the challenge of social responsibility.

Article I - Membership

All students of Willamette University and Tokyo International University of America who are currently residing in Metanoia House shall be considered Full Members upon paying their Residence Hall Activity Fee. Full Membership shall include, but shall not be limited to, the rights to: voice opinions and/or cast votes (or stand aside) in the Consensus Circle, to serve on committees as set up during hall meetings, and to serve as chairperson of any committee.

Section 2

All current students (or students enrolled but on a leave of absence) and/or employees of Willamette University and Tokyo International University of America, who are not currently residing in Metanoia, but have both a) resided in Metanoia for at least one full semester, and b) attended at least four consecutive hall meetings of Metanoia during that time of residence shall be considered Associate Members. Also, any student or employee of Willamette University or Tokyo International University of America who has attended four consecutive meetings may petition for Associate Membership during or after the fourth meeting, and will be granted Associate Membership if all Members in attendance consent. Associate Membership shall include, but shall not be limited to, the rights to: voice opinions and/or cast votes (or stand aside) in the Consensus Circle, except on issues only affect Full Members (this distinction is to be decided by the presiding HeDaShe on a case-by-case basis, and shall include decisions pertaining to living conditions within the residence hall, hall regulations, and dispersal of hall funds to improve the quality of life of residents within the hall); to serve on committees as set up during hall meetings, and to serve as chairperson of any committee.

Section 3

Any person who is not a Member of Metanoia may attend hall meetings, voice opinions on all issues discussed, and serve on committees set up during hall meetings. Non-members may not cast votes in the Consensus Circle or serve as chairperson of any committee.

Section 4

All Members with Associate Member status prior to the ratification of this constitution shall retain that status, providing they are either current students and/or employees of Willamette University or Tokyo International University of America, or enrolled students on a leave of absence.

Article II - Meetings

Hall Meetings shall be open to everyone. Hall business conducted at the meeting will consist of, but not be limited to: Residence Life report, Senate Report, RHA report, IM report, Treasurer's report, committee reports and maintenance requests.

The Executive Council, which shall consist of all elected officials, the Advisor, the RA and the HeDaShe, will meet before hall meetings. Business at the Executive Council meeting shall consist of but not be limited to project planning and solidifying of the Hall Meeting agenda.

Article III - Executive Council Positions

Executive Council shall work in a constructive manner with Residence Life Staff for the overall benefit of the residents of Metanoia House. All Executive Council Members shall attend all Executive Council meetings, unless excused by the Coordinator or Advisor, or by two other attending members of the Executive Council (not including themselves). The Executive Council shall be responsible for assisting the HeDaShe in planning the Hall Meeting agenda. Executive Council shall also be responsible for planning at least two projects to be carried out in the first month of the next semester, with these preferably consisting of one in-house project and one community project. The Executive Council shall not have the power of decision-making for the hall, however, but instead shall be responsible for implementing, as needed, decisions made at Hall Meetings (in effect, the Executive Council shall be responsible for details, and not for broad policy).

Section 1 - Hall Coordinator

1. The Coordinator is responsible for seeing that delegated responsibilities are performed, and for working with the advisor to evaluate council members as to their job performance.
2. The Coordinator shall provide the leadership and direction to enable Hall Council to set and achieve goals and expectations for the semester.
3. The Coordinator shall be aware of attendance and other problems, and shall deal with them appropriately, with assistance from the Advisor if necessary.
4. The Coordinator shall meet with the Advisor on a regular basis for the purpose of communicating information and expectations pertaining to Hall Council.
5. The Coordinator, in conjunction with the Liaison, shall provide the leadership for the hall's programming efforts by assessing the social and educational programming needs of its residents and developing, implementing, and evaluating programs to address those needs.
6. The Coordinator shall call Executive Council meetings as necessary and/or when requested.

1. The Liaison, in conjunction with the Coordinator, shall provide the leadership for the hall's programming efforts in the community at large and for developing, implementing, and evaluating these programs.
2. The Liaison shall keep the Executive Council informed of all stages of social and educational program development.
3. The Liaison shall be responsible for all publicity relating to the hall and/or hall activities.

1. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial matters of Hall.
2. The Treasurer shall complete requests for monies and submit them to the Resident Director for approval.
3. The Treasurer shall submit a budget to the Hall for approval at the beginning of each semester.
4. The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping receipts and completing related reimbursement forms.
5. The Treasurer shall keep accurate records of the transactions and balance of the hall account.

1. The Secretary shall be responsible for the recording of the Hall minutes, and for posting them (on all floors) within 48 hours of Hall meetings.
2. The Secretary shall be responsible for the acquisition of necessary hall office supplies and equipment.

1. There shall be two (2) RHA representatives.
2. The RHA Representatives shall be voting members of the RHA General Council and follow the attendance policy of RHA.
3. The RHA Representatives shall serve on RHA and hall committees as necessary.

1. Metanoia shall elect the number of ASWU Senators as dictated by the ASWU constitution.
2. The ASWU Senators shall attend all AWSU Senate Meetings as scheduled by the ASWU senate.
3. The ASWU Senators shall fulfill their duties as stated in the ASWU constitution.

1. The Intramural Rep shall attend all Intramural Rep meetings as scheduled by the Campus Intramural Coordinator.
2. The Intramural Rep shall conduct a sign-up process for each sport and turn in rosters in a timely manner.
3. The Intramural Rep shall post all schedules and schedule changes in a central location.
4. The Intramural Rep shall be responsible for publicizing intramural activities in such a way so that all residents have a fair and equal opportunity to participate.

1. The Food Service Rep shall meet regularly with the Food Service Manager to express resident concerns and to collect information for the residents.

1. The Recycling Rep shall be responsible for the implementation and maintenance of a hall recycling program.

1. The Advisor shall be the Resident Director or his/her designee.
2. The Advisor shall meet on a regular basis with the Coordinator for the purpose of communicating information and expectations pertaining to the hall.
3. The Advisor shall meet on a regular basis with the Executive Council.
4. The Advisor shall act as liaison between the hall and the Office of Residence Life.
5. The Advisor shall direct on-going skills and awareness training with the hall to facilitate the development of useful and appropriate leadership qualities.
6. The Advisor shall inform the hall about Residence Life and University policies and their implications as appropriate.
7. The Advisor shall inform the hall of campus resources as needed.
8. The Advisor shall work with Executive Council, especially the Coordinator and Liaison, in the development of hall activities.
9. The Advisor shall provide on-going evaluation and appropriate advice to the hall regarding individual and group performance.
10. The Advisor shall seek to challenge and educate the hall to ensure that the group considers all sides of an issue.
11. The Advisor shall act as a mediator of conflicts among hall members as necessary.
12. The Advisor shall perform other duties as necessary.

1. The HeDaShe shall be responsible for moderating hall meetings.
2. The HeDaShe shall have a meeting agenda available for all those attending hall meetings, if requested.
3. The HeDaShe shall meet with the Executive Council to plan the hall meeting agenda.
4. The HeDaShe shall be a rotating office, with the HeDaShe for each hall meeting selected (if possible) during the prior hall meeting.

All Members of Metanoia House may vote, within the conditions described above in Article I. Voting in Metanoia House takes place within one of two frameworks: simple majority vote, or the Consensus Circle.

Section 1

The Consensus Circle shall be made up of all Members present at Hall Council meetings, and shall only reach decisions by unanimous consent. Votes of consent, dissent, or abstention may be cast, consensus only being reached when all votes (except abstentions) are either consenting or dissenting. Should there be a division of opinions, Members of the Consensus Circle will be recognized by the HeDaShe and allowed to speak on behalf of their viewpoint. It shall be the HeDaShe's responsibility to limit speaking times and facilitate discussion. If an issue is divided more than three successive times in a single meeting, the HeDaShe may move the vote to a later meeting. An issue may be moved to a later meeting by consent of the circle.

Section 2

An issue may be decided by simple majority vote if it is of a minor nature. The HeDaShe shall be responsible for determining an issue's nature, but this decision may be changed if any member of the Consensus Circle feels it should be decided by Consensus. Conversely, an issue considered by the HeDaShe as being of a major nature can be instead decided by majority vote if Consented to by the Circle.

Section 3

In order for any decisions to be made by the Hall , at least 30% of all Full Members must be present.

Article V - Elections

Hall Council elections will be completed, not including any run-off elections, by the third week of each semester. Run-off elections shall be completed in a timely manner, not taking longer than a week between the time a run-of election is announced and the time at which results are announced.

Section 2

Those candidates will be declared elected who receive a majority of votes cast. If no candidate for a certain position receives a majority, there will be a run-of election between the top two candidates.

Article VI - Standing Committees

This committee shall consist of the Hall Coordinator, present and incoming RD's and RA's, if possible, and up to 3 more interested hall members. The orientation committee shall be responsible for planning an orientation for incoming residents. Plans will be approved by a hall meeting at least 3 weeks before Graduation. Orientation will be run concurrently with Opening Days.

1. Appropriations of Hall Funds
   1. Monies may be appropriated by agreement of the hall, as outlined in article IV.
2. Amendment Process
   1. Amendments to the constitution may be proposed to Executive Council by any member of the hall.
   2. To be brought to a hall vote, the amendment must by approved by a consensus of the Executive Council, or by the agreement of a majority of Members.
   3. The constitution shall be amended if it gains a three-fourths majority of an all-House vote.
3. Recall
   1. Recall of an elected officer is a matter that should not be taken lightly. For this reason, the recall process outlined below is designed to be arduous, similar to the amendment process. Recall should only be undertaken in cases of extreme neglect or incompetence in the performance of that official's duties.
   2. The recall process will consist of the following: an initial vote by Hall meeting to start the recall process; the recall hearing; and finally a vote to recall. The Coordinator shall conduct the recall process, unless the Coordinator is the officer being recalled, in which case the Liaison shall conduct the recall process.
   3. The motion to recall will be made like any other motion before the hall. This motion will be voted on by all Members of the Hall, except the advisor(s) and RA, and must pass by a three-quarters majority of votes cast.
   4. The recall hearing will be held at the following Executive Council meeting. The entire Executive Council, the advisor and the individual whose performance is being reviewed must all be present at the hearing. At this hearing, the individual in question must have a fair opportunity to defend his/her behavior.
   5. The testimony given at the recall hearing will be posted by the Secretary before the final vote.
   6. After the recall hearing, the Executive Council, with the exception of the individual in question, will decide by consensus if the recall process will be continued. Its decision will be announced at the hall meeting. The decision of the Executive Council may be overridden if all present at the hall meeting (excluding the Executive Council) consent, so long as they form a valid Consensus Circle as outlined in Section IV (with specific regard to the requirement of 30% of Members being in this Consensus Circle).
   7. Should it be decided that the recall will proceed, a vote to recall will be held. The quorum for this vote is three-quarters of the Hall residents. The motion will be voted on by all voting and non-voting members of the Hall , and will pass with a three-fourths majority of votes cast.

Written in February of 1992 largely by Jane Patterson and Eric Tilton.

Further information about Metanoia is also available.