Officers are elected by the members of the Polish Society and serve their term for one school year, unless re-elected. They must be members of the undergraduate student body of Drexel during their stay in office, otherwise a replacement must be found. This includes situations such as an officer graduating or otherwise leaving the University for any reason.

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Part Two: Brief History

Polish societies and organizations are not new to Drexel. Before the DUPS, the Polish Student Association, created in 1998-1999, was very active on campus and in the Polish community. However, it faded from Drexel in 2002 due to lack of interest and matters of miscommunication. The former President of PSA, Michael Zagorski, was continuing his education as a graduate biomedical engineering student at Drexel during Fall Term 2003. He contacted several old PSA members who were still undergraduates at Drexel, asking if they would like to start the organization anew. Five of the members were very enthusiastic and met within a week to begin forming the Drexel University Polish Society, which officially became recognized by Drexel in October of 2003.

The DUPS is made up of undergraduate and graduate students attending Drexel who strive to promote the Polish culture on campus and in the local Polish community, create bonds of friendship and support among one another, and inspire those who come in contact with the group by showing them what it truly means to be Polish and proud. The members are strong and very fond of their heritage, and enjoy sharing their love of working hard and playing hard.

The DUPS met weekly throughout the year, usually on Thursdays (at 5:30 during Fall and at 5:00 during Winter and Spring terms) at the Greenwalt Student Development Center in Conference Room B, located on the lower level of the Creese Student Union near 32nd and Chestnut Streets. Attendance varied, depending on class schedules and term week.

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Part Three: Events Organized in 2003-2004

This past year, the Polish Society organized the following:

“Ognisko” Bonfire Picnic

French Creek Park in Pottstown, PA

November 2, 2003

There’s nothing like spending an afternoon roasting kielbasa on an open fire near a lake.

Andrzejki

Edyta’s home

November 21, 2003

Celebration of St. Andrew’s Night, a night associated with Poland’s more pagan roots, especially including fortune telling.

Wigilia

Greg’s home

December 13, 2003

Traditional Polish Christmas supper prepared by and for the members.

Ice Skating

Polonia Bank/ Flyer’s Skate Zone

February 7, 2004

Organized with members of Philadelphia’s Polish Dance Ensemble PKM.

Poconos Weekend Getaway

Indian Mountain Lake

March 19-21, 2004

Time spent away from books and the city, away in the mountains the weekend after winter term, enjoyed by members and friends.

Polish Student Organization

April 27, 2004

First Organizational Meeting of the PSO with a representative from University of Pennsylvania and the president of the Kosciuszko Foundation.

Doubles Party/Get-together

May 15, 2004

Meant to reunite those who went to the Poconos to exchange pictures, but extended to all members of DUPS and UPenn’s Polish Society.

Polish Movie Night

May 22, 2004

Camping at the Pine Barrens

Date: Saturday, June 19, 2004

Belleplain State Forest in Woodbine, NJ
Was cancelled due to lack of interest. May be rescheduled for later in the summer.

“How to Make Pierogi” Day

June 26, 2004

Was cancelled due to lack of interest. May be rescheduled at the beginning of Fall 2004.

Study Day -- Down the Shore at Wildwood

July 17, 2004

Open to members who have classes as well as those on CoOp or enjoying their summer off.

Other Ideas

Other ideas presented included:

holding a VADER death-metal concert on campus
having a T-shirt fundraiser
making T-shirts
another “Ognisko”
displaying Polish Movie Posters at the Creese Center
contacting and visiting the Polish Cultural Institute in NYC
skiing in January
“Marzanna” in March in Washington, DC
a “Karnawal” celebration
picnic for other Polish Student organizations in the area

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Part Four: Events Attended by DUPS

This past year, the Polish Society attended the following:

Annual Poetry Reading of the Overbrook Poets Society

Polish American Cultural Center in Philadelphia

Friday, November 14

This year, the Overbrook Poets' Society featured poetry by the 1996 Nobel Prize Laureate, Wislawa Szymborska. The event was sponsored by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation.

“Stara Basn: Kiedy Slonce Bylo Bogiem”

International House

November 9, 2003

Public viewing of the newest movie directed by Jerzy Hoffman, sponsored by Polish Radio and Television, Kaleidoscope.

Christmas Concert at Villanova

St. Mary's Hall, Villanova University

December 21, 2003

The Philadelphia Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation hosted their 10th Anniversary Polish Christmas concert featuring the Rittenhouse String Quartet, Valerian Ruminski - bass [soloist], and Wojciech Hollender – piano. Attended by our Vice President.

Polish Poster Art: American Westerns and Polish Masters
March 4 through March 19, 2004
Drexel’s Leonard Pearlstein Gallery presented the exhibition "Polish Poster Art: American Westerns and Polish Masters". The exhibition featured 70 examples of Polish poster art from the collection of Dr. Frank Fox, a retired Russian history professor from Temple and West Chester Universities. Attended by several of our members.

Polish Happy Hours in Philadelphia

#1: April 3 at Nodding Head

#2: June 4 at Sassafras Cafe
#3: June 25 at Sassafras Cafe

Attended by several of our members.

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Part Five: The Constitution for 2003-2004

The Constitution submitted for the 2003-2004 school year was modeled after the Constitution used by the Polish Student Association in 2001-2002. It will most likely be reviewed and updated for 2004-2005.

The Constitution of the Polish Society of Drexel University

Drexel University October 16, 2003

ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this association shall be the Polish Society of Drexel University.

ARTICLE II: OBJECT
Members of PSA will be empowered to promote and preserve Polish culture and tradition as well as to create a network among all students and faculty interested in the Polish heritage. The PSA will be also pursuing a goal to assist in successful integration with the university any prospective Drexel University students of the Polish origin.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Definition All undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at Drexel University regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or physical disability will comprise the membership. Section 2: Rights of the Membership
1. All members may vote in PSDA elections.
2. All members may hold office if they are elected or appointed according to the Election Committee Guidelines and Procedures.
3. All members may speak and be heard at the PSDA meetings.
4. All members have the right to access the PSDA information and records not of a confidential nature.

ARTICLE IV: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
DUPS will have one governing body. The executive board will be defined as: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The president will delegate the responsibilities for actions to commits of the PSDA. The president will delegate the responsibilities for meeting with administrators outside of PSDA meetings.
All officers will be expected to solicit their constitutes' views on pertinent legislation and general student life and welfare. PSDA meeting will serve as an additional forum for the expression of concerns.
In addition PSDA will have a position of Alumni Relation Officer, which will be a part of the governing body.

Section 1: Responsibilities of Office

A. President
1. This student shall serve as the student liaison to the University President.
2. The president of the undergraduate and graduate student body shall be the official spokesperson of the student body.
3. This student shall act as the liaison to the University’s Board of Trustees, to attend all open meetings or will send the Vice-President or other representative in his/her place.
4. This student shall chair the meeting to develop the PSDA budget.

B. Vice-President
1. This student will chair PSDA meetings in the absence of the President.
2. This student will be responsible for keeping track of committee activities and to provide direction to committees in cooperation with the committee chair.
3. This student will work with the president, supporting him/her and attending meetings with administrators in his/her absence.
4. This student shall be considered an ex-officio member of all PSDA related committees.

C. Treasurer
1. This student will keep tack of the expenditures of the PSDA.
2. This student shall be the Chair of the student activities fee Allocation Committee.

D. Secretary
1. This student will be responsible for managing all of the PSDA records from the meetings and all activities the organization will conduct throughout the year.

E. Alumni Relations Officer
1. This student will be a contact person between the organization and recently graduated Drexel students.

ARTICLE V: ADVISORS
The primary advisor of the PSDA shall be an administrative, faculty, or staff member of Drexel University to assist in the matters of finance and general procedures. The PSDA may also appoint secondary advisors from within the University.

ARTICLE VI: APPOINTMENT
Annual ballot vote will be ordered in order to determine the executive body. Voting will take place during the meeting at the end of the spring term each year.
Removal or replacement of any of the officers can only be conducted after approval of Student Activities Office, the advisor and the majority vote of the undergraduate and graduate student body; the appointment will take effect immediately.

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS
Meetings of the PSDA will be held weekly or as often as necessary.

ARTICLE VIII: RATIFICATION
This Constitution must be ratified by a majority vote of the undergraduate and graduate student body. This Constitution will then take effect immediately.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS
Section 1: Any and all amendments must be submitted to the executive body in writing when introduced as new business at a regular meeting.
Section 2: An amendment to the Constitution will be automatically placed on the ballot for ratification by a majority vote of undergraduate and graduate student body. If approved, it will take effect immediately.

ARTICLE X: DISSOLUTION
Before a vote to dissolve PSDA can be made, public notice of the date, time, location, and nature of the vote must be made two weeks or fourteen calendar days, prior to the actual vote. The dissolution of PSDA will take place only if two-thirds of the voters are in favor of the dissolution or as for cause, the dissolution of PSDA is ordered by the Office of Student Activities.