On July 9, 1955 Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein issued the
Russell-Einstein Manifesto, co-authored by the two, which detailed the
problems involved with the use and control of the then newly developed
thermonuclear weapons, better known as hydrogen bombs:

The best authorities are unanimous in saying that a war
with H-bombs might possibly put an end to the human race. It is feared
that if many H-bombs are used there will be universal death, sudden
only for a minority, but for the majority a slow torture of disease and
disintegration. - Russell-Einstein Manifesto

The manifesto was signed by eleven of the most prominent scientists
of the time, including Russell and Einstein, and inspired a 1957
conference, held in Pugwash, Nova Scotia. The conference, attended by
22 scientists from the United States, the Soviet Union, Japan, the
United Kingdom, Australia, Austria, China, France and Poland, inspired
a series of conferences that continue to this day, and which have been
titled the Pugwash Conferences after the city in which the 1957
conference was held. From these conferences grew a decentralized
organization, loosely known as “Pugwash.” To date there have been more
than 250 Pugwash Conferences with a total attendance of over ten
thousand, and many thousands of local events organized by independent
Pugwash chapters. In 1995 Pugwash and Joseph Rotblat were jointly
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work towards the ultimate goal
of the total abandonment of nuclear weapons. Joseph Rotblat was the
final living signee of the original Russell-Einstein Manifesto.

Today the Pugwash Conferences are held annually with an average
attendance of 200. Individuals participate only in a private capacity -
they do not come as agents or representatives of any government,
political party, organization, etc. Pugwash's stated goal is the
creation of a world absolutely free of nuclear weapons. The Pugwash
name, however, has come to stand for the basic idea that scientists,
physicians, policy makers, journalists - anyone whose work influences
others - are responsible for the consequences that their work makes
possible. This is no more apparent than in the existence of the
hydrogen bomb, created by scientists and mathematicians and capable of
killing millions instantly and billions slowly, but the doctrine of
responsibility holds true in every area of scientific and social
endeavor. Thus many different ideas, from the use of anthrax on
civilian populations to the growing of genetically modified foods to
help feed the third world, have been discussed under the Pugwash banner.

How, when and why was Student Pugwash created?

Student Pugwash was founded in 1979 after Jeffery Leifer, then a
student, attended a Pugwash Conference and decided that students should
be exposed to the ideals of the conferences. His goal was to make
students aware that, as future scientists, policy makers, etc., they
too were responsible for the consequences that their work will someday
make possible.

Visit the Student Pugwash USA website

Where does Student Pugwash fall on the political spectrum?

The mission of Student Pugwash USA (SPUSA) is to promote the
socially responsible application of science and technology, and to
promote social progress in the 21st century. As a student organization,
SPUSA encourages young people to examine the ethical, social, and
global implications of science and technology, and to make these
concerns a guiding focus of their academic and professional endeavors.
SPUSA does not take a direct stand on political issues, but instead
seeks to foster discussion which results in action on the part of
individuals.

Article I: Name, Purpose, Description

This
organization shall be known as the Johns Hopkins University Society for
Ethics in Science and Medicine, an affiliate chapter of Student Pugwash
USA.

Student
Pugwash USA is a nonprofit, educational association, involving students
and professionals in industry, academics, and government. The
organization's purpose is to provide individuals with programs to help
them better understand the social and ethical implications of
scientific and technological advances, as well as to promote the
socially responsible application of science and technology in the 21st
century. Student Pugwash programs help students acquire the analytical
skills necessary to translate their concerns about the future into
viable solutions. Consensus is neither sought nor expected, and Student
Pugwash USA does not advocate policy in any way.

JHU
Society for Ethics in Science and Medicine has Class B financial status
in the Johns Hopkins University Student Activities Commission.

Article II: Membership

Membership
shall be open to any student, faculty member, administrator, or staff
person with an interest in ethical issues. To be considered a member
requires attending one meeting or activity throughout the year. Active
voting membership is limited to undergraduate students who have
attended at least three Pugwash meetings in one semester, not including
an election meeting. No membership dues will be collected.

Article III: Organizational Structure

There
shall be four officers constituting the executive council. The council
shall consist of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

The primary duties of the President are as follows:

1. Direct and maintain the focus of the chapter in accordance with the objectives of the chapter's purpose.
1. Preside over all meetings and events, or delegate authority to do so as necessary.
2. Coordinate meetings pertaining to general business of the chapter and any necessary elections.
3. Serve as a contact to the Student Pugwash USA national organization and
   supervise informational transactions with the national office.
4. Represent the chapter, along with the treasurer, at all SAC meetings.
5. Handle general Chapter correspondence.
6. Abide by the rules of this constitution.

The primary duties of the Vice President are as follows:

1. In conjunction with the President, direct and maintain the focus of the
   chapter in accordance with the objectives of the chapter's purpose.
1. Serve as event coordinator for publicly announced meetings,
   conferences, and large scale activities, or delegate authority to do so
   as necessary.
2. Coordinate publicity for all chapter events, or delegate authority to do so as necessary.
3. Arrange a discussion schedule in advance of each semester.
4. Reserve rooms for all meetings and events.
5. Communicate with and assist the President in all responsibilities and decisions.
6. Abide by the rules of this constitution.

The primary duties of the Secretary are as follows:

1. Keep legible minutes of all meetings, or delegate authority to do so when unavailable.
1. In collaboration with other members of the executive council, prepare agendas for all general meetings.
2. Maintain membership records.
3. Maintain the chapter history.
4. Maintain organizational files and records pertaining to the chapter
   business and history. The files should include copies of the chapter's
   current constitution, publicity items, and informational packets
   supplied by Student Pugwash USA and Pugwash affiliated organizations.
5. Maintain and update JHU Student Pugwash web site and electronic mailing list, or delegate authority to do so if necessary.
6. Abide by the rules of this constitution.

The primary duties of the Treasurer are as follows:

1. Maintain budget ledger to assure that financial resources are properly managed.
1. Oversee all fund-raising activities of the chapter.
2. Generate and submit funding requests as needed.
3. Represent the chapter, along with the President, at all SAC meetings.
4. Submit budgets to the SAC and other applicable funding sources as necessary.

Article IV: General Meetings

General
membership meetings must be held at least once every month, unless
deemed otherwise by the executive council. General membership meetings
must be publicized prior to the meetings.

Article V: Election Guidelines

Elections
will take place during the spring semester; newly elected officers will
take office immediately. Announcements of upcoming elections must be
posted at least one week in advance and made at the previous general
meeting, at which time nominations will be opened. Any active voting
member is eligible to run for office; a candidate cannot run for more
than one office. A quorum of fifty percent of the active voting
membership must be present in order for elections to take place.

A
person may express his or her intent to run for elected office by
submitting his or her name on the floor before or between voting, as
well as by accepting seconded-nominations for a specific office prior
to or on the floor during elections.

Prior
to the vote, each nominee may make a brief statement, and members may
ask questions. Each active voting member may cast one vote for each of
the four offices. All votes must be conducted via secret ballot. Votes
must be tallied independently by a non-voting participant. In the event
of a tie, runoffs between the tied candidates will be held until the
tie is broken.

The
executive council will hold elections under the guidelines listed in
this section in order to fill any vacancies. In case of temporary
vacancy, the chain of succession of the executive council is President,
Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary; leadership will be delegated
in this structure.

Article VI: Impeachment Procedures

Any
member may raise concerns regarding one or more officers to the
specific officer(s) involved or to the executive council as a whole. If
concerns or accusations are not cleared with an officer individually,
then the executive council must convene a general membership meeting to
hold impeachment vote. In such a vote, the general assembly may decide
whether or not to impeach the officer(s) in question. This vote must be
presided over by a non-accused officer, and a three-fourths majority
vote of fifty percent quorum is necessary for removal.

Individuals
accused are granted the right to refute any charges. They must be
notified of the charges brought against them within one week of the
charges being presented, and they must be given at least one week to
prepare a defense.

Article VII: Amendments, Ratification, Annulment

Amendments
to this constitution may be proposed during a general meeting by any
member of JHU Student Pugwash; if seconded, the change may voted on
following sufficient discussion. Successful passing of the said
proposals shall require a two-thirds majority vote of fifty percent
quorum. Constitutional revisions must be dated with the date of
approval.

The
executive council must make copies of the JHU Student Pugwash
constitution and other relevant documents available upon request to any
person.

The JHU Student Pugwash by-laws are considered to be binding. By-law violations will be handled as outlined within the by-laws.