Adopted March 8, 2005
Article I - The Executive Board
A. Composition and Qualifications
1. The President of the SGA who shall
be a sophomore or junior at the time of election and must be a full-time
matriculated student in good academic and social standing who, at time
of election, plans on holding office for a full year.
2. The Vice President of the SGA who
shall be a sophomore or junior at the time of election and must be
a full-time matriculated student in good academic and social standing
who, at time of election, plans on holding office for a full year.
3. The Treasurer of the SGA who shall
be a sophomore or junior at the time of election and shall have been
a member of the Ways and Means Committee and be a full-time matriculated
student in good academic and social standing who, at time of election,
plans on holding office for a full year.
4. The Secretary of the SGA who shall
be a first-year, sophomore or junior at the time of election and must
be a full-time matriculated student in good academic and social standing
who, at time of election, plans on holding office for a full year.
5. The Public Relations Officer who shall
be a first-year, sophomore or junior at the time of election and must
be a full-time matriculated student in good academic and social standing
who, at time of election, plans on holding office for a full year.
6. The Chair of the Senate who shall
be a first-year, sophomore or junior at the time of election and shall
have been a member of the Senate and be a full-time matriculated student
in good academic and social standing.
7. The Chair of Hall Senators who shall
be a first-year, sophomore or junior at the time of election and shall
have been a member of the Senate and be a full-time matriculated student
in good academic and social standing.
8. The Chair of Organizations who shall
be a first-year, sophomore or junior at the time of election and shall
have held a leadership position within an SGA Organization and be a
full-time matriculated student in good academic and social standing.
9. The Parliamentarian who shall be a
first-year, sophomore or junior at the time of election and shall have
been a member of the Senate and be a full-time matriculated student
in good academic and social standing.
10. The Senate may suspend these qualifications
by a vote of three-fourths of quorum.
B. Duties and Powers
1. The Executive Board shall:
a. Act as a liaison between the students
and the administration, staff and faculty.
b. Attend all general meetings of the SGA and all regular and special meetings
of the Senate.
c. Attend all regular and special meetings of the Executive Board.
d. Report regularly on all pertinent activities at Senate meetings.
e. Attend Executive Board training.
f. Form Senate and maintain general responsibility for the efficient operation
of the Senate.
g. Conduct Senator Training at the beginning of every academic year.
h. Coordinate Senate and Staff Appreciation Days.
2. The President shall:
a. Act as Chief Executive Officer
of the SGA and serve as a representative of the Senate and the students
to the administrative community.
b. With the collective input of the entire Executive Board, set the weekly
Executive Board meeting agenda and ensure that time is kept during each
week’s meeting.
c. Work with the Executive Board to define and distribute its activities
and maintain general responsibility for the efficient operation of those
activities.
d. Serve as ex-officio member and chair of the Student Conference Committee.
e. Serve as ex-officio member of the Five College Coordinating Board and
maintain a relationship with the student governments of the other four
colleges.
f. Attend all faculty meetings and report on the proceedings to the Senate.
g. Meet regularly with the President of the College, the Dean of the College,
the Dean of Students, and the SGA Advisor.
h. Delegate any of these duties to the other members of the Executive Board
with their cooperation, as necessary.
i. Perform all other duties and exercise other powers conferred by the
SGA Constitution and these Bylaws.
j. Maintain an accurate record of the year’s activities and submit
an organized binder with a summarized timeline of responsibilities to the
SGA Advisor by the last day of classes
k. Submit to the SGA Advisor and the College Archives by the last day of
classes in the spring semester, a written annual report outlining all of
SGA’s relevant activities and information. Keep a copy of this report
on file in the SGA Office.
3. The Vice President shall:
a. Act as SGA President in the case
of the inability of the President to serve.
b. Maintain general responsibility for the efficient operation of all SGA
committees.
c. Upon election, become an ex-officio member and chair of the Appointing
Board and in conjunction with the Appointing Board, appoint through an
application and interview process all SGA committee members and train all
new committee members.
d. Delegate any of these duties to the other members of the Executive Board
with their cooperation, as necessary.
e. Meet regularly with the SGA Advisor.
f. Maintain an accurate record of the year’s activities and submit
an organized binder with a summarized timeline of responsibilities to the
SGA Advisor by the last day of classes
4. The Treasurer shall:
a. Maintain the SGA checkbook, ledger,
bank statements, and receipts to ensure a complete and accurate record
of the year’s activities, and shall prepare and pass an audit
of the SGA finances each semester.
b. Continuously inform the Executive Board of the SGA budget and advise
on the purchasing and expenditures of the SGA.
c. Appoint an Assistant to the Treasurer who shall be a sophomore or junior
at the time of appointment and shall have been a respected member of the
Ways and Means Committee. The Treasurer shall be held ultimately responsible
for the actions and duties of the Assistant to the Chair. The Assistant
to the Treasurer shall:
1) Meet once a month alongside
the Treasurer with the SGA advisor.
2) Aid the Treasurer in organizing and planning of organizational Treasurer
Trainings.
3) Aid the Treasurer and Chair of Ways and Means to train all Ways and
Means Committee members.
4) Assist the design of accessory workshops for organizational treasurers
to aide in successfully maintaining organizations’ financial records.
5) Keep accurate records and minutes of all Ways and Means Committee
meetings. Be responsible for distributing those accurate records and
minutes to all members of the Ways and Means committee, Chair of Ways
and Means, and Treasurer.
6) Process all audit forms after each semester and maintain a record
of all organizations’ audit status.
7) Serve on the Ways and Means and Student Planning and Budget Committees.
d. Upon election, become an ex-officio member of the
Ways and Means Committee and have the option of appointing a Chair
of Ways and Means who shall be a sophomore or junior at the time
of appointment and shall have been a respected member of the Ways
and Means Committee. Otherwise, must fulfill all the duties of the
Chair as stated below. The Treasurer shall be held ultimately responsible
for the smooth functioning of the Ways and Means Committee and funding
process. The Chair of Ways and Means shall:
1) Divide up organization treasurers
amongst the 8-10 Way and Means Committee members, taking responsibility
for half of those organizations with the largest budgets and assigning
the rest to the Assistant Treasurer.
2) Lead discussions when Ways and Means Committee reviews and decides
all funding decisions.
3) Moderate discussion during meetings of the Ways and Means Committee.
4) Serve on the Student Planning and Budget Committee.
5) Train all Ways and Means Committee members and assure that all members
fulfill their roles as representatives to organizations.
e. Upon election, become an ex-officio member of the
Student Planning and Budget Committee and have the option of appointing
a Chair to the Planning and Budget Committee. Otherwise, must fulfill
all the duties of the Chair. The Treasurer shall be held ultimately
responsible for the smooth functioning of the Student Planning and
Budget Committee.
f. Maintain an accurate record of all decisions made by the Ways and Means
Committee on funding applications and the funding type received by each
organization on campus, and be held ultimately responsible for those records.
g. Supervise the training of Ways and Means Committee members with the
Assistant to the Treasurer and the Chair of Ways and Means.
h. Plan and organize at least two training sessions of all organization
and Class Board treasurers with the assistance of the Chair of Organizations,
the Assistant to the Treasurer, and the Chair of the Ways and Means Committee
at the start of the fall semester and additionally in the spring if necessary.
These sessions shall be mandatory for all organization treasurers.
i. Schedule a time during which members of the Ways and Means Committee
shall be available to respond to questions and concerns regarding funding
decisions. This session shall occur before funding decisions are presented
to Senate.
j. Meet once a month with the Mount Holyoke College Comptroller and every
two weeks with the SGA Advisor.
k. Maintain an accurate record of the year’s activities and submit
an organized binder with a summarized timeline of responsibilities to the
SGA Advisor by the last day of classes.
5. The Secretary shall:
a. Keep accurate records and minutes
of all meetings of the Senate and all general meetings of the SGA.
Shall be responsible for distributing accurate records and minutes
of the Senate meetings, to all Senators, and the SGA Advisor, as
well as to members of the Executive Board immediately following each
meeting.
b. In lieu of minutes, be responsible for sending out a comprehensive summary
after each Executive Board meeting to the Board and the SGA Advisor; important
records/minutes from Executive Board meetings will be recorded at the Secretary’s
discretion.
c. In cooperation with the President and the Vice President, maintain and
update the SGA email lists.
d. In cooperation with the entire Executive Board, maintain and update
the records and files in the SGA Office.
e. Be responsible for the general correspondence of the SGA.
f. Reserve space and necessary equipment for all meetings of Senate and
the Executive Board. Register necessary events with the Office of Student
Programs.
g. Be responsible for coordinating leadership development opportunities
for the Executive Board.
h. Maintain regular communication with the Alumnae Association of Mount
Holyoke College.
i. Serve as ex-officio member of the Alumnae Association Advisory Committee.
j. Delegate any of these duties to the other members of the Executive Board
with their cooperation, as necessary.
k. Meet with the SGA Advisor as needed.
l. Submit to the College Archives by the last day of classes in the spring
semester, all of the year’s minutes of the Senate.
m. Maintain an accurate record of the year’s activities and submit
an organized binder with a summarized timeline of responsibilities to the
SGA Advisor by the last day of classes
6. The Public Relations Officer shall:
a. Act as the liaison for external
communications between the SGA and the Mount Holyoke College community.
b. Make public announcements concerning all general meetings of the SGA
and other matters pertinent to the SGA.
c. Create and distribute posters, flyers, and other promotional materials.
d. Update and maintain the SGA website.
e. Serve on the Communications Advisory Board.
f. Coordinate all-campus meetings.
g. Reserve space and necessary equipment for special events and general
meetings of the SGA. Register necessary events with the Office of Student
Programs.
h. Work with the Senate to produce the SGA bulletin.
i. Delegate any of these duties to the other members of the Executive Board
with their cooperation, as necessary.
j. Submit copies of the SGA bulletin and all flyers and to the College
Archives by the last day of classes in the spring semester.
k. Meet with the SGA Advisor as needed.
l. Maintain an accurate record of the year’s activities and submit
an organized binder with a summarized timeline of responsibilities to the
SGA Advisor by the last day of classes
7. The Chair of the Senate shall:
a. Call and preside over all meetings
of the Senate, and shall call upon the Parliamentarian if unable
to do so.
b. Vote only in the case of a tie and remain neutral in all Senate discussion.
c. Prepare the agenda of the Senate meetings from the suggestions of the Executive
Board and the members of the Senate and the SGA and make it available at
least one day prior to the meeting.
d. Ensure that quorum is met at each Senate meeting with the assistance of
the Chair of Organizations and the Chair of Halls.
e. Ensure that Senate meeting agendas are set with the aim of reaching
goals established at the beginning of the semester.
f. With the help of the Chair of Hall Senators and the Chair of Organizations,
plan Senator Training.
g. Meet with the SGA Advisor as needed.
h. Maintain an accurate record of the year’s activities and submit
an organized binder with a summarized timeline of responsibilities to the
SGA Advisor by the last day of classes
8. The Chair of Hall Senators shall:
a. Organize and run with the Chair
of Organizations Senator Information Sessions.
b. Coordinate Senator Elections with assistance from the rest of the Executive
Board.
c. Maintain an accurate list of all Hall Senators and their alternates.
d. Coordinate with the rest of the Executive Board to train and instruct the
Hall Senators on their duties within the Senate and to their Hall Committees.
e. Maintain communication with Hall Committees of residence halls as well
as the head of Residential Life concerning Hall Senator elections, duties,
and activities.
f. Maintain communication with Hall Senators to ensure that they are complying
with their duties and to inform them of any events.
g. Meet with the SGA Advisor as needed.
h. Maintain an accurate record of the year’s activities and submit
an organized binder with a summarized timeline of responsibilities to the
SGA Advisor by the last day of classes
9. The Chair of Organizations shall:
a. Organize and run Senator Information
Sessions with the Chair of Hall Senators.
b. Maintain an accurate list of all Organization Senators and their alternates.
c. Coordinate with the rest of the Executive Board to train and instruct the
Organization Senators on their duties within the Senate.
d. Maintain communication with Organization Senators to ensure that they
are complying with their duties and to inform them of any events.
e. Act as an SGA resource for all new and registered Student Organizations.
f. Maintain communication with the Office of Student Programs and the heads
of Student Organizations or their representatives concerning all pertinent
SGA business.
g. Hold informational sessions for all Student Organizations on pertinent
topics.
h. Maintain the SGA Organization Room.
i. Meet with the SGA Advisor as needed.
j. Maintain an accurate record of the year’s activities and submit
an organized binder with a summarized timeline of responsibilities to the
SGA Advisor by the last day of classes
10. The Parliamentarian shall:
a. Attend all meetings of the Senate
and shall not have a vote, nor serve in any other position in the
Senate.
b. Be versed in Parliamentary Procedure, the SGA Constitution, and the
rules of the Senate.
c. Clarify all points of order when necessary or when the Chair of the
Senate is challenged.
d. Act as Chair of the Senate in the case of the inability of the Chair
of the Senate to serve.
e. Serve as ex-officio member of the Elections and Referendums Committee.
f. Fulfill other duties delegated as needed by the other members of the
Executive Board.
g. Meet with the SGA Advisor as needed.
h. Maintain an accurate record of the year’s activities and submit
an organized binder with a summarized timeline of responsibilities to the
SGA Advisor by the last day of classes
C. Election
1. The President, Vice President, Treasurer,
Secretary, and Public Relations Officer shall be elected annually in
campus-wide elections no less than 3 weeks before the last SGA Senate
meeting.
2. The Chair of the Senate, Chair of
Organizations, Chair of Hall Senators, and Parliamentarian shall be
elected by a majority of quorum of the Senate at its first meeting
following the election of the other officers. Only Hall Senators shall
vote for the Chair of Hall Senators and only Organization Senators
shall vote for the Chair of Organizations.
3. Candidates for all of the above offices
must have had their activities fee paid unless they are on official
leave from the college.
D. Taking Office
1. All new executive board members shall
attend the final meeting of Senate, with the exception of students
studying abroad or in an academic exchange program for the spring semester.
New officers will take office following the completion of final exams
in the spring semester. Outgoing officers will be responsible for turning
in final records and ensuring closure to their responsibilities by
the end of final exams.
2. The newly elected Executive Board
must meet at least once with the outgoing officers before the last
day of classes. In addition, each outgoing officer must meet at least
once with their successor before the last day of classes of the spring
semester.
Article II - Senate
A. Duties of Senators
1. Each Senator may represent only one
constituency.
2. Senators are required to attend all
regularly scheduled and ad-hoc Senate meetings as called by the Chair
of the Senate. If unable to attend any required meeting, they must
provide an alternate and contact the Chair of Halls or Organizations
stating this fact.
B. Hall Senators
1. Hall Senators must be elected by a
majority of the voting constituency in their hall by no later than
the third week of the fall semester but before the first meeting of
the Senate.
a. Before the election Hall Senator
candidates will be required to attend an information session, held
by the SGA Executive Board, detailing the expectations and time commitments
of the position. Candidates may not be eligible for election if they
have not attended one of these sessions or made other arrangements
with the Chair of Halls. There will be a mandatory one-week campaign
period prior to final election in each hall.
b. In halls with less than 130 residents, the two students receiving the
most votes shall be that hall’s Senators. The two runners-up shall
be alternates, but each may serve as alternate for only one Senator. In
the case of a tie, only those candidates involved in the tie shall be candidates
in a tie-breaking election.
c. In halls with more than 130 residents, the three students receiving
the most votes shall be that hall’s Senators. The two runners-up
shall be alternates, but each may serve as alternate for only one Senator.
In the case of a tie, only those candidates involved in the tie shall be
candidates in a tie-breaking election.
2. If a Hall Senator misses one Senate
meeting per semester without providing an alternate, a letter will
be sent to the Senator stating this fact. If a Senator misses a second
Senate meeting without providing an alternate, both the Senator and
their Hall President will receive a letter stating this delinquency.
The Chair of Halls will consult with the Hall President to decide whether
the Senator will be replaced. After missing a third meeting, the Senator
will be removed from Senate and the replacement coordinated by the
Chair of Halls.
3. Hall Senators are accountable to the
students in their residence halls and are responsible for soliciting
the opinions and concerns of their hall members, and for expressing
those views at the SGA Senate meetings.
4. Hall Senators must carry on elections,
referenda, surveys, and any other Senate projects.
5. Senators are responsible for posting
the SGA bulletin and maintaining the SGA bulletin board of their residence
halls.
6. Hall Senators and their alternates
are responsible for attending all meetings called by the Chair of Hall
Senators.
C. Organization Senators
1. Organizations will be granted a vote
in the Senate after they submit to the Chair of Organizations the name
and contact information for the organization senator and a petition
signed by one-tenth of the SGA supporting that organization’s
request for a vote. This information must be re-submitted annually.
2. Each organization must elect only
one representative to fulfill the duties of Organization Senator. One
alternate must also be elected and their name must be provided to the
Chair of Organization Senators. This alternate will fulfill the duties
of the representative if the regular Senator is temporarily unable
to fulfill duties of office.
3. If an Organization Senator misses
one Senate meeting per semester without providing an alternate, a letter
will be sent to the Senator stating this fact. If a Senator misses
a second Senate meeting without providing an alternate, both the Senator
and their organization will receive a letter stating this delinquency.
The Chair of Organizations will consult with the organization president
to decide whether the Senator will be replaced. If an Organization
Senator misses a third meeting within an academic year without providing
an alternate, the Chair of Halls and that organization's president
will decide whether the Senator will be replaced or the organization
give up their seat in Senate.
D. Duties of Committee Representatives
to the SGA Senate
1. Committee Representatives are appointed
to their position by the Appointing Board and continue in their role
as long as their Committee and the Appointing Board feel they have
been successful.
2. Committee Representatives may participate
in all aspects of a Senate meeting except for voting.
3. Committee Representatives must provide
updates to the Senate when called upon to do so.
4. Senators may serve as Committee Representatives
in addition to serving as Senators.
E. Meetings and Procedures
1. Regular meetings of the Senate shall
be presided over by the Chair of the Senate. Special meetings may be
called when deemed necessary, or at the request of the President of
the SGA, a majority of the members of the Senate, or by petition of
one-tenth of SGA.
2. The Senate shall meet weekly during
the fall and spring semesters. Senate meetings must take place in a
physically accessible location. It is the duty of the Chair of Senate
to notify Senators of the time and place of each meeting.
3. The Secretary of the SGA shall keep
accurate records and file all minutes of all meetings of the Senate.
4. Rules of Procedure shall be proposed
by the Chair of the Senate and adopted by the Senate at the first Senate
meeting of the year. Additions or changes to the rules may be proposed
by the Parliamentarian or the Chair of the Senate and approved by a
majority of the Senate.
5. All decisions of the Senate may be
subject to appeal by the Council on Student Affairs. Any member of
the SGA may appeal a decision by filing a complaint with the CSA within
fifteen days following a decision by the Senate.
Article III -Committees
A. The SGA will maintain standing committees
that are specifically related to areas of student academic and non-academic
life.
B. The Appointing Board
1. Composition and Qualifications
The Appointing Board shall be composed of:
a. The SGA Vice President who shall
serve as Chair and an ex-officio member.
b. Six members, with more at the discretion of the Vice President of the
SGA. They shall be selected through an application and interview process
by the Vice President, a senator, and a current member of the Appointing
Board in the spring before they take office or to fill a vacancy.
c. Members of the Appointing Board must plan on serving their full term
of office.
2. Duties and Powers
The Appointing Board shall:
a. Appoint, through an application
and interview process, student members to all SGA standing committees
and to all faculty or administrative committees with student representatives.
b. Appoint members to ad-hoc committees set up by the Senate or the Executive
Board.
c. Assume responsibility for the efficient coordination and operation of
all SGA committees.
d. Interview, upon request of the Admissions Office, candidates for the
Senior Board of Admissions.
e. Assist the Vice President in training all committee members.
f. Assign each member to serve as a direct liaison to several committees
and ensure that these groups function fully and report back to senate.
C. New and ad-hoc committees may be proposed
by the SGA Executive Board, the Appointing Board or by the Senate. These
committees will not be recognized formally until approved by three-fourths
of a vote of quorum in the Senate.
D. Committees, with the exception of Ways
and Means, will be filled by an application and interview process conducted
by the Appointing Board at the end of the spring semester and at the
beginning of the fall semester or whenever vacancies arise. The Ways
and Means Committee shall be selected in the spring semester for the
following year through an application and interview process, by the SGA
Treasurer, a senator, and a current member of the Appointing Board.
E. An Appointing Board Liaison will be
assigned to each committee. It is the responsibility of committee members
and their liaisons to maintain adequate communication with one another.
F. All committee members are accountable
to the student body and are responsible for gathering opinions from students
about all issues under consideration. Student committees should meet
as often as necessary to conduct business and address areas of specific
concern to the committee.
G. Committee Chairs
A chair will be appointed from among the members of the committee at the beginning
of each academic year unless a specific person is designated chair within
the committee’s legislation. It is the responsibility of the chair
to:
1. Schedule meetings and plan the agenda.
2. Relay all pertinent information to
the Appointing Board liaison.
3. Maintain accurate records of all committee
activities and submit these records to the Appointing Board liaison
before the last day of classes.
H. Role in Senate
1. Student members of every committee
are required to give an update of their activities to the Senate whenever
called by the Senate.
2. Each committee may appoint one member
to serve as a Committee Representative in the Senate. Committee Representatives
have a voice in the Senate, but no vote.
3. All committee members are encouraged
to attend any Senate meeting where issues relevant to the committee
are being discussed.
I. Standing Student Committees
1. Ways and Means
a. Chair appointed by the SGA Treasurer
b. Proposes the SGA budget to the Senate, audits and reviews funding applications
of all SGA organizations as outlined in the Treasurer’s Handbook.
2. Student Conference Committee
a. Chaired by the SGA President or
appointee.
b. Solicits campus opinion on topics of concern.
c. Presents to the Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees.
3. Committee on Elections and Referendums
a. Coordinates the spring campus-wide
elections for President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Public
Relations Officer, and the Council on Student Affairs. Works with
the All-Class Board to run All-Campus Elections.
b. Manages all Referendum ballots proposed by the student body.
c. Updates and maintains the election procedure guidelines.
4. Exam Center Coordinators
a. Works closely with the Registrar’s
office to coordinate workers and times for self-scheduled exams.
b. Responsible for the training of exam workers.
J. Student Advisory Committees
1. Dining Services Advisory Board
a. Acts as a vehicle for the dietary
concerns and dining needs of students.
b. Discusses dining service issues and considers information and suggestions regarding
the meal plan.
2. Public Safety Advisory Board
a. In addition to the student members,
includes one faculty member, three staff members, and the Director
of Public Safety.
b. Responsible for bringing forth issues and concerns of campus safety
and security to the Department of Public Safety.
3. Student Health Committee
a. Works with the health and counseling
center staff and the Health Education Coordinator.
b. Promotes awareness of health center resources.
4. Communications Advisory Board
a. Advises the Office of Communications
on publicity and recruitment literature and initiatives.
b. Seeks to ensure the integrity of the mission of the College in all publications.
5. Planning and Budget Student Advisory
Board
Provides feedback and advice to the
Vice President for Finance and Administration on issues relating
to college planning and budgeting.
6. Alumnae Advisory Committee
a. Meets with the Executive Director
and/or Program Coordinator of the Alumnae Association.
b. Builds awareness of Alumnae Association and its offerings and resources
for current students, and helps to plan on-campus programming.
7. Career Development Advisory Committee
a. Advises the director of the Career
Development Center on existing and proposes career development programming,
including internships.
b. Ensures the quality and integrity of all programs in carrying out the
mission of the College.
K. Standing College Committees on Which
Students Serve
1. Academic Priorities Committee
a. Oversees issues concerning the curriculum,
creation of new courses and programs, and the revision of existing
courses and grading.
b. Serves as the liaison between academic departments and faculty, administration,
and students.
3. Committee on Admission and Financial
Aid
Addresses matters of policy and priorities
concerning recruitment, entrance requirements, admission, and financial
aid.
4. Multicultural Community and College
Life Committee
a. Addresses all aspects of College
life under the jurisdiction of the Dean of the College.
b. Advise the Dean of the College on activities and policies fostering
an inclusive community that respects group and individual differences, and
that serve the intellectual, educational, and social needs of its members.
5. LITS Advisory Committee
a. Serves as the liaison between the
Library, Information and Technology Services as well as other College
constituencies.
b. Advocates for student library and technology needs.
Article IV- Election
The Elections and Referendums Committee
shall be in charge of and preside over all SGA Elections.
A. Campus-Wide Elections
1. The SGA President, Vice-President,
Treasurer, Secretary, Public Relations Officer, and members of the
Council on Student Affairs will be elected by a campus-wide election.
2. Candidates may be eligible only by
attending at least one informational meeting about the elections. Students
not studying on campus may arrange for a proxy to attend the informational
meeting in their place.
3. Ballots shall contain, for each position,
a space in which an abstention may be recorded, as well as a space
in which a write-in candidate may be named as the recipient of that
vote.
4. There must be at least two candidates
for each of the offices and posts that are to be filled by campus-wide
election. Should there be only one candidate for an office or post,
the Senate may decide by a majority vote of quorum to accept the results.
5. In the event that there is no candidate
for an office or post, the campus should be solicited a second time
for that particular position and a separate election be held. Should
no candidate then come forward, the outgoing and incoming Executive
Boards may appoint an appropriate person to that office.
6. Quorum shall be 50% of the eligible
voters plus one vote. If a quorum is not reached, the Senate may vote
to accept the results of the election by a three-fourths vote of quorum
of the Senate.
7. The Elections and Referendums Committee
shall be responsible for developing campaign guidelines and distributing
these guidelines to all candidates.
B. Referendum Voting
1. Campus-wide referendums may be proposed
on any matter of interest and concern to the SGA. A three-fourths vote
of the Senate or petition signed by at least one-tenth of the SGA is
necessary to require a campus-wide referendum.
2. Referendum voting shall follow the
voting procedures as specified by the Elections and Referendums Committee.
A majority of the members of the SGA shall be required to pass a referendum,
with at least fifty percent of the SGA voting.
3. If quorum is not reached, but at least
35% of the SGA votes on a referendum initiative, the Senate may choose
to accept the results of the initiative by a three-fourths vote of
quorum of the Senate.
C. Requesting a Recount
Any member of the SGA may request a recount of an SGA election or referendum
by submitting to the Elections and Referendums Committee a petition signed
by one-tenth of the SGA calling for a recount.
D. Appeals Process
All SGA elections and referendums may be subject to appeal to the Council on
Student Affairs. All complaints concerning the election process, or any
decision made by the Elections & Referendums Committee, must be directed
primarily to the E&R Committee, with the CSA serving as a board of
appeals. Election results will not be posted until at least 24 hours after
the conclusion of voting. All complaints and appeals must be filed before
or within those 24 hours. Complaints will be accepted after results have
been posted only at the discretion of the Elections and Referendums Committee
and CSA. Election results will not be posted until decisions have been
made concerning all pending appeals. Any member of the SGA may appeal a
decision made by the SGA, Senate, or any of its constituent parts by filing
a complaint in accordance with CSA procedures.
Article V - Removal
A. Executive Board
1. Any member of the Executive Board
may be removed from office for neglect of duty.
2. Removal from office of the President,
Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary or Public Relations Officer requires
the submission of a petition from at least one-tenth of the SGA requesting
such removal. This petition must be submitted to the Senate and the
Senate must vote on it. Removal from office occurs upon approval by
three fourths of a quorum of the Senate.
3. Removal from office of the Chair of
Senate, Chair of Hall Senators, Chair of Organizations, or Parliamentarian
requires the submission of a petition from at least 1/10 of the Senate.
This petition must be brought before the Senate and the Senate must
vote on it. Removal from office occurs upon approval by three fourths
of a quorum of the Senate.
4. Board members who take leaves of absence
during their terms of office shall automatically forfeit the remainder
of their terms.
B. Senators
1. Senators, after having missed three
meetings, will be removed from Senate for neglect of duty.
2. Senators may be removed from the Senate
for neglect of duty by a three-fourths vote of a quorum of the Senate
or by the constituency group they represent.
C. Appointing Board Members
Appointing Board members may be removed
from office for neglect of duty by a vote of the majority of the Executive
Board. If so desired, the removed student may appeal the Executive
Board decision to the Senate, which may return a position by a vote
of three-fourths of quorum.
D. Committee Members
Chairs and members of SGA Committees
may be removed by vote of the majority of the Appointing Board for
neglect of duty or violation of their Committee Contract.
Article VI - Filling Vacancies
A. Executive Board
1. In the event of the inability of the
Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, or Public Relations Officer to
hold office, the Executive Board has the power to appoint a new member
to the Executive Board with the approval of three fourths of a quorum
of the Senate.
2. In the event that the President is
unable to hold office, the Vice President shall assume the Presidency.
In such a case, a new Vice President shall be appointed by the Executive
Board with the approval of three fourths of a quorum of the Senate.
3. In the event that the Chair of the
Senate, Chair of Hall Senators, Chair of Organizations, or Parliamentarian
is unable to hold office, a replacement shall be selected by the procedures
herein established.
4. Seniors will be eligible to fill vacancies.
B. Senators
In the event of the inability of a senator
to hold office, the selection of a replacement shall be coordinated
by the Chair of Hall Senators or Organizations, in accordance with
the procedures herein established.
C. Appointing Board Members
In the event of the inability of an Appointing
Board member to hold office, a replacement shall be chosen by the Vice
President and the current Appointing Board through an application and
interview process.
Article VII - SGA Funding
A. All Student Organizations applying for
funding must abide by guidelines outlined in the Treasurer’s Handbook
and as communicated by the Ways and Means Committee.
B. Each organization receiving SGA funding
must be registered with Student Programs and have a viable credit background:
they must pass all audits, maintain contact with their Ways and Means
representative, complete accurate records of the use of their funding,
and use funding appropriately and responsibly, according to the guidelines
outlined in the Treasurers’ Handbook.
C. Senate will approve Regular Funding
decisions made by the Ways and Means Committee in the spring of each
year and Contingency Funding decisions once per semester. Funding decisions
will be final on approval by three fourths of a quorum of Senate.
D. There are three types of funding available
to registered Student Organizations:
1. CONTINGENCY FUNDING: Contingency funding
provides a mechanism for newly registered organizations on campus to
finance their activities.
2. REGULAR (ANNUAL) FUNDING: Regular
funding is available to registered student organizations, which have
been established after following the contingency funding process.
3. SPECIAL FUNDING: Special funding is
available to all registered organizations to finance unexpected expenses
during the year that were not originally considered in their budget,
or for one-time events on campus.
Article VII - Suspension of the
Rules
The SGA Constitution, Bylaws, and Senate Rules of Procedure may be suspended
for a specific purpose and stated duration whenever the Senate deems necessary.
The Executive Board or Senate may propose suspension of the rules, and it must
be approved by a vote of three-fourths of quorum of the Senate.
Article IX - Amendment
Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by a majority vote, of quorum of
the voting members of the Senate, or by one-tenth of the members of the
SGA in the form of a petition brought to the Senate. All amendment proposals
shall be valid when passed by a three-fourths vote by a quorum of the members
of the Senate.
Article X – Adoption
Approval of these Bylaws by a majority of the voting members of the Senate
with quorum of the members voting shall abrogate all previous SGA Bylaws.
The current system of government herein established shall become effective
immediately.
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