STU=
DENT
GOVERNMENT
ASS=
OCIATION
CONSTITUTION
We,
the members of the Newberry College Student Government Association, do here=
by
establish this Constitution in order that our purpose to improve the
coordination of programs that serve the education, social life, recreation,
administration, and conduct of the
Article I: Name and Purpose
Section A Name
The name of this organization shall be the Newberry College Student Government Association<= /b>; hereinafter called the NCSGA.
Section B Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the welfare of Newberry College and of the student body of Newberry College through its executive, legislative and judicial branches; acting according to the Constitution on = all matters of mutual concern—education, social life, recreation, administration and conduct.
Article II: Membership
The
membership of this organization shall be composed of duly enrolled students=
of
Article III: Structure
There shall be three branches of government: Executive, Legislative and Judicial.=
Article IV: Executive Branch
Section A
The executive branch shall be composed of four members of the NCSGA: the Presid= ent, The Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, herein after called the Execu= tive committee. The Chairpersons of the Public Relations Committee and the Ombud= sman shall serve as ex-officio members of the Executive committee without vote.<= /p>
Section B
The
President shall come from the rising senior class or rising junior class. T=
he
Vice President shall come from the rising senior or rising junior classes. =
The
Secretary and Treasurer shall come from the rising senior, junior or sophom=
ore
class. Each officer of the NCSGA must have a cumulative GPA of no less than
2.75 to be eligible for election. Executive Officers shall have been enroll=
ed
in
Article V: Legislative Branch
Section A
The legislative branch shall be called the senate.
Section B - amended 5/97
The senate has the power to initiate and pass all legislation, which it deems necessary and proper, consistent with the purposes of the NCSGA to make recommendations to the Board of Trustees, Administration, or the faculty through the Dean of Students.
Section C
A simple majority (50 percent plus 1) shall be required to pass any motion.
Section D
The advisor to the NCSGA shall be the Dean of Students or his/her designee. Upon appointment by the Dean of Students, the NCSGA senate must approve this designee by two-thirds majority vote. The advisor shall have no authority s= uch as to negate any other officer, and no authority, which may take power out = of the trust of the NCSGA. He or= she shall be an ex-officio member without vote. The purpose of this advisor is = to counsel the NCSGA.
Section E
No person shall hold more than one office in the Senate.
Article VI: Judicial Board
Section A
The Judicial Branch of the NCSGA shall be called the Judicial Board.
Section B
The Judicial Board shall be composed of five members, one of whom shall serve as chairperson. Members of the judicial board may not serve on the Senate or a= ny other NCSGA committee.
Section C
The
President of the NCSGA shall appoint an advisor to the judicial board. The
advisor shall be a current employee of
Section D
The judicial board, along with the judicial board advisor shall be responsible = for interpreting the Constitution of the NCSGA and the By-Laws to the Constitut= ion of the NCSGA.
Article VII: Judicial Process
Realizing that the judicial process is a necessary part of governmental system, the Senate shall establish a judicial code, which will state the offenses subje= ct to the code, judicial bodies to try offenses, elections of these judicial bodies, and the procedure for trial and appeals of offenses.
Article VIII: Meetings
Section A
The senate shall meet at least every four school weeks and at any time deemed necessary by the President of the NCSGA.
Section B
A meeting of the NCSGA may be called by the President or by three officers of= the NCSGA, or on petition of one-fourth of the members of the NCSGA.
Section C
A senate member may be absent from no more than two senate meetings during a semester, unless excused by the executive committee. All missed events will count as an absence. Any further absences shall result in the unseating of = the senate member and the loss of any office held, pending the review by the executive committee. If the member requests, appeals for review must be submitted to the NCSGA judicial board by the individual in question within = two weeks after his or her notification of dismissal.
Section D
A senate member not able to attend a NCSGA meeting must submit a written excu= se to the Executive Committee within 24 hours of the scheduled meeting. A surrogate member of his or her constituency must be present at the meeting = as a non-voting member. If the senator does not submit an approved written excus= e, the senator’s absence will be unexcused. A senate member may be absent from= no more than two senate meetings per year unless excused by the executive committee. All required event= s will be considered as an absence as well. Any further absences shall result in the unseating of the senate mem= ber and the loss of any offices held pending review by the executive committee. If the member requ= ests, appeals for review must be submitted to the Dean of Students by the individ= ual in question within two weeks of his or her notification of dismissal.
Article IX: Compensation
The President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Chairperson, and the ombudsman shall receive at stated times a compensation for their services, which shall not be diminished during the period for which they were elected= and served.
Article X: =
Amending
the Constitution
Section A
All proposed amendments should be presented in printed form to the members of t= he NCSGA senate at least one week before the amendment is to be voted upon by = the senate. Amendments to this constitution shall be ratified by two thirds majority vote of the total membership of the senate.
Section B
The senate, upon receipt of a petition, signed by at least ten percent of total members= hip of the NCSGA, shall be required to hold a NCSGA referendum on the amendment specified in the petition. For the amendment to be approved, a two-thirds majority of those NCSGA members voting must vote in favor of the amendment.= The referendum must be held within two weeks of the receipt of the petition by = the senate.
Section C
Articles in addition to, and amendment to the constitutio= n of the NCSGA, from this day forth be listed chronologically in a section titled “Amendments to the Constitution of the NCSGA.
Article XI: Ratification and Adoption
Section A
Upon ratification and adoption of this constitution by the Newberry College Stud= ent Government Association, all previous constitutions are declared null and vo= id.
Article XII: Budget Percentages for Academic School Yea=
r
Section A
The following percentages of funds are allotted for each semester and these fun= ds are taken from the Student Activities fees. The percentages will remain constant, but the amount may vary according to student population.
1. ACE (All Campus Events) 54%
2. Student Activities 2%
3. Publications (Newspaper, Freshman Directory, Senior Profile) 18%
4. English Special Funds 1%
5. Snack Bar (Maintenance) 2%
6.
7. Officer Salaries 4%
8. Class Funds (1% per class) 4%
9. SGA executive Projects 2%
a. Homecoming
b. Sand Volleyball Court Maintenance
c. Campus Beautification
d. Christmas Decorating
10. Discretionary Funds (Organization funds requests) 8%
11. Contingency Funds 2%
Total: 100% per semester
BY-LAWS TO THE NCSGA CONSTITUTION
Article I: Duties of the Officers of NCSGA
Executive Officers:
Section A
The president shall preside over the meetings of the NCSGA, the Senate and the executive committee; shall have a general responsibility for upholding the standards of the College; shall ca= rry out the provisions of the NCSGA constitution and by-laws; shall appoint the standing and special committee chairpersons with the approval of the Execut= ive Committee and the president shall appoint the Judicial Board members and the chairperson of the Judicial Board with the approval of the senate. The president shall serve as an executive officio member of the following committees: Homecoming, Assessment, Strategic Planning, Board of Trustees, Sub-Chairman of the Technology Committee, Snack Bar Committee, Student Summit and any other committees as required by the college. The NCSGA President will serve as representative to all NCSGA committees without vote unless otherwise provid= ed for.
Section B
The vice-president shall preside over= the meetings of the NCSGA, the Senate and the executive committee in the absenc= e of the President, shall serve as the chairperson of= the elections and constitutional revisions committee, shall enforce the provisi= ons of the qualifications for the officers, shall serve as chairman of Presiden= ts Roundtable, SGA Representative to RHA, Co-Chair of the Homecoming Committee, and shall assist the President in carrying out of his/her duties. ROBERTS R= ULES OF ORDER, and the constitution and by-laws of the NCSGA shall govern the vi= ce president.
Section C
The secretary shall keep records of t= he meetings of the NCSGA, the senate, and the executive committee, and shall r= ead these records to the respective bodies at the request of the presiding offi= cer. The Secretary shall be responsible for communications and notices from or w= ith these bodies. The secretary shall serve as a member of the public relations committee, chairman of the Technology Committee, and SGA Representative to Student Publications.
Section D
The treasurer shall keep written acco= unts of all funds of the NCSGA received and disbursed and shall serve as co-chai= rman of both Snack Bar and Fitness Center Committee, and shall pay funds only as authorized by the senate.
Section E
The public relations chairperson shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee of the NCSGA. The chairperson shall be responsible in seeing that all NCSGA functions are well publicized and shall attend all meetings.&= nbsp; The public relations officer shall also serve as a member of the NCS= GA Senate, of the Homecoming Committee, and as the SGA Representative for Camp= us Communication and External Affairs. In senate meetings, this individual may vote as ½ of a regular senate vote. In Executive Cou= ncil meetings, this individual may not vote.
Section F
The ombudsman shall investigate any
complaint(s), submitted by a member of the NCSGA to the executive committee,
against any
Class Officers:
Section G
The Senior Cl= ass President shall organize and preside over meetings of the senior class = and of the senior class officers. He or she shall also serve as chairman of the senior class gift, sub-chairman of Elections Committee, and as a member of the Homecoming Committee.
Section H
The Junior Cl= ass President shall organize and preside over meetings of the junior class = and of the junior class officers. He or she shall also serve as chairman of the Indian Princess competition, chairm= an of the Indian Ball, and chairman of the NCSGA Food Committee.
Section I
The Sophomore= Class President shall organize and preside over meetings of the sophomore cla= ss and of the sophomore class officers. He or she shall also serve as chairman of campus beautification (bot= h Fall and Spring), and chairman of all SGA service proj= ects.
Section J
The Freshman = Class President shall organize and preside over meetings of the freshman class and of the freshman class officers. He or she shall also serve as chairman of Freshman Class Project.
Section K
Each class will elect a Secretary/ Treasurer that will serve the function of keeping records of their respective class meetings and communicating effectively with the NCSGA treasurer to keep records of their class budget and any additional funds th= at will be necessary to successfully obtain materials necessary for class proj= ects and other expenses.
Section L
Each class will elect a Senator-at-Large that will serve as a member of the Constitution Revisions Committee and will assist the President and Secretary/Treasurer with business concerning their= respective class including class meetings, functions, and projects.
Article II: Election of N=
CSGA
Officers
Section A
The election of officers of this organization shall be conducted under the direction of the Elections Committee of the NCSGA in accordance with the by-laws to the constitution.
Section B
Every
member of the NCSGA shall be qualified to vote in NCSGA officer elections. =
In
addition to NCSGA members, all students, including seniors, enrolled at
Section C
There shall be two elections for NCSGA officers. The first elections shall be for= the NCSGA President; the second election shall be for the NCSGA Vice-President,= Secretary and Treasurer. Those candidates defeated in the presidential election may r= un for other executive offices. Elections will use either printed ballots or voting machines.
Section D
The election for executive officers of the NCSGA must be announced at least two weeks prior to the actual election date. The election for President must be held on an appropriate date as decided by the NCSGA.
Section E
There shall be nominating petitions for the offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, each of which must have at least 50 different stu= dent signatures. Blank petitions w= ill be issued by the NCSGA as the only acceptable petitions and shall be returned = to the elections committee at least 1 week prior to the date of the scheduled election. A student may sign = more than one nominating petition for each office. To be eligible to run for any office, a student must have a cumulative GPA of no less than 2.75 and must = not be on conduct warning or probation. When he/she assumes office, he/she must meet the class qualifications as stated in Article IV Section B of the Constitution. Petitions must be given to the Chairperson of the Elections Committee at least one full week prior to the election. Only those students properly submitting petitions and meeting qualifications will be considered candidates. Write-in names will not be considered.
Section F
The
candidate receiving the most votes in the election shall be declared elected
provided his/her total votes constitutes more th=
an 50%
of the total number of votes cast. If no candidate is elected on the first
ballot, a second election will take place between the two candidates that
received the highest number of votes in the first election. If a candidate is unopposed the se=
nate
shall declare this candidate elected.
Section G
The officers-elect of the NCSGA shall take office upon installation at the Awar= ds Day Convocation. They shall hold office until the next year’s NCSGA officers assume office or until they are impeached and convicted.
Section H
Absentee
ballots shall be provided when members of a
Section I
In the case that said organization is absent on the scheduled date of a run-of= f, the ballots from the run-off shall be impounded by the Vice-President of the NCSGA until those absent have been provided the opportunity to vote.
Section J
The following election procedures will be followed:
• Have the person sign the list from his constituency along with his identification number.
• Give the voter only one ballot
• Make sure the voter places the ballot in the correct box.
• Do not leave the box unattended. There must be at least two election committee members present at the box at all times.
• Be completely unbiased. Do not answer any question at all about any candidate whatsoever. Refer any question to the Dean or to fellow students.
• There should be no loitering of candidates or campaigners within fifty feet around the election table. Anyone who does this should be asked to leave immediate= ly. Contact the Dean if the need should arise.
• All ballots shall be secret.
• There will be no toleration of intimidation of voters in any way. If problems persist, go to the Dean.
• The
President of NCSGA with consideration of the advice from the senate, Dean of
Students, and the President of Newberry College, will decide all appeals.
• Only
candidates who agree, by signature, to these rules are eligible for NCSGA
elections. • All
appeals must be made by 12 p.m. the day following elections. • Votes
will not be counted until 12 p.m. the day following elections. Article III: Election of Senators Section A The
election of the senate members shall be conducted under the direction of the
elections committee of the senate in accordance with the by-laws to the
Section B
Every member of the NCSGA shall be qualified to vote in Senate Elections.
Section C Amended, 5/97
There shall be a nominating petition for the position of Senator, which must have= at least 25 signatures of students. To be eligible for nomination to the Senat= e a student must have a cumulative grade point average of not less than 2.75 and must not be on conduct warning or probation.
Section D Amended, 5/97
The Senate election shall be conducted by printed ballot. Senate elections shal= l be announced at least two weeks prior to the actual election date. This electi= on shall follow the election of the NCSGA executive officers but shall be completed prior to the Awards Day Convocation
Section E
Candidates shall be declared elected as provided for in Article II Section F of the By-Laws.
Section F
The senators-elect shall take office upon installation at the Awards Day Convocation. The President of the College will formally install them on this day. They shall hold office until the next year’s senators assume off= ice or until they are unseated. The freshman senators and others elected in the fall shall take office immediately after their election.
Section G
See Article II Section J
Article IV: Impeachment or Removal of NCSGA Officers and
Senators
Section A
An officer of the NCSGA or a senator, when placed on conduct warning or probation shal= l be removed from office.
Section B
Any member of the NCSGA may propose impeachment charges by written charges submitted to the senate.
Section C
The senate shall try all impeachment cases.
Section D
By a two-thirds vote of the senate, a NCSGA officer or a senator may be dismissed for failure to perform his or her duties.
Section E
If a class desires to recall or replace its senator, it shall notify the NCSGA V= ice President by submitting a petition to recall by one-half of that class. The vice president will make it known to the senate and to the petitioning group that he/she shall call for the necessary election.
Section F
Any senate member failing to maintain the required 2.50 GPA or any executive me= mber failing to maintain the required 2.75 GPA will be removed from office.
Section G
The Dean of Students can relieve a member of the NCSGA for cause. Cause consist= s of misconduct or failure to perform duties for which a NCSGA member was electe= d. The Dean of Students has to officially council the member twice in writing.= The Dean of Students will then recommend to the President of Newberry College t= hat the member be relieved. The President is the approval authority.
Article V: Filling Vacancies in Offices
Section A
In the event that the President is unable to complete his/her term in office, = the Vice President shall be named the new President. Should the Vice President = decline; a special election must be held to elect a new president at the earliest opportunity within a period of one month.
Section B
In the event that both the president and vice president are unable to complete their terms in office, a special election shall then be held at the earliest opportunity within a period of one month to fill both vacancies. The vice-chairperson of the elections committee along with the committee shall conduct the election. During the interim period the secretary should assume= the duties of acting president.
Section C
In the event that the secretary or treasurer is unable to complete their terms= in office, a special election will be held at the earliest opportunity within a period of one month to fill the vacancy.
Section D
In the event that a class officer or a senator is unable to complete his/her t= erm, a special election will be held at the earliest opportunity within a period= of one month to fill the vacancy.
Article VI: Election of Class Officers
Section A
Each class shall elect a President, a Secretary/Treasurer, and a Senator at Larg= e. This election shall be conducted under the direction of the elections commi= ttee of the senate in accordance with the by-laws.
Section B
Every member of the NCSGA shall be qualified to vote in officer elections for his= /her class.
Section C
There shall be a nominating petition for each of the three offices for each class, which must have at least twenty five signatures of students from the member= s of the petitioner’s class. There is no limit to the number of petitions a student may sign providing the student is from the petitioner’s class= . To be eligible for nomination to any class office a student must have a cumula= tive grade point average not less than 2.5 and must not be on conduct warning or= probation. When he/she assumes office, he/she must be a member of the class of which he/she is an officer.
Section D
The class officer elections shall be conducted on printed ballots. Officers fro= m each class shall be elected by only those students in the particular class, which they are to represent. Class officer elections shall be announced at least = two weeks prior to the actual election date. This election shall follow the elections for NCSGA executive officers but shall be completed prior to the Awards Day Convocation.
Section E
The freshman class officers shall be elected on or before October first and sha= ll take office immediately thereafter.
Section F
Candidates shall be declared elected as provided in Article II Section F of the By-Law= s.
Section G
The class officer select shall take office upon installation at the Awards Day Convocation. The President of the College will formally install them on this day. They shall hold office until the new class officers are elected to rep= lace them or until they are impeached and convicted.
Article VII: Standing Committees
Section A Elections Committe=
e
• There shall be an elections committee composed of six senate members including the NCSGA vice president who shall be the chairperson of this committee. This committee is responsible for = all elections performed by the NCSGA.
• The NCSGA executive committee with senate approval shall appoint members of the committee.
• The committee shall elect a vice chairperson at its first meeting. This committ= ee shall be charged with the
responsibility of conducting and supervising all NCSGA elections and certifying all elections and election
results. The chairperson of this committee shall have = the power to appoint additional students to assist with
the procedures of conducting NCSGA elections. The Dean= of Students or his/her designee shall advise the
chairperson of this committee. If the chairperson is unable to fu= lfill his or her duties due to their personal involvement in the election, the vice-chairperson will serve as the head of that particular election. If the vice-chairperson is a candi= date in the election, then the NCSGA President will appoint a temporary chairper= son to serve throughout the duration of that election.
Section B Constitutional Revisions Committee
• There shall be a constitutional revisions committee composed of the four Senators= at Large, two other NCSGA representatives, and the NCSGA vice president who sh= all be the chairperson of this committee. The NCSGA executive committee with se= nate approval shall appoint members of the committee.
• This
committee shall prepare amendments to the constitution and to the by-laws a=
nd
make recommendations to amend the Judicial Code when necessary or when
requested by the senate. The committee shall evaluate and present to the se=
nate
any proposed amendment or revisions submitted by any member of the NCSGA.
Section C Public Relations Committee There
shall be a public relations committee composed of 3 members. The NCSGA
executive committee with senate approval shall appoint the chairperson and
members. This committee shall be charged with the responsibility of publici=
zing
all NCSGA functions as well as assisting the NCSGA secretary, and other dut=
ies
specified by the NCSGA executive committee regarding public relations. This committee may be comprised of=
NCSGA
representatives and/or any student attending Section D Food Council There
shall be a food council composed of 3 members; the chairperson to be the
president of the junior class. This
committee is responsible for making any questions, comments, suggestions, or
concerns regarding food services on campus known to the individual who is in
charge of food services at Section E The
executive committee of the NCSGA shall meet prior to the last senate meetin=
g of
the academic year to appoint members to all standing committees listed here=
in,
subject to senate approval. Section F In
addition to the above, the student members of the student-faculty committees
will be considered themselves standing committees of the NCSGA; one senator
will serve on each committee. Each committee will file at least two reports=
a
semester to the NCSGA senate, at least once before mid-term and once after.=
Article VIII: Student Body Referendum Section A: Petitioning by a Student A
petition signed by at least 25 percent of the student body shall be referre=
d to
the NCSGA executive committee for review and evaluation. The petition will =
be
submitted to the NCSGA senate for approval or disapproval. If rejected, the
petition will be dismissed. If the NCSGA senate approves the petition, a pu=
blic
forum will be held for discussion of the issue. At least one week’s p=
rior
notice must be given prior to the forum. Following the public forum a
referendum will be taken. Four days notice must be given to the referendum.=
Section B: Approving the Petition Forty
percent of the student body must participate for this referendum to be vali=
d.
This referendum must be approved by majority vote. The petitioned referendum
must be ratified by two-thirds vote of the senate. Ratification must take p=
lace
two weeks after the referendum is taken. This article will be effective
immediately upon the vote of the Committee on Student Life. Article IX: Senate Referendum Section A Petitioning for a
Referendum by the Senate A
petition signed by at least 25 percent of the senate shall be referred to t=
he
NCSGA Executive Committee for review and evaluation. The petition will be
submitted to the NCSGA senate for approval or disapproval. If rejected, the
petition will be dismissed. If the NCSGA senate approves the petition, a pu=
blic
forum will be held for discussion of the issue. At least one week’s p=
rior
notice must be given. Following the public forum, a referendum will be
taken. Four days notice must =
be
given prior to a referendum. Section B Approving the Petition Forty
percent of the student body must participate for this referendum to be vali=
d.
This referendum must be approved by majority vote. The petitioned referendum
must be ratified by two-thirds vote of the senate. Ratification must take p=
lace
two weeks after the referendum is taken. This article will be effective
immediately upon the vote of the Committee on Student Life. Article X: Quorum Section A A
majority of the members of the NCSGA shall constitute a quorum. Section B A
quorum must be present at any senate meeting at which business is to be
transacted. Article XI: Parliamentary Authority Section A ROBERT’S
RULES OF ORDER shall be the final authority of the NCSGA senate on any =
and
all questions of procedure and parliamentary law not specifically covered i=
n the
Constitution and By-laws. Section B The
president of NCSGA at his/her discretion may appoint a parliamentarian. Article XII: Amending the By-Laws Section A Amendments
to these by-laws shall be ratified by a two-thirds membership of the senate=
. Section B The
senate, in written form, shall present amendments to these by-laws, to the
Student Life Committee for its approval.&n=
bsp;
After the committee’s approval, the proposed amendments shall =
be
presented, in printed form, to the members of the NCSGA senate at least one
week before the amendments are to be voted upon by the senate. The Committe=
e on
Student Life shall consider the proposed amendments within two school weeks
after they are presented to the committee by the senate or else the amendme=
nts
pass. Failure to report back to the senate within two weeks will indicate t=
he
committee’s approval of said minutes. Section C The
senate, upon receipt of the petition signed by at least 10 percent of the t=
otal
membership of the NCSGA, shall be required to hold an NCSGA referendum on t=
he
amendments specified in the petition. The senate must receive said petition
within fourteen days after the senate passes the amendments. For the amendm=
ents
to be approved, a two-thirds majority of those NCSGA members voting must vo=
te in
favor of the amendments. The referendum must be held within fourteen days of
the receipt by the senate. Article XIII: Election of Homecoming Queen/King and Fre=
shman
Indian Prince/Princess Section A The
following needs to take place for Homecoming Queen/King and Freshman Indian
Princess elections: a list of seniors both men a=
nd
women need to be obtained by the chairman of the elections committee from t=
he
Registrar’s office for the election of Homecoming Queen and King. The Elections Committee will meet =
and decide
upon dates for a two day election of the Home