Basis of Authority of S.G.A.
Section 1.
The President of Stephens College, believing that higher standards of citizenship may be attained through democratic forms of self-government and recognizing the commitment of Stephens College students to be a constructive force in the development of the College, hereby delegates to the Student Government Association of Stephens College authority of self-determination and self-government as herein specified.
Section 2.
The following are the powers delegated to the Student Government Association.
1. Power to make and uphold regulations for effective campus life.
2. Power to prescribe penalties for violation of regulations under the authority of the Student Government Association.
3. Power to develop and participate in certain academic and non-academic student activities as specified in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Student Government Association.
4. Power to change the Constitution of the Student Government Association within the limits of its delegated power. 5. Power to allocate funding to recognized student organizations.
5. Power to allocate funding to recognized student organizations.
Section 3.
While the President of Stephens College or other administrative officers will consider any recommendation from the Student Government Association on matters affecting the academic or non-academic life of the College, the President reserves the right of veto of enactments, which directly affect the administration of the College.
Constitution of S.G.A. (Revised 1998)
Preamble
The students of Stephens College, in order to have a positive voice in the College community do hereby establish the following Constitution, providing for the structure of procedures of the Student Government Association of Stephens College. The Student Government Association exercises the authority delegated to it to afford students a means of self-government and expression of student concerns.
Article I. Name
The name of this organization shall be the Student Government Association of Stephens College. From here on in, it will be referred to as SGA.
Article II. Membership
1. The membership of the Student Government Association of Stephens College shall consist of all students enrolled at Stephens College.
2. The officers elected by these students shall represent them in carrying out the responsibilities of student government. These responsibilities shall be clarified in the Bylaws of the Constitution.
3. The members of the Student Government Association may attend all open meetings of the Senate and the Commissions, shall have the right of petition, the privilege of making recommendations to the executive members of the Student Government Association, and the members of the senate have the power to vote on all matters referred to the Senate. The members of the Student Government Association have the right to request a referendum vote by presenting a petition to the Senate, which is signed by one hundred members of SGA.
Article III. Purpose
The purpose of this association shall be to encourage active cooperation in the work of self-government, to enact and enforce regulations according to the authority vested in it by the student body of the College, and to provide for the formation of an official body which shall effectively express opinions of the student body in matters of general College interest.
Article IV. Organization of the S.G.A.
Section A. The members of the Executive Board shall be:
1. President of the SGA
2. Vice President of the SGA
3. Secretary of the SGA
4. Treasurer of the SGA
5. Academic Affairs Commission Chair
6. Programming Chair of SGA
7. Public Relations Chair of SGA
8. Volunteer Chair
9. Student Advocate (Ombudsperson) (ex-officio)
10. Faculty Sponsor (ex-officio)
Section B. The members of the Senate shall be:
1. Executive Board Members
2. (Commission Chairs) Standing Committee Representatives
3. Hall Presidents
4. Class Council Presidents
5. Panhellenic Representative
6. Senators at large (eight — two from each class)
7. Senior Activities Chair
Section C. The members of the Class Councils shall be:
1. President
2. Vice President/Treasurer
3. Secretary
4. Two Senators
5. Senior Activities Chair (Senior Class only)
Section D. The members of the Hall Councils shall be:
1. President
2. Vice President/Treasurer
3. Secretary
4. One representative from each floor
5. Social Chair
6. Academic Affairs representative (as needed)
7. Other members may be elected as needed by the individual halls
8. Adviser from residence life staff (ex-officio)
Section E. Commissions
1. Academic Affairs
a. Shall be chaired by the Academic Affairs Chair
b. Student representatives from each academic program and house plan
c. Student representatives from faculty governance committees
d. Student members of all- campus committees
2. Senior Activities
a. Shall be chaired by the Senior Activities Chair
b. Four members of the Senior Class to be appointed by Chair
c. Two members of the Junior Class to be appointed by Chair
3. Programming
a. Shall be chaired by the Programming Chair
b. Other members shall be volunteers selected by the chair
4. Public Relations
a. Shall be chaired by the Public Relations Chair
b. Other members shall be volunteers selected by the chair
5. Student Issues
a. Shall be chaired by the Student Advocate/ Omsbudperon
b. Other members shall be volunteers selected by the chair
6. Volunteer Commission
a. Shall be chaired by the Volunteer Chair
b. Other members shall be volunteers selected by the chair
7. Treasurer’s Council
a. Shall be chaired by the Executive Board Treasurer
b. Other members shall be treasurers from each student organization
8. Elections Committee
a. Shall be chaired by the Executive Board Secretary
b. Other members shall be secretary of each class council and the Public Relations Chair
9. Vice President’s Council
a. Shall be chaired by the Executive Board Vice President
b. Other members shall be vice presidents from each student organization
10. President’s Council
a. Shall be chaired by the Executive Board President
b. Other members shall be presidents from each student organization
Section F. Judicial Board
The Judicial Board is a free-standing, non-biased board of appointed students who hear cases of punishable non-academic misconduct as defined in the code of Student Conduct.
1. The Student Advocate/ Omsbudperson, in conjunction with Residence life, shall represent SGA in the selection of Judicial Board members.
Section G. Standing Committees
Specific standing committees shall be organized giving SGA efficacy. These committees, their functions, members and duties shall be outlined in the Bylaws.
Article V. Formation and obligation Within the S.G.A.
Any group of students wishing to form or reactivate an organization within the SGA shall submit in writing to the Executive Board a constitution for approval and shall petition the Senate for recognition.
a. The minimum number of members to form an organization is five people.
b. Each organization must have a faculty or staff adviser.
c. SGA cannot recognize an organization that sponsors or participates in an event that violates the Stephens College Drug and Alcohol Policy.
d. Upon recognition, each new organization may receive an equal amount of start-up funds as determined by the Senate at the beginning of each term of office.
e. Each organization who requests an allotment is required to send a representative to the Vice-President’s Council and the Treasurer’s Council.
2. Each organization is required to sponsor or contribute to one community service project per semester.
a. Refer to records for previous projects of community service
Article VI. Dissolutions of Organizations Within the SGA
Any organization that has been recognized by the Senate of the SGA shall retain recognition until:
1. The organization requests dissolution
2. The organization, in the judgment of the Senate has failed to fulfill the objectives for which it was recognized
a. The money from a dissolved organization will be transferred to the SGA allocation fund.
3. The objectives of the organization in the judgment of the Senate could be better actualized through an existing organization.
a. The opinions of the organization, with reference to merging, will be considered by the Senate.
4. A national affiliation declares the organization to dissolve
5. The organization has not been active for four consecutive years
Article VII. Student Power of Recommendation
Any student shall have the right and opportunity to present a proposal to the Executive Board of the SGA and have it considered by that body provided that it is submitted in written form. The proposals are to be submitted in writing the day of the Executive Board meeting.
Article VIII. Quorums of Organizations Within SGA
A quorum of the Executive Board, Senate, or the Commissions within the SGA shall be constituted by a two-thirds of the voting members. Legislation, unless otherwise specified, shall be passed by simple majority of the voting members. Voting cannot occur at a meeting unless a quorum is present.
Article IX. Impeachment and Removal of Office
Any officer of the Senate within the SGA may be impeached and removed from the office by a two-thirds vote of the Senate after a complete investigation and hearing. The officer in question shall be absent during the vote. The impeachment process is further described in the Bylaws of this constitution.
Article X. Amendments
Section A.
An amendment to this constitution may be proposed by a two-thirds vote of the Senate or by petition signed by 100 members of the Student Government Association and presented to the President of the Student Government Association.
Section B.
This constitution shall be amended by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all votes received from the members of the SGA.
1. An amendment must be submitted to the members of the SGA at least two weeks before voting is conducted.
2. An amendment may not extend the provisions beyond the authority vested in the SGA by the President of the College.
Bylaws of the Constitution of S.G.A.
Section A. Organization
Organizations that are recognized by SGA shall develop procedures for their specific objectives, necessary officers, and duties that are in harmony with the Constitution and Bylaws of SGA.
Section B. Responsibilities of the Branches of SGA
1. The Executive Board
a. Shall, in conjunction with the Senate of the SGA determine the nature and extent of the activities within the SGA.
b. Shall consider matters affecting the activities of the SGA and the welfare of its members, and shall take action it deems necessary.
c. Shall, in joint expression with the Senate, make recommendations to the President of the College or other administrative officers on matters affecting the academic or non-academic life of the College.
d. Shall make recommendations to the Senate for its consideration.
e. Shall have the power to appoint and organize standing and ad-hoc committees.
f. Shall appoint its own faculty sponsor, after consultation with the Vice President for Student Services.
g. Shall have the power to appoint a student advocate
2. The Senate
a. Shall have legislative powers in governing, developing and maintaining the organization.
b. Shall consider and support any recommendations, provided they are in harmony with the functions of the individual commissions or Executive Board.
c. Shall serve as a channel of communication to and from the campus-at-large and shall encourage activities that are in harmony with the objectives of the College and of the SGA.
d. Shall have the power to recognize organizations upon proof of an approved constitution.
e. Shall vote on the allocation of the funds of the SGA.
3. Hall Councils
a. Shall administer, in conjunction with Residence Life, the areas of student responsibility in residence halls, including social activities reviewed by Residence Life.
b. Shall bring to the attention of the Executive Board matters that require executive, legislative or senate actions.
c. Authority over hall councils shall rest with Residence Life.
4. The Commissions
a. Academic Affairs
i. Shall encourage student involvement within various departments.
ii. The Chair shall have the power to fill all vacancies for appointed positions of faculty governance committees and any other request by the Office of the President of the College.
iii. Shall promote academic awareness on campus.
iv. Shall review issues of academic concern.
v. Shall provide liaison with the Vice-President for Academic Affairs.
b. Programming
i. Shall assume responsibility for coordinating SGA-sponsored campus-wide activities.
ii. Shall coordinate activities with the Leadership and Programming Office.
iii. Shall chair or appoint the chair of the Stephens College annual formal dance committee.
c. Senior Activities
i. Shall plan graduation and pre-commencement activities.
ii. Shall provide liaison with the Office of Alumnae Programs and the Commencement Committee.
iii. Shall plan December graduation recognition.
d. Public Relations
i. Shall promote all activities and services of the SGA to the College.
ii. Shall work in conjunction with the Stephens College Public Relations Director.
e. Student Advocate
i. Shall help identify student issues and areas of concern.
ii. Shall review student opinions on student concerns for discussion with the SGA, the faculty and the administration.
f. Volunteer Commission
i. Shall identify areas for student projects.
ii. Shall assist the Volunteer Chair in implementing projects.
g. Treasurer’s Council
i. Shall monitor monetary transactions of the SGA.
ii. Shall discuss fund- raising activities for organization within SGA.
iii. Shall require attendance from each campus organization.
iv. Each organization shall provide receipts from allocation transactions given by the SGA Senate.
v. Each organization shall provide a budget statement to the Executive Board Treasurer.
h. Elections Committee
i. Shall preside over elections involving executive board, class council, and hall council.
ii. Shall enforce the rules and regulations of the elections manual.
i. Vice President’s Council
i. Shall meet regularly so that members can report their organizations’ activities.
ii. Shall require attendance from all campus organizations.
j. President’s Council
i. Shall meet regularly with presidents from each class to plan toward their graduation.
ii. Shall monitor each class in activities including fundraisers and two annual service projects.
Section C. Duties of Officers
1. Officers of Executive Board
a. The President
i. Shall have executive powers of the SGA and shall delegate or assign these powers, as necessary, to the Executive Board, to the commissions, and to the Senate.
ii. Shall call and preside over meetings of the Executive Board and Senate.
iii. Shall present to the Executive Board petitions and proposals from members of the SGA.
iv. Shall make recommendations from the Executive Board to the Senate.
v. Shall represent the student body at faculty meetings, upon invitation, by the Faculty Coordinating Council.
vi. Shall represent the student body at meetings of the Board of Trustees.
vii. Shall have the power to appoint SGA Commit- tees.
b. The Vice President
i. Shall preside in the absence or at the request of the President.
ii. Shall assist the President of the SGA in manners deemed necessary.
iii. Shall be a memeber of the Master Calendar Committee.
iv. Shall chair the Vice President’s Council.
c. The Secretary
i. Shall record, preserve and publish official minutes and the official actions of the Executive Board.
ii. Shall record, preserve and publish the official records of the Senate.
iii. Shall call and preside over meetings of the Elections Committee
iv. Shall be responsible for correspondence related to the Senate and the Executive Board.
v. Shall preside in the absence of the President and Vice President.
d. The Treasurer
i. Shall prepare in conjunction with the Executive Board a temporary budget, which will become operative after the Senate has approved it by a two-thirds vote.
ii. Shall be in charge and keep detailed records of all funds budgeted by the Senate.
iii. Shall submit periodic reports to the Executive Board and the Senate on various budget items.
iv. Shall submit a detailed statement of actual receipts and expenditures to the Senate at the end of the fiscal year.
v. Shall call and preside over meetings of the Treasurer’s council.
vi. Shall make reports and recommendations to the Executive Board and Senate on issues which evolve from these meetings
vii. Shall preside in the absence of the President, Vice President and Secretary.
e. Academic Affairs Chair
i. Shall call and chair meetings of the Academic Affairs Committee.
ii. Shall act as liaison with faculty and students
iii. Shall attend the curriculum committee and faculty meetings.
f. Programming Chair of the SGA
i. Shall preside over the Student Programming Committee, which is responsible for monthly campus-wide activities.
ii. Shall represent the committee on the Executive Board and Senate.
iii. Shall work in conjunction with the Leadership and Programming Office.
g. Public Relations Chair of the SGA
i. Shall preside over the Public Relations committee.
ii. Shall be responsible for public relations of all activities regarding the SGA
iii. Shall work with Stephens College Public Relations Office.
h. Volunteer Chair
i. Shall organize all volunteer projects taken on by the Executive Board and the Senate.
ii. Shall be responsible for all philanthropy projects of the SGA.
2. Officers of the Senate: The Executive Board officers shall act as the presiding officers of the Senate.
3. Student Advocate/Ombudsperson
The office of Student Advocate/Ombudsperson is established to promote communication among all members of the Stephens community. This goal shall be achieved through the following functions:
i. To be a channeler of information to the recipient of compliments or complaints on behalf of a party who may wish to remain anonymous.
ii. To raise awareness of options that students or parties possess in differing situations or conflicts.
iii. To act as student advocate in cases of conflict if the students involved so desire, and the student advocate judges that this type of involvement would be beneficial to the situation.
iv. To act as liaison to the administration suggesting clarification in policies and procedures.
b. The student advocate shall choose an adviser.
c. The student advocate’s performance shall be reported to the Senate.
d. Records of the cases handled by the student advocate shall be maintained in the office of the student advocate.
e. The student advocate shall chair the Student Issues Committee of the SGA.
f. The student advocate shall serve as an ex-officio member of the SGA Executive Board and Senate.
4. Officers of the Class Council
a. President
i. Shall provide leadership for the class.
ii. Shall designate authority through committees.
iii. Shall schedule meetings and plan agendas.
iv. Shall represent the class by attending all SGA meetings.
v. Shall be informed by attending major college community events.
b. Vice President/Treasurer
i. Shall provide leadership for the class.
ii. Shall keep track of class funds and be educated about financial policies.
iii. Shall attend all financial and vice-presidential meetings.
iv. Shall assume responsibilities of the president in her absence.
v. Shall be informed by attending major college community events.
c. Secretary
i. Shall provide leadership for the class.
ii. Shall write minutes following each class meeting and distribute them accordingly.
iii. Shall oversee all publicity projects.
iv. Shall keep track of all paperwork for the class in a class notebook.
v. Shall be a member of the Elections Committee.
vi. Shall be informed by attending major college community events.
d. Senators
i. Shall provide leadership for the class.
ii. Shall assume responsibility of fellow class officers in their absence.
iii. Shall take active roles in class committees.
iv. Shall represent the class by attending all SGA meetings.
v. Shall be informed by attending major college community events.
e. Senior Activities Chair (senior class only)
i. Shall help plan graduation and pre-commencement activities.
ii. Shall provide liaison with the Office of Alumnae Programs and the Commencement Committee.
iii. Shall plan December graduation recognition.
f. Guidelines/Suggestions for the class officers
i. Shall define goals for the class.
ii. Shall find a central location to place all class announcements.
iii. Shall address student concerns through open class meetings, suggestion boxes, and other means.
iv. Shall maintain accurate records, check class mailbox frequently, and keep current statistics on class budget.
v. Shall have at least one fund raiser a semester.
vi. Shall have one community service project a semester.
vii. Shall serve actively on SGA committees.
viii. Shall have at least one social activity for the class to attend each year.
ix. Shall communicate with fellow students through distribution of agendas and minutes as budget permits.
5. Officers of the Hall Council
a. President
i. Shall preside over Hall Council meetings.
ii. Shall attend Senate meetings as a representative of their hall.
b. Vice President
i. Shall work with residence hall staff to insure safety.
ii. Shall conduct emergency drills as deemed necessary.
iii. Shall preside over Hall Council meetings when the President is absent.
iv. Shall attend meetings of the Vice President’s Council.
c. Secretary
i. Shall preserve, record and post the minutes of the Hall Council.
ii. Shall distribute minutes to the Residence Life staff within their residence hall.
d. Treasurer
i. Shall have charge and keep detailed records of all funds of the Hall Council.
ii. Shall report on funds to SGA periodically.
iii. Shall attend the Treasurer’s Council meetings.
e. Social Chair
i. Shall be responsible for social events within the hall.
ii. Shall provide communication between the Hall Council and the Programming Committee.
f. Academic Affairs Representative
i. Shall attend Academic Affairs Committee meetings.
ii. Shall be a liaison between Hall Council and the Academic Affairs Committee.
g. Floor Representative
i. Shall attend Hall Council meetings.
ii. Shall facilitate communication between the floor and Hall Council.
iii. Shall assist their resident assistant in developing community spirit on the floor.
6. Chairs of the Commissions shall:
a. Preside over the commissions.
b. Represent the commissions on the Senate to facilitate communication to and from the commissions.
Section D. Elections and Terms of Office
1. Executive Board officers as well as upper class council shall be elected in the spring by a vote of the student body.
2. The Freshman class council shall be elected in the fall.
3. The PanHellenic Representative shall be elected to the Senate by the members of the social sororities in the spring.
4. The members of the Hall Councils shall be elected in the fall by the appropriate hall.
5. All elections shall be conducted in accordance with the SGA Elections Manual.
6. All other members of the commissions shall be appointed in the spring by the incoming Executive Board.
7. The faculty sponsor shall be appointed by the SGA Executive Board, and shall serve no more than two consecutive one- year terms, unless the Executive Board deems an extended term of service necessary and beneficial. This sponsor shall attend SGA meetings and provide guidance to the Senate.
8. Each commission shall elect from within their representatives, such officers or subcommittee chairs as are necessary to conduct their programs.
9. Eligibility for office
a. Any candidate, in order to be approved as a nominee for any office of the SGA with the exception of candidates for Executive Board positions, shall have no less than a 2.0 GPA covering all credit courses carried during the previous semester and a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Courses on other campuses, approved by the Registrar, shall apply to the required load.
b. Candidates for freshmen class officers must have a high school GPA of at least 2.0.
c. Any candidate for an Executive Board position shall have no less than a 2.5 GPA covering all credit courses carried during the previous semester and a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Courses on other campuses, approved by the Registrar, shall apply to the required load.
d. Any candidate for an Executive Board position shall have no less than one year’s experience as a member of the Senate, Hall Council, Class Council or as a participating member of a commission or standing committee.
e. Any officer of any organization within the SGA in the semester of election or during the term of office shall maintain the specified cumulative average or forfeit office.
f. The President and Vice President shall have junior or senior standing as deemed by the Registrar during their entire term of office.
g. No person shall be a candidate for office who will be unable to fulfill her term due to graduation, off-campus internships, study abroad or no longer attending classes at Stephens College.
h. No student may concurrently hold the offices of Student Government Association Executive Board member and Hall President or Class President.
i. No student may concurrently hold more than two offices within the various commissions and hall councils.
j. The Student Advocate/Ombudsperson shall have no less than one year of experience as a Stephens College student as deemed by the Registrar during her entire term of office.
10. The normal term of office for all offices shall be from spring to spring. Exceptions to this shall be in the case of the hall councils and freshman officers whose term shall be from fall to fall.
Section E. Students on College Committees
The Executive Board shall appoint students to serve for the academic year on all College committees.
Section F. Office Forfeitures and Procedures
1. Forfeitures: Any officer within the SGA will automatically forfeit the office upon failure to meet the academic requirements as stated in Section D. 9 of the Bylaws.
2. Procedures: The Leadership and Programming Office shall notify the President of the SGA and the organization sponsor of any officer who is to forfeit the position. The President of the SGA shall notify the officer involved and the organization concerned through its ranking officer.
3. Petition Privilege of Officer: When an officer is required to forfeit an office for academic reasons, the officer may present a written petition to the Executive Board stating substantial reasons for retaining the office. The Executive Board shall make recommendations on the petition to the Senate.
4. Pending the decision of the SGA on her status, the officer in question shall be temporarily relieved of duties in the organization concerned. If the Senate shall sustain her petition, she shall be reinstated immediately, subject to such stipulations as the Senate shall prescribe.
5. When a member of a Hall Council or commission is required to forfeit a position for academic reasons, the member may present a written petition to her organization stating reasons for retaining the office.
6. When an officer of a social sorority is required to forfeit a position for academic reasons, the member may present a written petition to Panhellenic Association stating substantial reasons for retaining the office.
Section G. Impeachment
1. Officers of organizations within the Student Government may be impeached for:
a. Failure to perform the duties of the office.
b. Failure to comply with policies and standards set by the College administration, by the SGA or the organization concerned.
2. Procedures
a. A committee of three members of the governing board of the organization shall conduct an investigation of the officer in question, drawing up a bill of particulars if the facts warrant it.
b. The officer in question shall then be warned of impeachment possibilities, in writing, by the governing board.
c If the officer fails to heed the warning, she may be formally impeached and removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the full governing board.
Section H. Office Vacancies
1. Any vacant office in the Student Government Association shall be filled as soon as possible at the discretion of the governing board of the organization.
2. When there is a vacancy in the office of President or an elected chairperson, the governing board of the organization shall elect an interim presiding officer until such time as a majority vote of the organization shall elect a new one.
Section I. Voting of Presiding Officers
All presiding officers within the structure of the SGA shall be empowered to vote only in order to break a tie.
Section J. Financial Procedures
1. Funds of the SGA.
a. The College makes appropriations to the SGA.
b. The Senate allots funds based on need to the Student Government commissions, Class Councils and other student organizations who petition the Senate.
2. Funds of Organizations
a. Each organization shall follow the regulations of the allocation process.
i. Allocations shall be available to all organizations recognized by SGA.
ii. All allocation forms shall be submitted prior to the Executive Board meeting in order to be placed on the agenda at the next Senate meeting.
iii. A current budget statement must also be submitted along with the allocation form.
iv. All allocations shall be voted on by the voting members of the SGA Senate.
v. Participation by every organization in the Vice President’s and Treasurer’s Council is mandatory for any organization requesting funding.
vi. SGA shall not reimburse individuals or organizations for past events and fund raisers.
vii. Organizations may receive allocations for event/lecture programs, fund raising assistance, and new organization funds.
viii. A representative from the organization requesting an allocation must be present at the Senate meeting.
ix. Once allocated money is spent, receipts must be returned to the SGA Treasurer’s box for the records.
x. Funds over ten dollars, which are not used must be transferred back to the SGA Executive Board Account.
xi. Failure to follow the above procedures will result in ineligibility for allocations during the following semester.
b. All organizations within the SGA shall be required to keep accounts of expenditures.
c. All organizations within the SGA shall be required to meet with the SGA Treasurer and provide periodic reports on their budgets.
d. All organizations who receive funding from SGA must complete one service to the Stephens College community per semester and report that service to the Treasurer to be eligible for funding the following year.
Section K. Amendments
1. An amendment to the Bylaws of the SGA may be proposed by any member of the Executive Board or by a petition signed by 100 members of the Student Government Association and presented to the President of the SGA.
2. The Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Senate, provided the amendment is proposed at least one week before it is voted upon and provided it is in harmony with the constitution.
Amendment 1. Attendance Policy
The Senate will determine an attendance policy in the fall of each year.
