GENERAL BYLAWS OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE, SEMINOLE CAMPUS

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1 GENERAL BYLAWS OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE, SEMINOLE CAMPUS ARTICLE I - NAME AND PURPOSE I II This organization is known as the Student Government Association of the St. Petersburg College, Seminole Campus. Student Government Association will aim to maintain and improve the effectiveness of educational programs and services as they affect the student body as a whole. Student Government Association will represent student concerns and the student body as a whole. ARTICLE II- MEMBERSHIP Students involved in SGA must currently be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours at St. Petersburg College and in good academic standing in order to be eligible. SGA will be composed of at least one representative of each officially recognized club and organization in addition to senators. The number of senate seats available shall be set within the fall session based on campus enrollment. For every four hundred students or part thereof, there shall be one Senator or a minimum number of six, whichever is greater. Both officers and Senators combined, cannot exceed more than 25% of a specific group (Early College,Veterans.). All members of SGA are subject to removal Item 1. All SGA meetings shall be open and any student shall be permitted to participate in discussion. Item 2. All members of SGA are subject to removal at any time, College administration can use his/her professional judgment to execute functions in the best interest of the students and/or college. Should a quorum of students not agree to the Advisor s decision, the board can appeal the Advisor s decision to the Associate Provost. I II V Section V Section VI Any student currently enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours, has a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, and who is in good academic standing with the college, is eligible to be a club representatives or a Senator and a 2.5 for Executive Board Members. Item 1. In the case of a newly enrolled student, the minimum grade point average requirement will be waived for his/her first session of enrollment. Student will not be able to hold an elected position his/her 1 st semester. Item 2. If a member s cumulative grade point average falls below the minimum requirement, he/she will be ineligible to complete his/her term of office. Item 3. A student must be enrolled at the Seminole campus with a minimum of 3 credits (with a minimum 6 credit load). Any member wishing to resign from membership must submit a written statement to the President and Advisor of SGA. References to Executive board in the constitution and bylaws refer to all elected officers and appointed officers. SGA will abide by the anti-hazing rules, and the Student Code of Conduct as described by the Board of Trustees (BOT) rules. References to Session I, II, III will refer to Fall, Spring and Summer. Fall is Session I, Spring is Session II and Summer is Session III.

2 ARTICLE III APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE APPOINTMENTS, OFFICER ELECTIONS Each club/organization officially recognized by the college will be given the opportunity to select a representative to hold membership in the SGA by the completion and submission of the SGA Club Representative Form. *Club representatives may only represent one club at each meeting/event and must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits and hold a 2.0 GPA. I All clubs/representatives and senators cannot miss two consecutive meetings or four meetings in a semester. If this occurs, a club will not be in good standing with SGA and the senator/representative may be removed from office without notice. For the club to be back in good standing, they must attend two consecutive meetings. If a club misses the two consecutive meetings or four in a semester, they must notify the President and the Advisor in writing as to why it has occurred. They may be given an opportunity to state his/her case at the next scheduled executive board meeting. A club representative must attend one Bright Before your Eyes Parade or the Pow Wow parade. FAILURE TO ATTEND If a club/organization fails to follow the rules of SGA meeting attendance as defined in the SGA Bylaws and Constitution, they will be deemed ineligible and therefore will not be eligible to receive funds. II The current Executive Board members shall conduct a senatorial election provided that there are more applicants than allotted Senate Seats. Students desiring to run for a Senate Seat must submit an application to the SGA Executive Board or the SGA Advisor by the second meeting of the Session. Item 1. A voting member that is enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours, with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above and in good academic standing. Item 2. Must participate in all SGA events, including both the Bright Before your Eyes and Pow Wow parade. Item 3. A senator may only represent one club II The Sergeant at Arms is appointed by the President if deemed necessary. He/she will check conduct of members and guests, along with upholding standards laid out in Robert s Rules of Order. The Historian is appointed by the President. He/she will keep written and pictorial records of all Student Government Association functions and will be responsible for the completion of an annual scrapbook. The Parliamentarian is appointed by the President. He/she will carry out parliamentary authority. He/she will also be responsible for knowing and carrying out Robert s Rules of Order. The Jurisprudence will be appointed by the President if deemed necessary. He/she will interpret the Student Government Association Constitution and will handle all matters related to the Constitution. He/She will also be responsible for assisting the SGA Advisor with the collection of all required travel documents. The Legislative Liaison He/she will represent the Student Government Association in state and district matters. He/she will keep up to date with and communicate any legislative matters affecting students and will represent the concerns of the student body to the College Administrators, Board of Trustees (BOT), student body, and/ or local legislators. He/She is responsible for scheduling appointments with senators and or legislators as needed. He/she will also coordinate any letter writing campaigns dealing with student and/or college concerns

3 V. Three weeks prior to end of session 2, any member of the current SGA is eligible to run for an officer position on the Executive Board for the subsequent year. Each student will have the opportunity to cast one vote for each officer position, provided there is a candidate for every office. The winner of the position will be announced upon completion of voting. The officer s term of service shall be from the beginning of session 3 to the Passing of the Gavel Ceremony. ARTICLE IV- The Executive Board. I. II. V. Session V. The purpose of the Executive Board is to direct the functions of the Student Government Association and to represent the Student Government Association. The Executive Board shall serve as a representative of the student body before administration, faculty, and the community. Must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours, as well as have 6 credit hours already completed, and must keep a GPA of 2.5 or higher. He/She must attend all SGA meetings, unless a situation that is not under their control occurs (in which case they must give adequate notice). All officers are required to attend all events per semester as well as complete an additional one (1) hour per week in the Student Life and Leadership office. All Student Government Association members will be expected to fulfill other responsibilities as assigned by the President, Advisor and/or the E-Board. An Executive Board member of SGA shall not serve as a club representative due to possible bias voting and/or conflict of interest. ARTICLE V PRESIDENT. I. II. V. Section V. Section VI. The President of the Student Government Association is its constitutional leader. He/she keeps informed of the Student Government Association rules and regulations and of the activities of all officers and committees by the Vice- President. It is the President s responsibility to see what all committees are appointed and that all officers and committees work in close cooperation to fulfill their duties and responsibilities with the Vice President. The President will only vote in Student Government Association and Executive Board meetings in the case of a tie. The President will inform the SGA advisor of all things associated with the Student Government Association. The President may call Special Sessions with a twenty-four-hour notice with approval from the Advisor. The President will not vote in Executive Board meetings and in officer elections; however, the President will only vote in SGA and Executive Board meetings in case of a tie.

4 Section VII. Serve a minimum of one office hour per week during Fall and Spring semester. Section VIII. He/She must participate in all SGA events, including both the Bright Before your Eyes and Pow Wow parade. ARTICLE V - VICE PRESIDENT. I. II. V. Section V. Section VI. The Vice President will serve in the absence or in behalf of the President. The Vice President shall fulfill such duties as assigned to him/her by the President. The Vice President shall be the successor in Office of the President should the President be removed from office. The Vice President shall serve as the Chairperson of the Student Government Association in the absence of the President. Serve a minimum of one office hour per week for Fall and Spring session. He/She must participate in all SGA events, including both the bright before your eyes and Pow Wow Parade. Section VII. He/She will act as Senate President. Section VIII. The Legislative Branch (or Student Body Senate) is composed of club representatives. Our Student Body Senate provides students and organizations with the funds necessary for travel and conference registration, as well as for campus-wide events and projects. Also, through various committees, Senate has great impact on issues that directly regard the Student Body. Student Senators also work on college-specific and/or campus-wide initiatives that better the student experience. ARTICLE VI SECRETARY/TREASURER. I. II. V. Section V. Section VI. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining comprehensive minutes of all official business transpiring in regular or special meetings of the Student Government Association. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining comprehensive minutes of the meetings of the Executive Committee. The minutes of the meetings shall be typed with an approved copy posted in MyCourses SGA portal, and upon request, be made available to all persons within 2 days (work days). The Secretary/Treasurer will document and maintain all Student Government Association records. The Secretary/Treasurer is responsible for keeping track of volunteer participation. At the end of his or her term, the Secretary will turn over all documents to the Student Government Association Advisor for perpetual storage.

5 Section VII. Serve a minimum of one office hour per week. Section VIII. He/She must participate in all SGA events, including both the Bright Before your Eyes and Pow Wow parade. ARTICLE VIII-VACANCIES I II In the case of a Vacancy in any officer position, there will be succession of officers as follows: President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, Historian, Legislative Liaison, Jurisprudence, Sergeant at Arms, and Parliamentarian. If an officer chooses to stay in his/her position, then it shall be offered to the next officer in the line of succession. Should no one assume the office, the vacant position will be opened to all and nominations will be taken at the next General Assembly meeting. Elections will be held two (2) weeks later by SGA. In the case of a club representative vacancy, the club will be responsible for providing a replacement by submission of a new SGA Club Representative Form. A club representative may not represent two clubs at a given time for an event or SGA meeting. In the case of a Senate seat vacancy, the SGA will post a public notice until the vacancy is filled. Item 1. Those who are eligible (according to Article III, ) in filling the vacancy are required to submit their Senate application to the President and the Executive Board. Item 2. After this has occurred they must then attend at least two (2) consecutive general meetings. The Executive Board will then schedule an interview. After the interview, there will be a simple majority rules vote. ARTICLE IX MEETINGS I II V Section V Meetings will be held regularly throughout Session I and II as scheduled. The President may choose not to hold Session III meetings. The order of business at all regular Student Government Association meetings will be: 1) Call to Order 2) Pledge of Allegiance 3) Roll Call 4) Approval of Minutes 5) Approval of Agenda 6) Officer reports 7) Old Business 8) New Business 9) Open Floor 9) Adjournment Robert s Rules of Order, will be the authority on all questions of Parliamentary law not addressed by the Constitution and Bylaws. Executive Board and general meeting of the SGA will be held at a time, day and location to be established annually by the SGA Advisor. ARTICLE X ABSENCE AND NONFEASANCE OF OFFICE

6 I If a member accumulates four unexcused absences, he/she shall be immediately and automatically removed from his or her office. Excused absences must be approved by both the President and SGA Advisor. The secretary must notify the member of his or her removal within three business days of accumulation of the maximum number of absences. The notice shall contain the date and function of all accumulated absences. ARTICLE XI EA/EO POLICY I St. Petersburg College is dedicated to the concept of equal opportunity. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or marital status or against any qualified individual with disability, in its employment practices or in the admission and treatment of students. Recognizing that sexual harassment constitutes discrimination on the basis of sex and violates this rule; the college will not tolerate such conduct. In addition the Student Government Association of Seminole Campus wishes to acknowledge the college s Federal EA/EO Policy and include this section to Article VIII that acknowledges that the SGA/Seminole will not discriminate nor tolerate discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation for membership and/or participation in SGA or any activities sponsored or supported by the SGA. ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS. I. Any amendments to these Bylaws will not violate campus, college, or Board of Trustees rules The Bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of two thirds (2/3) of the Student Government Association members, provided that no vote will be taken on the proposal to amend the bylaws unless advanced written, posted, and verbal notice has been communicated at three prior Student Government Association meetings. Final approval of any and all amendments to the Bylaws rests with the college administration.