CONSTITUTION OF UCSI UNIVERSITY STUDENT COUNCIL

Transcription

1 CONSTITUTION OF UCSI UNIVERSITY STUDENT COUNCIL

2 ARTICLE I Name of Organization 1. The Organization shall be known as UCSI University Student Council (UCSIU-SC) ARTICLE II Purpose of the Organization 1. To serve as the student government body for all registered students of UCSI University. 2. To act as the main bridge between the general student population of the University and the University Management. 3. To uphold the welfare of the students. 4. To foster better understanding and cooperation among all students and staff in the University. 5. To voice the problems faced by the students to the University Management through the proper channels. 6. To establish a good relationship between students of all UCSI University campuses and with those from other colleges/universities. ARTICLE III Membership 1. All students enrolled at the University, as defined by the Office of the Registrar, shall be considered as members of the Student Body, unless otherwise specified. 2. All associations/clubs/societies that are registered with UCSIU-SC shall be considered as official student organizations in UCSI University. ARTICLE IV Branch Campus 1. Branch campuses of UCSI University can organize themselves into a separate organization and form their own governance structure. 2. This organization shall be referred to as the Student Board of their respective campuses. 3. The Student Board will operate under their respective Student Board Constitution which will be guided by UCSIU-SC Constitution. 4. Should the Student Board Constitution be deemed inappropriate or incorrect, they shall refer to the UCSIU-SC Constitution. P a g e 2 14

3 ARTICLE V Officers and Election 1. Executive Branch 1.1. President and Deputy President a) The President and Deputy President must be registered full-time students for the immediate past three (3) semesters, as so defined by the Office of Registrar, in order to file for and campaign for elective office within Student Council. b) All students not on scholastic or disciplinary probation, as so recorded by the Office of the Registrar, shall be eligible to campaign for and hold elective office within Student Council. c) Both the Student Council President and Student Council Deputy President must have an overall grade point average above 2.5. d) They must not have been on scholastic or disciplinary probation sanction in the previous semester up until the point of appointment. e) The President and Deputy President shall run on one slate and will jointly be referred to as the Executive Branch of UCSIU-SC. f) The candidates need to be registered students for the entire term of office (one year). g) In the event the President resigns, is impeached, or otherwise incapacitated during his/her term of office, the Deputy President will assume the role of the President (no election needed). h) In the event both President and Deputy President resigns, are impeached or otherwise incapacitated during their term of office, the Student Council Representatives will convene to appoint an interim-president (elected among the existing Student Council Representatives). Election of candidates for the Executive Branch shall take place during the May semester of the academic year. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be installed into the office for which he/she contested. P a g e 3 14

4 1.2. Vice President a) Presidents of each Student Board will automatically be the Vice Presidents of UCSIU-SC. b) The Vice Presidents will collectively be referred to as the Executive Branch with the President and Deputy President of UCSIU-SC Secretary and Treasurer a) They shall be appointed by the President of UCSIU-SC. b) They must be registered full-time students, as so defined by the Office of Registrar. c) They must not have been on scholastic or disciplinary probation, as so recorded by the Office of the Registrar, in the previous semester up until the point of appointment 1.4. Cabinet Members a) Cabinet Members shall be appointed by the President of UCSIU-SC. b) They must be registered full-time students, as so defined by the Office of Registrar. c) They must not have been on scholastic or disciplinary probation, as so recorded by the Office of the Registrar, in the previous semester up until the point of appointment 2. Legislative Branch 2.1. Student Council Representatives a) Student Council Representatives are Presidents of associations/clubs/societies registered with UCSIU-SC. b) The Student Council Representatives will collectively be referred to as the Legislative Branch. P a g e 4 14

5 3. Judicial Branch 3.1. Chief Justice a) The Student Council President may nominate up to two nominees for the position. b) He/she must be a registered full-time student, as so defined by the Office of Registrar. c) He/she must not have been on scholastic or disciplinary probation, as so recorded by the Office of the Registrar, in the previous semester up until the point of appointment d) He/she must have an overall grade point average above 2.5. e) Appointment to the position of Chief Justice will need the approval of a two thirds (2/3) majority of the Student Council Representatives. f) Should both names be rejected by the Student Council Representatives, then the Legislative Branch can nominate one person for the position. Should this person not meet the requirement of the UCSIU-SC President then the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs & Alumni (SAA) will appoint someone to the position. g) The nominee approved at the Executive and Legislative levels must receive final approval from the Deputy Vice Chancellor of SAA. h) The Chief Justice will automatically be a member of the Student Disciplinary Board. i) The term of office for the Chief Justice will be one (1) year from the date of appointment and is subject to renewal. j) He/she may be reappointed to the office of the Chief Justice by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of SAA. k) In the event the Chief Justice resigns, is impeached, or otherwise incapacitated during his/her term of office, the Deputy Chief Justice will assume the role of the Chief Justice. P a g e 5 14

6 3.2. Deputy Chief Justice & Justices a) The Deputy Chief Justice and Justices shall be appointed by the Chief Justice of the UCSIU-SC. b) The number of Justices appointed by the Chief Justice should be no more than six (6) including the Deputy Chief Justice. c) They must be registered full-time students, as so defined by the Office of Registrar. d) They must not have been on scholastic or disciplinary probation, as so recorded by the Office of the Registrar, in the previous semester up until the point of appointment. e) Appointment of Justices will require the approval of the Deputy Vice Chancellor of SAA. f) The term of office for each justice will be one (1) year from the date of appointment and is subject to renewal. g) They may be reappointed as Justices by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of SAA at the recommendation of the Chief Justice. h) The Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and Justices will collectively be referred to as the Judicial Branch of UCSIU-SC. P a g e 6 14

7 ARTICLE VI Duties of the Officers 1. President 1.1. He/she is to lead the UCSIU-SC He/she will develop UCSIU-SC goals, activities and projects together with the Legislative Branch He/she will chair all meetings of the UCSIU-SC He/she is to represent the UCSIU-SC at all public events He/she is to act as the main liaison between the students and the University Management He/she will do the final approval of associations/clubs/societies proposal before submission to the SAA He/she has the power to veto any decision put forth by the Student Council Representatives, although a veto decision can be overturned by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote from all members of the Legislative Branch He/she is responsible for the actions of the UCSIU-SC He/she holds the option to initiate suspension of any Student Council Representative. 2. Deputy President 2.0 The Deputy President is to assist the President in any way possible in regards to the functioning of the UCSIU-SC. 2.1 He/she is to take over the duties of the President in the absence of the President. 2.2 He/she is to carry out the responsibilities of the President in event of disability, resignation or impeachment of the President. 2.3 He/she is to take on the task of enforcing the discipline of the Cabinet. P a g e 7 14

8 3. Vice President 3.1 He/she is to lead their respective Student Board. 3.2 He/she is to act as the main liaison between the Student Board and UCSIU-SC. 3.3 He/she is to act as the main liaison between the students and the University Management of their respective campuses. 3.4 He/she is responsible for the actions of their respective Student Board. 4. Secretary 4.1 He/she is to assist the President in preparing the agenda of meetings. 4.2 He/she is to prepare a special report for any major activities carried out. 4.3 He/she is in charge of all paper work and is the key person in the keeping of records. 4.4 He/she is to maintain a record of attendance of all UCSIU-SC meetings. 4.5 He/she is to communicate all official information to all Student Council Representatives. 4.6 He/she is to be responsible for all correspondence of the Council as assigned by the President. 4.7 He/she is to prepare and distribute the minutes and proceedings of all of the Council s meetings. 4.8 He/she is to maintain and preserve all minutes of meetings. 4.9 He/she is to distribute the meeting agenda to all relevant members of the UCSIU-SC at least 48 hours before each meeting He/she is in charge of the filing system for all documents in UCSIU-SC He/she will record the frequency and quantity of the events and activities that are organized by association/clubs/societies He/she is to keep track of the minutes from each association/club/society during their Annual General Meeting. P a g e 8 14

9 5. Treasurer 5.1. He/she is to keep records of the flow of the UCSIU-SC s funds He/she is to prepare semesterly financial reports, which will be reported directly to the UCSIU-SC He/she is responsible for all funds under the UCSIU-SC He/she is to present a financial report (with all receipts) to SAA at the end of each semester for audit He/she is to report at each meeting on money matters 5.6. He/she will keep track of the financial standing of all associations/clubs/societies He/she will analyze and give advice on the event budget of UCSIU-SC He/she will be in charge of all the cash advance forms, purchase requisition forms (PRF), travelling and expenses claim forms (TEC) for UCSIU-SC and from associations/clubs/societies activities. 6. Cabinet Members 6.1. Cabinet members will be appointed by the President as needed Their function and term of service shall be determined by the President at the time of appointment The Cabinet members and the Executives shall have no voting power during the Student Council Representatives meeting. P a g e 9 14

10 7. Student Council Representative 7.1. The Student Council Representatives as a whole shall represent and advocate on behalf of all students at the University The Student Council Representatives shall be responsible for the proper and prudent distribution of UCSIU-SC funds The budget of USCIU-SC must be approved by the Student Council Representatives The Student Council Representatives shall be responsible to be present at all Student Council Representatives meetings to ensure their constituents are represented If a Student Council Representative is unable to attend a Student Council Representative meeting, he/she may send another committee member from his/her association/club/society to represent that association/club/society He/she must inform and obtain approval from the UCSIU-SC President of the person that represents him/her prior to the Student Council Representative meeting. P a g e 10 14

11 8. Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and Justices 8.1. The Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and Justices collectively shall be referred to as the Judicial Branch The Judicial Branch of the UCSIU-SC shall have the duty of interpreting the Constitution of the UCSIU-SC and associations/clubs/societies as well as their By-Laws where the need arises They shall carry out investigations on issues concerning the UCSIU-SC or as directed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of SAA They shall act as mediators between members of the Student Body should such a request for assistance arise The Justices may act as a representative for members of the Student Body in matters brought up to the University Student Disciplinary Board A member of the Judicial Branch shall conduct and oversee the UCSIU-SC Election The Judicial Branch shall have no voting rights in UCSIU-SC meetings Quorum shall stand at four (4) members of the Judicial Branch including the Chief Justice and/or Deputy Chief Justice Each decision making shall be subject to majority vote of the Judicial Branch In event of a tie, the Chief Justice shall have a second vote. Should the Chief Justice be absent then the Deputy Chief Justice shall have a second vote. P a g e 11 14

12 ARTICLE VII Meetings 1. The Student Council Representatives shall meet at least once a month. 2. The President will determine the date and the time of meetings. 3. The Secretary on behalf of the President shall prepare the agenda of the meetings and notify all Student Council Representatives of the meeting. 4. Notification to the Student Council Representatives must be of at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. 5. Any Student Council Representative may call for a Student Council Representatives meeting through the secretary of UCSIU-SC. 6. For a Student Council Representatives meeting to be legitimate a quorum of 50% plus one (1) of the full membership of the Student Council Representatives is required. 7. The UCSIU-SC shall hold an Annual General Meeting to which all members of the Student Body are invited to attend. 8. For an Annual General Meeting to be legitimate a quorum of two thirds (2/3) of the full membership of the Student Council Representatives is required. 9. The President shall, at each Student Council Representatives meeting, give information on the state of the University and the Student Council, and recommend for their consideration such measures judged necessary and expedient. 10. The advisor of the Student Council or his/her designee must be present for any General Meeting or Annual General Meeting to be legitimate. ARTICLE VIII Decision Making 1. Each resolution shall be subject to confirmation by a simple majority vote of the Student Council Representatives. If confirmed, the Student Council President may reject the resolution. 2. The President shall have the power to sign or veto all resolutions of the Student Council Representatives of Student Council. 3. The President s decision to reject a resolution may be overridden by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the Student Council Representatives. P a g e 12 14

13 ARTICLE IX Finances 1. A Financial Report shall be posted on the appropriate notice board of SAA after every project. ARTICLE X Suspension and/or removal of members of Executive Branch, Legislative Branch and Judicial Branch. 1. Officers of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches may be impeached and removed from office for failure to fulfill the duties and responsibilities mandated in this Constitution or in the Bylaws of the Student Council. 2. The initiation of the suspension and/or removal of the President or Deputy President require a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the entire Legislative Branch. 3. The suspension and/or removal of a Cabinet Member is at the discretion of the President. 4. Student Council Representative 4.1. Any Student Council Representative who fails to attend 80% of the Council meetings may be suspended from the Council Suspension of a Student Council Representative will essentially mean suspension of his/her club from accessing monetary assistance from the Council as well as forgoing their rights to send a proxy to the Student Council Representative meetings thereby losing their voting rights. This will also deprive the association/club/society from engaging in any activity in the University. The club can be reinstated if that association/club/society President is removed from his/her office Associations/clubs/societies found to be consistently violating UCSIU-SC procedures might be suspended or dissolved at the direction of the UCSIU-SC President. The Council President s decision can be over-written by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the entire Legislative Branch. P a g e 13 14

14 5. The Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and Justices can be removed from the office by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of SAA. 6. Appeals against the President and/or Legislative Branch decision must be made to the Judicial Branch. 7. Appeals against the Judicial Branch decision must be made to SAA. ARTICLE XI Amendments 1. Any amendment to this constitution (or bylaws) shall be made available for public inspection. 2. Amendments to the Constitution will require a two thirds (2/3) majority of all Student Council Representatives. 3. This Constitution supersedes all previous constitutions of the Student Council and its ratification nullifies all pending amendments to the current constitution. This Constitution shall take immediate effect when it shall have been ratified by a two thirds (2/3) majority of the Student Council. 4. This Constitution and its associated rules, regulations, and amendments thereto are subject to provisions of the Rules and Regulations of the University Council of UCSI University. Date initially ratified: President of Student Council : Name Signature Deputy President of Student Council : Name Signature Advisor of Student Council : Name Signature Deputy Vice Chancellor Student Affairs & Alumni : Name Signature P a g e 14 14