State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota Student Government Association Constitution 1
Mission Statement The mission of the Student Government Association is to provide an intellectual, social, and cultural environment that maximizes student potential and enhances student success. The purpose of the Student Government Association is to provide equal representation for all students at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. Students needs rather than institutional preference determine priorities for academic planning, policies, and programs. Student Government Association will serve as an institutional resource to further the development of the student as a contributing member of the community. The Student Government Association will serve as a bridge between all aspects of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota and the Student Body. In order to establish such partnerships, the Student Government Association is committed to maintaining high levels of communication between the student body, faculty, staff, and the community. Student Government Association will act as the official voice, through which student opinion may be collectively expressed, thus producing students engaged in both college activities and community affairs. Preamble We, the students of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota desiring to: Preserve and defend the rights and privileges of student self-governance; Provide an official and representative student organization; Investigate student problems and take appropriate action; Provide the official voice, through which student opinion may be collectively expressed; Encourage the development of responsible student Foster an awareness of the student s role in the academic community; Enhance the quality and scope of education at the College; Provide means for responsible and effective participation in the organization of student affairs; DO ORDAIN AND ESTABLISH this Constitution for the Student Government Association of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. Purpose The Student Government Association will be a direct liaison between the administration and the student body and through this shall provide services for the benefit of the college community. The purpose of the Student Government Association will be to coordinate co-curricular activities of the student body, to provide leadership in student activities, to encourage responsibility, self-discipline, and good citizenship, to develop a spirit of unity in the student body. The Student Government Association will also provide for organized management of school-related student organizations with cooperation of administration and faculty, to be a representative body, to work with the administration for the improvement of education and the enlightenment of all students. To educate and enlighten the student body of laws, both federal and state, that directly or indirectly affects, influence, or alter their educational experience. 2
Article I. Name, Membership and Eligibility Section 1. The Student Government Association at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice campuses, shall be referred to as The Student Government Association; herein referred to as SGA. All students by virtue of their registration and enrollment in classes on either campus of State College of Florida, Manatee- Sarasota are members of the student body and are granted all the rights and privileges of this constitution. Section 2. All members of the student body, not on academic or disciplinary probation, as documented by the Office of The Registrar of State College of Florida, Manatee- Sarasota, shall be required to meet all specific eligibility requirements of SGA to be eligible to campaign for and hold elective or appointed office within the Student Government Association. Section 3. The title Active Member shall be given to all students who attend two (2) or more general meetings per calendar month. All other students will be deemed Inactive Members. The entire student body shall be subject to the constitution and its bylaws. Participation by students in SGA activities and affairs shall be limited to bonafide students of either the Bradenton or Venice campus of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. All student participants shall be required to meet all specific eligibility requirements of SGA. A student shall be eligible to participate in any activity regardless of age, sex, nationality, religion, race, sexual orientation, or physical challenge. Section 4. The Student Government Association shall be comprised of an Executive Board, Activity Coordinators of delegated responsibility, Active Members, Representatives, Student Volunteers, and the Student Body. The powers and duties of the Executive Board are set forth in this Constitution, which powers cannot be altered except be amendment to this Constitution as set forth herein. 3
Article II. The Executive Board Section 1. All executive powers herein granted shall be vested in the Executive Officers of the Student Government Association. Section 2. Composition A. The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, President of Inter-Club Council, Chief Justice, and all executive appointees, hereinafter referred to as Executive Officers. B. The Executive Officers shall be elected in the spring semester as set forth in Article III. herein. C. Each Executive Officer must be enrolled in and complete a minimum of six (6) semester classroom hours with a 2.5 GPA for each term (including the term in which their election takes place), excluding the summer terms. A student may serve as an Executive Board member for no more than two years. Prior to serving a second year, a student must have earned at least twenty-four (24) college semester hours. D. A cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better (on a 4.0 scale) must be maintained by each Executive Officer. E. No member of the Executive Board may be under academic or disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion. Section 3. Duties of the Executive Board Tenure of office for the Executive Board shall be one (1) fiscal year [July 1-June 30]. The Executive Board shall serve as the central executive agency of SGA and shall have the following specific duties. A. Make decisions in the best interest of the association that does not conflict with the SGA Constitution/By-laws of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. B. Override a presidential veto be two-thirds (2/3) vote, provided a quorum is present. [A quorum of the Executive Board shall consist of at least four (4) voting members, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Executive Board]. C. Function as a liaison between students, faculty, administration and the Florida College System Student Government Association (FCSSGA). D. Approve, or override, all presidential appointments. E. If and when an Executive Board member is unable to attend any General Session, he/she will ensure that another Executive Board member presents his/her report during the meetings. F. Remove Executive Board member from office, without the benefit of impeachment, for the following reasons: 1. Absenteeism, missing at least two (2) SGA related functions. 4
2. Remaining out of communication with the Executive Board for a period of time exceeding two (2) weeks. 3. Academic or disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion. NOTE: Removal from office, without the benefit of impeachment, requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board. The President or Vice-President is responsible for contacting the individuals concerned, by certified mail at their college address, for the purpose of informing them of the Board s actions and their removal from office. If both the President and Vice- President resign or are removed from office, the Executive Board will select a new President and/or Vice-President from the remaining members of the Executive Board, with the approval of the advisor. Section 4. Powers and Duties of the President of the SGA A. The President shall be the Chief Executive and primary spokesperson for the SGA. B. The President shall faithfully execute all acts of the Constitution and uphold the integrity of the SGA and its Constitution and By-laws. C. The President shall be representative of the students to the administration of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, to the Florida Student Association, to FCSSGA, to the Legislature of the State of Florida, and any other official matters. D. The President shall serve as ex officio officer of all SGA Committees. E. The President shall be authorized to appoint students to serve on any/all college/community committees and fill vacancies within the elected offices. The President shall notify the Executive Board within three (3) school days of any and all committee appointments or filled vacancies. The Executive Board shall have the authority to override any committee appointment by a two-thirds (2/3) vote. Said vote must occur by the second (2 nd ) official Executive Board meeting thereafter. F. The President will set the agenda for the Executive and General meetings. G. The President shall sign with the advisor all purchase orders and present them to the appropriate administrator, meeting with all time guidelines and following college procedures. H. The President shall present information to the incoming students regarding SGA and its membership. I. The President will keep the advisor informed of special needs and programs that arise in the course of exercising their duty. J. The President will keep the Executive Board informed of dates and deadlines for the activities and programs of the SGA. K. The President shall be able to cast a vote only in the event of a tie. L. The President shall contact each member of the Executive Board at least once per calendar month to determine the effectiveness of his/her administrative activities. M. The President, or his/her designee, shall give a report at each weekly General Meeting. N. The President shall appoint Activity Coordinators or representatives for specified functions as nominated by the Executive Officer to be reported to with the approval of the Executive Board. 5
O. The President shall be a voting member of the Student Activities Budget Review Board, College wide Budget Review Board and the Curriculum Development Committee and attend all meetings for which he/she is responsible. P. The President shall coordinate and oversee the implementation of relevant programs, projects and activities approved by the Executive Board. Q. The President shall take and uphold the oath of office. Section 5. The Duties of the Vice-President of the SGA A. The Vice-President shall faithfully execute all acts of the Constitution and uphold the integrity of the SGA and its Constitution and By-laws. B. The Vice-President shall support and assist the SGA President. C. The Vice-President shall assume the duties and powers and the President in his/her absence, resignation, or removal from office. D. The Vice-President shall coordinate with the President, at his/her discretion, any and all functions of SGA. E. The Vice-President shall present information to incoming students regarding SGA and its memberships. F. The Vice-President shall present and suggest functions/events to the SGA and recommend to the Executive Board other areas that need to be coordinated in regard to activities. G. The Vice-President shall act as a spokesperson for the SGA, but only with the authorization of the SGA President. H. The Vice-President shall serve as a coordinator of any/all appointed activity coordinators or representatives appointed by the President. The Vice-President shall be responsible for reviewing the general efficiency of each appointment, investigating student participation and their responsibilities and recommending corrective measures and/or dismissal of members to the President. I. The Vice-President, or his/her/ designee, shall give a report at each weekly General Meeting. J. The Vice-President shall work in direct contact with the campus newspaper in order to facilitate knowledge of SGA activities to the student body. K. The Vice-President shall take and uphold the oath of office. Section 6. The Duties of the Secretary/Treasurer of the SGA A. The Secretary/Treasurer shall faithfully execute all acts of the Constitution and uphold the integrity of the SGA and its Constitution and By-laws. B. The Secretary/Treasurer shall support and assist the SGA President. C. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep minutes at the Executive and General Meetings of the SGA. D. The Secretary/Treasurer shall present the last meeting s minutes at the onset of the General meeting to be approved by the general membership. 6
E. The Secretary/Treasurer shall post all SGA meeting minutes on the SGA bulletin board within one (1) school day of each meeting. F. The Secretary/Treasurer shall publish the agenda for each meeting as received from the President and submit it to all representatives prior to the onset of each meeting. G. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep track of all correspondence, notify the appropriate persons of correspondence, and keep the files up to date regarding correspondence. H. The Secretary/Treasurer shall assist the President with any/all administrative duties deemed necessary. I. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a Minute and Agenda Book up to date with the files from every Executive and General meetings during the course of the school year. J. The Secretary/Treasurer shall create a monthly calendar of SGA activities at least two (2) school days prior to the beginning of that month and submit it to all representatives. K. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep an accurate count of all voting procedures during SGA meetings and report the outcome directly to the President. L. The Secretary/Treasurer, or his/her designee, shall give a report at each weekly General Meeting. M. The Secretary/Treasurer shall present information to incoming students regarding SGA and its membership. N. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a record of yearly budget priorities and advise the Executive Board and the SGA of the same. O. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a record of any/all expenditures and deposits in the SGA account. And will have this information available at all times for anyone to see. P. The Secretary/Treasurer shall take and uphold the oath of office. Section 7. The Duties of the Inter-Club Council President of SGA A. The ICC President shall faithfully execute all acts of the Constitution and uphold the integrity of the SGA and its Constitution and By-laws. B. The ICC President shall support and assist the SGA President. C. The ICC President shall encourage representation from the various clubs, organizations, and academic areas on campus to ensure a representative SGA membership. D. The ICC President shall communicate with all clubs and organizations on campus and keep track of the events and activities concerning these clubs and organizations. E. The ICC President shall correspond with all clubs and organizations and keep track of said correspondence and make it available at all times. F. The ICC President shall be authorized to appoint students to serve as a Secretary or any other position needed within the ICC with the SGA President s approval. 7
G. The ICC President shall communicate with the President and/or Vice-President any necessary information pertinent to the success of the clubs and organizations on campus. H. The ICC President shall notify all clubs and organizations in advance of campus events in order to encourage their participation. I. The ICC President shall present information to incoming students regarding SGA and its membership. J. The ICC President, or his/her designee, shall give a report at each weekly General Meeting. K. The ICC President shall take and uphold the oath of office. Section 8. The Duties of Chief Justice of the SGA A. The Chief Justice shall faithfully execute all acts of the Constitution and uphold the integrity of the SGA and its Constitution and By-laws. B. The Chief Justice shall support and assist the SGA President. C. The Chief Justice shall coordinate a review board to assist students in understanding the Grievance Procedure Policy. D. The Chief Justice shall chair the Traffic Court, which will handle any/all traffic violations on campus. 1. Traffic court shall consist of two or four Justices, who are appointed by the Chief Justice, the Chief Justice, and the advisor who serves only as a mediator to the administration. 2. Traffic court will hear any/all cases brought before them and rule on them. Tickets can be voided, upheld, or reduced. 3. Traffic court dates and times will be determined by the Chief Justice and the needs of the campus in which court will be held. The dates and times will not conflict with the class schedule of the majority of the student body and will be in conjunction with the advisor. E. The Chief Justice shall be fair and equitable in upholding college policies and procedures. F. The Chief Justice shall assist the advisor in researching and documenting any legal matters that the SGA may incur. G. The Chief Justice shall uphold order during all meetings and activities associated with the SGA. H. The Chief Justice, or his/her designee, shall give a report at each weekly General Meeting. I. The Chief Justice shall present information to incoming students regarding SGA and its membership. J. The Chief Justice shall take and uphold the oath of office. K. The Chief Justice shall first hear election disputes and/or grievances. Any decision of the Chief Justice may be appealed and heard by the Executive Board. 8
Article III. Elections Section 1. Terms A. General elections will be held during the fourteenth (14) week of the spring semester. Elections will take place Wednesday and Thursday from 9 AM to 1 PM and 6 PM to 7 PM each day. B. Students must declare their candidacy for office no later than the twelfth (12) week of the spring semester. Each candidate will be given a copy of the official duties of their office as stated in the SGA constitution. C. All campaigning shall be conducted within the one week prior to the elections. All campaign material (posters, flyers, handouts, etc.) must be approved by the Director of Student Activities. All campaigning must be conducted outside of normal scheduled classroom time. On election days, candidates are not permitted to campaign in the designated voting area. D. All campaign material must be removed within five (5) days after the election. Section 2. Voting A. Only students registered and enrolled in classes on the campus the elections are being held may cast a vote. B. Each student may cast one (1) vote for each elected position. The Student Activities Advisor and a non-running SGA member will count elections votes. C. A candidate must receive the highest number of votes cast, to be elected. D. In the event of a tie vote, a runoff election will occur between them. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the runoff election shall be certified in the position. In the event of another tie, the current President shall cast the deciding vote. E. The Chief Justice shall first hear election disputes and/or grievances. Any decision of the Chief Justice may be appealed and heard by the Executive Board. F. The students of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota shall not be allowed to vote by proxy. 9
Section 3. The Oath of Office The official State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota Student Government Association s oath of office shall be: I, (state your name), do solemnly swear and affirm to faithfully execute my duties as (name of position), as stated in the Constitution of the Student Government Association at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, and will uphold this constitution and its by-laws, and will to the best of my ability to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the Student Government Association. Article IV. Removal from office and/or Impeachment Section 1. Executive officers may be impeached and removed from office for failure to fulfill the duties and responsibilities mandated in this Constitution or in the By-laws of the SGA. A. Any Executive Officer is subject to impeachment who: (A) falsifies any documents testifying to the eligibility requirements to run for or hold office; or (B) fails to uphold their Oath of Office, or acts in a manner or takes actions that are not in the best interest of the association. B. Any registered student who believes that he/she has information that an elected officer of the SGA has been convicted of a violation of criminal law or has been found civilly liable for an act of moral turpitude on or after July 1st, 1998 and believes that the elected officer should be removed from office because of the conviction or judgment against them, shall bring this allegation in writing with supporting evidence to the SGA advisor. The SGA advisor will review the evidence presented to determine its validity. If supporting evidence is found valid and the conviction occurs while the officer is seated in office, he/she will be immediately suspended and a temporary successor named by the Executive Board. The officer in question will be sent written notification regarding the allegation against him/her with the date, time, and place of hearing. Within fourteen (14) calendar days of notification, a hearing will be held by the members of SGA to determine the facts of the matter. If the facts of the matter indicate that the elected officer in question was convicted of a violation of criminal law or has been found civilly liable for an act of moral turpitude on or after July 1st, 1998, and the Executive Board determines that this offense is grounds for removal, the SGA Executive Board shall officially remove the individual from office. Subject officer may appeal this decision and call for a majority vote by the majority of the student body, with the number of students being no less than ten (10) percent of the entire student body on that campus. This vote must take place within thirty (30) days of the appeal. The SGA Executive Board, based upon the outcome of the appeal, will name 10
a successor. Final appeal may be made to the FCSSGA. C. In the event of impeachment, removal hearings shall take place in the next Executive Board Meeting as the first order of business. The Chief Justice shall preside at these hearings, in the event the Chief Justice is in question, then the ICC President will preside. A three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Executive Board shall be necessary to remove any elected Executive Officer. D. The Executive Board shall render on the following decisions: 1. The chargers are unfounded and no disciplinary action taken. 2. An adjudication of guilty results in one of the following disciplinary actions: a. A written public reprimand b. Removal from office E. The Chief Justice will notify the officer in question of the Executive Board s decision in person or certified mail within seven (7) days. Copies shall be sent to the remaining Executive Board and the SGA advisor. F. The accused must be allowed to speak on their behalf. G. Removal hearings shall be open to the public. 11
Article V. Stipends A. The President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, Chief Justice and ICC President are eligible for stipends if eligibility requirements are met and verified by the SGA advisor and reviewed by the Student Activities Board Review (SABR). B. Each officer is not allowed to have more than two (2) unexcused absences of either Executive or General Meetings or SGA functions. C. The President, with the approval of the SGA advisor, will determine if an absence is excused or unexcused. D. Each officer is required to secure a minimum of five (5) donations per SGA event/function. E. Each officer is required to prepare an end of the semester report and present it to the SGA advisor no less than thirty (30) days after the end of the semester. The report is to state the officer s contributions to the SGA and what SGA has done for them in that semester. F. Any officer choosing to hold dual positions will only be entitled to one stipend. G. The SGA advisor will verify the completion of all stipend requirements and the Executive Board members eligible have met the duties/responsibilities. H. Two (2) Executive Board members and the SGA advisor will verify the President s stipend requirements and that the duties/responsibilities have been met. 12
Article VI. Amendments Section 1. Any amendment to this Constitution, proposed within the SGA, must be passed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board. Such amendments shall be presented to the members of the student body at the next scheduled election meeting and will be voted on at an appropriate time. Section 2. Members of the student body, upon petition of a number of students equal to twenty percent (20%) of the total student body, shall have the right of constitutional initiative. Such amendments shall be presented to the student body at the next scheduled election for a vote. Section 3. Any proposed amendment to this Constitution shall be made available for public inspection a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to the vote/election. A proposed amendment, together with the parts of the Constitution affected, shall be published in the student newspaper of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota at least one (1) week prior to vote/election. Section 4. If an amendment receives a majority of ballots cast in a general election, the SGA President must forward the amendment to the proper College authority within one (1) week. 13
Article VII. General Provisions Section 1. No expenditures shall be allowed that would result in the deficit in any Student Government Association account. Section 2. Each official of the SGA, before entering the execution of his/her office, shall take the Student Government Association Oath of Office as stated in Article III, Section III, of this Constitution. Section 3. The only elected and/or appointed office that can be held simultaneously by the same person is the office of Secretary and Treasurer. Section 4. The SGA may not make any formal endorsements in any election. Section 5. This Constitution supersedes all previous Constitutions of the Student Government Association and its ratification nullifies all pending amendments to the current Constitution. This Constitution shall take immediate effect upon ratification by seventy-five percent (75%) of the students attending the SGA meeting where said Constitution is proposed for ratification. Section 6. All officials elected and/or appointed under the requirements of this Constitution shall remain in their corresponding offices if they do exist and shall exercise their corresponding duties and responsibilities as set forth in this Constitution until the terms of office have expired. Any newly created offices shall be filled as soon as possible. Section 7. This Constitution, its associated rules and regulations, and amendments thereto, are subject to the provisions of the Rules and Regulations of the Florida College System Student Government Association (FCSSGA). 14
Student s Bill of Rights Article I. Stating the students rights to freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the rights of students to peacefully assemble and petition for any cause by an orderly means which does not disrupt the regular and essential operation of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, Bradenton and/or Venice campuses. Article II. Stating the students rights to invite any speakers of their choosing, subject to approval of a student-faculty review committee. Article III. Stating the students rights to be informed of their legal rights during arrest and freedom from harassment. Article IV. Stating the students rights to retain their standing, be present on campus and attend classes until proven guilty of a violation of law. Article V. Stating the students rights to be assisted in his/her defense by the advisor of his/her choice, to a speedy trial by the student judiciary, prohibiting excessive or unusual punishment, prohibiting double jeopardy, and that no student shall be disciplined or deprived of any right as a student without due process of law. Article VI. Stating that if charges are brought against a student, the burden of proof shall rest upon the prosecuting authorities bringing the charges. Article VII. Stating that the student judiciary imposes no excessive fines. Article VIII. Stating that no data from disciplinary files, or the context of any non-public trial or hearing shall be made available to any unauthorized persons, on or off campus, and that no records shall be kept for the purpose of recording any political or other beliefs of a student. Article IX. Stating that no students property shall be seized, nor any student or student s property shall be searched without a proper warrant. Article X. Stating that the student shall have the right to a trial by jury in any major violation of the student ordinances. 15