University of Central Florida Fiftieth Student Body Senate Constitutional Amendment 50-01 Introduced By: SRU Committee Sponsored By: LJR Committee Contact: Sga_ljr@ucf.edu First Reading: Adopted in Committee Committee Action: Passed Favorably, 7-0-0 Second Reading: February 15, 2018 Passed, 32-2-0 Third Reading: February 15, 2018 Final Vote: Passed, 32-2-0 [Amendments to the Constitution of the Student Body of the University of Central Florida] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 WHEREAS, The Constitution of the Student Body of the University of Central Florida requires constant updates and revisions to best serve the Student Body; and WHEREAS, This Bill will go into effect immediately. THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED, by the Fiftieth Student Body Senate of the University of Central Florida that The Constitution of the Student Body of the University of Central Florida be amended as follows: THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA STUDENT BODY CONSTITUTION OF THE STUDENT BODY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA We, the students of the University of Central Florida, in order that we may to maintain the benefits of 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 constitutional liberty, and may to create a representative association through which the individual student can actively participate actively in this University, and which to promotes cooperation among the Student Body, Faculty, and Administration, do hereby ordain and establish this Constitution for the University of Central Florida Student Body of the Student Body of the University of Central Florida. ARTICLE I The Student Body 1.01Section 1: NAME The name of this organization shall be the Student Body of the University of Central Florida. The governmental agency of this organization shall be the University of Central Florida Student Government, hereinafter referred to as the Student Government Association. 1.02 Section 2: JURISDICTION All students, by virtue of their registration in the University of Central Florida, shall be members of the Student Body and shall be subject to this the University of Central Florida Student Body Constitution. 1.03 Section 3: FRANCHISE All students enrolled at the University of Central Florida shall be entitled to vote in the special and general elections of the Student Body.
33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 1.04 Section 4: REFERENDUM ELECTIONS The Student Body has the right to call for a referendum election, provided that a petition, signed by a number of students equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the total number of votes cast for Student Body President in the previous Spring Student Body Presidential Election, is submitted as specified by Student Body Statutes. 1.05 Section 5: DEFINITIONS The most current published edition of Black s Law Dictionary, unless otherwise stated in the University of Central Florida Student Body Constitution, Statutes of the Student Body Statutes, Judicial Rules of Procedure, or Senate Rules and Procedures, shall be used in understanding unspecified the terms contained within the Student Government Association, Statutes, and Senate Rules and Procedures aforementioned documents. ARTICLE II The Legislative Branch 2.01 Section 1: LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY The legislative authority powers of the Student Body shall be vested in the Student Body Senate hereinafter referred to as the Senate. 2.02 Section 2: COMPOSITION OF THE STUDENT BODY SENATE The Student Body Senate shall be comprised of A. A number of students who shall be known as Student Senators. B. A Senate President, elected from the Student Body Senate, who shall be serve as the Speaker of the Senate. C. A Senate President Pro Tempore, elected from the Student Body Senate. D. A number of officers agents elected or appointed as stated in the Senate Rules and Procedures. 2.03 Section 3: THE STUDENT BODY SENATE SESSION The Senate session shall begin and end after each Fall semester election. The Student Body Senate Session shall renew after each Student Body Senate Election. 2.04 Section 4: APPORTIONMENT AND ELECTION OF THE STUDENT BODY SENATE The Student Body Senate shall be apportioned as established by Student Body Statutes. The Student Body Senate shall be elected by majority plurality vote.
70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 2.05 Section 5: DUTIES AND POWERS, AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDENT BODY SENATE In accordance with the Senate Rules and Student Body Statutes, the Student Body Senate shall A. Promote and uphold all University of Central Florida standards and procedures outlined in Tthe Golden Rule Hhandbook. B. Enact, by majority vote of the Student Body Senate, constitutional bylaws to be known as Student Body Statutes, with the exception of appointments made by the Student Body President bylaws concerning elections, which shall require a supermajority vote of the Student Body Senate. C. Express the will and/or sentiments of the Student Body Senate through legislation in resolution form. D. Propose and act on Constitutional Amendments. F.D. Advise and consent, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Student Body Senate, appointments made by the Student Body President. E. Provide for the compilation and publication of legislation. G.E. Possess the authority to impeach Student Body Government Agents officers, both elected and appointed, according to following procedures described in Statute the Student Body Statutes. I.F. Allocate all student funds paid through the Activity and Service Fee, as provided by Statute. J. G. Establish its own meeting times, rules, and procedures. Determine the rules of its proceedings which shall be known as Senate Rules. K. Establish means through which the Student Body can actively participate in the formulation of policies affecting the students of the University of Central Florida. G. H. Override a vetoes by the Student Body President by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Student Body Senate. H. I. Request a review of a veto by a Senior Student Affairs Officer designee by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Student Body Senate. N J. Override a vetoes by the Senior Student Affairs Officer by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Student Body Senate- and refer the legislation to the President of the University for ultimate final review and decision. The President of the University shall have fifteen (15) weeks from the time the Office of the President of the University receives the legislation to veto or sign measures passed by the Student Body Senate. O K. Enact, by a majority vote, special acts by a majority vote requiring action by individuals or groups responsible to the Student Government Association.
106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 P L. Issue subpoenas by a majority vote of the Student Body Senate or by majority vote of a Senate Ccommittee. Q M. Assemble in open meetings at frequent intervals for the deliberation of legislation and the business of the Student Body. I N. Uphold all other duties and responsibilities of the Student Body Senate as outlined in the Student Body Statutes and Senate Rules. Section 6: Definition of Quorum A. For the Senate, a quorum to do business shall be defined as fifty percent of currently filled senate seats. B. For standing committees of the Senate, a quorum to do business shall be defined as fifty percent of committee membership. ARTICLE III The Executive Branch 3.01 Section 1: EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY All executive powers, and those powers not specifically granted herein to other branches of the Student Government Association, shall be vested in the Student Body President, assisted by the Student Body Vice President, and such other administrative officers Executive Cabinet members as the President, shall appoint to effectively carry out the business of the Student Government Association. 3.02 Section 2: ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AGENTS COMPOSITION OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH The Executive Branch shall be comprised of A. The Student Body President. B. The Student Body Vice President. C. The Executive Cabinet, appointed by the Student Body President and confirmed by the Student Body Senate. The Student Body President and Student Body Vice President, by a majority vote of the Student Body, shall be elected according to the Student Body Statutes and shall serve a one-year term of office following each Student Body Presidential election. 3.03 ELECTION OF THE STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT AND STUDENT BODY VICE PRESIDENT The Student Body President and Student Body Vice President shall be elected by a majority vote of the Student Body and serve a one-year term of office following each Student Body Presidential Election according to the Student Body Statutes.
143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 3.04 Section 3: DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT The Student Body President shall A. Administer and enforce all laws of the Student Body. Promote and uphold all University of Central Florida standards and procedures outlined in The Golden Rule Student Handbook. B. Appoint administrative and executive officers, with concurrence of the Senate. C. Appoint qualified students to vacant Student Government Association offices, with concurrence of the Student Body Senate. D. Sign or veto all measures passed by the Student Body Senate. within five (5) business days of passage by the Senate. No action by the Student Body President in five (5) business days shall constitute approval of the measure by the Student Body President. E. Call and preside over meetings of the Student Body and student assemblies when appropriate. F. Address the Student Body Senate, at least once each academic term and on other occasions, upon the invitation or subpoena of the Senate. The President must provide a report to the Senate outlining regarding the state of the Student Body business of any committees of which the President or their designee is a member. G. Initiate budget proceedings for the fiscal year and provide for the effective expenditure of student funds. H. Call for a referendum of the Student Body when appropriate, subject to the concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Senate. Remove, at the President s discretion, any appointed officer, with the exception of appointments made to vacant elected offices, Justices appointed to the Judicial Council, the Comptroller without a two-thirds (2/3) vote of concurrence from the Senate, and the Attorney General without a two-thirds (2/3) vote of concurrence from the Senate. Should the Senate fail to concur with the removal of the Comptroller or Attorney General, the matter will be sent to the Judicial Council for a final decision within two (2) weeks of the matter failing in the Senate. I. Possess the power to remove any Executive Cabinet member, with the exception of the Attorney General and Comptroller. J. Approve Grant, withhold, or withdraw or deny the formation registration of any student organization seeking registration with the Office of Student Involvement under the jurisdiction of the Student Body. 3.05 Section 4: DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE STUDENT BODY VICE PRESIDENT The Student Body Vice President shall
180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 A. Promote and uphold all University of Central Florida standards and procedures outlined in The Golden Rule Student Handbook. B. A The Vice President shall assume Assume the powers of the Student Body President upon President s request by the Student Body Presidentor removal. C. Preside over the election of a Senate President. D. B The Vice President shall Be able to break a tie vote of the Student Body Senate. E. C. The Vice President shall Address the Student Body Senate, regarding the state of the Student Body. at least once each academic term, and upon the invitation or subpoena of the Senate. The Vice President must provide a report to the Senate outlining the business of any committees of which the Vice President or their designee is a member. 3.06 Section 5: STUDENT BODY PRESIDENTIAL ORDER OF SUCCESSION In the event that the Student Body President resigns, is removed, or is unable to perform the powers and duties of the office, the Student Body Presidential successor shall assume the Office of the Student Body President for the remainder of the Presidential term and the succession be as follows A. The Student Body Vice President shall become the President. B. In the event that there is a vacancy in both the Office of the President and the Vice President, Tthe Speaker of the Senate President shall assume the Office of the President for the remainder of the Presidential term. C. The Senate President Pro Tempore. In the event that the order of the If the Student Body Presidential succession becomes exhausted, the Student Body Senate shall hold a Special Session, as provided for in Senate Rules, to elect a Student Body President prior to the next scheduled Senate meeting session. A Special Session of the Senate, as provided for in Senate Rules and Procedures, will be held for this purpose. The office of the Student Body President to be elected must be confirmed by a twothirds (2/3) supermajority vote of the Student Body Senate and shall serve until the next Student Government Association general campus Eelection. Should the next scheduled Student Government Association general campus Eelection be the fall Student Body Senate elections, there shall be a special election for the Office of the President. 3.07 VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF THE STUDENT BODY VICE PRESIDENT A vacancy in the Office of the Student Body Vice President shall be filled by the following procedure A. The Student Body President shall recommend appoint a Student Body Vice Presidential candidate. B. At the next regularly scheduled meeting, the Student Body Senate must confirm the candidate by a two-thirds (2/3) supermajority vote.
216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 C. If the Student Body Senate rejects the candidate, the Student Body President shall recommend appoint a new candidate. ARTICLE IV The Judiciary Judicial Branch Section 1: JUDICIAL POWER The judicial power of the Student Body shall be vested in a Judicial Council and such other judicial boards as the Senate may occasionally deem appropriate to establish. Section 2: PURPOSE It is ordained that the student judiciary protects the rights of the Student Body by insuring the rights of the individual and through the interpretation of the Constitution. 4.01 Section 3: JUDICIAL AUTHORITY The Jjudicial power of the Student Body shall be vested in a Judicial Council and such other judicial boards as the Student Body Senate may occasionally deem appropriate to establish. The judicial authority of the Student Body shall include: A. The protection of student rights. B. Judicial Review, the power to examine legislative and executive acts. Acts brought to the attention of the council may be declared to be unconstitutional by majority concurrence. C. The hearing of cases involving student disputes or violation of University regulations, the Constitution of the Student Body of the University of Central Florida the University of Central Florida Student Body Constitution, Student Body Statutes, and acts. D. The provision of appellate procedures as defined by Student Body Statute. Section 4: ADMINISTRATION: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL The Chief Justice of the Judicial Council shall serve as the chief administrative officer of the judiciary and shall be vested with, and shall exercise in accordance with Judicial Rules adopted by the court, the authority to: 1. Assign duties among the Justices of the Council. 2. Supervise the administration of the Council and certain judicial boards, as established by judicial policy. 3. Conduct and preside over Council proceedings. 4. Rule on procedural questions that arise during the course of the judicial proceedings.
253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 5. Rule on the pertinence of evidence presented before the Council, as established in The Golden Rule Student Handbook: A Handbook for Students. 6. Report, orally and in writing, to the accused, the recommendation of the Judicial Council. 7. Be responsible for administering, or appointing a justice to administer, the Oath of Office to all eligible Student Government Agents. In the event that there is no Justice present to administer the Oath of Office to the Chief Justice, the Senior Student Affairs Officer or designee may administer the Oath of Office. 8. Inform the Senate of the condition of the judiciary and recommend measures for the improvement of the administration of Justices. 9. Report to the Senate such defects in the laws as may have been brought to the attention of the Council and suggest such amendments or additional legislation, which is deemed necessary. B. The Judicial Council shall establish its own meeting times, rules, and procedures. All rules and procedures of the Council are subject to approval by the Senior Student Affairs officer. COMPOSITION OF THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL A. The Judicial Council shall be composed of fourteen (14) Justices appointed for two (2) years on staggered Student Body Presidential terms. B. Justice terms shall be two years in length. C. Seven (7) Justices shall be appointed each year. If a vacancy occurs, the Student Body President may appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term. D. A Chief Justice shall be appointed yearly from within the Judicial Council by the Student Body President. The term of office shall be concurrent with that of the Student Body President who made the appointment. E. Other officers agents that the Judicial Council deems necessary shall be chosen according to Judicial Procedures Rules. 4.06 Section 6: PROCEDURES OF THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL A. Quorum for a Judicial Hearing or official meeting of the Judicial Council shall consist of a minimum of four Justices and the Chief Justice for a student hearing. Quorum for Student Government Association hearings shall be set at fifty percent (50%) plus one (1) of the current membership. B. In the absence of the Chief Justice, an interim Chief Justice shall be designated according to Judicial Procedures. C. The Judicial Procedures shall provide for the removal of members of the Council from office for absences.
290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 ARTICLE V Senior Student Affairs Officer 5.01 Section 1: SENIOR STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICER DESIGNATION The Senior Student Affairs Officer shall be a staff member designated as the administrative head of the division of student affairs at the University of Central Florida. 5.02 Section 2: SIGNATORY DUTIES The Senior Student Affairs Officer shall: A. Shall Have ten (10) business days from the time the Office of the Senior Student Affairs Officer receives the legislation to veto or sign measures passed by the Student Body Senate. No action in ten (10) business days shall constitute approval of the measure by the Senior Student Affairs Officer. B. May Assign a designee to veto or sign measures passed by the Student Body Senate in cases where the Senior Student Affairs Officer is unable to fulfill the prescribed signatory duties. 1. The Senior Student Affairs Officer shall send a memorandum to the Student Body President and the Senate President, which includes the designee, the reason for the assignment, and the time period for which the designee shall have approval and veto powers. 2. The Student Body Senate may request a review of any measure vetoed by an assigned designee by the Senior Student Affairs Officer upon completion of the designated time period. The Senior Student Affairs Officer shall then have ten (10) business days from the end of the designated time to review said measure. No action within ten (10) business days shall constitute approval of the measure by the Senior Student Affairs Officer. 3. In the event of a veto by the Senior Student Affairs Officer, all Constitutional powers concerning veto override policies by the Student Body Senate shall still be in effect. 4.02 Section 5: COMPOSITION OF THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL The Judicial Council shall be comprised of A. The Judicial Council shall be composed of Fourteen (14) Associate Justices appointed for two (2) year terms so that seven (7) shall be appointed every Student Body Presidential term. on staggered presidential terms. B. Justice terms shall be two years in length.
326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 B. C Seven (7) Justices shall be appointed each year. If a vacancy occurs, the Student Body President may appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term. C. D A Chief Justice, shall be appointed yearly from within the Judicial Council by the Student Body President and serve concurrently with the Student Body President. The term of office shall be concurrent with that of the President who made the appointment. D. E Other officers agents that the Judicial Council deems necessary, which shall be chosen according to Judicial Procedures Rules. If a vacancy occurs, the Student Body President shall appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term. 4.03 DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL In accordance with the Judicial Rules and Student Body Statutes, the Judicial Council shall A. Promote and uphold all University of Central Florida standards and procedures outlined in The Golden Rule Student Handbook. B. Provide counsel concerning the rights and responsibilities of the Student Body. C. Possess the power of Judicial Review, the examination of legislative and executive acts. Acts brought to the attention of the council may be declared to be unconstitutional by majority concurrence. D. Hear cases and provide appellate procedures involving student disputes with, or violations of, the University of Central Florida Student Body Constitution, Student Body Statutes, and University regulations. D.E. The Council shall Conduct closed hearings on matters concerning individual violations of University regulations, which may require disciplinary recommendations; and may conduct open hearings for all other cases. 4.06 Section 6: PROCEDURES OF THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL A. Quorum for a Judicial Hearing or official meeting of the Judicial Council shall consist of a minimum of four Justices and the Chief Justice for a student hearing. Quorum for Student Government Association hearings shall be set at fifty percent (50%) plus one (1) of the current membership. B. In the absence of the Chief Justice, an interim Chief Justice shall be designated according to Judicial Procedures. C. The Judicial Procedures shall provide for the removal of members of the Council from office for absences. ARTICLE V Senior Student Affairs Officer
363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 5.01 Section 1: SENIOR STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICER DESIGNATION The Senior Student Affairs Officer shall be a staff member designated as the administrative head of the division of student affairs at the University of Central Florida. 5.02 Section 2: SIGNATORY DUTIES The Senior Student Affairs Officer shall: A. Shall Have ten (10) business days from the time the Office of the Senior Student Affairs Officer receives the legislation to veto or sign measures passed by the Student Body Senate. No action in ten (10) business days shall constitute approval of the measure by the Senior Student Affairs Officer. B. May Assign a designee to veto or sign measures passed by the Student Body Senate in cases where the Senior Student Affairs Officer is unable to fulfill the prescribed signatory duties. 1. The Senior Student Affairs Officer shall send a memorandum to the Student Body President and the Senate President, which includes the designee, the reason for the assignment, and the time period for which the designee shall have approval and veto powers. 2. The Student Body Senate may request a review of any measure vetoed by an assigned designee by the Senior Student Affairs Officer upon completion of the designated time period. The Senior Student Affairs Officer shall then have ten (10) business days from the end of the designated time to review said measure. No action within ten (10) business days shall constitute approval of the measure by the Senior Student Affairs Officer. 3. In the event of a veto by the Senior Student Affairs Officer, all Constitutional powers concerning veto override policies by the Student Body Senate shall still be in effect. ARTICLE VI Amending Process 6.01 Section 1: PROPOSAL OF AMENDMENTS A. An amendment to this Constitution may be proposed by: either 1. A supermajority vote by a two-thirds (2/3) of the Student Body Senate, or 2. A written petition, presented to the Chief Election Commissioner Supervisor of Elections, bearing a number of student signatures equal to fifteen percent (15%)
399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 of the number of votes cast for Student Body President in the previous Spring Student Body Presidential Election. B. The proposed Constitutional Amendment shall be published in the major student publication and otherwise made available communicated to the Student Body for two (2) consecutive weeks prior to the vote by the Student Body. The vote on the proposed Constitutional Amendment(s) shall be held during the next regular Student Government Association election. 6.02 Section 2: RATIFICATION The proposed Constitutional Amendment shall become part of the University of Central Florida Student Body Constitution upon: A. The ratification by a majority of the votes cast in an Student Government Association election open to the Student Body, and. B. The signature of the Senior Student Affairs Officer or designee within twenty (20) business shall have thirty calendar days from the date the results are posted to sign or veto the Constitutional Amendment. If no action is taken in thirty days, the amendment shall be considered approved. 1. If no action is taken within twenty (20) business days, the Constitutional Amendment shall be considered approved. 2. If vetoed within twenty (20) business days, the Constitutional Amendment shall not be part of the University of Central Florida Student Body Constitution.