Wilkes University Pharmacy Student Senate Constitution We, the students of the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy, in an effort to provide a superb studentlearning environment rooted in professional growth, civic engagement, and leadership development, enact this constitution to direct the government. ARTICLE I. Name and Composition The name of the organization shall be the Wilkes University Pharmacy Student Senate (WU- PSS). It shall consist of an Executive Board and a General Board. ARTICLE II. Function The members of WU-PSS shall be responsible for the governance of its affairs, including, but not limited to, representing the pharmacy school student body, acting as a liaison between the school s students and the faculty, staff, and administration, planning and executing activities on and off campus, and developing a rapport that promotes fellowship, scholarship, and the name of the Nesbitt College School of Pharmacy. ARTICLE III. Membership Voting members of WU-PSS shall include elected representatives from professional year one through three, the executive board, and the president and vice-president of each professional year one through three. Additionally, non-voting members shall include a pre-pharmacy representative, the pharmacy club presidents, representatives from professional year four, the president and vice-president of professional year four, and an advisor(s). All members will be elected to a one year term. Criteria for membership will be enforced as provided by the WU-PSS bylaws. ARTICLE IV. Officers The executive board shall consist of the WU-PSS president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. Members must hold an elected WU-PSS voting position for at least one year prior to serving on the executive board. ARTICLE V. Elections The election of members will take place as provided by the WU-PSS bylaws. ARTICLE VI. Meetings The WU-PSS voting members will meet according to the bylaws. Quorum shall consist of one more than half of the voting members, and must be met prior to calling a meeting to order. The executive committee shall meet as determined necessary by the WU-PSS president. Meetings of the entire student body will be convened at least once a semester and additionally as determined necessary by the WU-PSS voting members. Robert s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall be the parliamentary authority for all meetings, including committee meetings. ARTICLE VII. Committees The creation of committees and the selection of their membership will occur at the discretion of the executive board as provided by the WU-PSS bylaws.
ARTICLE VIII. Budget The WU-PSS budget will be determined annually as provided by the bylaws. ARTICLE IX. Clubs and Organizations The recognition of WU-PSS affiliated clubs and organizations, and the process for receiving additional support will follow the procedure provided by the bylaws. ARTICLE X. Amendments Any voting member of WU-PSS or one-fifth of the pharmacy student body may propose an amendment to the constitution or bylaws via petition, at which time it shall be referred to the constitution committee who shall review the proposed amendment for ambiguity and legality. Ratification of the amendment will take place according to the bylaws. Article XI. Ratification Upon the acceptance of this constitution, all past constitutions of the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy student body shall be void. This constitution became effective immediately upon ratification by the student body on 1/22/13. New amendments became effective on 4/23/13.
Wilkes University Pharmacy Student Senate Bylaws ARTICLE I Powers of WU-PSS WU-PSS shall have the power to: A. Formulate a budget for all recognized student organizations and clubs based upon the P3 Student Activity Fee Fund and the fundraising efforts of WU-PSS. B. Approve, reject, or revoke the recognition of any pharmacy club or organization. C. Approve or reject any organization or club s petition for a project request. Projects involving health education or promotion, health screenings, fundraising, or social activities outside the confines of the club or organization s existing membership, must be approved by WU-PSS prior to their occurrence. To clubs that do not get appropriate events approved, WU PSS can impose consequences such as limitations on future events, the future budget, or as the voting WU-PSS deems necessary. D. Consider any complaint related to student life within the school of pharmacy brought to it by any member(s) of the school of pharmacy; to assign, if appropriate, such complaints to committees consisting of WU-PSS members and any other necessary individuals for investigation; should WU-PSS consequently deem a complaint to have merit, present it to the administration through the appropriate university office. E. Present any student concern to the appropriate Nesbitt School of Pharmacy committee for review. ARTICLE II. Membership of WU-PSS Section 1. Voting Membership A. The 2 officers of each pharmacy class, professional year one through three B. The 6 representatives of each pharmacy class, professional year one through three C. Members of the WU-PSS Executive Board: 1. Vice President 2. Treasurer 3. Secretary Section 2. Non- Voting Membership A. President of WU-PSS 1. The President shall vote in the event of a tie B. WU-PSS Advisor (s) Dean of the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy or appointed advisor by the dean C. Pre-pharmacy representative D. Pharmacy Club Presidents E. The 2 officers and 6 representatives of professional year four Section 3. Absentee Policy A. Voting WU-PSS members and the WU-PSS president are required to attend all scheduled WU-PSS meetings. B. It shall be the policy of WU-PSS to accept legitimate reasons for unavoidable absenteeism. Each voting member is allowed two absences per academic year.
Legitimate excuses include any academic responsibilities, any inter-collegiate athletic responsibilities, university related employment conflicts, any other responsibilities associated with the university reasonably taking precedence over WU-PSS, or any personal emergency. It shall be the responsibility of the absent member to notify a member of the WU-PSS Executive Board about the absence before the scheduled meeting takes place. C. An executive board meeting shall be held to determine the validity of a third absence. The member in question must be given the opportunity to explain the absence during the meeting, and a motion to disband the member can be passed by a majority vote of the WU-PSS executive board. Section 4. Executive Board A. Definition of the Executive Board 1. The executive board will consist of a president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. Members must hold an elected WU-PSS voting position for at least one year prior to serving on the executive board. 2. Act on all emergency matters concerning WU-PSS by a 2/3 majority vote of the entire WU-PSS Executive Board. The decision of the Executive Board will take effect immediately, and must be voted on by the General Board at the next scheduled WU-PSS meeting. The General Board, by a majority vote, may overturn the Executive Board decision. B. President Duties 1. Promote the work of WU-PSS 2. Preside over all meetings 3. Create and disband committees 4. Ensure the organization and execution of Nesbitt School of Pharmacy s job and career fairs when appropriate 5. Develop a tentative agenda for each WU-PSS meeting 6. Serve as chairperson of the constitution committee 7. The president has the power to veto any vote made by WU-PSS. The general board then has the power to overturn the veto by a 2/3 majority vote immediately following the veto C. Vice President Duties 1. Assume the duties of the president in his or her absence 2. Ensure the organization and execution of the annual Pharmacy Ball dance 3. Serve on the Parliamentary Body D. Treasurer Duties 1. Serve as the chairperson of the budget committee 2. Keep an accurate and up to date record of WU-PSS finances and give reports to the voting membership on itemized expenditures, transfers of money, and finalized account standings. 3. Serve as an intermediary between WU-PSS and other organizations requesting funds 4. Ensure that clubs and organizations use requested funds for the purposes specified. 5. Audit clubs and organizations as necessary. 6. Serve on the Parliamentary Body
E. Secretary Duties 1. Record, publish, and file WU-PSS meeting minutes 2. Maintain an accurate attendance record 3. Record all official member votes 4. Notify the Executive Board of any member in violation of the attendance policy 5. Facilitate the transfer of information between WU-PSS and the student body 6. Serve on the Parliamentary Body F. Parliamentary Body Duties 1. Interpret and execute the WU-PSS constitution and by-laws 2. Determine, by majority vote, disputes or conflict regarding the by-laws or constitution Section 5. General Board A. Definition of the General Board 1. The General Board will consist of a single representative from each pharmacy team and the two class officers of each professional year one through three. 2. The General Board has the power to overturn a presidential veto by a 2/3 majority vote immediately following the veto. B. Class President Duties The responsibilities of the class president include, but are not limited to, organizing class socials, organizing CPR and First Aid training when applicable, actively planning and executing WU-PSS events, and justly representing their class opinions. C. Class Vice President - The responsibilities of the class vice-president include, but are not limited to, assisting the president in the execution of his or her duties, actively planning and executing WU-PSS events, and justly representing their class opinions. D. Class representatives -The responsibilities of class representatives include, but are not limited to, communicating information from WU-PSS meetings to their pharmacy team members, actively planning and executing WU-PSS events, and justly representing their teams opinions. Election of WU-PSS Members Section 1. Election of the Executive Board A. The election of Executive Board members will take place during the first WU-PSS meeting following the spring election of representatives. B. Members of the outgoing WU-PSS voting membership shall nominate individuals for Executive Board positions. C. Persons nominated must be elected individuals serving as voting members for the coming academic year and have previously served one year as a WU-PSS voting member. D. Executive Board positions will be voted upon by the outgoing WU-PSS voting members. Nominations and voting will take place starting with the vice-president. Upon the winner s acceptance of the position, nominations and voting will take place for the treasurer and then the secretary, in the same manner. After accepting their positions, the Executive Board members shall assume the duties previously stated.
E. Vacancies within the Executive Board will be filled by emergency elections facilitated by the WU-PSS president. Section 2. Election of the Executive Board President A. Persons wishing to pursue the position of executive board president must be nominated by a member of the sitting WU-PSS voting body and have served as a WU-PSS voting member for at least one academic year. B. The nomination process for executive board president must span two consecutive WU-PSS meetings and begin no later than the 8 th week of the spring semester. C. Voting will be open to all pharmacy students in professional years one through three and will be conducted by non-nominated members of the parliamentary body and the professional year three class president. Voting will take place over a total of five consecutive days, and the winner will assume his or her duties at the next WU-PSS meeting. D. Campaigning will be limited to vocal exchanges. No tangible materials may be utilized in this process. No funding may be used during the campaign process. Section 3. Election of Class President and Vice- President A. Nominations for professional year one through three will take place immediately after the completion of the WU-PSS presidential election, and occur at a scheduled meeting of the entire professional year announced at least 48 hours in advance. Nominations for the incoming professional year one will take place no later than the 2 nd week of the fall semester. B. Nominations can be made by any current member of the professional year, and any current member of the professional year, other than the WU-PSS president, can be nominated. C. The winner will be determined by a majority class vote facilitated by either the outgoing or the incoming WU-PSS president. Section 4. Team Representatives A. Nominations for WU-PSS representatives will take place within each pharmacy team in professional years one through three no later than the Monday of the 13 th week of the spring semester. Nominations for the incoming professional year one will take place no later than the Monday of the 3 rd week of the fall semester. B. Voting will occur according to the individual team s policy. C. Each team must have a tie-breaker in place and submitted to the incoming WU-PSS president prior to voting. D. Elected members will assume their duties and the next WU-PSS meeting. ARTICLE IV. Voting During Meetings A. Any voting member of WU-PSS may propose a motion during an official meeting, at which time the motion requires a second from an additional voting member. B. All seconded motions must be voted upon by the voting members. Members may choose to favor, oppose, or abstain from the motion.
C. A majority vote is needed to pass any seconded motion presented to WU-PSS, and results in the immediate enactment of the motion. ARTICLE V Budget Dispersal Section 1. The Budget Committee A. The budget committee shall consist of the WU-PSS treasurer and at least one representative from each professional year two through three. B. The composition of the budget committee will be determined no later than the last week of school of the spring semester, for the upcoming year. Section 2. The Budget A. The budget committee is responsible for presenting a proposed budget for the fiscal year no later than the 4 th week of the fall semester. B. The proposed budget is passed according to the voting regulations at the meeting it is presented. C. Clubs must submit a conference fund request and present their proposal at one WU PSS meeting at least 2 weeks prior to the conference date. Dispersal of the requested funds is contingent upon the discretion of the WU PSS voting body. ARTICLE VI. Clubs and Organizations Section 1. Club or Organization Recognition A. The WU-PSS President must be notified of the intention to establish a new club or organization. B. The prospective club or organization must obtain a member of the faculty, staff, or administration of the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy to serve as an advisor. C. WU-PSS shall vote to approve or deny recognition status D. Recognized clubs and organizations may participate in welcome week, schedule a designated club meeting time, and request funds from WU-PSS. Clubs must submit a petition prior to holding health education or promotional events, health screenings, fundraising, or social events outside the confines of the club or organization s existing membership. Section 2. Funded Club and Organization Status A. Recognized clubs and organizations may apply for funded club status after three consecutive years of successful activity on campus. B. A funded club or organization is eligible to receive a funding stipend in the WU-PSS budget. C. All regulations from Article 6 Section 1 apply. Section 3. Budgeted Club and Organization Status
A. Funded clubs and organizations are eligible to apply for budgeted club status after two consecutive years of successful activity on campus. B. A budgeted club or organization is eligible to receive a conference stipend in the WU-PSS budget. C. Members of budgeted clubs and organizations receiving conference stipends are not eligible to petition WU-PSS for any additional conference funding for conferences, national or regional, directly held by their respective clubs or organizations. D. All regulations from Article 6 Section 1 and Section 2 apply. Section 4. Club or Organization Dismissal A. The WU-PSS voting membership may vote to disband an organization or club as it deems necessary for one or more the following reasons: 1. Lack of interest or activity for at least two years 2. Refusal to follow guidelines set forth by WU-PSS 3. Engaging in illegal activity 4. Misappropriation of funds 5. Any other reason the WU-PSS body feels is necessary to maintain the integrity and reputation of both the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and the WU- PSS B. Dismissal of a club must be prosed by a majority vote of the executive board. C. Any current member of the club may petition the decision at the next meeting immediately following the proposal. D. Dismissal is determined by a majority decision of the voting membership and takes effect immediately following the vote. The outcome of the club s budget will be decided upon by the club s executive board and WU PSS s executive board. ARTICLE VII. Faculty/ Staff Committees Section 1. Members and Duties A. Each standing Nesbitt College of Pharmacy committee shall contain one student from professional years two and three. B. Interested students in professional year two shall be solicited by the WU-PSS president no later than the 2 nd week of the fall semester and attend the next scheduled WU-PSS meeting. C. Professional year two committee members will be elected by the WU-PSS voting membership no later than the 4th week of the fall semester. Elected members will serve a two year term. D. Elected members are charged with attending all committee meetings, relying pertinent information between WU-PSS and the committees, and informing their respective committee chairpersons of their election. Section 2. Established Committees A. Strategic Planning - Responsible for the development of the school of pharmacy strategic plan. Student committee members are also responsible for serving on the WU- PSS strategic planning committee.
B. Assessment - Provide leadership and support for assessment activities within the school of pharmacy. Student committee members assist to plan, conduct, and react to the biannual program review process and make recommendations on the various assessment data collected. C. Curriculum - Responsible for the continuing evaluation and advancement of the pharmacy curriculum. Student committee members have the responsibility and right to review individual and collective course contents for contribution to the breadth, depth, and value to the total curriculum. Student committee members also approve course content prior to being approved by the school and University faculty and promote innovation in teaching. D. Student Affairs - Develop policy and make recommendations pertaining to standards for professional pharmacy student recruitment, admission into the existing program, and maintenance of academic standards required for curricular progression and completion of the program. This committee also establishes and recommends standards for the awarding of professional pharmacy student scholarships, awards, and prizes. Student committee members shall serve on a sub-committee of the Student Affairs committee. ARTICLE VIII. Dismissal of WU-PSS Members Section 1. Impeachment of the WU-PSS President A. It shall be the responsibility of WU-PSS to hold any recall procedures against the President. B. All petitions for impeachment must make specific accusations against the President. For the petition to be considered valid, the claims must fall within the following categories: 1. The petition must specify its charges against the President. 2. The following shall be valid charges: i. Violation of the absentee policy. ii. Abuse or misuse of power. iii. Insufficient time to do his or her job. iv. An action unbecoming a member of WU-PSS C. Once quorum has been reached, a meeting is called to order and the President must step down and the Vice President will assume the duties until a hearing is held and charges are dropped. There will be a temporary vacancy in the Vice President position. D. The WU-PSS Treasurer and Secretary shall be responsible for prosecuting recall procedures before the body of the WU-PSS. These members will also act as prosecution at the Executive Board hearing. E. Before the recall procedure is carried out, the President must be notified in writing or verbally at least seventy two (72) hours in advance and must be given the option to be present during both procedures. F. The last step will be to hold Dismissal Proceedings at the next WU-PSS meeting. The individual or individuals bringing the charges against the representative and the WU-PSS Treasurer and Secretary will execute the procedure. The President in question will be invited to this hearing. There must be a two thirds vote by WU-PSS voting body in order
to dismiss. The proceedings shall go in the following order with the Vice President of WU-PSS presiding: 1. An opening statement by the prosecution and all questions from the floor. 2. The person in question will speak in his or her defense. 3. All questions from the floor will be heard. 4. The prosecution will make closing statements. 5. The person in question will make his or her closing remarks. 6. The WU-PSS voting body shall determine dismissal by a 2/3 majority Section 2. Dismissal of a WU-PSS Voting Member A. A petition of recall for members shall be proposed by at least fifty percent of the team that member represents, twenty five percent of WU-PSS voting membership, or as deemed necessary by the WU-PSS Executive Board for violating WU-PSS attendance policies. B. All petitions must make specific accusations against the member. For the petition to be considered valid, the claims must fall within the following categories: 1. The petition must specify its charges against the officer. 2. The following shall be valid charges: i. Violation of absentee policy. ii. Abuse or misuse of power. iii. Insufficient time to do his or her job. iv. An action unbecoming a member of WU-PSS C. The Parliamentary Body shall be responsible for prosecuting recall procedures before the body of the WU-PSS. In the event that a member of the parliamentary body is the member(s) in question, the professional year three class president (vice-president) will serve in his or her (their) place. E. The Dismissal Proceedings will be held at the next WU-PSS meeting. The individual or individuals bringing the charges against the member and the Parliamentary Body will execute the procedure. The member in question will be invited to this hearing. There must be a two thirds vote by the WU-PSS voting membership in order to dismiss. The proceedings shall go in the following order with the President of WU-PSS presiding: 1. An opening statement by the prosecution and all questions from the floor. 2. The member in question will speak in his or her defense. 3. All questions from the floor will be heard. 4. The prosecution will make closing statements. 5. The member in question will make his or her closing remarks. 6. The WU-PSS voting body shall determine dismissal by a 2/3 majority F. Before the recall procedure is carried out, the member must be notified in writing or verbally at least seventy two (72) hours in advance and must be given the option to be present during both procedures. Article IX. Vacancies A. A vacancy within the office of WU-PSS president will be filled by the standing WU PSS vice-president.
B. A vacancy within the WU-PSS Executive Board will be filled by emergency election at the next WU-PSS meeting according to standard election procedures. C. A vacancy within the positions of class president or vice-president will be filled by emergency election according to standard election procedures. D. A vacancy within the position of professional year representative will be filled by emergency election according to the standard election procedure. Article X. Amendments A. Any member of WU-PSS or one fifth of the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy student body may, by petition, propose an amendment; at which time it shall be referred to the Constitution Committee, who shall review the proposed amendment for ambiguity and legality. B. The Constitution Committee shall present the proposed amendment at two consecutive WU-PSS meetings following approval. C. Ratification requires approval by a majority of the WU-PSS voting body and the Dean of the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing. D. If the amendment is returned to the WU-PSS without the approval of the Dean of the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing, the amendment shall return for revision. The revised amendment must pass WU-PSS by a two thirds vote of the voting membership and then be resubmitted to the Dean of the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing. E. The new Constitution goes into effect immediately upon approval by the student body. Article XI. Ratification Upon the acceptance of these bylaws, all past by-laws of the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy student body shall be void. These by-laws became effective immediately upon ratification by the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy student body on. New amendments became effective on 4/23/13.