STUDENT GOVERNMENT CONSTITUTION 2018 Winter Quarter PART I THE MISSION AND PURPOSE OF JPCATHOLIC STUDENT GOVERNMENT A. Mission Student Government is to serve as liaison and voice between the students, administration, and faculty, and to provide and foster opportunities for student growth in every aspect of the student s life spiritual, social, and personal keeping in accord with the University s ultimate mission of impacting culture for Christ. Student Government officers, beginning with the Student Government President, carry the responsibility and privilege of being servant leaders and setting examples to their fellow students in these areas. B. Student Government Values 1. Service 2. Responsibility 3. Hospitality 4. Organization 5. Communication 6. Joy The academic, cultural, and social aspects of the University encourages the development of the University s mission in Student Government to further develop its core values through: Events and student activities that bring uniqueness to the campus Elect leadership through their classmates to represent the student interests C. Student Government Purpose and Procedures: 1. Event Planning and Execution Student life events are at the heart of a thriving, interactive community. Student Government assumes the responsibility of organizing and executing events for the students to enjoy. Student Government should take care to provide traditional events that the students come to expect, as well as arranging new events based on opportunity or student preference. 2. Communicating Communication is essential to the workings of any institution. Student Govern ment has a responsibility to open the lines of communication between itself and the student body, and between the students and the Director of Student Life. Students should feel welcome and able to bring questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions to their Student Government and should be able to trust that they will be relayed faithfully and truthfully to the Director of Student Life. Student Government should also open communication between itself and the students by what-ever means available, be it technology-based or interpersonal communication.
3. Encouraging and Enabling Student Government must actively encourage student initiative and enable activities that align with the University s mission. Clubs, student-initiated gatherings, and suggested events or traditions are some things that fall under this category. Student Government should do everything it can to aid students as they strive together to enrich the culture of JPCatholic, both at present and for future classes. 4. Exemplifying The best way to lead is by example. All Student Government personnel must take it upon themselves, humbly and genuinely, to be an exemplary student themselves, striving to become the sort of individual who can impact culture for Christ. D. Student Government Departments and the Cabinet: 1. President The Student Government President is responsible for leading Student Government towards accomplishing its mission and living out its values. 2. Vice President The Vice President serves Student Government directly under the President. The VP works together with the President to uphold and execute the mission and values of JP Catholic Student Government. The VP will assume the responsibilities of the President if the President cannot fulfill his/her duty. 3. Treasurer The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining accurate and well-organized records of all Student Government expenditures. The Treasurer must also assure that Student Government s financial records are easily accessible to the President and Vice President at anytime. 4. Secretary The Secretary keeps records of Student Government meetings and other developments, and to ensure those records are easily accessible to the President and Vice President at any time. The Secretary s records should also be available to the student body in the spirit of fostering good communication. 5. Historian and their Team The Historian is responsible for archiving Student Government activities and events. The Historian is in recruits and manages a team to ensure that Student Government is well documented. The Historian must keep the team accountable for the events they are to document and the media they are to turn in, and must maintain an organized workflow on the Student Government Google Drive.
6. Event Coordinator and their Team The Event Coordinator is responsible for Student Government events. The Event Coordinator is responsible for planning, promoting, executing, and cleaning up Student Government events. The Event Coordinator is responsible for checking out equipment for events, or delegating a team member to do so in their place. The event planning team reports to and receives direction from the President and/or Vice President through the Event Coordinator, who is to be appointed by the President. The Event Coordinator can also be approved by the President if a responsible individual volunteers for the position. New positions can be created, and existing positions removed, accordingly. In order for these positions to be created or removed, the President must make a recommendation to the Cabinet. The recommendation must then be approved by the sitting Cabinet by a majority vote. When the President and Vice President take office, they must appoint students to all existing positions. Any re-appointments must be passed by a majority vote of the sitting Cabinet. Department Heads may appoint their own team members without a majority vote. Department Heads are the only members of their Department who sit on the Cabinet. PART II ELECTION PROCESS A. Elections Elections are divided into two categories: executive and legislative. Student Government executive elections will be held every summer quarter to elect the President and Vice President for the next four quarters. The President and Vice Presidential candidates run as a team on a shared ticket. The election will be decided by majority vote with each student casting one vote. Upon annual re-election from the student body, there is no limit to the number of terms a President and Vice President can serve. Candidates for President must have two quarters of leadership in either: JPCatholic s Student Government, a JPCatholic household, or a JPCatholic approved club or leadership role. Candidates can officially enter the executive race only by informing the Director of Student Life of their intent to run at least three weeks prior to the election. Before a candidate is allowed to run for office, they must review the JPCatholic Student Government Constitution, pledge a commitment to upholding it if elected, and meet the following criteria: 1. Be in good academic standing (i.e., not on academic probation or warning) 2. Be a full-time JPCatholic student (4 or more classes) 3. Have had no major disciplinary issues within the last 6 months In the event that a Freshman decides to run for the Presidency or Vice-Presidency, they must run with an upperclassman.
Legislative elections will be held every summer quarter, with the terms lasting four quarters. The election will be decided by majority vote with each student casting one vote for a candidate within their class and major. In the case of a tie, the President reserves the right to cast a deciding ballot. Legislative candidates must formally enter the race by notifying the Director of Student Life of their intent to run at least one week prior to the election. The student in each class and major (e.g. Business sophomores) with the most votes from their respective class and major will be nominated for the representative seat. If the nominee declines, the seat passes on to the runner-up, and so on. If no candidate is nominated and accepts the seat, that class and major forfeit their seat in Congress until the next electoral cycle. It is the responsibility of Student Life to schedule and hold the election during Summer Quarter. B. Presidency The President shall serve a term of one year. The President has the most responsibility when it comes to serving the student body and executing the mission of Student Government faithfully. C. Vice Presidency The Vice President shall serve a term of one year. The Vice President is responsible for assisting the President in accomplishing the mission of Student Government. The Vice President shall assume the position of President if the President cannot fulfill their duties, and then may appoint a new Vice President from the sitting congress or the Cabinet If no one from the sitting congress or Cabinet is willing to assume the role of Vice President, the President is responsible for nominating someone, who if they accept the nomination, will be voted on by the Cabinet. D. Appointed Positions The Student Government Department heads and Cabinet are positions to which the President appoints or approves a volunteer. The President must take care to select students who are willing, responsible, and committed to the mission of JPCatholic Student Government. Student Government Department Heads and Cabinet can be appointed and removed from positions according to the will of the President. There can only be one Head/Cabinet member for each department. E. Impeachment and Resignation A letter of resignation is accepted with a two weeks notice, if a Student Government member wishes to resign. Any member of student government can be impeached for the following reasons: (1) gross negligence of duties; (2) poor academic performance (academic probation or more than one quarter of academic warning); and/or (3) serious violations of the ethical or behavioral standards set out in the Student Handbook. Impeachment can be initiated by any member of Student Government or Student Life; a letter requesting impeachment and stating the reasons therefore must be submitted to Student Life and approved before becoming official.
F. Student Congress Representatives The Student Congress Representatives shall each serve a term of 4 quarters. There is no limit to the number of terms a Representative can serve. A Representative is responsible for assisting the President and Vice President at Student Congress sessions, discussing and casting votes towards the consideration of Student Proposals, and aiding and encouraging students in the development of Proposals. Student Congress meetings will be held three times a quarter. Representatives are responsible for being present and accounted for at each meeting. If a Representative cannot fulfill their duties, the President shall hold an interim election to find a new representative. PART III STUDENT GOVERNMENT MEETINGS Student Government meetings are one of the best ways for Student Government to communicate and connect with the student body. All students are welcome at Student Government meetings and should be encouraged to participate. Meetings take place bi-weekly. All Student Government Department Heads and Cabinet members are required to attend Student Government meetings, those personnel being listed in Part I on the Constitution, unless the President excuses them. The President shall preside over all Student Government meeting proceedings. Student Government meetings should include but are not limited to: an open forum, budgetary and scheduling matters, event planning and coordination, and general announcements. The President will close out the meeting with a prayer of their choosing. A. Use of Student Government Funds Student Government funds are to be used to the benefit of the common good of the student body at the discretion of Student Government personnel, chiefly the Student Government President and Treasurer. Under the guidance of the Director of Student Life, Student Government as well as other students is free to engage in fundraising activities in order to raise additional funds. B. Student Congress Sessions Student Congress sessions will be held three times a quarter at a time and location determined by the Vice President, provided all student representatives are able to attend. All Student Representatives, except in an emergency, must be present at each session or their vote is forfeited for that session. The Secretary should be present. All members of the Student Government should be encouraged to attend, but their presence is not required. The three quarterly Student Congress meetings shall go as follows: 1. First Congress Meeting: At the first Student Congress meeting of the quarter, Representatives shall propose bills, with the appropriate number of student signatures, which they have sponsored. A printed hard copy of the bill shall be provided for each Representative and the Vice President as well as an electronic copy to the Secretary.
2. Second Congress Meeting: At the second congress meeting of the quarter, the Representatives shall be given a set amount of time, decided by the Vice President, for deliberation on the proposed bills, and a set amount of time to discuss amendments to the proposed bills. Congress may vote for additional time for deliberation and/or amending. No new bills shall be presented at this meeting. 3. Third Congress Meeting: At the third and final meeting, Representatives are to vote on bills, along with any proposed amendments. If requested, the Vice President must provide time for deliberation on the bills. The bill must pass with a majority vote to be sent to the President and Head of Student Life. No new bills or amendments shall be proposed at this meeting. Only 1 of each bill classification (see Appendix) can be sent to the President and Student Life per quarter. 4. Additional Meeting: For additional meetings, the President must call for a meeting pertaining to a single issue or bill. The Vice President, President and a quorum (50% or more) of Representatives must be present for the entire duration of the meeting. A bill must be presented with the appropriate number of signatures required for that class of bill. A printed hard copy of the bill shall be provided for each Representative and the Vice President as well as an electronic copy to the Secretary. Representatives shall be given a set amount of time, decided by the Vice President, for deliberation on the proposed bill, and a set amount of time to discuss amendments to the proposed bills. Congress may vote for additional time for deliberation and/or amending. Representatives are to vote on bills, along with any proposed amendments. The bill must pass with a majority vote to be sent to the President and Head of Student Life. Additional meetings must pertain to a single bill and an additional meeting can only be called for once a quarter for the same bill. The Vice President will debrief the Student Body with the results of all sessions. For more information about Student Congress, see Appendix 1. PART IV INTERPRETATION AND AMENDMENT This Constitution establishes foundational principles upon which Student Government is to operate. This document does not attempt to outline every detail of Student Government workings. Such decisions are entrusted to the prayerful consideration of Student Government officials, with the Student Government President presiding over them, and the Director of Student Life, who works together with the Student Government President to achieve Student Government s purpose, which is defined in this document. A. The Constitution will be reviewed regularly and changes made as necessary. Any logistical matters of this Constitution may be amended if need be, taking into consideration any concerns or suggestions of the student body when deliberating changes to be made. Amendments to the Constitution can be proposed by Congress, Student Life, or a member of the President s Cabinet. Proposed amendments must be approved by the President, Vice-President, and Director of Student Life.
APPENDIX I On the Process Bills can be written by any member of the student body. Bills must be sponsored by a Representative and proposed at the first Congress meeting of the quarter for consideration. Bills may address any concern with the student experience, school environment, or other aspects of academic life at JPCatholic but they must propose at least one solution to the concern or perceived problem. On the Classifications Issues or ideas listed by students on proposed bills will be classified by the student under one of three categories. Classifications will also be discussed on the floor for a set amount of time so as to keep meetings efficient and concise. If the student has any questions, they may seek the guidance of a member of Student Government to help classify their idea or concern. Class III: Major Policy Changes (ex. Inter-visitation, dry campus, firearms), MUST HAVE 60+ supporters, maximum of 30 minutes of discussion and debate Class II: Moderate Policy Changes or Events (ex. new event ideas, changes to the Perch Common Room), MUST HAVE 30+ supporters, maximum of 20 minutes of discussion and debate Class I: Minor Policy Changes or Events (ex. Microwave in the Student Life Center), MUST HAVE 10+ supporters, maximum of 10 minutes of discussion and debate On the Bills Each and every bill must have an attached name with the student who is sponsoring the bill and that name will be brought before the Student Life Committee as well as the upper Administration. If the student is unwilling to do this, their concerns will not be addressed. On the Secretary The Student Government Secretary will attend every meeting and keep track of which bills are mentioned, how they are voted upon, and which solutions will be taken before the Committee and upper Administration. On the Student Life Committee The Student Life Committee consists of the Dean of Students, Director of Student Life, and the President and Vice- President of SG. The Student Life Committee reserves the right to modify bills that are brought from the Student Congress before proposing the bill and/or solutions to the appropriate Administrative Department or person. In rare cases, the Committee may decide that the bill in its entirety should not be presented to Administration. In the case of either a modification or denial of a bill from the Congress, the Student Life Committee will present the Congress with the modification or denial in writing, accompanied by an explanation for the decision. On Amending the Operations or Rules of the Congress The rules pertaining to Student Congress can be amended by a majority vote by Student Congress, and approval from the Student Body President and the Director of Student Life.
On the Rate of Return from Student Life Committee and/or Administration The Student Life Committee and Administration will be expected to return any bills, with notice of any changes being enacted OR with an explanation as to why no changes are being enacted, no later than the beginning of the following quarter. Example of Bill Submission Format Bill Title Submissions Submitter (Must be a Representative) Issue One Solution DISCLAIMER: JUST BECAUSE STUDENTS HAVE SUBMITTED A REQUEST FORM DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEIR REQUEST WILL END UP BEFORE COMMITTEE OR ADMINISTRATION. STUDENT GOVERNMENT CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THE REQUESTED POLICY CHANGE, NEW EVENT, ETC., EVEN IF IT IS BROUGHT BEFORE COMMITTEE OR ADMINISTRATION, WILL BE ENACTED. THIS IS SIMPLY A MEANS FOR STUDENTS TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE UNIVERSITY. Student Body President Student Body Vice President Director of Student Life