SGA Constitution

Constitution of the Student Government Association at Landmark College

PREAMBLE

This organization shall be known as the Student Government Association (SGA) at Landmark College.

The purpose of the SGA shall be to act as a self-representing governing body for the students at Landmark College in accordance with the highest ideals of democratic representation and the greatest aims and purposes of the College.

The SGA shall act to execute the will of the student body by presenting their collective opinions and recommendations concerning the affairs of the College and representing the student body in College decisions that impact students.  The SGA will serve as a reliable source of information to the student body concerning student affairs and will pursue and collaborate on initiatives and events that support a stronger student community.

The SGA shall not discriminate against any person regardless of their race, creed, color, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin for any reason.

ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Membership

  1. SGA members shall consist of all students currently enrolled during the Fall or Spring semester
  2. The Senate shall consist of the Executive Board and two (2) senators from each residence hall and one (1) senator to represent off-campus students
  3. The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer

ARTICLE II: ELECTIONS

Section 1:   General

  1. Candidacy for Executive Board and Senator offices are open to any student currently enrolled in the Fall or Spring semesters
  2. Candidates must be in good standing and not on any social or academic probation
  3. The term of office for the Executive Board and Senators is one (1) year or for the duration of the current term
  4. Candidates are eligible to run for or occupy only one (1) office simultaneously
  5. Officers and Senators may run for subsequent terms
  6. Completed nomination forms with requisite number of signatures must be submitted to the Student Affairs Office for eligibility verification no later than the agreed upon date established by the Executive Board
  7. Candidates submitting incomplete nomination forms after the deadline shall be declared ineligible
  8. Dates for nomination form submission and elections shall be announced to the entire SGA membership at least three (3) weeks prior to the election date
  9. Voting shall occur by secret ballot during lunch and dinner hours in the dining hall on the date established by the Executive Board
  10. SGA members are required to vote in-person during the specified hours.  Absentee ballots are not permissible
  11. Votes shall be counted and verified by the SGA advisor and an Executive Board officer who is not a candidate for office
  12. The candidate with the most votes for each office shall be declared the winner

Section 2: Election of Executive Board Officers

  1. Election of Executive Board Officers shall be held at least three (3) weeks prior to the end of the Spring semester
  2. Nomination forms must be completed and signed by 20 SGA members.  Candidates are responsible to ensure that forms are complete and there are no duplicate signatures
  3. Elected Officers shall assume their respective offices at the conclusion of the Spring semester in which they were elected

Section 3: Election of Senators

  1. Election of Senators shall be held within thirty (30) days after the start of the Fall semester
  2. Candidates are eligible to run only for a Senate office representing the residence hall in which they reside or for an off-campus office if they reside off-campus
  3. Nomination forms must be completed and signed by 20 SGA members who reside in the same residence hall as the candidate. Candidates are responsible to ensure that forms are complete and there are no duplicate signatures
  4. Elected Senators shall assume their office immediately upon announcement of election results

Section 4: Vacancy of Office

  1. A vacancy shall be declared when an Executive Board Officer or Senator graduates, resigns, is voted out of office, is on social or academic probation, or withdraws or is expelled from the College
  2. For a vacancy of an Executive Board office, other than the President, a successor shall be recommended by the President and be appointed by unanimous vote of the remaining Executive Board Officers.  For a vacancy of the office of President, the Vice- President shall assume the office of President and shall recommend a successor for the office of Vice-President who shall be appointed upon a unanimous vote of the remaining Executive Board Officers
  3. For a vacancy of a Senator office, a successor from the same residence hall shall be recommended by the President and appointed by vote of the remaining Senators at an SGA meeting
  4. Officers and Senators filling vacancies shall assume the office for the remainder of the original term

Section 5: Re-location of a Senator to a New Residence

  1. A Senator who re-locates to a new residence hall or to an off-campus residence subsequent to the general Senator elections shall be appointed by majority vote of the Senate to a Senator office representing the new residence if an open Senator office exists for that residence.  If an open office does not exist for the new residence, the re-locating Senator shall be appointed by majority vote of the Senate to a Senator-at-large office with full Senate voting rights and privileges.

Section 6: Recall of an Executive Board Officer or Senator

  1. Recall of an Executive Board Officer or Senator may be initiated for any reason according to the following guidelines:
    1. A recall petition stating the alleged reasons for the recall and the signatures of two-thirds (2/3) of the Senate shall be submitted by a Senate member to the President, or if the petition is to recall the President, to the Vice-President
    2. An Executive Board Officer shall notify the Officer or Senator in question with specific allegations within seven (7) days of the petition and provide the Officer or Senator with an opportunity within not less than three (3) days and not more than seven (7) days to respond to the charges at an SGA meeting
    3. The recall shall take effect with a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote by secret ballot of the Senate

ARTICLE III: ORGANIZATION

Section 1: Executive Board

  1. The Executive Board shall have general executive authority to make decisions and take actions which represent the interests of the SGA majority
  2. Executive Board Officers shall attend all SGA and Executive Board meetings and shall notify the President if unable to attend for any reason.  A recall vote, following recall guidelines, shall be initiated if an Officer has three (3) absences from SGA meetings or three (3) absences from Executive Board meetings during a semester without prior notification to the President
  3. The Senate may overrule any decision of the Executive Board with a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote

Section 2: Duties of the Executive Board

  1. President
    1. Serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the SGA; carry out the mandates, policies, and directives of the Student Senate and Executive Board
    2. Preside over and direct SGA and Executive Board meetings
    3. Oversee SGA activities and promote and communicate activities to the student body
    4. Collaborate and coordinate activities with other student organizations
    5. Coordinate communication and participation in student affairs with the administration
    6. Oversee the SGA budget and fund-raising activities
    7. Oversee the election process of new Senate members
  2. Vice-President
    1. Assist the President in fulfilling the above responsibilities
    2. Chair committees as requested
    3. Assume responsibilities of the President when the President is absent or unable to perform his or her duties
    4. Perform other duties as the President or Executive Board may assign
  3. Secretary
    1. Record minutes and take attendance at SGA meetings and make minutes available to members
    2. Record minutes of Executive Board meetings and make minutes available to officers
    3. Distribute or make available the agenda for SGA meetings not less than two days prior to scheduled meetings
    4. Provide notice of special meetings or events to the Senate or student body
    5. Provide and securely maintain records, reports, nomination forms, publications, and any other documents related to SGA business
    6. Make available nomination forms for candidates seeking Senate offices
    7. Perform other duties as the President or Executive Board may assign
  4. Treasurer
    1. Serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the SGA
    2. Approve expenditures of SGA funds
    3. Maintain accurate records of all receipts and expenditures
    4. Report on financial status budget, including expenses, revenues, and budget on a regular basis at SGA and Executive Board meetings
    5. Perform other duties as the President or Executive Board may assign

Section 3: Duties of Senators

  1. Senators shall be aware of the issues, represent the interests of, and communicate with the constituency in their residence hall
  2. Senators shall publicize meetings and other SGA events and encourage participation and attendance of their constituents
  3. Senators shall exercise the policies and priorities of the Senate and Executive Board, serve on ad-hoc committees, and perform other duties as assigned
  4. Senators shall be voting members at all meetings
  5. Senators shall attend all SGA meetings and shall notify the President beforehand if unable to attend a meeting for any reason
  6. A recall vote, following recall guidelines, shall be conducted for three (3) absences from SGA meetings during a semester without prior notification to the President

Section 4: Role of the SGA Advisor

  1. The Advisor shall provide counsel, information, advice, and represent the staff and faculty on matters under discussion at SGA meetings
  2. The Advisor shall be a non-voting member of the SGA and may not bring a motion to the floor
  3. The Advisor shall regularly attend SGA and Executive Board meetings
  4. The Executive Board shall solicit interest of staff or faculty members to serve as SGA Advisor within two (2) weeks of the start of the Fall semester. The SGA Advisor shall be elected with a unanimous vote by the Executive Board
  5. The SGA Advisor may be recalled for any reason with a three- fourths (3/4) vote of the Senate

ARTICLE IV: LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS

Section 1: SGA Meetings

  1. SGA Meetings shall be held once (1) per week, except for extraordinary circumstances, during the Fall and Spring semesters at such times and places as the President determines is convenient to a majority of Executive Board Officers and Senators. The Secretary shall announce the meeting schedule, including dates and location, to SGA members
  2. All students are entitled to attend SGA meetings. Members of the Senate are required to attend all meetings unless they have notified the President beforehand
  3. The Secretary shall make an agenda available to SGA members at least two (2) days prior to each meeting
  4. A quorum shall consist of one-half (1/2) plus one (1) of the membership of the Senate and shall be required for the passage of any motion
  5. Members of the Senate, with the exception of the President, may bring a motion to the floor
  6. Any SGA member attending a meeting may vote on a motion other than a recall vote and may address the SGA upon recognition of the President
  7. A Campus Activities Board officer shall be present to report on CAB events at each SGA meeting
  8. Meetings shall be run according to a Simplified Parliamentary Procedure based on the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order

Section 2: Executive Board Meetings

  1. Executive Board Meetings shall be held once (1) per week, except for extraordinary circumstances, during the Fall and Spring semesters at such times and places as the President determines is convenient to a majority of Officers. The Secretary shall notify the Officers of meeting schedule, including dates and location
  2. Executive Board Officers are required to attend all meetings unless they have notified the President beforehand
  3. A quorum shall consist of three (3) Officers
  4. The Executive Board shall engage in planning, address issues, and prepare agendas for SGA meetings

Section 3: Ad-Hoc Committees

  1. Ad-Hoc Committees and chairpersons shall be appointed by the President to pursue and report on specific initiatives
  2. The Chairperson shall schedule and notify committee members of meeting times and agendas
  3. The Chairperson shall report on the work of the Committee at SGA meetings

Section 4: Special Sessions

  1. The Student Senate may request a special session to address a specific issue or initiative upon a vote or petition of one-third (1/3) of the Senate
  2. Special sessions shall be open to all SGA members

ARTICLE V. AMENDMENTS

This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Senate

Updated 1/25/11