Belmont Abbey College Student Government Association CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
We, the students of Belmont Abbey College , do establish this constitution for the STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF BELMONT ABBEY COLLGE, a permanent body operating under the authority of the President of the College. We do this in order to:
- Better contribute to the wellbeing of the general College community.
- Promote the general welfare of the student body.
- Facilitate communication of reasonable opinions among and within the student body and between the administration and faculty of the College.
- Participate more effectively in the internal governance of the College under the guidance of the administration and faculty.
ARTICLE I – Functions
The functions of the Student Government Association (SGA) of Belmont Abbey College shall be to:
Section 1. Express opinion on College affairs as the SGA deems appropriate and necessary.
Section 2. Establish, within the laws applicable to Belmont Abbey College , an effective means for advising and responding to College committees, the administration, faculty, and other officers of the College.
Section 3. Participate through appropriate bodies in the formulation of academic and educational policies of Belmont Abbey College .
Section 4. Consider policies, programs, and other matters as the administration, faculty, and student organizations propose.
Section 5. Promote procedures whereby communication within the College may flow freely and systematically.
Section 6. Assist in creating and maintaining a college environment conducive to the cultivation of scholarship, culture, service, and community under Benedictine tradition.
Section 7. Accept and share responsibility with the administration and faculty in all efforts to improve the status and usefulness of Belmont Abbey College .
Section 8. Disburse funds from the treasury of the SGA, including allocation of funds available to student organizations.
Section 9. Implement the by-laws of this organization as prescribed to the best of the ability of each member of the SGA.
ARTICLE II – General Organization and Membership
Section 1. Membership of the Student Government Association of Belmont Abbey College shall be comprised of the Executive Officers, the Student Senate, and Major Group Representatives as specified in this Constitution.
Section 2. Eligibility for membership is open to all students enrolled in the traditional program, who have met all requirements of the position sought as established by this Constitution, and who have been properly elected as prescribed by this Constitution or bylaws.
Section 3. No otherwise qualified student may be excluded from membership of the SGA on basis of race, age, sex, nationality, or physical impairment.
ARTICLE III – Executive Officers
Section 1. The Executive Officers of the SGA are the President, Vice President/Treasurer, Secretary, and Public Relations Officer.
Section 2. Duties and Powers of the Officers
- The President shall:
- Serve as the chief executive officer of the SGA.
- Supervise the execution of all actions of the SGA authorized by this Constitution.
- Vote in all matters before the SGA only in case of a tie.
- Recommend for appointment to the SGA student representatives to all committees.
- Preside at all meetings of the SGA.
- The Vice President/Treasurer shall:
- Assist the President in the fulfillment of his/her duties.
- Assume the Office of the President in the event of the President’s resignation, ineligibility, or impeachment.
- Be responsible for coordination of all SGA elections.
- Have full voting rights in all matters before the SGA.
- Work with the Advisor regarding the SGA financial account and keep the SGA informed of its status.
- The Secretary shall:
- Keep, file and distribute the minutes of the SGA meetings and other documents necessary to the efficient operation of the SGA.
- Complete and maintain a file of all correspondence relative to the actions of the SGA.
- Certify with the assistance of the Student Life Office that each member of the SGA is eligible to serve based upon his/her cumulative grade point average.
- Call roll at all meetings and maintain records of attendance.
- Possess full voting rights in all matters before the SGA.
- The Public Relations Officer shall:
- Keep the College community informed of all SGA meetings and activities.
- Assist the Secretary in fulfillment of his/her responsibilities.
- Submit a regular column of SGA news for publication in The Crusader.
- Possess full voting rights in all matters before the SGA.
ARTICLE IV – Class Officers– Freshman, Sophomore, Junior Classes
Section 1. In accordance with this Constitution students shall elect one President, one Vice President and two (2) Senators from each class.
Section 2. The duties and responsibilities of the Class President shall be:
1. To supervise class officers and meetings and to report back to SGA.
2. Responsible for conducting class meetings.
3. To serve on standing and ad hoc Committees as requested or assigned by the SGA President or by vote of the SGA.
4. To assist in the conduction of SGA elections.
5. To assist in the planning, promotion, implementation, and evaluation of SGA programs and projects.
6. To possess full voting rights in all matters before the SGA.
Section 3. The duties and responsibilities of the Class Vice President shall be:
- To fundraise and manage other monetary obligations.
- To assist the class president.
- To conduct class meetings in the absence of the class president.
- To serve on standing and ad hoc Committees as requested or assigned by the SGA President or by vote of the SGA.
- To assist in the conduction of SGA elections.
- To assist in the planning, promotion, implementation, and evaluation of SGA programs and projects.
- To possess full voting rights in all matters before the SGA.
Section 4. The duties and responsibilities of the Senators shall be:
- To serve on standing and ad hoc Committees as requested or assigned by the SGA President or by vote of the SGA.
- To assist in the conduction of SGA elections.
- To assist in the planning, promotion, implementation, and evaluation of SGA programs and projects.
- To possess full voting rights in all matters before the SGA.
ARTICLE V – Senators – Senior Class
Section 1. Students shall elect officers of the Senior class to include President, 1 st Vice President, 2 nd Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two Co-Social Chairs. The election for the Senior Class shall be determined by the current officers and may be held at a time separate from other SGA elections. Elected officers shall serve in conjunction with current officers, particularly in the planning of Senior Class activities.
Section 2. The President of the Senior Class shall select four of the officers to also serve as SGA Senators for the Senior Class.
Section 3. The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Class Senators as they relate to SGA shall be the same as for other Senators.
ARTICLE VI – Major Group Representatives
Section 1. To increase student representation and communication among the student body, the SGA has permanent membership seats assigned to major student organizations. These groups are the College Union Board (CUB), the Greek Council, the Commuter Council, and the Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
Section 2. Each organization or group is responsible for appointing its representative(s) to the SGA. The number of representatives are CUB – 1, Greek Council – 1, Commuter Council –3, Student-Athlete Advisory Council – 1.
Section 3. Group representatives shall have the same duties and responsibilities as Senators, including full voting rights.
ARTICLE VII – Meetings of the Student Government Association
Section 1. The SGA shall meet on a regular basis throughout the academic year, such basis determined by majority vote of the membership, but normally not less than twice per month.
Section 2. The President of SGA, a majority of the SGA membership, the Director of Student Activities, the Dean of Students, or the President of the College may call special meetings of the SGA.
Section 3. Meetings of the SGA are to be open to the College community. Upon vote by a majority of the membership a meeting may be closed if so warranted.
Section 4. Meetings shall be conducted according to parliamentary procedures.
Section 5. A quorum of the SGA is a majority of its membership. A quorum must be present for business to be conducted and for votes to be binding.
Section 6. Attendance at meetings is expected of all members. Any member who is not able to attend must inform the Secretary of SGA or the Vice President for Student Life at least six (6) hours prior to the meeting. An absence is considered excused if the member makes proper notification and if the absence is due to a College function, illness, or emergency situation. An absence is unexcused if proper notification is not made or if not related to a College function, illness, or emergency situation.
Section 7. A member who has more than two (2) unexcused absences during the academic year or more than three (3) excused absences during the semester shall be recommended for impeachment to the SGA.
ARTICLE VIII – Qualifications of Officers, Senators, and Organization Representatives
Section 1. To assume and hold the office of President the student must be enrolled full-time in the traditional program, have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75, and have earned enough academic credits to be classified at least a Junior. Should the Vice President be required to assume the office of President in accordance with this Constitution, he/she does not have to meet the requirement of begin at least a Junior.
Section 2. To assume and hold the office of Vice President/Treasurer the student must be enrolled full-time in the traditional program, have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75, and have earned enough academic credits to be classified at least a Sophomore.
Section 3. To assume the office of Secretary or Public Relations the student must be enrolled full-time in the traditional program, have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50, and have earned enough academic credits to be classified at least a Sophomore.
Section 4. To assume the office of Senator, or to assume a membership seat assigned to a major student organization, the student must be enrolled full-time in the traditional program, have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00, and have earned enough academic credits to be a member of the class, or organization, he/she is representing.
ARTICLE IX – Office Vacancy Appointments
Section 1. Should the office of President become vacant for any reason at a time other than established elections, then the Vice President shall assume the office of President.
Section 2. Should any Executive Office other than President or any Senator Office become vacant at a time other than established election, then the following procedures should be followed:
- Notice of the vacant position and the associated qualifications should be posted on campus for one week.
- Any student qualified for the vacant position who wishes to be considered for appointment should present him/herself to the SGA at the next scheduled meeting.
- The office shall be filled by majority vote of the SGA.
Section 3. Should any seat assigned to a student organization become vacant for any reason, the organization shall select a qualified student to fill the seat.
ARTICLE X – Elections
Section 1. Elections are to be coordinated by the Vice President/Treasurer. Should the Vice President be a candidate in the election, the SGA shall elect a member who is not a candidate to coordinate the election.
Section 2. To be nominated for an office a student must complete and return a nomination form as announced by SGA. Nominations for an Executive Officer shall require at least 50 student signatures. Nominations for a Senator shall require at least 25 student signatures. The period of time for nominations should be at least 3 days and not more than 7 days. Students completing the nominating process as prescribed by SGA shall be listed on the election ballot. Ballots shall also allow for a write-in candidate for each office.
Section 3. Campaigning for election should be at least 5 days and not more than 10 days. All candidates must abide by College policies with regards to posting, advertising, etc. Any candidate who does not abide by College policy may face disciplinary sanction in accordance with the Student Handbook, and may upon the vote of SGA be denied listing on the election ballot. No campaigning is permitted within 30 feet of the election poll.
Section 4. Elections shall be held on one day at the conclusion of the campaigning period. SGA shall establish polling time and locations to encourage maximum voter participation.
Section 5. The SGA advisor and two members of SGA who are not candidates in the election shall count ballots.
Section 6. Any disputed election shall be decided by a panel of College faculty, staff, and students appointed by the Vice President for Student Life . The panel’s decision shall be final.
Section 7. Elected officers and senators shall assume office on Commencement Day and serve until the following Commencement Day. The Senior Class Senators and Officers are an exception to this; see Article V.
ARTICLE XI – Removal from Office
Section 1. Any member of SGA may be impeached for unethical conduct, failure to perform duties, failure to maintain minimum qualifications, excessive absences from SGA meetings, significant violation of College policy, or inability to hold office for any reason.
Section 2. Recommendation for impeachment may be made by any Executive Officer or by at least five (5) Senators. Such recommendation is to be made at a meeting of the SGA.
Section 3. A member shall be impeached and removed from office upon a 2/3 majority vote of the SGA members present.
Section 4. In the case of removal of the President the Vice President/Treasurer shall assume the office. In case of removal of any other member Article IX shall be followed.
ARTICLE XII – Advisor
Section 1. The Vice President for Student Life shall designate the advisor of SGA.
ARTICLE XIII – Recognition and Funding of Student Organizations
Section 1. The SGA shall set standards and procedures for recognition and funding of student organizations.
Section 2. For recognition of a student organization the SGA shall require at minimum a written petition by the organization to the SGA that includes the group’s name, statement of purpose and constitution, statement of obligation to follow the rules and regulations of the College, list of proposed officers if any, names of organization’s founding members, and signature of group’s advisor or moderator. A representative of the group must be present at the SGA meeting when the petition is to be considered.
Section 3. A majority vote of the SGA shall be required for recognition to be granted.
ARTICLE XIV - Bylaws and Amendments
Section 1. The SGA shall establish such bylaws as necessary to enact this Constitution. Bylaws must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote.
Section 2. Amendments to this Constitution must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the SGA. Having successfully passed the SGA amendments must be voted upon by the student body. A simple majority of those voting shall be necessary for the amendment to be adopted.
Adopted by vote of the student body on March 22, 2001.
Revisions by vote of the student body on March 30, 2006.
