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Student Government Association - Constituition

Constitution

Indiana University Northwest

Student Association

Preamble

We, the members of the Indiana University Northwest Student Association, desiring to provide a form of government for the supervision of student activities; to provide a form of expression for student views and interests; to maintain academic freedom, academic responsibility, and student rights; to improve student social, cultural, and physical welfare; to develop better educational standards, facilities, and teaching methods; to help promote national and international understanding and fellowship at the student level; and to foster recognition of the rights of students in this school and in this community, do hereby establish this Constitution.

ARTICLE I (Name and Purpose)

Section 1

The name of the official student body at Indiana University Northwest shall be the Student Association.

Section 2

The purposes of the Student Association are those stated in the Preamble of this Constitution.

ARTICLE II (Membership)

All active graduate and undergraduate students currently enrolled for University credit during a regular or summer semester at Indiana University Northwest shall be members of the Indiana University Northwest Student Association.

ARTICLE III (Distribution of Power)

The Student Association shall be organized into four divisions: the Student Government Association, the Student Activities Board, the Student Activities Fund Board of Trustees, and the Public Elections Board. The Student Government Association shall consist of the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch. It shall be responsible for defending and supporting student rights, both academically and personally. The Student Activities Board shall be responsible for all campus social, cultural, educational, and service activities. The Student Activities Fund Board of Trustees shall approve the budget for the Student Association and student publications and is responsible for the distribution of funds to other student organizations. The Publications Board shall be responsible for the establishment of the guidelines governing student publications and for the appointment of the editor-in-chief of each publication.
A. The Student Government Association (SGA)

1. The Executive Branch

2. The Legislative Branch

3. The Judicial Branch

B. The Student Activities Board (SAB)
C. The Student Activities Fund Board of Trustees (SAFT)
D. The Publications Board

THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE IV (Executive)

Section 1 (Name)

All Executive powers granted in this article are vested in the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Indiana University Northwest Student Government Association.

Section 2 (Qualifications)

A candidate for President, Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer of the Student Government Association must have completed thirty (30) semester credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 and have spent at least two (2) consecutive regular semesters immediately preceding the candidacy as a student on the Northwest campus. The candidates shall be enrolled in no less than five credit hours per semester.

Section 3 (Election)

A. All members of the student body ace eligible to vote for the President, Vice- President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
B. The President and Vice-President shall run on the same ticket. The Secretary and the Treasurer shall run on individual tickets.
C. If there is only one candidate for the President, Vice-president, Secretary, or Treasurer, the election of that candidate shall be automatic.
D. In order to be properly elected, a candidate muse be certified by the Student Elections Commission in accordance with Section 9 of this article.

Section 4 (Term of Office)

The President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected during the third week in March, assume their offices no later than April 15th, and are to hold these offices during the ensuing year.

Section 5 (Succession)

A. Should the President be impeached and convicted, resign, withdraw from school, or prove unable to serve for any reason, the Vice-President will succeed him.
B. Should the Vice-President in like manner be unable to serve, the Speaker of the Student Senate will then hold a meeting to elect a new Vice-President from among the Senate by a two-thirds majority approval from the Senate.
C. Should the President and the Vice-President together be impeached, resign, withdraw from school, or prove unable to serve for any reason, the Speaker of the Senate shall move up in succession to President and the Parliamentarian of the Student Senate will then hold a meeting to elect a new Vice-President from among the Senate by a two-thirds majority approval of the Senate.

Section 6 (Oath of Office)

The following oath of office shalt be administered to the Executive Officers by the Chief Justice of the Student Supreme Court or by an Associate Justice assigned by him:
"I,__________ ,do solemnly swear, (or affirm), that I will preserve, protect, and defend the Indiana University Northwest Student Association Constitution, and that I will execute the duties of my office to the best of my abilities, (so help me God).

Section 7 (Impeachment)

The President, Vice-President, or any other executive officer may be impeached for malfeasance in office or dereliction of duty.
A. Impeachment may be initiated by five senators by petition, and effected by a two-thirds majority approval of the Student Senate.
B. Impeachment may also be initiated by a petition of ten percent of the student body.
C. All impeachments for the Executive body shall be tried in front of the Student Supreme Court as stated in Article VI, Section 10.

Section 8 (Limited Service)

A student serving as President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Student Government Association shall hold no other campus office, other than those expressed in the Constitution.

Section 9 (Student Election Commission)

A. The Student Election Commission shall be composed of two members named by the Student Officers Forum, two members named by the Student Senate, and a Chair appointed by the President. The appointees of the Senate and of the Student Officers Forum need not be members of those respective bodies.
B. The Commission shall be named no later than two weeks following each semester campus election. The out-going Commission shall acquaint the new commission of their duties and responsibilities.
C. Each Commission member shall serve for one semester. Vacancies shall be filled within two weeks by those responsible for making the original appointments.
D. The Commission will supervise and conduct campus elections in accordance with the Student Association Constitution and the certification guidelines.

Section 10 (Student Officers Forum)

A. All student organizations listed with the Student Activities Office shall be entitled to send their president or representative to the Student Officers Forum. The President of the SGA shall convene and preside at regularly scheduled meetings throughout the fall and spring semesters.
B. The Student Officers Forum shall appoint two members to the Publications Board, two members or representatives to the Student Election Commission, and one member to the Student Activities Fund Board of Trustees. Appointments shall be named no later than two weeks following the fall semester campus election. All appointments shall serve for one year. Vacancies shall be filled within two weeks of any resignation.
C. The Student Officers Forum shall advise the President regarding any student problems, and the President shall communicate with the Student Officers Forum all pertinent information regarding the SA and the SGA
D. The Students Officer Forum shall elect one representative to hold a permanent speaking seat in the Student Senate.

Section 11 (Powers of the President)

The President of the SGA shall have the power to: A. Request of any SA member an opinion in writing on any subject pertaining to the duties and responsibilities of that member's office.
B. Create commissions and cabinets with the approval of a simple majority of the Student Senate.
C. Make appointments to faculty-student committees with approval of a simple majority of the Student Senate. It shall be the duty of the President to require periodic reports from those appointees and make recommendations to those committees.
D. Nominate and, by and with the consent of the majority of the Student Senate, appoint all executive cabinet heads and all other officers whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided. However, the Student Senate can by law vest the appointment of such inferior officers, as it thinks proper, in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the department heads.
E. Dismiss any executive appointed personnel, excluding judicial appointments, with the approval of two-thirds of the Student Senate.
F. On only extraordinary occasions convene the Senate. The reasons for such action and the agenda of all matters to be presented to the Student Senate shall be posted in the SGA office by noon prior to the meeting day.
G. Appoint such executive assistants as deemed necessary.
H. Veto legislation necessary as outlined in Article V, Section 14.
I. Hold all other powers as are necessary for carrying out provisions of this Constitution.

Section 12 (Duties)

A. The President of the SGA shall:

1. Represent the SGA in all student matters.; 2. Make periodic reports to the Student Senate and suggest measures judged
: necessary and expedient to the efficient operation of the SGA.
: 3. Take care that all student laws are faithfully executed.
: 4. Act as an ex-officio, non-voting member of all committees and boards established
: under the SA.
: 5. Assist the Treasurer in preparing the annual budget.
: 6. Provide a channel of communication between the SA and the administration
: and faculty.
: 7. Appoint the chairman of Student Election Commission.
: 8. Convene and preside regularly at the Student officers Forum.
: 9. Acquaint the President-elect with the duties and responsibilities of the office of
: the President of the SGA.

B. The Vice-President shall:

1. Serve as President of the Student Senate.

2. Act for the President in his absence, upon his request, or in the event that he is unable to serve.

3. Communicate legislation and other student business to the President.

4. Act as an ex-officio, non-voting member of all committees and boards established under the SGA.

5. Acquaint the Vice-President-elect with the duties and responsibilities of the office of Vice-President of the SGA.

C. The Secretary shall:

1. Serve as Secretary of the Student Senate.

2. Perform such other duties as shall be deemed necessary by the President or the Vice-President of the SGA.

3. Acquaint the Secretary-elect with the duties of the office of Secretary of the SGA.

D. The Treasurer shall:

1. Prepare the annual budget for the ensuing year and present it to the Student Senate for approval.

2. Make a record of all expenditures and income.

3. Make a monthly report at the Student Senate meetings of any and all expenditures and state the account balance.

4. Personally keep the accounts of the SGA.

5. Be prepared to present the accounts for inspection upon request of any member of the University community.

6. Serve on the Student Activities Fund Board of Trustees.

7. Acquaint the Treasurer-elect with the duties and responsibilities of the office of Treasurer of the SGA.

8. Deliver approved SGA budget to the Student Activities Fund Board of Trustees.

9. Make annual report to the Student Senate, prior to the expiration of his term of office, including an exact record and description of all expenditures made during his term of office.

Section 13 (Resignation)

The resignation of an officer must be presented in writing to the President of the SGA at least two weeks prior to the time that resignation shall take place, and to the Student Senate at a regular meeting of the Student Senate at least two weeks prior to the time that resignation shall take place.

ARTICLE V (Legislative)

Section 1 (Name)

All legislative power granted herein shall be vested in the Indiana University Northwest Student Association and exercised by the Student Senate.

Section 2 (Membership and Voting Rights)

A. The Student Senate shall be composed of twenty senators, ten of whom shall be elected during the spring general election and ten of whom shall be elected during the fall general election. The term of office shall be for one year.
B. All people holding speaking seats shall be subject to the same rules and regulations as those holding voting seats. They may make recommendations to the Student Senate but may not vote nor make any formal motions or seconds.
C. Permanent speaking seats shall be awarded to:

1. ALL members of the Student Senate.

2. Executive branch

a. President of the SGA.

b. Secretary of the SGA.

c. Treasurer of the SGA.

3.The Student Officers Forum representative.

4. The Student Activities Board representative.

5. The Student Supreme Court representative.

6. Representatives from each academic division:

a. Arts and Sciences

b. Business

c. Education

d. Nursing

e. SPEA

f. Allied Health

g. Medical Education

h. Dental Auxiliary

i. Continuing Studies

7. Any other organization or persons that Student Senate shall designate by majority vote.

D. The Senate may grant, at each meeting, temporary speaking seats with a simple majority vote of Senators present.
E. Officers of the Student Senate

1. President of the Senate

a. The Vice-President of the SGA shall act as the President of the Senate and preside over all the meetings but shall have no vote except in situations involving a tie vote.

b. The President shall establish a formal agenda for each Senate meeting and submit proposed legislation and other actions from Senate committees and elsewhere to the Senate.

c. The President may call special sessions of the Senate. The reasons for such action and the agenda of all matters to be presented to the Student Senate shall be posted in the SGA office by noon prior to the meeting day.

d. The President shall appoint all committee Chairs and coordinate the activities of all such Senate committees.

e. The President of the Senate shall hold regularly scheduled meetings with the Speaker of the Senate and with the Committee Chairs to discuss Senate meeting agendas and committee business.

f. The President shall take the necessary steps to see that all Senate action is enacted and all regulations are followed.

2. Speaker of the Senate

a. The Senate shall elect a Speaker by simple majority from among the Senator, who shall assume the powers and duties of the President of the Senate in his absence.

b. The Speaker may, on extraordinary occasion, call special sessions of the Senate. The reasons for such action and the agenda of all matters to be presented to the Student Senate shall be posted in the SGA office by noon prior to the meeting day.

c. The Speaker shall represent the Student Senate in all matters concerning the SGA.

d. The Speaker shall represent the Senate in cases involving the Student Supreme Court.

e. The Speaker shall act as a voting member of all legislative committees.

f. The Speaker shall take the necessary steps to see that all Senate action is enacted and all regulations are followed.

3. Secretary of the Student Senate

a. The Secretary of the SGA shall take the minutes of all Student Senate meetings.

b. The minutes shall be sent to all Senators, Executive officers,Student Activity Board members, and all those holding speaking sears within seven days of the Senate meeting. One additional copy shall be posted in a position designated by the Senate.

c. In addition, the Secretary shall submit for publication a summary of each Senate meeting to the student newspaper.

4. Parliamentarian

a. The Parliamentarian shall be appointed by the President of the Senate with the approval of a simple majority of the Student Senate.

b. In the event that the President cannot appoint an acceptable candidate within two successive meetings, the President shall appoint a Senate committee to present a candidate within two successive meetings.

c. The Parliamentarian shall assist the entire SGA in matters concerning Robert's Rules of Order and parliamentarian procedure.

d. The Parliamentarian shall be present or represented at all Senate meetings and is subject ro the same attendance regulations.

Section 3 (Qualifications)

Members of the Student Senate shall be enrolled in no less than five credit hours per semester. All Senators shall have and maintain at least a 2.30 cumulative grade point average and have completed 1 semester or 15 credit hours at the Northwest campus prior to candidacy.

Section 4 (Term of Office)

All spring Senators shall be elected no later than the third week in March and shall assume office no later than April 15th. All Senators elected in the fall shall be elected no later than the third week in September and shall assume office no later than October 15th. All Senators shall serve for one year.

Section 5 (Oath of Office)

The following oath of office shall be administered to the Senators by the Chief Justice of the Student Supreme Court or by an Associate Justice assigned by him:
"I,__________, do solemnly swear, (or affirm), that I will preserve, protect, and defend the Indiana University Northwest Student Association Constitution and that I will execute the duties of my office to the best of my abilities, (so help me God).

Section 6 (Official Rules and Records)

The Senate may determine the rules of its proceedings and shall keep an official record of the proceedings, which shall be filed for a period of three years.

Section 7 (Recall)

Senators may be subject to a recall trial before the Student Supreme Court by a majority vote of the votes cast by the constituents of the student body, provided that a recall petition charging malfeasance in office and dereliction of duty is signed by ten percent of the constituents and is submitted to the Student Senate.

Section 8 (Initiatives)

Upon petition of five percent of the members of the student body, any legislation shall be submitted at the next general election. If approved by a simple majority of the student body voting, such legislation shall have the same standing as any legislation passed by the Student Senate and signed by the President.

Section 9 (Referendum)

Two-thirds of the voting membership of the Student Senate may submit any legislation to the members of the student body at the next general election. If approved by a majority of the student body members voting, such legislation shall have the same standing as any legislation passed by the Student Senate and signed by the President of the SGA.

Section 10 (Powers and Duties of Student Senate)

A. The Student Senate shall have the power to:

1. Represent their constituents at all meetings of the Senate.

2. Vote on all matters of concern to their constituents.

3. Serve on Senate committees to which they may be appointed.

4. Elect a President and/or Vice-President of the SGA if none is provided by spring elections.
5. Approve by simple majority appointments made by the resident of the SGA to faculty-student committees.
6. Approve by Simple majority all appointments made by the President of the SGA which are not expressly directed in this Constitution.
7. Prosecute all impeachments.
8. Try and convict by a two-thirds majority approval Supreme Court Justices during impeachment.
9. Effect by a two-thirds approval the impeachment of any Executive Officer or Student Activities Board member.
10. Call the Supreme Court into session with a simple majority vote.
11. Concern itself with all student problems which relate to the University community.
B. The Student Senate shah hold all other powers as are necessary for carrying our the provisions of this Constitution.

Section 11 (Meetings)

A. The Senate shall have a regular schedule of meetings as established by the President of the Senate. It may also be called into special session by the President of the Senate, the President of the SGA, the Speaker of the Senate, or by one-third of its voting members.
B. Robert's Rules of Order-Revised shall establish the rules of all sessions of the Senate.
C. One-half plus one of the voting members shall constitute quorum for the student Senate meetings.
D. Any member who has missed more than two Senate meetings during a term of office without giving the President of the Senate or the Secretary of the Senate a written and valid excuse prior to the missed meeting shall be subject to dismissal.
F. Any Senator dismissed from Senate may appeal the action to the Student Supreme Court.
G. A Senator who must miss a Senate meeting may send a proxy to the meeting. The Proxy shall not be a member of the SGA and shall only represent that one Senator. The proxy will count towards quorum and have speaking powers, but will not be Allowed to vote.
H. Any absent Senator may vote in absentia but shall not be counted towards quorum. The absentee ballot must be presented to the Secretary of the Senate prior to the actual vote. The ballot shall not be counted if:

1. The bill or resolution has been amended in any way since the ballot was signed.

2. The body of the text attached to the absentee ballot differs from that being considered by the Senate.

Section 12 (Committees)

The Student Senate standing committees.
a. The Judiciary Committee shall:

1. Prosecute all impeachments, petitions, and Constitutional violations.

2. Review Student Senate Election Code regularly.

3. Consider all Constitutional amendments brought before the Senate.

4. Review regularly the Constitution and its By-Laws which shall govern the procedure of the SGA.

B. The Student Health and Safety Committee shall:

1. Evaluate any items regarding the health, welfare, and safety of the students attending IUN.

2. Promote health and safety awareness on campus.

C. The Academic Affairs Committee shall:

1. Evaluate and report to the Senate on any campus dealings with academics at IUN.

2. Initiate needed academic related changes at IUN.

D. The Student Services Committee shall:

1. Evaluate all campus procedures dealing with student services on the IUN campus .

2. Provide essential services that are lacking to the IUN student body.

E. The Legislative Committee shall:

1. Evaluate all present state and university legislative procedures dealing with all aspects of law and education policy.

2. Draft, interpret, and research new and old SGA legislation as needed.

F. The Public Relations Committee shall:

1. Concern itself with the promotion of events and encourage student support in the SGA.

2. Concern itself with the maintenance of rapport between the SGA and the students, faculty, staff, administration, and the community.

G. The Student Senate may when necessary form temporary or permanent Senate committees with a simple majority vote of the Senate.

Section 13 (Secession)

Should the Speaker of the Senate be recalled, resign, withdraw from school, or prove unable to serve for any reason, the Student Senate Parliamentarian will then hold a meeting to elect a new Speaker from among the Senate by a two-thirds majority approval of the Senate.

Section 14 (Legislation)

A. Every bill that is passed by the Student Senate shall, before it becomes law, be presented to the President of the SGA by the President of the Senate. The President of the SGA must act on that bill before the next regularly scheduled meeting unless the Senate authorizes an extension of time for its consideration. If the President approves the bill, it shall become law. If any bill is not returned by the President after the specified time, that bill shall become law as if it had been signed. However, if the Senate by adjournment prevents a return in the form of a veto, it shall not become law.
B. If the President vetoes a bill, he shall submit a written explanation to the Senate at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
C. The Student Senate can effect, by consent of two-thirds of the Senate, an override of any Presidential veto, and that bill or resolution shall become law as if it were signed by the President.

Section 15 (Vacancies)

A. Should a Student Senator resign or be removed from office before the term of office has expired, the President of the SGA shall replace that position with a simple majority approval of the Senate.
B. All appointments shall be made within 15 days of the occurrence of the vacancy.

ARTICLE VI (Judicial)

Section I (Name)

All judicial power granted in this article shall be vested in the Student Supreme Court.

Section 2 (Membership)

A. The Student Supreme Court shall consist of a Chief Justice and four Associate Justices appointed by the President of the SGA, with the advice and consent of two- thirds of the Senate.
B. An appointed member of the Student Supreme Court shall retain office unless he is impeached, resigns, or leaves Indiana University Northwest.

Section 3 (Qualifications)

Justices of the Student Supreme Court shall have been a resident on the Northwest campus for at least two regular semesters immediately preceding appointment, have at least 30 credit hours passed, and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or above.

Section 4 (Vacancies)

The President of the SGA shall fill all vacancies within two weeks of their occurrence in the manner previously set forth for appointments.

Section 5 (Oath of Office)

Justices of the Student Supreme Court shall be administered the following oath of office by the President of the student body, or in his absence, by the Vice-President of the SGA:
" I,__________ , do solemnly swear, (or affirm), that I shall preserve, protect, and defend the Indiana University Northwest Student Association Constitution and that I shah execute the duties of my office to the best of my ability, (so help me God)."

Section 6 (Impeachment)

The Justices of the Supreme Court may be impeached for malfeasance in office or dereliction of duty.
A. Impeachment may be initiated by a majority vote of the Justices with the Justice involved having no vote.
B. Impeachment may also be initiated by seven Senators.

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