William Carey Student Government Association Constitution
PREAMBLE
We, the students of William Carey University, Hattiesburg Campus, desiring to promote the welfare of the Student Body; to develop a sense of leadership and responsibility for growth through initiative, discipline, and self-direction; to establish democratic procedures for self-government; to select an intelligent leadership that may be followed in openness and trust; to provide an organization for the administration of student government, student activities, and student services; to promote academic freedom and academic responsibility; to maintain constructive student-faculty and administration relationships; to promote the Campus Code and objectives of William Carey University; and, recognizing the need of guidance from the Lord Jesus Christ in the attainment of these goals, do ordain and establish this Constitution by the authority of the students of William Carey University, as recognized by the Board of Trustees and the President of William Carey University.
ARTICLE I-NAME OF ORGANIZATION
The name of this organization shall be the Student Government Association – Hattiesburg Campus (herein after referred to as SGA). The campuses in Gulfport and New Orleans will operate under a modified version of this constitution.
ARTICLE II–MEMBERSHIP AND PRIVILEGES
Section 1
Every student at William Carey University, Hattiesburg Campus, shall be a member of this organization, and therefore is subject to all rules and regulations as may herein and hereafter be enacted by this organization.
Section 2
Members of this organization shall be entitled to all rights and privileges and subject of all rules and regulations as may herein and hereafter be enacted by this organization.
Section 3
By right of vote in the SGA election, by the voices of one’s representatives, and by the right of personal petitions, each member shall be able to participate in SGA.
ARTICLE III – GENERAL ORGANIZATION
Section 1
The government of the SGA shall be organized into the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.
Section 2
The Council members of SGA shall be composed of the members of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.
Section 3
The terms of office in the SGA shall extend from the time of an officer’s installation to the time of the successor’s installation, which shall extend three (3) trimesters.
Section 4
Qualifications, procedures of elections, campaign regulations, installations, and procedures of filling vacancies for all SGA offices shall be followed as set forth in the by-laws of this organization.
Section 5
Each SGA officer shall hold only one office in the SGA at any time.
Section 6
The SGA shall be bound by the provisions of the Constitution and by-laws and rulings as may herein and hereafter be enacted by the Council members or by referendum of the SGA.
Section 7
All SGA members must maintain the minimum cumulative GPA that was required for the elections into the office in which they hold the entire term that they serve on the SGA. Grades will be checked by the SGA advisor after the completion of every trimester. If grades are not maintained, the individual will be dismissed from the SGA.
Section 8
All SGA members must attend and pass chapel one trimester during their year of service.
ARTICLE IV-ADVISOR
Section 1
The Advisor to the SGA shall be appointed by the President of the University.
Section 2
The Advisor to the SGA shall have the power:
A. To advise the various governing bodies of the SGA.
B. To advise and counsel any and all SGA officers.
C. To appoint other responsible leadership to assume duties when necessary.
D. To assist the SGA President and Treasurer in the preparation of the SGA budget at least one trimester prior to the trimester for which the budget is to be enacted.
E. To attend any SGA meeting.
F. To advise and counsel any and all SGA committees.
Section 3
At least one advisor for the organization must be present for meetings where officers are elected or major business decisions are transacted.
ARTICLE V-EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Section 1
The executive power of the SGA shall be vested in the President of the SGA, who shall be assisted by the Cabinet and such administrative officers as he or she shall appoint in accordance with this Constitution.
Section 2
The Cabinet shall be composed of the appointed and elected members who meet the qualifications as set forth in the by-laws of this Constitution.
A. The following Cabinet members shall be elected:
• President
• Vice-President
• Chief Justice
• Secretary
• Treasurer
B. The President of the SGA shall appoint the following members:
• Commissioner of Student Affairs
• Commissioner of Election
• Commissioner of Entertainment
• Commissioner of Public Relations
Section 3
The President of the SGA shall have the power and duty:
A. To uphold the Constitution and by-laws of the SGA.
B. To execute the laws of the SGA.
C. To call and preside over all Cabinet and Council meetings.
D. To call special meetings of the SGA and branches of the SGA.
E. To prepare, with the SGA Treasurer and SGA Advisor and with majority approval of the Cabinet, the proposed SGA budget and submit it to the Council members for approval one trimester before the enactment of the budget.
F. To assign duties to any executive officer or appointees relative to the duties he or she was elected to perform.
G. To appoint temporary or standing committees, except for those otherwise provided for in this Constitution, to assist the work of SGA.
H. To approve or veto each bill passed by the Legislative Council, or to allow its passage without his or her approval after seven (7) calendar days. All bills vetoed shall be returned immediately to the Legislative Council, listing each objection.
I. To present bills passed by the Legislative Council to the Administration of the University if any need its approval in order to take effect.
J. To organize and motivate the SGA and the University Administration around the needs and desires of the students, making needed recommendations concerning such needs.
K. To inform the Student Body, University Administration, SGA Council members, or the bodies of SGA of pertinent affairs of the SGA, making needed recommendations to them.
L. To require from the Student Court, when requested, a written interpretation of any portion of this Constitution or by-laws of the SGA.
M. To appoint persons to fill vacancies in elected positions of the SGA until the time of a new election and installation shall be held.
N. To remove, with Council member’s approval, any officer that he or she has appointed.
O. To appoint any officers necessary to carry on summer business in the absence of an SGA officer.
P. To conduct all official correspondence of the Executive Branch of the SGA.
Q. To vote with the Council members only when the body is equally divided.
R. To appoint representatives and solicitors to represent the SGA before campus judicial bodies.
S. To CO-sign with the Advisor disbursements of the SGA funds, with the knowledge of the Treasurer.
T. To approve or veto any and all acts of Committee.
U. To appoint SGA members to a committee.
Section 4
In the vacancy of the presidential office, the Vice-President will be installed as President within three (3) school days.
Section 5
The Vice-President shall have the power and duty:
A. To assume the duties of the President upon his or her absence.
B. To become President upon the President’s resignation or removal from office.
C. To serve as Speaker of the House of the Legislative Branch.
D. To perform such executive duties as the President of the SGA may assign him or her.
E. To assist the President and other Cabinet members in preparing the budget for the SGA.
F. To serve as parliamentarian of the Council.
G. To aid the President in appointing SGA members to a committee.
Section 6
The Chief Justice of the SGA shall have the power and duty:
A. To appoint persons to fill vacancies in the position of Justice on the SGA until the time of a new election and installation shall be held.
B. To receive campus organizations’ constitutions, meet with justices, and approve or veto said constitutions.
C. To keep an attendance record of each SGA meeting, receive written excuses from members not attending an SGA meeting, and inform any SGA member of their probationary status and punishment received from the unexcused absences. (See Constitution Article VII and Bylaws Article V)
Section 7
The Secretary of the SGA shall have the power and duty:
A. To file and maintain all SGA records and properties.
B. To record and file minutes of all SGA meetings prior to the next meeting.
C. To maintain an accurate and permanent record of the SGA.
D. To make a periodic report of all SGA activities to be published in the student newspaper.
E. To make a report at all Council meetings.
Section 8
The Treasurer of the SGA shall have the power and duty:
A. To keep a current, permanent record of all funds coming into the SGA and all disbursement of such funds.
B. To work with the SGA President and SGA Advisor in the planning of the budget.
C. To co-sign with the Advisor disbursements of SGA funds.
D. To present to the Council members an SGA financial report at each meeting and to file it in the permanent SGA records.
E. To appoint and/or work the sale of t-shirts at all SGA functions.
Section 9
The Commissioner of Student Affairs of the SGA shall have the power and duty:
A. To assign duties to the members of the Student Affairs Commission and the varying committees of Student Affairs.
B. To initiate, plan, supervise, and coordinate SGA student services.
C. To conduct student opinion polls approved by the Cabinet or Councilmen.
D. To make a report at all Council meetings.
E. To appoint a Chairperson of the Food Service Committee of the University.
Section 10
The Commissioner of Election of the SGA shall have the power and duty:
A. To assign duties to the members of the Election Commission.
B. To conduct and regulate all SGA elections in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and by-laws of the SGA.
C. To present an official written report of the results of all SGA elections to the President and Council members of the SGA with his or her signature and that of a student witness and that of an Advisor.
D. To have all SGA regular and special elections and deadlines for petitions publicized at least seven (7) days in advance; in the case of a run-off election, at least three (3) school days in advance. Publication of deadlines must include the Chapel Bulletin and posters on all SGA bulletin boards.
E. To make a report at all Council meetings.
Section 11
The Commissioner of Entertainment of the SGA shall have the power and duty:
A. To assign duties to the members of the Entertainment Commission.
B. To initiate, plan, and coordinate all SGA entertainment and social functions.
C. To select, with approval of the Entertainment Commission, all entertainment groups and movies to appear on campus.
D. To take initiative in proposing any additional entertainment to Council members as well as the varying organizations of Student Activities.
E. To assign or delegate organizations to execute an event.
F. To inform organizations of the event budget.
G. To work with the organizations and the SGA treasurer to provide the necessary funds to host that event.
H. To evaluate the execution of the event.
I. To make a report at all Council meetings.
Section 12
The Commissioner of Public Relations of the SGA shall have the power and duty:
A. To assign duties to the members of the Public Relations Commission.
B. To publicize all events of the SGA not otherwise provided for in this Constitution at three (3) days in advance.
C. To coordinate and plan, with the Public Relations Commission, any and all campaigns for SGA which promote participation, involvement, or growth of these varying bodies as well as the University.
D. To remove posters and other publicity immediately after events.
E. To make a report at all Council meetings.
ARTICLE VI-LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Section 1
All legislative power shall be vested in the Legislative Council.
Section 2
The Legislative Council shall be composed of the elected members below who meet the qualifications as set forth in the by-laws of this Constitution.
A. The Senior class shall elect two (2) members to the Legislative Council.
B. The Junior class shall elect two (2) members to the Legislative Council.
C. The Sophomore class shall elect two (2) members to the Legislative Council.
D. The Freshman class shall elect two (2) members to the Legislative Council.
E. Commuter students shall elect two (2) members to the Legislative Council.
F. International students shall elect two (2) members to the Legislative Council.
G. There will be five (5) Justices that will be elected to the Legislative Council.
Section 3
The Vice-President shall:
A. Serve as Speaker of the House of the Legislative Council at all Legislative Council meetings.
B. Shall vote only when the Legislative body is equally divided.
Section 4
Procedure of the Legislative Council meeting shall be established in the by-laws of the SGA.
Section 5
The Legislative Council shall have the power and duty:
A. To meet at least once during the regular Fall, Winter, and Spring trimester.
B. To approve or reject all appointments for an SGA office by a simple majority of a quorum except those positions otherwise provided for in this Constitution.
C. To override a Presidential veto by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership of the Legislative Council.
D. To grant written charters to student organizations as may be deemed necessary or beneficial to the general welfare of the Student Body. The Legislative Council may revoke the charter of any student organization that becomes inactive, a detriment to the spirit and goals of the University of SGA, or which goes beyond its powers as stated in its Charter.
E. To enact or revise all by-laws by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership of the Legislative Council.
F. To propose amendments to this Constitution by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership of the Legislative Council.
G. To approve the SGA budget and all allocations for disbursement of funds not provided for in the budget.
H. To enact by a majority vote of the membership of the Legislative Council articles of impeachment against any officer of the SGA for failing to comply with and uphold to the best of the person’s ability any part of the Constitution or by-laws of the SGA that affect him/her. Following the impeachment hearing, an officer may be relieved of his/her duties by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership of the Legislative Council to do so.
I. To veto acts of a Commission, or to override a Presidential veto of a Commission by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership of the Legislative Council.
J. To enact such legislation, which reflects the needs of the University, the Campus Code and/or Purposes of the SGA as stated in the Preamble of this Constitution.
Section 6
Any action by the Legislative Council may be repealed by a majority vote in any regular or special election after the receipt of a petition bearing the signature of one hundred (100) William Carey Campus, Hattiesburg Campus, students and containing a statement of the reasons for the repeal being sought. The President of the SGA shall direct that an election be held within two (2) weeks after his or her receipt of the petition. A majority vote will be final.
ARTICLE VII-JUDICIAL BRANCH
Section 1
The judicial power of the SGA shall be vested in the Student Court.
Section 2
The judicial power of the SGA shall extend over all cases involving violations of this Constitution and the by-laws of the SGA and the dormitory policies as set forth in the student handbook, The Lance, and the regulations of the University designed for student control.
Section 3
A. The Student Court shall be composed of the elected and appointed members who meet the qualifications as set forth in the by-laws of this Constitution.
1. The Chief Justice who shall be elected by the Student Body shall have the power and duty:
a. To call and preside over sessions of the Student Court.
b. To enforce the Constitution and by-laws on the operation of the Court.
2. In order to hear cases brought before the Student Court, at least three (3) regular justices must be present as well as the Chief Justice.
B. Jurisdiction
1. The Student Court shall have jurisdiction in all cases involving the interpretation of the Constitution and by-laws of the SGA.
2. It shall have the supreme jurisdiction in all cases involving alleged violations against the Constitution and by-laws of the SGA.
3. It shall have jurisdiction in all cases involving the objection to any election outcome.
C. Duties of the Student Court
1. The Student Court is bound to hear all cases brought before it in accordance with its jurisdiction.
2. The Student Court shall meet within two (2) days during which classes are in session after a case has been referred to it under its jurisdiction unless otherwise directed be the Chief Justice.
3. It shall elect at the first meeting a clerk from among its members who will be responsible for keeping a complete record to be kept on file in the SGA office. The names in all disciplinary records will be deleted after the students involved graduate. All interpretations of the constitutional records will be kept permanently. The clerk will also conduct official written correspondence of the Student Court, and file copies of the correspondence.
D. Decisions of the Student Court can be appealed to the Student Appeals Committee of the University, except for those appeals otherwise provided for in this Constitution.
E. The procedure of the Student Court meetings shall be established in by-laws of the Student Court.
Section 4
The Council shall have original jurisdiction in all cases involving impeachment. The Chief Justice shall preside over all impeachment trials. Voting shall be done by secret ballot, and only members of the Council shall have the voting power.
Section 5
Rights of the Accused
A. Any SGA member appearing for disciplinary action before the Student Court may choose someone other than a member of the Student Body to appear before the Court as his/her representative, or he/she may represent himself/herself.
B. A student may call any witness to give testimony concerning any alleged conduct when appearing before a judicial body herein.
C. Any accused student or his/her representative shall have the right to question any witness that testifies before the Student Court in which he/she is being tried.
D. All students accused of alleged violation and being prosecuted before any judicial body herein, shall be notified at least two (2) full days in advance of the scheduled hearing and the nature and cause of the accusation shall be explained to him/her.
E. Witnesses testifying in favor of the accused must be countered by at least one (1) witness not in favor of the accused if guilt is to be later established.
Section 6
Rights of the Prosecution
A. The prosecution shall have the right to call any witness before a judicial body.
B. The prosecution shall have the right to question any witness appearing before the judicial body.
C. The accusers shall appoint among themselves one (1) person to represent the prosecution before the Student Court. The representative shall not be a member of the judicial body which hears the case.
Section 7
Punishment
A. The Student Court shall have three (3) optional penalties when guilt is ascribed to the accused:
1. Letter of Reprimand
This shall be sent to the student informing him/her of the student’s violation, the requirement of the SGA and the University that he/she improve, and that further violations shall incur stiffer penalties as stated below.
2. Conduct Probation (can be recommended to University Disciplinary Committee)
The student is placed on probation for a certain period of time during which certain restrictions will be place upon him/her. These restrictions will include:
a. loss of institutional aid
b. ineligibility to hold office
c. ineligibility to represent the University in any activity
d. any other reasonable restriction deemed appropriate
B. If any officer shall be found guilty upon impeachment, one penalty shall be given as follows: the student shall be removed from office and shall not be permitted to hold SGA office for a two (2) year period of enrollment.
ARTICLE VIII-ORGANIZATIONAL FUNDING
Section 1
The Advisor of the SGA is responsible for the distribution of school funding for campus organizations. The Advisor of the SGA shall decide which organizations shall receive the school funding by means of reviewing applications for funding which are turned into the Advisor no later than the date to be decided by the Advisor upon returning for classes at the beginning of each new trimester.
Section 2
The criteria by which an organization shall be reviewed to possibly receive funding are as follows:
1. Must be in good standing with the University.
2. Must display campus leadership.
3. The organization must have a grade point average entry requirement of no less than 2.5.
Section 3
Upon receiving the funding, each organization must:
1. Host one event each trimester that they receive funding.
2. Uphold the mission and values of William Carey University.
3. Present the SGA with minutes of each meeting the organization holds. These minutes shall be presented at the first SGA meeting of each month.
4. Must turn in receipts for all items purchased to execute the event.
5. Accept any other responsibilities (within the mission and values of William Carey University) that the SGA deems necessary.
Section 4
Failure to comply with the expectations set forth by the Advisor of the SGA shall result in a probation period of one trimester in which the student organization shall not receive funding. However, if the organization desired to retain the funding again, they must prove themselves worthy recipients of it by carrying out an event with no incentive for one trimester. The SGA may vote against a decision made by the advisor by a majority vote only if justification can be given as to why the SGA does not agree with the Advisor’s decision.
ARTICLE IX-REFERENDUM
Section 1
A referendum may be conducted after one of the following:
A. A majority vote of the membership of the Council members.
B. A petition bearing one hundred (100) members of the SGA.
Section 2
A. Every proposed amendment must be published at least five (5) days prior to the referendum in which it is considered.
B. Every proposal in a referendum shall be voted on by members of the Legislative Council and shall be approved by a majority.
ARTICLE X-AMENDMENTS
Section 1
All proposed amendments to this Constitution shall be referred to a student body vote by one of the following methods:
A. By two-thirds (2/3) vote of the quorum of the Legislative Council.
B. By a petition bearing the signatures of one hundred (100) members of the SGA.
Section 2
A. Every proposed amendment must be published at least five (5) days prior to its consideration in an election.
B. Proposed amendments shall be voted on by members of the SGA and shall be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those voting in any regular or special election.
Election By-Laws
ARTICLE I-ELECTION OF SGA OFFICERS
Section 1
Requirements of Candidates
A. Candidates of all offices must be enrolled as a full time student and must remain full time students throughout their term.
B. All candidates for election shall have at the time of election a cumulative grade point average of not less than 2.5 of University work. Candidates for a Cabinet position must have a cumulative grade point average of not less than 3.0. The President and Vice-President must have a cumulative grade point average of not less than 3.5 of University work.
C. Anyone not meeting the grade point average requirements to run for a particular office and wishes to appeal must do so within 48 hours of their notification of failure to meet such requirements. All appeals must be typed and delivered to the advisor of the SGA.
D. Each candidate shall have a petition with the signatures of sixteen (16) or one-fourth (1/4) of his electors, whichever is least, turned into the Registrar’s Office at least five (5) full business days prior to the beginning of the election.
E. The members of the Cabinet shall reside within the city limits of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, or the immediate areas, during their term of office.
F. The President shall be at least a junior during the term in which he or she serves.
G. The President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall have at least one term of experience as a Council member before being elected.
H. The Chief Justice must have at least one term of experience as a justice before being elected.
Section 2
Elections
A. A simple one (1) vote majority of a candidate’s electors voting is required to be elected in all SGA elections.
B. All elections will be held on Mondays immediately before (8:30a.m.-9:30a.m.) and after (10:00a.m.-10:30a.m.) chapel and on Mondays and Tuesdays from the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Ballots will be distributed upon presentation of William Carey University I.D. and signature at tables according to class and submitted into a locked box.
C. Only the Election Commissioner, the Advisor, and any SGA officer appointed to do so by the Election Commissioner will do the counting of the ballots. The results shall be posted immediately upon determination of the results except for the SGA superlative elections.
D. The President shall be elected in January; 1 week after returning from Christmas Break.
E. The members of the Cabinet, Legislative, and Judicial Branches shall be elected and/or appointed the second week upon returning from Christmas Break as designated by the Election Commissioner and the new SGA President.
F. In the event that a candidate doesn’t receive a majority vote, the Chief Justice shall call a run-off election between the two leading candidates for each position within a week following the election.
G. If no one seeks a particular vacant elected position, this position remains vacant. It shall be the responsibility of the President to appoint someone to fill this vacancy.
H. The President, Vice-President, commissioners, representatives, and justices, upon their election shall sign a Pledge of Office at the installation ceremony. This pledge shall be kept on file in the SGA office during the term of office. The installation service will be conducted by the former officers in consultation with the Advisor.
Section 3
Installation of Officers
A. Each newly elected or appointed officer shall officially take office within the month of cabinet elections. Each elected SGA officer shall serve until the officers elected the following winter officially take office.
B. Each newly elected SGA member must attend the SGA transition ceremony in order to be on the SGA.
Section 4
SGA Campaign Regulations
A. Any campaign signs, posters, etc. should NOT be posted until one (1) week before the election and must be removed on the day following the election.
B. Candidates should avoid putting signs and posters on buildings and glass where this is prohibited.
C. NO campaigning within fifty (50) feet of the voting area.
ARTICLE II-SUPERLATIVE ELECTIONS
All superlative elections (Mr. and Miss WCU, favorites, beauties and beaus, homecoming, etc.) shall be conducted by the Election Commissioner and publicized by the publicity committee.
All people elected to these positions must pass chapel the trimester following their election, unless they are elected in the spring trimester. If they are elected in the spring trimester, they must have passed chapel in either the fall or winter trimesters preceding their election. If a person fails to comply to these standards, they will lose their title, and it will be awarded to the runner-up. If all runners-up do not meet these standards, the award will not be given for that school year.
Section 1
Mr. and Miss WCU
These students are elected to be the best representatives of the objectives and philosophy of WCU as outlined in the University catalogue. These students must be graduating seniors and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Nominations will be made from faculty, staff, and administration. All nominated students must have passed chapel at least one trimester during their senior year to be placed on the ballot. The Student Body will vote on the nominees who are approved and appear on the ballot.
Section 2
Homecoming Elections
A. Nominations and elections for homecoming court shall occur for the following:
3 Senior maids (one of whom shall be elected queen)
2 Junior maids
2 Sophomore maids
2 Freshman maids
B. The maids are required to participate in Homecoming festivities unless excused by the Advisor and/or Election Commissioner.
C. The maids’ electors shall be composed of those students of same classification by hour at the time of the nomination and/or election.
D. All nominees must have passed chapel at least one trimester during the school year in which they are nominated to be placed on the official ballot.
Section 3
Class Favorites
Each class shall elect, by popular vote, one male and one female as that class favorite at a time designated by the Election Commissioner and SGA Council. The students must pass at least one trimester of chapel in the school year in which they are elected.
Section 4
Beauties and Beaus
Each class shall elect, by popular vote, one male and one female as that class beauty and beau at a time designated by the Election Commissioner and SGA Council. The students must pass at least one trimester of chapel in the school year in which they are elected.
Section 5
Faculty of the Year, Administrator of the Year, and Staff Member of the Year
The Council members of the SGA shall determine Faculty of the Year, Administrator of the Year, and Staff Member of the Year. The decision will be based on essay submissions to the SGA Council describing why the said faculty or staff member deserves this award. Students shall be notified three (3) weeks prior to the due date. A member of the faculty, staff, or administration cannot receive the same award in consecutive years.
Section 6
Both nominees and electors will be classified by hours accumulated at the time of the nomination.
By-Laws of the Student Government Association
ARTICLE I-THE PRESIDENT OF THE SGA
Section 1
The President shall take the chair on every legislative session.
Section 2
The President shall preserve order and decorum, and in case of disorderly conduct by visitors may cause the same to be dismissed from the session.
Section 3
The President shall not be required to vote in ordinary proceedings except where his/her vote would be decisive.
Section 4
All committees shall be appointed by the President unless otherwise specifically directed by the Council members.
Section 5
During the absence of the President, the Vice-President, who shall be elected by the Student Body, shall preside over the session of the Council members.
ARTICLE II-THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE SGA
Section 1
The Vice-President shall preside over the Council only at the absence of the President.
Section 2
The Vice-President acts as Parliamentarian of the Council.
ARTICLE III-THE SECRETARY OF THE SGA
Section 1
The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Council and at each session shall read over the minutes of the preceding session to the Council members. He/She with the assistance of the President, shall number, file, and preserve in its proper order each Bill, Resolution, or other papers introduced to the Council members.
Section 2
When a Bill is passed, the Secretary, who shall note thereon the day it passed, shall certify it.
Section 3
The Secretary shall compile a list of Council members and their campus post office box number, address, and phone number.
Section 4
The Secretary shall inform each Council member of all unscheduled meetings.
ARTICLE IV-COUNCIL PROCEDURES
Section 1
No appropriate Bill shall be passed by the Legislative Council that does not fit the maximum sum thereby authorized to be drawn from the treasury.
Section 2
Any Bill or recommendation may be referred to a committee at the discretion of the President or by the membership of the Legislative Council.
Section 3
Every Bill introduced in to the Legislative Council shall have a title and the title shall indicate clearly the subject matter or matters of the proposed legislation.
Section 4
If the Legislative Council rejects a Bill, it shall not be introduced again or considered again during the same session. A Bill so offered for reintroduction shall be regarded as the same if it deals substantially with the same subject matter.
ARTICLE V-SGA MEETING ATTENDANCE POLICY
A. Each SGA officer is permitted two unexcused absences per trimester.
B. A valid written excuse must be received by the Chief Justice no later than 12 noon the day before the intended missed meeting.
1. The Chief Justice has the power to approve or deny written excuses.
2. The Chief Justice must inform the officer if his/her excuse is denied before the intended missed meeting
3. The SGA member may appeal a decision made by the Chief Justice through the Judicial Council with the Chief Justice sitting out.
4. If the SGA member is absent, that individual is responsible for coming by the SGA office and signing the minutes for their agenda for the meeting missed.
C. Three (3) unexcused tardy arrivals will be equivalent to one unexcused absence. A valid written excuse must be received by the Chief Justice no later than 12 noon the day before the intended tardy arrival to an SGA meeting.
1. The Chief Justice has the power to approve of deny written excuses.
2. Before the intended tardy arrival, the Chief Justice must inform the officer if his/her excuse is denied.
3. The SGA member may appeal a decision made by the Chief Justice through the Judicial Council with the Chief Justice sitting out.
D. After an SGA officer accrues two (2) unexcused absences, he/she will be issued a letter from the Chief Justice that informs him/her of his/her attendance record.
E. Upon a third unexcused absence, the SGA member will be put on probation.
1. 1st Offense: The member will receive a $5 fine.
2. 2nd Offense: The member will receive a $5 fine and will also be required to work the next event/election for its entire duration unless the event/election conflicts with class/work, and if so, the member must work the next event/election.
3. 3rd Offense: The member will be removed from the SGA.
The administration of the institution may nullify any action of the organization if it conflicts with the mission of the university or reflects negatively on the university.
Revised by William Carey University
Student Government Association
April 2009