Bylaws
Article I | Article II | Article III | Article IV
| Article V | Article VI | Article VII | Article VIII | Article IX
Click here for the 2008 approved version
Article I The Association
Section 101.01 Rights of Membership
All members of the Association shall be permitted to:
A. Hold an Association office, for which the person is eligible,
B. Be fairly represented in legislative meetings of the Association,
C. Serve on any Association committee if eligible and legitimately appointed and confirmed,
D. Belong to any club and/or media recognized by the Associated Students,
E. Address the Association government at open meetings during the public forum.
Article II The Executive Branch
Section 102.01 Term of Office
The term of office of all Executive Council members shall begin at noon on the first day of May following their election.
Section 102.02 Election
The Association shall elect a President, Vice President for Administration, Vice President for Student Affairs, and Vice President for Finance during the first general election of the spring period.
A. Elections for the positions of President, Vice President for Administration, Vice President for Student Affairs and Vice President for Finance shall be conducted independently, in accordance with the Election Code.
B. The candidate who gains a simple majority of the votes cast in a race shall be ruled the winner. In a race with no recognized candidates, a write-in candidate must attain the vote total threshold of one-half the total number of votes.
C. If no candidate attains a simple majority in the general election, a run-off must be conducted in the race between the two candidates with the greatest number of votes. No write-in votes will be tabulated in run-off races. The candidate with the higher vote total in a run-off election will be certified the winner.
Section 102.03 Associated Students President
A. Qualifications
- The President shall have completed at least five consecutive semesters of coursework while enrolled at Saint Mary's College, and be in the process of completing at least a sixth consecutive semester at the time of election to the Presidency. The President shall have completed at least twenty-two "total" credits, as defined by the Office of the Registrar, but not more than thirty-one "total" credits, at the time of election.
B. Rights and Responsibilities
- The President shall be the official representative of the Associated Students and the Association to the Saint Mary's College Board of Trustees, Saint Mary's College Board of Regents, administration, faculty, staff, students, community, and all subsidiary entities, boards, committees, and the local community.
- The President shall be the conduit between the Association and the administration, faculty, and staff.
- The President shall be the chief officer responsible for the implementation of legislation passed by the Senate.
- The President shall be an ex-officio member of every Association board, committee, commission, club, organization, and medium.
- The President shall appoint students to serve on College committees, commissions, boards, and task forces.
- The President shall have the power to veto legislation enacted by the Senate.
- The President, in cooperation with the Saint Mary's College Academic Vice President shall reserve the power to suspend one class per term for the purpose of holding a general meeting of the Association.
- The President shall be a non-voting member of the Judicial Tribunal.
- The President shall be a voting member of the Election Commission.
- The President shall appoint Association members to posts as prescribed by the Bylaws.
- The President shall uphold and defend the Constitution, Bylaws, Bill of Rights, Election Code, Finance Code, and all pertinent College policies.
Section 102.04 Vice President for Administration
A. Qualifications
- The Vice President for Administration shall have completed at least three consecutive semesters of coursework while enrolled at Saint Mary's College, and be in the process of completing at least a fourth consecutive semester at the time of the election to the Vice Presidency. The Vice President for Administration shall have completed at least thirteen "total" credits, as defined by the Office of the Registrar, but not more than thirty-one "total" credits, at the time of election.
B. Rights and Responsibilities
- The Vice President shall be the official representative of the Associated Students and the Association to the Board of Trustees, Board of Regents, administration, faculty, staff, students, community, and all subsidiary entities, boards, committees, and the local community in the absence of the President.
- The Vice President shall be the Chair of the Senate and reserve the right to call the Senate into session.
- The Vice President shall, in conjunction with the President, be responsible for the implementation of legislation passed by the Senate.
- The Vice President shall chair the Delegation Chair Council.
- The Vice President shall serve as an ex-officio member of all class delegations.
- The Vice President shall chair the Election Commission.
- The Vice President shall serve as Executive Facilitator of the Institutional Affairs Board.
- The Vice President shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Finance Board.
- The Vice President shall post agendas in accordance with the Constitution, Bylaws, and Bill of Rights. The Vice President shall maintain copies of minutes from all Senate and Board meetings for the purpose of public inspection.
- The Vice President shall coordinate the selection of the Valedictorian and Milliken Graduation Award recipients, in conjunction with the Senior Class President and the College Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.
- The Vice President shall uphold and defend the Constitution, Bylaws, Bill of Rights, Election Code, Finance Code, and all pertinent College policies.
Section 102.05 Vice President for Student Affairs
A. Qualifications
- The Vice President for Student Affairs shall have completed at least three consecutive semesters of coursework while enrolled at Saint Mary's College, and be in the process of completing at least a fourth consecutive semester at the time of the election to the Vice Presidency. The Vice President for Student Affairs shall have completed at least thirteen "total" credits, as defined by the Office of the Registrar, but not more than thirty-one "total" credits, at the time of election.
B. Rights and Responsibilities
- The Vice President shall be the operating officer in charge of all aspects of Association student life. The Vice President shall also serve as an ombudsman between the student body and the College administration.
- The Vice President shall facilitate clubs, organizations, and media.
- The Vice President shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Program Board.
- The Vice President shall serve as an ex-officio member of all clubs, organizations, and media.
- The Vice President shall serve as facilitator of All-Club Meetings and organize one information fair in the fall and one in the spring.
- The Vice President shall maintain information about Association clubs, organizations, and media for public inspection.
- The Vice President, in consultation with the executive council and the office of Student Involvement and Leadership (SIL) shall designate every member of the Senate Clubs, Media, and or Residence Halls to which they shall serve as representative.
- The Vice President, with the aid of the Speaker, Senate representative, and current medium leadership shall designate every medium's leadership for the following year.
- The Vice President shall be a member of the Election Commission.
- The Vice President shall uphold and defend the Constitution, Bylaws, Bill of Rights, Election Code, Finance Code, and all pertinent College policies.
Section 102.06 Vice President for Finance
A. Qualifications
- The Vice President for Finance shall have completed at least three consecutive semesters of coursework while enrolled at Saint Mary's College, and be in the process of completing at least a fourth consecutive semester at the time of the election to the Vice Presidency. The Vice President for Finance shall have completed at least thirteen "total" credits, as defined by the Office of the Registrar, but not more than thirty-one "total" credits, at the time of election.
B. Rights and Responsibilities
- The Vice President shall be chief financial officer of the Association.
- The Vice President shall oversee a written and electronic record of all Association funds.
- The Vice President shall oversee publication of a monthly statement of accounts for all Association entities.
- The Vice President shall serve as Executive Facilitator of the Finance Board, and an ex-officio member of the Institutional Affairs Board.
- The Vice President shall prepare the Strategic Financial Plan, Budget Allocation Framework, and Annual Association Budget.
- The Vice President shall serve as a voting member of the Election Commission.
- The Vice President shall ensure the publication of the annual budget in the Collegian.
- The Vice President shall report to the Associated Students Senate no less than once per month during the academic term.
- The Vice President shall reserve the right to transfer any funds from the account of a unit in poor standing with the Association to either the Activity Fund or General Fund, in consultation with the Finance Board, the Saint Mary's College Business Office representative, and the Saint Mary's College office of Student Activities and Leadership.
- The Vice President shall uphold and defend the Constitution, Bylaws, Bill of Rights, Election Code, Finance Code and all pertinent College policies.
Section 102.07 Executive Vacancies and Removal from Office
A. Should the Presidency be vacated for any reason, the Vice President for Administration shall immediately assume the Presidency to the conclusion of the presidential term.
B. Removal from Office
A member of the Executive Council may be dismissed from office only in the following ways:
- The Association may vote to recall a member of the Executive Council, in accordance with the Election Code.
- The Senate may by a two-thirds affirmative vote expel a member of the Executive Council. Previous notice of the vote to expel a member of the Council must be given at least two days prior to the meeting at which the expulsion is debated and voted upon. The member named in the expulsion resolution shall have the right to speak in his or her defense before the vote takes place. An expulsion motion may, but does not necessarily have to, originate as a ruling of the Judicial Tribunal.
- Executive Councilors shall be placed on probation or expelled only through means expressed in the Constitution and Election Code.
C. If any office of Vice President is vacated for any reason, including succession to Presidency, the President shall appoint a replacement, subject to the approval of the Executive Council, and a majority of the Senate.
- Any appointed Vice President must meet the qualifications for office outlined in the Election Code.
Article III The Legislative Branch
Section 103.01 Term of Office
The term of office of all senators elected in the spring shall begin at noon on the first day of May following their election. The term of office shall end at noon on the following May 1. Senators elected in the fall will take office immediately after certification of their respective races. The term, no matter when elected, begins retroactively at noon on the May 1 preceding their election.
Section 103.02 Election
The senior, junior, and sophomore classes shall elect a president, vice president, and five senators in the spring of each year, during the second general election of the period. Any positions remaining vacant after the election shall be reopened for election the following fall. The freshman class shall elect a president, vice president, and five senators in the first thirty calendar days of the fall term, during a general election. The elected seven-member class delegations shall represent their respective classes in the Senate, and caucus formally amongst themselves in class meetings.
A. Elections for the class president and vice president positions shall be conducted independently, in accordance with the Election Code. Elections for senator positions shall be conducted as a slate.
B. The candidate who gains a simple majority of the votes cast in a class president or vice president race shall be ruled the winner. The candidates who receive the most votes for as many seats as are open for a given class senate shall be ruled the winners. In a race with no recognized candidates, a write-in candidate must attain the vote total threshold of one-half the number of votes garnered by the candidate with the greatest vote total in the respective class.
C. If no candidate attains a simple majority in a general election, a run-off must be conducted in the race between the two candidates with the greatest number of votes. No write-in votes will be tabulated in run-off races. The candidate with the higher vote total in a run-off election will be certified as the winner.
D. An Association member shall vote only in races within his or her current class standing, as defined by anticipated graduation date. Those not on lists, as provided by the Office of the Registrar, shall be required to receive written validation from the Office of the Registrar stating the anticipated date of graduation.
E. All senators shall have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and be free of College disciplinary probation at the time of election.
Section 103.03 Rights and Responsibilities
The twenty-nine senators shall seek to represent their respective constituencies and must uphold the Constitution in all endeavors.
A. Class President
- The Class President is the official representative of his or her constituency at Saint Mary's College.
- The Class President shall supervise and organize the minimum required class events (Two Fundraisers and one Class event per semester).
- The Class President shall call or cancel meetings of the class Senate delegation. The Class President shall preside over the meetings.
- The Class President shall serve as delegation chair at Senate General Assemblies and Meetings.
- The Class President, in conjunction with the Class Vice President, shall approve all financial transactions of the class before processing, in accordance with the Constitution, Bylaws, Finance Code, and all pertinent College policies.
- The Class President shall post and maintain a minimum of one weekly office hour at the office of the Associated Students.
- The Class President shall be a representative for as many Clubs, Media, and or Residence Halls as needed.
- The Class President shall not serve as Speaker, Board Chair, or as a member of any Board.
- The Class Presidents shall form the Delegation Chair Council and meet in conjunction with the Vice President for Administration at least once per term.
- The Class President is required to attend (per semester)
- All ASSMC Events
- 10 Athletic Events
- 5 Program Board Events
- 3 Diversity Events
- 2 Campus Ministry Events
- 1 Residence Hall Program
- 1 CILSA Event
- The Junior Class President is required to begin the process of actively searching for a commencement speaker.
B. Class Vice President
- The Class Vice President shall exercise all rights and responsibilities of the Presidency should the position be vacated for any reason. The Vice President will cease serving as Vice President and fill the remainder of the President's term.
- The Class Vice President shall represent his or her constituency at Saint Mary's College.
- The Class Vice President shall assist in supervising and organizing class events.
- The Class Vice President, in conjunction with the Class President, shall approve all financial transactions of the class before processing, in accordance with the Constitution, Bylaws, Finance Code, and all pertinent College policies.
- The Class Vice President shall post and maintain a minimum of one weekly office hour at the office of the Associated Students.
- The Class Vice President shall not be eligible to a candidate for the position of Speaker.
- The Class Vice President shall be eligible for appointment to Boards, either as chair or a member.
- The Class Vice President shall be a representative for as many Clubs, Media, and or Residence Halls as needed.
- The Class Vice President is required to attend (per semester)
- All ASSMC Events
- 10 Athletic Events
- 5 Program Board Events
- 3 Diversity Events
- 2 Campus Ministry Events
- 1 Residence Hall Program
- 1 CILSA Event
D. Class Senator
- The Class Senator shall represent his or her constituency at Saint Mary's College.
- The Class Senator shall assist in supervising and organizing class events.
- The Class Senator shall be eligible to be a candidate for the position of Speaker, and shall be eligible for appointment to Boards, either as a chair or as a member.
- The Class Senator shall post and maintain weekly office hours at the office of the Associated Students.
- The Class Senator shall be a representative for as many Clubs, Media, and or Residence Halls as needed.
- The Class Senator is required to attend (per semester)
- All ASSMC Events
- 10 Athletic Events
- 5 Program Board Events
- 3 Diversity Events
- 2 Campus Ministry Events
- 1 Residence Hall Program
- 1 CILSA Event
Section 103.04 Speaker of the Senate
A. Qualifications
- The Speaker shall be an elected member of the Senate in the position of Class Senator.
B. Election
- Candidates for the position of Speaker shall be nominated by themselves or other Senators at the first Meeting of their term.
- The candidate who receives a plurality of the votes shall be named Speaker.
- The Speaker shall serve until the following May 1 at noon, resignation, or until the speaker receives a vote of no confidence from the Senate, whichever comes first.
C. Rights and Responsibilities
- The Speaker shall serve as the official representative of the twenty-eight Senators in all Associated Students business.
- The Speaker shall serve as the chair of the Institutional Affairs Board.
- The Speaker shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Finance Board, Media Board, and Club and Organization Board.
- The Speaker shall have the right of first speaking privileges, which the speaker may yield, on the floor of the Senate.
- The Speaker shall assist the Senate Chair in contacting Senators who are absent from Senate, Class, or Board meetings.
- The Speaker shall collect the minutes of Senate Boards and file them with the Vice President for Administration.
- The Speaker shall have other rights as designated by the Senate Chair, in consultation of the Institutional Affairs Board.
- The Speaker shall aid the Vice President for Student Affairs in designating the medium heads.
D. Confidence
- Any Senator may bring a motion of confidence in the Speaker before the Senate at any time, provided the movement gains a second from the floor.
- Passage of a no confidence vote in the Speaker immediately terminates the Speaker's tenure in the position.
- Resignation of a Speaker immediately terminates the Speaker's tenure in the position.
- A vacancy in the position of Speaker shall be filled at the next Senate General Assembly or Senate meeting.
Section 103.05 Parliamentary Procedure
The Senate shall use Parliamentary Procedure when utilizing formal protocol.
A. The current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, as recognized by the United Nations, shall govern the procedures of the meetings. The parliamentarian shall assist in making parliamentary rulings upon request of the Chair. A majority appeal of vote of the Senate can overturn a parliamentary decision of the Chair.
B. The following special rules of order shall supersede any other rules of order in governing the proceedings of the Senate:
- Adjournment - Any motion to adjourn shall be debatable. A motion to adjourn before completion of the docket section of the agenda shall require a two-thirds vote for passage
- Cloture - Any motion to close debate before the expiration of allotted time shall require a two-thirds vote.
- Debate Extension - The limits of debate may be extended by a simple majority for the amount of time given in the motion during the prescribed debate period. The limits of debate may be extended by a two-thirds majority for the amount of time given in the motion after the prescribed debate period has elapsed.
- Suspension of the Rules - The Senate may suspend any of its bylaws or codes within a meeting except Bylaws, Section 102.5, B., iv., by a two-thirds majority vote.
- Voting - Votes on resolutions, known as legislative, shall be conducted by the Chair in a roll call. The votes shall be recorded and published.
- Divide the Question - Any senator may motion to divide an issue into two or more parts. This requires an affirmative majority vote.
- Majority Vote - Majority shall be defined as 50% plus 1 of those senators present and voting yea or nay. Abstentions shall not be considered in determining the success of a vote.
- Jurisdiction - any five members of the Senate may petition to debate on the floor of the Senate any action taken by a Board.
C. Time limits on categories and sub-categories of debate shall be set by the Institutional Affairs Board for items on meeting agendas.
D. All Senate votes, both procedural and legislative, shall be made public.
Section 103.06 General Assembly Structure
All Senate General Assemblies shall follow a fundamental framework, in accordance with the specific decisions of the Institutional Affairs Board and the Senate. The Senate shall have final jurisdiction over specifics not addressed in the Constitution.
A. Opening Business - Moment of Reflection, Roll Call, Review of Agenda, Review of Minutes.
B. State of the Student Body Address - Address delivered by the President to the General Assembly.
C. Docket - Agenda items for debate and action.
D. Public Forum - Any person may ask a question or make a comment concerning Senate business. Any question that cannot be answered at that time will be treated as a question at the next meeting, when the President will be responsible for answering it. The Senate Chair shall acknowledge appropriate officials to answer questions raised.
E. Reports - The Speaker, Finance Board Chair, Vice President for Administration, Vice President for Student Affairs, Vice President for Finance, and Adviser shall be eligible to speak for two minutes each. Class Presidents shall be eligible to speak for one minute each.
F. New Business - At the close of docketed business, the Senate may, by two-thirds vote, choose to review new business. All new business shall be presented in written form to all members of the Senate at the time of introduction.
G. Closing Business - General Announcements, Notice of next meeting, Adjournment.
Section 103.07 Meeting Structure
All Senate Meetings shall follow a fundamental framework, in accordance with the specific decisions of the Institutional Affairs Board and the Senate. The Senate shall have final jurisdiction over specifics not addressed in the Constitution.
A. Opening Business - Moment of Reflection, Roll Call, Review of Agenda, Review of Minutes.
B. Docket - Agenda items for debate and action.
C. Public Forum - Any person may ask a question or make a comment concerning Senate business. Any question that cannot be answered at that time will be treated as a question at the next meeting, when the President will be responsible for answering it. The Senate Chair shall acknowledge appropriate officials to answer questions raised.
D. Reports - The Speaker, Finance Board Chair, President, Vice President for Administration, Vice President for Student Affairs, Vice President for Finance, and Adviser shall be eligible to speak for two minutes each. Class Presidents shall be eligible to speak for one minute each.
E. New Business - At the close of docketed business, the Senate may, by two-thirds vote, choose to review new business. All new business shall be presented in written form to all members of the Senate at the time of introduction.
F. Closing Business - General Announcements, Notice of next meeting, Adjournment.
Section 103.08 Committee of the Whole meeting structure
All Senate Committee of the Whole meetings shall follow a fundamental framework, in accordance with the specific decisions of the Institutional Affairs Board and the Senate. The Senate shall have final jurisdiction over specifics not addressed in the Constitution. An agenda shall be provided for all Senators as late as four days before the meeting.
Section 103.09 Senate Position Vacancies
A. Class Presidential vacancies shall be filled by the respective Class Vice President for the remainder of the President's elected term, in accordance with the Bylaws.
B. Class Vice Presidential vacancies shall be filled by the nominee of the respective Class President, who shall be confirmed by an affirmative vote of the Institutional Affairs Board. The confirmed nominee will serve for the remainder of the Vice President's elected term. Should a Senator be confirmed to take the position of Vice President, the Senate seat vacated shall be filled in accordance with the Bylaws.
C. Class Senatorial vacancies shall be filled by the nominee of the respective Class President, who shall be confirmed by an affirmative vote of the Institutional Affairs Board. The confirmed nominee shall serve the remainder of the Senator's elected term.
Section 103.10 Senate Boards
Four standing boards shall exist to assist the Senate in the passage and adoption of legislation.
A. The Boards shall complete responsibilities as prescribed in the Bylaws. The Boards shall make recommendations as prescribed in the Bylaws. The Boards shall initiate legislation and procedural measures that fall under the specific Board's jurisdiction.
B. Each Board shall be comprised of five or six voting members and a specific number of ex-officio members, at least one of which must be an Executive adviser.
C. Boards composition shall be determined in the following manner:
- The Speaker shall nominate a Senator to serve as chair of the Finance Board in consultation with the Vice President for Finance.
- Nominees shall be placed before the Senate for a vote. The nominees who receive a plurality of the votes for the position for which they are nominated become the board chairs.
- The chairs of the four Boards serve in their capacity until the following May 1 at noon, or until they lose a vote of no confidence, whichever comes first.
- The Chairs will select four or five members of the Senate and Association, in accordance with the Bylaws, to serve on their respective Boards.
- These nominees shall be placed before the Senate for confirmation. An affirmative majority vote confirms nominees.
- The members of the Boards serve in their capacity until the following May 1 at noon, or until the Chair loses a vote of no confidence in the Senate.
- No Senator shall serve as a voting member of more than one Board at any given time.
D. The Senate Chair shall settle a dispute over the jurisdiction of a piece of legislation, procedural motion, or inquiry. The Senate may overturn the decision of the Chair by a majority vote.
E. All Boards shall elect a Secretary from among their voting members. The Board Secretary shall communicate progress of the Board to the Vice President for Administration.
Section 103.11 Institutional Affairs Board
The Institutional Affairs Board shall be charged with ensuring that appropriate and fair governmental practices are utilized in all Senate dealings.
A. Composition
- The Institutional Affairs Board shall be chaired by the Speaker. The Board Chair shall be entitled to a vote in all matters.
- The Institutional Affairs Board shall include four other voting members, to be appointed by the Institutional Affairs Board Chair, in consultation with the Executive Facilitator, and confirmed by the Senate. Three members shall be Senators from each of the three class delegations not represented by the Board Chair. The fifth member shall be a member of the Association who is not a senator, club president, organization president, or media head. Thus, the Institutional Affairs Board will, at all times, include one Senator from each class delegation, and additionally, an Association member.
- The Institutional Affairs Board shall also include three ex-officio members. The Vice President for Administration shall serve as the Executive adviser to the Institutional Affairs Board. The Vice President for Finance and the Saint Mary's College Director of Student Activities and Leadership, or his or her designee, shall also serve as ex-officio members.
B. Meetings
- The Institutional Affairs Board shall meet a minimum of once before every Senate General Assembly and Meeting.
- Quorum of the Institutional Affairs Board shall be defined as three of the five voting members. Quorum must be maintained to conduct official business.
- An affirmative majority of voting members shall be required for passage of legislative and procedural business.
C. Rights and Responsibilities
- The Institutional Affairs Board shall direct the Vice President for Administration with regard to policies and procedures regarding Association meeting structure.
- The Institutional Affairs Board shall review and reserve placement approval over all resolutions before their placement on the Agenda.
- The Institutional Affairs Board shall oversee preparation of all Senate agendas, in accordance with the Constitution, Bylaws, Bill of Rights, Election Code, and Finance Code.
- The Institutional Affairs Board shall reserve the right to complete any operation necessary for the efficient operation of the government, in accordance with the Constitution, Bylaws, Bill of Rights, Election Code, Finance Code and all pertinent College policies.
D. Jurisdiction
- Any decision of the Institutional Affairs Board may be reviewed and affirmed or reversed by an affirmative vote of the majority of the Senate.
Section 103.12 Finance Board
The Finance Board shall be charged with the duties of ensuring the financial solvency of the Associated Students.
A. Composition
- The Finance Board shall be chaired by a senator nominated by the Speaker and confirmed by the Senate. The chair shall be entitled to a vote on all matters.
- The Finance Board shall include five other voting members, to be appointed by the Finance Board Chair, in consultation with the Executive Facilitator, and confirmed by the Senate. Three members shall be Senators, one from each of the three class delegations not represented by the Board Chair. The fifth and sixth members shall be Association members who are not a Senator, club president, organization president, or media head. Thus, the Finance Board will, at all times, include one Senator from each class delegation, and additionally two Association members.
- The Finance Board shall also include five ex-officio members. The Vice President for Finance shall serve as the Executive adviser to the Finance Board. The Vice President for Administration, the Speaker, and the Saint Mary's College Director of Student Activities and Leadership, or his or her designee, shall also serve as ex-officio members. Additionally, a senior accountant or his or her designee from the Saint Mary's College Business Office shall be an ex-officio member.
- In cases of a tie vote, the Vice President for Finance shall be afforded a vote.
B. Meetings
- The Finance Board shall meet a minimum of once per three-week period during the academic terms.
- Quorum of the Finance Board shall be defined as three of the five voting members. Quorum must be maintained to conduct official business.
- An affirmative majority shall be required for passage of legislative and procedural business.
C. Rights and Responsibilities
- The Finance Board shall assist the Vice President for Finance with regard to policies and procedures regarding Association funds, in accordance with the Constitution, Bylaws, Finance Code and all pertinent College policies.
D. Jurisdiction
- Any decision of the Finance Board may be reviewed and affirmed or reversed by a vote of the Senate.
- The Finance Board shall adhere to and defend the Finance Code.
Section 103.16 Board Vacancies
A. Should a Board Chairmanship become vacant, the Speaker shall, in consultation with the respective Executive Facilitator, nominate a Senator to assume the Board Chair. This nominee shall be placed before the Senate for confirmation. An affirmative majority vote confirms a nominee.
B. Should the confirmed nominee be a current member of any Board, the process of filling a member seat on a Board shall be followed to fill the position being vacated.
C. Should an Association member seat on any Board become vacant, the respective Board Chair shall nominate an appropriate Association member, in accordance with the Bylaws, to fill the seat. This nominee shall be placed before the Senate for confirmation. An affirmative majority vote confirms a nominee.
Section 103.17 Class Delegation Meetings
A. Class delegation meetings shall be held at least biweekly, as called by the President of each class.
B. Class Presidents shall have the power to institute appropriate attendance codes, in accordance with the Constitution, Bylaws, and Bill of Rights.
C. An agenda shall be presented before or at the time of all meetings to the members of the class delegation.
D. If minutes are not submitted to the Vice President for Administration, within 48 hours, every member of the class will receive an absence contingent on the minutes being submitted.
E. The Vice President for Administration acts as an ex-officio member of all Senate class delegations.
Section 103.18 Senate Attendance
To ensure the views of the Association are always fairly represented, the Vice President for Administration, in conjunction with the Speaker, shall keep records of senatorial attendance at General Assemblies, Meetings, Committee of the Whole meetings, and Board meetings.
A. Attendance at General Assemblies, Meetings, and Committee of the Whole meetings shall be defined as those present and voting at the time of the initial roll.
B. Failure to be in attendance of the above named meetings at the time of initial roll shall be counted as one absence.
C. Failure to be in attendance for less than half of the total scheduled time of the meeting shall be counted as one full absence.
D. Attendance at Board meetings shall be defined as those present and voting at the time of the initial roll call.
E. Failure to be in attendance of Board meetings shall be counted as one absence.
F. Ex-officio members of Boards shall not be counted in Board absence tallies.
G. Any Senator who accumulates three full absences, for any reason, shall be referred by the Vice President for Administration to the Judicial Tribunal for adjudication. The Judicial Tribunal may rule accordingly:
- A ruling of probationary status, in which a senator is placed on probation, and recalled before the Judicial Tribunal in the case of any further absence.
Article IV The Judicial Branch
Section 104.01 Creation
The five appointed Association members must be nominated by the President and confirmed by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the Senate.
A. The five ruling justices shall be composed accordingly:
- Four Association members shall be appointed justices.
- The Chief Justice shall be a separately appointed Association member.
Section 104.02 Appointed Justices
The five appointed Association members must be nominated by the President and confirmed by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the Senate.
A. The Associated Students President must nominate one Association member for the position of Chief Justice. This position shall be one of the five justices. This person may not be a member of the Senate, nor may be a club president, organization president, or media head. This person must receive training from the Institutional Affairs Board before conducting any trials.
B. The President must nominate four Association members for the remaining positions of justices. These persons may not be members of the Senate, nor may be club presidents, organization presidents, or media heads. These persons must receive training from the Institutional Affairs Board before participating in any trials.
C. Justices shall serve until the date of commencement, or until a vote of no confidence is taken with regard to him or her in the Senate. A judicial vote of no confidence requires a two-thirds affirmative vote of Senators, subject to the approval of the Associated Students President, in consultation with the Director of Student Involvement and Leadership (SIL). Vacancies shall be filled in accordance with initial nominating processes.
Article V Appointed Officials
Section 105.01 College Committee members
The Associated Students President shall appoint all Association members of College committees. These committee members shall submit written reports to the President, which may be requested by any senator. The appointments shall be valid until the following Commencement.
Section 105.02 Administrative Intern
The Administrative Intern shall be appointed by the Associated Students President, in consultation with the Vice President for Administration. The appointment shall be valid until the following Commencement.
Article VI Clubs and Organizations
Section 106.01 Jurisdiction
All recognized clubs and organizations of the Association government shall fall under the jurisdiction of the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Senate. All clubs and organizations must abide by the rules set forth in the Constitution, Bylaws, Bill of Rights, Election Code, Finance Code and all pertinent College policies.
Section 106.02 Recognition
To be officially recognized by the Associated Students, any club or organization must be chartered. The charter process shall be established:
- A club or organization petitions the Vice President for Student Affairs for the opportunity to charter a club or organization.
- The club or organization presents its constitution to the Vice President for Student Affairs, who shall make recommendation to the Senate to either approve or deny charter. Denied applicants may attempt to charter again in a subsequent semester. Approved applicants must then seek approval from the Senate, which must approve the charter by a two-thirds affirmative vote.
- The Associated Students recognizes charters approved by the Senate as official immediately, at "Provisional" status.
- Any club or organization can be expelled by two-thirds affirmative vote of the Senate.
Section 106.03 Responsibilities
A. The President and Vice President, or their designees, of every club and organization are required to attend all Senate General Assemblies.
B. The leadership of every club and organization are responsible for submitting the Annual Review to the Vice President for Student Affairs by the specified dates.
C. The leadership of every club shall be responsible for presenting all financial information to the President, Vice President for Finance, and Finance Board Chair.
D. The leadership of every club and organization are responsible for submitting an evaluation of their Senate representative each semester.
Article VII Media
Section 107.01 Jurisdiction
All recognized media shall fall under the jurisdiction of the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Senate. All media must abide by the rules set forth in the Constitution, Bylaws, Bill of Rights, Election Code, Finance Code and all pertinent College policies.
Section 107.02 Recognition
To be officially recognized by the Associated Students, any media must be chartered. The charter process shall be established:
- A medium petitions the Vice President for Student Affairs for the opportunity to charter a media.
- The media presents its Constitution to the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Institutional Affairs Board, who shall either approve or deny charter. Denied applicants may attempt to charter again in a subsequent semester. Approved applicants must then seek approval from the Senate, which must approve the charter by a two-thirds affirmative vote.
- The Associated Students recognizes charters approved by the Senate as official immediately, with "Provisional" status.
- Any medium can be expelled by two-thirds affirmative vote of the Senate.
Section 107.03 Responsibilities
A. The medium head, or their designee, of every medium is required to attend all three Senate General Assemblies.
B. The leadership of every medium is responsible for submitting the Annual Review to the Media Board by the specified dates.
C. The leadership of every medium is responsible for submitting an evaluation of their Senate representative each semester.
Article VIII Graduation Awards
Section 108.01 Valedictorian
The Valedictorian Award shall be awarded at College Commencement. The award's recipient shall be selected though a process with the Vice President for Administration, Senior Class President, a representative of the College President's Office and the Saint Mary's College Academic Vice Provost.
Section 108.02 George R. Milliken Award
The Associated Students through the Senate shall present the George R. Milliken Award at College Commencement to the senior who is judged most distinguished for unselfish and efficient devotion to student affairs.
A. Any member of the Association may nominate a senior by petition submitted to the Vice President for Administration and Senior Class President.
B. Nomination information shall be presented to the Senate, which shall select the recipient of the award by affirmative majority.
Article IX Amendment and Adoption
Section 109.01 Amendments
A. Definition
An amendment shall be defined as any change to the spirit and purpose of the Associated Students Constitution and supporting documentation. Proposal of a new constitution shall be brought before voters, ratified, and approved in the manner outlined for amendments.
B. Proposal
Amendments to the Bylaws can be made through two avenues:
- Amendments to the Bylaws may be proposed in the Student Senate through a resolution. A two-thirds affirmative majority is for passage in the Senate. The amendment shall be incorporated directly into the Bylaws.
- Amendments to the Bylaws may be proposed through petition of one-fourth the total members of the Association. The petition shall be presented to the Vice President for Administration, who shall submit the amendment to the Association for ratification. A two-thirds affirmative majority is required for passage. The amendment shall be incorporated directly into the Bylaws.
C. Notice
All proposed amendments must be posted and made available to the Association at least one week prior to the Bylaws ratification vote in the Senate or by the Association.
D. Adoption
These Bylaws shall become effective immediately upon adoption by the Association. They nullify and supersede all previous Bylaws.
