' Page Seven
The Rams Horn
April, 1969
see Revised Constitution
Following is the proposed
revised Southeastern SGA
constitution which will be voted
on in the general elections in
May.
PREAMBLE
The students of Southeastern
Community College do hereby
establish the Southeastern
Community College Student
Government Association. The
association shall provide the means
whereby students may express an
official voice In the programs of the
college which affect their welfare;
assist In the coordination and
regulation of activities of students for
the benefit of the educational
community; participate In
stimulating and Improving
democratic living and self
government, recognize the equal
fights of all Individuals and the value
their participation in the
“®tterment of the student
community; and promote the high
•deals of the college community.
article I-NAME
The name of this organization shall
be the Student Government
Association of Southeastern
Community college.
article ii—membership
All full-time students of
Southeastern Community College are
members of the Student Government
Association and shall be subject to
this constitution, Its by-laws, and
Student Senate Statutes.
ARTICLE III—STUDENT
GOVERNMENT
The principal student governing
body of Southeastern Community
College shall be known as the
Student Government Association and
shall be composed of the Executive,
Legislative, and Judicial Branches.
article iV-EXECUTIVE
department
if! ‘L'’ '• executive power of
Ih II * Government Association
1™" be vested in an Executive
Branch of the Student Government
^ssoclation, composed of the
V) elected officers: President,
anrt Secretary, Treasurer,
“ ‘ne Executive Cabinet.
Section II. The President. The
president must be a member of the
Student Government Association and
^rry a minimum work load of twelve
(12) credit hours, or Its equivalent,
and be a student In good academic
and social standing at Southeastern
College. The President
ciMK position as an officer In
offK.* canipus while holding the
of President.
and powers. The
President shall have power:
(1) to administer and enforce
the constitution. Its by-laws
and Student Senate Statutes.
(2) to create, with the consent
of the Student Senate, such
committees that are
necessary to carry out the
executive functions of the
Student Government
Association.
(3) to call and preside at
meetings of the student
body and Student
Government Association.
(4) to serve as a non-voting
ex-offlcio member of all
standing committees and
boards, except those on
which he Is specifically a
voting member.
(5) to address the Student
Senate from time to time,
provided that he shall notify
the Speaker of the Senate of
his Intentions In advance.
(6) to remowe at his discretion,
Shy person appointed by
vvlth a 2/3 majority
approval of the Student
Senate.
(7) to appoint the chairman of
ail standing committees and
to appoint Jointly with the
aid of committee chairman
all committee members, such
appointment subject to
student Senate approval.
(8) to Issue orders to the
standing committees and
require reports from them.
(9) to make recommendations
for legislation to the Student
Senate, through the speaker
the Senate, a written
statement or a personal
appearance.
(lO) to have the power to veto or
"3n all acts of the Student
aenate, provided he exercises
such power vjiithln ten (10)
school days after receipt of
same. An act becomes
official In ten (10) school
days if said President neither
signs nor vetoes the act.
(11) to be the official
representative of the Student
Government Association and
the student body of the
college in ail occasions,
functions, and relations
proper to his position,
vi/herein participation is
required or pertinent.
(12) to perform all such duties
Incident to the office of
President.
(13) hold no position as an
officer in clubs on campus.
B. Tenure of the President. The
President shall hold office for
one calendar year, beginning
summer Quarter and
terminating at the end of the
spring Quarter. The
Vice-President shall succeed to
the office of President If It shall
become vacated.
Section III. me Vice-President.
The qualification for the office of
Vice-President shall be the same as
those for the office of President.
A. Duties and powers. The
Vice-President shall:
(1) In the case of Illness or
temporary Incapacity of the
President fulfill the duties of
the office of the President.
(2) In the case of the President’s
resignation, removal or
physical Incapacity, assume
the office of the President.
(3) be a voting member of all
standing and special
committees of the Senate.
(4) prepare the agenda for the
Student Senate.
(5) serve as the chairman of the
Board of Elections, and
appoint Jointly with the
President the members to
the Election Board, such
appointments to be
submitted to the approval of
the Student Senate.
(6) aid and assist the President
In fulfilling the executive
functions of the Student
Association.
(7) perform all such duties
Incident to the office of
Vice-President
B. Tenure of Vice-President. The
Vice-President shall hold office
for one calendar year. If the
office of Vice-President shall be
vacated, the Student Senate
Shall appoint a Vice-President,
provided that he meets the
qualification for vice-presldency.
This appointment must have a
three-fourths (^) majority
approval of the Student Senate.
Section IV. The Secretary. The
qualifications for the office of
Secretary shall be the same as those
for the office of President:
A. Duties and powers. The
Secretary shall:
(1) accurately record and
preserve the minutes of all
regular and special sessions
of the Student Government.
(2) prepare and keep a
codification of all by-laws,
statutes, and resolutions of
he Student Government.
(3) perform all other duties and
functions Incident to the
office for one calendar year.
If the office of Secretary
shall be vacated, the Student
Senate shall appoint a
Secretary from the Student
Government Association.
This appointment must have
a three fourths (Ki) majority
approval of the Student
Senate.
section V. The Tj-easurer The
The
Treasurer shall:
(1) prepare and submit to the
senate an annual budget,
submit periodic reports ^
the financial conditions t^
sTudent Government
Association.
11 serve as chairman of any
office of Treasurer.
Treasurer. i
B. Tenure o^f for
Treasurer shain
one calen«r
of Treasurer ^*'' o
appolnthiwt majority
Section VI. The Executive Cabinet.
The Executive Cabinet shall consist
of the President, Vice-President,
Secretary, and Treasurer of the
Student Government Association,
Student Government Association
Advisers (faculty), Dean of Student
Personnel Services, and such other
officials as may be appointed by the
President with the advice and consent
of the Student Senate. The Executive
Cabinet shall:
(1) make recommendations to
the Southeastern
Community College
Administration on all
matters submitted to it by
either the President or the
Student Senate.
(2) recommend legislative
measures to the Student
Senate.
(3) continuously review the
organization and operation
of the Student Government
Association and student
recommendations for the
alteration of each to the
President.
ARTICLE V—LEGISLATIVE
DEPARTMENT
Section I. Grant of Authority. As
conferred by the Board of Trustees
of the college, and as delegated
through the President and subject to
his approval, legislative power In the
Student Government Association
shall be vested In the Student Senate.
Section II. Composition of the
Student Senate.
A. Representation In the Student
Senate shall consist of six (6)
Senators from the Freshman
class, two Senators who are
enrolled In the College Parallel
Program, two Senators who are
enrolled In the Technical
Program, and two Senators who
are enrolled In the Vocational
Program. Also, six Senators
from the Sophomore class, two
Senators enrolled In the
Technical Program and four
Senators who are enrolled In the
College Parallel Program,
a. The Vice-President shall have a
seat on the Student Senate.
C. Every member of the Student
Senate shall be a student In good
academic and social standing at
Southeastern Community
College.
O. The Speaker of the Student
Senate shall be a Sophomore
Senator and be elected by the
members of the Student Senate.
(1) The Speaker of the Senate
shall not hold any other
elective office.
(2) Be the President of the
Student Senate and preside
over Student Senate
meetings.
(3) Appoint a Parliamentarian
and a Secretary of the
Student Senate and be able
to remove them at his
rilscretlon.
E. The "bean of Student Personnel
Services and two faculty
members, elected annually by
the Senate, subject to by-laws
provision, shall act as Senate
Advisers.
F A Student Senate meeting shall
’ be held at least once a month
during the school term.
G If a Senate office becomes
' vacated, the Speaker of the
Senate will appoint a Senator to
accupy this vacancy. The
Senator that Is chosen will be
the candidate who received the
next highest vote In the previous
senate election, or If the
appointment Is declined, any
student In good standing at
Southeastern may be appointed
by the Speaker, provided he Is
confirmed by a majority vote of
the Senate.
H. Quorum. No less than half of
the Senators must be present to
constitute a quorum. A quorum
is necessary for all official action
transacted by he Senate.
Section Ml. Powers of Student
Senate. The Student Senate shall
have the power:
A. to serve as an omciai voice
' through which student opinion
Is expressed to officials and
official bodies within the
college.
8. to Investigate student problems,
make recommendations, and
enact appropriate legislation.
C. to approve by a two-thirds (2/3)
majority vote all appointments
made by the President of the
Student Government
Association, except in cases
provided for in amendments
within this constitution.
D. to act, upon the receipt of all
’ petitions from students and
organizations, in cooperation
with the appropriate authorities
relating to said petitions.
p to recommend allocation of the
' student activity fee for activities
and events which would be of
general benefit to the entire
student body.
F. to over-ride a presidential veto
by a two-thirds (2/3) majority.
G. to aid In the election of Student
Government officials.
H. to establish and publish all
charges for Impeachment. Then
to submit such charges to the
Student Court for examination
and trial.
I. to establish its own rules of
procedure.
J. to establish such subordinate
officers and committees within
the legislature as It may deem
proper.
K. to propose amendments to this
constitution.
ARTICLE VI—JUDICIAL
DEPARTMENT
Section I. Grant of Authority. All
Judicial powers of the Student
Government Association shall be
vested in the Student Court.
Section ii. Composition.
A. Judges. The Student Court shall
consist of one (1) chief Justice,
six (6) Justices who have
maintained a 2.0 average, and a
clerk appointed by the Chief
Justice, all with the concurrence
of the Student Senate.
B. All Justices shall be appointed by
the President of the Student
Government Association and
shall serve one (1) academic
year.
C. Each race on campus shall have
at least one (1) member on the
Student Court.
Section III, Powers and duties of
the Student Court. The Student
Court shall:
A. t>e vested with the power to
Interpret this constitution. Its
by-laws, and Student Senate
Statutes, subject only to a
referendum to the Student
Government Association.
B. be vested with the power of
interpretation of the Code of
Conduct for students, and have
original Jurisdiction of
Infractions of the Code of
Conduct of Students.
C. review the cases of impeached
members of the Student
Government Association with
the trial procedures open to all
students, faculty, and
administration officials.
D. have the right, at the discretion
of the Chief Justice and the
Dean of Student Personnel,
publicize the disposition of
student cases provided
anonymity may be reasonably
protected.
Section IV. Procedures of the
Student Court.
A. The Chief Justice of the Student
Court shall preside at Court
hearings and shall vote only In
case of a tie.
B. The concurrence of a simple
majority of the Justices present,
provided that a quorum of five
Judges shall be present, shall be
required to render effective a
decision of the Student Court.
C. Records of the Student Court
shall be maintained by the clerk.
D. Upon conviction of a violation
of the Code of Conduct for
students, the Student Court
shall recommend to he College
Review Committee action to be
taken against the student(s).
E. Any student(s) who is charged
with a violation(s) of the Code
of Conduct for Students may
waive his right to a Student
Court hearing by pleading guilty
as charged In writing to the
Dean of Student Personnel
Services. This provision, as well
as the Invocation of sanctions as
provided for by the Code of
Conduct for Students, may be
Implemented In strict
confidence, at the discretion of
the Dean of Student Personnel
Services.
F. Appeal of decisions of the
Student Court may be made In
writing to the College Review
Committee, provided such
appeal Is made within five (5)
class days after the defendant Is
notified of the Student Court
decision.
G. The names of the nominees for
the positions of Chief Justice
and associate Justices of the
Student Court shall be
submitted to the Student Senate
for approval by the last meeting
of the Student Government
Association in the month of
October. Upon approval of the
nominees, there shall be a
meeting of the Student Court
with the President of the
Student Government
Association and the Speaker of
the Senate, during the first
quarter of that school year to
discuss the procedures and
functions of the Student Court.
H. The Student Court shall have
the responsibility and the right
to formulate procedures and
rules of practice to be followed
by the said court.
ARTICLE VII—ELECTIONS
Section 1. Elective Student
Government officers shall be selected
by a plurality of the students voting
In two general elections, one in the
spring term, for the Executive
officers, and one in the fail term, for
the Legislative officials. The Election
Committee shall carry out the
election codes and policies as
established by the Student Senate in
the form of by-laws to this
Constitution.
Section II. Notice of ail elections,
general and special, shall be published
through appropriate campus media,
at least one week before the election.
Section III. No member of the
Elections Committee shall be a
candidate for, nor campaign on
behalf of, nor endorse any candidate
for any office In an upcoming
election.
article VIII-AMENDMENTS
Section I. Proposition.
Amendments to this Constitution
may be proposed by two-thirds (2/3)
vote of the Student Senate.
Section II. Publication. The text of
the proposed amendments shall be
published and accessible to all
members of the Student Government
Association at least one week prior to
the election In which the proposed
amendment(s) is to be considered.
Section III. Ratification. An
amendment shall become part of this
Constitution immediately upon
receiving an affirmative vote of
three-fourths (3/4) of the voters
voting on the Issue In an all-campus
general election.
ARTICLE IX—APPEALS
AND REFERENDUM
Section I. Appeals.
A. Upon receipt of a petition
concerning Student Government
or some matter vital to the
Interests of students, signed by
one-tenth (1/10) of the student
body, the Student Senate shall
refer the matter to a student
vote.
B. To be valid, each signature on a
petition must be accompanied
by the name of the student's
adviser, and each page of the
petition must contain a
statement of the purpose of said
petition.
Section II. Referendum.
A. Such questions shall be placed
on the ballot of the next general
election unless they are of such
a nature that postponement
would render them void, in
which case they should be put
up for student vote, not less
than fifteen (15) or more than
thirty (30), school days from
the filing of the petition with
Student Senate, In a special
election.
B. If such questions receive
majority vote of those voting on
said question, the result of the
referendum shall automatically
become legislation upon
approval by the particular office
of the college administration
concerned, where such approval
is necessary.
article X—PARLIAMENTARY
PROCEDURE
Section I. Robert's Rules of Order
Revised shall constitute the
parliamentary authority on points
not covered by this Constitution or
by the Rules and Regulations of the
Student Senate.
ARTICLE XI-RATIFICATION
This Constitution shall take effect
upon receiving an affirmative vote of
three-fourths (%) of the voters voting
on the Issue in all-campus general
election).
BY-LAW 1
Addition to Executive Cabinet
AMENDMENT 1
Department of Attorney General
Section I. The President of the
Student Government with the
concurrence of the Dean of Student
Personnel will choose a student who
they deem competent to fulfill the
office of Attorney General.
Section II. The Attorney General
shall:
A. hold no position as an officer In
any other organizations on
campus during his term.
B. serve on the Election Committee
in the executing of all Student
Government elections.
C. act as investigator for the
Executive Department when
necessary.
D. promote an understanding of
the Code of Conduct for
students.
E. appoint no more than two (2)
assistants when necessary for the
completion of duties.
F. act as the prosecution council
for the Student Government
Association and the Student
Body in the prosecution of
individuals and organizations
who are accused of misconduct
or Infractions of the Code of
Conduct before the Student
Supreme Court.