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The Constitution of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Student Government Association |
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PREAMBLE
We, the students of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, in order to form a more representative, unifying and responsive government; to provide channels among and between the University Community and the Indiana Borough Community; to enhance the welfare and common interest of the students and the University; do hereby ordain and establish this constitution and government of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Student Government Association.
ARTICLE I: NAME AND SOURCE OF POWER
The name of this organization shall be the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Student Government Association, hereafter referred to as SGA. All powers set forth in this constitution are delegated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through the creation of the State System of Higher Education Act 1982-188, by the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and by the student body of the said institution.
ARTICLE II: GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
All students regardless of race, color, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, handicap, or sexual orientation shall be considered eligible members of SGA. There shall be no financial obligation for membership in SGA.
Section 1: MEMBERSHIP OF THE SGA
A. The membership of the SGA shall consist of the number of Senators as defined in the University Senate Constitution and Bylaws. All Senators shall meet the qualifications prescribed in this constitution and the University Senate Constitution and Bylaws.
1. One (1) Resident Senator from each Residence Hall, elected by the members of each Resident Hall in the first two weeks of the Fall Semester. No two (2) Resident Senators may reside in the same residence hall.
2. Twelve (12) College Senators will be undergraduate students whose majors are in one of the six (6) colleges. A College Senator can only represent one (1) college despite a second major in another college. a. Two (2) College Senators will be from the Eberly College of Business and Information Technology. b. Two (2) College Senators will be from the College of Education and Educational Technology. c. Two (2) College Senators will be from the College of Fine Arts. d. Two (2) College Senators will be from the College of Health and Human Services. e. Two (2) College Senators will be from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. f. Two (2) College Senators will be from the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. 3. Remaining seats will be At-Large Senators from the IUP undergraduate population. This number will change, depending on the number of remaining seats in the Senate.
B. A person holding the office of senator must be and remain a full-time or part-time undergraduate student enrolled at Indiana University of Pennsylvania during his/her term of office.
C. All Senators shall: 1. Attend all meetings of the University Senate, the Assembly, and all assigned University Senate and SGA joint committees that require their presence. 2. Be responsible to a University Senate committee and may be assigned to a SGA committee. 3. Have the right to vote on matters concerning the SGA Senate and the Assembly unless stated otherwise. 4. Be responsible for any other duties prescribed in the SGA Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 3: MEMBERS OF THE SGA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A. The membership of the SGA House of Representatives shall consist of the following: 1. At least one (1) representative from each recognized student organization. 2. Students elected to the Senate who cannot complete membership requirements, and wish to remain active in the SGA. 3. Any student wishing to be active in the SGA and approved by two-thirds (2/3) membership.
B. A person holding the office of Representative must be and remain a full or part-time student enrolled at Indiana University of Pennsylvania during his/her term.
C. All representatives shall: 1. Attend all meetings of the Assembly and their assigned committees that require their presence. 2. Serve on at least one (1) SGA committee. 3. Have the right to vote on matters concerning the SGA House and the Assembly unless stated otherwise. 4. Be responsible for any other duties prescribed in the SGA Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 4: RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF THE ASSEMBLY
A. The Assembly shall have the rights, privileges, and duties set forth by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Act 1982-188 as the recognized student governing body of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
B. The Assembly shall have the power to form committees to carry out its business.
C. The Assembly shall have the power to override any veto of the SGA President by a two-thirds (2/3) vote.
D. The Assembly shall have the authority to regulate, administer, and validate all student elections.
E. The Assembly, its members, and its meetings shall be subject to the governing rules in the SGA Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 5: MEETINGS OF THE SGA
A. The first Assembly meeting for each semester shall be called and convened no later than the third Monday of September or the first Monday of February, whichever may apply.
B. At the final meeting of the semester, the Assembly shall approve a schedule of meetings for the following semester with the following stipulations: 1. The SGA shall have meetings at least bi-monthly. 2. This schedule must be approved by a majority vote of the SGA.
C. Special meetings of the Assembly may be called by the SGA President or by a majority vote of the assembly.
Section 6: ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR SENATORS
A. All Senators are required to attend all activities of the Assembly and the University Senate that require their presence except those held in the week before and during finals. These activities include: 1. All meetings of the SGA and whenever applicable, the Senator’s assigned SGA committee. 2. All meetings of the University Senate and the Senator’s assigned committee. 3. One office hour per week. 4. Any other activity as agreed upon by a majority vote of the SGA.
B. Any Senator may be temporarily excused from items one, three, and four, of the previous letter (A) by an individual hearing by the Rules Committee. 1. The Rules Committee, at its discretion, will assign another activity(s) that will substitute for these requirements per individual case. 2. A listing of temporarily excused members will be submitted to the secretary by the Rules Committee Chairperson to exempt them from Assembly quorum.
Section 7: ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR REPRESENTATIVES
A. All Representatives are required to attend all activities of the Assembly except those held in the week before and during finals. These activities include: 1. All meetings of the Assembly. 2. All meetings of the Representative’s assigned committees. 3. One office hour per week. 4. Any other activity as agreed upon by a majority vote of the Assembly.
B. Any Senator may be temporarily excused from items one through four (1-4) of the previous letter (A) by an individual hearing by the SGA Rules Committee. 1. The Rules Committee, at its discretion, will assign another activity(s) that will substitute for these requirements per individual case. 2. A listing of temporarily excused members will be submitted to the secretary by the Rules Committee Chairperson to exempt them from Assembly quorum.
Section 8: VACANCIES IN THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
A. In the event of a vacancy of a seat(s) in either house of the Assembly: 1. The Executive Board shall nominate students to fill the vacant seat(s) in the Assembly. 2. The term of office for these nominees shall be for the remainder of the term the original member had left to serve. 3. The nominees shall assume their seats upon confirmation by a majority vote of the Assembly. B. The nomination process to fill vacant seats shall be confirmed by a majority vote of the Assembly.
Section 9: BRANCH CAMPUS MEMBERSHIP
A. All At-Large and College Senators of the SGA shall be elected in a university-wide election each spring semester. The term of office for At-Large and College Senators shall be one year beginning at the end of the last scheduled SGA meeting of the previous session with the following exceptions and provisions: 1. A voting honorary membership for the President or designee of both Armstrong County SC and Punxsutawney SC during SGA meetings, but not University Senate meetings.
Section 10: NON-SGA SENATORS
B. In the event that seats in the Senate exist which the SGA cannot fill, the SGA shall call for and accept nominations for individual full time or part time students to serve as non-SGA Senators. C. In all cases, non-SGA senators must submit a petition for the seat, and be approved by a majority vote of the SGA. D. Non-SGA Senators must attend one (1) regular SGA meeting per calendar month. E. Non-SGA Senators will not have voting rights on SGA business, but will have regular voting rights in the Senate.
ARTICLE III: EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1: MEMBERSHIP
A. The Executive Board shall be comprised of the SGA President, Vice President, Rules Committee Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, University Senate Vice-Chairperson and all committee chairpersons.
B. The Student Trustee shall serve as an ex-officio member.
C. The Vice President of the RHA or his/her designee shall serve as an ex-officio member.
D. The Executive Board shall be chaired by the SGA President.
E. The Executive Board shall have at least one (1) meeting prior to each SGA meeting.
Section 2: DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
A. Shall administer SGA.
B. Shall finalize the agenda for each meeting of the SGA.
C. Shall perform any other activity as directed by the SGA President or prescribed in the SGA Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 3: QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS
A. PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT 1. Shall have completed at least one (1) semester in SGA before assuming their offices. 2. Shall be enrolled as full-time undergraduate students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania during their terms of office and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.25. 3. Shall remain in good judicial standing as defined by the university before assuming office and shall remain throughout their elected term. 4. Shall not interrupt their terms with activities that will hinder completion of their duties or responsibilities. This includes but is not limited to internships, student teaching, and graduation. Further, if the President or Vice President is involved in activities that will interrupt their terms, they must submit their resignation from office or resign from the conflicting activity. The SGA will determine if the activity warrants resignation.
B. RULES COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON Shall meet all the qualifications of the SGA President and Vice President.
C. SECRETARY AND TREASURER 1. Shall be enrolled as students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and remain in good academic standing as defined by the University. 2. Shall be members of SGA 3. Shall have completed at least two-thirds (2/3) of a semester in SGA before assuming their office. 4. Shall not serve as members of the Rules Committee.
Section 4: RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
A. PRESIDENT 1. Shall represent the student body of Indiana University of Pennsylvania 2. Shall preside over all meetings of the SGA. 3. Shall serve as Chairperson of the Executive Board. 4. Shall serve as a member of the University Senate, but shall not hold an executive office within the University Senate. 5. Shall see that all resolutions of the SGA are carried out. 6. Shall have the power to veto any bill passed by the SGA. a. If the President chooses to veto, he/she must notify the SGA prior to the next meeting. b. If by seven (7) days the President does not sign the bill, it automatically becomes a resolution of the SGA. 7. Shall, by virtue of office, elect to serve as an appointee on any position appointed by SGA and he/she is an official representative of SGA on any committee, board, body, and/or council to which SGA has the right to appoint representatives. 8. Shall work cooperatively with the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) President. 9. Shall nominate, with the SGA Vice President, all appointed SGA officers and positions to the SGA. 10. Shall report at each SGA meeting on the activities he/she participated in. 11. Shall make his/her schedule available each month to the SGA. 12. Shall serve as Treasurer in the absence of the SGA Treasurer until such time as the SGA elects from its membership a student to fill this vacancy. 13. Shall not vote on SGA business, but shall, in the vice-president's absence, cast the deciding vote in an event of a tie within the SGA.
B. VICE PRESIDENT 1. Shall preside over all meetings of the SGA in the absence of the President. 2. Shall appoint members of the SGA to University Senate and SGA committees consistent with the guidelines for appointments to said committees as prescribed in the SGA Bylaws, Article II, Section 1, Sub-section D. 3. Shall assist the President with the execution of his/her duties. 4. Shall serve as a member of the University Senate. 5. Shall not vote on SGA business, but shall, in the event of a tie vote within the SGA, cast the deciding vote. 6. Shall nominate, with the SGA President, all appointed SGA officers and positions to the SGA. 7. Shall supervise each SGA committee, including ad-hoc committees, by communicating directly with the respective committee chairs.
C. RULES COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON 1. Shall preside over all meetings of the SGA in the absence of the President and Vice President. 2. Shall be responsible for handling suspensions and expulsions from the SGA as prescribed under Article IV of this Constitution. 3. Shall be versed in parliamentary procedure and shall use Robert’s Rules of Order as the basis for any decision made regarding parliamentary procedure. 4. Shall intervene and correct, whenever necessary, during all discussion of the SGA. 5. Shall, in conjunction with the Rules Committee, review and approve organization constitutions as stated in the “Guidelines for Recognizing Organizations” and endorse or reject organization constitutions on behalf of SGA.
D. SECRETARY 1. Shall preside over all meetings of the SGA in the absence of the President, Vice President, and Rules Committee Chairman. 2. Shall record all excuses into and maintain an accurate record of attendance of all members of the SGA for all activities that require their presence. 3. Shall take minutes of all SGA meetings and deliver the minutes to the SGA membership in a timely fashion. 4. Shall take minutes of all Executive Board meetings. 5. Shall compile all substantial information concerning SGA and all of its committees, so that future assemblies may use it as guidance in decision making
E. TREASURER 1. Shall preside over all meetings of the SGA in the absence of the President, Vice President, Rules Committee Chairman, and Secretary. 2. Shall be responsible for the proper handling of all funds entrusted to SGA. 3. Shall approve all expenditures of SGA funds. 4. Shall give a report at each meeting of SGA on expenditures and income. 5. Shall prepare an annual budget of all funds entrusted to the SGA for review by the Executive Board and approval by the SGA. 6. Shall serve as a member of the Co-op finance committee.
Section 5: ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
A. The SGA President and Vice President shall be elected in a campus-wide general election in the spring semester of each academic year.
B. Each candidate must meet the qualifications of the offices of the President and Vice President as stated in this Constitution.
C. The SGA President and Vice President shall be elected together as ticketed candidates by a plurality vote in a campus wide election.
D. Each candidate must meet with the current President, Vice President, and Rules Chair to review duties and responsibilities before declaring candidacy.
E. Each potential ticket (President and Vice President) must obtain 200 signatures collectively from current IUP undergraduate students.
Section 6: ELECTIONS OF THE RULES COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON, SECRETARY, AND TREASURER
A. At the end of the spring semester, the SGA shall elect from its qualified membership the Rules Committee Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer.
B. The winner of each election shall be determined by a majority vote of the SGA.
Section 7: APPOINTED OFFICERS AND POSITIONS
A. All appointed SGA officers and positions shall be nominated by an SGA member and seconded.
Section 8: TERMS OF OFFICE
A. The President’s, Vice-President’s, Rules Committee Chairperson’s, Secretary’s, and Treasurer’s terms shall be for one year beginning at the end of the last meeting of the prior SGA at which they were elected.
B. Appointed officer’s terms shall be for the length of the appointment beginning at the end of the meeting they were confirmed by the SGA.
Section 9: VACANCIES IN OFFICE
A. PRESIDENT 1. The Vice President shall assume the office of the President in the event the President leaves office. 2. If the Vice President declines the office of the President, or is unable to assume the office of the President, the line of succession shall be as follows: Rules Committee Chairperson of SGA Secretary of SGA Treasurer of SGA 3. If the line of succession is exhausted, the President shall be elected from the SGA by a majority vote of the SGA membership. 4. In all cases, the new President must meet the qualifications of the office of the president.
B. VICE PRESIDENT The SGA will conduct an election at their next general assembly meeting to replace the outgoing vice president. In all cases, the new Vice President must meet the qualifications of the office of the vice president.
C. RULES COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON, SECREATARY, AND TREASURER The SGA shall conduct an election at their next general assembly meeting to replace the outgoing officer. In all cases, the new officer must meet the qualifications for that office as prescribed in this Constitution.
D. APPOINTED OFFICERS Any member shall nominate a member of the SGA to fill this vacancy for confirmation upon a majority vote of the SGA.
ARTICLE IV: SUSPENSION, EXPULSION, AND IMPEACHMENT
Section 1: SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION
A. Suspension begins immediately following the meeting at which it was announced by the Rules Committee Chairperson and entails the loss of voting right both on the floor of the SGA, the University Senate and in all committees.
B. Any member of the SGA who is unexcused from two (2) consecutive or any three (3) roll-calls shall be suspended from the SGA.
C. Any member of the SGA who is unexcused or not exempted from two (2) consecutive meetings of their assigned committee(s) shall be suspended from said committee and the SGA.
D. Any member of the SGA who is unexcused or not exempted from two (2) consecutive or any three (3) office hours shall be suspended from the SGA.
E. Any member of the SGA that fails to meet any other requirement of office shall be suspended.
F. Any member of the SGA who fails to meet the eligibility requirements of his/her office at any time during his/her term is subject to expulsion.
G. A member of the SGA shall be advised of his/her suspension through a written or electronic letter from the Rules Committee Chairperson. He/she will then have ten (10) calendar days in which to justify his/her absences. Failure to justify these absences will result in an automatic expulsion from SGA. The chairperson shall determine if the suspension shall be lifted or shall refer the member to the Rules Committee for expulsion.
H. Each member of SGA will be allowed three (3) excused absences from meetings that require their presence during each semester. An excuse must be submitted to the Secretary, in writing or through electronic mail, prior to the beginning of the meeting. All excuses are subject to the approval of the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee will determine in which cases considerations should be made for excusing members' extended absences.
I. Any member who is expelled has the right to appeal through the Executive Board. Any member, who is expelled and disagrees with the outcome of their appeal to the Executive Board, may appeal to the IUP Recognized Organization Review Board.
Section 2: IMPEACHMENT FROM THE SGA
A. Any member of the SGA shall have the right to initiate impeachment proceedings against any officer, , senator, advisor, or presidential appointee of SGA.
B. Any member of the SGA shall have the right to present an impeachment claim in the form of a motion before the SGA.
C. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the SGA shall be needed to send the impeachment claim(s) to the SGA Rules Committee.
D. The SGA Rules Committee shall conduct an investigation into the claim(s) brought forth by the SGA. 1. If the claim(s) of impeachment are justified by the Rules Committee, then this statement shall subsequently be announced to the SGA. 2. If the claim(s) of impeachment are not justified, the Rules Committee Chairperson shall announce to the SGA that the findings do not substantiate the claim(s) and the motion for impeachment fails. a A two-thirds (2/3) votes reinstates the original claim(s) of impeachment. b At its next meeting, a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the SGA removes the said individual from his/her office or seat.
E. Any member who is impeached and removed from the SGA has the right to appeal through the Executive Board. Any member, who is impeached and removed from the SGA and disagrees with the outcome of their appeal to the Executive Board, may appeal to the IUP Recognized Organization Review Board.
ARTICLE V: ADVISOR
The SGA, by a majority vote, shall elect an advisor(s), from the faculty, and/or administrative segments of the University. The advisor shall serve as an advocate for SGA and shall ensure that all business and procedures of the SGA meet all University standards and/or policies.
ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS
A. Any member of the SGA shall have right to propose amendments to this constitution.
B. Amendments to this Constitution shall have two readings at two consecutive meetings of the Assembly. Upon the second reading, the SGA shall, by two-thirds (2/3) vote of quorum present, add the amendments to the Constitution. The SGA President does not have the authority to veto amendments to the Constitution.
C. All amendments shall meet the standards outlined in the "Guidelines for Recognizing Student Organizations.”
ARTICLE VII: RATIFICATION This constitution shall be ratified upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Student Government Association.
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