{"id":163,"date":"2010-02-19T23:07:07","date_gmt":"2010-02-20T04:07:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/life\/?page_id=163"},"modified":"2014-10-15T09:45:46","modified_gmt":"2014-10-15T14:45:46","slug":"constitution-and-by-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/students\/student-government\/constitution-and-by-laws\/","title":{"rendered":"Constitution and By-Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"

Southern Arkansas University
\n<\/strong>Student Government Association<\/strong><\/p>\n

In order to establish the Student Government Association (SGA) as a link between the students and administration, to provide for powers and limitations of this governing body, the students of Southern Arkansas University establish this constitution of the student government association.<\/p>\n

ARTICLE I: Name and Membership<\/strong><\/p>\n

Section 1:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The name of this organization shall be known as the Student Government Association of Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia of herein be referred to as SGA.<\/p>\n

Section 2:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All enrolled students shall be members of the Student Government Association.<\/p>\n

Section 3:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All clubs and organizations of SAU except residence halls, social fraternities, and sororities are governed by the authority of SGA and within the scope of the University.\u00a0 Thus, their constitutions shall not violate SGA\u2019s or the University\u2019s policies.\u00a0 If the section of the organization\u2019s constitution conflicts with the SGA Constitution only the section in conflict will be ruled unconstitutional.<\/p>\n

ARTICLE II: Purpose<\/strong><\/p>\n

Section 1:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The purpose of this organization shall be to represent the voice and opinion of the students in all university matters and to perform the duties as prescribed either by the student body or University.<\/p>\n

ARTICLE III: Division of Power<\/strong><\/p>\n

Section 1:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The governing body of SGA shall be the student senate and shall consist of the legislative, judicial, and the executive branches.<\/p>\n

ARTICLE IV: The Legislative Branch<\/strong><\/p>\n

Section 1:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Membership<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Each of the four undergraduate colleges: Business, Education, Liberal and Performing Arts, and Science and Technology shall be allowed three (3) seats in the senate. Also, the School of Graduate Studies will be allowed two (2) seats in the senate.<\/li>\n
  2. Senators shall be classified according to his\/her representative college of study. In the event a Senator be a double major, he\/she should be classified by his\/her first declared major.<\/li>\n
  3. Undeclared majors will be allowed two (2) senators.<\/li>\n
  4. Freshmen will be allowed two (2) senators<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Section 2: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Requirements for Senators: All Senators and Associate Justices must be in good standing with the university prior to and during their time of service.<\/p>\n

    Section 3:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Method of Election<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. The method of election for the Legislative Branch shall be defined by the Student Government Association\u2019s election regulations.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Section 4:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Responsibilities and Duties of the Legislative Branch<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Senators shall have the power to extend recognition and representation to any organization under its jurisdiction when that organization\u2019s constitution receives a majority vote of acceptance by the senate.<\/li>\n
      2. Senate shall also have power to temporarily suspend the recognition of any organization under its jurisdiction because of violation of, provisions of, its, the SGA constitutions or the University\u2019s Policy.\u00a0 Final suspension or discontinuation of an organization can b only made after the SGA senators vote in affirmation to suspend the organization.\u00a0 The vote must be a 2\/3rds vote.<\/li>\n
      3. The senate shall have those general legislative powers that are necessary and proper for the continuance of the SGA.<\/li>\n
      4. The senate shall have the power to set up permanent and temporary committees from within the SGA.<\/li>\n
      5. The Senate shall have implied powers that are not given to the executive council and that are not herein listed in the following constitutions. As long as it does not violate any university policies or any rules of order.<\/li>\n
      6. The senators shall vote on all bills that are brought before the senate.\n
          \n
        1. To be ratified, all bills must receive a majority of votes from a quorum of senators.<\/li>\n
        2. Bills may be brought before the senate by senators, senate committees, or the SGA President.<\/li>\n
        3. The senate may override president\u2019s vetoes with a 4\/5 vote of the entire senate.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          ARTICLE V: The Executive Branch<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Section 1:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The officers of SGA in rank order are: president, vice president, chief justice, and secretary\/treasurer.<\/p>\n

          Section 2:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Method of Election<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. The method of election for the Executive branch shall be defined by the Student Government Association\u2019s election regulations.<\/li>\n
          2. To be eligible for the above positions candidates must have served SGA for a minimum of two consecutive semesters.<\/li>\n
          3. A transition team shall be formed by the newly elected officers and the outgoing officers to all for a smooth transition of powers.<\/li>\n
          4. The elections shall be under the control of the Election Committee.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Section 3:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Terms of Office<\/p>\n

            The term of office shall be from the day of inauguration until the day of inauguration the following year.<\/p>\n

            Section 4:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Powers and Duties of the SGA Executive Branch<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. The powers and duties of the SGA President are:\n
                \n
              1. To preside over all meetings of the senate and to cast a tie breaking vote.<\/li>\n
              2. To be official representative of the SAU student body.<\/li>\n
              3. To give the student senate information concerning the state of the campus.<\/li>\n
              4. To execute the rules enacted by the senate.<\/li>\n
              5. To appoint administrative officers and senators to vacant positions with a 2\/3 approval of the senate.<\/li>\n
              6. To call special meetings of the senate or executive council.<\/li>\n
              7. To take charge in all situations where authority is not otherwise designated.<\/li>\n
              8. To assume all minor duties that are incident to the office.<\/li>\n
              9. To appoint members to university committees.<\/li>\n
              10. To grant pardons to senators for absences.<\/li>\n
              11. To chair the executive council<\/li>\n
              12. To appoint associate justices in the consultation with the Chief Justice with majority senate approval.<\/li>\n
              13. To veto bills approved by majority of the senate with stated reasons.<\/li>\n
              14. To enforce rulings of the SGA Court.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
              15. The Powers and duties of the SGA vice president are:\n
                  \n
                1. To execute duties and powers of the president in absences or vacancy.<\/li>\n
                2. To perform such duties as the SGA president prescribes.<\/li>\n
                3. To discharge all duties that are incident to the offices.<\/li>\n
                4. To oversee all appointed committee activities.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
                5. The powers of the SGA chief justice are:\n
                    \n
                  1. To maintain proper parliamentary procedure at senate meetings, following ROBERT\u2019S RULES OF ORDER, revised edition.<\/li>\n
                  2. To advise the SGA President on candidates for associate justices.<\/li>\n
                  3. To act as chairperson of the Traffic Appeals Court.<\/li>\n
                  4. To hold traffic court each week to hear students appeals.<\/li>\n
                  5. To perform other duties that are incident to the office.<\/li>\n
                  6. To oversee all SGA elections.<\/li>\n
                  7. To hear all organization grievances.<\/li>\n
                  8. To hear appeal of dismissed senators.<\/li>\n
                  9. To administer the oath of office to elected officers and senators.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
                  10. The powers of the SGA secretary\/treasurer are:\n
                      \n
                    1. To make public all SGA meetings.<\/li>\n
                    2. To preserve minutes of each meeting.<\/li>\n
                    3. To keep permanent records of all banking transactions.<\/li>\n
                    4. To serve as chairperson of the budget committee.<\/li>\n
                    5. To perform all duties incident to the office.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                      \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

                      ARTICLE VI: The Judicial Branch<\/strong><\/p>\n

                      \u00a0<\/strong>Section 1:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Membership of SGA Court<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      1. Chief Justice who is elected in the Spring elections in accordance with executive officers and senators rules.<\/li>\n
                      2. Associate Justices will be appointed by the president and confirmed by the senate.<\/li>\n
                      3. Associate Justices serve form a term of one year. Associate Justices may be reappointed.<\/li>\n
                      4. Associate Justices may be dismissed from duty with 4\/5 vote of the senate.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                        Section 2:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Responsibilities and Duties of the Judicial Branch<\/p>\n

                          \n
                        1. To hear all traffic appeals in a weekly traffic appeals court.<\/li>\n
                        2. To review all actions of the executive and legislative branch to determine unconstitutional misconduct.<\/li>\n
                        3. To hear all grievances of organizations and senators.<\/li>\n
                        4. To review all bills and resolutions to affirm they are in accordance with the SGA constitution.<\/li>\n
                        5. To add all ratified bills and amendments to the SGA constitution.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                          \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

                          ARTICLE VII: The Removal of Officers<\/strong><\/p>\n

                          Section 1:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Impeachment proceedings will be brought about only by a petition that is signed<\/p>\n

                          by 10% of the total student body association or 3\/4ths of the senate.<\/p>\n

                          Section 2:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The chief justice shall preside at the impeachment proceedings or the highest-<\/p>\n

                          ranking un-impeached officer. If executive branch is being impeached the<\/p>\n

                          senate shall elect a chairperson for the impeachment process by a majority vote.<\/p>\n

                          Section 3:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Amendment(s) must be published three (3) weeks before the election.<\/p>\n

                          Section 4:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 An amendment shall become effective immediately if passed by the student body.<\/p>\n

                          ARTICLE IX:\u00a0 Ratification<\/strong><\/p>\n

                          Section 1:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This constitution shall be ratified by a majority vote (50% + 1) by the student<\/p>\n

                          body.<\/p>\n

                          ARTICLE X: Committees<\/strong><\/p>\n

                          Section 1: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There shall be two (2) standing committees of the senate; the Budget and Finance Committee, and the Election Committee Each committee shall consist of one senator from each respective college and two justices, to be appointed by the President. The executive board reserves the right to initiate any other special committees at their discretion. Senators will also be appointed to various university ad hoc committees by the president.\u00a0 All final actions of any standing committees shall be subject to approval by the senate.<\/p>\n

                            \n
                          1. The duties of the Budget and Finance Committee:\n
                              \n
                            1. Submit a financial report to the senate.<\/li>\n
                            2. See that money is handled as it is prescribed by the senate.<\/li>\n
                            3. Other duties inscribed to the committee or assigned by the executive board.<\/li>\n
                            4. The duties of the Election Committee:\n
                                \n
                              1. Make sure that all ballots are correct and printed.<\/li>\n
                              2. Secure list of all currently enrolled students.<\/li>\n
                              3. Secure voting area manpower to work voting booth.<\/li>\n
                              4. Set up debates if necessary.<\/li>\n
                              5. Give powers that are not written in this constitution that insure that the elections are run correctly<\/li>\n
                              6. To inform the Bray of all activities.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                 <\/p>\n

                                \u00a0<\/strong>Southern Arkansas University
                                \n<\/strong>Student Government Association
                                \n<\/strong>By-Laws<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                ARTICLE I: Vacancies and Absences Policy<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                Section 1:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If a senate position becomes vacant during the academic year for any reason, the<\/p>\n

                                SGA president will appoint a replacement, from the appropriate representative<\/p>\n

                                group who will serve out the remaining term of the vacant position.\u00a0 The<\/p>\n

                                appointment must be confirmed by a 50% + 1 vote or simple majority.\u00a0\u00a0If at<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                anytime more than 33% of the Senate becomes vacant a special election<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                may be called by the SGA Senate.<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                Section 2:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Senators have one unexcused absence per semester. Excused absences include<\/p>\n

                                Illness, authorized school trip, and illness or death of immediate<\/p>\n

                                family members. The secretary\/treasurer must be notified in advance of any<\/p>\n

                                excused absences. Any senator missing two or more meetings per semester<\/p>\n

                                excused or unexcused will be asked to resign from his\/her position unless a<\/p>\n

                                pardon is granted by the president.<\/p>\n

                                Section 3:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The president must publish a letter of pardon to every member of the senate<\/p>\n

                                before the meeting when the pardon will take place.<\/p>\n

                                \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                \u00a0<\/strong>ARTICLE II:\u00a0 Meetings<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                Section 1:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To conduct business a quorum of senators must present. A quorum is defined as 50% +1<\/p>\n

                                Section 2:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Senate will meet at least twice during the months of September, October, November, February, and April. At least one meeting will be held during the months of December, January, March, May and August.<\/p>\n

                                Section 3:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Emergency Meetings may occur upon proper notification of all senators within 24 hours of the meeting time, provided that a quorum is present.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                Southern Arkansas University Student Government Association In order to establish the Student Government Association (SGA) as a link between the students and administration, to provide for powers and limitations of this governing body, the students of Southern Arkansas University establish this constitution of the student government association. ARTICLE I: Name and Membership Section 1:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The… Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":157,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-163","page","type-page","status-publish","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/163","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=163"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/163\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/157"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=163"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}