SGA Constitution
CONSTITUTION OF THE JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION Preamble We, the students of Jacksonville State University, in order to take a responsible part in the decision making processes of the university at large and in fulfillment of the right to participate in the governance of the University, and in recognition of the responsibilities inherent in such a right, do hereby set forth this Constitution of the Jacksonville State University Student Government Association. Furthermore, let it be known that the right to representation and participation in this government and its activities shall in no way be denied or restricted on the basis of field of study, group affiliation, religion, race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or handicap. By the authority granted to us by the Board of Trustees and University President, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the students of Jacksonville State University. Article I Name of Organization This government shall be known as the Jacksonville State University Student Government Association, hereafter referred to as the SGA. Article II Declaration of Purpose The purpose of the SGA shall be: To protect and defend the rights and responsibilities of the University to the students and the students to the University. To represent and provide a sound democratic student government, to promote student interests in the decision-making processes of Jacksonville State University, and to foster a spirit of unity among students. To present views and strive towards a better understanding between administration, faculty, and students. To fulfill, to the best of our ability, the wants and needs of the entire student body. To develop, coordinate, and execute activities and services for the benefit of the students. To facilitate due process in an attempt to advance the academic and social standards of the University and awareness of the responsibilities inherent with membership in the University community and provide input for judicial procedures. To provide the students with the means to vote for their representative officials through general elections. To cultivate and maintain leadership among the students. Article III Membership and Benefits Section 1. All registered students at Jacksonville State University are, upon enrollment, members of this organization. All members of this organization shall be subject to rules and regulations established herein and hereafter by this organization. Section 2. Members shall have the right to vote in all elections held by the SGA. Section 3. Members shall have the right to participate in all activities sponsored by the SGA. Article IV General Organization The SGA shall be composed of four branches: Executive, Legislative, Judicial, and Student Activities. Article V The Executive Branch Section 1. All Executive power shall be vested in the Student Executive Board, which shall consist of the President, the Vice-President of Student Senate, the Vice-President of Student Activities, the Chief Justice, the Vice-President of Organizational Affairs, and the Director of Publicity. Section 2. The student Executive Board shall also consist of non-voting members, such as the Executive Assistants appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate, and other positions created by the President, with the consent of the Senate and the University Director of Student Activities. Section 3. The Student Executive Board shall carry out the intent of this Constitution, the Code of Laws, and resolutions adopted pursuant thereto. Section 4. The SGA President shall be elected by a majority vote of the student body at a general election under the qualifications as described by statute. The SGA President shall have the following powers and duties: To serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the SGA. To serve as the presiding and managing officer of the Executive Branch. To serve as an ex-officio member of or send a representative to all committees and divisions of the Executive Branch. To submit to the Student Senate for approval the proposed budget for the following year. To recommend students to serve on University, Faculty, and Senate committees. To appoint members to the Student Judiciary Council and fill vacancies on the council with the consent of two-thirds of the Executive Board and the Student Senate. To appoint a Presidential Cabinet for advisement at his/her discretion. To appoint executive assistants to aid in the performance of executive duties as needed. To remove from office, with approval of the Senate, any executive officer which he/she has appointed. To call and chair meetings of the Student Executive Board, Student Body, Student Senate, Student Activities Council, Organizations Council, or Joint Legislative Sessions of any of the aforementioned. To form temporary executive committees when necessary to investigate problems in the executive level. To meet regularly with the University President, Student Affairs staff, and faculty. To maintain an active seat on the Presidents Council of Student Government Presidents across Alabama. To serve as an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees in accordance with the Executive Order Number 23 from the Governor of the State of Alabama issued from October 29, 1971. To review all Student Senate resolutions and proposals with the option of signing the resolution, withholding his/her signature, or vetoing the resolution in whole or in part. To address the Student Senate not less than twice each semester as prescribed by statute. To request interpretation of the Constitution or the Code of Laws by the Student Judiciary Council. Section 5. The SGA Vice President of Student Senate shall serve as the president for the Student Senate and shall be elected by a majority of the student body voting at a general election under the qualifications as prescribed by statute. The SGA Vice President of Student Senate shall have the following powers and duties: To recommend for approval, as described by law, officers such as the President Pro-Tempore, Secretary, and Parliamentarian for the Student Senate whose duties are prescribed by statute. To recommend to the Student Senate for approval an Elections Clerk who is not a Senator whose duties are prescribed by statute. To appoint Senators to fill vacancies that may arise during the course of his/her term in office, provided that such appointments are confirmed by a majority approval of the Student Senate. To call and preside over meetings of the Student Senate and to cast a vote only in order to break a tie. To assume responsibility for execution of Senate procedure as outlined by statute. To appoint with approval of the Student Senate, chairpersons to each Senate standing committee, and ensure that each Senator, with the exception of Senate committee chairpersons, is an active member of not less than two standing committees. To follow up on the intent of the Senate legislation and policy concern by meeting with university officials as deemed necessary. To attend Student Executive Board meetings as called by the President. To perform such duties as the President might request of him/her. To execute the powers and duties of the SGA President in the event that office becomes vacant. To organize a training session yearly for Student Senators and Committee Chairpersons. Section 6. The SGA Vice President of Student Activities shall serve as President of the Student Activities Council and shall be elected by a majority vote of the student body at a general election under the qualifications prescribed by statute. The SGA Vice President of Student Activities shall have the following powers and duties: To appoint Student Activities chairpersons in conjunction with the consent of the Student Senate. To call and preside over the meetings of the Student Activities Council. To organize a training session for the Student Activities chairpersons. To present a budget request to the President for implementation in the SGA. To assume responsibility for all student activities sponsored by the SGA. To attend Student Executive Board meetings as called by the President. To assume responsibility for all Student Activities Council procedures. To meet regularly with Student Affairs staff designed to work with the SGA and any other University officials when necessary to coordinate activities. Section 7. The SGA Vice President of Organizational Affairs shall be elected by a majority vote of the student body at a general election under the qualifications as described by statute. The SGA Vice President of Organizational Affairs shall have the following powers and duties: To maintain accurate records of budget expenditures and to ensure compliance with the approved annual budget. To present a weekly report to the Student Executive Board on the status of Student Government accounts. To present a monthly report to the Senate on the status of Student Government accounts, as prescribed by status. To ensure that all purchase requests are processed in a timely manner. To attend all Student Executive Board meetings as called by the President. To attend all Appropriations Committee meetings and insure that all allocation regulations are in compliance. To appoint an Allocations Chairperson with the majority consent of the Student Senate. To maintain an official record of recognized student organizations. To work in accordance with the Office of Student Activities, which is responsible for all relations with University recognized organizations. To assume all responsibility for all procedures of the Organizational Council. To call and preside over the meetings of the Organizational Council. To coordinate and review all bills and resolutions which come from the Organizational Council for Student Senate review. To coordinate all news articles, announcements, and advertisements from the Organizational Council for publication in the Jacksonville State University newspaper, The Chanticleer. To report all news announcements, events, and advertisements to the Director of Publicity for inclusion on the SGA Calendar. To advise the SGA Vice President of the Student Senate on all matters University recognized organizations. To perform such duties as the SGA President might request of him/her. Section 8. The Chief Justice shall be one of the sitting Justices, elected by the current Student Judiciary Council following the Spring Elections as prescribed by statue. The Chief Justice shall have the following powers and duties: To call and preside over meetings of the student Judiciary Council in accordance with the Code of Laws. To attend Student Executive Board meetings as called by the President and make any reports as deemed necessary. To swear in the newly elected student Senators at a time designated by statute. To swear in Justices as they are appointed to serve on the Student Judiciary Council. To be knowledgeable of the Constitution and the Code of Laws, and the cases heard, and decisions and interpretations rendered by the Student Judiciary Council. To be knowledgeable of the original intent of the writers on this Constitution and the Code of Laws. Section 9. The Director of Publicity shall be appointed by the President and subject to Senate confirmation following the Spring Elections as prescribed by statute. The Director of Publicity shall have the following powers and duties: To coordinate publicity for the SGA. To design all printed materials, place all advertisements, and oversee all publicity for the SGA. To work along with other members of the Executive Board and S.A.C. Committee Chairpersons to develop publicity campaigns for programs and events. He/she shall not be a member of any Student Activities Council Committee. Article VI Legislative Branch Section 1. All legislative power shall be vested in the Student Senate. Section 2. The Student Senate shall consist of elected members known as Senators. Section 3. The Vice-President of Student Senate shall be a member of the Senate and shall serve as the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall recommend to the Senate, for approval by majority vote, a Senator to serve as President Pro-Tempore. Section 4. The selection of other officers and their duties shall be by statute. Section 5. The Student Senate shall act in accordance with the process established by statute. Section 6. A Presidential veto may be overridden by a two-thirds majority of the Student Senate. Article VII Student Activities Council Section 1. The Student Activities Council shall be established to provide and coordinate student entertainment, activities, and programming. Section 2. It shall be composed of student chairpersons who shall be selected in a manner prescribed by statute. Section 3. The Vice-President of Student Activities shall be President of the Student Activities Council. Section 4. The Student Activities Council shall act in accordance with the process established by statute. Article VIII Student Judiciary Council Section 1. All judicial powers of the SGA shall be vested in the Student Judiciary Council. Section 2. The Student Judiciary Council shall be made up of members called Justices. There shall be nine justices. The Justices shall be selected by the President of the SGA according to statute and with the consent of a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board and the Student Senate. Section 3. The Student Judiciary Council shall have the following powers: To have sole jurisdiction in all cases involving the interpretation of this Constitution or the Code of Laws. To hear all cases involving the violation of this Constitution or the Code of Laws. To render within one week, upon written request, a written interpretation of any part of this Constitution or the Code of Laws. To issue writ of mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, or any other writ necessary and proper to the complete exercise of its jurisdiction. Section 4. The power of the Student Judiciary Council shall extend to all persons and organizations under the jurisdiction of this Constitution, as defined by statute. Section 5. The Student Judiciary Council shall conduct its meetings in accordance with its Rules of Procedure as defined by statute and in accordance with established precedents. Article IX General Provisions Section 1. The Student Senate, Student Judiciary Council, and Student Activities Council shall meet in joint session at the call of the SGA President at least once each semester to discuss matters of mutual concern and shall have power to present bills to the Senate and other such posers as granted by statute. Section 2. There shall be a council of student organizations, to be known as the Organizations Council. This council shall include the presidents, or such person as shall be appointed, of every student organization recognized by the Senate. The Council shall have the power to present bills to the Senate and other such powers as granted by statute. Section 3. Every person, elected or appointed, and every organization under the jurisdiction of this Constitution shall meet and maintain all qualifications as prescribed by statute. Section 4. Quorum, as defined by statute, must be determined before any action may be taken by any branch or agency of the SGA. Section 5. Elections shall be held in a fair and timely manner as prescribed by statute. Section 6. All meetings shall be conducted with decorum and in accordance with such rules of order as shall be established by statute, insofar as these rules do not conflict with this Constitution. Section 7. Any holder of any office created by this Constitution or the Code of Laws may be removed for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance while in office by the Student Judiciary Council or by such method as provided by statute. The senate shall have appellate jurisdiction as provided in the Code of Laws. Section 8. The SGA President shall be succeeded by the Vice President of Student Senate, and if that office is simultaneously vacant, by the Vice President of Student Activities. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Vice President of Student Senate, the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate shall exercise the duties of this office until a special election can be held. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Vice President of Student Activities, the President shall appoint a temporary replacement from the Student Activities Council until a special election can be held. Any other vacancy shall be filled as provided by statute. Section 9. An amendment to the Constitution may be proposed by two-thirds vote of the Senate, by a Joint Session, by the Organizations Council, or by a petition bearing the signatures of five percent of the full-time student body. A proposed amendment must receive a majority of the votes cast at a student referendum to become effective. Proposed amendments must be prominently displayed, in accordance with the Code of Laws. 12-15-04 Next page: SGA Code of Laws

[Webmaster]