Bu lacan State University-Student Government Constitution and By-Laws

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

PREAMBLE

We, the students of Bulacan State University, seeking the aid of our Lord Almighty, in order to
build a conducive learning environment, protect our right to quality education, promote our welfare,
assist in superintending the performance of each students obligations, enhance the God -given gifts
and potentials, and provide opportunities that will embolden our participation in education, social political affairs, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution and By-Laws.

ARTICLE I
Students Rights
SECTION 1. All students shall have the right to receive competent instruction and high quality
education in line with national goals and conducive to full development as persons with dignity.
SECTION 2. All students shall have the right to choose their field of study and subjects to
continue their course therein up to graduation except in case of academic deficiency or violation of
disciplinary regulations of the University.
SECTION 3. The right to school guidance and counseling services for making decisions and
selecting the alternatives of work suited to their potentialities shall be recognized.
SECTION 4. The right to access to their own school records shall not be abridged. The
confidentiality of the same shall be preserved and maintained by the University.
SECTION 5. The freedom of expression, speech and press, and the right of the students
peaceably to assemble and petition the administration for redress of grievances and far other purposes
not contrary to the University rules and to the laws of the land shall not be abridged.
SECTION 6. All students shall have the right to the issuance of official certificates, diplomas,
transcript of records, transfer credentials and other similar documents within 30 days from request
shall be recognized.
SECTION 7. The right to form, establish, join and participate in organizations and societies
recognized by the school to foster their intellectual, moral, cultural, spiritual and physical growth and
development, or to form, establish, join, or maintain organizations and societies for purposes not
contrary to law shall not be curtailed.
SECTION 8. The students shall have the right to participate in the formulation and development
of policies affecting the school in relation to the locality/region, and nation through representation in
the appropriate body/bodies of the school to be determined by the governing board. This right
includes electing their Student Government officers and their representative to the Board of Regents.
fees.

SECTION 9. The students shall have the right to be free from involuntary contributions and

SECTION 10. The right to access to education, as well as to a healthy and conducive learning
environment shall not be denied to students.
SECTION 11. All students shall have the right to be free from harassment, undue influence,
threat, intimidation and other forms of human rights violations.

ARTICLE II
Duties, Responsibilities and Privileges of Student Government Officers
and Members
SECTION 1. The primary task of the Student Government officers is to promote and defend the
rights and welfare of the students. They are also mandated to be the means where the potentials of the
students shall be discovered and developed.
SECTION 2. All Student Government officers and members are obliged to perform their
functions, duties and responsibilities inherent to their respective positions and status as enshrined in
this constitution and by-laws. They shall abide by the established university rules and regulations.
SECTION 3. Every member shall attend, participate and cooperate in all activities and meetings
of the Student Government.
SECTION 4. All Student Government officers and members must observe honesty and good
faith at all times.
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SECTION 5. The Student Government President, Vice President, Senators and ex-officio
Senators shall enjoy institutional scholarship which shall comprise of one hundred percent (100%),
seventy-five percent (75%), and fifty percent (50%) tuition fee reduction respectively.
The financial assistance of other Local Student Council officers shall be studied and
evaluated annually in consideration of the latters needs. The request for the same shall be submitted
to the administration through a resolution.

ARTICLE III
Date of Election, Term of Office and Party System
SECTION 1. The date of Elections shall be set not later than the 2 nd week of March. The
Commission on Student Elections, together with the representatives from the political parties, shall
promulgate an election code providing for the guidelines on the proper conduct of Student
Government elections.
SECTION 2. The list of elected officers shall be announced and proclaimed not later than three
days after the date of elections.
SECTION 3. The term of office of all officers shall start at twelve oclock noon of the 30 th day of
April and shall end on the same time and day the following year.
SECTION 4. The elected officers shall take the following oath or affirmation:
I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties and
functions as state your position, abide by its constitution and by-laws, defend and promote the rights
and welfare of the students, perform the duties and responsibilities inherent to my position, and be a
good servant-leader for the youth and for our country. So help me God.
SECTION 5. The Student Government electoral system shall adopt the two-party system but
coalitions or alliance of political parties shall be allowed.

ARTICLE IV
The Supreme Student Council (SSC)
SECTION 1. The Supreme Student Council shall be composed of the President, who shall
exercise executive functions, the Vice President, five Senators from the main campus and the Governors
from the Local Student Councils of each satellite campus who shall serve as ex-officio Senators, shall
constitute the legislative branch of the same.
SECTION 2. The Supreme Student Council shall exercise the following functions and powers:
2.1. formulate rules and regulations, such as resolutions and ordinances, that shall gove rn
the student body of Bulacan State University;
2.2. to draw up activities in the university-wide level that shall benefit its constituency;
2.3. pursue the rights and welfare of the student body by taking immediate action on
matters and pressing issues that directly affect the latter;
2.4. formulate and implement projects, such as financial aids and infrastructure
developments, that will respond to the needs of the students;
2.5. initiate consultation where the students can freely divulge their sentiments on several
student-related and other national issues;
provide.

2.6. perform other duties, powers and functions as this constitution and by-laws may

SECTION 3. The President of the Supreme Student Council shall be elected at-large and shall
be the official representative of the student body to the Board of Regents. He/she shall exercise the
following functions:
3.1. call upon the general assembly and act as the presiding officer;
3.2. oversee the performance of the Student Government;
3.3. Implement the ordinance of the Student Government;
3.4. refer urgent matters to the legislative branch, particularly to respective standing
committees, for deliberation and consideration;
3.5. act as the Chief Executive Officer of the Supreme Student Council;
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3.6. represent the Student Government in table negotiations, conventions and assemblies
of other organizations and sectoral groups and other affairs;
3.7. veto the ordinance or resolution passed by the Legislative Branch when he deems
necessary but shall indicate the reasons for his/her objection and send it back for reconsideration;
3.8. submit the approved resolution or ordinance to the university administration or to
the Board of Regents for final approval;
3.9. establish special committees and appoint the chairperson of the same.
SECTION 4. The Vice President of the Supreme Student Council shall be elected in the same
manner as the President and shall serve as the presiding officer of the Legislative Branch. He /she shall
also perform other functions:
4.1. perform the duties and responsibilities of the President during his/her absence;
4.2. submit to the President the resolution or ordinance which has been passed by the
Legislative Branch;
4.3. Ensure that the Legislative Branch conducts regular meetings;
4.4. assume the presidency in case the President is incapacitated or impeached;
may be.

4.5. shall cast the tie-breaking vote in every SSC Legislative Branch meeting as the case

SECTION 5. The Senators shall comprise the remaining seats in the Legislative Branch and shall
perform the following functions:
5.1. Head the standing committees in the council and perform the duties and
responsibilities inherent to the same;
5.2. Propose and author university-wide ordinance and resolutions;
5.3. Attend Legislative Branch meetings;
activities;

5.4. Support the President in the implementation of projects and effective management of
5.5. Perform other duties as the President may direct.

SECTION 6. The SG Majority floor leader shall be the Senator who came from the majority party
and shall be elected by its members. He/she shall act as the leader of the majority party in the Student
Government especially during the deliberations in the legislative branch and general assembly.
Further, he/she shall be the ex-officio chair of the committee on Rules and Procedures. He/she shall
also be an automatic member of all committees.
SECTION 7. The SG Minority Floor Leader shall be the Senator who came from the minority
party and shall be appointed by its members. He/she shall be the leader of the minority party especially
during the deliberations in the Legislative Branch and general assembly. He/she shall be an automatic
member of all committees.
SECTION 8. The five Senators from the main campus shall be elected by the students from the
same campus. The ex-officio Senators shall be elected in the manner provided by Section 4 of the
succeeding Article.

ARTICLE V
The Local Student Council (LSC)
SECTION 1. The Local Student Council shall govern its constituency in the college, institute
and satellite campus levels.
SECTION 2. Local Student Council shall be comprised of the Governor, who shall exercise the
executive functions, the Vice Governor and Board Members who shall constitute the Legislative
branch. In case of the composition of the LSC in the collegiate or institute level, the Board Members
shall come from different courses or programs. The Board Members of the LSC of the satellite campuses
shall come from the colleges, institutes or programs within the same. In the case of the Laboratory High
School, the Board Members shall emanate from its year levels.
SECTION 3. The powers, duties and responsibilities of the Local Student Council are as follows:
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3.1. Formulate resolutions and ordinances that shall govern its constituents provided that
is submitted to the Supreme Student Council for its approval;
3.2. To draw up activities in the local level that will promote and enhance the abi lities,
knowledge and potentials of students.
3.3. Implement projects and developments that will benefit its constituents;
will initiate;

3.4. Cooperate and participate in the university-wide activities and projects that the SSC

3.5. Serve as an agency of the Student Government in defending the rights and promoting
the welfare of the students in the grassroots level;
3.6. To perform other responsibilities as this constitution and by-laws may direct.
SECTION 4. The Governor shall be elected by the students in the entire college, institute or
satellite campus and shall perform the following functions:
4.1. Call regular LSC meetings for the furtherance of its programs and projects;
4.2. Superintend the operations of the LSC;
4.3. Implement the ordinances and resolutions passed by the LSC Legislative Branch after
approval by the Supreme Student Council;
4.4. Refer urgent matters to the LSC legislative branch for deliberation and consideration;
4.5. Submit the ordinances or resolutions passed by the LSC Legislative Branch to the
Supreme Student Council for further deliberations and approval;
chairperson;

4.6. Be a member of a standing or special committee if appointed by the committee

4.7. Be the ex-officio Senator, in the case the Governors from the satellite campuses and
perform the duties and responsibilities as enumerated under Section 5 of the preceding Article;
4.8. Perform other duties as the SSC President may direct.
SECTION 5. The Vice-Governor shall be elected in the same manner as the Governor and shall
be the presiding officer of the LSC legislative branch. Further, he/she shall perform the following
duties:
5.1. Submit to the Governor the ordinance or resolution that was passed by the LSC
Legislative Branch;
5.2. Perform the functions of the Governor in his/her absence;
5.3. Ensure that the LSC legislative branch conducts regular meetings;
5.4. Assume the position as Governor in case he/she deposed or incapacitated;
chairperson;

5.5. Be a member of a standing or special committee if appointed by the committee

5.6. Perform other duties and functions as the SSC President and the Governor may direct.

SECTION 6. The Boards Members shall constitute the remaining seats in the Legislative branch
and shall be elected by the students from courses, programs, colleges or institutes which they
represent/ They shall perform the following duties and responsibilities:
resolution;

6.1. Propose and author college, institute or satellite campus-wide ordinance or

6.2. Attend LSC legislative branch meetings;
6.3. Support the Governor in the implementation of LSC programs, projects and activities;

chairperson;

6.4. Be a member of a standing or special committee whenever appointed by its

6.5. Perform other duties and functions as the SSC President and the Governor may direct.

SECTION 7. In addition, Class Mayors, Deputy Class Mayors, Class Secretary and Class
Treasurer shall be elected by students from the classroom level. The election o f the said officers shall
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be set on the first regular class of the first semester. The list of classroom officers shall be submitted to
the office of the Student Government and Commission on Student Elections.
SECTION 8. Each Local Student Council may promulgate its own LSC Code for its smooth
administration and operations. However, no provision of the LSC Code shall infringe the provisions
of this constitution and by-laws.

ARTICLE VI
Standing and Special Committees
SECTION 1. Standing Committees shall be composed of the Student Welfare Committee, Public
Relations and Societal Affairs Committee, Ethics and Discipline Committee, Socio -cultural, Education
and Sports Committee and Committee on Rules and Procedures.
Each committee shall be headed by a Senator as the chairperson, six LSC officers, the
majority and the minority floor leader as its members. The chairmanship of the committees shall be
determined by consensus within the legislative branch. The committees are tasked to conduct regular
meetings for formulation of ordinances and resolutions. The chairperson of the committees shall then
present the authorized policy to the SSC legislative branch for deliberation and approval.
SECTION 2. The Student Welfare Committee shall:
2.1. Entertain the grievances of the students and provide for guidelines in handling
student cases;
2.2. Endorse the complaints of the students to the proper university authorities and
defend the students side together with the SSC President provided that probable cause is determined;
2.3. Propose infrastructure developments based on the findings of the Research and
development Committee;
2.4. Perform other functions as the SSC President may provide.
SECTION 3. The Public Relations and Societal Affairs Committee shall:
3.1. Take charge of disseminating information to students about the projects, programs,
resolutions and ordinances issued by the Student Government;
3.2. Establish linkages on all student organizations within the university;
3.3. Take charge in making and distributing leaflets, posters and signage that will inform
the students about the activities of the Student Government
3.4. Create linkages with organizations and other institutions outside the university;
activities;
Government.

3.5. Represent the Student Government, together with the SSC President, in multi-sectoral
3.6. Perform other duties as the SSC may direct.
The chairperson of the committee will also as the spokesperson of the Student

SECTION 4. The Ethics and Discipline Committee shall:

4.1. Receive complaints against Student Government officers;
4.2. Facilitate impeachment process, conduct hearings and scrutinize pieces of evidence
adduced before it;
4.3. Report its findings to the general assembly and presenting all the substantial evidence
which led to the conclusion;
4.4. Recommended to the President the imposition of sanctions such as suspension;
4.5. Provide for guidelines in imposing sanctions and discipline on all Student
Government officers;
4.6. Perform other duties as the SSC President may direct.
SECTION 5. The Socio-cultural, Education and Sports Committee shall:
5.1. Conduct cultural presentations, such as concerts and festivals, that will showcase the
talents of students;
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5.2. Conduct seminars, symposia, fora, workshops, quiz contests and similar activities;
5.3. Promote fitness and health through sports and other related activities;
5.4. Perform other duties as the SSC President may direct.
SECTION 6. The Research and Development Committee shall:
matters;

6.1. Feed the Student Government with pieces of information about student-related
6.2. Determine the needs of various colleges, institutes and satellite campuses;

Government;

6.3. Study the feasibility of various projects to be implemented by the Student

6.4. Perform other functions as the SSC President may direct.

SECTION 7. The Finance Committee shall:

7.1. Oversee the disbursement of Student Government funds;
7.2. Monitor the preparation of liquidation reports;
7.3. Prepare financial statements and other related documents;
7.4. Perform other duties as the SSC President may direct.
SECTION 8. The Secretariat Committee shall:
8.1. Take the minutes or journals of meetings and conferences and give each preparation
of inventories;
8.2. Keep and preserve records and other documents;
inventories;

8.3. Act as the property custodian and conduct regular inspection for the preparation of
8.4. Take charge in documenting Student Government projects and activities;
8.5. Perform other duties as the SSC may direct.

branch.

The chairperson of the committee shall be the official secretary of the SSC legislative

SECTION 9. The Committee on Rules and Procedures shall:

9.1. Ensure the smooth and orderly procedure of meetings and conferences;
9.2. Check the proper conduct of all Student Government transactions;
Government;

9.3. Promulgate guidelines on the smooth and orderly operation of the Student

9.4. Educate all Student Government officers about the all technical and procedural
aspects of student leadership;
9.5. Perform other duties as the SSC President may direct.
The Majority floor leader shall be the ex-officio chairperson of the committee.
SECTION 10. Special Committees shall be formed for the specific purposes and shall be
dissolved after its function has already been undertaken.
The President has the power to create a special committee during general assemblies and
shall appoint its chairperson. The appointed chairperson shall have the power to appoint its members.

ARTICLE VII
Meetings
SECTION 1. The Supreme Student Council legislative meeting is one presided by the SSC Vice
President and attended by the SSC Senators. It shall be held regularly and shall abide by basic
Parliamentary Procedure. The approval of ordinances and resolutions shall requi re 2/3 votes of the
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members who attended while overriding a vetoed ordinance or resolution shall require votes of the
Senators present. Other questions shall only require simple plurality.
At the start of every semester, the legislative branch shall determine the schedule of its
regular meetings by consensus.
SECTION 2. SSC regular legislative meetings shall require fifty percent plus one of the total
number of Senators to constitute the quorum. In case of an emergency meeting which is duly
announced, the meeting shall proceed regardless of the absence of quorum.
SECTION 3. General Assemblies shall be presided over by the SSC President and shall be
attended by all Student Government officers. This shall be conducted to discuss university -wide
matters, for delegation of tasks in the implementation of projects. Parliamentary Procedure shall
govern the order and proper conduct in the assembly.
vote.

At the start of every semester, the schedule of regular assemblies shall be determined by

SECTION 4. General Assemblies shall require fifty percent plus one of all the officers of the
Student Government to constitute the quorum. In case of emergency general assembly, the meeting
shall proceed not with standing the absence of quorum.
SECTION 5. The Local Student Council meetings shall be presided over by the LSC-Vice
Governor. The rules on the passage of local resolutions and ordinances in the LSC level shall be
contained in the LSC Code. Every local resolution or ordinance after its passage in the LSC level, shall
be subjected to the approval of the SSC upon 2/3 vote.
SECTION 6. The standing committees are also required to conduct regular meetings to be
determined by consensus at the start of every semester. It shall require simple majority to constitute
the quorum. Committee meetings shall be guided by Parliamentary Procedures.

ARTICLE VIII
Funds
SECTION 1. No money shall be taken out from the Student Government funds without a
resolution signed by the SSC President, SSC Vice President, Chairperson of Finance Committee and
the concerned committee chairperson and recommending approval from the concerned Vice Presidents
of the university and final approval from the University President.
SECTION 2. After the fund is released and disbursed for a particular project or activity, the
officer-recipient shall make liquidation report, attaching all vouchers and other requirements, to be
noted by the chairperson of the Finance Committee. The SSC President shall also note the liquidation
report.
SECTION 3. The concerned adviser of the Student Government shall recommend the approval
of the liquidation reports and the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services will approve the same.
SECTION 4. The chairperson of the Finance Committee shall provide for the guidelines in
making liquidation reports. He/she shall oversee the proper disbursement of funds.
SECTION 5. The General Assembly, upon vote, shall pass a resolution for the increase in
Student Government fee subject to the approval of the Board of Regents. A resolution seeking to raise
funds shall be referred to the Committee of Finance for study and shall require 2/3 vote of the members
of the SSC Legislative Branch.

ARTICLE IX
Removal from Office and the Impeachment Process
SECTION 1. A Student Government officer shall be removed from office based on the following
grounds:
1.1. Resignation
1.2. Death
1.3. Permanent disability
1.4. Psychological incapacity
1.5. Impeachment
1.6. Failure to enroll in the university
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SECTION 2. A Student Government may be impeached on the following ground:

2.1. Violation of this constitution and by-laws
2.2. Neglect of duties and responsibilities
2.3. Three consecutive unexcused absences on meetings, assemblies and activities
2.4. Incurring three major offenses punishable by suspension
2.5. Graft and corruption
SECTION 3. An impeachment complaint may be filed by the following persons:
3.1. A student government officer;
3.2. A bona fide student of Bulacan State University who witnessed or has been injured
or affected by the offense provided that is endorsed by a Board Member.
SECTION 4. The steps in the impeachment procedure are as follows:
4.1. An impeachment shall be filed in writing, enumerating in detail all the acts and/or
omissions which constitute the impeachment offense/s. It must be signed by the complainant. If the
complainant is bona fide student, it must be endorsed by a Board Member;
4.2. The complaint must be submitted to the Ethics and Discipline Committee;
4.3. After receiving the complaint, the Ethics and Discipline Committee, within three
days, shall immediately proceed with a hearing and shall call all the parties involved.
4.4. There shall be a maximum of five committee hearings where both parties are allowed
to adduce pieces of evidence or present witnesses.
4.5. Thereafter, the committee shall render its findings, whether or not the accused officer
is guilty, and shall require 2/3 votes of its members;
4.6. Within three days after the issuance of the findings, there shall be a general assembly
where the chairperson of the committee shall report the result of the investigation and hearings;
4.7. The floor shall be open for any officer of the Student Government to inquire on the
findings of the committee.
4.8. The Student Government shall then vote either to accept or reject the report upon
2/3, however, the members of the committee and the officer-respondent shall be inhibited from the
voting;
4.9. If the SSC President is the one subjected to the impeachment proceedings, the SSC
Vice President shall be one presiding in the General Assembly;
4.10. If the report recommends the impeachment of the officer and the assembly rejects it,
the case is dismissed but the officer may suffer from lighter sanctions, but if the recommendation of
the committee is to dismiss the case but the assembly rejects it, the case be re -heard following the
preceding steps.
SECTION 5. The following are the effects of impeachment:
5.1. Removal from office;
5.2. The impeachment will be marked in the good moral record of the impeached officer;
5.3. Perpetual disqualification from holding position in the Student Government.

ARTICLE X
Succession Process
SECTION 1. In case the SSC President is removed from the office based on the grounds stated
in Section 1 of Article IX, the SSC Vice President shall become the President and the SG Majority floor
leader becomes the Vice President.
In case the SSC Vice President is incapacitated to assume the position based on the
grounds, the SG Majority Floor leader shall become the President and the SG Minority Floor leader
shall become the Vice President.
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The vacancies in the Senatorial position shall be replaced through a special election where
[sic]sic] the CSE code shall govern.
SECTION 2. In case the LSC Governor is removed, the LSC Vice Governor shall become the
Governor and the Board member who garnered the highest number of votes shall be the Vice Governor.
In case the LSC Vice-Governor is incapacitated to assume the position based on the same
grounds, the Board Member who garnered the highest number of votes shall be the second ranking
Board Member shall be the Vice Governor.
In case of vacancies in the Board membership, the Class Mayors of the program, course,
college or institute shall have a general meeting for the purpose of electing a new Board Member.

ARTICLE XI
Panel of Faculty Advisers
SECTION 1. The league of LSC Governors from the main campus shall nominate and elect, one
adviser to constitute the panel. While the satellite campuses, the LSC Governor shall appoint one
faculty adviser.
SECTION 2. The elected and appointment panel of advisers shall be subjected to final interview
and confirmation by the Supreme Student Council sitting en banc.
SECTION 3. A letter of acceptance shall then be accomplished by the individual advisers to be
submitted to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services of Bulacan State University.
SECTION 4. The duties and responsibilities of the panel of advisers shall be limited to that of
giving advice and suggestions to the Student Government but cannot intervene nor dictate the stand
and decisions of the same. The panel of advisers shall respect the autonomy of the Student
Government.

ARTICLE XII
Amendments and Revisions
SECTION 1. A proposal to amend or revise this constitution and by-laws may be done by any
member of the Student Government in a General Assembly. The amendment or revision to the same
shall require vote.
SECTION 2. No amendment or revision to this constitution and by-laws can be done within
three years following its effectivity.

ARTICLE XIII
Transitory Provisions
SECTION 1. For the purpose of the 2007-2008 Student Government elections, its date shall be
set not later than the 4th week of July of 2007, and the date of the expiration of term shall be on the 30 th
day of April the following year.

ARTICLE XIV
Repealing Clause
SECTION 1. The provisions of the old constitution and by-laws are hereby repealed.

ARTICLE XV
Effectivity
SECTION 1. This constitution and by-laws shall take effect upon simple majority vote of all
students of BulSU in plebiscite. In case the total number of students shall not have been reached, the
simple majority of the total number of students who participated and voted in the plebiscite shall be
considered for its approval.

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