The

CONSTITUTION

of the Students of

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

PREAMBLE
We, the students of Silliman University College of Arts and Sciences, imploring the aid of
Almighty God, through mutual agreement of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and
the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences, do ordain and establish the following
Constitution which represents operating procedures and a statement of agreement.

ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. This Constitution shall be known and hereby referred to as the “Constitution of the
Silliman University College of Arts and Sciences”.

Section 2. The governing body of the students of Silliman University College of Arts and
Sciences shall be officially called the CAS Student Council.

Section 3. The CAS Student Council shall be an autonomous body. It shall independently
exercise its executive, legislative and judicial powers within the realms of the arts and sciences
studentry.

Section 4. The Constitution shall govern the College Student Council and the various
departments under the College of Arts and Sciences.

Section 5. For purposes of this Constitution unless the context indicates otherwise:
a. “University” signifies the Silliman University.
 b. “College of Arts and Sciences” refers to all departments, degree granting units under
the autonomous unit that offers at least a bachelor’s degree program.
c. “College of Arts and Sciences Council” (CAS Council) means the duly constituted
body over all departments and distinguished from the college student societies.
d. “Governor, Vice Governor, other Council members, including the Arts and Sciences
Representatives” refer respectively to the officers and members of the College
Student Council so designated.
e. “Permanent Vacancy” exists when the office of a council officer or member has been
vacated because of sickness, resignation, impeachment or expulsion from the
university.
f. “Temporary Vacancy” exists when the office of a council officer or member has been
vacated for reasons that leave the possibility of his/her resuming his/her duties before
the expiration of his/her term.

ARTICLE II
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES
Section 1. The College of Arts and Sciences Council believes:
a. that education is a constitutional right and therefore equal opportunities and access to
education be afforded to everyone,
b. that education is a potent tool in enhancing nationalist consciousness and propagating
the peoples’ interest,
c. that education should enhance creative and critical thinking and the ability to make
informed judgment, free of dogma and myths,
d. that the Student Council in order to be genuine, must be responsive to the needs of the
studentry, and the People, and to this end should be representative, autonomous and
democratic,
e. that the struggle of the studentry is part and parcel of the mainstream struggles of the
Filipino people and must therefore unite with them in the pursuit of a just, free and
democratic society.
Section 2. The College of Arts and Sciences Student Council shall at all times strive to:
a. unify the ranks of the studentry and ensure the broadest coordination of the
University and University Student Government in Silliman University,
b. defend and promote the rights and general welfare of the College studentry and the
Filipino people,
c. serve as an active forum for students ideas and sentiments,
d. uphold and ensure genuine democratic participation and representation in all policy
and decision-making bodies in the College,
e. uphold truly representative, autonomous and democratic student council,
f. uphold the ideals of the University that are geared towards ensuring a well-rounded
intellectual, social, cultural and physical development of every student,
g. seek and engender educational changes for the full development of the human
potential, respond to social realities, and promote academic freedom,
h. establish unity with other sectors of the University and the citizenry in the struggle for
national freedom and democracy,
i. ensure every arts and sciences student actively take part in all activities initiated by
the CAS Council,
j. uphold accountability of student with their financial obligations like paying the
College fees, CAS fines and others.

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. All those officially enrolled in the university as bonafide students in the College of
Arts and Sciences is automatically a part of the College.
Section 2. Withdrawal of enrollment from the university at any time shall mean the automatic
loss of membership.
a. students who have transferred to another college will only lose their membership
upon completion of the college exit clearance.
 ARTICLE IV
BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 1. Every student shall have the right to receive competent instruction and high-quality
education to ensure his/her total development.

Section 2. Every student shall have the right to freely express his/her ideas and opinions. This
right shall carry with the right to publish student papers as well as the right to invite resource
persons during lectures, symposia and other activities of similar nature, provided it is in
conformity with the university rules and regulations.

Section 3. Every student shall have the right to freely choose his/her desired course or field of
study, subject to no restrain other than the reasonable academic standard requires in a particular
course.

Section 4. Every student has the right to access to his/her own class and academic records.

Section 5. Every student shall have the right to be informed and be advised of the school
curricula, policies, rules and regulations, and all matters that may directly or indirectly affect
him/her.

Section 6. No student shall be suspended, expelled or otherwise be subjected to any disciplinary

action without due process at which he/she shall be present and be heard.

Section 7. Excessive fines, involuntary contributions and other unauthorized solicitations shall
not be imposed upon the students.
a. Collection of CAS council fees shall be approved by the Council Adviser along
with the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Section 8. Every student or group of students shall have the right to petition for the suspension
or expulsion of a teacher for incompetence and/or immorality.
Section 9. Every student has the right to have access to university facilities, in conformity to Sec.
3, Article V of this constitution.

Section 10. Every student has the right to attend any council meeting however they cannot
participate in the deliberations of the council officers.

Section 11. Upon request, students may ask for a copy of the minutes from the council meeting.

ARTICLE V
STUDENTS’ DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS
Section 1. It shall be the primary duty of every student to abide by the university and college
rules, regulations and policies deemed relevant in pursuit of a wholesome education.

Section 2. It shall be the duty of every student to give due respect to the faculty and staff, the
administration and the rest of the studentry as expected to reciprocate him/her.

Section 3. It shall be the duty of every student to protect and preserve university property and
facilities.

Section 4. It shall be the duty of every student to actively support projects initiated by the CAS
Student Council, the SUSG, or by the University for Common Benefit.
a. Failure to attend any major event required by the council will have a corresponding
sanction.
1. Sanctions shall be agreed upon by the council officers before the
announcement of the breakdown of the CAS Council Fee.
b. Incentives shall be given to attendees of a non-required event
1. Incentives shall be agreed upon by the council officers before the
announcement of the breakdown of the CAS Council Fee.

Section 5. Students are required to wear the CAS Polo Shirt, unless otherwise rescheduled by the
Council Officers.
Section 6. It shall be the duty of every student to be acquainted with the CAS constitution along
with the SUSG constitution.

Section 7. It shall be the obligation of every qualified student to cast his/her vote during the CAS
Council elections along with the SUSG elections, referenda and plebiscites.

Section 8. It shall be the obligation of every enrolled student to pay the CAS Council fee every
semester upon announcement of the Council Fee Breakdown that has been approved by the
Council Adviser and College Dean.
a. Failure to pay the CAS Council fee and inability to compensate for their absences in
major CAS events will disallow the student from having their clearance signed.

ARTICLE VI
SUFFRAGE
Section 1. Suffrage shall be exercised by all the students in the college, as stated in Section 7,
Article V in this constitution.

Section 2. There shall neither be citizenship requirements nor residence qualifications to be

imposed upon CAS students exercising their right of suffrage.

Section 3. The CAS Student Council, along with the CAS Committee on Elections shall
create guidelines that will ensure the compulsory exercise of suffrage in the College.

ARTICLE VII
COMPOSITION OF THE COLLEGE STUDENT COUNCIL
Section 1. Student Council Officers shall be elected every academic year in accordance with the
rules promulgated by the College Electoral Board and provisions of the College Election Code.
Officers will serve a regular term of one (1) school year.

Section 2. No student shall be elected an officer of the Student Council unless they have a
residency of at least one (1) school year in the college, immediately preceding their election, a
cumulative QPA of at least 2.0 and a load of at least twelve (12) units unless they are in their
graduating year.
a. Graduating students in office must present a certification of their current
academic load to the Governor of the Student Council.
b. Graduating students in office will not yet be considered official until the requirement
in Section 2.a of this article is fulfilled. Until then, their position shall have “Temporary
Vacancy” as stated in Section 3.a of Article I.

Section 3. The Student Council Officers comprises of the following

a. The Student Council Officers that must be elected into position are as follows.
a. One (1) Governor, Two (2) Vice-Governors--Internal and External, One (1)
Secretary, One (1) Treasurer, One (1) Auditor and Two (2) Public Relations
Officers--Internal and External, Three (3) Science Representatives, Three (3)
Arts Representatives.
b. The Student Council Officers can appoint anyone into position are as follows:
a. One (1) Assistant Secretary, One (1) Assistant Treasurer.

Section 4. The Student Council Officers shall be elected by a plurality of votes cast by the CAS
Student Body, except when there is only one candidate, in which case, a simple majority of the
total votes cast may be required.

Section 5. Vacancy
a. Any permanent vacancy in the office of the Governor shall be filled by the Vice-
Governor that is if the permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the Vice Governor
for any cause or by reason of his/her assumption to the office as Governor, the council
shall elect among the College Student Council a new Vice Governor.
b. Should both the Governor and Vice Governor of the council be temporarily
incapacitated, the remaining members of the council shall elect from among the
university councilors an acting Governor and an acting Vice Governor both of whom
shall relinquish their positions upon return of the permanent officers. In no case shall
the council be dissolved or rendered inoperative.
 c. In case of the Treasurer’s or the Secretary’s permanent vacancy, their Assistant shall
assume the position for the rest of the term. In case of the Auditor’s or the PRO’s
permanent vacancy, appointment will be done by the Governor. In succession, a
majority vote by the entire council and the approval of the Adviser will bring the
appointed individual into office for the rest of the term.
d. A vacancy in the office of the arts and sciences representatives shall be filled in so far
as practicable, in the manner provided above for the college officers. Should this not
be possible then the college council members shall expeditiously select his/her
replacement in consultation with the Governor until the students have elected their
student representative.
e. When the vacancy is not permanent, the council may choose a replacement who shall
discharge the duties of the council member until s/he returns

Section 6. Appointments extended by the Governor and approved by the adviser and the Student
Council Officers shall remain effective unless the Governor revokes them. These appointments
may be revoked when, in the Governor’s own judgment, those appointed do not serve the interest
of the Student Council and/or the students of the College of Arts and Sciences in general.

Section 7. It is the duty of every officer to attend the bi-monthly (twice a month)
council meeting and any required special meetings called upon by the Governor and/or the Vice
Governor.
a. Council Members shall vote as to whether or not they will accept the excuse of any
officer that presents a letter of excuse (text message, written letter, phone call).
b. An absence in two (2) consecutive council meetings shall result to an issuance of a
warning.
c. Unexcused absence in thee (3) consecutive council meeting will be cause for
questioning. Refer to Section 9 of Article IV.

Section 8. The council officers shall be responsible for the planning and the implementation of
the College programs and activities.
Section 9. Officers found to not be fulfilling their duties in their respective positions may be
subject for termination.
a. An officer under question will receive a letter of termination as agreed upon by the
Council Officers. The officer in question must then respond to the letter within seven
(7) days upon receiving such letter.
1. The officer in question must state the reasons as to why they have not been
fulfilling their duties. The Council Officers must then deliberate on whether or
not they will accept the reason of the officer in question. The Governor along
with the Vice-Governors will give the final say.
2. Failure to respond within the given seven (7) days will result to the
termination of the officer in question.

Section 10. Resignation of an officer will require them to present a letter of resignation to the
Council Adviser, the Governor of the Student Council, and the Student Council officers. The
officers will then deliberate upon themselves if they will accept or reject the letter for
resignation.

Section 11. No council members shall hold office as editor in chief of a university publication or
head any student organization in the University without forfeiting his/her seat in the council.

ARTICLE VIII
STRUCTURE OF THE COLLEGE STUDENT COUNCIL
Section 1. The College Student Council shall have a general assembly and an executive
committee.

Section 2. The General Assembly

a. The general assembly shall be the highest policy making body of the council and shall
be composed of duly elected members of the College Student Council.
 b. It shall convene at least twice a month in case of extreme necessity; however, the
Governor upon the request of at least one-fourth of the entire membership may
convene the general assembly in special session.
c. It shall have the following powers and responsibilities:
1. Formulate, revise and approve policies and programs of action of the
College Student Council,
2. Elect from among themselves officers to the unfilled positions of the
College Student Council unless otherwise stipulated in this
Constitution,
3. Review the decisions and policies of the executive committee, and
4. Review, amend or revise this Constitution
Section 3. The Executive Committee
a. The executive committee shall be composed of the Chairperson, Vice Chair,
Secretary, Treasurer, Business Manager, Public Information Officer and all heads of
committees of the council.
b. The Executive Committee shall:
1.Meet twice a month. Emergency meetings may also be called upon by the
Governor and Vice-Governors.
2.Meetings must be attended by one to two (1-2) representatives per
committee, preferably, the Chairperson of the committee. However, they
may send a representative in place of them during a meeting, provided that
they present a reasonable excuse.
3.Coordinate and operationalize the program of action set by the general
assembly and the executive committee, and
4.Formulate policies, adopt resolutions and decisions for the College
Student Council in between sessions of the general assembly.
5.Communicate with the Student Council about any violent reactions,
suggests, and recommendations from the student body.
Section 4. The League of Presidents
a. The League of Presidents shall be composed of all Society Presidents from all the
Academic Society under the college.
b. The League of Presidents shall:
1. Attend to meetings that are called upon by the Governor and Vice-
Governor.
2. Meetings must be attended by one to two (1-2) representatives per
committee, preferably, the Chairperson of the committee. However, they
may send a representative in place of them during a meeting, provided that
they present a reasonable excuse.
3.Review policies, adopt resolutions and decisions of the College Student
Council in between sessions of the general assembly.
4.They will be the connection between the studentry and the College
Student Council.
5. The League of Presidents shall responsible for dissemination of
information, along with coordinating with the Council Officers in the
activities planned for the school year.

ARTICLE IX
QUORUM
Unless otherwise provided in this Constitution, a simple majority of the voting members
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the general members present and
voting at a meeting at which there lies a quorum shall be valid as an act of the entire body.

ARTICLE X
POWER AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICE
Section 1. The Governor shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the council. It shall be his/her
duty to
a. Sign all resolutions, communications and papers of the council,
 b. Preside over all meetings of the council provided that in case s/he desires to take part
in the debate or discussion s/he may name the Vice Governor or in the absence of the
latter any member of the council to take his/her chair,
c. Appoint the executive committee heads at the beginning of the term or revamp the
committee as necessary and present it to the general assembly for approval,
d. Create ad hoc committees and appoint the coordinator and members thereof,
whenever the need arises,
e. Represent the council in his/her official capacity as Governor on occasions and event
where the students need representation,
f. Head the executive committee, and
g. Perform such duties and performance of the functions of his/her office.

Section 2. The Vice Governor shall

a. Assist the Governor all matters where his/her assistance is required,
b. Take over the function of the Governor, whenever his/her office is vacant by reason
of his/her death, resignation, removal suspension, illness, absence, or physical or
mental incapacity or his/her failure to qualify for office,
c. Convene the League of Presidents.

Section 3. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to

a. Keep a record of the proceedings of the meetings of the council,
b. Keep all papers and correspondence of the council,
c. Certify all official acts of the council, and
d. Perform such other duties as the council or Governor may assign to him/her.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall

a. Act as the custodian of and deposit in the bank the funds of the council,
b. Keep a record of the funds of the council,
c. Disburse the same in accordance with an appropriation of the council, and
d. Submit a financial report at the end of each semester to the council which shall be
published or posted upon request of the student body.
Section 5. The Auditor shall
a. Keep an inventory and take charge of all council properties,
b. Supervise all business and fund-raising activities of the council,
c. Take charge of the collection and accounting of the council’s funds every registration
including summer period, and
d. Perform such other duties as the council may assign to him/her.

Section 6. The Public Information Officer shall

a. Release news items regarding council activities to the media,
b. Promote good relations with the press and public,
c. Answer inquiries about the council and its activities, and,
d. Perform such other duties as the council may assign to him/her.

ARTICLE XI
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS
Section 1. Executive Committee
a. There shall exist an executive committee that is readily formed and dissolved if
deemed necessary by the Council Officers.
b. Chairpersons of each committee shall be appointed by the CAS Council Officers.
c. These Executive Committees are, but not limited to, Food Committee, Infomedia
Committee, Logistics and Transportation Committee, Secretariat Committee,
Cheering Committee.

Section 2. Committee on Elections

a. The Committee on Elections (COMELEC) shall be the sole constitutional committee

in the CAS Student Council, which shall be an independent body in the College.

b. The COMELEC shall be composed of a chairman and at least three (3) members who
must have a QPA of at least 2.25, a load of at least ten (10) units and a residency of at
least two (2) school years in the College.
 c. The chairman and the members of the committee shall be appointed by the Governor
for a term of two (2) years. But of those first appointed under this Constitution, three
(2) members shall hold for two (2) years, the other two (2) for one (1) year.
Appointment to any vacancy shall be only for the unexpired term of the predecessor.
In no case shall any member be appointed or designated in temporary or acting
capacity.

d. The COMELEC shall conduct elections pertinent to the College of Arts and Sciences.

e. The COMELEC shall follow all provisions found in the Silliman University College
of Arts and Sciences Election Code.

f. The COMELEC Chairperson shall be appointed by the Governor of the College of

Arts and Sciences.

g. No member of the COMELEC shall come from the Student Council Officers.

h. The COMELEC shall perform such other functions as may be provided by

resolutions approved by two-thirds (2/3) vote of all members of the executive
committee.

i. The COMELEC shall formulate election guidelines in harmony with and not contrary
to this Constitution, including the accreditation of political parties.

j. The COMELEC shall appoint personnel, who shall be called the COMELEC staff, to
assist in the conduct of the election.

k. The COMELEC shall maintain impartiality at all times. No members from any
running parties can be a member of the COMELEC.

ARTICLE XII
FUNDS OF THE COUNCIL
Section 1. The General Fund of the Council shall consist of the CAS Council Fee collected from
every student by the duly authorized representative of the College Student Council every
registration including summer period and shall be deposited in a bank with the Governor or the
Vice Governor and/or treasurer as signatories.
 a. The CAS Council Fee will be appropriated as follows: 40% for the College Student
Council and 60% for the local student council fund.
b. The CAS Student Council shall be responsible for the appropriations of local council
funds upon the request of the local departmental societies.
c. The amount to be collected shall be defined in the CAS Student Council By-laws.

Section 2. The College Student Council shall formulate and adopt a budget which shall embody
a work plan or program with estimated expenditures for the incoming year.

Section 3. No disbursement of funds of the council shall occur except in the pursuance of an
appropriation authorized by the council.

Section 4. The balance of the council funds shall be returned as the funds for the next succeeding
term.

Section 5. The student council shall publish a financial statement at the end of the term.

ARTICLE XIII
IMPEACHMENT
Section 1. The general assembly may remove or suspend any of its members on any of the
following grounds:
a. Willful violation of this Constitution
b. Gross neglect of duty
c. Any form of misconduct which undermines the integrity of the College Student
Council

Section 2. Upon the resolution of at least two-thirds of the members of the general assembly a
motion of impeachment shall be undertaken against on or more of its members.

Section 3. Member or members for which charges for impeachment have been directed shall be
furnished a copy of the allegations not later than ten days before the given opportunity to present
his/her defense in writing before the meeting shall be allowed to address the general assembly
during the meeting.

Section 4. Council member shall be considered impeached upon a two third vote of the general
assembly.

ARTICLE XIV
SUSPENSIONS
Section 1. As an alternative to impeachment, council members may be suspended when:
a. They have been found guilty by the general assembly of any of the above
delinquencies in Article IX,
b. A two-thirds vote of the council members present in the general assembly meeting
approved the suspension upon hearing their defense, and
c. The members to be suspended were informed through a written notice of the
proceedings not later than five (5) days before the meeting is called for that purpose.

Section 2. The general assembly shall decide the period for which the council member shall
be suspended provided it shall not exceed thirty (30) days.

Section 3. Suspended council members shall not be allowed to participate in deliberations,

vote, and, exercise their duties and power as a council members.

Section 4. Suspended members shall have their names stricken from the roll of the University
Student Council during each period of their suspension and therefore will not be included in any
quorum.

Section 5. Suspended council members may be allowed to attend meetings and address the
body provided a majority of the council members present are in agreement.
 ARTICLE XV
SPECIAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. This Constitution shall be binding upon all students in the College of Arts and
Sciences.

Section 2. The standing fund of the Student Council shall be raised from the CAS Council fee
collected from each student every semester.
a. The amount of Council fees shall be determined by the CAS Student Council.

ARTICLE XVI
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Any proposed amendment to the constitution shall be through a written endorsement
by all of the incumbent council officers. This shall be submitted to the adviser for review. Upon
approval, the proposed amendment shall be valid and shall take effect upon ratification of simple
majority votes of the CAS Student Council Officers.

ARTICLE XVII
RATIFICATION
Section 1. The Constitution shall take full force and effect upon ratification by majority of the
votes cast by the members of the CAS Student Council along with the approval of the Council
Adviser and/or the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

ARTICLE XVIII
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
Section 1. All proclamations, orders, decrees, instructions, and acts promulgated, issued, or done
by the incumbent Governor shall be part of the law of the college, and shall remain, valid, legal,
binding, and effective even after the ratification of this Constitution, unless modified, revoked, or
superseded by subsequent proclamations, orders, decrees, instructions, or other acts of the
incumbent Governor, or unless expressly and explicitly modified.
Section 2. This Constitution shall take effect immediately upon its ratification by a majority of
the votes cast in a plebiscite called for the purpose and, except as herein provided shall,
supersede the Constitution and all the amendments thereof.

This Constitution was proposed, framed and approved by CAS Student Council Officers
of Academic School Year 2019-2020, and accordingly signed on the ______________ at the
__________________, College of Arts and Sciences, Silliman University, Dumaguete City, by
the Officers whose signatures are hereunder affixed.

Jojo Galindo Carlo Manalo

Gabriel Clavero Shariah Isabelle Gomez

Amada Teves Kathrene Angel Gumilao

Meldred Frejoles Alyssa Blanche Lopez

Attested by:

DR. MAE BRIGITT BERNADEL L. VILLORDON

Dean,
College of Arts and Sciences