c
 


 

 c
 






?

?
?
We, the students of Georgetown College, assuming the powers and
responsibilities of self-government consistent with the institutional purpose of achieving
academic and Christian excellence, in order to form a more effective and representative
student association, to promote the general welfare of every student attending the
College, and recognizing the intrinsic educational opportunities that student involvement
offers, do hereby ordain and establish this Constitution for the Student Government
Association. ?


 ?
? ??

?

?


: Name and Composition?

A. The name of this organization shall be the Student Government Association (SGA).
B. The Student Government Association (SGA) shall be comprised of the branches of the
Executive Cabinet (EC), the Senate, and the House of Representatives, as outlined herein.

: Membership

. All students registered at Georgetown College are members of the SGA.

. A student may not be involved in more than one branch of the Student Government
Association unless required as a duty of office by this constitution. A student is
permitted to be involved in a branch of the Student Government Association as well as
the Georgetown Activities Council.

. The Student Government Association is committed to a policy of ³nondiscrimination´

within the meaningful constitutional and statutory laws relative to race, age, color,
national and ethnic origin, gender and handicap.

. All candidates for any SGA position must be in good academic (2.5 GPA) and social
standing and maintain good academic and social standing throughout their term.

: Meetings of the Student Government Association

. All officially registered students of Georgetown College may attend meetings of the
association, but only elected and appointed members can vote. Students may not attend
EC meetings unless they are invited.
. All branches of the SGA shall conduct meetings according to the guidelines listed in
the current edition of Robert¶s Rules of Order.

. Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives may choose a proxy to
attend meetings of the respective branches in their place, provided advance notification is
given to the EC in accordance with bylaws set by the EC.

: Authority

. The Chief Student Affairs Officer of the College has administrative jurisdiction over
the Student Government Association. The administrative jurisdiction of the Chief Student
Affairs Officer of the College shall include but not be limited to, theapproval of contracts
for the SGA, approval of fund disbursements and appointment of an advisor to the SGA.

. The Chief Student Affairs Officer of the College shall implement administrative
policies and procedures as necessary for the operation and activities of the Student
Government Association consistent with other appropriate procedures, requirements and
policies of the College.


 : Budget

. The SGA Budget shall be: (1) Controlled by the EC; and (2) Approved by the Chief
Student Affairs Officer of the College.



!: The SGA General Assembly

Once a month while school is in session, the EC, Senate, and House of Representatives
shall assemble together to form the SGA General Assembly for the purposes of
enhancing communication within the SGA, to pass bylaws governing the entire SGA, to
pass amendments to the SGA Constitution and to address student concerns. The SGA
President shall set agendas for and preside over General Assembly meetings. A quorum
of fifty-one percent of all elected and appointed SGA members is needed to conduct legal
and binding business of the SGA General Assembly. Any Georgetown College student is
welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings.

?
?

 ?
? ? ? ?
?

: Membership

The Executive Cabinet shall consist of the SGA President, the Chief of Staff, the Vice-
President, the Vice-President of Finance, the Executive Secretary, and the VP of
Community and Public Relations

: The officers for the Executive Cabinet of the Student Government
Association shall be:

. The SGA President, who is here invested with the powers and
responsibilities to: (1) Preside over and attend all meetings of the EC, the House of
Representatives and the SGA General Assembly; (2) Serve as a liaison between all
branches of the SGA; (3) Shall serve as the Speaker of the House for the House of
Representatives (4) Cast the deciding vote at EC, Student Senate, House of
Representatives, and the SGA General Assembly meetings; (5) Call special meetings for
any SGA branch; (6) Serve as a student representative to the Student Life Committee of
the Board of Trustees; (7) Represent the SGA at all ceremonial functions and should the
occasion arise, be able to act on behalf of the Student Government Association; (8) Work
in the SGA office for at least five hours a week during regular college business hours and
(9) Coordinate the selection process for the House of Representatives

. The Chief of Staff who is here invested with the powers and responsibilities to (1)
Oversee presidential initiatives; (2) Attend all meetings of the EC; (3) Advise the
President and the Executive Cabinet on crafting policy and initiative implementation; (4)
Work in the SGA office for at least three hours a week during regular college business
hours; (5) Coordinate ³Tuesday¶s Treasure/Freebie Friday´ events and (6) registers clubs
and organizations through SGA.

. The SGA Vice-President who is here invested with the powers and responsibilities to
(1) Serve as the President of the Senate; (2) Preside over the EC and the SGA General
Assembly in the absence of the SGA President; (3) Have regular voting rights on the EC
and special voting rights on the Senate; (4) Coordinate the Student Senate and appoint
members to the Senate; (5) Attend all meetings of the EC and Senate; (7) Appoint special
committees from within the Senate, including a constitutional interpretation committee as
needed to be presided over by the Vice President (8) Work in the SGA office for at least
three hours a week during regular college business hours and (9) accept and select
applications for senate positions (Faculty committees, Board of Trustees, etc.)

. The SGA Vice-President of Finance is here invested with the powers and
responsibilities to (1) Do all bookkeeping needed by the SGA; (2) Work
within the budget and do all financial paperwork; (3) Provide monthly
budget reports to the EC and attend all EC and SGA General Assembly meetings; (4)
Provide end of term budget standing to the EC; (5) Maintain ledgers for all chairpersons¶
accounts; and (6) Prepare yearly budget and assist during the budget session.

. The SGA Executive Secretary is here invested with the powers and responsibilities to
(1) Attend all meetings of the EC and House of Representatives, and the SGA General
Assembly and take minutes; (2) Maintain a master file of all minutes and bylaws; (3)
Prepare minutes in a professional manner and provide copies to the respective branch
members, the SGA Advisor and the Chief Student Affairs Officer of the College; (4)
Prepare any applications and distribute them; (5) Provide normal secretarial duties for the
Executive Cabinet; (6) Maintain equipment and supplies in the SGA office; (7) Maintain
the SGA Archives; (8) Inform SGA members of meetings and keeping attendance
records; (9) send letters of reprimand to members when needed and (10) administer
elections for Executive Council

F. The SGA VP of Community and Public Relations is here invested with the powers and
responsibilities to (1) Attend all meetings of the EC; (2) be responsible for all publicity of
SGA; (3) coordinate all community service projects within SGA; (4) act as a liaison with
any all Community Service organizations that SGA has contact with; and (5) work in the
SGA office for at least three hours a week during regular college business hours?

: Election of EC Members

. All members of the EC are to be elected by a student body vote in a campus election
to take place at the end of the spring semester.
. Candidates for an elected EC position must be a full-time student at Georgetown
College who is at least in their second semester of instruction at the college at the time of
SGA elections.
. Candidates must run for a specific office. If no one runs for a particular office, then
applications for the position will be distributed, reviewed and chosen by the current
Senate. If no one applies, then duties shall be combined.
. All candidates must fulfill a possible speaking requirement at an informational forum.


: The Term of Office for EC Members

The term of office shall begin May 1st at 12:00 noon. The time period
between elections and the beginning of the new term shall be a time of planning and
learning from outgoing officers.

 : Functions of the Executive Council

The functions of the EC shall be to: (1) Allocate funds if emergency conditions develop;
emergency conditions exist when money outside of the approved budget needs to be
allocated; (2) Excuse absences of members of all branches of the SGA; (3) Dismiss any
non-EC member of the Student Government Association after two unexcused absences
have occurred; (4) Provide good communication and organization of the Student
Government Association; (5) Control the SGA Budget; (6) Recommend bylaws which
govern the entire SGA to the SGA General Assembly; and (7) Organize governmental
and student related events and initiatives.



!: Meetings of the EC
. The SEC shall meet twice a month while school is in session.
. A quorum of two-thirds of the voting members must be present to conduct legal and
binding business of the EC.
. A simple majority of voting members present will rule.
. The SGA President shall preside over all EC meetings. The Vice- President shall
preside in case of the absence of the SGA President.



 : Dismissal and Vacancies of EC Positions
. A member of the Executive Cabinet may be dismissed if he or she: (1) Is absent from
more than twenty-five percent of required meetings; and/or (2) Refuses to perform the
duties of office or abuses the responsibilities of the SGA Constitution.
. A special election shall be held to fill a vacancy in all EC positions except the
President.
. In such case that the SGA President is unable to perform the duties of that office, the
Vice President shall become President. A special election will then be held for the
position of Vice President.


 ?
? ??

?

: Officers

. The presiding officer for the Senate shall be the SGA Vice President. The Executive
Secretary shall attend meetings to take the minutes. When necessary, the SGA Vice
President shall cast the deciding vote and organize special committees.
. Chairs for sub-committees will be elected from the Senate by members of the Senate.


: Membership

. Membership of the Senate shall consist of representatives from the student body at
Georgetown College as well as the Provost. These representatives will be selected by an
application process to the respective committees: Board of Trustees (5 students);
Academic Support (3 students); Admissions, Scholarship, Financial Aid (3 students);
Curriculum/CEP committee (3 students); Honors Program (2 students); Retention
Committee (2 students); Teacher Education Committee (2 students); and Current Issues
committee (3 students).
. Each member of the Senate shall serve on additional subcommittees.
. Members of the Senate shall be known as Senators.
. Senators shall be full-time students and in good academic (2.5 GPA) and social
standing.


: Appointing of Senators

To be elected to the Senate, candidates must: (1) Be chosen by an application process to

take place in September. (2) The EC will vote on all applicants within one week of
applications due, with approval of the Chief Student Affairs Officer required after the
vote.


: The Term of Office for Senators

The term of office will begin with the fall semester of the new academic year and shall
last until the end of the spring semester of the same academic year.


 : Vacancies in Membership

A. If a Senator resigns or is dismissed by the EC, a special application process shall be

held to fill the vacancy.



!: Duties of the Senate

. To focus on academic initiatives including, but not limited to: (1) Serve on at least one
subcommittee of the Senate; and (2) Initiate amendments to the SGA Constitution.
. To handle the Student Aid Grant process by allocating money to student organizations
within the means of the established budget in the form of student aid grants.



 : Meetings of the Senate

. Members shall meet as the Senate at least once a month while school is in session.
Senators shall attend the General Assembly, as well as meet with designated faculty
advisors once a month. The Senate shall also meet with respective subcommittee as
necessary.
. Quorum to conduct legal and binding business of the Senate shall be at least fifty-one
percent of voting members.
. The SGA Vice President shall preside. In case of the absence of the SGA Vice
President, the SGA President shall preside.
. The Executive Secretary shall take the minutes.
. Any Senator who has two unexcused absences from Senate meetings and/or two
unexcused absence from SGA General Assembly meetings shall be subject to dismissal
by the EC.


 ?

? ?
?
?

?


"Officers

The SGA President shall preside over the House of Representatives as the Speaker of the
House.


"Membership

. Membership of the House of Representatives shall consist of the SGA President,

Executive Secretary, Dean of Students, student representative#$ from each residence hall
and one commuter student representative.
. Residence hall representatives shall be nominated by their hall and then approved by
the Executive Cabinet. The commuter student shall be approved by Executive Council
after submitting application. Each student representative must be a full-time student in
good academic (2.5 GPA) and social standing.
. Each member of the House of Representatives must serve on one subcommittee during
his or her term.


"Term of Office

The term of office will begin with the fall semester of the new academic year and shall
last until the end of the spring semester of the same academic year.


"Meetings

. The House of Representatives shall meet with the SGA President and Dean of
Students once a month while classes are in session. The House of Representatives shall
attend the General Assembly and meet with respective subcommittee as needed.
. Student representatives shall bring forward any student concerns including, but not
limited to, residential, academic and social issues.


 ?? ?  ?

 ??
?
?

: Ethics Policy


Any member of the three branches of the Student Government Association shall be
subject to review of the SGA Ethics Committee if (1) he or she abuses the power,
supplies or money of SGA or (2) he or she represents the Student Government
Association poorly, either socially or academically (below a semester 2.5 GPA).

: Composition and Meetings of the Ethics Committee

. The SGA Ethics Committee shall be composed of five members ± two elected student
members from Senate, two elected members from the House of Representatives and one
elected member of the Executive Cabinet. The SGA Advisor shall preside over meetings
of the SGA Ethics Committee.
. The SGA Ethics Committee shall meet only when the SGA Advisor calls special
meetings.
. The SGA Advisor may only call meetings of the SGA Ethics Committee when any
member of SGA or faculty/staff member of the college petitions the SGA Advisor for an
ethical review of the SGA member.
. The meetings of the SGA Ethics Committee shall be concentrated on inquiring about
the charge and judging if the action or actions are consistent with the mission and
purpose of the college and the Student Government Association.
. If a member of the Ethics Committee is brought into question, another delegate from
the respective branch shall be substituted during the inquiry.


: Disciplinary Action of the Ethics Committee

The SGA Ethics Committee, by rule of unanimous consent of the student committee
members, has the power to take appropriate action for ethical violations. The disciplinary
action may not call for more than the removal of the officer or member in question.


: Appeals of Disciplinary Action

A member of SGA has a right to appeal his or her own disciplinary action from the SGA
Ethics Committee to the Chief Student Affairs Officer of the College, who shall have the
final decision in the matter.


 ?????

?

: Amendments

The SGA Constitution shall be amended if the amendment in question is, in the following
order: (1) Passed by a two-thirds majority vote of the EC; (2) Passed by a two-third
majority vote of the SGA General Assembly; (3) Accepted by the Chief Student Affairs
Officer; (4) Printed in ¦
?

 ?near the week of its vote by the student body;
and (5) Receives a simple majority of the student body vote.


: Bylaws

. Bylaws for the entire SGA shall be recommended through the EC to the SGA General
Assembly for approval by two-thirds of present voting members. Two-thirds of the
General Assembly must be present for voting.
. Bylaws for an individual branch of the SGA, such as ethics bylaws, must
be approved by a two-thirds majority of the respective branch¶s voting members.
. All Bylaws must be submitted to the Executive Secretary for filing.
. All Bylaws of the SGA and its branches be reaffirmed every term to remain in effect.
. No bylaw of the SGA or one of its branches may be in conflict with this Constitution
or change any part of this Constitution.


 ??
 

?


: Ratification Process

. This Constitution shall be made legal and binding if it is: (1) Passed by a two-thirds
majority vote of the Executive Cabinet and G.A.; (2) Approved by the Chief Student
Affairs Officer of the College; (3) Adopted by a majority vote of the student body; and
(4) Approved by the college President.
. This Constitution shall take effect the term after it is ratified.
?
?