Student Government Association Constitution

PREAMBLE

Realizing the necessity for student self-government, understanding the importance of articulating the views of the student body and of the college, desiring to further the welfare of the student body, and believing that these goals can best be carried out by creating a dynamic student government, we, the students of the college, do hereby establish this constitution for the student government.

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 1: NAME
The name of this organization shall be The Student Government Association, Eastern Shore Community College. It shall hereafter be referred to as the SGA.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The purpose of the SGA shall be to further the best interest of the students and the college through student representation in matters affecting student life and affairs, through promotion and supervision of recognized student organizations* and activities, and through promotion of improved community conditions.

ARTICLE III: AUTHORITY
The SGA shall have the authority to act in the name of the student body; it shall also serve as an advisory body to the president of the college. This authority is derived from the student body and from delegation by the president of the college.

ARTICLE IV: POWERS
The SGA shall have the power to regulate student activities and recognized student organizations at the college. In regulating such student activities and recognized student organizations, the SGA shall have the power to:

1. Recommend allocations of student activities monies upon proper application of recognized student organizations.
2. Investigate any matters affecting the welfare of the college and the student body and make recommendations which will foster the best interests of the college and the student body.
3. Conduct all official student elections.
4. Elect three (3) full-time students as members of the college council.
5. Elect student representatives on standing and/or AD HOC (put together for the occasion) college committees.
6. Appoint assistants with the approval of the chairman.
7. Administer powers not herein incorporated and not in conflict with the policies of the Virginia Community College System or the Eastern Shore Community College and not reserved to the students.

ARTICLE V: STRUCTURE
The SGA shall consist of seven (7) members elected by the student body. Each member shall have full voting privileges. The seven (7) members of SGA shall elect two (2) of the members to be chairman and co-chairman. Four (4) members of the SGA shall constitute a quorum. The SGA shall meet every two (2) weeks on Wednesdays. Additional meetings may be held at the discretion of the members.

ARTICLE VI: STUDENT GOVERNMENT POSITIONS

• Section 1: The SGA shall appoint specific members to be responsible for specific activities as it sees fit. Each member will be expected to pursue these areas on a regular basis.
• Section II: Two members shall be chosen by a majority vote of the SGA to coordinate and maintain order at all SGA meetings. These two positions are:
  1. Chairman - The chief executive officer of the SGA.
  2. Co-Chairman - Shall assist the chairman and carry out his/her duties in his/her absence.

ARTICLE VII: ELECTIONS
Two elections will be held as follows:

1. Fall semester - Four (4) members will be elected during the eighth (8) of the semester. (Candidates should be registered by the fourth (4) week.)
2. Spring semester - Three (3) members will be elected during the sixth (6) week of the semester. (Candidates should be registered by the second (2) week.)

ARTICLE VIII: ELIGIBILITY

• Section 1: (to vote) To vote in any open student body election, a student must be registered in credit courses.
• Section II: (to run) To run, a candidate must be a student eligible to enroll in a curriculum and must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5, unless they have been in attendance for less than one semester. No more than two (2) part-time students may serve at one time.
• Section III: (to remain a member) All members must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5.

ARTICLE IX: DISMISSAL
Any member of the SGA may be dismissed for the following reasons:

1. if a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 is not maintained.
2. failure to attend three (3) meetings without being excused by the chairman.
3. failure to carry out duties. A majority vote of the seven (7) SGA members shall be required for dismissal.

ARTICLE X: VACANCIES
The SGA shall elect qualified students to fill any vacancies.

ARTICLE XI: REFERENDUMS
The SGA must hold a referendum on any issue upon presentation of a written petition signed by twenty-five (25) percent of the student body. The referendum must take place one (1) month after receipt of the petition. The results of the referendum shall be binding upon the SGA provided at least two-thirds (2/3) of the student body have cast ballots and the referendum passed by a simple majority.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS
Amendments to the Constitution shall be proposed as follows:

1. by a written petition of twenty-five (25) percent of the full-time student body submitted to the SGA.
2. by a motion of any SGA member and passed unanimously by the SGA after being posted on college bulletin boards for at least one (1) week prior to the motion and vote.

ARTICLE XIII: CONSTITUTIONAL APPROVAL
This Constitution, originally drafted March 9, 1979, and bearing all approved amendments as of May 2, 1994 shall supersede all previous Constitutions of the SGA of the Eastern Shore Community College.