STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE
In order to establish an active Student Government with the power and the responsibility to administer student affairs fairly and justly and to ensure the individual rights of students, we the students of Tri-County Technical College do approve and institute the following as the Constitution of our Student Government.


Article I - Name
The name of this organization shall be the Student Government Association.

Article II - Purpose and Organization
PURPOSE. The administration of Tri-County Technical College, believing that the welfare of the College will be advanced by the development of an efficient system of self-government among the students in all that relates to the conduct of the students individually and as a group, has entrusted to them a share in matters pertaining to students’ conduct, loyalty, and honor.
The whole basis of successful student government is based upon the idea of serious individual responsibility. Since the standards of the group can be no higher than those of each individual within the group, it is the duty of each student to strive to uphold the highest conduct, loyalty and honor in all phases of college life.
OBJECTIVE. The objective of the Student Government Association shall be to foster students’ interest and activities, to maintain high standards of scholarship and honor among students, to aid in administering regulations, and to transact business pertaining to the student body. The advisors to the Student Government Association shall consist of faculty and/or staff members of Tri-County Technical College who are appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs. In the event that there is a Director of Student Activities, the director shall be the Student Government Association advisor. All matters and activities of this organization shall be coordinated through the appointed advisors and subject to their approval. Upon disapproval the Executive Branch of the Student Government Association may seek an appeal through the College’s administration.
SOCIAL PLANNING. The Student Government Association shall organize and conduct Student Government Association Activities.


Article III - Membership
All students enrolled at Tri-County Technical College are members of the Student Government Association. Voting rights are given to the Senators, and the Secretary and Treasurer of the Executive Council.

Article IV - Legislative Branch Representation
The student Legislative Senate shall be composed of appointed student Senators. Senators shall serve a term that begins Fall Semester and extends through Spring Semester. The Legislative Senate should be composed of persons willing to represent the student body of Tri-County Technical College.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SENATOR SHALL BE:

  1. To represent his/her fellow students at all Student Government Association sanctioned functions.
  2. To solicit opinions, suggestions and ideas from his/ her fellow students on matters which come before the Student Government Association.
  3. To keep the student body informed on all Student Government Association activities.
  4. To vote on all motions presented to the Student Legislative Senate.
  5. To support or serve on Student Government Association Committees.
  6. To devote the time necessary to fulfill the duties of office.
  7. A Senator cannot and will not represent the Student Government Association of Tri-County Technical College without prior written consent of that organization. Unauthorized activities may result in the impeachment of that Senator.

POWERS OF THE STUDENT LEGISLATIVE SENATE.

  1. Amend the Constitution upon a two-thirds vote, or upon a majority vote with presidential approval.
  2. Organize and administer all Student Government Association elections.
  3. Impeach any student holding a position in the Student Government Association who fails to carry out the duties of the office.
  4. Initiate and forward recommendations or proposals to the Administration as it deems necessary.
  5. Serve as the body that rules on all honor violations and other such items that involve students’ affairs and conduct.

Every proposed act passed by the Student Legislative Senate by a majority vote must be signed by the President before it becomes part of the Constitution. If vetoed, the President shall return it with his/her objections in writing to the Student Legislative Senate at the next meeting. The objection shall be entered in the minutes, and the Student Legislative Senate will proceed to reconsider them. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of the Student Legislative Senate shall agree to pass the proposed act, it shall become part of the Constitution. This same procedure will be followed with regard to recommendations and proposals which originate in the Student Legislative Senate and are to be passed through the Student Government Association President to the Administration.


MEETING OF THE STUDENT LEGISLATIVE SENATE
The Student Legislative Senate shall meet at least once each month of the school year. Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the Executive Branch, Student Government Association Advisor, or a majority of the Student Legislative Senate. If a majority of the members of the Student Legislative Senate are not present to form a quorum, the meeting shall be adjourned and rescheduled.

IMPEACHMENT
Any Senator may be impeached by the Student Legislative Senate for failure to fulfill his/her duties of office in accordance with Article VI.

Article V - Executive Branch

TITLES AND TERMS OF OFFICE
The Executive Branch of the Student Government Association will be composed of the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer of the Student Government Association, the Student Government Association Advisor, and the Executive Council. These four executive offices will be held for one year, beginning the last week of Spring Semester and including the Summer Term. No student may hold office more than two terms during a five-year period.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE:

  1. Be a regular, full-time, year-round student at Tri-County Technical College as stipulated.
  2. Be willing and able to devote the time necessary to fulfill the duties of office.
  3. Be approved by the Election Committee.
  4. Be in good academic standing with a cumulative grade point ratio of 2.0 or greater.
  5. Be in good standing with the student body.
  6. A first semester freshman elected to a Student Government Association office must receive a 2.0 grade point ratio that first semester to maintain the position.

POWERS AND DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE OFFICE
1. The President will have the power and duty to:

a. Act as an official representative of the Tri-County Technical College Student Government Association.
b. Call special sessions of the Student Legislative Senate when he/she deems necessary.
c. Nominate and, with a two-thirds consent of the Legislative Senate, appoint members to the various committees and members of the student court.
d. Act as the liaison to the Administration from Student Government.
e. Serve as an ex-officio member on all committees.
f. Preside over the meeting of the Executive Council.
g. The President does not have the authority to vote on issues which come before the Student Legislative Senate since he/she is given the power of the veto along with the Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
h. Be responsible for planning and implementing all Student Government Association functions.
i. Preside over the meeting of the Student Legislative Senate.


2. The Vice President will have the power and duty to:

  1. Upon the request of the President, act as the official representative of the Tri-County Technical College Student Government Association.
  2. Assume the office of the President if the President is unable to carry out the duties of the office.
  3. Serve as an ex-officio member along with the President on all committees.
  4. Promote social standards.
  5. Serve on the Executive Council.
  6. In the event of a tie vote in the Student Legislative Senate, the Vice President will have the authority to vote in the Student Legislative Senate along with the President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
  7. Be responsible for planning and implementing all Student Government Association functions.


3. The Secretary will have the power and duty to:

  1. Keep the minutes at the Student Legislative Senate meetings.
  2. Maintain a roll at Student Legislative Senate meetings which will be posted, along with minutes of the meetings, on the Student Government Association bulletin board within 72 hours after each meeting.
  3. Act as a secretary to the President and Vice President in matters concerning the Student Government Association.
  4. Shall have the right to vote in the Student Legislative Senate.
  5. Serve on the Executive Council along with the President, Vice President, and Treasurer.
  6. Be responsible for planning and implementing all Student Government Association functions.


4. The Treasurer will have the power and duty to:

  1. Upon the request of the Executive Council shall report the financial status of the Student Government Association.
  2. Prepare and submit a budget in conjunction with the Student Government Association Advisor for the school year to be approved by the Executive Council.
  3. Perform the duties of the Secretary in the event the Secretary is unable to do so.
  4. Shall have the right to vote in the Student Legislative Senate.
  5. Serve on the Executive Council along with the President, Vice President, and Secretary.
  6. Be responsible for planning and implementing all Student Government Association functions.


VACANCIES IN OFFICE
If the President is not able to fulfill the duties of his office, the Vice President shall assume the office of the President. The President will appoint and upon two-thirds vote of the Student Legislative Senate elect a replacement. If the President cannot find a suitable replacement, the Student Legislative Senate will then, at the first date possible, hold election for the office of Vice President.
Should the President and the Vice President be unable to fulfill the duties of office, the election committee along with the Student Government Association advisor (at the first possible date) will appoint and upon two-thirds vote of the Student Legislative Senate elect a new President and Vice President. Should the Vice President, the Secretary, or the Treasurer be unable to fulfill the duties of office, the President will appoint and upon two-thirds vote of the Student Legislative Senate elect a replacement.


EXECUTIVE COUNCIL:

  1. Representation. The Executive Council shall be composed of the Student Government Association President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and all committee chairpersons.
  2. Purpose. The purpose of the Executive Council shall be:
    a. To act as an advisory committee to the President.
    b. To formulate new ideas and policies to be presented to the Student Legislative Senate.
    c. To prepare an agenda for Student Legislative Senate meetings.
    d. To coordinate and prepare reports of committees.
    e. Administer the Student Government Association funds according to Tri-County Technical College’s procedures.
  3. Meeting. The Executive Council will meet one week prior to the regular Student Government Association meeting.


Article VI - Judicial Branch
Powers and Terms of Student Judicial Court. The Judicial Power of the Student Government Association will be vested in one Student Court. It is expected that the behavior of members of the Student Court be beyond reproach. This Judicial Power shall extend to cases arising under this Constitution involving controversies between two or more students and in cases where students’ behavior would reflect poorly on Tri-County Technical College. A board of three judges shall comprise the Student Judicial Court along with a three-member advisory committee. These members will be nominated and elected by the Student Legislative Senate body and with approval of the President and the Student Government Association Advisor.


QUALIFICATIONS
Their qualifications will be measured with those of the Executive Officers.


IMPEACHMENT
The Student Legislative Senate shall have sole power to impeach any member of the Student Government Association. Appeals may be made to the Student Government Advisor and the College President. No person shall be impeached without a two-thirds vote by written ballot of the Senators present. Judgment in case of impeachment shall not extend further than removal from office and disqualification to hold any future position in the Student Government Association, but the party convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to judgment and punished by the Student Court and, if warranted, civil authorities.


Article VII – Standing Committee Bylaws


ELECTION COMMITTEE BYLAWS
It is the responsibility of the Election Committee of the Student Legislative Senate to organize and administer all Student Government elections. Its four Student Legislature members will be appointed by the President. Executive elections will be held during the Spring Semester. Voting will take place in an area specified by the Election Committee.
Students must be currently enrolled to vote (as defined in the current Tri-County Technical College catalog). Before voting, each student will have his/her name checked off a master list to ensure that no student votes twice. The Elections Committee will specify the times during which the polls will be open. At the close of each voting session, the committee will carry the ballots along with any unused ballots to the Counseling Center, where the Elections Committee Chairman and the Secretary will tabulate all votes under the supervision of the Student Government Association Advisor. A simple majority will be required for election to office. If, after the count is completed, no candidate running for a particular office has a majority, then the two candidates having the greatest number of votes for that particular office will have a run-off election the following week. Candidates may run for only one office in each election.

For a student’s name to be placed on the ballot, the student must:

  1. Meet the qualifications of office.
  2. Inform the Election Committee of his/her intention to run for office on or before the cut-off date advertised during Spring Semester.
  3. File a petition with the Student Government Association Advisor containing 100 student signatures. This petition should be filed on or before the cut-off date advertised.


Article VIII - Student Rights

STUDENT RIGHTS
Under no circumstances will any act passed by the Student Legislative Senate or any part of the Constitution deprive a student of the rights granted to him/her by the Constitution of the United States of America.

 

 

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