Constitution By-Laws
Preamble
We, the students of Stanly Community College, in order to establish a spirit of community among students, faculty, staff, administration and trustees; coordinate and regulate student activities; maintain a high standard for the college by exemplifying a high level of personal conduct; desiring to preserve free discussion; to insure the rights and general welfare of the student body; do hereby establish this constitution for the Student Government Association of Stanly Community College.
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this organization shall be the Stanly Community College Student Government Association (SGA).
ARTICLE II
Membership
All registered, activity-fee paying curriculum students of Stanly Community College, without regard to race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, age or disability are members of the Students Government Association
ARTICLE III
Statement of Purpose
The Stanly Community College Student Government Association shall serve as the official organization conducting the affairs of its members. The Student Government Association shall provide forums for students to engage in out-of-class student development activities and shall server as a liaison to the administration of the College.
ARTICLE IV
Administration
The SGA shall be divided intro two branches: Senate and Executive.
Section A. The Student Senate shall serve as the legislative branch of the Student Government Association.
Section B. The Executive Board shall serve as the executive branch of the Student Government Association.
ARTICLE V Business and Finance
All business and financial affairs of the SGA shall be conducted through the two branches as provided for within this constitution and bylaws or within the policy manual adopted and maintained by the Senate branch.
ARTICLE VI
Meetings
The branches of the SGA shall hold meetings as necessary to discharge the duties assigned to it. Such meetings shall be announced by generally accepted means at least one week in advance. The SGA Advisor, or a Stanly Community College administrative designee, must be present for the transaction of official business. Roberts Rules of Order Revised with be used, and all question of order shall be decided by Roberts Rules of Order .
ARTICLE VII
Amendments
This constitution may be amended through action by the Student Senate and Executive Board. The bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Executive Board. The constitution and bylaws must conform with state and college policies, and any conflict will be constructed in favor of the state and/or college policy. Any amendments or revisions must be approved by a majority of those attending a Student Senate meeting except in cases as otherwise stipulated.
STANLY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION BYLAWS
ARTICLE 1. SENATE
A. Membership
Full voting membership in the Student Government Senate shall be offered to executive Board officers, elected representatives of curriculum departments and representatives of approved student clubs and organizations. These representatives shall have their names recorded and their attendance and participation noted. These representatives shall have full voting privileges on the Student Senate. Their names shall be submitted to the Student Government Association Secretary at the first meeting of the fall semester and as often as necessary.
1. Department Representatives
Three (3) representatives shall be elected from each department as published in the college catalog. The College Transfer curriculum and special credit shall have one representative. A new student (student who has complicated less than one semester) may be elected to the Student Senate and will be considered a student in a good standing by the SGA. Representatives may be elected from either day or night student populations.
2. Club/Organization Representatives
One (1) representative shall be selected from each approved student club or organization that is in good standing. Club representative shall have voting power.
B. Attendance
Elected members of the Student Senate shall maintain attendance at all Student Senate meetings. Any Student Senate member who misses two (2) meetings or two (2) SGA activities per semester shall be suspended from the Student Senate except under extenuating circumstances, including but not limited to illness, death in immediate family, work conflict or class conflicts with instructor verification. The Student Senate, at its regularly scheduled meetings shall determine legitimacy of excuses for absences for its voting members. Club representatives are urged to attend meetings and participate in SGA functions.
C. Meetings
The Student Senate shall meet at least once monthly during the academic year, or as needed. A simple majority of those present shall be sufficient for conducting business. All activity fee paying students retain their right to attend Student Senate meetings and express their ideas but shall not have voting privileges in any matter before the Student Senate unless they are a representative or an executive officer.
D. Duties, Powers and Responsibilities
The duties of the Student Senate Representatives shall be as follows:
1. To represent their respective groups at all SGA meetings.
2. To serve as a liaison between the Student Senate and all students.
3. To take the leadership in initiating desirable Senate and amending or abolishing undesirable rules and regulation of the SGA.
4. To approve budget items.
5. To be active on committees.
6. To be familiar with the SGA Constitution.
7. To submit a semester class schedule to the SGA Secretary.
8. To encourage students to attend all meetings.
9. To perform other duties as assigned to enhance campus life and the effectiveness of the SGA.
E. Vacancies
Vacancies may occur automatically under the following conditions:
1. Failure to register as a student.
2. Voluntary withdrawal from the College.
3. Suspension from the College.
4. Written resignation
5. Student not in good standing as defined in the current Stanly Community College Catalog.
6. Is not enrolled in at least six (6) credit hours in a curriculum leading to a degree or diploma.
7. Negligence of duties.
F. Code of Conduct
Because Student Senate members including Executive Board Officers are in a leadership capacity they shall conduct themselves in a proper manner at all times. Any action that would bring discredit to the SGA, student body, faculty, staff, administration or Stanly Community College in general could result in dismissal from office. Unwarranted behavior/conduct will be heard on a case-by-case basis by the Executive Board and/or Advisors. In each case the Executive Board and/or Advisors will take what is deemed necessary action. Any action taken can be appealed by the student(s) to the Dean of Students.
ARTICLE II. EXECUTIVE BOARD
A.Membership
Membership on the Executive Board is made up of six (6) Executive Officers. New students will be eligible to serve on the Executive Board; however, they shall be considered on probationary status for their first semester. All Executive Board members shall have full voting privileges in Executive Board and Student Senate meetings.
B. Attendance
Any Executive Board member who misses two (2) of either the Executive Board meetings, Student Senate meetings or SGA activities per semester shall be suspended from the Board except under extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances include but are not limited to illness, death in the immediate family, work conflicts or class conflicts with instructor verification. The Executive Board at its next scheduled meeting shall determine legitimacy of excuses for absences covered by the above.
C. Meetings
The Executive Board shall meet once every week or as needed to satisfactorily discharge responsibilities assigned to it by the Student Senate. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be announced by generally accepted means at least one week in advance. A simple majority of executive officers present shall be sufficient to conduct business.
D. Duties, Powers, Responsibilities
The duties of the Executive Board shall be as follows:
1. To plan meetings of the SGA.
2. To recommend changes in the rules and regulation that govern the students of the College to the Student Senate.
3. To approve budget expenditures.
4. To recommend an annual budget for the Student Senate.
5. To organize and execute activities for the SGA.
6. To represent the SGA at the North Carolina Comprehensive Community College Student Government Association state conferences when financially possible and with Advisor approval.
7. To perform other duties on behalf of the student body of SCC that will improve the general welfare of the students.
8. To consider all requests from faculty, staff, administration and student clubs and organizations prior to a Student Senate meeting. To make these requests public at the Student Senate meeting.
9. To perform all other duties deemed necessary by the Executive Board membership and/or the Student Senate membership.
10. To serve as a member on standing institutional committees.
ARTICLE III. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
A. Membership
Executive offices of the SGA shall consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Information Officer – Albemarle Campus, and Public Information Officer – Crutchfield Campus.
B. Duties, Powers, Responsibilities
1. President
The President shall:
a. Be the official spokesperson of the SGA.
b. Preside over all Executive Board and Student Senate meetings.
c. Establish times and locations for all meetings.
d. Serve as a non-voting member of the Stanly Community College Board of Trustees.
e. Report to the students all pertinent and relevant information discussed at Board of Trustees meetings.
f. Have a good working relationship with the Board of Trustees, Administration, Advisors, Executive Board, Student Senate and the student body.
g. Appoint ad hoc committees necessary for the official operations of the SGA.
h. Be an ex-officio member of all committees.
i. Be prepared and willing to take over the responsibilities of any executive officer if deemed necessary.
j. Give a progress report to the Student Senate at scheduled meetings.
k. Keep regular office hours (at least three per week).
l. Perform designated duties to enhance campus life and the effectiveness of the SGA.
m. Meet with the advisors of the SGA on a regular basis.
2. Vice President
The Vice President shall:
a. Be responsible to the President for assisting in the coordination of an effective SGA.
b. Assume the responsibilities of the President in his/her absence.
c. Act as chairperson for the Activities Committee.
d. Appoint Activity Committee members as needed.
e. Serve as ex-officio member of the Publicity Committee.
f. Keep the Advisors and President abreast of activities and the progress of each.
g. Develop a good working relationship with the Administration, Advisors, Executive Board, Student Senate and student body
h. Keep regular office hours (at least three per week).
i. Give a progress report to the Student Senate at scheduled meetings.
j. Perform other designated duties to enhance campus life and the effectiveness of SGA.
k. Meet with Advisors of the SGA on a regular basis.
3. Secretary
The Secretary shall:
a. Be responsible to the President for providing clerical support services for the SGA.
b. Establish a filing system that is accessible to all Executive Board members.
c. Take minutes of all Executive Board and Student Senate meetings. Post minutes in every building within 72 hours.
d. Type correspondence and other documents as deemed necessary by the SGA.
e. File documents,
f. Work with Public Information Officer on the SGA newsletter.
g. Develop a good working relationship with the Advisors, Executive Board and Student Senate.
h. Keep regular office hours (at least two per week).
i. Perform other designated duties to enhance campus life and the effectiveness of the SGA.
4. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall:
a. Be responsible to the President to keep accurate records of the revenues and expenses of the SGA.
b. Give a monthly report of the expenses and revenues to the Student Senate.
c. Develop and maintain adequate and accurate files.
d. Check on conference/workshop expenses and submit necessary paperwork to the college business office through the Dean of Students for such expenses on a timely basis (2 weeks prior to needing funds).
e. Submit requisition forms with receipts for supplies, travel, activities, etc., to the college Business Office through the Dean of Students.
f. Compile all monthly reports in a booklet at the end of the school year.
g. Develop a good working relationship with the Business Office Staff, Purchasing Agent, Advisors, Executive Board and Student Senate.
h. Work closely with the Vice President in budgeting and planning activities.
i. Attend a training session with Purchasing Agent and Business Office personal prior to the start of the fall semester.
j. Keep Advisors and President up-to-date on the budget.
k. Keep regular office hours (at least two hours per week).
5. Public Information Officer
The Public Information Officer shall:
a. Be responsible to the President for the coordination of an effective public (student) relations program that will present a favorable image of the students of Stanly Community College.
b. Submit articles and news releases to the Stanly Community College Public Information Officer.
c. Serve as chairperson of the Publicity Committee.
d. Appoint Publicity Committee members as needed.
e. Serve as an ex-officio member of the Activities Committee.
f. Edit the SGA Newsletter and any other publication generated by the SGA.
g. Inform students, faculty, staff and relevant college population of upcoming events in a timely manner.
h. Develop a scrapbook of the activities of the SGA.
i. Develop, assign duties to, and monitor the progress of the Publicity Committee.
j. Develop good working relation with Stanly Community College Public Information Officer, Advisors, Executive Board and Student Senate.
k. Give a progress report to the Advisors and Student Senate at scheduled meetings.
l. Keep regular office hours (at least two per week).
m. Perform other duties as assigned to enhance campus life and the effectiveness of the SGA.
ARTICLE IV. VACANCIES
A. Vacancies may occur under the following conditions:
1. Failure to register as a student.
2. Voluntary withdrawal from Stanly Community College.
3. Suspension from Stanly Community College.
4. Written resignation.
5. Student not in good academic standing in accordance with Stanly Community College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy as stated in the current Stanly Community College Catalog.
6. Student is not enrolled in at least six (6) credit hours in a curriculum program leading to a degree or diploma.
7. Negligence of duties.
B. Procedure
1. In the event of the vacancy of the President, the vacancy shall be filled by the Vice President.
2. In the event of the vacancy of the Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and/or the Public Information officer, the President shall appoint an officer to fill in the vacancy with the approval of the Executive Board.
3. All vacancies shall be filled within thirty (30) days of the announcement of the vacancy.
ARTICLE V. GENERAL ELECTIONS
A. Candidates
1. All candidates shall submit a petition with twenty names of eligible voters to the SGA Advisor(s) two weeks prior to elections.
2. Executive Officers and Departmental Representatives shall:
a. Be a student with a minimum of six (6) credit hours and enrolled in a curriculum program leading to a degree or diploma.
b. Maintain satisfactory academic progress as stated in the Stanly Community College Catalog.
c. Meet with SGA Advisor(s).
3. No student shall be elected to the same office for more than one term.
B. Advisor(s)
Advisor(s) shall:
Determine eligibility of all candidates and assure that no guidelines have been breached. The candidate will be disqualified if there has been a breach in guidelines.
C. Voting
1. One student representative from each of SCC’s active clubs shall be entitled to vote in any SGA Election.
2. No candidate shall be allowed to campaign with twenty (20) feet of the ballot box on Election Day.
D. Election
1. Election shall:
a. Be held during the spring semester for all Executive Officers.
b. Be by secret ballot, and a majority of the votes cast will constitute election.
2. Results will be posted in the Student Center by noon the following day.
3. The Election Committee shall be responsible for all election preparations.
4. In the event no student receives a majority of votes and only if three (3) or more candidates are seeking the same office, a run-off election will held within three school days.
5. Newly elected Executive Board officers shall assume their duties at the beginning of the summer sessions. Representatives for the Student Senate shall assume their duties immediately following the election.
ARTICLE VI. STANDING COMMITTEES
A. Appointment
1. The Vice President shall serve as chairperson for the Activities Committee and appoint committee members as needed. The Public Information Officer shall serve as chairperson of the Publicity Committee and appoint committee members as needed. Other chairpersons shall be appointed by the President as needed.
2. Ad hoc committees shall be appointed by the President for short term special assignment. They will be disbanded upon completion of their assignment.
3. Any member of any committee shall be subject to denial or removal upon the majority of the Executive Board.
4. The President shall appoint an Executive Officer as an ex-officio member of all ad hoc committees.
B. Standing Committees
1. Election Committee
The Election Committee and its chairperson shall have the duty of establishing and monitoring election procedures, including the duties and responsibilities of receiving, studying and disposing of petitions, establishing meeting times for the candidates and counting votes. The Election Committee and its chairperson shall be appointed by the President from the members of the Student Senate.
2. Publicity Committee
The Publicity Committee shall have the duties and responsibilities of publicizing any and all SGA functions. The chairperson of the Publicity Committee shall be the SGA Public Information Officer. Publicity Committee shall meet at least once a month or as needed.
3. Activities Committee
The Activities Committee shall have the duties and responsibilities of planning programs and activities to benefit the students. The chairperson of the Activities Committee shall be the SGA Vice President. The Activities Committee shall meet at least once a month or as needed.
4. Special Populations Committee
The Special Populations Committee shall address issues and programs of interest to the special populations enrolled at Stanly Community College. The chairperson of the Special Populations Committee shall be appointed by the President from members of the Student Senate.
ARTICLE VII. DELEGATES TO
INTERCOLLEGIATE MEETINGS
Student delegates to intercollegiate meetings shall have the approval of the Advisor(s).
ARTICLE VIII. DIVISION OR STATE OFFICERS
A. Candidates for Division or State Offices
It is recommended that Executive Board officers not run for Division or State offices while in their official capacities; however, in the event that the officer should choose to run, the following guidelines shall be followed.
1. The student’s first responsibility shall be to the Stanly Community College SGA.
2. Any SGA Executive Board officer or Student representative must have approval by the SGA Advisor(s) and the Dean of Students.
3. Students in a Division or State Office shall be allotted financial assistance when feasible in the following:
a. phone calls
b. mail
c. travel
d. room and board
4. Students must remain in good academic standing in accordance with Stanly Community College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy as stated in the current Stanly Community College Catalog.
