Student Union Constitution

7/28/2019 Student Union Constitution

1/49

Constitution

of the

Undergraduate Student Body

of theUniversity of Notre Dame du Lac

Revised & Updated: April 01, 2014

The University of Notre Dame Student Union20142015

Lauren Vidal

Student Body President

Matt Devine

Student Body Vice-President

Shannon Montague

Chief of Staff

Katie WoodStudent Union Secretary

Kristen ParkinsonStudent Union Treasurer

TBAParliamentarian

Lindsay HuthDirector of Communications

Tommy SchneemanExecutive Controller

Kathryn PeruskiJudicial Council President

Michelle LacoutureDirector of Academic Affairs

Angel ZambranoDirector of Internal Affairs

Shuyan LiDirector of Campus Technology

Jack McKeonDirector of Constituent Services

Kristen LoehleDirector of Gender Issues

Jamie GrzybowskiDirector of Community Relations

Brent MurphyDirector of Residence Life

Paul LipariDirector of Social Concerns

Andrew CarmonaDirector of University Affairs

Stephen KimStudent Union Representative to

Diversity Council

Grace CarrollCampus Ministry Representative

Corey RobinsonAthletics Representative

TBAStudent Union Board Executive

Director

Michael Wajda & KathleenClark

Hall Presidents Council Co-Chairs

Marisa Olsen & Louis BertolottiFUEL Directors

TBAClub Coordination Council

Kevin McMannisOff-Campus President

Martin WalshSenior Class President

Zachary WatersonJunior Class President

Neomi VentillaSophomore Class President

TBAFreshman Class President

Elizabeth FentonNational Engagement and

Outreach


2/49

2 Constitution of the Undergraduate Student Body 03/26/2014

CONTENTS

PREAMBLE.............................................. 4ARTICLE I................................................ 4GENERAL PROVISIONS ......................... 4

Section 1.1. Name. .................................. 4

Section 1.2. Authority. ............................ 4Section 1.3. Eligibility for Office. .......... 4Section 1.4. Amendment. ........................ 5Section 1.5. Non-Discrimination Clause. 5

ARTICLE II.............................................. 5EXECUTIVE OFFICERS .......................... 5

Section 2.1. Student Body President. ...... 5Section 2.2. Student Body Vice-President................................................................. 6Section 2.3. Chief of Staff. ..................... 7Section 2.4. Student Union Secretary. .... 7

Section 2.5. Parliamentarian. .................. 7Section 2.6. Director of Communications.................................................................. 7Section 2.7. Athletics Representative. .... 8Section 2.8. Executive Controller. .......... 8Section 2.9. Campus MinistryRepresentative. ........................................ 8

ARTICLE III............................................. 9SENATE ..................................................... 9

Section 3.1. Voting Composition. ........... 9Section 3.2. Non-Voting Composition. .. 9

Section 3.3. Powers & Duties. .............. 10Section 3.4. Meetings & Procedures. .... 11Section 3.5. External Requests. ............ 13Section 3.6. Transition. ......................... 13Section 3.7. Election Appeals. .............. 14

ARTICLE IV........................................... 15EXECUTIVE CABINET .......................... 15

Section 4.1. Composition. ..................... 15Section 4.2. Purpose & Duties. ............. 15Section 4.3. Executive Departments. .... 15

ARTICLE V............................................ 16EXECUTIVE PROGRAMMING BOARD................................................................... 16

Section 5.1. Composition. ..................... 16Section 5.2. Powers & Duties. .............. 17

ARTICLE VI........................................... 17FIRST UNDERGRADUATEEXPERIENCE IN LEADERSHIP (FUEL)................................................................... 17

Section 6.1 Composition. ...................... 17Section 6.2 Purpose. .............................. 17Section 6.3 Transition. .......................... 18Section 6.4 General Provisions. ............ 18

ARTICLE VII......................................... 18STUDENT UNION BOARD ................... 18

Section 7.1. Composition. ..................... 18Section 7.2. Purpose & Duties. ............. 19Section 7.3. Divisions. .......................... 20Section 7.4. SUB Directors SelectionCommittees. .......................................... 20

ARTICLE VIII........................................ 21HALL PRESIDENTS COUNCIL........... 21

Section 8.1. Composition. ..................... 21Section 8.2. Purpose. ............................. 21

Section 8.3. General Provisions. ........... 21Section 8.4. Hall of the Year. ................ 22

ARTICLE IX........................................... 22CLUB COORDINATION COUNCIL ..... 22

Section 9.1. Composition. ..................... 22Section 9.2. Purpose & Duties. ............. 23

ARTICLE X............................................ 23CLASS COUNCILS ................................. 23

Section 10.1. Composition. ................... 23Section 10.2. Purpose. ........................... 24Section 10.3. General Provisions &Duties. ................................................... 24

ARTICLE XI........................................... 24OFF-CAMPUS COUNCIL ....................... 24

Section 11.1. Composition. ................... 24Section 11.2. Purpose. ........................... 25Section 11.3. General Provisions &Duties. ................................................... 25

ARTICLE XII......................................... 26FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT BOARD 26

Section 12.1. Composition. ................... 26Section 12.2. Meetings & Procedures. .. 27Section 12.3. Powers & Duties. ............ 28Section 12.4. Student Businesses. ......... 28Section 12.5. The Shirt Project. ............ 29Section 12.6. Special-Interest StudentOrganizations. ....................................... 29Section 12.7. Collaboration Fund. ........ 30Section 12.8. Collaboration Fund Appeal................................................................ 30


3/49

03/26/2014 University of Notre Dame du Lac 3

ARTICLE XIII........................................ 31JUDICIAL COUNCIL .............................. 31

Section 13.1. Composition. ................... 31Section 13.2. Powers & Duties. ............ 32Section 13.3. Meetings & Procedures. .. 33Section 13.4. Specific Duties. ............... 33

Section 13.5. Hearings. ......................... 33Section 13.6. Debates. ........................... 34Section 13.7. Student Union EthicsCommission. ......................................... 34

ARTICLE XIV........................................ 35REMOVALS, RECALLS, & VACANCIES................................................................... 35

Section 14.1. Impeachment & Removal................................................................ 35Section 14.2. Recall of Elected Officials.

............................................................... 35

Section 14.3. Vacancies. ....................... 36ARTICLE XV.......................................... 37PETITION, INITIATIVE, &REFERENDUM ....................................... 37

Section 15.1. Petition. ........................... 37Section 15.2. Initiative. ......................... 37Section 15.3. Referendum. .................... 37

ARTICLE XVI........................................ 37TRANSITION & EVALUATION ........... 37

Section 16.1. Transition & Continuity. . 37Section 16.2. Internal Review & Reform................................................................ 37

ARTICLE XVII...................................... 38ELECTIONS ............................................. 38

Section 17.1. General Provisions. ......... 38Section 17.2. Student Body President,Vice-President, & Class Officers. ......... 39Section 17.3. Hall Elections. ................. 41Section 17.4. Off-Campus Elections. .... 42Section 17.5. Election Results. ............. 43

ARTICLE XVIII..................................... 43STUDENT UNION FISCAL POLICY .... 43

Section 18.1. Preamble. ........................ 43Section 18.2. General Guidelines. ........ 43Section 18.3. Method of Allocation. ..... 44Section 18.4. Special Limitations. ........ 44Section 18.5. Political Activities........... 45Section 18.6. Financial ManagementBoard Approvals. .................................. 46

Section 18.7. Student Business FinancialGuidelines. ............................................ 46Section 18.8. Club Coordination CouncilGuidelines. ............................................ 47Section 18.9. Carry-Forward Account

Guidelines. ............................................ 47

Section 18.10. Student UnionEndowment. .......................................... 47Section 18.11. Shirt Charity Endowment................................................................ 47

ARTICLE XIX........................................ 48ANNUAL AWARDS ............................... 48

Section 19.1. The Irish Clover Award. . 48Section 19.2. The Michael J. PalumboAward. ................................................... 48

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART............. 49


4/49


PREAMBLE

E,THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

of the University of Notre Dame du Lac,recognize the uncommon value of the vision ofOur Ladys University and our essential role inits ongoing realizations. In order to achieve the

greatest possible contribution to our community,

we endeavor to make efficient and effective useof the resources available, to communicate

student convictions clearly and willfully tofaculty, administrators, and trustees, and toachieve consensus within the University

community on the formulation and execution ofpolicy. We labor with the entire Notre Damefamily to ensure that each student reaches his or

her full academic, social, and spiritual potentialand resolve to sustain the evolving spirit of

Notre Dame by entrusting its care to the student.Therefore, we do hereby ordain and establish

this Constitution of the Undergraduate StudentBody of the University of Notre Dame and formthe Notre Dame Student Union.

ARTICLE I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1.1. Name.

(a) The name of the organization which shallcarry out the goals of the preamble shall be theNotre Dame Student Union, henceforthreferred to as Student Union.

Section 1.2. Authority.

(a) The authority of this Constitution is thebasis for all business of the Student Union. TheStudent Union or any members thereof shall notact in any way that is contrary to thisConstitution or its bylaws. There shall not beany discrimination in the Student Union.

(b) Each Student Union organization shalldevelop written bylaws by May 1st to establishthe operational procedures (including attendanceand tardiness) necessary for the organization tocarry out its constitutional duties. These bylaws

must be approved by the organizations StudentActivities advisor and presented to the StudentUnion Ethics Commission.

(1)Nothing in the bylaws shall come intoconflict with this Constitution.(2) Amendments to an organizationsbylaws may only be written by theorganization the bylaws pertain to and mustbe approved by of the voting memberswithin that organization. The StudentActivities advisor to the organization mustapprove any bylaw amendments.

(c) This Constitution shall mandate thefollowing

(1) All voting shall require a simplemajority unless otherwise specified in thisConstitution. When not specified by this

Constitution, The Standard Code ofParliamentary Procedureshall take effect.(2) All members of the Senate must begiven a copy of The Standard Code of

Parliamentary Procedureas well as a copyof this Constitution.(3) The Student Union Ethics Commissionshall be in charge of reviewing andenforcing all attendance policies set forth ineach Student Union organizationsconstitutional article and/or bylaws.Furthermore, the Ethics Commission will

oversee the faithful completion of the dutiesof each position enumerated in thisConstitution. Should the Ethics Commissionfeel that any Student Union official is inviolation of attendance policies and/orneglecting his or her duties as set forth inthis Constitution and/or any applicablebylaws, the Ethics Commission may take theappropriate action outlined in Section 13.7of this Constitution.(4) All organizations shall maintain detailedrecords of all official meetings and shall

submit such records to the Student UnionSecretary.

Section 1.3. Eligibility for Office.

(a) Any undergraduate student enrolled at theUniversity of Notre Dame who is of goodacademic standing, as determined by the Officeof the Registrar or the First Year of Studies

W


5/49


Program, and of good disciplinary standing, asdetermined by the Office of Residence Life andHousing, shall be eligible to hold an office in theNotre Dame Student Union.

(b) All elected officials (including those withinthe Hall Presidents Council, Student UnionBoard, and Senate) as well as appointed SenateDepartment Directors must be present for theirentire term.

(c)No person may simultaneously hold morethan one office enumerated in this Constitution.

Section 1.4. Amendment.

(a) An amendment to this Constitution may bepresented to the Senate by any member of

Senate or through a petition.

(b) A presented amendment to this Constitutionshall be adopted with the following actions

(1) A two-thirds vote of all present andvoting members of the Senate and thesignature of the Student Body President.(2) If the Student Body President does notsign an amendment passed by a two-thirdsvote of all voting members of the Senate, heor she shall return it to the Senate, stating hisor her objections, within two weeks, at

which time the amendment may be adoptedwith a five-sixths vote of all voting membersof the Senate.(3) The approval of the Student ActivitiesOffice.

Section 1.5. Non-Discrimination Clause.

(a) This Constitution recognizes the God-granted dignity of all persons and their right torespect, justice, and a welcoming environment,regardless of race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender,

sexual orientation, gender identity, ability ordisability, religion, socioeconomic status,documentation status, and nationality. ThisConstitution forbids any acts of harmful andunjust discrimination within the Student Union.

(b) Allegations of discriminatory activity shallbe brought before the Student Union Ethics

Commission as misconduct under Subsection (a)of Section 14.7 of this Constitution.

ARTICLE II

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Section 2.1. Student Body President.

(a) The Student Body President shall be electedby a majority vote of the undergraduate studentbody prior to the third Thursday in February ofeach year.

(b) The Student Body President shall serve aone-year term beginning on April 1st of the yearelected.

(c) The Student Body President shall ensure theefficient and effective operation of the StudentUnion.

(d) The Student Body President shall representundergraduate student interests and maintainregular communication with the undergraduatestudent body and be responsive to undergraduatestudent opinion.

(e) The Student Body President shall addressthe Senate at least once each semester in his or

her State of the Student Union Address, but mayaddress the Senate at any time with regards to animportant issue or topic. Each shall be deliveredorally and submitted in written form to eachmember of the Senate. State of the StudentUnion Addresses shall occur by the followingschedule:

(1) Upon the Student Body Presidentselection by the last Senate meeting of thesemester.(2) By the last Senate meeting ofNovember.

(3) By the last Senate meeting of his or herterm.

(f) The Student Body President shall serve asthe chairperson of the Campus Life Council inthe capacity outlined in the Bylaws of theCampus Life Council.


6/49


(g) The Student Body President shall representthe undergraduate student body as an ex officiomember of the Student Affairs Committee of theBoard of Trustees.

(h) The Student Body President shall appoint aStudent Union Secretary, a Chief of Staff, anExecutive Controller, and a Director ofCommunications as outlined in Article I. TheStudent Body President shall also appoint SenateDepartment Directors. The Student UnionSecretary, the Director of Communications, andthe Academic Delegate shall be approved by theSenate.

(i) The Student Body President shall attend allSenate meetings.

(j) The Student Body President shall create adhoc Senate departments as needed.

(k) The Student Body President shall scheduleand chair meetings between university leadersand local law enforcement leaders including, butnot limited to, the Chief of the South BendPolice Department, Sheriff of St. Joseph County,District 1 Commander of the Indiana ExcisePolice, Chief of the Notre Dame Security Police,and a representative from the University ofNotre Dame administration. The meetings shall

take place at the following times during thePresidents term:

(1) Once during the month of August.(2) Once during the month of January.(3) Once during the month of April.

(A) The previous Student BodyPresident shall also be present at themeeting held in the month of April.

(l) The Student Body President or any qualifieddesignee acting on behalf thereof shall attend all

meetings of the Community/Campus AdvisoryCoalition (CCAC) as the representative of thestudent body of the University of Notre Dame.The Student Body President or the designeethereof shall brief the Student Senate regardingthe affairs of the CCAC at its first regularmeeting after any meeting of the CCAC.

(m)The Student Body President shall develop,submit, and present a budget proposal for theSenate to the Financial Management Board forthe annual allocation meeting with the assistanceof the Student Body Vice-President andExecutive Controller.

(n) The Student Body President shall develop,submit, and present a budget proposal for theOffice of the Student Body President for thepurposes of limited, policy-based programmingto the Financial Management Board for theannual allocation meeting with the assistance ofthe Student Body Vice-President and theExecutive Controller.

(o) The Director of Student Activities shalldesignate an advisor to the Student Body

President.

Section 2.2. Student Body Vice-President.

(a) The Student Body Vice-President shallassist the Student Body President in theperformance of presidential duties.

(b) The Student Body Vice-President shall beelected by a majority vote of the undergraduatestudent body prior to the third Thursday inFebruary of each year.

(c) The Student Body Vice-President shall servea one-year term beginning on April 1st of theyear elected.

(d) The Student Body Vice-President shall serveas the Chairperson of the Senate and ensure itsefficient and effective operation.

(e) The Student Body Vice-President shallattend Executive Cabinet meetings.

(f) The Student Body Vice-President shallassist the Student Body President and theExecutive Controller in the development,submission, and presentation of the budgetproposal for the Senate to the FinancialManagement Board for the annual allocationmeeting.


7/49


(g) The Student Body Vice-President shallassist the Student Body President in thedevelopment, submission, and presentation ofthe budget proposal for the Office of the StudentBody President.

Section 2.3. Chief of Staff.

(a) The Chief of Staff shall assist the StudentBody President in the daily duties and tasks ofthe President.

(b) The Chief of Staff shall assist the StudentBody Vice-President in the coordination of theefforts of any standing or ad hoc departments asneeded.

(c) The Chief of Staff shall attend all ExecutiveCabinet meetings.

(d) The Chief of Staff shall also attend as a non-voting member all Student Union meetings theStudent Body President attends as enumeratedbelow

(1) Senate.(2) Campus Life Council.

(e) The Chief of Staff shall be responsible forall Senate press releases.

(f) The Chief of Staff shall be responsible forpublicity for the Senate.(g) The Chief of Staff shall be appointed by theStudent Body President and approved by theSenate.

(h) The Chief of Staff shall chair meetings ofthe Executive Programming Board and shalloversee the online programming calendar.

Section 2.4. Student Union Secretary.

(a) The Student Body President shall nominatethe Student Union Secretary at the first Senatemeeting of the term. The Senate shall review andapprove this nomination.

(b) The Student Union Secretary shall facilitatethe distribution of information among allbranches of the Student Union. This shall

include distribution of information among thefollowing groups

(1) Senate.(2) Executive Cabinet.(3) Executive Programming Board.(4) Campus Life Council.

(c) The Student Union Secretary shall beresponsible for the maintenance of the StudentUnions public records, which shall include (butare not limited to) the minutes and agendas ofthe aforementioned Student Union meetings.The Student Union Secretary shall also serve asthe archivist of the Student Union Archives andensure their effective and efficient organizationand operation.

(d) The Student Union Secretary shall make allpublic records of the Student Union easilyaccessible to all students, faculty, and staff ofthe University.

(e) The Student Union Secretary shall beresponsible for the preparation of minutes of theaforementioned Student Union meetings anddistribute the minutes to the members of theSenate as well as students, faculty, and staff whorequest the minutes.

(f) The Student Union Secretary must compile adocument containing all agendas, dockets, andminutes for the given aforementioned StudentUnion groups terms.

Section 2.5. Parliamentarian.

(a) The incoming Judicial Council Presidentshall nominate a Parliamentarian to the Senate atthe first Senate meeting of the term. The Senateshall review and approve this nomination.

(b) The Parliamentarian shall advise theChairperson of the Senate and Campus LifeCouncil regarding parliamentary procedure andThe Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure.

Section 2.6. Director of Communications.

(a) The Director of Communications shallupdate and maintain a web site consistent withthe Hall Presidents Council, Student Union


8/49


Board and Senate, and shall oversee all externalcommunications of student government.

(b) The web site shall(1) Facilitate communication andcollaboration among student groups.

(2) Effectively publicize all student groupevents and programs to the student body.(3) Be updated weekly during the academicyear.

(c) The Director of Communications shallattend Executive Cabinet and ExecutiveProgramming Board meetings.

(d) The Director of Communications shall beappointed by the Student Body President andapproved by the Senate.

Section 2.7. Athletics Representative.

(a) The Student Body President shall appoint arepresentative to the University Department ofAthletics.

(b) The Athletics Representative shall aid andadvise the Student Body President and StudentBody Vice-President in all matters pertaining toathletics.

(c) The Athletics Representative shall serve as amember of Executive Cabinet.Section 2.8. Executive Controller.

(a) The Executive Controller shall maintain anaccurate and timely record of all income andexpenses of the Senate.

(b) The Executive Controller shall approve alltransactions of the Senate and submit requests tothe Office of the Student Union Treasurer.

(c) The Executive Controller shall be appointedby the Student Body President.

(d) The Executive Controller shall assist theStudent Body President in the development,submission, and presentation of the budgetproposal for the Senate to the Financial

Management Board for the annual allocationmeeting.

(e) The Executive Controller shall attend allExecutive Cabinet meetings and all FinancialManagement Board meetings.

Section 2.9. Campus Ministry Representative.

(a) The Student Body President shall appoint arepresentative to the Office of Campus Ministry.

(b) The Campus Ministry Representative shallbe responsible for providing input on thespiritual needs of the student body and thestudent government policies relating to the same.

(c) The Campus Ministry Representative shall

sit as a member of the Executive Cabinet and beapproved by the Student Senate.

Section 2.10. Student Union Representative to

Diversity Council

(a) The Student Body President shall appoint arepresentative to the Diversity Council.

(b) Student Union Representative to DiversityCouncil shall be responsible for maintainingcontact and communication between Student

Government and Diversity Council.

(c) Final resolutions and recommendations maybe presented between the two bodies by way ofthe Student Union Representative to DiversityCouncil.

(d) The Student Union Representative toDiversity Council shall sit as a member of theExecutive Cabinet and be approved by theStudent Senate.


9/49


ARTICLE III

SENATE

Section 3.1. Voting Composition.

(a) The Senate shall be composed of thefollowing members:

(1) One elected Senator per undergraduateresidence hall.(2) One elected off-campus undergraduateSenator.(3) Four Class Presidents.(4) Club Coordination Council President.(5) Off-Campus President.

(b) Each Senator shall be elected by theundergraduate residents of each hall prior to the

first day of March each year. Students who bothreside off-campus currently and will by fallsemester shall elect one undergraduate studentprior to the third Friday of March of each year toserve as the Off-Campus Senator.

(c) Each Senate member must be present for theentire term.

(d) Each Senate member shall serve a one-yearterm beginning on April 1st of the year elected.

(e) Each Senate member shall have one vote.(f) Student Body Vice-President.

(1) The Student Body Vice-President shallserve as the Chairperson of the Senate andensure its efficient and effective operation.The Chairperson shall only cast a vote whencasting a vote affects the result.

Section 3.2. Non-Voting Composition.

(a) The Student Body President shall serve as anon-voting member of the Senate.

(1) The Student Body President shallverbally communicate points of inquiryraised by the Senate within one academicweek to the Office of Student Affairs.

(b) Parliamentarian.

(1) The Parliamentarian shall advise theChairperson of the Senate regardingprocedure.

(c) Student Union Secretary.(1) The Student Union Secretary shall beresponsible for the maintenance of theSenates public records, which shall include,but are not limited to, the minutes andagendas of Senate.(2) The Student Union Secretary shall makeall public records of the Senate easilyaccessible to all students, faculty, and staffof the University.(3) The Student Union Secretary shallprepare the minutes of Senate meetings anddistribute the minutes to the members of theSenate as well as students, faculty, and staff

who request the minutes.(4) The Student Union Secretary mustcompile a document containing all agendas,dockets, and minutes for a given Senatesand Campus Life Councils term.

(d) Department Directors.(1) The Student Body President shall acceptapplications for Department Directors andthen nominate a Department Director foreach of the Executive Departments.(2) Department Directors must benominated by the Student Body President tothe incoming Senate. Department Directorsshall be approved by a vote of the StudentSenate.(3) Senate Department Directors shall beappointed after the elections for Senatorshave taken place.(4) Incoming Senators are eligible to beDepartment Directors.(5) The appointed Department Director mayattend and speak at Senate meetings.(6) The appointed Department Directorshall attend all weekly Executive Cabinetmeetings.

(e) Executive Controller.(1) The Controller shall maintain anaccurate and timely record of all income andexpenses of the Senate.(2) The Controller shall approve alltransactions of the Senate and submit


10/49


requests to the Office of the Student UnionTreasurer.(3) The Controller shall be appointed by theStudent Body President.(4) The Controller shall assist the StudentBody President in the development,

submission, and presentation of the budgetproposal for the Senate to the FinancialManagement Board for the annual allocationmeeting.(5) The Controller shall attend ExecutiveCabinet meetings.

(f) Chief of Staff.(1) The Chief of Staff shall be responsiblefor all Senate press releases.(2) The Chief of Staff shall be responsiblefor publicity for the Senate.

(3) The Chief of Staff shall attendExecutive Cabinet meetings.

(g) The Student Union Treasurer shall be a non-voting member of Senate.

(h) The Student Union Board ExecutiveDirector shall be a non-voting member ofSenate.

(i) One Hall Presidents Council Co-Chair shallbe a non-voting member of Senate.

(j) Judicial Council President.(1) The Judicial Council President shallserve as non-voting member of Senate.(2) The Judicial Council President hasspeaking privileges, but may not vote ormake motions, so as to prevent any bias inhis/her role as the chief judicial officer ofthe Student Union.

Section 3.3. Powers & Duties.

(a) The Senate shall formulate and advance theposition of the undergraduate student body on allissues concerning campus life.

(b) Resolutions constitute a call for action andmust be passed by a two-thirds vote of theSenate. A resolution cannot be adopted until ithas been signed by the Student Body President.Any resolution not signed by the Student Body

President within one academic week may beadopted by a three-fourths vote of all the votingmembers of the Senate.

(c) Orders constitute the execution of explicitlystated powers of the Senate. Orders must be

passed by a two-thirds vote unless otherwisestated.

(d) A letter shall constitute an inquiry or pointof information. Points of inquiry to the Office ofStudent Affairs shall be communicated verballyby the Student Body President within oneacademic week.

(e) The Senate shall establish the fiscal policiesof the Student Union and supervise the properimplementation of these policies.

(f) The Senate shall review and address anyallegation of misuse of undergraduate studentorganization funds or misconduct ofundergraduate student organizations and theirmembers though the Student Union EthicsCommission.

(g) The Senate shall use the Campus LifeCouncil as a forum where students may discussmatters affecting student affairs with faculty andadministrative personnel in order to build

campus-wide consensus and make appropriaterecommendations to the Vice-President forStudent Affairs. Resolutions passed in theSenate addressing the Office of Student Affairsshall be submitted directly to the Campus LifeCouncil.

(h) The Senate shall elect four Senators asvoting members to serve on the Campus LifeCouncil. The Senator representing Off-Campusshall automatically be appointed to serve as oneof the four voting members on the Campus Life

Council.

(i) For all meetings of the Board of TrusteesStudent Affairs Committee, at which the agendaof the undergraduate student presentation isdetermined by the Student Body President andVice-President, the Student Body President andVice-President shall present to the Senate, nolater than one week prior to the presentation to


11/49


the Board of Trustees Student AffairsCommittee, a summary of the issues covered inthe presentation. The Senate may make informalrecommendations regarding the content of thereport to the Student Body President and Vice-President for their consideration.

(j) The Senate shall review and approve anynominations made to it pursuant to the relevantprovisions of this Constitution.

(k) The Senate shall establish regulations for allelections under this Constitution.

(l) The Senate shall make Senate documentsavailable to undergraduate students uponrequest.

(m)Each Senator shall attend his or herrespective Hall Council meetings to disseminateinformation and survey undergraduate studentopinion on Senate agenda items.

(n) All positions enumerated in this Constitutionshall perform other duties as the Senate maydetermine by a two-thirds vote of all Senatemembers.

(o) The Senate shall adopt the most recentedition of The Standard Code of Parliamentary

Procedure as the official rules of proceduregoverning the operation of the Senate. ThisConstitution and its bylaws shall takeprecedence when this Constitution, or itsbylaws, and The Standard Code ofParliamentary Procedure conflict. Any rule inThe Standard Code of Parliamentary Proceduremay be temporarily suspended by a two-thirdsvote of the Senate.

(p) A majority vote shall be required for thepassage of any action unless otherwise specified

in this Constitution, its bylaws, or in TheStandard Code of Parliamentary Procedure.

Section 3.4. Meetings & Procedures.

(a) The Senate shall meet at least every weekfrom April 1st to March 31st during the regularacademic school year at a reasonable time andcampus location determined by the Chairperson.

(b) Any five members of the Senate possess thepower to call a meeting with 48 hours writtennotice.

(c)No business shall be conducted in the Senateunless a quorum is present. A quorum existswhen 3/5 of the voting members are present. TheChairperson shall not be counted in the quorum.A member represented by proxy shall not becounted in the quorum.

(d) Any member of the Senate shall lead thebody in a short prayer to begin the meeting.

(e) The Senate shall present bylaws by May 1stto establish the operational procedures(including, but not limited to, attendance and

tardiness policies) necessary for the Senate tocarry out its constitutional duties. These bylawsmust be approved by the organizations StudentActivities advisor and presented to the StudentUnion Ethics Commission.

(f) Attendance at meetings of the full Senate ismandatory for Senate members. Permission foran absence must be obtained from theChairperson.

(1) The Senate Department Directors andthe Student Union Secretary are responsible

for taking attendance at their respectivemeetings and will use their own discretion tomark absences.(2) A tardy is marked as more than tenminutes late for a meeting and three tardiesare counted as one absence.(3) The Senate Department Directors or theStudent Union Secretary will notify theStudent Union Ethics Commission when aSenator has reached three unexcusedabsences for the full Senate meeting or threeunexcused absences for a department

meeting. An absence is deemed unexcusedwhen one has not obtained consent from theChair. The Chair should be notified at leasttwenty-four hours in advance.(4) The Student Union Ethics Commissionwill alert the Senator in writing when he orshe has reached three unexcused absences.(5) After four unexcused absences havebeen reported by the Student Union


12/49


Secretary or by Senate Department Directorsto the Student Union Ethics Commission,the Student Union Ethics Commission willconduct a hearing to judge if a bill ofimpeachment is necessary due to theSenators negligence.

(6) Excessive excused absences areunacceptable and will result in a referral tothe Student Union Ethics Commission bythe Chairperson of the Senate for review.(7) If the Student Union Ethics Commissionfinds that the Senator should be removedfrom office due to their behavior, a bill ofimpeachment will be brought before the fullSenate at the next meeting.

(g) After an individual has been impeached bythe Senate, a hearing shall be conducted at the

next regular meeting of the Senate or oneacademic school week, whichever is later, afterimpeachment. A hearing must be conductedbefore the vote for removal may be taken.

(h) In the event of the absence of theChairperson, and in the event the Chairpersonhas not given notice and appointed a votingmember of Senate to the Chair, the Senate shallelect an acting chairperson from its votingmembership present at that meeting.

(i) The Chairperson shall establish the agendain conjunction with the Executive Cabinet.(1) Said agenda as well as all resolutions,and amendments shall be distributed toSenate members no less than 48 hours priorto the Senate meeting.(2) Any resolution that does not meet thiscondition may only come to a vote at thecurrent meeting if the members unanimouslyagree to take a vote.(3) In the event of a Senator-called meetingas outlined in subsection 3.4 (b), a tentative

agenda and any new business to be votedupon must be provided when the meeting iscalled.

(j) Any member of the Senate, non-voting orvoting, shall possess the right of agenda.

(k) Should an agenda item affecting the interestsof the faculty come before the Student Senate,

the Chairperson may recognize a representativeof the Academic Council to address the StudentSenate on the issue.

(l) All meetings of the Senate shall be open tothe public. The Senate may close a meeting with

a two-thirds vote.

(m)Only voting members of the Senate maymake motions.

(n) The person who authors or presents a bill tothe floor of the Senate shall be allowed toremark an unlimited number of times in debate,unless otherwise instructed by the Chairperson.

(o) Except when expressly noted in theConstitution and its bylaws, all votes taken in

the Senate shall be taken from the votingmembership present at a meeting, provided thereis a quorum, and not necessarily from the entirevoting membership of the Senate.

(p) Proxy.(1) In the event that a voting member of theSenate should be absent from a meeting, thatmember may leave a proxy with anothervoting member of the Senate.(2) The proxy shall contain the measure thatis to be acted upon as well as the vote the

member would like to cast on that measure.(3) The proxy must be signed in order to bevalid.(4) If the measure the proxy pertains to issignificantly altered, as determined by theChairperson, then the proxy will becomeinvalid unless stipulations were made on theproxy for the alterations.(5) Any proxy shall be submitted to theChairperson prior to the meeting and addedto the meetings official records.

(q) Committee on the Budget.(1) The Committee on the Budget shallmeet at least once each term for the purposeof approving the Student Union Budget, assubmitted by the Student Union Treasurer.(2) The committee shall be chaired by theStudent Body President.(3) The members of Senate who shall serveas voting members of this committee are:


13/49


(a) Four Class Presidents.(b) Club Coordination CouncilPresident.(c) Student-Body Vice President.(d) Student Union Treasurer.(e) Judicial Council President.(f) The incoming Student Union BoardExecutive Director.(g) Off-Campus President.(h) One Hall Presidents Co-Chair

(4) The Student Union Secretary andParliamentarian shall attend the meeting torecord the minutes of the meeting and advisethe Chair on parliamentary procedure,respectively.(5) The Student Union Budget shall beapproved by May 1 of each year.

(r) If meetings are closed, distribution of theminutes shall be restricted to members of theSenate. Minutes shall present non-biased andcomprehensive documentation of all businessthat occurs at the meetings.

(s) If a meeting is closed to a specific memberof the Senate, as determined by the Senate, thatmember is not eligible to receive the minutes ofthat closed meeting.

(t) Any measure requiring Senate approval maybe introduced at any standing or ad hocdepartment meeting by a member of thatdepartment where it shall be reviewed.

(u) Any measure requiring Senate approval maybe introduced at any meeting of the Senate by asponsoring voting member of Senate. TheChairperson of the Senate may assign themeasure to the appropriate executive departmentor an ad hoc committee created by theChairperson for the purpose of reviewing themeasure. The Chairperson of the Senate may

waive assignment of any resolution, letter ororder and hold immediate consideration of itbefore the Senate in extraordinarycircumstances.

(v) Upon departmental or committee approval, ameasure shall be introduced at the next meetingof the Senate provided no less than three dayspass between approval and Senate consideration.

(w)Upon departmental or committee rejectionor if the sponsor feels the measures intent hasbeen significantly altered by the department orcommittee, the sponsor may neverthelessintroduce the measure at the subsequent meeting

of the Senate, provided a two-thirds majority ofthe Senate agrees to consider the measure.

(x) The Senate shall create any Standing Rulesby a simple majority vote.

Section 3.5. External Requests.

(a) The Director of Student Activities shallserve as or designate an advisor to the Senate.

(b) The Student Union Treasurer shall submitall necessary financial information to membersof the Senate by November 30th and asrequested by the Senate.

Section 3.6. Transition.

(a) The Senate shall hold an informationalmeeting for those seeking office in the StudentSenate as his or her dorms electedrepresentative at least two weeks prior to theElection Day established by the JudicialCouncil.

(1) The meeting shall seek to informprospective Senators about(A) The role and importance of theStudent Senate.(B) The commitments, time andotherwise, which Senators are expectedto make.(C) Election regulations.

(2) This meeting shall be coordinated by theDepartment of Internal Affairs.

(b) Incoming Senators, following their election,but prior to taking office, shall attend aworkshop session to prepare them for theirupcoming term in office.

(1) This workshop shall include, but not belimited to, the following topics

(A) An overview of the currentstatus of ongoing issues and projects ofStudent Senate and the Student Union.(B) Parliamentary procedure.


14/49


(C) The role of the Senate and itsduties.(D) Commitments and expectationsof incoming Senators.(E) The department structure andsolicitation of departmental preferences.

(2) This workshop shall be coordinated bythe Department of Internal Affairs and theincoming Chairperson of the Senate.

(A)The outgoing Chairperson of theSenate and outgoing DepartmentDirectors shall also attend the workshop.

(c)Newly elected Senators shall attend allsessions of the outgoing Senate held after theincoming Senates election date.

(d) Each Senator shall meet with the newlyelected Senator from his or her respectiveresidence hall to explain at least the following:recent business, the purpose of the Senate, theresponsibilities of the position, and the role ofthe Senate in the Student Union.

(e) The Chairperson, Parliamentarian, andSecretary shall each meet with the newChairperson, Parliamentarian, and Secretary toexplain their role in the Student Senate.

(f) At the first Senate meeting each term, theJudicial Council President shall ask the StudentBody President to raise his or her right hand andrepeat the following Oath of Office

I do solemnly swear that I will faithfullyexecute the office of Student Body

President of the University of NotreDame du Lac, and will to the best of myability, preserve, protect and defend the

Constitution of the UndergraduateStudent Body. So help me God.

(g) At the first Senate meeting each term, theJudicial Council President shall ask the StudentBody Vice-President to raise his or her righthand and repeat the following Oath of Office

I do solemnly swear that I will faithfullyexecute the office of Student Body Vice-

President of the University of NotreDame du Lac, and will to the best of my

ability, preserve, protect and defend theConstitution of the Undergraduate

Student Body. So help me God.

(h) Before an incoming Senate conducts anybusiness at its first meeting, the Chairman shall

ask all Senators to raise their right hands andrepeat the following Oath of Office

I, (name of Senator), do solemnly swearthat I will faithfully execute the office of

student Senator of the University of

Notre Dame du Lac; that I will bear trueallegiance to the same; that, exercisingmy highest ethic, I will to the best of myability preserve, protect, and defend the

Constitution of Undergraduate StudentBody; that I take this obligation freely;

and, that I will well and faithfullydischarge the duties of the office which Iam about to enter.

(i) All new Senators entering office in Aprilshall attend a Celebrating Diversity Workshopas coordinated by the Student UnionRepresentative to Diversity Council. This eventis mandatory for all Senators and shall takeplace by October 1.

Section 3.7. Election Appeals.

(a) In the event of an appeal of an ElectionCommittee decision, in accordance with ArticleXVII, the Senate shall convene within 48 hoursto hear the appeal.

(b) All appeals must be filed within 12 hours ofthe conclusion of the hearing.

(c) Until such time as Senate can hear theappeal, the decision of the Election Committeeshall stand.

(d) The meeting of the Senate once the appealhas been filed shall proceed as follows:

(1)The Election Committee of the JudicialCouncil shall be represented by theJudicial Council President or the Vice-President of Elections, who shall speakfirst to the Senate, stating the allegationmade against the candidate(s), the Election


15/49


Committees deliberations, and thesanction given. This shall take no morethan five minutes.(2)The candidate(s) shall then state his orher reason for appeal. This shall take nomore than five minutes.

(3)After hearing initially from the JudicialCouncil and the candidate(s), the Senatemust decide by a two-thirds vote that thereare grounds to hear the appeal.(4)If the Senate decides to hear the appeal,time shall be allowed for both sides torespond to the claims of the other and tocall witnesses on their behalf(5)The Senate may ask relevant questionsof either party, or request the presence ofany other relevant third-person(s) forquestioning.

(e) The Senate may force the ElectionCommittee to reconvene within 24 hours for thepurpose of reconsidering its decision by a three-fourths vote.

(f) If quorum cannot be reached to hear theappeal, or a decision is not reached during theconvened meeting, the decision of the ElectionCommittee shall stand.

ARTICLE IV

EXECUTIVE CABINET

Section 4.1. Composition.

(a) The following members shall attend theweekly Executive Cabinet meeting:

(1) Student Body Vice-President(2) Chief of Staff.(3) Standing and ad hoc Senate DepartmentDirectors.(4) Executive Controller.(5) Director of Communications.(6) Student Union Secretary.(7) FUEL Directors.(8) Parliamentarian.(9) Student Union Representative toDiversity Council

(10)Athletics Representative.(11)Campus Ministry Representative.

(b) The Student Body President shall chair thesemeetings.

(c) The Student Body President may appointother such members to the Executive Cabinet ashe/she may see fit.

Section 4.2. Purpose & Duties.

(a) The Executive Cabinet and its constituentmembers shall advance the agenda of theStudent Body President and Vice-Presidentthrough the Senate in an effort to protect theinterests of students in all areas of universitylife, provide services to the undergraduatestudent body, and advance the policy prioritiesof the Student Union.

Section 4.3. Executive Departments.

(a) The Department of Academic Affairs shalladdress undergraduate student needs as theyrelate to the academic affairs of the universityand make appropriate recommendations to theSenate.

(b) The Department of Campus Technologyshall address undergraduate student needsconcerning issues of information technologiesand make appropriate recommendations to the

Senate. This department will serve as a liaisonbetween students and the Office of InformationTechnologies.

(c) The Department of Community Relationsshall address the relations between the studentbody and the residents of the Michiana area as itworks to build a lasting relationship between thetwo groups. This department will serve as aliaison between students and the South Bendcommunity by fostering relationships andmaintaining the open lines of communication

with community and neighborhood leaders,workers on campus, and city officials, amongothers. Additionally, this department willcollaborate with representatives from variousstudent governments of the colleges anduniversities in the Michiana area.

(d) The Department of Constituent Servicesshall serve as the gateway department for the


16/49


handling of student issues as they may arise. Thedepartment shall coordinate such activities asmay be productive for improving student lifeand making the voices of students heard withintheir government.

(e) The Department of Gender Issues shalladdress undergraduate student needs concerningissues of gender, sexual orientation, sexualviolence and the development of genderresources and make appropriaterecommendations to the Senate.

(f) The Department of Internal Affairs shallmonitor the transition, internal review, andoverall process of the Student Union as outlinedin this Constitution and make appropriaterecommendations to the Senate.

(g) The Department of Residence Life shalladdress undergraduate student needs in all areasof residence life and make appropriaterecommendations to the Senate.

(h) The Department of Social Concerns shalladdress student concerns in areas such as socialjustice, human solidarity, and sustainability,both in the Notre Dame community and theglobal world, and then make appropriaterecommendations to the Senate.

(i) The Department of University Affairs shallbe responsible for addressing all pressing andpertinent issues relevant to the student body inthe respective year as well as any other issuesnot explicitly under the jurisdiction of anotherdepartment.

(j) Department membership and size shall bedetermined at the discretion of the Student BodyPresident.

(1) Each Senator shall serve in at least twodepartments unless the Senator is a Senaterepresentative to the Campus Life Council,in which case the Senator is only required toserve in one department.(2) Department Directors shall not berequired to serve in departments other thanthe one they chair.

(3) The Student Body President mayappoint members to each department viaapplication to the Student Body President.(4) Department membership shall also beopen to the entire student body.

(k) Ad Hoc Departments.(1) The Student Body President may createad hoc departments addressing specialstudent interests as long as one Senatoragrees to serve within that department.(2) The Student Body President shallnominate a director for each ad hocdepartment.(3) The Student Body President maydisband any ad hoc department at any giventime.

(l) All standing and ad hoc departments shallmeet at least once every two weeks during theregular academic year.

(m)All standing and ad hoc departments shallhave the ability to plan and program eventsrelated to their issues that include (but are notlimited to) such activities as awareness weeks,focus groups, speakers, and information nights.

(n) Any amendment to the Student UnionConstitution emanating from the members of

Executive Cabinet shall be referred to theDirector of the Department of Internal Affairsfor departmental consideration at least 72 hoursprior to Student Senate deliberation.

ARTICLE V

EXECUTIVE PROGRAMMING BOARD


(a) The following members shall attend theExecutive Programming Board meeting.

(1) One Hall Presidents Council Co-Chair.(2) Four Class Vice-Presidents.(3) Club Coordination Council Vice-President.(4) Off-Campus Vice-President.


17/49


(5) Student Union Board Director(s) ofProgramming.(6) Director of Communications.

(b) The Chief of Staff shall chair meetings ofthe Executive Programming Board and shall

oversee the online programming calendar.

(c) The Director of Student Activities shallappoint an advisor to the ExecutiveProgramming Board.

Section 5.2. Powers & Duties.

(a) The Executive Programming Board shallfacilitate the coordination, communication, andcalendar setting of all Student Union groupswhose primary responsibility is to serve the

programming needs of the student body.

(b) The primary goal of this group will be toprevent overlap in programming and to increasethe effectiveness and efficiency of each of theaforementioned groups events in an effort todraw more students to each groups events. Thisshall be done by setting and updating an onlinecalendar with all planned and proposed eventsfor each group. Each member of this group ishereby required to update the onlineprogramming calendar in a timely fashion, as

regards their individual events.

(c) Meetings of the Executive ProgrammingBoard shall occur as follows.

(1) Regular meetings shall occur three timesannually: once each in September andJanuary, and once in April. These meetingsshall serve as organizational meetings forthe new semesters and term of office,respectively. At these meetings, themembers of the Executive ProgrammingBoard shall establish such policies as are

necessary for the maintenance of the onlineprogramming calendar, which is to beoverseen by the Director ofCommunications and Chief of Staff.(2) Further meetings may be called, asnecessary, at the request of four members ofthe Executive Programming Board or bydirection of the Chief of Staff.

ARTICLE VI

FIRST UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE INLEADERSHIP (FUEL)

Section 6.1 Composition.

(a) FUEL Directors.(1) At least two FUEL directors shall beappointed as described in Section 6.3.(2) The directors shall serve a one year termbeginning April 1.(3) The FUEL directors shall be responsiblefor organizing and facilitating meetings andprograms to accomplish the goals of FUEL.

(A)FUEL shall meet at least once everytwo weeks from the date of membershipselection through the end of the term

while classes are in session.(4) The directors shall write bylaws beforeMay 1to outline the effective operation ofFUEL.(5) All FUEL Directors shall attend allExecutive Cabinet meetings.

(b) Membership.(1) The membership of FUEL shall berestricted to First Year students.(2) The FUEL directors shall select themembership.

(A)The method of selection shall beoutlined in the FUEL Bylaws.(B)The timeline of selection shall beoutlined in the FUEL Bylaws and mustbe consistent with the timeline forelection of the members of FreshmanClass Council.

(3) The membership shall be approved bythe Student Body President.(4) The membership shall serve from dateof selection until March 31.

Section 6.2 Purpose.

(a) The FUEL Directors and FUELMembership shall aid in the effectiveachievement of the goals of the Policy Branch ofthe Student Union as determined by the StudentBody President in conjunction with theExecutive Cabinet.


18/49


(b) The Directors of FUEL shall ensureeffective aid to the Policy Branch by using theirexperiences as student leaders to accomplish thegoals of FUEL which are stated as follows:

(1) Integration of First Year leaders into thePolicy Branch of the Student Union.

(2) Explanation of Student Union policiesand procedures to First Year leaders.(3) Facilitation of community developmentamong the First Year leaders.(4) Education of the First Year leaders inthe practices of ethical peer leadership.

Section 6.3 Transition.

(a) The Student Body President shall appoint atleast two FUEL directors.

(1) The FUEL directors from the previousadministration shall recommend to theStudent Body President at least onecandidate for consideration for directorship.(2)The Student Body Presidentsnominations for directorship shall beapproved by the Senate.

(b) The incoming directors shall meet with thedirectors from the previous administration todiscuss changes to the structure of the programand the revision of the FUEL bylaws.

(c) Before revising the bylaws, the incomingdirectors shall meet with the incoming membersof the Executive Cabinet to determine the bestway in which FUEL can aid in accomplishingtheir specific goals for the specific term.

Section 6.4 General Provisions.

(a) The Director of Student Activities shalldesignate an advisor to FUEL.

(b) The FUEL Directors shall present bylaws by

May 1st to establish the operational procedures(including, but not limited, to selection policies,attendance, and timeline) necessary for FUEL tocarry out its constitutional duties. These bylawsmust be approved by the directorsStudentActivities advisor and presented to the StudentUnion Ethics Commission.

ARTICLE VII

STUDENT UNION BOARD


(a) Student Union Board Directors.(1) The Student Union Executive Board ofDirectors shall be composed of the SUBExecutive Director, the SUB Director(s) ofProgramming, the SUB Director ofOperations, the SUB Director of Publicity,the SUB Director of Art and the SUBDirector of Finance.(2) The Student Union Board DirectorsMeetings shall be chaired by the SUBExecutive Director.(3) The SUB Directors shall be approved bythe Senate.(4) The SUB Directors shall provide overalldirection and guidance to ensureconsistency, coordination, and quality in allSUB events and activities.(5) The SUB Directors shall determine allSUB policies and maintain current recordsof these policies.(6) The incoming SUB Directors shallselect the programming division heads priorto April 1st of each year.

(b) The Director of Student Activities shalldesignate an advisor to SUB. The advisor shallserve as a non-voting member of the SUBDirectors.

(c) Student Union Board Executive Director.(1) The Student Union Board ExecutiveDirector shall serve as the undergraduatestudent body coordinator and supervisor ofall phases of the operation of SUB.(2) The Student Union Board ExecutiveDirector shall serve as a voting member on

the Campus Life Council.(3) The Student Union Board ExecutiveDirector shall develop, submit, and present abudget proposal for SUB to the FinancialManagement Board for the annual allocationmeeting with the assistance of the SUBDirector of Finance.


19/49


20/49


and social, intellectual, and culturalopportunities that respond to the needs andwants of the undergraduate student body in themost efficient manner available.

(b) SUB shall present bylaws by May 1st toestablish the operational procedures (including,but not limited to, attendance and tardinesspolicies) necessary for SUB to carry out itsconstitutional duties. These bylaws must beapproved by the organizations StudentActivities advisor and presented to the StudentUnion Ethics Commission.

(c) All members of SUB shall serve a one-yearterm beginning on May 1st, with a transitorytraining period in effect from the date ofappointment or approval of new members until

May 1st. During the period, the outgoingmembers of SUB shall meet and work with theirsuccessors to explain the role and practicalfunctioning of SUB.

Section 7.3. Divisions.

(a) The Student Union Board ExecutiveDirector and the Director(s) of Programmingshall create divisions to fulfill the diverseprogramming needs of SUB as outlined inSection 7.2.

(b) The membership of each division shallconsist of at least one programming divisionhead and at least one member of the electeddorm representatives. The divisions shall beopen to student volunteers as determined by theSUB Directors.

Section 7.4. SUB Directors Selection

Committees.

(a) Selection Committee for Student Union

Board Executive Director.(1) The Student Union Board ExecutiveDirector Selection Committee shall becomposed of the incoming Student BodyPresident, the incoming Student Body Vice-President, the outgoing SUB ExecutiveDirector, the outgoing Director(s) ofProgramming, and the Director of StudentActivities. The Director of Student

Activities shall cast a vote in the event of atie.

(2) In the event the outgoing Student UnionBoard Executive Director or Director(s) ofProgramming are applying for StudentUnion Board Executive Director, the

Student Union Board Executive Director orthe concerned Director(s) of Programmingshall not sit on the Selection Committee forhis or her position. A non-returning SUBExecutive Board of Directors member shallinstead serve and vote during the StudentUnion Board Executive Directors selection.

(3) The Selection Committee shall nominateand present the new Student Union BoardExecutive Director by the first meeting ofthe Senate in March. The Senate shallreview and approve this nomination.

(b) Selection Committee for SUB Director(s) ofProgramming, SUB Director of Operations,SUB Director of Publicity, SUB Director of Artand the SUB Director of Finance.

(1) This Selection Committee shall becomposed of the outgoing Student UnionBoard Executive Director, the incomingStudent Union Board Executive Director,two outgoing Directors, the incomingStudent Body President, and the Director ofStudent Activities. The Director of Student

Activities shall cast the deciding vote in theevent of a tie.

(2) The Selection Committee may determinehow many Directors of Programming arenecessary to fulfill the positionrequirements.(3) In the event that a person up fornomination is also on the SelectionCommittee, that person shall not sit on theSelection Committee. Instead, a comparablenon-returning SUB Executive Board ofDirectors member shall sit in his or her

place.(4) The Selection Committee shall nominateand present the new SUB Directors toSenate by March 15th. The Senate shallreview and approve all nominations.


21/49


ARTICLE VIII

HALL PRESIDENTS COUNCIL


(a) The Hall Presidents Council shall becomposed of (but not limited to) the HallPresident from each undergraduate residencehall, the two Hall Presidents Council Co-Chairs, and the Hall Presidents CouncilTreasurer. Each undergraduate residence hallshall have one vote.

(b) Hall PresidentsCouncil Co-Chairs.(1) The outgoing Hall Presidents Councilshall elect two members to serve as Co-Chairs for the following year prior to the

third Friday in March of each year.(2) The Hall PresidentsCouncil Co-Chairsshall serve a one-year term beginning onApril 1st of the year elected.(3) The Hall PresidentsCouncil Co-Chairsshall serve as chairpersons of the HallPresidents Council and ensure its efficientand effective operation.(4) One Hall Presidents Council Co-Chairwill serve as a voting member on theCampus Life Council.(5) Both Hall Presidents Council Co-Chairs shall attend all ExecutiveProgramming Board meetings.(6) The incoming Hall Presidents CouncilCo-Chairs shall develop, submit, and presenta budget proposal to the FinancialManagement Board for the annual allocationmeeting in accordance with the priorities setby the Hall Presidents Council ExecutiveCabinet.(7) The Hall Presidents Co-Chairs shallnominate administrative assistants at theirdiscretion with the approval of the Hall

PresidentsCouncil.(8) The Hall PresidentsCouncil Co-Chairsshall perform other duties as the HallPresidents Council may determine.Additions to constitutional duties may beappealed to the Senate and approved by atwo-thirds vote of all Senate members.

(c) Hall PresidentsCouncil Treasurer.(1) The Hall Presidents Council Treasurershall be nominated by the Co-Chairs by thebeginning of each term and approved by theHall PresidentsCouncil.(2) The Hall Presidents Council Treasurershall maintain an accurate and timely recordof all income and expenses of the HallPresidentsCouncil.(3) The Hall Presidents Council Treasurershall approve all transactions of the HallPresidents Council and submit requests tothe Office of the Student Union Treasurer.(4) The Hall Presidents Council Treasurershall sit on the Financial ManagementBoard.

(d) Hall Presidents Council Athletic Chair.(1) The Hall Presidents Council AthleticChair shall be nominated by the Co-Chairsby the beginning of each term and approvedby the Hall PresidentsCouncil.(2) The Hall Presidents Council AthleticChair shall fulfill the responsibilities ofcoordinating undergraduate residence hallconcession stands.(3) The Hall Presidents Council AthleticChair shall fulfill the responsibilities ofcoordinating pep rally hosts.

Section 8.2. Purpose.

(a) The Hall PresidentsCouncil shall serve asan information disseminating body, provide aforum for members to discuss common mattersof residentiality, and coordinate programmingamong the undergraduate residence halls. TheHall PresidentsCouncil shall promote the well-being of the undergraduate student body byworking for the betterment of undergraduateresidential life.

Section 8.3. General Provisions.

(a) The Director of Student Activities shalldesignate an advisor to the Hall PresidentsCouncil.

(b) Attendance at all meetings of the HallPresidents Council by at least one member ofhall government is mandatory. Cases of


22/49


excessive absenteeism shall be referred to theStudent Union Ethics Commission at thediscretion of the Hall Presidents Council Co-Chairs.

(c) The HPC shall present bylaws by May 1st toestablish the operational procedures (including,but not limited, to attendance and tardinesspolicies) necessary for the HPC to carry out itsconstitutional duties. These bylaws must beapproved by the organizations StudentActivities advisor and presented to the StudentUnion Ethics Commission.

Section 8.4. Hall of the Year.

(a) The decision to award the title of Hall of theYear to a residence hall shall be decided by a

review board comprised of the followingmembers:

(1) Both Hall Presidents Council Co-Chairs.(2) The Hall Presidents Council Treasurer.(3) Both Hall Presidents Council SocialChairs.(4) The Hall Presidents Council AthleticsChair.(5) Two (2) Senators, who shall not sit ontheir own halls review boards.(6) One (1) member of the senior JudicialCouncil leadership.

(b) The review board shall receive presentationsfrom a maximum of three (3) members of hallgovernment. The presence of the Hall Presidentis required, and the review board will not hearany presentation in the absence of the HallPresident.

(d) The total score for the Hall of the Year shallbe comprised of 70% presentation and 30%Rockne awards. Each residence halls monthly

Rockne submission shall be evaluated on a non-competitive rubric determined by the HallPresidents Council Executive Board by the startof each academic year. This rubric, and therubric for the presentations, shall be distributedto the Hall Presidents in a timely manner. TheRockne scores shall be totaled and weighted toequal 30% of the final score. For thepresentations, each review board member may

allocate up to ten (10) points to each hall, for atotal of 90 points available. This score shall beweighted by 70% and combined with theRockne score. After the total points for each hallare tabulated, the Hall Presidents Council Co-Chairs shall announce the winning residence hall

as Hall of the Year at the student leadershipawards dinner. In the event of a tie, the reviewboard shall vote to determine the winner.

(d) All records of point allocation and voting inthe event of a tie shall be made available to thepublic upon request once a winner has beenannounced.

ARTICLE IX

CLUB COORDINATION COUNCIL


(a) The Club Coordination Council (CCC) shallbe composed of (but not limited to) the ClubCoordination Council President, the ClubCoordination Council Vice-President, the ClubCoordination Council Controller, the ClubCoordination Council Division Chairs, and theClub Coordination Council Representatives.

(b) Club Coordination Council President.(1) The Club Coordination CouncilPresident shall be elected by a majority voteof the outgoing Club Coordination Councilprior to the first Senate meeting in March ofeach year.(2) The CCC President shall serve a one-year term beginning April 1st of the yearelected.(3) The CCC President shall serve aschairperson of the Club CoordinationCouncil to ensure its efficient and effectiveoperation.

(4) The CCC President shall attend allSenate meetings as a voting member.

(c) Club Coordination Council Vice-President.(1) The Club Coordination Council Vice-President shall be elected by a majority voteof the outgoing Club Coordination Council


23/49


prior to the first Senate meeting in March ofeach year.(2) The CCC Vice-President shall serve aone-year term beginning April 1st of theyear elected.(3) The CCC Vice-President shall assist theCCC President in ensuring the efficient andeffective operation of the Club CoordinationCouncil.(4) The CCC Vice-President shall attend allExecutive Programming Board meetings asa voting member.

(d) Club Coordination Council Controller.(1) The Club Coordination CouncilController shall be nominated by theincoming CCC President and be approvedby a majority vote of the outgoing Club

Coordination Council prior to the firstSenate meeting in March of each year.(2) The CCC Controller shall serve a one-year term beginning April 1st of the yearelected.(3) The CCC Controller shall sit on theFinancial Management Board.

(e) Club Coordination Council Division Chairs.(1) The six club divisions shall bedesignated Academic, Athletic, Cultural,Performing Arts, Social Service, and Special

Interest.(2) The Club Coordination CouncilDivision Chairs shall be appointed by theCCC President prior to the last Senatemeeting in March of each year. One chairshall be appointed for each division.(3) The Division Chairs shall serve a one-year term beginning April 1st of the yearelected.(4) The Division Chairs shall assist theCCC President by supervising, facilitating,and coordinating the efforts of the CCC

Representatives for their respectivedivisions.

(f) Club Coordination Council Representatives.(1) Club Coordination CouncilRepresentatives shall be elected by theundergraduate club presidents of each of thesix divisions prior to the first Senate meetingin March of each year.

(2) Any active club member or current CCCRepresentative shall be eligible to serve as aCCC Representative.(3) The CCC Representatives shall serve aone-year term beginning April 1st of theyear elected.

(4) A CCC Representative may split his orher term with a suitable replacement withthe permission of the CCC President inorder to study abroad for one semester.(5) The CCC Representatives shall monitorthe activity of their division clubs andensure adherence to Club CoordinationCouncil bylaws and this Constitution.(6) Each CCC Representative shall haveone vote.

Section 9.2. Purpose & Duties.

(a) The Club Coordination Council shalldisseminate information concerningundergraduate club issues and activities,recommend funding allocations for allundergraduate clubs, serve as a representative ofall undergraduate clubs, and coordinate cohesiveclub programming.(b) The Club Coordination Council shall presentbylaws by May 1st to establish the operationalprocedures (including, but not limited to,attendance and tardiness policies) necessary for

the Club Coordination Council to carry out itsconstitutional duties. These bylaws must beapproved by the organizations StudentActivities advisor and presented to the StudentUnion Ethics Commission.

ARTICLE X

CLASS COUNCILS


(a) Sophomore, Junior, & Senior Class Officers.(1) The Sophomore, Junior, and Seniorundergraduate classes shall be representedby four class officers elected by theirrespective class members in a campus-widevote prior to the third day of March of eachyear.


24/49


(2) Sophomore and Junior Class Officersshall serve a one-year term beginning onApril 1st of the year elected.(3) The Senior Class Officers shall comeinto office on April 1st of the year electedand shall serve in those positions up until the

classs five yearreunion.(4) The Sophomore, Junior, and SeniorClass Officers shall ensure the efficient andeffective operation of the Class Councils.

(b) Freshman Class Council.(1) The Freshman Class Council shall becomposed of a representative from eachundergraduate residence hall.(2) The Freshman Class CouncilRepresentatives shall serve until April 1st ofthe academic year of their selection.

(3) The Freshman Class CouncilRepresentatives shall elect a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary byOctober 15 of the year of their selection.(4) The President shall ensure the efficientand effective operation of the FreshmanClass Council.


(a) The Class Councils shall promote the well-being of their respective classes by sponsoring

functions that promote unity among classmembers.

Section 10.3. General Provisions & Duties.

(a) The Director of Student Activities shalldesignate an advisor to each class.

(b) All Class Presidents shall attend weeklySenate meetings and serve as voting members.

(c) All Class Vice-Presidents shall attend thebiweekly Executive Programming Boardmeetings.

(d) The Sophomore, Junior, and Senior ClassOfficers shall select Class Council members attheir own discretion.

(e) The incoming Sophomore, Junior, andSenior Class Treasurers shall each develop,

submit, and present a budget proposal for his orher respective Class Council to the FinancialManagement Board for the annual allocationmeeting.

(f) The Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, andSenior Class Treasurers shall represent the ClassCouncils on the Financial Management Board.

(g) The Sophomore Class Officers shallnominate a student Sophomore Class Advisor toassist the Freshman Class Council and ensure itsefficient operation prior to September 15th. TheSenate shall review and approve thisnomination.

(h) The Sophomore, Junior, and Senior ClassOfficers shall present bylaws by May 1st to

establish the operational procedures (including,but not limited to, attendance and tardinesspolicies) necessary for their Class Councils tocarry out their constitutional duties. Thesebylaws must be approved by the respectiveclasssStudent Activities advisor and presentedto the Student Union Ethics Commission. TheFreshman Class Council shall create bylaws ifinstructed by their advisor. These bylaws mustbe approved by the organizations StudentActivities advisor.

ARTICLE XI

OFF-CAMPUS COUNCIL


(a) Off-Campus President.(1) The Off-Campus President shall beelected by the students who will reside off-campus at the beginning of the nextacademic semester and those currently offcampus.

(2) The Off-Campus President shall serve aone-year term beginning on April 1st of theyear elected.(3) The Off-Campus President shall becomeOff-Campus President Ex-Officio beginningat the conclusion of his or her term andending with the completion of the academicsemester.


25/49


(4) The Off-Campus President shall ensurethe efficient and effective operation of theOff-Campus Council.

(b) Off-Campus Vice-President.(1) The Off-Campus Vice-President shall be

elected by the students who will reside off-campus at the beginning of the nextacademic semester and those currently offcampus.(2) The Off-Campus Vice-President shallserve a one-year term beginning on April 1stof the year elected.(3) The Off-Campus Vice-President shallbecome Off-Campus Vice-President Ex-Officio beginning at the conclusion of his orher term and ending with the completion ofthe academic semester.

(c) Off-Campus Senator.(1) The Off-Campus Senator shall be electedby the students who will reside off-campusat the beginning of the next academicsemester and those currently off campus.(2) The Off-Campus Senator shall serve aone-year term beginning on April 1st of theyear elected.

(d) Off-Campus Ambassadors.(1) Off-Campus Ambassadors shall be

appointed by the Off-Campus President nolater than September 15th.(2) The Off-Campus President shall appointno less than six Off-Campus Ambassadors.(3) Off-Campus Ambassadors will beappointed to various off-campusneighborhoods in a manner that effectivelymaximizes the outreach of the Off-CampusCouncil. Ambassadors represent theopinions of this appointed area anddisseminate information in such a way that itis readily accessible to residents of this area.


(a) The Off-Campus Council shall promote thewell-being of off-campus students by sponsoringfunctions and disseminating information to off-campus students.

Section 11.3. General Provisions & Duties.

(a) The Director of Student Activities shalldesignate an advisor to the Off-Campus Council.

(b) The Off-Campus President shall develop,

submit, and present a budget proposal for theOff-Campus Council to the FinancialManagement Board for the annual allocationmeeting in accordance with the priorities set bythe Senate.

(c) The Off-Campus President shall representthe Off-Campus Council on the FinancialManagement Board.

(d) The Off-Campus President shall representthe Off-Campus Council on the Senate.

(e) The Off-Campus President shall select Off-Campus Council members at his or her owndiscretion, including a minimum of six Off-Campus Ambassadors.

(f) The Off-Campus President shall presentbylaws by May 1st to establish the operationalprocedures (including, but not limited to,attendance and tardiness policies) necessary forthe Off-Campus Council to carry out itsconstitutional duties. These bylaws must be

approved by the organizations StudentActivities Office advisor and presented to theStudent Union Ethics Commission.

(g) The Off-Campus Vice-President shallrepresent the Off-Campus Council in theDepartment of Community Relations. The Off-Campus Vice-President may alternatively attendan appropriately related department at thediscretion of the Off-Campus President.

(h) The Off-Campus Senator shall represent the

Off-Campus Council on the Student Senate.

(i) The Off-Campus Senator shall represent theOff-Campus Council on the Department ofCommunity Relations. The Off-Campus Senatormay alternatively attend an appropriately relateddepartment at the discretion of the Off-CampusPresident.


26/49


(j) The Off-Campus Ambassadors shall reportdirectly to the Off-Campus President on issuespertaining to off-campus life.

(k) The Off-Campus Ambassadors shall beresponsible for aiding the Council in its mission

to disseminate information to students livingOff-Campus. Ambassadors are responsible forcommunity outreach within their respectiveneighborhood, including outreach to student andnon-student members of the community.

(k) The Off-Campus President Ex-Officio andVice-President Ex-Officio will assist the Off-Campus President and Vice-President intransitioning during the end of the Springacademic semester.

ARTICLE XII

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT BOARD


(a) The Financial Management Board shall becomposed of the Student Union Treasurer, theExecutive Controller, the Student Union BoardDirector of Finance, the Hall Presidents CouncilTreasurer, the Club Coordination CouncilController, all Class Treasurers (the Freshman

Class Treasurer shall join the FinancialManagement Board once elected), the Off-Campus President, and the Judicial CouncilPresident. The above members shall each haveone vote. In addition, the Director of StudentActivities shall designate a non-voting advisor tothe Financial Management Board.

(b) Student Union Treasurer.(1) The outgoing Student Union Treasurershall nominate to the Student Senate one ofthe Assistants to the Student Union

Treasurer as a replacement prior to thirdThursday in February of each year. Thisnomination shall be reviewed and approvedby the Student Senate.

(A)Should an Assistant to the StudentUnion Treasurer not be available toappoint, the Student Union Treasurermay reappoint himself/herself, if eligible

to serve, or open the position toapplications to the student body.

(2) The Student Union Treasurer shall servea one-year term beginning on March 1st ofthe year nominated.(3) The Student Union Treasurer shallmaintain an accurate and timely record of allfinances of the Student Union.(4) The Student Union Treasurer shall serveas chairperson of the Financial ManagementBoard and ensure its efficient and effectiveoperation.(5) The Student Union Treasurer shalldisburse all undergraduate studentorganization funds and ensure that all clubsand organizations receiving undergraduatestudent organization funds adhere to thefiscal policy established by the Senate.

(6) The Student Union Treasurer has thepower to freeze the funds of any accountwhich exceeds its budget allocation.(7) The Student Union Treasurer shalldevelop, submit, and present a budgetproposal for the Office of the Student UnionTreasurer to the Financial ManagementBoard for the annual allocation meeting.

(c) Assistants to the Student Union Treasurer.(1) At least two Assistants to the StudentUnion Treasurer shall be presented to the

Senate by the first meeting in April of eachyear by the incoming Student UnionTreasurer. The Assistants shall be approvedby the Senate.(2) Assistants to the Student UnionTreasurer shall serve a one-year termbeginning on April 1st of the yearnominated.(3) Assistants to the Student UnionTreasurer shall assist the Student UnionTreasurer in the performance of dutiesrelated to the Office of the Student Union

Treasurer.(4) Assistants to the Student UnionTreasurer shall serve as non-voting memberson the Financial Management Board.

(A)One Assistant to the Student UnionTreasurer shall oversee the StudentBusiness Managers.


27/49


(B)One Assistant to the Student UnionTreasurer shall serve as a liaison to TheShirt Project.

(5) Assistants to the Student UnionTreasurer shall perform other duties as theStudent Union Treasurer may determine.

Section 12.2. Meetings & Procedures.

(a) The Financial Management Board shallmeet at least once every two weeks from April1st to March 31st during the regular academicschool year at a reasonable time and campuslocation determined by the Student UnionTreasurer.

(b)No business shall be conducted unless aquorum is present.

(c) The Financial Management Board shallpresent bylaws by May 1st to establish theoperational procedures (including, but notlimited to, attendance and tardiness policies)necessary for the FMB to carry out itsconstitutional duties. These bylaws must beapproved by the organizations StudentActivities advisor and presented to the StudentUnion Ethics Commission.

(d) Financial Management Board meetings shallbe open to the public as a general rule; however,the Student Union Treasurer reserves the right toclose the meeting at any time deemedappropriate.

(e) The Assistants to the Student UnionTreasurer shall take minutes at FinancialManagement Board meetings on an alternatingbasis. These minutes will be publicly availableto the Student Body with stipulations.

(f) In the event that a member of the FinancialManagement Board should be absent from ameeting, that member may leave a signed proxywith any member of the Board. If the measurethe proxy pertains to is significantly alteredduring the meeting, as determined by theStudent Union Treasurer, then the proxy willbecome invalid unless stipulations were made onthe proxy for alterations.

(g) The Financial Management Board shallconduct hearings throughout the academic yearfor additional funding requests from contingencyand Carry-forward funds.

(h) The Financial Management Board shallconduct one formal review of allocations byFebruary 1st of each year.

(i) Annual Allocation Hearing(1) The Student Union Treasurer shalldistribute documentation detailing budgetproposal requirements, allocation hearingdeadlines, and Senate fiscal policies to eachmember of the Financial Management Boardand one representative from eachorganization seeking funds prior to theallocation hearing. The Student Union

Treasurer shall establish a reasonable timeand date for the submission of budgetproposals.(2) The Student Union Treasurer shallconduct one formal meeting with arepresentative from each organizationseeking funds prior to submission of budgetproposals.(3) The incoming Student Union Treasurershall chair the annual allocation hearing.(4) Budget proposals shall be presented byincoming officers and organization

representatives.(5) The outgoing members of the FinancialManagement Board shall recommend anappropriate allocation of funds to the SenateCommittee on the Budget in April of eachyear. These allocations shall be approved bythe incoming Senate Committee on theBudget.(6) The Student Union Treasurer shallcommunicate all allocation awards andrestrictions on fund usage for the followingfiscal year in writing to each organization

prior to the end of the academic year.(7) Appeals of annual allocation awardsmust be submitted in wri

Student Union Constitution

Documents

Transcript of Student Union Constitution