Spelman Student Government Association

 

 

 

 

CONSTITUTION

Preamble:

We, the women of Spelman College, dedicate ourselves to the unification of the student body through self-governance; to the encouragement of optimal student participation and cooperation with faculty, staff and administration in matters pertaining to the general welfare of the students; and to the promotion of student leadership and high standards of conduct and scholarship. We strive to define ourselves in terms of race and gender, expand our global awareness and foster the essence of Spelman sisterhood. We hereby pledge our loyalty to the high purpose of promoting the best interests of Spelman College by adopting the following association.

 

ARTICLE I. ORGANIZATION

 

Section 1. Name

The name of the organization shall be the Spelman Student Government Association (SSGA).

Section 2. Members

Every student of Spelman College is a member of the SSGA, and therefore granted all rights and privileges and is subject to the provisions of the constitution and SSGA approval.

Section 3. Town Hall Meetings

There shall be a town hall meeting of the student body after the beginning of the academic year. The Executive Board President may call other meetings as necessary. Special meetings may be called by the petition of fifty students or a majority of SSGA officers.

Article II. Governing Bodies

The governing bodies of the Spelman Student Government Association shall consist of two branches: the Executive Branch shall consist of the SSGA Executive Board (hereby known as "Executive Board"), and the Legislative Branch shall consist of the House of Representatives (hereby known as "House").

 

Section 1. Executive Branch

The Executive Branch shall be comprised of the Executive Board consisting of fifteen (15) positions: President, Presidential Advisors (2), Vice-President, Vice-Presidential Advisors (2), Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Social Chairperson, Publicity Chairperson and Class Representatives (4 total, 1 per class).

Section 2. Executive Board Meetings

The Executive Board shall meet every week or as necessary. Executive Board meetings may be open to the general student body at the discretion of the President.

  A.Attendance Policy

  1. All Executive Board members are required to attend all Executive Board meetings.
  2. In the event of an absence, a written excuse shall be presented to the Secretary. The validity of the excuse shall be determined at the discretion of the Secretary.
  3. All Executive Board members are given two (2) excused absences and one (1) unexcused absence per semester. Arrival ten minutes or more after the meeting has been called to order shall result in one (1) tardy. Three (3) tardies shall equal one (1) unexcused absence.
  4. Following the one (1) unexcused absence, the Removal Process (see Article V – pg. 15) shall begin.
  5. All Executive Board members are required to attend seventy-five percent (75%) of the scheduled Executive Board sponsored events.
  6. All Executive Board members are required to serve office hours in the SSGA Office in Lower Manley throughout their term. The President shall determine office hours each semester.
  7. Failure to abide by the above stated policies shall result in implementation of the Removal Process.

Section 3. Executive Board Responsibilities

The Executive Board shall have responsibilities in the following areas: Executive Board activities and relations with other student governments and organizations.   

                          A. Duties of the Executive Board
    1. Represent the opinion of the student body in all matters;
    2. Actively submit proposals for improvement to campus life and operations on behalf of the student body;
    3. Sponsor and implement activities and programs on behalf of the SSGA; and
    4. Participate in external activities in conjunction with other student governments. 

B. Qualifications of Executive Board Officers

1. All elected officers must be in good academic, financial and disciplinary standing with the rules, regulations

and guidelines according to Spelman College.

    1. All elected and appointed officers of the Executive Board must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale throughout their term in office.
    2. All elected officers must have completed at least one year of academic study at Spelman College and must be enrolled as a full-time student during the term in office. Exceptions are given to Freshman Class SSGA Representatives and appointed positions only. In the event that an elected officer leaves the school for an extended leave of absence, the officer shall relinquish the position as a member of the Executive Board.
    3. The offices of President and Vice-President shall be assumed by students who will be juniors or seniors during their terms in office.

 

C. Duties of Executive Board Officers

  1. 1. The President shall:
  2. a) Serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Executive Board;
    1. Represent the SGA to the Spelman administration and other organizations;
    2. Preside over all Executive Board and Town Hall meetings;
    3. Introduce new proposals to the Executive Board;
    4. Sign or veto proposals according to the vote of the Executive Board;
    5. Appoint qualified students to vacant positions in conjunction with the Vice President and with concurrence of a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board;
    6. Call for a referendum of the student body when appropriate, which must be approved by two-thirds of the House of Representatives;
    7. Assign additional tasks, projects or duties that are within reason to any member(s) of the Executive Board;
    8. Serve on the Election Committee, unless seeking office in that election;
    9. Confirm all Legislative Branch appointments according to the vote of the Executive Board upon review of the proposed appointee’s application; and
    10. At discretion, appoint no more than two (2) advisors to serve as assistants within the parameters of the duties listed above. Advisors must participate in Executive Board meetings and activities, and are voting members subject to the mandates given to all executive officers. The Legislative Branch must confirm all appointments by a two-thirds vote.

 

    1. The Vice-President shall:
    1. Assume the duties of the President upon the request, absence, or removal of the President;
    2. Assist the President in general policy and administration of the Executive Board;
    3. Serve as the student advisor to the incoming Freshman Class Council;
    4. Refer student grievances to the Legislative Branch for research and proposal;
    5. Insure that approved proposals are submitted properly to the appropriate Spelman College administrator within one week of proposal approval;
    6. Report weekly during Executive Board and regularly during Town Hall meetings on the status of submitted proposals;
    7. Assist President with appointment of vacant positions; and
    8. At discretion, appoint no more than two (2) advisors to serve as assistants within the parameters of the duties listed above. Advisors must participate in Executive Board meetings and activities, and are voting members subject to the mandates given to all executive officers. The Legislative Branch must confirm all appointments by a two-thirds vote.

 

    1. The Secretary shall:
    1. Preside in the absence of both the President and Vice-President;
    2. Keep an accurate, legible, and permanent record of all Executive Board meetings, including attendance records;
    3. Maintain and distribute contact information of all Executive Board members;
    4. Provide notification of SSGA meetings;
    5. Handle all correspondence of the Executive Board, including national, state, and local organizations in which the Executive Board has membership; and
    6. Oversee order of the SSGA office by ordering supplies, maintaining files and cleanliness in the supply room.

 

    1. The Treasurer shall:
    1. Keep accurate records of all expenditures made by the Executive Board and Legislative Branch;
    2. Prepare necessary paperwork for all monetary transactions of the Executive Board and Legislative Branch; and
    3. Serve as Chair of SAFAC and administer funds under the authority of the Executive Board.

 

    1. The Parliamentarian shall:
    1. Maintain order and correct parliamentary procedures in all Executive Board meetings, as outlined by Robert’s Rules of Order or a supplement of the text;
    2. Requisition sites of all Executive Board meetings and activities;
    3. Coordinate the election process and serve as chairperson of the Election Committee, unless seeking office in that election; and
    4. Manage all operations of Market Friday in conjunction with the SSGA Advisor.

 

    1. The Publicity Chairperson shall:
    1. Create and distribute publicity concerning all Executive Board activities; and
    2. Maintain the Spelman Publicity and Events Line and SSGA web page.

 

    1. The Social Chairperson shall:
    1. Plan, coordinate and implement programs and activities of the Executive and Legislative Branches.

 

    1. The Class Representative shall:
    1. Serve as liaison between the respective Class Council and the Executive Board; and
    2. Serve on the Election Committee, unless seeking office in that election.

 

Section 4. Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch shall be comprised of the Spelman Student House of Representatives. The Executive Board shall consist of nine (9) elected positions: Speaker of the House, House Leader, Secretary, Parliamentarian and Chairs of the following committees: Student Life, Residential Life, Academic Affairs, Safety and Health Services and Scholarship and Finance. The Vice President of the SSGA Executive Branch shall serve as a student advisor and shall vote only on the case of a tie.

The general membership of the House shall consist of one elected or appointed representative from each chartered organization and the Vice President of the SSGA Executive Board. Official charter status shall be verified solely by the Office of Student Activities, and each member may only represent one organization.

Section 5. House of Representatives Meetings

House General Body meetings shall meet on a biweekly basis. The Executive Board of the House shall meet the week preceding the House General Body meetings. The House Executive Board shall not hold meetings without a quorum of two-thirds of the elected members.