Student Government Association Constitution

  Preamble

Whereas, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania has historically sought to promote international understanding and fellowship of all peoples of African descent because of their inherent dignity, we, the members of the student body of Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, desire to foster the recognition of the rights and responsibilities of students to the University, the community, humanity, and the Creator.

Whereas, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania seeks to preserve the interests and integrity of the students of Lincoln University, we the members of the student body of Lincoln University seek to improve student cultural, social, and physical welfare.

Whereas, Lincoln University has historically upheld that knowledge and perseverance are essential tools of development, we the members of the student body of Lincoln University seek to maintain and preserve academic freedom, academic responsibility, and student rights. Whereas, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have nurtured individuals to assume leadership, it is necessary in these rapidly changing times for this tradition to be reaffirmed throughout the world.

Whereas, HBCUs throughout the world face the threat of demise in view of mergers, closures, inadequate funding, fraud, and discrimination, the need for concerted student action and representation in all aspects of the University’s community is most acute.

Be it resolved, the students of Lincoln University of Pennsylvania do hereby establish this Constitution of the Student Government Association to ensure that the Student Government shall be a vehicle whereby leadership skills will be exercised through practical application in order to reinforce the academic mission of Lincoln University, to regulate student affairs, to advance the general welfare of the student body, and to promote harmony among students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, other HBCUs, and all people of African descent.

  Lincoln University Bill of Rights

The students of Lincoln University of Pennsylvania have certain inalienable rights, as human beings, that must be secured to foster an environment that is conducive to success in the academic community, the pursuit of TRUTH in life, and to the pursuit of social and political JUSTICE, as well as the PRESERVATION of African people and their culture throughout the world. We, the students of Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, declare these inalienable rights to be:

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Students shall be free to challenge the opinions presented in any course of academic study and/ or reserve personal and public expression on controversial matters (i.e., protest, debates, etc.).

PROTECTION AGAINST IMPROPER ACADEMIC EVALUATION

Students shall be protected against biased, improper evaluations by faculty and staff who do not abide by standards established in particular courses of study.

RIGHT OF CONFIDENTIALITY

Information concerning a student’s conduct, file, academic performance, personal benefits, and political associations shall be considered confidential and may be disclosed only with the prior consent of the student.

FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION

Students shall be free to establish and join student organizations to promote their common interests and goals.

                A. Only students of the Lincoln University community shall determine the membership, operational procedure, and actions of student organizations.

                B. Each organization shall be free to choose its own advisor.

                C. Students and student organizations shall be free to investigate and discuss all issues of interest to them, as well as express their opinions publicly and privately without retribution. They shall be free to support issues of concern.

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Students and the student press shall be free from censorship, prior approval of material by staff advisors, and free to determine their own editorial and news coverage policies within the confines of journalism. The student media shall have free access to public functions of Lincoln University, using the discretion of the editors, directors, and managers of the respective media components to process and report information concerning these functions.

RIGHT TO VOTE

All undergraduate students shall have the right to vote in all general student elections, provided that they present valid student identification. Graduating seniors also have the right to vote in the Student Government Association election.

  Article I: Name, Membership, and Composition

Section I. Name: The student governing body of Lincoln University shall be known as the Student Government Association.

Section II. Composition: The Student Government Association will be composed of an Executive Branch, a Legislative Branch, and a Judicial Branch, and the student body.

Section III. Membership: All registered students shall be members of the Student Government Association. All members of the Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, and Judicial Branch of the Student Government Association shall be elected or appointed according to the provisions of the constitution of the Student Government Association.

  Article II: Executive Branch

Section I. Executive Branch of the Student Government Association:

Shall be composed of five voting members (president, vice president of internal affairs, vice president of external affairs, executive treasurer, executive secretary) and two non-voting members (president pro-temp and chief of staff).

Shall appoint students to all standing University committees.

Must approve and select the president pro-tempore based on the two candidates that were nominated and voted on by the Student Senate.

May present or propose legislation or any other action to the senate.

Shall review and rule upon organizations’ executive board that is referred by the members of the executive branch and the Office of Student Life and Development.

Must attend all faculty and Board of Trustee’s meetings.

Must approve all expenditures of the Student Government Association.

Must review and rule upon the revocation of all organizational charters, as it pertains to their absences in the Student Senate and the Presidents’ Council meetings and any other concerns.

Shall have the power to veto a justice nominated by the General Assembly. Shall select the advisor from the nominations of the Executive Branch.

Shall maintain a current and cumulative grade point average of 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale). Those not maintaining this average will be reviewed and ruled upon by the legislative and/or Judicial Branch.

In addition, no member of the Executive Branch of the Student Government Association may represent any organization as a member of the General Assembly.

Section II. The President of the Student Government Association:

Shall be the chief executive officer and chairperson of the Executive Branch and the President’s Council.

Shall serve as a voting member of the Lincoln University Board of Trustees.

May delegate his or her responsibilities to any member of the Executive Branch.

Shall have the power to veto all legislation passed by the General Assembly of the Senate within ten (10) business days.

Shall be responsible for calling all Executive Branch meetings and shall establish a formal agenda for these meetings.

May request formal reports of all executive officers and Senate Committee chairpersons.

Shall serve as the primary enforcer of the provisions and articles of the constitution as interpreted by the vice president of internal affairs.

Shall be required to make a formal State of the Student Body Address. Shall hold a radio broadcast once a week.

Shall have a column in each edition of The Lincolnian.

Shall serve as liaison between the student body and the Office of the President, Board of Trustees, administration, and the faculty.

Shall sign all checks and contracts in conjunction with the treasurer and the advisor of the Student Government Association.

Shall hold monthly student body meetings.

Section III. The Vice President of Internal Affairs of the Student Government Association:

Shall act as chairperson of the Student Senate.

Shall rule on all questions of parliamentary procedure (Robert’s Rules of Order).

Shall have the power to veto any member of the Student Senate Committees.

Shall hold monthly senate meetings.

Shall call emergency senate meetings as needed.

Shall communicate emergency meetings, along with the president pro tempore and senate recorder, at least 24 hours in advance via e-mail and posted flyers.

Shall be required to oversee the actions of the president pro tempore and the senate recorder.

Shall be the official overseer of the Student Senate Committees.

Shall review all proposed legislation and other proposals outside of legislation brought forth by the Student Senate and/or student body.

Shall present all approved legislation and other actions to the president for adoption.

Shall vote in the Senate to break a tie vote.

Shall be present at all General Assembly meetings of the Student Senate.

Shall be responsible for calling all votes on the Senate floor.

Shall serve as the interpreter of the Constitution of the Student Government.

Shall serve as a liaison between the Executive Branch and the divisions of student success and academic affairs.

Shall serve as a liaison between all campuses of Lincoln University.

Shall make a report at all Executive Branch meetings.

Shall serve as the overseer of the Class Board election process.

Shall assume all duties and/or responsibilities of the SGA President in the event of a vacancy or absence, whether it is temporary or permanent.

Section IV. The Vice President of External Affairs of the Student Government Association:

Shall serve as chairperson of the Student Life and Development Advisory Council.

Shall be responsible for all public relations and outside correspondence. (i.e., press releases, interviews, etc.).

Shall act as a program director for all Student Government Association sponsored events (i.e., Homecoming, Spring Fling, Conferences, Guest Speakers).

Shall serve as the liaison between the Executive Branch and the Division of Institutional Advancement.

Shall serve as a member of the Lectures and Recitals Committee.

Shall make a report at all Executive Branch meetings.

Shall oversee the proper functioning of the media team and street team.

Section V. The Executive Treasurer of the Student Government Association:

Shall sign all checks in conjunction with the president and advisor of the Student Government Association.

Shall present the proposed annual budget of the Student Government Association to the Student Senate.

Shall present a financial report to the Student Senate once a semester.

Shall be responsible for investigating and researching all business transactions of the University at large (i.e., appoint committees).

Shall serve as liaison between the Executive Branch and the Division of Fiscal Affairs and Administration.

Shall be responsible for recording and collecting all revenue from Student Government Association sponsored events.

Shall make a report for at all Executive Branch meetings.

Shall be the director of all business ventures of the Student Government Association, decided upon by the vice president of External Affairs of the Student Government Association. The vice president of external affairs will program these business ventures.

Section VI. The Executive Secretary of the Student Government Association:

Shall be held responsible for the outgoing and incoming correspondences of the Executive Branch.

Shall be responsible for keeping the minutes of all meetings of the Executive Branch and the student body.

Shall be present at all meetings of the Board of Trustees in a non-speaking and non-voting capacity to record its minutes and submit these minutes in a report to the Executive Branch and Student Senate.

Shall be responsible for distributing a newsletter once a month to the student body.

Shall serve as the immediate supervisor for all work-study/work-aid employees (i.e., responsible for time sheets, work schedules, etc.).

Shall make reports for at all Executive Branch meetings.

Shall serve as recorder of the President’s Council.

Shall serve as the chairperson of the Secretaries Council and hold a monthly meeting with all organization secretaries.

Section VII. The President Pro Tempore of the Student Government Association:

Shall be a senator and assume all duties and/or responsibilities of the vice president of internal affairs in the event of a vacancy or absence whether temporary or permanent.

Shall serve as a non-voting member of the Executive Branch.

Shall be nominated by the Senate of the General Assembly on the last meeting of April and be approved.

Shall be an ex-officio member of all Senate committees and may call special meetings of the Senate Committees.

Shall act as parliamentarian during all Senate meetings and must establish a formal agenda for every Student Senate meeting.

Shall ensure that all senators maintain required grade point averages; and may refer senators to the Executive and/or Judicial Branch to be reviewed.

Shall act as parliamentarian during all Executive Branch and student body meetings.

Shall act as program coordinator on behalf of the Student Government Association during Transition Week and student leader retreats.

Shall present evidence on behalf of the Student Senate for the active status of any organization that has more than two unexcused absences.

Section VIII. Chief of Staff of the Student Government Association

Shall be appointed by the newly elected president and affirmed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote from the Student Senate at the last senate meeting in April.

Shall be a non-voting member of the executive board, shall directly assist the president and vice presidents in tasks necessary for the success of the administration.

Shall oversee the operations of the executive branch.

Shall supervise all Executive Board events and programs.

Shall oversee and ensure the proper functioning of all executive assistants.

Shall meet with all groups at least biweekly.

Shall serve as a member of the Judicial Board.

Shall organize and maintain all documents related to the SGA and ensure that they are properly passed down to the succeeding administration.

Shall monitor traffic in and out of the SGA office and ensure that the office is well maintained and kept orderly.

Shall be responsible for checking and responding to SGA email.

  Article III: Legislative Branch

Section I. The Student Senate Membership of the Student Government Association:

Shall be elected by their peers from their respective constituencies.

Shall hold office until the end of the school year for which they were elected.

Shall be elected at the start of the new semester.

Shall maintain a current and cumulative grade point average of no less than a 2.8 (on a scale of 4.0). Those not maintaining this average will be reviewed and ruled upon by the Executive Branch.

Shall require a quorum of two-thirds of the senate body in order to vote on all legislation or any other actions.

Shall permit no more than one (1) unexcused absences per semester. All excused absences shall be submitted via e-mail to the president pro tempore and senate recorder no later than 24 hours before, and in case of emergency, 24 hours after a Senate meeting, in order to be considered excused. Should the unexcused absences exceed one (1), the elected senator will be placed on temporary relief, in which the evaluation committee and president pro tempore will determine whether the senator is fit to continue to serve.

Shall direct the responsibility of handling all attendance policy violations to the vice president of internal affairs, president pro tempore, and senate recorder.

The Senate shall consist of senators elected by the following constituencies:

  • There shall be (2) senators for each degree-conferring academic college:
  • College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
  • College of Professional, Graduate, and Extended Studies
  • College of Science of Technology.
  • There shall be (2) senators from the National Pan-Hellenic Council; (1) Male (1) Female.
  • There shall be (2) senators from the Council of Independent Organizations; (1) Male (1) Female.
  • There shall be (1) senator from each of the SGA Class Boards.
  • There shall be (20) senators elected at large by all full-time undergraduate students at Lincoln University.
  • There shall be (1) senator from the Student Athletic Advisory Council.

Balance of Power

In the event that an elected senator fails to advocate efficiently on behalf of his or her respective constituents, members within the constituency can file a complaint with the president pro-tempore and vice president of internal affairs and the Evaluation Committee will be notified. Actions will then take place between all involved parties to reach a decision that is best for the representation of this particular group.

If the elected senator is a part of the Evaluation Committee, he/she will be temporarily relieved of his or her senatorial duties until a thorough investigation has been performed and all involved parties have come to an agreement/decision.

Election Process

  • Elections for senate positions shall be held in the spring semester of each academic year.
  • Senators elected in the spring shall serve one-year terms commencing with the call to order of the first Senate meeting in April, after the election, and respectfully discharged at the call to order of the last Senate meeting the following April.

Vacancies:

  • Senatorial vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the vice president of internal affairs with the advice and consent of two-thirds (2/3) of the Senate present and voting.
  • Students appointed to fill senate vacancies shall complete the terms of the position to which they are appointed.
  • If a senate vacancy remains open beyond two consecutive regular meetings of the Senate, and the vice president of internal affairs fails to nominate an eligible candidate for the vacant position, the Senate shall have the power to fill the position through a procedure defined by law.

Section II. The Senate Duties of the Student Government Association:

Shall follow parliamentary procedure at all times using Robert’s Rules of Order

Shall undergo comprehensive senatorial training over a two day-period which will cover the following areas:

Day 1: Operation of Meetings, Robert’s Rules of Order, Crafting a Resolution/Legislation

  • Senators will be introduced to the daily meeting agenda and begin training in the basics of Robert’s Rules of Order and crafting a resolution:
    • Through brief presentation, video, breakout sessions, and eventually a practice session in which the senators will be split into two teams to demonstrate their practical working knowledge of Robert’s Rules of Order
    • Senators will be given a resolution template and become familiar with crafting a resolution, which issues require a resolution, and issues that go beyond a resolution. Senators will go into break sessions to discuss and draft practice resolutions. Day 2: Functions of Committees, Committee Chair Elections, Committee Assignments
  • Senators will be introduced to the daily meeting agenda and become familiar with the role of committees and the part they play in helping the Senate enact change.
    • There will be brief discussion on how committees are supposed to function, what are the different types of committees as well as what each committee should try to work towards by using SMART GOALS.
    • Brief practice on crafting smart goals through team breakout sessions.
    • Each senator may run to chair the Senate’s various committees.
    • Following brief presentations by chair candidates, the full Senate votes to elect each committee chair. chair position of different committees that will be voted on by the full Senate.
      • Any senator running for a chair position must give a brief explanation of why they are a valid candidate.
  • Following committee chair elections, the remaining Senators will be allowed the o

With a 2/3 majority vote, the Student Senate has the power to:

  • Reject the body of the Executive Branch;
  • Override all vetoes of the President;
  • Amend the constitution of the Student Government Association;
  • Bring evidence before the student body for impeachment or removal of a member of the Executive Branch (Article IV)
  • Executive branch (Refer to Article IV).

For this purpose, emergency Senate meetings may be called with the petition of at least 1/3 of the Senate majority.

Shall vote on all legislation and any other actions presented to the Executive Branch and other Senators. All amendments that are passed by the Senate of the General Assembly take effect immediately. Only the Executive Branch and senators may present legislation and any other actions to the Student Senate for a vote. Any other members of the university community must present legislation through one of the aforementioned bodies.

Shall meet at once a week. The date shall be at the discretion of the vice president of internal affairs and the president pro tempore. To ensure that senators are aware of these meetings, a notification must be sent at minimum 48 hours prior to the meeting with a petition of 1/3 of the Senate majority.

Shall hold the vice president of internal affairs, president pro tempore, and senate recorder responsible for communicating emergency meetings at least 24 hours in advance via e-mail, social media and flyers posted in the Student Dining Hall and the Student Union Building. All emergency meetings must be marked as mandatory for all senators; and those failing to attend will be found in violation of the attendance policy.

Shall be responsible for overseeing the election process of the Student Government Association (See Article V, Election Process).

Shall have the power to reject or remove the editor-in-chief of the official school newspaper.

Shall elect a senate recorder to keep all minutes of the General Assembly meeting, collect all documentation of passed legislation, make necessary updates to the constitution, and submit updates to the dean of students.

Shall elect a chairperson for each committee.

Shall nominate a senator to serve as president pro tempore.

Shall vote on all legislation or any other action.

Must have a quorum of 2/3 of the Senate Body.

Shall be mandated to attend each State of the Student Body Address and all student body meetings.

The Senate reserves the right to waive violations to the student code of conduct listed above to allow Student Government Association candidates to run for their perspective positions.

G.P.A. Criterion: A candidacy requirement shall not be waived if a student’s GPA is less than 2.75.

All organizations must elect their officers by April of each academic year and present the list to the director of student life and development and the newly elected Student Government Association president and vice president of internal affairs and operations.

Each senator must serve on and actively participate in at least one Student Senate committee.

Section III. The Senate Committees of the Student Government Association

Academic Concerns Committee:

  • Shall be responsible for investigating any academic concerns or grievances expressed by students.
  • Shall be responsible for conducting an assessment of faculty every semester.
  • The chairperson must report to the General Assembly on all findings.

Constitution Committee:

  • The vice president of internal affairs serves as chairperson.
  • Shall be responsible for evaluating any revisions, amendments, or other constitutional actions prior to their presentation to the General Assembly.

Elections Committee:

  • Responsible for overseeing the Student Government Association election and Class Board election process in their entirety.
  • Shall be composed of two (2) administrators, four (4) senators, and one (1) member of the Executive Branch.

Evaluations Committee:

  • The president pro tempore serves as chairperson.
  • Shall serve as the body which evaluates progress of each Executive Branch officer as it pertains to the Student Government Association’s constitution.

Ad Hoc Committees:

  • These committees are formed when necessary by the General Assembly.

Advisor Council:

  • Shall be composed of elected presidents of chartered organizations, with the exception of Mister and Miss Lincoln.
  • Members shall hold office until the end of the school year for which they were elected or appointed.
  • Members shall maintain a current and cumulative grade point average of no less than a 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale). Those not maintaining a 2.8 CGPA shall be reviewed and ruled upon by the Executive Branch.

President’s Council:

  • The President of the Student Government Association shall serve as the chairperson of the
  • President’s Council.
  • The Secretary of the Student Government Association shall serve as recorder of the President’s Council.
  • Shall permit no more than two (2) unexcused absences per organization per semester. All excused absences shall be in writing. Should the unexcused absences exceed two (2), the organization involved shall go before the Executive Branch for the revocation of its charter.
  • Shall meet at least once a month.
  • Duties of the Student Government Association’s President’s Council:
  • Shall make all appointments from the student body to all councils.
  • Shall make monthly reports about the progress of each organization.

Student Life and Development Council:

  • The Vice president of External Affairs shall be the chairperson. It shall consist of nine (9) members.
  • This committee shall work directly with the Office of Student Life and Development in the planning, structuring, creating, and conducting of all campus activities, (i.e., Homecoming, Spring Fling, African Day, etc.).
  • Shall be responsible for evaluating and assessing the job performance of the director of student life and development. All recommendations will be forwarded to the dean of students.

The Food Services Council:

  • The vice president of internal affairs shall serve as chairperson. It shall consist of nine (9) members.
  • Shall be responsible for thoroughly assessing, evaluating, and making recommendations regarding food services to the president.
  • All food contractors serving the Lincoln University are obligated to display their compliance status.

The Residential Life Committee:

  • Shall be headed by a chairperson.
  • Shall poll the student body bi-annually to inquire about any criticisms of residence hall conditions.
  • Shall be responsible for evaluating and assessing the job performance of the director of residence life. All recommendations will be forwarded to the dean of students for consideration.
  • Shall present a report at each General Assembly meeting.
  • Members must serve on and actively participate in at least one committee run through the President’s Council. Failure to comply with this duty will result in an additional mandatory community service project proposed by the organization and approved by the Student Senate. Failure to complete the community service project may result in the organization involved going before the Executive Branch for the revocation of its charter.

Public Safety Committee:

  • Shall be responsible for communicating with the Department of Public Safety about the student body’s concerns regarding campus safety.
  Article IV. Student Conduct Board

The Student Government Association shall appoint five (5) students and one alternate to become justices on this board; the vice president for academic affairs shall appoint two (2) faculty members and one alternate; the vice president of student success shall appoint two (2)2 administrators and one alternate. The chair will be appointed by Student Government Association Executive Branch.

  1. The students who have been appointed by the Senate/President Council must be approved by the Executive Branch. If the Executive Branch vetoes a nominated justice, the Senate/President Council can affirm the justice with a 2/3 majority vote by the nominating branch. The process of appointing the students must begin at the first meeting of the academic year for each branch.
  2. Each justice serves during the academic year in which they were elected.
  3. Criteria for student members:
    1. Must have a 2.8 GPA or above.
    2. Cannot have any conduct infractions.
    3. No member of the Judicial Branch may be a member or serve in any other capacity with the Student Government Association.
    4. The Executive Branch may nominate a justice when a seat is unfilled. The nomination must be confirmed by a 2/3 vote from both the Senate and the President’s Council.

Duties:

  1. Must examine evidence (concerning executive members misconduct) presented by the Senate, and make a ruling on the accused (i.e., impeachment, stripping of the constitutional powers for a period of time, community service, apology.)
  2. Must examine evidence concerning the rejection of the editor of The Lincolnian presented by the Senate, and must make a ruling on the editor and/or potential editor.
  3. Shall serve on the Judicial Review Committee.

The Executive Branch of the Student Government Association shall appoint or elect the chairperson from the nine appointed justices.

Of the justices nominated by the Senate, the Executive Branch must appoint five. The Senate has the power to reject any approved justices with a 2/3 majority vote.

Removal of a Justice:

A justice may be removed with a majority no-confidence vote from the Senate and President’s Council. The Executive Branch must approve the decision. When the Executive Branch vetoes the no-confidence vote, the President’s Council and the Senate will need a 2/3 majority vote in both legislative bodies.

  Article V. Election, Succession and Impeachment Processes

Section I. The Election Process for the Student Government Association’s Executive Branch

Shall consist of two (2) administrators, four (4) senators and a member of the Executive Branch. This committee shall serve as the governing body over the entire election process.

Before the first Senate meeting of the spring semester, all Election Committee members must sign a contract that indicates they will not run for any SGA positions and will fulfill all duties of the Elections Committee.

Candidate requirements

Each candidate shall meet the following qualifications and be certified by the dean of students:

  • Be a full-time student of Lincoln University.
  • Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Have a classification of sophomore or junior (completion of no less than two (2) and no more than six (6) semesters).
  • Have no disciplinary sanctions on his or her student conduct file.
  • Be in good financial standing with the University.

Procedures

  • Notices of the Student Government Association interest meeting must be posted during the first week of February in obvious places of public interest on campus. The notices must include the date, time, and place of the meeting.
  • All perspective candidates must be present at the interest meeting in order to receive a Student Government Association application.
  • The meeting must take place the second week of February.
  • At least (1) advisor shall be present at the interest meeting.
  • Student Government Association candidate applications and petitions must be collected during the third week of February.
  • Applications are to be reviewed by all members of the Elections Committee.
  • Applications will be processed according to “Blind Election” rules (i.e. applicants will no longer use certain information that is unique to them such as: Name, SSN, etc.)
  • Applicants shall receive an identification number to use on their applications in place of their name as a way to remove any potential bias.
  • Only after a student completes the application process and receives official candidacy status will his or her name be revealed in association with their application.
  • Prior to this step, only the chief advisor of the Elections Committee shall have access to the key which indicates candidates’ names and their corresponding identification numbers.
  • Under any circumstances in which all members of the committee are not present, the application review process may proceed as long as at least two-thirds of the committee is present.
  • Candidate shall present his or her petition of 100 signatures to the Senate Elections Committee. The signatures shall be checked to see that they were signed in ink, and that each petition does not contain any duplicate signatures. All candidates must adhere to the rules and regulations of campaigning set by the Elections Committee.
  • Interviews with the candidates shall be held during the fourth week of February, before campaigning begins.
  • Campaigning may begin between the first and third weeks of March.
  • SGA debates for each position shall be held during the third or fourth week of March.
  • Voting shall be conducted during the last full week of March.
  • Voting shall conduct by electronic ballot through students’ Lincoln e-mail accounts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the designated election day; the election will be facilitated by the Office of Student Life & Development. E
  • If running unopposed, a candidate must receive at least 55% of the collective student vote.
  • If a candidate fails to meet the required percentage, he/she must come before the Senate with their platform and initiatives. The General Assembly will determine if he/she is fit to serve in the desired position.
  • If the General Assembly denies the candidate’s request to serve, the position will remain open. New applicant(s) will have to adhere to the procedure for candidates listed above in Article V Section I.
  • Those failing to complete the application process or failing in their efforts being waived by the student Senate shall not be permitted to run for an SGA executive position.

In the event of a delay due to inclement weather or a delay put forth by the vice president of student success or the dean of students, this process shall be extended. Under these circumstances, voting shall not progress pass the second week of April.

Section II. The Succession Process for the Student Government Association’s Executive Branch

If the Student Government Association president has to leave the position under any circumstances, the vice president of internal affairs and operations will become the successor.

If the SGA vice president of internal affairs and operations has to leave the position under any circumstances, the resident pro tempore will become the successor.

In the event that SGA vice president of external affairs has to leave the position under any circumstances, the succession process will be:

  • Applications for the vacant position will be available to the student body for a week.
  • Members of the executive board will interview the applicants and then choose the top two candidates.
  • An emergency General Assembly meeting will be called to allow the President’s Council members and Senators to vote on a successor.

If the candidate selected by the Senate and President’s Council emergency meeting must leave their position under any circumstances, the second candidate chosen from the Executive Board interviews will succeed the vacant position.

In the event that the SGA executive treasurer has to leave under any circumstances, the succession process will be the same as for succession regarding the position of vice president of external affairs.

In the event that the Student Government Association executive secretary has to leave under any circumstances, the succession process will be the same as for succession regarding the position of vice president of external affairs and executive treasurer.

In the event that the SGA president pro tempore has to leave under any circumstances, the senate recorder will become the successor. The vacant position of senate recorder will then undergo a nomination process amongst the General Assembly.

Section III. The Impeachment Process of the Student Government Association

A motion to impeach an officer of the Executive Branch must be made by a member of the Student Senate.

The motion must pass with a 2/3 majority vote.

The Student Senate must collect evidence for impeachment to submit to the Judicial Branch.

The Student Senate shall have the power to veto a Judicial Branch regarding an impeached officer.