Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College Student Government Association (SGA) Constitution

Table of Contents Preamble Article I Article II Article III Article IV Article V Article VI Article VII Article VIII Article IX Article X Article XI Article XII Article XIII Preamble We, the students of Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College, in order to express the general interest of the Student Body, to encourage a harmonious Student-Faculty-Administration relationship, and to provide for full student participation in student government, do establish the Student Government Association (SGA) of Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College, and adopt the following as the Constitution of the SGA. Article I Name and Composition Name & Composition Jurisdiction Purpose Qualifications for Holding Office The Executive Council The Student Senate Meetings Removal From Office Elections of Executive & Members of the Student Senate SGA Standing Committees Amendments Checks & Balances Ratification Page 1 1 1 2 2 3 6 7 8 9 10 13 13 13

The name of this organisation will be the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College Student Government Association, referred to hereafter as the SGA. It shall consist of two distinct and separate branches: the Executive Council, and the Student Senate. The term of office for the SGA shall begin with the First Semester and end with the Second Semester of the academic year. Article II Jurisdiction

All registered students of the CFBC who pay Student Activity Fees constitute the Student Body and shall be subject to the Student Government Constitution.

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor - James Russell Lowell

Article III

Purpose

The purpose of the SGA is to: i) address and submit the issues and concerns of the student body to the CFBC Administration, Faculty, Staff, and Board of Governors. ii) ensure proper student representation at appropriate levels of policy formulation. iii) represent all CFBC students without regard to age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political affiliation, or academic division. iv) make recommendations on matters pertaining to the welfare of the student body. v) preserve students rights and freedoms on campus and in the wider community. vi) provide an open forum for students to express their views. vii) maintain an aesthetically pleasing physical environment for students. viii) provide academic and social services to the student body and assist in the coordination of student activities. ix) budget and manage funds allocated for the benefit of the student body. x) hold student elections, make student appointments and create laws necessary to its purpose. Article IV Qualifications for Holding Office

Any student contesting an elected position must be registered full-time at CFBC and must meet the following qualifications: SGA President Any CFBC Student contesting the office of SGA President must: i) have a minimum of 1 year at CFBC on the first day of semester 1 of his or her prospective term, ii) have the Registrar confirm that he or she is in good academic standing, iii) not have been found to be in violation of CFBCs Student Code of Conduct, iv) be enrolled as a full-time student during the academic year in which he or she is seeking office. Other Officers Candidates contesting the office of Vice President and members of the Student Senate at CFBC must: i) have the Registrar confirm that he or she is in good academic standing, ii) not have been found to be in violation of CFBCs Student Code of Conduct, iii) be enrolled as a full-time student during the academic year in which he or she is seeking office.

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor - James Russell Lowell

Article V

The Executive Council

Section I Composition The Executive Council will consist of i) a President elected by the Student Body in a general election, ii) a Vice President elected by the Student Body in a general election, iii) a Business Manager appointed by the President from among members of the Student Senate, iv) an Executive Secretary appointed by the President from among members of the Student Senate, v) a Public Relations Officer appointed by the President from among members of the Student Senate, vi) a Social Affairs Secretary appointed by the President from among members of the Student Senate, vii) a Faculty Advisor. All presidential appointments must be approved by the Student Senate. Section II Purpose The Purpose of the Executive Council is to: i) approve or veto all actions of the Senate before such actions have the force of law. Should the Executive Council fail to act upon a Senate decision of which it has been notified, the Student Senate decision will have the force of law after the seventh day from the date of notification, ii) enforce all approved actions of the SGA, iii) engage the Student Body by convening at least one student forum each month, open to the entire Student Body, to address students concerns and to update students on matters relating to the College and the SGA, iv) devise action plans for addressing student concerns obtained from student fora, v) participate in and be prepared to brief the Student Body during scheduled presidential fora. Section III The President The role of the President is as follows: i) the President of the SGA will serve as the Student Bodys representative on the CFBC Board of Governors, ii) the President of the SGA will serve as the Chairperson of the Executive Council, and will call and preside at all Executive Council and joint Executive Council-Senate meetings, and will vote only in the case of a tie, iii) the President will provide the Student Body with information concerning the operation and activities of the SGA, and about general College-wide issues, through Student Government Fora held once per month, iv) the President of the SGA will have dialogue with the President of the College at least once per month to keep abreast of issues affecting the College, v) the President of the SGA will present to the Student Senate on the tenth week of both semesters a comprehensive report on the State of the SGA, 3

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor - James Russell Lowell

vi) the President of the SGA will be bound by oath of office to provide leadership for the Student Body, to be governed by this Constitution and any amendments made hereto, and to be guided by all Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College and Board of Governors policies, vii) the President of the SGA will carry out the actions approved by the Executive Council and taken in the Senate, viii) the President of the SGA shall have veto power over all actions taken by the Senate within ten school days, ix) the President of the SGA will have the power to nominate appointments to any elected office with the approval of the Student Senate, in the event that no one seeks to contest that office, x) the President of the SGA will have the power to call emergency meetings, xi) the President of the SGA shall have the power to call the Student Senate to a special session, xii) the President of the SGA is authorised to act in the best interest of the Student Body and the SGA during the summer months. In the case of removal of the President of the SGA from office, or in case of the Presidents absence, the line of succession is as follows: Vice President of the SGA, Vice Chairperson of the Student Senate. Section IV The Vice President The role of the Vice President is as follows: i) the Vice President of the SGA will serve as Chairperson of the Student Senate and will call and preside over all meetings of the said body and only vote in the case of a tie, ii) the Vice President will have dialogue with the Vice President(s) of the College once per month to keep abreast of issues affecting the College. The Vice President will keep the Senate abreast of communications received by the Executive Council regarding College Affairs, iii) the Vice President must act in accordance with the actions taken by the Student Senate and approved by the Executive Council, iv) the Vice President will delegate responsibility to the Senate members as necessary for the proper functioning of the SGA, v) the Vice President will have power to levy fines on Senators for tardiness or absence from any portion or all of the scheduled Student Senate Meetings. The Vice President will have the authority to suspend, for the remainder of a meeting, any Senator who exhibits excessively disorderly conduct. Excessively disorderly conduct is not abiding by the rules established by this Constitution or by the rules agreed upon and adopted by the Senate. The Vice President may appoint a committee to execute a desired SGA function in accordance with the stated purposes of this Association, vi) the Vice President will work in close consultation with the President of the SGA, vii) as a member of the Executive Council, the Vice President will present actions taken by the Student Senate to the Executive Council for approval or veto, viii) the Vice President will keep the Executive Council and the President informed of all Student Senate activities,

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor - James Russell Lowell

ix) in case of the removal of the Vice President of the SGA from office or in the case of the Vice Presidents absence, the line of succession is as follows: Vice Chairperson, Parliamentarian. Section V Executive Secretary The role of the Executive Secretary shall be as follows: i) prepare the agenda for meetings, keep and read the minutes of meetings, and notify members of elections or appointments to offices, ii) maintain communications between branches of the SGA with respect to instructions and reports, and act as custodian of the records, and perform all other duties as assigned by the President of the SGA. Section VI Business Manager The role of the Business Manager shall be as follows: i) keep an accurate record of all Income and Expenditures of the SGA, ii) meet once per month with the CFBC Accounting Officer for the purpose of being knowledgeable of the budget process, the preparation of financial reports, and the reconciliation of budget records, iii) give a full monthly financial report to the Executive Council and the Student Government Advisor, iv) prepare a full Monthly Financial Report and make it available to the Student Body, during scheduled SGA Fora and via the CFBC Website, v) along with the Student Government Faculty Advisor, be the only authorised signatory on all financial transactions, vi) submit all budget transactions to the CFBC Accounting Officer for verification of funding and approval. Section VII The Social Affairs Secretary The role of the Social Affairs Secretary shall be as follows: i) organise school wide social events to build community among all CFBC students, ii) liaise with and assist CFBC organisations in their fundraising efforts, iii) raise funds for CFBC community projects selected by the SGA with Student Body approval. Section VIII The Faculty Advisor The role of the Faculty Advisor shall be as follows: i) attend meetings of the Executive Council, ii) hold regular meetings with the SGA President, iii) co-sign requests for expenditures of SGA funds.

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor - James Russell Lowell

Article VI

The Student Senate

Section I Composition The Student Senate shall be comprised of Division Representatives, and Representatives of all registered campus organisations, specifically; i) two voting Senators representing the Division of Arts, Sciences and General Studies, and two non-voting Senators, ii) two voting Senators representing the Division of Health Sciences, iii) two voting Senators representing the Division of Teacher Education, iv) two voting Senators representing the Division of Technical & Vocational Education and Management Studies, and two non-voting Senators, v) one voting Senator representing the Hospitality Department, vi) one non-voting Senator representing the Division of Adult & Continuing Education, vii) one non-voting Senator representing Level 1, viii) one voting Senator representing the CFBC Chorale Ensemble, ix) one voting Senator representing the CFBC Dance Ensemble, x) one voting Senator representing the CFBC History Heritage Club, xi) one voting Senator representing the CFBC Literary and Debating Society, xii) one voting Senator representing the CFBC Science Club, xiii) one voting Senator representing Sports and Athletics. Section II Purpose The Student Senate is empowered to; i) appropriate all funds of the Student Government subject to the approval of the SGA President. All appropriation Bills must originate in the Senate. Appropriation Bills require a simple majority vote to pass or fail. Bills properly voted on in the Senate that are passed shall be forwarded to the Executive Council for final approval, ii) take actions necessary for the welfare and progress of the student body and make recommendations to the Administration concerning any phases of student life over which it does not have the power to act, iii) proposals must originate in the Senate. A simple majority vote is all that is required to pass or deny an action, iv) a two-thirds vote of the Senate shall override any Presidential Veto, and such proposals shall have the force of law, v) the Student Senate shall have the power to create committees deemed necessary to perform its functions. Section III Membership and Standing Rules i) The Student Senate Executive shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Public Relations Officer, and Parliamentarian selected from among the members of the Student Senate. ii) The Vice President of the SGA shall serve as Chairperson of the Student Senate and has the power to appoint the Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Public Relations Officer, and the Parliamentarian.

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor - James Russell Lowell

iii) The Senate shall promulgate its own rules regarding meeting times and locations, order of business and all other parliamentary matters. However, the following rules shall apply to the Senate and no other rules can conflict with, or supersede these rules without an amendment to this Constitution: a. each voting member shall have only one vote, b. the Chairperson votes only in case of a tie. iv) No member of the Senate shall be absent from a regularly scheduled meeting more than two (2) times without a valid excuse or without providing advance notice of the absence. After the third absence that member shall lose their seat in the Senate. v) The Senate shall sponsor bi-monthly meetings to engage the Student Body and discuss issues and concerns they have as well as to disseminate information pertinent to the Student Body. Section IV Senate Chairperson In addition to the rules stated in Article V, Section IV of this Constitution, the roles and responsibilities of the Chairperson are: i) to appoint the Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Public Relations Officer, and the Parliamentarian, In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson shall have all authority and privileges as the Chairperson over the Student Senate. Section V Senate Secretary The Vice President of the SGA shall appoint the Student Senate Secretary. The role of the Senate Secretary shall be as follows; i) prepare the agenda for meetings, keep and read the minutes of meetings, and notify members of elections or appointments to offices, ii) maintain communications with respect to instructions and reports, and act as custodian of the records, and perform all other duties as assigned by the Chairperson of the Senate. Section VI Senate Public Relations Officer The Vice President of the SGA shall appoint the Student Senate Public Relations Officer. The role of the Senate Public Relations Officer shall be as follows; i) handle all public relations concerning the Student Senate, ii) work closely with the Public Relations Officer of the Executive Council. Section VII Senate Parliamentarian The Vice President of the SGA shall appoint the Student Senate Parliamentarian. The role of the Senate Parliamentarian shall be as follows; i) ensure all Student Senate meetings, fora and business are conducted in an orderly manner in accordance with this Constitution, and the rules and regulations established and agreed upon by the Student Senate, ii) chair the Elections Committee. Section VIII Role of the Senate The role of the Student Senate shall be as follows;

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor - James Russell Lowell

i) each member in the Student Senate will keep all constituents informed of SGA actions and all other issues of concern directly or indirectly affecting the Student Body, ii) each member in the Student Senate should be aware of their constituents needs and propose programs to address those needs, iii) each member in the Student Senate will be aware of all SGA programs, iv) each member in the Student Senate should perform duties as assigned by the Chairperson. Section IX Requirements of Organisations to Obtain Representation All organisations or clubs must meet the following requirements for admission as voting members of the Student Senate; i) the organisation or club must have at least twelve (12) active members, ii) the organisation or club must elect its representative, and present the name of that representative to the Student Senate and to the Vice President of the SGA at the beginning of October, iii) the organisation or club must have a Constitution on file with the SGA at the beginning of each Academic Year, iv) the organisation or club must have a definitive purpose that does not conflict with CFBC guidelines, policies or procedures. Article VII Meetings

i) Regular meetings of the SGA (Executive Council and Student Senate) shall be held twice per month at a designated time and date, and in a designated location chosen by the respective SGA Branches. ii) A quorum of 50% is required for the meeting to proceed. iii) The Chairperson of either Branch may call special meetings for their specific Branch, or a Joint Meeting between all Branches, whenever deemed necessary. iv) Any member absent for more than three regular meetings per semester shall be subject to removal. v) The SGA shall be authorised to arrange general meetings of the Student Body on such occasions as it deems necessary to discuss problems of vital interest to their welfare. vi) The business of the SGA shall be conducted in accordance with the most recent edition of Roberts Rules of Order, as revised by the SGA. Article VIII Removal from Office

Section I Reasons for Removal An officer of the SGA shall be removed from office for the following reasons: i) failure to maintain good academic standing, ii) being absent for more than three (3) meetings without a valid excuse and poor notification at least a day prior to the scheduled meetings, iii) failure to adhere to CFBCs Student Code of Conduct and/or failure to adhere to the rules established by this Constitution, iv) failure to perform duties of Office, 8

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor - James Russell Lowell

v)

violation of Oath of Office of the Constitution of the SGA.

Section II Procedure for Removal i) The cause of removal will be presented to a joint meeting of the Executive Council and the Student Senate at which time the member under review shall have the right to a hearing. ii) By secret ballot the members shall vote on removal. iii) This removal requires a majority vote. iv) The Chair of the CFBC Disciplinary Committee shall be involved in hearings where violation of the Student Code of Conduct is alleged to have occurred. Article IX Elections of Executive and Members of the Senate

Section I Elections i) Annual elections for the SGA President and Vice President shall be held on the second Wednesday in October annually. ii) The SGA President and Vice President shall run on the same ticket in the general election. A candidate for the SGA President or Vice President is prohibited from running individually. iii) Annual elections for the Student Senate representatives shall be held on the last Wednesday in October. iv) Candidates for all elected positions shall complete an application for the position being sought and submit the application to the Faculty Advisor of the SGA no later than fourteen days before the election. v) In the event that circumstances prevent elections from being held on the specified dates listed in this Constitution, the Faculty Advisor and President of the SGA shall set an alternate election date for that year. Section II Voter Eligibility & Election Procedures An eligible voter shall be defined as any student who pays their student activities fees, and is enrolled as a full-time student. There will be two options for electoral procedures. i) Option 1 Hand Ballot Elections a) The Elections Committee is responsible for simultaneously holding a one-day election in the CFBC Common Room (8:00 am to 8:00 pm). b) The nomination/application procedure will be for one week. c) A mandatory candidates meeting will be set and advertised by the Elections Committee. d) Each eligible student will be allowed to vote only once. e) The results will be announced and posted by 12 noon on the school day following the close of the elections. ii) Option 2 Online Elections a) A mandatory candidates meeting will be set and advertised by the Elections Committee. b) Online elections will be held for one day. They will begin at 8 am and ends at 8 pm. c) All eligible voters will be allowed to vote for the candidate of their choice by using their student email account. 9

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor - James Russell Lowell

d) Each eligible student will be allowed to vote only once. e) The results will be announced and posted by 12 noon on the school day following the close of the elections. Section III i) A majority vote of the otes cast is required for the candidates for President and Vice President to win. The term of office shall be for one calendar year. ii) If a candidate wishes to contest the election, he or she must do so within 3 days and in writing, stating reasons for contesting the election to the Chair of the CFBC Disciplinary Committee. iii) A hearing will be held, if necessary, within one week after the election is contested to consider any candidates case. iv) Only a recognised candidate can contest the SGA election. v) The decision rendered by the Chair of the CFBC Disciplinary Committee will be considered final. Section IV Grounds for Contesting Election Results Irregularities by the SGA Elections Committee or violation of campaign rules by a candidate or anyone involved in the election procedures shall be grounds for contesting the election. An irregularity is defined as a violation whose penalty is not covered by the campaign regulation packet or whose ramifications drastically alter the official results of the election. The right to contest may extend to incidents where the campaign committee may have voluntarily or involuntarily taken actions that may have altered the outcome of the elections. Article X SGA Standing Committees

Section I Each newly-elected SGA shall distribute the following portfolios among themselves and interested students. The chair person of each committee shall organise, recruit, and oversee the committee and its functions. If student interest is not sufficient to delegate chairperson responsibility outside the immediate scope of the elected officers, the SGA shall then divide responsibility for these portfolios evenly, definitively, and according to each officers interests among themselves at the beginning of their term. All committees shall report to the SGA and shall have expenditures approved by the SGA. The SGA President shall ensure that all committee chairpersons are appointed no later than one week after the election of the Student Senate representatives. Section II Committees The SGA shall institute the following committees: i) The Orientation Committee shall; a) be formed by the end of April of the previous academic year by the incoming SGA President, b) aid the administration in the scheduling of events and informational sessions to orient the incoming first-year students,

10

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor - James Russell Lowell

c) work closely with the Social Affairs Committee in organising social events for Orientation that incorporates as many of the first-year students as possible so to better integrate the campus before the start of classes, d) report to the SGA on all committee activities. The Chair of the Orientation Committee shall be appointed before the end of the previous academic year. In the event of a disputed appointment, the SGA Executive Council shall have the final vote. ii) The Academic Committee shall; a) ensure that the concerns and desires of the Student Body are accurately represented in the academic planning and decision making of the CFBC, b) be composed of committee members from each academic programme. Each committee member shall be responsible for the following: c) representing programme and intra-programme concerns to the programme directors, d) liaising on behalf of students with each academic programme and assist programmes in disseminating information to their respective students regarding responses to concerns, complaints, and suggestions when necessary, e) working to increase the response rate of course evaluations at the end of each semester, f) reporting through regularly scheduled meetings to the Chair of the Academic Committee, g) conducting a survey of all students to monitor their opinions with regard to the quality of academic and departmental programmes, as well as that of the Colleges student services and facilities in April, h) reporting to the SGA on all committee activities. iii) The Student Services Committee shall; a) ensure the maintenance of student services, with particular reference to the following offices and entities; i. Financial Aid ii. Information Technology & Computer Services iii. Communications iv. Student Life v. Cafeteria and Food Services vi. Student Facilities b) be composed of committee members representing all academic programmes with each one assigned a particular office or aspect of student services. These committee members will then act as the primary liaisons between the SGA and their assigned office or entity of student services, and will report regularly to the Chair of the Student Services Committee, c) be formed at the beginning of the academic year during orientation with spaces left open for interested first-year students, d) report to the SGA on all committee activities. iv) The Social Affairs Committee shall; a) oversee the organisation of all annual CFBC social events, 11

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor - James Russell Lowell

b) work closely with the Business Manager on financial arrangements surrounding SGA sponsored events including the drafting and approval of the annual SGA budget before the end of the second Semester, c) devote the revenue earned from social events to raise funds to be used for community projects, financial aid, or other charities selected by the SGA with input from the Student Body, d) report to the SGA on all committee activities. v) The Community Affairs Committee shall; a) encourage & coordinate CFBC student participation in the community outside of CFBC, b) coordinate student volunteer projects in the community, c) establish and build upon social and community links with other Colleges and Universities in the Federation, d) report to the SGA on all committee activities. vi) The Commencement Committee shall; a) shortlist possible commencement speakers, b) be receptive to student opinion when short listing possible commencement speakers, c) work with the Administration over the course of the academic year to ensure the best possible commencement speaker, d) convey a list of six names to the Administration before the end of May of the preceding academic year, e) in the event the CFBC President is unable to get an acceptable speaker from among the candidates on the first list, without delay, produce a back-up list of similar length for the CFBC President, f) report to the SGA on all committee activities, g) assist the administration in ensuring that all qualified students register to graduate and make appropriate related arrangements including gown and hood rentals in a timely manner. Section III Ad Hoc Committees The SGA President may i) create ad hoc committees addressing special student interests as long as one Senator agrees to sit on that committee, ii) nominate a chair for each ad hoc committee, iii) disband any ad hoc committee at any given time. Section IV Power of Committees All standing and ad hoc committees shall i) meet at least once every two weeks during the regular academic year, ii) have the ability to plan and programme events related to their issues that include, but are not limited to, such activities as awareness weeks, focus groups, speakers, and information nights.

12

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor - James Russell Lowell

Article XI

Amendments

To amend any part of this Constitution, proposed amendments must be in writing and introduced by a member of the Student Senate at aregular meeting. The amendment shall be read once and tabled until the next regular meeting when it shall be a read a second time, voted upon and, if passed, then submitted to the Executive Council for a vote. The Executive Council shall vote on the proposed amendment at its first reading. If passed, the proposed amendments to this Constitution will take effect at the beginning of the semester following its passage. Article XII Checks and Balances

Section I Nothing in this constitution shall be in conflict with law or with By-laws and Regulations of the CFBC Board. Section II Final Authority The President of the College retains final authority over all actions of the Student Government. Any negation of an action of Student Government by the President of the College shall be in writing and shall specify the actions negated and reasons for the negation. This negation shall, under normal circumstances, be received by Student Government within three weeks after the date of transmittal of each statement of Student Government action to the President of the College. Section III Request for Extension Under special circumstances, the President of the College can request extension of time for consideration of an action of the Student Government. Any request for an extension shall be in writing, shall specify the period of time requested, and shall be received within three weeks after the date of transmittal of each statement of Student Government action to the President of the College. Article XIII Ratification

This Constitution shall be ratified either by a two-third majority vote of the Student Senate, or fifty percent of the entire Student Body. Ratified on the ___ day of ____________, 2012.

_________________________ Wricherley Gumbs President (2011/2012)

_________________________ Le-Tanio Ferdinand Vice President (2011/2012)

_________________________ Zoie Hamilton Secretary (2011/2012)

13