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Show A6 ■ NEW APRIL 01, 2013 •• Utah Valley University Constitution of the Students Association Ratified March 5, 2008 Preamble We, the students of Utah Valley University, working toward the common goal of higher education, organize the Utah Valley University Student Association (UVUSA); and establish as our purpose; meaningful, educational interaction between students, faculty, staff, administration, and community. Article I - Student Association Article II - Student Rights Article III - Organization Article IV - Reserved Powers Article V - Amendments Article VI - By-Laws ARTICLE I - STUDENT ASSOCIATION SECTION I - NAME The name of the association shall be the "Utah Valley University Student Association," hereafter referred to as UVUSA. SECTION II - OFFICIAL COLORS The official color of UVUSA shall be green. SECTION III - MASCOT The mascot of UVUSA shall be the wolverine. SECTION IV - MEMBERSHIP The membership of UVUSA shall consist of all currently enrolled students of the University. SECTION V - POWER The ultimate power and authority of UVUSA shall rest with the members of UVUSA as a body, as delegated to the official Student Government under the articles of this Constitution. SECTION VI - RECALL Students shall have the right to recall any member, members, or decision of Student Government, in accordance with the following procedures: A. The reasons for recalling individuals must be based on performance of their duties as an officer and/or Constitutional violations. B. Gather a petition bearing the signatures of ten percent of the Student Body, explicitly naming those individuals or actions of Student Government to be recalled and the reasons for such actions. The petition must contain information that can verify that the signatures are those of enrolled students. C. Post the reasons for recall and the time and location of an open forum to discuss these reasons and related issues in conspicuous places around the campus. D. List the reasons and related information in the school paper at least one week prior to voting in accordance with paragraph E. E. Hold a general election meeting the following criteria: 1. Polls open for a minimum of three school days. 2. Polls open no longer than five school days. 3. Two-thirds of the ballots must be in favor of recalling the member, members, or decision of Student Government. 4. For removal of officers the number of votes in the recall vote must be equal to or greater than the total number of students who voted in the general election that elected those officers. 5. The ballot shall be prepared so that students can vote on recalling members or decisions separately, ensuring students can express a desire to recall one individual and yet demonstrate support for another. ARTICLE II - STUDENT RIGHTS SECTION I - STUDENT RIGHTS The rights of membership in UVUSA shall consist of the following: A. The right to vote in all general elections which are conducted by UVUSA. B. The right to attend any UVUSA sponsored meeting with the exception of those meetings declared as Executive Session (elected officers only). C. The right of any member of UVUSA to present a legitimate matter before the Executive Council or Student Council under each council's rules and procedures. D. The right to participate in all student programs and activities sponsored by UVUSA. E. The right to become a candidate for any office in UVUSA after meeting qualifications as stipulated in Article III, Section XVI and Section XVII. F. The right to request for inspection, minutes, list of budgets, and transactions of Student Government at reasonable time and under reasonable circumstances, through the Office of Student Life or Budget Office as appropriate. G. The right to appeal the decision of the Executive Council to the Student Council. H. Additional rights as stipulated in the Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook and/or Student Code. ARTICLE III - ORGANIZATION SECTION I - STUDENT GOVERNMENT The Student Government shall be comprised of the Executive Council, Student Council, Academic Senate, Student Activities Council, Judicial Council, and UV Inter-Club Council. SECTION II - THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL A. The Executive Council shall be comprised of the following members: 1. Student Body President 2. Executive Vice President 3. Vice President of Academics 4. Vice President of Student Activities 5. Vice President of UV Clubs B. The Executive Council will be elected by the student body during spring semester each year; with exception of the Vice President of UV Clubs, who shall be elected as specified in section XIV, subsection B. C. The Student Body President or his/her designee, subject to ratification by the Student Council, will chair an Elections Committee to regulate and monitor the elections process. The Student Body President will appoint a minimum of five other members and one UVUSA Advisor to the committee. The elections process will be conducted in accordance with the Elections Rules Bylaw. D. The Executive Council may appoint assistants and committees to serve under each respective body of government. Each appointed staff person will be subject to ratification by a majority vote of the Student Council. E. All members of Executive Council are voting members. The Student Body President serves as Chair of the Executive Council and votes only to make or break a tie. SECTION III - EXECUTIVE COUNCIL POWERS The Executive Council shall retain the following powers in UVUSA: A. UVUSA Student Body President shall have the power to enforce all policies passed by the Executive and Student Councils. B. The Student Body President shall have the power of line item veto and to veto resolutions passed by the Student Council, within one week of its passing, with proper written notification to the Council. C. The Student Body President shall have the power to chair an Appointing Committee to fill appointed positions within Student Government. The Committee shall be comprised of the Executive Council, two advisors, and a minimum of two students-at-large. The students-at-large will be appointed to the committee by the Executive Council. D. The Executive Council shall retain the power to appoint members to the Judicial Council. These members must be approved by a two-thirds vote from the student council. E. The Executive Council shall establish guidelines for scholarship awards based on availability of scholarships provided by UVU for student government positions. F. The Executive Council shall prepare the annual Student Government budget. The Student Council shall review and approve this budget. G. The Student Body Executive Vice President shall chair the Independent Branch meetings, establish related committees, and shall have the power to act upon responsibilities delegated to that office by the Student Body President. H. The Student Body Vice President of Academics shall chair the Academic Senate meetings, establish academic committees, and shall have the power to act upon responsibilities delegated to that office by the Student Body President. I. The Student Body Vice President of Student Activities shall chair the Activities Council, establish activity cornmittees, and shall have the power to act upon responsibility so delegated to that office by the Student Body President. J. The Student Body Vice President of UV Clubs shall chair the UV Inter-Club Council, establish club committees, and shall have the power to act upon responsibility so delegated to that office by the Student Body President. SECTION IV - STUDENT COUNCIL A. The Student Government officers serving as members of the Student Council are as follows: 1. Student Body President 2. Executive Vice President 3. Vice President of Academics 4. Vice President of Student Activities 5. Vice President of UV Clubs 6. School of Business Senator 7. College of Technology & Computing Senator 8. College of Social Sciences and Humanities Senator 9. College of Science and Health Senator 10. School of Education Senator 11. University College Senator 12. School of the Arts Senator 13. Social Chair 14. Director of Service 15. Fine Arts Chair 16. Activities Chair 17. Special Events Chair 18. School Spirit Chair 19. UV Club Ambassador 20. UV Club Ambassador 21. UV Club Ambassador 22. UV Club Ambassador 23. UV Mentor Liaison 24. The Chief Justice 25. International Student Council President 26. Multi-Cultural Student Representative 27. Prcsidcnt Marketing Chair B. The Student Body President shall preside over the Student Council and will chair all Student Council meetings, unless otherwise delegated. C. Student Council members shall be selected by an Appointing Committee as stipulated in Article III, Section III, Subsection C. Exceptions include the following: Executive Council, who are directly elected by the student body; the Vice President of UV Clubs, who shall be appointed as stipulated in section XIV, subsection B; UV Club Ambassadors, who shall be appointed as stipulated in the UVICC constitution; and special appointment by-laws shall define the process for appointment of the UV Mentor Liaison, International Student Council President, Multi-Cultural Student Representative, and the Director of Service. SECTION V - STUDENT COUNCIL POWERS The Student Council shall retain the following powers in UVUSA: A. UVUSA. To be the governing body of B. A quorum of the Student Council shall consist of at least two-thirds of the voting officers. There will be no votes by proxy. C. A majority vote of the quorum shall be necessary to decide questions or issues presented before the Student Council. The following questions must be presented for action by the student council. 1. To vote on whether or not to enforce Judicial Council recommendations. 2. To approve the Student Government budget prepared by the Executive Council. 3. The Student Council shall have the power, by a two-thirds vote, to override Presidential veto. D. To approve all constitutional appointments and other items deemed necessary by the Executive Council. E. The Student Council will substantially operate under and follow parliamentary rules as defined by the latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order. SECTION VI - INDEPENDENT BRANCHES COUNCIL A. The Independent Branches Council meetings will be chaired by the Executive Vice President unless otherwise delegated. B. The Independent Branches Council shall be comprised of the following members. 1. Executive Vice President 2. Director of Service 3. UV Mentor Liaison 4. International Student Council President 5. Chief Justice 6. Multi-Cultural Student Representative 7. Marketing Chair C. Each chair of the Independent Branches Council shall chair a committee comprised of students at large respective to the chairperson's job description. SECTION VII - INDEPENDENT BRANCHES COUNCIL POWERS The Independent Branches Council retains the following powers in UVUSA: A. To plan and execute designated programs and activities sponsored by UVUSA, relating to their responsibilities after all expenditures have been approved by the Executive Vice President. B. To form and dissolve committees, as needed to further the mission of the Independent Branches Council. SECTION VIII - THE ACADEMIC SENATE A. Each school on campus with its own Academic Dean shall be represented by a Student Senator. The Academic Senate meetings will be chaired by the Vice President of Academics. B. The Academic Senate shall be comprised of the following members: 1. Vice President of Academics 2. School of Business Senator 3. College of Technology & Computing Senator 4. College of Social Sciences and Humanities Senator 5. College of Science and Health Senator 6. School of Education Senator 7. University College Senator 8. School of the Arts Senator C. Each senator will chair a committee compromised of department representatives and students at large respective to the senator's job description. D. The Executive Council may modify this section of the Constitution by adding or removing Senators as the progress of Utah Valley University dictates. All changes or additions must be in direct correlation to institutional changes and must be ratified by the Student Body in the next general or special elections as outlined in Article V of this Constitution. SECTION IX - ACADEMIC SENATE POWERS The Academic Senate retains the following powers in UVUSA: A. concerns. To research student needs and B. To initiate resolutions accommodating student needs and concerns and propose them to the Executive and/or Student Council for approval. C. To form and dissolve committees to further the mission of the Academic Senate. SECTION X - THE STUDENT ACTIVITIES COUNCIL A. The Student Activities Council meetings will be chaired by the Vice President of Student Activities unless otherwise delegated. B. The Student Activities Council shall be comprised of the following members. 1. tivities 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Vice President of Student AcSocial Chair Fine Arts Chair Activities Chair Special Events Chair School Spirit Chair C. Each chair of the Student Activities Council shall chair a committee comprised of students at large respective to the chairperson's job description. SECTION XI - STUDENT ACTIVITIES COUNCIL POWERS The Student Activities Council retains the following powers in UVUSA: A. To plan and execute the student activities sponsored by UVUSA, after all expenditures have been approved by the Vice President of Student Activities. B. To form and dissolve committees, as needed to further the mission of the Student Activities Council. SECTION XII - THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL A. The Judicial Council shall be comprised of the following members: 1. Chief Justice 2. Associate Student Justice (Senate) 3. Associate Student Justice (UV Clubs) 4. Associate Student Justice (Student Activities) 5. Student Body President B. Any proceedings conducted by the Judicial Council must be chaired by the Chief Justice, unless otherwise delegated. At least three justices must be present to conduct any hearing. C. The Chief Justice and three Associate Student Justices shall be appointed by the Executive Council, and approved by a 2/3 vote in the Student Council as stipulated in Article III, Section V, C. D. The Student Body President will act as a Justice in the Judicial Council. SECTION XIII - JUDICIAL COUNCIL POWERS The following powers shall be retained by the Judicial Council: A. To review resolutions, proceedings, and activities of UVUSA in accordance with this constitution. B. To interpret this constitution, and to make their recommendation to the Executive Council. C. To recommend to the Executive Council precautions, punishments, and corrections in consequence of the constitutional violations. cil SECTION XIV - UV Inter-Club Coun- The UV Inter-Club Council shall be composed of representatives of all char- tered clubs of UVUSA. A. The UV Inter-Club Council shall be chaired by the Vice President of UV Clubs B. The Vice President of UV Clubs will be elected by the General Assembly of the UV Inter-Club Council, and serve on Executive Council. To file as a candidate for Vice President of UV Clubs or as a UV Club Ambassador, the following two requirements must be met: 1. Be nominated and/or sponsored by a club by submitting a signed statement of the club officers 2. Be an active member of a club for at least two semesters, one of which may be the spring semester in which the member applies for the position. C. UVICC Council will be comprised of the following members: 1. Vice President of UV Clubs 2. UV Club Ambassador 3. UV Club Ambassador 4. UV Club Ambassador 5. UV Club Ambassador D. Candidates for UV Club Ambassador must be nominated by a member of the UVICC General Assembly. Selection of Club Ambassadors will represent each area of Clubs as defined in the UVICC Constitution. E. The responsibilities for each club ambassador shall be determined in consultation with the Vice President of UV Clubs based on the number of clubs in each of the broad categories established. SECTION XV- ASSISTANT TO TIIE PRESIDENT MARKETING CHAIR A. The assistant to the President will be concerned with the affairs of public relations, work directly under the Student Body President along with the Academic Senate Committees and Student Activities Committees to coordinate public relations and other projects. The Marketing Chair will be concerned with the affairs of public relations, marketing, branding of UVUSA, work under the Student Body Executive Vice President and coordinates with all other Committees and Council Members of UVUSA to coordinate public relations, marketing, branding of UVUSA and other projects. SECTION XVI - QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE Any student seeking an office within UVUSA must meet the following criteria: A. All candidates shall be currently enrolled at UVU. B. All candidates shall possess a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0, with the exception of first time matriculated students. SECTION XVII- REQUIREMENTS FOR OFFICE The requirements for any office held within UVUSA are as follows: A. Throughout the term of office, all officers must be currently enrolled in, and successfully complete a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester and maintain a minimum semester grade point average of 2.50, summer term excepting. B. Throughout the term of office, attendance at scheduled meetings and activities for which the officer has responsibility shall be required as set forth in the by-laws. SECTION XVIII - TERMS OF OFFICE A. The term of office for all elected officers shall be one full year, beginning the day of Spring graduation. B. The elected officers shall take an "Oath of Office" administered by the College President or his/her designee as follows: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will uphold the constitution of the Utah Valley University Student Association and faithfully administer the responsibilities of (state the office) of the Utah Valley University Student Association in good faith with high standards of honesty and integrity. SECTION XIX - DISMISSAL Failure to comply with the requirements as stated in this constitution shall result in immediate dismissal of the violating Student Government member or candidate. All appeals will be presented before the Judicial Council who will then recommend action to the student council. SECTION XX - FINANCES F. The Executive Council will recommend to the President's Council the allocation of student fees. G. After the student fee recommendation for the next year has been approved by the existing Student Council in February, it will be sent to President's Council, the Utah Valley University Board of Trustees, and then to the Utah State Board of Regents for final approval. H. During spring semester, the Director of Student Leadership, shall meet and give recommendations to the newly elected Executive Council regarding the Student Council budget. The Executive Council will develop, formulate, and approve the annual budget and forward it to the Student Council for ratification. I. At the close of each fiscal year, all accounts shall be balanced to zero and all excess finances shall be moved into the account marked "discretionary." J. All financial transactions must follow all applicable state law, campus policy and guidelines. Appropriate approval by designated account managers must also be secured prior to the expenditure of student fee funds. K. The Student Council shall have the right to incur any unbudgeted, single expense or liability in excess of $50,000 after having the unbudgeted expense or liability meet the following provisions: i. Published in the school newspaper. ii. Posted in conspicuous locations throughout the campus at least five days prior to acceptance. iii. At least one open forum held for members of UVUSA to discuss the proposed expense or liability. iv. Be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Council and ratification by the Student Council. ARTICLE IV - RESERVED POWERS SECTION I - IMPEACHMENT Impeachment proceedings against any elected officer may be initiated by any member of UVUSA for Judicial Council review by the following: A two-thirds vote by Student Council. A petition signed by at least ten percent of the members of UVUSA. Impeachment hearings will be held by the Judicial Council within two weeks of the impeachment request. The Judicial Council will render a recommendation to the Student Council within the two week period, determining whether or not the constitution has been violated. Final Impeachment decisions must be carried by a three-fourths vote of the Student Council. Final powers not specified herein are reserved, with discretion, to the Student Council. SECTION II - VACANCIES Vacancies in Executive Council shall be filled as follows: The Student Body President's position shall be filled by the Executive Vice President or the Vice President of Academics or the Vice President of Student Activities, or the Vice President of UV Clubs, respectively, in the absence of the Student Body President. In the event of a vacancy of either the Executive Vice President of Academics or the Executive Vice President of Student Activities, or the Executive Vice President of UV Clubs, the President shall chair the appointing Committee consistent with Article III, Section III, C. The nominee selected must be ratified by the Student Council. Any vacancy within an appointed position shall be filled according to Article III, Section III, C. In the event of a vacancy of the Vice President of UV Clubs, they shall be replaced in the process outlined in Article III, Section XIV. The Student Body President shall act as the chair in the process. ARTICLE V - AMENDMENTS SECTION I - INITIATION Amendments to this constitution may be initiated by a two-thirds vote of the Student Council or by a petition bearing the signatures of ten percent of UVUSA. SECTION II - NOTIFICATION A proposed amendment shall meet the following criteria before a concurring vote of UVUSA. The proposed amendment shall be posted in conspicuous locations throughout the campus for five days prior to voting. The proposed amendment shall be published in the school newspaper at least five days prior to voting. An open forum shall be held for the members of UVUSA to discuss a proposed amendment. SECTION III - RATIFICATION Amendments shall become part of this constitution upon a majority vote of those students voting in a general or special election. ARTICLE VI - BY-LAWS A set of By-Laws shall be established by the Executive Council. Anything to be included in, added to, or deleted from the By-Laws must receive a two-thirds vote from the quorum of Student Council. The purpose and content of the By-Laws shall be to define the mechanics of running the affairs of UVUSA's government without conflicting with this constitution. *Red marked text are the proposed changes The Utah Valley University Student Association has looked over its constitution and wishes to make an amendment. It needs the student vote and input to make this a reality. UVU Student Association has highlighted improvements which can be made in the constitution to increase student awareness and involvement on campus. Since UVU is an engaged university, the UVU Student Association feels these changes will help increase student engagement on campus. The proposed amendment would restructure an existing position (Assistant Student Body President) to a new position titled "Marketing Chair" and places additional responsibilities upon UVUSA such as marketing, branding, and student outreach. Voting for this amendment will take place on April 8th - 12th. Hard ballots to vote will be distributed around UVU as well as a link on UVLink. The amendment, constitution, and job description are presented as follows: Article VII - Ratified Amendments Amendment 1 In Article III Section IV letter A in number 27 the title of the Assistant to the Student Body President shall be changed to Marketing Chair. UVUSA Marketing Chair: 1. Is available with permission of Vice Presidents of each branch to help develop marketing and branding for UVUSA. In Article III Section VI letter B, The Independent Branches Council shall be comprised 2. Works under the direction of the Executive Vice President. of the following members adding number 7. Marketing Chair. 3. Sits on web design committee, digital signage committee, marketing committee, and other committees deemed necessary. In Article III Section XV the title of the section will be changed to Marketing Chair. 4. Distributes designs and productions to necessary locations and media (digital signage, newspaper, social media, UVU events page, etc.). The corresponding paragraph to Article III Section XV will read the following: the Mar- 5. Acts as marketing coordinator with other areas on campus. keting Chair will be concerned with the affairs of public relations, marketing, branding 6. Recruits and maintains a committee. of UVUSA, work under the Student Body Executive Vice President and coordinates 7. Must attend at least 75% of all UVUSA sponsored activities. with all other Committees and Council Members of UVUSA to coordinate public rela- 8. Must maintain at least 12 UVU credit hours and be in good academic standing. tions, marketing, branding of UVUSA and other projects. 9. Attends all Student Council meetings, prepared to report on activities and progress. |