Student Government Association Constitution

The Spelman Student Government Association (SSGA) is a student governance organization whose purpose is as follows: 1. To develop responsible student leadership 2. To acknowledge the opportunity and obligation of students to participate in addressing student and institutional concerns 3. To sponsor beneficial student activities and organizations 4. To stimulate communication and cooperation among students, faculty, and administration 5. To encourage accountability to the policies and the Spelman Standards of Excellence 6. To foster community and strive to make improvements in all areas of College life SSGA is comprised of elected and appointed student representatives who serve as a liaison between the student body and the faculty, staff, and administration. The SGA representatives meet regularly to discuss student engagement, matters of general student concern, and student and institutional governance and structures. SGA also works collaboratively with various organizations to develop global leaders, foster sisterhood among Spelman women, and to help students gain an understanding of themselves, society, and their African-American heritage. In accordance with Student Life and Engagement Fee Allocation Committee (SAFAC) guidelines, the SGA is also responsible for allocating funds to students and registered student organizations to support programming and leadership development. The House of Representatives is also an extension of SGA that is comprised of all Registered Student Organizations responsible for the majority of student programming operations. The advisor of the Spelman Student Government Association is the Director of Student Life and Engagement.

Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

Constitution Amended by: The Spelman Student Government Association Constitutional Revision Committee: Chief Justice of SSGA: Corinthia Wilkerson Class of 2014 SSGA President: Taylor Allen Class of 2012 SSGA Vice President: Erica Paige Class of 2013 First Year Class Justice: Jasmine Payne Class of 2015 Junior Class Justice: Sylonda Lang Class of 2013 Senior Class Justice: Candace Curtis Class of 2012

PREAMBLE We, the women of Spelman College, dedicate ourselves to the unification of the student body through self-governance; to the encouragement of optimal student participation and cooperation with faculty, staff and administration in matters pertaining to the general welfare of the students; and to the promotion of student leadership and high standards of conduct and scholarship. We strive to expand our global awareness and foster sisterhood. We hereby pledge our loyalty to the high purpose of promoting the best interests of Spelman College by adopting the following association. ARTICLE I. ORGANIZATION Section 1. Name

The name of the organization shall be the Spelman Student Government Association (SSGA). Section 2. Members

Every student of Spelman College is a member of the SSGA, and therefore granted all rights and privileges and is subject to the provisions of the constitution and SSGA approval. Section 3. State of the Campus Address

There shall be a State of the Campus Address to the student body within the each academic semester. Section 4. Meetings There shall be a calendar of General Body meetings established and published at the beginning of each school year. Town Hall meetings will be called by the Spelman Student Government Association when necessary. The Executive President may call other meetings as necessary.

Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

Section 5. Meeting Minutes Each Spelman Student Government meeting is required to have recorded minutes that are made available to the public and are to be bound at the end of each academic year. ARTICLE II. GOVERNING BODIES The governing bodies of the Spelman Student Government Association shall consist of three branches: the Executive Branch shall consist of the SSGA Executive Board and assistants (hereby known as Executive Board), the Legislative Branch shall consist of the House of Representatives (hereby known as House), and the Judicial Branch shall consist of the SSGA Judicial Committee (hereby known as Judicial Committee). Section 1. Executive Branch The Executive Board shall be comprised of all voting members of SSGA, with the exception of the President who shall exercise a vote in the event of the tie. Those positions are as follows: President, Vice-President, Secretary of Student Affairs, Secretary of Finance, Secretary of Academic Affairs, Secretary of Enrollment Management, and Secretary of Institutional Advancement. Section 2. Executive Board Meetings The Executive Board should meet every week or as necessary at the discretion of the board. Attendance Policy 1. All Executive Board members are required to attend all Executive Board meetings. a. Executive Board meetings shall be defined as a meeting called by the President of SSGA at least one week prior to the date of said meeting. b. Emergency Board Meetings shall be called, in times of peril, by the President. Those on the Executive Board should make a good faith effort to attend emergency meetings; however, attendance is not required. c. In the event that any Executive Board member misses three Executive Board meetings, one shall be reviewed by the Judicial Branch of SSGA. d. Failure to abide by the above stated policies shall result in implementation of the Removal Process. Section 3. Executive Board Responsibilities The Executive Board shall have responsibilities in the following areas, but are not limited to: A. Duties of the Executive Board a. Represent the opinion of the student body in all matters; b. Actively submit proposals for improvement to campus life and operations on behalf

Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

c. d. e. f. g. B.

of the student body; Sponsor, implement, and attend activities and programs on behalf of the SSGA; Participate in external activities in conjunction with other student governments; and Develop SSGA budget. Serves as the approving body for all new registered student organizations Failure to abide by the above stated policies shall result in implementation of the Removal Process

Qualifications of Executive Board Officers 1. All elected officers must be in good academic, financial and disciplinary standing with the rules, regulations and guidelines according to Spelman College. a. All elected and appointed officers of the Executive Board must maintain a cumulative and semester grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale throughout their term in office. b. All elected officers must have completed at least one year of academic study at Spelman College must be enrolled as a full-time student during the term in office. All currently enrolled students shall be eligible to assume the office of President.

B. Duties of Executive Board Officers 1. The President shall: a. Serve as Chief Officer of the Executive Board and official representative of the student body b. Serve as a liaison to the Spelman administration and other departments c. Preside over all Executive Board, State of the Campus Addresses, general body and Town Hall Meeting d. Introduce new proposals from the House of Representatives to the Executive Board e. Sign or veto proposals; serve as a voting member in the case of a tie. f. Appoint students to vacant positions with concurrence of a two-thirds vote of the active House members; All appointments and approvals must be made one week prior to the reading period. g. Call for a referendum of the student body when appropriate, which must be approved by two-thirds of the House of Representatives h. Delegate tasks, projects, or duties as appropriate to any member(s) of the Executive Board The Vice-President shall: a. Assume the duties of the President upon the request, absence, or removal of the President b. Assist the President in general policy and administration of the Executive Board; c. Serve as the Speaker of the House or Representatives; d. Refer student grievances to the Judicial Branch and the Office of the Dean of Students for investigation and resolution e. Insure that approved proposals are submitted to the appropriate Spelman College administrator within two weeks of proposal review and approval; f. Report weekly on the status of submitted proposals during the Executive Board and regularly during Town Hall meetings. At discretion, appoint no more than three (3) advisors to serve as assistants within the parameters of the duties listed above. g. Serve as a voting member of the SSGA Executive Board. The Secretary of Academic Affairs shall:

2.

3.

Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

a. Serve as the liaison between the student body and the Vice President of Academic Affairs as well as the Academic Deans; b. Assume the duties of the President upon the request, absence or removal of the President and the Vice President. c. Oversee student concerns pertaining to academics through various mechanisms d. Work with Undergraduate Studies and faculty departments to provide programs and services to enhance the academic experience. e. Work with Career Planning & Development to promote professional and career development within the student body. f. Serve as a voting member of the SSGA Executive Board. 4. The Secretary of Finance shall: a. Serve as a liaison between the student body and the Vice President of Business and Finance or Director of Business & Administrative Services; b. Chair and Operate the SAFAC Committee; c. Manage the SSGA budget; d. Manage the revenue of SSGA; e. Ensure that all scholarships are manages ad distributed annually in accordance with College financial aid standards f. Present financial report at each SSGA General Body Meeting; g. Handle the financial responsibilities required for all SSGA hosted events; h. Develop SSGA budget with approval of the Executive Board by October 1. In prompt manner, send Executive Board budget to the House for 2/3 vote approval; i. Assume the duties of the President upon the request, absence or removal of the President, the Vice President, and the Secretary of Academic Affairs; and j. Serve as a voting member of the SSGA Executive Board. The Secretary of Student Affairs shall: a. Serve as the liaison between the student body and the Vice president of Student Affairs and Dean of Students b. Fulfill all responsibilities required for Market Friday which include: Revising contracts, Maintaining vendor profiles, Sending electronic notifications to vendors, providing a DJ, Responsible for weekly publicity, Ensuring that an educational component is present at each Market Friday, and Maintaining and ordering Market Friday equipment. c. Communicate student issues and concerns to the Dean of Students for immediate resolution d. Assume the duties of the President upon the request, absence or removal of the President, the Vice President, the Secretary of Academic Affairs and the Secretary of Finance; e. Work in conjunction with Market Friday Director for all Market Friday concerns f. Serve as a voting member of the SSGA Executive Board. The Secretary of Enrollment Management shall: a. Serve as the liaison between the student body and the Vice President of Enrollment Management b. Work in collaboration with all divisions of Enrollment Management (Admission, Financial Aid, Career Planning & Development, Cooperative Education and Registrar) to assist with recruitment, enrollment, retention, and graduation of

5.

6.

Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

Spelman students c. Support Enrollment Management efforts with the continued implementation and maintenance of the Spelman ALIVE plan providing Academic Excellence, Leadership Development, Improving Our Environment ,Visibility of Our Achievements, Exemplary Customer Service d. Serve as the Co-Manager of first year class council elections. Assume the duties of the President upon the request, absence or removal of the President, the Vice President, the Secretary of Academic Affairs, the Secretary of Secretary of Finance and the Secretary of Student Affairs. e. Serve as a voting member of the SSGA Executive Board. 7. The Secretary of College Relations and Institutional Advancement shall: a. Serve as a liaison between the student body and the divisions of College Relations and Institutional Advancement b. Work with the Division of College Relations to ensure event calendar coordination, and understanding and compliance around use of campus facilities and event planning by student organizations. c. Work with the Division of Institutional Advancement to identify and coordinate efforts to generate funds for the SGA Scholarship Program. d. Be responsible for all SGA fundraisers and student giving campaigns e. Help with outreach and community engagement f. Assume the duties of the President upon the request, absence, or removal of the President, the Vice President, the Secretary of Academic Affairs, the Secretary of Finance, and the Secretary of Student Affairs

The SSGA General Body shall be comprised of all non-voting members. These positions shall be appointed at the discretion of the President. Section 4. Legislative Branch The Legislative Branch shall be comprised of the House of Representatives. The Executive Board shall consist of five (5) elected positions: the Secretary, and the Chairs of the following committees: Student Life, Academic Affairs/Dean of Students, Ways and Means, SAFAC, Transfer, Commuter and Pauline E. Drake Scholar Students. The Vice President of the SGA Executive Branch shall serve as a student advisor and shall vote only on the case of a tie. Vacancies and committee chair positions shall be filled by application and open election by the entire House of Representatives. The general membership of the House shall consist of one executive board members and other elected or appointed representatives from each chartered organization and the Vice President of the SSGA Executive Board. Official charter status shall be verified by the Office of Student Life and Engagement, and each member may only represent one organization. Section 5 . House of Representatives Meetings House General Body meetings shall be twice a month at the discretion of the Vice President. The Executive Board of the House shall meet the week preceding the House General Body meetings. The House Executive Board shall not hold meetings without a quorum of two-thirds of the elected members.

Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

A. Attendance Policy a. Attendance is mandatory for all members of the Student House of Representatives. b. All House Committee Chairpersons must attend all Town Hall meetings of the Executive Branch. c. Each chartered organization shall have a representative at all House General Body meetings. In the event that the designated representative is unable to attend, another representative from the respective organization is required to take the representatives place at that meeting. d. A representative is allowed two unexcused tardy arrivals before it is considered an unexcused absence. If a representative has one unexcused absence, the organization will receive a letter from the Judicial Committee giving notification that another unexcused absence will result in a sanction defined by the House in conjunction with the Director of Student Life and Engagement and the SGA Judicial Branch. e. Executive Board members are allowed three unexcused absences. The first two unexcused absences will result in a letter of warning to the member. A subsequent absence shall result in the removal of the member from the Executive Board. f. Each organization must be consistent with original chartered purpose and attend activities in the House. g. All House members must serve on at least one standing committee. h. Failure to abide by the above stated policies shall result in implementation of the Removal Process. Section 6. House of Representatives Responsibilities All legislative powers shall be vested in the Spelman Student House of Representatives. Duties of the Legislative Branch a. Hear student concerns and assign to relevant committee b. Share student concerns with Dean of Students as appropriate c. Approve Executive Branch appointments d. Submit proposals to Executive Branch e. Approve the SSGA Budget for the upcoming Academic School year by 2/3 vote of the House (this approval must be done prior to upcoming academic year). Qualifications of House of Representatives Officers a. All elected officers must be in good academic, financial and disciplinary standing with the rules, regulations, and guidelines according to Spelman College. b. All elected officers of the Executive Board must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale throughout the term in office. All appointed positions are subject to the same GPA qualifications as elected officers. c. All elected officers must have completed at least one year of academic study at Spelman College and must be enrolled as a full-time student during the term in office. In the event that an elected officer leaves the school for an extended leave of absence, the officer shall relinquish the position as a member of the Executive Board. d. The offices of Speaker of the House and House Leader shall be assumed by students who

Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

will be juniors or seniors during their terms in office. e. Representatives must be members of chartered organizations as determined by the current House and approval of Judicial Board (See Judicial Board) Duties of House of Representatives Officers 1. The Speaker of the House shall: a. Serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Legislative Board; b. Represent the Legislative Branch to the Spelman administration and other constituents; c. Preside over all Legislative Board meetings; d. Introduce new proposal topics to Legislative Board and refer each to a related committee; e. Sign or veto proposals according to the vote of the Legislative Board; f. Confirm or deny Executive Board appointments according to the vote of the Legislative Board upon review of the proposed appointees application; g. Report weekly to the Executive Branch on the activities of the Legislative Branch; h. Submit completed and approved proposals to the Executive Board for action; i. Assign additional tasks, projects or duties that are within reason to any member(s) of the Legislative Board; and j. Appoint a person from within the body of the Legislative Board to fulfill vacancies upon approval by the Legislative Branch by a two-thirds vote. 2. The Secretary shall: a. Keep an accurate, legible, and permanent record of all Legislative Branch meetings; b. Keep record of all members contact information; c. Keep attendance for all meetings; d. Maintain files and type reports; e. Create and/or maintain lines of communication between the Legislative Branch and Executive Branch; f. Be responsible for recording minutes of all House meetings. g. Communicate with Spelman College Administration and other constituents; and h. Provide notification within seven business days of Legislative Branch meetings. i. Serve as an advisor of the SSGA Vice President 3. The Parliamentarian shall: a. Maintain order and correct parliamentary procedures in all Legislative Branch meetings, as outlined by Roberts Rules or Order or a supplement of the text. b. Requisition sites of all Legislative Branch meetings and activities; c. Coordinate the election process of Legislative Board. 4. Committee Chairpersons shall: a. Represent committee to the Legislative Branch; b. Preside over all committee meetings. c. Attend all Town Hall meetings of the Executive Board d. Work with the Dean of Student to generate ideas for proposals to address student concerns within the committees jurisdiction e. Delegate tasks to committee members as necessary

Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

f. Present weekly reports to the Legislative Branch on the activities of the committee g. Submit a final proposal for review to the House Leader. Duties of House of Representatives Committees 1. The following standing committees shall exist: a. Student Affairs document and report student concerns. Share student concerns regarding athletics, bookstore, career services, counseling services, diversity, financial aid, facilities, food services, library, new student orientation, parking, public safety, student safety, student activities, student grievances, tuition, etc., with the Dean of Students for immediate resolution. b. Academic Affairs document and report student concerns to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies regarding academics, academic advising, registration, faculty, course offerings, grades, graduation, and other academic matters. c. Ways and Means oversees the process for new chartering of organizations. Members of this committee also evaluate and make recommendations of the SSGA constitution. Make recommendations to increase the overall efficiency of SSGA. d. Finance Make recommendations to the rest of the House about the approval of the proposed SSGA Budget. e. Transfer, Commuter, and Pauline E. Drake Scholar Students- document and report transfer, commuter, and PEDs concerns. Share student concerns with the dean of Students for immediate resolution. At the recommendation of the Executive Branch, Legislative Branch or general student interest, additional committees may be formed. Each committee shall adopt the following procedure a. Research an issue that is of concern to the student body and write a subsequent proposal based on findings once per semester, mid-semester; b. Present proposal to the House Leader for review and recommendation. Upon approval, the House Leader shall present the proposal to the Speaker of the House for voting. c. The Speaker of the House shall present it to the House general body and call for a two-thirds majority vote; and d. If passed, Speaker of the House shall present proposal to Executive Branch. Section 7. Judicial Board The Judicial Branch shall work with the Dean of Students to hear conduct violations, Proceedings. The Judicial Branch shall be comprised of the Chief Justice, and three (3) Justices. The Justices shall be representatives of all class years. A. The Judicial Board shall have the responsibilities of the following areas: Duties of the Judicial Board a. To decide any constitutional questions concerning the interpretation of this constitution or concerning the provisions found within b. To hear the complete case of persons accused of any conduct violation and recommend to the office of Student Life and Engagement punishment for those whom it finds guilty of any offense or conduct violation; c. To approve the charter of any organization, with the exception of SGA, upon recommendation

Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

of the House; d. To execute the removal process of any SGA official. e. Dually serve as members of the elections commissions during the elections process. f. Serve as members of the Community Standards Review Board, Community Appeals Board, and Policies & Procedures Committee and all other related committees under the direct supervision of the Dean of Students. g. Conduct an annual review the SGA Constitution to ensure the constitution reflects the current pattern of administration and needs of the students.

C. Qualifications of the Judicial Board a. All elected and appointed officers must be in good academic, financial and disciplinary standing with the rules, regulations and guidelines according to Spelman College. b. In addition to being elected/appointed, the Student Justices must complete an application and be approved by the Community Standards Review Board and Dean of Students. c. The Chief Justice shall be appointed by the Executive Board President with recommendations from the Executive Board of SGA. Following the proposed appointment by the President of the SGA, the candidate for Chief Justice will be voted on by the current House and approved by 2/3 vote. The Chief Justice appoints three Justices (one from each classification). D. Duties of Judicial Board Officers 1. The Chief Justice shall: a. Preside over all Judicial proceedings b. Vote as a member of the SGA Executive Board only in the case of a tie. c. Meet with the Dean of Students on a monthly basis to ensure awareness of student conduct issues. d. Engage in education and awareness programs to assist with decreasing student infractions of the Community Standards and Code of Conduct e. Participate in a training program along with the Class Justices on the Student Conduct Administration System of the College f. Review the SGA Constitution and relate to SGA appropriate recommendations. g. Serve as a member of the Campus Hearing Board and Community Standards Review Board, and Policies and Procedures Committees to assist with addressing all student concerns in regards to matters including, but not limited to discrepancies, code of conduct violations, and impeachment. h. Interpret the SGA Constitution in its entirety to the broader Spelman community 2. The Justices shall: a. Assist the Chief Justice in all student conduct proceedings. Section 8. Class Council

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Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

As a subsidiary of SGA, Class Councils are the governing bodies for each respective class First Year, Sophomore, Junior and Senior. Their primary role is to provide leadership, programs and activities of interest to members of their class. In addition, Class Councils serve as a vehicle by which the Spelman administration may disseminate pertinent information to a specific class of students. While their structure is a subsidiary of the SSGA, Class Councils are allowed to operate independently of SSGA in most circumstances. Class Council positions are elected during the SSGA Election, and all candidates must meet the same standards of SSGA officers in order to be eligible. The Executive Branch of each council shall be comprised of at least fifteen (14) positions: President, Presidential Advisors (2), Vice-President, Vice-Presidential Advisors (2), Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Co-Social Chairpersons (2), Co-Publicity Chairpersons (2), and SSGA Representative (1). A. Duties of Executive Board Officers a. The President shall: a. Serve as Chief Executive Officer of Class Council b. Serve as a liaison between Class Council to administration and other organizations c. Document student ideas, questions, concerns, and issues and work with the Dean of Students to address and bring to a resolution. d. Preside over all council meetings; e. Assign additional tasks, projects or duties that are within reason to any member(s) of the Executive Board f. Appoint vacant positions in conjunction with Vice President; g. At discretion, appoint no more than two (2) advisors to serve as assistants within the parameters of the duties listed above. Advisors must participate in all meetings and v activities, and are voting members subject to the mandates given to all executive officers. 2. The Vice President shall: a. Serve in absence of President; b. Oversee activities of council committees c. Assist President in appointment of vacant positions; and d. At discretion, appoint no more than two (2) advisors to serve as assistants within the parameters of the duties listed above. Advisors must participate in all meetings and activities, and are voting members subject to the mandates given to all executive officers. 3. The Secretary shall: a. Preside in the absence of both the President and Vice-President; b. Keep an accurate, legible, and permanent record of all Council meetings, including attendance records c. Document and distribute minutes to President of the College, Vice-Presidents, and Deans after review and approval by the Office of Student Life & Engagement d. Maintain and distribute contact information of all Council members with appropriate organizations and departments e. Oversee administrative duties. 4.The Treasurer shall: a. Keep accurate records of all expenditures made by the Class Council

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Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

b. Prepare necessary paperwork for all monetary transactions of the council. c. Attend all SAFAC meetings under the jurisdiction of the SSGA Secretary of Finance. 5. The Parliamentarian shall: a. Maintain order and correct parliamentary procedures in all meetings, as outlined by Roberts Rules of Order b.Requisition sites of all meetings and activities. 6. The Co-Publicity Chairpersons shall: a. Create and distribute publicity concerning all Class Council activities. 7. The Co-Social Chairpersons shall: a. Plan, coordinate and implement programs and activities of the Class Council. 8. The SSGA Representative shall: a. Serve as liaison between the respective Class Council and the SGA. b. Attend House of Representatives meetings ARTICLE III. ELECTIONS Section 1. Election Commissioners Duties of Election Commissioners In conjunction with the SSGA Advisor, the Elections Commissioner shall determine the specific proceedings during the entire election process. Qualifications of Election Commissioners 1. All appointed officers must be in good academic, financial, and disciplinary standing as outlined in the Spelman College Student Handbook and Community Standards and Code of Conduct. 2. The Elections Commissioner is appointed by the President of SSGA with approval of 2/3 vote of the House. 3. With the assistance of the Election Committee, this shall include, but is not limited to: a. Convene the Election Committee to evaluate the Election Packet, identify, schedule, and coordinate all dates, times, and locations of election-related activities, and prepare official ballot process and procedures b. Creating the Election Application Packet. The packet shall be made available to all candidates via an Information Session; The Student Government Constitution and Election Application Packet shall detail the election process to be followed. c. Serving as contact person when questions arise concerning election process; d. Determining campaign publicity policies and monitoring such compliance with all election policies, protocols, and processes e. Oversee all campaign and election day activities f. Develop, implement, and coordinate process to verify student names and photo IDs for on-site voting g. Announce and post election results

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Timeline a. The entire election process shall be complete prior to Spring Break of that academic school year. b. The Director of Student Life and Engagement in conjunction with the Dean of Students may approve a varied timeline should extenuating circumstances arise Election Committee The Election Committee shall assist in the overall operations of the election process and shall consist of the following members of the Judicial Committee: a. 1 senior class justice b. 1 junior class justice c. 1 sophomore class justice d. 1 First Year class justice No member of the Elections Committee may be a candidate for office or publicly endorse a candidate. Members of the Election Committee may not publicly endorse a candidate. This includes wearing campaign materials, assisting in the campaign process by posting publicity, soliciting votes or any similar activity. All infractions shall be submitted to the Judicial Board of SGA for review, evaluation, and appropriate disciplinary action. Qualifications of Candidates a. All candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at the time of nomination. This academic standard must be maintained throughout the tenure of office; b. All candidates must further be in good financial and disciplinary standing with the College; c. All candidates must have completed at least one year of academic study at Spelman College and must be enrolled as a full-time student during the term in office (with the exception of Student Trustee candidates see pg. 14); d. Students who plan to study abroad or participate in a domestic exchange program during the upcoming year may not seek office; and e. The President and Vice President shall be a rising junior or senior at the time of nomination f. All Presidential candidates must have one year of previous SSGA experience, prior to time of election Process All candidates must qualify at the time of nomination. Candidates shall secure an application from the initial Information Session or SSGA office at the published time. All candidates must petition to seek office. There shall be no write-in candidates. The candidate must secure the signatures of any currently enrolled Spelman student. The guidelines are as follows: a. Student Board of Trustee candidates 300 signatures b. SSGA Executive Board candidates 200 signatures c. SSGA Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates- 300 signatures d. Class Council Presidential/Vice Presidential candidates 300 signatures e. All other Class Council candidates 50 signatures f. Failure to secure the appropriate signatures will immediately void a Petition Form. Students may only sign a candidates petition once. g. Members of the Election Committee and Spelman employees may not sign petitions for any candidate nor participate in the campaign process for any candidate.

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Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

Candidates shall submit a completed application by the published deadline. Failure to do will result in a failure to qualify for office. The Election Committee shall verify all applications, at which time candidates shall be notified of their eligibility and the balloting process shall be developed and finalized. Campaigning and election-related activities shall begin and end at the appointed times as designated in the Election Application Packet. Voting a. Online voting shall occur onsite in Manley Student Center. The Elections Committee shall oversee all operations on Election Day. Voting procedures shall be emailed to all Spelman College email addresses, with voting rules attached. b. Voting shall take place online, or by official secret ballot. Every position on the ballot shall include the option of abstention. c. All students must show Spelman ID to vote onsite. No exceptions will be made to this policy. d. All Spelman students may vote for Executive Board positions. Students are only eligible to vote for Class Council positions of their entering class. Absentee Voting a. Absentee voting shall take place only in the event that 15 or more students will be away from campus on official college business. Notification of such absence and request for absentee voting must be submitted in writing to the Election Committee Chair no later than 72 hours prior to departure from campus and prior to Election Day. Verification of absence from campus will be the responsibility of the SSGA Advisor. b. The Election Committee Chair shall provide balloting alternatives and oversee voting. c. Onsite, online voting must occur in the Manley Student Center at a place designated by the Elections Committee Chair. Tallying and Results a. The candidate who receives the most votes shall be determined the winner. In the case of co-positions, the top two candidates with the most votes shall be declared the winners. b. Election results shall be posted within two days of election. The names of all candidates, their winning percentages, total votes captured and rank shall be included in the posting. Run-off Election In the case of three (3) or more candidates running for a single position, the candidate who receives the most votes shall be declared the winner. In the case of a tie between candidates receiving the highest number of votes, a run-off shall occur. The following conditions apply for the run-off election: a. Run-off election(s) must be completed within 5 business days of the original Election Day. b. Run-off election(s) shall be decided by a majority vote of voting participants. c. Only students who voted in the original election may vote in a run-off election. Recount Request (only valid for non-electronic voting proceedings) a. If a recount is desired, a Request for Election Re-Count Form must be submitted to the SSGA Advisor within 48 hours after the election results have been posted. b. Recount Request is valid only for non-online, electronic voting proceedings c. Recount results shall be posted within 48 hours of request for recount. The names of all candidates and their winning percentages shall be included in the recount posting.

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d. The results of all recounts shall be final. Re-Election Process With the approval of the Director of Student Life and Engagement and Dean of Students of Students, infractions of the Constitution may result in a re-election process. a. Allegation of infractions will be investigated before approval to hold a re-election is granted. Allegations must be submitted within 48 hours of the alleged infraction, and must be substantiated by fact versus speculation, and a witnesss signature. Failure to produce tangible evidence of infractions or election tampering may result in denial of a re-election at which time the primary election results will be upheld. b. Mediation with the Director of Student Life and Engagement and Dean of Students, infractions of the Constitution may result in a re-election process. c. If it is determined that a re-election process is necessary, the re-election must occur within two weeks after approval for such is given. Candidates who participated in the primary election are the only candidates that may participate in the re-election process. Vacant Positions a. In the event that the Executive Board and Class Council President or Vice President positions are not filled, the positions will be reopened for election during the upcoming academic year. b. With the approval of the Director of Student Life and Engagement and Dean of Students, infractions of the Constitution may result in a re-election process. c. The President may appoint members in conjunction with the Vice President to other unfilled positions d. The Legislative Branch must confirm all Executive Board appointments. Section 2. Election of House of Representatives Executive Board The House shall choose its Executive Board internally from the general body membership. The House Parliamentarian shall chair the election process. Timeline a. In conjunction with the House Executive Board, the House Parliamentarian shall determine the application deadlines and all related procedures. b. The Parliamentarian shall determine all dates, times and locations of election-related activities. c. Generally, House elections shall occur in April of the current year. Qualifications of Candidates a. All candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at the time of election. This academic standard must be maintained throughout the tenure of office; b. All candidates must further be in good financial and disciplinary standing with the College; c. All candidates must have completed at least one year of academic study at Spelman College and must be enrolled as a full-time student during the term in office; d. Students who plan to study abroad or participate in a domestic exchange program during the upcoming year may not seek office; e. The Speaker of the House and House Leader shall be a rising sophomore, junior or senior at the time of election

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Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

Process a. Candidates shall secure an application from the Secretary at the published time; b. Candidates shall submit completed application by the published deadline. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. c. The House Parliamentarian and House Executive Board shall verify all applications, at which time the ballot shall be prepared. Voting a. Voting shall be held at the last House meeting in April for the upcoming year. Unfilled positions shall be voted upon at the second General Body meeting of the current year. b. Voting shall take place by secret ballot Tallying and Results a. The Speaker of the House shall tally the votes. The SSGA Advisor shall be present for the tallying of votes. The Judicial Committee and the Elections Commissioner shall be present for the tallying of results. b. Winners shall be determined by the most percentage of votes. c. Results will be posted within one week of election. Recount Request a. If a recount is desired, it must be requested in writing to the SSGA Advisor after the results of the election have been posted. b. Recount results shall be posted within 48 hours of request for recount. The names of all candidates and their winning percentages shall be included in the recount posting. c. The results of all recounts shall be final. Re-Election Process a. With the approval of the Director of Student Life and Engagement and Dean of Students of Students, infractions of the Constitution shall result in a re-election process. b. Allegation of infractions will be investigated before approval to hold a re-election is granted. Allegations must be submitted within 48 hours of the alleged infraction, and must be substantiated by fact versus speculation. Failure to produce tangible evidence of infractions or election tampering may result in denial of a re-election at which time the primary election results will be upheld. c. Mediation with the Director of Student Life & Engagement and the Dean of Students will be conducted to exhaust all possible options before a re-election is granted. Re-election shall only be granted as a last option. All decisions resulting from the mediation are final. d. If it is determined that a re-election process is necessary, the re-election must occur within two weeks after approval for such is given. Candidates who participated in the primary election are the only candidates who may participate in the re-election process.

Vacant Positions The Speaker of the House may appoint members to other unfilled positions. The Executive Branch must confirm all appointments

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Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

Section 3. Campaigning Infractions The Spelman College Elections Commission shall utilize all means at its disposal to adjudicate election violations in the most expedient, but fair manner possible. Such means shall include: Minor Infractions If a candidate is found to have committed more than three (3) infractions that are considered to be minor in nature, his/her actions may result in his/her removal as a candidate. Minor Infractions include and are not limited to: a. Failure to place Approved statement on Campaign collateral or signage. b. Campaigning in a Campaign free zone, such as an Academic Building on campus. Major Infractions If a candidate is found to have committed an infraction that is listed in the major category, the action may result in their disqualification as a candidate. a. Overspending the allotted campaign budget. b. Unexcused absence for the candidate debate. c. Illegal campaign contributions. d. Failure to turn in a campaign resource report by the mandated deadline. e. Intentional destruction of an opponents campaign materials. f. Coercion of votes, including but not limited to the buying of votes. Upon the Charge of Any Violation Upon the charge of any violation of this Election Code, the Elections Commission shall employ the following guidelines in determining the verdict. a. Evaluate the validity of the charge b. Determine the severity and effect of the offense on the election process c. Identify the intent of the accused and/or her campaign staff d. Determine the number of previous violations for which the accused and/or campaign staff have been sanctioned e. Cooperativeness of the offender and/or her campaigning staff Methods to Adjudicate Elections Violations The Elections Commission shall utilize all means at its disposal to adjudicate election violations in the most fair and equitable manner. Such means shall include: I. Informal Hearing/Mediation a. All informal adjudication methods shall be documented and attended by at least two members of the Elections Commission, with one being the Elections Commissioner. II. Elections Violation Conference

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Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

a. The candidate may have a conference with the Director of Student Life and Engagement and the Dean of Student Affairs to discuss the election violation(s). III. Formal Hearing a. Any candidate may elect to have a formal hearing or any other election adjudication method.

Election Sanctions All sanctions shall be determined by the Elections Commission in what they determine to be fair and just practices. The Elections Commission shall use its best discretion and judgment to apply sanctions. The purpose of sanctioning is to support the academic mission of Spelman College, and to enforce the Standards of Excellence Honor Code and Community Standards and Code of Conduct. Sanctioning also serves to educate students about Spelman College policies and procedures, and provides opportunities for students to learn how their behavior affects the Spelman community. Finally, we believe sanctioning facilitates a change in behavior, helps students to make informed choices and decisions as they move forward, and provides the student with an opportunity to contribute back to the community in a positive manner. I. All sanctions shall be proportional to the violation committed and shall remain consistent to the best of the ability of the Elections Commission. Possible sanctions include but are not limited to: a. b. c. d. e. f. g. Loss of privilege to participate in Campaign period activities Temporary or permanent cease and desist of verbal campaigning. Removal of some or all of campaign materials Open letter of apology. Limiting of campaign time. Correction of violation. Recommendations that the Elections Commission consider possible violations of the Student Code of Conduct. h. Disqualification of candidacy Candidate disqualification is the highest and most severe available to the Elections Commission, and shall be available to only major infractions, as well as applicable administrative violations. Appeals Any sanction given to a candidate may be appealed to the Elections Commission. The Elections Commission shall have 24 hours after the appeal is filed to decide whether or not to hear the appeal. If the Elections Commission decides to hear the appeal, it shall take up to three business days from the time the appeal is filed to reach a decision. The decision will be final. ARTICLE IV. STUDENT TRUSTEE

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Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

The Student Trustee serves a three-year term and has the same duties and responsibilities as non-student trustees (these are outlined in detail in the Bylaws of Spelman College). The Student Trustee is first and foremost a student. As such, she is expected to comply with acceptable standards of conduct, scholarship and good standing with the College at all times. Additionally, the Student Trustee position is the relationship between the Student Trustee and SSGA and it is not an SSGA office. In her role as trustee, the Student Trustee has no special obligations to the Student Government Association. The Student Trustee cannot hold an SSGA office during her tenure as a trustee for reasons of apparent authority and conflict of interest: Apparent Authority. As a trustee, the student trustee is generally clothed with the apparent, even if not real or expressed, authority to speak and act on behalf of the College. A student government officer, on the other hand, is authorized to speak and act only on behalf of the students by whom she was elected. A student government office is not, however, authorized to speak or act on behalf of the College as an institution, unless the College has expressly appointed the student officer to another position which carries with it the authority, real or apparent, to speak and act on the Colleges behalf. The qualifications for candidacy, selection procedures and expectations from the Student Trustee are outlined below. Qualifications of Candidates Candidates for the position of Student Trustee must meet the following criteria. The candidate: a. Must be at least a second (2nd) semester First Year who has been enrolled at Spelman for one full semester prior to the semester in which she is to be selected; b. Must be in good academic, financial and disciplinary standing with the rules, regulations and guidelines according Spelman College. c. Must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at the time of election and throughout the term in office. d. May not hold another SSGA office during her tenure as Student Trustee (including Class Council).

Article V. Appointed Positions Appointed Positions of SSGA consist of: a. Administrative Director b. Chief Justice c. Market Friday Director d. Public Relations Director e. Special Events Director f. First Year Liaison. Appointed Positions applications shall be open to the student body after the SSGA and Class Council elections. Duties of Administrative Director include:

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Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

a. b. c. d. e. f.

Report to the SSGA President. Responsible for recording minutes at all SSGA minutes. Responsible for all operation of the Executive board of SSGA. Responsible for maintaining order of ALL SSGA supplies. Responsible for maintaining the Presidents Calendar. Responsible for ensuring that all stipend requests are submitted to the Office of Student Activities.

Duties of the Chief Justice include: a. Preside over all Judicial proceedings b. Vote as a member of the SGA Executive Board only in the case of a tie. c. Meet with the Dean of Students on a monthly basis to ensure awareness of student conduct issues. d. Engage in education and awareness programs to assist with decreasing student infractions of the Community Standards and Code of Conduct e. Participate in a training program along with the Class Justices on the Student Conduct Administration System of the College f. Review the SGA Constitution and relate to SGA appropriate recommendations. g. Serve as a member of the Campus Hearing Board and Community Standards Review Board, and Policies and Procedures Committees to assist with addressing all student concerns in regards to matters including, but not limited to discrepancies, code of conduct violations, and impeachment. h. Interpret the SGA Constitution in its entirety to the broader Spelman community Duties of the Market Friday Director includes: a. Report to the Secretary of Student Affairs. b. Serve as the liaison between SSGA and the Market Friday Committee. c. Responsible for overseeing the Market Friday Operations Duties of the Public Relations Director include: a. Meet with the Spelman College Public Relations Departments to update information for SSGA on the campus website and in all campus publications. b. Responsible for coordinating the distribution of publicity. c. Responsible for informing the Spelman web team about SSGA updates. d. Responsible for overseeing the P.R. Committee. e. Responsible for maintaining the SSGA website Duties of Special Events Director include: a. Works in conjunction with the Administrative Director to coordinate all logistics for any SSGA programming or special events Duties of First Year Liaison include: a. Manage all New Student Orientation activities b. Oversee SSGA night during New Student Orientation c. Work to implement initiatives to enhance the first year experience d. Promote knowledge about SSGA and its functions

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Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

e. Serve as First Year Class Council Advisor Qualifications and Requirements of Appointed Positions include: a. Enroll at Spelman College with a minimum of 12 credits per semester b. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. c. Understand and abide by College code of conduct, office policies and procedures, and d. Represent the views, opinions, and requests of students, faculty, and staff, when applicable. e. Maintain effective communications with business contacts, organizational members, and
College officials. regulations involved in the job descriptions.

f. Attend all meetings, workshops, conferences, special sessions, etc., of the organization/division
which relate to the responsibilities of this leadership position without jeopardizing academic responsibilities.

Article VI. SSGA Liaison Positions SGA Liaison Positions Include: a. PEDS SSGA Liaison b. Secretary of Leadership and Civic Engagement Pauline E. Drake Scholar Liaison The Pauline E. Drake Scholar Liaison is to ensure unity among the traditional and non-traditional students of Spelman College. The PEDS Liaison will be a member of SSGA and voice the concerns of PEDS. The PEDS SSGA Liaison Qualifications shall be: a. Elected officer must be in good academic standing, financial, and disciplinary standing with the rules, regulations, and guidelines according to Spelman College. b. Elected officer must maintain a cumulative and semester grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale throughout their term in office. c. Elected officer must have completed at least one year of academic study at Spelman College and must be enrolled as a student during their term in office. d. If more than 5 meetings are missed, the officers attendance will be given to the Judicial Branch for review. The review may result in an impeachment. e. An advisor will be elected to stand in for the liaison if she cannot attend a meeting. Secretary of Leadership and Civic Engagement The Secretary of Leadership and Civic Engagement shall mirror the work of the LEADS center by centralizing some of the leadership work done on campus. The Secretary of Leadership and Civic Engagement duties shall include: a. Work in collaboration with the Office of Student Life & Engagement and the Bonner Scholard and Leadershop Development Office to develop an annual leadership

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Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

b. c. d.

conference designed to build students knowledge, skills, and confidence. Work with the Office of the Dean of Students to explore current, relevant, and global issues that will encourage students to be civically engaged on and off campus. Develop a Leadership Fellows program that trains experienced student leaders to serve as consultants and presenters to students and student organizations on beneficial leadership topics for the campus community. Work with the Community Service Coordinator to develop awareness campaigns and donation drives.
ARTICLE VII. REMOVAL PROCESS

Removal Process shall be in effect for the Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, Judicial Branch and Class Councils. Section 1. Conditions of Removal All elected and appointed positions shall be held to the removal process. If the President, Chief Justice or Speaker of the House is not performing duties in a satisfactory manner as outlined in the constitution, said officer shall meet with the SSGA Advisor and the Executive Board of the branch in which the officer is a member. A mutually agreed upon probationary period in order to improve performance shall be established. Failure to show significant improvement will result in the termination of office. The Executive Board of the branch in which the officer is a member shall confirm removal by two-thirds vote. If an officer/member is not performing duties in a satisfactory manner as outlined in the constitution or as additionally assigned by the President or Speaker of the House, it will be the responsibility of the Judicial Board to convene and discuss any performance issues with the officer. A mutually agreed upon probationary period in order to improve performance shall be established. Failure to show significant improvement will result in the removal of office. The Executive Board of the branch in which the officer or member is a member shall confirm removal by two-thirds vote. Good standing status shall be checked periodically. Failure to maintain good academic, financial and disciplinary standing with the College may be subject to immediate removal from the Executive, Judicial and Legislative Branches. Such cases will be analyzed independently by the Director of Student Life and Engagement in conjunction with the Dean of Students of Students. Section 2. Appeal An officer or member may appeal the removal decision, in writing within 48 hours to the SSGA Advisor. Upon review of the appeal, the officer or member must be allowed to state their case for the Executive Board of the appropriate branch. A majority vote of the respective Executive Branch shall be final. ARTICLE VII. SAFAC The Student Activity Fees Allocation Committee (SAFAC) shall be responsible for the allocation of funds to all student organizations, excluding the SSGA Executive Board. Coordinated by the Secretary of Finance, SAFAC shall exist as an Allocations Committee comprised of treasurers of each registered organization. The Secretary of Finance shall serve as the Chairperson of SAFAC and, in conjunction with the committee, prepare a packet outlining specific requirements. This packet shall be made available at the beginning of

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Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

the academic year, and this document shall be the governing authority concerning SAFAC. Modifications to the process may be made mid-year if necessary. Individuals and members of officially chartered student organizations may receive funding under the provisions of SAFAC. The Office of Student Life and Engagement shall exclusively determine charter status. ARTICLE IX. REVISION Any revisions to be made in the Constitution shall occur in three separate stages. During the spring semester of each year, there shall be a mandatory student body meeting to propose changes that shall be recommended for the following academic year. Following this meeting, the Executive Board and the House shall review the recommendations and discuss the proposed changes. Both the Executive Board and the House shall vote and agree upon the recommended changes by the end of April of the academic year, which shall be implemented by majority vote. ARTICLE X. AMENDMENT The constitution may be amended if authorized by a majority of the student body under a special constitutional referendum vote or the usual election process. Each amendment has to be submitted in the House and the Executive Board with approval by 2/3 vote and reviewed by the Advisor of SSGA before being placed on the ballot. After the Constitution has been amended it shall be effective immediately. ARTICLE XI. BYLAWS The SGA Executive Board shall have the power to pass bylaws to this Association if authorized by a majority of the students at any House of Representatives meeting, provided the bylaws shall not conflict with the provision of the Constitution or any amendment. Executive a. If any Executive Board member needs additional assistance they must petition the Executive Board and get a majority vote before that person(s) can become a part of the Executive Branch. Judicial a. In the case that no representative of a particular class applies to serve as Justice another application process should take place to fill vacant positions with appropriate class members. b. How to file a grievance: A student may file an official complaint in writing to the Judicial Branch of SSGA. Within five business days the Judicial Branch shall issue a response to concerned students. Within one months time, the student shall receive notification of further investigation from the Judicial Branch of SSGA. c. Standing: Must be a current Spelman College Student Legislative a. All Organizations must be re-chartered every year with the exception of SSGA

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Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.

ARTICLE XII. ADOPTION The Constitution shall be adopted by two-thirds of the vote of the House, the Executive Board, in conjunction with the approval of the Director of Student Life and Engagement and Dean of Students of Students. ARTICLE XIII. CONSTITUTION The SSGA Constitution shall remain in effect during both semesters of the academic year or until a new, revised or amended document for the upcoming academic year is adopted. As the supreme governing document of the SSGA, anything in conflict with, or in contradiction to, is hereby considered null and void. The Constitution cannot be declared null or void at any time; however, amendments and bylaws are permitted. The SSGA Constitution may not implement or support policies or guidelines that contradict the Spelman Student Handbook.

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Spelman SGA Constitution. Approved Spring 2012.