1.6.5 The Constitution of the Student Government Council of Ithaca College


Effective: Spring 2005
Revisions: Spring 2011; Spring 2013
 

PREAMBLE

We, the students of Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York, in order to provide democratic representation, ensure student rights and privileges, mediate, advocate, serve, and encourage the activities and concerns of the Ithaca College community, do hereby adopt this Constitution of the Ithaca College Student Government Council. As stated in the Ithaca College Government and Committee Structure, the Student Government Council serves as the only recognized representative body for the entire student community. The Senate shall be a part of the organizational authority of the Student Government as set herein. This document shall be subject to change as deemed necessary by the Student Body, the Student Government Council, or thereupon every two years from the date of its last revision by the Organizational Review Committee.

ARTICLE I:  NAME

The name of the organization that shall uphold the preamble, and represent the Student Body of Ithaca College shall be the Ithaca College Student Government Council (ICSGC).

ARTICLE II:  STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRINIMATION

The Ithaca College Student Government Council is an equal opportunity organization. The ICSGC does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, gender, national origin, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or disability. While any student may participate in the activities and debate of the Student Government Council, voting rights shall only be granted as outlined in the following articles.

ARTICLE III:   ORGANIZATIONAL AUTHORITY

The Ithaca College Student Government Council shall be a united Senate working in conjunction with its executive board. Each senator shall have the opportunity to form her or his own ad hoc committee, which may have special duties or powers designated by this Constitution. 

ARTICLE IV:  LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Section 1: Name

The legislative branch of the Ithaca College Student Government Council shall be known as the Student Senate.

Section 2: Membership

The membership of Student Senate shall consist of:

  • 2 senators from each academic class as determined by anticipated date of graduation as recorded by the Office of the Registrar
  • 1 senator from each academic school
  • 1 transfer senator (transfer students are eligible to run as the transfer senator upon enrolling at Ithaca College)
  • 1 international senator
  • 1 athlete senator, as determined by membership of varsity teams
  • 1 club athlete senator
  • 1 off-campus senator
  • 5 senators at large, who may be from any constituency, and are elected by the student body as a whole
  • 1 graduate student liaison

The senator shall belong to the appropriate population for which they ran. Academic senators must be majors within that school. Class senators must be members of the class for which they run. The graduate liaison must be a graduate student.

Section 3: Term of Office

  • Senators and liaison elected in the spring shall serve from the date of graduation until the day of graduation the following academic year. Senators/liaison elected in the fall shall serve from the date of their election to the date of graduation of that academic year.
  • No senator, liaison, Executive Board member, Chief of Staff, or assistant shall serve multiple positions within the Student Government Council.
  • There shall be no limit to the number of times a student can run for an ICSGC position.

Section 4: Senate/Liaison Duties

Senators of Student Government Council shall have the following responsibilities:

  • Be in accordance with all eligibility requirements as set forth in the Elections Act
  • Be responsible for creating and implementing a statement of platform, which shall consist of, but is not limited to:
    • At least once concern said senator/liaison intends to resolve
    • An action plan for how said senator/liaison intends to resolve the issue
  • Conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner in meetings. Members who fail to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner are subject to removal from the function at the discretion of the Senate Chair.
  • Keep informed on all issues before the Senate.
  • Relay information concerning the actions of the Student Government Council to the student population.
  • Post flyers and share minutes of meetings in areas designated by the Senate and the Communications Committee.
  • Serve on at least once standing ICSGC committee and on at least one All-College Committee. The Executive Board will approve substitutions.
  • Senators may be assigned to serve on an ad hoc committee, as deemed necessary by the Executive Board.
  • Adhere to all absence policies, as stated in Article IV, Section 5.
  • Senators from academic schools shall attend meetings with their deans at least twice a semester.
  • The graduate liaison is responsible for reporting on Graduate Council meetings and graduate student issues to the Vice President of Senate Affairs at least once per month. The graduate liaison is not required to attend Senate meetings; however, attendance is highly encouraged.
  • Class senators shall be required to serve as ex-officio members on their respective Class Councils.
  • Senators shall be required to attend a minimum of one class council meeting per month, with more at the discretion of said Council.

Section 5: Absences

All elected senators of Student Government Council are expected to participate in all scheduled meetings with no more than three (3) unexcused absences in one semester. Excused absences shall only be granted for observance of religious holidays, family emergencies, required academic obligations as dictated by a professors, scholarship requirements, intercollegiate athletic competitions, or irregular job requirements. Other reasons for absence will be left to the discretion of the Vice President of Senate Affairs. All Senate members are expected to attend the remainder of the ICSGC meeting should the conflicting event end before the ICSGC meeting’s adjournment. The Student Body President and Vice President of Senate Affairs must both be notified at least 24 hours in advance of the circumstances for the absence if possible or otherwise as soon as possible. If this notification is not made, the absence will not be excused. In addition, two (2) late arrivals and/or early dismissals count as one (1) unexcused absence. The first two unexcused absences will result in a warning from the Student Body President or the Vice President of Senate Affairs. Four absences in one semester will result in dismissal from Student Government Council by the Student Body President or the Vice President of Senate Affairs. Any member who has been dismissed shall not be eligible to serve as a member again until beginning of the following semester.

Section 6: Meetings

  • Shall be held once a week during fall and spring semesters while classes are in session, unless otherwise specified by the Executive Board or by a motion of the Senate.
  • Shall be presided over by the Senate Chair.
  • Shall follow Parliamentary Procedure as designated by the Executive Board.
  • Special meetings may be called by the Executive Board or upon written notification by 66% of the elected representatives of the Senate submitted to the Vice President of Senate Affairs.
  • Shall be open to any interested members of the Ithaca College community. Students and community members at large are free to voice their opinion on an issue during public forum.

Section 7: Voting

  • A 2/3 quorum of all senators must be present at meetings for an official meeting to be called to order and any voting to occur.
  • It shall be left to the discretion of the Vice President of Senate Affairs as to what type of vote shall be held.
  • Each elected senator of the Student Government Council shall receive one vote.
  • Executive Board members, ICSGC assistants, and students-at-large shall not vote during Senate meetings.
  • The President of the Student Body shall vote only in the event of a tie.

Section 8: Authority

Student Government Council Student Senate shall have the authority to:

  • Vote on any budgets brought forth by the Appropriations Committee if the club or organization is appealing the Appropriations Committee's decision.
  • Override any decision of a Student Government Council committee by a majority vote, with the exception of Appropriations Committee and Elections Committee.
  • Override a Presidential, Executive Board, Appropriations Committee, or Elections Committee decision by a 2/3 vote.
  • Vote to approve all Appropriations Committee and Elections Committee members by a majority vote.
  • Vote on all budget recommendations brought forth by the Appropriations Committee, should the committee be unable to vote on it themselves, as stated in Article VII, Section 5.
  • Confirm candidates for All-College Committees recommended by the appropriate Executive Board member(s).
  • Confirm candidates for Senate vacancies, as recommended by the Vice President of Senate Affairs.
  • Establish and chair an ad hoc committee by majority vote.
  • Initiate impeachment proceeding of any senator or non-ex-officio Executive Board member by a 3/4 vote.
  • Pass resolutions, and recommendations pertaining to outside campus departments and decision makers.

Section 9: Documents

Documents passed by Student Government Council shall be divided into four (4) classes:

  1. Amendments shall be changes or addition to the constitution of the Ithaca College Student Body.
  2. Acts shall be matters of a permanent nature, and shall be binding from year to year until formally repealed by the Senate.
  3. Resolutions shall be matters of a temporary nature, and shall expire with the Senate in which they are enacted.
  4. Recommendations shall encourage action to be taken by other decision-making bodies in the Ithaca College Community, and shall only expire after the action is made, or if formally withdrawn by the Senate. 

A permanent and cumulative record of all documents shall be kept on file and shall be made available to the Student Government Council or the public upon request.

Section 10: Appeals

Decisions of any Executive Board members, and all ICSGC Committees may be appealed to Senate.

All Appeals must be presented to the ICSGC President and the Vice President of Senate Affairs so that it may be included in the agenda for the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Senate.

Student Government Council will consider the appeal only if grounds allege that the original decision of the President, Executive Board, and/or all ICSGC Committees, violates their rights outlined in the Ithaca College Student Handbook, ICSGC Budget Allocation Handbook, and/or the Constitution of the Ithaca College Student Government Council.

In the event that grounds for an appeal involves personal and confidential information such as, but not limited to, grades, judicial standing, and disability, the ICSGC Advisor on behalf of the Office of Student Engagement and Multicultural Affairs, or his/her designee, has the authority to review all claims and provide Student Government Council with a conclusion of findings.

The Senate may override an Executive Board, Appropriations Committee, Elections Committee, or Vice President of Senate Affairs’ decision by a 2/3 vote.

In the event of a budget appeal, students at large are permitted to be present during the discussion following the appeal. However, only Senators and Executive Board members are given the right to engage in discussion during the specifically designated discussion time. Students at large are not permitted to contribute to the question and answer portion of the budget appeal. The student organization representatives shall leave during the Senate vote. Appropriations Committee members are asked to abstain.

Section 11: Senate Chair Selection

  • The Senate Chair shall be charged by a majority vote of the Senate at its first meeting.
    • Votes shall be tallied by secret ballot.
    • All senators interested in running shall declare their candidacies at that meeting, present their reasons for running, and argue for their election.
    • After all candidates have been afforded the opportunity to present, they shall leave the room and waive voting rights.
  • If no senator declares their candidacy, the Executive Board shall appoint a designee, and the Senate shall approve by majority vote.
  • The President of the Student Body shall preside over all meetings until the Senate Chair is selected.
    • The elected Senate Chair may choose to defer chairing the first meeting if they choose.

Section 12:  Procedural Clarification

  • Senate meetings will be divided into "New Business" and "Continuing Business."
  • New Business shall be defined as the introduction of bills, acts, amendments, and recommendations.
    • Any such action (heretofore defined as "initiatives) will be presented on first reading the "New Business" of a meeting.
    • The Senate shall vote by simple majority if the body feels as though the initiative is worth attention.
    • If the initiative is to pass on first reading, an ad hoc committee shall be created, chaired by the "Prime Sponsor," with all co-sponsors as members.
      • The relevant Vice President (as determined by the Vice President of Senate Affairs) shall serve as an ex-officio member.
    • The ad hoc committee will then be responsible for all research, and the presentation of the final proposal.
  • Continuing Business
    • Continuing business will consist of all initiatives that are deemed finalized by the relevant ad hoc committee. The Senate shall vote on the finalized draft with the constitutionally required voting margin. The sponsoring ad hoc committee will then be responsible for the execution and follow through of the proposal to relevant administrative bodies on campus.
  • Exceptions
    •  In situations deemed to be of great, urgent necessity by the President of the Student Body, the Senate may vote to consider the initiative as a "committee of the whole."
      • A committee of the whole shall be initiated by a "motion to consider as a committee of the whole" made by a senator and passed with a simple majority.
      • The Senate shall then be responsible for all amending to the initiative on the floor.
    • In the situation of a committee of the whole, all time-based requirements for presentation shall be waived.
    • After the completion of a finalized version of the proposal, the committee of the whole shall vote on the bill, which will be placed into the relevant journal.

ARTICLE V:  EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Section 1: Name

The Executive Branch of the Ithaca College Student Government Council shall be known as the Executive Board.

Section 2: Membership

The Executive Board of Student Government shall consist of the following positions in order of succession:

  • The President of the Student Body
  • The Vice President of Campus Affairs
  • The Vice President of Academic Affairs
  • The Vice President of Business and Finance
  • The Vice President of Communications
  • Senate Chair
  • Chief of Staff
  • The Student Trustee (ex-officio)
  • The President of Residence Hall Cou (RHA), or his/her designee (ex-officio)
  • The Senior Class Vice President or designee (ex-officio)

Section 3: Term of Office

  • The President of the Student Body and all Vice Presidents shall serve from the day of graduation the year they are elected until the day of graduation the following year.
  • The Student Trustee shall serve from June 1st of the year of appointment until May 31st of the second academic year after the Trustee's appointment.
  • The RHA President shall serve according to the provisions set forth in the RHA constitution.
  • No member of the Executive Board shall serve multiple positions within the Student Government Council.

Section 4: Executive Board Meetings

  • Shall be held at least once every week during the fall and spring semester while classes are in session, unless otherwise specified by the Executive Board.
  • Special meetings shall be convened whenever it is deemed necessary by the President of the Student Body, or upon written or oral request of two (2) other Executive Board members submitted to the President.

Section 5: Voting

  • A majority of voting members must be present for any voting to occur.
  • If a vote during an Executive Branch meeting, the President and Vice Presidents shall each have one (1) vote.
  • The Student Trustee, the RHA President, and the Senior Class Vice President shall be ex-officio, non-voting members.
  • In the event of a tie, the President of the Student Body shall make the final decision.

Section 6: Duties and Authorities

All Student Government Executive Board members shall:

  • Attend all ICSGC meetings.
  • Keep informed on all issues before ICSGC.
  • See that the responsibilities of the ICSGC are carried out.

The President of the Student Body shall:

  • Act as a spokesperson, in consultation with the Executive Board, for the Student Body.
  • Preside over the Executive Board of the Student Government, and see that the responsibilities of each member are carried out.
  • Be responsible for setting the agenda for the Executive Board meetings.
  • Set the agenda for the Student Government Council meetings in consultation with the Senate Chair.
  • Establish ad hoc committees as deemed necessary.
  • Maintain communication with all-college committees that deal with campus concerns and, when necessary, recommend nominees for those committees.
  • Select a Chief of Staff to fulfill the duties listed in the job application.
  • Vote in the event of a tie in either Executive Board or Senate meetings.
  • Act as a consultant for members of the Senate who wish to establish an ad hoc committee regarding business internal to ICSGC.
  • Assist in the appointment of the Student Alumni Director as outlined in the Constitution of the Alumni Association of Ithaca College.
  • Co-chair the Organizational Review Committee with the VP of Senate Affairs.

The Vice President of Academic Affairs shall:

  • Investigate students' academic concerns.
  • Review legislation on curriculum, registration, academic procedures, and academic programs.
  • Draft new legislation on curriculum, registration, academic procedures, and academic programs in conjunction with ad hoc committees dealing with academic issues.
  • Maintain communication with the all-college committees that deal with academic concerns and when necessary recommend nominees for those committees.
  • Serve as the Faculty Council liaison
  • Coordinate at least two (2) meetings per semester between academic school senators and the deans of their respective schools.
  • Serve as ex-officio member of the Academic Policy Committee.
  • Meet with the Provost at least twice a semester.
  • Chair the Scholarship Committee, coordinating the Student Government Merit Scholarship, the Margaret Reid Scholarship, and any other Student Government funded scholarship.
  • Act as a consultant to any senator wishing to establish an ad hoc committee regarding academic affairs.
  • Select at least one assistant to fulfill the duties listed in the job application if deemed necessary.
  • Appoint one student representative per school to the Academic Policy Committee.

The Vice President of Business and Finance shall:

  • Oversee all Student Government Council financial transactions (including Student Government funded clubs and organizations).
  • Follow the policies and procedures outlined in the Allocation Handbook.
  • Select Finance Assistant(s) to fulfill the duties listed in the job application.
  • Coordinate meetings of the Appropriations Committee with student clubs and organizations.
  • Prepare and submit a budget proposal in coordination with the incoming Executive Board to Student Government Council for the next academic year.
  • Work in coordination with the Office of Student Engagement and Multicultural Affairs to revise and update the ICSGC Allocation Handbook.
  • Present and submit any of the Appropriations Committee's budget decisions if a club or organization is appealing the Appropriations Committee's decision.
  • Update the Senate of the status of the floating fund account.
  • Preside over the Student Government Appropriations Committee.
  • Present weekly Appropriations Committee allocation to Senate.

The Vice President of Campus Affairs shall:

  • Investigate student concerns other than those that are academic (especially those in Ithaca College's Student Affairs and Campus Life division).
  • Review legislation on campus issues, policies, or events that affect the Student Body.
  • Draft new legislation on campus issues, policies, and events that affect the Student Body in conjunction with ad hoc committees dealing with issues of campus life.
  • Work closely with the RHA President on issues, policies, and procedures concerning Residential Life.
  • Meet with the Senior Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Campus Life at least every other week.
  • Act as a consultant to any senator wishing to establish an ad hoc committee regarding issues of campus affairs.
  • Chair the Campus Affairs Committee.
  • Sit as a representative on the Campus Life Committee, or if unable to serve, an All-College Campus Life Committee designated representative from the Campus Affairs Committee will serve.
  • Sit as a representative on the Health Promotion Committee, or if unable to serve, designate a representative from the Campus Affairs Committee to serve.
  • Select at least one assistant to fulfill the duties listed in the job application if deemed necessary.

The Vice President of Communications shall:

  • Be responsible for all public relations.
  • Be responsible for all advertising on and off campus.
  • Coordinate a Student Government Council Training Workshop in conjunction with the other members of the Executive Board.
  • Preside over the Student Government Communications Committee.
  • Remain in close contact with the Directors of Ithaca College study abroad centers.
  • Oversee all campus outreach and conduct no fewer than two (2) outreach efforts per year.
  • Co-chair Elections Committee with the Vice President of Senate Affairs or his or her designee by approval of 2/3 of the Senate.
  • Investigate various national and state organizations and recommend to ICSGC on whether ICSGC should affiliate with these organizations. The President shall decide if it is in the best interest of ICSGC to affiliate.
  • Select at least one assistant to fulfill the duties listed on the job application if deemed necessary.

The Senate Chair shall:

  • Be elected by a majority of the Senate as detailed in Article IV.
  • Be a full, voting member of the Executive Board.
  • Distribute the agenda at least twenty-four hours prior to the commencement of Senate meetings.
  • Preside over Student Senate meetings.
  • Have a working knowledge of Parliamentary Procedure.
  • Remain completely impartial while chairing. If wishing to address an issue, the Senate Chair must turn the gavel over to an executive designee.
  • Prepare Student Government Council meeting agenda in conjunction with the President of the Student Body.
  • Notify Senate and Student Government Executive Board of special meetings and/or meeting cancellations.
  • Track attendance of senators at Senate meetings.
  • Recommend candidates to fill senate vacancies in Student Government Council according to Article X, Section 1.
  • Coordinate Distinguished Speaker series at Senate meetings.
  • Serve as a resource for any student at large seeking to speak at Public Forum.
  • Co-chair Organizational Review Committee with the Student Body President, or his or her designee.
  • Co-chair Elections Committee with Vice President of Communications or his or her designee.
  • Select at least one assistant to fulfill the duties listed in the job application if deemed necessary.

The Student Trustee shall:

  • Fulfill duties to the Ithaca College Board of Trustees
  • Report to Student Government Council after each meeting of the Board of Trustees
  • Be responsible for the recruitment and selection of Student Trustee candidates.
  • Coordinate Student Leader/Trustee receptions.

The President of RHA or his or her designee shall:

  • Fulfill duties to the Residence Hall Association
  • The RHA representative shall not hold any other elected ICSGC position.
  • Be responsible for reporting to Student Government Council the business of the Residence Hall Association during Senate meetings.
  • The RHA representative shall not be required to attend Executive Board meetings unless specifically requested 36 hours prior to the scheduled meetings, though his or her presence is encouraged for all regularly scheduled meetings.

The Senior Class Vice President shall:

  • Fulfill duties to the Senior Class.
  • The Senior Class Vice President may not hold any other elected ICSGC positions.
  • Be responsible for reporting to the Student Government Council the business of various class councils.
  • The Senior Class Vice President shall not be required to attend Executive Board meetings, but shall be required to attend at least one Senate meeting per month.

The Chief of Staff shall:

  • Take and record minutes of all Senate and Executive Board meetings.
  • Make and schedule all e-board meetings with outside organizations/campus officials.
  • Represent the President and Executive Board at meetings and events when necessary.
  • Ensure the timely completion of Student Government initiatives.
    • Maintain an "initiative tracker," to mark the progress of said initiatives.
  • Maintain the Student Government Office and ensure office supplies are stocked.
  • Other projects as assigned by the Student Body President.
  • Shall oversee assistants and other members of the SGC Administration.
  • Ensure the execution of all acts and resolutions passed by the Senate.
  • Serve as SGC Historian.

ARTICLE VI:  CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Clubs and organizations recognized by the Office of Student Engagement and Multicultural Affairs (OSEMA) shall have the right to submit a Budget Proposal in writing to the Appropriations Committee if they also meet the following criteria:

  • Become a registered organization through OSEMA.
  • Must abide by all rules and procedures as stated in the Student Government Council Allocation Handbook.

ARTICLE VII:  STUDENT GOVERNMENT COUNCIL COMMITTEES

Section 1: Membership

All Student Government Council Committees will be comprised of student senators and open to any interested students at large, unless otherwise designated by this Constitution or the committee itself.

Section 2: Meetings

  • Shall be held at least once a week during the Fall and Spring semesters while classes are in session, unless otherwise designated by the committee chair.
  • Minutes shall be recorded and available upon request in the ICSGC office.
  • All committee members are expected to participate in all scheduled meetings. Should the senator miss three (3) committee meetings in one semester, the senator shall be dismissed from the Committee by the Committee Chair. Should a student at large have three unexcused absences from committee meetings in one semester, he or she will be dismissed at the discretion of the Committee Chair.
  • Absences are outlined in Article III, Section 5.

Section 3: Membership Conduct

  • All members shall conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner during meetings. Members who fail to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner are subject to removal at the committee chair's discretion.

Section 4: Ad Hoc Committees

Ad Hoc Committees shall:

  • Be convened at the discretion of any elected ICSGC member and through the prescribed requirements in Article IV, Section 10.
  • Be chaired by the calling senator, his or her designee, or a member of the Executive Board. If the designee is a student-at-large, the designee must co-chair with a senator or Executive Board member.
  • Ad hoc committees will report their progress each week at the Senate meetings.
  • Ad hoc committees will feature the relevant Vice President as an ex-officio and shall keep in close contact with the Chief of Staff.
  • The relevant Vice President shall assign interested students at large to serve on ad hocs.
  • Ad hocs shall continue year to year, until an initiative is finalized.
  • All ad hoc committees shall be required to maintain and create a binder of their work in consultation with the Chief of Staff.

Section 5: Appropriations Committee

The Appropriations Committee shall:

  • Be chaired by the Vice President of Business and Finance.
  • Assist the Vice President of Business and Finance in his/her duties.
  • Have its initial membership approved by the Senate at its second meeting of the Fall semester by a majority vote.
  • Grant members voting privileges exclusively by the Senate.
  • Stop operations if membership fails to consist of five voting students, only to resume operations when membership resumes to that of five.
  • Prospective Appropriations Committee members shall:
    • Submit interest to the Vice President of Business and Finance.
    • If recommended to the Student Senate by the Vice President of Business and Finance, prospective committee member will give a brief presentation to Student Senate.
    • Student Senate can then vote on prospective committee member.
  • Research new methods of fundraising for the Student Government Council and other clubs and organizations.
  • Shall require that any members requesting funds on behalf of an organization may not be present during deliberation and voting on the request.
  • Formulate, review, revise and distribute to ICSGC the Allocation Handbook to be approved by the Senate.
  • Uphold all rules and regulations outlined in the ICSGC Allocation Handbook.
  • Have the authority to pass budgets.
  • Meet the following conditions in order for the Appropriations Committee to pass budgets:
    • Consist of no fewer than seven (7) members and no more than ten (10) members.
    • At least one third of committee members must be senators.
    • At least five (5) Senate approved, voting members must be in attendance.
    • Budget allocations shall be determined by majority vote.
    • The Vice President of Business and Finance shall only vote in the case of a tie.
  • If the above conditions are not met, the Appropriations Committee shall only have the authority to recommend to the Student Government Council the allocations or funds for recognized clubs and organizations.
  • During the spring semester, the Appropriations Committee has the authority to allocate funds to clubs for the following academic year during the Fall budget process.

Section 6: Campus Events Committee

The Campus Events Committee shall:

  • Be charged with the planning and implementation of campus-wide events sponsored by the Student Government Council as defined by Article XII.
  • Consist of:
    • At least two (2) Student Government Council Senators
    • At least one (1) Campus Affairs and one (1) Communications Assistant
    • At least one (1) student-at-large

Section 7: Communications Committee

The Communications Committee shall:

  • Be chaired by the Vice President of Communications.
  • Assist the Vice President of Communications in his/her duties.
  • Investigate and implement new ways of increasing communication with the entire campus community.
  • Investigate matters of campus affairs through campus outreach.

Section 8: Elections Committee

The Elections Committee shall:

  • Be co-chaired by the Vice President of Senate Affairs and Vice President of Communications. If the Vice Presidents of Senate Affairs and/or Communications are unable to serve as Chair, his/her designee may chair the Elections Committee, subject to 2/3 approval of the Senate.
  • Have the authority to recommend revisions of the Student Government Council Elections Act, which shall govern Elections and the Elections Committee's actions, subject to 2/3 approval of the Senate.
  • Have meetings recorded by the Chief of Staff or designee.
  • Minutes must be kept on file in the SGC office.
  • Election Committee shall convene at least two weeks before the elections packets are available.

Section 9: Investigation Committee

  • Investigation Committee shall only be convened after the initiation of Impeachment Proceedings Procedures (reference Article VIII).
  • The Senate shall approve ALL members of the Impeachment Committee by a 2/3 vote.
  • The Investigation Committee shall be made up of:
    • Two (2) Student Government Executive Board members.
    • Two (2) Student Government senators.
    • Two (2) students-at-large
    • The ICSGC Staff Advisor, as an ex-officio non-voting member.
  • Exceptions:
    • The Staff Advisor will not be approved by the Senate.
    • No member(s) under investigation may serve on the Investigation Committee.
    • The Chief of Staff will be responsible for taking minutes during committee meetings.

The Investigation Committee shall:

  • Be chaired by the person convening the committee, as designated in Article VIII.
  • Determine if the offenses brought forth are deemed to be impeachable.
  • Conduct private interviews with the individual(s) under investigation.
  • Conduct interviews with others relevant to the investigation.
  • Have the right to hold any public hearings they deem necessary to the investigation.
  • Make a report of the findings on the offenses to Student Government Council, and make a recommendation to the Senate to impeach, or not to impeach, the individual(s) under investigation.

Section 10: Organizational Review Committee

The Organizational Review Committee shall:

  • Be responsible for evaluation of the ICSGC Constitution, organization as a whole, and all other ICSGC documents.
  • Be responsible for presentation of constitutional and act recommendations and revisions to the Student Senate for a 2/3 approval.
  • The Organizational Review Committee shall meet no less frequently than every three (3) years to evaluate organizational and committee effectiveness as is stated in the preamble. If the committee does not address, and/or present everything they needed to accomplish, the committee will continue to convene the following year, with new and interested continuing committee members.
  • Shall be co-chaired by the Student Body President, or their designee, and Vice President of Senate Affairs.
  • Members of the Organizational Review Committee must be approved by the Student Senate by a 2/3 vote.
  • The Organizational Review Committee shall be made up of no less than:
    • Six (6) Student Government senators
    • Two (2) students-at-large

ARTICLE VIII:  IMPEACHMENT AND INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES

  • Any member of the Student Government may initiate impeachment proceedings against any senator or Executive Board member, of the Student Government.
  • Ex-officio board members may not be impeached.
  • To initiate impeachment proceedings, a written motion and petition requesting an investigation, and a list of offenses committed by the member in question must be presented at a formal meeting of Student Government Council by the member initiating the proceedings. The petition must include the signatures of 2/3 of ALL members of Senate (in good standing.)
  • Following the motion, and presentation of petition, the Investigation Committee shall be convened by the appointed committee by the chair of the Investigation Committee.
  • The Investigation Committee shall report their findings and make a recommendation to the Senate in a reasonable amount of time.
  • After the recommendations of the Investigation Committee, the Student Government Council member(s) under investigation shall have the opportunity to rebut.
  • Following the statements of the individuals(s) under investigation, the Senate shall vote on the original motion.
  • Impeachment Removal from office requires a ¾ vote by the senate.

ARTICLE IX:  VACANCIES

Section 1: Senators of Student Government Council

Candidates to fill vacant Senate seats shall:

  • Submit a mid-year nomination form to the Vice President of Communications and the Vice President of Senate Affairs of Student Government.
  • Be recommended by the Vice President of Communications for nomination by the Senate and may be confirmed by a majority rule. Students will correspond with the Vice President of Communications regarding general interest in self-nomination for Senate position. After approval of nomination form by Vice President of Senate Affairs, student will present platform to Senate. Upon 2/3 vote, student will be added as a new Senator.

Section 2: Executive Board President and Vice Presidents of the Student Body of Government Council

The President and Vice Presidents of the Student Body:

Upon the first notice of a vacancy, there shall be public advertisements of the fact. An application process shall be developed by the remaining executives. Then remaining executives shall interview the candidates.

In the time prior to formal selection of a presidential replacement, the remaining executives shall appoint from among themselves a temporary president. A recommendation shall be made to the Senate following the interview process. The Senate shall have the opportunity to question the recommended candidate. A majority approval of the Senate is required to accept the recommendation for a temporary replacement.

In the time prior to formal selection of a vice presidential candidate replacement the remaining executive shall appoint an appropriate replacement. A permanent replacement will be announced following the interview process. No approval of the Senate is required. A majority approval of the Senate is required to accept the recommendation for a temporary replacement.

Section 3: Ex-Officio Executive Board Members

  • The Student Trustee shall be replaced in a manner designated by the Board of Trustees in consultation with the Student Body President.
  • President of the Residence Hall Association/RHA designated representative shall be replaced by the Residence Hall Association.

ARTICLE X:  AMENDMENTS

  • Any member of the Ithaca College Student Government Council may propose an amendment to this Constitution.
  • All proposed amendments must be presented in writing to each member of the Senate at least one week prior to vote to ratify the proposed amendment.
  • A 2/3 vote in favor of the proposed amendment is required for ratification.
  • To amend the entire document and endure the existence of the Ithaca College Student Government Council, one motion shall be made abolishing the existing constitution and establishing the new.

ARTICLE XI:  ACTS

  • Any member of the Ithaca College Student Government Council may propose an act to this constitution.
  • Any proposed act must be presented in writing to each member of the Senate at least five (5) days prior to ratify the proposed act.
  • No amendments (friendly or otherwise) shall be acknowledged from the floor of the Senate in session.
  • Any amendments to said act (before ratification) shall be made in the following manner:
    • If a member of the Ithaca College Student Government Council wishes to amend the bill (act), that may be done with the consent and/or assistance of the act proponent (sponsor). Changes to the act shall strikethrough the line to amend adding the new section in bold print directly after the strikethrough. The amended act must be submitted to all members of the Ithaca College Student Government Council no later than three (3) days prior to a vote to ratify the proposed act.
  • A 2/3 vote in favor of the proposed act is required for ratification.
  • A ratified act shall be compiled in a binder to form a book of acts of the Ithaca College Student Government Council.
  • Any ratified act will be reviewed to determine constitutionality, applicability, and legality corresponding with the review of the Constitution of the Ithaca College Student Government Council.

ARTICLE XII:  EVENTS

  • Student Government Council shall be responsible to hold three (3) events throughout the academic year that cater to the entire campus community.
  • Student Government Council must hold one (1) event that caters to the off-campus community. This event may count toward the requirement of three.
  • Events shall be planned by the Communications and Campus Affairs assistants under the supervision of the Vice President of Campus Affairs working closely with the Chief of Staff.
  • Senators will assist with events and event planning on an as-needed basis.
  • All members of the Student Government Council are expected to attend Student Government Events, inability to do so will count as an absence.
    • Exceptions will be granted to this policy on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Student Body President and the Vice President of Campus Affairs.

Last Updated: Spring 2013