Columbia College
Student Government Association

ARTICLE I. NAME
ARTICLE II. MISSION
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE IV. GENERAL ORGANIZATION
ARTICLE V. EXECUTIVE BRANCH
ARTICLE VI. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
ARTICLE VII. SERVICE ASSOCIATIONS
ARTICLE VIII. STANDING COMMITTEES
ARTICLE IX. OFFICE HOLDING
ARTICLE X. CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
ARTICLE XI. PARLIMENTARY AUTHORITY
ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS

We, the students of Columbia College, desiring to foster democratic ideals, encourage harmonious and effective living, promote the general welfare, and develop a responsible student citizenry with all the rights and responsibilities attendant thereto, do hereby organize ourselves into a student government association.

Article I: Name
The name of this association shall be the Student Government Association (SGA) of Columbia College.

Article II: Mission
The mission of this association is to encourage and support student participation in campus life, the college, and the surrounding community through use of the power granted to the SGA by the Board of Trustees. This include the power to:

a. develop and participate in social, cultural, physical, recreational, and educational programs;
b. provide services for students and to the college community;
c. participate in and contribute to the establishment of standards of conduct, rules, and regulations that promote effective group living or interaction;
d. make recommendations on matters affecting the academic or non-academic life of students and to the college community.
e. help the surrounding community through volunteer work and charity.

Article III: Membership
Section 1. Every full-time day student of Columbia College-Columbia Campus, as designated by the College catalog, is eligible to vote in elections for members on referendums and to participate in SGA meetings and the activities sponsored by the association.

Section 2. Every part-time and evening student, as designated by the College catalog, is eligible to participate in SGA meetings. They have no voting power and may not hold office.

Section 3. Every advisor to SGA is an associate member with the responsibility of guidance and counsel.

Section 4. Columbia College SGA subscribes to the principles set forth by the Affirmative Action Policy of the college. The institution, as well as SGA specifically, prohibits discrimination of any sort on the basis of race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, handicap or veteran status. Further, SGA will make available to all full-time students, who meet specified requirements, the opportunity to petition for and hold office in the SGA.

Article IV: General Organization
The establishment and maintenance of student government leadership is the responsibility of SGA. The principle branches of SGA are the Executive Board, Legislative Senate, and Service Associations. As a subdivision of Campus Life, SGA acts in accordance with the mission and philosophy of Columbia College. The President of the college is responsible for all phases of administration of the college, and retains the right to veto any recommendation, proposal, policy or program approved by or administered through SGA.

Advisors. The Dean for Campus Life shall appoint an advisor from the Campus Life staff for every branch of SGA.

Term of Office. The official term of office for all SGA members is both fall and spring semesters of the current academic year. Immediately following the election process in the spring, new members will work cooperatively with existing members until they are sworn in prior to the end of the academic year. Upon swearing in, the new members will assume their title solely.

Election and Appointment. If candidates are elected/appointed in a fall election they will assume their official duties immediately following the election process and continue throughout the academic school year.

Proposals. Any proposal for action or legislation must be submitted to the Executive Board one week prior to the Senate meeting where it will be discussed. Once reviewed by the Executive Board, it will be introduced to Senate by the creator of the proposal and may be voted on by Senate.

Article V: Executive Branch
Section 1. The Executive Board is composed of the President, who serves as Chair, the Vice President, the Treasurer, the Director of Student Relations, the Chairperson for Residence Hall Council Association (RHCA), the Chairperson for Public Relations, and the Secretary, and appropriate advisors. In addition, the President, with the approval of the Executive Board members, may invite other members of the campus to meet with the Executive Board. The responsibilities of the Executive Board include:
a. to serve as a communications forum for the sharing of problems and/or concerns;
b. to serve as an initial screening board for ideas;
c. to serve as a coordinating medium between branches;
d. to provide support and resources between branches and to each other;
e. to channel recommendations and/or concerns to appropriate areas;

Section 2. The executive powers are vested in the line of secession, which shall be: the President, the Vice President, the Treasurer, the Chairperson for Public Relations, Director of Student Relations, the Chairperson for RHCA, and the Secretary.

Section 3. The President of SGA is elected in the spring semester for the forthcoming academic year and has the following major responsibilities:
a. to chair and call to order all weekly Executive Board and Senate meetings;
b. to appoint, with the advice and counsel of Executive Board and the approval of the Senate, standing and temporary committees of SGA;
c. to oversee all branches and committees of SGA;
d. to be the liaison between students and administration;
e. to plan and implement SGA leadership development and recognition activities;
f. to meet weekly with the appropriate advisors prior to all Executive Board and Senate meetings.

Section 4. The Vice President of SGA is elected in the spring semester for the forthcoming academic year and has the following major responsibilities:
a. to provide counsel and support to the President;
b. to attend and take roll at all Executive Board and Senate meetings;
c. to work with the President and other SGA members to promote the stature and contributions of SGA in every aspect of campus life;
d. to take over necessary responsibilities for the President of SGA in the event of his/her absence;
e. to supervise and coordinate all election activities; where attendance during election day(s) is mandatory;
f. to oversee and maintain a complete file of the attendance records;
g. to serve as Chair of the standing SGA Election Committee.

Section 5. The Treasurer of SGA is elected in the spring semester for the forthcoming academic year and has the following major responsibilities:
a. to attend all Executive Board and Senate meetings;
b. to serve as the Chair of the standing SGA Finance Committee;
c. to coordinate all expenditures;
d. to approve or deny all check and transfer requests and all reimbursements;
e. to examine all receipts, requests and records for accuracy and compliance with College rules and finance guidelines;
f. to maintain accurate and complete records of expenditures and verify these with the SGA advisor bi-monthly, Finance Committee and Executive Board;
g. to provide monthly reports to division representatives and SGA when appropriate or requested.

Section 6. The Director of Student Relations of SGA is elected in the spring semester for the forthcoming academic year and has the following major responsibilities:
a. to attend and serve as the parliamentarian at all Executive Board and Senate meetings;
b. to chair monthly Presidents’ Club meetings;
c. to organize and communicate service project opportunities throughout the academic year;
d. to provide knowledgeable counsel to students seeking assistance in securing their rights; and, when needed, refer them to the advisor;
e. to mediate, when appropriate, for students seeking such help in dealing with other students, faculty, or staff members;
f. to alert Executive Board members of concerns that relate to students’ rights;
g. to represent SGA in the community and with other colleges and universities when necessary;

Section 7. The Chairperson for RHCA of SGA is elected in the spring semester for the forthcoming academic year and has the following major responsibilities:
a. to chair the weekly RHCA meetings;
b. to act as a liaison between RHCA and the Senate;
c. to attend and represent RHCA at SGA Executive Board and Senate meetings.
d. report hall balances to hall presidents

Section 8. The Public Relations Chair of SGA is elected in the spring semester for the forthcoming academic year and has the following major responsibilities:
a. to serve as the chair of the Standing Constitution Committee;
b. to act as a liaison between SGA and Columbia College administration regarding the goings-on of SGA;
c. to oversee special events planned and executed by SGA including the annual SGA Spring Dance;
d. to represent SGA in the media;
e. to provide counsel and support to the President and Vice President;
f. to act as an alternate officer in the absence of the VP, Treasurer, Student Relations Chair, RHCA Chair and Secretary.

Section 9. The Secretary of SGA is elected in the spring semester for the forthcoming academic year and has the following major responsibilities:
a. to attend and take minutes at all Executive and Senate meetings; b. to e-mail copies to all SGA members, advisors(s) and the Dean for Campus Life no later than three days after the meeting;
c. to work in conjunction with the Vice President and advisor to create and maintain an accurate record of the current year;
d. to maintain an accurate SGA contact sheet.

Section 10. If the office of the President becomes vacant, the Vice President fills it. If the office of any other Executive Board member becomes vacant, it is filled with approval of an appointment by the Senate.

Section 11. Any member of the Executive Board has the power to enact an executive order, which has the power of legislation, while attempting to fulfill the constitutional or legislative responsibilities of the respective office. At the following Senate meeting, the member using the executive order must present, justify and defend the order to the Senate.

Section 12. A member of the Executive Board may not hold any other SGA position.

Article VI: Legislative Branch
Section 1. The legislative powers are vested in the SGA Senate which consists of the SGA President as Chair, the Vice President, the Treasurer, the Chairperson for Public Relations, the Director of Student Relations, the Chairperson for RHCA, the Secretary, two representatives from each living unit (Banks, Hughes, CID, and ABE) including one from the Seventh Street apartments, six representatives from the non-resident population, four representative at large, and one representative from each class.

Section 2. Meetings of the Senate are held regularly and are open to all students of Columbia College.

Section 3. All members of the Senate and attending Service Association members are voting members except for the presiding member, who votes only in case of a tie.

Section 4. A quorum, for voting purposes, consists of those members present.

Section 5. Only members of the Senate may introduce proposals and vote on them, however, every student present may be included in any discussion.

Section 6. The responsibilities of the Senate include:
a. to approve appointments made by the President;
b. to initiate discussion on issues which affect the general welfare of the College and/or the student body;
c. to pass proposals which represent the students’ view on issues;
d. to research and make recommendations on campus policies and procedures which affect students’ life on campus;
e. to serve on committees and carry out their responsibilities;
f. to enact or revise the rules of the Senate;
g. to propose and ratify with a two-thirds vote of the Senate members, amendments to the constitution;
h. to vote, by a majority affirmation, articles of impeachment against any member of SGA, to be heard at the next Senate meeting. A two-thirds affirmation of the Senate members at this meeting results in conviction and removal from office.

Section 7. If a Senate position becomes vacant or is not filled through regular elections, SGA Senate fills the vacancy by appointment with approval from a minimum of two-thirds of the Senate members present.

Section 8. Class Representatives shall be elected for each of the four academic classes. A member’s class shall be determined by the College Catalog. Should a Class Representatives’ class designation change while in office, they must vacate that office.

Article VII: Service Association
Section 1. The power to plan, implement, and evaluate services is vested in the Service Association of the SGA, which includes RHCA.

Section 2. RHCA serves as an advisory association to SGA and is composed of the Chairperson of RHCA and a President and Vice President from each Residence Hall. They are elected in any election sanctioned by SGA. In the event that the office of the President of a Residence Hall should become vacant before the end of the offices’ term, that Residence Hall’s Vice President shall assume the office of the President. That hall’s council may then choose to fill the vacant Vice President position by a special Residence Hall election or allow the SGA Senate to fill the vacancy by appointment.

Section 3. The power to plan, implement, and evaluate programs and services for each residential unit, to discuss and make recommendations requiring legislative or executive action on issues and concerns affecting residential living, is delegated to each residential hall council.

Section 4. Councils should request needed funds through the RHCA chairperson. Upon approval, funds will be received through either reimbursements or purchase orders.

Section 5. Each Hall Council is responsible for a well-balanced program of services and activities, which include but are not limited to: a. developing a program of services and activities which meet the residential students’ needs for social, educational, recreational, and cultural events;
b. developing a budget necessary to meet those needs;
c. implementing and evaluating the activities and services provided;
d. providing opportunities for the development of leadership and participatory skills;
e. encouraging active participation of students in hall and campus activities;
f. addressing and taking appropriate actions to resolve problems/concerns affecting residential students, whether through the legislative or executive branches;
g. facilitating a positive living-learning environment by working cooperatively with the residential life staff;
h. maintaining regular communication with other hall councils.

Section 6. The food committee is a sub-committee of RHCA and reports directly to RHCA.
a. An elected or appointed Food Committee Representative represents each housing unit. The advisor to Food Committee is the Director of Residential Life or an appointed housing representative.
b. Each Food Committee meeting will consist of the following members:
1. Residential Life Director or appointed representative;
2. all housing unit representatives.
c. The Food Committee shall meet regularly. All meetings are open to any member of the student body who may be interested. The responsibilities of the Food Committee include:
1. addressing student concerns with the quality and type of food being served;
2. arranging regular meetings with the Campus Dining Services;
3. working together with the Director of Residential Life and Campus Dining Services to find solutions and provide menus that best meet the needs of the students.

Article VIII: Standing Committees
Section 1. Standing committees are appointed by the President of SGA with the advice and council of the Executive Board and the approval of Senate to meet special needs necessary to the responsibilities assigned to SGA.

Section 2. The Finance Committee is composed of the Treasurer, who serves as Chair, one Hall Representative, one Off-Campus Representative, and one At Large Representative. The responsibilities of the Finance Committee include:
a. to develop policies and procedures necessary for the successful planning, including budgeting, of a well-balanced program of activities and services;
b. to establish criteria for programming consistent with student needs and the philosophy and mission of the college and to secure approval from the Senate for the criteria;
c. to receive, review, and take action on proposals for funding which occur outside the approved budget and program during the semester;
d. to assist and support the chair in administering the policies, procedures, and monitoring of expenditures.
e. approve or deny clubs or organizations request for program funds within two weeks of receiving the request.

Section 3. The Elections Committee is composed of the Vice President, who serves as Chair, two Hall Representatives, two Off-Campus Representatives, and one At Large Representative. The responsibilities of the Election Committee include:
a. to plan, organize, and implement the spring and fall elections;
b. to oversee any special elections as needed;
c. to coordinate with the President, advisor and other Executive Board members regarding counting and validating of all election ballots.

Section 4. The Constitution Committee is composed of the Secretary, who serves as chair, one member who serves as Chair, one member that is a Class Representative, one member that is an At Large Representative, one member that is an Off-Campus Representative and one member that is a Hall Representative. The responsibilities of the Constitution Committee include:
a. to receive, review, and take action on proposals and constitutions of new clubs and organizations;
b. to assist and support the chair in administering the policies of constructing a new club or organization;
c. to discuss, decide and notify the new club on approval or denial according to the constitution;

Section 5. The Parking and Safety Committee is composed of any voluntary Executive Board member, who serves as Chair, and at least three voluntary members from the Senate. The responsibilities of the Parking and Safety Committee include:
a. safety board upkeep;
b. communication with Associate Director for Projects and Safety;
c. awareness involving issues of parking and security as it pertains to the needs of the student body.

Section 6. The SGA Awareness Committee is composed of the Public Relations Chair, who serves as Chair, one RHCA Representative, and four voluntary members from the Senate. The responsibilities of the SGA Awareness Committee include:
a. keeping the collegiate community aware of SGA;
b. figuring out ways to make and keep SGA involved across campus, which includes working with all the clubs and organizations on campus;
c. updating and maintaining the SGA newsletter known as “SGA Sidenotes,” which includes one newsletter at the end of each semester for every full-time day student and one e-newsletter every month to be sent out to every individual with a Columbia College-Columbia Campus day, evening and graduate student with an email account.

Article IX: Office Holding
Section 1. Candidates for SGA must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 from Columbia College and must maintain this GPA once elected/appointed during their term of office. Students without a Columbia College cumulative GPA may submit their previous record (high school or college transcript) in lieu of a Columbia College transcript; this transcript must indicate a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Section 2. The President of SGA, with the approval of Senate, shall appoint replacements for committee and Senate members other than the President, who are unable to complete their term of office. The process for appointment to a vacant office shall be:
a. a nomination is made by the President;
b. if the nomination is to fill a vacant residence hall position, the representatives to the Senate from that hall shall be consulted before announcing the nomination to the Senate;
c. at the full Senate meeting during the appropriate time, the nominee will give a short speech to the Senate;
d. the nominee then is escorted from the meeting by the Vice President and the Senate debates the appointment;
e. prior to adjournment of the meeting, a majority vote on the nomination is taken and the results are announced at the end of the meeting;
f. the nominee is then notified by a letter from the President of SGA the following day regarding the results.

Section 3. Candidates for an Executive position must have a minimum time of experience directly before running, which shall be:
a. The candidates for President much have at least one year, of two consecutive semesters (majority of the meetings) of experience in SGA;
b. The candidates for the rest of the Executive Board must have at least one semester of experience in SGA;
c. The candidates for Chairperson for RHCA must have experience in this specific area for at least one semester.

Section 4. The spring election will be held for Executive positions with the Election Committee responsible for implementing it. The announcement of the positions will be made during the SGA Spring Dance the following day. The fall election will be held for the rest of the SGA positions with the entire Executive Board responsible for attending and implementing it. The announcement of those positions will be made to those individuals through a letter the following day. In both elections an email will be sent out to all students with a list of all those elected by the SGA advisor.

Section 5. The election procedure will be as follows:
a. SGA members who are on the ballot for election to a new office or re-election to their current office may not staff the voting stations during that election. Persons working the election table may not actively or passively campaign for a candidate who is on the ballot. This includes posters, signs, buttons, or offering advice of any kind as to whom the voter should vote for.
b. No campaigning by or for a candidate who is on the ballot nor any campaign materials shall be allowed within the same building as the voting station during voting periods.
c. All campaign materials must be approved by the SGA advisor.
d. Arrangements must be made by SGA to ensure confidential voting.
e. The voting station must be open for a minimum of six hours on Election Day.
f. For a write-in to be elected, they must have received votes from a minimum of three percent of those who voted. Those elected through being written in must meet with the SGA advisor within three days of being notified.
g. In the event of an election tie, a run-off election for those who tied will be held within a week after, as described above.

Section 6. SGA members and/or members-elect must attend the SGA retreat or forfeit office. Those that forfeit office may be appointed back into that position.

Section 7. Appointment procedure will be as follows:
a. Any appointments made will be the last order of business on meeting agendas.
b. The speech made by the appointee will include, but is not limited to, their name and the name of the position desired.
c. Following the speech, there will be a question and answer session by the Senate.
d. Upon dismissal from the meeting, the full Senate will vote on the appointee.
The appointee will be notified of the voting results the following day.

Section 8. SGA members may be removed from office for just cause, which includes:
a. excessive absence, as defined by missing more than two meetings per semester. The absences may be mitigating or aggravating and members have one week to report the absence. After three absences the member is suspended and has one week to appeal. The member must submit a letter of appeal within one week to the Executive Board. If the member does not pursue the appeals process, then they are notified via letter of their forfeiture of office and an appointment process will occur for the open position;
b. failure to carry out job duties and/or responsibilities set forth in the job description, by-laws, and/or specific assignments;
c. failure to accept the leadership responsibilities associated with the office.

Removal proceedings for members failing to fulfill their obligations will begin with a letter from the President of SGA informing the member of his/her failure to fulfill responsibilities and an explanation of action which must be taken. If the member continues non-compliance, articles of impeachment, outlining what specific violations of the Constitution a member has committed shall be submitted to the SGA Senate. If the Senate approves the article with a two-thirds majority, the individual is removed from office.

Section 9. Any student may initiate removal proceedings by presenting a petition for removal, containing the signatures of ten percent of the constituency represented by the member, to the President of SGA. The petition must include the name of the member and the charges against that member. The President and the Vice President must verify the signatures, notify the member of the charges, and the Director of Student Relations shall draw up and submit articles of impeachment to the Senate.

Should the President be the member charged, the Vice President would serve as chair.

Section 10. Any student removed from a SGA office for any reason will not be allowed to run for another SGA position without the passage through the Executive Board, acknowledging that the person is once again fit for office.

Section 11. All members of SGA are required to complete two service projects every semester. If not completed in the designated semester, they must complete them within two weeks of the following semester. If these deadlines are not met, the member will be put on probation. The member will be given two weeks to complete the required service project(s) with documentation. If the spring semester deadline is not met the member must complete the projects within two weeks of the fall retreat. If this two week deadline is not met in either semester, the member in question will be barred from holding office for one semester.

Service projects must be a minimum of three hours unless otherwise approved by the Director of Student Relations. Any member who signs up for a service project must be present for the entire shift. Anyone who is late or leaves early will not have the project counted, unless otherwise designated by the Director of Student Relations.

Article X: Clubs and Organizations
Section 1. Funding procedure for clubs and organizations will be as follows:
a. Each club/organization must fundraise to provide self-funding. Procedures for fundraising off-campus must be approved through the Student Activities Office.
b. Club/organizations must request funds from their associated academic department if applicable. To verify this department location, students must see the advisor of the club/organization or the Director of Student Activities.
c. Other factors that are not required, but can be taken into consideration when deciding approval include attendance at the Presidents’ Club meetings, level of involvement on campus, and what the club/organization has done to benefit students on campus.
d. Any club/organization may request funding from SGA. SGA funds are not to exceed $400.00 per year, per club/organization.

Section 2. Residence halls will not be considered clubs and organizations.

Article XI: Parliamentary Authority
Robert’s Rules of Order shall be a guide to the creation of a basic set of rules of order that will govern SGA in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are consistent with the constitution or by-laws.

Article XII: Amendments
Section 1. A Senate member at any regular Senate meeting may propose an amendment to the constitution. Voting on a constitution amendment may not take place until at least the second Senate meeting following introduction of the written proposal. Two-thirds of the Senate members must be present for a vote to be taken and the amendment is passed only if it receives an affirmative vote from at least two-thirds of the members.

Section 2. An amendment to the constitution may be proposed through student petition; the petition must identify the amendment and contain the signatures of at least ten percent of the members of SGA. The President and Vice President will verify the names, and, if accepted, place the proposed amendment on the ballot at the next possible election. The amendment is passed only if it receives an affirmative vote from at least two-thirds of those voting with at least ten percent of the members of SGA voting.

Section 3. Amendments passed through either method become a part of the constitution, superseding previous section when appropriate.