Anoka-Ramsey Community College Student Senate Constitution

Student Government Constitution-Coon Rapids

Constitution (Ratified May, 2007)

Article I. Name and Purpose

Section 1. The name of this organization is the Anoka-Ramsey Community College – Coon Rapids, Campus Student Government, herein referenced as CSG.

Section 2. The Campus Student Government shall be the Campus Student Association as defined by MnSCU Board Policy Chapter 2, Section 1.

Section 3. The purpose of the CSG shall be to:

Advocate for students and represent the student body and affiliated organizations regarding matters of student concern;
Provide a means for establishing and maintaining working relationships between, staff, administration, and faculty;
Promote leadership and citizenship throughout the student body;
Protect and promote academic and social policies that will assist with development of each student;
Acquire and relay accurate information to the student body;
Review and recommend for action all club and organizational charters;
Further and improve student participation in college activities;
Review requests and allocate funds to student clubs and organizations;
Collaborate with and provide guidance to student clubs and organizations; and
Aid in the internal administration of the College, including, but not limited to:
- Student activities
- Hiring
- College facilities
- Budgetary and fiscal matters
- Policy development

Article II. Membership

Section 1. Minimum qualifications:

The CSG is open with no discrimination regarding race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, membership or activity in a local commission as defined by law.
Membership is open to currently enrolled students who maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
Students interested in membership must attend two (2) consecutive CSG meetings and be inducted by a simple majority vote, except in cases of students seeking At-Large status.
In the case of a student seeking At-Large status, he or she shall submit a letter of intent to the CSG President to be read before a meeting prior to an At-Large election.
In the case of a Representative seeking At-Large status, he or she shall notify the CSG President, who shall accept or decline the request.

Section 2. The responsibilities of all members shall be as set forth within the Bylaws.

Article III. Structure of Organization

Section 1. All powers of the CSG are delegated to it by the College Administration. Therefore, the College President has the right to veto any act of the CSG or to remove any powers held by the CSG.

Section 2. The CSG shall have an Advisor approved by the College President after consultation with the CSG.

Section 3. The Executive Board shall include the President, Vice President, Director of Communications, Legislative Director, and Clubs Coordinator.

Section 4. The Executive Board, chaired by the President, is responsible for all daily activities and minor concerns. The Executive Board may not authorize the expenditure of funds or make decisions for the CSG as a whole, but may recommend actions for the CSG. If the total CSG membership consists of fewer than twelve (12) persons, the Executive Board is not required to meet outside of regularly scheduled CSG meetings, unless called by the President. When total membership of the CSG meets or exceeds twelve persons, the Executive Board shall meet once a month.

Section 5. Membership of the CSG shall be limited to thirty (30) members or one (1) percent of the student body full-time-equivalency (FTE), whichever is greater; and shall include the Executive Board.

Section 6. The CSG shall be associated with the Minnesota State College Student Association, herein referenced as MSCSA, in accordance with the MSCSA constitution.

Section 7. CSG members that hold an executive position within the MSCSA may not be elected nor appointed to an executive position within the CSG.

Article IV. Nomination, Election, and Vacancy of Officers

Section 1. The officers of CSG shall be President, Vice President, Director of Communications, Legislative Director, and Clubs Coordinator.

Section 2. Any member may hold one office for no more than four (4) full semesters. Any service within said office during a semester shall constitute a full semester.

Section 3. The term of office for any elected officer shall end on June 30th.

Section 4. The CSG Advisor and at least one (1) non-running student(s) appointed by the CSG President shall be responsible for the tabulation of ballots in all elections. If the CSG advisor is not available, the president shall appoint a person to assist with the tabulation of the ballots. Immediately upon tabulation, the President shall notify the CSG, and subsequently the student body, faculty, and administration of the election outcome.

Section 5. Spring Elections

Subsection 1. The offices of the President and Vice President shall be elected by the student body during the spring semester of each school year before the MSCSA Spring General Assembly.

Subsection 2. Any student intending to enroll for at least three (3) credits for the upcoming year may apply for a ballot on the voting ticket.

Subsection 3. Both candidates must submit a letter of intent to the current CSG at least five (5) business days prior to election date, which shall include:

Name
Office of intent
Qualifications for office
Future plans for CSG
No less than fifteen (15) student signatures and corresponding student/tech IDs indicating support.

Subsection 4. No write-in candidates shall be allowed. Ballots with write-in votes shall not be counted.

Subsection 5. “No confidence” and “abstain” shall be offered as choices on the ballot.

Subsection 6. No candidates may preside over the voting booth or count the ballots.

Subsection 7. If deemed necessary, supervision of voters and voting will take place by objective members of staff to ensure that neither ballot tampering nor intimidation of voters has taken place. This may include a private, single-voter area being erected for the purpose of privacy.

Subsection 8. A simple majority shall win the election.

Subsection 9. The winner of the spring election shall take office the following July 1st.

Section 6. Fall Elections

Subsection 1. Nominees for any officer must be a current CSG member; there is no limit to the amount of nominees on any one ballot.

Subsection 2. The Director of Communications, Legislative Director, and Clubs Coordinator shall be nominated and elected by current CSG members during the first CSG meeting of fall semester.

Subsection 3. Nominations and elections for all cabinet positions during the fall elections shall take place in one meeting except in cases of removal, dismissal or no nomination for position.

Subsection 4. Following a nomination, candidates shall be permitted to introduce themselves, state their qualifications, and provide other information regarding their interest in the office.

Subsection 5. The election shall be by secret ballot.

Subsection 6. “No confidence” and “abstain” shall be offered as choices on the ballot.

Subsection 7. A candidate wins by receiving a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote. If no single candidate receives a two-thirds majority, the candidate(s) receiving the lowest total of votes (and those with no votes) shall be dropped from the ballot. With only two (2) candidates remaining on a ballot, a simple majority shall win the election.

Subsection 8. Ballots shall be tabulated by the CSG Advisor and the CSG President. In the event the CSG Advisor is unavailable, the President shall appoint a person to assist with the tabulation of the ballots. Immediately upon tabulation, the President shall notify the CSG, and subsequently the student body, faculty, and administration of the election outcome.

Section 7. In cases of removal or resignation of officers, a special mid-year election is required. This election shall take place no sooner than six (6) days after the resignation or dismissal is effective, except in the cases semester break where the special election shall take place the second meeting after the semester resumes. Mid-year elections shall be conducted as fall elections.

Section 8. Succession

Subsection 1. The Vice President shall fill a vacancy in the office of the President until such a time that an election may be performed for the position.

Subsection 2. The Director of Communications shall fill a vacancy in the office of the Vice President until such a time that an election may be performed for the position.

Subsection 3. The Director of Communications shall fill a vacancy in the office of the President if the office of the Vice President is empty or the Vice President is unable/declines to fill the position of President until such a time that an election may be performed for the position.

Subsection 4. In the absence of the Director of Communications, the President shall appoint a member as interim secretary to take minutes until the position is filled.

Subsection 5. In the absence of the President, Vice President, and Director of Communications, the CSG Advisor shall chair an election to fill one of more positions before any further business is conducted. The CSG Advisor may appoint one CSG member to assist in the tabulation of the ballots.

Section 9. Campaigning Rules

Subsection 1. Campaign posters and paraphernalia require approval from the Director of Student Activities and shall conform to the college posting policy.

Subsection 2. There will be a limit of twelve (12) posters per campaign.

Subsection 3. Only four (4) posters may be larger than legal size paper.

Subsection 4. Candidates may not send out global emails through the campus email network.

Subsection 5. Campaigns may not be funded in part or in whole by student-life funds.

Subsection 6. Candidates shall remove posters and campaign paraphernalia by end of campaigning.

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Article V. Duties of Officers

Section 1. The Duties of Officers shall be as set forth within the Bylaws.

Article VI. Quorum and Voting

Section 1. Quorum:

Subsection 1. A quorum shall consist of one-half of the CSG membership plus one (1).

Subsection 2. Only one (1) member present by proxy may be counted toward quorum.

Subsection 3. The absence of an At-Large member shall not be counted against quorum; however, if an At-Large member is present, he or she may count towards quorum.

Section 2. Voting:

Subsection 1. The CSG Advisor shall not have a vote.

Subsection 2. The President or chair shall not have voting rights except at Executive Board meetings, for the elections of board members and in the case of a tie.

Subsection 3. In the event of an even two-thirds vote on votes that require it, excluding elections, the President may cast a swing vote.

Section 3. Proxy:

Subsection 1. Voting by proxy for election purposes is prohibited.

Subsection 2. A member may not proxy his or her vote more than two (2) meetings in a row.

Subsection 3. A member may receive only one (1) vote by proxy.

Subsection 4. A member may proxy his or her vote to another member to use at their discretion.

Subsection 5. In the event of a foreseen absence, the member may solicit permission from the President or Vice President to proxy and inform the President or Vice President to whom the vote has been proxied.

Subsection 6. An At-Large representative may not proxy his or her vote.

Section 4. All expenditures from the CSG budget or Clubs budget require a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote.

Article VII. Committees

Section 1. Committees shall be selected as set forth by the Bylaws.

Article VIII. Meetings

Section 1. The CSG shall meet once per week during fall and spring semesters, excluding finals week and spring break, or at the call of the President during summer session.

Section 2. The President, a majority of members, or a group of fifty (50) students may call an emergency meeting in order to deal with crucial issues as they arise. Emergency meetings shall not take the place of regular meetings. Twenty-four (24) hours notice must be given for such meetings, and the agenda must be posted twenty-four (24) hours in advance.

Section 3. Any CSG member, College administrator, faculty member, staff member, or registered student may submit an item to the agenda within one (1) hour of regularly scheduled meetings.

Section 4. All meetings are subject to Robert's Rules of Order, current Edition.

Section 5. The President shall chair CSG meetings. In the event of vacancies or absences, the temporary chair shall be (in this order): the Vice President, Director of Communications, Legislative Director, and Clubs Coordinator.

Section 6. CSG members are required to attend all regularly scheduled meetings. A member is required to notify the President or Vice President in advance of an absence. A member of the Executive Board who plans to be absent must submit their Executive Board Report to the President or Vice President before the meeting. Failure to notify in advance and/or submit a report shall result in an unexcused absence.

Section 7. All meetings are open to interested parties; however, the President must grant anyone wishing to speak the floor. The CSG may override this decision by a two-thirds (2/3) vote.

Section 8. The CSG, by two-thirds (2/3) vote, may remove anyone from the room who is disturbing order and otherwise disturbing the flow of the meeting.

Section 9. The CSG, by a three-fourths (3/4) vote, may order to discuss a sensitive or private issue. Only CSG members and the CSG Advisor may be in attendance for said issue.

Section 10. The order of business shall be:

Call to order
Roll Call and Establishment of Quorum
Approval of the Agenda
Approval of the Minutes
Student Open Floor and Guest Speakers
Executive Board Reports
Advisor Report
Committee Reports
Unfinished Business
New Business
Announcements
Adjournment

Article IX. Clubs and Organizations

Section 1. Clubs and Organizations shall be as set forth within the Bylaws.

Article X. Discipline

Section 1. Any CSG member found in violation of the Student Conduct Code or illegal behavior shall be removed from the CSG immediately.

Section 2. Any CSG member is subject to removal for:

Failing to maintain the minimum GPA (as determined by the Director of Student Activities).
Failing to carry out his/her membership responsibilities.
Missing more than two (2) unexcused consecutive meetings.

Section 3. With the exception of immediate removal due to a Student Conduct violation or other illegal/unethical behavior, a two-thirds (2/3) vote is necessary to remove a member from CSG. To the extent possible, the member being considered for removal shall be notified prior to a vote to dismiss and given an opportunity to speak on his/her own behalf.

Article XI. Dormancy and Method of Dissolution

Section 1. In the event the CSG becomes dormant, the CSG Advisor shall set a meeting and notify all Representatives.

Section 2. The ARCC-CR CSG may be dissolved by one (1) or more of the following methods:

By a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the student body; or
Closing of the college.

Article XII. Amendment

Section 1. Suggestions to amend the Constitution or Bylaws may be made in the following manners:

Any administrative staff of the college may submit a proposed amendment to the appropriate committee.
Any Representative may submit a proposed amendment to the appropriate committee.
Any student may submit a proposed amendment to the CSG, if a petition supporting the amendment has signatures of seventy-five (75) students, or five (5) percent of the student body full-year enrollment (FYE), whichever is fewer.
A proposed amendment must be submitted at least one meeting prior to the vote on the amendment.

Section 2. Amendment Requirements

Subsection 1. The Constitution shall be amended by three-fourths (3/4) vote of the CSG.

Subsection 2. The Bylaws shall be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the CSG.

Section 3. Ratification

Subsection 1. Amendments to the Constitution, when ratified, take effect at the beginning of the next term as described in Article IV, Section 5, Subsection 10.

Subsection 2. Amendments to the bylaws, when ratified, take effect at the beginning of the next semester or midterm, whichever comes first.

"Midterm for the fall semester is defined as the week after MEA weekend.

“Midterm” for the spring semester is defined as the week after spring recess.

Section 4. The Bylaws, by two-thirds vote of the CSG, may be temporarily suspended.

Section 5. Any amendments made to this document shall be listed in a “Revision History” section.

Student Government Bylaws

Article I. Membership

Section 1. The responsibilities of all members include:

Work in the CSG office at least one (1) hour per week.
Actively serve on at least one (1) committee per semester.
Consider all sides of funding requests brought before the CSG from a value-neutral point of view.
Vote on issues brought before the CSG.
Maintain open and friendly communications with the college community.
Be a positive role model for other students.
Attend regularly scheduled meetings. Members shall not have more than two (2) consecutive unexcused absences.

Section 2. The CSG may at any time, by two-thirds (2/3) vote; elect an At-Large Representative. At-Large Representatives:

Will not consist of more than three (3) students at a time;
At-Large Representatives may not run for officer positions;
Must meet requirements as mentioned above, with exception to meeting attendance.

Article II. Duties of Officers

Section 1. Requirements of all officers:

All Officers must carry at least three (3) credits per semester at ARCC-CR; and
No Representative may hold more than one (1) executive office at any given time.

Section 2. President:

Responsible for the overall organization and operations of the CSG.
Preside over regularly scheduled CSG meetings, including Executive Board meetings.
Call and preside over special CSG meetings.
Properly execute motions passed by the CSG.
Appoint members to fill temporary Executive Board vacancies.
Co-chair the ARCC-CR Student Life Committee with the Dean of Student Support and Student Life.
Possess knowledge of MSCSA governing documents
Be familiar with MnSCU and ARCC student-related policies.
Authorize purchase requisitions.
Represent the CSG and serve as chief delegate at MSCSA events.
Serve as Ex-Officio Chair of all internal committees unless an alternate is appointed by the President or elected by the CSG.
Represent the student body on the College Advisory Committee.
Maintain regular communication with other community and technical colleges and the MSCSA Executive Board.
Work with the Legislative Director to inform the CSG of all bills in the state legislature and congress that relate to higher education.
Meet weekly with the Director of Student Activities.
Orient new members to policies and procedures of the CSG.
Assist other members in any special projects or events.
Prepare and distribute meeting agendas one (1) hour prior to regular meetings.

Section 3. Vice President:

Preside over meetings in the absence of the President.
Coordinate daily operations and concerns of the CSG.
Coordinate for CSG all of the committees requiring CSG membership in which a member of the student body or CSG serves.
Advise the CSG concerning matters of parliamentary procedure.
Chair the Platform Committee.
Chair the Constitution Committee.
Recommend amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws as necessary.
Update the Constitution and Bylaws with amendments.
Assist the President in maintaining the organization of CSG and in handling the internal affairs of the CSG.
Advise other officers about their job duties.
Sign purchase requisitions when the President is unavailable.
Assist other members in any special projects or events.

Section 4. Director of Communications:

Maintain accurate, historical records of CSG, including agendas, meeting minutes, Constitution and Bylaws, CSG membership rosters, etc.
Record meetings minutes; distribute minutes to interested students, faculty, and administration, prior to the next scheduled meeting.
Take roll-call votes.
Chair the Advertising committee, the purpose of which shall include promotion for the CSG.
Submit publicity for CSG sponsored events to appropriate parties (student newspaper, local media, electronic displays, etc.)
Distribute as appropriate mass communication noting concerns and positions of CSG on key issues.
Collect CSG mail from Central Services weekly.
Serve as the fiscal agent for CSG:
1. Maintain budget records.
2. Provide budget reports at meetings.

Section 5. Clubs Coordinator:

Inform the CSG of college and club-sponsored activities and events.
Chair monthly Club meeting, the purpose of which is to keep all clubs informed of the activities of the other clubs.
Oversee the clubs’ budget.
Maintain a copy of all official clubs’ Constitution and Bylaws.
Facilitate relations with and provide guidance to clubs.
Assist all interested students in forming clubs.
Ensure that all clubs comply with provisions contained in this Constitution and Bylaws.
Solicit information from clubs to assist in recommending the Clubs’ budget considered by the Student Life Committee.

Section 6. Legislative Director:

Maintain contact with state legislators, city council members, members of Congress, and County Commissioners who represent the community around ARCC-CR.
Maintain contact with the MSCSA platform committee and the Metro North Regional Member thereof.
Maintain contact with the MSCSA Government Relations Associate.
Coordinate meetings between members of CSG and state legislators at the MSCSA Advocacy Days.
Promote MSCSA Rally Days on campus
Arrange debates between local candidates in election years
Promote voter registration and participation on campus
Keep the CSG informed of bills in the state legislature and congress that relate to higher education.

Article III. Committees

Section 1. The President shall appoint CSG members to College committees (standing or ad-hoc) with joint representation from student, faculty, staff, and administration of the college.

Section 2. CSG standing committees include:

Advertising Committee, chaired by the Director of Communications.
Constitution Committee, chaired by the Vice President.
Platform Committee, chaired by the Vice President.

Section 3. All ad-hoc committees formed by the CSG shall be chaired by the Vice President unless an alternate chair is appointed by the President or elected by the CSG.

Section 4. All committees shall provide a verbal report each regularly scheduled meeting. The Vice President may require a written report one week in advance. Written reports shall include, but not be limited to: place, dates of meetings, members, visitors in attendance, and brief summary of each meeting.

Article IV. Clubs and Organizations

Section 1. Student groups seeking official club or organization status must meet the following requirements:

Be open to with no discrimination regarding race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, membership or activity in a local commission as defined by law.
Ensure the club’s purpose benefits students and the College.
Secure a faculty or staff advisor, approved by the Director of Student Activities
Submit a proposed written constitution to the CSG. If the proposed club is affiliated with a state or national organization, the affiliated constitution and the terms of affiliation must also be submitted.
Submit a roster of active student-members and student/tech IDs, ensuring the minimum membership is at least five (5).
Approval of the charter requires a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote.

Section 2. Responsibilities of clubs and organizations include:

Maintain at least five (5) active student members. A roster must be submitted annually to the CSG.
Submit a written report once per year to report meeting schedule, activities, upcoming events, and anticipated funding needs.
Submit revisions and or amendments to the club Constitution and Bylaws as needed.
At least one student club representative must attend the monthly Club meeting chaired by the CSG Clubs Coordinator. Clubs without representation at the monthly meeting shall not be considered for funding until representation has resumed.
All club and organization expenditures require approval from the CSG.
Before a club or organization’s expenditure request may be approved, the club must have completed the required follow-up for all past approved expenditures.

Section 3. CSG responsibilities in regard to clubs and organizations include:

The CSG considers requests for provisional and official club status and recommends action to the College President. The College President shall have final authority to approve or deny all charters.
The CSG shall have the right to inspect all books, records, and activities of clubs to review operations and to determine that clubs are operating within their stated purpose.
The CSG considers for action all requests for funding for clubs.
The CSG shall have the privilege of calling presiding officers or other duly constituted members of the clubs for consultation when considering matters of concern to these organizations.
The CSG, by two-thirds (2/3) vote, revoke the charter and official club status of any club or organization which fails to abide by its stated purpose, responsibilities or overall requirements of the College. Prior to revocation, club members shall be granted an opportunity to speak on behalf of the club.