WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF URBAN, LABOR AND METROLITIAN AFFAIRS

STUDENT SENATE CONSTITUTION

 

PREAMBLE

 

The fundamental propositions that govern the proposed structure are these:

 

ARTICLE I   

 

Name and Purpose

 

Section 1.         The name of this organization shall be called the College of Urban, Labor and Metropolitan Affairs Student Senate (hereinafter referred to by CULMA Student Senate).

 

Section 2.         Its purpose is to promote academic excellence of all individuals in the College of Urban, Labor and Metropolitan Affairs (hereinafter referred to by CULMA).

 

a.       To explore and promote the interest of students and faculty of CULMA.

b.      Explore practical forms of student governance.

c.       To enhance the college’s image and increase visibility.

 

ARTICLE II  

 

Student Representation of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE; Distribution, Election and Qualifications

 

Section 1.         Requirements for election of student representation are as follows:

 

a.       Seven (7) students Members-At-Large of CULMA shall be chosen in a College-wide election by a majority vote.

b.      At-Large representatives shall be matriculated students of CULMA, or enrolled in a degree granting program of the Graduate Division of CULMA, and one (1) Alumnus in CULMA.  The number of At-Large representatives shall not be more than seven (7).

c.       Undergraduates shall carry a program of not less than six (6) credit hours at the time of their election and six during their term of office, except that students carrying the number of hours needed to complete work for a degree shall be eligible.  Graduate student shall carry at least three (3) hours at the time of their election and three (3) credit hours during their term of office, except that such students carrying the number of hours needed to complete requirements for a graduate degree shall be eligible.

d.      Undergraduates shall have and maintain an honor point average of no less than 2.3.  Graduate students shall maintain satisfactory grade standards as specified in the Graduate Bulletin.  All elected and appointed members shall adhere to the above honor point average requirements.

e.       They shall not be on academic trial or probation, or under suspension, expulsion, or discipline in the University.

f.        The Dean or his/her designee shall be an ex-officio member and shall not have the right to vote on CULMA STUDENT SENATE matters.

g.       The officers shall be elected or re-elected at the last meeting of the academic year in the manner prescribed by the By-Laws.

h.       Responsibility for the determination of additional eligibility requirements for the CULMA STUDENT SENATE membership rests with the CULMA STUDENT SENATE members or boards.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Any student member of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE may be re-elected provided that he or she maintains eligibility standards.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

The CULMA STUDENT SENATE can punish its members for disorderly behavior, and with the concurrence of two-thirds of those present and voting, expel a member.

 

ARTICLE V  

 

The student body can request the CULMA STUDENT SENATE consider disciplinary action of an elected or appointed representative(s) by presenting a petition signed by current students and numbering a least 10% of the number of total votes cast in the previous election and collected within a 30-day period.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Amendments

 

a.       The CULMA STUDENT SENATE may propose amendments and additions to these provisions.

b.      Written proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be presented to each member of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE at a regular CULMA STUDENT SENATE meeting.

c.       The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE and take effect upon approval by the Dean or designee of CULMA.

 

BY-LAWS OF THE STUDENT SENATE

 

ARTICLE I

 

Executive Board

 

Section 1.         Composition    

 

The Executive Board shall be composed of the President, President-elect, Treasurer, and the Secretary.

 

Section 2.         Election

 

a.       The new CULMA STUDENT SENATE shall elect their officers at the meeting of the first session in May.

b.      Each officer shall be elected individually in the following order:  President, President-elect, Treasurer, and Secretary.

c.       Election shall be by secret ballot.  In the case of an outgoing President, the president-elect immediately becomes President.

d.      The President presides over the meeting of the election. Two (2) persons designated by the President shall count the ballots and announce the results.

e.       If an office is permanently vacated, an election shall be held in accordance with the procedures outlined above.

 

Section 3.         Duties

 

a.       It shall have the power of advice and consent to the President on matters of policy between sessions of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE.  However, these policies must be submitted to the full CULMA STUDENT SENATE for approval at its next regularly scheduled meeting.  No formal announcements may be made until full approval, unless otherwise directed by the full CULMA STUDENT SENATE.

b.      It shall have the responsibility of determining if an office has become permanently vacant. The determination of a permanent vacancy shall be subject to the approval of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE.

c.       It shall have the responsibility of filling any vacancy in an At-Large seat, subject to the approval of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE and in accordance with these By-Laws.

d.      It is responsible for selecting people to serve as representatives or alternates to any local, state or national student-oriented event that CULMA STUDENT SENATE members attend.

ARTICLE II  

 

Polices and Procedures

 

Section 1.         Upon recommendations of the full CULMA STUDENT SENATE, it shall develop and recommend policies and procedures that are applicable to all student groups within the jurisdiction of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE.

 

a.       It shall hold hearings to determine the sanctions to be used, if any, against any violators of CULMA STUDENT SENATE approved policies.

b.      It shall take under consideration and make recommendations on any and all matter referred to it by the President.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Officers of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE

 

Section 1.         The membership will elect the following officers:

 

a.       President

b.      President-elect

c.       Secretary

d.      Treasurer

 

All student members shall be selected for a one (1) year term, but all officers will be eligible to serve consecutive terms.  The President-elect will move up to President after the incumbent President’s term without voting.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Meetings

 

Section 1.         The CULMA STUDENT SENATE meetings shall be open to all enrolled students of CULMA.

a.       The CULMA STUDENT SENATE shall meet on a monthly (every third Friday, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.) basis during the academic year, unless the CULMA STUDENT SENATE provides otherwise.

b.      Additional meetings may be called by the Academic Advisor, Executive Board or upon the petition of any three (3) CULMA STUDENT SENATE members.  Notification must be sent to all CULMA STUDENT SENATE members at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled time of the meeting.

c.       The presence of a majority of the voting members shall be necessary for the transaction of all business matters of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE, except that in the absence of a quorum.

d.      A quorum shall consist of fifty percent (50%) of the number of seats on the CULMA STUDENT SENATE plus on (1).

e.       If a quorum does not exist, no vote shall be taken for the transaction of all business matters of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE.  Members present may fix the time for the next meeting and adjourn.

 

ARTICLE V  

 

The By-Laws may be adopted or altered at any meeting of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE by a majority vote of the members present and voting, provided that the changes have been submitted in writing at the previous membership meeting and approved by the Dean of CULMA or designee.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Officers of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE

 

Section 1.         Duties of the Officers

 

                        President

 

                        The President of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE shall:

 

a.       Be a member of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE.

b.      Preside over meetings of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE.

c.       Vote in those cases when his/her vote may affect the outcome of the decision (tie), or in the case where a secret ballot is employed.

d.      Prepare and report to the CULMA STUDENT SENATE and the CULMA Community at the year’s last meeting a final report outlining the accomplishments of the Senate during the year, as well as the unfinished business to be taken up by the newly elected Senate.

e.       Report at each CULMA STUDENT SENATE meeting concerning his/her activities as President.

f.        Act as formal spokesperson for the CULMA STUDENT SENATE whenever deemed necessary.

g.       Employ whatever office staff he/she feels is necessary to conduct business, subject to the approval of the Executive Board.  The President may discharge an employee in accordance with University Student Employment Guild lines.

h.       Have the power to appoint and ad hoc committee deemed necessary.

i.         Perform any other duties as are prescribed by the CULMA STUDENT SENATE, so as long as they are not in contradiction of the By-Laws.

 

Section 2.         The President-elect

 

The President-elect of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE shall:

 

a.       Be a member of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE.

b.      Preside over the CULMA STUDENT SENATE in the temporary absence of the President.

c.        Assist the President in the performance of his/her duties.

d.      Be an ex-officio member of all Executive Committees.

e.       Preside over the CULMA STUDENT SENATE on the activities of all Executive Committees.

f.        Nominate the student representative to the University Student Council, (hereinafter refereed to by SC), to the approval of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE, and remove same for just cause, subject to appeal to the CULMA STUDENT SENATE.

g.       Perform any other duties as prescribed by the CULMA STUDENT SENATE, so long as they are not in contradiction with these By-Laws.

 

Section 3.         Treasurer

 

                        The Treasurer of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE shall:

 

a.       Be a member of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE.

b.      Keep accurate records of all monies received and distributed in regards the CULMA STUDENT SENATE Budget.

c.       Make expenditures as authorized in ARTICLE IX, Section 5.

d.      Submit reports as requested, however, in all cases he/she shall submit a monthly report on the status of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE Budget to the CULMA STUDENT SENATE.

e.       Serve as an ex-officio member of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE Activities Budget Committee.

f.        Preside over the CULMA STUDENT SENATE in the temporary absence of the President, and President-elect.

g.       Perform any other duties as prescribed by the CULMA STUDENT SENATE, so long as those duties do not contradict these By-Laws.

h.       The Treasurer shall have the sole responsibility of preparing the CULMA STUDENT SENATE Budget, but shall coordinate this task with the committee chairs.

 

Section 4.         Secretary

 

                        The Secretary of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE shall:

 

a.       Be a member of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE.

b.      Be responsible for the Minutes of all CULMA STUDENT SENATE and Executive Board meetings.

c.       Maintain a file of all reports of committees and officers.

d.      Maintain the official Membership Roll, and call the roll when it is required.

e.       Provide any minutes, records and reports to members upon request.

f.        Have on hand at each meeting, a list of all existing committees and their memberships.

g.       Maintain up-to-date record in which the Constitution, By-Laws, special rules of order, standing rules, minutes and any other appropriate documents are entered with any amendments to these properly recorded and to have the current records on hand at each meetings.

h.       Transmit certified copies of the corrected Minutes of the College Archives, members of the Board of governors, Dean, Faculty, Administrative officers or students who require them.

i.         In the absence of the President, President-elect, and Treasurer call meetings to order and immediately preside over an election of a Chair pro tempore.

j.        Utilize the office staff to assist him/her duties, subject to the approval of the Executive Board.

k.      Perform any other duties as prescribed by the CULMA STUDENT SENATE, so long as those duties do not contradict these By-Laws.

 

Section 5.         Removal of Officers

 

The CULMA STUDENT SENATE shall have the power to remove any of its Executive Officers by the following procedure:

 

a.       The proposal to remove an officer must be submitted at a regularly scheduled meeting of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE.

b.      The proposal is immediately postponed until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE, at which a quorum is present.

c.       The individual in question must be informed of the proposal by certified mail and must be allowed an opportunity to rebut any statements made in the proposal.

d.      Removal of any Executive Officer requires a majority of those members present and voting.

e.       Any person removed from an Executive Office, but not expelled from the CULMA STUDENT SENATE, shall serve out the term as an At-Large member.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

CULMA STUDENT SENATE Member Responsibilities

 

Section 1.         Attendance

 

CULMA STUDENT SENATE members are expected to regard attendance at all CULMA STUDENT SENATE meetings and functions as a primary obligation to their colleagues and CULMA.

 

 

Section 2.         Committee Service

 

All CULMA STUDENT SENATE members are required to serve on a minimum of one (1) CULMA Committee, Board of Governors Committee, or CULMA STUDENT SENATE Executive Committee.  All CULMA STUDENT SENATE members seated on CULMA STUDENT SENATE after the beginning of the Fall Semester are to begin serving on a committee within sixty (60) days of being seated.  Failure to join and participate in a committee by the second month of the member’s term of office is grounds for removal from office.

 

Section 3.         Sponsoring Legislation

 

Each member of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE is expected to adequately research the issues affecting the CULMA Community and to present viable proposals to the CULMA STUDENT SENATE that comprehensively address those issues.

 

Section 4.         Sponsoring Events

 

All events that are sponsored by the CULMA STUDENT SENATE should be brought before the CULMA STUDENT SENATE at a regularly scheduled meeting to be voted on by the CULMA STUDENT SENATE.  Sponsoring of events occurring between sessions of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE will be determined by a majority vote of the Executive Board.  When the Executive makes an endorsement of an event, the CULMA STUDENT SENATE members will be notified of the upcoming event by phone or postcard.

 

Section 5.         Public Relations

 

Each member of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE is expected to inform the CULMA community of CULMA STUDENT SENATE business and functions.

 

Section 6.         Office Hours

 

a.       The CULMA Board Representative must spend a minimum of on (1) hour per week in the SC Office (Room 395 SCB), working on behalf of the SC.

b.      If the CULMA Board Representative is a member of the SC Executive Board h/she must spend a minimum of three (3) hours in the Student Council Office on behalf of the SC.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

Student Senate Meetings

 

Section 1.         Scheduling of Meetings

 

Regular meetings of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE shall be followed according to Article IV, Section 1 of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE Constitution.

 

Section 2.         Attendance and Absences at Regular Meetings

 

a.       Each member of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE shall be allowed four (4) absences.  Notification and or explanation of any absence must be given to the President and Secretary in writing n later than 24 hours after the missed meeting.  If no explanation is given, that absence will be considered “without notice.”

b.      Upon the four (4) absences, a member’s seat is made automatically vacant.  If all four (4) are classified as “without notice,” the seat is vacated without opportunity for appeal.

c.       After removal from office under Article VI, Section 5, a letter will be sent to the person’s home by the Secretary notifying that person of the removal and opportunity for appeal if so applicable.

d.      Removal from office in cases where notice was given may be appealed to the full CULMA STUDENT SENATE.  A majority opinion is required to reinstate that member.  The appeal will be heard at the next executive board meeting following the removal.

e.       The procedure to fill any vacancy due to violations in Article VI, Section 5 shall be determined by the CULMA STUDENT SENATE Executive Board and confirmed by the full Senate.

 

Section 3.         Open CULMA STUDENT SENATE Meetings

 

a.       CULMA STUDENT SENATE meeting shall be open to all members of the CULMA Community.

b.      The CULMA STUDENT SENATE may go into closed session at which no one other than CULMA STUDENT SENATE members and designated guests may be present by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting (must be concurrent with the Open Meetings Act).

c.       All voting except that on personal matters shall be made an open meeting.

 

Section 4.         Publicity Regarding Open Meetings

 

The Secretary shall circulate to the Student Newspaper and SCAPA the place and date of the meeting and a statement that all students are welcome to attend, before each meeting.  When possible, the Secretary shall also place notice of the meeting in the University/CULMA Calendar.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Operation of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE

 

Section 1.         Quorum

 

a.       The presence of a majority of the voting members shall be necessary for the transaction of all business matters of the CULMA STUDENT SENATE, except that in the absence of a quorum, members present may fix the time for the next meeting and adjourn.

b.      Newsletter Committee. This committee is to be chaired by an appointed Newsletter Editor.  This appointment is subject to approval by the Executive Board.  This editor shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.

c.       CULMA STUDENT SENATE shall have the authority to form committee to carry out actions authorized by CULMA STUDENT SENATE.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

Amendments

 

Section 1.         Procedures

 

Action on proposed amendments to these By-Laws must be postponed unit the next meeting of the full CULMA STUDENT SENATE.

 

Section 2.         Adoption

 

Amendments to these By-Laws must be adopted by a two/third (2/3) affirmative vote of all members present and voting.