Student Government Association
The Constitution of the
Rowan University
Student Government Association
Rowan University
Student Government Association
Chamberlain Student Center, Suite 120
201 Mullica Hill Road
Glassboro, NJ 08028
Phone: 856-256-4540
E-mail: [email protected]
Student Government Association
Table of Contents
Article I: Rowan University Student Government Mission
Section 1: Values
Section 2: Vision Statement
Article II: Members
Article III: The Executive Committee
Section 1: Election and Appointment of
Executive Committee Members
Section 2: SGA Advisor
Article IV: The SGA Senate
Section 1: Purpose and Legislative Authority
Section 2: SGA Senate Structure
Section 3: Club Senators
Section 4: Class Senators
Section 5: Academic Senators
Section 6: Senate Meetings
Article V: Committees
Section 1: Committee Structure
Section 2: Standing Committees
Section 3: Non-Standing Committees
Article VI: Commission
Article VII: Institutional Services
Article VIII: Amendments and Resolutions
Section 1: Amendments
Section 2: Resolutions
Article IX: Legalities
Article X: Accompanying Documents
3
3
3
3
4
4
5
5
5
5
6
6
7
7
8
8
9
9
10
11
11
11
11
12
12
Revised April 25, 2016
Student Government Association
Rowan University
Student Government Association
Constitution
Whereas a representative government for the undergraduate student body of
Rowan University shall be necessary to act as a voice for the campus community; to
serve as an outlet for student concerns; to promote student participation in campus
life; to investigate and institute resolutions to various issues affecting the campus
community as a whole; to lobby governmental bodies for the common good of the
Rowan University student body; and to act as a forum for the various student clubs,
classes, colleges, and the student body, this document, hereafter, shall constitute the
Rowan University Student Government Association.
Article I – Mission
The mission of the Rowan University Student Government Association is to
make certain that all undergraduate students’ needs are being met by acting as a
student voice for the campus community, serving as an outlet for student concerns,
promoting student participation in campus life, and investigating solutions to various
issues that affect the campus as a whole.
Section 1: Values
•
•
•
•
The SGA shall support unity, teamwork, diversification,
acknowledgement of excellence, mutual respect and a dedication to the
positive development of each and every individual.
The SGA shall act with vision not only to meet the needs of Rowan’s
current students, but to also meet the needs of future Rowan Students.
The work of the SGA will be performed in the spirit of change; however,
recognizing the contributions of its predecessors.
The SGA will take pride in Rowan’s past, present, and future.
Section 2: Vision Statement
The Rowan SGA takes pride in creating a state of actively engaged students
that willfully participates not only within their university, but also the
surrounding community.
Article II – Members
Full-time, undergraduate students of Rowan University having paid the
Student Activity Fee shall be considered members of the SGA. For the purpose of
determining membership, “full-time” shall be defined as being enrolled for the
Student Government Association
minimum number of credits for the current academic semester as defined by
University standards.
Article III – The Executive Committee
The voting members of the Executive Committee shall be comprised of the
President, the Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Recording Secretary,
Director of Public Relations and Special Events, Student Trustee, Alternate Student
Trustee, and the Assistant Vice Presidents of the SGA Committees. The SGA
Advisors shall serve as non-voting members of the Executive Committee.
Unless otherwise defined, the term of office for Executive Committee members shall
be one academic year. The officer shall serve until the term expires at the end of the
spring semester or a successor is elected.
Section 1: Election and Appointment of Executive Committee Members:
GPA Requirements:
● Candidates for the office of SGA President, Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer, and Student Trustees shall have a cumulative
grade point average of at least 2.75.
● Candidates for the office of Recording Secretary, Director of Public
Relations and Special Events, Assistant Vice Presidents, and the
Commissioner shall have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50.
● In the event of the cumulative GPA dropping below requirement, the
Community Standards Commission will address this issue in conjunction
with the Accountability Board.
Previous Service Requirement:
● Candidates for the office of SGA President, Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer, Recording Secretary, Assistant Vice Presidents,
Director of Public Relations and Special Events, and Governmental
Relations shall have served at least one term of office on the SGA
Executive Committee,
● OR served at least one term of office on the SGA Senate or simultaneous
term as the president, vice president, secretary or treasurer of a chartered
student organization.
● Candidates for the office of Director of Public Relations and Special
Events shall also have demonstrated event planning skills and social media
talents.
Vacancy in Office:
Student Government Association
A vacancy in elected office shall be filled, by a majority vote, at regular or
special meeting of the SGA Senate, for which notice of the vacancy has been given,
except the office of President, which shall be filled by the Executive Vice President.
The process outlined within the SGA Election Policy shall fill a vacancy in appointed
office.
Section 2: SGA Advisor:
● Serve as the source of advice for the Executive Committee of the SGA;
● Add to the continuity of Executive Committee by making sure that
successive Executive Committee members of the SGA understand the
responsibility they share as leaders, as well as explaining the rules and
policies established;
● Attend meetings of the organization, including Executive Committee and
Senate, among others that may arise;
● Accessible to members of the SGA on a regular basis for consultation and
to uphold student expectations;
● If a problem arises with members of the SGA Executive Committee, the
SGA Advisor should be consulted;
● Position of SGA Advisor will be assigned by the Division of Student Life,
with the input of the SGA Executive Committee;
● If there is a conflict with the SGA Advisor, then their supervisor and/or
the Vice President for Student Life should be contacted.
Article IV– The SGA Senate
Section 1: Purpose and Legislative Authority
The Senate shall serve as the legislative branch of the SGA. The Senate shall
express the attitudes of the student body on matters of policy, opinion, and
legislation proposed or enacted by the University or other matters affecting
the student body. Each senator shall have the responsibility once elected to
work duly towards the best interest of the Student Body of Rowan University.
Section 2: SGA Senate Structure
The student body shall, through institutions such as the clubs, colleges, and
classes, send forward Senators to populate the standing government. The
Senate shall then be divided into committees, each established to work to a
particular aspect of student life. The elected Assistant Vice President will
chair these committees.
The Senate shall be comprised of Senators; from clubs, classes, and academics,
and it shall be comprised of two voting classes.
Student Government Association
•
The first class: will be comprised of Academic Senators, Class Senators,
and Club Senators who’s clubs have pledged to have their senator sit on
SGA Committees, and will have the duty to sit on an SGA Committee
and attend its meetings.
•
The second class: shall be comprised of Club Senators whose clubs have
decided to not have their senator be responsible for serving on
committees.
Non-voting members of the Senate shall consist of:
•
The SGA Executive Committee
•
The SGA Advisor(s)
•
Any other members of the public
Section 3: Club Senators:
The first type of Senator shall be the Club Senator. The Club Senators are
members of SGA chartered clubs who are elected by their club to serve in the SGA
Senate.
Once elected they shall either be considered a class one or class two senator,
depending on the SFCB commitment made by their club.
● The distinction of class will be determined at the SFC budget hearings for
the coinciding fiscal year.
The class one Club Senators will have the duty to serve on at least one SGA
committee as a voting member and be a full voting member at Senate, failure to meet
these duties will result in repercussions applied by the Club Accountability Policy.
The class two senators will only have the responsibility to attend and vote in
Senate and may fully participate in committees if desired.
Section 4: Class Senators:
The second type of Senator shall be the Class Senators, who are elected by
members of their graduating class;
There shall be no more than four Class Senators per class;
Four At-Large Class Senators shall be elected at the beginning of the fall
semester to include students from any class;
The elections for Class Senators, excluding Freshmen and At-Large Senators,
shall take place in the spring semester for the following academic year;
The Class Senators will have the duty to serve under the Assistant Vice
President of University Advancement as a voting member of the University
Student Government Association
Advancement Committee and be a full voting member at Senate, failure to
meet these duties will result in repercussions applied by the AVP of
University Advancement and/or the Commission on Community Standards;
To be eligible for Class Senator position:
● One must be identified by the Office of the Registrar to be a member of
the class the student has applied to represent;
● The candidate must hold a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 at the time of
election;
● All elected senators cannot hold an SGA office during their term as
Senator;
● Candidates from the Freshman class shall be encouraged, but not
required, to participate in the Freshman Leadership Involvement Program
(FLIP) and GPA will not be a factor in determining eligibility.
Class Senators must attend all Senate meetings.
● After two (2) absences, the Senator will be removed from his/her position.
The duties of the Class Senators shall be those of a class one Senator;
The Commissioner will establish an accountability policy for class senators.
Section 5: Academic Senators:
The final type of senator is the Academic Senator who is appointed by the Senate;
To be eligible to be selected as an Academic Senator, a candidate must be recognized
by the Office of the Registrar to be a member of the college for which he/her is
seeking election and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 at the time of the
election;
The class one Academic Senators will have the duty to serve under Academic Affairs
SGA committee as a voting member and be a full voting member at Senate, failure to
meet these duties will result in repercussions applied by the Assistant Vice President
of Academic Affairs and/or the Commission on Community Standards;
The duties of the Academic Senators shall be those of a class one senator.
The Academic Senator will also be responsible for meeting with their Dean on at
least a bi-monthly basis and presenting reports to Senate about events in their
college as deemed necessary;
There shall be no more than one Academics Senator per college.
Section 6: Senate Meetings:
Regular meetings of the Senate shall be held every other Monday during the
semester starting with the second week of the fall semester, unless otherwise
determined by the SGA Executive Committee;
Student Government Association
The President will chair the Senate meetings. Meetings shall operate under
the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, and any
provisions that the Senate has adopted;
Special Meetings: Special meetings of the Senate may be called by majority
vote of the SGA Executive Committee. Except for emergency, at least five (5)
days’ notice shall be given to all Senate members in writing, or by electronic
means;
Quorum for Senate Business meetings shall be at least one half of voting
members of the Senate.
Article V – Committees
Section 1: Committee Structure
The primary vehicle of legislation for the SGA Senate shall be committees.
The committees shall be comprised of the elected AVP and club senators.
● In the event that one committee is under populated, the Recording
Secretary will reassign Senators from other committees to fill said
committee.
Responsibilities:
● The committees will meet at least once in between each regular senate
meeting; it will be up to the discretion of the committee chair to set
meeting dates, record minutes, attendance, and the agendas of the
meetings
● The committees shall have two mechanisms of action:
1. Any legislature formulated in a committee may be presented to the
senate and made into policy by a majority vote.
2. Other actions not requiring such oversight shall be performed
upon the approval of the Executive Committee.
Two Types of Committees:
1. Standing Committees: The permanent standing committees will be
comprised of voting and non-voting members and will be organized at the
last senate meeting of the year preceding their term of office.
•
The voting members will be any class one senator who signs up for
the committee or who is assigned to the committee by the
recording secretary unless admission rules for such a committee are
stipulated in this document.
•
Non-Voting members shall be all other members of the student
body. Unless a member of the public is invited by the committee
Student Government Association
chairperson or recommended by the committee, all committees
should be closed to public attendance.
•
Committee structure:
o Each committee will have a leadership structure where the
AVP, or committee chair, sets the agenda and has the power to
call votes on resolutions; the vice-chair will fill in for the chair
in their absence.
o One member will be responsible for taking notes at all the
meetings.
o Quorum for committee meetings shall be at least one half of
the voting members of the committee.
o The committees will have to meet once before the end of the
year and elect from their membership, a vice-chair. Any voting
member of a committee is eligible to run for the vice-chair
position.
o A senator cannot be the vice-chair of more than one standing
committee.
2. Non-Standing Committees: The permanent non-standing committees will
have their members assigned to the committees but will not be
responsible for meeting on a regular basis.
•
These committees will meet when a situation, requiring their
attention, arises.
•
Both of these committees are comprised of class one Senators who
are not serving as a chair or vice chair of another committee; the
Recording Secretary will appoint them.
Section 2: Standing Committees
Members organize into committees that aim to address student
concerns in specific aspects of the University. The standing committees
within the Senate shall be the Academic Affairs, Student Life, University
Advancement, Facilities and Operations, Governmental Relations, Public
Relations and Special Events, and the Student Financial Control Board. The
structure and functions of each committee are outlined in the bylaws.
Section 3: Non-Standing Committees
There will also be a permanent but non-standing committees, the
Student Government Association Accountability Board and a Rules
Committee. The structure and functions of each committee are outlined in
the bylaws.
Student Government Association
Article VI– Commission
Section 1. The Commission of Elections
The Commission of Elections shall be a permanent fixture of the
Student Government Association. The Commissioner shall chair and be
responsible for The Commission of Elections. The Commission of Elections
shall oversee the elections of all members of the Student Government
Association, be they popularly elected or by the Senate.
Section 2. Procedures Relating to the Commission of Community Standards
“Operating Policies of the Commission of Elections” shall outline the
Policies and Procedures in which the Commission of Elections may operate.
Section 3. The Commission on Community Standards
The Commission of Community Standards shall be a permanent
fixture of the Student Government Association. The Commissioner shall
chair and and be responsible for The Commission of Community Standards.
The Commission of Community Standards shall exist to prevent corruption,
favoritism, nepotism and all other forms of misconduct. The Commission of
Community Standards, shall be comprised of four members of the
Commission, appointed by the Commissioner and approved by the Senate,
and shall have the power to judge cases brought against an action of the
Student Government Association.
Any student may lodge a grievance against any action of the Student
Government Association, be it appointment or legislature, and shall make
such a grievance known to the Commissioner and an SGA Advisor.
Section 4. Procedures Relating to the Commission of Community Standards
“Operating Policies of the Commission of Community Standards”
shall outline the Policies and Procedures in which the Commission of
Community Standards may operate.
Student Government Association
Article VII – Institutional Services
There are certain irreducible services to the University that shall be classified
as institutional services by the SGA. These organizations shall have their budgets
reviewed by the SFCB but will not need to send representation to the SGA senate or
have their funds limited by the lack of a class 1 senator. Instead they shall have their
leadership, or else a proxy, report on their happenings to the SFCB prior to budget
hearings in the spring. These groups shall not be required to perform community
service events but still must submit Quarterly Progress Reports to the Executive
Vice President.
If a club feels they provide a irreducible service to the University, they must
present in writing why they feel their club should become an Institutional Service
and submit it to the Executive Vice President. The SGA Executive Committee will
then vote on the matter, which requires a ⅔ majority vote for approval. Upon
approval by the Executive Committee, the matter will be presented to the Senate
and must also be approved by a ⅔ majority vote of eligible Senators.
Article VIII – Amendments and Resolutions
Section 1: Amendments
An amendment may be proposed by any senator at any general senate meeting
and will, at the senate meeting following its presentation, be voted upon. Should the
amendment receive a two-thirds majority or greater, it shall pass and be enacted at
the end of that assembly.
When an amendment is made, it will be added to the document proper
alongside the text it revises with a note to the date it was added. Should no change
be proposed, all amendments will be completely integrated into the Constitution
proper, eliminating the original text and the dates of approval.
Section 2: Resolutions
Resolutions may be proposed by any senator or Executive Committee
member to the President by 5 p.m. prior to any general senate meeting. Resolutions
submitted to the President will be referred to the appropriate committee to be
reviewed before being presented at the following senate meeting. A template for
writing resolutions to be proposed at senate will be available on the SGA website.
The Senate may vote on resolutions at the meetings the legislation is introduced.
Resolutions may be approved by a simple majority vote. A copy of all resolutions
with the final results or recommendations is to be entered into the minutes of the
senate meeting during which it was presented. A copy is also to be digitally archived
in the resolution folder of the appropriate year in the SGA folder of the open area.
Student Government Association
Article IX – Legalities
The Rowan University SGA is organized exclusively for charitable and
educational purposes, including for such proposes, the making of distributions to
organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)3 of the
Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
No part of the net earnings of the SGA shall inure to the benefit of, or be
distributable to its members, trustees, officer, or other private persons, except that
the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation
for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the
purpose set forth in the purpose clause hereof. The organization shall not participate
in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any
political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other
activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal
income tax under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding
section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to
which are deductible under section 170c of the Internal Revenue Code, or
corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Should dissolution of the SGA be imminent, assets shall be distributed to the
Rowan University Foundation, an organization exempt from federal income tax
pursuant to IRC sections 501(c)3, for a public purpose. Any such assets not so
disposed of shall be disposed of by a Court of Competent Jurisdiction of Gloucester
County, New Jersey, exclusively for such purposes or to such organizations or
organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated
exclusively for charitable educational purposes.
Article X – Accompanying Documents
This document shall not be presented without the SFCB guidelines, the
Election Commission Regulations, the Accountability Policy, Annual Budget,
Updated By-Laws, and The Advisor Information Handbook. Amendments of such
documents shall not be required to follow constitutional guidelines.