Constitution of the
Parkside Student Government
“The students of each institution or campus subject to the responsibilities and powers of the board, the president, the chancellor and the
faculty shall be active participants in the immediate governance of and policy development for such institutions. As such, students shall
have primary responsibility for the formulation and review of policies concerning student life, services and interests. Students in
consultation with the chancellor and subject to the final confirmation of the board shall have the responsibility for the disposition of
those student fees which constitute substantial support for campus student activities. The students of each institution or campus shall
have the right to organize themselves in a manner they determine and to select their representatives to participate in institutional
governance.”
-Wisconsin State Statute 36.09(5)-
CONSTITUTION
of the
PARKSIDE STUDENT GOVERNMENT
PREAMBLE
Pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 36.09(5) the students of University of Wisconsin (UW) Parkside shall have
the right to organize themselves in a manner they determine and to select their representatives. Students of UW Parkside
hereby recognize UW Parkside Student Government as the body which enables participation in institutional governance,
is active in the formation of legislation for UW Parkside and the interpretation thereof, have primary responsibility
regarding the formulation of Student Life, review of policy within Student Life, services and interests and, finally, vests
power in Parkside Student Government who, in consultation with the Chancellor and subject to the Board of Regents,
shall direct the disposition of student fees which substantially support UW Parkside student activities.
Article I
Section I: Authority
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This document shall be the Rule of Law for the Parkside Student Government and, as such, shall be superior to any
legislation passed or any activity undertaken pursuant to it.
Meetings shall be conducted in adherence with the most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, save for when
in contradiction to this Constitution or the Bylaws of the Parkside Student Government.
The Parkside Student Government will have the authority to allocate funds collected from Segregated University
Fees and oversee the activities of any recipients thereof.
The Parkside Student Government will have the authority to review University policy and have a significant part in
the formulation of such policies.
Section II: Standards
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All officials of the Parkside Student Government will maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 on a
4.0 scale, be an enrolled student of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, and maintain good academic standing.
All officials of the Parkside Student Government will represent the students in a fair and professional manner.
No officer of the Parkside Student Government may occupy more than one office at the time.
Section III: Students’ Rights
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Freedom from prejudice or discrimination; based on age, creed, culture, disability, gender, health, heritage, marital
status, nationality, political ideology, race, religion, sex, sexual identity, socioeconomic class, or veteran status.
Representation through election, referendum, and assembly.
Defense against retroactive policies, regulations and punishments.
Ability to attend any meeting of the Parkside Student Government.
Article II
Section I: Legislative Branch
i.
The Senate shall consist of 20 Senators elected by the Student Body, two seats reserved for students having less
than 30 credits, which shall be filled by the first week of October by nomination from the Senate, followed by a
plurality vote, and one seat reserved for a Student Organizations Representative, to be elected by the Student Body.
Section II: Powers, Duties, and Obligations of the Senate
i.
ii.
Hold regular meetings to take up issues pertaining to the Student Body and Student Life.
Approve legislation on behalf of the Student Body with a simple majority vote.
Regulate and oversee allocations of all segregated fees imposed on students within Student Life.
Create and charge standing or ad hoc committees.
Override Presidential vetoes with a two-thirds vote.
Call a referendum with a two-thirds vote.
Approve Constitutional Amendments with a three-quarters vote.
Approve nominations for the Parliamentarian and any Executive appointments with a simple majority vote.
Overturn Parliamentarian rulings with a two-thirds vote.
Elect a Speaker of the Senate to run meetings.
Send proxies to act in their place during Senate meetings so long as the Speaker of the Senate is notified within a
proper time period.
xii. Must regularly perform additional services on behalf of the Parkside Student Government or the Student Body.
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Section III: Powers, Duties, and Obligations of the Speaker of the Senate
The Speaker of the Senate shall be elected as the first order of business at the first meeting following the ratification
of the Spring election, by and from the Senate, with a simple majority vote.
ii.Presides over the meetings of the Parkside Student Government.
iii. Maintains their position as a voting member of the Senate and counts towards quorum.
iv. Records the service duties of Senators and their Senate meeting attendance.
v.May call an emergency meeting of the Parkside Student Government with at least 48 hours notice to its membership.
vi. The proxy for the Speaker of the Senate shall be the President; however, they will not have the right to vote in
meetings and will not count for quorum.
i.
Section IV: Powers, Duties, and Obligations of the Student Organizations Representative
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Shall represent the interests of the several student organizations of the University of Wisconsin Parkside. In doing
so, the Student Organizations Representative shall voice their concerns in the regular Senate meetings and propose
any necessary actions on the behalf of their constituents.
Shall chair a Senate standing committee for the purpose of discussion on matters of importance to the several
student organizations.
Shall be a direct link between the several student organizations and the Parkside Student Government.
Must be a member of an organization other than Parkside Student Government.
Article III
Section I: Executive Branch
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The Executive power shall be vested in the President and Vice-President of the Parkside Student Government.
Consists of the President, Vice-President, and other Executive appointments made by the President and approved
by the Senate.
Provides oversight of departments within Student Life.
Each member shall maintain voting rights in Executive Board meetings, to be chaired by the President.
Section II: Powers, Duties, and Obligations of the President
Serves as official representative of the Parkside Student Government.
Nominates the Parliamentarian.
Creates or dissolves temporary Executive Committees with simple majority approval of the Senate.
Has the power to appoint and relieve Executive officers as necessary, issuing position descriptions for each
appointment.
v.
Appoints students to Shared Governance committees.
vi. Vetoes or ratifies legislation from the Senate; legislation shall become law after 10 days of being passed if not
signed or vetoed.
vii. Calls emergency meetings of the Parkside Student Government with at least 48 hours notice to its membership.
viii. Allocates Stipends.
ix. Serves on the Faculty Senate.
x.
Submits the SUFAC allocations for the following budget year to the Chancellor following passage by the Senate
with a simple majority vote.
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Section III: Powers, Duties, and Obligations of the Vice-President
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Gives an itemized budget and issues a monthly report.
Acts as the Parkside Student Government liaison to lobbying organizations and coordinates events with such
organizations.
Proposes Parkside Student Government’s operating budget for the following year to the Segregated University Fee
Allocation Committee, following passage by the Senate with a simple majority vote.
In the absence of the President, the Vice-President assumes Presidential duties.
Article IV
Section I: Parliamentarian
i.
ii.
The Parliamentarian shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Senate with a simple majority vote.
Serves until resignation or until no longer registered as a University of Wisconsin Parkside student.
Section II: Powers, Duties, and Obligations of the Parliamentarian
Counsels the members of the Parkside Student Government on matters of business and the Constitution.
Ensures the legal continuity of existing regulations or law, new legislation, applicable rules, common law, and
above all this Constitution.
iii. Determines the legality of the actions of the Parkside Student Government.
iv.Issues rulings to relevant parties regarding the legality of their actions, their rights, and the interpretation of the law.
v.
Recommends the corrective action to be undertaken by the Executive or Legislative branches in regards to
breaches of conduct of their respective members.
vi. Ratifies the election results.
vii. Presides over impeachment trials.
viii. Reserves speaking rights in all Parkside Student Government meetings in regards to points of order, procedure,
clarification, or any other legal questions.
i.
ii.
Article V
Section I. The Segregated University Fee Allocation Committee (SUFAC)
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The Purpose of the SUFAC shall be to allocate the Segregated University Fees in an equitable and prudent manner
and ensure the proper usage of such monies by its recipients.
The SUFAC shall be composed of five Senators to be elected by and from the Senate with a plurality vote, two
Student-at-large seats to be elected during the Spring elections, a Student-at-large to be appointed by the
President, and the Speaker of the Senate.
The SUFAC shall be chaired by a student to be appointed by the President and shall count as an Executive officer
and shall be a voting member of the Executive Board.
The SUFAC chair shall record all meetings and keep minutes.
The budget for the next fiscal year shall be presented, five weeks prior to the deadline set by the University of
Wisconsin System, to the Senate for confirmation. The Senate may reject the budget with recommendations to the
SUFAC, or pass the budget with a simple majority vote.
Article VI
Section I: Impeachment
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Severe violations of the Constitution or its Bylaws, as well as gross incompetence or
corruption, is grounds for impeachment of any Parkside Student Government official.
Impeachments must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.
Any Senator may make a motion for the impeachment of any Parkside Student Government official by written
resolution.
In the event the Parliamentarian is being impeached, the Speaker of the Senate shall preside.
Section II: Replacement of Vacancies
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In the event the President is impeached or resigns, the Vice-President will succeed to the office of President.
In the event the Vice-President is impeached or resigns, the President will appoint a new Vice-President, to be
approved by two-thirds vote of the Senate.
In the event that both are removed or resign, the Speaker of the Senate shall become President.
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Should a Senator be impeached or resign, the Senate shall nominate a replacement to be approved by plurality
vote. Should one of the two seats reserved for students with less than 30 credits be vacant, they shall be filled with
the same procedure but only with students with less than 30 credits.
Should the Student Organizations Representative be impeached or resign, the Senate standing committee s/he
chaired shall nominate and elect a new Student Organizations Representative with a majority vote of approval.
Replacements shall serve until the next election for that seat.
Article VII
Section I. Elections
i.
Shall take place in the Spring Semester each year, during which the President, Vice President, 20 Senators, two
SUFAC-at-large seats, and the Student Organizations Representative shall be elected by the student body.
Section II. Election Committee
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ii.
All members-elect of Parkside Student Government will take office after election results are verified by the
Parliamentarian and the election committee, which will be led by an Election Director appointed by the President
and approved by the Senate with a simple majority vote.
No member of the Election Committee may contemporaneously be running for office in Parkside Student
Government.
Article VIII
Section I: Amendments
The Senate may propose Amendments to this Constitution, with consultation from the Parliamentarian. Final
approval shall require a three-fourths approval by the Senate.
ii.The President shall have no authority to veto any Amendment.
i.
Article IX
Upon passage by the Student Body, and ratification of elections, this Constitution will take effect. Any Bylaw changes
necessary that are nominal in nature shall be automatically changed.