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STUDENT SENATE CONSTITUTION
Preamble
We the students of Nashua Community College, living in a democratic society, recognize that every
community has laws, which in the interest of the whole, the individual must respect. Therefore, through
our constitution, may the members of our student body grow in character and develop initiative,
leadership, and a desire to assume responsibility to perpetuate the aims and objectives of this College.
Name
The name of the organization for carrying out the provisions of this constitution shall be the Nashua
Community College Student Senate (NCC Student Senate).
Purpose
The Student Senate is responsible for:
• Promoting and coordinating student affairs
• Promoting and encouraging student leadership within the student body
• Encouraging service hours and civic engagement within the community and the college
• Assisting in the allocation and disbursement of student activity funds
• Creating ad-hoc committees
• Recommending and approving the establishment of clubs and activities
• Planning monthly events
• Promoting and encouraging good academic standing as defined by the NCC Student Handbook
• Promoting high standards for personal conduct
• Encouraging students to sit on college committees
• Promoting diversity within the Student Senate
• Maintaining mutual understanding among the administration, faculty, and student body
• Signing and maintaining the NCC Student Senate Constitution and making recommendations for
amendments when necessary
*Final decisions regarding Student Senate actions and recommendations are done in
collaboration with the Vice President of Student Services, the President and/or designee.
Definition/ List of Roles
Student Senate Executive Officers include one President, one Vice President, one Secretary, and one
Treasurer. Other roles include Club Representatives, Members at large, and Student Senate Advisor(s).
Updated September 2010
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BYLAWS
ARTICLE I: Rules and Responsibilities
A. Rules for Executive Officer Elections
Section 1- Election for executive council members will be conducted by the NCC Student Senate.
Section 2- The Student Senate President may not hold the office of President or Vice President of another NCC
Club or Organization.
Section 3- In order to be eligible for nomination to an Executive Office, a student needs to be
matriculated with a minimum CGPA of 2.5. All Student Senate officers must be enrolled in a minimum
of six credits. If it is a student’s first semester at NCC, midterm grades may be used. For Secretary and
Treasurer offices nominated in the fall, eligibility can be at the discretion of the standing President and
Vice President, Advisor and Vice President of Student Services based on High School or previous
college grades.
Section 4- These candidates will be allowed to campaign for a period no longer than two weeks. Each
candidate for the office of president will be expected to individually address his/her peers at an arranged
meeting. The candidate will address the Student Senate with a short statement indicating his/her
qualifications and proposed plans for office responsibilities.
a) The President and Vice President will be nominated at the 2nd to last NCC Student Senate
meeting of the academic year and the election will take place at the last NCC Student Senate
meeting.
b) The Secretary and Treasurer will be nominated at the first NCC Student Senate Meeting of
the Fall Semester and elected at the second NCC Student Senate meeting. If a candidate runs
with no opposition, he or she may be elected immediately.
Section 5- In event that no executive council members are elected during any school year, the duties and
responsibilities of the class officers will revert to the Senate and be discharged by them.
Section 6- Elections for executive council officers will be conducted by the NCC Student Senate and
will be conducted by ballot.
Section 7- Executive Council officers may be nominated by any senate member (club representative,
member-at large or officer), including self nominations. Nominations need to be seconded by another
senate member as defined above or officer, and then the candidate either accepts or declines the
nomination.
Section 8-After the nominations for officers are closed, and campaigning has taken place, the senate
members are given a blank ballot by the Senate Advisor(s). The member then writes on the ballot the
name of the person they wish to see elected for that office. The advisor(s) then collect and count the
ballots and read the results. The winner will be the nominee who receives the majority of votes for that
office. The minimum number of Senate members is 25, barring extenuating circumstances. A quorum
will be 2/3 of that number.
Updated September 2010
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Rules for Voting
Section 1- Each club representative or member at large who has attended a minimum of two prior
meetings will be allowed to cast one vote for his/her preferred candidate or motion. The exception being
the first two meetings of each academic year, as voting members will not have had a chance to attend
two meetings by the time voting takes place.
Section 2- A single person cannot vote twice in representing two different clubs (for example, paralegal
and PTK).
Section 3- A club member not attending the voting will forfeit his/her vote.
Section 4- If there is a tie vote or no majority vote, the members will vote once more and if no vote is
reached then the President will break the tie vote, with the exception if the current president is a
candidate then the vice president will decide which nominee will fill the position.
Section 5- Electronic voting will take place when a vote is needed that cannot wait for the next Student
Senate meeting or for an extended time to complete research on a given motion. The deadline for the
vote will be stated when the vote is issued. The given expectation is that each student checks his/her
college email once each day. If a club representative or Member at Large misses the vote then his or her
vote is forfeited.
Section 6- Business will be not conducted without a quorum. A quorum shall consist of one-third of the
voting members. The minimum number of Senate members is 25, barring extenuating circumstances. A
quorum will be 2/3 of that number.
Section 7- Once officers are elected, they each take the “Executive Officer Oath” notated below:
B. Executive Officer Oath
“I do herby solemnly swear that I shall faithfully execute the duties of the office of the student body
(president/vice president/secretary/treasurer) of the Student Senate. I shall, to the best of my ability,
preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the Student Senate of Nashua Community College, and
the regulations which may be made in pursuance thereof.”
C. Duties of Executive Officers
Section 1
The duties of the President shall be:
• Preside at the budget meeting
• Preside at the Student Senate meetings
• Appoint and discharge committees
• Call special meetings
• Cast the deciding vote in case of a tie
• Conduct meetings according to Robert’s Rules for Parliamentary Procedure.
• Set agenda items for each Senate meeting
• Communicate with other council members and advisors
• Be familiar with all of the aspects of the Student Senate Constitution and bylaws
• Sit on judicial committees when required
Updated September 2010
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Section 2The duties of the Vice President shall be:
• Preside at the budget meeting with the President
• Be ready to assume all the Senate President’s responsibilities at any time
• Preside when President must step down for any reason including to debate an issue, and when
motions are being made that concern only the President.
• Ensure the President adheres to parliamentary procedure.
• In the event that the Secretary can no longer fulfill his/her duties, the Vice President shall fill the
role in conjunction with the Student Senate Advisor, until the nomination and election process
can take place.
• In the event that the Treasurer can no longer fulfill his/her duties, the Vice President shall fill the
role until the nomination and election process can take place.
Section 3The duties of the Secretary shall be:
• Maintain accurate minutes of meetings and Senate records in conjunction with the Student
Senate Advisor.
• Submit Student Senate meeting minutes prior to the next Student Senate meeting.
• The Secretary is responsible for all written Senate Correspondence including the following:
meeting minutes, memos to faculty, students and staff, meeting agendas, published meeting
schedules, and all other necessary operational paperwork.
• In the event that the Vice President can no longer fulfill his/her duties, the Secretary shall fill the
role until the nomination and election process can take place.
• The Student Senate Advisor can assist the Secretary as needed with duties mentioned above.
Section 4The duties of the Treasurer shall be:
• Maintain financial records in accordance with Nashua Community College.
• Present a financial report at each meeting.
• Act as the Chair of the finance committee.
• Be responsible for managing the Student Senate Budget along with the Finance Committee.
• Work closely with the Business Office
• Conduct monthly consultation with business office.
• Signing and accounting of all expenditures, transfers, and check requests in coordination with the
Student Senate Advisor and the business office.
D. Duties of Student Senate Advisor
The Student Senate Advisor(s) job is to advise and collaborate with the Student Senate Executive
Council and to ensure they abide by the guidelines put forth in the Student Senate Constitution.
The Student Senate Advisor(s) will follow the guidelines of a club advisor as outlined in the
NCC club advisor handbook.
Updated September 2010
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E. Rules for Executive Officers
Section 1- All members of the Student Senate Executive Officers must remain matriculated and in good
academic with a minimum CGPA of 2.5.
Section 2- All members of the Student Senate must remain in good financial standing with NCC.
Section 3- All Senate Executive Officers MUST be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits, or maintain ½
time enrollment status.
Section 4- Student Senate Officers are expected to attend all Student Senate meetings and all Executive
Council Meetings. Regular Student Senate meetings are held every-other week and the officers’
meetings are held on the alternate weeks. If for any reason an executive officer cannot meet this
requirement, see Procedure for Removal from Office.
Section 5- All Executive Officers must abide by the Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the NCC
Student Handbook.
F. Procedure for Removal of Executive Officers
Section 1-An officer may be impeached by a three-forth vote of the entire NCC Student Senate after
s/he has been given a hearing on the charges.
Section 2- Any officer missing 3 or more total of any Senate or Executive Council meetings within one
semester, will receive a written warning issue by the Student Senate Advisor.
Section 3- Any officer missing a fourth meeting will go before the Student Senate to defend the
continuation of his/her office. If this executive officer is unable to successfully defend his/her position
based on a NCC Student Senate majority vote, then he/she will be terminated immediately.
Section 4- Any officer missing a fifth meeting will have his/her position terminated immediately, and
elections will be held for the office.
Section 5- The officer may appeal the NCC Student Senate’s decision by appearing before the
Executive Committee first, and then the NCC Student Senate.
Section 6- Other reasons for removal include, no longer being a matriculated student and not pursuing a
minimum of six credits. An executive officer’s position can also be terminated at any time if the other
three executive officers, the Student Senate Advisor(s), and the Vice President of Student Services vote
to terminate the officer for misconduct.
Section 7- If an officer is recommended for removal due to his/her CGPA falling below a 2.5, the
officer’s Academic Advisor may write a letter of support stating the officer’s ability to maintain his/her
office as well as improve his/her academic standing.
Updated September 2010
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G. Budget Meeting
Section 1- The Budget meeting will be conducted by NCC Student Senate each spring before final exam
week.
Section 2- Any club requesting a budget for the following academic year must submit a budget request
form to the Student Senate Advisor by the date indicated on the form.
Section 3- Each club must have a representative present at the budget meeting that may be a club
advisor or preferably a student. The Budget Meeting is the ONLY meeting where the advisor may
represent the club.
Section 4- Any club that does not have a representative attend the budget meeting will forfeit its budget.
Section 5- Club budgets levels:
• Level I- (newly established or reactivated club) can apply for up to $1500 annually or $750 per
semester.
• Level II- (club that has been active up to two years) can apply for up to $2500 annually or $1250
per semester.
• Level III- (club that has been active three or more years) can apply for up to $3500 annually or
$1750 per semester.
Section 6- The NCC Student Senate will match fundraised money or donations up to the amount of
$5000 in the same academic year per each club. Further matching will be at the discretion of the
Executive Council Members and the availability of NCC Student Senate funds. Funds donated between
or among clubs are considered transfers and are therefore excluded from senate matching. All grants,
individual or by club, are excluded from Senate matching.
Section 7- The Club Treasurer is the ONLY member of each club that can sign check requests and other
financial paperwork. The Student Senate advisor(s) must be consulted in advance in the case of a
prolonged absence of any given club’s treasurer for alternate signature approval. Otherwise paperwork
will not be processed.
Section 8- All signed financial documents must be signed in ink. No photocopies are allowed to be
submitted for reimbursement or check.
Amendment New Budget Guidelines for 2010-2011
Change in Matching Guidelines
Senate will match 50% of fundraising or donations
The maximum match for any club on any given year is up to $5000 pending available funding.
Approved by majority vote April 5, 2010
Updated September 2010
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ARTICLE II: NCC Student Senate Membership and Attendance
A. Members
Section 1- There shall be one Club Representative and one alternate elected for every club in the school,
and for any organization whose budget is funded by NCC Student Senate, unless otherwise determined.
Section 2- Other members of the NCC Student Senate will be named as Members at Large. These are
members not affiliated with a club but are active within the NCC Student Senate.
B. Attendance
All clubs or organizations receiving NCC Student Senate funds must send a Club Representative or
alternate to Senate meetings. If a Club Representative or alternate misses 3 meetings, 20% of the
semester’s funds will be deducted from that club’s approved budget. If 4 meetings are missed 30% is
deducted, and if 5 meetings are missed the remaining club budget for that semester will be revoked. If
the current semester’s funds have already been used, the money will be taken from the following
semester’s funds.
Amendment
Service Requirement and Funding
All NCC Clubs funded by Student Senate are required to participate in a service project
approved by the NCC Service Learning Office. If a club has not planned, scheduled or
participated in an approved service project by the end of the first semester, the following
semester’s budget will be held until such a time when the service project has been approved.
Approved by majority vote April 5, 2010
ARTICLE III: Subcommittees
A. The Service Committee is chaired by the President. This committee will assist in establishing
service projects for NCC Student Senate members to participate in each semester.
B. The Nominating Committee is headed by the Vice President. This committee will assist in the
event that additional nominations are called for by the current Executive Council and Student
Senate Advisor(s).
C. The Finance Committee is chaired by the Treasurer. This committee will consist of 5 Members
at Large or matriculated students that are not Club Representatives, and they will be elected by
the NCC Student Senate within the first three student senate meetings. The chair may not vote
and must follow Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Procedure. One member of this committee
must be present at each NCC Student Senate meeting.
D. The Ad-hoc Committee is headed by the Secretary. Suggestions include Activities, Publicity,
and any other committee relevant to student concerns.
E. Additional committees may be formed by the Executive Council.
Updated September 2010
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Current NCC Clubs:
Autocross
Aviation Club
Campus Crusade for Christ
Early Childhood Club
History Club
Human Services Club
Machine Tool Club
MAGNA Club
Massage Therapy Club
Nightingale Society
Paralegal Club
Psychology Club
Student Peace Alliance
Teacher Education Club
Current NCC Organizations
IEEE
Phi Theta Kappa
Rotaract
Current Standing Activities
Alternative Spring Break
Black History Month Celebration
Bi-annual Deep Sea Fishing Trip
Windows Literary Magazine and annual Coffeehouse
Updated September 2010
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ARTICLE IV: Guidelines for Clubs, Activities, Athletics, and Organizations*
A. Starting a Club: To start a club, obtain a NCC Club Packet from a Student
Senate Advisor.
B. Participating in a Club or Organization: To participate in a club or
organization that is funded by student fees, students must be in and maintain good
financial standing with the college.
C. Active Status: The minimum requirements for maintaining active status are:
monthly meetings, maintaining a minimum of eight members, attend senate
meetings (see attendance guidelines), maintain a college employee as an advisor,
and participate in service projects as defined by that club’s constitution.
D. Check Requests: Club check requests must always be signed by the Club’s
Treasurer or a designee by the Executive Board. The check requests must always
be signed by only that individual.
E. Inactive Status: A club that is on Inactive status is a previously established club
that is no longer actively participating in the minimum club requirements as set
forth by Student Senate. There are two ways in which a club can be considered
inactive status:
• Voluntarily requesting inactive status
• Involuntary as a result of infractions in attendance, policy, violations of the
student code of conduct, or not maintaining minimum requirements for active
status. Any remaining club budget will be returned to the Student Senate Fund
once a club is put on “Inactive Status”.
Amendment
Formation of New Clubs
In the Spring semester of any given academic year, the deadline for formation of
a brand new NCC club will be the second Student Senate meeting of that
semester.
Approved by majority vote April 5, 2010
*Clubs that are not funded by Student Senate do not need to follow these guidelines.
ARTICLE V: Ratification and Amendments to the Constitution
A. Ratification: This constitution shall take effect upon ratification by the Student
Senate. Ratification shall consist of at least a two-thirds vote of the voting
Student Senate.
B. Amendments: Amendments to this constitution must receive a two-thirds vote of
the Student Senate quorum and approval of the Vice President of Student
Services.
Updated September 2010
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Student Judicial Procedure as Approved by the Attorney General
Judicial philosophy and Administration of Student Discipline
Article 1: Philosophy of Discipline
Student discipline shall be educational in emphasis. It should be used in the achievement of selfdiscipline and self-direction of the student. It should also give evidence of our confidence in the
individual to fulfill this expectation and to progress with a greater understanding of their optimum
development. Educational discipline is an effective remedial punishment which may be an aspect
of the student’s development and should increase the individual’s sensitivity to the kinds of
values which will help them to face and deal with the consequences of their actions. It will also
enable them to learn, from their experiences, how to foresee consequences of future behavior and
how to avoid acts which would violate ethical and moral standards.
In the administration of discipline, however, it is imperative that a proper balance exist between a
concern for the individual involved in an infraction with equal concern for the group. In doing
so, one recognizes the fact that the good of the group necessarily takes precedence.
Discipline, if it is to be educative, depends upon the involvement of the entire campus. As such,
it is properly the concern of the student body, the faculty, the staff, and the administration, all of
whom contribute to and share responsibility for the climate of the opinion and conduct on the
campus.
The College/Institute Judicial Process is concerned only with those matters which affect the
education function of the College/Institute as an educational institution. Violations which violate
civil law will be referred to Civil Authorities.
Example: Possession of drugs violation will be reported directly to the Civil Authorities and not
referred to the Judicial Committee. A student under the influence of drugs would be referred to
Civil Authorities, if the influence of drugs has caused the individual to become noisy and cause a
disturbance to other students and/or staff, and to become a direct interference to our Educational
Process the student would also be referred to the Judicial Committee.
This is not to be construed as a change in attitude regarding drugs or any violation of civil law.
All violated of civil law or College/Institute Policy (including State and State Board Policies) are
to be reported for proper action. Civil violations are to be reported to appropriate Civil
Authorities and all other violation to the College/Institute Judicial Committee.
The Judicial Committee will function on two levels: as a Judicial Body and an appellate board.
The Judicial Committee is comprised as follows: Student Judicial Members 1-4 and Student
Alternates 1-4.
These Representatives will be nominated from the Student Senate Membership. All Senators,
Alternates, and Members-At-Large are eligible.
Updated September 2010
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This constitution was created by:
____________________________
Stacey Charron- Senate President
_____________________________
Vincent Anzalone- Senate Vice President
____________________________
Bonnie Foulkes- Senate Secretary
______________________________
Ryan Quirion- Senate Treasurer
_______________________________
Amy Vazifdar- Student Senate Advisor
_____________________________________
Shirley Silva-Paige- Director of Service Learning & Career Placement
Student Senate Advisor
Approved By:
__________________________________________
Patricia Goodman, Vice President of Student Services
_____________________________________
Lucille Jordan, College President
Signed this ____ day of _____________ of the year _______.
The elected Executive Council for the school year 2010-2011 is as stated below.
President: Casey Dean
Vice President: Dave Davis
Secretary ___TBD___________
Treasurer _________TBD_________
Student Senate Advisor(s)___________________________________
___________________________________
The selected ad-hoc committee for this school year is: __________________________
Updated September 2010