St.
Olaf College
Student
Government Association
As
revised May 2004
We,
the elected student representatives of St. Olaf College, in order to foster a
spirit of unity among all members of the St. Olaf Community, provide
opportunities for the expression of student rights, responsibilities, and
opinions, and assume such powers and perform such duties as may further the
educational goals and general welfare of the student community, do hereby
establish this St. Olaf College Student Government Association Constitution.
Section 1. The
Student Government Association
shall
respect the college’s mission
policies
and actions, yet do all in its
power to uphold and project the following rights and freedoms of the St. Olaf College student community:
A.
The
right and freedom to participate in the government of the college.
B.
The
right and freedom to participate in the formulation of policy affecting the
education and welfare of the college community.
C.
The
right and freedom to information concerning regulations.
D.
The
right and freedom to have student records kept confidential and their contents
accessible to the student.
E.
The
right and freedom to be eligible to vote in any election or referendum
conducted in accordance with this constitution.
F.
The
right and freedom to form organizations and associations.
G.
The
right and freedom to access to higher education.
H.
The
right and freedom of expression and inquiry in the campus community.
I.
The
right and freedom to establish and issue publications free of censorship.
J.
The
right and freedom to be protected from unwarranted search.
K.
The
right and freedom to participate fully in the student community without subject
to discrimination or bias.
Section 2. The
Student Government Association
shall
be the primary vehicle for the
expression
of the interests and
concerns
of the St. Olaf student
community
and shall serve as the
main
liaison between the student
community
and the faculty, staff
and
administration.
Section 3. The
student government association
shall
enact all measures necessary and
proper
to achieve the purposes and
responsibilities
of the St. Olaf Student
Senate
Student Government
Association
as stated herein.
Section 4. The
Student Government Association
shall
be a means by which student
participants
in student and faculty
governance
organizations may
organize
and coordinate their efforts.
Section 5. The
Student Government Association
shall
be responsible for the
formulation
and maintenance of
relations
with student governments
from
other colleges an universities.
Section 6: The
Student Senate will be the final
arbiter,
by majority vote, in any
constitutional
or jurisdictional
disputes
arising from this constitution
or
bylaws enacted pursuant to it.
Participation
in the Student Government Association is open to the student community. Voting status in the Student Senate is
granted only to the following officers and senators elected according to the
bylaws of this constitution.
held
in the spring preceding the school
year
in which they will serve.
A.
Student
Government Association President
B.
Student
Government Association Vice President
C.
Board
of Regents Observer
D.
Student
Activities Coordinator
E.
Political
Awareness Coordinator
F.
Lion’s
Pause Coordinator(s)
G.
Student
Organizations Coordinator
H.
Volunteer
Network Coordinator
I.
Alumni
Relations Coordinator
J.
Diversity
Celebrations Coordinator
K.
Intercampus
Liaison
L.
Senate
representatives to the following faculty committees:
1.
Admissions,
Retention and Financial Aid
2.
Athletic
Board
3.
Curriculum
and Education Policies
4.
General
Education
5.
Media
Board
6.
Review
and Planning
7.
International,
Domestic, and Off-Campus Studies
Section 2. The
remaining elected Student Senate
membership
will be determined by an
election
in the fall of the school year.
These
remaining representatives will
be
elected by their individual
constituencies.
A.
Off-Campus
Senator
B.
Honor
House Senator
C.
Residence
Hall Senators
D.
International
Student Senator
E.
Multicultural
Student Senator
Section 3: The
following positions are nonvoting
membership.
A.
Student
Government Association Executive Assistant
B.
Student
Government Association Public Relations Director(s)
C.
Student
Government Association Financial Officer
D.
Inter-hall
Council Chair
E.
Director
Student Activities
F.
Dean
of Students Office representative
All Student Senate meetings are open to the student
community. The SGA Vice President shall
call the initial meeting of the Student Senate at the beginning of the academic
year. The schedule of regular meetings
shall then be determined by the SGA Vice President. The meetings shall be no less frequent than twice monthly. By a petition of five senators or ten
percent of the student populations, a special meeting must be called
immediately by the SGA President.
Article V – Amendments to
the Constitution
Section 1. Amendments to this constitution may
be
proposed by:
A.
A
petition presented to the Student Senate bearing the valid signatures of at
least ten percent of the student community.
B.
The
Student Senate, whenever two-thirds of the Student Senate deem it advisable.
Section 2. After
initiation, proposed amendments
shall
be submitted to the student
community
by the Student Senate at
least
two weeks in advance of the
voting
on such amendments.
Section 3. Amendments shall become effective
when
approved by two thirds of the
St.
Olaf College student community
voting
in the election.
Section 2. The
Student Senate shall have the
power
to amend such bylaws by a
two-thirds
vote of the Student Senate.
Article VII – Evaluation of
the Constitution