Bylaws

Bylaws

SGA Bylaws

 

ARTICLE I: ATTENDANCE

 

Section 1.1: All Senate meetings shall be open to all members of the University community.

Section 1.2: Attendance at all Senate meetings is mandatory.

Section 1.3: Attendance at all Standing Committees is mandatory. Unexcused absences from Standing Committees are equivalent to that of a Senate Meeting. The Vice Presidents will be responsible for setting a meeting time by the Summer Conference for their Standing Committees.

Section 1.4: Failure to answer both the first and/or last roll call shall constitute a tardy.

Section 1.5: Two tardies will equal one absent.

Section 1.6: A voting member of the Senate is automatically suspended (probation) from office by failing to attend two unexcused Senate meetings. 
    A. The officer in question must submit a written appeal to the President of the Senate at least five days before the next scheduled Senate meeting. The President of the Senate must make the written appeal available to the Senate at least seventy two (72) hours before the next Senate meeting. The Senate will hear the appeal at the Senate meeting and make the final decision on the status of the officer in question. 
    B. Any officer who is suspended must attend all meetings remaining in the term. An unexcused absence from any meeting will result in immediate dismissal and the vacant seat will be filled.
    C. The Executive Board and the Chief Justice of the Student Judicial Board in consultation with the SGA Advisor responsible for setting criteria for excused and unexcused absence every year and presenting those criteria to the Senate, SJB, and SGA Advisor at the Summer Conference.
        1. The criteria must accommodate for extenuating circumstances as it is impossible to encompass all potential causes for abscenses.
        2. Any circumstance that does not meet criteria set forth, yet is deemed an unexcused absence must be approved by the Executive Board by a Simple Majority vote.
D. Any Senator dismissed has the right to appeal the dismissal to the Executive Board at the next scheduled Executive Board Meeting. The Senator must provide , in writing, notice of intent to appeal the decision within seventy two (72) hours of the missed Senate meeting.

Section 1.7: If a voting member of the Senate fails to attend a meeting he/she automatically forfeits his/her voting rights on legislation introduced during his/her absence. If such legislation is tabled, he/she will still be unable to vote on that proposed legislation.

Section 1.8 A special meeting of the Senate can be called by either the President of the Senate or by a petition signed by 50% of the Senate. The Senate must be given 72 hours electronic notice of said meeting.

Section 1.9 An absentee vote can be cast by a senate member, if it is an excused absence and their vote on a particular legislation is accompanied by a signed statement from the senate member in question.

Section 1.10 SGA Officers shall attend SGA-sanctioned events when practical.

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ARTICLE II: ELECTIONS CODE

 

Section 2.1: Authority

  • A. An Elections committee shall be formed as stated in the Constitution and will be in charge of all election proceedings including establishing campaign guidelines for candidates and shall be responsible for resolving any conflict that might arise.
  • B. The SGA Elections Committee shall set the election dates and deadlines and the committee will also be responsible for addressing all complaints in campaigning and/or election results.
  • C. The SGA Advisor shall serve as the advisor to the Elections Committee.

Section 2.2: Specific Responsibilities

  • A. Develop a timeline for elections.
  • B. Compose an application for interested candidates.
  • C. Develop an elections budget.
  • D. Making all room reservations for elections events.
  • E. Develop campaign rules and guidelines and agreements.
  • F. Plan and facilitate inauguration of elected officers.
  • G. Publicize elections.
  • H. Work in conjunctions with Advisors to establish WebCT ballot.
  • I. Work to maintain fair and impartial elections.
  • J. Plan a candidate debate.
  • K. Develop a “get out and vote” campaign.
  • L. Revise SGA Code of Ethics.
  • M. Suggests modifications to the SGA bylaws pertaining to the elections committee.
  • N. Work in conjunction with the executive committee (VP of Public Relation and VP of Finance).
  • O. Maintain and organized binder of elections.
    • 1. Publicity
    • 2. Timeline
    • 3. Correspondence
    • 4. Contacts
    • 5. Improvements for next year
    • 6. Proposed elections time line for next year.
  • P. Seek advice from advisors in all aspects of elections—spending money, WebCT, use of media, buying food, grade checks, judicial checks, etc.
  • Q. Maintain confidentiality pertaining to all elections meetings and other privileged information
  • R. Meet weekly with the SGA Advisors, Elections Chair, and Elections Committee.
  • S. Maintain accurate records of all candidates.
    • 1. Application
    • 2. Agreements
    • 3. Correspondence
  • T. Other duties as assigned by the SGA Advisors.

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ARTICLE III: ELIGIBILITY FOR OFFICE
  • Section 3.1: Candidates must have served an elected office of Georgia State University’s SGA to be eligible for the President/ Executive Vice President positions. If individuals within the Student Government Association meet the criteria set forth in Section 2.1 Article I and Article V of the Constitution and Bylaws of Georgia State University’s SGA, then 1 Subsection A and B will not be necessary to qualify candidates without prior experience in the GSU SGA.
  •     A. If there are no officers currently serving in the SGA willing to seek the office of the Presidency/Executive Vice Presidency or if a potential candidate without experience expresses interest, then the Election Commission has the authority to qualify candidates for the President/Executive Vice President positions under the following circumstances:
  •         1. The potential candidate provides a written recommendation from a University Official at their previous institution that directly attests to their leadership in a comparable SGA in a College or University.
  •         2. If a potential candidates has served as a volunteer within the SGA and can present a letter from the SGA Advisor to the Election Commission, then the Election Commission has the sole authority to qualify potential candidates.
  • Section 3.2: Graduate and Professional Students. 
        A. Must be in good academic standing for their specific program.
        B. Must have been enrolled as at least a half time student.
  • Section 3.3: Any officer suspended and subsequently removed from office will be ineligible for the next election cycle.

 

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