Constitution
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THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SELF-GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL OF BRYN MAWR COLLEGE
(As of Plenary 2006)
ARTICLE I: THE ASSOCIATION
Section I: Composition and Purposeasdf
Subsection A: The name of this association shall be the Self-Government Association of the Undergraduate School of Bryn Mawr College, hereafter known as SGA. The purpose of this Association shall be the government of the undergraduate student body.
Subsection B: The President and the Dean of the College shall entrust to the SGA Assembly through its Honor Code the exclusive management of all matters concerning the conduct of students in their college life which do not fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the authorities of the College, the Faculty, the Area Directors, or the Hall Advisers of the halls of residence.
Subsection C: Any candidate for a Bryn Mawr A.B. degree and any undergraduate who resides on the Bryn Mawr campus shall be a member of the Association. Members of the Association shall have voting rights in campus wide elections, dorm elections and at Plenary. In order to be voting members of the Association, all candidates for a Bryn Mawr A.B. degree shall pay tuition or the appropriate percentage determined by financial aid.
Subsection D: Upon the recommendation of two current members of SGA and approval of the Assembly, honorary life membership may be conferred upon any past member of SGA who has rendered notable service to Bryn Mawr College. Honorary members shall have none of the obligations but all of the privileges of membership in SGA except those of making motions, voting, and holding office.
Section II: Authority
Subsection A: All Association Members have the right and responsibility to vote in all general and dorm elections as outlined in Article VIII and Article VII, Section I.
Subsection B: All Association Members have the right and responsibility to attend Plenary.
Subsection C: Plenary shall be held twice during each academic year (once each semester) in accordance with Article VI, Section X. Plenary quorum shall be one-third of the undergraduate student body. At Plenary, a simple majority of those present is required to pass all proposals, amendments to the Constitution, and resolutions.
Subsection D: All Association members have the right to submit resolutions for Plenary.
Subsection E: Plenary Resolutions may include, but are not limited to, efforts to amend the Constitution, make recommendations to the Administration, ratify school policy, override decisions made in Representative Council and create or amend campus-wide policies in accordance with Article I, Section I, Subsection B.
Subsection F: In addition to Plenary, any proposed Amendment to the Constitution may be referred to the Association for a campus-wide vote. Each member of the Association shall be informed two times of the proposed Amendment. Proposed Amendments to the Constitution shall be adopted upon a two-thirds vote within two weeks of the first publication of said Amendment(s), provided a minimum of two-thirds of the Association votes.
ARTICLE II THE ASSEMBLY
Section I: Composition and Purpose
Subsection A: The Association shall entrust its governance to the elected members of Assembly, which shall consist of the Executive Board, the Representative Council, and the Honor Board. The Assembly shall represent the interest of the Association to the College.
Subsection B: The Executive Board shall consist of:
President of SGA
Vice-President of SGA
Treasurer of SGA
Secretary/Parliamentarian of SGA
Head of the Honor Board
Subsection C: The Representative Council shall consist of:
• No more than six Members-At-Large
• Up to two Dorm Presidents from each Residence Hall
• Haverford College Representative
• Off-campus Representative
• McBride Representative
• Class Presidents
• Head of the Elections Board
• Head of Residence Council
• Head of Curriculum Committee
• Traditions Mistress(es)
• Representative to the Board of Trustees
• Representative to the Faculty
• Head of Social Committee
• Head of Committee on Public Safety
• Athletic Association Representative
• Office of Intercultural Affairs Representative
• Civic Engagement Representative
Subsection D: The above officers shall be elected as specified in the Elections Bylaws and shall assume office immediately for a term of one year and/or until her successor takes office. She shall be a candidate for a Bryn Mawr A.B. degree.
Subsection E: Each assembly member is expected to attend their respective meetings.
Subsection F: No person shall concurrently hold more than one SGA office specified in Article II of this Constitution and Bylaws except as provided for in Article VIII Section V, Subsections D and E.
Section II: Authority
Subsection A: Constitutional Authority
The authority of the Constitution and Bylaws shall bind all matters connected with the Assembly. All matters not prescribed by the articles of this Constitution shall be subject to parliamentary authority, unless such authority is inconsistent with this Constitution.
Subsection B: Parliamentary Authority
The Assembly may adopt as its Parliamentary Authority the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
ARTICLE III THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section I: Composition and Purpose
Subsection A: The Executive Board shall meet regularly to discuss concerns, share information, and review progress of the Assembly. Each member of the Executive Board shall attend meetings of the Representative Council.
Subsection B: The President of SGA
1) The office of the President may be held by only one person at any one time.
2) The President may call and preside at meetings of the Association and the Assembly.
3) The President shall preside over meetings of the Executive Board and the Representative Council.
4) The President shall act as a liaison between Faculty and Administration and Students, and shall represent the undergraduate body whenever called upon to do so.
5) The President shall represent the Association at the Board of Trustees meetings.
Subsection C: The Vice-President of SGA
1) The office of the Vice-President may be held by only one person at any one time.
2) The Vice-President shall chair the Appointments Committee and shall be responsible for that committee’s agenda.
3) Upon the request of the President, the Vice-President shall assist the President in any and all of her duties.
4) The Vice-President shall be a member of the Executive Board.
5) The Vice-President shall assume the role of the President in the event that the President is unable to perform her duties. If the President resigns or is impeached, the Vice-President shall assume the role of the President for the duration of the former President’s term of office.
6) In the event that the Vice-President assumes the role of President, a new Vice-President shall be elected from among the members of the Representative Council by the Representative Council.
Subsection D: The Treasurer of SGA
1) The Office of Treasurer may be held by only one person at any one time.
2) The Treasurer shall administer the funds of the Association and shall serve as its adviser in financial matters.
3) The Treasurer shall oversee the collection of SGA Common Treasury Dues.
4) The Treasurer shall call and preside over meetings of the Student Finance Committee, and shall represent them when called to do so.
5) The Treasurer shall be a member of the Executive Board.
6) The Treasurer shall oversee any concession managed by SGA.
7) The Treasurer shall resume the responsibility of insuring that SGA funded events are free to Association members.
8) The Treasurer shall have the right to inspect the books of every club or committee, which is receiving SGA Common Treasury Funds, and may audit the books at the close of every year.
9) The Treasurer may call a meeting of the financial officers of any and all campus organizations.
10) The Treasurer may, at her discretion, appoint one or more assistants.
11) The Treasurer shall have the authority to make any necessary expenditures over the summer vacation in consultation with the SGA President and another member of the Executive Board. All expenditures shall be reported at the first Representative Council meeting in September.
Subsection E: The Secretary/Parliamentarian
1) The Office of Secretary may be held by only one person at any one time.
2) The Secretary shall be responsible for the following: giving notice of all the Association and open Assembly meetings, keeping minutes and attendance, keeping the necessary records of the Representative Council, correspondence as directed by the President, and keeping a current list of Assembly members.
3) The Secretary shall set the Agenda of the Representative Council meeting and distribute Representative Council minutes.
4) The Secretary shall uphold the Attendance Policy.
5) The Secretary shall be a member of the Executive Board.
6) The Secretary may, at her discretion, appoint an assistant.
7) The Secretary shall be an expert on the Constitution and meeting procedures.
Subsection F: The Head of the Honor Board
1) The Office of the Head of the Honor Board may be held by only one person at any one time.
2) The Head of the Honor Board shall call and preside at meetings of the Social and Academic Honor Boards.
3) The Head of the Honor Board shall direct the consideration of cases arising from the possible violation of the Honor Code.
4) The Head of the Honor Board shall upon invitation attend Residence Council meetings to discuss Social Honor Code concerns.
5) The Head of the Honor Board shall administer an arbitrary selection of the four rotating members of the Social Honor Board.
6) The Head of the Honor Board shall have the responsibility to make known to the Association the procedures and decisions of the Honor Board, as well as the Academic and Social Resolutions, in the form of anonymous synopses. These synopses shall be written shortly after resolution is reached and shall be released no less than one semester and no more than two years following the hearing.
7) The Head of the Honor Board is a member of the Executive Board.
8) The Head of the Honor Board may request that the President of SGA call a meeting of the Representative Council.
9) No member of the Honor Board other than the Head of the Honor Board shall serve on the Executive Board
Section II: Authority
Presidential Authority
The President shall have the authority to interpret the Constitution when necessary in consultation with the Head of the Honor Board and another member of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE IV THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL
Section I: Composition and Purpose
Subsection A: The Representative Council shall act as the Voting Body of the Assembly and the Association.
Subsection B: Dorm President(s)
1) The office of the Dorm President(s) shall be held by up to two persons at one time.
2) The Dorm President(s)’ primary function is to vote in the Representative Council and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
3) Dorm President(s) shall attend and participate in the Representative Council meetings.
4) Dorm President(s) shall give a report to their residence hall twice a semester at Dorm Meetings.
5) Dorm President(s) may serve on committees formed by the Representative Council.
6) Dorm President(s) shall be a voting member of the Assembly.
7) Dorm President(s) shall serve on the Alcohol and Party Review Board.
8) Dorm President(s) shall distribute the minutes.
Subsection C: Members-at-Large
1) There shall be no more than six Members-at-Large at any one time.
2) The Members-at-Large primary function is to vote in Representatives Council and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
3) Members-at-Large shall attend and participate in the Representative Council meetings.
4) Members-at-Large may serve on committees formed by Representatives Council.
5) Members-at-Large shall be voting members of the Assembly.
Subsection D: Haverford Representative
1) The Haverford Representative which shall represent the Association Members Residing at Haverford College, maybe held by two people.
2) The Haverford Representative shall be responsible for communication between the Assembly and the Association members residing at Haverford College.
3) The Haverford Representative may call and shall preside over meetings of the Association members residing at Haverford College and must call at least one such meeting each semester of her term.
4) The Haverford Representative shall attend Haverford College Student Council meetings at her discretion and at the request of the Assembly. Occasions on which she attends Student Council meetings instead of Representatives Council shall not be counted as absences from Representatives Council.
5) The Haverford Representative primary function is to vote in Representatives Council and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
6) The Haverford Representative shall attend and participate in Representatives Council meetings.
7) The Haverford Representative may serve on committees formed by Representatives Council.
8) The Haverford Representative shall serve on the Alcohol and Party Review Board.
9) The Haverford Representative shall be a voting member of the Assembly.
Subsection E: Off Campus Representative
1) The office of the Off Campus Representative may be held by two people.
2) The Off Campus Representative shall be responsible for the representation of the non-resident members of the Association at each meeting of the Representatives Council and shall
be responsible for communication between the Assembly and the non-resident members of the Association.
3) The Off Campus Representative may call and preside over meetings of the non-resident members of the Association and must call at least one such meeting each semester of her term.
4) The Off Campus Representative primary function is to vote in Representatives Council and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
5) The Off Campus Representative shall attend and participate in Representatives Council meetings.
6) The Off Campus Representative may serve on committees formed by Representatives Council.
7) The Off Campus Representative shall be a voting member of the Assembly.
Subsection F: McBride Representative
1) The McBride Representative may be held by two people.
2) If there are two people holding office, only one Representative is required to be present at meetings of the Representatives Council.
3) The McBride Representative shall be responsible for the representation of the McBride Scholar Members at each meeting of the Representatives Council and shall be the liaison between the Assembly, the McBride Scholar Members, and the Association.
4) The McBride Representative shall call and preside at all meetings of the McBride Scholar Members and must call at least one such meeting each semester of the academic term.
5) The McBride Representative primary function is to vote in Representatives Council and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
6) The McBride Representative shall attend and participate in Representatives Council meetings.
7) The McBride Representative may serve on committees formed by Representatives Council.
8) The McBride Representative shall be a voting member of the Assembly.
Subsection G: The Class Presidents
1) The office of Class President may be held by two people.
2) Class Presidents shall be in charge of all class functions for their respective classes.
3) Class Presidents shall call and preside over a meeting of their respective classes at least once a semester. They shall report on the sense of the meeting to the Representative Council.
4) The four Class Presidents shall be liaisons between their respective classes and the Assembly and shall be members of the Traditions Committee.
5) The Class Presidents shall be voting members of the Assembly.
6) One of the primary functions of the Class Presidents is to vote in the Representative Council and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
Subsection H: Head of the Elections Board
1) The Head of the Elections Board may be held by two people.
2) The Head of the Elections Board shall administer the Association’s election system, assisted by the members of the Elections Board.
3) The Head of the Elections Board shall convene, preside over and represent the Elections Board.
4) The Head of the Elections Board may, at her discretion, appoint one or more assistants to assist her.
5) The Elections Heads shall be voting members of the Assembly.
6) One of the primary functions of the Head of the Elections Board is to vote in the Representative Council and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
Subsection I: The Head of Residence Council
1) The office of the Head of Residence Council may be held by two people.
2) The Head of Residence Council shall call and preside at all meetings of the Residence Council.
3) The Head of Residence Council shall run Room Draw.
4) The Head of Residence Council shall head Residence Council’s Special Cases Committee.
5) The Head of Residence Council shall be the liaison between the Residence Council and the Assembly.
6) The Head of Residence Council shall serve as the Association’s representative to the Committee on Buildings and Grounds of the Board of Trustees.
7) The Head of Residence Council shall serve as the Association’s Representative to Housing Group.
8) The Head of Residence Council may establish and appoint the members of such committees of Residence Council as she considers necessary and shall be responsible for the functioning of these committees.
9) The Residence Council Head-Elect shall be apprentice to the current head, and shall take office following Room Draw.
10) The Residence Council Head-Elect shall assist the Residence Council Head during Room Draw.
11) The Head of Residence Council shall be a voting member of the Assembly.
12) One of the primary functions of the Head of Residence Council is to vote in the Representative Council and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
Subsection J: The Head of the Student Curriculum Committee
1) The office of the Head of the Student Curriculum Committee may be held by two people.
2) The Head of the Student Curriculum Committee shall call and preside at meetings of the Student Curriculum Committee.
3) The Head of the Student Curriculum Committee shall serve on the Student-Faculty Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.
4) The Head of the Student Curriculum Committee shall be responsible for the recruiting of proctors for self-scheduled final examinations.
5) The Head of the Student Curriculum Committee shall convene the first meeting of the Majors Council.
6) The Head of the Student Curriculum Committee shall be a liaison between the Student-Faculty Curriculum Committee, the Student Curriculum Committee, and the Assembly.
7) The Head of the Student Curriculum Committee may establish and appoint the members of such subcommittees of the Student Curriculum Committee as she considers necessary and shall be responsible for the functioning of these committees.
8) The Head of the Student Curriculum Committee shall be a voting member of the Assembly.
9) One of the primary functions of the Head of the Student Curriculum Committee is to vote in the Representative Council and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
Subsection K: The Traditions Mistress(es)
1) The office of Traditions Mistress(es) may be held by two people.
2) The Traditions Mistress(es) shall organize, execute, and perpetuate all traditions of Bryn Mawr College.
3) The Traditions Mistress shall call and preside at meetings of the Traditions Committee.
4) The Traditions Mistress(es) shall be responsible for the administration of the election of the Freshwoman Class Songs Mistress during Customs Week each year.
5) The Traditions Mistress(es) may petition the Association as defined in Article XI, Section I, if interest has been expressed to discontinue, modify, or create a tradition.
6) The Traditions Mistress-Elect shall serve as an apprentice to the current Head of the Traditions Committee until the Mistress-Elect takes office on the May Day following her election.
7) The Traditions Mistress-Elect shall assist the current Traditions Mistress(es) in the organization and execution of the May Day Celebration.
8) The Tradition Mistress(es) shall be a voting member of the Assembly.
9) One of the primary functions of the Traditions Mistress(es) Representative is to vote in the Representative Council and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
10) In the year after serving as Traditions Mistress(es), the outgoing Traditions Mistress(es) (herein referred to as the Traditions Mom[s]) shall serve as the (Co-)Head(s) of the Hell Week Committee. Their duties will include meeting with the current Traditions Mistress(es) and the Staff Adviser to Traditions to determine the goals of the Hell Week Committee, scheduling meetings, and setting agendas for meetings. The Traditions Mom(s) are not the final arbiters in Hell Week Committee decisions but are rather advisers to the current Traditions Mistress(es) and members of the Committee.
Subsection L: The Representatives to the Board of Trustees
1) Each office of Representative to the Board of Trustees may be held by only one person at any one time.
2) The Representatives shall serve two-year terms. One representative shall be elected each year to provide for a total of two representatives at all times.
3) The Representatives to the Board of Trustees shall be the liaison between the Board of Trustees and its committees, the Association, and the Assembly.
4) The Representatives to the Board of Trustees shall be voting members of the Assembly.
5) One of the primary functions of the Representatives to the Board of Trustees is to vote in the Representative Council and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
Subsection M: The Representative to the Faculty
1) The office of Representative to the Faculty may be held by two people.
2) The Representative to the Faculty shall be responsible for representation of the Association at each meeting of the Faculty.
3) The Representative to the Faculty shall be responsible for communication between the Faculty and its committees and the Assembly.
4) The Representative to faculty shall be a voting member of the Assembly.
5) One of the primary functions of the Representative to the Faculty is to vote in the Representative Council and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
Subsection N: The Head of the Social Committee (SoCo)
1) The Head of the Social Committee may be held by two people
2) The Social Committee shall organize and facilitate campus-wide programming.
3) The two heads shall call and preside over meetings of the committee.
4) The Head of the Social Committee shall act as a liaison between the Assembly and organizations funded by SGA and shall provide information about such organizations to the SGA Association in the form of a booklet to be distributed to all members of the Association.
5) The Head of the Social Committee shall be voting members of the Assembly.
6) The Head of the Social Committee shall serve on the Alcohol and Party Review Board.
7) One of the primary functions of the Head of the Social Committee is to vote in the Representative Council and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
Subsection O: The Head of the Committee on Public Safety (COPS)
1) The office of Head of the Committee on Public Safety may be held by two people.
2) The Head of the Committee on Public Safety shall call and preside at regular meetings of the Committee on Public Safety.
3) The Head of the Committee on Public Safety is responsible for meeting regularly with the Administrative Head of Public Safety.
4) The Head of the Committee on Public Safety shall be the liaison between the Administrative Head of Public Safety, the Committee on Public Safety, and the Assembly.
5) The Head of the Committee on Public Safety shall serve on the Residence Council.
6) The Head of the Committee on Public Safety shall, at her discretion, serve as a liaison between the Assembly and the Department of Transportation.
7) The Head of the Committee on Public Safety (COPS) shall be a voting member of the Assembly.
8) The Head of the Committee on Public Safety shall serve on the Alcohol and Party Review Board.
9) One of the primary functions of the Head of the Committee on Public Safety is to vote in the Representative Council and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
Subsection P: The Athletic Association Representative
1) The Athletic Association Representative shall be held by only one person at any one time.
2) The Athletic Association Representative shall serve as liaison between the Assembly and the Department of Physical Education and the Athletic Association.
3) The Athletic Association Representative shall be a voting member of the Assembly.
4) One of the primary functions of the Athletic Association Representative is to vote in the Representative Council and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
Subsection Q: The Civic Engagement Representative.
1) The Civic Engagement Representative shall be held by only one person at any one time.
2) The Civic Engagement Representative shall attend meetings of the CEO and serve as a liaison between CEO and the Assembly.
3) The Civic Engagement Representative may sit in on SFC budgeting, with the capacity to be involved in the transportation aspect of budgeting for Community Service and Activism groups as an informant, not as a decision-maker. This will allow for a seamless budgeting process for all student activities
4) One of the primary functions of the Civic Engagement Representative is to vote in the Representative Council and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
Subsection R: The Office of Intercultural Affairs Representative.
1) The Office of Intercultural Affairs Representative shall be held by only one person at any one time.
2) The Office of Intercultural Affairs Representative should serve as a liaison between the Office of Intercultural Affairs and the Assembly.
3) One of the primary functions of the Office of Intercultural Affairs Representative is to vote in the Representative Council and to participate in achieving Representative’s Council’s long and short-term goals.
4) In order to accurately represent the Office of Intercultural Affairs, the representative must spend at least one hour every two weeks in conversation with the full time and/or student staff of the Office of Intercultural Affairs.
Section II: Authority
Subsection A: The Representative Council may make recommendations to the Faculty, Administration, and Area Directors on behalf of the Association.
Subsection B: The Representative Council, at their own initiative, may establish short and long term goals for the Association.
Subsection C: The Representatives Council may register a vote of confidence for a committee’s change in Bylaws, a committee’s recommendation to the Administration, or other matters brought to the Representatives Council deemed prudent. The Representatives Council may, by a two thirds vote, change its Bylaws.
Subsection D: The Representative Council shall establish new committees by vote.
Subsection E: A meeting of the entire Association may be called by a vote of the Representative Council.
Subsection F: A meeting of the Representative Council may be called by a vote of the Representative Council, the President of SGA or by petition signed by 10% of the members of the Association.
Section III: Meeting and Voting Procedure
Subsection A: The Representative Council shall hold open meetings once a week to discuss campus concerns. Issues for the meeting may be referred by members of the Association and Representative Council.
Subsection B: All meetings of the Representative Council shall be publicly announced and the agenda posted three days in advance.
Subsection C: Minutes of each Representative Council meeting shall be distributed to the Association each week in accordance with the Bylaws.
Subsection D: At the beginning of each semester, the Representative Council shall vote on an established meeting procedure to be followed for the duration of the term of the Executive Board.
Subsection E: A quorum shall be required for any vote and shall consist of two-thirds of the voting members of the Representatives Council.
Subsection F: All members of the Representatives Council, except the Executive Board, shall have one vote.
Subsection G: The President shall vote in case of a tie.
Subsection H: An absentee vote on a specific previously announced question may be submitted in writing to the Secretary of SGA prior to the meeting at which the vote is to be taken, on the condition that significant changes in the question have not been made. Otherwise, the absentee vote shall not be counted in the final tally. Neither a proxy nor an absentee vote shall be counted as a presence.
Subsection I: All voting shall be by simple majority unless otherwise specified.
Subsection J: A two-thirds vote shall require that two-thirds of those present vote and that two-thirds of those voting agree.
Subsection K: The Representative Council shall approve, by two-thirds vote, any change in Common Treasury Dues.
Subsection L: The Representative Council shall approve, by two-thirds vote, the Bryn Mawr and Bi-College budgets at the beginning of each semester.
Subsection M: A decision by consensus may be requested by two-thirds of all members present.
Subsection N: Voting may be done by hand or written ballot at the discretion of the President.
Subsection O: A roll call vote may be requested by any single identified member of the Assembly and the results shall be placed in the minutes.
Subsection P: The Representative Council may vote on proposals brought before it by any source. The proposals may be referred to the appropriate committee.
Subsection Q: The Voting Options shall be:
In favor of the Motion
Against the Motion
Abstain, which shall be included in the count for quorum but shall count neither for noragainst the Motion.
Subsection R: No Vote
As a member of the Association one has the right not to vote, which shall count against quorum.
ARTICLE V THE HONOR BOARD
Section I: Composition and Purpose
Subsection A: The Student members of the Academic Honor Board shall consist of eight undergraduates elected by the entire Association each year in February. As specified below in Article X one shall serve as Head for a one-year term, one freshwoman will be elected to a two-year position, one freshwoman will be elected to a one-year position, one sophomore will be elected to a two-year position, and two juniors will be elected to one-year positions. In the normal course of events, six positions will be open each year. All elected student representatives to the Honor Board take office immediately after the election. The members of the existing board shall serve until a quorum of the succeeding board is elected. That quorum, for both academic and social hearings, is defined as five of the eight permanent student members. Each permanent member must be a candidate for the Bryn Mawr A.B. degree.
Subsection B: The Faculty members of the Academic Honor Board shall be the Dean of the Undergraduate College and three members of the Faculty chosen by the Faculty.
Subsection C: The members of the Social Honor Board shall be the eight permanent members of the Academic Honor Board and four rotating members, one from each class, who shall be chosen at random from among the members of the Association whenever a case arises. A Deans’ Panel consists of two deans, one other administrator or appropriate faculty or staff member, two Honor Board members, and a random community member from the class of the student involved. Dean’s Panels will be conducted in the same manner as Social Hearings but with no appeals process.
Subsection D: Any of the four rotating members of the Social Honor Board may be disqualified at the request of a student involved in a case, and shall then be replaced by another member of the Association who shall likewise have been selected at random. A maximum of ten people may be drawn from each class and disqualified in this manner.
Subsection E: Any of the permanent members of the Honor Board may be disqualified at the request of a student involved in an Academic or Social Honor Board Case. In the event that the Head is disqualified, the Head shall appoint the most senior permanent member of the Honor Board to act as Head. No more than three permanent members of the Honor Board may be disqualified for an Academic or Social Hearing.
Subsection F: Any of the permanent members of the Honor Board may choose to disqualify herself from the hearing so long as quorum is maintained.
Subsection G: The eight permanent student members of the Honor Board shall be responsible for periodically meeting to assess the Honor Code and to provide for adequate familiarity with the Honor Code among members of the Association. They shall also make certain that prospective freshwomen are informed about the Honor Code in the College Calendar and in Admissions materials, and that the Customs Week program includes Board-conducted seminars on life in the community under the Honor Code.
Subsection H: The Honor Board shall hold regularly scheduled sessions, open to all members of the community, in which members of the Association may ask questions concerning non-confidential issues and discuss issues regarding the Honor Code and the community.
Subsection I: The eight permanent members of the Honor Board shall direct the revision and distribution of the Honor Code rules for taking self-scheduled exams during exam period.
Subsection J: In the event that a social situation involves too many legal issues, a Deans’ Panel may be convened at the discretion of the Honor Board Head and the Dean of the Undergraduate College. A Deans’ Panel consists of two deans, one other administrator or appropriate faculty or staff member, two Honor Board members, and a random community member from the class of the student involved, who will be selected according to the same procedure as in a Social Honor Board Hearing. Deans’ Panel will be conducted in the same manner as Social Hearings but with no appeals process.
Section II: Authority
See Honor Code, p. 100.
ARTICLE VI COMMITTEES, BOARDS AND COUNCILS
Section I: General Procedures of Committees, Boards, and Councils
Subsection A: All committees, boards, and councils other than the Honor Board shall derive their authority from the Association through the Representatives Council.
Subsection B: Any committee, board, or council may form its own Bylaws to be subordinate and compatible with this document. All committees operating under Bylaws shall submit them to the Executive Board. Any changes to those Bylaws shall be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Representative Council.
Subsection C: All committee heads shall report to the Representative Council when called upon to do so and/or once a semester.
Subsection D: All committee, board, and council meetings shall be open except as specified below in Article VI, Section I, Subsection E, unless otherwise specified in this document.
Subsection E: Any committee, board, or council meeting may be designated closed by a two-thirds vote of the members of the committee, board, or council.
Subsection F: All committees, boards, and councils shall be responsible for providing information to and receiving suggestions from the community in so far as the subject matter falls within their jurisdiction as stated in this document.
Section II: The Appointments Committee
Subsection A: The Appointments Committee shall consist of the Vice-President of SGA and four members of the Association who are not members of the Assembly to be elected conjointly with the Executive Board in accordance with the elections bylaws.
Subsection B: The Vice-President shall be responsible for the Committee’s report to the Representative Council and for the Committee’s agenda.
Subsection C: The Appointments Committee shall make all Association appointments in accordance with their Bylaws and promptly inform the Representative Council of recent appointments.
Subsection D: The decision of the Appointments Committee may be recalled through either of the following methods:
1. The Association may submit a petition containing the signatures of one-third of the Association stating their opposition to the Committee’s decision.
2. The Representative Council may recall the appointment by a two-thirds vote.
Subsection E: If an appointment is recalled, the Committee must re-appointment the position.
Subsection F: The Committee works by consensus, and, in extenuating circumstances, one and only one member may step out of the vote. If a decision cannot be reached by the Committee, the appointment shall go before the Representative Council to be decided by a simple majority vote.
Subsection G: All proceedings and material of the Committee are confidential. Records will be kept for a period of five years.
Subsection H: Should an Appointments Committee member be unable to fulfill her obligations on the committee, and the committee does not have the requisite number of members to run a round of appointments, then the Vice President may ask the Honor Board Head to sit in on the round.
Subsection I: During the appointment of the Customs Head and Customs Committee, the Dean directly in charge of the handling of Customs Week may sit in on the appointment of the above mentioned positions.
Subsection J: The Committees will be appointed on the basis of expressed needs of the community members, the SGA voting Assembly, and other College entities (Dean’s office, Admissions etc.).
Section III: The Student Finance Committee
Subsection A: The Student Finance Committee shall consist of six members of the Association, to be appointed by the Appointments Committee with the advice and consent of the Treasurer and approval of the Representative Council. At the time of the appointment, the Student Finance
Committee shall be composed of at least one member of every class.
Subsection B: The Student Finance Committee shall prepare the budget(s) for the expenditure of Common Treasury Dues in accordance with their Bylaws. The budget(s) shall be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Representative Council.
Section IV: The Residence Council
Subsection A: The office of Dorm President may be held by two people.
Subsection B: Dorm Presidents shall oversee the implementation of the Honor System at the dorm level as specified in that document.
Subsection C: The Dorm Presidents may call and shall preside over dorm meetings. They must call meetings in their dorms at least three times each semester. It is the responsibility of the Dorm President to make sure the Dorm Officers (especially the SGA representative) give regular reports at these meetings. The dorm Presidents shall also oversee party forms.
Subsection D: The Dorm Presidents may call and shall preside over dorm steering committee meetings comprised of all Dorm Officers including Hall Advisers.
Subsection E: The Dorm Presidents shall be eligible for the Bryn Mawr A.B. degree and shall be residents of their respective halls. Customs people and Hall Advisers shall not be eligible for the position of Dorm President, as these positions interfere with the President’s ability to mediate. They shall be elected by their respective halls each spring for a term of one year beginning the in the fall and/or until their successors takes office.
Subsection F: The Residence Council shall consist of the Head of the Residence Council, and the Dorm Presidents
Subsection G: The Residence Council shall deal with all residential aspects of the community.
Subsection H: The Residence Council is responsible for overseeing the Alcohol Policy and Party Policy. Members shall come from among the Dorm Presidents, as decided by its members at the beginning of each semester.
Subsection I: The Residence Council shall establish standing committees to consider and act on the following matters concerning:
1. Buildings and Grounds
2. Special Case Procedure for Room Changes
3. Room Draw
Subsection J: Three Dorm Presidents, specifically the President(s) of Rhoads, President(s) of Radnor, and one other to be elected by the members of the Residents Council, shall serve on The Alcohol and Party Review Board.
Subsection K: Dorm Presidents shall coordinate social activities inside and among the dorms.
Subsection L: Dorm Presidents shall distribute of the Dorm Discretionary Funds in cooperation with the Student Finance Committee.
Section V: The Student Curriculum Committee
Subsection A: The Student Curriculum Committee shall consist of the Head of Student Curriculum Committee and no more than two members elected from each residence hall.
Subsection B: The Student Curriculum Committee shall designate three students to serve on the Student-Faculty Curriculum Committee.
Subsection C: The Student Curriculum Committee shall consider and take action on all problems relating to curriculum.
Subsection D: The Student Curriculum Committee in conjunction with the Honor Board shall be responsible for organization of the proctoring system during final exams. The Student Curriculum Committee shall be responsible for the recruiting of proctors for self-scheduled final examinations, and the Honor Board shall be responsible for revising and distributing the Honor Code rules for taking proctored exams during exam period.
Section VI: The Major Council
Subsection A: The Major Council shall consist of one representative chosen the spring before her/his senior year from among the senior majors of each of the academic departments of the Undergraduate School of Bryn Mawr College.
Subsection B: Major Council shall review all curriculum issues as they pertain to specific major departments, and make suggestions as they see fit to the appropriate bodies.
Subsection C: Major Council shall provide student input on departmental decisions.
Subsection D: Major Council shall assist the Faculty in academic considerations.
Subsection E: The Major Council shall elect from its body one or two members to serve as its head. This person shall also be a representative to the Student-Faculty Curriculum Committee.
Section VII: The Elections Board
Subsection A: The Elections Board shall be responsible for supervising publicity for all elected offices at the time of elections.
Subsection B: The Elections Board shall organize and run the Candidates’ Forum before each set of elections.
Subsection C: The Elections Board shall be headed by the Head of the Elections Board.
Subsection D: The Elections Board shall be comprised of five members, one of which will be the Office of Intercultural Affairs Representative, and the other four appointed by the Appointments Committee.
Section VIII: The Committee on Public Safety
Subsection A: The Committee on Public Safety shall consist of no more than two Public Safety Representatives from each undergraduate hall.
Subsection B: The Committee on Public Safety shall be responsible for communicating information about breaches of public safety, public safety precautions and any other pertinent information about public safety to the Students in their respective hall.
Section IX: The Traditions Committee
Subsection A: The Traditions Committee shall consist of the Traditions Mistress(es), the Sophomore Class President(s), the Sophomore Representatives, and the Class Songs Mistresses. One Songs mistress shall be elected as specified below in Article VIII from the rising sophomore, junior, and senior classes by their respective classes each year in the spring and shall assume office the following September for a term of one year and/or until her successor takes office. The Traditions Head shall administer the election of the Freshwoman Songs mistress during Customs Week each year.
Subsection B: The Traditions Committee shall be responsible for scheduling, publication, and organization of all Bryn Mawr College traditions.
Subsection C: The Traditions Committee shall serve as consultants on all Bryn Mawr College traditions past and present.
Subsection D: The Traditions Committee may appoint a Bryn Mawr College historian.
Section X: The Plenary Committee
Subsection A: The Plenary Committee shall be comprised of up to two Plenary Committee Heads, one member of the Honor Board, a maximum of two members of the Representative Council and a maximum of two members of the Association, for a maximum total of six committee members. The President of SGA may participate in the Plenary Committee in an advisory capacity.
Subsection B: The Plenary Committee Head(s) and Association members shall be appointed by the Appointments Committee. The Representative Council members shall be decided upon by a plurality vote of the Assembly. The Plenary Committee shall be appointed no later than three months before the date set for Plenary.
Subsection C: The Plenary Committee shall organize and conduct Plenary as stated in Article I, Section II, Subsections C-F and Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
Subsection D: The Plenary Committee shall review all resolutions and advise all resolution submitters on constitutional issues.
Subsection E: The Constitution and its Bylaws shall be reviewed by the Plenary Committee every year unless waived by a majority vote of the Assembly.
Subsection F: Toward the end of the academic year, the Plenary Committee shall review the progress and success of that year’s Plenary. They shall make recommendations to Representative Council for the following year.
Section XI: The Alcohol and Party Review Board
Subsection A: The Alcohol and Party Review Board shall be responsible for reviewing and updating the Alcohol and Party policies, Party Notification Forms and other relevant documentations. Furthermore, the Board shall be responsible for reviewing and approving all Party Notifications Forms and submissions to the Party Fund. The Alcohol and Party Review Board shall thereby be responsible for reviewing possible infractions of the Alcohol and Party Policy, with regard to guidelines surrounding such policies, and offer resolutions based on evidence found in written statements, Party Notification Forms and other relevant documents. All possible infractions of a behavior type will be reported to the Social Honor Board.
Subsection B: The Alcohol and Party Review Board shall consist of the Head(s) of the Social Committee, Haverford College Representative(s), Head(s) of the Committee on Public Safety, two members of the Honor Board, and three members of the Residence Council including the Dorm President(s) of Rhoads, the Dorm President(s) of Radnor, and one additional member to be chosen each term.
Subsection C: The Alcohol and Party Review Board shall be presided over by the Head of the Social Committee.
Subsection D: Quorum for a review session or hearing of the Alcohol and Party Review Board shall be five people.
Subsection E: The Alcohol and Party Review Board shall work by consensus.
Subsection F: All proceedings and material of the Alcohol and Party Review Board shall be confidential. However, the Alcohol and Party Review Board shall publish a statistical annual report at the end of the year to be distributed campus-wide. This will include the number of review and hearing sessions held that year, number of Party Notification Forms signed and not signed prior to the party, amount of damage, resolutions etc.
Subsection G: The Alcohol and Party Review Board shall meet at the beginning of the year with the Dean of the Undergraduate Students to review and amend the Party Notification Form and College policies on alcohol and parties. The Alcohol and Party Review Board shall meet with the Dean of Undergraduate Students and/or the College in subsequent meetings as deemed appropriate by any party involved.
ARTICLE VII DORM GOVERNMENT
Section I: Dorm Elections
Subsection A: The Dorm Officers shall be residents of, and elected by their respective dorms.
Subsection B: Each spring, the following positions shall be elected for a term of two semesters: Sophomore Dorm Representative(s). They shall be elected at Room Draw and begin in the fall.
Subsection C: The following positions: Dorm President’s, Recycling Representatives, Committee on Public Safety Representative, and Student Curriculum Committee Representative shall be elected at the first dorm meeting for a term of two semesters beginning immediately.
Section II: The Dorm Officers
Subsection A: The office of Dorm President may be held by two people.
Subsection B: The Dorm President shall represent her hall on Residence Council.
Subsection C: The Dorm President shall act as a liaison between Residence Council and her dorm.
Subsection D: The office of Recycling Representative may be held by two people.
Subsection E: Recycling Representatives shall comprise the Recycling Committee, which shall be presided over by the Recycling Committee Head, to be appointed by the Appointments Committee.
Subsection F: Recycling Representatives shall oversee recycling in the dorms and other activities the committee undertakes.
Subsection G: The Curriculum Committee Representatives shall serve on the Student Curriculum Committee and any sub-committee thereof.
Subsection H: The Curriculum Committee Representatives shall act as a liaison between the Curriculum Committee and the Dorm.
Subsection I: The office of Public Safety Representative may be held by no more than two people at any one time.
Subsection J: The Public Safety Representative shall serve on the Student Public Safety Council.
Subsection K: The Public Safety Representative shall serve as a liaison between the hall and the Committee on Public Safety.
Subsection L: The office of Sophomore Dorm Representative may be held by one, two, or three people.
Subsection M: The Sophomore Dorm Representative shall organize and direct all Traditions for her Dorm.
Subsection N: The Sophomore Dorm Representative shall serve on the Traditions Committee.
Subsection O: The office of Freshwoman Dorm Representative may be held by three people.
Subsection P: The Freshwoman Dorm Representative shall act as the Red Cross Bloodmobile liaison and shall serve as a standing member of the Bloodmobile Coordinating Committee.
Subsection Q: The responsibilities of the Freshwoman Dorm Representative are general publicity within her dorm, participation in on-campus canvassing, and remain “on-call” for desk duty during Bryn Mawr College Bloodmobile hours. If the position of Freshwoman Dorm Representative is held by more then one person, the assignment of the aforementioned duties is to be left to the discretion of the Dorm President.
Subsection R: The office of Social Representative may be held by one or two people.
Subsection S: The Social Representative shall work with and help the Dorm Presidents in planning, organizing, and directing social activities for her dorm.
Subsection Y: The Dorm President(s) will attend and be a voting member of the SGA Assembly.
ARTICLE VIII ELECTIONS
Section I: Election Policy
Subsection A: Unless otherwise specified, all officers of the Association shall be elected according to the Bylaws of the Elections Board.
Subsection B: Any violation of the following elections procedures should be considered grounds for invalidation of any election at the discretion of the Head(s) of the Elections Board. An election can also be invalidated if the Head of the Honor Board and the President of the Self-Government Association together determine that the election has not been conducted in the spirit of the Honor Code.
Subsection C: Appeals concerning elections will be heard by the Honor Board.
Subsection D: Class Presidents, Dorm Presidents, Residential Representatives, Off-Campus Representatives, Haverford Representatives and McBride Representatives shall be elected by their specific constituencies as specified in this document and under the direction of the Elections Board. All other positions shall be filled in general elections in accordance with the following guidelines.
Subsection E: Any member desiring to resign from the SGA Assembly shall submit a written resignation, no less then two weeks prior to official resignation, to the Secretary of SGA who shall present it to the Assembly for action.
Section II: Eligibility
Subsection A: To be eligible to run for a position a candidate must be a current member of the Association and a candidate for a Bryn Mawr A.B. degree or a non-matriculated McBride.
Subsection B: To be eligible to run for a position a candidate must meet the specifications of the office for which she is running.
Section III: Nominations
Subsection A: A list of the available positions and the election schedule shall be published in the first issue of the College newspaper or through other means of publicity, at the discretion of the Head of the Elections Board.
Subsection B: All students with Bryn Mawr mailboxes shall be notified of the available positions and the election schedule by mailbox stuffer at least two weeks but no more then three weeks prior to the deadline for nominations.
Subsection C: Nominations for these positions will be opened two Fridays prior to the Candidates Forum and remain open for a full seven days.
Subsection D: Any member of the Association who is eligible to vote for a given office and meets specific Class requirements for that office shall be eligible to submit a nomination for that office.
Subsection E: Nominations shall be made to the Head of Elections Board before the specified deadline.
Subsection F: Upon receiving a nomination, the Head of the Elections Board shall inform the candidates of the election procedure.
Subsection G: It is the candidate’s responsibility to be aware of the rules and regulations of election procedure.
Subsection H: Candidate’s Statements shall be submitted to the Elections Head.
Subsection I: All Candidate’s Statements shall be due at 7:00 p.m. on the Sunday following the nomination deadline or at the discretion of the Head of the Elections Board.
Subsection J: All Candidate’s Statements shall be posted in the Campus Center on the Friday following the nomination deadline by the Elections Head.
Subsection K: After nominations have closed, the Head of the Elections Board shall notify all nominees of their nomination and shall post a list of all the candidates running in that round of elections.
Subsection L: The Head of the Elections Board shall convene a mandatory Candidates’ Forum on the weekend preceding the election, in which all candidates shall be present.
Section IV: General Elections
Subsection A: Elections shall be held the Monday and Tuesday following publication of statements of intent, to allow for run-off elections as specified in Article VIII, Section IV, Subsection C.
Subsection B: A majority of fifty percent plus one vote (50% + 1) of the ballots cast shall be necessary for election to an office, with the exception of the office of Member-At-Large and the Appointments Committee.
Subsection C: If no candidate receives a majority of 50% + 1 vote of the ballots cast, a run-off election shall be held within forty-eight hours between the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes. The write-in option will not be allowed on the run-off election ballot. All candidates shall be notified.
Subsection D: In the event of a tie in an election, a second election shall be held within forty-eight hours between the two candidates. Write-ins will not be allowed on the run-off election ballot. Both candidates shall be notified.
Subsection E: In an unopposed race, if no candidate receives 50% + 1 of the ballots cast, a run-off election will be held within forty-eight hours between the previously unopposed candidate and the write-in candidate receiving the largest number of votes, provided s/he accepts the nomination. Write-ins will not be allowed on the run-off election ballot. Adequate publicity of the proceedings shall be the responsibility of the Head of the Elections Board.
Subsection F: In the event the write-in candidate receiving the greatest number of votes does not wish to participate in the run-off election or no write-in candidate is offered, the unopposed candidate shall take office for the term of one semester. A special election shall be held within the first three weeks of the next semester for that office.
Subsection G: All election results shall be publicized by the Head of the Elections Board as soon as the results have been tabulated by the Elections Board and after all candidates have been contacted.
Section V: Special Elections
Subsection A: In a Member-at-Large election, if the number of candidates exceeds the number of open positions, voters are allowed to vote only for the number of positions to be filled.
Subsection B: The Traditions Head shall administer the election of the Freshwoman Songs mistress during Customs Week each year.
Subsection C: With the exception of the office of President of SGA (see Article III, Section I, Subsection C), all vacancies shall be filled through a special election which shall take place no later than two weeks after the vacancy occurs, under the direction of the Elections Board.
Subsection D: In case of a special election to fill a vacancy, an individual who already holds an office in the Assembly may run in the election and still retain her previous office.
Subsection E: In the event a new office of the Assembly is created, a special election may be held under the direction of Elections Board to fill that office.
Subsection F: All other special elections shall be held under the direction of the Elections Board.
Section VI: Terms Used in a Vote
Subsection A: An abstention does not figure into the percentage count of votes.
Subsection B: Write-ins shall be a valid means of registering preferences. A write-in candidate must fulfill the eligibility requirements as specified above in Article VIII, Section II. If a write-in candidate does not fulfill the eligibility requirements, the vote for the candidate shall be considered an abstention. Before a write-in candidate can be declared a participant in a run-off election, or the winner of an election, she shall be notified by the Head of the Elections Board and must accept the nomination. A write-in vote figures in the percentage count of the vote.
Subsection C: No-votes shall be a valid means of registering preferences only in an election to an office for which a candidate runs unopposed. A no-vote is a vote against the unopposed candidate and figures in the percentage count of the vote.
Subsection D: It is the responsibility of the voter to make arrangements to cast an absentee ballot, e.g. by proxy or notifying the Head of the Elections Board. An absentee ballot must be returned on the same day as the election or at the discretion of the Head of the Elections Board. An absentee ballot will be counted in the percentage of the vote.
ARTICLE IX RIGHT TO PETITION AND IMPEACHMENT
Section I: Right to Petition
Members of the Association have the right to present a petition signed by one-third of the members of the Association to the Secretary of SGA in order to:
1. Convene a meeting of the Association
2. Convene a special meeting of the Assembly
3. Convene a special meeting of any committee or body of officers
4. Request any matter of concern be referred to a vote of the Association
5. Address matters involving SGA Common Treasury Dues
Section II: Impeachment and Removal from Office
Subsection A: The Representative Council shall appoint a committee composed of members of the Association who are not members of the Assembly to investigate charges which are brought against any officer of the Assembly and which are grounds for impeachment. Grounds for Impeachment include: embezzlement, fraud, malfeasance in office, neglect of duty, actions in violation of the Constitution.
Subsection B: Upon receiving the findings of the investigating committee, the appropriate constituency may remove a representative from her office by a majority vote.
Subsection C: At the discretion of the investigating committee or upon the request of the Honor Board or upon the request of the person under investigation, an investigation may be referred to the Honor Board and be subject to the Honor Board’s rules and procedures.
Subsection D: Impeachment can also be accomplished by a two-thirds vote of the Officer’s constituency, providing that two-thirds of the constituency votes.
ARTICLE X BYLAWS OF THE ASSEMBLY
Section I: Authority
Subsection A: Any matter not specified in, and not in violation of the Constitution shall be determined at the discretion of the Assembly in their Bylaws.
Subsection B: The Assembly shall compose, revise or reaffirm their Bylaws at the beginning of each academic year.
Subsection C: Bylaws shall be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Assembly, providing two-thirds of the members vote.