CONSTITUTION OF THE SELF GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL
OF BRYN MAWR COLLEGE
(As of Spring Plenary 2021 (Update in Progress)
Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures
Directory:
Article III: The Executive Board
Article IV: The Representative Council
Article VI: Committees, Boards, Non-Voting Assembly Members, and Councils
Article IX: Right to Petition and Impeachment
Article X: Bylaws of the Assembly
ARTICLE I: THE ASSOCIATION
Section I: Composition and Purpose
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 SGA shall be the governance of the undergraduate student body and to uplift the voices of marginalized communities.
Subsection B: The President and the Dean of the College shall, through the Honor Code, entrust the SGA with 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, or Residential Life.
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 SGA. Members of SGA shall have voting rights in campus-wide elections, dorm elections, and at Plenary.
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 SGA 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 SGA 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 SGA 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, recommendations to the Administration, ratification of school policy, overriding of decisions made in Representative Council and creation or amendment of 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 SGA for a campus-wide vote. Each member of SGA shall be informed two times of the proposed amendment. This proposal and subsequent voting process may occur electronically. Proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be adopted upon a two-thirds vote of approval within two weeks of the first publication of said amendment(s), provided a minimum of two-thirds of SGA votes.
Subsection G: A time limit of 3 hours will be maintained for reaching quorum at every Plenary. If quorum is attained and later lost, a time limit of 30 minutes will be established to regain quorum. After these 30 minutes have elapsed the waiting period will cease. If quorum has not been reached the attendees will be dismissed. If quorum has been reached, plenary will proceed. If quorum is lost again, plenary has ended. There will be no subsequent waiting period.
Subsection H: If quorum is not reached at the Fall Plenary, then resolutions will be tabled until the next Plenary occurs to be brought forth again at the resolution writers’ discretion. Plenary will not have been held that Fall semester.
Subsection I: If, before quorum is lost, any resolutions have been presented and voted upon, the results of those votes stand. All other resolutions may be tabled until the next Plenary occurs to be brought forth again at the resolution writers’ discretion. Plenary will have been held at that time.
Subsection J: If quorum is reached at the Spring Plenary, the Constitution is reaffirmed, and then quorum is lost, Plenary has been held. All remaining resolutions will be tabled until the next Plenary occurs to be brought forth again at the resolution writers’ discretion.
Subsection K: If quorum is not reached for Spring Plenary, then the newly elected SGA Executive Board, the immediately preceding SGA Executive Board Emeritae/i/a, Plenary Committee, and Representative Council will decide how to proceed. Consequences, which are up to the discretion of these parties as well as the Dean of the Undergraduate College, may include but are not limited to the following: all SGA reimbursements and payments for purchases after the date of Spring Plenary will not occur, the dissolution of academic and social practices as described in the Bryn Mawr College Honor Code, and the disbandment of the SGA Representative Council.
ARTICLE II: THE ASSEMBLY
Section I: Composition and Purpose
Subsection A: SGA 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 SGA to the College.
Subsection B: The Executive Board shall consist of the President of SGA, Vice-President of SGA, Treasurer of SGA, Secretary of SGA, Head of the Honor Board, and Chair of Social Justice & Equity.
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)/Master(s)/Mistex
- Representative to the Faculty
- Head of Social Committee
- Head of Campus Safety Committee
- Athletic Association Representative
- Office of Intercultural Affairs Representative
- LILAC: Civic Engagement Representative
- LILAC: Career and Professional Development (CPD) Representative
- SGA Archivist
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 a successor takes office. The student 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: A person may concurrently hold more than one position specified in Article II, Section I, Subsections B and C of this Constitution but may not vote twice. Voting for the second position must be done via proxy. The proxy voter must be a person from the same committee, Dorm Leadership Team, or AMO group.
Subsection G: The Honor Board will serve as the vehicle for investigating all issues/matters concerning removal(s) from office, and then the issue goes to a student body vote.
Subsection H: As representative of the student body, members of the Representative Council, Appointed Positions, Appointments Committee, Honor Board and the SGA Executive Board are held to the highest standards of the Honor Code.
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 Rights of Plenary in conjunction with the Social Honor Code
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
The office of the President may be held by only one person at any one time.
The duties of the President shall include:
- Calling and presiding over meetings of SGA and the Assembly when necessary.
- Presiding over meetings of the Representative Council.
- Acting as a liaison between faculty and administration and students, and representing the undergraduate body whenever called upon to do so.
- Representing SGA at the Board of Trustees meetings.
- Ensuring Plenary takes place once a semester, ordering t-shirts and Plenary packets.
- Ensuring the Big Cheese Forum takes place once a semester, recruiting Cheeses, organizing facilitators and note-takers. This is a panel of administrators or other people with power at Bryn Mawr College, with the goal of creating more transparency for students.
- Overseeing, organizing, and planning weekly meetings with SGA E-Board.
- Having frequent meetings with the Dean of the College to relay concerns of the student body.
- Holding weekly office hours in an accessible location.
Subsection C: The Vice-President of SGA
The Office of the Vice-President may be held by only one person at any one time.
The duties of the Vice-President shall include:
- Overseeing and updating the SGA Appointments Blog.
- Hosting workshops outlining the Appointments process before the April and/or the November Round.
- Establishing interview times for applicants during appointments rounds; interviewing applicants in person, or on video chat.
- Scheduling evaluation meetings at the end of each appointments round for the Appointments Committee.
- Distributing midterm progress reports, exit surveys and/or hold meetings with committee heads.
- Checking in with the last and current appointed people for each position to determine if the position description needs to be updated towards the end of the Vice President’s term.
- Scheduling meetings with an appointed student who does not respond to three emails checking in about the progress of the committee or board, to discuss the individual’s position and the future of the committee or board. If the appointed student does not respond to this request, they will be removed from the position and the position will be reappointed during the next round of appointments.
- Ensuring appointed students are aware of the resources they have at their disposal, including leadership workshops, on-campus resources, and SGA Budgeting.
Subsection D: The Treasurer of SGA
The position of Treasurer(s) of SGA may either be held by a single person or co-held by two.
The duties of the Treasurer(s) of SGA shall include:
- Administering the funds of SGA and serving as its adviser in financial matters.
- Overseeing the SGA budget and keeping track of SGA account activities.
- Calling and presiding over meetings of the Student Finance Committee, and representing them when called to do so. The Treasurer(s)(s) also offers training and supervision to SFC members.
- Being a member of the Executive Board, attending weekly e-board meetings, and holding an office hour.
- Assuming the responsibility of ensuring that SGA funded events are free to all SGA members. The Treasurer(s) shall offer support, help, and advice to club leaders in dealing with financial matters.
- Auditing the budgets of every club or committee, which receives SGA Common Treasury Funds.
- Being responsible for allocating SGA budgetary funds to student activities, including reviewing and holding interviews to assign club budgets, special event budget, residential life budget, Plenary budget, etc.
- Working closely with officers from Student Activities, Controller’s office, the Board of Trustees to deal with financial matters.
- Calling a meeting of the financial officers of any and all campus organizations when necessary.
- The Treasurer shall keep time at all meetings of SGA.
Subsection E: The Secretary/Parliamentarian of SGA
The Office of Secretary may be held by only one person at any one time.
The duties of the Secretary shall include:
- Being responsible for the following: giving notice of all SGA 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.
- Setting the Agenda of the Representative Council meeting and distributing Representative Council minutes.
- Upholding the Attendance Policy.
- Being a member of the Executive Board.
- Appointing an assistant if necessary.
- Being an expert on the Constitution and meeting procedures.
- Working closely with the Webmistress(es) / Master(s) / Mistex(es) appointed by the Appointments Committee to keep the website or other means of distributing information up to date.
Subsection F: The Head of the Honor Board
The Office of the Head of the Honor Board may be held by only one person at any one time.
The duties of the Head of the Honor Board shall include:
- Calling and presiding over meetings of the Social and Academic Honor Boards. The Head of the Honor Board shall direct the consideration of cases arising from the possible violation of the Honor Code.
- Administering an arbitrary selection of the four rotating members of the Social Honor Board.
- Organizing the Academic and Social Honor Code orientations for first-years during customs week.
- Attending, upon invitation, faculty meetings to discuss the Academic Honor Code and how it relates to professors.
- Attending, upon invitation, Residence Council meetings to discuss Social Honor Code concerns.
- Overseeing a committee of 8 students that shall comprise the Honor Board.
- Having the responsibility to make known to SGA the procedures and decisions of the Honor Board, as well as the Academic and Social Resolutions, in the form of anonymous abstracts. These abstracts shall be written shortly after resolution is reached and shall be released as prescribed by the Honor Code.
- Being a member of the Executive Board.
- Making the presentation slides accessible at weekly SGA meetings.
Subsection G: The Chair of Social Justice and Equity
The Chair of the Social Justice and Equity Committee may be held by only one person at any one time.
The duties of the Chair of Social Justice and Equity shall include:
- Serving as a liaison between the Pensby Center and the Representative Council.
- Voting in the Representative Council meetings and participating in achieving Representative Council’s long- and short-term goals.
- Spending at least one hour every two weeks in conversation with the full time and/or student staff of the Pensby Center.
- Acting as a liaison between the Diversity and Leadership Group and the assembly.
- Being responsible for guiding the Executive Board and the Representative Council towards wider goals of diversity and inclusion.
- Presenting briefly every semester on the various talks, panels, and discussion groups that they convened including topic, number of participants, and ideas on how to build on this work in
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 SGA.
Subsection B: Dorm President(s)
The office of the Dorm President(s) may be held by up to two persons at one time.
The duties of the Dorm President(s) shall include:
- Voting in the Representative Council votes, attending all SGA meetings, and participating in achieving Representative Council’s long- and short-term goals.
- Reporting to their residence hall twice a semester at Dorm Meetings and/or DLT meetings.
Subsection C: Members-at-Large
There may be no more than six Members-at-Large at any one time.
The duties of the Members-at-Large shall include:
Voting in the Representative Council votes, attending all SGA meetings, and participating in achieving Representative Council’s long and short-term goals.
Subsection D: Haverford Representative
The office of Haverford Representative may be held by up to two people. If there are two people holding office, only one Representative is required to be present at meetings of the Representative Council.
The duties of the Haverford Representative(s) shall include:
- Voting in the Representative Council votes, attending all SGA meetings, and participating in achieving Representative Council’s long and short-term goals.
- Being responsible for communication between the Assembly and SGA members residing at Haverford College.
- Calling and presiding over meetings of SGA members residing at Haverford College when necessary. The Haverford Representative(s) must call at least one such meeting each semester while in office.
- Attending Haverford College Student Council meetings at the discretion of the office-holder and at the request of the Assembly. Occasions on which the student attends Student Council meetings instead of Representative Council shall not be counted as absences from Representative Council.
Subsection E: Off Campus Representative
The office of the Off-Campus Representative may be held by up to two people. If there are two people holding office, only one Representative is required to be present at meetings of the Representative Council.
The duties of the Off-Campus Representative(s) include:
- Voting in the Representative Council votes, attending all SGA meetings, and participating in achieving Representative Council’s long- and short-term goals.
- Being responsible for the representation of the non-resident members of SGA at each meeting of the Representative Council and being responsible for communication between the Assembly and the non-resident members of SGA.
- Calling and presiding over meetings of the non-resident members of SGA and must call at least one such meeting each semester while in office.
Subsection F: McBride Representative
The Office of the McBride Representative may be held by two people. If there are two people holding office, only one Representative is required to be present at meetings of the Representative Council.
The duties of the McBride Representative(s) shall include:
- Voting in the Representative Council votes, attending all SGA meetings, and participating in achieving Representative Council’s long- and short-term goals.
- Being responsible for the representation of the McBride Scholar Members at each meeting of the Representative Council and being the liaison between the Assembly, the McBride Scholar Members, and SGA.
- Calling and presiding at all meetings of the McBride Scholar Members. The McBride Representative(s) must call at least one such meeting each semester of the academic term.
Subsection G: The Class Presidents
The office of Class President may be held by up to two people.
The duties of the Class Presidents shall include:
- Voting in the Representative Council votes, attending all SGA meetings, and participating in achieving Representative Council’s long- and short-term goals.
- Being in charge of all class functions for their respective classes.
- Being liaisons between their respective classes and the Assembly.
Subsection H: Head of the Elections Board
The Head of the Elections Board may be held by up to two people.
The duties of the Head(s) of the Elections Board shall include:
- Voting in the Representative Council votes, attending all SGA meetings, and participating in achieving Representative Council’s long- and short-term goals.
- Administering SGA’s election system, assisted by the members of the Elections Board.
- Convening, presiding over, and representing the Elections Board.
- Appointing one or more assistants if necessary.
Subsection I: The Head of Residence Council
The office of the Head of Residence Council may be held by up to two people.
The duties of the Head(s) of the Residence Council shall include:
- Voting in the Representative Council votes, attending all SGA meetings, and participating in achieving Representative Council’s long- and short-term goals.
- Calling and presiding over all meetings of the Residence Council.
- Running Room Draw.
- Heading Residence Council’s Special Cases Committee.
- Being the liaison(s) between the Residence Council and the Assembly.
- Serving as SGA’s representative(s) to the Committee on Buildings and Grounds of the Board of Trustees.
- Serving as SGA’s Representative(s)(s) to Housing Group.
- Establishing and appointing the members of such committees of the Residence Council as they consider necessary, and being responsible for the functioning of these committees.
The duties of the Residence Council Head(s)-Elect shall include:
- The Residence Council Head-Elect shall be apprentice to the current head, and shall take office following Room Draw.
2. Assisting the Residence Council Head during Room Draw.
Subsection J: The Head of the Student Curriculum Committee
- The office of the Head of the Student Curriculum Committee may be held by two people.
- The Head of the Student Curriculum Committee shall call and preside at meetings of the Student Curriculum Committee.
- The Head of the Student Curriculum Committee shall serve on the Student-Faculty Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.
- The Head of the Student Curriculum Committee shall be responsible for the recruiting of proctors for self-scheduled final examinations.
- The Head of the Student Curriculum Committee shall be a liaison between the Student-Faculty Curriculum Committee, the Student Curriculum Committee, and the Assembly.
- The Head of the Student Curriculum Committee may establish and appoint the members of such subcommittees of the Student Curriculum Committee as the student considers necessary and shall be responsible for the functioning of these committees.
- The Head of the Student Curriculum Committee shall be a voting member of the Representative Council.
- One of the primary functions of the Head of the Student Curriculum Committee is to vote in the Representative Council meetings and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
Subsection K: The Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex
- The office of Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex may be held by two people.
- The Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex shall organize, execute, and perpetuate all traditions of Bryn Mawr College.
- The Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex shall call and preside at meetings of the Traditions Committee.
- The Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex shall be responsible for the administration of the election of the First-Year Traditional Non-Transfer Student Songs Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex during Customs Week each year.
- The Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex may petition SGA as defined in Article XI, Section I, if interest has been expressed to discontinue, modify, or create a tradition.
- The Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex-Elect shall serve as an apprentice to the current Head of the Traditions Committee until the Mistress(es)-Elect takes office on the May Day following election.
- The Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex-Elect shall assist the current Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex in the organization and execution of the May Day Celebration.
- In the event that the McBride Scholars’ Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex position be held, the Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex will coordinate with said McBride Scholars’ Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex to facilitate the opportunity for full participation of the McBride Scholars in the undergraduate traditions of Bryn Mawr College.
- The Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex shall be a voting member of the Representative Council.
- One of the primary functions of the Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex Representative is to vote in the Representative Council meetings and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
- In the year after serving as Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex the outgoing Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex (herein referred to as the Traditions Emeritus/a/um [i/ae/a]) shall serve as the (Co-)Head(s) of the Hell Week Committee. Their duties will include meeting with the current Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex and the Staff Adviser to Traditions to determine the goals of the Hell Week Committee, scheduling meetings, and setting agendas for meetings. The Traditions Emeritus/a/um [i/ae/a] are not the final arbiters in Hell Week Committee decisions but are rather advisers to the current Traditions Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex and members of the Committee.
Subsection L: The Representative to the Faculty
- The office of Representative to the Faculty may be held by two people.
- The Representative to the Faculty shall be responsible for representation of SGA at each meeting of the Faculty.
- The Representative to the Faculty shall be responsible for communication between the Faculty and its committees and the Assembly.
- The Representative to faculty shall be a voting member of the Representative Council.
- One of the primary functions of the Representative to the Faculty is to vote in the Representative Council meetings and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
Subsection M: The Head of the Social Committee (SoCo)
- The Head of the Social Committee may be held by two people
- The Social Committee shall organize and facilitate campus-wide programming.
- The two heads shall call and preside over meetings of the committee.
- 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 SGA.
- The Head of the Social Committee shall be voting members of the Representative Council.
- The Head of the Social Committee shall serve on the Alcohol and Party Review Board.
- One of the primary functions of the Head of the Social Committee is to vote in the Representative Council meetings and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
Subsection N: The Head of the Campus Safety Committee
- The office of Head of the Campus Safety Committee may be held by two people.
- The Head of the Campus Safety Committee shall call and preside at regular meetings of the Campus Safety Committee.
- The Head of the Campus Safety Committee is responsible for meeting regularly with the Administrative Head of Campus Safety.
- The Head of the Campus Safety Committee shall be the liaison between the Administrative Head of Campus Safety, the Campus Safety Committee, and the Assembly.
- The Head of the Campus Safety Committee shall serve on the Residence Council.
- The Head of the Campus Safety Committee shall, at the discretion of the office-holder, serve as a liaison between the Assembly and the Department of Transportation.
- The Head of the Campus Safety Committee shall be a voting member of the Representative Council.
- The Head of the Campus Safety Committee shall serve on the Alcohol and Party Review Board.
- One of the primary functions of the Head of the Campus Safety Committee is to vote in the Representative Council meetings and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
Subsection O: The Athletic Association Representative
- The Athletic Association Representative(s) may be held by two people.
- The Athletic Association Representative(s) shall serve as liaison between the Assembly, Department of Physical Education and the Athletic Association.
- The Athletic Association Representative(s) shall be a voting member of the Representative Council.
- One of the primary functions of the Athletic Association Representative(s) is to vote in the Representative Council meetings and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
Subsection P: LILAC: Civic Engagement Representative.
- The Civic Engagement Representative shall be held by only one person at any one time.
- The Civic Engagement Representative shall attend meetings of the CE staff and serve as a liaison between CE and the Assembly.
- 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.
- The Civic Engagement Representative will consult with the CPD Representative to share one vote representing LILAC in the Self-Government Association Representative Council
Subsection Q: The Pensby Center Representative.
- The Pensby Center Representative shall be held by only one person at any one time.
- The Pensby Center Representative should serve as a liaison between the Office of Intercultural Affairs and the Assembly.
- One of the primary functions of the Pensby Center Representative is to vote in the Representative Council meetings and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short-term goals.
- In order to accurately represent the Pensby Center, the representative must spend at least one hour every two weeks in conversation with the full time and/or student staff of the Pensby Center.
Subsection R: LILAC: CPD Representative.
- The CPD Representative shall be held by only one person at any one time.
- The CPD Representative shall attend meetings of the CPD and serve as a liaison between CPD and the Assembly.
- The CPD Representative may serve as a liaison to SGA-funded groups who might benefit from CPD resources.
- The CPD Representative will consult with the Civic Engagement Representative to share one vote representing LILAC in the Self-Government Association Representative Council.
Subsection S: SGA Archivist.
- The position of SGA Archivist shall be an elected position, held by only one person.
- The SGA Archivist shall have one vote on the Representative Council.
- The SGA Archivist shall attend meetings of the Representative Council and will advise on issues relating to SGA.
- The SGA Archivist shall call and preside over meetings of the Committee on Institutional Memory.
- The SGA Archivist shall present quarterly reports at Representative Council meetings on their findings that are relevant to current issues and discussions of the Representative Council and greater campus community.
- The SGA Archivist shall, to the best of their ability, assist in carrying out the SGA’s long and short term goals.
- The SGA Archivist shall collaborate with the SGA Executive Board and Representative Council to grow institutional memory continuously, from year to year.
Subsection T: SGA Access Service Coordinator(s)
- The position of SGA Access Service Coordinator(s) shall be an appointed position, held by one or two people.
- The SGA Access Service Coordinator(s) shall have one vote if co-held.
- The SGA Access Service Coordinator(s) shall serve the interests of their respective committee.
- The SGA Access Service Coordinator(s) shall provide reports for the Appointments Committee regarding their progress every semester.
- The SGA Access Service Coordinator(s) shall attend meetings of the Representative Council.
Subsection U: Bryn Mawr College Concert Series Co-Heads
- The position of the Bryn Mawr College Concert Series Co- Heads shall be an appointed position.
- The Bryn Mawr College Concert Series Co-Heads shall have one vote.
- The Bryn Mawr College Concert Series Co-Heads shall serve the interests of their respective committee.
- The Bryn Mawr College Concert Series Co-Heads shall provide reports for the Appointments Committee regarding their progress every semester.
- The Bryn Mawr College Concert Series Co-Heads shall attend meetings of the Representative Council.
Subsection V: Board of Trustees Representative Head(s)
- The position of Board of Trustees Representative Head(s) shall be an appointed position held by one of two people.
- The Board of Trustees Representative Head(s) shall have one vote if co-held.
- The Board of Trustee Representative Head(s) shall serve the interests of the committee and attend the meetings of the Board of Trustees.
- The Board of Trustees Representative Head(s) shall provide reports for the Appointments Committee regarding their progress every semester.
- The Board of Trustees Representative Head(s) shall attend meetings of the Representative Council.
Subsection W: Campus Greening Representative Head(s)
- The Campus Greening Representative Head(s) shall be an appointed position held by one or two people.
- The Campus Greening Representative Head(s) shall have one vote if co-held.
- The Campus Greening Representative Head(s) shall serve the interests of the committee and meet regularly with the facilities head of grounds.
- The Campus Greening Representative Head(s) shall provide reports for the Appointments Committee regarding their progress every semester.
- The Campus Greening Representative Head(s) shall attend meetings of the Representative Council.
Subsection X: Green Ambassadors Head(s)
- The Green Ambassadors Head(s) shall be an appointed position held by one or two people.
- The Green Ambassadors Head(s) shall have one vote if co-held.
- The Green Ambassadors Head(s) shall serve the interests of the committee and meet regularly with the dorm green ambassadors.
- The Green Ambassadors Head(s) shall provide reports for the Appointments committee regarding their progress every semester.
- The Green Ambassadors Head(s) shall attend meetings of the Representative Council.
Subsection Y: Customs Committee Head(s)
- The Customs Committee Head(s) shall be an appointed position held by one or two people.
- The Customs Committee Head(s) shall have one vote if co-held.
- The Customs Committee Head(s) shall serve the interests of the committee and be present for the customs committee and customs people during customs week and throughout the entire year.
- The Customs Committee Head(s) shall provide reports for the Appointments committee regarding their progress every semester.
- The Customs Committee Head(s) shall attend meetings of the Representative Council.
Subsection Z: Financial Aid Advisory Head(s)
- The Financial Aid Advisory Head(s) shall be an appointed position held by one or two people.
- The Financial Aid Advisory Head(s) shall have one vote if co-held.
- The Financial Aid Advisory Head(s) shall serve the interests of the committee and work with the office of financial aid.
- The Financial Aid Advisory Head(s) shall provide reports for the Appointments Committee regarding their progress every semester.
- The Financial Aid Advisory Head(s) shall attend meetings of the Representative Council.
Subsection AA: Health Center Advisory Board Head(s)
- The Health Center Advisory Board Head(s) shall be an appointed position held by one or two people.
- The Health Center Advisory Board Head(s)shall have one vote if co-held.
- The Health Center Advisory Board Head(s) shall serve the interests of the committee and work closely with the health center.
- The Health Center Advisory Board Head(s) shall provide reports for the Appointments Committee regarding their progress every semester.
- The Health Center Advisory Board Head(s) shall attend meetings of the Representative Council.
Subsection BB: Communications Committee Head(s)
- The Communication Committee Head(s) shall be an appointed held by one or two people.
- The Communication Committee Head(s) shall have one vote if co-held.
- The Communication Committee Head(s) shall serve the interests of the committee.
- The Communication Committee Head(s) shall provide reports for the Appointments Committee regarding their progress every semester.
- The Communication Committee Head(s) shall attend meetings of the Representative Council.
Subsection CC: Plenary Committee Head(s)
- Plenary Committee Head(s) shall be an appointed position held by one or two people.
- Plenary Committee Head(s) shall have one vote if co-held.
- Plenary Committee Head(s) shall serve the interests of the committee and organize plenary.
- Plenary Committee Head(s) shall provide reports for the Appointments Committee regarding their progress every semester.
- Plenary Committee Head(s) shall attend meetings of the Representative Council.
Subsection DD: Seven Sisters Council Head(s)
- The Seven Sisters Council Head(s) shall be an appointed position held by one or two people.
- The Seven Sisters Council Head(s) shall have one vote if co-held.
- The Seven Sisters Council Head(s)shall serve the interests of the committee and plan for the Seven Sisters Conference.
- The Seven Sisters Council Head(s) shall provide reports for the Appointments Committee regarding their progress every semester.
- The Seven Sisters Council Head(s) shall attend meetings of the Representative Council.
Subsection EE: S.TEAM Committee Head(s)
- S.TEAM Committee Head(s) shall be an appointed position held by one or two people.
- S.TEAM Committee Head(s) shall have one vote if co-held.
- S.TEAM Committee Head(s) shall serve the interests of the committee and students pursuing STEM field major or minors.
- S.TEAM Committee Head(s) shall provide reports for the Appointments Committee regarding their progress every semester.
- S.TEAM Committee Head(s) shall attend meetings of the Representative Council.
Subsection FF: SGA Webmistress/Webmaster/Webmistex(s)
- SGA WebmX shall be an appointed position held by one or two people.
- SGA WebmX shall have one vote if co-held.
- SGA WebmX shall serve the interests of the committee and work with the Secretary on weekly updating SGA blogs.
- SGA WebmX shall provide reports for the Appointments Committee regarding their progress every semester.
- SGA WebmX shall attend meetings of the Representative Council.
Section II: Authority
Subsection A: The Representative Council may make recommendations to the Faculty, Administration, and Area Directors on behalf of SGA
Subsection B: The Representative Council, at their own initiative, may establish short and long term goals for SGA .
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 all members of SGA 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 SGA.
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 SGA 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 SGA 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 nor against the Motion.
Subsection R: No Vote
As a member of SGA, 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 all the members of SGA each year in February. As specified in Article X one shall serve as Head for a one-year term, one first-year traditional non-transfer student will be elected to a two-year position, one first year traditional non-transfer student 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 SGA 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 SGA 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 themselves 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 SGA. They shall also make certain that prospective first-year traditional non-transfer students 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 SGA may ask questions concerning non-confidential issues and discuss issues regarding the Honor Code and the community.
Subsection I: The Honor Board head 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.
ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES, BOARDS, NON-VOTING ASSEMBLY MEMBERS, AND COUNCILS
Section I: General Procedures of Committees, Boards, and Councils
Subsection A: The Representative Council shall act as the Voting Body of the Assembly and SGA. Representatives shall attend and participate in the Representative Council meetings. Representatives will vote on behalf of the representative’s constituents in Representative Council meetings. Representatives may serve on committees formed by the Representative Council. Representatives shall participate in achieving the Representative Council’s long and short term goals.
Subsection B: Any committee, board, non-voting member, or council may form its own by-laws to be subordinate and compatible with this document. All committees operating under by-laws shall submit them to the Executive Board. Any changes to those by-laws 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 V, 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, non-voting member 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 SGA 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:
- SGA may submit a petition containing the signatures of one-third of SGA stating their opposition to the Committee’s decision.
- 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 the obligations of 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 SGA, 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 two 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:
- Buildings and Grounds
- Special Case Procedure for Room Changes
- 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.
Subsection M: The Residence Council shall preside over the Residential Council Fund.
- The Purpose of the fund shall be to cover lasting improvements, replacements or repairs to dorm common spaces beyond what Facilities is able to provide.
- The Residence Council Head(s) shall communicate and work with Facilities on all appropriate projects.
- Proposals for spending from the fund shall be brought forward to the residence council by students, Dorm Presidents or the Residential Council Head(s).
- Approval for spending from the fund must be voted on by the Dorm Presidents, one vote per residence, and shall require a two-thirds majority of quorum.
- The Residence Council Fund shall be allotted $1,000 each semester by the Student Finance Committee and be collective.
- This Fund shall be capped at $8,000.
- When money is expended from this fund, the Residence Council Head(s) must make an announcement about the decision at the next Assembly meeting.
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/their 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 Campus Safety Committee
Subsection A: The Campus Safety Committee shall consist of no more than two Campus Safety Representatives from each undergraduate hall.
Subsection B: The Campus Safety Committee shall be responsible for communicating information about breaches of campus safety, campus safety precautions and any other pertinent information about campus 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)/Master(s)/Mistex, the Sophomore Class President(s), the Sophomore Representatives, and the Class Songs Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex. One Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex 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 First-Year Traditional Non-Transfer Student Songs Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex 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.
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 SGA , 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: Board of Social Life Orientation and Wellness (BSLOW)
Subsection A: The Board of Social Life Orientation and Wellness (BSLOW) 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. Board of Social Life Orientation and Wellness 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 members of the board shall be The Head of Social Committee, The Head of Campus Safety Committee, one member of the Honor Board and one Dorm President to be voted upon by the residence council. The head shall be a member of the board. The head of the board will be determined by the consensus of the board. Quorum for a review session or hearing of the Board shall be 3 people.
Subsection C: Quorum for a review session or hearing of the Board of Social Life Orientation and Wellness shall be five people.
Subsection D: The Board of Social Life Orientation and Wellness shall work by consensus.
Subsection E: All proceedings and material of the Alcohol and Party Review Board shall be confidential. However, the Board of Social Life Orientation and Wellness 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 board shall be responsible for hosting continuing education efforts including but not limited to 2 events in the fall semester including one aimed at continuing education for all returning Bryn Mawr College undergraduate students and at least one additional educational event, and at least one in the spring semester.
Section XII: The Bryn Mawr Concert Series
Subsection A: The position of Bryn Mawr Concert Series Head may be held by up to two people, to be appointed by the Appointments Committee from SGA in the spring semester prior to their year of service.
Subsection B: The Appointments Committee shall, at their discretion, appoint up to three people to serve on the Bryn Mawr Concert Series Committee. Members of the Bryn Mawr Concert Series who are eligible to vote shall elect three other officers to serve on the Bryn Mawr Concert Series Committee. Eligibility to vote shall be determined by active membership for at least one semester. The duties of the Bryn Mawr Concert Series Committee shall be determined at the discretion of the Bryn Mawr Concert Series Head(s).
Subsection C: A Bryn Mawr Concert Series Event shall be defined as an event featuring a performing artist brought to campus at the desire of SGA to fill a gap in campus programming and funded by the Bryn Mawr Concert Series Fund as outlined in Article VI, Section XII, Subsection D.
Subsection D: The Bryn Mawr Concert Series Fund
- At the end of every semester, the Bryn Mawr Concert Series Head(s) shall create a budget in consultation with the Treasurer, including a list of events with an estimated date, genre, and cost, to then be approved by the Representative Council. At the beginning of the next semester, the Bryn Mawr Concert Series Head(s) shall present a more finalized schedule to the Representative Council.
- The source of funding for the Bryn Mawr Concert Series Fund can be derived from any SGA account at the discretion of the Treasurer, also at the approval of the Representative Council.
- The Bryn Mawr Concert Series Head(s) shall be responsible for allocating the Bryn Mawr Concert Series Fund in accordance with their By-Laws to events on campus that fall under the definition of a Bryn Mawr Concert Series Event as defined in Article VI, Section XII, Subsection C.
- The Bryn Mawr Concert Series Head(s) may co-sponsor Bryn Mawr Concert Series Events with other campus organizations but they will be held solely responsible for the allocation of the Bryn Mawr Concert Series Fund
Section XIII: Committee on Institutional Memory
Subsection A: The Committee shall be headed by the SGA Archivist, and comprised of up to six additional members of the SGA. Members of The Committee shall be appointed by the Appointments Committee in the spring semester.
Subsection B: The Committee will assist the SGA Archivist in carrying out the SGA’s long and short term goals.
Subsection C: The Committee shall be responsible for the preservation and utilization of institutional memory in the Representative Council and the SGA. At least one member of the committee shall be responsible for collaborating with affinity organizations. Furthermore, the Committee will maintain a public SGA Archive.
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 Elections Board will coordinate the election of dorm presidents for the following academic year, in accordance with the Elections By-Laws.
Subsection C: The following positions: Green Ambassadors, Campus Safety Committee Representative, and Traditions representatives for each class, including Head Traditions Representative, shall be elected at the first dorm meeting, to be held by the end of the first week of classes, 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 their hall on Residence Council.
Subsection C: The Dorm President shall act as a liaison between Residence Council and the dorm.
Subsection D: The office of Green Ambassadors may be held by two people.
Subsection E: Green Ambassadors shall comprise the Green Ambassadors Committee, which shall be presided over by the Green Ambassadors Committee Head, to be appointed by the Appointments Committee.
Subsection F: Green Ambassadors 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 Campus Safety Committee Representative may be held by no more than two people at any one time.
Subsection J: The Campus Safety Committee Representative shall serve on the Student Campus Safety Council.
Subsection K: The Campus Safety Committee Representative shall serve as a liaison between the hall and the Campus Safety Committee.
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 the Dorm.
Subsection N: The Sophomore Dorm Representative shall serve on the Traditions Committee.
Subsection O: The office of First-Year Traditional Non-Transfer Student Representative may be held by three people.
Subsection P: The First-Year Traditional Non-Transfer Student 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 First-Year Traditional Non-Transfer Student Representative are general publicity within the dorm, participation in on-campus canvassing, and remain “on-call” for desk duty during Bryn Mawr College Bloodmobile hours. If the position of First-Year Traditional Non-Transfer Student Representative is held by more than 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 the dorm.
Subsection T: The Dorm President 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 SGA 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 than three 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 SGA 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 the student is running.
Section III: 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 she/he/they accept 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 IV: 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 First-Year Traditional Non-Transfer Student Songs Mistress(es)/Master(s)/Mistex 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 the previously-held 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 V: 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, the student 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 SGA have the right to present a petition signed by one-third of the members of SGA to the Secretary of SGA in order to
- Convene a meeting of SGA
- Convene a special meeting of the Assembly
- Convene a special meeting of any committee or body of officers
- Request any matter of concern be referred to a vote of SGA
- Address matters involving SGA Common Treasury Dues
Section II: Removal from Office
Subsection A: Grounds for removal from office include embezzlement, fraud, malfeasance in office, neglect of duty, actions in violation of the Constitution, and actions in violation of the Honor Code. Malfeasance in office includes misrepresentation of any portion of the student body and violations against the Honor Code.
Subsection B: All charges which could result in removal from office shall be referred to the Honor Board and be subject to the Honor Board’s rules and procedures. Honor Board can refer social cases that affect the greater community to the student body for a majority vote.
Subsection C: Removal from office 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.