The Constitution of the Franciscan University Student Government
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Steubenville, OH 43952
PREAMBLE
We, the students of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, in order to foster a stronger spirit of service, to cultivate a greater intellectual and faith community, and to establish a more representative, responsible, and unified form of student governance, do hereby affirm and adopt this Constitution of the Franciscan University Student Government.
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this service organization shall be the “Franciscan University Student Government”, hereafter referred to as “Student Government.”
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
The purpose of Student Government is threefold:
A. To represent the Franciscan University student body to the administration and faculty, and to the public.
B. To communicate the concerns, interests, and ideas of the student body to the University administration, and to participate with the administration and faculty in the formulation of policies affecting the student body.
C. To govern, promote, and finance student clubs, and to collaborate with campus departments and other student organizations in the promotion of student services and activities.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
All registered students of Franciscan University enrolled in one or more semester hours, and only such persons, shall be members of the student body. As members they shall be entitled to vote in Student Government elections and to hold office in Student Government if qualifications for candidacy are met.
ARTICLE IV – EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Section 1: Powers and Duties
A. The Executive powers shall be vested in the President of Student Government.
B. The President shall determine policy and provide direction forStudent Government.
C. The President shall appoint necessary staff for the proper operation of Student Government in compliance with University policy, and with confirmation of the Senate.
D. The President shall have the power to veto any legislation enacted by the Senate.
E. The President shall assume other responsibilities as set forth in the By-laws
F. The President shall take emergency action on any matter within jurisdiction of Student Government that may not be covered by the By-laws, providing such action is reported to the Senate at the next regular session.
Section 2: Membership
A. The Executive Officers of Student Government shall be the President and the Vice President.
B. The requirements for candidacy and election procedures are set out in Article VIII of this document and in the By-laws of Student Government.
Section 3: Term of Office
A. The Executive Officers shall hold office for a term not to exceed one academic year.
Section 4: Staff Relations and Succession
A. The Vice President shall report directly to the President of Student Government.
B. The Vice President shall succeed the Student Government President in case of a permanent or prolonged vacancy in that office.
C. If the office of the Vice President becomes vacant, the Student Government President shall call for and consider applications, and, upon approval of the Senate, shall appoint to the office a member ofStudent Government who is eligible for the position.
D. In the event that both positions become vacant, the Senate shall appoint interim officers until a special election can be held.
ARTICLE V – LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Section 1: Powers and Duties
A. The legislative and fiscal power of Student Government shall be vested in the Student Government Senate.
B. The Senate shall fund student clubs and organizations, subject to the approval of the Student Government President.
C. The Senate shall adopt By-laws and make revisions to them, subject to the approval of the Student Government President.
D. The Senate shall confirm the appointments of theStudent Government President with a 2/3 vote.
E. The Senate may override a Presidential veto with a 2/3vote.
F. The Senate shall assume additional responsibilities it deems necessary to fulfill its obligations to the students.
Section 2: Membership
A. The voting membership of the Senate shall consist of the Vice President (to break a tie), and three members of each undergraduate class and three members of the graduate class.
B. The requirements for candidacy and election procedures are set out in Article VIII of this document and in the By-laws of Student Government.
Section 3: Terms of Office
A. The class senators shall hold office for a term of one academic year.
Section 4: Meetings
A. The Senate shall meet at least once a month during the academic year at a publicly announced time and place.
B. Special sessions, which may be open or closed to the student body and the public, may be called either by the Vice President or by a 2/3 vote of the Senate.
Section 5: Quorum
A. A quorum is necessary for the Senate or any subsidiary body to conduct business.
B. A majority of the current voting members will constitute a quorum to conduct business.
Section 6: Presiding Officer
A. The Vice President shall preside over Senate meetings and shall select a Chairperson pro-tem to preside over meetings in the absence of the Vice President.
B. The Vice President shall select a Chairperson pro-tem to preside over meetings in the absence of the Vice President.
Section 7: Procedure
A. The Senate shall have the power to determine its rules and procedures, to establish committees, and to discipline its members.
B. Robert’s Rules of Order (latest edition) will be the parliamentary resource of the Senate and its subsidiary bodies.
C. When Robert’s Rules of Order and the By-laws conflict, the By-laws shall take precedence.
ARTICLE VI – JUDICIAL BRANCH
Section 1: Powers and Jurisdiction
A. The judicial powers of Student Government shall be vested in the Student Government Supreme Court.
B. The Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction over all disputes arising under the Constitution or By-laws of Student Government and the overall disputes arising during elections.
C. The Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction over any other areas that are provided for in the By-laws.
Section 2: Membership
A. The Supreme Court shall consist of five members of Student Government appointed by the Student Government President.
- These appointments shall be confirmed with a 2/3 vote of Senate.
B. No Executive Officer or Senator shall be a member of the Supreme Court.
Section 3: Term
Members of the Supreme Court shall hold office for a term of one academic year.
Section 4: Standing
Any member of Student Government may bring a dispute before the Supreme Court.
Section 5: Decisions
A. All decisions of the Supreme Court shall require a majority vote of the full membership.
B. Decisions and opinions shall be rendered in writing, posted, and placed in a permanent Student Government file.
ARTICLE VII – ADVISOR
Section 1: Selection
A. The Student Government President shall select an advisor from a current member of the Franciscan University faculty or administration.
B. This appointment shall be confirmed by a 2/3 vote of the Senate.
Section 2: Responsibilities
A. The advisor will serve as a resource person and consultant for the members of Student Government.
B. The advisor will be a non-voting participant at Student Government meetings and available to speak on the topics addressed during the meetings.
ARTICLE VIII – ELECTIONS
Section 1: Election Procedures
A. Direct elections shall be held in the spring term no later than April 30, for the following Student Government positions:
- The Student Government President and Vice President
- Three Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Senators
- One Graduate Senator
B. Direct elections shall be held in the fall term no later than September 30, for the following Student Government positions:
- Three Freshman Senators
- Two Graduate Senators
C. Elections shall be by secret ballot.
D. The election shall meet the requirements as set forth in theStudent Government By-laws.
Section 2: Requirements for Candidacy
A. Any prospective candidate for any elected or appointed Student Government position must:
- Be a registered student at Franciscan University.
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (for undergraduates) and a 3.0 (for graduates).
B. No person can simultaneously hold an Executive Office and Senate position.
Section 3: Eligibility for Voting
Any qualified member of the student body may vote in elections for Student Government Executive Officers and his particular class Senator.
ARTICLE IX – RECALL AND IMPEACHMENT
Section 1: Recall of Executive Officers
A. Petition – A petition for recall of any Student Government Executive
Officer shall require the signatures of at least 10% of the current membership of the student body.
B. Recall Elections – Upon receipt by the Senate of a petition for recall, duly certified by the Student Life Office to contain the names of at least 10% of the current members of the student body, it shall be the duty of the Senate to hold a special election for recall. No other issue than the recall shall be presented to the voters at said elections.
C. Recall – Any Student Government Executive Officer shall be recalled by a majority vote, provided that the total number of voters amounts to at least 3/4 of the total vote cast for the office at the election in which the officer was elected.
D. The vacancy thus created shall be filled immediately as provided in Article IV, Section 4.
Section 2: Recall of Class Senators
A. A class senator may be recalled according to the guidelines set forth in Article IX Section A, B, C with the exception that a petition for recall and recall elections require the signatures of at least 10% of the current membership of the class of the senator being recalled.
B. A class senator may be removed from the Senate by a 2/3 vote of the Senate.
C. The vacancy thus created shall be filled immediately as set forth in the By- laws.
Section 3: Impeachment
A. Articles of Impeachment may be brought against any Executive Officer or member of the Supreme Court of Student Government.
B. Procedures concerning impeachment are set forth in the By-laws of Student Government.
ARTICLE X – REFERENDUM AND INITIATIVE
Section 1: Referendum
The Student Government Senate may refer any proposed By-law legislation to Student Government. An affirmative majority of those voting is required for passage.
Section 2: Initiative
Any member of Student Government may petition for initiative measures. Such a petition, signed by no less than 10% of the members of Student Government, shall be presented to the Student Government President who will authorize a special election on the matter contained in the petition, within 3 weeks of having received said petition. An affirmative majority of those voting is required for passage.
Section 3: Budgetary matters shall not be subject to initiative.
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS
Proposals to amend this Constitution shall originate by a vote of 2/3 of the current Student Government Senate membership. The proposal shall then be sent to the University President for his signature. When this is obtained, the proposal shall be scheduled for vote in the next general election. If the text of the proposed amendment is published and receives a majority of the votes cast in this election, the Constitution ofStudent Government shall be declared amended.
ARTICLE XII – BY-LAWS
By-laws shall be established to include the rules of the Student Government Senate and Supreme Court, and the duties of the Student Government officers, senators, councils, boards, committees, advisor, and staff.
ARTICLE XIII – ENACTMENT
This Constitution shall have full force and effect following passage by a 2/3 vote of the legislative body, by a majority of those voting in a campus-wide election, and by approval of the Franciscan University President. This Constitution shall supersede and replace all previous Student Government Constitutions and By- laws of Franciscan University.