ASLCSC Constitution
Preamble
e the students of
Lewis-Clark State College, in the belief that students have the
right and duty to play a significant role in guiding their college,
do hereby establish the ASLCSC Constitution to facilitate the
following: the articulation of student opinions and interests both
in governance of the college and to the community; the encouragement
of the greatest level of cooperation and communication between
students and their organizations; the assurance of full student
access to quality education; the provision for programs and services
to benefit students; and the encouragement of the highest level of
excellence in education.
Article
I
Name and Membership
Section I.
Name
The name of the
association under which this constitution is formed shall be the
Associated Students of Lewis-Clark State College (ASLCSC).
Section II.
Membership
Membership shall
consist of all students who are enrolled for one (1) or more
Lewis-Clark State College credits.
Section III.
Declaration of Diversity
The ASLCSC shall
not discriminate and shall strive to create a campus environment
which understands, fosters, and embraces the expression of diversity
among students, faculty, administration, and staff. Diversity
encompasses differences in age, color, ethnicity, gender, national
origin, political interests, disability, race, religion, sexual
orientation, socio-economic background, or veteran status. This
policy against discrimination shall include, but is not limited to,
student representation, recruitment, membership, activities, or
opportunities with respect to policy making. A violation of this
clause by any member of ASLCSC Student Government shall constitute
grounds for impeachment and removal from office.
Article
II
Legislative Branch
Section I.
ASLCSC Senate
The legislative
powers of the ASLCSC shall be vested in the Legislative Branch whose
purpose shall be to serve the members of the ASLCSC Student Body by
appropriating expenditures, enacting ASLCSC Bylaws, Codes, Policies
and Procedures.
Section II.
Eligibility
All members of the
ASLCSC Senate shall be in good standing with the college and
maintain a collegiate cumulative grade point average of at least
2.50 (on a 4.00 scale), one semester of which shall be from LCSC.
ASLCSC Senators shall throughout their term carry at least eight (8)
LCSC credits per semester.
Section III.
Membership
The senate shall
consist of ten (10) elected representatives. Each elected
representative will represent a specific and clearly defined
constituency.
1.
The Academic School and Technology School shall be each
represented by two (2) Senators.
2.
There shall also be six (6) Senators whose representation
shall be based on the number of students enrolled in the Academic
and Technology Schools from the previous year.
Section IV.
ASLCSC Senate Majority Leader, Powers and Responsibilities
The ASLCSC Senate
Majority Leader shall be selected from within the Senate by a simple
majority vote of the entire Legislature and will serve a one (1)
year term unless removed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire
body. The ASLCSC Senate Majority Leader shall:
1.
Conduct ASLCSC Senate meetings according to Parliamentary
Procedures.
2.
Supervise the ASLCSC Student Government Secretary.
3.
Solicit appointments for open ASLCSC Senate seats.
4.
Inform and lobby, in consultation with the ASLCSC President,
Idaho State Legislators during their session about LCSC issues.
5.
Faithfully adhere to the ASLCSC Constitution, Bylaws, Codes,
and Policies and Procedures of the ASLCSC.
Section V. ASLCSC
Senate Pro-Tempore, Powers & Responsibilities
The ASLCS Senate
Pro-Tempore shall be elected from within the ASLCSC Senate by a
simple majority vote of the ASLCSC Senate present and shall serve a
one (1) year term unless removed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the
entire body. The ASLCSC Senate Pro-Tempore shall:
1. Assume the duties and responsibilities
of the ASLCSC Senate Majority Leader in the event of that
individual’s inability to perform the duties of that office.
2. Serve as the official voice and
representative of the ASLCSC Senate as authorized by the ASLCSC
Senate Majority Leader.
3. Oversee the physical and operational
aspects of the ASLCSC Senate office, along with ensuring proper
office hours of all ASLCSC Senators.
4. Faithfully adhere to the ASLCSC
Constitution, Bylaws, Codes, and Policies and Procedures of the
ASLCSC.
5. When the vacancy of the ASLCSC
Vice-President occurs, the Senate Pro-Tempore of the ASLCSC Senate
shall assume the duties of the Vice-President until a new
Vice-President is appointed by the ASLCSC President.
Section VI. Legislative Process
The Parliamentary Procedures shall include:
1.
A quorum shall consist of at least 51% of voting members and
shall be necessary to conduct official business for the ASLCSC
Senate.
2.
The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern
the ASLCSC Senate in cases where the ASLCSC Constitution and/or
Bylaws of the ASLCSC Student Government are silent.
3.
The ASLCSC Senate shall keep records of its proceedings which
shall be documented and made available to the public.
4.
Open meetings of the ASLCSC Senate shall be held no less than
once a week during the Fall and Spring semesters when classes are in
regular session.
5.
Each ASLCSC Senator shall have one (1) vote. In the event of
a tie, the ASLCSC Vice-President shall cast the deciding vote.
6.
Legislative bills or expenditures shall require a simple
majority vote subject to approval by the ASLCSC President.
7.
Approve by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote, any new
Constitution, Bylaws, Codes, and Policies and Procedures of the
ASLCSC subject to approval by the ASLCSC President.
Section VII.
ASLCSC Senate Powers and Responsibilities
The ASLCSC Senate
shall have the power to:
1.
Confirm presidential appointments to the ASLCSC Executive
Cabinet and to the ASLCSC Judicial Branch by a majority vote.
2.
Impeach any member of the ASLCSC Student Government by a
two-thirds (2/3) vote for a serious violation of the public trust.
3.
Override a presidential veto by a two-thirds (2/3) vote.
4.
Conduct hearings for and approve a balanced operating budget
for the Summer, Fall and Spring Semesters.
5.
Act on behalf of the ASLCSC Student Body in considering,
developing, and enacting legislation.
6.
Make sure that all appropriated funds are spent according to
legislative intent.
7.
Create any Standing and/or Internal Committees deemed
necessary by the ASLCSC Senate.
8.
Approve by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote a proposed
Election Code by the ASLCSC Judicial Branch to govern all conduct
during ASLCSC elections before the end of the Fall Semester.
9.
Create and amend the ASLCSC Bylaws, Codes, and Policies and
Procedures with a two-thirds (2/3) vote, subject to approval of the
ASLCSC President.
10.
Faithfully adhere to the ASLCSC Constitution, Bylaws, Codes,
and Policies and Procedures of the ASLCSC.
Section VIII.
Term of Office
The term of office
for ASLCSC Senators shall be one (1) year and there shall be no
limits to the number of terms an ASLCSC Senator may serve.
Article
III
Executive Branch
Section I.
ASLCSC Executive Branch
The executive
powers of the ASLCSC shall be vested in the ASLCSC Executive Branch
whose purpose shall be to serve the members of ASLCSC Student Body
by implementing policies and spending expenditures according to
legislative intent.
Section II.
Eligibility
All members of the
ASLCSC Executive Cabinet shall be in good standing with the college
and maintain a collegiate cumulative grade point average of at least
2.50 (on a 4.00 scale), one semester of which shall be from LCSC.
Executive members shall throughout their term carry at least eight
(8) LCSC credits per semester.
Section III.
Membership
The Executive
Cabinet shall consist of the ASLCSC President, Vice-President,
Committees Director, Media Relations Director, and the Chairperson
of the ASLCSC Coeur d’Alene.
Section IV.
ASLCSC President, Powers and Responsibilities
The ASLCSC
President shall have the power to:
1.
Serve as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
of the ASLCSC.
2.
Nominate the Committees Director, Media Relations Director,
Justices, and Campus Committee members subject to confirmation by
the ASLCSC Senate.
3.
Exercise approval or veto power over all proposed legislation
by the ASLCSC Senate within ten (10) regular business days;
otherwise the bill shall become policy.
4.
Propose a balanced Summer, Fall, and Spring operating budget
to the ASLCSC Senate.
5.
Convene a special or emergency meeting of the members of the
ASLCSC Senate.
6.
Attend all regular meetings of the Idaho State Board of
Education.
7.
Conduct weekly Executive Cabinet meetings with the ASLCSC
Vice-President, Committees Director and the Media Relations
Director.
8.
Upon resignation, removal from, or inability to perform
duties of office, the order of succession of the ASLCSC President
shall be the ASLCSC Vice-President, the ASLCSC Senate Majority
Leader, and ASLCSC Senate Pro-Tempore, respectively.
9.
Serve as liaison between the college community, ASLCSC
Student Body, and all statewide student organizations.
10.
Faithfully adhere to the ASLCSC Constitution, Bylaws, Codes,
and Policies and Procedures of the ASLCSC.
Section V. ASLCSC
Vice-President, Powers and Responsibilities
The ASLCSC
Vice-President shall have the power to:
1.
Assume the duties and responsibilities of the ASLCSC
President in the event of that individual’s inability to perform the
duties of that office.
2.
Maintain complete and accurate financial data for the ASLCSC
Student Government and make that information available to the
public.
3.
Oversee the ASLCSC Senate budgetary process.
4.
Plan and implement a fund raiser and graduation banquet.
5.
Serve as an ex-officio member of the ASLCSC Senate, voting
only in case of a tie.
6.
Faithfully adhere to the ASLCSC Constitution, Bylaws, Codes,
and Policies and Procedures of the ASLCSC.
Section VI.
ASLCSC Committees Director, Powers & Responsibilities
The Committees
Director shall have the power to:
1. Oversee all committees and ensure
committees adhere to all Codes and Policies and Procedures.
2. Interact with committees and committee
chairpersons and help coordinate committee related activities except
for those related to the ASLCSC Standing Committees.
3. Faithfully adhere to the ASLCSC
Constitution, Bylaws, Codes, and Policies and Procedures of the
ASLCSC.
Section VII. ASLCSC Media Relations Director, Powers &
Responsibilities
The Media Relations
Director shall have the power to:
1.
Coordinate all matters of media relations for the ASLCSC
Student Government.
2.
Select staff members to assist in the implementation of media
relations.
3.
Faithfully adhere to the ASLCSC Constitution, Bylaws, Codes,
and Policies and Procedures of the ASLCSC.
Section VIII.
ASLCSC Coeur d’Alene Chairperson, Powers &
Responsibilities
The Chairperson of
ASLCSC Coeur d’Alene shall have the power to:
1. Coordinate all internal matters of the
ASLCSC Coeur d’Alene.
2. Be elected by newly nominated members
of the ASLCSC Coeur d’Alene, appointed by the ASLCSC
President, and confirmed by the ASLCSC Senate.
3. Faithfully adhere to the ASLCSC
Constitution, Bylaws, Codes, and Policies and Procedures of the
ASLCSC.
Section IX. Term of Office
The term of office for the ASLCSC President, Vice-President,
Committees Director, Media Relations Director, and Chairperson of
ASLCSC Coeur d’Alene shall be one (1) year and there shall be
no limit to the number of terms each of these officers may serve.
Article
IV
Judicial Branch
Section I.
ASLCSC Judicial Branch
The judicial
authority of the ASLCSC shall be vested in the ASLCSC Judicial
Branch, whose purpose is to resolve controversies arising under the
ASLCSC Constitution, Bylaws, Codes, or Policies and Procedures
between adverse parties who have exhausted all other remedies.
Section II.
Eligibility
All members of the
ASLCSC Judicial Branch shall be in good standing with the college
and maintain a collegiate cumulative grade point average of at least
2.50 (on a 4.00 scale), one semester of which shall be from LCSC.
Justices shall throughout their term carry at least eight (8) LCSC
credits per semester.
Section III.
Membership
The Judicial Branch
shall consist of five appointed members. All appointments to the
ASLCSC Judicial Branch shall be made through ASLCSC Presidential
nomination and ASLCSC Senate confirmation by a majority vote. There
shall be a Chief Justice and four (4) Associate Justices.
Section IV.
ASLCSC Judicial Branch, Powers and Responsibilities
The ASLCSC Judicial
Branch shall have the power to:
1.
Interpret the provisions of the Constitution, Bylaws, Codes,
and Policies and Procedures of the ASLCSC.
2.
Notify all individual and group defendants of any complaint
filed against them within two (2) business days of the filed
complaint. All accused shall have the right to know their accuser(s)
and respond to the allegations.
3.
Hold hearings with the parties conducting opening statements,
direct examination, cross-examination, and closing arguments
according to reasonable rules of evidence.
4.
Rule on constitutionality of impeachment proceedings of the
ASLCSC Senate.
5.
Provide written majority and, when applicable, minority
opinions on all case decisions within four (4) business days of a
rendered decision. The decisions shall be made available to the
public.
6.
Title, number, and file all decisions in the annual ASLCSC
Register according to the ASLCSC Constitutional, Bylaws, Codes, or
Policy and Procedures issues raised.
7.
Present a proposed Election Code, which governs all conduct
during ASLCSC elections, to the ASLCSC Senate for approval on or
before the last ASLCSC Senate meeting in October.
8.
Coordinate and supervise all regular and special ASLCSC
elections as determined by the Election Code.
9.
Faithfully adhere to the ASLCSC Constitution, Bylaws, Codes,
and Policies and Procedures of the ASLCSC.
Section V.
Term of Office
The term of office
for ASLCSC Justices shall be for as long as they are qualified to
hold office and there shall be no limit to the number of terms an
ASLCSC Justice may serve. Term of office expires upon receipt of
Letter of Resignation or no Letter of Intent is received by Sine
Die.
Article
V
ASLCSC Constitutional Amendment and
Revision Procedure
Section I.
Proposal and Ratification
Amendments to the
ASLCSC Constitution shall be proposed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of
the ASLCSC Senate members or by a petition signed by one-quarter
(1/4) of the eligible electorate.
Section II.
Announcement of ASLCSC Constitutional Change
An announcement of
the proposed provisions shall be published in the student newspaper
three (3) weeks before the designated election. Copies of the
proposed changes shall also be made available in the office of the
ASLCSC Student Government.
Section III.
Election Process
Amendments and
Revisions to the ASLCSC Constitution shall be placed on the ballot
of a general or special election and shall be ratified by a majority
of the votes cast in that election.
Article
VI
Recall, Initiative, and Referendum
Section I.
Recall Process
All members of the
eligible electorate shall enjoy the right to recall elected
officials before their terms are over. The following procedures
shall apply:
1.
A recall election shall be initiated by a petition signed by
ten (10) percent of the eligible electorate. Such elections shall
be conducted by the ASLCSC Judicial Branch and involve only those
officials who are named in the petition.
2.
An elected official shall be removed from office when
two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast in the recall election are cast
for the removal of the official.
Section II.
Initiative and Referendum Process
All members of the
eligible electorate shall enjoy the right to initiate and approve
legislation. The following procedures shall apply:
1.
Proposed legislation shall be placed on the ballot of a
general or special election upon a petition signed by ten (10)
percent of the eligible electorate.
2.
Proposed legislation shall be placed on the ballot of a
general or special election upon a referendum signed by a majority
of the ASLCSC Senate members.
3.
Proposed legislation by an initiative or referendum shall
require a majority vote in a general election that shall be
conducted by the ASLCSC Judicial Branch.
Article VII
Stipends
Section
I. Eligibility
Members of the ASLCSC Student
Government shall be eligible to receive stipends regardless of
political interests or viewpoints. The following procedures shall
apply:
1.
Any new stipend or stipend change, for any ASLCSC member,
shall be presented in the form of a Bill to the ASLCSC Senate.
2.
This Bill must pass with a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote
of the ASLCSC Senate.
Section II.
Qualifications
Eligible members
shall receive stipends by serving a complete semester. If eligible
members resign or are removed from office they shall not receive any
stipend whatsoever. Members who replace resigned or removed members
shall receive a pro-rated stipend based on time they are in office.
Article
VIII
Ratification
This Constitution shall be
proposed by a majority vote of the ASLCSC Senate on August 30, 2005
and ratified thereafter by a majority vote of the students voting in
an election to be held September 28 and 29, 2005. The election
shall be conducted by the current ASLCSC Chief Justice. If the
ASLCSC Constitution is proposed and ratified, all provisions shall
take effect immediately. A copy of the ASLCSC Constitution shall be
sent to the President of Lewis-Clark State College and the State
Board of Education.
