Southern Oregon University : ASSOU : Constitution

ASSOU - Student Government

Constitution

ARTICLES

I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.

Bill of Rights
Distribution of Powers
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch

VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.

Dismissal of Officials
Initiative and Referendum
Elections
Amendments
Enabling Clause

PREAMBLE

We, the students of Southern Oregon University, in order to form an association to protect and advance the interests of the students of this college do establish this Constitution and authorize the Student Government of the association on thus formed to act as our recognized agents in matters pertaining to the students of Southern Oregon University.

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ARTICLE I - BILL OF RIGHTS

Section I. Name Clause I. The students of Southern Oregon University shall be known as the Associated Students of Southern Oregon University (The ASSOU). The governing body of the ASSOU shall be known as the Student Government of the Associated Students of Southern Oregon University (ASSOU). Section II. Membership Clause I. The membership of The ASSOU shall consist of all students who are formally enrolled in Southern Oregon University regardless of credit hours being taken or completed. Section III. Equality of Privileges and Immunities Clause I. No entity, such as person, agency, program, club, organization, or committee, of ASSOU shall make any rule or take any action abridging the privileges, rights or immunities of any person, any member of ASSOU, any entity of The ASSOU or any member or entity of Southern Oregon University. Section IV. Ex-Post Facto Laws Clause I. No ex-post facto law impairing the obligation of contracts shall ever be passed, the taking effect of which shall be made to depend upon any authority except as provided in the ASSOU Constitution. Section V. Guidelines Clause I. All members of ASSOU shall adhere to guidelines set forth by the State Board of Higher Education, Southern Oregon University, and the ASSOU Constitution. If any grievance is to be filed, it shall be in accordance with the guidelines of the organization in question. Section VI. Rights of Membership Clause I. All members of The ASSOU shall have access to information regarding all aspects of ASSOU and the ASSOU Constitution. Clause II. No entity of The ASSOU shall be excluded, expelled, or limited from membership because of such individual's race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual identity, national origin, ability or status as a disabled veteran or veteran.

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ARTICLE II - DISTRIBUTION OF POWERS

Section I. Jurisdiction Clause I. The ASSOU Constitution shall have jurisdiction in all representational matters pertaining to the students of Southern Oregon University. Clause II. All executive power of The ASSOU shall be vested in the Executive Branch of ASSOU, which shall consist of ASSOU Executive Officers and the ASSOU Cabinet. Clause III. All legislative power of The ASSOU shall be vested in the Legislative Branch of ASSOU, which shall consist of the ASSOU Senate except for the initiative process set forth in the ASSOU Constitution and ASSOU By Laws. Clause IV. All judicial power of The ASSOU shall be vested in the Judicial Branch of ASSOU, which shall consist of The ASSOU Hearings Board. Section II. Executive Power Clause I. The ASSOU Executive Officers and ASSOU Cabinet Members shall have all powers designated to them by the ASSOU Constitution and ASSOU By Laws. Clause II. The ASSOU President and ASSOU Vice President shall be elected positions and follow the election procedures as outlined in the ASSOU Constitution and ASSOU By Laws. Clause III. The Director of Communication, Director of Governmental Affairs, Director of Administration and Finance, Director of Cultural Relations, and the Student Advocate shall be appointed positions and follow the appointment process which is outlined in the ASSOU Constitution and ASSOU By Laws. Clause IV. All Executive Officers and ASSOU Cabinet Members shall meet all eligibility requirements as outlined in the ASSOU Constitution and ASSOU By Laws. Clause V. All Executive Officers and ASSOU Cabinet Members shall be able to complete their duties as outlined in the ASSOU Constitution and ASSOU By Laws. Clause VI. The ASSOU President may appoint any member of The ASSOU to the ASSOU Cabinet. Clause VII. The sole responsibility of the ASSOU Cabinet is to advise the ASSOU President on all issues pertaining to or affecting the students of Southern Oregon University. Clause VIII. The ASSOU President has the right to veto any legislation passed by the ASSOU Senate, except for dismissals and impeachments. The veto shall occur within two weeks of the passage of the legislation or the legislation is considered approved. Section III. Legislative Power Clause I. The ASSOU Senate shall have all powers designated to it by the ASSOU Constitution and ASSOU By Laws. Clause II. The ASSOU Senate shall be elected by members of The ASSOU in a general election and follow the process as described in the ASSOU Constitution and ASSOU By Laws. Clause III. All members of the ASSOU Senate shall meet all eligibility requirements outlined in the ASSOU Constitution and ASSOU By Laws. Clause IV. All members of the ASSOU Senate shall be able to complete their duties as outlined in the ASSOU Constitution and ASSOU By Laws. Section IV. Judicial Power Clause I. The ASSOU Hearings Board shall have all powers designated to it by the ASSOU Constitution and ASSOU By Laws. Clause II. All appointments to The ASSOU Hearings Board shall follow the procedures outlined in the ASSOU Constitution and ASSOU By Laws. Clause III. As the highest interpreter of the meaning and intent of the ASSOU Constitution and ASSOU By Laws, The Hearings Board may recommend to the ASSOU Senate school binding directives and injunctory orders to those under its jurisdiction subject to the confirmation of the ASSOU Senate as it deems necessary to uphold the ASSOU Constitution and ASSOU By Laws.

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ARTICLE III - ASSOU EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Section I. Composition of the ASSOU Executive Branch Clause I. The ASSOU Cabinet shall have at least the following members: a. President b. Vice President c. Senate President Pro-Tempore d. Director of Administration and Finance e. Director of Communication f. Director of Governmental Affairs g. Director of Cultural Relations h. Student Advocate Section II. Term of Office Clause I. The ASSOU President and ASSOU Vice President shall be elected during spring term and sworn in by the ASSOU Student Advocate by the sixth week of the term, or by the next meeting of the ASSOU Senate thereafter. Clause II. The ASSOU President and ASSOU Vice President shall serve until the swearing in of their successors, unless they are dismissed or resign from their offices. Clause III. The appointed members of the ASSOU Cabinet shall assume office immediately upon their selection by the ASSOU President, and shall serve subject to confirmation by the full-seated Senate at the first possible meeting of the ASSOU Senate. Clause IV. The term of office for all ASSOU Cabinet members shall be for one year with no term limits. Clause V. The Senate President Pro-Tempore is to be nominated and elected by the ASSOU Senate at the first meeting of the newly sworn in ASSOU Senate following the spring general elections, or upon the vacancy of the position. Section III. ASSOU Executive Officers Clause I. The ASSOU Executive Officers are comprised of the ASSOU President, Vice President, Senate President Pro-Tempore. Section IV. ASSOU President Clause I. The ASSOU President is the Chief Executive Officer of ASSOU, and the Presiding Officer of the ASSOU Cabinet and ASSOU Executive meetings as well as the official spokesperson and representative of the ASSOU Executive Branch. Clause II. The ASSOU President is the official ASSOU representative regarding all collegiate and intercollegiate functions. Clause III. The ASSOU President shall be responsible for the administration of the ASSOU Constitution and its various appendices, except for the ASSOU By Laws, which shall be administered by the ASSOU Vice President. Clause IV. The ASSOU President shall have the power to veto all bills passed by the ASSOU Senate, except as otherwise provided by the Senate veto override, Article IV, Section VI of the ASSOU Constitution, or as they apply to the expenditure of the ASSOU Senate Contingency funds. Clause V. The ASSOU President may call special sessions of the ASSOU Senate with the concurrence of the ASSOU Vice President, as well as special sessions of the ASSOU Hearings Board with the concurrence of the ASSOU Student Advocate. Clause VI. The ASSOU President must be enrolled in at least their fifth term at Southern Oregon University and must and be a full time student during their term of office as determined by the SOU registrar. Section IV. ASSOU Vice President Clause I. The ASSOU Vice-President is the President of the ASSOU Senate and shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the ASSOU President in case of illness, prolonged absence, or in cases of inability to carry out their duties. Clause II. The ASSOU Vice President is responsible for being the ASSOU spokesperson and representative to on campus administration and other campus related organization. Clause III. The ASSOU Vice President shall, in concert with the Senate President Pro-Tempore, assemble the agenda for the ASSOU Senate and shall distribute it to all the Senate members. Clause IV. In cases of extended absence or illness of the ASSOU Senate President Pro-Tempore, the ASSOU Vice President shall assume the responsibilities of chief ASSOU Legislative Branch spokesperson and representative, in association with the Rules Committee Chairperson. Clause V. The ASSOU Vice President shall have the power to vote in the ASSOU Senate when the vote would affect the outcome, or in emergency situations refer bills to committee. Clause VI. The ASSOU Vice President shall appoint all student members to ASSOU ad-hoc committees, Faculty and Administrative committees, and other ASSOU and campus standing committees. In addition, the ASSOU Vice President, in association with the Senate President Pro-Tempore, shall appoint all ASSOU Senators to ASSOU ad-hoc committees, Faculty and Administrative committees, and other ASSOU and campus standing committees. All appointments shall be subject to the approval of the ASSOU Senate. Clause V. The ASSOU Vice President must be enrolled in at least their fifth term at Southern Oregon University and must and be a full time student during their term of office as determined by the SOU registrar. Section V. Senate President Pro-Tempore Clause I. The Senate President Pro-Tempore is the official representative and spokesman of the ASSOU Legislative Branch and shall use any powers deemed necessary by a vote of the ASSOU Senate to carry out this job. Clause II. The Senate President Pro-Tempore shall assume the responsibilities of the ASSOU Vice President in the case of illness, prolonged absence or inability to carry out their duties. Clause III. The Senate President Pro-Tempore is responsible for coordinating the orientation of new Senators and regular training of all ASSOU Senators. Clause IV. The Senate President Pro-Tempore is responsible for coordinating the communication between ASSOU Senators and their constituencies. Clause V. The Senate President Pro-Tempore will appoint, in association with the ASSOU Executive Officers, and oversee the ASSOU Secretary. Clause VI. The Senate President Pro-Tempore, in concert with the Committee on Committees, shall oversee all ASSOU standing committees and their operations. Clause VII. The Senate President Pro-Tempore shall chair both the Senate Leadership Committee and the Committee on Committees, as a voting member on both. Section VI ASSOU Cabinet Members Clause I. The ASSOU Cabinet members shall assume whatever other duties shall be deemed appropriate to their office by the ASSOU President and the ASSOU Vice President. Clause II. The order of succession shall be in descending order as follows: ASSOU Vice President, Senate President Pro-Tempore, Director of Administration and Finance, Director of Governmental Affairs, Director of Communication, Director of Cultural Relations and the Student Advocate. Clause III. The ASSOU Cabinet may only act for the ASSOU Senate in emergency situations, which preclude a meeting of the ASSOU Senate by a unanimous vote. Justification for emergency actions shall be given to the ASSOU Senate at its next possible meeting. Section VII. Director of Governmental Affairs Clause I. The Director of Governmental Affairs shall be the liaison between ASSOU and off-campus state and Federal student organizations and governmental agencies. Clause II. The Director of Governmental Affairs shall serve as a voting member of the Oregon Students Association's Board of Directors at the direction of the ASSOU President and shall attend OSA board meetings. Clause III. The Director of Governmental Affairs must be enrolled at Southern Oregon University and must and be at least a half time student during their term of office as determined by the SOU registrar. Section VIII. Director of Administration and Finance Clause I. The Director of Administration and Finance shall serve as the chief financial officer of ASSOU Clause II. The Director of Administration and Finance shall keep appropriate and timely records of all official ASSOU business, in accordance with accepted accounting practices and the Oregon Administrative Rules. Clause III. The Director of Administration and Finance shall be responsible for the preparation and submission of all ASSOU Budgets to the Student Fee Process subject to the approval of the ASSOU President and ASSOU Senate. Clause IV. The Director of Administration and Finance shall be responsible for managing all expenditures of all ASSOU Budgets. Clause V. The Director of Administration and Finance shall be responsible for overseeing the ASSOU Secretary, in association with the Senate President Pro-Tempore. Clause VI. The Director of Administration and Finance must be enrolled at Southern Oregon University and must and be at least a half time student during their term of office as determined by the SOU registrar. Section IX. Director of Communication Clause I. The Director of Communication shall be the liaison between ASSOU and non-governmental, off-campus organizations, merchants, and media, serving as ASSOU's chief information officer. He/she shall also be responsible for publicity associated with all ASSOU activities. Clause II. The Director of Communication will appoint, with the approval of the ASSOU Executive Officers, and oversee the ASSOU Webmaster to maintain the ASSOU web site and coordinate the ASSOU online elections. Clause III. The Director of Communication shall coordinate one community service project per term. Clause IV. The Director of Communication must be enrolled at Southern Oregon University and must and be at least a half time student during their term of office as determined by the SOU registrar. Section X. Director of Cultural Relations Clause I. The Director of Cultural Relations shall be the chief liaison of other state and federal student activism organizations and shall report to ASSOU regarding appropriate matters of student concern at the state and federal level. Clause II. The Director of Culture Relations shall be in charge of recommending necessary appointments to other state and federal student activism organization. These recommendations are to the ASSOU President and subject to ASSOU Senate approval. Clause III. The Director of Cultural Relations shall with other campus groups and organizations help to coordinate multicultural student activities, programming and awareness on campus. Clause IV. The Director of Cultural Relations shall serve as a liaison between ASSOU and all on campus student organizations. Clause V. The Director of Cultural Relations must be enrolled at Southern Oregon University and must and be at least a half time student during their term of office as determined by the SOU registrar. Section XI. ASSOU Student Advocate Clause I. The Student Advocate's responsibilities shall include representing SOU students in on-campus grievance proceedings. Clause II. The ASSOU Student Advocate shall coordinate one community service project per term. Clause III. The ASSOU Student Advocate shall preside over The ASSOU Hearings Board and shall preside over the ASSOU Senate during impeachment hearings. Clause IV. The ASSOU Student Advocate, as Chair of the ASSOU Hearings Board, shall be the official spokesperson and representative of the ASSOU Judicial Branch, with appropriate powers to carry out this job as deemed necessary by the ASSOU Hearings Board and Senate. Clause V. The ASSOU Student Advocate shall have the power to call special sessions of the ASSOU Senate only in matters of a dismissal trial. Clause VI. The ASSOU Student Advocate must be enrolled at Southern Oregon University and must and be at least a half time student during their term of office as determined by the SOU registrar.

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ARTICLE IV - ASSOU LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Section I. Composition of the ASSOU Legislative Branch Clause I. The ASSOU Senate shall be composed of twenty members; ten to be elected in spring term and ten to be elected in the fall term. Clause II. ASSOU Senators elected during in the spring term elections shall be: 1- Off-Campus Senator 1- Business Senator 1- Arts and Letters Senator 1- Science Senator 1- Social Science, Education, Health / PE Senator 5- At-Large Senator Clause III. ASSOU Senators elected during the fall term election shall be: 1- Housing Senator 1- Freshmen Senator 1- Athletics Senator 1- Educational Activities Senator 1- Stevenson Union Senator 1- Multicultural Senator 1- Non-Traditional Senator 1- International Senator 2- At-Large Senator Clause IV. Offices elected in the fall shall be sworn in within two weeks of the election. Offices elected in the spring shall be sworn in at the first ASSOU Senate meeting after the ASSOU Presidential transition, which must occur at least six weeks after the spring election. Clause V. A winter term election shall be held to fill any vacant ASSOU Senate seats. Offices elected in the winter election shall be sworn in within two weeks of the election. Clause VI. The full-seated Senate of ASSOU shall be the number of Senators presently sworn into office including matters of impeachment, dismissal, or referendum. Clause VII. To be eligible to be an ASSOU Senator one must be currently enrolled as a half time student as determined by the SOU registrar. Section II. Term of Office Clause I. Senators shall be sworn in by the ASSOU Student Advocate within six weeks of their election if elected in the spring, or within two weeks of their election if elected in the fall. They shall serve until replaced by rightfully elected officers, or unless they resign or are dismissed from their seats. Section III. Approval of Executive Appointments Clause I. The ASSOU Senate shall have the power to confirm or deny all executive appointments of senators and students to ASSOU ad-hoc, Administrative, or other ASSOU and campus standing committees. Section IV. ASSOU By Laws Clause I. ASSOU shall operate within the ASSOU By Laws to be found in the appendix to the ASSOU Constitution. The ASSOU Senate shall have the power to amend the ASSOU By Laws by a two-thirds vote of the full-seated Senate. Section V. Senate Contingency Funds Clause I. The ASSOU Senate shall have exclusive control of the allocation of ASSOU Senate Contingency funds as put forth in the ASSOU Budget document. Section VI. Veto Override Clause I. The ASSOU Senate has the power to override the veto of the ASSOU President by a two-thirds vote of the full-seated Senate. Section VII. Responsibilities Clause I. The ASSOU Senate shall be responsible for initiating legislation, as it deems necessary, to carry out its responsibilities as outlined in the ASSOU Constitution and ASSOU By Laws. Clause II. The ASSOU Senate shall be responsible for approving the yearly ASSOU Budget prepared by the Director of Administration and Finance and approved by the ASSOU President. Clause III. The ASSOU Senate shall be responsible for approving the Student Fee Budget recommendation and may amend the recommendation by two-thirds vote of the full-seated ASSOU Senate. Clause IV. The ASSOU Committee on Committee will have the power to call special sessions of any ASSOU standing committee, as well as amend any ASSOU Presidential appointment regarding ASSOU committees.

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ARTICLE V - ASSOU JUDICIAL BRANCH

Section I. Composition Clause I. The ASSOU Hearings Board shall be composed of:

ASSOU Student Advocate (Chair)
ASSOU Rules Committee Chair
Three Students-at-Large (Presidential Appointments)

Clause II. Appointments are made by the ASSOU President and subject to approval by the ASSOU Senate. Board members shall be sworn in by the ASSOU Student Advocate within two weeks of their appointment and serve for one year, unless they are dismissed or resign from their position. Clause III. The ASSOU Student Advocate is the Chairperson of The ASSOU Hearings Board, with the Rules Committee Chair serving in this capacity in cases of illness or extended absence of the Chair. Section II. Jurisdiction Clause I. The ASSOU Hearings Board shall have jurisdiction over all cases involving alleged violations of the ASSOU Constitution or ASSOU By laws by individual students, student groups, the ASSOU Legislative Branch, or the ASSOU Executive Branch.

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ARTICLE VI - DISMISSAL OF OFFICIALS

Section I. Recall Clause I. Any elected official of ASSOU may be recalled from office. Clause II. A petition must be received by the chairperson of the Rules Committee with the signatures of ten percent of the membership of The ASSOU indicating their request for a recall election. The petition must state the name of the officer, the office, and the reasons for the recall. Clause III. The Rules Committee must instruct the Elections Committee to hold an election within two weeks of verification of the signatures on the petition. Clause IV. The officer will be dismissed from office if fifty percent plus one of the valid votes cast is affirmative of the recall. Section II. Impeachment Clause I. Any elected or appointed official of ASSOU may be impeached for a just cause. Impeachment shall be acknowledged by a simple majority vote, fifty percent plus one of the seated Senators. Clause II. Following a vote for impeachment, the ASSOU Senate shall vote for the dismissal of the elected or appointed official in question. Section III. Dismissal Clause I. Any elected or appointed official of ASSOU may be dismissed from office for a just cause. A dismissal vote shall occur after an impeachment vote and a dismissal trial by a three quarters vote of the full-seated Senate. The dismissal trail procedures shall follow the guidelines set forth in the ASSOU By Laws. Clause II. The ASSOU President may be dismissed after the ASSOU Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet signs a petition and submit it to the Rules Committee Chair requesting the removal of the President. Once the Rules Committee Chair has agrees the petition is valid, the Chair instructs the ASSOU Student Advocate to call a special session of the ASSOU Senate for a dismissal trial. Clause III. The ASSOU Vice President may be dismissed in the same manor as the ASSOU President, with the ASSOU President and majority of the Cabinet submitting a petition to the Rules Committee Chair. Clause IV. The Senate President Pro-Tempore may be dismissed when five members of the Senate Leadership Committee sign a petition and submit it to the ASSOU Vice President. Once the Vice President has agreed the petition is valid, the Vice President instructs the ASSOU Student Advocate to call a special session of the ASSOU Senate for a dismissal trial. Clause V. Any member of the ASSOU Cabinet maybe removed from office by a decision of the ASSOU Executive Council. In addition, to remove the ASSOU Student Advocate, the ASSOU Senate must pass the Executive Councils recommendations.

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ARTICLE VII - INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM

Section I. Initiative Clause I. The membership of The ASSOU may initiate action by presenting a petition to the chairperson of the Rules Committee. Clause II. The petition must contain the signatures of ten percent of the membership of The ASSOU and must state the nature, intent, and impact of the requested action. Clause III. The Rules Committee must instruct the Elections Committee to hold an election within two weeks of the verification of the signatures on the petition. Clause IV. If fifty percent plus one of the members of The ASSOU voting in the election favor the requested action it will become effective at the next scheduled ASSOU Senate meeting when the results are announced by the chairperson of the Rules Committee. Section II. Referendum Clause I. The ASSOU Senate may refer to the membership of The ASSOU any matter it deems necessary. Clause II. On a vote of fifty percent plus one of the full-seated Senate, the ASSOU Vice President shall instruct the chairperson of the Elections Committee to hold an election within two weeks of the date of the vote, except in cases of constitutional changes, which require a two thirds vote of the Senate. Clause III. If fifty percent plus one of the members of The ASSOU voting in the election favor the proposal, it will become effective at the next ASSOU Senate meeting when the results are announced by the chairperson of the Elections Committee.

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ARTICLE VIII - ELECTIONS

Section I. Power of Election Clause I. The ASSOU Elections Committee shall administer all ASSOU elections. Clause II. Elections shall include votes on initiatives, referendums, elections of officers, or amendments to the ASSOU Constitution. Section II. Guidelines Clause I. All elections shall be conducted in accordance with the Election Rules and Guidelines to be found in the ASSOU By Laws. Clause II. No person shall be elected to the office of ASSOU President, Vice President, or Senator if they do not receive at least the equivalent number of votes equal to one percent of the current enrollment of Southern Oregon University. Clause III. The Elections Committee Chair shall serve as the ASSOU spokesperson and representative on matters relating to ASSOU elections.

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ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS

Section I. Clause I. Amendments to the ASSOU Constitution may be made by means of an initiative petition or by submission to the full membership of ASSOU by a two-thirds vote of the full-seated Senate. Amendments must be approved by two-thirds of the members of The ASSOU voting in an election.

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ARTICLE X - ENABLING CLAUSE

Section I. Clause I. This Constitution becomes effective and supersedes any and all other previous ASSOU Constitutions as approved by members of The ASSOU.

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