The Constitution of the Undergraduate Student Government of the American University

ARTICLE I. THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Section i.

All legislative powers shall be vested in the Undergraduate Senate of the Student Government, which shall consist of popularly elected Senators. The purpose of the Undergraduate Senate shall be to represent, legislate, and delineate policies regarding the concerns of the American University undergraduate student body with regards to academics, programming, and university policy. The Undergraduate Senate shall also serve to ensure proper consideration and exercise of the judicial and executive powers of the Student Government.

Section ii.

The Undergraduate Senate shall be composed of thirty (30) Senators. Two (2) shall be elected from the College of Arts and Sciences, one (1) from the School of International Service, one (1) from the School of Public Affairs, one (1) from the School of Communication, and one (1) from the Kogod School of Business. Five (5) shall be elected from the Freshman class, five (5) from the Sophomore class, five (5) from the Junior class, five (5) from the Senior class, and four (4) from the Student Body as a whole. The four (4) Senators elected from the Student Body as a whole shall serve "At-Large" and represent student matters not covered by Class or School Senators. From those chosen, those receiving the most votes from each constituency shall be considered elected and assume a seat in the Undergraduate Senate pursuant to the compositions outlined herein.

Section iii.

The Speaker with the consent of the Undergraduate Senate and the respective Class Council shall appoint students to fill class vacancies in the Undergraduate Senate. The Speaker with the consent of the school council and Undergraduate Senate shall appoint students to fill vacancies in school seats. The President with the consent of the Speaker and the Undergraduate Senate shall fill vacant At-Large seats.

Section iv.

All undergraduate students shall be considered members of their respective School as long as they are enrolled in a degree-granting program in that School. Likewise, students shall be considered a part of their class based on the standard credit schedule: Freshman 0-29 credits; Sophomore 30-59 credits; Junior 60-89 credits; Senior 90+ credits. All members of the Undergraduate Senate must be considered part of their respective class at the beginning of their term.

Section v.

The legislative term shall begin and end at the fall elections. Upon the beginning of each term, the Undergraduate Senate shall elect its leadership, including a Speaker who shall immediately resign his membership, and shall lead the body. The Speaker, however, does not need to be a member of the Undergraduate Senate prior to being elected. The Speaker shall vote in matters when it affects the outcome.

Section vi.

The Undergraduate Senate shall control all Student Government funds through the passing of legislation and establishment of appropriate means for doing so. The Undergraduate Senate is empowered to authorize referenda, call for special elections, and to override a veto of the President through a two-thirds (?) vote of all Senators present.

Section vii.

The Undergraduate Senate shall be responsible for the creation and maintenance of uniform standards of conduct both for itself and all Student Government officers, and shall be able to remove or punish said officials for misconduct as defined by the uniform standards created.

Section viii.

The Undergraduate Senate shall meet regularly at a uniform time and place no fewer than two times per calendar month as circumstances permit, and shall never meet in secret.

Section ix.

All positions outlined within this article, with the exception of the Speaker, shall be considered voting members of the Undergraduate Senate. The President, Vice President, Comptroller, Secretary, Chief of Staff, Advisor, and the Parliamentarian of the Student Government as well as and the President of the Residence Hall Association (RHA) shall have full speaking privileges in the Undergraduate Senate when permitted in the By-laws, but shall not vote. Any other individual can be granted speaking rights with the consent of the body.

ARTICLE II. THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Section i.

There shall be established a President, through election in the spring, who shall serve as the chief executive of the Student Government. This individual shall consult with the Undergraduate Senate and execute policies with respect to University issues and be the primary liaison to the University Administration and Board of Trustees. The President shall have the power to veto any bill and to create a cabinet to assist him/her in the development of policies. In the event that the President is no longer able to serve in his/her capacity, either by design or removal of office, a special election shall be administered within thirty (30) calendar days. The Comptroller shall temporarily assume the duties of the President, until such time that a new President is elected.

Section ii.

There shall be established a Vice President, through election in the spring, who shall consult with the Undergraduate Senate and execute policies with respect to academic affairs. The Vice President shall liaise with the Undergraduate Councils of each School and Class. The Vice President shall also have oversight over programming activities not assumed by the President. In the event that the Vice President is no longer able to serve in his/her capacity, either by design or removal of office, a special election shall be administered within thirty (30) calendar days. The Secretary shall temporarily assume the duties of the Vice President, until such time that a new Vice President is elected.

Section iii.

There shall be established a Comptroller, through election in the spring, who shall be charged with overseeing the financial accounts of the Student Government, and shall engage in all reconciliations, budget adjustments, and shall be empowered to appoint Deputies as he/she may see fit. The Comptroller shall also be the primary authority of the organization regarding its assets, and shall advise the Undergraduate Senate of the same. In the event that the Comptroller is no longer able to serve in his/her capacity, either by design or removal of office, the President, with the advice and consent of the Undergraduate Senate, shall appoint a Comptroller.

Section iv.

There shall be established a Secretary, through election in the spring, who shall be charged with the daily operations of the Student Government. The Secretary shall also be charged with oversight of communications, and shall administer services provided by the organization. In the event that the Secretary is no longer able to serve in his/her capacity, either by design or removal of office, the President, with the advice and consent of the Undergraduate Senate, shall appoint a Secretary.

ARTICLE III. THE JUDICIAL BRANCH

Section i.

There shall be established a Parliamentarian, who shall serve as the initial authority on the governing documents of the Student Government, and shall at all times remain impartial on all non-procedural matters related to the body. The Parliamentarian shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Undergraduate Senate. The Parliamentarian shall be responsible for advising all members of the organization on procedural matters and governing documents, and may be removed by the Undergraduate Senate with a two-thirds (?) vote of that body.

Section ii.

The governing documents in order of precedence are the Student Government Constitution, By-laws, Undergraduate Senate Rules of Debate and Decorum, "Ethical and Judicial Standards," the Parliamentary authority of previous rulings, and the Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure.

Section iii.

There shall be a Judicial Board, which shall serve as the final authority on the governing documents of the Student Government. This Board shall consist of five members of the student body. Two shall be appointed by the President and two appointed by the Speaker with the approval of the Undergraduate Senate.

Section iv.

The fifth member of the Judicial Board shall serve as Chairman and be jointly appointed by the Speaker of the Undergraduate Senate and President of the Student Government, with approval of the Undergraduate Senate.

Section v.

The By-laws of the School Councils, Class Councils, Departments, Organs, Associations, and the standing committees of the Undergraduate Senate shall be adopted and amended by a two-thirds (?) vote of the Undergraduate Senate. The By-laws shall be subject to notification one meeting prior to their consideration.

ARTICLE IV. REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

Section i.

Should any member of the Student Government, including the Executive Officers, Judiciary, and Senators fail to attend to the duties of his/her office as outlined in the governing documents, the Undergraduate Senate may remove that individual from office, allowing him/her due process of action.

Section ii.

Due process and the procedure for carrying out the removal from office investigation shall be defined in the Student Government By-laws.

Section iii.

The full Undergraduate Senate shall have the final word on removal from office and such action shall only be taken by two-thirds (?) vote.

ARTICLE V. UNDERGRADUATE AND CLASS COUNCILS

Section i.

There shall be established by election in the spring, one Undergraduate Council for each School and one Council for each Undergraduate Class, with the exception of the Freshmen Class, which shall elect its officers in the fall.

Section ii.

The School and Class Councils shall be responsible for advocating issues and establishing programming of concern to their constituencies.

Section iii.

There shall be elected a President of each Council, to serve as the Chief Executive Officer and spokesperson for that Council to the University, and to appropriate Departments therein. The President shall be responsible for programming and serving as a liaison between that Council and the Student Government Vice President.

Section iv.

There shall be elected a Vice President of each council who shall assist the President in his/her duties.

Section v.

There shall be elected a Secretary of each Council who shall be charged with the daily operations and management of that Council's resources, spaces, materials, and personnel.

Section vi.

There shall be elected a Treasurer of each Council who shall be charged with the management and oversight of all accounts and financial resources of that Council, representing the Council in such financial matters, and coordinating the raising and spending of such funds.

Section vii.

The line of succession within the Council shall be the Vice President, followed by the Treasurer, and then Secretary.

ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS, REFERENDA, AND RATIFICATION

Section i.

Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by any member of the Undergraduate Senate. All proposed amendments shall be subject to notification one meeting prior to their consideration. A two-thirds vote of the Undergraduate Senate or petition signed by 10% of the Undergraduate Student Body shall place the amendments to a vote by the Student Body.

Section ii.

Referenda shall be placed on the ballot through a two-thirds (?) vote of the Undergraduate Senate, or through petition as designated above.

Section iii.

An amendment shall be considered ratified when two-thirds (?) of those voting in referendum approve the amendment. No fewer than fourteen days (14) written notice shall be served to the campus media, along with the correct and adequate representation of the current Constitution and the proposed amendments. Copies shall be available to all who request them.