Viterbo SGA Constitution

The Constitution of the Viterbo University Student Government Association is comprised of fourteen articles:

Article I: Name
Article II: Preamble
Article III: The Purposes of the Viterbo University Student Government Association
Article IV: SGA Membership
Article V: Duties of the SGA Membership
Article VI: Duties of the Executive Officers
Article VII: SGA Executive Committee
Article VIII: SGA Committees
Article IX: Meeting Operations
Article X: Elections
Article XI: Initial Organizational Meeting
Article XII: Resignation, Recall, and Vacancy Filling Policy
Article XIII: Referenda, Amendments and Ratification
Article XIV: Nondiscrimination Policy

Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be the Viterbo University Student Government Association (SGA).

Article II: Preamble

This Constitution is set forth with the belief that active and thoughtful participation in every aspect of campus life that concerns students is beneficially attainable and that said participation should pursue the ideals of all without denying the ideals of one; be responsive without being repressive or restrictive; and ensure that we, the students of Viterbo University, are fairly recognized and represented.

Article III: The Purpose of the Viterbo University Student Government Association

To represent Viterbo University student body on campus and in the surrounding community.
To address issues and recommend policies pertaining to students and student life.
To manage and allocate non-departmental funds collected through the student activity fees.
To coordinate and conduct SGA elections.
To choose awards or scholarships as necessary.

Article IV: SGA Membership

The thirty-two members of the Student Government Association include the following Executive Officers, Student Senators, and Advisor (net increase of 3 student senators over previous model and one additional Exec Board member).

President and Executive Vice President are elected in tandem by the student body in the spring semester for the following academic year.
Student senators are elected by the student body in the spring semester for the following academic year.
1. One Senator from each of Viterbo’s Colleges, Schools, and Conservatories.
2. Four Sophomore Student Senators.
3. Four Junior Student Senators.
4. Four Senior Student Senators.
5. One Commuting Student Senator.
6. One International Student Senator.
7. One Non-Traditional Student Senator (25 years of age or older and attending weekday classes in the fall and spring semesters).
Student Senators are elected by the student body in the fall semester for the current academic year.
1. Four First-Year Student Senators elected by the first-year class.
Executive officers will be elected from the newly-elected Student Senators by the newly elected Student Senators in the spring semester for the following academic year.
1. Vice President of Public Relations
2. Secretary
Vice President of Residential Affairs
1. Will be elected in the spring for the following year by the Residence Hall Association
Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
1. Will be elected in the spring for the following year by the Student Social Justice and Equity Committee
Student Senators appointed by the SGA President as vacancies open. Each position requires approval from at least two-thirds of the Student Senators.
Vice President of Finance, non-voting member. The Vice President of Finance is appointed by the Administrative Advisor and the previous year’s Vice President of Finance.
One Administrative Advisor, non-voting member. This position is typically held by the chief student life officer.

Article V: Duties of the SGA Membership

To attend all SGA meetings.
To serve on at least one SGA committee.
To participate in at least one additional event per semester (i.e. tabling events).
To uphold the SGA Constitution and By-Laws.
To act in accordance with University policy.
To maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Article VI: Duties of the Executive Officers

The Executive Officers of the SGA shall be President, Executive Vice President, Vice President of Public Relations, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Vice President of Residential Affairs, Vice President of Finance, and Secretary.
The President and Executive Vice President shall be elected in tandem with the greatest number of votes from the student body.
The Vice President of Public Relations, and Secretary shall be elected from among the SGA Student Senators at the initial organizational meeting.
The Vice President of Residential Affairs shall be elected in the spring by the members of the Residence Hall Association.
The Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion shall be elected in the spring by the members of the Social Justice and Equity Committee.
If any SGA member’s GPA falls below the required minimum, they will be put on probationary status for the subsequent semester. If an SGA member fails to bring their GPA to the required minimum by the end of the semester of probation, they will be removed from their position; vacancies will be filled in accordance with Article XII, section c.
Duties
1. President
  1. The President holds a vote at Executive meetings; none at SGA meetings.
  2. Shall call all meetings of the SGA.
  3. Shall call and preside at all SGA Executive Board meetings.
  4. Shall preside over all SGA meetings in the absence of the Vice President.
  5. Shall represent the student body at all University Board of Trustee Meetings.
  6. Shall serve as the primary liaison with other college and university student governments.
  7. Shall work with student groups, University offices and outside agencies for the betterment of the University community
  8. Shall be responsible for announcing the official SGA viewpoint and position to the SGA members, members of the campus and surrounding community, and local broadcast and print media in consultation with University Communications.
  9. Shall keep detailed records of their activities for use by future officers and committees.
  10. Shall have the authority to approve or veto any item of business voted upon and passed by SGA membership. Veto may be overridden by a two-thirds majority of the SGA.
  11. Appoint with a two-thirds SGA approval of when a seat is vacant.
  12. Shall not be an officer of another campus club.
  13. Shall maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5.
2. Executive Vice President
  1. The Executive Vice President holds a vote at Executive Board meetings; none at SGA meetings (with the exception of a deciding vote in the event of a tie).
  2. Shall assist the President.
  3. Shall preside over all SGA meetings.
  4. Shall announce the names of the newly-elected Student Senators to pertinent University student groups, officials and committees.
  5. Shall cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie vote at an SGA meeting.
  6. Will have a working knowledge of Parliamentary Procedure.
  7. Shall advise SGA members on SGA By-Laws, Robert's Rules of Order and/or Parliamentary Procedure as necessary.
  9. Shall not be an officer of another campus club.
  10. Shall maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.25.
3. Secretary
  1. The Secretary holds a vote at both Executive Board meetings and SGA meetings.
  2. Shall take minutes of each SGA meeting, type them, and distribute them within 48 hours of each meeting. Minutes are distributed to:
    1. President of the University
    2. Academic Vice President
    3. All SGA members
    4. Employee Assembly President
    5. SGA Business Manager
    6. Vice President for Student Life
    7. Lumen Editor
  3. Shall ensure that approved SGA meeting minutes are posted and stored in the Viterbo University Library Archive Meeting Minutes and Agendas Collection and on the SGA website.
  4. Shall maintain an updated version of the Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Procedure at all SGA meetings
  5. Shall keep track of member attendance.
  6. Shall file correspondence and keep office files in order.
  7. Shall maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.25.
4. Vice President of Public Relations
  1. The Vice President of Public Relations holds a vote at both Executive meetings and SGA Meetings.
  2. Shall maintain the SGA website and social media accounts.
  3. Shall be responsible for publicity campaigns as needed.
  4. Shall be responsible for drafting communications to the local broadcast and print media on behalf of SGA in consultation with University Communications.
  5. Shall be responsible for assisting the President in announcing the official viewpoint and position the SGA to the local broadcast and print media, and members of the campus and surrounding community.
  6. Shall be the chairperson of the Marketing Committee.
  7. Shall maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.25.
5. Vice President of Finance
  1. The Vice President of Finance is a paid position appointed by SGA through an application and interview process. [The interviewing committee shall consist of the Administrative Advisor and the current Vice President of Finance (if not reapplying)]. The Vice President of Finance will be appointed by April 1st for the following year.
  2. Holds a vote at Executive Board meetings; none at SGA meetings.
  3. Shall be the chairperson of the Finance Committee.
  4. Shall maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.25
  5. Further duties
    1. Responsible for the implementation of financial decisions made by SGA.
    2. Make reports of all account activity at each SGA meeting.
    3. Provide/present a budget for SGA by April 15th for the following academic year.
    4. Attend all SGA meetings.
    5. Attend all Executive Board meetings.
6. Vice President of Residential Affairs - RHA Liaison
  1. The Vice President of Residential Affairs holds a vote at both Executive meetings and SGA meetings.
  2. Serves as a resource for members of the Executive Board and SGA regarding residence life.
  3. Shall be an executive member of the Residence Hall Association (RHA).
  4. Fosters and maintains a positive relationship between resident students and SGA.
  5. Shall maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.25.
7. Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  1. The Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion holds a vote at both Executive meetings and SGA meetings
  2. Shall be the co-chairperson of the Social Justice and Equity Committee.
  3. Advocates for all students with special consideration for historically underrepresented groups.
  4. Shall maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.25
8. Administrative Advisor
  1. The Administrative Advisor does not hold a vote at either the Executive or SGA meetings.
  2. Serves as a resource for the Executive Board and SGA members regarding University resources, processes, and policies.
  3. All funding awards granted by the SGA must be approved by the Administrative Advisor before they may be finalized.

Article VII: SGA Executive Board

Membership of the SGA Executive Board.
1. The seven (7) SGA officers- President, Executive Vice President, Vice President of Finance, Vice President of Public Relations, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Vice President of Residential Affairs, and Secretary.
2. SGA Administrative Advisor, Non-Voting Member.
Functions of the SGA Executive Committee.
1. To prepare the agenda for SGA meetings.
2. To encourage members and committees to fulfill their duties.
3. To make purchases and agreements as necessary when the SGA is not in session, with the understanding that expenditures must be approved by a majority vote at the next SGA meeting.
4. To provide leadership and fulfill the mission of SGA.

Article VIII: SGA Committees

Committee Memberships shall be determined by the beginning of the academic year after first-year senators are installed.
The Executive Vice President shall appoint SGA Committee members based on Student Senator and Executive Officer preferences.
Committees may include students who are not SGA members.
The President and Secretary will be notified of all committee meetings.
The Executive Vice President will strive to ensure that committees include representation of both lower and upper division students.
The following are Standing SGA Committees.
1. Finance Committee
  1. The Finance Committee shall include at least five (5) members- the Vice President of Finance, the SGA Administrative Advisor and at least three (3) other SGA members.
  2. The Vice President of Finance shall serve as the chair.
  3. The SGA Administrative Advisor will sit on the committee as a non-voting member.
  4. Functions
    1. To assist the Vice President of Finance.
    2. To review all funding requests and to make recommendations to SGA pertaining to said requests.
    3. To present funding requests to the SGA meeting with recommendations
2. Marketing Committee
  1. The Marketing Committee shall include at least two (2) SGA members.
  2. The VP of Public Relations shall serve as the chairperson.
  3. Functions
    1. To assist the VP of Public Relations with publicity campaigns.
    2. To assist in the planning of tabling events
3. Student Social Justice and Equity Committee
  1. The Student Social Justice and Equity Committee shall include at least three (3) SGA members.
  2. The Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion shall serve as the chairperson.
  3. The Social Justice and Equity Committee may have up to two administrative members/advisors.
  4. Functions
    1. Provide opportunities for students to engage and educate the student body to support and promote social justice and equity in the University community.
    2. Empower student leadership and voice in areas of social justice and equity on campus and in the community.
    3. Provide students the opportunity to engage in University decision making in the areas of social justice and equity.
    4. Provide support to identity-related organizations.
4. Ad Hoc Committee(s)
  1. Ad Hoc Committees can be formed for specific purposes when necessary.
  2. The Executive Vice President will appoint committee leaders for Ad Hoc Committees.

Article IX: Meeting Operations

SGA meetings shall be held at least twice a month during the academic year; the months of May, December, and January may only have one SGA meeting each depending on the academic calendar.
No meeting of SGA shall be held without the presence of a quorum. A quorum shall consist of more than fifty percent (50%) of the current SGA membership.
All SGA meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order, newly revised, except when in conflict with the Constitution or its bylaws.
The Executive Vice President shall preside over all meetings.
If the Executive Vice President is not present, the President shall preside over meetings until the Vice President returns. The order of succession for presiding at meetings is Executive Vice President, President, Vice President of Public Relations, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Vice President of Finance, Vice President of Residential Affairs and Secretary.
In the event that no members of the Executive Committee are present, the meeting is suspended until the President calls the next meeting.
Special meetings may be called at any time by the Executive Vice President. An attempt to contact all SGA members by email or telephone at least three (3) days before each meeting must be made to validate the meeting.
An agenda shall be set and distributed at least three (3) days before each meeting. Meetings shall include the following:
1. 1. 1. Call to order.
    2. Prayer/Reflection.
    3. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting.
    4. Approval of Agenda of Current Meeting.
    5. Presenters.
    6. President’s Report.
    7. Executives’ Reports.
    8. Advisor’s Report.
    9. Committee Reports.
    10. Old Business.
    11. New Business.
    12. Student Concerns.
    13. Announcements.
    14. Adjournment.
When voting on a motion, the following procedures are to be used:
1. The Executive Vice President shall restate the motion.
2. The Executive Vice President may call a general consent vote, a voice vote or a roll call vote.
3. In the event of a roll call vote, voting members will indicate their vote with one of the following responses:
  1. “Yes” for a vote in the affirmative.

1. 1. “No” for a dissenting vote.
  2. “Abstain” when a member is present, but is not voting. Abstentions are not counted as part of the total vote.
Upon announcing the results of the vote, the Executive Vice President requests the President’s approval or veto.
If the President approves, the motion passes. If the President vetoes, the motion fails. A two-thirds majority vote by the SGA may override the President’s veto.

Article X: Election Policy

Any current Viterbo student meeting the academic eligibility requirements may place their name in nomination for SGA Student Senator or Executive Officer provided they will be enrolled in good academic standing for the academic year in which they would serve.
Nominees will submit a completed nomination form.
Candidates must follow the campaign guidelines.
All SGA members will be elected for a term of one academic year.
Spring SGA elections must be completed by April 15th.
Regarding fall elections, newly elected First-Year Senators must be seated by the third meeting of the fall semester.

Article XI: Initial Organizational Meeting

The newly-elected SGA will convene under the leadership of the incoming SGA President. The SGA will elect a Vice President of Public Relations and Secretary at the initial organizational meeting. The initial organizational meeting is to be held within one month of the completion of spring elections. The Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and The Vice President of Residential Affairs may be approved at later dates.

Article XII: Resignation, Recall and Vacancy Filling Policy

Resignation
1. SGA Members
  1. SGA members resigning a position shall submit a resignation in writing to the SGA President.
  2. The SGA President shall notify SGA members of the resignation.
  3. An SGA member who resigns their position may be eligible to hold an SGA position in the future.
2. SGA Committees
  1. Students resigning from an SGA Committee shall submit a letter of resignation to the Chairperson of the Committee and the SGA Executive Vice President.
  2. The SGA Executive Vice President will notify SGA members of the resignation.
Recall from Office
1. Recall from Office for Not Meeting Attendance Requirements
  1. An SGA member may be removed from their position if they miss four (4) meetings in one academic year. Absences may be excused if a formal request is made to the President and Secretary at least 48 hours prior to a meeting.
  2. The President will inform any member in writing if they are within one (1) absence of removal.
  3. After three (3) absences of any member, the President shall request SGA approval for removal from the position if said member misses a fourth meeting.
  4. After a member misses four (4) meetings, the President shall inform said member that they no longer hold an SGA position.
  5. If a member is recalled from their position, said member cannot hold a position on SGA in the future.
2. Recall from Office for Reasons of Wrongdoing
  1. A member may be removed from SGA when the member has failed or refused to perform their duties or responsibilities as outlined in the SGA Constitution. Members may also be revoked for acts of malfeasance, criminal violations or violations of the University Code of Student Conduct.
  2. Any student may submit a request to have an SGA member removed from their position. Requests must be made in writing with rationale to an Executive Officer and the Administrative Advisor.
  3. The Executive Officer shall bring the request to the Executive Board for review and substantiation.
  4. The Executive Board will inform the member of the charges and will request that the member resigns or prepares a written defense within seven (7) days of notification of the charges.
  5. The Executive Board will meet with said member after they submit a written defense. Upon completion of the meeting, the Executive Board will determine if the charges should be presented to the SGA.
  6. If the Executive Board determine the charges should be forwarded to SGA, the Executive Board will submit its recommendations in writing to each SGA member.
  7. After hearing the case, the SGA will vote on the recall by secret ballot. The member may be recalled with a two-thirds vote of SGA.
  8. The vote will be tabulated by the Secretary, President and/or the advisor, which will inform said member and the Executive Vice President of the vote.
  9. The Executive Vice President will announce the result of the vote.
  10. Any recalled member can appeal to the Vice President for Student Life.
  11. If a member is recalled from their position, said member cannot hold a position on SGA in the future.
Filling Vacancies
1. Executive Officers
  1. In the case that a vacancy occurs in the office of SGA President, the Executive Vice President shall assume the office of the President.
  2. In the case that a vacancy occurs in the office of any Executive Officer other than the President, the President will appoint a student to fulfill the duties of the position. The appointment must be approved with two-thirds SGA vote.
2. Student Senators
  1. In the case that a vacancy occurs in the position of Student Senator, the President will appoint a student that meets the requirements of the particular opening (commuter, non-traditional student, etc.) The appointment must be approved with a two-thirds SGA vote.
  2. The President is encouraged to discuss possible nominations with current SGA Senators.

Article XIII: Referenda, Amendments and Ratification

Referenda
1. A referendum on any question may be called by a petition signed by at least five (5) percent of the undergraduate student body, or a two-thirds SGA vote.
2. The SGA Administrative Advisor shall assist in conducting all referenda and referendum vote by the undergraduate student body.
3. The referendum will require a favorable vote by two-thirds of at least (10) percent of the undergraduate student body to pass.
Amendments:
1. Any proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be brought before SGA and requires a two-thirds SGA vote to pass favorably for consideration by the student body.
2. If the amendment passes favorably with a two-thirds SGA vote, and approval of the SGA Administrative Advisor, the amendment will appear before the undergraduate student body.
3. The amendment will require a favorable vote by two-thirds of at least ten (10) percent of the undergraduate student body to pass.
Ratification of SGA Constitution
1. Any proposed ratification to the SGA Constitution shall be brought before SGA and requires a two-thirds SGA vote to pass favorably for consideration by the student body.
2. If the ratification passes favorably with a two-thirds SGA vote, and approval of the SGA Administrative Advisor, the ratification will appear before the undergraduate student body.
3. The SGA Constitution will be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the undergraduate student body with a minimum of five (5) percent of the undergraduate students voting, and approval of the University President.
4. This Constitution will become effective immediately upon ratification.

Article XIV: Nondiscrimination Policy

The Student Government Association and its members shall not discriminate against any individual(s) for reasons of age, ethnicity, disability, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Viterbo Student Government Association Constitution approved by Viterbo Student Government Association and the Administrative Advisor on March 17, 2022; ratified by the Viterbo University student body on Friday, March 25, 2022; and approved by the University President on March 28, 2022.

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