MESA STATE COLLEGE
Associated Student Government Constitution
Adopted 1997
Amended 1998, 2000, 2002
ARTICLE I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the Associated
Student Government of Mesa State College.
ARTICLE II: Student Bill of Rights
The Associated Student Government recognizes that students
have certain rights which shall be imperishable and exist as a foundation for
democratic governance. However, the ASG
also recognizes that students have specific responsibilities which must be
carried out in order to ensure these rights.
Those responsibilities include:
1) Respecting the rights of fellow students as enumerated
below, and 2) Being acquainted with all information provided to the student
(i.e. student handbook, student code of conduct, etc.) and following the
established policies. In exchange,
students shall have the following rights, in concordance with state and local
laws:
Section A: Basic Rights
Freedom of Speech, Religion, and the Press
The right to present
their ideas on any subject without penalty or censorship with the exception of
endangerment to life, property, or intrusion upon the equal rights of
others. This right includes the freedom
of campus media to engage in meaningful discussion of student issues without
fear of financial retribution from the Associated Student Government. Also, students have the right to religious
freedom, except when that freedom infringes upon the rights of others or
endangers life or property.
Dissenting Opinions
The right to take
reasoned exception to views offered as part of academic curriculum or
non-academic functions without fear of repercussion, to be graded solely on
academic performance, and to be protected against prejudice or arbitrary
evaluation.
Forming Organizations
The right to organize,
join, and take part in any organization for intellectual, religious, social,
economic, or cultural purposes, subject to reasonable regulation.
Demonstration
The right to organize and participate in
orderly, non-violent demonstrations on and off campus.
Hearing Speakers
The right to invite and
hear speakers of their choice on subjects that interest them.
Use of Facilities
The right to use campus
facilities for meetings and other activities subject only to payment of
expenses when necessary, and according to such procedures as may be necessary
in scheduling rooms for times and purposes to which they are suited.
Petitioning
The right to petition
the proper authority for changes in faculty, administration, curriculum, and
institutional policy, without fear of retribution.
Soliciting Money
The right, subject to
reasonable regulation, of any recognized student organization to solicit money
on campus.
Information
The right to obtain
truthful and full information, upon inquiry, on the reasons for any college policy
affecting them, the adoption proceedings of said policy, and the options by
which it may be changed.
Privacy of Records
The right to privacy of
their academic, non-academic, disciplinary, and financial records with the
right of personal examination of such records.
Non-Institutional Obligations
The right not to have
non-institutional financial obligations placed on the student’s institutional
account.
Due Process
The right to judicial
due process, including a speedy trial, confrontation of plaintiff and his
witnesses, counsel, presumption of innocence, and appeal.
Suits
The right, if aggrieved,
to bring suit within the regular judiciary system for any punitive violation of
rights.
Discrimination
The right, as a student,
to enjoy all these rights, all other rights, and all benefits as outlined by
the institution, without regard to sex, age, handicap, race, religion, marital
status, veteran status, national or ethnic origins or any other capricious
consideration.
Section B: Rights Pertaining to Student Government
1.
Democratic Governance
The right to organize and maintain a
democratic form of representative student government which shall be in charge
of overseeing and regulating student affairs, assessing and allocating student
fees, and involving itself in the formation of college policy.
2.
Election of Student
Officials
The right to choose student government
officials through the student election process.
3.
Student Judiciaries
The right to an independent and impartial
judiciary through which students and student organizations may appeal actions
of the student government.
4.
Appeals
The right to appeal proposed fee
increases to the student government and the administration.
5.
Formulation of
Amendments
The right to refer constitutional
amendments to the student body through the initiative process.
ARTICLE III: Objectives
The objectives of the
Associated Student Government shall be:
To develop and maintain a representative student government at Mesa State College.
To promote the educational experience and opportunities of the student body by working to expand student participation and involvement on their campus.
To coordinate activities, communication, and services of general benefit to students.
To protect the individual rights and freedoms of students.
To oversee the activities related to student fee assessment and allocation.
To monitor the activities of the faculty and administration while protecting the best interests of the students.
To recognize all official student organizations.
To maximize the student experience in academic and nonacademic pursuits.
ARTICLE IV: The Student Senate
Section A: Responsibilities and Authority
The Student Senate shall serve as the legislative body of the Associated Student Government and shall be responsible for the following:
1. Initiating and enacting that legislation which it shall deem necessary and proper under this Constitution and subsequent Articles of the Bylaws.
2.
Senators may introduce
legislation by presenting a bill to the Senate Leader who, in turn, shall place
the bill on the Student Senate’s agenda for action in a timely fashion.
3. Confirming all appointments for Directorships and Supreme Court Justices.
4. Removing from office any negligent Supreme Court Justice that fails to meet the enumerated duties of their office.
5. Refer all matters regarding Constitutional violation and/or interpretation to the Student Supreme Court including, but not limited to, the impeachment of negligent Senators and executive officers.
6.
Senators shall abide by
all federal, state, and local laws and shall not tarnish the reputation of the
ASG.
7. The Student Senate may override any Presidential veto with a two-thirds majority of quorum.
8.
Each Senator shall be entitled to one vote.
Section B: Membership
1. The
Student Senate shall consist of Senators duly elected by a plurality of the
general student population, or appointed by the Senate Leader and confirmed by
the Senate in times of vacancy, and shall represent their constituency in all
matters before the Senate. Each Senator
is responsible to report to his constituents on all matters before the
Senate.
2. The Student Senate shall consist of the following members:
3. The Vice President of the Associated Student Government shall serve as the Speaker of the Senate and presiding officer over the Senate and shall cast the deciding vote when the Senate is tied on any given matter.
4. The Student Senate, through a plurality vote of its members, shall elect a Senate Leader, from the body of elected Senators, during the last official meeting of the Senate in the year prior to their term. The Senate leader shall:
5. All Executive Officers of the Associated Student Government shall serve as ex-officio members to the Senate.
6. Senatorial vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the Senate Leader, pending confirmation by a two-thirds majority vote of Senators present at any official meeting of the Senate.
7. Except where otherwise provided, each Senator shall serve a minimum of two office hours per week.
8. The Student Senate, through a plurality vote of its members, shall elect a new Senate Leader, from the body of elected Senators, should that office become vacant.
Section C: Standing Committees
1. The Fee Allocation Committee (FAC) shall be originally responsible for all matters related to student fee assessment, allocation, and oversight.
2. The Associated Student Government Affairs Committee shall be originally responsible for all matters related to the oversight of the ASG and all other student government entities, and shall be chaired by the Senate Leader’s appointment.
3. The External Affairs Committee shall be originally responsible for all matters related to the governance of Mesa State College, and shall be chaired by the Director of External Affairs.
4. The Senate Leadership Committee, which shall consist of the Senate Leader (Chair), the Vice President, and two Senators appointed by the Senate Leader, shall meet weekly in order to formulate the Student Senate’s weekly agenda as well as discuss pertinent student issues.
Section D: Senate Meetings
1. Regular meetings of the Student Senate shall be held each week during the fall and spring semesters, except during the week of final examinations and those periods of college vacations.
2. Special Meetings of the Student Senate may be called by the Speaker or by a majority vote of quorum by the Student Senate. Notice must be given to the Senate membership not less than 24 hours prior to said meeting.
3. All meetings of the Student Senate shall be open to the public except those in which legal and/or personnel matters shall be discussed.
4. Quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the total voting members. No business shall be conducted without a quorum.
ARTICLE V: The
Executive Branch
Section A: Executive Authority
The Executive power of the Associated Student
Government shall be vested in the President, Vice President, and standing
Directors.
Section B: The President
The President shall:
1. Be elected by a plurality of the general student population in the spring prior to their term.
2. Be the Chief Executive of the Associated Student Government and shall be responsible for carrying out the duties and the responsibilities of the office as enumerated by this Constitution and subsequent Articles of the Bylaws.
3. Enforce the Constitution and the Bylaws according to the powers vested in this Constitution and subsequent Articles of the Bylaws.
4. Give precedence to the interests of the students over all other considerations.
5. Be of junior or senior status
6. Act as the primary overseer over all student fee funded boards and organizations. The President’s ultimate oversight authority shall rest in the authority to regulate the procedural activities of the student fee funded boards and organizations through the issuance of executive orders. Executive Orders are binding and reversible only through a counter measure by the Student Senate. When deemed necessary, the President may delegate this oversight authority to the Student Senate and/or other student commissions through the issuance of an executive order pronouncing such.
7. Meet weekly with the President’s Cabinet in order to discuss pertinent student issues.
8. Veto any legislation conflicting with the best interests of the Associated Student Government and the students of Mesa State College.
9. Appoint the Standing Directors of External Affairs and Finance as well as any Assistants to the Standing Directors when deemed necessary. The President shall refer his appointments to the Student Senate for confirmation during the last official meeting of the outgoing Student Senate in the year prior to the director’s or assistant director’s term. Any newly elected executives serving on the outgoing Senate shall not vote during this confirmation process. If the Student Senate fails to confirm appointments during the last meeting of the year prior, the Senate shall reconsider appointments at the first official meeting the following year. The President shall be responsible for referring negligent directors to the Student Supreme Court for an impeachment hearing when deemed in the best interest of the Associated Student Government.
10. Appoint one Chief Justice and two Justices to the Student Supreme Court. The President shall refer his appointments to the Student Senate for confirmation during the last official meeting of the outgoing Student Senate in the year prior to the director’s or assistant director’s term. If the Student Senate fails to confirm appointments during the last meeting of the year prior, the Senate shall reconsider appointments at the first official meeting the following year.
11. Present a state of the student report to the Student Senate at the beginning of each semester.
12. Prepare a typewritten monthly report of executive activities to be placed in the year end report.
13. Perform all other duties necessary and appropriate to the office.
14. Act as the public relations officer for the ASG
15. Appoint students to the administrative campus committees.
16. Appoint the faculty and administrative advisors to the Associated Student Government
17. Maintain fifteen office hours per week.
Section C: The Vice President
The Vice President shall:
1. Be elected in conjunction with the President
2. Assume the position of President, should that office become vacant.
3. Serve as the Speaker and presiding officer over the Student Senate according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
4. Be of junior or senior status.
5. Maintain the integrity of all ASG operated facilities.
6. Assist the President in carrying out the duties of the Executive Branch.
7. Serve as the President’s primary liaison regarding the procedural oversight of all student fee funded boards and organizations.
8. Refer to the Student Supreme Court for consideration any well-founded constitutional or bylaw violations by members of the Student Senate.
9. Execute student elections in accordance with this Constitution and subsequent Articles of the Bylaws.
10. Serve in those capacities deemed necessary and appropriate by the President.
11. Maintain a minimum of ten office hours per week.
Section D: Directors
The Director of External Affairs shall:
1. Follow legislation concerning higher education at all levels of government.
2. Be of sophomore, junior or senior status
3. Be the official student representative to any state and/or national organization with which the Associated Student Government is affiliated.
4. Establish communication with appropriate state and national officials.
5. Present the position of the students of Mesa State College to interest groups or governmental organizations giving precedence first to the position of the Student Senate, second to the position of the President, and third to individual conscience.
6. Prepare a typed written monthly report to be submitted to the President.
7. Serve and act in those capacities deemed necessary and appropriate by the President;
8. Maintain a minimum of ten office hours per week.
The Director of Finance shall:
1. Serve as the ASG representative to the Fee Allocation Committee while serving as its vice chair.
2. Maintain current and accurate records of all financial transactions. Such records shall be available to all students upon request.
3. Be of sophomore, junior or senior status
4. Provide current account status to the Student Senate on a weekly basis.
5. Sign all requisitions when appropriate.
6. Serve in those capacities deemed necessary and appropriate by the President.
7. Maintain a minimum of ten office hours per
week during a fee allocation year and maintain a minimum of eight office hours per week during a non-fee
allocation year.
Section E: The Student Trustee
The Student Trustee Shall:
1. Be elected by a plurality of the student population in the spring prior to their term.
2. Represent the Student of Mesa State College to the Board of Trustees of Mesa State College as per Colorado Revised Statutes section 23-52-102.
3. Be of Junior or Senior status.
4. Maintain a minimum of ten office hours per week.
5. Prepare a type written monthly report to be submitted to the Associated Student Government President.
Section F: The President’s Cabinet
The President’s cabinet
shall consist of the executive officers who shall meet weekly to discuss
pertinent student issues.
ARTICLE VI:
The Student Supreme Court
Section A: Judicial Authority
The Judicial power of the
Associated Student Government shall be vested in the Student Supreme
Court. All rulings by the Student
Supreme Court are final and binding upon the ASG and shall be duly enforced by
the President and adhered to by the Student Senate and all other governmental
entities.
Section B: Membership
The Student Supreme Court
shall consist of one Chief Justice and two Justices appointed by the President
and confirmed by a two-thirds majority of the Student Senate.
Section C:
Judicial Responsibilities
The Student Supreme Court
shall:
1. Narrowly interpret the dictates of this Constitution and subsequent Articles of the Bylaws.
2. Consider and adjudicate all questions referred to the court by the Student Senate and/or the Vice President.
3. Adjudicate all complaints issued by fee funded boards and/or organizations regarding improper oversight by the Associated Student Government Executive and/or Legislative branches.
4. Consider complaints against any member of the ASG issued by any student of Mesa State College.
5. Consider all impeachment referrals.
6. Not concurrently serve as a member of either the Executive Branch or the Student Senate.
ARTICLE VII: Removal and Censure of ASG Officials
1. At any time credible evidence suggests that any Senator or executive has violated the constitutional and/or bylaw requirements of their office, the Vice President shall conduct an investigation and, if deemed necessary, refer the investigation’s findings to the Student Supreme Court for impeachment proceedings.
2. If at any time the Vice President chooses not to refer an investigative matter to the Student Supreme Court and the Student Senate deems the matter in need of judicial review, the Student Senate shall refer such matters to the Student Supreme Court for an impeachment hearing through a two-thirds majority vote of members present at any official meeting of the Senate.
3. When referred matters concerning negligent ASG members by either the Vice President or the Student Senate, the Student Supreme Court shall conduct an impeachment hearing and shall find the ASG member charged as innocent or guilty. If found guilty, the Student Supreme Court shall reserve the right to procure that punishment deemed appropriate to the violation, including expulsion from office and all lesser penalties.
4. At any time credible evidence suggests that a Supreme Court Justice has not met the constitutional requirements of their office, the Vice President shall conduct an investigation and refer the findings to the Student Senate which, if deemed necessary and appropriate by the Senate, shall expel the justice through a two-thirds majority vote of members present at any official meeting of the Senate.
ARTICLE VIII: Constitutional Amendments
1. Amendments to this Constitution may be initiated by the student body through the submission of a petition containing the signatures of not less than 10% FTE of the most recent student census. All petitioned amendments shall contain the exact wording to be submitted during the student vote.
2. The Student Senate may refer a Constitutional amendment to the student body through an affirmative two-thirds majority vote of quorum. All referred Constitutional amendments shall be sent to the ballot by the Student Senate not less than three weeks prior to the student vote.
3. Upon receipt of a valid petition from the student body or a referral by the Student Senate, the Vice President shall organize and conduct an election in compliance with the election c