Constitution & Bylaws

We the student body of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, in an effort to establish ourselves as a responsible unit for democratic self-government, further the rights and obligations of all students, and initiate stimulating and rewarding activities for the betterment of the University and civic community, do ordain and establish this Constitution, within the structure established and subscribed to by the University of South Florida St. Petersburg.

All students who have identified their home campus as USF St. Petersburg are members of the Student Government (SG). Just as a good classroom experience is vital to a student's academic excellence, the co-curricular experiences that a students has through leadership opportunities of the SG is crucial to a student's desire to contribute to community, while developing skills that they can use in their lives away from the university.

The SG is established to represent the interests and concerns of students to the larger university community, while working to build an excitingly vibrant life on campus for students. The elected leadership of the SG, along with the general student body, will work together to realize these goals.

The elected leadership of the SG will meet weekly with the Director of Student Life to address issues that impact the lives of students at the university. The Director of Student Life, in turn, will work with the SG leadership to ensure that students' voices are heard by the leadership of the university, that students are represented on appropriate university committees, and that student input is sought by University leadership when making important university decisions.

II. Structure and Elected Leadership

There are five components that make up the official structure and leadership of the SG (Student Organizations, the Executive Council, the Senate, the Judiciary and SG Committees). The general student body elects the members of the Executive Council and the Senate. Student organizations are the manifestations of students' interests and concerns. The Executive Council (4 members) and the Senate (up to 22 members) are charged to work with the student body to ensure that students' voices are heard and interests known throughout the university.

Executive Council:

The Executive Council is comprised of the SG President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Members of the Executive Council are the most visible and active members of the SG who work closely with the Director of Student Life to address students' concerns at the university. The Executive Council sets a vision for student-driven co-curricular life.

President-

calls to order and presides over SG meetings
represents and reflects the views of the entire student body to the broader university community
upholds the SG constitution
oversees SG and ensures that the organization runs smoothly
addresses the general undergraduate student body once each semester (state of the union)
addresses new students at New Student Orientation/Convocation
meets with the Director of Student Life once a week; the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs monthly and the Chancellor of the University at least twice a year along with other members of the Executive Council
calls Executive Council meetings to order
serves as Student Representative to the Campus Board

Vice President-

fulfills the role of the President's position when president is absent
chairs the Student Organization’s Council which meets 1 time per month
plans the annual Welcome Back event sponsored by Student Government each fall
chairs the USFSP Homecoming committee

Treasurer-

is the chair of the Budget Committee
has the authority for all Student Government expenditures
shall prepare and present each new fiscal budget for the expenditure of Activity & Service Fee funds to SG in the spring, and the annual student organization budgets
provides budget updates at all SG meetings
prepares the Student Government allocations manual distributed to student organizations and makes changes to financial processes with the approval of the SG senate

Secretary-

executes and oversees daily operations of SG
maintains SG records and amendments to the SG constitution
takes minutes at all SG related meetings and makes them available to students online
plans the bi-annual graduation celebrations in accordance to university commencement
maintains and communicates attendance records for all members

Senate:

The Senate is the legislative branch of the SG. The Senate is charged to amend the SG constitution, recognizing student organizations through funding, approving fee increases, and vote on all SG issues. Members of the Senate represent specific populations within USF St. Petersburg community. The representatives shall represent the interests of their respective colleges. They, and the SG officers, shall convene collectively for the purpose of formulating policy and procedures pertaining to student activities, functions, and benefits funded by Activity & Service Fee money.

The Senate includes senators from the following areas:

College of Arts & Sciences 6

College of Business 7

College of Education 4

Undeclared & Special 3

*Note: The number of senator positions is subject to change based on enrollment in each particular college.

College enrollment Number of senators

0 - 200 students 2 senators

201 - 400 students 3 senators

401 - 700 students 4 senators

701 - 1,000 students 5 senators

1,001 - 1,400 students 6 senators

1,401 - 1,800 students 7 senators

Over 1,800 students 8 senators

The Judiciary:

The Judiciary is established to do the following:

responsible for revisions, amendments, deletions, or additions to this Constitution for the Student Government to approve.
for the appeal of actions and/or decisions made by Student Government or any one within Student Government.
may be established to hear violations of the student code of conduct at the discretion of the Dean of Students and/or Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

The members will consist of three student members, (none of which may be Student Government senators or officers), appointed by the President. Of the three members a chairperson will be appointed by the President. All appointees must be confirmed by a 2/3 majority vote, membership will coincide with the regular term of office of the Student Government.

Committees:

Election Rules Committee.

The Election Rules Committee is responsible for overseeing, and conducting the election of Student Government members. The Election Rules Committee shall validate the election. Operating procedures are defined in the Elections Procedures Act.

Budget Committee.

The budget Committee shall assist the treasurer in appropriating funds, preparing budget reports, and acknowledging requests for additional funds. Membership and operation procedures will be defined in the Financial Procedures Act.

Student Organizations Council.

The Student Organizations Council shall consist of one representative from each student organization and shall be chaired by the Student Government vice-president. Other members may be appointed by the chairperson. Its purpose shall be to inform each other of upcoming activities, share relevant ideas, and serve as a means to share information with various organizations.

Special Events Committee.

The Special Events Committee will be chaired by the executive council member who is responsible for the specific program/event currently requiring assistances. The committee will be charged with planning and implementing the programmatic aspects of Student Government including the Welcome Back BBQ, Homecoming and Graduation Celebration. In the case of Homecoming, students involved with the committee may not participate in Homecoming activities including running for Homecoming Duke/Duchess or as a member of a team.

III. Operating Procedures

Article I Membership

Section A-General Body and Officers

The SG is open to all students who have identified their home campus USF St. Petersburg.

All members of the SG elected leadership must: (SG elected leadership refers to members of the Executive Council and the Senate)

1. Be in good standing with the university (minimum 2.0 GPA). Those serving in as Executive Council members must, at the time of election and during the term of office, have a minimum 2.5 GPA.

2. Be currently enrolled student at USF St. Petersburg and have identified USF St. Petersburg as their home campus.

3. Fulfill the obligations of his/her elected position.

4. Attend weekly SG meetings and other special meetings as required.

5. Be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credit hours in the summer term

Section B-Committees

SG committee positions are open to and can be filled by any USF St. Petersburg student in good academic standing at the University (2.0 cum GPA).

Article II: Meetings of the SG

Student Government meetings shall be called weekly on Wednesday. This will not apply to regularly scheduled breaks. A special meeting maybe called by the president or by quorum of the voting Student Government members.

Section A-Running of the Meetings

SG meetings will be convened by the President of the SG with support from the Vice President.

Section B- Quorum and Voting

A quorum shall consist of one-half (1/2) plus one (1) of the total number of senators currently in office. Proxy votes are not allowed.

Article III: Attendance Policies

Section A: Executive Council and Senators

All Executive Council members and Senators are expected to attend every SG meeting each semester. All Executive Council members and Senators are expected to be present at all Senate meetings each semester. Either may be removed if more than 6 absences (excused or unexcused) have been accumulated. The secretary will be responsible for maintaining attendance records and communicating with members regarding their status.

Article IV: Student Organization Recognition

Any USF St. Petersburg student(s) who has identified USFSP as their home campus can register a new student organization with the Student Life office. Student Government may grant funding to student organization on a provisional basis until such time as their official university recognition is granted.

Article V: Election Procedures

Section A: Election Process

The process for election to any SG office is as follows:

Executive Council candidates must complete a candidate packet, including: a petition signed by 50 USF St. Petersburg students (students must have identified USFSP as their home campus) who support his/her candidacy; Senate candidates must also complete a candidate packet, including at petition signed by 25 USF St. Petersburg students (students must have identified USFSP as their home campus)who support his/her candidacy.

All SG positions are voted on by the entire student body who have identified USFSP as their home campus (1 person, 1 vote) in a spring election. All positions are year long terms from May 1 to April 31.

1. Elections will be run by the Elections Committee

2. Elections will be held in the Davis Lobby or other student space determined by the Elections Committee. Web based voting may result in changes to the process.

3. Results will be tabulated by the Election Committee and supervised by the Director of Student Life or designee.

4. A candidate will be declared elected when he/she receives a majority of the votes cast for each particular position.

5. In the event that no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast in a particular race, there shall be a run-off election between the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes. Any run-off election shall be publicized for four school days following the election with the run-off held on the fifth school day. Candidates involved in a run-off election shall be subject to the same campaign rules which governed the initial campaign. However, the deadline for removal of campaign materials will be re-established by the Election Rules Committee.

Section B: Campaign Rules and Regulations

Apply to all those running for any SG office:

1. Posters will be hung on bulletin boards throughout campus except those designated for use by specific colleges and academic advisors by Student Life staff. No campaign material may be posted on classroom or office doors. All posters must be removed immediately following the election. A maximum of 25 flyers/posters should be delivered to the Campus Activities Center.

2. Handbills may be distributed throughout the lobbies and halls of DAV, COQ, BAY, Bayboro Station and MSL buildings, as well as outside.

3. Student campaign events may be conducted in the Davis Lobby between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. as well as between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., except on election days.

4. There will be no active campaigning in classrooms during class time unless approved by the course instructor.

5. No campaigning of any kind will be allowed on the days of the election in Davis Lobby. All posters and handbills must be removed from Davis Lobby by 9:00 a.m., the first day of elections.

6. Any violation of the above rules may result in disqualification.

7. Any candidate who violates any of the election procedures set forth by the

Constitution or any other rules established by the Election Rules Committee, shall be subject to disqualification. Disqualification of a candidate shall be decided by the Judicial Committee.

8. Any student, candidate, or Student Government member may challenge the

election or the actions of the Election Rules committee if they feel that the committee has neglected to run the election fairly or have failed to comply with these Election Procedures. All cases of allegations shall be brought before the Judicial Committee, which may take action, i.e. a new election or disqualification of an unqualified candidate or other circumstances which may require impartial solutions.

Section C: Elections Rules Committee

Exists to oversee the election process:

1. The Student Government President will appoint a chairperson to the Election

Rules Committee. The chairperson will be appointed from the members of the Student Government, and shall assume the duties of chairperson upon a 2/3 majority vote of the Student Government voting members present at any Student Government meeting.

2. In addition to the chairperson, the Election Rules Committee will consist

of at least two other members, who shall be agreed upon by the chairperson and Student Government President.

3. The Election Rules Committee will be responsible for coordinating all

aspects of every Student Government campus election, according to the Election Procedures set forth in this document.

Section D: Resignation and Removal from position

A SG executive officer or senator may vacate the position by:

1. Resignation: an officer steps down from his/her elected position because he/she is unable to fulfill the duties of the office.

2. Removal: the President and all other elected officers may be removed from office if they fail to fulfill the responsibilities of their elected position, fail to attend the required number of semester SG/Senate meetings, or engage in behaviors un-becoming an Executive Board member or Senator.

3. Any member of the Senate or the student body may initiate the impeachment of such an officer by filing a formal complaint with the Judicial Committee.

4. There will be a period of one week between the time of the filing of the complaint and the impeachment hearing. In the event that a regular SG meeting does not fall in the one week time frame, a special meeting will be called.

5. The student will then have the responsibility of presenting his/her case before the Senate.

6. An equal amount of time will be allocated for the member in question, to present his/her case, and answer questions.

7. Upon completion of the hearing, a 2/3 vote of the members of the Senate seated will result in the removal of the officer from his/her office.

8. If an elected member of the SG is unseated by the Senate, he/she cannot be re-elected or appointed to office during the same school year.

Section E: Filling of Vacancies

In the event of vacancies the following procedure will be followed:

1. College seats that become vacant will be filled when a qualified student from that college fulfills the following requirements: presents to Student Government a petition with twenty five signatures of students from that college

2. Signatures must be verified by the Election Rules Committee. After verification of the petition, the candidate shall assume office.

3. If the office is contested, the candidates will be presented to Student Government and upon a majority vote of the Student Government voting members present.

4. In the case of a vacancy in the Executive Committee, Senators currently seated will be eligible for consideration. Nominations should occur at the meeting immediately following the announcement of the vacancy. Candidates must be approved by 2/3 vote of the Senate. If the vacancy is in the role of President, the Vice-President automatically secedes to President.

4. No SG elected/appointed officer can hold more than one (1) SG office at a time.

Article VI

Constitutional Amendments

The SG reserves the right to amend this constitution:

1. An amendment process is initiated by a majority vote of the full Senate.

2. Amendments so initiated must receive majority of the votes cast by the student body. Two weeks prior to the vote, an all-University town meeting shall be held to discuss any such amendment.

3. Editorial changes may be made at the discretion of the full Senate.

4. The council, committee, or administrative office responds to the Executive Council within a reasonable period of time regarding action on the proposal.

5. A proposal can be sent back to the previous body at any time in order to clarify questions or issues or to include suggestions. Re-working of the proposal throughout the process will serve in the creation of a more realistic, workable proposal with a mutually acceptable outcome.

Article VII

Governing Acts

SG will utilize additional documents which will govern the activities of the Student Government at USF St. Petersburg. These documents will include the following:

1. Elections procedures act: This document details all policies and procedures related to student body elections including candidate requirements, campaigning procedures, and guidelines for the Election Rules Committee.

2. Financial procedures act: This document details all policies and procedures related to the Student Government allocation of A&S fees. In addition, the document will provide instruction to student organizations on the appropriate use of student fees and the ways in which SG will distribute funds to these organizations.