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UGBC Constitution

PREAMBLE

We, the undergraduate students of Boston College, in our right and duty to take an active role in the governance of the university, in our commitment to protecting the diverse interests and opinions of the student body at large, and in establishing a democratic student government to serve as that collaborative voice, do hereby establish this Constitution of the Undergraduate Government of Boston College.

ARTICLE I. NAME & COMPOSITION

Section 1 – Name

  1. The name of this organization shall be the Undergraduate Government of Boston College herein referred to as “UGBC.”

Section 2 – Composition

  1. The Undergraduate Government of Boston College will consist solely of Boston College full-time undergraduate students in acceptable academic standing with a 2.5 GPA or with administrative approval.
  2. The Undergraduate Government of Boston College shall consist of three (3) branches: the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE & NON-DISCRIMINATION

Section 1 - Purpose

  1. The UGBC shall serve as the primary governing organization for all Boston College undergraduate students. The UGBC shall be a strong, active, and united student representative organization, and will provide a central body to protect student rights, pursue student interests, organize campus-wide programs, and promote improved communication between students, faculty and the administration.

Section 2 - Non-Discrimination

  1. The UGBC shall not discriminate and shall also discourage discrimination on the basis of ancestry, nationality, religion, sex, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, philosophy, economic situation, nor any physical or mental disability. The UGBC will not advocate restriction of anyone’s freedom of public speech or expression and shall not join any commercial, discriminatory, partisan, or sectarian organization. To this end, the UGBC Student Body President assumes responsibility for execution of UGBC’s non-discriminatory policy and the Senate President assumes responsibility for execution of policy by the Senate. a

ARTICLE III. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Legislative Branch shall serve as duly elected representatives of the undergraduate student body, work to protect the rights of students, defend the integrity of this constitution, investigate issues relevant to student life and openly discuss any matter which affects the general welfare of the student body of Boston College or elements thereof.

Section 1 – Legislative Name & Membership

  1. The Legislative Branch of the Undergraduate Government of Boston College shall be composed of a Senate and administrative staff.
  2. The Senate shall be composed of five (5) students from each class directly elected by the members of their respective year and up to three (3) senate staff appointed positions.
  3. Senators are required to serve their full term. If a senator/senator elect is unable to complete their full term due to a planned absence such as studying abroad for a semester, the senator in question will forfeit their entire term in office as soon as such a conflict becomes known. If the Senator/Senator Elect is not forthcoming with their situation and a complaint is made against them, the Judicial Council may intervene and vacate the senate seat. This provision will not take effect until September 4th, 2007.
  4. The Undergraduate Government of Boston College, in the event of a senator’s departure, will appoint the individual to the Senate who accumulated the highest vote total in the previous Senate election in the departing senator’s respective class. If the sixth place senator is ineligible or declines the appointment, the seventh place senator shall be appointed and so on until a new senator is found. In the case of no eligible remaining senators, the seat will remain vacant and a special election will be held within the respective class to appoint a new senator within twenty (20) academic days. This provision will not take effect until the 2008-2009 UGBC election cycle. b c

Section 2 – Senate Organization

  1. Upon taking office, the newly-elected Senate shall be responsible for electing, by plurality, one member of their organization for the position of Senate President and one member for the position of Senate Vice President. The internal election must occur within five (5) days of a preliminary Senate meeting which must take place within five (5) days of the election results being released. Outgoing senators (seniors or non re-elected) are ineligible to vote, but may offer counsel to eligible senators.
  2. The Senate President and Senate Vice President will serve a one (1) year term.
  3. The Senate President shall appoint each Senator to the various departments within UGBC through an application process. In the absence of the Senate President, the Senate Vice President will assume his/her duties.
  4. There shall be four permanent Senate Committees: the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Senate Committee on Budget and Revenue, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, and the Senate Committee on Public Relations.
  5. The Senate President, upon election, shall designate the membership of each committee, and shall appoint a Senate Committee Chairperson to over see each of the four committees.
  6. The Senate Committee on Budget and Revenue shall work with the UGBC President and all department heads into drafting budget proposals to be put in front of the Senate. This committee may have access to all financial records within UGBC and may keep track of which funds are being used where. The chairperson of the Senate Committee on Budget and Revenue shall work closely with the UGBC President’s Chief of Staff, the head of UGBC’s Director of Finances, ODSD and SOFC.
  7. The Senate Committee on Appropriations shall review all funds leaving UGBC in every department of UGBC and make recommendations to the remainder of the Senate on the nature of these transactions. This committee may have access to all financial records within UGBC. The chairperson of the Senate Committee on Appropriations shall work closely with all UGBC dependent and semi-independent department heads, ODSD, and the head of UGBC’s Director of Finances.
  8. The Senate Committee on Ways and Means shall review all functional legislation before it is voted upon in the Senate. Members may assist new senate members in drafting legislation and shall help to determine whether legislation is pertinent to the interests to the student body and constitutional. The committee may recommend to the Senate and Senate President which pieces of legislation should be considered before others and whether some legislation should be considered at all. The committee may also follow up on passed legislation to ensure that UGBC policy is coming to fruition practically. The chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means shall work closely with all top UGBC officials when dealing with legislation that could affect them, any university department affected by UGBC legislation, and all senators proposing legislation.
  9. The Senate Committee on Public Relations shall work with the Heights and appointed positions within UGBC to improve contact with the student body. This may include press releases, a heights blotter, “meet you senator nights,” student polling, or dorm walks. The committee may also publicize all legislation that has been passed by the Senate and may assist the Senate Committee on Ways and Means into ensuring that legislated UGBC policy comes to fruition. The chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Relations shall work closely with the Heights, and UGBC officials involved with communications/public relations.
  10. The Senate may, by a majority vote, establish a special committee. The membership of the committee shall be determined by the Senate President. d
  11. An established Senate special committee shall investigate or address an issue of pressing and relevant concern to the student body. The special committee shall report its findings or actions to the full Senate at every formal meeting following its formation. e
  12. An established Senate special committee shall remain in effect until it is dissolved by a majority vote. f
  13. The Senate President shall appoint three senate staff positions: Senate Chief of Staff, Senate Public Relations Director, and Senate Programming Director. These positions are intended to assist in administrative and small programming functions of the Senate. g

Section 3 – General Duties of the Senate

  1. The Senate shall represent student interests as members of the various departments within UGBC, which they are appointed to, and as members of university committees.
  2. The Senate shall write the policies of UGBC with the assistance of the UGBC President and UGBC Vice President through resolutions, By-Laws and Amendments. No resolution may violate a By-Law or Amendment. No By-Law may violate an Amendment. The Judicial Council shall have the final determination as to the constitutionality of each By-Law and resolution.
  3. The Senate shall control the finances of UGBC through a careful budgeting process, ensuring that the moneys allocated are in fact serving the interests of the student body.
  4. The Senate shall confirm all UGBC appointments as outlined in Article IV, Section 5.
  5. Senators shall voice their ideas and opinions to the Executive Director of their departments. If a Senator feels that their opinions/ideas, or the opinions/ideas of his constituents are not being heard, they may approach the Senate President or Senate Vice President.
  6. Senators will also be expected to serve as members of their respective assigned departments and attend those regular meetings.

Section 4 – Resolutions

  1. The Senate can, by a majority vote, pass resolutions.
  2. Upon a resolution’s passage, a copy of the said resolution must be sent to the UGBC President and Chief Justice of the Judicial Council by way of e-mail or campus mail within five (5) academic days of its passage.
  3. Resolutions passed by the Senate and signed by the President will become the official position of the undergraduate government.
  4. The President may veto any resolution passed by the Senate.
  5. The President has ten (10) academic days to respond to a resolution upon its passage. If no action is taken within ten (10) academic days, the resolution becomes official. h
  6. Resolutions that are vetoed by the President may be overridden with a three-fifths (3/5) vote of the Senate and will become official policy of the undergraduate government. i
  7. Resolutions are to serve and protect the interest of the student body and may include but are not limited to: official statements to university administration, UGBC press releases, the allocation of funds around UGBC, and allocation of co-sponsorship funds to campus organizations.

Section 5 – Amendments & By Laws

  1. Amendments to this Constitution may be passed by the Senate by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of members present with a two-thirds (2/3) quorum at the meeting. j
  2. The Legislature by majority vote can pass By-Laws. A By-Law once passed becomes the official rule of the Undergraduate Government of Boston College, and must be followed as any other Article of the Constitution would.
  3. Upon the passage of any new By-Law or Amendment, a copy of the said piece of legislation must be sent to the UGBC President and Chief Justice of the Judicial Council by way of e-mail or campus mail within five (5) academic days of its passage. k
  4. The President has ten (10) academic days to respond to any By-Law or Amendment upon its passage. If no action is taken within ten (10) academic days, the By-Law or Amendment becomes official. l
  5. If the By-Law is vetoed the Senate can override the veto with a two-thirds (2/3) vote. m

Section 6 – Meetings of the Senate

  1. The Senators shall meet a minimum of two (2) times per month, or by special request for an emergency meeting.
  2. All sessions of the Senate shall be open to the public unless otherwise noted.
  3. A Closed session may take place only with a two-thirds (2/3) vote.
  4. The Senate President will preside over all meetings and sessions and act as the spokesperson and representative of the group. In the absence of the Senate President, the Senate Vice President will assume this role. In the absence of both the Senate President and the Senate Vice President, the Senate can elect a temporary President Pro-Tempore to officiate the proceedings if a meeting has been lawfully called.
  5. Senators shall conduct no business in the absence of a quorum, which shall be defined as a majority of all members plus one (1). The Senate President, Senate Vice President, UGBC President, or UGBC Vice President shall have the authority to call for an emergency meeting of the Senate. The Senate must be notified within twelve (12) hours before the meeting. The Senate President shall preside over this meeting.
  6. The Senate shall convene at least two (2) times per semester in an open forum where club leaders and representatives from campus organizations are formally invited to discuss the state of the university.
  7. Meetings of the Senate must be held in formal session for co-sponsorship allocations, drafting of amendments or resolutions and hearings. All other times are at the discretion of the Senate President. When in formal session, each Senator is allowed one (1) vote. The Senate President may cast a vote in the event of a tie.
  8. Formal sessions will generally follow rules established by the UGBC Senate President and confirmed by a majority of the Senate at the first meeting of the Senate. These rules may be modified by majority vote throughout the year and should generally follow Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.
  9. In the absence of the Senate President and Senate Vice President, the Senate may elect a Chair Pro-Tempore for this time.

Section 7 – UGBC Budget Procedure

  1. The Senate is responsible for the Budget. The Senate shall allocate the all funds given to UGBC amongst all departments of UGBC throughout the year.
  2. The Senate President and Senate Vice-President shall work with the UGBC Student Body President and UGBC Vice President to craft budget proposals for the undergraduate government. All final decisions for the budget draft proposal shall be made by the UGBC Student Body President.
  3. Upon receiving a budget request from the UGBC Student Body President, the Senate shall have the authority to accept or reject the proposal by majority vote. The Senate can approve part of the moneys for the proposal but reject others. The voting on budgets shall be administered by the Senate President and the initial budget may be voted on by e-mail over the summer.
  4. If the budget fails in whole or in part, the Senate shall draft a letter to the UGBC President explaining their reason. This letter can be made public if deemed necessary.
  5. Budget proposals may be written as many times as deemed necessary by the UGBC President and Senate until all necessary funds have been allocated.
  6. The Senate may only use funds specifically allocated to themselves and may not use money that has yet to be allocated for anything.
  7. The Senate will be allocated a budget for co-sponsorship and Senate functions, which will total no less than 5% of the UGBC’s total budget with no less than 1% of the budget being returned to various departments within UGBC.n
  8. No service trips may be funded by any part of UGBC except by way of the resolution process.
  9. No part of UGBC may directly fund charities. They may sponsor events raising money for charities, but direct allocation is prohibited.

ARTICLE IV. EXECUTIVE BRANCH

The Executive Branch shall work to serve the interests of the student body, secure the protection of student rights, administrate events for the benefit of the student body and execute the official policies of the undergraduate government as specified in this constitution, in the government’s by laws, and in resolutions passed by the undergraduate government.

Section 1 - Executive Membership

  1. The UGBC Student Body President and Vice-President shall be elected at-large by the full-time undergraduate students in an annual election and shall hold their offices for a term of one (1) year beginning April 30th.
  2. All other members of the Undergraduate Government shall be appointed to their positions by the UGBC Student Body President and the Vice-President after an application process except for the elected representatives of each class herein known as Senators, Senate staff and members of ALC and GLC. o
  3. The UGBC Student Body President and Vice President may receive a stipend for their services. Any and all adjustments to these stipends will be reviewed by the Senate in conjunction with university administration.

Section 2 Duties and Powers of the Executive

  1. The UGBC Student Body President shall execute and enforce the principles and guidelines of this Constitution, the governments by laws, and in resolutions passed by the undergraduate government.
  2. The UGBC Student Body President shall be authorized to use funds for administrative duties until the first budget proposal is approved by the Senate.
  3. The UGBC Student Body President and Vice President shall be responsible for the routine operational activities of the UGBC and shall coordinate and oversee all services and programs.
  4. The President and Vice President shall act as the primary spokespersons for the Undergraduate Government of Boston College.
  5. The President and Vice President, along with the input of the Senate, shall interview applicants for all appointed positions. The President and Vice-President shall make the final decision for all appointed positions except for the Senate staff and members of ALC and GLC. p
  6. The UGBC Student Body President and Vice President will meet with a representative of the Office of the Dean for Student Development on a weekly basis to discuss the state of the government.
  7. The UGBC Student Body President and Vice President will serve a one (1) year term from April 30th of the year they were elected to April 30th of the following year.
  8. At least once per academic year, The UGBC Student Body President and Vice-President must issue a “state-of-the-university” address to inform the student body of the undergraduate government’s activity on campus.

Section 3 – Executive Succession

  1. Should the office of the President become vacant, the Vice President shall become President. A new Vice President may then be appointed by the new President with the approval of a majority vote by the Senate.
  2. In the event that the UGBC Student Body President is temporarily unable to perform the duties of the office, the Vice President shall assume all duties of the President for that time.
  3. Should the office of UGBC Vice-President become vacant, the Senate President shall appoint a successor with the approval of a majority vote of the Senate.
  4. Should the office of UGBC Vice-President and UGBC Student Body President become vacant, the Senate President shall become UGBC Student Body President and the Senate Vice-President shall become Senate President.

Section 4 - Appointed Members (Executive Directors & Departments)

  1. Appointed positions within UGBC are created and/or eliminated at the discretion of the President and Vice-President.
  2. The appointed members of the Undergraduate Government are placed as Executive Directors and Directors into each of the departments created by the UGBC Student Body President and Vice-President.
  3. The appointed members of the UGBC are selected by the UGBC Student Body President and Vice-President with the input and final approval by majority vote of the Senate as outlined in Article IV, Section 5.
  4. The appointed members of the UGBC are the designated spokesperson for the student body for the issues they have been appointed to represent. The appointed members are responsible for meeting with their corresponding BC administrator at least twice per semester. The pairings of appointed members and BC administrators shall be specified by the UGBC Student Body President.

Section 5 – UGBC Appointment Procedure

  1. Senators will sit in on interviews for the selection of appointed UGBC members being placed in the department in which the Senator serves. The Senate President and Senate Vice President may sit in on all interviews. The UGBC Student Body President shall make the final decision on all nominations.
  2. The UGBC Student Body President and Vice-President shall deliver to the Senate a written recommendation regarding the appointed Executive Director and Assistant Director for each UGBC department and recommendations for all other nominees no later than April 23rd. q r s
  3. The President and Vice President must also make available all the original applications of their nominees.
  4. Upon receiving the President’s proposed list of appointed members, the Senate shall have the authority to accept or reject these candidates as individuals or by department by a majority vote of all Senators present by April 30.
  5. The Senate must submit a reason for the rejection of a nominee to the UGBC President for reconsideration.
  6. The UGBC Student Body President may create new positions, and nominate new appointees throughout the year. The Senate must convene within six academic days after being notified by the UGBC Student Body President of a nomination for a confirmation hearing to either accept or reject the nominee.
  7. Semi-Independent Departments may handle their own appointments in accordance with their own constitutions. Copies of all appointments must be sent to the Senate President within five (5) academic days of all appointments.

ARTICLE V. JUDICIAL BRANCH

The Judicial Branch shall work to serve the interests of the student body by ensuring that the Legislative and Executive Branches of the undergraduate government are working together in harmony for the betterment of all undergraduate students at Boston College.

Section 1 – Composition

  1. The Judiciary Council shall be composed of three (3) students: one (1) Chief Justice and two (2) Associate Justices.
  2. The Chief Justice and Associate Justices shall serve terms lasting one (1) academic year. Any member of the Judiciary Council may reapply following the expiration of their term in office
  3. The Chief Justice and Associate Justices shall be selected by the outgoing UGBC President, UGBC Senate President and outgoing Chief Justice through an application process run through the Advisor of UGBC. Nominees are subject to a confirmation vote by the majority of the Senate-elect.
  4. Neither the Chief Justice nor the Associate Justices may be appointed nor elected to another office within UGBC.

Section 2 – Duties and Powers of the Judiciary Council

  1. Any review or action by the Judiciary Council must follow a formal complaint filed by any member of UGBC. The Judiciary Council must base all decisions entirely on the UGBC Constitution, UGBC By-Laws and UGBC Resolutions.
  2. The Chief Justice shall preside over all meetings and sessions and act as the spokesperson and representative of the group. The Chief Justice shall issue an objective, written opinion regarding all Judiciary Council decisions.
  3. The Judiciary Council can review all questionable UGBC legislation after a complaint has been issued. The constitutionality of each piece of legislation shall be determined by a majority vote of the Judiciary Council.
  4. The Judiciary Council shall review all questionable executive action after a complaint has been issued. The constitutionality of each executive action shall be determined by a majority vote of the Judiciary Council.
  5. The Judiciary Council shall ensure that all legislation enacted as the official position of the Undergraduate Government is properly executed and enforced.
  6. The Judiciary Council shall be the sole arbiter of all disputes occurring within the UGBC.
  7. The Judiciary Council may perform investigations and hold hearings based on non-performance, absences, misconduct, and/or violation of this Constitution and/or By-Laws and/or UGBC policies of any member of the UGBC after a complaint has been issued.
  8. The Judicial Council may impeach or bring charges against any member of UGBC. See Article VI, Section 1 and Section 2.

ARTICLE VI. IMPEACHMENT & EXPULSION

Section 1 – Impeachment of Elected Officials

  1. An Article of Impeachment may be brought against any elected member of the UGBC based on non-performance, absences, misconduct, and violation of this Constitution and/or By-laws. Charges must be relayed to the individual in writing. A complainant may be any member of UGBC. The Senate Vice-President shall serve as the secretary and draft the appropriate documentation to the individual in question. In the event of charges being brought against the Senate Vice-President, the Senate President shall assume this role.
  2. The member in question shall have five (5) academic days to present a reply.
  3. The President and Vice-President must be notified of all charges.
  4. An elected official may be impeached by: 1) the signatures of the President, Vice-President, and three Senators to pass the Article(s) of Impeachment; 2) the approval of one-third (1/3) of the Senate in favor to pass the Article(s) of Impeachment; 3) a majority vote of the Judicial Council after a hearing has occurred; 4) a student petition of five-hundred (500) certified signatures to pass the Article(s) of Impeachment as specified by the Elections Committee.

Section 2 – Charges Against Appointed Officials

  1. Charges may be brought against any appointed member of the UGBC based on non-performance, absences, misconduct, and violation of this Constitution and/or By-laws. Charges must be relayed to the individual in writing. A complainant may be any member of UGBC. The Senate Vice-President shall serve as the secretary and draft the appropriate documentation to the individual in question. In the event of charges being brought against the Senate Vice-President, the Senate President shall assume this role.
  2. The member in question shall have five (5) academic days to present a reply.
  3. The President and Vice-President must be notified of all charges.
  4. Charges may be brought against an appointed member by: 1) the signature of the President to pass the Article(s) of Impeachment; 2) the approval of one-third (1/3) of the Senate in favor to pass the Article(s) of Impeachment; 3) a majority vote of the Judicial Council after a hearing has occurring; 4) a student petition of five-hundred (500) certified signatures to pass the Article(s) of Impeachment as specified by the Elections Committee.

Section 3 – Removal Hearings

  1. The impeached elected official or appointed member charged with an infraction shall receive a hearing to address the charges brought forth on the Article(s) of Impeachment passed.
  2. The Senate shall hold a hearing with the Senate President presiding. If the Senate President is impeached then the Senate Vice President shall preside over the hearing. If both the Senate President and Senate Vice President are impeached than the Senate shall elect a temporary President Pro-Tempore to officiate the proceedings.
  3. The member in question may not vote at his/her hearing.
  4. The member in question may not preside over his/her hearing.
  5. Any members with a direct interest in the matter are required to abstain from voting. The impeached elected official or appointed member may challenge the integrity of any Senator taking part in the hearing, and the Senator may be removed from the hearing by a majority vote thereafter.
  6. The complainant(s) shall be the first to have an opportunity to make an opening statement, present any relevant witnesses, and receive questions from the Senators taking part in the hearing.
  7. The impeached elected official or appointed member shall have an opportunity to make an opening statement, present any relevant witnesses, and receive questions from the Senators taking part in the hearing.
  8. Both the complainant(s) and the impeached elected official or appointed member shall have an opportunity to make a closing statement.
  9. The Senators taking part in the hearing shall debate and vote on the removal of the impeached elected official or appointed member.

Section 3 – Appointed Member Conviction/Removal

  1. Appointed members in question shall be convicted (and immediately removed from all offices they hold in UGBC) with the approval of the President after a hearing and majority vote by the Senate.
  2. Appointed members in question shall be convicted (and immediately removed from all offices they hold in UGBC) by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Senate after a hearing has taken place. t

Section 4 – Elected Member Conviction/Removal

  1. The President, Vice-President, Senate President, Senate Vice-President, and any Senator may be convicted (and immediately removed from all offices they hold in UGBC) by three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Senate after a hearing has taken place.

ARTICLE VII. DEPARTMENTS

Section 1 Cabinet Departments

  1. The creation or removal of departments within UGBC is at the discretion of the President and Vice-President.
  2. The departments will consist of appointed Executive Directors, Assistant Directors and appointed departmental members.
  3. Senators are also allowed to be members of each department; monitoring progress and helping where need be.

Section 2 Semi-Independent Departments

  1. The AHANA Leadership Council (ALC) and the GLBTQ Leadership Council (GLC) are semi-independent. Please refer to the ALC and GLC Constitutions. u
  2. The officers of the AHANA Leadership Council (ALC), GLBT Leadership Council (GLC) are not subject to impeachment or removal as outlined in Article IV. For impeachment and removal policies of the ALC and GLC, please refer to the ALC and GLC constitutions.
  3. The ALC and GLC constitutions are subject to and protected by the UGBC Constitution.

ARTICLE VIII. STUDENT INITIATIVE

Section 1 – Student Initiative

  1. Any action under the authority of the UGBC may be proposed by a student in the form of a resolution to the Senate. It may be approved by the Senate in accordance Article III, Section 4.

Section 2 – Student Initiative Referendum

  1. Student Initiatives may be ratified by the student body without due process of the Senate by referendum.
  2. Proposed resolutions must receive the signatures of at least 1/8 of the undergraduate student body by petition.
  3. Proposed resolutions must be voted on during elections in the spring semester.
  4. Proposed resolutions must receive an affirmative majority of all votes cast to be considered binding.
  5. The Senate may not adopt any resolutions contrary to approved student initiatives and the UGBC President must uphold the policy of the student initiative.
  6. Proposed resolutions can set UGBC Policy, transfer funds around UGBC or censure any UGBC/University Officials.

Section 3 – Recall Petition

  1. Elected members of UGBC can be removed from office by majority vote in a recall election.
  2. A recall elect can be summoned for the UGBC Student Body President and/or the Vice-President by the collection of validated signatures from one-third (1/3) of the undergraduate student body on a predetermined form created by the Elections Committee. Students shall have two weeks to collect the necessary signatures before they must be submitted to the Elections Committee. All signatures must be verified by the Elections Committee before the recall election can commence. If the required number of validated signatures is not reached than no recall election shall occur.
  3. A recall elect can be summoned for a UGBC Senator(s) by the collection of signatures from one-third (1/3) of the senator’s class on a predetermined form as created by the Elections Committee. Students shall have two weeks to collect the necessary signatures before they must be submitted to the Elections Committee. All signatures must be verified by the Elections Committee before the recall election can commence. If the required number of validated signatures is not reached than no recall election shall occur.
  4. Signatures for a recall election must be validated by the Elections Committee within one week of their submission.
  5. The recall election must commence within ten (10) academic days after the recall petition signatures have been validated.
  6. The recall election shall be organized and administrated by the Elections Committee.

ARTICLE IX. Elections

  1. All UGBC elections are subject to and monitored by ODSD. Please see ODSD Elections Code.

ARTICLE X. SOFC

  1. The Student Organization Funding Committee (SOFC) shall annually receive 50% of the sum of all student activities fee for the purpose of providing program funding for student organizations.
  2. The SOFC shall operate according to its own constitution and by-laws.
  3. Student groups may appeal their SOFC allocations to the UGBC Executive Team composed of the President, Vice-President, Senate President and Senate Vice-President after the appeal has been heard by the SOFC. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Senate President no more than 2 weeks after the SOFC appeal hearing. The written submission must include the original budget proposal and all supporting documentation. The Executive Team can make a recommendation to SOFC with a majority vote. The Executive Team must make this recommendation no more than 2 weeks after the appeal is presented to them.

ARTICLE XI. ODSD

  1. All activities/decisions of the UGBC are subject to final approval by the Office of the Dean for Student Development (ODSD).

ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENT PROCESS

This constitution shall be amended when these lines are proven insufficient for future circumstances. Amendments shall be kept in the spirit of this Constitution and shall address the needs of the student body.
  1. The Senate shall amend this Constitution at any time by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of its membership present at a meeting with at least two-thirds (2/3) quorum.
  2. The President, Vice-President, Senate President and Senate Vice Prtesident shall meet once at the beginning of each semester to review the Constitution, and if necessary, propose revisions.
  3. Amendments may be proposed by any member of the student body and must receive the sponsorship of two Senators.

ARTICLE XIII. RATIFICATION

Section 1 – Drafting Team

Section 2 – Final Ratification

Ratified May 4, 2007
Presiding Official: Senate Vice President Andrew R. Doyle ‘09
Presenting Official: Former Senate President Nicholas “Nyck” Bernier ‘07
Ratifying body: UGBC Senate 2007-2008: 11-0 Unanimous

UGBC Senate 2006-2007

UGBC Senate 2007-2008

ARTICLE XIV. AMENDMENTS PASSED

  1. First Amendment: Amended on Tuesday, the 9th Day of April, in the year 2004. Regarding amendment procedures. Drafted by: Nyck Bernier, Legislative Director (Senator) ’07, Hasan Memom, Legislative Director (Senator) ’07
  2. Second Amendment: Amended on Wednesday, the 28th Day of April, in the year 2004. Regarding the replacement of legislative members. Drafted by: Amy Griffin, Legislative Director Chair (Senate Chair) ’05
  3. Third Amendment: Amended on Tuesday, the 9th Day of October, in the year 2004. Regarding UGBC By-Laws. Drafted by: Nyck Bernier, Legislative Director (Senator) ’07, Sean Herman, Legislative Director (Senator) ’07
  4. Fourth Amendment: Amended on Tuesday, the 8th Day of March, in the year 2005. Regarding the use of the Senate budget. Drafted by: Colm Willis, Legislative Director (Senator) ’08, Prescott White, Legislative Director (Senator) ’06
  5. Fifth Amendment: Amended on Tuesday, the 10th Day of April, in the year 2005. Regarding the creation of a UGBC Non-Discrimination Clause. Drafted by: Sean Herman, Legislative Director (Senator) ’07, Nyck Bernier, Legislative Director (Senator) ’07
  6. Sixth Amendment: Amended on Sunday, the 10th Day of April, in the year 2005. Regarding the creation of the GLBT Leadership Council (GLC). Drafted by: Nyck Bernier, Legislative Director (Senator) ’07, Whitnie Low, Legislative Director (Senator) ’07
  7. Seventh Amendment: Amended on Tuesday, the 14th Day of March, in the year 2006. Regarding the replacement of Senate members. Drafted by: Joe Feeney, Senator ’08, Nyck Bernier, Senator ’07
  8. Eighth Amendment: Amended on Tuesday, the 11th Day of April, in the year 2006. Regarding the replacement of Senate members. Drafted by: Ryan Brown, Senator ‘06, Liam Colum, Senator ‘08
  9. Ninth Amendment: Amended on Tuesday, the 2nd Day of May, in the year 2006. Regarding Veto overrides to Resolutions and By-Laws. Drafted by: Nyck Bernier, Senate Chair ’07, Chris Nunez, Senator ‘09
  10. Tenth Amendment: Amended on Wednesday, the 17th Day of May in the year 2006. Regarding appointed positions within the Senate. Drafted by: Joseph Feeney, Senate Vice Chair ‘08, Colm Willis, Senator ‘08
  11. Eleventh Amendment: Amended on Wednesday, the 17th Day of May in the year 2006. Regarding appointed position removal. Drafted by: Nyck Bernier, Senate Chair ‘07, Jeremy Marks, Senator ‘09
  12. Twelfth Amendment: Amended on Wednesday, the 15th Day of October in the year 2006. Regarding appointment procedure. Drafted by: James Ng, Senator ‘10, Meaghan English ’09
  13. Thirteenth Amendment: Amended on Wednesday, the 29th Day of October in the year 2006. Regarding special senate committees. Drafted by: James Ng, Senator ‘09, TR Hoffman ’08


a Fifth Amendment: Non Discrimination, Amended: 2/8/2005
b Second Amendment: Replacement of Legislative Members, Amended: 4/28/2004
c Seventh Amendment: Replacement of Senate Members, Amended: 3/14/2006
d Thirteenth Amendment: Special Committee Procedure, Amended: 10/29/2006
e Thirteenth Amendment: Special Committee Procedure, Amended: 10/29/2006
f Thirteenth Amendment: Special Committee Procedure, Amended: 10/29/2006
g Tenth Amendment: Senate Staff, Amended: 5/17/2006
h Ninth Amendment: Veto overrides to Resolutions and By-Laws, Amended: 5/2/06
i Ninth Amendment: Veto overrides to Resolutions and By-Laws, Amended: 5/2/06
j First Amendment: Adjusting Amendment Procedure, Amended: 4/9/2004
k Third Amendment: Refining By-Law Procedure, Amended: 10/9/2004
l Eighth Amendment: By-Law Over ride, Amended: 4/11/06
m Ninth Amendment: Veto overrides to Resolutions and By-Laws, Amended: 5/2/06
n Fourth Amendment: Senate Budget, Amended: 4/10/2005
o Tenth Amendment: Senate Staff, Amended: 5/17/2006
p Tenth Amendment: Senate Staff, Amended: 5/17/2006
q Twelfth Amendment: Refining Appointment Procedure, Amended: 10/15/2006
r Twelfth Amendment: Refining Appointment Procedure, Amended: 10/15/2006
s Twelfth Amendment: Refining Appointment Procedure, Amended: 10/15/2006
t Eleventh Amendment: Appointed Position Removal, Amended: 5/17/2006
u Sixth Amendment: Creation of GLC, Amended: 4/10/2005