The Constitution
Student Government Association of Oklahoma Baptist UniversityWe, the student body of Oklahoma Baptist University, do hereby ordain and establish the Constitution of the Student Government Association in order to provide a venue of student governance in accordance with the traditions, standards, and endeavors of Oklahoma Baptist University.
ARTICLE I - INTRODUCTION
(approved April 21, 2010 effective August 1, 2010)
Section I – Purpose
provision 1:
The Student Government Association exists to serve as a venue for maintaining dialogue between the student body and the administration. Its focus shall be devoted to such ends.
provision 2:
The Student Government Association shall strive to sincerely and efficiently convey the needs and desire of the student body to appropriate members of the faculty and administration.
provision 3:
It shall likewise aid the administration in communicating its vision, primarily to the student body, for the future of the OBU community.
provision 4:
By providing funds to assist various student organizations engaging in worthy causes, the Student Government Association shall endeavor to enable the student body to carry out the Oklahoma Baptist University Mission Statement.
ARTICLE II - EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Section I – Introduction
provision 1:
The powers and responsibilities of the Executive Branch of the Student Government Association shall be entrusted to the popularly, independently, elected President and Vice President.
provision 2:
The Executive Branch shall be vested with the responsibility of overseeing the publications and functions of the Student Government Association.
Section II – Eligibility
provision 1:
It shall be necessary for all candidates for President and Vice President to meet the following requirements in order to be eligible to file for office.
stipulation 1: Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average greater than or equal to 3.00.
stipulation 2: Candidates must be enrolled in at least their fourth semester as a full time student. Summer terms and January terms shall not count towards a candidate's total.
stipulation 3: Candidates must be enrolled in enough hours so that at the end of the semester in which the election occurs, they will have completed fifty or more hours.
stipulation 4: The Dean of Students shall review the applications of all candidates to ensure that applicants meet all requirements of the office to which they have applied. Upon completion of the Dean of Student’s review, it shall be made public knowledge whether or not a candidate fulfills all requirements.
stipulation 5: Exact copies of all applications shall be made available to any person or entity requesting them, as a matter of public record
stipulation 6: The date that an application was filed with the chairman of the election board shall also be a matter of public record.
stipulation 7: Any request for an application copy, or date of application submission shall be granted immediately, regardless of whether the applicant has received permission to run from the Dean of Students.
stipulation 8: Candidates shall not be required to list their exact grade point average and credit hours. They must simply indicate whether or not they meet the GPA and credit hour requirements on their application.
Section III - Line of Succession
provision 1:
If the elected President is unable to fulfill the responsibilities of the office, regardless of the circumstances, the Vice President shall assume the role of President.
provision 2:
If the elected Vice President is unable to fulfill the responsibilities of the office, regardless of the circumstances, the Senate Pro Tempore will temporarily assume the vacant office until a special election can be held.
provision 3:
Any special election to fill the vacant office of the Vice Presidency must occur within the Senate and shall take place no more than one month after the initial vacancy.
stipulation 1: A special election Vice Presidential nominee must be a current senate member.
stipulation 2: The nominee shall be confirmed by a simple majority vote of the Senate.
Section IV - The President
provision 1:
The President must submit a proposed budget to the Senate within the first two months of the fall semester to be approved by a simple majority vote.
stipulation 1: The proposed budget shall be submitted in the form of a resolution.
stipulation 2: The President shall provide the Senate with a written explanation of each item contained within the budget.
stipulation 3: If the budget resolution is not passed, the President must submit a revised budget for approval by a simple majority in the immediately following Senate meeting.
provision 2:
The President may submit legislation to the Senate for consideration.
stipulation 1: Any legislation submitted by the President must possess three Senate cosponsors before deemed eligible for Senate consideration.
provision 3:
The President shall be vested with the power to veto bills and resolutions within one week of passage. To override a Presidential veto, the Senate must secure a two-thirds majority vote.
provision 4:
The President is vested with the power to issue Executive Orders regarding the operations of the Student Government Association.
stipulation 1: Contested Executive Orders must be submitted to the Supreme Court for review of the legality of such actions.
provision 5:
The President may call a special session of the Senate to address issues deemed urgent.
provision 6:
The President shall have the authority to recommend and appoint student representatives to various university committees.
stipulation 1: A list of committee vacancies will be provided to the President by the Dean of Students.
stipulation 2: Each committee nominee shall be independently confirmed by a simple majority vote of the senate.
provision 7:
The President shall appoint the Chief Justice and two Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, who shall serve upon a simple majority confirmation vote of the Senate.
provision 8:
The President shall be granted the authority to create additional Student Government positions if deemed necessary.
stipulation 1: Newly created positions not included within the Executive cabinet must receive a simple majority approval of the Senate.
stipulation 2: Position nominees must be confirmed by a majority vote of the Senate.
Section V - The Vice President
provision 1:
The Vice President shall serve as the President of the Senate with full voting privileges when a tie must be broken.
provision 2:
The Vice President shall determine the frequency with which Senate meetings are held.
stipulation 1: The Senate shall be required to meet a minimum of once a month.
provision 3:
The Vice President is charged with the responsibility of establishing the basic rules of procedure of the Senate and the agenda for each Senate meeting.
stipulation 1: The rules of procedure shall be subject to review by the Senate.
stipulation 2: The rules of procedure must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.
stipulation 3: The rules of procedure are subject to amendment by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.
provision 4:
In the case of an emergency requiring immediate presidential action, the Vice President shall assume the necessary responsibilities of the office of President, provided the President is unable to discharge the duties of the office of President.
provision 5:
The Vice President shall have the opportunity to create additional Student Government Senate positions if deemed necessary.
stipulation 1: Such positions must be approved by a simple majority vote of the Senate.
stipulation 2: Position nominees must be confirmed by a majority vote of the Senate.
provision 6:
The Vice President shall be vested with the power to appoint worthy individuals to vacant or vacated Senate seats with a simple majority approval of the Senate.
provision 7:
In a timely manner following each Senate meeting, the Vice President shall inform the Dean of Students of legislation that was passed.
provision 8: The Vice President may submit legislation for consideration by the senate according to the subsequent provisions.
stipulation 1: The Vice President must relinquish his or her position as chair of the Senate.
stipulation 2: The President Pro Tempore shall act as chair of the Senate while the legislation is on the floor for consideration.
stipulation 3: The Vice President shall have an active vote on the legislation being presented.
stipulation 4: The acting chairman shall only vote in case of a tie.
stipulation 5: Any Senate member who is either a principal author or co-author may not act as the chair while their legislation is being considered. In this case, another member of the Senate body must be chosen, by nomination and majority confirmation, to act as a temporary chair.
stipulation 6: The temporary chair must, for the duration of their time as chair, agree to an exchange of responsibility with the Vice President.
stipulation 7: The acting chair shall only vote in the case of a tie.
Section VI - The Executive Cabinet
provision 1:
The Executive Cabinet shall serve at the pleasure of the President to assist the Executive Branch with the operations of the Student Government Association.
provision 2:
Members of the Executive Cabinet shall be nominated by the President and must receive a simple majority vote approval from the Senate.
provision 3:
The positions comprising the Executive Cabinet shall include a Chief of Staff, Financial Director, Attorney General, Executive Assistant, and other positions deemed necessary by the SGA President.
provision 4:
The Chief of Staff shall be responsible for assisting the President in the coordination of all actions within the Executive Cabinet. The President shall be given the authority to deem the appropriate level of responsibility granted to the Chief of Staff for the fulfillment of these duties.
provision 5:
The Financial Director shall be responsible for maintaining an official record of all Student Government expenditures. The consistent maintenance of the SGA budget shall be included in the responsibilities of the Financial Director. As deemed necessary by the Vice President, the Financial Director may also assist in the financial duties stemming from funds allocated by the Senate.
provision 6:
The Attorney General of the Student Government Association shall serve as the official representative of the Executive Branch when formal challenges to the constitutionality of Executive actions are brought before the Supreme Court.
provision 7:
The Executive Assistant shall be responsible for the maintenance of all official Student Government files and records. In a manner deemed appropriate by the Vice President, the Executive Assistant shall also serve as the Secretary of the Senate, assisting with the operations of all Senate meetings. The nomination of this position shall be determined by the Vice President.
Section VII – The Class Presidents and Vice Presidents
provision 1:
Each class shall elect a jointly elected President and Vice President.
provision 2:
Elections for Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Class President shall occur during the spring semester elections.
provision 3:
Elections for the Freshman Class President and Vice President shall occur during the fall semester elections, at the same time as the Senate elections each year.
provision 4:
Class Presidents and Vice Presidents shall be required to maintain a 2.5 grade point average.
stipulation 1: Candidates for Class President and Vice President can only apply to represent the class of which they are currently a member, as determined by total completed hours.
provision 5:
Class Presidents shall be included as members of the Senate, possessing all rights and responsibilities granted to Senators.
provision 6:
If a Class President is forced to relinquish his or her office, the Vice President shall assume the office of the Presidency.
stipulation 1: The newly acting President shall have the authority to appoint a new Class Vice President. The new Vice President must receive a majority approval of the Senate.
Section VIII – Transfer of Power
provision 1:
The transfer of power shall take place during the last regularly scheduled Senate meeting of the academic year.
stipulation 1:The newly elected President, Vice President, and Class Presidents shall take the oath of office as the first item of business after roll call.
stipulation 2:The newly sworn in officers shall immediately assume responsibility for their duties, but not before they are sworn in.
stipulation 3:Incoming officers shall be sworn in by their outgoing counterparts. In the event that the outgoing officer is not available, the incoming officer shall be sworn in by the highest available delegate using the priority of outgoing President, outgoing Vice President, incoming President, Incoming Vice President, outgoing Class President with Senior, Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman priority, and Senator
provision 2:
Former Vice Presidential Honorary Senator
stipulation 1: After the transfer of power is complete, the outgoing Vice President shall be sworn in as an honorary Senator for the remainder of the academic year, including, but not limited to, the last regularly scheduled Senate meeting, and any special or extraordinary sessions
stipulation 2: The Former Vice Presidential Honorary Senator shall be vested with all the powers, responsibilities, and duties defined herein.
ARTICLE III - THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Section I – Purpose
provision 1:
The legislative responsibilities of the Student Government Association shall be vested in the Senate. All appropriations and resolutions shall be sponsored by the Senate body.
provision 2:
It shall be the duty of the Senate to propose legislation aimed at aiding the student body and fulfilling the goals of the Student Government Association.
Section II - Requirements for the Office of Senator
provision 1:
Senators must be full time students, maintaining a minimum 2.5 Grade Point Average, to be eligible to hold the office of Senator.
provision 2:
Senators shall be allowed to miss three Senate meetings per year.
stipulation 1: Upon the accumulation of more than three absences, the Senator shall be removed from office upon a three-fourths vote of the entire Senate body.
provision 3:
Senators must uphold high standards in their actions on campus. Senators are direct representatives of the Student Government Association, and are responsible for upholding the high standards of moral and academic excellence befitting their office.
Section III - Election of Senators
provision 1:
Senators shall be popularly elected by their peers at the beginning of each fall semester.
provision 2:
Applications for Senate shall be made available to the student body no later than one week after the first day of classes.
stipulation 1: Applications must be turned in to the Election Board no later than one week prior to the election date.
provision 3:
All Senate elections must occur within one month of the beginning of the fall semester.
provision 4:
The four Class Presidents shall represent their respective classes as Senators with full voting privileges.
provision 5:
Each class shall elect three Senators to represent their respective class.
stipulation 1: The total of which shall reach twelve Senators from the respective four classes.
provision 6:
An additional four Senators shall be elected by the entire student body to represent the campus at-large.
provision 7:
The total number of Senators shall not exceed twenty.
Section IV - Offices within the Senate
provision 1:
The Senate shall elect a President Pro Tempore during their first meeting of each fall semester.
stipulation 1: The President Pro Tempore shall serve as President of the Senate when the Vice President is absent or temporarily relinquishes the official Senate duties accompanying the office.
provision 2:
The Senate shall elect a Parliamentarian during their first meeting of each fall semester.
stipulation 1: The Parliamentarian shall advise the Senate on official procedural guidelines relating to the operations of the Senate body.
Section V - Bills and Resolutions
provision 1:
The legislative power of proposing and passing bills and resolutions shall be vested in the Senate.
provision 2:
Requests for appropriations from the Senate petitionable funds must be submitted in the form of a Senate Bill.
stipulation 1: Those groups, organizations, or individuals requesting funds must present a legitimate need meriting the awarding of such appropriations.
provision 3:
Senate Resolutions shall reflect the sentiments of the entire Senate body.
stipulation 1: Issues addressed by resolutions must not recklessly stray from the declared purpose of the Student Government Association as expressed in Article I, Section I.
stipulation 2: The Senate may approve official petitions for the establishment of student organizations.
stipulation 3: Official petitions for the establishment of student organizations may be considered by the Senate only after the petitions have received the prior approval of the Dean of Students.
provision 4:
Senate bylaws may be established in order to govern any student government association entity.
stipulation 1: Bylaws shall govern the operation and maintenance of the Student Government Association.
stipulation 2: Bylaws may pertain to any area of the Student Government Association, but may not violate this constitution.
provision 5:
Senators shall be required to submit all bills and resolutions to the Vice President.
provision 6:
Legislation should be referred to the Dean of Students prior to any meeting for his or her review; however, nothing herein shall grant the Dean of Students the authority to block or veto any legislation.
provision 7:
The Vice President shall be charged with the duty of delivering approved legislation to the Student Government Association President for final approval.
Section VI – Impeachment
provision 1:
All elected and non-elected officials of the Student Government Association must be held accountable by the Senate. Therefore the Senate shall be vested with the power to remove appointed or elected officials, including Senators, found guilty of behavior beneath the dignity of the office they hold.
stipulation 1: A three-fourths vote is necessary for the removal of an officer.
stipulation 2: A trial must be convened before the Senate body, prior to voting upon an impeachment resolution, to allow for accused officers to properly respond to the charges against them.
stipulation 3: The nature of this trial shall be determined by the Vice President in conjunction with the President and Dean of Students.
stipulation 4: If a student is impeached, he or she shall be permanently disqualified from ever holding any office within Student Government Association.
Section VII - Amending the Constitution
provision 1:
All amendments to the Constitution must receive a three-fourths approval vote of the entire Senate body.
provision 2: Constitutional amendments must then receive the approval of the Student Government Association President and the Dean of Students before they are fully ratified.
SECTION IV: THE SUPREME COURT
Section I – Purpose
provision 1:
The judicial responsibilities of the Student Government Association shall be vested in the Supreme Court.
provision 2:
The Supreme Court shall serve as the final interpreter of the Constitution and designated actions of the Student Government Association.
Section II – Membership
provision 1:
The Supreme Court shall consist of three justices: one Chief Justice and two Associate Justices
provision 2:
The President shall be vested with the authority to nominate the Chief Justice and two Associate Justices at the beginning of each school year.
stipulation 1 – These nominees must be approved by a majority vote of the Senate.
stipulation 2 – Candidates shall be nominated at the first meeting of the year.
stipulation 3 – The vote for each nominee shall occur at the immediately following Senate meeting.
provision 3:
The term length of Supreme Court Justices shall last one school year.
stipulation 1 – The SGA President shall be allowed to nominate existing Supreme Court Justices to an additional term at the start of a new school year.
stipulation 2 – There is no limit to the number of terms that a Supreme Court Justice can fulfill, yet a majority vote approval is necessary for renominated Justices at the start of each school year.
provision 4:
If a justice must vacate his or her office before the duration of a judicial term, the President shall appoint a new Justice.
stipulation 1: A majority vote of the Senate shall be required to approve the replacement nominee.
Section III – Requirements for Judicial Offices
provision 1:
All members of the Supreme Court must have completed at least 30 hours of course credit.
provision 2:
All members of the Supreme Court must maintain a 2.75 grade point average.
stipulation 1 – A failure to maintain this grade point average shall be grounds for impeachment.
Section IV – Operations within the Supreme Court
provision 1:
The Supreme Court shall be required to convene when a petition is sent to the Secretary of the Student Government Association requesting a matter of judicial review.
stipulation 1 – The Court may meet more frequently as deemed necessary by the Justices.
provision 2:
Once receiving the petition of judicial review, the Chief Justice must establish a court date within one week of the petition’s submission.
provision 3:
The members of the Supreme Court shall decide the basic rules of procedure not addressed within this document. Yet all cases of judicial review must follow the following guidelines:
stipulation 1 – The petitioner shall be given ten minutes to present his or her case before the Supreme Court.
stipulation 2 – The defendant shall also be given ten minutes to present his or her case before the court.
stipulation 3 – At the discretion of the Chief Justice, extra time may be give to both the petitioner and defendant, yet the time allotted to both sides must remain equal.
provision 4:
Within one week of the judicial review meeting, the Chief Justice shall issue a written document of the decision of the Supreme Court.
stipulation 1 – A dissenting Justice shall have the opportunity to also issue a written opinion of dissent.
stipulation 2 – If the dissenting Justice is the Chief Justice, then an Associate Justice shall issue the written decision for the Court majority.
stipulation 3 – Written opinions must be made publicly available and sent to the SGA President and Dean of Students.
ARTICLE V – THE ELECTION BOARD
Section I – Purpose
provision 1:
The Election Board shall be responsible for facilitating elections for all Student Government Association offices.
provision 2:
The Election Board shall administer all elections according to the rules set forth in this Constitution.
Section II – Membership and Requirements for Election Board Offices
provision 1:
The Election Board shall consist of three members.
provision 2:
The President shall appoint the three members, one of whom shall be designated the chairperson.
provision 3:
Each member of the Election Board shall be required to maintain a 2.5 grade point average.
provision 4:
Each member shall be subject to a majority vote approval of the Senate.
stipulation 1: If an appointment is made while the Senate is adjourned, the appointee may serve in the capacity until the next Senate meeting, wherein he or she must be either confirmed or rejected.
stipulation 2: A simple majority is required to confirm a student as a member of the Election Board.
Section III – Applications for Offices
provision 1:
Applications for any office shall be made available to the student body no less than two weeks prior to Election Day.
provision 2:
Applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Friday immediately prior to Election Day.
stipulation 1: Late applications for President and Vice President will only be accepted if it is determined that no constitutionally qualified candidates have filed for either President or Vice President.
stipulation 2: If even one qualified candidate submits his or her application for President or Vice President on time, and no others are filed, the candidate in question shall be elected to the office filed for without contest.
stipulation 3: Late applications for Senator will only be accepted if it is later determined that a lower number of constitutionally qualified candidates than the number required herein have filed for the specific Senatorial representation.
stipulation 4: If enough constitutionally qualified candidates file to fill all the positions, and there are no opponents, they shall be elected without contest.
stipulation 5: Deadlines to file for office may only be extended when stipulations 1 or 3 are met. A single, uncontested candidate shall never be grounds to extend the deadline for either President or Vice President. Likewise, an insufficient number of Senators to create a challenged election shall never be grounds to extend the deadline.
stipulation 6: If stipulations 1, 3, or 5 are met, the Election Board may extend the deadline to any time up to 5:00 p.m. the day before the election.
stipulation 7: If there are still vacancies after the election, a special session of Senate may be held to determine a method to fill the vacancies.
provision 3:
Applications shall not require an applicant to stipulate exact credit hours and grade point average, but simply indicate whether or not they meet the requirements of the office they are seeking.
Section IV – Election Day
provision 1:
Elections for President, Vice President, and Class President shall occur the Wednesday and Thursday after Hyde Park Chapel
stipulation 1: Voting on Wednesday shall begin immediately following Hyde Park Chapel, and shall last until 3 p.m. Voting on Thursday shall last from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
provision 2:
Elections for Senate shall take place at a time set by the President and the Election Board
provision 3:
The ballot order shall be established by a lottery prior to Election Day. All candidates may be present at the lottery.
provision 4:
Absentee Ballots may be provided to any student requesting one prior to the close of business the Wednesday before Election Day.
provision 5:
Only students of a particular class may vote for candidates running for their class presidency and senate positions.
provision 6:
Any student may vote for President, Vice President and Senators at Large.
provision 7:
Immediately after voting ends, ballot counting shall take place.
stipulation 1: Candidates may be present for ballot counting.
stipulation 2: The election results shall immediately be made public record.
ARTICLE VI – Transparency
Section II – Purpose
provision 1:
In order to better serve the student body, all Student Government Association documents and records must be made available to any inquirer, at no cost to the inquirer.
Section II - Function
provision 1:
All Student Government Association records, documents, or files shall be a matter of public record. They include, but are not limited to the stipulations hereinafter.
stipulation 1: All records of Senate votes.
stipulation 2: All records of Student Government Association expenditures.
stipulation 3: All Student Government Association advertising documents.
provision 2:
Public records requests may be in either physical or electronic form.
ARTICLE VII – Definitions
Section I – Purpose
provision 1:
This Article shall serve as the official location for important definitions within the Student Government Association Constitution.
Section II – Senate
provision 1:
Definition of those “Elected to and Constituting the Senate”.
stipulation 1: The number of seats occupied by a senator, but not necessarily present
stipulation 2: If there are 20 vacant seats in Senate, and they are all filled, then those “Elected to and constituting the Senate” would be 20.
stipulation 3: Likewise if there are 20 seats in Senate, but only 15 were filed for and won, then those “Elected to and constituting the Senate” would be 15
stipulation 4: Those “Elected to and constituting the Senate” do not necessarily have to be present at a meeting. If all 20 seats are filled, but only 14 members are present for a meeting, those “Elected to and constituting the Senate” still number at 20.
stipulation 5: If less than the maximum number of Senate Seats are filled due to the impeachment, removal, resignation, or death of any Senator, and the empty seat is still waiting to be filled, the number of those “Elected to and Constituting the Senate” shall reflect this. Suppose all 20 seats are filled and one Senator dies. Until his or her replacement is made, those elected to and constituting the Senate would be 19.
provision 2:
Definition of a “Majority”.
stipulation 1: A Majority shall consist of any amount greater than half of those “Elected to and constituting the Senate”
Section III – Executive
Section IV – Judicial
Section V – Other
Provision 1:
Oath of Office
stipulation 1: I, <name> do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I shall faithfully represent the interests of the Student Body of Oklahoma Baptist University, that I will dutifully uphold and preserve the Constitution of the Student Government Association, and that I will faithfully execute the office of <office> of the Student Government Association of Oklahoma Baptist University.
