Student Government Association

ARTICLE I.  NAME OF ORGANIZATION

This organization is known as the Student Government Association of the St. Petersburg College, Clearwater Campus.

ARTICLE II.  PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION

Section 1.    In addition to the purpose as stated in the Constitution, the Student Government Association will aim to maintain and improve the effectiveness of educational programs and services as they affect the students at the college campus.

Section 2.    The Student Government Association will make recommendations on matters affecting the educational programs and services as they affect students at the college/campus.

ARTICLE III.  MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.      Only those students currently enrolled at St. Petersburg College, Clearwater Campus, who are in good standing, as defined by the Bylaws, will be eligible for membership on the Student Government Association.  The Student Government Association will be composed of members including a representative from each officially recognized Student Club/Organization.  The membership of the association will automatically be expanded to accommodate the formation of new Student Club/Organizations.  The number of seats available in the Student Government Association shall be set within the first week of Session I based on campus enrollment.  For every 400 students, or portion thereof, there shall be one elected representative to the position of Senator.  All representatives will be recognized as the formal members of the Student Government Association, and therefore are to adhere to all Student Government Association regulations.  All Senators must meet the criteria set forth in Article III, Section 2.

Item 1.      Positions include representatives from the following areas:  Program for the Deaf, Student Support Services, Women on the Way, Interdisciplinary Studies, Intramurals Program, Disabilities Support Program, and Volunteer Connection.

Section 2.      Any currently enrolled student who possesses a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0, and is currently enrolled in a minimum of six (6) semester hours, and is in good standing will be eligible for membership.  However, to hold a position on the Executive Board, you must possess a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and be currently enrolled in at least six (6) credit hours and have completed six (6) credit hours.

Item 1.      In the case of a newly enrolled student, the minimum grade point average requirement will be waived for his/her first session of enrollment.

Item 2.      If a member's cumulative grade point average falls below the minimum requirement, he/she will be ineligible to complete his/her term of office.

Section 3.    Upon termination of enrollment, a member will immediately be relieved of his/her duties.

Section 4.    Any member desiring to resign from membership must submit a written resignation to the Advisor or President of the Student Government Association.

Section 5.    A member/officer who fails to discharge the duties assigned may be removed or disciplined on recommendation of the Executive Committee, and upon approval of that recommendation by two-thirds (2/3) of the members attending a regular meeting.  However, the Executive Committee will not make such recommendation until after the member has been advised that he/she will be given the opportunity of being heard at the next Student Government Association meeting.  Any member of the Student Government Association may propose this action at an Executive Committee meeting.

Section 6.    The Student Government Association will abide by the anti-hazing rules as described in the Board of Trustees’ Rules.

Section 7.      Students who serve on the Student Government Association will be eligible for consideration for a scholarship at the completion of Session I, II, and III, in an amount to be determined by the Associate Provost, Student Activities Coordinator, and Financial Aid office.

ARTICLE IV.  REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

Section 1.    The purpose of the Executive Committee is to direct the functions of the Student Government Association and to represent the Student Government Association when necessary.

Item 1.      The President of the Student Government Association is its constituted leader.  He/she keeps informed of the Student Government Association rules and regulations and of the activities of all officers and committees by the Vice President.  It is the President's responsibility to see that all committees are appointed and that all officers and committees work in close cooperation to fulfill their duties and responsibilities with the Vice President.  The President will only vote in Student Government Association and Executive Committee meetings in the case of a tie or when his/her vote will affect the results.  He/she will also inform the faculty advisor of all Student Government Association activities.

Item 2.      The Vice President will serve in the absence or in behalf of the President.  He/she will preside at the Executive Committee meetings.  In the event that the President cannot fulfill his/her duties, the Vice President will assume the office of President.  The Vice President will assist the President in duties as assigned.  He/she will approve all forms of publicity and see to it that an effective informational system is maintained to the President.

Item 3.      The Secretary will take minutes of all Student Government Association and Executive Meetings, retaining these in a permanent record book.  He/she will keep a record of all members present and absent and prepare copies of the minutes for distribution.  He/she must have a rough draft of the minutes prepared for the following Executive Committee meeting.  He/she will have the authority to duplicate Student Government Association related materials.  He/she will write official letters for the organization and keep a file of all correspondence.  He/she will prepare forms or letters upon direction of the President, Executive Committee, or the Student Government Association itself.  He/she will be responsible for typing and distributing copies of the agenda.

Item 4.      The Legislative Liaison of the Student Government Association will share with the President the responsibilities of representing the Student Government Association in state and district matters.  He/she will keep a file of any legislative matters affecting students and will represent the concerns of the student body to the local legislature and College District Board of Trustees.  He/she will also coordinate any letter writing campaigns dealing with student and/or college concerns.

Item 5.      The Treasurer will keep a ledger of all revenues and expenditures of the Student Government Association, and will be able to furnish a statement at any time showing the financial position of the organization.  He/she will make a complete report to the Student Government Association each regular meeting and will sign, with the advisor, all purchase requests.  The Treasurer will maintain on file all copies of the Student Government Association printouts to be made available.  The Treasurer will work hand in hand with the chair of the Student Services Committee.

Item 6.      The Freshman and Sophomore Representatives of the Student Government Association will assist the President by representing the Freshman and Sophomore students.  These two positions will act as a liaison for the Freshman and Sophomore students. They will report issues and concerns of the students to the Student Government Association for review.

Item 7.      The Sergeant at Arms is appointed by the President.  He/she will check conduct of members and guests, along with upholding standards laid out in Robert's Rules of Order.

Item 8.      The Historian is appointed by the President.  He/she will keep written and pictorial records of all Student Government Association functions and will be responsible for the completion of an annual scrapbook.

Item 9.      The Parliamentarian is appointed by the President.  He/she will carry out parliamentary authority.  He/she will also be responsible for knowing and carrying out Robert's Rules of Order.

Item 10.    The Jurisprudence will be appointed by the President if deemed necessary.  He/she will interpret the Student Government Association Constitution and will handle all matters regulated to the Constitution.

Item 11.    The Senators will serve as a representation of the student body.  They will have a voice in issues, they will have voting power, and they must attend regularly scheduled meetings.  The Senators must be approved by the Campus Advisory Board.

Section 2.    The Executive Committee will hold bimonthly meetings. Meeting day and time is to be set by the Executive Committee.

Section 3.    In the case of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President will assume the duties of the presidency.  In the case of a vacancy in any of the other office positions, an election within the Student Government Association will be held.  Nominations will be accepted from the floor at the meeting immediately following the occurrence of a vacancy.  Plurality vote by the Student Government Association members will determine the successor.  Only current Student Government Association members will be eligible to fill the vacancy.

Section 4.    The Executive Committee and President will assign a specific committee position to each Student Government Association member who is not an officer.  Assignments will be based upon needs and the Student Government Association members’ individual desires and skills.

Item 1.      The positions will include Special Program Committees of the following: Student Activities, Student Services, Journalism/Publicity, and Historical.  They will have final authority in their area of responsibility.

Item 2.      All Student Government Association Committee chairpersons will meet with the academic program directors twice a semester to gain information pertinent to students.  The committee will assist in publicizing special events sponsored or hosted by their program areas.  They will make reports to the Student Government Association as needed.

The Student Activities Committee will serve as directed by the Executive Committee.  They will assist with project planning and special events initiated by the Student Government Association. The Student Activities Committee will be responsible for maintaining communications between the Student Government Association and the Student Activities office, and assisting in functions of Student Activities as requested.

The Student Services Committee may hear petitions for grievances, complaints, requests, and recommendations allegedly reflecting the opinion of the student body as a whole, or a significant portion thereof, or as a recognized student organization on campus.  The Student Services Committee may then decide whether to support or to oppose the petition and recommend bringing it before the Student Government Association.  They will organize and handle any community service projects, and will work hand in hand with the Treasurer for all fundraising projects for the Student Government Association.

The Publicity Committee will advertise and promote activities of the Student Government Association and Student Activity events.  The Journalism Committee will coordinate press releases with the Institutional Advancement Office and with all other campus publications.  This committee is responsible for production and publicity of the Campus Grapevine.

The Historical Committee, chaired by the Historian, will keep a record of all events and maintain a campus/district and FJCCSGA scrapbook.  Committee members will also put together the activities summary scrapbook.

Item 3.      The specific position assignments will be made by the Executive Committee after all association members have been informed of the responsibilities to be discharged.  Each association member will respond to the opportunities for service with a first, second, and third preference indication.

Section 5.    All Student Government Association members will be expected to fulfill other responsibilities as assigned by the president and/or the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE V.  ELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVES

Section 1.      Each officially recognized Student Club/Organization will be given the opportunity to select one (1) representative to hold membership on the Student Government Association.  Club/Organization's wishing to participate must select and submit the name of this representative and an alternate to the Student Government Association Advisor no later than twenty (20) school days after the beginning of Session I.

Section 2.    The Club/Organization representative's term will officially begin upon appointment by the Club/Organization's governing authority.

Section 3.    If a vacancy occurs in a designated Club/Organization representative position, the Club/Organization 's alternate then assumes the office.  It is not the responsibility of the alternate to serve as a substitute when the representative cannot attend a meeting.

Section 4.      After the Club/Organization representatives are selected, the Senators applications will be reviewed by the Campus Advisory Board, then to the Student Government Association.  The Campus Advisory Board shall include at least three (3) students, Associate Provost, two (2) faculty members, and the Student Government Association Advisor.

Item 1.      During the first fifteen (15) school days of Session I, students interested in these elected positions shall apply through the Student Activities office.

Item 2.      All interested students must fill out an application.  They must also fill out an application to run for an officer position.

Item 3.      A personal interview will be held with each applicant.

Item 4.      Each applicant will be notified of his/her appointment by the Advisor to the Student Government Association.

Section 5.    The term of office for all Senator positions will begin at Session I and will officially terminate one year later.

Section 6.    The Student Government Association members will elect the offices of Secretary, Legislative Liaison, Treasurer, Freshman Representative, and Sophomore Representative at the third scheduled Student Government Association meeting, providing a quorum exists.  The election of President and Vice President shall be held at the end of Session II in April.  This election shall allow summer planning to commence.  The Student Government Association Advisor will conduct the election for the President and Vice President with the President conducting the elections for the remaining positions.

Item 1.      Members running for an office position will have the opportunity of delivering a short speech to the Student Government Association.

Item 2.      Each office position will be announced, voted upon, and the vote will be tallied and announced one at a time in the following order: Secretary, Treasurer, Legislative Liaison, Freshman Representative, and Sophomore Representative.

Item 3.      Each member will cast one (1) vote for each office by secret ballot.

Item 4.      The position of President will require a majority (50% + 1) vote.  In the event a majority is not reached on the first ballot, the two candidates with the most votes will participate in a runoff election.  Both candidates will be allowed to speak persuasively, after which time another vote will be taken.

Item 5.      The Student Government Association Advisor will verify and announce the election results.

Item 6.      The position of Sergeant at Arms shall be appointed by the President.

Item 7.      The position of Historian shall be appointed by the President.

Item 8.      The position of Jurisprudence shall be appointed by the President.

Item 9.      The position of Parliamentarian shall be appointed by the President.

Section 7.    If a vacancy occurs within an elected position during the year, an election will be held within the Student Government Association.  Nominations will come from the floor and the election process will occur.

Section 8.    If a vacancy occurs within a Senatorial position during the year, the Campus Advisory Board will contact the next person on the list of applicants held on file or will take new applications from which the position will be filled.

Item 1.      Vacancies will be publicized in the Campus Grapevine and on campus bulletin boards two weeks prior to the election.

ARTICLE VI.  MEETINGS

Section 1.      Regular meetings will be held weekly throughout Session I, II, and III as scheduled.  The President may choose not to hold Session III meetings.

Item 1.      The regular meeting time and place will be established at the first Student Government Association meeting.

Item 2.      The Student Government Association members are expected to attend all meetings and BE THERE ON TIME.

Item 3.      A total of four (4) absences will result in dismissal, unless extenuating circumstances occur.

Item 4.      Prior to missing a meeting a member must notify the President either by telephone or in writing that he/she will be unable to attend.  If a member fails to notify the President for two (2) consecutive meetings, it will be assumed that he/she is no longer interested in Student Government Association membership and will be dismissed.

Section 2.    The order of business at all regular Student Government Association meetings will be:

                        (1)   Call to Order

                        (2)   Introduction of Guest Speaker

                        (3)   Roll Call

                        (4)   Approval of Minutes

                        (5)   Report of Officers and Advisor

                        (6)   Committee Reports

                        (7)   Unfinished Business

                        (8)   New Business

                        (9)   Club/Organization Reports

                        (10) Open Floor

                        (11) Adjournment

Section 3.      Robert's Rules of Order, newly revised, will be the authority on all questions of parliamentary law not addressed by the Constitution and Bylaws.

ARTICLE VII. ROLE AND AUTHORITY

The Student Government Association may participate in the Florida Junior Community Colleges Student Government Association.

ARTICLE VIII.  EA/EO Policy

Section 1.  St. Petersburg College is dedicated to the concept of equal opportunity. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or marital status or against any qualified individual with disability, in its employment practices or in the admission and treatment of students. Recognizing that sexual harassment constitutes discrimination on the basis of sex and violates this rule; the college will not tolerate such conduct.

Section 2:  In addition the Student Government Association of Clearwater Campus wishes to acknowledge the college’s Federal EA/EO Policy and include this section to Article VIII that acknowledges that the SGA/Clearwater will not discriminate nor tolerate discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation for membership and/or participation in SGA or any activities sponsored or supported by the SGA.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS

Section 1.      Any amendments to these Bylaws will not violate campus, college, or Board of Trustees Rules.

Section 2.      Bylaws may be amended providing the said amendments are not contradictory to the Constitution.  The Bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Student Government Association members, provided that no vote will be taken on the proposal to amend the bylaws unless advanced written, posted, and verbal notice has been communicated at two prior Student Government Association meetings.  Final approval of any and all amendments to the Bylaws rests with the college administration.

Return to SGA Home Page

Return to Student Activities Home Page