CONSTITUTION
TOWSON UNIVERSITY STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

PREAMBLE: To establish the privileges of self-governance, enhance student awareness, promote the general welfare of Towson University students, and promote principles of all aspects of diversity and to foster the rights and responsibilities of the student body, WE the students hereby establish this constitution.

ARTICLE I

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Student Government Association of Towson University. The right of full-time fee paying undergraduate Towson University students to organize for the purpose of self-governance is recognized by the administration of Towson University. This right may not be curtailed or removed.

Section 2. All full-time fee paying undergraduate Towson University students are automatically members of the Student Government Association of Towson University.

ARTICLE II

Section 1. All legislative power shall be vested in a Senate of the Student Government Association of Towson University. The senate shall be known as the Student Government Association of Towson University Legislative Branch or The SGA Senate.

Section 2. The Senate shall be composed of 23 total senators. 18 Senators elected at large by students, each serving a one-year term. In addition, there will be four freshman senators and one transfer student senator appointed by the Executive Board and approved by a 2/3 vote by the Senate every year in the month of September. If no transfer student is available for appointment, the Executive Board may appoint an additional senator. Each Senator shall have one vote.  In the event of a vacancy to the Senate the Executive Board shall nominate potential replacements. A 2/3 vote of the Senate is required to appoint the vacant Senator position.

Section 3. All senators must be full-time fee paying undergraduate Towson University Students.

Section 4. No member of the Student Government Association of Towson University Executive branch may be a senator.

Section 5. The Senate shall choose a President Pro Tempore, Government Operations Chair, and Appropriations Chair at the meeting prior to the start of the academic year. They shall be nominated and approved by the senate.

Section 6. The Senate shall have the sole voting power of impeachment of Senators, and all members both appointed and elected to the Student Government Association of Towson University Executive branch.

Section 7. A senator may be impeached for gross dereliction of legislative duty or moral turpitude detrimental to the reputation of Towson University. A Senator may only be impeached on recommendation of another senator, President of the Senate, or a petition of 500 Towson University students. Upon recommendation of impeachment, the senate must convene at a time separate from the normal legislative session. The senator on trial must be sent a memorandum from the Senate to appear for the impeachment trial. The President Pro Tempore must preside over the impeachment trial. A senator on trial has the right to present witnesses and cross-examine all accusers. The Senate may not convict in an impeachment trial without a vote of two-thirds of the senate.

Section 8. The SGA shall assemble once every week during the Fall and Spring semesters of the legislative term. No SGA member may miss more than 5 weekly meetings, or 3 consecutive meetings, without the prior approval of the Executive Board. The SGA Administrative Assistant is to keep a record of all minutes for each meeting, which will be readily available to any Towson University Student.

Section 9. The Senate shall have the power to:

  1. Make all laws necessary and proper to carry out its legislative function
  2. Distribute Student funds and inspect the financial records of all Towson University Student Government Association affiliated and budgeted student organizations
  3. Expel or suspend any student organization, the activities, or a finance thereof, that does not abide by the SGA funding policy or other university financial policies.
  4. Approve the Constitutions of Student organizations, and revisions to previously approved student organization constitutions,
  5. Recognize and fund student organizations in a manner prescribed by SGA funding policy,
  6. Approve all Presidential nominations for the Executive Cabinet, Senate and the University Senate by a two-thirds vote of the entire Senate.


Section 10. No money shall be drawn from the treasury, except in consequence of specific appropriations provided appropriate SGA decisions. The SGA Accounts Manager shall make available a regular statement and account of receipts and expenditures of all student funds to the Senate once every month.

Section 11. Every supplemental Bill, Resolution, constitution, and budget change request (except legislative matter dealing with senate procedure), which has been passed by the senate must be presented to the Student Government President, who shall either veto it or sign it into law. If the President shall veto it, the Senate must reconsider and if passed by a two-thirds vote of the entire senate, be passed into law. If the president shall not return a bill to senate within 10 days of its passage, the bill shall become law.

Section 12. The Senate may determine its own rules for its proceedings in accordance with this constitution. No less than 16 senators in an assembly shall constitute a quorum to do business.

Section 13. The times, manner and places of holding elections shall be prescribed by law and the Senate shall judge the elections and the qualifications of its own members. This shall be maintained by the election commission.

Section 14. A Towson University student may not hold a Senate seat for more than two legislative terms.

Section 15. The term of the Senators shall end at noon on the first Monday in May after inauguration and the terms of their successors shall then begin.
 

ARTICLE III

Section 1. All executive power herein granted shall be invested in a President of the Student Government Association of Towson University. The President, Vice President, Treasurer and Attorney General shall hold office for a term of one year and be elected by the membership of at large. The Vice President shall be chair of the Senate but have no voting privileges.

Section 2. In case of the removal of the President from office or their death, resignation, or inability to discharge the duties of their office, the Vice President shall become President. Should there be no Vice President, the Senate Pro Tempore shall become President for a period no more than 30 days during which the members of the Student Government Association must elect a President. In case of removal, resignation or death of the Vice President, the President may nominate a new Vice President subject to confirmation by two-thirds majority vote of the Senate. In case of the removal, resignation or death of the Treasurer, the President may nominate a new Treasurer subject to confirmation by a 2/3 vote of the Senate. In case of the removal, resignation or death of the Attorney General, the President may nominate a new Attorney General subject to confirmation by a 2/3 vote of the Senate.

Section 3. Any Senator shall bring up an executive officer absent and/or late without leave to three consecutive meetings or five meetings in total on impeachment charges. All absentee excuses should be reported to the Senate in written form and these excuses shall be entered into the Senate Attendance Journal kept by the SGA Administrative Assistant.

Section 4. Any member of the Senate may produce impeachment charges against an executive officer. Alternatively, a petition of 500 Towson University students may suffice to bring impeachment charges against an executive officer. An Executive Officer may be impeached for gross dereliction of duty or moral turpitude or failure to adhere to the principles of this Constitution. The Senate will convene for the impeachment trial. The President Pro Tempore will preside over the impeachment trial. A 2/3 vote of the Senate must convict the executive officer on trial.
 

Section 5. The President shall have the power to:

  1. Call and preside at all meetings of the Executive Board,
  2. Nominate the Executive cabinet officers (i.e. Directors) according to the SGA Policy for Selecting Directors subject to a 2/3 majority vote of the Senate. The President may not remove cabinet officers without a 2/3 vote of the Senate. The President shall also have the power to nominate new Directors during the academic year in the event of a vacancy. New nominations must also have a 2/3 vote of the Senate to approve the new Directors,
  3. Establish Ad Hoc Committee Chairs as needed with a 2/3 vote of the Senate.
  4. Submit an annual operating budget to the Senate for approval,
  5. Assume any other duties conferred upon them by the Senate not inconsistent with this Constitution and the Student Government Association Code of Ethics,
  6. Administer and enforce the Constitution of the Student Government Association.
  7. Convene Emergency sessions of the Senate,
  8. Submit to the Senate’s consideration such measures, as they deem necessary,
  9. During Inauguration and at the first meeting in the Spring semester, address the senate as to the State of the Student Government Association.
  10. Will serve on the University Senate as well as serve as a member of the University Senate Executive Board.
  11. Supervise the members of the Executive Cabinet and the SGA Representatives.

Section 6. The Vice President shall have the power to:

 

  1. Chair weekly meetings, every Tuesday evening at 5:00pm
  2. Oversees the Student Senate to make sure they are fulfilling their responsibilities,

c.      Assume any other duties conferred upon them not inconsistent with this Constitution and the SGA Code of Ethics.

d.      Serve in the capacity of the President if he/she is temporarily unable to do so.


Section 7. The Treasurer shall have the power to:

  1. Generally superintend and administer the financial affairs of the Student Government Association of Towson University
  2. Superintend and enforce the proper use of funds by Student Government Association budgeted or affiliated organizations,
  3. Prescribe the formalities of the transfer of Budgeted and non-budgeted funds,
  4. Prepare and report on the revenue, assets, and expenditures of the Student Government Association and all its recognized organizations,
  5. Preserve and maintain all accounts,
  6. Advise the President on all financial matters,
  7. Organize and preside over all Treasurer’s Workshops, FAC meetings, and FSC meetings each semester,
  8. Uphold all guidelines of the SGA Financial Policy, and
  9. Act as Advisor to the Appropriations Committee.


Section 8. Attorney General shall have the power to:

  1. Serve as parliamentarian of the Student Government Association and uphold all Constitutional policies,
  2. Serve as the student advisor to the Government Operations Committee,
  3. Shall serve as liaison between Student Government Association and prospective student organizations,
  4. Serve as the liaison between the SGA and student organizations that have been granted SGA allocated office space,
  5. Will serve as the Paw Grant Committee Chair and Student Advisor to the Paw Grant Committee.
  6. Ensure constant and consistent communication with new student groups and the Director of Student Groups as well as the Coordinator of Student Groups.
  7. Chair the Judicial Review Board.

 

Section 9. The term of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Attorney General shall end at noon on the first Monday in May, after Inauguration. The term of their successors shall then begin.

 

Section 10.The Executive Cabinet must consist of the following positions:

 

Director of Academic Affairs: to serve on the University Senate and facilitate all the academic issues with regards to the Towson University students and all functions academic in nature as the Student Government Association President deem necessary,
Director of University Communications: To coordinate on-campus communication. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: the SGA Website, the student group email, the Towerlight, On The Prowl, and kiosks. Director is also responsible for the communications for the entire Student Government Association including its committees. Director of University Communication will chair the Public Relations Committee
Director of Public Affairs: to coordinate the community outreach and community service projects of the Student Government Association and other activities of a similar nature, as the Student Government Association President deems necessary. The Director of Public Affairs will chair the Student Life Committee.
Director of Campus Activities: to serve as the Director of the Campus Activities Board and the liaison between Campus Activities Board and the Student Government Association. Shall be appointed and perform duties as stated in the Campus Activities Board constitution and any other duties as deemed by the President of the Student Government Association.
Director of Athletics: to promote student attendance at Towson University sporting events. Shall work with members of the Athletic Department on joint projects that further school spirit, interest and involvement in athletics. Will serve as one of the student representatives to the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee. The Director of Athletics will sit on the T-Unit executive board.
Director of Student Groups: to increase the communications between student organizations, both amongst each other, and with the SGA and other bodies on campus. Responsible for initiatives that will promote interaction between the various student organizations and bodies, such as projects and events that encourage campus community, using the student organizations as the base for the building of this community. The Director of Student Groups will chair the Student Groups Committee.

Director of Legislative Affairs: Responsible to do research on legislation involving higher education in the State Legislature, as well as write resolutions taking positions on those legislations. They shall also lobby on behalf of the legislation and make a presence for the Towson University students in Annapolis during session. The Director of Legislative Affairs will chair the Legislative Affairs Committee.
 

Section 11. The SGA Representatives must consist of the following 3 positions:


University Residence Government Representative: The University Residence Government President shall be the liaison between the University Residence Government and the Student Government Association. Shall be elected by the resident students of the University and perform duties as stated in the University Residence Government constitution and any other duties as deemed by the President of the Student Government Association.
Sport Club Representative: to serve as a liaison between the Sports Club Organization (SCO) and the SGA. Facilitate opportunities for SGA and SCO co-sponsored events. Coordinate participation of sports clubs in campus events.
Greek Life Representative: to serve as a liaison between Greek Life and the SGA. Facilitate opportunities for SGA and Greek Life co-sponsored events. Coordinate communication between Greek life and the Student Group Committee in the form of the Student Group/Greek Life Newsletter. Coordinate participation of Greek Life in campus events.

 

All Representatives shall have the power to introduce legislation to the Senate.


Section 12: The Judicial Review Board.

 

  1. The Judicial Review Board shall be chaired by the Attorney General.
  2. The Judicial Review Board shall be composed of the Presidents of three unbiased organizations, and three unaffiliated senators.
  3. In the event that three student organization presidents are not available they may be replaced by additional senators, also unbiased and unaffiliated with the organization.
  4. The six Board members must reach a majority in order to issue a sanction to the group in violation. In the event of a tie the Attorney General shall vote to break the tie.
  5. The Director of Student Groups attends the Judicial Review Board meeting to act as a resource for the group in violation.
  6. A group may appeal any decision by the Judicial Review Board with a 2/3 vote of the senate.
  7. The groups in violation must attend the Judicial Review Board meeting after
    1. Being informed by phone of the allegations brought against them.  
    2. Being met, in person, by a senator to inform them about the review meeting.
    3. Being notified by a certified letter.
  8. After informing a group of the allegations against them the Judicial Review Board must meet within 14 days.
  9. The president of the organization must be in attendance during the Judicial Review Board meeting. Optional People that may be called in on behalf of the president of the organization are: one representative of the president’s choosing, and one group advisor.

 
Section 13. The SGA Senate shall have at least 6 committees. In each committee, with the exception of the Public Relations Committee, a member of the SGA Senate will be elected as chair of the committee.

  1. Government Operations: This committee shall have the responsibility to review each new or revised constitution going to the SGA Senate for approval. The committee must give a recommendation to the SGA Senate in accordance to the Student Government Association’s constitution and policies. This committee shall also review any resolution brought before the SGA Senate. The Senate as a whole will elect another senator to serve as the chair of the committee.
  2.  Appropriations: This committee shall have the responsibility to review all bills, budgets and budget change requests submitted for approval and give a recommendation to the SGA Senate in accordance to the SGA Financial Policy. The senate as a whole will elect another senator to serve as the chair of the committee.
  3.  Legislative Affairs: This committee shall be responsible to do research on legislation involving higher education in the State Legislature, as well as write resolutions taking positions on those legislations. They shall also lobby on behalf of the legislation and make a presence for the Towson University students in Annapolis during session. The USMSC and MHEC Representatives will sit on the Legislative Affairs Committee as a liaison to the USMSC and MHEC committees. The Director of Legislative Affairs shall chair this committee.
  4. University Communications: This committee shall have the responsibility to work on communication between the Student Government Association, student organizations, and the entire student body at Towson University. This communication shall be facilitated through ways such as but not limited to Towerlight Ads, kiosks, tabling on campus and the weekly newsletter. The Director of University Communications shall chair this Committee. 
  5. Public Affairs: This committee shall undertake research on the various issues facing Towson University students, and submit proposals to the Student Government Association President and SGA Senate regarding necessary legislation. This committee shall be open to all SGA members, staff and facility. The Director of Public Affairs shall chair this committee.
  6. Student Groups: responsible for promoting communications between student organizations, both amongst each other, and with the SGA and other bodies on campus. Responsible for initiatives that will promote interaction between the various student organizations and bodies, such as projects and events that encourage campus community, using the student organizations as the base for the building of this community. The Director of Student Groups shall serve as the Chair of this committee.


Section 14. The Student Government Association Executive Board, and all SGA Directors, Representatives, and Senators must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 to hold office. Those unable to meet this requirement must relinquish their office, with constitutional procedures to follow.

ARTICLE IV

The Senate and the Executive body may not,

  1. Discriminate against any Towson University Student on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, age or sexual orientation,
  2. Establish or actively promote any religion or religious ideas,
  3. Create a retroactive law or bill of attainder.

The right of Towson University students to express their opinions and ideas at weekly meetings will not be abridged. The right of Towson University students to record and report all the proceedings of the SGA Senate will not be abridged subject to Senate parliamentary procedure.

ARTICLE V

The Student Government Association President shall nominate the appropriate number of student members to be appointed to any University committee (except the University Senate) subject to a simple majority vote of the SGA Senate. The President shall appoint the required number of representatives to the University Senate. The Student Government Association President and Academic Affairs Director are automatic members of the University Senate. The Presidential nominations to the University Senate are subject to a 2/3 majority vote of the Senate.

ARTICLE VI

This Constitution shall become effective May 1, 2007, upon approval of a majority of the Senate and approval of a majority of those members of the Student Government Association voting in a referendum. This constitution may be amended by a resolution of 2/3 of the Senate, proposing amendments, or on the application of 2000 Student Government Association members by petition, which in either case shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution when approved by a majority of those members of the Student Government Association voting in a referendum.

 

BOLDED ITEMS ARE AMENDMENTS PASSED BY THE STUDENT BODY ON 4/17/07 and 4/18/07