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Official Constitution

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COLORADO COLLEGE

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE

The Colorado College Student Government Association (CCSGA) gives students a crucial role in the campus-wide development of an enriching college experience. The CCSGA strives to make life at the Colorado College not only intellectual, but also enjoyable and meaningful. As a source of support for student organizations and events, a forum for cooperative action and a voice calling for progress, the CCSGA is dedicated to the improvement of the Colorado College and is driven by the passion and determination of its students. The following is the official Constitution of the CCSGA.

ARTICLE I. NAME, MEMBERSHIP, AND LEGAL STATUS

  1. The Colorado College Student Government Association is a democratically elected body representing all students currently enrolled at the Colorado College. The CCSGA is a non-profit organization under the laws of the state of Colorado.

ARTICLE II. AUTHORITY

  1. The powers of the Colorado College Student Government Association, outlined in this Constitution, have been delegated to it by the President of the Colorado College under the authority of the Board of Trustees.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP OF THE CCSGA

Section A. Official Members

  1. The Colorado College Student Government Association consists of the following official members:
    1. An Executive Council — comprised of the President, the Executive Vice President, the Student Concerns Vice President, the Financial Vice President, and the Constitutional Vice President
    2. Four At-Large Representatives
    3. Eight District Representatives — one from each of the following districts: Loomis, Slocum, Mathias, Bemis/McGregor, Western Ridge Apartments, East Campus Small Houses (all small houses and alternative residents halls east of Cascade Avenue), West Campus Small Houses(all small houses and alternative residents halls west of Cascade Avenue), and Off-Campus
    4. One Heads of State Representative, who will be determined by the Heads of State as a group prior to the first CCSGA meeting
    5. One faculty member, who will be determined by the Faculty Committee on Committees prior to the first CCSGA meeting and who will be designated as the Faculty Advisor, a position with no voting privileges

Section C.    Membership Restriction

  1. The CCSGA President and Financial Vice President are not permitted to serve concurrently as Editor-in-Chief or Business Manager of any Cutler Board publication, president of a social sorority or fraternity, or president of any organization soliciting funds from the CCSGA.

ARTICLE IV. POWERS AND DUTIES

Section A. General Information

  1. The CCSGA has both the power and the duty to do the following:
    1. consider and address matters of student interest and concern (see ARTICLE VI. Standing Committees)
    2. determine the status of student organizations (see article vii. certification of student organizations)
    3. establish committees to execute its policies and provide for its needs (see ARTICLE VI. Standing Committees)
    4. determine the rules of its proceedings in its Bylaws (see article xiii. bylaws)
  2. Sixty percent of voting members constitutes quorum. (Quorum of 18 members is 11; however, if a member has resigned or has been removed, the number of voting members required to meet quorum must be adjusted accordingly.)
  3. Nothing in this Constitution of the CCSGA is meant to constrict the authority of the faculty or the administration on matters relating to their responsibilities as assigned by the Board of Trustees.
  4. All student members of the CCSGA have one vote, with the exception of the President, who may only vote in order to break a tie.

Section B. The Members of the Executive Council

  1. The President has the responsibility to do the following:
    1. preside at meetings of the CCSGA
    2. call special meetings of the CCSGA when necessary
    3. make executive decisions of the CCSGA
    4. assign CCSGA members to committees (see ARTICLE VI. Standing Committees)
    5. appoint any other positions deemed necessary by the CCSGA
    6. serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of all committees within the CCSGA
    7. vote in meetings only to break a tie
    8. serve as an official representative of the CCSGA
    9. oversee communication with all certified organizations as well as with those students serving on college committees
    10. circulate a proposed agenda to all members of the CCSGA at the beginning of each meeting
  2. The Executive Vice President has the responsibility to do the following:
    1. assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President
    2. chair the Committee on Committees of the CCSGA (see ARTICLE VI. Standing Committees)
    3. maintain regular communication with those students serving on college committees
    4. maintain and improve the CCSGA web page
  3. The Student Concerns Vice President has the responsibility to do the following:
    1. assume the duties of the President in the absence of both the President and the Executive Vice President
    2. chair the Student Concerns Committee of the CCSGA (see ARTICLE VI. Standing Committees)
    3. coordinate the District Hall Governments
  4. The Financial Vice President has the responsibility to do the following:
    1. assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President, the Executive Vice President, and the Vice-President for Student Concerns
    2. chair the CCSGA Student Finance Committee (see ARTICLE VI. Standing Committees)
    3. preserve the CCSGA financial records
    4. distribute Reserve Funds when necessary

5. The Constitutional Vice President has the responsibility to:

  1. assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President, the Executive Vice President, the Vice-President for Student Concerns, and the Financial Vice President
  2. chair the Constitution Committee of the CCSGA (see ARTICLE VI. Standing Committees)
  3. oversee the CCSGA election process (see article v. elections)
  4. maintain communication with all certified organizations
  5. take the lead responsibility in CCSGA public relations activities
  6. know the CCSGA Constitution, its Bylaws, and Robert’s Rules of Order thoroughly
  7. make final parliamentary decisions upon the request of the President
  8. preside over any impeachment hearings (see article viii. impeachment and replacement)

Section C. The Executive Council as a Whole

  1. The Executive Council has both the power and the duty to do the following:
    1. meet before each CCSGA meeting to discuss relevant issues
    2. make decisions in place of the full CCSGA prior to elections in Block 1 (see article v. elections)
    3. prepare an annual budget request for the college, specifying the CCSGA’s intentions for the following year, according to the rules of the college
    4. determine how the funding will be distributed within the CCSGA prior to the first meeting in Block 2
    5. The President presides at the Executive Council meetings.
    6. Quorum for Executive Council meetings is sixty percent. (Three out of five members must be present in order for the meeting to take place.)
    7. The Executive Council has the option of hiring an Office Manager whose duties might include:

i.         taking minutes for the Executive Council and CCSGA meetings

ii.         assisting the Executive Council and the Constitutional Vice President with public relations activities, including designing and printing necessary materials

iii.         managing CCSGA files

iv.         being responsible for any other task that the Executive Council deems necessary for the benefit of the organization

Section D. Liaison Positions

    1. Four CCSGA representatives will serve as liaisons to the following areas:
  1. Residential Life
  2. The College Food Service
  3. The Cutler Board
  4. The Student Life Office
    1. The President of the CCSGA is responsible for assigning the representatives to their respective liaison positions.

ARTICLE V. ELECTIONS

Section A. Election of the Executive Council

  1. Elections must take place every year on the third Thursday of Block 6 for the following positions: President, Executive Vice President, Vice-President for Student Concerns, Financial Vice President, and Constitutional Vice President.
  2. The Election Committee, in consultation with the CCSGA Advisor, has both the power and the duty to disqualify any candidate for a serious violation of clearly-stated election rules.
  3. The newly-elected Executive Council takes office at the end of the academic year.

Section B. Election Committee

  1. All CCSGA Executive Council Elections shall be administered by an impartial Election Committee to be composed of four members, including one chairperson.

Member Selection

  1. Appointments to the Election Committee shall be made by members of the current Executive Council not seeking office. These appointments must be confirmed by the full council.
  2. The Election Committee shall be appointed and confirmed no later than the end of the second week of Block 5.

Member Composition

  1. The Election Committee must be comprised of members who have not, in any way, endorsed, plan to endorse or campaign on behalf of any candidate. If any member of the Election Committee does campaign or endorse a candidate, he or she shall be immediately removed from the Committee.

i.     Campaigning includes but is not limited to making or hanging posters, verbal campaigning on behalf of a candidate and helping plan or organize campaign events.

  1. The Constitutional VP shall chair the Election Committee unless he or she is a candidate or is campaigning for a candidate. If the Constitutional VP is not eligible to serve as Chairperson, then the Chairperson shall be selected like all other members of the Committee as outlined above.

i.     In the event that the Constitutional VP cannot serve, the Chairperson shall be either an outgoing senior or a current executive member not seeking re-election.

  1. All current students of The Colorado College are eligible to serve on the Election Committee, including members of the CCSGA. It is preferable that at least one member of the Election Committee is a current member of CCSGA full council.
  2. Compensation for service on the Election Committee, if any, shall be determined by the Student Finance Committee.

Duties

  1. The Election Committee shall execute the executive council elections as outlined by the Constitution Committee’s election rules.
  2. The Election Committee shall be charged with advertising the election starting no later than the end of the first week of Block 6.
  3. The Election Committee officially begins its responsibilities on the first day of Block Six, though it can and should meet as soon as it is appointed.
  4. The Election Committee shall begin advertising the availability of petitions of candidacy on the first day of Block Six.

 

Section C. Election of District and At-Large Representatives

  1. Elections take place on the third Thursday of Block 1 for the four At-Large Representative positions and for the eight District Representative positions (Loomis, Slocum, Mathias, Bemis/McGregor, Western Ridge Apartments, East Campus Small Houses, West Campus Small Houses and Off-Campus).
  2. It is the duty of the Executive Council to advertise the up-coming election, set clear rules for campaigning, and coordinate the election itself. The Constitutional Vice President is responsible for overseeing this process.
  3. The Executive Council, in consultation with the CCSGA Advisor, has both the power and the duty to disqualify any candidate for a serious violation of clearly-stated election rules.
  4. The newly-elected representatives take office at the first CCSGA meeting in Block Two.

Section D. General Rules

  1. Only one person may be elected for each position.
  2. In order to be a candidate, a student must be in good-standing with the college (as determined by the administration).
  3. A candidate seeking a District Representative position must reside within the district he or she seeks to represent.
  4. To win an election for an Executive Council or District Representative position, a candidate must receive a simple majority of the votes cast.
  5. If no candidate receives this simple majority, a run-off election must be held between the two candidates who received the greatest number of votes. A run-off election must:
    1. take place on the first Monday after the election
    2. be thoroughly advertised to the campus
    3. have clear campaigning rules set by the Constitutional Vice President along with the Constitution Committee (if held during Block 6) or the Executive Council (if held during Block 1)
    1. The four At-Large candidates who receive the highest total number of votes will be declared the winners of the At-Large Representative election.
    2. Only students who are currently enrolled in the Colorado College are eligible to vote.
    3. A request for an absentee ballot must be made to the Constitutional Vice President at least three days prior to the scheduled election. Absentee ballots must be sealed in an envelope and returned to the Constitutional Vice President before voting begins on Election Day.
    4. The Heads of State are responsible for selecting their own representative, based on their own criteria, prior to the first CCSGA meeting in Block 2.

Section E. Running Elections, Counting Ballots, and Handling Disputes

  1. The following people are eligible to run the election table: current members of the CCSGA who are not running for re-election, members of the Honor Council, members of the faculty, and members of the college administration.
  2. The Constitutional Vice President is responsible for ensuring that during voting hours the election table is staffed by at least two eligible people at all times.
  3. The ballots must be counted in the CCSGA office with the door closed and the blinds open.
  4. The following people must be present when the ballots are being counted: the Constitutional Vice President, at least two additional members of the CCSGA who are not running for re-election, at least one member of the Honor Council, and at least one member of the college faculty or administration.
  5. Ballots for any election must be kept in the CCSGA office for a period of one Block following the election.
  6. The election results must be reported to a representative of the Cutler Board.
  7. Any student wishing to challenge an election must submit his or her complaint in writing to the Constitutional Vice President within 72 hours after the election. An investigation will then be conducted by either the Constitution Committee (for an election in Block 6) or by the Executive Council (for an election in Block 1). After the investigation, the committee or board that conducted it is responsible for deciding what actions, if any, should be taken.
  8. If the complaint mentions the Constitutional Vice President, the Constitution Committee (for an election in Block 6), or the Executive Council (for an election in Block 1) the matter will be referred to the CCSGA faculty advisor and the Assistant Dean of Students.

Section F. Appointing Election Officials

  1. Members of the CCSGA or Honor Council who are seeking election may not participate in the administration of the election process.
  2. The President is responsible for appointing election officials from the CCSGA to replace temporarily any members of the Constitution Committee, including the Constitutional Vice President, who may be running for re-election.
  3. It may occur that so many CCSGA members are running for re-election that there are not enough left to form a temporary replacement Constitution Committee to run the election. If such a situation occurs, the President is responsible for appointing non-CCSGA students as election officials, at least one of whom must be a member of the Honor Council.

ARTICLE VI. STANDING COMMITTEES

Section A. General Information

  1. Each standing committee is chaired by a member of the Executive Council.
  2. Normally, the chair of each committee has only one vote. In the case of a tie, however, the chair must break the tie with one additional vote.
  3. The President of the CCSGA has the power to refer any matter he or she deems worthy of attention to the committee of his or her choice.
  4. Quorum for standing committees will be sixty percent; the committee chair must also be present to conduct business.

Section B. The Committee on Committees

  1. The Executive Vice President is the chair of the Committee on Committees.
  2. The President is responsible for appointing two additional members of the CCSGA to the committee by the end of Block 2. They will each have one vote.
  3. The CCSGA Committee on Committees is responsible for placing students on the committees of the college requested by the president of the college.
  4. The Executive Vice President, the Committee on Committees and the Executive Vice President Elect are responsible for meeting during Block 7 to determine how they will select the students to appoint to the committees listed above.
  5. The list of students selected by the Committee on Committees must be confirmed by a majority vote of the CCSGA Full Council before any of the students are officially assigned to their committees.
  6. If a member of the CCSGA objects to the selection of any of the students, the members of the CCSGA will vote on whether those students who received objections should still be appointed.
  7. Students who are appointed must accept the appointment in writing before they take their seats on the committees listed above. Another student must be found to fill any position that is not accepted.
  8. The Committee on Committees is responsible for staying in contact with the students who have positions on the committees listed above throughout the year and must report any pertinent information to the CCSGA.

Section C. The Student Concerns Committee

  1. The Vice-President for Student Concerns is the chair of the Student Concerns Committee.
  2. The President is responsible for appointing three additional members of the CCSGA to the Student Concerns Committee by the end of Block 2. They will each have one vote.
  3. Members of the Executive Council may serve as ex-officio members of the Student Concerns Committee.
  4. Additional members of the CCSGA may be temporarily or permanently appointed to the Student Concerns Committee at the President’s discretion.
  5. The purpose of the Student Concerns Committee is to discover, investigate, and make progress on issues of student concern.
  6. The Student Concerns Committee has both the power and the duty to form any ad hoc committees which it deems necessary to accomplish its purpose. Such ad hoc committees will eventually report back to the CCSGA with recommendations for further action. The CCSGA will then vote on whether or not the actions recommended by any such ad hoc committee will be taken.

Section D. The Student Finance Committee

  1. The Financial Vice President is the chair of the Student Finance Committee. Unlike the chairs of the other standing committees, he or she may only vote in order to break a tie.
  2. The Student Finance Committee consists of the four At-Large Representatives. They each have one vote. If any At-Large Representative is unable to fulfill his or her duties as a member of the Student Finance Committee, the President will appoint an alternate from the CCSGA.
  3. The Assistant Dean of Students will serve as a non-voting advisor.
  4. After the Student Finance Committee allocates funds to the operating budgets of Chartered Student Organizations for the following year, the remaining funds will be placed in the Student Initiative Fund.
  5. Students or student groups seeking funds from the CCSGA must submit an application and appear before the Student Finance Committee unless granted special permission by the Financial Vice President. The Student Finance Committee will review each proposal and vote on whether or not to fund the student or student group and the amount that is to be funded.
  6. Students or student groups seeking money from the Student Initiative Fund must submit an application to the Student Finance Committee. The Student Finance Committee will review each proposal and vote on whether or not to fund the student or student group and the amount that is to be funded.
  7. The Student Finance Committee may not fund any events, which are in violation of section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code. In particular, partisan political activities (those supported by, or in support of, any political party or candidate) cannot be considered for funding.
  8. The Student Finance Committee must adhere to the college’s Anti-Discrimination Policy. The committee is not permitted to use race, religion, gender identification, or sexual orientation as grounds for refusing or limiting funding for an event.
  9. After a vote has taken place at the committee level, any Student Finance Committee member may still object to the committee’s decision at the next CCSGA meeting. If such an objection is made, the CCSGA must vote on whether or not to approve the Student Finance Committee’s decision.
  10. Prior to the end of the academic year, the Student Finance Committee must decide the monetary compensation, if any, that the Executive Council, the other CCSGA members, and any Office Manager(s) will receive for the following year.
  11. During Block 7 of each year, the Student Finance Committee must go through a process of deciding the following year’s budgets for Chartered organizations. The Financial Vice President and the committee members are responsible for determining the requirements for this process. After the budget decision-process is complete, the Student Finance Committee must make its recommendations to the CCSGA. The CCSGA will then vote whether or not to approve the recommended budgets. (See ARTICLE VII. Certification of Student Organizations)
  12. The Student Finance Committee has both the power and the duty to make periodic audits of CCSGA-funded organizations, and of the committee itself, to determine how efficiently the CCSGA funds are being used. The auditing process must be the same for all organizations and may not be excessive or needlessly detrimental to any organization.

 

 

Section E. The Constitution Committee

  1. The Constitutional Vice President is the chair of the Constitution Committee.
  2. The President is responsible for appointing three additional members of the CCSGA to the Constitution Committee by the end of Block 2. They will each have one vote.
  3. In Blocks 3 and 7, the Constitution Committee, along with help from the Budget Committee, is responsible for reviewing the validity of all groups that are currently certified by the CCSGA or have applied to be so. The Constitution Committee must decide whether to recommend that the CCSGA grant, up-grade, down-grade, or revoke the status of each group. Before becoming official, the committee’s recommendations must be approved by the CCSGA. (See ARTICLE VII. Certification of Student Organizations)
  4. The Constitution Committee is responsible for conducting the Executive Council elections during Block 6. All Constitution Committee meetings dealing with the details of the election process must be publicized and open to all members of the CCSGA. (See ARTICLE V. Elections.)
  5. The Constitution Committee must hear all calls for impeachment and determine whether they merit the attention of the CCSGA. (See article viii. impeachment and replacement.)

ARTICLE VII. CERTIFICATION OF STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Section A. Recognition Status

  1. A Recognized Student Organization is defined as a structured group of students whose commitment to some specific common interest or purpose has been acknowledged by the CCSGA. The CCSGA recognizes such organizations in order to affirm their value for the campus and to give them certain privileges.
  2. In order to receive Recognition Status, a group must meet the following requirements:
    1. Its membership and meetings must be open to the Colorado College community. (Two exceptions to this rule are discussed below in Section E.)
    2. It must adhere to the college’s Conduct Policy and Anti-Discrimination Policy.
    3. Once a year, it must submit a recognition application, designed by the Constitutional Vice President and the Constitution Committee, and provide all of the information that the application requires.
    4. It must disclose any external affiliations, provide the constitution and bylaws of any such organizations with which it may be affiliated, and certify that all conditions for affiliation meet the standards of the college.
    5. It must maintain financial records for any funds awarded to it by the CCSGA or any other organization.
    6. It must adhere to the college’s solicitation and fundraising policies.
    7. It must not enter into agreements or contractual arrangements which use the college’s name or insignia or make official reference to the college, its students, or campus organizations without first obtaining written authorization from the Constitutional Vice President.
  3. The following are the standard privileges of Recognized Student Organizations:
    1. They are eligible to use college facilities, equipment, and services according to the published policies and procedures.
    2. They may be listed in the Pathfinder.
    3. Like all non-partisan student groups, they are eligible to apply for funding for their events from the CCSGA, but they may benefit from the fact that the CCSGA is aware of their central focus, their purpose, and their history.
    4. After a year of Recognition Status, they are eligible to apply for Chartered Status.

Section B. Chartered Status

  1. A Chartered Student Organization is defined as a structured group of students, acknowledged by the CCSGA, whose commitment to some specific common interest or purpose is compatible with the primary goal of the college to foster an educational and enriching campus environment. The CCSGA charters such organizations in order to affirm their extraordinary value for the campus and to give them certain privileges in addition to those offered to Recognized Student Organizations.
  2. In order to receive Chartered Status, a group must meet the following requirements:
    1. It must meet all the requirements for Recognition Status and maintain such status for at least one academic year.
    2. Each academic year, it must submit a charter application, designed by the Constitutional Vice President and the Constitution Committee, and provide all of the information that the application requires.
    3. It must maintain records of all financial transactions and participate in any financial audits requested by the Financial Vice President and the Student Finance Committee.
    4. It must be fulfilling some sort of enriching or educational role for the campus, which is not already being accomplished by another Chartered Student Organization.
    5. It must have an active faculty member or administrator as an advisor.
  3. In addition to those privileges offered to Recognized Student Organizations, Chartered Student Organizations have the following advantages:
    1. They are eligible to charge fees and solicit funds at their events in accordance with college policy.
    2. They may use the college’s Central Services.
    3. They are eligible to receive an annual budget from the CCSGA at the discretion of the Student Finance Committee.
    4. They may use the college’s name in their title.

Section C. Funding Chartered Student Organizations

  1. The Student Finance Committee may not fund any groups if such an action would result in the violation of section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code. In particular, groups organizing, or participating in, partisan political activities (those supported by, or in support of, any political party or candidate) cannot be considered for funding.
  2. Since the purpose of CCCA funding is to enrich the experience of students of the Colorado College and not to promote political agendas, Chartered Student Organizations may not use their operational budget to participate in any off campus political activities. These include but are not limited to phone banking, door to door campaigning or leaflet distribution
  3. The Student Finance Committee must adhere to the college’s Anti-Discrimination Policy. The committee is not permitted to use race, religion, gender identification, or sexual orientation as grounds for refusing or limiting funding for an organization.
  4. CCSGA funding will only be awarded to groups and activities which enrich the campus.
  5. There will be no funding for organizations or events that are exclusive to any student in the Colorado College community. (Two exceptions to this rule are discussed below in Section E.)
  6. In order to be funded, a Chartered Student Organization’s proposed operating budget must be consistent with the purposes and goals stated in the charter of the organization.
  7. At the end of the fiscal year all unused funds will be returned to the CCSGA Reserve Fund or Rollover Fund.
  8. Any Chartered Student Organization that has acquired a debt as of the first Monday of Block 1 will be subject to a hearing by the CCSGA Executive Council, which will then reconsider the status of the group in question and its allocation of CCSGA funds.

Section D. Revoking the Budget of a Chartered Student Organization

  1. An organization’s budget can be revoked for the following reasons:
    1. Failure to follow the budget proposal used to acquire funds
    2. Failure to maintain status requirements of the CCSGA
    3. Constant overspending of funds
    4. Flagrant overspending of funds (as determined by the Budget Committee)
    5. Failure to adhere to the contractual agreement signed prior to receiving funding
    6. Failure to follow the funding guidelines listed above
    7. An organization may appeal a revocation of its budget to the CCSGA during the next scheduled meeting. An appeal must first be submitted in writing one day prior to the meeting to any Executive Council member. The CCSGA will hear the appeal during the meeting and vote on whether or not to reinstate the group’s budget. If the group fails to meet any clearly-stated appeal guidelines, its budget will be officially terminated until the end of the academic year.

Section E. Acceptable Exclusivity

  1. There are two acceptable reasons for an exclusive group to be certified by the CCSGA:
    1. Special Safety Concerns Groups (SSCGs)
      1. Because safety is an acceptable reason for exclusivity, the CCSGA has the power to designate a student organization as a Special Safety Concerns Group (SSCG).
      2. In order to receive this designation, a group must demonstrate that its policy of exclusion is necessary in order to secure either the safety of its members in particular or the safety of individuals in the campus community as a whole. In other words, there must be an explicit threat to individual safety which the group cannot prevent except by a policy of exclusion.
      3. The group must submit a written Policy of Exclusion to the Constitution Committee which clearly delineates who will be excluded from the group and explains in what ways those excluded individuals constitute an explicit threat to the safety of its members and/or other individuals on campus. The Constitution Committee will then decide whether or not to recommend this group for a special designation.
      4. If approved by a majority vote of the CCSGA, such a group will be designated as an SSCG. The group will be exempt from the non-exclusion requirements of the CCSGA recognition and chartering process and will be eligible to receive funding for their events and activities.
      5. Special Safety Concerns Groups must reapply for this designation each time they submit a request for Recognized or Chartered Status.
      6. Public Performance Groups (PPGs)
        1. Because public performance is an acceptable reason for exclusivity, the CCSGA has the power to designate a student organization as a Public Performance Group (PPG).
        2. In order to receive this designation, a group must demonstrate that its policy of exclusion is necessary in order to accomplish its goals as a group driven by puCoblic performance.
        3. Auditions for the group and attendance at the group’s public performances must be open to all members of the Colorado College community.
        4. The group must submit a written Policy of Exclusion to the Constitution Committee which clearly delineates who will be excluded from the group and explains in what ways those excluded individuals prevent the group from accomplishing its performance-driven goals. The Constitution Committee will then decide whether or not to recommend this group for a special designation.
        5. If approved by a majority vote of the CCSGA, such a group will be designated as a PPG. The group will be exempt from the non-exclusion requirements of the CCSGA recognition and chartering process and will be eligible to receive funding for their events and activities.
        6. Public Performance Groups must reapply for this designation each time they submit a request for Recognized or Chartered Status.

ARTICLE VIII. IMPEACHMENT AND REPLACEMENT

Section A. Calls for Impeachment and Impeachment Hearings

  1. Any call to impeach a member of the CCSGA must be presented to the Constitution Committee. The Constitution Committee will hear the argument for impeachment and vote on the validity of the accusation. If a majority of the committee feels the accusation is valid, an impeachment hearing will be scheduled for the full CCSGA.
  2. The Constitutional Vice President is responsible for chairing any impeachment hearings. If the Constitutional Vice President is being impeached, the President has the option of chairing it in the Constitutional Vice President’s place or appointing another chair from the CCSGA.
  3. Impeachment hearings consist of two presentations, one by the accuser and the other by the accused. Each presentation may last no longer than 30 minutes. During the 30-minute presentation, questions may be fielded from the members of the CCSGA. Questions must be sent to the chair in writing and then addressed by the chair.
  4. If either the accuser or the accused is not present for the impeachment hearing, he or she forfeits the right to give a presentation.
  5. After the presentations are completed, the CCSGA will proceed to a secret-ballot vote on the issue.
  6. A two-thirds majority is required to remove any member after an impeachment hearing. If two-thirds majority is reached in favor of impeachment, the impeached member is immediately removed from his or her position in the CCSGA.

Section B. Impeachable Offenses

  1. Impeachable offenses include, but are not limited to, absenteeism, failure to be in good standing with the college, and failure to fulfill the duties of office.
  2. Absenteeism is defined annually in the Bylaws of the CCSGA.
  3. Failure to be in good standing with the college is determined by the college administration.

Section C. Replacement of Executive Council Members

  1. If any member of the Executive Council, other than the President, is removed, resigns, or is unable to perform his or her duties, the position will be filled for the remainder of the academic year by a current Representative member of the CCSGA. The President is replaced by the Executive Vice President if the need arises (see article iv. powers and duties).
  2. The Heads of State Representative cannot be considered for an Executive Council position.
  3. In order for a Representative member of the CCSGA to be considered for an Executive Council vacancy, he or she must be nominated and seconded at a normal CCSGA meeting. After nominations have been closed, the members who have been nominated must leave the meeting along with any non-voting members, except for the CCSGA Advisor. Once the nominees have left, the remaining members may debate the nominees and then proceed to a vote by secret ballot.
  4. A nominee must receive a majority of votes from the remaining members of the CCSGA. If there is no nominee with a majority after the first vote, a run-off will take place between the top two vote-getters.
  5. Once a majority vote is reached, the CCSGA meeting can resume with all members present. The new Executive Council member assumes his or her position immediately.

Section D. Replacement of Representative Members

  1. If any Representative member of the CCSGA is removed, resigns, or is unable to perform his or her duties, the position may be filled one of two ways, depending on the amount of time left in the academic year.
  2. If there are more than four Blocks remaining in the academic year, an election will be held to fill the vacant Representative seat. The Constitutional Vice President and Constitution Committee will handle the details of the election, following as closely as possible the guidelines for elections specified by this Constitution (see article v. elections).
  3. If there are less than four Blocks remaining in the academic year, an application and interview process will take place to fill the vacant Representative seat. Applications will only be accepted from students in good standing with the college. If the vacancy is for a District Representative seat, applications will only be accepted from the respective district.
  4. The Constitution Committee will accept applications for one week after advertising the vacancy to the campus, via both campus listserv and fliers. After the application process is closed, the Constitution Committee will interview at least two candidates if more than two applications are submitted.
  5.  The interview process will last no longer than one week. The committee will rank all applicants, with the top-rated applicant recommended to full-council for confirmation vote in order to fill the position.
  6. All applications shall be available for review by all CCSGA and ex-officio members for a period of time no fewer than 48 hours prior to any confirmation vote.
  7. Once an applicant is approved, he or she must be notified at the earliest opportunity and given details of the position he or she has received.
  8. If a vacancy occurs with less than two Blocks remaining in the academic year, the Representative seat will remain vacant until the next election. The number of members required to meet the quorum of 60 percent must be adjusted for the vacancy.

 

ARTICLE IX. INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM, AND RECALL

  1. Unless it violates the CCSGA Constitution or its Bylaws, any matter may be brought to the attention of the CCSGA by a student during a regularly scheduled meeting.
  2. Any member of the CCSGA may request a campus-wide referendum to assess the general opinion of students on any issue. If two-thirds of the CCSGA members vote in favor of having a referendum, one will be held within 15 days.
  3. Likewise, if presented with a petition signed by at least 450 students, the CCSGA must hold a referendum. It must take place within 15 days after the next CCSGA meeting.
  4. Unless it violates any regulations of this Constitution, the result of a referendum is binding.
  5. Any member of the CCSGA may be recalled by the signed petition of at least one third of his or her constituents. The Executive Council is responsible for determining if such a petition is legitimate. If there is no problem with the petition, a new election must be held for the recalled position within 15 days after the next CCSGA meeting.
  6. The Constitution Committee is responsible for handling the details for any recall election, following as closely as possible the election guidelines specified by this Constitution (see article v. elections).

ARTICLE X. RESERVE FUND AND ROLLOVER FUND

Section A. The Reserve Fund

  1. The CCSGA must maintain an Reserve Fund of $5000.
  2. This fund is only to be used for what the Executive Council feels is an emergency. Before they use it, the Executive Council must have the approval of two-thirds of the CCSGA during a meeting.
  3. The fund cannot be used for any programs or initiatives of the CCSGA.
  4. If an emergency does occur and any or the entire Reserve Fund is used, it must be replaced to the $5000 level immediately. If not enough CCSGA funds remain to replace the Reserve Fund, then it should be replaced at the earliest possibility. If the fund is still below its level at the beginning of the academic year, nothing else can be funded until the Reserve Fund is at $5000.

Section B. The Rollover Fund

  1. The CCSGA must also maintain a Rollover Fund, made of leftover funds from the CCSGA and its certified organizations, to be used for programs and initiatives that the Executive Council and CCSGA deem necessary.
  2. Funds can only go into the Rollover Fund if the Reserve Fund is at a $5000 level.
  3. The Rollover Fund is the first fund used to replace the Reserve Fund if it is depleted.

Section C. The Depletion of Both Funds

  1. In the event that both the Reserve Fund and the Rollover Fund are depleted, a plan must be devised by the CCSGA to replace the $5000 in the Reserve Fund.
  2. If it is deemed necessary, a plan should also be devised to replace the Rollover Fund.

ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS

  1. Any proposed amendments to this Constitution must be submitted to the Constitutional Vice President for a presentation to the Constitution Committee. The Constitution Committee will then make a recommendation to the CCSGA at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
  2. In order to be passed, a proposed amendment must receive a two-thirds majority vote at two consecutive meetings of the CCSGA.
  3. If a proposed amendment is passed, it must be sent to the President of the Colorado College for approval before it is made part of the Constitution.
  4. If a proposed amendment does not receive a two-thirds majority vote at either of the two consecutive meetings, the amendment is defeated until the end of the academic year.

ARTICLE XII. RATIFICATION

  1. A simple majority of the votes cast by students in a campus-wide referendum, the consent of the President of the Colorado College, and the consent of the Board of Trustees is sufficient for the establishment of this document as the official Constitution of the CCSGA.

ARTICLE XIII. BYLAWS

Section A. The Purpose of Bylaws

  1. The Bylaws of the CCSGA are for the purpose of giving more detail to the regulations established by this Constitution.
  2. Bylaws do not have precedence over, nor can they contradict the provisions of this Constitution.

Section B. The Annual Review of Bylaws

  1. The Bylaws of the CCSGA must be reviewed annually by the Executive Council prior to the first full meeting of the CCSGA in Block 2.
  2. The Bylaws must be presented to the CCSGA for approval at the first scheduled meeting in Block 2. Before voting to approve the Bylaws recommended by the Executive Council, the CCSGA may vote to amend them. A simple majority is required to approve the Bylaws.
  3. The Bylaws approved at the first CCSGA meeting will remain the same for the remainder of the academic year.
  4. The Bylaws must be approved before any other CCSGA business can take place.

Section C. Guidelines for the Annual Review

  1. The following are some guidelines that must be followed when reviewing the Bylaws:
    1. Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised should be used when conducting the business of the CCSGA. However, any rule or regulation specified in this Constitution or its Bylaws takes precedence over Robert’s Rules.
    2. A policy regarding absenteeism must be included.
    3. A permanent schedule of meeting places and times must be included.
    4. Rules for meetings must be established in the following areas: voting procedures, debate limitations, the rights and privileges of non-CCSGA members at meetings, and anything else that is deemed necessary for running the meetings of the CCSGA.
    5. Clear discipline policies for infractions committed against this Constitution and its Bylaws must be included.
    6. Finally, anything else should be included which the Executive Council or the members of the CCSGA believe would help the CCSGA to conduct its business efficientl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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