Bylaws

Bylaws of California State University Channel Islands Student Government

Article I. Name

Section 1: The name of the organization shall be California State University Channel Islands Student Government (SG), herein after referred to as Student Government.

Article II. Mission Statement

The mission of the Student Government of California State University Channel Islands is to serve the student body by voicing the needs of all students through equal representation.

Article III. Participation/ Membership

Section 1. Any student currently enrolled at CSUCI shall be able to vote in elections.

Section 2. Each student is allowed one vote in any election or referendum conducted by student government.

Article IV. Terms of Office

Section 1. There will be one general election per year to be held no earlier than the fourth week of the spring semester.

Section 2. All terms of office are to commence on the first day of June and will terminate on the thirty-first day of May unless otherwise specified in these bylaws. All officer elects shall participate in a mandatory training session as stated in the election code.

Section 3. All terms are for one year for the Executive and Legislative branches.

Section 4. Neither the President, nor the Vice President of Student Government may hold an elected position in any other club or organization and shall not be a resident assistant.

Section 5. All Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates must run on separate tickets.

Article V. The Legislature

Section 1. Legislative authority shall be vested in the Student Senate.

Section 2. Composition of the Senate. The Senate will be composed of the following members.

A. Six senators elected at large.

B. One senator as appointed by Resident Housing Association (RHA).

C. Vice-President.

Section 3. Qualifications

A. Candidates must have at least 12 units completed at CSUCI prior to running for the office of Senate.

B. Candidates must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, and a minimum 2.5 GPA from CSUCI.

C. Once in office, a Senator must maintain enrollment in no less than 6 units at CSUCI, and maintain a 2.5 GPA.

D. In addition to the time spent in regular meetings of the Senate, Senators must serve no less than five hours per week on campus to specifically carry out the duties of the office.

E. Candidates must be able to attend the mandatory transition training session.

Section 4. The Powers and Duties of Senate

A. The Senate shall create a budget that allocates their funds responsibly and in a manner that best serves the needs of the students.

B. The Senate will regulate all expenditures and financial operations of the Senate Budget.

C. The Senate has the ability to organize standing and ad hoc committees.

D. The Senate must approve all Presidential appointments to the senate.

E. The Senate may recommend amendment to the bylaws of CSUCI Student Government by a 3/4 majority of the senate.

F. The Senate has the authority to create resolutions.

G. A senator can draft legislation to be presented to the entire Senate.

H. Legislation is put before the Senate by placing said legislation on the agenda.

I. All Senate votes are passed by a quorum, unless otherwise specified in these bylaws.

J. A quorum in the Senate shall consist of a majority (50%+1) of the voting members.

K. The Senate may override veto of the Student Government President by a ¾ majority of the Senate.

L. Senate meetings will follow Robert’s Rules of Order in all official meetings.

M. Senate shall keep a record of all open meetings. These minutes will be posted for the benefit of the student body.

N. Senate must inform the campus community about the use and development of programs funded by Student Government.

O. Senate shall have the authority to take any and all action which shall be necessary and proper to ensure the functioning of Student Government

P. The Senate shall review its composition annually.

Q. Senate shall faithfully execute all the Bylaws of Student Government.

Section 5. Senate Committees

A. A Senator shall chair a committee organized by the Senate.

B. If a standing committee is proving to be ineffectual, the chair can step down voluntarily, be removed by the Vice President, or be removed by a ¾ majority vote of the Senate. A chair that has been removed from his/her position may appeal the decision to the Senate. The Senate may reinstate the Senator as chair by a ¾ vote.

C. The proposal of any ad hoc committee must be clearly defined with a goal, a strategy, and grounds for dissolution.

D. Ad hoc committees can be dissolved, prior to the defined time period, by a 2/3 Senate majority vote.

E. The Senate must empower its committees to accomplish the goals set forth by the Senate.

F. Standing Committees are considered indefinite, unless dissolved by a 2/3 vote.

G. The Vice President is an ex-officio member of Senate committees.

Section 6. Duties of a Senator

A. A Senator shall follow through with resolutions, comply with passed legislation, complete tasks relating to the office, bring ideas and/or constructive criticism to the Senate, and foster collegial atmosphere in Student Government.

B. A Senator shall initiate contact with the student body, faculty, staff, and administration.

C. A Senator shall disseminate information pertinent to the students and Student Government officials.

D. A Senator shall attend all regular and special meetings of the Senate.

Section 7. Recall and Removal

A. In the event that a Senator is suspected of gross incompetence, any Senator can bring forth this grievance to the Vice President during a senate meeting. The Vice President will put the item on the next meetings agenda to be discussed and voted upon. The Senator in question shall have seven (7) calendar days to respond/address the Senate prior to the vote. The Vice President will then call for a vote to impeach the senator in question. Impeachment would take place in the event of a ¾ majority ruling of the senate; the senator in question abstaining from the vote.

B. A Senator can face a recall by a petition baring the names and I.D. numbers of 5% of the student body. Once 5% of the student body has signed such a petition, the issue of recall will be voted on by the Associated Students. The election will take place 30 days after such petition has been verified.

C. Gross incompetence for the office of Senate is defined here as one or more of the following:

a. Missing more than two regular meetings, or more than four regular and/ or special meetings during the term of office without a viable excuse. Viable excuse for a regular meeting will be defined as illness or a death in the family. A viable excuse for missing a special meeting will be defined as illness, a death in the family, previously planned vacation, or class conflict.

b. Abusing the privileges of the office. Abuse of privileges would include, but not be limited to, taking Student Government property for personal use, and/or misrepresenting personal views as those of the student body or Student Government.

c. Failing to carry out the duties of a Senator.

D. Any senator wishing to resign from office shall do so by submitting a signed and dated letter of resignation to the Vice-President. The resignation shall be effective as of the date specified in the letter.

Article VI. The Executive

Section 1. The Executive Branch is comprised of the President, Vice President, and the Presidential Cabinet.

Section 2. The Duties of the President are as follows. The President shall:

A. Serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Student Government.

B. Act as the official spokesperson for Student Government.

C. Recommend the appointment of a Senator in the event of senatorial vacancy.

D. Appoint a Presidential Cabinet that shall consist of no less than the Vice-President, Treasurer, and two at large students.

E. Reserve the right to veto any legislation passed by the Senate within 6 calendar days of a signed receipt of said legislation. If no signature is given by the President within six calendar days, said legislation passes

F. The President has the power of line item veto.

G. Create a budget for the Executive Office.

H. Be responsible for the just allocation of Executive funds.

I. Form committees to fulfill the needs of the office.

J. Serve as the representative of the students on committees throughout campus.

K. Make recommendations for appointments to committees on campus to serve in lieu of the President.

L. Dismiss any appointment made by the President, excluding appointments to the Senate and Judicial members.

M. Execute legislation adopted by the Senate.

N. Call special meetings of the Senate as necessary. Senators must be given 48 hours prior notice to such meetings.

O. Create hiring committees.

P. Supervise the staff of Student Government and review the staff of Student Government at least once a semester.

Q. Serve as an ex-officio member of any committee formed by student government.

R. Report in person, or by designee, to all regular meetings of the Senate.

S. Faithfully execute all the Student Government bylaws.

T. The President shall have the authority to issue executive orders which are not subject to the approval of the Senate.

Section 3. The Duties and Responsibilities of the Vice President are as follows. The Vice President shall:

A. Serve as the liaison between the President and the Senate.

B. Chair all Senate meetings.

C. Break any ties in a Senate vote.

D. Assume the duties of the office of the President in the event of the president’s absence, incapacitation, or removal.

E. Appoint the chairs to Senate Committees.

F. Remove a chair from an ineffectual Senate Committee.

G. Review the execution of the responsibilities of Senators at least once a semester.

H. Faithfully execute all the Student Government bylaws.

Section 4. Qualifications for Executive Office

A. Candidates must have a minimum of 30 units completed prior to running for Executive Office.

B. Candidates must have at least 12 units completed at CSUCI prior to running for Executive Office.

C. Candidates must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, and a minimum 2.5 CSUCI GPA.

D. Once in office, both Executive Officers must maintain no less than 6 units per semester at Channel Islands, with a GPA of 2.5.

E. Neither the President, nor the Vice President shall serve more than two terms in one office.

Section 5. Recall and Removal

A. Officers of the executive branch may be impeached for the failure to carry out the duties of the office as set forth in these Bylaws.

B. In the event that an executive is suspected of gross incompetence, said executive may be impeached by a ¾ majority vote from the Senate. Said Executive must have seven (7) calendar days preparation before such an item would be put on the Senate’s agenda to be heard and voted upon. The item will be voted upon by Senate seven calendar days after the item was heard.

Gross incompetence for the Executive office is defined here as one or more of the following:

1. Abusing the privileges of the office. Abuse of privileges would include, but is not limited to, taking Student Government property for personal use, and/or misrepresenting personal views as those of the student body or Student Government.

2. Failing to follow through with resolutions, to execute Senate legislation, to complete tasks relating to the office, to bring ideas or constructive criticism to the Senate and/or to foster a collegial atmosphere in Student Government.

3. Failing to initiate contact with the student body, faculty, staff, or administration.

4. Not disseminating information pertinent to the students or Student Government officials.

C. An Executive can face recall by a petition baring the names and I.D. numbers of 5% of the student body. Once 5% of the student body has signed a petition, the issue of recall will be voted on by the Associated Students. The vote will take place thirty days after such a petition has been verified. The Executive shall be recalled upon sixty-six percent passing by Associated Students.

D. Any executive officer wishing to resign from office shall do so by submitting a signed and dated letter of resignation to all members of the legislative branch. The resignation shall be effective as of the date specified in the letter.

Section 6. Executive Vacancy

A. In the event of a Presidential vacancy, the Vice President moves to the position of President.

B. In the event of a Vice Presidential vacancy, the President will recommend an appointment for the Vice Presidency from the pool of Senators, within seven (7) calendar days of the vacancy. Such an appointment would then be subject to the approval of the remaining senators by a 2/3 vote.

Article VII. The Judiciary

Section 1. The Judiciary shall provide a check and balance to the Executive and Legislative branches in addition to assessing the organization for its continuing improvement.

Section 2. Composition of the Judiciary.

A.The Judiciary shall be composed of four Associate Justices and one Chief Justice.

Section 3. Qualifications.

A. A Justice shall be appointed by the President, and confirmed by ¾ majority vote of the Senate.

B. Any Justice must have at least 12 units completed at CSUCI.

C. Justices must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, and a minimum 2.5 GPA from CSUCI.

D. Once in office, a Justice must maintain enrollment in no less than 6 units at CSUCI, and maintain a 2.5 GPA.

E. All Justices must be able to serve a term of at least three semesters; there are no other term limits.

F. No Justice may hold any other position in Student Government.

Section 4. Powers and Duties of the Judiciary Branch.

A. To interpret any legislation processed by the Legislature including but not limited to policy, procedure, spending bills, and these bylaws.

B. The right to either hear or dismiss issues brought before the court.

C. To create their own policies and procedures for Judicial business.

D. To create an operating budget of which no funds may be for used hospitality or events.

E. To settle disputes that may arise between the legislative and executive branches.

F. To conduct impeachment trials.

G. To provide written documentation of all decisions made for the good of the organization and of the students.

H. To serve as members of the ASI Election Committee.

Section 5. Recall and Removal

A. Justices of the Judiciary may be removed for failure to carry out the duties of the office as set forth by these bylaws.

B. Justices will be immediately removed from office by running for a recognized ASI position.

C. In the event that a Justice is suspected of gross incompetence, the said Justice can be impeached by a ¾ majority vote from the senate. Said Justice must have seven (7) calendar days preparation before such an item would be put on the Senate’s agenda to be heard and voted upon. The item will be voted upon by Senate seven calendar days after the item was heard. If the Senate chooses to impeach a Justice, then said Justice shall be tried before the four remaining Justices: the Student Government President will take the role and vote of the Justice in question for the remainder of the trial.

Gross incompetence for Justices is defined here as one or more of the following:

1. Failing to follow through with duties set forth in these bylaws.

2. Abusing the privileges of the office. Abuse of privileges would include, but is not limited to, taking Student Government property for personal use, and/or misrepresenting personal views as those of the student body or Student Government.

3. Taking bribes of any kind.