ITHACA COLLEGE
POLICY MANUAL

Article I

Name

The name of the organization that shall uphold the preamble, and represent the student body of Ithaca College shall be the Ithaca College Student Government Association (ICSGA).

Article II

Preamble

We, the students of Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York, in order to provide democratic representation, ensure student rights and privileges, mediate, advocate, serve and encourage the activities and concerns of the Ithaca College community, do hereby adopt this constitution of the Ithaca College student body. As stated in the Ithaca College Governance and Committee Structure, the Student Government Association serves as the only recognized representative body for the student community. The Senate shall be a part of the organizational authority of Student Government as set herein. This document shall be subject to change as deemed necessary by the student body, or the Student Government, or thereupon every 3 years from the date of its last revision.

Article III

Statement of Non-Discrimination

The Ithaca College Student Government Association is an equal opportunity organization. The ICSGA does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, gender, national origin, religion, political affiliation, sexual/affectional orientation, or disability. While any student may participate in the activities and debate of the Student Government Association, voting rights shall only be granted as outlined in the Bylaws.

Article IV

Bylaws

The Ithaca College Student Government Association shall have the authority to make bylaws on such matters as membership, meetings, structure, elections, voting, committees and other organizational needs of the student government. Such bylaws may not be in conflict with the charter or bylaws of the Board of Trustees or any other governing group recognized by the Board of Trustees.

Article V

Amendment of the Constitution

Any member of the Ithaca College Student Government Association may propose an amendment to this constitution.

All proposed amendments must be presented in writing to each member of Senate at least one week prior to a vote to ratify the proposed amendment.

A 2/3 vote in favor of the proposed amendment is required for ratification.

To amend the entire document and ensure the existence of the Ithaca College Student Government Association, one motion shall be made abolishing the existing constitution and establishing the new.

Article I

Organizational Authority

The Ithaca College Student Government Association shall be a united Senate working in conjunction with its executive board. Each senator shall have the opportunity to form her or his own ad hoc committee, which may have special duties or powers designated by this Constitution.

Article II

Legislative Branch

Section 1.

Name

The legislative branch of the Ithaca College Student Government Association shall henceforth be known as Student Congress.

Section 2.

Membership

The membership of Student Senate shall consist of:

• 4 senators from each academic class, first year through senior, as determined by anticipated date of graduation as recorded by the Office of the Registrar
• 1 senator from each academic school, including the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies
• 1 transfer senator
• 1 senator for graduate students

The senator shall belong to the appropriate population for which they ran. Academic senators must be majors within that school. Class senators must be members of the class for which they run.

Section 3.

Term of Office

Senators elected in the spring shall serve from the date of graduation until the day of graduation the following academic year. Senators elected in the fall shall serve from the date of their election to the date of graduation of that academic year.

Section 4.

Senate Duties

Representatives of Senate shall have the responsibility to:

• Be in accordance with all eligibility requirements as set forth in the Elections Act
• Be responsible for creating and implementing a statement of platform, which shall consist of, but is not limited to:
  • At least one concern said senator intends to resolve
  • An action plan for how said senator intends to resolve the issue
• Conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner in meetings. Members who fail to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner are subject to removal from the function at the discretion of the Chair.
• Keep informed on all issues before Senate.
• Relay information concerning the actions of Student Government Association to the student population.
• Post flyers and share minutes of meetings in areas designated by the Senate and the Communications Committee
• Serve on at least one standing or ad hoc committee unless serving on an all-College committee approved as a substitution by the Executive Board.
• Adhere to all absence policies, as stated in section 5 below.
• Senators from academic schools shall attend meetings with their deans at least twice a semester, as well as holding school forums, as deemed necessary by the Executive Board and arranged by the vice president of academics.
  

Section 5.

Absences

All elected senators of Student Government Association are expected to participate in all scheduled meetings with no more than three (3) absences in one semester. In addition, two (2) late arrivals and/or early dismissals count as one (1) absence. More than three absences in one semester will result in dismissal from SGA by the student body president or the chairperson. Any member who has been dismissed shall not be eligible to serve as a member again until beginning of the following semester.

Section 6.

Meetings

• Shall be held once a week during fall and spring semesters while classes are in session, unless otherwise specified by the Executive Board or by a motion of senate.
• Shall be presided over by the chairperson of as designated in section 11 of this article.
• Shall follow Rules of Order as designated by the Ithaca College Student Government Parliamentary Procedure Manual.
• Special meetings may be called by the Executive Board of Student Government or upon written notification by 10 percent of the elected representatives of Senate submitted to the chairperson.
• Shall be open to any interested members of the Ithaca College community.
  

Section 7.

Voting

• A quorum of 2/3 of all senators must be present at meetings for ANY voting to occur.
• Each elected senator of Student Government Association shall receive one vote.
• Officers of Student Government, Executive Board members, and interested students-at-large shall NOT vote.
• The president of the student body shall vote only in the event of a tie.
  

Section 8.

Authority

Student Government Association shall have the authority to:

• Vote on any budgets brought forth by the Budget Committee if any of the following statements are true:
  1. The club is not required to fundraise, as per the Treasurer’s Handbook.
  2. The club or organization is appealing the Budget Committee’s decision.
• Override any decision of a Student Government Association committee by a majority vote, with the exception of the Budget Committee and Elections Committee.
• Vote on all budget recommendations brought forth by the Budget Committee, should the committee be unable to vote on it themselves, as stated in Article V, section 5.
• Confirm all candidates for all-College committees recommended by the appropriate Executive Board member(s).
• Confirm candidates for SGA vacancies, as recommended by the Vice President of Communications.
• Establish and chair an Ad hoc Committee by majority vote.
• Override a presidential, Executive Board, Budget Committee, Elections Committee, chairperson, or parliamentarian of Student Government decision by a 2/3 vote.
• Initiate impeachment proceedings of any senator or non-ex-officio Executive Board member by a ¾ vote.
• Dismiss the chairperson with a 2/3 vote.
  

Section 9.

Documents

Documents passed by Student Government Association shall be divided into four (4) classes:

• Amendments shall be changes or additions to the constitution of the Ithaca College student body.
• Acts shall be matters of a permanent nature, and shall be binding from year to year until formally repealed by the Senate.
• Resolutions shall be matters of a temporary nature, and shall expire with the Senate in which they are enacted.
• Recommendations shall encourage action to be taken by other decision-making bodies in the Ithaca College community, and shall only expire after the action is made, or if formally withdrawn by the Senate.

A permanent and cumulative record of all documents shall be kept on file and shall be made available to the Student Government Association or the public upon request.

Appeals

Decisions of the Student Body president, Executive Board, chairperson of SGA, and all SGA committees may be appealed to Senate.

All appeals must be presented to the chairperson of SGA so that it may be included in the agenda for the next regularly scheduled meeting of Senate.

Student Government Association will consider the appeal only if grounds allege that the original decision of the president, Executive Board, or chairperson, and/or all SGA committees, violates their rights outlined in the Ithaca College Student Handbook, and/or the Constitution of the Ithaca College Student Body.

In the event that grounds for an appeal involves personal and confidential information such as, but not limited to, grades, judicial standing, and disability, the director of Center for Student Leadership and Involvement or the director’s designee, has the authority to review all claims and provide Student Government Association with a conclusion of findings.

The Senate may override any decision of an SGA Committee (with an exception of the Budget Committee and Elections Committee) by a majority vote.

The Senate may override a presidential, Executive Board, Budget Committee, Elections Committee, or chairperson decision by a 2/3 vote.

Section 11.

Chairperson

The Student Trustee shall act as chairperson of the Senate.

The Chair shall:

• Have a working knowledge of Parliamentary Procedure
• Remain completely impartial while chairing. If wishing to address an issue, the Chairperson must turn the gavel over to an executive designee.
• Be responsible for the preparation of the Student Government Association meeting agenda in conjunction with the President of the Student Body.
• Be responsible for maintaining and upholding the Ithaca College Parliamentary Procedure manual in consultation with the Vice President of Communications.
• Be responsible for notification of the Senate and Student Government Executive Board of special meetings and/or meeting cancellations.
• Be responsible for convening and chairing the Elections Committee or appointing a designee to do so.
  

Article III

Executive Branch

Section 1.

Name

The executive branch of the Ithaca College Student Government Association shall henceforth be known as the Executive Board.

Section 2.

Membership

The Executive Board of Student Government shall consist of:

• The president of the student body
• The vice president of academics
• The vice president of business and finance
• The vice president of campus affairs
• The vice president of communications
• The student trustee
• The president of the residence hall association
  

Section 3.

Term of Office

• The president of the student body and all vice presidents shall serve from the day of graduation the year they are elected, until the day of graduation the following year.
• The student trustee shall serve from June 1 of the year of appointment until May 31 of the second academic year after the trustee's appointment.
• The president of the Residence Hall Association shall serve according to the provisions set forth in the RHA constitution.
  

Section 4.

Executive Board Meetings

• Shall be held at least once every week during fall and spring semester while classes are in session, unless otherwise specified by the Executive Board.
• Special meetings shall be convened whenever it is deemed necessary by the president of the student body, or upon written or oral request of two (2) other Executive Board members submitted to the president.
  

Section 5.

Voting

• A majority of voting members must be present for any voting to occur.
• The vice presidents, elected by the Student Body, shall each have one (1) vote.
• The president of the student body shall only vote in the event of a tie and shall only have one (1) vote.
• The Student Trustee and the president of RHA shall be ex-officio, non-voting members.
• The president of RHA shall not be required to attend Executive Board meetings, though her or his presence is requested.
  

Section 6.

Duties and Authority

All Student Government Executive Board members shall:

• Attend all meetings.
• Keep informed on all issues before SGA.
• See that the responsibilities of Student Government Association are carried out.

The president of the Student Body shall:

• Act as a spokesperson, in consultation with the Executive Board, for the Student Body.
• Preside over the Executive Board of Student Government, and see that the responsibilities of each member are carried out.
• Be responsible for setting the agenda for the Executive Board meetings.
• Set the agenda for SGA meetings in consultation with the chairperson.
• Establish ad-hoc committees as deemed necessary.
• Maintain communication with All-College committees that deal with campus concerns and, when necessary, recommend nominees for those committees to be approved by the Senate.
• Be responsible for maintaining the Student Activities Center.
• Establish an interview process and interview all candidates for the position of chairperson of Student Government, then recommend a nominee to Senate.
• Hire at least one governance secretary to fulfill the duties listed in the job description manual.
• Vote in the event of a tie in either Executive Board meetings or Senate meetings.
• Be responsible for the distribution of the agenda at least thirty-six (36) hours prior to the commencement of Senate meetings.
• Act as a consultant for members of the Senate who wish to establish an ad hoc committee regarding business internal to SGA.

The vice president of academics shall:

• Investigate students’ academic concerns.
• Review legislation on curriculum, registration, academic procedures, and academic programs.
• Draft new legislation on curriculum, registration, academic procedures, and academic programs in conjunction with ad hoc committees dealing with academic issues.
• Maintain communication with all-College committees that deal with academic concerns and when necessary recommend nominees for those committees to be approved by the Senate.
• Recommend a nominee for the position of the Faculty Council liaison, to be approved by a 2/3 vote of the Senate, who shall:
  • Be responsible for reporting the Vice President of Academics Faculty Council business.
  • Not have authority to represent Student Government unless specifically authorized by the Vice President of Academics or the President of the Student Body.
  • Act as a non-official student opinion upon the request of faculty council.
  • Meet the academics and judicial requirements of being a senator as designated by the Elections Act.
• Coordinate at least two (2) meetings per semester between academic school senators and the deans of their respective schools.
• Serve as ex officio member of the Academic Policies Committee
• Meet with the provost and vice president for academic affairs at least once a semester.
• Coordinate the Student Government Merit Scholarship, the Margaret Reid Memorial Scholarship, and any other Student Government funded scholarship.
• Act as a consultant to any senator wishing to establish an ad hoc committee regarding academic affairs.

The vice president of business and finance shall:

• Oversee all Student Government financial transactions (including Student Government funded clubs and organizations).
• Follow the policies and procedures outlined in the Business and Finance Handbook
• Hire finance assistant(s) to fulfill the duties listed in the job description manual.
• Coordinate meetings of the Budget Committee with student clubs and organizations.
• Prepare and submit a budget proposal to Student Government Association for the next academic year for Student Government and Student Government funded clubs and organizations.
• Work in coordination with the Center for Student Leadership and Involvement to create the SGA Treasurer’s Handbook.
• Present and submit any Budget Committee's budget decision if any of the statements are true:
1. The club is not required to fundraise as per the Treasurer’s Handbook.
2. The club or organization is appealing the Budget Committee's decision.
• Shall report to the Senate all budget committee's decisions, and an update of the status of the floating fund account.
• Meet with the vice president of finance and administration when deemed necessary by the vice president of business and finance or the Executive Board.
• Preside over the Student Government Budget Committee.
• Appoint a fundraising director to coordinate all fundraising activities for the Student Government Association and act as a consultant to all clubs on fundraising.

The vice president of campus affairs shall:

• Investigate student concerns other than those that are academic (especially those in Ithaca College’s Division of Student Affairs and Campus Life).
• Review legislation on campus issues, policies, or events that affect the Student Body.
• Draft new legislation on campus issues, policies, and events that affect the Student Body in conjunction with ad hoc committees dealing with issues of campus life.
• Work closely with the president of the Residence Hall Association on issues, policies, and procedures concerning residential life.
• Sit as a representative on the Campus Life Committee, or if unable to serve, work closely with at least one (1) student representative on the Campus Life Committee.
• Meet with the vice president for student affairs and campus life at least once a semester.
• Act as a consultant to any senator wishing to establish an ad hoc committee regarding issues of campus affairs.
• Appoint a diversity affairs director.
• Recommend a nominee for the position of Staff Council liaison, to be approved by a 2/3 vote of Senate, who shall:
  • Be responsible for reporting the Vice President of Campus Affairs Staff Council business.
  • Not have the authority to represent Student Government unless specifically authorized by the Vice President of Campus Affairs or the President of the Student Body.
  • Act as a non-official student opinion upon the request of Staff Council.
  • Meet the academic and judicial requirements for being a senator as designated in the Elections Act.

The vice president of communications shall:

• Be responsible for all public relations.
• Be responsible for all advertising on and off campus.
• Recommend candidates to fill senate vacancies in Student Government Association according to Article VII.
• Coordinate a Student Government Association training workshop in conjunction with the other members of the Executive Board.
• Be responsible for investigating various national and state organizations and make a recommendation to SGA on whether ICSGA should affiliate with any of those organizations. The Senate shall approve affiliation by a majority vote.
• Preside over the Student Government Communications Committee.
• Coordinate the first year, transfer, and graduate senate election process in the fall semester with the assistance of the Executive Board in accordance with the Elections Act.
• Remain in close contact with the Directors of Ithaca College Study Abroad Centers.
• Appoint an SGA Webmaster.

The student trustee shall:

• Fulfill the student trustee duties to the Board of Trustees.
• Report to Student Government Association after each meeting of the Board of Trustees.
• Coordinate student leader/trustee receptions.
• Be responsible for the recruitment and selection of student trustee candidates.
• Maintain the student trustee manual.
• Act as chair of the Senate.

The president of the Residence Hall Association shall:

• Fulfill the president’s duties to the Residence Hall Association.
• Be responsible for reporting to Student Government Association the business of the Residence Hall Association.
• Work closely with the vice president of campus affairs on issues, policies, and procedures concerning Residential Life.
  

Article IV

Clubs and Organizations

Clubs and organizations recognized by the Center for Student Leadership and Involvement shall have the right to submit a budget proposal in writing to the Budget Committee if they also meet the following criteria:

• Become a registered organization through the Center for Student Leadership and Involvement.
• Must abide by all rules and procedures as stated in the Student Government Association Treasurer’s Business and Finance Handbook. (Failure to comply with any of the rules stated may result in a club’s funds being frozen at the discretion of the Budget Committee.)
• Any student organization exempt from fundraising, as stated in the Student Government Association’s Treasurer’s Handbook, is required to attend one Student Government Association meeting per semester as coordinated with the Student Government Association Executive Board, at which they must:
  • Deliver a presentation on their organization’s activities that semester.
  • Provide an itemized expense report to all Student Government Association senators.
  • Engage in a feedback session with the Senate.

Failure to comply with any of these rules may result in a fiscal penalty at the discretion of Budget Committee.

Article V

Student Government Committees

Section 1.

Membership

All Student Government committees will be comprised of student senators and open to any interested students, unless otherwise designated by this constitution of the committee itself.

Section 2.

Meetings

Shall be held at least once a week during fall and spring semesters while classes are in session, unless otherwise designated by the committee chair.

Minutes shall be kept, if deemed necessary by the committee, the Senate, or otherwise designated by this constitution.

All committee members are expected to participate in all scheduled meetings with no more than three (3) absences in one semester.

Section 3.

Membership Conduct

All members shall conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner during meetings. Members who fail to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner are subject to removal at the committee chair’s discretion.

Section 4.

Ad Hoc Committees

Ad Hoc Committees shall:

• Be convened at the discretion of any senator.
• Be convened at the discretion of the President of the Student Body or the Executive Board or by a majority vote of the Senate.
• Be chaired by the calling senator, her or his designee, or a member of the Executive Board.

Section 5.

Budget Committee

The Budget Committee shall:

• Be chaired by the vice president of business and finance.
• Assist the vice president of business and finance in the vice president’s duties.
• Have its initial membership approved by the Senate at its second meeting of the fall semester.
• Have its member granted voting privileges exclusively by the Senate.
• Stop operations if its membership fails to consist of five voting students, only to resume operations when membership resumes to that of five.
• Research new methods of funding Student Government Association.
• Formulate, review, revise and distribute to SGA the Treasurer’s Handbook.
• Shall have the authority to pass budgets, to allocate funds for recognized clubs and organizations, if all of the following conditions are met:
1. The club is required to fundraise, as per the Treasurer’s
2. The club is satisfied with the Budget Committee’s decision.

However, the following conditions must be met in order for the Budget Committee to pass budgets:

1. Only those members approved by the Senate will receive a vote.
2. At least 2/3 of all Budget Committee members in good standing must be in attendance.
3. The vice president of business and finance shall only vote in the case of a tie, and the budget director will not have a vote.
4. In order for the budget to pass, a motion must be made by a voting member and seconded by a voting member. The motion must receive a majority vote from the members in attendance.
   

If the above conditions are not met, Budget Committee shall only have the authority to recommend to Student Government Association the allocations of funds for recognized clubs and organizations. During the spring semester, the Budget Committee has the authority to allocate funds to clubs for the following academic year.

Section 6.

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee shall:

• Be chaired by the vice president of communications.
• Assist the vice president of communications in the vice president's duties.
• Investigate new ways of increasing communication with the entire campus community.
  

Section 7.

Elections Committee

The Elections Committee shall:

• Be chaired by the chairperson. If the chairperson is unable to serve as chair, the chairperson’s designee may chair the Elections Committee, subject to 2/3 approval of the Senate.
• Be convened by the end of February of each year.
• Have the authority to recommend revisions of the Student Government Association Elections Act, which shall govern elections and the Elections Committee’s actions, subject to 2/3 approval of the Senate.
• Have meetings recorded by the governance secretary or designee and minutes kept on file.

Section 8.

Investigation Committee

• The Investigation Committee shall only be convened after the initiation of impeachment proceedings.
• Congress shall approve ALL members of the Investigations Committee by a 2/3 vote.
• The Investigation Committee shall be made up of:
  • two (2) Student Government Executive Board members;
  • two (2) Student Government senators;
  • two (2) students-at-large;
  • the staff advisor, as an ex-officio non-voting member.

Exceptions:

1. No member(s) under investigation may serve on the Investigation Committee.
2. The staff advisor will not be approved by congress.
   

The Impeachment Investigation Committee shall:

• Be chaired by the person convening the committee, as designated in Article VI.
• Determine if the offenses brought forth are deemed to be impeachable.
• Conduct private interviews with the individual(s) under investigation.
• Conduct interviews with others relevant to the investigation.
• Have the right to hold any public hearings they deem necessary to the investigation.
• Make a report of findings on the offenses to Student Government Association, and make a recommendation to the Senate to impeach, or not to impeach the individual(s) under investigation.
• Have meetings recorded by the governance secretary or designee and minutes kept on file.
  

Article VI

Impeachment Procedures

• Any member of the Student Government may initiate impeachment proceedings against any senator, Executive Board member, or officer of Student Government.
• Ex-officio Executive Board members may not be impeached.
• To initiate impeachment proceedings, a written motion and petition requesting an investigation, and a list of offenses committed by the member in question must be presented at a formal meeting of Student Government Association by the member initiating the proceedings. The petition must include the signatures of 2/3 of ALL members of Senate (in good standing).
• Following the motion, and presentation of petition, the Investigation Committee shall be convened by the chairperson.
• The Investigation Committee shall report their findings and make a recommendation to the Senate.
• After the recommendation of the Investigation Committee, the Student Government member(s) under investigation shall have the opportunity to rebut.
• Following the statements of the individual(s) under investigation, the Senate shall vote on the original written motion.
• A 3/4 vote of ALL senators in good standing in favor of the motion shall constitute removal, impeachment.
  

Article VII

Vacancies

Section 1.

Senators of Student Government

Candidates to fill vacant Senate positions shall:

• Submit a mid-year nomination form to the vice president of communications of Student Government.
• Be recommended by the vice president for communications for nomination by the Senate, and may be confirmed by a majority rule.

Section 2.

Executive Board of Student Government Association

The president and vice presidents of the student body: Upon the first notice of a vacancy there shall be public advertisements of the fact. An application process shall be developed by the remaining executives. Then remaining executives shall interview the candidates.

In the time prior to formal selection of a presidential replacement, the remaining executives shall appoint from among themselves a temporary president. A recommendation shall be made to the Senate following the interview process. The Senate shall have the opportunity to question the recommended candidate. A majority approval of congress is required to accept the recommendation.

In the time prior to formal selection of a vice presidential candidate replacement, the remaining executives shall appoint an appropriate replacement. A permanent replacement will be announced following the interview process. No approval of the Senate is required.

The student trustee: shall be replaced in a manner designated by the Board of Trustees in consultation with the Student Body President.

President of the Residence Hall Association: shall be replaced by the Residence Hall Association.

Article VIII

Amendments to Bylaws

Any member of the Ithaca College Student Government Association may propose an amendment to these bylaws.

All proposed amendments must be presented in writing to each member of the Senate at least one (1) week prior to a vote to ratify the proposed amendment.

A 2/3 vote in favor of the proposed amendment is required for ratification.

To amend the entire document and ensure the existence of the Ithaca College Student Government Association, one motion shall be made abolishing the existing constitution and establishing the new.

Article IX

Acts

• Any member of the Ithaca College Student Government Association may propose an act to this constitution.
• Any proposed act must be presented in writing (preferably via e-mail) to each member of the Senate at least five (5) days prior to ratify the proposed act.
• No amendments (friendly or otherwise) shall be acknowledged from the floor of the Senate in session.
• Any amendments to said act (before ratification) shall be made in the following manner: If a member of the Ithaca College Student Government Association wishes to amend the bill (act), that many be done with the consent and/or assistance of the act proponent (sponsor). Changes to the act shall strikethrough the line to amend adding the new section in bold print directly after the strikethrough. The amended act must be submitted to all members of the Ithaca College Student Government Association NO LATER than three (3) days prior to a vote to ratify the proposed act.
• A 2/3 vote in favor of the proposed act is required for ratification.
• A ratified ACT shall be compiled in a binder to form a book of acts of the Ithaca College Student Government Association.
• Any ratified act will be reviewed to determine constitutionality, applicability, and legality corresponding with the review of the Constitution of the Ithaca College Student Body.