Student Government Organization (SGO)

Student Government Organization (SGO)

Senate Gym Room 106
845-687-5255

The Student Government Organization maintains a cooperative relationship among students, faculty, staff, and the outside community and works to ensure that the social needs and responsibilities of students are being met. Together with the College Association’s Board of Directors, the SGO oversees student clubs and organizations. It also works with the STUDENT ACTIVITIES BOARD to plan special social and cultural events. The College Association fee paid as part of tuition entitles each student to full membership in the SGO. The Student Council is sponsored by the SGO and made up of representatives from all of the active student clubs. SGO and Student Council meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month at 1 pm in the SGO offices and are open to everyone. 

Constitution and By- Laws of the Student Government Organization of Ulster County Community College

 

Preamble

We, the Student Government Organization of SUNY Ulster aim to provide a foundation in partnership with faculty, staff, and the community, in which social responsibilities and the needs of the individual students are provided for, in keeping with the aims and ideals upon which the college was founded. The Student Government Organization shall be the official representative voice of the student body.

Article 1:  Name, Partners, and Membership

The name of this organization is the Student Government Organization, hereafter referred to as SGO.

Together with the College Association’s Board of Directors, the SGO oversees student clubs and organizations. It also works with the Student Activities Board to plan special social and cultural events. The Student Council is sponsored by the SGO and made up of representatives from all active student clubs.

Students registered at SUNY Ulster are entitled to all benefits and privileges the organization may provide. The College Association fee paid as part of tuition entitles each student to full membership in the SGO.

Article II: Composition

Section 1: Officers

There shall be a student elected President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer of the SGO. Student officers must be 18 years, shall have completed no fewer than 12 credits at the time of taking office, have a minimum 2.5 GPA at the time of taking office and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA both by semester and cumulative average. Officers must be in good academic and disciplinary standing. Officers found responsible for disciplinary infractions will be required to participate in the judicial process of SGO or if they choose, can resign (See By- Law 3.1).

By- Law 2.1: Officers

Officers of SGO include:

    1. President

    2. Vice President

    3. Secretary

    4. Treasurer

    5. Student Trustee

All other members of SGO are hereafter referred to as The Senate (senators).

By- Law 2.2: Qualifications

All officers must meet the following qualifications:

    1. 18 years old

    2. Completed no fewer than 12 credits

    3. Minimum GPA of 2.5 at time of office, maintained throughout semester and at the final cumulative average

    4. Good academic and disciplinary standing

    5. No violations of the code of conduct as detailed in the judicial process


All members of The Senate must meet the following qualifications:

    1. 18 years old

    2. Completed no fewer than 12 credits

    3. Minimum GPA of 2.5 at time of office, maintained throughout semester and at the final cumulative average

    4. Good academic and disciplinary standing

    5. No violations of the code of conduct as detailed in the judicial process

Note: An officer or senator may be under the age of 18 with the exception of the Student Trustee through a special vote.


Section 2: President

The President of SGO must meet the qualifications of an Officer. The President shall:

  1. Be the official representative of the student body

  2. Serve as the presiding officer of the Student Council

  3. Have the authority to fill all vacancies, make appointments and have the sole power to declare a special election.

  4. Be the ex-officio member of all Committees

 

Section 3: Vice President

The Vice President must meet the qualifications of an Officer. The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in his/her absence.

 

Section 4: Treasurer

The Treasurer must meet the qualifications of an Officer. The Treasurer shall, in conjunction with the College Association financial officer and/or the coordinator of campus life work to keep records of all allocations and expenditures of SGO funds.

Section 5: Secretary

The Secretary must meet the qualifications of an Officer. The Secretary shall:

  1. Record accurate, professional minutes of all SGO and Student Council meetings

  2. Maintain a record and calendar of all club meetings and activities

 

Section 6: Student Trustee

There shall be a student elected Student Trustee representing the student body on the College Board of Trustees. The Student Trustee must the qualifications of an officer. The Student Trustee shall:

  1. Be a voting member of the College’s Board of Trustees

  2. Act as the voice of the student body to the College Trustees

  3. Give monthly reports to the Board of Trustees and to the SGO

To avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, the student trustee may not hold a paying position on campus during his/her term of office.


Section 8: Term of Office

The term of office shall be one year beginning one day after Commencement of the year in which he/she is elected, and shall continue in that office until the day of Commencement the following year.

Section 9: Powers

All powers and authority of SGO and the Student Council shall be vested in the officers and club representatives.

Section 10: Officer and Senator Responsibilities

All Senators must understand the responsibilities of their position. This includes event, social media and ethics policy.


By-Law 2.3 Event Policy 

    1. SGO Officers and Senators will participate in events approved by SGO.

    2. SGO Officers and Senators will be required to sign up to work events at half hour intervals using the SGO Google Drive Calendar.

    3. SGO will advertise all SGO events with flyers or bulletins approved by the SGO Advisor(s). 

    4. While working events it is required that SGO Officers and Senators wear appropriate attire for the event or an official SGO article of clothing (sweatshirt, tee shirt, etc)  
    5. SGO Officers and Senators will not consume alcohol or illegal drugs before or during any event sponsored by SGO or SUNY Ulster. 
    6. SGO Officers and Senators are representatives of SGO at events and will uphold the SGO constitution, by-laws and SUNY Ulster Code of Conduct.

By- Law 2.4Social Media Policy

SGO Officers and Senators have the right to freedom of expression within the law. SGO and SUNY Ulster encourage personal freedoms but maintain that these freedoms must be exercised responsibly.

SGO Officers and Senators are representatives of SGO through their term. With this, all Social Media activity must follow the SGO Constitution, By-Laws, and the SUNY Ulster Code of Conduct.

Any misuse of social media that is determined to violate these policies will be brought to SGO for grounds of removal.  This can include but is not limited to:

    1. Inappropriate language, offensive terms/phrases/photographs that disrespect individuals based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, age, disability or sexual orientation

    2. Any language that can be deemed threats, bullying, hate speech, slander or personal attacks

    3. Any confidential material for SGO members only.  

Individuals are responsible for any content that is published through their social media accounts. See By-Law 3.1 for the official Impeachment Procedure.

By- Law 2.5: Ethics Policy

SGO Officers and Senators shall adhere to the following Ethics Policy:

    1. Act in accordance with the standards of SGO including the positive and collaborative partnership with faculty, staff, the student body, and the community.

    2. Be honest regarding work, follow through with obligations, and always respect your fellow SGO colleagues.

    3. Adhere to the policies set forth in the SGO Constitution, By-Laws, and the SUNY Ulster Code of Conduct.

Section 11: Clubs

SGO shall have the authority to establish requirements for recognizing student clubs and in conjunction with the Student Activities Board (SAB) establish requirements for allocation of all student activity funds.

By-Law 2.6: Clubs

To be recognized as a student club an interest sheet noting the following must be submitted: 

    1. Club Name

    2. Name of Club Advisor

    3. Signatures of eight students

    4. Purpose of Club and Contribution to Campus

    5. Requirements For Membership

    6. Officers and Duties

    7. Meeting Schedule

    8. Participation in Student Council Meetings

    9. Submit Club Constitution and By-Laws

Also see the How to Start a New Club, The Procedure Guide for Clubs, and Club Signatures documents on The Portal.


Section 12:  Annual Budget

SGO in conjunction with the College Association and the Student Activities Board shall prepare an annual operating budget. There shall be a subcommittee of the College Association to review club requests.

Article III: Impeachment Procedures

In the event that an SGO member has violated any part of the SGO Constitution, By-Laws or the SUNY Ulster Code of Conduct, an impeachment hearing will be conducted.

By- Law 3.1: Impeachment Procedure

In the event that an SGO Officer or Senator has violated any part of the SGO Constitution, By-Laws, or the SUNY Ulster Code of Conduct, the following impeachment procedure to ensure fairness and equitable treatment for all parties will be taken:

    1. Written charges with sufficient evidence against the SGO Officer or Senator in question with at least five (5) SGO Officer or Senator signatures must be submitted to the SGO Advisor in order to begin an investigation.

    2. The accused will be notified of the charges through a notification letter stating the intent to conduct an impeachment hearing within one (1) week of submittal of written charges.

    3. The SGO will hold an impeachment hearing within three (3) business days from the date the accused received their notification letter.

    4. The accused has the right to:

      a.  Waive the hearing and accept the impeachment

      b.  Submit a written resignation letter

      c.  Speak at the Impeachment Hearing

      d.  Bring a representative of their choice to act as an advocate. The advocate cannot participate in the hearing, cannot be a member of SGO or the SGO advisor.

      e.  Question any SGO Officer or Senator that has witnessed or has knowledge of the accusation.

      f.  Provide evidence related to the dismissal of the accusation.

    5. At the conclusion of the hearing, the accused will be asked to leave the room. At this point, the SGO Officers and Senators will  vote to decide if the accused will be impeached. A majority vote is needed for impeachment.

    6. If a majority vote is not reached, the SGO Officers will make the decision.

    7. If impeached, the impeached student can request a written report containing the findings and result of the impeachment hearing.  If this request is made, the report will be submitted to the impeached student no later than seven (7) days after the written request was made. 

    8. The impeached student may file an appeal within seven (7) days to the Dean Of Students. 

    9. If the Dean of Students approves the appeal, the impeached student can return to the next scheduled SGO Meeting to ask to be reinstated. Reinstatement will be by a 2/3 vote.

Article IV:  Elections

Section 1: Elections

Elections for all SGO offices, for the Student Trustee, and for the three members of the College Association Board of Directors, shall be held in the month of April. All positions shall be for the term of one year, beginning on the day of Commencement in that academic year. The elections dates and times shall be announced 30 days in advance.

Section 2: Nominations

Nominations for positions shall come from the student body in the form of signed petitions.  The SGO President shall appoint an Election committee who shall be responsible for collecting and reviewing petitions, determining election rules, running election booths and counting ballots.

Section 3: Campaigns

All candidates will be allowed to display campaign materials in appropriates places on campus.  No campaign materials will be allowed in the areas of the voting booths. Electioneering by any candidate is not allowed within 50 feet of the voting booths on the day of the election. Inappropriate election practices, such as removing other candidate’s materials, will be cause for removal from the ballot.

By-Law 4.1 Campaign Rules

Campaigning activities include:

    1. Displaying campaign materials in appropriate places on campus.

    2. Introducing oneself to others as a candidate.

    3. Marketing views, platforms, goals and ideas to others.

Campaign violations include:

    1. Removal of opponents campaign materials

    2. Any verbal, written, or other slander of an opponent

    3. Displaying campaign materials within 50 feet of voting booths

    4. Any activity that is deemed inappropriate or violates the SGO Constitution, By-Laws, or SUNY Ulster Code of Conduct.

Campaign violations will result in removal from the ballot.

Section 4: Run-Off Election

In the event of a tie vote, the Election Committee shall set a date for a runoff election. The same procedures shall be followed as in a regular election except no further petitions need to be submitted.

Article V:  Meetings

Section 1: Meetings

SGO meetings are scheduled Wednesdays at 2:00 PM in the SGO Office.

By-Law 5.1Attendance/Participation

    1. SGO Officers and Senators are required to attend SGO Meetings.

    2. If an Officer or Senator of SGO misses four meetings for the semester, they will be dismissed from SGO.

    3. Special circumstances should be brought to the SGO President and SGO Advisor for review.

    4. SGO Officers and Senators are required to participate in SGO events. Each member of SGO needs to sign up for events using the SGO Google Drive Calendar.

    5. Each Officer and Senator of SGO must understand that they can be required to work up to six hours per week for SGO.

    6. If scheduled events are missed this will count as an absence.

    7. Meeting and event absences totaling more than four in one semester will be grounds for automatic dismissal from SGO.

 

Section 2: Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by the SGO president at the request, in writing, of three or more members.

 

Section 3: Notice of Meetings

Notice of the place, day and time of the meetings, with general description of the business to be transacted, shall be announced at least one week in advance.

Section 4: Quorum

Two SGO officers and at least three club representatives shall constitute a quorum to conduct business. All motions shall be determined by a majority vote of those members present.

Article VI: Student Council

Section 1: Student Council

The Student Council, made up of representatives from each active club, shall be the presided over by the SGO. The Student Council shall be the venue for all student input on college student life matters. Club representation is required in order for student clubs to maintain active status and to be eligible for student activity funding.

Section 2:  Student Council Meetings

Student Council meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. in Vanderlyn Hall, Room 111, and are open to everyone.

By-Law 6.1 Student Council

The SGO President and Vice President shall attend each Student Council meeting.

Section 3: Voting

Club representatives shall have one vote each on the Student Council. SGO officers shall have one vote each. Members shall be present to vote. A written proxy shall be accepted.

Article VII: Advisement

Section 1: Advisor

The SGO advisor shall be the Coordinator of Campus Life or his/her designee. The Advisor shall serve as a consultant to SGO and render an opinion when needed.

Section 2: Parliamentary Procedures

Roberts Rules of Order shall be the authority for decisions relating to parliamentary procedures not already provided for in these By-Laws.

Section 3: College Association

There shall be a Board of Directors of the College Association for the purpose of controlling the use of funds collected for the College Association. Members of the Board of Directors shall be of legal age, 18, by the time of the first board meeting and shall be in good academic standing.  There shall be six students on the College Association Board of Directors. One seat is reserved for the SGO President. The student body shall elect three students and the SGO President shall appoint three students.

Article VIII: Amendments

Section 1: Constitution

This constitution may be added to, amended, altered, or repealed at any meeting of SGO providing at least fifteen (15) days notice has been given referring to the proposed action by a majority of the voting membership.

Section 2: By- Laws

The By-Laws may be added to, amended, altered, or repealed at any meeting of SGO providing at least fifteen (15) days notice has been given to the proposed action by a majority of the voting membership.

The By-Laws cannot be added to, amended, altered, or repealed in any way that conflicts with the SGO Constitution.

Article IX: Committees

Section 1: Ad-Hoc Committees

The SGO has the power to form Ad- Hoc Committees. These committees are temporary and set up to solve a specific problem or work towards a specific goal.

Ad- Hoc Committees must be at least three but not more than five members of SGO.

Section 2: Standing Committees

Student membership is encouraged and solicited for several of SUNY Ulster’s standing committees. Students interested in serving on any of the following committees should contact the Assistant Dean of Student Development, VAN 247, 687-5288. [CN1] 

Section 3: Affirmative Action, Equity, and Access Committee

This committee is charged with conducting a review of the College’s affirmative action policy and procedures for Federal and State compliance on an annual or semester basis. The committee is responsible for developing a college-wide program on multiculturalism and gender equity. 

Section 4: Campus Safety, Environment, and Facilities

This committee is charged with advising the Dean of Administration in the monitoring of the College’s program of safety, with particular emphasis on crime prevention and reporting and on preservation of a healthy and accessible campus environment conducive to academic learning. Committee members evaluate these areas and make recommendations for improvement strategies. They are also charged with promotion of recycling regulations and of proper procedures for the disposition of all recyclable materials. 

 

Section 5: Curriculum Committee

This policy-making committee is charged with considering new course offerings and programs or changes to existing course offerings and programs. 

 

Section 6: Planning and Assessment Committee

This policy-making committee is charged with the evaluation and review of the College’s campus-wide plan, the planning process, and assessment methods. Assessment activities are focused on educational outcomes and institutional effectiveness.

 

Section 7:  Ulster Community College Association

Under regulations of the State University of New York, the College will not participate financially in extracurricular activities. SUNY Ulster formed a separate, not-for-profit corporation to establish, finance, and operate faculty and student activities, known as the Ulster Community College Association. Membership is made up of six students presently registered at SUNY Ulster, four faculty members, four representatives of the administrative staff, one member of the Board of Trustees, and nonvoting ex-officio members, including the President of the College and the Association’s Financial Secretary.

The Association has two main purposes: to cultivate, promote, and encourage the development of such appropriate extracurricular activities for the academic community which will parallel the educational goals of SUNY Ulster; and to receive, manage, and control the revenues and disbursements of student activities (SGO, clubs, and athletics), day care, and workshops and special campus events.

Article X: Non- Discrimination Statement

The SGO will not discriminate against members or clubs due to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability.

Article XI: Definitions

Ex- Officio: Member of a body who is part of it by virtue of holding another office

Proxy: The given authority to represent someone else in voting

Quorum: The minimum number of members a group or assembly that must be present at the meeting to make the meeting valid

 

 

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