|
|---|
CONSTITUTION OF
BRISCOE STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Adopted by the Board of Governors (2012)Preamble
We, the students of Briscoe Residence Hall, in order to build a community dedicated to educational and social development, and create a legitimate structure for doing so, do hereby establish this constitution for Briscoe Residence Hall. It is our hope that through this document, the diverse population residing in Briscoe Residence Hall will be adequately represented, thus improving the quality of life for all residents.
Article I. Name
The name of the student government for this Residence Hall shall be the Briscoe Student Government, hereafter referred to as BSG.
Article II. Membership
The membership of this organization shall be composed of all undergraduate students attending Indiana University and residing in Briscoe Residence Hall. Officers of this organization must be members of the BSG and fulfill any requirements set forth in the RHA Constitution and Bylaws.
Article III. Executive Branch
Section 1. The executive power of Briscoe Residence Hall shall be vested in the Executive Board, chaired by the President of Briscoe Residence Hall.
Section 2. The President Vice-President, and Directors shall be elected on a date set by the RHA Presidents Council by members of RHA, and they shall serve for a period of one year. Should the office of President become vacant, the Vice President of Internal Affairs shall become President. Should any other office of the Executive Board become vacant, the President shall appoint a replacement, subject to the approval of Board of Governors.
Section 3. The President shall appoint members of the BSG to offices created by the BSG, and to all other appropriate boards and committees. All appointments shall be subject to approval by the Board of Governors.
Section 4. The Executive Board shall consist of the following voting members:
President
Vice President of Internal Affairs
Executive Secretary
Treasurer
Director of Public Relations
Director of Programming
Director of Environmentalism
Director of Philanthropy
Section 5. The executive board shall meet weekly or biweekly. The President reserves the right to call special meetings of the Executive Board.
Section 6. The duties and obligations of the Executive Board.
The Executive Board shall:
Organize and direct the efforts of the boards, committees, and members of BSG in order for them to reach their established goals.
Prepare the BSG budget, including the allotment of student government funds to boards, committees and individual floors, and present said budget to the Board of Governors for final approval no later than the sixth week of fall semester classes.
Allocate a maximum of $100 per expense in the case of an emergency, or when a quorum is not present to vote on allocation at the BOG meeting.
Attend all BSG sponsored events.
Review the BSG Constitution every year.
Section 7. Qualifications for Executive Office.
All Executive Board members must:
Maintain a GPA of 2.0 or above during their term in office, not cumulative.
Be in good academic standing with the university.
Be in good disciplinary standing with the university.
Reside in Briscoe Residence Hall at the time of election, and during their term in office.
Article IV. Legislative Branch
Section 1. Board of Governors (BOG)
The legislative body of Briscoe Quad shall be the BOG, chaired by the Vice President of Internal Affairs.
The BOG shall consist of:
Voting members: 5 governors from each building of Briscoe Residence Hall. The Executive Vice President shall vote in case of a tie.
Nonvoting members: All Executive Board members.
The building governors shall be elected at the beginning of the year by the members of his or her respective building. Each candidate must fill out an application form proving their experience, good intent, and commitment. The Executive Board must approve the application before the candidate can advertise in his or her building. It is the responsibility of the Executive Board to not only run the two elections (Gucker and Shoemaker) but to also sufficiently inform the residents of the “governor” position’s significance and responsibilities as well.
The duties and obligations of the BOG shall be to:
Meet every or every other week.
Make decisions that affect the living environment of Briscoe Residence Hall which reflect the needs, desires, and opinions of the students residing in Briscoe.
Approve the Briscoe budget prepared by the Executive Board.
Further allocate monies from the General Fund as expenses occur, or as they are requested and approved by the BOG.
Approve appointments made by the President.
Form committees when issues arise that warrant further research or discussion. The Executive Board reserves the right to designate governors to specific duties, based on the interest of the governors. For example, 4 governors can make up the “Programming Board,” and be full time programmers. 3 governors can make up the “Community First” board and work full time with the Philanthropy and environmentalism directors.
Attendance to all BOG meeting is required, as well as at least 2/3 of all BSG programs. If the governor must miss a meeting, he or she must notify the Vice President of Internal Affairs and find a proxy by a set date. The BOG meeting shall be run according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
Voting
A quorum of simple majority of the voting members of the BOG must be present for a vote to occur.
All voting by the BOG shall occur by a roll call vote or hand vote, unless a request for a closed vote is made and approved.
A simple majority of those present shall carry the vote on all issues brought to a vote.
Proxies shall be included when determining quorum, and shall take part in any voting procedures.
Article X. Referendum
Section 1. In the event that there is a change in the BSG policies, or other decisions regarding issues being discussed by the BOG, the residents of Briscoe Residence Hall reserve the right to call a referendum. A referendum is a special vote conducted by the BOG in order to determine the majority opinion of Briscoe Residence Hall, and act accordingly.
Section 2. Five percent of the residents of Briscoe Residence Hall may petition to the BOG for a referendum or two-thirds of the voting members of BOG may request a referendum to obtain more information prior to making a decision.
Section 3. A referendum shall be passed by two-thirds of those who vote in the referendum.
Article XI. Impeachment
Section 1. Members of the Executive Board, who fail to fulfill the obligations of their respective office, or abuse the privileges of their position, may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the BOG.
Section 2. Any member of the BOG may make the request for a vote to remove a voting Executive Board member from office.
Section 3. After three unexcused absences, the Executive Board reserves the right to hold a meeting with the governor to discuss expectations. If the governor continues to miss meetings or fail to fulfill expectations, the Executive Board reserves the right to remove the governor from their position.
Section 4. The Executive Board reserves the right to request RA’s to help find new building governors if there are vacancies.
Article XII. Amendments
Ratified: 10/12/98
BRISCOE RESIDENCE HALL BYLAWS
Article 1. The Executive Branch
Section 1.
A. All members must attend Executive Board meetings as called by the President. Meetings should be held on a biweekly basis to ensure that progress is made towards the established goals of BSG.
.
Section 2. Duties and Responsibilities of Executive Board members.
A. President
The BSG President shall:
1. Lead BSG in the formation of a comprehensive academic, cultural, educational, athletic, political, recreational, and social program designed to best meet the needs, desires, and opinions of the residents in Briscoe.
2. Operate and enforce all policies of the Executive Board.
3. Represent BSG as a voting member of RHA President’s Council.
4. Attend all Center functions where a member of Executive Board is needed.
5. Coordinate and preside over Executive Board meetings.
6. Report all important information concerning BSG, RHA and President’s Council at BOG meetings.
7. Send a BSG representative to meetings and functions he/she is unable to attend.
8. Serve as an ex-officio member of committees until chairperson is selected (This duty shared with Executive Vice President.)
9. Chair BOG when Executive Vice President is not present.
10. Train and assist in the orientation of the newly elected President.
11. Keep all BSG Documents for the Briscoe Archives.
12. Consult with the Resident Manager and Assistant Resident Manager on a regular basis.
Vice President of Internal Affairs
The Vice President of Internal Affairs shall:
Coordinate and preside over BSG meetings.
Attend RHA Internal Affairs Meetings (1-2 times a month)
Attend BSG Executive Board Meetings
Serve as an ex-officio member of committees until a chairperson is selected (This duty is shared with the President.)
Attend all Briscoe Board of Governors functions.
Become President in the event of a leave of absence, resignation, or impeachment of the current President.
Train and assist in the orientation of the newly elected Executive Vice President.
Keep all BSG Documents for the Briscoe Archives.
Consult with the Assistant Resident Manager and R.A. advisor on a regular basis.
C. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall:
Attend BSG Meetings
Attend Executive Board Meetings
Keep accurate records of BSG funds.
Make deposits and authorize payment of all legitimate BSG expenses through the Student Organization Account office.
Oversee the financial status of all floors of Briscoe Residence Hall.
Bill and collect all missed meeting charges issued to BSG members.
Keep all BSG Documents for the Briscoe Archives.
Train and assist in the orientation of the newly elected Vice President of Finance.
D. Vice President of Finance
The Vice President of Finance shall:
1. Keep accurate records of BSG funds.
2. Make deposits and authorize payment of all legitimate BSG expenses through the Student Organization Account office.
3. Oversee the financial status of all floors of Briscoe Residence Hall.
4. Bill and collect all missed meeting charges issued to BSG members.
5. Keep all BSG Documents for the Briscoe Archives.
6. Train and assist in the orientation of the newly elected Vice President of Finance.
E. Executive Secretary
The Executive Secretary shall:
Record minutes at BSG and Executive Board meetings, and distribute these minutes at the following meeting for corrections and final approval by the BSG
Take attendance at BOG meetings and inform the Executive Board of absent members.
Order BSG supplies and keep an accurate inventory of all items in the Student Government Office.
Be responsible for BSG correspondence (emails)
Be responsible for Center-wide emails
Keep all BSG Documents for the Briscoe Archives.
Maintain and have accurate records of all BSG Officers.
Train and assist in the orientation of the newly elected Executive Assistant.
F. Director of Public Relations
The Director of Public Relations shall:
Attend BSG meetings
Produces and displays all BSG advertisements, notices, and posters
Works with Residence Manager on approval and placement of flyers
Writes the BSG newsletter each semester
Works with RHA Director of PR on creating BSG website
G. Director of Environmentalism
The Director Environmentalism shall:
Attend BSG meetings
Attend RPS/RHA Sustainability Council Meetings (1-2 times a month)
Promote environmental awareness, education, and programming center-wide.
Promote recycling and sustainability in the dorm rooms (Green Dorm Room Certification)
Coordinate the Energy Challenge in Briscoe each semester.
Plan and execute X programs per semester
H. Director of Philanthropy
The Director of Philanthropy shall:
Attend BSG meetings
Attend RHA Philanthropy meetings
Raise money and support for Briscoe’s non-for-profit, Monroe County United Ministries
Plan and execute the annual “Penny Wars”
Plan and execute X programs per semester, which could include service projects, fundraisers, movie nights, or guest speakers
Report and advertise in Briscoe Quadrangle all important information regarding campus wide philanthropic events.
Director of Programming
Attend BSG Meetings
Attend Executive Board Meetings
Attend RHA Programming Board Meetings (or delegate to governor)
Collaborate w/ McNutt and Foster on NW Fest planning
Meet separately outside of BSG as Programming Board with designated governors
Plan and execute X social programs each semester
Decorate the Briscoe Lobby (Holidays, IU themed…)
Article II. Legislative Branch
Section 1. General
A. All members must attend BOG meetings as called by the President. Meetings should be held every other week to ensure that progress is made towards the established goals of BSG.
B. The BOG shall reserve the right to call upon candidates for appointed positions to appear in person at BOG to answer questions of the BOG before being considered for approval.
C. All groups petitioning for and/or currently receiving funding from the BSG must report to the BOG as requested by the BOG.
Section 2. Duties and Responsibilities of Building Governors
A. Governor
The Governor shall:
1. Attend all meetings or functions of the BOG, or send a proxy in his/her absence, in order to communicate the needs, desires and opinions of the floor.
2. Consistently collaborate with the Directors to create programs and initiatives for Briscoe
Section 3. Board of Governors Committees
A. Elections Committee
1. The Elections Committee is chaired by the Elections Commissioner as appointed by the President and approved by the BOG, and is composed of no less than three (2) and no more than five (5) members of BSG or residents of Briscoe.
2. The Elections Committee shall:
a. Conduct Briscoe Executive Board elections, as scheduled by RHA.
b. Announce and advertise for the Briscoe Executive Board elections, and provide applications and descriptions of available positions to interested.
c. Provide information to all applicants concerning campaign rules and regulations.
Article III. Community Council
Section 1. The Community Council shall consist of:
A. Voting members: Residence Manager, Assistant Residence Manager, Dining Service Manager, Briscoe Residence Hall President, Gucker Tower student representative, Shoemaker Tower student representative CUE, ADPE, and the Academic Support Center Representative.
B. Student representatives shall be appointed by the Executive Board, as approved by BOG.
Section 2. The Community Council shall be every other week and as needed.
Section 3. The duties and obligations of the Community Council shall be to:
A. Bring about policies and physical improvements in the facilities of Briscoe Residence Hall.
B. Communicate pertinent information to the residents of Briscoe Residence Hall.
C. Report the activities of the Community Council at BOG meetings.
Article IV. Judicial Board
Section 1. The Briscoe Judicial Board, a peer board that hears student disciplinary cases and determines responsibility, shall consist of: two (2) student Chairpersons, 12-16 student representatives who reside in Briscoe Residence Hall, and one (1) residence life staff members who act in a strictly advisory capacity. There must be a quorum of six (6) to hold a meeting.
Section 2. Judicial Board Selection
A. The Chairperson and other members of Briscoe Judicial Board shall be selected in an interview process conducted by the Judicial Board advisor, the Briscoe President, and a current Judicial Board member. Appointments are for one academic year, with an option to be re-appointed for a second year.
B. Interviews will be held in the spring of the school year to select a quorum of vive members for the following academic year.
C. Additional interviews will be held in the fall of the year, in order to allow students new to Briscoe Residence Hall the opportunity to serve on the Board.
Section 3. The duties and obligations of the Briscoe Judicial Board shall be to:
A. Attend fall training sessions as provided by the Judicial Board advisor and the Office of Student Ethics.
B. Meet weekly to hear cases of students charged with Center, RHA, and University violations.
C. Decide upon appropriate sanctions for those students found responsible for said violations.
D. Guarantee confidentiality and fair judicial conference, consistent with the goal of education the residents of Briscoe Residence Center.
Article V. Amendments
Section 1. The bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Briscoe BOG. Formal review and recommendations for the bylaws should be conducted by the executive board, and any interested parties, on a yearly basis.