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BYLAWS TO THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

Full Text of the Bylaws

PREAMBLE

The Bylaws to the SGA Constitution, from their inception, included feminine pronouns in officer descriptions and duties. In the spring of 2003, the student body voted to replace the pronoun “she” with the phrase “the student.” This decision was made in order to create language in the Bylaws that was more inclusive of Smith’s dynamic student population, which includes a number of students who do not identify with the pronoun “she.” The SGA recognizes and respects Smith’s long history of cultivating leadership skills in women, and continues to work to be an empowering source for developing woman leaders. The SGA and the student body remain strong in their commitment to the tenets upon which Smith College was founded, including the goals of women in leadership and the continuing education of individuals who struggle with gender oppression.

Article I. Cabinet

SECTION 1. MEMBERS

The president of the SGA;
1. The student shall be the president-elect, a rising senior, and elected in a spring all-college election for a term of one year and not subject to re-election.
2. The term shall begin at the cabinet meeting following the regular spring election. It shall end at the cabinet meeting following the regular spring elections the following academic year. The student shall be available for counsel to the successor for the remainder of the academic year.
3. The student shall call, create an agenda for, and preside over all meetings of the cabinet. The agenda shall be distributed to all members of cabinet before the meeting.
4. The student shall not have a vote in any cabinet meetings except in the case of a tie.
5. The student shall be responsible for receiving petitions and requests from the student body and directing questions to the appropriate student or administrative body for action.
6. The student shall be responsible for maintaining regular communications between the administration and the student body.
7. At least once a semester, the student shall call for reports from the students on college and cabinet committees, and shall conduct investigations or surveys on issues that become necessary.
8. The student shall sit on college and ad hoc committees at the discretion of the president of the college.
9. The student shall sit on the Five College Student Coordinating Board.
10. The student shall sit on the Organization Resources Committee, and shall attend senate meetings regularly.
11. The student shall meet with the president of the college, the assistant to the president of the college, the dean of the college, the associate dean of student affairs, and others as necessary.
12. Upon graduation, the student shall serve on the Board of Trustees for two years.
13. In the event that the office of president is vacated, it shall be filled, for the remainder of the term, by the vice-president of the SGA.
The vice-president of the SGA; [See Article II]
The secretary of the SGA;
1. The student shall be a rising sophomore, elected in the spring all-college election for a term of one year.
2. The term shall begin at the cabinet meeting following election. It shall end at the cabinet meeting following the successor's election. The student shall be available for counsel to the successor for the remainder of the academic year.
3. The student shall record minutes of cabinet meetings and shall publish bimonthly reports based upon the minutes. These reports shall be distributed to the senate and shall be available in the SGA office.
4. The student shall handle the correspondence of the cabinet.
5. The student shall be responsible for cabinet publicity.
  1. The student shall maintain public SGA bulletin boards.
  2. The student may choose to publish SGA news and publicize events through a newsletter or other means.
6. In the event that the office of treasurer is vacated, the student will take on the duties of treasurer along with their secretarial duties, until a new treasurer is elected.
7. In the event that the office of secretary of the cabinet is vacated, it shall be filled, for the remainder of the term, by a sophomore member of the association, elected by a simple majority of the senate.
The treasurer of the SGA;
1. The student shall be a junior or a senior, elected in the spring all-college election for a term of one year.
2. The term shall begin at the cabinet meeting following the spring election. It shall end at the cabinet meeting after the following year's spring election. The student shall be available for counsel to the successor for the remainder of the academic year.
3. The student shall supervise operational finances of the SGA.
4. The student shall prepare the budget for the following year.
5. The student shall bring to cabinet for deliberation all student applications for funding of events and coordinate allocations of funds to organizations and students.
6. In the event that the office of the treasurer is vacated, it shall be filled by a junior or a senior, elected in an all-college election.
The chair of the House Presidents' Association; [See Article III]
The chair of the Curriculum Committee; [See Article IV]
The chair of the Organization Resources Committee; [See Article V]
The chair of the Diversity Board; [See Article XI]
The chair of the Academic Honor Board; [See Article VI]
The chair of the College Judicial Board; [See Article VII]
The chair of the Committee on Elections and Appointments; [See Article VIII]
The senior class president; [See Article IX]
The junior class president; [See Article IX]
The sophomore class president; [See Article IX]
The first-year class president; [See Article IX]
An Ada Comstock Scholars co-president. [See Article IX]

SECTION 2. DUTIES AND POWERS

The cabinet shall meet weekly.
At cabinet meetings, all members, except for the SGA President in the case of a tie, shall have a vote.
A quorum shall consist of two-thirds of the voting members of the cabinet. A quorum must be present to conduct any vote.
All proceedings of the cabinet shall be confidential as deemed necessary.
All cabinet agendas must be presented to all members of the cabinet prior to all cabinet meetings. This will ensure that all members of cabinet are aware of any proceedings so that they may request to be added to the agenda if necessary.
All cabinet minutes shall be distributed to all members of the cabinet.
A weekly written report based upon the minutes must be produced and distributed to the senate, and shall be available in the SGA office.
The cabinet shall consider any question referred to it by the administration, any committee of the senate, organizations, or members of the student body, and shall refer pertinent issues to the senate for legislation, and to the administration for policy resolution.
The cabinet shall allocate money to support events, groups, and individuals who are benefiting the Smith College community.
The cabinet shall appoint qualified students to ad hoc and college committees.
The cabinet shall ensure the financial stability of the SGA. With the ORC and the appropriate administrative body, it shall manage and oversee the SGA reserve account.

Article II. Senate

SECTION 1. MEMBERS

The vice president of the SGA;
1. The student shall be a rising junior or senior elected in the spring all-college election for a term of one year and not subject to re-election.
2. The student shall have been a senator for a minimum of two semesters prior to the election.
3. The term shall begin at the cabinet meeting following the election. The term shall end at the cabinet meeting following the successor's election. The student shall be available for counsel to the successor for the remainder of the academic year.
4. The student shall call, preside over, and set the agenda for all senate meetings.
5. The student shall be available to meet weekly with the assistant dean of student affairs or an alternate member of the administration designated by the dean of the college.
6. The student shall give a weekly update on cabinet activities at senate.
7. The student shall have a vote in the senate in the case of a tie.
8. At the student’s discretion, the student shall call for reports from students on all-college and senate committees and shall conduct any investigations or surveys on issues that become necessary.
9. The student shall sit on college and ad hoc committees at the discretion of the president of the college.
10. The student shall fill the office of president of the SGA if it is vacated.
11. In the event that the office of vice president of the SGA is vacated, it shall be filled for the remainder of the term by a member of the senate who shall be self-nominated and elected by a simple majority of its membership. The student must have been a senator for at least one full semester and must have attended Smith College for at least two semesters.
12. The student shall sit on cabinet.
The secretary of the SGA;
1. The student shall be a rising sophomore, elected in the spring all-college election for a term of one year.
2. The term shall begin at the cabinet meeting following election. It shall end at the cabinet meeting following the successor's election. The student should be available for counsel to the successor for the remainder of the academic year.
3. The student shall record minutes of cabinet meetings and shall publish bimonthly reports based upon the minutes. These reports shall be distributed to the senate and shall be available in the SGA office.
4. The Student shall be responsible for all Cabinet correspondence.
5. The student shall be responsible for cabinet publicity.
  1. The student shall maintain public SGA bulletin boards.
  2. The student may choose to publish SGA news and publicize events through a newsletter or other means.
  3. In collaboration with the SGA Vice President, the student may lead a Publicity Committee within Senate in order to communicate to the student body the work of Senate, Cabinet and, if necessary, other SGA-affiliated committees.
6. In the event that the office of treasurer is vacated, the student will take on the duties of treasurer along with their secretarial duties, until a new treasurer is elected.
7. In the event that the office of secretary of the cabinet is vacated, it shall be filled, for the remainder of the term, by a sophomore member of the association, elected by a simple majority of the senate.
The parliamentarian of the student senate;
1. The student shall be elected in the spring by a simple majority of the outgoing senate. The student may run for and be elected for the parliamentarian of the senate for up to two terms.
2. The student shall have served as a senator for a minimum of one semester prior to her election.
3. The term shall begin at the senate meeting following election. The term shall end immediately prior to the senate meeting following the successor's election. The student shall be available for counsel to the successor for the remainder of the academic year.
4. The student shall be a non-voting member of the senate.
5. The student shall be available to the vice president and the members of senate for consultation regarding matters of parliamentary procedure.
6. The student shall make known to the vice president or the senate any improper procedures that interfere with the rights of any individual or group.
7. The student shall preside as chair of the Rules Committee [see Article X].
8. In the event that the office of parliamentarian is vacated it shall be filled by a member of the current senate who shall be self-nominated and elected by a simple majority of the senate membership.
9. The student shall preside over the senate in the temporary absence of the chair of senate.
Senators
Senate will consist of the following members:
1. House senators;
  1. One senator shall be elected for every house or house complex, as defined below, in which reside 50 or fewer members of the association at the time of fall house elections. Two senators shall be elected for every house or house complex, as defined below, in which reside or are assigned more than 50 members of the association at the time of election.
  2. Houses and house complexes will be defined as the following: Albright, Baldwin, Chase, Conway, Dawes, Duckett, Gillett, Northrop, 150 Elm, Friedman Apartments, Haven and Wesley, Hopkins, Park and Park Annex, Parsons and Parsons Annex, Sessions and Sessions Annex, Tenney, Chapin, Hubbard, Lawrence, Morris, Tyler, Washburn, Comstock, Cushing, Emerson, Morrow, Wilder, Gardiner, Jordan, King, Scales, Wilson, Cutter, Lamont, Talbot, Ziskind, and Bedford Terrace.
  3. House senators shall be elected by a majority vote during their first house meeting in the fall. Uncontested elections may be decided by a show of hands; contested elections must be decided by secret ballot. The election is subject to approval by the Committee on Elections and Appointments.
  4. One senator shall be elected to represent the Ada Comstock Scholars. This representative shall be elected by a simple majority of Ada Comstock scholars in a venue to be decided by the Ada Comstock co-presidents.
  5. One senator shall be elected to represent commuter students in the Fall all-college election.
  6. In the event that a senatorial office is vacated, it shall be filled, for the remainder of the term, through an election within the vacating senator's house. The election is subject to approval by the Committee on Elections and Appointments and by the chair of senate.
2. Class vice presidents;
  1. The vice president of each of the five classes within the association (first-year, sophomore, junior, senior, and Ada Comstock Scholars) shall serve as voting members of the senate.
  2. It will be the responsibility of the vice presidents to confer regularly with their respective class presidents, class cabinets, and constituents as to issues brought before the senate.
  3. The senate term of the vice presidents shall be equal to that of their vice presidential term.
3. Representatives from cabinet organizations;
  1. Each organization or committee represented in the cabinet, namely, Academic Honor Board, College Judicial Board, Committee on Elections and Appointments, Curriculum Committee, Organization Resources Committee, and Sustainability Committee, shall have at least one member of their organization or committee as a voting member of senate. If at least one member of their organization or committee is not already a voting member of senate, they must elect one of their members to be a voting member of senate.
  2. The House Presidents' Association is encouraged but not obligated to elect a voting member of senate from among their membership.
  3. In the event that a representative from a cabinet organization is unable to fulfill their duties as a senator, a replacement may be elected through their respective organization.
4. Non-voting members;
  1. All members of the association shall be non-voting members of the senate. All are encouraged to attend senate meetings and/or confer with their respective senators.
  2. The chair of the Committee on Elections and Appointments.
  3. The vice chair of budgeting of the Organization Resources Committee.
  4. The vice chair of chartering of the Organization Resources Committee.
  5. The following individuals are encouraged to attend senate meetings on a regular basis:
    1. Representatives of chartered organizations;
    2. Cabinet members;
    3. Coordinator of student organizations;
    4. Coordinator of social events;
    5. Head(s) of Student Academic Advisers;
    6. Representatives from Unity House.

SECTION 2. DUTIES AND POWERS

The senate shall meet weekly and be open to all students.
The senate shall enact legislation within the framework of the Grant of Powers. All pieces of legislation must be made public to the senators and their constituents at least one week before the vote is conducted.
It shall consider suggestions referred to it by the cabinet, by any senate member or any committee of the senate, or by any member of the association.
It shall elect committees (ad hoc or permanent) for purposes of investigating suggestions or recommendations presented to it by any member of the association. These committees shall report to the senate at the discretion of the chair on the results of their investigations or activities and shall submit written reports as requested.
The Senate has the power to endorse and create resolutions to be passed on to the appropriate administrators. These resolutions will be passed through a two-thirds majority of the Senate and must have the endorsement of at least one member of the SGA Cabinet.
All voting members shall sit on all-college, standing, and ad hoc committees. Senators and members of the association shall fill committee positions.
The senate shall inform students about the activities of the SGA through its members and affiliates.
Any organization that desires to receive support from the student activities fee (SAF) must be approved by the senate. Any organization whose charter has been accepted by a two-thirds majority of the senate shall be considered chartered.
The senate shall review and approve the budget proposed by the ORC before the SAF is submitted to the SGA for approval.
The cabinet and senate shall confer together as needed to keep each other informed of their respective activities. They may ask any student group to meet with them to report its activities.

SECTION 3. MEETINGS

All senate meetings shall be open to all members of the association. Minutes shall be posted online on the SGA website.
All senate meetings shall reserve time for any member(s) of the association to voice any concerns or announcements.
All senate committees have the right to report their activities to senate at any senate meeting.
All people or groups requesting to be placed on the agenda must contact the chair at least forty-eight hours in advance.
The senate shall meet once a week.
Quorum must be met in order to vote on any issue at a senate meeting. Quorum shall consist of two-thirds of the voting members of the senate.
Attendance at senate meetings shall be mandatory for all senators. Senators may miss up to two meetings per semester provided that they have been granted approval to be excused by the chair of the senate. After two unexcused absences in a given semester, the senator shall be replaced through a reelection in the appropriate house or organization. Such an election is subject to approval by the Committee on Elections and Appointments. Excused absences are to be decided at the discretion of the chair of the senate. Emergency situations will be decided on a case by case basis.

Article III. House Presidents' Association

SECTION 1. MEMBERS

The House Presidents' Association shall consist of;

The chair;
1. The student shall be elected from among the membership of the House Presidents' Association.
2. The student shall serve for one year. The student may run for and be elected to the office for no more than two terms.
The vice chair;
1. The student shall be elected from among the membership of the House Presidents' Association.
2. The student shall record minutes from the meeting.
3. The student shall conduct meetings in the absence of the chair.
All house presidents duly elected by their respective houses.

SECTION 2. DUTIES AND POWERS

Meetings of the house presidents shall be held twice a month for the purposes of discussing concerns relating to the functioning of the houses.
House presidents as a group shall recommend measures for consideration and action by the college committee dealing with community policy.
House presidents shall act as an avenue of communication between the administration and the houses on matters of residence at Smith College.
House presidents shall consider problems and questions referred to that group by the administration, individual houses, or students.
On occasion, the body of house presidents may be called upon to transmit information from other organizations to the members of the houses or to conduct elections, referendums, or surveys as requested by the cabinet or the senate.
All house presidents shall return to campus approximately seven to ten days prior to opening convocation to participate in an orientation and training program.

Article IV. Curriculum Committee

SECTION 1. MEMBERS

The Curriculum Committee shall consist of;

The chair;
1. The student shall be a senior, elected in the spring all-college election of their junior year, for a term of one year. The student shall have been a member of the Curriculum Committee for at least one year.
2. The student's term shall begin at the cabinet meeting following the election. The term shall end at the cabinet meeting following the successor's election.
3. The student shall sit on cabinet.
4. The student shall set the agenda and preside over meetings of the Curriculum Committee.
5. The student shall publish the agenda for all-campus forums sponsored by the Curriculum Committee.
6. The student shall be able to request that additional members of the college community attend meetings of the Committee on Academic Policy as necessary.
7. In the event the office of chair of the Curriculum Committee is vacated, it shall be filled by the vice-chair of the Curriculum Committee.
The vice chair;
1. The student shall be a member of the Curriculum Committee, elected in the fall from the committee's membership for a term of one year.
2. In the event the office of vice chair of the Curriculum Committee is vacated, it shall be filled by a divisional representative, who shall be self-nominated and elected by a simple majority of the Curriculum Committee.
The secretary;
1. The student shall be a member of the Curriculum Committee Executive Board.
2. The student shall be responsible for all correspondence and minutes of the Curriculum Committee.
The Ada vice-president or an appointee from the Ada Comstock Scholars class.
One to three senators, elected by the senate.
Two students shall be appointed in the spring by the Committee on Elections and Appointments for a term of one year. Preference shall be given to students who have not sat on the executive board in the past.
The head of Student Academic Advisers.
One graduate student may sit on the committee, to discuss overlapping curricular concerns with undergraduate studies.

SECTION 2. DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE BOARD

The chair of the Curriculum Committee and representatives from the executive board shall be liaisons to the Committee on Academic Priorities.
To hold forums for the discussion of questions of educational policy.
1. The forums shall be held as necessary and shall be open to the entire college community.
2. Any member of the college community may propose business for the agenda. The chair is responsible for publishing the agenda prior to the forum.
3. The executive board shall be responsible for relaying any proposals made during the forums to the appropriate body for consideration.
To appoint committees, ad hoc or permanent, to investigate suggestions and implement programs regarding educational policy.
To publish course critiques to help students in the selection of courses in the form of ASPECTS (A Student Perspective on Every Course Taught at Smith).
To keep the senate and campus at large informed of curriculum concerns and changes.
To assist the administration with the college's mandatory faculty teaching evaluations each semester. Members of the committee shall meet with the dean of the college and other administrators involved in planning and altering these evaluations.
To carry the operating expenses of the Faculty Teaching Award Committee. An appointee from the committee will serve as the chair of the Faculty Teaching Awards Committee.
To advocate for increased global engagement opportunities in the curriculum. A committee member shall be a liaison to the Global Studies Center Student Steering Committee.

Article V. Organization Resources Committee

SECTION 1. MEMBERS

The chair;
1. The student shall call and preside over all meetings of the committee.
2. The student shall be elected in the spring all college election for a term of one year.
3. The student may run for the position of chair and be elected for no more than two terms.
4. The student’s term shall begin at the cabinet meeting following the election. The student’s term shall end at the cabinet meeting following their successor’s election. The student shall be available for counsel for the remainder of the year.
5. The student shall sit on Cabinet.
6. The student shall have weekly office hours.
7. The student shall oversee the budgeting, fundraising, and chartering processes of all organizations through regular communication with the vice chair of budgeting and the vice chair of chartering.
8. The student shall be responsible for providing budget training to all members of the committee, in conjunction with the Director of the Campus Center.
9. The student shall serve as a resource to all chartered organizations.
10. The student shall have weekly meetings with the Director of the Campus Center.
11. The student shall have the power to call audits of organizations, and is responsible for assisting and advising organizations that are in debt.
12. The student shall be a non-voting member of the committee, except in the case of a tie.
13. The student shall have served on the committee for no less than two semesters prior to assuming office.
14. The student may not hold a leadership position (Executive Board, Executive Council, etc.) in any campus organization.
15. In the event that the office of chair of the ORC is vacated, it shall be filled, for the remainder of the term, by the vice chair of budgeting.
The vice chair of budgeting;
1. The student shall call and preside over budget hearings.
2. The student shall be elected in the spring all-college election for a term of one year.
3. The student may run for the position and be elected for no more than one term.
4. The student’s term shall begin at the senate meeting following the election. The student’s term shall end at the senate meeting following their successor’s election. The student shall be available for counsel for the remainder of the year.
5. The student shall sit on senate as a non-voting member to serve as a resource regarding all budgetary issues.
6. The student shall have weekly office hours.
7. The student shall oversee the budgeting and fundraising processes of all chartered organizations.
8. The student shall oversee the allocation of SAF monies.
9. The student shall be responsible for providing appropriate budgeting information about each chartered organization to each member of the committee.
10. The student shall collect and process applications to the Zero-Year Organization Fund, and shall present the applications to the committee.
11. The student shall assist the ORC chair with the training of new ORC members.
12. The student shall be a voting member of the committee, but shall not vote at budget hearings.
13. The student shall not hold a leadership position in any campus organization.
14. The student shall have served on the committee for no less than one semester prior to assuming office.
15. In the event that the office of vice chair of budgeting is vacated, it shall be filled, for the remainder of the term, by a member of the committee who shall be self-nominated and elected by a simple majority of the committee.
The vice chair of chartering;
1. The student shall oversee the chartering process for all student organizations.
2. The student shall be elected in the spring all-college election for a term of one year.
3. The student may run for the position and be elected for no more than two terms.
4. The student’s term shall begin at the senate meeting following the election. The student’s term shall end at the senate meeting following their successor’s election. The student shall be available for counsel for the remainder of the year.
5. The student shall sit on senate as a non-voting member to serve as a resource for all chartering issues.
6. The student shall have weekly office hours.
7. The student shall serve as a resource for individuals desiring assistance in developing a chartered organization.
8. The student shall act as an advocate for all student organizations who bring a charter before the Senate.
9. The student shall be responsible for providing information on the status of each organization’s charter to each member of the committee.
10. The student shall be a voting member of the committee.
11. The student shall serve as an interim organization liaison until the election of the final two committee members from the senate should a seat of a member-at-large elected the previous fall be vacated. The student shall serve as a liaison for any organization throughout the chartering process.
12. The student shall assist the ORC Chair in the training of the new ORC.
13. The student shall have served on the committee for no less than one semester prior to assuming office.
14. In the event that the office of vice chair of chartering is vacated, it shall be filled, for the remainder of the term, by a member of the committee who shall be self-nominated and elected by a simple majority of the committee.
Seven members-at-large;
1. Five members of the association at large shall be elected in the spring through the senate. They shall have been a member of senate for no less than one semester, and shall be elected for a term of one year.
2. Three members of the assocaition at large shall be appointed by the Elections and Appointments Committee in the spring. They shall be elected for a term of one year.
3. Two members shall be elected in the fall through the senate. They shall be elected from the senate and the association at large, and for a term of one year. They shall serve until the next fall election of members-at-large.
4. A secretary shall be elected by the committee from its membership. The student shall be elected in the spring at the first meeting of the committee.
  1. The student shall prepare and distribute minutes of each meeting of the committee. The committee minutes shall be confidential as determined by the ORC Chair.
  2. If the office of secretary is vacated, it shall be filled, for the remainder of the term, by a member of the committee, self-nominated and elected by a simple majority of the committee.
5. They shall serve as organization liaisons.
  1. The liaison will meet with their organizations prior to 12:00 pm on the second Friday after classes being to review the organization's proposed budget.
    1. This meeting shall serve the purpose of assisting the organization in appropriately applying for funds as well as to correct any mathematical errors and plan for the organizations budget hearing.
6. They shall serve as voting members of the committee but shall not vote on any issue pertaining to an organization with which they are affiliated or the liaison of.
7. They shall attend all meetings called by the Chair, and are eligible for impeachment after two unexcused absences.
8. In the event that a position of member-at-large is vacated, it shall be filled, for the remainder of the term, by a self-nominated member of the association, elected through the senate.
The president of the SGA;
1. The student shall attend training and budget hearings and other meetings regarding allocation of SAF monies when deemed appropriate by the ORC Chair.
2. The student shall be a voting member of the committee at these meetings.
The treasurer of the SGA
1. The student shall attend training and budget hearings and other meetings regarding allocation of SAF monies when deemed appropriate by the ORC Chair.
2. The student shall be a voting member of the committee at these meetings.
3. The student shall serve as an interim organization liaison until the final two members of the committee are elected from the senate, should both seats of the members-at-large elected the previous fall be vacated.

SECTION 2. DUTIES AND POWERS

To serve as a primary resource for chartered student organizations and individuals on subjects including, but not limited to, financial matters and event planning.
To assist individuals in their chartering process or in finding other resources available related to their goals.
To provide a liaison to whom chartered organizations can direct their questions regarding SGA policy and procedures.
To have responsibility for all financial matters under the jurisdiction of the senate.
1. To allocate monies to chartered student organizations requesting funds in their charters.
2. To advise organizations' treasurers throughout the year.
To work with the Cabinet and the appropriate administrative body to oversee and manage the SGA reserve account.
To act according to the ORC guidelines as approved by the Senate.

Article VII. College Judicial Board

SECTION 1. MEMBERS

There shall be approximately seventeen (17) and no fewer than fourteen (14) members of the judicial board with approximately an equal number of juniors and seniors. These positions are also available to Ada Comstock Scholars who have completed the appropriate number of credits. These positions are appointed in the spring by the current chair and the current vice chair following an application process. The incoming chair and vice chair may attend interviews but are not involved in the appointment of new members. If positions remain unfilled, appointments may be made as necessary by the current chair and current vice chair. The President of the College will appoint three (3) staff members and three (3) faculty members to serve as Smith community members of the judicial board. These members are not regular members of the judicial board and are available only to supplement hearing panels in circumstances described in these bylaws. Community members serve staggered 3-year terms, which may be renewed. The same rules that apply to the conduct of all judicial board members during the hearing process will apply to Smith community members.

SECTION 2. TERM OF OFFICE OF MEMBERS

The term of office of the judicial board is one year if elected as a rising senior or as a current senior and two years if elected as a rising junior or as a current junior. "Rising senior" is defined as any student who will have accrued 96 credits by the end of the spring semester in which the appointment is being sought. "Rising junior" is defined as any student who will have accrued 64 credits by the end of the spring semester in which the appointment is being sought.
1. Each board member is responsible for sitting on assigned hearings, attending mandatory trainings and meetings, and adhering to the judicial board bylaws including the confidentiality code.
2. Membership is contingent upon maintaining good academic and social standing with the college.
3. If a member does not fulfill the responsibilities as outlined in these bylaws, or if a member is placed on academic or disciplinary probation, the board member may be removed from their position by the chair and vice chair, in consultation with the judicial board adviser.
4. When a judicial board member resigns, the chair and vice chair may decide whether the student is to be replaced. If it is decided to replace the student, the chair and vice chair will hold interviews and appoint a new member.
The chair and vice chair shall be appointed by the current chair, current vice chair, and the judicial board adviser and must have a minimum of one semester of previous board experience.
1. The chair shall sit as a voting member on cabinet and the vice chair shall sit as a voting member on senate.
2. If the chair resigns or is otherwise unable to complete her or his responsibilities as chair, the vice chair shall become chair. A new vice chair shall be appointed by the new chair and the judicial board adviser from the remaining members. A new member may then be appointed to replace the member chosen to be vice chair by the new chair and new vice chair through the application and interview process.

SECTION 3. TYPES OF HEARINGS

Judicial Board Hearing - five member panel of students, with the support of a judicial board advisor, hearing cases and determining responsibility and sanctioning for policy violations brought forward by members of the Smith College community.
Administrative Settlement - an administrator sanctioning meeting with a student admitting responsibility for policy violations brought forward by members of the Smith College community.
Administrative Hearing - to follow the procedures of the Judicial Board Hearing, used at the discretion of the Dean of Students. For example, but not limited to when there is a clearly demonstrated need for expediency or when the Judicial Board cannot be convened due to academic year timing. In rare instances, the judicial board may refer cases directly to the judicial board advisor.

SECTION 4. JURISDICTION

The chair, vice chair, and the judicial board adviser may change or modify its rules and procedures, including those in this Article VII, to apply to particular facts, circumstances or cases before it, in review with the SGA cabinet.
Five members of the judicial board (excluding the adviser) will constitute the number needed to conduct a judicial board hearing. One member of the administration, approved by the Chair of the Judicial Board and adviser to the Judicial Board, can adjudicate an administrative settlement with a signed agreement by the student who is the subject of the complaint.
The college judicial board has jurisdiction over alleged infractions of all nonacademic rules committed by Smith College students, on or away from campus.
A member of the administration designated by the dean of the college, usually the dean of students, will serve as the judicial board adviser and be consulted for information, advice, and consultation regarding the processes of the judicial board.
A college administrator selected by the judicial board adviser will advise each judicial board hearing in the role of hearing adviser.

SECTION 5. REFERRALS

Members of the Smith College faculty and administration may refer cases to the judicial board including those reporting to the college from outside of the Smith College community. All referrals should be made in writing and sent to the chair in care of the judicial board adviser.
The head resident, area coordinator, or house president may refer cases to the judicial board.
Any student has the right to refer a case to the judicial board.

SECTION 6. POWERS, DECISIONS, AND EFFECTS OF NONCOMPLIANCE

The judicial board and its designees have the authority to enforce its decisions and to impose sanctions. The judicial board's authority includes, but is not limited to, the ability to issue oral or written reports, to order disciplinary probation or transfer of living arrangements or to order other appropriate sanctions. Parents may also be notified of the student’s violation(s) at the discretion of the board and the dean of the college’s designee.
Sanctions of suspension, dismissal, or permanent separation may only be recommended through a judicial board hearing, and only the president of the college may impose such sanctions.
In the event that a student called before the judicial board fails to appear at a scheduled hearing, the board will meet without the student. The board shall not find the student responsible for the violations in question solely because of the noncompliance, however, the board may elect to make a separate charge of noncompliance to be heard at a future and separate hearing.
An administrative settlement may be offered when the student who is the subject of the complaint has accepted responsibility for alleged policy violation(s) and has signed an acknowledgement that such is true and that there is no basis for appeal (as appeals may be made only on the grounds of gross error in procedure, violation of the students rights, new evidence, or extreme bias on the part of the judicial board). A student does not have to accept the offer for an Administrative Settlement if a Judicial Board Hearing is preferred.
The failure of a student to comply with the requests of the judicial board and its designees may result in appropriate sanctioning. Repeated noncompliance will result in additional sanctions such as, but not limited to, the student being barred from registering for the next semester or receiving a diploma and/or participating in commencement activities until the requests have been complied with. The judicial board shall notify the registrar and the dean of the college of noncompliance with any of its decisions.

SECTION 7. RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A STUDENT CALLED FOR A JUDICIAL BOARD HEARING

A student called before the judicial board shall have the following rights:
1. The right to be provided with a copy of the complaint prior to the appointment of a hearing;
2. The right to present evidence supporting the student's version of the alleged complaint;
3. The right to a hearing;
4. The right to accept or contest responsibility for the violations of the alleged complaint;
5. The right to present up to three witnesses, who may be members of either the Smith College community or of the student's immediate family, who have knowledge of the student's character;
6. The right to have an adviser who is a member of either the Smith College community or the student's immediate family present for moral support during the student's testimony. The adviser may not be connected in any way to the specific case in question except through her or his role as adviser to the student who is the subject of the complaint. The adviser may not participate in the proceedings. No legal representation is allowed;
7. The right to be present throughout the hearing and to consult with her or his adviser during her or his testimony;
8. The right to appeal the final decision of the judicial board.
A student called before the judicial board has the following responsibilities:
1. Upon formal notification by the judicial board of a complaint, a student shall submit to the board a written response to the complaint within 48 hours of such notification. Personal statements submitted to the board beyond the stated due date will not be accepted unless otherwise noted.
2. The student called before the judicial board shall appear at the time the hearing is scheduled by the board. The student is required to ensure that the chosen adviser and witnesses are available on the date the hearing is set.

SECTION 8. THE RIGHTS OF A PERSON FILING A COMPLAINT IN A JUDICIAL BOARD HEARING

A person who has filed a complaint and comes before the judicial board shall have the following rights:

The right to review the statements of the student who is the subject of the alleged infraction;
The right to present evidence supporting the complainant’s version of the alleged complaint;
The right to be notified of receipt of the complaint by the chair of the judicial board within 48 hours.
The right to appeal a final decision of the judicial board.

SECTION 9. THE PROCEDURE OF A JUDICIAL BOARD HEARING

Proceedings
The definition of "proceedings" encompasses the investigation, hearing, deliberation, and if necessary, the appeal process. The definition of "written communication" and/or any mode of communication referred to hereon in this document shall be primarily through email correspondence, unless otherwise specified by the board. Exception to this would be notifications of hearing outcomes and appeals.
Prior to the Hearing
1. The judicial board shall provide written notification to the student or group of students who is the subject to the complaint, informing the student or students of the specifics of the complaint and that an investigation is being conducted. Note that from here on in this document the “student who is the subject of the complaint” may also refer to groups of students who are the subjects of the complaint.
2. The chair in consultation with the judicial board adviser shall, based on the information gathered, decide if there is enough evidence to continue with the proceedings. If the complaint describes a violation under the Prohibited Conduct provision number 4 of the Student Code of Conduct, the chair will add the four (4) Smith community members, from the six (6) members appointed by the President, to the hearing panel and an investigation will be initiated.
3. When and if the judicial board decides that its proceedings shall continue, the board shall request a typed statement responding to the complaint or alleged infraction from the student who is the subject of the complaint, which should be submitted to the person in charge of judicial board scheduling within 48 hours.
4. The chair in consultation with judicial board adviser will consider, based on the substance of information gathered and the statement of the student who is the subject of the complaint, whether a hearing is necessary. If either the board or the student who is the subject of the complaint determines a hearing is needed, one shall be called. The board may also appoint a third party investigator to interview and gather further information and present findings to the board.
5. If a hearing is not necessary, the board shall provide written notification to the student who is the subject of the complaint. If a hearing is deemed necessary, the chair or the judicial board adviser shall schedule the hearing and notify all concerned persons of its time and place. Normally a hearing will be held at the earliest convenience of those involved, including members of the judicial board.
Hearings
1. Hearings shall, in the ordinary course, be held in private including five members of the board, the hearing adviser, the student who is the subject of the complaint, the person filing the case, and all appropriate advisers and witnesses. The judicial board in consultation with the judicial board adviser may permit designated members of the administration or the college community to observe proceedings.
2. A record of all hearings shall be made by the judicial board by digital tape recording or by another method determined by the board.
3. The chair shall summarize the complaint and inform the student who is the subject of the complaint of the specific nature of the complaint or alleged infraction.
4. The student who is the subject of the complaint may be present throughout the hearing and may consult with her or his adviser during the testimony.
5. The judicial board may call any witnesses whose testimony bears on the case.
6. The judicial board may hear and question each witness separately.
7. The judicial board insists on honest and forthright responses to its questions, and may recommend penalties, including suspension or dismissal, for any witness who is not truthful or who intentionally misleads the board. All students who testify before the board will be expected to attest to the truthfulness of their testimony.
8. The judicial board maintains confidentiality in all cases and expects all those involved in a particular case to respect the obligation of confidentiality in order to maintain the integrity of the proceedings.
9. Participants of the hearing may ask the judicial board chair to direct questions to a witness on their behalf.
10. Following the conclusion of the hearing, the members of the board shall deliberate privately and reach a consensus on the decision of whether it is more likely than not that the student who is the subject of the complaint is responsible for each separate violation for which she or he has been called before the board. Thus, the burden of proof is more likely than not to be responsible for committing a violation. If the student who is the subject of the complaint is found responsible for one or more violations, the board shall then reach a consensus on sanction(s) for the student. The hearing adviser is present solely to advise the board and ensure that procedure is followed but may be asked for her or his opinion if deemed appropriate by the board.
11. Upon the completion of hearings and deliberations, the judicial board shall make a written decision normally within 72 hours. The decision will be made available by the designee to the student who is the subject of the complaint, the dean of students, and others deemed appropriate by the board. The decision will remain in the judicial board's confidential files for seven years.
12. Proceedings of the judicial board shall take precedence over all non-academic activities and may, in extreme cases, need to take precedence over academic activities. Board members, students who are the subjects of a complaint, and all advisers and witnesses notified by the board shall appear at the times designated by the board and shall be excused from other obligations to participate in board proceedings.
13. Members of the judicial board may be removed or recuse themselves from sitting on a particular case for reasons of conflict of interest or otherwise.
14. Formal rules of evidence or procedure shall not apply to hearings of the judicial board. The board may consider any testimony or evidence it deems helpful or relevant. The board's decisions are based on information brought before it at the hearing or in written statements that have been submitted to the board regarding the case.
15. The chair shall make decisions regarding procedural questions arising during the hearing. Such determinations may be modified only by a majority vote of the present members of the judicial board.
Post-Hearing Actions and Appeals
1. The judicial board may take such actions as are necessary to enforce its decisions.
2. Appeals of decisions of the judicial board shall be made in writing to the appeal board, c/o the judicial board adviser, chair, within seven days of the date on the board's decision letter.
3. An appeal board shall be composed of three members: the dean of the college or the chosen designee, chair; one student member of the cabinet appointed by the SGA president; and one member of the administration appointed by the dean of the college.
4. The appeal board shall review the evidence presented to the judicial board, including the digital record of the hearing, and may take whatever additional steps it deems necessary to review the case according to the grounds for appeal as specified in Section 8, D6.
5. If the appeal board determines that the judicial board's actions or decisions should be modified, it will, before making a decision, send its recommendations for modifications to the judicial board for its reconsideration. The appeal board will make its final decision following the action on reconsideration by the board.
6. Appeals may be made only on the grounds of gross error in procedure, violation of the student's rights, new evidence, or extreme bias on the part of the judicial board. Appeals may not be filed solely based on disagreeing with the board's decision.

SECTION 10. ADMINISTRATIVE SETTLEMENT

Proceedings
The definition of an Administrative Settlement is a conversation with the student who is the subject of the complaint and an administratior designated by the Judicial Board. The student who is the subject of the complaint has agreed to the settlement process, has accepted responsibility for the alleged policy violation(s), has no new evidence, and sees no bias in the process. Students participating in Administrative Settlements will sign an agreement waiving their right to a Judicial Board Hearing and appeal process, accepting the outcome of the Administrative Settlement. An Administrative Settlement cannot result in removal from housing or recommendation for suspension, dismissal or permanent separation.
Post-Hearing Actions
1. The designee will submit the outcome of the settlement and sanction recommendations to the Chair of the Judicial Board and the Dean of Students for approval.
2. Following approval, the designee shall make a written decision normally within 72 hours. The decision will be made available by the designee to the student who is the subject of the complaint, the dean of students, and others deemed appropriate by the board. The decision will remain in the judicial board's confidential files for seven years.

SECTION 11. SANCTIONS

While it is not possible to provide a complete list of sanctions for every type of infraction, the following list indicates the scope of judicial authority for the College Judicial Boards and their designees.

Warning: Notice orally or in writing that continuation or repetition of prohibited conduct may be cause for additional disciplinary action.
Disciplinary warning: This sanction will be in effect for a period of time to be determined by the board. Should a student who has been assigned this sanction be found responsible for another violation of the Code of Student Conduct of the same or different nature while this sanction is in effect, the judicial board may impose an additional sanction to reflect a repeated offense.
Apology: Letters of apology to individuals, houses, and/or the entire Smith community designed to help the student reassess the effects of their actions. These letters will be kept as part of the student’s judicial board records and will not be made public unless with the specific permission of the student.
Restitution: Charge for damages.
Loss of authority: Removal from appointed or elected office or position of authority.
Removal from a college house: Permanent or temporary removal from a college house.
Disciplinary probation: This sanction will be in effect for a period of time determined by the board. Should a student who has been assigned this sanction be found responsible for another violation of the Code of Student Conduct of the same or different nature while this sanction is in effect, the judicial board will be made aware of the student’s standing on disciplinary probation and may impose additional sanctions to reflect a repeated offense. A student’s status on disciplinary probation may have an impact on her or his ability to participate in certain activities connected with or related to the college both on and off campus.
Loss of privilege Including but not limited to eligibility for housing lottery, participation in parties where alcohol is served, school-sponsored excursions, and forfeiture of use of a college facility (e.g., Davis Center).

In addition, the College Judicial Board does not suspend, dismiss, or permanently separate, but can make a recommendation to the President of the College to do so:
Suspension: The rights and privileges of being a student at Smith College are suspended for a specified period of time. The individual may not participate in academic activities and is required to leave campus.
Dismissal: The individual is no longer a student at Smith College and must leave the campus. The individual may apply for readmission but should not expect the application to be considered for one full semester after dismissal. The individual may be expected to provide evidence satisfactory to the college indicating readiness to resume her college career and fulfill standards of responsible conduct and citizenship.
Permanent separation: The individual is no longer a student at Smith College and must leave the campus. The student is not eligible for readmission.

Article VIII. Committee on Elections and Appointments

SECTION 1. MEMBERS

The chair;
1. The student shall call and preside over all meetings of the committee.
2. The student shall receive all nominations for SGA offices, class offices, and select committee positions.
3. In the event that the office of chair of the Committee on Elections and Appointments is vacated, it shall be filled, for the remainder of the term, by the vice-chair.
4. The student shall be elected in the spring all-college election. The student shall have been a member of the Committee on Elections and Appointments for no less than one semester prior to the election.
5. The student shall sit on cabinet as a voting member.
6. The term shall begin at the cabinet meeting following the election. It shall end at the cabinet meeting following the successor's election.
7. The chair may run for and be elected to the same office for more than one term. However, the student may not run in the spring elections for an all-college position while chair.
The vice chair;
1. The student shall be elected by the committee, from its membership, at the first meeting of the committee.
2. The student shall assist the chair in orchestrating and conducting all-college elections.
3. The student shall sit on senate as a non-voting member.
4. The student shall assist the chair in the scheduling and preparation for fall and spring appointments.
5. In the event that the office of vice-chair is vacated, it shall be filled for the remainder of the term, by a member of the committee, elected by a simple majority of the committee.
The secretary;
1. The student shall record all minutes of official Committee on Elections and Appointments meetings.
2. The student shall be elected by a simple majority of the committee.
3. In the event that the office of secretary is vacated, it shall be filled, for the remainder of the term, by a member of the committee, elected by a simple majority of the committee
Two to three additional members to be chosen by the senate from its membership and from the association at large. The number of the additional members elected shall be determined by the Committee on Elections and Appointments chair prior to elections.

SECTION 2. DUTIES AND POWERS

The committee shall supervise all-college and class elections, and supervise the balloting on an all-college referendum.
The committee shall appoint students to positions as listed in the bylaws or requested by the administration or SGA.
The committee shall appoint or elect students, as decided, to ad hoc or newly formed committees.
The committee shall act according to their guidelines as approved by the senate.
The committee shall be responsible for coordinating campus-wide voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts.

Article IX. Class Cabinets

SECTION 1. CLASS ELECTIONS

Each class must elect at least the following positions to sit on class cabinet. The senior, junior, sophomore, and Ada Comstock Scholar class officers shall be elected in the spring semester. The first-year class officers shall be elected in the fall. They may run for and hold an office only for a class of which they are a member. The first-year class president shall become acting president of the incoming first-year class following her term as president. Candidates for class office shall be self-nominated. A class officer may run for and be elected to the same office for more than one term. However, the terms may not be consecutive.

SECTION 2. DUTIES AND POWERS OF OFFICERS

Senior class president;
1. The student shall be responsible for maintaining communication within the senior class, especially through regular meetings with the class representatives.
2. The student shall act as a liaison between the SGA, the administration, and the senior class.
3. The student shall sit on the cabinet and chair the board of presidents. The student shall call meetings of this board no less than once a month and as needed.
4. The student shall organize class events and fund-raisers.
5. The student shall sit on various committees including but not limited to the Committee on Honorary Degrees, the Senior Appreciation Program Committee, the Rally Day Committee, and Commencement Committee.
6. The student shall be responsible for planning senior ball, senior week and other related activities with the senior class cabinet.
7. The student shall be responsible for certain duties pertaining to commencement weekend.
8. The student shall keep a record of class events, finances, fundraising, calendar and any other relevant materials to be submitted to their successor once their term is over.
9. The term shall begin at the cabinet meeting following election. The term shall end at the conclusion of the commencement activities.
10. Upon graduation, the student shall serve as the Class President for the Alumnae Association of Smith College for five years.
11. In the event that the office of president is vacated, it shall be filled by the vice president.
Junior class president;
1. The student shall be responsible for maintaining communication within the junior class.
2. The student shall act as a liaison between the SGA, the administration, and the junior class.
3. The student shall sit on the cabinet and the board of presidents.
4. The student shall organize class events and fund-raisers.
5. The student shall sit on various committees, including but not limited to the Committee on Honorary Degrees and the Rally Day Committee.
6. The student shall keep a record of class events, finances, fundraising, calendar and any other relevant materials to be submitted to their successor once their term is over.
7. The term shall begin at the cabinet meeting following election. It shall end at the cabinet meeting following the successor's election. The student shall be available for counsel to the successor for the remainder of the academic year.
8. In the event that the office of president is vacated, it shall be filled by the vice president.
Sophomore class president;
1. The student shall be responsible for maintaining communication within the sophomore class, especially through regular meetings with the class representatives.
2. The student shall act as a liaison between the SGA, the administration, and the sophomore class.
3. The student shall sit on the cabinet and the board of presidents.
4. The student shall organize class events and fund-raisers.
5. The term shall begin at the cabinet meeting following the election. It shall end at the cabinet meeting following the successor's election. The student shall be available for counsel to the successor for the remainder of the academic year.
6. The student shall keep a record of class events, finances, fundraising, calendar and any other relevant materials to be submitted to their successor once their term is over.
7. In the event that the office of president is vacated, it shall be filled by the vice president.
First-year class president;
1. The student shall be responsible for maintaining communication within the first-year class.
2. The student shall act as a liaison between the SGA, the administration, and the first-year class.
3. The student shall sit on the cabinet and the board of presidents.
4. The student shall organize class events and fund-raisers.
5. The student shall sit on the Rally Day Committee
6. The student shall keep a record of class events, finances, fundraising, calendar and any other relevant materials to be submitted to their successor once their term is over.
7. The term shall begin at the cabinet meeting following the election. It shall end when the student assumes responsibilities for acting first-year class president. The student shall be available for counsel to the successor for the remainder of the semester.
8. In the event that the office of president is vacated, it shall be filled by the vice president.
Acting first-year class president;
1. The student shall represent the incoming first-year class as class president on cabinet.
2. The student shall assist in the organization of activities relating to the incoming class.
3. The student shall keep a record of class events, finances, fundraising, calendar and any other relevant materials to be submitted to their successor once their term is over.
4. The student shall work with the associate dean of students and be responsible for all duties of the first-year class president until the Sunday following the election of the first-year class president. The student shall reach out to and be available to help the new first-year class once the first-year class president is elected.
Ada Comstock Scholars class (Co-) president(s);
1. They/the student shall be responsible for maintaining communication with the Ada Comstock Scholar class.
2. They/the student shall act as a liaison between the SGA, the administration, the Ada Comstock Scholar class and the Ada Comstock Scholar Office.
3. They/the student shall sit on the board of presidents. One Ada Comstock Scholar president shall sit on the cabinet.
4. They/the student shall oversee class events and fund-raisers.
5. They/the student shall sit on the Rally Day Committee.
6. They/the student shall keep a record of class events, finances, fundraising, calendar and any other relevant materials to be submitted to their successor once their term is over.
7. Their/the student’s term shall begin at the cabinet meeting following election. Their/the student’s term shall end at the cabinet meeting following the successor's election. They/the student shall be available for counsel to the successor(s) for the remainder of the semester.
8. In the event that the office of president is vacated, it shall be filled by the vice president.
Class vice president;
1. The student shall be responsible for maintaining communication with their class via the class website and meetings with class representatives, in conjunction with the class secretary.
2. The student shall be a senator for the duration of the term and shall provide weekly minutes of the Senate meetings to their class cabinet.
3. If the class decides to hold meetings with the class representatives, the student shall call, preside over and, in conjunction with the class president, set the agenda for class representative meetings.
4. The Ada Comstock Scholar class cabinet shall be able to appoint a replacement for the Ada Comstock Scholar class senator if the vice president cannot fulfill the responsibilities of being a senator.
5. The student shall fill the office of president if it is vacated.
6. Upon graduation, the senior class vice president shall serve as the Class Vice President for the Alumnae Association of Smith College for five years.
7. In the event that the office of vice president is vacated, it shall be filled by a student, who shall be self-nominated and elected by a simple majority of the class representatives.
Class treasurer;
1. The student shall be in charge of the finances for the appropriate class.
2. Upon graduation, the senior class treasurer shall serve as the Class Treasurer for the Alumnae Association of Smith College for five years.
3. In the event that the office of treasurer is vacated, it shall be filled by a student, who shall be self-nominated and elected by a simple majority of the class representatives.
Class secretary;
1. The student shall record minutes of the class cabinet and of the class representative meetings if they occur.
2. The student shall handle the correspondence of the cabinet such as class e-mail and maintenance of the class website, in conjunction with the vice president.
3. Upon graduation, the senior class secretary shall serve as the Class Secretary for the Alumnae Association of Smith College for five years.
4. In the event that the office of secretary is vacated, it shall be filled by a student, who shall be self-nominated and elected by a simple majority of the class representatives.
Class historian;
1. The student shall keep pictorial and written records of class events.
2. The student shall submit at least 3 items (pictures, articles, memorabilia, etc.) to the Smith College Archives each month.
3. The student shall be responsible for publicity of class events.
4. In the event that the office of historian is vacated, it shall be filled by a student, who shall be self-nominated and elected by a simple majority of the class representatives.
Class social chair;
1. The student shall help with the promotion and organization of class social activities for the college archives.
2. In the event that the office of social chair is vacated, it shall be filled by a student, who shall be self-nominated and elected by a simple majority of the class representatives.
Class representatives;
1. One class representative shall be elected for every house or house complex, as defined in each house’s constitution. If a house has more than 20 students of a certain class, then they may choose to elect an additional class representative. If houses have few of a certain class, then they may choose to coordinate responsibilities between two and three houses.
2. The student shall have certain responsibilities including but not limited to maintaining communication between the class cabinet and the classmates in their house, attending class meetings, and volunteering at class events.
3. In the event that one of the class officer positions is vacated, with the exception of the class president, it shall be filled by a student, who shall be self-nominated and elected by a simple majority of the class representatives.

SECTION 3. BOARD OF PRESIDENTS

The board of presidents is composed of the presidents of the senior, junior, sophomore, first-year, and Ada Comstock Scholar classes. The senior class president shall be responsible for coordinating regular meetings of the board of presidents at least once a month. The board shall work as a forum for exchange of information among the class presidents.

Article X. The Rules Committee

SECTION 1. MEMBERS

The chair;
1. The student shall be the Parliamentarian of senate. [See Article II]
2. The student shall only vote in the event of a tie.
Six members;
1. A secretary shall be elected from among the membership.
  1. The student shall record and publish the minutes.
  2. Minutes which discuss specific matters of legislation, guidelines, bylaws and amendments shall be distributed to the appropriate committees.
  3. All minutes shall be available in the SGA office.
2. Three members shall be elected through and from senate in the fall.
3. Three members shall be chosen from the cabinet in the fall.

SECTION 2. DUTIES AND POWERS

To read and review all legislation, guidelines, bylaws and amendments prior to a vote in the senate.
1. To check for consistency with the constitution, bylaws, and other pieces of legislation.
2. To consider the implications when reviewing the document(s).
3. To make recommendations based upon the findings of the committee.
To work with the appropriate committee or group of students on proposed legislation.
To meet bimonthly or as needed.
They shall not have the authority to prevent legislation from being presented to and voted upon by senate or the student body.

April 13, 2007

ARTICLE XI. The Diversity Committee

SECTION 1. MEMBERS

The chair of the Diversity Committee;
1. The chair shall be a rising junior or senior, elected in the spring all-college election for a term of one year and subject to re-election.
2. The term for chair shall begin at the cabinet meeting following the student’s election. The term shall end at the cabinet meeting following the election of the chair’s successor. The student shall be available for counsel to the succeeding chair for the remainder of the academic year.
3. The chair shall call, create an agenda for, and preside over all meetings of the Diversity Committee.
4. The chair shall supervise the operational finances of the Diversity Committee.
5. The chair shall be responsible for maintaining regular communications between the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity and the student body.
6. The chair shall represent the student body on current administrative diversity committees.
7. At the beginning of the fall semester, the chair is responsible for conducting a needs assessment of the diversity and social justice organizations. The chair may determine the structure of the assessment, but the document produced must guide the diversity initiatives for the year.
8. At the end of the term of the chair, the diversity committee must collaborate to produce a detailed history of the term. This history must be passed on to the next chair, and preserved in the college archives.
9. At least once a semester, the chair is responsible for collaborating with the Diversity Committee, administrative diversity committees, ot the Office of Institutional Diversity to train the diversity representatives of every house.
10. The chair shall be responsible for creating and publicizing methods of receiving diversity-related requests and recommendations from the student body and student organizations and directing questions to the appropriate student or administrative body for action.
  1. Requests and recommendations may be expressed to the chair through email, office hours, and student forums
  2. Requests and recommendations may also be made through other members of the committee.
11. At least once a semester, the chair shall call a meeting between the Diversity Committee and the chairs of the House Diversity Boards to create open channels of communication and to outline semester goals to foster diversity in Smith College communities.
12. The chair shall be responsible for receiving diversity-related requests and recommendations from the student body and student organizations and directing questions to the appropriate student or administrative body for action.
13. At least once per academic year the chair shall be responsible for organizing a forum for the student-body to express views regarding the state of the college with respect to diversity issues.
14. The chair shall continue to monitor the progress in administrative changes in response to the 2002 agreements between the Smith Grassroots Organizing Group and the administration of the college.
The members of the Diversity Committee;
1. Diversity representatives shall be elected to the committee;
  1. Through house elections
    1. Each house shall have at least one diversity representative.
  2. Through diversity-related organizations on campus
    1. “Diversity-related” organizations shall be self identified; the chair shall be responsible for inviting all organizations on campus to send a representative to the Diversity Committee at the end of spring semester to serve on the committee the following year.
2. The term for Diversity Committee members shall begin after the conclusion of the spring semester. The term shall end at the conclusion of the following spring semester.
3. Diversity Committee representative shall be expected to be present at all meetings called by the chair, and are eligible for impeachment after three unexcused absences per semester.
  1. If a house has multiple representatives, at least one representative from the house shall be required to be present at each meeting.
4. In the event that a representative is impeached;
  1. If the representative impeached is a house diversity representative, the house shall elect another diversity representative as soon as possible.
  2. If the representative impeached is an organization liaison, the organization may choose to elect another liaison for the committee.
The secretary of the Diversity Committee;
1. The secretary shall be elected within the body of the newly-elected members of the Diversity Committee at the first meeting following the election each spring.
2. The secretary may be of any class year.
3. The term for the secretary shall begin at the first meeting following the student’s election. The term shall end at the meeting following the election of the student’s successor. The secretary shall be available for counsel to the successor for the remainder of the academic year.
4. he secretary shall take notes at each meeting of the Diversity Committee and shall be responsible for maintaining these notes in a manner that they may be passed down to the succeeding committee.
5. The secretary shall be responsible for the committee’s publicity.
  1. The secretary may choose to publish diversity committee news and publicize events through a newsletter or other means.
The treasurer of the Diversity Committee;
1. The treasurer shall be elected within the body of the newly-elected members of the Diversity Committee at the first meeting following the election each spring.
2. The term for the treasurer shall begin at the first meeting following the student’s election. The term shall end at the meeting following the election of the student’s successor. The secretary shall be available for counsel to the successor for the remainder of the academic year.
3. The treasurer shall supervise the operational finances of the Diversity Committee.
4. The treasurer shall prepare the budget for the following year.
5. The treasurer shall bring to the Diversity Committee for deliberation all student applications for funding of events and coordinate allocations of funds to organizations and students.

SECTION 2. DUTIES & POWERS

To serve as a link and resource for students and organizations interested in diversity
To raise issues diversity among the student body
To promote awareness in the student body through new initiatives
To promote awareness of systematic discrimination in the student body, and actively work to understand and dismantle discrimination.


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Contents

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Academic Life

Student Conduct & Social Responsibility

Social Events

Residential Life

Student Government Association

Student Services & Administrative Offices

Where to Find Information

Federal Disclosure Requirements