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CONSTITUTION OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Full Text of the Constitution

Article I. Name

The name of the association shall be the Student Government Association (SGA) of Smith College.

Article II. Purpose

The purpose of this association shall be to encourage active cooperation in the work of self-governance, to enact and enforce laws according to the Grant of Powers, and to ensure the representation of the views and perspectives of the student body in the governance of the college.

Article III. Membership

All undergraduate students of Smith College are members of the SGA.

Article IV. Cabinet

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

1. To act as a direct link between students and the administration.
   1. To keep students informed as to college initiatives and administrative changes.
   2. To ensure that the administration and faculty are aware of student opinions, concerns and suggestions.
2. To work in conjunction with the student senate.
   1. To accomplish initiatives.
   2. To increase the accessibility of information for all members of the association.
3. To support events, groups, and individuals who are benefiting the Smith College community.
4. To ensure the financial stability of the SGA.
5. To support all SGA committees.
6. To be a pro-active force on campus, aware of and responsive to student concerns.

SECTION 2. MEMBERS

The cabinet of the SGA shall consist of sixteen members.

1. The president of the SGA, who shall serve as chair;
2. The vice-president of the SGA;
3. The secretary of the SGA;
4. The treasurer of the SGA;
5. The head of the House Presidents' Association;
6. The chair of the Curriculum Committee;
7. The chair of the Organization Resources Committee;
8. The chair of the Committee on Elections and Appointments;
9. The chair of the Academic Honor Board;
10. The chair of the College Judicial Board;
11. The chair of the Diversity Board;
12. The senior class president;
13. The junior class president;
14. The sophomore class president;
15. The first-year class president;
16. An Ada Comstock Scholars co-president.

SECTION 3. IMPEACHMENT

1. The SGA Cabinet can impeach any of its members by a two-thirds majority vote of the respective organization following an investigation and public hearing conducted by the Committee on Elections and Appointments. Any member of the constituency may initiate proceedings by gaining the support of 25 percent of that constituency, in the form of a signed petition. Possible grounds for impeachment are suspension, dismissal, permanent separation, negligence, dereliction of duty, and other infractions deemed sufficient by any member of the association.

Article V. Student Senate

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

1. To enact legislation within the framework of the Grant of Powers.
2. To provide a forum for all members of the association to voice opinions and concerns.
3. To keep all students informed about the activities of the SGA.
4. To charter, support, and review all organizations of the SGA.
5. To annually review the financial matters of all organizations requesting funding in their charter.
6. To work in conjunction with the cabinet:
   1. To accomplish initiatives.
   2. To increase accessibility to information for all members of the association.
7. To be a pro-active force on campus, soliciting and addressing student concerns.

SECTION 2. MEMBERS

1. The vice-president of the SGA, who shall serve as chair;
2. The secretary of the senate;
3. The parliamentarian of the senate;
4. The vice-chairs of the Organization Resources Committee;
5. The chair of the Committee on Elections and Appointments;
6. The senators which will include:
   1. House senators;
   2. Off-campus senators;
   3. Class vice-presidents;
   4. The Ada Comstock Scholars' Senate Liaison;
   5. Cabinet organization senators (the House Presidents' Association may elect a representative at their discretion);
   6. The entire campus community as non-voting members.

SECTION 3. IMPEACHMENT

1. The senate can impeach any of its members by a two-thirds majority vote of its members. Any member of the senate may initiate an impeachment vote. Possible grounds for impeachment are suspension, dismissal, permanent separation, negligence, dereliction of duty, and other infractions deemed sufficient by any member of the senate. Additionally, all Senators are held accountable to the impeachment clause as outlined in their individual House Constitutions.

Article VI. House Presidents' Association

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

1. To act as an avenue of communication between the administration and the houses on matters of residence at Smith College.
   1. To consider problems and questions regarding residential affairs raised by both the students and the administration.
   2. To recommend measures for consideration and action to the appropriate college or SGA committee.
2. To discuss concerns relating to the functioning of the houses in order to improve guidance for house governance.
3. To act as an avenue of communication between the SGA and the houses.

SECTION 2. MEMBERS

The House Presidents' Association shall consist of:

1. The chair, chosen from among the house presidents;
2. The vice chair, chosen from among the house presidents;
3. All other house presidents.

SECTION 3. IMPEACHMENT

1. The House Presidents' Association can impeach any of its members by a two-thirds majority vote of its members. Any member of the HPA may initiate an impeachment vote. Possible grounds for impeachment are suspension, dismissal, permanent separation, negligence, dereliction of duty, and other infractions deemed sufficient by any member of the HPA. Additionally, all House Presidents are held accountable to the impeachment clause as outlined in their individual House Constitutions.

Article VII. Curriculum Committee

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

1. To act as a direct link between students and the administration in regards to questions of academic policy and concerns.
2. To keep the senate and campus at large informed of curriculum concerns and changes.
3. To hold forums for the discussion of questions of academic policy.
4. To maintain online course critiques to help students in the selection of courses.

SECTION 2. MEMBERS

The Curriculum Committee shall consist of:

1. The chair;
2. The vice-chair;
3. The secretary;
4. The Ada Comstock Scholars vice-president or an appointee from the Ada Comstock Scholars' class cabinet;
5. Three liaisons, one representing each academic division, chosen from among the department liaisons;
6. One to three senators, elected by the senate;
7. Two members of the SGA at large;The head of student academic advisers.

SECTION 3. IMPEACHMENT

1. The Curriculum Committee can impeach any of its members by a two-thirds majority vote of its members. Any member of the Curriculum Committee may initiate an impeachment vote. Possible grounds for impeachment are suspension, dismissal, permanent separation, negligence, dereliction of duty, and other infractions deemed sufficient by any member of the Curriculum Committee.

Article VIII. Committee on Elections and Appointments

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

1. To supervise all-college and class elections.
2. To supervise the balloting on all-college referendums.
3. To provide guidance for senator elections
4. To appoint students to standing, ad hoc, and newly formed college or SGA committees.

SECTION 2. MEMBERS

The Committee on Elections and Appointments shall consist of:

1. The chair;
2. The vice-chair;
3. The secretary;
4. Two to three additional members.

SECTION 3. IMPEACHMENT

1. The Committee on Elections and Appointments can impeach any of its members by a two-thirds majority vote of its members. Any member of the Committee on Elections and Appointments may initiate an impeachment vote. Possible grounds for impeachment are suspension, dismissal, permanent separation, negligence, dereliction of duty, and other infractions deemed sufficient by any member of the Committee on Elections and Appointments.

Article IX. Organization Resources Committee

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

1. To serve as a primary resource for student organizations.
2. To assist potential organizations in their chartering process.
3. To evaluate the allocation of the student activities fee (SAF) that is designated for student organizations.
4. To advise organizations on financial matters.
5. To provide liaisons for every chartered student organization.

SECTION 2. MEMBERS

The Organization Resources Committee shall consist of:

1. The chair;
2. The vice-chair of budgeting;
3. The vice-chair of chartering;
4. Ten members-at-large;
5. The president of the SGA;
6. The treasurer of the SGA.

SECTION 3. IMPEACHMENT

1. A member may be removed from ORC by a two-thirds majority vote following a hearing.
2. Valid reasons for removal include, but are not limited to, poor attendance at meetings as determined by the Chair, violation of the ORC guidelines, showing favoritism to particular organizations applying for funds, suspension, dismissal, permanent separation, negligence, dereliction of duty, and other infractions deemed sufficient by any member of ORC.
3. The SGA president and SGA treasurer may not be impeached from their cabinet positions, but may be asked to step down from the committee in the event that violations do occur. In this event, a replacement from the senate shall be elected.

Article X. Academic Honor Board

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

1. To preserve the academic integrity of all students.
2. To provide a safe and confidential environment where students may discuss possible infractions of the honor code.
3. To uphold the academic standards and intellectual integrity of the college.

SECTION 2. MEMBERS

The Academic Honor Board shall consist of:

1. The chair;
2. The secretary;
3. One representative from the sophomore, junior, and senior classes, and from the Ada Comstock Scholars class;
4. Three members of the faculty;
5. The dean of the college;
6. The dean of the class of the student called before the board shall serve as a non-voting member.

SECTION 3. IMPEACHMENT

1. The Academic Honor Board can impeach any of its members by a two-thirds majority vote of its members. Any member of the Academic Honor Board may initiate an impeachment vote. Possible grounds for impeachment are suspension, dismissal, permanent separation, negligence, dereliction of duty, and other infractions deemed sufficient by any member of the Academic Honor Board.

Article XI. College Judicial Board

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

1. To provide a non-biased panel of peers to adjudicate non-academic violations of the Smith College Code of Conduct and other college policies.
2. To sanction said violations in an educational and/or punitive manner.

SECTION 2. MEMBERS

The College Judicial Board shall consist of:

1. The chair;
2. The vice-chair;
3. Generally 14 additional members.

SECTION 3. IMPEACHMENT

1. The College Judicial Board can impeach any of its members by a two-thirds majority vote of its members. Any member of the College Judicial Board may initiate an impeachment vote. Possible grounds for impeachment are suspension, dismissal, permanent separation, negligence, dereliction of duty, and other infractions deemed sufficient by any member of the College Judicial Board.

Article XII. Class Cabinets

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

1. To act as a liaison between the SGA, the administration, and the appropriate class.
2. To organize class activities and fund-raising events.
3. To promote class and inter-class unity.

SECTION 2. MEMBERS

Each class cabinet, the senior class, junior class, sophomore class, first-year class, and Ada Comstock Scholars class, shall consist of at least the following:

1. The president;
   1. The former first-year class president shall become the acting first-year class president until the election of the new first-year class president.
   2. The Ada Comstock Scholars class may choose to elect co-presidents.
2. The vice-president;
3. The secretary;
4. The treasurer;
5. The historian;
6. The social chair.

SECTION 3. ADVISORS

1. The Director of Campus Center or his or her designee will serve as advisor to both the junior, Ada Comstock Scholars and senior class cabinets.
2. The Associate Dean of Students or his or her designee will serve as advisor to both first-year and sophomore class cabinets.

SECTION 4. IMPEACHMENT

1. The Class Cabinets can impeach any of its members in their respective classes by a two-thirds majority vote of its members. Any member of the Class Cabinets may initiate an impeachment vote for their individual class. Possible grounds for impeachment include but are not limited to suspension, dismissal, permanent separation, negligence, dereliction of duty, and other infractions deemed sufficient by any member of the Class Cabinets.

Article XIII. The Rules Committee

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

1. To read and review all legislation, guidelines, bylaws, and amendments prior to any vote in senate.
2. To ensure coherency in all documents of governance.

SECTION 2. MEMBERS

1. The chair, who shall be the parliamentarian of the senate;
2. One to three senators;
3. One to three cabinet members.

SECTION 3. IMPEACHMENT

1. The Rules Committee can impeach any of its members by a two-thirds majority vote of its members. Any member of the Rules Committee may initiate an impeachment vote. Possible grounds for impeachment are suspension, dismissal, permanent separation, negligence, dereliction of duty, and other infractions deemed sufficient by any member of the Rules Committee.

Article XIV. The Diversity Committee

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

1. To act as advocates of diversity awareness and multicultural competence, and social justice in the undergraduate student body by raising issues and creating spaces for dialogue in order to create a safer, more accepting college community.
2. To make information about diversity-related events at the college readily available to all students.
3. To create links between organizations and students in order to develop programming that will foster a greater sense of community.
4. To facilitate dialogue and understanding between students, faculty, staff, and administration

SECTION 2. MEMBERS

1. The chair
2. The secretary;
3. Additional members elected through diversity-related organizations on campus;
4. All other house diversity representatives.

Article XV. Five College Student Coordinating Board (FCSCB)

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

1. To encourage students to make full use of the opportunities and resources of all campuses.
2. To improve communication about issues each campus faces and means to address the issues.
3. To sponsor events to encourage interaction and meet student needs and concerns.
4. To assist in the advertisement of events and activities at other campuses.

SECTION 2. MEMBERS

1. There shall be three student representatives from each of the five institutions;
2. The delegates from Smith shall include the president of the SGA, the chair of the Recreation Council, and an additional appointed student.

SECTION 3. IMPEACHMENT

1. The Five College Student Coordinating Board can impeach any of its members by a two-thirds majority vote of its members. Any member of the Five College Student Coordinating Board may initiate an impeachment vote. Possible grounds for impeachment are suspension, dismissal, permanent separation, negligence, dereliction of duty, and other infractions deemed sufficient by any member of the Five College Student Coordinating Board.

Article XVI. Recall

Should 25 percent of an elected officer's constituency petition for recall of an all-college election within five school days of public notification of election results, the Committee on Elections and Appointments will conduct an investigation to see if such an action is merited. If the committee deems such action is warranted, they shall administer a recall vote for any position.

Article XVII. Referendum

Any petition signed by 15 percent of the association at large must be submitted for a referendum. If the measure is approved by a simple majority (more than half) affirmative vote of the association, it shall be sent to the appropriate committee for implementation.

Article XVIII. Bylaws

1. Bylaws contain the procedures and rules for the SGA. All procedures not discussed in the constitution, bylaws, or properly adopted rules of order shall be referred to the most current edition of Robert's Rules of Order.
2. The bylaws shall be approved by two-thirds of the senate membership.
3. Amendments to the bylaws shall be approved by two-thirds of the senate membership.

Article IX. Amendment

1. The cabinet or a voting member of the senate may propose an amendment to the constitution.
2. An amendment may also be proposed by 20 percent of the association.
3. Such an amendment shall be approved by two-thirds of the senate membership. Following senate approval, and at least one week before the final vote is taken, the text of the amendment shall be presented to the college. The vote shall be administered by the Committee on Elections and Appointments.
4. An amendment to the constitution shall be ratified by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the voting constituents.

Article XX. Ratification

The ratification of the SGA constitution shall be by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the association at large.

April 14, 2007

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