1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

Associated Student Government University of Arkansas ASG Senate Bill No. 7 Authors: Senator Sanket Desai, Senator Alex Marino, Senator Michael Powers, Senator Madeleine Forrest, Senator Samantha Vaughn, Senator Roxanne Hazelwood, Senator Sterling Elmore Sponsors: Senator Sanket Desai, Senator Alex Marino, Senator Michael Powers, Senator Madeleine Forrest, Senator Samantha Vaughn, Senator Roxanne Hazelwood, Senator Sterling Elmore Graduate Congress Establishment Bill of 2012 Whereas, Whereas, The University of Arkansas has stated its intention to become a top 50 public research university by 2021; and Paramount to this goal is to increase the reputation of the University of Arkansas as an institution that produces top-notch research and scholarship; and Central Administration wishes to increase the production of doctoral degrees and dissertations as the means to foster a higher level of academic success; and The Chancellor and the university administration plan on increasing graduate enrollment to 20% of the student body by 2021 in order to achieve the desired production of advanced degrees; and Such an increase in graduate student enrollment will create a commensurate increase in the number of graduate seats in the ASG Senate, along with a corresponding decrease in the number of seats available to undergraduates; and Such an increase will only exacerbate the long standing issue of Senate vacancies, and it is important to maintain a full Senate; and Constitutional changes are necessary to implement a properly integrated ASG Graduate and Law Congress; then Article I Executive Branch, Section 6 The ASG Constitution shall be amended to the following: C. The President shall have the authority to call the ASG Legislative Branch into a special joint session, provided that a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours notice is given.
1

Whereas,

Whereas,

Whereas,

Whereas,

Whereas,

Be it therefore enacted:

48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93

D. The President shall have the power to veto any legislative action of the ASG legislative bodies (except resolutions that call for a Student Referenda or summon the ASGJ) provided that their respective chairs are notified of said veto within six (6) calendar days after the legislative action is taken by their respective legislative body. The President or other Executive Officer shall attend the following legislative body meeting to report and answer questions on the veto. The President shall have a line-item veto on any Appropriations Bill or RSO Funding legislation passed by the ASG Legislative Branch. J. The President shall appoint the members of the ASGJ, for the two-thirds (2/3) approval of the Senate, as outlined in this Constitution.

Be it further enacted:

Article I Executive Branch, Section 7 the ASG Constitution shall be amended to the following: B. The Vice President shall be required to submit to both legislative bodies for approval nominations for student representatives to any non-ASG committee as outlined in the ASG Code. Approved nominations will then be submitted to the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs.

Be it further enacted:

Article I Executive Branch, Section 8 the ASG Constitution shall be amended to the following: C. The Treasurer shall present a Financial Report to both legislative bodies as well as a complete budget for the remaining fiscal year no later than one (1) month after the first meeting of the fall and spring semesters.

Be it further enacted:

Article I Executive Branch, Section 10 the ASG Constitution shall be amended to the following:

94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141

F. The President may invite the Speaker of the GC to executive committee meetings at their discretion. Be it further enacted: Article II Legislative Branch, Section 1 the ASG Constitution shall be amended to the following: The Legislative powers of ASG shall be vested in the ASG Senate and the Graduate Congress. Be it further enacted: Article II Legislative Branch, Section 2 the ASG Constitution shall be amended to the following: B. Seats in the ASG Senate shall be apportioned according to a college-based model outlined below: a. Senate seats are apportioned from the following undergraduate colleges: Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences; Fay Jones School of Architecture; J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences; Sam M. Walton College of Business; College of Education and Health Professions; and College of Engineering; as well as the Law School; b. Each of the six (7) enrollment groups listed in (a) above shall be entitled to one (1) Senate seat. The Chair of the Senate shall constitute an eighth (8th) Senate seat; c. The class of newly admitted undergraduate or law students shall be entitled to five (5) Senate seats to be filled no later than the end of the fourth (4th) week of classes. The definition of a newly admitted student for both elections and voting qualifications shall be that they are either newly admitted or re-admitted for the fall semester based on the students status with the Registrars Office; d. The remaining thirty-eight (38) Senate seats shall be allocated proportionally by population between the enrollment groups each year. That is, each enrollment group will receive its whole percentage (excluding fractional remainders) of
3

142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189

the total University student population in Senate seats. If the number of Senate seats distributed based on whole percents does not add to thirty-eight (38) seats, the remaining seats shall be allocated to those enrollment groups with the largest fractional remainders until thirty-eight (38) seats are allocated. Students enrolled in more than one (1) college shall be required to designate the enrollment group in which they will vote; and e. The University population shall be based on the official University enrollment on record with the Registrars Office on the eleventh (11th) day of classes in the spring semester. Be it further enacted: Article II Legislative Branch, Section 7 the ASG Constitution shall be amended to the following: The duties and powers of the Senate shall be: A. To address the academic and non-academic concerns of members by acting as representatives of the entire student body; B. To establish and modify as necessary a set of bylaws that dictate ASG operation known as the ASG Code. If changes are made to the ASG Code, corrections must be made and the current document must be made public within five (5) calendar days; C. To establish honoraria for officers provided that such honoraria are not changed for the current term of office and are in accordance with University Policy; D. To elect sixteen (16) delegates to the Campus Council by the third (3rd) meeting of the fall semester. Twelve delegates (12) will be elected by a plurality vote of the ASG Senate and four (4) delegates elected by a plurality vote of the ASG GC; E. To pass bills by a majority vote. A legislative bill is a form of action that carries with it the power to sanction, establish permanent
4

190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237

structures, dictate the appropriation of funds, or modify the ASG Code: a. A bill stands in effect until it is repealed or replaced; and b. A bill may not supersede nor contradict this Constitution. F. To pass resolutions by a majority vote. A Senate resolution is a formal request of action. A resolution may set aside funds for a specific project or budget area, make a specific policy request to the University Administration, establish temporary government structures, or request specific action by ASG officers or committees: a. A resolution shall terminate at the end of each academic year unless it specifies another term of effectiveness; b. A resolution may establish standing or adhoc committees. The resolution must state the manner in which the committee members will be selected, as well as the specific charge and duties of the committee. The established committee must adhere to all stipulations stated in Article II, Section 15 of this Constitution; and c. A resolution may not supersede nor contradict this Constitution. G. To amend any clause of a piece of legislation being considered on the legislative floor; H. To send Constitutional Amendments to a referendum of the general ASG membership by the two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Senate and a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Congress; I. To refer to the students any question it deems necessary by a majority vote via referendum with the exception of Constitutional Amendments; J. To override a Presidential veto by a twothirds (2/3) vote of the legislative body that produced the legislation, or a two-thirds (2/3) of the Senate and a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Congress;
5

238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285

K. To pass resolutions charging the ASGJ with reviewing the misconduct of a Senator, Congress member, or Executive Officer. The resolution must state specific instances in which the accused person has violated this Constitution, the ASG Code, or University Policy; L. For Senate, to meet regularly throughout the year and at least twelve (12) times each semester; M. To approve by a majority vote Senate Standing Rules submitted by the Chair of the Senate in the form of a Senate resolution no later than the second meeting of the Senate each fall semester governing: a. Authors report, questioning, and debate time limits for legislation; b. Legislation submission time lines; c. Placement and time limits for Special Order agenda items (including guest speakers); and d. Friendly amendment processes. N. To approve by a majority vote GC Standing Rules submitted by the President of the GC in the form of a GC resolution no later than the second meeting of the Senate each fall semester; O. The Standing Rules shall be published on the ASG Website within five (5) calendar days of their passage; P. To suspend or modify legislative Standing Rules by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the respective bodies; Q. To abide by Parliamentary Procedures in the order outlined below: a. The Legislative Branch shall abide by Parliamentary law outlined in this Constitution and the ASG Code; and b. The latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order shall govern all parliamentary procedure not delineated in this Constitution or the ASG Code.
6

286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332

R. To approve all appointments of the ASG President, other than Judicial appointments, by a simple majority of each legislative body. S. The Senate and the Graduate Congress shall both vote on the ASG Budget, ASG Constitution and Code changes, and ASGJ as stated in the constitution. T. The Senate shall pass no bill or resolution that infringes on the rights and operation of the GC, its members, and its constituents. U. The GC shall pass no bill or resolution that infringes on the rights and operation of the Senate, its members, and its constituents.

Be it further enacted:

Article II Legislative Branch, Section 8 the ASG Constitution shall be amended to the following: Section 8 Duties and Powers of Legislators B. To act in accordance with this Constitution and the ASG Code. Legislators shall have any other authority or powers specified by ASG legislation, University Policy, or the ASG Code that do not conflict with this Constitution or University Policy. C. To submit any legislation for consideration by the chair of their legislative body. E. To serve on at least one (1) standing committee. G. To vote or abstain on all pieces of legislation officially submitted to the chair of their respective legislative body. H. To yield the floor during the debate time on any piece of legislation to any member of the University of Arkansas community subject to time constraints established by Legislative standing rules, excluding ASG Executive Officers who may only be yielded the floor to
7

333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379

answer points of information or to give an authorship report on a piece of legislation of which the Executive is the author.

Be it further enacted:

Article II Legislative Branch, Section 15 the ASG Constitution shall be amended to the following: Section 15 Senate Committees

Be it further enacted:

Article III Judicial Branch, Section 3 the ASG Constitution shall be amended to the following: C. Any vacancies of the ASGJ shall be filled as soon as practicable through appointment by the ASG President with the advice and consent of both legislative bodies. D. If a Judicial Proxys seat is vacated, the ASG President shall appoint a new Judicial Proxy with the advice and consent of both legislative bodies as soon as practicable.

Be it further enacted:

Article III Judicial Branch, Section 8 the ASG Constitution shall be amended to the following: B. The Justices must submit a written majority report on the interpretation to the ASG Secretary, Chair of the Senate, and the GC Secretary. If the Justices decision is not unanimous, a written minority report must also be submitted.

Be it further enacted:

Article III Judicial Branch, Section 9 the ASG Constitution shall be amended to the following: A. The ASGJ has the power to conduct legislative and Executive Officer Elections. These elections shall be administered by the OSA.

Be it further enacted:

Article IV Finances, Section 5 the ASG Constitution shall be amended to the following:
8

380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427

A. Seventy-six percent (75.5%) of the ASG Budget shall be apportioned to serve as the ASG Allocations Budget. In addition, any funds allocated by the ASG Fee rolling over from the previous academic years shall be added to the ASG Allocations Budget. Be it further enacted: Article IV Finances, Section 4 be added to the ASG Constitution to state the following, with succeeding sections adjusted for numerical continuity: Section 4 GC Operating Budget A. Four percent [4%] of the ASG Budget shall be apportioned to serve as the GC Operating Budget. Be it further enacted: Article IV Finances, (now) Section 7 the ASG Constitution shall be amended to the following: B. e. GC Treasurer; E. Changes can only be made to the Standing Rules through the following process: a. Approval through a 2/3 vote by the Financial Affairs Officers; then b. Approval through a majority vote by both legislative bodies. F. The Treasurer must notify the Senate and the GC Executive Committee of any changes to the Standing Rules by the next Senate meeting to allow both legislative bodies to approve the changes.

Be it further enacted:

Article V Elections, Section 7 GC Elections be added to the ASG Constitution to state the following: Section 7 GC Elections A. All GC members shall be elected in publicized, enrollment group-wide or at-large vacancy, secret ballot elections administered by the CLCE in conjunction with ASGJ. Registration for GC candidacy shall
9

428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 444 445 446 447 448 449 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473

follow the same timeline as the Executive Officer and Senate Elections. B. The initial GC election shall be held in conjunction with the Executive Officer election. C. Vacant GC seats are to be filled via an atlarge election held no later than the end of the fourth (4th) week of fall semester classes and an at-large election held no later than the end of the fourth (4th) week of spring semester classes. D. The GC may hold additional GC vacancy elections provided that at least five (5) vacancies exist. A majority vote of GC shall be required to call these additional vacancy elections. E. The at-large vacancy election shall be a general election in which all empty seats are opened up to candidates from any college. Congress members will be elected by a plurality vote of the graduate student body. F. Elections shall adhere to the ASG Election Code.

Be it further enacted:

Article VI Approval and Appointment, Section 2 the ASG Constitution shall be amended to the following: A. This Constitution shall be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of both legislative bodies (unless initiated as outlined in Article VI, Section 3 of this Constitution), by a majority of votes cast in a referendum of the general ASG membership, and by approval of the Chancellor. B. Both legislative bodies may establish transitional regulations for amendments made to this Constitution via a resolution if necessary, subject to approval of the Chancellor.
10

474 475 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 498

Be it further enacted:

Article VII Standard of Ethics, Section 4 the ASG Constitution shall be amended to the following: D. Any Executive Officer of the ASG is required to submit to both legislative bodies the reasons for the dismissal and/or replacement of any cabinet member, subject to the right of privacy of such student.

Official Use Only Amendments: Vote Count: Aye Legislation Status: Passed ___________________________ Mike Norton, ASG Chair of the Senate ___________________________ Tori Pohlner, ASG President Nay Failed Abstentions Other ________________ Date ________________ Date

11