Preamble

The students of Michigan Technological University, in order to improve the quality of university life, promote widespread interest in student activities and affairs, provide an opportunity for the promotion of a positive environment beneficial to learning, a positive relationship between students, faculty, staff, and administration, provide a way for students to learn outside the classroom, and govern ourselves in a righteous manner, do hereby establish this constitution for the self-governing body of the students of Michigan Technological University, the Undergraduate Student Government.

Article I Name
The name of the organization is the Student Organization of Michigan Technological University. Hereafter referred to as the Student Organization.

Article II Purpose
The purposes of the Student Organization are: To establish, encourage, and maintain student self-government. To advocate policies, rules, and regulations that best serve the interests of the undergraduate students at Michigan Technological University. 3. To promote student activities and special interests which benefit the University committee. 4. To stimulate and develop a positive relationship among the students, faculty, staff, administration, and all concerned with the general welfare of the university.
1. 2.

Article III Student Organization

Section 1 Membership Qualifications
All undergraduate students enrolled at Michigan Technological University are members of this organization.

Section 2 Franchise
Each member of this organization is entitled to cast one ballot. Only members of this organization may vote in the Student Organization elections and referenda. Only elected members to the body are allowed to vote on the business of the Undergraduate Student Government presented during meetings.

Article IV Government
Governance of the Student Organization is vested in the Undergraduate Student Government.

Article V Undergraduate Student Government Membership

Section 1 Total Members
The Undergraduate Student Government shall be composed of twenty-eight members as follows:
1.

The four Undergraduate Student Government officers. 1

2.

Six representatives from each of the first, second, third, and fourth year classes, all of whom are voting members.

Section 2 Officer Positions

The Undergraduate Student Government officers shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Graduate students are not eligible to hold office.

Section 3 Associate Members An associate member is defined as a member of the Undergraduate Student Government who is not holding an elected position but wishes to remain active in the workings of the organization. As such, they are granted office privileges, may serve on committees, and act as liaisons; however there is no requirement for their level of involvement. Associate member status is granted to those seeking it pending the approval of a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the body at a regular meeting. 2. At the last meeting of every semester the status of all associate members is evaluated to determine if such a status is still applicable for those holding it. 3. No person can hold both an elected position and an associate member status.
1.

Article VI Elections
Section 1 Officers
The election of the Undergraduate Student Government officers is by Australian ballot during the seventh week of classes following winter break. A plurality vote is necessary. 2. Nominations for Undergraduate Student Government Officers are made by signing up in the Undergraduate Student Government office. Nominations open at least four weeks before elections by a motion during a regular meeting of the incumbent Undergraduate Student Government and close to one week before elections. 3. Additional nominations can be made through a presentation of a petition containing the signatures of at least fifty (50) enrolled undergraduate students. This petition must be presented to the Undergraduate Student Government no later than noon on the ballot inclusion deadline, as specified in the current elections packet.
1.

Section 2 Carry-over Representatives

The Undergraduate Student Government, by a majority vote, designates two carry-over representatives from among its members for the ensuing years fourth, third, and second year class positions. These chosen representatives will serve in the same capacity as the representatives elected under Article V, Section 3. 2. Carry-over representatives are elected by the incumbent Undergraduate Student Government during the eighth week of classes, following winter break. Members of the Undergraduate Student Government may not serve consecutive years as carry-over representatives.
1.

Section 3 Representatives
1.

The first, second, and third year students elect Undergraduate Student Government representatives for the ensuing school year during the tenth week of classes following winter

2.

3.

4.

5.

6. 7. 8.

break. Elections for the first year class representatives are held no later than the sixth week of the fall semester. All voting in class elections is by Australian ballot. Nominations for Undergraduate Student Government representatives are made by signing up in the Undergraduate Student Government office. Nominations open at least three weeks before elections by a motion during a regular meeting of the incumbent Undergraduate Student Government and close one week before elections. Additional nominations can be made through a presentation of a petition containing the signatures of at least fifty (50) enrolled undergraduate students. This petition must be presented to the Undergraduate Student Government no later than noon on the ballot inclusion deadline, as specified in the current elections packet. The future fourth year, third year, and second year class elects four Undergraduate Student Government representatives; the first year class elects six Undergraduate Student Government representatives. The candidates receiving the top four plurality votes from each class are designated as the Undergraduate Student Government representatives for the second, third, and fourth year classes respectively. The first year candidates receiving the top six plurality votes are designated as the first year Undergraduate Student Government representatives. If fewer than two carry-over representatives are elected from any class, then the number of representatives to be elected from that class shall increase by one to fill each vacancy. If a vacancy of office occurs, a special election is held. It is called by the chair of the Election Committee no later than three weeks after the vacancy occurs and shall be conducted in the same manner as the regular representative election. The President of the Undergraduate Student Government may also appoint a member of that class to fill the representative position, subject to the approval of two-thirds of the Undergraduate Student Government where the votes of the representatives of the class containing the vacancy are counted twice.

Section 4 Protest
Any candidate has the right with due cause to protest the results of an election within seventy-two (72) hours of the election results. The protesting candidate may ask for a recount, or, under extraordinary conditions (as declared by the Undergraduate Student Government), for a re-election. 2. A recount will be conducted by the election committee of the portion of the election being protested and the results will take precedence over the previous results. Only one recount will be performed. 3. A re-election will be handled in the following manner: a. Only the portion of the election that is being protested will have a re-election. b. The Undergraduate Student Government acknowledges the candidate(s) request for a re-election at the first meeting after the election results have been available for a week. At this meeting, the re-election will be set for the second week following the meeting. c. Notice of the re-election will be publicized on campus via email, table tents, and campus postings.
1.

d.

e. f.

All candidates and/or proposals that were in the original portion of the election that is being protested are automatically included in the ballot for the special election. A candidate may be removed from the ballot by signing a statement requesting this. All voting in re-election is by Australian ballot. A re-election postpones all other elections scheduled during the term by two weeks.

Article VII Eligibility to Hold Office

Eligibility to hold office is defined in the bylaws of the Undergraduate Student Government and is subject to the University restrictions on student group membership.

Article VIII Term of Office

The transition of membership shall occur at the first meeting following the representative elections in the spring, during the regular meeting following the completion of the scheduled agenda items of the old membership. At this time the new Undergraduate Student Government term shall start and shall last until the next years transition. 2. First year representatives shall begin their term of office upon the acceptance of the results of the first year election. 3. No person shall serve for more than five (5) consecutive years on the Undergraduate Student Government. This includes years served as an officer and as an Undergraduate Student Government representative. 4. No person shall serve in the same officer position on the Undergraduate Student Government for more than two (2) consecutive years.
1.

Article IX Duties of Officers

Section 1 President
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Calls and presides over meetings of the Student Organization and of the Undergraduate Student Government. Chairs the Ways and Means Committee. Appoints committee chairs and committee members subject to approval by the Undergraduate Student Government body. Speaks on behalf of the Student Organization and the Undergraduate Student Government. Advocates the policies on which the Undergraduate Student Government has taken a stance.

Section 2 Vice-President
Calls and presides over meetings of the Student Organization and of the Undergraduate Student Government in the absence of the President. 2. Is a member of the Athletic Council. 3. Is the office manager. 4. Oversees all Undergraduate Student Government committees with the exception of the Ways and Means committee.
1.

Section 3 Treasurer
1.

Is responsible for the receipt and disbursement of all funds of the Undergraduate Student Government. 4

Keeps records of the financial condition of the Undergraduate Student Government and the Student Organization. 3. Shall submit a monthly financial report to the Undergraduate Student Government. 4. Prepares annual budgets for the Undergraduate Student Government and the Student Organization.
2.

Section 4 Secretary
1. 2. 3.

Records and preserves the minutes of all Undergraduate Student Government meetings. Is the secretary of the Ways and Means committee. Maintains a record of the actions taken and correspondence received by the Undergraduate Student Government.

Article X Duties of Representatives

Section 1 Meetings
Undergraduate Student Government members are required to attend regular and special meetings throughout the school year. Any Undergraduate Student Government member who has a total of two unexcused absences for regular meetings during the term is automatically reviewed by the Undergraduate Student Government Personnel Committee.

Section 2 Office Hours

Undergraduate Student Government members are required to attend two and a half office hours per week. Undergraduate Student Government members who are also members of the Ways and Means committee are required to attend three office hours per week. Any Undergraduate Student Government member, who has a total of four missed office hours during the term, is automatically reviewed by the Undergraduate Student Government Personnel committee.

Section 3 Committees
Undergraduate Student Government members are required to serve on a minimum of two (2) committees unless they are serving as a committee chair. Undergraduate Student Government members are required to attend all committee meetings. Any Undergraduate Student Government member who has a total of four unexcused absences during the term is automatically reviewed by the Undergraduate Student Government Personnel Committee.

Section 4 Liaisons
Undergraduate Student Government members who serve as a liaison to a university committee or committee of special interest to students only need to fulfill two office hours per week, however, serving as more than one liaison does not deduct any additional time from the members required office hours.

Article XI Undergraduate Student Government

Section 1 Purposes
1.

Provide a representative student government responsive to the needs of the Student Organization of Michigan Technological University. 5

2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Advocates policies, rules, and regulations that best serve the interests of the Student Organization of Michigan Technological University. Promote practices in good government. Advice the President, the Board of Control, and any other relevant groups regarding students concerns. Provide an official voice for the Student Organization. Propose University policy affecting students.

Section 2 Procedures
Two-thirds of the total membership constitutes a quorum. Members excused for one term under the provisions of Article IX, Section 4.3 shall not be counted in the total membership for the purpose of quorum. There may be no more than two (2) representatives excused during a given term. 3. Regular meetings are held weekly throughout the school year unless University holidays coincide with the scheduled meeting. Special meetings may be called by the Undergraduate Student Government President subject to twenty-four (24) hours notice. The purpose of the special meeting must be posted with such notice and no other business may be conducted. 4. The President is required to call a special meeting of the Undergraduate Student Government within forty-eight (48) hours of receiving requests to hold such a meeting from twenty percent (20%) of the Undergraduate Student Government members. Twenty-four (24) hours notice is required. The purpose of the special meeting must be posted with such notice, and no other business may be conducted. 5. The current edition of Roberts Rules of Order governs all meetings of the Undergraduate Student Government, except when in direct conflicts with this Constitution or its Bylaws.
1. 2.

Section 3 Powers and Duties

The Undergraduate Student Government has the power to order the disbursement of funds to the Student Organization, upon the recommendation of the Undergraduate Student Government Ways and Means committee. 2. Protests concerning the constitutionality of acts performed by the Undergraduate Student Government or one of its duly appointed officials may be lodged with the University appointed Undergraduate Student Government advisor. If the advisor is unable to resolve the situation to the satisfaction of all parties, the protest may be appealed to the Vice President for Student Affairs. 3. The Undergraduate Student Government has the power to interpret the Constitution and Bylaws, except as provided for in Article IX, Section 3.2. Initial charge of this interpretation is given to the Judiciary committee whose recommendation is subject to the approval of the majority of the Undergraduate Student Government. 4. The Undergraduate Student Government has the power to impeach its officers, representatives, or duly appointed officials on the grounds of malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office upon the presentation, at a regular meeting, of an impeachment petition containing two-thirds of the remaining members. Impeachment proceedings may then be opened by a two-thirds vote of the Undergraduate Student Government membership at a regular meeting one week following the receipt of the petition. Removal from office may then take place by a vote of two-thirds of the remaining members to convict. If impeachment
1.

charges are brought against more than one official, the removal of each must be voted upon separately. 5. The Undergraduate Student Government reserves the right, at any time, to establish standing, issue, and ad-hoc committees as the need arises.

Section 4 Absences and Vacancies

In the event that the President is absent from an Undergraduate Student Government meeting and the Vice-President is absent from an Undergraduate Student Government meeting, the chair pro-tem for that meeting shall be chosen from among the senior class representatives by a majority vote. If the Secretary is absent, the President or chair pro-tem shall appoint a member of the Undergraduate Student Government to record the minutes. 2. If the President fails to return to school or leaves school during the elected term of office, the Vice-President becomes President of the Undergraduate Student Government. If the VicePresidents, Secretarys, or Treasurers office becomes vacant, the Undergraduate Student Government will appoint a replacement from the Undergraduate Student Government by a majority vote of the total membership. 3. A representative may be excused for one term due to special circumstances as recommended by the personnel committee and approved by the Undergraduate Student Government.
1.

Section 5 Standing Committees

1. Ways and Means a. Purpose The Ways and Means committee recommends allocation and distributes appropriate funds to the Student Organization. It also regulates all financial disbursements of the Undergraduate Student Government and its subsidiaries. All actions of this committee must be approved during a regular meeting of the Undergraduate Student Government.
b.

Membership This committee is composed of the four officers (President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary) and two additional members elected from the Undergraduate Student Government. The President shall be the chair of this committee.

c. Quorum Quorum for Ways and Means meetings shall be defined as two-thirds of membership. The Ways and Means committee shall not take action in the absence of quorum.

2. Personnel a. Purpose The committee shall meet to conduct an automatic review of an Undergraduate Student Government member under the following conditions:
i.

The Secretary shall notify the President and the Personnel Committee chair when an Undergraduate Student Government officer or representative has accumulated two unexcused absences from weekly meetings during a term. 7

ii.

iii.

iv.

v.

vi.

The Vice-President shall notify the President and the Personnel Committee chair of an officer or representative who has four unexcused office hours. The chair of the committee shall notify the President of any member who has three unexcused absences from committee meetings during a term. Upon receipt of written charges signed by two or more members of the Undergraduate Student Government in the event that one or more officers are negligent in their required duties regarding the notification of the personnel committee under the specific provisions of Article IX.5.2.a.i, Article IX.5.2.a.ii, Article IX.5.2.a.iii. Upon receipt of written charges signed by two or more members of the Undergraduate Student Government implicating one or more members of malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office. If the Personnel Committee receives written charges implicating the Personnel Committee chair on the grounds of malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance the committees vice-chair shall head the investigation and construct a report as outlined in Article IX.5.2.b.

Reports The committee will conduct a thorough review of the members conduct of activities. If the committee determines substance to the charges, a report must be presented to the Undergraduate Student Government during the weekly meeting. All Personnel Committee reports must begin with the motion to go into closed session. If the committee determines no substance to the charges, a report may be called for by the charged member, the President (in the case of excessive absences), or the members who originated the charges should they find the committees investigation unsatisfactory. In the event that there is substance to the charges, the Personnel Committees report and suggested actions are subject to the approval by a two-thirds vote of total membership. The committee may recommend appropriate sanctions, up to, and including, removal from of office.
b. c.

Membership The committee shall consist of the following members appointed by the Undergraduate Student Government President:
i. ii. iii.

A chair who will call and preside over meetings and present committee reports to the Undergraduate Student Government. A vice-chair who will fulfill the duties of the chair should the chair be absent or come under investigation. Three other members.

Term Members shall serve on the committee until the transition to the new Undergraduate Student Government, occurring Spring term, or acceptance of their resignation by the Undergraduate Student Government.
d.

3. Judiciary Committee a. Purpose The Judiciary committee has the charge of interpreting the Constitution and Bylaws of the Student Organization in the event that a dispute arises. If a dispute occurs, the President of the Undergraduate Student Government shall order a meeting of the Judiciary Committee who shall report to the Undergraduate Student Government their recommendation. This report is subject to the approval of a majority of the Undergraduate Student Government.
b.

Membership Membership of this committee shall consist of the following members appointed from the Undergraduate Student Government by the President of the Undergraduate Student Government.
i.

A chair who will call and preside over meetings and present committee reports to the Undergraduate Student Government. ii. A vice-chair who will fulfill the duties of the chair should the chair be absent. iii. One other member 4. Election Committee a. Purpose The Election committee supervises, plans, and coordinates the Undergraduate Student Government elections. The Election committee is also responsible for helping new members become acquainted with the workings of the Undergraduate Student Government.
b.

Membership Membership of this committee shall consist of the following members appointed from the Undergraduate Student Government by the President of the Undergraduate Student Government:
i.

A chair who will call and preside over committee meetings and present committee reports to the Undergraduate Student Government. ii. A vice-chair who will fulfill the duties of the chair should the chair be absent. iii. Four other members. 5. Student Issues a. Purpose The Student Issues Committee shall be responsible for finding, investigating, and resolving any issues that could lead to an improved undergraduate experience.
b.

Membership Membership of this committee shall consist of the following members appointed from the Undergraduate Student Government by the President of the Undergraduate Student Government:

A chair who will call and preside over committee meetings and present committee reports to the Undergraduate Student Government. ii. A vice-chair who will fulfill the duties of the chair should the chair be absent. iii. An unlimited number of members. 6. External Affairs a. Purpose The External Affairs committee has the charge of representing the undergraduate students of Michigan Technological University off-campus at the local, state, and national level.
i. b.

Membership Membership of the committee shall consist of the following members appointed from the Undergraduate Student Government by the President of the Undergraduate Student Government:
i.

A chair who will call and preside over the committee meetings and present committee reports to the Undergraduate Student Government. ii. A vice-chair who will fulfill the duties of the chair should the chair be absent. iii. Three other members. 7. Public Relations a. Purpose The Public Relations committee shall have charge of the Undergraduate Student Government publications and advertising on-campus and off-campus while not conflicting with the purpose of the External Affairs committee as defined in Article XI.5.6.a
b.

Membership Membership of this committee shall consist of the following members appointed from the Undergraduate Student Government by the President of the Undergraduate Student Government:
i.

ii. iii.

A chair who will call and preside over the committee meetings and present committee reports to the Undergraduate Student Government. A vice-chair who will fulfill the duties of the chair should the chair be absent. An unlimited number of other members.

8. Service a. Purpose The Service Committee shall have two primary functions. First, the service committee shall head the chili van during Winter Carnival, and other miscellaneous community service events. Second, the Service Committee shall

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manage, and once a month, check the student storage space in the barn located near the Student Development Complex b. Membership Membership of this committee shall consist of the following members appointed from the Undergraduate Student Government: A chair who will call and preside over committee meetings and present committee reports to the Undergraduate Student Government. ii. A vice-chair who will fulfill the duties of the chair should the chair be absent. iii. Three other members. 9. Special Budgetary Group a. Membership The Special Budgetary Group will consist of one executive officer from each of the Special Budget Group organizations. New members will be added upon the approval of both a majority of the Special Budgetary Group and Undergraduate Student Government membership. The Special Budgetary Group organization shall be defined in the bylaws of the Undergraduate Student Government.
i. b. Purpose The Special Budgetary Group shall form the budget recommendations from the Special Budget Group organizations and shall provide a forum for the executive officers of the Special Budget Group organizations to communicate with each other about campus issues. c.

Procedures
i. ii.

iii.

iv.

Meetings during the year shall take place on the call of the chair. The President-Elect of the Undergraduate Student Government shall serve as the chair of the Special Budgetary Group for the period of one year, concurrent to the Presidents term of office. The special Budgetary Groups budget meeting shall take place on the same week as the Undergraduate Student Government subsidiary budget hearings in the Spring semester. The Special Budgetary Groups budgets shall be proposed to the Undergraduate Student Government at a regular meeting after the Spring semester budget hearings and before the transition to the new Undergraduate Student Government. Approval of the budget requires a two-thirds vote of the total membership, not the quorum, of the Undergraduate Student Government.

Article XII Initiative and Referendum

Section 1 Laws Proposed by Members
The members of the Student Organization have the right to propose or reject any revisions of this Constitution. 11

Section 2 Petition for Initiative or Referendum Vote

The Undergraduate Student Government provides an initiative vote or a referendum whenever a petition duly certified by the Registrar to contain the signatures of ten percent (10%) of the current members of the Student Organization is presented to it. The election for the initiative or referendum is called no later than three weeks after the petition has been presented to the Undergraduate Student Government.

Section 3 Laws Binding Until Repealed

The rules established in this Constitution as well as by any bylaws adopted by the Undergraduate Student Government are binding upon the officers of the Undergraduate Student Government until repealed or rescinded by a Constitutional amendment or by a majority ballot vote of the students at a subsequent initiative or referendum meeting provided that the total ballot cast is not less than ten percent (10%) of the Student Organizations members.

Article XIII Amendments

Section 1 Proposal
Amendments to this Constitution are proposed by two-thirds of the Undergraduate Student Government, having been announced at a previous meeting, and shall be published in the school newspaper at least one week prior to the vote of the Student Organization thereon.

Section 2 Ratification
Such amendments will go into effect upon ratification by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the ballot cast any regular election or special election held for that purpose provided that the total ballots cast are not less than ten percent (10%) of the Student Organizations membership; and upon confirmation by the Board of Control of the University.

Section 3 Spelling and Grammatical Amendments

It is understood that the process of creating a constitution may result in grammatical or spelling errors. These errors, in which the result of their fix causes no constitutional interpretation change, may be fixed by a proposal brought to the Undergraduate Student Government by the Judiciary Committee. The changes are ratified by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Undergraduate Student Government.

Article XIV Finances of the Student Organization

The Student Organization receives funds from the Student Activities fee through normal budgeting procedures that have been established by the University and the State of Michigan. b. The Undergraduate Student Government and its subsidiaries accounts are paid only through the Undergraduate Student Government Ways and Means committee, or in their absence, by an Undergraduate Student Government member designated by the Undergraduate Student Government. c. An Audit of the books of the Undergraduate Student Government subsidiaries must be made available at the beginning of each fiscal year. The fiscal year is concurrent with the term of office of the Undergraduate Student Government.
a.

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d.

A special audit of the books of the Undergraduate Student Government subsidiaries must be made available at any time by order of the Undergraduate Student Government.

Article XV Meetings of the Student Organization

a. b.

Meetings are held when called by the President of the Undergraduate Student Government. The President must call a meeting of the Student Organization upon the receipt of a formal petition containing the signatures of ten percent (10%) of the members of the Student Organization. The President must call the meeting for a date within one week of his receipt of the petition, subject to twenty-four hours notice. The purpose of the meeting shall be posted with such notice and no other business may be conducted at this meeting.

Article XVI Ratification

This Constitution supersedes the former Student Organization Constitution and Bylaws and goes into effect immediately upon the ratification by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the ballot cast at any regular election or special election held for the purpose provided that the total ballots cast are not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the Student Organizations membership; and upon confirmation by the Board of Control of the University.

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