SGA Constitution

We, the students of Central Virginia Community College acting under authorization of the College administration and desiring to develop cooperation among students, administration, and faculty of this institution, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

This organization shall be known as the Student Government Association  of Central Virginia Community  College.

The purpose of this organization shall be to provide a representative form of Student Government; to regulate organized student activities; to promote the general welfare of the College; and to develop cooperation between students, faculty, and administration.

All students of Central Virginia Community College shall have the right to nominate candidates for office and to cast their vote for candidates for offices. All qualified students have the right to hold office, to attend special sessions of the Executive and standing committee meetings, and to have representation in the Student Government.

The governing bodies of the Student Government shall consist of the Executive  Committee  and Standing Committees.

The Executive Committee of the Student Government shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.

All executive power herein granted shall be vested in the Executive Committee of the Student Government. The President shall head the Executive Committee.

1. Candidates
   • Each candidate for Executive Committee office must be registered as a curricular student taking 9 credits or more.
   • Each candidate must have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
   • Each candidate must have completed 12 credit hours at CVCC.
2. Maintaining Office
   • Each office holder must maintain at least 9 credit hours in each of the Fall and Spring Semesters.
   • Each member must maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average each semester.

The terms of members of the Executive Committee shall be: For three semesters, beginning in the Summer following election and continuing through the next two consecutive semesters. Out-going officers and newly elected officers will meet together during the Summer Semester to provide a smooth transition and training. The Executive powers and duties as stated in the Constitution shall be vested in the newly elected officers during the Summer Semester.

Section E. Functions

1. The Executive Committee has the twofold job of heading the Student Government and of serving as an Administrative Committee.

2. The Executive Committee shall determine and publish the rules of its own proceeding (not to be in conflict with the Constitution and its By-laws). Three-fourths of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum to do business.

1. President
   • The President shall have the power to call and preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee, the joint meetings of the Executive and Standing Committees, the nomination meetings, and special sessions of the entire student body.
   • The President may attend all regular and special sessions of the Standing Committees, serving as an ex-officio member. The joint meeting of the Executive Committee and Standing Committee will be known as the  Coordinating Council.
   • The President may call special sessions of the Coordinating Council.
   • The President may call consultative sessions of the Coordinating Council. In such cases, the President of the Student Government shall preside.
   • The President shall establish, appoint the chairperson and members of and define the powers of committee as deemed necessary in aiding the functioning of the Student Government. All budgeted committees and their members, as established by the President, shall be temporary during Summer Semester and subject to the approval of the Executive Committee in the following Fall Semester.
2. Vice-President
   • The Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President. The Vice-President shall temporarily assume the powers of the President only in the absence of the President, and only with the written permission of the President.
   • The Vice-President shall assume the office of the President if, for any reason, the President cannot continue to serve in the office. A new Vice-President shall be elected by the original procedure within 20 days of the action. If the Vice-President is unable to serve, a new election of President will be held.
3. Secretary
   • The Secretary shall preserve a written record of all actions, which take place at Executive Committee and Coordinating Council meetings.
   • The Secretary shall keep on file records of all meetings, and keep in order the files of the Student Government.
   • The Secretary shall keep a register of members of the Student Government, attend to necessary correspondence, and furnish to the appropriate faculty advisors and to the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs written reports of the meetings of the Coordinating  Council.
   • The Secretary shall post all minutes of Student Government meetings prominently for the benefit of students.
   • The Secretary shall keep an official, up-to-date copy of the Student Government Constitution and its Bylaws.
4. Treasurer
   • The Treasurer shall head a financial committee.
   • The Financial Committee shall be composed of the Treasurer (as Chairperson of the Committee) and at least two student members. The student members must be approved by the President of the Student Government and no member of the Executive Committee other than the Treasurer shall serve on the Financial Committee.
   • The Financial Committee shall establish and publish guidelines for the preparation of budgets by all other organizations, clubs, and standing committees.
   • The Financial Committee shall be directly responsible for preparing a proposed budget of the Student Government for presentation to and approval by the Executive Committee.

1. The duty of the Executive Committee shall be to act as a steering board of the Student Government.
2. It shall evaluate and, when necessary, recommend revisions to Student Government policies, rules and regulations to the appropriate committee.
3. It shall receive and accept all resignations of members of the Student Government and all student representatives on official Student Government and College committees.
4. It shall receive recommendations and proposals from the administration, faculty, and members of the student body and direct these matters to the appropriate committee.
5. It shall rule on the qualifications of candidates for Student Government at the time of their nomination and shall be the judge of their election.
6. It shall have obtained, by date of elections and/or referendum, an official roster of the student body, which shall serve to determine voter eligibility. This roster shall be obtained from the Information Technology Department.
7. It shall supervise the balloting on the days of election and/ or referendum. It shall judge and announce the results of the election and/or referendum.
8. It shall rule on selection of student representatives to the advisory committees appointed by the President.
9. It shall also perform all other duties pertaining to the functions of the Executive Committee.

1. The Executive Committee shall meet at least once a month and at such times as it shall be called into special session by the President (see Section H-2 of this article for quorum).
2. Joint meetings of the Executive Committee and Coordinating Council shall be held at such times as the President deems necessary. Three fourths of the members shall constitute a quorum to do business.
3. Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the parliamentary procedure in all meetings and matters pertaining to the Student Government if not in conflict with the Constitution and its Bylaws.

Student committees shall meet at least monthly to plan and organize events or to make recommendations to the Executive Committee. Ad hoc committees may be appointed by the President  as needed.

All committee chairs, club presidents/or representatives, and Student Government officers shall meet as a group in an organization known as the Coordinating Council. The council shall publish minutes of its meetings by the Secretary of the Executive Committee or an appointee.

1. Executive Committee members of the Student Government will be members of the Coordinating Council. The president of the Student Government shall serve as presiding officer.
2. Each club, organization or council will be allowed one voting member who shall attend the monthly meetings. All standing committee chairs will be members of the Council.

1. The purpose of the Council is to hear reports from committees and coordinate with the representatives from other student groups a program of student-sponsored events and activities.
2. The Coordinating Council will meet at least three times each semester.

Nominations for President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be held prior to Spring Semester examinations.

1. The election of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be held by secret ballot two weeks after nomination in the Spring Semester. Elections shall last for two consecutive days.
2. A ballot box shall be placed so that all students have access to it at all times during the days of election. The ballot box shall be under the supervision of the Executive Committee.
3. A ballot shall be prepared by the Executive Committee listing all the candidates for each office.
4. The Executive Committee members shall be elected by a simple plurality vote.
5. In case of a tie vote between the two candidates with the largest number of votes, the winner shall be determined in a run-off election according to the original procedure.

Any vacancy in the Executive Committee or Coordinating Council (with the exception of the President or the non-curricular members) due to death, extended illnesses, resignation, or removal from office shall be filled by election to that office within twenty calendar days of the action. Nominations shall be within five days of the action. A vacancy in the Presidency shall be filled by the Vice-President and a new Vice-President shall be elected according to the above procedures. A vacancy in the non- curricular member shall be filled by a member newly-appointed by the President.

No person shall hold more than one office. No member of the Executive Committee may serve on the Student Conduct Committee.

The Student Government shall have at least one advisor.

The advisor shall be appointed by the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs on the recommendation of the Student Government Executive Committee to serve a term of one year.

The advisor shall work with the respective committees and give opinions on proceedings. They shall attend all meetings of their committees. They shall represent the faculty at these meetings and shall inform and consult the faculty and administration of substantive  matters.

1. By written petition of ten percent of the students submitted to the Executive Committee.
2. By a two-thirds vote of the committee.

The proposed amendment shall be presented to the student body within 20 days of the above action, and must also be passed by two-thirds of those students voting. The constitutional amendment proposed by the students would be referred to the faculty of the College. The faculty would be requested to approve the constitutional amendment prior to review and approval of the Local Board of the College.

Ratification of this Constitution shall revoke all previous constitutions. In order to ratify this constitution, a two-thirds vote of the student body voting is necessary. The constitution proposed by the students would be referred to the faculty of the College. The faculty would be requested to approve the constitution prior to review and approval by the Local Board of the College.

The following oath shall be taken by the officers of the Student Government: "I, (giving full name), realize the high trust and confidence placed in me by the student body of Central Virginia Community College, do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution and its Bylaws and to perform the duties of my office to the best of my ability."