SGA Constitution

Revised and voted into effect October 7, 2009

PREAMBLE

We, the Student Government Association of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in accordance with the principles of American Democracy and in acknowledgment of this university as an academic community existing for the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of the student, and the general well-being of society, do establish this constitution.

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Student Government Association of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The governing body of this association shall be the Student Council.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

The Student Council shall act as a connecting and communicating link between the Administration and the Student Association and shall represent the interests of both.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. All full-time and part-time students registered with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for a specific semester or summer shall be regular members of the Student Government Association for the semester or summer sessions.

Section 2. Regular members shall have the power to vote, to hold office as provided for in this constitution, and to participate in campus organizations and events.

Section 3. No member shall be discriminated against because of color, race, sex, creed, or national origin.

ARTICLE IV – RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

Section 1. Students shall have the right, through their student government and its designees, to participate in the making of University policies via recommendations and the right to petition for changes in either academic or non-academic regulations.

Section 2. In accordance with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University policy and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (Section 513 of

Public Law 93-380, Education Amendments of 1974) subsequent amendments, students have the right of access to their official records as described in the act. This includes the right of protection against any disclosure of information by the University concerning a student’s views, belief, or political associations. The right to privacy with regard to a student’s records shall be upheld except by the student’s own expressed permission or under valid court order. The academic records shall be kept separate and may be referred to by appropriate University personnel.

ARTICLE V – EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Section 1. The executive officers of the Student Government Association shall be known as the Executive Council.

Section 2. Executive Council Members

A. The Executive Council shall consist of the following elected officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

B. The Executive Council shall be elected in accordance with the bylaws.

Section 3. Qualifications for Executive Council

A. A candidate for an executive office must be a member of the Student Government Association.

B. A candidate must maintain a cumulative Embry-Riddle grade point of 2.5 or better.

C. Executive Council members must not hold any elected office in another student organization.

Section 4. Functions and Powers of the Executive Council

A. The Executive Council:

a. Shall hold a regularly scheduled meeting prior to each Student Council meeting during the academic calendar year.

B. The President shall:

a. Have the authority to initiate legislation that the President feels would be beneficial to the Student Government Association.

b. Have the power to veto all legislation passed by the Student Council (see ARTICLE VI). The President’s veto can be overridden in turn by a two-thirds majority veto of the Representative Council. The President must exercise authority to veto within seven days or the resolution and/or SG formal proposal remains in the effect.

c. Nominate student to serve on University committees with the ratification of the Student Council.

d. Serve as a member of the University Board of Trustees.

C. The Vice-President shall:

a. Serve as the President in the event of the President being unable to execute said duties for whatever reason.

b. Serve as administrator to the Student Council (unless an elected chairman exists) and provide a tie-breaking vote in the even of any tie concerning legislation.

D. The Secretary shall:

a. Record all minutes of SGA and Executive meetings.

b. Have one vote concerning legislation in the Student Council.

E. The Treasurer shall:

a. Justify all appropriations of the Student Government Association’s monies in accordance with the bylaws.

b. Have readily available to the Student Government Association all records of student finances.

c. Act as chair of the Budget Committee.

d. Have one vote concerning legislation in the Student Council.

ARTICLE VI – LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Section 1. Elected members of the Legislative Branch shall be known as the Representative Council.

Section 2. Representative Council Members

A. These members shall be elected according to districts established in the bylaws.

B. The Vice-President or elected presiding Chair shall serve as administration to the Student Council and provide a tie-breaking vote in even of any tie concerning legislation.

C. The Secretary and Treasurer shall each have one vote concerning legislation in the SGA meetings.

Section 3. Qualifications

A. A Candidate must maintain a cumulative Embry-Riddle grade point average of 2.25 or better.

Section 4. Functions and Powers of the Representative Council

The Council shall:

A. Serve as the legislative body and act on legislation initiated by the President or formed by the Council itself.

B. Hold regularly scheduled meetings during the academic year.

C. Have the power to use a two-thirds majority vote to override any veto initiated by the President.

ARTICLE VII – RECOGNITION OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION SPONSERED ORGANIZATIONS

Section 1. All organizations desiring recognition by the Student Government Association must adhere to the requirements set forth in the bylaws.

ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENT PROCESS

Section 1. The Constitution, in order to be amended, must undergo the process of formal change.

A. A two-thirds majority in the Representative Council can amend the constitution. This in turn must be ratified by a two-thirds majority of the student voting body.

Section 2. The bylaws, in order to be amended, must undergo the process of formal change.

A. A two-thirds majority in the Representative Council can amend the bylaws.

Section 3. Amendments to this Constitution may be initiated by any student.