SGA Rules

ARTICLE I NOMINATIONS FOR STUDENT SENATE

SECTION 1-1.

Persons wishing to run for Student Senate or SGA Executive positions must register with the SOSU SGA Elections chair. The Elections chair shall provide a registration packet containing election rules, information, and a candidate information form. This packet shall be made available in, and be submitted to, the Office for Student Life, the Office for Student Affairs, and the SOSU SGA Senate Chambers.

SECTION 1-2.

The registration packet must be submitted to either of these locations no later than the ninth (9th) calendar day before the given election. Upon approval from the Office for Student Affairs regarding Articles II and III of the SOSU SGA Constitution, the person’s name shall be placed on the ballot.

SECTION 1-3.

It is also the responsibility of the candidate to report any change of enrollment after filing for candidacy. Failure to do so will result in the candidate’s disqualification.

ARTICLE II ELECTION RULES AND REGULATIONS

SECTION 2-1.

Election for officers and no more than twenty (20) of the Student Senators will be held during April of the spring semester. The Student Senate will pass an act providing for such an election no later than three (3) weeks prior to the regular election. The election held for the remaining open Student Senate Seats will be held during the third (3) academic week of the fall semester. The Student Senate will pass an act providing for such an election no later than the first (1st) academic week of the fall semester.

SECTION 2-2.

Absentee ballots will be made available to the members of the student body and may be cast in the Office for Student Affairs on the two (2) class days before the election.

SECTION 2-3.

No campaigning for SGA positions, such as hanging posters or distributing other campaign materials will be permitted until one week prior to the election, and following the scheduled candidates meeting.

SECTION 2-4.

Any candidate who displays poor campaign practice by destroying an opponent’s material, in any way intentionally interferes with an opponent’s campaign, or participates in any campaigning practices that violate the rules and regulations specified by the elections chair for that election will be disqualified from the election. Poor campaign practices include:

1.      The tearing down, defacing, or any other destruction of an opponent’s posters, leaflets, stickers, banners, etc.

2.      The printing of false and abased literature aimed at degrading his opponent.

3.      The slandering or libel of an opponent.

4.      Charges of poor campaign conduct, whether specified in the By-laws or not, will be brought before the Supreme Court.

SECTION 2-5.

If the Supreme Court, by a majority vote, finds the candidate guilty of any of the above or similar offenses, the candidate will be disqualified from the election in question and subsequent elections for one year following the offense and judgment.

SECTION 2-6.

In all elections a spending cap shall be enforced in the amount of $140. The value of non-monetary donations shall be determined by the SGA advisors and be considered “election spending.” The elections chair shall request receipts of campaign related purchases upon any allegation of over expenditure.

ARTICLE III HOUSE RULES

SECTION 3-1.

The SGA Senate in the course of business, duties, responsibilities, and procedures shall abide by the House Rules at all times unless two-thirds (2/3) of the Voting Delegates present during a regular meeting wish to suspend such rules.

SECTION 3-2.

The Secretary of the Senate or another individual identified for this task by the chair shall read the title and content of all legislation.

SECTION 3-3.

The minutes are to be taken at meetings of the Senate and distributed within one (1) week. The minutes of the Senate meeting shall contain:

1.      Attendance List

2.      Committee Reports

3.      Summary of Business and Informal Discussions

4.      Copies of all Legislation

5.      Announcements

SECTION 3-4.

The minutes shall be distributed to all Student Senators and to all others deemed necessary by the chairperson of the Senate.

SECTION 3-5.

In order to assure attendance when Quorum is not present the members in attendance at a regularly scheduled meeting may issue a “Call of the Senate” by a simple majority vote of the members present, this motion will take precedent before any motion except that of adjournment.
After a “Call of the Senate” has been ordered no motion is in order, even by unanimous consent, unless directly related to the call.
In the event that a Call of the Senate” is made the Chair will recess for the amount of time needed to attempt to make contact with any members not present.
If the absent membership fails to appear in order to fill quorum before the body is forced to adjourn then the penalty for absence from a regular meeting will count as double.

SECTION 3-6.

Questions of procedure shall be addressed in the following order:

1.      Constitution

2.      By-laws

3.      House Rules

4.      Robert’s Rules of Order

Updated As of Spring 2010 – Senate Resolution 25, Spring 2010