We the students at Baton Rouge Community College, in order to provide an officially recognized student organization to identify and represent students and their interests; to promote student participation in the overall policy and decision-making processes of the college; to enhance the quality and scope of education at the college; and to promote the general welfare of the Student Body, do hereby adopt and establish this Constitution of the Baton Rouge Community College Student Government Association.

Article I. STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Section 1. Name and Authority

The organization of students of this institution shall be known as the Student Government Association of Baton Rouge Community College. The students of Baton Rouge Community College shall delegate to the Student Government Association full authority and governing power as written in this Constitution.

Section 2. Purpose

The purpose of the Student Government Association is to further the activities of student life, to participate in self-governance and to develop a greater spirit of progressive citizenship and community; and

1. To perform all executive, legislative, and judicial functions of the Student Government Association;
2. To serve as a channel of communication to the faculty, Administration and all levels of state government, in expressing the opinions, wishes, and needs of the Student;
3. To cooperate with the administration, faculty, and the State of Louisiana in their efforts to establish policies affecting the college community;
4. To establish and execute such programs and projects deemed beneficial to the Student Government Association;
5. To conduct and regulate all campus-wide elections and referenda;
6. To promote and improve relations between the Baton Rouge Community College and the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Community; and
7. To conduct such investigations and inquiries deemed necessary.

Section 3. Membership

Every student enrolled at Baton Rouge Community College shall be a member of the Student Government Association ("the Association").

1. Rights of Membership shall include, but not be limited to:
   1. All members of the Association shall also be liable for any student self-assessed fees;
   2. All members of the Association have the right to attend all open meetings and to view all public records as defined by the laws of the state of Louisiana;
   3. The Association shall enact no legislation restricting the rights of students which are protected by the Constitution of the United States and the state of Louisiana;
   4. All members of the Association may participate and vote in all campus wide elections sponsored and regulated by the Association;

Section 4. Objectives

1. To promote activities that enrich student life;
2. To promote and maintain high professional standards and ideals;
3. To encourage and promote all enterprises that make the school more progressive;
4. To coordinate various functions by furnishing a vehicle for communication thus creating a sense of unity, cooperation and understanding with the student body;
5. To provide support to new students and act as ambassadors of the Baton Rouge Community College;
6. To evaluate the effectiveness of the Student Government Association and submit an annual report of the Student Government Association.

Article II. EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Section 1. Executive Power

The executive powers herein granted shall be vested in the Executive Branch of the Student Government Association.

Section 2. Executive Officers

1. President
2. Vice-President
3. Treasurer
4. Secretary

Section 3. Duties of the President

1. Serve as Chief Executive Officer of SGA.
2. Serve as Student Representative at meetings held for student interest as well as with faculty, administration, officials and the community.
3. Shall work a minimum of nine (9) hours per week in the SGA office;
4. Preside over all executive meetings. Make necessary recommendations.
5. Veto any bill, which does not follow the scope of the, Constitution within five (5) class days of passage.
6. Prepare agenda for meetings of executive board and SGA.
7. Notify members of any special meetings at least two class days prior.
8. Enforce all decisions made by the SGA.
9. Verify all money usage by the Treasurer.
10. Make any necessary decisions that are prescribed in the Constitution or to another branch of the SGA.
11. Prepare an annual and monthly written report recording SGA activities.

Section 4. Duties of the Vice-President

1. Assume the duties of the President in his/her absence, or upon the request of the President.
2. Perform any duties assigned by the President.
3. Serve as President pro-temp of the Student Senate.
4. Serve as Chairman of the Election Board.
5. Must work a minimum of five (5) hours a week in the SGA Office.
6. Determine whether or not a Senate absence is excused or unexcused.

Section 5. Duties of the Secretary

1. Maintain and post agendas and records and maintain minutes of the meetings of the Senate.
2. Keep a record of attendance at the SGA meetings and functions.
3. Keep all permanent records of all business and legislative acts of the SGA available to student body.

Section 6. Duties of the Treasurer

1. Serve as Chief Financial Officer of the SGA.
2. Keep an accurate record of all financial transactions.
3. Serve as Chief of the Financial Budget Committee
4. Present a monthly financial report at each meeting and annual

Article III. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Section 1. Legislative Power

The legislative powers of the SGA shall be vested in the Student Senate.

Section 2. Composition of Student Senate

1. President
2. Vice-President (presiding officer)
3. The total number of Senators shall not exceed 1% of BRCC total student population as of the qualification date.
4. Qualifications for Senators
   1. Must maintain at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
   2. Must not be on scholastic or disciplinary probation.
   3. Must pass a written examination based on the Constitution, Bylaws and necessary sections of Robert's Rules of Order.

Section 3. Duties of Senate

1. The Senate should provide activities and functions for welfare of the student body.
2. The Senate should consider only a written petition, which has been signed by at least ten percent (10%) of the student body and then submitted to any member of the Senate.
3. Each member of the Senate is allowed to have two excused absences per semester if a valid written excuse is submitted to the Secretary.
4. The Senate must have a simple majority (5 1 %) to conduct business.
5. Each member of the Senate shall work a minimum of 2 hours per week in the SGA office.

Article IV. JUDICIAL BRANCH

Section 1. Judiciary Power

The judiciary power of the SGA herein granted shall be vested in the Student Supreme Court of the SOA and such inferior courts which the Senate may from time to time establish.

Section 2. Composition of Student Supreme Court

The Student Supreme Court shall be composed of seven (7) members of whom five (5) constitutes a quorum unless there are special circumstances, which shall be specified in the Rvlnwq Thi-v ,hqll he nnnointed bv the President with ant)roval of thserve until such time as they resign, are convicted on charges of impeachment, or lose student status.

Section 3. Offices

The Student Supreme Court shall select a Chief Justice and an Associate Chief Justice from their membership to serve in that capacity throughout the duration of their office.

Section 4. Authorities and Duties

The Student Supreme Court of SGA shall have the following authorities and duties.

1. To rule on all questions of interpretation of the Constitution and Bylaws of SGA.
2. To be the final judge of the election, qualifications, and returns.
3. To adjudicate appeals from the Student Judicial Committees recognized or sanctioned by the SGA.
4. To try all impeachments except those of its own members.
5. To conduct disciplinary hearings in accordance with the STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT.

Article V. TERM IN OFFICE

Section 1. Term in Office

1. Each officer shall be elected in the spring or fall semester of each year.
2. Each officer shall be inducted within three weeks after the election in which they were elected.
3. Each term shall commence on the date of induction and shall end upon successor's induction the following year
4. Each officer shall not serve more than two (2) terms in the same office.

Section 2. Term in Office Due to Resignation or Dismissal

In the event an officer shall assume an office due to resignation or dismissal, the following terms of office shall apply:

1. The new term of office shall not be included in the official count of an officer's term, if less than one full semester in the previous officer's term. The officer shall be inducted into office within three (3) w

Article VI. REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

A member of the Student Senate may be removed from office of the Student Senate for any of the following reasons:

1. Upon accumulation of one unexcused absence to duly constituted Student Senate meetings and Student Government Association functions and one unexcused office hour. These absences shall be determined __________ or unexcused by the presiding officer of the Senate of the Student Government Association.
2. Power of recall
3. Impeachment
4. Failure to maintain required qualifications for his/her respective office.

Article VII. AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments

Amendments to this Constitution shall be proposed by either:

1. A two-thirds vote of the Senate or,
2. Petition of a number of signatures not less than ten percent (10%) of the students enrolled during the semester of the last spring elections. All signatures must include name, address, and phone number of the signer. The Election Board shall certify the authenticity of the signatures upon receipt and shall edit the proposal for proper language.

Section 2. Amendment Ballot

The Election Board shall see that the amendment is placed on the ballot in referendum form with the following questions and responses preceding the wording of the amendment:

Do you favor the adoption of the following as an amendment to the Student Government Association Constitution?
YES      NO

Section 3. Adoption of the Amendment

The amendment shall be adopted if a majority of the voting membership

Section 4. Signed Constitution

Four copies of the Constitution, updated as amended, and of each individual amendment, with the vote count as adopted by the student body and the date adopted, shall be duly signed. One copy shall be filed with the SGA advisor and one with the head of each of the three branches of Student Government.

Article VIII. ELECTIONS

Section 1. Election Committee

Election Committee to consist of students and faculty to do the following:

1. Verify eligibility of candidates
2. Establish campaigning regulations
3. Meet with candidates to discuss rules of campaign
4. Schedule date and time of election
5. Organize and set up voting machines
6. Must be present and work the voting machines during the election.
7. Gather and verify vote totals at the end of the election (each committee member gathering vote totals will be accompanied by a faculty or staff member).

Section 2. Candidate Eligibility

1. Must be enrolled for a minimum of eight (8) hours at the time of election and during entire term of office.
2. Must have and maintain a 2.0 GPA at the time of election and during entire term of office.
3. Must qualify by deadline date.
4. Post a qualifying deposit of $25.00 to be redeemed upon removal of all campaign material.
5. Agree to abide by campaigning regulations and rules set by the Election Committee. Any disregard of these regulations will result in disqualification.
6. No officer shall be on scholastic or disciplinary probation.

Section 3. Voter Eligibility

1. Must be enrolled at Baton Rouge Community College at the time of election.
2. Must provide required identification to vote.
3. May only

Section 4. Term in Office

1. Induction will be held within three weeks following the election.
2. Each term shall commence on the date of induction and shall end upon successor's induction the following year

Article IX. OATH OF OFFICE

Section 1. Oath of Office

An inaugural ceremony shall be held at the end of the elections. The retiring SGA President or his appointed representative shall administer the oath of office.

I [FULL NAME] do solemnly swear that I will diligently and faithfully execute the duties and responsibilities of the office of [OFFICE NANE] of the Student Government Association of Baton Rouge Community College. I will enforce the provisions of the Constitution and promote the interests and welfare of the student body.

Article X. RATIFICATION

The provisions of this Constitution shall go into effect immediately upon signature by the following people:

1. SGA Committee Chair
2. SGA Advisor
3. Dean of Administrative/ Student Service
4. Chancellor
5. Witness
6. Witness