By-laws of the Student Government
of the
The Oath of Office By-law
Persons holding
office under the Constitution of the Student Government or any office established
through By-laws or other legislative enactment shall take the Oath of
office. The oath of Office shall read as
follows:
“I,
(state your name) do solemnly affirm that I will faithfully execute the duties
of the Office of (state your position) and will, to the best of my ability,
enforce and observe the Constitution and By-laws of the Student Government of
the University of Michigan-Flint.”
The Oath of
Office shall be administered by the following persons in order of availability:
The Chief Justice of the Judicial Board
The Vice-Chancellor for Student Services
The Director of the Office of Student
Life
The SGC Political Affairs Chairperson
The SGC President
Attendance By-law
During the term
of office, the Secretary shall bring any member of the SGC who possesses a
total of three unexcused absences from meetings before the Executive
Board. A combination of three late
arrivals and/or early departures shall equal one absence. Three unexcused
absences shall be grounds for removal.
The SGC
President shall decide whether an absence is excused or unexcused. If the decision is contested it shall be
decided by a 3/4 vote of the Council. No member shall be counted absent from
any meeting if on official SGC business or attending a scheduled class.
Executive Board By-law
This board shall
be established by the President for the purpose of coordinating the issues and
committees of the Council as well as planning for council meetings. It shall consist
of the Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, the chairpersons of standing SGC
committees, and the SGC Advisor. Any
other persons may be asked to attend upon request. This committee shall set the agenda for the
next scheduled meeting. This committee shall meet at the request of the
President at the times set forth at the beginning of each semester.
Public Relations By-law
The Public
Relations Committee shall consist of the Chairperson, and at least two members
of the SGC. This committee may have as
many persons as deemed necessary to fulfill its duties. Its duties shall be: to advertise SGC
proceedings, meetings, special events and vacancies; and to distribute any SGC
publications. Postings of SGC
advertisements shall be handled by the Public Relations committee. Any and all mass or electronic media
advertisements are to be approved by the President before distribution
Political Affairs By-law
Composition: The Political Affairs Committee shall
consist of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson for Commissions, and at least two
members of the SGC.
Duties: The Political Affairs Committee shall be responsible for:
- Approving the format and content of
any and all contracts to be signed in the name of, or made with, the SGC
in consultation with the advisor.
- Organizing and maintaining all
documents governing the SGC. These documents shall include, but are not
limited to, the Constitution, By-Laws, Judicial Board rulings pertaining
to the SGC, and all other documents concerning the SGC that are legal in
nature.
- Evaluating, if requested by a club
or organization or mandated by the SGC, the current constitution and
activities of a club or organization as to determine whether or not they
are functioning legally within the guidelines set out in their constitution.
- Extend legal assistance to student
organizations in drafting constitutions and other documents upon request.
Duties of the Chairperson: The Chairperson, or their designee,
shall also act as the official representative for the SGC in all proceedings
before the Judicial Board.
Duties of the Vice Chairperson: The Vice Chairperson of Political
Affairs shall be responsible to coordinate the activities of the Commissions,
and compile a weekly report to the Chairperson. The Vice Chairman of Political
Affairs shall also hold the title of Chairman of Commissions, as it relates to
membership of the Executive Board. The Vice Chairperson shall assume the duties
of the Chairperson in the event of vacancy.
Commissions: Commissions shall be formed to advise the
Political Affairs Chairperson and the Council on matters pertaining to specific
issues. Commissions shall be established by amending their name to this by-law.
Composition of Commissions: Commissions shall be composed of a
Commissioner, and as many faculty, staff, or students as necessary to complete
it duties. Members of Commissions need not be members of the Council. Holding
the position of Commissioner shall be equivalent to that of Representative.
Commissions of the Council: The Commissions are:
Academic Affairs
Commission – This Commission shall be charged with advising the Council on all
matters relating to courses, the faculty, and any other relevant issue referred
to it by the Vice Chairperson for Commissions.
Inter-Group
Relations Commission – This Commission shall be charged with advising the
Council on all matters relating to relationships between various groups on
campus. This shall include, but is not limited to, interfaith groups, ethnic
groups, and political groups.
Legislative
Affairs Commission – This Commission shall be charged with advising the
Political Affairs Chairperson on matters of importance before the State
Legislature and U.S. Congress, and any other relevant issue referred to it by
the Vice Chairperson for Commissions.
Student Affairs
Commission – This Commission shall be charged with advising the Council on all
matters relating to the Division of Student Services and Enrollment Management,
the interactions between said Division and students, and any other relevant
issue referred to it by the Vice Chairperson for Commissions.
[Amended November 9, 2004]
Association of Michigan
Universities Bylaw
Two members of
SGC shall serve as delegates to the Association of Michigan Universities. These
delegates shall be nominated by the body of the SGC. In the event that a
delegate does not receive appointment, is not elected to the SGC or is
otherwise ineligible, their position shall be declared vacant and filled by
appointment. Delegates who are nominated and confirmed shall serve as delegates
from April to April. The delegates shall have the authority to officially
represent the University of Michigan-Flint SGC in all AMU business. In the
event no nominated SGC members accept nomination or if vacancies occur, the
president shall appoint an SGC member as the delegate(s). In the event that the
Association of Michigan Universities ceases to exist this bylaw shall become
null and void.
[Amended October 28, 2003]
Council Interim Board
By-law
The Council
Interim Board (CIB) shall meet after the beginning of the Spring Semester for
the purpose of handling pertinent SGC business during the Spring
and Summer semesters as well as planning for the coming academic year. This Board shall govern itself according to
the Constitution and its By-laws; as well as the rules and regulations
governing the University. The membership
shall include the newly elected officers and representatives, along with
volunteers from the student body. The elected members may, by ¾ majority vote
limit the size of CIB to no less than ten.
In deciding
whether the consideration of a matter should be postponed until the fall term,
the CIB shall use as criteria the extent to which such postponement will be
detrimental to the best interests of the student body, the operation of student
organizations, and the future effectiveness of the SGC.
The CIB shall
update the SGC at the first meeting of the fall semester, of their activities
during the spring and summer semesters.
This shall include a complete financial report.
Financial Board By-law
Composition
The Financial
Board shall consist of the SGC Treasurer who shall chair the committee, and at
least two representatives.
Function
The committee
shall review all allocation requests. The
SGC must approve the Financial Board’s decision with a majority vote of the
council. The Financial Board shall
follow the allocation process when reviewing all allocations.
Operating Procedure and Subcommittees
The Financial
Board shall have the authority to adopt such procedures, as it shall deem
appropriate in exercising its responsibilities.
Duties of the Chairperson
The Chairperson
shall be responsible for presenting committee recommendations to the Executive
Board, and then to the SGC.
Prevention of Expenditures and Financial
Transactions
The Treasurer,
with the consent of the Director of Student Life shall be empowered to freeze
for no more than ten school days, expenditure of funds belonging to the SGC or a
recognized organization, as well as financial transactions and commitments of
any type, in the following cases:
- Where the expenditure or transaction
is in violation of the SGC Constitution, or in violation of the
organization’s Constitution or other legally valid decisions.
- Where the Judicial Board requests
such action.
- Where the Political Affairs
Chairperson or the SGC President requests such an action pending some
investigation or litigation.
- Where the expenditure or transaction
would, in the opinion of the Chairperson, cause the organization to run a
deficit or would seriously impair the financial soundness of said
organization, subject to consideration and more decisive action by the
SGC.
- Where the expenditure poses a threat
to the financial soundness of SGC, or where any transaction accomplishes
the same end, or where said expenditure or transaction places unauthorized
financial obligation on SGC, subject to consideration and more decisive
action by the SGC.
- Where the SGC has authorized a
partial or complete halt to student organizational spending pending a
general financial review or legislative action.
- Where time is needed to establish
the legal validity or precise valid terms of a particular expenditure or
transaction.
- Where the expenditure or transaction
takes on the form of the assumption of a debt.
- Where the Chairperson is unwilling
to assume responsibility for the transaction or expenditure and feels that
the question should be referred to the SGC or Judicial Board for a
decision.
Procedure for Freezing Funds
Prior to
freezing funds, the Treasurer must inform, in documented form, the President of
SGC, and a club officer from the violating organization. An emergency meeting of the SGC shall be held
within three business days following any freeze. At that time the SGC shall ratify or revoke
the freeze. The SGC ruling may be
brought before the Judicial Board.
Permanent freezing of funds may take place after a temporary freeze and
can be acted upon only by the Judicial Board either at, or without the SGC’s
request.
Legislative Branch By-law
The Legislative
Branch shall consist of the entire SGC membership. That membership shall be composed of the
following elected and/or appointed officers: President, Vice-President, Treasurer,
Secretary, Political Affairs Chair, Financial Board Chair, Public Relations
Chair, ICC Chair and at least six representatives.
The functions of
the SGC shall be as follows:
- To establish such boards or committees, and to adopt such operating procedures, as
may be necessary to carry out the functions and operations of the Council.
- To supervise and administer such
monies as it may receive from any source.
- To recognize or withdraw recognition
of student organizations on campus.
- To originate, delegate, and
coordinate student activities on behalf of SGC.
- To serve as an official
representative of the undergraduate student community in expressing
opinion and interest to appropriate faculty, and administration.
- To participate, through whatever
means at its disposal, in the discussion of university, college, and
school policy, and to serve as a liaison between these policy-making
agencies and the college student community.
- To submit to the Election Commission
all proposals requiring referenda and vote by the student body, including
Council or student initiatives.
Organization Recognition
By-Law
Recognition
Any new
club/organization must complete the following to become recognized by the
Student Government:
- Drafting of a democratic
constitution
- Completion of the recognition
petition & packet
- A membership system that complies
with the University’s non-discrimination policy
- Recognition by a majority vote of
the SGC
Clubs/organizations
that have been inactive for a period of one year or greater shall be considered
a new club/organization for this section.
Clubs/organizations
wishing to revise their constitution must complete all of the above criteria
with the exception of the recognition petition.
Removal of Recognition
The SGC may, by
3/4 vote remove recognition of a club/organization. Criteria for removal of
recognition shall include:
- Non-compliance with the
club/organization’s constitution/by-laws
- Non-compliance with applicable
sections of the Student Government constitution/by-laws
- Non-compliance with University
policy
- Violation of local, state, or
federal law.
Clubs/organizations
shall automatically cease to be recognized by the SGC following one year of
inactivity.
A recognized
club/organization may disaffiliate from SGC upon a written request presented to
the Council; however SGC shall retain the right to repossess SGC allocated
funds from the club/organization’s account.
Conflict of Interest with
Student Organizations
SGC members
shall use caution to avoid any conflict of interest: financial, constitutional,
disciplinary, or otherwise.
Financial Conflicts of Interest
A member of SGC
shall be considered to have a financial interest at such time as s/he, or an organization of which s/he is a member stands to
benefit financially from a motion on the floor. This shall include, but not be
limited to allocation requests.
Members of SGC
shall abstain from motions regarding the finances of an organization in which
they have a financial interest. Members with financial conflicts of interest
shall not speak on behalf of their organization unless extenuating
circumstances do not allow another member of that organization to be present,
or at the Council’s request. S/he shall reserve his/her speaking rights as a
member of SGC.
Members of SGC
shall publicly disclose to the Council any financial interest they may have
with organizations at the time they take office or when such financial
interests commence, and when a motion regarding the finances of the
organization is brought before the Council. Members of SGC shall also disclose
changes in their affiliation(s) including change in position or disaffiliation.
At such time
that a member of SGC has a financial conflict of interest, the request of any
SGC member shall be sufficient for a secret ballot vote.
Student Government Council
Meeting By-law
The SGC shall
meet according to a schedule to be determined prior to the beginning of each
major semester. All meetings shall be
posted by the Public Relations Chairperson and his/her committee. Meetings
shall be conducted in the spirit of Robert’s Rules of Order.
All votes shall
be by majority, except as otherwise specified and shall be of members present,
save abstentions.
At any meeting, a
3/4 vote may call the Council into executive session, if it is considered
necessary to the functioning of the Council.
The President,
with a 3/4 consensus from the Executive Board, may cancel a scheduled meeting
if deemed appropriate.
The President, or
the SGC advisor with any three members in concert, may call a special meeting,
as long as reasonable and appropriate attempts are made to contact each member
at least 48 hours in advance.
Inter Club Council By-law
Inter Club
Council (ICC) shall consist of all recognized clubs and organizations, the ICC
Chairperson, and the ICC Committee. ICC
meets as a means for SGC, students and organizations to communicate and
collaborate. ICC ensures that University
clubs and organizations function properly and provides an outlet and a forum
for problem solving.
ICC shall hold
one luncheon per major semester, which is to include a complete overview of the
ICC policy, updating of forms, and a question/answer session. All clubs and organizations are required to
send at least one member to each luncheon.
All clubs absent, or who do not stay for the duration of the meeting,
may be fined according to the rules and regulations outlined below.
Each club and
organization shall be responsible for completing four monthly reports, (one per
month) per major semester. All four
reports must be submitted by the dates specified by the ICC Chairperson at the
beginning of each semester (usually the last weekday of every month).
Each club and
organization must complete three service projects per major semester. These
projects are to consist of at least one on campus, one off campus, and the
third is allowed to be either. The SGC defines service projects as endeavors
that benefit more than just the club or organization, and for which they
receive no monetary compensation.
Service intent
forms are to be submitted to the ICC Chairperson before the event occurs. This is so the organization can be notified
as to whether or not the event qualifies as a service project. Whether or not to accept intent forms
submitted after the event has occurred will be at the discretion of the ICC
Chair.
Fines for each
of the above missed requirements shall be $5.
[Amended December 9, 2003]
Order of Succession By-law
The order of succession
for SGC in case the President is unable to fulfill his/her duties shall be as
follows:
- Vice-President
- Political Affairs Chairperson
- Secretary
In the absence
of all the above, the SGC shall select from among itself, an acting President.
Judicial Board By-law
The name of the
organization established herein shall be the Judicial Board of the SGC of the
University of Michigan-Flint. All
appointments to the Judicial Board require the confirmation of the SGC. The term of office shall last from the time
of appointment until the student graduates, resigns, or is removed.
Qualifications
All
Students willing
to serve, and who meet the above qualifications, may submit an application for
consideration by the interviewing board.
The interviewing board shall consist of two faculty members, the Chief
Justice, the President or Vice-President of SGC, and the Vice Chancellor for
Student Services and Enrollment Management or their designee.
Removal from Office
A member of the
Judicial Board may be removed only after a call for his/her removal by another
Judicial Board member, a public hearing, and a 3/4 vote of the SGC.
Vacancies
Judicial Board
vacancies shall be filled no longer than the semester after they occur. These vacancies shall be filled as stated
under the composition section of the Judicial Board By-law.
Meetings
Quorum shall be
three of the five justices. This board
shall meet as needed.
Responsibilities
All cases
referred to it shall be considered by the Judicial Board. Decisions of the board shall be communicated
in writing within 48hrs to the student or group involved, to the Director of
Student Life, and the President and Political Affairs Chairperson of the SGC.
The student newspaper or other sources shall be notified when requested, for
non-confidential cases.
Decisions of the
Judicial Board are reached by majority vote.
Procedures and Jurisdiction
Members of the
board are not to discuss a case that is under consideration outside of the
hearing itself. Cases may be referred to the Judicial Board by the Director of
Student Life the SGC Executive Committee or a person(s) or group that is
initiating the case. Judicial Board shall have jurisdiction only in cases
involving Student Government and/or SGC recognized organizations and its’
members. Cases to be considered are to
be divided into two categories: Constitutional and Disciplinary.
Constitutional Cases
Constitutional
cases shall include the following:
- Interpretation of the SGC
Constitution and its By-laws
- Interpretation of a
club/organization Constitution and its By-laws.
- Dispute or interpretation of the
method/procedure used in arriving at a decision of the SGC
- Other cases specifically outlined in
the SGC Constitution and By-laws.
In
Constitutional cases, Judicial Board shall collect statements from all involved
parties. All parties shall have the right to be informed of the progress of the
case.
Disciplinary Cases Involve the Following
Disciplinary
cases, which pertain to the violation of regulations established by the SGC or
those established by a club/organization, shall be prosecuted by the Political
Affairs Chairperson and/or his/her committee in matters of SGC, or by a
club/organization designee in cases involving that organization. Charges brought by an individual may be prosecuted
by that individual. These charges must
be presented in writing to the Director of the Office of Student Life for the
purpose of communicating the charges to the Judicial Board.
Procedures for Conducting Disciplinary
Hearings
The individual
or organization shall be notified by the Judicial Board that they are accused
of violating a regulation, and that they may elect one of three courses of
action:
- Admit the allegation, in writing,
and the Judicial Board will take action:
- Admit to the allegation, and request
a hearing before the Judicial Board.
- Deny the allegations, and a hearing
will be convened.
All decisions
will be submitted in writing to the Student Enrollment and Concerns Committee,
SGC President, and Political Affairs Chairperson, as well as the Director of
the Office of Student Life within 72 hours following the hearing.
The individual
or organization shall be entitled to the following:
- Written notification of the time and
place of the hearing within 72 hours of the hearing
- A written statement of the charges, sufficient
particularly to enable the individual or organization to prepare defense.
- Written notification of the names of
those who requested the hearing and reported the alleged violation.
- To present his/her defense to the
Judicial Board with witnesses.
- To be represented by counsel of the
student’s choice.
- To ask questions of the Judicial
Board.
- To refuse to answer any questions.
- To an expeditious hearing of his/her
case.
- To be notified of his/her right to
appeal the decision of the Judicial Board.
Hearing Procedures for Disciplinary
Matters:
- The room is cleared of all persons
except those that are necessary for the presentation of the case.
- Prosecution and Defense present
witnesses and cases.
- Judicial Board shall retire and
deliberate on the case and present a decision.
- Records can only be seen by those
involved in the case.
- Any past convictions will be taken
into consideration in deciding a penalty.
- Records shall be destroyed after
graduation or one year after the student ceases to be a student at the
University.
- Recommendations for disciplinary
action will be made by the Judicial Board to the Student Enrollment and
Concerns Committee.
Appeals
Appeal of a
Judicial Board decision may be made to the Vice Chancellor for Student Services
and Enrollment Management except in Constitutional cases, in which the Judicial
Board will have the final and exclusive jurisdiction.
Election Commission By-law
Election Commission
The Election
Commission shall consist of the Director of the Office of Student Life, or
their designee, and anyone else they deem necessary to accomplish their
objectives.
Commission Status
The election
Commission is directly responsible for all SGC elections and initiatives as stated
in this Constitution and as held under its jurisdiction.
Jurisdiction
The Election
Commission shall establish and implement procedures and instructions for
Student Government elections and initiatives, as well as any election of any
officially recognized campus organization upon the request of that
organization, with the approval of the Election Commission.
Amendment, Recall, and
Impeachment By-law
Amendments
The By-laws may
be amended during any meeting of the SGC by a 3/4 vote of the members present.
Recall
Reasons for
recall are, but are not limited to, failing to fulfill prescribed duties as
outlined in the job description By-law, failing to meet membership
requirements, disobedience of any SGC or University policies and/or
regulations, as well as any other infractions deemed pertinent by the student
body.
Removal
Reasons for
removal are, but are not limited to, failing to fulfill prescribed duties as
outlined in the job description By-law, failing to meet membership
requirements, disobedience of any SGC or University policies and/or
regulations, violation of any local, state, or federal laws (except for minor
traffic violations), as well as any other infractions deemed pertinent by the
SGC.
Financial Code By-law
Distribution of the Financial Policy
A copy of the
Financial Policy will be provided, by the SGC Treasurer, for each recognized
organization on campus, the accounting office and any other personnel who may
be involved in the financial transactions of the SGC.
Club/Organizations
Funds shall be
allocated to clubs/organizations as set by the Financial Board and the
SGC. This authority shall be subject
only to the interpretation of the SGC Constitution, its By-laws, and upon
appeal to the Judicial Board.
Allocation
requests must be approved by:
- The SGC Financial Board
- By a majority vote of the SGC
A
club/organization may appeal the decision of the Financial Board to the SGC,
however the appeal shall require a 2/3 vote of the SGC for the allocation
request to be granted.
Student Government Expenditures
A 2/3 vote must
be approved by the SGC for Student Government expenditures. The Council Treasurer, Vice-President, and
President are the authorized signers for Council expenditures.
All expenditures
are to be reported in writing, to the Treasurer within 48 hours of the
transaction by the person(s) to which the money was allocated.
Formulation of the Budget
The Treasurer,
with the help of the President and the Financial Board, shall formulate the
Council Budget. This proposed budget
should be presented to the SGC in writing by October 1 of the fall semester,
and February 1 of the winter semester. Each semester’s budget shall be designed
to carry a non-negative balance at the end of the year. SGC shall be is subject to audits the same as
all other clubs and organizations. The Council shall vote on the Budget at the
first regularly scheduled meeting following its submission. Passage of the Council Budget shall be by a
3/4 vote of the Council.
Alterations in
the Budget after ratification shall require a 3/4 vote of the Council before
implementation.
Expenses
Individual
expenses within the budget categories must be approved by the SGC except as
outlined below:
- Minor expenses less than $50.00 may
be spent upon the approval of the President.
Supplies and operating expenses
An allocation,
not to exceed 20% of available funds, will be made to the category of “Supplies
and operating expenses”. These funds
shall be reserved for expenses in the areas of duplication, telephone billings,
postage, audio-visual equipment, signs and posters, refreshments for meetings,
and any other expenses deemed necessary for the day to day operation of the
SGC.
Club Allocations
An allocation,
of no less than 30% of available funds, will be made to the category of “Club
Allocations”. Allocations for a particular club/organization shall not exceed
two thousand dollars ($2000) per fiscal year, unless specifically granted.
Allocations to organizations are based on their service to the University and
on the monetary contribution by the club/organization. Exceptionally active
organizations may apply for additional funding. Criteria for consideration of
such requests shall include: the activity level of the club/organization, the
nature of previous allocation requests, and the degree to which the event
benefits the campus at large. Special allocations will be given on an
individual basis as defined in the allocation procedure. Five percent (5%) of the “General Club
Allocation” budget shall be reserved for new, or newly activated, clubs.
Requests for Financing
All requests for
finances, allocations, and funding of events by student clubs, members of the
University community, or other interest groups must be submitted to the
Financial Board for their recommendation.
Allocation requests must be submitted to the SGC Financial Board at
least two weeks in advance of the need. An organization may apply for
additional funding in the event that the required amount was less than
requested, though this shall not be sufficient reason for creation of a debt.
Organizations Eligible for Funding
No student
organization, which is not currently recognized and active, shall be allocated
funds. This section shall not be construed
as to prevent the co-sponsorship of an event with another body of the
University or, in special circumstances, organizations from outside the
immediate University community.
Allocation Procedure
Allocations to
organizations are based on their service to the University and on the
proportion of the student body that will benefit from a specific
allocation. The procedure outlined below
is to be followed by all organizations requesting allocations from the SGC:
- An allocation form must be obtained
from the SGC Office or the Office of Student Life. Information regarding how to fill out
the form can be obtained from any Council member.
- Organizations must fill out
allocation requests and return the completed form to the SGC Office to be
given to the Financial Board for review.
- Allocation requests must be in
accordance with all SGC financial policies before they are to be
considered.
- All proposed expenditures and
expected income on the allocation request form must be itemized as fully
and as accurately as possible. The
Financial Board may require multiple estimates of significant
expenditures.
- The Constitution of any organization
must be in order and on file with the SGC, along with a listing of the
officially elected officers, before an allocation request can be
considered.
- The Financial Board will check the
financial records of clubs and organizations as a prerequisite for them
receiving their allocations at the Financial Board meeting.
- The club or organization Treasurer
shall be notified at least 48 hours (weekends excluded) prior to the
consideration of their allocation request by either the Financial Board or
the SGC. It shall be the
responsibility of the club to have a representative meet with the
Financial Board at their discretion and to be present at the appropriate
SGC meeting.
- The SGC may choose not to review an
allocation request if the Treasurer (or qualified representative) is not
present from the club or organization requesting the allocation.
- The club or organization Treasurer
will be notified within 48 hours by the SGC Treasurer as to the total
amount of the allocation to be granted by the SGC.
Consideration of Expected Income
Dues will be
taken into consideration as part of the main operating fund of an organization
unless they are specifically designed by the organization in its constitution
for other purposes not financed by the SGC.
Granting and Withdrawing Allocations
The SGC shall
retain the right to grant and withdraw allocations in accordance with an
organization's activity and adherence to SGC regulations. Any such withdrawal shall be in keeping with
the provisions of the Financial Code.
Allocation Itemization
Any funds not
spent for the precise purpose specified in the allocation must be returned to
the SGC. All clubs and organizations
will be expected to adhere, strictly, to the expenses listed in their
allocation request in the disbursement of funds allotted them by the SGC. Any exception must have SGC approval.
Public Events
Clubs may
petition the SGC for reasonable funds to co-fund the underwriting of a public
event only to the extent that such an event is expected to draw from the
UM-Flint student body. Past precedence
shall be considered an important factor in determining such expectation.
Open Events
No activity, event,
or project of any type, financed by the SGC, or indirectly through another
organization, shall be closed to any person because of race, religion, creed,
sex, or national origin.
Open Meetings
No meetings,
financed by the SGC, shall be closed to any person because of race, religion,
creed, sex, or national origin.
Standing to Sue
Any student of
the University of Michigan-Flint who shall be discriminated against under the
preceding two provisions by an organization, or officers or members of an organization,
funded by the SGC, shall be permitted to bring suit against said organization
before the Judicial Board.
Banking
of Income
All receipts of money by organizations funded
or recognized by the SGC, regardless of the source of funds, must be deposited
in the University of Michigan-Flint’s Cashiers Office. This restriction does not apply to community
organizations outside of the University structure that may be associated with
organizations recognized by the SGC.
Inter-Organizational Allocations
No student
organization funded by the SGC shall reallocate funds to any other recognized
organization without the specific authorization of the SGC.
Jurisdiction over Property
All property
purchased with SGC funds, either directly or through money allocated to student
organizations, as well as the property of any defunct organization remains
within the jurisdiction of the SGC and remains subject to use and transfer as
the SGC shall deem appropriate. The only
exception to this policy shall be if the SGC, by a specific act, shall
permanently surrender jurisdiction over a given piece of property. All property shall be housed within the club
lockers provided in the student loft or at another designated area on campus
unless otherwise specifically authorized by the SGC.
Liability for Club Obligation
Neither the
University, nor the SGC, assumes any liability for obligations of student clubs
or organizations. (Regents Minutes – July 17, 1970)
Restrictions on Expenditures
Constitutional
Consistency - Funds shall not be allocated to, or spent by, a recognized
organization for purposes inconsistent with the terms of said organization’s
constitution or for purposes which bear no reasonable relation to the purposes
outlined in said constitution or as stated within the club’s general or special
allocation.
Allocations to Departments
SGC funds shall
not be allocated directly or indirectly, as by a recognized organization, to
any academic department which shall benefit primarily the staff of a department
or a class (classes) taught by such a department. No event shall be funded if participation in
such an event would be required for a class or would be necessary to compete on
even terms with other students who did not participate in the event.
Personal Use of Funds or Property
No SGC allocated
funds shall be used solely or primarily for the personal benefit of any
officer, member, or other person, except as otherwise provided in the SGC
Constitution or By-laws.
Financing of Food
Whereas the purchase
of food may be interpreted as a personal use of funds, and food is often an
integral part of student events; SGC-allocated funds shall not be used by a
student club/organization for the purchase of food unless 51% or greater of the
expected attendance is of non-club/organization members.
Events shall
also comply with the Open Events section of the Allocation Procedure.
Travel, Conferences, and conference-like
events
If SGC funds are
used to underwrite travel and/or student delegations to a conference or
conference-like event of student interest, the SGC shall evaluate the necessity
of students attending such events and the degree to which the travel or event
benefits the club/organization.
Demonstrations
Funds provided
by the University through the SGC may be used for the purpose of financing
demonstrations or for sending persons to participate in demonstrations.
Financed Violations of the Law
No funds shall
be allocated to or spent by any organization recognized by the SGC for
activities in violation of local ordinances, state laws, or federal statutes,
or for any activities which the SGC feels will lead to such violation or to
violence of any type. This prohibition
shall also pertain to the SGC.
Dues to Outside Organizations
Funds allocated
by SGC shall not be used by a club to pay dues to any other organization. It is intended that these dues be paid by
membership fees levied by the specific club.
Deficits and Balances
It is unlawful
to run up a deficit in the account of a recognized organization or to operate
on credit without the express permission of the Director of Student Life. The officers of said organization shall
legally be accountable to the point of disciplinary action consistent with the
degree to which their actions lead to said deficit
Repossession of Funds - Unspent
Allocation Funds
In the event
that the SGC determines that a recognized organization has wrongfully spent
funds allocated to it by the SGC they have the authority, upon the advice of
the Financial Board and the Political Affairs Committee, and upon a 2/3
majority vote, to repossess said funds from the organization in question. The SGC Treasurer shall notify the Treasurer
of that organization at least 72 hours in advance of the time and place of the
meeting at which such repossession is being considered.
Repossession of Funds - Repossession
through Inactivity
If a recognized
club/organization is inactive for a period of one year or greater, the club’s
account shall be zeroed and all supplies or equipment repossessed by the SGC.
Should a club/organization reactivate after having had its funds or property
repossessed, it may request that these be reinstated.
Repossession of Funds - Determination of
Inactivity
Determination of
a club’s inactivity will arise through a review of a club’s semester activities
and expenditures at the end of each semester by the SGC. A club will be considered inactive if it has
not filled out an Activity Form with the ICC for the current semester.
Audit By-law
Audits shall be
conducted during the first week of October in the fall semester and the first
week of February in the winter semester for recognized clubs/organizations as
well as for the Student Government.
The SGC
Auditor(s) shall be selected from interested
An audit shall
be valid from the time of its completion until the following audit period.
In the event
that a club should miss their audit, then they will be ineligible for any
allocations until such time as an audit has been completed. In extenuating circumstances, the SGC
Treasurer may audit a club/organization. Such an audit shall require
certification by a 2/3 vote of the SGC.
Electronic Meetings By-Law
In the event
that a matter must be decided between general meetings of the Council, the
Secretary in consultation with the President may call for an electronic vote.
The matter shall be e-mailed to umfsgc@umich.edu no later than 12:00 p.m.
Debate: The
Council shall be given no less than 48 hours to discuss the matter, before
votes shall be tallied.
Voting:
Following the 48 hour discussion period, members shall have until 4:00 p.m. to
submit their votes to sgc_vote@umich.edu.
Results: The
Secretary, with the aid of the University Student Activities Coordinator, shall
tally the votes. Results shall be published to umfsgc@umich.edu by the
Secretary.
Quorum for
electronic voting shall be equivalent to that of a general meeting.
Any five members
in concert may cause a matter to be tabled until the following Council meeting.
[Added September 2004
Pay Board By-law
The Pay Board
shall consist of the Executive Board and the Director of Student Life. Each member of the SGC will be responsible
for completing and executing the responsibilities stated in the constitution to
the best of their ability. At the end of each semester the Pay Board will
convene and discuss each member individually to ascertain whether or not the
“stated” requirements have been fulfilled, then that member will then be
awarded the full salary that is outlined in the Pay Board By-Law. If the Pay
Board finds that all of the requirements have not been met then they will dock
that member’s pay according to the degree in which the requirements were left
unfulfilled. Any docking of pay will
require unanimous consent of the Pay Board.
If the member in question is a member of the Executive Board then the
vote will be taken without that individual present.
Salary Cap
A salary cap
will be in place for each of the positions in SGC. The cap will be as follows:
Vice-President $600.00
Treasurer $400.00
Secretary $400.00
Political Affairs Chair $400.00
Public Relations Chair $400.00
ICC Chair $400.00
Political Affairs Vice Chair $300.00
Representative $100.00
Commissioner Stipend $ 50.00
The Commissioner
Stipend shall be in addition to any funds allocated as salary for a
Representative. Any changes to the salary cap must be approved by a ¾ vote of
the SGC. Any member fulfilling all of
their minimum requirements must receive the full amount allocated to them in
the budget.
Representative Bonus Plan
A $300.00 bonus
balloon will be allocated each semester in the Budget under the section
entitled “payroll”. The bonuses are to
be awarded to those Representatives who show themselves
to go above and beyond the minimum required.
All bonuses require a unanimous vote of the Pay Board before they can be
executed.
[Amended November 9, 2004]