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Aurora University Student Association

Student Association Constitution and By-Laws

A Constitution for the Aurora University Student Association

Preamble
The Aurora University Student Association establishes itself as a representative body of the students.Today, as in the past, we prize the twin virtues of character and scholarship and affirm our commitment to the values with which we believe the university stands for:

  • Integrity, citizenship, continous learning and excellence.

In the pursuit of those purposes, the Aurora University Student Association does hereby establish this constitution for the Aurora University community.


Bill of Rights
The following rights and freedoms shall be provided and guaranteed to each student at Aurora University and therefore will be applied to the Aurora University Student Association.

The right to receive financial aid from public and/or private funds.

The right to participate freely in university or student sponsored activities without discrimination based on but not limited to a student's race, ethnicity, national origin religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, physical appearance or gender.

The right in the classroom to full freedom of expression, discussion, and inquiry related to the course and the right to evaluation prior to, during, and after the completion of the course based upon academic performance.

The right of protection against any disclosed information by the university concerning a student's personal views, beliefs, or associations and the right to examine one's own record.

The right to establish and maintain a democratic student government in which each student shall have an equal right to participate and establish a student orientated university policy.

The right to be free from any mandatory dress code.

The right to petition institutional authority for the change in either academic or non-academic regulations.

The right of unaltered university status independent of non-university financial obligation.

Enumeration of the rights of registration in this university shall in no manner be construed to nullify or limit any further expressed or implied rights or freedoms possessed by students.


Article I: Membership Requirement
The membership of the organization shall consist of the following:

  1. Currently enrolled students at Aurora University
  2. Life memberships are given to individuals who have exemplified outstanding dedication and involvement to the Aurora University Student Association and should not be viewed as a yearly award.
  3. All members of the Aurora University Student Association must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5. If the members' cumulative grade point average falls below 2.5 they will be placed on probation. If they do not show significant progress they may be removed from their position.
  4. Senator and Executive Board membership requirements are stated along with their duties in their own sections in the following:

Article II: Advisor

  1. In the event of a vacancy the Executive Board will recommend an Interim-Advisor to the Dean of Students.
  2. The Interim-Advisor must agree to serve and submit a letter indicating willingness to serve the Aurora University Student Association.

Article III: Officers

  1. The Executive Board shall consist of the following officers: President, Vice President, Senate Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. All officers shall be familiar with the Constitution and its By-Laws.
  2. Officers must attend all regular and special meetings of the Executive Board. If an officer cannot attend a meeting, the officer must contact the Advisor explaining why he or she cannot attend the meeting.
  3. Members of the Executive Board and the Advisor shall evaluate officers with four or more absences and who have not been working for the betterment of the Aurora University Student Association to determine if they should be removed from their position.
  4. The Secretary shall be responsible for submitting the names of the officers who violate this enactment to the Senate.
  5. Any officer of the Aurora University Student Association may resign. In this event, the Executive Board shall declare an officer's seat to be vacant at the following Senate meeting and the position shall be filled within two weeks of the resignation.
  6. All officers shall be paid each trimester upon evaluation by the advisor that their duties have been carried out in accordance with their responsibilities enumerated within the constitution.
  7. The Executive Board will have the authority to make interim decisions for the organization subject to a review by the Senate at the next meeting. The Executive Officers are responsible for the overall functioning and coordination of the organization.

Article IV: Elections for Executive Board

  1. In the event that there is a lack of student participation, there shall be a Nomination Committee with the purpose of insuring that there are at least two candidates for each Executive Board position. The chairperson of this committee will be the Vice President, who is a non-voting member of the committee. The committee will be selected by the President of the Aurora University Student Association with the consent of the Senate. In the event that the Vice President is unable to serve because of a conflict of interest or any other reason, the President may appoint a different chair.
  2. Executive Board members must be a senator for one term prior to the election unless selected by the nominating committee. Any other interested candidates must have attended at least five meetings and meet all other requirements of a senator.
  3. All Executive Board elections shall be held the second full week of April.
  4. The Executive Board nominees must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
  5. All Executive Board members shall be at least sophomore status.
  6. All nominees must petition for the position they wish to run for, collecting sixty signatures from the students at large.
  7. Installation of the officers will take place at the Aurora University Student Association meeting at least five weeks prior to the end of the regular academic school year.
  8. In the case that candidates do not receive a fifty percent plus one (50%+1) of the number of votes cast, a run off election will be held.
  9. All members of the Aurora University Student Association are eligible to vote.
  10. All candidates must remain at least ten feet away from the polling stations unless they are voting.
  11. The officer shall be installed by the outgoing President. They shall make the following affirmation: "I pledge myself faithfully and conscientiously to perform my duties as an officer of the Aurora University Student Association."

Article V: Duties of the Executive Board

  • President
    1. Shall preside over the Senate.
    2. Shall appoint, in absence of the Secretary, a Senator to serve as Secretary pro term, with the consent of a majority of the Senate.
    3. Shall be an ex-officio member to all student committees and must be a member of three Aurora University Student committees.
    4. Shall act as chairperson of the Executive Board.
    5. The President shall appoint four members of the Senate body to serve on the Nominations Committee.
    6. Shall be the representative on the University Board of Trustees.
    7. Shall serve appoint two students each to serve on the Alumni Board, Illinois Board of Higher Education Student Advisory Committee and the Faculty Senate.
    8. Shall appoint a senator to serve as a liaison between the Aurora and Lake Geneva Campus.
    9. Shall serve as Senate Chair Person pro term in the absence of the Senate Chair.
    10. Shall be the sole person responsible for breaking ties within the Senate.
  • Vice President
    1. Shall assume the duties of the President in his or her absence.
    2. Shall serve as chair of the Nominations Committee.
    3. Shall serve as chair of the Organization's Council.
    4. Shall have membership on the Appropriations Committee.
    5. Shall have a vote within the Senate.
  • Senate Chair
    1. Shall be the legislative officer charged with the ultimate responsibility for all general Senate affairs.
    2. Shall retain all responsibilities and rights of a senator.
    3. Shall call meetings to order, have ascertained that a quorum is present, and close all meetings.
    4. Shall respond to all questions related to parliamentary procedure pertaining to Robert's Rules of Order.
    5. Shall chair the Constitution Committee.
    6. Shall have a vote within the Senate.
  • Secretary
    1. Shall keep the minutes of all Senate meetings.
    2. Shall publish the minutes of all Senate meetings.
    3. Shall make sure current Constitution and by-laws are on file in the Student Activities Office.
    4. Shall produce all publicity for the Aurora University Student Association meetings.
    5. Shall have a vote within the Senate.
  • Treasurer
    1. Shall maintain a budget and records of all Aurora University Student Association's income and expenditures.
    2. Shall serve as an ex-officio member on all Senate committees.
    3. Shall make a financial report to the Senate each term and an annual report by the second week of October.
    4. Shall be the chair of the Appropriations Committee.
    5. Shall have membership on the Organizations Council or shall select a representative from the Appropriations Committee.
    6. Shall have a vote in the Senate.


Article VI: Activities Programming Board

  1. There shall be a liaison between the Activities Programming Board and Aurora University Student Association that will keep the Aurora University Student Association informed about upcoming events.


Article VII: Senate Elections

  1. There shall be ten senators charged with the responsibility of representing the entire student body.
  2. A 2.5 cumulative grade point average is required to run for the Senate, unless the candidate is a freshman or new Aurora University student.
  3. The elections for the Senate shall be held no later than the last week in September.
  4. The Senators shall be installed by the President of the Aurora University Student Association. They shall make the following affirmation: "I pledge myself faithfully and conscientiously to perform my duties as a Senator of the Aurora University Student Association."
  5. In the event of a vacancy any Aurora University students who meet the requirements of a senator may petition the Executive Board for the position. Upon nomination by the Executive Board, the Senate must approve the individual.


Article VIII: Duties of a Senator

  1. To attend all general assembly meetings.
  2. To vote on proposed legislation.
  3. Shall serve on at least one Aurora University Student Association Committee per term.
  4. Attend all general assembly meetings. If the senator is unable to attend they must contact the Senate chair in writing or otherwise inform him or her of their absence. Senators may not be absent more than twice in one term and no more than six times in an academic year. Those with more than two absences may be evaluated by the Advisor and Executive Board to determine if they should be removed from their position.
  5. Approve use of Aurora University Student Association funding and serve in representing the combined voice of the student body at Aurora University.


Article IX: Impeachment
Impeachment proceeding may be brought against any member of the Aurora University Student Association for:

  1. Repeated failure to perform their assigned and constitutional duties.
  2. Embezzlement of Aurora University Student Association funds.
  3. Any act deemed worthy of impeachment by two thirds (2/3) of the total number of Senate.
  • All motions for impeachment must be submitted in writing to the Senate Chair along with a detailed account of accusations being made.
  • The officer who stands accused must be notified of the time, place and reason of the accusation and have the opportunity during the next Senate session to refute the charges and question those involved.
  • If the President is being impeached the Senate Chair will chair the impeachment proceedings.
  • If the President and Vice President are being impeached, the line of succession should be as follows:
    1. Senate Chair
    2. Secretary
    3. Treasurer
  • If any officer declines, the Presidency will pass to the next in line. If all decline, the Senate will decide upon the next President from eligible candidates.
  • It will require a two-thirds (2/3) affirmation vote of the total number of Senators to impeach an Executive Officer of the Aurora University Student Association.


Article X: Standing Committees and Governance Committees
The following standing committees shall exist within the Aurora University Student Association:

  • Appropriations Committee
    1. The committee will consist of two Organization Council members, two senators and the Treasurer of the Aurora University Student Association.
    2. The Treasurer will chair the committee and call the meeting when a proper request for funds has been submitted to the Treasurer.
  • Nominating Committee
    1. Four senators shall be appointed to this committee with the Vice President serving as chairperson. If there is a conflict of interest a new chair must be selected by the President.
    2. Shall fill representation vacancies by recruitment of candidates for the various positions available within AUSA.
    3. Shall make a reasonable effort to ensure that there are at least two candidates for each Executive Board position.
  • Constitution Committee
    1. Three senators shall be appointed to this committee as well as the Senate Chair, Secretary and Student Activities Director.
    2. The Senate Chair shall act as chair of this committee.
    3. This committee shall evaluate all proposals for changes to the constitution and based on the merit of the proposals, make recommendations for changes to the constitution.


Article XI: Organizations' Council and Membership

  1. There shall be an organization's council that shall be composed of representatives from all student organizations affiliated to AUSA. There shall be one representative selected from each of the said organizations.
  2. Each student organization recognized by AUSA is expected to have constant representation by a single member of the organization's council. Failure to be represented at one meeting will result in the automatic suspension of funding to the club for the term. Absence from two meetings within a term will result in the suspension of funding for the following term.
  3. Each student organization shall be required to develop and or participate in one community service project each term and one education program per term with the exception of the spring term. Failure to perform these requirements will result in the suspension of the organization in the following term.
  4. Organization's council shall serve as a forum for debate over issues directly affecting student clubs and organizations. It shall also advise Senate, through its Senate representatives, of those issues and discussions.
  5. The AUSA Vice President shall serve as the chair of the Organizations Council. The chairperson shall have voting privileges in cases of a tie. The chairperson shall also appoint a member to act as Council secretary for the purpose of recording minutes.
  6. The organization's council shall develop committees as the Council or chairperson deems necessary.
  7. Meeting of the Organization's Council shall be called by the Vice President every second Monday of the month unless the second Monday occurs during a finals week or a vacation week. Notice of Organization's Council meetings shall be made at least five days in advance. A majority (50+1) of all Council Members shall constitute a quorum. Special meetings of the Organization's Council members shall also require a quorum. Special meetings of the Organizations' Council may be called by the Vice President with a weeks notice or by petition of a quorum of the representatives. A quorum is needed for any council action to be taken.


Article XII: Recognition as an Organization

  1. An organization may be recognized at an Organization Council Meeting after a review of their recognition application by the Department of Student Activities.
  2. Organizations must be recognized by the Department of Student Activities and Organizational Council before receiving funding and/or utilizing any other privileges reserved for recognized organizations.


Article XIII: Appropriated Funds

  1. An organization shall present a proposed budget at the beginning of the term to the Appropriations Committee. All budget proposals must be presented by the first Aurora University Student Association meeting for full consideration.
  2. Proposals must be submitted for each individual event with an itemized budget.

For all other inquires regarding funding refer to the Organizations Council Allocations Policy.


Article IX: Meetings

  1. General Assembly shall meet every week during each term of the regular academic year with the exception of finals week or otherwise announced by the Executive Board.
  2. The Executive Board shall meet once a week during each term of the regular academic year with the exception of finals week.


Article X: Quorum

  1. Two officers and 50% plus one of the Senate must be present in order to maintain quorum and conduct business at Aurora University Student Association Senate meetings.


Article XI: Amendments
Amendments to the Constitution may be made by:

  1. Presenting proposals to the constitution committee for review.
  2. Proposed amendments may be made at a Senate meeting by use of a motion after review by the Constitution Committee.
  3. Discussion may be held but action on the motion shall be withheld until the next official Senate meeting unless publicized before the meeting. The actual wording of the proposed amendments shall become an amendment by two thirds (2/3) majority of the Senate.


Article XII: Authorizations

  1. A complete copy of this constitution and its by-laws shall be made available to all registered students at Aurora University.


Article XIII: Lifetime Memberships

  1. Lifetime Memberships are given to individuals who have exemplified outstanding dedication and involvement to the Aurora University Student Association and should not be viewed as a yearly award. Nominations may be made in the spring term of each year and are subject to discussion and two thirds (2/3) approval by the Senate and voting Executive Board members.
  2. The President of the Aurora University Student Association shall compose a yearly update sent to these individuals.
  • Dr. Alan and Jonieta Stone - May 1988
  • Mr. Norris Cunningham - May 1988
  • Mr. Santos Torres - May 1989
  • Ms. Debra Welkey - May 1989
  • Ms. Christine Maquire - May 1993
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