O.S.A. Constitution

Article I.

1. Name
   The government described hereinafter shall be called the Oglethorpe Student Association, hereafter referred to as the O.S.A.
2. Mission
   The mission of the Oglethorpe Student Association shall be to enhance the Oglethorpe experience by acting as advocates for student concerns; advancing relationships between students and administrators, alumni, and the world beyond; and presenting quality programming that is both educational and entertaining. In all action, this body shall thereby promote leadership through excellence.

Article II. Structure
The O.S.A. shall be composed of three bodies. The first shall be called the Executive Council. The second shall be called the Senate. The third shall be called the Programming Board.

A. The Executive Council

1. Powers and Duties

1. A majority vote of the full Executive Council shall veto a vote of the Senate. A 2/3 vote of the Senate shall override that veto.
2. All members of the Executive Council shall be ex-officio members of all O.S.A. committees.
3. The Executive Council shall serve as the executive branch of the O.S.A. and shall be the sole representative of its views.
4. The Executive Council shall have the power to create standing, ad hoc and joint Senate committees
5. The Executive Council shall have the power to give first consideration to proposals originating in or concerning its Executive committees.
6. The Executive Council shall have the power to initiate legislation, monetary expenditures, proposals and resolutions in the manner set forth in this constitution.
7. The Executive Council and the Senate shall have the opportunity to override Programming Board expenditures over $2500. This requires a 2/3 vote in both houses within one week of adoption of the expenditure by the Programming Board.

2. Membership - The members of the Executive Council shall be the President of the O.S.A., the Executive Vice President, the Vice President for Programming, the Parliamentarian, the Secretary, the Treasurer and the presidents of the four classes.

a. Duties of the O.S.A. President

1. Shall have the power to preside over all meetings of the Executive Council, remaining impartial when presiding. He shall conduct meetings with fairness and decorum, ensuring representation for all points of view.
2. Shall be chief executive of the O.S.A. and its formal representative.
3. Shall have the power to appoint chairmen of all executive committees subject to approval by the Executive Council and confirmation by the Senate. Confirmation requires a majority of those present and voting. The power of removal rests with the President, subject to Executive Council approval by a simple majority vote.
4. Shall have the power to appoint an Executive Vice President should that office become vacant during the course of the year, subject to confirmation by a 2/3 majority of the full Senate and Executive Council.
5. Shall assume whatever other duties the events of a particular year prevail upon the President to assume.

b. Duties of the Executive Vice President

1. Shall have the power to preside over meetings of the Executive Council in the absence of the President and shall replace him should that office become vacant during the course of the year.
2. Shall act as President of the Senate and have the power to preside over all meetings of the Senate, remaining impartial when presiding. He shall conduct meetings with fairness and decorum, ensuring representation for all points of view.
3. Shall be the official representative of the Senate to the Executive Council and shall report to it the activities of the Senate and the outcomes of the matters placed for consideration on the Senate agenda.
4. Shall assume whatever other duties the events of a particular year prevail upon the Executive Vice President to assume.

c. Duties of the Vice President for Programming

1. Shall have the power to preside over all meetings of the Programming Board.
2. Shall be the official representative of the Programming Board to the Executive Council and shall report to it the activities of the Programming Board and the outcomes of the matters placed for consideration on the Programming Board agenda.
3. Shall assume whatever other duties the events of a particular year prevail upon the Vice President for Programming to assume.
    

d. Duties of the Parliamentarian

1. Shall be responsible for advising the presiding officer at all meetings of the Executive Council and shall be the final authority on correct parliamentary procedure.
2. Shall conduct all elections of the O.S.A. unless the Parliamentarian is a candidate or has been disqualified from handling the ballots or the ballot box.
3. Shall be responsible for monitoring the qualifications for office of all the members of the Executive Council and the Programming Board throughout the duration of their terms and shall report all findings to the Executive Council.
4. Shall be responsible for maintenance of officer notebooks and officer training in the spring and fall, as well as enrichment periodically during the semester.
5. Shall serve as President of the freshman class until an election is held to fill that position.
6. Shall maintain an updated constitution and list of the bylaws generated by the O.S.A., maintaining a permanent record of such activity for future inspection.
7. Shall assume whatever other duties the events of a particular year prevail upon the Parliamentarian to assume.

e. Duties of the Secretary

1. Shall handle the correspondence of O.S.A.
2. Shall record and make public the minutes of all Executive Council meetings.
3. Shall act as the chair of the inter-club council and be the official representative of the inter-club council to the Executive Council and shall report to it the activities of the inter-club council and the outcomes of the matters placed for consideration on the inter-club council agenda.
4. Shall assume whatever other duties the events of a particular year prevail upon the Secretary to assume.

f. Duties of the Treasurer

1. Shall record and handle the monetary transactions for the O.S.A., maintaining a permanent record of all activity for future inspection
2. Shall prepare the budget request for the O.S.A. subject to Executive Council and Senate approval and submit it to the University for the succeeding academic year.
3. Shall work closely with the clerk of the treasury to advise him of the current budgetary standing of the O.S.A. at any point in time.
4. Shall assume whatever other duties the events of a particular year prevail upon the Treasurer to assume.

g. Duties of the class presidents

1. Shall serve as the formal representatives of their respective classes to the Executive Council.
2. Shall be empowered to organize their classes in any way that does not conflict with this constitution.
3. Shall have the power to appoint qualified members of their classes to serve as Senate representatives should vacancies occur during the course of the year, subject to confirmation by a majority of the Senate.
4. The senior class President shall coordinate and conduct all elections of the O.S.A. in which the Parliamentarian is a candidate or has been disqualified from conducting.
5. Shall assume whatever other duties the events of a particular year prevail upon the class presidents to assume and as directed by the O.S.A. Bylaws.

h. Replacement of officers - Should any executive office, other than that of President or Executive Vice President become vacant over the course of the year, the Executive Council, by simple majority, shall have the power to appoint a qualified member of the student body to fill the position, subject to confirmation by a 2/3 majority of the full Senate.

3. Qualifications for Office

1. All Executive Council members shall be full-time students at Oglethorpe University. “Full-time” shall be defined as enrolled for 12 or more credit hours per semester.
2. Each member of the Executive Council shall have a cumulative grade point average of not less than 2.50 and shall maintain this GPA throughout his term of office.
3. The President, Executive Vice President, and Vice President for Programming of O.S.A. shall be at least juniors during their terms of office.
4. The Parliamentarian, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be at least sophomores during their terms of office.
5. The class presidents must be members of the classes they represent at the beginning of their terms of office.
6. Failure to maintain the above qualifications will result in disqualification from office, with notification given by the O.S.A. President.
7. No student is eligible to hold more than one elective O.S.A. office at a time.

B. The Senate

1. Powers and Duties

1. The Senate shall have the power to initiate legislation, monetary expenditures, proposals and resolutions in the manner set forth in this constitution.
2. The Senate shall have the power to approve or reject all proposed expenditures put forth by the Executive Council.
3. The Senate shall have the power to override, by a 2/3 vote, any veto imposed by the Executive Council. A majority vote of the full Executive Council shall veto a vote of the Senate.
4. The Senate shall have the power to create ad hoc committees.
5. The Senate shall have the power to confirm the appointments of all O.S.A. standing committee chairmen and Senators. Confirmation requires a majority of those present and voting.
6. The Senate shall have the power to confirm the appointment of any individual who will represent the interests of the O.S.A. within a body outside the O.S.A.
7. The Senate shall be the body to give first consideration to all proposals originating outside the O.S.A.
8. The Senate shall elect a President Pro Tempore, a clerk of the Senate, and a clerk of the treasury from within its membership to carry out the administrative duties of the Senate.
9. Elections to fill these offices should be held at the second meeting of the Senate during the fall semester and completed by the end of this meeting.
10. All Senators are eligible to hold Senatorial office. No Senator may hold more than one administrative office at a time.

2. Membership - The Senate shall be composed of 17 members: four Senators from each of the four classes and the Executive Vice President of the Executive Council, who shall serve as the President of the Senate. The officers of the Senate shall be the President of the Senate, the President Pro Tempore, the Clerk of the Senate, and the Clerk of the Treasury.

a. Duties of the President of the Senate

1. Shall be the executive officer of the Senate and its formal representative to the Executive Council.
2. Shall prepare the agenda for the Senate.
3. Shall have the power to preside over all meetings of the Senate, remaining impartial when presiding. He shall conduct meetings with fairness and decorum, ensuring representation for all points of view.
4. Shall have the power to appoint an interim President Pro Tempore or clerk of the Senate from within the Senate in the temporary absence of either.
5. Shall assume whatever other duties the events of a particular year prevail upon the President of the Senate to assume.

b. Duties of the President Pro Tempore

1. Shall have the power to preside over the Senate in the absence of the President of the Senate, remaining impartial when presiding.
2. Shall be responsible for advising the presiding officer at all meetings of the Senate of correct parliamentary procedure and for assisting that officer in maintaining decorum within the Senate.
3. Shall be responsible for monitoring the qualifications for office of all Senators throughout the duration of their terms and shall report all findings to the Senate.
4. Shall assume whatever other duties the events of a particular year prevail upon the President Pro Tempore to assume.

c. Duties of the Clerk of the Senate

1. Shall handle the correspondence of the Senate.
2. Shall record and make public the minutes of all Senate meetings, maintaining a permanent record for future inspection.
3. Shall maintain and publicize the voting record of each Senator as registered in the roll call voting process of the Senate.
4. Shall assume whatever other duties the events of a particular year prevail upon the Clerk of the Senate to assume.

d. Duties of the Clerk of the treasury

1. Shall work closely with the Treasurer of the O.S.A. and be able to report to the Senate the current budgetary standing of the O.S.A. at any point in time.
2. Shall record those monetary expenditures passed by the Senate and shall forward those to the O.S.A. Treasurer for payment.
3. Shall assume whatever other duties the events of a particular year prevail upon the Clerk of the Treasury to assume.

3. Qualifications for Office

1. All Senators shall be full-time students at Oglethorpe University. "Full-time" shall be defined as enrolled for 12 or more credit hours per semester.
2. Each member of the Senate shall have a cumulative grade point average of not less than 2.00 and shall maintain this GPA throughout his term of office.
3. Each Senator must be a member of the class he represents at the beginning of his term.
4. Failure to maintain the above qualifications will result in disqualification from office, with notification given by the O.S.A. President.

4. Replacement of Officers -In the case that a Senator resigns or cannot fulfill the duties of his office, the president of that class will extend membership of that office to the person who had the most number of votes in the previous election after the original four Senators. If the person declines the office of Senator, the president of that class will appoint a Senator to the office as defined in article II, section A, 2) f) iii).

C. Programming Board

1. Powers and Duties

1. The Programming Board shall plan and implement special events, entertainment and educational activities to the benefit of the student body.
2. The Programming Board shall have the power to initiate monetary expenditures of the amount designated by the budget of the O.S.A.
3. The Senate and Executive Council shall allocate the Programming Board a fixed budget for the fall semester at the beginning of the fall semester. At this time, O.S.A. also shall allocate a projected budget for the spring semester.
4. Each Programming Board member shall have a vote on all

O.S.A. Constitution and Bylaw changes being considered by O.S.A. In order for an amendment or bylaw to pass the Programming Board it must receive a2/3 majority vote.

2. Membership - The Programming Board shall consist of 17 voting members in addition to the Vice President for Programming who shall act as chair.

1. Three delegates will be elected from each class, in addition to one Senate representative from each class.
2. Board members shall serve one academic year from the date of the election until the next election is held the following year.
3. The Freshman Class President shall serve as the representative of the Executive Council to the Programming Board.
4. There shall be two non-voting advisors, one from the faculty appointed by the Provost, and one from the school staff appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs
5. The board will elect from within its membership a liaison to the University Program Committee and a clerk to take minutes and distribute them to all members of O.S.A. and any other interested parties.

3. Qualifications for Office - Programming Board members must abide by the eligibility requirements as set forth by article II, section B, number 3.

4. Replacement of Members - In the case that a Programming Board position is vacated, the O.S.A. Vice President for Programming shall extend membership to the person that had the most number of votes in the election after the two original board members. If that person declines, the president of the class shall appoint a new board member from the eligible members of the class. This person shall be approved by the Programming Board.

Article III. Elections

1. The Programming Board for a given year shall be elected during the entire first week of April, starting on Monday at 9:00 AM and ending Friday at 9:00PM. A runoff, if necessary, shall be held during the same time frame the following week. The election of Vice President of Programming Board shall be held at the same time of the general Programming Board elections maintain that if a person declares candidacy for both Vice President of Programming Board and Programming Board they cannot declare candidacy for Executive Council. Providing that the candidate wins both positions they must choose only one office to hold.
2. The Executive Council for a given year shall be elected during the entire second week of April, starting on Monday at 9:00 AM and ending Friday at 9:00PM. A runoff, if necessary, shall be held during the same time frame the following week.
3. The Senate for a given year shall be elected during the entire third week of April, starting on Monday at 9:00 AM and ending Friday at 9:00PM. A runoff, if necessary, shall be held during the same time frame the following week.
4. Only Oglethorpe University full-time students may vote in O.S.A. elections. Eligible voters may vote for all Executive Council positions except those of class presidents. Class presidents and Senators shall be elected by the eligible members of their respective classes.
5. A majority vote is required for election to Executive Council office. A plurality vote of the top four candidates from each class is required for election to the Senate.
6. No person shall declare candidacy for, nor be elected to, more than one office in a single election, except in the case that a person is in a run-off election for the election held the previous week. If a person happens to be elected to two offices due to this clause, they are required to hold office they were elected to through the run-off.
7. All candidates for Programming Board representatives with the exception of Freshman Class Programming Board representatives must submit their declarations of candidacy in writing to the O.S.A. Parliamentarian two weeks prior to the date that the election is to be held in order to have their names placed on the ballot. All candidates for the Executive Council and Senate must submit their declarations of candidacy at least one week prior to the date the election is to be held, with the exception of Freshman Senators, Freshman Class President and those who were unsuccessful candidates in the immediately preceding election.
8. There shall be no restrictions on write-in candidates that do not apply to regular candidates, except write-in candidates shall not have their names placed on the ballot.
9. The elections of all Executive Council officers must be held at the same time, with the exception of the Freshman Class President. Likewise, all Senatorial elections, with the exception of the election of the freshman class Senators, shall be held at the same time.
10. The Freshman Class Programming Board representatives shall be elected during the entire fourth week of the fall Semester, starting on Monday at 9:00 AM and ending Friday at 9:00PM. A runoff, if necessary, shall be held during the same time frame the following week.
11. The Freshman Class Executive Council shall be elected during the entire fifth week of the fall Semester, starting on Monday at 9:00 AM and ending Friday at 9:00PM. A runoff, if necessary, shall be held during the same time frame the following week.
12. The Freshman Class Senators representatives shall be elected during the entire sixth week of the fall Semester, starting on Monday at 9:00 AM and ending Friday at 9:00PM. A runoff, if necessary, shall be held during the same time frame the following week.
13. All candidates for Freshman Class Programming Board must submit their declarations of candidacy in writing to the O.S.A. Parliamentarian at least one week prior to the date the election is to be held. All candidates for Freshman Class President and Freshman Class Senate must submit their declarations at least five days prior to the date the election is to be held.
14. No student shall be considered a candidate for any office of the O.S.A. unless he has met all of the qualifications for the office he seeks as listed in this constitution.
15. Guarantees of a Fair Election.

1. All election procedures must be made public.
2. All O.S.A. elections shall be conducted by secret ballot.
3. All elections of the O.S.A. shall be well publicized.
4. The balloting online must be open for at least three days and well publicized.
5. These guarantees shall apply to all elections.
6. Balloting will be held through secure services provided by Oglethorpe University’s Network and IT Services. If there are any technical difficulties which prevent electronic voting, then Executive Council and Senate, with a 2/3 majority vote of members present and voting in each body, can choose to move elections to a new time. If there are extended technical difficulties which prevent an accurate new time being established for elections, Executive Council and Senate can choose, with a unanimous vote from all members present and voting in each body, to conduct an election via paper ballots, in which the Parliamentarian would be prohibited from running for office and would be required to ensure security.

Article IV. Censure & Impeachment

1. Within the Senate, a motion to censure may be called for by a member of that body. A 2/3 majority of those present and voting is required to pass this motion. Censure shall consist of loss of speaking privilege on the Senate floor for a period not to exceed two consecutive Senate meetings but shall not affect a Senator's voting rights.
2. The President of the O.S.A. or a two-thirds vote of the full Executive Council, may call for the resignation of a member of the Executive Council.
3. If the officer refuses to resign, a 2/3 vote of the full Executive Council or a petition of 50 percent plus one vote of the Oglethorpe full time student body may terminate the member’s term of office.
4. The President of the Senate, a 2/3 majority of the full Senate, or a 2/3 majority of the full Executive Council may call for the resignation of a Senator. If the Senator refuses to resign, a 2/3 vote of the Senate or a petition of 50 percent plus one vote of that Senator's class may terminate the member’s term of office.
5. The Vice President for Programming, a 2/3 vote of the full Programming Board, or a 2/3 vote of the full Executive Council may call for the resignation of a member of the Programming Board. If the Programming Board member refuses to resign, a 2/3 vote of the Programming Board or a petition of 50 percent plus one vote of that member’s class may terminate the member’s term of office.

Article V.

A. Parliamentary Authority
When it does not conflict with this constitution, or rules later adopted, the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall be the final parliamentary authority of the O.S.A.

B. Business

1. A main motion must follow one of two routes to be debated and voted on by the O.S.A. A main motion must be in writing in order to be considered by either body. Concurrence of both bodies is required for a main motion to become effective.
   1. A main motion passed at a meeting of the Executive Council automatically becomes a general motion for the next meeting of the Senate.
   2. A main motion passed at a meeting of the Senate automatically becomes a general motion for the next meeting of the Executive Council.
   3. Individuals and groups outside the O.S.A. may make proposals only before the Senate. A Senator must represent these proposals and present them for consideration before the Senate.
   4. No motion may be tabled by either house for more than two consecutive meetings following the introduction of said motion.
2. The agenda of the Senate shall consist of
   1. Minutes of the last Senate meeting
   2. Minutes of the last Executive Council meeting
   3. Correspondence (if any)
   4. Clerk of the Treasury's report
   5. Committee reports
   6. Old business
   7. New business
   8. Open Forum for Discussion
   9. No business shall take place without a quorum present. A quorum in the Senate shall consist of nine members, excluding the chair, and five council members, excluding the chair, in the Executive Council.
3. Motions.
   1. Any member of the Senate or Executive Council can move that a vote be reconsidered within that body and entered in the minutes. This motion may be made once on behalf of each side of a question.
   2. All main motions shall be voted on and recorded by roll call vote in both bodies of the O.S.A.
4. No person or group may be employed by the O.S.A. without this fact being made public and without the amount of payment being made public.
5. When Oglethorpe University is not in regular session, those members of the Executive Council who are living in the vicinity of Oglethorpe University shall be empowered, subject to retroactive approval by the Senate, to act for the O.S.A., provided that this group includes the President of the O.S.A. or his appointed representatives.
6. During the Open Forum portion of business, any student may express concerns, issues, or comments to the Senate. All students in attendance, including Senate members and the chair of the meeting, may discuss any such concerns, issues, or comments

Article VI. Activity Fee
The O.S.A. shall establish a student activity fee to be assessed each semester to every full time day Oglethorpe student. The fee shall be $100 each semester. The fee shall remain at $100 unless changed by a 2/3 majority of those voting in a referendum of the student body. Activity fee funds not expended will carry over to the next fiscal year. A reserve fund shall be maintained equaling not less than 10 percent of the total activity fees collected during the previous fiscal year.

Article VII. Clubs and Organizations

1. A majority vote of the Executive Council and a majority vote of the Senate shall be empowered to recognize or withdraw recognition from any organization of students that wishes to operate on campus. However, if it refuses or withdraws recognition, it must adopt a resolution explaining this action.
2. A constitution must be submitted to the Executive Council for approval for a club or organization to receive recognition.
3. The constitution must contain the following:
   1. Name of organization
   2. Purpose
   3. Officers - their duties and powers
   4. Membership
4. All proposals from recognized clubs and organizations for monetary support must first be presented to the Senate for consideration. Proposals should demonstrate a potential benefit to the Oglethorpe community. To be eligible to apply for monetary support from the O.S.A., the club or organization must demonstrate consistent participation in monthly inter-club council meetings.

Article VIII. Rules, Regulations and Procedures
The rules, regulations and procedures necessary to implement this constitution shall be in the letter and spirit of this instrument. Such rules, regulations and procedures shall carry over from year to year unless altered by a 2/3 vote of the full Executive Council and subsequently ratified by a 2/3 majority of the full Senate.

Article IX. Amendments
This constitution may be amended by the amendments receiving a 2/3 majority vote of the full Executive Council, a 2/3 majority vote of the full Senate, a 2/3 vote of the full Programming Board and a 2/3 majority vote of those voting in a referendum of student body vote. This referendum is to be held two academic weeks after the amendment receives approval by the Senate.

Article X. Provision for Bylaws
The rules, regulations and procedures pertaining to a particular body of O.S.A., called Bylaws, shall be determined by that body only. The Bylaws shall carry over from year to year unless altered by a 2/3 vote of the full body affected. The Secretary of each body shall maintain a permanent record of the Bylaws, which shall be bound separately for each body.