Constitution of The Northland Pioneer College Student Government Association

 

Mission

 

The Student Government Association is the voice of every student at

Northland Pioneer College, and is committed to advocate for those issues that

will enhance the educational, social, and career development of all NPC

students.

 

The Student Government Association is committed to be a source of

information, guidance, and service to students. The Student Government

Association is also committed to be open and receptive to the individual,

ethnic, religious and cultural orientation of NPC’s students.

 

Article I:  Name

 

The name of this organization shall be Northland Pioneer College Student

Government Association – NPC SGA.

 

Article II:  Purpose and Goals

 

            Section I        The purpose and goals of SGA are:

·        To give support to all NPC students;

·        To support the Administration, Staff, and Faculty-student relationships;

·        To meet the needs of the student body

 

Section II       SGA supports and adheres to all established NPC Student Handbook Policies, Governing Board policies and procedures and all state and federal laws.

 

 Article III:  Membership

 

Membership shall be granted to all students. A student is defined as any

individual who is currently enrolled and registered for classes at Northland

Pioneer College.

 

 

Article IV:  Governing Board – Officers

 

Section I        Governing Board  The Governing Board will consist of 18 members apportioned both on Full-Time Student Equivalent, (FTSE), for the campuses, and apportioned by center location. Twelve Governing Board members will represent the four campuses and six Governing Board members will represent the college centers.  The apportionment of the 12 members to represent the college campuses will be reviewed before each election to determine the number of representatives from each campus.  Each college center will have one representative.

 

Section II:  Officers

 

President of SGA:  The requirements for the officer are to have at least 25 completed credits from NPC and a minimum of a 3.5 G.P.A. The officer’s obligations are to develop and foster relationships between SGA Members and staff, faculty, administration, NPC Government Board and the general public, call Governing Board meetings, oversee the functioning of the SGA Governing Board, and to create and maintain a cooperative team atmosphere within it. The

term of President is to be one year.

 

President of Service:  The officer is to oversee all services in which SGA affiliates itself. The President of Service is responsible for presenting ideas and suggestions from the student body during the regularly scheduled meetings. The President of Service is also responsible for organizing fundraisers as well as organizing a team to assist in those events. The term of President of Service is to be one year.

 

President of Public Relations: The officer is to oversee the SGA public

relations and information. The officer will work closely with NPC’s Public Information Officer and NPC Web Master. The duties would include, but not be limited to: issuing press releases, overseeing publications, overseeing the SGA web site, working with local newspapers, radio and television, and developing a team to assist in these tasks. The term of President of Public Relations is to be one year.

 

Secretary:  The officer is to document all meetings and decisions, both in electronic and hard copy form, create and distribute minutes to SGA Governing Board members, assure the availability of information of the actions SGA Governing Board’s actions to the public through appropriate and available means. The term of Secretary is to be one year.

 

Treasurer:  The Treasurer must have passed MAT112 with a grade of B or better, and/or have accounting skills. The Treasure will coordinate with the Faculty Advisor and any other appropriate agent of the college in matters related the SGA budget. The Treasure will follow all established budgetary policies and procedures.  The Treasurer will report at SGA meetings a current fiscal report and maintain all records in both electronic and hard copy format the term of the Treasurer is to be one year.

 

Section III: Vacancies       If a vacancy occurs among the officers, the SGA Governing Board will appoint a replacement based upon a simple majority vote.  

 

 

Article V:  Elections

 

Section I:      Applications to Run for Governing Board

 

Applications to run for the Student Government Association Governing Board will be available at all campus/center locations, as well as the SGA website.   Applications must be forwarded to the Vice President of Student Services.  Those meeting the qualifications will be placed on the ballot.

 

Minimum qualifications to run for the SGA Board are:  Enrolled in 6 or more credits and be in good academic standing.

 

Section II:     Elections

 

Elections to the SGA Governing Board will occur during the third week of September.  Each campus and center will be responsible for conducting its own election.  Oversight of the election process will be by the Faculty Advisor in coordination with the Vice President of Student Services.  All students who vote must have their enrollment verified. Tabulation of the votes and notification of those elected will be the responsibility of the Faculty Advisor. 

 

Elections of officers will be the responsibility of the members of the Governing Board.  Upon certification of the election, the Governing Board members will meet to select officers.  The Board will determine the process for the selection of officers.

 

Article VI:  Faculty Advisor: 

 

The SGA will nominate its choice for Faculty Advisor to the Vice President of

Student Services.  The Vice President of Student Services will then consult with

The NPC President, Vice President of Learning and the appropriate Division Dean

that supervises the nominee before confirmation.  If the nominee is not

confirmed, then the SGA will nominate another choice and the process will

continue until confirmation takes place.

 

Article VII:  Meetings

 

Meetings will be held every two weeks unless otherwise stated. Meetings will be

presided over by the President of the SGA.  The agenda is the responsibility of

the President.

 

Members of the Governing Board must attend the scheduled meetings.  The SGA

Governing Board may, at its discretion, excuse a member from attendance for good

reason.  If after the first 10 meetings, a Governing Board member who has missed

more than two times and has not been excused may be dismissed at the will of the

majority of the Board.

 

In order to conduct the business of the Governing Board, a quorum must be

present.   A quorum is more than ˝ of those duly elected and/or appointed.

 

Article VIII:  Constitutional Changes

 

This constitution can be changed with a 2/3 vote of the Governing Board. 

 

Article IX:  Constitutional Interpretation

 

Any issue arising out of a conflict of interpretation of this constitution can

be appealed to a Constitutional Court comprising of the Vice President of

Student Services, Faculty Advisor, and three members of the SGA Governing Board

as selected by the Governing Board.

 

 

 

Last Updated 1-18-2006 by Mira White