Policy Library
165 Constitution of the Indiana State University Student Government Association
Authority: Approved by the Board of Trustees
We, the students of Indiana State University, in order to provide a form of government that will advocate on behalf of student interests, promote student organizations, supervise student activities, provide a forum for student expression, improve student welfare, and maintain educational standards, do hereby ordain and establish this Constitution for the Indiana State University Student Government AssociationLast updated on: December 13, 2019
165.1 Article I: The Student Government Association
165.1.1 Name. The name of the official student governing body at Indiana State University shall be Student Government Association, the abbreviation for which shall be SGA.
165.1.2 Purpose. The purpose of the SGA shall be to organize and coordinate activities of student interest, represent student views concerning University policy through shared governance, protect student rights, and educate individual students and organizations on their respective responsibilities.
165.1.3 Membership. Membership in this organization shall consist of all enrolled students of the University, without respect to undergraduate, graduate, or non-degree seeking status. Anyone duly enrolled for the Fall semester of the same calendar year shall be considered a member of the SGA for the preceding summer term as of the point of registration.
165.1.4 Qualifications for Office. To be eligible to be elected or appointed for any position within the SGA, a student must be in good academic and conduct standing and must maintain such requirements during tenure in office. To hold the office of President, Vice President, Chief of Staff, Chief Justice, Associate Justice, Speaker, or any paid positions within the SGA, an undergraduate student must also be enrolled in the Fall and Spring semesters for twelve (12) credit hours; all other students must also be enrolled for nine (9) semester credit hours. To hold the office of President or Vice President, a student must also have and maintain a 2.5 cumulative grade point average or be in their first semester at Indiana State University (ISU). To hold any other elected or appointed position in the SGA, a student must have and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.25 or be in their first semester at ISU.
165.1.5 Organization. The SGA shall consist of three branches: the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch.
165.2 Article II: The Legislative Branch
All legislative authority of the SGA shall be vested in the SGA Senate.
165.2.1 Powers of the Senate. The Senate shall consist of representatives from the student body elected according to SGA Code. The purpose of the Senate shall be to legislate on matters of student interest and to review the actions of the Executive Branch. The Senate shall be further empowered:
165.2.1.1 Appropriation. To appropriate allotted monies and other benefits to SGA-recognized student organizations. The expenditure of such monies shall follow standard University purchasing and disbursement procedures and are subject to audits as required by state and local law.
165.2.1.2 Amendment. To solely amend this Constitution as provided for herein. The Senate shall have the power to create the SGA Code in accordance with rules concerning presidential vetoes prescribed herein. The Senate shall have the sole power to create and amend the Standing Rules of the Senate. The Senate shall have the power to review and approve the SGA Judicial Branch Bylaws created by the Supreme Court.
165.2.1.3 Student Organization Recognition. To recognize student organizations.
165.2.1.3.1 Requirements. Qualifications for SGA recognition of student organizations shall be specified in the SGA Code. The Senate shall have the power to ratify, reject, or revoke SGA recognition of any student organizations after it has notified said organization of the time, date, and place of the meeting at which the Senate is to decide on the matter. Revoking SGA recognition of any student organization shall require a majority vote of at least two-thirds of the Senate.
165.2.1.4 Legislative Officers. To choose additional legislative officers as it deems necessary. The Senate shall have the sole power to approve appointed SGA officers, as well as to establish the duties and compensation of said officers in the SGA Code. The Senate shall have the right to audit the performance of all paid SGA officers each semester. All SGA officers shall submit a report of their activities to the Senate each month. No person shall hold more than one paid SGA position at one time.
165.2.1.5 Resolutions and Statutes. To pass all resolutions and statutes that shall be necessary for the execution of all authority vested in the SGA or any part thereof.
165.2.1.6 Contract Approval. To approve the terms of contracts of $2,000 or more to which the SGA is a party.
165.2.1.7 Require Testimony. To require any official of the SGA or any official of other student organizations to testify at Senate or committee proceedings, after prior notification in writing.
165.2.1.8 Books and Records of Student Organizations. To require all officers of SGA-recognized student organizations, following the election or appointment of their successors, to turn over all records and properties pertaining to the office to their successors; and to provide transition training to their successors.
165.2.1.9 Advisory Referenda. To place advisory referenda on the ballot in regular or special elections.
165.2.1.10 Vacate Senate Seats. Have the sole power to establish in the Standing Rules of the Senate a process for filling vacant Senate seats.
165.2.1.11 Honors and Awards. To approve honors and awards on behalf of the entire SGA. The President of SGA or the President’s designee shall bestow such awards and honors. Awards and honors given by a single branch shall be governed by the rules of that branch and bestowed by the senior member of the branch or their designee.
165.2.1.12 Judicial Vacancy. To appoint and approve a student to a vacancy in the Judicial Branch or any officer charged with conducting an election, if:
(a) The appropriate officer fails to nominate a student for a vacant office by the beginning of the next third (3rd) regular Senate meeting following the occurrence of the vacancy, and
(b) The appropriate officer fails to notify the Senate of his or her intention to make the appointment and the date of the meeting in which the nomination shall be submitted.
165.2.2 Definition of Votes.
165.2.2.1 Majority Vote. All decisions by the Senate and its committees, unless indicated otherwise, shall be decided by a majority vote of those Senators present and voting for or against the proposal on the floor. Those Senators who chose not to vote or abstain shall have their vote recorded, but shall not count in the determination of passage or rejection. Vacancies shall not count in the determination of passage.
165.2.2.2 Two-Thirds’ Majority. The following cases require a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the total number of seats filled in the Senate to:
(a) Remove any elected or appointed official from office.
(b) Pass a proposed Constitutional amendment.
(c) Withdraw SGA recognition from a student organization, whether permanently or temporarily.
(d) Call for a referendum vote without a student petition.
(e) Override a presidential veto.
(f) Any other matters as set forth in this Constitution, the SGA Code, or the Standing Rules of the Senate.
165.2.3 Senate Meetings.
165.2.3.1 Regular Meetings. The Senate shall decide upon the time, date, and place of regular Senate meetings. In the event the Senate fails to make such decision, the Speaker shall so decide. If the regular meeting time of the Senate shall coincide with an academic recess or during final examinations, the Speaker shall decide the time, date, and place of the next regular meeting. These shall constitute regular meetings.
165.2.3.2 Special Meetings. The President or seven (7) Senators may request special Senate meetings by submitting written requests to the Speaker, which shall specify the requested date, time, and place of special meetings. The Speaker must honor such requests by calling special meetings within ten (10) days of receipt of a request. The Speaker must notify the President, the Vice President, the Chief of Staff, the Student Trustee, all Senators, and all SGA Advisors of the date, time, and place of the given special meeting at least three (3) calendar days before the meeting. These shall constitute special meetings.
165.2.3.3 Attendance. Senators must attend all regular and special Senate meetings and all required committee meetings. Missing any regular Senate meeting or any required committee meeting shall count as an absence. The SGA Code shall specify which committee meetings are required.
165.2.3.3.1 Absences. Senators accumulating three (3) absences during a single semester or (5) absences during their term of office shall be removed from the office and so notified. The Speaker shall present the Senate with the entire attendance record of each Senator at each meeting. Senators missing regular or special Senate meetings, as well as required committee meetings, may file a petition with the Senate for the absence to be excused. The Senate may excuse an absence in accordance with reasons established in the SGA Code. Excused absences shall not count toward a Senator’s absence tally.
165.2.3.4 Quorum. Quorum for the Senate shall consist of a majority of the total number of filled Senate seats.
165.2.4 The Speaker. The Senate shall elect one of its members to serve as Speaker.
165.2.4.1 Nomination, Election, and Term. Nominations for Speaker shall be made at the first regular meeting of April. The election shall take place at the second regular meeting of April. The Term of the Speaker shall begin at Noon on the Monday following Spring Commencement and last for one year.
165.2.4.2 Rights of Senator. The Speaker shall enjoy all rights, privileges, and responsibilities of a Senator.
165.2.4.3 Resolutions to Committee. The Speaker shall have the authority to send resolutions or bills to committee for study; this shall not be interpreted to abridge the authority of the Senate to deliberate on bills or resolutions. The Speaker shall be the spokesperson of the Senate.
165.2.4.4 Enforcement of SGA Rules and Minutes. The Speaker shall enforce all SGA rules within the Legislative Branch. The Speaker shall prepare and publish the minutes of all Senate meetings, including a record of the attendance of the members of the Senate, within five (5) calendar days of each meeting. The minutes and the record of attendance shall be presented to the Senate at the next regular meeting. The Speaker shall attend all Senate meetings, deliver statements on behalf of the Senate, and perform all other duties as delegated by the Senate.
165.2.4.5 Parliamentary Procedure. The Speaker shall educate all Senators on correct constitutional, statutory, and parliamentary procedures. The Speaker shall serve as the policy leaders of the Senate.
165.2.4.6 Maintain Standing Rules. The Speaker shall keep accurate records of Senate and committee meetings and shall maintain the Standing Rules of the Senate.
165.2.4.7 Committee Coordination. The Speaker shall appoint Senators to all Senate committees with the approval of the Senate, and shall coordinate such committees as deemed necessary.
165.2.5 The Chairperson of the Senate. The Senate shall choose one of its own members to serve as the Chairperson of the Senate. The Chairperson of the Senate shall conduct all meetings. The Chairperson of the Senate shall be chosen at the last regular Senate meeting of the academic year and serve a one-year term of office.
165.2.6 Definition of Bills, Statutes, Proposed Resolutions, and Resolutions.
165.2.6.1 Proposed Resolutions. Any request for a decision submitted to the Senate or any of its committees shall be considered a proposed resolution if:
(a) The request pertains to removing a person from office, amending this Constitution, amending the Standing Rules of the Senate, expelling or otherwise holding accountable Senators, and appointing SGA officials.
(b) The request pertains to a non-binding declaration of Senate opinion or will that does not appropriate funds and does not require action by any officer outside the Legislative Branch.
(c) The request pertains to issues that only affect the internal procedures of the Legislative Branch.
165.2.6.2 Approved Resolutions. Upon approval by the Senate, all proposed resolutions shall be considered resolutions of the Senate.
165.2.6.3 Bill. Any request for a decision submitted to the Senate or any of its committees not described as a proposed resolution herein shall be considered a bill. Any proposed change to the SGA Code shall be considered a bill. Upon approval by Senate and signing by the President, the bill shall become statute of the SGA.
165.2.7 Veto Procedures. Any bill that the Senate passes shall be presented to the President within five (5) weekdays of classes or exams. If the President signs the bill, it shall become a statute of the SGA. If the President takes no action for more than five (5) weekdays of classes or exams, then the bill shall become a statute of the SGA. If the President vetoes the bill partially or entirely, the bill along with any objections shall be resubmitted to the Senate for reconsideration. After reconsideration, if two-thirds (2/3) of the total number of filled Senate seats approve the original bill language, the bill shall then become a statute of the SGA. Senate reconsideration of a vetoed bill must conclude before the end of the vetoing President’s term of office, otherwise said bill shall be considered null and void.
165.3 Article III: The Executive Branch
All executive authority of SGA shall be vested in the President of the SGA. The constitutional officers of the Executive Branch shall consist of the following: The President, the Vice President and the Chief of Staff.
165.3.1 The President. The President shall:
(a) Have the right to item-veto bills approved by the Senate and its committees.
(b) Allocate funds as prescribed in the SGA code, in the absence of the Senate.
(c) Faithfully execute Senate legislation, including prescribed expenditure and distribution of SGA funds.
(d) Be empowered to call meetings of the Student Body-at-Large when deemed necessary or at the request of the Senate. The President shall preside over all meetings that he or she may call.
(e) Be the chief spokesperson and liaison for the SGA in all matters internal or external to the University.
(f) Negotiate and sign all SGA contracts. The Senate must approve contracts of $2000 or more prior to presidential signature.
(g) Direct all SGA programs and any other projects initiated by the Executive Branch.
(h) Appoint all Justices of the Judicial Branch as prescribed in the SGA Code, with approval of the Senate.
(i) Appoint such staff and commissions as shall be necessary to carry out the duties of the office, or as provided by the SGA Code. The Senate must approve those appointed to represent the SGA externally, to hold paid positions, or to serve on University committees. Unless otherwise specified in this Constitution or in the SGA Code, officials appointed by the President under this subsection may hold office without approval of the Senate until the end of the second (2nd) regular Senate meeting following their appointment. The President may dismiss any such appointments at any time.
(j) Determine the duties of all Executive Branch members unless otherwise directed by this Constitution or the SGA Code.
(k) Be responsible for budgetary issues and spending priorities of the organization.
165.3.2 The Vice President. The Vice President shall:
(a) Act on behalf of the President, when requested to do so by the President.
(b) Direct the administrative process for SGA recognition of student organizations.
(c) Hold and preside over at least one organizational assembly each semester, and serve as an advisor on SGA procedures to student organizations.
(d) Assist in preparing and presenting student organization budgets to the Senate for approval.
(e) Educate student organizations on University policies and procedures.
(f) Serve as an advocate for student organizations and their interests.
(g) Keep accurate records of SGA expenditures, which shall conform to standard University financial record-keeping practices.
(h) Supervise such staff and commissions as provided by the SGA Code or by the President.
(i) Submit a written report of all SGA financial activities at the second regular meeting of the Fall semester, the last regular meeting of the Fall Semester, and the last regular meeting of the Spring semester.
165.3.3 The Chief of Staff. The Chief of Staff shall:
(a) Be appointed by the President, with approval of the Senate.
(b) Be responsible for training and development of all members of the Executive Branch with the exception of the Student Trustee.
(c) Supervise such staff and commissions as provided by the President, the Vice President, or the SGA Code.
(d) Advise the President and the Vice President on policy matters pertaining to the organization.
(e) Aid the President and the Vice President in any other matter as deemed necessary.
165.3.4 Order of Succession.
165.3.4.1 Presidential Vacancy. If at any time the President shall resign, be removed, or otherwise leave office before the end of the term, the Vice President shall become President. If for any reason the Vice President cannot assume the office, the Chief of Staff shall serve as Interim President until the Senate chooses a new President. If for any reason the Vice President and the Chief of Staff cannot assume the vacant office of the President, the Speaker shall serve as Interim President until the Senate chooses a new President. Any Executive Branch position that is vacant at the same time that the presidency is vacant shall remain vacant until filled by the new President; the Interim President shall not have the power to fill such vacancies permanently. The Interim President shall have the power to appoint temporary acting officials to Executive Branch and to make all other appointments that are the responsibility of the President.
165.3.4.2 Vice-Presidential Vacancy. If at any time the Vice President or the Chief of Staff shall resign, be removed, or otherwise leave office before the end of their term, the President shall appoint their replacement with the approval of the Senate.
165.3.4.3 Removal of Executive Branch Officer. A majority of all paid Executive Branch members may petition the Senate to remove an elected Executive Branch officer for incapacitation due to illness or other inability to perform his or her duties. The Senate may remove the person in accordance with the removal procedure prescribed herein.
165.3.4.4 Term of Appointed Officers. Except when otherwise specified by this Constitution, all officers appointed to fill a vacancy shall hold office until the expiration of the term that is being filled.
165.4 Article IV: The Judicial Branch
All judicial authority of SGA shall be vested in the SGA Supreme Court. The responsibility of the court shall be to preserve and protect the rights of students. All Supreme Court decisions shall be binding on all persons acting within the jurisdiction defined therein.
165.4.1 Powers of the Supreme Court. Upon proper presentation of a petition from a member of the student body with standing, the Supreme Court shall have the power to rule on cases:
(a) Involving constitutionality, proper procedure, and fact arising under this Constitution or other SGA documents.
(b) Involving constitutionality, proper procedure, and fact arising under the constitution or other documents of student organizations.
(c) In which the SGA or any part thereof is an actor.
(d) In which student organizations or any parts thereof are actors.
(e) Appeals relating to the proper conduct of elections.
165.4.2 SGA Judicial Branch Bylaws. All judicial action and procedures must be conducted in accordance with the SGA Judicial Branch Bylaws. All amendments to the SGA Judicial Branch Bylaws shall be proposed by the Supreme Court and approved by the Senate before going into effect.
165.4.3 Selection and Removal of Justices.
165.4.3.1 Number. The Supreme Court shall be composed of five (5) Justices.
165.4.3.2 Appointment. All Justices shall be appointed by the President, with approval of the Senate, as vacancies arise. Once in office, The Chief Justice and Associate Justices shall hold their seats for as long as they qualify for SGA office as described in this Constitution.
165.4.3.3 Removal. Justices shall be removed only in accordance with procedures for removal from office as described in this Constitution.
165.4.3.4 Chief Justice. One of the seats of the Supreme Court shall be designated as Chief Justice by the President at the time of appointment. The Supreme Court shall consist of one (1) Chief Justice and four (4) Associate Justices.
165.4.4 The Chief Justice.
165.4.4.1 Responsible for Administrative Functions. The Chief Justice shall serve as the spokesperson and administrative officer of the Judicial Branch. The Chief Justice shall be responsible for requesting funds and other resources as deemed necessary for the operation of the Judicial Branch.
165.4.4.2 Responsible for Court Sessions. The Chief Justice shall be a voting member. The Chief Justice shall preside over all Supreme Court sessions, and shall be responsible for conducting all said sessions in accordance to the SGA Judicial Branch Bylaws.
165.4.4.3 Responsible for Notice to Parties. The Chief Justice shall be responsible for notifying all parties involved in Supreme Court proceedings of actions brought against them. The Chief Justice shall educate all said parties on the SGA Judicial Branch Bylaws, and shall ensure that all interactions amongst parties or between parties and the Supreme Court are in accord with the SGA Judicial Branch Bylaws.
165.4.4.4 Responsible for Internal Rules. The Chief Justice shall have the right to establish rules for internal proceedings of the Supreme Court, with the approval of a majority of the Supreme Court.
165.4.5 The Clerk of the Supreme Court.
165.4.5.1 Appointment. The Chief Justice shall appoint an Associate Justice to serve as Clerk of the Supreme Court, with the approval of the majority of the Supreme Court. In the absence of the Chief Justice or his or her inability to hear a case, the Clerk shall act as Chief Justice until a replacement can be appointed or the return of the Chief Justice.
165.4.5.2 Duties. The duties of the Clerk of the Court shall be the following: to ensure the minutes of the Court are kept, to record all court cases on audio or video equipment, to schedule all cases at the direction of the Chief Justice and to notify all persons deemed necessary of the date, time, location, names, and petitioner grievances against those individuals to be tried. The Clerk shall be a voting member of the Supreme Court. All records of the Supreme Court shall be maintained in the SGA main office.
165.4.6 The All-University Court.
165.4.6.1 Jurisdiction. The All-University Court is created and defined by the Indiana State University Policy Library. The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court shall not include matters defined to be within the jurisdiction of the All-University Court or covered by the Code of Student Conduct.
165.4.6.2 Appointments. All appointments to the All-University Court shall be in accordance to university policy.
165.5 Article V: Elections
165.5.1 Time of Elections. There shall be two regular SGA elections each year. The Spring Election shall be held on the last consecutive Tuesday and Wednesday of March. The Fall Election shall be held on the last consecutive Tuesday and Wednesday of September. If needed, runoff elections shall be held one calendar week from the date of the original election. The Senate may set a different date for a particular election. The Senate shall officially start its term at the first meeting after the Fall Election. If at any time the number of vacant seats in the Senate shall reach one less than half of the total number, then a special election shall immediately be called for all vacant Senate seats.
165.5.2 Spring Election.
165.5.2.1 President and Vice President. The Spring Election shall consist of the election of the President and the Vice President. The inauguration ceremony for the President-elect and the Vice President-elect shall take place on the Sunday at the beginning of study week, unless the current SGA president, President-elect and University President shall agree upon a different day and time. The President-elect and the Vice President-elect shall take office on the fifteenth (15th) day of May. The terms of the President and of the Vice President shall be one (1) year in length. If a newly elected officer cannot take office, the succession shall devolve upon other newly elected officers.
165.5.2.2 Senators. The Spring Election shall also consist of the election for the total number of Senators, except for new students as provided for in the Fall Election. Senators shall take office at the first meeting following their election and serve a one (1) year term of office. Senators shall as long as they qualify to hold office and until their replacements are elected in the following Fall Election.
165.5.3 Fall Election. The Fall Election shall consist of the election of Senators representing new students as provided for in the SGA Code. Senators shall take office at the first meeting following their election and serve a one (1) year term of office. Senators shall as long as they qualify to hold office and until their replacements are elected in the following Fall Election. Any student who is newly enrolled at ISU is considered a new student.
165.5.4 Election Results.
165.5.4.1 One Vote for President and Vice President. Each voter shall cast one vote for their preferred candidates for both the office of President and Vice President.
165.5.4.2 Majority; Runoff Elections. The candidate receiving a majority of all legitimate votes cast for the office of President or Vice President shall be considered the winner of the office in question. If no candidate shall receive a majority, then a runoff election for those candidates with the two highest vote totals shall be held for the office in question.
165.5.4.3 Senate. Senate candidate receiving a plurality of all legitimate votes cast for a Senate seat shall be the winner of the seat in question. The SGA Code shall provide for resolution of tie votes for senate seats.
165.5.4.4 Runoff Election Procedures. The person with the most votes in a runoff election shall be considered the winner. If a tie occurs, then a new runoff election shall be held. All runoff elections shall be held within one week and shall last one day.
165.5.5 Election Procedures. All elections prescribed in this Constitution shall be conducted in accordance with this Constitution and the SGA Code. The SGA Code shall determine specific election policy to guide SGA elections and to punish any parties who violate said election policy. No language in this Constitution or in the SGA Code shall be construed as to infringe upon the right of candidates to campaign as a group.
165.6 Article VI: Removal From Office
(a) A petition for Removal shall be introduced in the Senate by at least seven (7) Senators at the Senate meeting. Upon the submission of the Petition, the official name shall be considered charged, but not removed.
(b) The charged official and the SGA Advisor shall immediately be notified by certified, next day post of the charges and the date of the meeting at which the charged official will be tried.
(c) This hearing shall be held while school is in session, not during exams, and at least seven (7) days after the meeting at which the Petition was delivered to the Senate. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote shall be necessary for conviction.
(d) Upon conviction, the charged official shall be considered immediately removed from office and shall be so notified by certified, next day post.
165.6.2 Reasons for Removal from Office. Proper reasons for removal shall include, but are not limited to, the following: academic misconduct, failure to qualify for office, violation of the Code of Student Conduct, falling below the grade requirements of their position, failure to keep accurate records, financial misconduct, neglect of duty, abuse of the privileges of office, and/or criminal behavior.
165.7 Article VII: Referenda
165.7.1 Initiating a Referendum.
165.7.1.1 Process to Initiate. All proposed referenda shall be initiated using one of the following two processes:
(a) Any student may submit an advisory referendum to be placed on the ballot. The request must contain the names and signatures of ten (10) percent of all enrolled students.
(b) The Senate may submit an advisory referendum to be placed on the ballot. The request must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote.
165.7.1.2 Submission; Ballot Placement. All referenda initiated under one of the above two processes shall be submitted to the Chief Justice. A copy of which shall also be submitted to the Senate and the President. All referenda shall be placed on the ballot at the next election, unless a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Senate shall set a different date.
165.7.2 Requirements of Referenda. The Senate may place referenda on the ballot during a regular election, a runoff election, or may call for a special election for the purpose of voting upon the referendum. The Senate may place up to three (3) referenda on any given ballot. If multiple referenda are submitted, then the Senate shall have the authority to determine which shall be on the ballot and when. All referenda shall be advisory and shall not be binding upon any person, the SGA, or the University. The Senate may establish other requirements for referenda.
165.7.3 Wording of Referenda. After a referendum has been submitted by a student or by the Senate, the Supreme Court shall have the final power to ensure that the referendum wording is clear, accurate, and neutrally stated. No referendum may slander or mention the name of any person. Once the final working has been approved by the Supreme Court, then it shall be placed upon the next ballot or the ballot indicated by the Senate.
165.8 Article VIII: Amendments
165.8.1 Proposing Amendments. Proposed amendments to this Constitution shall be delivered to the Senate in writing at any regular meeting. The meeting at which the deliberation and vote shall take place must be at least two (2) calendar weeks from the date of the delivery of the proposal to the Senate.
165.8.2 Approval of Amendments.
165.8.2.1 Two-Thirds Majority. Amendments to this Constitution shall be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of all Senators, regardless of whether they are present, abstain, or vote.
165.8.2.2 Consideration by President and Board of Trustees. After approval by the Senate, the Amendment shall be considered to be Indiana State University Policies enacted upon approval by the President of the University, the designee of the President of the University, or the Board of Trustees. Any amendments made to this constitution must be presented to the Board of Trustees as an information item within the next two agenda meetings of the Board.
165.8.2.3 Preserving the Constitution and Amendments. No portion of this original Constitution shall be altered or destroyed. Instead, each amendment shall be attached to this Constitution along with its ratification date and signatures. Each amendment shall state the articles, sections, and paragraphs that are amended.
165.9 Article IX: Authority of the Constitution
165.9.1 Scope of the Constitution. Neither the SGA nor any SGA-recognized student organization shall take any action or pass any legislation thhat conflicts with this Constitution. Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed as to violate or interfere with the laws and policies of the Indiana State University, the State of Indiana, or of the United States of America.
165.9.2 Ratification. SGA shall begin operating under this Constitution immediately upon the following:
(a) Approval by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of all Senators, regardless of whether they are present, abstain, or vote.
(b) Approval of student body expressed through a campus wide referendum.
(c) Approval by the Board of Trustees.
165.9.2.1 Official Copy. The official copy of the Constitution shall be maintained by the Speaker and shall be available for public review.
165.9.3 Transition of Officials. SGA officials in office at the time of passage of this Constitution shall serve until the end of their terms as designated herein.
165.9.4 Transition of Existing Statutes, Rules, and Procedures. All existing statutes, rules, and procedures shall remain in full force and effect, except as they may be modified by or are in conflict with this Constitution. Nothing herein shall prevent subsequent amendments to the existing statutes, rules, and procedures if such amendments are in accord with this Constitution.
Related Information
Policy Administrator:
Office of the Vice President for Student AffairsPolicy Contact:
Office of the Vice President for Student AffairsHMSU Room 808
(812) 237-3890
ISU-VPSA@mail.indstate.edu