Life at LSSU

The following is the organization of student representation at Lake Superior State University . This structure encourages an ultimate goal of working towards the unified mission of the constitution.

• The Constitution of the Students: This constitution shall be the basis for student representation and shall govern all activities of the Student Assembly.
• Student Assembly: The Student Assembly shall be composed of all students enrolled at Lake Superior State University . All students shall be equal members, without discrimination of any kind. The Student Assembly shall coordinate and officiate all elections of the Student Government.
• Governing Bodies: The following governing bodies shall be formed from the Student Assembly:
  • Student Government: The Student Government shall be the body for student representatives to act as the voice of the students and properly deal with all student concerns.
  • Presidents’ Council: The Presidents’ Council shall be a forum for leadership development for the presidents of all student organizations. The Presidents’ Council shall also serve to exchange information and ideas so student organizations
    may make better use of their resources, increase scheduling compatibility, and encourage cooperation.
  • Inter-Greek Council: The Inter-Greek Council shall be the central point for communication between Greek organizations at Lake Superior State University and shall represent the collegiate Greek culture. The Inter-Greek Council shall
    also work towards a strong Greek system that will benefit the University and the community.
  • Activities Board: The Activities Board shall be a forum for understanding campus life, promoting activities and programming on campus, providing campus entertainment, creating and carrying on the traditions of the University, and
    striving towards increasing the involvement of students in university life.
  • Judiciary Board: The Judiciary Board shall mediate, adjudicate, and rule on Student Assembly and constitutional issues.

A. Purpose

• To give students a greater sense of empowerment and encourage involvement in university affairs, which shall assist in the development of University pride.
• To enhance the overall image and function of Lake Superior State University .
• To represent student needs and be the liaison to the faculty and staff.
• To facilitate the allocation of the Student Assembly budget.
• To be responsible for student representation on University standing committees.
• To outline goals and aims at the beginning of the year and strive to achieve these aspirations.
• To form committees from the Student Government that will deal with various student and University issues.
• The Student Government shall be separate and independent of the student organizations; support shall be provided in an informal and non-supervisory capacity.

B. Composition

• The composition of the membership of Student Government shall be the President, the Secretary of Student Services and Concerns, the Secretary of Activities and Public Relations, the Secretary of University Development and Community Affairs, the Secretary of Discretionary Funding, and twelve (12) Student Representatives, one of which will be designated as the Cultural Diversity Officer. All of these positions shall be elected from the Student Assembly. The Secretaries and the Student Representatives shall have an equal vote in the Student Government.
• No later than the third general meeting of the newly elected Student Government, a Cultural Diversity Officer shall be nominated from the Representatives and voted upon by Student Government. Approval shall consist a simple majority vote.
• The duties of the President shall be:
  • To call all meetings to order and preside over them;
  • To act as liaison between the Student Government and the faculty and staff;
  • To act as parliamentarian at all Student Government meetings and rule on points of order;
  • To oversee and ensure the proper execution of this constitution;
  • To call special meetings of the Student Government;
  • To, as necessary, appropriately veto Student Government legislation. In the event of a Presidential veto, said veto may be overridden by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Student Government. Except in cases where an override would cause a violation of constitutional procedure or law;
  • To perform all duties as necessary and proper to direct the Student Government in accordance with this constitution;
  • To appoint an Operational Manager for the Student Government.
• The duties of the Secretaries shall be:
  • To be responsible for their designated individual areas of concern within the Student Government;
  • To facilitate their respective Student Government committees;
  • To represent the student body on relevant University committees when deemed necessary.
• The duties of the Student Representatives shall be:
  • To serve as equal members of the Student Government;
  • To participate in the workings of the Student Government and the University;
  • To serve on University committees;
  • To develop, outline, and strive to accomplish specific goals and aims.
• The duties of the Cultural Diversity Officer shall be:
  • To be the designated individual for communicating and expressing the needs of the diverse groups of students that make up Lake Superior State University ‘s student body;
  • Serve as a liaison between student diversity groups and the Student Government, as well as Administration when appropriate;
  • This position shall be evaluated at the end of each academic term, based on the needs of Lake Superior State University ‘s student body.
• The duties of the Operational Manager shall be:
  • To be responsible for all written communications and financial matters that relate to the Student Government;
  • To serve as a non-voting member, equally eligible for any non-monetary benefits imparted to the members of the Student Government.
• The Student Government shall have as its advisor a faculty or staff member of Lake Superior State University . The advisor shall be appointed by the President of the University, with the recommendation of Student Government.
• The Student Government may establish such subsidiary committees as deemed necessary in accordance with this constitution.
• The Student Government may recognize the efforts and contributions of its members by imparting equal non-monetary benefits.

C. Eligibility

• To be eligible to serve as President of the Student Government or Secretary of Discretionary Funding, a student must have completed no less than one full academic semester while enrolled at Lake Superior State University, must have served as a member of the Student Government for at least one semester at the time of installment as President or Secretary, must be enrolled for at least nine (9) academic semester hours and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 system prior to the election period.
• The qualifications for the positions of the remaining Secretaries shall be the same as those for the position of President although prior Student Government service is not a requirement.
• To be eligible to serve as a Student Representative or Operational Manager, a student must currently be enrolled at Lake Superior State University . The candidate must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.25 or higher on a 4.0 system
• Members of the Student Government, including the Operational Manager, shall be expected to maintain the standard average for their tenure. In the event a grade point average falls below the stated standards, the officer shall be subject to a Judiciary Board hearing.
• A semester shall constitute no less than ten (10) weeks out of a fifteen (15) week semester.
• Grade point average inquiries shall be the responsibility of the Election Committee. Due to grade point confidentiality, the proper University authority shall verify the grade point average of the candidates to determine if a candidate has met the required standards.

D. Elections

• The Election Committee shall be formed out of the Student Assembly under the guidance of the Judiciary Board. The Election Committee shall be responsible for conducting and officiating all elections, and shall establish guidelines to ensure a reasonably fair and equitable election process.
• The election time frame for the President and the Secretaries of the Student Government shall be the following:
  • The Election Committee shall convene during the ninth week of the Spring Semester. Concurrently, all candidates shall begin campaigning.
  • The hearings of candidates shall take place in the beginning of the tenth week of the Spring Semester.
  • Voting shall take place in the middle of the eleventh week of the Spring Semester.
• The election time frame for the Student Representatives to the Student Government shall be the following:
  • The Election Committee shall convene during the second week of the Fall Semester. Concurrently, all candidates shall begin campaigning.
  • The hearings of candidates shall take place in the beginning of the third week of the Fall Semester.
  • Voting shall take place in the middle of the fourth week of the Fall Semester.
• The election process shall consist of the following procedures:
  • Petitions for positions of Student Government shall be made available by the Judiciary Board at the time that the Election Committee is formed.
  • All candidates shall be expected to provide a list of goals and ideas for their term. This list shall be reviewed by the Election Committee at public forums of the candidates.
  • Campaigning for positions shall be allowed, provided that it does not violate Election Committee or University policies.
  • There shall be no write-in candidates for any position of the Student Government;
  • All students shall have the right to vote in all Student Assembly elections and general referendums.

E. Meetings

• The President of the Student Government shall preside over the Student Government meetings. No later than the third general meeting, a Chair pro tem shall be chosen from the elected membership of the Student Government by a nomination/election process and a simple majority vote. The Chair pro tem shall preside over the meetings in the absence of the President.
• The Operational Manager shall be appointed by the President of the Student Government at the first general Student Government meeting. Approval shall consist of a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote.
• The meetings will be conducted no less than once a week.
• Members of the Student Government shall not meet in an official capacity, other than officially recognized committee meetings and the Student Government meetings.
• A quorum shall be present in order to vote on any Student Government matter and shall consist of a four-fifths (4/5) majority of the voting members.
• The meetings will be conducted according to established Student Government by-laws, University policies, this constitution, and Robert’s Rules of Order, revised.
• All members are expected to attend all meetings. In the case of two or more unexcused absences, the member in question shall be subject to suspension by the Student Government, pending review by the Judiciary Board.

F. Impeachment and Vacancies

• Students may request the impeachment of any member of Student Government for non-performance of duties, misconduct, or violations of University policy. A petition to this effect stating the specific instances of alleged non-performance or misconduct must be signed by fifteen percent (15%) of the students of Lake Superior State University . For this purpose, 15% shall be based on the previous semester’s enrollment.
• Petitions for the impeachment of a member of the Student Government may be obtained from any member of the Judiciary Board. All petitions must be signed and returned within five (5) class days of issuance or they shall be deemed null and void.
• The Judiciary Board shall notify the member whose impeachment is sought at the time the petition is issued. The Student Government shall be notified of allegations of non-performance or misconduct upon return of the signed petition to the Judiciary Board.
• The Judiciary Board shall conduct a hearing and vote on impeachment within ten (10) class days following the return of a signed petition. If the Judiciary Board upholds impeachment, the member may appeal to the Student Government who may repeal the impeachment with a four-fifths (4/5) majority vote.
• In the event of a vacancy of the Student Government President, or Secretaries, the respective Chair pro tem shall assume the duties of the vacated position until such time as an election may be held. This election shall occur within fifteen (15) class days of the vacation.
• In the event of a vacancy of a Student Representative, the Student Resources Committee shall fill any vacancies within seven (7) class days of the vacation. The Student Resources Committee shall publicize positions, solicit applications, and select qualified applicants through an application/interview process. Selected Student Representatives shall be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Student Government.
• In the event of non-performance of duties or misconduct the Operational Manager may be removed via a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Student Government.

G. Budget

• The Student Government shall facilitate the allocation of the Student Activity and Media budget.
  • The operational budget of the Student Government shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the Student Government budget.
  • Funding for the benefits of the elected positions of responsibility within the Student Government shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the Student Government budget.
  • The miscellaneous budget will provide funding for special projects initiated by the Student Government or the Student Assembly. This budget shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the Student Government budget.

H. Committees

• Student Resources Committee
  • The Student Resources Committee shall appoint students to University standing committees, Student Government committees, Judiciary Board, and any other committees that are responsible to the students of Lake Superior State University .
  • This committee shall consist of six (6) members, appointed from within the Student Government. This committee shall be chaired by the President of the Student Government, who shall vote only in the event of a tie.
  • This committee shall be responsible for publicizing the University committee positions, soliciting applications, and selecting qualified applicants through an application/interview process. Publicizing shall take place three (3) days prior to the meeting.
  • The Student Resources Committee shall convene as often as deemed necessary.
• Student Services and Concerns Committee
  • The Student Services and Concerns Committee shall be dedicated to addressing the needs of the Student Assembly.
  • This committee shall be chaired by the Secretary of Student Services and Concerns.
  • The Secretary of Student Services and Concerns shall be the official Student Government representative on the University Student Life Committee.
• Activities and Public Relations Committee
  • The Activities and Public Relations Committee shall serve as a support structure for the Activities Board and act as a communication link among the student body, Student Government, the University, and the community.
  • This committee shall be chaired by the Secretary of Activities and Public Relations.
  • The Secretary of Activities and Public Relations shall be the official Student Government representative on the University Cultural Affairs Committee.
• University Development and Community Affairs Committee
  • The University Development and Community Affairs Committee shall encourage adaptation to the changing needs of the students through development of the campus, both physical and academic.
  • This committee shall raise awareness of public issues as well as research and propose Student Government action to improve the quality of life both in and around the Lake Superior State University campus.
  • This committee shall provide the student body with an awareness of local, state, national, and world issues and affairs, specifically those issues and affairs that affect or concern students;
  • This committee shall be chaired by the Secretary of University Development and Community Affairs.
  • The Secretary of University Development and Community Affairs shall be the official Student Government representative on the University Strategic Planning Committee.
• Discretionary Funding Committee (will be completed in 2004-2005)
• The members of the Student Services and Concerns Committee, the Activities and Public Relations Committee, the University Development and Community Affairs Committee and the Discretionary Funding Committee shall consist of members of the Student Assembly selected by the Student Resources Committee and approved by the Student Government.
• Special Project Committees shall be formed whenever it is deemed necessary by the Student Government.
• Each committee shall elect a Chair pro tem from its membership during the first general committee meeting. The Chair pro tem shall serve as the facilitator in event of the Chair’s absence or vacancy.
• Each committee shall be given complete authority to deal with its internal organization, establish guidelines, procedural patterns, and operational policies as long as they do not contradict or undermine the goals or guidelines of the Student Government or this Constitution.

A. Purpose

Section 1: The Presidents’ Council shall serve as a leadership development forum for its membership.

Section 2: The Presidents’ Council shall be responsible for the recognition and de-recognition of all student organizations.

Section 3: The Presidents’ Council shall be responsible for allocating requested funding to all recognized members of Presidents’ Council.

Section 4: The Presidents’ Council shall encourage cooperation and mutual respect amongst the diverse student cultures, academic alliances, and group interests.

B. Composition

Section 1: The Presidents’ Council shall consist of the presidents of all recognized student organizations as determined by the Presidents’ Council.

Section 2: The Presidents’ Council shall appoint a Chair by a nomination/election process and a simple majority approval during the first general meeting of the regular academic year.

Section 3: The advisor of the Presidents’ Council shall be appointed by the President of the University considering the recommendation of the Presidents’ Council.

C. Meetings

Section 1: The Presidents’ Council shall meet at least once a month during the regular academic year.

Section 2: The advisor of the Presidents’ Council shall have the duty to call and organize the first general meeting of the regular academic year.

Section 3: Once appointed, the Chair shall preside over all meetings of the Presidents’ Council.

D. Recognition of Student Organizations

Section 1: New organizations applying to be recognized by the Presidents’ Council shall be granted associate membership, provided that the organization meets the standards of the Presidents’ Council and the University. Associate membership shall be for a period not to exceed one regular academic semester.

Section 2: Associate organizations shall be granted full membership by a majority vote of the Presidents’ Council only if the organization meets the standards of the Presidents’ Council and the University. Appeals resulting from non-recognition or de-recognition of student organizations shall be directed to the Judiciary Board.

Section 3: The Presidents’ Council shall determine the guidelines for the recognition of student organizations, as long as those guidelines do not contradict Student Government policies or this constitution.

A. Purpose

Section 1: The Inter-Greek Council shall be the central point of communication for all Greek student organizations at Lake Superior State University and shall encourage communication between the collegiate Greek community and the student body.

Section 2: The Inter-Greek Council shall work towards a healthy collegiate Greek culture at Lake Superior State University.

Section 3: The Inter-Greek Council shall promote understanding and acceptance of collegiate Greek culture at Lake Superior State University .

Section 4: The Inter-Greek Council shall consist of all recognized social, service, and professional Greek organizations at Lake Superior State University.

Section 5: The Inter-Greek Council shall deal with problems, conflicts, and misunderstandings amongst the Greek student organizations.

Section 6: The Inter-Greek Council shall work in cooperation with the Presidents’ Council in the recognition, de-recognition and funding of Greek student organizations.

B. Composition

Section 1: The Inter-Greek Council shall consist of delegates from all social, professional, and service Greek student organizations at Lake Superior State University.

Section 2: The Inter-Greek Council shall be chaired by a President, nominated from the membership of the Greek student organizations and elected by the Inter-Greek Council.

Section 3: The Inter-Greek Council shall nominate and appoint an advisor from the faculty/staff of Lake Superior State University.

C. Meetings

Section 1: The Inter-Greek Council shall meet a minimum of twice a month during the regular academic year.

Section 2: The President of the Inter-Greek Council shall preside over the meetings of the Inter-Greek Council.

D. Recognition of Greek Student Organizations

Section 1: Organizations petitioning for Greek status shall approach the Inter-Greek Council for recommendation for associate membership in the Presidents’ Council. Associate membership in the Presidents’ Council shall serve as grounds for associate membership within the Inter-Greek Council. The associate membership shall last for an interim period not to exceed one regular academic semester.

Section 2: Associate organizations shall be granted full membership as a Greek student organization upon recommendation of the Inter-Greek Council and a majority vote of the Presidents’ Council. Appeals resulting from non-recognition or de-recognition of Greek organizations shall be directed to the Judiciary Board.

Section 3: In the event that an organization petitioning for Greek status is already a full member of the Presidents’ Council, the Inter-Greek Council shall have the right to confer to the organization associate membership in the Inter-Greek Council with the approval of the Presidents’ Council.

Section 4: The Inter-Greek Council shall determine the guidelines for the recognition of Greek student organizations, provided that those guidelines do not conflict with the guidelines set by the Presidents’ Council or this constitution.

E. Funding for Greek Student Organizations

Section 1: The Inter-Greek Council shall be the primary authority for facilitating funding requests of Greek student organizations. Approval of the Inter-Greek Council shall serve as full recommendation to the Finance Committee of the Presidents’ Council.

Section 2: The Inter-Greek Council shall determine the guidelines for the funding of Greek student organizations, provided that those guidelines do not conflict with the guidelines set by the Presidents’ Council or this constitution.

A. Purpose

Section 1: To provide and facilitate activities and entertainment that will appeal to a wide variety of student interests by acknowledging the unique diversity of the student culture at Lake Superior State University.

Section 2: To encourage student involvement in campus events.

Section 3: To establish and support the evolution of traditions of excellence at Lake Superior State University.

Section 4: To make wise and calculated use of the Activities Board budget and all funds provided to it.

B. Composition

Section 1: The Activities Board shall consist of representatives from the Student Government, the Presidents’ Council, the Inter-Greek Council, and the Student Assembly.

Section 2: The members of the Activities Board shall be selected by the Director of Activities Board.

Section 3: The Activities Board shall be chaired by the Director of Activities Board.

Section 4: The Director of Activities Board shall be a paid position, selected through an interview/ application process in the Spring Semester, facilitated by Student Government and the Student Life Office. The compensation of the Director of Activities Board shall be approved first by the Director of Student Life and then by Student Government.

C. Procedures

Section 1: The Activities Board shall meet at least twice a month. The Activities Board may create non-paid administrative positions and may form committees as deemed necessary, under the direction of the Director of Programming.

Section 2: The Director of Activities Board shall offer an in-person report to Student Government monthly.

A. Purpose

Section 1: To mediate, adjudicate, and resolve conflicts within the Student Assembly.

Section 2: To hear and rule on requests for appeal.

Section 3: To interpret this constitution.

B. Composition

Section 1: The Judiciary Board shall consist of five (5) student Justices chosen from the Student Assembly by the Student Government. All Justices shall hold their offices during good behavior.

Section 2: The Judiciary Board shall choose from amongst their members a Chair, hereinafter known as the Chief Justice of the Student Assembly. The Chief Justice shall perform all duties necessary to direct the Judiciary Board.

Section 3: The Judiciary Board shall have the authority to establish subsidiary bodies to aid in the performance of its duties.

C. Procedures

Section 1: The Judiciary Board shall be seated as required to perform its duties.

Section 2: The Judiciary Board shall have primary jurisdiction in determining the constitutionality of all matters regarding the interpretation of this constitution. The Judiciary Board shall have primary jurisdiction in determining the constitutionality of the by-laws and operational procedures of the governing bodies of the Student Assembly; in matters of controversy between the governing bodies; in matters of grievance against the governing bodies and their members; and in matters of impeachment of the elected members of the Student Government.

Section 3: The Judiciary Board shall have appellate jurisdiction in matters involving infractions of established election policies; in matters of removal of all other members of the governing bodies of the Student Assembly; in matters of recognition or de-recognition of student organizations; and in matters pertaining to the suspension of all actions pertaining to grievances against the governing bodies of the Student Assembly, pending formal inquiry. Formal inquiry will begin no more than seven (7) days after suspension, and will last no more than fourteen (14) days.

Section 4: The Judiciary Board shall convene the Election Committee at the designated times or as required.

Section 5: The Judiciary Board shall have the right to counsel by the University’s Legal Advisor.

Section 6: The Judiciary Board shall retain the right to recommend changes in matters of disciplinary and judicial reform at Lake Superior State University.

• All governing bodies of the Student Assembly shall be given complete authority to establish organization, guidelines, procedural patterns, and operational policies as long as they do not contradict or undermine the guidelines of this constitution. This constitution shall maintain supreme authority over all governing bodies.
• Constant and continuing communication and cooperation amongst the governing bodies of the Student Assembly shall be a requirement. All branches shall have formal channels of regular communication.
• All documented functions and communications of student representation shall be considered public information and shall be made readily available to all students, unless otherwise determined by legitimate authority.

• An assembly of student organizations working towards a similar mission or goal may have the option to consolidate themselves into a unified council of interest. The Greek student organizations and the Inter-Greek Council of Lake Superior State University shall serve as precedent for this provision.
• A combined membership of at least seven percent (7%) of the Student Assembly shall be required to request consolidation.
• Requests for consolidation shall be directed to the Student Government and shall serve as a proposed amendment to this constitution.

Section 1: Student ratification of this constitution

§ 1.1: This constitution shall become the official documented authority of the Lake Superior State University Student Assembly by a majority vote of the participating students on March 11 th and 12 th , 1997.

§ 1.2: Upon ratification of this constitution, all other constitutions or official documents shall become null and void.

§ 1.3: The revocation of this constitution shall be valid only by a referendum representing a quorum of twenty percent (20%) of the Student Assembly.

Section 2: Amendment of this constitution

§ 2.1: Proposed amendments to this constitution shall be introduced in writing to the Student Government no less than two (2) regular meeting periods prior to voting. A regular meeting period is defined as a seven-day week excluding breaks or vacations. A required discussion involving the proposed amendment shall follow, not exceed to two meetings of the Student Government.

§ 2.2: The amendment shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Student Government and the approval of both the President of the Student Government and the President of the University.

§ 2.3: Any proposed constitutional amendments or acts of the constitution shall not violate the rules of ex post fact o.

Introduced to the Assembly March 17, 2003

Introduced by Student Government President Timothy J. Scoon

Cosponsored by: James C. Nietz, Kelly K. Payne, Patrick T. Morgan, Nicholas D. Garlinghouse, Benjamin C. Read, Kelly Bishop, Cassandra M. Thomas, Caleb MacDonald, Matthew Rose, Edward J. Cheladyn, Stephanie M. Rea

Approved

An Amendment to the Constitution of the Students

• The governing bodies of the Student Assembly that include Student Government, Presidents’ Council, Inter-Greek Council (IGC), Activities Board, and the Judiciary Board, as well as The Compass, and WLSO shall each receive annually, a minimum funding level to provide operational expenses.
• Should any of the foregoing entities desire additional funding, requests may be made to the Discretionary Funding Committee of Student Government.
• Student Government must bear in mind that the art of its duty, as it pertains to funding, is to allocate finite resources toward infinite request. As such, it must demand excellence in planning in direct proportion to funding granted.
• In the event of a veto by the Student Government President for additional funding, an appeal may be made to the Judiciary Board. The Judiciary Board’s ruling regarding such appeals shall be enforced by the President of Student Government after a period of one week, unless the Judiciary Board’s ruling is overturned by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Student Government.
• Failure of the President of Student Government to enforce a ruling by the Judiciary Board regarding such appeals, not otherwise overturned by Student Government, shall be grounds for dereliction of duty. Should the Judiciary Board receive such notice, it may impose disciplinary action upon the President, up to and including removal of the President from Student Government. In the event of removal, all duties of the Discretionary Funding Committee shall be transferred to the Finance Committee of President’s Council until such time as a new election for President of Student Government has occurred.
• Sixty-five percent (65%) of the money taken in from the Student Activity and Media Fee each semester shall support the minimum funding levels for the aforementioned entities and provide operational expenses. While the remaining thirty-five percent (35%) will be allotted as necessary by Student Government as provided by the provisions of 2.5 of this section.
• The minimum sums which these specified entities shall receive are: Activities Board 35%; Inter-Greek Council 4%; Judiciary Board 1%; President’s Council 12%; Student Government 23%; The Compass 14%; WLSO 11%. The sum of these percentages is to equal 65% of the total semester Student Activity and Media Fee intake.

§2.21: The aforementioned funds are expected to cover all operational costs for the fiscal year.

• The Discretionary Funding Committee shall be composed of three Student Government Representatives and two members of the Student Assembly, and shall be chaired by the Secretary of Finance.

§2.31: These Student Government Representatives shall be appointed by the Resource Committee. No member of the Resource Committee shall vote to appoint himself to the Discretionary Funding Committee. This does not prohibit a member of the Resource Committee from being on the Discretionary Funding Committee.

§2.311: Members of the Discretionary Funding Committee are not to serve under another secretary.

• The two members of the Student Assembly are to be recruited for the interview/application process by advertisements, posters, personal contact, or any other means necessary for finding the most qualified individuals willing to be involved in this process. Appointments are to be recommended by the Resource Committee to Student Government, taking impartiality into consideration.
• Upon the recommendation of one member of the Discretionary Funding Committee or three Student Government members, either the President of Student Government or the Secretary of Discretionary Funding may remove any member from the Discretionary Funding Committee in order to protect the integrity of the Committee or the Student Government as a whole. This can be overturned by a two-thirds (2/3) vote by the Student Government and is not subject to appeal to the Judiciary Board.
• Affirmation of the Discretionary Funding Committee requires a majority vote after rigorous examination of the proposal. A proposal must receive majority vote to advance to Student Government, with proponents and opponents listed in writing on the proposal.
• Confirmation by Student Government requires a majority vote for approval of funding measures, and must receive the signature of the President of Student Government.
• The following entities shall have the following restrictions on funding requests in addition to their minimum sums: Inter-Greek Council, 6%; Presidents’ Council, 17%; The Compass, 17%; WLSO, 18%; Activities Board, 85%.

§2.61: After each approval of funding, an advertisement is to be placed in The Compass with the following information: who received the funding; what was the funding approved for; what were the issues, pro and con; list of each member of Student Government and their vote.

§2.62: The maximum additional funding for Activities Board may be increased by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of Student Government, with permission from the President of the University. Said vote is subject to a veto by the President of Student Government, which may be overridden by Student Government or the Judiciary Board. Decisions by the Judiciary Board may not be overruled by Student Government in such matters. Failure of the President of Student Government to abide by this ruling shall be handled in the same manner as under 1.221 of this section.

§2.63: The permission of the President of the University is to be sought by the President of Student Government in a meeting including the Secretary of Student Services and Concerns, and the Director of the Activities Board.

§2.64: Recommendations given to the President of the University by any of the foregoing shall not be subject to review by Student Government, the Judiciary Board, or any other party unless it is thought that there was an intentional lie on behalf of one of the students. Anyone the Judiciary Board reasonably believes lied to the President of the University as it pertains to a meeting regarding the increase in funding for the Activities Board may be handled by the Judiciary Board.

§2.64: Should the Judiciary Board deem it appropriate to force a resignation, the duties of the person/position involved will be assumed as follows. Activities Board responsibilities will be handled by Student Government’s Activities and Public Relations Committee until such time as a new Director is hired; the responsibilities of the Secretary of Student Services and Concerns would be assumed by Chair Pro-Tempore of that committee. The President of Student Government shall be handled in the same manner as under 1.221 of this section of the Constitution of the Students.

• If at the end of any academic year, excluding funds encumbered based on plans for the ensuing year that have received prior approval by Student Government, the amount exceeding $30,000 remaining in the fund shall be utilized to reduce the amount of the Student Activity and Media fee for the subsequent year.
• Funding may be approved for the upcoming academic year; funds will be allotted from the current year’s budget.
• No entity shall be permitted to go into debt.
• Any money received from an event shall be deposited into the Student Activity and Media fee account, except for The Compass and WLSO for advertising revenue and core function revenue.

Introduced to the Assembly February 21, 2007

Introduced by Secretary Amanda Burmeister

Hilary Kozma, Student Government President

Approved 11-0-1

A RESOLUTION TO: amend the Lake Superior State University Student Constitution

BEARING IN MIND, currently, all Student Government Representatives are elected during the fall election period.

REALIZING, the turnover and late start each year hinders the advancement of Student Government and the entire Lake Superior State student body.

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED: that the Lake Superior State University Student Government, in accordance with the LSSU Student Constitution, amend Article II Part D, Section 2, and Section 3 to read as follows:

Section 2: The election time frame for the President, Secretaries, and nine (9) Representatives of the Student Government shall be the following:

§2.4: These positions will take seat at the end of the last meeting of the spring semester

§2.5: Tenure for the President, Secretaries, and nine (9) Representatives will last from spring semester to the following spring semester.

§2.6: There shall be no restriction as to the class standing for candidates for Student Representative running in the spring semester.

Section 3: The election time frame for the three (3) Student Representatives to Student Government not elected in the spring semester shall be the following:

§3.4: Candidates for Student Representative to be elected in the fall semester must be in their first semester at LSSU, either as freshman or as transfer students.

§3.5: In the event that not enough first-semester students have returned petitions by the deadline for Representative positions elected in the fall, the Election Committee shall make petitions available for one (1) extra week to all students, regardless of class standing.

§3.6: Tenure for those Student Representatives elected in the fall semester shall continue from the first meeting after their election through the last meeting of the following spring semester.

From its original form of:

Section 2: The election time frame for the President and the Secretaries of the Student Government shall be the following:

Section 3: The election time frame for the Student Representatives to the Student Government shall be the following:

Introduced to the Assembly December 10, 2009

Introduced by Student Government Secretary Thomas Hadfield

Tory Rowley, Student Government President

Approved 8-0-0

A RESOLUTION TO: Repeal the Discretionary Funding Committee (DFC) amendment and replace it with The Funding Committee Amendment; Change the SAM Amendment to reflect the new mandate of the Funding Committee.

WHEREAS, the DFBC has been ruled not to exist by the judiciary board and we are now left working under a system that proved to have flaws; and

WHEREAS, we have found it is hard to fill the current open positions with motivated students, and we now have approximately 1000 less students than when this constitution was created; and

WHEREAS, the original intent of the constitution of the students was to have the resource committee handle funding allocations however the DFC was created to help alleviate some of the responsibility of the resource committee; and

WHEREAS, this amendment opens up money collected from the students to be accessible through student government and the funding committee by the entire student body and assembly; and

WHEREAS, this amendment will help promote fundraising by groups and students on campus by taking away the initial liability at the same time encouraging them to work hard to make a successful fundraiser; be it therefore

RESOLVED, that the Lake Superior State University Student Government will repeal the DFC amendment Article II Part H Section 5, and replace it with the following language:

Section 5: Funding Committee

§5.1: The Funding Committee shall follow the guidelines set by the Student Activity and Media Amendment to the Constitution of the Students with regard to the Student Activity and Media Fee, and demand excellence in approving requests from branches of the Student Assembly.

§5.2: This committee shall decide which funding request from all other branches of the Student Assembly, Student Groups, and Students shall be heard by Student Government.

§5.3: This committee will ensure that any funding request that will be passed must be thoroughly and meticulously thought out and planned, or else the committee should fail or table said request until such a time as it is deemed suitable.

§5.4: this committee shall be chaired by the Student Government President.

§5.5: All meeting politics for this committee will be decided on by the Student Government President, with the majority approval of the sitting members of the Funding Committee.

§5.6: The Student Government President will only have a vote in the event of a tie.RESOLVED, that the Lake Superior State University Student Government will replace all references to the Discretionary Funding Committee with the Funding Committee;
and

RESOLVED, that the Lake Superior State University Student Government will replace all references to the Discretionary Funding Committee with the Funding Committee; and

RESOLVED, that the Lake Superior State University Student Government will replace Article IV Part F Section 3 with:

Section 3: Recognized members of the Inter-Greek Council cannot appeal directly to the inter-Greek Council for funding.

RESOLVED, that the Lake Superior State University Student Government will replace the SAM amendment with:

Section 1: Student Activity and Media Fee Composition

§1.1: The governing bodies of the Student Assembly that include Presidents’ Council, Inter-Greek Council (IGC), Activities Board, and the Judiciary Board, as well as The Compass, and WLSO shall each receive annually, a minimum funding level to provide operational expenses.

§1.2: Should any of the foregoing entities desire additional funding, request may be made to the Funding Committee of Student Government.

§1.21: Student Government must bear in mind that the art of its duty, as it pertains to funding, is to allocate finite resources toward infinite request. As such, it must demand excellence in planning in direct proportion to funding granted.

§1.22: In the event of a veto by the Student Government President for additional funding, an appeal may be made to the Judiciary Board. The Judiciary Board’s ruling regarding such appeals shall be enforced by the President of Student Government after a period of one week, unless the Judiciary Board’s ruling is overturned by a 2/3 majority of the Student Government.

§1.221: Failure of the President of Student Government to enforce a ruling by the Judiciary Board regarding such appeals, not otherwise overturned by the Student Government, shall be grounds for dereliction of duty. Should the Judiciary Board receive such notice, it may impose disciplinary action upon the President, up to and including removal of the President of Student Government.

Section 2: Funding Allocation

§2.1: The money taken in from the Student Activity and Media Fee each semester shall support funding of the following entities and provide operational expenses. Activities Board 36.5%; Inter-Greek Council 1.5%; Judiciary Board 0.5%; Presidents’ Council 12%; The Compass 15.5%, WLSO 11%. While the remaining 23% will be allotted as necessary by Student Government. None of the aforementioned entities are to use more than 10% of the allocation for its operational budget.

§2.2: The Funding Committee shall be composed of three student Government Representatives and two members of the Student Assembly, and shall be chaired by the President of Student Government.

§2.3: These Student Government Representative shall be appointed by the Resource Committee. No member of the Resource Committee shall vote to appoint himself to the Funding Committee. This does not prohibit a member of the Resource Committee from being on the Funding Committee.

§2.3.1: Members of the Funding Committee are not to serve under another secretary.

§2.3.2: The two members of the Student Assembly are to be recruited for the interview/application process by advertisements, posters, personal contact, or any other means necessary for finding the most qualified individuals willing to be involved in this process. Appointments are to be recommended by the Resources Committee to Student Government, taking impartiality into consideration.

§2.3.2.1: Upon the recommendation of one member of the Funding Committee or three Student Government members, may remove any member from the Funding Committee in order to protect the integrity of the Committee or the Student Government as a whole.
This requires a 2/3 vote by the Student Government and it’s not subject to appeal to the Judiciary Board.

§2.4: Affirmation of the Funding Committee requires a majority vote after rigorous examination of the proposal. A proposal must receive majority vote to advance to Student government, with proponents and opponents listed in writing on the proposal.

§2.5: Confirmation of funding by Student Government requires a majority vote for approval of funding measures, and must receive the signature of the President of Student Government.

§2.6: Funding may be approved for the upcoming academic year; finds will be allotted from the current year’s budget.

§2.7: No entity shall be permitted to go into debt.

Introduced to the Assembly February 4, 2010

Introduced by Student Government Representative Jay Gage

Tory Rowley, Student Government President

Approved 6-0-2

An Amendment to the Constitution of the Students

Amend the Constitution of the Student Article V – Activities Board

Section 5: The duties of the Director of Activities Board:

§5.1: Schedule and conduct any and all Activities Board meetings;

§5.2: Coordinate with the Student Life Office and Student Government;

§5.3: Administer the Activities Board Business Manager’s tasks and agenda;

§5.4: Administer the Activities Board Technical Director’s tasks and agenda;

Section 6: Activities Board Business Manager and Activities Board Technical Director:

§6.1: The necessity of an Activities Board Business Manager, and Activities Board Technical Director, will be at the discretion of the Director of Activities Board;

§6.2: The addition of either position is not dependent on the addition of the other;

Section 7: Interview and Application Process:

§7.1: The Activities Board Business Manager shall be selected through an interview/application process, facilitated by the Director of Activities Board and the Student Life Office at such a time as there is a vacancy and it is deemed by the Director of Activities Board;

§7.2: The Activities Board Technical Director shall be selected through an interview/application process, facilitated by the Director of Activities Board and the Student Life Office at such a time as there is a vacancy and it is deemed necessary by the Director of Activities Board.

Section 8: The duties of the Activities Board Business Manager shall be:

§8.1: Work under the Director of Activities Board;

§8.2: Maintain the Activities Board budget and financial records;

§8.3: Report any and all Activities Board financial transactions to the Student Life Office;

§8.4: Prepare a report to be presented to the Activities Board on the first meeting of the month;

§8.5: Audit when called to do so;

Section 9: The duties of the Activities Board Technical Director shall be:

§9.1: Work under the Director of Activities Board:

§9.2: Decide on and present proposals of new technical equipment to the Director of Activities Board;

§9.3: Provide sound equipment training for other board members through out the semester;

§9.4: Coordinate with other committees and assist in their technical needs;

§9.5: Maintain the organization of all technical equipment;

§9.6: Create and maintain a sound equipment sign in/out register and checklist

Section 10: Compensation:

§10.1: The compensation of the Activities Board Business Manager, and Activities Board Technical Director, shall be approved first by the Director of Activities Board, and then by the Student Life Office and will be dispersed in the form of billable hours;

§10.2: The compensation for the Director of Activities Board, the Activities Board Business Manager, and Activities Board Technical Director shall come from the Activities budget;

§10.3: The combined amount of the compensation for both the Activities Board Business Manager, and the Activities Board Technical Director cannot exceed the amount paid to the Director of Activities Board.

§10.4: The Activities Board Business Manager, and Activities Board Technical Director, may be fired by the Director of Activities Board at any time.

Introduced to the Assembly February 2, 2012

Introduced by Student Government Secretary Robert A. Swain, Co-sponsored by Secretary Tyler M. Helsel, Secretary Ramsey A’ve, Representative Jay Gage

Robert T. Steinhoff, Student Government President

Approved 10-1-2

An Amendment to the Constitution of the Students with regard to the allocation process of the Student Activity and Media (SAM) fee

WHEREAS, The current percentages are in question as to how effective they are in meeting the needs of the Student Assembly; and

WHEREAS, a greater concentration has been placed on requiring the Student Assembly to budget the needs of their organizations to effectively allocate funds; and

WHEREAS, by concentrating on a budget method while still having a set allocation, the Student Assembly can effectively plan and be held accountable for their expenditures; be it therefore

RESOLVED, that we amend the Constitution of the Students, SAM Amendment, Section 2, §2.1 to be replaced with:

The money taken in from the Student Activity and Media Fee each semester shall support funding of the following entities and provide operational expenses.

The Student Activity and Media (SAM) fee shall be divided by a 70/30 structure, whereas 70% of the collected SAM fee shall be distributed to the Student Assembly based on proposed budgets submitted to Student Government and the remaining 30% will be distributed to the Student Assembly based on the following percentage distribution table – Activities Board 36.5%; Inter-Greek Council 1.5%; Judiciary Board 0.5%; Presidents’ Council 12%; The Compass 15.5%; WLSO Radio Station 11%; Student Government 23%.

None of the governing bodies are to use more than 10% of the allocation for its operational budget.

Furthermore, Student Government shall set the date(s) for budgets to be submitted with notification to the Student Assembly at least two (2) weeks before the declared deadline.

Introduced to the Assembly January 24, 2013

Introduced by Andrew Althaus

Ramsey A’ve Student Government President

Approved

A RESOLUTION TO: Amend the Student Government Constitution to limit the role of the Student Government Representatives in holding positions on the executive boards of other organizations in the Student Assembly.

WHEREAS: the Student Government Constitution should be updated in response to the new process of Student Government approving the budgets of the various Student Assembly organizations; and

WHEREAS: Student Government Representatives need to be unbiased when approving budgets, they shouldn’t have conflicting interest by holding a seat as a representative and possessing a leading role in other member organizations; and

WHEREAS: Such a conflicting situation would not be in the best interest of the Student Assembly, particularly that of Student Government; be it therefore

RESOLVED: The following addition of the Constitution of the Students shall take effect:

Article II – Student Government

C. Eligibility

Section 7: Voting members of the Student Government shall be prohibited from heading any other branch of the Student Assembly.

Section 8: The President and Secretaries shall be further prohibited from holding a position on the executive board of any other branch of the Student Assembly.

Introduced to the Assembly March 28, 2013

Introduced by Sec. Robert Swain

Ramsey A’ve, Student Government President

Approved

A RESOLUTION TO: Amend the Constitution of the Students with regards to budgetary authority

WHEREAS: The Judiciary Board has ruled in Harrington v. SG (Case 2013-0003) that the Student Government does not have the authority to create accounts in the Student Assembly budget such as the New Initiatives Fund; and

WHEREAS: a greater concentration has been placed on requiring the Student Assembly to budget the needs of their organizations to effectively allocate funds; and

WHEREAS: by concentrating on a budget method whole still having a set allocation, the Student Assembly can effectively plan and be held accountable for their expenditures; be it therefore

RESOLVED: That Student Government is confirmed to be the chief budgetary authority; and further

RESOLVED: that we amend the Constitution of the Students, Article II Part G to be appended with (relocated from dangling SAM Amendment)

Section 1: Student Activity and Media Fee Composition

§1.1 The governing bodies of the Student Assembly that include President’s Council, Inter-Greek Council (IGC), Activities Board, and the Judiciary Board, as well as The Compass and WLSO, shall each receive annually a minimum funding level to provide operational expenses.

§1.2 Should any of the foregoing entities desire additional funding, requests may be made to the Funding Committee of Student Government.

§1.2.1 Student Government must bear in mind that the art of its duty, as it pertains to funding, is allocate finite resources toward infinite request. As such, it must demand excellence in planning in direct proportion to funding granted.

§1.2.2 In the event of a veto by the Student Government President for additional funding, an appeal may be made to the Judiciary Board. The Judiciary Board’s ruling regarding such appeals shall be enforced by the President of Student Government after a period of one week, unless the Judiciary Board’s ruling is overturned by a 2/3 majority of the Student Government.

§1.2.2.1 Failure of the President of Student Government to enforce a ruling by the Judiciary Board regarding such appeals, not otherwise overturned by Student Government, shall be grounds for dereliction of duty. Should the Judiciary Board receive such notice, it may impose disciplinary action upon the President, up to and including removal of the President from Student Government.

Section 2: Funding Allocation

§2.1 The money taken in from the Student Activity and Media Fee each semester shall support funding of the following entities and provide operational expenses.

§2.1.1 The Student Activity and Media (SAM) fee shall be divided by a 70/30 structure, whereas 70% of the collected SAM fee shall be distributed to the Student Assembly based on proposed budgets submitted to Student Government and the remaining 30% will be distributed to the Student Assembly based on the following percentage distribution table – Activities Board 36.5%; Inter-Greek Council 1.5%; Judiciary Board 0.5%; Presidents’ Council 12%; The Compass 15.5%; WLSO Radio Station 11%; Student Government 23%.

§2.1.2 None of the governing bodies are to use more than 10% of the allocation for its operational budget.

§2.1.3 Furthermore, Student Government shall set the date(s) for budgets to be submitted with notification to the Student Assembly at least two (2) weeks before the declared deadline

§2.1.4 Student Government shall have the authority to create such auxiliary funds as it deems necessary.

§2.2 The Funding Committee shall be composed of three Student Government Representatives and two member of the Student Assembly, and shall be chaired by the President of Student Government.

§2.3 These Student Government Representatives shall be appointed by the Resource Committee. No member of the Resource Committee shall vote to appoint himself to the Funding Committee. This does not prohibit a member of the Resource Committee from being on the Funding Committee.

§2.3.1 Member of the Funding Committee are not to serve under another secretary.

§2.3.2 The two members of the Student Assembly are to be recruited for the interview/application process by advertisements, posters, personal contact, or any other means necessary for finding the most qualified individuals willing to be involved in this process. Appointments are to be recommended by the Resource Committee to Student Government, taking impartiality into consideration.

§2.3.21 Upon the recommendation of one member of the Funding Committee or three Student Government members, may remove any member from the Funding Committee in order to protect the integrity of the Committee or the Student Government as a whole. This requires a two thirds (2/3) vote by the Student Government and is not subject to appeal to the Judiciary Board.

§2.4 Affirmation of the Funding Committee requires a majority vote after rigorous examination of the proposal. A proposal must receive majority vote to advance to Student Government, with proponents and opponents listed in writing on the proposal.

§2.5 Confirmation of the funding by Student Government requires a majority vote for approval of funding measures, and must receive the signature of the President of Student Government.

§2.6 Funding may be approved for the upcoming academic year; funds will be allotted from the current year’s budget.

§2.7 No entity shall be permitted to go into debt.

Introduced to the Assembly March 28, 2013

Introduced by Sec. Robert Swain (As Requested by Chief Justice Josh Root)

Ramsey A’ve, Student Government President

Approved

A RESOLUTION TO: increase the size of the Judiciary Board.

WHEREAS: the recusal of any potentially biased Justices would decrease the size of the ruling board by a significant portion; and

WHEREAS: the Judiciary Board may be better able to function with more members to share its workload amongst; and

RESOLVED: that we amend the Constitution of the Students, Article IV, Part B, and Section 1 to be replaced with:

Section 1: The Judiciary Board shall consist of seven (7) student Justices chosen from the Student Assembly by the Student Government. All Justices shall hold their offices during good behavior.

PLEASE NOTE – THIS AMENDMENT DOES NOT APPLY AS IT REPLACES THE WRONG SECTION OF THE CONSTITUTION

Introduced to the Assembly February 16, 2014

Introduced by Rep. Alyssa Jacobs

Co-sponsors: Rep. Perkins, Rep. Sheridan, Rep. Schmidt, Rep. Lester, Rep. Studer

Douglas Jones, Student Government President

Approved

A RESOLUTION TO: Amend the Student Constitution to stipulate a community service requirement of all Student Assembly Branches.

WHEREAS, The Student Assembly is a representation of the student body and Lake Superior State University; and

WHEREAS, The University is a part of the community and student leaders should be actively promoting and involved with giving back to the community,

WHEREAS, In an effort to improve the relationship with the community; be it therefore,

RESOLVED, that the following be added to the Student Constitution:

Article I – Organization

D: Organization Requirements

Section 1: All Student Assembly Branches shall be required to have one representative on a collective committee that oversees the planning of one event per semester that incorporates philanthropy or community service that benefits the community. The committee will be chaired by the Secretary of Activities and Public Relations, who will only vote in the event of a tie. This committee shall be required to give a brief report to Student Government at the meeting following the event.

Introduced to the Assembly February 19, 2015

Introduced by Rep. Kyrstin Sheridan

Co-sponsors: Rep. Dean Pupo, Rep. Graham Peterson, Rep. Jessica Kleaver, Rep. Emily Keister, Rep. Andre’ Jacques, Rep. Unai Miguel Andres

Douglas Jones, Student Government President

Approved

A RESOLUTION TO: Amend the Student Constitution to require prior Student Assembly experience to run for President and for a Secretary position.

WHEREAS with these changes it will allow more students to get involved; be it therefore

RESOLVED, that the following change be made to the Constitution of the Students with immediate effect:

Article II-Student Government

C: Eligibility

Section 1: To be eligible to serve as President of the Student Government or a Student Government Secretary position, a student must meet all of the following criteria:

• Completed no less than one full academic year while enrolled at Lake Superior State University;
• Must be enrolled for at least nine (9) academic semester hours and;
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 system prior to the election period.
• To have served as a member of the Student Government for at least one semester at the time of installment as President

Section 2: The requirement of prior student government service may be substituted with:

• President: The service as the head of any of the other Branches of the Student Assembly.
• Secretaries: The service at the executive level in any of the other Branches of the Student Assembly.

Section 8: If a student sits on another Student Assembly branch executive board but does not hold the head of that executive board position, the said student is still eligible for a Student Government Secretary or Representative position. However, if said student is involved in student media or receives financial compensation for their executive duties said student is not eligible for the Student Government President or any Secretary position.