FUSA Constitution
The Constitution of the
FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY
STUDENT ASSOCIATION
Constitutional Convention Committee 2009
Daniel Lamendola ‘09, Chair of Senate (Chair)
Frank Fioretti ‘10, Senator
John Tiene ‘11, Senator
Alexandra Ghiorzi ‘09, Chief Justice
Chris Jones ‘10, Associate Justice
Samar Coyle ‘11, Associate Justice
Jeffrey Seiser ‘10, President
Michelle Serratelli ‘09, Director of Lectures (Secretary)
Alessandra Fiorenza ‘10, Director of Cultural Celebrations
PREAMBLE
We, the undergraduate students at Fairfield University, hereby organize and establish the Fairfield University Student Association. As the representative government of the undergraduate student body, the student association shall be charged with the following roles: To represent and advocate student issues, needs and concerns, to promote a diverse array of social, educational and cultural programs and initiatives, to be a valuable partner in the administrative processes of the school, and to govern ourselves in a manner that is both respectful of individual rights and consistent with the needs of the University and the larger community. This Constitution seeks to create a government that is accessible to all students. It is our intention that the student association be an open forum for the vigorous exchange of ideas, that it be committed to fostering individual growth and advancement, and that it take the lead in improving learning and living here on campus. We establish this government in the tradition of the Jesuit ideals.
ARTICLE I: NAME & MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.1 - Name
The name of this organization shall be the Fairfield University Student Association hereafter referred to as FUSA.
Section 1.2 - Membership
All fulltime, matriculated, undergraduate students are members of FUSA.
ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Section 2.1 - Expression
Members of FUSA have the right to express individual opinions both publicly and privately. Members shall have the right to assemble. All student media, which is funded by FUSA, shall be free of prior approval, so long as it is in compliance with the Student Handbook.
Section 2.2 - Hearings
Members of FUSA have the right to a hearing when violations of the student code-of-conduct or other University policies are alleged. Such a hearing must occur in accordance with the prescribed disciplinary or grievance procedures set forth in the student handbook.
Section 2.3 - Public Records
Members of FUSA have the right to request and review official FUSA records.
Section 2.4 - Meetings
FUSA meetings shall be open to the public except in instances when rules of procedure require that they be closed, or an executive session is called by the meeting chairperson with a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Senate in favor of a closed session. The closed session policies and procedures are further described in the house rules of each branch of FUSA.
Section 2.5 - Conduct & Ethics
Members of FUSA serving in the undergraduate government agree to conduct themselves in a fashion that reflects the highest level of honesty and integrity and to execute their offices fully, faithfully and in a manner consistent with the representation of the student body. All appointments shall be made with these principles in mind. All hearings shall be unbiased and all individuals subject to review shall be accorded all due respect and dignity.
ARTICLE III: GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 3.1 - Referendum
Any action of FUSA is subject to a referendum if one-fourth (1/4) of FUSA's members sign a petition and present it to the Judiciary Council Chair. A valid petition will result in a referendum within ten (10) class days.
Section 3.2 - Petition
Any member of FUSA may petition the Senate regarding an issue. However, only a member of the Senate may put forward a motion before the Senate for a resolution.
Section 3.3 - Service
No member of FUSA may serve in more than one position at one time.
Section 3.4 - The General Fee
FUSA's funding shall derive from the University's General Fee. If the actual collection of fees exceeds the budget projection, FUSA shall receive its portion of the excess funds in the following fiscal year. Similarly, if FUSA overspends its annual budget, the deficit shall affect the following fiscal year.
Section 3.5 - Terms
1. The term of elected officials shall begin at noon on the first Tuesday of April following the Spring FUSA Election, thus terminating the previous term of office. Freshmen elected in the Fall FUSA Election shall begin at noon on the day following the Fall FUSA Election.
2. The term of appointed members shall begin at noon on the first Tuesday of April, or if after that date, the day following approval by the Senate.
3. Executive and Legislative terms are to extend no longer than one year and terminate at noon on the first Tuesday of April. The term of the Judiciary Branch shall extend for two years with an option for renewal.
Section 3.6 - Involvement with the Office of the Dean of Students
1. The University recognizes that the FUSA President and the Judiciary Council Chair are to work in conjunction with the Dean of Students Office in the selection process of students to serve as members of the Peer Conduct Board.
2. The students serving on the Peer Conduct Board shall meet at least once per semester with the Judiciary Council to provide trend reports and to discuss student concerns relating to their respective work.
ARTICLE IV: STRUCTURE
Section 4.1 - Legislative Branch: The Senate
1. The Senate shall be composed of eight Senators per class who are elected by the members of their respective undergraduate classes. The entire Senate shall be composed of thirty two voting Senators, a Chair of the Senate, Vice Chair of the Senate and the Vice President of FUSA.
2. All Senators have one vote and in the case of a tie by the Senate, the power to break that tie shall rest in the Vice President of FUSA, who must attend all Senate meetings.
3. The Chair of Senate shall preside over all Senate meetings and shall hold all these meetings according to Parliamentary Procedure set forth by the Robert's Rules of Order, unless procedures are otherwise stipulated in the Senate House Rules.
4. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair will assume this role. In the absence of both the Chair and the Vice Chair, the Senate may elect a Chair Pro-Tempore for this time.
5. Prior to the Spring FUSA Election, the Senate shall be responsible for electing, by closed ballot, the Chair and Vice Chair of Senate who will serve the newly elected session.
6. In the case of an open seat in the Senate, the respective Class Council shall petition the class and recommend a qualified candidate to the Chair of Senate, who shall make the appointment.
7. The Senate shall have two standing committees: An Academics Committee and a Student Life committee. The Senate may establish other, ad hoc, committees as needed. At the beginning of each new session, each Senator shall indicate committee preferences to the Chair of the Senate who shall then appoint representative to the committees.
8. The Senate shall have a standing Finance Council that meets regularly with the FUSA Secretary of the Treasury, the Programming Director of Finance and the SOBOG Vice Chair of Finance to review the budget status.
Section 4.2 - Duties and Powers of the Senate
1. All legislative authority and functions within FUSA shall rest within the Senate.
2. Senators, as elected representatives of FUSA, are responsible for soliciting and deliberating upon student issues, and using the legislative process as a means to advance or resolve such issues.
3. The Senate shall review and approve the annual budget submitted by the President. The Senate shall have the authority to accept or reject the proposal by majority vote.
4. The Senate must approve any single FUSA activity budgeted greater than $10,000 after review by the Finance Council.
5. Resolutions passed by the Senate and signed by the President will become the official position of the undergraduate government. Resolutions are to serve and protect the interest of the student body.
6. Any resolution passed by the Senate may be vetoed by the President. The President has ten (10) class days to respond to a resolution. If no action is taken within ten (10) class days, the resolution becomes official.
7. Resolutions that are vetoed by the President may be overridden with three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Senate and will become official policy of FUSA.
8. The Senators are to be informed of and work in collaboration with their respective Class Council to address issues of interest or concern affecting that class and resolutions recognized by the University.
Section 4.3 - Executive Branch
1. All executive authority and functions within FUSA shall rest with the President of FUSA.
2. The President and Vice President shall be elected by the full-time undergraduate student body.
3. The President shall act as the primary spokesperson for FUSA.
4. At least once per academic year, the President must issue a "state-of-the-university" address to keep the student body informed on FUSA's initiatives on campus.
5. The President is responsible for forming and defining the FUSA budget. Prior to the forming of the budget, the President is required to hold a public forum where elected and appointed members of FUSA are asked to voice their opinions on any budgetary changes for the upcoming session. After this forum, the President shall meet with the newly appointed Executive Cabinet and form the budget. Once the budget is formed, the President must bring the budget to the Senate for final approval.
6. The President shall convene an Executive Cabinet which together with the Vice President shall consist of the Secretaries of Academics, Student Life, Marketing and Public Relations, the Treasury and the Interior along with an Executive Director of Programming and the Student Organization's Board of Governors (SOBOG) Chair. The Executive Cabinet shall advise and assist the President in all matters that may be necessary and appropriate in the fulfillment of the President's duties of this constitution.
7. The Vice President shall assist the President in the fulfillment of his/her responsibilities.
8. The Executive Director of Programming shall chair the Programming Board, which shall consist of appointed directors of finance, publicity and of specific areas of interest to include: Concerts, Special Events, General Events, Cultural Celebrations, Athletics and Lectures. The Programming Board shall be responsible for sponsoring programming to meet student needs.
9. The SOBOG shall act a resource and administrative body for the collective representation of the registered student clubs and organizations. The SOBOG shall be comprised of a Chair, a Vice Chair of Communication, a Vice Chair of Finance and eight Governors. The Chair shall be appointed by the FUSA President and the Vice Chairs of Communication and Finance shall be appointed by the SOBOG Chair and all three positions do not retain voting rights on the board. The Eight governors shall be elected by an in-house election process. The Chair shall moderate and chair the SOBOG and serve as the liaison to other FUSA groups. The Vice Chairs of Finance and Communication shall communicate regularly with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Marketing and Public Relations, respectively. The SOBOG is responsible for the approval of club and organization's constitutions, the allocation of funds and services to the registered clubs and organizations and for holding a General Assembly once each month for the purpose of exchanging and distributing information and encouraging collaboration and co-sponsorship among student groups. The procedures of the SOBOG Board shall be detailed in their house rules, as a subset of the Executive Branch House Rules.
10. The Class Councils shall each consist of a President, Vice President, and Treasurer who will be elected by their respective undergraduate class. The Class Council is responsible for the coordination and execution of activities and initiatives aimed at promoting unity and identity for individual classes. The Class Councils shall be informed of and work in collaboration with their respective Class Senators to address issues of interest or concern affecting that class.
Section 4.4 - Executive Succession
1. Should the office of the President become vacant, the Vice President shall become President.
2. In the event that the President is temporarily unable to perform the duties of the office, the Vice President shall assume all duties of the President for that time.
3. Should the office of the Vice President become vacant, the President shall appoint a successor with the approval of a majority vote of the Senate.
4. Should the office of the President and Vice President become vacant, the Chair of Senate shall become President and the Vice Chair of Senate shall become Chair of Senate.
Section 4.5 - Class Council Succession
1. Should the office of Class Council President become vacant, the Class Council Vice President shall become President. In the event that the Class Council President is temporarily unable to perform the duties of the office, the Class Council Vice President shall assume all duties of the President for that time.
2. In the event of a vacancy of Class Council Vice President or Secretary, the Class Council President shall be responsible for appointing a new individual, to be approved by a majority vote of the respective Class Senators.
Section 4.6 - Joint Senate - Class Council Committee
1. The joint Senate - Class Council Committee shall be comprised of one Senator and one Class Council member per class. The Senators shall be appointed by the Chair of Senate and each Class Council President shall appoint their representative.
2. The Committee shall be convened for the purposes of reviewing all appointed positions prior to approval by the Senate and is to serve as a hearing body for impeachment and expulsion of members of the Judiciary Council.
Section 4.7 - Judiciary Branch
1. All judicial authority and functions shall rest within the Judiciary Council.
2. The Judiciary Council shall consist of a Council Chair and a minimum of four council members. Members are to be appointed by the Council Chair, reviewed by the joint Senate - Class Council Review Committee and approved by the Senate.
3. The Judiciary Council shall be responsible for mediating disputes within FUSA and may be called upon by the University or the President of FUSA to do so.
4. The Judiciary Council shall serve as a hearing body for adjudicating all matters concerning FUSA membership performance and shall supervise and conduct all FUSA elections in accordance with the election code, located within the Judicial Branch House Rules.
5. The Judiciary Council is called upon by FUSA to serve as a peer-advocate board, in accordance with the student code-of-conduct and conduct procedures, to support students involved in conduct hearings.
6. The Judiciary Council shall be responsible for reviewing and producing feedback on University policies and work with the Secretaries of Student Life and Academics, to address concerns with appropriate University offices.
ARTICLE V - IMPEACHMENT & EXPULSION
Section 5.1 - Charges
1. Charges may be brought against any member of FUSA based on non-performance, absences, misconduct, and violation of this Constitution and/or House Rules.
2. Charges are to be submitted, in writing, to the Judiciary Council Chair, who is responsible for communicating these charges to the individual. In the event that charges are brought against a Judiciary Council Member, the Chair of Senate shall assume the responsibilities of the Council Chair.
3. The President, Vice President and Senate Chair must be notified of all charges.
4. The individual member in question shall have five academic days to present a reply.
5. The member in question may request a hearing.
Section 5.2 - Hearings
1. The Judiciary Council shall, with the Council Chair presiding, hold a hearing for members of the Executive and Legislative branches.
2. The joint Senate - Class Council Committee, with the Chair of Senate presiding without voting rights, shall hold the hearing for members of the Judiciary Branch.
3. Any members with a direct interest in the matter are required to abstain from voting.
Section 5.3 - Removal
Any member of the Executive and Legislative Branch may be removed by a majority vote of the Judiciary Council, after charges have been filed and a hearing has taken place. A member of the Judicial Branch may be removed by a majority vote of the joint Senate - Class Council Committee, after charges have been filed and a hearing has taken place.
ARTICLE VI: ELECTIONS & APPOINTMENTS
Section 6.1 - General Elections
1. A member of FUSA may only run for election to one position in FUSA at a time.
2. The Spring Election shall be held on the third Tuesday of February. The Fall Election shall be held on the last Tuesday of September. In the event that the date conflicts with the University Calendar, the Judiciary Council Chair shall set an appropriate date.
3. Members shall be elected to the Sophomore, Junior, and Senior class positions in the Spring FUSA Election. Members shall be elected to positions for the Freshman Class in the Fall FUSA Election.
4. All FUSA elections shall be conducted in accordance with the FUSA Election Code, located in the Judiciary Branch House Rules. The Election Code shall be approved by the Senate in advance to any election and shall contain appropriate provisions detailing campaign policies, hearing procedures and vote counting procedures.
5. The Judiciary Council has final authority on adjudicating all election disputes.
Section 6.2 - Appointments
All appointments are subject to review by a joint Senate and Class Council Committee and shall be brought to the Senate for final approval.
ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS AND FUTURE CONSTITUTIONS
1. This constitution shall be amended when these lines are proven insufficient for future circumstances. Amendments shall be kept in the spirit of this Constitution and shall address the needs of the student body.
2. This Constitution takes precedence over all former Constitutions. Furthermore, all resolutions, rules and by-laws of FUSA must adhere to this Constitution.
3. Amendments to this Constitution are to be made, in resolution form, and approved by a two-thirds vote of the Senate. Upon signing of the resolution, the FUSA President must present it to the Division of Student Affairs for University approval.
4. A convention may be convened by a Senate resolution approved with a two-thirds vote of the Senate or by referendum and majority vote of the student body. The convention's membership shall be determined by the Senate, and shall be fairly representative of FUSA and its constituents. The Convention, in accordance with the Senate Resolution convening it and the FUSA Constitution, shall adopt its own rules of procedure. A convention shall convene at least every four (4) years, but need not result in changes to the most current form of the constitution.
2004-05 - Revised by the Senate Established Constitution Convention Committee
02/22/09 - Amended by the Constitutional Convention Committee 2009 & Senate Resolution S45-07
