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Student Government, MSC
P.O. Box 2889
Palmer, AK 99645
Phone: 907-745-9759

Fax: 907-745-9711

The Student Government of Matanuska-Susitna College, University of Alaska, Anchorage, maintains the following Constitution.

Constitution Contents

Mat- Su College Constitution

We, the members of the Student Government of Matanuska-Susitna College, University of Alaska, Anchorage, in order to represent student interests, needs and welfare within the college community; to supplement and complement education on the Matanuska-Susitna College campus; to provide for the expression of student opinion and interest to the community at large; to protect the right of the students herein stated; and to promote an understanding of the concept of self-governance, do affirm and establish this Constitution of the Matanuska-Susitna Student Government.

ARTICLE ONE

Section One - Authority

The MSC Student Government receives its authority by policy 09.01.01 of the University Of Alaska Board Of Regents which derives its authority from the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Alaska.

Section Two - Name

This organization will be known as the Matanuska-Susitna College Student Government hereinafter to as MSC Student Government and will be recognized by the Board of Regents as the sole official representative of the students of Matanuska-Susitna College for purposes set forth in this constitution.

Section Three - Purpose

The purpose of MSC Student Government will be to:

Promote the educational needs, general welfare, and rights of the student body at Matanuska-Susitna College.
Broaden the educational perspective of students by instituting a structure of self-governance.
Formulate, recommend, and ensure policy and procedure improvements concerning student life.
Provide an avenue for students to express their ideas for enhancing the quality of their educational experience through expedited communications among students, faculty, staff, and administration.
Serve all students equally. In accordance with federal and state law, illegal discrimination against any individual because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, Vietnam era or disabled veteran status, physical or mental disability, changes in marital status, pregnancy or parenthood is prohibited. Decisions affecting individuals shall be based on the individual’s qualifications, abilities and performance, as appropriate.

Section Four - Duties

The duties of the MSC Student Government shall be to:

Initiate and act upon legislation for the general welfare of the student body.
Investigate and understand campus, university, and Board of Regents’ policies and procedures which may affect the student body.
Provide input and suggest recommendations to the Director of the Matanuska-Susitna College that may benefit the student body.
Respond to state and/or federal legislation which may affect the student body.
Ensure that Activities funded by the MSC Student Government will be of benefit to the student body.
Recognize student organizations of the Matanuska-Susitna College, as stipulated in Article seven.

ARTICLE TWO

Section One - Membership

General
Any MSC student who pays a per semester Student Activity fee, and carries a minimum of three (3) credit hours per semester, will be eligible as a general member with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities in any activity to which the authority of this constitution extends.
Officers
1. Any member of Student Government Council that holds a position (Senator, Representative) shall herein be referred to as an officer, or by the representative title of that position.
2. The president and Vice President shall herein be referred to as an Executive Officer, or by their respective title.
3. The President and Vice President, must be students in good standing at MSC, maintain at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), and be enrolled and complete at least six (6) credit hours per semester on the Mat-Su campus, while in office. All other officers (Senators, Representatives, and Secretary/Treasurer) must be students in good standing at MSC, maintain at least a cumulative 2.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), and be enrolled and complete at least three (3) credit hours, on the Mat-Su campus, per semester, while in office.
4. The Secretary, in conjunction with the Faculty Advisor, shall evaluate at the first meeting of every semester, the current GPA and enrollment status of all Officers for compliance. To facilitate this process, all Officers shall provide the Secretary with a current transcript and/or a copy of grades for confidential inspection. If the required minimum GPA is not met, the Officer may be removed from his/her position by a 2/3 vote of council.
5. All Officers are required to be in good disciplinary standing, if an Officer fails to meet this standard, the Officer may be removed from his/her position be a 2/3 vote of Council.

Section Two - Student Activity Fee

Purpose
The Purpose of a Student Activity Fee may include but not be limited to funding such activities as dances, banquets, concerts, socials, guest speakers, conferences, student clubs, student newspapers, and/or legal counseling.
Authority
The MSC Student Government has the authority to establish and allocate a student activity fee in accordance with Board of Regents policy.
Eligibility
All MSC Students registering for three or more credit hours per fall or spring semester shall be required to pay a Student Activity Fee as described in this Constitution.

ARTICLE THREE

Section One - Officers

Council

The MSC Student Government shall consist of a single governing structure called the Council. Members of the Council include Senators, Representatives, one Advisor, and the Executive Branch of President, Vice-President, Secretary and/or Treasurer.
The number of Senators shall be based on student enrollment head count at a ratio of one Senator per each hundred students, rounded to the nearest hundredth. If enrollment decreases between semesters, Senators retain their Council seat.
One club Representative shall be elected by each MSC student organization to represent that group’s interests at MSC Council meetings.
The Advisor, either a full-time staff or faculty member, shall be appointed be the Director of MSC following consultation with the Executive Branch of MSC Council.
The President and Vice-President shall be elected, at large, by the current student body.
Council Representatives (Legislative Affairs Rep., Coalition Rep.) shall be appointed by the president following consultation with the Vice-President and with majority approved by Council quorum. Persons quality for Council Representative positions after attending three consecutive open Council meetings, or have they have attained Senator status. Senator status will be forfeited if Council Representative status is approved.
Senators will be voted in by a two-thirds majority of the Council Quorum. Persons qualify for Senator status after attending three consecutive Council meetings.
The Secretary/Treasurer position is a student-worker paid position. The MSC Student Government Council President is the immediate supervisor over the person holding the position but the Secretary/Treasurer ultimately answers to the business office. The person must be a University of Alaska student.
No member of faculty, regardless of student status, shall serve as an officer, or Executive Officer on the Council.

Section Two - Voting

The Vice-President, each Senator, and each Representative shall have only one vote.
The President shall be entitled to have one vote in any matter.
The Secretary and/or Treasurer shall be in a non-voting capacity.
No officer may delegate his/her vote to any other matter, however, the member may, if unable to attend a meeting, or he/she must leave a meeting, present the secretary, in writing, a vote on an agenda item.

Section Three - Attendance

All Officers and Executive Officers shall attend all meetings of the MSC Student Government Council. An absence may be excused if prior notice, verbal or written, has been given. Any officer who misses three consecutive meetings in a semester shall be asked by the President to resign. Officer may be removed from his/her position by a 2/3 vote of Council.
An excused absence shall be defined as one in which any Officer has given prior notification to the Secretary and/or President, and/or has presented a valid excuse for non-attendance, such as illness, injury, or Mat-Su College Student Government business.

Section Four - Regular Term Session

The regular session of the MSC Student Government Council term of officer shall begin on the first day of each fall semester and ends on the last day of each spring semester, herein referred to as “term” or "term of office".
The term of the president and Vice-President shall begin on the fifteenth day of each May and end on the following fourteenth of May.
Meetings during the summer months are optional, and are classified as Special Meetings.

Section Five - Vacancies During Term

Vacancies in the office of the President, during term of office, shall be immediately filled by the Vice-President for the duration of that term.
Vacancies in the office of Vice-President or Advisor shall be filled by mutual agreement by the President and the Director of MSC, with a majority approved by a Council quorum.
Upon notification of a vacant Senator seat, the Council shall advertise such for a period of not less than five days. All general members of the MSC student body who meet this Constitution’s criteria may declare candidacy for the vacancy. From the qualified candidates, a 2/3 majority vote by a Council quorum shall fill the vacancy.

Section Six - Term Limits

The number of consecutive terms that may be occupied by the same candidate for the office of either President or Vice-President of the MSC Student Government Council shall be limited to two.
The number of consecutive terms that may be occupied by the same person for the offices of Representative or Senator of the MSC Student Government Council shall be limited to five semesters.
The term for Senator or Representative is equivalent to one semester.

Section Seven - Resignations

Resignations shall be in writing and shall be presented to the President. The Secretary shall present it to the Council at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Resignations will be effective when accepted by the president.
If a Club Representative resigns, it shall be the responsibility of the affected organization to select a replacement within a reasonable amount of time.

ARTICLE FOUR

Section One - Conduct and Behavior

All Officers of the MSC Student Government Council shall conduct themselves in an orderly and professional manner when engaging in activities involving their representation of the membership of the Matanuska-Susitna College. Failure to abide by these standards of conduct may result in impeachment proceedings or sanctions by the Council.

Section Two - Officer Responsibilities

The President shall have the authority to:

Act as the official spokesperson for the MSC Student Government Council.
Ensure that the student body is informed of services provided by the MSC Student Government Council.
Call and preside over all meetings of the MSC Student Government Council.
Be the supervisor of the Secretary/Treasurer and when need arises, make recommendations to the Business Office of a qualified person to be in the Secretary/Treasurer position.
Co-sign, along with the Secretary/Treasurer, requisitions for the MSC Student Government Council.
Initiate committee and/or other meetings, as needed.
Appoint Council Representatives (Legislative Affairs Rep., etc.) as needed, following consultation with the Vice-President and a majority vote of Council.
Be an ex-officio, voting, member of all such committees and/or other meetings of the MSC Student Government Council.
Attend meetings as requested by the Director of Matanuska-Susitna College.
Veto Council legislation, in writing and within two business days of passage.
Establish ad-hoc committees.
Appoint persons to serve on other committees, as needed.

The Vice-President shall:

Assist the President in achieving the mutual objectives of the MSC Student Government Council and the Matanuska-Susitna College student body.
Make information accessible to all students regarding services provided by the MSC Student Government Council.
Perform the duties of the President in the event that the President is absent from the scheduled meeting.
Become the Acting President upon the resignation, impeachment, recall, or incapacity of the President until the next regularly scheduled election.
Have the authority to co-sign, along with the Treasurer, requisitions for the MSC Student Government Council.
Have one (1) vote on Council.

The Secretary/Treasurer shall have the authority to:

Assist the President in achieving the mutual objectives of the MSC Student Government Council and the Matanuska-Susitna College student body.
Expedite general staff work and correspondence of the MSC Student Government Council.
Be responsible for posting the time for all meetings of the MSC Student Government Council at least three business days prior to each meeting.
Be responsible for posting and provide copies of the agenda for all meetings of the MSC Student Government Council, and post and provide copies at least one business day prior to the next meeting.
Be responsible for transcribing the minutes for all meetings of the MSC Student Government Council, and post and provide copies at least one business day prior to the next meeting.
Be responsible for researching, in conjunction with the faculty advisor, and report to the President those candidates who are eligible to obtain or retain a Council seat as specified in this constitution.
Be responsible for keeping an accurate record of the number of members and attendance at meetings of the Student Government Council
Coordinate all travel done by MSC Student Government Council Officers and Executive Offices, on official Student Government Council business.
Distribute the campus newspaper to concerns off campus.
Work with committees in order to ensure that proper college policy procedure is followed.
Receive a salary paid by the MSC Student Government Council form the Student Activity Fee and dispersed according to Matanuska-Susitna College Policy.
Oversee all financial affairs of the MSC Student Government Council.
Account for financial changes incurred between meetings and report these changes to the President at each meeting.
Have the authority to co-sign requisitions for the MSC Student Government Council. The other cosigner shall be the President or Vice-President.

Each Representative shall:

Assist the president in achieving the mutual objectives of the MSC Student Government Council and the Matanuska-Susitna College student body.
Be an active participant on a recognized student board, Council committee, or other committee of Matanuska-Susitna College.
Shall have one (1) vote in Council, and shall have the same powers as a Senator.
Report any activities incurred by their organization to the President at each meeting of the MSC Student Government Council.
Account for all financial disbursement of the MSC Student Government Council funds allocated to their organization or position.
The Coalition of Student Leaders Representative, if other than the President, shall be a Senator.

Each Senator shall:

Assist the president in achieving the mutual objectives of the MSC Student Government Council and the Matanuska-Susitna College student body.
Serve on MSC Student Government Council committees and/or other sponsored programs.
Help to represent the MSC Student Government Council to the general membership.
Have one (1) vote on Council.

The Staff or Faculty Advisor shall:

Provide an informed (administrative/faculty/staff) perspective to the MSC Student Government Council.
Act as liaison between the MSC Student Government Council and the administration, faculty, and staff of the Matanuska-Susitna College.
Serve in a non-voting member, ex-officio capacity.

ARTICLE FIVE

Meetings

Quorum
A quorum consisting of the majority of the voting members of the Council is required to conduct all business. Once a quorum has been established, business may continue.
Meetings
Meetings of the MSC Student Government Council shall be held at a regularly and announced time and place, in a convenient location, during the academic year, and be open to all Matanuska-Susitna College Students and the general public.
Special meetings
Executive Sessions
Whenever necessary, an executive session shall be called with the following MSC Student Government Council members are entitled to be present, President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, Faculty Advisor, and if needed, the director of MSC or other affected Council members. The president shall be responsible for providing notification of executive sessions.

ARTICLE SIX

Student Organizations

Recognition
The MSC Student Government Council is authorized to recognize student organizations of MSC. The council shall provide a copy of the MSC Student Government Council Constitution to such organizations. The council shall have the discretion to award or deny financial from such organizations.
Club funding guidelines

Each student organization must have at least one of its representatives regularly attend Student Government Council meetings, in order to be eligible to receive funding from the MSC Student Government Council.
Each financial request must be a formal letter signed by the club’s faculty Advisor and an Officer, President, Vice-President, or Treasurer of the club and shall contain the following: club name, club representatives, amount needed, date needed by, explanation of planned expenditures, explanation of student body benefits and an explanation of how the MSC Student Government Council shall receive recognition.
An amount determined by the Council, up to the maximum of three hundred dollars, may be awarded to each organization per semester.

ARTICLE SEVEN

Section One - Elections

The executive Officers, President and Vice-President, election shall be conducted by a Board of Elections.
Elections shall be held during the month of April and notice of election must be posted in prominent places on campus for a minimum of twenty business days prior to election.
All members of MSC student body, that have paid the prescribed student Activity Fee, shall have one vote.
Voting shall be by individual and secret ballot. Absentee or proxy votes shall not be recognized.
Student (voter) registration, ballots, and ballot box shall be located in a prominent place on campus.
All candidates must meet this Constitution’s criteria for elected office and submit a letter of intent at least ten business days prior to election.
A student’s name may appear on a ballot as a candidate for only on elected office.
For each elected office, the candidate who receives the simple majority of votes shall obtain that office.
In the event of a tie, a decision will be made by a random drawing.
All newly elected Executive Officers shall observe a training period from the time of their election until may 15. During that time, the incoming and outgoing Executive Officers shall each have one vote. All new Executive Officers will assume their elected responsibilities on May 15 and retain those responsibilities through May 14 of the following year.
Write-in candidates are not allowed.

Section Two - Board of Elections

The board of elections shall be composed of the MSC Student Government Council Secretary, one Council member, appointed by majority approval of a Council quorum, at least one administrative, faculty or staff member and one student, activity fee paying from the general student population, approved by a majority vote of a Council quorum.
This Board shall meet at least twice during the month prior to election.
This board shall have the duty and authority to determine and certify which candidates have fulfilled the qualifications for elected office as described in this Constitution.
This Board shall have the responsibility to monitor electoral and campaigning procedures as described in this Constitution.
This Board must report any questionable electoral or campaigning activities to the President, except in the case of re-election of the president. The Board would then report to the Vice-President or Secretary/Treasurer, depending on elections.
The Board has the authority to impose sanctions, as deems appropriate, regarding questionable campaign activities, including removal of candidacy and removal from office, if elected. A full Council hearing will be provided for appeals, and a 2/3 majority vote can override the decisions of the Board.

ARTICLE EIGHT

Impeachment

Grounds for impeachment

Executive Officers and Offices are expected to be in good disciplinary standing and academic standing as prescribed in this Constitution. Any MSC Student Government Council Officer, or executive Officer may face impeachment proceedings for violations of these standards. The Rules Committee shall determine the severity of the violation and proceed accordingly.
Any MSC Student Government Council Officer, or executive Officer may be impeached for due cause if any petitioned grievance has been found to be justified by majority approval of council.

Procedure for impeachment

Petitions for impeachment must be presented to the council to determine whether grounds for impeachment exist.
Validated petitions shall be addressed at the next meeting of the MSC Student Government Council unless the defendant specifically requests in writing that the hearings be closed.
The Rules Committee will conduct all impeachment hearings.
At hearing: a) the petition shall be read, b) witnesses shall be called to give testimony and undergo cross-examination, c) the question shall be put to vote before the Rules Committee for a majority decision, d) action will be taken by Rules Committee.
Appeals may be filed with the Secretary no later than 10 days after the Rules Committee has published its decision.
The Officer, or Executive Officer, shall retain his/her position during an appeal, but will have no voting privileges during this period.
Appeals will be presented to Council at the next, regularly scheduled meeting. A ¾ majority vote of Council shall overturn the decision of the Rules Committee.

ARTICLE NINE

Rules of Procedure

Rules of order
The latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall provide the guidelines for all meetings of the MSC Student Government Council, so log as those guidelines do not conflict with this Constitution and Bylaws.
Bylaws
The initial Bylaws attached to this Constitution shall be presented to the MSC Student Government Council for ratification along with this Constitution. Subsequent amendments to this Constitution and Bylaws must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the entire MSC Student Government Council membership and subject to University of Alaska procedures as necessary.

Article 1. Order of Business

The Order of Business shall be prescribed in the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.
By two-thirds (2/3) vote of the majority, Council may depart from the Order of Business.
To be assured a place on the Agenda, all business must be presented to the Secretary at least three (3) business days prior to each meeting.

Article 2. Elections

The Board of Elections will have the authority to govern elections.
Campaign materials are to be posted in accordance with University regulations.
No Student Government Council funds, facilities, or equipment may be used to campaign. No campaign materials of any kind shall expressly or implicitly claim endorsement of Student Government Council or its governing structure.
There will be no posted campaign materials within 30 feet of any voting booth on election day(s).
Candidates are responsible for picking up and disposing of any campaign materials, within 72 hours of the election.
Unethical campaign practices will not be tolerated, and could result in sanctions, as decided by the Board of Elections.
All complaints related to the election process shall be submitted to the Chair of the Board of Elections by 5:00 p.m. the next business day following the final day of the election.
A complete review of each complaint will be conducted by the Board and the MSC Director, if needed.

Article 3. Committees

Committee membership

Membership on any committee is open to any officer of Student Government Council, or any student, activity fee paying, from the general student population. Committee members have a vote on the committee, regardless of Council position, or lack thereof.
Each committee member shall be responsible for attending and participating committee meetings.
Officers of Student Government Council, except the President in an ex-officio capacity, may not serve on more than four (4) committees simultaneously.

Committee guidelines
1. Committee chairpersons will present reports to Student Government Council at regularly scheduled meetings.
2. No committee, except the Rules Committee, shall be deemed as having final determination over any matter. Committees must get the approval of a majority of Student Government Council.
3. At least two Officers shall serve on each committee.
4. No quorum is necessary to conduct business.
Standing committees
1. Rules Committee
2. Legislative Affairs Committee

Article 4. Freedom of Speech

No Council member shall be deprived of the right to freedom of expression as dictated by the Constitution of the United States.
The Council reserves the right to invoke closure, on any subject when it feels that the topic has been exhausted, by a ¾ vote of the majority.

Article 5. Student Media Board

It is necessary to insulate student media from political and budgetary constraints on the part of organized interest groups, and at the same time to ensure that it remains accountable to the student body as a whole. For this reason, the MSC Student Government Council asserts the need to establish a Media Board, representing the broad interests of the college community and assist in the development and maintenance of strong, independent, and responsible vehicles for free expression. The Media Board will have its own guidelines to be followed to be attached to this Constitution.
The Media Board shall be composed of: Four (4) representatives of the student body, one (1) representative of the Student Government Council, the Faculty Advisor to the MSC Monitor, the MSC Journalism Advisor, a Community Advisory Member, and the Editor of MSC Monitor. Appointments to the Media Board are to be as follows: the Director of MSC will appoint the Faculty Advisor to the MSC Monitor, the MSC Journalism Advisor, and the Community Advisory Member; the MSC Student Government Council President will appoint the representative from the MSC Student Government Council. The Editor of the MSC Monitor is automatically placed on the board, and will select the four student representatives.
The voting membership shall consist of: All members of the board, except the Editor and the Community Advisory member, who shall act in an ex-officio capacity.