CONSTITUTION OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION · Mission The SGA shall strive to achieve the goals as outlined in the Preamble; to enhance student life at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical

CONSTITUTION OF

THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT

ASSOCIATION

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Daytona Beach, Florida

Student Government Association

This SGA Constitution has been last amended and ratified effective 12 April 2018.

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Preamble:

We, the students of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University establish this constitution as a guide

for the Student Government Association to provide a voice for the student opinions concerning

the affairs of the University. Additionally, it develops a framework around which students may

respond to the challenges of a democratic society through the process of elective student

government. Through this constitution, the SGA will uphold individual responsibilities while

acknowledging the professional principles upon which this university was founded.

Grant of Power:

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University hereby grants the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Student Government Association the right to exist and act on behalf of the student body in its

goals to facilitate and promote student life and services, to collect fees from the student body to

finance its student services, to maintain offices and operations on campus, and to have a member

serve on the board of trustees.

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Contents: Page #

Article I: Declaration 5

Section 1. Name 5

Section 2. Mission 5

Section 3. General Membership 5

Section 4. SGA Officials 5

Article II: Branches of the SGA 6

Section 1. The Executive Branch 6

Section 2. The Legislative Branch 6

Section 3. The Judicial Branch 6

Article III: Divisions of the SGA 7

Section 1. Divisions 7

Section 2. Rules Governing Divisions 7

Section 3. Process for Adding a Division 7

Section 4. Process for Removing a Division 7

Article IV: Auxiliaries of the SGA 8

Section 1. Auxiliaries 8

Section 2. Definition 8

Section 3. Rules Governing Auxiliaries 8

Section 4. Process for Adding an Auxiliary 8

Section 5. Process for Removing an Auxiliary 8

Article V: Powers, Duties, and Limitations 9

Section 1. President 9

Section 2. Vice-President 10

Section 3. Treasurer 10

Section 4. Chief Justice 11

Section 5. Chief of Staff 11

Section 6. Director of Community Relations 12

Section 7. Director of Marketing & Communications 13

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Section 8. SGA Advisor 14

Section 9. Student Representative Board 14

Section 10. Student Finance Board 14

Section 11. Student Court 15

Article VI: Resignation, Removal, and Impeachment 16

Section 1. Resignation 16

Section 2. Absences and Removal 16

Section 3. Impeachment 17

Article VII: Election Process 18

Section 1. Election’s Committee Chairman 18

Section 2. Guidelines 18

Section 3. Elections Committee 18

Section 4. Qualifications to be appointed or elected to an Official Position 18

Section 5. Executive Officer’s ticket 18

Section 6. Chief Justice Appointment 19

Section 7. Student Court Members 20

Section 8. Terms of Office 20

Section 9. Vacancies of Office 20

Section 10. Re-Elections 20

Section 11. Records 20

Article VIII: SGA Fee Adjustment 21

Section 1. Review 21

Section 2. Approval 21

Article IX: Amendments to the Constitution 22

Section 1. Purpose 22

Section 2. Process 22

Article X: Ratification 22

Section 1. Definition 22

Section 2. Endorsements 22

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Article I: Declaration

Section 1. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Student

Government Association hereafter referred to as SGA.

Section 2. Mission

The SGA shall strive to achieve the goals as outlined in the Preamble; to enhance student

life at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University through the provision of services, events,

and representation while providing a means for students to address issues with the

administration.

Section 3. General Membership

All students currently enrolled at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach

campus who have paid the SGA fee shall be considered a member of the SGA.

Section 4. SGA Officials

The following shall be considered SGA Officials:

a. SGA President

b. SGA Vice-President

c. Treasurer

d. Chief Justice

e. Student Representative Board (SRB) Members

f. Student Finance Board (SFB) Members

g. Associate Justices

h. SGA Division Executive Board Members

i. Chief of Staff

j. Director of Community Relations

k. Director of Marketing & Communications

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Article II: Branches of the SGA

Section 1. The Executive Branch

The Executive Branch, chaired by the SGA President, shall be composed of the Vice-

President, Treasurer, Chief Justice, Chief of Staff, Director of Community Relations,

Director of Marketing & Communications, and Division Chairpersons. Its purpose is to

ensure that the overall mission of the SGA is carried out.

Section 2. The Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch shall be composed of the Student Representative Board, chaired

by the Vice President, and the Student Finance Board, chaired by the Treasurer. Its

purpose is to be the policy-making and decision-making body within the SGA, to

represent student’s interests and viewpoints, and to make responsible financial decisions.

Section 3. The Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch is composed of the Associate Justices chaired by the Chief Justice,

hereafter referred to as the Student Court. Its purpose is to protect the rights of the student

body and to advise them of their rights and responsibilities within the parameters of the

University policies and procedures manual. It also renders interpretations of the SGA

Constitution.

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Article III: Divisions of the SGA

Section 1. Divisions

In order to enhance student life, the SGA will maintain the following divisions:

a. The Avion Newspaper

b. Touch-N-Go Productions

c. The WIKD 102.5 FM

Section 2. Rules Governing Divisions

Each division will have current bylaws or other governing documents on file in the SGA

office. No provision or interpretation of these bylaws shall conflict with the SGA

Constitution.

Section 3. Process for Adding a Division

a. Any prospective division will submit a proposed copy of its bylaws to the SRB which

must in turn be approved by a 2/3 vote.

b. A proposed budget must be approved by the SFB with a 2/3 vote.

c. Once the criteria in parts a and b are satisfied, then the prospective division will be

voted upon for the Constitution change in accordance with Article IX, Section 2.

d. The group will be considered a division when all the above criteria are met.

Section 4. Process for Removing a Division

a. Any SGA Official may initiate the removal process.

i. The SGA Official must submit a detailed written request to the SRB and

the SFB.

ii. The division will cease to exist after a 2/3 vote of the SRB and SFB to

remove it.

Any decision may be appealed within five school days to the Student Court.

b. Any SGA member may initiate the removal process.

i. Any member of the SGA may submit a written charge of a division removal to the

Student Court. Written charge shall include specific constitutional evidence and a

petition containing the signatures of fifty (50) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

students or three elected or appointed officials from each branch and division of the

SGA, excluding the Student Court.

ii. The Student Court will then notify the division Chairperson being cited for

removal and in two weeks conduct a hearing at which the division being charged may

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submit any evidence to their defense. A 2/3 vote of the SRB and SFB is required for

the removal of the division to be carried out.

iii. If the division cited with removal feels that their rights were violated, then they

may file an appeal with the SGA Advisor within five (5) school days. The SGA

Advisor will then call for a meeting of the Student Court in which a 2/3 vote is

required to overturn the removal ruling.

iv. If new evidence pertaining to the removal case arises that could have been

submitted in the removal hearing but wasn’t through no fault of the Complainant or

the Respondent, then the Respondent may appeal a Responsible verdict with the SGA

Chief Justice within five (5) school days. The SGA Chief Justice will then assemble

the Student Court and hold a re-trial.

v. In the event a Student Court member fails in their duties and responsibilities or

abuses the power of their office they may be removed at the discretion of the SGA

Chief Justice.

vi. If the Student Court member feels that their rights were violated, then they may

file an appeal with the SGA Advisor within five (5) school days. The SGA Advisor

will then call for the remaining Associate Justices to hear the case which shall be

chaired by the SGA President in which a 2/3 vote is required to overturn the SGA

Chief Justice’s decision.

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Article IV: Auxiliaries of the SGA

Section 1. Auxiliaries

For those students that wish to become involved in the SGA without being officiated, the

SGA will maintain the following auxiliaries:

a. First-Year Initiative

b. Member at Large Program

Section 2. Definition

Auxiliaries are units of the SGA that are overseen and managed by SGA Officials. The

primary purpose of auxiliaries is to encourage involvement with the SGA.

Section 3. Rules Governing Auxiliaries

Each auxiliary will have current bylaws or other governing documents on file in the SGA

office. No provision or interpretation of these bylaws shall conflict with the SGA

Constitution or the interpretation by the Student Court

Section 4. Process for Adding an Auxiliary

a. Any prospective auxiliary will submit a proposed copy of its bylaws to the SRB

which must be approved by a 2/3 vote.

b. A proposed budget must be approved by the SFB with a 2/3 vote.

c. After the above criteria in parts a and b are satisfied, the prospective auxiliary will be

in a provisional period. To be in a provisional period means that the prospective

auxiliary may change its bylaws or budget at any time. Any changes to the bylaws or

budget must be approved by the SRB or SFB, respectively.

d. After one semester in the provisional period, the Constitution change, to include the

prospective auxiliary as an SGA Auxiliary, will be voted upon in accordance with

Article IX, Section 2.

e. If the Constitution change is not approved, whether the organization shall remain in

its provisional period will be voted upon in accordance with Article IX, Section 2.

f. The group will be considered an auxiliary when all the above criteria are met.

Section 5. Process for Removing an Auxiliary

a. Any SGA member may initiate the removal process.

b. The member must submit a detailed written request to the SRB and SFB.

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c. The auxiliary will cease to exist after a 2/3 vote of the SRB and SFB to remove it.

d. Any decision may be appealed within five school days to the Student Court.

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Article V: Powers, Duties, and Limitations

Section 1 President

The President shall:

a. Coordinate and communicate with SGA Officials to further the interest of the

students at the University.

b. Bear ultimate responsibility for activities conducted by the SGA and its organizations

within.

c. Publicly express the views and recommendations of the SGA.

d. Have veto power over all legislation, which must be exercised within five school

days.

e. Have the responsibility to review all resolutions and SGA formal proposals made and

passed by the SRB or SFB within seven school days of the resolution.

f. Chair a SGA Executive Board Meeting at least once each month during the school

session for the purpose of coordinating the overall SGA function.

g. Chair/host a meeting of the SGA branches and divisions through at least one General

Session each month during the Fall and Spring Semesters.

h. Have the authority to call any necessary joint sessions of any and all branches,

committees, and/or divisions.

i. Appoint the Chief Justice when the position is vacated.

j. Assist in the interviewing process of Associate Justices.

k. Nominate elections committee chairperson to the Executive Board.

l. Meet each month with the Dean of Students or their equivalent, to voice student

views.

m. Hold a retreat, at least once, during the Summer Semester for Fall Semester training,

and at least once before the Spring Semester, but not before thanksgiving break, for

Spring Semester Training.

n. Have the power to create ad-hoc positions that will be subject to all the rules and

regulations set forth by this Constitution. A job description for each ad-hoc position

will be kept on file by the Student Court.

o. Have and maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (CGPA).

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p. No less than six (6) credit hours for an Undergraduate student or three (3)

credit hours for Graduate per semester on the Daytona Beach campus

throughout his/her term in office.

q. Log a minimum of ten (10) office hours per week. At least half of the business hours

must be conducted between 8am-5pm.

Section 2. Vice-President

The Vice-President shall:

a. Be chairperson of the SRB and shall cast a vote only in the event of a tie.

b. Delegate duties and responsibilities to members of the SRB as necessary to conduct

the business of the SRB.

c. Act as a liaison between the SRB and all branches and divisions of the SGA.

d. Attend and report on the SRB at all Executive Board meetings.

e. Assist in the interviewing process of Associate Justices.

f. Appoint students to serve on SGA Committees.

g. Create an agenda for all SRB meetings.

h. Verify compliance with all SRB Bylaws.

i. Have and maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (CGPA).

j. No less than six (6) credit hours for an Undergraduate student or three (3)



k. Log a minimum of seven (7) office hours per week. At least half of the business

hours must be conducted between 8am-5pm.

Section 3. Treasurer

The Treasurer shall:

a. Be chairperson of the SFB and shall cast a vote only in the event of a tie.

b. Delegate duties and responsibilities to members of the SFB as necessary to conduct

the business of the SFB.

c. Act as a liaison between the SFB and all branches and divisions of the SGA.

d. Attend and report on the SFB at all Executive Board meetings.

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e. Assist in interviewing process of Associate Justices.

f. Create an agenda for all SFB meetings.

g. Verify compliance with all SFB Bylaws.

h. Have and maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (CGPA).

i. No less than six (6) credit hours for an Undergraduate student or three (3)



j. Log a minimum of seven (7) office hours per week.

Section 4. Chief Justice

The Chief Justice shall:

a. Be the chairperson of the Student Court and shall cast a vote only in the event of a

tie.

b. Coordinate the appointment of all Associate Justices.

c. Delegate duties and responsibilities to the Associate Justices as necessary to conduct

the business of the Student Court.

d. Act as a liaison between the Student Court and all branches and Divisions of the

SGA.

e. Attend and report on the Student Court at all Executive Board meetings.

f. Be responsible for swearing in all new SGA officials.

g. Be appointed by the SGA President and approved by a 2/3 vote of the SFB and SRB

when the position becomes vacant. All appointees must currently serve on the

Student Court, unless no current Associate Justice accepts the nomination.

h. Have and maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (CGPA).

i. No less than six (6) credit hours for an Undergraduate student or three (3)



j. Log a minimum of five (5) office hours per week.

Section 5. Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff shall:

a. Exist at the discretion of the SGA President.

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b. Be appointed by the SGA President.

c. Serve as a non-voting member of the SGA Executive Board.

d. Oversee the Director of Community Relations and Director of Marketing &

Communications.

e. Be responsible for maintaining the SGA page on ERAU Connection.

f. Be responsible for updating and maintaining the SGA event calendar on the SGA

website.

g. Create and maintain SGA Event Catalogs (i.e. photo albums, historical documents)

and submit it to the SGA Advisor upon the end of each academic semester.

h. Organize the SGA General Session every month school is in session.

i. Record meeting minutes for all General, Emergency and Executive Board sessions of

the SGA. These meeting minutes shall be kept by the SGA President and the SGA

Advisor. Executive Board meeting minutes may be made available at the discretion

of the SGA Executive Board.

j. Organize at least one social event per semester for SGA Officials to attend.

k. Be responsible for the management and coordination of Student Appreciation Day

and chair the Student Appreciation Day Committee.

l. Be responsible for creating an end-of-year video for the SGA Annual Banquet.

m. Attend all Executive Board Meetings and General Sessions.

n. Attend at least one SRB, SFB, and each Division’s meeting per semester.

o. Serve a minimum of five (5) office hours / meeting times per week. Meeting times

logged can consist of non-required meetings.

p. Have and maintain a minimum 2.5 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).

q. No less than six (6) credit hours for an Undergraduate student or three (3) credit

hours for Graduate per semester on the Daytona Beach campus throughout his/her

term in office.

r. Fulfill any other responsibilities as deemed necessary by the SGA President.

Section 6. Director of Community Relations

The Director of Community Relations shall:


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d. Be responsible for maintaining and promoting a positive relationship between all

branches, divisions and auxiliaries of the SGA and the Embry-Riddle Community.

e. Be responsible for the Member at Large Program. This includes accepting

applications, meetings, placement, and making sure they are happy during the

program. They are to be recommended to join a branch or committee within the

SGA.

f. Be responsible for fostering a positive relationship between the SGA Executive

Board and the Presidents of Embry-Riddle Registered Student Organizations (RSOs).

g. Attend at least 8 different RSO’s meetings per semester. The ones visited in the fall

may not count for the ones visited in the Spring. Visiting student organizations, you

are active in may count.

h. Organize an SGA Service Project once per semester coordinating with the Assistant

Director of Leadership & Civic Engagement in the Student Engagement & Student

Union office.

i. Attend all Executive Board Meetings and General Sessions.

j. Attend at least one SRB, SFB, and each Division’s meeting per semester.

k. Serve a minimum of five (5) office hours / Meeting Times per week. Meeting times


l. Have and maintain a minimum 2.5 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).

m. No less than six (6) credit hours for an Undergraduate student or three (3) credit


term in office.

n. Fulfill any other responsibilities as deemed necessary by the SGA President or Chief

of Staff.

Section 7. Director of Marketing & Communications

The Director of Marketing & Communications shall:




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d. Be responsible for marketing and promoting the SGA in a positive light for the

Embry-Riddle students, faculty/staff, and community.

e. Be responsible for managing internal and external communication of the SGA

towards the Embry-Riddle student body, staff, community, and SGA.

f. Be responsible for creating a SGA newsletter for the Embry-Riddle student body

every month while school is in session.

g. Be responsible for managing and supervising the SGA Social media outlets (i.e.

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, etc.).

h. Order SGA promotional items with the approval and guidance of the SGA Executive

Board.

i. Sit on or chair the SGA Marketing Committee.

j. Organize a SGA State of the Union, or Town Hall, once per semester for the Embry-

Riddle student body to be informed of major projects, events or services that the SGA

is providing for them.

k. Attend all Executive Board Meetings and General Sessions.

l. Attend at least one SRB, SFB, and each Division’s meeting per semester.

m. Serve a minimum of five (5) office hours / meeting times per week. Meeting times


n. Have and maintain a minimum 2.5 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).

o. No less than six (6) credit hours for an Undergraduate student or three (3) credit


term in office.

p. Fulfill any other responsibilities as deemed necessary by the SGA President or Chief

of Staff.

Section 8. SGA Advisor

The SGA Advisor shall:

a. Perform the duties as directed by the current job description and title on file in the

University Department of Human Resources and the SGA.

b. Attend SRB, SFB, and Executive Meetings as an ex-officio, non-voting member. If

unable to attend, shall notify the SGA President or the appropriate division head or

branch official.

Section 9. Student Representative Board (SRB)

The SRB shall:

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a. In conjunction with the SFB, have the authority to override a Presidential veto on all

formal SGA proposals by a 2/3 vote.

b. Have responsibility to review and vote on formal SGA proposals.

c. Provide for a compilation and publication of all legislation.

d. In conjunction with the SFB, approve an Elections Committee Chairperson with a 2/3

vote.

e. Hold weekly meetings in accordance with the SRB bylaws.

f. Follow all guidelines as established in the current SRB bylaws.

g. In conjunction with the SFB, approve a Chief Justice nominee put forth by the

President.

h. Have current bylaws or other governing documents on file in the SGA Office. No

provision or interpretation of these bylaws shall conflict with the SGA Constitution.

Any provisions to any bylaws must come to the Student Court five (5) business days

before voted upon.

i. Have and maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (CGPA).

j. No less than six (6) credit hours for an Undergraduate student or three (3)



Section 10. Student Finance Board (SFB)

The SFB shall:

a. Hold weekly meetings in accordance with the SFB bylaws.

b. Oversee the budgetary process of the SGA as outlined in the SGA Budget

Guidelines.

c. Approve the SGA budgets as a whole, with a majority vote.

d. Have the responsibility to review and vote on formal SGA proposals.

e. Have the responsibility to review all requests for funds and to verify that funds would

be used in accordance with the SGA Budget Guidelines.

f. In conjunction with the SRB, have the authority to override a Presidential veto on all

formal SGA proposals by a 2/3 vote.

g. Have the authority to select new members by a 2/3 vote when positions become

vacant on the Student Finance Board.

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h. Follow all guidelines as established in the current Budget Guidelines and SFB

bylaws.

i. In conjunction with the SRB, approve a Chief Justice nominee put forth by the

President with 2/3 vote.

j. Have current bylaws or other governing documents on file in the SGA Office. No

provision or interpretation of these bylaws shall conflict with the SGA Constitution.

k. In conjunction with the SRB, approve an Elections Committee Chair with a 2/3 vote.

l. Have and maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (CGPA).

m. No less than six (6) credit hours for an Undergraduate student or three (3)

credit hours for Graduate per semester on the Daytona Beach campus throughout

his/her term in office.

Section 11. Student Court

The Student Court shall:

a. Have regular sessions chaired by the Chief Justice run according to the Student Court

bylaws.

b. Maintain judicial power extending to all cases arising under this Constitution, the

Branches and Division bylaws, guidelines and legislation enacted by the SGA; to all

cases which may be referred to the Court by the Office of the Dean of Students.

c. Follow all guidelines as established in the current Student Court bylaws.

d. Maintain the power to levy fines and recommend probation, suspension, or dismissal.

e. Any interpretation issued by the Student Court will remain in effect for one year from

the date of interpretation and will be documented and kept by the Student Court.

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Article VI: Resignation, Removal, and Impeachment

Section 1. Resignation

Officials of the SGA reserve unto themselves the right to cease their duties by letter of

resignation delivered to the SGA Executive Board at any time during their term of office.

Section 2. Impeachments and Removals

I. Methods

a. Any official of the SGA accumulating three unexcused absences from regular

meetings in one semester shall automatically be removed from office.

1. Regular meetings include scheduled branch and division meetings, general

session meetings scheduled with at least four (4) weeks prior notice,

committee meetings as assigned by their chair, and any event made

mandatory by the chair and scheduled with at least 2 weeks prior notice.

2. An absence may be excused by the chair of that particular board or

committee prior to the absence or within a week following the absence.

3. Tardiness of more than ten (10) minutes to a regular meeting shall result in

1/3 of an unexcused absence. Tardiness of more than thirty (30) minutes

shall result in an unexcused absence.

4. The missing of a special or emergency meeting shall result in 1/3 of an

unexcused absence.

5. The missing of the SGA Retreat shall result in up to 1 and a 1/2 unexcused

absences at the discretion of the chair of that board.

6. Absences not excused by the chair of that particular board or committee may

be appealed to the Student Court within five (5) business days.

b. Placement on academic or disciplinary probation, as defined in the current

University Catalog or Student Handbook, will result in immediate removal from

an office. The SGA Advisor will monitor holders of any official SGA position to

ensure none are serving probation.

c. Failure to maintain a minimum of six (6) credit hours for an Undergraduate

student or three (3) credit hours for a Graduate student per semester will result in

immediate and automatic dismissal from an official position in the SGA. The

SGA Advisor will monitor holders of any official SGA position to ensure none

are below the credit hours.

d. Failure to maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) will

result in immediate and automatic dismissal from an official position in the SGA.

The SGA Advisor will monitor holders of any official SGA position to ensure the

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GPA requirements are met.

e. Breaking the Honor Code is grounds for removal from any elected or appointed

position on the SGA.

e. Impeachment

Any official of the SGA who fails in their duties and responsibilities or abuses the power

of their office may be impeached.

a. Petition by Student Body

i. Any member of the SGA may submit a written charge of impeachment to the

Student Court against any official of the SGA. Written charge shall include

specific constitutional evidence and a petition containing the signatures of fifty

(50) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students or three elected or

appointed officials from each branch and division of the SGA, excluding the

Student Court.

ii. The Student Court will then notify the person being charged for impeachment

and in two weeks conduct a hearing at which the person being charged may

submit any evidence to their defense. A 2/3 vote of the Student Court is required

for the impeachment of the person to be carried out.

iii. If the person charged with impeachment feels that their rights were violated,

then they may file an appeal with the SGA Advisor within five (5) school

days.The SGA Advisor will then call for a joint meeting of the SRB and SFB

where they will determine whether the rights were violated with a 2/3 vote. The

case will then move to the Dean of Students Office, if the student’s rights were

violated, whose decision will be final..

iv. If new evidence pertaining to the impeachment case arises that could have

been submitted in the impeachment hearing but was not through no fault of the

Complainant or the Respondent, then the Respondent may appeal a Responsible

verdict with the SGA Chief Justice within five (5) school days. The SGA Chief

Justice will then assemble the Student Court and hold a re-trial.

v. In the event a Student Court member fails in their duties and responsibilities or

abuses the power of their office they may be removed at the discretion of the

SGA Chief Justice.

vi. If the Student Court member feels that their rights were violated, follow the

same process as Article VI, Section 2.a, part iii.

b. Removal by Chairperson

The following process will be used for any branch or division that does not have

a set process regarding removal of an officer.

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i. If the chairperson of a branch/division believes that a member of their board is not

doing the job duties outlined by the branch/division’s bylaws, they may follow this

process of removal.

ii. The chairperson will give a verbal warning to the member.

1. The verbal warning must be documented in an email to the

member that is carbon copied by the SGA advisor and division

advisor (if applicable) within 24 hours of the verbal warning

issued.

2. This email must explicitly state the violations of the job duties

and action items to improve.

3. The SGA Official will have two weeks upon release of email to

improve and complete given action items.

4. An assessment meeting, including chairperson, member, and

SGA Advisor and/or Division Advisor shall determine the

achievement of given action items, upon completion of the two

week period.

iii. If the action items documented in the verbal warning are deemed unsatisfactory

by the Chairperson upon completion of the assessment meeting described in Section

2.e.b.ii.4, the Chairperson will give SGA Official a written warning.

1. This warning shall be signed by the SGA Official, Chairperson,

and SGA Advisor/Division Advisor as acknowledgement of

written warning

2. The written warning must explicitly state the violation of the job

duties and re-evaluated action items to improve

3. The written warning must state that the next step is removal of

office.

4. The written warning must be documented in an email to the

member that is carbon copied by the SGA Advisor, Division

advisor (if applicable), and SGA President within 24 hours of the

written warning issued.

5. The SGA Official will have two weeks upon release of email to

improve and complete given action items.

6. An assessment meeting, including chairperson, member, and

SGA Advisor and/or Division Advisor shall determine the

achievement of given action items, upon completion of the two

week period.

iv. . If the action items documented in the written warning are deemed unsatisfactory

by the Chairperson upon completion of the assessment meeting described in

Section 2.e.b.iii.6, the Chairperson will submit a removal of office form to SGA

President

1. The removal of office form must be documented in an email to

the member and SGA President that is carbon copied by the

SGA Advisor, Division advisor (if applicable) within 24 hours of

the removal of office form submission.

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v. Upon release of the email described in Section 2.e.b.iv.1, the former SGA Official

will have five (5) business days to appeal the Chairperson’s decision, if they feel as if

their rights were violated, to the SGA Advisor.

vi. If an appeal is received, the SGA Advisor will call for a hearing to the SGA

Student Court to assess the appeal. A 2/3 vote of the Associate Justices is required to

overturn the Chairperson’s decision.

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Article VII: Election Process

Section 1. Election’s Committee Chairperson

It shall be the duty of the SGA Executive Board to approve an Election’s Committee

chairperson by a 2/3 vote no later than the 2nd week of the Spring semester. The

appointment shall be approved by both a 2/3 vote of the SRB and a separate 2/3 vote of

the SFB. Should either body fail to approve the appointment with a 2/3 vote, then the

appointment fails.

If a conflict of interest should arise, any SGA member can bring it to the Student Court

for interpretation. If the conflict of interest is deemed valid, the court will remove the

chairperson by majority vote.

Section 2. Guidelines

The elections shall follow the Student Election Committee Bylaws; any changes to the

Student Election Committee Bylaws must be approved by the Student Court.

Section 3. Elections Committee

The Elections Committee will be appointed by the Election’s Committee chairperson

with approval by the Chief Justice. The Election Committee holds the power involved in

running all aspects of the election.

If a conflict of interest should arise, any SGA member can bring it to the Student Court

for interpretation. If the conflict of interest is deemed valid, the court will remove the

committee member by majority vote.

Section 4. Qualifications to be appointed or elected to an Official position

a. Must not be on academic or judiciary probation as defined in the current University

Catalog and Student Handbook.

b. Must have and maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (CGPA).

c. Must attest, in writing, to the intent of remaining a registered student according to the

requirements set forth by the university pursuing no less than six (6) credit hours for

an Undergraduate student or three (3) credit hours for a Graduate student during the

Spring and Fall semesters on the Daytona Beach campus throughout their term in

office.

d. Meet all other requirements as set forth in the Student Election Committee Bylaws

for the position they are running for.

Section 5. Executive Officer’s Ticket

a. The following Executive Officers shall be elected as a ticket during the General

Election:

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1. President

2. Vice-President

3. Treasurer

b. No one shall qualify for elected Executive Office unless he/she has completed 2

semesters of no less than six (6) credit hours each if an Undergraduate student or

three (3) credit hours each if a Graduate student. For the purpose of meeting this

qualification, summer terms A and B combined comprise one complete semester.

However, a student must be enrolled for at least three credit hours per summer term.

c. Regarding Executive Branch Member summer obligations.

1. The SGA President must serve office hours for the entire academic year,

including all summer semesters. The President may not participate in summer

abroad activities, internships, or Co-ops, except where provided by section 3 or 5

of this paragraph.

2. All other Executive Branch Members may participate in summer internships or

Co-ops provided they are based in the continental 48 states.

3. All Executive Branch Members may participate in documented military

obligations.

4. No more than two Executive Branch Members may be excused at any given time

under this section provided there are no extenuating circumstances.

5. Any Executive Branch Member with extenuating circumstances may be excused

for up to two weeks with approval by the SGA Advisor and the Chief Justice.

6. All Executive Branch Members are subject to these procedures when absent due

to summer obligations. Failure to maintain these standards will result in the

forfeiture of the executive position.

i. All internships and Co-ops must be approved by the SGA Advisor.

ii. An individual from the respective board must be appointed by the outgoing

Executive Branch Member to act on their behalf.

A. This person will gain all rights and responsibilities of the position during

the absence of the Executive Branch Member.

B. The appointed interim is subject to practices defined under Article V, and

upon removal from office, will revert to their previous position. A new

interim must then be appointed.

C. Weekly contact between the Executive Branch Member and their interim

must be established and maintained.

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D. Meet all other requirements as set forth in the Student Election

Committee Bylaws under the position they are running for.

Section 6. Chief Justice Appointment

The Chief Justice position shall be appointed by the President and approved by a 2/3 vote

of the SRB and SFB. The Chief Justice shall serve a term to last no more than two

academic years.

Section 7. Student Court Members

Student Court members shall not run for any SGA position unless they have previously

resigned their Student Court position.

Section 8. Terms of Office

The term of office of all elected officials shall be approximately one year to begin at the

annual SGA Awards Banquet held each Spring. Before taking office, each SGA official

must be sworn in by the Chief Justice with the following oath of office:

“I, (state your full name), do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office

of (state name of office) of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Student

Government Association in accordance with the Constitution, Bylaws, and Code of

Conduct. I shall, to the best of my ability, faithfully represent those students who

elected me to this office.”

Section 9. Vacancies of Office

a. Should a vacancy occur in the Office of the President, the Vice-President shall

assume the Office of the President and the Vice-President position shall be filled

according to subpart b of this section.

b. A vacancy of the Vice-President or the Treasurer shall be filled by an election within

the SRB and the SFB respectively. Both positions shall be approved by a 2/3 vote of

the SRB and SFB.

c. Should there at one time be a simultaneous vacancy of both the President and the

Vice-President, the President position shall be filled by an election within the SRB

and SFB and approved by a 2/3 vote of the SRB and SFB. The Vice-President

position shall be filled according to subpart b of this section.

Section 10. Re-Elections

a. All persons holding elected positions (incumbents) are eligible for re-election

provided eligibility criteria have been met. However, they may not serve on the

Elections Committee and may not vote on the eligibility criteria.

b. No individual may declare eligibility for more than one elected position.

Section 11. Records

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a. The Elections Committee shall keep a file containing committee procedures and

election results and submit an evaluation report to the SGA President for the

reference of future committees.

b. An official record of the election results will remain a part of the records in the SGA

office for two years under the protection of the SGA Advisor.

c. Election ballots will be disposed of as per the Student Election Committee Bylaws.

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Article VIII: SGA Fee Adjustment

Section 1. Review

a. A proposal for adjusting the SGA fee may be presented by any SGA member.

b. The SFB shall conduct a financial review of the SGA to determine the need and/or

feasibility of an SGA fee adjustment.

c. The SFB will conduct this review as necessary and shall submit its recommendation

to the SRB in a timely manner.

Section 2. Approval

a. Upon a 2/3 vote of the SRB approving the adjustment, the recommendation shall be

forwarded to the President of the SGA.

b. The SGA President shall consider the recommendation and either approve and pass

the recommendation to the Board of Trustees for final approval, or veto the

recommendation.

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Article IX: Amendments to the Constitution

Section 1. Purpose

Amendments to this Constitution may be necessary in order to maintain consistent and

impartial service to the students of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Daytona

Beach Campus.

Section 2. Process

a. Amendments to this Constitution may be initiated by any student and presented to the

SGA Vice-President, who then brings it to the SGA Executive Board to review.

Each branch/division chairperson, should discuss it with their board prior to the joint

session.

b. All potential changes to the Constitution need to be approved by a 2/3 vote in a joint

session of the SRB, SFB, branch chairpersons, and division chairpersons.

c. The approved changes will be advertised to the students for a period of one (1) week.

1. The advertisement shall be made in “The Avion”, announced on WIKD 102.5,

and posted on the SGA website.

2. Posting of the SGA standard flyer shall conform to the Student Engagement and

Student Union (SESU) Guidelines.

3. Instructions to students detailing Article IX, Section 2, Parte of the SGA

Constitution shall also be included in the advertisement.

d. A copy of the ratified Constitution must be sent in to the Student Court within 5

school days of approval

e. The amendment shall be adopted if, within two weeks of the vote, no petition for veto

has been filed with the Chief Justice. The petition for veto must contain the

signatures of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students equal to twenty-five

percent of the turn out in the last general election.

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Article X: Ratification

Section 1. Definition

Ratification of this Constitution shall require a 2/3 affirmative vote in a referendum, in

accordance with Article IX, Sections 1-2, after which the amendment shall be considered

part of this Constitution immediately.

Section 2. Ratification Date

This Constitution has been last amended and ratified effective 2 December 2019.

Documents

CONSTITUTION OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION · Mission The SGA shall strive to achieve the goals as outlined in the Preamble; to enhance student life at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical