Policy and All That!

What is policy? How does policy impact you as a president? What policies do you need to know?

◦ Senate/By Laws◦ Campus◦ MnSCU◦ MSCSA

Upcoming issues for the year Resources The “sniff test”

Overview

Policy is defined in a number of ways:◦ “Prudence or wisdom in the management of

affairs.”◦ “Management or procedure based primarily on

material interest.”◦ “A definite course or method of action selected

from among alternatives and in light of given conditions to guide and determine present and future decisions.”

◦ “A high-level over all plan embracing the general goals and acceptable procedures especially of a government body.”

What is policy?

As senate presidents, you will encounter and deal with policy in numerous ways:◦ Work with senators/exec board

Senate by-laws Campus policies

◦ Work with advisor and other campus officials Campus policies MnSCU system policies MSCSA policies

◦ Work with your constituents Campus policies MnSCU policies

◦ Work with MSCSA Conferences Other interaction

How does policy impact you?

Senate by-laws/constitution◦ Internal affairs

MSCSA Policies◦ What is your role in MSCSA? ◦ How do we interact with your campus?

Campus policies ◦ Each campus has similar, yet different policies

Why are some similar? Why are they different?

MnSCU Policy◦ What does this mean for you and other students?

What do you need to know?

All campus student associatons should have governing documents:◦ Constitution◦ Bylaws

What should they do?◦ Structure◦ Elections/removals◦ Duties ◦ Operational activities

Voting

Senate Governing Documents

MSCSA has a serious of working documents that guide our organization.

Similar to your senate by-laws, but likely more expansive.

These policies guide all of our decisions:◦ Eligibility◦ Conduct◦ Voting◦ Structure◦ Roles/Requirements

MSCSA Policies/Gov Docs

Campus policy will cover all aspects of your educational experience:◦ Student life◦ Academics◦ Registration◦ Financial aid

Campuses are given latitude in some ways, but many policies are based off of?

Campus Policy

MnSCU system policy provides campuses, students, and employees with rights and responsibilities:◦ Policy 2.1: establishes a student association on

each campus.◦ Policy 2.3: student role in decision-making:

States that students should be on all campus and system committees (with three exceptions)

States that the state-wide student association or the campus student association shall appoint all student representatives.

◦ Policy 2.8: student life

MnSCU Policy

What kind of questions/interactions might you deal with?: ◦ “There’s a committee being set up to give

the president feedback on some facility changes, should there be a student on that?

◦ “I have a great idea for an event. Can we spend on money it?”

◦ How many votes do we get at the Fall GA? ◦ “Can the president do that?”◦ “Can my advisor do that?”

Upcoming Issues

Charting the Future:◦ If MSCSA remains active in the process

each campus will have a “team.” There must be at least one student

Budget consultation:◦ MnSCU policy dictates there be an annual

process.

Upcoming Issues

Campus policies:◦ Start with your handbook

Electronic?◦ Next go to the website

Lots and lots of links!◦ Advisors Rock!

Your advisor is there to help. Let them!◦ MSCSA is there to help, too!

Becca is really smart. She can help!

Resources

MSCSA Policies:◦ Working documents:

On the website “About MSCSA-Structure and Governance”

◦ Call the office! I’m not that smart, but I can probably help

any way Cabinet and staff members can help clear up

questions

Resources

MnSCU Policy:◦ All MnSCU policies and procedures are

available at: http://www.mnscu.edu/board/policy/

index.html◦ This should be your first stop to see if you

can find what you need. Call the MSCSA Office

◦ Becca is really smart and she can help!

Resources

If it doesn’t sound right, it might not be:◦ Trust but verify

Do your own research Use the resources you have available When In doubt, ask someone!

◦ We at MSCSA are here to help! Don’t be afraid to ask!

“The Sniff Test”

Don’t be like Grumpy Cat