PREAMBLE
The Student Government Association will act on behalf of the student body to ensure their rights are protected, to promote communication by providing an open forum for student opinions and concerns to be shared, and to offer extra curricular activities for the members of the Sage community.

Article I: NAME:
This organization shall be called the Student Government Association of Sage College of Albany.

Article II: MEMBERSHIP:
Membership in the Student Government Association shall be open to all registered, fulltime students at Sage College of Albany who have paid an activity fee.

Article III: EXECUTIVE BOARD:
The Executive Board, which shall be advised by the Dean of Students, shall consist of the following members:
President
Vice President
Social Vice President of Campus Activities
Commuter Relations Director
Treasurer
Secretary
Adverting Director

Article IV: RESPONSIBILITIES OF EXECUTIVE BOARD:

President of the Student Government Association
a. Shall be either a Junior or Senior (completed 45 or more credits) and have a G.P.A. of at least 2.5 at the time of his or her election. A grade point average of at least 2.5 shall be maintained during his or her term.
b. Shall preside over all meetings of the Student Government Association.
c. Shall be the official representative and spokesperson for the student body of Sage College of Albany.
d. Shall conduct regularly scheduled office hours.
e. Shall follow the Roberts Rules of Order.
f. Shall share all information with the Vice President necessary for him or her to be able to take over the presidential duties should the President become unable to serve.
g. Shall only vote in Senate and Executive Board sessions in the event of a tie.
h. Shall act as the representative at the following annual meetings:
a. Finance Committee
b. Board of Trustees (upon invitation only)
c. Donor Dinners (upon invitation only)
d. Additional Campus Life Committees (upon invitation only)
i. Shall enforce the constitution and resolutions approved by the Senate during his or her term in office.
j. Shall call emergency meetings of the Senate if necessary.
k. Shall appoint members of committees established by the Executive Board
l. Shall meet weekly with the Student Government Association advisor.

Vice President of the Student Government Association
a. Shall have a G.P.A. of at least 2.5 at the time of his or her election. A grade point average of at least 2.5 shall be maintained during his or her term.
b. Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board.
c. Shall be a voting member of the Student Government Association.
d. Shall conduct regularly scheduled office hours.
e. Shall preside over the Executive Board and the Senate in the absence of the President.
f. Shall act as the Executive Board representative at the following meetings:
a. Curriculum Committee
b. Alumni Board (upon invitation only)
g. Shall assist in the development and maintenance of the Sage College of Albany class officer structure when necessary.
h. Shall conduct spring and special Executive Board and class officer elections, in accordance with the bylaws of the Constitution.
i. Shall be the chairperson of the Constitution Committee.
j. Shall meet weekly with the Student Government Association President.

Social Vice President of Campus Activities
a. Shall have a G.P.A. of at least 2.5 at the time of his or her election. A grade point average of at least 2.5 shall be maintained during his or her term.
b. Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board.
c. Shall be a voting member of the Student Government Association.
d. Shall have regularly scheduled office hours.
e. Shall work with the Association of Campus Events committee to plan campus events.
f. Shall act as liaison between all clubs and the Executive Board for campus events.
g. Shall work with the Adverting Director of the Student Government Association to help classes and club organizations plan and promote meetings and events.
h. Shall meet weekly with the ACE advisor
i. Shall meet weekly with the Student Government Association President.

Treasurer of the Student Government Association
a. Shall have a G.P.A. of at least 2.5 at the time of his or her election. A grade point average of at least 2.5 shall be maintained during his or her term.
b. Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board.
c. Shall be a voting member of the Student Government Association.
d. Shall have regularly scheduled office hours.
e. Shall temporarily assume the duties of the President if for any reason the President and Vice President are unable to fulfill the duties of the office.
f. Shall act as chairperson of the Finance Committee.
g. Shall be responsible for budget correspondence with all committees, club organizations, and classes of Sage College of Albany.
h. Shall have the authority to disperse club funds based on the recommendation of the Finance Committee.
i. Shall be responsible for overall budget management in conjunction with the Student Government Association Advisor.
j. Shall keep all financial records and authorize requests of Student Government Association funds.
k. Shall provide club organizations and classes with formal monthly budget statements. Informal statements will be available upon request.
l. Shall work with the business office to assure allocations and payments have been distributed accurately.
m. Shall meet weekly with the Student Government Association President.

Commuter Relations Director
a. Shall have a G.P.A. of at least 2.5 at the time of his or her election. A grade point average of at least 2.5 shall be maintained during his or her term.
b. Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board.
c. Shall be a voting member of the Student Government Association.
d. Shall have regularly scheduled office hours.
e. Shall be a voting member on the Association of Campus Events (A.C.E.). committee.
f. Shall meet with the Dean of Students monthly to discuss ways to improve student life for commuter students.
g. Shall work with the Social Vice President of Campus Activities to plan social activities, gatherings and trips
h. Shall be a member of the food committee.
i. Shall be the chairperson of the Commuter Relations Committee who is responsible for organizing monthly meetings with the commuter students to discuss their scholarly concerns and to plan activities and special events.
j. Shall meet weekly with the Student Government Association President.

Secretary of the Student Government Association
a. Shall have a G.P.A. of at least 2.5 at the time of his or her election. A grade point average of at least 2.5 shall be maintained during his or her term.
b. Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board.
c. Shall be a voting member of the Student Government Association.
d. Shall have regularly scheduled office hours.
e. Shall distribute an agenda for each meeting, two days prior to the meeting.
f. Shall be responsible for recording and distributing the minutes of each meeting held by the Student Government Association.
g. Shall handle all Student Government Association related correspondence.
h. Shall meet with the President to review biweekly agendas.
i. Shall be familiar with the Roberts Rules of Order and shall review them during the first Executive Board meeting and the first Senate meeting.
j. Shall have current knowledge of computer technology including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and MySage (previously Campus Cruiser).

Advertising Director
a. Shall have a G.P.A. of at least 2.5 at the time of his or her election. A grade point average of at least 2.5 shall be maintained during his or her term.
b. Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board
c. Shall be a voting member of the Student Government Association.
d. Shall have regularly scheduled office hours.
e. Shall be responsible for advertising all Student Government Association events and help classes and club organizations advertise events.
f. Shall be responsible for updating the Student Government Association website monthly.
g. Shall be responsible for attending weekly Executive Board meetings.
h. Shall meet weekly with the President and the Secretary of the Student Government Association.

Advisor of the Student Government Association
a. Shall be responsible for providing guidance to the Executive Board as the board carries out its assigned duties.
b. Shall be responsible for advising the Executive Board on matters relating to Sage College of Albanys policies, meeting procedures, and communications with faculty and administration.
c. Shall be responsible for providing consistency from year to year in upholding Sage College of Albanys Constitution.
d. Shall hold training sessions for the incoming Executive Board.
e. Shall meet weekly with the President of the Executive Board.
f. Shall approve the disbursement of all funds.

Article V: COMMITTEES

Standing Governing Committees

Finance Committee
a. Shall be composed of the Executive Board and the treasurer of each class and club.
b. The Student Government Executive Board Treasurer shall be the chairperson of the Finance Committee.
c. The Finance Committee shall meet at the end of the spring semester to determine the next years budget allocations. Class and club treasurers may not vote on their own organizations allocation.
d. The Finance Committee shall also meet as necessary to hear budget appeals and requests for allocation changes brought forth by any class or club. This committee shall also meet throughout the year to develop and modify budget guidelines.

Food Committee
a. The chairperson of the Food Committee shall be the Student Government Executive Board President.
b. This committee shall meet biweekly with the food service director.
c. Shall have one representative at every biweekly Student Government Senate meeting to report on dining services.
d. Shall be comprised of no more than 9 voluntary members.

Public Safety Advisory Committee
a. The chairperson of the Public Safety Advisory Committee shall be the Director of Public Safety.
b. Shall have one representative at every biweekly Student Government Senate meeting.
c. The Public Safety Advisory Committee shall meet monthly with the Director of Public Safety.
d. The Public Safety Advisory Committee shall do monthly walk-throughs of the campus with a public safety officer and report any safety issues to the Senate.
e. Shall be comprised of no more than 9 voluntary members.

ACE (Association for Campus Events)
a. The Chairperson of ACE shall be the Student Government Social Vice President of Campus Activities.
b. The purpose of this organization shall be to provide social activities for the Sage community and enrich the campus culture.
c. Shall have one representative at every biweekly Student Government Senate meeting.
d. Shall be responsible for meeting weekly to plan and coordinate campus events.
e. Shall request funds from the Student Government Association during spring budget allocations.

Bookstore Committee
a. The chairperson of the Bookstore Committee shall be the Student Government Executive Board Secretary.
b. Shall have one representative at every biweekly Student Government Senate meeting.
c. This committee shall meet weekly with the committee chairperson, and with the bookstore manager monthly.
d. Shall be comprised of no more than 9 voluntary members.

Constitution Committee
a. The chairperson of the Constitution Committee shall be the Student Government Executive Board Vice President.
b. Shall be responsible for reviewing the Constitution on a biannual basis and amending it as necessary
c. Shall be comprised of no more than 9 voluntary members.

Commuter Relations Committee
a. The chairperson of the Commuter Relations Committee shall be the Commuter Relations Director.
b. Shall meet biweekly to discuss ways of improving student life for commuter students.
c. Shall have one representative at every biweekly Student Government Senate meeting.
d. Shall act as a liaison between all clubs and the Executive Board, representing all commuter students.
e. Shall plan, in conjunction with ACE, social activities, gatherings, and trips.
f. Shall have one representative join the Commuter Relations Director at every Association for Campus Events (A.C.E.) meeting.
g. Shall be comprised of no more than 9 voluntary members.

Ad Hoc Committee
a. The Student Government Associations Executive Board reserves the right to establish Ad Hoc Committees.

Article VI: TERMS OF OFFICE
Members of the Executive Board serve a one (1) year term of office from May 1st to April 30th.

Article VII: POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
The Executive Board shall be entrusted with the right to appoint student representatives to the standing college committees and/or the Student Government Associations committees in the event of a vacancy.

Article VIII: RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
In Executive Board session, the Executive Board is expected to review issues and policies brought before the Student Government Association. The Executive Board must establish annual goals for the Student Government Association and work with all senators and committee chairpersons in achieving the established goals.

Article IX: IMPEACHMENT PROCESS

I. Purpose
To remove any elected officer of the Executive Board, senate, class or club who has not carried out a majority of his or her duties as outlined in this constitution.

II. Process
1. Initiation
a. A petition of a majority of the Senate may call for impeachment proceedings against any elected officer within the SGA. The petition must be submitted to the Student Government Association President.
b. If a member of the Executive Board wishes to initiate impeachment proceedings against another Executive Board member, he or she must submit a letter, which will be made public, to the President of the Student Government Association. The issue of impeachment will be brought directly to the Student Senate at its next meeting.
2. Impeachment Procedures
a. The case for and against impeachment will be heard by the Executive Board of the Student Government Association and witnessed by the Student Government Association Advisor. The case shall remain confidential until a recommendation is given to the Senate. The entire Senate shall hear the impeachment proceedings.
b. If the representative in question is a member of the Executive Board, he or she will lose that status for the duration of the proceedings in the interest of fairness.
c. If the President of the Student Government Association has been accused of not fulfilling his or her duties, the Vice President of the Student Government Association shall preside over the impeachment proceedings.
d. During the impeachment proceedings, each side will be allowed a spokesperson, both of whom will be allowed twenty minutes to present relevant facts. This spokesperson must be a member of the Sage community (student, faculty, administrator or staff) and can not be an attorney. Following the conclusion of presentations, twenty minutes of questions from the Senate will be allowed. This time may be extended by a majority vote of the Senate. Five minutes shall then be allocated to each side for closing statements. An immediate vote will follow. A vote of two-thirds of the total Senate is required in order to impeach the officer in question.
3. Disciplinary Procedures
If the Senate decides to impeach the accused officer, the Senate may remove him or her from office. Application of disciplinary measure shall require a two-thirds vote of the total Senate.

Article X: RESPONSIBILITIES OF CLASSES AND CLASS OFFICERS

Responsibilities of each class:
a. Have at least four officers that include: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
b. Have an advisor to oversee the class and its officers.
c. Fundraise five (5) percent of their allocated budget.
d. Have one officer at each meeting of the Student Government Senate

Responsibilities of Class Officers:
a. Be present at all class meetings.
b. Participate in Fall Orientation.
c. Attend leadership training organized by the Student Government Association.

The Class President shall:
a. Have a G.P.A. of at least 2.5 at the time of his or her election. A grade point average of at least 2.5 shall be maintained during his or her term.
b. Be the official representative and spokesperson for his or her class at Sage College of Albany.
c. Delegate duties to other class officers of his or her class.
d. Vote only in the event of a tie.
e. Preside over all meetings of his or her class.

The Class Vice President shall:
a. Have a G.P.A. of at least 2.5 at the time of his or her election. A grade point average of at least 2.5 shall be maintained during his or her term.
b. Preside over his or her class in the absence of the Class President.
c. Be a voting member of his or her class.

The Class Treasurer shall:
a. Have a G.P.A. of at least 2.5 at the time of his or her election. A grade point average of at least 2.5 shall be maintained during his or her term.
b. Be a voting member of his or her class.
c. Attend all mandatory meetings called by the Treasurer of the Student Government Association.
d. Act as a liaison between the class and the Treasurer of the Student Government Association.
e. Be responsible for balancing books and keeping track of class finances.
f. Be a member of the Finance Committee.
g. Temporarily assume the duties of the Class President if for any reason the Class President and the Class Vice President are unable to fulfill the duties of the office.

The Class Secretary shall:
a. Have a G.P.A. of at least 2.5 at the time of his or her election. A grade point average of at least 2.5 shall be maintained during his or her term.
b. Distribute an agenda for class meetings, one (1) week prior to each class meeting.
c. Be a voting member of his or her class.
d. Be responsible for recording and distributing the minutes of each meeting of his or her class.
e. Handle all class related correspondence.
f. Meet with the Class President to review meeting agendas.
g. Review the Roberts Rules of Order at the first officers meeting.

Article XI: THE STUDENT SENATE
a. In order to possess voting rights at all Senate meetings, a student must attend two consecutive meetings. Meetings attended during a previous semester apply to the two meeting requirement.
b. Every club organization and class must send one officer to every Senate meeting. If a club or class is not represented at two (2) consecutive meetings, the club or classs funds will be frozen.
c. If a vote is being taken on a matter directly related to a club, class, or committee, the members of said organization may not vote.
d. The Student Senate shall be responsible for following Roberts Rules of Order.

Article XII. ELECTIONS
a. Elections for all positions, excluding freshman class officers, shall be conducted during the spring semester each year. The incumbent Executive Board Vice President shall be responsible for the election process, and he or she will be assisted by the Advertising Director.
b. All candidates will run individually for their positions.
c. All students running for Executive Board officer or non-freshman class officer positions, with the exception of Executive Board President, must have:
i. Achieved no less than a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
ii. Completed one semester at Sage College of Albany.
iii. Accrued at least twelve (12) credits.
d. Sage College of Albany students will elect the incoming Executive Board by a majority vote. A majority shall be defined as at least fifty-one percent of the votes.
e. The newly elected Executive Board shall be officially sworn in by the incumbent Student Government Association President.
f. Sophomore, Junior and Senior Class Officers will be elected annually each spring by at least fifty-one percent of the votes of the students from their class.
g. Each candidate shall have accrued the following credits:
i. Freshman 23
ii. Sophomore 24-53
iii. Junior 54-86
iv. Senior 87 or more

Special Elections
a. Freshman Class Officers shall be elected the last week in October.
b. The Student Government Association Vice President will coordinate all special elections as needed in addition to annual freshman class elections in the fall.
c. Any vacancies which occur on the Executive Board or class boards during the academic year will be filled by appointment by the remaining Executive Board or class officers and approved by at least fifty-one percent of the student body or class that voted.

Article XIII: BUDGET GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
FOR BOTH CLASSES AND CLUB ORGANIZATIONS

a. Budgets will be allocated at the end of each fiscal year for the next year by the Finance Committee. All classes, club organizations, and committees of the Sage College of Albany Student Government Association will receive their budget statement before the start of the fall semester of the next year. Classes, club organizations, and committees must present their budget proposal and explain their requests.
b. Decisions to fund requests will be made based on the amount requested and the anticipated number of students who will benefit from the request being granted.
c. All organizations that have been approved by the Student Government Association will receive twenty-five dollars for office supplies and copying expenses. Each organization will also be allotted fifty dollars for refreshments.
d. All clubs and classes must fundraise at least five percent of its allocated budget. Any net fundraising money clubs raise (monies raisedexpenses exceeding allocations) will be carried over to the next fiscal year. Monies disbursed by the Finance Committee will not be carried over to the next fiscal year.
e. The fiscal year for class and club organizations of Sage College of Albany will run from May 1st to April 30th of the following year.
f. Budget proposals must be prepared and submitted to the Treasurer of the Executive Board by the officers of each class, club organization, and committee by April 1st.

New Clubs
a. The Student Government Association must create a fund of $1,000.00 for the first four clubs ($250 per club) seeking approval during the fiscal year.
b. Each prospective club must complete a registration packet and attend Senate meetings to receive approval by the Student Government Association.
c. All new clubs will receive a budget of $250.00 for their first year. They may request additional funds during spring allocations for the next year.

Deposits and Withdrawals
a. All deposits from class and club organizations must be brought to the Student Government Association Office. An Executive Board member will issue the depositor a receipt and will deposit the funds at Student Services within 24 hours.
b. Deposit slips, purchase orders and check requests shall be used for all transactions.
c. The Sage Colleges is a tax exempt organization and will not refund tax expenses incurred by clubs or classes.

Appeals
a. If a class or club organization discovers a need for additional funds, they must submit a request in writing to the Student Government Association Executive Board Treasurer.
b. The Student Government Executive Board Treasurer shall call a meeting of the Finance Committee to discuss and decide whether to grant the requested funds. The treasurer from the requesting organization may not vote in this session.
c. Each class and club organization is allowed two appeals.
d. If successful on appeal, the original budget must be amended by the Student Government Executive Board Treasurer to reflect an increase in funds.

Article XIV: AMENDMENTS
a. Any proposed amendment to the Student Government Association Constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Board President, who shall present it to the Student Senate one (1) week prior to open discussion of the amendment by the Student Government Association. This constitution may be amended by a majority (at least 51%) of the Senate at two consecutive meetings.
b. Following senate approval, the proposed amendment must be affirmed by a majority, at least fifty-one percent, of votes cast by the student body.

Article XV. OATH OF AFFIRMATION
I, ___________sincerely pledge to uphold the ideals and regulations set forth in the constitution of the Student Government Association of Sage College of Albany, to perform my duties faithfully and capably, and properly represent the student body to the best of my ability.

Revised March 2006