Student Government Association

 2008-2009 Student Government Association(SGA)

President: Drew Brubaker
Vice President: Lauren Trenter
Secretary/Treasurer: Justin Keeler
Advisory Council of Students Representative:  Mikalia Strawser 

The SGA office is located on the top floor of the Student Union.  Meetings are conducted bi-weekly during the academic year and are announced in the PASQUINO (student newspaper), through student MIX accounts, and by signs posted around campus.

All Potomac State students are invited and encouraged to attend and partcipate in SGA meetings.

SGA is woven into the governance structure of Potomac State College of WVU.  SGA officers serve on all faculty/executive committees and councils where they are the "voice of the students."

SGA sponsors numerous campus-wide programs and activities including, but not limited to, Student Organization Grants, Ballistic Bowling, USA Today College Readership Program (free USA Today newspapers for students; stand is located on the front porch of the Student Union), American Red Cross Blood Drives, Ideas and Issues funds for faculty, dances and celebrations, social mixers, Fall Fest, Winter Fest, Spring Bash, Homecoming activities, and the end-of-year bus trip for students to King's Dominion. All SGA activities are posted on the Potomac State College of WVU Events Calendar (click on the Events tab on the front page of Potomac State Website).  Students should check the Events Calendar daily as it is continuously updated. 

Student Organization Grant opportunities will continue for the 2008 academic year.  SGA has earmarked money for College-sanctioned student organizations to use to pay for activities and programs that will benefit the College community.  Student organizations can apply for these monies by completing a Student Organization Grant Application that is available in the Student Affairs Office or in the SGA Office.  To be eligible for these grants, student organizations must be in good standing with the College, must be recognized by the College, and must have a representative attend scheduled SGA meetings and assist with American Red Cross Blood Drives.     

Student Government Association 

Constitution 

Preamble to Constitution

We, the Students of Potomac State College of West Virginia University, strive to continue the traditions of the College; enhance academic standards and College facilities; encourage good citizenship among the students and to the community; aid in promoting a cordial relationship among students, faculty, staff, and administration; stimulate support of all College activities and programs; enhance each student's sense of responsibility to the College and society; support the Constitution of the enrolled students in the Student Government Association of Potomac State College of West Virginia University.

Constitution

Article I.     Name

            The name of this organization shall be Potomac State College of West Virginia University Student Government Association. (Hereafter referred to as the SGA).

Article II.  Colors

            The official college colors of Potomac State College of West Virginia University shall be Navy Blue and Old Gold.

Article III.   Membership

            Each Student registered full-time carrying a minimum of twelve (12) college credit hours and who has paid a student activity fee shall be eligible to be a member of SGA. They shall be entitled to vote in all campus elections for which they are eligible and claim all rights and privileges of an enrolled Potomac State College student. 

Article IV.   Purpose 

            The purpose of the SGA shall be as follows:

1. To advocate and lobby for the students concerns and issues. 
2. To budget and allocate the students' activity fee. 
3. To develop and coordinate services and activities for the benefit of PSC students. 
4. To promote student participation in SGA and College related activities/organizations.

Article V.   Representative Body

            The powers of the SGA shall be distributed between the Executive and the Legislative branches. 

      A.     Executive Branch shall consist of :

      1.      President 

      2.      Vice- President 

      3.      Secretary/Treasurer 

      4.      Historian 

      5.      Advisory Council of Students Representative

      B.     The Legislative Branch shall consist of:

A Senate consisting of six (6) or more students from the Student Body.

Article VI.      The Executive Branch

            All executive powers herein granted shall be vested in the Executive Branch of the Student Government Association.

      A.     The officers of SGA shall be: 

      1.      President of the SGA who will be the President of the organization and will also serve as SGA's Representative to Potomac State College's Board of Visitors.  

      2.      Vice- President of the SGA who will be Vice-President of the organization. 

      3.      Secretary/Treasurer of the SGA who will be the Administrative Assistant and Monetary Coordinator of the organization. 

      4.      Historian of the SGA who will be the Historian of the organization. 

      5.      Advisory Council of Students Representative will serve as the organization's representative at all West Virginia Advisory Council Meetings.

      B.     Representatives of Student Organizations to the Student Government 

      1.      Definition of an Organization: A student organization, association, society, or club recognized by the College Administration. 

      2.      Each functioning organization on campus, as certified by the Dean of Student Affairs, shall select its own representative to the SGA. The Representative is responsible for attending all SGA meetings with a maximum of three (3) excused absences per semester. Failure to comply with this stipulation shall result in exemption of the organization representative and funding opportunities, including Student Organization Grants, from SGA. 

      C.     Organization of SGA 

      1.      Shall be organized by the SGA President before the close of the school the year of his/her election. The first meeting of SGA shall be called by the SGA President before the close of that same year. The purpose of this meeting of SGA shall be limited to the following:

a. Organization of SGA for upcoming year, including the planning of SGA activities.

b. Establishment of any standing legislative committees deemed necessary by the President.

c. Approval of the President's appointments to standing executive committees.

d. Any other items submitted by the President to SGA for their approval.

If any extenuating circumstances prevent SGA from meeting prior to the end of his/her election year, the President is empowered to submit a program outline and estimated budget for his/her term to the Dean of Student Affairs by June 30^th. All committee appointments are pending action taken at the first fall meeting of SGA.

      2.      The Dean of Student Affairs, or his/her designee, shall serve as advisor to the SGA. 

      D.     Qualifications for Office of Representation:

      1.      To be an officer of SGA, to be a member of SGA, and to represent an organization in the Student Government, a student must comply with the following regulations:

a. The student must have carried twelve (12) or
more hours the semester preceding his/her nomination.

b. The student must carry twelve (12) or more credit hours the semester of his/her nomination.

c. Must be in good academic standing (2.00 and above cumulative GPA).

d. The student or representative of an organization must have attended a majority (51% or more) of the Student Government meetings. (If special circumstances are involved, the Dean of Student Affairs must approve.)

e. The grades of the said student who desires to serve in SGA in the above manner shall be verified for determining the eligibility by Student Affairs within one (1) week to the day before the election which said individual is to take part.

f. Voting privileges and active membership shall be suspended during the period during which said student is on social/ academic probation or any other penalty imposed by the College Judicial Board of Student Affairs.

g. Must be in good social standing.  (Student is responsible for not violating the Student Code of Conduct and Residence Hall policies.)

      2.      In order to maintain active status, the said student must maintain an overall 2.00 grade point average at Potomac State College of West Virginia University, must carry twelve (12) or more credit hours during each semester of his/her term in office, and must remain in good social standing (Not responsible for violations against the Student Code of Conduct, residence hall rules or College policies):

a. It shall be the duty of the Dean of Student Affairs, or his designee, to check the grade point average, the enrollment status and the social standing of each SGA member at the end of each semester, and to notify SGA Executive Committee regarding the students who become ineligible to serve.

b.     If the officers or senators fail to maintain an overall 2.00 GPA, are not enrolled in twelve (12) credits, or are in poor social standing, he/she immediately becomes ineligible and the following takes place:

            i. A special election shall be held to fill his/her office or according to the order of succession.

            ii. Another representative must be sent by the club/organization, which he/she represents.

c. Following his/her election in the spring, the said individual's grade point average shall be computed thereafter on the basis of his/her semester grades.

d.   No person shall be permitted to hold more than one (1) office in SGA at any time.

e.   The term of office shall be one (1) year, beginning with two (2) weeks before the end of his/her election year and ending two (2) weeks before the end of his/her serving year.

f. If an officer misses more than three (3) regularly scheduled SGA meetings per semester, he/she is considered "excessively absent" and may be removed from office by the SGA Executive Board.

g. If an officer's GPA falls below 2.0 and/or if he/she violates a College policy and/or the Student Code of Conduct he/she may be removed from office.

      E.      Duties and Powers of the Student Government:

      1.   To approve SGA President's nominations to executive committees.

      2.   To create such legislative committees as may be necessary to the performance of their duties.

      3.      To approve or veto the proposed actions of the President's executive committees.

      4.      To nominate students to serve on Potomac State College of West Virginia University Committees and Councils. The SGA President can also submit nominations from his/her executive committee for Student Government consideration. The nominations are to be given to the Provost of the College following Student Government approval.

      5.      To require periodical reports from the President's executive committees and from special legislative committees.

      6.      To promote the general welfare of the enrolled Potomac State College of West Virginia University students.

      7.      To pass resolutions giving the SGA President authority to act without SGA approval on specified issues or items.

      8.      To make public to Potomac State College students all proposed actions relative to the SGA by announcement one (1) week prior to proposed action taking place in the Pasquino (if possible), in an assembly, through campus voice mail, MIX accounts or Email, or on the principal bulletin boards in the major student traffic areas in buildings frequented by students.

      9.      To sponsor/co-sponsor campus social/educational activities and programs, and other such events, as SGA deems appropriate. In the said sponsorship, SGA must pass a resolution recommending a proposed course of action for the President to follow.

      10.  To approve or veto a purposed action or bill sent to it by the SGA President by one of the executive committees. The SGA President at any regular or special meeting of the Association must submit any such proposed action.

      11.  To impeach any SGA officer or representative when need exists.

      12.  To assist the SGA President and his/her executive committees in executing a proposed action or sponsorship if the SGA President requests such assistance in order to save the project from certain failure. A majority vote of SGA Senators is needed for SGA intervention.

      13.  All actions or decisions of SGA shall be binding on the governance structure of Potomac State College if consistent with College policies and civil law.

      F.      Meetings of the Student Government:

      1.      SGA shall meet a minimum of two (2) times per month at regular intervals to be established at the first regular fall meeting of the Student Government, which shall be within two (2) weeks after the beginning of the school year at the call of the SGA President.

      2.      Three (3) days public notice will be given before each regular meeting of the Student Government.

      3.      Twenty-four (24) hours public notice will be given before each special meeting of the Student Government.

      4.      Quorum: A simple majority of the duly elected members of the Student Government must be present to transact business at regular and special meetings of the Student Government.

      5.      Parliamentary Procedure: Robert's Rule of Order shall govern the parliamentary procedure at all Student Government meetings.

      6.      The time and place of the regular meetings shall be determined at the first regular fall meeting of the Student Government. The SGA President shall announce the time and place of all special meetings of the organization.

      G.     Descriptions of Duties, Offices, and Responsibilities of the President of SGA:

      1.      Has the authority to call special meetings of the Student Government Association.

      2.      Has the authority to nominate persons to Executive Committees pending the Student Government approval.

      3.      Has the authority to remove any persons from an Executive Committee for neglect of duty and/or excessive absences.

      4.      Has the authority to create special Executive Committees.

      5.      Has the authority to administer, enforce, and execute all actions taken by SGA.

      6.      Presidential authority may not include a veto. The majority rules unless a tie, which may be broken by the SGA President.

      7.      Is an ex-officio member of every Executive Committee of SGA.

      8.      Represents SGA generally in dealings with the College community including faculty, staff, students and administration.

      9.      Prepares and submits a proposed course of action, in writing, along with a proposed budget, a proposed program outline, or other proposed items of business to SGA for their approval prior to executing, sponsoring, or undertaking the said business (usually by September 1).

      10.  Has the authority to make reports, recommendations, and nominations to appoint members to SGA.

      11.  Attends all meetings of SGA and therein represent the Executive Committee.

      12.  Shall be responsible for working with Student Affairs for checking the qualifications for all students running in an election.

      13.  Is herein empowered to speak for SGA and therein represent the Executive Committee.

      14.  Serves as the SGA's Representative to PSC's Board of Visitors, to the WVU Board of Governors (when invited), to PSC Alumni Board, and at other state, regional and national SGA-related meetings.

      15.  Shall assist Vice-President plan and implement SGA activities and events.

      16.  Shall serve as chairperson for the Election Committee.

      17.  Prepares meeting agenda for regularly scheduled SGA meetings and forwards to all Executive Board members and SGA Advisor at least one day prior to meeting.

      18.  Attends and chairs all SGA meetings.

      19.  Represents SGA at all Residence Hall Association meetings.

      20.  Writes a monthly SGA update for submission to PASQUINO for publication.

      21.  Helps set up before and clean up after the majority of SGA activities and events.

      22.  Must be willing to drive students to and from SGA activities and events.  Requires a valid driver's license, a safe driving record, and the ability to pass a state-mandated on-line driver's test.

      H.     Descriptions of Duties, Offices, and Responsibilities of the Vice-President of SGA:

      1.      Shall serve as SGA President in the Presidentýs absence. Fills in for the SGA President when he/she is unable to perform his/her duties.

      2.      Serves as SGA coordinator for Student Government activities and events.

      3.      Shall serve as SGA representative to the College's Student Activities Advisory Board, advised by the College's Student Activities Coordinator.

      4.      Works with the College's Activities Coordinator to schedule activities for the College community.

      5.      Shall serve as member of the SGA Budget Committee.

      6.  Responsible for organizing at least two blood drives each year.

      7.  Responsible for arranging for fellow students to set up before and clean up after SGA activities and events.

      8.  Represents SGA at Residence Hall Association meetings.

      9.  Attends SGA meetings and activities.

      10.  Helps set up before and clean up after SGA activities and events.

      11.  Must be willing to drive students to SGA activities and events.  Must possess a valid driver's license.  Must have a safe driving record. Must have the ability to pass an on-line, state-mandated driver's test.

      I. Descriptions of Duties, Offices, and Responsibilities of the Secretary/Treasurer of SGA:

      1.      Shall assume all clerical duties of SGA.

      2.      Shall post notice twenty-four (24) hours before each special meeting of the Student Government, and seventy-two (72) hours before each regular meeting of the Student Government.

      3.      Records the minutes of all the meetings of SGA and maintains a complete record of the same.

      4.      Keeps a record of all executive officer and student organization representative absences and notifies the SGA executive committee when any member becomes "excessively absent." Excessively absent is defined as missing three (3) or more scheduled SGA meetings each semester.

      5.      Shall be responsible for all SGA correspondence.

      6.      Works with the Student Affairs Office Manager and PSC's Public Relations Specialist to update and maintain SGA website on a monthly basis.

      7.      Distributes the SGA meeting minutes to the College Provost, Dean of Student Affairs, , President of SGA, Vice-President of the SGA, Historian of the SGA, the Advisory Council of Students Representative, SGA Senators, and the SGA Advisor. 

      8.      Serves as chairperson of the SGA Budget Committee.

      9.  Monitors and reconciles the SGA budget and checkbook on a monthly basis and provides budget updates during SGA meetings.

      10.  Attends SGA meetings and activities.

      11.  Helps set up before and clean up after the majority of SGA activities and events.

      12.  Must be willing to drive students to SGA activities and events.  Requires a valid driver's license, a safe driving record and the ability to pass a state-mandated, on-line driver's test.

      J.       Descriptions of Duties, Offices, and Responsibilities of the Historian:

      1.      Responsible for maintaining an accurate electronic scrapbook and/or journal of all SGA activities and projects.

      2.      Shall serve on the College's Student Activities Advisory Board.

      3.  Provides SGA Secretary/Treasurer with pictures of SGA activities and events to upload on to SGA Website.

      4.  Must attend the majority of SGA activities and events and take pictures for SGA archives.

      5.  Must attend SGA meetings and events.

      6.  Must help set up before and clean up after SGA activities and events.

      7.  Must be willing to drive students to and from SGA activities and events.  Requires a valid driver's license, a safe driving record, and the ability to pass a state-mandated, on-line driver's test.

      K.     Descriptions of Duties, Offices, and Responsibilities of the Advisory Council of Students Representative:

      1.      Represents SGA on the West Virginia Advisory Council of Students. Must attend at least four meetings per year. Must be willing to drive to meetings.

      2.  Must attend SGA meetings and activities.

      3.  Must be able to set up before and clean up after SGA activities and events.

      4.  Must be willing to drive students to and from SGA activities and events. Requires a valid driver's license, a safe driving record, and the ability to pass a state-mandate, on-line driver's test.

      L.      Oath of Office:

1.   I,                , do solemnly swear to support the Constitution of the United States of America, the Constitution of West Virginia, and the Constitution of Potomac State College of West Virginia University. I furthermore agree faithfully to discharge the duties and obligations of my office to the best of my judgment and ability.

        2.     The Immediate Past SGA President shall administer the oath of office to the newly elected officers at the second regularly scheduled SGA meeting during the month of April.

Article VII.       The Executive Department

            The Executive Power shall be vested in the SGA President of Potomac State College of West Virginia University and duly established Executive Committees.

A.                 Order of Succession

1.   In such instances wherein the SGA President fails to meet qualifications for office or for whatever reason the office is vacant, the SGA Vice-President shall assume the office of SGA President.

2.  If the offices of SGA President and Vice-President are both vacant, a special election shall be held two (2) weeks to the day of the offices being vacant for the offices of the SGA President and SGA Vice- President.

B.                 Standing Executive Committees

1.   Election Committee: It shall be the duty of this committee to conduct all elections, surveys, or other ballots. The SGA President shall be chairperson.

2.  Budget Committee: This committee shall assist the President of the Student Body by creating and monitoring the budget for the SGA. The Vice-President shall serve on this committee. The Secretary/Treasurer shall serve as the chairperson of this committee.

C.                 Executive Committee

1.  The Executive Committee shall consist of SGA officers and the SGA Advisor.

2.  As occasion warrants, the SGA President is herein empowered to establish special committees to execute specified action. The President may appoint as many persons as needed.

D.                 Student Support

1.  Student support is such that SGA, in cases when vacancies occur on committees, the SGA President is unable to fill these vacancies and the efficient operation of these Executive Committees is jeopardized, the SGA President is herein empowered to appoint members of the Student Body at large as members to these committees.

2.  If two-thirds (2/3) of the duly elected active members of SGA consider that the Executive Department is inactive or ineffective due to lack of student support the same shall ensue.

Article VIII:      Elections

            All elections involving SGA will be conducted by the President of the Student Body and his/her Executive Election Committee following SGA approval for such elections as to procedure, personnel, and timing.

      A.     Election by the Student Body

      1.    PSC students shall be informed that an election is to occur and that individuals serious of obtaining office may begin campaigning three (3) days before election for the office, which they seek. Until permanently organized, the SGA shall meet only at the call of the SGA President.

      2.    Nominations for the following officers will be submitted to SGA for approval:

      a.       President

      b.      Vice-President

      c.       Secretary/Treasurer

      d.      Historian

      e.       Advisory Council of Students Representative

      4.    The polling place and times shall be approval by SGA. The time of the election may be selected by a two-third (2/3) vote of the total SGA members. The Election Committee shall count the ballots on the day of the election in the Dean of Student Affairs office area.

      5.    Write-in candidates may run for office.

      6.    The SGA President and the Election Committee shall, after the nominations have been taken, investigate the records of the nominees in conjunction with Student Affairs staff.

      7.    After the records have been investigated, the Election Committee shall give the notice that a general election by ballot shall be held. The polling place and time shall be approved by SGA. The opening and closing times of the polls shall be decided by SGA.

      B.     Special Elections

      1.    All other elections or special elections, which involve fifty-one (51) percent or more of the voting Student Body, shall be under the exclusive control of the Elections Committee must abide by the clauses and stipulations.

      C.     Eligibility

      1.    All registered, paid students are eligible to vote for SGA Officers. Early-start high school students are not eligible to vote or to run for office.

      D.     Election Fraud

      1.    Any election fraud or infraction shall fall under the jurisdiction of the Dean of Student Affairs or his/her designee.

Article IX:      Impeachment

      A.     Impeachment proceedings may be brought against the SGA President, any representative to the Student Government, or any SGA officer by an active member of SGA or by a petition containing the bonafide signatures of twenty-five (25) percent of the Student Body. The impeachment proceedings will take place at a meeting of the SGA with the ranking officers presiding. A member representing those who desire impeachment shall present a formal statement of the impeachment charges. This same formal statement will have been presented in writing to the individual(s) being impeached not less than one (1) week prior to the impeachment proceedings and must have an opportunity to defend himself/herself against the charge. A vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the total active SGA members is required for impeachment.

      B.     If impeachment charges are justified, the following shall occur:

      1.      He/ She shall be immediately removed from his/her position in the Student Government.

      2.      Article VII: Section A, shall assume precedence.

Article X.     Amendments

            This Constitution may be amended by ballot vote of three-fourths (3/4) majority of all votes of the duly elected active SGA Senators at any regular SGA meeting. If adopted by SGA, the Amendment must be accepted by a majority of the students voting at a special election one (1) week after adoption by SGA. Such Amendment shall become operative immediately after the final acceptance by the College Administration.

Article XI:        Referendum

            All actions taken by SGA shall be considered as, and have the effect of, actions of the Student Body. Should at any time a petition, signed by twenty-five (25) percent of the voting Student Body, such action or proposed action shall be submitted to properly called ballot. If a majority of the voted cast shall be favorable to the action or proposed action of SGA, the same shall become effective immediately.

Article XII:     Adoption

            A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the total active SGA members and approval of the Enrollment Service and Campus Advancement Council, Dean of Student Affairs, and the President of the College shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution at Potomac State College of West Virginia University.

 Approved by:

Provost of Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Kerry Odell                             (Signed on 5/6/04)                                       

Dean of Student Affairs of Potomac State College of West Virginia University

William Letrent                      (Signed on 4/28/04)                                     

Chair of the Potomac State College of West Virginia Enrollment Services and Campus Advancement Council

Beth Little                               (Signed on 4/27/04)                                     

President of Potomac State College of West Virginia University Student Government Association

Rayna Smith                          (Signed on 4/29/04)                                     

 Vice-President of Potomac State College of West Virginia University Student Government Association

Issac Caldwell                       (Signed on 4/29/04)                                     

Secretary/ Treasurer of Potomac State College of West Virginia University Student Government Association

Sarah Bell                              (Signed on 4/29/04)                                     

(Last Updated on November 9, 2007)