The Constitution
PREAMBLE
We, the students of the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, in order to promote the general welfare and interest of students and to encourage responsibility in all fields of human endeavor, do establish the following constitution.
ARTICLE I

The name of this organization shall be the Student Government Association of the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
The Student Government Association shall be the official student organization to act in the common interest of the student body :
  1. The Student Government Association shall promote unity, political interest, awareness, and school spirit within the University family.
  2. The Student Government Association shall provide opportunity for student participation in the University's decision-making process.
  3. The Student Government Association shall aid in the development of self-direction for students.
  4. The Student Government Association will serve as a liaison between the University Administration and the student body
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
All students, without regard to gender, race, religion, or nationality, by virtue of their registration at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University are members of the Student Government Association and shall be subject to this constitution
ARTICLE IV
FINANCE
SECTION 1. The Student Government Association shall have as its source for operational costs, the allocation of a portion of student activity fees designated by the University Student Allocation Fee Committee composed of faculty, staff and students and appointed by the Chancellor of the University.
SECTION 2. With the exception of specified stipends for the SGA Executive Board. The components of the budget will be developed by the members of the Executive Board contingent upon approval by the Student Senate and the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. These funds come from the allocation made to the SGA by the University Student Allocation Fee Committee.
SECTION 3. A stipend of $350.00 per month, will be paid to the SGA President and to Miss A and T for the period of May 1 of the year of the election through the following April. A stipend of $250.00 will be made to the other Executive Board members of SGA for the period of September 1 through April. To assist in the provision of homecoming coronation attire, the following amounts will be paid: SGA President, not to exceed $300.00; Miss A and T, not to exceed $500.00.

In addition to these stipends, the SGA President and Miss A& T will be provided free room and board for both the Fall and Spring Semesters and are required to live on campus.
SECTION 4. CORONATION EXPENSES. The budget for University Coronation will have prior approval from the SGA Executive Board and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
SECTION 5. SUMMER SESSION. Tuition and board for both Summer Sessions will be the responsibility of the President and Miss A and T, except that on-campus housing will be made available to these officers if they are required to be on campus during the Summer for planning purposes. Summer stipends will only be paid if these officers are on campus during the summer months.

SECTION 6. ELECTION EXPENSES. Candidates for student government offices shall adhere to the following campaign finance limitations:

 

SGA President - $850
Miss A&T - $850
All Other Executive Branch Offices - $350
All Legislative and Judicial Branch Offices
Run-off elections - 25% of primary campaign maximum.

Each candidate for any Student Government office must keep accurate records of all campaign receipts and expenditures.

Failure to file accurate financial disclosure statements by the deadlines listed in this section, or falsification of financial statements, shall disqualify the candidate.

Receipts must be provided for all campaign expenditures. All expenses in excess of one dollar shall be included in the candidate disclosure statements.

Contributions to a candidate by individuals or organizations are allowed, but all contributions must be documented in a financial disclosure statement. Student organizations receiving student fee allotments may not contribute funds or in-kind donations to any candidate or campaign.

Each candidate's financial records must list identifying information (name, item, etc.) and amounts of each contribution and expenditure.

Contributions and expenditures of non-monetary assets or in-kind efforts must be listed and valued at their fair market value, as determined by the Elections Committee.

Each financial disclosure statement must have all expenditure receipts attached. All expenses must be included in the financial disclosure report.

Campaign materials promoting more than one candidate must be accounted for and divided equally among the financial disclosures of each candidate mentioned by name in the materials.

All campaign materials distributed by and/or paid for by an endorser of a candidate must be included in the candidate's campaign expenditures.

The Elections Committee shall provide standardized Campaign Financial Disclosure Statements. Each candidate's financial records shall be available for public inspection within 24 hours after Disclosure Statements are submitted.

Financial Disclosure statements shall be filed with the Elections Committee in the Student Development Office, or another locations designated by the Elections Committee, by the following times: 1. 4:30 p.m. on the first day of campaigning. 2. 4:30 p.m. on the Friday preceding student government elections, and 3. 4:30 p.m. on the last day of any general, run-off, or special student government election.

 

ARTICLE V
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
SECTION 1.

IDENTIFICATION : The Officers of the Student Government Association shall consist of the President, Vice President of Internal Affairs, Vice President of External Affairs, Secretary, Attorney General, Treasurer, and Miss A and T. These officers constitute the executive branch.
SECTION 2.

PURPOSE : The Executive Branch is empowered to enforce all approved bills and policies of the Student Government Association.
SECTION 3.

EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES : The Executive Branch of the Student Government Association shall constitute a temporary quorum during the period the Senate is not in session.
SECTION 4.

ELECTIONS : The President, Vice-President of Internal Affairs, Vice-President of External Affairs, Secretary, Attorney General and Treasurer, and Miss A&T shall be elected by a majority vote (50%t1) using secret ballots.
SECTION 5. The Student Government Association general elections shall be held during the spring semester on the fourth Wednesday in March or on another date designated by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. The candidates for the Student Government Association President, Vice-President for Internal Affairs, the Vice-President for External Affairs, Secretary, Attorney General, Treasurer, Miss A&T, Senators, Sophomore Class Officers, Junior Class Officers, Senior Class Officers, Student Judiciary Council, Editor-n-Chief of the A&T Register as well as proposed referenda and/or amendments to this Constitution shall take place on the secret Ballot at that time.

SECTION 6.

CRITERIA FOR THE MISS A&T FORUM :The forum for Miss A&T shall be held at least three days prior to, or the Sunday before, the general elections. The forum must include, but will not be limited to the following:

  1. Introduction: the candidates will be introduced and state their platform and goals while wearing business attire
  2. Talent Showcase.
  3. Finale: the candidates will answer one (1) impromptu question while wearing formal attire.
SECTION 7.

ELECTIONS COMMITTEE : A special election shall be held during the second week of the fall semester to fill vacancies of the Student Government Association left from the general elections held in the spring. The candidates for the Student Government Association vacancies as well as Freshman Class Officers and the placement of proposed referenda are to be held on the secret ballot at that time.

Election to student government office requires a simple majority of votes cast for any elected office, accepting Senate and Judiciary Council positions.

In the event that not candidate for an elective office secures a simple majority of votes cast for the office during a general election, a special election between two (2) candidates receiving the highest number of votes during the general election for that office shall be held by secret ballot within one (1) week, of the general election at a time and in a manner prescribed by the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
SECTION 8. The Student Body in the regular spring semester elections shall elect an Elections committee. The Chairperson shall be that person receiving the highest number of votes. Membership on the elections committee shall prevent a student from being a candidate for a Student Government Association Office.
SECTION 9.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE : Every student Election Committee member during the fall and spring semesters of his/her term shall be in good standing at the University and shall have a cumulative average of 2.0 or above.

SECTION 10.

DUTIES OF THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE : The duties of the Elections Committee shall be distributing and accepting the nominating applications for all candidates, annualizing senator membership formula using previous Fall semester enrollment figures, securing academic eligibility for all candidates through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, and monitoring the Campaign Financial Disclosure Policy pursuant to Article IV, Section 6. The Elections Committee shall consist of eight (8) members who shall administer all Student Government Elections:

 

  1. The Elections Committee shall staff the polling places.
  2. No election officers shall be in any manner affiliated with the campaign of any candidate participating in the election.
  3. The Elections Committee shall update the student population formula (Article IX, Section 3) during the fall semester of the term.
  4. The Elections Committee shall be responsible for advertising the availability of Student Government Association applications and Student Government Association elections.
  5. The Elections Committee shall be responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing a forum for individuals interested in running for a Student Government Association position.
  6. The Elections Committee shall establish and maintain protocol and procedure guidelines in order to conduct Election Committee business.

SECTION 11. IMPLEMENTATION. Electronic voting devices shall be used in conducting all campus elections.

 

  1. There shall be separate voting booths in which each voter may cast his/her vote in secret.
  2. Each voter, upon presentation of proper identification shall be permitted to vote by electronic methods.
  3. Only election officials and voters shall be allowed at the polling places.
  4. The boundaries of each polling place shall be designated and clearly marked.
  5. The results of the election shall be given to the Chairperson of the Elections Committee who shall reveal them only at the designated time.
SECTION 12.

TERMS OF OFFICE : All officers shall serve for one academic year, beginning and ending at midnight on Student Government Association Inaugural dates.
SECTION 13.

UNEXPIRED TERM : In case of an unexpired term of the Student Government Association President, the Vice-President shall fill the vacancy for Internal Affairs. The Student Senate shall provide for the filling of the office of President should a President who has succeeded to that office from the Vice-Presidency for Internal Affairs also vacate the office.
SECTION 14. In case of an unexpired term of Vice-President for Internal Affairs, the Vice-President for External Affairs, the Secretary, the Treasurer, or the Attorney General, the Fall Special Election shall fill the vacancy.
SECTION 15. In case of an unexpired term of the Parliamentarian, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the Student Government Association President whom the Parliamentarian will assist.
SECTION 16.

PRIVILEGES : All members of the Executive Branch of the Student Government Association may attend, without charge, all Student Government Association functions upon presentation of a non-transferable authorization pass. The Office of the Vice Chancellor shall authorize the pass for Student Affairs.
SECTION 17.

INAUGURATION : The Inauguration of all Student Government members shall take place after the last Board of Trustee's meeting and no later than the first week of May.
ARTICLE VI

SECTION 1. QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICERS OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION.

  1. A student to be a candidate for any office of the Student Government Association must, at the end of the spring semester have completed 60 semester hours, 48 of which must have been completed at North Carolina A&T State University.
  2. An officer of the Student Government Association at the time of his/her election must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and maintain this average while in office. Failure to maintain this average will result in his/her removal from office.
  3. He/she must not have been convicted of any major violations of University regulations and must not be on disciplinary probation. Executive power shall be vested in the President of the Student Government Association, who shall have the assistance of the Vice President of Internal Affairs, Vice-President of External Affairs, Secretary, Treasurer, Attorney General and Miss A&T. These executive officers of the Student Government Association shall be elected by and from the student body at large.
  4. He/she must be enrolled as a full time student.
  5. He/she may serve a maximum of two (2) terms by special permission of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
  6. Office of President - At the time of his/her election he/she must have served twenty academic weeks, in good standing, in an elected office as defined by the constitution as part of the Legislative, Executive, or Judicial Branch of the Student Government Association at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, or secure the signatures of one-third (1/3) of the University Student Headcount who are considered Student Government Association members as defined by the constitution.
  7. Office of Vice President of Internal Affairs - At the time of his/her election he/she must have served twenty academic weeks, in good standing, in an elected office as defined by the constitution as part of the Legislative, or Executive Branch of the Student Government Association at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, or secure the signatures of one-third (1/3) of the University Student Headcount who are considered Student Government Association members as defined by the constitution.
  8. Office of Attorney General - at the time of his/her election he/she must have served twenty academic weeks, in good standing, in an elected office as defined by the constitution as part of the Judicial Branch of the Student Government Association at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, or secure the signatures of one-third (1/3) of the University Student Headcount who are considered Student Government Association members as defined by the constitution.
  9. Office of Miss A&T - Must be a rising senior having completed at least 90 semester hours at the end of the spring semester and must reside on campus during the period of her reign.

    SPECIFIC OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE POWER VESTED IN THE PRESIDENT. Executive power shall be vested in the President of the Student Government Association, who shall have the assistance of the Vice President of Internal Affairs, Vice-President of External Affairs, Secretary, Treasurer, Attorney General, and Miss A&T. These executive officers of the Student Government Association shall be elected by and from the student body at large.
  10. Office of Editor-in-Chief-at the time of his/her election must have 60 credit hours at the end of Spring Semester, with a 2.5 grade point average and must maintain a 2.5 grade point during their tenure. Must have at least one year of service with the A&T Register, and posses demonstrable skills in editing and layout or design. The Newspaper Advisory Committee will select two (2) qualified students and submit to the Elections committee to be placed on the ballot for the Spring Elections. Students chosen by the Newspaper Advisory Committee will then campaign for the position of Editor in Chief following the Elections Committee's Implementation workshop as defined by Election's Committee Protocol & Procedures.

 

 

The Newspaper Advisory Committee shall consist of:

  1. Chairman of the School of Journalism or a designated member of the journalism faculty.
  2. An Alumnus/a of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication and/or the student media.
  3. An Administrative/professional member of the Student Affairs Division, selected by the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs.
  4. The Student Newspaper Adviser
  5. Chairman of the Business School or a designated member of the business faculty.
  6. The Director of University Communications or a designated member of that unit.
  7. A student-at-large selected by the Newspaper Advisory Board.
  8. A student representative selected by the Student Government Association.
  9. A student representative selected by the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
  10. A student member from the Register (who is not the Editor-in Chief).
Duties and Responsibilities of The President.
The President shall perform the duties, which usually devolve upon the Chief Executive Officer: He/she shall:
  1. Be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating and Election Committee.
  2. Appoint the Parliamentarian, whose purpose shall be to assist the President in the Interpretation of the newly Revised Edition of Robert's Rules of Order. The Parliamentarian shall be an ex-officio member of the Executive Branch.
  3. Preside at all meetings of the Executive Branch.
  4. Except as otherwise provided by these by-laws, recommend to the Legislature the appointment of the Chairpersons and members of committees.
  5. Be empowered to establish such bodies subsidiary to him/her as he/she shall deem necessary and proper to aid him/her in the performance of his/her duties; issue orders to the Standing Committees and to require written reports from them; to call and preside at meetings of the student body; to sign purchase requests and travel forms; to develop a budget for transmission to the Finance Committee; to make periodic State-of-the-Campus addresses to the student body; to address the Student Senate from time-to-time, provided he/she notify the Speaker of the Senate of his/her intention in advance; to make recommendations from time-to-time to the Student Senate, to enforce/administer laws enacted by the Student Senate. He/she shall be the official representative of the Executive Branch of the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in dealings with the students of other universities, in dealing with the faculty and administration and other matters regarding student representation. The Student Government President shall present a State-of-the-Campus address to the Senate at its first session each semester.
  6. Be a member of the Board of Trustees (ex-officio), and other university-wide committees to which he/she is appointed.
  7. Be Chairperson and member of the Executive Branch.
  8. Maintain established office hours, attend key home sporting events and classics, be available upon request by special events as coordinated by the advisor, be available to speak to campus and community groups when the request arises, and must familiarize themselves with basic university policies and procedures and be knowledgeable of the history of the university including the Alma Mater.
  9. Help in the implementation of programs and activities: African-American History Month, Homecoming, Aggie Fest, etc.
  10. Hold a student full body meeting each month during the school year except during the last week of both semesters.
Vice President of International Affairs-Duties and Responsibilities.
The Vice President shall :
  1. Assist the President and shall be elected by and from the student body at large.
  2. Perform the duties of the President in the event of his/her absence or incapacity. He/she
    shall succeed to the Presidency should the office become vacant, in which event the Vice-Presidency shall remain vacant pending an election. The Student Senate shall provide for filling of the Office of President should a president who has succeeded to that office from the Vice Presidency also vacate the office of President.
  3. Be speaker of the Student Senate and shall serve as a non-voting, ex-officio member of all Senatorial Committees, except the Nominating and Elections Committee shall administer the oath of office of the Senators, and shall receive resignations of Senators no longer able to meet requirements.
  4. Direct these officers, as necessary, to carry out the duties and responsibilities of their offices.
  5. Forward all legislative acts to the President of the Student Government Association within three (3) days of their passage.
  6. Be a member of the Executive Branch, maintain established office hours, attend key home sporting events and classics, be available upon request by special events as coordinated by the advisor, be available to speak to campus and community groups when the request arises, and must familiarize themselves with basic university policies and procedures and be knowledgeable of the history of the university including the Alma Mater.
  7. Help in the implementation of programs and activities: African-American History Month, Homecoming, Aggie Fest, etc.
Vice President of External Affairs - Duties and Responsibities.
The Vice President of External Affairs shall:
  1. Assist the President and shall be elected by and from the student body at large.
  2. Be responsible for public relations of the Student Government Association.
  3. Work with campus and community organizations in an effort to get the students involved in community affairs.
  4. Be responsible for directing and/or assisting in all research projects initiated by the Student Government Association.
  5. Be responsible for corresponding with all national, state and local organizations in which the Student Government Association has membership.
  6. Maintain established office hours, attend key home sporting events and classics, be available upon request by special events as coordinated by the advisor, be available to speak to campus and community groups when the request arises, and must familiarize themselves with basic university policies and procedures and be knowledgeable of the history of the university including the Alma Mater.
Secretary - Duties and Responsibities
The Secretary shall:
  1. Be responsible for clerical duties and general office management. Shall take minutes at all Student Government meetings and disseminate it to interested individuals, upon request.
  2. Be a member of the Executive Branch.
  3. Maintain established office hours.
  4. Help in the implementation of programs and activities: African-American History Month, Homecoming, Aggie Fest, etc.
  5. Maintain established office hours, attend key home sporting events and classics, be available upon request by special events as coordinated by the advisor, be available to speak to campus and community groups when the request arises, and must familiarize themselves with basic university policies and procedures and be knowledgeable of the history of the university including the Alma Mater.
Treasurer - Duties and Responsibities.
The Student Government Association Treasurer shall :
  1. In conjunction with the Student Government Association President, distribute all monies appropriated by the Student Senate.
  2. Maintain up-to-date and accurate accounting of monies, which should be available for review upon request of the Finance Committee.
  3. Sign all purchase requisitions, travel forms and other documents pertaining to finance.
  4. Help in the implementation of programs and activities: African-American History Month, Homecoming and Aggie Fest.
    e. Serve as an ex-officio member of the Finance Committee of the Student Senate and must attend all scheduled Finance Committee meetings.
  5. Make monthly written reports to the Student Government Association on the financial transactions of his/her office, showing the amount expended and the amount on hand with supporting evidence of Student Government Association authorization.
  6. Maintain established office hours, attend key home sporting events and classics, be available upon request by special events as coordinated by the advisor, be available to speak to campus and community groups when the request arises, and must familiarize themselves with basic university policies and procedures and be knowledgeable of the history of the university including the Alma Mater

Attorney General - Duties and Responsibities.
The Attorney General shall :

The Attorney General shall assist and represent the President in the performance of his/her duties as defined by the President. He/she also investigates, gathers evidence and prosecutes any offenders of the Student Government Constitution of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Offenders include individuals, groups, or organizations under the auspices of the Student Government Constitution.

 

  1. The Attorney General shall be the prosecutor of alleged infractions of residence hall regulations and shall receive said information from the Dean of Students.
  2. Receive charges against an accused student at every level of the student court system; act as prosecutor in all cases before any student courts.
  3. Upon receipt of information pertaining to alleged infractions, the Office of the Dean of Students issues a summons to be served on the accused student within 30 days of a reported violation and will conduct additional investigation, if necessary, and make formal charges against the accused student in the proper court.
  4. Notification of pending cases shall be made in writing by the Attorney General to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs/Dean of Students. Written notification of the decision on the case shall be given to the Dean of Students and the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs upon termination of a case.
  5. Request any student with knowledge of or evidence in a case to serve as a material witness and/or submit evidence in a case. Failure to comply with the request of the Attorney General can result in the student appearing before the appropriate student court.
  6. Upon his/her discretion and consent of accused students, may hear simultaneously cases involving two (2) or more students.
  7. Receive all appeals of cases in writing within seven (7) calendar days of notification of decision excluding weekends, holidays, and/or University Observances.
  8. The Attorney General must hold a session to educate students of the judicial process and their rights and responsibilities.
  9. Maintain established office hours, attend key home sporting events and classics, be available upon request by special events as coordinated by the advisor, be available to speak to campus and community groups when the request arises, and must familiarize themselves with basic university policies and procedures and be knowledgeable of the history of the university including the Alma Mater.
Miss A&T - Duties and Responsibities.
Miss A&T shall :
  1. Must serve as the official female representative of the student body.
  2. Must familiarize herself with basic University policies and procedures and be knowledgeable of the history of the University including the Alma Mater and the history of Miss A&T.
  3. Must be flexible to speak to campus and community groups when the request arises.
  4. Must make preparation for speeches and pageant competitions available in advance for advisor review.
  5. Must attend key home sporting events and classics
  6. Miss A&T and her advisory council reserve the right to conduct the Coronation planning and execution as deemed necessary. Must communicate Coronation plans and budget progress to the Executive Board of the Student Government Association at all Executive Board Meetings leading up to Coronation.
  7. Must provide a written and accurate itemized report of expenses i.e. receipts and/or travel reimbursement reports for Coronation, pageants, classics, and other mandated University events, which are funded by the Student Government Association to the Executive Board.
  8. Must be available upon request by special events as coordinated by the advisor
  9. Should delegate to Class Queens, who are elected by the Student Body, to serve as meeting representatives in Miss A&T's absence.
  10. Must be accessible to the following University Committees that include but are not limited to the Founder's Day, Lyceum, University Observance, Honor's Convocation and Homecoming Committees.
  11. The reigning Miss A&T shall be the mistress of ceremony for the Miss A&T Forum.
  12. Shall be a member of the Executive Branch
Section 2. Class Officers - Qualifications.

A student to be eligible for an office of the Freshman Class (President, Vice President, Miss Freshman, Secretary, and Treasurer) must be classified as a freshman before and during his/her term, must be duly registered at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and must not have been convicted for violations of University regulations. He/She shall serve for one year beginning at midnight on Student Government Association inaugural dates. b. A student, to be eligible for an office of the Sophomore Class (President, Vice President, Miss Sophomore, Secretary, Treasurer), must have completed thirty semester hours at the end of the Spring Semester, must have cumulative scholastic average of 2.5 or better, and must not have been convicted for violations of University regulations. He/She shall serve for one year beginning at midnight on Student Government Association inaugural dates. c. A student, to be eligible for an office of the Junior Class (President, Vice President, Miss Junior, Secretary, Treasurer), must have cumulative scholastic average of 2.5, must be duly registered at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University.