AB-2023-11-01: Qualifications to Run/Vacancy Appointment Exception

West Virginia University
The Student Assembly - Student Government Association
Assembly Bill: AB-2023-11-01

AN ASSEMBLY BILL TO AMEND THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

Whereas, according to Article V, Section III of the SGA Bylaws, the purpose of the Governing Documents Committee is to, “Critically evaluate the relevance and purpose of this organization’s governing documents”; and,

Whereas, upon evaluation of the SGA Constitution, the members of the Governing Documents Review Committee, collectively voted on the following proposed amendments; and,

Whereas, the members of the Governing Documents Review Committee believe the following proposed amendments will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Student Government Association’s appointment proceedings,

Therefore, be it enacted by the Student Assembly of West Virginia University:

Section 1: : The following amendments set forth by the Governing Documents Review Committee shall be voted on by the student body in the spring election:

Article 3.1 Shall be Amended as:

3.1 MEMBERSHIP. All students registered and enrolled as a full-time student eligible to hold an elected or appointed position under the SEL policy of the Morgantown campus at West Virginia University shall be deemed members of the student body and therefore eligible to participate and hold membership in the West Virginia University Student Government Association. This organization will not discriminate on the basis of age, disability status, ethnicity, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status

Article 4.2.5i Shall be Amended as:

The elections chair must be a full-time student who is eligible to hold an elected or appointed position under SEL policy and has completed at least one semester at West Virginia University and seen at least one election cycle

Article 6.2.1 Shall be Amended as:

6.2.1 JUSTICES. The Judicial Court shall consist of 9 Justices, 1 serving as Chief Justice. They shall consist of:

a. Full-time students; Students eligible to hold an elected or appointed position under SEL policy

Article 9.1 Shall be Amended as:

9.1 BASIC QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS TO SEEK AND HOLD A POSITION IN SGA . All SGA positions, whether elected or appointed, shall be open to full-time students any student eligible to hold an elected or appointed position under SEL policy at WVU who are in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above) which must be transferred from a BOT recognized institution. To continue to hold an SGA position, the WVU student must remain a full-time student eligible to hold an elected or appointed position under SEL policy in good academic standing. The Dean of Students will have the final decision on questions of status. All appointed positions must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Student Assembly.

Article 10.1.4 Shall be Amended as:

10.1.4 All applicants must meet the requirements to be on the Student Government Student Assembly as outlined in Article 9.1 and 9.2, with the following exemption: First-semester freshman and first-semester transfer students may be appointed to elected positions. These requirements shall be outlined on the application. For vacancies with specific regard to College Senators, applicants must be enrolled in the academic college for which the vacancy has been created.

Section 2: Upon passage and approval, this legislation shall be forwarded to the mandates below:

Mandates:

• G. Corey Farris, Dean of Students
• Dr. Thanh Le, Director, Student Engagement and Leadership (Advisor)
• Daily Athenaeum
• Madison Santmyer, Student Body President
• Brogan Dozier, Student Body Vice President
• Karsey Prichard, Executive Secretary