Student Association Constitution

Article I: Title
Article II: Membership
Article III: Responsibilities of the Student Association
Article IV: Formations of Clubs and Organizations
Article V: Responsibilities of Clubs and Organizations
Article VI: Student Association Government Assembly
Article VII: Executive Board Of The Student Association
Article VIII: Elections in the Spring Semester
Article IX: Responsibilities of the Student Association Executive Board, Club Officers, and Club Advisers
Article X: Impeachment Process for Student Association Members
Article XI: Attendance Policy
Article XII: Freezes of Budgeted Clubs/Organizations

Budget Committee By-Laws
Elections By-Laws
Constitution Committee

ARTICLE I - TITLE

The name of this organization shall be “The Student Association of SUNY Corning Community College,” hereinafter referred to as “Student Association”.

ARTICLE II -MEMBERSHIP

All students of SUNY Corning Community College paying a student activity fee are considered members of the Student Association.

ARTICLE III -RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION

The purpose and responsibilities of the Student Association shall be:

To support all campus-wide activities sponsored by the Student Activity Fee.
To foster co-curricular activities where the primary focus is to promote personal development.
To provide for the wants, needs, and desires of the total Student Body as demonstrated under the financial policies of the Student Association Constitution.
To provide all students of SUNY Corning Community College a means of access to functions and affairs of the college.

ARTICLE IV -FORMATIONS OF CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

For use in all matters of the Student Association, the terms “Club” shall be used to designate any club with a mission statement.

Section I: HOW TO BECOME A CLUB

To become a Club, a group of students must meet all the criteria detailed in Article V, Section I.

A Mission Statement must first be submitted to the Student Association Executive Board, hereinafter referred to as “SAEB”. The SAEB Vice President is responsible for the review/approval of the club mission. The club must consist of at least three (3) current students as members. The following must be included in this document.

A statement indicating “The group is not inherently dangerous to its members or others.”
A statement indicating “The group will not discriminate on the basis of any dimension of diversity (ex. race, religion, sex, age, academic program, sexual orientation, etc.) or any other unreasonable grounds.”
Days, times, location and frequency of meetings.

The club must submit a roster, including club officer positions, by the fifth week of each semester. This roster is required to identify to SAEB the active status of the club.

SAEB, after determining that all criteria were met, will award the Club a predetermined budget.

Section II: HOW TO BECOME AN ORGANIZATION

To move from Club status to Organizational status, the following criteria must be met:

The Student Association must be petitioned for said change.
The club must be financially independent of the Student Activity Fund for one semester (fall or spring).
SAEB, after determining that all criteria have been met, will put forth the proposal on the agenda for the next meeting of the Student Association Government Association (herein referred to as SAGA.) A vote will be taken on admittance as an Organization, in which a two- thirds (2/3) vote at SAGA is necessary for approval.
The newly approved Organization (former Club) must submit a budget for the upcoming year.
There must be at least six (6) current students as members.
Organizations must appoint have a representative at all SAGA meetings

*Sample mission statement:

The SUNY Corning Community College Activities Programming Committee (APC) will promote and coordinate campus-wide social, cultural and recreational activities for the general student body. The APC is not inherently dangerous to items members or others. The APC will not discriminate on the basis of any dimension of diversity (ex. race, religion sex, age, academic program, sexual orientation, etc.) or any other unreasonable grounds. APC meetings will be held each Wednesday, when classes are in session, 12:00pm in C106

ARTICLE V -RESPONSIBILITIES OF CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Section I: CLUBS

Minimum membership for a Club is three (3) members, minimum membership for an Organization is six (6); this includes any Executive Board positions. Each club and organization must have at least one college employee as an advisor.

Each Club/Organization shall determine whether and how each of the following officer positions may be filled:

President
Vice-President
Treasurer

Officers must participate in Title IX training. Dates and times to be determined each semester by SAEB and the Title IX coordinator.

Each Club will hold its regular meetings at a set time and location, at least twice a month. A sign-in attendance sheet and meeting minutes for each meeting are required, and they must be sent to SAEB no later than 72 hours before the monthly SAGA meeting. Two consecutive meetings where an attendance sheet and meeting minutes are not submitted may jeopardize club/organization status. This time will not prevent club and organization representation at Club Cat Chat sessions and/ or SAGA. All Clubs must deliver to the SAEB, to be placed on file, any changes or updates to their Mission. If there are changes made to any Missions, they will be reviewed and approved by SAEB.

Section II: RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION

The general function of each Club/Organization or any other funded entity of the Student Association shall not be repetitive or duplicated by any other entity. All Clubs/Organizations will abide by and adhere to this Constitution of the Student Association.

Section III: COMMUNITY SERVICE

Every Club/Organization is required to plan and carry out a campus or community service project for at least two hours per semester. This project must be approved by the Student Life Office each academic year and must be put into action by the ninth week of the fall/ spring semester. Details of the campus or community service project must be included in the End of Year Report.

Campus or Community service projects of a Club/Organization may contribute toward SUNY Corning Community College and/or not for profit entities as agreed upon by the club members. The funds given to clubs/organizations by Student Association may not be donated.

Section IV: CLUB AND ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION IN RELATION TO BUDGETS

Every club will begin with a $200 budget, and they will have the chance to ask for more money in the fall and spring allocations, up to $250 per semester.

The proposal must show:

Detailed report indicating the current year use of funds including participation numbers and anticipated use of funds for the next academic year.
Justification for any budget changes.

Every organization supported by the Student Association will get the money it needs based on the end-of-year report and other requirements deemed necessary by the Student Association. Organization will have the opportunity to ask Student Life/SAEB for more assistance by submitting a request for programming and collaboration.

For further information, see the collaboration and programming request form.

Section V: AUDITING OF BUDGETS

The approved budgets for all Clubs/Organizations and other entities funded by Student Association are subject to audit by the SAEB Treasurer and subject to repercussions as outlined in Article XII. VIOLATIONS for any of the following reasons:

Misappropriation and/or mismanagement of Student Association funds.
Falsification of requests or reports.
Forgery.
Any other violations as deemed necessary by the Student Association.

Any SAEB member, for any of the above reasons, may call for an audit of any funded entity of the Student Association.

Section VI: END OF YEAR REPORT FORM

This report form must be submitted to SAEB by the tenth week of the spring semester.
The End of Year Report Form must include, but is not limited to, information pertaining to campus/community service project(s), fundraising activities, club projects, and budget expenses.
Funding for the next fiscal year will not be awarded if this report is not completed, including all required documentation.

Section VII: CLUB AND ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION

All organizations will select individual(s) to attend all SAGA meetings.*
The SAEB will coordinate and notify organizations of the SAGA monthly meeting date/time/location at the start of each academic year.
Organization representatives will share any activities of the said club and/or provide feedback to SAEB as requested by College committees.

*Clubs may send individual(s) to SAGA based upon interest.

Section VIII: ORGANIZATIONS REDUCED TO CLUB STATUS

Organizations may be reduced to club status:

By a recommendation by SAEB, the organization members, or a member of the student body. The recommendation will be reviewed/ approved by the SAGA.
For failure to adhere to this constitution.
Inactivity for two (2) or more academic years.

Section IX: FUND RAISERS

All fundraisers will have final approval by the Director of Student Life. The same fundraiser cannot be held by more than one (1) club/organization at a time. Time limits will be required for certain fundraisers deemed necessary by the SAEB Treasurer. No fundraiser can be held by anyone not affiliated with the Student Association.

Fundraiser requests must be submitted two weeks prior to the start of the fundraiser.

ARTICLE VI -STUDENT ASSOCIATION GOVERNMENT ASSEMBLY

Section I: WHAT IT CONSISTS OF

SAGA shall be comprised of up to five (5) Student Association Executive Board members, club representatives from each club, and organization representatives from each organization. Each member of the Executive Board will be given one (1) vote, and they will be in charge of opening discussions to club/organization representatives and the general student body with moral propriety and good sense.

The SAEB President conducts the meeting and casts his/ her vote only in the case of a tie.

Section II: CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

Each SAGA shall be conducted under the basic Roberts’ Rules of Order, with the stipulation that the meeting shall be adjourned at least ten (10) minutes before classes are convened.

Section III: REPRESENTATION OF THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION

Each Organization must appoint a representative to represent the Organization at all SAGA meetings and any special sessions of the Student Association. Each club may appoint a representative to represent the club at any SAGA meeting or special sessions of the Student Association if they choose to do so.

Section I: VOTING PRIVILEGES

Each SAEB member shall have one (1) vote.

Section V: TERM OF SERVICE

Any member of the SAGA taking office in the fall semester may return in the same capacity for the spring semester. All terms of office shall expire at the end of the spring semester regardless of when the term began.

ARTICLE VII -EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION

Section I: CONSISTS OF

The Executive Board of the Student Association shall consist of the officers elected in the spring semester (refer to Elections - Article VIII) and any vacant positions appointed throughout the academic year.

President
Vice President
SUNY Corning Community College Regional Board of Trustees Student Representative
Activities Coordinator
Treasurer

Section II: EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

The SAEB will hold regularly scheduled meetings. The meeting schedule will be determined and publicized prior to the start of each academic year.

The SAEB, consisting of the positions 1. through 5, identified above, may meet without a quorum for general purposes, including preparation of meeting agendas.

The SAEB may not legally meet to do business, hold any election, or vote without a quorum. Executive Board quorum should consist of a simple majority of the total number of Executive Board members.

Section III: STUDENT ASSOCIATION GOVERNMENT ASSEMBLY MEETINGS

The SAEB will hold regularly scheduled meetings. The meeting schedule will be determined and publicized prior to the start of each academic year.

The SAEB, consisting of positions a. through e, identified above and any vacant positions appointed throughout the academic year, may meet without a quorum for general purposes, including preparation of meeting agendas.

SAEB may not legally meet to do business, hold any election, or vote without a quorum. Quorum should consist of a simple majority of the total number of Executive Board members.

For amendments, a two-thirds (2/3) vote must be obtained. The SAEB President shall have one (1) vote to be cast in the case of a tie. All votes will be duly recorded.

Section IV: CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

Each meeting of the SAEB, and SAGA shall be conducted under the basic Roberts’ Rules of Order, with the stipulation that the meeting shall be adjourned at least ten (10) minutes before classes are convened.

Section V: MEMBERSHIP OF STUDENT ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS OF OTHER EXECUTIVE BOARDS

No SAEB Member may be an Executive Board Member for any other Club recognized as an active club by Student Association.

Section VI: REPORTING BACK DECISIONS

Decisions affecting the general student population made by SAEB shall be reported to the general student body via the most appropriate means determined by SAEB.

Section VII: STUDENT ASSEMBLY FORUM

The SAEB shall assemble all interested students to a forum at least once a semester

Section VIII: VETO POWER

SAEB will have the power to veto any amendment, motion or other decisions made in a course of a combined SAEB meeting or SAGA (by a unanimous vote). The veto can be overridden by a two-thirds (2/3) vote on motions which normally require a simple majority vote and by a three-fourths (3/4) vote on motions which usually require a two-thirds (2/3) vote.

The veto must be presented in writing to the SAEB Vice President at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the next SAEB meeting or SAGA. At the next SAEB or SAGA meeting, a motion may be made to override the veto.

ARTICLE VIII -ELECTIONS IN THE SPRING SEMESTER

Section I: PETITIONS FOR STUDENT ASSOCIATION POSITIONS

Petitions will be made available by the Vice-President for all of the following positions. The date will be pre-determined by SAEB and shared prior to the start of the semester.

President
Vice President
Student Trustee
Activities Coordinator
Treasurer

See Election By-laws for detailed information.

Section II: TRAINING PERIOD

The time between elections until the end of the spring semester shall be used as a training period for newly elected officers. This training shall involve their attendance at meetings involving SAEB, and SAGA to observe the operations and procedures of the organization.

Section III: NEW OFFICERS TAKING OFFICE

New officers will officially take office during the last SAGA meeting of the spring semester. Old officers will open the meeting by finishing any old business and then turning over the administration by introducing the new officers who will conclude the meeting.

The Student Trustee has a separate term of office, which is outlined within their Duty Descriptions in Article IX, Section V.

Section IV: FILLING VACANT POSITIONS

If, for any reason, the President of the SAEB should resign or be unable to serve, the Vice President shall take office. Refer to the Filling of Vacant Executive Board Positions By-Laws to fill the vacant Vice President position.

For all other vacated SAEB positions, refer to Filling of Vacant Executive Board Positions By-Laws.

ARTICLE IX -RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD, CLUB OFFICERS AND CLUB ADVISERS

Section I: G.P.A., CONDUCT and CREDIT HOUR REQUIREMENTS

All Executive Board members of any Club, SAEB, Student Judiciary officers and Chairperson of all student-run committees, shall be required to maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA*, be in good academic standing, be in good conduct standing as determined by the Assistant Dean of Student Services and the Director of Student Services, as well as carry at least six (6) credit hours per semester. The Student Trustee must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA*, be in good academic standing, be in good conduct standing as determined by the Assistant Dean of Student Services and the Director of Student Services, as well as carry at least twelve (12) credit hours per semester.

*The cumulative average for the student’s overall GPA for all semesters while attending SUNY Corning Community College must be at least a 2.0 or higher. Students who are enrolled but have not completed their first semester are eligible as long as they meet all other criteria.

Section II: OFFICE HOURS

All SAEB officers are required to conduct a minimum of five (5) office hours each week that classes are in session. Office hours will begin the second week of classes of the semester. SAGA, SAEB, and Committee meetings count towards these hours.

Section III: THE PRESIDENT

The President of the Student Association shall:

Preside over all meetings of the SAEB, and SAGA.
Serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Student Association.
Have the authority to call special meetings of the SAEB and/or SAGA.
Be responsible for assuring proper conduct and efficient performance of all SAEB members, Clubs/Organizations and all other entities of the Student Association.
Keep SAEB apprised of all non-confidential matters in relation to the SAEB.
Appoint SAEB members when needed as outlined in the Filling of Vacant Executive Board Positions By-Laws.
Give public statements on behalf of the SAEB.
Have the authority to create committee(s) when necessary and appoint the chairperson of said committee(s).
Have the right to attend any meeting of any Club/Organization or committee set up by, funded by, or concerning the Student Association.
Have the authority to freeze budgets in accordance with Article XII.
Have the authority and responsibility to enforce all duties given to him/her as outlined in the Student Association Constitution.
Serve on at least one (1) standing college committee.
Serve as Ex-Officio member of all committees.
Attend all summer meetings.

Section IV: THE VICE PRESIDENT

The Vice President of Student Association shall:

Serve in the absence of the President and when necessary, assume the responsibility and authority of the President.
Be responsible for coordinating the review/approval of all club/organization mission statements.
Coordinate SAEB members to serve on college-wide committees. If/when needed, solicit student representation on committees from the general student population.
Track club community service projects.
Be responsible for the supervision of the Student Association elections and ratifications. In the event the Vice-President position requires ratification, the President will be responsible.
Record the minutes and attendance of each SAEB, and SAGA meetings.
Prepare a copy of the minutes for approval at the next meeting and distribute them to the appropriate members.
Be responsible for any and all correspondence needed and requested by the Student Association.
Make available all minutes, agenda and other items of interest within 48 hours of the meeting.
Act as Parliamentarian at all meetings.
Attend all SAEB, and SAGA meetings.
Serve on at least one (1) standing college committee.
Attend all summer meetings.
Perform any other duty assigned by the President of the Student Association.

Section V: STUDENT TRUSTEE

This position will begin July 1 of the given year until June 30 of the following year.

The Trustee of Student Association shall:

Attend all SAEB, and SAGA meetings and all Regional Board of Trustees meetings.
Be responsible for obtaining the Student Trustee materials and scheduling appropriate training from the Board of Trustees and/or SUNY CCC President.
Keep the SAEB, and SAGA informed of all non-confidential activities, discussions and developments of the Board of Trustees.
Report to the Board of Trustees all developments and decisions of the Student Association.
Serve as the general liaison between the Student Association and the Board of Trustees. Any student(s) who wishes to address the Board of Trustees must do so through the Student Trustee by completing a written proposal.
Serve on at least one (1) standing college committee.
Attend all summer meetings.
Perform any other duty assigned by the President of the Student Association.

Section VI: ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR

The Activities Coordinator of the Student Association shall:

Assist the Student Activities Coordinator in the planning and implementation of activities.
Serve as a liaison between SAEB, and SAGA with Student Life on topics of interest, both social and educational, for program generation.
Attend activities offered on campus to solicit feedback from students on interests.
Attend all SAEB, and SAGA meetings.
Act as the historian for SAEB, and SAGA.
Facilitate the creation, dissemination, and archiving of all public relations materials for SAEB and SAGA including: advertisements, posters, fliers, social media sites, pamphlets, etc.
Report on published materials to the SAEB and SAGA.
Be responsible for reporting easily accessible written monthly updates to the general student body during the spring and fall semester on all developments and decisions of SAEB and SAGA.
Serve on at least one (1) standing college committee.
Attend all summer meetings.

Section VII: TREASURER

The Treasurer of the Student Association shall:

Audit every spending unit of the Student Association and all Clubs/Organizations when needed to comply with Article V, Section V.
Serve as the Chairperson of the Budget Committee
Be responsible for the approval of all Club fundraisers.
Submit a budget proposal for the upcoming school year to the budget committee.
Attend all SAEB, and SAGA meetings.
Serve on at least one (1) standing college committee.
Attend all summer meetings.
Perform any other duty assigned by the President of the Student Association.

Section XI: SAEB,CLUB, AND ORGANIZATION ADVISERS

The Adviser(s) to the SAEB, Clubs and Organizations shall:

Advise the students of all present College policies, rules and procedures as well as any changes thereof.
SAEB Adviser will attend scheduled SAEB, and SAGA meetings. If unable to attend, SAEB will keep the Adviser fully informed of business conducted at the meeting.
Student club and organization advisers will attend student club/ organization meetings. If unable to attend, the club/ organization will keep the Adviser fully informed of business conducted at the meeting.
Be responsible to the Student Association and ensure they adhere to the SUNY Corning Community College Student Code of Conduct as well as all other College policies.
Keep the group informed of changes in faculty and administration affecting the organization.
Act as a general liaison to the Administration for the group.
Be familiar with the Student Association Constitution and How To book
Stand ready to give reports and advice to the group.
Serve only in an advisory capacity. He/She shall not override a decision made by the group.
Maintain a file/copy of all records including decisions, roster, budgets, end of year reports, etc.

ARTICLE X -IMPEACHMENT PROCESS FOR STUDENT ASSOCIATION MEMBERS

Any member of the Student Association or the general student body who has reason to believe a member of SAEB, Student Club, or Organization is negligent in his/her duties shall present the accusations at a SAGA meeting. He/She may institute impeachment procedures by the following:

Inform SAEB of the intent to impeach so that the procedures may be included in the agenda for the next SAGA meeting.
Formal charges must be presented in writing to SAGA against the accused officer at the next regularly scheduled meeting. A quorum must be present for the charges to be presented. Quorum will consist of a simple majority of those required to be at SAGA meetings. After formal charges are presented, the accused will be given time to defend him/her.
If the stated charges are held to be valid by a simple majority, the proceedings will continue. If not, the proceedings will end.*
The accused will have one (1) week to prepare a written and verbal defense for the next regularly scheduled SAGA meeting. The formal charges will be presented again at this meeting. The accused will then be given time to present his/her written and verbal defense. A quorum must be present.
An impeachment vote will be carried by:

A motion of conviction, followed by a second said motion, and a two-thirds (2/3) vote, by SECRET BALLOT in the presence of SAGA. The Presenter, if a member of SAGA, shall not vote and will act as a tiebreaker. The Presenter, otherwise, will not have a vote. Only those who voted on whether or not the proceedings will continue will vote on the conviction. The individual who will count the votes shall be the advisor of Student Association.

If carried, the convicted member will leave the position immediately following the vote and will not receive any further benefit of holding his/her position regardless of the extent to which he/she served in that position.

ARTICLE XI -ATTENDANCE POLICY

Any SAEB officers, or Club/Organizations Representatives are allowed to miss one (1) unexcused meeting per semester. Any additional meeting absences may be grounds for a budget freeze or removal from office.

Excuse validity and/or budget freeze is determined by a majority vote of SAEB.

Any club/ organization that fail to be represented at any of SAGA Meetings will have a freeze imposed on the club/ organization budget.*

*If an individual attends a meeting after attendance has been taken and after one-half (1/2) of the meeting has elapsed, said person shall be considered absent. If an individual attends a meeting after attendance has been taken, but before one-half (1/2) of has elapsed or leaves before one-half (1/2) of the meeting is over, then that member shall be considered tardy. Two (2) tardies shall constitute one (1) absence.

ARTICLE XII - FREEZES OF BUDGETED CLUBS/ ORGANIZATIONS

The budgets of Clubs/ Organizations may be frozen for the following reasons:

Violation of this Constitution.
Violation of Article XI.
Failure to meet financial obligations.
Failure to meet club/organizational requirements.

Revised 08/31/2023 (SAGA)
SAEB

"SUNY Corning Community College is an equal employment and educational opportunity institution, adhering to the guidelines of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the New York State Human Rights Law and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed or religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age or physical or mental disability, or other factors which cannot be legally used as the basis for employment or educational decisions.

Through its policies and programs, the College undertakes to comply fully with all applicable federal, state and local laws relating to equal employment and equal educational opportunity. These laws include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, and the New York State Human Rights Law. These laws prohibit discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, and place an affirmative obligation on the College to maintain a work and study environment free from discriminatory harassment, intimidation, ridicule, and insult. The College is committed to maintaining an educational and work environment that is free of any harassment and to fostering positive learning, living and working so that everyone, including students, employees, and visitors, is treated with respect and dignity in a non-discriminatory environment.”