Rules and Regulations of the Drake University Student Senate

Approved by the Student Senate April 14, 1989 and as amended through April 12, 2007.

MISSION

Drake University Student Senate as an elected representative body commits to upholding the interest of its constituents as its highest priority by bringing student’s opinions to the forefront and providing solutions to the needs of the University by legislating rights and proper policies, which ensure the success and the well-being of Drake University.

As of November 9, 2006

I.0 MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES

I.01 The Student Senate shall be constituted as follows:

I.01.1 Executive Officers of the Senate

I.01.1.1 The Student Body President

I.01.1.2 The Vice President of Student Life

I.01.1.3 The Vice President of Student Activities

I.01.2 Ten (10) Student Senators elected at large

I.01.3 One (1) Student Senator who has a declared major or minor in, is elected by each college, excepting the College of Arts and Sciences which will have a Fine Arts Senator and a Liberal Arts Senator, each elected by their respective constituencies.

I.01.4 Three (3) Senators representing the Organizational voice of the Student Body, elected from and by the Organizational Council.

I.01.5 Three (3) Diversity-Interest Senators representing the voices of multicultural and underrepresented Drake students.

I.01.5.1 There is a compelling interest to maintain a voice and vote of diversity on the floor of the Student Senate; the diversity that the Student Senate seeks is typified by students who are multicultural (race, ethnicity, national origin) and underrepresented (sexual orientation, gender, disability) in the Student Body.

I.02 Each member of the Drake University Student Senate shall be enrolled as a full-time student (i.e. a minimum of 10 credit hours) of Drake University and shall be in good standing with the University; indicating no academic or disciplinary probation. The advisor of the Student Senate reserves the right to make recommendations for judicial action in the event that a Senator is found in violation of academic or disciplinary good standing.

I.03 If a member of the Drake University Student Senate, other than those Senators elected by the entire Student Body, is unable to serve due to absence, resignation, or removal from office, the college or organization electing the member shall have the authority and duty to replace such a member at the earliest possible time. Student Senators elected by the entire student population shall be replaced by appointment of the next eligible candidate as determined from the vote tally sheets of the preceding elected as maintained by the Elections Committee.

II.0 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

II.01 The officers of the Drake University Student Senate shall be the Student Body President, the Vice President of Student Life, and the Vice President of Student Activities.

II.01.1 Student Body President

II.01.1.1 The Student Body President shall be the official spokesperson of the Drake University Student Body.

II.01.1.2 The Student Body President shall take action as prescribed in legislation passed by the Drake University Student Senate.

II.01.1.3 The Student Body President shall select, through an interview process, a Secretary of the Drake University Student Senate with the approval of the Student Senate; provided the Secretary is enrolled as a full-time student and is not on academic or disciplinary probation.

II.01.1.4 The Student Body President shall have the authority to appoint cabinet members with the approval of the Drake University Student Senate, provided cabinet members are enrolled as full-time students who are not on academic or disciplinary probation.

II.01.1.5 The Student Body President shall have the authority to recommend students for appointment to committees established by the Drake University Student Senate or to other committees as deemed necessary.

II.01.1.6 The Student Body President shall vote in meetings of the Drake University Student Senate when the Chair’s vote affects the results.

II.01.1.7 The Student Body President shall distribute corrected copies of approved motions in their final form to all Senators within 2 days following the Student Senate meeting in which they were approved.

II.01.1.8 Approved minutes will be distributed to the Student Senators, the Chair and the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the University, the President of the University, officers of the Faculty Senate, the Times-Delphic, and to distribute these minutes via campus-wide electronic mail as an appendix to a weekly update to all students in a summarized format upon approval of the Student Body President and Vice-President, the Senate Executive Committee, or the Senate as a whole.

II.01.1.9 Members of the Student Senate shall have access to all records of the Student Senate in the Office of the Student Body President.

II.01.2 Vice President of Student Life

II.01.3 At the beginning of the academic year, the Vice President of Student Life shall determine the status of the Student Senate standing committees. The Vice President shall make a report to the Student Senate at the first meeting in October certifying the status of the standing committees, and shall furnish each Student Senator a list of meeting times and locations of each committee and subcommittee. Committee chairs shall give the Vice President of Student Life ten days before the second regular Senate meeting of the month, a brief listing of the investigation and legislation under consideration by the committee.

II.01.3.1 The Vice President of Student Life shall organize all standing committees of the Student Senate.

II.01.3.2 The Vice President of Student Life shall coordinate Senators At-large in the performance of their representative functions.

II.01.3.3 The Vice President of Student Life shall assist the Student Body President in the formulation of nominations to Student Senate agendas, and any other duties assigned by the Student Body President.

II.01.4 Absence, Resignation, or Removal from Office

II.01.4.1 In the event of the absence, resignation, or removal from office of the Student Body President, the Vice President of Student Life will assume the responsibilities of the Student Body President.

II.01.4.2 In the event of the resignation or removal from office of the Vice President of Student Life, the Student Body President shall appoint, with approval of the Senate, a member of the Senate to complete the unexpired term.

III.0 SENATE SECRETARY AND PARLIAMENTARIAN

III.01 Secretary of the Student Senate

III.01.1 The Secretary of the Student Senate shall keep a record of the proceedings in the form of minutes and circulate them within 4 days of the meeting to the Student Body President.

III.02 Senate Parliamentarian

III.02.1 The President of the Student Senate may select a Parliamentarian, through an interview process, for assistance. The Parliamentarian shall not be a member of the Student Senate.

IV.0 STUDENT BODY AUDITOR

IV.01 The Student Senate Auditor shall oversee all Student Government funds, ensure the proper acquisition and allocation of student fees, and monitor the expenditures of the Student Senate’s executive officers.

IV.02 The Student Senate Auditor shall conduct monthly meetings with the Vice President of Business and Finance, or an appropriate designee, in order to track and to be knowledgeable of the status of student funds. In addition, the Student Body President and Student Senate Auditor must review and sign monthly statements of organizational expenditures, as provided by the Office of Business and Finance. Should any monthly statement(s) contain possible errors, the Student Body President and Student Senate Auditor must actively seek to resolve the issue with the Office of Business and Finance in a timely manner, as determined by the Vice President of Business and Finance or the University Controller.

IV.03 The Student Senate Auditor shall give a report to the Student Senate a minimum of every two-months detailing the expenditures of the Student Senate’s Executive Officers.

IV.04 The Student Senate Auditor shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Student Fees Allocation Committee and shall work in conjunction and in full communication with the Committee and the Student Body Treasurer.

IV.05 The Student Senate Auditor cannot serve as editor, chair, or executive committee member of any organization receiving student funds (except the Student Senate) or serve in positions that are compensated with student fees funds.

IV.06 The Student Body President shall select, though an interview process, an Auditor of the Drake University Student Senate with the approval of the Student Senate; provided the Auditor is enrolled as a full-time student and is no on academic or disciplinary probation.

V.0 ACADEMIC SENATORS

V.01 Academic Senators shall be required to meet with their respective college’s Dean and Associate or Assistant Dean once per month.

V.02 Academic Senators shall provide contact information to the presidents of all student organizations within their college at the commencement of their term. College Senators are required to remain abreast of their academic constituents events and report to the Senate accordingly.

V.03 Academic Senators shall submit written reports and oral reports to the Academic Affairs Committee chairperson at the first meeting of each month.

VI.0 ORGANIZATIONAL SENATORS

VI.01 From the Organizational Council, three (3) Senators will be elected to represent the Council to the Senate. These Senators shall serve organizational interests in the broadest sense and report to the Organizational Council the Student Senate proceedings.

VI.02 Organizational Council Co-chairs and Organizational Senators shall initiate contact with their assigned organizations within the first four weeks of each semester. They shall act as contacts between their assigned organizations and Student Senate and file organization write-up reports with the Vice President of Student Life at the end of each semester. If a senator fails to accomplish these items, he or she will be referred to the Student Senate Judicial Committee for judicial action.

VII.0 SENATE LIAISONS

VII.01 Community Service Liaison

VII.01.1 The Community Service Liaison shall attend the meetings of the Student Senate, the Campus Advancement Committee, and the Drake Neighborhood Improvement Task Force.

VII.01.2 The Community Service Liaison shall plan at least one major community service event each semester. The event will be open to all students, faculty, and staff at Drake University, as well as to members of the community.

VII.01.3 The Community Service Liaison shall implement and update a compilation of community service opportunities available to Drake University students at the beginning of each academic year.

VII.02 Faculty Senate Liaison

VII.02.1 The Faculty Senate Liaison shall attend the meetings of the Student Senate, the Academic Affairs Committee and the Faculty Senate meetings.

VIII.0 ELECTIONS

VIII.01 Executive Officers Elections

VIII.01.1 Elections for the Student Body President, Vice President of Student Life, and Vice President of Student Activities shall be conducted in the spring term of each academic year. Elections shall be conducted by the Elections Committee.

VIII.01.2 The Drake University Student Body President, Vice President of Student Life, and Vice President of Student Activities shall be elected by majority vote in an election open to all full-time students.

VIII.01.3 In the event no candidate seeking the position of Student Body President, Vice President of Student Life, or Vice President of Student Activities receives a majority of the votes cast, a second election shall be conducted within ten official school days between the two candidates receiving the most votes in the first election.

VIII.02 Student Senate Elections

VIII.02.1 Elections for the members of the Drake University Student Senate shall be conducted after the elections of the Executive Officers before the first of May of each academic year. Inauguration shall officially mark the close of the current Senate’s term and the commencement of the new Senate’s term.

VIII.02.2 Persons seeking positions on the Drake University Student Senate shall be full-time students who are not on academic or disciplinary probation.

VIII.02.2 Persons seeking positions on the Drake University Student Senate shall be full-time students who are not on academic or disciplinary probation.

VIII.02.3 Election rules shall be established by the Elections Committee, subject to review and approval by the Student Senate.

VIII.02.4 Appeals from the Elections committee shall be heard by the Student Senate. Any member of the Senate running for election shall be disqualified from hearing appeals.

VIII.02.5 A student running for a Senator position must be a full time student with at least one semester of classes completed at Drake University.

VIII.03 Organizational Senator Elections

VIII.03.1 Organizational Senators will be elected by the Organizational Council during the month of April for the following year.

VIII.04 Diversity Senator Elections

VIII.04.1 Diversity-Interest Senators will be elected by a Convention, moderated by the Chair of the Student Life Committee, formed of organizations whose primary purpose is the embodiment of diversity as outlined in the compelling interest of the Student Senate to maintain voices which are multicultural and underrepresented.

VIII.04.2 The organizations comprising the Convention are selected by the Student Life Committee and presented to the Student Senate for approval and ratification. Any registered campus organizations desiring representation at the Convention must apply to the Student Life Committee by the 1st of January for consideration. The Student Life Committee will review the application and make their decision. Appeals can be made to the Student Senate. The selections are reviewed every year.

VIII.04.2.1 Each organization that is accepted to join the Convention will select three individuals to serve as voting members of the Convention. Each organizational representative will vote for three individuals.

VIII.04.2.2 Any Drake student, in good standing, interested in serving as a Diversity-Interest Senator will present their candidacy to the Convention. Diversity-Interest Senators may not serve as the President or Treasurer of an organization represented at the Convention. Organizational representatives of the Convention may not run for Diversity-Interest Senator. The three candidates with the most votes will serve as Diversity-Interest Senators in the coming term to express the diverse interest of the Student Body to the Senate.

VIII.04.2.3 Organizations that have been selected to the serve the Convention will review the accountability of the Diversity-Interest Senators at a quarterly meeting of the Convention.

IX.0 RULES OF PROCEDURE

IX.01 Senate Floor

IX.01.1 Persons other than voting members of the Student Senate may address the Senate during debate and speakers and issues by a majority vote of the Senate.

IX.01.2 All non-procedural actions taken by the Student Senate shall be conducted by and recorded as a roll call vote.

IX.01.3 The Student Senate bylaws supersede any organizations bylaws that do not prove consistent with the Student Senate bylaws and the university handbook.

IX.02 Senate Business

IX.02.1 Main motions to be introduced to the Student Senate for purposes of debate under the item "New Business" shall be submitted in writing prior to the meeting to the Student Body President for distribution to Student Senators. Main motions introduced on the floor of the Student Senate shall be submitted to the Student Body President in writing immediately after having been made orally on the floor.

IX.02.2 Upon receipt of a main motion, the Student Body President of the Student Senate shall affix a number to it according to a sequential numbering system applicable to each Student Senate year. Each motion is to be referred to by its assigned number in the minutes.

IX.02.3 Revisions of the Student Senate Rules and Regulations may be formulated by any member of the Student Senate and recommended to the Student Senate for action.

IX.03 There shall be no written communications to the Student Body from the Student Senate as a whole without prior approval of each document by the Student Senate Executive Committee, or the Student Senate as a whole.

X.0 MEETINGS AND NOTICE

X.01 The permanent meeting time for each semester must be decided upon and passed by a unanimous vote during the first meeting following inauguration.

X.02 The Chair of the Drake University Student Senate, or a majority of the Student Senate, shall have the authority to call special meetings of the Student Senate. Except in cases of emergency, at least three days notice shall be given.

X.03 The Student Senate shall meet at least twice each month from September through May as the academic calendar permits. The Student Body President shall establish the time and place of the meeting and formulate an agenda.

X.04 Notice of meetings of the Student Senate shall be sent to members of the Student Senate at least two days before the meeting. The notice shall include the time, place, agenda of the meeting, and minutes of the previous meeting and any business. Notice of specially called meetings shall include a statement of the matter or matters to be brought before the Student Senate for consideration or action.

XI.0 ATTENDANCE POLICY

XI.01 Attendance of all Senators at regular meetings, in their entirety, is mandatory.

XI.02 The Vice President of Student Life shall excuse absences or early departure from Student Senate meetings provided that the Senator notify the Vice President of Student Life prior to the meeting or within forty-eight (48) hours thereafter. Valid excuses shall include but not be limited to: family or other personal emergency, illness, or class meeting. Any unexcused absence shall result in censure of that Senator for one meeting. Upon acquiring three (3) unexcused absences or unexcused early departures during his/her term, the Senator will be subject to a hearing before the Senate Judicial Committee.

XI.03 The Vice President of Student Life shall notify the Student Senate of Senators who do not meet the established attendance requirements.

XI.04 Attendance of Senators at regular meetings of their assigned committee(s) is mandatory.

XI.05 Vacancies in committee and subcommittee membership shall be filled promptly by the appointing body.

XII.0 COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

XII.01 Senators elected At-large and from the colleges shall serve on at least one Student Senate committee. Student Senate committee members shall continue in office until their successors are appointed.

XII.02 The Student Body President and Vice President of Student Life shall be ex-officio members of all Student Senate committees and sub-committees. The President and Vice President shall not attend meetings of the Student Fees Allocation Committee when the committee considers business directly related to the Student Body President's budget.

XII.03 The Student Senate is charged with the responsibility for determining the numbers and selecting the membership of standing committees of the Student Senate.

XII.04 Any student, who is a member of a committee but does not meet the qualifications for membership of that committee shall be removed and replaced in the appropriate manner.

XII.05 Committee Chair/s

XII.05.1 The chair of the committee shall excuse absences provided Senators notify the chair or recorder prior to the meeting. No Senator shall be excused from more than two meetings per semester without the approval of the committee.

XII.05.2 The chair of the committee shall notify the Vice President of Student Life of Senators who do not meet the established committee attendance requirements

XIII.0 SPRING SENATE COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT PROCESS

XIII.01 Prior to the first meeting of the newly elected Senate, the Student Body President and the Vice President shall have interviewed and selected the Student Senators who will chair the Student Senate committees. These nominations shall be brought to Senate for approval at its first business meeting.

XIII.02 The Office of the Student Body President shall publicize the availability of the Student Senate committee positions via the use of posters and the campus media and make applications for these positions available to the Student Body immediately following the completion of the Student Senate elections.

XIV.0 COMMITTEE REGULATIONS

XIV.01 Committee Meetings

XIV.01.1 Student Senate committees shall meet at least once each month during the academic year and may meet more often upon call by the chair of the committee. The time and place of meetings shall be determined by each committee. Other committees and subcommittees may establish schedules appropriate to their functions.

XIV.01.2 Notice of all committee meetings should include an agenda, where feasible, which shall be sent to all members by campus mail or any other means reasonable to members.

XIV.01.3 Meetings of Student Senate standing committees shall be open to all students, faculty, and staff of Drake University. Non-committee members in attendance shall not have a vote and may only speak if there is no objection by a committee member. The chair of the committee, or a majority vote of the members present, may exclude any or all non-members.

XIV.01.4 All ex-officio members of a Student Senate committee shall be a non-voting member.

XIV.02 Committee Reporting

XIV.02.1 Each Student Senate Committee shall report to the Student Senate by written report at every regularly scheduled meeting of the Student Senate.

XIV.02.2 At least three times during the course of the semester, the Chair of the committee must make oral report to the Senate during the regular agenda.

XIV.02.3 Each Student Senate Committee Chairperson must submit a written report reviewing the work of each semester collected and stored by the Office of the Vice President of Student Life. These reports will be presented to the Student Senate as part of the final agenda of each semester.

XIV.02.4 Student Senate committees may determine the requirements for reports from subcommittees under their jurisdiction.

XIV.03 Committee Recommendations

XIV.03.1 Committees and subcommittees of the Student Senate shall have the authority and responsibility provided by the establishing body. Except as provided in the Rules and Regulations, a subcommittee shall make legislative recommendations to the parent committee. Standing and ad hoc committees shall submit recommendations to the Student Senate; administrative actions of committees and subcommittees are reviewed by the Student Senate and parent committee respectively.

XIV.03.2 Recommendations from committees to the Student Senate shall be made upon majority vote of the committee.

XIV.03.3 When a committee has under consideration a matter within its jurisdiction, the matter may be removed from consideration only be action of the Student Senate.

XIV.04 Ad-hoc Committees of the Student Senate

XIV.04.1 Ad hoc committees of the Student Senate may be established as needed by the Student Senate The membership of Student Senate ad hoc committees shall be determined by the Student Senate. Such committees shall have a limited purpose. The chair of the ad hoc committee shall prepare and file with the Vice President of Student Life a brief summary of committee activities to the Student Senate no more than two weeks after the committee has ceased operations.

XV.0 STUDENT APPOINTMENTS TO FACULTY SENATE COMMITTEES

XV.01 Appointments to the Committees of the Faculty Senate will be made by the Student Body President and must be approved by a majority vote of the Student Senate. Committees of the Faculty Senate requiring student members include:

XV.01.1.1 Intercollegiate Athletic Council (2 student members)

XV.01.1.2 Admissions and Financial Aid Committee (2 student members); two year term

XV.01.1.3 The Board of Student Communications (Chair of the Public Affairs Committee, Journalism Senator, one member of the Student Body)

XV.01.1.4 University Hearing Panel (10 student members)

XVI.0 STANDING COMMITTEES

XVI.01 Academic Affairs Committee (AA)

XVI.01.1 The Academic Affairs Committee shall consider all matters referred to it by the Student Senate and shall review and monitor the activities, policies, and programs of the division for Academic Affairs. The committee shall seek information from officers of the university, consider the effect of such activities on the student body, and make recommendations for action to the Student Senate.

XVI.01.2 The committee shall consist of the Faculty Senate Liaison and Student Senators elected by the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business and Public Administration, Education, Fine Arts, Law, Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The chair of the committee shall be a ninth Student Senator, elected at-large, appointed by the Student Body President, and approved by a majority vote of the Student Senate.

XVI.01.3 The chair of the committee shall serve as the student representative to the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees.

XVI.02 Board of Student Communications (BSC)

XVI.02.1 The BSC shall have the authority over and responsibility for student communications at Drake University, as outlined in the 1969 Policy Statement on Student Communications. The organizations under the jurisdiction of the BSC shall include the Times Delphic, Drake Magazine, DUIN, Periphery, and the Drake Broadcasting System.

XVI.02.2 The BSC shall receive 27% of the total yearly Student Fees Allocation from SFAC as of the March 1 estimate from the Drake Accounting Office, until such a time as the number of organizations under the BSC decreases or the percentage is re-negotiated, without prior notification of Student Senate. The BSC shall have full control of the allocation and oversight of these funds to the organizations under its jurisdiction. The BSC shall report to both the Student Senate and Faculty Senate regarding the allocations to each organization in March of each year.

XVI.02.3 The joint Student and Faculty BSC shall consist of seven members: three (3) faculty members, two (2) Student Senators- (1) from the Student Senate Public Affairs Committee, a chair appointed by the Faculty Senate, and the elected Journalism Senator, who shall serve as vice-chair.

XVI.03 Campus Advancement Committee (CAC)

XVI.03.1 The Campus Advancement Committee will address the physical nature of the University and its interaction with the Student Body. Campus Advancement is charged with maintaining the progress and implementing programs regarding, but not limited to, Dining Services, Physical Plant, Security, and neighborhood interests. The committee shall seek information from officers of the university and shall in turn report on student concerns and make recommendations for action to the Student Senate.

XVI.03.2 The committee shall consist of eleven members: two (2) Student Senators, elected at-large, a Diversity-Interest Senator, and eight (8) students, appointed by the Student Body President and approved by a majority vote of the Student Senate. The Chair shall be the second Student Senator, elected-at-large, appointed by the Student Body President and approved by a majority vote of the Student Senate.

XVI.03.3 The Chair of the committee shall serve as the student representative to the Building and Grounds Committee of the Board of Trustees.

XVI.04 First Year Interests Committee (FYI)

XVI.04.1 The First Year Interests Committee shall review and address the activities, policies, programs, and problems pertaining to first year students. The committee shall seek information from officers of the university, consider the effect of such activities on first year students, and shall in turn report on student concerns and make recommendations for action to the Student Senate.

XVI.04.2 The committee shall consist of eleven members: ten first year students appointed by the Student Body President and approved by majority vote of the Student Senate. The Chair of the committee shall be a Student Senator, elected at-large, appointed by the Student Body President, and approved by a majority vote of the Student Senate.

XVI.04.3 The Chair of the committee shall serve as the student representative to the Enrollment Committee of the Board of Trustees.

XVI.05 Student Fees Allocation Committee (SFAC)

XVI.05.1 The Student Fees and Allocations Committee shall conduct hearings for all groups seeking recognition to receive student fee funds. The committee shall then send their recommendations to the Student Senate. All groups seeking annual funding must be approved by Student Senate.

XVI.05.2 The Student Fees Allocation Committee shall conduct hearings, for the purpose of examining budget proposals, for recognized student organizations seeking funding. The committee shall then send their fee allocation recommendations to the Student Senate. The total share of funds budgeted to student organizations must not exceed 63% of that year’s Student Fees Allocation.

XVI.05.3 At the time the Student Senate considers annual fee allocation recommendations, it shall have the power only to approve or reject such recommendations, without amendment, to the Student Fees Allocation Committee for further consideration. All other recommendations from the Student Fees Allocation Committee shall not be subject to these limitations.

XVI.05.4 The committee shall consist of a Diversity-Interest Senator and seven students. The Chair of the committee shall be a second Student Senator, elected at-large, appointed by the Student Body President, and approved by a majority vote of the Student Senate. Any student (except members of the Student Senate) shall be ineligible to serve on this committee while serving as editor, chair, or executive committee member of organizations receiving student fees funds or serving in positions which are compensated with student fees funds.

XVI.05.5 The Student Fees and Allocations Committee is responsible for upholding the Student Handbook Fees guidelines

XVI.05.6 The Chair of the Student Fees Allocations Committee will serve as the student representative to the Business, Finance, and Investments Committee of the Board of Trustees.

XVI.05.7 The Chair of the Student Fees Allocations Committee will be known officially as the Student Body Treasurer

XVI.06 Student Life Committee (SLC)

XVI.06.1 The Student Life Committee shall consider all matters referred to it by the Student Senate and the Organizational Council and shall review and monitor the activities, policies, and programs of the division for Student Life as well as those relating to University student organizations. The committee shall serve as an additional informational resource for these organizations, promote organizational advancement and development, and shall facilitate cooperation and communication among student organizations. The committee shall seek information from officers of the university, consider the effect of such activities on the Student Body, and make recommendations for action to the Student Senate.

XVI.06.2 The committee shall consist of one (1) Student Senator, elected at-large, and nine (9) students, appointed by the Student ody President and approved by a majority vote of the Student Senate, as well as the two (2) chairs of the Organizational Council as ex-officio members, also elected at-large. The chair shall be the Student Senator, elected-at-large, appointed by the Student Body President and approved by a majority vote of the Student Senate.

XVI.06.3 The Student Life Committee shall conduct hearings for all groups seeking recognition as a Drake Organization. The committee shall then send their recommendations to the Student Senate.

XVI.06.4 The Student Life Committee shall perform an Organizational Review the first semester of every academic term for 50% of all campus organizations. All organizations who fail to comply with the Organizational Review shall be placed on an “Inactive Campus Organizations” list in the Drake University Student Handbook for the following year and lose the rights as delineated within the “Privileges” heading.

XVI.06.4.1 All organizations who fail to comply with the Organizational Review, as mentioned in Section 10.64 shall lose all student organizational privileges in the Drake University Student Handbook page 23 listed under the Privilege heading, as well as eligibility for yearly funding from the Student Fees and Allocation Committee.

XVI.06.5 Any organization wishing to be recognized as a publication shall present a written proposal to the Student Life Committee in which the organization clearly demonstrates that its primary function is in compliance with the 1969 Policy Statement on Student Communications. The Student Life Committee will then consider recommending that Student Senate place said organization under the jurisdiction of the Board of Student Communications.

XVI.06.6 The Student Life Committee is responsible for the Diversity Interest Senator Elections and convention,

XVI.06.7 The chair of the Student Life Committee shall serve as the student representative to the Athletic Affairs Committee of the Drake University Board of Trustees.

XVI.07 Executive Committee (EC)

XVI.07.1 The Executive Committee shall serve as a discussion group between committee chairs to prevent overlapping in committee activity.

XVI.07.2 The committee shall consider all matters referred to it by the Student Senate and shall review and monitor any activities, policies, and programs that affect the students of Drake University. The committee shall not consider any matter that is within the scope of any other Student Senate standing or ad hoc committee. The committee shall only consider matters referred to it by Student Senate or issues that need to be handled within a time frame that does not allow for the formation of an ad hoc committee. All motions from the Executive Committee must be submitted to Student Senate.

XVI.07.3 The committee shall consist of ten (10) members: the Vice President of Student Life, the chairs of the seven (7) Student Senate standing committees, the Student Body President, and the Vice President of Student Life. The Vice President of Student Life shall serve as chair of the committee.

XVI.07.4 The Executive Committee is empowered to take action in an emergency and in the absence of the Student Senate, except that, unless specifically empowered by the Senate to do so, it may not take any action inconsistent with a prior act of the Senate, alter Bylaws, remove or appoint members of the Student Senate, or take any other action which has been reserved by the Senate.

XVI.08 Public Affairs Committee

XVI.08.1 The Public Affairs Committee shall consider all matters referred to it by the Student Senate and shall review and monitor activities, policies, and programs relating to student communications at Drake University. The Pubic Affairs Committee shall assume all publicity-related duties of the Student Senate.

XVI.08.2 The Student Senate Public Affairs Committee shall consist of ten (10) members: one (1) Student Senator, elected at-large, a Diversity-Interest Senator, eight (8) students, and one (1) ex-officio webmaster, appointed by the Student Body President and approved by a majority vote of the Student Senate. The Chair shall be the Student Senator, elected at-large, appointed by the Student Body President, and approved by a majority vote of the Student Senate.

XVI.08.3 The Public Affairs Committee will create, implement, and maintain a combined sales force to solicit and secure advertisement for all of the organizations under jurisdiction, with the exception of organizations declared ineligible for funding from student fees as defined by Part III, Section C of the Drake University Student Handbook by the requirements listed under “Eligibility for Yearly Funding.”

XVI.08.4 The Public Affairs Committee shall work with the webmaster on the task of designing, maintaining, and updating the official Student Senate web site on a regular basis and in a timely fashion, in consultation with the Student Senate or its Executive Committee.

XVI.08.5 The Chair of the Committee shall serve as student representative to the Institutional Advancement Committee of the Drake University Board of Trustees.

XVI.09 Organizational Council

XVI.09.1 The Organizational Council shall exist as a forum for all Drake University organizations. It shall be comprised of one member from each recognized campus organization that chooses to join the Organizational Council as an official representative.

XVI.09.2 The Organizational Council shall be chaired by two (2) Senators, elected at-large, appointed by the Student Body President and approved by a majority vote of the Student Senate.

XVI.09.3 All annually funded organizations are required to send a representative to the Organizational Council. If an annually funded organization accumulates three (3) unexcused absences in a given semester, their status as an annually funded organization will be reviewed by the Student Life Committee.

XVI.09.4 The committee shall serve as an informational resource for these organizations, promote organizational advancement and development, and shall facilitate cooperation and communication among student organizations.

XVI.09.5 The Organizational Council shall meet at least once a month during the academic term, with the first meeting falling no more than three weeks after the start of the fall term.

XVI.09.6 The Organizational Council is responsible for electing three (3) Organizational Senators

XVII.0 SENATE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE (SJC)

XVII.01 The Judicial Committee being composed of five members will all have voting power, except the Chair who shall serve to mediate and break ties, in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, on committee proceedings.

XVII.02 Committee Hearings, when convened, shall be closed unless otherwise specified by a vote of the committee.

XVII.03 A member of the Judicial Committee will serve as counsel to the accused (defendant), and will work to present their case to committee. A second member of the committee will serve to present the Student Government’s position (prosecutor).

XVII.04 The Chair of the committee will preside over the trial, while the remaining two members will serve also as triers-of-fact with the chair. These three members may interrogate into the case concerning facts presented by the Government or the accused. Final decisions will be made in a closed meeting and presented to the Student Senate for ratification.

XVII.05 In exceptional cases, a judicial hearing may be tried before a jury, consisting of all eligible Senators. The aforementioned trial protocol will be employed. However, the jury’s decision of guilt or innocence will be presented to the Judicial Committee, who will present the case and preside. The Judicial Committee will then make recommendations to the entire Senate on courses of punishment if the accused is found guilty. The entire Senate then shall have the power to approve, amend, or strike the jury’s recommendation.

XVII.06 The Judicial Committee shall review and investigate all matters referred to it by Student Senate regarding all cases of alleged misconduct of any member of Student Senate or any student serving in a position, which is appointed by a member of Student Senate.

XVII.07 Matters for the Judicial Committee may be brought to said committee in one of two fashions:

XVII.07.1.1 Any member of the Student Senate may make recommendation to the Executive Officers to refer a member of the Senate to the judicial committee. When notified in writing of the matter for judicial review, the Executive Officer is under duty to bring this motion to the Judicial Committee if they are reasonably certain of a violation of the Rules and Regulations of the Student Senate. The matter will be referred to the Judicial Committee with a listing of the initial facts of the matter as ascertained in a cursory review of the matter by the Executive Officer.

XVII.07.1.2 Any member of the Senate may be moved to the Judicial Committee by a motion made by a voting member and passed by a two-third vote of the Student Senate. This option is reserved for the case in which all Executive officers refuse to move a matter to the Judicial Committee.

XVII.08 If, after trial, the Judicial Committee wishes to rule for measures of action, the action must be communicated directly and in writing to the Senator by the Chair within 48 hours of the proceeding; either in their presence or in direct communication over the phone. The named individual will have two options in which he or she must respond in writing within 48 hours of notification to the Chair of the Judicial Committee:

XVII.08.1 Accept the recommendation of the Judicial Committee. In the acceptance, the ruling is made binding. Failure to respond within 48 hours is an affirmation of the ruling. The ruling upon the charge will be announced by the Chair of the Judicial Committee during the Reports of the Student Senate Agenda.

XVII.08.2 Appeal the decision of the Judicial Committee. In the case of appeal, the recommendation of the Judicial Committee will be made to the Student Senate as a motion to the floor by the Chair of the Judicial Committee. The Student Senate will then enter debate on the motion. No amendments may be made to the motion. A two-third vote of the Senators present, responding in opposition to the motion, is needed to overturn the ruling of the Judicial Committee and remand the matter to the Committee for an alternate ruling.

XVII.09 The committee shall consist of five (5) Student Senators. No Student Senate Executive Officers may serve on the Judicial Committee. In accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, the committee members shall be selected through a nomination and election process conducted by Student Senate at the beginning of each session of the Student Senate. If the accused or accuser sits on the judicial committee, a temporary replacement will be elected by the Senate.

XVII.10 Student Senate shall elect the Judicial Committee chair from among the five (5) committee members. The chair shall have voting privileges.

XVIII.0 STUDENT ACTIVITIES BOARD

XVIII.01 There shall be established a programming body known as the Student Activities Board. This organization is a branch of the Student Government, autonomous of the Student Senate, yet retains the authority of the Student Body in matters of campus programming. The Student Activities Board is charged with providing the Student Body with quality entertainment and educational programming.

XVIII.02 The Student Activities Board and the Student Senate shall encourage a level of communication and collaboration between their respective members. The Student Senate and the Student Activities Board shall bring matters of mutual interest before each of the organizations at their weekly meetings.

XVIII.03 The Student Activities Board will be Chaired by the Vice President of Student Activities.

XVIII.03.1 The Vice President of Student Activities will be responsible for the effective functioning of the Student Activities Board. This Executive Officer will assist in the appointment of the chair positions of the standing committees and the officers of SAB; convene, organize, and chair the meetings of the Student Activities Boards; oversee the daily activities of the organization; assist at the Executive level in the affairs of the Student Body.

XVIII.04 The Student Activities Board will remain the final authority on all matters under their direct supervision, with the exception of the allocation of the organization’s annual budget. The Student Senate may not infringe upon the issues and decisions of the Student Activities Board but may make recommendations and open dialogue on matters of interest.

XIX.0 AMENDING THE RULES

XIX.01 The Rules and Regulations of the Drake University Student Senate may be amended at any regular meeting of the Student Senate by a two-thirds vote provided the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting of the Student Senate. All amendments to the Rules and Regulations of the Drake University Student Senate must be debated and voted upon as discrete items unless motion is made from the floor to combine the motions to amend.

XIX.02 The Student Activities Board bylaws and amendments to the bylaws of the Student Activities Board must be approved by a majority of the Student Senate.

XIX.03 The Elections Committee bylaws and amendments to the bylaws of the Elections Committee must be approved by a majority of the Student Senate.