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SGA Constitution

We, the Students of Saint Louis University-Madrid, in order to establish a representative student government; to provide an open forum for dialogue and a voice for student opinions concerning the affairs of the Madrid campus; to involve students in a productive partnership of shared governance with the faculty, staff, and administration of the Madrid campus; to promote the welfare and unity of the greater student community; to uphold the SLU Mission and the ideal of "Men and Women for Others"; do hereby ordain and establish this Constitution for the service of the SLU-Madrid student body.

Name

The name of this association shall be the Student Government Association of Saint Louis University-Madrid (SGA Madrid).  

Purpose

The purpose of the Student Government Association of Saint Louis University-Madrid shall be to:  

  1. Act as the official student voice on appropriate matters concerning the students and the Saint Louis University-Madrid community;
  2. Represent, in Madrid Campus decision-making, the interest of students, by attaining and maintaining student representation on Madrid Campus committees that affect student welfare, and to insure student participation in all appropriate decision-making processes within the Madrid campus;
  3. Encourage and develop activities and programs beneficial to the education, welfare, and growth of the students and of the Madrid campus community;
  4. Unify the Madrid campus community, welcoming, accepting, integrating and celebrating its diversity;
  5. Organize and sponsor activities and events, including, but not limited to, open student forums.

The Student Government Association of Saint Louis University-Madrid, is subject to the rules and regulations of the Madrid campus in addition to the statutes of government entities in which the Saint Louis University-Madrid campus resides. 

Membership

Sovereign Members

  1. All registered students of the Saint Louis University-Madrid campus are considered Sovereign Members of SGA Madrid.  
  2. All Sovereign Members are eligible to hold offices and positions as SGA Madrid Executive Officers if meeting the particular qualifications of said office or position. 
  3. SGA Madrid Executive Officers must, and can only be elected by the Sovereign Members. 
  1. SGA Madrid Executive Officers
    1. President 
      The President is the official representative of the Student Body of Saint Louis University-Madrid whenever appropriate.
    2. Vice-President 
      The Vice-President is an integral member of SGA Madrid Executive whose role is not limited to a specific function. If the President is absent, the Vice-President automatically takes over his or her role.
    3. Communications Officer
      He/She is responsible for maintaining updates on upcoming events and general communication and communicating the events, news, information, etc. about/from SGA Madrid to the entire SLU-Madrid Campus community.
    4. Club Coordinator and Public Relations Manager
      The Club Coordinator and Public Relations Manager will work closely with the Director of Student Life in helping the various student-led clubs on campus with their organization.
    5. Treasurer
  2. Class Representatives and Study Abroad Representative
    1. Class Representatives
      Each fall, the SGA Madrid Executive officers will select one student from each class (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, & Graduate level) to represent said class on the SGA Madrid Executive board, following the procedures outlined in the bylaws.
    2. Study Abroad Representative
      Each fall and spring, the SGA Madrid Executive officers will select one student from the current study abroad student population to serve as the Study Abroad Representative, in an effort to reach out and integrate this part of the Saint Louis University, Madrid Campus community, following the procedures outlined in the bylaws.
    3. SGA Associates
      SGA Associates are Sovereign members who assist the SGA Madrid Executive Officers in various ways, as outlined in the bylaws. 

Terms of Office of SGA Madrid Executives Officers

Those elected during the spring semester of the academic year shall take office at midnight on the day after the last day of the spring semester of the academic year during which they were elected.  
 
The terms of the SGA Madrid Executive officers, elected or appointed, shall end at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the spring semester of their time of service.

Impeachment of a SGA Madrid Executive Officer

An impeachment can occur under any of the following circumstances:

    1. When an Executive Officer or Representative repeatedly fails to complete assigned tasks;
    2. when an Executive Officer's or Representative's actions breach any part of this Constitution;
    3. when an Executive Officer or Representative behaves in a way that reflects poorly on SGA Madrid;
    4. or when an Executive Officer's or Representative’s actions and behavior hamper the smooth functioning of SGA Madrid.

In the case of impeachment, the remaining officers are to find a replacement. A unanimous majority is needed for acceptance of the replacement. 

SGA Madrid Executive: Procedures

  1. SGA Madrid Executive Meetings
    The President should hold meetings with the rest of the SGA Madrid Executive Officers at least weekly when classes are in session during the Fall and Spring semesters (barring exceptional occasions when a meeting cannot be held during a given week). 

    For a meeting to be official, the following conditions must be met: 
    1. At least three SGA Madrid Executive officers are present.
    2. The President and/or the Vice-President is present. 
  2. SGA Madrid Executive Decisions 
    Decisions made during the SGA Madrid Executive meetings must be voted on by the SGA Madrid Executive Officers and Representatives.
    1. A simple majority is required (>50%) for minor decisions, such as:
      1. Approval of further requirements for already accepted decisions;
      2. Budgeting decisions filed by the treasurer;
      3. Deciding on the different tasks/roles needed for the execution of events.
    2. Major decisions require unanimous agreement by all SGA Madrid Executive Officers and Representatives. These decisions include the following: 
      1. Approval of future SGA Madrid-sponsored events;
      2. Approving a replacement for a member no longer able to serve;
      3. Impeachment of a SGA Madrid Executive Officer or Representative;
      4. Initiating and amendment of the Bylaws or of the Constitution. 

Elections

Elections will occur in the spring semester of each academic year, consistent with procedures detailed in the bylaws.

Amendments to the Constitution

Any amendment to the Constitution must be requested upon written proposal by a SGA Madrid Executive Officer or by one or several Sovereign Members. Any amendment to the Constitution must be approved by referendum following the procedures for a referendum outlined in the bylaws. 

[Oct. 2014]