Middlesex Community College

Preamble

The purpose of the Student Government Association (SGA) is to serve as the student voice for all students at Middlesex Community College, communicating their needs to administration and representing their interests on campus-wide policy and defending student rights when necessary. In collaboration with the Office of Student Engagement, SGA also manages a portion of the student services fee and sponsors and supports efforts that offer opportunities for student development. As ambassadors for the Middlesex, SGA represents the College and their peers at various functions and strives to be a united symbol of responsibility and good citizenship.

Article 1: Name

The name of the representative body for all MCC students is the Student Government Association.

 

Article 2: Membership

The Student Government Association shall consist of 15 Officers with equal voting, discussion, and debating rights on all issues brought before the board. Additionally, unlimited seats are available for General Assembly Members who may not vote and have limited responsibilities and opportunities for participation.

 

Section 1. Qualificaitons

All Officers and General Assembly Members shall be Middlesex Community College students, currently enrolled in at least one three-credit course, who achieve and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00. This GPA requirement is waived for first semester MCC students. General Assembly Members and Officers must be free of college-wide disciplinary or higher-level disciplinary sanctions.

All Officers must demonstrate the ability to:

1. Comprehend the constitution in its entirety
2. Articulate the mission statement and goals
3. Commit to actively participate in SGA activities

No member of the SGA may hold more than one elected or appointed office concurrently within college governance. The 15 Officers may not hold a leadership position in another club or organization at Middlesex Community College.

 

Article 3: Meetings

Meetings are to occur once weekly throughout the academic calendar year. All meetings are open and accessible to the MCC student body except when closed for an executive session. Officers must sit as a group in a manner conducive to their business, typically around a table. General Assembly Members and visitors may observe from the perimeter unless they are called as a guest speaker at which time they may join the table.

In order to be recognized, one must request placement on the agenda and receive approval by a President. Non-Officers may only speak if a majority of the voting membership consents. If time permits, visitors may speak during open floor.

Officers are encouraged to address issues including but not limited to public relations, constitutional amendments, student organizations, finance, and college-wide policy and initiatives. The MCC student body, the faculty, staff and administration may bring business directly to the SGA.

Minutes of each meeting are to be recorded. Meetings are to be conducted using parliamentary procedures.

The SGA meeting schedule must be decided and posting at the beginning of each semester. Officers are required to attend all meetings. Meetings should alternate between the Bedford and Lowell Campuses or where space is available. The Advisor must be informed of all meetings.

If limited time prohibits all agenda items to be addressed at a given meeting, remaining items shall be postponed to a definite time.

 

Section 1. Quorum
SGA may conduct official business and pass legislation provided that a majority of the Officers are present. Quorum is defined as at least 5 voting or a majority of total members.

 

Section 2. Legislation
Legislation is passed and action is taken as a result of a majority vote of the members present and voting. In the event a decision is needed prior to the next scheduled meeting, a special meeting may be called and may be held on-campus or electronically. Special meetings may be called by a President or by request from a SGA Officer. Every attempt should be made to publicize meetings not regularly scheduled to the student body.

Voting may only occur on a Middlesex Community College Campus, on-line or at a designated location as determined. Voting shall be conducted by a voice vote, roll call, show of hands or by secret ballot. Absentee votes are not permitted.

SGA may pass legislation between sessions (from the end of the spring semester to the time in which new executive officers are elected) providing a quorum of active officers is present. The legislation must be emergent in nature that cannot wait until the next election cycle.

Article 4: Executive Board

Purpose, Powers, duties and meetings

The Executive Board of the Student Government Association shall be President, Bedford Vice-President, Lowell Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. A second secretarial position is optional and at the discretion of the current student government membership.

Elections for Executive Board positions occur no later than the second official meeting of the academic year (except when filling a vacancy at which time it must occur within 2 meetings following the position opening). Executive members are elected by a majority vote held internally by secret ballot from the 15 Officers. The term of office shall be for one year or until a successor is elected and installed. Executive members elected at any time during an academic year must relinquish their offices at the start of the next academic year. Executive members may seek re-election to their posts.

Should the office of either President become vacant, the Vice President for that campus shall assume all of the responsibilities of that office. Should the office of any of the remaining Executive Positions become vacant, the SGA shall fill that office from its ranks by majority vote.

 

Article 5: Committees

The SGA is organized into eight standing committees, which perform most of the specialized focus work of the Organization. Each committee specializes in one of the eight key areas of Student Government and student life, and each Officer is appointed by the President based on interest to only one standing committee. No more than four Officers and no less than one Officer comprise standing committees. All Members may be called upon to assist with committee duties. Committees serve as a filter system for legislation and are the first step for approval and enactment. In committee, Officers discuss an issue for the first time and have the option to amend it, report it favorably to the full board, or to defer (kill) it. The eight standing committees of the Student Senate are listed below.

 

Finance: Headed by the SGA Treasurer, officers voluntarily elect to serve by the second official meeting of the academic year. Recommends and monitors the expenditures of the Student Activities Fund, partially funded by the Student Services Fee.

1. Finance Allocations

The mission of the Student Government’s finance allocation process is to foster growth and excellence in the student experience at the College. The Student Government will fund activities that comply with the following guidelines, irrespective of viewpoint of the organization, and in accordance with the Statement of Rights and Responsibilities found in the current edition of the Student Handbook. The Student Government will not fund activities that fail to comply with the prescribed guidelines.

 

Intended goals of the process are to insure accountability of all student activity fee funding; to teach budget planning; to encourage organizations to plan ahead; to encourage organizations to justify their expenses; to encourage a greater diversity of activities funded through a proportion of the student services fee.

 

Requests for funding are received throughout the year. Funds are distributed until depleted. The budget process consists of three stages: (A) the budget request; (B) budget defense (required), discussion and decision at regularly scheduled SGA business meeting; (C) objections to the SGA recommendations

(D) final SGA approval and Treasurer Signature.

The Student Government may fund activities that fall into the following categories:

1. Student Government sponsored initiatives: These are activities or initiatives sponsored by SGA or parts thereof. These include clubs and organizations, student internships, and readership programs.
2. Student Life and Student Activities operation and programs, including staffing, licensing fees, publications, assessment, specialty supplies and anything related to recruitment for student involvement or retention of students.
3. Conference Activities (Paraprofessional Fund): These activities involve support for students of the College attending lectures, conferences, symposia, or similar activities.
   1. Orientation Activities: Activities designed to create a welcoming environment for new students.
   2. Leadership Development initiatives: including non-credit curriculum, speakers, retreats and workshops, service activities, and recognition.
   3. Fitness and Recreation: Activities intended to educate the college community about health, wellness, exercise and nutrition, including hands-on and passive programming, facilities and intramural sports.

4. Special Activity Funding: Financial assistance for activities and events that meet the mission of the SAF. These activities fall into 1 of 4 categories: a. new initiatives b. collaborations c. Unanticipated needs or d. emergency spending. These are funded out of the contingency account as needed until all funds have been depleted. Budget proposals are reviewed and accepted according to the standard allocation process until all funds have been depleted.

1. Co-curricular Activities: These are activities which promote, supplement, or enhance curricular activities of the students at the College. To be included in this category, the activity for which funding is requested must be clearly linked to those of academic departments, programs, or schools.
   1. Cultural Activities: The activities are designed to increase cultural awareness,
   2. Social Activities: Programs and activities designed to create an environment that is enjoyable and pleasant, welcoming and fun; that is to build community and generate friendships.

The Contingency: An appropriation of the Student Activity Fund Criteria considered in fee allocation*

1. The extent to which the proposed activity is likely to foster growth and excellence among students at the College.
2. The commitment of the activity sponsors to the execution of the activity.
3. The history of the activity, and the projected needs of the activity for the upcoming fiscal year.
4. The intent for direct service or active participation of students.
5. The program concept

• Does it connect to the strategic plan?
• Does it meet one or more of the core commitments?
• Does it encourage faculty-student interaction?
• Does it meet the mission and goals as outlined by Student Government and/or the Student Activities Office?

Other considerations:

• The amount of outside funding the activity has previously received and the potential for additional funding from other sources.
• The goals of the organization's primary activities and its membership selection process.
  • The number of students who will benefit from the program or service. (Anticipated participation rate. Does the activity benefit and/or is it open to the entire college community?)
  • Collaborative efforts with other departments/groups.
    • The success and effectiveness of the organization in planning and executing past programs. (Newly established organizations will not be judged by these criteria.)
    • The quality and thoroughness of the written budget request. (Budget requests must be completed in their entirety including any supplemental documentation.)
    • How much funding is available in the contingency account? (SGA reserves the right to allocate a portion of the request based on anticipated future requests.)

*Detailed policies and procedures for making purchases can be found in the Beacon Student Organization Manual. Some limitations on food, travel, equipment, and subscriptions may apply.

II. SGA Review Process

When a Student Government member violates the SGA constitution or Middlesex Community College Student Handbook, he or she will be sent a letter requesting their presence at a review hearing. The following guidelines are to be followed in order to conduct this hearing in a fair and equitable way.

• The following people are required to be in attendance at the hearing in order for it to take place: At least 1 SGA President, a quorum of the members, and the SGA advisor.

• The member up for review is not required to attend in order for discussion and decision to occur.

• The order for the proceeding is as follows:

1. 1. President announces that the meeting is closed and minutes will be kept confidential. The board will use parliamentary procedures to conduct the meeting. This is overseen by the President. The advisor may offer suggestions and input throughout the meeting and discussion.
   2. If member up for review is present, President reads the opening paragraph as written on the reverse side. If absent, President proceeds to step 6.
   3. Member up for review, if present, has the opportunity to defend themselves for as long as they need.
   4. Voting members may ask questions that pertain to infractions and future plans as they relate to Student Government (see examples).
   5. When all questions have been asked, the President will ask the member up for review if they have any final words before deliberation. If so, they may state their closing thoughts and then leave the room.
   6. The board will then discuss all aspects of this case taking into consideration any precedents. If similar cases have been heard in the past, board members must be mindful to be fair and treat all members equally. If there are situational differences, those should be noted and discussed. The needs of the board and significance of the infraction vary year to year and it is recognized that sometimes new policies and expectations may supersede precedent.
   7. The board decides on a consequence (see examples). The President asks the member up for review to return and announces the decision of the board. The member then accepts or declines the terms.

 

• If more than one member is up for review, each case will be evaluated individually and in alphabetical order. Members up for review have no vote at these hearings and will not be present except for their own

• All present at meeting must be respectful and make decisions based on what is best for the future of Student Government at MCC.

 

Opening Paragraph:

 

(Insert Name), you have been called here for review by the Student Government Association for violating our constitution. (Specify which section and details of infraction.) The goal of this process is to conduct hearings in the most fair and equitable way while keeping the goals and of Student Government in mind. The members present today will hear your defense and decide on appropriate consequences.

You will have the opportunity to defend yourself before we deliberate. If you would like, you can begin with an opening statement. We will then have the opportunity to ask you questions. And you will have the option of telling us any closing thoughts. At that time, I will ask you to leave the room while we determine if there should be any consequences. When we are through deliberating, you will be invited back in to hear the results. Do you understand the process? (If yes, continue on to defendant’s opening statement.)

 

Examples of questions:

 

1. (If due to absences) Did you call/alert the Presidents or advisor in advance of your absence? Are the reasons for your absences extreme or unusual? Do you realize what effect your absences had on meetings and productivity? Do you accept SGA as you would a job or a class where absences are frowned upon and hurt your potential to do well and for the team to succeed? Will you be able to attend all future meetings?

2. (If due to infraction of handbook policies) In light of what has happened, do you believe yourself to be an adequate representative of this organization? How will sanctions placed by the College affect your ability to serve?

3. (If due to an inability to meet the qualifications for serving) Based on your actions or comments, we are concerned that you do not comprehend the SGA constitution. Can you convince us that you do understand it or that you will make significant efforts to learn and appreciate its meaning? As a representative of this governing body it is essential that you understand SGA’s mission and goals; your actions and/or comments suggest otherwise. Could you persuade us to believe otherwise? By joining SGA, you had made the commitment to actively participate and we have not seen you demonstrate this. Have extreme or unusual circumstances caused your lack of involvement? How will that change in the future? Do you recognize the importance of active involvement and why it is necessary in order for SGA to be successful? Convince Each SGA member must demonstrate the ability to:

4. Do you believe you acted responsibly to the best of your ability? How could you have handled it better?

5. What consequence do you think would be fair and appropriate?

 

Examples of consequences:

• No action
• Dismissal from SGA
• Removal from office
• Probation
  • No absences for rest of semester/year
  • No voting privileges for 2 weeks
  • Automatic dismissal at next infraction
• Creative Sanctions
  • Extra office hours
  • Take quiz on Beacon, Constitution, etc. and must pass
  • Volunteer or complete special project as assigned