Article I: Non-Constitutional Positions

A. Executive Assistant

1. Definition and Purpose
The Executive Assistant shall serve as the chief recorder and custodian of all official Student Government records.

2. Installation
The Executive Assistant shall be appointed by the President and confirmed by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.

3. Responsibilities, Rights, and Restrictions

a. Accurately record the proceedings of all meetings for use in preparing minutes.

b. Make any corrections to minutes as determined by the assembly.

c. Upon Senate approval of minutes, note the approval date and sign them to attest to their validity. Post an official copy in a visible location within the Student Government office for member review.

d. Provide the presiding officer or assembly with the exact wording of pending or previously acted-upon motions.

e. Maintain an accurate membership list and call roll as directed by the Chair or presiding officer.

f. Bring the minutes of prior meetings to each session and retrieve information upon request.

g. Assist the Chair before meetings by distributing the agenda and necessary materials.

h. Preserve all organizational records, reports, and documents, including a signed copy of the Constitution.

i. Notify the assembly of deadlines and unfinished actions recorded in the minutes.

j. May hold no other elected or appointed position within Student Government.

k. May propose motions and participate in discussions only when selecting an Adviser, calling a special meeting, or considering motions to suspend the agenda.

l. Shall remain subject to all governing documents.

m. Assist the President in recruiting and placing Association members on University committees, maintaining records and reports of such appointments.

n. Serve five (5) office hours per week.

o. Receive a stipend as described in Article V, and may not receive external funding for any Student Government position.

p. Maintain attendance records for all Student Government meetings.

B. Parliamentarian

1. Definition and Purpose
The Parliamentarian shall provide legal oversight for all Student Government actions, meetings, and procedures.

2. Installation
The role of Parliamentarian shall be filled by the Constitutional Review Chair or an appointee of the President or Constitutional Review Chair.

3. Responsibilities, Rights, and Restrictions

a. Advise the Chair on correct parliamentary procedure, uphold governing documents, and prevent procedural or legal errors.

b. Reserve the right to suspend motions or actions of the Student Government Association or its members if such actions violate governing documents, referring issues to the Judicial Council.

i. During a suspension, no discussion or action may proceed until the Judicial Council issues a ruling and the Chief Justice reports the findings to the Assembly.

c. Maintain an official copy of the signed Constitution, Bylaws, and Parliamentary Code.

C. Sergeant at Arms

1. Definition and Purpose
The Sergeant at Arms shall ensure that the environment of official Student Government meetings supports productive work.

2. Installation
This position shall be filled by the Chief Justice or their appointee.

3. Responsibilities, Rights, and Restrictions

a. Oversee the setup of the meeting hall to meet the needs of the organization and the President.

b. Recommend and implement necessary modifications to the meeting hall.

c. Remove disruptive members or gallery attendees by order of the Chair using reasonable means (e.g., requesting departure, contacting Public Safety).

d. Assist in maintaining the integrity of elections.

D. Electioneer

1. Definition and Purpose
The Electioneer shall execute and oversee all Student Government elections, both internal and general.

2. Installation
The Electioneer shall be the Constitutional Review Chair or their appointee.

3. Responsibilities, Rights, and Restrictions

a. Conduct internal elections as prescribed by governing documents.

b. Chair the Elections Committee during general elections.

c. Report election results and a full summary of proceedings to the Chief Justice for certification.

Article II: Ad Hoc Committees

1. An Ad Hoc Committee is classified as a special committee under the Student Constitution.

2. The President, Executive Committee, or a Senate majority may form ad hoc committees to:

a. Conduct and present research to the Senate or committee chairs.

b. Make proposals.

c. Undertake large-scale projects better managed by small groups on behalf of Student Government.

d. Hear censure proceedings.

e. Perform any other necessary duties.

3. Committee members may include senators, chairs, faculty, administrators, community members, or field experts.

4. Members of committees created by the President shall be appointed by the President and confirmed by a two-thirds Senate vote, unless otherwise directed by the Senate or Executive Committee.

Article III: Decorum and Order

1. The Chair shall maintain meeting decorum, with assistance from the Parliamentarian.

a. Members who willfully disregard decorum may be removed by order of the Chair and concurrence of the Parliamentarian.

b. Removed members shall be referred to the Judicial Council for disciplinary review.

2. Intentional violation of decorum or Chair rulings may result in disciplinary action.

3. Dress code shall be business or business casual, as defined by the Chair at the start of each term.

4. Food or drink that distracts from business is not permitted during meetings; food is prohibited during open gallery.

5. Language must remain respectful; repeated violations may result in a finding of contempt of decorum.

6. Side conversations must not disrupt proceedings.

7. The President shall email all resolutions, bills, and proposals at least 24 hours before regular meetings.

8. Gallery members may not directly address or approach Assembly members during meetings.

9. Members who leave the table during hearings must remain in the gallery until welcomed back by the Chair.

10. Homework is prohibited during Senate meetings.

11. Personal use of electronic devices is not permitted during Senate meetings; approved use is at the Chair’s discretion.

Article IV: Student Government Participation

1. The Assembly shall meet Thursdays at 5 p.m., as outlined in the Constitution.

2. Each voice roll call will assign a half-absence to unexcused absentees. Members who notify the Executive Council in advance may receive no more than two half-absences.

3. Missing one committee meeting counts as a half-absence; committee chairs may excuse absences.

4. Failing to complete weekly office hours constitutes a half-absence.

5. Each member is allowed two unexcused absences; further unexcused absences may lead to censure.

Article V: Stipends

1. All stipends, including those for fee committees and the Judicial Council, shall be reviewed and approved annually by the Senate.

2. Stipends are awarded at the end of each semester.

3. The following stipends shall apply unless reduced or eliminated due to disciplinary action:

Article VI: Non-Constitutional Senate Duties

1. Each member shall attend at least one Minnesota State University Student Association conference or assembly per term.

2. Failure to attend a committed event without an excuse will result in a full absence.

3. The President and Vice President may organize retreats at the start of semesters, with at least six weeks’ notice. Attendance is mandatory unless excused.

4. Members must participate in at least two approved volunteer activities each semester.

Article VII: Consultation Hearings

1. Consultation hearings shall follow the process outlined in the Bylaws.

2. The relevant committee chair shall schedule University officials for hearings at least one week in advance and distribute all background materials to the Assembly.

3. Following presentations, Assembly members may ask questions and offer feedback, limited to the topic under discussion. Members may make one statement and two follow-ups per speaking turn.

4. After discussion, the Assembly may thank and dismiss the presenter and deliberate proposals, including tabling, referral to committee, or creating an ad hoc committee for further study.

Article VIII: Governing Documents

A. The Bylaws are subordinate to the Constitution and superior to the Parliamentary Code.

B. Amending the Parliamentary Code requires a bill and two-thirds Senate approval.

C. Amending the Bylaws requires a bill approved by a two-thirds Senate vote; the Bylaws may not be suspended for any reason.

D. The St. Cloud State University Student Government Bylaws supersede all committee bylaws regarding stipends.

Adopted

Amendments: