Preamble

We, the students of West Liberty University, attest to the fact that the Student Government Association (SGA) is the supreme voice of the student body. Aware of our responsibilities and rights as students, in an effort to effect mutual cooperation of university authorities and student government, we do hereby establish in good faith, this, the constitution of the student body of West Liberty University. This document, the West Liberty University Student Government Association Constitution and By-Laws v12, replaces any and all other governing documents once observed by the Student Government Association of West Liberty University.

Article I. Name and Objectives

Section 1.01 – The name of the organization shall be the Student Government Association of West Liberty University. Known commonly as ‘SGA’

Section 1.02 – The objectives of this organization shall be to use the rights and capabilities of the students to govern themselves within the reasonable and proper limits established by the administration of the university and governing bodies of the institution.

Section 1.03 – All duly enrolled students of West Liberty University shall be members of this organization, but only those elected by the student body shall have a voting seat, as stated in the constitution.

Article II. Purposes

Section 2.01 – The purpose of the SGA shall be the following:

(a) Represent the students in the decision-making process directly affecting the students and West Liberty University.

(b) Serve as a channel for the expression of students’ opinion.

(c) Serve as a liaison between the students, faculty, administration, and staff.

(d) Encourage the personal and academic development of the students through their participation in student activities.

(e) Promote the feeling of unity among the entire academic community of the college.

(f) Enhance the relationship between the academic community and its service area.

(g) Maintain an active relationship with the West Liberty University Alumni Association.

(h) Promote student responsibility and leadership.

(i) Act as the central student organization aiding all other campus student organizations with communication, leadership, finances, and cooperative planning to better serve the entire university community.

Article III. Executive Branch Qualifications and Election Process

Section 3.01 – The Executive Branch of Student Government shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary:

Section 3.02 – Each of these officers must meet the following criteria:

(a) Must be a full time student at West Liberty University.

(b) A cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a four-point scale for the President and Vice-President to be eligible for office; 2.0 on a four-point scale for the Secretary, and Treasurer.

(c) Must not be on disciplinary or academic probation.

(d) Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates must have attended a minimum of twenty WLU S.G.A. meetings as an active member to apply to run.

(e) Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates must have attended WLU for a total of three full semesters as a full time student.

Section 3.03 – President and Vice-President election process:

(a) Applications and petitions must be returned at appropriate time and location as stated by the Executive Board of SGA.

(b) The President and Vice President must
run together and be voted on by the students of West Liberty University. In the event of an unopposed election, they must receive one vote.

(c) The elections are to be held in late March / early April in the Spring, preferably two weeks after the Spring Break.

(d) The elections are to be held in early September in the Fall.

(e) No member of the Executive Branch shall hold the same office for longer than two consecutive terms.

Section 3.04 – Treasurer and Secretary Appointments

(a) The President and Vice President shall have six weeks after the election to appoint qualified students to serve as the Secretary and Treasurer of WLU Student Government Association. These appointments must then be approved by a majority vote of the Student Senate.

Article IV. Student Senate Composition and Qualifications

Section 4.01 – The Student Senate of the Student Government Association consists of the following:

Section 4.02 – Fifteen ‘at large’ Senators to hold a non-specific representative seat, representing the entire campus. They are elected by the student body.

Section 4.03 – Ten Senators having specific representation within the student body:

(a) Four Housing Representatives (Two men and two women)

(b) Two Commuter Representatives

(c) Freshman Class Representative

(d) Sophomore Class Representative

(e) Junior Class Representative

(f) Senior Class Representative

(g) Greek Life Representative (NON-VOTING)

(i) The Greek Life Representative member is not elected by the student body; rather he/she is appointed by the Greek Life President and Confirmed by the four members of the Executive Board. They must follow all regulations of Student Government including its Constitution and By-Laws.

Section 4.04 – Senate Qualifications

(a) All Senators must have a GPA of 2.0 on a four-point scale

(i) If a senator is a first time student at WLU, the GPA referenced is the high school GPA reported to the university for first time students or the transfer GPA of a previous college or university for transfer student.

(b) All Senators must not be on disciplinary or academic probation

(c) At-large Senators, Housing Representatives, and all four Class Presidents must be Full time students (carrying a minimum 12 hours) at West Liberty University.

(d) Class Representatives must carry the academic status of the class, for the entire academic year, which they represent as designated by the Registrar’s Office.

(e) Commuter Representatives must carry a minimum of 9 hours.

(f) Commuter Representatives must remain a commuter student to remain in office. If a Commuter Representative moves on campus he/she is automatically disqualified to serve as a Commuter Representative.

(i) The Commuter Representative may be a graduate student in any Master’s Program, a non-residential student in the Physician’s Assistant Program, or an individual seeking a second degree or certification, as long as they are a current student of WLU.

(g) Housing Representatives must remain a resident student to remain in office. If the student moves off campus during his/her term in office, he/she is automatically disqualified to serve as a Housing Representative.

Section 4.05 – The Student Government Association Advisors

(a) Faculty, Staff, or Administration Advisor shall be appointed by the President and approved with a majority vote of the Student Senate. The advisor must be nominated and voted on by the third week of the Fall Semester, and the advisor serves a yearlong term.

(b) The Dean of Students serves as the administrative liaison to SGA.

(i) The Dean of Students may appoint a designate staff/faculty member.

Section 4.06 – President Pro-Temp Election and Duties

(a) Shall be appointed by the President and approved by a majority vote of the Senate.

(b) Shall fill the duties of the President or Vice-President in the event that they are absent or become involved in a debate, or want to present from the floor.

(c) If the President or Vice President resign, or are unable to stay in office, the President Pro-Temp serves in that office until an emergency election for the office is filled. The President Pro-Temp may run in this election.

(d) The President Pro-Temp must meet the qualifications to be President or Vice President as outlined in Section 3.02.

Section 4.07 – Parliamentarian Election and Duties

(a) Shall be appointed by the President and approved by a majority vote of the Senate

(b) Shall have final decision in any argument that pertains to parliamentary procedure in an SGA meeting.

(c) Shall evaluate members of the executive branch on a monthly basis according to the outlined duties in this constitution.

(d) Shall serve on the Membership Committee.

Section 4.08 – Sergeant at Arms Elections and Duties

(a) Shall be appointed by the President and approved by a majority vote of the Senate.

(b) Shall help maintain order in the Senate and Gallery.

(c) Shall assist the Parliamentarian.

Article V. Line of Succession

(a) In the event that the President is unable to serve:

(i) The Vice President becomes President.

(ii) The President Pro-Temp will serve as Vice President until an emergency election can be held to fill the office of Vice President.

i. The President Pro-Temp may run in the emergency special election for Vice President.

ii. Any qualified member of the senate may apply to run in the special emergency election. Candidates must meet the qualifications to be President or Vice President as outlined in Section 3.02

(b) In the event that neither the President nor Vice-President is able to serve:

(i)The President Pro-Temp will serve as President and he/she should appoint a qualified member of the senate to serve as Vice President until an emergency election can be held.

(ii) Any qualified member of the senate may apply to run in this special emergency election.

(c) In the event that neither the President, Vice-President, or President-Pro Temp are able to serve, the responsibilities of the President-Pro Temp mentioned above shall be carried out by the following order of succession. In the event that any member in the succession order does not meet the qualifications as outlined in Section 3.02, the succession skips to the next office.
(i) Parliamentarian
(ii) Treasurer
(iii) Secretary
(iv) Senior Class Representative
(v) Junior Class Representative
(vi) Highest ranking Senators that have attended the most meetings.

(d) All offices left open by the line of succession must be filled after the special election by nomination of the President and approved by a majority of the Senate.

Article VI. Code of Ethics

Section 6.01 – Membership and participation in the West Liberty University Student Government Association shall not be denied to any person on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, association, gender, and/or age.

Section 6.02 – Any member that does not meet all qualifications as described for the office or position he/she holds shall be removed from that office immediately.

Section 6.03 – All members of SGA shall adhere the student Code of Conduct as stated in the Student Handbook. A member found responsible by the Campus judicial system for a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, State, Local, or Federal Laws, shall be removed from their office immediately.

Article VII. Impeachment of Senators and Officers

Section 7.01 – Impeachment of Student Senators:

(a) Grounds for impeachment may be necessary if:

(i) A Senator violates the Senate attendance policy or fails to fulfill any expected responsibility.

(b) This must be a voted on by the Senate and impeached by a simple majority.

(ii) Disciplinary actions are taken by WLU’s judicial system for violation of any social or academic policy.

(iii) SGA By-laws are violated.

Section 7.02 – Conviction of Senate Members:

(a) Responsible Violations of the Attendance Policy shall be by the majority vote of the Membership Committee.

(i) The decision of the Membership Committee must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate.

(ii) The Member in question is not allowed to vote in the Membership Committee meeting or Senate decision.

Section 7.03 – Impeachment of a member of WLU Student Government Executive Branch:

(a) Any member of the Student Senate reserves the power to call a vote of impeachment on a member of the executive branch before the Membership Committee if any qualifications or responsibilities are not fulfilled.

(b) The Membership Committee must decide by a majority vote of the committee to call a special hearing of impeachment before the Student Senate.

Section 7.04 – Impeachment Hearing of the Senate

(a) A two-thirds vote by the two-thirds quorum of the Student Senate shall be necessary for conviction of an officer.

(b) Upon conviction, the vote shall be taken to the President of West Liberty University. He/She shall decide on whether to uphold or dismiss the decision of the Senate.

(i) The advisor and membership chair must inform the University President of the impeachment charges.

(c) The Senate may not vote to overturn the University President’s decision, but they may vote by a simple majority of the Senate to send the decision to a vote of the Student Body, in which the Students would have the final decision.

Section 7.05 – Election of Replacement for Impeached Officer

(a) Upon conviction of an impeached Student Government Officer by the Membership Committee, the Student Senate must decide a special election of impeachment.

(b) The Membership Committee shall supervise this election. The impeached officer shall not be permitted to serve on the Membership Committee.

Article VIII. Amendments

Section 8.01 – Amendments must be approved by two-thirds vote of the Student Senate, and then voted on by the general student body. Amendments are ratified by a simple majority approval of the student body, no matter the percentage of the student body that votes.

Section 8.02 – In the case this constitution or its by-laws are silent on a specific matter, Roberts Rules of Order shall be used to adjudicate any issue that arises in the normal course of SGA business.

Student Government Association By-laws

These by-laws are to define general operating procedures for the Student Government Association (SGA). Amendments to these by-laws can be proposed in the Senate and may be amended by a two-thirds vote. They do not need to go to the student body.

Article I. Membership Classification, Powers and Duties

Section 1.01 – Executive Branch

(a) President

(i) Powers of the President:

1) Create or dissolve such position, as he/she may deem necessary with the majority approval of the Student Senate.

2) Make appointments, which are then approved by the Student Senate, to all offices which are not elective or which are vacant.

3) Can veto actions taken by the Senate; the veto must be made official within 7 days of the passage of the act.

4) Can receive academic credit for 478 Special Topics class.

(ii) Duties of the President:

1) Act as a liaison officer between the SGA and the university faculty and administration.

2) Represent the student body on the West Liberty University Board of Governors.

3) Serve as a consultant to various clubs and organizations on the campus.

4) Act as ex-officio member on all SGA committees (non-voting member).

5) Serve as chairperson for the Student Affairs Committee.

6) Be responsible for planning a Fall and Spring Retreat with the other members of the executive board. Both members and advisors will attend both events.

7) Post and be present for at least five regularly scheduled office hours per week but do not have to be served in the office (ex.- residence hall room.) Hours must be posted.

8) Appoint a Treasurer and Secretary.

(b) Vice President

(i) Powers of the Vice President:

1) In the event of a vacancy of the office of President or disability of the incumbent thereof, the Vice President shall assume the duties of the President.

2) Vote on pending Senate action only in the event of a tie vote.

(ii) Duties of Vice President

1) Coordinate the Student Senate and SGA meetings.

2) Serve as President of the Student Senate

3) Assist the President on leadership responsibilities.

4) Serve as a consultant to various clubs and organizations on the campus.

5) Post and be present for at least five regularly scheduled office hours per week but do not have to be served in the office (ex.- residence hall room.) Hours must be posted.

(c) Treasurer

(i) Powers of the Treasurer:

1) Organize all expenditures of SGA.

(ii) Duties of the Treasurer:

1) Keep records of all SGA financial transactions.

2) To provide reports to the Senate a minimum of a bi-monthly basis or at the request of the President or member of the Senate.

3) Chair the Finance Committee and provide assistance to any ad-hoc committee.

4) Shall be aware of all fundraisers of SGA and keep a historical record of who helped with the event, the purpose of it, and how much money was raised.

5) Post and be present for at least four regularly scheduled office hours per week but do not have to be served in the office (ex.- residence hall room.) Hours must be posted.

(d) Secretary

(i) Duties of the Secretary:

1) Record the proceedings and roll of the Student Government meetings, and have minutes posted within three days following the SGA meeting.

2) Highlight and list all unfinished business from the previous meeting for the Executive Branch to manage.

3) Notify the Membership Committee when a Student Senator has missed any SGA function, by written letter or e-mail, within 3 business days.

4) Post and be present for at least four regularly scheduled office hours per week but do not have to be served in the office (ex.- residence hall room.) Hours must be posted.

Section 1.02 – Senate

(a) Senators

(i) Powers of the Student Senate:

1) The Senate shall have the power to pass legislation and make provisions for student goals within the limits of the constitution.

2) All expenditures over $500 shall be brought to the Senate to be voted upon and must be subsequently approved by a majority vote of the Senate.

3) The Senate shall approve, by majority vote, all appointments to fill Student Senate vacancies.

4) The Senate shall have the power, upon concurrence of a majority of the Senators present at a regular meeting, to request a report from any member of the Executive Branch of the Student Government Association concerning any matter for which the said person is responsible.

5) The Senate shall have the power to override a veto by the President of the SGA of legislation passed by the Senate with a concurrence of two-thirds of the total membership of the Senate.

6) Have the right to impeach any member of the Student Government Association by following the correct procedures as listed in the constitution.

7) Each member of the Senate shall have one voting seat in SGA meetings.

8) Members of the Senate may receive academic credit for being involved with SGA. The Senator may register in 279 Student Senate Practicum under Political Science.

(ii) Duties of the Student Senate:

1) The Senate is to sponsor fundraisers on campus, to reimburse the university for a portion of the budget.

2) Must attend all official SGA meetings, committee meetings, and any special meeting a member of the Executive branch may call.

3) Senate members shall attend the all SGA Meetings and Functions. A typed excuse must be e-mailed to the SGA e-mail account if the member can not attend.

4) All members of the Student Senate are to serve at a suggestion table in the College Union a minimum of one time per semester, more than once if needed.

(iii) Resignation of Senators:

1) Must deliver a hand-signed letter of resignation to the President of the Senate (Vice President) listing the exact date of termination.

2) Must return all SGA materials when letter of resignation is delivered

(b) Duties of All Senators:

(i) Each Senator shall be responsible for contributing reports and information at SGA meetings.

(ii) Each Senator is required to help with SGA Events.

(c) Duties of Commuter Representatives:

(i) The Commuter Representatives are responsible for bringing commuter issues to Senate meetings.

(d) Duties of Housing Representatives:

(i) The Housing Representatives are responsible for bringing housing issues and activities to Senate meetings.

(ii) They shall meet with the Housing Director at least once a month to discuss issues pertaining to WLU’s housing students.

(e) Duties of Class Representatives:

(i) Freshman Class Representative is responsible for bringing issues facing freshmen to Senate meetings, assisting the E-board as needed.

(ii) Sophomore Class Representative is responsible for bringing sophomore issues to Senate meetings and assisting the E-board as needed.

(iii) Junior Class Representative is responsible for bringing junior issues to the Senate meetings and assisting the E-board as needed.

(iv) Senior Class Representative is responsible for bringing issues facing seniors to Senate meetings.

Article II. Committee Provisions, Structure, and Membership

Section 2.01 – The Student Government shall have the following Standing Committees:

(a) Communications Committee

(i) Membership:

1) Communications Director.

2) No less than four senators.

(ii) Duties:

1) Charged with addressing Public Relations issues such as: advertising WLU events, notifying the student body of vacant positions, and advertising the exact elections dates and rules for the spring and fall elections.

(b) Finance Committee:

(i) Membership:

1) Treasurer, President, and Vice-President, Communications Director, Programming Director.

2) At least two other members of the Senate.

(ii) Duties:

1) Charged with addressing issues that deal with SGA’s finance issues such as: fundraisers, and to rule any expenditure below $500.

(c) Enrollment Services Committee:

(i) Membership:

1) President, Vice President and members appointed by the Dean of Students.

(ii) Duties:

1) Charged with addressing academic issues such as: exam schedule, scheduling of classes, faculty evaluations, and violations of dead week policies.

(d) Membership Committee:

(i) Membership:

1) Secretary, Parliamentarian, President, Vice President, and three Senators with at least one semester of experience with SGA. The Secretary shall chair this committee.

(ii) Duties:

1) Charged with addressing all matters of membership related with SGA.

2) Holds the exclusive right to call an impeachment hearing at an SGA meeting.

3) Committee is to be informed by the Secretary (Chair) for attendance issues needing action.

4) The committee will ensure that Senators attend all committee meetings and SGA events.

5) Determine if a member should be impeached for absences as outlined in the constitution.

(e) Programming Committee

(i) Membership

1) Programming Director and Senators and Members appointed the SGA President.

(ii) Duties

1) To plan all events of the Student Government Association, Coordinating with the Executive Board

2) Assist the Executive Board with Retreats and SGA Functions.

3) Plan and find workers for SGA Tailgates and Service Projects

4) The Programming Director is the chair.

5) All actions of the Programming Committee must be approved by the Executive Board.

(f) Select Committees and Special Committees

(i) The President and Vice President have the power to create additional committees on an “as needed” basis for pressing year to year issues.

(ii) The President and Vice President may set the stipulations for membership and responsibilities for these committees.

Article III. Meetings and Attendance

Section 3.01 – Meetings

(a) Agenda shall be prepared by the Senate President (Vice President) for each Senate meeting.

(b) The agenda shall be in accordance with the format given in Roberts Rules Of Order.

(c) Minutes shall be made by the Secretary and available electronically by the start of the following meeting.

(d) Copies of the minutes shall be made available to anyone who requests them and available electronically.

(e) All meetings shall be run according to parliamentary procedure as stated in Roberts Rules of Order.

(f) For voting, two-thirds of the total membership of the Senate must be present to constitute a quorum.

(g) During the regular academic terms (excluding summer sessions), weekly meetings of the Senate shall be held at such time and place as agreed upon by the Senate. Meetings may be cancelled one week in advance by a majority vote of the Senate and no advisor needed.

(h) The advisor does not have to be present for the Senate to hold a meeting.

(i) The regular meetings are open to the student body, faculty, and staff.

(i) The senate may go in to executive session by a motion and second.

(ii) The advisor may remain for executive session; this is to be determined by a motion, a second, and simple majority approval of the senate.

(j) Committee meetings shall be called by the committee chair and are open to the student body, faculty, and staff. The President and Vice President should be informed of Committee Meetings.

(k) Committees must meet every two weeks.

(i) Committee chair must schedule inform all members, SGA President and Vice President of meeting times

(l) Information regarding time and location of these meetings shall be given upon formal request to the committee chair.

(m) The President of SGA may call special meetings of the Senate.

(n) Notice of at least three days must be given for attendance policies to stand.

(o) SGA advisors do not need to be present for SGA to hold a meeting.

Section 3.02 – Attendance

(a) Each member of the SGA is required to attend each SGA meetings, (including special meetings called by the President).

(b) When an excused absence is necessary, the following is needed from the SGA member:

(i) When an absence is necessary, a typed excuse must be provided to a designated area, in the SGA office, as designated by the Membership Committee.

(ii) Missed committee meeting: A written excuse to the Vice President of SGA of notification and conformation of absence with the chair of the committee.

(c) Recording of and Penalty for Absences:

(i) Upon an absence, the Senator in violation is to appear in front of the Membership Committee to decide the status of the absences.

(ii) If an absence is decided valid by the Membership Committee, then the member does not go in front of the Senate.

(iii) A member should not miss more than two meetings.

(iv) The Membership Committee will determine punishment for absences and when the third absence is made, there is to be a call for possible impeachment, as determined by the Membership Committee.

(iv) Punishment for absences will be determined by the Membership Committee and when two absences are exceeded there will be a call for possible impeachment.

Article IV. Elections

Section 4.01 – Procedures for running the elections:

(a) The SGA is responsible for having two poll workers from Student Government at the poll table at all times. These poll workers are responsible for verifying enrollment at WLU and ensuring one vote per student.

(b) Poll tables will have a sign-in/sign-out sheet for the poll workers.

(c) The poll workers must sign and date the ballots before giving them to the voters. Any ballots not signed and dated will be considered void.

(d) All voting will take place in the College Union.

(e) Polls will open at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m.

(f) The election ballots will be destroyed 72 hours after the election results have been announced by the Election Committee to the candidates. The written results will be kept for records.

(g) The SGA Advisor (or any non-student employee/faculty member of the university appointed by the Advisor), and two members of SGA who are not running in contested elections must be present for counting. A member of the Trumpet or university media and any other member of SGA may attend.

(h) All ballot counters and observers are to keep the election results confidential until all of those who were running are informed. If confidentiality is not kept, then the Dean of Students may issue sanctions.

Section 4.02 – Election Rules

(a) There shall be one election per semester.

(i) The spring semester election will be to elect a: President and Vice President (who must run together), Sophomore, Junior, Senior Class Representatives, and eleven At Large Senators. (Four Senator at Large Seats will be saved for Fall.)

1) Campaigning starts two weeks before elections. Specific time for beginning of campaigning will be determined by Executive Board.

2) Election for spring semester shall be held in late March or early April. Preferably two weeks after spring break.

(ii) In the event that a member, who is not qualified under the Constitution to run for President or Vice President, who seeks the office must have the following:

1) Two semesters as active member of Student Government at the time they would assume office) and

2) Was elected (not appointed or assigned) to any voting SGA Position by the student body in the previous Spring or Fall Election, may petition to have the Constitutional requirements waved and become eligible to run.

a) The Executive Board Proper (President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer) will approve or deny the petition of the candidate that does not meet the Constitutional Requirements.

b) The Executive Board Proper (President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer) will approve or deny the petition of the candidate that does not meet the Constitutional Requirements.

i. If a member of the executive board is seeking the office of president or vice president, they must remove themselves from voting on the petition, and a senate member who is not seeking office should vote in their place.

c) In the event of a tie of the Executive Board, the decision will be reviewed and decided by the Dean of Students.

d) In the event that the election is unopposed by candidate(s) meeting the Constitutional Requirement and the Executive Board Proper denies the petition of candidates not meeting the requirements, the decision must be reviewed and finalized or overturned by the Dean of Students.

e) Mixed Candidates (one qualified and one unqualified) are permitted, but unqualified candidate still must petition.

(iii) The fall semester election will be to elect Freshman Class Representative, two Commuter Representatives, four Housing representatives, and any vacant At Large Senator seats remaining, with a minimum of the four reserved.

1) Applications and/or petitions must be turned in by the end of August.

2) Campaigning for the fall elections begins two weeks before the election.

3) The final election for the fall election is to be held no later than the third week of September, but may be held earlier.

4) Campaigning materials need to be removed within 48 hours from the end of the election.

(b) The Advisor to SGA will verify class status and GPA.

1) A student’s class status is determined by the Registrar’s office based on the college’s definition of Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior class status.

2) The students GPA is determined by the current average listed in the Registrar’s office files.

(ii) Each Housing Representative must be classified as a resident student by the Registrar’s office at the time of election.

(iii) Each Commuter Representative must be classified as a commuter student by the Registrar’s office at the time of the elections.

(c) Candidates must follow all campaigning rules.

(d) There will be no absentee voting, or voting on behalf of another person who is not present.

(e) Results for the election will be announced upon completion of counting the votes on the day of the election, after all candidates have been notified.

(f) New officers will take office the day of the Honors Convocation.

Section 4.03 – Election Rules for Homecoming and Spring King and Queen

(a) Candidates must have application filled out completely and returned to the office at the time and location stated by the Homecoming Committee.

(b) All candidates must be full time students at WLU.

(c) Poll tables shall have a sign-in/sign-out sheet for the poll workers.

(d) All election rules (Section 4.04) will be followed.

(e) SGA oversees all King and Queen Elections.

(f) SGA reserves the right to add stipulations, regulations, and rules to King and Queen Elections other than what is stated in Sections 4.03 and 4.04 of these bylaws.

(g) SGA reserves the right to disqualify candidates for King and Queen based on any stipulations, regulations, and rules that candidates must agree to.

(h) Any full time student may run for Homecoming King and Queen, but Spring Dance King and Queen candidates must represent a Greek Organization that is a part of Greek Life.

(i) These specific rules also include the general Campaigning Rules, Section 4.04

Section 4.04 – Campaigning rules for all SGA elections

(a) General Rules:

(i) All campaign rules must be made available to the candidates upon completing requirements for running.

(ii) The executive board will determine when campaigning may begin, which will be posted on the application.

1) Campaigning early will result in disqualification. This includes social media.

(iii) There shall be no campaigning outside of the WLU campus.

(iv) Campaigning via Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, ect.) is acceptable.

(v) Canvassing of students by telephone calls, text SMS messages, mass e-mail from or to “@westliberty.edu” emails, will not be permitted.

(vi) On election days, there will be no campaigning in the College Union or loitering in the College Union Ballroom by the candidates.

1) There will be no signs inside or on the exterior of the College Union. This includes all floors (and the lower level) and doors of the College Union on Election Day.

2) Signs posted in or on the College Union must be removed before 8:00 AM of Election Day.

3) Candidates or supporters of candidates may not vocally campaign in the College Union.

(vii) Candidates are not permitted in the polling place except to vote or eat.

(viii) There are to be no alterations of, removal of or tampering of any kind with an opponent’s campaign materials.

(ix) No candidate may clutter an area with too many campaign materials to prevent other candidates from having space to display.

(x) Cafeterias are totally off limits for any type of campaigning.

(xi) Fliers on cars are not permitted.

(xii) The use of amplified sound equipment, radios, music players, horns; etc. is only permitted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.

(xiii) Use of alcohol on or off campus for campaigning purposes is prohibited. The use of alcohol for the purposes of campaigning will result in immediate disqualification from whatever election the candidate is seeking office or title, and the candidate will forfeit any fees imposed upon them to run in the election.

(xiv) The only forms of media allowed are those sources deriving from the WLU campus.

(xv) No sidewalk chalk is to be used on the buildings.

(xvi) All university, local, state, and federal laws must be followed and not violated.

(b) Campaigning in Residence Halls:

(i) Candidates must have permission from the residents to hang fliers on their door.

(ii) Candidates are not permitted to hang a banner from the residence halls.

(iii) No chalk, paints, or markers are to be used on or in the buildings.

(iv) Candidates may not be unescorted in a residence hall to campaign.

(c) Campaigning in Academic Buildings:

(i) Only two fliers or signs per bulletin board are permitted.

(ii) University rules of posting, in this case campaign material, will be followed as per each individual campus building. (IE- if a building has its own rules for signs, they must be followed.)

(d) Penalties:

(i) Three violations of stated rules can expel a candidate from the election.

1) The executive board reserves the right to have a stricter policy for an election. (IE- one, or two strikes.)

(ii) The SGA Vice President shall determine the severity of the penalties if a violation of a by-law or of a policy set by the executive board for a specific election.

(iii) In the event the current SGA Vice President is running for election, the SGA President shall determine the severity of the penalty.

(iv) The Dean of Students shall make all final decisions on the penalties in the event that the current President and Vice President are both running for any positions.

(v) Candidates are responsible for the organizations and individuals that represent them, acting on behalf of them, or campaigning for them.

(vi) Candidates are responsible for following all other SGA rules for elections.

Article V. Standing or Special Rules

Section 5.01 – Office Rules:

(a) All long distance phone calls must be for SGA purposes.

(b) Computer rights for SGA purposes take precedence over individual use.

(i) Excessive printer use for personal use is not permitted.

(c) Office use for SGA purposes takes precedence over individual use.

(d) Committees may use the Office for meetings.

(e) Only the four executive board members and the advisor may hold a key to the office.

(i) The office may be used by other members of SGA for SGA Purposes, but an executive board member must unlock the office for them.

Section 5.02 – Graduation Stoles

(a) All members of the Student Government Association at West Liberty University who are or have been recognized as active or formerly active members of the Student Government Association will be recognized at their respective graduations with stoles honoring their service. The qualifications for recognition will be that they must have been an active member of the WLU SGA for at least ten meetings during the time they enter WLU and the time they graduate (regardless of whether they came to WLU as a freshman or transfer students or any other implications regarding enrollment at WLU as long as they have been an active member of the Student Government Association for a minimum of ten meetings). Also, any student who has served a full term (one academic year) as SGA President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer shall have their stole paid for by SGA. All other members who are serving at the time of their graduation shall have their stole paid for. Former members who meet qualifications must pay for their own.

(i) Any active or formerly active member of the Student Government Association who has served at least 10 meetings, regardless of whether they came to West Liberty as a freshman, transfer student, or any other implications regarding enrollment at West Liberty.

(b) Payment

(i) Any executive board member (President, Vice President, and Secretary, Treasurer) who has served a full term (one academic year) shall have their stoles paid for by the SGA.

(ii) All other members who are serving at the time of their graduation shall have their stole paid for. Former members who meet qualifications must pay for their own.

Article VI. Ethics

Section 6.01 – All SGA Members are to conduct themselves in an ethical manor and follow the Code of Ethics in the SGA Constitution, along with the provisions listed below.

(a) Posts on Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, ect.) of negative remarks or comments about West Liberty University, SGA, SGA Members, or affiliates of WLU, are not permitted by SGA Members.

(i) Repercussions-

First and Second Times- Reported to Membership Committee, Executive Board, and a warning notification sent to member by an Executive Board Member or Advisor.

Third time- suspected offences of this bi-law will be decided by the Membership Committee. If Membership (by a simple majority vote) decides that it is a violation of this bi-law, it will go to the senate for a 2/3 vote for impeachment.

(b) Harmful or malicious gossip/ rumors (true or not true) about SGA Members, Organizations, Offices, the University, Students, Faculty, or Staff that damage the integrity of the Student Government Association will not be tolerated.

(i) Repercussions-

First time- Reported to Membership Committee, Executive Board, and a warning notification sent to member by an Executive Board Member or Advisor.

Second time- suspected offences of this bi-law will be decided by the Membership Committee. If Membership (by a simple majority vote) decides that it is a violation of this bi-law, it will go to the senate for a 2/3 vote for impeachment.

(c) Electronic Devices are not permitted in SGA Meetings, Business aspects of retreats, Special Meetings, or Committee Meetings. This includes, but not limited to, cell phones (including phone calls, text SMS messaging, e-mail, or games), tablets, and computers. If a member has an emergency situation and needs to have their phone during a meeting, they may inform the President or Vice President before the meeting and may keep their phone on the table, but excuse themselves from the meeting to answer a call or text message.

(i) The Student Government Secretary is permitted to use an electronic device for the purpose of recording minutes.

(ii) Repercussions-

First time- Asked to put device away (by Parliamentarian, President, or Vice President)
Second time- Charged with an absence. ( Parliamentarian, President, or Vice President must inform member and Secretary)

Article VII. Application

Section 7.01 – All SGA Members (both voting and non-voting) must abide by these bi-laws.

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