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Loras Student Senate Constitution

Preamble
WE, THE STUDENTS OF the Loras College Student Union, in order to establish the rights,
freedoms, and responsibilities of individual students and groups, promote the basic principles of
freedom of expression, freedom from discrimination and government by law, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the Loras College Student Union henceforth.
Mission
The Loras College Student Senate shall be the representative student voice of the students of
Loras College and will serve as the intermediary between the students, administrative staff, and
alumni of Loras College. The Loras College Student Union is predicated on addressing student
issues and promoting the mission of Loras College in an ethical way. The Loras College Student
Union will effectively communicate with the administration to ensure that student concerns are
being addressed in an appropriate and timely manner. Loras College strives to develop a
community of active learners, reflective thinkers, ethical decision makers, and responsible
contributors, and the Loras College Student Union strives to ensure that those goals are met in
the way that it most beneficial to all students. Members of Student Union are role models on
campus; therefore strive for high achievement academically, spiritually, and ethically.

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ARTICLE I. SENATE
Section 1: Membership of the Senate
1. Membership in the Loras College Student Union shall consist of an equal number of
representatives from each class (First Year, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior) who will work
together in order to be the voice of the students of Loras College.
a. This number does not take into consideration the Executive Board of the Loras
College Student Union.
b. Each class will elect one President, one Vice President, and one Treasurer.
i. Every class will also elect two student representatives to serve as liaisons for
their class. They shall be required to report any class specific issues to the
class president.
ii. Only students who are members of a class may represent that specific class on
the Loras College Student Union.
2. No Senate seats shall be given to any organization, person, or persons on the basis of race,
color, national/state/local origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, marital or family status, or athletic involvement.
3. No changes in membership for the next calendar year shall occur after the first spring
election.
a. Under extraordinary circumstances, as determined by the Executive Board, this
clause can be temporarily suspended.

Section 2: The Three Senate Elections

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1. The first Spring Election shall consist of election of the President, the Vice President, and
the Director of Finance and the Director of Communications.
a. This, except for the Judicial Chair, will be the Loras College Student Union
Executive Board for the upcoming year.
b. The transfer of powers shall take place at the last meeting of the Senate for the
year.
i. The newly elected officers shall serve a one year term of office.
ii. Vacancies among the newly elected officers shall not be considered a bar
to other newly elected officers taking office.
c. If a newly elected official cannot take office then the right of succession shall
devolve upon the other newly elected officials.
2. The second Spring Election shall consist of the individual class representatives for the
upcoming academic year.
a. The class representatives shall take office at the transfer of powers and serve until
the transfer of powers for the next academic year.
3. The Fall Election shall consist of the election for the First Year class representatives.
a. The representatives shall take office at the first meeting following their election
and serve until the transfer of powers for the next academic year.
4. If any special circumstances arise regarding elections or candidacy, the Judicial Chair
shall prescribe the appropriate response.
a. This is subject to oversight by both the Dean of Students and the Executive
Board.
Section 3: Eligibility of Candidacy
1. Candidates will only be eligible to run for positions for their academic class.
a. This does not take into consideration the Executive Board, which is open to all
students.
2. In order to be placed on the ballot, students will be required to fill out both a Statement of
Candidacy, and a Candidate petition.
a. This is required for the Executive Board as well.
b. These sheets will be e-mailed to all students at least one week prior to the
election.
i. The number of Signatures required will vary by position
1. The specific number will be given by the Judicial Chair prior to
each election.
2. Class representative candidates will only be able to garner
signatures for their specific class.
3. Executive Board candidates will be able to obtain signatures from
any student, regardless of class.
c. These sheets will be handed into the Judicial Chair prior to 12:00 AM on the day
campaigning begins.
i. Sheets received after this time will not be accepted.

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Section 4: Determination of Representatives
1. The candidate receiving a majority of all legitimate votes cast for the office in question
shall be considered the winner.
a. If no candidate shall receive a majority, a runoff election for those candidates with
the two highest vote totals shall be held.
b. Any run-off election must be held one week after the initial election, and will last
for one day.
i. Unless Judicial Chair determines otherwise.
ii. If a tie occurs, then the person with the most signatures on the nomination
petition will win. If there is still a tie then a flip of the coin will determine
the winner.
2. Section 4, in its entirety applies to both class representatives and the Executive Board,
except the Judicial Chair.
Section 5: Election and Campaigning Procedures.
1. All elections for the Executive Branch and for the Senate seats shall be conducted in
accordance with this Constitution.
a. If a student is running for class president, class vice-president, or class treasurer
they will not be able to run for a senator position at the same time
b. Posters, flyers, etc. may be created and distributed with permission from
appropriate RAs, ACs, etc.
c. Disqualification, at the discretion of the Judicial Chair, will occur in any of the
following circumstances:
i. Smear Campaigns against any candidate.
1. This includes any activities whose intent is to damage another
candidates reputation either by spreading rumors about them or by
making accusations against them.
2. Only Positive Campaigning is acceptable.
a. Positive Campaigning consists of any activity which strives
to promote oneself, without discussing other candidates.
ii. Coercing any person to vote a specific way.
1. This is a broad category, which will be determined on a case to
case basis by the Judicial Chair.
iii. Campaigning before or beyond the allowed date.
1. This date will be given before campaigning by the Judicial Chair.
d. Any candidates for office shall have the right, if they so choose, to campaign as a
ticket.
i. Students are not required to vote for every member of a ticket.
1. If a ticket claims contrary to this, every member of the ticket will
be automatically disqualified from seeking office.

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Section 6: Requirements Specific to Executive Board
3.

Meet the Candidates event shall be held in the same week as the Executive Board
elections.
a. This will be a question and answer for students seeking election as student body
President, Vice President, Director of Finance and Director of Communications.
i. Questions may be posed to all candidates, or all candidates seeking
election to specific office
1. Questions may not be asked to only one candidate.
ii. Current executive board will pose the first round of questioning.
1. Questions need to be prepared.
iii. Students in attendance will be allowed to ask questions after the Executive
Board finishes theirs.
1. A time constraint will exist for these questions.
a. This will be decided by the executive board prior to the
event.
b. Participation in the event shall be mandatory.
i. Exceptions shall be made at the discretion of the Judicial Chair.
4. The Judicial Chair will not be elected via a vote by the Student Body.
a. The Judicial Chair will be appointed one week after the election of the Student
Body President, Vice President, Director of Finance and Director of
Communications.
i. The appointment will be at the discretion of the Executive Board-Elect.
1. If an appointment is not made within the one week deadline, the
appointment will instead be made by the current Judicial Chair
with guidance from the Loras Student Union advisors.
Section 7: Transfer of Powers
3. The Transfer of Powers does not have a pre-set date.
a. The only requirement is that it needs to take place before the end of the school
year.
i. It will take place at the discretion of the Judicial Chair.
b. All Senate-elect members are required to be in attendance.
i. If meeting is missed, it will count as one absence towards the next school
year.
ii. If contacted at least Twenty-Four hours prior to the Transfer of Powers, the
Judicial Chair-elect may grant permission to miss meeting.
4. The Transfer of Powers will occur as follows:
The official transfer of powers shall begin with the current LSU Judicial
Chair. He/she will lead the current senate and executive board. The chair
will first ask the current executive board to resign and they shall do so by
signing their name onto the official transfer of power document. After

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doing so the current senate shall then resign. The next step involves
inviting the newly elected executive board and having the newly appointed
judicial chair read out loud the LSU Vision statement and signing their
name onto the transfer of power sheet. The current judicial chair shall then
resign. The new judicial chair shall then invite the rest of the new
executive board and have them repeat the process done for them until all
new e-board members have been sworn in and signed their names. Shortly
afterwards the new senate shall be sworn in by pledging their allegiance to
the LSU Constitution by reciting the LSU Vision statement. After having
done so the old senate members not returning and old executive board
members may then be excused from the meeting and the new senate and
new e-board shall begin their first senate meeting.
Section 8: Student Senate Meetings:
1. With long stand precedent as reason, Student Senate meetings will be held bi-weekly on
Mondays at 9:00 PM.
2. The Student Union Vice-President may call a special meeting of the Senate for two
reasons:
i. Receiving a written request from one-third of members of Senate
ii. Or three other members of the Executive Board.
b. These meetings must be called within seventy-two hours of receiving a written
request.
c. Special meetings shall not be binding on membership.
3. Quorum consists of three-fifths of the voting membership.
a. If Quorum is not met, a meeting will be automatically adjourned.
4. A member of Senate may miss three meeting per term in office before being asked to
resign.
a. If a fourth is missed, member will be required to go before the Judicial Court if
they wish to stay on Senate.
i. If member chooses not to go before the Judicial Court, they will be
automatically dismissed permanently from Student Senate.
b. Absences will be counted in the following manner:
i. Unexcused absences during a senate meeting constitute one absence.
ii. Unexcused absences during a committee or class meeting constitute onehalf an absence
iii. Improper dress during senate constitutes one-half an absence.
c. Absences may be executed if the following occurs:
i. Members notifies Judicial Chair twenty-four hours ahead of time unless
personal or family emergency; individuals situation shall be addressed as
needed by Judicial Chair.

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d. Being a part of student senate is a privileged commitment and this needs to be
shown in attendance and participation.
e. The agenda of each meeting will be emailed to all members by the Student Body
Vice-President.
5. The Senate may require any non-members to leave the room, but must give cause and
must have approval by a simple majority vote.
6. All voting shall occur via closed ballot.
a. This is subject to change at the discretion of the Executive Board or by a request
of the majority of Senate.
7. Only elected senators and class officers may vote. The Student Union Vice-President will
have a vote in the case of a tie.
Section 9: Committee Meetings
1. Committees will be determined prior to each school year by the Executive Board.
a. The following committees will be mandatory for every year:
1. Catholic Identity
a. This committee will exist in conjuncture with the Loras
Catholic Identity Board.
1. Normal bi-weekly committee meetings will
be held in union with the greater
administrative Loras Catholic Identity
Committee. Absences for these meetings
will not be counted, due to the inherit nature
of the meetings.
2. Due to the unique nature of this Committee,
the Senate Catholic Identity meetings will
not be required to meet on a bi-weekly basis.
a. Additional Meetings will be up to the
discretion of the Chair of the
Catholic Identity Committee, with
oversight by the Executive Board.
2. Campus Pride
a. It is acceptable, however not required, that this committee
exist in conjunction with the Aesthetics committee due to
the nature of the two organizations.
b. Committee chairs and members will be appointed at the discretion of the
Executive Board.
c. Committee chairs are responsible to find the meeting that works best time for all.
i. Unavoidable conflicts should be addressed and with committee chair and
then to Judicial Chair.
ii. Excused absences will be issued at the discretion of the Judicial Chair.

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d. Every two weeks the Judicial Chair shall be notified by the committee chairs of
attendance at committee meetings.
Section 10: The President of the Senate
1. The President of the Senate shall be the Student Body Vice-President of the Loras
College Student Union and shall enjoy all rights, privileges, and responsibilities of a
Senator, other than the right to vote (except in the occasion of a tie vote in the Senate).
The President shall have the authority to send resolutions or bills to committee for study;
this shall not be interpreted to abridge the authority of the Senate to make decisions on
resolutions or bills. The President shall be the spokesperson for the Senate.
e. The Student Body Vice-President shall have authority to make as needed changes
to all Senate meetings in order to further promote the vision and purpose of the
Loras College Student Union.
f. It shall be the responsibility of the President to enforce all Student Union rules
within the Legislative Branch. The minutes and the record of attendance shall be
presented to the Senate at the next regular meeting. The President shall attend
meetings and deliver statements on behalf of the Senate and perform all other
duties delegated to the President by the Senate.
g. It shall be the responsibility of the President to instruct all new senators of correct
constitutional, bylaw, and parliamentary procedures.
h. The President Pro Tempore shall serve as President to serve if the President is
unable to chair the Senate. The President Pro Tempore shall be the most senior
Senator. If a former President of the Student Union or President of the Senate
shall become a Senator they will automatically be given the title of President Pro
Tempore while the senior most Senator will act as Deputy President Pro Tempore.
Section 11: Veto Procedures
1. Every bill that the Senate shall pass must be presented to the Student Body President
within five weekdays of classes or exams of its passing. The President may sign the bill,
and it shall then become a statute of the Student Union. If the President takes no action
for more than five weekdays of classes or exams, then the bill shall be a statute of the
Student Union. If the President vetoes the bill or some part the bill within this time
period, then the bill along with any objections shall be sent back to the Senate for
reconsideration. If, after reconsideration, two-thirds of the total number of Senate seats
which are filled approves the bill, it shall become a statute of the Student Union. The
reconsideration must take place before the end of the vetoing President's term of office or
the bill shall be considered null and void.
i. Every bill will also be subject to automatic veto by the Dean of Students.

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Section 12: Power of the Student Senate
1. The Senate holds the ultimate legislative authority pertaining to the student body of Loras
College.
2. The Senate shall review and check the actions of the Executive Branch and shall legislate
on matters of student interest.
3. The Senate shall be further empowered:
a. To appropriate allotted funds and other benefits to Student Union-recognized
student organizations.
i. The expenditures of such funds are required to follow standard College
purchasing and disbursement procedures and are subject to audits as
required by state law.
b. To amend the Student Union Constitution as provided for herein.
i. The Senate shall have the power to create and amend the Student Senate
Bylaws in accordance with the rules for a presidential veto prescribed
herein.
c. To recognize student organizations.
i. The Senate shall also have the power to ratify, reject or revoke Student
Union recognition of student organizations after it has notified the affected
organizations and their advisors of the time, date and place of the meeting
at which this will be decided.
ii. Revoking student organizations Student Union recognition shall require a
two-thirds majority vote.
d. To choose additional legislative officers it may deem necessary.
e. To pass all resolutions and statutes that shall be necessary for the execution of all
authority vested in the Student Union, or any department or officer thereof.
f. To require any official of the Student Union to testify before Senate or committee
proceedings, after prior notification in writing. Every officer of the Student Union
shall submit a written or oral report of their activities to the Senate each month.
Section 13: Duties and Powers of the Executive Board
1. The President of the Student Union
a. Has the power to:
i. Veto bills of the Senate.
1. Following the guidelines discussed in Section 11.
ii. Call meetings of the entire Loras College Student Body at the request of
the Senate, or at any time the Executive Board shall deem it of sufficient
urgency.
1. When such a meeting is called the President, not the VicePresident, shall preside over it.

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iii. Act as chief spokesperson and liaison for the Student Union in all matters
inside and outside of the Loras College community and with the
administration.
iv. Represent the Student Union in the negotiations of the terms of its
contracts.
1. The will be done with respect to Loras College administration
policy and federal law.
v. Bestow Student Union honors and awards.
1. This is not a requirement, but rather optional.
a. The awards include, but are not limited to, Mr. and Mrs.
Loras and the Father Naumann award.
vi. Appoint commissions as shall be necessary to carry out the duties of the
office.
1. Those appointed to represent the Student Union outside of the
Student Union itself, must be approved by majority vote of the
Executive Board prior to taking office by a majority vote.
2. All those appointed under this subsection may be dismissed by
majority vote of the Executive Board due to either the completion
of their task or with good cause.
vii. Preside over Executive Board meetings.
viii. Create committees and appoint members to positions pending a majority
approval of the Executive Board.
ix. Other duties as assigned by Loras College administration.
b. Does not have the power to:
i. Vote in general assembly meetings.
1. This includes attempting to persuade members of the Senate to
vote in a particular way.
ii. Remove or discipline any Senate member that acts in a manner that does
not agree with this Constitution.
iii. Act in any manner not in congruence with this Constitution.
c. Shall be required to:
i. Hold a minimum of two office hours per week while in office.
ii. Give remarks at the First-Year Convocation, as well as any other event
deemed necessary by the Executive Board or the Dean of Students.
iii. Meet with the President of Loras College at least once per semester.
iv. Meet with the Dean of Students at least once a week.
v. Attend weekly Executive Board meetings.
vi. Attend weekly Executive Board meetings with the Dean of Students and
the Vice President of Student Union.
vii. Be paid a stipend totaling a sum which shall be approved by the senate
once and then amended upon the motion and decision of the senate for the
following administration.
d. Must be in good standing with the College.

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i. Good standing is defined as maintaining no less than a 2.5 cumulative
grade point average and being free of any type of academic or nonacademic probation.
2. The Vice President of the Student Union
a. Has the power to:
i. Act on behalf of the President, when requested to do so by the President or
by a majority vote of the Executive Board.
ii. Preside over the Student Senate congruent with what is described in
Section 10.
iii. In the event of a tie vote in the Senate, shall vote to break the tie.
iv. Decide the agenda for meetings.
1. This shall be sent to the entire senate at least twenty-four hours
prior to a senate meeting.
v. Assist the president and assume the presidential duties in the event of the
absence or removal of the President.
b. Does not have the power to:
i. Vote in the Senate in any case other than a tie.
1. This includes attempting to persuade members of the Senate to
vote in a particular way.
ii. Remove or discipline any Senate member that does not act in a manner
that agrees with this Constitution.
iii. Act in any manner not in congruence with this Constitution.
c. Shall be required to:
i. Hold a minimum of two office hours per week while in office.
ii. Hold and preside over at least one organizational assembly each academic
year and serve as an advisor on Student Union procedures to student
organizations.
iii. Meet with the Dean of Students at least once a week.
iv. Attend weekly Executive Board meetings.
v. Attend weekly Executive Board meetings with the Dean of Students with
the Student Body President.
vi. Preside over the First-Year Affair Committee.
1. This will be the mandatory committee that all first-years, except
the treasurer, shall be a member of.
2. If deemed necessary this Committee can be dissolved after the first
semester of classes.
a. The first-years will then be dispersed amongst the other
Committees via the discretion of the Executive Board.
vii. Direct the administrative process for Student Union recognition of student
organizations and maintain the Student Union records of current student
organization leaders, official advisors, and constitutions.

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1. Every time a change is made, it is the responsibility of the Vice
President to notify all members of the Executive Board with fortyeight hours of any change.
viii. Be paid a stipend totaling a sum which shall be approved by the senate
once and then amended upon the motion and decision of the senate for the
following administration.
d. Must be in good standing with the College.
i. Good standing is defined as maintaining no less than a 2.5 cumulative
grade point average and being free of any type of academic or nonacademic probation.
3. The Director of Finance of the Student Union
a. Shall be required/Have the Power to:
i. Oversee the management and appropriations of Student Union funds.
1. Keep accurate records of Student Union expenditures, which shall
conform to standard College financial record-keeping practices.
ii. Assist in the preparation of and present student organization budgets to the
Senate for approval.
1. The Treasurer shall advise all student organizations as to correct
financial procedures.
iii. Chair the Ways and Means Committee of the Senate.
1. This committee shall be the sole committee in charge of the budget
and shall consist of the director of Finance and each Class
Treasurers.
iv. Prepare the Student Union budget and determine spending priorities of the
Student Union.
1. This shall be done with input from the Executive Board.
v. All groups that receive a portion of the original allotment of student fees
shall report directly to the Director of Finance.
1. This includes but is not limited to Senate, CAB, the Lorian, the
Yearbook, and LCTV.
vi. Meet with the Dean of Students at least every other week.
vii. Attend weekly Executive Board meetings.
viii. Attend weekly Executive Board meetings with the Dean of Students.
ix. Be paid a stipend totaling a sum which shall be approved by the senate
once and then amended upon the motion and decision of the senate for the
following administration.
b. Does not have the Power to:
i. Change the appropriation code without the consent of both the E-Board
and the Dean of Students.
1. Changes to the appropriation code shall not take place unless there
is an absolute need for the betterment of Loras College.
c. Must be in good standing with the College.

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i. Good standing is defined as maintaining no less than a 2.5 cumulative
grade point average and being free of any type of academic or nonacademic probation.
4. Director of Communications
a. Shall be required/Have the Power to:
i. Be a member of the Executive Board
ii. Developing and organizing all public relations for the Loras College
Student Union.
1. This includes but is not limited to:
a. Updating and maintaining all Loras College Student Union
social media.
b. Any advertising that is necessary for the Loras College
Student Union or events planned by the Loras College
Student Union.
c. Maintaining updates on any website in which the Loras
College Student Union has a legitimate presence.
d. Publishing a quarterly Student Union newsletter,
considering updates and information from all branches of
the Loras Student Union, for the benefit of the student
body.
i. All of the aforementioned activities may be done
with any committee that Director of
Communications chairs.
iii. Hold and maintain all powers and duties granted to the recipient of this
position by this constitution and by the Student Union.
iv. Hold and maintain all powers and duties granted as recording secretary for
all Student Union meetings.
b. Be paid a stipend totaling a sum which shall be approved by the senate once and
then amended upon the motion and decision of the senate for the following
administration.
5. Judicial Chair of the Student Union
a. The Judicial Chair shall be appointed via the appropriate process in section 6 of
this Constitution.
b. Shall be required to:
i. Head the Judicial Court.
1. Shall also be the official voice of Judicial Court in all official
matters.
ii. Call any special Judicial Court meeting whenever it is deemed necessary.
1. Due to the sporadic nature of these meeting, there is no set quorum
for voting.
iii. Hold a minimum of two office hours per week while in office.

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iv. The Judicial Chair shall be responsible for conducting all court sessions
according to the Code of Procedure. It shall be the responsibility of the
Chairman to notify all students of charges brought against them, to inform
them of their rights according to this Constitution and to insure that the
proper procedure is used in making such a charge
v. Shall act as the Parliamentarian for the Senate unless the Senate votes for
another person to serve as Parliamentarian as long as the person selected is
not a current stipend officer or a current Senator.
vi. Meet with the Dean of Students at least once a week.
vii. Attend weekly Executive Board meetings.
viii. Attend weekly Executive Board meetings with the Dean of Students.
c. Will not be able to:
i. Serve as a member of any other branch of the Student Union concurrently
while serving as Judicial Chair.
d. Be paid a stipend totaling a sum which shall be approved by the senate once and
then amended upon the motion and decision of the senate for the following
administration and shall always be equal to the Vice President of the Student
Union.
e. Must be in good standing with the College.
i. Good standing is defined as maintaining no less than a 2.5 cumulative
grade point average and being free of any type of academic or nonacademic probation.
Section 14: The Judicial Court
1. The Judicial Court shall run and oversee campus elections, removal and recall
procedures, and related matters.
a. It shall have the power to revise and interpret the elections code specifically stated
in this constitution.
2. The Judicial Court shall interpret and uphold this constitution and its subsequent by-laws.
3. The Judicial Chair shall be the official voice of the Judicial Court.
4. All hearings and votes must be held in closed session.
5. Additional Powers of the Judicial Court are as follows:
a. Upon proper presentation of a petition from a member of the student body with
standing the Judicial Court shall have the power to:
i. Rule on the constitutionality of action taken by any Student Union
recognized student organization.
b. Interpret the constitution and bylaws of Student Union recognized organizations.
c. Rule on the constitutionality of action taken by the Legislative Branch or its
members.
d. Rule on the constitutionality of action taken by Executive Branch or any its
members.
e. Rule on appeals relating to the proper conduct of elections.

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f. Decide the wording of referenda.
g. Be the only committee involved with removal and recall procedures.
h. Have the power to revise and interpret the elections codes with the majority
approval of the senate.
6. The rules of the Judicial Court shall be outlined in the Code of Procedure of the Judicial
Court. All judicial action must be conducted in accordance with the Code of Procedure.
All amendments to the Code of Procedure shall be approved by the Judicial Court before
going into effect
7. Membership of the Judicial Court shall occur as follows:
a. Excluding the Judicial Chair, there shall be six members of the court.
i. The Senate shall send five members, in a manner of the Executive Boards
choosing, to the Judicial Court.
1. It is up to the discretion of the Executive Board as to whether or
not this fulfills the Committee requirement of the Loras College
Student Union.
ii. No member of the Executive Board except for the Judicial Chair may be a
member of the Judicial Court.
b. Members of the Judicial Court can be removed at any time by the Chairman of the
Judiciary with the consent of the President of the Student Union or the Senate.
i. No member of the Judicial Court who is personally involved in a
particular case shall sit in judgment on that case.
Section 15: Judicial Clerk
1. The Judicial Chair, if desired, shall appoint a member of the Judicial Court to serve as the
Clerk of the Judiciary, with the approval of the rest of the Committee.
a. In the absence of the Judicial Chair, or his or her inability to hear a case, the
Judicial Clerk shall act as Judicial Chair until a replacement can be appointed or
the return of the Judicial Chair.
2. The duties of the Clerk shall be the following:
a. To insure the minutes of the committee are kept.
b. To schedule all cases at the direction of the Judicial Chair.
c. To notify all persons deemed necessary of the date, time, location, names, and
charges against those individuals to be tried.
d. The Judicial Clerk shall also be a voting member of the Court.
Section 16: Order of Succession
1. If at any time the President of the Executive Board shall resign, be removed or otherwise
leave office before the end of the appointed term, the Vice President of the Executive
Board shall become President.

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2.

3.

4.

5.

a. If for any reason the Vice President cannot assume the office, the order of
succession shall as follows: the Director of Finance, the Director of
Communication, and then the Judicial Chair.
b. If, for any reason, the Vice President and the rest of the Executive Board cannot
assume the vacant office of the President then the longest serving senior member
of the Senate shall serve as the Acting President of the Loras Student Union until
such a time as new elections can be held.
c. Any Executive Branch position that is vacant at the Student Union during the time
that the presidency is vacant shall remain vacant until filled by the new President,
not by the Acting President.
i. The Acting President shall have the power to appoint acting officials to the
Executive Branch without consent of the Senate and to make all other
appointments that are the responsibility of the President.
If at any time the Vice President or any other Executive Officer shall resign, be removed,
or otherwise leave office before the end of the term, the President shall appoint their
replacements with the approval of the Senate.
a. This is subject to oversight by the Dean of Students.
All Executive Board members who are paid a regular stipend may petition the Senate to
remove an elected Executive Branch officer for incapacitation due to illness or other
inability to perform their duties.
a. The Senate may remove the person in accordance with the removal procedure
proscribed herein.
Except as otherwise specified by this Constitution, all officers appointed to fill a vacancy
shall hold office until the expiration of the term which is being filled.
a. Outside of the Executive Board, it is not required that any vacant seat be filled.
i. This is left to the discretion of the Executive Board.
No Executive Board member may become President if they are under investigation for
any reason.

Section 17: Role of the Advisor

1. The Vice-President of Student Development of the college may appoint a representative
of the college faculty or professional staff to act as advisor, a liaison between the Student
Government and the administration when the students seek help in this capacity.
2. The representative may come and go to both full Senate and Executive Board meetings at
his or her discretion.
a. The Senate does not need to be notified prior to any meeting.
3. The advisor is to serve in an advisory role to the members of the Student Senate in
matters regarding the well-being of students as well as the governance of the student
body.
Section 18: Recall and Removal

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1.

Recall
a. Any officer or member of the Student Union who was elected by the student body
may be recalled at the instance of 3/5 of the number of students who voted in the
previous election presenting a petition to the Judicial Chair in writing for recall.
b. The Judicial Court must notify the officer in question of his or her removal in writing
upon the receipt and validation of the completed recall petition.
c. The Judicial Court must publicly announce circulation of recall petitions at least one
week in advance.
1. The approval the circulation of petitions shall be up to the discretion of the
Judicial Chair
2. No counter-petitions may be allowed to circulate.
3. No active campaigning of any time will be allowed.
a. Any students found to be campaigning for or against the petition will be
subject to a meeting with the dean of students regarding consequences.
2. Removal
a. Any member of the Student Senate who misses three unexcused regular or special
meetings shall be removed from the Student Senate by the Judicial Chair after the
absences are confirmed by the Director of Communications.
1. Two unexcused absence at Student Senate committee meetings is equivalent to
missing one regular or special Student Senate meeting.
2. Any student placed on a committee or in a position by appointment of the Student
Senate, may be removed from that position by a simple majority vote of the
Student Senate at any time.
b. Extraordinary Circumstances
a. Extraordinary circumstances shall consist of any conduct that is detrimental to
the name or values of Loras College and/or Loras Student Union.
i. Any Class Officer may be removed from office at the discretion of the
Judicial Chair for extraordinary circumstances with input from the
Executive Board.
ii. Any member of the Executive Board may be removed from office for
extraordinary circumstances via a simple majority vote of Senate.
Section 19: Amendments
1. A proposed amendment to this Constitution shall be delivered to the Senate in writing at
any scheduled meeting.
a. At the following Senate meeting, the Senate shall consider the proposed
amendment.
The meeting at which the vote shall take place must be at least one week from the
date of the delivery of the proposal to the Senate.
2. Amendments to this Constitution must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of all
senators, regardless of whether they are present, abstain, or vote.
3. No portion of this original Constitution shall be altered or destroyed.
a. Each Amendment shall be attached to this Constitution along with its ratification
date and signatures.

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b.

Each Amendment shall state the articles, sections and paragraphs that are
amended.

Section 20: Authority of the Constitution

1. Neither the Student Union nor any Student Union recognized student organization shall
take any action or pass any legislation that conflict with this Constitution.
2. The Student Union shall begin operating under this Constitution immediately upon
ratification by the Senate with a two-thirds vote.
3. Student Union officials in office at the time of passage of this Constitution shall serve
until the end of their terms.
4. All existing bylaws, rules, and procedures shall remain in full force and effect, except if
they are in conflict with this Constitution. Nothing herein shall prevent subsequent
amendments to the existing Bylaws, rules, and procedures; if such amendments are in
accord with this Constitution.

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Amendments
1

Class President
a Shall preside over all class officer meetings and set the agenda for said meetings.
i Class officer meetings shall be required to take place bi-weekly.
b Will work closely with the Student Body President when setting agendas for class
officer meetings.
c When necessary, appoint replacements for class officers.
d Work closely with the respective Year Experience Coordinator in promoting
events to respective class.
e Will serve on assigned committee.
f Senior Class President:
i Address class at graduation.
ii Work together with Development in the Senior Gift.
g Other duties as assigned by Executive Board.
Vice-President
a Will sit on the appropriation appeal committee.
i This committee will met when deemed necessary by the Director of
Finance.
b Will work with the Class President whenever appropriate.
c Will serve on assigned committee.
d Other duties as assigned by Executive Board.
Treasurer
a Will serve on the Ways and Means Committee.
i This committee will meet at the discretion of the Director of Finance
(weekly, one-hour meetings).
b Audits and represents assigned organizations dealt by the Director of Finance.
c Assists the Director of Finance in overseeing the management and appropriation
of Student Union funding.
d Other duties as assigned by Executive Board.
Representatives
a Will host monthly gatherings that are open to respective class in order to garner
ideas as to what Student Government should be working on.
b Will serve on respective committee.
c Other duties as assigned by Executive Board.
Each Class President, Vice-President, Treasurer , and Representatives shall:
a Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5.
b Remain in good standing with Loras College.

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c

i This is defined as being in good standing with the College Conduct

System and being free of any type of academic or non-academic
probation.
Abide by all of the Loras College policies found in the student handbook.