Jackson Community College

Jackson Community College

Student Parliament Constitution

03/18/2004

Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be Jackson Community College Student Parliament and it serves the Jackson Community College Student Association.  All registered JCC students are members of JCCSA.

 Article II: Membership

Any currently enrolled JCC student is a member of the JCCSA and is afforded all rights and responsibilities in general and special elections of Student Parliament.  To run for a Student Parliament, each student must meet specific guidelines outlined in the Election Process found in Article VIII of the Constitution.

 Article III: Purpose

The purpose of Student Parliament shall be to actively represent Jackson Community College students from all tri-county locations in matters pertaining to their overall learning, co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities afforded to them as JCC students.

 Article IV: Authority

            The governing body of Student Parliament and all representatives and chairpersons shall be recognized as the official representatives of the JCCSA in matters pertaining to academic, co-curricular, extra-curricular programs, services and records and registration.  This governance extends to all JCC students in all JCC service areas.    

 Article V: Executive Council (EC) & Other Representatives Duties and Responsibilities

Section 1: Executive Council (EC) consists of the following members

1. President
2. Vice President
3. Treasurer
4. Secretary

 Other voting members include:

A.     Two Transfer Student Representatives

B.     Two Occupational Student Representatives

Non-voting members include:

A.     Special Events Committee Chairperson

B.     Facilities Committee Chairperson

C.     Recruitment Committee Chairperson

D.     Intramurals and Athletics Committee Chairperson

E.      Center for Student Success Committee Chairperson

 Section 2:  EC Duties and Responsibilities

President:  Responsible for the overall administration of the Student Parliament and all of its functions, activities and processes.  Duties include:

 ·        Create ad hoc committees as necessary

·        Plan and organize weekly meeting agendas

·        Meet weekly with Parliament's advisor

·        Meet monthly with the College President

·        Initiate changes to Parliament By-Laws

·        President has no vote unless there is a tie

·        Primary representative and liaison for JCC students in matters pertaining the JCCSA and faculty, staff, administration, Board of Trustees and the External Community

·        Meets with the JCC Board of Trustees one time per semester

·        Veto authority

·        Coordinate Student Parliament Summer Planning Retreat

·        Serve on the Student Life Committee as outlined in the JCC Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook

 Vice President:  The Vice President assists the President in the overall administration of Student Parliament and all of its functions, processes and activities.  Duties include:

 ·        Assume presidential responsibilities in absence of the President

·        Assume all presidential power, authority and responsibility should the President leave her/his position or be dismissed

·        Serve as Board Parliamentarian for monthly board meetings and special business meetings as called by the President or Advisor

·        Serve as Student Parliament's primary Adjudication Officer

·        Implement Leadership in-services and training for EC and Student Parliament

·        Supervise all Committee Chairpersons and their activities

·        Serve on the Student Life Committee as outlined in the JCC Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook

·        Other Duties as assigned by the President

Treasurer:  Responsible for the overall administration of the Student Parliament's Budget.  Duties include:

 ·        Maintain complete and accurate records of Student Parliament spending and issue and monitor all Student Organizations annual monetary allocations

·        Research and surface fundraising opportunities for Student Parliament, student organizations and JCCSA

·        Provide copies of financial records and budgetary status for Student Parliament meetings

·        Act in place of the President and/or the Vice President in cases when the President and the Vice President are temporarily unable to perform their duties

·        Other duties as assigned by the President

Secretary: Duties include:

 ·        Record attendance and minutes of every Student Parliament meeting

·        Make minutes available to the Parliaments EC, Student Representatives, Program Coordinators, and student organization representatives.

·        Serve as Liaison to the Phoenix, the College student newspaper.

·        Provide calendar updates and making copies available

·        Update the Constitution/By-Laws as needed

·        Edit and insure accuracy of all printed material developed by Student Parliament

·        Provide support to the President and Vice President in facilitating the Student Parliament Summer Retreat

·        Update the Student Parliament webpage

·        Other duties as assigned by the President

Section 3:  Transfer and Occupational Student Representatives Duties

Transfer and Occupational Student Representatives:

 ·        Attend all monthly Student Parliament meetings

·        Represent our Transfer & Occupational Student Population on main campus and all extension centers

·        Vote on all motions considered by Student Parliament

·        Meet one time per semester with academic department chairs to learn about new programs, classes and services available to transfer and occupational students

·        Survey occupational and transfer students on the quality of JCC services, programs and academic offering.

·        Meet once per month with President

·        Other duties as assigned by the President

Section 4:  Committee Chairpersons Duties

 Committee Chairperson, Student Recruitment:  Duties include:

 ·        Attend all monthly Student Parliament meetings

·        Meet monthly with the Advisor to Student Ambassadors

·        Serve as lead Student Parliament Liaison for fall, winter and spring new student orientations

·        Assist Student Services in surveying students regarding the JCC admittance process and orientation system

·        Represent Student Parliament on the Student Services Orientation Committee

·        Meet monthly with the Vice President

·        Other duties as assigned by the Vice President

Committee Chairperson, Intramurals and Athletics:  Duties include:

 ·        Attend all monthly Student Parliament meetings

·        Meet weekly with the Intramurals Coordinator

·        Serve as a Student Parliament Liaison for fall, winter and spring new student orientations

·        Assist the Intramurals Coordinator in marketing the Intramurals program and surveying students about interests, etc.

·        Work with the Director of Student Life to research and develop new intramural and club sports opportunities for men and women

·        Represent Student Parliament as co-liaison for the JCC Golden Jets Hockey Team

·        Meet monthly with the Vice President

·        Other duties as assigned by the Vice President

Committee Chairperson, Special Events:  Duties include:

 ·        Attend all monthly Student Parliament meetings

·        Meet bi-weekly with Director of Student Life

·        Serve as a Student Parliament Liaison for fall, winter and spring new student orientations

·        Coordinate Welcome Week and Winterfest Celebrations

·        Assist Student Services in surveying students regarding the JCC student activities on campus

·        Represent Student Parliament as co-liaison for the JCC Golden Jets Hockey Team

·        Meet monthly with the Vice President

·        Other duties as assigned by the Vice President

Committee Chairperson, Facilities:  Duties include:

 ·        Attend all monthly Student Parliament meetings

·        Meet monthly with Director of Facilities Operations

·        Serve as a Student Parliament Liaison for fall, winter and spring new student orientations

·        Assist Student Services in surveying students regarding the quality of  JCC facilities for all JCC campuses

·        Represent Student Parliament at regular and special meetings held by Facilities Operations

·        Meet monthly with the Vice President

·        Other duties as assigned by the Vice President

Committee Chairperson, Center for Student Success:  Duties include:

 ·        Attend all monthly Student Parliament meetings

·        Meet regularly with Director of Center for Student Success

·        Serve as a Student Parliament Liaison for fall, winter and spring new student orientations

·        Attend regular and Special Center for Student Success staff and informational meetings

·        Assist Student Services and the Center for Student Success in surveying students regarding the quality of services provided for students with special needs

·        Meet monthly with the Vice President

·        Other duties as assigned by the Vice President

Important note:  Committee Chairpersons are non-voting Student Parliament positions

Section 5:  Student Organization Representatives Duties

 Student Organization Representatives:  Duties include:

·        Attend all monthly Student Parliament meetings.

·        Vote on all motions related to or involving Student Organizations

·        Inform Student Parliament about events, projects and updates connected with the campus organization.

·        Meet with the Vice President one time per semester.

 Important note:  If a designated representative cannot attend a Student Parliament meeting it is the responsibility of the organization's advisor and the regular representative to insure that another member of the organization attends the meeting.

Article VI.  Student Parliament Membership Qualifications

 Section 1: Executive Council Qualifications:

 a.       All elected members of Student Parliament must be currently enrolled JCC students and must be registered in a minimum of six college credits each semester in office.

b.      All elected members must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25.

Section 2: Transfer and Occupational Student Representatives:

 a.       All Student Parliament Student Representatives must be currently enrolled at JCC and must be registered for a minimum of six college credits each semester in the position.

b.      All Student Representatives must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.25.

Section 3: Committee Chairpersons:

 a.       All Student Parliament Committee Chairpersons must be currently enrolled at JCC and must be registered for a minimum of six college credits each semester in the position.

b.      All Committee Chairpersons must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.25 as outlined in the Election Code & Procedures found in the Student Parliament By-Laws:

Article VII.  Rules and Restrictions

 Officers, student representatives and committee chairpersons must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.25 and they must hold a minimum part-time student status which is designated as six college undergraduate credits.  Any officer, student representative or committee chairperson whose cumulative GPA falls under a 2.25 will have one academic semester to raise his/her GPA.  If after one semester, the cumulative GPA is still under 2.25, the student will automatically be removed from office. 

Students may not fall below part-time status during each academic semester.  Students who fall below a part-time schedule must add more credits in a given semester or face removal from their Student Parliament position.

Article VIII. Elections Code & Membership Vacancies

Elections are held in November of each academic year.  Each officer, student representative and committee chairperson serves a year-long term, beginning January of each year through December of that same year.  (Please see the Jackson Community College Election Code for specific policies, processes and guidelines related to General Elections, Special Elections and Position Vacancies.  This document is located at the end of the Student Parliament By-Laws).

Article IX. Parliamentary Meetings and Voting:

Section 1: Conduct of Parliament Meetings

Parliament meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the most recent official edition of Robert's Rules of Order.

 The Vice President shall serve as Parliamentarian all regular board meetings and special sessions of Student Parliament and shall be charged with interpreting and enforcing orderly parliamentary procedure.  In the absence of the Vice President, the Treasurer shall preside over the meeting and have all the duties and powers of a chairperson, while retaining all the duties and powers of a Treasurer.

Section 2: Quorum  

The Quorum requirement for voting at meetings of Parliament shall be satisfied when three Executive Council members, one occupational student representative and one transfer student representative are present at the meeting. 

 Section 3: Voting

A motion is carried or fails when 2/3 of the voting membership cast votes in agreement with one another.  The President does not vote unless there is a tie among the voting members.

Article X. New Campus Organization Recognition

Each new student interest group must fill out an application with Student Parliament to be considered for full organizational recognition.  Please read the New Student Organization Recognition Process for specific details about how to become a recognized student organization.

Article XI. Terms of Office

The term of Office for elected Executive Council members, Student Representatives and Committee Chair begins in January of each year and ends in December of the same year.

Article XII. Removal from Office

Section 1: Impeachment

Any member of the Executive Council may be impeached.  A charge of impeachment may be made against any officer during an official Student Parliament meeting.  Only voting members of the Student Parliament may issue a motion of impeachment.  It takes a 2/3 vote among voting members for impeachment to occur.

Section 2: Recall

1. Any Executive Council member may be recalled by the constituency that elected him/her.
2. Any member of the JCCSA may initiate a Recall petition.  In order for a petition to be accepted it must encompass 15% of the total number of voters who voted during the general elections.
3. If the petition is valid, the Executive Council member will be given 15 days to resign.  If the Executive Council member does not wish to resign the incumbent is automatically placed on a recall ballot along with any other current student(s) who qualify for candidacy and a special election is held.  Please read about Special Elections is the Elections Code document at end of the Student Parliament By-Laws.
4. Recall procedures may not begin until one month after the incumbent Executive Council member takes begins his/her term.
5. Whoever is elected in a recall election shall hold office for the remainder of the original term of office

Section 3: Disciplinary Actions (Probation)

Executive Council members, Student Representatives and Committee Chairpersons are all expected to abide by the Standards set for in the Constitution.  Failure to uphold these standards may lead to disciplinary action including a verbal warning, written warning and Probation. 

Any voting member of Student Parliament may move to issue disciplinary action in cases where a Student Parliament member violates Student Parliament, College, local, state or federal policies and/or laws.  Any disciplinary action must be voted upon by Student Parliament and must pass by a 2/3 vote.

Article XIII.  Amendments

Section I: Origin

Amendments to the Constitution may originate through:

a.       Any member of the Executive Council

b.      A petition containing the signatures of no less than 15% of the voting members of Student Parliament

Section 2: Confirmation

All amendments must be presented before Student Parliament Executive Council and Voting Occupational and Transfer Student Representatives for a 2/3 confirmation prior to being placed before the entire Student Parliament voting body for ratification.

Section 3: Ratification

Proposed amendments must be put to a vote before all voting members of Student Parliament and pass by a 2/3 vote for ratification.

Section 4: Enactments

A ratified amendment shall take effect on the date specified in the amendment.  If not specified, it shall take effect immediately upon ratification.

Jackson Community College

Student Parliament

By-Laws

3/18/2004

Article 1          Executive Council Position Descriptions

 President:  Responsible for the overall administration of the Student Parliament and all of its functions, activities and processes.  Duties include:

 ·        Create ad hoc committees as necessary

·        Plan and organize meeting agendas

·        Meet weekly with Parliament's advisor

·        Meet monthly with the College President

·        Initiate changes to Parliament By-Laws

·        President has no vote unless there is a tie

·        Primary representative and liaison for JCC students in matters pertaining the JCCSA and faculty, staff, administration, Board of Trustees and the External Community

·        Meet with the JCC Board of Trustees one time per semester

·        Veto Authority

·        Coordinate the Student Parliament Summer Planning Retreat

·        Serves on the Student Life Committee as outlined in the JCC Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook

Vice President:  The Vice President assists the President in the overall administration of Student Parliament and all of its functions, processes and activities.  Duties include:

 ·        Assume presidential responsibilities in absence of the President

·        Assume all presidential power, authority and responsibilities should the President leave her/his position or be dismissed

·        Serve as Board Parliamentarian for monthly Student Parliament Board meetings and special sessions as called by the President or Advisor

·        Serve as Student Parliament's primary Adjudication Officer

·        Implement Leadership in-services and training for EC and Student Parliament

·        Supervise all Committee Chairpersons and their activities

·        Serve on the Student Life Committee as outlined in the JCC Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook

·        Other Duties as assigned by the President

Treasurer:  Responsible for the overall administration of the Student Parliament's Budget.  Duties include:

 ·        Maintain complete and accurate records of Student Parliament spending and issue and monitor all Student Organizations annual monetary allocations

·        Research and surface fundraising opportunities for Student Parliament, student organizations and JCCSA.

·        Provide copies of financial records and budgetary status for Student Parliament meetings

·        Act in place of the President and/or the vice president in cases where the President and the Vice President are temporarily unable to perform their duties

·        Other duties as assigned by the President

Secretary: Duties include:

 ·        Record attendance and minutes of every Student Parliament meeting

·        Ensure meeting minutes are made available to the Parliaments EC, Student Representatives, Program Coordinators, and student organization representatives.

·        Serve as Liaison to The Phoenix, the campus newspaper.

·        Provide calendar updates and making copies available

·        Update the Constitution/By-Laws when changes are made

·        Edit and ensure accuracy of all printed material developed by Student Parliament

·        Provide support to the President and Vice President in facilitating the Student Parliament Summer Retreat

·        Develop and update the Student Parliament webpage

·        Other duties as assigned by the President

Article 2 Student Representatives

 Transfer and Occupational Student Representatives:  Duties include:

 ·        Attend all monthly Student Parliament meetings

·        Represent our Transfer & Occupational Student Population on main campus and all extension centers.

·        Vote on all motions considered by Student Parliament.

·        Meet one time per semester with academic department chairs to learn about new programs, classes and services available to transfer and occupational students.

·        Survey occupational and transfer students on the quality of JCC services, programs and academic offerings.

·        Meet once per month with President.

·        Other duties as assigned by the President.

Article 3 Committee Chairpersons:

 Committee Chairperson, Student Recruitment:  Duties include:

 ·        Attend all monthly Student Parliament meetings

·        Meet monthly with the Advisor to Student Ambassadors

·        Serve as lead Student Parliament Liaison for fall, winter and spring new student orientations

·        Assist Student Services in surveying students regarding the JCC admittance process and orientation system

·        Represent Student Parliament on the Student Services Orientation Committee

·        Meet monthly with the Vice President

·        Other duties as assigned by the Vice President

Committee Chairperson, Intramurals and Athletics:  Duties include:

 ·        Attend all monthly Student Parliament meetings

·        Meet weekly with the Intramurals Coordinator

·        Serve as a Student Parliament Liaison for fall, winter and spring new student orientations

·        Assist the Intramurals Coordinator in marketing the Intramurals program and surveying students about interests, etc.

·        Work with the Director of Student Life to research and develop new intramural and club sports opportunities for men and women

·        Represent Student Parliament as co-liaison for the JCC Golden Jets Hockey Team

·        Meet monthly with the Vice President

·        Other duties as assigned by the Vice President

Committee Chairperson, Special Events:  Duties include:

 ·        Attend all monthly Student Parliament meetings

·        Meet bi-weekly with Director of Student Life

·        Serve as a Student Parliament Liaison for fall, winter and spring new student orientations

·        Coordinate Welcome Week and Winterfest Celebrations

·        Assist Student Services in surveying students regarding the JCC student activities on campus

·        Represent Student Parliament as co-liaison for the JCC Golden Jets Hockey Team

·        Meet monthly with the Vice President

·        Other duties as assigned by the Vice President

Committee Chairperson, Facilities:  Duties include:

 ·        Attend all monthly Student Parliament meetings

·        Meet monthly with Director of Facilities Operations

·        Serve as a Student Parliament Liaison for fall, winter and spring new student orientations

·        Assist Student Services in surveying students regarding the quality of  JCC facilities for all JCC campuses

·        Represent Student Parliament at regular and special meetings held by Facilities Operations

·        Meet monthly with the Vice President

·        Other duties as assigned by the Vice President

Committee Chairperson, Center for Student Success:  Duties include:

 ·        Attend all monthly Student Parliament meetings

·        Meet regularly with Director of Center for Student Success

·        Serve as a Student Parliament Liaison for fall, winter and spring new student orientations

·        Attend regular and Special Center for Student Success staff and informational meetings

·        Assist Student Services and the Center for Student Success in surveying students regarding the quality of services provided for students with special needs

·        Meet monthly with the Vice President

·        Other duties as assigned by the Vice President 

Important note:  Committee Chairpersons are non-voting Student Parliament positions

Article 4 Student Organization Representatives

 Student Organization Representatives:  Duties include:

·        Attend all monthly Student Parliament meetings.

·        Vote on all motions related to Student Organizations

·        Inform Student Parliament about events, projects and updates connected with the campus organization.

·        Meet with the Vice President one time per semester.

 Important note:  If a designated representative cannot attend a Student Parliament meeting it is up to the organization's advisor and the regular representative to insure that another member of the organization attends the meeting. 

Article 5 Executive Council Qualifications:

 A.     All elected members of Student Parliament must be currently enrolled JCC students and must be registered in a minimum of six college credits each semester in office.

B.     All elected members must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25.

Article 6 Transfer and Occupational Student Representatives:

1. All Student Parliament Student Representatives must be currently enrolled at JCC and must be registered for a minimum of six college credits each semester in the position.
2. All Student Representatives must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.25.

Article 7 Committee Chairpersons:

1. All Student Parliament Committee Chairpersons must be currently enrolled at JCC and must be registered for a minimum of six college credits each semester in the position.
2. All Committee Chairpersons must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.25.

Article 8 Rules and Restrictions:

Officers, student representatives and committee chairpersons must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.25 and they must hold a minimum part-time student status which is designated as six college undergraduate credits.  Any officer, student representative or committee chairperson whose cumulative GPA falls under a 2.25 will have one academic semester to raise his/her GPA.  If after one semester, the cumulative GPA is still under 2.25, the student will automatically be removed from office. 

Students may not fall under part-time status during each academic semester.  Students who fall below a part-time schedule must add more credits in a given semester or face removal from their Student Parliament position.

Article 9 Student Parliament Elections: 

Elections are held in November of each academic year.  Each officer, student representative and committee chairperson serves a year term, beginning January of each year through December of that same year.  Please see the Jackson Community College Election Code for specific policies, processes and guidelines.   This document is located at the end of the Student Parliament By-Law.

Article 10 Parliamentary Meetings:

 A QUORUM - The Quorum requirement for voting at meetings of Parliament shall be satisfied when three Executive Council members, one occupational student representative and one transfer student representative are present at the meeting. 

Conduct of Parliament Meetings

Parliament meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the most recent official edition of Robert's Rules of Order.

The Parliament Vice President shall serve as Parliamentarian over all official board meetings and special sessions of Student Parliament and shall be charged with interpreting and enforcing orderly parliamentary procedure.  In the absence of the Vice President, the Treasurer shall preside over the meeting and have all the duties and powers of a chairperson, while retaining all the duties and powers of a Treasurer.

Student Parliament Organizational Chart

NEW STUDENT ORGANIZATION RECOGNITION PROCESS

 -All Interest groups on campus must go through a formal recognition process to become a college recognized organization on campus.

In order to become a recognized campus organization you must complete the following requirements:

 -A group of five currently registered JCC students and one chapter advisor must fill out a Recognition Application which is located in Student Life Office.  On this form, you must provide your new organization's name, names and contact information of all group  members, advisor(s) name(s) and contact information, meeting times and location, key contacts with active on-campus email addresses.  In order to participate in a student organization, students must carry a cumulative GPA of a 2.0.

 -Each Interest Group must recruit and maintain a group advisor to become a recognized JCC student organization.  This advisor must be a JCC faculty, staff or administration member or be a graduated alumnus of the institution.  This advisor must be an active contributor to the Interest Group's completion of the recognition process and is strongly encouraged to attend all organizational advisor meetings sponsored by the Office of Student Life.

 -To participate as an active member of a campus organization, students must be a currently enrolled at JCC.  Every currently-enrolled student is a member of the Jackson Community College Student Association to which the Student Parliament is the governing body.

 -All interest groups must send a student representative to attend regularly scheduled Student Parliament meetings.  During the period of earning recognition, this representative shall provide updates on his/her organization's activities and upcoming events.  This representative is not able to vote on matters involving recognized student organizations until his/her group has successfully completed the recognition process.

 -During the recognition process, the Interest Group is responsible for creating an organizational Constitution that outlines the purpose of the group and defines how this purpose connects to the educational mission and vision of JCC.  Please contact the Office of Student Life for a copy of a constitution template that will assist Interest Groups in developing their own organizational constitution.

 -The recognition process is to be completed in one academic semester but may stretch to one full academic year upon approval of the Director of Student Life.  The Office of Student Life will serve to monitor the progress of each interest group and will act as a liaison between the Interest Group and Student Parliament in all matters concerning organizational recognition. 

 -Any Interest Group who fails to fulfill any or all of the steps necessary to achieve organizational recognition at the end of one academic year will have to reapply for recognition.

 -Student Parliament will assign one Executive Council member to each Interest Group to assist them in understanding and completing their recognition process.

Rights/Benefits of holding an Interest Group Status:

 -Interest groups may reserve and use campus buildings for meetings, social engagements or any other organizational function

-Interest Groups may receive assistance and access to various resources made available to recognized student organizations by the Office of Student Life, Marketing, the Health and Physical Fitness Department or any other campus office or department.

-Interest Groups may petition the Student Parliament, the Jackson Community College Foundation or any other money-providing entity at JCC to seek funding for organizational functions, service projects, equipment, etc.

-Interest Groups may participate in any Student Organization project, competition, social function sponsored by Student Parliament.

-Interest Group advisors may participate in all Student Life-sponsored meetings and educational in-services.

-Interest Group members may accept assignments on committees developed by Student Parliament.

Restrictions of holding an Interest Group Status:

 -Interest Groups have no formal voting rights within Student Parliament.

-Interest Group members cannot serve as chairpersons on committees developed by Student Parliament.

-Interest Groups do not receive Student Parliament's designated annual money allocation.  Once an Interest Group becomes a recognized student organization, Student Parliament will award a prorated monetary allocation.

 Important Notes:

A group of students functioning as a student organization is not allowed to use college facilities, resources, the College name or access college monies unless they have filled out an organizational recognition application and complete the designated steps outlined for college Interest Groups to become College-recognized student organizations.

Once a student organization is recognized by the College, that recognition is permanent unless the student organization has insufficient numbers to continue properly functioning on campus, College disciplinary action removes recognition or that organization fails to maintain and active group advisor.

June 11, 2008