Employee Handbook

Appendix D
Lee College Student Bylaws
Revised March 1997

Preamble

We, the students of Lee College, in order to define our rights, to promote leadership, to encourage participation in a democratic form of government, to coordinate college activities, and to endeavor to bring about a more complete understanding of student needs and problems, do ordain and establish these bylaws.

Article I – Purpose

Section 1

To act as the official voice of the student body.

Section 2

To promote and protect the welfare of the student body.

Section 3

To act as the liaison between the students, the faculty, and the administration, Board of Regents, and the community.

Section 4

To conduct, coordinate, and supervise Student Congress elections.

Article II – The Student Congress

Section 1

The Student Congress shall represent the student body.

Section 2

At least one (1) faculty member shall be advisor to the Student Congress.

Section 3

Advisor shall be appointed by the college and voted on by the Student Congress body.

Article III – Membership

Section 1

All students currently enrolled at Lee College, who pay student service fees are eligible for membership.

Section 2

Membership includes member-at-large and organization representatives.

1. To acquire at- large membership, a student must attend two (2) consecutive meetings to become eligible to vote.
2. Recognized organizations may send one representative, who shall immediately become a member with voting privileges.

Section 3

Any member missing more than two (2) consecutive meetings shall be struck from the roll.

Article IV - Officers

Section 1

The Executive Board shall consist of the following officers:

• President
• Vice-President
• Treasurer
• Recording Secretary
• Parliamentarian
• Historian
• Publicity Secretary

Section 2

The current officers and candidates for office shall meet the following criteria:

• Be an active member, as defined by Article III of By-Laws.
• Carry a minimum of nine (9) semester hours.
• Have completed no less than nine (9) semester hours.
• Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 which is verifiable by a copy of current transcript.

Section 3

The officers shall take office the first Friday in May and shall not serve more than two (2) consecutive one-year terms.

Section 4

The President shall:

• Preside at all meetings of the Student Congress.
• Be the official spokesperson for the Student Congress and the liaison between the student body and the Lee College Board of Regents.
• Assign and direct all committee work and be an ex-officio member of all committees.
• Vote only in case of a tie or ballot vote.
• Be responsible for providing a printed agenda.
• Assume any responsibilities not provided for herein, with the approval of a majority.

Section 5

The Vice-President shall:

• Assume the duties of the Presidency in the absence of the President.
• Chair the Student Service Fee Committee.
• Assume the duties of the President in the event that the President’s office is vacated.

Section 6

The Treasurer shall:

• Assume the duties of the Presidency in the absence of the President and the Vice- President.
• Chair the Student Action committee.
• Assume the duties of the Vice-President in the event that the Vice-President’s office is vacated, whereupon the Student Congress shall fill the office of Treasurer as specified in Article V.
• Be responsible for all financial records pertaining to Student Congress.
• Be responsible for giving full financial reports monthly.

Section 7

The Recording Secretary shall:

• Inform members of the time and place of meetings.
• Keep accurate records of regular and special meetings.
• Keep accurate records of membership.
• Maintain permanent files in the Student Congress office.
• Be responsible for handling correspondence.
• Assume the duties of the Presidency in the absence of the President, Vice- President and Treasurer.

Section 8

The Parliamentarian shall:

• Advise the President on points of parliamentary procedure and instruct the members in rules of parliamentary procedure.
• Chair the By-Laws Committee.
• Assume the duties of the Presidency in the absence of the President, Vice- President, Treasurer, and Recording Secretary.

Section 9

Public Relations Secretary shall:

• Serve as liaison between other clubs.
• Volunteer coordinator for Fall and Spring Registration.
• Assist the Recording Secretary.
• Be responsible for printing.

Section 10

The Historian shall:

• Be responsible for obtaining pictures and articles throughout the year for the scrapbook.
• Chair the scrapbook committee.

Section 11

One that resigns his/her office shall not run for another office.

Article V – Official Elections

Section 1

The filing deadline for the letter of intent to run for office shall be announced to the Student Congress no less than seven (7) days before the deadline. Not less than seven (7) days shall be allowed between the deadline and the election.

Section 2

All candidates shall file in the Student Congress Office before the filing deadline.

Section 3

A majority of the votes cast shall be necessary for election to office.

Section 4

In all elections, candidates’ shall appear on the ballot in alphabetical order, and they shall be allowed to address the Student Congress before votes are cast.

Section 5

Nominations from the floor and/or write- in votes shall be allowed the day of the election.

Section 6

Informal announcement of the winners shall follow the election. New officers shall be formally announced and sworn in at the meeting following verification of criteria by the advisor.

Section 7

A vacancy in offices other than President and Vice-President shall be filled by a majority vote. Nominations shall be accepted at the first and second meetings following the vacancy. The election shall be held at the meeting after the close of the nominations.

Article VI – Committees

Section 1

The President shall, with the consent of a majority, establish any necessary committees.

Section 2

The President shall appoint chairs of committees and they shall be confirmed by a majority vote.

Article VII – Standing Committees

Section 1

Standing Committees shall be defined as permanent committees. The standing committees are the Student Service Fee Committee, the Student Action Committee, and the By-Laws Review Committee.

The Student Service Fee Committee shall be chaired by the Vice-President and shall review and make recommendations concerning student service fees as mandated by the Texas Education Code.

The Student Action Committee shall be chaired by the Treasurer and shall serve as liaison between students and the college.

The By-Laws Committee shall be chaired by the Parliamentarian and shall be formed before or during the second meeting of the academic year. This committee shall meet within thirty (30) days and shall consider and propose any amendments and/or standing rules.

Article VIII – Quorum

Section 1

A quorum shall consist of a majority of club representatives present. (Amended November 1995)

Article IX – Meetings

Section 1

The Executive Board shall determine the date and time of the regular meetings.

Section 2

All meetings. Excluding executive sessions, shall be open to visitors.

Article X – Removal of Officers

Section 1

An officer may be subject to impeachment and removal from office for violation of these by- laws, standing rules, or college rules. All matters regarding this article shall be dealt with in executive session.

Section 2

A resolution to impeach shall require a two-thirds (2/3) ballot vote.

Section 3

Any officer shall be given at least seven (7) days notice with respect to the charges against him/her and may testify on his/her own behalf or by proxy regarding such charges at subsequent meetings during which the matter is discussed.

Section 4

The impeached officer shall be officially removed from office if, at the next meeting, held at least twenty- four hours later, the Student Congress upholds the removal by a two-thirds (2/3) ballot vote.

Section 5

Any former officer that has been impeached may not run for office again.

Article XI – Initiatives, Referendums, and Resolutions

Section 1

A general student body vote shall be demanded on any measure upon presentation of a petition by one-fifth (1/5) of the student body, as defined in the standing rules. Such a petition shall be presented to the Student Congress and shall be submitted to a general student vote not more than fourteen (14) days after presentation. If passed by a majority of those students voting, the measure shall become effective immediately.

Section 2

A referendum shall be demanded on any measure passed by the Student Congress upon presentation of a petition signed by one- fifth (1/5) of the student body. Such a petition shall be presented to the Student Congress and shall be submitted to a general student vote not more than fourteen (14) days after presentation. If the measure receives a majority negative vote of those students voting, it shall nullify the Student Congress action.

Section 3

Any member may present a resolution to the Student Congress for its approval. Approval shall be majority vote. If approved, copies shall be sent to the appropriate dean; the College President; the College Press; and in special situations, to the Lee College Board of Regents.

Article XII – Parliamentary Authority

Section 1

The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority under which the meetings of Student Congress are conducted.

Article XIII – Amendments

Section 1

These by-laws shall be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the students voting in any student body election.

Section 2

Any proposed amendment shall be brought before the student body either by a motion from the Student Congress or by a petition signed by one-tenth (1/10) of the student body.

Section 3

Student Congress shall advertise proposed amendments to the student body within fourteen (14) days after receipt of the petition.

Section 4

The vote on the proposed amendment shall be held fourteen (14) days after the initial public announcement.

Article XIV – Standing Rules

Section 1

The Student Congress shall make its own standing rules

Section 2

With prior notice, adoption of a rule shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote.