Bylaws

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    By-laws

    Article I. Size

    SECTION 1. The Madison College Student Senate shall consist of fifteen seats and a President.
    SECTION 2. Representation on the Student Senate shall be, whenever possible, proportional to the total enrollment of the college, and of the divisional groupings within. (See Article V. Division Communication and Article VI. Divisions of Representation)

    Article II. Membership

    SECTION 1. Degree Credit & Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements
    A. Student Senate degree credit requirements:

    • Madison College students carrying three (3) or more credits in a post-high school program, which are subject to supplemental fees at Madison College, are eligible to be Student Senators.
    • It is strongly recommended that Student Senate members representing the Downtown Education Center (DTEC) be enrolled in one (1) credit or more at the Downtown Madison College Center .
    • It is strongly recommended that Student Senate members representing the Commercial Avenue Education Center (CAEC) be enrolled in one (1) credit or more at the Commercial Avenue Center .

    B. Student Senate GPA requirements:

    • All Senators must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or above, on a 4.0 scale to retain a Student Senate seat. If a Senator's cumulative GPA falls below 2.5, he/she will be placed on Student Senate Academic Probation for one (1) academic semester. At the end of the probation term, if the Senator's cumulative GPA remains below 2.5, they will be automatically relieved of their duties. No appeal is permissible.

    C. Documentation:

    • Eligibility of candidates must be verified one week prior to a senate election.
    • The executive council may approve an extension to this deadline as needed.
    • Eligibility of all write-in candidates must be documented, prior to the publication of Student Senate election results.
    • No student may be elected to a vacant seat on the Student Senate until such time as the eligibility of the student in question is verified.
    • The eligibility of all current Student Senators must be verified one week into the fall and spring semesters. The Student Senate Parliamenterian will work closely with the Senate Advisor, in order to verified eligibility.

    D. Student Senate Oath of Office

    • The Student Senate oath of office: “I promise to do my civic duty, to serve my college, my community, and most importantly my fellow students in a democratic fashion. I will treat all people equally and fairly. I will strive to create a Student Senate, which is welcoming to everyone. I will listen, speak out, and act in ways, which will empower all students. I will carry out all of these tasks to the best of my ability.”
    • Having recited the Student Senate oath of office, newly elected Student Senators will be duly sworn in and will then have voting rights.
    • Newly elected Student Senators will be sworn-in during the first meeting of the Student Senate General Assembly, which they attend immediately following the election. A swearing-in ceremony shall precede all other business.
    • Student Senators elected to fill vacant senate seats during the school year will be immediately sworn in during the meeting in which they were elected.

    SECTION 2. All Student Senators will be elected or appointed with respect to Article VIII.

    SECTION 3. All members will be required to serve on at least two (2) committees and carry out duties assigned to them by the Executive Council. (See Article XVII. Standing Committees)

    SECTION 4. Any person elected to the Student Senate as a representative has the right to decline the post if so desired.

    SECTION 5. In case of vacancy of a Student Senate seat, the Student Senate is charged to fill the vacant seat for the remainder of the year. (See Article XX. Emergency Procedures.)

    SECTION 6. Senate Internship criteria:

    • Student Senate Interns must be students, currently enrolled at Madison College.
    • Applicants for Student Senate internships must submit a completed Student Senate application.
    • Interns must maintain a cumulative GPA standing of 2.25 or above.
    • Interns are subject to verification of enrollment and GPA. (See Article VIII. Elections: Section 3. Senate Intern Elections )
    • Internships shall be open to all Madison College students, including students who are not enrolled in degree credit courses and/or do not pay segregated fee

    Article III. Attendance

    SECTION 1. Student Senators are expected to attend all required Student Senate functions and to do so in a timely and dignified manner, which befits a senator acting as a representative of both the student body and the college.

    SECTION 2. General Attendance Policy

    • The Senate Secretary will track the attendance of all Senators at meetings of the General Assembly, and other required Student Senate functions, using a points system.
    • The attendance of officers at weekly executive council meetings and weekly one-on-one meetings with the Student Senate Advisor will also be tracked.
    • Chairs will track attendance at committee meetings, and will update the Student Senate Secretary on a weekly basis.
    • Each unexcused absence will be worth one (1) point and each late arrival will be worth one-half (1/2) point. The Student Senate Executive Council shall review the attendance of each Student Senator on a weekly basis.
    • Student Senators who arrive at a required Student Senate meeting, committee meeting or other required function more than fifteen minutes after it had been scheduled to begin, unexcused, are to be recorded as a late arrival. Student Senators who fail to attend a required Student Senate meeting, committee meeting or other required function, unexcused, are to be recorded as being absent.

    B. Excused and Unexcused Absences/Late Arrivals

    • Unexcused absences & late arrivals accrue points toward expulsion from the Student Senate. Excused absences & excused late arrivals do not.
    • Absences and late arrivals are excused, if they fall under one of three specific categories: Student Senate-related events, Madison College academic-related events, and medical or family emergencies- with medical emergencies, proof needs to be shown to the executive council.
      • If an absence or late arrival falls under one of the mentioned categories, the person will need to call the senate office, or e-mail the secretary before the senate function.
    • The Student Senate Executive Council may, given extraordinary circumstances, excuse absences and late arrivals by unanimous vote.
    • In order for a Student Senator to have a late arrival or an absence excused, they must adhere to the following process and protocol:
      • Senators who wish to be excused from a late arrival or an absence from a required Student Senate meeting or function must submit their request in writing to the Secretary at least 24 hours in advance. The Student Senate Executive Council will determine, by majority vote, whether or not to grant requests for excused absences/late arrivals.
      • If a Student Senator has failed to give prior notice to the Student Senate Executive Council, and wishes to have a late arrival or absence decision reversed, an appeal to the decision must be made within seventy-two hours of the required Student Senate meeting or function in question.
      • If the Senate President is making an appeal, the Student Senate Executive Council will decide the matter on a majority vote.

    C. Committees and Attendance

    • In order for a Senate committee without a posted meeting schedule to hold a committee meeting, all committee members must be notified at least one week in advance.
      • The responsibility of giving notice falls to the Committee Chair, unless the committee has voted to enact other procedures.
      • Failure to give proper notice absolves committee members of any attendance penalties, which would otherwise be incurred for late arrival or non-attendance.
      • Official committee business can not take place, unless a quorum of voting committee members (50% + 1) are present; excused absences and late arrivals do not count toward quorum.

    D. Office Hours and Attendance

        • Student Senators must serve two (2) office hours per week in no less than one-hour increments, at either the Truax or Downtown Education Center Student Senate offices. Student Senators who do not put in their office hours in any given week will be demeritted one-quarter (1/4) attendance point per hour missed.
        • Student Senators will record their weekly office hours in the office hour log, located in the Truax and Downtown Education Center Student Senate office binders.

    E. Dismissal Procedures

    • Any Student Senator who accumulates three (3) points in unexcused absences and/or late arrivals in an academic semester will be dismissed from the Student Senate.
    • Any Student Senate officer who accumulates six (6) points in unexcused absences and/or late arrivals in an academic semester will be dismissed from the Student Senate.
    • During the academic year, Student Senators who have accumulated two (2) attendance points and Student Senate officers who have accumulated four (4) attendance points will be notified.
    • The Student Senate parliamenterian will inform an individual of their dismissal.

    SECTION 4. Appeal to Dismissal

      • Any Student Senator dismissed from the Student Senate as the result of dismissal procedures, may appeal their case to the Student Senate General Assembly.
      • The appeal must be made in writing. The appeal must be made within thirty days of the date the dismissal.
      • Student Senators, having been dismissed as a result of dismissal procedures, have a right to plead their case before the General Assembly, after which reinstatement will be voted upon.
      • Reinstatement requires the recommendation of a Student Senate officer and a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Student Senators present. Reinstatement votes shall be closed ballot votes.
      • Failure to reinstate a dismissed Student Senator, on one (1) closed ballot vote, is final.
      • The attendance records of reinstated Student Senators are adjusted; reinstated Student Senators begin anew with zero (0) attendance points on the three-point scale.

    Article IV. Conduct Unbecoming a Student Senator

    SECTION 1. Violation of Madison College Policy

        • Student Senators formally charged with allegedly violating Madison College policy do not lose their voting rights and may be a chairperson while the matter is resolved at the college level.
        • In any instance where a finding by the Madison College Judiciary Review Board that a Student Senator has violated Madison College Policy, the Madison College Judiciary Review Board has the authority to dismiss a Student Senator from his or her seat.

    Article V. Division Communication

    SECTION 1. Division Spokesperson:

          • Each Division Dean may appoint faculty or staff spokespersons to keep in contact with the Student Senate.
          • The spokespersons will inform and express the feelings of their Division, thereby providing a direct link between the Student Senate and their respective Madison College divisions.
          • Division Spokespersons may attend Student Senate meetings, but do not have voting rights.

    Article VI. Divisions of Representation

    SECTION 1. Whenever possible, the makeup of the General Assembly shall be proportionate to the student enrollment in each academic division. However, the Senate reserves the right to fill vacant seats with students from any division, during the academic year.

    SECTION 2. The following divisions will be:

    • Agricultural, Apprenticeship, Technical, and Industrial Division
    • Arts and Sciences Division
    • Business and Applied Arts Division
    • Health, Human and Protective Services Division

    Article VII. Procedures Regarding Candidate Applications For a Senate Election

    SECTION 1. Student Senate Applications must be received by the published deadline. Applications must be given to the Student Senate secretary designee. Applications must be completed in full, and must arrive on or before any posted deadline, unless the Carry-Over Committee or the Executive Council allows for an extension of said deadline.

    SECTION 2. Nominations will be open for seats on the Student Senate until a predetermined date, to be set by the Carry-over Committee or the Executive Council. After that date, the ballot is not to be amended. Students wishing to run for a seat on the Student Senate may also choose to be write-in candidates.

    Article VIII. Elections

    SECTION 1. Student Senate Elections

    • The Parliamenterian and the constitution and bylaws committees, shall carry out preparation for the election of Student Senators.
    • Student Senate elections may be held in September of the fall semester and April of the spring semester. The constitution and bylaws committees will determine the time and place for election polls.
    • Student Senate officers elected in the fall of the previous year, or at any time during that year to fill a vacancy, remain Student Senators through the following school year.
    • Students may only vote once for each candidate seeking election. This includes write-in candidates.
      • The parliamenterianwill take steps to ensure that voting more than once does not occur.
    • Students running for seats on the Student Senate cannot be directly involved with the operation of election polls.
    • Candidates for Student Senate may NOT lobby on behalf of themselves or any other candidate within one hundred feet of a Student Senate election polling station on posted election days.
      • Any candidate found engaging in this practice will be given one verbal warning.
      • If subsequent illegal lobbying occurs, the candidate’s name will be removed from the ballot, prior to the counting of ballots and the publication of election results.
    • Publication of Student Senate Election Results
      • The Constitution and Bylaws Committees, will publish the results of Student Senate elections.
      • It is the responsibility of all candidates running for election to the Student Senate to be in attendance at the first Student Senate meeting immediately following the election.
      • In the event of an error in the publication of Student Senate election results, the Parliamenterian will notify in writing by U.S. Postal Mail all elected Student Senators, as well as those candidates wrongly listed as being Senators-elect in the original publication of election results. The notification will include an explanation of the error that occurred and a corrected publication of election results.
      • In such a case, any Student Senators-elect who were not listed in the original publication of election results will begin accruing points for absences and late arrivals one week after the Parliamenterian mailed the letter of notification.
    • The Executive Council may choose to hold elections in April of the spring semester.
    • Student Senators elected in a spring election do not run for re-election in the upcoming fall elections; their terms of office expire at the end of the next full school year.
    • For example, a student is elected to the Student Senate in the spring of 2002. This Student Senator does not have to run for re-election until the fall of 2003.

    SECTION 2. Student Senate Officer Elections:

    • The Student Senate will elect all officers during the months of September/October each year. Officer elections will be held and of second semester, and, or after fall elections. All elected officers will be installed immediately.
      • The Student Senate Executive Council will select a WSG Lieutenant Governor, using the same procedures for the appointment of committee chairs.
    • All officers will be elected by a majority vote of Student Senators present. The elections will take place in two phases, nominations and elections.
    • Nominations will take place during Student Senate meetings, up until and including the day of officer elections.
    • Nomination Process:
      • In order to be placed on the ballot for election as an officer, a Student Senator must be nominated and that nomination must be seconded. Each nominee must then accept or decline the nomination.
      • Only Student Senators may participate in the nomination process.
      • Student Senators may not nominate themselves, or second such a nomination.
    • Order of elections for Student Senate officers:
      • The order of election will be as follows: President, Truax Vice-President, Downtown Vice-President, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Secretary, and Legislative Coordinator
      • Officer elections will be conducted through a closed ballot.
      • Senators may only cast one ballot during each officer election. Student Senators must cast a ballot in each election, and may vote for a candidate or abstain.
      • Prior to each officer election, the Senators nominated for that position will each be allowed a brief period to address their fellow Student Senators.

    C. Majority Vote Defined

    • A majority vote is hereby defined as a vote in which a single candidate receives one (1) more that one half (1/2) of the votes cast, including abstentions. Student Senators who receive a majority vote win the officer election.
    • Should there be an officer election where no one candidate receives a majority vote of the ballots cast, the following procedure shall take place:
      • In the event of a tie vote, the two candidates who tied are once again allowed a brief period in which to address their fellow Senators, followed immediately by a run-off election. This process will continue, until one of the Student Senators on the ballot receives a majority of the votes cast.
      • In an officer election with multiple candidates, where no candidate receives a majority vote and there is no tie, the top two vote-garnering candidates participate in a run-off election, as described above.
      • In the case of a lower vote tie, an officer election where one Student Senator receives the most votes, though not a majority vote, followed by two Student Senators who tied for second place with an equal number of votes, the following will take place:
        • The candidates tied for second place participate in a run-off election.
        • The winner of that run-off election and the Student Senator who initially received the most votes may again briefly address their fellow Students Senators.
        • Those two remaining candidates then face each other in a final run-off election for the officer position.

    D. The elected officers of the Student Senate shall hold office for one year unless removed for inefficiency, nonattendance of meetings, or for conduct unbecoming an officer.

    • Officers of the Student Senate, elected or appointed mid-school year, serve for the remainder of the one-school year term of office.

    SECTION 3. Senate Intern Appointments:

    • The eligibility of applicants for Student Senate internships must be verified.
    • A Student Senator must sponsor the student applying for the internship.
    • Internships must be approved by a three-fourths (3/4) closed ballot vote of the Student Senate.

    Article IX. Pro-tem Appointments

    SECTION 1. The Student Senate President is empowered to appoint a pro-tem Secretary or Parliamentarian, during meetings of the Student Senate General Assembly and Executive Session, should either of these elected officer positions be vacant.

      • Pro-tem appointees may decline the appointment.
      • Student Senators appointed as a pro-tem Student Senate Secretary or Parliamentarian are required to carry out the duties of that office.
      • A Pro-tem Secretary or Parliamentarian may participate during meetings of the Student Senate Executive Session, and may motion to adjourn or second such a motion, but may not vote.
      • Pro-tem appointments expire in two weeks, unless on the advice of the Executive Council the Student Senate votes to make the appointment(s) permanent.

    Article X. Duties of Student Senate Officers

    SECTION 1. The President's duties shall be:

    • To chair meetings of the Student Senate General Assembly and Executive Session.
    • To appoint Student Senate committee chairpersons and committee members, with the approval of the Student Senate Executive Council, on a majority vote.
    • To appoint Madison College students, subject to a majority vote by the general assembly, for student representation on Madison College college committees, joint boards, commissions and task forces.
    • To co-chair meetings of the Madison College Student Activities Board (SAB).
    • To meet on a regular basis with the Vice-President of Learner Success, and with the President of Madison College as the need arises, reporting communications to the Student Senate Executive Council.
    • To perform duties as assigned by the Student Senate Executive Council.
    • To perform all such duties as normally befall this office.

    SECTION 2. The Truax Vice-President's duties shall be:

    • To assume the duties of the President in case of resignation, death, or temporary absence.
    • To act as the coordinator of chairpersons of all Student Senate committees, Student Senate representatives on all-college committees and Student Senate initiatives.
    • To perform duties as assigned by the Student Senate Executive Council.
    • To perform all such duties as normally befall this office.

    SECTION 3. The Downtown Vice-president's duties shall be:

    • To chair the Student Senate Downtown Committee.
    • To assist the Student Senate Truax Vice-President in overseeing Student Senate committees.
    • To meet on regularly basis with the Madison College Downtown Education Center Administrator.
    • To advocate the needs of the student body, as they relate to the Madison College Downtown Center .
    • To perform duties as assigned by the Student Senate Executive Council.
    • To perform all such duties as normally befall this office.

    SECTION 4. The Secretary's duties shall be:

      • To conduct such correspondence as directed by the Student Senate.
      • To distribute the order of business (agenda) prior to weekly meetings of the Student Senate General Assembly.
      • To record the proceedings of meetings of the Student Senate General Assembly and Executive Session, and to distribute, expediently, the minutes of recent meetings.
      • To keep an accurate record of all Student Senate General Assembly and Executive Session meeting agendas, minutes and correspondence.
      • To maintain the attendance records of the Student Senate.
      • To collect and maintain applications for the Student Senate.
      • To perform duties as assigned by the Student Senate Executive Council.
      • To perform all such duties as normally befall this office.

    SECTION 5. The Treasurer's duties shall be:

    • To keep an accurate record of the Student Senate finances.
    • To present a financial report at each Student Senate General Assembly meeting, as needed.
    • To chair the Budget Committee.
    • To serve as the Student Senate voting representative on the Student Activities Board (SAB).
    • To coordinate the duties of all Student Senate Interns.
    • To perform duties as assigned by the Student Senate Executive Council.
    • To perform all such duties as normally befall this office.
    • To direct and guide the development and work of Senate items.

    SECTION 6. The Parliamentarian's duties shall be:

    • To recommend to the chair the proper parliamentarian procedures of the meeting.
    • To chair the Student Senate Constitution and Bylaws Committee.
    • To note the names of late arrivals to meetings of the Student Senate General Assembly and Executive Session and give them to the Student Senate Secretary for attendance records.
    • To hand out papers relevant to the meeting in session.
    • To greet and seat visitors at meetings of the Student Senate General Assembly and Executive Session, and to take the names of guests, giving a list to the Student Senate Secretary.
    • To do necessary errands for the chair during meetings.
    • To ensure that the Student Senate meeting room is properly set up before each weekly meeting and returned to its proper setting after the meeting.
    • To assist the Student Senate meeting chairperson in maintaining an environment conducive to running the meeting effectively.
    • To perform duties as assigned by the Student Senate Executive Council.
    • To perform all such duties as normally befall this office.
    • To make facilities and audio-visual reservations.

    SECTION 7. The Legistative Coordinator's duties shall be:

        • To attend all meetings of the Wisconsin Student Government (WSG).
        • To represent the Madison College Student Senate in all WSG matters.
        • To notify the WSG Lieutenant Governor, if and when unable to attend WSG events.
        • To act as the liaison between WSG and the Student Senate.
        • To make Legislative Coordinatorreports during meetings of the Student Senate General Assembly.
        • To perform duties as assigned by the Student Senate Executive Council.
        • To perform all such duties as normally befall this office.
        • To serve as a representative to the Legistative College Committee.

    Article XI. Executive Council

    SECTION 1. The Student Senate Executive Council shall consist of the officers of the Student Senate, elected or appointed. All members of the Student Senate Executive Council shall hold only one elected office within the Student Senate.

    SECTION 2. The Student Senate Executive Council's duties shall be:

    • The meet once a week in Executive Session.
    • To present plans and policies and promote needed legislation to the Student Senate.
    • To act upon such matters as may require immediate disposal between meetings of the full Student Senate.
    • To approve presidential appointments of committee chairs and members.
    • To ensure that seventy five percent (75%) of the office hours are served at the Truax campus and twenty five percent (25%) of the office hours are served at the Downtown campus.
    • To ensure that the Student Senate operates over the summer. (See Article XVI. Transition Period)
    • To act on motions for the dismissal of interns. (See Article XII. Student Senate Interns)
    • To take necessary action, regarding Article IV. Conduct Unbecoming a Student Senator.
    • To perform all such duties as normally befall this committee.

    Article XII. Student Senate Interns

    SECTION 1. Duties

    • Student Senate Interns will serve at least one (1) office hour per week, at either the Truax or Downtown Student Senate offices. Interns will record their weekly office hour(s) in the office hour log, located in the Student Senate Truax and Downtown office binders.
    • Student Senate Interns will serve on two committees and perform duties as assigned to them.
    • Interns will familiarize themselves with various aspects of the Student Senate.
    • Interns may or may not attend meetings of the Student Senate General Assembly.
    • Interns do not have voting privileges; however, they may voice their opinions during meetings of the Student Senate General Assembly, as time permits and at the discretion of the chair.
    • Interns report to the Student Senate Treasurer for direction.

    SECTION 2. Dismissal

    • Any Student Senate Intern who accumulates three (3) points in unexcused absences and/or late arrivals in an academic semester will be dismissed from the Student Senate.
    • During the academic year, Student Senate Interns who have accumulated two (2) attendance points will be notified
    • Student Senate Interns are subject to dismissal from the Student Senate, for inefficiency or for conduct unbecoming.
    • Dismissal requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Student Senate.

    Article XIII. Faculty Liaisons

    SECTION 1. The faculty liaisons of the Student Senate shall consist of three faculty members appointed by the Executive Council.

    SECTION 2. Madison College Faculty members wishing to become liaisons will submit their names to the Student Senate President.

    SECTION 3. The duties of the liaisons shall be:

    • To work with the Student Senate for the betterment of the college.
    • To advise and assist the Student Senate as needed or in an advisory capacity for committees.
    • To attend Student Senate meetings regularly.

    Article XIV. Advisors

    SECTION 1. The administration may appoint advisors to assist and help advise the Student Senate. These advisors will help ensure the continuation of the Student Senate and its goals.

    Article XV. Meetings

    SECTION 1. Meetings of the General Assembly and Executive Session

    • When convening in General Assembly (weekly Student Senate meetings) the Student Senate, with the president acting as chair, shall address items listed in the order of business (agenda) and will consider motions as they arise, as well as any other matters Student Senators present for consideration, time permitting.
    • Officers of the Student Senate comprise the Executive Council, and will convene in Executive Session (weekly meetings of the Executive Council) with the President chairing.

    SECTION 2. Senate meetings.

    • Student Senate meetings will be held weekly, and more frequently when deemed necessary.
    • The Student Senate Truax Vice-President will preside over these meetings as acting chairperson whenever the Senate President is not present.
    • In the event that both the Student Senate President and Truax Vice-President are not present, the chair shall fall to the ranking officer in attendance, in order of officer elections. (See Art. VIII. Officer Elections)
    • A quorum shall consist of one-half plus one (50% + 1) of the Senate Senators on the current roster, excluding excused absences and excused late arrivals.
    • The chairperson shall set the time limits for members on all debates and motions.
    • Student Senate Chief Executive Officers (the President and Vice Presidents) will have voting rights in Senate meetings, while not acting as chairperson.
      • During meetings of the Student Senate General Assembly, the chairperson will vote in order to break a tie and cannot vote in order to make a tie vote.
    • All bills, resolutions or information to be included on the order of business should be referred to the Senate President and Senate Secretary at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to a meeting.
      • The Student Senate Secretary has the discretion as to whether or not bills, resolutions, or other information, submitted after the deadline, are included in the order of business.
    • The Student Senate Parliamentarian should review all bills and resolutions, which deal with amendments to the by-laws, prior to their being placed on an agenda.
    • The Student Senate Treasurer should review all bills and resolutions, which deal with Student Senate expenditures, prior to their being placed on an agenda.

    SECTION 3. Senate Legislation.

    • "Bill" shall refer to any item of legislation that modifies the constitution and bylaws or the internal proceedings of this organization, including any authorization or allocation of funds.
    • "Resolution" shall refer to any motion through which the Senate expresses an opinion or adopts a position on an issue.
    • The written form of bills and resolutions must include the date, the sponsor(s), and a brief description of its content or effect. Examples may be found in the Student Senate Binder.

    Article XVI. Transition Period.

    SECTION 1. During the transition period from the end of one academic year to beginning of the next, the Student Senate Carry-over Committee shall conduct the business of the Student Senate.

    SECTION 2. Carry-over Committee Authority

    • The Student Senate President will chair the carryover committee.
    • The Carry-over Committee will consist of Student Senators and officers that will be returning in the fall semester, plus other interested students chosen by the Student Senate Executive Council.
    • The Student Senate Carry-over Committee will assist the Student Senate President and work for the betterment of the student body and the college.
    • In case the Student Senate President is unable to complete his/her term, the Carry-over Committee shall elect a chairperson.
    • The Carry-over Committee will have the powers of the Student Senate.
    • The Carry-over Committee will be entrusted with the powers and duties of the general assembly and the Executive Council during the transition period.
    • The Carry-over Committee may neither elect nor appoint new Senators or Executive Officers.

    Article XVII. Committees

    SECTION 1. Officers of the Student Senate may chair committees. However, the Senate President is encouraged to seek out, recognize and utilize the leadership skills of all Student Senators, such that the college, the Student Senate and individual Student Senators are better for the experience.

    SECTION 2. There are three types of committees on which Student Senators may serve: Student Senate standing committees, ad-hoc committees, and college committees.

    • Student Senate Standing Committees
      • Student Senators may be active voting members and may chair these committees.
      • Student Senate Interns may be members of standing committees, but may not vote or chair standing committees.
    • Ad-hoc Senate Committees
      • The Student Senate may form ad-hoc committees as needed. They expire at the end of a school year, or at the discretion of the Student Senate.
      • Student Senators may be active members and may chair these committees.
      • Student Senate Interns may be members of ad-hoc committees, but not vote or chair ad-hoc committees.
    • College Committees
      • Student Senators, Interns and students-at-large may be members of these committees. However, membership on these committees is for the purposes of inclusion in the decision-making processes of the college. Therefore, Student Senate representatives on these committees may not vote, nor may they chair college committees.

    SECTION 3. Standing Committees

    • Budget Committee
      • The Budget Committee is tasked with the preparation and maintenance of the Student Senate Annual Budget. The Senate Treasurer chairs the Budget Committee. The annual budget is roughly $17,500.00. The fiscal year runs from July 1 st to June 30 th. The Madison College Student Activities Board (SAB) sets the annual budget each Spring Semester. The Senate has one voting seat on SAB.
    • Carry-Over Committee
      • The Carry-Over Committee is responsible to carry on the business of the Senate from the end of the spring semester, throughout the summer months, and through the time of the Senate Elections in September of the fall semester. The Carry-Over Committee is made up of Executive Officers, plus any Senators who plan to run for re-election and any other interested students. The Senate President chairs the Carry-Over Committee.
    • Constitution and Bylaws Committee
      • The Constitution and Bylaws Committee will address concerns referred to the committee, which are related to the current Student Senate Constitution and Bylaws. The Parliamenterian chairs thge Downtown Committee.
    • Downtown Committee
      • The Downtown Committee will be made up of Senators attending that facility as students and other interested Senators. This committee will address issues that relate specifically to the Downtown Education Center .
    • Learning Committee
      • The Learning Committee is tasked with the continued development and improvement of members of the Student Senate in the areas of organizational skills, communication, group dynamics, bureaucratic processes, etc. The Learning Committee is responsible for the planning and implementation of new memeber orientation, teambuiling and skill building sessions troughout the year and the Senate Retreats.

    G. Public Relations Committee

      • The Public Relations Committee is tasked with the responsibility of communicating with the student body and the campus community. This committee is responsible for the visibility of the Student Senate.

    H. Technology Committee

      • The Technology Committee is tasked with the maintenance of the Student Senate Website, facilitating use of technology, and monitoring changes in technology that may be used to the advantage of the Senate and the Madison College student body.

    Article XVIII. Affiliation/Representation

    SECTION 1. This organization shall be the official voice of the Madison College student body and represent the student body pursuant to Act 101 (WI Statutes 38.145) in all dealings with:

    • The Administration
    • The District 4 Wisconsin Technical College System Board
    • The State Wisconsin Technical College System Board
    • The Local Legislative Bodies
    • The State Legislative Bodies

    SECTION 2. This organization shall affiliate with the Wisconsin Student Government (WSG), only on the recommendation of the Executive Council, and with the passage of a bill allocating yearly WSG membership dues. The decision of whether or not to affiliate with WSG will be made on a yearly basis.

    Article XIX. Parliamentary Authority

    SECTION 1. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised Edition shall govern the Madison College Student Senate in all cases to which they apply, providing that they are not inconsistent with the Student Senate Bylaws, or any special rules of order the Student Senate may adopt.

    Article XX. Emergency Procedures

    SECTION 1. Leaves of Absence

    • Any Student Senate officer who will be absent for a specified period of time must submit a letter of request for absence to the Student Senate Executive Council.
    • The acceptance and duration of any leave of absence is determined by the executive council.
    • Officers who take leaves of absence may recommend another Student Senator not currently serving as an officer as a temporary replacement on the Student Senate Executive Council.
    • The confirmation of a temporary replacement of officers taking leaves of absence requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Student Senate.
    • Student Senators, confirmed as temporary replacements of officers taking leaves of absence, will immediately assume all of the duties pertaining to that office.
    • Student Senators who effectively utilize a leave of absence, should circumstances warrant, will not be penalized, in terms of attendance during their leave of absence.

    SECTION 2. Filling Student Senate Vacancies

    • In the event a Senate seat is vacated before the end of the term, or a seat remains unfilled after an election, the Student Senate may vote to fill that seat with a qualified applicant.
    • Procedures for filling vacant Senate seat are as follows:
      • An Madison College student interested in becoming a Student Senator will complete a Student Senate Application;
      • The student’s eligibility will be verified;
      • The student must attend three (3) consecutive General Senate meetings;
      • At the third Student Senate meeting, the applicant will make a statement concerning their interest in becoming a Senator;
      • If time permits, the chair may allow for a brief questions and answer session.
      • The Senate will vote by closed ballot;
      • A majority vote is required in order to elect the student to a vacant seat.
      • Newly elected Student Senators will immediately be sworn-in.

    Article XXI. Awarding of Certificates

    SECTION 1. Any Senator has the right to nominate any student or organization for the following: Student Senate Certificate of Appreciation, or Certificate of Meritorious Service, provided that the student or organization has performed a valuable service for the college or community.

    Article XXII. Suspension of the Bylaws

    SECTION 1. The Student Senate Bylaws may be suspended during meetings of the Student Senate General Assembly.

    • A three-fourths vote is required, in order to suspend a one or more articles and/or sections of the Student Senate Bylaws.
    • Upon adjournment of a meeting of the Student Senate General Assembly in which the Student Senate Bylaws were suspended, any such suspensions are nullified.

    Article XXIII. Amendments

    SECTION 1. The Student Senate Bylaws may be amended with a three-fourths majority vote, if presented in writing at least one week before the meeting.

    SECTION 2. The Student Senate Bylaws may be amended by a unanimous vote at any meeting of the Student Senate General Assembly.

    SECTION 3. Procedures Regarding Amendments

    • All amendments to this will be placed in a permanent file. This file will contain a copy of the un-amended Constitution and Bylaws, and a copy of the amended version. The file will also contain a description of the change that occurred, with reasons given for said change.
    • The Constitution and Bylaws should reflect all amendments, as described below:
      • A caption below the amended article, section or subsection will state that it has been amended and the date of the amendment.
    Last Modified: August 18, 2010