2006-2007 Student Handbook Student Government (ASOCC) Constitution The student government exists to promote the following: OBJECTIVES To consult with and make recommendations to the administration on any matter affecting student welfare. To aid in bringing about and enhancing the spirit of cooperation among students, faculty, and administration. To assist in the development of the college within the authority delegated to the ASSOCC. To assist in promoting understanding between the college and the community. To demonstrate the traits of good citizenship, providing the experiences of a democratic government. To instill in the individual student the determination to uphold its own honor and that of the college. To develop high standards of personal conduct within the student body. To support and finance recognized activities and to promote new ideas and activities. To reflect the opinions of the student body. To inform the student body of the programs of the ASOCC. SENATE MEETINGS The Senate meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. Associated Students of Ocean County College CONSTITUTION PREAMBLE The Associated Students of Ocean County College, in order to provide a means whereby to realize the following enumerated aims, do hereby establish the Constitution under the authority of the Board of Trustees of Ocean County College. A. To represent the interests of the Associated Students to the Board of Trustees of Ocean County College, the Administration and the Faculty. B. To provide for the active participation on the part of the Students in the formulation of college policy and procedures. C. To further effective communication and better understanding among Students, Faculty, the Administration and the public. ARTICLE I. NAME The name of the organization shall be THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE and be designated as the ASOCC. ARTICLE II. PRECEDENCE This constitution shall take precedence over any instrument governing the student body. ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP Membership to ASOCC shall be granted to every full and part-time Student upon payment of the Student Activities Fee in said semester. ARTICLE IV. THE STUDENT SENATE Section 1. The representative Body of the ASOCC shall be known as the Associated Student Senate, and herein shall be referred to as the Student Senate. Section 2. The following officers shall be elected by popular vote of the ASOCC and shall constitute the executive board of the Student Senate. Each elected person shall have one vote on all issues except the President who will vote only in the event of a tie. A. The President of the ASOCC B. The Vice-President of the ASOCC C. The Treasurer of the ASOCC D. Eighteen (18) Senators-at-Large consisting of nine (9) Sophomore and nine (9) Freshmen E. The Secretary Section 3. Other members of the Senate shall include: Senatorial Assistants Any student who runs for a seat on the Senate and is not elected to the desired position of Senatorial Assistant. Any student who so desires may be recognized by the President for position of Senatorial Assistant The advisor to the Senate shall be the Director of Student Life or his appointed epresentative. Honorary Members Honorary membership shall be granted to those individuals which the Senate wishes to recognize for outstanding service to the Senate of ASOCC. Membership (Honorary) shall be granted by appointment from the president and passed by a majority vote of the Senate. Honorary members shall enjoy all rights and privileges of the Senate and ASOCC except the right to vote. Honorary membership shall be granted for lifetime, and a record of all members shall be kept with the Secretary and in official Senate files. Honorary members will be invited and receive formal invitation to all formal Senate sponsored functions. ARTICLE V. DUTIES AND POWERS Section 1. The President Shall serve as chief executive of the ASOCC. Shall serve as chief executive of the Senate. Shall preside over all meetings of the Senate. May serve as ex-officio member of all committees. Shall appoint, unless otherwise stipulated in this Constitution, all standing, ad hoc, and advisory committees as he/she or the Senate sees fit. Shall sign all documents on behalf of the Senate. Shall oversee all Senate activities. Shall endeavor to ensure that all Senate directives and policies are complied with. Shall make official statements on behalf of the Senate. Shall prepare the agenda and submit it to the Secretary. Shall, in the event that the Secretary is absent from a meeting, appoint a Secretary pro tempore. The power of any immediate decision which is not contrary to this Constitution and by-laws is entrusted to the President and notification of the same must be forthcoming at the following Senate meeting for approval. Shall carry out any other duty pertaining to the office. Shall inform the Senate of all correspondence of his/her office and on behalf of the Senate. Shall enjoy the right to appoint an assistant to the President. Shall appoint a Parliamentarian upon approval by a ratification of the Senate. Section 2. Vice-President Shall assume the duties of the President's Office in the absence of the President. Shall serve as chairman of the Senate's Elections Committee. Shall, if he/she chooses serve as ex-officio member of all committees and any resulting committees Shall coordinate the activities of the various committees Shall perform such other duties as the President delegates to him/her from time to time. Shall charge all senators with their duties. Section 3. The Treasurer Shall assume responsibility for the preparation and presentation of Senate budget. Shall maintain accurate records of all Senate transactions. Shall prepare and submit a financial report for every regular Senate meeting and whenever else the Senate so designates. Shall insure the proper custody accountability, receipt and expenditures of all funds directly under the Senate. Section 4. The Secretary Shall keep a set of all minutes of all ASOCC and Senate meetings. Shall be responsible for all official correspondence and proper filing of all Senate materials. Shall inform all Senate members of all meetings, regular or special. Shall be responsible for making available the minutes of all meetings to any student upon request. Shall be responsible for the notices, agendas and minutes of all meetings and submit copies to each member of the Senate, the President of the College, the Vice Presidents of the College and the Director of Student Life, Board of Trustees, Executive Secretary of the College Forum, said materials. Shall have charge, under the direction of the Senate, of all official records and papers belonging to the Senate. Shall keep a running record of all activities of the Senate. Shall keep an approved set of all minutes in the President's and Secretary's files. Shall perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time. Shall, in the event that the President and Vice President are absent, call the meeting to order and preside until such time that a President pro tempore is elected. Section 5. Duties of a Senator Shall be present at all Senate meetings. Shall be present at all assigned forum sub-committee meetings. Shall report to the Senate about each sub-committee meeting attended. Shall reflect the opinions of the student body. Each senator shall have one vote. Section 6. The President and the Vice-President shall be the two (2) Senate representatives to the President's Advisory Council. ARTICLE VI. ELECTIONS Section 1. Election Committee An election committee shall be appointed by the president of the Senate and ratified by a majority vote of the Senate. No member of the election committee may run for an office. Campaign procedures will be established by the election committee. The election committee regulations shall be enforced and interpreted, with consent of the Senate, by the election committee. Failure to comply with any of the regulations shall result in the disqualification of the offender. Section 2. Regular elections shall be held each year according to the following schedule: The fourth Tuesday and Wednesday in April the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary, the Treasurer and nine (9) Senators-at-Large shall be elected by popular vote of the ASOCC. The first Tuesday in October, elections will be held to fill the nine (9) Senators-at-Large seats from members of the entering freshman class. In addition elections will be held at that time to fill any vacant posts remaining on the Senate. Section 3. All members of the ASOCC shall have one (1) vote in the general elections. Section 4. Candidates for any office may be nominated in any of the following ways: By the out-going Senate. By a nominating committee appointed by the Senate. By petition with the signatures of at least ten (10) student body members. Said petition is to be filed with the Election Committee before balloting takes place, along with an essay outlining reasons and qualifications for the office for which they are running. Section 5. Qualifications for holding office: Executive Board Must be a full time student. Candidates for the office must fulfill the requirements listed in the election code as directed by the Election Committee. All Senate executive board members must have and maintain a 2.5 cumulative average to remain in office. Must have completed at least 26 credits at the time of entering office. Senators To be eligible for candidacy each person must be a member of the ASOCC. Candidates for the office must fulfill the requirements listed in the election code as directed by the Election Committee. All Senate executive board members must have and maintain a 2.00 cumulative average to remain in office. Section 6. Eighteen (18) members of the ASOCC shall be appointed by the president and approved by the Senate to the following standing committees of the College Senate: Academic Standards Committee - Two (2) representatives. Curriculum Committee - Two (2) representatives. Instruction & Professional Improvement Committee - Two (2) representatives. Library Services Committee - Two (2) representatives. Student Life Committee - Five (5) representatives. The Treasurer will automatically be a representative appointed to this committee. Intercollegiate & Intramural Athletic Committee - Four (4) representatives. Continuing and Professional Education Committee - One (1) representative. ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS Section 1. The Student Senate shall hold two regular business meetings each month on a day and hour to be determined at the first meeting in September. Senate meetings shall be held at the college or at such other places as fixed by the majority of a quorum of the Senate. Senate 2. Notice of all regular meetings, including agenda, shall be received by all Student Senate members no less than four (4) business days prior to said meeting. Section 3. The agenda for the Senate meetings will read as follows: Call to Order/Role Call President's Report Secretary's Report/Approval of Minutes Treasurer's Report Old Business New Business Committee Reports Standing Committees Special Committees Other Business Forensic Business Adjournment Section 4. The Student Senate shall hold special meetings based on the call of the President or on the call of three (3) members of the Student Senate upon not less than 24 hours advance notice either by telephone or mail. The specific matter to be considered at the special meeting shall be stated and no other matter shall be considered at said meeting except with the consent of all members present at such meeting. Section 5. Attendance at all meetings is required of all Senators and members of standing committees of the College Senate. Any Senator or member of a standing committees missing two committee and/or College Senate meetings in one year without reasonable excuse will risk impeachment or removal. Section 6. All Student Senate meetings will be open to the public. ARTICLE VIII. DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE SENATE Section 1. Duties - Any member of the ASOCC may, through the elected representatives of the Senate, introduce to the Senate for consideration, those resolutions which are deemed most advantageous to the college and to the well-being of theStudents of Ocean County College. Section 2. Powers The Student Senate shall have the power to establish those by-laws, resolutions, and committees that are deemed most advantageous to the college, the student body, and the Student Senate in general. The Student Senate shall have the power to consult with and make proposals to the faculty and administration regarding matters of student well-being. The Student Senate shall have the power to charter student clubs and organizations. ARTICLE IX. VOTING PROCEDURES AND STANDARDS Section 1. Quorum of all meetings of the Student Senate shall consist of a simple majority of the entire Student Senate. Section 2. Voting A simple majority shall be required to pass all bylaws, resolutions, appropriations, etc. Presidential, appointments must be ratified by a twothirds vote of the Student Senate members present and voting at the time. The Student Senate may override a presidential veto at the next regular business meeting following the veto. A 2/3 majority vote of those present is required. Section 3. Procedure - The latest edition of Robert's Rules of Parliamentary Procedure shall be observed and enforced, where applicable, at the official meetings by the parliamentarian. ARTICLE X. IMPEACHMENT PROCEDURES Section 1. The sole power of impeachment of persons holding elective or appointive office under the ASOCC or its Senate shall be vested in the Senate. Section 2. Grounds for Impeachment He/she who misses two consecutive meetings or three meetings throughout his/her term of office without a reasonable excuse given to the President will risk impeachment. He/she who is suspended or expelled from the college will be subject to impeachment at the will of the Senate. By the judgement of the Student Senate, anyone who does not act in the best interest of those who entrust him/her to hold office will also risk impeachment. Section 3. Impeachment Proceedings All impeachment proceedings conducted will be closed to all but involved parties. Proof, and not conjecture, must be presented in order to warrant the commencement of these proceedings. A motion for the commencement of impeachment proceedings may be introduced at any time from the Senate floor by any two (2) Senators. After initiation of impeachment proceedings, at least 24 hours and no more than one week shall pass before the continuation of the proceedings. After the motion is introduced and seconded, the defendant is to be granted an opportunity to present witnesses and to testify on his own behalf. After all testimony, pro and con, is heard and considered, the Senate shall vote. A 2/3 majority of the total membership is needed for the impeachment to be final. Upon commencement of impeachment procedures, the accused Senator shall lose all rights and privileges of his/her office until such time that the Senate either acquits or convicts him or her. Section 4. Proceedings Mediator. When the proceedings are to begin the Senate shall choose a non-partial, uninvolved member of the Senate to chair the proceedings. Section 5. Replacement of an Impeached Executive Board Member. When the President has been convicted, the Vice-President shall assume his/her office for the remainder of the academic year. When the Vice-President or Treasurer has been convicted, the President shall appoint, from the Senate, a Vice-President or Treasurer within one week. The appointment is subject to Senate approval. When the Secretary has been convicted, the same procedure for replacement shall be followed as the procedure for replacing a Senator. Section 6. Replacement of an Impeached Senator. When a Senator has been convicted, the regulations guiding the filling of vacancies, (By-Laws, Section 7 of Article X under Impeachment Procedures) shall be followed. Section 7. Vacancies When, for any reason, a vacancy occurs within the Senate, with the exception of the President's and Vice- President's positions, a Senatorial Assistant will be promoted to fill the position. The person who has been a Senatorial Assistant for the longest period of time shall be given the first option to fill any vacancy. In the event that two (2) or more Senatorial Assistants have equal seniority, the Senate judgement will proclaim the winner by its simple majority cast in any aspirant's favor. In the event that there are no Senatorial Assistants of the class in which an opening has occurred a call will go out from the chair to all interested students for that office. After (2) weeks have elapsed since the vacancy is officially announced, the Senate will vote on nominations that were received. A simple majority vote by the Senate will determine who will occupy the vacant position. ARTICLE XI. FUNDING Section 1. Activities of the Senate shall be funded from the Student Activities fee. Section 2. All funds pertaining to these activities shall be deposited in the Internal Banking System maintained by the Office of Student Life. Section 3. A yearly budget will be drawn up for the Senate by the Executive Board and any interested Senators, and upon approval of the Senate, will be submitted to the Student Life Committee for approval. ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS Section 1. This constitution may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the Senate, which shall present the proposed amendment to the student body at least two weeks before it is brought to the floor of the Senate to be voted upon. Section 2. This constitution may be amended by student petition backed by the signatures of 200 students and submitted to the Student Senate at least two (2) weeks prior to the general meeting in which it is to be voted upon. The amendment must be voted upon and approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Senate. THE COLLEGE SENATE FUNCTIONS OF STANDING COMMITTEES Committee on Academic Standards To consider and recommend additions, deletions, and changes in degree and certificate requirements. To consider and recommend additions, deletions, and changes in policies and procedures regarding students' educational welfare. To take action on individual student appeals. In academic years which have fall semesters beginning with even numbers to review the requirements of all associate degrees and recommend changes, if appropriate. Committee on Curriculum To study and make recommendations as appropriate on the following curricular matters: New courses, including how well they meet the college's goals of general education. New associate degree programs, associate degree options, and new certificate programs. Revisions of associate degree programs, associate degree options, and certificates, if the revisions affect departments other than the department offering the program. All course prerequisites if they affect departments other than the department offering the course, or if they affect degree requirements. Departmental and/or administrative proposals to permanently eliminate courses and/or programs. In academic years which have fall semesters beginning with odd numbers to review the college's goals of general education and recommend changes, if appropriate. To review and discuss (only) Special Topics courses. To recommend the academic calendar. Committee on Instruction and Professional Enrichment To consider, assess, and recommend methods of improving instructional modes. To review and share with members of the college community changes in pedagogy, innovations in higher education, and applications of new technologies to teaching and administration, all with the purpose of encouraging excellence in instruction and administration. To plan and implement an annual, coordinated program of opportunities for improvement of the professional performance of administrators and faculty. To provide opportunities for faculty and administrators to explore new instructional strategies. Committee on Library Services To work to ensure that the Library maintains its position as a vital and pivotal component of the College's educational process. To assist in developing plans for space utilization and expansion of the Library. To assist in the continued integration of the Library with instruction. To assist in surveying the Library needs of the college community. To encourage faculty participation in collection development, especially the tasks of selection and weeding of the collections. To encourage student use of the facilities, resources and services. To expedite the dissemination of information regarding the Library. Committee on Student Life To review and recommend policies and procedures pertaining to student behavior and discipline. To review and recommend policies and procedures pertaining to student publications and the student Handbook. To review and recommend policies and procedures pertaining to student publications and the student Handbook. To advise the Vice-President of Student Affairs on issues pertaining to student life. To advise the Vice-President of Student Affairs regarding the allocation of student fee funds to clubs and organizations. Committee on Intercollegiate and Intramural Athletics To review, evaluate, and recommend appropriate changes in policy and procedures designed to foster sound programs of intercollegiate and intramural athletics which make an educational contribution to the total college curriculum. The Committee on Continuing and Professional Education To review non-credit programs within an appropriate time frame. To make recommendations for program improvement and procedural and instructional effectiveness. To serve as a vehicle for disseminating to the college community information on non-credit offerings. Committee on Planning and Business Services To review, evaluate, and recommend support and/or change in matters relating to business policies and procedures which are not legally negotiable terms or conditions of employment with the Board of Trustees. To review, evaluate, and recommend support and/or changes regarding budgeting and planning projections, minor-capital equipment needs, acquisition of funds, cost containment, financial modeling, and administrative technology which are not legally negotiable terms or conditions of employment with the Board of Trustees. Committee on Outcomes Assessment To review and study assessment goals and practices in accordance with the College's mission statement. To recommend assessment strategies and policies which focus on teaching and learning, personal development of students, and institutional improvement. Return to Table of Contents

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