ASGRC Bylaws

Bylaws of the Associated Students of Green River College (ASGRC)

Updated May 2022

ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP

All students currently enrolled at Green River College shall be members of this ASGRC with the privilege of holding office and voting in any special election process. Part-time students can hold the office of Senator, but are not eligible for the offices of President, Vice President of Governance and Vice President of Finance, but shall vote for these offices. All GRC students shall be allowed to vote in all ASGRC elections. Students registered for ten or more units of college class work at GRC shall be considered full-time students. 

ARTICLE II: OFFICERS

Clause 1: Qualifications

Section 1: Any member of ASGRC shall be eligible for any election or appointment, contingent upon the requirements of that office.

Section 2: No member of ASGRC shall be a candidate for more than one elected office during any one election.

Section 3: Candidates for President, Vice President of Governance, and Vice President of Finance must have completed at least one full time quarter by the end of fall quarter in the year the selections were held. 

Section 4: Candidates for the offices of ASGRC President, Vice President of Governance, and Vice President of Finance must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 at the time of selection, as well as throughout their term of office. They must also be enrolled as a full time student each quarter during their term of office. 

Section 5: The ASGRC President, Vice President of Governance, and Vice President of Finance must complete summer leadership training prior to the beginning of Fall Quarter 

Clause 2: Nominations

Section 1: Upon self-nomination for ASGRC President, Vice President of Governance, and Vice President of Finance, candidates must apply via the application process which will be offered both digitally and in paper format.  

Section 2: fter completion of the application packet, the candidate then must schedule an interview with ad hoc Selection Committee, which consists of the current ASGRC President, Vice President of Governance, Vice President of Finance, at least three Senators from the Senate Governance Committee and the Director of Student Activities and Engagement or designee.

Section 3: The ad hoc Selection Committee will present the final candidate for each of the executive positions (ASGRC President, Vice President of Governance, Vice President of Finance) to the Senate no later than the Senate Business meeting during week 4 of the Spring Quarter. The Senate will elect the candidates into office with a 2/3 super majority vote. 

Clause 3: Executive Officers

Section 1: The ASGRC executive officers are comprised of the ASGRC President, ASGRC Vice President of Governance and ASGRC Vice President of Finance. 
Section 2: The ASGRC President, Vice President of Governance, or Vice President of Finance are selected during the Spring selection Process.

Clause 4: Executive Terms

The term of office for ASGRC President, Vice President of Governance, or Vice President of Finance shall be one academic year (Fall to Spring)  

Clause 5: Duties

Section 1: The ASGRC Executives shall work with the ASGRC Senate and be responsible for the execution of all legislation.  The ASGRC Executives shall serve as advisors to the ASGRC Senate and it committees as required by the Senate Standing Rules. 

Section 2: The ASGRC Executive members are required to attend all scheduled ASGRC Senate meetings.  Officers are allowed one (1) unexcused absence, or three (3) excused absences. Additional absences should be appealed to be excused at the discretion of the ASGRC Judicial Board.  Officers will be held accountable to meeting on the following scale:  

Subsection 1: “Tardy” shall be defined as when an officer is not yet present when the meeting is officially called to order. Three (3) tardies shall result in an Unexcused absence.
Subsection 2: “Absent” shall be defined as when an officer has not arrived to the Senate meeting by the end of the committee reports; or when an officer has not arrived by the dismissal to committee meetings.
Subsection 3: An excused absence is allowed when arranged by the officer twenty-four (24) hours prior to their absence, at the discretion of the presiding officer; or in case of an emergency. A Senator should communicate via Green River College email to the ASGRC Vice President of Governance and the ASGRC Secretary to arrange an excused absence..
Subsection 4: A “Life Happens” absence shall be defined as any situation that arises and an officer has to miss a meeting without being able to communicate 24 hours in advance, because sometimes life happens . A senator should communicate via Green River College email with the ASGRC Vice President of Governance and ASGRC Secretary to arrange a Life Happens absence.

Section 3: It shall be the duty of the ASGRC President to:

1. Be the Face of Student Government
2. Represent the Student Voice and present month report at Board of Trustee Meetings
3. Plan, delegate, and evaluate, set goals and create ideas, tone, and direction
4. Communicate ideas and information and appoint committees and task forces
5. Preside over and coordinate the officer transition process
6. Chair the Commencement Speaker Committe
7. Chair the Student Senate Outreach Committee 
8. Be the Washington Community and Technical College Student Association representative for Green River – Attend WACTCSA meetings

Section 4: It shall be the duty of the ASGRC Vice President of Governance to:

1. The ASGRC Vice President of Governance shall be the presiding officer of the Senate, but shall have no vote unless the Senate is equally divided 
2. Perform the duties of the president in his/her absence
3. Chair all ASGRC Senate meetings including but not limited to: creating weekly agendas, inviting guest speakers, etc.
4. Serve as a voting member on the Commencement Speaker Committee and the Technology Fee Committee 
5. Recruit senators with ASGRC President and ASGRC Vice President of Finance  
6. Chair the Student Senate Governance Committee
7. Swear in new elected senators 

Section 5: It shall be the duty of the ASGRC Vice President of Finance to:

1. Chair the ASGRC Senate Finance Committee 
2. Chair 522 budget developing committee meetings 
3. Serve on the Green River Technology Fee Committee 
4. Serve as the Parliamentarian for the ASGRC Senate 
5. Help Clubs & Organizations to complete paperwork for ASGRC Senate budget requests. 
6. Review all governing documents of the Club Council in conjunction with the Program Manager for Student Activities. 

Clause 6: Probation

Section 1: The Vice President of Governance must notify an officer who has failed to meet the requirements to maintain office within one (1) week in writing, from notification of the Bylaw violation. 
Section 2: No officer shall be deprived of his/her normal power while on probation.
Section 3: Officers may only be placed on probation once per term of office. Any further violations shall result in expulsion by the Governance Committee.  
Section 4: Officers on probation for failure to maintain the GPA standard shall have until the next official release of grades to meet the requirements of the aforementioned bylaw.
Section 5: Officers who are on probation for exceeding the number of Senate absences may not have any unexcused absences or tardies and may have only one (1) excused absence while on probation.
Section 6: Officers shall be immediately reinstated when the conditions for the Bylaw they violated are satisfied.
Section 7: Failure to complete the probation requirements stated in the time periods stated shall result in removal from ASGRC Office. If a time period is not specified then the conditions must be met by the end of the quarter in which the probation is received.

Clause 7: Appeals

Section 1: An officer who has been found in violation of the ASGRC Constitution or Bylaws may submit an appeal to the Governance Committee. The officer must notify the Vice President of Governance of their appeal within one (1) business day from the time they become aware of the violation.
Section 2: The Petition packet must be completed and turned in to the Vice President of Governance by the beginning of the next committee meeting. If the next committee meeting is less than four (4) business days away the petition packet may be turned in at the following committee meeting. 
Section 3: Once the Governance Committee has received the petition they have one week to review to make a determination.  

Section 4: No officer shall be deprived of his or her normal power during the petition process.
Section 5: The process to fill the vacant seat as stated in Article II, Clause 8 in the ASGRC Bylaws shall continue during the petition process.   

Clause 8: Vacancies

Vacancies in the offices of ASGRC President, Vice President of Governance, and Vice President of Finance shall be filled in accordance with Article IV, Section 3 of ASGRC Constitution.  

Article III: APPOINTMENTS

Clause 1: Appointed Officers

Section 1: The duties of the ASGRC Secretary shall be to handle and keep on file all ASGRC correspondence, reports, and minutes. The ASGRC secretary position shall be filled by the Student Life program specialist. For specific duties, refer to the job description on file in the Student Programs Office.
Section 2: Non-Voting Senators of the ASGRC Senate can be appointed during the initial selection process by the ASGRC Executive Committee.  To be officially recognized as an Non-Voting Senators of the ASGRC senate after the initial selection process, students must request an application. Applications must be returned to the ASGRC Vice President of Governance in order to be added as an item in the agenda of the upcoming senate meeting. The applicant will then become an Non-Voting Senate Member.  
Section 3: The powers of the ASGRC Non-Voting Senate members shall be to review general policy concerning activities of the ASGRC; to make recommendations to the ASGRC President and Vice Presidents; to review constitutional amendments and bylaws for this association and to review expenditures of ASGRC funds.  

Clause 2: Ad Hoc Committees

Section 1: Committees shall be formed, when necessary, to facilitate the working of the student body.

Section 2: The ASGRC Vice President of Governance can appoint ad hoc committees of the Senate.  Committee members shall be nominated by the ASGRC Vice President of Governance and ratified by the Senate.

Section 3: The ASGRC President may appoint ad hoc committees and will report to the Senate the purpose of the ad hoc committee and who the membership of these committees.  These committees do not need to be ratified by the ASGRC Senate. 

Section 4: The committee chairperson shall be responsible for:

1. Representing the committee to the Senate
2. Running the meetings
3. Selecting non-voting members, upon approval of the committee

Clause 3: Impeachment
Appointed officers and Ad Hoc Committee members may be removed from office by a 2/3’s majority vote of the Senate.

Article IV – SENATE

Clause 1: Members

Section 1: The structure of the Senate will be composed of fifteen (15) seats.  Each seat shall be filled with a member of the current student body who demonstrates the qualifications to fill each seat. 
Section 2: Voting members of the Senate will include five (5) Finance Committee Senators, five (5) Governance Committee Senators, and five (5) Outreach Senators. 
Section 3: The ASGRC Vice President of Governance shall be the presiding officer, but shall have no voting rights unless the Senate is equally divided. 
Section 4: ASGRC President and Vice President of Finance will serve as Ex-officio members. The Director of Student Life and/or designee will serve in an advisory capacity. .
Section 5: Senators will be selected via application.

Subsection 1: The ASGRC Executive committee will be responsible for the Senator Selection process.
Subsection 2: The Senator Selection process shall be outlined in the Senate Standing Rules
Subsection 3: Senator Guidelines shall be outlined in the Senate Standing Rules
Subsection 4: The legislative structure, and specific related policies, will be outlined in the Senate Standing Rules.

Bylaws of the Associated Students of Green River College (ASGRC)

Article V: CLUBS 

Clause 1: Recognition Process

Section 1: Any organized group of students wishing to be recognized by ASGRC and GRC must complete a club application.  The Director of Student Activities or designee will be responsible for processing club application and granting recognition.
Section 2: A club wishing to make any modification to its recognition, including name, advisor, or purpose, must submit a request to the Director of Student Activities or designee for recognition modification.
Section 3: The club renewal process will begin in during the spring quarter for the following academic year and recognized groups will need to fill out the renewal of recognition paperwork and submit to the Office of Student Life. 

Clause 2: ASGRC Club Requirements

Section 1: In order to be considered for recognition as an ASGRC group, the group must be:

1. Open to all ASGRC members without further qualifications. Recognized groups may not charge dues as a condition of participation for members. If a group has individual national dues it should not require students to belong to the national organization in order to be a member of the recognized club on campus.
2. Be compatible with the mission of Green River College
3. Have a staff or faculty advisor.

Section 2: Clubs must maintain active status by meeting the following requirements:

1. Show 10 or more active students
2. Submit a club application or renewal form
3. Have at least two executive members
4. Have a staff or faculty advisor

Clause 3: Mandatory Meetings

Section 1: All groups are required to attend all meetings of the Club Council unless otherwise approved by the Assistant Director of Student Life.
Section 2: The Assistant Director of Student Life shall be the Chairperson of the Club Council.
Section 3: The Club Council shall meet at least one time per quarter during the academic year.

Section 4: All clubs and organizations shall attend mandatory training as determined by the Assistant Director of Student Life.

Clause 4: Funding
Section 1:  Clubs must submit their Activity/Event Proposal forms to the Assistant Director of Student Life at least five (5) weeks in advance of their event. They must then meet with the ASGRC Senate Finance Committee to present their funding request. The Finance Committee will present the funding request at the next ASGRC Senate meeting for Senate funding approval.  
Section 2: Clubs can submit funding proposal for under $50 through the Office of Student Life for approval. Clubs are allowed to submit a $50 or less proposal each quarter of the academic year, but their annual spending from this process may not exceed $150. 
Section 3: A portion of the Club Funding Budget, of at least 35%, will be set aside specifically for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion programming that will benefit the students of Green River College. The annual percentage will be determined during the yearly 522 budget process.  

Clause 5: Suspended Clubs and Organizations

Section 1: The Assistant Director of Student Life shall have the power to suspend the charter of any group that fails to:

1. Attend two consecutive meetings of the Club Council.
2. Register the names of its officers with the Assistant Director of Student Life.
3. Conduct a program for one year.
4. Comply with its constitutional purpose, actual or implied as interpreted by the Judicial Board.
5. Comply with or deliberately violates ASGRC Senate or Green River College policies.

Section 2: Such action by the Assistant Director of Student Life may be appealed to the Senate.
Section 3: Suspended clubs shall not be eligible to receive ASGRC budget subsidization, have any calendar dates, or conduct any business in the name of the ASGRC for one (1) academic year.

Article VI –OTHER COMMITTEES

Clause 1: Technology Fee Committee

Section 1: The technology fee committee is a committee that meets each year to determine the technology fee budget as well as if the technology fee needs to be changed. The following ASGRC members are required to be a member of the Technology Fee Committee:

1. ASGRC Vice President of Finance 
2. ASGRC Vice President of Governance  
3. Three students appointed by the ASGRC Executive Committee
4. ASGRC President - Ex-Officio

Section 2: The ASGRC Executive Committee shall appoint three students to serve on the Information Technology Fee Committee for the duration of the academic year. The executive committee must make all three appointments by the end of the fourth full week of fall quarter. If an appointed position becomes vacant, the Executive Committee shall appoint another student to fill the vacancy.

Section 3: The technology fee shall be reviews and approved by the ASGRC Senate at least every two (2) years. Any changes in the Technology fee must be voted on and approved by the ASGRC Senate

Clause 2: Commencement Speaker Committee

Section 1: Voting members of the Commencement Speaker Committee are:

1. Representing Student Body
a. President (chair)
b. ASGRC Vice President of Governance 
c. ASGRC Two Students appointed by the ASGRC Executive Committee
2. Representing the Staff and Administration
a. One staff member appointed by the ASGRC Executive Committee
b. One faculty member appointed by the ASGRC Executive Committee
c. Director of Student Activities & Engagement

Section 2: The ASGRC Executive Committee shall appoint two students to serve on the commencement speaker committee that will not apply to be the commencement speaker. The ASGRC Executive Committee must make all appointments by the end of the third full week of spring quarter. If an appointed position becomes vacant, the Executive Committee shall appoint another student to fill the vacancy.
Section 3: In the event that a student on the Commencement Speaker Committee would like to apply to be the commencement speaker, that student will be replaced by another student appointed by the ASGRC Executive Committee.

Article VII: RULES AND REGULATIONS

Clause 1: Interpretation and Enforcement of ASGRC Constitution and Bylaws

Section 1: The Governance Committee shall have the authority to interpret the ASGRC Constitution, the ASGRC Bylaws and the ASGRC Senate Standing Rules. 

Section 2: The Governance Committee shall be responsible for the enforcement of the ASGRC Constitution, the ASGRC Bylaws and the ASGRC Senate Standing Rules. 
Section 3: Interpretation and enforcement proceedings of the Senate may be initiated by any member of the association excepting members of Senate.
Section 4: Requests to Senate to change the Bylaws shall be submitted in writing to the Vice President of Governance, stating the matter being questioned and the portion of the Constitution or Bylaws, which it is alleged to be in conflict. 
Section 5: The Vice President of Governance shall, within five (5) academic days of the receipt of the request, issue notice to the members of Senate, calling for a session.  Sessions shall be held within fifteen (15) academic days of issuance of the notice
Section 6: The Senate shall have authority to disqualify any candidate running for office in an Association selection who is found guilty of breaking rules set forth in the Bylaws. 

Clause 2: Review of ASGRC Elected Officers

Section 1:The ASGRC secretary or delegate has the authority to review qualifications of all executive officers and senators of the ASGRC each quarter.  Such proceedings may be initiated by any member of the Governance Committee.  The ASGRC secretary or delegate will review:

1. Total accumulated credit hours and/or;
2. Records of attendance of an ASGRC senator at meetings of the Senate or;
3. G.P.A. status

Section 2: The information described in Section I one shall be provided to the Vice President of Governance and forwarded to the members of the Governance Committee. 
Section 3: All such information shall be considered confidential.
Section 4: The Governance Committee shall have the authority to place on probation or dismiss from office any ASGRC executive officer or senator who fails to fulfill the requirements to maintain office
Section 5: In the event an executive officer or senator is placed on probation or dismissed from office, the only information that shall be made public shall be the action taken by the Governance Committee and the requirements which the officer failed to fulfill. 

Section 6: Affected officers or senators shall have the right to request a hearing of the Governance Committee to reconsider the Committee’s action.  No request shall be considered unless it is submitted in writing to the Vice President of Governance within five (5) academic days of the written notification of the affected officer.
Section 7: he Vice President of Governance shall, within three (3) academic days of the receipt of the request, issue notice to the members of the Governance Committee calling for a session.  Sessions will be held within ten (10) academic days of issuance of the notice. 
Section 8: The Governance Committee shall follow procedures for the hearing:

1. All members of the Governance Committee must be present at a session to render its decision valid.
2. No member of the Governance Committee shall participate in any case in which they are the defendant, plaintiff, witness, or have a direct interest or knowledge.
3. A Governance Committeemember's eligibility to participate in the proceedings may be challenged by parties to the case or by other Governance Committee members. Decisions in this regard shall be made by the Judicial Board or by action of the ASGRC Senate.
4. The Governance Committee shall use such findings of fact to ensure a fair hearing and just decision.
5. Each party shall have an opportunity to:
a. Testify and/or present evidence and witnesses.
b. To rebut the opponent's testimony and/or evidence.
c. To question the opponent's witnesses.
6. A session may be recessed at any time by the Vice President of Governance subject to the approval of the Governance Committee. No recess may exceed three (3) academic days.
7. The defendant has the right to be represented by a peer, faculty member, or legal advisorof his choice during all stages of the proceeding.
8. If the defendant intends to have legal aid, the Governance Committee shall be notified at least three (3) academic days prior to the scheduled hearing.
9. Normally, proceedings will be open to all members of the College.
10.A session may be closed upon request of the defendant or by a majority vote of the members of the Governance Committee.
11. The Judicial Board may exclude from the hearing those guests who are disruptive of the proceedings.
12.The defendant shall be provided with a copy of the findings and decisions of the Judicial Board, and may appeal the decision to the College Disciplinary Board.

Clause 3: Appeals
Appeals of the Governance Committee rulings shall be considered by the College Disciplinary Board.

ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS OF THE BYLAWS

Section 1:The Governance Committee shall make and review proposed Bylaws changes for constitutionality. Once reviewed, the Bylaw changes will follow Article IX of the Constitution through approval by the Senate. 

ARTICLE IX: DATE TO TAKE EFFECT

Section 1: All of the alterations to the ASGRC Bylaws by the Bylaws Committee shall become effective immediately upon approval of the Senate, unless a longer duration of time is added to the motion by the sponsoring senator or senators.
Section 2: All of the alterations to the ASGRC Bylaws by the Governance Committee shall become effective immediately upon approval of the Senate, unless a longer duration of time is added to the motion by the sponsoring senator or senators

Appendix I: DEFINITIONS

Section 1: Special Meanings

1. Academic year is that period of time between the first day of Fall Quarter and the last day of Spring quarter.
2. Ad Hoc Committee is a temporary committee, appointed by the President, Vice President of Governance or Vice President of Finance, for the purpose of completing a specified task or objective. Upon satisfactory completion of such, the committee will be dissolved.
3. ASGRC Senate shall be the only representative of students officially recognized by the Board of Trustees.
4. The Board of Trustees is the five members of the Board of Trustees of Green River College, District 10, who are appointed by the Governor of the State of Washington.
5. Association shall mean the Associated Students of Green River College (ASGRC) which includes the Student Senate, all recognized student organizations, and all persons who are enrolled in classes at the College.
6. The College is the campus and extension centers under the supervision of Green River College, District 10.
7. College is all individuals who are enrolled in classes and/or employed by the College.
8. College President is the chief executive officer of the College appointed by the Board of Trustees.
9. The term "may" is used in the permissive sense.
10.Member is the term used to define one who belongs to, or is part of, a group.
11.Membership is the term used to define the minimum number of persons composing a group.
12.Probation is a condition that may be imposed upon an ASGRC officer or Senator by the Governance Committee for failure to fulfill the requirements to maintain office.
13.RCW is the Revised Code of Washington.
14.The term "shall" is used in the imperative sense.
15.Standing committee is a permanent committee, which considers matters of an ongoing nature.
16.Student is any person enrolled in classes at the College, either full or part-time.
17.Student organizations are those clubs, groups, or organizations of students who are officially recognized by the ASGRC Senate.
18.Active: that is acting, functioning, working, moving, etc.
19.Ratify: to approve or confirm.
20.The Governance Committee Chairperson will be referred to as the Vice President of Governance.
21. An Impeachment is the process of the removal of an elected officer.
22.The term “assist” shall be defined as: “helping with the preparation, management, and/or cleaning up of the event in question.”

23.The term “Student Leadership Group Activities” shall be defined as: “Any event organized by Student Life or CAP. These events shall also include non-mandatory events organized by the ASGRC.”