ASGRC Constitution

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

Updated May 2022

PREAMBLE

This constitution of the Associated Students of Green River College has been adopted for the purpose of fostering and developing student responsibility, interest, and participation in the activities and programs of the ASGRC, and is dedicated to the furtherance of general student welfare.

 

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Associated Students of Green River College and the organization hereafter may be designated as ASGRC.

 

ARTICLE II

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this organization shall be to provide the opportunity for student organization, for the growth of the academic and social life of the students, and to further student relations with faculty and community.

 

ARTICLE III

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 IV

GRC ELECTED AND SELECTED OFFICERS

Section 1 - Membership

The ASGRC President, Vice President of Governance, and Vice President of Finance candidates shall be selected by the 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.  Fifteen senators will be selected by the Executive Committee and the Director of Student Activities and Engagement or Designee as spelled out in the ASGRC Senate Standing Rules. 

Section 2 - Term of Office

The terms of officers shall be for one academic year (Fall Term to Spring Term). 

Section 3 - Vacancy in Office

The ASGRC Vice President of Governance shall become President in case the Office of President is vacated.  In the case of a vacancy in the Office of Vice President of Governance or Vice President of Finance, the President shall appoint a new Vice President subject to the approval by 2/3’s of the ASGRC Senate vote, within two weeks after the vacancy occurs.  In the event of all offices being vacated the ASGRC Senate Governance Committee will select from the pool of Senators to fill these positions within two weeks of vacancies. 

Section 4 - Presidential Powers

The powers of the President shall be to determine general executive policy; to appoint committees and boards, to appoint administrative assistants; to appoint students for faculty, administrative, and trustee committees; to fill all appointed officers positions with the consent of the Student Senate; serve as the Chair of the Senate Outreach committee; to sign or veto all legislation passed by the Student Senate within ten academic days of passage or they shall automatically take effect; and to perform all duties necessary to carry out executive policy related to student interests. 

Section 5 - Vice President of Governance Powers 

The Vice President of Governance shall be the chairperson of the Student Senate; does not vote unless the Senate is equally divided; serve as the chair to the Student Senate Governance Committee; serve as a student representative to the All College Council; shall insure all legislation passed by Student Senate is conveyed to the ASGRC President within two academic days of passage and perform all duties necessary to carry out legislative policy related to student interests. 

Section 6 - Vice President of Finance Powers 

The Vice President of Finance shall be the chairperson of the Student Senate Finance Committee; serve as a student representative to the All College Council, serve as a student representative to the Technology Fee Committee, serve as the chair to the 522 Budget Committee, and perform all duties necessary to carry out financial policy related the 522 budget with relation to student interests. 

 

ARTICLE V

STUDENT SENATE

Section 1 - Jurisdiction

The ASGRC Student Senate shall serve as the legislative body of the ASGRC.

Section 2 - Membership

The Vice President of Governance shall be the presiding officer of the Senate but shall have no vote unless the Senate is equally divided.  The President and Vice President of Finance shall be ex-officio members.  Voting members shall be the five Finance Committee Senators, five Governance Committee Senators, and five Outreach Committee Senators. The Director of Student Life or his/her designee shall serve as an ex-officio member in an advisory capacity. 

Section 3 - Senate Powers and Duties

The powers of the Student Senate shall be to review and approve general policy concerning activities of the ASGRC; to make recommendations to the ASGRC President and Vice Presidents; to recommend constitutional amendments and approve bylaws for this association; to review and authorize expenditures of ASGRC funds; to ratify all appointments to ASGRC standing committees or boards; and to override the President's veto with a 2/3's vote of those voting. 

Section 4 – Quorum

For purposes of legislative active membership, a quorum shall consist of 2/3s of the current Student Senate.

 Section 5 – Meetings

The Student Senate shall have a business meeting each week of the academic year, Fall Term to Spring Term, except the finals week of each quarter. 

 

ARTICLE VI

ASGRC SENATE COMMITTEES

Section 1-Finance Committee

The Finance Committee shall consist of the Vice President of Finance and five committee members.  These members shall be selected as stated in Article IV, Section 1 of the ASGRC Constitution.  The Finance Committee duties shall comply with Article IV, Section 2 in the ASGRC Senate Standing Rules and shall also comply and enforce the policies of the ASGRC Financial Code. 

Section 2 - Outreach Committee

The Finance Committee shall consist of a Finance Committee Chairperson and three committee members.  These members shall be selected as stated in Article IV, Section 1 of the GRC Constitution.  The Finance Committee duties shall comply with Article IV, Section 6, Sub-Section 1a in the GRC By-Laws and shall also comply and enforce the policies of the GRC Financial Code.

Section 3-Governance Committee

The Governance Committee shall consist of the Vice President of Governance and five committee members.  These members shall be selected as stated in Article IV, Section 1 of the ASGRC Constitution.  The Finance Committee duties shall comply with Article IV, Section 3 in the ASGRC Senate Standing Rules. 

 

ARTICLE VII

RULES OF ORDER

All ASGRC Student Senate meetings shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Revised.

 

ARTICLE VIII

BY-LAWS

Section 1 - Jurisdiction

Bylaws of the ASGRC shall be made and amended by 2/3 vote of the Student Senate. 

Section 2 - Notification of Intent

Any proposed Bylaws or amendments to Bylaws must be presented in writing to each member of the Senate and read to Student Senate seven (7) calendar days before it can be voted upon. proposed Bylaws and/or amendments shall be advertised around campus and on Canvas seven (7) calendar days prior to the Bylaw or amendment being voted upon. Locations of Bylaw changes will include bulletin boards in Student Programs, and other places readily seen by the student body. Bylaws require approval of 2/3 of the Student Senate. 

 

ARTICLE IX

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Constitutional amendments may be initiated by a petition from the student body or by action of 2/3's of the Senate.  In the case of legislative action, the suggested amendment shall be submitted to each senator in writing and read in a Senate meeting which must precede the meeting at which it is voted upon by at least seven calendar days.  The Constitution shall be amended by approval of a simple majority of students voting in a regular or special election, provided written notice of such amendment has been published and posted for ten instructional days before each election. In addition to this, the student senate will be required to provide information sessions at a set time where the Governance Committee members and the Executive Committee will be present to explain the changes to the constitution. No voting will take place at such meetings.  

 

ARTICLE X

INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM, AND RECALL

Section 1 – Initiative 

A constitutional amendment or legislative action may be demanded by a petition signed by 5% of the Student Body.

Section 2 - Referendum

A referendum action of any legislative action may be demanded by a petition signed by 5% of the Student Body.

Section 3 - Recall

Any elected official may be subject to recall upon petition signed by 5% of the Student Body.

Section 4 - Adoption

Upon receiving a petition for an initiative, referendum, or recall measure, the Senate must call a special election in not more than 15 academic days.  Initiative, referendum, or recall measures require a 51% favorable majority to pass in a special election.

 

ARTICLE XI

INTERPRETATION

Section 1 - Student Interpretation

The interpretation of this Constitution, Bylaws, and Senate Standing rules shall be the responsibility of the Governance Committee, subject ultimately to approval by the Board of Trustees of Green River College. 

Section 2 - Guidelines for Interpretation

Any interpretation of this Constitution shall be made with the view of its basic principles which are to increase and foster student responsibility, interest, and participation in the activities and programs of the Associated Students of Green River College.

 

ARTICLE XIII

ADOPTION

This constitution shall become effective upon approval of the Student Body by a 51% simple majority vote of the ballots cast at a special election in which 5% of the student body cast ballots.  This constitution upon adoption shall supersede all preceding ASGRC Constitutions.  This constitution shall become effective immediately upon adoption of the Student Body.  This constitution will be presented by the President of the college.  The final authority for approval of this constitution shall rest with the Board of Trustees of Green River College.

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