Preamble

We the students of South Dakota State University, in order to establish a self-governing student body, and to promote the best interests of the students and the entire University, do set forth these laws.


Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the South Dakota State University Students’ Association, hereafter referred to as the Corporation.


Article II. Purpose

Section 1. Its objective shall be to govern in the best interests of the students, direct student organizations within the University’s purpose and structure, and represent the students before the University community and the citizens of the State of South Dakota, subject to the rules established by the Board of Regents of the State of South Dakota.

Section 2. To review bylaws and constitutions for all student organizations and to review proposed new by-laws and constitutions. These groups shall include but not be limited to student organizations and all branches of the Students’ Association.


Article III. Membership

Section 1. All fee-paying students of South Dakota State University shall be members of the Corporation.

Section 2. The Corporation shall not discriminate in any manner against any individual because of age, race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, disability, national origin or sexual preference.


Article IV. Executive Branch
Section 1. Officers

A. Elected Officers: The elected officers of the Corporation shall be the Corporate President and the Vice President.

B. Appointed Officers: The non-elected officers may be:

1. Administrative Assistant

2. Finance Chairperson

3. Other positions may be created by the elected officers with Senate consent.

C. Eligibility

1. At the time of election, the Corporation Vice President, President, and appointed officers of the Corporation must fulfill and maintain the following requirements and maintain them throughout the term.

a. Must be registered in at least six (6) credits at SDSU.
b. Must hold a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a four (4) point scale.
c. Officers must be in good conduct standing with the University.

2. Candidates for the offices of President and Vice President may not be classified as freshman at the time of their nomination.

D. Multiple Offices: No officer shall hold more than one office concurrently.

E. Multiple Terms: Any officer may serve more than one term if re-elected or re-appointed.

F. Training of Successors: All officers shall be responsible for training their successors at no extra cost to the Corporation.

G. Simultaneous Office: Candidates for Corporation President and Vice President may not be candidates for the Senate at the same time and cannot hold both offices simultaneously.

H. Attendance: All elected and appointed officers are required to attend all regular Senate and Board of Directors meetings. Any absences in excess of three (3) unexcused absences shall be grounds for removal. All excused absences must be approved by the President or in the case of a Presidential absence by the Board of Directors. Removal shall follow procedures outlined in Article V, Section 3,K.

I. Office Hours: All elected and appointed officers shall be required a minimum average of 15 hours per week in the Senate office in order to receive compensation for a given month.

Section 2. Elections

A. Term of Office: Both elected officials shall hold office for the term of one year beginning on the third (3rd) Monday in March.

B. Nominations

1. The Senate shall open nominations for slates for the offices of the President and Vice President in a meeting not later than the fifth (5th) week preceding the Corporation election.

2. Nominations for a slate consisting of the presidential candidate and the vice presidential candidate shall remain open for a period of three (3) weeks.

3. Nominations shall close at a Senate meeting no later than two (2) weeks preceding the week of the election.

4. During the nomination period, nominations can be made at a Senate meeting by a Senator, by making a motion and receiving a second.

5. A slate may also enter the race by filing a petition signed by 5% of the members of the Corporation.

6. A petition is due at the same time as petitions for Student Senate.

C. Election Scheduling and Administration

1. The Senate shall set the election the second (2nd) week in December.

2. The election day shall not be earlier than the second (2nd) Monday in February nor later than the second (2nd) Friday in March.

3. The election shall be administered by the Board of Directors acting as the election steering committee.

D. Election Results

1. The slate receiving a plurality of votes cast shall be elected.

2. If no slate receives 30% or more of the votes cast, or ends in a tie, within an academic week a run off election shall be held between the two slates with the most votes.

E. Write-In Votes: Write-in votes shall be considered void.

F. Withdrawal

1. To withdraw, a slate must submit written notice to the Corporation Vice President.

2. Withdrawal of a slate shall be published in the Corporation newspaper by the Election Steering Committee.

G. Campaign Expenses

1. Total Sum: Each year before the election process begins, the Finance Chairperson, with approval of the Senate shall set a total sum to be reimbursed to all slates who enter the race.

2. Reimbursement Amount

a. The following formula shall be used for determining the amount of the reimbursement for each slate:

1) Each slate shall receive the total amount allocated for reimbursement divided by the number of slates or eighty-five percent (85%) of their expenditures, whichever is smaller.

b. No funds shall be disbursed until adequate documentation (i.e., expense receipts) is provided to the Finance Chairperson.

H. Vacancies

1. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President shall assume the duties of President.

2. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Vice President, the President shall appoint a Vice President with approval by two-thirds majority vote of the total Senate membership.

3. Upon simultaneous vacancy, the Senate shall elect a person to fill the office of President for the remainder of the term by a two-thirds majority vote of total membership. The Administrative Assistant shall chair the Senate meeting until such an election is conducted.

4. Officers will be automatically removed if previously stated eligibility requirements are not met and maintained. Special allowances may be granted by the Board of Directors.

I. Removal by Election

1. Petition

a. Upon submission of petitions to the Senate calling for the removal of either elected officer and bearing the signatures of not less than ten (10) percent of the members of the Corporation, the Senate shall set a date for a special recall election to be held not less than two (2) weeks and not more than four (4) weeks after the receipt of the petitions.

b. A two-thirds vote of the Corporation members voting shall be necessary to remove either elected officer.

2. Senate Vote

a. Upon three-fourths vote of the total Senate membership, the Board of Directors shall set up a special election as outlined previously for the removal of either elected officer.

b. Such a measure may not be vetoed by the Corporation President.

3. Scheduling of Removal Elections

a. The special election may not be held during the summer session nor during periods when classes are not in session.

b. Notice of the elections must be published in the Corporation newspaper at least one (1) week prior to the election.

J. Election Grievance Procedures

1. The Corporation Senate shall maintain a document to be identified as the “Students’ Association Election Grievance Procedures”. This document shall fully prescribe all procedures pertaining to the administration and sanctions allowable for an election grievance.

2. Approval of the document and any amendments must be completed annually prior to the second (2nd) week in December.

Section 3. Powers

A. President

1. Shall act as chief executive and shall execute the provisions of the By-Laws and all regulations as adopted by the Senate. He/She shall hold the corporate seal and be responsible for the carrying out of all Corporation duties as specified by the State of South Dakota.

2. The President (or his/her appointee) shall serve as chairperson of the Senate, Board of Directors, and the University Activity Fee and Budget Committee. He/She shall be responsible for calling meetings and distributing agendas and minutes.

3. No later than two weeks after the election, the President shall appoint non-elected officers and other salaried positions of the Corporation with the approval of the Senate.

4. The President shall prepare and submit the annual Corporation operating budget to the Senate. The budget shall be forwarded to the Student Senate and University Activity Fee and Budget Committee.

5. To oversee all Corporation expenditures.

6. To call the Senate into special session upon 24 hours notice.

7. Veto

a. The President shall have veto power over all legislation except appointments.

b. The President must notify the Senate of the veto within seven days or the bill will be considered passed.

c. The Senate can override a veto by a two-thirds vote of those members present and voting.

8. To name a replacement to the Vice-President if he/she is unable to perform his/her duties.

9. To hire and name a replacement for appointed officers.

10. The power to recommend the removal of the Corporation Lawyer with two-thirds Senate approval.

11. To form committees.

B. Vice President

1. To fill the office of President in the event the office becomes vacant.

2. To carry out any duties as deemed necessary by the President.

3. Shall have full voting privileges at Senate meetings.

4. To supervise the activities of all committees with Corporation membership.

5. To supervise the election steering committee.

C. Finance Chairperson

1. Shall act as a liaison between the Corporation and groups funded by the Corporation.

2. Must attend Senate meetings and is subject to the Senator attendance policy.

3. At Senate meetings may make motions and debate but shall not have a vote unless he/she is a Senator.

4. Shall act on all directives given by the President or the Senate.

5. To sign all orders on the treasury for the disbursement of Corporation funds.

6. Shall be responsible for maintaining the Corporation’s financial records.

7. To present weekly summary of the Corporation operating expenditures to the Senate for informational purposes.

8. To monitor, on behalf of the Senate, the expenditures of fees approved and authorized by the University Activity Fee and Budget Committee.

9. Shall see that the SDSU Accounting Office receives a copy of all finalized, categorized budgets of organizations that are funded by student fees.

10. Shall serve as a non-voting member of the Board of Directors.

D. Administrative Assistant

1. To serve as a special assistant to the Corporation President and Senate.

2. Must attend Senate meetings and is subject to the Senator attendance policy.

3. May make motions and debate but shall not have a vote unless he/she is a Senator.

4. Shall act on all directives given by the President and the Senate.

5. Shall serve as a non-voting member of the Board of Directors.

6. Shall monitor and manage all general procedures and daily functions of the Corporation’s main office.

7. Shall supervise all Office Assistants and other salaried personnel who have not been elected or appointed.

8. Shall coordinate and administer all regular and special elections in conjunction with the election steering committee, except in such cases as their name appears upon any of the election ballots.

9. Shall act as official recorder of minutes for all regular meetings, or shall supervise personnel salaried to transcribe such minutes.

10. Shall update and maintain the Students’ Association Code and the Corporation By-Laws.

Section 4. Professional Employees

A. Corporation Lawyer

1. Shall act according to the yearly contract signed by both the Corporation Lawyer and Corporation President

2. Shall report and be responsible to the Corporation President.

3. Shall provide appropriate legal services for Corporation members as determined by the Senate.

4. Shall work with the Off Campus Housing Director in resolving landlord-tenant conflicts.

5. When a vacancy in the position of Corporation Lawyer occurs, the following procedures must be employed in the search and screening:

a. The Corporation President shall appoint a committee consisting of at least one representative of the Dean of Student Affairs, and the Off Campus Housing Director. Others may be appointed at the discretion of the Corporation President.

b. Upon conclusion of the selection process by committee, they shall recommend at least one candidate for employment to the Corporation President.

c. The candidate will then be forwarded to the Student Senate for two-thirds Senate approval.

Section 5. Duality of Office

A. No person shall hold more than one of the following positions concurrently: Corporation President, Corporation Vice President, Finance Chairperson, Administrative Assistant, or other Corporation appointed officers, Collegian Editor, Collegian Managing Editor, Jackrabbit Editor, UPC Hobo Day Committee Chairperson, or University Program Council President.


Article V. Legislative Branch

Section 1. Student Senate

A. Governing Body: The governing body of the students shall be the Student Senate.

B. Definition: The Senate shall be a single body consisting of the representatives elected or appointed from each of the seven colleges and the School of Graduate Studies within the University.

C. College Composition: The colleges shall be: Agriculture and Biological Sciences, Arts & Sciences, Engineering, General Registration, Family and Consumer Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy, and School of Graduate Studies. Students not representing a specific college or the Graduate School will only be considered according to Article V. Sec 2E.6.

D. Eligibility

1. All Corporation Senators must fulfill at the time of the election and maintain the following requirements:

a. Must be enrolled in the college or division he/she represents at the time of the election, with the exception of the College of General Registration where you must have been enrolled for a minimum of one entire semester during their academic career at SDSU if they are no longer in the College of General Registration.

b. Must be registered as a full-time student.

c. Must hold a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a four point scale.

d. Must be in good conduct standing with the University.

2. Senatorial candidates who are enrolled in the Graduate Studies Program or are graduating seniors who prove that they have applied or will be attending Graduate School at the University in the fall semester must campaign under the college of Graduate Studies.

E. College Apportionment: The number of Senators from each college shall be determined once each year according to the Corporation membership at the end of the fall semester and in the following manner:

1. Each college will be allocated one Senatorial seat for each four percent (4%) of the Corporation membership enrolled in the college. Any resulting fraction of a seat greater than one-half (0.5) shall grant that college an additional Senatorial seat. No college shall be apportioned less than three Senators.

F. Additional Representatives

1. Additional representatives shall be identified as ex-officio members and shall not exceed eight (8) members.

a. Criteria: Organizations to be designated as ex-officio organizations shall be selected based on the following criteria:

1) Should not be an organization with a partisan political focus.

2) Should not be an organization with college or academic departmental focus.

3) Should not represent constituencies already represented by currently elected or appointed senators.

4) Should provide adequate evidence that they would otherwise remain underrepresented if not given an ex-officio position.

5) Should represent an entire population and not a specific aspect of that population.

6) Once granted a position the organization must provide in their organizational by-laws and/or constitution an officer or appointee that shall serve as an ex-officio senator. The organization shall be granted a period of one year to enact any changes necessary or the granted position shall be revoked.

b. The following are the names of the eight (8) organizations designated to send ex-officio representatives. All of the listed organizations shall maintain this status indefinitely unless violations as stated in Article V, Section 1, F-4 are committed. The organization may otherwise not be removed unless requested by the organization in question. New organizations requesting ex-officio seats may only fill vacant positions.

1) Native American Club

2) Students with Disabilities

3) Greek Council

4) Vacant

5) Vacant

6) Vacant

7) Vacant

8) Vacant

2. Ex-officios are required to abide by the attendance policy outlined in Article V, Section 3, K of the Corporation By-Laws.

3. Duties of ex-officios include:

a. Two office hours per week

b. All normal duties and speaking privileges of Senate membership with the exception of voting.

c. Providing at least a monthly report of activities of their organization.

d. Attending all SA functions, unless they provide an excused absence to the President.

4. Ex-officio members who fail to comply with the attendance policy or any of the above listed duties shall be removed in the following manner:

a. The ex-officio’s organization shall be notified of the members delinquency and asked to replace the member.

b. If an organization refuses to send a new representative the seat shall be suspended for the remainder of the current term.

c. Any organization that leaves a seat vacant for a period of one (1) year or more shall have representation removed from Article V, Section 1, F-1,b.

Section 2. Elections

A. Election Results
1. Individuals receiving the largest number of votes shall fill accompanying seats for respective colleges (i.e. the top three vote recipients would be elected if a college holds three seats), with the exception of the college of General Registration where the first seat shall go to the student currently enrolled in the college receiving the most votes. The other seats will go to the top persons receiving votes whether they are currently enrolled in the college or have been in the past


B. Term of Office

1. Members of the Senate shall be elected by the Corporation members for a term of one year, coinciding with the terms of the Corporations President and Vice President.

2. Incoming Senators shall assume their duties each year on the third (3rd) Monday in March.

3. Any member may be elected for more than one term.

C. Nominating Procedures

1. Candidates shall be nominated by petition to be available for distribution not later than the fifth (5th) week preceding the Corporation elections.

2. Petitions shall be signed by fifty Corporation members in the candidate’s college or division, or five percent of the college, whichever is less, with the exception of the college of Graduate Studies where candidates need thirty (30) signatures..

3. Petitions must be filed in the Corporation office no later than 10:00 PM on Monday of the second (2nd) week preceding the Corporation elections.

4. The Board of Directors will check for the validity of the signatures.

5. The names of the candidates shall be published in the issue of the Corporation newspaper following the filing deadline.

D. Withdrawal

1. Written notice must be submitted to the Corporation Vice President.

2. Withdrawal of a candidate shall be publicized by the Election Steering Committee.

E. Tie Votes: In the case of a tie vote for the last position in the college to be filled, a run off election shall be held between the tied candidates not later than fourteen days after the first election.

F. Vacancies

1. In the case of a vacancy in the Senate, a committee consisting of no less than five and no more than nine senators shall interview candidates for the vacancy.

2. The committee must include all members of that college’s delegation and must be chaired by a member of that college’s delegation. If there are no Senators in the college’s delegation, the Administrative Assistant shall chair the committee.

3. Senate shall approve the selections by a two-thirds vote of the members present.

4. Seats not filled within seven months after the election shall remain vacant until the next election.

5. All applicants who wish to be considered a candidate for a vacancy must petition 50 signatures or ten percent (10%), whichever is less, with the exception of Graduate Studies which needs thirty (30) signatures or then percent (10%), whichever is less, from the students within their respective college.

6. Designated seats not filled by the respective college through the Corporation election Process and application process shall be opened on or after the third meeting of the fall semester of the Students’ Association Senate to at-large students who will represent SDSU.

Section 3. Powers of Senate

A. The Senate shall have the responsibility to promote student interests of South Dakota State University.

B. Shall fill student membership on University committees in accordance with policy as set by the University President and the Academic Senate.

C. Shall review all budget requests and cooperate with the University Activity Fee and Budget Committee to recommend expenditures and the student activity fee to the President of the University.

D. Shall review Media Council appointments to the positions of editor of the Corporation newspaper, editor of the Corporation yearbook and manager of the Corporation radio station. Shall then have the authority to request for substitute appointments where the proposed appointments are deemed unsuitable. Media Council shall then have authority to accept or deny such recommendations.

E. Legislation

1. No legislative act shall violate the By-Laws of the Corporation.

2. All legislation shall be recorded as either an ordinance or a resolution.

a. Ordinances:

1) Any formal action taken by the Senate that affects the operation of the Senate and/or the Corporation shall be known as an ordinance.

2) An ordinance, until altered by subsequent acts of the Senate, is a legislative act that binds both current and future legislative and executive action.

b. Resolutions:

1) Any act taken by the Senate of a temporary character or for the purpose of requesting or commending action by organizations or persons outside the authority of the Corporation or for the purpose of recommending a funding allocation to the University Activity Fee and Budget Committee shall be known as a resolution.

3. Voting

a. Ordinances:

1) Ordinances shall receive two readings before the Senate no less than seven calendar days apart.

2) Ordinances failing initial passage may require no further legislative action.

3) Ordinances failing secondary passage shall receive no further legislative action for the remaining academic year.

4) The Senate chairperson shall have discretion whether amendments incurred at second reading significantly affect the intent of a given ordinance as to warrant an additional reading.

5) Ordinances may be approved following the first hearing, if an emergency is declared and two-thirds of the elected members or Senate approve the ordinance(s).

6) Upon enactment, ordinances may be amended or repealed by a majority vote following prescribed rules of conduct.

7) The first reading of an ordinance shall only require a majority vote as a committee of the whole. Second readings shall require a majority vote by roll call except when such ordinance pertains to an amendment to the Corporation by-laws as defined in this document.

b. Resolutions

1) Resolutions may be passed following one reading.

2) Upon enactment, resolutions may be amended or repealed by majority vote.

3) It shall be to the discretion of the Senate chairperson whether resolutions shall be voted by roll call or as a committee of the whole.

4. Proposal of Legislation

a. Upon enactment, proposed legislation that conflicts with existing resolutions and ordinances shall have precedence.

b. Legislation shall require the sponsorship of at least two members of the Corporation one of which shall be a voting member of Senate.

c. Legislation may also be initiated by means of a petition.

1) Petitions shall require the signatures and identification numbers of 100 members of the Corporation.

2) All petitions must be filed with the Corporation President a minimum of three calendar days prior to the next meeting of the Senate.

5. Documentation

a. Proposed legislation must designate in typewritten form: the date, whether it is a resolution or an ordinance, the name of the sponsors, a title and a description of the proposed legislation.

b. The Corporation newspaper and radio station shall be notified of proposed ordinances both prior and following second reading.

c. The Corporation newspaper and radio station shall be notified, when possible, of proposed resolutions and shall be notified following Senate reading.

d. Upon enactment, ordinances and resolutions shall be maintained in a document to be known as the Students’ Association Code.

F. Meetings

1. Shall hold weekly meetings while school is in session.

2. Has the power to call a special meeting upon 24 hours notice, by submitting to the President a written request signed by one-fourth of the total Senate membership. A quorum of at least one-half of the total Senate membership shall be needed to conduct business.

G. Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall be the parliamentary authority.

H. College Caucuses

1. Shall be formed by each of the elected colleges or divisions.

2. Caucuses shall consist of all Senators representing that college or division.

3. The caucus member chosen as representative to the Board of Directors shall be chairperson of the caucus.

4. The caucus shall convene at least once a month. The caucus shall provide an opportunity for Collegiate student groups in their college or division to present information as deemed appropriate to further the Senator’s ability to represent every constituent. Caucus meeting time shall be publicized with adequate notice.

5. On the first meeting of the month, the President shall include a Senate agenda item that provides Board of Director members an opportunity to report on activities in each college caucus.

I. To remove the President or Vice President in the manner outlined previously.

J. May remove any officer it appoints or approves, by a three-fourths majority of the total Senate membership.

K. Removal of Senators



1. Removal: Removal must be considered by the Board of Directors upon failure to fulfill duties as stated in Section 3.

2. Attendance: Senators may be recalled by a unanimous vote of the remaining Board of Directors members and a three-fourths vote of the Senate membership. Before removal may be considered the following provisions must be met:

a. The Senator being removed has more than three (3) unexcused absences from Senate or committee meetings. Excused absences must be approved by the Corporation President and/or Vice President.
1. Guidelines for absence from any regular Senate meeting shall be as follows:
A. Acceptable Absence:
1. Sickness
2. Conflict with testing
3. Family emergency
4. Adverse weather conditions
5. Univ. excused absence
B. Unacceptable Absence:
1. Studying for a class/test
2. Employment obligations
3. Other campus organization meetings
4. Failure to remember scheduled meeting time, place, etc.
2. Guidelines for absence from any committee meeting shall be as follows:
A. Acceptable Absence
1. Sickness
2. Conflict with testing
3. Family emergency
4. Adverse weather conditions
5. Scheduled class
6. Regularly scheduled work shifts
7. Univ. excused absence
B. Unacceptable Absence:
1. Studying for a class/test
2. Other campus organization meetings
3. Failure to remember scheduled meeting time, place, etc.
3. Failure to proxy a vote for an excused absence from any meeting shall automatically result in an unexcused absence.
4. All of the above guidelines are subject to the discretion of the Corporation President and/or Vice President.

b. Removal may also be necessary if Senatorial duties are not fulfilled, as stated in Section 3.

3. Removal Announcement: The Board of Directors must announce the possible removal of the Senator at a regular Senate meeting at least one week prior to the removal vote.



4. Removal Election

a. A removal election shall be held in an individual college upon the receipt by the Senate of a petition signed by ten percent (10%) of the Corporation membership in the Senator’s college, calling for the removal of that Senator.

b. The proposed election shall be held not less than two (2) nor more than four (4) weeks after the date of presentation of the petition.

c. These weeks shall exclude summer session.

d. Notice of the removal election shall be published in the Corporation newspaper at least one week prior to the election.

e. It shall require two-thirds of the vote’s cast to remove the representative from office.

5. Eligibility: Senators will automatically be removed if previously stated eligibility requirements are not met and maintained. Special allowances may be granted by the Board of Directors.

6. Filling Vacancies: In the case of a Senator being removed, the vacancy shall be filled according to the Corporation By-Laws.

L. To form committees on a need basis.

M. To select a representative to sit on the Board of Directors by each college caucus.

N. To amend By-Laws in a manner consistent to the By-Laws.

O. To nominate Corporation Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates.

P. To set election dates within guidelines stated in the Corporation By-Laws.

Q. To approve Corporation office expenditures totaling over $100.

R. To review By-Law changes in student organizations.

S. To serve on standing committees of the Senate created by the President.

Section 4. Board of Directors

A. Membership

1. Shall consist of the Corporation President, who shall serve as chairperson, Vice President and one Senator from each college as voting members.

2. All appointed officers shall be non-voting members.

B. College Representative: Within three weeks after the Senate convenes, the Senators of each college shall caucus and select one representative to serve on the Corporation Board of Directors.

C. Duties

1. Serve as the Corporation Committee on Committees, recommending for Senate appointment the student members on all committees with Corporation representatives.

2. Shall direct, with Senate approval, all legal activities and all actions involving legal consultation, lawsuits, and court action.

3. May act in lieu of the Senate if there are compelling reasons that the Senate cannot be called into session. There will be a review of the action at the next regular meeting of the Senate.

4. Shall act as the Election Steering Committee for the operation of all elections.

Section 5. Advisors

A. University President: The Senate shall include the University President or their appointee as an ex-officio, non-voting advisor to the Senate.

B. Faculty and Administration Advisors: The Senate shall select its own advisors. Two advisors shall be selected from the faculty or administration of the University.

C. Senate Choice: The Senate shall review annually the role of the Advisors. The advisors shall serve staggered, two year terms, and may be reappointed.

D. Duties: Advisors shall serve as resource personnel to the Corporation officers and Senate.

E. The Corporation will have an advisor registered with the Department of Student Activities.



Article VI. Corporation Finances

Section 1. Administration of Student Activity Fees

A. Cooperation: All student organizations and the Senate shall work together to assure that student fees are spent within the limits imposed by the University Activity Fee and Budget Committee and the Senate.

B. Operations: The Finance Chairperson shall receive a copy of all final budgets approved by the University Activity Fee and Budget Committee.

C. Budgetary Changes: The Senate shall have authority to make shifts in budget categories or to increase spending authority within the limits delegated to them by the University Activity Fee and Budget Committee.

D. Reports: All student fee funded organizations shall supply financial reports to the Finance Chairperson at his/her request.

Section 2. Fee Process

A. Fund Requests: Any organization seeking funds from student fees must submit a request to the Finance Chairperson and to the chairperson of the University Activity Fee and Budget Committee.

B. Finance Committees
1. Each Finance Committee shall consist of the following:
a. Finance Chair
b. A minimum of two (2) Corporation senators assigned to each duly received budget request.
2. The Corporation Vice President shall assign senators to each of the Finance Committee(s).
3. Each Committee shall review its assigned budget(s) thoroughly. Including:
a. Review and compare overall and line-item budget history.
b. Find and correct all accounting errors.
c. All other pertinent topics specific to the budget request.
4. Each committee shall meet with its organization’s advisor and student representative at least two (2) weeks before the organization’s scheduled Senate hearing to discuss and finalize the budget request.
a. Necessary corrections to the budget should be made by the organization and an updated copy of the budget request be made available to the Committee for finalization within 48 hours after the meeting.
b. The organization must provide the Committee with the specified number of copies of the finalized budget request at least one week before their Senate hearing.
c. The finalized budget shall be distributed to all Senators at least one week before the Senate hearing.
5. The Committee will notify the organization of its recommendation at least one week before the organization’s scheduled Senate hearing.
6. The Committee will make an allocation recommendation to the Senate.
7. The Committee must be prepared to defend its recommendation in the context of the overall budget picture at the Senate hearing.
8. The Committee should be prepared to be actively involved in the Senate hearing discussion.

C. Senate Hearing
1. The Senate Hearing will be scheduled by the Finance Chair


D. University Activity Fee and Budget Committee

1. An administrative committee under the office of the President of the University.

2. It will establish procedures it considers appropriate and necessary for the receipt, evaluation, and approval of budget requests. This will include the relationship with the Senate and the Finance Chairperson.

3. The committee may delegate certain responsibilities for the administration of activity budgets.

Section 3. Fee Allocation

A. Corporation Budget: Allocation of the Corporation operating budget or reserve shall be approved by the University Activity Fee and Budget Committee prior to assuming any financial obligation. It is understood that this shall not preclude the payment of just debts of the Corporation as a whole.

B. Fee Collection: The Corporation student fees shall be collected from each Corporation member each spring, fall and summer semester.

C. Final Budgets

1. Upon final approval of the student fees, each organization will submit its final budget to the University Activity Fee and Budget Committee Chairperson and to the Finance Chairperson of the Corporation.

2. Procedures for changes in the final budgets will be established by the University Activity Fee and Budget Committee, who may delegate such authority to the Finance Chairperson.

Section 4. Financial Affairs

A. Audit: The Corporation shall be required to have an audit at the end of each fiscal year.

B. The Corporation will abide by all applicable laws and regulations of the state of South Dakota, the Board of Regents, and SDSU pertaining to financial affairs.


Article VII. Amendments To The By-Laws

Section 1. Corporation Petition

A. Petition: Any member of the Corporation may present an amendment to these by-laws. An amendment consistent with the corporation Articles of Incorporation, may be initiated by a petition of presented to the Senate, bearing the signatures of at least five percent (5%) of the Corporation members.

B. Special Election: Upon receipt of the petition, the Senate shall hold a special election no earlier than two (2) nor later than four (4) weeks after the receipt of the petition.

C. Publication: The proposed amendment shall be published in the Corporation newspaper at least once prior to the election.

Section 2. Senate Vote

A. Vote: Upon a two-thirds vote of its total membership, the Senate may initiate an amendment.

B. Publication: The proposed amendment shall be published in the Corporation newspaper at least once.

C. Opposition: If the amendment is opposed as shown by a petition signed by five percent (5%) of the Corporation members, a special election will be held.

D. Second Passage: If no petition is presented within two weeks of publication, the amendment will be considered adopted after second passage by the senate with a two-thirds majority vote of the total Senate membership.

Section 3. Final Approval

A. President of the University: Final approval of any amendment will be made by the President of the University.

B. Date of Effectiveness: The revised By-Laws become effective on the date the President of the University approves them.

Section 4. Permanent Copy: All By-Laws shall be prepared in permanent form and kept on file in the Corporation office and shall be available to the Corporation members upon request.


Revised: August 1999