The General Assembly (GA) is the recognized governing body of all UMA Students. The GA’s mission is to promote communications between the local SGAs, and to enhance the educational environment of UMA; The GA provides support for the student body with respect to academic, social and cultural matters. The GA promotes and facilitates leadership and learning outside of the classroom. The GA fosters campus development and encourages positive campus and community relations. The GA oversees the expenditure of student funds in accordance with university policy.

General Assembly Officers

Updated 2/13/17

Augusta Campus Student Government Association
2018/2019

Updated 2/13/17

Welcome to YOUR Student Government. We are always looking for new members. We are right for you. Please stop into your SGA office with any questions, comments, or concerns. Come in and hang out, use the phone, grab a fresh cup of coffee or just say hello. We are here for you. The Student Government sponsors many activities each semester, from various guest speakers to holiday parties and more. We are always looking for fresh ideas so let us know. Read your bulletin boards to keep up on what’s happening around campus!

Bangor Campus Student Government Association
2017/2018

Updated 2/13/17

Student Government Association

CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS

CONSTITUTION

Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) General Assembly (GA) of the Student Government Association (SGA).

Article II: Mission Statement 

Section I: Mission Statement of the General Assembly

The GA is the recognized governing body of all UMA students. The GA’s mission is to promote communications between the local SGAs, and to enhance the educational environment of UMA; the GA provides support for the student body with respect to academic, social and cultural matters. The GA promotes and facilitates leadership and learning outside of the classroom. The GA fosters campus development and encourages positive campus and community relations. The GA oversees the expenditure of student funds in accordance with university policy.

Section II: Mission Statement of the SGA

The Student Government Association (SGA) is the elected governing body of their local campus, with the duty to enhance the educational environment by supporting academic, social and cultural events both on and off campus. The SGA promotes and facilitates leadership and learning outside of the classroom, fosters campus development, and encourages positive campus and community relations. The SGA is one of the primary funding sources for University recognized clubs and organizations, and oversees the expenditures of student funds in accordance with University policies and represents the interests of the students of the campus. The SGA provides a place for students to bring forth campus related issues and concerns.

Article III: Purpose

Section I: Purpose Statement of the GA

The GA represents the interests of all students of UMA. As the primary source of communication and policy formulation for all students, the GA, upon request, may represent a local campus. The GA cultivates leadership development by organizing and promoting leadership conferences. All SGAs shall honor the authority of the GA as declared by this Constitution, the policies of UMA and the University of Maine System (UMS) Board of Trustees.

Section II: Purpose Statement of the local SGA

The local SGA represents the interests of the students of the local campus. All SGAs shall honor the authority of the GA as declared by this Constitution, the policies of UMA and the University of Maine System (UMS) Board of Trustees.

Article IV: Membership

The GA is comprised of representatives from the Augusta and Bangor SGAs and representatives from Distance Education (DE). Any change in UMA campus locations shall be incorporated accordingly. Augusta and Bangor shall have one vote for every SGA member present at the GA meeting; the number of voters from each campus may vary from meeting to meeting (from zero to nineteen). The Distance Education Student Coordinator (DESC) designates the DE voting members for each meeting.  The total number of votes for DE may vary from meeting to meeting (from zero to nineteen), depending upon the number of DE representatives in attendance at each meeting.

Section 1: Composition of the GA

The Executive Officers of the GA shall be Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Executive Secretary, Director of Budget and Finance, Distance Education Student Coordinator (DESC), and Student Representative to the Board of Trustees. These individual offices will be filled by election with the exceptions of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson who will be a President of a local SGA and appointed according to the policies listed in the bylaws. The Student Representative to the Board of Trustees is nominated by the members of the GA; the nomination is then forwarded through the President to the Chancellor for approval by the Board for Trustees.

Section 2: Composition of the Local SGA

Representation to the local SGA occurs through open elections at each campus. The officers of the local SGA shall be President, Vice President, Executive Secretary, Budget and Finance Manager, Public Relations Coordinator, Activities Coordinator, and up to twelve (12) Representatives. The guidelines for the election process, requirements for eligibility, as well as the descriptions of specific duties will be outlined in the bylaws. The individuals that hold the office of President, Vice President, Executive Secretary, Budget and Finance Manager, Public Relations Coordinator, Activities Coordinator and, if applicable, the Student Representative to the UMS Board of Trustees shall form the Executive Board of the local SGA.

Article V: Appointment of Advisors

The University’s Dean of Students shall designate by appointment, the GA’s and local SGA’s Advisors. The Co-Advisor for the DESC shall be appointed by the University College administration. Advisors shall attend meetings of the GA and Local SGA as non-voting members.

Article VI: Meetings

The GA shall meet on a monthly basis during the fall and spring semesters at the discretion of the Chairperson. The GA Chairperson must notify all local SGAs as well as the DESC of the GA meeting schedule at the start of each semester. All local SGA Presidents shall convene meetings of their SGA on a monthly basis, excluding the month of July; however, additional meetings may be called.  A copy of meeting schedules must be posted at accessible locations on campus and made available by request to the President of the University, the Dean of Students, and the Coordinators of Student Life.

Article VII: Quorum                                                                                                 

Section I: Quorum at the GA

To conduct business at the GA, the majority of all local SGAs must be represented and at least 51% of the GA members eligible to vote must be present.

Section II: Quorum at the SGA

Local SGAs must have at least 51% of their voting members present to conduct business.

Article VIII: Amendments

The Constitution may be amended following an approved Ad-hoc GA Amendment Committee proposal and a thirty-day (30) public notice at all SGA locations. Local SGAs must then approve the amendment(s) by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the full membership. A majority of the local SGAs must pass the amendment(s) to bring it to the GA. The proposed amendment(s) must then pass by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of all eligible votes as allocated by the GA in order for the amendment(s) to be approved. Amendments approved by the GA must be submitted to the UMA President and UMS Chancellor, acting on behalf of the UMS Board of Trustees, for final approval.

Article IX: Ratification

Following final approval by the UMA President and UMS Chancellor and GA ratification, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the GA, this Constitution and/or amendment(s) will render null and void all previous Constitutions and/or conflicting amendments. Upon ratification, the new Constitution and/or amendment(s) will take effect immediately, unless another timeline is specified in the successful motion for ratification.

This GA acknowledges that the Board of Trustees is the legal governing body of the University of Maine System and that nothing within its constitution or governing documents shall be construed as granting to the GA/SGA, the authority to act outside the policies of the Board of Trustees.

(University of Maine System Policy Manual, Governance and Legal Affairs Section 201, Governance Document).

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to suspend, amend or otherwise alter this constitution if the Board finds, at any time, that the provisions of this Constitution are contrary to the policies of the Board of Trustees.

BYLAWS

Article I: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility

To serve as a member of the GA, a campus based student must first become a member of a local SGA. To do so, the candidate must:

  Be a student of UMA and not matriculated into a degree program at any other institution of higher education.

• Have completed 80% of all UMA courses attempted within the last four years; new students will be exempt from this rule for the first year.
• For Representative, maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher and be enrolled with a minimum of three credit hours per semester. Executive Officers shall maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, and be enrolled in at least six (6) credit hours per semester.
• Declare a home campus where they will seek nomination and election if enrolled in classes at more than one campus.
• Be elected by his/ her peers.
• For President, must have served on SGA for one semester and maintain all of the requirements listed above. In the event this criteria cannot be met, then it will be up to the discretion of the Advisor(s).

Section 2: Electorate Body

The body of voters shall consist of all students currently assessed UMA student activity fees.

Section 3: Guidelines for SGA Elections

To be placed on a ballot for election, the candidate must:

• Meet the basic requirements defined in Article 1: Section 1.
• Complete a nomination form signed by fifteen members of the local student electorate and returned to the local SGA Advisor no less than seven (7) calendar days prior to the election.
• If the candidate campaigns, they must abide by the guidelines established in the operations manual.
• To be elected, students must receive a plurality of votes cast for a position and a minimum of 10% of votes cast in the election.
• Students may not be elected to more than one position within their Local SGA.

Notes:

1. Elections will not be held during regularly scheduled school vacations. If a term break is scheduled during a period specified for elections, the election will be postponed by one (1) week.

3. A: Spring Elections

Spring elections shall occur during the first full calendar week of April, Monday through Saturday. The student body shall elect the Executive Board and six (6) Representatives at this time for a term of one (1) year. The elected officers begin their term the day after Commencement.

3. B: Fall Elections

Fall elections shall occur during the fourth week of fall classes, Monday through Saturday. The student body shall elect six (6) Representatives and fill any vacant Executive and/ or Representative positions for the remainder of the academic year. Elected officers begin their term at the next SGA meeting following the elections.

Section 4: GA Elections

• The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the GA serve a one (1) year term in accordance with the rotation defined in Article III of these Bylaws.
• The GA will elect the GA Executive Secretary and the GA Budget and Finance Manager for a one (1) year term at the GA meeting in April. The elected officers begin their term the day after Commencement.
• The GA nominates a student to serve as the UMA Student Representative to University of Maine System to (UMS) the Board of Trustees (BOT). The nomination is forwarded through the President to the Chancellor for submission, then to the UMS BOT for approval.  

The DESC will be elected following the normal SGA Executive Board process.

Note: Students cannot hold more than one executive board positions within the GA.

Article II: Dues

Membership dues for the local SGAs shall be paid to the GA in order to defray the costs incurred by the GA. The rate of dues shall be 5% of the total activity fee revenues collected each semester for SGA. DE dues will be 3% of the Student Association (SA’s) combined budgets. SA’s dues to DE will be 10% of SA’s combine budget. Payment of dues shall be made on or before November 15^th for the fall semester and March 15^th for the spring semester.

Article III: Succession of GA Chair/ Vice Chair Positions

Each year, the positions of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the GA shall be filled by Presidents of the local SGAs. The Chairperson will be appointed according to alphabetical order of affiliation (e.g., Augusta, Bangor.) Any change in UMA campus locations shall be incorporated accordingly. The local SGA that provides an eligible Chairperson shall provide an eligible Vice Chairperson the following year. Failure to produce an eligible Chairperson will forward the position to the next campus in the rotation.

Article IV: Responsibilities of the GA

• Facilitates operations of local SGAs at any UMA campus location when a local SGA fails to be formed.
• Recruits members of the student body to assemble and serve as the local student government when there is none in existence.
• Promotes development of leadership and organizational skills.
• Provides political forums for student’s concerns for all campuses and locations of UMA.
• Upon request, provides representation from the student body of UMA on committees formed within UMA.
• Reserves the right to petition or poll the student body as deemed advisable by the GA or UMA.
• Reserves the right to form student led referendums and initiatives.

Article V: Duties of the GA Executive Board

Responsibilities of the GA executive officers are defined below. Officers must perform all duties of their positions.

Note:. The Executive Board shall have the authority to approve, through simple majority of members present, up to $100.00 in funding for GA business requests that are time sensitive. All funding allocations must be read into the minutes of the following GA meeting. This funding is limited to one allocation per event.

Section 1: Chairperson of the GA

• Presides over GA meetings
• Speaks on behalf of the student body
• Meets with University personnel as required
• Serves on University committees as required
• Appoints students to serve on committees
• Oversees the management of the budget
• Develops the meeting agenda with the consultation of the GA Executive Board and Advisors
• Attends the meetings of the BOT if the BOT Representative position becomes vacant or the current BOT Representative is unable to attend a scheduled meeting
• Maintains communication with the GA Executive Board and Advisor
• Casts the deciding vote or ballot in the event of a tie
• Performs additional related duties as requested by the Advisor

Section 2: Vice-Chairperson of the GA

• Presides over the GA in the absence of the Chairperson
• Audits the GA budget
• Maintains communication with the GA Executive Board and Advisor
• Performs additional related duties as requested by the Chairperson or Advisor
• Attends all GA meetings

Section 3: Executive Secretary of the GA

• Posts the meeting agenda to the current electronic site one week prior to the meeting
• Accurately records all discussions, actions, and assignments of the GA meetings
• Posts the minutes of the previous meeting  to the current GA electronic site within one week of the meeting
• Posts the approved meeting minutes to the current GA electronic site within one week
• As needed, submits updates for the GA  to the current electronic site(s)
• Maintains communication with the GA Executive Board and Advisor
• Performs additional related duties as requested by the Chairperson or Advisor
• Attends all GA meetings

Section 4: Budget and Finance Manager of the GA

• Accurately accounts for all monetary transactions of the GA
• As requested, maintains communication with the Finance Office of UMA
• As requested, provides documentation of expenditures and revenue to the Finance Office
• Authorizes, in conjunction with appropriate Advisors, all approved expenditures of the budget as required
• Provides a budget report at each meeting
• Maintains communication with the GA Executive Board and Advisor
• Performs additional related duties as requested by the Chairperson or Advisor
• Attends all GA meetings

Section 5: Student Representative to the University of Maine System (UMS) Board of Trustees (BOT)

• Attends the meetings of the UMS BOT
• Represents the student body of UMA at the System level
• Advocates for the issues and interests of the UMA student body
• Provides written and oral reports of the BOT to the GA for further discussion and feedback
• Meets with University personnel as required
• Serves on University committees as required
• Attends all the meetings and activities of their local SGA
• Attends all the meetings of the GA
• Attends the meetings of other SGAs by invitation
• Maintains communication with the GA Executive Board and Advisor
• Must actively participate in at least 5 hours of official local SGA on-campus duties each week; not limited to office hours
• Performs additional related duties as requested by the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, or Advisor

Section 6: Distance Education Student Coordinator (DESC)

• Encourages students from distant centers and sites to attend meetings of the GA
• Speaks on behalf of the DE student body
• Serves as a liaison between the GA and the individual centers and sites
• Attends all GA meetings
• Assigns voting rights to DE members prior to GA meetings
• Maintains communication with the GA Executive Board and Advisor
• Serves on University committees as required
• Maintains files pertinent to the responsibilities of this position
• Performs additional related duties as requested by the Chairperson or Advisor

Note: This position does not fall under the rotation for the GA Chair or Vice Chair.

Article VI: Responsibilities of the SGA

• Promotes the development of leadership and organizational skills
• Advocates on behalf of students at their campus
• Provides an opportunity for student concerns to be expressed and acknowledged within their Local SGA
• Represents the students’ voice in campus governance
• Provides social and professional learning opportunities for members
• Develops and promotes various campus activities that:
• encourage educational growth
• develop cultural awareness
• provides a sense of campus community
• represent the campus to the external community
• Reserves the right to petition or poll the student body as deemed advisable by the GA, SGA or the University
• Reserves the right to form student led referendums and initiatives

Article VII: Duties of Local SGA Officers

Responsibilities of local officers are defined in the sections that follow. All SGA officers shall maintain close communication with their peers so that the needs of the students can be expressed and served. Executive Board members of the SGAs cannot serve as a President of a campus club/organization. In the event of a vote, please refer to Article XII: Ethics of the Bylaws.

Note:  The Executive Board shall have the authority to approve, through simple majority of members present, up to $100.00 in funding for SGA business requests that are time sensitive. All funding allocations must be read into the minutes of the following SGA meeting. This funding is limited to one allocation per event.

Section 1: President of SGA

• Speaks on behalf of the student body of his/ her campus
• Assumes the role of Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of the GA when the rotation dictates
• Attends all GA meetings
• Presides over SGA meetings and Executive Board meetings
• Develops meeting agendas in conjunction with the Executive Board and Advisor
• Serves on committees
• Appoints students to serve on committees
• Oversees management of the budget
• Maintains files pertinent to the duties of this office
• Initiates procedures to fill vacancies
• Casts the deciding vote or ballot in the event of a tie
• Appoints voting members for GA meetings
• Maintains communication with the Student Life Office of their campus
• Attends all local SGA activities
• Performs additional duties as requested by the Advisor(s)

Section 2: Vice President of SGA

• Assumes the presidency when that office becomes vacant
• Attends all GA/SGA meetings
• Presides over SGA meetings in the absence of the President
• Presides over SGA Executive Board meetings in the absence of the President
• Maintains an inventory list of all SGA property
• Audits SGA budget
• Maintains files pertaining to the duties of this office
• Attends all local SGA activities
• Performs additional related duties as requested by the President or Advisor(s)

Section 3: Executive Secretary of SGA

• Accurately records all discussions, actions taken and assignments of SGA meetings
• Attends all GA meetings within his/ her term of office
• Posts the GA and SGA minutes and agendas in accessible areas on campus one week prior to the meeting
• Posts the approved meeting minutes to the current SGA electronic site within one week
• Forwards copies of the approved minutes and agendas from each meeting to the Student Life Office in Augusta
• Maintains files pertinent to the duties of the Executive Secretary and archived records of the SGA
• Assists the Public Relations Coordinator with mass correspondence to students regarding upcoming events
• Attends and participates in SGA sponsored events and activities
• Performs additional related duties as requested by the President or Advisor(s)

Section 4: Budget and Finance Manager of SGA

• Attends all GA meetings within his/ her term of office
• Develops and submits a budget for the fiscal year to the SGA for approval
• Accurately accounts for all monetary transactions of the SGA
• Authorizes, in conjunction with the President and appropriate Advisor, all approved expenditures of the budget
• Advises the SGA on all financial matters
• Provides budget reports for the SGA at each meeting
• Maintains files pertinent to the duties of this office
• Provides documentation of expenditures and revenue to the Finance Office as requested
• Maintains communication with the Finance Office of UMA
• Attends and participates in SGA sponsored events and activities
• Performs additional related duties as requested by the President or Advisor(s)

Section 5: Public Relations Coordinator of SGA

• Attends all GA meetings within his/ her term of office
• Coordinates activities with the University’s public relations officer

Ø  Plans and coordinates publicity efforts for SGA activities, events, and committeesØ  Builds and maintains relationships with local media outletsØ  Facilitates communication with the campus communityØ  Maintains and updates web site information pertaining to the SGA

• Maintains communication with the Student Life Office of their campus
• Coordinates with the Executive Secretary mass communications to students regarding upcoming events
• Maintains files pertinent to the duties of this office
• Attends and participates in SGA sponsored events and activities
• Performs additional related duties as requested by the President or Advisor(s)

Section 6: Activities Coordinator of SGA

• Attends all GA meetings within his/ her term of office
• Recruits participants from the student body for the Student Activities Committee
• Develops, plans and promotes varied activities and events that benefit the student body
• Collaborates with other officers to form an assessment plan regarding the effectiveness of activities
• Consults weekly with the SGA Advisor(s)
• Coordinates with budget and finance and presents proposals to the SGA for the approval and financial support of events and activities
• Maintains files pertaining to the duties of this office
• Attends and participates in SGA sponsored events and activities
• Performs additional related duties as requested by the President or Advisor(s)

Section 7: Student Body Representative

• Attends all SGA meetings
• Attends a minimum of four (4) GA meetings within their term of office
• Attends committee meetings as appointed
• Aids in the planning of SGA sponsored events and activities
• Attends and participates in SGA sponsored events and activities
• Assists in promotion of SGA and events
• Performs additional related duties as requested by the President or Advisor(s)

Article VIII: Attendance

Section 1: GA Meetings

All GA officers selected by appointment or election must attend all meetings of the GA, in addition to Executive Board meetings. If circumstances arise that will cause an absence, tardiness, or early departure the GA officer must notify the Chairperson and/or GA Advisor within 24 hours before or after the meeting. After three (3) absences within his/ her term of office, the GA may dismiss the officer. This serves as official notification of the policy.

Section 2: SGA Meetings

Attendance at all SGA meetings is mandatory. In addition Executive Board members must attend Executive Board meetings. If circumstances arise that will cause an absence, tardiness, or early departure the SGA member must notify the President and/or SGA Advisor within 24 hours before or after the meeting. After three unexcused absences within his/ her term of office, the SGA, through official vote, may dismiss the member. This serves as official notification of the policy.

Section 3: Activities and Events

Each local SGA shall define attendance policies for SGA sponsored events.

Article IX: Committees

Committees shall be formed when deemed necessary by the GA or local SGA or when requested by the President of the University or designee. The Chairperson of the committee shall be responsible for communicating the progress of the committee at the meetings of the GA or local SGA.

Article X: Order of Business

The basic outline for conducting business at a meeting shall consist of:

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Secretary’s Report: Reading and approval of the minutes of the previous meeting and making any corrections necessary
4. Budget and Finance Report: Presentation of the current financial state of the organization
5. BOT Report: Presentation by the Student Representative to the Board of Trustees
6. Student Activities Report: Presentation of the activities and events that are in development or completed
7. Committee Reports: Presentation of committee updates and activity
8. Unfinished Business: any topics from prior meetings that require additional action
9. New Business: any new topics that should be discussed and resolved
10. Open Discussion/ Announcements
11. Adjournment

Agenda items that do not fall into these categories shall be placed on the agenda at the discretion of the Chairperson, President or Advisor.

Article XI: Parliamentary Authority

If proper protocol is not resolved within this Constitution and Bylaws, or within the Operations Manuals of the GA or local SGA, reference must then be made to the appropriate guidelines defined within the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article XII: Ethics

All members must refrain from voting in the case of conflict of interest. Conflict of interest is defined as having personal gain, individual or monetarily, from the outcome of the vote at hand. If any SGA member is a part of a club/organization, they must abstain from any vote directly effecting that club/organization.

Article XIII: Resignations, Vacancies and Successions

Section 1: Resignations

Resignations from any position within the GA or local SGA must be submitted in writing to the Chairperson of the GA, President of the local SGA, or the GA/SGA Advisor. Once received the recipient must immediately forward the letter to the other parties listed above. The letter must be signed, dated, and include the day the resignation becomes effective. The resignation shall be announced at the next meeting. All letters of resignation will be archived in the advisor’s office at his/ her respective campus.

Section 2: GA Vacancies

• Chairperson or Vice Chairperson vacancies shall be filled by the newly appointed President of the local SGA, in accordance with the current campus rotation schedule.
• Vacancies in the Director of Budget and Finance or Executive Secretary positions shall be announced at the next scheduled GA meeting and filled at the following GA meeting.
• Proceedings to fill vacancies in the BOT position must be initiated by the GA Chair at the meeting where the vacancy is announced. Nominations to fill this position must be forwarded to the UMA President at the earliest possible time. Normally, this will occur before the passage of the next two GA meetings. The Chairperson of the GA must attend meetings of the BOT while the BOT position remains vacant.

Section 3: SGA Vacancies

• Efforts to fill Executive Board positions shall begin immediately upon notification of the vacancy.
• Vacancies shall be filled through a nomination and election process at a local SGA meeting.
• Nominees to fill vacant Executive Board positions shall first be solicited from among current Representatives. In the event that there are no such nominees or such nominees fail to be elected, nominees will then be solicited from among the general student population.
• Nominees to fill a vacant Representative position shall be solicited from among the general student population.
• If the office of Vice President becomes vacant, the President must nominate a candidate to present to the SGA for confirmation. The candidate does not need to be a member of the SGA.
• If the office of President becomes vacant while the Vice Presidency is vacant the Executive Secretary may assume the Presidency and nominate a candidate for Vice President. If the secretary declines or the position is vacant the succession is as follows: Budget & Finance Manager, Activities Coordinator, and Public Relations Coordinator in succession until the office is filled.
• Interim positions are only valid until the next scheduled election.

Article XIV: Reprimands and Dismissals

Section 1: Reasons for Reprimands

Ø  Failure to notify inability to attend a meeting or event

• Disruptive behavior at events or activities sponsored by the GA, SGA or the University
• Failure to complete the tasks or duties as assigned
• Misrepresentation of authority

Section 2: Actions to take for reprimands at the GA

All warnings will be given in a small group consisting of the GA Chairperson, Advisor and the individual receiving the warning. In each case, the subject of the proposed action will be provided an opportunity to make a verbal or written response prior to any decision to take action.

1^st offense – verbal warning

2^nd offense – written warning with a copy filed in the office of the Advisor

3^rd offense – individual may be dismissed from office

Appeal – the individual may request a vote be taken during the next regularly scheduled GA meeting.

In each case, the subject of the proposed action will be provided an opportunity to make a verbal or written response prior to any decision to take action. If the individual receiving the reprimand/ warning is the GA Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson shall join the meeting as the GA Executive Board representative. The GA may take actions to reprimand officers that are elected at the GA level. The GA Chairperson and Vice Chairperson may not be dismissed from office by the GA. However, the GA will notify the Advisor and Vice President of their Local SGA of the infraction and request appropriate action.

Section 3: Actions to take for reprimands at the Local SGA

All warnings will be given in a small group consisting of the President, Advisor and the individual receiving the warning. In each case, the subject of the proposed action will be provided an opportunity to make a verbal or written response prior to any decision to take action.

1^st offense – verbal warning

2^nd offense – written warning with a copy filed in the office of the Advisor

3^rd offense – individual may be dismissed from office

Appeal – the individual may request a vote be taken during the next regularly scheduled SGA meeting.

In each case, the subject of the proposed action will be provided an opportunity to make a verbal or written response prior to any decision to take action. If the individual receiving the reprimand/ warning is the SGA President, the Vice President shall join the meeting as the Executive Board representative.

Section 4: Reasons for Immediate Dismissals

Members of the SGA will be dismissed for failing to:

• Comply with the SGA Constitution or these Bylaws
• Meet eligibility guidelines

Section 5: Hazing

In accordance with the policies of the State of Maine and the Board of Trustees of the University of Maine System the injurious hazing of any student enrolled at the University of Maine at Augusta is prohibited. This organization or its members shall not create, or permit to exist, any situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of a student enrolled at UMA. If this organization violates these rules it shall lose all right to conduct activities at UMA and all benefits of affiliation with UMA. Any student member, whose conduct violates these rules, shall be subject to suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate disciplinary action through the UMS Student Conduct Code.

Article XV: Referendums and Initiatives

• The GA/SGA may bring forth ideas, issues and petitions brought forward from students to the administration of the university. The GA/SGA has the authority to poll the student body. The GA/SGA also reserves the right to form student led referendums and initiatives.

Article XVI: Ratification and Amendments

Section 1: Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended following an approved Ad-hoc GA Amendment Committee proposal and a thirty-day (30) public notice at all SGA locations. Local SGAs must then approve the amendment(s) by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the full membership. A majority of the local SGAs must pass the amendment(s) to bring it to the GA. The proposed amendment(s) must then pass by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of all eligible votes as allocated by the GA in order for the amendment(s) to be approved. Amendments approved by the GA must be submitted to the UMA President and UMS Chancellor, acting on behalf of the UMS Board of Trustees, for final approval.

Section 2: Ratification

Following final approval by the UMA President and UMS Chancellor and GA ratification, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the GA, these Bylaws and/or amendment(s) will render null and void all previous Bylaws and/or conflicting amendments. Upon ratification, the new Bylaws and/or amendment(s) will take effect immediately, unless another timeline is specified in the successful motion for ratification.

Section 3: Policy Formation

The GA or local SGA shall retain the authority to determine and regulate its own policies and procedures.  These documents must be written through a parliamentary committee and approved by a majority vote by the GA or local SGA.   The policies must adhere to the policies defined within these Bylaws, the Constitution of the GA and the policies and guidelines defined by UMA and the UMS BOT. Policies and procedures approved by the GA or local SGA shall become the Operations Manual.

This GA acknowledges that the Board of Trustees is the legal governing body of the University of Maine System and that nothing within its bylaws or governing documents shall be construed as granting to the GA/SGA, the authority to act outside the policies of the Board of Trustees.

(University of Maine System Policy Manual, Governance and Legal Affairs Section 201, Governance Document).

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to suspend, amend or otherwise alter these Bylaws if the Board finds, at any time, that the provisions of these Bylaws are contrary to the policies of the Board of Trustees.