CONSTITUTION OF THE

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY STUDENT GOVERNMENT

(SUSG)
PREAMBLE
We, the students of Silliman University, imploring the aid of Almighty God, imbued with the
spirit of leadership and service, declare our commitment to establish a truly representative government of
the students, that shall embody, promote and uphold the ideals of Truth, Justice, Equality and Peace
within the realms of the university, in the country, and the world through the reasonable acceptance of
responsibility, efficient performance of duty, genuine concern for people and an enlightened participation
in the effort to help mankind attain a life of dignity. Towards these ends, we do hereby proclaim and
ordain this constitution.

ARTICLE I
NAME OF ORGANIZATION
Sec. 1---The student body shall be officially called the Silliman University Student Government,
hereinafter referred to as the SUSG.

ARTICLE II
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES
Sec. 1---The SUSG shall be an autonomous and truly representative student body. It shall exercise
legislative powers, implement the approved resolutions, petitions and such measures deemed beneficial to
students.
Sec. 2---The SUSG shall encourage the autonomy of the various college/school councils subject to the
provisions governing the relationship between them and the SUSG, but they shall remain part and parcel
thereof.
Sec. 3---The SUSG shall ensure the rights of the students to be actively represented in the vital policyformulating bodies of the university and such others affecting student life.
Sec. 4---The SUSG shall pronounce the intellectual, physical, social, moral and spiritual well-being of the
students and shall initiate relevant projects and activities in pursuit of these goals.
Sec. 5---The SUSG shall uphold the ideals of constructive activism by adopting the policy of peaceful
negotiations in seeking reforms and resolving problems/disputes, which may arise between the students
and faculty or administration.
Sec. 6---The SUSG shall adopt the principles of shared responsibility with the university and the
community for purposes commonly beneficial to them.
Sec. 7---The SUSG shall serve as a training ground for future leaders in the art of responsible
government.
Sec. 8---The SUSG shall instill discipline on the students within its jurisdiction and all accordingly
initiate measures relative to its policy.
Sec. 9---The SUSG shall be the supreme governing body of all students including all college/school
councils and campus organizations. In the exercise of such power, it may call upon students,
college/school councils and campus organizations for assistance in the implementation of its policies and
programs.

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Sec. I---All those officially enrolled in the university as bonafide students in high school, college and
post-graduate schools as member of the SUSG.
Sec. 2---Withdrawal of enrollment from the university at any time shall mean the automatic loss of
membership.

ARTICLE IV
STUDENTS RIGHTS
Sec. 1---Every student shall have the right to receive competent instruction and high quality education to
ensure his/her total development.
Sec. 2---Every student shall have the right to freely express his/her ideas and opinions. This right shall
carry with the right to publish student papers as well as the right to invite resource persons during
lectures, symposia and other activities of similar nature, provided it is in conformity with the university
rules and regulations.
Sec. 3---Every student shall have the right to freely choose his/her desired course or field of study, subject
to no restrain other than the reasonable academic standard requires in a particular course.
Sec. 4---Every student has the right to access to his/her own class and academic records.
Sec. 5---Every student has the right, upon completion of requirements, to immediate issuance of
diplomas, transcript of records, grades, transfer credentials and other official documents relative to his/her
enrollment in the university.
Sec. 6---Every student has the right, in conformity to the university policies, to form and/or join campus
organizations and societies.
Sec. 7---Every student shall have the right to be informed and be advised of the school curricula, policies,
rules and regulations, and all matters that may directly or indirectly affect him/her.
Sec. 8---No student shall be suspended, expelled or otherwise be subjected to any disciplinary action
without due process at which he/she shall be present and be heard.
Sec. 9---Excessive fines, involuntary contributions and other unauthorized solicitations shall not be
imposed upon the students.
Sec. 10---Every students or group of students shall have the right to petition for the suspension or
expulsion of a teacher for incompetence and/or immorality.
Sec. 11---Every student has the right to have access to university facilities, in conformity to Sec. 4, Article
V of this constitution.

ARTICLE V
STUDENTS DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS
Sec. 1---It shall be the primary duty of every student to abide by the university rules, regulations and
policies deemed relevant in pursuit of a wholesome education.
Sec. 2---It shall be the duty of every student to give due respect to the faculty and staff, the administration
and the rest of the studentry as expected to reciprocate him/her.
Sec. 3---It shall be the duty of every student to seek peaceful redress of grievances and strive to maintain
peace and order in the university premises.
Sec. 4---It shall be the duty of every student to protect and preserve university property and facilities.
Sec. 5---It shall be the duty of every student to actively support projects initiated by the SUSG or by the
university for common benefit.
Sec. 6---It shall be the duty of every student to render respect and allegiance to the color, logo, and other
symbols representing the university.
Sec. 7---It shall be duty of every student to know how to sing the Silliman song.
Sec. 8---It shall be the duty of every student to be acquainted with the SUSG constitution.
Sec. 9---It shall be the obligation of every qualified student to cast his/her vote during the SUSG
elections, referenda and plebiscites.
Sec. 10---It shall be the obligation of every enrolled student to pay the SG fee every semester upon
enrollment.

ARTICLE VI
SUFFRAGE
Sec. 1-1---The right to suffrage shall be exercised by all students who are members of the SUSG.
Sec. 1-2---No residence qualification nor citizenship requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of
suffrage.

ARTICLE VII
THE STUDENT ASSEMBLY
Sec. 1---The legislative power of the SUSG shall be vested on the Student Assembly.

Sec. 2---The Student Assembly shall be composed of elected representatives of the different
colleges/schools of the university.
Sec. 3---The elected representatives of the Student Assembly shall be appointed among the different
colleges/schools which shall have the initial two (2) representatives for each college/school and an
additional representative on a uniform ration of 1:200 in excess of 400 students.
Sec. 4---The elected members of the Students Assembly shall serve a term of one (1) school year starting
from the first day of the school year they are supposed to assume office to the last day thereof.
Sec. 5---No student shall be elected member of the Student Assembly unless he/she has a residency of at
least one (1) semester in the college/school he/she is representing immediately preceding his/her election,
a cumulative QPA of at least 2.25 and a load of at least twelve (12) units.
Sec. 6-1---Unless otherwise rescheduled for reason of expediency, the annual SUSG election shall be held
on the last Wednesday of February.
Sec. 6-2---In case of vacancy in the Student Assembly, it shall be filled by the qualified candidate who
garnered the highest number of votes following the last available slot of the respective college/school
concerned during the last election. The speaker shall designate the said candidate as a member of the
Student Assembly within thirty (30) days after the occurrence of the vacancy. In case of disqualification
or refusal to accept office, the issue of vacancy shall be resolved by the Student Assembly.
Sec. 7---The Student Assembly shall convene at least once every month for its regular meeting, the
specific date and time of which shall be decided by the Student Assembly during its first meeting.
However, special meeting shall be called for the Speaker of the Assembly or by a written request of at
least one-third (1/3) of the total members of the Student Assembly.
Sec. 8---The Student Assembly shall determine its house rules and by a two-third (2/3) vote, discipline
suspend or expel any member violating these rules depending on the gravity of the offense.
Sec. 9-1---The Student Assembly on its first meeting shall upon a vote of a quorum, elect the speaker of
the Assembly and other officers as necessity dictates from among the members thereof.
Sec. 9-2---The Student Assembly, during the first meeting shall temporarily be presided over by the
SUSG president. Upon election of the Speaker, the former shall cease to function as such.
Sec. 10---The Student Assembly shall elect representatives for the various university committees that
need student representation such as the University Publication Board, Religious Life, Dormitory Life,
Cultural affairs and SUMC Hospital Board.
Sec. 11---The Student Assembly shall record all its proceeding for future reference. The records of the
Student Assembly shall be open for observation to any student subject to its practicability. Provided,
however that proper arrangement with the secretary and the Speaker participate in the deliberations of the
Student Assembly.

ARTICLE VIII
THE PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENT, AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES
Sec. 1-1---The executive power shall be exercised by the cabinet.
Sec. 1-2---The Cabinet shall be composed of the President, Vice-President and the representative heads of
the Executive Committees who shall be appointed by the president, by virtue of their merits and
qualification.
Sec. 2---Members of the cabinet may or may not be elected representatives, provided that majority of
whom shall be elected representatives of Student Assembly.
Sec. 3-1---The President and Vice-President shall be elected a plurality of votes cast by the entire
studentry, being members of the SUSG in a yearly election except when there is only one (1) candidate, in
which case a simple majority (50% + 1) of the total votes cast shall be required.
Sec. 3-2---No student shall be elected President or Vice-President of the SUSG unless he/she has a
residency of at least one (1) school year in the university immediately proceeding his/her election, a
cumulative QPA of at least 2.50, and a load of twelve (12) units.
Sec. 4---The President shall have control over all Executive Committees.
Sec. 5-1---In case of the Presidents absence, the Vice-President shall temporarily assume the office of the
President.
Sec. 5-2---In case of the Presidents permanent incapacity, removal from office, resignation or death, the
Vice-President shall assume the office of the President for the rest of the term.
Sec. 5-3---The Vice-President may perform such other functions as may be designated by the President.
Sec. 5-4---In case of the vacancy in the office of the Vice-President, the Speaker shall temporarily
perform the functions of the Vice-President until a new Vice-President shall have been elected in a special
election. Such special election shall be held within thirty (30) days upon the occurrence of the vacancy,
provided however, that if the vacancy occurs within sixty (60) days immediately before the end of the
school year, no special election shall be called.

Sec. 6---The Cabinet shall be responsible for the planning and the implementation of the SUSG programs
and activities.
Sec. 7---There shall be a dialogue between the students and Cabinet at least once every semester. In like
manner, the President with the Vice-President shall have a dialogue with the student assembly at least
once every semester.
Sec. 8---Every resolution, petition and other measures passed by the Student Assembly before it comes
valid shall be presented to the President. If he/she approved the same he/she shall sign it, otherwise
he/she shall veto and return it to the Student Assembly for reconsideration; if the same is approved by
two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Student Assembly, it shall become valid. The President shall act on every
petition, resolution and other measures passed by the Student Assembly within fifteen (15) days after the
receipt thereof; otherwise, it shall become law as if he/she had signed it.
Sec. 9---The resignation or removal of any elected representative of the Student Assembly from the
Cabinet does not mean the relinquishment of his/her seat in the Student Assembly.
Sec. 10---The number of Executive Committees shall be limited to twenty (20), including the Finance
Committee, Secretariat, Students Rights and Welfare (STRAW), Special Projects, Sports, Dormitory
Life, Religious Life, Social Services, Social Awareness, Socio-Cultural Affairs, Information and Media,
and the Committee on Student Organizations.
Sec. 11-1---The President and the Vice-President may be removed from office by impeachment with the
concurrence of two-third (2/3) of the total members of the Student Assembly.
Sec. 11-2---The impeachment proceedings shall be conducted by the Committee on Impeachment.

ARTICLE IX
CONSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEES AND THE JUDICIARY
A. Judiciary
Sec. 1-1---The Judiciary shall exercise individual judicial powers in all cases related to the conduct of
student in the university. It shall therefore hear and decide cases brought to its attention on all forms of
student misconduct.
Sec. 1-2---The decision of the Judiciary is final and executory.
Sec. 2---The Judiciary shall have the power to summon concerned parries on cases brought before it.
Sec. 3---The Judiciary shall be independent from Executive and Legislative branches of the SUSG.
Sec. 4---The Judiciary shall, based upon its findings, recommend to the University Disciplinary Board for
or against the suspension, expulsion or imposition of other disciplinary measures meted upon the students
concerned.
Sec. 5---The Judiciary shall have the exclusive jurisdiction of revision, repealing or affirming decisions of
Judicial Committees in various college/school councils upon appeal.
Sec. 6---The Judiciary shall be composed of the Prime justice and six (6) other Justices who shall be
appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Committee on Appointments and who shall not
be members of the Student Assembly. Provided however, that at least two (2) among the six (6) Justices
shall be law students.
Sec. 7-1---The Prime Justice must be at least a junior law student having a cumulative QPA of 3.0 with at
least one-year residency in the College of Law prior to his/her appointment and be of good moral
standing.
Sec. 7-2---In case nobody qualifies or accepts the position of Prime Justice, the members of the Judiciary
shall elect among themselves the Prime Justice.
Sec. 7-3---no student shall become justice unless he/she has a residency of at least one (1) school year
prior to his/her appointment, a cumulative QPA of at least 3.0 and be of good moral standing.
B. Committee on Appointments
Sec. 1---The Committee on Appointments shall set the criteria for appointments other than those
embodied in the constitution for all presidential appointees. It shall screen candidates for appointment.
Sec. 2---The Committee on Appointments shall recommend, upon proper screening, to the President all
candidates for appointment. However, the exclusive right to choose members of the Cabinet is vested on
the President.
Sec. 3--- The Committee on Appointments shall be composed of five (5) members who shall be elected
from among the members of the Student Assembly during the first meeting, one of whom will be elected
chairman among themselves.
Sec. 4---No member of the Committee on Appointments shall hold any appointive position in the SUSG.
C. Committee on Elections (COMELEC)
Sec. 1-1---The COMELEC shall conduct elections pertinent to the SUSG.

Sec. 1-2---The COMELEC shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all election protests and its decisions
shall be executory, subject to the appeal to the Judiciary.
Sec. 2---The COMELEC shall be composed of a chairman and four (4) members who shall be appointed
by the President upon recommendation by the Committee on Appointments.
Sec. 3---The COMELEC shall appoint other personnel who shall be called the COMELEC staff, to assist
in the conduct of elections.
Sec. 4---No member of the COMELEC shall come from the Student Assembly.
Sec. 5---The COMELEC shall formulate election guidelines in harmony with and not contrary to the
SUSG constitution, including the accreditation of political parties.
Sec. 6---The COMELEC shall maintain impartiality at all times.
D. Committee on Impeachment
Sec. 1---There shall be five (5) members of the Committee on Impeachment, who shall be elected from
among the members of the Student Assembly during its first meeting; one of whom shall be elected as
chairman from among themselves.
Sec. 2-1---The Committee on Impeachment shall have the exclusive right to conduct impeachment
proceedings on the President, Vice-president, Chairman and members of the Constitutional committees,
the Judiciary and members of the Student Assembly upon a written complaint by at least one-fourth (1/4)
of the total members of the Student Assembly or twelve percent (12 %) of the total members of the
SUSG.
Sec. 2-2---In case any members of the Committee on Impeachment is subject to impeachment, he/she
shall be temporarily suspended from his/her position. The Student Assembly shall then elect from among
themselves a member to temporarily replace the concerned.
Sec. 2-3---No impeachment proceedings can be initiated unless on the basis of gross misconduct and
culpable violation of the SUSG Constitution, abuse of power, neglect of responsibilities, anomalous deeds
of maladministration.
Sec. 3--- The Committee on Impeachment shall upon intensive investigation and trial, endorse to the
Student Assembly for the removal or retention of the official/officials recommended for impeachment,
whereupon a two-third (2/3) vote decides the matter.
E. Committee on Audit
Sec. 1---The Committee on Audit shall have the power to review and examine all financial records of the
SUSG.
Sec. 2---The Committee on Audit shall certify and confirm all financial records of the SUSG.
Sec. 3---The Committee on Audit shall be composed of three (3) members who shall be elected from
among the members of the Student Assembly during the first meeting; one of whom shall be elected
chairman from among themselves.
F. Common Provisions
Sec. 1---All members of the Judiciary and Constitutional committees shall serve a term of one (1) school
year as that of the member of the Student Assembly.
Sec. 2---The integrity of the Judicial and the Constitutional Committees shall always be maintained.
Sec. 3---No member shall serve more than one (1) of the Constitutional Committees.

ARTICLE X
THE COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL COUNCILS
Sec. 1---The college and high school councils shall be the local administration arms of the SUSG.
Sec. 2--- The college and high school councils shall have their respective Constitutions in harmony with
and not contrary to the SUSG Constitution.
Sec. 3---Each college or high school councils shall have the power to generate local funds to support its
projects and undertakings.
Sec. 4---The heads and Governors of the various college and high school councils shall be in constant
consultation with the President to foster a harmonious working relationship between them.

ARTICLE XI
SPECIAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 1---The Constitution shall, be binding upon all students of the university.
Sec. 2---The SUSG shall be independent from university control. The Student Personnel Office (SPO)
shall function as advisory body to the SUSG.

Sec. 3-1---The standing fund of the SUSG shall be raised from the SG fee collected from each student
every semester upon enrollment.
Sec. 3-2---The amount of SG fees shall be determined by the Student Assembly.

ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS
Sec. 1---Any amendment to, or provision of, this constitution shall be proposed to and by the Student
Assembly.
Sec. 2-1---At least one-fourth (1/4) of the total members of the Student Assembly shall submit into
writing the proposed amendment of the constitution for deliberation and approval of the Student
Assembly.
Sec. 2-2---Any amendment to the Constitution shall be valid and shall take effect upon ratification of
three fourth (3/4) vote of the Student Assembly.
Sec. 3---Any revision of this Constitution shall take effect upon ratification of majority of the votes cast
in a plebiscite called for the purpose.

ARTICLE XIII
RATIFICATION
Sec. 1---The Constitution shall take full force and effect upon ratification by majority of the votes cast by
the members of the Student Assembly.
Sec. 2---This Constitution has been ratified on March 11, 1991, superseding the 1982 SUSG Constitution.

ARTICLE XIV
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
Sec. 1---The President of the SUSG shall issue executive orders and letters of implementation during the
period of transition.
Sec. 2---The provisions in the Constitution of the various student councils and organizations, including
the Council of Student Organizations (CSO), which are inconsistent herewith are deemed repealed of
impliedly amended as the case may be.