The Student Senate

Constitution
Preamble
We, the students at Tyler Junior College, in order to promote active student government, foster an
intelligent interest in all phases of College citizenship, establish better relations within the College, and
facilitate more rapid College growth, do ordain and establish this constitution to the United Students of
Tyler Junior College.

1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Student Senate composed of the
president, vice president and secretary of the general student body; the freshman and sophomore

Oath

Student Senate of Tyler Junior College, and will to the best of my ability, serve the students of Tyler
Junior College.

Student Senate, and must be nominated by an organization,representative, or senator to appear on

the ballot. Nominations will be two weeks prior to the election. The general student body Senate
president shall:
A. Have the power to set the time and place for special sessions of Senate meetings if he/she
deems them necessary.

C. Have the power to veto Senate legislation.

term) appointments; appoint committees and advisory councils to study and investigate
campus conditions and make recommendations to the Senate or to the College administration
should questions arise over jurisdiction and/or policy.

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 G. Have power to introduce and lobby for legislation as he/she deems necessary.
3. The general student body Senate vice president shall:

C. Chair a permanent election committee consisting of the general student body, Senate

elections.
4. The general student body Senate secretary shall:

throughout the year.

D. Maintain separate records of all Senate encountered problems and their solutions, and all
Senate projects and methods used for their execution.

1. The Student Senate shall have power to recommend policies necessary and proper for the general
student body welfare.
2. The Student Senate shall have all lawful student government powers, such as:
A. Override a presidential veto by a simple majority of the voting membership present.

student body activities.

E. Act as a directing force in promoting school spirit.

F. Charter new student organizations recognized by the administration as “on campus”
organizations.

Senate.
H. Declare campus organizations inactive who fail to hold more than two meetings in one
semester, thus making that organization ineligible for Senate representation. Disciplinary
action taken against an organization may deem it inactive.

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 academic or disciplinary probation or suspension.

elections.
2. Failure to attain 24 semester hours with a “C” average will invalidate the election and vacate the

3. The Director of the Center for Student Life and Involvement (CSLI) will call for special

nominating committee.

6. All senators shall make and maintain at least a ‘‘C’’ grade point average before and after election
or appointment as an organization’s representative and be actively involved in one Student Senate
Committee.

1. The Senate shall have voting representatives elected for the year from each of the following:
A. One representative from each residence hall that applies for Senate representation.

the highest number of votes from their respective classes shall assume their duties upon the
next regularly scheduled Senate meeting.

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 shall present a statement to the Senate at the second Student Senate meeting each new semester
including:

C. A $10.00 recognition fee will be assessed at the time of admission.

3. All organizations must uphold the standards of the College.

Section II
1. A newly recognized organization’s representative will become a Senate member upon the approval
of two/thirds of the voting membership present.
2. Each organization recognized by the Senate shall receive one vote in the Student Senate as well
as all rights and privileges incurred therewith. Such rights carry with them the responsibility of
Senate participation, and each organization is required to perform 10 hours of committee service
per semester and be on at least one Senate Committee.
3. Any organization which is denied voting rights and/or privileges must submit a petition for the
restoration of their votes and privileges in the same manner as that described in Section III of this
amendment.

1. If an organization acquires two absences within a semester, the organization will be placed on

the campus for disciplinary reasons,they will be on probation for one semester after which they

Center for Student Life and Involvement (CSLI).

time membership.

The Student Senate shall meet every Tuesday of each month, holidays excluded, for conducting regular
business. A majority of the representatives from all organizationsmaintaining membership in the Student
Senate shall constitute a quorum.

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1. Amendments and revisions to the constitution may be proposed by:

amendment.

majority.

present at the beginning of each fall semester.

The bylaws shall contain, as a minimum, election rules and procedures and any other laws necessary.

2. At an appropriate time, the student body president shall make announcement of the forthcoming
election.
He/she will:
A. Set a time for a candidate’s meeting, campaign assembly (if deemed advisable) and election
date.

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 Involvement the following:

Candidates have one week to return signed applications.

student transcripts).
4. Each candidate and his/her campaign manager shall speak at the campaign assembly, provided a
campaign assembly is deemed advisable, following prescribed rules.

minutes in length.

1. Elections will be held one week after applications have been signed and returned to the Center for

2. Electioneering, placing of posters, etc. shall not begin before the campaign assembly’s termination.
If assembly is not held, electioneering cannot begin until the day petitions are due in the Center for

A. Candidates shall have the right to appoint a representative to observe all vote tallying.

4. All ballots shall be turned over to the director of the Center for Student Life and Involvement

responsible for maintaining an adequate work force at the polls throughout the voting period.
7. No electioneering or loitering shall be permitted within 20 feet of the polls.

A. No signs are allowed in the Student Center lounge area, library or White Administrative
Services Center.

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1. No electioneering or loitering shall be permitted within 100 feet of the polls.
2. No nominees should be allowed in the polling area, with the exception of casting their vote. No

3. The Student Senate’s homecoming king/queen nominees must be elected by the members of the

4. Items for the Student Senate meeting agenda must be turned in to the the Center for Student Life

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