Part One: University and College Governance

CHAPTER 130: SUNY Cortland

130.01 College Council
130.02 Administrative Organization
130.03 College Faculty
130.04 College Administrative Conference
130.05 Auxiliary Services Corporation
130.06 Cortland College Foundation
130.07 SUNY Cortland Alumni Association
130.08 Standing Committees Advisory to the President
130.09 Interdisciplinary Centers
130.10 Statement on Diversity

130.01 COLLEGE COUNCIL

The College Council consists of nine members appointed by the governor, serving staggered seven-year terms, and one student elected yearly by the student body. It has certain supervisory responsibilities, including the following: to recommend candidates for appointment as president of the College, to review major plans for operation of the College properties, to review proposed budget requests, to foster the development of advisory citizens' committees, to name buildings and grounds, and to make or approve regulations governing the conduct and behavior of students.

130.02 ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION

The College is administered by the president, the president's staff and the faculty. The president, as chief administrative officer of the College, is responsible to the chancellor and the board of trustees. The president's responsibilities are set forth in the Policies of the Board of Trustees, Article IX, Title A, Section 2.

130.03 COLLEGE FACULTY

SUNY Cortland faculty shall participate in the development of the educational program of the College and shall be responsible for the conduct of the College's instruction, research and service programs.

130.04 COLLEGE ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE

The College Administrative Conference is comprised of the chancellor of the university, the president of the College, the vice presidents, deans and such other persons as may be designated by the president of the College. It serves as an advisory and consultative body to the president of the College.

(Policies: Article IX, Title E, Section 1)

130.05 AUXILIARY SERVICES CORPORATION

The Auxiliary Services Corporation was established in 1952 under the name Faculty-Student Association with the chartered purposes "to promote and cultivate educational and social relations among the students and faculty of the College in every way possible in their study, work, living and extracurricular activities." Primarily it has operated food services and the College Store and provided accounting services to student organizations and other groups. The Auxiliary Services Corporation executive office is located in Winchell Hall and customer service is on the first floor of Neubig Hall.

130.06 CORTLAND COLLEGE FOUNDATION

The Cortland College Foundation is incorporated as a nonprofit organization designed to receive and manage gifts in support of SUNY Cortland. A full description of the foundation and its activities is found in 775.06.

130.07 SUNY CORTLAND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

The SUNY Cortland Alumni Association, Inc., is designed to foster a continuing relationship between the College and its more than 60,000 graduates through programs of mutual interest and benefit. An elected board of directors is responsible for managing the organization's business and activities. Alumni programming is founded on the basis of a College-alumni partnership working on behalf of individual graduates and the advancement of the institution. The Alumni Affairs Office is the center for the maintenance of alumni records and provides administrative support for alumni operations. Among the many activities supported by the Alumni Association are student scholarship and award programs, class and regional reunions, the Student Alumni Association, Alumni Reunion Weekend, a newspaper, career networking with alumni for undergraduate students, and communications with alumni. Alumni also assist the College with the recruitment of new students.

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130.08 STANDING COMMITTEES ADVISORY TO THE PRESIDENT

I. Cortland Intercollegiate Athletics Board

A. Function: The board shall conduct appropriate reviews and engage in such other activities as will enable it to advise the campus president on intercollegiate athletics program matters such as:

Planning for intercollegiate athletics participation on campus and in conference
Funding for intercollegiate athletics through the following steps:
a. The board shall formulate the annual intercollegiate athletics budget and recommend it to the campus president for approval.
b. The annual budget shall include all available and expected funds for intercollegiate athletics from any and all sources and shall set forth total expected expenditures for intercollegiate athletics.
c. The annual budget shall be based upon the preceding year's final budget, with increases or decreases dependent upon changes in enrollment, fee increases, inflation and changes in the intercollegiate athletics program.
d. In the event that actual allocations and receipts from any and all budget sources fall short of or exceed such budgeted amounts, the board shall revise its budget accordingly and recommend the revised budget to the campus president for approval.
Standards and policies for student participation in intercollegiate athletics
Other matters appropriate to its purview referred to it by the campus president

B. Membership

The president will appoint four faculty to three-year staggered terms: one professional, one from the Physical Education Department, one from the School of Education and one from the School of Arts and Sciences. (Approved April 6, 1998, updated April, 18, 2007.)
Three students: treasurer of SUNY Cortland's Student Government Association (SGA) (ex officio), and two appointed by the president to one-year terms from nominations by SGA from varsity team members of previous year in good academic standing (one male and one female).
Three administrators appointed by the president to three-year staggered terms: dean of professional studies (ex officio), chair of physical education (ex officio), and athletic director (ex officio)
Chair, appointed by president from faculty or administration members
All members, including ex officio members, are voting members

II. University Police Advisory Board

A. Function

To advise the president and chief of university police on matters of campus security, public safety, including signage and parking, and personal safety
To review and suggest improvement in safety education programs
To assess availability of counseling services for crime victims
To review victim referral and campus response procedures for sexual assault situations
To conduct ongoing assessment of the quality of campus personal safety policies, practices, procedures, and programs
To conform to the 1990 Amendment to Section 6450 of the Education Law by providing information to incoming students about sexual assault prevention measures, penalties, and related security procedures. Annual reports must be filed with the commissioner of education.

B. Membership

The president will appoint three members of his/her choosing
The president will appoint three members from a list of six nominees submitted by the Faculty Senate
The president will appoint three members from a list of six students submitted by the SGA
The president will appoint one member of the College Council
The chief of university police will serve on the committee ex officio, with vote
At least half the members of the committee will be female

III. Study Abroad Committee

A. Function

To draw up policies governing the selection of students for the different projects, based upon the original guidelines agreed to by the participating campuses
To advise the director of international programs of those students whom the committee considers best qualified for acceptance into the various specific projects according to the qualifications it has agreed upon
To assist, when requested by the president or the director, in evaluating the study abroad program and any of its features

IV. The Calendar Advisory Committee

A. Function

To develop a calendar for the years requested by the president
To use all campus resources such as open hearings, questionnaires, etc., to determine the acceptability of a College calendar format
To consider other factors as may be brought to the committee's attention by the president for inclusion in future calendars

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V. Affirmative Action Committee

A. Function

To advise and support the affirmative action officer.
To review the Affirmative Action Program and its implementation and determine if there are areas of concern requiring appropriate follow up and action.
Recommend major policies to the president in the operation of the Affirmative Action Program in accordance with requirements of federal and state laws.
Serve as anti-discrimination advocates, and when violations are brought to the attention of committee members seek the advice and assistance of the affirmative action officer.
Work collaboratively with other committees and offices on campus such as the Multicultural Life and Diversity Office, Center for Gender and Intercultural Studies (CGIS), Committee on the Status of Women in Education (CSEW), Multicultural Council, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Committee to enhance the climate for protected classes covered under affirmative action and anti-discrimination laws.
a. Mutual collaboration and communication will be achieved, in part, through active participation and involvement with the other committees and offices. Committee members may be asked to serve on one of the aforementioned committees to represent affirmative action concerns. When the Affirmative Action Committee is not represented on a particular committee, committee membership will seek alternative means of communication to provide and get updates.
b. Work on issues of campus climate that affect recruitment and retention.
i. Sponsor and/or promote faculty and staff training and programs related to multiculturalism and diversity in cooperation with the Multicultural Life and Diversity Office and/or other groups on campus.
ii. Work proactively to identify opportunities to improve recruitment of underrepresented populations on campus.
1. Coordinate with the affirmative action officer to identify ideas, evaluate their feasibility and, when appropriate, present the ideas tothe president.
iii. Review exit interview and campus climate survey summary data to determine if there are any negative trends requiring attention. When negative trends are identified, work with appropriate groups on campus to address the problems.
Promote and foster support of underrepresented groups covered under affirmative action.
a. Attend at least one diversity or affirmative action event, sponsored or co-sponsored by the Affirmative Action Committee, each academic year.
b. Coordinate with the affirmative action officer to provide support, financial and otherwise, to sponsor affirmative action and/or diversity grants and programs. Grants may be related to programming, infusing diversity into the curriculum, and staff development. Programs may be a part of Black History Month, Women's History Month, Latino History Month, etc.
Vote on waiver of search requests. Notify the president of employees whose waivers extend beyond one year. Address violations of the waiver of search procedure with the president.
When asked by the affirmative action officer, serve on search committees where positions have been identified as underrepresented and placement goals are in effect.

(Approved by President's Cabinet June 29, 2009)

VI. Facilities and Master Plan Oversight Committee (FMPOC)

The facilities and master Plan Oversight Committee (FMPOC) will oversee space allocation and recommend future space needs as defined by the master plan.

A. Function:

The Facilities and Master Plan Oversight Committee makes nonbinding recommendations to the president on issues and proposals involving campus facilities. The committee is charged with the following responsibilities:

To review requests that involve significant physical change, change of function, reassignment of space to another department or organization, long-term allocation of College space (building and grounds) and/or alternatives to space usage. and make recommendations to the president. Normally, the president, vice presidents or affiliated organizations request committee review of proposals.
To review priorities for capital construction, rehabilitation and space alteration projects and make recommendations to the president.
To review designs and concerns regarding campus grounds plantings, signage, roads, etc. weighing all new proposals in light of their contribution to campus aesthetics and physical harmony.
To regularly assess the progress of the master plan; to continually monitor and review proposals for changes to the master plan ensuring consistency with the mission of the College; and to serve as ombudsperson in resolving future space conflicts that the plan's execution may generate.
To periodically hold an open campus meeting and report on the progress of the master plan update. Once a year a written report on the progress of the master plan shall be submitted to the president and to the chair of the Faculty Senate.

The FMPOC has the authority to form subcommittees and designate members from the campus community to oversee a specific part of the master plan, e.g., space utilization, etc.

(Revisions approved by President's Cabinet July 7, 2006)

B. Membership: The committee includes representatives of specific campus administrators, academic faculty, the Faculty Senate, the Call for Alteration Committee (CFA), and the Master Plan Steering Committee.

The composition of the membership is as follows:

administrative representatives: associate vice president for facilities management, associate provost for information resources, registrar, associate provost for enrollment management or designee, athletic director or designee, one representative from student affairs
the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, the dean of the School of Education, the dean of the School of Professional Studies
the chairperson of the Long Range Planning Committee (LRP) or designee
one faculty representative selected by the Faculty Senate
ex officio: the director of facilities planning, design and construction, the vice president for finance and management
chair: the chair is appointed annually by the president. The position may be rotated annually. (Revised by President Bitterbaum, May 12, 2008)

(Approved by President's Cabinet July 7, 2006)

VII. Environmental Health and Safety Committee

(The president has delegated responsibility for this committee to the vice president for finance and management.)

A. Function

To solicit and receive from individual members of the committee, college faculty, staff and students, concerns regarding matters of health and safety on the college campus that have not been resolved through normal administrative channels. Such concerns shall be communicated by the committee to the vice president for finance and management who will reply to the committee within 10 working days. Safety concerns include, but are not limited to the following: employee safety, life safety, toxic/hazardous material handling, storage and disposal, and fire safety.
To review existing campus health and safety documents and to recommend modifications and/or additions to such documents
To advise and assist the environmental health and safety officer (EHSO) in the design and implementation of programs intended to inform and educate the college community in matters of workplace health and safety
To establish subcommittees as desired for the purpose of addressing or investigating specific concerns of the committee

B. Membership

Three members appointed by the UUP
Three members appointed by CSEA
Six members appointed by the president
One member each from other campus bargaining units
One member from ASC

Those groups having more than one member on the committee shall appoint them for staggered terms. The chair of the committee shall be elected by the membership of the committee.

VIII. Committee on the Status and Education of Women

A. Function

To review and assess issues affecting the campus climate for women and to plan programs and activities to improve that climate
To make recommendations to the president on policies that affect the status and education of women
To conduct periodic reviews of compliance with Title IX

IX. Information Resources Advisory Committee

A. Function: To make recommendations to the president, through the associate provost for information resources, on matters of equipment acquisition, location, future planning, budget priorities, and related issues in the areas of information resources.

B. Membership

Associate provost for information resources
Coordinator of Computer Applications Program
One representative from student affairs
One representative from finance and management
Two faculty from professional studies
Two faculty from arts and sciences
Two faculty from education
One student

X. Web Advisory Team (WAT)

A. Function

To advise on issues related to the College’s website as well as broader concerns relevant to the Web
Responsible for developing and reviewing policies, standards and enforcement procedures in an effort to ensure consistency and compliance throughout the College’s website
Serves as an initial contact point and clearinghouse for policy matters regarding the College’s website
Proposes recommendations related to the Web to the College president and the President’s Cabinet for review and approval

B. Membership: WAT members serve for three-year terms.

130.09 INTERDISCIPLINARY CENTERS

Section A. Definition

Academic departments and schools are the primary units of academic organization of the College. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of some programs, the president may see fit to establish an interdisciplinary center, a unit of the College which sponsors interdisciplinary, cross-departmental curricula (including degree programs), related research and teaching, and other activities as charged by the president. Centers are governed by regular College procedures.

Section B. Center Bylaws

A center must have a set of bylaws governing its operation. The bylaws will include a statement of the purpose of the center, set forth the criteria for inclusion of members in the center, and establish rules by which center members elect the Center Council and the Center Council chair. When the bylaws are approved by the Center Council, the appropriate dean, the provost and vice president for academic affairs, other vice presidents as appropriate, and the president, the center will be considered operational.

Section C. Center Governance

Center policy is established by a Center Council composed of faculty, professional staff, administrators, students, and (as appropriate) members of the community. Center Councils are appointed by the provost after soliciting applications from the College community. The deans of arts and sciences, education and professional studies are ex officio members of Center Councils.

Section D. Center Administration

The provost, in consultation with the Deans' Councils, shall assign administrative responsibility for each center to a school dean. The chair of each center shall be recommended by the respective Center Council (according to its own bylaws) and appointed by the provost, in consultation with the school dean within whose responsibility the center falls. The Council chair shall be assigned responsibilities, in consultation with the dean, for certain aspects of a center's work and administration. The center chair shall submit an annual report evaluating the center's work to the Center Council and to the designated dean, and to the provost.

Section E. Faculty Affiliation with a Center

Faculty working with centers have their appointment and tenure in a department. A faculty member's affiliation with a center shall be established either through work on the Center Council or on one of its committees. As appropriate (and in consultation with the home department and dean) this affiliation may be stipulated in a side letter to an appointment contract. Release time for work with a center is subject to the availability of resources and/or negotiations with the home department and dean. As requested by either the faculty member, the respective department, the department chair, or the dean, the center chair shall provide written evaluations assessing work with a center for purpose of reappointment, promotion, merit and/or tenure decisions. When such evaluations are requested and provided, they must be considered by all relevant personnel committees and administrators.

(Approved by the Faculty Senate, Nov. 7, 1989 and by President Clark, Dec. 6, 1989; revised August 2003 to reflect the new School of Education)

130.10 Statement on Diversity

On Feb. 23, 1993 the Faculty Senate of State University of New York at Cortland passed the following statement on diversity, which was approved and endorsed by President Clark on Feb. 25, 1993:

"SUNY Cortland is dedicated to the affirmation and promotion of diversity in its broadest sense. Our mission requires that people of every background be able to study and work here with an expectation of respectful treatment. We seek to establish standards of behavior which honor the dignity and worth of individuals regardless of their gender, ethnicity, race, age, physical or mental abilities, religious beliefs, sexual and affectional orientation or socioeconomic class.

A major goal of our College is to develop and maintain an atmosphere which supports learning about prejudice and discrimination so that we can strive to reduce it not only on our own campus, but wherever we encounter it. We recognize that advocating for diversity frequently brings discordant viewpoints into focus. As we endeavor to educate ourselves about the effects of our biases, it is important for us to do so within an atmosphere of safety and respect. An environment where it is safe to explore our differences enables us to make more progress toward a campus which celebrates, rather than simply tolerates, the richness inherent in our pluralism."

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CHAPTER 150: Cortland Faculty Governance

150.01 College Faculty Defined
150.02 Chair and Presiding Officer of the Faculty
150.03 SUNY Cortland Faculty Bylaws
150.04 Bylaws of the SUNY Cortland Graduate Faculty

150.01 COLLEGE FACULTY DEFINED

The faculty of each college shall be comprised of the chancellor, the chief administrative officer and other members of the voting faculty of the college, other members of the academic staff of the college, and such nonvoting administrative officers and professional staff as may be designated by the faculty bylaws of the college.

(Policies: Article X, Section 1)

150.02 CHAIR AND PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE FACULTY

The president of the College is the chair of the faculty. The faculty elects a presiding officer as specified by the constitution and bylaws of the faculty. (Policies: Article X, Section 2)

150.03 SUNY CORTLAND FACULTY BYLAWS

These bylaws define the role of the faculty in the governance of the College, in accordance with the legal requirements of the State University of New York, the Policies of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York, and the local College Council. They identify faculty responsibilities and obligations within the administrative and academic structures of the College, and provide a plan within which the ideals of academic freedom, intellectual honesty, and social justice may be pursued.

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be: The SUNY Cortland Faculty.

ARTICLE II: RESPONSIBILITY

Section A.

The SUNY Cortland Faculty shall assume the major responsibility for the development of the educational program of the College, and shall be responsible for the conduct of the College's instruction, research and service program.

Section B.

The faculty shall carry out its responsibility through significant involvement at the departmental, school and College levels. The bylaws outline the extent and manner of faculty participation at the College level. In order to ensure adequate faculty involvement at the departmental and school levels, the following specifications shall in all cases be met:

Departmental Organization
Each department shall elect a personnel committee to deal with appointments, promotions, merit increments, sabbatical leaves, leaves of absence, and continuing appointments and a committee to deal with curriculum development. Chairs of departments may be elected to these committees as the individual departments see fit. The personnel committee shall be operative by Oct. 1 of each year and shall elect one of its members to serve as chair. These committees shall transmit their recommendations to the appropriate people, school or College committee, with informational copies to the school dean. If the department chair is not a member of these committees, s/he shall also receive copies of the recommendations.
School Organization
The members of each of the three academic schools and the professional staff of the College shall elect school or divisional committees to deal with personnel matters. In the academic schools, a school curriculum committee shall also be elected. Committees to deal with any other matters of concern to the school as a whole shall be selected through procedures approved by the members of the respective area and shall report to the school faculty. School committees shall receive and act upon recommendations from departments and shall transmit such recommendations to the people and administrators concerned.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP: THE COMPOSITION OF THE SUNY CORTLAND FACULTY

Section A.

In an attempt to be consistent with the Agreement between the State of New York and the Bargaining Agent and the Policies of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York, the faculty of SUNY Cortland shall be defined as the chancellor, the president of the College, those administrative officers designated as management by the Public Employee Relations Board, persons having academic rank and term or continuing appointment, professional staff having term or permanent appointment, and persons with qualified academic rank.
Those with qualified academic rank and academic and professional members of the college staff not included in the above categories shall constitute the part-time faculty and are excluded from the College Faculty for purposes of faculty governance except as provided in Article VI, Section A, Paragraph 10 and Article VI, Section B, Paragraph 5g. ["Qualified academic rank" is defined by the Policies of the Board of Trustees (Article II, (k)), as "Rank held by those members of the academic staff having titles of lecturer, or titles of academic rank preceded by the designations 'clinical' or 'visiting' or other similar designations."]

Section B.

The voting faculty of the College shall be defined as the individuals listed in paragraph 1 above, excluding those with qualified academic rank.

For purposes of voting within areas, each staff member shall be identified with the area in which the individual's primary assignment of responsibility lies. Each member of the voting faculty shall have one vote.

ARTICLE IV: DEFINITIONS

The phrase "consult with the faculty," as used herein, shall be interpreted as follows:

To meet with the faculty as a whole, or with that portion of the faculty directly concerned with the matter under consideration, for the purpose of determining what the will of the faculty may be. With the approval of the Senate, the opinions of the faculty may be solicited by means other than by a meeting. Meetings for consultation shall be held only after proper notice of time, place, and agenda has been given to all persons concerned. Votes may be taken by secret ballot.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS

Section A.

The president of the College is the executive officer and chair of the SUNY Cortland Faculty. The elected officers of the faculty shall be the chair of the Senate who is also the presiding officer of the faculty, the vice chair who is also the chair-designate, the secretary and the treasurer.

Section B.

The duties of the officers of the SUNY Cortland Faculty are:
The president of the College shall carry out those duties as prescribed by the Policies of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York.

The chair of the Senate shall:
a. Preside at any meetings of the SUNY Cortland Faculty, the Faculty Senate and the Steering Committee.
b. Propose agenda for Senate meetings and refer matters to faculty committees. The chair shall report to the Senate at its next meeting all matters referred to committees.
c. Appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, committee members not otherwise provided for in these bylaws.
d. Carry out the directives of the faculty and Senate regarding time of meetings, programs, activities and business of the faculty.
e. Be responsible for the proper conduct of elections and voting on proposed amendments to these bylaws.
f. Confer with the president of the College or his delegated representative as s/he sees fit, or as s/he is directed by the Senate or by the faculty.
The vice chair of the Senate shall:
a. Serve as chair of the Senate in the latter's absence and in case of a vacancy shall act as chair pro-tem for the remainder of the chair's term. This shall not be considered to be a violation of Article X, Sections 5.c. and 8.b.
b. Discharge such other duties as shall be assigned by the chair with the advice and consent of the Senate.
c. Assume the office of chair of the Senate for the academic year following term of service as vice chair. These duties shall be assumed at the close of the spring semester.
The secretary of the Senate shall:
a. Record and publish the minutes of all meetings of the faculty and Senate.
b. Publicize the meetings of the faculty and Senate, including the agenda of such meetings.
c. Keep a file of all minutes, correspondence, reports and other documents so as to comprise a total record of the activities of the faculty. A copy of the file will be placed in the library archives.
The treasurer of the Senate shall:
a. Receive, and disburse with the written acknowledgment of the chair of the Senate, all funds of the faculty.
b. Prepare and submit a faculty budget.
c. Submit, at the end of the academic year, a financial statement of all funds under control.

ARTICLE VI: FACULTY SENATE

Section A.

The Faculty Senate of the SUNY Cortland faculty shall be composed of:

The four officers of the faculty.
Seven elected representatives from the School of Arts and Sciences, elected by the voting members in each area:
a. One elected representative from the mathematics and science division (departments of mathematics, biological sciences, chemistry, geology, and physics),
b. One elected representative from the social and behavioral sciences division (departments of economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology/anthropology),
c. One elected representative from the fine arts and humanities division (departments of art and art history, communication studies, English, international communications and culture, performing arts, and philosophy),
d. Four elected at-large representatives from the School of Arts and Sciences, whose terms shall be staggered with those of the three division representatives.
Four elected at-large representatives from the School of Professional Studies, elected by and from the departments of communication disorders and sciences, health, kinesiology, physical education, recreation, parks and leisure studies and sport management.
Three elected at-large representatives from the School of Education, elected by and from the departments of childhood/early childhood education, educational leadership, foundations and social advocacy, and literacy.
(Approved by President Bitterbaum, January 2004)
Two elected representatives for full-time lecturers: one to be elected at large from full-time lecturers in the School of Arts and Sciences, and one to be elected at large from full-time lecturers in the schools of Professional Studies and Education combined.
(Approved by President Bitterbaum, June 2009)
Four elected at-large representatives from the professional staff, elected by and from the voting members in this area.
One elected representative from the library, elected by and from the voting members in this area.
One elected representative from the management/confidential area, elected by and from the voting members in this area.
The elected faculty representative to the State University Senate.
Three members of the student body, elected under procedures determined by the Student Senate.
The elected representative of the classified staff, elected under procedures determined by members of the classified staff.
The elected representative of the graduate faculty, elected under procedures determined by members of the graduate faculty.
The elected representative of the part-time faculty, elected under procedures determined by members of the part-time faculty.
The four Policy Committee chairs, ex officio without vote.
The provost and vice president for academic affairs, ex officio without vote unless this person is the elected representative of management/confidential.
The vice president for student affairs, ex officio without vote unless this person is the elected representative of management/confidential.
The vice president for finance and management, ex officio without vote unless this person is the elected representative of management/confidential.
The vice president for institutional advancement, ex officio without vote unless this person is the elected representative of management/confidential.
The president of the College, ex officio without vote.
The parliamentarian of the faculty, ex officio without vote.
(Approved by President Bitterbaum, May 2004.)

Section B. Duties and Powers of the Senate

To serve as deliberative body for organizing and carrying out the business of the faculty.
To determine those issues which should be taken to the entire faculty and to forward these to the faculty.
To conduct a referendum on a question not contrary to local, state or federal law, or to provisions of these bylaws, at the formal request of at least 25 percent of the voting faculty.
To carry out those directives of the faculty which are within the jurisdiction of the Senate and not otherwise delegated in these bylaws.
To assume responsibility for:
a. The formulations of the programs of the business and special meetings of the faculty.
b. The initiation of studies and investigations relative to the achievement of the purpose of this organization.
c. The advisement and support of the chair of the Senate in such of the latter's responsibilities as are specified in this constitution.
d. The determination of procedures of secret balloting in the elections of the faculty.
e. The publishing of the annual reports of faculty committees.
f. The approval and periodic review of the organizational structure and operating procedures of the graduate faculty.
g. The approval and periodic review of the organizational structure and operating procedures of the part-time faculty.
h. The changing of a provision of any policy or statement passed by the faculty which is discovered to be null and void because of a conflict with a University policy or statement which must take precedence (e.g., The Board of Trustees Policies or the Bargaining Agreement). The Senate shall have the power to change the provision to make it conform to all necessary University policies or statements.

Section C. Attendance

Any faculty member has the right to attend meetings of the Faculty Senate and participate in the discussion when the floor has been yielded by a senator.

Section D. Quorum

A quorum of the Senate necessary for the conduct of business shall be a majority of its voting membership.

Section E. Open Meeting Standards

The Faculty Senate and its committees shall operate according to New York State's open meeting standards, and these standards shall apply as well to any activity in which the Senate or its designees decide to involve themselves. Any meeting of any committee or entity of the Senate for which a quorum is required in order to conduct business, and which consists of two or more members, shall be open to any employee of the College. Such attendance does not extend to the right of non-committee members to speak during such meetings or activities.
Committees or entities in question may elect to not apply the open meeting principle when information is being discussed that would imperil public safety, would disclose the identity of a law enforcement agent or informer, might impede law enforcement efforts, relates to litigation, involves confidential records specific to an individual, or involves matters that must be confidential under federal or state law.
Any disputes concerning the applicability of this resolution shall be resolved by the Faculty Senate.

(Approved by President Taylor, July 19, 2002)

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

Section A. Duties of Committees

1. The general duties of every committee of the faculty, and especially of each committee chair, shall be:

To apportion its work efficiently and fairly among its regular members, functioning as a whole or in subcommittees as seems appropriate.
To enlist the participation or advice of the teaching faculty, administrative and professional staff, and students, to improve the committee's judgment or expedite its recommendations.
To keep minutes or other records of proceedings that will be adequate for use of the chair's successor.
To submit a written annual report to the Faculty Senate at the end of the academic year.

Section B. Committee on Committees

1. Membership: One member from each of the areas below shall be elected by the voting members in each area.

mathematics and sciences
social and behavioral sciences
fine arts and humanities
professional studies
education
professional staff
library
management/confidential
one student for a one-year term to be named through SGA procedures.

The members shall be elected for two-year terms with either three or four members to be elected each year as required to maintain the distribution described above. The chair of this committee shall be elected by the members of this committee for a one-year term.

2. Duties:
In preparing slates for elections and appointment to committees, the Committee on Committees should strive to ensure opportunities for all eligible members of the College faculty to participate, with special efforts to involve participation by minorities, women and new staff. The Committee on Committees shall:

Prepare and submit a slate of candidates for elected Faculty Senate committees (other than senators) to the Faculty Senate not later than six weeks before the end of the spring semester.
Present recommendations to the Faculty Senate for all appointed Faculty Senate committees not later than six weeks before the last day of classes of the spring semester.
Publicize the above elective slate not later than one week in advance of the Faculty meeting at which further nominations will be received from the floor.
Conduct the above elections not later than four weeks before the end of the spring semester each year.
Submit names to the Senate to fill the unexpired term for any elected or appointed office during the academic year except for those representatives to the Senate elected by and from their area.
Seek nominees for and conduct special elections.
Report to the Faculty Senate concerning appointments and elections.

Section C. Policy Committees

There shall be five standing Policy Committees:

a. The Educational Policy Committee

Membership shall be as follows:
two members representing arts and sciences
two members representing education
two members representing professional studies
one member representing library
one member representing professionals
one at large member from the academic faculty
two student members
provost, ex officio
registrar, ex officio
one member from the graduate faculty executive committee, ex officio

b. The Academic Faculty Affairs Committee

Membership shall be as follows:
one member representing mathematics/sciences
one member representing social/behavioral sciences
one member representing fine arts/humanities
one member representing professional studies
one member representing education
one member representing library
(the chair should be tenured wherever possible)

c. The Student Affairs Committee

d. The Long-Range Planning Committee

e. The Professional Affairs Committee

Membership shall be as follows:
one representative from institutional advancement and the President's Office
one representative from finance and management
two representatives from student affairs and the vice president for student affairs office
two representatives from academic affairs
one representative from information resources
one representative from enrollment management
two representatives at-large from the professionals
one ex-officio non-voting UUP vice president for professionals or his/her designee

Membership: Members shall be appointed to these committees by action of the Senate. The Committee on Committees shall prepare the nominees for Senate action. The members on each committee shall be appointed for staggered two-year terms, except for the Long-Range Planning Committee, whose members shall have a staggered three-year term. The members of each committee will elect a chair of the committee for a one-year term. When determining the slate of nominees, the Committee on Committees shall give due consideration to representation by areas and divisions as well as the major responsibility of the committee.

The Student Senate shall be entitled to select voting members of the Faculty Senate committees as follows: one member of the Educational Policy, Long-Range Planning and Student Affairs Committees. The provost and vice president for academic affairs shall serve on the Educational Policy Committee with a vote. The president may appoint consultants as non-voting members of the Academic Faculty Affairs and Long-Range Planning Committees. These members are in addition to student members.

3. Duties:

a. Educational Policy Committee:

To consider and make recommendations to the Senate on matters related to educational policy, major curricular changes, and other areas designated to it by the Senate.
To determine the procedures governing change of academic programs and curricula. The committee shall report to the Senate any procedural changes proposed. If no objection is raised by a member of the Senate within one Senate meeting of the committee’s report on the changes, the changes shall be sent to the provost and vice president for academic affairs for approval. If objection is raised, then the Senate will vote on the reported procedural changes.

b. Academic Faculty Affairs Committee:

To regularly review the policies and procedures of academic departments and of the library that affect faculty with academic rank for renewal of term appointment, for granting of continuing appointment, and for promotion as fully described in Section 220.06 and Chapter 230 of the College Handbook.
To conduct a review of Section 220.06 and Chapter 230 of the College handbook at least once every three years, and upon completing any such review to recommend needed changes to the Faculty Senate (or to certify that no changes are currently recommended to the Faculty Senate).
To provide assistance to any individual faculty member with academic rank having unresolved problems regarding the departmental, school or sub-school personnel review process or problems deriving from it. (See paragraph 220.06, B.3.e of the College Handbook.
To conduct an investigation of the review process used during a personnel action of an individual faculty member if formally requested by that individual.
a. The faculty member requesting the review should submit all pertinent materials related to the review to the chair of the Academic Faculty Affairs Committee. The individual need not submit his or her portfolio of supporting documents to the Academic Faculty Affairs Committee, since this material typically would not be reviewed, unless there appeared to have been violations directly involving the evaluation of these materials. It is important to note that disagreements between the candidate and reviewers regarding the weighting of materials do not in and of themselves represent procedural violations. The Academic Faculty Affairs Committee should avoid making judgments regarding subjective evaluations by the reviewers.
b. The Academic Faculty Affairs Committee may request additional materials from the individual requesting assistance. If appropriate, the Academic Faculty Affairs Committee also may interview members of personnel committees involved in the process, as well as the department chair and dean, or for librarians, the supervisor, director of libraries and the associate provost for information resources. However, cooperation by these individuals is strictly voluntary.
c. The investigation may be conducted by the Academic Faculty Affairs Committee as a whole, or by a review sub-committee consisting of at least three members of the Academic Faculty Affairs Committee appointed by the chair of the Academic Faculty Affairs Committee. If a sub-committee is appointed, the chair of the Academic Faculty Affairs Committee should serve on the sub-committee, and all members of the sub-committee should have tenure whenever possible.
d. A letter reporting the committee’s conclusions will be issued to the individual and to the assistant vice president for human resources. This letter should include a description of the process used during the investigation and detailed descriptions of any violations of policies described in the Departmental Personnel Policies, the College Handbook, the SUNY Board of Trustees policies, or the UUP agreement that may have occurred.
Except for the four duties specified above, all other faculty matters to be considered by the committee will be designated to it in writing by the Faculty Senate Steering Committee. This includes recommendations by departmental, school or sub-school personnel committees, administrators or individuals.

c. Student Affairs Committee:

To consider and recommend to the Senate matters related to student policies and procedures, academic services, and other such matters designated to it by the Senate.
To determine the procedure whereby student concerns are considered by faculty and administration. This procedure is subject to approval of the Senate, and to mandatory review every two years.

d. Long-Range Planning Committee:

To consider and recommend to the Senate matters related to current academic plans, long-range planning, and other such matters designated to it by the Senate.
To determine the procedure whereby faculty and student input is obtained regarding long-range plans. The procedure developed shall be subject to approval by the Senate, and to mandatory review every two years.
Procedures to be Used by the LRPC
a. Ask all academic units and departments to either (i) prioritize and submit to the LRPC aspects of thier academic-unit long-range or strategic plans or statements, or (ii) if no formal plan or statements exist, to submit a statement of prioritized strategic values or issues agreed upon by the academic unit. This will be accomplished through a Web-based survey and will be reflective of the new SUNY Cortland Mission Statement. This could include the use of an online forum (e.g., a "wiki") or other methods of input such as open forums and/or surveys.
b. LRPC will present its findings and recommendations to the Faculty Senate, the Strategic Planning Steering Committee and the campus community in the spring of 2009.

e. Professional Affairs Committee

To consider and recommend to the Senate matters related to professional employees, their welfare, and other related subjects designated to it by the Senate. The committee also will review requests from professional employees regarding issues that are not addressed and/or resolved by existing formal processes and will consider such matters as the committee deems appropriate.
To conduct periodic review of procedures and policies related to the employment of professionals, including mechanisms for advancement, rank, permanent appointment,et al, as outlined in the College Handbook and contained in the current Agreement between the State of New York and United University Professions, including pertinent Memoranda of Understanding. To propose any changes in language or policy related to the above, as agreed upon by the committee, to the appropriate organization through the appropriate liaison or committee.

Section D. College Research Committee

Membership: Membership shall be appointed to this committee by action of the Faculty Senate. The Committee on Committees shall prepare the nominations for Senate action. When determining the slate of nominees the Committee on Committees shall give due consideration to the major responsibilities of the nominees for reviewing proposals and recommending College policy regarding research. Those nominated should either have been successful at obtaining funding for their own research, or have had experience in reviewing proposals for an agency outside of the College.

In addition, where possible the Committee on Committees should attempt to provide for equal representation by areas of the College. The appointed members of the committee shall serve three-year staggered terms and shall elect a chair for a one-year term. The administrative officers of the College who are primarily responsible for the research function shall serve as ex officio members of the committee without vote.

Duties:

To collaborate with the College’s director of sponsored programs to provide interested faculty with information about, and assistance with, obtaining support for their research.
To make recommendations to the Faculty Senate regarding the development of policies and to implement policies which may affect the research function of the faculty.
To be responsible for the Faculty Research Program.
To consult with the appropriate officers and organizations in making recommendations for matters of College policy regarding research.
To make periodic reports and file a written annual report at the end of the academic year.
To actively pursue sources of external funding appropriately matched to specific faculty research interests.

Section E. Steering Committee of the Senate

Membership: The four elected officers of the Senate, the five committee chairs of the Educational Policy, Faculty Affairs, Student Affairs, and Long-Range Planning and Professional Affairs committees, and the parliamentarian ex officio shall comprise the membership of the Steering Committee.

Duties:

To receive and prepare agenda items for the Senate and Faculty meetings.
To act on matters referred to it by the Senate.
To identify and initiate proposals for Senate action.
To act for the Faculty Senate during periods when the College is not in session and it is not possible to call a Senate meeting, with such action to be reported to the Senate at the earliest opportunity.

Section F. College Curriculum Review Committee

Membership

A committee of fourteen members shall be nominated by the Committee on Committees and appointed by action of the Faculty Senate.
Membership shall be as follows:
one member representing mathematics/science
one member representing social/behavioral sciences
one member representing fine arts/humanities
two members representing education
two members representing professional studies
one member representing professionals from academic affairs
one member representing the library
two student members
dean of arts and sciences or designee (ex officio, non-voting)
dean of education or designee (ex officio, non-voting)
dean of professional studies or designee (ex officio, non-voting)
registrar (ex officio, non-voting)
associate provost for academic affairs (ex officio, non-voting)
Terms of office shall be two years and shall be staggered. Faculty and student representatives shall be restricted to a maximum of two consecutive terms of office and shall not also serve on a school curriculum committee.

Duties

To consider curriculum changes that affect the three schools of the College and make recommendations to the provost in a timely and efficient manner.
To make recommendations to the Educational Policy Committee on policy changes that may be necessary.

Section G. General Education Committee

Membership

A committee of thirteen members shall be nominated by the Committee on Committees and appointed by action of the Faculty Senate.
Membership shall be as follows:
one member representing mathematics/science
one member representing social/behavioral sciences
one member representing fine arts/humanities
one member representing education
one member representing professional studies
one member representing the library
two at-large members from the academic faculty
one member representing the professional staff
one student member
dean of arts and sciences or designee, ex officio, non-voting
director of Institutional Research and Assessment Office or designee,
ex officio, nonvoting
provost or designee, ex officio, non-voting
Terms of office shall be two years and shall be staggered.

Duties

To be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the General Education Program. This includes, but is not limited to:
1. Faculty advisement in general education course development.
2. Development of tools and methodologies for assessment of the program.
To make recommendations to the provost regarding approval of general education courses.
To make recommendations to the Faculty Senate regarding changes in the structure and content of the General Education Program.
To make recommendations to the Educational Policy Committee regarding changes in general education policies.

(Approved by President Bitterbaum May 22, 2006)

Section H: Committee on Teaching Effectiveness

Membership

A committee of seven members shall be nominated by the Committee on Committees and appointed by action of the Faculty Senate.
Membership shall be as follows:
One member representing the School of Arts and Sciences
One member representing the School of Education
One member representing the School of Professional Studies
One member representing the Library
Two at-large members from the academic faculty
One student member with at least a junior standing, 60 or more credit hours, and at least one year of full-time attendance at SUNY Cortland
Terms of office shall be three years and shall be staggered, except for student terms, which shall be one year.

Duties

To be responsible for the development and review of a standard CTE form to be utilized by faculty for the evaluation of their teaching.
To approve individual department procedures for the collection of CTE data and to assure departmental compliance with the procedures outlined in Chapter 260.02 of the SUNY Cortland College Handbook.
To approve alternative time schedules for the evaluation of teaching utilized by departments, due to exceptional circumstances, in keeping with the principle of regular, systematic, longitudinal evaluation of faculty.
To make recommendations to the Faculty Senate regarding changes in the procedures and instrument utilized in the evaluation of teaching.
In collaboration with the Faculty Development Center, to promote excellence in teaching through on-campus programming and seminars, which focus on issues, related to teaching.
To make recommendations to the administration regarding resources that can be used by the faculty to improve teaching.

(Approved by President Bitterbaum Dec. 7, 2010)

Section I. Ad Hoc Committees

The Senate, in consultation with the Committee on Committees, may appoint such other temporary committees as are needed to facilitate the business of the faculty.
A written report of the work of the committee shall be submitted to the Senate.

ARTICLE VIII: GRADUATE FACULTY

There shall be a graduate faculty for the purpose of accepting responsibility for graduate curricula and associated graduate academic affairs of the College. The graduate faculty shall provide a direct advisory mission to the administrative officers designated for graduate studies and related affairs.
The organizational structure and operating procedures of the graduate faculty shall be subject to ongoing review and approval by the Faculty Senate. A representative of the graduate faculty shall represent it on the Faculty Senate.
The graduate faculty shall provide the Senate with a written annual report at the end of the academic year.

ARTICLE IX: MEETINGS OF THE FACULTY

Section A. Calling Meetings

Meetings of the SUNY Cortland faculty shall be called and presided over by the chair of the Senate.
Meetings of the faculty may also be called as provided in the Policies of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York.
Upon formal request of at least 15 percent of the faculty, a meeting of the faculty shall be called and presided over by the chair of the Senate. Such formal request shall include a statement of the business to be considered at the meeting.
There shall be at least one faculty meeting each academic year.

Section B. Agenda

The agenda for each meeting shall be published one week in advance, except that in emergencies less notice may be given.
Proposed items for the agenda may be submitted to the Senate at any time.
New business not on the agenda may be taken up on a motion passed by two-thirds of those present providing the quorum requirement is met.

Section C. Minutes

Minutes of each meeting shall be recorded and published.

Section D. Quorum

Quorum of the faculty necessary for the conduct of business shall be 15 percent of the faculty eligible to vote.

ARTICLE X: ELECTIONS

1. Offices of the faculty to be filled by election by the voting faculty:

Vice chair of the Senate and chair designate.
Secretary
Treasurer
Three or four members each year of the Committee on Committees.
Representative and alternate representative to the State University Senate.
Two faculty representatives to the Student Senate.
Elected representatives of the faculty to other organizations.

2. Offices to be filled by election by the professional staff:
Members of the College Review Panel and the Committee on Professional Evaluation will be chosen in elections conducted by the professionals, not in conflict with the bargaining contract.

3. Offices of the faculty to be filled by election within areas:

School committees, as provided in Article II, Section B.2.
Representatives to the Faculty Senate, as provided in Article VI, Section A.

4. Terms of Office:

At the regular election each year, a candidate shall be elected to the office of vice-chair. The candidate shall serve as vice-chair for one year and as chair for the following year. The terms of office of the secretary and of the treasurer shall be for one year.
The Faculty Senate chair shall assume office on the day following Commencement. Other officers of the Senate shall assume office immediately following the last day of examinations in the spring semester.
The terms of office for the three elected representatives of the Schools of Arts and Sciences, Professional Studies and Education, the professional staff, library, and management/confidential shall be two years.
At each regular election, one or two Senators shall be elected from each of these areas as needed to ensure a full representation for each area. The term of office for representatives to the Student Senate shall be one year.

5. Eligibility for Election: Every member of the voting faculty is eligible for any position, except that:

No member shall be elected until s/he has accepted the nomination.
No member may be elected to more than two successive terms in one elective office of the Senate.
Members elected to the offices of vice chair, secretary, treasurer, or elected as chair of any policy committee, or serving as representative to the State University Faculty Senate, shall be ineligible to hold, concurrently, any other elective office of the Senate.
Members elected from a particular area of the College must be members of that area and shall be ineligible to continue in office in the event they cease to be a member of that area.

6. Elective Procedures:

The Committee on Committees shall conduct all elections, regular or special, for officers and members of the Senate. Voting shall be by secret ballot, using written or electronic means. Persons receiving a plurality of the votes cast shall be considered to be elected.
A regular election shall take place on or before April 15 each year. The Senate shall establish the time of any special elections that may be required.
The Committee on Committees shall prepare a slate of nominees for presentation to the faculty at a time designated by the chair of the Faculty Senate in consultation with the Senate. The slate shall be publicized at least one week in advance of the Faculty Senate meeting at which further nominations will be received from the floor.
The chair of the Senate shall ask for the report of the Committee on Committees at a Faculty Senate meeting, after which s/he shall ask for nominations from the floor. Any candidate so nominated must consent to run for the office before his or her name is proposed. When the number of candidates is equal to the number of openings for a given position, the Senate may immediately direct the secretary to cast a singel ballot on behalf of the faculty to elect those candidates. When the number of candidates exceeds the number of openings for a given position, the final slate shall be posted at least one week in advance of the balloting.

7. Installation of Officers:

Newly elected officers and representatives of the SUNY Cortland Faculty shall be installed at a faculty meeting called by the retiring chair of the Senate in consultation with the Senate, prior to the last day of classes of the spring semester. They shall assume their duties at the end of the spring semester as outlined in Article X, Paragraph 4.b.

8. Vacancies:

A vacancy in an elective position shall exist when a person completes the term of office, resigns from the position, takes leave for one semester or longer and is not available to serve, or is no longer a member of the faculty. A vacancy may also be declared to exist by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.
Any vacancy occurring among the elected officers or members of the Senate shall be filled, for the remainder of the vacated term, by a special election conducted among the appropriate voting constituency, within one month from the date that the vacancy occurs.

ARTICLE XI: CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

Business of the faculty, at the discretion of the chair of the Senate and with the consent of the Senate, may be conducted by distribution of information and ballots through the mail or electronically, providing that all other requirements of this constitution are met.
Business shall be conducted by Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, except where otherwise specified in these bylaws.

ARTICLE XII: FACULTY FEES

No fees for voting membership in the SUNY Cortland Faculty may be assessed.
The SUNY Cortland Faculty may establish fees for the maintenance of its program of activities.
The Senate shall have authority to approve a budget for the faculty, and to assess fees, subject to the following limitations:

a. The Senate may approve budgetary items only for faculty recognition upon retirement, for distinguished service, and for the operational expenses of the Senate and faculty.

b. Fees may be assessed by the Senate not to exceed $10 for a given academic year. All other budgetary items and fees in excess of the stated amount must be approved by a majority vote of a quorum of the faculty necessary for the conduct of business as provided in Article VI, Section D.

The fiscal year shall be from June 1 to May 31 inclusive.

ARTICLE XIII: REVIEW OF GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

Section A

There shall be a mandatory review of the entire governance structure at least every five years after the adoption of these bylaws. (The last such review took place during the 2007-08 academic year.)

Section B

A committee shall be elected by the Faculty Senate from nominees prepared by the Committee on Committees. This committee shall conduct the review and present recommendations to the Faculty Senate. Included in the review shall be the specific recommendations of the policy committee chairs with regard to procedures affecting their specific area.

ARTICLE XIV: AMENDMENTS

This constitution or its bylaws may be amended as follows:

Proposals for changes or amendments to these bylaws shall be made in writing to the chair of the Senate who, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall submit them to the faculty for a vote.
Notice of the time and place of voting on proposed amendments to these bylaws must be announced to, and the text of the proposed amendments must be circulated among, the membership at least one week prior to the voting.
Voting on amendments to this constitution or its bylaws shall be by mail or electronic ballot and shall be approved by a two-thirds vote.
Each proposed amendment shall state the time at which it is proposed to take effect.
With the approval of the president of the College this constitution, with any amendments thereto, shall be in effect.

(Amended by the Faculty Senate, April 29, 1996 and approved by President Taylor, June 20, 1996)

150.04 BYLAWS OF THE SUNY CORTLAND GRADUATE FACULTY

These bylaws define the role of the graduate faculty in the governance of the College, in accordance with the legal requirements of the State University of New York, the Policies of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York, and the local College Council. They identify faculty responsibilities and obligations within the administrative and academic structures of the College and provide a plan within which the objectives of graduate study may be pursued.
The purpose of graduate study is directed towards the fulfillment of the following objectives:
1. The expansion, deepening, and strengthening of professional knowledge as a scholarly and creative activity;
2. The improvement of techniques for the dissemination and application of existing knowledge and the generation of new knowledge;
3. The development of a greater understanding of the theories and findings underlying individual disciplines; and
4. The fostering of a critical ability to deal analytically and insightfully with the problems, methods, and instruments of research in a given area of study.

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Graduate Faculty of the State University of New York College at Cortland, herein designated as the graduate faculty.

ARTICLE II: OBJECT

General Responsibility
The graduate faculty has major responsibility for all aspects of graduate study and post-baccalaureate education of the College and shall be responsible for instructional programs, research activities, and service functions at the graduate level. It shall administer its own affairs with its bylaws subject to review by the Senate of the SUNY Cortland Faculty, or its elected successor.
Specific Responsibilities
The objectives of graduate study require the graduate faculty to assume the following specific responsibilities:
1. To introduce students to levels of existing advanced scholarship beyond those characterizing undergraduate work and to encourage a spirit of scholarly inquiry;
2. To guide students in achieving an understanding of, and proficiency in, productive scholarship and research;
3. To provide advanced training and educational opportunities leading to professional skill and knowledge of high quality;
4. To define and maintain academic standards and requirements for advanced degrees and post-baccalaureate education at a high level of quality, consistent with the objectives of graduate study.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERS

The qualifications for membership require that the nominee meet the following criteria:
1. Experience
The minimum experience requirement is three years of instruction at the graduate level at any institution of higher education, or three years of library service involving graduate programs.
2. Education
An earned doctorate in the field of specialization, or the highest terminal degree in the field of specialization, or special training and experience which are acceptable as judged by the particular faculty member's field.
3. Demonstrated Scholarly Ability
Evidence of interest in the scholarly nature of his/her field as demonstrated by research or publication or the judgment of his/her colleagues in the department concerned.
4. Rank
Holds the rank of professor, or associate professor, or librarian, or associate librarian, or administrative position of school dean or above.
5. Involvement in Graduate Programs
Has, in the opinion of his/her department, an ongoing involvement in, and commitment to, graduate studies at Cortland.
All applications for membership shall be reviewed and acted upon by the executive committee. An application shall consist of a letter of interest describing how the applicant meets the criteria outlined in Article III. A. and a copy of the applicant's vita.
A member may resign by submitting a written letter of resignation to the presiding officer. The presiding officer shall report all resignations to the executive committee.
Should the need arise, as determined by a two-thirds majority vote of the executive committee, membership fees may be levied. The proposed fee schedule must be submitted to the general membership of the graduate faculty for approval by a two-thirds majority.

ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The graduate faculty shall be represented by and function chiefly through a thirteen-member executive committee that includes eight voting members of the graduate faculty elected by the graduate faculty. Important matters of policy shall be taken to the entire graduate faculty through meetings and ballot votes as hereinafter provided.

A. Composition of the Executive Committee

The executive committee shall be composed of 13 members, as follows:

One member of the graduate faculty elected by and from the departments of biological sciences, chemistry, geology, mathematics and physics.
One member of the graduate faculty elected by and from the departments of English, history and modern languages.
One member of the graduate faculty elected by and from the departments of childhood/early childhood education and foundations and social advocacy.
One member of the graduate faculty elected by and from the departments of literacy and educational leadership.
One member of the graduate faculty elected by and from the departments of health, and recreation, parks and leisure studies.
One member of the graduate faculty elected by and from the departments of kinesiology, physical education and sport management.
One member of the graduate faculty elected at large from the library and departments having no graduate programs.
One member of the graduate faculty at large.
One graduate student appointed by the Student Government Association.
One administrator appointed by the provost, ex officio, without vote.
One representative of the Registrar's Office, ex officio, without vote.
One representative of the Educational Policy Committee, ex officio, without vote.
One representative of the Admissions Office, ex officio, without vote.

B. Elections and Term of Office

Elections for membership on the executive committee shall be run by the executive committee (or by the Faculty Senate Committee on Committees as directed by the executive committee) each year during the period April 1 through May 1. Prior to elections, nominations shall be solicited from the entire Graduate Faculty.
Only members of the Graduate Faculty shall be eligible to vote for executive committee positions.
The term of office for members of the executive committee shall be staggered two-year terms, commencing at the close of the spring semester.
No person may serve more than two consecutive terms on the executive committee, except for position #7 (Article IV.A.).

C. Duties of the Executive Committee

The executive committee shall perform the following duties:

Elect a chair of the executive committee, and such other committee officers as may be necessary. The chair of the executive committee shall also be the presiding officer of the graduate faculty.
Elect a member of the executive committee to serve as the representative of the graduate faculty on the Faculty Senate.
Call for applications for graduate faculty status throughout the academic year while reviewing and acting on these applications as part of the regular business of the executive committee.
Keep an updated list of membership of the graduate faculty.
Call meetings of the graduate faculty, as necessary.
Refer matters, as appropriate, to a vote of the graduate faculty.
Review, on behalf of the graduate faculty, all new graduate courses, programs, and degrees, and submit recommendations to the provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Consider matters of general policy and practice affecting graduate affairs and programs, formulate recommendations, and forward such recommendations to the appropriate academic departments and/or member of the College administration.
Conduct a referendum vote of the graduate faculty on any matter that has been petitioned by 25 percent of the members of the graduate faculty.
Conduct nominations and mail or electronic ballot elections for membership on the executive committee, as specified in Article IV.B.
Conduct mail or electronic ballot votes on amendments to these bylaws as specified in Article V.
In the event of a resignation from the executive committee, appoint a replacement from the appropriate constituency for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the graduate faculty.

D. Quorums

A quorum for the executive committee shall be any five of the nine voting members listed in Article IV.A.
A quorum for meetings of the graduate faculty shall be 25 percent of the members of the graduate faculty.

ARTICLE V: AMENDMENT OF THE BYLAWS

The executive committee (or the Faculty Senate Committee on Committees as directed by the executive committee) shall submit a mail or electronic ballot to the graduate faculty of any proposed amendment put forth by the executive committee or petitioned in writing by at least ten members of the graduate faculty.
(1) Amendments to these bylaws must be approved by at least two-thirds of the votes cast.
(2) Proposed amendments shall be mailed or emailed to all members of the graduate faculty at least one week prior to the ballot.
Each proposed amendment shall state the time at which the proposed amendment shall take place.

CHAPTER 180: Cortland Student Governance

180.01 Student Government Association (SGA)
180.02 Constitution and Bylaws of SGA

180.01 STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SGA)

The purpose of the Student Government Association is to promote and manage student affairs which enable students to participate in the determination of their educational progress. All registered students of SUNY Cortland are members of this association. There is an elected Senate.

180.02 CONSTITUTION OF SGA

PREAMBLE

With this constitution the students of the State University of New York College at Cortland do hereby establish an organization of self government to represent and be responsive to the students of this college community; to promote their welfare; to insure academic and social freedom; and to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas between students, faculty and the surrounding community.

ARTICLE I: NAME

This Association shall be called the SUNY Cortland Student Government Association, hereafter abbreviated as SGA.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERS

Section 1: Membership
The membership of the Student Government Association shall consist of all full-time and part-time Mandatory Activity Fee paying students of the State University of New York College at Cortland, hereafter referred to as the student body.

Section 2: Voting Membership
The voting membership shall consist of all full-time and part-time activity fee paying students, who vote on referenda and SGA elections.

ARTICLE III: LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Section 1
All legislative power of this association shall be vested in the Student Senate.

Section 2
All decisions of the Student Senate shall be binding on all members of the student body unless otherwise state by this constitution.

Section 3
By a two-thirds vote of its membership, the Student Senate may override veto by the executive board.

Section 4: Student Senate Makeup

Eligibility requirements for senators and club representatives
1. All candidates for senator must be members of the student body.
2. All candidates for senator must attend two meetings of the Senate prior to approval.
A majority of the voting members of the Student Senate shall constitute a quorum.
All meetings of the Student Senate and the SGA shall be governed by the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order, except when Robert's Rules of Order conflicts with this constitution or bylaws.
Terms of Office: Senators will serve until the end of the academic year in which they were approved unless stated otherwise in Article 10.

Section 5: Membership

Membership in the Student Senate shall consist of the following, each of whom shall have one vote:
1. Two senators elected by and from the faculty/staff of SUNY Cortland’s Faculty Senate.
2. Senators who submit a petition of 100 signatures from the SUNY Cortland student body.
3. One representative will be chosen from each SGA recognized club to become a member of Student Senate. This student will represent one club and will hold one vote in the Senate. These representatives will be referred to as club representatives.
4. All executive board members will be nonvoting ex-officio members of the Student Senate except as noted in Article IV, Sec 6B2 of the SGA Constitution.
5. One representative from each club must establish membership at the Student Senate by being appointed by the club president and approved by the Student Senate or the club’s budget will be frozen until membership is established.
6. Sanctions for club representative attendance will be found in the financial handbook.
7. Excused absences by club representatives and senators must be approved by the chair of the Student Senate prior to the meeting.

Section 6: Duties

Duties of Senators
1. To uphold the constitution of the SGA.
2. To keep students informed of Student Senate activities and considerations by making available the minutes and other relevant documents.
3. To bring to the Student Senate any specific proposals adopted and/or requested by constituents. When appropriate, such proposals should be presented to the executive board in advance.
4. To attend all Student Senate meetings unless excused by the chair. A senator shall be dismissed from the Student Senate for two consecutive unexcused or three overall unexcused absences during an academic year.
5. To serve on the boards specified in this constitution and to serve on a minimum of two additional boards and/or committees when elected or appointed.
6. To approve all executive appointments by majority vote.
7. By majority vote, at the Student Senate, a senator may be granted a leave of absence for extenuating circumstances.
8. Senators shall be subject to any further duties and expectations outlined in the Senator Handbook.
Duties of the Club Representatives
1. To uphold the constitution of the SGA.
2. To keep constituents informed of Student Senate activities and considerations by making available the minutes and other relevant documents.
3. To bring to the Student Senate any specific proposals adopted and/or requested by constituents. When appropriate, such proposals should be presented to the executive board in advance.
4. To attend all Student Senate meetings unless excused by the Student Senate chair.
5. A club representative shall be dismissed from the Student Senate for two consecutive unexcused or three overall unexcused absences during an academic year.
6. To approve all executive appointments by majority vote of the Student Senate.
7. To serve as liaison between their club and the SGA, responsible for all communications, changes and updates occurring in the Student Senate.

Back to Chapter 180

ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Section 1:

The executive powers of the SGA shall be vested in the executive board of the SGA, which shall be chaired by the president of the SGA.

Section 2:

The executive board of SGA will consist of the following positions each having one vote:

President, nonvoting, except to make or break a tie
Vice President
Treasurer
Executive Assistant to the President
Executive Assistant to the Vice President
Vice Treasurer
Secretary
Public Relations Officer
Parliamentarian, may not vote

Section 3: Elected officers of SGA

The president, vice president and treasurer shall be elected by plurality vote of the student body who cast ballots.
1. Nomination for president requires a petition of 300 valid signatures of members of the student body.
2. Nominations for the vice president and treasurer of SGA require a petition signed by 250 members of the student body.
3. No member of the SGA may sign more than one petition for each office.
4. All elections shall be plurality vote of the student body
5. All SGA elections shall be supervised by the Board of Elections and Referenda.
6. All election procedures shall be approved by the Student Senate.
Eligibility requirements to serve as elected officers of the SGA
1. Have attended at least 10 Student Senate meetings as an approved member of the Student Senate.
2. Be registered in classes on campus for a minimum of six credit hours a semester at the State University of New York College at Cortland for the entire academic year of his/her office.
3. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 established at SUNY Cortland and not be on academic or disciplinary probation during elections and term of office.
4. May not have another job aside from the duties attributed to the position with the exceptions of approved Work Study by the Financial Aid Office and/or extenuating circumstances approved by the Student Senate.
Term of Office
1. The officers of SGA shall be elected between April1 and May 1 and shall serve from July 1 to June 30 of each calendar year.
2. All appointed officers serve at the pleasure of the officer who is responsible for appointing them.
3. In the event of a vacancy in the position of president, vice president or treasurer, the person who assumes the position will serve the unexpired term.
Write-In-Candidates
In order to be elected to office, write-in candidates shall be subject to the same eligibility requirements as any other candidates. They are not eligible to receive election funds from SGA.

Section 4:

Appointed officers of SGA
1. The executive assistant to the president shall be nominated by the president with the approval of the Student Senate
2. The executive assistant to the vice president shall be nominated by the vice president with the approval of the president and the Student Senate.
3. The vice treasurer shall be nominated by the treasurer with the approval of the president and the Student Senate.
4. The public relations officer shall be nominated by the president with the approval of the Student Senate.
5. The secretary shall be nominated by the president, with approval of the Student Senate.
6. The parliamentarian shall be nominated by the vice president with the approval of the president and the Student Senate.
7. Members of the SGA executive board shall not hold an executive position in any other SGA club and/or organization.
Eligibility requirements for nomination/appointment to serve as officers of the SGA.
1. Executive assistant to the president, executive assistant to the vice president, vice treasurer, public relations officer, secretary and parlementarian.
a. Must be a member of SGA.
b. Be registered in classes on campus for a minimum of six credit hours a semester at the State University of New York College at Cortland for the entire academic year of his/her office.
c. Must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 established at SUNY Cortland and cannot be on academic probation.
d. Must not be on disciplinary probation unless exempted by a majority vote of student senators.

Section 5: Duties of the Executive Board

To act as a forum for developing proposals of concern to the Student Senate and the entire student body.
To enforce and carry out all decisions of the Student Senate.
By unanimous vote may veto an action of the Student Senate.
During college recesses (or when the Student Senate is not in session and/or a quorum cannot be attained by the executive board), the president, vice president and the treasurer may act for the executive board and/or the Student Senate, with such actions to be reported to the Student Senate at the earliest opportunity.
To attend all Student Senate meetings unless excused by the chair. An executive board member shall be dismissed from the Student Senate for two consecutive unexcused or three overall unexcused absences during an academic year.
Choose executive board member(s) to serve as a spokesperson(s) for the SGA during all summer orientation programs. The member needs to be nominated by the executive board and approved by the Student Senate. If an executive board member is unable to fulfill the duties, the executive board will accept nominations from Student Senate.
Must create or revise a handbook by last day of classes of the spring semester, describing the duties of their position which is approved by executive board at the end of each year.

Back to Chapter 180

Section 6: Duties of the Executive Board Members

A. Duties of the President

To serve in the best interest of the SGA, upholding the constitution and to act in SGA's best interest as the official leader of SGA.
To serve as an ex officio, non-voting member of the Student Senate.
To preside at regular and special sessions of the executive board and to call special sessions of the board.
To establish any committees necessary to carry out the executive functions of SGA.
To make all appointments, with the confirmation of the Student Senate, unless otherwise stated in the constitution and bylaws.
To approve the appointments of all student representatives to faculty, administrative and policy committees, and to dismiss appointees if there is sufficient cause.
To present an explanation at the next Student Senate meeting upon dismissing an appointee.
To appoint a temporary treasurer, with the consent of the Student Senate, in the absence of the treasurer and the vice treasurer.
To appoint, with the approval of the Student Senate, the membership to Auxiliary Services Corporation when necessary.
To recommend appropriate action to the executive board and the Student Senate and to require reports of a general or specific nature of any officer, board member or committee chair.
To report weekly at Student Senate meetings on the state of SGA in accordance with the Senate calendar.
To serve as a nonvoting member of all boards or committees unless otherwise stated in this constitution and bylaws.
To be a student representative of Auxiliary Services Corporation Board of Directors and subcommittee as needed.
To serve as the student representative on the College Council.
To be present at all regular and special sessions of the Student Senate.
To call special sessions of the Student Senate.
To have a working knowledge of the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order.
To be responsible for the administration of the SGA office budget and to have final approval.
Serve as the voting delegate on the SUNY Student Assembly.
When an executive board vacancy occurs because of graduation, leave of office, withdrawal, etc. the president shall as soon as practicable appoint an interim replacement until a permanent replacement is found.
To run the Student Senate meetings in the absence of the vice president.
Must serve 10 office hours per week in the SGA office during operational hours.
Any other duties usually attributed to this office.

B. Duties of the Vice President

To serve in the best interest of the SGA, upholding the constitution and to act in SGA's best interest.
To serve as the chair of the Student Senate in an ex officio, nonvoting capacity, provided, however, that the chair may vote in order to create or break a tie.
To assume the duties of the president in his/her absence.
To accept additional responsibilities handed down by the president.
To appoint all standing and ad hoc committee chairs in the Student Senate.
To serve as a nonvoting member on all SGA boards and committees unless otherwise stated in this constitution and bylaws.
To appoint, with the consent of the president and Student Senate, all student representatives to faculty, administrative and policy committees.
To act as an advisor to all faculty and policy committee student representatives.
To call, when necessary, meetings with any faculty and policy committee student representatives.
To be a student representative on the Auxiliary Services Corporation Board of Directors and subcommittees as needed.
To chair a committee for the education of the SGA government and its workings when seen appropriate.
To serve as a voting delegate to the SUNY Student Assembly, if no conflicts arise.
To preside at all regular and special sessions of the Student Senate and to determine the agenda of the Student Senate, with consultation of executive board.
To serve as the chair on the Club Constitution Committee.
To have a thorough knowledge of the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order.
To serve as a voting member of executive board.
Must serve 10 office hours per week in the SGA office during operational hours.
All other duties usually attributed to this office.

C. Duties of the Treasurer

To serve in the best interest of the SGA, upholding the constitution and to act in SGA's best interest.
To serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Student Senate.
To be custodian of all SGA funds.
To scrutinize the expenditures of all SGA funded organizations. If a problem arises, the treasurer shall have the right to suspend, temporarily, the use of spending activity fees by any club or organization. The treasurer, at the earliest possible time, will present the situation to the Financial Board.
To provide all funded organizations with a uniform set of books and instructions for their use.
To be an advisor to all organization treasurers.
To be a student representative on the Auxiliary Services Corporation Board of Directors and subcommittees as needed.
To accept those additional responsibilities delegated by the president.
To work with the SGA president in planning and appropriating the office budget of SGA.
To serve as the nonvoting chair of the SGA Financial Board.
After review with the insurance agent, the treasurer's the sole signature to be placed on any and all contracts that legally and financially obligate the association.
To serve as a voting member of the executive board
Must serve 10 office hours per week in the SGA office during operational hours (two hours per day).
All other duties usually attributed to this office.

D. Duties of the Executive Assistant to the President

To serve in the best interest of the SGA, upholding the constitution and to act in SGA's best interest.
To serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Student Senate.
To serve as a voting member of the executive board.
To accept responsibilities and duties handed down from the vice president.
To act on behalf of the vice president when requested.
To develop at least one campus-wide program per semester.
To make all Students aware of SGA and events on a regular basis.
To take minutes at executive board and/or the Student Senate in absence of the secretary.
All other duties usually attributed to this office.

E. Duties of the Executive Assistant to the Vice President

To serve in the best interest of SGA, upholding the constitution and to act in SGA's best interest.
To serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Student Senate.
To serve as a voting member of the executive board.
To accept responsibilities and duties handed down from the vice president.
To act on behalf of the vice president when requested.
Responsible for submitting articles to the SUNY Cortland student newspaper at the SGA executive board's request about what is going on in SGA.
To take minutes at Student Senate in absence of secretary.
Must serve seven hours per week in the SGA office during operational hours.
All other duties usually attributed to this office.

F. Duties of the Vice Treasurer

To serve in the best interest of the SGA, upholding the constitution and to act in SGA's best interest.
To carry out those duties assigned by the treasurer and to attend all financial board meetings.
To assume the responsibilities of the treasurer in the absence of the treasurer.
In the absence of the treasurer, appoint, with Student Senate approval, an acting vice treasurer.
To accept any duties delegated by the treasurer.
To serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Student Senate.
To work closely with the treasurer in the financial operation of SGA and to assist and advise the treasurer.
To serve as a voting member of the executive board.
Work with the SGA president and treasurer in planning the SGA office budget.
Assist in the annual SGA club inventories.
Must serve seven office hours per week in the SGA office during operational hours, at least one hour per day.
All other duties usually attributed to this office.

G. Duties of the Public Relations Officer

To serve in the best interest of SGA, upholding the constitution and to act in SGA’s best interest.
To serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Student Senate.
To serve as a voting member of the executive board.
To administer and coordinate all student government public relations efforts.
To act as advisor to all SGA organizations in their social programming efforts and assist in scheduling of campus activities between SGA clubs and the college.
To encourage representation and inform students of SGA and campus events.
To serve as a liaison between media organizations and SGA clubs.
To make adequate publications to keep the student body aware of SGA’s events.
To formulate a seven-member committee for Winter Formal and Festivus that consists of at least one SGA executive board member, one financial board member, one student senator, one club representative and chaired by the public relations office. The officer will make or break a tie.
Must serve five hours per week in the SGA office during operational hours.
Responsible for recognizing clubs’ successes at the Student Senate and executive board meetings.
Responsible for promoting and assisting SGA recognized clubs with their events.
To help coordinate and plan executive board programming.
All other duties usually attributed to this office and to plan executive programming.

H. Duties of the Secretary

To serve in the best interest of the SGA, upholding the constitution and to act in SGA’s best interest.
To take minutes of all Student Senate and executive board meetings.
To distribute the minutes at each meeting and record attendance, listing names of those present and absent.
To be a voting member of the executive board.
Must serve three office hours per week in the SGA office during operational hours.
All other duties usually attributed to this office.

I. Duties of the Parliamentarian

To serve in the best interest of the SGA, upholding the constitution and to act in SGA’s best interest.
To educate senators on parliamentary procedure.
To be a nonvoting member of executive board.
To have thorough knowledge of the latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order.
To use the knowledge of parliamentary procedure and ensure its implementation at executive board and Student Senate meetings.
To serve as an ex officio, non-voting member of the Student Senate.
Must serve two office hours per week in the SGA office during operational hours.
All other duties usually attributed to this office.

Back to Chaper 180

ARTICLE V: JUDICIAL BODY

Section 1:

The judicial responsibility of the SGA is vested in the SUNY Cortland Student Conduct Office. Decisions of the College Hearing Panel shall be binding on all members of the SGA except where overturned by appropriate appeals board (refer to current Code of Student Conduct).

Section 2: Duties of College Hearing Panel

To adjudicate cases of alleged violations of the current Code of Student Conduct.
To adjudicate cases involving alleged violations and/or interpretations of the SGA constitution.
To adjudicate cases between organizations of the SGA.
All appeals of SGA matters involving the College Hearing Panel are subject to the appeals procedures in the Code of Student Conduct and are heard by the College Appeals Committee.
Adjudicate all properly filed election and referenda challenges.

ARTICLE VI: SGA BOARDS

Section 1: Financial Board

Duties:
1. To recommend to the SGA Student Senate policies and procedures for the administration of student funds. Any changes to the Financial Handbook must be passed by a majority vote of the Student Senate.
2. To make recommendations for the increases and/or decreases of the Mandatory Activity Fee and other such student fees as may be desired.
3. To annually prepare the budgets of the SGA clubs for the regular academic year and the summer sessions. These budgets must be completed by April 1. If spring recess starts and ends in March, the budget must be completed by the second week of April. These proposed budgets are then submitted to the Student Senate for approval.
4. To grant allocations from the SGA contingency fund and other funds according to the Financial Handbook.
5. To aid and encourage cooperation of organizations in programming.
6. All actions of the financial board must be reported to the executive board and Student Senate to insure that there is not a violation of SGA financial policy or SUNY Board of Trustees guidelines for the allocation of the Mandatory Activity Fee. If there is a violation of any of the above policies, the Student Senate shall void the action.
Membership shall be as follows:
1. SGA treasurer: Shall serve as chair, nonvoting, except to make or break a tie.
2. SGA vice treasurer: Shall serve as vice chair.
3. Six members of SGA at large nominated by SGA treasurer and vice treasurer, elected by Student Senate.
4. The vice president for student affairs, after consultation with the SGA treasurer, will appoint a nonvoting advisor to the financial board.
The Financial Board Chair:
1. Shall be the treasurer of SGA.
2. Will be available to assist SGA clubs and organizations in budget preparation.
3. Present to the Student Senate any financial board recommendations concerning changes and/or modifications of SGA financial board.
4. Set the agenda for all financial board meetings.
5. To recommend to the Student Senate removal of a financial board member who misses three meetings during a semester.
6. Maintain a regular relationship with the appointed advisor of the financial board.
7. To recommend to the Student Senate the removal of a financial board member for reasons other than absences, with consent of financial board.

Section 2: Board of Elections and Referenda

Duties:
1. Developing and presenting to the Student Senate procedures to be used in the conduct of elections and referenda.
2. Conduct elections following approved procedures.
3. To advise candidates and respond to questions regarding elections and referenda.
4. To serve in the best interest of SGA.
Membership shall be as follows.
1. Seven members of student body shall be appointed by the Student Senate and serve a term ending on the last day of the spring semester, each
2. A chair, nonvoting — except to make or break a tie — shall be elected by the members of the board.
3. No candidate for an elective office may serve on the elections board.

Section 3: Club Constitutions Committee

Duties:
1. To review and make recommendations to the Student Senate on new and old club constitutions.
2. To determine the status of clubs as either active or inactive after inactivity for one academic year.
3. To recommend to the Student Senate why SGA should discontinue recognition of a club or organization.
4. The SGA Club Constitution Committee must submit its policies and procedures to the Student Senate for approval.
Members shall be as follows:
1. The vice president, as chair, nonvoting — except to make or break a tie.
2. The parliamentarian, nonvoting.
3. Three members of the Student Senate, voting.

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

The Executive Board, Student Senate and all boards shall meet weekly unless the chair or the president decide there is not sufficient business to justify a meeting.
Special meetings may be called whenever deemed appropriate by the chair and/or the president.
For each body, Student Senate, executive board and all other boards, a quorum shall be a majority of its members.

ARTICLE VIII: IMPEACHMENT

Officers of all organizations, club representatives and senators of SGA are subject to impeachment by a two-thirds vote of the Student Senate. The College Hearing Panel shall hear the case with a majority vote needed for impeachment. The College Hearing Panel will impose sanctions as appropriate.
The Senate must vote by secret ballot.

ARTICLE IX: REMOVAL OF OFFICERS

Section 1: The president, vice president and treasurer of the SGA are subject to recall by a petition bearing the signatures of 1,200 students of the student body.

Section 2: After signatures have been received, impeachment procedure will be followed to remove the officer from his/her position.

ARTICLE X: REMOVAL OF SENATORS

Section 1: All senators of the SGA are subject to removal by a petition bearing the signatures of 50 percent of all students of the SGA Student Senate.

Section 2: The procedures for the removal of a senator are the same as those for the removal of officers.

ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENT

Section 1: A committee appointed by the president with the consent of the Student Senate may review this constitution and bylaws at least every two years and propose any amendments to the constitution or bylaws. The committee shall be made up of not less than five members of SGA of which there must be at least one member from each branch of the SGA.

Section 2: A proposed amendment must be announced in the Student Senate and given to each senator in writing, at least one week prior to the vote on that amendment.

Section 3: The SGA constitution may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the Student Senate membership.

ARTICLE XII: RATIFICATION

Section 1: An amended SGA constitution must be ratified upon approval of two-thirds of the Student Senate membership and majority vote of the student body by referenda, after following the procedures stated in Article XI.

Section 2: Amendments to the SGA constitution approved by the Student Senate are not effective until ratification by the student body.

ARTICLE XIII: COMMENDATION

Commendation may be given to those students or nonstudents who have made exceptional contributions to the SGA. Commendations shall offer no responsibilities or authority. Commendation may be proposed to the Student Senate by a two-thirds vote of a recognized student organization. A two-thirds vote of the Senate shall be required.

Back to Chapter 180

ARTICLE XIV: VACANCY OF OFFICE

Section 1: In the event that an executive vacancy occurs, replacement procedures will be as follows:

President: The vice president will assume the position of the president.
Vice President: Nominations will be open on the floor of the Student Senate for one week after the vacancy occurs with election by a plurality vote.
Treasurer: If a vacancy in the office of treasurer occurs, the vice treasurer will assume the position of treasurer.
If a vacancy in any other position occurs, it will be filled by a reappointment following appointment procedures outlined in this constitution.

Section 2: SGA Referenda Policies and Procedures

Referenda requests must be submitted by a recognized SGA club or organization.
1. Petitions for referendum must be filed with the financial board with the exception of amended SGA constitutions that require ratification. The financial board will review the petitions and make a recommendation to the SGA Student Senate for approval.
2. If approved by the Student Senate, the petition is sent to the Board of Elections and Referenda. The wording for referenda, including revised SGA constitutions, will be written by the Board of Elections and Referenda. The petition is then sent to the executive board.
3. The executive board must approve the wording of all referenda by majority vote before submitting them to the entire student body.
4. Referenda are in effect when passed by a majority vote of the student body who voted.
5. Any allocations needed for referenda will then be voted on by the Financial Board. A majority vote is needed before the allocations can be sent out.
A valid petition signed by 35 percent of the student body requires any SGA policy be put to a popular vote of the membership of the student body.
A valid petition is one that clearly and precisely explains the action to be taken and contains the full names and ID numbers of the signee.
SGA policy may be overridden by a petition containing at least 51 percent of the student body.

Section 3: SGA Clubs and Organizations

A proposed constitution of a new club/organization must be announced in the Student Senate at least one week prior to the vote on its ratification.
Implicit in the preamble of all constitutions must be the ideals incorporated in the SGA constitution.
SGA will fund a maximum of 85 clubs or organizations.
Any changes in club constitutions must be recommended by the Club Constitution Committee and approved by the Student Senate.

Section 4: Budgetary Bylaws

The president, treasurer and vice treasurer will prepare and present an SGA office budget to the financial board no later than the third week in March. The office budget must be approved by the Student Senate.
After approval from Student Senate, the financial board will hold budget hearings for all the SGA clubs and organizations. This should be completed no later than the first week of April. If the spring recess starts and ends in March, then the budget must be completed by the second week of April.
After release of the recommended budget, each club and organization has five days to make an appeal to the financial board.
After the appeal process (5 days) the budget is presented to the SGA president for consideration.
After review, and any necessary consultation, the SGA president will present the proposed SGA budget to the Student Senate. The Student Senate may ratify the budget by majority vote. If the budget is not ratified, it will be sent back to the financial board with appropriate recommendations.
The Student Senate has two weeks to make a decision on the budget. If a decision is not made by two weeks, the budget becomes final and goes to the SUNY Cortland president as the official budget.

NONDISCRIMINATORY STATEMENT OF POLICY XVIII OF THE SGA

It is the policy of the SUNY Cortland Student Government Association to provide to any student access to all student organizations based on merit and without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sexual preferences, sex, age, or national origin, or physical abilities pursuant to Federal Executive Orders #11246 and #11375, State Executive Order #40 and the Board of Trustees Policy Statement.

This nondiscriminatory policy applies to everyone and every organization, in every aspect of student government policy and practices at the College. The policy must be implemented throughout all student organizations and is the responsibility of all members of student government.

Revised, Spring 1989

Revised, Spring 1993

Revised, Fall 1994

Revised, Fall 1998

Revised, Spring 2001

Revised, Spring 2004

Revised, Spring 2005

Revised, Spring 2006

Revised, Spring 2008

Revised Spring 2009