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- **BYLAWS OF THE Senate**

- **OF THE**

- **STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION**

- **AT**

- **JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY**

- *Last Updated April 2026*

- **ARTICLE 1\. TITLE AND PURPOSE**

- ***ARTICLE 1, SECTION 1\.*** These Bylaws of the Student Government Association, also referred to as the Bylaws, enacted pursuant to Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution of the Student Government Association at Johns Hopkins University, contains all regulations currently and permanently affecting the Student Government Association.

- **ARTICLE 2\. SUPREMACY**

- ***ARTICLE 2, SECTION 1\.*** The Constitution, these Bylaws, and the Senate Procedural Rules, respectively, shall supersede legislation of the Senate and shall retain supremacy, in conjunction with the Constitution, over any other SGA laws and governing documents of subsidiary bodies and student organizations.

- ***ARTICLE 2, SECTION 2\.*** Should any part of these Bylaws be ruled unconstitutional, such part shall be considered severable and the rest of the document shall remain valid and enforceable.

- **ARTICLE 3\. THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH**

- ***ARTICLE 3, SECTION 1\. STRUCTURE OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH***

- 3.1.1 Article III of the Constitution describes the structure and basic roles of the members of the Executive Branch.

- ***ARTICLE 3, SECTION 2\. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH***

- **3.2.1 STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT**

- 3.2.1 Serves as the Spokesperson of SGA.

- 3.2.2 Organizes and attends meetings with Administrators.

- 3.2.3 Executes acts of the Senate, particularly by sending Resolutions to Administrators.

- 3.2.4 Chairs and manages their Cabinet.

- 3.2.5 Ensures regular communication with their counterparts in the Graduate Student Organization (GRO) by meeting with the co-chairs of the GRO at the beginning of each semester.

- 3.2.6 Ensures the smooth integration of new members – especially freshmen – into SGA.

- 3.2.6.1 The outgoing Student Body President shall coordinate the production of transition documents compiled by the Executive Branch, Standing Legislative Committees, and Class Councils. These documents shall be finished at the end of every one-year term, presented to the Senate, and provided to the next SGA.

- 3.2.6.2 The Student Body President, in collaboration with the Vice President and Chair of Programming, shall organize at least one mandatory SGA retreat per semester to clarify its goals and promote group development.

- **3.2.2 STUDENT BODY VICE PRESIDENT**

- 3.2.2.1 Assists the President in all their duties.

- 3.2.2.2 Succeeds the President in case of their impeachment or resignation.

- 3.2.2.3 Accompanies the Student Body President to meetings with administrators when necessary.

- 3.2.2.4 Fosters community within the Senate.

- 3.2.2.5 Collaborates with the Student Body President, the Chair of Programming, and the SGA advisor to organize semesterly retreats.

- 3.2.2.6 Assists new members with writing legislation.

- 3.2.2.7 Fosters communication with the governing bodies of other divisions of the University (e.g., GRO, CSAC, JHUC).

- 3.2.2.8 Within the first month of each Senator’s or Cabinet Member’s term, uses campaign material, a form, and/or discussion with the member to determine their primary short- and long-term goals for their term in SGA.

- 3.2.2.9 Regularly references legislative and non-legislative work of each member to determine if they are making progress towards their goals.

- 3.2.2.9.1 This must be done at least once

- a month, but the Vice President is encouraged to check on different members throughout the month rather than examining every member at the same time.

- 3.2.2.9.2 The Vice President may work with the Student Body Secretary to create an organizational system to track and document each member’s goals and progress.

- 3.2.2.9.3 If a member does not seem to be working towards their goals, the Vice President shall contact the member to either meet with them or to connect them to another member of SGA who would be more capable of supporting the member.

- 3.2.2.9.4 If the member is still not making progress towards their goals after two months, the Vice President shall set up a meeting with themselves, an advisor of SGA, and any other relevant SGA members to determine how best to support the member.

- **3.2.3 SECRETARY**

- 3.2.3.1 Records how frequently each of the non-Senate bodies within SGA issues a report to the Senate during general body meetings and notifies the Chair of the body if they are not in compliance.

- 3.2.3.2 Serves as the primary recordkeeper for SGA.

- 3.2.3.2.1 Stores all of SGA’s digital records for protection in a secondary technological archive at the end of every year.

- 3.2.3.2.2 Ensures that the Leadership Engagement and Experiential Development (LEED) Office and the JHU Libraries have copies of all records.

- 3.2.3.3 Takes minutes at every Senate and Cabinet meeting, or designates someone to do so in their absence.

- 3.2.3.3.1 Minutes shall, at the very least, always include the following:

- > > > > > > 3.2.3.3.1.1 The date, time, and location of a meeting.

- > > > > > > 3.2.3.3.1.2 Those present at and absent from a SGA meeting, including whether the absence is excused or unexcused.

- > > > > > > 3.2.3.3.1.3 Any guests in attendance at the meeting.

- > > > > > > 3.2.3.3.1.4 The matters discussed in a meeting.

- > > > > > > 3.2.3.3.1.5 The main ideas discussed within each matter.

- > > > > > > 3.2.3.3.1.6 The major points or motions raised during the meeting.

- > > > > > > 3.2.3.3.1.7 All votes made during the meeting, and, if possible via roll call or electronic voting, each senator’s vote will be recorded.

- 3.2.3.3.2 Minutes shall be made available to the Secretary no later than a week from the meeting at which they were recorded. Failure to send minutes shall be in violation of the Bylaws.

- 3.2.3.4 Creates and maintains internal SGA infrastructure.

- ***3.2.4 TREASURER***

- 3.2.4.1 Submitting all purchase requests on behalf of the Senate.

- 3.2.4.2 Co-Chairing the Committee on Finance and meeting regularly with the Chair of the Committee on Student Organizations.

- 3.2.4.3 Assisting new Senators with understanding financial policies and HopkinsGroups financial processes.

- 3.2.4.4 Shall work with the Finance Committee to formulate an annual budget for the SGA.

- 3.2.4.5 Shall assist with the funding of student groups.

- 3.2.4.6 Shall act as the financial officer of the SGA, keeping all of its ledgers and coordinating with the Finance Committee.

- 3.2.4.7 Works alongside the Student Body Chair of Programming and the Chair of RSOs as the liaison for communication between RSOs and LEED, assisting with questions regarding RSO finances, registration, and event creation.

- **3.2.5 DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS**

- 3.2.5.1 Maintaining all SGA email lists via HopkinsGroups and serving as the point of contact for all SGA communications.

- 3.2.5.1.1 Monitoring the SGA email and social media notifications.

- 3.2.5.1.2 Reviewing school-wide emails.

- 3.2.5.2 Maintains the SGA website:

- 3.2.5.2.1 Places any SGA document deliberated in the public sphere – legislation, minutes, amendments to guiding documents, and initiatives – onto the website within a week of receipt from the Secretary.

- 3.2.5.2.2 Updates record of SGA members within a week of election or appointment by the Student Body President & confirmation by Senate.

- 3.2.5.2.3 Perform additional updates and maintenance on the website, within a week, when requested by an undergraduate student or SGA member and approved by a majority vote of the Senate.

- 3.2.5.2.4 If the Director of Communications fails to maintain the SGA website according to 3.2.5.2 on 4 instances, they shall be automatically removed from office.

- 3.2.5.3 Responds to and honors any JHU undergraduate’s request for SGA information sent to HopkinsGroups or the SGA email within a week of request, and if information cannot be provided, a legitimate legal, or personal privacy-related reason shall be provided in writing.

- 3.2.5.3.1 Denied requests may be appealed to the Judiciary Board.

- 3.2.5.3.2 All requests, fulfilled or denied, shall be listed in the SGA public records.

- 3.2.5.4 Present to the Senate a report of what they have completed at the first GBM of every month, and shall be subject to review by the Committee on Internal Affairs to ensure compliance.

- ***3.2.6 STUDENT BODY CHAIR OF PROGRAMMING***

- 3.2.6.1 Heads the Committee on Programming and presents all bills regarding SGA Events, including but not limited to Tabling Events, Workshops, Retreats, and general events.

- 3.2.6.2 Leads the organization for S.I.F Presence and Semesterly Retreats.

- 3.2.6.3 Organizes SGA Tabling Events

- 3.2.6.3.1 SGA will host one tabling event every month of the school year, with provisional exceptions to December, January, and May, as these months tend to have fewer school days compared to others. Explicitly, months that must have a tabling event include September, October, November, February, March, and April.

- 3.2.6.3.2 Tabling events must be at least one hour long.

- 3.2.6.3.3 Tabling events must be staffed by a minimum of four members from the Committee on Programming, alongside four members from the Committee or Class Council in charge of tabling that session.

- 3.2.6.3.4 Each tabling session will be led by either a Committee or Class Council \- each class council must host one tabling session per academic school year, partnered with the Committee of Programming.

- 3.2.6.3.5 Tabling events must open to all JHU undergraduate students and be held in a space that is easily accessible to all JHU undergraduate students and preferably, in a highly frequented area. Possible tabling areas include:

- 3.2.6.3.5.1 Breezeway.

- > > > > > > 3.2.6.3.5.2 Brody Learning Commons and Tyler Terrace.

- > > > > > > 3.2.6.3.5.3 Milton S. Eisenhower Library.

- 3.2.6.3.5.4 Charles Commons.

- 3.2.6.3.5.5 In front of Hopkins Café.

- > > > > > > 3.2.6.3.5.6 Levering Café and Courtyard.

- > > > > > > 3.2.6.3.5.7 Levering Café and Courtyard.

- > > > > > > 3.2.6.3.5.8 The Bloomberg Student Center

- 3.2.6.3.6 Tabling events must be well-publicized by all the class councils before, during, and after the events to draw in as much attendance, and future attendance, as possible.

- 3.2.6.3.7 At the end of every tabling event, there must be a report submitted about the event’s feedback by the Chair of Programming to the Senate.

- 3.2.6.3.8 At the beginning of each semester, the Student Body President shall organize a sign-up sheet, reserve an event space, and arrange any purchases for every month of the semester.

- 3.2.6.4 Chairing, appointing, and managing the Committee on Programming.

- 3.2.6.4.1 The Student Body Chair of Programming shall have the freedom to appoint additional officers or members to the Committee of Programming at the Chair’s discretion.

- 3.2.6.4.2 Within the first month of each Programming Council member’s term, uses campaign material, a form, and/or discussion with the member to determine their primary short- and long-term plans for their term in SGA.

- 3.2.6.5 Collaborates with the Student Body Treasurer to create a budget for the administrative year.

- 3.2.6.6 Collaborates with the Student Body President, Student Body Vice President, and SGA Advisors to organize semesterly retreats.

- 3.2.6.7 Collaborates with the Secretary to ensure the creation, dissemination, and preservation of reports for each tabling event.

- 3.2.6.8 Collaborates with other student organizations and school governance bodies to create co-sponsored events that will either enhance campus life or promote the common good of all Homewood undergraduate students.

- 3.2.6.8.1 Student organizations hoping to collaborate with SGA and other members of SGA must first meet with the Student Body Chair of Programming and the Student Body Treasurer before a funding bill is presented at first reading

- 3.2.6.8.2 It is the responsibility of the Student Body Chair of Programming to establish co-sponsorship rules with the Student Body Treasurer and send them to student organizations before funding is delivered.

- 3.2.6.9 Works alongside the Student Body Treasurer and the Chair of the Committee on Student Organizations as the liaison for communication between RSOs and LEED, assisting with questions regarding RSO finances, registration, and event creation.

- 3.2.6.10 Collaborates with campus partners, student organizations, and university departments to enhance the overall student experience.

- **ARTICLE 4\. THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH**

- ***ARTICLE 4, SECTION 1\. STRUCTURE OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH***

- **4.1.1 SENATORS**

- ***4.1.1.1 Per the Constitution, the following Senators shall be elected for every one year term.***

- 4.1.1.1.1 Five Class Senators from each graduating class.

- > > > > > > 4.1.1.1.1.1 These five Class Senators shall include one Class President, who shall serve as the primary class representative for purposes of communication with students and administrators.

- 4.1.1.1.2 Seven Academic Senators from the Krieger School and Five Academic Senators from the Whiting ~~s~~School.

- 4.1.1.1.3 Five Student Organization Senators from any category of student organizations that SGA recognizes.

- 4.1.1.1.4 One Caucus Senator for each SGA Caucus, as defined in the Constitution and listed in the Bylaws.

- 4.1.1.2 Senators participate within SGA as members of the Senate and Standing Legislative Committees.

- 4.1.1.3 Senators shall be proactive in pursuing student interests and concerns in addition to actively lobbying relevant administrators.

- 4.1.1.4 Senators shall prioritize their commitments to SGA and strive to attend all SGA-related meetings.

- 4.1.1.5 Senators may be considered in bad standing if they do not fulfill the aforementioned guidelines and subsequently may be subject to an impeachment hearing under Article IX of the Constitution.

- **4.1.2 STANDING LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES**

- 4.1.2.1 Standing Legislative Committees of the Senate shall be established in these Bylaws and shall exist in perpetuity.

- 4.1.2.2 Standing Legislative Committees of the Senate shall be established to address the general business of the Senate and to recommend to the Senate the adoption or rejection of legislation.

- 4.1.2.3 The number of members on Standing Legislative Committees shall be determined by the President of the Senate, provided the size allows the committees to function effectively.

- 4.1.2.3.1 The Committee on Finance and Committee on Student Organizations shall each have at least 14 members.

- 4.1.2.4 Initiatives born in committees must be documented and presented to a GBM by the author/Senators working on the initiative, and those initiatives must have proposed action items and deadlines.

- 4.1.2.4.1 Each action item must have a deadline by which the action item must be completed, with the only exception being that of sickness or physical inability to do so.

- 4.1.2.4.2 If feedback from any party isn’t given to an action item before its deadline, the Senator holds the right to continue forward with their action item, without waiting for the feedback.

- 4.1.2.4.3 The Senator(s) in charge of the initiative will present updates of their legislation at every GBM following each deadline of their proposed action items. Once an action item is completed, the Senator(s) may strike through, but not remove, the action item on the piece of legislature.

- 4.1.2.4.4 The author/Senator(s) must provide an update about their initiative’s action items at the GBM following the action item deadline.

- 4.1.2.4.5 The Senate holds the right to ask about updates to an initiative each week if the Senator(s) heading the initiative fails to present an update about their action items after the proposed deadline.

- 4.1.2.5 The following Standing Legislative Committees of the Senate shall be established:

- 4.1.2.5.1 COMMITTEE ON ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.1.1 Deals with matters relating to Student Advising, the Registrar, the Academic Council, and other academic-related organs of the University to improve the academic atmosphere for students.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.1.2 Works with administrators, including the Dean of the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and the Dean of the Whiting School of Engineering, to advance academic policies and programs that fit the needs and desires of the student body.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.1.3 Works with the Executive Board and the Senior Class Council on matters related to Convocation, Commencement, and other University academic ceremonies.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.1.4 Takes up other measures relating to academic affairs.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.1.5 Works on goals of importance pertaining to all students of the undergraduate academic wings within the University, namely the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and the Whiting School of Engineering.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.1.6 The vice chair of the Committee on Academic Affairs will assist the chair of Academic Affairs and also act as a liaison between the Committee on Academic Affairs and the Academic Senators.

- 4.1.2.5.1.6.1 The vice chair will be elected by the Committee on Academic Affairs.

- 4.1.2.5.1.6.2 The vice chair will be responsible for the sharing of information and knowledge transfer between the Committee and the Academic Senators.

- 4.1.2.5.1.6.3 The vice chair will ensure that the goals of the Academic Senators are represented fairly for the Committee on Academic Affairs.

- 4.1.2.5.2 COMMITTEE ON CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.2.1 Promotes matters of civic engagement, civic involvement and participation, civic activism, student activism, community engagement in Baltimore and beyond, and issues of public, political or civic concern that fall beyond the realm of other committees.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.2.2 Collaborates with JHU student groups focused on civic engagement and aids them in their efforts.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.2.3 Works with other Senate committees, the Office of Student Life, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, LGBTQ+ Life, Student Disability Services, the Office of Institutional Equity, and other relevant academic departments and faculty in its aforementioned matters of scope whenever applicable.

- 4.1.2.5.3 COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.3.1 The membership of the Committee on Finance is restricted to duly serving members of the Senate. The Executive Treasurer shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Committee on Finance.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.3.2 Deals with all financial matters of the Student Government Association, including appropriations, funding procedures, and financial management.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.3.2 Evaluates and votes on all legislation of allocating funds from the Senate, that is sent to the Finance Committee by the Sunday immediately preceding the General Body Meeting by the time set by the Rules Bill.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.3.3 Has the ability to approve any funding allocations from the Senate’s budget that are equal to or less than five-hundred dollars if the general body does not meet in two consecutive weeks.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.3.4 Collaborates with the Committee on Student Organizations to guarantee the success of student organizations by aiding groups through their grant and sponsorship request process.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.3.5 Informs student organizations of available funding resources, including but not limited to internal and external grants and sponsorships from the Senate.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.3.6 Advise the Executive Treasurer on matters related to funding.

- 4.1.2.5.4 COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, SAFETY, AND SUSTAINABILITY

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.4.1 Deals with matters pertaining to the health and safety of the student body.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.4.2 Takes up measures related to sustainability and facilities, as applicable to the Johns Hopkins community.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.4.3 Works with Campus Safety and Security, Student Life, Health and Wellness Center administrators, and other University officials to advocate for and ensure the health, safety, and well-being of students.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.4.4 Works with the Recycling Center and the Office of Sustainability to advance sustainable practices.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.4.5 Works with the Vice President of Facilities and Real Estate as well as other University administrators to advance the interests of the student body with respect to real estate, buildings and grounds, auxiliary services, facilities, and related matters.

- 4.1.2.5.5 COMMITTEE ON INTERNAL AFFAIRS

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.5.1 The Student Body Vice President and the Parliamentarian shall serve as ex-officio members of the Committee on Internal Affairs.

- 4.1.2.5.5.1.1 The Student Body Vice President shall only vote only in the case of a tie.

- 4.1.2.5.5.1.2 If the Parliamentarian is a Senator of SGA, they will have a standard say and can vote on the committee. Otherwise, the Parliamentarian is a non-voting member.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.5.2 Deals with all matters related to the internal affairs of the Senate and the SGA, except matters related to the Senate’s budget which are restricted to the Committee on Finance.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.5.3 Deals with matters related to amendments of the SGA Constitution, the SGA Bylaws and the Senate Procedural Rules.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.5.4 Deals with matters related to amendments of the Committee on Student Elections (CSE) Bylaws and other appropriate governing student documents, excluding revising the Governing Guidelines for the SGA Committee on Finance, a power which is reserved to the Committee on Finance, and the SGA Judiciary Bylaws, which are reserved by the Constitution to the Judiciary itself.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.5.5 Handles all appointments of SGA officials as prescribed by statute, including the evaluation of the Executive President’s judicial nominees, and to recommend to the Senate their appointment or rejection.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.5.6 Helps facilitate the impeachment process by holding proceedings to make findings of fact and regulation and providing an informed perspective to the Senate.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.5.7 Conducts ethical or disciplinary hearings of SGA members and refers such cases to the Senate with its recommendations.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.5.8 Deals with all other legislation that relates to the internal affairs of the Senate.

- 4.1.2.5.6 COMMITTEE ON STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.6.1 To conduct hearings with leaders of proposed student organizations to evaluate and determine their funding eligibility and recognition status within the SGA.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.6.2 Works to ensure inter-organizational collaboration among the clubs, groups, and organizations of the undergraduate population at Johns Hopkins.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.6.3 Works with student organizations to advance their goals and help facilitate their continued success.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.6.4 Works with other organizations of the SGA, including the CMC, to ensure and promote the success of student organizations.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.6.5 Ensures that University resources, including usage of the Hopkins logos, funding, facilities and other resources are used only by approved student groups and that such resources are distributed fairly and utilized responsibly.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.6.6 Ensures that approved student organizations remain in good standing with the SGA and the University, and to recommend corrective actions to the Senate when groups violate SGA, University, local, state, and/or federal rules, regulations, and/or laws.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.6.7 Establishes protocols for applying to be an approved student organization and regulations governing the types and standards of such organizations.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.6.8 Works with University officials, including the Coordinator for Student Organizations; the Associate Dean of Student Engagement; administrators of programs housing student organizations such as the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Interfaith Center, the Department of Athletics and Recreation, the Center for Social Concern, the Homewood Arts Programs, and the Digital Media Center; and other University personnel, to advance collaboration and standardization of expectations for student organizations.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.6.9 Takes up other measures relating to student organizations.

- 4.1.2.5.7 COMMITTEE ON STUDENT SERVICES

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.7.1 Evaluates proposals for SGA sponsorship of events.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.7.2 Works to provide SGA-sponsored services to fulfill needs that the University administration cannot or will not provide.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.7.3 Works towards improving existing services available to students.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.7.4 Works with student organizations, the University, and businesses to advance the aforementioned responsibilities.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.7.5 Takes up other measures relating to student services.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.7.6 Liaison Program

- 4.1.2.5.7.6.1 The Chair of the Committee on Student Services will administer the Liaison Program in conjunction with the SGA advisor, LEED, and the Office of the Dean of Student Life.

- 4.1.2.5.7.6.2 The outgoing Chair of the Committee on Student Services shall be entrusted with the task of creating a transition document for the use of the successor Senate Committee on Student Services. In this document, the outgoing Chair will describe the initiatives that they pursued during the semester, administrator meetings, and correspondence with administrators/coordinators participating in the Liaison Program. The outgoing Chair will send out an email to these administrators/coordinators introducing their successor.

- 4.1.2.5.7.6.3 Each member of the Committee on Student Services will be paired with an administrator or their coordinator from a department that Student Services works with based on their interests at the first Student Services meeting of the semester. The Chair reserves discretion over the pairings.

- 4.1.2.5.7.6.4 After the pairings are made, the Chair will send out emails of introduction to each administrator/coordinator to introduce the senator who will act as their liaison for the academic year.

- 4.1.2.5.7.6.5 The senator is expected to correspond with their administrator/coordinator on a monthly basis in order to share student feedback as well as to receive updates on initiatives. The senator should try to meet in-person once each semester, along with the Chair or Vice-Chair.

- 4.1.2.5.8 COMMITTEE ON PROGRAMMING

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.8.1 Creates SGA Tabling Events, Workshops, and general SGA events.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.8.2 The Chair of Programming will lead this Committee, with assistance of a vice-chair that is elected from within the committee.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.8.3 All Programming Council Members must be on this committee. Additional members from all of the Student Government may join this committee.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.5.8.4 Class specific events, such as formals, will be led by the respective Class Council of Programming members with assistance from the Committee on Programming.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.4.8.5 On weeks when the Committee on Programming does not meet, individual Class Councils will meet independently with the Vice of Programming and the Class Council Coordinator.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.4.8.6 With majority consent of the Senate, at the start of an SGA session, a set amount of money shall be set aside from the discretionary fund of the SGA to be used by the Committee on Programming at their discretion.

- ***4.1.2.6 AD-HOC LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES***

- 4.1.2.6.1 Ad-hoc Committees of the Senate, in accordance with the Constitution, shall be established by a two-thirds vote of the Senate and shall automatically expire at the end of the academic semester during which they were established.

- 4.1.2.6.2 Ad-hoc Committees of the Senate shall be empaneled to address matters of great importance to the student body and may recommend that the Senate take up certain proposals through its regular legislative process in order to address specific concerns.

- 4.1.2.6.3 The parameters and scope of individual ad-hoc committees shall be stipulated in the legislation providing for their specific establishment.

- 4.1.2.6.4 The number of members of Ad-Hoc Committees of the Senate shall be provided for in the legislation establishing the particular committees.

- 4.1.2.6.5 An SGA Long-Term Ad-Hoc Committee, appropriately abbreviated as an LAHC, shall be a type of ad-hoc committee, adherent to all standard terms and requirements of an ad-hoc committee, with the following and express exceptions:

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.6.5.1 An SGA LAHC shall be established in perpetuity until a clearly delineated date of expiration or sunset, or until which time that the Senate votes by two-thirds majority to determine that the LAHC’s mandate or purpose has elapsed.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.6.5.2 An SGA LAHC may include additional differences from traditional ad-hoc committees, provided that those differences are clearly delineated in the SGA LAHC’s legislative enactment act and provided that those differences do not violate other terms of the SGA Bylaws or the SGA Constitution.

- ***4.1.2.7 MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES***

- 4.1.2.7.1 Pursuant to the Constitution, the President of the Senate shall sort Senators into Standing Legislative Committees of the Senate, and confirmation of these appointments shall require ratification by a majority of the Senate.

- 4.1.2.7.2 In executing the Constitutional duty to sort Senators into committees, the President of the Senate shall

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.7.2.1 Solicit the wishes and availabilities of individual Senators.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.7.2.2 Study their individual passions and legislative priorities.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.7.2.3 If prudent, consult with SGA colleagues.

- 4.1.2.7.3 The President of the Senate shall thereafter proceed to sort Senators into committees by the third Senate General Body Meeting in a manner which, in the opinion of the President of the Senate, will allow individual Senators to flourish and will best serve the students and community of the Johns Hopkins University.

- 4.1.2.7.4 Within 48 hours of the election of the Committee Chairs at the first Senate Meeting, each Committee Chair will inform the President of the Senate of a meeting time for the following semester. These meeting times will be visible on the form used by the President of the Senate to solicit the wishes of each Senator. If a Senator is unable to attend the designated time for any committee, they shall indicate so on the form.

- 4.1.2.7.5 If a committee needs to change its meeting time, the Committee Chair shall decide on a new time based on its committee members’ availability and inform the President of the Senate of such change by the next SGA GBM.

- 4.1.2.7.6 Any member of the Senate who is impeached in accordance with the Constitution and relieved from the duties of the Senate are thus automatically removed from all Standing Legislative Committees of the Senate and Ad-hoc Committees of the Senate.

- 4.1.2.7.7 If any vacancies within Standing Legislative Committees of the Senate or Ad-hoc Committees of the Senate arise by the departure of a Senator, the President of the Senate shall sort another Senator into the vacant position, which shall be confirmed by a majority of the Senate.

- ***4.1.2.8 LEADERSHIP OF COMMITTEES***

- 4.1.2.8.1 CHAIRS AND VICE CHAIRS

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.1.1 The Internal Affairs Committee and Finance Committee shall each have two c0-chairs automatically.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.1.2 Every other standing and ad-hoc committee shall have one chair and one vice chair.

- 4.1.2.8.2 SELECTION OF THE CHAIR

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.2.1 At the first Senate Meeting of the year, the President of the Senate shall preside over elections for the chair of each Standing Legislative Committee, where the whole Senate votes on Committee Chairs. If a chair of a Standing Legislative Committee shall resign before a vice chair or non-executive co-chair of the respective committee has been selected, the new chair shall be elected through the procedure described by 4.1.2.8.2.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.2.2 At this Senate Meeting, the President of the Senate shall accept nominations of Senate members to serve as chair of the committee. Individuals may not serve as chair of more than one (1) committee, as the chair of a committee if they are the vice chair for another committee, or as the chair of a committee if they are the chair of a caucus.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.2.3 Upon hearing the nomination, the President of the Senate shall ask each nominee if they would like to perform the service of committee chair.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.2.4 Those responding in the affirmative shall each give short speeches of no more than 3 minutes outlining their qualifications and priorities.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.2.5 Without a discussion, each Senate member shall then cast a vote for the chair by confidential paper ballot or another confidential voting method.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.2.6 Any candidate shall be required to win an absolute majority vote of all Senators to be installed as committee chair or co-chair and will be sworn in by the President of the Senate.

- 4.1.2.8.2.6.1 In the case of an election consisting of only 2 candidates that didn’t win an absolute majority vote, the Senate shall repeat the elections for the committee chair until an absolute majority can be reached by 1 candidate.

- 4.1.2.8.2.6.2 In the case of an election consisting of more than 2 candidates that didn’t win an absolute majority of the vote, the candidate that won the least amount of votes shall be removed as a candidate for their respective committee chair, and any candidate that wishes to drop out as a candidate shall be allowed to rescind their name as a candidate. Another vote shall take place and the process described above shall continue until either there are 2 candidates remaining or one candidate wins an absolute majority of the vote.

- 4.1.2.8.2.6.3 If no candidate receives an absolute majority due to a tie, the President of the Senate shall cast a tie-breaking vote.

- 4.1.2.8.2.6.4 In the event that there are 2 candidates that have not won an absolute majority vote for the committee chair after two rounds of voting, any Senator may move to reduce the absolute majority vote needed to a plurality vote needed, which shall require a simple majority vote of the Senate to pass.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.2.7 The Student Body Vice President and Student Body Treasurer, in their respective roles as ex-officio members of the Internal Affairs Committee and of the Finance Committee, shall also serve as respective ex-officio co-chairs of those committees.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.2.8 The Committee Chair’s term of office shall extend for the term of the Senate.

- 4.1.2.8.3 SELECTION OF THE VICE CHAIR

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.3.1 The Chair of the Committee, excluding the Internal Affairs and Finance committees, must nominate a Vice Chair for their committee upon their election as chair or at the following committee meeting.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.3.2 The Vice Chair of a committee must be an SGA Senator and must be an official member of the committee for which they are a Vice Chair.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.3.3 The Vice Chair must not be the Chair or Vice Chair of another committee.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.3.4 After the Chair submits their nomination of a Vice Chair to their committee, the committee members must approve the selection with a two-thirds vote.

- 4.1.2.8.4 CHAIRS OF AD-HOC COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.4.4.1 The legislation providing for the establishment of the particular ad-hoc committee shall designate a chair.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.4.4.2 The term of the Chair of an Ad-hoc Committee of the Senate shall expire when the term of the committee itself expires at the end of the semester.

- 4.1.2.8.5 RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMITTEE CHAIRS

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.5.1 To issue a committee report at General Body meetings, informing the Senate of projects or activities of the committee for which Senate awareness is essential to the success of the committee or the Senate.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.5.2 To submit reports on reviewed legislation to the President of the Senate and Secretary.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.5.3 To create the agenda for each committee meeting and publish these agendas to the Senate.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.5.4 To appoint a member of the respective committee to take the minutes of each meeting.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.5.5 To send a copy of the committee minutes and attendance to the Secretary within 48 hours of each meeting.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.5.6 To perform certain other functions as situations necessitate.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.5.7 The Chairs of the Committee on Finance and Committee on Student Organizations must have at minimum monthly coordination meetings outside of their respective committee meetings.

- 4.1.2.8.6 REMOVAL OF CHAIRS

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.6.1 The Chair of a Standing Legislative Committee of the Senate or an Ad-hoc Committee of the Senate may be removed by a ¾ vote of all members on the committee itself, or by an absolute majority vote of the Senate.

- 4.1.2.8.6.1.1 If the chair is removed, they shall be thanked for their service and downgraded to a regular Senate member of the committee.

- 4.1.2.8.6.1.2 Upon removal of a single chair of a committee, the President of the Senate shall hold an election for a new chair no later than one week after the removal of the original chair. The Vice Chair shall not automatically succeed the Chair in the case of Chair removal by Committee or Senate vote, but may run in the election to replace the chair.

- 4.1.2.8.6.1.3 The removed chair may not run in the Chair election held to determine their replacement.

- 4.1.2.8.6.3.4 The Student Body Vice President cannot be removed from the Internal Affairs Committee and the Treasurer cannot be removed from the Finance Committee.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.6.2 A member of a committee may only be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.6.3 Removal of the chair of a committee, or of a member of the committee, done by the full Senate, shall proceed in identical fashion to the impeachment process as prescribed by the Constitution.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.6.4 Removal of the chair of a committee done by the committee itself shall take place under a closed session and voting shall be conducted by secret ballot.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.6.5 Vice Chairs may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the committee.

- 4.1.2.8.7 RESIGNATION OF CHAIRS

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.7.1 Chairs and Vice Chairs of Committees may resign from Committee leadership positions.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.7.2 If the Chair resigns, the Vice Chair shall temporarily serve as Chair until new Chair elections can be held under the procedures described above.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.7.3 If the Vice Chair resigns, the Chair shall appoint a new Vice Chair.

- > > > > > > 4.1.2.8.7.4 Notices of resignation of Committee leadership must be sent to the President of the Senate.

- ***4.1.2.9 COMMITTEE MEETINGS***

- 4.1.2.9.1 The Standing Legislative Committees of the Senate shall be required to regularly meet at least once every two (2) weeks.

- 4.1.2.9.2 The Chairs of Standing Legislative Committees of the Senate shall, within 48 hours of their election at the first Senate Meeting, determine a meeting time for the Fall and Spring semester.

- 4.1.2.9.3 Committee members shall take into account the committee meeting time when determining their class schedule for Spring semester and will resign from the committee if there are unavoidable conflicts, with the option to join a different committee in its place.

- 4.1.2.9.4 During the first meeting of every Standing Legislative Committee of the Senate, the Chairs – if they choose – shall designate one committee member to take minutes during every committee meeting, otherwise they themselves shall take the minutes.

- 4.1.2.9.5 In accordance with the Constitution, any student is welcome to observe any committee meetings.

- 4.1.2.9.6 Committees may, in accordance with the Constitution, close meetings to discuss sensitive personnel matters by a two-thirds vote of the committee. However, all voting must take place in public with individual votes recorded as prescribed by Senate rules and legislation.

- 4.1.2.9.7 Any member of the three SGA branches is welcome to attend committee meetings, even those closed by the committee itself.

- **4.1.3 CAUCUSES OF THE SENATE**

- ***4.1.3.1 FORMATION OF CAUCUSES***

- 4.1.3.1.1 Formation of a caucus must be initiated by an SGA Senate member.

- 4.1.3.1.2 An SGA Senate member must submit a bill establishing a caucus which contains the following:

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.1.2.1 Rules for caucus (granted that they do not supersede the general guidelines of caucuses).

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.1.2.2 Purpose of the caucus.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.1.2.3 Goals of the caucus.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.1.2.4 Why there is a need for this caucus on campus.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.1.2.5 List of at least 50 interested individuals.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.1.2.6 List of at least 3 potential partner student organizations.

- 4.1.3.1.3 Caucuses must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.

- 4.1.3.1.4 Following the approval of a Caucus by the Senate, it shall become active with the election of a Chair at the next student-body-wide Senate election.

- ***4.1.3.2 CAUCUS LEADERSHIP***

- 4.1.3.2.1 Each caucus must have a Chair and a Vice Chair.

- 4.1.3.2.2 The Chair will be the Caucus Senator elected for the Caucus by the student body.

- 4.1.3.2.3 The Vice Chair shall be selected by the following process:

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.2.3.1 The Chair of the Caucus must nominate a Vice Chair for their caucus within the first two meetings of the Caucus.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.2.3.2 After the Chair submits their nomination of a Vice Chair to their caucus, the caucus members must approve the selection with a two-thirds vote.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.2.3.3 At the Senate Meeting following the Caucus’s approval of the Vice Chair, the Chair shall present their nomination of Vice Chair to the Senate which must approve the nomination by a two-thirds vote.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.2.3.4 Following a vacancy in the caucus vice chair position, the above procedure shall be repeated.

- 4.1.3.2.4 The Chair of the caucus shall be responsible for the following duties:

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.2.4.1 The Chair shall serve as the chief executive officer of the caucus.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.2.4.2 The Chair shall be the official spokesperson of the caucus.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.2.4.3 The Chair shall preside at and lead all meetings of the caucus and shall prepare the meeting agendas and questions at the end of each meeting minutes document to facilitate asynchronous participation.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.2.4.4 The Chair shall organize a caucus meeting at least once a month during the academic year.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.2.4.5 The Chair shall be responsible for overseeing all administrative duties for the caucus.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.2.4.6 The chair shall also be responsible for ensuring that there is a Caucus page on the SGA website that contains leadership information and all meeting minutes.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.2.4.7 The Chair shall be responsible for reserving rooms and spaces for all meetings and events.

- 4.1.3.2.5 The Vice Chair shall be responsible for the following duties:

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.2.5.1 Record detailed minutes at all meetings for the caucus and shall keep them on file.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.2.5.2 The Vice Chair shall manage any and all internal and external organizational correspondence, as requested by the Chair.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.2.5.3 The Vice Chair shall maintain all membership records for the caucus, including updating the roster and member attendance sheet.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.2.5.4 In the event that the Chair is unable to lead meetings or fulfill other administrative responsibilities, the Vice Chair shall step in momentarily as their proxy.

- ***4.1.3.3 POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CAUCUSES***

- 4.1.3.3.1 Caucuses shall work to advance, represent the needs and concerns of, and promote greater equality for the community that they represent. Specifically, they shall do this by:

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.3.1.1 Endorsing, suggesting, or otherwise encouraging legislation aimed to help the constituency they represent.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.3.1.2 Reviewing and providing feedback on whether legislation passed by SGA is as inclusive of and mindful to the needs of the constituency they represent as possible.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.3.1.3 Acting as a safe space for the constituency they represent, and providing meaningful opportunities for the constituency they represent to convene and discuss pertinent issues.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.3.1.4 Holding General Body Meetings with interested students and interested student groups to discuss whatever issues are deemed relevant by the caucus.

- 4.1.3.3.2 There are two routes for initiatives that require the public use of SGA’s name to be approved:

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.3.2.1 In order to work on events and initiatives, caucuses can present their initiative to a GBM, to ensure awareness within the Senate. Any relevant legislative committees can comment / provide feedback. A simple majority vote within the Senate can approve the event/initiative.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.3.2.2 Alternatively, a caucus initiative can partner with a specific legislative committee. A committee's simple majority vote can approve said initiative/event.

- 4.1.3.3.3 The Caucus Chair, in their capacity as a Senator, may introduce any necessary funding bills to the Senate.

- ***4.1.3.4 CAUCUS MEMBERSHIP***

- 4.1.3.4.1 Caucus membership shall be open to all interested students of any background or demographic, in accordance with our Constitution.

- 4.1.3.4.2 A member of a caucus shall be defined as any student who attends a meeting with the caucus or provides feedback on questions posed in meeting minutes.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.4.2.1 Attending a meeting with the caucus includes caucus meetings, meetings between the caucus and administrators, or Senate meetings as a representative of the caucus.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.4.2.2 Feedback on questions posed in meeting minutes shall be in the form of a comment on the meeting minute document.

- 4.1.3.4.3 In accordance with the constitution, caucuses are expected to maintain a membership of at least 10 Homewood undergraduate students in addition to members of SGA.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.4.3.1 If a caucus fails to meet the membership requirement by the the end of fall break as scheduled by the Registrar for the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences/Whiting School of Engineering, the Caucus Representative will be required to meet with the Student Body Vice President and SGA advisor to develop a strategy for increasing student interest and engagement with the caucus.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.4.3.2 If the caucus has still not met the membership requirement by the end of the Fall Recess (colloquially known as “Thanksgiving Break”), the respective Caucus Representative will be thanked for their services and dismissed. The search for their successor shall begin immediately after.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.4.3.3 The section above shall not take effect if the caucus has met the ten-member threshold during the Fall semester but falls below it before the Fall Recess.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.4.3.4 If the caucus is below the membership requirement by the end of Spring Break, the Caucus Representative shall be required to meet with the Student Body Vice President and SGA advisor to develop a strategy for increasing student interest and engagement with the caucus.

- ***4.1.3.5 LIST OF ACTIVE CAUCUSES***

- 4.1.3.5 The following list contains currently active caucuses and can be updated by the Committee on Internal Affairs at any time with the condition that they must update the “List last updated” clause and that the Chair of the Committee on Internal Affairs must include the update in their next GBM update:

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.5.1 Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi-American Caucus.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.5.2 Black Caucus.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.5.3 Caucus on Disability.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.5.4 First-Generation/Limited Income Caucus.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.5.5 Hispanic/Latine Caucus.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.5.6 Women and Gender Minorities Caucus.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.5.7 Student Athlete Caucus.

- > > > > > > 4.1.3.5.8 List last updated: 03/31/2026.

- **4.1.4 SENATORIAL VACANCIES**

- ***4.1.4.1 POST-ELECTORAL VACANCIES***

- 4.1.4.1.1 A vacancy is designated as “Post-electoral” if it is identified after electoral results for the next SGA session (except for freshman Senators) have been published and before the next SGA session has been inaugurated.

- 4.1.4.1.2 CSE will hold a special election as defined in their constitution for the Post-electoral vacancies.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.1.2.1 If a senatorial position is still vacant following the special election, the vacancy will become either “Regular session” or “Special” depending on the circumstances.

- ***4.1.4.2 REGULAR SESSION VACANCIES***

- 4.1.4.2.1 A vacancy is designated as “Regular session” if it occurs outside of the timeframe specified for post-electoral vacancies and does not fit the criteria for special vacancies.

- 4.1.4.2.2 The President of the Senate will notify the respective Senator/Class President as soon as they receive confirmation of the vacancy from the Student Body President.

- 4.1.4.2.3 Regular session vacancies will be broken up into the following categories: RSO Representatives, Caucus Chairs, Class Representatives, School Representatives, and Class Programming Councils.

- 4.1.4.2.4 RSO REPRESENTATIVES

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.2.4.1 Within 48 hours of notification of the vacancy from the President of the Senate, the Chair of the Committee on Student Organizations will send out an email to the presidents/co-presidents and treasurers/co-treasurers of all RSOs under the category represented by the vacant position, informing them of the vacancy with a description of the role and SGA requirements with an application form.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.2.4.2 Each RSO president/team of co-presidents may nominate up to two interested students, including but not limited to the leadership of that RSO. The applicants will submit a short bio and why they are interested in the role.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.2.4.3 All Senators will have access to all of the applicants’ responses prior to the start of the voting period. No applicants will be added after the voting period begins.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.2.4.4 The vote will be administered by the President of the Senate during the next GBM. The President of the Senate shall use instant runoff voting to pick an applicant to fill the role if there are more than 2 applicants.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.2.4.5 This entire process must be completed (defined as the candidate being voted on by the Senate, which is separate from the selection of the applicant) by the third GBM after the vacancy is announced by the President of the Senate.

- 4.1.4.2.5 CAUCUS CHAIRS

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.2.5.1 Within 48 hours of notification of the vacancy from the President of the Senate, the Vice Chair of the respective Caucus will notify the entire membership of the Caucus, informing them of the vacancy with a description of the role and SGA requirements.If no Vice Chair exists, then the President of the Senate will take the steps described above.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.2.5.2 Within 48 hours of notification of the vacancy from the President of the Senate, the Vice Chair of the Caucus will notify the president/co-presidents and treasurer/ co-treasurers of the respective umbrella advocacy organizations listed in the subsections of this section and ask them to share information about the vacancy with their organization’s membership. If no Vice Chair exists, then the President of the Senate will take the steps described above.

- 4.1.4.2.5.2.1 Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American Caucus: Inter-Asian Council (IAC).

- 4.1.4.2.5.2.2 Black Caucus: African Students Association (ASA), Black Student Union (BSU).

- 4.1.4.2.5.2.3 Disability Caucus: Advocates for Disability Awareness (ADA), Student Disability Services (SDS). The contact for SDS will be the Senior Director of Student Disability Services at Homewood and Executive Director of Student Disability Services.

- 4.1.4.2.5.2.4 First-Generation, Limited-Income Caucus: Johns Hopkins Underrepresented in Medical Professions (JUMP), Hop-In.

- 4.1.4.2.5.2.5 Hispanic/Latinx Caucus: Latino Estudiantil (OLÉ).

- 4.1.4.2.5.2.6 Women and Gender Minorities Caucus: Diverse Sexuality and Gender Alliance (DSAGA), Sexual Assault Resource Unit (SARU).

- 4.1.4.2.5.2.7 List last updated: April 5, 2023\.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.2.5.3 The Caucus will meet and hold a vote to advance one of their members who is not currently in SGA or another student whom they believe to be qualified and is not currently in SGA to be confirmed as Chair by the entire Senate at the next GBM.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.2.5.4 This entire process must be completed (defined as the candidate being voted on by the Senate) by the third GBM after the vacancy is announced by the President of the Senate.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.2.5.5 The Committee on Internal Affairs is empowered to make edits to 4.1.4.2.5.2 and subsections at the behest of a Caucus without Senate approval, with the condition that they must update the “List last updated” clause and that the Chair of the Committee on Internal Affairs must include the update in their next GBM update.

- 4.1.4.2.6 CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.2.6.1 Class Senator Vacancy

- 4.1.4.2.6.1.1 Within 48 hours of notification of the vacancy from the President of the Senate, the President of the respective Class Council will send out an email to their entire class informing them of the vacancy with a description of the role and SGA requirements with an application form.

- 4.1.4.2.6.1.2 The Class President and Class Senators for the respective Class will convene and review the applications for the position.

- 4.1.4.2.6.1.3 Optionally, the Class President and Class Senators may decide to hold a round of interviews by majority vote if they deem it necessary to identify the best candidate.

- 4.1.4.2.6.1.4 The Class President and Class Senators shall put forth their chosen candidate(s), which shall need to be confirmed by the Senate.

- 4.1.4.2.6.1.5 This entire process must be completed (defined as the candidate being voted on by the Senate) by the third GBM after the vacancy is announced by the President of the Senate.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.2.6.2 Class President Vacancy

- 4.1.4.2.6.2.1 Within 48 hours of notification of the vacancy from the President of the Senate, the remaining Class Senators shall set a meeting time no later than 7 days after the time of the notification to meet and elect a new Class President from among their ranks by majority vote.

- 4.1.4.2.6.2.2 All of the remaining Class Senators are empowered to ask the Vice President of the Senate to serve as a neutral administrator of a secret vote. If the Vice President of the Senate is one of the remaining Class Senators, they may ask the SGA advisor to serve as a neutral administrator.

- 4.1.4.2.6.2.3 After the a new Class President is chosen through this mechanism and has been successfully voted on by the Senate at the first GBM after they have been selected, the start time of that GBM shall serve as the start of the 48 hours of notification for the Class Senator vacancy their succession leaves.

- 4.1.4.2.6.2.4 If no successor has been chosen by 7 days after the time of notification, the position will become open to the entire graduation class to run for and a special election will be proctored by CSE.

- 4.1.4.2.6.2.5 Current Senators of any representative background in the correct graduation class will be empowered to run for the position without risk of losing their current position by doing so.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.2.7 ACADEMIC REPRESENTATIVES

- 4.1.4.2.7.1 Within 48 hours of notification of the vacancy from the President of the Senate, the Chair of the Committee on Academic Affairs will send out an email to the entire undergraduate membership of the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) or Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) informing them of the vacancy with a description of the role and SGA requirements with an application form. The school emailed depends on the vacancy.

- 4.1.4.2.7.2 The remaining KSAS/WSE Academic Senators will convene and review the applications for the position.

- 4.1.4.2.7.3 Optionally, the Academic Senators may decide to hold a round of interviews by majority vote if they deem it necessary to identify the best candidate.

- 4.1.4.2.7.4 The remaining Academic Senators shall put forth their chosen candidate(s), which shall need to be confirmed by the Senate.

- 4.1.4.2.7.5 This entire process must be completed (defined as the candidate being voted on by the Senate) by the third GBM after the vacancy is announced by the President of the Senate.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.2.8 FAILED CONFIRMATION

- 4.1.4.2.8.1 In the event that a prospective Senator/Class President is not confirmed by the Senate, the Senate may choose, by majority vote, to have CSE proctor a special election for the position.

- 4.1.4.2.8.2 If the Senate does not motion for a special election, the start time of that GBM shall serve as the start of the 48 hours of notification for the vacancy and the process will begin anew.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.2.9 All confirmations for a vacancy voted on by the Senate shall require an absolute majority vote of the Senate.

- ***4.1.4.3 SPECIAL VACANCIES***

- 4.1.4.3.1 A vacancy is designated as “Special” if it meets one of the following criteria:

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.3.1.1 Less than a quorum of the selecting body exists for that position. This is defined as half of the maximum membership plus one. For caucuses, quorum will be defined as the constitutionally mandated minimum number of members for that caucus to be recognized. The standing quorum for each selection group is listed below:

- 4.1.4.3.1.1.1 RSO Representatives: 22 Members of the Senate.

- 4.1.4.3.1.1.2 Caucus Chairs: 10 members of the respective caucus.

- 4.1.4.3.1.1.3 Class Representatives: 3 Class Senators/Class Presidents of the respective Class.

- 4.1.4.3.1.1.4 School Representatives:

- 4.1.4.3.1.1.4.1 WSE: 3 WSE Senators

- 4.1.4.3.1.1.4.2 KSAS: 4 KSAS Senators

- 4.1.4.3.1.1.5 The Committee on Internal Affairs is empowered to edit the numbers reported for quorum under §4.1.4.3.1.1 without a Senate vote if any of the populations of senators or caucuses change. The Chair of the Committee on Internal Affairs will include the change in their next GBM update.

- 4.1.4.3.1.1.6 If the selecting body lacks quorum, CSE will hold a special election for all the vacant positions in the selection body.

- 4.1.4.3.1.1.7 In the case of there being fewer than 22 members in the entire Senate, CSE will hold a special election for all vacant Senate positions.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.3.1.2 Vacancies occur in the current Senate within two weeks of the first electoral info session for the next Senate and before the next Senate’s inauguration.

- 4.1.4.3.1.2.1 The non-incumbent(s) who receive the most votes for the currently vacant position(s) they are running for will be invited to immediately assume their

- position(s), subject to a confirmation vote.

- 4.1.4.3.1.2.2 If they refuse, the position(s) will remain vacant until their formal term begins.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.3.1.3 A new, elected position in the Senate is created.

- 4.1.4.3.1.3.1 CSE will hold a special election for the new position if the new position is created before January 1st of the election year.

- ***4.1.4.4 PROCEDURE FOR PROCESS DEVIATIONS***

- 4.1.4.4.1 A Senator may request deviations from the confirmation process for a certain position by a two-thirds vote of the entire Senate. All intended deviations must be presented in advance.

- 4.1.4.4.2 If a Senator intends to request deviations, they must notify the President of the Senate within 48 hours of notification of the vacancy.

- 4.1.4.4.3 The start time of the GBM at which process deviations are requested and approved or denied shall serve as the start of the 48 hours of notification.

- 4.1.4.4.4 Senators may also modify any part of the bylaws that govern the vacancy process by a two-thirds vote of the entire Senate in the same fashion as any other bylaws amendment.

- ***4.1.4.5 EXTENSIONS***

- 4.1.4.5.1 Extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the President of the Senate. Requests for extensions must be made before the deadline, and all requests for extensions will be given a provisory 24 hour extension if they are not to be granted in full.

- 4.1.4.5.2 The maximum length of an extension that may be granted is 7 days or 1 additional GBM, whichever is longer. If the extension necessary due to circumstances is longer than a week/1 GBM, CSE will hold a special election for the position.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.5.2.1 An exception to this rule is when a University break overlaps with the vacancy filling schedule. These breaks are Summer Break, Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Intercession, and Spring Break.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.5.2.2 For the purposes of these §4.1.4.5.2.1, the start of Winter Break shall be recognized as the first reading day of the Fall semester.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.5.2.3 For the purposes of §4.1.4.5.2.1, the entirety of Intercession shall be recognized as a break period.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.5.2.4 For the purposes of §4.1.4.5.2.1, the start of Summer Break shall be recognized as the first reading day of the Spring Semester.

- > > > > > > 4.1.4.5.2.5 In the cases outlined under §4.1.4.5.2, an extension equal to the duration of the break plus any weekend days directly adjacent to the break shall be provided given that the Senators do not purposefully delay the process to qualify for a break extension.

- ***4.1.4.6 RESPONSIBILITIES***

- 4.1.4.6.1 The President of the Senate is tasked with ensuring that notification of the vacancy is fully and clearly communicated to the respective group that will be voting on the position’s replacement at their earliest possible convenience.

- 4.1.4.6.2 The President of the Senate is tasked with overseeing and administering the vote and secret vote for the vacancies when necessary and confidentially responding to issues raised about the process.

- 4.1.4.6.3 The President of the Senate and Vice President of the Senate are responsible for ensuring that deadlines are met and that the timeline is strictly adhered to.

- 4.1.4.6.4 The selection group is responsible for recruiting, identifying, and electing qualified applicants.

- 4.1.4.6.5. If no students have applied for the position by the deadline the selection group has set for applications, the President of the Senate and Vice President of the Senate will work with the Student Body President and Student Body Vice President to engage student interest in the role and then will open up the search for a replacement at a later date of the President of the Senate’s choosing.

- ***4.1.4.7 COMPLAINTS***

- 4.1.4.7.1 If a member of SGA or applying student has complaints about the fairness of the process, especially related to improper/unapproved deviations from the procedure prescribed by the bylaws herein or SGA Constitution, they are empowered to confidentially bring their concerns to the Chair of Internal Affairs, the Vice President of the Senate, or the SGA Judiciary Board.

- **4.1.5 PROGRAMMING COUNCIL VACANCIES**

- 4.1.5.1 The Chair of Programming will notify the remaining members of the respective Class Programming Council as soon as they receive confirmation of the vacancy from the Student Body President.

- ***4.1.5.2 CHAIR VACANCY***

- 4.1.5.2.1 In the event that the position of Chair of a Class Programming Council is vacant, the Treasurer of the respective Programming Council will be offered the opportunity to ascend to the role of Chair.

- 4.1.5.2.2 Should the Treasurer decline or not reply within 48 hours, the Chair position will be offered to the Secretary of the respective Programming Council.

- 4.1.5.2.3 Should the Secretary decline or not reply within 48 hours, the Chair of Programming will meet with the remaining members of the Class Council, as well as the ex officio members of the Class Council (the respective Class Senators and Class President) to create an application form for the position.

- ***4.1.5.3 TREASURER VACANCY***

- 4.1.5.3.1 In the event that the position of Treasurer of a Class Programming Council is vacant, the Chair of Programming will meet with the remaining members of the Class Council, as well as the ex officio members of the Class Council (the respective Class Senators and Class President) to create an application form for the position.

- ***4.1.5.4 SECRETARY VACANCY***

- 4.1.5.4.1 In the event that the position of Secretary of a Class Programming Council is vacant, the Chair of Programming will meet with the remaining members of the Class Council, as well as the ex officio members of the Class Council (the respective Class Senators and Class President) to create an application form for the position.

- ***4.1.5.5 SPECIAL VACANCIES***

- 4.1.5.5.1 In the event that all elected positions in a Programming Council are vacant, a special election shall be held by CSE to fill the Programming Council.

- **4.1.6 ELECTIONS FOR SENATORIAL LEADERSHIP POSITIONS**

- 4.1.6.1.For the elections of the President and Vice President, an absolute majority vote of all Senators shall be required for any candidate to be chosen as President or Vice President of the Senate

- 4.1.6.2 In the case of an election consisting of more than 2 candidates that didn’t win an absolute majority vote, the candidate that won the least amount of votes shall be removed as a candidate for their respective position, and any candidate that wishes to drop out as a candidate shall be allowed to rescind their name as a candidate. Another vote shall take place and the process described above shall continue until either there are 2 candidates remaining or a candidate wins an absolute majority of the vote.

- 4.1.6.3 In the case of an election consisting of only 2 candidates that didn’t win an absolute majority vote, the Senate shall repeat the elections for the President or the Vice President of the Senate until an absolute majority can be reached by 1 candidate.

- 4.1.6.4 In the event that there are 2 candidates that have not won an absolute majority vote for President or Vice President of the Senate after 2 rounds of voting, any Senator may move to reduce the absolute majority vote needed to a plurality vote needed, which shall require a simple majority vote of the Senate to pass.

- ***ARTICLE 4, SECTION 2\. LEGISLATION OF THE SENATE***

- 4.2.1 Legislation shall be written by any elected member of SGA.

- 4.2.2 Legislation shall take one of two forms:

- 4.2.2.1 A bill, which formally enacts a law within the scope defined by the Constitution; Bills may do any of the following:

- 4.2.2.1.1 Amend the Constitution.

- 4.2.2.1.2 Amend the Bylaws.

- 4.2.2.1.3 Amend procedural rules.

- 4.2.2.1.4 Provide funding for an event or initiative.

- 4.2.2.1.5 Recognize an event or initiative as an official event or initiative of the SGA.

- 4.2.2.1.6 Accomplish another task as deemed necessary by the Senate.

- 4.2.2.2 A resolution, which formally declares the opinion of the Senate and thus the Student Body.

- **4.2.3 LEGISLATIVE PROCESS**

- 4.2.3.1 Legislation shall require and document the presence of:

- 4.2.3.1.1 At least one (1) *introducer* (also known as an *author* or *composer*);

- 4.2.3.1.2 At least two (2) *co-sponsors* who are elected members of SGA and are not introducers;

- 4.2.3.2 Legislation shall be written according to the accessibility guidelines in Article 5 and, by precedent, be headed with the seal of the SGA.

- 4.2.3.3 Upon two (2) co-sponsors, the introducer of the Bill or Resolution shall submit the legislation to the President of the Senate.

- 4.2.3.4 The President of the Senate shall then add the legislation to the next Senate Meeting agenda under the first reading section.

- 4.2.3.4.1 During the first reading of legislation, the legislation is briefly explained and the Senate votes to send the legislation to the Committee.

- 4.2.3.4.2 During the first reading, debate may take place but cannot extend past 10 minutes.

- 4.2.3.5 Once legislation is referred to a Committee of the Senate, the Committee shall deliberate and vote upon a recommendation to the Senate for the legislation’s adoption or rejection. The Committee will then prepare a verbal report containing the Committee’s recommendation and a description of any amendments made in Committee.

- 4.2.3.5.1 A plurality vote shall be necessary to recommend legislation’s adoption or rejection, or to undertake other committee actions.

- 4.2.3.5.2 A committee may also elect to advance legislation to the Senate with no recommendation, if after significant deliberation, the committee elects to do so.

- 4.2.3.5.3 A tie vote within a committee brings the legislation before the Senate with no recommendation.

- 4.2.3.5.4 If the committee does not vote on the bill, it can not advance beyond the committee.

- 4.2.3.6 After passage by a committee, the President of the Senate will add the legislation to the next Senate Meeting agenda under the second reading section.

- 4.2.3.6.1 Bills cannot have committee consideration waived, unless by a Motion to Discharge Committee, in which case a 2/3 vote is needed to pass the motion.

- 4.2.3.7 Upon receiving the report of a Committee of the Senate, the Vice President shall introduce the legislation to the Senate and call upon its introducer to discuss its merits and field questions from the Senate, and call upon the Committee chair to present their report.

- 4.2.3.8 The legislation shall then be deliberated upon, pursuant to the Senate’s rules and procedures, and the Senate shall eventually vote for the legislation’s adoption or rejection.

- 4.2.3.8.1 If the Senate votes to adopt the legislation, the President of the Senate shall affix the Seal of the Senate to the legislation. The Student Body President, President of the Senate, Student Body Vice President, Student Body Secretary, Student Body Treasurer, and Chair of Programming will then place their signatures at the bottom of the legislation so as to confirm its adoption. The legislation will then have the full force and effect of law.

- > > > > > > 4.2.3.8.1.1 For ceremonial purposes, the introducer(s) and co-sponsors shall have the right to sign the legislation as well.

- 4.2.3.8.2 If the Senate votes to reject the legislation, the President of the Senate shall indicate its rejection and place their signature at the bottom so as to confirm its rejection. The President of the Senate shall not affix the Seal of the Senate to rejected legislation.

- 4.2.4 All legislation, pursuant to the Constitution, must be adopted by the full Senate. A Committee alone is not empowered to take any direct action other than to recommend and refer action to the Senate as a whole.

- ***ARTICLE 4, SECTION 3\. PROCEDURAL RULES OF THE Senate***

- **4.3.1 MEETINGS**

- ***4.3.1.1 AGENDA OF SENATE MEETINGS***

- 4.3.1.1.1 The President of the Senate shall set the agenda according to the needs of the SGA.

- 4.3.1.1.2 Committee reports shall consist solely of reports – any pending committee action must be reported in advance and dealt with later in the meeting.

- 4.3.1.1.3 The agenda will contain a section titled “Initiative Updates’ that will require 3 senators to speak for one minute each about their personal/committee initiative updates.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.1.3.1 The speakers will go in an order that is pre-determined for the term by the President of the Senate and the Secretary. This order will be determined before the third meeting of each term, and will be amended as necessary to reflect new members, or removed members.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.1.3.2 If a Senator will not be there, they should send a \~75 word update to the President of the Senate to be displayed in lieu of their speaking time. If they have nothing to report and inform the President of the Senate of this, there are no consequences. However, if they fail to report anything it will be considered an unexcused absence.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.1.3.3 After each Senator has spoken once, the cycle will repeat with the intent of providing updates since they last spoke.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.1.3.4 The President of the Senate should announce the three Senators selected to speak at the next meeting at the end of the previous GBM.

- ***4.3.1.2 CHAIR OF SENATE MEETINGS***

- 4.3.1.2.1 The Chair of a meeting shall also be referred to as the Presiding Officer of that meeting.

- 4.3.1.2.2 The President of the Senate shall chair the meetings of the SGA Senate.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.2.2.1 If the President of the Senate yields the chair in accordance with proper parliamentary procedure, or is unable to attend a Senate meeting, the Vice President of the Senate shall fulfill the duties as Chair.

- 4.3.1.2.3 DECISIONS OF THE CHAIR

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.2.3.1 The chair shall enforce Senate procedures as well as the Constitution and Bylaws, including but not limited to ruling motions or conversations out of order.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.2.3.2 A single member (no second is required) may contest such a decision, which is debatable but non-amendable, before it takes effect.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.2.3.3 A two-thirds vote of the Senate shall be necessary to overturn the chair’s decision.

- 4.3.1.2.4 MANNER OF PRESIDING AND YIELDING OF THE CHAIR

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.2.4.1 The Presiding Officer shall preside the meeting in an orderly, objective and fair manner giving opportunity to all Senators to represent their views provided they maintain decorum. The Presiding Officer shall use his or her discretion in speaking on issues provided they maintain objectivity and fairness in the manner of the meeting.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.2.4.2 The Presiding Officer shall yield the chair to a successor any time the item of discussion is his or her confirmation, elections, impeachment, or removal.

- ***4.3.1.3 ORDER***

- 4.3.1.3.1 The Senate shall follow the most current version of Robert’s Rules of Order in its general body meetings, subservient to any provisions of the SGA Constitution, Bylaws, or Senate Procedural Rules Bill.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.1.1 The Parliamentarian shall be tasked with ensuring the Senate follows Robert’s Rules of Order and advise the President of the Senate on how to act.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.1.2 The Parliamentarian’s role shall be an advisory role to the President of the Senate and to the Senate as a whole, and the President of the Senate shall be tasked with enforcing the rules of proper procedure and any advice made of it from the Parliamentarian.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.1.3 The Senate may override any ruling made by the Parliamentarian with a 2/3 vote.

- 4.3.1.3.2 The Chair of the meeting shall be the only one who can bring the meeting to order. No other member can move to start the GBM, as per Robert’s Rules of Order.

- 4.3.1.3.3 Moving the Motion

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.3.1 Following the moving of a motion and a proper second (if required), the Chair shall immediately state the motion to the assembly. If the motion may be discussed, the Chair shall immediately ask, “Is there any discussion?” and the body shall discuss the motion. If the motion may not be discussed, the Chair shall immediately put the motion to a vote.

- 4.3.1.3.4 Discussion on the Motion

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.4.1 It is in the interest of the Senate (being a deliberative assembly) to foster productive and persuasive speech by each member so long as it is done in an efficient manner. The author of the motion shall be given the opportunity to speak first in order to present the reasoning behind the motion. Other motions may be moved anytime during discussion.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.4.2 During debate, filibusters are not permitted.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.4.3 The types of debate permitted are followed as such: Q\&A and Moderated Caucus.

- 4.3.1.3.4.3.1 Q\&A shall require a definitive time for when the motion will expire and a definitive speaking time for how long members can speak. During a Q\&A, members are allowed to ask questions to the speaker(s) present and answer questions, if they have an answer.

- 4.3.1.3.4.3.2 Moderated Caucus shall require a definitive time for when the motion will expire but not require a definitive speaking time. The Chair shall decide for how long a member may speak. During a Moderated Caucus, members are allowed to speak on the debated topic at hand.

- 4.3.1.3.5 Voting

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.5.1 Abstentions, used at the individual Senator’s discretion, should only be used in the rare case of a direct conflict of interest.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.5.2 Votes become final when the Chair announces the vote.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.5.3 The use of “straw poll” votes is highly discouraged.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.5.4 Per the Constitution, all votes and discussions shall be public, except for those permitted to be closed by the Constitution. Per the Constitution, the Motion to Rescind or Expunge from Minutes shall be prohibited.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.4.5 Due to the deliberative nature of Senate meetings, and due to the possibility of the swaying of one’s opinions during a debate, proxy voting is neither permitted nor accepted.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.5.6 Motions to change the voting method shall require only a second to be passed and a vote on the motion will not be needed.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.5.7 A motion to vote shall not be necessary unless debate happens on the item or motion, or the item in question is a bill or resolution.

- 4.3.1.3.6 If the case of an emergency, the Chair shall have the power to recess the meeting subject to the call of the Chair.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.6.1 Any member can challenge the Chair’s decision to recess by appealing the Chair’s decision, at which time a vote will immediately commence on appealing the Chair’s decision, and the Chair’s decision can be overturned with a 2/3 vote.

- 4.3.1.3.7 Suspension of Rules

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.7.1 The assembly can adopt a motion to Suspend the Rules interfering with the proposed action—provided that the proposal is not in conflict with the Constitution.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.7.2 When business is pending, Suspend the Rules takes precedence over any motion if it is for a purpose connected with that motion.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.7.3 Can be applied to any rule of the assembly except those in the Constitution.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.7.4 Must be seconded.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.7.5 Requires a vote equivalent to two-thirds of the entire membership of the Senate, regardless of attendance.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.7.6 In making the incidental motion to Suspend the Rules, the particular rule or rules to be suspended are not mentioned; but the motion must state its specific purpose, and its adoption permits nothing else to be done under the suspension.

- 4.3.1.3.7.6.1 The rules are unsuspended upon the completion of the specific purpose, as determined by the chair.

- 4.3.1.3.7.6.2 The rules can be unsuspended at any time with a majority vote following a motion to unsuspend the Rules.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.7.7 If a motion to Suspend the Rules is adopted and its object is to allow consideration of business that could not otherwise have been considered at the time, the chair immediately recognizes the member who moved the suspension of the rules, to make the appropriate motion that will bring up the desired business. Or, if no further motion is necessary (for example, if the two motions were combined as indicated above, or if the question is one that was postponed), the chair announces the business as pending.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.7.8 Rules protecting a basic right of the individual member cannot be suspended.

- 4.3.1.3.8 Quorum

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.8.1 A minimum number of SGA members shall be required to be present in any SGA meeting (including but not limited to general body meetings, committee meetings, executive meetings, etc.) in order for official business to be conducted.

- > > > > > > 4.3.1.3.8.2 The requirement for quorum shall be defined as 50% \+ 1 (one) of the total voting membership of that group if there is an even number of members, or 50% and rounded up of the total voting membership of that group if there is an odd number of members.

- **4.3.2 MEMBERSHIP PRIVILEGES**

- 4.3.2.1 Only Members of the Senate, including Executive Board officers in an ex-officio capacity shall have speaking privileges when the meeting is in session, with the exception of speaking privileges granted by the Rules Bill for certain sections of the meeting.

- 4.3.2.2 Non-Members of the Senate shall have speaking privileges in the Senate at the discretion of the chair, to be signaled with a hand raise.

- 4.3.2.2.1 The Senate can appeal the decision to grant or not grant speaking privileges with a motion, a second, and a majority vote.

- 4.3.2.2.2 Any signaling by non-members must be non-disruptive, as determined by the chair.

- 4.3.2.2.3 The chair may prohibit any signaling for any period of time at their discretion. The Senate can appeal the decision with a motion, a second, and a 2/3 majority vote.

- 4.3.2.2.4 The chair can withdraw speaking privileges at their discretion.

- **4.3.3 ATTENDANCE**

- ***4.3.3.1 REQUIRED***

- 4.3.3.1.1 Attendance at Senate General Body Meetings and Committee meetings is mandatory for all legislative Senators.

- 4.3.3.1.2 Attendance at Senate General Body Meetings, Executive Cabinet meetings, and advisor meetings is mandatory for the Student Body President, Student Body Vice President, Student Body Secretary, Student Body Treasurer, Director of Communications, and Student Body Chair of Programming.

- 4.3.3.1.3 The Student Body Treasurer is required to attend Finance Committee meetings and the Student Body Vice President is required to attend Internal Affairs Committee meetings

- 4.3.3.1.4 Attendance at Executive Cabinet meetings is required for all Cabinet members.

- 4.3.3.1.5 Attendance at Class Programming Council meetings is required for all members of a respective Class Programming Council, with the exception that attendance shall be optional for members of the Class Council who are also legislative Senators.

- 4.3.3.1.6 Attendance by at least one Johns Hopkins University staff member who serves as the advisor to SGA at-large at GBMs is mandatory. The SGA reserves the right to petition the Dean of Students to appoint a new SGA advisor upon absences by the designated advisor.

- 4.3.3.1.7 At the discretion of the Student Body President or the President of the Senate, meetings with administrators on behalf of SGA that conflict with other SGA meetings may be recognized ahead of the meeting such that the member is not given an absence.

- ***4.3.3.2 ABSENCES***

- 4.3.3.2.1 Every member of SGA shall be permitted a total of 4 excused absences per academic semester (where the meetings that occur at the end of Spring are counted in the Fall semester of SGA), with an additional 2 excused absences for every additional committee beyond 1 committee that the member of SGA serves on.

- > > > > > > 4.3.3.2.1.1 If a member of SGA reaches half of the maximum number of excused absences, they will be informed of their attendance status by the Student Body Secretary.

- > > > > > > 4.3.3.2.1.2 If a member of SGA exceeds the maximum number of excused absences, they will be thanked for their service and summarily dismissed from SGA.

- > > > > > > 4.3.3.2.1.3 Senators who have 2 unexcused absences shall be subject to a required meeting with the Executive Board and the Advisor.

- > > > > > > 4.3.3.2.1.4 Senators who have 4 unexcused absences shall be thanked for their service and summarily dismissed from SGA per the Constitution.

- 4.3.3.1.2 Attendance at another SGA event beyond the required Senate and Committee meetings can be required by the President of the Senate and Student Body President.

- > > > > > > 4.3.3.1.2.1 This requirement can be overturned by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.

- > > > > > > 4.3.3.1.2.2 In such cases, legitimate, previously held time conflicts shall be accommodated with an excused absence.

- 4.3.3.1.3 Any Presiding Officer or Chair is not allowed to excuse an absence after 1 week has passed since the meeting occurred.

- ***4.3.3.3 TAKING ATTENDANCE***

- 4.3.3.3.1 Roll call shall be taken no later than 5 minutes after the start of each Senate GBM and be recorded in the minutes.

- 4.3.3.3.2 Members must stay for the entire meeting unless previously excused or in cases of emergency.

- ***4.3.3.5 RECORDING ATTENDANCE***

- 4.3.3.5.1 All SGA members’ attendance records shall be noted on the SGA’s website and shall be sent to the student body in a press release every semester.

- 4.3.3.5.2 The general body meeting attendances shall be recorded by the Student Body Secretary, who has the authority to delegate the task to another member of the Senate (e.g. Vice President of the Senate) if necessary.

- 4.3.3.5.3 The Student Body Secretary shall have the authority to set a deadline for when all SGA group leaders must submit their groups’ attendances.

- ***4.3.3.6 DOCUMENTING AND VERIFYING ABSENCES***

- 4.3.3.6.1 The Secretary shall document all absences – Senate, committee, and council – on a spreadsheet publicly available on the SGA website. The spreadsheet shall be updated with absences no later than one week from the date of a meeting. If no minutes for a meeting are provided to the Secretary after one week, all persons required to attend the meeting shall be counted as absent until minutes are provided.

- ***4.3.3.7 ONE-TIME MEDICAL LEAVE AND ONE-TIME FAMILY EMERGENCY LEAVE***

- 4.3.3.7.1 Once a school year, if an SGA member is temporarily unable to attend meetings for any reason verified by an accredited medical provider, they shall be permitted to take a medical leave of no more than two academic weeks.

- 4.3.3.7.2 Once a school year, if an SGA member is temporarily unable to attend meetings for any reason related to family emergency, they shall be permitted to take a family emergency leave of no more than two academic weeks.

- 4.3.3.7.3 During the duration of a medical leave or family emergency leave, the SGA member shall not accumulate excused or unexcused absences.

- 4.3.3.7.4 Senators must do their best to communicate as soon as possible with the executive board, so that they can be applied retroactively.

- ***4.3.3.7 ATTENDANCE INCENTIVES***

- 4.3.3.7.1 The Student Body President and President of the Senate shall be empowered to recognize the performance of certain duties on behalf of SGA with attendance incentives

- 4.3.3.7.2 Any event that is eligible for receiving attendance incentives shall be announced publicly to the Senate.

- 4.3.3.7.3 The specific attendance incentive shall be the following:

- > > > > > > 4.3.3.7.3.1 The attendance incentive shall be the de-escalation of no more than 1 unexcused absence to the same number of excused absences, or the removal of no more than 1 excused absence.

- 4.3.3.7.3.1.1 If the member of SGA has 0.5 or more unexcused absences, they cannot use an attendance incentive to remove excused absences until they have had all of their unexcused absences de-escalated.

- > > > > > > 4.3.3.7.3.2 The Student Body President and President of the Senate shall be able to define the duration of attendance or performance of duties required to receive an attendance incentive.

- > > > > > > 4.3.3.7.3.3 The installment of an attendance incentive may be overturned by a ⅔ majority vote of the Senate.

- **ARTICLE 5\. ACCESSIBILITY**

- ***ARTICLE 5, SECTION 1\. SGA VIRTUAL CONTENT STANDARDS***

- 5.1.1 These standards will apply to all digital content produced by SGA for both external and internal use.

- **5.1.2 ACCESSIBLE DOCUMENTS**

- 5.1.2.1 All documents produced by SGA, including legislation, must meet the following guidelines:

- 5.1.2.1.1 Provide alternative text for visual content.

- 5.1.2.1.2 Ensure high contrast (a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text) between the background color and foreground except in images where alternative text is provided. Online tools can be used to [calculate the contrast ratio](https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/) and determine if it meets accessibility guidelines for various font formats including large texts.

- 5.1.2.1.3 Use accessible text options. This document recommends Georgia or Verdana as a typeface with no smaller than 14 point font.

- 5.1.2.1.4 Strive for a Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level of approximately 9 or lower after names or titles are removed. Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level can be calculated by enabling readability statistics in Microsoft Word’s “Proofing” settings, or by using a [third party tool](https://goodcalculators.com/flesch-kincaid-calculator/).

- 5.1.2.1.5 Use headings that follow a logical order.

- 5.1.2.1.6 Ensure that data is presented according to above WCAG guidelines.

- **5.1.3 SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEBSITE**

- 5.1.3.1 All content published on SGA social media platforms or the SGA website must meet the following guidelines:

- 5.1.3.1.1 Provide alternative text for non-text content.

- 5.1.3.1.2 Provide captions for pre-recorded audio content.

- 5.1.3.1.3 Explain graphical content through text.

- 5.1.3.1.4 Ensure background audio in audio content is at least 20 decibels lower than foreground content.

- 5.1.3.1.5 Use accessible text options. This document recommends Georgia or Verdana as a typeface with no smaller than 14-point font.

- 5.1.3.1.6 Strive for a Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level of approximately 9 or lower after names or titles are removed. Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level can be calculated by enabling readability statistics in Microsoft Word’s “Proofing” settings, or by using a [third party tool](https://goodcalculators.com/flesch-kincaid-calculator/).

- ***ARTICLE 5, SECTION 2\. SGA EVENT STANDARDS***

- 5.2.1 All events hosted by the SGA must meet the following guidelines:

- 5.2.1.1 All private and public events held on- or off-campus must be in physically accessible locations.

- 5.2.1.1.1 Use the [Accessibility Map](https://www.jhu.edu/assets/uploads/2022/08/JHU-Accessibility-Map.pdf) created by SDS to determine the accessibility of an on-campus location.

- > > > > > > 5.2.1.1.1.1 Locations directly accessible through an accessible building entrance on an ADA-compliant pathway are preferred.

- > > > > > > 5.2.1.1.1.2 If the location is not on the same level as an accessible building entrance, elevator(s) must be available.

- 5.2.1.1.2 Communicate with event coordinators of off-campus venues to ensure accessibility.

- 5.2.1.2 Use adequate clear signage around the venue to direct attendees to your event and to accessible pathways/entrances.

- 5.2.1.3 Events must be planned in an inclusive and accessible way, including cognitive accessibility. These procedures vary but may include:

- 5.2.1.3.1 Distributing event details at least 48 hours in advance of the event and before any deadline for cancellation. Event details may include:

- > > > > > > 5.2.1.3.1.1 Itinerary.

- > > > > > > 5.2.1.3.1.2 Location.

- > > > > > > 5.2.1.3.1.3 Accessible transportation options.

- > > > > > > 5.2.1.3.1.4 List of discussion topics or presentation material.

- > > > > > > 5.2.1.3.1.5 Menu.

- > > > > > > 5.2.1.3.1.6 Expectations of attendees.

- > > > > > > 5.2.1.3.1.7 Content and/or health warnings.

- > > > > > > 5.2.1.3.1.8 Method of requesting accommodations.

- 5.2.1.3.2 Providing space and time for guests to take breaks. This is particularly important when the event includes sensory stimulation, emotional labor, and/or physical or mental exertion.

- 5.2.1.3.3 Providing multiple methods of participating in activities such as feedback gathering or discussion. This is particularly important when time spent on the activity is limited.

- 5.2.1.3.4 Allowing a pause for processing between topics or when asking for questions.

- > > > > > > 5.2.1.3.4.1 Consider allowing questions throughout/after the event rather than only during discussion.

- > > > > > > 5.2.1.3.4.2 Providing adequate and diverse seating for all attendees.

- > > > > > > 5.2.1.3.4.3 Providing printed copies of digital material.

- > > > > > > 5.2.1.3.4.4 Ensuring that the physical space can accommodate mobility aids and service animals.

- > > > > > > 5.2.1.3.4.5 Providing live transcription or ASL interpretation.

- > > > > > > 5.2.1.3.4.6 Providing adequate lighting, electrical outlets, and microphones.

- ***ARTICLE 5, SECTION 3\. SGA PROCEDURE STANDARDS***

- **5.3.1 ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS**

- 5.3.1.1 Accommodation requests may be made for any SGA event, policy, or procedure.

- 5.3.1.2 Information on how to request accommodations should be easily visible when registering for an event. Event communications and advertisement should also include a clear method to request accommodations.

- 5.3.1.3 To request an accommodation regarding wider-SGA policies and procedures, an individual can contact the Student Body Vice President.

- 5.3.1.4 This information must be available on the SGA website and in communications about joining SGA.

- 5.3.1.5 To ensure confidentiality, accommodation requests will be made through an SGA advisor. The SGA advisor will work with SDS to confirm that the accommodation is reasonable and inform SGA on what accommodations to implement.

- 5.3.1.5.1 The identity of the requesting individual will only be shared with SGA members as needed for the implementation of the accommodation.

- 5.3.1.6 Confidentiality of accommodations must be maintained. This includes during and after any events.

- **ARTICLE 6\. STUDENT GROUPS**

- ***ARTICLE 6, SECTION 1\. SCOPE***

- 6.1.1 This article shall apply to all dealings with current and proposed student organizations by the Committee on Student Organizations and the SGA Senate.

- 6.1.2 Should any part of these Bylaws be found unconstitutional, such part shall be considered severable and the rest of the article shall remain in effect.

- ***ARTICLE 6, SECTION 2\. RECOGNITION OF PROPOSED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS***

- 6.2.1 The SGA Senate has, under the Constitution, jurisdiction over the appointment process of new student organizations.

- 6.2.2 The Committee on Student Organizations shall receive applications for proposed student organizations and determine, along with the Coordinator of Student Organizations, which Category these groups fall under.

- 6.2.2.1 All JHU student organizations currently categorized as: Academic and Research, Center for Social Concern, Dean of Student Life Charter Organizations, Sports Clubs and Fraternity and Sorority Life will be eligible for additional recognition by the SGA as a group “not eligible for semesterly allocations”, allowing such groups granted this classification to be eligible for SGA event funding applications. For annual semesterly grant eligibility, they must drop their recognition outside of SGA.

- 6.2.2.2 They will be reviewed and confirmed by a majority vote of the Committee on Student Organizations on a rolling basis.

- 6.2.3 The Committee on Student Organizations shall conduct hearings with the Coordinator of Student Organizations and leaders of proposed groups to evaluate the uniqueness and feasibility of their mission, the establishment of a longitudinal organizational structure, the level of risk, the necessity of funding within their organization, and their contribution to on-campus student life.

- 6.2.4 The Committee on Student Organizations shall vote on whether to recognize the existence and provide funding for proposed student organizations. Committee quorum and a simple majority is required for the committee’s determination to be in effect.

- 6.2.4.1 The Committee’s decision shall be referred to the Coordinator of Student Organizations, by the end of the academic term at which the application was submitted, to finalize the new group registration process.

- 6.2.4.2 The Committee’s decision shall be referred to the SGA Treasurer to give new organizations access to start-up funds and student group grants.

- 6.2.5 A decision to recognize or deny a proposed student organization by the Committee on Student Organizations can be appealed by any SGA Senator with a simple majority vote, at which point the General Body will evaluate the proposed student organization and vote on a final determination of its recognition.

- ***ARTICLE 6, SECTION 3\. CURRENT STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS***

- 6.3.1 The SGA Senate is, under the Constitution, empowered to pass legislation governing student groups.

- 6.3.2 All student organizations recognized as funded organizations by the SGA Senate shall undergo a yearly review of their operations by the Committee on Student Organizations, upon which their eligibility for semesterly allocations shall be contingent.

- 6.3.3 A decision to revoke recognition of an existing student organization by the Committee on Student Organizations can be appealed by any SGA Senator with a simple majority vote, at which point the whole Senate ~~General Body~~ will evaluate the student organization and vote on a final determination of its recognition.

- 6.3.4 Student groups may not disallow any member the right to vote with regard to race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, citizenship, or disability status. This requirement may be waived in circumstances in which an individual group has a specific reason – related to the impending graduation of group members – as to why members set to graduate in the academic year following the election should not be allowed to vote in a group election.

- 6.3.4.1 If the group wishes to waive this requirement, they must present a case to the SGA Senate explaining why graduating members should not be allowed to vote in an election. If the SGA rules in the group’s favor, then the class of graduating members will not be allowed to vote. The disallowance of graduating members, if approved, must apply to every member of the group, without exception, who is to graduate in the semester following the election.

- 6.3.5 Student groups must ensure that all students have the right to express their chosen pronoun, chosen name, and gender identity in all documents, programs, and material.

- ***ARTICLE 6, SECTION 4\. STUDENT AND STUDENT ORGANIZATION APPLICATION UPDATES***

- 6.4.1 The SGA shall strive to keep students and student organizations apprised of the status of their applications to itself or its constituent bodies – including committees and class councils.

- 6.4.1.1 For applications requiring two or more weeks to approve or deny, the following measures shall be used to maintain these channels of communication:

- 6.4.1.1.1 Students shall have the right to request an update on their application’s progress every two weeks, even if a final outcome cannot be provided at that time.

- 6.4.1.1.2 For each application process, the SGA shall publish an estimated timeline with general stages and timeframes on the process of approval and denial, as well as relevant points of contacts, on the SGA website.

- 6.4.1.1.3 The SGA shall email the aforementioned timeline to all applicants.

- **ARTICLE 7\. ADVISORS**

- ***ARTICLE 7, SECTION 1\.*** There shall exist SGA advisors who shall be resources when called upon by the SGA.

- ***ARTICLE 7, SECTION 2\.*** The SGA, in conjunction with the Office of the Dean of Student Life may appoint one (1) SGA Advisor for the SGA at large, one (1) Class Council Advisor for each council, one (1) Finance advisor for the Committee on Finance, and one (1) Student Organizations Advisor for the Committee on Student Organizations.

- **ARTICLE 8\. AMENDMENTS AND RATIFICATION**

- ***ARTICLE 8, SECTION 1\.*** These Bylaws, unless specified below, may only be amended and ratified by a two-thirds vote of the entire membership of the Senate.

- ***ARTICLE 8, SECTION 2\. SEMANTIC AMENDMENTS***

- 8.2.1 Amendments that do not change the intention of a line in the Bylaws may be made by the Internal Affairs without a Senate vote.

- 8.2.2 The Internal Affairs Committee will notify the Senate of these changes.

+ 1. Article I \- Title, Purpose, and Definitions

+ 1. These bylaws of the Student Government Association of Johns Hopkins University, hereafter the "Bylaws," enacted pursuant to Article II Section III of the Constitution of the Student Government Association of Johns Hopkins University, hereafter the "Constitution", contain every binding regulation the Student Government Association of Johns Hopkins University is held to not in the Constitution.

+ 2. Definitions

+ 1. SGA — The term “SGA” shall refer to the Student Government Association of Johns Hopkins University.

+ 2. Procedural Rules — The term “Procedural Rules” shall refer to the

+ 3.