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Constitution of the
- Student Government Association at Johns Hopkins University
- Ratified: April 11, 2023
+ Student Government Association at the Johns Hopkins University
+ Ratified: September 15th, 2026
**Table of Contents**
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3. Students have a right to attend all meetings of the SGA, and all minutes and proceedings of the SGA shall be open to student inspection, except those deemed secure by a closed session motion by the Senate.
4. Students have a right to free speech in all matters relating to the SGA. The spirit of this sentiment shall be extended to all student activities on the Homewood campus.
+ **Anti-Hazing/Discrimination Statement**
+
+ **The Johns Hopkins University Student Government Association (SGA) Non-Hazing & Non-Discrimination Statement**
+
+ **Non-Hazing Policy (Updated October 2024):**
+
+ **The Johns Hopkins University Student Government Association (SGA) is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all students. We believe that every member of our community deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, free from any form of hazing, harassment, or discrimination.**
+
+ The Johns Hopkins University Student Government Association is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all students. We believe that every member of our community deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, free from any form of hazing, harassment, or discrimination.
+
+ Hazing, in any form, is strictly prohibited. This includes any action, activity, or situation, whether intentional or unintentional, that causes or has the potential to cause physical, mental, or emotional harm, discomfort, or humiliation to any individual, regardless of their consent. Hazing undermines the values of respect, integrity, and mutual support that are core to our mission as an organization. The SGA holds a zero-tolerance policy towards hazing and will take immediate disciplinary action against any individuals or groups found to be engaging in such behavior.
+
+ Non-Discrimination Policy:
+
+ We value the diversity of our student body and are committed to providing an environment where all students can thrive, regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Discrimination or harassment based on these or any other factors is strictly prohibited. The SGA promotes inclusivity and ensures that every member has an equal opportunity to participate in all of its activities and programs.
+
+ Reporting & Accountability:
+
+ Any violations of these policies can be reported to the SGA, the Office of Inclusion and Equity, or other relevant university authorities. The SGA will take every report seriously and work to ensure that swift and appropriate actions are taken to address any concerns.
+
**Article II: Name, Authority, and Membership**
*Section One: Name*
- The official governing body of the Homewood Undergraduates shall be referred to as the Student Government Association at Johns Hopkins University (SGA).
+ The official governing body of the Homewood Undergraduates shall be referred to as the Student Government Association at the Johns Hopkins University (SGA).
*Section Two: Purpose*
- The purpose of the SGA is to protect and improve the rights, opportunities, and quality of life for every Homewood undergraduate student at Johns Hopkins University.
+ The purpose of the SGA is to protect and improve the rights, opportunities, and quality of life for every Homewood undergraduate student at the Johns Hopkins University.
*Section Three: Authority and Supremacy*
... 7 unchanged lines
1. The SGA shall be composed of the legislative branch, executive branch, and judicial branch.
2. No student may serve as a member of more than one branch, except in the case of Class Programming Councils.
- 3. A student may run for or be appointed to an office, provided that they maintain a \`.
+ 3. A student may run for or be appointed to an office, provided that they maintain a 2.5 overall GPA and are an undergraduate student in the Homewood Divisions of the Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences or the G.W.C. Whiting School of Engineering throughout their term of office.
4. Terms of Student Senate and Executive Branch members shall end on the date of the annual inauguration ceremony of the new SGA, and the terms of their successors shall then begin.
**Article III: Executive Branch**
... 17 unchanged lines
2. Shall assist with the funding of student groups.
3. Shall act as the financial officer of the SGA, keeping all of its ledgers and coordinating with the Finance Committee.
4. Director of Communications
- 1. Shall appoint and chair the Communications and Marketing Commission, composed as outlined in the Bylaws, which will be tasked with all matters related to the marketing and promotion of the SGA, including but not limited to
+ 1. Shall be responsible for:
1. Social media management.
2. Website maintenance and construction.
3. Graphic design.
+ 4. Other tasks as delegated by the Senate or Executive Branch.
2. Shall be responsible for maintenance of all SGA email lists and shall serve as the point of contact for all SGA communications.
- 5. Director of Research
- 1. Shall appoint and chair the Policy Research and Development Commission, composed as outlined in the Bylaws, which will
- 1. Provide background research and policy advisement to senators at their request.
- 2. Compose policy reports to be published with the majority consent of the Senate.
- 2. Shall refer policy reports to the Student Body President to deliver to relevant administration if applicable.
- 6. Chair of Programming
- 1. Shall oversee the Executive Team of SGA’s Class Programming Councils – which are tasked with providing regular programming and class-specific events. These councils will not be members of the President’s Cabinet. Class Programming Councils shall be led by an Executive Team consisting of a Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer, elected via a class-wide election.
- 1. Elections for the Class Programming Council Executive Teams shall be administered by the CSE, with roles given to those who receive the greatest plurality of votes.
- 2. One’s class is determined using the institutional “student classification” definition, not one’s graduation year. For instance, a student who entered the university in 2019, but is graduating in 2022, would still be considered a junior for the purpose of SGA 2021-2022 elections.
- 3. Additional members of each Class Programming Council can be appointed by the three-person Class Programming Council executive team, subject to confirmation by a majority of the Senate.
- 2. Shall facilitate collaboration both amongst the Class Programming Councils and amongst other programming bodies.
+ 5. Chair of Programming
+ 1. Shall oversee the Executive Team of SGA’s Class Programming Councils – which are tasked with providing regular programming and class-specific events. These councils will not be members of the President’s Cabinet.
+ 1. Class Programming Council members shall be elected by a class-wide election.
+ 2. Elections for the Class Programming Councils shall be administered by the CSE, with roles given to those who receive the greatest plurality of votes.
+ 3. Once the Class Programming Council members are elected, councils shall internally appoint a Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary.
+ 4. One’s class is determined using the institutional “student classification” definition, not one’s graduation year. For instance, a student who entered the university in 2019, but is graduating in 2022, would still be considered a junior for the purpose of SGA 2021-2022 elections.
+ 5. Additional members of each Class Programming Council can be appointed by the original three-person Class Programming Council that was elected by class-wide election, subject to confirmation by a majority of the Senate.
+ 2. Shall maintain oversight on Class Council activities and ensure proper coordination and communication across councils.
+ 3. Shall lead efforts that support the vision of the Executive Branch, ensuring programming reflects institutional priorities and student needs.
+ 4. Shall oversees the planning and execution of SGA-sponsored programming.
+ 5. Shall guides strategic initiatives that increase school spirit, student engagement, and visible SGA presence across campus (i.e., Blue Jay Tuesday)
- The Student Body President shall appoint the Director of Social Affairs and Director of Research and have the freedom to appoint additional cabinet members at their discretion with the majority consent of the senate. All other positions of the Cabinet shall be elected by the student body through an election administered by the CSE.
+ All positions of the Cabinet shall be elected by the student body through an election administered by the CSE. After the elections, the Student Body President shall have the power to appoint additional cabinet members at their discretion, with the majority consent of the Senate, given a justifiable reason or need.
- While Directors, the Chair of Programming, and the Class Programming Council Executive Teams are considered members of the Executive Branch, appointed members on the Commissions and Councils they oversee are not. As such, these members remain eligible for positions in other SGA branches.
+ While the Chair of Programming and the original three-person Class Programming Councils elected via class-wide election are considered members of the Executive Branch, appointed members on the Councils they oversee are not. As such, these members remain eligible for positions in other SGA branches.
**Article IV: Legislative Branch**
*Section One: Structure*
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The Senate shall be comprised of the following representatives, elected from amongst their constituent groups:
- 1. Five Class Senators from each graduating class, totalling twenty class representatives. a. One of these representatives, who shall be the primary class representative and must run as a separate position on the ballot, shall be chosen by a classwide election for “Class President”. This position remains that of a Senator for the intent of the Senate.
- 1. The remaining four representatives shall be chosen by a concurrent classwide election for “Class Senators”.
- 2. Class representatives may serve as non-voting ex-officio members of their Class Programming Council if they so choose.
+ 1. Five Class Senators from each graduating class, totalling twenty class representatives.
+ 1. One of these representatives, who shall be the primary class representative and must run as a separate position on the ballot, shall be chosen by a classwide election for “Class President.” This position remains that of a Senator for the intent of the Senate.
+ 2. The remaining four representatives shall be chosen by a concurrent classwide election for “Class Senators.”
+ 3. Class representatives may serve as non-voting ex-officio members of their Class Programming Council if they so choose.
2. Seven Academic Senators from the Krieger School and Five Academic Senators from the Whiting school, totaling twelve representatives.
- 3. One Senator from each category of student organizations SGA recognizes, elected from amongst the student body, totalling nine representatives.
+ 3. Five Student Organization Senators from any category of student organizations that SGA recognizes.
4. A Chair of each SGA Caucus shall be elected from amongst the student body, and be a Senator in the Senate, if the following conditions are met:
- 1. The caucus must have been established in the SGA Bylaws prior to January 1st of the election year.
+ 1. The caucus must have been established in the SGA Bylaws prior to the start of the student-body-wide election period.
2. The caucus must remain in existence at the time of elections.
Representatives shall be chosen by raw vote total within each election (i.e. the top five representatives from each school are chosen).
... 22 unchanged lines
*Section Four: Attendance*
- 1. Attendance at Senate and Committee meetings is required of senators, and excused absences shall be granted at the discretion of the chair of the meeting for extenuating circumstances.
- 1. If a member of the SGA misses 2 unexcused meetings per semester, they are automatically subject to impeachment.
- 2. If the member misses a total of 4 unexcused meetings per semester, they are automatically removed from the SGA.
- 2. Attendance at another SGA event beyond the required Senate and Committee meetings can be required by the President of the Senate, but this requirement can be overturned by a ⅔ vote of the Senate. Further, in such cases, legitimate, previously held time conflicts shall be accommodated with an excused absence.
+ 1. Specific attendance policies, including but not limited to, maximum number of and categories absences will be prescribed by the procedure established in the Senate Bylaws.
*Section Five: Special Rules*
- 1. Proxy voting is not allowed; members must be physically present in meetings in order to vote.
- 2. All SGA meetings are open to the public except meetings that are closed by 2/3 (two thirds) of the Senate.
- 3. The Senate, in the spirit of open meetings, shall keep all votes public and shall only enter Closed Session to deliberate upon Impeachment and other sensitive matters deemed necessary by the Senate.
- 4. All documents, minutes, and proceedings of the Senate shall be open to the public for inspection, except those from closed meetings.
- 5. The Senate shall follow the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order to facilitate efficient communication in Senate General Body Meetings, unless suspended by a ⅔ vote of the Senate.
+ 1. Proxy voting, that is voting through another person, is not allowed; members must be physically present in meetings in order to vote.
+ 2. In extenuating circumstances where the meeting cannot take place in person, such as in reduced operations due to inclement weather, voting over an electronic meeting shall be allowed.
+ 3. All SGA meetings are open to the public except meetings that are closed by 2/3 (two thirds) of the Senate.
+ 4. The Senate, in the spirit of open meetings, shall keep all votes public and shall only enter Closed Session to deliberate upon Impeachment and other sensitive matters deemed necessary by the Senate.
+ 5. All documents, minutes, and proceedings of the Senate shall be open to the public for inspection, except those from closed meetings.
+ 6. The Senate shall follow the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order to facilitate efficient communication in Senate General Body Meetings, unless suspended by a ⅔ vote of the Senate.
**Article V: Judicial Branch**
*Section One: Structure*
... 5 unchanged lines
2. The Committee on Student Elections (CSE), which shall be composed of seven members who shall elect a Chairperson amongst them. The CSE shall be responsible for facilitating elections for all elected SGA roles.
1. Appointments to the CSE shall be proposed by the Judiciary, upon the advice of the senate, and subject to the approval of 2/3 (two-thirds) of the Senate.
2. Current SGA members are ineligible to be members of the CSE.
- 3. CSE members shall serve for one academic year.
+ 3. CSE members shall serve for one academic year, with terms expiring at the end of the Spring semester.
3. Membership of the Judicial Branch is detailed in Article 2, Section 4: Membership
4. Resignations of Judicial Branch members shall follow the details in Article VIII.
*Section Two: Basic Responsibilities*
1. The Judicial Branch shall operate according to its own Rules and Guidelines.
- 2. The Judiciary Board shall be responsible for interpreting the Constitution and Bylaws, enforcing election procedures, and serve as the final avenue of appeal for all matters relating to the SGA.
- 3. The CSE shall operate according to its own Constitution and Election Rules and shall be free from SGA interference during election periods.
+ 2. The Judiciary Board shall be responsible for interpreting the Constitution and Bylaws, enforcing election procedures, and shall serve as the final avenue of appeal for all matters relating to the SGA.
+ 3. The CSE shall operate according to its own Constitution and Election Rules and shall be free from SGA interference during election periods, with the exception of Judiciary-proposed appointments to fill vacancies, as described in Article VIII Section 7 Part 3\.
1. Such rules may limit free speech rights of candidates during election periods, but not in a manner that disrupts a campaign atmosphere.
2. The SGA Judiciary Board shall handle appeals of CSE decisions.
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Attendance at Judiciary Board meetings is required of Justices and attendance at CSE meetings is required of CSE members. Excused absences shall be granted at the discretion of the chair of the meeting for extenuating circumstances.
- 1. If a member of the SGA misses 2 unexcused meetings per semester, they are automatically subject to impeachment.
- 2. If the member misses a total of 4 unexcused meetings per semester, they are automatically removed from the SGA.
+ 1. If the member misses a total of 4 unexcused meetings per semester, they are automatically removed from the SGA.
*Section Four: Judicial Branch Decisions*
Decisions made by the Judicial Branch on matters relating to the Senate, Executive Branch, or election procedures may be encouraged for reconsideration by either a ⅔ vote from the Senate or from a petition containing signatures from 15% of the Homewood undergraduate student body.
... 1 unchanged line
**Article VI: Standing and Ad-Hoc Committees**
*Section One: Standing Committees*
- 1. Each committee shall choose its chair by a procedure established in the Bylaws.
+ 1. Each committee shall have its chair chosen by a procedure established in the Bylaws.
2. The number and type of committees of the Senate shall be established in the Bylaws.
3. The duties and responsibilities of these committees shall be established in the Bylaws.
4. Committee meetings shall be open to students at large, unless closed by a ⅔ vote of the committee.
5. Committees, as per the Bylaws, may submit recommendations to the full Senate. Such recommendations are not binding themselves, and must be approved or denied by the body.
- 6. The President of the Senate shall, at the second Senate meeting, following the Bylaws, sort Senators into committees subject to confirmation by the Senate.
+ 6. The President of the Senate shall, by the third Senate meeting, following the Bylaws, sort Senators into committees subject to confirmation by the Senate.
*Section Two: Ad-hoc Committees*
The Senate may, by a 2/3 vote, convene ad-hoc committees to deal with matters of great importance. Such committees will expire at the end of an academic semester.
- **Article VII: Caucuses**
+ **Article VII: Caucus Senators**
- 1. Caucuses shall be established by the Senate for representation of a defined body of students with unique challenges and perspectives, and which are currently represented by a cohort of student organizations. The number and type of caucuses shall be outlined in the bylaws; as such, a caucus can be proposed through a bylaws amendment.
- 2. A bylaws amendment establishing a Caucus shall include procedures for internal elections of a Chair for situations in which the Chair position is not eligible for a school-wide election, and for when vacancies in the role arise. Chairs must be confirmed by a majority vote of the Senate.
- 3. Any bylaws amendment which seeks to establish a caucus shall be accompanied with a non-legislative addendum outlining the following:
- 1. Purpose of the caucus.
- 2. Goals of the caucus.
- 3. The first Chair of the Caucus.
- 4. Why there is a need for this caucus on campus.
- 5. The signatures of at least 50 interested individuals.
- 4. Caucus membership is open to all Homewood undergraduate students, including current SGA members.
- 5. The Caucus shall be chaired by the representative elected by a school-wide election as defined by Article IV Section 1, with one chair for each caucus. If the Caucus is not yet eligible for a school-wide election as defined by Article IV Section 1, the Caucus shall be chaired by the potential first Chair defined in the non-legislative addendum of the establishing legislation.
- 6. Caucuses are expected to maintain a membership of at least 10 Homewood undergraduate students in addition to members of SGA. Caucus membership shall be defined in the Bylaws.
- 1. If a caucus fails to meet the membership requirement by 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.
- 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.
- 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. 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.
+ 1. Caucus Senators shall be established for the purpose of representing defined bodies of students with unique challenges, perspectives, or identities, and which are currently represented by a cohort of student organizations.
+ 2. The number and type of Caucus Senator positions shall be outlined in the Bylaws; as such, a Caucus Senator position may be proposed through a Bylaws amendment.
+ 3. Any Bylaws amendment establishing a Caucus Senator position shall be accompanied by a non-legislative addendum outlining:
+ 1. The first Senator representing the caucus.
+ 2. The purpose of representing the particular group.
+ 3. The goals of representation.
+ 4. Why representation is needed on campus.
+ 5. The signatures of at least 40 interested individuals from the undergraduate student body.
+ 4. Caucus Senator positions are open to all Homewood undergraduate students, including current SGA members.
+ 5. Caucus Senators shall be elected by a school-wide election as defined in Article IV Section 1\.
+ 6. Caucus Senators are expected to maintain active engagement with their Representation Group as defined in the Bylaws.
**Article VIII: Removal Procedures and Vacancies**
*Section One: Recall*
... 11 unchanged lines
1. Impeachments may be carried out for serious breaches of the Constitution and Bylaws, breaches of University, local, state, and federal laws or for a lack of good behavior.
2. Charges of impeachment against any member of the SGA shall be brought in the following ways:
1. Any member of SGA may introduce impeachment charges, provided that they collect the signatures of at least one-third of the Senate membership and present them to the President of the Senate at a meeting of the Senate.
- 2. Upon receipt of said document, an impeachment hearing shall be scheduled at least one week after the receipt of charges, and no later than three weeks later.
+ 1. Upon receipt of said document, an impeachment hearing shall be scheduled at least one week after the receipt of charges, and no later than three weeks later.
+ 2. An impeachment trial is triggered by a statutory clause within the Constitution, Bylaws, or Procedural Rules Bill.
+ 3. If any member of the SGA is removed for any reason except resignation from the SGA, the following positions shall be responsible for notifying the member thereof of their removal.
+ 1. The President of the Senate shall be responsible for notifying any member from the Legislative Branch of their removal.
+ 2. The Student Body President shall be responsible for notifying any member from the Executive Branch of their removal.
+ 3. The Chief Justice shall be responsible for notifying any member of the Judicial Branch of their removal.
*Section Four: Impeachment Process*
... 1 unchanged line
2. Impeachment hearings shall be closed, and the accused shall have time to provide their defense. At no point shall the accused take part in any deliberation whatsoever.
3. After the accused has left the room, the Senate shall deliberate and then vote to remove the member in question.
4. Secret ballots shall be used, with no identifying marks. The election shall be administered by a JHU staff member.
- 5. A 2/3 vote of the entire Senate is needed to remove the member. If in the affirmative, the member shall be thanked for their service and dismissed.
+ 5. A 2/3 vote of all Senators, regardless of presence, is needed to remove the member. If in the affirmative, the member shall be thanked for their service and dismissed.
*Section Five: Senatorial Vacancy*
... 4 unchanged lines
1. The Student Body President shall be succeeded in the order in which the Executive positions are outlined in Article III Section One.
2. In the case of a vacancy in any other elected executive position that is not a Class Programming Council position, the Student Body President shall propose three current members of the legislative branch, and the Senate shall, by secret ballot, choose one to fill the vacancy. The Senatorial vacancy shall then be filled by the process outlined in Article VIII Section Five.
- 3. In the case of vacancies on the Class Programming Council Executive Team, the Chair of Programming, in conjunction with the remaining members of the Council’s Executive Team, shall solicit applications from the affected class and present a nominee to the Senate for confirmation.
+ 3. In the case of vacancies on the original three-person elected Class Programming, the Chair of Programming, in conjunction with the remaining members of the Council, shall solicit applications from the affected class and present a nominee to the Senate for confirmation.
*Section Seven: Judicial Branch Vacancy*
1. In the case of a vacancy in the Judiciary Board, the Senate shall solicit applications within three days and then follow the regular appointment process.
2. In the case of a vacancy in the CSE, the Judiciary Board shall solicit applications through the regular process outlined in Article V. Once received, the Senate shall then consider those applications at the first General Body Meeting following application receipt that occurs outside of an election period.
+ 3. If there are vacancies on the CSE after the elections season has begun and the Judiciary proposes a member, the Senate is permitted to approve the member for a term that expires at the end of the election season only. For a full term appointment, they shall be subject to reapproval by the Senate.
**Article IX: Constitutional Amendments**
- 1. This Constitution may be amended by a ¾ vote of the Senate.
+ 1. This Constitution may be amended by a ¾ vote of the entire membership of the Senate.
+ 1. Any Senator may introduce legislation to amend the Constitution of the SGA by submitting a bill to the President of the Senate as described in the bylaws.
+ 2. Once introduced to the Senate, the legislation shall go through first reading. If passed by ¾ vote of the Senate who are present, it shall go through committee review as described in the bylaws. The proposed amendment shall proceed to second reading at the GBM immediately following first reading, unless tabled, even if the committee does not review the bill.
+ 3. Committee review may be waived only by unanimous consent to discharge by the membership of the Senate who are present.
+ 4. Following committee review or discharge, the bill will go through second reading and shall require a ¾ vote of the entire membership of the Senate to become law.
2. Semantic Amendments (amendments related to incorrect grammar, terminology, or specifying acronyms) may be made by the Internal Affairs without a Senate vote. The Internal Affairs Committee will notify the Senate of these changes.
Amendments between these editions
- Caucus Constitutional Amendment — Bill / Constitution amendment · April 2023 · 111th session
- Constitutional Amendment for Caucus Elections Bill — Bill / Constitution amendment · February 2024 · 111th session
- Constitutional Amendment — Bill / Constitution amendment · February 2024 · 111th session