/Institutions/William-Wood-University/json/2023-2024/Student-Handbook-local.json

/Institutions/William-Wood-University/json/2023-2024/Student-Handbook.json

Student Assembly By-Laws

The Student Assembly serves as a voice of the students at William Woods University (WWU). A student-run body, in which all full-time students have full membership, the Assembly’s purpose is to provide an open forum where students may voice concerns, share ideas and form linkages within the campus community. 

Article I STUDENT ASSEMBLY
A. Membership and Rights
1. All full-time WWU students participating in the campus undergraduate program are members (part-time students are welcome to attend meetings).
2. All members have voting rights.
3. Recognized student organizations receiving funding from the Student Finance Committee must attend one (1) Student Assembly meeting per semester to report on organization activities. 
4. Decisions of the Student Assembly shall be binding if the motion receives a majority vote of the students present.
B. Meetings
1. The Student Assembly shall meet once a month.
2. The Assembly chair shall preside over the meeting.
3. The Assembly shall meet on a particular day of the month, such as the fourth Tuesday of each month; the chair shall set the date.
4. The chair will initiate Robert’s Rules of Order as necessary.
C. Student Assembly Chair 
1. The chair shall preside over Student Assembly meetings without the right of vote or motion; the chair is a facilitator for the action of the Student Assembly.
2. The chair assists with coordinating the efforts of the committees of the Assembly.
3. The chair shall be elected in November and serve until the next November.
D. Recording Secretary
1. Attends all Student Assembly meetings and keeps detailed minutes of Student Assembly meetings.
2. Provides printed agenda for Assembly meetings as determined by the chair.
3. The Recording Secretary will be nominated and elected at the November meeting.

ARTICLE II STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS OF THE STUDENT ASSEMBLY
A. By-laws Committee (2-3 Members)
1. Review the by-laws and update as necessary.
2. Oversee election process.
3. This committee will fill vacancies using nominations from the floor at Student Assembly meetings.
4. A chair for the committee shall be selected from within the group at its first meeting.
B. Finance Committee (3-5 Members)
1. Review guidelines for allocation of funds and travel funds program.
2. Allocate funds to student organizations.
3. Responsible for approving fund-raising requests from student organizations and reviewing criteria.
4. This committee will fill vacancies using nominations from the floor at Student Assembly meetings.
5. A chair for the committee may be selected from within the group at their first meeting.
C. Campus Activities Board (CAB) 
1. Plans and coordinates social activities on campus.
2. Reviews proposals and can provide funding for social events requested by student organizations. 
3. CAB meetings are open to any William Woods University student.  
4. Leadership will be elected from within the group according to the CAB constitution.
D. Campus Standards Board (CSB) (3-10 Members)
1. Hears violations of policies and standards of the University as referred by the Dean of Student Life. 
2. The CSB will fill vacant positions through an application process which will be handled by the CSB. The chair of the Student Assembly will also participate in the selection process.  
3. The chair for the committee shall be selected from within the group at its first meeting after formal training or members may serve as chair on a rotating basis at each hearing.  

ARTICLE III STUDENT ASSEMBLY OFFICER SELECTION
A. Election of Student Assembly Chair: 
1. Ballots
a. The By-laws committee oversees the election process.
b. Ballots will be designed and distributed by the By-laws committee. 
2. Election of Student Assembly Chair
a. The Assembly Chair shall be elected at the November Assembly and serve until the following November Assembly.
b. All Assembly members may run for Assembly Chair with the following exceptions:
i. First semester William Woods University students.
ii. Members who will not be able to fulfill the November-November term.
3. In October, the By-laws committee will begin collecting names of students who wish to be put on the ballot.  
a. Candidates may request their name be put on the ballot at the October Assembly.
b. Candidates not able to attend the meeting may place their name on the ballot through written request to the By-laws committee chair.
c. Names received within seven days of the October meeting will be placed on the ballot.
4. Candidates reserve the right to campaign in the interim between the October and November Assembly.
5. At the November Assembly each Chair candidate will be awarded an opportunity to address the Assembly; a five-minute maximum will be imposed.
6. Should the chair or secretary position become vacant during the designated term, the vacancy will be filled at the next Student Assembly meeting; however, the vacant position must be announced at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.  
7. Voting will take place by secret ballot following the candidate addresses.
B. Vote Tabulation and Position Transfer
1. Following adjournment of the November Assembly, all candidates and current position-holders will remain at the meeting hall awaiting results.
2. The By-laws committee will assume responsibility for tabulation of ballots.
a. Votes will be counted immediately following the Assembly in a special meeting of the committee; winners will be identified the day of the vote. 
b. Committee members who are on the ballot will not aid in counting votes.
c. The committee chair will validate the count and immediately announce results.
d. Only one recount of voting results will be conducted, and only if the vote is challenged by a party on the ballot.
3. The winner will be defined as the candidate who receives the most votes.
4. When results are announced to the candidates, the By-laws committee chair will give candidates the opportunity to challenge the vote.
5. When a clear winner is identified and announced, transfer of the position will be immediate.
6. The By-laws committee will be responsible for destroying the ballots after the final count.
7. The By-laws committee will be responsible for posting announcement of the results.
C. Runoff Provision
1. In the event a vote is tied for any position, the By-laws committee will coordinate a special meeting of the Assembly for the sole purpose of a runoff election among the tied parties.
2. Notice of the runoff election will be posted and the election held no more than one week after the initial vote.
3. Votes will be tabulated as provided in section ‘B.’
4. Runoffs will repeat until decisive.

ARTICLE IV POWER TO AMEND THE BY-LAWS
The Student Assembly reserves the right to amend the by-laws as necessary.