Student Constitution

Article 1 Preamble

This constitution serves to outline the functions of Student Government at Oakland Community College. Student Government exists to promote student involvement in campus activities, assist and maintain order among student organizations, represent concerns brought forth by the student body, and encourage community outreach.

Article 2 Membership

Section A: General Membership

All students currently enrolled at Oakland Community College, as well as members of all recognized student organizations, are included in the general membership of Student Government. These students are encouraged to attend general meetings to express their concerns.

Section B: Executive Membership

The Executive Board consists of all officers in Student Government. These members will meet routinely in order to discuss student activities among the campuses and form decisions that involve Student Government and Student Engagement with the approval of the college’s Student Engagement Coordinators and faculty advisors (Advisory Council).

Section C: Officer Eligibility

In order to be eligible for office in Student Government, applicants must be currently enrolled at Oakland Community College during each semester of service.

Article 3 Organization

Section A: Structure

Student Government will maintain an ordered hierarchy of officer positions with unique duties. The organization will consist of the following officer positions:

President
Vice President
Secretary
Public Relations Coordinator
Community Service Coordinator
Treasurer
Student Government Liaison

Advisors (Advisory Council)

Office of Student Engagement
Faculty members

These positions are standard and must be filled by one student each for a total of seven (7) student officers. In addition, the Executive Board may add up to eight additional representatives at its discretion.

Section B: Officer Duties

The President is responsible for overseeing that Student Government fulfills its purpose defined in the Preamble. In order to do so, the President must fill officer roles with capable students and see that the duties of every officer position and committee are effectively carried out. The President will be responsible for planning Student Government events, leading meetings, and making executive decisions with input from other student officers. He or she will supervise committee projects of Student Government and approve fund requests brought by the Treasurer. The President will also collaborate with the leaders of other student organizations, and the Advisory Council.

The Vice President will assist the President in tasks and special projects as needed. On occasion, when the President is unable to fulfill one of his or her duties, the Vice President will fill in as a substitute. The Vice President will also participate in event planning and decision making with the President.

The Secretary works directly with the President and Vice President to manage Student Government’s paperwork. The Secretary shall produce and distribute meeting agendas as directed by the President, send meeting reminders, attend meetings to take notes, and post minutes after each meeting.

The Public Relations Coordinator manages all advertisement for Student Government through effective and creative means. The goal of this officer is to promote awareness of Student Government’s existence and current activities among the student body. The PR Coordinator will be dedicated to promoting Student Government through any opportunities that present themselves whether that be creating a Student Government brand, fliers and posters as needed, any student body newsletters, student engagement boards on campus, and posts on social media. The PR Coordinator will also gather feedback from the student body for improvement.

The Outreach/Community Service Coordinator ensures all members feel involved, engaged and part of a strong community at all events and arranges community service projects that unite the local chapter members in creating local positive change.

The Treasurer will be responsible for managing the financial affairs of the organization. The selected candidate will work closely with members of the executive board, as well as faculty and staff advisors, to ensure that the organization's finances are managed efficiently.

The Student Government Liaison will be responsible for maintaining communication and fostering relationships with other clubs and organizations on campus. Additionally, they serve as a point of contact for other clubs when the student government is not having a meeting.

Section C: Responsibilities

All student officers are responsible for carrying out the aforementioned duties of their officer role, attending the required meetings, and actively participating in Student Government. Officers who are ineffective or fail to carry out their duties may be removed from office in accordance with the decision of the Advisory Council (referenced in Article 7, Section D). Officers must also agree to abide by the principles described in this constitution.

In addition, all officers will be required to serve a minimum of two hours per week (at their designated campus) in the Student Engagement Office and/or student services suite at regular times. Scheduled office hours must be displayed so students have access to the times that their representatives in Student Government are available to meet. Meetings and other events will not count towards the two hour total.

Article 4 Governance

Section A: Authority

If a student organization fails to fulfill its requirements or attend general meetings, Student Government may deny representation to the organization for a specified period of time, or may impose appropriate sanctions with approval of the Advisory Council as needed.

If a student organization is displeased about a decision made by Student Government, it should appeal to the Student Government Executive Board to reverse the decision. If no reversal takes place, the student organization may then go to the Advisory Council and make a second appeal.

Student Government will host a recruitment/informational table each Fall and Winter at the direction of the Office of Student Engagement.
Student representatives must attend all Leadership Trainings hosted by the Office of Student Engagement.
All officers must attend the annual Leadership Summit in May.
Student Government must coordinate at least one open activity, or event, during fall and winter semesters.

Section B: Neutrality

Student Government as an establishment will treat all student organizations with equal respect but will remain neutral on political and religious matters.

Student officers have the right to join and participate in any student organization. Oakland Community College’s Diversity and Inclusion statement:

The College will ensure that diversity, in all its forms, is respected and valued by fostering and promoting an environment of inclusiveness.

Article 5 Meetings

Section A: Requirements

Student Government must hold one general meeting and one Executive Board meeting during each month of the academic year:

General Meetings: One to two representatives from each student organization will be required to attend.
Executive Board Meetings: decided by Executive Board.
College Senate Meetings: One to two representatives from the Executive Board will attend this monthly meeting.
BOT Meetings: One (1) representative will attend this monthly meeting as requested.

An officer who misses three meetings will be removed from office upon the decision of the Advisory Council immediately without vote.

Student organizations must also attend general meetings. If a student organization fails to send a delegate for two consecutive general meetings, the student organization will lose their privilege to be recognized as a registered student organization.

Section B: Campus/College Senate Meetings

Senate meetings are held once a month by the faculty of the each campus. As Student Government is granted a seat, attendance is required by this constitution. It is customary for the President to attend these meetings; if he or she is unable to, the Vice President is next in line as a substitute, followed by Representatives.

Section C: General Meetings

Student Government shall hold open meetings to gather with the leaders of other student organizations and the Student Engagement Coordinators. During this time, organization leaders will have the opportunity to present the Student Engagement Coordinators and Student Government with issues, proposals, or requests, and to participate in the discussion of student engagement affairs. All students of the campus sites are welcome to attend open meetings and voice their concerns.

Section D: Executive Meetings

Student Government shall hold closed meetings to discuss its events, budget, internal affairs, student engagement activities, and relevant matters at the time. These meetings are private and may be attended by Student Government officers and the Advisory Council.

The President shall preside over closed meetings and in the President’s absence, the Vice President shall take his or her place. If both cannot attend the meeting, however, then the Representatives are next in line.

Article 6 Events

Section A: Requirements

Student Government must carry out one community service event per semester minimum. Events are to be scheduled at least 8 (eight) weeks in advance after planning, filling out the required paperwork, and consulting the Student Engagement Coordinators. Events held by Student Government are to be organized by the Executive Board. Student representatives will later volunteer to staff the event as needed.

Section B: Event Request Form

Event Request forms are to be made available to student organizations to plan events. Student Government will review this form before passing on to the Student Engagement Coordinators for review and approval. Event request forms must be accompanied by diagrams (for room set up needs).

Article 7 Transitions of Office

Section A: Term Conditions

Student Government defines its terms as being equivalent to two semesters, or one academic year spanning the fall and winter. Each student officer is to serve one full term, except in the case of temporary appointments. A student officer may serve two terms maximum and must seek replacement candidates during their final term, whether from planned resignation or term limit.

If a standing student officer is able to serve a second full term, he or she may hold office for that second term with the approval of Student Government’s advisory council; this must be decided before the end of the winter semester. If the student officer does not return for a second term, refer to Article 7 Section B.

Section B: Elections

When an officer’s position will be vacant the next year, Student Government and the Advisory Council may decide to hold elections at the end of the academic year. Candidates for office must be able to serve one full term, be currently enrolled at Oakland Community College for that semester and the next year, and possess the ability to carry out all requirements in this constitution. Students who are interested in running for office must register with the Student Engagement Coordinators and fulfill the aforementioned criteria to become a candidate.

Throughout the winter semester, candidates must 1). Apply to run for office, 2). Campaign from the time period of March of each year, 3). A debate (if needed) will be held followed by voting during the 3rd week of April and finally the new officers will be announced to the campus. Students eligible to vote in the election must be currently enrolled.

Section C: Appointments

In the event that voter turnout is poor a new officer may be appointed by the Advisory Council.

Article 8 Voting on Major Events

Section A: Participation

Decisions formed by Student Government shall be finalized by the President with general consensus of Student Government’s officers. Major changes shall require a majority vote by the Student Government officers and the Advisory Council. All officers present shall have the opportunity to vote, while those who are not present may vote via phone within twenty-hours of when the vote started.

Major events would require a majority vote of the Student Government officers and the support of the Advisory Council.

Voting on events to be endorsed by a majority of the Student Government officers would include, but is not limited to: speakers, workshops, external activities, employment fairs, etc.

Section B: Process

Whenever a formal vote is required, the Executive Board shall host such proceedings during an executive board meeting. The issue must first be presented and discussed with all sides having the chance to make their case before the vote begins. After the discussion has taken place, officers shall cast their vote anonymously by ballot. The votes shall be submitted to the Advisory Council for tallying.

Section C: Amendments

This constitution may be amended in the future as needed. Proposals can be made by any officer and may be discussed at Student Government’s executive board meetings. All officers and Student Government and the Advisory Council must be made aware of the proposed amendment in advance of the next closed meeting, where a formal vote shall take place. A two-thirds majority and Advisory Council approval are required to approve amendments, which shall be added to this constitution after Article 8.

As a member of the Parliament, you will have the opportunity to be an active participant of student government. Attending the required meetings to bring your ideas and perspectives to the forefront while working with other dedicated students to address important issues and make a real impact on campus while forming meaningful connections and building lifelong friendships along the way.

The Parliament of Owls is more than just a platform for making positive change - it's also a community of individuals who are committed to supporting one another. As a member of Parliament, you'll have the chance to participate in all the fellowship and volunteering events that Student Government organizes, giving back to the community and making a difference in the lives of others. And through these experiences, you'll gain valuable leadership skills that will serve you well throughout your life.