Our
Constitution

The Hunter College Undergraduate Student Government (USG) is the officially recognized, democratically elected student representation for all Hunter undergraduate, matriculated and non-matriculated students. It is governed by the following constitution.

PREAMBLE

Whereas:

The Hunter College Undergraduate Student Government. (USG) formerly known as the Day Session Student Government (DSSG) and the Evening Session Student Government (ESSG) is the officially recognized, democratically elected student representation for all Hunter undergraduate, matriculated and non-matriculated students; and
It is responsible for creating and providing services and activities which its membership consider important to fulfilling the experience of being a student attending Hunter College This includes protecting students' rights, promoting students' welfare, fostering cohesiveness within the student body, ensuring student involvement in academic policy and curriculum formation, and maintaining an awareness of local, national and International affairs of significance to students.

Therefore, this constitution is the governing instrument of the Undergraduate Student Government and may be amended only In accordance with the guidelines herein.

ARTICLE I: OFFICERS: EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

There shall be a President, Vice President, Evening Affairs Commissioner, Finance Commissioner, External Affairs/Public Relations Commissioner, Student Welfare/Academic Affairs Commissioner, Student Activities/Cultural Affairs Commissioner, Residence Life Commissioner, and Senate Chair.

ARTICLE II: TERM OF OFFICE

The term of office for all USG officers (Executive Board, Senate, College Association, etc.) begins July 1st and ends June 30th. However, any elected official shall continue to hold office until the Student Election Review Committee (SERC) has certified the election of a successor(s).

ARTICLE III: MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

EXECUTIVE BOARD INTERNAL STRUCTURE
1. Any and all decisions to be made are to be determined by a majority vote of the Executive Board.
2. All Executive Board members shall have one vote and no veto power.
3. The Executive Board shall serve as the governing body over all USG policies and procedures, with all policies and procedures to be implemented by a majority vote of the body at large.
4. There will be a rotating agenda writer and chair of the Executive Board meetings to be elected by the body at large at the previous meeting.
5. Quorum shall be constituted by ½ of the represented body plus 1.
6. Members of the Executive Board shall schedule and attend at least six (6) weekly office hours Monday through Friday.

COMMISSIONERS
1. Shall be the official representatives of the Hunter College (HC) student body.
2. Shall be responsive to all current issues affecting student welfare in which either student or specific Senate opinion is voiced and shall carry out any necessary and appropriate action, as determined by a majority vote of the Executive Board.
3. Shall make themselves available and accessible to the student body at large.
4. Shall be responsible for any appointment necessary for the carrying out of USG duties to be determined by a majority vote of the Executive Board.
5. Shall, in consultation with the President and Senate Chair, establish and chair their standing committees on which shall seat no less than one (1) USG Senator.
6. Shall produce written, weekly progress reports to the Executive Board and monthly progress reports to the Senate. Each respective body must approve the submission of a verbal report.
7. Shall prepare and administer their budgets to be approved by the Financial Control Board (FCB) and/or Senate in accordance with the guideline herein.
8. Shall with the aid of their committees, be responsible for student outreach and/or disseminating information regarding their respective activities In coordination with the External Affairs Commissioner and the school media, and with the approval of the Executive Board.
9. Shall attend weekly Executive Board meetings, the day and time to be arranged by the body at large.
10. Shall schedule and attend at least ten (10) weekly office hours Monday through Friday, not including meeting times.

STEERING COMMITTEES
1. In the case of an emergency, a steering committee of any three (3) or more Executive Board commissioners can hold a meeting to make official decisions. These decisions must be justified to the Executive Board at large at the next E-Board meeting.

PRESIDENT
1. Has signatory power.
2. Shall be a College Association member.
3. Shall be a member of the Financial Control Board.
4. Shall be a member of the Academic Senate.
5. Shall be responsible for maintaining records of approved budgets.
6. Shall be the chair of the Student Space Allocations Committee (SSAC).
7. Shall nominate at least five (5) officers to be members of the Judicial Board with the approval of USG-all
8. Shall consist of at most two (2) Executive Board members.
9. Shall produce written, bi-weekly progress reports to USG-all.

VICE PRESIDENT
1. Shall be a signatory.
2. Shall, in conjunction with the Evening Affairs Commissioner, supervise the activities of the Student Resource Center and the Student Lounge (Thomas Hunter 105) for the Executive Board.
3. Shall be the liaison between the Executive Board and all staff of USG
4. Shall be the chair of the Hiring and Firing committee.
5. Shall be the chair of the Judiciary Board.
6. Shall, upon nomination and vote by USG-All, appoint two (2) Alternate College Association members.

SENATE CHAIR
1. Shall be the Chairperson for all senate meetings.
2. The Senate Chair shall be a liaison between the Student Senate and the Executive Board. She/he shall sit on the Executive Board and carry one vote.
3. Shall be a liaison between the Student Senate and the Executive Board.
4. Shall present a report at each Senate meeting detailing the E-Board’s work.
5. Shall hold at least one Town Hall a semester.

EVENING AFFAIRS COMMISSIONER
1. Shall be responsible for coordinating efforts of USG to ensure that services of USG are available during evening hours.
2. Shall work with Campus Facilities to extend services to Evening Students.
3. Shall be responsible in conjunction with the Vice President, of supervising the activities of the Student Resource Center and the Student Lounge (Thomas Hunter 105).
4. Shall assist the Cultural Affairs Commissioner with the Club Council.

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMISSIONER
1. Shall represent the Hunter College Undergraduate Student Government as a delegate to the University Student Senate and any other City, State, National, or International organization(s) as decided by the Executive Board.
2. Shall act as the primary liaison between the USG and internal organizations within Hunter, as well as external organizations as necessary.
3. Shall coordinate the dissemination of information concerning the activities of the USG by means of the various Hunter College Media available with the consultation of the Executive Board.

FINANCE COMMISSIONER
1. Shall be a signatory.
2. Shall be primarily responsible for the preparation of the budgets of USG
3. Shall tend to all matters concerning the finances of the USG and clubs which include but is not exclusive to:
4. All USG budgets.
5. Attendance at Club Council Meetings.
6. Aiding club officers with financial questions/situations.
7. Shall coordinate and chair the Financial Control Board/Hearings.

STUDENT WELFARE COMMISSIONER
1. Shall see that the students' general welfare and interests are protected.
2. Shall be responsible for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, the dynamics of which shall be determined by a majority vote of the Executive Board.
3. Shall in coordination with the ombudsmen be the student representative for any undergraduate student requiring assistance with academic problems.
4. Shall be the liaison between the Academic Senate and USG. The Student Welfare Commissioner shall be a Senator on the Academic Senate. If no seats are open, she/he will attend all meetings of the Academic Senate and its student caucus and will examine all of its activities and report to USG any issues that affect the student body at large.
5. Shall nominate an officer to be the point-person for Academic Affairs.

CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMISSIONER
1. Shall be a signatory
2. Shall act as a liaison between USG and clubs/student organizations
3. Shall act as Chairperson of the Chartering Committee and shall prepare the club charter/budget packet in accordance with the guidelines herein.
4. Shall coordinate and sponsor a diversified program of concerts, films and other social and cultural functions in order to provide the broadest possible scope of activities available to the Hunter student body.
5. Shall establish and maintain a Club Council to facilitate outreach and communication between clubs and the student government.

RESIDENCE LIFE COMMISSIONER
1. Shall be a signatory
2. Shall act as a liaison between USG and all Hunter Residence Halls, inclusive of Hunter College Residence Life administrators, students and residents.
3. Shall address the needs of residents of the Brookdale dormitory; these include physical facilities (i.e. Computer Lab, Study Areas, Lounges) and services (i.e. food program, hall maintenance).
4. Shall address the needs at all functions held at the Brookdale Campus.
5. Shall represent USG at functions held at the Residence Hall for the Executive Board.
6. Shall form a council of Brookdale residents, with at least one representative from each Hunter College Dormitory, and shall chair said council. This council shall address the needs of all Residence Halls.
7. Shall reside in the Brookdale Residence Hall. Residence Life Commissioner is required to reside in the dorm during their term of office.

ARTICLE IV VACANCIES

All vacant USG positions shall be filled accordingly through the Hiring and Firing Committee.
Any vacancy in Senate shall be vetted by the Hiring and Firing committee and be approved by a majority vote of the E-Board followed by a majority vote in the Senate,
Vacancy in either the Senate or Executive Board shall not count in computing quorum.

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATION

The Senate shall be apportioned so that each class group (i.e. Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior) shall be represented by four Senators to be elected from said groups at large. (16 Total)
Students who, in the Spring Semester, when elections are being held will have less than twenty-seven and one-half (27.5) credits by the end of that semester may run for two (2) freshmen senator seats.
At the first Senate meeting of the new USG at the beginning of the fiscal year, the other two freshmen seats will be filled by two (2) first semester freshmen to be appointed by the USG Senate. Notice of the availability of these positions should be as broad as possible so that as many freshmen as would like to run may do so.
Executive Board Members shall be elected from and by the student body at large.

ARTICLE VI SENATE POWERS AND DUTIES

The Senate shall appropriate all funds for student activities, within two-week period from the time the dollar amount available for said student activity is made known by the Business Office and no more than one week after the FCB budget proposal.
Shall approve all USG budgets and consider the following:
1. Compliance with CUNY By-Laws, the CUNY Manual of General Policy, the Fiscal Accountability Handbook, and other relevant governing documents
2. Approval of the Executive Board; and
3. Correct mathematical and logistical budgeting: figures (i.e. Totals, Balances, etc.) match and there are no discrepancies apparent
The Senate shall express the opinions of the Hunter College Student body on matters concerning student welfare, and take any action necessary to promote the welfare and interests of the students of Hunter College, as long as the said actions concern student welfare and do not conflict with this constitution.
Each senator must serve on at least one but no more than three commissioners' standing committees.
The representatives of the Student Senate must meet at least once per semester in general assembly with the student body at large.
Each senator has one vote in Hunter USG senate meetings.
Each senator shall schedule and attend at least four (4) weekly office hours Monday through Friday.

ARTICLE VII SENATE INTERNAL STRUCTURE

There shall be a presiding officer of the Senate nominated by the Senate at large and approved by the Executive Board.
There shall be two rotating secretaries to record the minutes of the Senate meetings who will be elected by the Senate members at large.
The above-mentioned secretaries shall publish the minutes of each Senate meeting on the Hunter USG website within one (1) week of each meeting.
Senate meetings shall run according to Robert's Rules of Order.

ARTICLE VIII SENATE MEETING PROCEEDINGS

Senate meetings are to be called by the Chairperson at least twice a month. The Chairperson can call an emergency meeting to handle any and all Senate business.
Quorum for Senate meetings will be constituted by ½ of the represented body plus 1.

ARTICLE IX UNIVERSITY STUDENT SENATE (USS)

University Student Delegates and Alternates assume office on September 1st of the current fiscal year and remain in office until August 31st of the following fiscal year.
Two delegates and two alternates shall be elected by a majority vote of the Executive Board and the Senate prior to the first meeting of the USS Plenary for the given academic year.
Delegates are responsible for serving as a liaison between the USG and the USS, and sharing information from USS to USG, and vice versa.

ARTICLE X ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

Executive Board and Senate
1. Executive Board members shall be automatically removed from office if that said member should be absent from two successive meetings or a total of three meetings a semester without a reasonable excuse.
2. Any member of the Student Senate who misses two consecutive meetings without 48 hours prior notification to the Senate Chair shall have their stipend suspended for that month. The stipend suspension shall be approved by the Vice President.
3. Chair shall have their stipend suspended for that month. The stipend suspension shall be approved by the Vice President.
College Association, Auxiliary Enterprise Corporation, and the Faculty Student Disciplinary Committee (FSDC)
1. All standing members of the College Association, Auxiliary Enterprise Corporation, and the Faculty Student Disciplinary Committee (FSDC) shall be removed from office should they not meet the attendance requirements of those respective bodies.
2. Reasonable Absence Excuses
  1. Notification within the set guidelines for that respective body
  2. Extenuating circumstances (i.e. medical, family sickness or death).
  3. Attending to work not pertaining to USG shall not be used to justify excessive absences.

Removals/Suspensions
1. The respective body in which the said member sits shall carry out all removals/suspensions from office based on attendance. In the case of the C.A., A.E.C., or the FSDC, each respective body carries out the removal.
2. Each member of the Undergraduate Student Government shall schedule and attend a minimum of three (3) weekly office hours Monday through Friday.
3. Each member must serve on at least one but no more than three commissioners' standing committees.

ARTICLE XI COLLEGE ASSOCIATION STUDENT MEMBERS

The four elected College Association student members, and the USG President, shall act as the liaisons between the College Association and the USG, and represent the interests of the student body in the CA.
Two (2) student alternates shall be elected by a majority vote of all USG officers prior to the first meeting of the College Association for the given academic year.

ARTICLE XII STUDENT ELECTIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE

The Executive Board shall nominate a representative to the Student Elections Review Committee (SERC) to be confirmed by the USG Senate.

ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS

Any member of USG may present proposals for amendments.
The USG member(s) shall distribute the said proposed amendments one (1) week prior to a USG general meeting for review.
A separate meeting must be held to vote on any amendment(s).
Amendments shall be passed at a meeting of 3/4 of the entire functioning Undergraduate Student Government. To pass an amendment, 3/4 of that present body must vote in favor of it. Proxy counts as no vote.

ARTICLE XIV REFERENDUM

*See Hunter College Undergraduate Catalog.

ARTICLE XV INTERPRETATION

Any member of the Government may bring an interpretation of this constitution to the Judicial Board whose decision shall be binding.
Any decision or judgment rendered by any standing committee Senate or any Government body thereof, can be appealed to the Judicial Board whose judgment and interpretation shall be final and binding. This final interpretation and/or judgment shall override and supersede any decision rendered by any standing committee.
The Judicial Board shall, upon reaching a majority vote, administer citations.

ARTICLE XVI REMOVAL OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT MEMBERS FROM OFFICE

Any USG member can have charges brought up against him/her investigated by an elected committee chosen from the USG body at large excluding the accused person(s) and the accuser(s) under the provisions of Article XII. In order for impeachment to occur a citation process has been established and is outlined below.
All USG officers must sign the “USG Citation Sheet”. This document acts as written notification of employment issues and incidents. Citations range from 1-10 points depending on the level of severity. An accumulation of 10 points means that the impeachment process may be initiated by any member of USG, and may result in removal. However, you do not need to accumulate 10 points for the impeachment process to begin if it is agreed upon by a majority of the E-Board that you are no longer fit to serve.
Any official member of USG may bring a citable offense against a fellow USG member at any time, which will then be affirmed or denied by a majority vote of the E-Board.
The Vice President may issue a citation to any USG officer in accordance with acceptable citations in Article XII, Section 6, except in the case of a fellow E-Board member.
Any E-Board member may bring a citable offense against a fellow E-Board member, to be decided upon by a majority vote of the E-Board, excluding the member being charged and the accuser.
At the accumulation of 5 citation points, the Vice President may recommend the officer’s pay be suspended indefinitely, to be approved by a majority vote of E-Board.
Citations may occur due to the following events, be recommended up to, and approved:
Lateness (2 points)
Failure to Attend Meetings Without Prior Notice / Permission (2 points)
Failure to Work Office Hour Shift(s) Without Prior Notice / Permission (3 points)
Failure to Attend Mandatory Event Without Notice / Permission (4 points)
Failure to Complete Assigned Tasks (1-5 points, Based on Supervisor’s Discretion)
Failure to Report Incident (1-5 points, Based on Supervisor’s Discretion)
Other - Failure to execute the duties of their office, incompetence in the performance of their office, commission of acts of willful wrongdoing in office, including violation(s) of this constitution and/or any violation(s) as described in the Hunter College and/or CUNY By- laws, conflict of interest, which would tend to place the official in a position of using their office for personal gain, and placing that gain above the welfare of the members of the entire undergraduate student body, violation of a standing order of the Senate or Executive Board while charged with its execution as a delegate of the USG Senate or Executive Board (1-10 points, based on the Supervisor’s Discretion)
See “USG Citation Sheet” Document (Attached to the end of the Constitution)
The Vice President may remove citation points
Upon the initiation of the removal process, the charge and all of its specifications must be presented in writing and signed by the accuser(s) and the Vice President. In the case that the Vice President is the accused or accuser, the President must sign. If the President is unable to sign due to involvement, the responsibility to sign will flow as follow, until a suitable individual can sign; Cultural Affairs Commissioner, Student Welfare Commissioner, External Affairs Commissioner, Evening Affairs Commissioner, Finance Commissioner, Senate Chair. The signing E-Board member is responsible for monitoring and organizing the removal process.
At the time a charge is brought against the accused member of USG, a committee shall be formed consisting of a minimum of five (5) members of the USG body at large, excluding the accused and the accusers.
The committee shall conduct an investigation lasting no more than ten (10) days and shall report its findings at a meeting specifically held for this purpose composed of all members of USG, or quorum reached as described herein.
At this meeting a full report of the committee and a recommendation of Impeachment of the accused or the dismissal charges shall be made by the committee.
The accused person(s) may bring forth any arguments and/or documents to defend his/her case.
The USG shall determine to accept or reject the recommendation of the committee by a 2/3 vote at a meeting consisting of a minimum of half plus one members of USG at large. The accused person(s) and the accuser(s) shall be excluded from this vote.

ARTICLE XVII HIRING/FIRING PROCEDURES

HIRING COMMITTEE
1. There shall be a committee chaired by the Vice President consisting of at least two (2) members of the Executive Board and at least three (3) members from the Senate, FSDC, AEC, or CA. The Vice President will recommend committee members to be approved by the Executive Board via majority vote.
  1. In the case of the absence of a Vice President, the chair of the hiring and firing committee shall be selected and appointed by a majority vote of the executive board.
2. The responsibilities of this committee shall be as follows:
  1. To post available positions and their requirements.
  2. Collect and review resumes of prospective employees.
  3. Conduct thorough interviews of each candidate.
  4. Present recommendations to the Executive Board
3. The Hiring Committee shall make decisions regarding the following positions:
  1. USG Office Manager
  2. USG Office Assistants
  3. Resource Center Director
  4. Lounge Manager
  5. Project Coordinators
  6. Financial Assistant
  7. Any vacant elected position
4. Any existing employee(s) of the previous administration can bypass the hiring procedures. Contract renewals shall be decided by a majority vote of the Executive Board and approval of the Senate.
5. The Resource Center Director, and Lounge Manager shall conduct interviews for their respective assistant(s) positions. They shall put forth their recommendations to the Executive Board, which shall by a majority vote approve said candidates for hire.
6. The Hiring Committee, alongside its recommendation by name, shall submit a report justifying its decision to hire the individual.

FIRING COMMITTEE
1. Lounge Assistants
2. The procedures for termination of the said positions in Article XVI, Section A, Point 3a-f must comport with Hunter College’s Terms of Employment for Non-Tax Levy payroll employees.
3. Any termination of employees shall be carried out by the Executive Board, using the guidelines of the “employment-at-will policy of Hunter College.
4. The USG is considered a representative of Hunter College, and is therefore obligated to follow the Non-Tax Levy Payroll policy. Below is the official policy for “at-will” employees:
5. “Non-Tax Levy Payroll employees have the status of employee-at-will. Therefore, no one has a contractual right, either expressed or implied, to remain in Hunter College's employment. Hunter College may terminate an employee's employment, or an employee may terminate his/her employment, without cause and with or without notice, at any time and for any reason. No supervisor or other representative of the College has the authority to enter into any employment agreement that would be contrary to the employment-at-will policy.”
6. For the termination of the position(s) in Article XVI, Section A, Clause 3g, the procedures outlined in Article XII should be followed.
7. For the positions of Resource Center Assistant and Lounge Assistant, the above procedures in Article XVI. Sec. B, Clause 2a shall be followed by their manager/director, with a recommendation in writing to the committee as mentioned in Sec. B, 2a. Finalization will be made by a majority vote of the Executive Board Submitted by USG.
8. The Firing Committee shall submit a report justifying its decision to fire the individual.
Resource Center Assistants
Any termination of employees shall be carried out by the Hiring and Firing Committee in congruence with the Executive Board with the exception of the following positions
There shall be a committee chaired by the Vice President consisting of at least two (2) members of the Executive Board and at least three (3) members from the Senate, FSDC, AEC, or CA. The Vice President will recommend committee members to be approved by the Executive Board via majority vote.

ARTICLE XVIII BUDGET PROCEDURES

The Finance Commissioner shall establish and chair a standing committee called the Financial Control Board (FCB). This standing committee shall consist of the Finance Commissioner, the Cultural Affairs Commissioner, the President, one (1) Senator elected by the Senate, and one (1) CA student member.
Each FCB member shall have one (1) vote and shall be given due notice of all FCB meetings.
Quorum for the FCB hearings/meetings shall be three (3).
The FCB will hold an appeals process three (3) days after the release of their recommendations. This process shall last no longer than one (1) week. Any unresolved issues will be brought to the Senate floor for reconsideration.
The college Association shall vote on final decisions.
CLUB PROCEDURES
The Chartering Committee shall upon validation of clubs' membership, and immediately forward all club budget proposals to the FCB.
The FCB shall promptly hold hearings within a three (3) week period of receiving the proposals, to arrive at a determination on the total club budget package.
Upon completion of this budget package, all USG representatives shall receive a copy of the budget proposal.
A Senate meeting shall be held to make a determination of the Club budget package in which a member of the FCB shall present and explain all allocations. Other emergency meetings may be called if the majority of the Senate deems it necessary.
The Senate has the discretion to approve/disapprove the FCB budget in its entirety or any part thereof. The Senate may vote on the entire package or may approve/disapprove any part of the package separately from the whole. However, a 2/3 vote is needed for disapproving the recommendation of the FCB whether in part or in whole.
Any challenged FCB decision may be appealed to the Student Senate for final determination.

USG BUDGET PROCEDURES
1. The Executive Board shall submit its budget proposals to the FCB.
2. The FCB shall prepare a USG budget package, and if necessary, conduct hearings with the Executive Board members to arrive at a final determination on the total USG budget.
3. Upon completion of this budget package, all USG representatives shall receive a copy of the budget proposal at least two days prior to the Senate meeting at which it shall be submitted for approval.

SPENDING
1. If the Executive Board as a whole intends to spend over 25% of the aggregate USG allocation on any single event, the Senate must approve the expenditure.

VOUCHERS
1. Any deliberate attempt by any member of USG to submit a voucher not adhering to the aforementioned guidelines shall result in an immediate investigation by the Executive Board with the member in question to be placed on automatic suspension.

Our Constitution