VCU-MCV SGA Home Page

Bylaws

ARTICLE I - Purpose
ARTICLE II - Student Government Association
ARTICLE III - Honor Council
ARTICLE VI - Government of Individual Schools
ARTICLE V - Class Officers
ARTICLE VI - SGA Funding

ARTICLE I - Purpose
These bylaws shall serve as a supplement to the Constitution of the Student Body of the Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University.

ARTICLE II - Student Government Association
-Section A. Members

1. Qualification and Election
a. Each class in the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy, each Department in the Schools of Medicine and Basic Health Sciences, and each graduate Department of the Schools of the Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University shall be entitled to representation on the Association.
b. Each qualifying class or department (as defined in Bylaws 11. A. 1. a.) shall elect one representative for every forty members. If a class has a greater number of members than a multiple of forty, an additional member will be allowed. Any class having less than forty members shall be entitled to one representative.
2. Installation
a. The newly elected Student Government Association at large shall be installed within one week after the deadline for their election.
b. The following pledge shall be taken by the officers and members of the Student Government Association: "I do solemnly swear to uphold the Constitution and Bylaws of the Student Body of the Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University, and perform the duties of my office to the best of my knowledge and ability.
3. Duties
Each representative shall attend all meetings or send a replacement as provided for in Section E part 3 of the Bylaws and shall be responsible for reporting all relevant Student Government Association Business to his/her class and properly disseminating information when necessary.

-Section B. Officers

1. Qualifications and Elections
a. The Student Government Association shall nominate its President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, and Treasurer from the rising members of the Student Government Association at the meeting immediately preceding that at which elections will be held. Nominations will not be accepted after a period beginning seven (7) days prior to the meeting at which the election will be held.
b. The officers shall be elected by the Student Government Association during or before the last meeting of the year and before graduation of the current scholastic year.
c. Under certain circumstances a student either a Student Government representative or class/school president, may be approved to be nominated for a Student Government Officer position. The circumstances surrounding the proposed nomination must be presented by the President of the Student Government Association, and requires a majority approval from the members present at the meeting (quorum must be ensured).
2. Installation
a. The officers of the Student Government Association shall be installed immediately after their election.
b. The officers shall take the pledge as recorded in Article 11, Section A, Phrase 2-b.

1. Any student group wishing for monetary support for an event must provide a written request to the Executive Board by the October meeting for Fall semester funding and by the February meeting for Spring semester funding. The event must benefit all students on the MCV campus and be non-profit.
2. If approved by the Executive Board, the organization will be invited to a General Meeting to present their request to the Student Body Representatives.
3. At the following SGA General Meeting a vote will be conducted to determine a decision on funding.
4. The Executive Board will discuss the monetary amount with the student group and the amount will depend on the SGA's established budget.

-Section C. Non-voting members and Committee Chairpersons

-Section D. Method of Voting

1. Representation
a. The association representative from each class shall have a total of votes equivalent to the membership of the class which he represents.
b. If a class should have more than one representative, the total number of votes for that class shall be divided equally among them. c. The class membership as determined by Section A of this article, shall be used through the school year to determine the number of votes to which each class is entitled.
2. Quorum
a. A quorum, which consists of a majority of the voting members of the Association, shall be present for conducting business.
b. A motion to be carried must receive a majority of the votes cast.
c. All estimated disbursements of the Student Body fund shall require a two-thirds vote of the members present. Routine business may be voted on by a show of hands.
d. A roll call must be had if so requested by one member of the association.

-Section E. Duties and Powers of the Student Government Association

1. The Association shall have the duties and powers as stated in Article IV, Section D, of the Constitution.
2. The Association shall require resignation from unsatisfactory members of the X-Ray staff, officers and equipment managers of the Athletic Council, and members of Student Committees.
3. The Association may require resignation from unsatisfactory officers or members of the Student Government Association as provided in Article IV, Section D, Phrase 7 of the Constitution. a. Any member who misses a Student Government Association Meeting shall provide a replacement to represent him at such meeting and shall provide such replacement with written proxy.

-Section F. Duties and Powers of the Student Government Association Officers

1. Qualifications and Appointments
a. The presidents of the schools and training programs as listed in Article III of the Constitution, Class Presidents, Officers of the X-Ray Staff, Officers of the Athletic Association, Co-Chairmen of all standing Committees, shall be designated as non-voting members of the Student Government Association.
b. Committee co-chairpersons shall be appointed by the Executive Board of the Student Government Association.

-Section G. The rules contained in ROBERTS' RULES OF ORDER, Revised, shall govern the Student Government Association in all cases to which they are applicable and which they are not inconsistent with the rules of order of this organization.

ARTICLE III - Honor Council
- Section A. Members

1. Qualifications and Elections
a. Each class of each of the schools of the Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University, shall be entitled to representation on the Council.
b. The office of Honor Council representative shall be voted on in class elections.
2. Installations
a. The newly elected Honor Council shall be installed by the Chairperson of the Honor Council.
b. The Chairperson of the Honor Council shall administer the following pledge: "I do solemnly swear to uphold the Honor Code of the Student Body of the Medical College of Virginia of Virginia commonwealth University, and to perform my duties to the best of my ability and judgment always keeping in mind the rights of the student, and the student's responsibilities to the Student Body and the College."
3. Duties of the Chairperson
a. The chairperson will be responsible for the proper organization and coordination of the Honor Council and to ensure that the best interests of the Student Body are upheld.
b. Preside over all Honor Council Meetings.
c. Regularly inform the Executive Board of the Student Government Association of Honor Council proceedings.

-Section B. Officers

1. Qualifications and Election
The Chairperson, Assistant Chairpersons and Secretary of the Honor Council shall be elected by the Honor Council.
2. Installation
The pledge as stated in Article 11, Section A-2 of the Bylaws shall be taken by the officers of the Honor Council.

ARTICLE VI - Government of Individual Schools
-Section A. Officers

1. Election
a. Each of the schools shall elect a president, and secretary-treasurer from each class.
b. In the event that an individual school deems it necessary, it may divide the duties of secretary and treasurer into two offices and they may elect any other officers to facilitate government in that school.
c. The officers shall be elected during or before the third full school week in March before graduation, with the exception of those schools for which mid-year elections are held with the approval of the respective deans.
d. Nominations shall be called at a meeting of the respective school to be presided over by the President of the school or Dean of Student Affairs for that school at least one week prior to the election date. A notice of time and place of the meetings for nomination and election shall be posted in advance.
e. A majority shall be necessary for conducting nomination.
f. Elections shall be conducted as follows: (1) Voting shall be by secret ballot at a specified time and place to be announced by the president or Dean of Student Affairs of the respective school at the meeting for nominations. Notice and time and place shall be made public by posting of the the same on the school bulletin boards. (2) Balloting shall be conducted under the supervision of the president or Dean of Student Affairs of the school and with the assistance of the one member of the Student Government Association from each class. (3) To be elected, a candidate must poll a majority of the votes cast. If no candidate receives a majority, balloting shall again be had on those two candidates receiving the largest number of votes on the first ballot.
2. Duties
a. The President shall: (1) Be eligible to run for an office of the Student Government Association. (2) Act as a liaison between the Student Government Association and the faculty combined membership of his school, and serve as a non-voting member of the Student Government Association as provided for in the Bylaws, Article 11, Section C. (3) Preside over and call meetings of their respective school when necessary, or upon petition in writing signed by ten members of their school, at least five days notice shall be given. (4) Be responsible for election of class officers of individual classes in their school. (5) Appoint all special committees and see that all activities are directed towards the best interest of their school. (6) Direct each class president to furnish representation from his respective class to various student committees in accordance with the desires of the editors thereof. (7) Serve as the chairperson of the Dean's Committee as provided for in Section B, 1, of this article. (8) Appoint a school representative to the Larrick Student Center Board.
b. The Secretary-Treasurer shall: (1) Fulfill the duties and exercise the powers of the president, in the absence of the president, except in those cases where the school has elected a Vice-President. (2) Keep an accurate record of the proceedings of the meetings of his school. (3) Take charge of all clerical and financial duties to be performed in connection with his school.

-Section B. Dean's Committee

1. Each School shall have a Dean's committee which shall be composed of the following:
a. The President of the school, who will serve as chairperson.
b. The Presidents of the classes.
c. Other members as designated by the Dean.
2. It shall be the purpose of this committee to meet with the Dean when necessary to express and exchange ideas and desires which will facilitate better relations between the administration and the students of the school.

-Section C. School Meetings

1. Meetings of the student body of the individual school shall be called by the President, as prescribed in Section A, 2, of this article.
2. One-third of the membership of the school shall constitute a quorum.
3. The student body of the individual school, by a two-thirds vote of those present, at a meeting which has been publicized by posting on the school bulletin boards for seven days, may require the resignation of any unsatisfactory school officer.

1. The President shall:
a. Have power, subject to the majority approval of the Student Government Association members, to see that everything necessary to the best interests of the student body be performed.
b. Preside over the Student Government meetings to be held at least every six weeks (beginning no alter than the third week of the school session) on Wednesday night at six o'clock p. m., unless otherwise selected by the members.
c. Preside at all meetings of the Student Body.
d. Appoint all special committees, subject to the majority approval of the Student Government Association.
e. Appoint a parliamentarian to be present at all meetings.
f. Appoint a replacement to fill any position vacated by a Student Government Officer, when the Association is not in session, subject to the majority approval of the Association when it reconvenes.
g. Be a member of the University Council.
h. Request on of the Vice-Presidents of the Student Government Association, in his/her absence, to fulfill the duties and have powers of the President as related to the affairs of the Student Body at large, and the Student Government Association. This Acting President must be approved by the members of the Executive Board.
i. Make all necessary committee appointments subject to the approval of the Executive Board and thereafter the Student Government Association.
2. The Vice-Presidents shall:
a. Vice-President in charge of social functions: (1) Serve as chairperson of the social committee. (2) Organize and coordinate all social events sponsored by the MCV Student Government Association.
b. Vice-President in Charge of Student Life: (1) Serve as chairperson of the Parking Committee. (2) Serve as chairperson of the Larrick Student Center board. (3) Be a member of the MCV Gym Advisory Board. (4) Be a member of the University Athletic Council. (5) Be involved with any issues which concern the best interest of student affairs, i.e., dormitories, student food, student safety. (6) Be a member of the Parking Advisory Committee.
c. Vice-President of Philanthropy shall: (1) Serve as member of the MCV SGA Executive Committee. (2) Work with all members of the SGA in order to develop SGA supported events into philanthropic endeavors benefiting Greater Richmond charitable organizations. (3) Keep records of all resources, community services rendered, and money developed for philanthropic purposes. (4) Report to the SGA General Assembly all relevant information pertaining to the philanthropic endeavors of the SGA.
3. The Secretary shall:
a. Keep an accurate record of the proceedings of the meetings of the Student Government and the Student Body.
b. Prepare a book listing of each Association member by name, class, and the number of votes to which that member is entitled. This book shall be used to record and tabulate votes on the Student Government Association business when so requested by one Association member as provided for in Article 11, Section D, 2.
c. Maintain proper files of all valuable records, documents, etc.
d. Send notice of the date, time, and place for all Student Government Association meetings giving each Association member at least three days notice of all meetings.
e. Provide copies of the minutes to the Student Government Association meetings to all members of the Association.
f. Present a notice of agenda for all meetings as compiled by the Executive Board, to all members of the Student Government Association.
4. The Treasurer shall:
a. Have at all times knowledge of the status of the Student Body books and shall be accountable to the Student Government Association for this information.
b. Prepare an estimated budget for presentation and subsequent approval by the Student Government Association, and present in the budget the expenses authorized previously by the Treasurer of Virginia Commonwealth University.
c. Be under corporate bond throughout the tenure of their office; this bond to be paid from the Student Body fund.
d. Supply a copy of the budge to each member of the Student Government Association. e. Be a member of the University Tuition and Fees Committee.
f. Prepare a mid-term Budget Review for presentation and subsequent approval by the Student Government Association at the January General Meeting

-Section D. Any section of this article may be modified to meet the needs of an individual school. This shall be accomplished by submitting for approval a written petition from the school President to the President of the Student Government Association.

ARTICLE V - Class Officers
-Section A. The class officers shall consist of

ARTICLE VI - SGA Funding
-Section A. The following format shall be followed in order to receive funding from the SGA budget.

1. President
2. Secretary-Treasurer or Secretary and Treasurer
3. Member or members of the Student Government Association as provided for in Article II of the Bylaws.
4. One member of the Honor Council.