Wayne State University
School of Business Administration
Adopted, October 2008
PREAMBLE
The mission of the Student Senate is to provide a forum for interaction between the local business community, business school organizations, and the students and faculty in the Wayne State School of Business Administration. As well as develop business students to be civic leaders and contributors in the advancement of the field of business.
Article I. Name
Section 1. Name – This organization shall be officially known and designated as the Student Senate of the Wayne State School of Business Administration
Article II. Organization and Government
Section 1. Bylaws – The Student Senate may pass rules and regulations for governing the organization as long as they are not inconsistent with the law or policies of Wayne State University. They shall be presented to the advisor annually by November 15 for review and approval.
Section 2. Amendments to Bylaws – Any motion to amend the bylaws shall be placed on the table at a Student Senate meeting and may be voted on at the same meeting. Voting can be delayed for up to two subsequent meetings with the delay not to exceed thirty (30) days after the amendment has been tabled. A vote of two thirds of the Student Senate membership at a regular scheduled meeting is necessary to amend the Bylaws.
Section 3. Executive Committee – The Executive Committee of the Student Senate shall consist of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Human Resources, Director of Community Affairs, Chief Communications Officer, Event Planning Director, Office Manager, Parliamentarian, and the Faculty Advisor. Each executive committee member is entitled to (1) one vote. Each executive committee member shall serve on a minimum of (1) one Student Senate committee. Executive Committee members are subject to all the rights, privileges, policies and rules of all the other membership classes (Article III, Section 1).
Article III. Membership and Duties of Membership
Section 1. Membership Classifications – The members of the Student Senate shall consist of four classes: Executive Board Member, Intern, Alumni and Faculty Advisor
Section 2. General Requirements – Each Student Senate Member shall be a business student that has been accepted into the Wayne State School of Business Administration. Each member shall be in good academic standing (2.5 minimum GPA for undergraduate and 3.0 minimum for graduate students). Each member shall attend all Student Senate functions, except where such attendance is precluded by other reasonable committees and in accordance with Student Senate Attendance Policy.
Section 3. Definition of Intern Members - Interns shall be those who have met the general requirements (Article III, section 2) and has been voted and approved by the Student Senate by a majority vote. Each Intern is entitled to (1) vote. Each Intern shall serve on a minimum of (1) one Student Senate committee. Interns are subject to all the rights, privileges, policies and rules of all the other membership classes (Article III, Section 1).
Section 4. Definition of Alumni Members – Alumni members shall be those who have graduated from or who have ceased to matriculate in a qualified program at Wayne State Voting on Potential Student Senate Members University. Each alumni member is entitled to (1) one vote. Alumni members are subject to all the rights, privileges, policies and rules of all the other membership classes (Article III, Section 1) with the exception of those described in this section.
Section 5. Voting on Potential Members - A majority vote of the Student Senate members present and voting at a regular or special meeting, is required to approve a potential Member.
Section 6. Resignation - Although membership in this organization is for a one-year term, members may submit a written request to the Chief Executive Officer for voluntary withdrawal. Such request does not automatically mean termination of membership. The Student Senate must approve the request by a majority vote.
Article IV. Student Organization Representatives
Section 1. Student Organization Representative’s Membership - Each student organization recognized by the School of Business administration and the Dean of Students office shall elect up to (2) two members of the organization to serve on the Student Senate as the formal representatives of their organization. They may also serve as an executive member of the Student Senate with the exception of holding the office of Chief Executive Officer or Chief Operating Officer of the Student Senate
Section 2. Student Organization Representative’s Term - Each organization’s representative term of office shall be (1) one year and is subject to the same rights, privileges, policies and rules of all the other membership classes (Article III, Section 1) with the exception of those described in this section.
Section 3. Student Organization Representative’s Committee Assignment(s) - Each organization’s representative shall serve on a minimum of (1) one Student Senate committee.
Section 4. Student Organization Representative’s Responsibilities – Each organization’s representative is entitled to (1) one vote and shall communicate to the Senate updated information from their organization, including but not limited to:
a. Organization meetings and events
b. Membership requirements
c. Officer’s names and contact information
d. Office / Meeting location
e. Any relevant information pertaining to the betterment of
the Students and faculty of the School of Business
Article V. Meetings
Section 1. Meetings - Regular scheduled meetings of the Student senate shall be held bi-weekly at a time determined by the members each school term. In the absence of the Parliamentarian, the Chief Executive officer, or the next highest ranking officer present may call the business meeting to order according to basic Parliamentary Procedures of Robert’s rules of Order.
Section 2. Special Meetings – The Chief Executive Officer of the Student Senate may call Special Meetings by giving three days notice to all Senate Members.
Section 3. Quorum – One-third (1/3) of the Student Senate membership shall constitute a quorum for any regular or special meeting.
Section 4. Agenda – The order of business at all regular meetings shall be as follows (other items may be added as needed):
Call to Order
Roll Call
Welcome & Introduction of New/Potential Members
Executive Board Reports
Student Organization Reports
Alumni Representative
Student Council Representative
Faculty Advisor
Special Committee Reports
Vote on Potential Members (if applicable)
Old Business
New Business
Adjourn
Section 5. Parliamentary Procedure – Except as otherwise provided for in these Bylaws, all meetings shall be conducted according to Robert Rules of Order.
Article VI. Officer Elections and Officer Duties
Section 1. Elected Officers – The elected and required officers of the Student Senate shall be the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Human Resources, Director of Community Affairs, Chief Communications Officer, Event Planning Director, Office Manager, Parliamentarian, and the Faculty Advisor (without a vote) and others that the Student Senate may add. The Chief Executive Officer may appoint such officers or committee chairpersons as shall be deemed necessary.
Section 2. Qualifications for Office – In order to be nominated, elected or appointed to office (with the exception of the Faculty Advisor) a member must be a current member of the Senate. Any officer placed on probation by the university is automatically disqualified for Student Senate office.
Section 3. Term of Officer – All elected officers shall hold office for a period of two consecutive semesters (Fall/Winter) and/or until their successors are elected and qualified. All appointed officers shall hold office for a period of two consecutive semesters except that they may be removed at any time at the direction of the Chief Executive Officer or Executive Committee. Names and addresses of all officers must be submitted to the Faculty Advisor within seven days of their election.
Section 4. Notification of Elections – All Student Senate members shall be notified of the date, time and place for holding the election of officers at least 10 days prior to the date of election.
Section 5. Officer Elections – The election of officers of the Senate and the order of succession in case of temporary vacancy shall be held in April or the meeting before the last meeting of the semester in the following order: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Human Resources, Director of Community Affairs, Chief Communications Officer, Event Planning Director, Office Manager, Parliamentarian, and the Faculty Advisor (without a vote).
Section 6. Voting - In the election of the Student Senate, the member receiving the majority of the total votes cast by secret ballot, for the office in question shall be declared elected.
Section 7. Impeachment of Elected Student Senate Officers – If one-fourth (1/4) of the members of the Student Senate executive committee feel that an elected officer should be removed from office, they must submit a motion to the Student Senate in writing and it must include the reason(s). If at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the members present and voting approve the motion, the Student Senate may impeach the elected officer.
Section 8. Recall of Elected Chapter Officers – Student Senate members must vote on the recall of an elected officer after proper notice is given. A Two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting is required to recall an elected Student Senate officer.
Section 9. Vacancies – If a vacancy occurs in any elected Student senate office for any reason, the Student Senate must hold a special election for that vacated office. Prior to holding the special election, it may be necessary for the Chief Executive Officer to appoint another member to temporarily assume the duties of the vacated office. If the vacated office is the Chief Executive Officer, then the Chief Operating Officer assumes the responsibilities of the Chief Executive Officer until the outcome of the special election.
Section 10. The Chief Executive Officer has the following duties and powers:
§ Sets vision and implement the strategic plan for the organization
§ Responsible for the oversight, direction and organization of all Student Senate activities
§ To enforce the observance of the Student Senate’s bylaws, policies and procedures
§ To appoint committees as needed
§ To call Special Meetings in accordance with Student Senate Bylaws
§ Must work as a liaison between Student Senate advisor, faculty and students
§ Must promote the Student Senate as a visible organization throughout the School of Business and the student body
§ Must chair regular or special meetings of the Student Senate using Robert’s Rules of parliamentary procedures
§ To have any other duties and powers assigned by the Student Senate
Section 11. The Chief Operating Officer has the following duties and powers:
§ Reports to the Chief Executive Officer
§ Responsible for the organization’s day to day activities
§ To assist the CEO in the oversight, direction and organization of all Student Senate activities and temporarily assume the CEO’s duties in his/her absence.
§ Must utilize and implement the Balanced Score Card
§ To maintain tracking information records retrieved from executive officers
§ To serve as the alternate representative to the Student Council
§ To have any other duties and powers assigned by the Student Senate
Section 12. The Chief Financial Officer has the following duties and powers:
§ Reports to the Chief Executive Officer
§ To oversee the receipt and expenditure, upon duly authorized order, all monies of the Student Senate including all accounts with the Dean of Students office.
§ Must complete the budget orientation (within the first month of assuming position) with the Dean of Students Office
§ To be responsible for completing and submitting all budget requests for Student Senate Activities to Student Council
§ Must organize a minimum of (2) fundraisers and oversee all fundraising activity for the Student Senate
§ Must be ethical in the reporting and organizing of all Student Senate Funds
§ Must work directly with the Student Senate Executive Board members in the financial planning of all Senate Activities
§ To have any other duties and powers assigned by the Student Senate
Section 13. The Director of Human Resources has the following duties and powers:
§ Reports to the Chief Executive Officer
§ To ensure that the Student Senate recruits new members and participates in Student Organization Day(s)
§ Must follow-up with any potential members that seek information or election into the Student Senate in a timely manner.
§ Must work in conjunction with Career Planning and Placement (must consult with them when organizing recruiting events for employers)
§ To oversee the development & implementation of the Business Week and organize a minimum of (4) recruiting events per school year
§ To organize an annual retreat for the Student Senate
§ To have any other duties and powers assigned by the Student Senate
Section 14. The Director of Community Affairs has the following duties and powers:
§ Reports to the Chief Executive Officer
§ To oversee the development & implementation of the Student Senate’s community service activities & organize a minimum of (3) community service events per year
§ Must build, facilitate and maintain relationships with community leaders for current and future community service activities
§ Must promote community service events to all business school students
§ To have any other duties and powers assigned by the Student Senate
Section 15. The Chief Communications Officer has the following duties and powers:
§ Reports to the Chief Executive Officer
§ To be the communication liaison between the Student Senate, other member organizations and the student body.
§ To be responsible for creating, ordering and posting of all Student Senate promotional fliers, programs and newsletters
§ Must maintain and ensure that the website and all bulletin boards that are reserved for the Student Senate, are updated regularly and kept current.
§ Must promote visibility of the School of Business / Student Senate
§ To have any other duties and powers assigned by the Student Senate
Section 16. The Event Planning Director has the following duties and powers:
§ To be responsible for the designing, presenting and implementation of all social activities to promote interaction between students and faculty in the school of Business Administration
§ To oversee the planning & development of any parties, mixers, spirit day or any other social events
§ To organize a minimum of (3) social events per year
§ To have any other duties and powers assigned by the Student Senate
Section 17. The Office Manager has the following duties and powers:
§ Oversee and Manage Student Senate Resource Center (office)
§ To record, and maintain all minutes of all regular and special meetings.
§ Must distribute and edit all recorded minutes to the Senate at each Senate Meeting
§ Must maintain a current listing of the names, telephone numbers, email addresses and majors of all Student Senate Members
§ Must be an administrator on Google Apps
§ Must verify all applications submitted by potential members for processing and submit them upon verification to the Director of Human Resources
§ To have any other duties and powers assigned by the Student Senate
Section 18. The Parliamentarian has the following duties and powers:
§ To preside over regular or special meetings of the Student Senate
§ Must serve as the official authority to interpret and rule on parliamentary inquiries and procedure
§ Must be impartial and ethical when ruling on parliamentary procedure and inquiries
§ To serve as chairman of the bylaws committee
§ To be responsible for updating changes to the bylaws as amended by the Senate
§ Must forward updates/ changes of the bylaws to the Faculty Advisor
§ Must immediately report any violations of the Bylaws to the Chief Executive Officer and Faculty Advisor
§ Must vote only once.
§ Must cast a deciding vote in the case of a tie when voting on a motion (unless the parliamentarian has already voted. The parliamentarian is not entitled to break a tie in the case of elections)
§ To have any other duties and powers assigned by the Student Senate
Article VII. Committees (Teams) and Their Duties
Section 1. The Executive Committee – The Executive Committee establishes Student Senate Policy, long-range and operating plans and serves as the research and advisory committee for the Student senate. The Chief Executive Officer is the Chairman of the executive committee
Section 2. Other Committees – The Chief Executive Officer in cooperation with the executive committee shall appoint all other committees and determine their duties.
Article VIII. Amendments
These bylaws may be repealed, modified, altered or amended or new bylaws may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the Student Senate, provided that due notice is electronically or by mail of the proposed changes have been sent to all members of the Student Senate at least ten days preceding the date of said meeting. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Student Senate members present and voting shall be required to make an amendment to these Bylaws. All proposed amendments to these bylaws shall be submitted in advance for review and approval by the Faculty Advisor and do not become effective until they are so approved.