CONSTITUTION OF THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF WHITMAN COLLEGE

PREAMBLE

We, the Associated Students of Whitman College, hereafter referred to as ASWC, in order to serve as an extracurricular resource for the enrichment of student life, development, activity and initiative, and to foster student involvement in the governing of the College and to promote students’ contributions to their greater communities, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

Article I – MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

All regular students as defined by the Whitman College Faculty Code are required to pay an ASWC fee as specified in the By-laws. The payment of this fee establishes membership in ASWC. All part-time or special students who pay the ASWC fee shall also be members.

Article II – REPRESENTATION

Section One: Congress

"Congress" shall be defined as the members of the ASWC Senate and the ASWC House of Club Representatives combined. No person may serve in both houses simultaneously and no Senator or Representative may hold more than one seat.

Section Two: Purpose

The purpose of Congress is to legislate ASWC business and to represent the greater student body.

Section Three: Houses of Congress

The ASWC Congress shall consist of two bodies, a House of Club Representatives comprised of:

A. One Representative from each ASWC-funded student organization, with the exception of certain ASWC appointed positions, as specified in the By-laws, who shall be known collectively as Representatives.

and, a Senate, comprised of:

B. Four (4) students from each class and the five (5) at-large Executive Officers of ASWC, to be elected as specified in the By-laws, who shall be known collectively as Senators.

1. The number of Senators assigned to each class may be amended by 3/4 vote of the Senate and shall be in effect at the next general election for Senators without review from the greater membership of ASWC.

2. Each class shall be entitled to an equal number of seats in the Senate.

Section Four: Voting

Senators may vote on ASWC legislation before the Senate. The President shall vote only to break ties.

Section 5: Rules Duties and Specifications

Rules, duties and specifications of Congress members are outlined in the By-laws.

Article III – THE EXECUTIVE

Section One: Executive Officers

The Executive Officers, who shall also provide leadership in the Senate, shall be the president, the policy chair, the hiring chair, the finance chair, and the programming chair.

Section Two: Duties of the Executive Officers

A. The President shall:

1. preside over meetings of the Senate, except as specified elsewhere in the Constitution;

2. have the ability to vote to break ties in the Senate;

3. set the agenda for all Senate meetings;

4. have the power to authorize the distribution of ASWC funds;

5. attend meetings of the college policy committee; and

6. perform other duties as specified in the By-laws.

B. The Policy Chair shall:

1. vote in the Senate;

2. chair the standing policy committee;

3. initiate campus or ASWC policy changes;

4. be an advocate for the student body in policy matters;

5. attend meetings of the Faculty policy committee; and

6. perform other duties as specified in the By-laws.

C. The Hiring Chair shall:

1. vote in the Senate;

2. manage the hiring process for all ASWC appointed positions, except as specified elsewhere in the By-laws;

3. collaborate with the House and Senate on the formation of hiring committees; and

4. perform other duties as specified in the By-laws.

D. The Finance Chair shall:

1. vote in the Senate;

2. chair the standing finance committee;

3. oversee all monetary transactions under the auspices of ASWC and keep an accurate account thereof;

4. have the power to authorize the distribution of ASWC funds;

5. make a report of the financial activities of ASWC each fiscal year to the Senate;

6. collaborate with the Senate and House on the budgeting process; and

7. perform other duties as specified in the By-laws.

E. The Programming Chair shall:

1. vote in the Senate;

2. chair the standing programming committee;

3. coordinate ASWC-funded campus programs and activities;

4. maintain an ASWC events calendar accessible to the public;

5. perform other duties as specified in the By-laws.

F. The President, Policy Chair, Finance Chair, Hiring Chair, and Programming Chair shall hire a Secretary/Communications Director who shall:

1. take and record minutes at meetings of the Senate and House;

2. maintain ASWC records;

3. maintain the ASWC website;

4. maintain official ASWC correspondence;

5. oversee club orientation and club dissolution; and

6. perform other duties as specified in the Bylaws.

Section Three: Absence

A. In the case of the permanent absence of the President, the policy chair shall assume the office of President for the remainder of the term.

B. In the case of a permanent or extended absence of any other executive officer, the Senate shall select a Senator to fill the vacancy.

C. In the case of a temporary absence of an executive officer, the other executive officers shall temporarily share the duties of the absent executive officer.

Section 4: Executive Council

A. The President, Policy Chair, Finance Chair, Programming Chair, and Hiring Chair shall comprise the Executive Council.

B. The Executive Council shall meet at regular meetings to be called by the president to discuss events of ASWC and to maintain coordination.

C. The Executive Council shall have the power to hold Executive Sessions on personnel matters.

1. Minutes of all Executive Sessions shall be taken and furnished to the Oversight Committee.

D. Each officer of the Executive Council shall be accessible to the student body as a representative of ASWC.

Article IV – OVERSIGHT

An Oversight Committee shall consider and rule according to the Constitution and By-laws on actions taken by the Executive Council, either house of Congress, or ASWC committees and organizations. The Oversight Committee shall consist of five members of ASWC selected by the outgoing committee and subject to ratification by both houses of Congress. This committee will carry out their duties in accordance with the Constitution and the By-laws.

Article V – ELECTIONS

Section One: Executive Council

The Executive Council officers shall be elected to terms consisting of one academic year each spring. All members of ASWC who are not graduating in the current semester will be eligible to vote in the election.

Section Two: Senators

All Senators are to be elected as outlined in the By-laws. Senators shall be elected in the spring term to serve for the next academic year, excepting the representatives for the first-year and transfer class entering in the fall who shall be elected as soon as is practicable in the fall.

Section Three: Elections Committee

All ASWC Elections shall be overseen by an Elections Committee of five (5) Representatives. Members of the Elections Committee shall be selected at the first meeting of the House to serve for an academic year term and shall elect a Chair from amongst them. One member of the Oversight Committee shall serve as an observer at all meetings of the Elections Committee and during the counting of ballots.

Section Four: Elections Committee Compensation

Members of the Elections Committee and the Oversight observer shall be compensated for their time.

Section Five: Election Rules

The Elections Committee shall maintain and perpetuate rules necessary for the fair execution of elections. The format, date, time and location of elections and campaign events shall be at their discretion, except as otherwise set forth in this Constitution and By-laws.

Section Six: Voter Information Packet

The Elections Committee shall publish a voters’ information packet one (1) week prior to all elections.

Article VI – RATIFICATION AND AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

Section One: Ratification

This Constitution shall be adopted by a 2/3 vote of at least 20% of ASWC Members. It must then be ratified by a 2/3 vote of the outgoing ASWC Congress without amendment. This Constitution shall go into effect upon ratification and shall replace all earlier Constitutions. Members of the existing government shall fulfill the duties of their office until new officers can be elected under this Constitution.

Section Two: Method of Proposing Amendments

Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed through two different methods.

A. Any member of the Senate may propose an amendment, which must be reviewed by the ASWC Policy Committee and ratified by the Senate and the House by a 2/3 vote in order for it to appear on a ballot.

B. Any member of ASWC may propose an amendment by a petition signed by 10% of the membership of ASWC.

Section Three: Ratification of Amendments

The general membership of ASWC must approve all amendments by a 2/3 vote of 20% of ASWC members at the next Executive Council election before an amendment may go into effect, except as specified in Article II, Section 3 of this Constitution.

Article VII – BILL OF RIGHTS

Section One

The rights enjoyed by the members of the Associated Students of Whitman College will not be denied or restricted on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, sex or gender identity, disability status, age, veterans status, marital status, socioeconomic status, HIV/AIDS status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws.