×ö°®É«ÇéƬ

Approved by UA President March 11, 2019.

Table of Contents

Preamble

We, the members of the Union of Students of the ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ, in order to represent student interests, needs, and welfare within the university community; to supplement and complement education on the ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ campus; to provide for the expression of student opinion and interests to the community at large; to protect the rights of the students herein stated; and to promote an understanding of the concept of self-governance, do affirm and establish this Constitution of the Union of Students of the ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ.

Article One: Establishment

Section One: Name

This organization will be known as the Union of Students of the University of Alaska Anchorage, hereinafter referred to as US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ, and will be recognized by the Board of Regents as the sole official representative of the students of the University of Alaska Anchorage for purposes set forth in this constitution.

Section Two: Purpose

The purpose of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ will be to:

• Clause One: Broaden the educational perspective of the students by instituting a structure of self-governance.
• Clause Two: Promote the educational needs, general welfare and rights of the students.
• Clause Three: Serve as a forum for students to express their ideas for enhancing the quality of their educational experience through expanded and improved communications among students, faculty, administration and beyond.
• Clause Four: Formulate policy and procedures concerning student life.
• Clause Five: Serve all students equally, in accordance with Board of Regents Policy, federal and state law, prohibiting discrimination against individuals, including but not limited, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, physical or mental disability, change in marital status, pregnancy or parenthood.

Article Two: Governance

Section One: Membership

All full-time and part-time ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ students who pay the prescribed Student Government fee will be members of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ with all rights, privileges, and responsibilities in any activity to which the authority of this constitution extends.

Section Two: Student Government Fee

• Clause One: US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ has the authority to establish and allocate a student government fee in accordance with Regent’s policy.
• Clause Two: The Student Government Fee, as part of the Anchorage Consolidated Fee, will be applied to all students enrolled in one (1) or more credits
• Clause Three: This fee or any designated portion thereof will not be changed except by successful passage of a student referendum or initiative pursuant to Article Thirteen of this Constitution.

Article Three: US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ Assembly

Section One: Legislative Branch

• Clause One: The voting members of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ, hereinafter referred to as the Assembly, will have vested in it all legislative powers of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ subject to all the provisions hereinafter enumerated. Each member of the Assembly will have one (1) vote.
• Clause Two: The Assembly will consist of a single chamber made up of ten (10) Senators, elected at-large from the membership of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ, up to two (2) Delegates elected from the membership of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ from each of the ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ Colleges and the Graduate School, and up to one (1) Liaison appointed from the membership of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ by each: Club Council, Residence Hall Association, and Greek Life.
• Clause Three: At the first meeting of the fall semester, the Assembly will elect from among themselves, by a two thirds (2/3) vote, the following positions: Speaker of the Assembly, Speaker Pro Tempore, Government Relations Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Activities Officer. These members will serve for the academic year and shall maintain their ability to vote on Assembly business.
• Clause Four: Standing Committees of the Assembly will consist of Rules, Legislative Affairs, Student and Academic Affairs, Activities, and Finance.

Section Two: Meetings of the Assembly

• Clause One: Meetings will be held at a regularly announced time and place each week that the University is in session, excluding summer session which will be governed by special rules defined in the Bylaws.
• Clause Two: A quorum of three-fifths (3/5) of the voting members of the Assembly is required to conduct all business. Once a quorum has been established, the business may continue. However, the Speaker of the Assembly must adjourn the meeting if attendance falls below a simple majority.
• Clause Three: Special meetings may be called by the Speaker of the Assembly or by the petition of a majority of the Assembly.
• Clause Four: In the event that the Speaker is unavailable to chair a regularly scheduled Assembly meeting, the Speaker Pro Tempore shall chair the meeting. In the event that the Speaker and the Pro Tempore are unavailable to chair a regularly scheduled Assembly meeting, and the number of voting members meets or exceeds quorum, then the members of the Assembly will elect from among themselves a temporary chair. Said temporary Chair will serve only for that particular meeting and will have all the responsibilities and restrictions according to that position for the duration of that meeting.
• Clause Five: Meetings will comply with the open meetings law and Board of Regents policy.

Section Three: Duties of the Assembly

• Clause One: The Assembly will initiate and act upon legislation on behalf of the membership of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ.
• Clause Two: The Assembly will be responsible for the planning and implementation of student forums as necessary to support the mission of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ.
• Clause Three: Each Senator of the Assembly must serve on a minimum of two (2) standing committees as appointed by the Rules Committee, and is required to serve at least two (2) hours of office time in the US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ office or conducting US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ business on campus each week that classes are in session.
• Clause Four: Each Delegate to the Assembly must serve on a minimum of one (1) standing committee as appointed by the Rules Committee, and is required to serve at least one (1) hour of office time in the US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ office or conducting US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ business on campus each week that classes are in session.
• Clause Five: Each Liaison to the Assembly may serve on a minimum of one (1) standing committee as appointed by the Rules Committee.
• Clause Six: A Senator, Delegate, or Liaison can request to serve on Media Board, Concert Board, Travel Board, or Green Fee Board in lieu of serving on one (1) committee with the approval of the Rules Committee.

Article Four: Executive Branch

Section One: Executives

• Clause One: There will be a President and Vice President, elected at-large by the membership of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ in the spring semester to serve the next academic year.
• Clause Two: The following Assembly positions will serve on the executive committee: the Speaker of the Assembly, the Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly, Government Relations Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Sergeant at Arms, and Chief Activities Officer.
• Clause Three: The Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly will be the Chair of the Student and Academic Affairs Committee.
• Clause Four: The Government Relations Officer will be the Chair of the Legislative Affairs Committee.
• Clause Five: The Chief Financial Officer will be the Chair of the Finance Committee.
• Clause Six: The Chair of Rules Committee will be the Sergeant at Arms; unless said Chair holds another executive position in which case the Sergeants at Arms will be appointed by the Vice President from among the Assembly with the concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) of the Assembly.
• Clause Seven: The Chief Activities Officer will be the Chair of the Activities Committee.
• Clause Eight: Except as outlined above, executives will not serve as chair to any standing committees or boards.
• Clause Nine: There will be an Ombuds, appointed by the President from the non-governing membership of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ with the concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) of the Assembly.
• Clause Ten: There may be a Deputy Ombuds, appointed by the President from the nongoverning membership of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ with the concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) of the Assembly.
• Clause Eleven: There may be a Special Ombuds, appointed by the President with concurrence of three-fourths (3/4) of the Rules Committee in writing.

Section Two: Duties of the President

The President of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ will:

• Clause One: Act as the official spokesperson and have signature authority for US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ.
• Clause Two: Attend all meetings of the General Assembly.
• Clause Three: Have the authority to veto Assembly legislation, in writing, within six (6) days (144 hours) after receiving an engrossed and enrolled copy certified by the Speaker of the Assembly. On the seventh (7 th ) day, if not signed, the legislation will go into effect. The Assembly may override the veto by two-thirds (2/3) vote of its membership by the second (2 nd ) meeting of the Assembly following a veto message from the President.
• Clause Four: Appoint student representatives to serve on boards and ad-hoc committees, fill vacancies via appointment as necessary and will have the authority to rescind all such appointments subject to the concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) of the Assembly.
• Clause Five: Work in conjunction with the Associate Director of Student Life and Leadership to hire and supervise all paid staff.
• Clause Six: Work with and train the President-elect for the time between certification of the election and installation of the new President to ensure continuity of the office.

Section Three: Duties of the Vice President

The Vice President of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ will:

• Clause One: Attend all meetings of the Assembly, and may only vote in the case of a tie.
• Clause Two: Be an ex-officio member of all committees of the Assembly.
• Clause Three: Ensure that US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ events and programs are successful by working with the US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ Assembly and its committees.
• Clause Four: Develop the leadership potential of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ Assembly members by providing assistance and guidance.
• Clause Five: Appoint a Sergeant at Arms when necessary.
• Clause Six: Be responsible for appointing ad-hoc committees and act as Chair of each ad-hoc committee for its duration.
• Clause Seven: Become President upon the resignation, impeachment, recall or incapacity of the President. In addition, the Vice President will perform the duties of the President in the temporary absence or inability of the President.
• Clause Eight: Work with and train the Vice President-elect for the time between certification of the election and installation of the new Vice President to ensure continuity of the office.

Section Four: Duties of the Speaker of the Assembly

The Speaker of the Assembly will:

• Clause One: Call, set the agenda, and chair all meetings of the General Assembly.
• Clause Two: Serve as the Assembly’s advisory voice to the President and the Vice President.
• Clause Three: Become President upon the resignation, impeachment, recall or incapacity of the
  President and Vice President. In addition, the Speaker of the Assembly will perform the
  duties of the President in the temporary absence or inability of the President and Vice
  President.

Section Five: Duties of the Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly

The Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly will:

• Clause One: Chair meetings of the General Assembly in the absence of the Speaker of the Assembly.
• Clause Two: Serve as Chair of the Student and Academic Affairs Committee.

Section Six: Duties of the Government Relations Officer

The Government Relations Officer will:

• Clause One: Serve as Chair of the Legislative Affairs Committee.
• Clause Two: Serve on the ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ General Assembly as Representative of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ; prepare reports for each body on actions taken; coordinate US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ business with members of the ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ General Assembly and Chancellor’s Cabinet in cooperation with other US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ executives.
• Clause Three: Serve on the Coalition of Student Leaders as Representative of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ; prepare reports for each body on actions taken; coordinate US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ business with members of the Coalition of Student Leaders and UA Statewide Administration in cooperation with other US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ executives.
• Clause Four: Be instrumental in US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ’s advocacy at all levels of governance, both internal and external to the University.
• Clause Five: Assist the Assembly in planning, coordinating, and marketing events that involve members of ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ, local, or statewide governments.

Section Seven: Duties of the Chief Financial Officer

The Chief Financial Officer will:

• Clause One: Call and chair all meetings of the Finance Committee.
• Clause Two: Assist members of the Assembly with the preparation of documents submitted for use of Assembly funds.
• Clause Three: Keep the Assembly up to date on the status of budget line items spent and funds remaining in conjunction with the Administrative Assistant and monthly management reports.
• Clause Four: Work with other executives and any students employed by US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ to advertise US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ business.
• Clause Five: Provide advisory comment on all budget or fee related US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ business.

Section Eight: Duties of the Sergeant at Arms

The Sergeant at Arms will:

• Clause One: Politely enforce the Speaker of the Assembly’s directives relating to order at all General Assembly meetings.
• Clause Two: Monitor the ethical behavior of Assembly members at meetings and draft written ethical complaints when necessary for the Rules Committee.
• Clause Three: Work to ensure that the Assembly meetings begin at scheduled times.
• Clause Four: Act as a doorkeeper if the Assembly is in danger of losing quorum or is in a closed session.

Section Nine: Duties of the Chief Activities Officer

The Chief Activities Officer will:

• Clause One: Serve as the Chair of the Activities Committee.
• Clause Two: Oversee the coordination and execution of events to encourage campus involvement and enhance student life at the university.

Section Ten: Duties of the Ombuds

The Ombuds will:

• Clause One: Be the chief protector and defender of students’ rights, and act as students’ confidante.
• Clause Two: Be visible and accessible to the student body, and serve as a source of information to students concerning the policies, rules, and regulations of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ and the ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ.
• Clause Three: Work with the Office of Student Affairs and the Dean of Students to fulfill all aforementioned duties.
• Clause Four: Be an advisory (non-voting) member of the Student and Academic Affairs Committee and work in conjunction with that body to fulfill its purpose, at his or her discretion.
• Clause Five: Present a monthly report to the President and the Assembly regarding the volume of student grievances and concerning any pertinent student issues that have come to light in the course of his or her work, without breaking the confidentiality of any students.
• Clause Six: Serve from the first meeting of the fall semester through summer semester of that academic year in overlapping administrations to preserve the continuity of the office. The new President for the next academic year will strive to appoint an Ombuds by the first week of the summer semester to provide time for overlap and training.
• Clause Seven: In the event of a conflict of interest recuse himself or herself from the particular case in question, and recommend to the President the appointment of a Special Ombuds for that specific matter.

Section Eleven: Duties of the Deputy Ombuds

The Deputy Ombuds will:

• Clause One: Be a protector and defender of students’ rights, and act as students’ confidante.
• Clause Two: Be visible and accessible to the student body, and serve as a source of information to students concerning the policies, rules, and regulations of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ and the ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ.
• Clause Three: Work with the Office of Student Affairs and the Dean of Students to fulfill all aforementioned duties.
• Clause Four: Be an advisory (non-voting) member of the Student and Academic Affairs Committee and work in conjunction with that body to fulfill its purpose, at his or her discretion.
• Clause Five: Serve under the supervision of the Ombuds, and take on individual cases as delegated.
• Clause Six: Serve from the confirmation of an appointment by the Assembly to the end of the semester.
• Clause Seven: Become Acting Ombuds upon the resignation, impeachment, recall or incapacity of the Ombuds. In addition, the Deputy Ombuds will perform the duties of the Ombuds in the temporary absence or inability of the Ombuds.

Section Twelve: Duties of the Special Ombuds

The Special Ombuds will:

• Clause One: Be a protector and defender of students’ rights, and act as students’ confidante on a particular case designated by the President.
• Clause Two: Work with the appropriate members of the University administration to fulfill all aforementioned duties.
• Clause Three: Report to the President from time to time regarding the status of the case. If there is a conflict of interest involving the President, the case should then be reported to the Sergeant at Arms.
• Clause Four: Serve from the confirmation of an appointment by the Rules Committee to the resolution of the case.

Article Five: Qualifications

• Clause One: All US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ office holders, petitioners, and candidates must be members of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ, have and maintain a minimum cumulative G.P.A. at ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ of 2.5 (on a scale of 4.0), complete at least three credit hours per semester, and be in good disciplinary standing with the University. Students wishing to fill a US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ office who do not have an established G.P.A. at ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ, or whose G.P.A. falls between 2.0 and 2.5 will have a probationary status for his or her first semester, after which he or she must meet the above requirements.
• Clause Two: Failure to maintain these academic standards may result in an academic review by the Rules Committee and the Associate Director of Student Life and Leadership. This review may result in either of the following:

1. Dismissal from the Assembly.
2. Academic Probation, defined as entrance into an academic performance agreement with the Associate Director of Student Life and Leadership within five (5) working days after the academic review.

• Clause Three: Any Assembly member, whose cumulative G.P.A. falls below 2.0 will not be eligible for probation and will be immediately dismissed from the Assembly.
• Clause Four: Assembly members can be granted only one (1) probationary period limited to one (1) semester.

Article Six: Media Board

• Clause One: It is necessary to insulate student media from political and budgetary constraints on the part of organized interest groups, and at the same time to ensure that it remains accountable to the student body as a whole.
• Clause Two: The Media Board shall be composed of two (2) students elected at large from the media fee-paying students at ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ, one (1) student member appointed by the President of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ with the concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) of the Assembly, one (1) student appointed by the Chair of the Journalism and Public Communications Department, and one (1) member of the Anchorage professional media community who is an Alumnus of ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ. Each member shall have one (1) vote.
• Clause Three: The Media Board shall prepare annual budgets for presentation to the General Assembly and have sole authority over allocation of media funds. The finalized budgets will be included in US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ’s budget packet for the approval from the proper authority.

Article Seven: Concert Board

• Clause One: The Concert Board will oversee and assist the administration of the Concert Program for US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ.
• Clause Two: The Concert Board shall be composed of five (5) students elected at large from the membership of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ, one (1) Club Council Representative appointed by the Club Council, and one (1) member of the Assembly, to be appointed by the President of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ with the concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) of the Assembly.
• Clause Three: The Concert Board shall prepare annual budgets for presentation to the General Assembly and have sole authority over allocation of Concert Program funds. The finalized budgets will be included in US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ’s budget packet for the approval from the proper authority.

Article Eight: Travel Board

• Clause One: The US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ Travel Board supports students’ desires to pursue leadership opportunities, both in and outside of Alaska. Funds administered will provide students with the opportunity to participate in conferences, workshops, service-learning projects, and earn academic credit through study at other universities.
• Clause Two: The US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ Travel Board will administer Student Travel Grants during the fall and spring semesters. The amount available and the number of grants offered each year will be determined at the end of the previous fiscal year. Funds not used each year will be reallocated back into the US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ Contingency Fund.
• Clause Three: Applications for the Student Travel Grant will be reviewed by the Board no less than twice each semester.
• Clause Four: The Board will consist of five (5) students from the membership of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ, and one (1) ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ faculty or staff member appointed by the President of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ. Two (2) students will be elected from the seated Assembly by a majority vote. Three (3) students will be appointed by the Vice President of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ and confirmed by the Assembly by a majority vote.
• Clause Five: Grant applicants must be registered for three (3) or more credits in the semester the application is submitted and have paid the Student Government fee.

Article Nine: Board of Cultural Awareness

• Clause One: The Board will provide forums for student awareness of diverse cultures. These forums will represent the interests of diverse cultures by developing information and activities to heighten student awareness of peoples, cultures, and events around the world.
• Clause Two: The Chair of the Board will be appointed by the President of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ and confirmed by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Assembly. The Board will consist of seven (7) voting members of the student population selected and appointed by the Chair. Each member of the board will have one vote. The Chair will vote in case of a tie.
• Clause Three: The Board shall prepare its annual budget and have sole authority over allocation of the Board’s funds. The finalized budget will be presented to the Assembly and included in US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ’s budget packet for approval from the appropriate authority.

Article Ten: Green Fee Board

• Clause One: The purpose of the Green Fee Board will be to promote sustainability efforts that are environmentally wise, economically sound, and socially responsible through student-led initiatives, outreach programs, and sustainability projects intended to benefit the student body.
• Clause Two: The Board will consist of seven (7) voting members, and two (2) non-voting faculty and/or staff members. The voting members shall be one (1) member of the US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ Assembly, one (1) Club Council Representative appointed by the Club Council, and five (5) students-at-large elected from the membership of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ. Ex-officio non-voting members may be appointed by the Green Fee Board as needed for advisory purposes.
• Clause Three: The Green Fee Board shall prepare and submit an annual budget to the US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ Assembly for approval and will have sole authority over allocation of all Green Fee Board funds in their approved budget.
• Clause Four: Further policies and procedures for the Green Fee Board will be outlined within the US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ Bylaws.

Article Eleven: Club Council

• Clause One: Club Council will be the representative body for officially registered student clubs at the ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ.
• Clause Two: Club Council will be composed of one (1) representative from each officially registered student club.
• Clause Three: All student clubs must be recognized by Club Council before becoming officially registered campus club and thus entitled to all of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of the Council membership.
• Clause Four: Club Council will be an active participant in the budgeting process and will have responsibility for disbursement of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ funds designated for officially registered student clubs.
• Clause Five: Club Council Bylaws are subject to approval by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Assembly.
• Clause Six: Club Council shall prepare its annual budget and have sole authority over allocation of Club Council funds. The finalized budget will be presented to the Assembly and included in US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ’s budget packet for approval from the appropriate authority.

Article Twelve: Residence Hall Association (RHA)

• Clause One: The Residence Hall Association hereinafter referred to as RHA, will consist of five (5) elected positions. Voting rights and privileges will be given to all residential students. These individuals will be known as executive members. All other student members will be known as general members and will have no voting privileges.
• Clause Two: As the governance group for residential students they directly represent residential students’ needs and concerns and will work to make on-campus living more conducive to a successful academic career.
• Clause Three: RHA shall prepare its annual budget and have sole authority over allocation of RHA funds. The finalized budget will be presented to the Assembly and included in US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ’s budget packet for approval from the appropriate authority.

Article Thirteen: Referenda, Initiatives, and Amendments

• Clause One: The Assembly, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of its membership, may send any question or constitutional amendment to a student referendum for final approval.
• Clause Two: A student initiative may be called on any question or constitutional amendment by petition of five percent (5%) of the membership of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ.
• Clause Three: All referenda, initiatives, and constitutional amendments will be conducted under the auspices of the Election Board. Successful passage will require a majority of ballots cast by the student membership of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ unless otherwise specified in this Constitution.
• Clause Four: The Assembly shall not send any question of constitutional amendment to a student referendum without giving the campus community thirty (30) calendar days public notice.

Article Fourteen: Elections

Section One: Election Board

• Clause One: Consist of five (5) members to be appointed by the President from the non-governing student membership of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ with the concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) of the Assembly.
• Clause Two: Serves terms of one (1) year beginning December 1.
• Clause Three: Conduct all elections on behalf of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ.
• Clause Four: Resign their position before running for any US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ office.

Section Two: Process

• Clause One: The Vice President will be publicly announced as the President’s running mate and will be included on the ballot as such.
• Clause Two: The President, Vice President, ten (10) at-large Senators, two (2) Media Board student members, five (5) Concert Board student members, five (5) Green Fee Board student members and twelve (12) delegates will be elected during the spring semester and will be installed no later than the first Assembly meeting of the fall semester.
• Clause Three: Terms of all elected seats will expire one (1) year from the date of assumption of office.
• Clause Four: No student’s name may appear on a ballot as a candidate for more than one (1) position.
• Clause Five: No student may hold more than one (1) elected US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ position at any given time.
• Clause Six: No student serving in an elected capacity may be appointed to the Election Board.
• Clause Seven: University of Alaska full-time employees are strictly prohibited from running for any US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ office.

Section Three: Runoffs

• Clause One: If there are six or more candidates for any one office excluding Senator, then there shall be a runoff election within two weeks among the top three candidates unless one candidate wins at least 45% of the votes cast for that office.
• Clause Two: If, after any runoff election, the condition of a tie exists between two or more candidates, that tie will be decided by a majority vote of the Assembly.

Article Fifteen: Vacancies

• Clause One: The Rules Committee will determine if a vacancy exists for any elected position.
  1. The position will be advertised until the close of business on the second Monday after the declared vacancy.
  2. Petition packets will be collected within this period and will be due at the close of business on the second Monday after the vacancy is declared, unless this day falls on a non-business day, in which case petition packets will be due at the close of the next business day.
  3. If the vacancy of an elected position is declared during the candidacy period for which that position could be elected, applicants may not petition, and must instead run in the election.
• Clause Two: In the event of a declared vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President will select a new Vice President, subject to concurrence by a majority vote in the Assembly.
• Clause Three: Any member of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ who meets the constitutional criteria for elected office, and submits a valid petition, as defined in the Bylaws, will be considered a candidate for the vacancy.
• Clause Four: From the qualified petitioners, the Assembly will elect, by a simple majority, a candidate for the vacancy at the first Assembly meeting following certification of candidacy.
• Clause Five: Persons filling vacancies will serve for the remainder of the term vacated.

Article Sixteen: Impeachment

Section One: Process

• Clause One: Charges of impeachment may be brought against any elected or appointed US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ official for malfeasance, nonfeasance and/or misfeasance.
• Clause Two: Impeachment proceedings may be brought by any member of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ by means of petition outlining the specific grievances and signed by at least five percent (5%) of the membership of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ.
• Clause Three: Impeachment proceedings may alternatively be brought by a petition outlining grievances signed by three-fourths (3/4) of the Assembly or by the Sergeant at Arms or Rules Committee Chair detailing a continued violation of the ethics set forth in this Constitution.

Section Two: Proceedings

• Clause One: A petition for impeachment must be presented to the Assembly by the Rules Committee. Validation or dismissal will take place by the next regularly scheduled Assembly meeting following receipt of the petition, and an executive session will be added to the agenda for the meeting to hear the reasons for impeachment brought forward in the petition.
• Clause Two: Upon validation, the Rules Committee will notify the official of suspension from service or duties related to the office until a judgment is rendered.
• Clause Three: A public hearing with prior notice will begin no later than seven (7) days after validation of the verified petition by the Assembly.
• Clause Four: The Rules Committee will conduct all impeachment hearings during which it will receive testimony from all interested parties.
• Clause Five: Within seven (7) days of the conclusion of the hearings, the Rules Committee must submit to the Assembly, in writing, their findings, majority and minority opinions, and the recommendation of the committee. If the impeachment charges are sustained by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Assembly after the Rules Committee has reported its findings, said individual’s office will be terminated immediately.

Article Seventeen: Scholarships and Service Awards

Section One: Purpose

With the time, attention, energy, and creativity of Assembly’s members being essential to accomplishing US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ’s objectives, US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ shall attempt, when possible, to compensate its officers and members through scholarships and service awards.

Section Two: Executive Service Awards

• Clause One: The following Executives shall receive a service award for their year in office which will be disbursed at the end of the fall and spring semesters of his or her term: President, Vice President, Speaker, Speaker Pro Tempore, Government Relations Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Sergeant at Arms, Chief Activities Officer, Ombuds and Deputy Ombuds.
• Clause Two: To receive the service award, the Executive must receive a majority vote of confidence based on fulfilling his or her duties as described in the Constitution and Bylaws.
• Clause Three: The Executive can refuse to accept all or part of the service award.

Section Three: Senator Service Award

• Clause One: Senators shall receive a service award for one (1) year, which will be distributed at the end of the fall and spring semesters of his or her term.
• Clause Two: To receive the service award, Senators must receive a majority vote of confidence based on fulfilling their duties as described in the Constitution and Bylaws.
• Clause Three: Senators can refuse to accept all or part of the service award.

Section Four: Delegate Service Award

• Clause One: Delegates shall receive a service award for one (1) year, which will be disbursed at the end of the fall and spring semesters of his or her term.
• Clause Two: To receive the service award, Delegates must receive a majority vote of confidence based on fulfilling their duties as described in the Constitution and Bylaws.
• Clause Three: Delegates can refuse to accept all or part of the service award.

Section Five: Liaison Service Award

• Clause One: Liaisons shall receive a service award for one (1) year, which will be distributed at the end of the fall and spring semesters of his or her term.
• Clause Two: To receive the US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ service award, Liaisons must not receive an established service award from their respective organizations.
• Clause Three: To receive the service award, Liaisons must receive a majority vote of confidence based on fulfilling their duties as described in the Constitution and Bylaws.
• Clause Four: Liaisons can refuse to accept all or part of the service award.

Section Six: Mabil Duir Leadership Scholarship

• Clause One: The Mabil Duir Leadership Scholarship shall be awarded during each fall and spring semester by the Student and Academic Affairs Committee. The value of the scholarships will be determined during the budgetary process each year and will be published at the conclusion of the budgetary process.
• Clause Two: Applicants must be members of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ but may not be members of the Student and Academic Affairs Committee. Eligible students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Clause Three: Applicants must provide a leadership resume, an essay on leadership, and two (2) letters of recommendation; one (1) from a faculty member or university administrator, and one (1) from a student.
• Clause Four: Recipients must have clearly demonstrated a contribution to the campus community during the preceding semester.
• Clause Five: Previous recipients of the scholarship may be re-eligible to receive the award once an academic year.
• Clause Six: US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ shall ensure that the Mabil Duir Leadership Scholarship is given twenty-one (21) days of public notice prior to the application deadline.

Article Eighteen: Rules of Order

• Clause One: The latest approved edition of Robert’s Rules of Order will provide the guidelines for all proceedings of all branches of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ unless otherwise specified in this Constitution or Bylaws.
• Clause Two: Bylaws, Standing Rules, and amendments thereto, must be approved with the concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) of the Assembly.

Article Nineteen: Ethics

Student representative refers to any student in an elected or appointed position within US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ and are a reflection of the student body they represent; they are leaders and role models for their peers. The following guidelines are provided so that should any student representative be found in violation, the assembly not only has the right but also, the obligation to address the behavior of any member in question. Continued unethical behavior by a member will result in the removal of the said student from his or her official capacity via the impeachment process as detailed within the Constitution and Bylaws.

1. Student representatives, when attending any US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ meetings are expected to conduct business on behalf of the student body, not for their own personal agenda.
2. While conducting assembly business, the use of alcohol or any other illegal substances will not be tolerated. Student Representatives found to be under the influence of such at meetings will be immediately removed from the meeting and may be subject to further disciplinary action.
3. Student representatives will not accept nor solicit personal gifts or donations from any club, campus group, outside interests, or individuals, which could reasonably be inferred to influence that person in a way detrimental to the image or policies of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ. Any offers of gifts will be reported by the member to the Assembly.
4. Student representatives may not be employed underneath the direct supervision of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ, to avoid personal conflicts of interests.
5. Student representatives will refrain from using language, which is derogatory to an individual’s, or group’s ethnic or racial background, nationality, religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, lifestyle or physical differences, or would otherwise discredit the Assembly.
6. Harassment by a student representative of any individual will not be tolerated. Student representatives found to be guilty of such accusations will be automatically removed from the Assembly. This includes, but is not limited to:
   • Harassment as defined in any Alaska Statute.
   • Harassment as defined in ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ Student Code of Conduct.
   • Sexual harassment as defined by University of Alaska Board of Regents Policy.
7. Abuse of power will not be tolerated and includes, but is not limited to: use of ones elected position to force or otherwise coerce another to do their bidding; gain preferential treatment; and obtain discounted or free admission to events, etc.
8. The unauthorized use of US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ materials, time, and facilities for anything other than US×ö°®É«ÇéƬ business will not be tolerated.
9. Student representatives will adhere to all other Rights, Freedoms, Responsibilities, and the Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the ×ö°®É«ÇéƬ Student Catalog will comply with all applicable policies and regulations of the University of Alaska, and all federal and state laws.