Guide to Your Government The 2008-2009 Student Association Updated by Katie Maddox, Vice President Originally Prepared by Calvin M. Moniz, Chief of Staff

Guide to Your Government

The 2008-2009 Student Association

Updated by

Katie Maddox, Vice President

Originally Prepared by Calvin M. Moniz, Chief of Staff and David Wacker, Vice President 2007-2008

Guide to Your Government: 2008-2009 Student Association

How we exist“We the students of The University of Tulsa do recognize our role and embrace our responsibility as a self-governing body within the framework of the University Community, and thus declare ourselves the Student Association of The University of Tulsa. The Student Association strives to create and promote intellectual, social, and cultural opportunities, to act as a catalyst for change within the University, and to advocate for the interests of the student body. By the virtue of the authority granted us by the Board of Trustees, and in order to define the legislative, executive, and judicial function of our government, we do establish this Constitution.”

--Preamble Constitution


Who Belongs to SA

Any person at The University of Tulsa that pays a semester student fee is a

member of Student Association.


How SA is funded?

Student Activity

Fee

Student Activity

Fee

The OfficeOf

The Provost

The OfficeOf

The Provost

AnnualRollover

AnnualRollover

Student Association

Annual Budget

Student Association

Annual Budget


The Three Branches of Government

The University of Tulsa Student Association

The Legislative Branch The Executive Branch The Judicial Branch


The Legislative Branch

THE SENATE THE SENATE

OF OF

THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION

OFOF

THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSATHE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA


The Legislative Branch: The Basics

The Legislative Branch consists of the Senate.

Each Student is represented in three ways: 2 Senators per

Academic College 5 At Large Senators 5 Senators from

their District


The Legislative Branch: The Basics

Senate gets its power from Article II of The Constitution.

The President of the Senate is the Vice President of Student Association.

Senators are elected either in the Fall or the Spring to prevent heavy turnover.

Senate is governed by the Senate Standing Rules.


The Legislative Branch: Structure of the Senate

Student Association Senate

President of the Senate

President Pro Tempore

Government Operations Committee

Parliamentarian

Financial Appropriations Committee

Clerk Sergeant at Arms

Senate Investigative Committee

Student Activities Board


The Legislative Branch: Financial Appropriations Committee

Review, prepare, and publicize FAC Guidelines annually.

Distribute money in Senate funds, in accordance with guidelines.

Work with treasurer to enforce FAC guidelines.

Make recommendations on all appropriations bills.

Allocate money to new student organizations.


The Legislative Branch: Government Operations Committee

Investigate and further define organization of SA.

Review and make recommendations on legislation referred to it.

Review and make recommendations on all appointees referred to it.

Prepare an end of year report on SA executives and ED’s.

Delegate one GOC member to attend each cabinet meeting.


The Legislative Branch: Student Investigative Committee

Investigate student issues and concerns. Introduce legislation addressing these

concerns. Monitor the status of resolutions and report

the findings to the Senate. Review Senate and Standing Committee

chairpersons for a formal report each semester.


The Legislative Branch: Student Activities Board

Register and maintain records of all student organizations recognized by SA.

Maintain an accessible, active calendar of all SA funded organization events.

Educate student organizations as to the proper financial options, documentation procedures, and organizational development.


The Legislative Branch: LegislationBILLS

Introduced by Senators to require action to be taken by Student Association.

Passed by a majority vote. Can be vetoed by the President. Can be declared unconstitutional

by the Judicial Council. Typical Bills Include:

Request for Travel Funds Changes to governing documents Request for Organizational

funding Allocations Budget

RESOLUTIONS Introduced by Senators to give a

formal opinion to entities outside of the Senate (usually results in some action taken).

Passed by a majority vote. Requires the signature of the

President of The University and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Can be vetoed by the President of Student Association or the President of the University of Tulsa.

Typical Resolutions Include: Requests for University Action Resolutions of support,

recommendation, or condemnation


The Legislative Branch: Other Major Duties of the Senate

Approval of the Annual Budget. Approval of the Annual Allocations to

Student Organizations. Establish the Criteria for Allocations

and Appeals. Approval of all sworn Presidential

Appointees and VP Appointees. Impeachment and Recall of all Elected

Officers and Appointees.


The Legislative Branch: Important Governing Documents The Student Association Constitution

Senate is empowered by this document. The Student Association Senate Standing Rules

Senate operations are governed by this document. The Student Association Election Code

Senators must abide by this code. The Student Association SAB/FAC Guidelines

All organizational Senate funding must be in accordance with these guidelines.

All of these are available in the SA Document Center: http://www.utulsa.edu/sa/documents


The Executive Branch

THE EXECUTIVE OFFICES THE EXECUTIVE OFFICES

OF OF

THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION

OFOF

THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSATHE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA


The Executive Branch: The Basics

The Executive Branch gains its power from Article III of the Constitution.

There are 4 Executive Officers on the Executive Committee - President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

The Executive Committee headed by the President appoints a Cabinet to enact the directives of the Executive Committee and The Senate.


The Executive Branch: The Executive Committee

The Executive Committee sets the policies and agenda for SA including: The Annual Budget. The structure and appointment of Cabinet. The appointment of the Judicial Council. Initiatives for the University. Meeting regularly with the members of the

University Administration. Meeting regularly with other student

governments across the state. Meeting regularly with members of the student

body.


The Executive Branch: Office of The President

The President is elected for one academic year every spring.

To be eligible you must have completed at least 45 Credit Hours 12 of which must be completed at The University of Tulsa and in your 4th Semester of Academic Work.

The President is the voice of the student body to members of the University Community.

The President serves on all SA Committees as an ex-officio and non-voting member.

The President has veto power over all bills and resolutions from Senate.

The President has Offer and Contracting approval rights.


The Executive Branch: Office of The President

The President is responsible for all appointments to SA and student representatives to University Committees, excluding Senate and Executive Office vacancies.

The President establishes Presidential Commissions to achieve major policy initiatives.

The President swears in all sworn officers of SA. The President is the chair of the Executive Committee

and directs the major policies and agendas of the Executive Committee.


The Executive Branch: Office of The Vice President

The Vice President is elected for one academic year every spring.

Eligibility same as President. The Vice President assumes the duty of the

President in his or her absence. The Vice President serves as President of the

Senate. The Vice President appoints all Senate

vacancies. The Vice President is responsible for assigning

senators to their committees.


The Executive Branch: Office of The Secretary

The Secretary is elected for one academic year every spring.

Same eligibility. The Secretary serves as the Official Clerk of the Senate. The Secretary is responsible for keeping all minutes of

the Executive and Legislative Branch. The Secretary coordinates the signature of Bills and

Resolutions. The Secretary maintains roll records and eligibility.


The Executive Branch: Office of The Treasurer

The Treasurer is elected for one academic year every spring.

Same eligibility. The Treasurer is the Chief Financial Officer of

SA. The Treasurer maintains the budget of SA. The Treasurer coordinates all financial

transactions of SA, including allocations. The Treasurer has the ability to audit all SA and

Student Organizations accounts.


The Executive Branch:The Office of The Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff is appointed by The President and Executive Committee for one academic year.

The Chief of Staff oversees the daily operations of the President’s Cabinet.

The Chief of Staff is responsible for all personnel, budgetary, and planning policies for the President’s Cabinet.

The Chief of Staff has Offer and Contracting approval rights.

The Chief of Staff serves as Chair of Cabinet during meetings and the Co-Sponsorship Committee.


The Executive Branch:The Office of The Chief of Staff

Office of The Chief of Staff

Chief of Staff

Division of Programming Division of Operations


The Executive Branch: Cabinet The President appoints members of his cabinet to

serve for one academic year. All sworn Presidential appointees must be confirmed

by a majority vote of the Senate. There are two levels of Cabinet:

Executive Directors Associate Directors

Duties of Cabinet Include: Co-Sponsoring events with student organizations. Serving on University Committees as directed by the

Executive Committee. Serving as advisors to the Executive Committee. Staffing all SA Events.


The Executive Branch:Structure of Cabinet

Division of Programming

Executive Director of Springfest

Executive Director of Athletics and Traditions

Executive Directors of University Events

Executive Director of Student Awareness

Division of Operations

Executive Director of Public Relations

Executive Director of Org. Development

Executive Director of Elections and Policy

Executive Director of Information Services

Executive Director of Homecoming Executive Director of Community Service


The Executive Branch: Cabinet Departments

Each Department in the Divisions of Programming and Operations are headed by an Executive Director.

The Executive Directors is responsible for making budgetary and administrative decisions in his or her Department.

The Executive Directors are assigned Associate Directors who serve as the core staff for the Executive Director’s Department.


The Executive Branch:The Division of Programming

Department of Athletics and Traditions Coordinates Homecoming, Spirit Initiatives, and Athletic

Programming. Department of Student Awareness

Coordinates Multicultural Programming, as well as programming aimed at education.

Department of University Events Coordinates all SA Programming and Events not anchored

by Homecoming, Springfest, or Multicultural Affairs. Department of Springfest

Coordinates the Programming of SA’s flagship event, Springfest..

Department of Homecoming Coordinates the Programming of Homecoming with the

Alumni office, also programs Grad Party.


The Executive Branch:The Division of Operations

Department of Organizational Development Coordinates co-sponsorships and works closely with

SAB. Department of Information Services

Coordinates SA’s computer systems, website, and WebCT Voting Systems.

Department of Public Relations Coordinates marketing of SA events and press

releases to the public. Department of Community Service

Coordinates the community service day. Department of Elections and Policy

Coordinates Fall and Spring Elections, reviews policy.


The Executive Branch:2008-2009 Cabinet

Athletics and Traditions—Mary Knopp Springfest—Ali Calkins Student Awareness—Kelsey Ray University Events—Trey Ballew Homecoming—Caitlyn Rex Information Services—Jason Grunin Community Service—Kayla Reinhard Organizational Development—Danny Patten Public Relations—Heidi Stevenson Elections and Policy—Laura Hermann


The Executive Branch: Important Governing Documents

The Student Association Constitution Executive Branch is empowered by this

document. The Student Association Election Code

Elected Executives must abide by this code. The Student Association Co-Sponsorship

Guidelines Governs the process in which Cabinet Co-

Sponsors Events.


The Judicial Branch

The Judicial CouncilThe Judicial Council

OfOf

The Student AssociationThe Student Association

OfOf

The University of TulsaThe University of Tulsa


The Judicial Branch: The Basics The Judicial Branch get its power from

Article IV of The Constitution. The Judicial Branch consists of the Judicial

Council: 1 Chief Justice 6 Associate Justices

Justices are appointed by the President to serve one academic year.

Justices must be confirmed by the Senate. The Judicial Council is governed by the

Judicial Code and the Judicial Procedure documents.


The Judicial Branch: Duties of the Judicial Council

To determine the Constitutionality of legislation.

To hear all Judicial Appeals brought before the Council.

To hear all appeals of the Election Committee.


The University of Tulsa Student Association

2008-20092008-2009Justin Harlan, PresidentJustin Harlan, President

Katie Maddox, Vice PresidentKatie Maddox, Vice President

Laura Law, TreasurerLaura Law, Treasurer

Cassie Hubbert, SecretaryCassie Hubbert, Secretary

Mike Guilfoy, Chief of StaffMike Guilfoy, Chief of Staff