Revised April 2018
We, the Student Government Association of Wake Technical Community College, desiring to be a voice that preserves within the College an atmosphere of free discussion, inquiry, and self-expression; as well as being a voice that promotes leadership, encourages responsibility, and represents the interests of the students of this institution, do hereby recognize this document as our Constitution, to be used as a basis of fulfilling our commitment as a liaison to the faculty and administration for students. We likewise recognize that Wake Technical Community College is evolving as a multi-campus institution and we acknowledge the need, when necessary, to modify and enhance this constitution to reflect these advances.
The name of this organization shall be the Wake Technical Community College (WTCC) Student Government Association (SGA).
Section 1. Purpose
The purpose of the SGA shall be to coordinate and regulate student activities; to provide a framework within which students may work to improve the College; represent the interests of students to the Board of Trustees; and recommend matters of interest and value for the College to students.
Section 2. Policies
The policies of the SGA shall be in harmony with those of the Board of Trustees, the administrative policies of Wake Technical Community College, and the laws of the State of North Carolina.
Section 3. Non-Discrimination
The SGA shall not discriminate in its membership. The SGA is committed to the policy of Wake Technical Community College to be an equal opportunity institution.
Section 1. Resources
The SGA is funded from the Student Administration Fee paid at the time of registration by students of Wake Technical Community College.
Section 2. Budget
At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Director of Student Activities, in consultation with the SGA, will establish the Student Activities/SGA budget and will recommend the annual budget to the College Administration.
Section 1. Student Government Authority
Authority is vested in the Student Government Association by the trustees, administration, faculty, and the student body.
Section 2. Membership
Every student enrolled at Wake Technical Community College and who pays the Student Administration Fee shall be a non-voting member of the SGA and shall be governed by its rules and regulations. Any curriculum student in good standing shall be eligible for voting membership if he/she has been elected as an Officer in accordance with Article VII or appointed as a Senator in accordance with Article VIII. The Director of Student Activities and his/her designee(s) shall serve as SGA Advisors.
Section 3. Organizational Structure
The SGA is composed of the following groups: Executive Board, Senate chairs, all other senators, Eagle Productions, club representatives and SGA volunteers.
Section 4: Advisors
The Director of Student Activities, his/her designee(s), and other Student Activities staff shall serve as SGA Advisors. SGA Advisors shall work closely with the SGA, providing guidance and direction in all activities of the organization by: attending and participating in all meetings of the SGA, reviewing Executive Board recommendations regarding SGA travel, determining eligibility as defined in Article VII, Section 1, and Article VIII, Section 1, providing leadership training, advising the SGA of College policies and procedures, serving as a liaison to upper Administration as necessary, and ensuring financial accountability of the Association. All point cards and scholarships for SGA members must be approved by an SGA Advisor.
Section 5. Rules of Order
At any given time, the most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedures not specifically covered by this Constitution or by special rules of procedure adopted by the SGA.
Section 1. Functions of the SGA
Section 2. Functions of the Executive Board
Section 3. Functions of the Joint Council
Section 4. Functions of Campus Senates
Section 5. Functions of the General Assembly Meeting
General Assembly meetings will be held every 4th Wednesday of the month, or as announced at the previous General Assembly and/or on the SGA webpage.
The executive power of the SGA shall be vested in the SGA President who shall have the assistance of the other Officers. The Officers of the SGA shall make up the Executive Board as defined in Article IV, Section 3A.
Section 1. Duties of SGA Executive Board Officers
Section 2. Powers and Duties of the President
Section 3. Powers and Duties of the Vice-President
Section 4. Powers and Duties of the Secretary
Section 5. Powers and Duties of the Public Information Officer
Section 6. Powers and Duties of the Treasurer
Section 7. Scholarships for Officers
At the end of each Fall and Spring semester, Officers will be reimbursed for full in-state tuition and fees costs for all courses satisfactorily completed, provided that all duties of the office as described in the SGA Commitment Contract and the SGA Constitution are satisfied. At the end of the semester, after final grades are posted, each Officer must submit their point card to an SGA Advisor. Full scholarships are contingent on hours of active SGA participation, which must be recorded on the Officer’s point card. All point cards must be approved by an SGA Advisor. At the Director of Student Activities or his/her designees’ discretion, scholarships may be reduced in proportion to missing participation in office hours or events.
Section 1. Candidate Qualifications
Section 2. Election Format
Section 3. Campaign Publicity
Violators of the following standards are subject to review and sanctions by the Dean of Student Development:
Section 4. Term of Office
Section 5. SGA Commitment Contract
Prior to the new Officers' term of office, the SGA Commitment Contract shall be reviewed and signed. An SGA Advisor and the current SGA President shall be witnesses to the signing of the SGA Commitment Contract.
Section 6. Resignation
Section 1. Qualifications to Hold Office
Section 2. Appointment of Senators
Section 3. Term of Office
Section 4. Selection of Senate Chairs
Section 5. Senator Duties and Responsibilities
Section 6. Senate Chair Duties and Responsibilities
Section 7. Scholarships for Senators
After each Fall and Spring Semester, Senators will receive a scholarship, provided that all duties of the office as described in the SGA Commitment Contract and the SGA Constitution are satisfied. At the end of the semester, after final grades are posted, each Senator must submit their point card to an SGA Advisor. Scholarships are contingent on active SGA participation which must be recorded on the Senator’s point card. All point cards must be approved by an SGA Advisor. The scholarship for part-time students will be $300, and the scholarship for full-time students will be $400, each Fall and Spring semester. At the Advisors’ discretion, scholarships may be reduced in proportion to missing SGA participation.
SGA Club Representatives are non-voting members of the SGA and are expected to attend General Assembly meetings and other meetings as requested. Completion of point cards is not required and scholarships are not offered.
Section 1. Meetings
Section 2. Attendance Requirements
Attendance at SGA meetings is vital to the success of the organization. In the event that a member of the Joint Council or a Campus Senate must miss a meeting, he/she is expected to contact the President or Senate Chair respectively, and an SGA Advisor prior to the meeting to discuss the reason. Any Joint Council member or Senator who misses three (3) meetings during a semester without an acceptable excuse may be dismissed from office.
Section 3. Quorums
Quorums for the branches of the SGA are as follows:
Section 4. Voting
Section 5. Code of Conduct
All members of the SGA are expected to comply with the Student Code of Conduct both on campus and while participating in SGA functions off campus. Members of the SGA are also expected to comply with the recommendations of the SGA Advisors regarding conduct and standards of behavior. Failure to meet these standards may result in disciplinary action being initiated by the SGA Executive Board and/or the SGA Advisors. The SGA Executive Board may appoint an ad hoc ethics committee to address issues not covered by the Student Code of Conduct. The ethics committee will make recommendations to the Executive Board, which will take appropriate action, including dismissal from office, if necessary.
SGA Executive Board and Senators must work in a harmonious spirit including, but not limited to, respecting the SGA Advisors, following the instructions of the SGA Advisors, being respectful to others, exhibiting professionalism (including regularly checking and responding to email), practicing ethical behavior, not using profanity, not slandering, and not issuing direct or indirect threats. If any of these mentioned expectations are violated by an SGA Executive Board member or Senator, they may be removed from their position.
Section 6. Dismissal from Office
The SGA has the right to dismiss any member who fails to abide by this Constitution or the Student Code of Conduct. Any dismissal from office must be approved by the Director of Student Activities and the Dean of Student Development. The following process must be followed to dismiss any SGA Executive Board Officer, or Senator from office.
Section 1. SGA Recognition of Student Organizations
The Wake Technical Community College SGA recognizes that each student organization shall promote and provide for the needs of the students through co-curricular, and/or College related activities.
Section 2. Non-Discrimination
The SGA shall not discriminate on any grounds in its recognition of student organizations. No student organization that is recognized by the SGA shall discriminate in its membership on any grounds.
Section 3. Organization and Operation
Each student organization shall determine for itself all regulations for organization and operations, provided that the regulations are in keeping with SGA regulations, and College policies, procedures, and Code of Conduct.
Section 4. Elections for Student Organizations
Each organization shall determine the criteria for their elections and the terms of office for the club's officers and representatives to the SGA.
Section 5. Elections Review Committee
Should a student organization election be challenged, the SGA shall form an Elections Review Committee composed of a minimum of five (5) currently enrolled students representing at least three (3) student organizations. These organizations may not be represented by SGA Officers and/or Senators. The Elections Review Committee shall recommend appropriate action to the student organization advisor and the Director of Student Activities or his/her designee, who will make the final decision regarding the elections.
Section 6. Responsibilities and Requirements
Each student organization is expected to:
Section 7. Funding From SGA
Section 1. Conference Committee
The purpose of the Conference Committee shall be to represent Wake Tech at conferences attended by the SGA. The Secretary of the SGA shall be the Committee Chair. The Executive Board shall select committee members prior to each conference with final approval by the SGA Advisors. The Chair shall be SGA liaison with the N4CSGA and the Central Division of the N4CSGA. The Chair shall also be responsible for working with SGA Advisors and the Student Development Secretary in making travel arrangements for all conferences.
Section 2. Constitution Committee
The purpose of the Constitution Committee shall be to review any proposed amendments or revisions from a General Assembly. The President of the SGA shall be the committee chair. A minimum of 3 SGA members are required to constitute a quorum. Any Executive Board member or Senator may attend. The Committee will follow the procedures as specified in Article XIII.
Section 3. Ad Hoc Committees
The purpose of Ad Hoc Committees is to address special issues on an as-needed basis that affect the College or individual campuses. Ad Hoc committees and chairs shall be appointed by the Executive Board, which must state in writing the purpose and task to which they are assigned. After the purpose and task of the Ad Hoc Committee has been met, the Committee shall dissolve.
Section 1. Amendments and Revisions