Graduate Student Congress

Associated Student Government

University of Arkansas

ASG GSC Bill 5

2015-2016

A BILL TO ESTABLISH A SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH CENSURES

Authors: Representatives Joshua Burbridge and John Treat

Sponsors: Speaker Scout Johnson, Vice Speaker Madeleine Forrest

§1 Purpose:

This Bill amendsSections 2, 5, 6, and 8 of the standing rules of the GSC to ensure uniformity in disciplinary issues related to attendance and removal from office for failure to perform expected duties as well as other grave causes.

§2 Motivation:

At present there is a lack of consistency within the standing rules for addressing absences from meetings and in addressing other disciplinary issues. Further, existing procedures for removal of members are not in conformity with the parliamentary norms of due process outlined in Robert’s Rules of Order.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE GRADUATE STUDENT CONGRESS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS, FAYETTEVILLE,

That Section 2 be amended as follows:

(l) Be encouraged to hold one (1) posted and regular office hour per week. Members are required to hold one service hour per week. This hour may be fulfilled by an office hour, significant help at an event, meeting with campus partners for legislation, attendance at a cabinet meeting, or other means with prior approval of the Executive Committee.

1. To qualify for any organizational awards in any form, whether financial or recognition, members may miss no more than three (3) service hours per semester.

That Section 5 be amended as follows:

Absences

(A)Representatives are permitted a maximum of three (3) two (2) unexcused committee or congress meeting absences per semester. Once a Representative exceeds this maximum, removal is automatic, pending an appeal process to the Executive Committee. cabinet may move to remove the Representative from the official GSC roster. Upon passing a removal motion, the representative will be notified and provided with the cabinet’s motion within 48 hours. A member designated by the cabinet shall present its motion for removal at the next meeting, provided that it is at least one week from the cabinet’s vote. The motion for removal shall be debated under the same rules of procedure as any other motion except that a motion to remove shall require a 2/3 vote.

(C)Failure to offer such respect may result in removal from the chambers at the discretion of the GSC Speaker with consent of 2/3 of the body.

That Section 6 be amended as follows:

(E) Members whose conduct brings reproach upon the body or whose conduct consistently and gravely violates the norms of decorum may be permanently removed by the assembly. A motion for removal must be passed by a majority at any meeting. The secretary will convey the motion to the member within 48 hours. At the next regularly scheduled meeting, the motion will again be put to the floor. A 2/3 vote shall be required for removal.

That section 8 be amended as follows:

(K)The appropriate committee chair has discretion to grant excused absences from committee meetings based upon recommendations generated by the Committee Chair. Unexcused absences from committee meetings will count toward the three (3) two (2)absences allowance prior to removal from the GSC body. Committee Chairs shall report all unexcused absences to the GSC Secretary and GSC Vice Speaker for recording.

(L)Committees must meet at least twice a semester during the academic year.

Official Use Only

Amendments:

Vote Count: Aye _Nay _Abstentions

Legislation Status: Passed Failed _Other

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Scout Johnson, ASG GSC Speaker Date

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Tanner Bone, ASG PresidentDate