Table of Contents
Article I: Name and Organization
STEPHENSON HALL CONSTITUTION We, the members of the Stephenson Hall Government, hereby establish this constitution to provide peaceful, responsible, and meaningful coexistence for our residents. This constitution provides a general outline for the hall government compatible with and conforming to the policies listed in the University of Kansas Residence Life Policy and Procedures.Article I: Name and organization Stephenson Scholarship Hall is one of several scholarship halls in the University of Kansas Scholarship Hall System, built primarily as a result of donations supplied by Lyle and Grace Stephenson in 1952. A Scholarship Hall Director is employed by the Department of Student Housing to serve as the advisor to the hall and to act as a liaison between the hall officers and the Residence Life office. Article II: Executive Council Section 1: Elected officers to the Stephenson Hall government shall consist of the following and shall be referred to as the Executive Council: 1) President 2) Vice-President 3) Treasurer 4) Secretary 5) ASHC Representative/Alumni Chair 6) Health Officer 7) Social Chairmen (3) 8) Athletic Chairmen (2) 9) Community Service Chairman 10) ARC Chairman 11) Environment Chair Section 2 - Hall Government Officers' duties shall consist of the following 1) President a) Duties
b) Executive Powers 1) The President shall reserve the right to appoint Stephenson Hall residents to special committees as the need arises. The President in his best judgment shall appoint those residents he deems most capable to serve the requirements of the committee unless challenged by any voting resident of Stephenson Hall. 2) If a President's appointee is challenged by a voting resident of Stephenson Hall, then the nomination of that appointee to the committee in question will be determined by a simple majority vote of the hall government. 3) To maintain order at meetings of the hall government, the President shall maintain the right to recommend that Stephenson Hall residents who are repeatedly disruptive at meetings of the hall government be required to go before the Judiciary Board to be tried as defendants. 2) Vice-President The Vice-President shall perform all of the duties of the President in the President's absence. The Vice-President shall also serve as the Chairman of the Judiciary Board committee, adhering to the rules and regulations established by the Department of Residence Life, and the Stephenson Hall government governing Judiciary Board conduct. The Vice-President shall also seek to organize, improve, and assume responsibility for Stephenson Hall academic resources. He will also be responsible for maintaining and updating the Constitution. He will also act as parliamentarian during hall functions, meaning that he will be responsible for informing the hall about the functions of hall government, meeting procedure, etc. as outlined in the Constitution. 3) Treasurer
4) Secretary
5) ASHC Representative / Alumni Chair
6) Health Officer
7) Social Chairmen
8) Athletic Chairmen
9) Community Service Chairman - The Community Service Chairman shall be responsible for coordinating all volunteer and community events that in which Stephenson Hall takes part as well as informing the ASHC of the number of community service hours performed by Stephenson Hall residents in. This includes, but is not limited to, organizing at least one community service project highway Clean-up each semester that the hall is open each semester. . 11) Food Board Chair - The Food Board Chair shall be responsible for the organization of meals in Stephenson Hall. This includes, but is not limited to, the coordination of ingredients and orders in conjunction with the SHD. In addition, the Food Board Chair position is an elected permanent shift position and must abide by the shift description established by the proctor. Failure to properly complete Food Board Chair duties will result in Judiciary Board action. 12) ARC Chairman – The ARC chairman shall be responsible for maintaining the hall website, annually generating the hall list serve, organizing the ARC room, and informing the Scholarship Hall Director of needed supplies for the ARC room. 11) Environmental Chairman The Environmental Chair shall research and work to improve the hall’s sustainability and shall work with the environmental chairs of other halls and shall conduct one environmentally-related event per year. Section 3: Attendance 1) Each member of the Executive Board is expected to be present at all Executive Board meetings. Each member will be allowed tTwo absences will be allowed per semester. If more than two absences occur, then that member shall be up for review by the Executive Board, which may result in impeachment. It is important that members of the Executive Board attend Executive Board meetings in order to create agendas for general hall meetings and preserve the sound function of the hall.
2) All absences of Executive Board members shall be recorded by the Secretary and shall be included in the minutes. Article III: Elections: Section 1: Member Eligibility 1) The following Executive Board Positions have the indicated eligibility requirements: a) President The Stephenson Hall resident must have resided in Stephenson Hall for at least two full academic years (four semesters).All Stephenson Hall residents shall be eligible for the positions: Treasurer, Secretary, Health Officer, Social Chairmen, and Athletic Chairmen .To be eligible for the positions of President and Vice-president. Stephenson residents must have resided in Stephenson Hall for at least one year. b) Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary The Stephenson Hall resident must have resided in Stephenson Hall for at least one full academic year (two semesters). c) ASHC Representative / Alumni Chair, Health Officer, Social Chairmen, Athletic Chairmen, Community Service Chairman, Environmental Chair and ARC Chairman All Stephenson Hall residents are eligible for these positions. Any Executive Board Position not indicated in this clause will be assumed to be open to all Stephenson Hall residents.
2) Only Stephenson Hall residents who have paid their relevant housing fees may be eligible for elected positions.
3) No one resident shall hold more than one elected position at one time. Section 2: Procedures 1 ) Elections shall be held at the last hall meeting each semestereach academic year in the spring semester for all Executive Board positions.
2) Dates of pending elections shall be made available to the residents of Stephenson Hall at least five days prior to all elections.
3) Vacancies shall be filled by special election, with the date to be determined by simple majority vote of the hall government. Elections must be held within four weeks of the vacancy. Until special elections can be held, the President may appoint temporary appointees until the position can be filled.
4) Discussion of candidates and nominations shall take place with the candidates not in the room. The candidates will not be present when the vote is made.
5) All Stephenson residents, except the SHD, returning the next semester to live in Stephenson Hall shall be eligible to vote in elections.
6) A simple majority of total votes is required for election to any Executive Board position. In the event of a tie, a run-off election shall be held between the tied candidates. In the event of a second tie, the deciding vote shall be cast by the President. Article IV: Hall Government Section 1: Definition 1) The term 'hall government' shall be defined as all eligible voting residents of Stephenson Hall and the Stephenson Scholarship Hall Director. A resident shall be defined as the SHD, the Proctor and all persons recognized by the Housing Department as officially living in Stephenson Hall.
2) A quorum of the Hall Government shall consist of all of the following: a) eEither the President or the Vice-president; b) Aa minimum of three Executive Council members in addition to the President ( (or Vice-president in the case of the President’s absence)) for a total of at least four Executive Board members c) ; and aAt least half of the Stephenson Hall residents.
When a quorum is not present, official legislation may not occur. An attempt to notify all Stephenson Hall residents shall be made five days prior to each Hall government meeting where legislation is to be presented. Exceptions to this would be the first meetings of each semester and special meetings called on short notice.
3) A proposal must receive a simple majority to pass.
4) The hall government shall meet no less than one time per calendar month during the regular academic school year. 5) All residents shall attend all hall meetings. Failure to do so will result in a J-Board. Whether an absence will be excused is the prerogative of the President. Section 2: Functions 1) Hall Government will mediate in the interests of Stephenson Hall in Student Senate, ASHC, the Department of Student Housing, and in all other matters which affects the residents of Stephenson Hall.
2) Hall Government will regulate all cash flow in the Stephenson Hall social fund with the approval of the Stephenson Scholarship Hall Director.
3) Hall Government meetings shall be open to all residents of Stephenson Hall, the Scholarship Hall Director, the Proctor, and all other Student Housing representatives. All other persons must obtain the permission of the hall government to be approved, by a simple majority vote.
4) Strategic Planning meetings may be held by the Executive Board, Scholarship Hall Director, and Proctor in private.
5) All legislative action to be given consideration by Hall Government shall be passed by a simple majority unless otherwise noted in this constitution. Legislation to be given consideration by Hall Government shall extend to all matters which affect Stephenson Hall or its residents.
6) Any resident of Stephenson Hall may make a motion or proposal.
7) All Stephenson Hall residents are eligible to vote at meetings of the hall government except the Stephenson Scholarship Hall Director. Article V: Scholarship Hall Director Section 1: The Stephenson Scholarship Hall Director shall serve as the advisor to the Stephenson Hall government and will be appointed by the Department of Student Housing. The duties of the director include, but are not limited to:Section 1: Some Duties (but not limited to the following) 1) To serve as a resource for hall governance, including advisory, judiciary, and other student boards while aiding in the development of student leaders. 2) To work closely with hall officers to manage hall operations and to identify and meet residents' needs. 3) To work with residents to plan a balanced, healthy diet within a food allowance determined by the Department of Student Housing. 4) To serve as a liaison between Stephenson Hall and the university administration, representing each to the other in student personnel and other concerns. 5) To serve as the advisor to the Stephenson Hall Government. 6) Shall present a fact of interest during hall meetings, which shall pertain to nothing of import to hall members. Section 2: Scholarship Hall Director Selection The Stephenson Scholarship Hall Director will be appointed by the Department of Student Housing. Article VI: The Proctor Section 1: Duties 1) To assist the Stephenson Scholarship Hall Director in the overall operation of Stephenson Hall
2) To ensure that shifts are done correctly and on time.
3) To confirm with the SHD that all university policies are being adhered to within the hall.
4) To establish a shift review committee for the purpose of reviewing and/or revising shift descriptions.
5) The Proctor shall be responsible for assigning new residents to their rooms. This includes assigning roommates. 6) The Proctor may make minor adjustments to shifts during the semester if he deems it necessary for the proper functioning of the Scholarship Hall. The adjustments need not be written, as long as all of the residents affected by the adjustments are explicitly notified. Failure to comply with these adjustments is equivalent to doing the shift incorrectly and can result in Judiciary Board action. Section 2: Proctor Selection 1) The Proctor Selection Committee shall meet each spring to choose the Proctor for the following academic year. If a new Proctor is required in the course of an academic year, then the Proctor Selection Committee shall meet within two weeks to determine the replacement Proctor for the remainder of that academic year.
2) The Proctor Selection Committee shall consist of the following: a) tThe Stephenson Scholarship Hall Director, b) tThe current Proctor, c) oOne returning old man, d) oOne non-returning old man, e) oOne returning new man. and the f) The Stephenson Hall President. 3) The Proctor shall be selected from a group of applicants that have resided in Stephenson Scholarship Hall for two full academic years (four semesters). Article VII: The Food Board Chairman Section 1: Duties 1) To organize the meals in Stephenson Hall. This includes, but is not limited to, the coordination of ingredients and orders in conjunction with the Scholarship Hall Director. 2) To maintain the kitchen and ensure that cooking and kitchen cleaning shifts are completed properly. The Food Board Chairman has the ability to initiate Judiciary Board action for any improperly completed shifts. Section 2: Food Board Chairman Selection 1) The Food Board Chairman shall be selected by the Proctor Selection Committee at the same time of year as the Proctor is selected by the same process as the Proctor is selected. 2) The Food Board Chairman shall be selected from a group of applicants that have resided in Stephenson Scholarship Hall for one full academic year (two semesters). Article VIII: Judiciary Board 1) The Judiciary Board of Stephenson Hall shall consist of the following: a) Vice-president, who shall act as chairman of the committee, b) 2 Two residents who have resided in the hall at least two full semesters, c) One1 resident who has resided in the hall less than two full semesters, and d) Oneone other Stephenson resident popularly elected by Stephenson Residents.
Three alternates shall also be elected; any resident may be elected as an alternate. The Scholarship Hall Director must also be present at all proceedings of the Judiciary Board.
2) Violators of this constitution or the policies set forth by the Department of Student housing may be brought before the Judiciary Board and disciplined.
3) Defendants shall be notified no less than 48 hours prior to the time and date established by the Judicial Board of their hearing.
4) Both the Defendant and the Judicial Board Committee shall reserve the right to call witnesses to testify on their behalf and to otherwise provide support or evidence to prove their case during proceedings of the Judicial Board.
5) Judicial Board hearings shall be carried out in an efficient and timely manner.
6) Purposely providing false information to the Judicial Board Committee in any form written or oral shall be considered contemptuous and shall be grounds for a separate Judicial Board hearing and charges.
7) Verdicts of 'responsible' or 'not responsible' will be the result of a simple majority vote amongst the Judicial Board Committee. In the event of a tie, the vice-president shall cast the deciding vote.
8) To respect the privacy of all residents, All Judicial Board decisions are shall be kept confidential.
9) The Stephenson Scholarship Hall Director is not a voting member of the judiciary board but shall maintain veto power over all Judicial Board decisions to ensure that all Judicial Board determinations are fair, just, and in accordance with Department of Student Housing policies and r-regulations and to ascertain that all punishments handed down by the Judiciary Committee are suitable and not in excess of the standards established by the Department of Student Housing. In the case of a veto, the Judicial Board Committee may choose to appeal. All five members of the Judicial Board Committee will vote on whether or not to appeal the veto. With a 4/5 majority vote to appeal the veto, the veto will be appealed to the Scholarship Hall Complex Director.
10) All appeals to Judicial Board decisions must be directed to the Assistant Director in charge of the Scholarship Halls in writing within a time period not to exceed seven (7) working days from the time a decision is made by the Judiciary Committee.
11) All records of Judicial Board hearings shall be maintained by the Scholarship Hall Director for each resident until that resident ceases to reside in the Scholarship Hall system. If a resident moves to a different residence hall at the university, the Stephenson Hall Director shall forward that resident's Judicial Board Committee's records of that resident to that resident's new Complex or Scholarship Hall Director.
12) Stephenson Hall residents found responsible of three violations of this constitution and/or the policies established by the Department of Student Housing shall meet with the SHD. Residents found responsible four times shall meet with the Complex Director. Residents found responsible five times or more shall be subject to possible removal from the hall. Any Stephenson Hall resident, the SHD, or the Proctor may bring forth charges against any Stephenson Hall resident provided that ample evidence is provided to demonstrate cause for a Judicial Board hearing.
Article IX: Impeachment 1) A petition signed by at least 35 Stephenson Hall residents and submitted to the President or a 3/5 vote of the Executive Board shall initiate impeachment proceedings against any member of the Executive Board. 2) A vote shall then take place with voting open to the entire hall and which must obtain a 2/'3 majority to have that member of the Executive Board removed. 3) In the event of a successful impeachment, a special election shall take place to fill the vacancy. This election shall follow all the election guidelines as stated in Article III, Section 2, Clause 3.3 Article X: Quiet Hours 1) Quiet Hours during the semester shall be: 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 1 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday through Saturday.
2) Beginning Stop Day through the end of Finals Week, Quiet Hours will be observed 24 hours a day.
3) Courtesy Hours shall be in effect 24 hours a day whenever the hall is open. Article XI: By-Laws 1) By-laws are defined as official policies and procedures not included in the constitution but deemed necessary and approved by a simple majority of the hall members.
2) The executive council can pass legislation without the approval of the Hall Government only as by-laws.
3) Any by-law may be changed or made invalid by a simple majority vote of the Hall Government. I) Executive By-Law: On KU game days, the TV room is reserved for the duration of KU athletic events. The TV channel must be placed on the game if requested by a majority of the residents in the Rec Room. A complete football and basketball schedule shall be posted by a member of the executive board with times and dates of the events in order to prevent conflict with other members of the hall. 1) In order to maintain positive relations with the alumni of Stephenson Hall, it shall be deemed appropriate that former residents or guests are enabled to participate in regular lunch and dinner meals served at Stephenson Hall, providing all current Stephenson residents have had an opportunity to eat prior to the visiting alumni. Alumni/Guests shall not be served until 10 minutes after a meal is served. 2) It is inappropriate for alumni to remove large amount of snacks or extra food in excess of what is needed to complete one meal. ARTICLE XIII: Amendments 1) Amendments can be proposed by the Executive Board or by a petition, submitted by at least 15 of Stephenson Hall's residents.
2) Proposed amendments must be posted or otherwise made public to Stephenson residents at least one week prior to voting by the Hall Government. The proposed amendments will be passed by the Hall Government by a majority vote; in which case, it will be proposed for ratification.
3) Constitutional amendments must be ratified by at least a 2/3-majority vote of Stephenson Hall residents and must not violate any guidelines set forth by the Department of Student Housing. 4) Amendments must change the language of existing Articles or establish new articles, excluding by-laws listed. ARTICLE XIV: Ratification Section 1- Ratification of this constitution certifies all previous constitutions of Stephenson Hall null and void. Section 2: Definition 1) A vote of 2/3 of the residents of Stephenson Hall expressing approval of this constitution shall serve as ratification.
2) Approval by the Assistant Director in charge of the Scholarship Halls shall complete the ratification process. |