Senate

S1. Legislative Powers

All legislative powers shall be vested in the Senate to ensure a system of checks and balances for the conduct of the Executive Board.

S2. Purpose

1. Provide a vehicle through which students can communicate their concerns in an organized and democratic manner to the proper source

2. Pass legislation that is in the best interest of the Nazareth student body for the purpose of effective and constructive action

3. Be responsible and accountable for designated student activity fees and to ensure that these fees are used to provide services and programs which fulfill academic, cultural, professional, and social needs of students

S3. Composition

Executive Board Representatives

The Vice President of Finance and Vice President of Executive Operations shall serve as non-voting members of the Senate, providing financial oversight and operational support.

Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff shall be elected by the Executive Board after the first Senate meeting of the Fall semester.

They shall serve as a liaison between the Executive Board and the Senate, ensuring smooth communication and administrative support.

The Chief of Staff is a non-voting member of the Senate.

Senators

Each Senator shall represent a specific aspect of campus life, ensuring diverse perspectives in Senate discussions and decisions. These aspects include, but are not limited to:

Class Year (First-Year, Sophomore, Junior, Senior)

Student-Athletes

Residence Life

Diversity Initiatives

Atlas and Other Campus Affiliations

S4. Voting Power

1. All members of the Senate have voting power. In the result of a tie, the senate will connect with the Assistant Director for Student Engagement and Leadership for further support. 

S5. Duties of Senators 

1. Address concerns and needs of the student body to the Senate.

2. Attend all mandatory planning sessions, retreats, Senate meetings, missing no more than two excused meetings in a semester. 

3. Representing the principles of the Undergraduate Association to the larger Nazareth community. 

S6. Meetings

1. The Vice President of Executive Operations and VP of Finance shall chair all meetings conducting them in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. If deemed necessary, a parliamentarian may be appointed from the student body by either Vice President of Executive Operations or Vice President of Finance with approval of the Senate.

2. A quorum of 2/3 of all Senators is required to conduct official business.

3. All Senate meetings are open to the Nazareth student body unless the Senate votes to close the meeting by a 2/3 vote.

4. The extra allocation of funds and the creation of UA-official clubs must be approved by a majority vote.

S8. Standing Committees

Standing committees are mandatory committees designed to serve the student body. Each Senator must sit on this committee. Senators will meet at least once every two weeks.

1. The Senate Committee shall be chaired by the Vice President of Executive Operations and Vice President of Finance. Its responsibilities are to:

1. Publicize and conduct all UA elections as stated in the By-Laws Article I, Section II.

2. Review the UA and all club constitutions and make recommendations to the Senate for ratification.

3. Recommend Senate appropriations for student organizations

4. Conduct the budgeting process as described in the By-Laws, Article VI, Section 4.

5. Oversee the distribution of funds designated for conferences and experiential learning activities, review line change requests

6. Ensure that student organization funds are being used according to their budget requests

7. Conduct audits of UA clubs as deemed necessary

2. The above-mentioned committees will have meetings set a minimum of 48 hours in advance by the chairperson except in the case of an emergency.