POLICY #11.1
SUBJECT: Constitution of the Southern Utah University Student Association

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Policy is to establish a fair and representative student government, and to create guidelines to ensure proper representation of the student body.

II. REFERENCES

III. DEFINITIONS

SUUSA Member: SUUSA Member: Members of Southern Utah University Student Association are all matriculated full-and part-time, undergraduate and graduate Southern Utah University students paying the full corresponding fees. When this Constitution refers to the membership or members of SUUSA it is referring to this population of students.

IV. POLICY

Preamble
1. We, the students of Southern Utah University (or SUU), recognizing the importance of proactive self-governance, desiring to further student welfare as well as the quality of education and the educational experience of students, and believing that the establishment of a fair and representative student government is necessary to advance to these and other associated ends, do hereby establish this constitution (herein “Constitution”) for the Southern Utah University Student Association (or SUUSA).
Article I: Purpose
1. SUUSA shall be composed of various branches of student government whose purpose is to:
  1. Represent the student body in the decision-making and policy-development processes as prescribed in University policy;
  2. Voice student concerns to SUU Administration;
  3. Review and make recommendations concerning student fees;
  4. Promote and support student involvement and activities;
  5. Promote quality education in all aspects of student life;
  6. Provide leadership opportunities to its members;
  7. Uplift and advance the interests of all SUU students; and
  8. Provide an environment that respects all SUU students
Article II: General Governance
1. This Constitution, along with a set of Governing Documents will establish SUUSA policy, Governing Documents shall include the Governing Bylaws, Club Handbook, Purchasing Policies, and all other relevant documents.
2. The principal and equal branches of SUUSA shall be:
  1. The Legislative branch;
  2. The Executive branch; and
  3. The Judicial branch.
3. Independent boards and councils may be established but shall be considered as members of the Executive branch unless otherwise specified by the Governing Bylaws.
4. This Constitution is considered SUU Policy under section 11.1 and is subject to all University Policy procedures.
Article III: SUUSA Membership
1. The members of Southern Utah University Student Association are all matriculated full and part-time, undergraduate and graduate Southern Utah University students paying the full corresponding fees.
Article IV: SUUSA Leadership
1. Officers of the SUUSA are those individuals who hold an elected or appointed position therein. Hereafter this Constitution refers to officers within SUUSA as "members", or "officers" unless otherwise specified.
  1. SUUSA Office positions are subject to Grade Point Average (GPA) and scholastic requirements as outlined in the Governing Bylaws.
    1. Holders of SUUSA positions, elected or appointed, not meeting the GPA or scholastic credit requirements shall be subject to disciplinary process established in the Governing Documents.
2. To assume a SUUSA position, a duly chosen SUUSA member, must take an oath of office, as provided for in the Governing Documents.
3. No person shall occupy more than one (1) office in SUUSA at any time, subject to additional restrictions in this Constitution.
Article V: Purpose and Function of the Legislative Branch
1. All legislative power of SUUSA shall be vested in a Student Senate. The purpose of the Student Senate is to:
  1. Vet, review, discuss, debate, and vote on all proposed bills, resolutions, appointments, and academic initiatives.
  2. Approve all implemented policies and procedures for the fair and orderly use of identified student space, equipment, finances, and other resources within SUUSA jurisdiction;
  3. Ratify all SUUSA budgets at the beginning of each fall semester for the next academic year and approve funding requests from SUU University Sponsored Organizations (USOs); and
  4. Ratify all appointments, proposals of new Executive Boards, and SUUSA policies by a two-thirds (⅔) vote, including those of appointed Executive Council members in the event of a vacancy.
    1. The Student Senate, upon rejection of an appointment, proposal for a new Executive Board, or agreeing to new SUUSA policies, shall provide the reason or reasons for their rejection to the submitting party.
Article VI: Meetings, Operations, and Membership of the Legislative Branch
1. The Vice President of Academics shall be the chair of the Student Senate. The Vice President of Academics shall have no vote in the Student Senate unless in the case of a tie vote.
2. The Student Senate shall have a Parliamentarian. The Parliamentarian shall be chosen from the Judicial Council by the Judicial Vice President, subject to the confirmation by the Student Senate.
  1. The parliamentarian shall be in charge of the duties outlined in the Governing Bylaws.
  2. Until the confirmation of a Parliamentarian the Vice President of Academics will assume this role.
3. The Student Senate shall be aided by one (1) or more Assistant(s). The Assistant(s) shall be chosen by the Vice President of Academics and be confirmed by the Student Senate. The Assistant shall, in addition to the responsibilities outlined in the Governing Bylaws, keep and publish the minutes of the Student Senate.
4. The voting members of the Student Senate are its elected Academic Senators and appointed and confirmed Special Interest Representatives.
5. Each degree-granting college shall be entitled to elect one (1) Academic Senator on their behalf.
  1. Additional Senators may be introduced through the Governing Bylaws.
6. The Executive Council may contact on-campus resource groups to inquire about their desire to be represented on the Student Senate. Following this, the Executive Council may appoint Special Interest Representatives, who will then be confirmed by both the Executive Council and the Senate.
  1. The total number of Special Interest Representatives shall be less than half the number of elected Academic Senators.
  2. The total number of Special Interest Representatives shall be established and regulated by the Governing Bylaws.
7. The additional roles and responsibilities of Academic Senators and Special Interest Representatives shall be regulated by the Governing Documents.
8. In addition to serving as members of the Student Senate, members of the Student Senate may serve on Student Senate Committees as assigned by the Vice President of Academics.
9. Only when necessary, the Student Senate may utilize an online vote/conference to conduct business.
  1. Votes for the Student Senate meetings may not be submitted via proxy.
10. Legislation must obtain a two-thirds (⅔) majority vote in order to be passed. In the case of an amendment, the majority necessary vote will be specified in the document being amended. unless otherwise specified herein or in the Governing Document being amended.
11. The Student Body President may veto any approved bill or resolution according to provisions provided herein and in the Governing Bylaws.
12. During the summer semester, the Student Senate may not meet in regular session. However, they can meet in emergency situations as needed but must follow procedures outlined in the Governing Documents and Bylaws.
Article VII: The Executive Branch
1. The Executive Branch is composed of the members of the Executive Council, executive boards, directors, and assistant directors deemed necessary by the Executive Council with the ratification of the Student Senate and subsequent addition to the Governing Bylaws.
2. All members of the Executive Branch, unless otherwise stated herein, shall assume all reasonable and related responsibilities and duties by the Governing Bylaws or by the Executive Council as a whole.
Article VIII: The Executive Council
1. The Executive Council is composed of the Student Body President, the Vice President of Academics, and the Judicial Vice President and all other officers defined in the Governing Bylaws. The Student Body President will serve as Chair. All members of the Executive Council shall be equal and the Executive Council shall make its decisions in an equal and collegial manner.
2. All members of the Executive Branch, unless otherwise stated herein, shall assume all reasonable and related responsibilities and duties outlined by the Governing Bylaws or by the Executive Council.
Article IX: Meetings, Operations, and Membership of the Executive Branch
1. The meetings, operations, purpose, responsibilities, and membership of Executive Boards and all other parts of the Executive Branch not provided for herein shall be provided for in the SUUSA Governing Documents.
2. The following shall, in addition to other positions deemed necessary in the Governing Documents, constitute the officers of the Executive Branch:
3. The Student Body President, who shall:
  1. Act as the official representative of SUUSA on and off campus;
  2. Approve or veto all SUUSA budget and allocation decisions;
  3. Approve or veto all bills and resolutions from the Student Senate;
  4. Serve as a member of the Southern Utah University Board of Trustees;
  5. Preside over each SUUSA Vice President;
  6. Assume additional duties and responsibilities as determined necessary by the governing documents and the SUUSA Executive Council, Student Senate, University policy, or the SUU President’s Council;
  7. Ensure that the governing bodies and officers of SUUSA comply with all record-keeping provisions and applicable state law; and
  8. Chair the General Student Fee Committee.
4. The Vice President of Academics, who shall:
  1. Preside over the Student Senate. The Vice President of Academics will not vote, except in the case of a tie;
  2. Propose bills on behalf of the Student Senate during the summer semester;
  3. Serve as a non-voting member of the SUU Deans Council;
  4. Assume the office of Student Body President if the President is removed from office or vacates; and
  5. Assume any other duties assigned by the governing documents and the SUUSA Executive Council, Student Senate or SUU President’s Council.
5. And, the Judicial Vice President, who shall:
  1. Advise the Executive Council on the proper policies and procedures relevant to the operations of SUUSA;
  2. Preside over the Judicial Council during their regular meetings, and during auxiliary meetings unless they are the subject of review or have an active grievance filed against them;
  3. Act as the spokesperson for the Judicial Council;
  4. Preside over the impeachment and/or removal of any elected or appointed officials unless they are the individual being impeached and/or removed;
  5. Review all proposed summer legislation proposed by the Vice President of Academics for constitutionality; and
  6. Assume any other duties assigned by the governing documents and bylaws and the SUUSA Executive Council, Student Senate, University Policy, or the SUU President’s Council.
Article X: The Purpose, Function, Operation, and Composition of the Judicial Branch
1. All Judicial Powers arising under this Constitution shall be vested in a Judicial Council.
  1. The exercise of judicial power and the functioning of the Judicial Council shall be regulated by the SUUSA Governing Documents.
2. The Judicial Branch shall be composed of the Judicial Vice President, Associate Justices, and additional administrative members as necessary
3. The Judicial Vice President shall be appointed by the SUUSA advisors during each election cycle.
  1. The number of Associate Justices shall be regulated by the Governing Bylaws. The number of Associate Justices shall be regulated such that the total number of Justices on the Judicial Council shall be odd in number.
4. Associate Justices will:
  1. Serve as members of the SUUSA Judicial Council;
  2. Assume the Judicial Vice President position–appointed by the SUUSA advisors–in case of vacancy, and;
  3. Serve on committees as deemed necessary by the Judicial Vice President.
5. The SUUSA Judicial Council will:
  1. Hear and decide duly-filed grievances against appointed and elected officers of SUUSA as outlined in the Governing Bylaws;
  2. Attend and advise hearings on violations of the election bylaws;
  3. Certify election results;
  4. Review the SUUSA Governing Documents, policies and procedures to ensure consistency; and
  5. Fulfill other responsibilities as outlined in the SUUSA Governing Bylaws.
Article XI: Impeachment and Subsequent Removal
1. An elected or appointed member of SUUSA may be impeached for:
  1. Malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance;
  2. Violation of any applicable laws, regulations, policies, or codes;
  3. Breach of the SUUSA Constitution, Governing Bylaws, Election Bylaws, or other relevant bylaws; or
  4. Failure to fulfill the duties and responsibilities outlined for the respective office.
2. Impeachment procedures can be found in the Governing Bylaws.
Article XII: Advisors
1. Advisors are determined by the Vice President of Student Affairs.
2. The advisors shall:
  1. Be present at any SUUSA meeting of which their presence is requested;
  2. Work with SUU’s administration, assuring proper student representation on all Academic Committees; and
  3. Act as an advisor and consultant to the Student Government.
3. Advisors may not vote in any official day-to-day meetings of the SUUSA branches but may provide advice and voice concerns or opinions.
4. An advisor may consider vetoing a bill/decision if:
  1. It is not aligned with the SUUSA or University mission and vision;
  2. Infringes upon, or harms student rights; and
  3. It is not a designated use of the SUUSA student fee.
5. A SUUSA advisor’s veto must be made in a reasonable timeframe after the bill/decision has been finalized.
  1. Any veto made by an advisor must be followed by a formal letter of explanation as to why the bill/decision was vetoed. This must be submitted in writing to the branches of SUUSA within twenty-four (24) hours.
  2. An advisor’s veto can be appealed by any elected or appointed member SUUSA officer within one (1) week of receiving the formal letter. The appeal must be brought to the Vice President of Student Affairs. Upon receipt of the appeal request, the Vice President of Student Affairs must:
    1. Review a letter of appeal written by a holder of a SUUSA position.
    2. Review advisor’s letter of explanation for veto.
    3. Offer an opportunity for an open forum to hear further concerns (advisors cannot attend).
    4. The Vice President of Student Affairs may delegate this authority if necessary.
    5. The Vice President of Student Affairs has the final authority to decide the matter.
6. Additional requests and recommendations of advisors shall be provided for in the Governing Documents, upon approval of said advisor.
Article XIII: Amendments
1. All attempts must be made to amend the Governing Documents of SUUSA before a constitutional amendment can be proposed unless such proposal conflicts with the provisions of this constitution.
2. Any member of SUUSA (full and part-time student) may propose an amendment to this Constitution.
  1. Proposed amendment(s) not made by the Student Senate must be accompanied by a petition signed by at least five percent (5%) of the total SUUSA membership (student population).
  2. The petition must include the following information:
    1. A written statement clearly defining the change to constitution;
    2. A written and rational statement explaining the changes to the constitution; and
    3. Each student’s signature, printed name, and T-number for the purpose of verifying the legitimacy of the petition.
  3. The written/proposed amendment(s) made this way shall be forwarded to the SUUSA Student Senate for its consideration at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
3. Any member of the Student Senate may propose an amendment to this Constitution. Any proposed amendment(s) shall be passed by a three-fourths (¾) vote of the Student Senate during one of its regular meetings.
  1. Before the passage of an amendment, members of the Student Senate should make substantial efforts to consult all relevant stakeholders, including the student body at large.
4. Upon ratification by the Student Senate, the proposed amendments will be presented to both the Executive Council. A three-fourths (¾) vote of the Executive Council. Upon ratification of either the Executive Council, the amendment(s) shall then be presented to students at large for their rejection or approval.
  1. If the amendment is presented by the Constitutional Amendment Committee (CAC) during an official review year, the amendment must be approved by a majority vote of those voting in the election.
  2. If the amendment is presented during a non-CAC year, the amendment must be approved by a two-thirds (⅔) majority vote of those voting.
5. The SUUSA Constitution shall undergo an official review by the CAC every four years, beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.
  1. The formation and procedures of the CAC can be found in the Governing Bylaws.
6. Amendments to this Constitution are subject to review by the Judicial Council.
7. If the amendment(s) fails to garner the support of students at large voting in the election, the amendment is voided and cannot be reintroduced during the same academic year it was placed on the ballot.
8. If the amendment garners the support of a majority of voters voting in the election, the amendment(s) will be presented to the President’s Cabinet and the Board of Trustees for approval.
9. Once ratified by the above-mentioned entities, any amendments shall be effective at the end of the current Academic school year, unless otherwise stated.
Article XIV: Transparency in Governance
1. The governing bodies and officers of the SUUSA will follow the Utah Open Meetings Act and the Government Records and Access Management Act (GRAMA).
2. All bills, resolutions, applications for funding, receipts, meeting minutes, and other documents will be kept on file for four (4) years and be available for public inspection. The Student Body President, or their designee authorized in the Governing Documents, will have the responsibility to ensure this record-keeping occurs.

V. RELEVANT FORMS/LINKS

VI. QUESTIONS/RESPONSIBLE OFFICE

The responsible office for this Policy is the Vice President for Student Affairs. For questions about this Policy, contact the current SUUSA Judicial Vice President or a Director or Coordinator in the Student Involvement and Leadership Office.

VII. POLICY ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT DATES

Date Approved: May 3, 1991 (as Policy 5.42)

Amended: March 22, 2002; July 26, 2006 (as Policy 11.1); September 20, 2008; December 3, 2008; June 6, 2011; January 29, 2010; October 11, 2013; January 13, 2017; January 17, 2020; March 19, 2021; March 24, 2022; July 1, 2024 (temporary authorization); April 24, 2025

POLICY #11.1 SUBJECT: Constitution of the Southern Utah University Student Association