Adlai E. Stevenson High School Livonia, Michigan (Amended 9/07/17)
Student Senate Constitution Preamble We the members of the Stevenson High School Senate, have adopted this Constitution to better our school and community; to promote a friendly and cooperative relationship between the students, administration, faculty, and parents; and to achieve high scholastic, co-curricular, and athletic standards. We shall endeavor to govern our student body with the use of the following Constitution.
Article I Legislative Department Section 1
Senate All legislative powers shall be vested in the Stevenson High School Senate.
Section 2
Membership A. The Senate shall consist of forty-five voting members; seven Senators from each of the four classes, five Senate Officers, the four Class Presidents, and additional appointed positions. Their terms of office shall be for one year. B. In order to retain Senators who have been found to be beneficial to the Senate and add members of the Student Body to the Senate who have Shown proper qualifications, up to three Senators-At-Large may be seated on the Senate. After the completion of the general Senate election, those candidates who wish to be considered for one of up to three Senators-At-Large positions shall fill out an application for the positions. The Student Activities Director, the previous Executive Board and the new incoming Executive Board shall review these applications. This group may need to interview applicants to narrow the field of potential candidates. Senators-At-Large shall be considered among their classes as Senators and will have full Senatorial rights and privileges.
Section 3
Eligibility of Senators Any Student is eligible to seek election for his/her class.
Section 4
Removal of Senators A. If a Senator’s grade point average falls below a 2.5 academic and/or a 2.0 average citizenship, he/she shall be placed on probation in which he/she has one card marking to bring his/her average to the minimum requirements. If he/she fails to do so, he/she will be removed from the Senate. B. If the Senate, Student Activities Director, or the Principal receives complaints of any unsatisfactory behavior on the part of a Senator from any Administration or any staff member, these charges shall be reviewed by the Executive Board and the Student Activities Director. C. The following Senator Responsibility Contract must be signed and returned by every Officer or Representative candidate prior to being placed on the ballot for election. The contract will be in place for every Senator for the entire school year of their service.
Adlai E. Stevenson High School
*Revised 8/24/17
Senator Responsibility Contract
Mandatory 1. Attend weekly Senate meetings and after school committee meetings (maximum of 2 unexcused absences per semester) 2. Attend Class Council meetings-Class Secretary to report attendance to Class President 3. Participation in the planning and implementation of Senate activities including: · Schedule Pick-Up (3 hours) - August · Freshman Orientation (all day) - August · Open House · Homecoming Float Night (3 hours) · Homecoming Pep Assembly · Homecoming Dance Set-Up/Decorations (Fri afternoon and Saturday)/Clean Up · Senate Retreat (November) – the weekend before Thanksgiving · 1 Event During “Let’s Make a Difference” Week · Coming Home Dance (Set-Up and Clean-Up) · Parent-Teacher Conferences (Fall OR Spring) · 9th Grade Open House – January · Mr. Spartan Pageant – · Spartan Cup Pep Assembly · Spring Dance (Set-up and Clean-up) – April/May* · Banquet – April/May *Specific Event dates will be provided in August! 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Represent Stevenson at MASC or KLAA Leadership conferences At least ONE Community Service Event during the school year that’s sponsored by Senate. Promote and attend school functions. Keep the student body and the staff informed. Be a positive role model in and out of school.
In return you will learn valuable skills, including: · Communication · Problem Solving · Parliamentary Procedure · School Improvement · Decision Making · Goal Setting · Team Work · Time Management · Initiative · Organization By signing this contract, you agree to all of the above responsibilities. The Senate Officers and Student Activities Director will review attendance on a regular basis. Removal will occur with failure to participate in 2 of the above mandatory events. Student Signature____________________________________________ Parent Signature_____________________________________________
D. If a Senator is to be removed, it will take a two-thirds vote of the total Senate. E. Any member of the Senate suspended from the school for being involved with or under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol at any school function or for malicious vandalism of the school shall be removed from the Senate. Section 5
Nomination and Election of Senators A. Each of the four grades shall elect seven Senators to sit on the Senate. B. Each candidate must submit a petition signed by 50 class members and the Senator Responsibility Contract.
Section 6
Meetings of the Senate A. The regular meeting of the Senate will be scheduled during regular school days and will be decided by the Executive Board and Student Activities Director. Senate may schedule Extended 4th hour meetings, in which lunch will be eaten during meeting. B. A quorum is necessary to vote on a proposal. The quorum will be defined as a ⅔ majority of the entire Senate. C. The order of business will be t set by the Executive Board and Student Activities Director. D. An abridged version of Robert’s Rules of Order will be followed during all meetings.
Section 7
Powers of the Senate A. To promote any activity and pass any resolutions that are good for the student body, as long as they abide by the policies of the Board of Education and the Administration. B. The entire Senate will decide on all matters pertaining to the Student Body and will hold special meetings whenever needed to discuss business of concern. C. A yearly Activities Calendar will be prepared by the Student Activities Director with input from the Executive Board and must be approved by Administration. All clubs and organizations will be given the chance to apply
for open dates on the calendar. D. Only recognized clubs and organizations may sponsor school activities. An application must be filed with the Senate and must be approved by the Executive Board, the Senate, Student Activities Director and the Principal. E. The Student Activities Director with Senate input shall approve all student activities. Section 8
Attendance A. In the event that a Senator is unable to attend any regular scheduled meeting or activity, the following conditions must be satisfied: *The Senate Secretary is notified. through email or text by or on the day of said meeting or activity (prior to it beginning) explaining his/her absence from said meeting or activity. Additionally, an email must be sent to the Advisor within 24 hours explaining his/her absence. B. The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of attendance and will inform the Officers, Student Activities Director, and the members of the Senate of any abuses. Contract consequences will be followed.
Article II Executive Department Section 1
Powers Vested in the Executive Board All executive powers, as here instated, shall be vested in the Executive Board.
Section 2
Executive Board and Terms of Officer The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Corresponding Secretary. Their terms of office shall be for one year.
Section 3
Eligibility of Officers A. Any student who has a minimum 2.5 academic grade point average and a minimum of a 2.0 citizenship average is eligible to hold a Senate office, except for the Presidency. These averages will be determined by averaging completed high school semesters. B. If the situation arises where there is no candidate for any of the five Executive Board positions, the Principal, Student Activities Director, and retiring
Executive Board members can waive or modify eligibility requirements as they deem necessary. C. The Presidency must be filled by a member of the Senior Class, except in the case of Vice-Presidential succession. The President must have at least one year’s experience as a Senate Officer. D. The entire Executive Department must have at least one year’s experience as a Senator to be deemed eligible. Section 4
Removal from Office A. If an Executive Board member’s academic grade point average falls below a 2.5 and/or a 2.0 average citizenship, he/she shall be placed on probation in which he/she has one card marking to bring his/her average to the minimum requirements. If he/she fails to do so, he/she will be removed from office. B. It shall take a 2/3 vote of the Senate in attendance to impeach an Executive Board member for reasons of unsatisfactory behavior. C. In case of impeachment, the penalty may not exceed further than removal from office. D. Any vacancies that occur will be filled upon the recommendations of the remaining Executive Board, the Student Activities Director, and a ⅔ approval vote of the Senate.
Section 5
Nomination and Election of Executive Board Officers A. All Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior Senators shall elect the Executive Board. B. Each candidate for Executive Board will file an intent to hold office petition on the day designated by the Student Activities Director. This petition must have at least 75 signatures from the Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior class members. Along with the petition, each candidate will submit a 50-100 word intent to hold office statement (with a color picture) and a resume which will be hung in the Brieske room for 2 weeks prior to the election. A signed Senator Responsibility Contract must also be submitted. C. Each candidate will be given the opportunity, at a designated meeting prior to the election, to present a short speech/statement (no more than 2 minutes in length) focusing on why they are the best candidate for the position.
D. If there are more than two candidates for any office, a primary election will be held to narrow the field of candidates to two. The two candidates with the greatest number of votes will move on to the final election. E. All voting will be done electronically, identification will be required to ensure that each Senator votes only once. No candidates or campaign members will serve on the election committee. F. In the case of a tie for any position, Senior Senator votes will be eliminated for that position and the winner will be declared. Section 6
Meetings of the Executive Board A. The purpose of the meetings shall be to plan agendas, Senate projects, Senate goals, and to discuss new and old business. B. The Executive Board shall meet at the request of the President and/or the Student Activities Director.
Section 7
Executive Duties A. President: Shall be the presiding officer at all meetings of the Senate. set meeting agendas with the Student Activities Director, communicate with Administration, organize and set forth Senate goals with the Student Activities Director. The President shall represent the student body whenever called upon. He/She shall act as chairperson of the executive board. B. Vice President: In case of the President’s absence, he/she shall assume the Duties of the President. He/She shall assist the President and Student Activities Director in making important decisions and in carrying out the duties of the President. He/She will work in conjunction with the Class Presidents in regard to Spartan Cup activities. C. Secretary: Shall take roll at all meetings and keep the Senate informed on the status of attendance of all members of the Senate. Shall inform the Senate and Student Activities Director when a member of the Senate is delinquent in attendance and whose behavior record warrants impeachment. Shall prepare agendas for meetings
and keep accurate attendance records. D. Treasurer: Shall keep a record of all finances pertaining to the Student Senate and report them to the Senate at regular meetings. S hall keep accurate records of all expenditures and income. E. Corresponding Secretary: Shall maintain a record of all business (i.e. meeting minutes) and shall distribute this record at each Senate meeting. Shall post a copy of all minutes in the Student Activities Office and provide copies to the Student Activities Director. Shall write and distribute all communications between Senate and persons or agencies. Shall always make one file copy of all correspondence in the Student Activities Office. prepare meeting minutes and report all communications with the Senate.
Article III Accounting and Expenditure of Funds Section 1
Accounting An accurate accounting shall be maintained and made public upon request of the Senate or the sponsor of any Senate approved club or organization.
Section 2
Responsibility for Records The Treasurer of each club or organizations shall be responsible for all financial records and reports pertaining to that club or organization.
Section 3
Fundraising Money collected through fundraisers of the Senate and clubs or organizations will be used for various student, staff, and community purposes.
Article IV Elections Section 1
Election Procedure A. Elections of Senate Officers, Class Officers, and Senators will be held at the end of the designated school year preceding their terms. B. The election of Senators and Class Officers will be held on
the same day.
C. The election of Freshman Senators will be divided amongst two time periods. a. Four candidates will be elected from the Holmes Middle School eighth grade class in the spring prior to their freshman year. b. Three candidates will be elected from the entire new freshman class in the fall at the same time the class officers are elected. (Amended 3/2018)
D. The election of Freshman Class Officers will occur in the Fall of their Freshman year no later than the third week in September. E. The election calendar shall be determined by the Student Activities Director in accordance with this Constitution. F. If a tie occurs in the final election, a special election will be held for that position as soon as it may be scheduled. H.
All campaign materials must be submitted to the Student Activities Director for approval.
Article V Class Council Section 1
Class Officers Each class will elect its own officers: President (must have written “Letter of Recommendation from a Class Council Advisor and at least one year’s experience as a Class Council Officer, except Freshman Class), Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 2
Class Representatives Any student who is interested in being a member of class council should attend all meetings.
Section 3
Special Elections The Student Activities Director needs to be informed before the following actions occur along with the final outcome. If an elected officer is no longer a student at Stevenson High School, a special election will be held at the first Council meeting. The remaining officers will have the opportunity to fill the vacancy first with a
majority vote. If another officer does not want to fill the vacancy, nominations and election will come from within class council with a majority vote needed.
Article VI Amendment Procedure Section 1
Proposal of Amendments by Senators An Amendment may be proposed by any member of the Senate body.
Section 2
Proposal of Amendments by Student Body A member of the student body who wishes to make an amendment must present a 100-signature petition (signed by current members of the student body) to the Student Activities Director and Principal for it to be presented to the Senate.
Section 3
Proposal of Amendments by Advisors A Council Advisor who wishes to make an amendment needs to present a 50 signature petition (signed by current members of the student body) to the Student Activities Director for it to be presented to the Senate.
Section 4
Approval Amendments will be approved with 2/3 vote of the Senate, and with the Student Activities Director and Principal’s approval.
Section 5
Amendment Time Frames All amendments become effective immediately.
Ratification This constitution will be the guide of the Stevenson Senate, and all activities of the Stevenson High School student body when approved by a 2/3 vote of the Senate and with approval from the Student Activities Director and Principal.
