About SHSS
Student Association Bylaws
PREAMBLE
The Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) Student Association (SA) has eight (8) elected officers that represent the student body and regularly present the students’ interest to the faculty and administration. These officers make up the Executive Board and Representative Council. The Executive Board consists of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The current Representative Council consists of the Department of Conflict Analysis and Resolution (DCAR) Representative, the Department of Family Therapy (DFT) Representative, Master of Arts in Cross-Disciplinary Studies (MACS) Representative, the International Student Representative, and the Online Student Representative. The Executive Board also appoints student representatives to sit on various formal and ad hoc committees. The SHSS SA is advised by a faculty advisor appointed by the Dean with the Chief Student Affairs Office (CSO) acting as co-curriculum advisor. SA is also regularly helped by the administrative staff and faculty.
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences Student Association
The SHSS SA hosts a number of social activities throughout the year. Each student of the SHSS pays a student activity fee which entitles them to take part in any or all SHSS SA related activities. SHSS SA also provides “startup funds” for approved clubs.
The Executive Board and Representative Council meet a minimum of one time per trimester when in session, which is open to all eligible students. We encourage everyone to attend the open meetings so your opinions and recommendations can be heard.
Please feel free to contact the SHSS SA if you have any questions or concerns. Our email address is shsssa@nova.edu, our telephone numbers are (954) 262-3013 or (800) 262-7978. The SHSS SA Office is located on the Nova Southeastern University (NSU) East Campus, Tower Building, Room 503.
ARTICLES
The following constitutes the Articles of the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) Student Association (SA) Bylaws and may be cited for all such purposes. These Bylaws will remain consistent with the policies and procedures of the SHSS and Nova Southeastern University (NSU).
ARTICLE I: ORGANIZATION
Section I
Name
The name of this organization shall be the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences Student Association, hereafter referred to as the "SHSS SA."
Section II Definitions
In these Bylaws, unless otherwise specified:
(1) "Association" defines all students enrolled in SHSS programs.
(2) "Officer" defines an elected member of the SHSS SA Executive Board, which includes the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and the SHSS SA Representative Council, consisting of officers from each department, the International Student Representative, and the Online Student Representative.
(3) "Student" defines any activity-fee-paying SHSS doctoral, masters, or graduate certificate student in good standing with SHSS and NSU.
(4) A student in "good standing" is one: a) who is enrolled in an SHSS doctoral, masters, or graduate certificate program and b) who is not in default of any prescribed obligations to NSU.
(5) "Student Body" defines all doctoral, masters, and graduate certificate students of NSU enrolled in a graduate program of the SHSS.
(6) "Student Committee" defines a group of students constituted to address current SHSS student issues.
(7) "Elections" defines an election of the Executive Board and Representative Council members.
Section III Purposes
(1) To offer a structure that fully represents the student body in all such governing matters, and, through this structure, advocates the concerns of the student body, promotes the objectives of the SHSS SA, and communicates its concerns and actions to the student body.
(2) To represent, as well as facilitate the exchange of information and ideas among the students, faculty, and administration.
(3) To build and enhance learning communities and peer support groups in SHSS.
(4) To promote the highest standards of learning, training, and practice in the fields of the humanities and social sciences.
(5) To establish and maintain channels of communication between students, faculty, graduates, and administration, and
(6) To evaluate the quality and overall effectiveness of the SHSS SA and the programs offered by SHSS.
Section IV Uniformity
(1) Subject to other provisions of these Bylaws, every activity fee-paying student has the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities within the SHSS SA.
ARTICLE II GOVERNANCE
Section I Executive Board and Representative Council
(1) The general affairs of the SHSS SA shall be managed and supervised by an Executive Board and Representative Council composed of the officers of the SHSS SA under the advisement of the CSO.
(2) The SHSS SA shall fund its operation from the student activity fees collected from each student at the time of registration.
(3) The SHSS SA reserves the right to raise the student activity fee after consulting with the DESA.
(4) The Executive Board, Representative Council, and DESA oversee the budget of the SHSS SA.
(5) No one individual shall concurrently hold more than one (1) office in the SHSS SA.
(6) No student shall hold the same position as an officer for more than three (3) academic years.
(7) If, during the course of their term, the DCAR, DFT, or Online student representative(s) change(s) their program of study, they are required to relinquish their position and said office(s) becomes vacant.
Section II Officers
(1) The elected officers of the SHSS SA shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, DCAR Student Representative, DFT Student Representative, International Student Representative, and the Online Student Representative. The Executive Board will be comprised of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The
Representative Council will be comprised of the student representatives from each department (currently DCAR, DFT, and MACS), the International Student Representative, and the Online Student Representative.
(2) Only currently enrolled students who are in good standing with NSU shall be eligible to hold offices on the Executive Board and Representative Council. All Board members, with the exception of the President, may physically attend meetings or may attend via electronic media. The President must be physically present in board meetings.
The Executive Board Officers:
The President
(1) Shall be the chief officer of the SHSS SA and s/he shall preside over meetings of the Executive Board, the Representative Council, and the student body. Shall have the power to delegate any power granted to her/him pursuant to the SHSS SA Bylaws.
(2) Shall oversee the activities of the Representative Council so as to insure that the Representative Council functions effectively.
(3) Shall be the student representative of the SHSS SA to University committees and activities.
(4) Shall be the tie-breaking vote in all meetings.
(5) Shall form committees of the Executive Board as the need arises.
(6) Shall sign, in conjunction with the Treasurer and CSO, all disbursements.
(7) Shall meet regularly with the CSO of the SHSS in order to exchange ideas and facilitate communication with the faculty and administration.
(8) Shall have the sole power to call for emergency voting on matters that necessitate immediate action between duly scheduled and announced meetings.
The Vice President
(1) Shall assume the duties of the president in his/her absence.
(2) Shall coordinate all annual election proceedings.
(3) Shall attend and be a voting member of all Executive Board and Representative Council meetings.
(4) Shall oversee all SHSS SA committees including the Bylaw Committee.
(5) Shall perform other duties as may be assigned by the President.
The Secretary
(1) Shall be responsible for all official correspondence between SHSS SA and all other outside parties.
(2) Shall keep all records, including record of the SHSS SA Bylaws and the minutes of all Executive Board and Representative Council meetings.
(3) Shall post the minutes of all Executive Board and Open meetings within two weeks as well as Student Association announcements.
(4) Shall attend and be a voting member of all Executive Board and Representative Council meetings.
(5) Shall be responsible for overseeing the upkeep of the SHSS SA website.
(6) Shall ensure that all Executive Board and Representative Council members are provided with a copy of the SHSS SA Bylaws.
(7) Shall perform other duties as may be assigned by the President.
The Treasurer
(1) Shall be responsible for accounting and distribution of all SHSS SA funds.
(2) Shall manage the Student Activity Fund; propose the SHSS SA budget; and sign, in conjunction with the President and CSO, all disbursements. Will ensure the CSO has signed-off all expenditures.
(3) Shall attend and be a voting member of all Executive Board and Representative Council meetings.
(4) Shall present a summary of budget expenditures to the CSO and post a copy on the SHSS SA website and bulletin board for students at the conclusion of the fiscal year.
(5) Shall perform other duties as may be assigned by the President.
The Representative Council Officers:
(1) Shall be the delegated spokesperson between their students and the SHSS SA.
(
2) Shall be responsible for gathering information, requests, suggestions, and sentiments of their students and accurately reporting such information to the Executive Board and Representative Council.
(3) Shall attend and be a voting member of all Executive Board and Representative Council meetings.
(4) Shall perform other duties as may be assigned by the President.
Section III Executive Board and Representative Council Meetings
(1) The Executive Board and Representative Council shall meet at least once per a month, at a mutually agreeable time and place.
(2) The Executive Board and Representative Council may perform the functions that are assigned to it by these Bylaws and may take action upon any matter that warrants attention.
(3) A simple majority of officers constitutes a quorum to transact any business.
(4) Consensus building will be encouraged with regards to deciding questions that properly come before the Executive Board and Representative Council; however, in the event of gridlock as determined by the DESA, a simple majority vote will decide the issue with the President voting only in the case of a tie.
(5) A copy of the minutes of every Executive Board and Representative Council meeting shall be posted within one (1) calendar week of the approval of said minutes.
(6) No Executive Board and/or Representative Council meeting shall be convened or recognized as being convened unless the President is present or gives prior approval to a designated representative. Any meeting convened without the presence of either the President or the DESA will be considered invalid. Any and all SHSS SA business conducted in said meeting will be considered null and void.
Section IV Order of Business
(1) The order of business at regular meetings shall be as follows:
a) Call to order
b) Approval of minutes
c) Report from the Officers
1) President
2) Vice President
3) Secretary
4) Treasurer
5) DCAR Student Representative
6) DFT Student Representative
7) International Student Representative
8) Online Student Representative
d) Report from committees.
e) Pending business.
f) New business
g) Announcements
h) Adjournment
This order of business can be altered according to need. Meetings will be kept to a time limit according to need of agenda.
Section V Committees
(1) The Executive Board and Representative may establish, dissolve, and give direction to such committees, as it considers expedient.
(2) A committee may not perform any function of the Executive Board or Representative Council, but, subject to the direction of the Executive Board, may give advice and make recommendations to the Executive Board without limitations.
Section VI Advisor
(1) The CSO and a faculty member appointed by the Dean, will serve as the co-curricula advisor(s) to the SHSS SA.
ARTICLE III ELECTIONS
Section I Election Procedures
(1) The Office of the Chief Student Affairs Officer will conduct the election, and enforce the election regulations and campaign procedures.
(2) The Election Board shall supervise the voting process to ensure honesty, integrity, and compliance with the established rules, regulations, and procedures. Any candidate from the election whom the Election Board adjudges to be guilty of an infraction of the established rules and regulations shall be disqualified from the election.
(3) For every election, the officers shall send to every student an announcement of the election and a "Call for Nominations" of candidates depending on the academic calendar, allowing for at least two full business weeks for both nominations and elections (five [5] business days each).
(4) Students in good standing, who are currently enrolled in SHSS programs, may nominate themselves or any other student.
(5) Elections for new officers will be held in April.
(6) The position of president will rotate between all SHSS programs (currently, DCAR, DFT, and MACS) on a yearly basis. No program will have a student in the position of president for more than one year. A program will only have a student in the president position during the assigned turn in the rotation.
(7) If no student is nominated for the president position in the year of that program’s rotation, the president position will move to the next program in line in the rotation.
(8) One nomination shall warrant inclusion on the final ballot.
(9) One week after the "Call for Nominations" the officers shall close the nominations and shall prepare a ballot, including the names of the candidates, for the final election.
(10) The ballot may also contain a list of current issues of interest to students and will ask the latter opinions regarding those issues.
(11) Officers, in the presence of a SHSS administrative staff member, will tabulate the ballots and post the results within 24 hours.
The Election Board for the purpose of investigating voting irregularities may delay posting of results.
(12) When two (2) or more candidates receive the same number of votes, the President will decide between the candidates.
(13) When there is only one validly nominated candidate for an office, the President shall declare that candidate elected by acclamation.
(14) The tenure of all officers begins on June 1st of the election year and ends on May 31st of the following year.
(16) If an Executive position receives no nominations during the nominating period, the newly elected President, or, in the absence of a newly elected President, the newly elected Vice President, shall appoint students to these positions after taking office.
Section II Candidate Eligibility
(1) Only activity fee-paying students in good standing who are currently enrolled in SHSS programs and who can physically attend SHSS SA meetings shall be eligible to hold offices within the Executive Board and Representative Council. The exception is the Online Student Representative, who may attend meetings either physically or via electronic media.
(2) A student running for program, online, or international Student Representative must be classified as such.
Section III Voting Eligibility
(1) A SHSS Student who is in good standing is qualified to vote in any election for officers.
ARTICLE IV VACANCIES
Section I Resignation
(1) An officer may resign from the Executive Board or Representative Council by delivering a written resignation to the President, or if the resigning officer is the President, then the President shall submit the resignation to the Vice President. Then that office is thereupon deemed vacant.
Section II Removal
(1) An officer may be removed from the office before his or her term would have otherwise expired by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of votes cast at a closed Executive Board and Representative Council meeting; or at an open SHSS SA meeting; or by the student body in the form of a petition; and at least one of the following conditions must be met before said removal can take place:
a) Appropriate grounds leading to the termination of that office due to an unexcused absence from more than two (2) Executive Board and Representative Council meetings within a Semester will cite that officer for removal, and that office becomes vacant upon said removal; or
b) Appropriate grounds leading to the termination of that office due to a blatant disregard of one or more of the provisions of these Bylaws, or of a blatant disregard for said office characterized by a lack of "good faith" effort to carry out the necessary and appropriate duties and responsibilities of said office, will cite that officer for
removal, and that office becomes vacant upon said removal.
c) The office of an officer who ceases to be in good standing automatically thereupon becomes vacant.
Section III Filling Vacancies
(1) If an officer’s position becomes vacant, the vacancy will be filled within one month of said vacancy by appointment by the Executive Board with the final approval granted by the President.
(2) If the President’s office becomes vacant, the Vice President and DESA shall fill the vacancy. The Vice President’s office will then automatically become vacant, at which time the above procedure for filling vacancies shall be followed.
ARTICLE V OATH OF OFFICE
(1) All officers of the Executive Board and Representative Council shall take the following Oath of Office:
"I do solemnly affirm that I will, to the best of my ability, preserve, defend, and enforce the provisions of the Bylaws of the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences Student Association of Nova Southeastern University. I solemnly affirm that I will exercise the utmost care to uphold the good name of our school. I also solemnly affirm that I will diligently, faithfully, and conscientiously perform all my duties as an officer of the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences Student Association of Nova Southeastern University."
ARTICLE VI PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
(1) In all instances when they are applicable and not inconsistent with these Bylaws or any other special rules the organization shall adopt, the rules contained in the current edition of Merriam Webster’s Rules of Order, by Laurie Rozakis, shall govern the SHSS SA.
ARTICLE VII OTHER PROVISIONS
Section I Annual Audit
(1) The financial records of the SHSS SA shall be audited annually and at such times as may be requested by Executive Board, Representative Council, and/or the DESA of SHSS or his/her authorized.
Section II Conducting Business by Mail
(1) The Executive Board and Representative Council may submit proposals for consideration and approval by the student body in mail referendum. A simple majority of members voting shall be necessary for approval of the proposals with the approval of the DESA.
Section III Conducting Business by Telephone
(1) In case of emergency, action may be taken by the Executive Board and Representative Council by telephone (conference) call. There must be concurrence of a majority of the members of the Executive Board and Representative Council and such action shall be noted in a special memorandum placed in the minutes book and signed by a person obtaining such concurrence and shall be reported in the minutes of the next meeting.
Section IV Conducting Business by Email or Facsimile
(1) In case of emergency, action may be taken by the Executive Board and Representative Council by email or facsimile. There must be concurrence of a majority of the members of the Executive Board and Representative Council and such action shall be noted in a special memorandum placed in the minutes book and signed by a person obtaining such concurrence and shall be reported in the minutes of the next meeting.
ARTICLE VIII AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS
Section I Purpose
(1) Amendments to these Bylaws may be necessary in order to maintain consistent and impartial service to the students of the SHSS.
Section II Process
(1) Proposed amendments to these Bylaws may be initiated by any student and presented to the SHSS SA President.
(2) To be placed on a ballot for referendum, proposed amendments to these
(3) Bylaws must receive one of the following:
a) A majority roll-call vote from the SHSS SA Executive Board
Section III Ratification
(1) If approved by the referendum, the amendment shall be incorporated into these Bylaws.
(2) The CSO must ratify annual Bylaws and any amendments before incorporation.