Elections for the current freshman class begin in September!

1. Download petition
2. Obtain 20 signatures from members of your own class
3. Complete a statement that explains why you are running for office.
4. Submit statement along with signatures to Sarah Catherine Richardson or Carlie Pendley by September 4, 2023.
5. Campaigning may take place September 5-8, 2023.
6. Voting will take place via First Year Experience classes September 11-12, 2023.

Executive Office:

• Carlie Pendley: President
• Brianna Pearson: Vice President
• Laura Howell: Secretary

Class Officers: 

• Jessica Cozart: Senior President
• Jalen Huff: Senior Senator
• Bailey Abernathy: Junior President
• Nickolas Rosa: Junior Senator
• Karlee Wright: Sophomore President
• Kaylee Knight: Sophomore Senator

Preamble  

We, the students of University of Tennessee Southern, acting under the authority granted us by the Administration of University of Tennessee Southern, do hereby establish this Constitution in order to promote the ideals and responsibilities of student self-government, to help facilitate the coordination of student life on campus, to help promote strong ties between the University of Tennessee Southern and the City of Pulaski, and to maintain a close and cooperative relationship between Faculty, Administration, and Students.  

Article I – Name 

This organization shall be known as the Student Government Association of University of Tennessee Southern (SGA). SGA shall be advised and supported by a Faculty Sponsor, who shall be present at all meetings. 

Article II – Purpose 

The purpose of the Student Government Association (SGA) shall be to support the rights and responsibilities of the student body of the University of Tennessee Southern and promote awareness of these rights and responsibilities in all areas of student life. The Student Government Association shall be devoted to helping better the life of all Faculty, Administration, and Students. SGA shall act as communicator for the Student Body to the University.  

Article III – Membership 

The voting membership of the Student Government Association (SGA) shall be composed of: 

1. Three (3) Executive Council members, elected at-large by the student body. These positions are: 
2. SGA President 
3. SGA Vice President 
4. SGA Secretary 

B. Two (2) representatives from each of the four classes, elected at-large by their respective class. These positions are: 

1. Class President 
2. Class Senator 

Any student running for an Executive Council office must provide proof of previous SGA membership in any role, whether at University of Tennessee Southern or any other institution of higher education. No prior experience is required of Class Presidents and Senators. 

Article IV – Qualifications and Guidelines  

In order to gain and maintain membership in the Student Government Association, prospective and current members must meet and adhere to set behavioral and academic guidelines. These guidelines are as follows: 

• All prospective and current members of SGA must be in good standing with the student life and honor code. This means not having repetitive offenses or an egregious offense of the Student code of conduct. It also means having no blatant infractions of the honor code. 

• New and returning SGA members must have and maintain a cumulative or semester Grade Point Average of 2.5 or above to qualify for office. GPA Calculation includes a student’s cumulative average OR semester average, whichever is highest. 
• GPA will be evaluated at midterm to determine the academic standing of each SGA member. 
• After completing each semester of duty, academics will be evaluated. At that time, the Faculty Sponsor and SGA President will determine the student’s academic standing: 
  • Good Standing: Semester or Cumulative GPA of 2.5 and above. 
  • Probation: Semester or Cumulative GPA of 2.4 – 2 
  • Dismissal: Semester or Cumulative GPA of 1.99 and below 

Probation includes: 

• A meeting with the SGA Faculty Sponsor about academic and leadership duties; 
  • A letter from the student, submitted within a week of the meeting with the SGA Sponsor, explaining the student’s plans to raise their GPA. 
  • Continued participation in all SGA functions and support from SGA 
  • A final GPA evaluation and discussion of progress at the end of the semester. The student’s GPA must return to good standing to qualify out of probation. 

Dismissal includes: 

• Immediate dismissal from all SGA duties and membership. The position will remain empty for the remainder of the semester. SGA can choose to appoint and vote on a new member to fill the position for the next semester.
  • The student will be allowed to run for reelection after one semester. The student must have a cumulative or semester GPA of at least 2.5 to be approved for reelection. 
• Only members who have previously served on SGA are able to run for an Executive Council Position 
• In the event of a vacancy, an appointment can be made by the president and the advisor to fill that position, if it is deemed necessary. An appointment must be passed by two-thirds vote, voted on by the entire SGA Council. 

Extenuating Circumstances: 

Low GPA and/or lack of objective completion may be the result of an extenuating circumstance on/off campus. If the student feels this is the case, they should meet with the SGA Faculty Sponsor. The Sponsor and Executive Council will evaluate the situation, and an exception may be granted. Each situation shall be handled as needed and in the best interest of the student and SGA as a whole. 

Article V – Duties and Responsibilities of SGA 

The SGA Shall:  

• Assume the responsibilities of their elected position (see Articles VI and VII) 
  • Host campus-wide elections  
  • In addition to class events, assist in at least 2 campus-wide events hosted by SGA as a whole. 
  • Assist with Freshman Move in Day 

Article VI – Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Council of SGA 

The Executive Council of the Student Government Association shall consist of three (3) members: the SGA President, SGA Vice President, and SGA Secretary. These members shall meet at the call of the SGA President. Vacancies that may occur in the Executive Council shall be filled by Sophomore, Junior, or Senior Class President and will be appointed by the SGA President and/or SGA Faculty Sponsor. 

The SGA Executive Council shall: 

• Organize and host a total of 4 events per semester  
• Attend 2 meetings per month 
• Supervise events organized by the SGA Class Representatives 
• Have at least one Executive Council Representative attend summer orientation to inform incoming students about the purpose of SGA if 
• Help lead events for student life or other programs as needed 

The SGA President shall: 

• Preside over all SGA meetings; 
• Appoint all members to the committees of SGA and serve as Ex Officio of all said committees; 
• Present all resolutions and recommendations passed by SGA and also those that require the approval of administration to the President of the University; 
• Serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of University of Tennessee Southern and attend quarterly Board Meetings; 
• Serve as a member of the University of Tennessee Southern Alumni Association, attend meetings, and serve on committees as appointed; 
• Call special meetings of SGA, and any committees thereof; 
• Serve as liaison between the Student Body, Faculty, and Administration to make life on campus better for everyone 
• Record a minimum of 6-7 hours per week and record hours as directed by the remaining SGA Executive Council 
• Oversee the recorded hours of the SGA Executive Council 
• Be required to speak and provide more information about the purpose and ambitions of SGA at summer orientation 

The SGA Vice President shall: 

• Assume the duties of the President in their absence or inability to serve; 
• Assume any other responsibilities designated by the SGA President 
• Record a minimum of 5-6 hours per week and record hours as directed by the SGA President 
• Oversee the hours recorded by the SGA President 
• Assume the responsibilities of the SGA President during summer orientation in their absence or inability to attend.

The SGA Secretary shall: 

• Keep the minutes and roll at all SGA meetings; 
• Maintain the SGA files; 
• Handle all communication concerning SGA, as appointed by the SGA President; 
• Assume any other responsibilities designated by the SGA President 
• Record a minimum of 4-5 hours per week and record hours as directed by the SGA President 
• Oversee the hours recorded by the SGA President 
• Assume the responsibilities of the SGA President during summer orientation in the absence of the SGA President and SGA Vice President.  

Article VII- Duties and Responsibilities of Class Presidents and Senators 

One (1) President and one (1) Senator each from the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior classes serve as the remaining members of SGA. These members shall meet at the call of the SGA President. Vacancies that may occur in any class office shall be filled by appointment and vote of SGA and the SGA Faculty. 

SGA Class Representatives shall: 

• Organize and host a total of 3 events per semester; 
• Record a minimum of 3 hours per week and record hours as directed by the SGA President; 
• Attend 2 SGA meetings per month; 
• Provide help in SGA group events as needed            . 

Class Presidents shall: 

• Bring the comments, concerns, and suggestions of their class to the attention of SGA;  
• Serve as chairs of any committees at the request of the SGA Executive Council; 
• Execute an assigned objective throughout the course of the year; 
• Assume any other responsibilities designated by the SGA Executive Council. 

Class Senators shall: 

• Bring the comments, concerns, and suggestions of their class to the attention of SGA;  
• Execute an assigned objective throughout the course of the year; 
• Assume any other responsibilities designated by the SGA Executive Council.

Article VIII – Meetings of the Student Government Association 

There shall be no less than two (2) regular scheduled meetings per month. Special or called meetings may be held at any time at the discretion of the SGA President. All SGA meetings shall be open to any student, faculty member, or member of administration 

Article XI – Powers of the Student Government Association 

The specified powers of SGA shall include making legislation, resolutions, recommendations, and performing any other act to promote the rights and responsibilities of the student body. SGA shall also execute their powers to contribute to the social, educational, cultural, and physical welfare of the student body and college community.  

Article X – Elections

The Student Government Association shall be responsible for announcing, hosting, and managing all campus-wide SGA elections. SGA elections will be held in April each year, excluding Freshman elections. Freshman elections will be held in the fall of the new school year. 

Article XI – Impeachment 

Grounds for impeachment shall be failure to execute the duties of office as described in this Constitution. Impeachment proceedings may be brought against an individual by the Executive Council such as violations of the SGA Code of Conduct, attendance policies, GPA requirements, failure to complete the responsibilities of their position, or misuse of Student Government Association funds. A 2/3 vote of the SGA body is required for passage of charges. If found guilty, resignation of the office by the member in question is required, and the office is to be declared vacant immediately by the Executive Council. 

Article XII – Amendments 

Amendments to this Constitution shall be made by a two-thirds vote of the Student Government Association. The amendment must be introduced to SGA at least one week in advance of its approval by SGA. One week’s notice shall be given to the student body, faculty, and administration before the referendum is held. By-laws may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the total membership of SGA. Amendments and by-laws shall take effect immediately, unless otherwise stated, after a two-thirds majority vote.