ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE II
QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
ARTICLE III
QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF SENATORS
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES AND BOARDS
ARTICLE V
ELECTIONS
ARTICLE VI
DEFINITIONS
ARTICLE VII
APPENDIX
ARTICLE I - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Definition of Membership: All students enrolled
at The University of Montana who have paid the student activity fee for
the current semester are ASUM members.
Section 2. Any member of the Association is entitled to
vote, run for office (upon meeting qualifications) and to exercise the
various rights and privileges of membership.
Section 3. The Activity Fee shall be assessed to all students
registered for seven (7) or more credits during the fall and Spring Semesters.
A reduced Activity Fee is assessed during the Summer Session.
Section 4. Students who have arranged with the University
Controller's Office for temporary deferment of the student activity fee
are active members of ASUM, as long as their fee status is satisfactory
with the Controller's Office.
ARTICLE II - QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. Qualifications for Officers:
A. All officers must meet qualifications as defined in Article 7, Section
1 of the Constitution.
B. All Officers must be ASUM members for the duration of their terms of
office, in addition to any requirements stipulated in the ASUM Personnel
Policy.
Section 2. Duties: All officers must carry
out their duties as listed in the Constitution.
A. President
1. The President shall give a weekly report to the Senate.
2. All chairs and members of committees shall be recommended for appointment
by the President and confirmed by the Senate by a two-thirds (2/3) majority
vote.
3. In case of resignation or removal of any agency director, the President's
temporary designee shall assume responsibility for the position until
a new director is appointed by a majority vote of the Senate at the next
meeting.
B. The Vice President shall give a weekly report to the Senate.
C. The Business Manager shall give a weekly Budget & Finance report
to the Senate.
D. All ASUM Executives and Senators are required to attend an ASUM Seminar
to be offered fall semester. The class will be no more than once a week
and no longer than two hours per class. If the ASUM class conflicts with
a Senator's or Executive's class or work schedule, they will not be required
to participate. In addition, Senators and Executives will be required
to attend a fall organizational meeting, and an optional spring retreat
will also be offered.
E. All ASUM Executives and Senators are required to staff an ASUM table
in the UC no less than one hour twice a semester with the purpose of staying
in touch with the student body at U of M to address issues of concern.
Failure to do so will result in an unexcused absence. ASUM tabling will
be overseen by the Relations and Affairs Committee.
ARTICLE III - QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF SENATORS
Section 1. Qualifications of Senators
A. All senators must meet qualifications as defined in Article 7, Section
1 of the Constitution.
B. All Senators must be ASUM members for the duration of their terms of
office.
Section 2. Duties. All senators must carry out their
duties as listed in the Constitution and Personnel Policy.
A. All Senators shall serve on at least two boards or committees unless
specifically exempted by the Vice President.
B. All Senators shall attend all Senate meetings, for the duration of
the meeting, unless excused by the President or the chair.
C. Any presidential appointments made to fill vacant Senate seats shall
be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Senate.
D. All Senators shall formally be required to hold one office hour each
five-day week in the ASUM office on the mountain campus. The Vice President
shall be entrusted with the duty to organize and enforce the office hour
requirement of Senators. The Vice President shall retain the discretionary
power as to any manner of publication of Senator office hours.
1. This office hour must occur between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through
Friday.
2. Failure to do so beyond three missed office hours will result in an
unexcused absence.
3. The office hours will be started by the Monday before the third Senate
meeting and will be held each day that regular classes meet. Office hours
will not be required during days when classes are not held, during the
week of formal lobbying, or during the week before finals week.
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES AND BOARDS
Section 1. General.
A. Each committee shall have general jurisdiction over its assigned function.
B. Members of all boards and committees shall be appointed at the beginning
of Fall Semester, although additional appointments may be made at any
time.
C. Each standing committee and board, as enumerated in the Constitution
and/or Bylaws, shall have the option to adopt rules of procedure for its
own actions, as an aid to the Constitution and Bylaws, and shall be applicable
only to the committee or board that adopts them. Individual rules of procedure
shall have no effect when being considered by the Senate, unless the Senate
has also adopted the rule or procedure.
D. Any committee member absent from three (3) or more meetings of one
committee per semester without an excuse from either the committee chair
or the Vice President shall be deemed to have resigned from that committee
or board.
E. The Senate may remove the chair or member of any committee by a two-thirds
(2/3) majority vote.
F. The President may establish new committees upon simple majority approval
of the Senate.
G. All chairs and members of committees and boards shall be recommended
by the President, in consultation with the Vice President, and confirmed
by the Senate by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote.
H. A quorum for all committee meetings shall be defined as a simple majority
of the members of that committee currently holding positions on that committee.
I. Committee Chairs are responsible for setting the order of business
and running their committee meetings. Unless their vote is needed to maintain
a quorum, or is otherwise precluded in ASUM policies, committee chairs
may vote only in case of a tie.
J. All approved actions of SPA and Board on Budget and Finance may be
forwarded to the next ASUM Senate meeting as a seconded motion, a seconded
motion meaning that a resolution need not be submitted under New Business
and after one week be debated under Old Business.
K. All ASUM committees shall meet at least once every four weeks of the
academic year unless exempted by the Vice-President. The chair of the
committee is responsible for contacting members of the committee, establishing
a meeting time and location. The only committee exceptions to this are
Constitutional Review Board, Elections Committee, and Interview Committee,
which shall meet on an "as needed" basis.
Section 2. Relations and Affairs Committee:
A. The Relations and Affairs Committee shall be composed of nine (9) members,
four (4) of which shall be Senators.
B. The Relations and Affairs Committee shall be responsible for recommending
all changes to the ASUM Bylaws and ASUM Personnel Policy.
C. The Relations and Affairs Committee shall work on unbiased projects,
ideas, or campaigns intended to increase student involvement in and student
awareness of ASUM government in general or any particular issue(s) pertaining
to ASUM.
D. The Relations and Affairs Committee shall be responsible for all activities
occurring on the University campus that affect ASUM and students. These
activities include, but are not limited to: auxiliary service fees and
operations, campus development plans, campus security, environmental health,
insurance, parking, university athletics, computer fees, academic issues,
library operations, long-range building plans, international student affairs,
student health service, drug and alcohol policy, and building and equipment
fees.
E. The Barbara Hollmann Administrator of the Year Award
1. At the last meeting of the outgoing ASUM Senate, this honor shall be
presented to the recipient.
2. The recipient shall be chosen by the Relations and Affairs Committee
through a nomination and discussion of potential recipients.
3. The recipient shall be judged on his/her ability to champion student
issues.
4. The recipient must show a willingness to include students throughout
the entire decision-making process on campus-wide issues.
5. The recipient must also show a willingness to listen to students with
the goal of understanding concerns.
F. The Relations and Affairs Committee shall enforce and oversee the execution
of Article III, Section 2E of the ASUM Bylaws. Therefore, a motion passed
by a two-thirds majority vote in the Relations and Affairs Committee can
and will result in an unexcused absence for an ASUM Senator failing to
accord with Article III, Section 2E of the ASUM Bylaws. Such decisions
of the Relations and Affairs Committee may be repealed by a simple majority
vote of the ASUM Senate.
G. The Relations and Affairs Committee shall also oversee the functions
of the following ASUM executive agencies, in accordance with ASUM Personnel
Policy:
1. UM Productions. The UM Productions Director shall be appointed by the
President and approved by the Senate by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote.
2. ASUM Legal Services - Relations and Affairs shall act as a board of
directors to oversee the Legal Services Director and its program.
3. ASUM Administration
H. Student directors may be removed from office as stipulated by University
of Montana policy and ASUM Personnel Policy.
Section 3. Board on Budget and Finance:
A. The Board on Budget and Finance shall be composed of seven members,
with the Business Manager as Chair, at least one but no more than two
Senators, and the remainder at-large students.
B. The Chair may vote only in case of a tie, unless his/her vote is required
to maintain a quorum on the Board.
C. A quorum shall normally consist of four (4) members of the Board.
D. The Board shall be primarily responsible for the oversight, management,
and allocation of ASUM appropriate funds generated through the student
activity fee. The Board shall also be responsible for ASUM Fiscal Policy.
E. Further responsibilities of the Board are outlined in ASUM Fiscal Policy.
Section 4. Board on Member Organizations:
A. The Board shall be composed of five (5) members, of whom three (3)
shall be members of the Senate and two (2) shall be students-at-large.
B. The Board on Member Organizations shall review all applications for
groups and organizations that wish to register with ASUM and/or receive
ASUM funding. Groups meeting recognition requirements will be forwarded
to the ASUM Senate to be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote.
This process shall occur after the second week of Fall Semester and continue
throughout the school year. Recognition by ASUM will be valid, after recommendation
by the Board on Member Organizations and subsequent two-thirds (2/3) vote
of the ASUM Senate, until the beginning of the next Fall Semester. At
that time, all groups must re-submit their recognition files to register
with ASUM. Those groups, which were budgeted funds during the previous
year, will continue to be allowed access to these funds during the recognition
process unless their recognition is suspended or revoked. Any budgeted
groups who do not re-register for ASUM recognition will not be allowed
access to their ASUM account funds.
1. All groups requesting to participate in ASUM budgeting must return
their fully completed recognition files to the Board on Member Organizations
by the first Friday of Spring Semester to be considered for budgeting.
Any group having discrepancies in their file that would prevent recognition
must correct the problems completely before the third Friday of Spring
Semester to still be eligible for ASUM budgeting.
2. All groups requesting to participate in ASUM budgeting are subject
to The University of Montana's Policy regarding off-campus accounts, unless
otherwise required or authorized by law, or unless explicitly authorized
in a written agreement between the organization and The University of
Montana. No group violating the policy regarding off-campus accounts will
be allowed to register with ASUM or participate in ASUM budgting until
that group is in compliance with the policy.
3. No group returning its recognition file after the first Friday of Spring
Semester will be allowed to participate in ASUM budgeting that school
year.
C. If the Board has evidence that a group has failed to comply with the
stated criteria necessary for ASUM recognition or has failed to meet all
the responsibilities stipulated by ASUM, the Board has the option of sending
a warning notice to the group specifying reasons for the warning and the
corrective steps that must be taken within a period of no more than one
month. The group shall have the opportunity within one week to have an
informal hearing with the Board on Member Organizations. If the
group fails to act, or the Board feels that the matter has not been resolved,
the Board on Member Organizations shall have the option of issuing a second
and final warning letter or recommending to the Senate that the group's
recognition be revoked. The Board may choose to move directly to recommending
to the Senate that the group's recognition be revoked without a warning
letter if an infraction or negligence is viewed as substantial.
D. For any group whose registration is suspended or any group that is
suspended, or any group that the Board has determined should have its
recognition revoked, there shall be an appeals process. The process shall
be as follows:
1. The group shall be given a hearing by the Board within one week of
the notice of impending loss of ASUM recognition.
2. After the hearing, if the Board does not rescind its decision, the
group may present its case to the Senate during the Vice President's report.
3. The Senate, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote, shall have the opportunity
to overturn a Board's recommendation to remove group recognition.
E. The general policy of ASUM is to require membership lists of its recognized
organizations to be available and open for inspection by the public. This
policy is to promote openness and to ensure that recognized groups and
organizations are composed of ASUM members. Since ASUM recognized groups
and organizations receive access to various University facilities and
have the ability to apply for ASUM funding, verification of membership
for ASUM groups is required. Any group not providing a complete list of
membership will not be recognized by ASUM.
F. Any group seeking ASUM recognition that desires the confidentiality
of its membership must apply to the Board on Member Organizations for
confidentiality approval. The application should contain an explanation
of the purpose of the group and the need for confidentiality. If the Board
on Member Organizations approve the request, the group must accomplish
the following:
1. A copy of a membership list must be provided to the Board on Membership
Chair. This list must be kept confidential by the Chair.
2. The Board on Membership Chair shall confirm with the Registrar the
membership list is composed of at least 15 eligible members.
G. Presentation of a falsified list to an advisor or to the Board shall
be grounds for removal or denial of ASUM recognition. Re-recognition may
occur only on approval of the Board and upon such additional conditions
that the Board may set.
H. A group containing non-members may achieve recognition so long as its
total membership is at least 85% ASUM members.
I. Officers of organizations seeking ASUM recognition must be ASUM activity
fee-paying students.
J. Each student group must review and make necessary updates to their
constitution each year. This document must be included with the application
to receive ASUM recognition.
Section 5. Constitutional Review Board:
A. The Constitutional Review Board shall be composed of five students,
none of whom may be members of the ASUM Senate.
B. The Constitutional Review Board shall be responsible for recommending
amendments to the ASUM Constitution, as well as interpreting its meaning.
The Constitutional Review Board shall be the final arbiter of any controversies
concerning the ASUM Constitution.
Section 6. Elections Committee:
A. The Elections Committee, as appointed by the President and approved
by the Senate, shall hold, monitor, and arrange the yearly elections for
the offices of President, Vice President, Business Manager, and Senators,
and shall conduct referendums. In addition, the Elections Committee shall
conduct special elections as required. The Elections Committee shall be
conducted according to the rules contained in the current edition of Robert's
Rules of Order.
B. The Elections Committee shall be composed of twelve (12) members, of
which four (4) shall be members of the Senate, seven (7) shall be students
at large, with the ASUM Student Resolution Officer acting as an ex-officio
member..
C. No member of the Elections Committee shall be seeking an elected position
within ASUM.
D. Elections Procedures shall be enumerated in ASUM Bylaws, Article V.
Section 7. Interview Committee:
A. The ASUM Interview Committee shall be composed of five ASUM Senators
and two students at large, and an ASUM Senator shall serve as Chair of
the Committee.
B. The Committee shall be responsible for interviewing and recommending
individuals for positions within ASUM. This may include vacant Senate
seats, agency directorships, classified positions, and any other positions
that the Senate may approve to be within the scope of the Committee.
Section 8. Publications Board:
A. The Publications Board will consist of seven voting members, chaired
by the ASUM Business manager. The Pub Board will include one ASUM Senator
and one student-at-large position, the Kaimin Editor, Business Manager,
and Faculty Advisor, and a Business School faculty member appointed by
the Dean of the Business School, who will be voting members of the Board.
The ASUM Office Accountant shall serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member
on the Publications Board.
B. The Board shall be responsible for appointing the Editor and Business
Manager of the Montana Kaimin. Additionally, the Board shall appoint the
Editor and Business Manager of Cutbank and any other ASUM-funded student
publications.
C. The Board shall oversee the general operations of ASUM-funded publications,
without infringing on First Amendment rights.
D. The Publications Board, upon request to the Montana Kaimin BUsiness
Manager, shall review the financial budget(s) of the Montana Kaimin operations.
The Publications Board shall conduct a financial review at least once
a month during the academic year.
Section 9. Student Political Action Committee
(SPA):
A. The Student Political Action Committee shall consist of 12 members,
of whom five shall be members of the ASUM Senate, and six shall be students-at-large.
The other position shall be occupied by the SPA Director. The Committee
shall be chaired by an ASUM Senator.
B. The ASUM Office of Student Political Action shall be composed of one
SPA Director.
C. The SPA Director and the ASUM lobbyist shall be appointed by the President
and approved by the Senate by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote.
D. The SPA Committee shall serve as an advisory board to the SPA Director,
providing guidance and supervision.
Section 10. University Center Board
A. University Center Board shall consist of 9 members; three members who
shall be subject to appointment by the President of the University, each
serving three-year rotating terms, and five members who shall be recommended
for appointment by the ASUM President, subject to a two-thirds (2/3) vote
of the Senate. Of the five Board members appointed by ASUM, two shall
be ASUM Senators serving one-year terms. The three student-at-large positions
shall serve two-year rotating terms. The University Center Director or
his/her designee shall serve as an ex-officio non-voting member of the
UC Board. An ASUM Senator shall chair the Committee.
B. A quorum shall normally consist of five members of the Board.
C. The Chair shall act for the Board in its absence, subject to its review.
D. Special meetings may be called by the Chair or by two or more members.
E. Duties and functions of University Center Board shall include:
1. To provide advice and oversight about University Center policies, activities,
and staffing;
2. Annually review, according to the UC Board Strategic Planning Budget
Guidelines, the University Center budgets and fees, including, but not
limited to, the Annual Operating Budget, Auxiliary Capital Fund, and UC
Repair and Replacement account;
a. University Center budgets shall consist of the three years' previous
actual figures with itemized line items for each expense and revenue.
b. University Center budgets shall also include proposed figures of the
current academic year.
c. University Center budgets shall also contain the proposed figures of
the upcoming academic year.
d. The University Center Board shall receive the budgets by December 1
for adequate time to analyze the budget.
3. Ensure that student, faculty, and staff interests are considered in
deciding policies and other administrative matters involving the UC by
helping the UC Administration to decide on these matters;
4. In consultation with the UC Administration, develop long-range planning
goals and funding sources for UC development and use.
Section 11. Information Technology Committee:
A. The Information Technology Committee shall consist of two Senators
and four students at large. The Committee will conduct twice monthly meetings,
once per month with the Director of Computing and Information Services
(CIS) or his/her designee. At least one of the Committee members shall
sit on the Student Computer User Fee Committee. A Senator shall chair
the Committee.
Section 12. Committee of Chairs:
A. The Committee of Chairs shall be composed of eight (8) members including
the Vice President, the chair of ASUM Affairs, the chair of College of
Technology Affairs, the Business Manager, the chair of Member Organizations,
the chair of Elections, the Student Political Action Director, and the
chair
of University Affairs. The Vice President shall chair the meeting. A quorum
shall consist of six members.
B. The Committee of Chairs shall be responsible for insuring that the
Vice President has received all pertinent information including committee
minutes of ASUM committees. In addition, the Committee shall assist the
Vice President in insuring that all University committees have student
representatives and that all information and activities concerning all
committees is updated.
C. The Committee shall meet no less than once per month during the academic
year.
Section 13. Student Radio Station:
A. The Radio Board shall be composed of seven members, chaired by an at-large
student, who may make or break a tie. The other six members shall consist
of the General Manager of the Student radio station, a faculty member
of the Radio Television Department chosen by the chair of the Department,
a student at-large, one DJ elected annually by the DJs, an ASUM Senator,
and the Director of the Department of Information and Technology or designee.
Students shall be appointed and serve pursuant to the ASUM Constitution
and Policies.
B. A quorum shall normally consist of four members of the Board.
C. The Board shall be responsible for the yearly appointment of the General
Manager. The Board shall also be responsible for approving the General
Manager's recommendations for positions listed in Item 4.60 of Personnel
Policy.
D. The Board shall oversee the general operations of the student radio
station. This shall include approval of all major format or structural
changes, as well as approval of the student radio budget to be submitted
by the General Manager on a yearly basis.
Section 14. Transportation Board:
A. The transportation Board shall be composed of no fewer than eight (8)
voting members, of which three (3) will be members of the ASUM Senate,
three (3) will be students-at-large, one (1) will be a resident life representative,
and one (1) will be the ASUMOT Director. The Transportation Advisory Board
will consist of transportation oriented groups, agencies, and individuals.
The ASUM Transportation Board will meet a minimum of twice monthly. The
Advisory Board will meet with the Transportation Board at two of these
meetings per year. Committees will be made up with members from either
the Transportation Board and/or the Advisory Board.
B. The committee shall be chaired by the ASUMOT Director, who shall vote
only in the case of a tie.
C. Quorum shall consist of a simple majority of those members currently
holding positions. This committee shall meet and have quorum two (2) times
a month during the academic year.
D. Duties and functions of the Transportation Board include:
1. Annually reviewing the ASUMOT budget, the transportation fee, and the
performance of the ASUMOT Director;
2. Giving a binding vote on projects amounting to 2% or more of the ASUMOT
budget;
3. Submitting for approval to the ASUM Senate any project which a) amounts
to 6% or more of the annual ASUMOT budget, and b) is approved in committee
by anything less than a unanimous decision of all members present.
4. Developing a short term (one year or less) plan to be decided at the
first meeting of each academic year. A long range (five or more years)
planning goals is to be decided upon at the first meeting of this committee.
Both plans may be amnded at any point with a two-thirds (2/3) majority.
Section 15. Sports Organization Union:
A. The Sports Organization Union shall be composed of one member from
every ASUM recognized sports group. Four members shall be elected as President,
Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
B. The Sports Organization Executive Board shall be composed of:
l. Three (3) members shall be members of the ASUM Senate, appointed by
the ASUM President and subject to a 2/3-majority approval of the Senate.
A chair will be appointed from among these members.
2. Each sports group shall be allowed one voting representative to sit
on the Sports Organization Union Executive Board.
3. The ASUM Business Manager and the Campus Recreation director shall
be ex-officio members of the committee.
C. The Board shall oversee the operation of the Sports Organization Union.
The Board shall apply to the ASUM Senate directly for funding. Each member
organization shall be responsible for maintaining direct contact with
the Board regarding activities, coaching, fund-raising efforts and safety,
as well as submitting line item requests for preliminary approval and
assessment by the Board.
Section 16. Music organization union:
A. The Music Organization Union shall be composed of all ASUM recognized
music groups.
B. The Music Organization Union Board shall be composed of one (1) ASUM
Senator and one representative from each recognized Union group. Five
group members shall be elected as President, Vice President, Treasurer,
Secretary, and President Elect. An ASUM Senator will chair the committee.
The Chair of the Music Department will serve as an ex-officio, non-voting
member.
C. The Board shall oversee the operation of music organizations, coordinate
activities, and maintain relationships with the University and the community.
The Board shall apply to the ASUM Senate directly for funding on behalf
of member organizations and for administrative purposes.
D. Each member organization shall be responsible for maintaining direct
contact with the Board through their representative with regard to activities.
Each group will also be responsible for submitting line item budget requests
to the Board for preliminary approval and assessment.
Section 17. Board on Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood
Outreach:
A. The Board on Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Outreach shall be
composed of 11 voting members, of which two (2) shall be members of the
ASUM Senate; four (4) shall be students-at-large; one (1) shall be from
the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs; one (1) shall be
designated by the Director of Residence Life; one (1) shall be a representative
from the Office of Greek Life; one (1) shall be the University representative
to the University Neighborhood Council; and one (1) shall be a representative
from ASUM Legal Services. The Housing Coordinator shall serve as an ex-officio
member of the Board.
B. The committee shall be chaired by an ASUM Senator.
C. Quorum shall consist of a simple majority of those members currently
holding positions. This committee shall meet and have quorum one (1) time
a month during the academic year.
D. Duties and functions of the Board on Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood
Outreach will include:
1. Hiring and firing of the Housing Coordinator and other positions as
needed.
2. Establishing and maintaining a performance evaluation policy for the
Housing Coordinator and other employees.
3. Annually reviewing and Office of Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood
Outreach budget.
4. Giving a binding vote on expenditures of $100 or more from the Office's
budget.
5. Submitting for approval to the ASUM Senate any project which a) amounts
to $500 or more from the Office's annual budget, and b)is approved in
committee by anything less than a unanimous decision of all members present.
6. Developing a short term (one year or less) plan to be decided at the
first meeting of each academic year. The plan may be amended at any point
with a two-thirds (2/3) majority.
Section 18. College of Technology Affairs Committee (CTA)
A. The COT Affairs Committee shall be composed of seven (7) members, of
which at least one (1) shall be a member of the Senate and at least two
(2) shall be students at-large from the COT. Any student may be a non-voting
advisory member of the Committee.
1. The committee shall be structured so that COT students-at-large will
maintain majority of voting membership.
B. A COT student-at-large or an ASUM Senator shall chair the committee.
C. The Committee shall be responsible for all activities occurring on
the College of Technology campuses that affect the ASUM.
D. The Committee shall review the ASUM governing documents and recommend
changes as necessary to meet the representation needs of students attending
the College of Technology.
E . The Committee shall meet on the College of Technology campuses.
Section 19. ASUM Childcare Oversight Committee
A. The ASUM Childcare Oversight Committee shall be composed of eight (8)
voting members, of which three (3) shall be ASUM Senators, two (2) shall
be Students-At-Large, one (1) shall be a parent of a child currently enrolled
in ASUM Childcare and two (2) shall be members of ASUM Childcare classified
staff.
B. The Director of ASUM Childcare, and the President and Vice President
of ASUM shall be ex-officio non-voting members.
C. The ASUM Childcare Oversight Committee shall be chaired by an ASUM
Senator.
D. Quorum shall consist of a simple majority of those members currently
holding positions. This committee shall meet and have quorum at least
one (1) time a month during the academic year, or when appropriate.
E. Duties and functions of the ASUM Childcare Oversight Committee will
include:
1. Examining the budget of ASUM Childcare each spring prior to the ASUM
budgeting session.
2. Communicating issues within ASUM Childcare to the ASUM Senate when
appropriate.
3. Working in conjunction with the ASUM Childcare director on issues related
to ASUM Childcare and its operations.
4. General oversight of day-to-day business within ASUM Childcare where
appropriate.
Section 20. Housing Board
A. Student Housing Board
1. The Student Housing Board shall be composed of
eight (8) members, of which three (3) shall be ASUM Senators, four (4)
shall be students-at-large. The Director of the Off-Campus Renter Center
(OCRC) shall serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Board.
2. An ASUM Senator shall chair the Board.
3. The Board shall meet a minimum of one (1) time per month during the
academic year.
4. The Chair shall act for the Board in its absence, subject to its review.
5. The Board shall assist in the annual personnel review of the Housing
Coordinator.
6. The Board shall approve OCRC budget and approve expenditures of $200.00
or more from the budget.
B. Housing Advisory Board
1. The Housing Advisory Board shall consist of the Student Housing Board,
the Vice President for Student Affairs, a designee from Residence Life,
Greek Life, and Legal Services, and the University representative to the
University Neighborhood Council.
2. The Board shall be chaired by the same ASUM Senator chairing the Student
Housing Board.
3. The Board shall meet at the discretion of the Chair with a minimum
of once per academic year.
4. The Board shall review the mission and direction of the OCRC in order
to help give direction for the year.
ARTICLE V - ELECTIONS
Section 1. Eligibility:
A. Members may seek office within these guidelines:
1. Any member as defined in Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution is
eligible to run for any office.
2. A potential candidate must file a petition with the Elections Committee.
Petitions are available from the Elections Committee and must consist
of the signatures, printed names, ID numbers, and telephone numbers of
at least 50 members registered during Spring Semester of the election.
Potential candidates for President must run with a potential candidate
for Vice President as a single ticket, with a joint petition containing
at least 100 signatures.
3. The names of all candidates shall be published in the Montana Kaimin
immediately after the validation of petitions by the Elections Committee.
The names of the winners of a primary election, if one is held, shall
be published immediately following the election. Notices of special elections
shall be conspicuously printed in the Montana Kaimin at least four
times before the elections, including two issues immediately preceding
the election.
4. Any member as defined in Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution is
eligible to run as a write-in candidate. Write-in candidates shall not
be printed on any ballot or participate in any ASUM-sponsored pre-election
activities. Write-in candidates must adhere to the same campaigning and
budget restrictions as recognized candidates. Write-in candidates need
not be recognized by the Elections Committee.
Section 2. Campaigning:
A. Campaigning, with the exception of primary etition signing, is defined
as any activity which promotes the candidacy of one or more individuals
for an office. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, scheduling
appearances, the buying of votes with money, gifts, or alcohol, posting
or publishing advertisements, holding a charity event such as a concert,
rally or other social gathering, distributing literature, or lobbying
a voter.
B. No campaign materials may be displayed before the start of the campaigning
period. Posting signs for place-holding before the start of campaigning
is not permitted.
C. Campaigning through speech or signs within the immediate polling sites
on the days of primary and general elections is not permitted. Posters
must be removed on the floor level of the designated polling sites, including
the atriums of the University Center. Failure to remove campaign materials
from non-polling sites is not considered a violation.
D. The Elections Committee shall sponsor at least two forums: one for
the Senate candidates, and one for the officer candidates, plus one Presidential-Vice
Presidential debate following the primary, if there is one.
E. The Elections Committee shall sponsor at least two forums at the COT:
one for Senate candidates and one for Officer candidates.
F. No door-to-door campaigning is permitted in the residence halls, University
Villages, or the Lewis and Clark Village. Campaigning is permitted elsewhere
on campus, including the Lommasson Center and classrooms with permission
of the professor.
G. Posters may be placed on campus according to these rules:
1. General Buildings: Only on appropriate postering areas.
2. Residence Halls: Only on appropriate bulletin boards or dorm doors
and windows with the approval of the dorm resident. All posters must be
approved by the residence hall office.
3. University Center: Must be approved by the University Center office.
Posters may be placed only on bulletin boards and interior glass surfaces.
Banners will be allowed only inside the University Center.
4. Outdoors: Only on kiosks.
5. No posters may be put on exterior doors of any building on campus.
H. Campaign expenditures, including donations, by each candidate or write-in
candidate shall be limited to these amounts:
1. President-Vice president team: The maximum expenditure allowed is $150,
with or without a primary election..
2. Business Manager: The maximum expenditure allowed is $75, with or without
a primary election..
3. Senators: The maximum expenditure allowed is $75, with or without a
primary election.
4. Candidates may choose to be reimbursed for campaigning expenditures
to the amount of $10, dependent upon receipts following the General Elections.
Expenditures exceeding $10 will be matched 50% by ASUM. Total ASUM contributions
shall not exceed $37.50 for Senate and Business Manager candidates and
$50 for President/Vice President candidates. All claimed expenditures
for reimbursement must have receipts. Expenditures without receipts will
not be matched by ASUM.
5. All contributions to ASUM candidates must be from students. Money from
corporations and Political Action Committees is strictly prohibited.
I. Each candidate, write-in candidate, candidate team, or party must document
expenditures for the Elections Committee and made public by filing an
expenditure form, complete with receipts, by 3 p.m. two days prior to
the general election. Expenditure forms must be filed even if there are
no expenditures.
J. No ASUM sponsored organization shall be allowed to finance the campaign
of any candidate for ASUM office, nor may any individual finance the campaign
of a candidate in the name of an ASUM-sponsored organization.
Section 3. Elections:
A. The Elections Committee shall have the discretion of using either paper
ballots or online ballots, but not both.
1. If the elections committee chooses to utilize paper ballots, the following
procedures must be followed:
a. More than one voting area may be established, the amount of which and
locations to be decided at the discretion of the Elections Committee,
of which one location shall be the University Center, and shall be shielded
from traffic. The polls for the general election shall be open for at
least two consecutive days and shall be open for at least seven hours
each day. The polls for the primary election shall be open for at least
one day, on a Wednesday, and shall be open for at least seven hours. The
amount of hours and days of additional polling sites are to be established
at the discretion of the Elections Committee. The polls for the general
election shall be staffed by a non-University organization or person,
with a member of the Elections Committee or a current ASUM Senator, not
running for ASUM office, in attendance at all times. A designee may staff
a polling site, conditional upon the pre-approval of the Elections Committee.
b. The University of Montana College of Technology East and West campuses
shall have one voting area set up at each campus; the specific area will
be at the discretion of an Elections Committee member. The polls
shall be staffed by a non-University organization, with a member of the
Elections Committee in attendance at all times.
c. To vote at the East or West campus of the College of Technology, a
member must present any form of photo identification and must sign his/her
name on a roster of students provided by the Registrar's office. To vote
on the main campus, a member must present a Griz Card.
d. No groups shall be allowed to share the polling facilities set up by
the Elections Committee. The polling facilities are defined as whatever
locations the Elections Committee has decided upon, one of which shall
be the main floor of the UC.
e. Absentee ballots shall be available from the Elections Committee five
days before the election date and must be immediately completed and sealed
in an envelope signed by the voter across the seal.
2. If the elections committee chooses to utilize online ballots, the following
procedures must be followed:
a. The online polls for the general election shall be open for at least
two consecutive days for twenty-four hours. Polls for a primary election
shall be open for at least one day, a Wednesday, for twenty-four hours
each day. Online balloting mechanisms used shall provide for the integrity
of the student’s ballot through effective measures ensuring that
no student casts a vote in the name of another student and that no student’s
right to a secret ballot is compromised. The election committee shall
designate one ASUM non-student employee who may have access to all elections
results in order to provide for human oversight to prevent election fraud.
In the case that grievances are filed concerning the election process,
the Elections Committee is authorized to review all election-related documents
while in executive session.
B. A primary election shall be held for each officer position having more
than two candidates. If a primary election is held, the two candidates
for each position with the highest number of primary votes will enter
the general election.
C. The ballots for a primary election will consist of the names of the
candidates for the two officer races consisting of more than two candidates
or teams of candidates. The names of the candidates shall be rotated on
the ballots, within each candidate section, and an equal number of each
version of the ballot shall be printed if feasible.
D. A primary election shall be held for Senate candidates if there are
over 40 individuals seeking office.
E. The ballots for a general election shall consist of three: one for
the President-Vice President candidates, one for the Business Manager
candidates, and one for the Senate candidates. The names of the candidates
shall be rotated on the ballots, within each candidate section, and equal
numbers of each version of the ballot shall be printed.
F. All students who are registered for one credit or more are allowed
to vote in any ASUM election. In a primary election, each student may
vote for as many candidates as may advance to the general election. In
a general election, each student may vote for one candidate for each executive
position and for as many as twenty senate candidates.
Section 4. Counting:
A. After each day of an election, ballots shall be locked in a safe and
may not be examined in any manner until the close of the polls on the
final day of voting. Upon closure of the polls, the Elections Committee
shall count the ballots, to be done in the presence of the faculty advisor(s).
No candidate is allowed to assist or view the counting of the ballots.
B. Write-in votes do not need to be spelled correctly if the intent of
the voter is clear.
C. Any improperly completed ballot, as decided upon by the Elections Committee,
shall not be accepted.
D. If the number of votes received by a winning candidate is within percent
of that received by a losing candidate, a recount of the race shall be
made.
E. A tie vote in a primary election shall result in the names of those
candidates involved to be included on the general election ballot, provided
that the number of votes cast would qualify each candidate in the absence
of a tie.
F. A tie vote in a general election shall result in the Election Committee
providing for a special election to determine a winner, provided that
the tie results in the position not being filled.
G. A plurality of the total ballots properly cast for all eligible officer
candidates for a given position shall be required to elect any candidate.
H. Official results of primary, general, and special elections require
the signature of the Elections Committee chair, the President, and the
faculty advisor, or their designees.
I. Elections results shall be published in the Montana Kaimin on the Friday
immediately following the election.
J. Ballots shall be kept at the ASUM offices for a period of two weeks,
after which time they shall be destroyed.
Section 5. Suspension of Candidacy: Any candidate
who violates any of these rules may be barred from candidacy and/or denied
from taking office, as recommended by the Elections Committee, and approved
by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Senate. This rule is not suspendable.
Section 6. Grievances:
A. Any member who wishes to file a complaint concerning any action involved
with campaigning or the election, including, but not limited to, rules
violated by other candidates, voting discrepancies, and other procedures
may submit a signed complaint to the Elections Committee no later than
9 a.m. of the second business day following the election.
B. The Elections Committee shall examine the complaint and decide what
action, if any, is warranted. All rulings made by the Elections Committee
shall be subject to Senate approval by a majority vote. The recommended
rulings can only be amended by a 2/3 vote of the Senate.
C. The Elections Committee may invalidate the results of any election
and demand a new election, but the committee must do so before the first
Senate meeting following the election, and such a motion to invalidate
must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Senate.
D. Sanctions include, but are not limited to, censure, the withholding
of ASUM campaign funding , and disqualification.
Section 7. Calendar: Deadlines and
dates shall follow the below schedule, which the Elections Committee may
alter as necessary:
Petitions Available: Monday, 6 weeks prior to the General Election, but
no later than nine weeks before the week of final exams
Petitions Due: Friday by 5 p.m., 5 weeks prior to General Election
Informational Meeting: Tuesday, 4 weeks prior to General Election
Campaigning Begins: Monday, 3 weeks prior to General Election
Senate Primary Forum: Wednesday, 3 weeks prior to General Election
Officer Primary Forum: Thursday, 3 weeks prior to General Elections
Primary Election (if needed): Wednesday, 2 weeks prior to General Election
2nd Senate Forum: Wednesday, 1 week prior to General Election
Executive Debate: Thursday, 1 week prior to General Election
Section 8. Special Elections:
A. For a special election, more than one voting area may be established,
the amount of which and locations to be decided at the discretion of the
Elections Committee. One location shall be the University Center and shall
be shielded from traffic. The polls shall be open a minimum of four hours
at sometime between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and for at least two days,
a Wednesday and a Thursday. Any other days or hours shall be in addition
to those already mentioned. The polls shall be staffed by any member of
the Elections Committee or a current ASUM Senator or Executive.
1. The University of Montana College of Technology East and West campuses
shall have one voting area set up at each campus; the specific area will
be at the discretion of an Elections Committee member. The polls
for the special election at the Colleges of Technology are as established
in the ASUM Bylaws, Article II, Section 8.
B. All students who are registered for one credit or more are allowed
to vote in any ASUM election.
C. No groups shall be allowed to share the polling facilities set up by
the Elections Committee. The polling facilities are defined as whatever
locations the Elections Committee has decided upon, one of which shall
be the main floor of the UC.
D. After each day of an election, ballots shall be locked in a safe and
may not be examined in any manner until the close of the polls on the
final
day of voting. Upon closure of the polls, the Elections Committee shall
count the ballots, to be done in the presence of the faculty advisor(s).
E. Write-in votes do not need to be spelled correctly if the intent of
the voter is clear.
F. Election results shall be submitted to the Montana Kaimin for publication
immediately following the election.
G. All ballots shall be kept at the ASUM offices for a period of two weeks,
after which time they shall be destroyed.
H. Any member of the Association who disagrees with any ruling of the
Elections Committee may file a complaint concerning any action involved
with the election. This member may appear with a signed complaint to the
Elections Committee no later than 9:00 a.m. of the second business day
following the special election.
I. The Elections Committee shall examine the complaint and decide what
action, if any, is warranted.
J. The Elections Committee may invalidate the results of any election
and demand a new election, but the committee must do so before the first
Senate meeting following the election, and such a motion to invalidate
must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Senate.
K. The necessity for a special election shall be determined by the ASUM
Senate.
Section 9. Transition of Executives.
A. The day following the verification of the ASUM elections, the executives
still holding office shall start a transition period with the newly elected
students.
B. This shall last until the night that the new executives are sworn in.
C. The transition period shall involve the following activities, but is
not limited to them: (All items must involve both the outgoing and incoming
officer)
1. Office equipment use,
2. Meeting with all Agency directors and classified staff,
3. A discussion and possible outline of pending issues not completed by
outgoing ASUM Executive Officer,
4. A discussion of future plans of incoming officer,
5. Meeting with Administrators, and
6. Meeting with ASUM faculty advisors.
D. The time that is spent during the transition shall be written and reported
to the ASUM Office Manager. Ten of the 20 hours of work for each week
must include the activities outlined in Section 9, Item C of the ASUM
Bylaws. These hours must be confirmed by the ASUM Office Manager for payroll.
ARTICLE VI - DEFINITIONS
"Accountant" means the ASUM Accountant.
"ASUM" means the Associated Students of The University of Montana.
"Business Manager" means the ASUM Business Manager.
"Bylaws" refers to the ASUM Bylaws.
"Candidate" means a student, recognized by the Elections Committee
as seeking an ASUM office.
"Constitution" refers to the ASUM Constitution.
"Fiscal Policy" refers to the ASUM Fiscal policy.
"House Rules" refers to the House Rules of Order
"Member" means any activity fee-paying student at the University
of Montana.
"Personnel Policy" means the ASUM Personnel Policy.
"President" means the ASUM President.
"Senate" means the ASUM Senate, including the three ASUM Executives.
"Senator" means an ASUM Senator.
"Student" means anyone currently enrolled at The University
of Montana.
"Vice President" means the ASUM Vice President.
"Write-in candidate: means a student actively seeking an ASUM office
and unrecognized by the Elections Committee as seeking an ASUM office.
ARTICLE VII - APPENDIX
Section 1. These Bylaws shall supersede
and make null all previous Bylaws.
Section 2. In all cases, the Constitution
shall supersede these Bylaws.
Section 3. In the event that these Bylaws
or any ASUM operation or procedure conflicts with Montana or U.S. law,
they shall be deemed null and void. In the event that ASUM policy or procedure
does not clearly specify what action should be taken in a given situation,
Montana law may be substituted or used as a guide.
Section 4. These Bylaws shall go into effect immediately
upon their approval by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Senate.
Section 5. Bylaws are not suspendable.
Section 6. All amendments to the Bylaws require a
2/3 majority vote of the Senate. All amendments to the Bylaws shall receive
the prior approval of the ASUM Affairs Committee before being presented
to the full Senate.
