Constitution Changes

By Rice Thresher Staff     12/3/13 6:00pm

• Replaces separate constitution and bylaws with single document organized by topic

Article I: Name and Purpose

• Preserves the mission of the SA

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Article II: Membership and Organization

• Clarifies the role of different groups and organizations within the SA

Article III: Definitions

• Defines key terms

Article IV: Legislative

• Clarifies legislative procedures and expands prior notice requirements

Article V: Executive

• Updates officer responsibilities to align with actual practice

Article VI: Judicial

• Establishes judicial procedures, jurisdiction and possible outcomes

Article VII: Committees

• Simplifies types of committees to be either permanent standing committees or temporary special committees

Article VIII: Organizations

• Removes procedural barriers in club approval process

Article IX: Subsidiary Organizations

• Expands autonomy for subsidiary organizations and establishes clear procedures for governance

Article X: Finances and Blanket Tax

• Clarifies blanket tax review process and improves fairness

Article XI: Initiatives and Referenda

• Clarifies procedures for initiatives and referenda and ensures procedure works in practice with special elections for time-sensitive matters

Article XII: Elections

• Clarifies election procedures, ensure transparency, ensure rules apply both to candidates and to initiatives/referenda

Article XIII: Legislative

• Outlines general practices for good conduct and prevention of conflict of interest

Article XIV: Amendments

• Establishes clear procedure for amendments and ratification (including grace period to make changes in dependent and subsidiary organizations' constitutions to meet any new requirements)

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