Bylaws

Subsection 1:   

The Student Allocations Committee shall possess the authority to develop recommendations to ensure efficient budget handling by programs supported by student activity fees. The Student Allocations Committee shall make recommendations for the approval, modification, or rejection of the annual budget of student activity programs.

Subsection 2:   

The Student Organization Activity Funding Committee shall be recognized as a sub-committee of the Student Allocations Committee and shall operate under present SOAFC policy and operate pursuant to University policy as previously established.

Subsection 3:   

Voting membership of the Student Allocations Committee shall consist of nine (9) students. At most, three (3) shall also be members of the Senate.

Subsection 1:   

The Communications Board shall possess the authority to appoint appropriate editors-in-chief. It is the duty of the Board to give advice on policies and regulations, when it is deemed necessary, pertaining to publications and broadcasting operations, or when such action is requested by the appropriate student editors-in-chief. The Board shall hear all complaints brought to its attention and make recommendations to the student managers or may take action in an attempt to resolve the problem.
The Board shall make recommendations for approval, modification, or rejection of budgets for student media according to the internal operating policies set forth by the Allocations Committee.

Subsection 2:   

Voting membership of the Communications Board shall consist of:

• Seven (7) students, at least four (4) of whom shall be non-Senators appointed by the MSSA President, and two (2) of whom shall be elected at large in the general election (may be Senators). The remaining student member shall be elected from among the MSSA Senators by the Senate.
  
  In the case of vacancies, the original selection process shall be repeated except in the case of the two students elected at large; in this case the MSSA President shall fill the vacancy with said appointment reviewed and approved by the Senate.
• One (1) faculty member appointed by the Faculty Association President.
• One (1) community-alumni member appointed by the Alumni Association President.
• One (1) member of the University administration appointed in a process determined by the University President.
• The Chairperson of the Communications Board's Newspaper Committee.

Subsection 3:   

For the purpose of this Constitution and its Bylaws, staff shall include student managers, business managers, production managers, engineers, and all writers or broadcasters who are regularly employed by the managers. Special contributors and contributing editors who submit materials on an infrequent basis shall not be considered staff members. Further, students who are employed by the Reporter backshop and commercial division and those students working on campus media to meet class requirements shall not be considered staff.

Subsection 1:   

The Student Union Board shall possess the authority to develop recommendations pertaining to the Centennial Student Union. The Student Union Board shall make recommendations for the approval, modification, or rejection of the Student Union operating budget according to the internal operating policies set forth by the Allocations Committee. It is recognized that the Union director has the authority to execute the necessary administrative duties. Upon appeal, such duties and the execution of those duties shall be reviewed by the Student Union Board. Following such a review, a recommendation shall be made to the Senate which may be taken to Meet and Confer.

Subsection 2:   

Voting membership of the Student Union Board shall consist of:

• Two (2) students elected by MSSA membership.
• Six (6) students appointed by the MSSA President and confirmed by the Senate.
• One (1) alumnus appointed by the President of the Alumni Association.

If fewer than two (2) students are elected by the MSSA membership the Senate shall elect the remaining members at the third regular meeting after the start of fall quarter classes. If a vacancy is not filled during this meeting, it may be filled during any subsequent regular meeting.

Subsection 1:   

The Bookstore Advisory Committee shall exist to promote interaction between the University Bookstore, Minnesota State University, Mankato; and the students of Minnesota State University, Mankato.
The committee shall be responsible for investigating, evaluating, and recommending necessary courses of action to the appropriate authorities in the following, but not limited to the following areas:

• Provisions of the contract between the bookstore and the University.
• Policy and procedure of the bookstore regarding the pricing and promotion of goods sold in the Bookstore.
• Buy back policy and procedures of the Bookstore.
• Complaints against the Bookstore.

Subsection 2:   

The members of the Bookstore Advisory Committee shall serve a one (1) year term. The membership of the Bookstore Advisory Committee shall consist of:

• One (1) representative from the Office of Academic Affairs appointed by the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
• One (1) representative of the IFO appointed by the local president of the IFO Faculty Association.
• Five (5) students appointed by the MSSA President and confirmed by the Senate, one of which will be the Vice-Chair of the Centennial Student Union Board of Directors.
• One (1) representative from the University Operations Division appointed by the Vice President of University operations, ex-officio, non-voting.
• Director of the Centennial Student Union, ex-officio, non-voting.
• Manager of the University Bookstore, ex-officio, non-voting.

Subsection 1:   

The Ensuring Cultural Diversity Committee shall possess the authority to develop recommendations on how the University can ensure culturally diverse learning experiences for students, faculty, staff, and the community through curriculum, programming, and other activities. The committee shall work to ensure cultural diversity and respect for the realties of others.

Subsection 2:   

Membership of the Ensuring Cultural Diversity Committee shall consist of:

• Three (3) international students, three (3) minority students, and three (3) Senate representatives. All students will be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
• The Vice-President of Cultural Diversity (ex-officio, non-voting).
• The Director of the International Students Office (ex-officio, non-voting).
• A faculty representative appointed by the local president of the IFO Faculty Association(ex-officio, non-voting).

Subsection 1:   

The Legislative Affairs Committee shall be responsible for monitoring legislation at the state and federal levels. Other duties of the committee shall include, but not be limited to, organizing lobby days at the capitols, and organizing letter writing campaigns.

Subsection 2:   

The voting membership of the Legislative Affairs Committee shall consist of the Legislative Affairs Coordinator and others as appointed by the MSSA President.

Subsection 1:   

The MSSA Academic Computing Advisory Committee shall possess the authority of oversight and review of MSU Academic Computing. The MSSA Academic Computing Advisory Committee shall make recommendations on the distribution of the instructional computing equipment budget, existing computing fees, and policy and operations of MSU student computing according to regulations of MnSCU.

Subsection 2:   

The MSSA Academic Computing Advisory Committee will comprise of six (6) voting members appointed by the MSSA President

Subsection 1:   

The Student Affairs Committee shall be responsible for representing the student position regarding student life and services. These duties shall include but not be limited to, financial aids, international students, residential life, and student activities, and the campus environment.

Subsection 2:   

The voting membership of the Student Affairs Committee shall consist of residence Senators, and others appointed by the MSSA President.

Subsection 1:   

The Academic Affairs Committee shall be responsible for representing the student position in academic areas. These duties shall include but not be limited to, grade appeals, general education, grading policies, and the academic calendar.

Subsection 2:   

The voting membership of the Academic Affairs Committee shall consist of Senators who hold college seats, Senators who hold Undeclared seats and others appointed by the MSSA President.

Subsection 1:   

The MSSA Budget Committee shall be responsible for setting the budget for the next fiscal year.

Subsection 2:   

The voting membership of the MSSA Budget Committee shall consist of five (5) students, including the Treasurer.

Subsection 1:   

The Elections Committee shall be responsible for developing and enforcing any and all rules and regulations regarding the Spring Elections and Fall Vacancy Elections, as well as any special elections.

Subsection 2:   

The voting membership of the Elections Committee shall consist of seven (7) students, none of whom shall be a candidate for any elective post of the Student Association

Subsection 1:   

The Steering Committee shall make recommendations to the MSSA President on appointments to MSSA Staff positions. The Steering Committee shall appoint the Mini Mavs Evening Child Care Program Coordinator.

Subsection 2:   

The voting membership of the Steering Committee shall consist of five (5) students.

Subsection 1:   

The duties of the Student Representative shall be to:

• Act as a liaison between MSSA and MSUSA.
• Attend MSUSA meetings throughout the year.
• Perform all tasks delegated by the President, MSUSA Presidential Board of Directors and the MSUSA executive staff.

Subsection 1:   

Complete, and submit to the Student Development Programs and Activities Office an organizational registration form.

Subsection 2:   

Complete and submit to the Student Development Programs and Activities Office, a constitution for the organization. Upon determination by the Senate that the organization is in compliance with the stipulations of this section the organization will be granted University recognition. If the organization meets all the stipulations of the Mankato State Student Association Bylaws, it will be granted "established organization" status for the immediately successive academic year.

Subsection 1:   

The organization has been an approved organization at Minnesota State University, Mankato for at least one academic year immediately previous to the academic year in which they are applying for University recognition.

Subsection 2:   

The organization applying for University recognition has not had its recognition revoked for any period of time during the immediate past academic year.

Subsection 3:   

The organization has on file, in the Student Development Programs and Activities Office, a constitution for the organization. Compliance with these stipulations shall entitle the organization to receive automatic University recognition at the beginning of the academic year, pending the completion of an organizational recognition form to be turned into the Student Development Programs and Activities Office.

Subsection 1:   

Any individual believing that an organization is in violation of the MSSA Constitution, or bylaws, or any combination of these, may file a written grievance with either the Senate or the Student Development Programs and Activities Office.

Subsection 2:   

Any grievance filed by an individual, with either the Senate or the Student Development Programs and Activities Office, will be brought before the Senate. The Senate will review, and investigate, this grievance. If the grievance is found to have justification, disciplinary action may be taken against the organization. This action may include revocation of the organization's University recognition.

Subsection 3:   

The Senate reserves the right to review the status of all student organizations at an interval of once every five years. The Senate also reserves the right to examine a given student organization at any point in time.

Subsection 1:   

Leadership Planning: To ensure that a comprehensive approach, designed to incorporate the principles cited in Section 1, is incorporated in any seminar or briefing session. A leadership team shall be established comprised of the Student Association Vice-President as convener and the Senate Speaker.

Subsection 2:   

Frequency of Training Sessions: At least one comprehensive full day training seminar shall be held prior to the beginning of classes each Fall Semester. During the academic year, the Speaker shall administer a training session, which is similar in scope and content to the one held before Fall Semester classes convened. Such a mid-year session is designed to educate and provide background information to new senators and executive branch appointees.