CONSTITUTION OF THE
SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY STUDENT GOVERNMENT (SUSG) PREAMBLE We, the students of Silliman University, imploring the aid of Almighty God, imbued with the spirit of leadership and service, declare our commitment to establish a truly representative government of the students, that shall embody, promote and uphold the ideals of Truth, Justice, Euality and !eace within the realms of the university, in the country, and the world through the reasonable acceptance of responsibility, responsibility, efficient performance of duty, genuine concern for people and an enlightened participation in the effort to help man"ind attain a life of dignity# Towards these ends, we do hereby proclaim and ordain this constitution# constitution#
ARTICLE I NAME OF ORGANIZATION ORGANIZATION Sec# $%%%The $%%%The student student body shall be officially officially called the Silliman Silliman Universi University ty Student Student Governmen Government, t, hereinafter referred to as the SUSG#
ARTICLE II DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES Sec# $%%%The SUSG shall be an autonomous and truly representative student body# &t shall e'ercise legislative powers, implement the approved resolutions, petitions and such measures deemed beneficial to students# Sec# (%%%The SUSG shall encourage the autonomy of the various college)school councils sub*ect to the provisions governing the relationship between them and the SUSG, S USG, but they shall remain part and parcel thereof# Sec# +%%%The SUSG shall ensure the rights of the students to be actively represented in the vital policy% formulating bodies of the university and such others affecting student life# Sec# %%%The SUSG shall pronounce the intellectual, physical, social, moral and spiritual well%being of the students and shall initiate relevant pro*ects and activities in pursuit of these goals# Sec# -%%%The SUSG shall uphold the ideals of constructive activism by adopting the policy of peaceful negotiations in see"ing reforms and resolving problems)disputes, which may arise between the students and faculty or administration# administration# Sec# Sec# .%%%Th .%%%Thee SUSG SUSG shall shall adopt adopt the the princi principle pless of shared shared respon responsib sibili ility ty with with the univer universit sity y and the community for purposes commonly beneficial to them# Sec# Sec# /%%%Th /%%%Thee SUSG SUSG shall shall serve as a traini training ng ground ground for future future leaders leaders in the art of respon responsib sible le government# Sec# 0%%%The SUSG shall instill discipline on the students within its *urisdiction and all accordingly initiate measures relative to its policy# policy# Sec# 1%%%The SUSG shall be the supreme governing body of all students including all college)school coun counci cils ls and and camp campus us orga organi ni2a 2ati tion ons# s# &n the the e'er e'erci cise se of such such powe power, r, it may call call upon upon stud studen ents ts,, college)school councils and campus organi2ations for assistance in the implementation of its policies and programs#
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP Sec# &%%%All those officially enrolled in the university as bonafide students in high school, college and post%graduate schools schools as member of the SUSG# Sec# (%%%Withdrawal of enrollment from the university at any time shall mean the automatic loss of membership#
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ARTICLE IV STUDENTS’ RIGHTS Sec# $%%%Every student shall have the right to receive competent instruction and high uality education to ensure his)her total development# Sec# (%%%Every student shall have the right to freely e'press his)her ideas and opinions# This right shall carry with the right to publish student papers as well as the right to invite resource persons during lectures, symposia and other activities of similar nature, provided it is in conformity with the university rules and regulations# Sec# +%%%Every student shall have the right to freely choose his)her desired course or field of study, sub*ect to no restrain other than the reasonable academic standard reuires in a particular course# Sec# %%%Every student has the right to access to his)her own class and academic records# Sec# -%%%Every student has the right, upon completion of reuirements, to immediate issuance of diplomas, transcript of records, grades, transfer credentials and other official documents relative to his)her enrollment in the university# Sec# .%%%Every student has the right, in conformity to the university policies, to form and)or *oin campus organi2ations and societies# Sec# /%%%Every student shall have the right to be informed and be advised of the school curricula, policies, rules and regulations, and all matters that may directly or indirectly affect him)her# Sec# 0%%%3o student shall be suspended, e'pelled or otherwise be sub*ected to any disciplinary action without due process at which he)she shall be present and be heard# Sec# 1%%%E'cessive fines, involuntary contributions and other unauthori2ed solicitations shall not be imposed upon the students# Sec# $4%%%Every students or group of students shall have the right to petition for the suspension or e'pulsion of a teacher for incompetence and)or immorality# Sec# $$%%%Every student has the right to have access to university facilities, in conformity to Sec# , Article 5 of this constitution#
ARTICLE V STUDENTS’ DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS Sec# $%%%&t shall be the primary duty of every student to abide by the university rules, regulations and policies deemed relevant in pursuit of a wholesome education# Sec# (%%%&t shall be the duty of every student to give due respect to the faculty and staff, the ad ministration and the rest of the studentry as e'pected to reciprocate him)her# Sec# +%%%&t shall be the duty of every student to see" peaceful redress of grievances and strive to maintain peace and order in the university premises# Sec# %%%&t shall be the duty of every student to protect and preserve university property and facilities# Sec# -%%%&t shall be the duty of every student to actively support pro*ects initiated by the SUSG or by the university for common benefit# Sec# .%%%&t shall be the duty of every student to render respect and allegiance to the color, logo, and other symbols representing the university# Sec# /%%%&t shall be duty of every student to "now how to sing the Silliman song# Sec# 0%%%&t shall be the duty of every student to be acuainted with the SUSG constitution# Sec# 1%%%&t shall be the obligation of every ualified student to cast his)her vote during the SUSG elections, referenda and plebiscites# Sec# $4%%%&t shall be the obligation of every enrolled student to pay the SG fee every semester upon enrollment#
ARTICLE VI SUFFRAGE Sec# $%$%%%The right to suffrage shall be e'ercised by all students who are members of the SUSG# Sec# $%(%%%3o residence ualification nor citi2enship reuirement shall be imposed on the e'ercise of suffrage#
ARTICLE VII THE STUDENT ASSEMBLY Sec# $%%%The legislative power of the SUSG shall be vested on the Student Assembly#
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Sec# (%%%The Student Assembly shall be composed of elected representatives of the different colleges)schools of the university# Sec# +%%%The elected representatives of the Student Assembly shall be appointed among the different colleges)schools which shall have the initial two 6(7 representatives for each college)school and an additional representative on a uniform ration of $8(44 in e'cess of 44 students# Sec# %%%The elected members of the Students Assembly shall serve a term of one 6$7 school year starting from the first day of the school year they are supposed to assume office to the last day thereof# Sec# -%%%3o student shall be elected member of the Student Assembly unless he)she has a residency of at least one 6$7 semester in the college)school he)she is representing immediately preceding his)her election, a cumulative 9!A of at least (#(- and a load of at least twelve 6$(7 units# Sec# .%$%%%Unless otherwise rescheduled for reason of e'pediency, the annual SUSG election shall be held on the last Wednesday of :ebruary# Sec# .%(%%%&n case of vacancy in the Student Assembly, it shall be filled by the ualified candidate who garnered the highest number of votes following the last available slot of the respective college)school concerned during the last election# The spea"er shall designate the said candidate as a member of the Student Assembly within thirty 6+47 days after the occurrence of the vacancy# &n case of disualification or refusal to accept office, the issue of vacancy shall be resolved by the Student Assembly# Sec# /%%%The Student Assembly shall convene at least once every month for its regular meeting, the specific date and time of which shall be decided by the Student Assembly during its first meeting# ;owever, special meeting shall be called for the Spea"er of the Assembly or by a written reuest of at least one%third 6$)+7 of the total members of the Student Assembly# Sec# 0%%%The Student Assembly shall determine its house rules and by a two%third 6()+7 vote, discipline suspend or e'pel any member violating these rules depending on the gravity of the offense# Sec# 1%$%%%The Student Assembly on its first meeting shall upon a vote of a uorum, elect the spea"er of the Assembly and other officers as necessity dictates from among the members thereof# Sec# 1%(%%%The Student Assembly, during the first meeting shall temporarily be presided over by the SUSG president# Upon election of the Spea"er, the former shall cease to function as such# Sec# $4%%%The Student Assembly shall elect representatives for the various university committees that need student representation such as the University !ublication ife, ?ormitory >ife, @ultural affairs and SU@ ;ospital
ARTICLE VIII THE PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENT, AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES Sec# $%$%%%The e'ecutive power shall be e'ercised by the cabinet# Sec# $%(%%%The @abinet shall be composed of the !resident, 5ice%!resident and the representative heads of the E'ecutive @ommittees who shall be appointed by the president, by virtue of their merits and ualification# Sec# (%%%embers of the cabinet may or may not be elected representatives, provided that ma*ority of whom shall be elected representatives of Student Assembly# Sec# +%$%%%The !resident and 5ice%!resident shall be elected a plurality of votes cast by the entire studentry, being members of the SUSG in a yearly election e'cept when there is only one 6$7 candidate, in which case a simple ma*ority 6-4B C $7 of the total votes cast shall be reuired# Sec# +%(%%%3o student shall be elected !resident or 5ice%!resident of the SUSG unless he)she has a residency of at least one 6$7 school year in the university immediately proceeding his)her election, a cumulative 9!A of at least (#-4, and a load of twelve 6$(7 units# Sec# %%%The !resident shall have control over all E'ecutive @ommittees# Sec# -%$%%%&n case of the !residentDs absence, the 5ice%!resident shall temporarily assume the office of the !resident# Sec# -%(%%%&n case of the !residentDs permanent incapacity, removal from office, resignation or death, the 5ice%!resident shall assume the office of the !resident for the rest of the term# Sec# -%+%%%The 5ice%!resident may perform such other functions as may be designated by the !resident# Sec# -%%%%&n case of the vacancy in the office of the 5ice%!resident, the Spea"er shall temporarily perform the functions of the 5ice%!resident until a new 5ice%!resident shall have been elected in a special election# Such special election shall be held within thirty 6+47 days upon the occurrence of the vacancy, provided however, that if the vacancy occurs within si'ty 6.47 days immediately before the end of the school year, no special election shall be called#
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Sec# .%%%The @abinet shall be responsible for the planning and the implementation of the SUSG programs and activities# Sec# /%%%There shall be a dialogue between the students and @abinet at least once every semester# &n li"e manner, the !resident with the 5ice%!resident shall have a dialogue with the student assembly at least once every semester# Sec# 0%%%Every resolution, petition and other measures passed by the Student Assembly before it comes valid shall be presented to the !resident# &f he)she approved the same he)she shall sign it, otherwise he)she shall veto and return it to the Student Assembly for reconsideration if the same is approved by two%thirds 6()+7 vote of the Student Assembly, it shall become valid# The !resident shall act on every petition, resolution and other measures passed by the Student Assembly within fifteen 6$-7 days after the receipt thereof otherwise, it shall become law as if he)she had signed it# Sec# 1%%%The resignation or removal of any elected representative of the Student Assembly from the @abinet does not mean the relinuishment of his)her seat in the Student Assembly# Sec# $4%%%The number of E'ecutive @ommittees shall be limited to twenty 6(47, including the :inance @ommittee, Secretariat, StudentDs =ights and Welfare 6ST=AW7, Special !ro*ects, Sports, ?ormitory >ife, =eligious >ife, Social Services, Social Awareness, Socio%@ultural Affairs, &nformation and edia, and the @ommittee on Student Frgani2ations# Sec# $$%$%%%The !resident and the 5ice%!resident may be removed from office by impeachment with the concurrence of two%third 6()+7 of the total members of the Student Assembly# Sec# $$%(%%%The impeachment proceedings shall be conducted by the @ommittee on &mpeachment#
ARTICLE IX CONSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEES AND THE JUDICIARY A. Judii!"# Sec# $%$%%%The Judiciary shall e'ercise individual *udicial powers in all cases related to the conduct of student in the university# &t shall therefore hear and decide cases brought to its attention on all forms of student misconduct# Sec# $%(%%%The decision of the Judiciary is final and e'ecutory# Sec# (%%%The Judiciary shall have the power to summon concerned parries on cases brought before it# Sec# +%%%The Judiciary shall be independent from E'ecutive and >egislative branches of the SUSG# Sec# %%%The Judiciary shall, based upon its findings, recommend to the University ?isciplinary aw prior to his)her appointment and be of good moral standing# Sec# /%(%%%&n case nobody ualifies or accepts the position of !rime Justice, the members of the Judiciary shall elect among themselves the !rime Justice# Sec# /%+%%%no student shall become *ustice unless he)she has a residency of at least one 6$7 school year prior to his)her appointment, a cumulative 9!A of at least +#4 and be of good moral standing# B. C$%%i&&'' $( A))$i(&%'(&* Sec# $%%%The @ommittee on Appointments shall set the criteria for appointments other than those embodied in the constitution for all presidential appointees# &t shall screen candidates for appointment# Sec# (%%%The @ommittee on Appointments shall recommend, upon proper screening, to the !resident all candidates for appointment# ;owever, the e'clusive right to choose members of the @abinet is vested on the !resident# Sec# +%%% The @ommittee on Appointments shall be composed of five 6-7 members who shall be elected from among the members of the Student Assembly during the first meeting, one of whom will be elected chairman among themselves# Sec# %%%3o member of the @ommittee on Appointments shall hold any appointive position in the SUSG# C. C$%%i&&'' $( E+'&i$(* COMELEC Sec# $%$%%%The @FE>E@ shall conduct elections pertinent to the SUSG#
Sec# $%(%%%The @FE>E@ shall have e'clusive *urisdiction over all election protests and its decisions shall be e'ecutory, sub*ect to the appeal to the Judiciary# Sec# (%%%The @FE>E@ shall be composed of a chairman and four 67 members who shall be appointed by the !resident upon recommendation by the @ommittee on Appointments# Sec# +%%%The @FE>E@ shall appoint other personnel who shall be called the @FE>E@ staff, to assist in the conduct of elections# Sec# %%%3o member of the @FE>E@ shall come from the Student Assembly# Sec# -%%%The @FE>E@ shall formulate election guidelines in harmony with and not contrary to the SUSG constitution, including the accreditation of political parties# Sec# .%%%The @FE>E@ shall maintain impartiality at all times# D. C$%%i&&'' $( I%)'!%'(& Sec# $%%%There shall be five 6-7 members of the @ommittee on &mpeachment, who shall be elected from among the members of the Student Assembly during its first meeting one of whom shall be elected as chairman from among themselves# Sec# (%$%%%The @ommittee on &mpeachment shall have the e'clusive right to conduct impeachment proceedings on the !resident, 5ice%president, @hairman and members of the @onstitutional committees, the Judiciary and members of the Student Assembly upon a written complaint by at least one%fourth 6$)7 of the total members of the Student Assembly or twelve percent 6$( B7 of the total members of the SUSG# Sec# (%(%%%&n case any members of the @ommittee on &mpeachment is sub*ect to impeachment, he)she shall be temporarily suspended from his)her position# The Student Assembly shall then elect from among themselves a member to temporarily replace the concerned# Sec# (%+%%%3o impeachment proceedings can be initiated unless on the basis of gross misconduct and culpable violation of the SUSG @onstitution, abuse of power, neglect of responsibilities, anomalous deeds of maladministration# Sec# +%%% The @ommittee on &mpeachment shall upon intensive investigation and trial, endorse to the Student Assembly for the removal or retention of the official)officials recommended for impeachment, whereupon a two%third 6()+7 vote decides the matter# E. C$%%i&&'' $( Audi& Sec# $%%%The @ommittee on Audit shall have the power to review and e'amine all financial records of the SUSG# Sec# (%%%The @ommittee on Audit shall certify and confirm all financial records of the SUSG# Sec# +%%%The @ommittee on Audit shall be composed of three 6+7 members who shall be elected from among the members of the Student Assembly during the first meeting one of whom shall be elected chairman from among themselves# F. C$%%$( P"$/i*i$(* Sec# $%%%All members of the Judiciary and @onstitutional committees shall serve a term of one 6$7 school year as that of the member of the Student Assembly# Sec# (%%%The integrity of the Judicial and the @onstitutional @ommittees shall always be maintained# Sec# +%%%3o member shall serve more than one 6$7 of the @onstitutional @ommittees#
ARTICLE X THE COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL COUNCILS Sec# $%%%The college and high school councils shall be the local administration arms of the SUSG# Sec# (%%% The college and high school councils shall have their respective @onstitutions in harmony with and not contrary to the SUSG @onstitution# Sec# +%%%Each college or high school councils shall have the power to generate local funds to support its pro*ects and underta"ings# Sec# %%%The heads and Governors of the various college and high school councils shall be in constant consultation with the !resident to foster a harmonious wor"ing relationship between them#
ARTICLE XI SPECIAL PROVISIONS Sec# $%%%The @onstitution shall, be binding upon all students of the university# Sec# (%%%The SUSG shall be independent from university control# The Student !ersonnel Fffice 6S!F7 shall function as advisory body to the SUSG#
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Sec# +%$%%%The standing fund of the SUSG shall be raised from the SG fee collected from each student every semester upon enrollment# Sec# +%(%%%The amount of SG fees shall be determined by the Student Assembly#
ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS Sec# $%%%Any amendment to, or provision of, this constitution shall be proposed to and by the Student Assembly# Sec# (%$%%%At least one%fourth 6$)7 of the total members of the Student Assembly shall submit into writing the proposed amendment of the constitution for deliberation and approval of the Student Assembly# Sec# (%(%%%Any amendment to the @onstitution shall be valid and shall ta"e effect upon ratification of three fourth 6+)7 vote of the Student Assembly# Sec# +%%%Any revision of this @onstitution shall ta"e effect upon ratification of ma*ority of the votes cast in a plebiscite called for the purpose#
ARTICLE XIII RATIFICATION Sec# $%%%The @onstitution shall ta"e full force and effect upon ratification by ma*ority of the votes cast by the members of the Student Assembly# Sec# (%%%This @onstitution has been ratified on arch $$, $11$, superseding the $10( SUSG @onstitution#
ARTICLE XIV TRANSITORY PROVISIONS Sec# $%%%The !resident of the SUSG shall issue e'ecutive orders and letters of implementation during the period of transition# Sec# (%%%The provisions in the @onstitution of the various student councils and organi2ations, including the @ouncil of Student Frgani2ations 6@SF7, which are inconsistent herewith are deemed repealed of impliedly amended as the case may be#
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