Chapter One: Local Governments
1.01 Purpose
For the purpose of better representing
student interests, the Central Association may charter local governments
as it deems necessary.
1.02 Chartering requirements
for local governments.
1.02.1 Such local governments
must exist within one or more residence halls; residence hall being
defined as a university owned building in which students reside
during the academic year.
1.02.2 Any local governments
seeking chartership in a residence hall which already contains a
chartered local government must meet certain criteria.
1.02.2.1 Such local governments
shall be composed of a minimum of two adjacent floor governments
of the same special interest, or of a unique nature, not found in
any other local government within the same residence hall.
1.02.2.2 Such local governments
must be completely separate, financially and otherwise, from any
other local government.
1.02.2.3 Floor governments
within the local government must not be dependent, financially or
otherwise, or any other local government.
1.02.3 Local governments
must have a written constitution and any future amendments approved
by the Association Senate by a majority margin.
1.02.4 Meeting the chartership
criteria does not guarantee a local government chartership. The
chartership of local governments meeting the above requirements
relies on the decision of the Central Association.
1.02.5 Such local governments
will be considered chartered at such time as a Senate bill stating
the chartership has been submitted and approved by a 2/3 margin
by the Association Senate and signed by the president.
1.03 Local Government
Allowances
Local Governments shall receive
an allowance per student resident under the Local Government jurisdiction;
as determined annually by the Association Senate.
Chapter Two: The Senate
2.01 Senate Legislation
2.01.1 Types of Legislation
2.01.1.1 Senate Bills.
Senate Bills shall propose some action to be taken by the Association
or any of its committees or boards, Local Governments, the Housing
Administration, or any other body under the reasonable jurisdiction
of the Association. Any Senate Bill whose content requires the Association
to disperse monetary funds must state so in the bill’s title, and
will be accompanied by an outlined budget of expenditures and income.
Senate Bills require a majority affirmative vote of the Senate to
take effect.
2.01.1.2 Senate Resolution.
Senate Resolutions shall express an opinion of the Association on
some matter of interest to the members of the Association. Senate
Resolutions require a majority vote of the Senate to become valid.
2.01.1.3 Budget Bills.
Budget Bills, introduced only at the beginning of the fall and spring
semesters, shall propose the Association Budget for that Semester.
Budget Bills require a two-thirds affirmative vote of the Senate
to take effect. Budget Bills must be presented to the Senate at
least one regular session prior to be voted on.
2.01.1.4 Bylaw Amendments.
Bylaw Amendments shall propose an alteration of or an addition to
the Bylaws of the Association.
2.01.1.5 Special Rules.
Special Rules shall propose amendments to Robert’s Rules of
Order regarding Senate procedure. Special Rules require prior notice
and a two-thirds affirmative vote of the Senate to take effect.
2.01.1.6 Constitutional
Amendments. Constitutional Amendments shall propose an alteration
of or an addition to the Constitution of the Association. Approval
and ratification of Constitutional Amendments shall follow the procedures
set forth in Article XI of the Association Constitution.
2.01.2 All Senate legislation
upon approval, as specified in the constitution, shall be enacted
and binding until it is replaced or the Association is dissolved
or it is declared unconstitutional by the University Judicial Board.
2.01.3 Introduction of
Legislation.
2.01.3.1 Source of Introduction.
Legislation may be introduced to the Senate by the Executive
Board, a committee, a local government, or any member of the RHA
Senate with the exception of the Association President.
2.01.3.2 Introduction
of Budget Bills. Only the President may introduce a Budget Bill.
2.01.3.3 Review of Legislation
prior to Introduction. All legislation must be reviewed by the
Committee on Review and Recommendations, as specified in chapter
four of these bylaws, prior to its introduction to the Senate.
2.01.3.4 Introduction
of "Emergency Status" Legislation. Any legislation whose urgency
and untimeliness prevents it from being reviewed by the committee
on review and recommendations may be introduced to the Senate, provided
a vote of the Senate to do such passes by a two-third margin. Legislation
requiring prior notice can not be brought to emergency status. All
legislation amending or repealing something previously adopted requires
prior notice.
2.01.4 Voting on Legislation.
All Senate legislation and motions (not including Budget Bills,
Bylaw Amendments, and Constitutional Amendments) shall require a
majority affirmative vote. Majority shall be defined as a majority
of all legal votes cast. In the case of Budget Bills, Bylaw Amendments,
and Constitutional Amendments, "two-thirds affirmative vote" shall
be defined as two-thirds (2/3) of the potential votes of the Senate.
2.02 Responsibilities
of Senate Members
2.02.1 Attendance.
2.02.1.1 Requirements.
Senate Members are required to attend all regular and special sessions
of the Senate, unless excused by the Association Vice President
by the appropriate Committee Chairperson in regards to committee
meetings. Committee meetings are meetings of the Senate; therefore,
attendance at Committee meetings is also required of Senate Members.
Arriving more than 10 minutes late to, or leaving early from a Senate
or Committee meeting shall count as one half an unexcused absence
unless excused by the Vice President or by the appropriate Committee
Chairperson in regards to committee meetings.
2.02.1.2 Excused Absences.
Senate Members must contact the Association Vice President either
before or within two days after a Senate meeting in order to be
excused. It is the duty of the Vice President to determine what
is and is not excusable. The decision of the Vice President may
be appealed by a majority vote of the Senate.
2.02.1.4 Consequences
of Absenteeism of Senate Members.
2.02.1.4.1 Two unexcused
absences by a Senate member shall cause the Association Vice President
to inform the Senate member, and appropriate local government, if
any, of his or her current absentee status.
2.02.1.4.2 Three unexcused
absences by a senator shall be considered as a resignation from
office. Both the offending senator and the appropriate local government
shall be informed of the situation. The offending senator shall
not be eligible to hold any Association office until the next Association
general election.
2.02.1.4.3 Three unexcused
absences by a Local Government President shall cause that president’s
voting rights to be suspended until the respective hall president
has attended two consecutive meetings of the Senate. The offending
president shall continue to have all privileges regarding the making
of motions and debate.
2.02.1.4.4 Three unexcused
absences by an elected executive shall be grounds for impeachment.
2.02.2 Proxy Representation
of Senate Members
2.02.2.1 Each senate member
may appoint a proxy representative for each excused absence.
2.02.2.1.1 Said proxy shall
receive the full responsibilities, rights, and privileges of a senate
member within Senate sessions upon their recognition by the Chair
of the Senate.
2.02.2.1.2 The recognition
of proxy representatives for Senate members shall be accomplished
through written notification to the Chair of the Senate by the senate
member appointing the proxy representative. Said notification shall
include the reasons for appointing the proxy representative and
the name of the proxy representative.
2.02.3 Permanently Appointed
Representatives
2.02.3.1 Permanently
Appointed Representatives for Senators and Elected Executives.
Senators and elected executives may under no circumstances appoint
permanent representatives to the Senate.
2.02.3.2Permanently Appointed
Representatives for Local Government Presidents.Government Presidents
may appoint permanent representatives to the Senate in the event
of an unavoidable conflict (academic, employment, illness, or family
conflicts).
2.02.3.3 Recognition
of Permanently Appointed Representatives. Permanent Representatives
shall be recognized by the Senate upon their formal introduction
to the Senate by a regular voting Senate member from the same local
government as the Hall President that is to be represented by the
permanent representative. Such introduction shall include a letter
to the Chair of the Senate stating the reasons for the appointment;
the name of the permanent representative appointed; recognition
of the transfer of the responsibilities, rights, and privileges
as described in Section 2.02.2.1.2 of these bylaws; and the signatures
of the Local Government President involved and the appointed representative
seeking recognition. The advisor to the local government involved
shall sign the letter as a witness to these signatures.
2.02.3.4 Qualifications
for Permanently Appointed Representatives. The qualifications
for permanently appointed representatives shall be the same as those
required for Local Government Presidents. Permanently appointed
representatives must also show proof of having been an active member
of the Association for at least one month prior to their appointment
as a representative.
2.02.3.5 Powers of Permanently
Appointed Representatives. Permanent representatives shall receive
all of the responsibilities, rights, and privileges accorded to
the office of Hall President by the RHA both within and outside
of Senate sessions. The represented Local Government President shall
be stripped of all such responsibilities, rights, and privileges
as are accorded to his or her permanent representative by the RHA
Senate until such time as the permanent appointed representative
is removed from office.
2.02.3.6 Removal of Permanently
Appointed Representatives. The removal of permanent representatives
shall be accomplished by written or oral notice from the represented
Local Government President to the Chair of the Senate. Said removal
shall take effect upon the receipt of such notice by the Chair of
the Senate. Written notice of removal must be signed by the represented
Local Government President and the advisor to the local government
involved. The removal of a permanent representative shall also be
accomplished by the passage of legislation stating the reasons for
removal by the representative’s local government.
2.03 Election of Speaker
of the Senate
2.03.1 Elections for Speaker
of the Senate must be held in accordance with Article III, Section
3.A, of the Constitution.
2.03.2 Prior to the meeting
at which the Senate plans to elect a Speaker, the Vice President
shall include the election as Special Business on the Agenda.
2.03.3 Nominations will
be taken from the floor. The Chair shall write down the names of
the nominees. After nominations are completed, the Chair shall first
ask each nominee whether or not he or she accepts the nomination,
and secondly, the Chair shall ask each nominee to give a brief speech
as to why he or she thinks he or she will perform best as Speaker
of the Senate.
2.03.4 After all candidates
have finished their speeches, they shall leave the Senate Chambers.
2.03.5 The Chair shall ask
for one speech for each candidate until the Senate closes debate.
2.03.6 The Chair shall then
administer a secret ballot vote, taking ballots to the candidates
for their votes. The Chair shall count the ballots, and the ballots
shall be recounted by the President.
2.03.7 A majority of all
votes cast for qualified nominees shall be necessary to elect the
Speaker. If no candidate receives a majority, another ballot shall
be taken, discarding the nominee or nominees receiving the fewest
votes.
2.03.8 After the ballots
have been counted and verified, the candidates may return to the
Senate Chambers.
2.03.9 The Chair shall read
the name of the newly elected Speaker of the Senate. The reading
of the actual ballot count shall be made at the discretion of the
Chair, but shall be included in the minutes in accordance with Article
14 of the Nebraska Statutes, regarding public meetings.
2.04 Executive Session
2.04.1 The Senate shall
conduct all executive sessions in accordance with Article 14, Section
84-1410 of the Nebraska Statutes, regarding closed sessions. The
Senate shall be allowed, but not limited, to hold executive sessions
for the following reasons:
- Strategy sessions regarding
negotiations or actions with regard to other bodies at UNL.
- Investigative proceedings
regarding allegations of Constitutional violations and/or criminal
misconduct.
- The protection of public interest.
2.04.3 The vote to hold an
executive session shall be taken in open session, and requires a majority
vote of the Senate. 2.04.4
The Senate must reconvene in open session before any formal action
may be taken.
2.04.5 Any member of the
Senate shall have the right to challenge the continuation of a closed
session if the member determines that the session has exceeded the
reason stated in the original motion to hold an executive session.
Such challenges shall be overruled only by a majority vote of the
Senate.
2.04.6 Any member of the
Senate who divulges information concerning the deliberations in
Executive Session may be subject to disciplinary actions.
2.05 Ex Officio Members
of the Senate
2.05.1 Parking Advisory
Committee (PAC) Representative
2.05.1.1 The criteria for the
PAC Representative shall be as follows:
2.05.1.1.1 Maintain a 2.5 GPA
(as stipulated by ASUN committee requirements)
2.05.1.1.2 Will not be on academic
or conduct probation at any point during the term
2.05.1.1.3 Will be a resident
of the halls for the duration of the term
2.05.1.1.4 Failure to meet any
of the above requirements shall be grounds for removal
2.05.1.2 Appointment of PAC Representative
2.05.1.2.1 RHA shall appoint a
slate of candidates, of which one will be selected by the ASUN President
2.05.1.2.2 There shall be an application
for candidates
2.05.1.2.3 The Association President
shall appoint a slate of candidates (no less than two)
2.05.1.2.4 This slate shall be
approved by the Review and Recommendations Committee and the RHA
Senate
2.05.1.2.5 This slate will be
passed the the ASUN President of which one shall be chosen
from this slate and then approved by the ASUN Senate
2.05.1.2.6 This slate can be altered
only at the discretion of the Association President, with approval
from the Association Senate
2.05.1.3 Definition and duties
of the PAC representative:
2.05.1.3.1 The term of office
shall be one year, beginning in May, and ending the following May
2.05.1.3.2 Will attend all meetings
of the Association Senate
2.05.1.3.3 Will attend all meetings
of the Parking Advisory Committee
2.05.1.3.4 Further definitions
and requirements for this position will meet definitions and requirements
for any other PAC representative as stated in the committee bylaws
2.05.1.4 The appointment of the
representative will take place within three weeks of it becoming
vacant.
2.05.2 Midwest Affliate of College
and University Residence Halls (MACURH )Regional Board of Directors
(RBD) and National Association of College and University Residence
Halls (NACURH) National Board of Directors (NBD) Members.
2.05.2.1 The following shall apply
for the Association’s hosting of a MACURH RBD member or NACURH NBD
member:
2.05.2.1.1 The criteria for the
RBD and/or NBD members shall be as follows:
2.05.2.1.1.1 Will not be
on academic or conduct probation at any point during their term.
2.05.2.1.1.2 Will be a resident
of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln residence halls throughout
the duration of their term.
2.05.2.1.1.3 Failure to
meet any of the above requirements shall be grounds for removal
of the Association’s support and financial obligations.
2.05.2.2 Definition and Duties
of the RBD and/or NBD member
2.05.2.2.1 The term of office
shall be defined by the RBD Policy Book or NACURH Policy Book.
2.05.2.2.2 Will attend all meetings
of the Association Senate.
2.05.2.2.3 Will hold regularly
scheduled office hours in the Association office.
2.05.2.2.4 Further definitions
and requirements for this position will meet the definitions and
requirements as outlined in the MACURH Policy
Book or NACURH Policy Book.
2.05.2.3 Obligations of the Association
to the RBD or NBD Member
2.05.2.3.1 Support for NACURH
Conference cost and travel
2.05.2.3.1.1 The Association will
provide conference cost as it is defined for any other University
of Nebraska-Lincoln delegate.
2.05.2.3.1.2 The Association will
provide conference travel as it is defined for any other University
of Nebraska-Lincoln delegate.
2.05.2.3.1.3 The RBD or NBD member
will meet any criteria and expectations set forth for all
University of Nebraska-Lincoln conference delegates.
2.05.2.3.2 Clerical and Office
Space Support
2.05.2.3.2.1 The Association shall
provide the RBD member and NBD member with office space
2.05.2.3.2.2 The Association shall
provide the RBD member and NBD member with use of phone, computer,
copier services, and postal services with the cost of such services
being reimbursed to the Association by the appropriate Regional
or National Board of Directors.
Chapter Three: The Executive
Board
3.01 Attendance.
Members of the Executive Board
are required to attend all Executive Board meetings, unless excused
by the President.
3.01.1 Excused Absences.
Executive Board Members must contact the Association President either
before or within two days after an Executive Board meeting. It is
the duty of the Association President to determine what is and is
not excusable. The decision of the President may be appealed by
a majority vote of the Executive Board. Absences of the Association
President will be determined as excused or unexcused by a majority
vote of the Executive Board.
3.01.2 Consequences of
Absenteeism of Executive Board Members.
3.01.2.1 Absenteeism
of Appointed Executive Board Members.
3.01.2.1.1 Two unexcused
absences by an appointed Executive Board Member shall cause that
member’s voting privileges to be revoked until the offending board
member has attended two consecutive Executive Board meetings.
3.01.2.1.2 Three unexcused
absences by an appointed Executive Board Member shall be considered
as a resignation from office.
3.01.2.2 Absenteeism
of Elected Executive Board Members.
3.01.2.2.1 Two unexcused
absences by an elected Executive Board member shall cause the President
to inform the Senate and that executive board member of his or her
absentee status. If the President is the offender in question, the
Association Vice President shall inform the Senate of the President’s
absenteeism. Three unexcused absences by an elected Executive Board
member shall be grounds for impeachment.
3.03 Executive Board
Procedures.
3.03.1 Filling Vacancies
of Association Employees.
3.03.1.1 Selection shall
be made through an application and interview process by a selection
committee consisting of the President and two other officers selected
by a majority vote of the executive board.
3.03.1.2 Notification
to Applicants.
The President shall notify all
applicants in writing of the selection committee’s decision.
3.03.1.3 Misconduct or
Failure to fulfill duties by an Association Employee.
3.03.1.3.1 Any misconduct
or failure to fulfill duties by an Association Employee shall be
brought to the attention of the Executive Board by the Association
member witnessing such.
3.03.1.3.2 All discussions
regarding the above allegations shall be discussed in executive
session.
3.03.1.3.3 Any disciplinary
actions taken by the Executive Board shall be relayed to the Association
employee by the Association President.
3.03.1.3.4 Termination of
an employee for the above reasons requires a majority vote of the
Executive Board.
3.03.1.4 Employee Separation
from the Association.
Employees must give 14 days notice
of separation to receive complimentary recommendations for future
employment.
3.03.1.5 Termination of
Association Employees for reasons not discussed in section 3.03.1.3
of these bylaws shall require a two-thirds vote of the Executive
Board.
3.03.2 Executive Sessions.
The guidelines for executive sessions
of the Executive Board shall be concurrent with section 2.04.3 of
these bylaws regarding Senate executive sessions.
3.03.3 Duties of the Executive
Members
3.03.3.1 Duties of the Vice President
3.03.3.1.1 The Vice President
will be responsible for coordinating a meeting with the student
representatives to the Parking Advisory Committee. This meeting
will be held within one week before every PAC meeting. The purpose
of this meeting will be to discuss upcoming issues in PAC and the
relation to students and residents.
Chapter Four: Association
Committees
4.0 Standing Committees
The standing committees of the
Association shall be the Committee on Advertising and Marketing,
the Committee on Events, the Committee on Student Action Team Network,
the Committee on Residential Enhancement, and the Committee on Review
and Recommendation.
4.01 The Committee on
Residential Enhancement shall:
- Continually work to enhance
the living and learning environment of the halls.
- Act as a liaison between the
Senate and the Division of University Housing on matters of residential
living.
- Annually poll residents to
ascertain their viewpoints concerning residential living and Housing
policies.
- Submit a report proposing
the creation or alteration of policies intended to enhance residential
living.
4.02 The Committee on Events
shall:
- Plan, execute, and evaluate
all social events sponsored by the Association.
- Coordinate its efforts with
complex governments and their committees, other UNL organizations
and departments to sponsor or cosponsor events.
- The Chair, along with the
Chair of the Committee on the Student Action Team Network, with
the approval of both committees, shall select a representative
to attend MACURH Programming meetings, and work with MACURH programming
representatives and the Regional Associate of Programming for
all non-conference MACURH Programming activies and discussions.
4.03 The Committee on Advertising/Marketing
shall:
- Provide students outside the
Association with an accurate view of the Association’s activities.
- Research, solicit, and evaluate
ideas on advertising the Association’s events, and marketing and
fundraising projects.
- The committee shall be responsible
for raising and managing all of the Association’s non-allocated
funds. It should also be able to submit a report to the President,
Treasurer, and/or, the Senate upon request.
4.04 The Committee on Review
and Recommendations shall:
- Consist of the Speaker of
the Senate and one Association Senate Member from each of the
recognized Local Governments. The Speaker of the Senate shall
be considered the representative from his or her respective Local
Government. The Committee shall not have any other voting members.
- Have for its chair, the Speaker
of the Senate.
- Consider all proposals brought
to it by Association members. The Committee shall take such action
as needed in evaluating all proposals. The Committee shall then
recommend improvements to the proposal that will allow for its
greater acceptability by the Senate.
- Act as a compromising committee,
considering all Senate legislation pending before the Senate unless
otherwise stated in these bylaws. The Committee may recommend
changes within such Senate legislation that will allow for its
efficient consideration by the Senate.
- Make such recommendations
to the Executive Board, the Senate, and the Association Committees
that the committee feels will allow the Association to better
serve its general members and fulfill its purpose as outlined
in Article II of the Constitution.
- Research and report historical
precedence and/or past conflicts with previous legislation.
4.05 The Committee on Student
Action Team Network shall:
- Plan, execute, and evaluate
health related, educational, and cultural events designed to enrich
residential living.
- Coordinate its efforts with
those of the Division of Housing’s Residential Educational Department.
- Coordinate its efforts with
other university organizations and departments to cosponsor events.
- The Chair, along with the
Chair of the Committee on Events, with the approval of both committees,
shall select a representative to attend MACURH Programming meetings,
and work with MACURH programming representatives and the Regional
Associate of Programming for all non-conference MACURH Programming
activies and discussions.
4.06 All Senators and Hall
President’s Permanent Proxies shall be required to serve on at least
one association committee. 4.07
Only active members of the committees may be allowed to vote in
Committee decisions. Active members shall be those general members
of the Association which have attended two consecutive meetings
of the committee. Association Senators and Hall Presidents shall
not be denied membership to any standing committee except as cited
elsewhere in these Bylaws.
4.08 The standing committees
shall take on additional duties and powers as directed by a majority
vote of the Senate. Furthermore, the standing committees shall take
on additional duties and powers as directed by the Executive Board
subject to the acceptance of the chair of the standing committee
in question.
Chapter Five: Election
Regulations
5.1 The Electoral Commission
5.1.1 Membership
5.1.1.1 The membership of the Electoral Commission shall be comprised of an Election Commissioner and all of the local government presidents. Hall presidents may appoint a qualified replacement provided such replacement resides in the same hall.
5.1.1.2 A member of the Electoral Commission shall not be a candidate for any elected position within the Association.
5.1.1.3 Electoral Commission members shall be required to attend every meeting of the Electoral Commission unless excused by the Election Commissioner.
5.1.1.4 The Election Commissioner shall call, set the agenda for, and preside over the meetings of the Electoral Commission.
5.1.1.5 Any member or agent of the Electoral Commission found guilty of failing to perform the responsibilities of his or her office may be subject to appropriate discipline, including, but not limited to, impeachment, suspension of voting rights.
5.1.1.6 The term of the Election Commissioner shall be from January 15 until one week following all regularly scheduled elections and run-offs.
5.1.2 Meetings of the Electoral Commission
5.1.2.1 The Electoral Commission shall meet at least once a month, as requested by the Election Commissioner, and whenever business is pending before it.
5.1.2.2 Meetings of the Electoral Commission shall be called by the Election Commissioner with at least twenty-four (24) hours prior notice.
5.1.2.3 Quorum for an Electoral Commission meeting shall consist of a simple majority of the total membership of the Commission.
5.1.3 Duties of the Electoral Commission
5.1.3.1 The Electoral Commission shall annually review the Election Bylaws of the Association and introduce any needed revisions to the Senate for its consideration.
5.1.3.2 The Electoral Commission shall conduct the elections of the Association as set forth in these bylaws.
5.1.3.3 The Electoral Commission shall enforce the regulations and procedures set forth in these bylaws, and shall hear and decide all cases involving alleged violations of the same, unless otherwise excepted by these bylaws.
5.1.3.4 The Electoral Commission shall widely publicize the procedures and deadlines for filing candidacy for Association offices.
5.1.3.5 The Electoral Commission shall hold an informative meeting for all candidates within one semester day of the filing deadline. This meeting shall brief candidates on rules and regulations pertinent to the election.
5.2 The General Elections of the Association
5.2.1 All Association offices elected by the general membership of the Association shall be elected during the General Elections of the Association, on the same day.
5.2.2 The General Elections of the Association shall be held on a date determined and publicized by the Electoral Commission. The date shall be made public thirty (30) days before the elections. On election day, the polls will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Any run-off elections shall be held within one week following the original election. Once again, the polls will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the necessary polling locations.
5.2.3 Polling locations
5.2.3.1 The polling locations for the Association elections shall be located in the Abel-Sandoz Dining Service, Cather-Pound-Neihardt Dining Service, Burr Hall Lobby, Harper-Schramm-Smith Dining Service, Selleck Dining Service, Husker Courtyards Second Floor Lounge, and the Husker Village Main Desk.
5.2.3.2 Polling locations for specific polling sites may be changed based on the recommendations of the Election Commission.
5.2.4 All candidates for any elected office within the Association must meet the requirements to hold that position as set forth in the constitution.
5.2.5 Filing Procedures
5.2.5.1 All forms for the filing of candidacy shall be made available at least thirty (30) semester days before the election. All forms will be available in the Association office, from any local hall governments, or at other locations as designated by the Electoral Commission.
5.2.5.2 The offices of President and Vice President of the Association shall be elected as a slate. Persons intent on running for these positions must file the proper form with the Election Commissioner by midnight of the tenth semester day prior to the General Elections. The form shall contain at least one hundred (100) non-duplicate signatures, addresses, and NU ID numbers of the Association members.
5.2.5.3 Persons intent on running for the Secretary or Treasurer of the Association must file the proper form with the Election Commissioner by midnight of the tenth semester day prior to the General Elections. The form shall contain fifty (50) non-duplicate signatures addresses, and NU ID numbers of the Association members.
5.2.5.4 Persons intent on running for a Senate position in the Association must file the proper form with the Election Commissioner by midnight of the tenth semester day prior to the General Elections. The form shall contain twenty-five (25) non-duplicate signatures addresses, and NU ID numbers of the Association members from the hall in which he or she is running for the Senate position.
5.2.5.5 A person’s candidacy shall be considered officially filed after correct filing of the required form, and verification by the Electoral Commission first of the person’s qualifications for candidacy, and secondly of the minimum number of signatures, addresses, and NU ID numbers required. The Electoral Commission shall immediately contact a person if there any deficiencies with their filing of candidacy.
5.2.6 Ballots
5.2.6.1 The official general election ballot shall be the ballot prepared, printed, and supplied by the Electoral Commission for use at the election indicated on the ballot.
5.2.6.2 Sample ballots shall be posted in the main lobbies in a highly visible place of each hall three (3) semester days prior to the General Elections.
5.2.6.3 Only those candidates whose candidacy was officially filed as defined in these bylaws shall be placed on the ballot.
5.2.6.4 The names of all candidates, where there is more the one candidate for the same office, shall be rotated on the ballots.
5.2.6.5 The offices of President and Vice President of the Association shall appear as a single item on the ballot. All other positions will be listed as a single item on the ballot.
5.2.6.6 A space for write-in votes shall be provided on the ballot for each office, except during run-off elections.
5.2.6.7 Party Affiliation
5.2.6.7.1 Party affiliation of the candidates, if any, may be indicated on the ballot.
5.2.6.7.2 Party names shall be limited to one word or acronym and may not imply anything vulgar as determined by the Electoral Commission.
5.2.6.7.3 The acronym "RHA" may not be used as any part of a party name.
5.2.6.7.4 The offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer may campaign as a party and appear on the official ballot as a party.
5.2.6.7.5 Only one candidate may appear on the ballot for each position under a specific party name. Parties may not contain candidates running for Association and local positions.
5.2.6.8 Referenda of initiative items may appear on the ballot as set forth in the appropriate provisions of the Association or local government constitutions.
5.2.6.9 Survey questions may appear on the ballot with majority approval of the Senate, in the case of a local survey. All referenda, initiative, and survey questions to appear on the ballot must be submitted to the Election Commissioner by midnight, seven (7) days prior to the General Elections.
5.2.6.10 The quantity of ballots shall be determined by the voting population of each voting site, and no less than 25% of the hall population. (Burr, Fedde, and Love shall be placed together in the Burr voting population.) (Husker shall be added to the Cather-Pound-Neihardt voting population.)
5.2.7 Voting Procedures
5.2.7.1 Agents of the Electoral Commission shall be those persons designated by the Commission as such, and placed on a list to be completed no later than twenty-four (24) hours before the opening of the polls. Said list shall be available in the Association office and at each polling location for public inspection. Agents of the Commission shall not be interested parties.
5.2.7.2 No elector shall receive a ballot from any person other than one of the agents of the Electoral Commission having charge of the ballots.
5.2.7.3 An agent of the Electoral Commission shall not give a ballot to any person without first verifying from a list of names and room numbers that the person is a resident of the voting district which the concerned polling location serves, and that the person has not already voted in the election. A person must show his or her NCard in order to vote.
5.2.7.4 No elector may vote more than once in any election of the Association. Every elector must cast his or her ballot in the voting district in which he or she resides, except in the case of absentee votes.
5.2.7.5 No elector shall place any extraneous mark upon his or her ballot by which it may afterwards be identified as the vote originating from the said elector.
5.2.7.6 No person shall show his or her ballot, after it is marked, to any person in such a way as to reveal the contents thereof or the name of the candidate or candidates for whom he or she had marked his or her ballot, nor shall any person solicit the elector to show the same.
5.2.7.7 No person except an agent of the Electoral Commission shall receive from any elector a ballot prepared for voting. A ballot properly given and received shall be validated with the initials of the Electoral Commission agent on the back, and placed in a secured ballot box provided by the Electoral Commission.
5.2.7.8 Each elector who does not properly use a ballot delivered to him or her by an agent of the Electoral Commission shall, before leaving the polling place, return such ballot to the agent. No person shall remove any ballot from the polling place before the closing of the polls.
5.2.7.9 If a ballot is spoiled, it may be returned to an agent of the Electoral Commission and a new ballot may be obtained, but not more than four (4) fresh ballots in all.
5.2.7.10 Ballot boxes must be sealed by the Election Commissioner by 8:30 p.m. on the day of the election. The ballot boxes must be transported by two Election Commission members to the Association office by 9:00 p.m. on election day.
5.2.7.11 A tally of the number of ballots cast must be submitted with the sealed ballot box.
5.2.7.12 All unused and spoiled ballots shall be placed in a packet marked "Unused and Spoiled ballots", which shall be sealed and returned to the Election Commissioner along with the sealed ballot box.
5.2.8 Absentee Votes
5.2.8.1 Any qualified voter who shall be absent from the voting district on the day of any election may apply in writing to the Election Commissioner for an absentee ballot, and the Election Commissioner shall forward an absentee voters ballot to such voter. All requests for absentee ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m. two days before the election takes place.
5.2.8.2 Absentee ballots shall be marked as such and shall provide space for a phone number and a University staff member’s signature.
5.2.8.3 All absentee ballots must be cast prior to the closing of the polls, and the date and hour of voting must be witnessed and signed by a University staff member.
5.2.8.4 Absentee voters ballots must be in the physical possession of the Election Commissioner no later than 7:00 p.m. the day before the election takes place..
5.2.9 Procedures for Infractions
5.2.9.1 Any allegations of infractions for filing, campaigning, balloting, or voting procedures must be filed in writing or electronically with the Election Commissioner by 7:00 p.m. the day after the elections take place.
5.2.9.2 The Electoral Commission shall schedule a hearing within three (3) semester days after the complaint has been filed. All persons involved in the complaint, including the person(s) who filed the complaint and those whom it is filed against, shall be notified of the time and the location of the hearing at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance. A person involved in a complaint may request a delay in the time of the hearing. Said requests shall be granted at the discretion of the Election Commissioner.
5.2.9.3 A hearing of the Electoral Commission shall not be valid unless quorum of the Commission is present.
5.2.9.4 After hearing testimony by the person(s) involved in the complaint, the Electoral Commission shall go into executive session to discuss the validity of the complaint and any disciplinary action necessary. In open session, a majority vote of its members present shall determine the validity of the complaint and implement any disciplinary measures necessary.
5.2.9.5 Disciplinary measures of the Electoral Commission may include, but are not limited to, limitations of campaign activities, disqualification in the election, fines, and referral of the case to another University entity for further disciplinary measures.
5.2.9.6 The decisions of the Electoral Commission may be appealed to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs.
5.2.10 Certification of Election
5.2.10.1 Candidates for an Association executive position or a local government officer position shall be declared elected upon receiving a majority of the eligible votes cast for that office.
5.2.10.2 Write-in candidates
5.2.10.2.1 Ballots marked with write-in candidates who are obviously not eligible to hold office shall not be counted for that part of the ballot. Any write-in votes for a poll-worker shall be ineligible for that portion of the ballot. These ineligible votes shall not be counted towards the total.
5.2.10.2.2 A write-in candidate must receive a minimum of five (5) votes to be considered eligible to be elected to a position. Votes for write-in candidates receiving fewer than five (5) votes will not be counted towards the vote count used to figure majority.
5.2.10.3 No candidates shall be declared officially elected if there are any cases of alleged infractions involving the candidate still pending before the Electoral Commission.
5.2.10.4 Announcement of Election Results
5.2.10.4.1 Notification to all candidates will be attempted prior to 11:00 p.m. on the day of the election.
5.2.10.4.2 Unofficial results shall posted in the main lobbies of each hall no later than 9:00 a.m. on the day after the election. Possible run-off elections will also be indicated at this time.
5.2.10.4.3 Official results shall be available twenty-four (24) hours after the closing of the polls, and will be posted in each hall as above. All necessary run-off elections shall be officially announced at this time.
5.2.11 Run-off Elections
5.2.11.1 A run-off election shall be held in the case of no one candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast in races for Association executive positions or local government positions, or in the case of a tie in a Senate race which hinders the determination of the winner(s).
5.2.11.2 The run-off election shall be held between the top two (2) vote-receivers in races involving Association executive positions or local government positions, and between the candidates tied in unsettled Senate races.
5.2.11.3 Run-off elections shall be conducted under the regulations and procedures of these bylaws.
5.2.11.4 A space for write-in votes shall not be provided on the ballot for a run-off election, and votes for write-in candidates will be ineligible.
5.2.11.5 A candidate shall be declared the winner of a run-off election upon receiving a majority of eligible votes cast for each office.
5.2.11.6 In the incidence of a tie, the offices shall go to the candidates as decided by a majority vote of the Association Senate.
5.2.12 Assumption of Office
5.2.12.1 Candidates declared elected in any election shall assume office at the first regular meeting following the election.
5.2.12.2 No candidate shall assume office while a case of alleged infractions involving the candidate is still pending before the Election Commission.
5.3 Campaign Regulations
5.3.1 Campaigning for the purposes of these bylaws may consist of campaign fliers, table tents, and soliciting, but is not limited to such activities.
5.3.2 All campaign materials must removed from the buildings in which polling sites are located, by no later than 7:00 p.m. the day before the election takes place. Cases in which doors and/or windows of students’ rooms are within this area are exceptions to this rule. Members of the Electoral Commission shall inspect the building prior to the opening of polls and shall remove all campaign material and cite the appropriate Association SEG(s) (Student Election Group) or independent candidates for such violations.
5.3.3 No person shall do any campaigning on election day within any polling booth, or within fifty (50) feet of any building in which an election is being held. No person shall obstruct the doors or entries thereto, or prevent free entry and exit from such buildings while campaigning.
5.3.4 Campaigning will be allowed at floor meetings with the permission of the floor president.
5.3.5 Campaigning will be allowed at tables in Dining Services designated for campaigning by local hall governments with reservations cleared through the Dining Service management. Campaigning elsewhere in the Dining Services is not allowed with the exception that table tents may be allowed by Dining Services.
5.3.6.1 Campaigning door-to-door on the individual floors of the residence halls is strictly prohibited. Campaigning in the main lobbies of the residence halls will be permitted according to 5.3.3.
5.3.6.2 Campaigning shall be prohibited in the Association office and at any RHA affiliated meeting.
5.3.7 Campaign Posters
5.3.7.1 Campaign posters will be allowed in these areas, with a limit of one poster per Association SEG or independent candidate per bulletin board. All sides of a pillar shall collectively be considered as a bulletin board.
5.3.7.1.1 On public bulletin boards located on the first floor of the halls.
5.3.7.1.2 On public bulletin boards located in the Dining Service buildings.
5.3.7.1.3 On residence hall floors in places clearly designated as public bulletin boards.
5.3.7.2 Campaign posters will not be allowed in these areas, unless otherwise noted below.
5.3.7.2.1 In elevators and stairwells.
5.3.2.7.2 On walls, unless allowed by section 5.3.7.1 above.
5.3.2.7.3 On pillars, unless allowed by section 5.3.7.1 above.
5.3.7.3 No campaign poster placed in a residence hall or Dining Service building may exceed eleven (11) by seventeen (17) inches in size.
5.3.7.4 No campaign poster may be placed over or obstruct the view of any previously placed up-to-date poster.
5.3.8 These campaign regulations apply to all campaigns within the residence halls. Original jurisdiction cases involving alleged infractions of these regulations by a party, or agent thereof, shall lie with the Electoral Commission of the body or organization conducting the election.
5.3.9 All campaign materials must be removed by the concerned candidates or parties within twenty-four (24) hours after the closing of the polls.
5.3.10 Local governments are reserved the right to enact regulations that further restrict campaigning within their jurisdiction. Local regulations shall be submitted to the Electoral Commission and shall be on file in the Association office.
5.3.11 All campaigning shall be in accordance with all University, federal, state, and local regulations.
5.3.12 Each Association SEG will be allowed one 8.5" x 11" information sheet which will follow the format set by the Election Commission.
5.3.13 No campus mail shall be used in the election. Only one mailbox stuffing shall be permitted per Association SEG or independent candidate. All other mailings must be individually addressed, and delivered via U.S. Postal Service or to each residence hall desk by a member of the respective Association SEG, or independent candidate.
Chapter Six: Amendments
6.1 An amendment to these
bylaws shall require prior notice and a two-thirds vote for approval.
6.2 Presidential Vetoes
and Senate Overrides shall be in accordance with Article IV, Section
5 of the Association Constitution.
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2008 Residence Hall Association, University of Nebraska-Lincoln | 346 Nebraska
Union | Lincoln, NE 68588 | 402-472-1095 | comments?
