I-3.01 UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND
STUDENT COUNCIL CONSTITUTION
(As approved by the Board of Regents, June 10, 1994; Amended July
13, 2001)
The University System of Maryland Student Council, hereafter
referred to as the SSC, is an apolitical advisory board
established to assist the Chancellor. The SSC derives its
authority from the Board of Regents and shall act as a conduit
for communication between students and the Chancellor and the
Board of Regents. In keeping with its proactive nature, the SSC
will propose new policies and policy changes to both the
Chancellor and the Board of Regents, as well as review other
proposed policies.
The primary function of the SSC will be to advise the Chancellor
on issues, matters, and policies having direct bearing on
students and student affairs of the System as a whole. In
fulfilling this function, the SSC will transmit to the Chancellor
its majority and minority views on behalf of its constituent
student bodies.
The SSC will also function as a network for sharing ideas and
concerns of general interest to students and act as resource
contacts for student government associations on the individual
campuses.
SECTION I: REPRESENTATION
(A) Each member institution will have two (2)
representatives on the SSC. The method of selection will be
determined by the student government(s) of each institution,
except the University of Maryland University College, which will
determine its own method. The representatives will be determined
with the advice and consent of the institution president. It is
not necessary that the representatives be members of any student
government association.
(B) The SSC will vote on a one institution, one vote basis.
Only the representatives will be allowed to vote. No absentee
votes will be allowed.
(C) The Student Regent will be an ex-officio member of the
SSC.
(D) The representatives will serve a term from May to the
following May.
SECTION II: OFFICERS AND DUTIES
(A) The Chairperson calls and presides at all meetings of the
SSC. He or she will appoint, with majority approval of all SSC
representatives present, the Chairperson of all
(B) committees created by the SSC and serves as a an ex-officio
member of each. The Chairperson reports to the Chancellor and
the Board of Regents.
(B) The Vice-Chairperson assumes the duties of the
Chairperson during his or her absence or disability. He or she
will perform such additional duties as the Chairperson requests.
(C) The Secretary-Treasurer will maintain the minutes,
rolls and other such records of all regular and closed meetings
of the SSC. He or she is responsible for distributing the
minutes and financial reports of the SSC to its members and for
sending out written notices of all regular and special meetings.
He or she will perform such additional duties as the Chairperson
may request. The Secretary-Treasurer will formulate a semi-
annual report of the financial activity of the SSC, if
applicable.
SECTION III: ELECTION OF OFFICERS
(A) Election of officers will be held annually.
(B) The Student Regent will plan and execute the SSC
elections. The Student Regent will count the votes and announce
the new officers immediately after the balloting.
(C) Voting will be by secret ballot.
(D) New officers will be determined by simple majority.
SECTION IV: STUDENT REGENT SELECTION PROCESS
(A) The SSC will conduct the Student Regent selection
process at its December meeting.
(C) Each of the eleven degree-granting institutions in the
University System of Maryland may nominate a student to be
interviewed at the December meeting.
(D) Within five days of the December meeting, the
Chairperson of the SSC will send a letter to the Chancellor
certifying that the selection process was carried out in
accordance with this Constitution and the corresponding By-Laws
and transmitting the names of the SSC's nominees for the position
of Student Regent.
(E) The selection process may be further elaborated in the
By-Laws.
SECTION V: MEETINGS
(A) The SSC will meet at least twice a semester, with time
and place decided upon by a majority of the members at an
official meeting.
(B) Special meetings, including meetings over the summer
term and winter break, may be called by the Chairperson or upon
petition by a simple majority of the SSC membership. At least
ten days notice is required for such meetings to be official.
(C) The SSC will meet at least once a year with the
Chancellor.
(D) The SSC meetings will be open to all interested persons
unless an Executive Session is called for by simple majority vote
of the members present.
SECTION VI: ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS
(A) Attendance at all meetings is expected. Upon the
absence of a representative, the Secretary shall send a note to
the president of the student government of the representative's
institution declaring the absence. After two absences, a letter
recommending resignation of the representative will be sent.
(B) If an institution is not represented for two
consecutive meetings, the Chairperson may appoint, with SSC
approval, appropriate representation for that institution, to
serve with full voting rights until duly selected representatives
attend.
SECTION VII: REMOVAL OF OFFICERS
(A) Removal proceedings may be initiated against an officer for
failure to carry out his or her respective duties as outlined in
the constitution.
(B) A majority of the voting representatives will be
required to initiate the removal process.
(C) The accused has the following rights:
1. Notification of date, time, place of the hearing, by
certified mail at least fourteen days in advance of the hearing.
2. A copy of the charges and the evidence upon which the
charges are included with the notification.
3. An advisor of his or her choice may be present during
the removal process.
4. Presentation of evidence and witnesses in his or her
behalf and response to allegations.
(D) The Chancellor or his designee must be present at the
hearing.
(E) A two-thirds majority of the voting representatives
(excluding the accused officer) will be required to remove an
officer.
SECTION VIII: PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
The most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order will
govern the SSC meetings except when in conflict with this
Constitution.
SECTION IX: AMENDMENT PROCEDURES
(A) To amend this Constitution, the following criteria must
be met:
1. Any proposed amendment will be presented in a written
from at least one meeting prior to the one at which a vote
is taken.
2. The proposed amendment must be sent to each member in
printed form with notice of the called meeting.
3. The proposed amendment must receive a two-thirds
majority of the representatives to be included in the
constitution.
(B) Any changes must also be approved by the Chancellor and
the Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland.