Constitution

St. Louis University High School
STUCO Constitution 

 

Prepared 2002-2003
STUCO Moderator-Brock Kesterson

1. Preamble
   The Student Council of St. Louis University High School is composed of representatives of all grade levels. Its purposes are to:
   1. serve as a unifying force in support of all school events
   2. foster in the students a sense of the ideals of SLUH and to inspire the highest type of school spirit
   3. provide a means of creating a better fellowship and understanding between faculty, administration and students and among students themselves
   4. provide a greater opportunity for self-government and experience democratic practices
   5. foster a growth of spirituality with the student body
   6. represent student voice on issues of concern
   7. set an example by representing good moral and responsible behavior
2. Articles of Constitution
   • Article I. Goals
     • Section 1.
       The following are the specific goals of the Student Council:
       1. to promote school spirit
       2. to be a social organization
       3. to develop leadership skills
       4. to be a liaison between students and administration
       5. to form a system of communication between HR reps, STUCO, and the student body, and student clubs/organizations
   • Article II. Membership
     • Section 1.
       The Student Council consists of homeroom reps, class officers
       1. The homeroom reps are one social/intramural representative and one service/pastoral representative per homeroom.
       2. The class officers are two freshmen officers, two sophomore officers, four junior officers holding the positions of President, Secretary, Social, and Religious Affairs, and six senior officers holding the positions of President, Vice-President, and Secretary/Treasurer, Social/Publicity, Sports, and Religious Affairs.
       3. One moderator-appointed position to fill a void which he/she seems necessary. (ex. technology)
   • Article III. Duties/Responsibilities of Members
     • Section 1.
       Each member of the Student Council has a specific role. The roles are defined and must be followed.
       1. Freshmen officers--work with Freshmen class moderator to coordinate activities for the Freshmen class; STUCO rep. and therefore involved in organizing STUCO activities and acts as a liaison between STUCO and homeroom reps;
       2. Sophomore officers--work with Sophomore class moderator to coordinate activities for the Sophomore class; STUCO rep. and therefore involved in organizing STUCO activities and acts as a liaison between STUCO and homeroom reps;
       3. Juniors officers
          1. President--
             Junior class board leader and therefore responsible for organizing Junior class activities with the help of the Junior class moderators; organizes and runs weekly executive board and biweekly homeroom rep meetings; STUCO rep. and therefore involved in organizing STUCO activities and acts as a liaison between STUCO and homeroom reps; organizes committees to work on both Junior class and STUCO activities; consults with the Junior class Social rep. on dances, intramurals, and other social activities; consults with Junior class Religious rep. on retreats, masses, and other activities; evaluate other officers on task completion, enthusiasm, quality of work, and dependability.
          2. Social--
             Involved in organizing junior class activities with the help Junior class President and Junior class moderators; involved in the weekly executive board and biweekly homeroom rep meetings; STUCO rep. and therefore involved in organizing STUCO activities and acts as a liaison between STUCO and homeroom reps on social activities; involved in forming committees for Junior class social activities; Responsible for organizing Junior class ring dance, as well as being involved in organizing STUCO dances; responsible for informing Juniors about intramural and other social activities; needs to work with the homeroom reps to rally support for these activities; evaluate other officers on task completion, enthusiasm, quality of work, and dependability.
          3. Pastoral--
             Involved in organizing Junior class activities with the help of the Junior class president and Junior class moderators; Involved in weekly executive board and biweekly homeroom rep meetings; STUCO rep. and therefore involved in organizing STUCO activities and acts as a liaison between STUCO and homeroom reps on pastoral activities; involved in forming committees for Junior class pastoral activities; responsible for organizing class masses and school-wide masses; responsible for informing Juniors about pastoral activities such as retreats, community service opportunities and pastoral fund raising drives; needs to work with homeroom reps to rally support for these activities; evaluate other officers on task completion, enthusiasm, quality of work, and dependability.
          4. Secretary/Treasurer--
             Official recorder of minutes at weekly executive board and biweekly homeroom rep meetings and post the minutes in Junior homerooms; keep an archival record of all meetings for the year in a binder; aids in communication (e-mails, memos, thank you notes, etc. . .) to reps and moderators; involved in organizing Junior class activities with the help of the Junior class President and Junior class moderators; STUCO rep and therefore involved in organizing STUCO activities; organizes collection of money for retreats, dances, etc. . .; responsible for taking attendance at all meetings; evaluate other officers on task completion, enthusiasm, quality of work, and dependability.
       4. Senior officers and commissioners
          1. President--
             Write agenda; run weekly meetings; write speeches for Father-Son banquet, Mom Prom, Day before graduation, Jr. Ring, School assemblies; delegate responsibilities of other STUCO members; lead HR rep meetings; maintain deadlines; part of SAC; run Talent Show and other major events; lead forum meetings; attend Trout Lodge
          2. Vice-President--
             Fulfills president’s role when president cannot; assists president in major events; in charge of elections; part of SAC; in charge of STUCO bulletin board; attend Trout Lodge
          3. Secretary/Treasurer--
             keep minutes at weekly meetings; take attendance at meetings; maintain an archival record of meeting minutes for the year; publish a “state of the union” in Prep News once a quarter (beginning); order t-shirts; handle money; work with business office; attend Trout Lodge
          4. Sports--
             organize pep rallies; meet with athletic director regularly; attend as many sporting events as possible; organize blue crew 3 days in advance; support other non-athletic events; attend Trout Lodge
          5. Social/Publicity--
             in charge of organizing dances and mixers; make flyers, trailers, announcements; organize belly brigades; organize running of the bills; help coordinate freshmen funday with freshmen moderator; organize barbecues; organize Spirit Week events; write STUCO letters for Prep News; in charge of social/intramural homeroom reps; communicate with the broadcast club; attend Trout Lodge
          6. Religious Affairs--
             work with Pastoral Director to help organize masses, retreats, and other pastoral activities; read final prayer at the end of each day; attend Trout Lodge
       5. Homeroom representatives
          1. Social/Intramural rep.--
             help with dances and mixers; coordinate intramurals with Intramural moderator; work with Social Commissioners and your class reps; raise school spirit in the homeroom; help organize rec. night; check intramural board outside cafeteria at the start of each week to keep up on I.M. standings and scheduling of events
          2. Service/Pastoral rep.--
             coordinate masses/retreats with Pastoral Officers, your class reps, and Pastoral Director; help with days of service; coordinate with CSP Director to coordinate homeroom activities and CSP
          3. Both reps.--
             help with Christmas Drive; help with Talent Show and Spring Fling; hold door open for Belly Brigades; attend quarterly forum meetings; play active role by bringing suggestions and voicing student concerns/wishes; help with Cashbah travel raffle; support their classmates at sporting, theater, and other school events
   • Article IV. Election Procedures
     • Section 1.
       The freshmen homeroom representatives will vote during the third week of January.
       1. Freshmen elections are held the third week of the second semester to allow for some time to get to know each other.
       2. The Senior Advisors and homeroom teachers take care of the duties of the freshmen reps in the first semester. They should also take an active role in explaining the value of running for STUCO office.
       3. Students nominate themselves by filling out the proper self-nomination form provided by STUCO and submitting it to the STUCO moderator on the specified date.
       4. Students fill out the self-nomination form explaining why they would be a good representative and also provide qualifications.
       5. Students may run for either the social/intramural or service/pastoral position and not both.
       6. The self-nomination forms will be posted in each freshmen homeroom.
       7. On election day, the candidates must give a 30 second speech explaining their reason for running for their position.
       8. A STUCO member will be present in the room to assist with the process.
       9. Voting is optional. Ballots will be passed out after the speeches to each student in the homeroom. Students will circle for one representative in each category then give the ballots to the STUCO member.
       10. Votes will be tabulated and posted. The information may not be dispensed to anyone not counting the private ballots before that time.
     • Section 2.
       Sophomore, Junior, and Senior homeroom representatives will vote in the second week of the first semester.
       1. Students nominate themselves by filling out the proper self-nomination form provided by STUCO and submitting it to the STUCO moderator on the specified date.
       2. Students may run for either the social/intramural or service/pastoral position and not both.
       3. The self-nomination forms will be posted in each homeroom.
       4. On election day, the candidates must give a 30 second speech explaining their reason for running for their position.
       5. Voting is optional. Ballots will be passed out after the speeches to each student in the homeroom. Students will circle for one representative in each category then give the ballots to the STUCO member.
       6. Votes will be tabulated and posted. The information may not be dispensed to anyone not counting the private ballots before that time.
     • Section 3.
       STUCO freshmen officers are voted in the second week of January.
       1. Students nominate themselves by filling out the proper self-nomination form provided by STUCO and submitting it to the STUCO moderator on the specified date. The form must have a school picture.
       2. The form must explain qualifications, reasons for running, plans and goals.
       3. The form must be approved by the STUCO moderator.
       4. The forms will be posted in freshmen homerooms.
       5. Primary voting will take place on a scheduled date and will narrow the candidates down to 4 or 5. Voting will take place during lunch at the designated voting tables outside of the cafeteria. The STUCO moderator, as well as two STUCO officers must supervise voting. Only the moderator may insert the ballots into the ballot box. Students must present their demerit cards in order to vote, and after a student has been given his private ballot, his name must be checked off of the hr list.
       6. Those candidates making it to the finals will prepare a speech to be given at a mandatory class assembly a couple days following the primary voting, depending on the school schedule.
       7. Speeches will be two to three minutes in length. An outline of the speech must be given to the moderator for approval. The moderator has the power to remove the candidate if the speech deviates from the outline.
       8. Final voting will take place during lunch outside of the cafeteria.
     • Section 4.
       STUCO Sophomore officers are voted in the April or May of the previous school year depending on the school schedule.
       1. The same process as outlined in Section 3.a-h applies for the Sophomore officers.
     • Section 5.
       STUCO Junior Officers are voted in April or May of the previous school year, depending on the school schedule.
       1. Candidates may run for only one of the four positions (President, Secretary/Treasurer, Social, Pastoral).
       2. Students nominate themselves by filling out the proper self-nomination form provided by STUCO and submitting it to the STUCO moderator on the specified date. The form must have a school picture.
       3. The form must explain qualifications, reasons for running, plans and goals.
       4. The form must be approved by the STUCO moderator.
       5. The forms will be posted outside of the cafeteria by position.
       6. Primary voting will take place on a scheduled date and will narrow the candidates down to 2 or 3. Voting will take place during lunch at the designated voting tables outside of the cafeteria. The STUCO moderator, as well as two STUCO officers must supervise voting. Only the moderator may insert the ballots into the ballot box. Students must present their demerit cards in order to vote, and after a student has been given his private ballot, his name must be checked off of the hr list.
       7. Those candidates making it to the finals will prepare a speech to be given at a mandatory class assembly a couple days following the primary voting, depending on the school schedule.
       8. Speeches will be two to three minutes in length. An outline of the speech must be given to the moderator for approval. The moderator has the power to remove the candidate if the speech deviates from the outline.
       9. Final voting will take place during lunch outside of the cafeteria.
     • Section 6.
       Three Senior officers (President., Vice-President, and Secretary/Treasurer) are voted in the April or May of the previous school year, depending on the school schedule.
       1. Candidates may run for only one of the three officer positions (President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer).
       2. Students nominate themselves by filling out the proper self-nomination form provided by STUCO and submitting it to the STUCO moderator on the specified date. The form must have a school picture.
       3. The form must explain qualifications, reasons for running, plans and goals.
       4. The form must be approved by the STUCO moderator.
       5. The forms will be posted outside of the cafeteria by position.
       6. Primary voting will take place on a scheduled date and will narrow the candidates down to 2 or 3. Voting will take place during lunch at the designated voting tables outside of the cafeteria. The STUCO moderator, as well as two STUCO officers must supervise voting. Only the moderator may insert the ballots into the ballot box. Students must present their demerit cards in order to vote, and after a student has been given his private ballot, his name must be checked off of the hr list.
       7. Those candidates making it to the finals will prepare a speech to be given at a mandatory class assembly a couple days following the primary voting, depending on the school schedule.
       8. Speeches will be two to three minutes in length. An outline of the speech must be given to the moderator for approval. The moderator has the power to remove the candidate if the speech deviates from the outline.
       9. Final voting will take place during lunch outside of the cafeteria.
     • Section 7.
       The three other officer(sports, pastoral, socia.l/publicity) elections will take place following the other officer elections in the April or May of the previous school year, depending on the school schedule.
       1. Candidates may run for only one of the four positions (Social/Publicity, Sports, Religious Affairs).
       2. Students nominate themselves by filling out the proper self-nomination form provided by STUCO and submitting it to the STUCO moderator on the specified date. The form must have a school picture.
       3. The form must explain qualifications, reasons for running, plans and goals.
       4. The form must be approved by the STUCO moderator.
       5. The forms will be posted outside of the cafeteria by position.
       6. Primary voting will take place on a scheduled date and will narrow the candidates down to 2 or 3. Voting will take place during lunch at the designated voting tables outside of the cafeteria. The STUCO moderator, as well as two STUCO officers must supervise voting. Only the moderator may insert the ballots into the ballot box. Students must present their demerit cards in order to vote, and after a student has been given his private ballot, his name must be checked off of the hr list.
       7. Those candidates making it to the finals will prepare a speech to be given at a mandatory class assembly a couple days following the primary voting, depending on the school schedule.
       8. Speeches will be two to three minutes in length. An outline of the speech must be given to the moderator for approval. The moderator has the power to remove the candidate if the speech deviates from the outline.
       9. Final voting will take place during lunch outside of the cafeteria.
   • Article V. Ratification of Constitution and Amendment Procedures
     • Section 1.
       Amendments to the Constitution can be made by anyone.
       1. The process for amending the constitution is to bring a written request to the President of STUCO or the moderator. The amendment request will be brought up as part of the agenda at a future meeting.
       2. The person wishing to amend the constitution will be present at the meeting to state their case.
       3. The amendment will be put to a vote, with a majority rule of at least 2/3 required for amendment.
3. Bylaws of Constitution
   • Article I. Rules of Order
     • Section 1.
       STUCO will hold weekly meetings one designated day each week of the year in the STUCO room.
       1. The moderator, senior officers , junior officers, sophomore officers, and freshmen officers are required to attend each meeting.
       2. The objective of these meetings is to discuss current STUCO issues, events, activities, etc. . . as well as entertain any other ideas of the SLUH community.
       3. The STUCO president and moderator will make an agenda for each meeting and distribute copies at the beginning of each meeting.
       4. The STUCO president will lead each meeting.
       5. If another member wishes to add something to a particular agenda item, they should notify the secretary, who will notify the president, who will then give that person the floor to speak.
     • Section 2.
       STUCO will hold Forum meetings once per quarter in the theater.
       1. The meetings will take place in the second week of the quarter, except for the first quarter meeting, which will take place a week after homeroom elections.
       2. The moderator, senior officers, junior officers, sophomore officers, freshmen officers, and all homeroom reps are required to attend the meeting.
       3. The objective of these meetings is to alert the school to upcoming STUCO issues, events, activities, etc. . . as well as entertain any other ideas of the SLUH community in a town hall setting.
       4. The STUCO president and moderator will make an agenda for each meeting and give a copy to the faculty and each homeroom a week in advance.
       5. The STUCO president will conduct the meeting.
       6. There will be a five minute time limit for each item on the agenda. First the item will be presented, then opened up for discussion.
   • Article II. Removal from Office and Resignation
     • Section 1.
       All Student Council members (officers,, and homeroom representatives) must attend all of the workshops, meetings, and events which require their attendance.
       1. There are weekly meetings, pep rally meetings, forum meetings, and other impromptu meetings that require all of the officers and commissioners to attend. The homeroom reps do not need to attend these meetings. They will meet once a quarter during the STUCO forum meeting as well as various times throughout the year with the Intramural Coordinator, CSP coordinator, or STUCO officers or commissioners.
          • An absence may be excused by the moderator only with a written letter.
       2. Officers may have only three unexcused absences before being placed on probation. (i.e. member not in “good standing” and cannot run in this status for a STUCO position the following year; members not in “good standing” lose their privilege to vote during any STUCO meeting.)
          • Members on probation will receive a notice from the Moderator explaining their status.
       3. Homeroom reps must attend monthly meetings as well as forum meetings. Failure to attend two of these meetings will be grounds for removal from the position.
          • An absence may be excused by the moderator only with a written letter.
       4. Officers or homeroom representatives placed on probation who continue to miss meetings will be removed.
       5. All Student Council members must meet their project deadlines or is not performing their duties consistently will be removed.
       6. Those members who become ex-members by their removal from their position will not be allowed to run for a STUCO position in the future.
       7. Resignation from a STUCO position must be in the form of a letter to the moderator explaining reasons for their decision. They must also address the officers and commissioners at a STUCO meeting to explain their decision. The moderator and members will take a vote. If the resignation is accepted the person will become an ex-member.
       8. Filling the position of an ex-member will be at the discretion of the STUCO moderator and the remaining members of STUCO.
   • Article III. Code of Conduct
     • Section 1.
       All members of the Student Council(including homeroom reps)are held to a high moral and academic standards.
       1. No members of the student council may at any time be on disciplinary or academic probation. They will be removed from their position until they are back in good disciplinary and academic standing.
       2. No members of the student council may have more than 15 demerits at any time or they will be removed.
       3. Members of the student council will uphold the highest expectations of a SLUH student and as role models. No alcohol, drugs, or any other types of inappropriate behavior at SLUH events or otherwise, will be tolerated.
       4. Filling the position of an ex-member will be at the discretion of the STUCO moderator and the remaining members of STUCO.

Prepared by: Brock Kesterson (STUCO Moderator), Tim O’Keefe (Jr. Class Moderator), John Block, Joe Germanese, Casey Barrale, John Barnidge, Joe Eggleston, Sean Fox, Mark Hennelly, Scott Rice, Mike Smallwood, Jimmy Chaissaing

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