LETU Student Senate Constitution

Article III – Committees

Article III – Committees

Section A – Governmental Processes Committee

  1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Governmental Processes Committee is to inform and facilitate all aspects of the Student Government, including, but not limited to the Executive Election, the reading and understanding of the Constitution and its Bylaws, and the rules of operation for the Student Senate.
  2. All members shall be Senators.
  3. The purpose of the Governmental Processes Committee shall be to consider matters involving:
    • The Constitution;
    • The Constitutional Bylaws;
    • The Senate Bylaws;
    • The standing rules;
    • Complaints against a club or organization;
    • Allegations of violations of the Constitution.
    • The Executive Election
  4. The Governmental Processes Committee shall organize and perform all aspects of the Executive Election and any Special Election.
  5. Only matters adhering to its purpose may be sent to the Governmental Processes Committee.

Section B – Financial Appropriations Committee

  1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Financial Appropriations Committee (FAC) of LeTourneau University is to allocate Senate funds in such a way that provides the greatest possible benefit to student organizations across LeTourneau University campus and to demonstrate the thoughtful and responsible stewardship of the funds with which it has been entrusted.
  2. The Financial Appropriations Committee shall be composed of at least three members:
    • Chair
    • Specialists
    • All members not holding one of these positions shall be general members.
  3. The FAC Chair shall
    • Maintain an accurate and current record of Senate finances;
    • Provide a report of the financial status of the Senate to the Senators at least once per semester.
  4. All members shall be Senators.
  5. The purpose of the Financial Appropriations Committee shall be to consider matters involving:
    • General Senate finances;
    • Appropriations to clubs and organizations;
    • Sponsorship for organized team activities;
    • Proposed spending and reimbursement.
  6. Only matters adhering to its purpose may be sent to the Financial Appropriations Committee.

Section C – Student Life Committee

  1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Student Life Committee is to facilitate communication and cooperation between Senate and the student body, the Student Life Office, Facilities Services, the University Police Department, Academic Affairs, and other departments with which communication is needed. Additionally, the Student Life Committee plans and runs Senate activities for the student body.
  2. The Student Life Committee shall be composed of at least three members:
    • Chair;
    • Co-Chair;
    • Specialists;
    • All members not holding one of these positions shall be general members.
  3. The purpose of the Student Life Committee shall be to consider matters involving:
    • Residence Halls;
    • Services;
    • Room and Board Fees;
    • Laundry Facilities;
    • Campus Improvements;
    • Courses;
    • Majors;
    • Tuition;
    • Learning Resources;
    • Student Senate Events;
    • Student Life Project;
    • Campus Security Assessment;
    • Security Improvement Ideas;
    • Anything else pertaining to Student Life.
  4. Only matters adhering to its purpose may be sent to the Student Life Committee.

Section D – Public Records and Relations Committee

  1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Public Records Committee is to ensure that the student body of LeTourneau University has timely access to information regarding the business of the Senate. The Public Records Committee is responsible for maintaining student access to the minutes and passed legislation of the Senate from years past and present. This includes maintaining the paper record, Senate website, and other mediums of communication.
  2. The Public Records Committee shall be composed of at least three members.
  3. All members shall be Senators.
  4. The Public Records Chair may, at any time, correct article and section designations, spelling, punctuation, grammar, diction, and cross-references and to make such other technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to reflect the intent of the Senate.
  5. The Public Records Committee shall in no case make modifications to legislation if the changes do not reflect the intent of the Senate.
  6. The purpose of the Public Records Committee shall be to:
    • Maintain the Public Record;
    • Determine the content of the Senate Web Pages;
    • Maintain the Senate Web Pages;
    • Consider matters involving:
      • The Public Record;
      • The Senate web pages;
      • Senate social media pages;
      • Any official Senate Record;
      • Public face and appearance of the Senate.
  7. Only matters adhering to its purpose may be sent to the Public Records and Relations Committee.

Section F – Formation and Management of Committees

  1. Chairs
    • The PPT shall announce all chair positions. A one week period of time shall be designated for the PPT to interview all qualified candidates. In the General Assembly, the PPT shall put forth a single nomination for chair of each committee. The Senate Body shall be given the opportunity to ask questions of each committee chair nominee. Each nomination for committee chair shall be approved individually by a majority vote of the Senate Body. If a nominee does not receive a majority vote, the PPT shall nominate a new chair to be approved as previously described.
    • Chair selection for the Fall semester shall occur at the end of the preceding Spring Semester and Chair selection for the Spring Semester shall occur at the end of the preceding Fall semester.
    • Chairs shall serve a term of one semester and may be re-nominated and re-approved as described above.
    • No individual may hold multiple Chair positions simultaneously.
    • Chair shall attend meetings with the PPT as defined in this Article.
    • Chairs may resign by submitting a written letter of resignation to the PPT. The letter shall be read aloud in the General Assembly.
    • Chairs may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the entire committee or the PPT, if given just cause to do so.
    • In the event of a vacancy, a new chair shall be nominated and approved as described above.
  2. Co-Chairs
    • Committee chairs may select a co-chair to aid in completion of committee duties.
    • The committee chair retains final authority of the committee.
    • The co-chair must be a nominated and approved member of the committee.
    • Co-chairs shall be jointly appointed by the PPT and the chair of the committee in question.
    • Co-chairs shall serve a term of one semester and may be re-selected as described above.
    • Co-chairs may resign by submitting a written letter of resignation to the PPT. The letter shall be read aloud in the General Assembly.
    • Co-chairs may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the entire committee or by agreement of the PPT and committee chair.
  3. Specialists
    • Specialists preside over specific areas or responsibilities of a committee that require the attention of more than one member.
    • Specialists shall be selected by the Committee Chair, based on the specific needs of the committee.
    • Specialists shall serve a term of one semester and can be reselected.
    • Specialists shall be members of the committee for which they are selected.
  4. Committee Members
    • After all chairs have been confirmed, the PPT shall nominate, in the Senate General Assembly, members of formed committees. The nominations shall be approved by a majority vote of the Senate Body. This process shall be repeated as new committee members are added throughout the year.
    • Committee members shall not be nominated before the chair of the committee in question has been approved.
    • Committee members shall serve until the completion of the academic year and may be re-nominated and re-approved as described above.
    • To resign from a committee, the Senator shall contact the committee chair and the PPT. The resignation shall be announced in the committee meeting and the committee chair shall notify the PPT, Vice President, and Public Records Committee.
    • Committee members may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the entire committee; by the chair of that committee; or by the PPT.
  5. Committee Meetings
    • Committees shall meet regularly to fulfill their duties as set forth in this Article.
    • Committee meetings shall be open to non-member Senators and the general public.
    • Only committee members may vote on an issue.
    • Any visitor wishing to speak during a committee meeting must be recognized by the committee chair.
    • The visitor must leave if requested to by the committee chair.
  6. Committee Chair Meetings
    • Committee chairs shall meet regularly with the PPT to discuss committee operation and Senate functioning.
    • Co-chairs shall be invited to attend.
    • If unable to attend, a committee chair may send a designee from that committee.
    • The PPT shall chair the meeting.
    • The PPT may choose to take minutes, and may enlist one of the committee chairs to do this.
    • The Vice President shall be invited to all committee chair meetings, but not required to attend.
    • All additional guests must be invited by the PPT.

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