The Constitution for the

Student Government of Bryant University

ARTICLE I: LEGISLATIVE BRANCH ....................................................................................................... 2

SECTION 1. ROLES OF THE STUDENT SENATE.................................................................................................................. 2
SECTION 2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT SENATE ............................................................................................. 2
SECTION 3. STRUCTURE AND SESSIONS OF THE STUDENT SENATE ............................................................................. 2
ARTICLE II: EXECUTIVE BRANCH ........................................................................................................ 4
SECTION 1. ROLES OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH............................................................................................................. 4
SECTION 2. QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE........................................................................................................................ 4
SECTION 3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRESIDENT ......................................................................................................... 4
SECTION 4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT ........................................................................ 5
SECTION 5. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TREASURER ........................................................................................................ 5
SECTION 6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SECRETARY ......................................................................................................... 5
SECTION 7. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE RANKING MEMBER ........................................................................................... 5
SECTION 8. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS.................................... 5
SECTION 9. PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION ............................................................................................................................ 6
ARTICLE III: JUDICIAL BRANCH ............................................................................................................ 6
SECTION 1. STRUCTURE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT ................................................ 6
SECTION 2. PROTOCOL OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT ............................................................................................ 7
ARTICLE IV: UNIVERSITY GROUPS ....................................................................................................... 7
SECTION 1. CHARGE OF COOPERATION ............................................................................................................................ 7
SECTION 2. ROLES INVOLVING UNIVERSITY GROUPS .................................................................................................... 7
SECTION 3. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMISSION ............................................. 7
SECTION 4. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT PRESIDENTS ADVISORY COUNCIL ........................ 8
ARTICLE V: ELECTIONS ........................................................................................................................... 8
SECTION 1. STRUCTURE AND PROTOCOL OF ELECTIONS .............................................................................................. 8
ARTICLE VI: IMPEACHMENT .................................................................................................................. 9
SECTION 1. IMPEACHMENT POWER .................................................................................................................................... 9
SECTION 2. PROTOCOL OF IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS ................................................................................................... 9
ARTICLE VII: GENERAL PROVISIONS ................................................................................................. 10
SECTION 1. UNIVERSITY NULLIFICATION CLAUSE ........................................................................................................ 10
SECTION 2. RESERVE CLAUSE ............................................................................................................................................ 10
SECTION 3. NON-DISCRIMINATION AND SEPARATION CLAUSE ................................................................................. 10
SECTION 4. PUBLIC RECORD CLAUSE ............................................................................................................................... 10
SECTION 5. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS CLAUSE ................................................................................................................. 10
ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS .............................................................................................................. 10
SECTION 1. PROVISIONS AND PROTOCOL FOR AMENDMENTS.................................................................................... 10
 The Constitution for the Student Government of Bryant University

The Student Government strives to improve Bryant University for the Student Body by
collaborating with both students and the University Administration. The Student Government is
comprised of three branches: The Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial
Branch.

Article I: Legislative Branch

Section 1. Roles of the Student Senate
A. The legislative branch of the Student Government is the Student Senate.
B. The Student Senate shall be composed of twenty Senators, five from each class, who
shall each hold one vote in all matters.
C. At the conclusion of each Academic Year, the Students of the rising sophomore, junior,
and senior classes, shall elect five senators from their own class for the following
Academic Year.
D. At the beginning of the Academic Year, the Students of the freshman class shall elect five
senators from their own class for the current and remaining Academic Year.
E. The President of the Student Government shall serve as the Presiding Officer of the
Student Senate, holding no vote.
F. The Executive Vice-President of the Student Government, the Treasurer of the Student
Government, the Secretary of the Student Government, and the Vice-President for
Student Organizations shall each hold one vote in the Student Senate in all matters,
representing the Student Body as a whole, not just their own class.
G. The Student Senators shall elect amongst themselves a Ranking Member, who shall serve
as a member of the Executive Cabinet of the Student Government.
Section 2. Responsibilities of the Student Senate
A. The Student Senate shall be the official representative body of the full-time
undergraduate students of Bryant University, herein known as the Student Body.
B. The Student Senate shall have the responsibility and authority to:
i. Recommend actions, including Student Policy, to the University.
ii. Approve all budget requests of Recognized Student Organizations funded by the
Student Involvement Fee on the recommendations of the Ways and Means
Commission.
iii. Recognize new Student Organizations, with approval of the University.
iv. Review and approve Amendments to existing Recognized Student Organizations
Constitutions.
Section 3. Structure and Sessions of the Student Senate
A. The Student Senate shall be in Session during its regular weekly Meetings.
B. When in Session, the Meetings of the Student Senate shall be governed by Roberts
Rules of Order Newly Revised whenever it is consistent with this Constitution, the
bylaws of the Student Senate, and any special rules of order that the Student Senate may
adopt.
C. All Student Senators, the President of the Student Government, and the Officers of the
Executive Cabinet may participate in the discussions and deliberations of the Student
Senate.

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D. Every final Bill, Resolution, Order, Vote of Adoption, or similar main and final Motions
that the Student Senate adopts or approves, except on questions of Adjournment,
Impeachment, or Statements of Intent, shall be presented to the President of the Student
Government.
i. Before any of the above actions take effect, they must all be approved by the
President of the Student Government.
ii. In the case that the President of the Student Government does not approve, he or
she shall issue a Veto, and must issue a Veto Message providing justification for
his or her disapproval.
iii. The Student Senate may override the Veto of the President by a two-thirds
affirmative vote.
iv. Should the President fail to Sign or Veto the same within one week of passage by
the Student Senate, then it shall be automatically considered approved; a notice of
such shall be issued by the Secretary of the Student Government.
v. Once a Resolution, Order, Vote of Adoption, or similar main and final Motions of
the Student Senate have been approved by the President of the Student
Government, or by any of the methods prescribed by this Constitution, it is then
an Act of the Student Government.
E. Upon the proper adoption of a Bill regarding Student Policy or a Recommendation to the
University by the Student Senate, and subsequent approval by the President of the
Student Government, the then Act shall be delivered to the appropriate member of the
President of Bryant Universitys Cabinet for an official University Response.
i. Should the appropriate member of the President of Bryant Universitys Cabinet
approve of the Act, the Administration of Bryant University shall then issue its
response and a plan to begin implementation of the same.
ii. Should the appropriate member of the President of Bryant Universitys Cabinet
reject the Act, the Student Government shall request justification be provided
regarding his or her decision.
iii. In the event that a properly adopted Act has been fully delivered to the
appropriate member of the President of Bryant Universitys Cabinet, and he or
she does not respond within thirty days of delivery, the Student Government will
issue a written follow-up, as appropriate.
F. It shall be required that all Senators and the Officers of the Executive Cabinet attend the
Sessions of the Student Senate.
i. Failure to comply with this Clause of this Section may be grounds for
Impeachment as provided in the Bylaws, and as specified in Article VI.
ii. The Quorum requirement shall be two-thirds of the voting membership of the
Student Senate currently in office.
iii. The Secretary shall keep a log of each and every occurrence at the Sessions of the
Student Senate, including a record of attendance, the process of which will be
outlined in the Bylaws.
G. All Sessions of the Student Senate must be held in an open manner and be open to the
public, with all votes taking place in a public manner, and public notice of said meeting
been given at least twenty-four hours in advance.
H. The Student Senate shall establish and maintain its bylaws which shall have authority
over the Student Government.

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 Article II: Executive Branch
Section 1. Roles of the Executive Branch
A. The executive responsibilities of the Student Government shall be vested in a President,
together with the Executive Cabinet.
B. The Executive Cabinet shall consist of:
i. The President
ii. The Executive Vice-President
iii. Senior Vice President for Student Organizations
iv. The Treasurer
v. The Secretary
vi. The Ranking Member
C. The President, Executive Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Vice-President for
Student Organizations of the Student Government, and the Ranking Member of the
Student Senate shall be known collectively as the Officers of the Executive Cabinet.
D. The President, Executive Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary shall be elected by a
plurality of the entire Student Body, as provided in Article V of this Constitution, at the
conclusion of each Academic Year.
Section 2. Qualifications for Office
A. In order to be eligible to serve as President, Executive Vice-President, Treasurer, or
Secretary, a student must have been elected to the Student Senate of Bryant University in
a previous election.
B. In order to be eligible to serve as Treasurer of the Student Government, a student must
also have served a full annual term as a member of the Ways and Means Commission or
as Treasurer of a Recognized Student Organization.
C. In order to be eligible to serve as Vice President for Student Organizations of the Student
Government, a student must also have served a full annual term as a member of the
Student Senate or as President of a Recognized Student Organization.
D. The Student Senate shall have the authority to override these requirements for office by
means of an affirmative vote of an absolute majority which shall be outlined in the
Bylaws.
Section 3. Responsibilities of the President
A. The President is the official representative of the entire Student Body.
B. The President shall represent the Student Government to the University Administration
and the Student Body to the Student Government.
C. The President shall lead the Student Government in working with the University
Administration to further the work of the Student Government, holding regular meetings
with the leadership of the Student Affairs Division.
D. The President shall implement the Agenda for each Session of the Student Senate.
E. The President shall make appointments to various groups, bodies, boards, committees,
commissions, and units, as needed, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Student
Senate.
i. When an appointment is needed, the Executive Cabinet shall publicly solicit
applications from the Student Body.
ii. The President of the Student Government, along with the Executive Cabinet, will
nominate up to one more application than there are appointments available.

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 iii. The Student Senate will then make the appointment by a plurality vote taken
anonymously in open Session.
iv. The President may not veto any appointment of the Student Senate.
F. The President serves as a member of the National Alumni Council.
G. The President attends all meetings of the Student Presidents Advisory Council.
H. The President may, in extraordinary circumstances, act as the temporary Presiding
Officer over any group, body, board, committee, commission, or unit, of the Student
Government, at the request of the current Presiding Officer, or the members
unanimously.
Section 4. Responsibilities of the Executive Vice-President
A. The Executive Vice-President shall temporarily assume the responsibilities of the
President when he or she is not present.
B. The Executive Vice-President shall plan and coordinate any and all retreats, trainings, or
other internal events, in conjunction with the Ranking Member of the Student Senate.
C. The Executive Vice-President shall monitor and coordinate the progress between the
various groups within the Student Senate, as provided in the Bylaws.
D. The Executive Vice-President shall work with the Student Government to develop and
execute the goals of the Student Government.
Section 5. Responsibilities of the Treasurer
A. The Treasurer shall handle all financial matters for the Student Government, including
the Student Senate, keeping a record of such, and shall compile and propose the budget
for the same for the upcoming Fiscal Year.
B. The Treasurer shall report and announce the funds available in the Treasury at the
beginning of each Session of the Student Senate, or upon order of the President of the
Student Government.
C. The Treasurer shall have the authority and responsibility to audit any Recognized Student
Organization, in conjunction with the Office of Campus Engagement.
Section 6. Responsibilities of the Secretary
A. The Secretary shall maintain, both physically and digitally, a numerically indexed record
of all Acts of the Student Government, including vote information and University Assent,
which shall be available for public inspection at all times.
B. The Secretary shall coordinate any correspondence for the Student Government with
faculty members of Bryant University, the Administration of Bryant University, and the
Student Body.
Section 7. Responsibilities of the Ranking Member
A. The Ranking Member shall be the liaison between the Executive and Legislative
Branches.
Section 8. Responsibilities of the Vice-President for Student Organizations
A. The Vice-President for Student Organizations shall represent the interests of student
organizations to the Student Government.
B. The Vice-President for Student Organizations shall assist students in the formation of
new student organizations, in conjunction with the Office of Campus Engagement or the
Director of Club Sports and Intramurals.
C. The Vice-President for Student Organizations shall coordinate with and assist recognized
student organizations in amending their Charters, Constitutions, or other founding
documents.

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Section 9. Presidential Succession
A. In the event that the President no longer holds that office, the Executive Vice-
President shall become Acting President, and the Ranking Member of the Student Senate
shall become Acting Executive Vice-President, without delay, upon taking the Oath of
Office, administered by an appropriate Member of the Student Government.
i. At the first Session of the Student Senate afterwards, a Motion of Confidence in
the new administration shall be made by a newly selected Ranking Member. If
this motion passes, the Acting President and Acting Executive Vice-President
shall fully ascend to their new offices. If the motion fails, they shall serve until the
replacements are elected in an election to be held as soon as possible.
ii. In the event that the office of Executive Vice-President is vacated prior to the
Executive Vice-President taking the Oath of Office and becoming President, the
Ranking Member shall become President upon taking the Oath of Office. In the
event that the office of Ranking Member is vacated prior to the Ranking Member
taking the Oath of Office and becoming President, the Vice-President for Student
Organizations shall become President upon taking the Oath of Office, and should
the office of Vice-President for Student Organizations be vacated prior to the
Vice-President for Student Organizations taking the Oath of Office and becoming
President, the Student Senate shall appoint the President by means of a majority.
iii. Whenever the President, or the Executive Vice-President and a two-thirds
majority of the Student Senate, submits a notice to the Secretary written
declaration that the President is unable or unwilling to discharge the powers and
duties of said office, the Executive Vice-President shall assume the office of
Acting President of the Student Government.

Article III: Judicial Branch

Section 1. Structure and Responsibilities of the Constitutional Court
A. The judicial responsibilities of the Student Government shall be vested in a judicial
branch of the government, which shall include a Constitutional Court.
B. The Constitutional Court shall have the exclusive authority to:
i. Interpret this Constitution.
ii. Exercise Judicial Review over Actions of the Student Government.
C. The Constitutional Court of the Student Government shall be composed of three Justices.
i. The three Justices will be appointed by the Student Government in the manner
prescribed in Article II, Section 3, Clause E of this Constitution, except for a
Justice applying for reappointment, who shall automatically be forwarded to the
Student Senate.
ii. The Justices may not, at the time of taking Office, be a Student Senator or a
member of the Presidents Executive Cabinet.
D. The three Justices shall together hear and decide the cases of the Constitutional Court by
means of a majority, each holding one vote. The majority shall issue its written Opinion
which shall be binding, and the minority shall also issue a written Dissent. Both the
Opinion and Dissent shall be reported to the Student Senate at its first Session after their
publication.
E. A decision of the Constitutional Court may be Nullified by a two-thirds vote of the
Student Senate, provided a petition requesting the same be filed with the Secretary within

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 five days of said decision containing the signatures of at least twenty percent of the
Student Body.
Section 2. Protocol of the Constitutional Court
A. The Constitutional Court shall have Jurisdiction over all cases regarding the
responsibilities and actions of the Student Government, and between the different parts
thereof.
i. The Constitutional Court shall have the authority to hear any and all cases under
its Jurisdiction.
ii. The Constitutional Court shall weight the precedent set by its previous decisions
when issuing new Opinions.
B. Cases of the Constitutional Court shall be heard on Petitions, which may be submitted to
the court by any member of the Student Body of Bryant University, including and on
behalf of any member or part of the Student Government.
C. The Constitutional Court shall convene to hear a case within one week of a Petition being
filed with the court.

Article IV: University Groups

Section 1. Charge of Cooperation
A. As provided in the bylaws, the Student Government shall work in conjunction with
certain groups which represent broad constituencies within the Student Body to achieve
its goals.
B. Through the Student Presidents Advisory Council, all Recognized Student Organizations
shall be represented by, and constructed as part of, the Student Government.
Section 2. Roles Involving University Groups
A. The President of the Student Government, Treasurer of the Student Government, and the
Vice-President for Student Organizations shall serve as a members of the Student
Involvement Fee Oversight Board.
B. The Treasurer shall serve as the Chair of the Ways and Means Commission.
C. The Chair of the Student Presidents Advisory Council shall serve as the Vice-President
for Student Organizations of the Student Government, an ex-officio member of the
Executive Cabinet.
Section 3. Roles and Responsibilities of the Ways and Means Commission
A. The Ways and Means Commission shall hold both the Annual Budget Hearings for all
Clubs and Organizations that it funds, and also the hearings for Requests for Additional
Funding and Requests for Initial Funding throughout the year.
B. The Ways and Means Commission shall be made up of four Student Senators, one from
each class, as Commissioners, each with one vote, who shall be appointed by the
Treasurer of the Student Government, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Student
Senate.
C. There shall be seven At-Large Commissioners elected by the Student Presidents
Advisory Council.
D. There shall be one Student Presidents Advisory Council Commissioner, who shall be the
Vice-President for Student Organizations.
E. There shall be two voting Commissioners from the Office of Campus Engagement, who
shall be specified in the Commissions Charter.
F. In total, there shall be fifteen regular voting Commissioners, including the Chair.

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 G. In addition to the regular voting Commissioners, there may also be one faculty or staff
voting Commissioner, who shall be appointed by a vote of the existing Commissioners.
H. The Chair of the Ways and Means Commission shall only vote when his or her vote shall
affect the result.
I. The Secretary of the Student Government, or his or her designee, shall serve as Clerk of
the Ways and Means Commission.
J. The Ways and Means Commission shall issue its Recommendation to the Student Senate
through the Treasurer of the Student Government.
K. A Recognized Student Organization shall then either accept or appeal Recommendations
of the Ways and Means Commission to the Student Senate. All Recognized Student
Organizations shall always have the right to appeal the Recommendations of the Ways
and Means Commission.
L. It shall require a majority affirmative vote of the Student Senate to appropriate funds to
the budget of a Recognized Student Organization. However, should the Student Senate
seek to appropriate an amount which is not the Recommendation of the Ways and Means
Commission, it shall require a two-thirds affirmative vote of the Student Senate.
M. The Student Senate may automatically approve a Recommendation of the Ways and
Means Commission under a certain dollar amount; that value to be defined in the bylaws
of the Student Senate, as approved by the Student Involvement Fee Oversight Board.
N. The Ways and Means Commission shall establish and maintain its Charter, defining the
foregoing and its normal operating procedure, which shall be in conformity to this
Constitution, and approved, together with any future changes, by the Student Senate.
O. The Student Senate itself may appeal the Ways and Means Commissions
Recommendation for its Annual Budget, however an appeal of a Request for Additional
Funding for the Student Senate must be heard by the Constitutional Court and not by the
Student Senate itself, notwithstanding anything contained in this Clause.
Section 4. Roles and Responsibilities of the Student Presidents Advisory Council
A. The Student Presidents Advisory Council shall be the voice of, and allow for the
distribution of information to, the leadership of Recognized Student Organizations,
B. The Student Presidents Advisory Council shall establish and maintain its Charter,
defining its function and its normal operating procedure, which shall be in conformity to
this Constitution, and approved, together with any future changes, by the Student Senate.
C. The Student Presidents Advisory Council shall meet at least twice per semester.
D. The Student Presidents Advisory Council shall serve as a resource for Presidents of
Registered Student Organizations to communicate with the Vice-President for Student
Organizations about any and all concerns.
E. The Student Presidents Advisory Council shall serve as a place to clarify and deliver
policy updates and professional development resources to Recognized Student
Organizations.
F. The Student Presidents Advisory Council shall also provide a community for Presidents
to network with other Presidents.

Article V: Elections
Section 1. Structure and Protocol of Elections
A. The Secretary shall serve as the Elections Commissioner for all Members of the three
branches of the Student Government outlined in Article I, Article II, and Article III, but

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 not the Functional Units, so long as he or she is not seeking any elected office in the
Student Government.
i. Should the Secretary be seeking an elected office in the Student Government, the
Elections Commissioner shall be a Student Senator from the Senior Class who
shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Student Senate.
B. The Student Senators, the Officers of the Executive Cabinet, and the Justices of the
Student Government shall collectively be known as the Members of the Student
Government.
C. The Term of Office for the Members of the Student Government for the following
Academic Year will begin on the Inauguration Day, which shall be the preceding
Wednesday occurring thirty days prior to the last day of classes in the Spring Semester as
published by the University, and end on the Inauguration Day in the following Academic
Year.
i. An Affirmation specified in the Bylaws shall constitute the Oath of Office and
shall be administered to all Members of the Student Government before the
Execution of their respective Offices.
ii. All Members of the Student Government will be sworn in on Inauguration Day.
iii. The out-going President shall administer the Oath of Office to the in-coming
Officers of the Executive Cabinet, expect as provided in the Bylaws.
iv. In turn, the newly sworn President of the Student Government shall administer the
Oath of Office to the remaining Members of the Student Government.
D. Elections for the Student Senators shall take place in the week preceding the Inauguration
Day, with Elections for the other Members of the Student Government taking place
during the week prior.
E. Results of all elections shall be tabulated, verified, recorded, published, and announced at
a meeting of the Student Senate, by the Elections Commissioner, including the total
number of students voting, and the votes obtained by each candidate, and shall not be
subject to provisions of Article VII, Section 1 of this Constitution.
F. The Student Senate shall have the authority to define the eligibly requirements and
process for the regular Elections defined in this Constitution, and for Special Elections to
fill a mid-term vacancy.
G. All Members of the Student Government must be in Good Academic and Judicial
Standing, as defined in the bylaws of the Student Senate, at the time of election and
throughout their Term of Office.

Article VI: Impeachment

Section 1. Impeachment Power
A. The Student Senate shall hold the Power of Impeachment over any Member of the three
branches of the Student Government outlined in Article I, Article II, and Article III.
A. An Impeachment Hearing may be called by a Motion to Impeach, followed by a majority
vote of the Student Senate, or by a petition from the Student Body with the signatures of
at least five percent of the Student Body.
Section 2. Protocol of Impeachment Hearings
A. Once an Impeachment Hearing has been called by the Student Senate, the Hearing shall
take place at the following Session of the Student Senate.

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 B. The Secretary shall issue notice to the student in question that an Impeachment Hearing
has been called within forty-eight hours of the Student Senate vote to call said hearing.
C. A Constitution Court Justice shall serve as the Presiding Officer for any Impeachment
Hearing.
D. The Student in question shall be given an opportunity to defend themselves at the
Hearing, either in person or by proxy.
E. After the students defense is heard and any debate is had, the Student Senators shall vote
via anonymous ballot.
F. A two-thirds vote of the Student Senate shall be required for Impeachment.

Article VII: General Provisions

Section 1. University Nullification Clause
The President of Bryant University, as the leader of the Administration, shall have the
power to Nullify any Action of the Student Government.
Section 2. Reserve Clause
Any power not reserved to a specific part of the Student Government by this Constitution
is reserved to the Student Senate.
Section 3. Non-Discrimination and Separation Clause
The Student Government of Bryant University shall not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, disability,
handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status. Additionally, the Student
Government shall have no official affiliation with any religion.
Section 4. Public Record Clause
All Actions and records of the Student Government shall be Public Record.
Section 5. Fundamental Rights Clause
The Student Government shall not make or enforce any Action which deprives any
Student of his or her Rights or Standing, or allow the same by Others, in any way, nor proceed
with force against a Group, or send Others to do so, without Due Process. Neither shall any
Student be compelled to bear witness against him or her self, nor shall private property be taken
for public use without just compensation, nor shall the Student Government deny to any Person
or Group within its jurisdiction equal protection under its Actions.

Article VIII: Amendments

Section 1. Provisions and Protocol for Amendments
A. This Constitution may be amended by a four-fifths affirmative vote of the Student Senate,
B. Any final proposal of amendment must be made available for public viewing for one
week prior to being voted upon by the Student Senate.
C. Amendments to the Constitution must be signed and sealed as separate documents, being
signed by the President of the Student Government to certify the passage by the Student
Senate. Failure to sign an amendment that qualifies for certification shall be grounds for
Impeachment.
A. Amendments to this Constitution may not dissolve the Student Senate.

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