The Constitution of Brunswick School

Formed by the Constitutional Committee of 2004

&

By Order of President Matthew W. Gojkovich ‘04

Article One: Purpose of the Government & Jurisdiction

Section One: Purpose of the Government

The purpose of the Student Government shall be to provide the means for student expression in school affairs, give opportunity for student experience in various skills of leadership, make and interpret policies concerning clubs and social activities, provide financial support for such groups and activities and ensure the general well being of the School and its student body.

Section Two: Jurisdiction

The Student Government shall have jurisdiction over the following but not limited to: school clubs and their general direction, social activities, and community service projects and the organizations that support them in conjunction with the faculty sponsor.

Article Two: The Executive Branch of the Student Government

Section One (A): The Presidency of the School

The President of Brunswick is the highest ranking member of the Student Government and of the Student Body.

The President of the School shall preside over all student government meetings except those of the Senate. The President may call for a “Joint Meeting” between the Executive and Legislative Branches at any time.

The President shall be responsible for the successful operations of but not limited to: The Brown & White, Brunswick Upper School Tournament, the Brunswick Face Book, Homecoming events, and BSG elections.

The President shall have the power to introduce legislative proposals and budgetary requests to the Senate for approval. The President may veto all legislative proposals originating and approved by the Senate. The President may not use government funds or resources without the approval of the Senate.

The President of the School shall serve for one school year and must be a member of the senior class.

Section One (B): Fast Track Legislative Powers

The President may invoke Fast Track Legislative Powers and bypass the legislative process to pass an emergency budgetary or legislative proposal.

The President must only invoke Fast Track Legislative Powers if the Student Senate can not be assembled within a reasonable amount of time and with the approval of the Headmaster.

When the situation is resolved, the President must assemble the Senate. If the President used Fast Track Legislative Powers to pass a legislative proposal, the Senate must approve the measure.

If the measure fails, the proposal is revoked. If the President used emergency powers for a budgetary proposal, the Senate must approve the measure. It the Senate votes the proposal down, the President is ordered to recover the funds.

Section Two (A): The Office of Secretary of Community Affairs

The Secretary of Community Affairs is a ranking member of the Student Government. The Secretary of Community Affairs shall be empowered to coordinate the activities between the Student Government and the diverse extra-curricular organizations within Brunswick. The Secretary is also responsible for coordinating community service projects in the entire Upper School in conjunction with the faculty Director of Community Service, the Assistant to the Upper School and the BSG faculty sponsor.

 The Secretary of Community Affairs serves as the primary coordinating and scheduling officer between the clubs of Brunswick and the Student Body. The Secretary shall work with all clubs to schedule their meeting times to prevent conflicts and to ensure equal use of time and school facilities.

The Secretary can begin the charter process for the creation of a new club at Brunswick and bring the issue to the Student Senate for a final vote. The Secretary of Community Affairs is responsible for implementing the extra-curricular and assembly budget established by the Student Senate.

The Secretary will work with the leaders of Key Club, the faculty Director of Community Service and the other community service organizations to unify efforts on all levels and to provide a consistent policy of helping the communities around Brunswick. The Secretary of Community Affairs is responsible for implementing the community service budget established by the Student Senate.

 The Secretary is elected by the entire Student Body and shall be a member of the Senior Class.

The Secretary will be assisted by a Deputy Secretary of Community Affairs. The Deputy Secretary will be a junior and will be elected by the entire student body.

Section Two (B): Clubs & The Charter Process

The Student Government shall be empowered to support and guide the direction of extra-curricular and community oriented activities at Brunswick in conjunction with the Headmaster and Head of the Upper School. All current clubs are entitled to financial aid from the government and a portion of the Official Budget of the Brunswick Student Government shall be set aside for extra-curricular use. That portion of the budget shall be established by the Student Senate, by a majority vote.

Any student who wishes to start a new extra-curricular or community service club at the School must submit a proposal to the Secretary of Community Affairs. If approved, the proposal will be delivered to the Student Senate for a vote.

 If the Club Proposal is passed by the Senate, that club receives full status and may request funding from the extra-curricular budget. Such request must be approved by the Senate. If the club proposal fails to pass, the student may resubmit his proposal after revision.

Article Three: The Legislative Branch of the Student Government

Section One: The Vice Presidency of the School

The Vice President of Brunswick is a ranking member of the Student Government and of the Student Body.

The Vice President shall assist in the successful operations of but not limited to: The Brown & White, The Brunswick Upper School Tournament, The Brunswick Face Book, and Homecoming events.

The Vice President shall also serve as the leader and coordinating officer of the Student Senate. The Vice President shall have no vote in the Senate unless there is a tie in which the Vice President has the tie breaking vote.

The Vice President shall serve for one school year and must be a member of the junior class.

In the event the President is removed from office before becoming President or before mid year exams, new elections will be held. In the event of the President’s removal from office after mid-year exams, The Vice President will serve as the Acting President, with the full authority of the office for the remainder of the term. In such situation where the Vice President becomes President, a special election will be held to replace the Vice President.

Section Two (A): The Student Senate

The Student Senate is the legislative branch of the Brunswick School. The Brunswick Student Senate is made up of two senators from the four upper school grades and is presided over by the Vice President of the School.

The Student Senate is responsible for approving all budgetary and legislative proposals brought forth by the President of the School, The Vice President of the School, the Headmaster or the Student Senate itself. This approval will come by way of vote.

The individual Senators for their respective grades will serve as equal leaders of their grades. Both Senators will be responsible for working with the appropriate government officials to ensure the implementation of the President’s and Senate’s policy and be present at any and all meetings of the Senate.

Section Three: Senate Committees

The Senate will organize itself into Committees that focus on important matters of the school. The Vice President of the School shall appoint members of the Senate to the following committees: Finance, Clubs & Extra-Curricular, Communications, and Community Service.

The Community Service and Clubs & Extra-Curricular Committees shall assist the President and the Secretary of Community Affairs in organizing and executing the community and social policies of the Government. The Secretary of Community Affairs shall serve as an ex officio member of the Community Service and Clubs & Extra-Curricular Committees.

The Finance Committee shall be responsible for the financial health of the Student government. It must be headed up by one of the two senior senators, who in turn serve as the Treasurer of the School.

 The Communications Committee shall be responsible for the keeping of all student government records, maintaining the Student government website, recording meeting minutes and coordinating communications within the government. The Senator who chairs the committee will serve as the Secretary of the Government.

Section Four: Legislation & Voting/Veto Procedure

All Legislation must be passed by a simple majority vote of the Student Senate. A simple majority is half the total votes, plus one. In the event of a tie vote, the Vice President shall deliver the tie-breaking vote.

The Legislation must be signed within three days and approved by the Headmaster. The President of the School or the Headmaster may veto the legislation but must do so within three days. The veto must be delivered in writing to the Senate. In the event of a Presidential Veto, the Senate may override it by a unanimous vote. In the event of a Headmaster’s veto, there is no senatorial override.

Article Four: Qualifications for Office & Election/Impeachment Process

Section One: Qualification for President of Brunswick School

All those in the junior class who will become seniors the following year are eligible for the Office of the President of Brunswick. Those who wish to become President must have their nomination confirmed by the Headmaster of Brunswick and the outgoing President of Brunswick by interview and their speeches approved by the Headmaster.

Section Two (A): The Election of School Wide Officers

The election of the President of the School, Vice President of the School, the Secretary of Community Affairs, and Deputy Secretary of Community Affairs will take place during the spring.

The election for officers will take place by secret ballot. If there are more than two candidates for office, the two who receive the most votes will participate in a runoff election. That runoff election will take place no more then two days after the original election. The runoff election must take place during an assembly.

Section Two (B): The Election of Class Senators

All senators with the exception of those from the 9^th grade will be elected during the spring. 9^th grade senators will be elected the following fall. The election will take place using a secret ballot. The two candidates who receive the most votes become the Senators from their respective classes. No runoff elections may be held for Senatorial Elections unless there is a tie. If such tie takes place, a runoff will take place.

Section Three: The Transition of Power & The Oath of Office

Following the certification of presidential election results by the Headmaster and the Grade Deans, the winner will become the President-Elect of Brunswick. The President-Elect will have no authority but will be allowed to attend government meetings and work with the Student Government to effect an orderly transition.

One week before senior graduation, the President-Elect will take the oath of office at an Upper School assembly. In addition, the Vice President of the School and Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Community Affairs will take the Oath of Office. The President-Elect will take the following oath:

I (insert name), do hear by swear (or solemnly affirm), that I will faithfully carry out my duties as (insert office) and will do everything in my power to preserve and protect the interests and well-being of the student body for which I serve

The Vice President, Secretary of Community Affairs and deputy Secretary of Community Affairs will take the same oath, however the title of their office will be inserted into the Oath in the appropriate locations.

Section Four: Punishment

If any officer of the government fails to serve in the best interests of the school, such officer can and shall be disciplined by either the administration of the School or by the Government.

Article Five: The Constitutional Processes

Section One: The Amendment Process

The Constitution can be amended by a simple majority vote of the Student Senate and with approval of the President of the School and the Headmaster. Amendments will supercede previous articles and sections.

Section Two: The State of the School Address

            The President will from time to time deliver a State of the School Address to the assembled student body and faculty. This address will be scheduled at the President’s discretion, but such address should take place at least once per year.

Section Three: Constitutional Review Period

            This constitution must remain in effect for a period of two years, after which a review of it must take place by a newly formed Constitutional Commission.

This Constitution shall go into effect and become the governing law of Brunswick Student Government on the First Day of the Fifth Month of the Two Thousands and Forth Year of the Calendar. 

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