American University
Residence Hall Association
c/o Housing & Dining Programs | 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW | Washington, DC 20016-8142
Phone: 202-885-1RHA | FAX: 202-885-1154 | E-mail: info@aurha.org | www.aurha.org
Resolution 11-12-012
A Resolution to Create Co-Active Resolutions
16, February, 2012
Rory Slatko, National Communications Coordinator
Whereas, both the American University Student Government Undergraduate Senate (UGS) and
the Resident Hall Association General Assembly (RHA-GA) are representative bodies promoting
the best interest of the undergraduate student body, and;
Whereas, the Executive Boards of both the American University Student Government and the
Residence Hall Association have shown initiative in cooperation between the two organizations,
and;
Whereas, both the UGS and the RHA-GA are tasked with pursuing means of advocacy through
processes that mandate the principles of representation and a fair and free process, and;
Whereas, we recognize that the American University Student Government and the Residence
Hall Association are both important means to the self-governance of the undergraduate student
body, and;
Whereas, it ought to be the goal of the Residence Hall Association to most effectively display
and pursue a cohesive student voice, and;
Therefore, be it enacted that the following section shall be inserted after Article VIII of the
American University Residence Hall Association Bylaws:
ARTICLE IX.
Section i.
Subsection 1.
Subsection 2.
Co-Active Resolutions
Definition and Requirements
A Co-Active Resolution should be titled to reflect its status.
A Co-Active Resolution is a binding piece of legislation, unless explicitly
stated to the contrary within the Co-Active Resolution as non-binding
expression of the sentiments of the American University Student
Government and the Residence Hall Association.
Subsection 3. A Co-Active Resolution can express the sentiment of the American
University Student Government Undergraduate Senate and the Residence
Hall Association General Assembly, discuss new circumstances that
highlight old policy, or underscore other matters of symbolic import.
Subsection 4. If the Co-Active Resolution originates in the Residence Hall Association,
it can, in the original language, direct individual officers of the Residence
Hall Association to advocate for specific policies outlined there-in. It may
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Subsection 5.
Subsection 6.
Subsection 7.
Subsection 8.
also serve this function if it is amended by the Residence Hall Association
to the same end. Additionally, a Co-Active Resolution may rescind former
legislation of the Residence Hall Association if the Co-Active resolution if
the Co-Active Resolution originates in the Residence Hall Association
and/or if the Co-Active Resolution is amended by the Residence Hall
Association to that same end.
Such legislation cannot amend the Constitution, Bylaws, or Procedures of
the American University Residence Hall Association, nor can it amend or
affect the Residence Hall Association’s funds, finances, or budget.
A Co-Active Resolution can be proposed by the Undergraduate Senate
through their own processes of the passage and consideration of Co-Active
Resolutions, but must be sponsored by a Residence Hall Association
Roundtable, Committee, or General Assembly to be brought before
General Assembly.
A Co-Active Resolution must have two readings before the General
Assembly on original (originating in the RHA) or primary (first
consideration), and first reading cannot be waived; however, first reading
may be waived during the reconsideration process.
A Co-Active Resolution can be passed by a majority vote, and shall
require the signature of both the President of the Student Government and
the President of the Residence Hall Association. Should a Co-Active
Resolution be vetoed by the President of the Student Government, the
Residence Hall Association General Assembly cannot override the veto.
Section ii.
Consideration of Co-Active Resolutions
Subsection 1. The RHA Executive Board must first send an Executive Memo that
recognizes the Undergraduate Senate’s bylaws and procedures as being
sufficiently aligned with the bylaws structuring Co-Active Resolutions in
the General Assembly.
Subsection 2. A Co-Active Resolution may be brought before the General Assembly by
any member of the body for consideration, and must indicate itself as a
Co-Active Resolution in title.
Subsection 3. All processes and procedures that determine the passage of a Resolution
are also applicable to the passage of a co-active resolution, including
required vote thresholds and amendment procedures.
Subsection 4. After receipt of the co-active resolution from the Undergraduate Senate,
the RHA Vice President of Advocacy must notify the General Assembly
upon the next meeting of the General Assembly, at which point any
member of the General Assembly may choose to sponsor the legislation.
With or without a sponsor, the Co-Active Resolution will then be referred
to the relevant Roundtable or Committee.
Subsection 5. A Co-Active Resolution that is passed by the Undergraduate Senate may
then be brought before the appropriate Residence Hall Association
Roundtable or Committee.
Subsection 6. The General Assembly member, or the Roundtable or Committee Chair
who’s Roundtable or Committee has accepted sponsorship of any such
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legislation is responsible for the co-active resolution, including meeting
with RHA Advisors to discuss the legislation. These duties can be
delegated to any member of the General Assembly or E-Board / A-Board
member.
Subsection 7. Upon the passage of a Co-Active Resolution in General Assembly, it must
be provided to the Speaker of the Undergraduate Senate within twentyfour (24) hours. If the Co-Active Resolution is amended in either a
Roundtable, Committee, an Advisor meeting, or in the General Assembly,
the Co-Active Resolution must follow the procedures of re-consideration.
Subsection 8. If the Co-Active Resolution passes in Committee and in General
Assembly without amendment after passing through the Undergraduate
Senate, it must be provided to the President of the Student Government
and the President of the Residence Hall Association for signatures within
twenty-four (24) hours. If no signature or veto is provided by either
President with-in five (5) days of the presentation of the co-active
resolution, it is considered approved.
Subsection 9. Regardless of the body of origin of the Co-Active Resolution, the
President of the Residence Hall Association may only sign the resolution
if the exact same language is agreed upon and passed as legislation by
both the Residence Hall Association General Assembly and the
Undergraduate Senate.
Section iii. Re-Consideration of Co-Active Resolutions
Subsection 1. If a Co-Active Resolution is approved by the Residence Hall Association
General Assembly and then amended in the Undergraduate Senate or one
of its Committees, the legislation may return to the Residence Hall
Association as long as a relevant sponsor (General Assembly member,
Roundtable or Committee) agrees to continue sponsorship.
Subsection 2. This Roundtable or Committee or individual does not necessarily have to
be the same Roundtable or Committee or individual that sponsored the
Co-Active Resolution upon original or primary consideration.
Subsection 3. All other processes and procedures that determine the passage of a
Resolution and its consideration in the General Assembly are also
applicable to the passage and re-consideration of a Co-Active Resolution,
including required vote thresholds and amendment procedures;
additionally, upon re-consideration, first reading of the Co-Active
Resolution may be waived.
Subsection 4. After receipt of the amended Co-Active Resolution from the
Undergraduate Senate, the Vice President of Advocacy has forty-eight
(48) hours to notify the General Assembly of re-submission. At this time,
the original (if the co-active resolution originates in the Residence Hall
Association) or primary (the Committee / Roundtable that assumes
sponsorship during first consideration) sponsor of the co-active resolution
assumes sponsorship. This sponsorship may be rescinded in writing, at
which point the legislation is forwarded to the appropriate Committee /
Roundtable for consideration.
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Subsection 5. If the Co-Active Resolution, upon re-consideration, is amended, then the
Co-Active Resolution must follow the procedures of re-consideration.
Subsection 6. If a Co-Active Resolution is initially approved by the Undergraduate
Senate and received with sponsorship in the Residence Hall Association,
and then amended in Committee, in an Advisor meeting, or in the General
Assembly, the Co-Active Resolution must follow the procedures of reconsideration.
Subsection 7. The procedures for re-consideration may be re-applied to the reconsideration of a co-active resolution indefinitely. A co-active resolution
may fail in accordance with established vote threshold requirements in
Committee or on the floor of the General Assembly, or if it is not returned
to the General Assembly by the Undergraduate Senate. Additionally, if the
co-active resolution has no sponsorship in the Residence Hall Association
two (2) weeks after the passage of the Co-Active Resolution in the
Undergraduate Senate, it shall fail.
Subsection 8. Upon re-consideration, the President of the Residence Hall Association
may only sign a co-active resolution if the exact same language is agreed
upon and passed as legislation by both the Residence Hall Association
General Assembly and the Undergraduate Senate.
Section iv. Other Legislation in Relation to Co-Active Resolutions
Subsection 1. The passage or failure of a co-active resolution does not inhibit the
Residence Hall Association’s legislative capabilities in the matter under
consideration. The Undergraduate Senate shall retain its right to pass
legislation on the matter if the co-active resolution fails or passes;
additionally, a co-active resolution may be passed retroactively to reflect
the joint recognition of the issue by both legislative bodies.
Subsection 2. In order to pass legislation that is not in agreement with the Co-Active
Resolution, the Residence Hall Association must rescind the Co-Active
Resolution through legislation, rendering the Co-Active Resolution void.
BY A VOTE OF ________ TO ________ TO ________ WITH ________ VOTES PRESENT
ON THIS DAY ____________________________________
___________________________________
Cindy Zhang
President, Residence Hall Association
___________________________________
Hussien Salama
Parliamentarian, Residence Hall Association
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