Associated Students of Hartnell College
Constitution
PREAMBLE
We, the Students of Hartnell College, adopt this Constitution as the Outlined Policies in
which the voice of the Students shall be carried and represented in Shared Governance at
the college, regional, state, and federal levels, and that through this voice, Students shall:
I.
II.
III.
have access to programs, services, and facilities that will support them in their
academic pursuits and development as able citizens and future leaders,
have access to educational and multi-cultural activities and events,
have their rights and responsibilities as Students protected.
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ARTICLE I
Name, Color, Insignia, & Emblem
Section I. The name of this organization shall be the Associated Students of Hartnell
College (herein after referred to as the ASHC).
Section II. The colors of the ASHC shall be maroon and gold.
Section III. The official insignia of the ASHC will be the following:
ARTICLE II
Membership
Section I. All currently registered regular status Students of Hartnell College shall be
represented by Members of the ASHC. A Member of the ASHC shall be elected in General
Election by currently registered Hartnell College Students, or have been appointed by the
approval of the Legislative Branch.
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All Members are required to attend all ASHC meetings.
All Members are required to participate in activities coordinated by the ASHC.
All Members are required to represent Students on Shared Governance Councils/
Committees.
Section II. All currently registered Students shall hold equal voting rights in ASHC
Elections and comprise the Hartnell College Student Body.
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ARTICLE III
Jurisdiction
Section I. The ASHC will be comprised of an Executive Branch and a Legislative Branch.
Section II. The affairs of the ASHC will be conducted during the Fall, the Spring, and the
Intercession Semesters. The jurisdiction of the ASHC will envelop Hartnell College Student
Life.
ARTICLE IV
Executive Branch
Section I. The functions of the Executive Branch
1. To enforce the provisions of the ASHC Constitution and ASHC Rules and Procedures.
2. To coordinate and implement an internship program and workshops or trainings
for incoming Members and currently serving Members throughout the school year.
3. To administer the affairs of the ASHC.
Section II. The Executive Branch shall consist of two positions.
The positions shall be:
1. President
2. Vice President
Section III. The Chair of the ASHC shall be the Vice President of the ASHC. The Chair’s
duties shall be:
1. To preside over the ASHC meetings.
2. To be responsible for the proper enforcement of Robert’s Rules of Order and the
Brown Act.
3. To appoint a Vice Chair in the event that the Chair cannot fulfill his or her duties as
Chair.
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Section IV. In the case of the removal of the President from Office, or his or her resignation,
or inability to perform the duties and responsibilities, the Vice President will succeed the
President.
1. Upon succession of the President, the Legislative Branch must appoint a new Vice
President the first meeting he or she acts as President.
Section V. Prerequisites for Executive Positions
1. To fill the President position, the candidate must have completed 24 academic units
from Hartnell College prior to taking office.
2. To fill the Vice President position, the candidate must have completed 12 academic
units from Hartnell College prior to taking office.
3. Shall have served on the ASHC for at least one full semester or at least one full term
as a Club Officer of a Hartnell College Club prior to taking office.
4. In the event no candidate or appointee meets prerequisites, these criteria can be
waived with second level criteria that abide by the Board Policies of Hartnell College
and California State Education Code.
a. Second level criteria will be determined by the Elections Committee and
approved by the majority of the Legislative Branch.
5. Each member shall serve for no more than one term or until succeeding officer is
elected or appointed and approved by majority of the Legislative Branch.
Section VI. Duties of Officers
President
($1,000 Stipend per term)
1. Shall attend all Board of Trustee Meetings.
a. Shall appoint an alternate in the case of the President’s absence at the Board
Meeting.
b. If neither the President nor the appointed alternate is able to attend the
meeting, the Student Trustee will report on behalf of the ASHC.
2. Required to represent students on the College Planning Council and other Shared
Governance Councils and Committees.
3. Required to serve on the ASHC Finance Committee.
4. Required to perform a minimum of twenty (20) hours a month outside of regularly
scheduled ASHC meetings on ASHC or shared governance material. At least one of
those hours weekly must be scheduled in the ASHC workroom to provide access to
the Student Body.
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5. Shall propose to the Legislative Branch appointments of Senators, Directors,
Committee Chairs, Shared Governance Representatives, and other officers as
deemed necessary outside of regular elections.
6. Responsible for the administration of the ASHC web page on the Hartnell Web Site.
7. Shall be ex-officio member of all ASHC committees.
8. Shall enforce all actions taken by the ASHC, including the coordination of the ASHC
Committees.
9. May veto any action taken by the Legislative Branch at the time of the approval of
the action or by submitting a written statement within five school days of the
approval of the action.
a. Vetoes may be overturned with a two-thirds vote of the Legislative Branch.
Vice-President
($900 Stipend per term)
1. Must perform the duties of the President in his or her absence.
2. Shall succeed the President position if the President resigns or is removed.
a. If there is no Vice President, the position will be appointed by the Legislative
Branch.
3. Shall serve as Chair of ASHC Meetings
a. Shall appoint a Vice Chair.
4. Required to perform a minimum of eighteen (18) hours a month outside of regularly
scheduled ASHC meetings on student senate or shared governance material. At least
one of those hours must be scheduled in the ASHC work room to provide access to
the student body.
5. Shall serve as the tie-breaking vote on an action.
6. Required to plan, coordinate, and implement an internship program and workshops
or trainings for incoming members and currently serving members throughout the
year.
7. Required to serve on the ASHC Finance Committee.
8. Responsible for coordinating elections process and recruitment with all other
members of the ASHC.
9. Shall have the authority to appoint ad hoc or special committees as needed or
requested by the ASHC.
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Article V
Legislative Branch
Section I. The duties of the Legislative Branch:
1. As voting Members of the ASHC, the Directors and the Senators of the Legislative
Branch are responsible for adopting measures necessary to protect the general
welfare and interests of the ASHC and the student body.
2. At least a majority of the membership of the Legislative Branch, excluding the Chair,
shall constitute a quorum. Vacancies shall not be included in determining the
quorum.
Section II. The Legislative Branch shall consist of up to 12 elected or appointed members.
The voting members shall be:
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Director of Finance
Director of Communication & Public Relations
Director of Inter-Club Council
Director of Programs & Services
8 Total Senators (5-At Large, 1 South County, 1 Alisal, 1 Evening/Weekend/Online)
Section III. All Director Positions
1. Prerequisites
a. Must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at the time of taking office and
throughout the entire duration of the term in office.
b. Must be considered a full-time student at Hartnell College by the Hartnell
College Director of Student Life at the time of taking office and the entire
duration of the term.
c. Shall serve as any director for no more than two terms.
d. Needs to have completed 12 academic units at Hartnell College prior to
taking office.
e. In the event no candidate or appointee meets prerequisites, these criteria can
be waived with second level criteria.
a. Second level criteria will be created by the Elections Committee and
approved by the majority of the Legislative Branch.
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Section IV. All Senator Positions
1. Prerequisites
a. Must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at the time of taking office and
throughout the entire duration of the term in office.
b. Must be considered a full-time student at Hartnell College by the Hartnell
College Director of Student Life at the time of taking office and the entire
duration of the term.
c. Shall serve as a Senator for no more than two terms.
d. In the event no candidate or appointee meets prerequisites, these criteria can
be waived with second level criteria.
a. Second level criteria will be created by the Elections Committee and
approved by the majority of the Legislative Branch.
Director of Finance
($800 Stipend per term)
1. Shall assume responsibility for coordination, preparation, and presentation of the
annual budget to the ASHC.
2. Required to serve on the ASHC Finance Committee.
3. Shall keep an account of all money for ASHC and ICC.
4. Shall assume responsibility for ASHC payment vouchers and invoices.
5. Required to perform a minimum of fifteen (15) hours a month outside of regularly
scheduled ASHC meetings on student senate or shared governance material. At least
one of those hours must be weekly scheduled in the ASHC workroom to provide
access to the Student Body.
6. Shall inform the ASHC of the financial positions of various accounts with financial
statements for the prior month, on the first meeting of very month.
Director of Communication & Public Relations
($800 Stipend per term)
1. Required to perform a minimum of fifteen (15) hours a month outside of regularly
scheduled ASHC meetings on student senate or shared governance material. At least
one of those hours must be weekly scheduled in the ASHC workroom to provide
access to the Student Body.
2. Shall prepare unofficial copies of minutes for ASHC approval in a timely manner.
3. Shall publish approved minutes, distribute them to Commissioners and College
Administrators, and post them around the campus in a timely manner.
4. Shall type forms, policies, contracts, schedules, charts, write letters concerning
ASHC business, and prepare materials regarding ASHC Business.
5. Shall keep a permanent record of all previous meetings.
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6. Shall keep a permanent record of the ASHC Constitution and Rules and Regulations
passed by the ASHC.
7. Shall be responsible for press relations regarding approved ASHC Business.
8. Shall act as liaison between the ASHC and the College media for distribution of
information to the students.
9. Shall handle all information distributed to the public, including the bulletin boards,
and shall serve as information officer for the ASHC.
a. Excluding ASHC Website(s)
Director of Inter-Club Council
($800 Stipend per term)
1. Chair I.C.C. Meetings.
a. Required to prepare unofficial copies of minutes for Inter-Club Council
approval in a timely manner.
b. Required to appoint ASHC member as Vice Chair.
2. Shall distribute information when necessary for Club Events.
3. Required to perform a minimum of fifteen (15) hours a month outside of regularly
scheduled ASHC meetings on ASHC, Inter-Club Council, Club or shared governance
material. At least one of those hours must be scheduled in the ASHC workroom to
provide access to the Student Body.
4. Shall participate in Hartnell College student social, educational and cultural events
on and off campus as requested by current Hartnell College Clubs.
5. Shall be responsible for coordinating Club promotion and Club recruitment days for
current Hartnell College Clubs.
Director of Programs & Services
($800 Stipend per term)
1. Required to perform a minimum of fifteen (15) hours a month outside of regularly
scheduled ASHC meetings on ASHC or shared governance material. At least one of
those hours must be scheduled in the ASHC workroom to provide access to the
Student Body.
2. Responsible for organizing, coordinating, and expanding all approved ASHC
programs and services.
3. Responsible for maintaining and expanding the Cat-Card program and services.
4. Required to perform an audit of each program and service every semester.
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Senators
($400 Stipend per term)
1. Required to perform a minimum of ten (10) hours a month outside of regularly
scheduled ASHC meetings on ASHC or shared governance material. At least one of
those hours must be scheduled in the ASHC workroom to provide access to the
Student Body.
2. Required to specific duties designated by the ASHC or Committees with approval of
the Legislative Branch.
3. To operate as the chief rules and procedures making body of the ASHC.
4. To approve and determine the functions of the ASHC Standing Committees and Ad
Hoc Committees.
5. To exercise control over the finances of the ASHC, approve ASHC budgets and
require accountability of any allocated monies as deemed necessary.
6. To develop appropriate rules and procedures to abide by California State Education
Code, Hartnell College Board Policies, and the ASHC Constitution.
7. To develop policy as may be deemed necessary for the general welfare of the
student body.
8. To approve by a two-thirds vote of the Senators the appointments of all ASHC
members.
9. To over-ride an Executive veto by a two thirds vote of the Senators.
ARTICLE VI
Removal, Recall and Vacancies
Section I. Removal
1. A Member will be available for removal from the ASHC if he or she is notified by the
Advisor of the ASHC that he or she:
a. Fails to maintain the prerequisites throughout the semester.
b. Fails to abide by the Student Code of Conduct and the ASHC Governing
Documents.
c. Fails to perform his or her duties in the position he or she holds.
d. Fails to uphold a safe, professional, and inclusive work environment for other
ASHC Members.
2. Removal of any member of the ASHC shall be called for by the Advisor of the ASHC
or a two-thirds vote of the ASHC Legislative Branch.
a. The Member shall have the opportunity to speak on his or her own behalf.
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b. A signed statement by the Advisor of the ASHC and a two-thirds vote of the
ASHC Legislative Branch shall be required to remove that member from the
ASHC.
c. If a signed statement by the Advisor of the ASHC and a two-thirds vote of the
ASHC Legislative Branch has been reached, the removal is effective
indefinitely and immediately.
i. A removed officer will not be accepted to run or to be appointed for a
future position on the ASHC.
ii. The signed statement and the minutes of the meeting will be kept to
reflect the removal.
Section II. Recall
1. A recall election shall be called by two-thirds vote of the Legislative Branch.
2. A recall election can also be called for by a petition signed by five percent (5%)
of the members of the current Student Body (the signers’ student I.D. number
must accompany each signature.)
a. The petition shall be submitted to the ASHC Elections Committee in the
cooperation with the Director of the Office of Student Life, and the
Elections Committee shall determine within five (5) school days if the
petition fulfills the requirements as established by this article.
3. If the petition fulfills the stated requirements, the recall election shall be held
within three weeks of the valid petition by the ASHC Election Committee.
Section III. Vacancies
1. A vacancy occurs when a Member of the ASHC is unable to serve due to absence,
resignation, removal from office, or lack of student status.
2. Vacancies may be filled by appointment by a two-thirds vote of the Legislative
Branch.
a. At beginning of the Fall semester, an Appointment Committee must be
formed by the second regular meeting if there are any vacancies.
b. The Appointment Committee will interview applicants and provide
nominations to the Legislative Branch for appointment.
c. Filling vacancies will be at the Appointment Committees discretion with the
approval of the ASHC Legislative Branch.
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Article VII
Attendance
Section I. Meetings & Events
1. Members of the ASHC shall have two excused absences.
a. An excused absence shall be defined by the ASHC during a regularly
scheduled meeting.
2. Members of the ASHC shall be removed from his or her position after the Fourth
Absence at the proceeding regularly scheduled meeting.
3. A Member must be present within ten minutes after the Call to Order at the meeting
to be considered present.
Section II. Intercessions
1. All attendance from meetings occurring throughout both intercessions (Winter &
Summer Sessions) will be counted toward the school semester that follows the
intercession.
ARTICLE VIII
Amendments
Section I. Constitutional Amendments
1. The ASHC Constitution Committee may propose amendments to the current ASHC
Constitution.
a. The Legislative Branch shall approve the amendment by a 2/3 vote.
b. The Amendment must be brought to the Board of Trustees in a timely
manner for approval of Adoption.
i. Once Adopted, unless stated otherwise in the Amendment, the
Amendment is effective indefinitely and immediately.
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ARTICLE IX
Election Code
Section I. Elections
1. The elections of the President, Vice President, Director of Finance, Director of
Communications and Public Relations, Director of Inter-Club Council, Director of
Programs and Services, and Senators shall be held on a Wednesday or Thursday in
the Spring Semester; the date is to be determined by the Election Committee by the
End of the Fall Semester.
2. Candidates for ASHC positions shall file their petitions as individual candidates.
3. The individual candidates running for One Position who receives the greatest
number of votes for the position in which they are running shall be declared the
elected officers.
4. Terms will commence on the last meeting of the ASHC in the Spring Semester and
will conclude at the last meeting of the Spring Semester the following year.
5. All current Members of the ASHC shall continue in office until the first installation of
the officers under this Constitution.
6. Any potential candidate may apply to run for, at most, One Position on the ASHC.
a. Each Member shall hold One ASHC position at throughout a term.
Section II. Application Procedure
1. All applicants must submit a completed ASHC Candidate Application to the Office of
Student Life before the deadline determined by the ASHC Elections Committee.
2. The deadline is to be reviewed and determined yearly.
Section III. Election Committee
1. The Election Committee membership shall be composed of Inter-Club Council
Members and other currently registered regular status students of Hartnell College.
2. No candidate or current officer may serve as a member of the Election Committee.
3. The Election Committee shall select a Chair and Vice Chair at the first meeting of the
Spring Semester.
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Section IV. The Polling Time and Location
1. The voting areas shall consist of:
a. A table for registering with registration sheets.
b. Voting booths
c. A ballot box
d. An area free from publicity extending 50 feet in all directions from the edge
of the voting booths.
2. Voting times and places shall be determined by the Election Committee and shall be
posted at least three weeks prior to elections.
Section V. Ballots
1. The order of names on the election ballot will be determined by lottery conducted
by the Election Committee.
2. All ballots shall be numbered, beginning with number one (1). The numbers shall be
printed on the upper right hand corner of the ballot. Sample ballots shall not be
numbered.
a. The words “Sample Ballot” shall be printed in large lettering on the sample
ballot.
Section VI. Polling Procedures
1. The only information an election worker may offer anyone is instructions
concerning procedures and rules.
2. Voters must present current Hartnell College Student identification as proof of
registration.
3. The voter must properly register by a name and ID number before obtaining a
ballot.
4. Voting shall be by secret ballot.
5. With the incorrect mark on a ballot, the voter must sign the back of the ballot
with his or her name and ID number, and then return the ballot to the poll
worker. The poll worker will co-sign his or her name, tear the ballot in half, and
deposit both halves in the ballot box. Another ballot will then be given to the
voter by the poll worker. No ballots may leave the polling station at any time.
6. The Election Committee shall make Public the results of the Elections.
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