Claremont Graduate University
Religion Student Council Constitution
Ratified on December 7, 2012
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Preamble
As students enrolled in the School of Religion (hereinafter referred to as SoR) at Claremont
Graduate University (hereinafter referred to as CGU) we seek to maximize the educational
experience of all CGU students as well as enhance our professional skills, we establish by the
adoption of this Constitution the Religion Student Council (hereinafter referred to as RSC) to
bind us in community, represent the goals, needs, and aspirations of CGU students of religion to
the faculty and administration, and to explore and implement ways to facilitate learning and
growth among CGU students of religion.
Article I – Membership and Organization
Section 1:Representation. The RSC shall consist of ten representatives with one from each
concentration within the SoR: General MA in Religion, Critical Comparative Scriptures,
Individualized Interfield Programs, Religion for Professionals, Religion and American Politics,
History of Christianity, Religions of North America, Islamic Studies, Philosophy of Religion and
Theology, and Women’s Studies in Religion. There shall also be one voting representative from
the Claremont Lincoln University (hereinafter referred to as CLU) who shall be appointed by the
CLU Student Council.
Section 2: Non-voting Members. The On-Campus Student Representative to the Society of
Biblical Literature (hereinafter referred to as SBL) and the Student Advisory Liaison to the
American Academy of Religion (hereinafter referred to as AAR) shall also be non-voting
representatives unless they are also chosen as the voting representative for their department. The
AAR and SBL representatives shall be appointed according to the SoR’s current policy.
Section 3: Membership Terms. Each representative will serve a one-year term from the first day
after spring classes end, until the following year, and may seek re-election as often as desired.
Section 4: Vacancies. In the event of an Executive Officer vacancy after elections, the first
student to apply for the office shall fill the position, or the Executive Officers can unanimously
appoint a student to the office. In the event of an officer vacancy, the RSC members shall either
vote to suspend operation of the office until it is filled, or shall vote for an existing officer to
perform the duties of the office until it is filled.
Section 5: Proxies. Any member who cannot attend a meeting should contact the President and
appoint a proxy to vote in their place.
Article II – Meetings
Section 1: Meeting requirements. RSC meetings shall be open to all CGU students and must
meet at least once per month at a time and place that shall be communicated to the CGU religion
student body at a reasonable time in advance of the meeting. Half of the voting members must be
present to constitute a quorum.
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Section 2: Private sessions. Any member of the RSC or student of religion can request that the
RSC go into private session to consider delicate or personal matters. Only RSC voting members
are allowed to participate in private sessions.
Section 3: Voting. Representatives, no matter what positions they might hold, are allowed to vote
on all matters where there is not a clear conflict of interest. In the absence of representatives, any
other student from that concentration can act as a member.
Section 4: Agendas and Minutes. Agendas and minutes shall be sent to all religion students via email within two weeks of the RSC meeting and posted online.
Section 5: Retreat. The RSC will have a Retreat once a year to orient the new members. The
Retreat will be held after the Executive Officers are elected and before the first day of fall
classes. If possible, the old RSC officers will train the new RSC officers holding the same
position. All RSC materials, keys, information, and passwords shall be given to the new RSC
officers at the retreat.
Article III – Officer Responsibilities
The officers of the RSC and their respective duties and responsibilities shall be as follows:
Section 1: President
A. Meets with the Chair of SoR once a month to Communicate RSC goals, events,
concerns, etc.
B. Meets with the Dean of Arts & Humanities once a month to Communicate RSC
goals, events, concerns, etc.
C. Sets up yearly calendar with the Chair of SoR in early August and January
D. Sets RSC meeting agenda, time, and location
E. Facilitates RSC meetings
F. Organizes and leads Retreat
G. Supervises and supports all RSC Officer positions
H. Acts as the primary advocate for students of religion to the faculty, administration,
and RSC.
Section 2: Treasurer
A. Assists the RSC in the development of a budge at the beginning of each academic
year
B. Submits the RSC budget to the School of Religion
C. Submits the Treasurer’s Report at monthly RSC meetings
D. Acquires needed funds for upcoming RSC activities
E. Aids in the processing of disbursements and reimbursements.
Section 3: Technology Officer
A. Is responsible for checking the RSC e-mail account and responding in a timely
manner
B. Sends the meeting Agendas and Minutes to all students via the RSC e-mail account
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C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
Plans, designs, and updates the RSC Facebook account, mycampus, and website
Writes up RSC meeting Agendas and Minutes
Collects and maintains data for student web directory
Plans and implements any internet based surveys
Posts all RSC events on CGU’s Master Calendar
Coordinates with CGU IT for all website issues.
Section 4: Constitutional Officer
1. Ensures the RSC follows procedures according to the RSC constitution
2. Ensures the RSC follows all CGU guidelines
3. Advises the RSC when the constitution needs to be updated or amended
4. Plans and facilitated RSC elections
5. Recruits students to fill all positions within the RSC.
Section 5: Academic Enrichment Officer
A. Assists students of religion in keeping abreast of recent trends within the field
B. Assist students of religion in developing skills in writing and oral presentation
C. Develop conferences and seminars, panels, and colloquia for the full participation by
CGU students of religion.
D. Sends religion students bi-monthly e-mail updates of upcoming conferences, lectures,
publication, panels, etc.
Section 6: Social Coordinator
A. Coordinates activities for the social development and enjoyment of students of
religion at CGU, including but not limited to retreats, field trips, and socials
B. Plans, and implements activities to facilitate and enhance the assimilation of new
students into the CGU community.
Section 7: Student Journal Editor-in-Chief
A. Acts as Editor-in-Chief of the Student Journal of the School of Religion of CGU
B. Encourages the submission of student’s papers for publication in the Journal
C. Seeks funding for the publication of the Journal through donations, CGU funding, and
advertising revenue.
Section 8: Two GSC Representatives
A. Attends GSC meetings
B. Abides by the GSC and RSC constitutions
C. Represents students concerns/positions to the GSC
D. Reports RSC events and activities to the GSC
Section 9: GSC Delegates
A. Attends GSC meetings
B. Abides by the GSC and RSC constitutions
C. Represents students concerns/positions to the GSC
D. Reports RSC events and activities to the GSC
E. The number of GSC Delegates is determined according to the GSC’s guidelines.
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Section 10: CLU Representative
A. Represents the interests and concerns of students enrolled at CLU
B. Provides a bridge between CLU and CGU in the spirit of cooperation and collegiality.
Section 11: Society of Biblical Literature On-campus Student Representative
A. Shall act as a conduit of information between SBL’s Student Advisory Group and
students of religion
B. Shall communicate needs, concerns, and questions of students of religion to the
Student Advisory Group
C. Shall promote the benefits of SBL membership to students of religion
D. Shall encourage active participation in SBL regional, national, and international
meetings.
Section 12: American Academy of Religion Student Advisory Liaison
A. Shall act as a conduit of information between AAR’s Student Advisory Liaison
Group and students of religion
B. Shall communicate needs, concerns, and questions of students of religion to the
Student Advisory Liaison Group
C. Shall promote the benefits of AAR membership to students of religion
D. Shall encourage active participation in AAR regional, national, and international
meetings.
Article IV – Elections and Removal from Office
Section 1: Eligibility. Any currently enrolled student in the CGU School of Religion with good
academic standing is eligible to seek service on the RSC regardless of hours enrolled or degree
progress.
Section 2: Election of Executive Officers. The Religion student body shall elect the President,
Treasurer, Technology Officer, Constitution Officer, and GSC Representatives. The elections
shall take place at least 30 days before the end of the spring semester and voting shall occur
electronically and by paper ballot to ensure everyone can vote. The results shall be announced
before the last RSC meeting of the semester. Elections shall be organized and facilitated by the
Constitutional Officer.
Section 3: Selection of Members. Any concentration that does not have a representative after the
election of Executive officers shall be open for students to fill. Applications to become a member
shall be voted closed 30 days after classes begin in the Fall. If multiple applications are
submitted for the same position the Executive Officers shall vote on who shall fill the position.
Positions that are not filled after the 30 day period shall be filled by the first student who applies
for the position.
Section 4: Election of Officers. Officer positions shall be filled by members of the RSC. To fill
the positions the Executive Officers and Members shall vote to determine which members shall
fill each office during the first meeting held after the 30-day member selection period.
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Section 6: Removal from Office. RSC Officers can be removed from office by a simple majority
vote of the current RSC members. Voting on removal from office shall occur only after the
member has been given ample opportunity to correct the reasons for the other members’
grievances.
Article V – Constitutional Suspension and Amendment
Section 1: Suspension of Constitutional Requirements. RSC members can suspend any portion of
the constitution with a unanimous vote of all present voting members.
Section 2: Any student present at a meeting of the RSC can propose an amendment to any article
or section of this Constitution. The amendment must be presented in writing and available for all
religion students to view one month prior to the meeting at which the amendment will be voted
on. An amendment shall be adopted if it earns a vote of 2/3 of the voting members present.
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