Student Government Constitution
Preamble
We, the students of the Graduate School of Education, Roosevelt College Foundation, imploring
the aid of Almighty God, desirous of instituting a sovereign Student Government to uphold the
rights and welfare of students, committed to provide services and practice leadership that is
responsive and empowering, do hereby ordain and promulgate this Constitution.
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. This Constitution shall be known as the “Constitution of the Graduate School of
Education – Roosevelt College Foundation - Student Government”.
Section 2. This Constitution shall govern the Roosevelt College Foundation – Graduate School
of Education – Student Government (RGS-SG).
Section 3. The Graduate School of Education, Roosevelt College Foundation, Cainta, Rizal shall
be the domicile of the (RGS-SG).
Section 4. For the purpose of this Constitution, the following shall refer to
1. “RGS”, Roosevelt College Foundation – Graduate School of Education;
2. “RGS-SG”, Roosevelt College Foundation – Graduate School of Education - Student
Government;
3. “SC” , the Student Council;
4. “LC”, the Leadership Council, the administrative and implementing arm, and policyformulating arm of the RGS-SG;
5. “FRA”, the Field Representatives Assembly;
6. “GA”, the General Assembly, the body of all bonafide students of the RGS excluding the
incumbent members of the SC;
ARTICLE II
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES and OBJECTIVES
Section 1. The RGS-SG adheres to the following principles:
1.
2.
a. The right of every Filipino citizen to quality education must be recognized.
b. Academic freedom must be exercised in the graduate school.
3. The student government should be autonomous, democratic and participative.
4. Students’ rights and welfare should be promoted and protected.
5. Education, and Effective and Efficient Leadership shall be important tools in promoting
and ensuring the achievement of affirmative transformation in the Philippine society.
Section 2. The RGS-SG is committed to the attainment of the following objectives:
1.
2.
a. Serve as the forum of the sentiments and interests of students of the RGS.
b. Develop the students’ potentials to the fullest.
c. Harness the unity of the students of the RGS through the institutionalization of the
participatory process in decision making and collective actions on issues concerning the graduate
school, the country and the global community.
1.
d. Promote ethics and accountability in the service.
Article III
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Section 1. The organizational structure of the RGS-SG consists of the SC and the GA.
Section 2. The General Assembly
It shall be composed of all bonafide students of Roosevelt College
Foundation – Graduate School of Education excluding the incumbent members of the SC.
Section 3. The GA shall have the following powers and functions:
1. Act as the highest decision-making body of RGS-SG;
2. Amend and ratify this Constitution and its by-laws including the General Program of
Action prepared by the SC;
3. Elect the officers of the SC;
4. Evaluate the performance of the Officers of the SC and assess its programs in accordance
with its Constitution;
5. Initiate impeachment proceedings or work for the suspension of any SC officer on
grounds provided for in the Article VIII of this Constitution; and
6. Compel the SC officers to call for a GA meeting through a petition filed by at least thirty
percent (30%) of the GA.
Section 4. The Field Assembly shall have the following powers and functions:
1. Elect their field representatives during the first field assembly meeting;
2. Identify needs and demands specific to the field that will serve as the basis of the
formulation of program and project for the approval of LC;
3. Assess the performance of their elected field representative;
Section 5. The SC shall have the following powers, functions and responsibilities:
1. It shall provide strategic leadership and direction towards the effective and efficient
achievement of its objectives;
2. It shall be the highest student governing body in RGS;
3. It shall formulate general and specific program of actions of the SC;
4. It shall provide mechanisms for the GA to evaluate the SC officers’ performance and
assessment of its programs;
5. Advise and make recommendations to the RGS Dean or any channel concerning on
student matters, affairs and activities;
6. The member of the SC elected at large shall act as the official representative of the GA in
external student activities;
7. It shall adopt its own Internal Guidelines; and
8. It shall have additional power and shall perform other duties and responsibilities that may
be granted, mandated, or delegated by the GA that are deemed necessary in the interest of
the students, provided that it does not negate or mitigate the promotion of the RGS-SG
principles.
Section 6.
The Student Council
The SC shall be composed of the Leadership Council and the Field Representatives Assembly.
Section 7. The Leadership Council
It shall be the administrative and implementing arm, and policy-formulating arm of the RGS-SG.
It shall have the following members who shall be elected at large by bonafide students of RGS as
attested by the RGS Academic Board: the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary, the
Treasurer, and the Auditor.
Section 8. The LC shall have the following powers, functions and responsibilities:
1. Administer and manage the overall operating SC programs and activities;
2. Formulate and approve official policies and position of the SG in consultation with the
GA;
3. Formulate specific guidelines to ensure effective policy implementation;
4. Create ad hoc committees and appoint its coordinators as deemed necessary in the
interest of the students, provided that it does not negate or mitigate the promotion of the
RGS-SG principles;
5. Review and confirm appointment made by the President;
6. Approve programs and projects formulated by the Field Assembly;
7. Coordinate and work with other organizations for the furtherance of the objectives of the
SG;
8. Manage student funds and SC properties in accordance with the objectives and principles
of the SG;
9. Prepare the semestral SC Budget;
10. Review and approve SC Semestral Budget;
11. Review financial statements and disbursements made;
12. Formulate their own internal guidelines; and
13. It shall have additional power and shall perform other duties and responsibilities that may
be granted, mandated, or delegated by the GA or the SC that are deemed necessary in the
interest of the students, provided that it does not negate or mitigate the promotion of the
RGS-SG principles.
Section 9. Student Council Volunteers Assembly
The Student Council Volunteers Assembly (SCVA) is composed of RGS student volunteers who
will provide assistance to the SC in the implementation of its programs.
Article IV
FUNCTIONS and POWERS of OFFICERS
Section 1. The President
The President shall have the following functions, powers and responsibilities:
1. Act as the executive officer of the RGS-SC;
2. Represent the GA or the SC on occasions and events where the organization needs
representation;
3. Preside in meetings of the LC, SC and the GA, provided that in case he/she desires to
take part in the debate or discussion, he/she may name the Vice- President, or in the
absence of the latter, any member of the LC for LC meetings and any member of the
SC for SC and GA meetings to take over;
4. Appoint coordinators and its members for ad hoc committees and officer-in-charge for
vacant positions in the SC;
5. Sign all resolutions, communications and official documents of the SC;
6. Approve all vouchers representing legitimate disbursement of the SG funds;
7. Render semestral and annual report to the GA; and
8. It shall have additional power and shall perform other duties and responsibilities that may
be granted, mandated, or delegated by the GA or the SC that are deemed necessary in the
interest of the students, provided that it does not negate or mitigate the promotion of the
RSG-SG principles.
Section 2. The Vice-President
The Vice-President shall have the following functions, powers and responsibilities:
1. Assist the President in the administration of the operation of the SC;
2. Assume the functions, duties and responsibilities of the President in case of absence,
incapacity, resignation, suspension, impeachment or death;
3. Act as the Officer-In-Charge for the RGS Student Council Volunteers Assembly. Thus,
must provide venues and programs to keep the spirit of volunteerism alive among the
members;
4. It shall have additional power and shall perform other duties and responsibilities that may
be granted, mandated, or delegated by the GA or the SC that are deemed necessary in the
interest of the students, provided that it does not negate or mitigate the promotion of the
RGS-SG principles.
Section 3. The Secretary
The Secretary shall have the following functions, powers and responsibilities:
1. Head the Interior Committee of the SC;
2. It shall serve as the secretary for LC, SC and GA meetings and shall issue notices thereof
and take charge on the attendance record of the members;
3. It shall receive and keep all official documents of the LC and the SC; and
4. It shall have additional power and shall perform other duties and responsibilities that may
be granted, mandated, or delegated by the GA or the SC that are deemed necessary in the
interest of the students, provided that it does not negate or mitigate the promotion of the
RGS-SG principles.
Section 4. The Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have the following functions, powers and responsibilities:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Head the Finance Committee of the SC;
It shall act as the custodian of SC funds;
It shall receive donations, contributions and collections;
Prepare vouchers for disbursements according to SC appropriations;
It shall head the SC Semestral Budget preparation process;
It shall have additional power and perform other duties and responsibilities that may be
granted, mandated, or delegated by the GA or the SC that are deemed necessary in the
interest of the students, provided that it does not negate or mitigate the promotion of the
RGS-SG principles.
Section 5. The Auditor
The Auditor shall have the following functions, powers and responsibilities:
1. Audit all accounts pertaining to the revenues and receipts of and expenditures and uses of
funds and properties owned and held in trust by the SC;
2. It shall issue financial statements to the SC and the GA of every SC projects undertaken;
3. It shall issue semestral and annual SC Financial Statements to the SC and the GA; and
4. It shall have additional power and shall perform other duties and responsibilities that may
be granted, mandated, or delegated by the GA or the SC that are deemed necessary in the
interest of the students, provided that it does not negate or mitigate the promotion of the
RGS-SG principles.
Section 6. Field Representative
The Field Representative shall have the following functions, powers and responsibilities:
1. Serve as the official representative of the Field to the SC;
2. Preside over Field assembly meetings;
3. It shall take the leadership in identifying the needs and demands of their respective field
assembly and formulate programs and projects in accordance thereof;
4. It shall have additional power and shall perform other duties and responsibilities that may
be granted, mandated, or delegated by the GA or the SC that are deemed necessary in the
interest of the students, provided that it does not negate or mitigate the promotion of the
RGS-SG principles
Article V
COMMITTEES
Section 1. The RGS-SC shall have the following standing committees: Education, Interior, and
Finance.
Section 2. The SCVA shall compose the membership of every committee as directed by the
Vice President.
Section 3.The Standing Committees shall have the following functions:
1. Education
1. Initiate educational discussions on pressing issues that concern the SG, the
Graduate School, the country and the world;
2. Initiate the formulation of the SG’s stand on issues, ensuring no compromise with
its policy declarations and the sentiments of the GA are heard and integrated;
3. Issue press releases and official statements on local, national and sectoral issues
4. It shall publish the SC Newsletter at least once every semester;
5. It shall have additional power and perform other duties and responsibilities that
may be granted, mandated, or delegated by the GA or the SC that are deemed
necessary in the interest of the students, provided that it does not negate or
mitigate the promotion of the RGS-SG principles.
1. Interior
1. Provide mechanisms that will promote and ensure work ethics, efficiency and
accountability of SC officers;
2. It shall initiate measures to hear the opinions and feedback of the GA that concern
the policies, programs and performance of the SC;
3. Create venues where students can ventilate their concerns and grievances.
4. Take-charge on all forms of mobilization of RGS students for participation on SC
activities;
5. It shall keep copies of all project profiles and must provide evaluation for it;
6. It shall be tasked with scheduling and planning the program of events or the like
of the SC and thus shall coordinate at all times with project coordinators;
7. It shall be the documentation team of all SC activities;
8. It shall have additional power and shall perform other duties and responsibilities
that may be granted, mandated, or delegated by the GA or the SC that are deemed
necessary in the interest of the students, provided that it does not negate or
mitigate the promotion of the RGS-SG principles
Finance
1.
1. Undertake fund raising projects, activities and campaigns for and in behalf of the
SC;
2. Coordinate with other SC committees or task forces that may be created or any of
its instrumentalities regarding financial matters such as collection and receipt of
student fees, dues, special assessments, fundraising projects and other finance
related activities;
3. Prepare and submit semestral budget proposal for the endorsement of the
President;
4. Procure resources to be used by the SC;
5. In-charge on the efficient collection of student fees, dues, contributions and or
donations. Collection shall be immediately turned over to the Treasurer with an
itemized and detailed account of it;
6. Take charge of all legitimate and necessary disbursements and payments of
obligations with vouchers and receipts;
7. Keep an accurate and updated book of accounts of all financial transactions of the
SC which is available and ready any reasonable time for inquiry of any member
of the SC and the GA; and
8. It shall have additional power and shall perform other duties and responsibilities
that may be granted, mandated, or delegated by the GA or the SC that are deemed
necessary in the interest of the students, provided that it does not negate or
mitigate the promotion of the RGS-SG principles.
Article VI
MEETINGS
Section 1. The GA shall hold its first meeting, which shall be called by the President at a time,
date, and place to be determined by the SC, not later than four (4) school days after the
conclusion of the SC Elections and shall be announced one week before.
Section 2. The SC may call special or emergency GA meetings. The announcement of which
shall be posted at least one school day before such meeting.
Section 3. The LC shall meet at least twice a month to be called by the President. During such
meetings, the President shall report/update on monthly activities and present the SC program for
the coming months for assessment of the SC. Special or emergency meetings may be called
upon by any member of the LC, stipulating the urgency of the agenda in the notices of the
meetings to be signed by the concerned LC member and issued by the Secretary.
Section 5. A quorum of any meeting shall consist of a simple majority of the voting members
who may decide on any question at the meeting, except those issues and matters where
affirmative or negative vote is required of greater proportion of the members.
Article VII
ELECTIONS
Section 1. The RGS-SG shall hold its election of SC officers not later than four (4) school days
after the start of regular classes. It will be officiated by the Graduate School Electoral Board
(GSEB) composed of one RGS faculty member and two bonafide students of RGS.
Section 2. Student member of GSEB must have at least one semester remaining on its degree
curriculum.
Section 3. Any incumbent officer of the RGS-SG seeking reelection is considered resigned on
the day of filing his candidacy. In extreme cases wherein all incumbent officers seek re-election,
the GSEB shall take over the SC.
Section 4. All officers of the RGS-SG shall hold office for one (1) academic year and until their
successors are duly elected and sworn into office.
Section 5. Should there be unfilled SC positions after the regular RGS-SG elections have been
conducted, the GSEB shall, upon request of the newly-elected SC members, conduct special
elections only for the unfilled seats within one (1) month after receipt of the request. All
provisions and qualifications for candidacies applied for the regular election shall be applicable
for special elections.
Section 6. The SC shall declare positions vacant on any of the following grounds: incapacity of
the incumbent officer to perform his/her duty; resignation, impeachment or death.
Section 7. In case of vacancies, the SC may opt to fill the position(s) through special elections or
special appointment by the SC.
Section 8. The members of the SC who fill seats during the course of the term shall be in office
only for the remainder of the expired term of his/her predecessor.
Article VIII
IMPEACHMENT and PENAL PROVISIONS
Section1. Any bonafide RGS student may file charges of suspension or impeachment against
any member of the SC.
Section 2. Grounds for Suspension
The following grounds or causes shall be considered for suspension of any officer of the SC:
1. Failure to attend SC meetings for three consecutive occasion despite official receipt of
notices of meetings;
2. Failure to attend SC/LC/FRA meetings equivalent to one-third of the total regular
meetings set forth by the SC or the committee despite official receipts of notices of
meetings;
3. Acts unbecoming of an officer and detrimental to the image and principles of the RGS;
and
4. Negligence on the performance of duties, functions and responsibilities specified in
Internal Guidelines and stipulated in this Constitution.
Section 3. Grounds for Impeachment
The following grounds or causes shall be considered for impeachment of any member of the SC:
1. Failure to comply with and gross violation of the rules and regulations of the RGS as
stipulated in the Student Handbook;
2. Failure to comply with and violation of this Constitution, done solely or in organized
manner;
3. Acts of graft and corruption such as but not limited to malversation and misappropriation
of funds including the utilization and facilitation of the use of SC resources;
4. Effort to connive with student(s) and/or SC officer(s) including efforts to use constituted
powers to camouflage, whitewash and gloss over any acts that is in violation of this
Constitution;
5. Incurring of accumulated ninety (90) days of suspension;
Section 4. Procedure for Suspension
1. Upon receipt of the petition for suspension, the SC except the officer under litigation
shall deliberate and decide on the matter in a meeting called for that purpose within seven
(7) days;
2. Suspension should be at least fifteen (15) days but not exceed sixty (60) days;
3. Officer under suspension shall be stripped off of all duties, powers and responsibilities as
a SC officer.
Section 5. Procedure of Impeachment
1. The SC except the officer under litigation shall in a meeting called for purposes included
in this article, shall create a Committee for the purpose of investigation and
implementation of impeachment proceedings within four (4) school days;
2. The Committee shall be composed of two (2) SC officers elected by members of the SC
and three (3) members of the GA randomly selected;
3. A letter of warning shall be issued by the Committee to the officer to be impeached
within 2 school days upon creation;
4. The officer under litigation shall reply on the warning through a formal letter, failure to
do so will mean acceptance of the charge against him/her and a decision by the
Committee shall be submitted to the GA for approval;
5. In the case that the officer does reply, he/she shall be given the right to defend
himself/herself in deliberations to be conducted by the Committee to have a decision
within eight (8) school days upon reply. The decision shall be presented to the GA for
approval, within two school (2) days.
Section 6. Appeals
1. An impeached/suspended SC officer may appeal through a formal letter to the SG
through the SC for a reversal of the decision within two (2) school days upon the issuance
of the decision, failure to do so shall deprive her/his right to appeal;
2. The SC shall act on the appeal within two (2) school days upon receipt, in a meeting held
for that purpose with the impeached/suspended officer present. This meeting shall be
opened to members of the GA as spectators;
3. The reversal of an impeachment decision may occur upon the two-thirds vote of the SC
and the approval of the GA on the matter, after which the reversal is to take effect
immediately.
Article IX
FUNDS
Section 1. Sources. The sources of funds shall be derived from the student fees collected every
semestral registration, proceeds of fund-raising activities and other sources.
Section 2. Contributions. Contributions and/ or donations to the SG shall be accepted by the SC
only after determining that the acceptance thereof is not a violation of its principles, not
degrading to the integrity and honor of the SC and shall not influence in any manner its policies,
programs and projects.
Section 3. Disbursements. Funds shall be disbursed only in accordance with the budget
approved by the LC.
Section 4. Deposits. Funds of the SC shall be deposited in any Accredited Depository Banks
determined by the SC under the account of Roosevelt College Foundation-Graduate School of
Education-SG and shall be withdrawn or disbursed by check or draft signed by the President and
the Treasurer. Sufficient petty cash shall be maintained by the Treasurer to sustain the
requirements of daily financial transactions of the SC. The amount shall be determined by the
LC.
Section 5. Transparency of accounts of SC shall be open to the GA at the regular hours and days
and shall be posted in SC Bulletin Board and in any conspicuous place in the graduate school.
Article X
AMENDMENTS, REVISIONS or REPEAL
Section 1. Proposal. Any move to amend, repeal or revise this Constitution may be proposed in
the following manner:
1. A petition filed to the RGS-SC by at least thirty percent (30%) of bonafide students of the
graduate school. Such petition shall be carefully reviewed by the SC, which shall
determine the appropriate actions to be taken within twenty (20) working days.
2. Upon two-thirds (2/3) vote of all the members of the SC, a Constitutional Commission
shall be created provided that all fields in the Graduate School of Education shall be
represented.
Section 2. Constitutional Commission
The Constitutional Commission shall propose amendments, revisions or repeal to the current
Constitution. It shall ensure that public consultations are conducted in ways deemed necessary
and shall be accountable to the Student Government.
Section 3. Plebiscite
A plebiscite shall be called fifteen (15) working days after the submission of the proposal of the
Constitutional Commission to the SC.
Section 4. Amendments, revisions or repeals on any provisions of this Constitution shall be once
every three years.
Article XI
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
Section 1. This Constitution shall take effect immediately upon its ratification and shall
supersede all previous Constitutions.
Section 2. Ratification shall mean approval of fifty percent plus one (50% +1) of the GA in a
plebiscite conducted for such purpose.