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American University Student Government2011-20r2

IN THE SEVENTH UNDERGRADUATE SENATE5 FEBRAURY 2012

Mr. WISNIEWSKI for the Campus At-Large

Whereas, the Constitution Bylaws of the Student Government reference the "Ethical andJudicial Standards" which do not yet exist, and;Therefore, be it enacted:SECTION 1. THE ETHICAL AND JUDICIAL STANDARDS(a) The Ethical and Judicial Standards will read:

C(PRtr,AMBLE

ARTICLE I.

The American University Student Government fumly believes in ethicsand an otganizattonal cultute that embraces service, professionalism,honesty, and fairness. The Senate adopts these fout standards, pursuantto the authority granted in Article I, Section vii of the Constitution ofthe Student Govetnment. They serve to guide every member of theStudent Government in providing the student body the best possiblesewices, programming, and advocacy.SERVICEService is defined as actions performed for the benefit of the studentbody. Student Government representatives should put servi.ce and theStudent Government above themselves.PROFESSIONALISMDefinition and ImportanceAs representatives of the entire student body, members of the StudentGovernment must conduct themselves in a responsible manner thatpromotes the interests and welfare of the students of AmericanUniversity. Each membet is expected to handle requests with efficiencyand tespect.ImproprietyDefinition

BrLL 11-12-050A Bill to Establish "TLte Ethical and Judicial Standords"

ARTICLE II.Section 1.

Section 2.Subsection i.

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Members of the Student Government must avoid impropriety in theirofficial capacities at all times. Impropriety occurs when reasonableminds would conclude that honesty or integrity are impaited tnsomuchas they prevent an individual from performrng official duties.

Subsection ii. Attacks Ad lfominemMembers of the Student Government, in their official capacities, shouldnot at any time attack other members of the Student Government onpersonal grounds.

Section 3. Conflicts of InterestMembers of the student. government must not use their office,infotmation teceived confidentially in the perfor:rnance of official duties,or the duties and powers of office for personal gain, nor shall they gtantpersonal favors.

ARTICLE III. HONESTYSection L.

Section 2.

Section 3.

Section 4.

Section 5.

Definition and ImportanceHonesty is defined as authenticity, sincedy, and truthfulness. Membersof the Student Government should adhere to the highest standards ofhonesty when completing timesheets, evaluations, reports, ftnancnlallocations, or when communicating within the otganization or to thesrudent body.RecusalMembers of the Student Government must recuse themselves whenconflicts of interest atise and they cannot impartially execute their dutiesin accordance with the Bylaws.TimesheetsMembers of the Student Government must complete their timesheetshonesdy.Official StatementsIn statements to the student body, the Undergraduate Senate, theJudicial Board, and the Board of Elections, representatives of theStudent Government must adhere to the highest standards of honesty.They must never attempt to disregard, withhold, or manipulate thetruth.TransparencyMembets of the Student Government must not modify offtcialdocuments, outside of the official processes for amending themspeci{ied in the Goveming Documents. They must never evadeinvestigation or withhold relevant information from the UndergraduateSenate, the Judicial Board, the Boatd of Elections, Executive Branch

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Subsection ii.

Subsection iii.

Subsection iv.

ARTICLE IV.

ARTICLE V.Section 1.


members, or the University Office of Student Activities, when requestedas pettinent to their duties.Fiscal ResponsibilityGeneral ProvisionsIn spending Student Government funds, representatives of the StudentGovernment must always observe restraint and responsibility in fiscaldecisions.DisclosuteThe teptesentatives of the Student Government have a responsibility toremain transparent in all fiscal transactions. They must, therefore,disclose alTfnatcnl transactions to the Student Government as honesdyas possible.Inappropriate IJseStudent Government representatives must never use the funds of theStudent Government for personal use.CorruptionRepresentatives of the Student Government must never accept gifts in-kind or donations, in return for actions of the Student Government.FAIRNESSIn otder to ensure an otg nlz^tional culture that embraces the highestethical standatds, members must cfeate an environment that gives everystudent of the university a fat chance of being a p^fi of the StudentGovernment. Student Government members must adhere to the higheststandard of fafuness in appointing members and in the process, andoversight, of elections.ENFORCEMENTGenetal EnforcementThe Ethical andJudicial Standards establish the ethical principles that allmembers of the Student Government must uphold. Enforcementincludes preventing members fiom indirecdy doing what thesestandatds forbid them from doing direcdy.Interptetation and Investigation of ViolationsThe Joint Committee on EthicsThe Joint Committee on Ethics will be a standing joint committee, witha chat joindy appointed by all three branch-heads. The President of theStudent Government will appoint one membet of the executive branchto the Committee. The Chairman of the |udicial Board will appoint onemember of the Judicial Branch to the committee. The Speaker of the-3-*rtt g 1..,{}t:,i

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Undergraduate Senate will appoint one Senator to the Joint Committee.Should one of these memben be investigated, they would be required totemporarily step down, and an alternate, who will take the place of theinvestigated committee member only during the investigation, will beappointed by the appropriate head of branch.

Subsection ii. Powers of the Joint Committee on EthicsThe Joint Committee on Ethics is charged with investigations of ethicalviolations, as brought forward by any three members of the StudentGovernment. Th"y shall have the power to make non-bindingrecommendations on disciplinary actton to the Undergraduate Senate.All work of the Joint Committee on Ethics shall not be subject tointerference by ^ny entity of the Studeflt Government, in thefurtherance of an inquiry or investigation.Subsection iii. Advisory Opinions

The Joint Committee on Ethics is charged with issuing non-bindingadvisory opinions interpreting these standards, in response to inquiriesor investigations, and recommendations for the amendment of thisdocument. These opinions are subject to review of the Judicial Btanchof the Student Govetnment, in the same manner ^s ^Judicial Inqufuy.

Subsection iv. AllegationsAny three members of the Student Government ma1' petition fot aninvestigation into alleged conduct in violation of these standards, but, nomember of the Committee may file these allegations. The JointCommittee on Ethics will investigate these allegations, rf a majortty ofthe Joint Committee supports an investrgation.

Subsectionv. InvestigationThe Joint Committee will investigate the allegations using testimony ofindividuals, televant documents, and othet evidentiaty sources. TheJoint Committee may, in the furtherance of an investigtion or inquity,request relevant information fiom Student Government entities, whoshall comply as completely and quickly as possible. TheJoint Committeewill issue a report of their investigation to the Undergraduate Senate.Based on their investigation, the committee may recofirmend that theUndetgraduate Senate take disciplinary actions (i.e., censure, suspension,impeachment).

Section 3. Amendment ProcessThese standards may be amended, through the same procedure that theBylaws are amended."

SECTION 2. AMENDMENT OF THE BYLAWS(a) Article IX, Section 5 is amended by inserting:"Subsection vi. Advisory Opinionlltril It t:-{}tijl -4-

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An advisory opinion is a non-binding opinion, written by the JointCommittee on Ethics, that interprets the Ethical and JudicialStandards and advises members of the Student Government on therules that govern their official conduct in response to an inquiryby a member of the Student Govemment. While an advisoryopinion must not be written by all of the members of theCommittee, it requires a majority vote."

SECTION 3. AMENDMENT OF THE EMPLOYMENT POLICY MANUAL(a) The Employment Policy and Procedures Manual is amended by inserting at the end of'Personnel and Human Resources:'"EthicsThe Ethical and Judicial Standards of the Student Government outline the

standards for ethical conduct for all members. If you believe there is an ongoingethical violation, please contact an executive or the Chair of the Joint Committeeon Ethics. All reports will be kept confidential."

BYAVOTE OF TO WITH - VOTESPRESENT ON THIS DAY ?.L Aori I 2012.

fimothy R. McBridePresident of the Student Government

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Speaker of the Undergraduate Senate the Student GovernmentVETOED:

C|erk of the Undergraduate Senate