Student Government

www.sg.sc.edu

Student Affairs Policy STAF 1.05

NOTE: BY LAW THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE UNIVERSITY AND THIS CONSTITUTION IN NO WAY ABROGATES OR LIMITS THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD IN MATTERS OF GOVERNANCE.

Preamble
We, the students of the University of South Carolina, in order to conduct student affairs in an efficient, orderly, and systematic manner, do define clearly the powers and responsibilities of the students: to secure for ourselves training and experience in self-government and to provide an organizational framework through which our efforts for a better University may be directed. We do hereby ordain and establish this constitution for the Student Government of the University of South Carolina.

ARTICLE I
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Section 1 NAME
The name of this body shall be the Student Government of the University of South Carolina, hereafter referred to as the Student Government.

Section 2 JURISDICTION
All students, by virtue of their registration at the Columbia campus of the University of South Carolina, shall be members of the Student Body and shall be subject to this Constitution, its Constitutional Codes, and the Student Government Statutes.

Section 3 FRANCHISE
All students registered at the Columbia campus shall be entitled to vote in special and general elections of the Student Government.

ARTICLE II
EXECUTIVE POWERS

Section 1 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
All executive powers of the Student Government shall be vested in a President, a Vice President, and a Treasurer who shall be elected in a manner provided for by the Constitution and Constitutional Codes of Student Government.

Section 2 ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The President, Vice President, and Treasurer shall be elected by a majority of those voting in Student Government Elections (a majority being defined as fifty percent (50%) plus one of the total votes cast in a general election).

Section 3 DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT
The President shall:

1. Uphold the Constitution and Constitutional Codes of the Student Government and administer all regulations established in the Senate Statutes.
2. Have the power to veto or sign acts of the Senate in their entirety or veto individual clauses within acts, excluding finance bills, provided that he/she exercises such power within six (6) school days or ten (10) calendar days of passage, whichever comes first. A veto of Senate Statutes may be overridden by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Senate. If the President takes no action within the stated time period, the act is considered approved.
3. Call special sessions of the Senate.
4. Make recommendations for legislation to the Senate.
5. Address the Senate at the beginning of each semester and at other times upon invitation of the Senate.
6. Appoint cabinet members and Judicial Council members as specified herein, with the concurrence of a majority of the Senate.
7. Remove any cabinet member from an appointed executive position.
8. Appoint such officials that he or she deems necessary for the expeditious conduct of Student Government business.
9. Act as the official representative of the Student Government and as an official representative of the University upon request of the President of the University.
10. With the assistance of the Treasurer, provide for the preparation and presentation of the Student Government budget.
11. Receive a stipend, as provided for in the Constitutional Codes, which shall not be increased or diminished during his or her term of office.

Section 4 DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
The Vice President shall:

1. Serve in lieu of the President in his or her absence or disability and succeed to that office should it become permanently vacated.
2. Serve as presiding officer of the Senate and vote only in event of a tie.
3. Appoint the members of Student Government Senate Committees.
4. Appoint such officials as the Senate shall deem necessary for the expeditious conduct of Senate business.
5. Communicate all acts and resolutions of the Senate to the President of Student Government.
6. Appoint the Clerk of the Senate with the consent of the Senate.
7. Make recommendations to fill vacant Senate seats to the Powers and Responsibilities committee. Recommendations shall be made from the district in which the vacancy exists. Students who are minoring in the district that is different from their major district will become eligible to fill the seat of the minor district if an attempt has been made by the Powers and Responsibilities to fill the seat, and the seat has been vacant for a period of one month.
8. Receive a stipend, not to exceed that of the President, which shall not be increased or diminished during his or her term of office.
9. Appoint chairpersons to Senate Committees with the concurrence of a majority of the Senate.

Section 5 DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE TREASURER
The Treasurer shall:

1. Have access to all financial records of any student organization or body which receives monies from Student Activities Fees, and be empowered to enforce University and Student Government regulations pertaining to these funds and to enforce any agreements between the Organization(s) and the Senate Finance Committee.
2. Serve as a non-voting member on the Senate Finance Committee.
3. Record all receipts, expenditures, and appropriations of monies from Student Government. These records shall be made public and subject to audit as the Senate may provide.
4. With the assistance of the President, be responsible for the preparation and presentation of the Student Government Budget.
5. Participate with the Secretary in planning and coordinating an informational workshop for student organizations as established in the Constitutional Codes.
6. Receive a stipend, not to exceed that of the President,  as provided for in the Constitutional Codes, which shall not be increased or diminished during his or her term of office.

Section 6 TERM OF OFFICE
The President, Vice-President, and Treasurer of Student Government and all officers appointed by them in the Executive Branch shall maintain in good conduct their respective offices from the inauguration of the President to the inauguration of the new President.

Section 7 DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
The Attorney General shall:

1. Be appointed by the President of Student Government and assume duties upon concurrence of a majority of the Senate.
2. When solicited, provide opinions on questions of constitutionality.
3. In the event that impeachment proceedings are brought against the Chief Justice, serve as a member of the Court of Impeachment.
4. Certify all Student Government Elections pursuant to the Constitutional Election Codes.
5. In the event of a constitutional challenge, represent Student Government before the Constitutional Council 

ARTICLE III
THE LEGISLATURE

Section 1 LEGISLATIVE POWERS
The legislative power of the Student Government shall be vested in a Student Senate, hereafter referred to as the Senate, and its statutes shall have binding effect on all Student Government Bodies. Further, organizations that receive funds from Student Government allocations shall be subject to Senate Finance Committee guidelines.

Section 2 COMPOSITION
A. Composition of the Senate shall be as follows:

1. There shall be an elected group of student representatives known as Senators.
2. From this body the Senate shall select a President Pro Tempore.
3. The duties of the Clerk of the Senate shall be as follows:
   a. Take the official minutes and roll of all Senate Meetings.
   b. Maintain an archives in which shall be placed all official correspondence as well as reports and other information pertinent to the legislative body.
   c. Send, receive, and distribute all official correspondence of the Senate.
   d. Perform any other duties assigned by the presiding officer or a majority of the Senate.
   e. Not be a voting member of the Senate.
   f. Receive a stipend as provided for by the Senate Statute.

B. Representation

1. Senate apportionment shall take place before the Spring election of each year. The most current official enrollment statistics for a complete semester shall be used as the basis for reapportionment.   As stipulated in the codes, the Powers and Responsibilities Committee of the Senate shall propose apportionment each year to be confirmed by the Senate body by a 2/3 majority.
2. All students shall be represented from their colleges, regardless of residence status or class. Potential Senators may only run for office in the college in which he or she is enrolled according to his or her major. If a vacancy occurs during the Senate term, the Powers and Responsibilities Committee shall have a period of one (1) month to fill the seat with a student who is enrolled in the district according to the student’s major. If no one is found, the seat may be filled with a student who is enrolled in the district according to the student’s minor.

Section 3 ELECTION OF SENATORS
A. The election of Senators shall be done as provided by the Constitution and Constitutional Codes.
B. Any vacancies in the Senate will be filled by appointment by the Powers and Responsibilities Committee, with the concurrence of a majority of the Senate.  Appointments will comply with Article II, Section 4 (A)(7) and Article III, Section 2, Subsection B.5.
C. The Senators of the Student Government and all officers appointed by them in the Legislative Branch shall maintain in good conduct their respective offices for a term of one year from the inauguration of the President to the inauguration of the new President.

Section 4 DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE SENATE
A. The Senate shall, in accordance with this Constitution:

1. Enact, by a majority vote, Constitutional Codes to this Constitution as provided in Article VI.
2. Have the power to enact Student Government Statutes governing the non-academic conduct of the Student Body subject to approval by the President of the University. These Statutes to be known as “SBL”s, meaning Student Body Legislation, may not conflict with, or supersede, the Constitution or Constitutional Codes except as provided for in Article VI.
3. Propose by two-thirds (2/3) vote amendments to this Constitution.
4. Ratify all appointments made to the Cabinet and Judicial Branch by the President of the Student Body by a majority vote.
5. Establish its own meeting time and rules of procedure.
6. Elect, as the first order of business of each newly elected Senate, a President Pro Tempore from its membership. He or she shall be a voting member of the Senate. He or she shall act in lieu of the Vice President of the Student Government in his or her absence or disability and shall succeed to that office should it become permanently vacated. The appointment of the Clerk of the Senate shall be ratified within one week of the appointment.
7. Hear the President of Student Government as directed in Article II, Section 3, subsection A.5, or by Senate rules.
8. Allow no proxies, substitutes, or alternates to act in place of a Senator.
9. Conduct all Student Senate Meetings in accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.
10. Allow non-members to address the Senate upon invitation of a majority of that body.
11. Have sole power to declare vacancies in its membership for reasons to be determined by its statutes.
12. Provide for the holding of a referendum on pertinent issues to the student body, given a two-thirds (2/3) approval by the Senate.
13. Have the power to subpoena any officer of Student Government or the Senate by a majority vote.
14. Have the power to pass resolutions by a majority vote that will not be subject to presidential veto.
15. Subject to the approval of the President of the Student Government and the President of the University, provide for the allocation of Student Activity Fee Funds and recommend changes in the Student Activity Fee.
16. Have the sole power of impeachment of elected or appointed officials of the Student Government of the University of South Carolina. Impeachment shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Senate. The Clerk of the Senate shall notify the Chief Justice to begin impeachment proceedings upon receipt of written charges signed by the individual or official initiating the charges with the document having been witnessed and notarized. The following shall occur:
    a. Impeachment shall be defined in the Constitutional Codes. Impeachment charges may only occur for those reasons stated in the Codes.
    b. Notice of receipt of impeachment charges of any officer except for the Chief Justice shall be served by the Clerk of the Senate to the Chief Justice.
    c. The Chief Justice shall then call a session of the Senate Judiciary Committee within ten (10) working days of such notice to consider impeachment charges and/or try the impeachment. During these proceedings, the committee shall be known as the Court of Impeachment. The Student Government Advisor shall attend all impeachment proceedings as a non-voting member.
    d. The Senate Judiciary Committee shall be comprised of at least five Senators in order to sit as a Court of Impeachment. If at the time of consideration of impeachment charges the Committee is not comprised of at least five Senators, the Vice President shall appoint to the Committee the number of Senators necessary to fulfill this requirement. If impeachment charges have been brought against the Vice President, all responsibilities of the Vice President in the impeachment process shall be performed by the President Pro Tempore of the Student Senate.
    e. If impeachment charges are brought against the Chief Justice, the Clerk of the Senate shall notify the Chairperson of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Chairperson shall then serve as Chairperson of the Court of Impeachment and call the committee into session. The Attorney General shall serve as a member of the Court in such cases.  If impeachment charges are brought against a member of the Judiciary Committee, he/she cannot sit on the Court of Impeachment.  The Vice President must, if necessary, appoint a replacement according to Article III, Section 4, Subsection A, Subpart D.
    f. A recommendation for conviction or acquittal to the Senate shall require a two-thirds (2/3) concurrence of the members of the Court. Failure of the Court of Impeachment to make a recommendation to the Senate within thirty days of receipt of charges shall constitute acquittal.
    g. Conviction or acquittal shall require a two-thirds (2/3) concurrence vote of the recommendation of the Court of Impeachment by the Student Senate.  A conviction must lead to removal of office.

Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than removal from any office held in Student Government. However, the party impeached, whether convicted or acquitted, shall be liable to prosecution according to State and Federal Law.  No officer shall exercise any official duties or receive a stipend after being impeached.

ARTICLE IV  THE JUDICIARY

Section 1 DISCIPLINE SYSTEM
The student discipline system is administered by the Division of Student Affairs. Student Government, as an elected and representative voice of the Student Body, has the right to comment on any proposed change in policy pertaining to the discipline of students. The discipline system is not a part of Student Government and interacts with Student Government only to the extent authorized by the Board of Trustees and as stated in this Constitution.

Section 2 CAROLINA STUDENT JUDICIAL COUNCIL
Carolina Student Judicial Council operates under the Office of Judicial Programs and does not interact with Student Government in matters of student discipline.

Section 3  JUDICIAL AUTHORITY                                                        The judicial authority of Student Government shall be vested in a Constitutional Council.  The authority to review and rule on Student Government constitutional challenges shall be vested in the Constitutional Council.

     A.  Membership                                                                                        
          The membership of the Constitutional Council shall be five
     members.

     B.  Selection
           The members of the Constitutional Council shall be 
     selected in the following manner:   
              1.  The first student body president to hold office following 
                    the ratification of this amendment shall nominate, in
                    hopes of appointment, all five members of the
                   Constitutional Council.
              2.  Following nomination from the president, the nominees
                   shall meet first with the Powers & Responsibilities
                   Committee, which shall issue a report on each
                    nominee.
              3.  Following the issuance of the Powers &
                    Responsibilities report, the nominees shall meet with
                    the Judiciary Committee, which shall review the report
                    of the Powers & Responsibilities Committee.  The
                    Judiciary Committee shall then issue its own report,  
                    which it shall submit to the full Senate.
              4.  All appointments to the Constitutional Council shall be
                   confirmed with a two-thirds vote of the Student Senate
                   membership present when the vote is taken.

      C.   Vacancies
             If a vacancy occurs on the Constitutional Council, the
             Student Body President at the time of vacancy shall appoint
             a replacement.  The replacement shall be appointed
             through the procedure detailed in Section 3(B)(2,3,4) of this
             article.

      D.   Tenure
              After being appointed to the Constitutional Council, a
              member shall serve a period of no longer than four years. 

      E.   The Chief Justice
             One of the five seats on the Constitutional Council shall be
              the seat of the Chief Justice.  The first student body
              president to hold office following the ratification of this
              clause shall determine which of his or her nominees shall
              be the nominee for Chief Justice.  When the first Chief
              Justice is confirmed, his or her seat shall be known as the
              seat of the Chief Justice.  A replacement for a vacancy of
              this seat shall become the Chief Justice.  The other seats
              shall be known as seats of Associate Justices.  The Chief
              Justice shall have the responsibility to:
                  1.  administer the oath of office to all elected Student
                       Government officials;
                  2.  serve as chair of the Court of Impeachment; and           
                  3.  remain in good standing with his or her respective
                       college from the time of his or her appointment until
                       the appointment of his or her  successor.

ARTICLE V ELECTIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Section 1 QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE

1. The President of Student Government must be at least a junior in class standing at the time of inauguration and must have earned at least thirty (30) hours at the University of South Carolina-Columbia campus.
2. The Vice President of Student Government must have earned at least forty-five (45) credit hours at the time of inauguration and must have earned at least thirty (30) hours at the University of South Carolina-Columbia campus.
3. The Treasurer of Student Government must be at least a sophomore in class standing at the time of inauguration with at least fifteen (15) hours earned at the University of South Carolina-Columbia campus.
4. Where class standing is a requirement for office, class standing shall be defined as follows:
   1. Junior Standing - 60 hours.
   2. Sophomore Standing - 30 hours.
5. Any student who is considered full time by University policy may be a candidate for any office provided the other specific requirements for the particular office are satisfied. (Amended by SBL(91)007 dated 2/6/91.)
6. No Senator may simultaneously be a member of the Executive Branch or serve on the Constitutional Council.
7. No member of the Executive Branch may simultaneously serve in the Legislative Branch or serve on the Constitutional Council.
8. No member of the Constitutional Council may simultaneously serve in the Legislative or Executive Branch of Student Government.
9. All elected or appointed Student Government officials must maintain the cumulative GPA requirement for graduation and remain in good standing in their respective college and shall cease to serve at any time these standards are not maintained.

Section 2 TIME OF ELECTION
The exact date shall be determined by the Constitutional Election Code and Senate Statute. The following offices shall be filled on that day:

1. President of Student Government
2. Vice President of Student Government
3. Treasurer of Student Government
4. Student Government Senators
5. Any others provided for by the Senate Statutes.

Section 3 PROCEDURE FOR ELECTIONS

1. Procedure for nomination and elections shall be stated in the Constitutional Codes and Senate Statutes.
2. Election officials will be appointed by the Student Government President and confirmed by a majority vote of the Senate. These officials shall not hold any other Student Government elective office and shall not be eligible for election while serving in that appointed position.
3. Each candidate will be responsible for the knowledge and compliance of the qualifications for the office that he or she seeks, and election rules as established by the Senate Statutes.
4. All elections shall be conducted by secret ballot.
5. To be elected, a candidate for the Senate must receive a plurality of the total votes cast in the first election where the seat is contested.

Candidates for Executive Office are subject to regulations as prescribed in Article II, Section 2. In the event that an Executive Office candidate does not receive a majority vote, within fourteen (14) days after the first election there shall be a run-off election on a day designated by the Constitutional Election Codes. Upon approval by a majority vote in the run-off, a candidate shall be declared elected.

ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENTS

Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Senate, or by petitions of 1,500 members of the Student Body. Proposed Amendments must have the approval of the President of the University prior to being presented to the Student Body for ratification. Amendments shall become part of this Constitution upon ratification by a majority of votes cast in an election of the Student Body, provided that the proposed amendments have been published in The Gamecock newspaper at least one week prior to the vote of the Student Body.

Amendments may be made to the Constitutional Codes of this Constitution through Senate vote. The amendments must be read, and debated if necessary, at two consecutive Senate meetings, which shall be held not less than one week apart. Only at the second meeting may a vote be taken, requiring a simple majority for approval. By following this procedure, Senate approved legislation may amend the Constitutional Codes. Legislation amending the Constitutional Codes requires the approval of the President of the Student Body and the President of the University.
 

Candidate Filing and Fees
The filing fee for Senate seats shall be a non-refundable amount of $5.00.

The filing fee for Executive Offices shall be $50.00, of which $45.00 is refundable, provided that all of the candidate’s campaign materials are removed within 48 hours of the last election to the satisfaction of the Elections Commissioner. If not, the money is forfeited to the Elections Commission. 

A receipt for fees paid shall be issued to each candidate by a Student Government office staff employee.

The SG Treasurer shall keep on file for one year a copy of each receipt issued. These shall constitute a public record.

All collected monies shall be deposited to the Student Government Elections Account , as prescribed by University policy.

Filing shall start at 9 AM on the Monday seven weeks before Spring Break and continue through 4 PM of the Tuesday of the same week.  If said Monday is a holiday, filing shall start at 9 AM on the Tuesday seven weeks before Spring Break and continue through 4 PM of the Wednesday of the same week. 

Filing shall take place in person in the Student Government office during normal University working hours.

Candidates may run only in the district according to their academic certification pursuant to Arts III, Section 3, (B)(2) of the Student Government constitution.  Candidates must file for office using their legal name. The candidate’s name as it is to appear on the ballot shall be subject to approval by the Elections Commission.

The Election Commission shall have the authority to declare any person ineligible to file for or serve in any elected Student Government office who has been either: (a) convicted of a felony or other criminal offense which may impose a fine of $500.00 or more; or (b) suspended from the University of South Carolina on a disciplinary matter.

Date and Time of Elections
The Spring Election shall be held on the Monday and Tuesday three weeks before to Spring Break.

If a run-off election is required, it shall be held on the Thursday and Friday of the same week as the General Election.

The hours of voting shall be from 9:00 am on Monday until 5:00 pm Tuesday.

If an election is determined, by the Elections Commission, to be null and void, (with the decision being upheld by the Office of Student Affairs), the new election will take place at a time to be determined by the Elections Commission and the Attorney General, with the approval of the Office of Student Affairs.

Membership Description
Carolina Student Judicial Council Member is a person who is concerned with the rights and duties of students attending the University of South Carolina. In order to help preserve conduct standards on campus, he/she will be a member of a student/faculty/staff group that hears evidence concerning alleged violations of the student code of conduct. The Council assigns appropriate sanctions for students found responsible for such violations. Through these and other functions listed below, members will be ambassadors and promoters of good campus ethics embodied in The Carolinian Creed.

Duties

1. Display behavior appropriate to a role model for other students and strive to preserve the rights and responsibilities of USC students.
2. Attend all hearings (for which volunteered) and weekly training sessions.
3. Attend orientation/training sessions which are held at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.
4. Be familiar with University regulations and policies, as well as campus resources and student support services available at the University.
5. Participate in Council Hearings by:
   • displaying questioning skills to help determine what occurred, who bears responsibility, and how the University should respond;
   • displaying good judgment and decision-making skills; and
   • displaying the ability to work in a group to reach consensus.
6. Observe strict confidentiality regarding all details of Council matters, refraining from discussing hearing content outside the official Council hearings and meetings.
7. Assist in presentations on ethics and other life-skills issues to various campus populations.
8. Maintain objectivity at all times and disqualify oneself from a hearing if one cannot be fair or impartial.
9. Speak to various campus organizations concerning the discipline system and the Judicial Council selection process to assist in the recruiting of Council members.
10. Serve as an opinion leader who promotes dialogue, identifies and solves problems, and provides information regarding appropriate conduct.
11. Other duties related to the University student conduct system as appropriate, which may include committee work, follow-up on charged students after hearings, assistance with training sessions, etc.

Application Process
The recruitment, selection and training of Carolina Student Judicial Council members is a four part process: the solicitation of applications of candidates, interviews, selection for nomination by the Student Body President and appointment of members by the President of the University, and training over the entire academic year of service. The quality of these members is crucial to the success of the University discipline system. These individuals are role models, opinion leaders, resource people, and at times, hearing officers for their peers. They are a link between the Office of Student Judicial Programs and Student Government.

The student discipline system is administered by the Division of Student Affairs. Student Government, as an elected and representative voice of the Student Body, has the right to comment on any proposed change in policy pertaining to the discipline of students. All student appointments to the Judicial Council shall be nominated by the President of the Student Body with majority concurrence of the Student Senate.

The student judicial system is not a part of Student Government and interacts with Student Government only to the extent authorized by the Board of Trustees as stated in the Constitution (see Constitution of Student Government, Article IV, Section 1). Nominees’ names are then sent to the Vice President for Student Affairs for submission to the University President for annual appointment.

University Committees may be comprised of faculty, administrative staff, and student representatives. Student nominations are made by the Student Body President, with Senate approval, and forwarded to the University President. All appointments are made by the University President.

Student Government is continually accepting applications to serve on University committees.  For more information on the committees and applications, please check our website at  http://www.sg.sc.edu/committee.htm.

Nominations are made to the University President prior to the end of the spring semester. Student appointments serve for one academic year unless otherwise noted.

ACADEMIC COMPUTING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
Purpose: The committee will recommend policy changes to the Provost that will improve communication in the area of academic computing and information technology on the Columbia and regional campuses.
Membership:
° Various members from administrative and academic units throughout the system
° Three students: the Student Body President, the Student Body Vice President, and one student

ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITY COMMITTEE
Purpose: This committee will consider hearing appeals of cases decided in college academic responsibility committees when either party to the case formally appeals on the grounds that (a) the decision was contrary to the evidence; (b) the sanction imposed is unreasonable, unjust, or inappropriate; or (c) the hearing procedures were violated. The committee will also review the Code of Student Academic Responsibility and propose changes to the Faculty Senate.
Membership:
° Five faculty members
° Two graduate students
° Two undergraduate students

AMOCO OUTSTANDING TEACHING AWARD COMMITTEE
Purpose: To select and award the Amoco Outstanding Teaching Award to the University of South Carolina Columbia candidate.
Membership:
° Seven faculty members
° Provost (ex-officio)
° Seven students

ASSESSMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Purpose: Interpret assessment data and make recommendations annually to the faculty and the Provost for dissemination and improvement based on the findings. The committee will help ensure that assessment data are useful to help improve teaching and student learning.
Membership:
° Representative faculty and staff, 1-3 year terms
° Representative from the Provost’s Office
° Two students

ATHLETIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Purpose: To consider those issues concerning the athletic policies of the University that are referred to the committee by the Student Senate, Faculty Senate, Director of Athletics, President, and/or the Board of Trustees. The committee will be attentive to the need for ensuring that proper academic standards are maintained by all student athletes.
Membership:
° Six elected faculty members
° Four Presidential appointments
° One Trustee member from the Intercollegiate Activities Committee
° One graduate student
° Two undergraduate students

AWARDS COMMITTEE
Purpose: To select the recipients for the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, Outstanding Senior awards, and Who’s Who awards.
Membership:
° Seven faculty members
° Three students (one ODK member and two students from the Senate Academic Committee)

BLATT PE CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Purpose: To review policies of the PE Center; to evaluate the use of the facility and to propose programs and services to increase the effective use of the facility by students, faculty and staff; and to propose new programs and policies to the colleges of Public Health, Liberal Arts, and Education, the Division of Student Affairs, Department of Student Life, and the Athletic Department.
Membership:
° Two staff members
° Five faculty members
° A representative from each: the Athletic Department, Student Life, and Vice President for Student Affairs
° Campus Recreation representative (ex-officio)
° Three students

BOARD OF STUDENT PUBLICATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Purpose: To appoint the major executives of the students media. To ensure the maintenance of the highest standards in the operation of student media. In this regard, the Board has responsibility for handling grievances relating to the student media, and the budgets and expenditures of such media are also overseen by the Board.
Membership:
° Three faculty members
° Four students who are appointed for two-year terms

COUNSELING SERVICES COMMITTEE
Purpose: To review the functions of various offices performing counseling services. Serve as a medium for establishment of communications and exchange information between the personnel of appropriate offices.
Membership:
° Four faculty members
° Four staff representatives from specific areas
° A representative from the Legal Aid Clinic and the Office of the Ombudsman
° Two students

CURRICULA AND COURSES COMMITTEE
Purpose: To consider and recommend action to the faculty on all requests for new or revised curricula leading to any formal recognition other than graduate degrees or first professional degrees in Law and Medicine. Also to consider and recommend action to the faculty on all requests for the institution, modification, or deletion of courses and of any prescribed programs of study which do not fall within the purview of the graduate faculty. The committee shall review the various curricula of the University with special attention to duplication or obsolescence of courses.
Membership:
° Elected faculty members
° One member from the regional campuses
° Two students

DISABILITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Purpose: To advise the Vice President for Student Affairs on problems related to physically handicapped students. In particular, the committee will: (1) Keep under continuing review policies and procedures concerning handicapped students at the University and make recommendations as appropriate; (2) Receive from handicapped students reports of and suggestions for alleviating difficulties which they are experiencing; (3) Maintain liaison with non-University groups dealing with the problems of handicapped students, such as the State Vocational Rehabilitation Department and the Commission for the Blind; and (4) Periodically visit University facilities and grounds and make recommendations which would facilitate the life of handicapped students at the University.
Membership:
° One staff member from each of the following: Health Services, Counseling and Human Development Center, Housing, Admissions, Campus Police/Vehicle Management and Parking Services, and University Maintenance/Physical Facilities
° Two faculty members
° Three students (preferably at least one of whom is disabled).

HEALTH SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Purpose: (1) Keep under continuing review policies and plans for the University Health Services and make appropriate recommendations to the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Director of Health Services; (2) When appropriate, consider and investigate complaints regarding the Health Services; (3) Study and make appropriate recommendations regarding health education programs for University students; and (4) Provide coordination among different campus groups interested in University Health Services and Health Education Programs.
Membership:
° Two persons from the Division of Student Affairs, one of whom shall be the Chairperson
° Four faculty representing Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Education, and Psychology
° One member of the Counseling & Human Development Center
° One member from Health Services
° Nine students (4 students at-large, one graduate student , and a representative from the following: International Programs for Students, Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, the Residence Hall Association, and the Office of Disability Services)

HONORARY DEGREES COMMITTEE
Purpose: The committee shall make recommendations to the President and Board of Trustees for the recipients of all honorary degrees from the University.
Membership:
° Six faculty members
° University Provost (ex-officio)
° Three student members

HORSESHOE HISTORICAL RESTORATION COMMITTEE
Purpose: To insure the historical beauty of the Horseshoe area. The committee will make recommendations on how to maintain or better its appearance.
Membership:
° Faculty/Administrative members are appointed by the President
° Three students

INSTRUCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Purpose: To advise the faculty and administration on matters pertaining to the improvement of teaching within the context of the research university. This committee shall initiate studies and make recommendations to the faculty and administration on programs that will enhance the practice and status of teaching at the University of South Carolina.
Membership:
° Nine faculty members elected for terms of three years,
° Six faculty members appointed by the Provost for terms of three years
° One representative from the Office of the Provost (ex-officio)
° One graduate student
° One undergraduate student

LEGAL RESIDENCE COMMITTEE
Purpose: The committee will review cases where instate residency status is in question and rule based on that review.
Membership:
° Four faculty/staff members
° Two law students (**Note: The Student Government President is to seek consultation from the University President and the University’s attorney when making this appointment)
° Two faculty/staff alternates (stand-ins for voting purposes).

ORIENTATION COMMITTEE
Purpose: To review the orientation program for new students and make recommendations concerning orientation policies and procedures.
Membership:
° Seven faculty and administrators ( faculty members represent the five larger undergraduate colleges)
° Two students
° Vice President for Student Affairs, chair
° Director of Orientation

OUTSTANDING FACULTY ADVISOR AWARD COMMITTEE
Purpose: Encourage improvement of academic advising on campus. A $1,500 award is made annually to the faculty advisor voted most outstanding by the committee.
Membership:
° Six faculty and staff members
° Six student members

OUTSTANDING FRESHMAN ADVOCATE COMMITTEE
Membership:
° Three Freshman Council members selected in the fall to serve two-year terms
° Director of the Visitor Center, chair

PARKING COMMITTEE
Purpose: To consider both short term and long range problems dealing with parking and make recommendations for solution.
Membership:
° Six faculty members
° Two students (one will live on-campus and the other will live off-campus)

REGISTRATION COMMITTEE
Purpose: To monitor and review the organization of the registration system at the University and recommend changes to the administration in an attempt to meet the needs of the University community.
Membership:
° Eleven faculty members
° Two students

RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Purpose: The purpose of this Presidentially appointed committee will be to oversee the religious life program on campus and to make such recommendations to the President as may be appropriate. Among the specific objectives of this committee are the following:
1. Make recommendations to the Vice President for Student Affairs on formal petitions for recognition of campus religious workers submitted by denominations, religions, and other religious groups.
2. Receive annual reports from recognized religious workers on campus and publish list of such workers annually.
3. Receive complaints concerning recognized religious workers, determine if University regulations have been violated, and recommend remedial or other disciplinary actions, including revocation of recognition, if required.
4. Such other duties as may be assigned by the President.
Membership:
° Six faculty members
° Two staff members, one of whom shall be the Student Affairs liaison to the Carolina Chaplains Association
° Two recognized religious workers
° Two students, one of whom shall be the Chaplain’s Liaison

RETENTION COMMITTEE
Purpose: To monitor student retention and develop an understanding of why a certain number leave the University each year and to support programs to keep students in attendance.
Membership:
° Fourteen faculty/staff members
° Four students

UNIVERSITY SAFETY COMMITTEE
Purpose: To address any security concerns that may arise in the University community, including but not limited to, residence life, lighting, and safety education. By pooling resources from the faculty, administrative staff, and students, the committee will develop cohesive policies that will make USC a safer place to be.
Membership:
° Ten faculty and staff members
° Four students
° Student Body President and Vice President serve as ex-officio members

SCHOLASTIC STANDARDS & PETITIONS
Purpose: Consider matters concerning University academic requirements and standards. Will also review current policies and practices and proposed changes of the colleges and make recommendations to the appropriate college faculty or to the Faculty Senate.
Membership:
° Six faculty members
° One Admissions administrator (ex-officio)
° Two student members

SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGE POLICY COMMITTEE
Purpose: To monitor the policies of the South Carolina College and to hear the appeals of students who are seeking admission to the college, as well as students who are seeking retention in the college.
Membership:
° Eleven faculty and staff members
° Two student members (usually members of the SC College)

STUDENT GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE (Non-Academic)
Purpose: To review the problems that students have concerning various issues.
Membership:
° Five faculty and staff members
° Two students

STUDENT-TRUSTEE LIAISON COMMITTEE
Purpose: An entity of the USC Board of Trustees that exists as a forum to provide for the interaction of members of the Board of Trustees and the students on the committee acting on behalf of the student body.
Membership:
° Seven members of the Board of Trustees, one of whom chairs the committee
° Student Body President
° Four students (one of whom may be one of the other Executive officers of Student Government and one of whom is a graduate student)

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID COMMITTEE
Purpose: In particular, the committee will: (1) Determine what office or committee will administer each source of financial aid under jurisdiction of USC Columbia with the exception of graduate fellowships and assistantships; (2) Set goals and objectives of all financial aid programs; (3) Provide overall coordination among the offices and committees awarding financial aid to graduate or undergraduate students; (4) Determine what stipulations can be honored in administering aid derived from gifts to the University; and (5) Establish student eligibility criteria and other policy as necessary for awarding all financial aid administered by the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Membership:
° Four faculty members
° Two staff members
° Director of Admissions
° Three students
° The Vice President for Student Affairs, the Director of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships are ex-officio, non-voting members.

TRAFFIC APPELLATE COURT
Purpose: To hear appeals from persons receiving campus traffic tickets.
Membership:
° Three faculty members
° Two staff members
° One graduate student
° Three undergraduate students
° Four student alternates

VETERAN’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Purpose: To represent the needs of the veteran population to the administration of the University, and to monitor and make recommendations relative to the quality of services presently being provided to this student group.
Membership:
° Two faculty members
° One representative from each - the Admissions Office, the Office of Veterans Services, and the Military Centers
° Three students

WOMEN’S STUDIES COMMITTEE
Purpose: To administer the Women’s Studies Program at the University. In particular, the committee staffs and supervises the Women’s Studies 111 and 112 classes, besides planning programs dealing with women’s studies and working with professionals related to the field.
Membership:
° Ten faculty members
° One staff member,
° One student member

The University of South Carolina Freshman Council was conceived out of an expressed desire by freshmen for a means to gain early involvement in University activities. The Freshman Council will provide leadership training for its members, as well as serve as a representative voice of freshman opinion in advising Student Government. The Freshman Council will also be responsible for programming freshman class activities and planning and participating in at least one community service project a semester. The Freshman Council will be funded and overseen by Student Government as set forth in the Codes.

Applications for Freshman Council are available on line at   http://www.sg.sc.edu/freshmancouncil.htm