Constitution of AIT Student Union Asian Institute of Technology
(Amended and Revised, August 2019)
Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology
Amended, August 2019
Approved Amendments in the Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology, August 2019 ADDENDUMS Article 5.1.2 The Student Union Executive Council shall always seek to maintain Diversity in its ranks by Representation from at least 7 different Nations and at least One-Third Female Student Representation. Article 3.4 To Participate in the activities of the SU Sports, the AIT Staff and AIT Alumni shall pay a valid and reasonable amount of registration fee. Registration fee shall be proposed to the SU president by the SU Sports Committee for approval prior to the event. Article 7.2.10 Election Committee is an independent body and shall remain free from any influence of Student Union Executive Council Members or any Student Officers. Article 7.3.2.3.3 Any Candidate standing in Elections for a Elected position in the Student Union can withdraw his/her Candidacy after withdrawal period. This withdrawal will lead to him/her forfeiting the opportunity to be in any position of power in the Student Union i.e. Executive Council and General Assembly. REVISIONS/REMOVALS Article 4.1.3 (Removed) Four representatives will be selected from UG program for General Assembly each semester by the UG Coordinator. Article 4.1.4 (Revised) from: Three representatives will be selected from Master and two representatives from Doctoral program from the SOM for General Assembly. to One representative(s) will be selected from master’s and One representative from Doctoral Program from the SOM for General Assembly each semester by the MBA Program Coordinator. Article 3.1 (Revised) from: 3
Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology
Amended, August 2019
Approved Amendments in the Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology, January 2014 Article 4.1.4 Three representatives will be selected from master’s and two representatives from Doctoral Program from the SOM for General Assembly each semester by the MBA program Coordinator Article 4.1.7 The approved Religious Associations by AIT will have a representation in the General Assembly. The following Religious Associations have been officially approved by AIT: • Muslim Students Association • International Buddhist Association • AIT Hindu Association • AIT Christian Fellowship Community • AIT Christian Catholic Community
Article 4.2.1 Approve the non-elected members (Chairperson and Secretary) of the Executive Council as recommended by the SU President. Article 4.2.9 Decision related to awarding, renewing and terminating of contract of any vendor in SU area should be approved by the majority of the General Assembly Members present.
Mr. Kyaw Zar Bo SU General Secretary, Student Union, January 2014 Semester, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand.
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Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology
Amended, August 2019
Approved Amendments in the Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology, August 2013 Article 4.1.3 Four representatives will be selected from UG program for General Assembly each semester by the UG Coordinator. Article 4.1.4 Three representatives will be selected from the SOM for General Assembly each semester by the MBA program Coordinator. Objective: Ensuring the interests and concerns of the students enrolled in newly started program, i.e. Under-Graduate, by AIT. Article 7.3.2.3 Any student of AIT who member of SU, according to the article 3.1 of this constitution and have already studied at AIT for one semester can run for any S.U. Office. (Existing) position. If the students have already studied at AIT in the past, the duration of his or her graduation from AIT must not exceed past one year or previous two semesters. Objective: Making sure that the interested prospects have enough breath in AIT environment and knows enough about AIT, SU and its activities. This will be helpful for him/her to manage the office if elected.
Mr. Shubham Pathak SU General Secretary, Student Union, August 2013 Semester, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand.
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Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology
Amended, August 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS Amendments in the Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology, August 2019 3 Approved Amendments in the Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology, January 2014 5 Approved Amendments in the Constitution of the Student Union ofAsian Institute of Technology, August 2013 6 Article I - NAME AND LOCATION 8 Article II - OBJECTIVES 9 Article III - GENERAL STUDENT BODY MEMBERSHIP 10 Article IV - THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 11 Article V - THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 14 Article VI - OFFICERS OF THE SU 15 Article VII - ELECTION AND TERMS OF OFFICE 18 Article VIII - STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES FOR SPECIAL EXTERNAL FUNCTIONS 22 Article IX - FINANCE 23 Article X - GENERAL STUDENT BODY MEETING 24 Article XI - REMOVAL FROM OFFICE 25 Article XII - AMENDMENTS 27 Article XIII - INTERPRETATION 28
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Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology
Amended, August 2019
ARTICLE I NAME AND LOCATION 1. The name and location of the organization are 1.1. The organization shall be called the Student Union of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), hereinafter referred to as the SU. 1.2. The offices of SU shall be located in the AIT Campus. 1.3. The SU shall consist of the General Assembly (see Article IV), the Executive Council (see Article V), and the General Student Body (Article III) of AIT.
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Amended, August 2019
ARTICLE II OBJECTIVES 2. The objectives of SU shall be: 2.1. To foster good relationship and harmony among its members, as well as the other members of the community, and better understanding of their various backgrounds and cultures, through activities and the dissemination of the information. 2.2. To promote the well being of its members by developing adequate social, cultural and sporting activities, including various clubs, which conform to in accordance with the main interests of its members. 2.3. To promote gender equity and equality among students and the community. 2.4. To ensure that the views and opinions of the members are effectively communicated to the Institute's administration and faculty on matters affecting the members' work and life at AIT. 2.5. To ensure, by making appropriate arrangements, that life in the areas of the campus used by the students is pleasant, orderly and amicable. 2.6. Through its officers, to act as the official representative body of the students of AIT. 2.7. To take all necessary actions to safeguard the rights and privileges of its members.
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Amended, August 2019
ARTICLE III GENERAL STUDENT BODY MEMBERSHIP 3. The following rules and criteria apply to all the General Student Body. 3.1. All Bridging, Diploma, Masters and Doctoral students of the AIT shall be member of SU. 3.2. In addition to, those covered by Article 3.1, students enrolled in any school of AIT shall be the Associate Members of SU and shall pay the semesterly subscription to SU. Associate Members shall not have voting rights. 3.3. There may be honorary members. Honorary membership may, by prior approval of the General Assembly, be given to person (s) other than students, in recognition of outstanding contributions to the SU. Such members shall not pay the usual fees, shall not hold any office in the SU, and shall not have voting right. Honorary members shall remain as such for the period approved by the General Assembly. No proposal for honorary membership shall be considered by the General Assembly unless it is recommended by at least five GA Members. 3.4. To Participate in the activities of the SU Sports, the AIT Staff and AIT Alumni shall pay a valid and reasonable amount of registration fee. Registration fee shall be proposed to the SU president by the SU Sports Committee for approval prior to the event.
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Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology
Amended, August 2019
ARTICLE IV THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 4. 4.1. There shall be a General Assembly composed of elected representatives as given below: 4.1.1. One representative from each Field of Study (FOS) who elected/nominated representative of that FOS.
will
be an
4.1.2. Each country will nominate only one member as their representative for General Assembly. 4.1.3. One representative will be selected from master’s and One representatives from Doctoral Program from the SOM for General Assembly each semester by the MBA program Coordinator. 4.1.4. New Field (s) of Study shall automatically be added to the list referred to in Article 4.1.1. The updated list of the programs and number of members from each nationality shall be published by the SU at the start of each term for the information of the student body in any designated SU boards. The same information shall also be sent via email. 4.1.5. GA members must register with SU within 14 days from date of notice. Failure to do so forfeits their opportunity for membership. Appeal for application for membership needs the approval of the General Assembly. 4.1.6. The approved Religious Associations by AIT will have a representation in the General Assembly. The following Religious Associations have been officially approved by AIT: •
Muslim Students Association
•
International Buddhist Association
•
AIT Hindu Association
•
AIT Christian Fellowship Community
•
AIT Christian Catholic Community
4.2. The powers and functions of the General Assembly are as follows: 4.2.1. Approve the non-elected members (Chairperson and Secretary) of the Executive Council as recommended by the SU President; 4.2.2. Submit recommendations to the President of the Institute on the conduct of the student activities and affairs; 11
Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology
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4.2.3. Approve the budget proposed by the Treasurer of the SU; interpret the constitution when necessary; 4.2.4. Formulate the long-term plans and policies of the SU; Set-up ad-hoc committees when necessary; 4.2.5. Elect SU officer/s upon declaration of failure of election as referred to in Article 7.3.2 and 7.3.3. Perform other functions referred to in this constitution. 4.2.6. Decision related to awarding, renewing and terminating of contract of any vendor in SU area should be approved by the majority of the General Assembly Members present. 4.3. General Assembly Meetings 4.3.1. Meetings of the General Assembly shall be held at the beginning and end of every Semester and at least once in every month of the Semester. The meetings shall be called by the SU President through the General Secretary: within 3 weeks of the beginning of the Semester for the first meeting, and in the first half of every month for the following GA meetings. 4.3.2. A quorum of at least 1/2 of the total registered members is necessary to conduct business. If the quorum is insufficient to conduct business, the next meeting shall be called within 7 to 10 days with no quorum requirement. 4.3.3. A meeting to act on or discuss some specific issue shall be held upon the written request of at least five (5) members of the General Assembly. This meeting shall be called within 7 days of the receipt of the request. 4.3.4. All decisions of the General Assembly shall be decided by majority voting except in cases explicitly provided for in this constitution. 4.3.5. The Presiding Officer of the meeting will be the General Assembly Speaker, in whose absence the Vice President will preside. In the absence of the Vice President, the officers shall elect from among themselves a Presiding Officer. 4.3.6. At the discretion of the shall be:
Presiding
•
Call to order
•
Roll call
•
Approving previous minutes
•
Officers reports
•
Committee reports
•
Unfinished Business 12
Officer,
the
Order
of
Business
Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology
Amended, August 2019
•
New Business
•
Announcements
•
Adjournments
•
Among Officers reports, a Treasurer report of the detailed financial situation for every Committee - with help of Committee Secretaries - shall be established after every major activity. Committee reports shall present activities and justify expenditures if the need arises.
4.3.7. In the absence of the General Secretary, The General Assembly Speaker shall assume the responsibilities temporarily. 4.3.8. Notice of General Assembly Meeting shall be posted in designated areas and sent via the student e-mails. These media will suffice as Letters of Invitation to GA members. 4.3.9. In his/her absence, a GA member can nominate a representative from his/her group by advising the General Secretary in writing or personal AIT e-mail at least two days before any meeting. 4.3.10. The Executive Council must be present at all General Assembly meetings. Council members can Participate in the proceedings of the assembly, but they do not have voting rights. In case of their absence, a Letter of Apology must be submitted to the General Secretary two days before the scheduled meeting explaining his/her excuse. The General Secretary will then present the letter to the GA for consideration. 4.3.11. The General Assembly may invite non-member(s) to attend meetings for specific purposes, subject to the condition that such person(s) "shall have no voting right.” 4.3.12. The President or the Secretary can approve the attendance of any visitor at a General Assembly subject to the endorsement of GA.
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Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology
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ARTICLE V THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 5. 5.1. The Student Union Executive Council shall be composed of the following: •
The President of the SU;
•
The Vice-President of the SU;
•
The General Secretary of the SU;
•
The General Assembly Speaker;
•
The Treasurer of the SU, and;
•
All Committee Chairpersons
5.1.1. Selection of Committee Secretaries will be at the discretion of SU President subject to the formal approval by General Assembly however not more than two members of same country/nationality shall be representing as Committee Secretaries. 5.1.2. The Student Union Executive Council shall always seek to maintain Diversity in its ranks by Representation from at least 7 different Nations and at least One-Third Female Student Representation 5.2. The power and functions of the Executive Council are: 5.2.1. To manage the activities of the SU according to the policies established by the General Assembly; 5.2.2. To execute all agreements during the general-student body meetings if any. 5.3. Meetings: 5.3.1. Regular meetings shall be held at least once a month and shall be called by the General Secretary upon the approval of the President, or his representative. 5.3.2. Any members of the Executive Council may propose items for inclusion on agenda at most three(3) Days before the actual conduct of the meetings. 5.3.3. Items on the Agenda should be sent to the members of the Executive Council at most two (2) days before the meeting through their personal and/or AIT e-mails. 5.4. The Executive Council members do not have voting powers in General Assembly Meetings.
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ARTICLE VI OFFICERS OF THE SU 6. 6.1. The responsibilities and the power of the SU officers are as follows: 6.1.1. The President 6.1.1.1.
Acts as the Chief Executive of the SU;
6.1.1.2. Presides over meetings of the Executive Council, the Council of Class Representatives and the general student body; 6.1.1.3. Recommends to the General Assembly volunteers to work as Chairperson of the various committees, for approval within fourteen (14) days after the beginning of the new term. Chairpersons and their responsibilities are discussed separately in the Student Union By-Laws. 6.1.1.4. Reports to the General Assembly on SU activities and accomplishments after the last GA meeting; 6.1.1.5. Presents a summarized report of the SU to the General Assembly at the end of his/her tenure; 6.1.1.6. Advises the Student Body on the list constituencies referred to in 4.1 items a and b at the start of each semester. 6.1.1.7. The tenure of the SU President is only one (1) semester. He / She shall be replaced by the incumbent Vice-President on the next semester right after his tenure. 6.1.2. The Vice President 6.1.2.1. Assumes the Office of the President upon the completion of President's term and conduct this through a formal hand-over ceremony during a General Assembly Meeting. 6.1.2.2. If the office of President of SU becomes vacant for any reason other than Article, the Vice President shall automatically replace him/her and perform those duties with all power, privileges, duties, and responsibilities of the President. He shall also assume the remaining term of the former President. The following semester, he shall continue to be the incumbent President by virtue of Article 6.1.2.1 being a holdover officer. This is to provide continuity of leadership. 6.1.2.3. In any event that the office of the Vice-President will be vacated for reasons stated in Article 6.1.2.2 or any other reason before his/her tenure ends, an 15
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election for the Vice President should 6.1.2.3 Be conducted within the period of 14 days via General Assembly Nomination. He shall also assume the remaining term of the former Vice President. The following semester, he shall continue to be the incumbent Vice President. 6.1.2.4. If the President shall file a leave of absence for any reason and is certain to be back any time before his tenure of office expires, the Vice President shall replace the former in an acting Capacity and relinquish the office back the President upon his return from leave of absence. During that time that the Vice President holds the office of the President in an acting capacity, no election shall be necessary for the seat of the Vice President. 6.1.3. The General Secretary 6.1.3.1. Coordinates harmoniously the activities of all SU committees in consultation with the respective Chairpersons; 6.1.3.2. Prepares the agenda for each General Assembly and Executive Council meeting in consultation with the President; 6.1.3.3. Responsible for scheduling of meetings of the General Assembly and the Executive Council and advising the members as defined in this Constitution; 6.1.3.4. Responsible for all correspondence for the Student Body using Student Union official AIT e-mail account; 6.1.3.5.
Records the minutes of General Assembly and Executive Council meetings;
6.1.3.6.
Ensures the proper implementation of the SU constitution and By-Laws;
6.1.3.7.
Assume other functions as mandated by this Constitution.
6.1.4. The General Assembly Speaker 6.1.4.1. If the office of General Secretary of SU becomes vacant for any reason other than Article 6.1.4.4, the General Assembly Speaker shall automatically replace him/her and perform those duties with all power, privileges, duties, and responsibilities of the General Secretary. He / She shall also assume the remaining term of the former General Secretary. 6.1.4.2. In any event that the office of the General Assembly Speaker will be vacated for reasons stated in Article 6.1.4.2 or any other reason before his/her tenure ends, an election for the General Assembly Speaker should be conducted within the period of 14 days via General Assembly Nomination. He shall also assume the remaining term of the former General Assembly Speaker. 6.1.4.3. If the General Secretary shall file a leave of absence for any reason and is certain to be back any time before his/her tenure of office expires, the General Assembly Speaker shall replace the former in an acting capacity and relinquish 16
Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology
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the office back the General Secretary upon his return from leave of absence. During that time that the General Assembly Speaker holds the office of the General Secretary in an acting capacity, no election shall be necessary for the seat of the General Assembly Speaker 6.1.5. The Treasurer 6.1.5.1. Prepares the budget for each academic term in consultation with the Members of the Executive Council and the Budget Committee if such one exists; 6.1.5.2. Submit to the General Assembly the proposed budget for the term not later than two weeks after the start of the school term; 6.1.5.3.
Keeps proper accounts of SU income and expenditures;
6.1.5.4. Presents financial report to the General Assembly for each academic term in office; 6.1.5.5. In any event that the office of the Treasurer for any reason before his/her tenure ends, an election for the post should be conducted within the period of 14 days via General Assembly Nomination. 6.1.6. At no certain semester should there be students of the same nationality/country who will hold elected positions. 6.1.7. Treasurer, General Secretary and General Assembly Speaker posts are for a tenure of one semester only, but the outgoing officer may go for a re-election if he/she desires so.
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ARTICLE VII ELECTION AND TERMS OF OFFICE 7. 7.1. Election of the Members of the General Assembly 7.1.1. Field of Study Representatives: 7.1.1.1. Field of Study (FOS) Coordinator will ensure the election/nomination of FOS representative not later than first two weeks from the beginning of new semester. 7.1.1.2. They shall hold the post for one semester. In case there will be no new representatives that will be sent for the new semester, the incumbent representative shall remain GA Member for that Field of Study. 7.1.1.3. Field of Study (FOS) representative must be elected /nominated by students. In case of more than one FOS representatives (as some FOS might have more than one sections running simultaneously), FOS Coordinator will select one member from his FOS representatives as a representative for General Assembly membership 7.1.2. Country Representatives: 7.1.2.1. Their constituency shall elect country Representatives in whatever election they desire. They shall hold post according to the decision of the country they belong. 7.1.2.2. It shall be the responsibility of the group to elect their own representative from among them. In case the position is vacant, it shall remain so unless otherwise the group so decides to elect one. 7.1.3. Upon request of any group referred to in Article 7.1.1 and 7.1.2, the Election Committee may conduct elections/selection for a representative. The requesting parties shall decide the manner of election. 7.1.4. In case that the position of the GA member becomes vacant before the tenure ends, either by Article 7.3.3 or any, the Election Committee shall be responsible for the election/selection of new GA member for the said position with the consultation of either FS coordinator or their constituency whichever is applicable. 7.1.5. It is independent from any SU Officers and is accountable only before General Assembly.
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Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology
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7.2. Election Committee. 7.2.1. The Election Committee shall be elected and/or selected by General Assembly on the first meeting of every semester. Election Committee shall serve for one (1) semester only. 7.2.2. The committee shall be composed of at least five members, with no two members having same nationality, and the General Assembly will appoint one Election Commissioner from among them in the same General Assembly meeting. 7.2.3. In case that there will be no Election Committee elected on that semester, the incumbent and past Election Committee shall reconvene and carry out their duties. 7.2.4. The role of the Election Committee is to ensure a fair election process; it has to supervise the process from submission of candidatures to declaration to elections results to the General Assembly. 7.2.5. Every Election Committee decision shall be made by majority vote of its members - i.e. at least 3 votes for a Committee of 5 members. In case of written decision issued by the Election Committee it should be signed by at least these members. 7.2.6. Election Committee decision is final; it has not to be disputed by any party, however the Election Committee should make it public. 7.2.7. Election Day. 7.2.7.1. For polling, Stamped Seal shall be used to avoid unnecessary cancellation of votes. 7.2.7.2. No campaign or signs for candidates inside polling station is allowed; this applies to everyone. 7.2.8. During the first GA meeting of every semester a discussion considering the Code of Conducts for the Elections has to be held. This discussion shall include voting area definition, campaigning time and penalties. 7.2.9. The Election Committee is free to decide whatever appropriate and reasonable sanctions to respond to any wrongdoing, this after receiving complaint or after having observed the wrongdoing by any of its members, in accordance with its Code of Conducts if possible. 7.2.10. Election Committee is an independent body and shall remain free from any influence of Student Union Executive Council Members or any Student Officers. 7.3. Election of Student Union Officers: 7.3.1. General - There shall be two options for the election of the officers of the Student Union, the Candidate Election and by General Assembly Nomination. 7.3.2. Candidate Election: 19
Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology
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7.3.2.1. Election (s) shall be held every semester. It shall be held at most one (1) month from the start of the semester. The elected officers shall take office the day after they proclaimed winners by the Election Committee. 7.3.2.2.
There shall only be four (4) posts to be elected every semester:
•
Vice-President
•
General Secretary
•
General Assembly Speaker
•
Treasurer.
7.3.2.3. 7.3.2.3.1. Any student of AIT who member of SU is according to the article 3.1 of this constitution and have already studied at AIT for one semester can run for any S.U. Office. If the students have already studied at AIT in the past, the duration of his or her graduation from AIT must not exceed past one year or previous two semesters. 7.3.2.3.2. The interested students may file his/her candidacy at the SU Office two (2) weeks before the conduct of General Student Body Election as explained in Article 7.3.2.1. Interested students are required to submit endorsements from five (5) different nationalities. A student cannot endorse another if they have the same nationalities. Once the candidacy is accepted and stamped by the Student Union, they may start campaigning in manners approved by the incumbent Election Committee. 7.3.2.3.3. Any Candidate standing in Elections for a Elected position in the Student Union can withdraw his/her Candidacy after withdrawal period. This withdrawal will lead to him/her forfeiting the opportunity to be in any position of power in the Student Union i.e. Executive Council and General Assembly. 7.3.2.4. Candidates will be required to provide a letter in writing that they will not be absent from the institute for more than continuous 90 days during their tenure on any elected posts of Student Union. If it does happen, President of Student Union should call a GA meeting within 7 days to elect a replacement the post from GA in line with clauses 6.1.2.2 and 6.1.4.2. 7.3.2.5. All bonafide students of AIT as referred to in Article III are qualified to vote unless otherwise explicitly stated in this constitution. Election for the officers of the SU shall be done by conventional secret balloting. 7.3.2.6. Voting for the election shall be conducted irrespective of the number of candidates for any post. The election is valid if and only if more than 20% of the 20
Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology
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electorate cast their votes. The electorate is the whole student body as described in Article III. 20% turn- out of votes is enough considering the number of students conducting research outside AIT. 7.3.2.7. A candidate shall be proclaimed elected if he/she has the majority votes of the ballots cast. 7.3.2.8. Less than 20% turn out of the electorate shall be declared automatically by the Election Committee as failure of election. Election of the candidates will then be done through General Assembly within seven (7) days from declaration of failure of election. 7.3.2.9. Upon the declaration of failure of election, the Election Committee shall request the President of the SU to conduct a General Assembly meeting. The General Assembly shall elect the candidates through open canvassing. A candidate shall be proclaimed elected right on that meeting if he/she has the most votes. 7.3.3. General Assembly Nomination 7.3.3.1. In case no student will file his/her candidacy for a particular position or positions, a General Assembly Nomination shall be conducted. 7.3.3.2. Upon the declaration of quorum and order of the meeting by the Presiding Officer, the General Assembly members present shall select among them a nominee for the office. Parliamentary procedure on election via open nomination shall be applied. The Presiding Officer shall declare during that meeting nominee with the greatest number of votes elected. 7.3.4. In case of a tie on the number of votes by candidates/nominees vying for the same office for both manners of election, Candidate Election or General Assembly. 7.3.5. Nomination, the General Assembly has the final decision in a manner of open voting. Vacancies - In case of vacancy of any office before any tenure ends, Article 7.3.3. applies. 7.3.6. Tenure of Office - The tenure of office of any officers and committees are explained accordingly in Articles in this constitution.
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Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology
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ARTICLE VIII STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES FOR SPECIAL EXTERNAL FUNCTIONS 8. 8.1. The selection of student representatives to any external function other than what is explicitly contained in this constitution shall be approved by the General Assembly as nominated by SU Committee, if applicable. 8.2. The functions and responsibilities of such student representative shall be determined by the General Assembly.
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ARTICLE IX FINANCE 9. 9.1. The funds of the SU shall come from: 9.1.1. Contribution from the Institute. 9.1.2. Student contribution as determined by the General Assembly. 9.1.3. From donation and other source(s). 9.2. The funds shall be spent in accordance with the approved budget. However, disbursements up to fifteen percent (15%) of the total budget may be made by the Executive Council before the budget is approved. 9.3. Disbursement must carry the signatures of the President and Treasurer or their official representatives in case of their absence. 9.4. The Executive Council may put funds into reserve for future event or project expenditure; it may not make firm commitments against future income beyond a figure equivalent to 50% of the Institute's contribution for the next semester. 9.5. All financial accounts must be cleared, balanced and should be submitted within fourteen (14) days from the assumption of office of the new President by the outgoing Treasurer. 9.6. Budget Committee 9.6.1. A Budget Committee can be constituted at any time during a Semester. It shall be composed of 3-5 GA members selected by their peers. Their tenure is for the running Semester but can be extended for another Semester. 9.6.2. The Budget Committee will help the Treasurer in establishing the Semester budget. Its works include also check of AIT SU financial situation and budget and passing on critics from Student Body. 9.6.3. It is independent from any SU Officers and is accountable only before General Assembly.
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ARTICLE X GENERAL STUDENT BODY MEETING 10. 10.1. A general student body meeting may be called by the President at his own initiative or at the request of the General Assembly to decide or act on important issues affecting the whole student body. 10.2. A simple majority vote among all the members' present, not less than 20% of the whole student body population, shall be sufficient to conclude a decision, in cases when decisions are to be made.
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Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology
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ARTICLE XI REMOVAL FROM OFFICE 11. 11.1.
Members of the General Assembly:
11.1.1. Any member of the General Assembly who shall be absent in two consecutive meetings of the Assembly without proper excuse or sending an official representative as mandated by this constitution, shall be removed as member of the assembly. The organization, which he/she represents, shall be notified and requested for a replacement. His/her seat will remain vacant unless the responsible organization shall send an official representative. 11.2.
Member of the Executive Council/Committee Members:
11.2.1. Any appointed member of the committees may be removed from office by the committee chairpersons in consultation with the President. 11.2.2. Any Executive Council member other than elected officers can be suspended temporarily by the President for grounds of incompetence (i.e. ineffective and inefficient). That council member can be expelled after the approval in the GA by simple majority voting. 11.2.3. Any Executive Council Member other than the elected officers may be removed from office for grounds of incompetence by a simple majority vote of the General Assembly. 11.3.
The President, General Secretary and Treasurer of the SU:
11.3.1. The President, General Secretary and Treasurer of the SU may be removed from office by the General Assembly by a vote of No Confidence - subject to the following Provision: 11.3.1.1. A written motion of No Confidence must be submitted to the Secretary by at least two (2) members of the General Assembly and seconded by at least three (3) members: 11.3.1.2.
The Letter must include specific charges;
11.3.1.3. The Secretary shall send a copy of the Letter to each member of the General Assembly with the agenda of the meeting; 11.3.1.4. The motion of No Confidence shall be passed by at least 2/3 of the registered members of the General Assembly; 11.3.1.5. The General Assembly meeting shall be held within 4 - 7 days from receipt of the Letter to decide on the No Confidence motion. 25
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Members of the Committees of the Executive Council:
11.4.1. Any member of the committees who shall be absent on three consecutive meetings and tasks of that committee without prior notice to the Chairperson shall automatically be expelled from the committee by the Chairperson. The General Secretary shall inform the student concerned of the action taken. Reinstatement will depend on a satisfactory reason.
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ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS 12. 12.1. Proposals for amendments to this Constitution may come from any source and shall be decided by the General Assembly whether the proposal is valid. If valid, the General Assembly may put the proposal for voting. 12.2.
Amendments may be made by a 3/4 vote of the General Assembly.
12.3. Amendment of By-Laws not contrary to the provisions of the constitution may be amended by approval of at least 2/3rd of the members present in any session of General Assembly. 12.4. This constitution will be in effect immediately or as per advised by the General Assembly.
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Constitution of the Student Union of Asian Institute of Technology
Amended, August 2019
ARTICLE XIII INTERPRETATION 13. 13.1. Any dispute over the interpretation of this constitution shall be referred for arbitration of the General Assembly. 13.2. Agreement on the interpretation of this constitution shall require at least two thirds (2/3) vote of the General Assembly.
(End)
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