1. The GA shall have the exclusive right to exercise the authority of the students to amend the MSCSA Bylaws, the Platform document, the Financial and Personnel Policies, and the Strategic Plan;

2. The GA shall set the budget for each year in accordance with rules set out in these Bylaws and the Financial Policies;

3. The GA shall elect the members of the Cabinet and Student-At-Large each year as described in these Bylaws, and may fill any vacancies as described in these Bylaws; and

4. The GA may adopt any motions or resolutions it deems necessary to carry out its duties as the official representative body of students. Such motions or resolutions shall be binding in all the MSCSA matters.

1. Advisors are encouraged to attend all meetings and assemblies of the MSCSA.

1. A member seeking election for the office as a Cabinet member or Student-at-Large must submit the following materials to MSCSA at least four (4) weeks prior to the Spring GA for the Steering Committee to approve:

(A) An application stating he or she will be able to serve as an Cabinet member or Student-at-Large for the coming year;

(B) A Requirement Eligibility Verification Form

(C) A one-page biographical sketch or resume; and

(D) A leadership survey.

2. A candidate for a Cabinet member or Student-at-Large position must be a currently registered student and meet the minimum requirements as defined in Article V, Section E of the MSCSA Bylaws. These requirements must be maintained throughout the candidate’s term of office if elected.

3. Candidates may submit materials for more than one Cabinet member or Student-at-Large position.

4. If fewer than two (2) candidates have been selected for a Cabinet member or Student-at-Large position prior to the Spring GA, nomination for said office can only then be accepted from the floor on the first day of assembly.

5. Candidates running unopposed must be accepted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the GA. In the event the candidate doesn’t receive two-thirds (2/3) vote, nominations shall be reopened and may be accepted from the floor.

1. Roll call shall be taken at the beginning of each voting session. Voting delegates must be present for roll call or they may not cast votes during the session. The MSCSA staff shall record the results for reference during the remainder of the session;

2. Each campus voting delegate present for a GA may serve as a proxy for one additional vote for their CSG. All CSGs must register for their proxy votes during the posted registration time on the GA itinerary. Any CSGs that are not present during the posted registration time will lose their proxy votes unless the CSGs contact the MSCSA during registration time to inform them or the President determines that extenuating circumstances exist;

3. CSGs previous year’s Spring Full Year Equivalent (herein referred to as FYE) shall be used to determine the maximum number of votes allowed in accordance with the following chart:

 

4. The MSCSA shall be responsible for researching and monitoring the most current FYE published, calculating the maximum number of votes per campus, and having the information available for campus voting eligibility prior to opening the registration period for the GA;

5. The president of each CSG, or his/her designee, shall serve as the Chair of their delegation during the GA; and

6. No CSG may proxy their votes to another campus for the GA.

1. All elections shall be by secret ballot and in accordance with the MSCSA Election Policy, Procedures, and Bylaws;

2. The CSG President, or his/her designee, will report to their regional representative to pick up the appropriate number of ballots for their campus.

3. After each round of ballots is cast, they shall be counted and the results announced. A candidate for a Cabinet member position or At-Large Representative must attain fifty five percent (55%) of the votes to win the election for that position during the first three (3) ballots. In balloting rounds that result in an unsuccessful election, the following guidelines shall be followed until a successful election has occurred:

a. Candidates with less than ten percent (10%) after one (1) ballot shall be dropped from the ballot;

b. Candidates with less than twenty percent (20%) after two (2) ballots shall be dropped from the ballot;

c. After the third (3rd) ballot, the two (2) candidates who have received the most votes shall remain on the ballot for the fourth (4th) and final ballot; and

d. The candidate who receives the most votes on ballot four (4) shall win the election.

4. Blank, spoiled, or abstaining ballots shall not count in the number of ballots cast.

5. After each ballot cast, the results will be distributed to the candidates. Each candidate will have one (1) minute to decide if they wish to withdraw from future ballots.

6. Unsuccessful candidates for office are eligible to run for another office if nominations are reopened under Article IV, Section C, Numbers 4-5.

7. Newly elected Cabinet members will be sworn in at Spring GA. Newly elected Cabinet members must complete the transitional conference or an equivalent training process.

8. The ballots for Cabinet members and Student-at-Large positions shall be kept on file by the MSCSA for sixty (60) calendar days after the election takes place.