Mt. San Jacinto College
Classified Senate Constitution
Revised &
Approved: May 2010
Purpose
1.
Represent the various non-bargaining needs, concerns and
viewpoints of all classified staff.
2.
Promote the recognition of classified staff as a valued part of the college work force.
3.
Serve as the official vehicle for classified participation in
shared governance as defined in applicable state codes and district policy. The
senate is responsible for involving classified staff in campus committees which
review non-restrictive policies, procedures, practices, needs, assessments, and
development of new ideas.
4.
Encourage the exchange of ideas and understanding between
classified staff, faculty, administrators and the Board of Trustees, and to
provide a centralized means of communication between classified staff and other
areas of the college.
5.
An opportunity to develop individual leadership contribution and
development among the members of the classified staff.
Electorate
For the purpose of this constitution, the term "classified
staff" shall mean permanent non-management* employees designated by the
district to be "classified" employees whose duties do not require an
administrative or instructional credential. All classified staff, full-time
& part-time, as herein defined, shall be eligible for membership in the
Classified Senate.
*Management personnel are defined by their membership in the Mt.
San Jacinto College Management council, and/or placement on management salary
schedule.
Organization
A.
Members of the Classified Senate shall be elected for a term of
two (2) years, with the exception of the President, who will serve a third year
as Past President.
B.
The Classified Senate shall be represented by Officers and
members-at-large. Officers of the Classified Senate shall be President, Vice President,
Secretary, Treasurer, Past President and seven (7) members-at-large, with at
least 3 members at large from each campus. (MVC or SJC) The President, Vice President,
Secretary and Treasurer shall be members of permanent classified staff. The
Past President may elect at the conclusion of the third year to remain as an
eighth member-at-large through the remainder of the term.
C.
Upon taking office, members of the Classified Senate shall appoint
officers from among their ranks by majority vote. (See Meetings, Article A.)
1.
The President shall:
a. Serve as official delegate of, and advocate for, the electorate
in all functions of the college. The Classified Senate President is authorized
to express publicly the Senate's position on issues and recommendations related
to governance.
b. Be one of the official representatives of Classified Senate on
its purposes.
c. Give direction in any development of the Classified Senate on
its purposes.
d. Have general authority to administer and/or maintain the
affairs of the Classified Senate between meetings.
e. Coordinate the appointment of all members of standing and ad
hoc committees formed by the Senate.
f. Determine the agenda for all meetings of the Classified Senate
and general electorate and preside at all such meetings.
g. Serve as liaison with other college senates.
2.
The Vice-President shall:
a. Assume the duties of the President during the President's
absence, at the request of the President or for the unexpired term in the event
that the President is unable to complete a term of office.
b. Serve as coordinator of shared governance committee assignments
including monitoring openings on various committees and members of the
electorate interested in committee service.
c. Serve as Chief Election Officer for all elections conducted by
the Classified Senate during his/her term of office, except for election of
Classified Senate officers.
3.
The Secretary shall:
a. Assume the duties of the President in the absence of the
President and Vice President.
b. Assume the responsibility of recording all minutes of the
Classified Senate and general electorate assemblies, and distribute copies of
minutes appropriately.
c. Organize correspondence; disseminate notifications and
reminders of appointments, meeting time, and assemblies; be responsible for a
register, or roll, of senate attendance or regular and special meetings.
4.
The Treasurer shall:
a. Serve as Chief Financial Officer for the Classified Senate
including maintaining financial records, disburse funds and submit financial
reports as requested by the Classified Senate.
b. Produce an annual report of annual income and expenses for
distribution to the electorate.
Committees
A. As coordinated by the Vice President, the Classified Senate
shall ratify all classified appointments to college governance committees.
B. In order to deal with issues that may from time to time arise,
the Classified Senate may appoint ad hoc committees that will report back with
recommendations.
Procedures
Elections:
A. Nominations for the Senate shall be by written petition and
written acceptance of the nominee.
B. All members shall be elected by secret ballot during the month
of May each school year with their term of office to commence July 1 and end on
June 30 of the second year.
C. A vacancy may occur through resignation, leave of absence,
death, or by declaration. If a vacancy occurs, such vacancy may be filled by
appointment of the Senate.
D. A resignation from the Senate must be submitted in writing to
the Senate.
E. Upon a member's unexcused absence from three consecutive
regular Senate meetings, the position will be declared vacant.
F. Upon resignation of all officers, the remaining members will
call an election.
G. Should there be no remaining members, a new election may be
called by the electorate.
Meetings:
A. Within ten days of taking office, the newly elected Classified
Senate shall hold an organizational meeting to elect officers and establish the
dates and times for regular meetings. (See Organization, Article C.)
B. Regular meetings of Classified Senate shall take place a
at any Mt. San Jacinto Community College District facility. Days and times to
be determined by the Classified Senate.
C. The Classified Senate is authorized to call special meetings
from time-to-time as needed. Use of electronic media can be utilized: any
communications media in use now or to be invented.
D. The Classified Senate shall observe the letter and spirit of
the Brown Act and any other pertinent California legislation regarding open
meetings.
E. A quorum will consist of a simple majority of currently filled
seats.
Amendments
Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by either a
majority of the Classified Senate or by petitions of the memberships
containing the signatures of no less than 20% of the electorate. Petitions
containing sufficient signatures shall be presented to the Classified Senate at
a regular meeting.
Following the valid proposition of an amendment to the
constitution the vice-president shall organize a special election to be held
within no less than twenty days and no more than thirty days. Copies of the
proposed amendments shall be made available to the electorate within five working
days. The ballot shall state the amendment in total and require a vote of yes
(approval) or nay (rejection). The amendment shall be approved if at least
two-thirds of the voting electorate votes yes.