University of the Philippines System University of the Philippines in the Visayas College of Arts & Sciences

The 1997 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES IN THE VISAYAS COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES STUDENT COUNCIL

PREAMBLE We, the college students of the University of the Philippine in the Visayas College of Arts and Sciences, imploring the aid of the Divine Providence, determined to establish a student government that shall promote our welfare, protect the interests of the students, faculty members, non-academic personnel and the administration, based on mutual respect of each others rights, and provide full opportunities for the expression and the attainment of our ideals and aspirations in order to create a healthy ground for democratic leadership and to develop national consciousness, do hereby promulgate this constitution.

ARTICLE I NAME Section I. To carry out the purpose of this constitution, there shall be a student government to be known and called the University of the Philippines in the Visayas College of Arts and Sciences Student Council, herein after referred to in this constitution and other official papers as the Council, Student Council, or UPV CAS-SC.

Article II OBJECTIVES The UPV CAS-SC shall aim to: a. mold the UPV CAS students into a united, active, and nationalistic body; b. foster independent thinking, intelligent discussions and dynamic action on vital matters affecting the students, the College, and the Philippines society; c. enhance student relation with faculty members, UP administration, non-academic and other members of the UPV community; (certified: Feb 26, 1997)

d. encourage and promote the attainment of excellent education, intellectual integrity and self-development among the students; e. promote and safeguard academic freedom; f. develop commitment to the principle of service to society;

g. prepare the students for unselfish, responsible and development-oriented citizenry; and h. be the venue to satisfy legitimate aspirations of the students. ARTICLE III

THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS SECTION 1. Rights of Students a. Every student has the right to competent instruction, research, counseling, health facilities, and other university services and facilities. b. Every student has the right to conduct research and to publish, discuss and exchange findings and recommendations freely and responsibly.

c. Every student has the right to hearing and investigation and be represented by a member of the faculty as counsel whenever the charge(s) against him/her constitutes a ground for suspension, dismissal, withdrawal, or limitation of privileges. Every student has the right to a speedy disposition of his/her case(s). d. It is the right of the students to be represented in the various policy and/or decision making bodies directly or indirectly concerning students matters. e. It is the right of every student organization to be recognized upon registration in accordance with the rules and regulations of the college. f. It is the right of recognized student organizations and of students to use campus facilities in accordance with such uniform regulations issued by competent authority.

SECTION 2. Responsibilities of students: a. It is the responsibility of every student to uphold the tradition of scholarship and excellence.

b. It is the responsibility of every student to observe the rules and regulations of the College and the University. c. It is the responsibility of each student to respect the rights of fellow students, faculty members, non academic personnel, and administrative personnel. d. It is the responsibility of every student to be involved on vital matters that affect the UP system and the Philippine Society.

SECTION 3. No student shall be subjected to exploitation, sexual and verbal harassment, involuntary servitude, or cruel punishment.

ARTICLE IV

COMPOSITION AND FUNCTION OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL

SECTION 1. The student council shall be composed of a chairperson, a vice chairperson, five (5) college councilors, four (4) governors (one from each academic group) and two (2) college representatives to the University Student Council.

SECTION 2. The student council shall have the following functions a. be the official student government of the student body of the College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines in the Visayas; b. be the official student representative of the student body and should act as the liaison between the college student body and administration; c. be authorized to make recommendations to the Dean on matters affecting student affairs, and to recommend student representatives to college and any other committees affecting student affairs; d. be authorized to prepare budget for its operations and to disburse college student council fund collected for that purpose through a resolution; e. create other sources of funds as may be deemed necessary; f. convene in a regular session at least once a month, and in the special sessions which maybe called for by the chairperson or requested by at least three (3) council member;

g. make decisions by a single majority vote to council members present, provided that a majority of all council members shall constitute a quorum; h. create standing and ad hoc committees and appoint their respective members, and i. have such additional functions, as the dean and other university officials may, from time to time, grant or delegate it, consistent with its stated objectives and functions.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL

SECTION 1. The officers of the council shall be the chairperson, vice chairperson, and there shall be a secretary general, and finance officer who shall be elected by a majority vote of council members from among five (5) councilors. SECTION 2. The council may form committees and the committee heads may be elected by a majority vote of the council. SECTION 3. The Chairperson shall: a. act as a chief executive of the student council; b. preside all meetings of the council, provided in the case he/she desires to the part in the debate or decision, he/she may name the Secretary-General or in the latters absence, any member of the council to preside: c. exercise general supervision over all activities of the student council: d. sign all official papers of the council: e. make year end reports and recommendations for the incoming council: f. perform such other duties as may be necessary or incidental to the discharge and performance of the functions of his/her office. SECTION 4. The Vice Chairperson shall: a. assist the chairperson to all matters where his/her assistance is required: b. act as the chairperson whenever the office of the chairperson is vacant by reason of incapacity, resignation or relief.

SECTION 5. The Secretary General shall: a. keep a journal of the proceedings of the council and be ready to present it to the student body when deemed necessary; b. keep all papers and correspondence of the council; c. attest to all official acts of the council; d. notify all council members for attendance in the sessions of the council.

SECTION 6. The Finance Officer shall: a. act as custodian of all funds generated by the council; b. deposit funds of the council in a joint account with the chairperson; c. keep record of the funds of the council and submit a financial report at the end of the semester; d. disburse the council funds upon authority of the council; and e. take charge of all council properties. SECTION 7 The Governor of each academic group shall: a. exercise general supervision over all activities of his/her academic group; b. represent his/her academic group in the council; c. convene his/her academic group to elect other officers of the said academic group; and d. perform other functions that may be assigned to him/her by the council

SECTION 8. All the members of the council shall: a. be authorized to create a volunteer corps to assist them in the performance of their respective functions; b. perform other functions that may be assigned to them by the Chairperson and the Council.

ARTICLE VI THE ACADEMIC GROUPS SECTION 1. The college student body shall be divided into the following academic groups: Clovers, Elektrons, Redbolts and Skimmers. SECTION 2. The Academic groups shall have the following compositions: a. Clovers-student under the Division of Biological Sciences b. Elektrons- student under the Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, c. Redbolts- student under the Division of Social Sciences d. Skimmers- student under the Division of Humanities

ARTICLE VII

QUALIFICATIONS SECTION 1. Membership in the student council shall have the following qualifications. a. he/she must be a bonafide student of the UPV CAS; b. must have a general weighted average of at least 3.0 in the semester prior to the election c. must have a general weighted average grade of at least 3.0 during his/her incumbency, or otherwise, he/she would be relieved of his/her position; d. he/she must be of good moral character as certified by the Office of the College Secretary SECTION 2. The chairperson and Vice Chairperson must have a residence of at least three (3) semesters immediately preceeding the elections, while it is sufficient for the college councilors, and the governors to have a residence of at least two (2) semesters prior to election.

ARTIVCLE VIII ELECTION AND TENURE

SECTION 1. Regular elections of the council members shall be held every fifth (5th) week before the last day of classes in the second semester of every academic year. SECTION 2. The ELECTORAL BOARD shall supervise the conduct of every election provided hereto. SECTION 3. The tenure of office of council members elected during the regular elections shall start after the proclamation. Proclamation of the elected officers shall be held one week after the election.

ARTICLE IX

SUCCESSION SECTION 1 The council shall declare a position vacant if and when the member is incapacitated, resigned or relieved of duty. SECTION 2. In case of post of the Chairperson has been declared vacant, the succession mechanism as provided for by Section 4-b of Article V, shall take effect. SECTION 3. In case the post(s) of the Vice Chairpersons, college councilors and governors ha/have been declared vacant provided that the tenure of off ice left by the vacancy is not less than two (2) months, a special election will be conducted two (2) weeks after the position was/were officially declared vacant. SECTION 4. Council members elected in a special election and/or appointed by the council, shall serve only for the unexpired term of the council members they replaced.

ARTICLE X

IMPEACHMENT SECTION 1. All members of the student council, while serving the tenure in office, are removable by impeachment by a decision of a quorum SECTION2. An officer can be impeached on the following grounds: a. culpable violation of the UPV CAS constitution; b. bribery; c. gross negligence of duty; d. breach of official duty, by acts of misconduct in office; and e. shameful conduct such as habitual drunkenness and gross indecency. SECTION 3. There shall be a Commission on Impeachment to be composed of five (5) council members to be appointed by the council, excluding the defendant(s), as may be deemed necessary. Its responsibility is to investigate charges against the council members concerned and submit recommendations to the council SECTION 4. The council shall have the sole power to try all cases of Impeachment when sitting en banc for that purpose. The council shall also be under oath during the entire proceedings. If the chairperson and/or Vice Chairperson are on trial, the Secretary General shall preside. SECTION 5. No person shall be convicted without concurrence of all members of the council, excluding the defendants. SECTION 6. Persons convicted of impeachment shall be removed from office.

ARTICLE XI

QUORUM

SECTION 1. A simple majority of fifty percent plus one (50% + 1) of all council members shall constitute a quorum. SECTION 2. Each council officer is entitled to one (1) vote

ARTICLE XII

THE ADVISER SECTION 1. There shall be an adviser of the council who shall be chosen by the majority of the council among the UPV CAS faculty members. SECTION 2. The adviser has the following functions: a. He/She shall be consulted by the council on any issue that it deems necessary. The adviser may also recommend measures that may be taken by the council. b. He/She has purely advisory and recommendatory functions and all final decisions are with the council. SECTION 3. The tenure of the office of the adviser shall end with the tenure of the council members.

ARTICLE XIII

FUNDS SECTION 1. The UPV CAS SC shall collect P 5.50 from each student every semester that shall be used for its operation and activities. This fee shall be collected by the UPV CAS SC during the registration period and shall be deposited in a trust fund in accordance with the existing rules and regulations of the UPV CAS SC Consultation: SECTION 2. The UPV CAS SC may look for other legitimate sources of funds to finance its operations and activities.

ARTICLE XIV

AMMENDMENTS SECTION1. The UPV CAS SC, by a vote of a quorum may propose amendments to this constitution and call a special meeting for that purpose. SECTION 2. Any amendment to this constitution shall take effect when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite.

ARTICLE XV

EFFECTIVITY

This revised constitution shall take effect immediately upon ratification by the students in a plebiscite and upon notification of the University of the Philippines System President or his/her representative.

Transcribed by:

Roy O. Dahildahil Head, Committee on Students and Community Concerns College of Arts and Sciences Student Council 2011-2012