Calvin A. Kuenzel Student Bar Association Proposed By-Law Changes

The proposed changes submitted here are meant to serve as the beginning of the two-week period for posting prior to the formal vote by members of the Association.

Under Article XI of the SBA Constitution, Amendments to the Constitution must be “by a two-thirds vote of the Legislative Council, and a subsequent favorable majority vote by members of the Association at an election called for that purpose.”

Article XI also stipulates that proposed Amendments “shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Council, and shall thereafter be posted continuously for a two (2) week period prior to the vote of the Legislative Council, and again for a two (2) week period prior to the vote of the members of the Association.”

Under Article VII of the SBA By-Laws, Amendments to the By-Laws shall be by “a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Legislative Council.”

Article VII of the By-Laws also stipulates that proposed Amendments “shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Council and shall thereafter be posted continuously for a two (2) week period prior to the vote of the Legislative Council. Note that proposed amendments only affect “the Executive and Legislative Council, as well as any recognized Student Organization.”

The proposed changes submitted here are meant to serve as the beginning of the two-week period for posting prior to the formal vote by members of the Association.

For questions concerning the proposed by-laws changes prior to the student body vote, please contact Brenton Avery at [email protected].

Article I, Section 1, Paragraph 1: President

Current Language: The President “shall be the official liaison between the student body and the American Bar Association, the administration of the College of Law, and the faculty of the college, and shall be the official representative of the Student Bar Association to members of the general public.”

Proposed By-Law #1: Add line directly after current language. See below.

“The President may designate an officer of the Association to serve as a liaison on behalf of the President of the Association.

The designated liaison should consult regularly with the President, meet regularly with the Stetson College of Law Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, attend college faculty meetings, provided permission is given by the attending faculty members, and generally work to strengthen collaboration between the Student Bar Association and the administration and faculty.”

Article I, Section I, Paragraph 2: Vice-President

Current Language: The Vice President “shall be the Executive Council’s liaison to the certain standing committees as designated by the Executive Council.”

Proposed By-Law #2: Add line directly after current language. See below.

“The Vice President shall also serve as official liaison between the student body and the American Bar Association, the administration of the College of Law, and the faculty of the college in the President’s absence, if no liaison has already been designated by the President under Section 1, Paragraph 1 of this Article.”

Article I, Section 1, Paragraph 6: Parliamentarian

Current Language: The Parliamentarian “shall serve as the chair of the By-Laws and Constitution Committee.”

Proposed By-Law #3: Remove requirement.

Article I, Section 1, Paragraph 4: Secretary

Current Language: The Secretary “shall serve as the chair of the Communications Committee.

Proposed By-Law #4: Remove requirement.

Article II, Section 3: Meetings

Proposed By-Law #5: Add paragraph 8. See below.

“Upon conclusion of the prepared agenda, the presiding officer shall allow for an open forum for all legislative council members to discuss matters not already having been debated earlier in the session. The presiding officer shall carry out motions made in the process of the open forum. This provision does not apply to special sessions convened by the President.”

Article II, Section 4 Attendance of Meetings

Proposed By-Law #6: Add new paragraph 4. See below.

“Elected representatives or officers may, in writing, designate another member of the elected body to serve as a proxy voter. This writing must be at least 24 hours prior to the meeting and must be submitted to the Secretary, or to other members of the Executive Council if reasonable notice has been given. The designated proxy voter shall then cast both their own vote and the vote of whom they are the proxy of during the specified meeting. Proxy votes may also satisfy quorum requirements. The Executive Council shall accept this proxy vote except in extraordinary circumstances such as fraud, which must be presented to the Legislative Council for investigation. No person is able to serve as a proxy for more than one member.”