6 Student Association Bylaws

Please read the Bylaws document above before you proceed.

Overview

The NSCCSA Bylaws are the standing rules that govern the regulation and operations of the Student Association. These Bylaws clearly define the qualifications, election process and powers and duties of each Officer including executives, advisors, and program representatives.

Articles in the Bylaws

These Bylaws go further into detail on the proceedings of Students’ Council meetings and the ratification process of committees, clubs, societies and teams (herein referred to as “student organizations”), as well as specific financial details on student fees and account signing authority terms. The ratification process will be covered under both VP Services and VP Activities training modules.

Executive Processes

These Bylaws also state requirements of executive officer reporting, discipline, removal and abandonment, including the process in the case of officer vacancy. Specific position reporting requirements, including executive checklists, is detailed in each position training module.

Section XIII – Discipline of Elected and Appointed Officers

1. In order to maintain their position, an officer must be in good standing with the College and the following stipulations must be met:
   1. Student must have obtained and maintained the grades sufficient to continue in their program of study;
   2. Student must have been assessed and have paid a Student Association fee;
   3. Student must be attending the campus where the position is being offered; and
   4. Student must not be on academic probation or have any violations of NSCC’s Student Code on Conduct (Student Community Standards) on their academic file.
2. All officers of the NSCCSA, as well as those individuals appointed to positions to support the functioning of the Student Association, are expected to uphold the rules and regulations of the Nova Scotia Community College, including its Student Community Standards, and adhere to the operational policies and procedures governing the NSCCSA when organizing and participating in any NSCCSA sanctioned events and activities.
3. Officers that violate the rules and regulations of the Nova Scotia Community College, including its Student Community Standards, and/or the policies and procedures governing the Student Association or its affiliated groups, will face disciplinary action as determined by either the Student Association, the College, or both.
4. In the case of academic standing, in instances where an officer has not achieved a passing grade for one (1) class within their specified program, proof must be provided by the student, in conjunction with their SA Advisor, that a performance improvement plan (PIP) is in place to remedy this situation.
5. The officer in question will have an opportunity to discuss these circumstances and all efforts to support that student will be made by both the SA Advisors and the Executive Committee members. It must further be demonstrated that all reasonable efforts are being made by the officer to address their academic situation, which may include additional study time, tutoring, and/or other available supports.
6. NSCC Student Life will perform an academic follow up to ensure that the officer’s academic standing has been adequately and appropriately addressed. In the event that it has not, the officer will be required to submit their resignation in order to maintain their standing as a student.
7. In instances in which an officer is placed on academic probation or suspension or is found to be in violation of the NSCC Student Community Standards, this will result in the automatic removal of the officer from their position. Other causes for automatic removal shall be defined as malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance of assigned duties and/or being criminally convicted while holding office.

Section XIV – Officer Removal

1. Any SA officer who violates any of the provisions of the NSCC SA Common Constitution, its policies, procedures or any other official documents of the Student Association through their activities and other acts of omission or commission shall be subject to Executive Removal procedures by the Student Association Students’ Council. Any member of the Student Association Students’ Council shall have the right to file Executive Removal proceedings against another member at any time. Any member of the Student Association shall have the right to file removal proceedings against a member of the Student Association by filing a petition signed by at least 10% of the organization’s general membership.
2. To begin the process of removal, another member of the Executive or Students’ Council must communicate to the officer in question the reason(s) for his/her removal at a meeting held for the purpose. The officer in question must be offered an opportunity at the meeting to defend their actions and given a period of 10 (ten) business days to improve the situation. While under review by the appropriate parties, the officer in question will have a forced leave of absence from their position until such time as their review is concluded.
3. After a period of 10 (ten) business days, the issue will be discussed again and if the issue has not been resolved, the Executive member will be given the option to resign or be removed from their position.
4. If the situation is of an extremely serious nature, the executive member in question may be removed immediately upon a 2/3 majority vote of the SA Students’ Council.
5. NSCC Student Life is available to intervene as a third party if extreme circumstances exist and further assistance is needed. They will ensure that due process takes place and that the interests of both the student and the Student Association are represented fairly and impartially.

Section XX – Abandonment

1. For the purposes of these bylaws, abandonment of the position is considered to be two (2) unexcused absences from official Students’ Council meetings. In the case of the Executive Committee, this may be applied to Executive Committee meetings as well.
2. An absence is considered unexcused if:
   1. The member does not communicate at least 24 hours in advance that they will not be in attendance at the meeting and;
   2. The member does not notify their alternate that they will not be in attendance (where applicable).
3. These criteria are based on the assumption that the date, time, and location of the meeting were previously established and communicated to the member in question, and that any changes were communicated at least five (5) days in advance, with a reminder of any date/time/location changes sent at least three (3) days prior to the meeting.
4. If a member has missed one (1) meeting without providing advance communication that they will not be in attendance, a written warning will be provided to the member advising that another unexcused absence will result in their removal from the Students’ Council and/or Executive Committee.
5. Emergency circumstances in which the member states that they were unable to convey regrets and/or notify their alternate will be considered on a case by case basis by the Students’ Council and/or the Executive Committee.
6. If the member has missed two (2) meetings without acceptable excuse as defined above, that member may be subject to removal from Council as per applicable policies and procedures.

Section XXI – Vacancy of Office

1. In case of resignation or removal of any officer, a hiring process will be implemented as outlined in Section IV.J. This process is also covered in Module 1, Chapter 3.
2. Resignation from an Executive Committee position requires a formal letter. This letter is to be submitted to the Executive Committee and to NSCC Student Life.
3. Each available position must be posted for a minimum of five (5) business days to allow all interested members to apply for the position being offered.
4. Should the office of President become vacant during the year, the VP Services (if available) will automatically fill this position. Should the Student Association not have a VP Services or the officer serving in this capacity is unwilling to assume the duties, the position will fall to the VP Activities. Alternately, should another member of the Executive wish to move into the President role, this can occur with a majority vote of the Students’ Council.
5. In the event that a Program Representative position becomes vacant, the role will immediately fall to the assigned alternate. The program should then select a new alternate and forward their name accordingly.

Bylaw Amendments

1. Proposed amendments to these bylaws shall be presented to the provincial membership, in writing, one meeting prior to the meeting where the amendment will be voted on.
2. The Presidents’ Council shall review and make recommendations on all bylaw revisions prior to consideration by the membership.
3.  Bylaw amendments require approval by 2/3 of the voting members present at a regular campus Students’ Council meeting. In order for the Bylaw to be appended, it must also receive 2/3 majority vote of all campus Student Association Students’ Councils.
4. The amendment shall be effective immediately unless otherwise stipulated in the amendment.
5.  A copy of any amendments to these bylaws must be submitted to NSCC Student Life within two weeks after adoption.