5 NSCCSA Common Constitution

Please read the NSCCSA Common Constitution document above before you proceed.

Overview

In the belief that a democratic student government is the best means for students to play a clearly defined role in the creation of a positive student experience as well as provide input into the overall strategic and policy direction of the College, the students of the Nova Scotia Community College created the Nova Scotia Community College Student Association.

Articles in the Common Constitution

The common constitution covers operational rules under several articles such as the purpose, authority and membership of the Student Association, as well as defining the executive roles and organizational structure from the first chapter. Section 8 (VIII) covers the role of the Student Association Advisor.

This document constitutes the requirements for Students’ Council and Executive Meetings, quorum, voting and eligibility for proxy voting, which we will review in later chapters.

It also clearly states the financial structure, constitutional amendments and publicity.

Student Association Finances

• Section 1 – The NSCC Student Association relies on College administration to collect and distribute Student Association fees, as stated in Section 81, subsections 2 and 3 of the Nova Scotia Community Colleges Act.
• Section 2 – Student Association fees are set by each individual campus Students’ Council. Changes to this fee be must be approved by a 50% +1 majority vote.
• Section 3 – All fee adjustments will be reported to NSCC Student Life and will not take effect until September of the following academic year.
• Section 4 – Student Association fees are collected and distributed to each campus Student Association and are utilized by the organization on behalf of the student membership to support the delivery of events, activities, programs and services. The disbursement of these funds must not contravene any organizational policies and procedures set out to govern its use and particularly may not be used to purchase and/or reimburse members for items such as alcohol or other personal expenses.

Constitutional Amendments

• Section 1 – Any member may make a statement of some conviction that they feel the Student Association should discuss in relation to the NSCCSA Common Constitution.
• Section 2 – Motions for Constitutional amendment from any campus Students’ Council must first be passed by a majority vote of that Council, quorum must be established, and the motion shall not go against the purpose of the Student Association and its Constitution.
• Section 3 – The resolution, upon a majority vote of the members present at a regular meeting of the Student Association Students’ Council, will be kept in the permanent Council files and forwarded to the Presidents’ Council for further review and action.
• Section 4 – The Presidents’ Council shall review and make recommendations on any/all amendments prior to the proposed amendment’s submission for adoption.

In order for any Constitutional amendment to be adopted, it must be communicated to all campus Students’ Councils.

Each Council will have 30 days to post the proposed amendment and to obtain feedback from their membership. At the end of the posting period, each campus Students’ Council will move the constitutional amendment to a full membership vote via student referendum.

Amendments will be deemed approved and will be appended to the Constitution by NSCC Student Life when a minimum of 10% of the total student population across all campuses have voted, with the majority having voted in the affirmative (in favour).

Publicity

Within the jurisdiction of the Student Association, no notices shall be accepted for commercial, religious, or political purposes without consultation with NSCC Student Life or the SA Advisor for the campus.