Question 1
WHEREAS improving communication between the UPEI Student Union and the student body is a priority of the UPEISU, and;
WHEREAS the communications needs of the student union have increased to a point where a new position is needed to oversee the communications and public relations of the organization, and;
WHEREAS many other student organizations have addressed communications challenges by creating a communications position in their organization,
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the UPEI Student Union hire a Vice President Communications to serve on the UPEI Student Union Executive, and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the following (see below) necessary changes to the constitution be made to reflect the creation of this new executive position, effective immediately.
Question 2
WHEREAS the UPEI Student Union recognizes the importance of the graduate student community at UPEI, and;
WHEREAS the UPEI Student Union recognizes the need for graduate student input on the UPEI Senate, and;
WHEREAS the current size of the graduate student community presents challenges for graduate students who are running for a seat on the UPEI Senate,
BE IT RESOLVED THAT one of the four student seats on the UPEI Senate be designated the Graduate Student Senate seat, and only members of the UPEI graduate student community be eligible to run for this position.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the following (see below) necessary changes to the constitution be made to reflect the creation of this new position, effective immediately.
Question 3
WHEREAS the UPEI Student Union recognizes the importance of graduate student representation on the UPEISU Council, and;
WHEREAS the UPEI Student Union should be the body responsible for organizing the election of representatives to its Council,
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the GSA Representative position on the UPEISU Council be replaced by a Graduate Student Representative, and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Graduate Student Representative be elected during the UPEISU Spring General Election, to be conducted by the UPEI Student Union, and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the following (see below) necessary changes to the constitution be made to reflect the creation of this new position, effective immediately.
QUESTION 1 CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES (new wording is in bold italics)
Article VI -- UPEI SU COUNCIL
A The governing body of the UPEI SU Council, herein referred to as Council. The Council shall consist of:
1 The four five Executive Members of the UPEI SU, three of whom shall be elected in the Spring General Election.
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B The following shall be recognized as non-voting members of Council:
1 The UPEI SU Chair
2 The UPEI SU ombudsman.
3 The Vice President Finance
4 The Vice President Communications
45 The Accessibility Representative to be designated by the University’s Accessibility Services.
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Article XV -- EXECUTIVE MEETINGS
A There shall be an Executive meeting at least once per week during the first and second semesters. The actual time of all Executive meetings shall be determined by the President.
B Three (3) out of four (4) five (5) Executive members shall constitute a quorum at all Executive meetings, two (2) of whom must be elected Executive members.
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Article XVII -- IMPEACHMENT PROCEDURE
A The impeachment of any member of the Council may be proposed by members of the UPEI SU.
B If the members of the UPEI SU wish to remove from office any member of Council (other than the Chair, the Ombudsman, and the Vice President Finance, and the Vice President Communications) for any reason other than non-attendance, they shall do so by presenting to the Chair a petition signed by no less than ten per cent (10%) of the members in the Council member’s constituency. The Chair shall than ask council ( at the next council meeting) if it wishes to have the seat declared vacant. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of Council in favour by secret ballot will result in the impeachment of the Council member. If the Council desires not to impeach the Council member, a Referendum will be held within the Council member’s constituency to decide on the impeachment. A simple majority will constitute the decision. The Referendum is to be held in accordance with Article XVI of this Constitution.
C A member of the Council may propose impeachment of a Council member( with the exception on of the Chair and Ombudsman, Vice President Finance, and the Vice President Communications) giving notice of a motion of non-confidence in the Councillor-in-question. The notice of motion must be publicized to the Council member’s constituency for at least one (1) week. The Chair must officially inform the Councillor-in-question in writing of the motion of non-confidence. If at the following meeting of Council (at least one (1) week following after the notice of motion), the motion is passed by a two-thirds majority of Council, the Councillor-in-question is declared impeached.
D A member of the Council may be impeached for non-attendance in accordance with Article XIV. Prior to the vote, the Councilor-in-question has the opportunity to present to Council, during which he/she may give reasons for non-attendance. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of Council is required to impeach the Councillor-in-question for non-attendance. If the Councillor-in-question does not oppose the impeachment, he/she shall be automatically impeached from the Council and the UPEI SU Chair shall inform Council of the impeachment.
E A student impeached from Council shall not maintain any attendance duties of the position formally held on Council.
F The Ombudsman can be removed from office only after both of the following actions have been completed:
1) A petition be signed by no less than ten percent (10%) of UPEI SU membership (the student body), requesting impeachment of the Ombudsman.
2) A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of non-confidence is held by council, at an official Council Meeting, deciding to impeach the Ombudsman.
If such, removal occurs council will appoint an interim Ombudsman until a by-election or regularly scheduled election can be held and an official Ombudsman be elected. The interim Ombudsman will have the same rights, responsibilities, and accountability as that of the official Ombudsman.
G All vacant council positions, with the exception of Chair, Ombudsperson, and Vice President Finance and Vice President Communications shall be handled by a By-election in accordance with Article XVI of this Constitution. The UPEI SU Chair is an employee of the Student Union and is officially accountable to the UPEI SU President. The Chair’s employment can be terminated by a 2/3 majority vote of council, given that notice of a vote is provided at least one meeting and one week prior to such voting. In the event of termination, an interim Chair will be hired via an Executive majority vote, and will occupy that position until Hiring Board can forward a recommendation to Council. The interim Chair will have the same rights, responsibilities, and accountability as that of the official Chair.
H The Vice President Finance and the Vice President Communications can be removed from office after one of the following has been completed
a a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of Council; during the fall and winter semesters.
b a majority vote of Executive; during the spring and summer semesters.
QUESTION 2 CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES (new wording is in bold italics)
Article VI -- UPEI SU COUNCIL
A The governing body of the UPEI SU Council, herein referred to as Council. The Council shall consist of:
1 The four Executive Members of the UPEI SU, three of whom shall be elected in the Spring General Election.
2 Four Three Undergraduate Senate Representatives and one Graduate Student Senate Representative, elected to Council in the Spring General Election.
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QUESTION 3 CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES (new wording is in bold italics)
Article VI -- UPEI SU COUNCIL
A The governing body of the UPEI SU Council, herein referred to as Council. The Council shall consist of:
1 The four Executive Members of the UPEI SU, three of whom shall be elected in the Spring General Election.
2 Four Senate Representatives, elected to Council in the Spring General Election.
3 One (1) Board of Governors Representative to be elected to Council in the Spring General Election.
4 One (1) elected Representative for every two hundred (200) students in each respective faculty or school to be elected in the Spring General Election, with the exception of Education which will be elected in the Fall General Election. If the number of students in a faculty or school exceeds the two hundred to one ratio (200:1) by at least fifty per cent (50%) of the two hundred, that faculty or school shall be granted one (1) additional elected representative.
5 One (1) Representative from the First-year Class to be elected in the Fall General Election.
6 One (1) Representative from the Graduate Student Association Representative to be elected in an election held by the UPEI Graduate Student Association the Fall General Election.