Supreme Student Council

CONSTITUTION AND BY – LAWS OF THE PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Asingan Campus

Supreme Student Council

Preamble

We, the bonafide students of the Pangasinan State University Asingan Campus imploring the aid of Almighty God in order to establish a Student Council that shall embody our ideals, rights and responsibilities, to promote general welfare, legitimate interest and aspirations to foster and enhance our vital roles and potentialities in nation building, contribute to the mandated Mission and Vision of the University, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution and By- Laws.

ARTICLE I

NAME, NATURE AND DOMICILE OF THE ORGANIZATION

SECTION 1: This shall be known as the Pangasinan State University- Asingan Campus Supreme Student Council. It shall be hereinafter referred to as PSU-Asingan SSC.

SECTION 2: The office of the SSC shall be in Pangasinan State University, Domanpot, Asingan, Pangasinan.

ARTICLE II

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES

SECTION 1: Objectives of the Organization – The organization supports and upholds the policy of the University to enable them to participate actively in the democratic processes and in effecting a progressive and development changes in academic community in general and its research, production and extension in particular.

SECTION 2: The PSU – SSC adheres to the following principles:

The educational system being the principal institutional mechanism for imparting knowledge and development skills shall be given priority attention and support by the government.
Education is a right and not a mere privilege. It is therefore the responsibility of the University to provide quality education accessible to all.
Student organizations enhance democratic processes in the campus. Membership and active participation in student organizations shall be guaranteed by the state and school authorities.
Unhampered activities, objectives and interest of student organizations are guaranteed by the state, subject of existing laws, rules, and regulations.
PSU – Supreme Student Councils shall be representative organization of the studentry and shall be the highest expression of the student power. It shall be vested with the right to participate in the formulation of the school policies, which directly affect students.
Student publications shall serve as principal media for the expression, dissemination of information, and interaction among the different sectors of the academic community.
With their democratic right, which is guaranteed by the Philippine Constitution and the SSC – CBL, students can serve as potent and cogent force of the country’s national social transformation.
The organization shall be partner of the University in strengthening the ethical and spiritual values, develop moral character and personal discipline and encourage critical thinking.

SECTION 3: Definition of Terms. As used in the PSU Asingan-SSC Constitution and By-Laws, the following shall mean:

Student – It refers to any person enrolled in the tertiary level even if on leave for the semester or with a minimum course load.
Campus – It refers to the different campuses of the Pangasinan State University located in the different municipality of the Province of Pangasinan.
Pangasinan State University (PSU) – It refers to an institution of higher education and research which grants academic degrees in a variety of courses and provides both undergraduate and post graduate education.
Student Disciplinary Tribunal (Campus level) – It refers to the body composed of the Guidance Councilor, the Associate Dean of the undergraduate division, the Coordinator of Student Services, a senior faculty and a student representative as contained in the PSU – Handbook and task to conduct formal investigation to litigate violations and infractions of the law of the land, policies and rules of the University. Their findings and recommendations shall be forwarded to the Campus Executive Director, University Coordinator for Student Services and Alumni Affairs and the University President, for disciplinary action. The decision on student disciplinary cases shall reside in the University President upon recommendation of the Student Disciplinary Tribunal.
Supreme Student Council (SSC) – These are student government organizations which mandatory in nature whose members are bona fide students of the campuses they are currently enrolled in. It is also the highest governing student body of all accredited student organizations, interest clubs and association within the campus.
Council Leaders – These are student leaders in every campus chaired by the Presidents/chairman of various student organizations.
Tuition Fee – This refers to the money/ fee paid for instruction especially at formal institution of learning.
Miscellaneous Fee – This covers other school fees and other necessary cost supportive to instruction, medical and dental, and other fees as embodied on the PSU Handbook.

ARTICLE III RIGHTS OF STUDENTS

SECTION 1: Right to admission and quality education

Admission

No student shall be denied admission whether in the Graduate or Undergraduate programs of the University by reason of race, age, sex, socio – economic status, religious belief, political affiliation, conviction or ideology, provided, that the university may allocate admission to foreign students after all qualified applicants shall have been admitted.
Every applicant for admission shall meet the entrance requirements as embodied in the Student Handbook.

Right to adequate welfare services and accesses to physical and academic facilities.

Every student shall have the right to adequate welfare services and access to physical and academic facilities such as: medical and dental, library, research, laboratory equipment recreation and physical education facilities.
Every student shall have the right to informed on matters regarding their concerns.

SECTION 2: Right to Organize.

The student shall have the right to organize among themselves being that unity and collective effort is fundamental to the realization of common goals and promotion and protection of common interests. The state recognizes the right of the students to organize. The right of the students to form, assist or join any organization, alliance or federation for their physical, intellectual, moral, cultural, civic, spiritual and political interests, not contrary to law-and regulations of the university, shall not be abridged. Pursuant thereto, any practice to the contrary is hereby prohibited.
Supreme Student Council. The University shall ensure the existence of Supreme Student Council in each campus. Pursuant thereto, there shall be one Supreme Student Council Government for each school campus, which shall be known as the Supreme Student Council, and which shall be recognized by the University. It shall have its own set of officers elected in annual election. The CBL of each campus shall be patterned to the PSU-SSC CBL.
Accreditation and re-accreditation of and granting of privileges to student organizations. No unreasonable shall be imposed on student organizations seeking recognition, however, requirements and policies on accreditation and accreditation of

student organization shall be observed as stated in the student handbook. The school administration shall endeavor to provide building to house the office of the different student organizations within the premises of the school, unless the usage of the same prejudicial to the interest and welfare of the studentry and the University. Minimal charge for the use of the facilities shall be observed. Whenever possible, the school administration shall allow the student organization to use school facilities free of charge.

Coordination of student organization’s activities. All on-and-off campus activities of student body organizations shall be prohibited front using in the initiation of and exacting excessive fees from their members.
The Electoral Tribunal constituted to conduct election of officers of student organizations shall be composed solely of bona fide students of the University. It shall be independent and autonomous from any sector of the school and shall ensure the conduct of clean, honest and peaceful elections.

SECTION 3: Right to free expression and information and right to academic freedom.

Right to be informed. The right of the students to be informed on matters directly or indirectly affecting their welfare shall be recognized. Access to official transactions or decisions shall be afforded the students subject only to the documents and other papers to prevent lose or damage of the same.
Freedom of expression. Subject to existing laws, students shall have the right to freely express their views and opinions. They shall have the right to peaceably assemble and petition the administration and school authorities for the redress of their grievances.

Student shall have the access to print and broadcast media in their information activities. The shall have the right to print, circulate and or mount leaflets, newsletters, posters, wall news, petitions ad bulletin board or to mounting of the afore mentioned materials, in accordance with the existing University policies, rules and regulations.

The Campus Executive Director may designate a certain area on every campus as Freedom Park where students can freely discuss issues affecting them.

Students shall have the right to publish students newspapers and other seminar publications, print in their print materials, which they deem in pursuance of their academic freedom and freedom of expression in accordance with Republic Act. No. 7079, “Campus Journalism Act of 1991”. Pursuant thereto, no individual who is not a staff member of the student publications can interfere in its content. The role of the faculty adviser in the student newspapers shall be limited to technical guidance.

The selection of the student editor-in-chief and editorial staff of official college paper shall made by annual competitive examination to be administered by the College Paper Adviser.

The editorial board shall observe the ethics of responsible journalism. It shall be the responsibility of the editorial board to ensure that the student paper will not be used for purposes contrary law.

The editor/editorial staff shall unless sooner removed for cause and with due process, be assured of security of tenure.

Academic freedom. Students’ academic freedom shall consist of, but not limited to the following rights:

Conduct researches in connection with academic work, and to freely discuss and publish their findings and recommendations;
To conduct inquiry within the campus in curricular and extra-curricular activities;
To choose a field of study and pursue the quest for truth to express opinion on any subject of public or general concern which directly and indirectly affects the students or the educational systems;
To invite speakers or resource persons from outside in coordination with the office of the students affair in student sponsored assemblies, symposia and other activities of similar nature;
To express contrary interpretations or dissenting opinions inside and outside the classroom;
To participate in the drafting of a new curriculum and in the review or revision thereof;
To participate in drafting and/or revising of the student handbook which shall include the school rules and regulations and copy of which shall be furnished to the students upon admission to the school; and
To be free from any ideological indoctrination.

SECTION 4: Right to due process in disciplinary proceedings.

Right to due process

A student subject to disciplinary proceedings shall have the right to defend himself, to be heard and to present evidence on his behalf before an impartial body. Within forty-five days (45) days at the beginning of the school year or term, a Student Disciplinary Tribunal (college level) shall be constituted and shall function in accord with the PSU Student Handbook.
The suspension, exclusion, expulsion and other disciplinary actions that may be taken against the students shall not be valid unless the following right have been observed and accorded the student:

The right to be informed in writing of the “nature and cause of accusation against her/him”.
The right to confront witnesses against his/her to full access to the evidence in the case;
The right to defend himself/herself and to be defended by the representative of his/her defense.
The right to a hearing before the Student Disciplinary Tribunal;
The right against self-incrimination; and
The right to appeal adverse decisions of the disciplinary council to the governing board and ultimately to the appropriate education agencies.

The decisions in any disciplinary proceeding must be rendered based on the relevant and substantial evidence presented at the hearing, or at least contained in the record discloses to the student affected.
Disciplinary sanctions shall be corrective rather than punitive or penal in nature.

SECTION 5: Other rights.

Right against unreasonable searches and seizures. Every student shall be free from any unreasonable searches seizures. No search or seizure of student shall deemed valid, except for the following instances:

Searches made at the point of ingress by the authorized personnel of the school;
Searches and seizure of illegal articles falling in the plain of view duly authorized personnel;
Searches and seizure that are illegal, discovered inadvertently by duly authorized personnel;
Searches made when the student is about to commit, is committing or has committed a crime or serious infraction of school’s rules and regulations.

Access to the records and issuance of official certificates. Every student shall have access to his/her own school records, confidentially of which the school shall maintain. He/she has the right to the official certificates; diplomas, transcript of records, grades, transfer credentials and other similar documents within thirty (30) days from filling of request and accomplishment of all pertinent requirements.
Security of Tenure. It shall be the right of the student to finish their entire courses of study in a given, except in the case of academic deficiency or violation of disciplinary regulation.

In case wherein the school authorities refuse to allow the students to enroll for the subsequent semester or year due to the causes herein above stated, the student may appeal such ailing to appropriate education agencies.

Prohibition against involuntary contributions. Except those approved by their own student organizations, all involuntary contributions shall be prohibited.
Collection of the student paper and council fees. The school administration, upon mutual agreement with the student paper and staff and the student council/government, shall assist in their financial needs through the collections of paper and student council fees from the student.

The student fees shall held in trust for their unhampered use in the publication of the student paper.

The full amount of the student council fees shall be turned over to and placed in trust by the student council within fifteen (15) days from the assumption of the office of the student council officers, subject to the rule in financing and auditing the university.

Privacy of Communication. The privacy of communication and correspondence among students shall remain inviolable.
Right to adequate and safe housing/dormitory facilities. The University and their respective school authorities shall endeavour to provide students adequate, safe, and clean facilities.
Prohibition against militarization of the school campus. The pursuit of academic excellence and exercise of academic freedom can be attained only in an atmosphere that is free from and unreasonable restraint.
Ban of firearms and other deadly weapons. No firearms of deadly weapons shall be allowed inside the school campus.

ARTICLE IV LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

SECTION 1. The Legislative power shall be vested in the Legislative Department. It is the highest policy- making body of the Supreme Student Council (SSC) with the power to legislate laws and appropriate funds for the operations of the SSC.

SECTION 2. The Legislative Department shall be composed of two (2) representatives from each department duly appointed by the SSC President after the SSC Election in consultation with SSC Adviser.

SECTION 3. The Legislative Department shall have the following qualification:

Must be a bona fide student of Pangasinan State University.
Must have a grade of point average (GPA) of not lower than 2.50 prior to the election.
Have not been subjected to any disciplinary action.

SECTION 4. Members of Legislative Department shall serve for one (1) school year from the day assumed office until the day their successors have been inducted.

SECTION 5. The Legislative Department shall promulgate rules that shall govern the conduct of its business and of Supreme Student Council, independent from Executive Department.

SECTION 6. The Legislative Department shall elect the HOUSE SPEAKER and DEPUTY HOUSE SPEAKER among its members. The Legislative Secretary, however, shall be appointed by the elected Speaker of the house.

SECTION 7. The SSC President may require the Legislative Department to a meeting should there be a compelling reason for such.

SECTION 8. The Legislative Department may not increase the appropriation recommended by the SSC President for the operation of the organization.

SECTION 9. A special appropriation bill shall specify the purpose for which it is intended and shall by the funds actually available as certified by the Treasurer of the SSC.

SECTION 10. No bill passed by the Legislative Department shall become the SSC Ordinance unless it has passed three reading and printed copies thereof, in its final form have been distributed to its members three days before its passage, except when SSC President certify the necessity of its immediate enactment to meet emergency.

SECTION 11. Every bill passed by the Legislative Department, before it becomes SSC ordinance, shall be presented to the SSC President. If he approves the bill, he shall sign it, otherwise, he shall veto it and return the same with his objection at large in its journal and proceed to consider it. After such reconsideration two-thirds (2/3) of all the members of the Legislative Department shall agree to pass the bill it shall sent, together with the objection of the President, again the approval. The President shall communicate his veto of any bill to the Legislative Department within twenty (20) working days after the date of receipt thereof; however, if the President failed to sign it within the reglementary period, the bill shall become law.

ARTICLE V

THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

SECTION 1: The Executive Department shall be the highest governing body of the SSC. It shall direct the operations of the organizations by executing the policies, principles and the guidelines promulgated.

SECTION 2: The officers of the Executive Department shall be composed of:

Elected Officers

President

Executive Vice-President

Vice President for Projects and Activities

Vice President for Students’ Right and Welfare

Vice President for Communication

Auditor

Two (2) Business Managers

Two (2) Public Relation Officers

Appointed Officers

Treasurer (to be appointed by the SSC President)
Executive Secretary (to be appointed by the President)
Logistic Secretary (to be appointed by the VP for Projects and Activities)
Secretary for Students’ Right and Welfare (to be appointed by the VP for Students’ Right and Welfare)
Secretary for Communication (to be appointed by the VP for Communication)

SECTION 3: The President and Vice President must have the following qualifications:

Must be a bona fide undergraduate student (not a Professional Student) of PSU and presently elected as SSC President.
Must have a regular load of at least 15 units; provided that a lesser number of units shall be allowed if it is the regular load prescribed by the curriculum for the semester.
Must have a grade of point average (GPA) of not lower than 2.50 prior to the election with the certification coming from their respective campus registrar to be recognized or notified by the Electoral Tribunal.
Preferably a junior or senior student on the day of election.
Shall not have a grade of “5” and/or “INC” and/or “DROP” mark in his academic subjects in the undergraduate program for the previous semesters preceding the election. A student with an INC grade may be allowed to run for the officership provided that completion of requirements were satisfied provided that completions of requirements were satisfied prior to the filling of his candidacy.
A prospective candidate who had been meted out of suspension or any graver penalty by a competent authority shall be barred from filling of his candidacy.
No first semester graduating student shall be allowed to run for office but shall be allowed to cast his/her vote.
Have not been subjected to any disciplinary action.

SECTION 4: The other members of the Executive Department shall have the following qualifications:

Must be a bona fide undergraduate student (not a Professional Student) of PSU and presently elected as SSC officers in their respective campuses.
Must have a regular load of at least 15 units; provided that a lesser number of units shall be allowed if it is the regular load prescribed by the curriculum for the semester.
Must have a grade of point average (GPA) of not lower than 2.50 prior to the election.
Preferably a junior or senior student on the day of election.
A prospective candidate who had been meted out of suspension or any graver penalty by a competent authority shall be barred from filling of his candidacy.
No first semester graduating students shall be allowed to run for the office but shall be allowed to cast his/her vote.
Have not subjected to any disciplinary action.

SECTION 5: The Executive Department shall submit to Legislative Department within fifteen

working days from the opening of every regular session as the basis of the general appropriate bill, a budget of expenditure and sources of the financing, including receipt from the existing and proposed revenue measures.

SECTION 6: The officers of the Executive Department shall serve for one year from the day they assumed their officers until their successors have been inducted.

ARTICLE VI ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL

SECTION 1: For the election of the new set of SSC Officers, the newly elected presidents of different departments shall appoint two (2) representatives from its officers who will compose the Electoral Tribubal and among themselves, they shall elect a Chairman and Secretary.

SECTION 2. The Electoral Tribubal shall perform the following functions:

Administer the manner of election via:

Manual election

The voter has to manually fill out the ballot by shading the oval (bilog-na-hugis- itlog) beside the name of the candidate;
Over voting, or voting for more candidates than the number of slots that need to be filled up for a particular position, must nullify the votes for that position.

Computer generated election they shall seek approval from the office of the Coordinator for Students Affairs with pertinent documents such as:

Resolution approved by the Campus Executive Director;
Rules and Guidelines on how to use the system.

ARTICLE VII ELECTION OF THE OFFICERS

SECTION 1: There shall be a yearly election for SSC Officers, which shall be held not later than third week of September.

SECTION 2: The office of the Director for Students Affairs shall be set the schedule for the SSC Elections.

SECTION 3: The office of the Campus Coordinator for Students Affairs shall call a meeting for all the Department Presidents who will then appoint two (2) representatives to compose the Electoral Tribubal for the SSC election.

SECTION 4: The Electoral Tribunal shall set the schedule for filling of candidacy and campaign period for the qualified conditions for SSC Election

SECTION 5: Qualified Students candidate(s) who intend(s) to run for SSC position shall file personally that may done individually or by party

SECTION 6: In case of a tie, “Toss Coin” shall be done to be facilitated by the chairman of the Electoral Tribunal.

SECTION 7: In case of a protest, it shall be submitted to the Electoral Tribunal within one (1) hour after the announcement of the result of the election and the Electoral Tribunal shall review the protest for the basis of the sufficient ground of fraud from the elected officers for one (1) day.

SECTION 8: The Electoral Tribunal shall notify the concerned person(s) about the decision on the said protest.

ARTICLE VIII

DUTIES AND FUNCTION OF OFFICERS

SECTION 1: The Executive Department

The President as the Chief Executive of the organization shall:

Stand fit the right and welfare of the studentry at all times;
Preside over all meetings of the Executive Department and the general assembly;
Implement all the policies and guidelines promulgated by the SSC;
Sign resolutions, communications written obligation and instruments due the organization and all papers within premises of his office;
Create special committees and appoint thereto, a chairperson to facilitate the implementation of the programs of the organization.
Acts as the spokesperson of the SSC on its projects and activities;
Designate/appoint representatives of the organization in the internal affairs;
Have an extensive report to be presented to the SSC assembly at the end of every school semester;
Make or enact Presidential Decree (P.D.) essential to proper and good opportunities and implementation of the rules of the SSC;
Have the veto power of any bill passed by the Legislative Department;
Maintain peace and order of all meetings of the SSC;
Have the right to investigate and decide on all members concerning students provided that a notarized complain should be raised in his attention;
Have the right to call for special election of elective position(s) is/are vacant;
See to it that provisions of the Constitution and By-Law of the organization are enforced.

The Executive Vice-President shall:

Take over the functions of the President when the latter cannot discharge his duties or account of capacitating sickness or any cause;
Assists the President, other Vice-Presidents and all standing committees in the development of the SSC strategic plan project and activity proposals;
Perform other duties as may be assign to him time to time by the President.

The Vice-President for Projects and Activities shall:

Collaborate with other officers of the SSC to develop the annual strategic plan;
Supervise the development of project and activity proposals;
Regularly follow-up the progress of the projects of the SSC;
Regularly communicate to the student body the projects, activities, and initiatives of the SSC with the assistance of the Vice President for Communications and Public Relations Officers;
Prepare a calendar of activities for the SSC;
Prepare security and contingency plans for students’ activities.
Regularly checks on student feedback on projects and activities and create reports on these to be presented to the SSC;
Perform other duties as may be assigned to him from time to time by the President.

The Vice-President for Students’ Rights and Welfare shall:

Collaborate with the other officers of the Council to develop the annual strategic plan;
Develop and supervise, together with the President, the implementation of the Council’s Student Leadership Development Program;
Act on student sentiments, complaints, and suggestions in accordance with existing policies;
Promote the welfare of the student;
Be regularly informed of student sentiments, opinions and feedbacks and present from the students using different channels;
Regularly check on physical facilities used by the students and present the report to the Council for action;
Inform the Campus and University administrations the sentiments and feedbacks received from the students.

The Vice-President for Communication shall:

Supervise all communications and correspondences of the SSC;
Develop a communications flow chart that will encompass all operations of the SSC;
Regularly communicate to the student body and other concerned offices the projects, activities, and initiatives of the SSC with the assistance of the Vice President for Student Projects and Activities and Public Relations Officers;
Act as the main spokesperson of the SSC aside from the President;
Serve as the focal person in the eternal affiliations of the SSC;
Act as the Editor-in-Chief of the official newsletter of the SSC;
Act as the keeper of the SSC records including resolutions, documentations, communications, correspondence, request letters, feedback forms, activity and project proposal and the like.

The Executive Secretary shall:

Keep and secure official record of the proceedings of the Executive Department;
Furnish the minutes of the meetings and the other pertinent information and notices to all concerned;
Perform other functions and duties as maybe assigned to him time to time by the President.

The Logistic Secretary shall:

Keep and secure official records of all projects and activities of the SSC;
Assist the VP for the Projects and Activities in planning and initiating the projects and activities of the SSC;
Prepare and keep all essential papers pertaining to the implementation of the projects and activities of the SSC;
Perform other functions as maybe assigned to him from time to time by the VP for Projects and Activities.

The Secretary for Students’ Rights and Welfare shall:

Keep and secure official records of all matter pertaining to the rights and welfare of the students;
Secure all files of complaints and concerns of the students raised to the VP for Students’ Right and Welfare which directly or indirectly affecting them within the Campus;
Assist the VP for students’ rights and welfare in planning and initiating all proceedings regarding students’ rights and welfare.
Perform other functions as maybe assigned to him from time to time by the VP for Students’ Right and Welfare.

The Secretary for Communication shall:

Keep and secure all official files of the SSC both internal and external affairs;
Assist the VP for Communication in disseminating information to the body regarding of all conduct and operations of the SSC to the body and all other concerned offices;
Prepare and submit all communication/business letters of the SSC;
Perform other functions as maybe assigned to him from time to time by the VP for Communication.

The Treasurer shall:

Keep the financial records of the organization;
Receive and disburse the funds of the organization in accordance with the accepted auditing and accounting rules and procedures;
Prepare, submit and present organization’s financial report at the end of every school semester, or any time upon request by the officers and higher authorities;
Perform other functions as maybe assigned to him from time to time by the President.

The Auditor shall:

Audit from time to time the official books and records of the Treasurer;
Audit all the receipt of income, expenses, and disbursement made by the organization;
Maintain an independent review and examination of financial records;
Report to the organization any irregularities he may find therein;
Perform other functions as maybe assigned to him from time to time.

The Business Managers shall:

By the authorities of the Executive Department, shall organize fund-raising activities of the organization;
Supervise all official business and fund activities of the organization;
Assist and coordinate in the conduct of the projects and activities of the SSC;
Keep and inventory for all properties of the organization purchased or acquired in its name;
Perform other functions as maybe assigned to him from time to time by the President.

The Public Relation Officers shall:

Release updates regarding the official activities of the organization to the SSC;
Act as the information officer among the student-leaders from time to time campuses regarding the official activities of the organization;
Promote good relationship with other campus and university organizations’ media and the public;
Coordinate with the publications of the nine (9) campuses with the supervision of the VP for Communication;
Perform other functions as maybe assigned to him by the organization from time to time.

SECTION 2: The Legislative Department

The House Speaker shall:

Preside over the meetings/sessions of the department;
Have the prerogative to appoint the chairperson of different working committees within the Legislative Department;
Automatically assume the position of the President or Vice President provided for the laws of succession;
Sign bills passed by the Legislative Department;
Appoint a Legislative Secretary who is not a member of the Legislative body that shall prepare resolutions and keep the records of the proceedings;
Upholds the rules and regulations promulgated by the Constitution and By-Laws of the SSC.

The Deputy House Speaker shall:

Have the duty and function of the Speaker of the House in case of latter’s temporary absence.
Have the right success on over the House Speaker’s resignation, death, or permanent incapability.
Uphold the rules and regulations promulgated by the Constitution and By-Laws of the SSC.

The Legislative Secretary shall:

Prepare resolutions and secure the official records of the proceedings of the Legislative Department meetings;
Furnish the minutes of the meetings of Legislative Department and other pertinent information and notices to all concerned;
Perform other functions and duties as maybe assigned to him from time to time by the House Speaker.

The Majority Floor Leader shall:

Be the second in command to the House Speaker.
Manage the legislative affairs and the business for the part of the majority in the chamber.
Leads the majority party in the Legislative Department to serve as their official leader in the body.
Help to formulate, promote, negotiate and defend the majority’s legislative program, particularly in the floor.
Help in developing the calendar of the Federation and assist the House Speaker with program development and policy formation and decisions.
Exercise party discipline in consultation with other senior party leaders, with regards of voting on party policies and programs deemed to be crucial. If ever, a member of his party doesn’t vote for the party’s proposed measures, he can demote him/her from committee assignments leading to a reshuffle on some of the Legislative committees.

The Minority Floor Leader shall:

Be reconsidered as the titular head of the minority in the Legislative Department and often called as the “shadow President.”
Acts as the spokesperson for his party or group or coalition and enunciates its policies
Be alert and vigilant in defense of the minority’s rights.
Criticize constructively the policies and programs of the minority and to this employ parliamentary tactics and give close attention to all proposed legislation.

The Members of the Legislative Department shall:

Have the authority to enact ordinance for the Supreme Student Council and formulate policies for the implementation of the Executive Department;
Approve all matters/business concern by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Legislative body;
Uphold the rules and regulations promulgated by the Constitution and By-Laws of the SSC

ARTICLE XI TENURE OF OFFICE

SECTION 1. All officers of the organization including members of this Supreme Student Council (SSC), shall, unless otherwise provided in this constitution and By-Laws, serve for the one school year from the day they assume office until the day successors have been included into office.

SECTION 2. Ladderized tuition waiver for all elected FSG Officers: President (full); Vice President (three-forth), Auditor, Business Manager, P.R.O. and Representative (half) shall be secured within their term office.

SECTION 3. In order to ensure the continuity and function of the SSC, unexpired terms of officers who graduated shall be graduated by the non-graduating officers, particularly for the position of President, the Executive Vice-President shall automatically assume the position, or if incapacitated, any of the following three Vice-Presidents (in the discretion of the outgoing President) shall take charge, or, if incapacitated, the House Speaker in that order of succession, provided, however, that the officer serving the unexpired portion of the terms of the graduating officers hall relinquish the office upon election and the induction of their successors.

ARTICLE XII GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SECTION 1. The General Assembly hall serve as the body of the SSC and the venue where its members bring about the student matter and problems of general concern for discussion.

SECTION 2. The General Assembly shall compose of the Legislative and Executive Department of the SSC.

SECTION 3. The General Assembly as an avenue for clarifying student matters shall be attended by the Campus Executive Director, Campus Administrative Officer, the Coordinator of Student Affairs, and the Department chairperson.

SECTION 4. The General Assembly shall be conducted once every semester or as deemed necessary by the request of the President or by the two-third (2/3) votes of the SSC Officers.

ARTICLE XIII MEETING AND QUORUM

SECTION 1. The Executive and Legislative Department shall hold its regular meetings every first Friday of the month. Special or emergency meeting shall be held as often as necessary upon the request of the Chairperson, the majority of the members of the Department itself or upon the request of the majority of the members of the General Assembly.

SECTION 2. An absolute majority (one-half plus one) of the total members of the body being convoked shall constitute a quorum and three-fourth (3/4) of those who shall validate the act of the body.

ARTICLE XIV FUNDS

SECTION 1. The ten percent (10%) of the Student Body Organization Fund (SBO) of every campus shall be automatically remitted to the FSG Fund and shall be remitted within (15) working days upon certification of the Director for the Student Services and Alumni Affairs.

SECTION 2. All money collected from the students with the consent and authority of the organization and all those generated and realized from the activities and the projects under the auspices of the organization shall from part of its General Fund.

SECTION 3. All money collected in the name of the organization shall be deposited in a bank. The savings account and deposits shall be made in the name of the organization through its President, Treasurer and Adviser.

SECTION 4. All appropriations/disbursement must be first approved by the Executive Council of the Organization and noted by the Adviser and the Coordinator for Student Affairs.

SECTION 5. The Financial Statement of the organization shall be opened to its members for scrutiny purposes.

SECTION 56 Voluntary Contributors may be accepted from any good source, provided that they shall be properly documented and be in the name of SSC.

ARTICLE XV STANDING RULES

SECTION 1. All SSC Officers who are outstandingly performing their duties and functions shall be given a Certificate of Recognition duly signed by the Campus Executive Director, Coordinator for Student Affairs and SSC Adviser. Such recognition shall also be given during the Campus Recognition Program and Leadership Training Seminar.

SECTION 2. In the event that the SSC President has graduated, died or suffered disability physical incapacity that prevents him from normally performing his function, the Executive Vice President shall automatically assume the position. If the Executive Vice President suffers the same incapacity, the law of succession shall prevail.

SECTION 3. The government (SSC) shall be presidential in form with unicameral in legislature as provided for in their chapter constellation.

SECTION 4. The Constitution and By-laws of the government (SSC) shall define the power and function of its officers and its rights, privileges and duties of its members. Provided, however, that the local constitution shall be duty ratified by the student community and shall be approved by the Campus Executive Director upon recommendation of the SSC Adviser and the SSC President.

ARTICLE XVII

SUPREME STUDENT COUNCIL ADVISER

SECTION 1. The selection of SSC Adviser shall be in accordance with the following rules:

The President of the SSC after consultation with members through an election, submits a list of top three (3) faculty members with permanent/temporary status to the Office of the Coordinator for Student Services who will conduct a screening for the most qualified considering the following factors: acceptability, orientation to organizational climate, dedication to duty, adherence to organizational thrust and willingness to work.
The Campus Coordinator for Student Services submits the consolidated list of nominees to the Campus Executive Director who shall then appoint the SSC Adviser and a co-adviser.

SECTION 2. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE SSC ADVISER AND CO-ADVISER

The SSC Adviser shall:

Stand as the consultant and the moral guide in the affairs of the SSC;
Have the authority to call for a meeting as deemed necessary;
Be present whenever the executive council call for a general/ special meeting;
Participate in the proceedings as deemed necessary;
Act as liaison officer between university/campus administration and SSC;
Help to explore avenues of the leadership training;
Be responsible on the turn-over of the SSC properties at the end of his/her advice’s term of office to the next SSC officer. Incidental there to, he/shall also require the submission of the inventory of the SSC properties before the end of his/her advice’s terms of office.

SECTION 4. The SSC Adviser and co-adviser shall not hold any major position open (e.g. coordinator, administrator, Campus Executive Director, University Director, Faculty Club President, Program Dean, Interest Club Adviser, School Paper Adviser and Co Adviser, And Department Chairperson) in the College/University.

Article XVIII AMENDMENTS AND REVISION

SECTION 1. Any amendments to or revision of this constitution may be proposed by:

The Legislative Department upon a two-third (2/3) of its member;

A Constitution Convention created by the President.

SECTION 2. In line with the austerity measures, if there are major issues and concerns, there shall be no Constitutional Convention in no case hall the Constitutional Convention be created within

(3) years after the ratification of this Constitution and By-Laws.