Student Life

STUCO — BETHEL COLLEGE STUDENT BODY BYLAWS

  1. Auditing Student Body Financial Records
    1. Annually, with the assistance of Business Office personnel, the treasurer of the Student Council shall audit the financial records of the Student Council and all other subsidiary organizations of the Student Body.
  2. Budget
    1. The Student Council shall budget the income from Student Development and shall propose its projected annual budget to the Administrative Committee within two weeks after the residence unit officers and class officers are elected into office.
    2. The Student Council shall present its actual annual budget to the Administrative Committee within two weeks after the beginning of the academic year.
  3. Organization Charter
    1. Any student group desiring to form a club or organization shall obtain a charter from the Student Council upon the presentation and acceptance of the organization’s constitution and the signatures of no less than ten pledged members
    2. If a club or organization is not fulfilling its stated aims, the Student Council may revoke its charter.
    3. At the close of each academic year, each club or organization of the Student Body shall file all records with the Student Council.
    4. Each club or organization of the Student Body shall give to the Executive Treasurer the following:
      1. A report of its financial activities (Due on the last business day of each month.)
      2. A detailed recommendation for the club or organization’s budget for the next academic year (Due on the last day of instruction of the school year.)
  4. Revisions
    1. Any Student Body bylaw may be changed upon agreement of two-thirds of the Student Council and the Administrative Committee of the faculty.
  5. Entering and Exiting Procedures
    1. Entering Procedure
      Upon entering office:
      1. Each member of the student Council and the class councils shall receive a copy of the Constitution of the Bethel College Student Body and the Bethel College Student Body Bylaws.
      2. Each Executive Committee member shall receive a key to the student government office
    2. Exiting Procedure
      Upon exiting office, each member of the Student Council and the class councils shall return documents and records pertaining to his/her position in the student government to the student government files.
  6. Election Regulations
    1. Dates of Regular Election
      1. Executive Committee members and class council members (excluding the freshman class council members) shall be regularly elected annually with no less than 30 days remaining in the academic year, while still abiding to the terms of Tenure of Office.
      2. Class council members, excluding the freshman class council members shall be elected annually within two weeks after the election of the Student Council officers.
      3. Residence unit officers and freshman class council members shall be elected annually two weeks after the beginning of the academic year.
    2. Candidate Requirements
      1. Each person wishing to run for office must submit a resume to the Student Council which shall be published to the Student Body.
      2. No candidate for election may loiter near the election polls, nor may he/she participate in organizing the election.
      3. All candidates for an Executive Committee office must prepare a campaign presentation to be given before the Student Body on Election Day.
    3. Runoff Election
      In the event that no candidate receives a majority of the votes for a contested office, a runoff election will be held between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes.
    4. Voting
      1. Voting shall be done by secret ballot.
      2. Each currently enrolled student (part-time and full-time) holds one vote for Executive Council officer, one vote for each officer of his/her residence unit, and one vote for each class council member of his/her class.
      3. Voting may be done by absentee ballot, only if two days notification is given to the election officials.
    5. Campaigning
      1. No campaigning may occur within 50 feet of the election polls during election time.
    6. Ballots
      1. The name of each candidate and the office for which he/she is running must appear on the ballot.
      2. Ballots must be kept for at least one week after the election.
    7. Election Returns
      1. Only election official may tally the votes.
      2. Results of the election shall first be announced to the candidates and then to the public.
      3. A candidate wins the election if he/she receives a majority of the votes cast.
    8. Election Officials
      1. Three election officials shall be appointed by the Executive Council prior to the election and shall supervise the elections according to election regulations.
      2. No election official may, simultaneously, run for elective office.
    9. Recount/Reelection
      1. Suspicion of election fraud shall be reviewed by the Executive Council, who shall report to Student Council with a recommendation for appropriate action.
      2. Election ballots may be recounted upon concurrence of two-thirds of the Student Council.
      3. Reelection may occur if fraud is proven by the Executive Council and two-thirds of the Student Council agrees.
    10. Miscellaneous
      1. No rules of eligibility for election may be altered less than one month prior to election.
      2. Notice of election times, rules, etc., must be given to the Student Body at least one month prior to election.
    11. Special Considerations for Freshman Class Council Elections
      1. The Executive Committee shall meet with the freshman class meeting within two weeks of the beginning of the academic year to encourage individuals to run for freshman class council.
    12. Filling Vacancies
      1. Upon the vacancy of an office, the Student Council shall issue a writ of election announcing the vacancy to the student Body and giving notice of special election times and dates or the Executive Committee can fill the vacancy pending approval of Student Council.
  7. Faculty Committees
    1. The following Faculty Committees shall have student representatives: Administrative Committee, Academic Services Committee, Student Development Committee, Spiritual Life Committee, Library Committee, Admissions Committee, Financial Aid Committee, and Institutional Research Committee. The representatives of the following committees serve ex officio:
      1. Academic Services—Chair, Student Academic Services Committee
      2. Administrative Committee—Executive Council President
      3. Admissions and Financial Aid—Executive Vice President
      4. Student Development—Chair, Student Judiciary Committee
    2. The student representatives on the following Faculty Committees serve by nomination of the Executive Council and election of the Faculty:
      1. Institutional Research – two students.
      2. Library – one student.
      3. Student Development –two students.
    3. The Executive Committee shall nominate at least three students for each vacancy on these committees, so that the faculty may have a wider selection of students from which to choose.
    4. After the Executive Committee nominates the students, the list shall be sent to the faculty for them to make the final selections.
    5. The list of student nominees shall be sent to the faculty within two weeks after the beginning of the academic year, or when vacancy occurs on a committee.
  8. Tenure of Office
    1. Executive Committee and class officers shall assume such official responsibilities as are necessary in order to plan for the upcoming academic year, exactly one month before the last day of the second semester, and shall serve until the last day of the following academic year, unless they officially resign or are removed from office.
  9. Fund-Raising
    1. Any student organization wanting to have a fund-raiser must seek approval from the Student Council at least one week in advance of any public announcement of it.
    2. If the Student council approves the fund-raiser, the proposal shall then be presented to the vice president for student development and vice president for institutional advancement.
    3. When the vice president for student development and vice president for institutional advancement approve the fund-raiser, the organization may then proceed with the presented plans.
  10. Student Council Meetings
    1. Each member shall attend every meeting, but may be represented by a qualified proxy only twice during each semester.
    2. Minutes of each meeting shall be distributed to each member within one week after the meeting and posted for general viewing.
    3. Meeting agendas, along with reports and other documents necessary for the meeting, shall be distributed to all members at the beginning of each Student Council meeting.
    4. A qualified proxy is one who has had advance approval by the council to serve as a proxy.
  11. Residence Unit Councils
    1. There will be a residence unit council for approximately each 40-70 members of the resident students of Bethel College. The Executive Council will designate the specific residence units in consultation with the Director of Residence Life.
    2. Each residence unit council shall
      1. Provide a liaison between residents and the Student Council.
      2. Plan, promote and assist in the supervision of activities for its residential community.
      3. Build a closer relationship and better understanding among residence units.
    3. Membership
      1. The members of each residence council shall be the president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.
      2. Each residence council member shall
        1. Be dependable and capable of Christian leadership, living consistent with the college’s lifestyle covenant.
        2. Maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
        3. Be a full-time student, unless it is no longer necessary in order to complete graduation requirements.
        4. Be a resident in the unit they represent.
      3. At the discretion of the Dean of Students or an RD, officers of a residence unit may be asked to participate in a peer-to-peer accountability and discipline process.
    4. Each residence unit council shall have power to
      1. Lay and collect fees from its class members to carry out its purposes.
      2. Establish policies with the concurrence of the Residence Life Staff, (which may include consequences) designed to enhance the quality of life in the residential unit. Copies of all policies should be given to the Executive Secretary and the Chair of the Student Judiciary Committee.
    5. Advisor
      1. In most cases the advisor will be the unit’s resident director. With the consent of the RD, a member of the administration, faculty and staff of Bethel College may also serve as advisors.
      2. The advisor is to offer advice to the residence council on matters that arise.
      3. The residence unit councils shall confer with their advisor at least twice per semester.
  12. Student Council Committees
    1. Student Public Relations and Promotions Committee
      1. The purpose of the Public Relations and Promotions Committee of the Student Council shall be to promote good relations with the Student Body; the administration, faculty and staff; and the outlying community.
      2. Membership
        1. There shall be one chairperson and at least one student as assistant. The chair shall be nominated by the Executive Committee and approved by Student Council.
        2. This committee shall have as permanent advisor the public relations director of Bethel College.
        3. The chairperson shall be of at least sophomore standing.
        4. The chairperson shall be accessible to the student body.
      3. The Public Relations and Promotions Committee shall have power to
        1. Represent the Student Body in organizations of Bethel College and the community.
        2. Make the Student Council aware of conventions, conferences, etc., that are available for student representation.
        3. Promote and represent the Student Council to the Student Body.
        4. (Student Senate Removed)
    2. Student Social Life Committee
      1. The purpose of the Social Life Committee of the Student Council shall be to provide social activities for the student Body.
      2. Membership
        1. There shall be one chairperson and four students as members. The chair shall be nominated by the Executive Committee and approved by Student Council.
        2. The advisor to this committee shall be the activities director.
      3. The Social Life Committee shall plan and promote social activities for the Bethel College Student Body.
    3. Student Media Committee
      All student media will be put under the supervision of the Language and Literature Division, which will administer budgets, personnel and policies, while promoting student opinion. Budget control will be with the office of the vice president for academic services.

      Under the supervision of Language and Literature, student media will operate as
      student publications or student-run radio.
      1. Members of the Student Media Committee
        1. Faculty/Instructors/Staff – This includes anyone who serves as an advisor to any of the student media, or anyone who teaches courses that are related to media operations.
        2. Students – The leadership and staff of each medium (radio station, The Beacon, The Helm and Crossings) will select one person to represent that medium on the committee.
        3. Student Council Liaison – One member of the Committee will be selected to represent the committee on the Student Council and to represent the Student Council to the committee.
          1. Appointment is open to application from the student body and selection by the committee. The committee will appoint a representative if no one applies or meets the qualifications.
          2. The appointment must be made by the end of March for the following year to coincide with elections of other Student Council representatives.
          3. Qualifications include:
            1. Should be a major or minor in the division or have at least one year of previous, active involvement in one area of student media at Bethel College.
            2. Should maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5.
          4. Proxy: As a voting member of the Student Council, the representative needs to name two people as his/her proxy. These names should be submitted to the committee for approval.
          5. Responsibilities of the position:
            1. Be a voting member of the Student Council.
            2. Attend Student Council meetings and fulfill all other responsibilities as a Student Council representative.
            3. Obtain a copy of the minutes of each Student Council meeting from the secretary. Channel news and information from and about the Student Council in the appropriate format to each of the student media for publication or broadcast at the next available opportunity.
            4. Inform the Student Council of opportunities for involvement, activities, etc., of any of the media for the benefit of the Student Council and the student body at large.
      2. Administration Representative – The college administrators may appoint a representative if they desire to participate.
      3. Responsibilities of the Student Media Committee
        1. Coordinate the activities, operations and coverage of all student media.
        2. Provide supervision and support to each faculty/staff advisor for maintaining the operation of the medium, enforcing policy rules, and carrying out any disciplinary action of required.
        3. Create and maintain an operations manual that provides policies and rules for all student media. It should include sub-sections for each medium, with its specific policies and rules of operation.
        4. Coordinate the technology needs among the student media and with the academic needs of the Language and Literature Division.
      4. Reporting Responsibility
        1. The Bethel Beacon editor, The Helm editor and the Pilot Radio Station manager must be ratified by the Student Council and are subject to recall by the Student Council.
        2. Published by the Bethel College Student Council, The Bethel Beacon represents the student voice of Bethel College, while it also serves as a teaching laboratory under the academic and financial supervision of the Language and Literature Division.
      5. Creating and Dissolving Student Publications
        1. Upon recommendation of the Media Committee, Student Council shall review the proposal to create or dissolve a student publication.
        2. If approved by two-thirds of the Student Council, the proposal shall be presented to the faculty for consideration.
        3. If supported by the faculty, the proposal shall stand properly ratified.
        4. Each established student publication shall be well defined in writing, stating its name, purpose, structure, format, editor and/or manager and staff qualifications, etc.
    4. Student Spiritual Life Committee
      1. The purpose of the Spiritual Life Committee of the Student Council shall be to advance Christian growth in the lives of people at Bethel College.
      2. Membership
        1. There shall be one chairperson and four students as members. The chair shall be nominated by the Executive Committee and approved by Student Council.
        2. Each member of this committee shall
          1. Uphold a consistent Christian life.
          2. Possess sensitivity to the needs and expectations of fellow students, the administration and faculty.
        3. This committee shall choose one advisor, who shall be an administrative or faculty member or an administrative designee. The committee shall include representatives of the following groups: (see p.168, 170)
      3. Duties
        1. The chairperson and organization representatives shall serve as members of the Spiritual Life Committee of the faculty.
        2. Each member shall
          1. Develop and maintain a vital prayer life.
          2. Interact with students to become aware of their spiritual needs.
      4. The Spiritual Life Committee shall have power to
        1. Organize and promote activities which strengthen the spiritual lives of those involved.
        2. Plan Wednesday evening vesper services.
        3. Encourage prayer meetings, sharing times, Bible studies, etc. among the students.
    5. Student Academic Services Committee
      1. The purpose of the Student Academic Services Committee of the Student Council shall be to:
        1. Serve as liaison between the Student Body and the Academic Services Committee of the faculty.
        2. Provide a stimulus for academic pursuits.
        3. Coordinate academic clubs and organizations
      2. Membership
        1. There shall be one chairperson and representatives from all academic divisions and academic service clubs. The chair shall be nominated by the Executive Committee and approved by Student Council.
        2. Each member of this committee shall possess high academic standards, maintaining at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
        3. This committee shall choose one advisor from the faculty, and shall have as a standing advisor the vice president for academic services.
      3. The chairperson of this committee shall
        1. Serve as a member on the Academic Services Committee of the faculty.
        2. Serve as a member of Student Council.
        3. Oversee academic clubs for Student Council.
    6. Student Multicultural Life Committee
      1. The purpose of this committee shall be to encourage multicultural growth, diversity, and development within the College community.
      2. Chairperson
        The chair shall be nominated by the Executive Committee and approved by Student Council.
        1. Serves as a member of the Racial Harmony Committee
        2. Conducts monthly meetings of SML Committee
        3. Oversees Student Council budget for SML clubs
        4. Meets regularly with advisor (Director of Multiethnic Programs)
        5. Serves as a member of Student Council
        6. Facilitates one annual cooperative event involving all SML clubs.
      3. Membership
        1. Representative of Multicultural Life organizations.
        2. Four additional representatives selected by the chairperson.
    7. Student Judiciary Committee
      1. The purpose of the Student Judiciary Committee of the Student Council shall be to
        1. Organize at least one student forum each semester and give appropriate feedback to the Student Development Committee.
        2. Preside over any judiciary issues such as are referred by the vice president for student development.
      2. Membership
        1. The chairperson shall be nominated by the Executive Council and approved by Student Council.
        2. Two students nominated by Executive Council and elected by faculty.
        3. The vice president for student development, or his/her designate, will serve as the advisor.
      3. All three committee members will serve on the Student Development Committee.
      4. The Student Judiciary Committee shall have power to channel student grievances to the Student Development Committee.
      5. The chairperson shall report the forum results to the Student Body within one month after the date of the forum.
    8. Student Alumni Relations Committee
      1. The purpose of the Alumni Relations Committee shall be to
        1. Keep lines of communication open between the Student Body and the Alumni Association.
        2. Sponsor Sibling Day in conjunction with the Alumni Association.
        3. Perform other duties deemed necessary for student-alumni relations.
      2. Membership
        1. There shall be two students of at least junior standing as members.
        2. The chairperson of the committee shall be the Executive Committee vice president.
  13. Class Councils
    1. The councils of the four classes shall be the freshman class council, the sophomore class council, the junior class council and the senior class council.
    2. Each class council shall purpose to
      1. Provide a liaison between students of its class and the-Student Council.
      2. Plan, promote and assist in the supervision of its class activities.
      3. Build a closer relationship and better understanding among the Student Council and the students of its class.
      4. Advance the interests of its class.
    3. Membership
      1. The members of each class council shall be the president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.
      2. Each class council member shall
        1. Be dependable and capable of Christian leadership.
        2. Maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
        3. Be a full-time student, unless it is no longer necessary in order to complete graduation requirements.
    4. Advisor
      1. The incoming Student Council Executive Committee shall approve one advisor selected by and for each class council from among the administration, faculty and staff of Bethel College.
      2. The freshman class advisor should be knowledgeable on the matters of both Student Council and the freshman class in order to provide them an understanding of the organization and responsibilities.
      3. The advisor is to offer advice to the class council on matters that arise.
      4. Class councils shall confer with their advisor at least twice per semester.
    5. Each class council shall have power to:
      1. Lay and collect fees from its class members to carry out its purposes, with consent of the Student Council.
      2. Establish and dissolve such committees and agencies as deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the council, upon approval from the Student Council.
      3. Determine the rules of its preceding discipline its members for inappropriate behavior, and with the concurrence of the Student Council, expel a member for inappropriate behavior.
      4. Exercise such legislation which shall be necessary and proper for the carrying into execution the foregoing powers and purposes of the class council.