Article I. Member Duties and Responsibilities

Section A. Leadership

  1. President
    1. To preside at all meetings of the Senate. If the President is unable to perform the Senator’s duties, to delegate the Senator’s powers to the next Senator in hierarchy when necessary.
    2. To direct all administrative responsibilities, as well as other powers and duties granted by the Senate.
    3. To ascertain that all resolutions, motions, and committees passed by the Senate and/or Executive Council are faithfully executed.
    4. To execute all provisions of the Constitution in the actions of the Senate and its committees.
    5. To serve as the official representative of the student body to the Boards, the Administration and the Faculty, and other segments of the University, including speaking engagements upon request.
    6. To interpret Rules of Order. The Senator’s interpretation can be challenged by another member of the Senate and overruled by a 2/3 vote of the Senate members present.
    7. To call special meetings of the Senate, the Executive Council,
    8. To be the guardian of all official Senate documents.
    9. To meet once a month with the Saint Ben’s Senate President, SJU Dean of Students, and the CSB Dean of Students.
    10. To meet twice a month with the Saint Ben’s Senate President.
    11. To meet once a week with the SJU Dean of Students.
    12. To meet at least once a semester with the VP for Student Development.
    13. To set, review and oversee the execution of the Saint John’s Senates’ goals each semester.
    14. To present, along with the Trustee, the Senate’s goals to the Board of Trustees Student Development Committee and SJU Student Development Directors.
    15. To meet with the President’s Cabinet on a bi-weekly basis.
    16. To hold office for the entirety of the academic year.
    17. To meet with each individual senator at least twice a semester.
    18. To chair the Election Committee if the Judicial Board Chairperson is ineligible to serve. If the President is unable to serve due to their participation in the election, then the chair will pass to the next highest senior Executive Board member. 
  2. Vice President
    1. To plan a retreat at the beginning of each semester for the entire Senate.
    2. To serve as Parliamentarian.
    3. To lead goal setting and facilitation for the Senate.
    4. To chair the Capital Improvements Committee.
    5. To serve as the liaison between the Saint Ben’s Senate (SBS) and SJS.
    6. To lead candidate recruitment.
    7. To lead strategic planning/progress oversight for the SJS.
    8. To obtain and transfer transition notes for all positions ensuring smooth year to year transitions.
    9. To hold office for the entirety of the academic year
    10. To oversee and serve as the liaison for outside news sources.
    11. To oversee, track, and confirm senator’s Senate Community Interactions (SCIs).
    12. To meet once a month with the SJU Dean of Students.
    13. To ensure the senate office is orderly, professional, and usable.
    14. To coordinate stipends for the senate
  3. Student Trustee Representative
    1. To represent the Saint John's student body to the Board of Trustees.
    2. To appoint Senators to serve as the Senator’s liaisons to the Board subcommittees:
      1.  Academic Affairs
      2. Buildings and Grounds
      3. Marketing and Enrollment
      4. Resource Development
      5. Student Development
    3. To attend all Board of Trustee functions.
    4. To present to the SJS a synopsis of every Trustee Meeting
    5. To hold office for the entirety of the academic year.
    6. To coordinate all SJS internal committees 

Section B. Activities and Allocations Board

  1. Chairperson
    1. To serve as the AAB representative on the Executive Council.
    2. To organize and co-chair all meetings of the CFB.
    3. To construct the funding and allocation guidelines which will be SJS By-Laws, Article II after approval by the AAB and the SJS.
    4. To ascertain that all approved actions of the CFB are faithfully executed.
    5. To authorize and sign account transactions for both SJS and approved club allocations in the event the appropriate board member is unable to.
    6. To be a voting member of the Budget Working Committee.
    7. To give a budget update at every executive council meeting
    8. To hold office for the entirety of the academic year
    9. To appoint one club auditor to serve as the SJS representative on the Joint Club Board
    10. To update the Senate Alumni Database with the information of all graduating senators.
    11. To meet with the Treasurer bi-weekly to discuss the SJS budget.
    12. To send all funding expenditures for the week to The Record or other media outlets if The Record is not available, increasing our transparency with our funding of student activity fees.
    13. To keep club auditors accountable and retain the right to restrict their voting rights in coordination with their co-chair counterpart if an auditor is unfamiliar with their funding requests.
    14. To sit on one internal committee each semester.
    15. To lead the Senate Leadership Experience in collaboration with all Board Chairs, duties are included but not limited to: organize guest speakers, coordinate potential team projects, and design SLE layout and procedure
  2. Treasurer
    1. To maintain the financial records of the SJS.
    2. To authorize and sign account transactions for both SJS and approved club allocations through the SJU Business Office.
    3. To organize and chair the Budget Working Committee. This committee must be established at the Fall and Spring Retreat and meet monthly.
    4. To provide a budget at SJS meetings and by request to any SJS Senator.
    5. To meet bi-weekly with the AAB Chair to discuss the SJS budget.
    6. To serve as a voting member of the Co-Funding Board (CFB).
    7. To audit clubs at the discretion of the AAB Chair.
    8. To serve as a member of the Executive Council.
    9. To chair the Club Sports Playoff Funding Committee.
    10. To hold office for the entirety of the academic year.
    11. To sit on one internal committee each semester.
  3. Club Auditors (3)
    1. To audit the clubs for which the Senator is responsible.
    2. To report any financial violations in any of these clubs to the Joint CFB and Administrative Assistant of SALD.
    3. To serve as a voting member of the Co-Funding Board (CFB).
    4. To serve as the SJS representative to the Joint Club Board (JCB) upon appointment by the AAB Chair.
    5. If an auditor is unfamiliar with the Senator’s weekly funding requests it is at the discretion of the board chairs to restrict voting rights to that Senator for the week.
    6. To sit on one internal committee each semester.

    Section C. Judicial Board

    1. Chairperson
      1. To serve as JB representative on the Executive Council.
      2. To organize and chair all Judicial Board meetings.
      3. To organize and chair all Student Parking Appeals Board meetings.
      4. To organize and chair regular Constitutional Review Committee meetings.
      5. To organize and chair the Elections Committee.
      6. To take attendance at all JB meetings.
      7. To appoint, along with the entire Judicial Board, the members of the SJS Ethics Committee.
      8. To serve as the SJS liaison to Life Safety Services
      9. To serve as the SJS representative for all student parking appeals issues
      10. To hold office for the entirety of the academic year.
      11. To sit on two internal committees each semester.
      12. To be a voting member of the Budget Working Committee.
      13. To lead the Senate Leadership Experience in collaboration with all Board Chairs, duties are included but not limited to: organize guest speakers, coordinate potential team projects, and design SLE layout and procedure
      14. The JB Chair will have the primary interpretation of the Constitution which can, in the event of a dispute, be appealed to the President who has ultimate interpretation as stated in the SJS Constitution Article IX Section C.
    2. Academic Affairs Representative
      1. To represent the SJS at all Joint Faculty Assembly (JFA)/Joint Faculty Senate meetings.
      2. To sit on the Trustee Board Subcommittee of Academic Affairs
      3. To appoint members of the JAB to serve on faculty subcommittees.
      4. To sit on the Academic Calendar committee and report back to the Senate after every meeting.
      5. To meet every semester with the Academic Dean to discuss upcoming academic goals
      6. To be a voting member of the Student Parking Appeals Board.
      7. To sit on the Bookstore Committee & the Student Success Center Committee.
      8. To chair the Academic Affairs Committee and to sit on one other internal committee each semester.
    3. Community Relations Representative
      1. To serve as the SJS liaison to the St. Joseph City Council and regularly attend its meetings.
      2. To attend at least two Saint Joseph city council meetings per semester.
      3. To address off-campus student issues.
      4. To represent the SJS on legislative issues.
      5. To represent the SJS on the SJU Alumni Association.
      6. To represent the SJS to the Saint John’s Abbey.
      7. To represent the SJS to the Minnesota Association of Private College Students (MAPCS) if the sitting Senate chooses to pay dues to MAPCS.
      8. To organize one (1) community outreach event per Senate term.
      9. To be a voting member of the Student Parking Appeals Board.
      10. To chair the Community Outreach & Admissions Committee and to sit on one other internal committee each semester.
    4. Student Activities Representative
      1. To co-chair, with the appropriate SBS member, all Joint Club Board (JCB) meetings, in accordance with the JCB guidelines in the Department of Student Activities & Leadership Development.
      2. To meet monthly with the AAB Chair to discuss club issues.
      3. To hold a Spring Information Gathering for all club leaders, before the close of the Spring Semester, in conjunction with the Student Activities and Leadership Development Office.
      4. To promote and facilitate discussion and awareness of club issues with the SJS.
      5. To be a SJS liaison to the Department of Student Activities & Leadership Development.
      6. To meet at least once every two months with the staff of the Student Activities & Leadership Development Department to discuss club issues and activities to report to the SJS.
      7. Meet at least once every two months with the Joint Director of Student Activities & Leadership Development.
      8. To chair the Student Activities Committee and to sit on one other internal committee each semester.
    5. Campus Life Representative
      1. Represent the SJS on long-term housing committees
      2. Sit on the off-campus housing selection committee
      3. Meet with the director of residential life once a month
      4. Provide a residential life forum once a year
      5. Provide a life safety forum once a year
      6. To be a voting member of the Student Parking Appeals Committee
      7. To chair the Campus Life Committee and to sit on one other internal committee each semester.

      Section D. Student Affairs Board

      1. Chairperson
        1. To represent the SAB on the Executive Council.
        2. To organize and chair all SAB meetings.
        3. To organize any student surveys issued by the SJS.
        4. To take attendance at every SAB meeting.
        5. To serve as the SJS representative on the Housing Committee, when in existence.
        6. To approve SJS mass communications before distribution, with special attention during the beginning of the term.
        7. To be a member of the SJS Public Relations Committee.
        8. To be a voting member of the Budget Working Committee.
        9. To hold office for the entirety of the academic year.
        10. To sit on three internal committees each semester.
        11. To lead the Senate Leadership Experience in collaboration with all Board Chairs, duties are included but not limited to: organize guest speakers, coordinate potential team projects, and design SLE layout and procedure
      2. Cultural Affairs Representative
        1. Provide students various platforms to give feedback to the Senate relating to concerns about diversity, equity, inclusivity, and justice at the University.
        2. Research external organizational and institutional efforts in diversity, equity, inclusivity, and justice and deliver a report to the Senate and Administration each semester.
        3. Be a member of the DEIJ Coordinating Council and report Saint John’s Senate activities to the council as well as reporting council activities to SJS.
        4. Be a member of the Cultural Affairs Board and report Saint John’s Senate activities to the board as well as reporting board activities to SJS.
        5. Meet with the Director of Student Accessibility Services at least twice a Semester.
        6. Promote collaborations and working relationship with cultural clubs and organizations.
        7. To work with Administration and the DEIJ Council to promote and assist with the planning of large cultural events on campus.
        8. To perform the duties as listed under SJS By-Laws Article XI.
        9. To chair a DEIJ Committee and to sit on one other internal committee each semester.
        10. Delegate additional relevant DEIJ work interrelated with other Senators’ duties.

      3. Decolonization, Reparations, & Justice Representative  

        1. Meet with Minnesota Tribal officials at least twice per academic year to listen to feedback and advocate requests to University Administration. 
        1. Provide students various platforms to give feedback to the Senate relating to concerns about decolonization, reparations, and justice at the University. 
        1. Research external organizational and institutional efforts in decolonization, reparations, and justice and deliver a report to the Senate and Administration each semester.  
        1. Meet regularly with faculty and staff whose duties are directly related to furthering decolonization, reparations, and justice work. 
        1. Be a non-voting member of the DEIJ Coordinating Council 
        1. Report Saint John’s Senate activities to the DEIJ Coordinating Council and report and promote DEIJ Coordinating Council activities and issues to the Saint John’s Senate 
        1. Promote collaboration and working relationships with CSB/SJU groups and stakeholders involved in decolonization, reparations, and justice work. 
        1. To perform the duties as listed under SJS By-Laws Article XI. 
        1. To be a designated member of the DEIJ Committee and serve on one additional internal committee each semester. 
        1. To represent the Saint John’s Senate in communication with decolonization, reparations, & justice stakeholders  
        1. To report decolonization, reparations, & justice issues to the Saint John’s Senate 
        1. Delegate additional relevant decolonization, reparations, and justice work interrelated with other Senators’ duties to other representatives of the Saint John’s Senate 
        Sustainability Representative
        1. To serve as a member of the Capital Improvements Committee
        2. To meet at least each semester with the Sustainability Fellow(s) and report back to the SJS.
        3. To meet with SJU staff to address issues pertaining to sustainability as needed, including but not limited to: Facilities, Grounds, Residential Life and Housing, Culinary Services, and Transportation.
        4. Serve as liaison between the administration and student on campus sustainability issues.
        5. Be a member of the Food Committee focusing on sustainability within SJU Dining Services.
        6. Meet with Campus sustainability clubs such as Sustainability Alliance, Climate, Action Club, EcoHouses, at least once every semester and facilitate collaboration between groups when possible.
        7. Attend meetings of the SJU Sustainability Council
        8. To represent the SJS to the Arboretum Board.
        9. To chair the Sustainability Budget and investigate, propose, fund, and monitor sustainability efforts on the Saint John’s University Campus.
        10. To chair the Sustainability Committee and to sit on one other internal committee each semester.
      4. Student Issues Representative
        1. To Chair the SJU Food Committee
        2. To plan an event for Johnnie Day.
        3. To facilitate and promote discussion about campus programming and events with the SJS.
        4. To serve as the representative on the MDI Advisory Board.
        5. To host one Senate Development event per semester.
        6. To chair the Student Development Committee and to sit on one other internal committee each semester.
      5. Public Relations Representative
        1. To compose and distribute all press releases to student body, with the approval of the SAB Chairperson and Executive Board.
        2. To serve as the SJS liaison to recognized student media, which means sharing their content on the SJS social media platforms.
        3. To meet with the editors of The Record at the beginning and end of each semester to ensure open communication between the SJS and the student newspaper.
        4. To be responsible for distributing SJS information to the student body through social media platforms, which include, but is not limited to: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Linktree, and TikTok.
        5. To be responsible for maintaining and updating the SJS web page, which requires Ingeniux training with the CSBSJU libraries.
        6. To post the meeting minutes on the SJS website
        7. To post a funding summary after every general senate meeting on the social media platforms
        8. To chair the Public Relations Committee.
        9. To manage and maintain all Saint John’s Senate Public Relations equipment
        10. To sit on the Executive Council and be a non-voting member.
        11. To meet with the PR Assistant at least once per week and assist them with their duties.
        12. To be in communication with your SBS counterpart and meet at least once a semester.
        13. To sit on one other internal committee each semester.
        14. To hold office for the entirety of the academic.

      Section E. First Year Representatives (3)

      1. Represent first year students.
      2. To shadow the three Boards on rotation throughout the Fall semester and declare service to one board in the Spring if led to; and serve on at least one committee immediately after being elected.
      3. To shadow one Co-Funding Board meeting per semester.
      4. Be a voting member of the Senate after one meeting as an elected representative
      5. To sit on three internal committees each semester.