Article IX. Ethics Committee

Section A. Purpose
  1. The purpose of the Ethics Committee shall be to ensure that members of the SJS are acting in a manner consistent with the mission and values of Saint John’s University and the SJS, by reviewing complaints from students, faculty and staff of the Saint John’s community and levying any appropriate sanctions on members of the SJS.
Section B. Ethical Code of Conduct for a Senator
  1. As a member of the only elected, representative body of Saint John’s, a Senator is called to act in a responsible, honorable and respectful fashion during the course of the Senator’s term.
  1. Violations of the Ethical Code of Conduct
    1. Disciplinary actions or procedures by the University.
    2. Incompetence, negligence, and unsatisfactory reportage.
    3. Nonfeasance (failure to perform an official duty of the Senator’s elected position).
    4. Malfeasance or “Conduct Unbecoming of a Senator.” Examples include, but are not limited to, destruction of property, sexual harassment, sexual assault, human rights violations, plagiarism, and academic dishonesty.
    5. Use of a Senator’s position for personal gain.
Section C. Membership
  1. The seven (7) members of the Executive Council of the SJS. In the event that the member under investigation is a member of the Executive Council, another SJS member will be chosen by the Ethics Committee.
  2. The ethics committee is chaired by the President of the SJS, except under these circumstances where the chair will be the Vice President unless the claim is against or brought by the Vice President, in which case the chair shall pass to the Trustee:
    1. If the President is under investigation
    2. The President is the senator bringing charges against another senator
Section D. Duties and Responsibilities of the Ethics Committee
  1. Process
    1. A complaint against a Senator may be filed by any of the following:
      1. Any one member of the SJS.
      2. A petition of fifteen (15) Saint John’s undergraduate students.
    2. Subsequent to a determination of standing, the members of the Ethics Committee shall begin an investigation of the complaint.
    3. A hearing of the complaint shall begin within two (2) weeks of the determination of standing. The hearing shall be chaired by the President and be closed to the public.
    4. After the hearing the Committee shall deliberate in private to reach a verdict and levy sanctions. The Committee shall decide the issue within three (3) days.
    5. After the Committee has made the decision, the President shall announce any action at the next full meeting of the SJS under the President’s Report.
  2. Voting
    1. Six members of the Ethics Committee, excluding the President, shall vote on verdict and sanctions.
    2. In the event of a tie, the President shall vote. 
  3. Appeals
    1. Appeals of verdicts and sanctions shall be brought to the full board of the SJS within two weeks.
    2. The decision of the Ethics Committee may be overturned by a three-fifths (3/5) vote by the SJS in favor of the appeal.
    3. Only sanctions listed under article VIII section B, except impeachment may be appealed
  4. Impeachment
      1. May be initiated by those listed in SJS Constitution, Article X Section B.
      2. Any of the following are conditions for impeachment.
        1. Violation of the Ethical Code of Conduct.
        2. Failure to adhere to the attendance policy.
        3. Being placed on academic probation.
        4. Violation of any University rules or regulations, or any J- Book rule.
      3. All impeachment decisions by the Ethics Committee must be approved by a three-fifths (3/5) majority of the SJS
      Section E. A Senator’s Rights
      1. Each senator has a right to an Ethics Committee Hearing when charges are brought against the Senator.
      2. Each senator can appeal the Senator’s sanction to the full SJS.
      3. At any appeals proceedings, a Senator has the right to a 10 minute speaking term, as well as time for questions by Senators