Associated Students
of the
University of the Pacific

Bylaws

 

 

 
Associated Students of the
University of the Pacific
Article I: System of Bylaws 

Chapter 100 – Student Government Bylaws
100.1	This chapter shall outline the bylaws of the Associated Students of the University of the Pacific (“ASuop”), observed by all Officers of the ASuop in discharging the duties and obligations of their positions.
100.2	Bylaws shall be organized into articles, each dealing with related and similar topics. Each article shall be composed of numerically designated chapters, as follows:
ARTICLE I Chapter 100-199 System of Bylaws
ARTICLE II Chapter 200-299 Standards of Conduct
ARTICLE III Chapter 300-399 Organizational Bylaws
ARTICLE IV Chapter 400-499 Legislative Branch
ARTICLE V Chapter 500-599 Executive Branch
ARTICLE VI Chapter 600-699 Judicial Branch
ARTICLE VII Chapter 700-799 Election Code
ARTICLE VIII Chapter 800-899 Finance Code
100.3	Each article shall be divided into chapters, which should pertain to a dedicated topic within the article.
(i)	Each chapter shall be divided into sections, denoted with a decimal following the chapter number (i.e. Section 100.3).
(ii)	 Each section shall be divided into subsections, organized with lowercase roman numerals (i.e. Subsection 100.3.ii)
(iii)	Each subsection shall be divided into further sub-subsections, organized with standard numerals (i.e. Subsection 100.3.ii.1).
(iv)	Each sub-subsection shall be divided into paragraphs, made in outline form with the alphabet.
100.4	The Senate has the authority to enact all bylaws, except for those pertaining to the administration of the Judicial and Executive Branches. The Judicial and Executive Branches are given the authority, through the Constitution, to construct their own internal policies.
100.5	The President has the authority to enforce all bylaws and to enact the bylaws of the Executive Branch.
100.6	The Supreme Court has the authority to adjudicate all matters arising under these bylaws, and to enact the bylaws of the Judicial Branch.
100.7	There shall be one official copy of the ASuop Bylaws. These bylaws shall be maintained by the Supreme Court, and a physical copy shall be kept within the ASuop Office.

100.8	The Vice President, or the Vice President’s designee, shall make sure copies of the ASuop Bylaws are made available to those interested. Additionally, they shall make sure that the ASuop Bylaws are available on the official ASuop Website.
Chapter 101 – Compliance with the ASuop Bylaws
101.1	All ASuop Officers shall comply with the ASuop Bylaws. Any willful or deliberate disregard of any Bylaw may be considered as cause for impeachment or removal from their position in accordance with the ASuop Constitution and Bylaws.
101.2	The order of sovereignty, in order of supremacy, is as follows:
(i)	Federal, State, and Local law.
(ii)	University policy
(iii)	ASuop Constitution
(iv)	ASuop Legislation
(v)	ASuop Bylaws
Chapter 102 – Amendments to the Bylaws
102.1	In the event the ASuop Bylaws requires amendment, the process shall be contingent upon the characteristic of the Bylaws in question:
(i)	Executive Orders can amend Executive Bylaws, which can be found within Article V.
(ii)	Judicial Proclamations can amend Judicial Bylaws within Article VI, and may take effect immediately.
(1)	Judicial Proclamations require at least two-thirds (⅔) of the Justices to approve, and should the Court be hearing a case, the bylaws may not change until the conclusion of the case.
(iii)	Senate Bills can amend the Legislative Bylaws found within Article IV, and any other ASuop Bylaws, with exception to those pertaining to the administration of the Executive and Judicial Branches found within Articles V and VI respectively.
(1)	Senate bills that amend, add, or remove any bylaws, articles, or chapters in the ASuop Bylaws must receive two-thirds (2/3) vote of the seated Senate and shall require two (2) readings before approval by the Senate.
102.2	Maintenance of the Amendments to the Bylaws
(i)	Consistent with section 100.7 and 603.6 of these Bylaws, the Supreme Court shall have the responsibility of incorporating all amendments made to the Bylaws.
(1)	The Court shall be responsible for incorporating approved amendments arising from Executive Orders, Judicial Proclamations, and/or Senate Bills within ten (10) business days with reasonable accommodations for University holidays or breaks. 
(ii)	An official copy of the ASuop Bylaws with the finalized incorporations must be made available within five (5) days of the incorporation of new updates to all officers of ASuop. 
(iii)	Once the Vice President, or the Vice President’s designee, has received this official copy of the ASuop Bylaws, they shall make sure the Bylaws are available on the ASuop Website.
Chapter 103 – Definitions of Terms
103.1	When amendments or additions are made to the Bylaws, appropriate definitions shall be added. Should an amendment or addition be made, the definitions shall be added alphabetically to the section below.
(i)	Article of Impeachment: An Article of Impeachment (“AI”) is a formal charge against another ASuop Officer, that, if approved, shall begin a formal trial against the accused. The Article shall include a list of all charges being levied against the accused, and the accuser shall be noted on the Article as the author (pursuant to Art. X, §4 of the ASuop Constitution). Requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Senate to pass (pursuant to Art. IV).
(ii)	ASuop Member: Any student who has paid the ASuop Fee shall be considered a member.
(iii)	 ASuop Officer: Any member of ASuop that is officially employed by or otherwise tasked with doing work on behalf of ASuop.
(iv)	ASuop Student Fee: The fee, included in tuition, that is charged to all students. The revenue from this fee is directly deposited into the ASuop budget. Upon paying this fee, students are considered ASuop members.
(v)	Cabinet: A committee tasked with leading the Executive Branch consisting of the President, Vice President, all Department Heads, the Elections Coordinator, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (ex officio), Student Association President of the School of Health Sciences (ex officio), Student Bar Association (SBA), President at the McGeorge School of Law (ex officio), President-Elect (ex officio), Vice-President Elect (ex officio), ASuop advisor(s) (ex officio), and the Clerk (ex officio).
(vi)	Closed Session: A closed session is a part of a Senate meeting where confidential and sensitive information is to be discussed. Only members of the Senate and Advisor(s) may attend a closed session, and it shall not be recorded. Closed sessions must end as soon as all confidential and sensitive information has been discussed to ensure transparency.
(vii)	Constitutional Amendment: A Constitutional Amendment (“CA”) is a proposed amendment to the ASuop Constitution that may be brought to the floor by a Senate or the President (pursuant to Art. XIII, §1, sub-sections A&B of the ASuop Constitution). This requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Senate to pass.
(viii)	Department Heads: Leaders of Executive departments confirmed by ASuop Senate Legislation.
(ix)	Gross Negligence: A significant deviation from a reasonable person’s standard of conduct.
(x)	Majority: A majority is defined as 50% plus 1 (i.e. a majority of 10 would be 6, not 5).
(xi)	Senate Advisory Opinion Request: A Senate Advisory Opinion Request (“SAOR”) is a request from the Senate to the Supreme Court to consider the constitutionality of a particular issue. The response from the Supreme Court is non-binding, and shall only serve to offer the Senate guidance on issues of constitutionality. Requires sponsorship from two Senators to pass.
(xii)	Senate Bill: A Senate Bill (“SB”) is a binding policy that may be a stand-alone policy or a modification of the ASuop Bylaws. Requires a majority of the Senate to pass.
(xiii)	Senate Resolution: A Senate Resolution (“SR”) is a non-binding statement of the ASuop Senate. Requires a majority of the Senate to pass.
Associated Students of the
University of the Pacific
Article II: Standard of Conduct

Chapter 200 – Code of Ethics
200.1	In an effort to fulfill the obligations of the ASuop to the students, all ASuop Officers must adhere to the following guidelines:
(i)	It is essential that all ASuop Officers are independent, impartial, and that their public office is not used for private interests. ASuop Officers hold their positions for the benefit of the student body. Such officers and employees are bound to observe, in their official acts, the highest standards of ethics consistent with this code. Officers must recognize that promoting the public interest and maintaining the respect of the student body must be their foremost concern.
(ii)	It is the intent of this chapter to protect the integrity and trust of the ASuop by prescribing objective procedures to prevent and resolve unethical practices.
(iii)	All members of the ASuop have the right to report any alleged violation of this code to the Supreme Court. Additionally, any member who alleges, or has been accused of, a violation of this code has a right to request the status of their case.
(1)	Any disputes that arise under this code shall be within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
(2)	The Supreme Court shall determine whether or not to hear complaints arising under this code within one (1) week of the complaint being filed with the Chief Justice. In the event the complaint proceeds to a hearing, the process shall be deliberate and shall guarantee all involved parties their constitutional rights as stated in Article X of the ASuop Constitution.
(3)	The Supreme Court may issue writs to ascertain evidence and/or compel the attendance of ASuop Officers to offer testimony before the Court.
(4)	The Supreme Court shall determine whether or not a breach of this code has occurred. If so, a full report of the incident shall be prepared, including their recommended sanction to the Senate, within two (2) weeks of their decision.
(5)	 The Senate shall vote on whether to approve or deny the recommendation of the Supreme Court at the next regular meeting after the report has been distributed.
(6)	The Senate reserves the right to impeach ASuop Officers.
Chapter 201 – Types of Ethical Misconduct
201.1	Conflicts of Interest
(i)	In order to protect the integrity of decisions made by the ASuop, all ASuop Officers must disclose any potential and actual conflicts of interest.
(ii)	No ASuop Officer, while acting in their official capacity, shall judge, vote, or participate in any matter that would lead to their private gain.
(iii)	The following elements must be present to prove a conflict of interest:
(1)	The person in question was in a position to exploit an official capacity, in some way, for their personal benefit, and;
(2)	There is a preponderance of evidence that suggests the person in question had knowledge of the conflict, and;
(3)	Having knowledge of said conflict did not recuse themselves from the matter, and as a result, stood to personally benefit from it.
201.2	Misuse of ASuop Property
(i)	No ASuop Officer shall use, or attempt to use, ASuop property, notoriety, or resources to secure a gift, reward, privilege, benefit, or exemption for personal benefit.
(ii)	No ASuop Officer shall abuse the privileges they are granted, such as access to the ASuop office, ASuop resources/materials, and/or access to any ASuop printing account to benefit themselves.
201.3	Confidentiality of Information
(i)	No ASuop Officer shall disclose information unavailable to the public, especially information that has been deemed confidential by their supervisor.
(ii)	All ASuop Officers are expected to demonstrate the level of care that is outlined in Art. III § 302.02 of these Bylaws.
201.4	Unlawful Compensation
(i)	No ASuop Officer shall, or shall attempt to, solicit, accept, or provide any material items of value in cases that would influence any decision made by another Officer of ASuop.
201.5	Obligation to Report
(i)	No ASuop Officer shall aid, or knowingly fail to report, any breach of this code, university policy, or Federal, State, or Local law.
201.6	Fraud
(i)	No ASuop Officer shall willfully misrepresent themselves while acting in their official capacity.
(ii)	No ASuop Officer shall withhold information or documentation when mandated to provide it by the Supreme Court or the Senate, nor shall they provide false or misleading information or documentation.
(iii)	No ASuop Officer shall bring false charges, or provide false or misleading evidence, against another Officer, employee, or student.
(iv)	The following elements must be present to prove fraud:
(1)	There is a preponderance of evidence that suggests the person in question was aware that the information they were providing was false or misleading, and;
(2)	Having said knowledge, continued to provide the information or documentation.
201.7	Anti-Discrimination Policy
(i)	No ASuop Officer shall practice any discrimination as defined in the University’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.
(ii)	No ASuop Officer shall deny any student rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution of the ASuop.
201.8	Protection from Retribution
(i)	No ASuop Officer shall dismiss, discipline, or take action against another Officer for disclosing information pursuant to this code. Specifically, supervisors may not take action against their employees for reporting information pursuant to this code.
201.9	Federal, State, and Local Law
(i)	Any ASuop Officer who has been convicted of a felony shall be immediately suspended from Office, and impeachment charges shall be brought to the Supreme Court at their next regular meeting.
201.10	Theft
(i)	Any ASuop Officer found responsible for stealing shall be immediately suspended and may be reported to Public Safety, Stockton Police, and adjudicated through Student Conduct.
(1)	Stealing includes adding hours to your timecard that the individual did not work.
(ii)	Any elected official of ASuop found responsible for stealing shall be immediately referred to the Supreme Court to be reviewed for impeachment charges.
201.11	Alcohol Consumption and Drug Use
(i)	Alcohol consumption and recreational drug use is not permitted before or during a work shift.
(1)	Alcohol and recreational drugs may not be consumed up to eight (8) hours prior to the start of a shift.
(2)	Consumption of alcoholic beverages immediately following a shift is permitted.
(3)	ASuop branding should not be represented on one’s person during consumption of alcohol or recreational drugs, or while intoxicated.
(ii)	Any violations of these policies will lead to an immediate referral to Student Conduct and the Supreme Court, and may result in immediate suspension or dismissal from ASuop.
201.12	Confidentiality
(i)	From time to time, ASuop may disclose confidential information to ASuop Officers or affiliates. ASuop Officers are expected to do the following:
(1)	Limit disclosure of any confidential information to anyone outside of the immediate organization, who has a need to know such confidential information.
(2)	Shall keep all confidential information strictly confidential by using a reasonable degree of care, but not less than the degree of care used by ASuop in safeguarding its own confidential information.
(3)	Not disclose any confidential information received to any third parties.
(ii)	Employees shall be responsible for any breach of this Agreement, and may be subject to immediate suspension or termination.

 Associated Students of the
University of the Pacific
Article III: Organizational Bylaws

Chapter 300 – ASuop Transparency
300.1	In order to fulfill ASuop’s obligation to be open and transparent with the students it was created to serve, the following standards must be followed:
(i)	The Office of the President must maintain an archive of all official documents, including but not limited to the following:
(1)	Constitutional amendments, memoranda, appointment and confirmation letters, disciplinary documentation (so long as it is not privileged information), and Senate, Committee, and Executive Reports.
(2)	The Senate’s agenda and its contents, which includes the document itself, the record of any additions or amendments made, any and all legislation discussed, and the minutes of the Senate meeting.
a)	Items, parts of items, or all items in section 2 (above) may be made confidential by a Senate motion passed by a majority of the seated Senate.
(ii)	Any student may request information from the archive during regular business hours (8:30 A.M to 5 P.M. Monday through Friday), and a copy shall be made available to them within three (3) business days of their request at the expense of ASuop.
(1)	Requests for information may be made either in person at the ASuop Office, or by email through the ASuop website.
(iii)	The contents of the ASuop Archive must be uploaded to an official website of the ASuop, and made available in a timely manner to all students at no expense. The archive should include all documents pertaining to the current constitution.
(iv)	At the end of their term, the Office of the President will also be responsible for giving copies of the year’s additions to the ASuop Archive to the curators of the Holt-Atherton Special Collections and Archives.
(1)	Physical contents are to include at least the following:
a)	The current version of the ASuop Constitution.
a.	If no amendments have been passed during the academic year, this does not need to be included.
b)	The current version of the ASuop Bylaws.
a.	If no changes have been made during the academic year, this does not need to be included.
c)	All Constitutional Amendments, Presidential Nominations, Executive Orders, redacted Executive reports, Articles of Impeachment and their conclusions, Internal Budget Reallocations, Senate Advisory Opinion Requests and their conclusions, Senate Bills, Senate Resolutions, Finance Budget Appropriation Requests, as well as any memoranda that were dated within the academic year.
d)	The initial ASuop budget, as it was passed by the previous administration.
e)	The final ASuop budget.
a.	This version will include the cost to date for each line item at the conclusion of the current administration’s term, as well as any revisions that had been passed through an Internal Budget Reallocation.
f)	Select posters or flyers from significant events.
(2)	Digital contents are to include at least the following:
a)	Senate minutes. 
b)	Select graphics, photographs, or media from significant events.
Chapter 301 – Branding Standards
301.1	All departments of the ASuop shall defer to the branding standards set forth by the Department of Strategic Marketing when an issue of branding isn’t clearly laid out by the ASuop Bylaws. Further questions not clarified by ASuop Bylaws or the branding standard of the Department of Strategic Marketing shall be referred directly to the Department of Strategic Marketing. 
(i)	The Department of Strategic Marketing shall notify the ASuop Senate of any changes to the official branding standards of ASuop.
Chapter 302 – Expectations of Officers
302.1	One Position Limit
(i)	Per the constitution, no member of ASuop may hold more than one position at one time.
302.2	Intellectual Property
(i)	All projects created on request of ASuop or its designee through work order, email, or verbal request are joint intellectual property and all versions of said work must be uploaded to the ASuop Server or other designated space., including but not limited to the network drive, Sharepoint, and/or Google Drive.
(ii)	Use of these projects by either party is considered unlimited in space, type, time, and duration.
(iii)	No fees may be assessed for use of these projects outside of the original wages earned at the time of creation.
302.3	Office Etiquette
(i)	Behavior in the Office
(1)	All ASuop Officers are expected to be punctual, prepared, engaged, responsible, honest, and polite.
(2)	ASuop Officers are permitted to bring other students with them into the office, so long as they do not disrupt the work of others within the office.
302.4	Resignation
(i)	ASuop Officers who wish to resign their position must inform their student supervisor and staff supervisor immediately.
(ii)	ASuop requests two (2) weeks of notice for resignations, except in extreme or special circumstances.
302.5	Social Media Policy and Procedures
(i)	The purpose of this section is to outline the best practices when engaging with social media outlets as it relates to conducting business for the University of the Pacific and ASuop.
(1)	ASuop currently has official accounts with Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pacificasuop) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pacificasuop/). Additional accounts may be created with consent from the President – all pages must be reviewed by the President before they can become official.
(2)	 Access to accounts will only be granted to the ASuop advisors, President, Vice President, and Director of Communications who require access for official University purposes only. Partial access may be given to other ASuop Officers on an at-need basis by any of the individuals previously listed. Partial access does not include access to the administrative functions of the account.
(3)	Anything stated on ASuop social media accounts should be considered an extension of the University, and the author shall keep in mind the effect it may have on University administration, students, alumni, and all others in the Pacific community.
(4)	 All content that is posted on social media shall be thoroughly vetted, and shall not contain any language/comments that may be reasonably interpreted as demeaning, derogatory, and so forth.
(5)	Representation of one’s own view as being endorsed by the University, or any of its organizations, is strictly prohibited.
(6)	The University’s name or logos may not be used to endorse any opinion, product, private business, cause, or political candidate.
(7)	Ensure, before posting any content, that ASuop has a right to use said content with attribution. Always give proper credit for digital media. The University has a blanket license for use of American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI).
302.6	ASuop Training
(i)	All ASuop Officers are required to attend any and all retreats and/or training as determined by the President, department heads, and advisors.
(ii)	Any mandatory training or retreat that shall take place during the summer must be listed on the offer letter given to ASuop Officers.
302.7	Email Communication
(i)	As defined by the expectations set by the ASuop President and Vice President, ASuop Officers are expected to frequently check their email for any internal communication. Appointments, events, meetings, and tasks may be assigned via email.
(ii)	ASuop Officers are responsible for all work given to them through email, so long as it was communicated to them within a reasonable time frame.
Chapter 303 – Adherence to Tiger Lore and University Policy
303.1	As stated in Art. III of the ASuop Constitution, ASuop shall not create any policies that, “conflict with any policies set forth by the President and Board of Regents of the University of the Pacific,” and if any policies should conflict then “the University’s policy shall take precedence.” Therefore, the following University Policies shall be strictly followed:
(i)	Tiger Lore
(1)	Tiger Lore is considered to be a policy set forth by the President of the University. Therefore, all provisions of Tiger Lore must be followed by members of ASuop.
(ii)	University Policies
(1)	All ASuop Officers must maintain, at minimum, a 2.5 cumulative and term Grade Point Average (GPA). Failure to fulfill this requirement may result in immediate termination or impeachment.
(2)	All ASuop Officers must be in good judicial standing with the University (Student Conduct). Failure to maintain a good judicial standing may result in immediate suspension, termination, or impeachment.
Chapter 304 – Statement of Social and Environmental Responsibility
304.1	ASuop, as a student government at a liberal arts institution, is committed to implementing and developing environmentally and socially responsible practices throughout its operations. Sustainability, defined as human activities that do not deplete or degrade natural resources, will be integrated into all ASuop branches and student-focused activities.
(i)	Any student or department hosting an event on behalf of ASuop should consider sustainability in their planning and work with Sustaining Pacific/Green Team to minimize any negative effects on the environment.
(ii)	When working with any third-party vendors or organizations, ASuop officers should prioritize collaboration with those vendors or organizations that are similarly aligned with our sustainability goals, within financial constraints.
Associated Students of the
University of the Pacific
Article IV: Legislative Branch

Chapter 400 – Senate Rules 
400.1	Establishment
(i)	The Senate of the Associated Students of the University of the Pacific has been established in accordance with the Constitution of the Associated Students of the University of the Pacific. As the legislative branch of the ASuop, it shall enact legislation to be carried out by the executive branch.
400.2	The Chair of the Senate
(i)	The Vice President shall be the chair of the Senate per Art. IV of the ASuop Constitution.
(1)	While in session, the Vice President shall be referred to as the President of the Senate.
(2)	The Vice President is also responsible for informing the Senate of any changes made by the President to the Cabinet within fourteen (14) days of the change.
(3)	In the absence of the Vice President, the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate shall chair the Senate.
i.	The President Pro-Tempore of the Senate shall be elected to their position by a plurality of the seated Senate.
1.	At any time, the President Pro-Tempore may be recalled. A motion to vote, followed by a simple majority vote, shall recall the President Pro-Tempore. Upon the passage of such a motion, a new President Pro-Tempore shall be selected before the end of the following Senate meeting.
ii.	The President Pro-Tempore shall also serve on the Judicial Oversight Council in the event that it is needed.
iii.	In the absence of the President Pro-Tempore, the Senate shall elect a chair with a simple majority of the members present. This Chair shall serve until they are relieved by either the President Pro-Tempore or the Vice President.
400.3	The Clerk of the Senate
(i)	The ASuop Clerk, within the office of the Vice President, shall serve as the Clerk for the Senate and record the minutes of each Senate session.
(1)	In the absence of the Clerk, the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate shall assist in recording minutes.
i.	In the absence of the President Pro-Tempore, the Senate shall elect a chair with a simple majority of the members present. This Chair shall serve until they are relieved by either the President Pro-Tempore or the Vice President.
ii.	In the event that the President Pro-Tempore cannot serve as clerk for any reason, the Senate shall elect a clerk from among themselves with a simple majority of the members present.
iii.	The President Pro-Tempore shall never serve as both Senate Chair and Senate Clerk simultaneously.
400.4	The Interim Elections Coordinator
(i)	A Senator who is not running for reelection shall be chosen by the Supreme Court and approved with a simple majority by the Senate to be designated as the Interim Elections Coordinator on the Elections Committee.
i.	If necessary, the Senator shall step into the role of the Interim Elections Coordinator in the event that the Elections Coordinator position is vacant for any reason.
ii.	The designated Interim Elections Coordinator shall be a volunteer Committee member until such time as they are required to step into the role of Interim Elections Coordinator, at which time they will be compensated according to their employment agreement for their role as Senator.
400.5	Filling Vacancies in Senate
(i)	In the event that a seat in Senate is vacant, the selection of a new Senator shall follow the below procedure:
i.	Candidates for the position should apply via the standard application process.
ii.	Upon receiving the applications, the Vice President and the President Pro-Tempore shall evaluate and select candidates for an interview.
iii.	The finalist candidates shall then be evaluated post-interview and one candidate shall be chosen to move forward for confirmation.
iv.	The candidate’s resume shall be shared with Senate when the agenda is sent out, to allow Senators to have ample time to evaluate the candidate before confirmation.
v.	The candidate shall then attend Senate, upon which all Senators may ask the candidate questions and then vote to confirm.
400.6	Quorum in Senate
(i)	A minimum number of Senators must be present in order to constitute a quorum. If fewer than that minimum number of Senators attend, the meeting shall be rescheduled or canceled.
i.	That minimum number shall equal the majority (50% plus one) of the total seats (both filled and unfilled) in the Senate.
400.7	The Judicial Oversight Council
(i)	The Judicial Oversight Council is the body responsible if a member of ASuop reports a violation of the Code of Ethics by a member of the Judiciary. 
i.	The Judicial Oversight Council shall be composed of the President Pro-Tempore, the Chair of Rules, and an elected Senator by a plurality of Senate to act as the Chair of the Oversight Council.
ii.	The Judicial Oversight Council shall follow the guidelines laid out in Section 200.1.iii, replacing all references to the Supreme Court with the Judicial Oversight Council.
iii.	The Judicial Oversight Council shall investigate, and, if deemed necessary, write the articles of impeachment to be tried by Senate.
Chapter 401 – Senate Meetings
401.1	Senate Meeting Protocol
(i)	Regular meetings of the Senate shall be held weekly during the academic semesters in which the ASuop Fee is assessed, excluding holidays and school vacations.
(ii)	Any regular meeting of the Senate may be canceled by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the seated Senate.
(iii)	Special meetings of the Senate may be called, with at least four (4) days notice, by the ASuop President, or by a petition of the majority of the seated Senate. The petition must be presented to the Vice President at least four (4) days in advance of the desired meeting date. Notices sent to Senate emails shall constitute official notification.
401.2	Parliamentary Procedure
(i)	The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the ASuop in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the ASuop may adopt.
401.3	Senate Decorum
(i)	During Senate meetings, a certain level of decorum shall be expected of all members. The Chair of the meeting shall be responsible for maintaining decorum during meetings of the Senate.
(ii)	In an effort to preserve decorum, the following are prohibited during meetings of the Senate:
(1)	The use of electronics, such as laptops, cell phones, or tablets, during the business of the Senate for purposes that are not pertinent to the discussion at hand.
(2)	Speaking without being recognized by the Chair.
(3)	Being in a state of intoxication while at a Senate meeting.
(4)	Discussing matters that may be on the agenda, but are not pertinent to the specific item that is currently being discussed.
(5)	Defaming, impugning, or attacking the reputation or character of another Senator in a general session.
(6)	Discussing matters that are not pertinent to the agenda.
401.4	Public Access to Senate Meetings
(i)	Meetings of the Senate shall be open to all ASuop members, unless a closed session is in progress. Closed sessions may only be called to discuss information of a sensitive or private nature, and shall adjourn once said business has been concluded.
(ii)	All ASuop members shall be guaranteed the right to address the Senate, so long as they follow these procedures:
(1)	Any individual recognized by the Chair shall rise and state their name.
(2)	Speaking order shall be determined by electronic form submission.
(3)	All desired speakers must provide their contact information, prior to speaking.
(4)	The remarks expressed to the Senate shall be relevant to the business at hand, unless the comments are being delivered at a time designated for general public comment.
(5)	Any individual may have up to three (3) minutes to speak; however, the Chair maintains the discretion to end public comment if it is irrelevant.
a)	Visitors who wish to yield their time to others can do so.
(6)	Any member of the gallery may be removed for disorderly conduct at the discretion of the Chair.
(7)	ASuop shall make the Senate’s weekly agenda and its contents available for the public access no later than three (3) days in advance of the meeting.  
a)	The Office of the Vice President is responsible for making the Senate’s agenda and its contents available on the UOP Website Senate page
a.	The Senate’s agenda and its contents refers to items listed in subsection 
i.	The document itself, the records of any additions or amendments made, any and all legislation discussed, and the minutes of the Senate meeting
ii.	Items shall remain public unless a majority of the seated Senate vote to keep certain items, certain parts of items, or all items confidential.
401.5	Minutes and Recording Senate Meetings
(i)	Minutes shall be prepared for all Senate meetings by the Vice President, and shall be sent to Senate emails four (4) days after the meeting so that they may be approved by the following meeting.
(1)	Minutes shall only include the procedural business of the Senate, including, but not limited to, all votes, motions, topics of discussion, and general discussion.
(2)	Minutes shall be uploaded to the ASuop website within seven (7) days following their approval at the next Senate meeting.
401.6	Attendance
(i)	Attendance at a meeting is defined as the physical presence of a Senator for a minimum of 75% of the meeting.
(ii)	Absences from the Senate shall be qualified as excused or unexcused.
(1)	Excused absences shall be limited to the following:
a)	Absences due to participation in a University recognized program in which attendance is required.
b)	Absences due to illness of the Senator and/or illness requiring the member’s assistance for care or death of an individual(s) close to the Senator.
c)	Absences due to responsibilities directly connected with the member’s constituents.
d)	Absences due to an accident involving a Senator or property of the Senator, an individual close to the Senator, and/or appearance in court as a litigant, witness, or member of the jury under an official order.
e)	Absences due to religious holidays, rites, or ceremonies of the member’s religious faith.
(2)	Requests for excused absences should be submitted in writing to the Vice President’s Office.
(3)	An absence shall be considered unexcused if the Senator in question does not satisfy the requirements in Chapter 401.06 (ii) (1).
(4)	The classification of an absence as excused or unexcused shall be determined by the Vice President; however, their decision may be appealed, and put before the Senate for a vote by the Senator in question.
(5)	If a Senator has three (3) unexcused absences during their tenure, then they shall meet with the Supreme Court. The Senator will again meet with the Supreme Court for the fourth absence. The fifth unexcused absence will be grounds for impeachment, and the process for impeachment shall begin.
(iii)	Absences from committee meetings shall be qualified as excused or unexcused.
(1)	The process for determining absences as excused or unexcused shall follow the same process as stated in 401.6 (i) and (ii) 1-4. 
(2)	If a Senator has two (2) unexcused committee absences, it counts as one (1) missed Senate meeting. Absences shall be monitored by the Chair and reported to the Judicial Apprentice.
a)	This applies for regularly scheduled committee meetings with times established before the semester’s add/drop deadline.
b)	Committees can change their regularly scheduled committee times after the add/drop deadline with the approval of the Vice President.
(3)	Upon three Senate absences and/or the equivalent in committee meetings, the process defined in 401.6 (ii) 5 shall be followed.
401.7	Voting
(i)	Each Senator is entitled to cast a vote on all matters brought to the Senate floor.
(ii)	The vote shall be a roll call vote or by a voicing of the yeas and nays.
(1)	Any Senator may request that a roll call vote be taken. All roll call votes shall be recorded in the minutes, and shall specify the vote of each individual Senator for the record.
(iii)	The Chair of the meeting may only vote to break a tie.
(1)	When the Chair of the meeting does not cast a vote, no mention shall be made in the minutes.
401.8	Agenda Setting
(i)	The agenda for each meeting shall be prepared by the ASuop Vice President and shall be made available through Senate emails no later than four (4) days in advance of the meeting.
(1)	Additions to the agenda may be made at the previous meeting of the Senate by a majority vote.
(2)	The Vice President may make additions to the agenda until the agenda is approved, as long as those changes do not pertain to the allocation of ASuop funds.
Chapter 402 – Legislation
402.1	Classifications
(i)	When legislation is brought to the Senate floor it will be classified as one of the following: 
(1)	Senate Resolution (SR) 
a)	A Senate Resolution is defined as a piece of legislation that describes the general sentiment of ASuop, an idea to be proposed, or other intentions of the Senate that are not to be enacted into law.
b)	A Senate Resolution can originate from any Senator and must be reviewed by the Senate Rules Committee.
(2)	Senate Bill (SB)
a)	A Senate Bill is defined as a piece of legislation, which describes, in exact language, changes which amend existing laws, enact new laws, or repeal old laws.
b)	A Senate Bill can originate from any Senator and must be reviewed by the Senate Rules Committee.
(3)	Finance Budget Appropriation Request (FBAR)
a)	An FBAR is defined as a piece of legislation that is both authored and proposed by the Department of Finance of allocating ASuop funding to specified sources.
b)	An FBAR can originate from the Department of Finance, and does not need to be reviewed by the Senate Rules Committee.
c)	When voting on FBARs, Senators who sit on the Executive Board of RSOs who are requesting funding should abstain.
(4)	Constitutional Amendment (CA)
a)	A Constitutional Amendment is defined as a piece of legislation which includes edits or changes to the constitution.
b)	Constitutional Amendments must follow protocol mentioned in the Constitution Article VIII Section 1.
c)	A Constitutional Amendment can originate from any Senator and must be reviewed by the Senate Rules Committee.
(5)	Senate Advisory Opinion Request (SAOR)
a)	A Senate Advisory Opinion Request is defined as a piece of legislation describing potential situations and requesting an opinion from the Supreme Court on how such a situation might be ruled if it was brought before the Court.
b)	A Senate Advisory Opinion Request can originate from any Senator and does not need to be reviewed by the Senate Rules Committee.
(6)	Articles of Impeachment (AI)
a)	An Article of Impeachment is defined as a piece of legislation submitted by the Supreme Court which proposes sanctions against an ASuop Officer from their position on the grounds of misconduct.
b)	Articles of Impeachment can originate from the Supreme Court, and does not need to be reviewed by the Senate Rules Committee.
(7)	Presidential Nomination (PN)
a)	A Presidential Nomination is defined as a piece of legislation submitted by the President, which nominates a student to fill a position in the Executive Branch.
b)	A Presidential Nomination shall originate from the President, it does not need to be reviewed by the Senate Rules Committee.
(8)	Internal Budget Reallocation (IBR)
a)	As needed, the annual budget can be revised by the Department of Finance and presented to the President for approval. If approved by the President, then the budget shall be submitted to the Senate. This legislation shall require two (2) readings before approval by majority of the Senate.
a.	A memo explaining the most significant changes, as well as the impact on ASuop’s reserved funds, including but not limited to, the General Reserves, should be included to allow for easier reference.
402.2	Format of Legislation
(i)	All legislation must follow ASuop Branding Guidelines, which are maintained by the Department of Strategic Marketing.
(ii)	All legislation must contain the name(s), of the author(s), the name(s) of any sponsor(s), and the date that the legislation was submitted. Legislation must contain the name of the author, the name(s) of any sponsor(s), and the date that the legislation was submitted.
(1)	All legislation requires the sponsorship of at least one other Senator.
(iii)	Sponsorship of Legislation
(1)	Sponsorship of any legislation is limited to ASuop Officers and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs).
a)	An RSO’s President will be responsible for communicating the RSO’s intent to sponsor any legislation to the Senate. 
(2)	All Legislation requires the sponsorship of at least one other Senator.
402.3	Legislative Process
(i)	Depending on the type of legislation, a different process must be followed, as defined in 402.1.i:
(1)	Legislation sent to Senate Rules Committee
a)	The legislation must first be submitted to the Senate Rules Committee, which shall determine whether the legislation has adhered to all the guidelines set forth in this Chapter.
b)	If approved, the Senate Rules Committee Chairperson will send the approved legislation to the Office of the Vice President, who will schedule a first reading for the legislation at the next available Senate meeting. From there, the Senate shall either refer the legislation to a committee or vote.
(2)	Legislation authored by the Department of Finance
a)	The legislation must originate in the Department of Finance as specified in 402.1.i. If the legislation is approved by the Department of Finance, the Director of Finance shall send the legislation to the Vice President. From there, the Senate shall vote on the legislation.
b)	Should any amendments be made to the specified Appropriation Request, that either one (1) change the funding of any line item by more than 20% or two (2) adds or deletes any line item, they shall be referred back to the Department of Finance for reconsideration. Upon reconsideration, the legislation will be sent back to the Vice President and voted on at the next regular meeting. Amendments that do not meet these criteria may be made on the Senate floor, if approved by the Senate in a majority vote.
(3)	Presidential Nomination
a)	The President shall deliver their nomination(s) to the Vice President, who will schedule a hearing for the nominee at the next available Senate meeting.
b)	The Senate shall decide how long and to what extent they would like to examine the nominee; however, the Senate must vote on the nominee within two (2) weeks of their hearing.
(4)	Senate Advisory Opinion Request
a)	A Senator will author a Senate Advisory Opinion Request and acquire the signatures of two (2) Senator Sponsors.
b)	The author will deliver the request to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
c)	The Supreme Court will offer their advisory opinion to the Senate and deliver it to the author(s) and the Vice President in a timely manner.
Chapter 403 – Committees
403.1	General 
(i)	All standing Senate committees will develop their own procedures in accordance with this Chapter.
(ii)	In order to ensure all committees are able to perform their duties, Senators should consider the balanced distribution of Senators across committees when joining committees.
(iii)	All Senate committees shall also have an appointed committee chair, who should be approved by a majority of the seated Senate.
i.	The chair shall be responsible for monitoring absences and reporting them to the Judicial Apprentice.
(iv)	As follows is a list of predefined standing committees within the Senate. Additional, Ad Hoc committees can be formed, as per Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.
403.2	Senate Rules Committee
(i)	The Senate Rules Committee shall have jurisdiction over the creation of any additions or alterations to these Bylaws, the editing of all legislation before it goes before the Senate, and the final interpreters of all internal policies of the Senate.
(ii)	This Committee shall be responsible for reviewing all legislation and official acts of the President to ensure they are consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws.
i.	In the event that legislation or acts of the President do not align with the Constitution or the Bylaws, it shall be returned to the author for appropriate revisions.
ii.	Senate Rules Committee and the Supervisor/Advisor will collaborate with the author to make the needed revisions.
(iii)	The Senate Rules Committee Chair will also serve as a parliamentarian, and will be responsible for advising the President on any discrepancies or issues arising from the Constitution or Bylaws.
(iv)	The Senate Rules Committee Chair shall also serve on the Judicial Oversight Council in the event that it is needed.
403.3	Senate Sustainability Committee
(i)	The Senate Sustainability Committee shall work to serve students by promoting on-campus sustainability across all areas of student life.
403.4	Senate External Affairs Committee
(i)	The Senate External Affairs Committee shall work to expand the boundaries of our campus community by working to establish relationships with Stockton community partners and reducing the perceived boundary between Pacific and Stockton.
i.	Supporting our commuter student population is a crucial component of our efforts in the community.
Chapter 404 – Senator Responsibilities
404.1	Senate Reports
(i)	Senators shall submit reports to the Vice President every fourth Senate meeting, beginning with the fourth Senate meeting of the Semester.
(ii)	Reports shall include a summary of what the Senator has done for their constituents since the last report, and what they plan to do by the next report.
404.2	One-on-One Meetings with the Vice President
(i)	Senators shall have a one-on-one meeting with the Vice President at least once a month to discuss what they are doing for their constituents.
404.3	Outreach to Constituents
(i)	Senators must meet all three of the following requirements each semester: 
(1)	Office Hours 
a)	Senators should hold at least four (4) office hours per month during the semester.  
b)	Office hours are defined as a period of time in which a Senator is available to any of their constituents, and should be held at regular times every month, which should be published on the ASuop website, calendar, and social media. 
a.	Office hours shall be held in the ASuop office unless otherwise approved by the Vice President.
i.	School specific Senators are encouraged to find a location on campus where they are most available to their constituents.
b.	These schedules are to be updated by the appropriate Executive branch officers, per Chapter 501.
i.	Schedules shall be sent to the Office of the Vice President no later than five (5) business days prior to the start of the upcoming month.
c)	Senators may hold office hours in an alternative location on campus, instead of their normal location, at least once a month, so that they are more accessible to their constituents.     
a.	Senators holding their office hours outside of the ASuop Office, must inform the Vice President of the new time and location of their office hours at least three (3) business days prior to their office hours, otherwise they shall be considered absent. 
(2)	Senate Event 
a)	Senators should hold at least one event per Semester for their constituents.  
b)	Events may be held jointly with other senators.  
c)	Events and all event-related details must be approved by the Vice President at least one month in advance of the event.  
(3)	Registered Student Organizations 
a)	To better engage with a wider audience of constituents, Senators will attend meetings of at least two (2) registered student organizations per month.  They must obtain written verification of their attendance from one of the officers of the registered student organization who was in attendance.
b)	Senators are encouraged to visit registered student organizations that they are not a member of and have not previously visited more than three times during that semester.
404.4	Enforcement
(i)	It shall be the responsibility of the Vice President to ensure that all Senators are fulfilling the responsibilities defined in this chapter.
(1)	If a Senator does not uphold their responsibilities, the Vice President and ASuop Advisors/Supervisors shall work in conjunction with the Supreme Court to formulate an appropriate disciplinary course of action.

Associated Students of the
University of the Pacific
Article V: Executive Branch

Chapter 500 – General Guidelines
500.1	Appointment to Executive Office & Job Descriptions
(i)	Applicants for executive positions must provide their resume and short statements as to why they should be selected for the position. 
(1)	The President may only nominate individuals who have applied through the University’s official student employment website.
(ii)	Pursuant to Art. V, Sec. 6 of the ASuop Constitution, all Executive Officers shall be nominated by the President and must be confirmed by the Senate.
(iii)	Executive Officers may hire additional staff for their Departments as determined by the Annual Budget, and in consultation with the President.
500.2	Office Hours
(i)	Cabinet members shall set their Office hours in consultation with the President within two (2) weeks of the semester.
(1)	Office hours of Cabinet members may be changed throughout the semester; however, changes must be approved by the President. Any request to change office hours must be submitted in writing at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance.
(ii)	All other executive members shall set their hours through their direct supervisor.
(1)	Office hours may be changed throughout the semester; however, changes must be approved by a direct supervisor. Any request to change office hours must be submitted in writing at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance.
500.3	Executive Reporting
(i)	Department heads are required to meet regularly with the President to provide reports on the progress of their respective departments. The frequency of said meetings shall be determined in consultation with the President.
(ii)	The President shall create a summary of the monthly Cabinet Reports. This shall be delivered to the Vice President within one (1) week of its completion. The Vice President shall proceed to share the reports with the Senate.
(1)	Any confidential information contained in a Cabinet Report shall be indicated as such so that it may be redacted before being shared with the Vice President.
500.4	Disciplinary Measures
(i)	Should a member of the executive branch be found in violation of any of the policies set forth in these Bylaws, the ASuop Constitution, or any other official ASuop policy, the President shall determine the appropriate disciplinary action, up to termination, in consultation with an ASuop Supervisor and the Office of Human Resources.
(ii)	Any disciplinary action, up to and including termination, shall conform and adhere to any and all standards, policies, or directives set forth by the Office of Human Resources.
Chapter 501 – Executive Departments, Offices, and Officers
501.1	Office of the President
(i)	The Office of the President shall consist of the President. 
(1)	The President shall be responsible for managing the Cabinet and all administrative tasks related to the Cabinet. 
(2)	The President shall maintain current records of all documents pertaining to ASuop, including a list of all ASuop Officers for the Academic Year.     
(ii)	Additional positions may be proposed within the Office of the President by the President, and must be approved by the Senate.      
501.2	Office of the Vice President
(i)	The Office of the Vice President shall be responsible for assisting the Vice President in fulfilling their obligations and duties to the students.
(ii)	The Office of the Vice President shall be managed by the ASuop Clerk.
(1)	The Clerk shall report directly to the Vice President and will execute the daily tasks of the Office of the Vice President with the advice and consent of the Vice President.
(2)	The Clerk shall be responsible for assisting the Vice President with managing the Senate, and will be responsible for managing all administrative tasks related to the Senate.
(3)	The Clerk shall be responsible for taking minutes at Cabinet meetings. 
501.3            Department of Finance
(i)	The Department of Finance shall be responsible for monitoring the distribution and reimbursement of all ASuop funds to both internal and external entities, as allocated and approved by the Senate.
(ii)	The Department shall function within the guidelines of the Bylaws established within this Article, Article VIII, and any financial guidelines established by the University.
(iii)	The Department of Finance shall be managed by the Director of Finance.
(1)	The Director shall report to the President.
(2)	The Director shall also work in conjunction with the Student Activities Center (SAC) due to the fact that a responsibility of the Department is to work with Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) regarding their ASuop funds.
a.	This work includes but is not limited to the following:
i.	Training RSO Treasurers in matters related to ASuop funding.
ii.	Managing reimbursement requests from RSO Treasurers.
iii.	Notifying RSO Treasurers of relevant deadlines related to ASuop funding.
(3)	The Director, in consultation with the President, may hire a Deputy Director of Finance to help fulfill the duties of the Department.
501.4	Department of Arts and Entertainment
(i)	The Department of Arts and Entertainment shall be responsible for providing the Pacific community with diverse events to enhance the Pacific experience. 
(ii)	The Department shall be managed by the Director of Arts and Entertainment.
(1)	The Director shall report to the President.
501.5	Department of Strategic Marketing
(i)	The Department of Strategic Marketing shall be responsible for providing high-quality marketing materials to members of the Pacific community, including but not limited to graphic designs, photography, and videography services.
(ii)	The Department shall be managed by the Director of Strategic Marketing.
(1)	The Director shall report to the President.
501.6	Department of Communications
(i)	The Department of Communications shall be responsible for providing ASuop with a cohesive, consistent, and professional communications strategy. This includes but is not limited to management of ASuop’s website and social media (as defined in 302.5).
(ii)	The Department shall be managed by the Director of Communications. 
(1)	The Director shall report to the President.
501.7	Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
(i)	The Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is to bridge the gap between student groups from under-represented and non-traditional backgrounds, to the University of the Pacific and its population. This department is to advocate for students who require more representation for underrepresented and non-traditional students and student groups. This department is to follow the University’s institutional mission pertaining to Equity and Inclusion. 
(1)	It will be responsible for collaborating with the University’s equity organizations that are outlined on the University website, as well as registered student organizations (RSO’s) pertaining to diversity and inclusion, special interest, and any other organization that falls within diversity, equity, and inclusion. This department is to connect students to the local community through service or Stockton community events.
(ii)	The Department shall be managed by the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
(1)	The Director shall report to the President.
(2)	The Director may hire coordinators depending on the budget passed by the Senate, and in consultation with the President. 
501.7	Department of Health and Wellness
(i)	The ASuop Department of Health and Wellness shall holistically advocate for and advance student well-being through intentional programming, campus partnerships, and projects. The Department will be responsible for planning and executing Pacific Thrives to promote the eight dimensions of wellness. The Department will work closely with Student Health Services and the Dean of Students Office to proactively build students’ capacity to thrive.
(ii)	The Director of Health and Wellness shall be the Chief Student Health Officer of Pacific.
(1)	The Director shall chair and be responsible for the recruitment of the Pacific Thrives Committee.
(2)	The Director shall meet monthly with the Dean of Students to debrief and address student health and wellness concerns, issues, and areas of improvement.
(3)	The Director shall serve on an as-needed basis as the student consultant to the university Student Success Task Force.
(4)	The Director shall work with Student Health Services on the distribution of no-cost menstruation and safe sex products.
(5)	The Director shall work with Student Health Services on safe sex and sexual health education. 
(6)	The Director shall work with Counseling and Psychological Services, Active Minds, and other campus/student psychological wellness organizations to destigmatize mental health.
(7)	The Director shall plan culturally rooted and holistic healing events.
(8)	The Director shall work on culturally responsive nutrition education with the campus nutritionist and dietician. 
(9)	The Director shall periodically host health and wellness forums to solicit and gather qualitative student feedback.
(10)	The Director shall direct students to the proper outlets to obtain assistance with questions related to health, counseling, wellness, prevention, and safety. 
(11)	The Director shall attend, as often as possible, health and wellness RSO events, meetings, and programs.
(12)	The Director shall faithfully execute all other tasks as assigned by the ASuop President. 
(iii)	The Director shall report to the President.
501.8	Department of Academic Affairs
(i)	The ASuop Department of Academic Affairs shall support the academic success of Pacific students inside and outside of the classroom by spearheading educational equity initiatives, building an intellectual community, and connecting students to on-campus academic resources and services. It will work closely with the Office of the Provost, faculty governance, and the Office of Undergraduate Research to maximize students’ academic and intellectual development at Pacific.
(ii)	The Director of Academic Affairs (department head) shall be the Chief Student Academic Officer.
(1)	The Director is tasked with creating a strategic vision for the ASuop Department of Academic Affairs, in consultation with the ASuop President, and executing it within their term. 
(2)	The Director shall Chair the Open Education Resources (OER) Champion Committee
(3)	The Director shall Serve on the Pacific Thrives Committee to promote intellectual wellness and curiosity.
(4)	The Director shall meet on a monthly basis with the Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research to develop strategies to engage students from underrepresented backgrounds.
(5)	The Director shall create resources to intellectually empower students.
(6)	The Director shall work with the Student Conduct Office on academic violation education.
(7)	The Director shall work with SUCCESS TRiO, Rising First Gen, the Community Involvement Program (CIP), and other campus/student educational equity organizations to support first-generation and low-income students
(8)	The Director shall proactively address and seek out academic policy issues and academic opportunities for students.
(9)	The Director shall coordinate Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week each Spring semester.
(10)	The Director shall report directly to the ASuop President and serve as an official member of the Cabinet.
Chapter 502 – The Cabinet
502.1	The Cabinet shall serve as the means through which the President can execute their constitutional obligations and carry out their administration’s objectives.
502.2	The Cabinet, as a collective body, derives its authority from the President and has no authority to act or exercise power unless specifically granted by the President or as enacted by the Senate.
502.3	The Cabinet serves as an advisory body to the President, and as such, may not issue any binding resolutions or acts. Members of the Cabinet may present resolutions or recommended actions to the Senate; however, the Senate reserves the authority to determine all policies of the ASuop.
(i)	Cabinet members shall be required to attend a minimum of two (2) Senate meetings or half the available Senate meetings per month. 
i.	Cabinet members may appoint a team member as a Senate proxy in the event that they cannot attend due to academic or other major conflicts. 
(ii)	Cabinet members shall be required to present a summary of their monthly Cabinet report at Senate on the Monday after their reports are due. 
(iii)	These provisions do not apply to ex-officio Cabinet members, nor do they apply to the Vice President. 
502.4	Minutes at Cabinet meetings shall be taken by the Clerk.
(i)	The Clerk shall also be responsible for ensuring that meeting minutes are regularly shared between Cabinet and Senate. 
(ii)	The Clerk shall also work with the President and Vice President to ensure that Cabinet meeting minutes and reports are consistently represented on Senate Agendas. 
502.5	The President may organize the Cabinet as they see fit for the fulfillment of the purpose established within this chapter.
502.6	Cabinet membership is comprised of the following:
(i)	President of ASuop (chair)
(ii)	Vice President of ASuop
(iii)	Director of Finance
(iv)	Director of Arts and Entertainment
(v)	Director of Strategic Marketing
(vi)	Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
(vii)	Director of Communications
(viii)	Director of Health and Wellness
(ix)	Director of Academic Affairs
(x)	Elections Coordinator
(xi)	Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (ex officio)
(xii)	Associated Student Body (ASB) President of the Arthur A Dugoni Dentistry School (ex officio)
(xiii)	Student Association President of the School of Health Sciences (ex officio)
(xiv)	Student Bar Association (SBA) President at the McGeorge School of Law (ex officio)
(xv)	President-Elect (ex officio)
(xvi)	Vice President-Elect (ex officio) 
(xvii)	ASuop Supervisors (ex officio)
(xviii)	Clerk (ex officio)
502.7	Cabinet memberships also include the following representatives of student government not on Pacific’s Stockon campus.
(i)	These leaders include
i.	Associated Student Body (ASB) President of the Arthur A Dugoni Dentistry School (ex officio)
ii.	Student Association President of the School of Health Sciences (ex officio)
iii.	Student Bar Association (SBA) President at the McGeorge School of Law (ex officio)
(ii)	As ex-officio members of the ASuop Cabinet, chief executive officers on the San Francisco and Sacramento campuses will be invited members to weekly Cabinet meetings. Should they attend, they will be expected to provide an update on the ongoing projects, initiatives, and overall state of their respective student government associations.
(iii)	As ex-officio cabinet members, they will have access to
i.	Non-Redacted Cabinet Agendas
ii.	Non-Redacted Cabinet Meeting Minutes
iii.	Redacted Monthly Cabinet Reports
(iv)	San Francisco and Sacramento ex-officio Cabinet members will be encouraged, but not required, to give an annual address to the Cabinet about how they foresee the future of ASuop’s partnership with their respective organizations.
(v)	Ex-officio members from non-Stockton campuses shall not be subject to the ASuop bylaws. The internal policies of their respective associations shall take precedence in their role.
502.8	Cabinet memberships shall also include representatives of the incoming administration who shall be active following the official release and certification of the ASuop Elections results.
(i)	These leaders include:
i.	President-Elect (ex officio)
ii.	Vice President-Elect (ex officio)
(ii)	These officers shall be tasked with hiring the incoming Cabinet and working with the outgoing administration to facilitate the organizational  transition of power. 
502.9	If any change to the membership of the Cabinet is made, the President must notify the Senate within fourteen (14) days of the decision.
Chapter 503 – University Committee Appointments
503.1	The President, per the Constitution, has the authority to “represent the ASuop at all official meetings of the University, and, to appoint members of the ASuop to serve in place of the President at said meetings.”
(i)	The President shall maintain a list of all appointees currently serving on University Committees and is responsible for maintaining regular contact with all appointees throughout the academic year.
*updated EO 18-19.01

Associated Students of the
University of the Pacific
Article VI: Judicial Branch
 
Chapter 600 – Jurisdiction
600.1	Reach of Jurisdiction
(i)	The Supreme Court of the Associated Students of University of the Pacific (“the Court”) has Original and Exclusive jurisdiction over all justiciable issues pertaining to any ASuop agency or body, or any individual acting on the behalf of ASuop.
Chapter 601 – Membership
601.1	Supreme Court
(i)	As determined by the ASuop Constitution, the Supreme Court shall be comprised of:
(1)	One (1) Chief Justice 
(2)	Two (2) Associate (Assoc.) Justices 
(3)	Judicial Apprentice (non-voting)
601.2	Office of the Chief Justice
(i)	The Office of the Chief Justice shall be responsible for assisting the Court in fulfilling their obligations and duties to the ASuop.
(ii)	The Office of the Chief Justice shall be comprised of:
(1)	Chief Justice
a)	The Chief Justice serves as the Court’s representative to ASuop, but does not speak on behalf of the Court and may not make any decisions on behalf of the Court.
b)	The Chief Justice may give advisory opinions to members of ASuop. 
c)	The Chief Justice, at the invitation of the President, shall serve as the Court’s ex-officio representative on the Cabinet.
d)	The Chief Justice shall chair the regular meetings of the Court.
e)	In the event the Chief Justice vacates their position part way through their term their position will be filled by the remaining members via majority vote. 
a.	In the event of a tie, the Justice with the most seniority, as defined in section 602.3, will be elected to the position of Chief Justice.
(2)	Judicial Apprentice
a)	The Judicial Apprentice shall report directly to the Chief Justice and will execute the daily tasks of the Supreme Court with the advice and consent of the Chief Justice. 
b)	 In the event that a sitting justice is unable to fulfill their constitutionally defined responsibilities, the Judicial Apprentice will fill that role on a temporary or continuous basis as decided by the Court. If there is any change made to the makeup of the Court, the Senate and the President will be notified in writing within two (2) business days. 
a.	Temporary Basis
i.	In the event that a Justice recuses themself from a case, the Judicial Apprentice may fill in for the duration of that singular case, but only for matters related to that case.
1.	The recusing Justice will continue to fulfill all of their other responsibilities, so long as they are not related to the case they recused themselves from. 
ii.	In the event that a Justice intends to run for an elected position and as a result, recuses themselves, the Apprentice may fill in for all Court responsibilities related to the Elections.
iii.	In the event of a temporary leave of absence, the Judicial Apprentice will fill in on all Court responsibilities for the duration of the absence.
b.	Continuous Basis 
i.	In the event that a sitting Justice steps down or is removed from their position, the Judicial Apprentice will succeed the Justice for the remainder of their term as an Associate Justice.
c)	The Judicial Apprentice shall pursue any special projects or initiatives as determined by the Court. 
d)	The Judicial Apprentice shall be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. 
Chapter 602 – Meetings
602.1	Meeting Times
(i)	The Court will meet when prescribed to do so by a majority vote of the ASuop Senate, or at the Court’s discretion.
(ii)	The Justices shall hold office hours at their discretion.
602.2	Openness of Meetings
(i)	All meetings of the Supreme Court shall be open to all members of ASuop.
(ii)	To ensure efficiency and fairness to the parties in question, any member of the gallery may be removed for disorderly conduct at the discretion of the Court.
(1)	This rule shall be posted on the door to the chamber before and during proceedings.
(2)	Electronic devices not needed for the operation of proceedings may not be used during proceedings. Observers using electronic devices will be asked to leave.
602.3	Operations of Meetings
(i)	Meetings of the Supreme Court shall be chaired by the Chief Justice.
(1)	In the absence of the Chief Justice, the most senior Associate Justice shall chair the meeting. Seniority is determined first by the number of terms served as an officer of the Judicial Branch, and then by the date and time of their Senate confirmation.
602.4	Post-Hearing Procedures
(i)	Immediately following official hearing proceedings, the Justices will meet to discuss the cases for which they just heard oral arguments.
(ii)	After discussing the case, the Justices will proceed to vote on the case.
(1)	A vote on a specific case, should more time be needed to reach a decision, may be postponed.
a)	If a vote is postponed, the Supreme Court must revisit the case within two (2) weeks of the postponement with reasonable accommodations for University holidays or breaks.
Chapter 603 – Decisions and Opinions
603.1	Voting
(i)	All voting on specific case decisions must be conducted in person.
(1)	Exceptions may be made to this rule for exceptional circumstances, as determined by the Justices.
(ii)	Voting on matters other than specific case decisions may be conducted in an informal manner, so long as a record of each vote is kept.
603.2	Creation of Official Decisions
(i)	Official Decisions shall be written by one (1) member of the majority.
(ii)	If the Chief Justice is in the majority, they shall decide which Justice will write the Official Decision.
(iii)	If the Chief Justice is not in the majority, the most senior majority Justice, as determined by bylaw 602.3 will decide which Justice will write the Official Decision.
(iv)	Official Court opinions must be delivered within two (2) weeks of the Court reaching a vote.
603.3	Classification of Official Decisions
(i)	 Justices voting in the majority may choose whether to sign their name to the Official Decision.
(ii)	If an Official Decision is signed by more than one Justice, it will be referred to as a Majority Opinion.
(iii)	If an Official Decision is signed by only one Justice, it will be referred to as a Plurality Opinion.
603.4	Additional Writings
(i)	 Justices not writing the Official Decision but voting in the majority may choose to write a Concurring Opinion.
(1)	A Justice writing a Concurring Opinion may still choose whether to sign their name to the Official Decision.
(ii)	Justices voting in the minority may choose to write a Dissenting Opinion.
(iii)	Concurrences and Dissents shall be delivered alongside the Official Decision.
603.5	Implications of Official Decisions
(i)	Official Decisions of the Supreme Court shall be considered final and binding by the totality of bodies under the jurisdiction of ASuop.
(ii)	The Supreme Court may only overturn past decisions in the event of a future relevant case.
Chapter 604 – Additional Codes
604.1	Recusal
(i)	If a situation arises in which a Justice has reason to believe that they cannot render an unbiased judgment in a case for any reason, they will recuse themselves from any involvement with that case.
(1)	Situations in which a Justice shall recuse themselves include, but are not limited to:
a)	A dispute involving a close friend, partner, or colleague.
b)	A dispute involving an organization they are members of in any capacity.
(ii)	If, as a result of recusal, unfilled positions on the Supreme Court, or any other reason, a tie occurs in the voting process, the Court will default to dismissing the complaint.
(iii)	If a Justice is suspected to have knowingly failed to recuse themselves in their official capacity, a report shall immediately be filed with the Ethics Committee by the Chief Justice or most senior Justice, as grounds for impeachment.
(iv)	If there is any change made to the makeup of the Court, the Senate and the President will be notified in writing within two (2) business days. 
604.2	Quorum
(i)	A quorum shall be required before the Supreme Court may take official action.
(ii)	A quorum in all voting situations will be considered a simple majority (greater than 50%) of the current Justices.
(1)	The Judicial Apprentice is not included in the count for quorum until they are a sitting Justice. 
604.3	Amendments
(i)	Amendments to the Judicial Branch Bylaws must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the current Justices.
(ii)	All amendments must be reported by the Chief Justice to the Senate Rules Committee, the President, and the Vice President.
604.4	Extenuating Circumstances
(i)	All deadlines are subject to change due to extenuating circumstances if approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the current Justices.
604.5	Maintenance of the Bylaws
(i)	Consistent with sections 100.7 and 102.2 of these Bylaws, the Supreme Court will be responsible for maintaining and incorporating all amendments made to the Bylaws. 
Chapter 605 – Origination of Cases
605.1	Authority to Hear Cases
(i)	Pursuant to Art. VI, § 5 of the ASuop Constitution, the Supreme Court shall not have the authority to decide on cases not brought to it or issue advisory opinions on questions not asked of it by a member or members of ASuop as defined in Art. II of the ASuop Constitution.
605.2	Initial Contact
(i)	Initiation of the case process will be the responsibility of the prospective Plaintiff.
(ii)	A prospective Plaintiff in a case will contact the Supreme Court to notify them of their complaint. through the Court’s official mode of communication.
(iii)	After the Court has received notice of a complaint, the Justices will vote on whether to move to the next step in the case process or dismiss the complaint.
(iv)	If the Justices vote to move to the next step in the case process by a two-thirds (2/3) majority, a Justice will request more information on the case from the prospective Plaintiff.
(1)	This message to the prospective Plaintiff will include a copy of these “Judicial Branch Bylaws” and a copy of the ASuop Constitution.
605.3	Additional Information Stage
(i)	The additional information requested by the Court will consist of a description of a supposedly illegal or unconstitutional action, along with the verbatim section of the ASuop Constitution or other relevant law that the prospective Plaintiff believes has been violated. Additionally, the prospective Plaintiff will be required to provide a description of the damages (if any) caused by the statute or action, and any preliminary arguments.
(ii)	Upon receipt of this information, the Justices will vote on whether to move to the next step in the case process or dismiss the complaint.
(iii)	If the Justices vote to move to the next step in the case process by a two-thirds (2/3) majority, the prospective Plaintiff will then be referred to as the Plaintiff.
(iv)	If the Justices vote to move to the next step in the case process by a two-thirds (2/3) majority, a Justice will request written arguments on the case from both the Plaintiff and the Respondent, to be provided within one (1) week following the vote with reasonable accommodations for University holidays or breaks.
605.4	Written Arguments and Scheduling of Hearing
(i)	Upon receipt of written arguments from both the Plaintiff and the Respondent, the Justices will vote on whether to move to the next step of the case process or dismiss the complaint.
(ii)	If the Justices vote to move to the next step in the case process by a two-thirds (2/3) majority, a Justice will send a message to both the Plaintiff and the Respondent informing them of the date, time, and place that oral arguments will be heard on the case.
(1)	Special scheduling accommodations may be made in exceptional circumstances, as determined by the Justices.
Chapter 606 – Oral Arguments
606.1	Time and Location of Oral Arguments
(i)	Both the Plaintiff and Respondent sides will be informed a minimum of three (3) business days in advance of the date, time, and location of the Supreme Court’s hearing of oral arguments with reasonable accommodations for University holidays or breaks. 
(1)	The Court reserves the right to waive this rule if both Plaintiff and Respondent consent.
(ii)	If applicable, witnesses should be declared to the Court at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the start of the hearing by both parties.
(1)	Witnesses and evidence must be presented within the established fifteen (15) minutes of oral arguments.
606.2	Oral Argument Procedures
(i)	The Plaintiff must summarize the facts of the case before beginning their arguments. The Plaintiff will be given two (2) minutes to do so.
(1)	This summary will not count toward the allotted time limit.
(ii)	The Respondent may, if they wish, be given two (2) minutes before beginning their arguments to dispute the facts of the case as presented by the Plaintiff side.
(1)	This dispute, if it occurs, will not count toward the allotted time limit.
(iii)	Both the Plaintiff and Respondent will be entitled to fifteen (15) minutes with which to make their argument.
(1)	Witnesses and evidence must be presented within the established fifteen (15) minutes of oral arguments.
(2)	More time may be given equally to both sides in exceptional circumstances, as determined by the Justices.
(3)	If the Plaintiff or Respondent go beyond the allotted time limit, they may be allowed to complete their current sentence before being cut off.
(iv)	At any point during oral arguments, any Justice may interject with a question. The individual being questioned may choose whether to respond.
(1)	The allotted time limit will not be paused during Justice’s questions.
(v)	Minutes shall be taken during oral arguments by the Judicial Apprentice.
(1)	Minutes and copies of all documents and other items submitted in evidence shall be available to the individuals or parties involved for use in the preparation of arguments for appeals.
606.3	Implications of Oral Arguments
(i)	Once oral arguments have been heard on a case, the Plaintiff is entitled to a decision on the case within ten (10) school days with reasonable accommodations for University holidays or breaks.
Chapter 607 – Decision and Opinion
607.1	Argument Procedures
(i)	Immediately following the meeting in which oral arguments were heard on a case, the Justices will meet and discuss the case. Voting may take place at this time.
(ii)	Justices shall revisit the case within two (2) weeks of the postponement with reasonable accommodations for University holidays or breaks.
(1)	If the Justices choose to postpone voting, the Plaintiff and Respondent shall both be informed immediately.
607.2	Official Decision
(i)	The Official Decision and all additional writings, if applicable, of the case will be delivered by the Chief Justice to the Office of the President.
(ii)	A copy of the Official Decision and all additional writings, if applicable, will be delivered to the Senate President Pro Tempore.
(iii)	Electronic copies of the Official Decision and all additional writings, if applicable, will be sent to the Plaintiff and Respondent sides.
(1)	Hard copies may be provided to the Plaintiff and the Respondent sides if requested.
(iv)	The Official Decision and all additional writings, will be made publicly available to all ASuop members. 
607.3	Implication of Official Decision
(i)	The Official Decision shall be considered final and binding, and can only be reexamined in the event of a relevant future case.
Chapter 608 – Elections
608.1	Participation in Elections
(i)	Members of the Judicial Branch may not under any circumstances endorse a candidate running for office.
(ii)	Members of the Judicial Branch may not take part in any candidate’s campaign. 
(iii)	In the event a Justice is a candidate in elections, and therefore recuses themselves, the Judicial Apprentice may fill their position as stated in Subsection 601.2.ii.2.b.a.ii.     
608.2	Challenges to the Outcome of an Election
(i)	Any member of ASuop may submit a written challenge to the outcome of an election to the Supreme Court within two (2) school days after the official election results are announced.
(1)	The written challenge must include the complaint being made and any additional information relevant to the election contestation.
(2)	The Supreme Court reserves the right to request additional information from the Elections Committee.
608.3	Reviewing Election Contestations
(i)	A quorum of Justices will meet to review the complaint no more than two (2) school days after the complaint has been filed. Voting will take place at this time.
(ii)	In the interest of expedient certification of results, Justices may not choose to postpone voting.
(iii)	The Supreme Court shall determine whether the election was conducted within the policies of Article VII and the ASuop Constitution.
608.4	Certification of Election Results
(i)	The Supreme Court has the constitutional authority “to certify election results” (Art. VI, § 5, Cl. 4).
(ii)	In the event that the Supreme Court determines that the results of an election cannot be certified, the Supreme Court has the authority to mandate a new election take place.
608.5	Appeals of Elections Committee Decisions
(i)	Any decision of the Election Committee may be appealed by the Respondent to the ASuop Supreme Court within four (4) days after the Elections Committee has announced its decision. If the fourth day should fall on an academic holiday or on a weekend, the deadline shall be extended to noon of the next school day.
(ii)	A quorum of Justices shall meet no more than four (4) school days after the appeal has been filed. Voting may take place at this time.
(1)	Justices may postpone voting to request more information from the respondent and/or the Elections Committee. A decision must be made by the Court within five (5) school days of the original appeal filing date.
(iii)	The Court will review the written argument for appeal and the Elections Committee’s official decision.
(iv)	The Court has the authority to overturn the Elections Committee’s decision, mandate a new Committee hearing take place, or mandate the Committee impose a penalty appropriate to the Court’s findings.
 Associated Students of the
University of the Pacific
Article VII: Election Code
 
Chapter 700 – Purpose
700.1	The purpose of this Article is to establish a set of rules to determine eligibility of candidates for all elected ASuop Officers; to set forth a procedure for the nomination of such candidates; to provide a standard for the conduct and control of all ASuop elections; to ensure that all candidates are afforded the opportunity for an equal and fair election; to designate the time and manner of conducting the operation of ASuop elections; and to set forth all other regulations, as necessary, for the just regulation of ASuop elections.
Chapter 701 – Organization of the Election Committee
701.1	All ASuop elections shall be overseen by an Election Committee.
(i)	 The committee shall be comprised of five (5) ASuop members to ensure that no ties shall exist within the committee.
(1)	Current ASuop justices are not eligible to serve on the Elections Committee.
(2)	Former officers who were impeached and removed from their position are not eligible to serve on the Elections Committee.
(ii)	A student shall serve as the Elections Coordinator. The Elections coordinator shall serve as the chair of the committee.
(1)	The Supreme Court shall nominate an ASuop member to serve as the Elections Coordinator, and their confirmation requires a majority approval of the Senate.
a)	The Elections Coordinator should be selected and approved by the end of the Fall semester.
(2)	The Elections Coordinator shall be a member of the Elections Committee.
(iii)	An ASuop Advisor shall serve as an ex-officio member of the elections committee.
(iv)	All other members of the committee shall be selected by the Elections Coordinator, with the advice of an ASuop Advisor and the Supreme Court.      
(1)	At least one member of the committee shall be a current Senator who is willing to step in as Interim Coordinator if needed, as defined in 400.4.
(2)	The Committee cannot be officially formed until the Supreme Court approves of its composition.
(v)	No member of the committee may campaign or take part in a candidate’s campaign.   
(1)	Taking part in a candidate’s campaign includes, but is not limited to, endorsements and labor assistance.    
(vi)	Members of the committee must meet all eligibility requirements stated in Chapter 303 of the ASuop Bylaws.
(vii)	The Supreme Court shall, after the formation of the committee, nominate one Election Committee member who is a Senator to serve as the Interim Coordinator if needed.
(1)	The Interim Coordinator is subject to the approval of Senate following their nomination.
701.2	Responsibilities of the Elections Coordinator
(i)	The Elections Coordinator shall:
(1)	Serve as chair of the Elections Committee, which includes scheduling all committee meetings, keeping records of the business of the committee, and ensuring that the committee follows all procedures outlined in this Article.
(2)	Serve as a member of the Cabinet from their hiring until the release of the election results.
(3)	Ensure that all responsibilities of the committee (as charged in this Article) are fulfilled.
(4)	Give updates to the ASuop Senate as needed.
(5)	Appoint ASuop members to serve on the committee.
(6)	Be responsible for their complete understanding of the Elections Code prior to selecting the remaining members of the Elections Committee.
a)	All of their actions and decisions for the entirety of the Elections season should be informed by the Elections Code.
b)	To this end, the Coordinator shall undergo Bylaws training with the Supreme Court.
(7)	Prepare the Election Packet, which shall include all the rules outlined in this Article, in partnership with the ASuop Advisor.
a)	The Elections Packet is subject to approval by the Supreme Court. 
(8)	Organize Orientation meetings for all candidates that have satisfied the requirements to be placed on the ballot. This meeting shall include an overview of all the rules outlined in this Article.
(9)	Have the authority, in conjunction with the Elections Committee as a whole, to make independent decisions about minor violations/issues to expedite and ensure a fair election.
a)	Such decisions must be made by the entirety of the Elections Committee and be approved by majority vote. 
b)	The reasoning for such decisions, based on the Elections Code, shall be provided if requested within two (2) business days of the request.
c)	Decisions may be appealed by either party of the complaint to the Committee. In such an event, the Elections Coordinator may not vote. If there is a tie, then the original decision of the Elections Coordinator shall stand.
(10)	Call a committee meeting to hear any complaints or violations of this Article.
(11)	Maintain a file on all submitted campaign publicity, materials, and endorsement forms.
(12)	Ensure that all the information on the elections website, including the ballot, candidate information, and polling times/locations, is accurate.
(13)	Include the Elections Committee in all written communications with the candidates.
(ii)	The Elections Coordinator shall not make decisions on how the Elections Code functions, but rather advise candidates on potential violations of campaign actions.
(1)	When advising candidates of violations, the Elections Coordinator shall provide said candidates with explanations based on the Elections Code.
701.3	Responsibilities of the Elections Committee
(i)	The Elections Committee Shall:
(1)	Ensure that the election is properly publicized, in particular, the application period, voting times, and location.
(2)	Determine the logistics of the election, which includes:
a)	The arrangement of the ballot
b)	The location and staffing of polls
(3)	Work with the Coordinator to interpret this Article, should this be needed, and clarify rules for candidates.
(4)	Be responsible for their complete understanding of the Elections Code.
a)	All of their actions and decisions for the entirety of the Elections Season should be informed by the Elections Code.
b)	The Supreme Court and Elections Coordinator are responsible for providing training on the Elections Code to the Committee as a whole.
(5)	Supervise the count and validation of all the ballots cast in the election.
(6)	Make public the results of elections in accordance with the campaign timeline outlined in Chapter 703.
(7)	Maintain an impartial environment for voters at polling stations and prevent outsider harassment or manipulation for voters.
(8)	Conduct and supervise any run-off elections.
(9)	Hear all complaints, grievances, or any other illegal activities referred by the Elections Coordinator and take appropriate action. A quorum of committee is required to adjudicate matters arising under this Article. 	
(10)	Enforce all rules within this Article and impose penalities on the individuals who violate this Article.
(11)	Have the authority to request any and all communications between the Coordinator and candidates.
701.4	Succession of the Elections Coordinator
(i)	In the event that the Elections Coordinator is no longer able to fulfill their duties, the pre-appointed Interim Coordinator shall take on the role until the appointment of a new Coordinator or the end of the Elections Season, as defined in Chapter 703.
(1)	The ASuop Supreme Court shall, during the elections committee formation process, choose one ASuop Senator to serve as the potential Interim Coordinator.
(2)	In the event that said Interim Coordinator is needed, the Senator will step in as Interim Coordinator until a new Coordinator is appointed, at which time they will return to their position as a regular member of the Elections Committee.
(3)	The Supreme Court shall be responsible for appointing a new Coordinator within ten (10) school days, and their confirmation requires a majority approval of the Senate.
701.5	Accountability in the Elections Process
(i)	The Elections Committee, in consultation with the Advisor and the Supreme Court, shall have the authority to remove the Elections Coordinator from the Committee through a no-confidence vote. 
(1)	Reasons for removal include, but are not limited to, repeated occurrences of:
a)	Lack of neutrality or fairness.
b)	The failure to fulfill their duties, as enumerated in 701.2 or 701.3. 
c)	Gross negligence in interpreting or applying the Elections Code.
d)	Violations of the Code of Ethics as laid out in Chapter 200 and in Article II.
(2)	The Coordinator and designated Interim Coordinator may not vote in this process.
(3)	Such a vote requires a two-thirds majority to pass.
(4)	Upon their removal, the Senate Ethics Committee will continue the investigation in consultation with the Advisor to determine if there is a need for further action, up to and including formal removal from their Officer position.
Chapter 702 – Candidates
702.1	Eligibility of Candidates
(i)	Candidates must conform to eligibility requirements as specified by University policy in Tiger Lore.
(1)	For eligibility requirements as related to specific positions, refer to Articles IV & V of these Bylaws.
(ii)	A candidate (for any elected position) shall be an individual that has submitted a completed Application and Petition for Office, and been declared eligible by the ASuop Office.
(iii)	Write-in candidates must meet eligibility requirements. Write-in candidates’ first and/or last names must be spelled so as to be easily recognizable on the ballot.
702.2	Procedures for Filing for Candidacy
(i)	The Elections Committee must provide all candidates at Orientation with the following materials:
(1)	Election Timeline – All deadlines should be listed for all announcements, forms, and meetings. This timeline must also include all polling dates, times, and locations.
(2)	Duties of the Position - All candidates must be provided with an outline of the duties of their position in four (4) to five (5) bullet points.
a)	Senator tickets should also receive a copy of Article IV.
b)	President/Vice President tickets should also receive a copy of Article V.
(3)	A copy of this ASuop Election Code.
(4)	A ‘Violation Report’ form.
(ii)	Candidates must submit the following materials to the ASuop Office, if applicable.
(1)	The following are required of all candidates before the beginning of the Elections Season, as defined in Chapter 703:
a)	Candidate's Application – this must be typed with a minimum of 150 words describing one’s goals if elected. This will be included in the Voters Handbook, as defined in 710.3.
(2)	The following are required of all candidates before the beginning of the Campaign Period, as defined in Chapter 703:
a)	Registration and Letter of Understanding Form with a signature from the candidate(s).
b)	Petition for Candidacy
a.	Senators must obtain twenty-five (25) signatures.
b.	President/Vice President tickets must obtain one hundred (100) signatures.
c)	A form to identify Campaign Staff
a.	Only current ASuop members can serve in a candidate’s campaign staff.
b.	If any revisions are necessary, this form must be resubmitted within forty-eight (48) hours of any changes.
(3)	All forms will be available a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to the beginning of the Campaign Period, as defined in Chapter 703. Any application or petition returned after the deadline is invalid.
(iii)	On a designated posting day, as determined by the Elections Committee, a list of approved candidates for all offices will be physically and electronically posted.
(1)	It will be the responsibility of the candidates to check these postings.
(2)	Any candidates determined to be ineligible may appeal to the ASuop Advisor within a time period established by the Elections Committee.
702.3	Candidate Orientation
(i)	At least one Candidate Orientation Meeting will be held before the official campaign period begins, as defined by 703.
(ii)	Candidates must attend at least one of the orientation meetings.
(1)	Failure to attend the orientation meeting will result in termination of a candidate’s campaign privileges.
(2)	If unable to attend, a candidate may be represented by an official designee, so long as the candidate informs the Elections Coordinator a minimum of four hours before the orientation meeting.
(3)	No individual may represent more than one candidate or ticket at the orientation meeting.
(iii)	The date, time, and location of the orientation meeting shall appear in the Election Packet.
(iv)	The Orientation Meeting must include a broad overview of the Elections Code, with a particular focus on the limits on their conduct during the election.
(1)	Candidates are encouraged to review the Elections Code in advance of the meeting.
(2)	The Orientation Meeting should finish with a candidate quiz, designed by the Elections Committee, to make sure they understand the limits on their conduct.
(3)	The candidate quiz shall be open-Elections Code, and candidates may repeat the quiz up to three (3) times and must receive a grade of at least 80%.
a)	Candidates are not eligible to run unless they successfully complete the quiz.
702.4	Responsibilities of Candidates
(i)	It is the responsibility of all candidates to be completely familiar with all regulations contained in this code and all documents mentioned in this code.
(1)	A lack of understanding of the code shall never serve as a valid excuse for violations.
(2)	Further, it is the responsibility of all candidates to have unclear aspects of this code clarified by the Elections Coordinator/Committee before any potentially code-violating action is taken.
(ii)	Each candidate is responsible for the actions of all persons and organizations participating in one’s campaign. Furthermore, it shall be the responsibility of each candidate to inform and educate all persons and organizations involved with one’s campaign of the spirit and letter of this election code.
(1)	A violation by one candidate does not justify reciprocal action by another candidate.
(2)	Candidates may not take down or destroy campaign materials of another candidate.
(3)	Violations should be reported immediately to the Elections Committee.
Chapter 703 - Elections Timeline
703.1	 Initiation of Elections
(i)	The General Elections Season shall officially begin the Monday of the fourth week of the semester, according to the College of the Pacific Academic Calendar.
703.2	Elections Schedule
(i)	During the first week of the General Elections Season, the Elections Coordinator shall hold Candidate Orientations based on availability, as defined in 702.3.
(ii)	At 9 AM Monday on the second week of the General Elections Season, the Campaign Period shall begin.
(1)	A “Voter’s Handbook,” as defined in section 710.3, shall be made publicly available to voters within five (5) days of the beginning of the campaign period.
(2)	The Campaign Period shall last until the fourth week of the General Elections Season, at 11:59 PM on Friday.
(3)	No campaigning, including but not limited to events and tabling, may take place the weekend between the conclusion of the Campaign Period and the beginning of the Voting Period.
(iii)	At 9 AM Monday on the fifth week of the General Elections Season, the Voting Period shall begin.
(1)	The Voting Period shall last five (5) days, until the end of the fifth week of the General Election Season, at 11:59 PM on Friday.
(2)	The General Elections Season ends upon the conclusion of voting.
(3)	No active campaigning, including but not limited to events and tabling, may take place during the Voting Period.
a)	Previously posted promotional materials may remain up during the Voting Period.
b)	Any physical promotional materials must be taken down within forty-eight (48) hours of the end of the Voting Period.
(iv)	The Elections Results shall be released by the Elections Committee on Friday by 11:59 PM the week after spring break.
(1)	In the event that (a) Elections Code violation(s) are reported, the Elections Committee reserves the right to postpone the release of the Elections Results until such time that the allegations filed are resolved by the procedures set forth in this code. 
(2)	In the event of a tie, Runoff Elections Procedures shall be followed as defined in 704.3.
(v)	If challenges are made to the Elections Results, the Supreme Court shall verify the Elections Results.
(1)	Any member of ASuop may challenge the outcome of an election.
(2)	Any ASuop member challenging the outcome of an election must present a written challenge to the ASuop Supreme Court within two (2) school days after the official election results are announced.
a)	The Supreme Court has the authority “to certify election results when contested by a member of the ASuop”. Therefore, if an election is challenged, the Supreme Court shall determine whether the election was conducted within the policies of this Article and the ASuop Constitution.
b)	In the event that the Supreme Court determines that the results of an election cannot be certified, the Supreme Court reserves the right to mandate a new election take place.
Chapter 704 – Election Procedure
704.1	Electronic Voting
(i)	All voting shall be done online.
(ii)	The Elections Committee shall determine which online voting service shall be used, within the budget that is allocated to the Committee.
704.2	Voter Outreach
(i)	All dates, times and locations shall be published in all available campus media the week prior to each election.
(ii)	The Elections Committee shall maintain suitable amenities intendant on increasing voter turnout (e.g. Laptops, tablets, etc.).
704.3	Run-off Election Procedures
(i)	In case of a tie vote, a run-off election shall be completed within ten (10) school days of the release of the results of the general elections.
(1)	Candidates shall be allowed to campaign during the first five (5) school days.
a)	All campaigning regulations apply.
(2)	The voting period shall begin on the sixth (6) school day and run through the end of the tenth (10) school day..
(3)	If the run-off election results in another tie, then the Senate shall determine the outcome of the election.
a)	If the Vice President is a candidate in the election in question, then they may not preside over these proceedings.
b)	The candidate that receives a majority in favor shall be the winner of the election. In the event of a tie another vote shall be taken, and this shall continue until a candidate receives a majority of the votes. The Vice President may not vote to break a tie.
c)	The vote of the Senate shall be done through a secret ballot.
d)	Candidates that are serving as Senators during the election may not vote in the determination of an election in which they are a candidate.
Chapter 705 – Campaigning
705.1	Regulations Regarding Campaigning
(i)	Printed materials may be displayed as designated by the ASuop Elections Committee.
(ii)	Candidates may only use public kiosks, booths, and marquees.
(iii)	Candidates may not engage in any campaigning or distribution of campaign materials within the ASuop office.
(iv)	Printed materials shall be posted only on the open bulletin boards as designated by the Tiger Lore.
(v)	Printed materials must be fastened by approved methods outlined in the Tiger Lore.
(vi)	Printed materials shall be confined to the campus. They must not be attached to buildings, sidewalks, power poles, trees, traffic signs, building rails, on roads, fences, glass doors or windows, or distributed on parked vehicles. Drinking fountains and indoor trash cans are also unacceptable places for posting. The use of chalk is prohibited.
(vii)	Printed materials shall not be permitted on any traffic islands near campus entrances.
(viii)	Printed materials must be removed within the established deadline after the official closing of the polls.
(ix)	No materials may be used except that which is provided by ASuop under Chapter 709.
(x)	Nothing shall be posted until the official campaign period begins.
(xi)	No campaign material shall cover another candidate’s campaign material.
(xii)	The Election Committee reserves the right to remove any campaign material posted that is found to be in violation of these rules.
705.2	Social Media and Online Material
(i)	Online material is defined as any posting online that promotes a candidate in the election that is published by a candidate or a member of one’s campaign staff.
(ii)	Online material, including campaign posts and endorsements, will be reviewed by the Elections Coordinator as requested.
(1)	The Elections Committee shall follow and monitor the official campaign accounts of the candidates.
(2)	The Coordinator shall provide the candidate with warnings about any potential violations according to Article VII, or, if the Coordinator believes there are no potential conflicts, inform the candidate of that.
(3)	All requests must be reviewed within forty-eight (48) hours.
(iii)	All online material must be made available to the Elections Committee upon their request.
(iv)	All candidates are expected to comply with requests from the Elections Committee to take down or edit any posts or online material.
(1)	As requested, posts or online material are to be removed entirely as soon as possible, or no later than twenty-four (24) hours following the written notice to remove them.
(2)	The Committee may request the removal of online material for the following reasons:
a)	Failure to comply with the Elections Code.
b)	Failure to comply with Tiger Lore.
c)	Explicit attack of the other candidate(s).
705.3	Faculty and/or Staff Involvement
(i)	Candidates may not solicit or accept any material, funds, assistance, or endorsement from any member of faculty, staff, the Board of Regents, or administrative personnel.
(ii)	Any candidate who has been found guilty of accepting faculty, administration, Regent, and/or full-time staff assistance shall be subject to disqualification pending a hearing before the ASuop Elections Committee.
705.4	Organizational Endorsements
(i)	Candidate(s) may solicit the endorsement of a University of the Pacific organization by submitting an “Organization Petition of Endorsement.”
(1)	This document requires the signatures of both the current organization president and advisor to authenticate that a vote, consistent with the rules & regulations of the organization, was taken to endorse the candidate.
705.5	General Endorsement Regulations
(i)	Endorsement forms must be completed and submitted to the Elections Coordinator prior to use in campaigning.
(ii)	Current students and alumni (not prohibited by 705.4) can endorse candidates.
(iii)	All students can provide a personal endorsement, except
(1)	ASuop Officers
(2)	Students serving on the Elections Committee
705.6	General Election Regulations
(i)	Samples of all physical publicity should be submitted to the Elections Coordinator or designee prior to distribution. The Elections Coordinator or designee shall offer advice regarding the potential consequences of distributing certain campaign materials or the exercise of certain campaign activities.
(ii)	All campaigning must stay within the guidelines of University’s Posting Policies and the ASuop Election Code.
(iii)	Campaigning, with the exception of posted materials, shall be limited to the DeRosa University Center and DUC Lawn.
(1)	Alternate locations are allowed, at the discretion of the Elections Coordinator.
(2)	All candidates may table for up to two (2) hours each day during the Campaign Period.
(iv)	The ASuop Elections Coordinator/Committee has the authority to take reasonable and appropriate action against what is deemed to be inappropriate or unfair campaign material/activity only after the distribution/exercise.
(v)	All candidates may host one (1) event during the campaign period to promote their campaign.
705.7	Election Regulations regarding University Housing
(i)	Door-to-door soliciting in university housing is prohibited.
(ii)	Elections materials shall not be posted in shared community spaces within university housing.
(1)	Active campaigning including tabling is prohibited within university housing.
(iii)	The use of official housing-related communication channels for campaigning is prohibited.
Chapter 706 – Voting
706.1	Eligibility to Vote
(i)	All current ASuop members are eligible to vote.
(1)	All students who have paid the ASuop fee within fifteen (15) days of the semester, as confirmed by the University Registrar, shall be eligible to vote.
(ii)	In elections within an academic college/school, voting is limited to those within that specific college/school. Students who are exploratory majors may vote for candidates running for an office within their academic college/school. If they have no declared college/school, they may only vote for University-wide offices.
(iii)	Voting will take place via secret ballot – no one may know who voted for whom unless it is required to adjudicate an issue related to the election.
(iv)	All necessary instructions and the names of the candidates must appear on the ballot and/or a ballot instruction sheet.
(v)	Final voting procedures shall be established by the Elections Committee.
706.2	Counting the Votes
(i)	The Elections Committee will establish the specific method of tabulating the votes.
(ii)	Counting of the ballots shall be done only by the Elections Committee, while in the presence of the ASuop Advisor.
Chapter 707 – Violations and Penalties
707.1	Jurisdiction
(i)	The Elections Committee shall have original jurisdiction to hear any and all cases of alleged violations of this code.
(ii)	Allegations of violations must be submitted to the Elections Coordinator, who will call a meeting of the Elections Committee to discuss the issue.
707.2	Filing Regulations
(i)	Allegations may be filed by any candidate, any qualified voter, any officer of the Associated Students, or any Elections Committee member.
(ii)	The allegation shall be considered filed when the completed Violation Report Form is accepted, and logged in with the time and date indicated. At this time, the person filing the Violation Report will be referred to as the Complainant. 
(1)	Violation Reports are accepted at any time until the results of the elections have been published.
(2)	Election Results may not be published until all violation disputes are resolved.
(iii)	The Elections Committee may, if deemed necessary, suspend the tabulation of votes or the publication of results until such time that the allegations filed are resolved by the procedures set forth in this code.
707.3	Complaints Against the Elections Committee
(i)	Complaints of violations by the Elections Committee or any of its members must be submitted in writing to the ASuop Advisor. The violations will be reviewed by the ASuop President, Vice President, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to determine the need for a hearing.
(1)	If two of the three find that there is sufficient need to call a hearing, the Vice President will call a special meeting of the Senate to hear the violation complaint.
(2)	In the event that any of these individuals are serving on the Elections Committee and therefore cannot be a part of this decision, others, as long as they are also not on the Elections Committee, may replace them. The following is a list of replacements by order:
a)	Senator Pro-Tempore
b)	Chair of the Senate Ethics Committee
c)	Chair of the Senate Rules Committee
(3)	In the event that the quorum of three cannot be reached, the complaint automatically goes to the Senate for a hearing.
(ii)	Any violation hearing by the Senate will be held in accordance with the procedures for a normal violation hearing as defined in Chapter 707.4-707.7 of this Election Code. In such a case, the Vice President will replace references to the Election Committee Chair and the Senate will replace references to the Elections Committee.
707.4	Violation Hearing Procedures
(i)	Upon receipt of a Violation Report, the Elections Coordinator shall determine the time, date, and location of a hearing.
(1)	The Elections Committee shall conduct the hearing within five (5) school days following the submission of the Violation Report.
(2)	The hearing shall be conducted in the same logistical manner outlined in 605.2. In such a case, the Complainant will replace references to the Plaintiff.
(ii)	The Complainant and the Respondent, or the person(s) and/or group(s) charged with the alleged violation shall receive written notification of the scheduled hearing time, date, and location at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the scheduled hearing.
(iii)	The Complainant shall be required to notify the witnesses named in the Violation Report of the time, date, and location of the scheduled hearing and shall be responsible for the appearance of said witnesses at the hearing.
(iv)	The Elections Committee shall notify the campus community, with reasonable efforts, by posting or publicizing the scheduled hearing time, date, and location, the parties involved, and the charges filed.
(1)	Notification must begin two (2) days prior to the hearing, excluding weekends and academic holidays.
(v)	All hearings shall be conducted with a minimum of three-fourths (3/4) of the appointed voting members of the Elections Committee present. The Elections Coordinator shall preside at the hearing.
(vi)	All individuals, parties, or organizations involved in the case(s) shall be allowed to present any witness(es), arguments, and/or evidence within reasonable limits.
(vii)	The Elections Coordinator shall have the authority to exclude any and all disorderly person(s) from the hearing.
(viii)	Minutes shall be taken at all hearings by the ASuop Clerk.
(1)	Minutes and copies of all documents and other items submitted in evidence shall be available to the individuals or parties involved for use in the preparation of arguments for appeals.
(ix)	The Elections Committee shall, after consideration of all testimony and evidence, render its decision by a majority vote of eligible voting members present at the hearing within three (3) school days after the completion of the hearing.
(1)	Minor penalties shall require a simple majority vote of the committee. Major penalties require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the committee.
(2)	The case decision and penalty shall be prepared in writing.
(3)	A copy of the case decision and penalty shall be distributed to the following persons:
a)	Complainant
b)	Respondent
c)	ASuop President
d)	ASuop Vice President
e)	Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
f)	ASuop Advisor(s)
707.5	Classifications and Penalties for Code Violations
(i)	The Elections Committee may find the respondent(s) guilty of either a minor violation or a major violation.
(1)	A minor violation may include, but is not limited to, the following violations:
a)	Isolated false or misleading activities.
b)	Posting campaign material or campaigning in an unauthorized location.
c)	Failure to remove posters, banners, and fliers by the specified deadline.
d)	Campaigning within the restricted area of a polling place or University housing.
e)	Failure to comply with endorsement regulations, with the exception of 705.3.
f)	Failure to comply with social media regulations.
(2)	A major violation may include, but is not limited to, the following violations:
a)	Ballot box stuffing. This includes candidates approaching voters with a device that can be used to vote and having voters use said device to vote.
b)	Falsification of campaign information, including all submitted documentation.
c)	Failure to comply with 705.3.
d)	Violations of Chapter 709 Campaign Finances.
e)	Campaigning during periods in which it is prohibited according to Chapter 703.
f)	Excessive and/or repeated improper conduct or activity which affected the results of an election.
g)	Libel/slander (harmful false and misleading activities).
h)	Falsification of information or evidence presented at an Elections Committee hearing.
i)	Failure to comply with any and all penalties imposed for a minor violation.
j)	The use of unsolicited electronic, telecommunication, or postal solicitation for campaign purposes.
k)	Visiting classes/classrooms to talk about the ASuop elections/their campaign.
l)	Any action which necessitates a second written reprimand. 
m)	Any action that constitutes a third minor violation, regardless of whether or not it garnered written reprimand. 
(ii)	 The Elections Committee shall have the authority to impose the following penalties:
(1)	For Minor Violations which are processed during the campaign or voting period:
a)	Written Reprimand
b)	Removal of any unauthorized material
(2)	For Major Violations, the penalty must include disqualification from the current general election and prohibition from aiding in any current campaigns.
a)	The Elections Committee may also impose a prohibition from actively taking part in any campaign for office in the following year.
707.6	Appeal Procedure
(i)	Any decision of the Elections Committee may be appealed by the respondent to the ASuop Supreme Court within four (4) days after the Elections Committee has announced its decision. If the fourth day should fall on an academic holiday or on a weekend, the time limit shall be extended to 12:00pm of the next school day.
(1)	In order to preserve the integrity of the election, the Supreme Court shall not be informed of the election results in the event of an appeal following the conclusion of the voting period.
Chapter 708 – Voiding Procedures
708.1	Reason for Voiding an Election
(i)	The Election Committee shall void any election in which there is:
(1)	Theft of ballots
(2)	Changing of ballots
(ii)	The Election Committee shall have the authority to void any election with due cause upon violence or disruption that would significantly affect the operation of the election (e.g. natural disasters or uncontrollable circumstances).
708.2	Vote to Void an Election
(i)	A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Election Committee is required to void an election.
708.3	The ASuop Supreme Court, in consultation with the ASuop Advisor reserves the right to void an election in extraordinary circumstances.
Chapter 709 – Campaign Finances
709.1	Purpose
(i)	In order to ensure a fair and equal election, this chapter outlines regulations and restrictions regarding money and resources that are used during campaigns.
709.2	Spending Regulations
(i)	Candidates for Senator or for the Presidency/Vice Presidency may not spend money on campaign materials.
(ii)	Candidates may not accept donations, except donation of services provided by other students on the candidate’s campaign team.
(1)	All services donated must be accompanied by a written agreement explaining the donation of their time and service.
709.3	Campaign Materials
(i)	Campaign materials are defined as all items that are used to promote, encourage, and/or support a candidate. This includes flyers, buttons, banners, t-shirts, pamphlets, a-frames, graphics, and videos that promote, encourage, and/or support a candidate.
(ii)	Physical campaign materials shall be limited to the following:
(1)	Candidates can request that ASuop provide 8.5 x 11 printouts printed at Duplicating, which the candidate can then use for their campaign as pamphlets, fliers, and handouts of any size. Alternatively, candidates can request that ASuop provide stickers printed at Duplicating.
a)	Candidates for Senate seats are limited to a total of one hundred (100) 8.5 x 11 printouts and stickers.
b)	Tickets for the Presidency/Vice Presidency are limited to a total of two hundred (200) 8.5 x 11 printouts and stickers.
(iii)	No other physical campaign materials are permitted.
(iv)	All candidates shall have the option of one (1) free graphic developed by the ASuop Strategic Marketing team. This graphic may be used for multiple purposes. The ASuop Strategic Marketing team is only responsible for one (1) free design and does not include printing services. 
709.4	Enforcement
(i)	Violations of these spending regulations shall be considered a major violation as defined in 707.5.
Chapter 710 – Public Access to Elections
710.1	Campus-Wide Presidential Debate
(i)	A campus-wide debate shall be held to ensure that voters are given an opportunity to hear from the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and assess their platforms.
(ii)	All Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates are required to participate in the debate.
(1)	If the number of President/Vice President tickets exceed three (3), then the debate shall be only between the Presidential candidates and not the Vice Presidential candidates.
(2)	Exemptions may be granted upon request due to classes or other significant conflicts.
(3)	Requests for an exemption should be submitted to the Elections Coordinator at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the event.
(iii)	Time, date, and place of the debate shall be as follows:
(1)	The debate shall be held no earlier than 5pm on a weekday.
(2)	The debate shall take place during the second week of the Campaign Period.
(3)	The debate shall take place on-campus in a public location that is available to all students, as determined by the Elections Committee.
(iv)	The rules of the debate are as follows:
(1)	The debate shall be moderated by the Pacifican.
a)	In the event that the Pacifican is unable to moderate, the Elections Coordinator shall moderate the debate.
(2)	Each candidate shall be afforded an opportunity to give an opening statement no longer than three (3) minutes in length.
(3)	Each candidate shall be afforded two (2) minutes to respond to each question asked by the moderator. After each answer, the moderator may allow other candidates to respond at their discretion.
a)	Candidates will be given the topics of the questions three (3) days prior to the debate, so that they may prepare their responses.
(4)	The moderator may ask follow-up questions to clarify the position of candidates.
(5)	Candidates may not ask questions during the debate.
(6)	Each candidate shall be afforded an opportunity to give a closing statement no longer than two (2) minutes in length.
(7)	No personal attacks are allowed. The moderator reserves the right to remove anyone from the debate who engages in such behavior.
a)	Candidates are encouraged to focus on the benefits of their candidacy rather than on the flaws of their opponent(s). However, it is appropriate for candidates to respectfully compare and contrast their platform with their opponent’s during the debate.
710.2	Campus-Wide Senate Forum
(i)	A campus-wide forum shall be held to ensure that voters are given an opportunity to hear from the senatorial candidates and assess their platforms.
(ii)	All senatorial candidates are required to participate in the forum.
(1)	Exemptions may be granted upon request due to classes or other significant conflicts.
(2)	Requests for an exemption should be submitted to the Elections Coordinator at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the event.
(iii)	The forum shall be held immediately after the Campus-Wide Debate.
(iv)	The rules of the forum are as follows:
(1)	The forum shall be moderated by the Pacifican.
a)	In the event that the Pacifican is unable to moderate, the Elections Coordinator shall moderate the Forum.
(2)	Each candidate will be afforded five (5) minutes to present their platform.
a)	All candidates for a specific senate seat (i.e. College of the Pacific) shall present consecutively. The order shall be determined randomly by the moderator.
(3)	No personal attacks are allowed. The moderator reserves the right to remove anyone from the forum who engages in such behavior.
a)	Candidates are encouraged to focus on the benefits of their candidacy rather than on the flaws of their opponent(s). However, it is appropriate for candidates to respectfully compare and contrast their platform with their opponent’s during the forum.
710.3	Voter’s Handbook
(i)	The Elections Committee shall be responsible for organizing, producing, and distributing a “Voter’s Handbook”
(1)	The Voter’s Handbook will include a brief statement about each candidate, initiative, constitutional amendment, and other matters that are on the ballot.
(ii)	All candidates may submit a statement to the Elections Committee to be included in the Voter’s Handbook.
(1)	Senatorial candidates shall submit a statement of at least 150 words up to 250 words.
(2)	Presidential/Vice Presidential tickets shall submit a statement of at least 150 words up to 500 words.
(iii)	The Elections Committee shall write and approve impartial statements regarding matters unrelated to candidates, such as initiatives, constitutional amendments, and so on.
(iv)	The Voter’s Handbook shall be made available at polling places, online, and in residential common areas (if approved by Residential Life and Housing).
 
Associated Students of the
University of the Pacific
Article VIII: Finance Code

Chapter 800 – General
800.1	The purpose of this Article is to establish the regulations that govern the financial dealings of ASuop.
800.2	This Article shall be executed by the Director of Finance, supervised by the President, and enacted and amended by the Senate.
800.3	For the purposes of this Article, registered student organizations (RSOs) are defined as those student organizations that are currently registered with the Student Activities Center.
Chapter 801 – The Annual Budgeting Process
801.1	The President, as stated in the Constitution, “shall submit an annual budget, in the Spring semester, to the Senate” (Art. V, §6 of ASuop Constitution).
(i)	The annual budget shall be authored by the Director of Finance and presented to the President for approval. If approved by the President, then the budget shall be submitted to the Senate and requires a majority to be approved.
(1)	The annual budget shall include individual budgets for all requesting entities, as well as line item descriptions.
(ii)	The annual budgeting process shall adhere to the following timeline:
(1)	All annually funded entities (both external and internal) shall receive an invitation to present their budget to the Finance Department through a formal hearing in February.
(2)	Hearings for all annually funded entities shall take place in March.
(3)	The President shall submit the annual budget to the Senate by the first Friday of April.
(iii)	Annual groups that wish to receive annual funding must do the following:
(1)	 Internal (ASuop) – Submit a full budget (with line item descriptions) to the Director of Finance and then sign up for a hearing. All internal budgets must be submitted by their respective department heads.
(2)	External – Submit a full budget (with line item descriptions) to the Director of Finance and then sign up for a hearing. 
(3)	Annually funded external groups should meet with the Department of Finance at the end of the fall semester to go over their budget and their spending.
(4)	Annually funded external groups who do not request funding through the process outlined in 801.1 (ii) are not guaranteed funding. 
(iv)	In the event that an annually funded group needs to revise its budget, they shall submit a revised line item to the Director of Finance for approval. The Director of Finance shall present their recommendation to the President, and if approved, will be submitted to the Senate in the form of an FBAR, which requires a majority vote to approve. 
Chapter 802 – Responsibilities & Authorities of the Director of Finance
802.1	Director of Finance (“the Director”)
(i)	The Director has the responsibility to:
(1)	Review all reimbursement requests to ensure that all documentation has been completed correctly.
(2)	Periodically review all internal accounts of ASuop to ensure that all expenditures are in line with the annually approved budget, and if not, to immediately investigate and report any findings to the President.
(3)	Assist all Registered Student Organizations (“RSOs”), internal departments, and external departments only with inquiries related to ASuop funding.
(4)	Report any finding of misconduct or violation of any university or ASuop policy to the ASuop Supervisor/Advisor and President.
(5)	Oversee the preparation of an annual budget in the Spring semester, within the guidelines established in Chapter 801 of this Article.
(6)	Work with a Deputy Director of Finance, depending on whether or not the position has been deemed necessary.
a)	The Deputy Director can assist in all duties assigned to the Director of Finance. Delegation of duties is up to the discretion of the Director of Finance.
(7)	Complete all projects assigned to them by the President in a timely manner.
(8)	Appear before the Senate when requested by a Senator, the Vice President, or the President.
(9)	Maintain a knowledge of all existing ASuop policies within this Article and all University policies that affect ASuop funds.
(ii)	The Director has the authority to:
(1)	Approve funding requests that are less than or equal to $250 without the approval of the Senate. Any requests greater than $250 must be approved by a majority of the Senate. The Director has the responsibility to determine if the funding can be used for the requested purpose within the proposed timeline, and if it cannot, then the Director can refuse to fund the request. The Director must report all line item approvals to the President and Senate within three (3) days of approving the request via memo.
(2)	Approve changes to previously awarded line items that are less than $250 without the approval of the Senate. Any changes greater than $250 must be approved by a majority of the Senate. The Director must report any line item changes to the President and Senate within three (3) days after approving the request via memo.
(3)	Compel the attendance of the Treasurer of any RSO, or the analogous person of the annually funded group, for the purpose of reviewing their budget if any wrongdoing has been found.
(4)	Freeze use of ASuop funds allocated to any RSO or annually funded group that is found to be in violation of this Article or any policy of the University. This requires the approval of the President if the freeze shall extend beyond seventy-two (72) hours, and the Business Manager must be notified.
(5)	Enforce all the provisions within this Article.
Chapter 803 – ASuop Semi-Annual, Conference, and Contingency Funding Processes
803.1	Semi-Annual Funds and the Application Process
(i)	All RSOs are eligible to apply for semi-annual funds from ASuop.
(1)	Semi-annual funds are funds that may be used by RSOs within the semester for which they are awarded. All funds must be spent within the semester they are awarded – no funds carry over to the following semester.
(ii)	Annually funded groups are eligible to apply for semi-annual funds from ASuop, if they missed the process for annual funding.
(iii)	The process for semi-annual funding is as follows, in order:
(1)	The Director of Finance shall send out a notification to all RSO treasurers and presidents informing them of when the application will open and when it will close.
(2)	RSOs shall then prepare and submit their budget, with line item justifications, by filling out the ‘Funding Request Form’.
(3)	Once the ‘Funding Request Form’ has been submitted, the RSO shall sign up for a hearing with the Director of Finance.
a)	All RSOs that have a conflict of interest with the Director of Finance, whether professional or personal, will be heard by the Deputy Director of Finance or Senate if deemed necessary.
(4)	After the Director hears all funding requests, in consultation with the Deputy Director and Supervisor/Advisor, they shall prepare a recommendation to the Senate of all semi-annual requests for the following semester. 
(5)	The Department of Finance then presents the FBAR to Senate. The recommendation requires a majority of the Senate to pass.
(6)	The Senate-approved semi-annual recommendation is then sent to the President, who may sign it into effect, or veto the recommendation. If vetoed, the recommendation shall return to the Senate who may overrule the veto with a two-thirds (2/3) majority, or amend it and seek Presidential approval.
(7)	Once the semi-annual recommendation has been approved, the Director shall send a notification to all semi-annual groups, notifying them of their allocated amount.
803.2	Conference Funds and the Application Process
(i)	All members of ASuop are eligible to apply for conference funding.
(1)	Conference funds are funds that may be used to support students and RSOs who are interested in experiential learning (e.g. attending professional meetings or conferences).
(2)	Conference funds may be used for conference registration, travel expenses, hotels, meals, or other approved expenses as needed.
(3)	Conference funding requests may be turned in at any time.
(4)	Conference funding is on a reimbursement basis – requestors must pay out of pocket, unless an arrangement is set up with the Business Manager.
(5)	Requestors may have to present what they learned at the conference if requested by the Senate.
(ii)	The process for conference funding is as follows, in order1:
(1)	Applicants shall submit a ‘Conference Funding Request Form’. Applicants ought to submit form at least thirty (30) days prior to the event. The Director shall send a notification, within a reasonable time, to the applicant to schedule a hearing with the Director of Finance.
(2)	Applicant shall present to the Director of Finance as to how this conference will provide experiential learning and contribute to the Pacific community.
a)	All applicants that have a conflict of interest with the Director of Finance, whether professional or personal, will be heard by the Deputy Director of Finance or Senate if deemed necessary.
(3)	After the Director of Finance hears all funding requests, in consultation with the Deputy Director and Supervisor/Advisor, they shall recommend a level of funding for the request to the Senate. 
(4)	The Department of Finance then presents the FBAR to Senate. The recommendation requires a majority of the Senate to pass.
(5)	The Senate-approved conference recommendation is then sent to the President, who may sign it into effect, or veto the recommendation. If vetoed, the recommendation shall return to the Senate who may overrule the veto with a two-thirds (2/3) majority, or amend it and seek Presidential approval.
(6)	Once the conference recommendation has been approved, the Director shall send an award letter to the applicant informing them of how much funding they were awarded, if any. The award letter shall include all necessary information required by the Business Manager, and the Business Manager shall also be informed of the award.
(7)	After receiving the award letter, the applicant shall set up a meeting with the Business Manager to work out the logistics of the funding award.
803.3	 Contingency Funds and the Application Process
(i)	All RSOs are eligible to apply for contingency funds from ASuop.
(1)	Contingency funds are funds that are used primarily to support RSOs that were formed after Semi-Annual funding was disbursed. If awarded, contingency funds may be used immediately by the RSO. Purchases made before the issuance of the award are not eligible for reimbursement. All funds must be spent within the semester they are awarded – no funds carry over to the following semester.
(ii)	The process for contingency funding is as follows, in order:
(1)	The first three steps of contingency funding are the same as the first three steps when applying for semi-annual funds (Chapter 803.1, (ii), (1)-(3) of the ASuop Bylaws).
(2)	After the Director of Finance hears all funding requests, in consultation with the Deputy Director and Supervisor/Advisor, they shall recommend a level of funding for the request to the Senate. 
(3)	The Department of Finance then presents the FBAR to Senate. The recommendation requires a majority of the Senate to pass.
(4)	The Senate-approved contingency recommendation is then sent to the President, who may sign it into effect, or veto the recommendation. If vetoed, the recommendation shall return to the Senate who may overrule the veto with a two-thirds (2/3) majority, or amend it and seek Presidential approval.
(5)	Once the contingency recommendation has been approved, the Director shall send a notification to the RSO informing them of how much funding they were awarded, if any.
Chapter 804 – Financial Regulations
804.1	Prohibited Items
(i)	The following items are prohibited and may not be funded by ASuop.
(1)	Purchases of alcohol or illegal substances.
(2)	Faculty or advisor appreciation, including, but not limited to, dinner, gifts, awards, and refreshments.
a)	Exceptions include:
a.	Awards for faculty recognition designed by ASuop.
(3)	Funding for any form of dues, including, but not limited to, membership or national/regional dues.
(4)	Materials intended for academic use. 
(5)	Funding exclusively for ASuop Officers.
a)	Exceptions include:
a.	Scantrons and Green Books that may be provided by Asuop in the ASuop office for free.
b.	ASuop may enter into contracts that benefit all members of ASuop by providing academic resources.
(6)	Honoraria, stipends, wages, or speaker fees to any University of the Pacific faculty or staff member for an activity that is considered part of their University paid duties.
(7)	Events held by invitation only.
(8)	No money towards fundraisers or donations of any kind. 
(9)	Materials that are politically partisan.
(10)	Funding for events that are ticketed or require a paid fee for entry.
a)	Physical items may be sold in order to offset the item’s cost without raising additional funds.
804.2	Funding Limits
(i)	In order to ensure that funding is distributed to as many students as possible, funding limits on certain items are in effect. In rare and exceptional circumstances the Senate may award funding above these limits; however, this requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote in Senate.
(ii)	The following limits are in effect for semi-annual and contingency funding requests:
(1)	Apparel:  $250 or $25 per student, whichever is greater.
a)	Stoles can be funded up to $40 a student each academic year.
a.	The cost of stoles does not count towards the apparel limit.
(2)	Food for club meetings: $150
(iii)	No other limits on specific items may be set for semi-annual and contingency funding requests, unless they are deemed necessary by the Director of Finance.
(iv)	The following limits are in effect for conference funding requests:
(1)	Undergraduate and Graduate students: $500 (twice per ASuop fiscal year per individual)
a)	The ASuop fiscal year begins on July 1st and ends on June 30th of the following year.
Chapter 805 – Accessing ASuop Funding
805.1	The Reimbursement Process
(i)	All ASuop funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis. The process for receiving a reimbursement is as follows, in order:
(1)	Complete the ‘Reimbursement Form’, which can be found in the ASuop Office or on the ASuop website. This form requires the following:
a)	Receipts of all purchases must be submitted with the reimbursement form. 
b)	The name, address to which reimbursements should be sent, and Student ID number of the person being reimbursed.
c)	Signature of the RSO’s advisor and treasurer (the President of the RSO may sign in lieu of the Treasurer if they are currently the ASuop Director of Finance or if they are being reimbursed). Officers may not approve their own reimbursements.
(2)	Submit the ‘Reimbursement Form’, with all necessary documentation and any additional documentation as required by §805.1(3), within two (2) weeks of the event. Reimbursements may take up to four to six (4-6) weeks to process.
(3)	The following additional information may be required:
a)	If the reimbursement is seeking funding for mileage, then a print out of the directions to and from the destination that shows the mileage, the purpose of travel, the date, and a list of passengers must be provided. 
b)	If the reimbursement is seeking funding for an online purchase, then a valid document that shows the balance due is zero (0) must be provided. Additionally, the date and method of payment used (e.g. credit or debit card) must be provided. If the receipt does not include both payment date and the card used you will be asked to provide a copy of a credit/debit card statement showing that the payment has been made. Payments to vendors may be processed through the RSO’s ASuop agency account – this requires a scheduled appointment with Student Activities Center staff at least three (3) weeks in advance of the payment.
c)	If the funding is to be used for on-campus (department) charges (i.e. Bon Appetit, duplicating, etc.), then it must be pre-approved by the Business Manager.
Chapter 806 – Reserve Funds
806.1	General Reserve
(i)	The General Reserve must, at a minimum, retain a level of funding that is greater than 3% of total revenue for the fiscal year.
(ii)	The General Reserve may only be used to cover expenses that exceed the revenue generated for that fiscal year.
(iii)	Those sanctioned uses of this fund shall be executed by the Director of Finance.
806.2	Capital Replacement Reserve
(i)	The Capital Replacement Reserve shall receive an annual contribution from the budget, which at a minimum, will be equal to 0.25% of total revenue from the previous fiscal year.
(ii)	The Capital Replacement Reserve may only be used for purchasing equipment for the ASuop Office, replacing technology within the ASuop Office, basic repairs of the ASuop Office, and any other capital purchases that the Senate deems a proper use of this fund.
(iii)	The Senate must approve any uses of this fund.
Chapter 807 – Campus Improvement Fund
807.1	Fund Intention
(i)	The Campus Improvement Fund is established to financially support the overall student-centered experience for the students of the University of the Pacific.
(ii)	The Campus Improvement Fund is intended to support improvements to the University of the Pacific to improve the student experience.
807.2	Process for Projects
(i)	Only one request may be submitted by ASuop Members for a given project, unless the Department of Finance deems a re-submission necessary.
(ii)	Forms for Project Submission shall be provided from the Department of Finance to ASuop Members.
(iii)	Every request for project funding must be presented to the Department of Finance by its submitter at a date and time of the Department of Finance’s discretion.
(iv)	Submitted projects are sent to the Senate for funding approval.
807.3	Implementation of Policy
(i)	All projects must be passed by a majority of the ASuop Senate in the form of a ‘Finance Budget Appropriation Request’ (FBAR).
(ii)	A Director within the Executive Cabinet shall be responsible for overseeing the progress and implementation of the project.
Chapter 808 - Career and Graduate Advancement Fund
808.1	Fund Intention
(i)	The purpose of the Career and Graduate Advancement Fund is to help alleviate financial burdens associated with educational and professional aspirations.
808.2	Process to Apply for Funding
(i)	Requests may be submitted by currently enrolled ASuop members each fiscal year for use during that fiscal year.
(1)	Each ASuop member is only eligible for up to $250 dollars of funding each fiscal year.
a)	Students can apply for funding as many times as desired until they reach their annual funding limit.
(2)	The ASuop fiscal year begins on July 1st and ends on June 30th of the following year.
(ii)	Forms for funding requests shall be made accessible by the Department of Finance to interested students.
(iii)	Students will submit the request and have a hearing with member(s) of the Department of Finance.
(iv)	If endorsed, the Department of Finance shall put forth the funding request to the Senate in the form of an FBAR.
(v)	Upon approval of the FBAR by the Senate, the student will become eligible for a reimbursement through our Business Manager.
808.3	Fund Limits
(i)	The Career and Graduate Advancement Fund must:
(1)	Pertain to your academic experience at Pacific.
(ii)	The Career and Graduate Advancement Fund cannot be used for
(1)	Physical Items (Clothing, electronics, etc.)
(2)	Test preparation materials (digital or physical).
(3)	Classes or courses.
(4)	Recertification of professional licenses.