BYLAWS of the Student Bar Association of Vermont Law School · 2017-07-06 · BYLAWS of the Student...

BYLAWS of the Student Bar Association of Vermont Law School

of 22 Current as of April 26, 2016

ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS 1 2 Adequate Notice: Examples of adequate notice include publication in the 3

Vermont Law School Forum, notice on the SBA bulletin 4 board, electronic communications to all students (including 5 email and posting on the SBA website), and inclusion in 6 any regularly published schedule of events prepared by the 7 school. 8

9 Continuing Classes: Those students advancing in the next academic year to the 10

second and third year classes of the Juris Doctor Program 11 and other classes similarly advancing in academic year. 12

13 Funds Eligible Student Group: Group on campus that has been recognized under §4.5(B) 14

of the Bylaws by the Senate. 15 16 Official Senate Meeting Times: Includes all Regular and Special Meetings of the Senate, 17

Budget Meetings, and any and all events designated by the 18 Senate in the Standing Rules or from time to time decided 19 by a majority vote to be official. 20

21 Presiding Officer: The person who runs a meeting of the Senate and who is 22

responsible for controlling the floor. The Presiding Officer 23 will only vote in the event of a tie vote. 24

25 Quorum: The minimum number of members who must be present for 26

the vote to be valid or a meeting to be legally held. 27 28 Ratification: The process by which the Student Bar Association 29

approves of Bylaws amendments as outlined in Article 12. 30 31 Recognized Student Group: Group on campus that has been recognized under § 4.5(A) 32

of the Bylaws by the Senate. 33 34 Regularly Scheduled Senate 35 Meeting: A meeting of the Senate that occurs on a regularly 36

scheduled basis. 37 38 Senate: Governing body of the SBA comprised of positions 39

authorized by the Bylaws in § 4.2. 40 41 Special Committee: Temporary SBA Committee which is authorized by the 42

Bylaws in § 6.2. 43 44 Standing Committee: Permanent SBA Committee which is authorized by the 45

Bylaws in § 6.1. 46



47 Student Bar Association (SBA): All students of Vermont Law School who are enrolled as 48

candidates for the Juris Doctor Degree (J.D.), the Masters 49 Programs, the Master of Law (LL.M), and any other degree 50 programs authorized by Vermont Law School, excluding 51 online degree programs. 52

53 Majority Vote: More than half of the votes cast excluding abstentions. 54 55 Super Majority Yes Vote: Two-thirds of the votes cast excluding abstentions. 56 Vacancy: A vacancy occurs when someone has resigned by 57

delivering a letter of resignation to the President, been 58 removed pursuant to the Bylaws, or is no longer enrolled at 59 Vermont Law School. 60

61 Vermont Law School Committees: Committees formed by the Vermont Law School 62

Administration and published in the Student Handbook. 63 64 Vermont Law School Community: The Vermont Law School Community includes the SBA, 65

the Faculty, and the Staff. 66 67 ARTICLE 2. GENERAL PROVISIONS 68 69 § 2.1 Name 70 71

This Association shall be known as the Student Bar Association of Vermont Law School, 72 hereinafter referred to as the “SBA.” 73 74

§ 2.2 Objectives 75 76

The purpose of the SBA is to allocate funds among SBA Funds Eligible student groups 77 and SBA sponsored activities that support and encourage academic excellence and 78 professional growth among students; to ensure the attainment and preservation of the 79 rights of the individual student to acquire a quality legal education in a just and 80 reasonable manner; and to serve as the vehicle for interaction and communication 81 between the students and the faculty, administration, alumni, and the community. 82

83 § 2.3 Antidiscrimination 84 85

This SBA shall not discriminate on the basis of ancestry, color, or race; cultural or ethnic 86 background; economic circumstance; ideological, philosophical, or political belief or 87 affiliation; marital or parental status; national or regional origin; physical, mental, or 88 learning disability; religion, or religious or denominational affiliation; sex; sexual 89 orientation; gender identity and expression; or age. The SBA shall not encourage or 90 condone discrimination, either implicitly or explicitly, and shall actively discourage 91 discrimination on any such basis. 92

93



ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP 94 95 § 3.1 Regular Membership 96 97

All students of Vermont Law School who are enrolled as candidates for any degree 98 programs authorized by Vermont Law School, shall be regular members of the SBA, 99 excluding on-line degree candidates. 100

101 § 3.2 Membership Dues 102 103

Regular members registered for the Fall Semester shall pay to the Treasurer of the Law 104 School Annual Membership Dues in the form of a non-refundable fee. This fee is due and 105 payable with tuition each Fall Semester. The amount of the Membership Dues is subject 106 to increase only by a majority vote of the SBA through a referendum ballot. 107

108 § 3.3 Rights Reserved to the Membership 109 110

A. Referendum 111 112 Any member of the SBA may call for a vote by general referendum on any issue 113 regarding the SBA, including its policies and appropriations. 114 115 1. An SBA member shall submit a petition to the SBA Secretary containing the valid 116

signatures of at least twenty percent (20%) of current SBA members and the item 117 to be voted on. 118

2. The SBA Secretary shall notify the SBA within twenty-four hours of receipt of a 119 valid petition. 120

3. The Secretary shall arrange for a vote to be held within fourteen (14) days 121 (excluding official school holidays or breaks) of receipt of the petition. A general 122 referendum open to all SBA members shall then be held. A majority vote on a 123 referendum is controlling and conclusive. When conflicting with a vote of the 124 Senate, the referendum shall prevail. 125

4. SBA members are required to sign a voter roll before voting in any election. 126 Electronic signatures are acceptable. 127

5. Any dispute regarding referendums shall be submitted to the Elections 128 Committee. An appeal from the Elections Committee shall go to the Honor Code 129 Committee. The determination of the Honor Code Committee is binding. 130

131 B. Recall 132

133 Any Senate member may be removed from office by the SBA through the process of 134 recall. The recall process shall be as follows: 135 136 1. An SBA member shall submit a petition to the SBA Secretary containing the valid 137

signatures of at least twenty percent (20%) of current SBA members and the name 138



of the Senate member to be removed from office, and must allege at least one of 139 the following: 140

a. A willful violation of any provisions of the Bylaws or Standing Rules, or 141 b. Failure to comply with his/her specific duties and responsibilities in the 142

Bylaws or Standing Rules, or 143 c. Malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance of office. 144

2. The SBA Secretary shall notify the SBA within twenty-four hours of receipt of a 145 valid petition. 146

3. The Secretary shall arrange for a vote to be held within fourteen (14) days 147 (excluding official school holidays or breaks) of receipt of the petition. 148

4. A general referendum limited to all SBA members shall then be held. A Super 149 Majority Yes Vote is required to recall. If the position from which the member is 150 being recalled is class-specific, the voting shall be restricted to members of his or 151 her class. 152

153 C. Access to Information 154 155

1. All members of the SBA have the right to review and access the following: 156 a. The Bylaws and Standing Rules; 157 b. Policy Statements and resolutions; 158 c. All periodic reports regarding expenditures and allocations made by the 159

Treasurer to the Senate; 160 d. A current statement indicating the financial condition of the SBA; and 161 e. Copies of the minutes of all Senate meetings of the current academic year. 162

2. This information shall be kept by the SBA in an easily accessible format, such as 163 a school-approved information sharing website (e.g. TWEN or Blackboard). 164

165 D. Senate Meetings 166

167 1. All SBA members shall have the right to attend all Senate meetings. 168 2. All SBA members shall have the right to submit issues to the SBA Secretary for 169

discussion at meetings of the Senate and the SBA. 170 3. All SBA members shall have the right to address the Senate, pursuant to the 171

Standing Rules. The right to address the Senate shall remain if the Standing Rules 172 are suspended. 173

4. At the end of each Regularly Scheduled SBA Senate meeting, sufficient time 174 shall be allotted for SBA members (excluding Executive Officers and Senators) to 175 address the Senate. 176

177 ARTICLE 4. ORGANIZATION OF THE SENATE 178 179 § 4.1 Role of the Senate 180 181

The Senate shall be the governing body of the SBA and shall formulate its policies and 182 supervise its activities. It shall have all powers prescribed by and necessary for the proper 183 execution of the Bylaws including, but not limited to, the following: 184 185



A. To consider resolutions and policy statements regarding any and all issues of concern 186 to the SBA, generally no sooner than seven (7) days from when the Secretary informs 187 the Senate of the proposal. These issues include but are not limited to: 188 1. Vermont Law School’s status/recognition and any plans/planning to improve such 189

status/recognition; 190 2. Academic grading issues and testing procedures; 191 3. Professorial evaluations and evaluation follow-up; 192 4. Posting of grade information; and 193 5. The efficiency, costs, and availability of services provided, utilized, and needed 194

by the SBA. 195 B. To allocate SBA funds to Funds Eligible student groups and SBA sponsored 196

activities; 197 C. To establish its own procedures in the Standing Rules consistent with the Bylaws; 198 D. To establish standing and special committees pursuant to the Bylaws; 199 E. To ratify or reject by majority vote any student membership to a standing committee; 200 F. To require reports (written or verbal as directed by the Bylaws, the Standing Rules, or 201

the Senate) from the Standing Committees, Special Committees, and from any 202 organization receiving funds from the SBA; 203

G. To enter into contracts on behalf of the SBA according to rules adopted by the Senate 204 in the Standing Rules; 205

H. To provide and foster a harmonious academic and social environment amongst 206 members of the law school community. 207

208 § 4.2 Structure of the Senate 209

The Senate shall consist of the following positions. Before running for office, each 210 person shall be aware of and be ready to commit to the necessary time for their position. 211 212 A. Executive Officers 213

214 Duties and Responsibilities: 215 216 The Executive Officers of the SBA shall: 217

1. Have the collective power and responsibility to provide executive direction for 218 the SBA and the Senate to ensure its smooth operation; 219

2. Read and comply with all provisions of the Bylaws and Standing Rules; 220 3. Have one vote in the Senate. The President or the presiding officer shall vote 221

only to break a tie; 222 4. Not serve as President or Treasurer, or serve the functions of President or 223

Treasurer, of any Funds Eligible group; 224 5. Be responsible for adequately preparing next year’s officers for an efficient 225

transition and for proper execution of their future duties; 226 6. Attend at least seventy-five percent (75%) of all Official Senate Meeting times; 227

and 228 7. Perform other duties as indicated in the Standing Rules and those that the Senate 229

may assign. 230 231



B. President 232 233

Duties and Responsibilities: 234 1. To actively ensure that issues of concern to the SBA are addressed by the 235

Senate; 236 2. To ensure the Senate complies with § 4.1; 237 3. To call to order and act as chair of any Regular or Special Meetings of the 238

Senate and/or Executive Committee; 239 4. To know and employ in all meetings proper parliamentary procedure as 240

indicated in Article 10 of the Bylaws; 241 5. To meet with Vermont Law School Administration on a regular basis, as set out 242

in the Standing Rules, to discuss and vigorously pursue issues of concern to the 243 SBA; 244

6. To appoint chairs of Standing and Special Committees subject to majority 245 consent of the Senate; 246

7. To issue instructions to the Committees and to ensure that those instructions are 247 faithfully followed; 248

8. To serve as emergency signor of checks in the absence or unavailability of the 249 Treasurer. Emergency, absence, and unavailability shall be defined in the 250 Standing Rules; 251

9. To assign Executive Officers to meet with corresponding Deans and Vice 252 Presidents of the administration as permitted by the administration and the 253 Standing Rules; 254

10. To chair the Mental Health Committee; 255 11. To enforce the findings of the Bylaws Committee pertaining to violations of the 256

Bylaws or Standing Rules; 257 12. To keep the SBA informed and to assure access to information regarding the 258

SBA and the Senate; and 259 13. To determine the agenda for all Senate Meetings subject to the majority’s 260

approval upon challenge. 261 C. Vice President for Student Affairs and Operations 262

263 Duties and Responsibilities: 264

1. To perform the duties of the President of the SBA in the event of her/his 265 absence. 266

2. To temporarily perform the duties of the President in the case of a vacancy until 267 an election is held pursuant to the Bylaws; 268

3. To chair the Student Affairs Committee; 269 4. To meet with the Deans at least once a semester and as otherwise necessary to 270

stay up-to-date on the administration’s activities; and 271 5. To address any and all concerns of the SBA and relay these concerns to the 272

administration. 273 D. Vice President for Student Activities 274

275 Duties and Responsibilities: 276

1. To chair the Student Activities Committee; 277



2. To meet with student leaders to ensure coordination of Funds Eligible group 278 events; 279

3. To ensure the success and smooth operation of SBA events, including ensuring 280 that all necessary forms are submitted to the Events Coordinator of Vermont 281 Law School; 282

4. To report all SBA event expenditures to the SBA Treasurer; and 283 5. To communicate information regarding SBA events to the SBA. 284

285 E. Treasurer 286

287 Duties and Responsibilities: 288 289

1. To advise the Senate, the SBA, and student groups on financial matters 290 affecting the SBA; 291

2. To have charge and custody of all funds of the SBA; 292 3. To hold the checkbook of and serve as the signor of checks for the SBA; 293 4. To chair the Finance Committee; 294 5. To prepare the General and Student Activity Fund Budgets for presentation to 295

the Finance Committee and Senate in accordance with the Bylaws and the 296 Standing Rules; 297

6. To pay all bills authorized by the Senate; 298 7. To keep permanent records of all receipts and expenditures of the Senate; 299 8. To keep the books open to the SBA for examination; 300 9. To submit a statement of financial standing at all Regular Meetings of the 301

Senate; 302 10. To prepare and deliver monthly and annual financial reports; and 303 11. To deliver funds promptly once they are allocated and requested, consistent 304

with the budgeting procedures as determined by the Standing Rules. 305 306

F. Secretary 307 308 Duties and Responsibilities: 309 310

1. To take minutes of all Regular and Special Meetings of the Senate; 311 2. To post the minutes subject to amendment and approval by the Senate; 312 3. To record Senate attendance at all meetings for inclusion in the minutes; 313 4. To maintain and reserve all committee reports and all minutes of Senate 314

meetings; 315 5. To maintain and reserve all opinions of the Parliamentarian and/or the Bylaws 316

Committee; 317 6. To acquire and maintain a listing of all students from the Registrar; 318 7. To notify the SBA of all meetings; 319 8. To handle all correspondence of the Senate; 320 9. To receive and promptly distribute all Senate mail; 321 10. To gather and maintain historical records of the Senate; 322 11. To coordinate all publicity for the Senate; 323



12. To maintain a current list of Standing Committee, Special Committee, and 324 Vermont Law School Committee members and their responsibilities; 325

13. To chair the Elections Committee; 326 14. To see that all elections/referendums follow the election procedures in the 327

Bylaws and the Standing Rules; 328 15. To ensure that prior to each election candidates have a public forum to express 329

their views in a manner determined by the Senate in the Standing Rules; and 330 16. To serve as custodian of the official seal of the SBA. 331

332 G. Voting Senate Members 333

334 1. Senators 335

a. There shall be five Senators elected from each of the three Juris Doctor 336 Classes (1L, 2L, 3L). Accelerated J.D.’s shall be represented 337 proportionally to their graduating class, by no less than one and no more 338 than three representatives per class (AJ.D. 1, AJ.D. 2). The Masters 339 Programs shall collectively be represented, proportionally to the J.D. 340 entering class, with no less than one senator and no more than five. The 341 LLMs shall be represented by one senator. 342

b. The proportionality requirements for the election of Senators shall be 343 determined by calculating the number of J.D. student constituents to each 344 J.D. Senator and applying that ratio to the other programs as best as 345 possible while rounding up the number of representatives. 346

c. Each Senator shall have one vote in the Senate. 347 d. Duties and Responsibilities 348

i. To confer with non-voting and voting membership on questions of 349 importance before the Senate; 350

ii. To read and comply with all provisions of the Bylaws and the Standing 351 Rules; 352

iii. To take polls or seek the opinions of their constituents and other 353 members of the SBA with regard to proposed SBA legislation, rules, 354 procedure, or proposed or considered actions; 355

iv. To introduce SBA legislation, suggestions, or criticisms at Regular or 356 Special Meetings of the Senate; 357

v. To participate as a member of at least one Standing Committee; 358 vi. To attend/partake in at least seventy-five percent (75%) of all Official 359

Senate Meeting Times each semester and at least one meeting per 360 month; and 361

vii. To perform other duties as provided in the Standing Rules and those 362 that the Senate may assign. 363

364 2. Town Liaison 365

a. There shall be one Town Liaison elected from the membership at-large of the 366 SBA. 367

b. The Town Liaison shall have one vote in the Senate. 368 c. Duties and Responsibilities: 369



i. To serve as representative of Vermont Law School to the South Royalton 370 Select Board, the Town Clerk, the School District, and local merchants 371 within the Town; 372

ii. To be known to those parties and coordinate with student-town functions 373 in order to foster productive community relations; 374

iii. To attend regular Royalton Select Board meetings and the annual 375 Royalton Town Meeting as a representative of the SBA; 376

iv. To report to the Senate appropriate information, requests, or complaints; 377 and 378

v. Otherwise to have the same duties and responsibilities as Senators 379 pursuant to §4.1. 380

381 H. Non-voting Senate Members 382 383

1. Student Trustees 384 385

One student from each of the 2L and 3L classes shall be elected to serve on the 386 Board of Trustees of Vermont Law School. Student Trustees serve on an equal 387 basis with other members of the Board of Trustees, which includes full voting 388 rights and fiduciary duties in all matters before the Board. The Student Trustees 389 shall: 390 391

a. Commit to serve the full term and shall not actively pursue any 392 opportunities that may conflict; 393

b. Seek to represent the views of the SBA before the Board; 394 c. Attend at least one Senate meeting a month and when requested by the SBA 395

President; 396 d. Inform the SBA of issues before the Board; 397 e. Seek input at the Regularly Scheduled Senate Meeting prior to each 398

scheduled Board of Trustees meeting; and 399 f. Participate in one Town Hall or other open meeting each semester to 400

provide information and solicit feedback from the SBA. 401 402

2. Student Members of Vermont Law School Committees 403 404 There shall be one representative from each of the J.D., Masters, and LL.M. 405 classes elected to the following Vermont Law School Committees: Honor Code, 406 Code of Conduct, Curriculum, Faculty Hiring, and any other Committee 407 established by the Vermont Law School Administration. 408 409 a. Each Student Member of a Vermont Law School Committee shall have one 410

vote on his/her respective Committee. They shall be non-voting members of 411 the Senate. 412

b. Duties and Responsibilities: 413 i. To represent the SBA as members of their respective Committees; 414



ii. To read and comply with all provisions of the Bylaws and the Standing 415 Rules; 416

iii. To keep the Senate informed on a regular basis of the activities of their 417 Committee; and 418

iv. To attend at least one meeting per month of the Senate and additionally 419 as requested by the Executive Committee or the Senate. 420

421 3. Parliamentarian 422

423 a. The President shall appoint one Parliamentarian at the first Regular Meeting 424

of the Senate subject to the majority approval of the Senate. 425 b. The Parliamentarian shall be a non-voting member of the Senate. 426 c. While not an Executive Officer, the Parliamentarian may attend the meetings 427

of the Executive Committee should the instruction of the Parliamentarian be 428 needed. 429 i. Duties and Responsibilities: To read and comply with all provisions of 430

the Bylaws and the Standing Rules; 431 ii. To know and employ in all meetings proper parliamentary procedure as 432

indicated in Article 10 of the Bylaws; 433 iii. To resolve ambiguities in, to clarify, and to interpret the Bylaws and 434

Standing Rules; 435 iv. To write opinions based on his/her interpretation of the Bylaws and 436

Standing Rules, which shall be binding unless revoked by the 437 Parliamentarian or a Super Majority Yes Vote of a quorum of the 438 Senate; 439

v. To provide instruction and information to the Senate on conduct and 440 participation during Senate Meetings; this should include a training 441 session for new Senate members on Robert’s Rules of Order; 442

vi. To chair the Bylaws Committee; 443 vii. To attend/partake in at least seventy-five percent (75%) of all Official 444

Senate Meeting Times; and 445 viii. To perform other duties as indicated in the Standing Rules and those that 446

the Senate may assign. 447 448

4. American Bar Association/Law Student Division (ABA/LSD) Representative 449 450 a. The President shall appoint one representative to the ABA/LSD subject to the 451

majority approval of the Senate. 452 b. The ABA/LSD Representative shall be a non-voting member of the Senate. 453 c. Duties and Responsibilities: 454

i. To represent the SBA before the American Bar Association Law Student 455 Division; 456

ii. To read and comply with all provisions of these Bylaws and the Standing 457 Rules; 458

iii. To keep the Senate, the Vice President for Student Affairs and Operations, 459 and the SBA informed of the activities of the ABA/LSD; 460



iv. To attend at least one meeting per month of the Senate and additionally as 461 requested by the Executive Committee or the Senate; and 462

v. To perform other duties as indicated in the Standing Rules and those that 463 the Senate may assign. 464

465 5. IT Representative 466

a. The President shall appoint one IT Representative subject to a vote of the 467 majority of the Senate. 468

b. The IT Representative shall maintain the same voting status (s)he held before 469 her/his appointment. 470

c. Duties and Responsibilities 471 i. To review the IT concerns of the SBA; 472 ii. To work with the VLS IT Department to maximize IT performance; 473 iii. To serve on the Student Affairs Committee; and 474 iv. To perform other duties that the Senate or the Student Affairs Committee 475

may assign. 476 477

6. Career Services Representative 478 a. The President shall appoint one Career Services Representative subject to a 479

vote of the majority of the Senate. 480 b. The Career Services Representative shall maintain the same voting status 481

(s)he held before her/his appointment. 482 c. Duties and Responsibilities 483

i. To review the career services concerns of the SBA; 484 ii. To serve as a liaison between the Office of Career Services and the SBA; 485 iii. To serve on the Student Affairs Committee; and 486 iv. To perform other duties that the Senate or the Student Affairs Committee 487

may assign. 488 489

7. Faculty Representation 490 491 The Faculty of Vermont Law School may appoint a faculty representative to the 492 Senate as a non-voting member. 493

494 8. Administration Representation 495

496 The Administration of Vermont Law School may appoint an administrative 497 representative to the Senate as a non-voting member. 498 499

9. Other Non-voting Senate Members 500 501 The President may appoint additional non-voting Senate members as described in 502 the Standing Rules. All such appointments shall be subject to majority approval of 503 the Senate. 504 505

§ 4.3 Removal 506



507 The Senate shall have the authority to remove any Executive Officer, Voting Senate 508 Member, Student Member of Vermont Law School Committees, and any appointed 509 Senate position. 510

511 1. Any Senator may submit a petition for removal to either the SBA President or the 512

SBA Secretary containing the valid signatures of twenty-five percent (25%) of voting 513 Senate members. 514

2. A petition for recall must clearly set forth all charges and must allege at least one of 515 the following: 516 a. A willful violation of any provisions of the Bylaws or Standing Rules, or 517 b. Failure to comply with his/her specific duties and responsibilities in the Bylaws or 518

Standing Rules, or 519 c. Malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance of office. 520

3. The SBA President or the SBA Secretary shall post adequate notice to the individual, 521 the Senate, and the SBA no less than seven (7) days prior to any removal vote. 522

4. Removal requires a Super Majority Yes Vote of the total number of voting members 523 currently holding office. This vote shall occur at the next Regularly Scheduled Senate 524 Meeting following the petition for removal and posting of adequate notice. 525 526

§ 4.4 Vacancies 527 528 Except where provided for within these Bylaws, vacancies shall be filled according to the 529 following procedures: 530 531 A. Elected Positions: 532 533

1. The Senate will decide by majority vote whether to fill vacancies of elected 534 positions by appointment or by special election by the next Regularly Scheduled 535 Senate Meeting following notice of the vacancy. 536 a. Appointments shall be made by the President subject to majority approval of 537

the Senate. Should the President fail to make an appointment at the next 538 Regularly Scheduled Senate Meeting after the Senate determines an 539 appointment shall be made, the Senate may appoint and elect candidates by 540 majority vote. 541

b. Special elections shall be organized by the SBA Secretary in accordance with 542 the Bylaws and Standing Rules. Special elections are governed by § 8.1 of the 543 Bylaws. 544

2. Vacancies in the following positions may only be filled by a special election: 545 President, Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, and Board of Trustees 546 Representatives. 547

3. Class-specific positions shall only be filled with members of the respective class. 548 4. Vacant Executive Committee positions shall only be filled by SBA members who 549

have completed one academic year. 550 5. Town Liaison shall be filled from the SBA at large. 551



6. Adequate notice of vacancy shall be issued to the Senate and the SBA that 552 describes the vacancy and the procedures that will be followed in filling the 553 position. 554

7. The President may make special temporary appointments to fill vacancies of 555 Student Members of Vermont Law School Committees when the Senate is not in 556 session. Upon return to session, the Senate shall promptly fill the positions. 557

558 B. Appointed or Selected Positions: 559 560

1. The President shall appoint or select a replacement to fill such vacancies from the 561 SBA at-large. 562

2. Appointments and selections shall be official upon a majority vote by the Senate. 563 3. The President may make special temporary appointments or selections to fill 564

vacancies when the Senate is not in session. The Senate shall approve or decline 565 such appointments or selections at the next Regularly Scheduled Meeting. 566

567 § 4.5 Student Groups 568 569

Student Groups may be approved as a Recognized Student Group. Once approved as a 570 Recognized Student Group, that group must seek approval as a Funds Eligible Student 571 Group in order to receive SBA funding. Groups receiving academic credit from Vermont 572 Law School, including but not limited to Academic Moot Courts, Vermont Law Review 573 and the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law, shall be exempt from governance by 574 these rules. 575

576 A. Recognized Student Groups 577 578

1. A Recognized Student Group may: 579 a. Use the name “Vermont Law School” in its title; 580 b. Be assigned space in Vermont Law School buildings and on Vermont Law 581

School grounds for meetings and other sponsored events; and 582 c. Address the Senate as an organization and seek its assistance in all matters 583

relevant to the SBA. 584 2. A group may seek to become a Recognized Student Group: 585

a. The group shall give proper notice to the SBA Secretary that they seek 586 Recognized Student Group Status at the next Regularly Scheduled Senate 587 Meeting. 588

b. The group shall also present a print and electronic copy of the group’s bylaws 589 to the SBA Secretary. The documentation shall include a mission statement 590 identifying the group’s purpose(s) and goal(s), a list of officers, and a 591 statement of how the group intends to further the mission of the SBA. 592

c. The SBA Secretary shall present the proposal to the Senate. 593 d. A majority vote of the Senate shall be required for recognition. 594

595 B. Funds Eligible Student Groups 596 597



1. Only a Recognized Student Group that has existed for sixteen weeks, excluding 598 the summer term, may become Funds Eligible. 599

2. A Recognized Student Group may seek to become a Funds Eligible Student 600 Group 601 a. The group shall give proper notice to the SBA Secretary that they seek Funds 602

Eligible Student Group Status at the next Regularly Scheduled Senate 603 Meeting. 604

b. The SBA Secretary shall present the proposal to the Senate. 605 c. A majority vote of the Senate shall be required for Funds Eligible status. 606

3. To remain Funds Eligible, a group shall submit the following to the SBA 607 Secretary prior to each Fall Semester’s budget application due date: 608 a. A current list of officers; 609 b. An electronic copy of their bylaws; and 610 c. A printed copy of their bylaws if amended since the previous submission. 611

4. Groups shall keep on file and open to examination accurate records of the groups’ 612 finances. 613 5. Groups shall attend finance meetings as stipulated in the Standing Rules. 614 6. Groups may maintain a webpage on the Vermont Law School site 615

616 C. Loss of Status 617

618 1. Groups failing to comply with any duly distributed requirement from the Vermont 619

Law School Dean of Student Affairs and Diversity shall lose Funds Eligible status. 620 To regain Funds Eligible status, groups shall reapply pursuant to §4.5(B). 621

2. The Finance Committee shall receive all required materials from student groups and 622 shall refer any group not in compliance to the Executive Committee. 623

3. The Executive Committee will consider student groups annually by the first Regular 624 Meeting of the Senate and decide groups to lose Funds Eligible status. 625

4. The Secretary shall inform the groups of their loss of status within seven (7) days of 626 the Executive Committee’s decision. 627

5. A group may contest the loss of status under the following procedures: 628 a. The Group shall submit a petition with supporting evidence to the Senate within 629

seven (7) days of the Secretary’s notification to the group. 630 b. A Super Majority Yes Vote of the Senate is required to vacate the decision of the 631

Executive Committee. 632 633 ARTICLE 5. MEETINGS OF THE SENATE 634 635 § 5.1 Frequency 636 637

The Senate must meet at a regularly scheduled day and time at least twice per month 638 during the months of September through November, and February through April. All 639 meetings of the Senate shall be open to the SBA. 640

641 § 5.2 Quorum Requirement for Official Meetings 642 643



A quorum shall exist when one more than half the voting members are present. The 644 Secretary shall inform the President or presiding officer when a quorum is present at the 645 beginning of Senate meetings. 646 647

§ 5.3 Scheduling 648 649

At least one meeting a month shall be scheduled during regular school hours. 650 651 § 5.4 Special Meetings 652 653

Special meetings may be called at the request of the Dean of Vermont Law School, the 654 SBA President, or at least twenty-five percent (25%) of voting members of the Senate. 655

656 § 5.5 Notice 657 658

A. Notice of a meeting shall be given at least three days prior to Regular Meetings of the 659 Senate, and at least twenty-four hours prior to Special Meetings. 660

B. The Secretary shall distribute the agenda to all SBA members and post electronically 661 at least two days prior to a Regular Meeting and twenty-four (24) hours prior to a 662 Special Meeting. 663

664 ARTICLE 6. COMMITTEES 665 666 § 6.1 SBA Standing Committees 667 668

Where not expressly identified, the President shall appoint the chair of the Committee 669 and its Senate representatives. Except as otherwise noted, the Chair may add any SBA 670 members to the committee he/she is chairing, subject to approval by the Executive 671 Committee or the Senate. Membership of the Finance and Elections Committee are 672 restricted to voting senators. The Executive Committee must provide to newly elected 673 Senators, promptly after they are elected, a list of all Standing and Special Committees 674 (with names of current chairpersons and members) and must offer them reasonable 675 opportunity to be appointed to the committee(s) of their choice. 676 677 A. Executive Committee –The Executive Committee shall be composed of the 678

President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary, and Treasurer of the SBA. Membership is 679 restricted to these specific individuals. The Executive Committee shall assist the 680 President in guiding the direction of the Senate and developing the agenda. It shall 681 meet on a regular basis and as indicated in the Standing Rules. The Executive 682 Committee shall also recommend to the Senate individuals for recognition in the 683 Student Bar Awards in the Spring Semester. 684 685

B. Finance Committee –The Finance Committee shall be composed of at least one 686 Senator from each J.D. class and shall be chaired by the Treasurer. Its purpose will be 687 to review requests for funds and recommend allocation of available funds for 688 approval by the Senate. 689



1. No member of the Finance Committee shall be responsible for creating the budget 690 of any Funds Eligible Group, nor shall any member of the Finance Committee be 691 the President, Treasurer or function as the President or Treasurer of any Funds 692 Eligible group. 693

2. Any member of the Finance Committee who is also a member of a Funds Eligible 694 Group shall recuse himself/herself from voting and discussion relating to any 695 proposals from groups of which he or she is a member. 696

3. The Finance Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities: 697 a. To aid and assist the Treasurer in the preparation of the General Fund and 698

Activity Fund Budgets for approval by the Senate; 699 b. To convene to review funding requests; 700 c. To meet as needed to determine the status of the financial condition of the 701

SBA; 702 d. To make recommendations to the Senate on the recognition of Funds Eligible 703

Groups; 704 e. To recommend to the Senate particular levels of funding for each Funds 705

Eligible Group; and 706 f. To make recommendations to the Senate regarding the Finance section of the 707

Standing Rules. 708 709

C. Bylaws Committee –The Bylaws Committee shall be composed of at least one 710 Senate representative from each J.D. class and will be chaired by the Parliamentarian. 711 Its purpose is to review the Bylaws and Standing Rules and to determine if any 712 recommended changes to them are required. The committee will review standing 713 rules to determine if any recommendations for additions or revisions should be made. 714 The committee’s findings and recommendations shall be enforced by the SBA 715 President. 716 717

D. Elections Committee –The Elections Committee shall be composed of at least one 718 Senate representative from each J.D. class and shall be chaired by the Secretary. The 719 purpose of the Elections Committee is to hold spring elections for the Continuing 720 Classes representatives and committee members, fall elections to elect new class 721 representatives and committee members and to fill any vacancies that arise after the 722 spring elections; and to hold special elections as they are needed. Duties and 723 responsibilities of the Elections Committee shall include: 724 1. Conducting all regular elections, special elections, and referenda pursuant to the 725

Bylaws and the Standing Rules; 726 2. Informing the SBA and the Senate when elections and referenda must occur; 727 3. Establishing polling places, which may include electronic voting, counting votes, 728

and posting the results pursuant to the Standing Rules. 729 4. In the event the Chair of the Elections Committee prefers not to serve during any 730

election due to a potential conflict of interest, or to avoid the appearance of 731 impropriety, the President may appoint a temporary replacement after receiving 732 official notice that the Chair decided to recuse himself or herself as the Chair. The 733 President’s appointment shall be approved by the Senate. 734



5. Any member of the SBA running for office shall not serve on the Elections 735 Committee. 736

737 E. Student Activities Committee –The Student Activities Committee shall be 738

composed of at least one Senate representative from each J.D. class and shall be 739 chaired by the Vice President of Student Activities. Its purpose is to coordinate the 740 calendar of activities of all recognized student organizations and ensure that a 741 schedule of events is maintained on the bulletin board and the Vermont Law School 742 web site; to oversee the planning and execution of all SBA sponsored activities 743 (including periodic opportunities for meetings among class representatives and their 744 constituents), and to enforce the policy for use of SBA controlled public bulletin 745 boards. 746

747 F. Mental Health Committee – The Mental Health Committee shall be composed of at 748

least one Senator from each continuing class and one Senator from the Masters 749 Programs, and shall be chaired by the President. Its purpose is to organize and 750 coordinate events supporting the mental health of the Vermont Law School 751 community and to further the mental health of the community by promoting an 752 environment that fosters well-being. The Mental Health Committee shall assist with 753 the annual Character & Fitness forum and the annual Health and Wellness Fair and 754 shall organize and execute at least one event per semester consistent with its purpose. 755 Members of this committee shall serve as intermediaries between the SBA and local 756 mental health service organizations. 757

758 G. Student Affairs Committee – The Student Affairs Committee shall be composed of 759

at least one Senator from each continuing class, one Senator from the Masters 760 Programs, the IT Representative, the Career Services Representative, the ABA/LSD 761 Representative, and the Town Liaison, and shall be chaired by the Vice President of 762 Student Affairs. Its purpose is to address any and all concerns of the student body not 763 falling under the responsibilities of the existing standing committees. 764

765 § 6.2 SBA Special Committees 766 767

The Senate has authority to create ad hoc committees, shall determine their mandates, 768 and may dissolve them. The President shall appoint a chair and members to each ad hoc 769 committee. Each committee is dissolved at the end of the academic year of after its 770 mandate is complete. 771

772 § 6.3 Committee Member Duties and Responsibilities 773 774

A. Committee chairs shall attend at least one Senate meeting a month, and as otherwise 775 requested. The Committee chair shall apprise the SBA of his or her activities and 776 solicit input from the Senate. 777

B. Committee chairs shall ensure that either minutes of the meetings or a meeting 778 summary are submitted the SBA Secretary and Vice President for Student Affairs and 779



Operations. The minutes or summary shall include those in attendance, the time, the 780 place, matters discussed, and any votes taken or recommendations by consensus. 781

C. Committee members shall attend at least seventy-five percent (75%) of committee 782 meetings. 783

784 ARTICLE 7. APPROPRIATIONS 785 786 § 7.1 General Provisions 787 788

A. The Treasurer shall receive Student Membership Dues from the Business Office at 789 the beginning of the Fall Semester. These dues shall be divided into three funds: 790 seventy percent (70%) to the Student Activity Fund, twenty percent (20%) to the 791 General Fund, and ten percent (10%) to the Solutions Conference Fund. 792

B. The Senate must approve all budgets pursuant to the Bylaws and the Standing Rules. 793 C. The Senate may decide to fund any activity that will promote the intellectual, 794

physical, or social development of the Vermont Law School Community and/or the 795 Town of Royalton. 796

D. The Fall Fiscal Semester shall run from October 1st through January 31st. The Spring 797 Fiscal Semester Shall run from February 1st through September 30th. The Fiscal Year 798 shall include the Fall and Spring Fiscal Semesters. 799

E. No Senate has the authority to approve an expenditure of funds that will occur 800 subsequent to the end of its term of office. 801

F. No Senate has the authority to approve an expenditure of funds that occurred prior to 802 the beginning of its term of office. 803

G. The entire portion of all funds that remains unspent at the end of the academic year 804 shall roll over to the following year as determined by the Standing Rules. 805

H. Further procedures on the allocation and spending of funds shall be governed by the 806 Standing Rules. 807 808

§7.2 SBA Funds 809 810

A. The General Fund Budget for each semester shall be considered by the Senate at the 811 second Regularly Scheduled Senate Meeting of the Fall Semester. 812

B. The Solutions Conference Fund shall be distributed pursuant to the Standing Rules. 813 1. If the Senate determines that a Solutions Conference shall not occur during an 814

academic year, it may choose to rollover those funds to the General Fund. This 815 determination must occur at the last Regularly Scheduled Senate Meeting of the 816 Fall Semester. 817

2. If the Solutions Conference occurs in the Fall Semester, any unspent funds will 818 automatically rollover to the General Fund. 819

C. Allocations to Funds Eligible groups shall be determined by the Finance Committee. 820 SBA Funding shall be withheld from groups with outstanding debts, including SBA 821 loans, until proof of payment is provided to the SBA Treasurer. 822 1. Any Funds Eligible group desiring allocation of funds from the SBA shall submit 823

a budget request for the academic year to the Treasurer. Budget requests shall be 824 submitted to the Treasurer ten (10) days prior to the second Regularly Scheduled 825 Senate Meeting of the Fall Semester. 826



2. Groups shall be allocated funds for the full academic year. Funds not used for 827 anticipated Fall Semester events shall rollover to the General Fund in the Spring 828 Semester. Those funds shall be made available for Funds Eligible groups to 829 propose events to the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee shall 830 determine which proposals to fund pursuant to the Bylaws and Standing Rules. 831

3. Allocations to Funds Eligible Groups shall be based upon factors including: 832 a. A review of how previous allocated funds were used toward budgeted events. 833 b. A review of how events went, including, but not limited to attendance and 834

other forms of feedback. 835 c. Anticipated events and projected costs of the SBA budget. 836 d. How the proposed allocation will benefit the intellectual and social well-being 837

of the Vermont Law School community. 838 4. A Funds Eligible group may appeal the decision of the Finance Committee 839

pertaining to its own budget to the Executive Committee. 840 D. The Senate may change or amend the Finance Committee recommendation. The 841

Senate must adopt a Student Activity Fund Budget no later than the second Regularly 842 Scheduled Senate Meeting of the Fall Semester. 843

E. The Finance Committee may not consider budget applications for the Student 844 Activity Fund submitted after the budget application deadline. 845

F. Student groups may decide to reallocate funds for any purpose listed in their 846 approved budgets subject to any restrictions in the Bylaws and Standing Rules. 847

1. A student group proposal to reallocate funds from one event to another shall 848 be subject to approval by a majority of the Finance Committee. 849

2. All requests to reallocate funds shall be submitted to the Treasurer prior to the 850 event or expenditure for which the reallocation is requested. 851

3. Funds may only be reallocated within the same Semester they have been 852 approved for use. 853

G. Funds allocated for Fall Semester events that were not used shall be rolled over to the 854 General Fund and reallocated as provided for in § 7.3(E) of the Bylaws. 855

H. All groups and their activities using SBA funds must be open to all students and must 856 be prominently advertised. 857

I. All allocations of SBA funds approved by the Senate shall remain in the treasury until 858 groups receiving such allocation actually incur expenses or until proper 859 documentation is provided showing that funding is needed prior to the actual 860 occurrence of the expense. Allocations shall be approved in accordance with the 861 Standing Rules. 862

J. If the Senate or Finance Committee attaches any conditions to the allocation of funds, 863 the Finance Committee shall ensure that the group is aware of the conditions and that 864 the conditions are met. If these conditions are not met, the group may be subject to 865 sanctions under §4.5(C) and as provided for in the Standing Rules. 866 867

ARTICLE 8. ELECTIONS OF THE SENATE 868 869 § 8.1 Elections 870 871

A. Elections for President, Vice President for Student Activities, Vice President for 872 Student Affairs, Treasurer, Secretary, J.D. and AJ.D. 2 Senators from the continuing 873



classes, Board of Trustees Representatives from the continuing classes, Law School 874 Committee Representatives for the continuing classes, and the Town Liaison shall be 875 held by the first Friday in April. 876

B. Elections for the Master’s Program Senator(s), J.D. Senators from the 1L class, Law 877 School Committee Representatives for the 1L, AJ.D. 1, Masters, and LL.M classes, 878 and any vacancies from elections shall be elected or filled no later than four full 879 weeks after the start of the Fall Semester. 880

C. SBA members shall not run for multiple voting Senate offices during any one 881 election. The Secretary shall notify any SBA member nominated for multiple offices 882 and he/she shall select the office, if any, for which he/she will run. 883

D. All elections and referendum votes shall be by secret ballot. 884 E. SBA members are required to sign a voter roll before voting in any election. 885

Electronic signatures are acceptable. 886 F. Elections shall follow all other guidelines set forth in the Standing Rules. 887 G. The term of office for all elected positions filled prior to the Spring elections shall 888

terminate at the adjournment of the final Regularly Scheduled Senate Meeting of the 889 Spring Semester. 890

891 § 8.2 Third Year Students and Non-Juris Doctor Program Students 892 893

A. May not run for any office to become effective after March 1 of that academic year; 894 B. May vote in referendums; 895 C. May not vote in elections after March 1 of that academic year, including elections for 896

the Continuing Class positions; and 897 D. Every elected voting member of the Senate shall retain voting rights through the last 898

regular meeting of the Senate during that academic year. 899 900 § 8.3 Absentee Ballots 901 902

Currently enrolled SBA members who will be absent from Vermont Law School during 903 the election period are eligible to vote absentee. 904 A. Absentee ballots shall be made available upon request to the SBA Secretary during 905

the election period. 906 B. The SBA Secretary shall transmit an absentee ballot by regular mail or e-mail to each 907

eligible member who makes a timely request. 908 C. Absentee ballots shall be returned by regular mail or e-mail to the SBA Secretary 909

prior to the end of the election period. 910 D. The SBA Secretary shall maintain the confidentiality of the absentee voters. 911 E. Absentee voting shall be conducted pursuant to the Bylaws and Standing Rules. 912 913

ARTICLE 9. HONOR CODE AND CODE OF CONDUCT 914 915

The Bylaws incorporate by reference the current versions of the Vermont Law School 916 Honor Code and Vermont Law School Code of Conduct, which shall be posted on the 917 SBA website and available at the library circulation desk. 918

919



ARTICLE 10. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY 920 921

The rules contained in the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall 922 govern the Senate and the SBA, so long as they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws or 923 Standing Rules adopted by the Senate. 924

925 ARTICLE 11. STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE 926 927 § 11.1 Generally 928 929

The Standing Rules shall be the rules under which the Senate and its Committees shall 930 operate. The Standing Rules shall define the rules, guidelines, and procedures for awards, 931 meetings, finances, attendance, elections, committees, vacancies, and any other activity 932 of the Senate or SBA. 933

934 § 11.2 Adoption and Amendments 935 936

Any member of the Senate may propose additions, changes, and deletions to the Standing 937 Rules at a Regular Senate Meeting. 938 A. A vote on the additions, changes, and/or deletions shall then take place between seven 939

and twenty-one days from the date of proposal. 940 B. Adequate notice of the pending vote shall be posted at least seventy-two (72) hours 941

prior to the vote. 942 C. The quorum requirement for a vote is two-thirds of the current voting membership of 943

the Senate. 944 D. Additions, changes, and/or deletions shall take effect immediately upon a Super-945

majority Yes Vote. 946 947 ARTICLE 12. BYLAWS AMENDMENTS 948 949

Any member of the SBA may propose amendments to the Bylaws. 950 A. Once the SBA Secretary has received a petition for amendments to the Bylaws 951

containing the valid signatures of seventy-five (75) or more current members of the 952 SBA or the Senate has approved the amendments by a majority vote, a ratification 953 vote shall be held on the issue. 954

B. The Secretary shall hold such voting between seven (7) and thirty (30) days 955 (excluding official school holidays and breaks) after receipt of the petition or the 956 majority vote of the Senate. 957

C. Adequate notice shall be posted at least one week prior to the vote. 958 D. SBA members are required to sign a voter roll before voting in any referenda. 959

Electronic signatures are acceptable. 960 E. Voting shall be accessible both on-campus and through electronic methods and shall 961

remain open for a minimum of seven (7) days. 962 F. A ratification vote passes with a Super Majority Yes Vote. 963

964



ARTICLE 13. EFFECTIVE DATE 965 966

These Bylaws take effect immediately upon ratification by the SBA and replace all other 967 Constitutions and/or Bylaws. 968

969 HISTORY OF BYLAWS 970 971

2016 April 15 – Full Update of Bylaws Passed by Student Bar Association vote. 972 2012 April 10 – Full Update of Bylaws Passed by Student Bar Association vote. 973 2011 January 28 – Amendment of Bylaws Section 8.4 F to reduce the quorum requirement 974

from super majority to simple majority. 975 2002 April 2 – Complete Redrafting of Bylaws: passed a unanimous vote of Senate and 976

presented to the SBA for ratification vote beginning on April 17, 2002. 977 1999 Full Update of Bylaws Passed by Student Bar Association vote. 978 1985 Full Update of Bylaws Passed by Student Bar Association vote. 979

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