A Resolution to Update Article VI of the Associated Students Constitution

1. This proposed amendment changes the composition and membership of the Senate, representation for various constituencies, and the duties and powers of the Internal Vice President and the Senate.

A “Yes” vote is in favor of reducing the number of Senators from twenty-seven (27) to eighteen (18), removing Residential Senators and replacing them with At-Large Senators, adding one (1) Transfer Senator, and specifying the roles of the Senate and IVP in the organization. 

A “No” vote is in favor of maintaining the current number and classification of Senators (27), and the current roles of the Senate as well as the IVP

Do you approve of the amendment of Article VI, Section 2. Membership and Section 3. Distribution of Elected Representatives of the Constitution as follows:

Changes noted in Bold

ARTICLE VI- LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT BRANCH

SECTION 1. LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

The Legislative Authority shall be vested in the Senate, which shall be the supreme policy-making body of the Associated Students and shall promote the welfare and interests of the Members of the Associated Students, subject to the limitations herein enumerated.

SECTION 2. MEMBERSHIP

1. The voting members of the Senate shall be defined as the total number of the elected Representatives of the Associated Students. Each Senator shall be elected by a plurality of their respective constituencies.
2. The Presiding Officer of the Senate may vote only to break a tie vote. The Internal Vice President shall serve as President of the Senate, and may vote only to break a tie vote.
3. A First Presiding Senator Pro-Tempore and Second Presiding Senator Pro-Tempore shall be nominated by the Internal Vice President and approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting membership of the Senate by the second (2nd) regular meeting following the installation of officers and may vote in all matters.
4. The line of succession for the Presiding Office of the Senate shall be the First Presiding Senator Pro-Tempore followed by the Second Presiding Senator Pro-Tempore.

SECTION 3. DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES

Residential Senators

• The distribution of the residential senators shall be based upon a fixed number of senators representing each constituency.

• Five (5) On-Campus Senators shall represent undergraduate students residing in university residence halls.

• Twelve (12) Off-Campus Senators shall represent undergraduate students residing off-campus.

• One (1) University Owned Housing Senator shall represent undergraduate students residing in university owned housing.

1. Senators-At-Large

• Eight (8) seats shall be allocated for Senators-At-Large, which shall be open to any regularly enrolled UCSB undergraduate.

1. Collegiate Senators
   1. The distribution of Collegiate Senators shall be based upon a fixed number of senators representing each of the university’s colleges.
   2. A Senator must study within the college they he/she represents, and will be responsible for representing the academic interests of their college-determined constituents both through their capacity as a Senator and in coordination with the Internal Vice President’s Office.
   3. Four (4) College of Letters and Sciences Senators shall represent the College of Letters and Sciences.
   4. One (1) College of Engineering Senator shall represent the College of Engineering. 
   5. One (1) College of Creative Studies Senator shall represent the College of Creative Studies.
2. Transfer Senators
   1. TwoOne (21) Transfer Senators shall represent undergraduate students who have transferred to the university from another collegiate institution.
3. International Senators 
   1. Two (2) International Senators shall represent undergraduate international students. 

SECTION 4. DUTIES & POWERS

The Senate shall: 

1. Supervise and maintain the policies, properties and conduct of the Associated Students.
2. Have authority over the responsibility for all Associated Students’ revenues and expenditures.
3. Approve by majority vote (50% + 1) the annual budget.
4. Approve and publish the annual audit by a Certified Public Accountant chosen by the Executive Director and subject to the majority approval (50% +1) of the Senate members present.
5. Keep minutes of all proceedings.
6. Ratify all appointments of the President, Presiding Officer, and the Judicial Council by a majority vote (50% + 1) of the Senate members present, unless otherwise provided herein.
7. Be empowered to authorize all boards, commissions, Committees, and other agencies of the Associated Students, which shall:
   1. Aid in the execution of the policies and programs of the Associated Students.
   2. Have the power of legislative initiative.
   3. Report regularly to the Senate.
   4. Keep records of all proceedings.
8. Be empowered to establish and disband sub Judicial Council(s) as provided herein. 
9. Be empowered to investigate all matters pertaining to their legislative function.
10. Be empowered to override a Presidential veto by a two-thirds (2/3) majority approval of the voting membership.
    1. Have the power to enact a phone vote if the vetoed legislation is deemed urgent in nature.
11. Be empowered to authorize the expenditure of investment reserve funds by a three- fourths (3/4) majority approval of the voting membership.
12. Be empowered to dismiss appointees of the President, the Presiding Officer, and the Judicial Council by a two-thirds (2/3) majority approval of the voting membership, unless otherwise provided herein.
13. Be a non-partisan representative of all undergraduate students at the University.