OSGA Elections
Eligibility:
Executive Board positions are only open to full-time second year students. Eight (8) Student Senate positions are open to full-time first year students and eight (8) Student Senate positions are open to full-time second year students. In addition, full-time MAcc and MSF students are eligible for two special program Student Senate seats (1 MAcc, 1 MSF).
Any student seeking election or appointed to the Executive Board must be enrolled and taking classes in the OSGM building while in office. The student may not be studying abroad for any part of their term except for during the holiday break and spring break.
Platforms and Campaigning:
Executive Board
The outgoing President will call for President/Executive Vice President ticket platforms from the first year class at the end of the second week of Module III. The Mod III election schedule is detailed below.
Platforms are to be submitted electronically (minimum10 point type and I” margins, not to exceed three (3) pages). Each ticket will have the opportunity to address the student body at the Thursday Social prior to the election.
The ticket that receives the highest number of votes during the general election shall be elected to that position. Should there be a tie in quantity of votes received by two tickets, the position will be decided via an immediate run-off election between the tickets that are tied. The run-off election will be concluded no later than 72 hours from the conclusion of the initial election voting.
Executive Board members cannot serve in any other branch of student government (Student Senate or Honor Council) without resigning from their position on the Executive Board.
Student Senate:
General elections for Senate shall take place during Mods I & III. The President of the Senate (the Executive Vice President) will call for First Year Senate platforms the Monday of week four of Module I and for Second Year Senate platforms the Thursday of week five of Module III. Senators elected in general elections shall serve a one-year term. The Mods I & III election schedules are detailed below.
Platforms are to be submitted electronically (minimum 10+ point type and 1” margins, not to exceed one page).
The candidates that receive the highest number of votes during the general election shall be elected to that senate. Should there be a tie in quantity of votes received by multiple candidates and that tie affects the filling of the eighth senate seat, the position will be decided via an immediate run-off election between the candidates that are tied. The run-off election will be concluded no later than 72 hours from the conclusion of the initial election voting.
Students cannot run for both OSGA and Honor Council positions. Senators cannot serve in any other branch of student government (Executive Board or Honor Council) without resigning their seat in the Senate. After executive elections in Mod III, any seats that are vacant will be filled during an election process outlined under the Executive Board Article of this constitution.
Should any Senate seat be vacated, not within four weeks of regular elections, a special election may be called by the Executive Board to fill the vacancy.
At the first full meeting of the Senate in Mod I, the Senate shall elect a Secretary of the Senate to keep minutes of Senate proceedings and to record votes. This person will be the Senate liaison to the Vice President of Communications.
Voting:
- Voting shall be conducted via secure electronic method.
- The President will announce the results of the elections.
- Only full-time OGSM students may vote. Voting is to be secured in such a fashion so that each student may only vote once. Students may only vote for candidates in their class – second year students can only vote for second year students, etc.
- The ballot will list each candidate and clearly indicate which office that candidate is seeking.
- The Chief Investigator and Vice President of Communications will oversee and tally the results of all elections. The winners of the elections will be announced during the Thursday Social of the week indicated below.
Special Elections:
In such cases as the need arises, the Executive Board can call for a special election. Procedures of election as described immediately above are then to be used.
MOD I Elections:
Mod 1 Week 4 Mon. - Platform Call
Mod 1 Week 4 Sat - Platform’s Due
Mod 1 Week 5 Mon.-Tues. - General Elections (Candidates announced when polls open)
Mod 1 Week 5 Wed. – Thurs. - Runoff Elections
Mod 1 Week 5 Thurs. - Results Announced at Social
Mod 1 Week 6 Mon. - Senate and Executive Board Full Meeting
MOD III Elections
For the first election under this constitution, the election schedule will be determined by the vote of the Body of Representatives and Executive Council. For years after 2009, the election and appointment schedule will be as follows:
Week 1
Mon.- The Honor Council Chairperson calls for Chief Investigator applications
Week 2
Mon. - The Honor Council Chairperson appoints new Chief Investigator
Fri. - Platform call for President/EVP ticket
Week 3
Mon. - Current Senate votes to confirm Chief Investigator
Tues. - Platforms due for President/EVP and Honor Council
Thurs. - Platform speeches at Social for President/EVP Tickets
Week 4
Mon. –Tues. - Elections for Pres/VP Tickets
Wed. – Thurs. Election runoffs (if necessary)
Thurs. - Announce election results at Social
Week 5
Mon. - Appointment of Executive Board Secretaries due
- Current Senate confirms Executive Board appointments
- Club Executives Elections due
Thurs. - Senate platforms due
Week 6
Mon. - Senate elections
Wed. - Senate runoffs (if necessary)
Thurs. - Announce election results at Social
Mod IV
Transition Retreat for new and old officers
Outgoing Executive Board members assume a training role for the newly elected Executive Board from the close of elections until the Transition Retreat. Full responsibility and authority for the duties of the Executive Board move are transferred to the newly elected President and Executive Vice President beginning the first week of Mod IV.
