Towson University Student Government Association Ethics and Standards Policy

Towson University Student Government Association's Ethics and Standards Policy SECTION ONE - Purpose: To hold accountable those who serve as members of the Student Government Association, without having to resort to the resignation or impeachment process. SECTION TWO - Committee: This policy shall be enforced by the Ethics & Standards Committee, which will be comprised of: 1. The Attorney General a. The Attorney General shall: 1. Shall conduct an informal investigation on all allegations 11. Issue sanctions to members of the Student Government Association 111. Propose the sanction to the Ethics & Standards Committee 1v. Serve as the Chair of the Committee v. Only votes in the case of a tie vi. Hold one on one meetings with those sanctioned to foster growth and improvement 2. Senate Leadership (Appropriations Chair, Government Operations Chair, and President ProTempore) 3. Three senators at-large that are elected by the Senate a. In the case a senator on the committee is being charged they will be temporarily removed from the committee and the President shall appoint a new member to fill the vacancy. 4. Every member of this committee will be required to sign a statement of confidentiality before being allowed to serve on the committee. SECTION THREE - Process: The Ethics & Standards Policy should be executed as follows: 1. Any Undergraduate student of Towson University should notify the Committee Chair of any perceived infraction of a Student Government Association member. 2. The Committee Chair will propose a charge to be discussed by the Ethics & Standards committee 3. The Ethics & Standards Committee will vote if the charge merits consideration a. A charge will merit consideration if and only if the Ethics & Standards committee is persuaded that the events that occurred were more likely than not. b. If not, the charged is dropped. The Committee Chair will then notify the accuser that the Ethics & Standards Committee has decided not to pursue the charges. c. If yes, the Ethics & Standards committee will approve the recommended charge or revise the charge appropriately. SECTION FOUR- Infractions: An infraction is defined as any misconduct or violation within the Student Government Association that does not require impeachment. Written documentation should be given to the member in question prior to resorting to a sanction and a one-on-one meeting should be held between that member and their direct supervisor, unless the violation is determined by the committee to warrant a sanction. The Ethics & Standards committee will enforce a "three strikes" policy. After three strikes the Ethics & Standards committee will consider impeachment. Infractions shall include but are not limited to: A. Decorum B. Unexcused tardiness C. Unexcused absences D. Failure to complete community service E. Late Opinions of the Court F. Failure to wear the proper attire to meetings and events