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The University of Maryland School of Law

Student Bar Association

Constitution

ARTICLE XII

Amendment of Constitution and By-Laws, Standing Rules; Suspension Prohibited

  1. Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws, Standing Rules
    1. Any SBA Executive Council member may propose, in writing, an amendment to this document or to the Standing Rules.
    2. The amendment must be proposed in advance of an SBA Executive Council meeting, pursuant to the SBA Secretary's duties for receiving and distributing the agenda and proposals under this document.
    3. The SBA Executive Council must approve a proposed amendment to this document by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the entire voting membership of the body, taken by roll-call vote in open session.
    4. The amendment shall state its effective date.
    5. The SBA Parliamentarian shall incorporate any approved amendments into this document, and the SBA Secretary shall transmit any approved amendment to the student body, pursuant to his/her respective duties under this document.
  2. Suspension Prohibited
    1. The SBA may not suspend or waive a provision of this document, unless expressly provided in this document. The SBA may suspend a Standing Rule for a given issue at a meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the SBA Executive Council.
  3. Resolutions
    1. The SBA Parliamentarian shall incorporate all approved resolutions into Article XII.C.1 of this document, pending approval to amend the Constitution.
      a. Resolution 1, Adopted February 18, 2007:

      “WHEREAS, each year the Student Bar Association (“SBA”) is faced with an ever increasing number of funding requests, and
      WHEREAS, the number of student organizations within the School of Law continues to increase each year, and
      WHEREAS, each student organization within the School of Law wishes to have an increasing number of events per academic year, and
      WHEREAS, the SBA receives all of its funding from Student Activities Fees, and
      WHEREAS, the Student Activities Fee has not increased for students in the School of Law for several years, and
      WHEREAS, the lack of funding has resulted in the SBA’s inability to fund programs that would enrich the student body, be it
      RESOLVED, that the SBA hereby wishes to increase the Student Activity Fee paid by each student in the amount of $4 (four) dollars per year, or $2 (two) dollars per semester.”

      b. Resolution 2, Adopted April 15, 2007:

      “WHEREAS, students in the evening divisions at this school wish to participate more fully in the activities sponsored or co-sponsored by the Student Bar Association (“SBA”), and
      WHEREAS, the SBA would like to facilitate increased evening student participation in its sponsored activities and events, and
      WHEREAS, many student organizations do not provide adequate notice to evening students about upcoming activities and events, and
      WHEREAS, many student events are held during the daytime hours or at other times when evening students are unable to attend, be it
      RESOLVED, that any student organization accepting funds from the SBA shall hold meetings and events during both the day and evening hours OR shall provide at least 2 (two) weeks notice to the student body about all upcoming events so that students have adequate notice to attend such event.”

      c. Resolution 3, adopted December 2, 2007:

      “WHEREAS, student group events often overlap, resulting in lower student participation; and
      WHEREAS, student groups are encouraged to plan ahead; and
      WHEREAS, student leaders planning these events are frustrated when another student organization schedules an event simultaneously; and
      WHEREAS, student leaders should be aware of other events already planned for a particular day and time, be it
      RESOLVED, for all evening events where a time conflict exists, only one student group event can be an official student event per evening. Being the official student event allows the student group to use official advertising sources provided to student groups such as, but not limited to, school-wide emails, the posting of flyers, and placement on the school calendar. It is the responsibility of the student organization leadership to check the official school calendar for conflicting events before scheduling an event. This rule is not intended to cover academic-type programs such as, but not limited to, career panels, public policy discussions, and professional networking events. Student groups and student leaders are expected to self-police this resolution and alert the Executive Council of violations of this resolution. The Executive Board maintains the right to grant exceptions to this resolution. The Executive Council shall have the authority and discretion to punish violators of this resolution.”

      d. Resolution 4, adopted December 2, 2007:

      “All students and student groups are invited and encouraged to attend SBA meetings and present any proposals, events, initiatives, etc. that they may wish, but are on notice that the SBA will refrain from endorsing or taking any official positions or stances.”

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500 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-1786 PHONE: (410) 706-7214 FAX: (410) 706-4045 / TDD: (410) 706-7714

Copyright © 2008, University of Maryland, School of Law. All Rights Reserved