Student Senate for California Community Colleges

Region VIII
CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
We, the students of the California Community College System, do hereby establish the Student Senate for
California Community Colleges Region VIII, in conjunction with local associated student organizations, as a means
to represent the students in Region VIII community colleges at the state level. Further, the Student Senate for
California Community Colleges Region VIII is recognized as the representative community college-associated
student government organization before the Board of Governors and Chancellors Office in accordance with Title 5,
Section 500002.

ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be Region VIII of the Student Senate for California Community
Colleges hereafter referred to as Region VIII.

ARTICLE II. MISSION

Region VIII devotes itself to the representation of the interests of our community college students, along with
the enhancement of higher education in collaboration with our local colleges.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP AND PRACTICES

Section 1.Composition
Clause 1.All Region VIII community college students shall be represented by a delegate chosen from
within each Region VIII community college and may fully participate in accordance with the
provisions set forth in the Constitution and By-laws.
Clause 2.Composition of this organization shall be comprised of the following schools:
1) Cerritos College
2) Citrus College
3) Coastline Community College
4) Cypress College
5) Fullerton College
6) Golden West College
7) Irvine Valley College
8) Long Beach City College
9) Mount San Antonio College
10)Orange Coast College
11)Rio Hondo College
12)Saddleback College
13)Santa Ana College
14)Santiago Canyon College
Section 2: Membership
Clause 1. Region 8 memberships shall be comprised of students officially registered and attending
classes at any schools set forth in the Constitution and By-laws, Region VIII will elect
students from its own membership to the Executive Cabinet and representation at the Student
Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) as stated in Article IV, Section 4,
Clause 2.

Clause 2.Individuals elected to participate in this organization shall be the members of the Region VIII
and shall be known as Delegates, the precise number of Delegate positions for the Region
shall be equal to the number of school this organization is set to represent.
Section 3. Responsibilities
Clause 1. To serve as the voice of the students in matters of statewide and regional concern and before the
Board of Governors:
Clause 2. To foster relationships with different student boards, local student senates, and other
statewide agencies or organizations who have a vested interest in student affairs.
Clause 3. To provide ongoing and widespread dissemination of information to enhance awareness of
statewide and regional issues and maximize input from students.
Section 4. Eligibility
Clause 1. Region VIII delegate shall continuously meet the required specifications specified in
Education code 76061 and as established by the local associated student organizations.
Section 5. Rights and Practices
Clause 1. Region VIII promotes diversity and pluralism by providing equitable access to everyone
within its borders, Region VIII commitment to non-discrimination is the foundation for such
efforts while working towards building efforts within the context of general Region VIII
expectations, its policies and governing documents.
Clause 2. Acts of discrimination or harassment are prohibited; In addition, Region VIII holds itself to
certain standards of conduct more stringent than those mandated by law. Thus, even if not
illegal, acts are prohibited under this policy if they:
1. Discriminate against any Region VIII member(s) through inappropriate approach or
limitation of participation due to athletic, social, cultural, or other activities on the basis
of age, color, gender, handicapper status, height, marital status, national origin,
political persuasion, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or weight or
2. Harass any member(s) outside this organization on the basis of age, color, gender,
handicapper status, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, race,
religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or weight.
3. These prohibitions are not intended to abridge Region VIII members' rights of free
expression or other civil rights.

ARTICLE IV. COUNCIL

Section 1. Definition
The Region VIII Council shall serve as the representative body of the recognized colleges within its
geographic region as stated by the Student Senate for California Community Colleges and the System Office.
Section 2. Governing Body
Clause 1. Region VIII governing body shall be comprised of one delegate for each Region VIII school,
and an executive cabinet comprised of two (2) SSCCC Regional Senators and a five (5) member
Executive Members.
Clause 2. Delegates shall have the right to be Region VIII voting members on all Region VIII matters and
its policies.

Section 3. Officer Positions

Clause 1. The Officers of Region VIII shall be: the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and two
Regional Senators
Clause 2. Officers will be elected from within its body at a general election as stated in Article VII of this
constitution and its By-laws.
Clause 2. Officers shall have the same rights and privileges as College Delegates except the right to vote.
Clause 3. The new term of office for Officers begins July 1. Who will serve a one (1) year term from
July 1st to June 30th, inclusive.
Clause 4. No person may simultaneously hold more than one executive position
Section 4. Officer Qualifications and Eligibility
Clause 1. An officer or candidate for office must maintain enrollment in five (5) or more units each
semester/ quarter at an accredited Community College. An officer or candidate must maintain a
cumulative or current semester/ quarter G.P.A. of 2.0 as stated in Ed Code Sections 76061.
Clause 2. Region VIII executive officers shall be comprised of students officially registered and
attending classes at any schools set forth in the Constitution and By-laws.
Section 5. Executive Office Responsibilities
Clause 1. Region VIII Chair duties and responsibilities shall be:
1. Region VIII Senate shall elect from its own membership one individual to serve as
Region Chair.
2. Region VIII Chair shall oversee and chair Region VIII meetings and shall be
responsible for preparing and posting agendas of said meetings.
3. Region VIII Chair may pass the responsibility of chairing region meetings to another
officer temporarily to allow the Region Chair to deliberate or propose legislation in
accordance with Roberts Rule of Order. If no officer agrees to accept the chair in
these instances, the chair must retain this responsibility.
4. The Chair shall not have a vote in Region VIII matters.
5. Region VIII Chair shall abide and uphold Region VIII Constitution and its By-Laws.
Clause 2. Region VIII Vice Chair duties and responsibilities shall be:
1. Region VIII shall elect from its own membership one individual to serve as Region
Vice Chair.
2. Region VIII Vice Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair at such times as the
Chair is unable or unwilling to perform them.
3. Region VIII Vice Chair shall have the first opportunity to accept or decline the
responsibility of chairing Region VIII meetings.
4. The Chair shall not have a vote in Region VIII matters.
5. Region VIII Vice Chair shall abide and uphold Region VIII Constitution and its ByLaws.
Clause 3. Region VIII Secretary duties and responsibilities shall be:
1. Region VIII shall elect from its own membership one individual to serve as Region
Secretary.
2. The Secretary shall not have a vote in Region VIII matters.
3. Region VIII Secretary shall abide and uphold Region VIII constitution and its ByLaws.
Clause 3. Region VIII Treasurer duties and responsibilities shall be:
1. Region VIII shall elect from its own membership one individual to serve as Region
Treasurer.

2. Region VIII treasurer shall implement and oversee Region VIII finances and its
fiscal code.
3. The Treasurer shall not have a vote in Region VIII matters.
4. Region VIII treasurer shall abide and uphold Region VIII constitution and its ByLaws.
Clause 4. Region VIII Senator duties and responsibilities shall be:
1. Region VIII shall elect from its own membership two (2) Regional Senators to be
Region VIII representation at the SSCCC.
2. Region VIII senators shall advocate on behalf of Region VIII and the schools within
its borders.
3. Region VIII Senators shall be the liaison between The Student Senate for California
Community Colleges and Region VIII council.
4. Region VIII senators shall abide by SSCCC Constitution and its By-Laws.
5. Region VIII senators shall be responsible in aiding and facilitating a working
operation of Region VIII and its business shall the executive cabinet be unavailable
or unwilling to fulfill this role.
6. Region VIII Shall not have a vote in Region VIII matters.
7. Region VIII Senators shall uphold Region VIII constitutions and its By-Laws

ARTICLE V. PROCEDURAL RULES

AND SUPREMACY
Region VIII Constitution and its amendments shall have supremacy over all of Region VIII documents and
policies, including the By-laws of this constitution. Region VIII documents and policies in conflict with this
constitution will be unconstitutional and invalid. This constitution and its amendments shall comply with state and
federal legislation and individual district and college policies and procedures within the region.

Section 1. Framework of Authority

Clause 1. The authority for the establishment of any student organization on any community college campus
pertaining to Region VIII of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges shall be this
article of the Constitution of Region VIII. Said Constitution shall take superiority over any and all
provisions of any document in conflict with the same. If any provision of such document are
contrary to the laws and regulations established by this Constitution, the remainder of the document
shall not be affected, even though any such conflict itself shall become null and void. The Student
Senate for California Community Colleges governing documents shall supersede this Constitution.
Clause 2. All powers, acts, and responsibilities of Region VIII and its members are subject to the policies
of the represented schools within the region and the authority of the President of said schools, as
well as the policies and authority of the various College Districts and its Board of Trustees and
state and federal law.
Clause 3. This framework of authority does not diminish or impede the rights and duties of schools within
Region VIII to either advocate for policies that the Region finds to be in the interest of its
schools within the region or oppose those policies contrary to that interest. The Region VIII
shall not be answerable to anybody or entity other than the school within its borders for its
positions on any matters.

Section 2. Powers and Engagement

Clause 1. Region VIII have all legislative power, including the power to pass resolutions, bills, and acts on
behalf of Region VIII and the schools it represents, except where this Constitution specifically
prohibits Region VIII from doing so.

Clause 2. Region VIII shall have the power to appoint or recommend Region VIII student representatives
to State-wide committees as well as the power to appoint Region VIII members to represent
Region VIII in other organizations or entities.
Clause 3. Region VIII shall have the power to set and over-ride its own policies and procedures except
where explicitly prohibited by this Constitution.
Clause 4. Formal action taken by Region VIII shall require the approval of a majority of those Delegates
attending the meeting at which the vote occurred and where quorum is achieved, except where
otherwise specified in this Constitution.
Clause 5. Region VIII shall have supremacy over other Region VIII entities where conflicts of power not
addressed in this Constitution exist.

Section 3. Meetings
Clause 1. Region VIII Council shall hold no less than one meeting a month during the school year, unless
determined by a majority of those Delegates present. The Region VIII Council shall meet at least
once during the summer. The Region VIII Council shall plan to meet during the Student Senate for
California Community Colleges Fall and Spring General Assemblies.
Clause 2. The location of each regional meeting shall be alternated between the colleges within the region.
The Region shall make attempts to plan all monthly meetings in advance. Alternative modes of
meeting shall be allowed as long as the region meets quorum. (Example: teleconference
meetings, web enhanced meetings)

Section 4. Rules of Order

Clause 1 The Region VIII shall conduct its affairs in accordance with the most recent edition of Roberts
Rules of Order, Newly Revised. Roberts Rules of Order shall be observed where the constitution,
its by-laws, the Ralph M. Brown Act, or other legislation does not explicitly set forth procedure.

ARTICLE VI. ELECTIONS

Section 1. General Election Code
Clause 1. Elections for all offices shall be subject to the provisions of the Region VIII Election Code shall be
enumerated and followed accordingly for both the required annual general election and any special
elections.
Clause 2. The specific date for regular executive positions for Region VIII shall be set by the body and
reflected on the election code.
Clause 3. Only Region VIII delegates shall get a vote for Region VIII executive officers.
Clause 4. Elections shall not be called during the summer, form the second (2nd) week in June to the first (1st)
week in august.

ARTICLE VII. REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

Section 1. Removal from Office
Clause 1. Region VIII Executive members shall be removed from office due to neglect of duty or
misconduct as stated in the By-laws.
Clause 2. Region VIII Executive members may be charged with misconduct or neglect of duty by a Region
VIII voting delegate. Misconduct is defined as those acts pertaining to mismanagement of
position responsibilities and/or funds; improper behavior as defined under guidelines for Student

Conduct in the Education Code and the policies stated by SSCCC. Neglect of Duty is defined as
unwillingness to comply with or fulfill duties of elected position.

Section 2. Impeachment
Clause 1. Region VIII Executive member may be charged with misconduct or neglect of duty by a Region
VIII voting delegate and removed from Executive Office.

Section 3. Recall
Clause 1. Region VIII Executive members may be subject to recall by presentation to Region VIII
delegates a petition to recall following the initiative format as outlined in Article XI.
Clause 2. Any Region VIII Executive member facing a recall shall be presented with a specific

statement of the reason for the proposed removal.

Section 4. Ineligibility
Clause 1. Region VIII Executive members shall be removed from office due to academic ineligibility;
Region VIII shall declare any Executive Member position vacant if the member is ineligible in
accordance to Article IV, Section 4, Clause 1 of this Constitution.

Section 5. Due Process

Clause 1. Region VIII Executive members facing removal shall have the right to Due Process as defined in
the By-laws.

ARTICLE VIII. FINANCES

Section 1. Finances
Clause 1. Region VIII shall have the sole power over all Region VIII monies, including the responsibility
to approve budgets, authorize all expenditures, and conduct inquiries regarding the finances
Region VIII and any entities contained therein, so long at its actions are in compliance with
policy set forth by Various Colleges and/or School District with in Region VIII, and California
law.
Clause 2. Region VIII Council shall be held responsible for and reserve the right to control all expenditures
and income of the Region. The Region VIII Council shall construct and approve a budget annually.

Section 2. Fiscal Code

Clause 1. Region VIII shall to set fiscal policy and its restrictions, be conscious and responsible on all
financial matters as well as an ethical and efficient fiduciary of all financial responsibilities to
Region VIII an its delegates.
Clause 2. Treasure shall prepare a yearly Region VIII fiscal report.
Clause 3. No person holding one of the positions mentioned in Article IV, Section 3, Clause 1 may receive
payment under a personal services agreement or promise of action/stand on behalf of Region VIII
while holding such a position, unless the Region makes a specific exception.

ARTICLE IX. INITIATIVES, REFERENDUMS

AND RESOLUTIONS
Section 1.Initiatives
Clause 1. Individual members as defined in Article III, Section 2, Clause 1, may put forth legislation for
approval by Region VIII

Clause 2. Legislative items brought by Region VIII members to the Region VIII delegates for approval
shall be considered initiated and the process through which delegates vote shall be known as an
initiative.
Clause 3. Individual Region VIII members wishing to hold an initiative must demonstrate consent of
Region VIII delegates by gathering signatures of one-tenth of Region VIII members during the
semester in which the initiative is to occur.
Clause 4. After consent is demonstrated to hold an initiative all members of Region VIII be entitled to cast
votes pertaining to the approval or rejection of proposed legislation at the next General Assembly
or as soon as the Region may be called to a meeting.
Clause 5. Legislation initiated by Region VIII members shall be considered approved if at the close of
voting a majority of participating Region VIII members have voted in favor of proposed
legislation, with the exception of constitutional amendments.
Clause 6. All voting for initiative shall take effect during SSCCC General Assembly.

Section 2. Referendums
Clause 1. Region VIII delegates may propose legislation for approval to the members of Region VIII with
the approval of a majority of serving membership of Region VIII at a General Assembly with the
exception of constitutional amendments.
Clause 2. Legislative items brought by Region VIII delegates to members of Region VIII fir approval shall
be considered referred to the Region VIII members and the process through which members of
Region VIII vote shall be known as a referendum.
Clause 3. All members of Region VIII shall be entitled to participate in referendums.
Clause 4. All Legislation referred to the Region VIII members shall be considered approved if at the close
of voting a majority of participating Region VIII members vote in favor of the proposed
legislation.
Clause 6. All voting for Referendums shall take effect during SSCCC General Assembly.

Section 3. Resolutions
Clause 1. Resolutions brought by Region VIII members to Region VIII delegates for adoption shall follow
the Initiative process or second by a SSCCC delegate.

ARTICLE X. RATIFICATION OFAMENDMENTS

Section 1. Method of Amending
Clause 1. A two-thirds () vote cast of members present in a special or the annual general election, of the
Region VIII Council Members shall be sufficient to amend this Constitution, providing the proposed
amendment has been presented to the region colleges in writing at least three weeks prior to the
election.

Section 2. Proposing Amendment

Clause 1. Any Region VIII Member may propose an amendment. The amendment shall be presented (1) one
month prior to an Official meeting. A two-thirds () vote of the Region VIII Council members
present shall be sufficient to amend this Constitution.

Section 3. Amendments through the Initiative Process

Clause 1. An amendment may be proposed by a petition signed by at least 75 Region VIII Members with valid
student signatures (with student I.D. number). (The campus of the originator will be responsible for
validating the student signatures.) Said petition shall be presented to the Region VIII Council. A
special election shall be held within three weeks of the filing of said proposed amendment. A twothirds () vote cast at the special election shall be sufficient to amend this Constitution by the Region
VIII Council.

ARTICLE XI. RATIFICATIONS

Section 1. Ratification of Region VIII Constitution
Clause 1. This Constitution may only be ratified by a majority of Region VIII members or (2/3) of Region VIII
delegates voting in favor of ratification.
Clause 2. Ratifications of this document shall be binding and in full force and effect.
Clause 3. Changes to this Constitution shall take effect immediately after approval.

ARTICLE XII. DISSOLUTION

Section 1. Disbursement of Assets
Clause 1. The assets of Region VIII constitute a continuing trust for the benefit of the students from within the
area it represents. In the event of the dissolution of this Region for whatever reason; the assets, after
payment or adequate provision for payment of all outstanding debts and obligations of Region VIII,
shall return to the individual schools for any fees, donations and/or contributions received but not
expended, shall be transferred to a non-profit fund, foundation, or corporation which is organized and
operated exclusively for educational and/or charitable purposes for those students residing within
Region VIII.
.

ARTICLE XIII. BYLAWS

Section 1. Establishment of Bylaws
Clause 1. Student Senate for California Community College Region VIII Constitution allows for the creation
of bylaws to provide specific procedures, requirements, and general guidance regarding
implementation of the mandates and intent of this constitution.

Section 2. Establishment of Bylaws

Clause 1. Region VIII shall have the power to create, amend and abolish all bylaws.
Clause 2. Bylaws shall be ordered according to the articles of this constitution they most closely pertain to
and shall be labeled as such.

Section 3. Establishment of Bylaws

Clause 1. Region VIII may remove, add, or otherwise modify bylaws under its jurisdiction by a majority,
provided that all delegates have been notified at least seven (7) days prior to voting for any
proposed change.

AMENMENTS TO
REGION VIII

____________CONSTITUTION____________
1.

Ratification 1: April 28, 2007

Ratification2: November 6, 2009