The Classified Senate Committee constitution provides a written statement outlining the fundamental principles by which the committee is governed.

ARTICLE 1

NAME

1.1 - The San Bernardino Valley College Classified staff hereby forms the San Bernardino Valley College Classified Senate.
1.2 - The San Bernardino Valley College Classified Senate will be referred to as the Senate in this document.

ARTICLE 2

PHILOSOPHY

2.1 - The philosophy of the Senate is defined in the Mission Statement and Code of Ethics.

ARTICLE 3

PURPOSES

3.1 - To promote the voice of classified staff on non-collective bargaining issues.
3.2 - To provide the president of the college with recommendations and views on matters affecting the conduct, welfare, and growth of the college.
3.3 - To enable the Senate, through the governance structure, to address the Board of Trustees with recommendations and views on matters affecting the conduct, welfare and growth of the college.
3.4 - To promote communication, mutual support and understanding among the classified staff, faculty, administration, Board of Trustees, students, and other interested person(s) having to do with the conduct, welfare and growth of the college.
3.5 - To articulate the professionalism of the classified staff so that we are recognized and valued.

ARTICLE 4

MEMBERSHIP

4.1 - The Senate will be comprised of all permanent classified employees at SBVC. This includes blue collar, white collar, confidential and non-certificated supervisory classified positions. Probationary status has no effect on membership.
4.2 - Classified employees of the District Office/Entity Sites will be known as non-voting members of the Senate. They are encouraged to participate in Senate activities and to bring topics of consideration to the Senate.
4.3 - Although short-term/substitute classified employees at SBVC will not be considered voting members of the Senate, they are encouraged to participate and bring topics of consideration to the Senate at any time.

ARTICLE 5

OFFICERS/SENATORS

5.1 - Executive Officers
5.1.1 - The Executive Board of the Senate will consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Historical Recorder.
5.1.2 - The Executive Board of the Senate may have a position of Past President, in an advisory capacity.
5.1.3 - Elect Officer positions of the Senate may consist of President Elect, Vice President Elect, Secretary Elect, Treasurer Elect, and Recorder Elect as defined in the Bylaw 2 - Section 7.
5.2 – Senators
5.2.1 - The senators of the Senate will consist of representatives from each functional group as stated in Bylaw 2.

ARTICLE 6

SENATE BOARD

6.1 - The Board of the Senate will consist of the Executive Board, and all the Senators of the Senate. Duties and responsibilities of the board members will be outlined in the Bylaws of the Senate. Terms of Office for Senators and Executive Officers are outlined in Bylaw 1.

ARTICLE 7

DUTIES OF OFFICERS/SENATORS

7.1 - The duties of the officers and senators of the Senate will be as described in Bylaw 3.
7.2 - The duties of officers, senators, committee chairs, and committee members of the Senate will be expanded in the Bylaws as seen necessary by the Senate.

ARTICLE 8

COMMITTEES

8.1 - The Senate standing and ad hoc committees will be formed as needed by the Executive Board as described in Bylaw 4.
8.2 - Shared Governance Committees will be appointed as described in Bylaw 4.

ARTICLE 9

MEETINGS

9.1 - The Executive Board will meet as described in Bylaw 7.
9.2 - The Senate will hold a general meeting as described in Bylaw 7, which is open to the Membership.
9.3 - The President may call special meetings if deemed necessary.

ARTICLE 10

ELECTIONS

10.1 - The Senators will hold elections for the Executive Board as described in Bylaw 6.
10.2 - The Senate Nominations Committee will conduct a general election as required in Bylaw 6.

ARTICLE 11

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

11.1 - The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order will govern the Senate in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws and any special rules of order the Senate may adopt.

ARTICLE 12

QUORUM

12.1 - A quorum is defined as the minimal number of officers or members of a committee or organization, usually a majority, who must be present for valid transaction of business.
12.2 - A quorum for the Senate will be as defined and utilized unless otherwise described in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE 13

BYLAWS

13.1 - Bylaws will be consistent with and necessary to implement the Articles of this Constitution.

ARTICLE 14

RATIFICATION AND AMENDMENTS

14.1 - This Constitution and Bylaws will become effective by a simple majority vote of the Senate members who vote in an announced Constitution Ratification Election.
14.2 - Any Senate member may propose additions or amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws in writing at general meetings of the Senate.
14.3 - Amendments to the Senate Constitution and Bylaws must be presented to the Executive Board for approval before they may be submitted to the Senate for a vote. A copy of the amendment will be distributed among the Senate members two weeks prior to the election. The amendment will be subject to majority vote of the entire Senate. The amendment shall become effective on the date prescribed by the amendment.
14.4 - The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a simple majority of the Senate members who vote in a specially called election (which may coincide with elections for officers).
14.5 - If any portion of this Constitution and Bylaws is found to be in violation of local, state, or federal laws, it will be the responsibility of the Senate to amend that portion to attain compliance rather than to declare void the entire Constitution and Bylaws. The Senate will use the amendment procedures in this Article to carry out this responsibility.