Cistercian Student Council

The Constitution of the Cistercian Preparatory School Student Council*

PREAMBLE: 
We the students of Cistercian Preparatory School in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure serenity, provide for the common security, promote the general welfare of all students, and secure the blessings of liberty to our posterity, do ordain and establish this CONSTITUTION for Cistercian Preparatory School.
ARTICLE I: Definition
The Student Government of the Cistercian Upper School will be called the Student Council.
ARTICLE II: Mission Statement
The primary purposes of the Student Council are to exercise leadership in student activities and promote and coordinate the efforts of the students for further development and improvement of the school. As a secondary purpose, it will foster good relationships between students, the Administration, and the faculty.
ARTICLE III: Composition and Elections
Section I: Composition
The Student Council will consist of ten members: The President of the student body, two (2) representatives from each of the Upper School classes, and a Treasurer.
Section II:  Election of the President
The President shall be elected from the present seventh form by the absolute majority of the valid votes cast by the present fifth, sixth, and seventh forms. The Election of the President will be held within two (2) weeks of the end of the third academic quarter. In the event that no candidate wins by absolute majority, only the first three (3) candidates possessing the greatest number of votes will be kept for the next ballot. If in the next ballot no majority decision has been made, only the two (2) candidates possessing the greatest number of votes will be kept for the final ballot. In the event of a tie during any ballot, its will be left to the discretion of the faculty advisor and the current senior council members how to organize the next ballot.
Section III: Election of the Class Representatives
1. Election of the Class Representatives of the present fifth, sixth, and seventh forms shall be held within two (2) weeks of the presidential election. Election of the Class Representatives of the present fourth form will be held within the first two (2) weeks of their freshman year. Method of electing will be left to the discretion of the Form Master.
2.The representatives will be elected separately, by the absolute majority of the valid votes cast by his forms. In the event that no candidate wins by absolute majority, only the first three (3) candidates will be kept for the next ballot.  If in the next ballot no majority decision has been made, only the two (2) candidates possessing the greatest number of votes will be kept for the final ballot. Ties will be resolved in a method proposed by the Form Master and accepted by an absolute majority of the class.
Section IV: Election of the Vice President and Treasurer
At its first meeting, which will be presided over by the Faculty Advisor, the Student Council will elect from among its two (2) senior representatives a Vice President, elected by simple majority of the Student Council. A Treasurer will then be elected from the present junior class by the Student Council. The President and Vice President are ineligible for the position of Treasurer. If the senior representative, who has not been elected Vice President, is elected Treasurer, then he will serve a dual purpose as Treasurer and voting member; secretarial duties will revert to the Vice President. If not, then the Treasurer will be a non-voting member of the council.
Section V: Negligence of Duty
Serious neglect of duty by any member of the Student Council will be sufficient cause for the removal from position with a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote by the other members of the Student Council. After the removal of a member, a new election must be held to fill his post within two (2) weeks of the termination. The method of election will be determined by the Headmaster, Form Master of the representative in question, and the Student Council.
ARTICLE IV: The Faculty Advisor
Section I:  Definition
In the better interest of the student body, the Headmaster will appoint a faculty member to serve as an advisor to the Student Council. The purpose of this office will be aid and/or advise the Student Council in any way he or she sees fit. He or she will be known as the Faculty Advisor.
Section II:  Powers of the Faculty Advisor
The Faculty Advisor will have the right to attend all meetings of the Student Council. He or she will also have access to the bookkeeping and minutes of the Student Council and the right to reproduce in part or in whole, any of the aforementioned documents for the inspection by the Administration or the student body.
ARTICLE V: Meetings and Procedures
Section I: Meetings
The Student Council will meet at least once a month, and whenever the President considers a meeting necessary. All meetings will be close to all students and faculty unless an open meeting is declared by the President or by simple majority of the Student Council's voting members.
Section II: Behavior during Meetings
The Student Council may consider removal of one of its members on the grounds of his behavior. Unexcused absence from two (2) or more consecutive meetings or official Student Council projects can be considered a serious neglect of duty.
Section III:  Calling Meetings
The Student Council will meet whenever the Headmaster of the President of the Student Council considers a meeting necessary. If the President is unable to call a meeting or does not consider it necessary, two-thirds (2/3) of the Student Council may call a meeting.
Section IV: Outside Speakers
Any student wishing to speak before the Student Council must petition his class representative at least one (1) day before a meeting.
ARTICLE VI:  Duties of the Members of the Student Council
Section I: President
The President will call and preside at all meetings and direct all activities of the Student Council. He is a voting member of the Student Council. He may establish committees and write P.O.S.
Section II: Vice President
The Vice President must be present at all meetings and maintain all records and all correspondence of the Student Council and preserve the Constitution. He will function as the President in his absence.
Section III: Secretary
The senior representative who is not Vice President will function as secretary. He will record all minutes and published notices.
Section IV: Class Representatives
The duty of the Class Representatives is to pool their class for their suggestions and question on matters concerning them. They will then inform the Student Council of these suggestions and opinions. They are also to help the President in any Student Council activities he feels necessary. 
Section V:  Treasurer
The Treasurer is in charge of bookkeeping of the Student Council. He will provide at each meeting an overall financial statement, including the current balance. After major events, he will provide a sources and uses statement. The Treasurer, if not a voting member, will have the privilege of admittance to closed meetings.
ARTICLE VII: Cheerleaders
Election of cheerleaders will proceed along the Guidelines for the Selection and Behavior of Cistercian Cheerleaders. The Homecoming Queen will be selected from the current cheerleading squad by the popular vote of the Upper School.
ARTICLE VIII:  Amendment Process and By-Laws
By-Laws may be added with the majority vote of the Student Council. The Constitution may be amended by the student body with an absolute majority.

Written in 1997 by Nick Lau
*Revised in 2001 by Mark Lau