University Student Council Federation Constitution and By-Laws
University Student Council Federation Constitution and By-Laws
University Student Council Federation Constitution and By-Laws
The 2018
UNIVERSITY STUDENT
COUNCIL FEDERATION
CONSTITUTION
AND BY-LAWS
P R E A M B L E
ARTICLE I
IDENTITY AND DOMICILE
Section 2. The University Student Council Federation shall be the highest student
governing body in the university. The Campus Student Councils,
College Student Councils and Classroom Student Councils shall be
under its umbrella and thus shall adopt this constitution and by-laws
as their own.
Section 3. Its office address shall be at the Office of the Students Development
and Welfare (OSDW) through the Director, Cagayan State University-
Andrews Campus, Tuguegarao City or through the Sub-office
located at the campus where the USCF Chairperson resides.
ARTICLE II
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES,
ORGANIZATIONAL POLICIES AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
Principles
Section 2. The University Student Council Federation shall have a main purpose
of policy-making that encompasses university student matters and
bridging the students, the faculty and the CSU administration to
create a just and harmonious academic society within the University.
Section 3. The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of rights and
freedom and the development of students’ welfare shall be
accorded to all members of the Federation.
Section 4. The Federation shall participate in the formulation and assist in the
implementation of the University rules, regulations and policies
especially on matters affecting students’ welfare in all campuses of
the University.
Section 5. The Federation shall not treat any of its members differently on the
basis of religion, social standing, gender, race, belief, disabilities and
ethnic affiliations.
Policies
Section 6. The Federation shall enforce its main duty of serving and protecting
its members.
Section 7. The Federation shall promote a just and dynamic scholastic order
that shall ensure prosperity and free the members from academic
poverty through policies that help provide high educational
standard.
Section 8. The Federation shall value the dignity of all students and shall
guarantee full respect for the student’s rights found in the
constitution, the student manual and the Magna Carta for Students.
Section 9. The Federation shall recognize the vital role of every member in its
development.
Section 10. The Federation shall ensure the local autonomy of Campus Student
Council, College Student Council and Classroom Student Council.
Section 11. The Federation shall take part in developing the potentials of its
members.
Section 12. The Federation shall uphold the integrity, credibility and honesty of
student services.
Section 13. The Federation shall participate actively in community service and
uphold the relevant role of the students in nation building.
Section 14. The Federation shall have the duty to defend the students’ welfare
and academic freedom and shall value the effort of the University
Administration.
Section 15. The Federation shall have the right to conduct meeting and do
business free from any personal interest or political discrimination.
Section 16. The Federation, through its officers and members, shall have all the
power to prescribe and direct students to obey existing University
rules and regulations.
Section 17. The Federation may, as it may seem necessary and crucial, request
the attendance of students to attend activities and programs it has
organized.
Section 18. The Federation shall continually see new ways to educate its
members in the current pressing social issue, and shall set the interest
of its members above their own.
Section 19. The key position in all levels of student governance shall be
composed of the Chairperson of University Student Council
Federation, USCF Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer,
Campus Student Council President, Campus Student Council Vice
President, the Secretary, Treasurer, and Senators and Governor, Vice
Governor, Executive Secretary, Board Member and Treasurer of
ColSC, Mayor of CLassSC.
Section 20. All officers of the student federation, university level, campus level or
college level, shall automatically be excused from their classes and
shall be given special considerations (Major exam, quizzes, and any
other forms of assessments and/or requirements) during meetings or
activities duly approved by the University / Campus Officials in and
out of the Campus / University.
Section 21. The session of the USCF, CSC and ColSC shall be open to students
who wish to listen and observe but are not allowed to participate in
the deliberation unless otherwise allowed by the members of the
respective student council.
Section 22. USCF and CSC funds shall be independent from one another and
shall be deposited in an account bearing the name of the respective
student council. ColSC Funds shall be deposited under the CSC
Account and to be released upon approval of request.
Section 23. All scholarship grants for elected students shall be referred to the
stipulation on the student manual.
Section 24. All levels of student governing body shall have their advisers, with
respect to the following;
24.5 Advisers should not hold more than 1 adviser position in student
council, regardless of level of student council;
Section 25. The USCF Chairperson, USCF Vice Chairperson, USCF Secretary, CSC
Presidents, CSC Vice-Presidents, Senators, Governors and Vice-
Governors cannot be the Editor-in-Chief of Student Publications.
Section 26. No person holding a key position in the university council, campus
council and college council shall be allowed to be the head in any
specialized accredited organization.
ARTICLE III
CONSTITUENTS (MEMBERSHIP)
Section 1. All bona fide students of the Cagayan State University officially
enrolled shall be the constituents of the University Student Council
Federation. Duly enrolled students in any of the eight campuses and
different colleges shall compose the constituency of each Campus
Student Councils and College Student Councils, respectively.
Section 2. All bona fide students shall pay a membership fee of fifty pesos
(P50.00) per semester. The membership fee, upon collection, shall be
broken down as follows; five pesos (P5.00) shall go to the University
Student Council Federation’s fund; twenty pesos (P20.00) shall go to
the Campus Student Council’s fund where the student is enrolled;
and twenty five pesos (P25.00) shall go to the College Student
Council’s fund where the student has enrolled in.
ARTICLE IV
STUDENTS’ BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 1. Every student has the right to academic freedom and equal
protection of the law.
Section 2. Every student has the right to be properly informed of the programs,
rules and regulations and policies of the academic community.
Section 3. Every student has the right to have access to his/her official records
and other pertinent documents and papers pertaining to official
acts, transactions or decisions, provided that he/she has not done
anything that shall inhibit the release of such documents.
Section 5. Every student has the right to conduct scholarly research freely and
to publish, discuss and exchange findings and recommendations for
the purpose of academic development.
Section 6. Every student has the right to proper representation and participation
in all policy-making bodies inside the University.
Section 7. Every student has the right to regular student-faculty and student-
administration dialogue.
Section 8. Every student has the right to peacefully assemble and to freely but
responsibly express their views, opinions and grievances.
Section 9. Every student has the right to establish, organize, join and actively
participate in clubs, organizations, groups and other associations for
purposes not contrary to existing policies of the University.
Section 11. Every student has the right to legitimate and responsible use of
adequate, safe, clean and efficient school facilities.
Section 12. All other rights as specified in the Magna Carta for students, the
Student Manual and the University’s Student Charter but are not specified herein
are included as rights of the students.
ARTICLE V
SUFFRAGE
ARTICLE VI
UNIVERSITY STUDENT COUNCIL FEDERATION
Section 3. The USCF Chairperson and USCF Vice Chairperson shall come from
the eight (8) elected Campus Student Council Presidents.
Consequently, rules of succession will follow to the Campus Student
Council.
Section 5. The University Student Council Federation shall execute the following
functions:
5.4. Hold regular and special meetings. The body shall also held
dialogue with the University administration and consultation with the
students needed for the advancement of student welfare and
concerns.
a. Qualifications:
1. Must be a bona fide student of the University duly
certified by the Certificate of Enrollment released by
their respective campus registrar;
2. Must be an elected Campus Student Council
President.
3. Must be a third year for a four-year course, fourth
year for a five-year course or fifth year for a six-year
course;
4. Must have at least two (2) years of residency in the
University;
a. Qualification:
1. Must be a bona fide student of the University duly
certified by the Certificate of Enrollment released by
their respective campus registrar;
2. Must possess a general weighted average of at least
85%. Certification of grades shall be issued and duly
signed by the registrar.
3. Must have held any position in the College, Campus or
University Student Council for at least one year;
4. Must be of a good moral character as attested to in
certification issued by the Guidance Counselor from the
University unit.
b. Functions:
1. Shall keep all journals and correspondence
pertaining to the activities of the USCF;
2. Shall record all proceedings and minutes of the
meetings of the USCF;
3. Shall receive correspondence or any written
communication addressed to the Chairperson and
shall affix his/her signature on the said documents or
papers for the purpose of authenticity.
4. Shall be the spokesperson of the Chairperson of the
University Student Council Federation.
5. Shall perform such other duties as the University
Student Council Federation or the Chairperson may
assign him/her from time to time.
b. Functions:
1. Shall keep the records of the funds of the University
Student Council Federation;
2. Shall disburse the same in accordance with an
appropriation authorized by the University Student
Council Federation subject to the accounting rules
and regulation;
3. Shall submit a financial report at the end of each
semester to the Council which shall be forwarded to
the OSDW Director;
4. Shall perform such other duties as the University
Student Council Federation or the Chairperson may
assign him/her from time to time.
ARTICLE VII
CAMPUS STUDENT COUNCIL
Section 1. The Campus Student Council shall be the highest governing student
body in the campuses of Cagayan State University. It shall govern the
College Student Councils and other accredited student body
organizations in the campus. It shall also be considered as one of the
local student council.
Section 3. The Campus Student Council shall execute the following functions:
a. Qualification:
1. Must be a bona fide student of the University and
must carry a normal load. The Registrar’s Office shall
provide certification from the University unit;
2. Must not have any failing grade, incomplete grades
and no dropped subjects.
3. He must possess a general weighted average of at
least 85%. Certification of grades shall be submitted
to the Electoral Board for further evaluation;
4. Must be of good moral character as certified by the
Guidance Counselor from the University unit; and
5. Must have held a key position for at least one (1)
year.
b. Functions:
1. Shall serve as the principal legislators of the Campus
Student Council;
2. Shall create a comprehensive and progressive
system on how to collect evaluation of student
leaders of student leaders in the campus level;
3. Shall further check and scrutinize appropriation on
budget for programs and other Campus Student
Council (CSC) initiated activities;
4. Shall monitor the Campus Student Council income
and spending;
5. Shall assist in Campus Student Council outreach
program and activities; and
6. Shall perform such other duties as may be assigned
by the president.
ARTICLE VIII
COLLEGE STUDENT COUNCIL
Section 1. The College Student Council shall be the highest governing student
body in the different colleges of Cagayan State University. It shall
govern the Classroom Student Councils. It shall also be considered as
a local student council.
Section 3. The College Student Council shall execute the following function:
a. Qualification
1. Must be a bona fide student of the University duly
certified by the campus registrar;
2. Should be carrying a normal load and must not have
any failing grade, incomplete grades and dropped
subjects.
3. He/She must have a general weighted average of at
least 85%. Certification of grades duly signed by the
registrar must be submitted to the Electoral Board for
further evaluation; and
4. Must have held any position in the College, Campus
or University Student Council for at least one year.
5. Must be of good moral character as attested to in
certification issued by the Guidance Counselor from
the University unit.
b. Functions
1. Shall preside over all the meetings and sessions of the
College Student Council;
a. Qualifications:
i. Must be a bona fide student of the University and must
carry a normal load. The Registrar’s Office shall provide
certification from the University unit;
ii. Must not have any failing grade and no dropped subjects.
He must have a general weighted average of at least 83%.
Certification of grades shall be submitted to the Electoral
Board for further evaluation;
iii. He must be of good moral character duly certified by the
Guidance Counselor from the University unit.
b. Functions:
i. Legislate and recommend to the administration policies of
college applications;
ii. Assist in College Student Council outreach programs and
activities of the College;
iii. Member and chair committees provided in this
Constitution and By-Laws;
iv. Create a comprehensive and progressive system on how
to collect evaluation of student leaders in the college level
of student governance.
v. Further check and scrutinize appropriation budget for
programs and other College Student Council initiated
activities; and
vi. Shall keep track of the College Student Council funds.
Section 7. The Governor may appoint secretary/ies, treasurer and any other
appointive position provided it is concurred by the College Student Council.
ARTICLE IX
STUDENT LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER
Section 4. The members of the SLC may be divided into different committees
during its regular session for the purpose of the speedy formulation of
policies/rules and regulations.
Section 5. Committees shall be created in the USCF, CSC and ColSC to craft
policies or to investigate issues or case which the committees have
jurisdiction. Each committee shall have its Chairperson, Vice-
Chairperson. The committees that shall be created and adopted
shall be known as the following:
ARTICLE X
ELECTIONS
Section 2. Election for the Campus Student Council shall be held three (3) weeks
before the Annual Student Congress.
Section 3. Election for the USCF shall be held during the Annual Student
Congress.
Section 4. For the University Student Council Federation: the Chairperson, Vice
Chairperson, shall be directly elected by the twenty (20) duly
authorized representative in every campus.
Section 5. For the Campus Student Councils: the President, Vice President, and
Senators shall be elected at large in their respective campus.
For the College Student Council: the Governor, Vice Governor, and
Board members shall be elected at large in their respective college.
Section 6. Every officer shall hold office for one academic year inlcuding
summer term or until his successor has been duly elected, inducted,
qualified and assumed office, provided that any qualified candidate
who will fill vacant seats shall hold office only for the remainder of the
unexpired term.
Section 8. Should both the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson of the
Council be temporarily incapacitated, the remaining officers of the
USCF shall elect from among themselves an acting Chairperson and
an acting Vice Chairperson both whom shall relinquish their positions
upon return of the permanent officials. In no case shall the Student
Council be dissolved or rendered inoperative.
Section 9. The induction of members of the USCF shall be on the 31st day of July
at 12 Noon, the oath to be administered by the University President
or duly authorized representatives.
Section 10. The Campus and College Student Councils oath shall be
administered by the Campus Executive Officer or duly authorized
representative one (1) week following the election.
Section 11. There shall be a Central Electoral Board for the election of USCF
Chairperson and Vice Chairperson to be composed of the following:
Section 12. There shall be a Campus Electoral Board for the election of the
Campus Student Council to be composed of the following:
Section 13. There shall be an Election Code formulated by the Central Electoral
Board which must adhere with the provisions of this CBL and shall be
adopted by the Campus Electoral Board.
Section 14. The Central EB cannot suspend the provisions of this constitution and
by-laws particularly in the qualifications and manner of election of
officers, except in extreme cases wherein suspending it is the only
option for an election to prosper.
ARTICLE XI
STUDENT DISCPLINARY MEASURES AND DISMISSAL FROM OFFICE
Section 1. The judicial power of the University Student Council Federation shall
be vested in the Student Disciplinary Committee and in such lower
SDCs as maybe established by the Council concerned.
Section 3. The eight members of the University Student Council Federation shall
become the Chairperson of the Campus Student Disciplinary
Committee.
Section 4. The USCF/CSC/Col-SC shall have an internal committee that will take
cognizance of cases involving delinquent officers.
Section 8. All members have the right to vote in any of the disciplinary
proceedings.
ARTICLE XII
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS
Section 1. The general election of the USCF Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
shall be held during the Annual Student Congress.
Section 2. The USCF Chairperson may at any time, call a meeting of the
Federation with proper coordination to the members of the Campus
Student Councils.
Section 3. The general election of the Campus Student Council and College
Student Council except classroom level shall be held three (3) weeks
before the scheduled Annual Student Congress.
Section 7. The Legislative Chamber shall not seek the approval of the delegates
in the Annual Student Congress for this constitution to be adopted
and implemented. The Legislative Chamber however, shall be liable
to inform the students through the Annual Student General Assembly
any amendment or revision thereof, to ensure that student rights are
well-protected and faithfully executed. All amendments and
revisions to the Constitution and By-Laws must be referred to a
plebiscite to be conducted by the Electoral Board.
Section 8. All officers before the revision and amendment of this Constitution,
shall be deemed valid and shall continue their term.
Section 9. No amendment or revision shall take place unless four (4) years has
passed since the last amendment or revision.
ARTICLE XIII
EFFECTIVITY
Section 1. This Constitution shall take effect after fifteen (15) days upon
ratification by a majority of votes casted in a plebiscite held for the
purpose and shall supersede all previous constitutions.
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CERTIFICATION
This is to certify that the foregoing proposed CBL of the University Student
Council Federation was properly approved by the commission formed through
a Constitutional Assembly on September 3, 2018 at CSU-Piat Campus.
This is to certify further for the truthfulness and correctness of the above-cited
provisions.
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