CONSTITUTION

Of the

University of Maine

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

PREAMBLE

To serve the General Student Body of the University of Maine by providing social, cultural and educational programs and activities to expand the scope of the educational experience; by providing the most effective use of student money and effort; by informing students of issues which are their concern and to eliminate confusion about those issues, by representing the General Student Body to the State Government, the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, the Administration and any other appropriate body or organization and to give input to those bodies relating to student opinion; by encouraging student participation and input; and to be more worthy of the Motto of the State of Maine Dirigo , "I Lead" .

We the General Student Body of the University of Maine hereby approve this Constitution as of the 12th day of the 4th month of the year 1978 ( April 12, 1978 ).

ARTICLE I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 SECTION 1 - SUPREMACY

This Constitution shall take precedence over all documents and/or resolutions that have been or shall be adopted by the organizations mentioned in this Constitution.

SECTION 2 - VALIDITY OF DOCUMENTS

All documents and/or resolutions not inconsistent with this Constitution shall continue in force until specifically amended or repealed.

SECTION 3 - GENERAL STUDENT BODY

Shall mean any registered undergraduate student who pays the Student Activity Fee of Student Government at the University of Maine .  

ARTICLE II

BILL OF RIGHTS

SECTION 1 - POLITICAL POWER

All political power of this Student Government is inherent in the General

Student Body, and all government herein is founded on their authority.

SECTION 2 - INHERENT RIGHTS

All individuals have certain inherent rights and no action taken by Student

Government or its agencies can in any way deprive them of these rights.

SECTION 3 - LEGAL RIGHTS

All members of the General Student Body have all legal rights given them under the laws and constitutions of the State of Maine and the United States of America , and no action taken by Student Government or its agencies can in any way deprive them of these rights.

SECTION 4 - ACADEMIC RIGHTS

Students have a right to a quality education, this includes, but not limited to, THE RIGHT to real and vital input into all aspects of the institutions that they are attending, including programs, courses, and hiring, firing, tenuring and promoting of faculty; THE RIGHT to a fair and unprejudicial grading and counseling system; THE RIGHT to the best methods in career planning and teaching be made available and used at the institution that they are attending; THE RIGHT to the best possible atmosphere that is conducive to learning, and; THE RIGHT to determine, without interference, the future direction of their lives.

SECTION 5 - FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Students have the right to express and discuss the opinions they hold, including the right to publish, without fear of censorship or punishment in any form.

SECTION 6 - CONTROL OF FEES

The General Student Body shall have the right to control, either directly, or through such bodies as it may see fit to create, all activities for which it is assessed a fee.

SECTION 7 - STUDENT RECORDS

No records shall be kept by the University of Maine which concern a student's social, political or sexual activities, except where such activity can be proven to have directly led to the breaking of a State or Federal law, nor shall any students records be made available to any one outside the University System without the express written permission of the student or students involved.

SECTION 8 - DISCRIMINATION

No individual shall be discriminated against or organization denied recognition by the Student Government based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship status, age, disability or veteran status.

SECTION 9 - VOTING RIGHTS

All members of the General Student Body shall have equal voting rights in all elections held within their respective districts.

SECTION 10 - SANCTION

Any member of the General Student Body may question the constitutionality or legality of any action taken by Student Government or its agencies by filing a complaint. Complaints shall be filed with the President of Student Government, the President of the GSS or the chair of the GSS Oversight Commission. Such a complaint shall be acted upon as soon as possible. 

ARTICLE III

ORGANIZATION OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT

SECTION 1 - SEPARATION OF POWERS

The powers of Student Government shall be divided between the Legislative and the Executive Branches.

SECTION 2 - RIGHTS AND DUTIES

No branch of Student Government shall exercise any of the powers given to another expressly stated in this constitution.

ARTICLE IV

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH 

PART I – GENERAL STUDENT SENATE (GSS) 

SECTION 1 - PURPOSE

It shall be the purpose of the GSS to serve as the Legislative and Judicial Body of the Student Government.

SECTION 2 - POWERS

A. Shall be the final authority on all matters of finance.

B. Shall be the final authority on all matters of policy which concern Student Government.

C. Shall have the power to make regulations concerning the General Student Body.

D. Shall retain all judicial power of Student Government including the power to interpret this Constitution. In the event a complaint is filed against the entire GSS then the GSS Oversight Commission shall be the final authority on that complaint only as enumerated under Article IV, Part II.

E. Shall have the power to send any resolution to a referendum of the General Student Body by a three-fifths (3/5) vote.

F. Shall have the power to make recommendations to other legislative and administrative bodies and officials concerning the welfare of the General Student Body.

G. Shall have the power to recognize, and to remove said recognition, from student organizations.

H. May call upon any member of the Executive Branch to come before the GSS and to be publicly accountable for his/her actions.

I. Shall appoint, or cause to be appointed its own committees.

J. Shall initiate programs as needs arise.

SECTION 3 - MEMBERSHIP

A. Shall consist of not less than thirty-five (35) and not more than fifty-five (55) seats for membership. Members seated shall be titled Senators, to be apportioned on a basis that will ensure, as far as it is practicable, that equal numbers of voters can vote for proportionally equal numbers of senators.

B. Shall set the qualifications for its membership.

C. Shall hold one (1) election a year.

SECTION 4 - GSS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS

The GSS shall be run in accordance with its own governing documents which shall regulate the procedures of the body. 

PART II – GSS OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 

SECTION 1 - PURPOSE

The purpose of the GSS Oversight Commission shall be to hear complaints filed against the actions of the General Student Senate.

SECTION 2 - MEMBERSHIP

A. This commission shall consist of nine (9) members of the General Student Body.

B. Members will be selected by the Dean of Students.

C. Members of any part of Student Government, Inc. shall not be members of this commission.

D. Members of this commission may not file complaints against the GSS.

SECTION 3 - POWERS

A. This commission shall only meet upon the filing of a complaint against the entire GSS.

B. This commission shall establish its own guidelines. These guidelines shall in no way impede the powers of the GSS an enumerated under Article III, Part 1 of this constitution.

C. If the Commission determines a complaint to be valid, it shall have the authority to take corrective action. Corrective actions may not conflict with the processes outlined in this Constitution in any way.

SECTION 4 – APPEAL OF A COMMISSION DECISION

•  There may be one appeal of the decision of the GSS Oversight Commission. This appeal must be filed with the President of the University of Maine .

•  The President of the University of Maine or his/her designate may overturn the decision of the GSS Oversight Commission if he/she feels the decision was made in error.

PART III – INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM

SECTION 1 - LIMITED INITIATIVE

A. The General Student Body reserves the power to propose resolutions, by petition, to the GSS. This reserved power shall be known as limited initiative.

B. A limited initiative petition shall contain the full text of the proposed resolution and shall be signed by at least fifty (50) members of the General Student Body.

SECTION 2 - INITIATIVE

A. The General Student Body reserves the power to propose resolutions and Constitutional amendments by petition to be directly accepted or rejected by the General Student Body. This reserved power shall be known as initiative.

B. An initiative petition shall contain the full text of the proposed resolution or amendment and shall be signed, in the case of a resolution, by at least three (3) percent of the General Student Body, and in the case of an amendment, by at least six (6) percent of the General Student Body. Said petition shall be submitted to the President of Student Government.

C. A proposal submitted by initiative shall be submitted to a vote no less than thirty (30) and no more than forty-five (45) academic days after being filed with the President of Student Government.

SECTION 3 - REFERENDUM

A. The General Student Body reserves the power to require, by petition that any resolution passed by the GSS be submitted to the General Student Body for approval or rejection. This reserved power shall be known as referendum.

B. A referendum petition must be filed with the President of Student Government within thirty (30) academic days after passage by the GSS of the resolution in question and must be signed by at least three (3) percent of the General Student Body.

C. The referendum shall take place not less than twenty (20) academic days or no more than thirty (30) academic days after filing of the referendum petition.

SECTION 4 - RESTRICTIONS

The initiative shall not be used to pass resolutions making or repealing appropriations of funds or to name or designate any person to hold public office. 

ARTICLE V

EXECUTIVE BRANCH 

PART I – PRESIDENT OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT 

SECTION 1 - POWERS AND DUTIES

A. Shall serve as the chief executive officer of Student Government and as such shall see that all decisions of the GSS are faithfully executed.

B. Sha ll represent and express the wishes of the General Student Body to any persons outside that constituency.

C. Shall coordinate the activities of Student Government.

D. Shall be a non-voting ex-officio member of the GSS.

E. Shall appoint, or cause to be appointed, the student membership of all non-GSS committees, with the advice and approval of the GSS.

F. Shall maintain records of the term in which he/she serves, and prepare the officer who follows for all duties he/she will be responsible for.

G. Shall perform such other duties as directed by the GSS.

SECTION 2 - PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

A. The president shall be elected by plurality vote of the General Student Body. This election shall take place in December at a time to be determined by the GSS.

B. The candidates shall be members, in good standing, of the General Student Body and shall submit a petition at least fourteen (14) days before the election signed by at least two-hundred (200) members of the General Student Body.

C. Candidates on the ballot shall deliver a platform statement before the GSS, and such other persons as may wish to attend a special meeting of the GSS held seven (7) days before the election.

D. The president-elect shall take office at a special meeting of the GSS held (7) days after the announcement of the certified election results.

SECTION 3 – OATH OF OFFICE

Upon taking office, the President of Student Government shall stand, raise his/her right hand and repeat the following, as read by a member of Student Government of his/her choosing:

I state your name , do solemnly swear, that I will support and uphold the Constitution of Student Government, Inc. Further I swear to well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter, while representing the Undergraduate Student Body, and the University of Maine .

SECTION 4 - IMPEACHMENT AND REMOVAL

A. The GSS shall have the power to impeach the President. Impeachment shall take the form of a resolution, stating the reasons for impeachment, passed by a two-thirds (2/3) roll call vote of the full membership at a regular meeting provided that notification of the Impeachment Resolution is given no later than the previous meeting.

B. The General Student Body reserves the power to remove the President from office. Removal shall take place upon passage, by the General Student Body of an Impeachment Resolution in a special election to be held not less than fifteen (15) academic days and not more than twenty-five (25) academic days after its passage by the GSS.

SECTION 5 - RECALL

A. The General Student Body reserves the Power to propose, by petition, the removal of the President of the Student Government from office. This reserved power shall be known as the Recall.

B. A recall petition shall contain the reason(s) for the removal of the President of Student Government from office and be signed by at least five (5) percent of the General Student Body.

C. The GSS shall, at the first regular meeting following the submission of the Recall Petition, vote on whether or not to approve the petition. If approved by a two-thirds (2/3) roll call vote of the full membership, the President of Student Government shall be removed from office. If not approved, it shall be submitted to a referendum of the General Student Body not less than fifteen (15) academic days and not more than twenty-five (25) academic days after consideration by the GSS.

SECTION 6 - SUCCESSION

•  If for any reason the office of President of Student Government is vacated, he/she shall be succeeded by the Vice-President of Student Government who shall, as soon as possible, appoint a new Vice-President of Student Government with the advice and approval of the GSS.

•  If there is no Vice-President for Student Government further succession shall occur in the following order:

•  Vice President for Financial Affairs

•  Vice President for Student Organizations

•  Vice President for Student Entertainment

•  President Pro tempore of the General Student Senate

•  In such cases, the person taking the office of President of Student Government shall immediately appoint officers to fill all Executive Branch vacancies remaining, with the advice and approval of the General Student Senate.

•  Any further succession may be determined by the General Student Senate.

PART II –VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT

SECTION 1 - POWERS AND DUTIES

•  Shall serve as President of the General Student Senate and as such shall represent and express the wishes of the GSS to any persons outside said body.

•  Shall act with the President in coordinating the activities of Student Government.

•  Shall maintain records of the term in which he/she serves, and prepare the officer who follows for all duties he/she will be responsible for.

•  Shall perform such other duties as directed by the GSS.

SECTION 2 - ELECTION

Shall be elected in the same manner as the President of Student Government, shall recite the same oath of office and shall be subject to the same procedures for impeachment, removal and recall as the President of Student Government.

PART III - CABINET

SECTION 1 - PURPOSE

It shall be the purpose of the Cabinet to serve as an advisory body to the President of Student Government, to help coordinate the activities of Student Government and to advise the GSS on matters of policy.

SECTION 2 - POLICY

All policies decided upon by the Cabinet shall be submitted to the GSS in the form of a resolution for action.

SECTION 3 - AUTHORITY

Shall have the authority to propose resolutions to the GSS or veto any Resolution passed by the GSS with a 2/3 vote of members present, provided a quorum exists. The GSS may over-turn this veto by a 2/3 roll call vote.

SECTION 4 - CHAIRPERSON

The Chairperson of Cabinet shall be the President of Student Government.

SECTION 5 - MEMBERSHIP

A. Shall consist of the Vice-President of Student Government, the VPFA, the VPSE, the VPSO, different members representing each Representative Board, different members representing each Community Association, and two members from GSS. The President shall appoint these positions no later than two academic weeks into the President's term. The President's Cabinet must be approved by a majority vote of the Senate. The President shall have the discretion of appointing ex-officio members as he/she deems necessary, with the advice and approval of the GSS.

B. Any member of the Cabinet who is absent and fails to send a representative to two (2) consecutive meetings of the Cabinet shall lose all the rights and privileges of membership and shall not count toward a quorum until he/she is reinstated by a majority vote the GSS.

C. It shall be the President's authority to remove any Cabinet member from his/her position, only to replace that member as described by Part A. Replacement of that member must occur by the next Cabinet meeting.

SECTION 6 - MEETINGS

A. Shall meet every Wednesday after the GSS has held a meeting.

B. Cabinet shall run in accordance with its own governing documents.

C. Special meetings of the Cabinet may be held at the discretion of the President or upon the request of at least three (3) members of the Cabinet.

D. The Cabinet members shall exchange progress reports about their respective organization at each meeting.

PART IV - THE DIVISION OF FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

SECTION 1 - PURPOSE

It shall be the purpose of the Division of Financial Affairs (DFA) to provide for the uniform and efficient operation of the financial affairs of Student Government and its agencies.

SECTION 2 - ORGANIZATION

The Division of Financial Affairs shall consist of the Vice-President for Financial Affairs, the Student Government Treasurer and the Executive Budgetary Committee. Any additional employees of the DFA must be created and regulated according to the Student Government Employment Policies.

SECTION 3 - VICE-PRESIDENT FOR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS (VPFA)

A. Shall be appointed by the outgoing President of Student Government, with the advice and approval of the GSS. If for any reason the position of VPFA should fall vacant, the current President of Student Government will appoint a new VPFA with the advice and approval of the GSS.

B. Shall advise the President of Student Government and the Cabinet on all matters of finance and financial policy.

C. Shall, in the absence of a qualified Treasurer, write all checks.

D. Shall see that all accounts of Student Government are submitted to an annual audit and that the results of that audit are reported to the GSS and made available to the General Student Body.

E. Shall have the right to inspect the financial records of any organization that receives funding from the Student Activity Fee.

F. Shall report any appropriations by the Executive Budgetary Committee to the General Student Senate. This report must be given no later than the GSS meeting immediately following the meeting of the EBC which the appropriation was made.

G. May be removed from office as stated in the Student Government Employment Policies.

H. Shall perform such other duties as directed by the President or Vice President of Student Government or the GSS.

SECTION 4 - TREASURER

A. Shall be appointed by the VPFA with the advice and approval of the GSS.

B. Shall write all checks.

C. Shall keep, or provide for the keeping of, such financial records as are necessary.

D. Shall serve as financial advisor for all Student Organizations.

E. May be removed from office as stated in the Student Government Employment Policies.

F. Shall perform such other duties as directed by the VPFA.

SECTION 5 - EXECUTIVE BUDGETARY COMMITTEE

A. The chairperson shall be the Vice-President for Financial Affairs.

B. Shall consist of the President and Vice-President of Student Government, the VPFA, the VPSO, the Treasurer of Student Government and 4 members elected by GSS at the first GSS meeting of October, or when any seats should fall vacant.

C. The EBC shall run in accordance with its own governing documents.

D. Meetings shall be held not less than once a week when the GSS is in session, or upon request of at least two members of the EBC.

E. Any member who is absent or fails to send a representative to two (2) consecutive meetings of the EBC shall lose all the rights and privileges of membership and shall not count as a quorum until he/she is reinstated by a majority vote of the EBC.

F. The EBC shall have the power to prepare the Annual Budget and all other budget matters, for submission to the GSS in accordance with the most current Student Government financial policies.

G. The EBC shall have the power to appropriate funds to Student Organizations up to $1000 without approval by the General Student Senate. The GSS may overturn such appropriation by a 2/3 roll call vote assuming the funds have not yet been distributed.

SECTION 6 – DIVISION POLICIES

The Division of Financial Affairs shall maintain a set of policies to govern the operations of the division. These Financial Policies shall be subject to amendment by a 2/3 vote of the GSS.

PART V - THE DIVISION OF STUDENT ENTERTAINMENT

SECTION 1 - PURPOSE

It shall be the purpose of the Division of Student Entertainment (DSE) to provide programming events for the General Student Body at the University of Maine in a manner consistent with the most effective and efficient use of Student Activity Fee.

SECTION 2 – ORGANIZATION

The DSE shall consist of the Vice President of Student Entertainment, the Special Entertainment Committees and the Student Entertainment Committee. Any additional employees of the DSE must be created and regulated according to the Student Government Employment Policies.

SECTION 3 - VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT ENTERTAINMENT (VPSE)

•  Shall be appointed by the out-going President of Student Government every December with the advice and approval of the GSS.

•  The Vice President of Student Entertainment shall lead and coordinate the programming events of the Division of Student Entertainment.

•  The VPSE shall preside over the Student Entertainment Committee.

•  May be removed from office as stated in the Student Government Employment Policies.

•  Shall perform such other duties as directed by the President or Vice President of Student Government, the GSS or the Student Entertainment Committee.

SECTION 4 – SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEES

•  It shall be the purpose of all Special Entertainment Committees to provide for a specific type of entertainment to the General Student Body.

•  Each Special Entertainment Committee shall be outlined in the Student Entertainment Policies.•  The Chairpersons of each Special Entertainment Committee shall be appointed by the end of September for a term of one year, with the advice and approval of the Student Entertainment Committee. If for any reason any of the positions should fall vacant, the current VPSE will appoint a new chair with the advice and approval of the Student Entertainment Committee.

•  The membership of each committee shall be determined by the Chairperson of that committee.

•  Each committee shall adopt its own set of governing documents. These documents shall be subject to amendment by a 2/3 vote of the Student Entertainment Committee.

SECTION 5 - THE STUDENT ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE (SEC)

•  The Student Entertainment Committee shall be responsible for organizing and approving all programming events of the DSE, including those planned by the Special Entertainment Committees.

•  The Student Entertainment Committee shall be chaired by the Vice President for Student Entertainment.

•  The Student Entertainment Committee shall be comprised of the chairs of the Special Entertainment Committees, employees of the Division of Student Entertainment and any members of the General Student Body appointed by the VPSE and approved by the SEC. Members of Cabinet shall have the option of voting membership if they so desire.

•  The SEC shall run in accordance with its own set of governing documents.

•  All decisions of the Student Entertainment Committee may be overturned by the General Student Senate within 3 business days of the decision by the SEC. No action to finalize the decision of the SEC may be made until those 3 business days have elapsed.

SECTION 6 – DIVISION POLICIES

The Division of Student Entertainment shall maintain a set of policies to govern the operations of the division. These Entertainment policies shall be subject to amendment by a 2/3 vote of the GSS.

PART VI - THE DIVISION OF STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

SECTION 1 - PURPOSE

It shall be the purpose of the Division of Student Organizations to promote the activities of student organizations at the University of Maine and to assist in the programs each take part in.

SECTION 2 - ORGANIZATION

The Division of Student Organizations shall consist of the Vice President for Student Organizations, and all recognized Student Organizations, classified by type.

SECTION 3 - VICE-PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS (VPSO)

•  Shall be appointed by the outgoing President of Student Government, with the advice and approval of the GSS. If for any reason the position of VPSO should fall vacant, the current President of Student Government will appoint a new VPSO with the advice and approval of the GSS.

•  Shall be responsible for maintaining a list of active and inactive Student Government recognized clubs, the officers of those clubs, the dates of all club elections, and the official membership of all clubs.

•  Shall regularly keep in contact with all clubs, so they may be informed regarding Student Government activities, as well as rights and responsibilities of club status.

•  Shall assist all clubs seeking the various stages of approval from the GSS.

•  Shall have the authority to approve club re-activation.

•  Shall maintain all paperwork dealing with club approval and membership.

•  May be removed from office as stated in the Student Government Employment Policies.

•  Shall perform such other duties as directed by the President or Vice President of Student Government or the GSS.

SECTION 4 – DIVISION POLICIES

The Division of Student Organizations shall maintain a set of policies to govern the operations of the division. These Student Organization policies shall be subject to amendment by a 2/3 vote of the GSS.

ARTICLE VI

REPRESENTATIVE BOARDS

SECTION 1 – PURPOSE

It shall be the purpose of Representative Boards to provide for representation of groups of students who have voluntarily associated themselves with certain segments of the university community.

SECTION 2 - GOVERNING OF BOARDS

Each of the following groups shall have the right to adopt and/or amend a Constitution for their own governance so long as they are not inconsistent with this document:

•  The Fraternities

•  The Sororities.

•  The On-Campus Student Body

•  The Off-Campus Student Body

•  The Student Athletes

SECTION 3 - POWER

•  Each of these Representative Boards are granted full power concerning their own affairs and governance; but this grant of power shall not be construed to limit or restrict the powers of the GSS as enumerated under Article III, Section 2 of this Constitution.

•  Shall have the authority to propose resolutions to the General Student Senate with the approval of a majority of the Board membership.

SECTION 4 – ELECTION PRACTICES

Each of these Representative Boards shall be required to submit to an annual review of their election practices by the FEPC as outlined in the FEPC Guidelines.

ARTICLE VII

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS

SECTION 1 – PURPOSE

It shall be the purpose of Community Associations to provide for representation of groups of students who associate themselves with certain segments of the university community dealing with individual heritage, sex, sexuality or disability.

SECTION 2 - GOVERNING OF ASSOCIATIONS

Each of the following organizations shall have the right to be classified as Community Associations, with all the rights and responsibilities as outlined in this Constitution:

•  Student Heritage Alliance Center (SHAC)

•  Wilde Stein Alliance for Sexual Diversity

•  Student Men's Association

•  Student Women's Association

•  Students with Disabilities Association

SECTION 3 - POWER

•  Each of these Community Associations are granted full power concerning their own affairs and governance; but this grant of power shall not be construed to limit or restrict the powers of the GSS as enumerated under Article III, Section 2 of this Constitution.

•  Each of these Community Associations shall have the authority to propose resolutions to the General Student Senate with the approval of a majority of the Association membership.

SECTION 4 – ELECTION PRACTICES

Each of these Representative Boards shall be required to submit to an annual review of their election practices by the FEPC as outlined in the FEPC Guidelines.

ARTICLE VIII

FINANCES

PART I - STUDENT ACTIVITY FEE

Income may be derived from the imposition of a Student Activity Fee upon the General Student Body, the amount to be set by the GSS and approved by the General Student Body in a referendum held not less than thirty (30) academic days and not more than forty-five (45) academic days from passage by the GSS.

PART II - ANNUAL BUDGET

SECTION 1 - PROPOSALS

Only members of the EBC may submit proposals for the Annual Budget and all such proposals shall first be submitted to the VPFA.

SECTION 2 - BUDGET PROCESS

The DFA shall prepare a Budget process timeline to be submitted to the EBC in early February.

SECTION 3 - DEADLINE

The EBC shall prepare the Annual Budget to be submitted to the GSS at least four (4) weeks before the end of the spring semester. While preparing the Annual Budget, two-thirds (2/3) of the EBC must be present.

SECTION 4 - ACCEPTANCE/REJECTION

The GSS shall pass or reject, by roll call vote, the Annual Budget as a single, non-divisible resolution. The GSS may, however, amend the Annual Budget as it deems proper provided that the GSS authorize no expenditures that shall exceed expected income.

SECTION 5 - FAILURE OF THE GSS TO PASS

If, for any reason, the proposed Annual Budget is not passed by the GSS by the end of the spring semester, then it shall go into effect as if passed by the GSS without amendments, until the first regular meeting of the GSS in the fall semester at which time it shall be the first item on the Agenda and shall be open to amendments by the GSS.

SECTION 6 - SURPLUS BUDGET

Any money not appropriated in the Annual Budget shall form a Surplus Budget to be administered by the EBC subject to the approval, review and amendment of the GSS.

PART III - RESTRICTIONS

SECTION 1 - FUNDS

No part of the net income of Student Government shall be allocated for the benefit of any private person, with the exception that Student Government shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distribution in furtherance of the purposes of this Student Government or set forth in the Preamble of this Constitution.

SECTION 2 - PROPAGANDA

No substantial part of the activities of Student Government shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and Student Government shall not participate in or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

SECTION 3 - DISSOLUTION OF ASSETS

Upon its dissolution all the assets of Student Government shall, after the payment of any outstanding debts and obligations, be transferred to the University of Maine with the intent of redistributing it to the students. If this proves impossible, they shall be transferred to the Government of the State of Maine .

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1 - PASSAGE BY GSS

All amendments, except those proposed by initiative, must first be passed by a two-thirds (2/3) roll call vote of the GSS.

SECTION 2 - SPECIAL ELECTION

An amendment shall take effect upon being approved by the General Student Body in a special election to be held not less than thirty (30) academic days nor more than forty-five (45) academic days after its passage by the GSS or after filing of an initiative petition.