StudentLife

Senate Bill #001 

Resolved by the Student Senate of Madison Area Technical College, that the following article is proposed: 

Add fee referendum guidelines to the Student Senate bylaws 

—                                                                                                                      

IN THE SENATE OF MADISON AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Date Presented – Thursday, August 10th, 2023 

This legislation is brought to the General Assembly for consideration by Sen. Crowder, Sen. Her, Sen. Pickelsimer, and Sen. Wilkin by way of the Legislation and Rules Committee.                                                                                                                           

A BILL  

FORMAL MOTION: To a mend the bylaws to add Section 18, which will outline the process and  requirements for creating or increasing a fee through a student referendum. 

 SECTION 1. PRIMARY REASONING: 

Whereas:  

1. No guidelines currently exist around proposing or holding a referendum to increase or create a student fee. 
2. It is in the best interest of the student body to have information about what they will be asked to vote on in advance and in multiple formats. 
3. Departments or committees proposing a fee creation or increase will now have guidelines to follow for presenting to the Student Senate and creating a marketing campaign. 

SECTION 2. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Addition of Article 18, as follows: 

Article 18: Fee Referendum 

Section 1: The Student Senate is responsible for determining when to hold a referendum to create or raise a fee related to student activities.

A. Procedures for holding a Senate Referendum:

1. A department or committee must present relevant background information and reasoning to the Student Senate at a General Assembly meeting. 
2. At least two members of the Senate will write and present a resolution that identifies the reasoning behind the referendum, details about what will be asked of students, and lists a proposed date for sending the ballot to students.
   a.The resolution must pass with a simple majority of Senate members in attendance at the time of the vote.
3. Student Senate will help increase awareness about the referendum by sharing it on social media and Senators will table at all campuses where the referendum could affect students. 
4. A publicity campaign will be developed to increase student awareness of the referendum.
   a. The department or committee who brought the referendum idea to the Student Senate is responsible for creating the materials to be used in the campaign. 
   b. Marketing materials must begin to be distributed at least four weeks before the ballot is sent to students. 
   c. Marketing must include printed and digital materials.  Digital marketing should be created to share with students and will be linked on the ballot if it is created.

B. Requirements for the ballot and for a referendum to pass:

1. The Student Senate will distribute an electronic ballot to all eligible students using the technology deemed appropriate by the Student Senate officers and advisor. 
2. The ballot must be sent when classes are in session and should not be sent during the week of the December or May Commencement Ceremonies. 
3. Each referendum should be sent to all degree-credit students.  
4. The ballot should be provided in English and Spanish. 
5. Threshold for a referendum to pass:  
   a. At least 5% of eligible student voters cast their ballots. 
   b. A simple majority is required of the votes that are cast. 

 CONCLUSION: 

•  Be it enacted, by the Student Senate of Madison College assembled, that: the bylaws be amended to add Section 18, which will outline the process and requirements for creating or increasing a fee through a student referendum. 

 Voting Record