Constitution and by Laws-STI

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS PREAMBLE We, the Undergraduate students of STI College Koronadal, through the aid of the Almighty God, in order to establish an autonomous Student Organization to support the goals and objectives of the Institution, willing to serve for the harmonious campus relationship, establish a well defined rights and obligations, promote social, political, economic, and spiritual development, determined to uphold the rights and welfare in the pursuit of the students through equality, justice and paternity, do hereby ordain and promulgate this constitution. ARTICLE I: NAME, SCOPE, DOMICILE AND LOGO Section 1: The organization established herein under this constitution shall be known as the Information and Communication Technology Council, and its acronym shall be ICT Council. Section 2: The constitution shall cover all bona fide Information Technology and Computer Technology students of STI College Koronadal. Section 3: The office of the ICT Council shall be located within the campus of STI College Koronadal with school address Sta. Lucia St., Brgy. Zone III, City of Koronadal, South Cotabato. Section 4: The ICT Council shall have a logo which signifies the student’s rights and unity supporting the goals and objectives of STI College College. ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES Section 1: The ICT Council shall be the autonomous and supreme governing body of all Information Technology and Computer Technology students of STI College Koronadal. Section 2: The ICT Council shall adhere to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity of all sectors of the society. Section 3: The ICT Council shall adhere to the policy of non-active violence in pursuing its guidelines and policies. Section 4: The ICT Council shall promote genuine concern for the students in an effort to attain their holistic development. Section 5: All laws and policies formulated in the College’s Student organization shall conform to the Council’s constitution. Section 6: The ICT Council shall safeguard student rights and welfare, and inculcate profound nationalistic consciousness necessary for constructive citizenship. Section 7: The ICT Council shall establish a strong student representation in the formulation and application of policies affecting academic and student affairs.

ARTICLE III: THE BILL OF RIGHTS Section 1: Every student shall have the right to enjoy freedom of expression or any non-violent form toward any individual body organizations, councils or even the College Administration. Section 2: Every student shall have the right to exercise freedom of religious worship and spiritual practice not contrary to law. Section 3: Every student shall have the right to information of public concern, access to academic records, documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions or decisions of the College subject to such limitations provided by law. Section 4: The right of the students against excessive fines compulsory payments and involuntary servitude, subject to such limitations as stated in this constitution, shall be recognized. Section 5: No student shall be subject to disciplinary actions, such as suspension, dismissal, expulsion, etc. without having himself been heard in an impartial investigation. Section 6: Every student shall have the right to seek assistance from the ICT Council regarding student rights and welfare. Section 7: Every student must have the right to organize any organizations and council. ARTICLE IV: DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS Section 1: It shall be the duty of every member of the ICT Council to abide all the provisions stated in this constitution as stated herein: (a) To observe the existing laws of Council; (b) To attend all general assemblies and dialogues called by the Council; (c) To support and participate in all activities concerning the upliftment of the whole studentry; (d) To pay all fines justifiably imposed as a consequence to any violation herein. Fines shall be uniformly imposed as determined by the ICT Council provided that the activity shall be college wide; (e) To cast their votes, provided that he/she is qualified, in every election being conducted; (f) To understand the Student Handbook and follow every provisions herein. ARTICLE V: SUFFRAGE AND QUALIFICATION OF ICT COUNCIL CANDIDATES Section 1: The right of suffrage shall be exercised by all the members of the ICT Council provided that he/she must have enrolled and completed at least one (1) semester of academic work preceding the elections.

Section 2: The Committee on Election and Committee on Government Affairs shall provide a system for securing the sanctity of all the ballots. Section 3: Any bona fide student of STI College Koronadal and member of Council may run for the ICT Club office, provided he/she must: (a) Have enrolled and completed at least one (1) school year of academic work; (b) Carry at least a normal load prescribed by his/her School; (c) Have not been found guilty in any disciplinary case or any involving moral turpitude; (d) Not have an off-campus field practicum or On-the-job training during his/her tenure of office except for Student Council President; (e) Does not hold any other office in their School Organization. ARTICLE VI: ICT COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Section 1: The ICT Council shall be the highest student governing body in all Information Technology and Computer Technology students of STI College Koronadal and shall be comprised of all its members. Section 2: The Council, which refers herein as the ICT Councils officers, shall be comprised of the President, Vice-President, Secretary-General, Treasurer, Auditor, Public Information Officer, (2) Business Managers, ICT Representatives of SSG as ex-officio members and optional positions of Muse and Prince Charming. (a) The President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and the Auditor, Public Information Officer, and (2) Business Managers shall be elected at large; (b) The elected ICT Representative of SGG shall automatically sit as members of Council; (c) The Treasurer and the Auditor must not be a graduating student during their tenure of office; ARTICLE VII: THE COUNCIL Section 1: The Council shall have the power to interpret the provisions of the constitution if and when questions arise. Section 2: The Council shall draft a budgetary allocations for its activities which is to be approved by two-thirds (2/3) vote of all its officers. Section 3: The Council shall: (a) Have the power to deliberate and recommend the program of the activities submitted by the different constitutional committees, as well as resolutions passed by the officers in the Council;

(b) Organize, coordinate, direct student activities designed to promote their general welfare, as well as to prepare them for constructive citizenship; (c) Serve as the direct linkages between the ICT studentry and the administration; (d) Assist the school authorities in disseminating information among studentry, and educating on rules and regulations on the student conduct and discipline; (e) Observe proper Parliamentary Procedure during its meetings. ARTICLE VIII: POWERS AND FUNCTION OF THE ICT OFFICERS Section 1: The President, as the chief executive of the council, shall have the following powers and functions: (a) Sign all communications, papers, and resolutions of the council, provided that the resolution is concurred by a majority of the officers present during the meeting of the council; (b) Create “Ad Hoc” or special committee and appoint its staff/members, as well as the delegates or representatives to any external affairs affecting the council, as may be recommended by the council; (c) Must represent the Council in any occasions/events where the organization needs representation; (d) Responsible for informing his constituents of the undertakings, plans, programs of the council; (e) Preside all general assembly meetings and Council meetings; (f) Perform such other duties as may be deemed necessary or incidental to the discharge of the functions of the office. Section 2: The Vice-President shall: (a) Take over the functions of the President whenever his office is vacant by reason of death, resignation, removal, suspension, illness, physical or mental incapacity, or his failure to qualify for office. (b) Have the power to make resolutions that promote student welfare; (c) Present and pass a financial Report in every activity they have conducted to the council, to be kept by the Auditor. Section 3: It shall be the duty of the Secretary-General to: (a) Keep the journal of all the proceedings of the Council; (b) Keep all the papers, records, documents, and files, and correspondence of the Council;

(c) Announce all meeting of the Council; (d) Perform such function as the President or the Council may for time to time assign to him/her. Section 4: The Treasurer shall: (a) Collect and receive all the required Council fee(s) to be assisted by the other officers; (b) Act as Custodian or bookkeeper and deposit in the bank the funds of the Council; (c) Disburse funds in accordance with an appropriation of the council; (d) Submit a financial statement/ report at the end of each semester to the council which shall be published in the College Official Student Publication. Section 5: The Auditor shall: (a) Keep an inventory and take charge of all council properties; (b) Act as a watchdog/overseer of the money matters of the council; (c) Audit the money allocated by the Treasurer to the different Constitutional Committee, and the council as a whole; (d) Submit an audited financial report to the Council before the end of the semester. Section 6: The Public Information Officer shall: (a) Chair a standing constitutional committees as appointed by the President; (b) Pass a program of activities to the Council before it makes the GPOA; Section 7: The Business Managers shall: (d) Serve as the linkage between the different School organizations and the Supreme Student Council; (e) Have the power to make resolutions that promote student welfare; (f) Have no jurisdiction in the governance of the different constitutional committees; (g) Support and participate in all activities sponsored by the Council; Section 8: The Muse and Prince Charming shall: (a) Have the power to make resolutions that promote student welfare; (b) Have no jurisdiction in the governance of the different constitutional committees; (c) Support and participate in all activities sponsored by the Council; Section 9: The ICT Representative of SSG shall: (a) Serve as the linkage between the different School organizations and the Supreme Student Council; (b) Have the power to make resolutions that promote student welfare;

ARTICLE IX: THE CONSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEES Section 1: The Committee on Government Affairs shall have the following powers and functions: (a) Formulate rules, guidelines, policies for the Councils and investigate all matters pertaining to disciplinary action; (b) Deal matters related to the constitution and by-laws of the ICT Councils; (c) Create programs concerning the enhancement and development of the ICT Council. Section 2: The Committee on Ways and Means shall: (a) Initiate and plan income generating activities and projects in behalf of the Councils; (b) Endorse all funds raised by the committee to the Council Treasurer; (c) Find ways and means in a direct or indirect manner for the success of certain activity or project of the Council. Section 3: The Committee on Election (COMELEC) shall: (a) Initiate programs concerning political activities which enhance political awareness among students; (b) Responsible for the Election processes of the Council; (c) Have all jurisdiction over all election protests and its decisions shall be final and executory; (d) Formulate election guidelines consistent with the ICT Council’s constitution, including accreditation on all political parties; (e) Maintain impartiality at all times, as COMELEC; (f) Call upon existing COMELEC of every Departments to assist the holding of the Council’s election; (g) Conduct and official declaration of the new set of officers. ARTICLE X: MEETINGS AND QUORUMS Section 1: Meetings of the Council shall either be regular, or special/emergency Section 2: The Council must have a regular meetings at least four meetings every semester and shall be scheduled every last week of the month. Section 3: All meetings shall be called by the President, or by the designated in-charge, or may be called by petition of at least four (4) ICT Officers.

Section 4: A regular General Assembly shall be called once every year by the Council. However the President may call, a General Assembly anytime as deemed necessary. Section 5: Two-third of the total number of SSC Elected Officers shall constitute a quorum for the Council to legally transact business. Section 6: Matters concerning the approval of resolutions and adoption of the committee reports need a simple majority vote for consideration. Section 7: Matters concerning the approval of the budgetary allocation, declaration of the existence of boycott or strike, amendments to the constitution and impeachment of members need two-third (2/3) vote for all the officers for consideration. ARTICLE X: GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 1: This constitution shall govern the ICT Council of STI College Koronadal. Section 2: Permanent vacancy exist when any position in the ICT Council has been vacated for reasons of death, resignation, impeachment, expulsion, or permanent disability and other reasons that hinder the officer to perform his/her duties in the ICT Council. (a) Upon the existence of the permanent vacancy, a special election may be called for such reason. In case the permanent vacancy occurs one month prior to the election, the council shall appoint any person deemed capable, to fill-in the vacated seat for the remaining term. (b) In case of a permanent vacancy of any elected position in the council other than the President and the Vice-president, the President may appoint somebody to fill the position. Section 3: Temporary vacancy exists when a seat in the Council is vacated by reason of suspension or any reason that hinders the officer in performing his/her duties before the end of the term. (a) In case the suspension of the Officer is set for a long period, the President shall appoint any person, deemed capable, to fill-in the seat temporarily. Section 4: The election of the School Organizations shall be according to the time and date stipulated in their respective Constitution and By-Laws. Section 5: The election of the ICT Officers shall be held sometime in July. Section 6: There must be a formal turnover, of the finances, properties and functions of the outgoing set of officers to the incoming set on their first meeting. Section 7: Induction of the newly elected officers shall be held within the month of July of the succeeding school year. Section 8: The Tenure of Office of the ICT Officers shall take effect on the first Monday of August and shall terminate on the same date of the succeeding year.

Section 9: All monetary appropriations must be spent solely for the intended purpose. Hence there will be no realignment of funds. (a) In case the activity appropriated is not pushed through, the appropriations must be returned to the general fund of the council immediately. Section 10: A dialogue must be conducted between the administration and the students once every quarter. Section 11: All laws being formulated by the Council which is not in conformity with the Philippine Constitution shall be considered null and void. ARTICLE XI: IMPEACHMENT, EXPULSION, AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS Section 1: If a council officer fails to attend three (3) consecutive regular meetings without informing the body of his/her status or reasons of his/her absence, he/she automatically be dropped from the roll. He/she shall henceforth, cease to be a member of the council. (a) If the dropped member of the council wishes to return, he/she should explain and justify his/her side. With the concurrence of two third (2/3) affirmative vote of all the officers, he/she can be reinstated into the council. Section 2: Any officer of the Council may be suspended or impeached, as determined by the Council, for any of the following cases: (a) Any willful violation of this constitution; (b) Gross neglect of duty; (c) Any disorderly behavior during Council sessions/meetings; (d) Act of Graft and Corruption. Section 3: The Committee on Government Affairs shall spearhead the investigation in case there is a petition for suspension or impeachment of any officers. Section 4: After the verification of the said committee about the complaint, it shall then endorse the complaint with the prima facie evidence in the form of resolution to the ICT officers. The complaint must be settled within two (2) consecutive regular meetings of the council. Section 5: Two thirds (2/3) of the members present during the meeting can tackle and discuss petition for impeachment or suspension of officer(s). Section 6: Any ICT officer may be removed from office by the concurrence of two third (2/3) vote of all council officers. Section 7: For the purpose of suspension, disciplinary proceedings at which penalty is being determined shall be required, provided that: (a) The members present shall constitute a quorum; (b) The period of suspension shall not exceed sixty (60) calendar days.

Section 8: The complaint or respondent shall have no right to vote in any disciplinary proceedings.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS AND REVISION Section 1: The constitution of the ICT Council may be revised or amended. Section 2: The revision or amendment of this constitution must be in the following steps: (a) It must be proposed by any officer of the council; (b) A letter of Request for Amendment/Revision must be presented to the Council for approval. Section 3: The proposed amendments/revisions must be presented in writing during the previous meeting and copies thereof must be presented to the officers five (5) days prior to its consideration. Section 4: Upon the approval of the proposal for amendment/revision by the council a Constitutional Convention must be formed. Section 5: This constitution may be revised or amended by an affirmative vote of two third (2/3) of all the members present in the Constitutional conventional. Section 6: A Constitutional Convention comprises the following: (a) The President of the ICT Council – as Chairman; (b) The Vice-President – as the Vice Chairman; (c) The Secretary General; (d) Other elected officers of the Council; (e) The Council’s Adviser or Moderator; (f) The Officer of Student Affairs as the Consultant. Section 7: Copies of the Revised or amended constitution must be distributed to the members of the Council one week before the Ratification. ARTICLE XIII: TRANSITORY PROVISION Section 1: The present officers of the council shall have an Organizational Review in order to compromise the present structure and the structure of this constitution. (a) The following shall continue their tenure of office:

1.

The Executive staff namely: the Secretary-Gen., the Secretary, Treasurer, and Auditor;

2.

The COMELEC Chairman and its members.

Section 2: The new designations of the Officers shall function in conformity with the present constitution. ARTICLE XIV: EFFECTIVITY Section 1: This Constitution and By-Laws shall take effect immediately after the ratification of the majority of its member in the General Assembly, and the current ICT officers shall continue their term of office until their successors shall have been duly elected in the ICT election.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS Proponent:

STEVE C. RODRIGUEZ Vice-President, ICT Club Noted:

DANTE JAVIER M. GO, MIT Club Adviser, ICT Council Recommending Approval:

SIMBER JOY D. DELA CRUZ School Administrator, STI College Koronadal

Approved:

ORLANDO N. DELA CRUZ, CPA School President, STI College Koronadal