Classified Senate Constitution

CHARTER

The organization shall be known as the Classified Senate of San Joaquin Delta Community College (hereinafter referred to as the Senate). The Senate shall be recognized as one of the representative bodies of the Classified Staff and shall communicate with the administration and governing board of San Joaquin Delta Community College. It shall participate in the formation and revision of District policies and procedures in all matters that affect the Classified Staff which are not subject to negotiations with the bargaining units, California School Employees Association and PORAC.

Article I - Relationship of the Classified Senate to the Classified Staff 

Section A - Definition of Classified Staff 

The Classified Staff shall be composed of those classified employees who do not perform any services for the College that are administrative or supervisory in nature. It includes part-time and probationary classified employees.

Section B - Business 

The business of the Classified Senate, representing the Classified Staff, shall be carried out through its membership and its committees. Final authority remains with the Classified Staff, which retains the rights of initiative, recall, and petition and may, by majority of votes cast, countermand action taken by the Senate, provided that one-third or more of the general membership participates in the voting.

Section C - Meetings of the Classified Staff 

The Classified Staff shall meet on campus as specified in Article II of the Bylaws. A special meeting can be called upon petition of at least 10 percent of the membership or upon majority vote of the Classified Senate.

Article II - Classified Senate 

Section A - Membership

The membership of the Classified Senate shall consist of one Senator elected from each area as defined in the Bylaws and three elected officers at large: the President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary.

The Past President of the Classified Senate, the President of CSEA Chapter 359 and all Classified Senate appointees to College Standing Committees shall serve as ex-officio members.

Section B - Duties

The duties of the elected officers, area representatives, and committee appointees shall be those outlined in the Bylaws of the Classified Senate.

Section C - Terms

The term of office of each elected officer and area representative shall begin on January 1. The term of each elected officer shall be for two years and one year for each area representative.

Section D - Nominations and Elections 

Nominations of candidates for officer positions and Senators in the Classified Senate shall be open to any classified employee who do not perform any services for the College that are administrative or supervisory in nature. It includes part-time and probationary classified employees as defined in Article I, Section A of the constitution.

  1. The nominations will include general election nominations for President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Area Representatives.

    a. Nominations for President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary must meet the following eligibility requirements:

    i. Served as an officer for a minimum of one elected office term (2) years,

    OR

    Served as a Senator for a minimum of two years, all within the last two (2) term period.

    ii. Served as an appointed committee member for any of the shared governance committees for a minimum of two years, within the last (2 years) term period.

    Each elected officer shall be elected to a two-year term of office beginning January 1.

    b. Nominations for Senators is open to any classified employee as defined in Article I, Section A of the Constitution. Each area representative shall be elected to a one-year term of office beginning January 1.

Election Procedures

The Classified Senate will commence on or before October 15 of an election year, to seek nominations for Senate Officers from all members of the Classified Staff. Nominations for elected officers and area representatives will be accepted through the last Classified Senate meeting in the month of November.

i. Nominations to fill vacancies for the elected officers or area representatives shall be accepted in accordance to the terms in Section D, 1.

ii.If after the nominations period there is only one nomination for the officer or area representative, the single nominee shall be declared elected to the office/area. No ballot shall be required.

iii.Following the return of nominations, the Classified Senate will verify with each nominated employee, their wish to be nominated. The Classified Senate shall submit an official secret ballot to each member of the Classified Staff. These ballots shall be returned on or before the first Senate meeting in December. On or before the first Senate meeting in December, two election tellers appointed by the Classified Senate President shall tally the election results and report the results to the President.

  1. The candidate receiving the most votes shall be elected as the officer for each position. Senators will be voted on only by members of their area of representation. The nominee receiving the most votes shall be elected.
  2. In case of a tie there shall be a run-off election for that office within one week. If the results still reflect a tie between the candidates the winner shall be elected by a majority of the Classified Senate. The Classified Senate President shall notify the Classified Staff in writing as soon thereafter as possible.

    Section E - Vacancies on the Classified Senate 

Resignation from any position on the Classified Senate shall be presented in writing to the Classified Senate President. Vacancies shall be filled according to procedures outlined in the Bylaws.

Section F - Committees

The Classified Senate may establish committees to deal with issues as the need arises; the chairperson of each committee shall be named by the Classified Senate.

  • The Classified Senate shall determine the definition, goals and intended time line for each committee.
  • The chairperson of each established committee shall make committee membership recommendations to the Classified Senate, who will have the final responsibility for committee membership selection.
  • It is the responsibility of the committee chairperson to report back all findings and recommendations of the committee to the Classified Senate.
  • Responsibility for final action rests with the Classified Senate, unless 10 percent of the Classified Staff membership petitions for a full vote of the Classified Staff.

Article III - Amendments 

An amendment to the Constitution or to the Bylaws may be proposed by written petition or a majority vote of the Classified Senate. The proposed change shall be distributed to all members of the Classified Senate at least two weeks prior to a written ballot. Adoption of an amendment to the Constitution shall require a two-thirds majority of the Classified Senate voting by secret ballot. An amendment to the Bylaws shall require approval of a majority of the Classified Senate voting by written ballot.

Article IV - By Laws 

The San Joaquin Delta College Classified Senate shall prepare and present, and a majority of the members of the Classified Senate shall adopt, by ballot, such bylaws as are deemed necessary to the efficient operation of this Senate, provided, however, that all such bylaws shall be consistent with the provisions of this Constitution. Any bylaws, or amendments thereto, or repeat thereof, which shall contravene any provision of this Constitution or any policy of San Joaquin Delta College shall be null and void and of no effect from inception.