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- Bylaws of the Student Governance Organization at the School of Biomedical Informatics, Revised August 2014
- communication between the dean, SBMI administration and faculty. Furthermore the faculty advisor will work to assist with and provide administrative support and direction as necessary to forward the cause of the SGO.
Section 2. School Representatives
The elected officers of the SGO shall be president, vice president, and secretary with representation beginning the first day and to last one year.
- a. The president shall: be the primary spokesperson for the SBMI student body and preside over SGO meetings. At the end of his/her term, the president is also responsible for compiling all pertinent information and correspondence during his/her term of office and conveying this information to the president elect by June 1.
- b. The vice president shall: assume the duties of the president in his or her absence, prepare the agenda for SBMI meetings, and assist in all duties as necessary to contribute to the work of SGO.
- c. The secretary shall: assist in recording, preparation, and distribution of meeting minutes, be responsible for maintaining records of attendance at SGO meetings and events, and assist in all duties as necessary to contribute to the work of SGO.
The student body will elect 3 representatives into the UTHealth Student Inter-council with special terms: One representative shall be elected for a 2 year term and two representatives shall be elected for a one year term. Students can run for both SIC representation and SGO officer presentation concurrently.Section 3. Election of Officers
SGO and SIC general election shall be held no later than the first week of April to decide new Officers and Student Inter-council representation. Such elections shall be administered by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in accordance to the voting procedures outlined in these bylaws. Voting in general elections may be by either written or electronic ballot but not in combination. The election outcome for each position shall be determined by a plurality vote (the candidate receiving the most favorable ballots). Section 4. Vacancy & Resignation
When a vacancy occurs in the office of president, the vice president shall fill the unexpired term. When a vacancy occurs in any office of the SGO, the president shall call a special election to fill the office. In the event SIC representation becomes vacant, the SGO will hold a special session to appoint representation.
Any member of the SGO may resign by submitting a letter to the Dean of SBMI, Faculty Advisor, and SGO. Members who graduate or leave school during their term of office are expected to tender their resignation within thirty (30) days. Section 5. Grievances
Grievances against a member of the Executive Board may be presented in written form by any student member of the Student Association at any time. Copies are presented to: President of SGO and the faculty advisor. In the event that the President is named in the grievance issue, it should be presented to the highest-ranking member of SGO not named in the grievance who will also chair that portion of the meeting at which the issue is acted upon. Grievances shall be distributed to all members of the Executive Board at least five days prior to the regularly scheduled meeting at which the issue is to be acted upon.
Should a grievance be presented less than five days before the next regular meeting of the Executive Board, the issue will not be acted upon until the first regular meeting following. While Executive Board members named in a grievance issue are encouraged to attend this meeting, their presence is not necessary for action to be taken. The unnamed members of the Executive Board may impose any lesser penalty or take other appropriate action in lieu of removal from office where deemed warranted.- Top of the Section
Section 2. Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the SGO president or by written request, but must be scheduled at least 72 hours in advance and on a regular school day. Attendance at special meetings is recommended. Section 3. Agenda
The agenda for regular meetings shall include call to order, introduction of guests, and determination of the presence of a quorum, review and approval of minutes of previous meetings, SIC reports, unfinished business, new business, announcements, and adjournment.
The vice president of the SGO shall be responsible for preparing the agenda for each meeting. The president of the SGO shall be responsible for final approval and distribution of the agenda.Section 4. Quorum
A quorum shall be called when the majority of all voting eligible SGO representatives are present or if the rules of order are suspended. Meetings may be held without quorum but no motions may be introduced or passed. Section 5. Voting
Voting may be by voice or by written ballot. Section 6. Rules of Order
Robert's Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority, but may be suspended by the SGO president with a two-thirds vote of concurrence by the representatives present. Section 7. Minutes
The SGO secretary shall keep record of meeting minutes and distribute them after the meeting to council for review and approval in a timely manner. If the secretary is not present, he/she may appoint someone to record the minutes in his/her place. Section 8. Visitors
Visitors may attend meetings, make presentations, and have the privileges of the floor (except the vote) upon invitation of the SGO. Visitors wishing to present or to propose a motion as well as those requesting privileges of the floor must be included on the agenda, and have made a written request 5 business days prior to this meeting. - Top of the Section
- operation of the SGO. No financial obligations shall be incurred by any officer or committee except as authorized within annual budgets, or under authority of special interim action, approved by the SGO. The fiscal year shall conform to the academic year.
- At a time no later than the first regularly scheduled meeting, the SGO president shall present the proposed budget to the general membership. The budget shall be accepted by a two-thirds majority vote of the representatives. Any proposed event should be accompanied with a budget for approval by the presiding SGO.
- shall vote to hold the referendum. The referendum will then be held in accordance with the procedures for a general election. Referendum shall be passed if approved by a two-thirds majority of those students voting.
