SBA Bylaws

Bylaws of the

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN BAR ASSOCIATION

ADOPTED BY THE STUDENT BAR COUNCIL

FEBRUARY 29, 1996

PREVIOUS VERSIONS AND REVISIONS

MARCH 13, 1984

AMENDED

APRIL 23, 1986

FEBRUARY 15, 1988

NOVEMBER 4, 1998

OCTOBER 21, 2001

MARCH 11, 2002

APRIL 14, 2005

APRIL 14, 2008

March 5, 2009

March 10, 2010

March 1, 2011

Bylaws of The

Wisconsin Student Bar Association, Inc.

Adopted February 29, 1996

§100 PURPOSE

These shall be the Bylaws of the Wisconsin Student Bar Association, Inc.

§110 AUTHORITY: CONFLICTS

These Bylaws are passed pursuant to Article IX of the Articles of Incorporation, Inc.  In case of conflicts, the Articles, as necessarily amended shall govern.

§120 RESTRICTED ACTIVITIES

No part of the activities of the Student Bar Association or Student Bar Council shall consist of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation; nor shall it in any manner or to any extent participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office or referendum in support of any political position.

§200 TERMS

§210 Student Bar Association

The Student Bar Association (“SBA”) is the Wisconsin Student Bar Association, Inc. as recognized by Article I of the SBA’s Articles of Incorporation and §310 of these bylaws.

§220 Student Bar Council

The Student Bar Council (“SBC”) is the elected representative body of the Wisconsin Student Bar Association as recognized by Article V of the SBA’s Articles of Incorporation.

§230 The University of Wisconsin Law School

The University of Wisconsin Law School (hereinafter sometimes “Law School”) is the Law School facility (the Law Building), faculty, and staff at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

§300 STUDENT BAR ASSOCIATION

§310 Membership

All University of Wisconsin-Madison students currently enrolled, in good standing pursuant to the Law School Rules, in a law degree-granting program, and taking at least one Law School course during the current semester, are members of the SBA.  These are the only requirements of membership in the SBA.

§320 Power to Issue Public Statements

The SBA shall be vested with the power to issue public statements representing the opinions of the Law School student body as a whole on (a) any social or political question or controversy or (b) any other policy concerning SBA members.  A statement that purports to carry the endorsement of the SBA must be transmitted electronically to the student body and must also be posted at least one week in advance in at least five conspicuous places in the Law Building.

In order to carry the endorsement of the SBA, the statement must be supported by: i) a referendum in which 2/3 of the SBA cast a vote and the statement is approved by 2/3 of the votes, ii) a meeting in which 2/3 of the SBA are present and 2/3 of those present approve of the statement, or iii) a petition signed by a majority of the SBA.

§400 STUDENT BAR COUNCIL

Each SBC member shall (a) attend SBC meetings, (b) serve one office hour per week in the SBA office or in such other place as designated by the President, (c) participate in maintaining the student lounge, refrigerators, and microwaves, and (d) participate in planning or implementing such SBA activities including, without limitation: 1L Orientation, Locker Rentals and Cleanout, Homecoming, Barristers’ Ball, and Malpractice Bash.  The SBC reserves the right to impose minimum time requirements if participation falls to an unacceptable level as determined by the President, Community Affairs Vice President, or other officer heading an event.

Absences are subject to the judgment of the Executive Council.  A request for an excused absence must be made prior to the required activity.  Sanctions for unexcused absences will be determined by the Executive Council on a yearly basis.

The freedom to express one’s views about public matters is a cornerstone of the democratic process. The SBC welcomes the diverse views and opinions of all SBA members as they relate to the issues before the SBC. In order for these discussions to be meaningful and effective, however, respect and dignity must be observed.  Elected Representatives and Officers shall conduct themselves in a professional and civil manner at all times, including treating each member of the SBC and members of the SBA with respect.

§410 Composition

The SBC shall be composed of seven Representatives from each of the first, second, and third year classes; one transfer student; two students collectively from the LLM-LI, LLM, SJD, and Hastie Fellow programs;  a President, an Academic Affairs Vice President, a Community Affairs Vice President, a Public Service Vice President, a Treasurer, and a Secretary. A Wisconsin State Bar Association/American Bar Association Liaison and a Wisconsin Public Interest Legal Foundation Representative shall be elected by the SBC from among the class representatives, unless no class representative accepts the nomination, in which case the Liaison and the Representative may be elected in the same manner by the SBC from among the entire SBA.  Except in the case of the Liaison and the Representative, no SBC member may serve in more than one office in any current term.

§420 Functions: Powers

The SBC shall strive to facilitate the needs and desires of the SBA members.  The SBC shall be open to suggestions and problems posed by the SBA.  The SBC shall communicate regularly with the SBA.  The SBC shall have such powers as are necessary and proper to fulfill these functions.

§430 Power of Resolution

The SBC may issue public statements of opinion in its own name if such statements are approved by two-thirds of the SBC voting in an SBC meeting.  The names of members in opposition to the statement may upon request be attached thereto.

§500 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

§510 Composition

The Executive council shall be composed of a President, an Academic Affairs Vice President, a Community Affairs Vice President, Public Service Vice President, a Treasurer, and a Secretary.  The offices of President, Academic Affairs Vice President, Community Affairs Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary shall be elected.

§520 Powers

The Executive Council shall have the power to:

(1)Coordinate the flow of information among the members of SBA and the Faculty of the Law School;

(2)Coordinate the flow of information between the SBA and the community at large;

(3)Appoint the Chair of each permanent and temporary Committee which functions under the auspices of the SBC;

(4)Fill all vacancies in the organizational structure of the SBC that may occur during the course of the year by granting commissions that will expire at the end of the current term and;

(5)Require any report or memorandum from any person, group, or committee that shall be necessary and proper to carry on the foregoing powers.

(6)The Executive Council may collect applications for an administrator or assistant position after the elections in the spring semester. Applicants will have one week notice to submit applications and the Executive Council shall select the appointee within one week after receiving those applications.

§525 Duties

The Executive Council shall have the additional responsibility of preparing the agenda for each meeting of the SBC and to make that agenda available to all the

SBC Representatives and to the SBA via the SBA website at least 24 hours prior to any meeting.  Submissions to be included on the agenda must be made to the President in writing by 8:00 p.m. on the Sunday prior to each meeting.  The Executive Council shall also have the responsibility of preparing and making available to the SBA and the law school faculty, by the first day of May each year, an annual report of all activities, receipts and expenditures of the SBA.

§530 Duties of the Individual Members of the Executive Council

§532 President

The President shall preside at all meetings of the SBA, the SBC, and the Executive

Council.  The President shall tend to the SBA Office.  The President shall ensure the proper carrying out of the SBA Constitution, the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws.  The President shall have access to and be responsible for all information concerning the SBA.  The President shall publish a State of the Student Body address once every semester.  The address shall include a statement of SBA planned and upcoming events, financial activities and updates of information from Deans Meetings.

§533 Vice President of Academic Affairs

In the absence of the President, the Vice President of Academic Affairs shall preside at all meetings of the SBA, the SBC and the Executive Council.  The Vice President of Academic Affairs shall be responsible for all academic, career, and alumni affairs of the SBA and for any permanent or temporary Committees established or designated by the President to fall within the bounds of academic, career, and alumni affairs; and to appoint all committee members of any ad hoc or standing faculty committee in accordance with the rules and procedures in § 1400, et seq.

§534 Vice President of Community Affairs

In the absence of both the President and the Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Vice President of Community Affairs shall preside at meetings of the SBA, the SBC and the Executive Council.  The Vice President of Community Affairs shall be responsible  for all community affairs of the SBA and for any permanent or temporary committee established or designated by the President to fall within the bounds of community affairs. The Vice President of Community Affairs shall set a date and location for Barrister’s Ball by the first day of Spring Semester class.

§535 Vice President of Public Service

In the absence of the President, the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the Vice President of Community Affairs, the Vice President of Public Services shall preside at meetings of the SBA, the SBC and the Executive Council.  The Vice President of Public Services shall be responsible for all public affairs of the SBA and for any permanent or temporary committees established or designated by the President to fall within the bounds of public affairs.

§536 Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be responsible for all financial affairs of the SBA and for any permanent or temporary committees established or designated by the President to fall within the bounds of financial affairs.  The Treasurer shall provide the SBC with accurate financial statements, an annual budget request, and any other financial report ordered by the President or the SBC.  The Treasurer shall prepare no less than one budget report per semester.  The Treasurer shall coordinate rental of the lockers and may request assistance from the SBC pursuant to §400.

§537 Secretary

At the beginning of the Secretary’s term of office, the Secretary shall review the Bylaws of the SBA and suggest any changes to the SBC.  The Secretary shall be responsible for all communicative affairs of the SBA and for any permanent or temporary committees established, and designated, by the President to fall within the bounds of communicative affairs.  The Secretary shall take responsibility for maintaining the SBA bulletin boards, committee lists, and other necessary SBA documents.

§600 ELECTION OF OFFICERS

§605 Election Results

The election results shall be printed and posted in the SBA office on the day following each election and shall be available upon request for viewing only.  Any member of the law school student body may make such a request.

§610 Timing

Officers of the SBC shall be elected by ballot of all current members of the SBA who will meet the definition of Section 310 for the following academic year.

Elections for President, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Vice President of Community Affairs, Vice President of Public Service, Treasurer, and Secretary shall be held on the first Monday of April of each academic year, or as soon thereafter as possible.  The candidates receiving the greatest number of votes in each of these elections shall assume office immediately upon announcement of the results by the Election Commissioner.

Write-in ballots are not allowed and will not be counted.

§620 Ties

If two or more candidates should tie for most votes received in an election, a run-off election shall be held between those candidates.  The run-off election shall be held two class days after the general election.  This shall continue on consecutive class days until one candidate receives a plurality of votes cast.  Write-in ballots shall not be counted in these run-off elections.

§630 Qualifications

Any member of the SBA may be nominated by filing a petition signed by 50 members of the SBA.  Such nominees may not be in their final semester of law school and must meet the definition of Section 310 for the following academic year.  The nominating petitions must be filed at the SBA Office at least five full days prior to the election.

In order to run for office, each potential SBC member must read §§ 400 and 1030 and sign a document to affirm that they agree to abide by them.  Sections 400 and 1030 should be printed on the backside of the nomination petition to ensure that each person running has access to the work requirements.

§650 Appointment of Administrators and Assistants

The Executive Council may collect applications for an administrator position after the elections in the spring semester.  Applicants will have one week notice to submit applications, and the Executive Council shall select the appointee within one week after receiving those applications.  The Executive Council shall consider specialized skills and other administrative abilities in selecting the appointee.  The SBC must ratify the appointment with a two-thirds vote.  The Technology administrator is not required to be an elected SBC member.  The SBA Executive Council has the discretion to propose removal of Administrators and Assistants with a two-thirds vote of the SBC.  The term will run for one year starting on the date of appointment.  The position is unpaid.

§655 Duties of the Technology Administrator

The Technology Administrator shall be responsible for developing and managing all web affairs of the SBA.  The Technology Administrator will also be responsible for working to improve the Law School’s technical resources.  The Technology Administrator shall carry out the will of the SBA.  The Technology Administrator will report to the President, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Secretary.

§700 ELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVES

§710 Voting for SBC Representatives

Class Representatives to the SBC shall be elected by ballot of the members of the SBA in their class.  Seven candidates from the first, second and third-year classes; one transfer student; and two students from the LLM-LI, LLM, SJD, and Hastie Fellow programs collectively shall be elected.  The candidates from each class or program receiving the greatest number of votes as positions are available shall serve as Representatives.  SBA members shall vote only for candidates from their respective class or program, and may vote for as many candidates as there are Representative positions available from each class or program.

Write-in ballots are not allowed and will not be counted.

§721 Timing: Second and Third-Year Class Representatives

Elections for the two classes that will become next academic year’s second and third year class representatives shall be held on Monday of the first week of April of the current academic year, or as soon as possible thereafter.  Elections for second and third year class representatives shall occur simultaneously with officers’ elections.

§722 Timing: First Year Class, Transfer Student, and Law Graduate Student Programs Representatives

Elections for the Representatives for the first-year class, transfer students, and LLM-LI, LLM, SJD, and Hastie Fellow program students, shall be held on the Monday during the fourth week of the fall semester of the current academic year.

§723 Ties

If there is a tie for the seventh position for class Representative, a run-off election shall be held within 2 class days following the applicable general election, in the same manner as the applicable general election.

§730 Qualifications

Any eligible member of the SBA may be nominated by filing a petition signed by 25 members of the SBA from the candidate’s respective class.  The petition must be filed at least 5 full days before the applicable election.

In order to run for representative, each potential SBC member must read §§ 400 and 1030 and sign a document to affirm that he or she understands the commitment expected of SBC members.  Sections 400 and 1030 should be printed on the nominating petition to ensure that each candidate has access to the work requirements.  Additionally, any student running for his or her first term on SBA (e.g., 2Ls in the Spring, 1Ls in Fall and Spring) is required to attend a mandatory information session with the SBC Executive Council to discuss expectations for representatives and Executive Council members, as well as the responsibilities of the SBC.

§731 First Year Class

Candidates for the first year class SBC Representative positions must have attended law school as a full-time or part-time student for fewer than 2 cumulative semesters, and must be able to serve a full term with the SBC.

§732 Second Year Class

Candidates for the second year class SBC Representative positions must have attended law school as a full-time or part-time student for at least 2 cumulative semesters, and must be able to serve a full term with the SBC.

§733 Third Year Class

Candidates for the third year class SBC Representative positions must have attended law school as a full-time or part-time student for at least 4 cumulative semesters and must be able to serve a full term with the SBC.

§734 Election of Transfer Student Representatives

Interested transfer students shall sign a letter of interest and submit it the Executive Council at least 5 full days before 1L elections in the Fall.  Names of interested transfer students will be added to the ballot and voted on by transfer students on the same day as 1L elections.  Upon election, the Transfer Student Representative becomes a voting member of the SBC and his or her duties are to coordinate events to integrate transfer students into the SBA, as well as to voice concerns/interests of transfer students at SBC meetings.

§740 Vacancies

If any SBC Representative’s position falls vacant, the President may either appoint someone to fill the position or call for an election to fill the position. The appointee shall assume duties upon appointment, subject to ratification by the SBC. The person filling the open position shall only sit for the remainder of the vacant term.

§800 ELECTION PROCEDURES

§810 Election Commissioner

The President shall appoint an Election Commissioner for each election who will be in charge of the procedure and assure that the Election Rules are obeyed.  The Election

Commissioner shall have the discretionary power to enjoin any campaign activity that the

Election Commissioner deems unfair.

§811 Right of Appeal

An interested candidate shall have the right to appeal any ruling of the Election Commissioner at the first SBC meeting following the election.  All interested parties shall have a right to challenge any election activity or decision of the Election Commissioner at the first SBC meeting following the election.  In either case, the SBC must settle the matter by resolution.  For standing, the complainant must give the Election Commissioner reasonable notice of the challenge.

§820 Limitations

Candidates for Representatives of the SBC shall be subject to the following limitations:

Expenditures and publicity shall be limited to a reasonable amount stipulated in the

Election Rules set forth by the SBC.

§830 Place; Time; Other Requirements

Elections shall take place within the Law Building.  Polls shall be open from 8:30 a.m. to

5:00 p.m.  Voting shall be by secret ballot.  The ballot shall contain the name of each candidate.  The statements of each candidate shall be made available at the voting table and distributed via e-mail prior to the elections.

§840 Absentee Ballots

The Election Commissioner shall establish provisions for absentee ballots for each SBA election.  All absentee ballots must be made prior to the day of elections.  Notice of the absentee ballot procedure must be made one week prior to the elections.  Notices shall be posted on the SBA Office door and at least five conspicuous places around the law school.

§900 RECALL

§911 Representatives

An SBC Representative may be recalled through a petition signed by one-third of the total members of their respective class or program.  The recall position must contain both the SBA members’ printed names and signatures.  Additionally, the President must verify the petition using the verification policies set forth in the Election Rules.  Upon filing of the petition with the President, the SBC Representative shall be deemed recalled.

§912 Executive Council Member

A member of the Executive Council may be recalled through a petition signed by one-fourth of the members of the SBA.  The recall petition must contain both the SBA members’ printed names and signatures.  The President must verify the petition using petitioning verification set forth in the Election Rules.  Upon filing the petition with the

President, the Executive Council member shall be deemed recalled.  If the petition asks to recall the President, the Vice President of Academic Affairs will act as the President and enforce the recall.

§920 Recall Elections

Recall elections shall be held within two weeks of the effective date of the submission of the recall position, pursuant to § 830.  The election for the open position shall be controlled by the respective section of the Bylaws on elections for that position.  The Election

Commissioner shall supervise all recall elections and announce the results of all recall elections within 24 hours after the polls close.

§930 Recalled Individual May Run

The Council member who has been recalled is eligible to run in the recall election upon compliance with Election Rules and Procedures.

§940 Term of Office

A Representative or Officer elected in a recall election shall complete the term of office of the recalled SBC Representative or Officer, at which time the term of office shall terminate.

§1000 SBC MEETINGS

§1010 Preparation for Meetings

The President shall have the responsibility to ensure the agenda, date, time, and location of SBA meetings is posted on the SBA website and sent through the SBA announcements at least 24 hours prior to the time of a meeting.  It is the duty of each SBC Representative or Officer to read said materials prior to the meeting so as to be properly informed of the business to be discussed at the meeting.

§1020 Calling of Meetings

§1021 Regular Meetings

SBC Meetings should be held bi-weekly and at a standard time when possible, and shall be held at least monthly.

§1022 Special Meetings

A meeting of the SBC may be called at any time the President or a majority of the

Executive Council deems it necessary.  Normal quorum rules shall apply to special meetings.

§1023 Notice

At least 48 hours notice shall be required for all SBC meetings.  Notice shall be posted conspicuously on the SBA Office door or other official location and in at least five conspicuous places around the Law School.  Special meetings may be called on 12 hours notice, provided notice is conspicuously posted on the SBA Office door or other official location and the President makes a reasonable effort to personally notify all SBC members.

§1024 Rules of Order

The SBA shall follow Roberts Rules of Order, the enforcement of which shall be the responsibility of the President. The outgoing President and Secretary shall conduct a Robert’s Rules of Order training at the beginning of the incoming Representatives’ term. The President shall be responsible for training the 1L representatives in Roberts Rules of Order prior to the first meeting of their term. The President shall have power to change the rules of order where necessary and proper.

§1025 Rules of Procedure

[Deleted in March 1, 2011 Amendment – redundant to §1044]

§1030 Attendance of SBC Members

Any SBC member missing more than two meetings a semester, or a total of four meetings during his or her term of office, shall be immediately suspended from the SBC.

Absence from participation in 1L Orientation, Homecoming, Locker Rentals and Cleanout, Barrister’s Ball, or Malpractice Bash as outlined in §400 without an excuse shall count as missing a meeting.

§1031 Review

A suspension review hearing will be held if requested by the suspended SBC member.  Three SBC Representatives, one from each class, or two SBC Representatives from the suspended member’s class if no first year students are represented at the time of suspension, shall be chosen by lot to hear the review.  The hearing shall be held within one week of the suspension unless the President, in extraordinary situations, extends the allotted time.  If those reviewing the situation so rule, the member shall be immediately reinstated.  Otherwise, the suspension shall be deemed permanent and the office shall be declared and treated as if a resignation had occurred.  If more than three SBC members are suspended, the President may, without notice, suspend quorum and adjust it accordingly.

§1032 Excusable Absence

Any absence due to the pursuit of official SBC business shall not be included in an SBC member’s absence total.  Any absence from a special meeting shall not be included in a member’s absence total.  Any absence due to personal emergency, sickness, or class shall not be included in a member’s absence total.  All absences, to be deemed excused, shall require a written excuse delivered to the President or the Secretary prior to the meeting the SBC member will miss, or delivered as soon as possible thereafter.

§1040 Procedure at SBC Meetings

§1041 Meetings Convened

A meeting of the SBC shall be deemed properly convened when there is the: (1) presence of either the President, Academic Affairs Vice President, Public Service Vice President or Community Affairs Vice President; (2) in the Secretary’s absence, the presence of a duly appointed reporter; and (3) the presence of a quorum, as defined below, of the representative members of the SBC.

§1042 Order of Business

Order of business at any SBC meeting shall be: (1) a summary of the minutes of the previous meeting; (2) Officer’s reports, including a statement of the current financial status of the SBA; (3) a consideration of old business, including any pertinent reports or discussion; (4) new business, and (5) announcements.

§1043 Order of Business at Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called from time to time to take up a very limited order

of business.  The order of business shall be set by the presiding Executive Council

Officer.

§1044 Rules of Procedure

At the second meeting following April elections, the President shall designate one guide to act as rules of procedure for the conduct of SBC meetings.  The SBC, by a majority vote, may change the guide to be used. The President shall have power to change the rules of order where necessary and proper.

§1045 Quorum

A quorum of the SBC is one-half plus one of the voting membership of the SBC.

§1046 Major Motions

All major motions must be submitted in writing.  A major motion shall be deemed to include all motions concerning budgetary or policy matters.  The President shall rule on when a motion is a major motion.  This determination may be overruled by a majority vote of the SBC.

§1047 Removal of Presiding Officer

A motion for removal of the presiding officer shall be available during any SBC meeting.  The motion may be made by any SBC member.  The motion shall be passed by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present.  The effect of an affirmative vote shall be to remove the presiding officer for the balance of that meeting.  When the vote is taken, another officer must take the chair.

§1100 PUBLICITY

The SBC shall be required to make announcements of its activities.  The SBC shall be specifically required to make announcements concerning any activities of special interest or importance to one or more law students.

§1120 Particular Requirements

The SBC shall be specifically required to make announcements twice a semester of its most significant activities, including matters concerning budgets, funding of student groups, Convocation, Homecoming and the like.  These announcements shall be posted prominently in at least five conspicuous places in the Law School, via e-mail, and on the door of the

SBA office.

§1200 ANNUAL SBA BUDGET PROCEDURE

§1210 Source of SBA Budget Funds

The primary source of SBA budget funds shall be revenue collected from the rental of student lockers pursuant to §1300.  Other sources of revenue may include, without limitation: (1) funds from the Law School or University; (2) interest income; (3) permitted sales and concessions; (4) other sources of revenue.

§1220 SBC Budget Committee: Composition

The Budget Committee shall be composed of two SBC Representatives from each of the first, second, and third year classes, and the SBA Treasurer, who shall automatically be designated Chairperson.  The SBA President may attend the Budget Committee hearing, but may not vote.

§1230 SBC Budget Committee: Duties

The Budget Committee shall be responsible for: (1) conducting hearings at which

University of Wisconsin Law School student organizations may argue the merits of their funding requests; (2) preparing a document containing its recommended allocations to those organizations, which will then be submitted to the SBC for consideration; and (3) making available funding request forms which must be completed by organizations seeking budget concerns and returned to the SBA office within the time period set forth on the form.

§1233 Budget Committee: Notice of Hearings

After the deadline has passed for submitting funding requests, the Budget

Committee Chairperson shall post the time and place of the Budget Committee hearings, the date being at least one week after posting of this notice.  Each organization having filed a request shall be assigned a time for its appearance before the Budget Committee, which may be changed in case of conflict through a request to the Chairperson.

§1240 SBC Criteria for Allocations

The SBC shall use the following criteria in determining whether an organization deserves SBA funding and, if so, the appropriate amount of its allocation: (1) number of law students involved; (2) activities over the prior years which benefited the law school community and the community generally; (3) proposed activities over the next fiscal year; (4) service to the committee; (5) involvement in law-related activities which supplement students’ formal legal education; (6) any other criteria deemed proper by the SBC.  The SBC shall not provide funding to organizations whose activities are solely political or religious, since such funding could detrimentally affect the tax status of the SBA itself.

The Treasurer shall create a criterion form consisting of the above-stated criteria, which shall be filled out by each budget committee member for each organization’s budget.

Additionally, a representative from every student organization requesting SBC funds shall be required to attend a meeting held by the incoming Treasurer in spring.  After the meeting, the Treasurer or Secretary shall send relevant information to all student organization leaders via email in the spring and again before the budget hearings.

§ 1245 Spring Meeting With Student Organization Representatives

At the mandatory Spring meeting with Student Organization Representatives, the Treasurer shall make the following information clear: (1) The criteria used to determine whether an organization qualifies for SBA funding; (2) the Budget process as outlined by these Bylaws; (3) the process by which student organizations can appeal Budget Committee decisions; (4) the necessity of submitting an appeal.  Additionally, the Treasurer shall strongly encourage student organizations to send a representative to the SBC’s budget meeting in the fall.

§1250 SBC Budget Committee: Procedure

The conduct of Budget Committee proceedings shall be designated to provide maximum opportunity for all law student organizations to argue the merits of their funding requests.

§1252 Meetings

The Budget Committee shall meet before the formal hearings and establish uniform guidelines for all groups.  These guidelines may, at the discretion of the Budget Committee, be made available to the groups prior to the hearings.

§1253 Fall Procedure and Appeal

Within the limitations of §§1250 and 1252, and subject to any other Bylaws which may constrain authority, the Budget Committee Chairperson shall have discretion over the procedure governing the budget request hearings, taking care that the following requirements are met:

(1)When the Budget Committee is satisfied with an organization’s request, for funds and it justification therefore, a vote shall be taken, and the amount approved by a majority of the Budget Committee allocation to that organization;

(2)When an allocation has been so approved, the Budget Committee shall also adopt a brief statement reflecting the factors which it considered significant in justifying that allocation;

(3)If, for any reason, the Budget Committee reaches a tie vote on an organization’s request, that organization’s entry on the proposed budget document shall be followed by the notation “no recommendation”;

(4)The Chairperson shall appoint a Budget Committee member to serve as

Secretary during the hearings, who will prepare the Budget Committee votes and majority statements for presentation at the full SBC budget meeting, and who will compile an itemized record of the Budget Committee’s recommended allocations for transmission to the SBC Secretary;

(5)A copy of the Budget Committee’s proposed budget shall be posted conspicuously on the SBA door in the University of Wisconsin Law School, or other official location, along with a notice of the time at which the full SBC will meet to consider the Budget Committee’s recommended allocations for transmission to the SBC Secretary;

(6)Organizations appearing before the Budget Committee shall be made aware of their right to file a written objection to the Budget Committee’s recommended allocation, and shall be told that such objection must be filed with the SBC Secretary at least 24 hours before the posted time for the full SBC Budget meeting;

(7)Prior to the beginning of the Budget Committee hearings, all Budget Committee members must provide to the Chairperson a list of all University of Wisconsin Law School student organizations of which they are members, and these lists shall be available to the full Budget Committee and the SBC.

§1253 Fall Procedure and Appeal

At the first SBA meeting of the spring semester, the SBC may choose to allocate additional funds to  student organizations based on a majority vote.

The Treasurer and BOFC shall outline the appeals process for mid-year funding allocation.

§1260 Consideration of the Budget Committee—Recommendations by the Full SBC

§1261 Timing of Budget Recommendations

Within a reasonable time after the Budget Committee’s recommendations have been transmitted to the SBC Secretary, the SBC shall meet to consider those recommendations, making sure to satisfy the requirements set forth in the following sections. The approval of SBC’s budget and approval of the Budget Committee’s Student Organization budget shall take place at separate meetings, with SBC’s budget being approved at the first meeting of the Fall.  The approval of the Budget Committee’s student organization budget shall take place at a special meeting with no other items appearing on the agenda.

§1262 Members Needed to Conduct Business

There must be present at least a quorum of the Budget Committee (half of the members plus one additional member), and those members shall be available for questioning before the SBC.

§1263 Presentation of the Budget

Consideration of the proposed budget will begin with the report of the Budget

Committee regarding its recommended funding allocations, and this report shall be divided by organization.  Each organization’s allocation shall be reported in turn as it appears in the budget document.  The Budget Committee report on each organization shall proceed as follows:

(1)The vote of the Budget Committee on the organization’s proposed allocation shall be reported, and the majority statement regarding that organization’s funding shall be read by the Budget Committee Secretary;

(2)Any Budget Committee member who voted in the minority on the organization’s proposed allocation may make a brief statement of objection to the Budget Committee recommendation.

(3)If the organization being reported upon has filed a written objection to the proposed allocation, pursuant to §2153(6), then such objection shall be read by the SBC Secretary;

(4)With the reading of the organization’s objection, if any, the formal report on that organization is ended and SBC Representatives may then direct relevant questions to the Budget Committee regarding its recommended allocation to that organization, and the justification given thereof.

§1264 Preliminary Approval of the Budget

After each organization has been reported on, as outlined in §1263, the Budget

Committee Chairperson will move that the recommended budget be adopted by the SBC.

§1265 Amendment

SBC Representatives may then offer amendments to the budget motion, which will be adopted upon a majority vote of the SBC.  Any such amendment that changes the amount of a line item of the proposed budget must also make an offsetting change in another line item, thus insuring the budget remains balanced.  Amendments to grant a student organization additional funds for the Fall budget allocation may be made only if that student organization has filed an appeal.

§1266 Final Approval of the Budget

When all motions to amend the proposed budget have been exhausted, the SBC shall adopt a budget document in its final amended form by way of a roll call vote.

§1267 Supplementary Rules

Supplementary procedural rules, intended to promote order and efficiency in the

SBC consideration of the proposed budget, may be moved and adopted at the beginning of the SBC Budget meeting.

§ 1268 SBC Members Not Allowed to Advocate or Vote

SBC members who are active members of a student organization shall not advocate for that student organization to receive more funds or against that student organization receiving less funds.

§1270 Timing of the SBA Budget Procedure

The SBA President shall make sure the SBA Budget procedure outlined above is begun early enough so that the full SBC Budget meeting is held before the end of the fiscal year on October 31.

§1300 SBA LOCKER RENTALS

§1301 Purpose

The purpose of locker rentals shall be to serve the law students of the University of

Wisconsin Law School by (1) providing an inexpensive place within the law school for students to store their personal effects during attendance at the law school while also (2) providing revenue to the Student Bar Association to use for the benefit of our law school student body.

§1302 History

At one time, the Student Bar Association owned and operated the Book Mart.  Revenue from the Book Mart was given to the SBC to fund student organizations, schedule events, and conduct SBA business.  In exchange for control of the Book Mart and its revenue, the law school administration agreed that the SBA would be permitted to rent lockers within the law school to law students.

§1303 Use of Revenue

Revenue from locker rentals shall be used to (1) provide funding to other student groups within the law school, (2) fund SBA events, and (3) conduct SBA operations.

§1304 Cost of Locker Rental

The amount of rent to be charged on each locker shall be reasonable and determined by the SBC.  The cost of the locker rental includes the use of a lock and use of the locker for one year.

§1305 Rental Priority

In the spring of each year, before finals, first and second year students shall be given the opportunity to rent or renew locker rentals for the next year.  Adequate notice, a designated location, and a deadline shall be given.  Third-year students shall be given notice and a deadline by which to empty lockers.  A student in summer school may continue possession of the locker until the completion of summer classes and must empty the locker by the end of the first week of the fall semester.

During the Fall Orientation, the SBC shall rent remaining lockers to first-year students on

a first-come, first-served basis.

§1306 Forfeitures

A student who fails to renew by the designated deadline or who fails to pay the rental fee before the deadline shall forfeit use of the locker.  An incoming student who fails to pay the rental fee shall forfeit use of the locker.  Failure to pay shall include checks that cannot be cashed for whatever reason.  The SBC maintains the right to reserve or decline locker rentals for students unable to renew or rent due to other compelling circumstances.

Compelling circumstances may include, but are not limited to illness or family emergency.

The student shall be notified, in accordance with §1307, that in the case of a locker forfeiture the locker will be emptied and its contents held at the SBA office.  The locker contents will be held by the SBC for four weeks, after which the contents shall become the property of the SBA and disposed of or utilized for the benefit of the student body.

§1307 Rental Procedures

The SBA Treasurer shall coordinate rental of the lockers and will require participation from the SBC pursuant to §§400 and 1030.

The SBA Treasurer shall keep a list of locker numbers and combinations which will be maintained by the Secretary of the Dean of the law school.

The Locker Renewal Program must include notice of cost, procedure, and deadlines for locker renewal.  Notices shall be posted on the SBA Office door and at least five conspicuous places around the law school.  Locker renewals shall begin no less than two full weeks prior to the start of exams.

§1308 Accessibility

Should the lockers become unavailable as in the case of building construction, they shall be emptied of personal effects by a designated deadline.  In the next school year or period of availability, students attending law school in the preceding year shall be given the first opportunity to rent lockers.  Adequate notice and a designated deadline shall be given in accordance with §§1305 and 1306.

A personal lock placed on an assigned locker shall be removed at the lessee’s expense.

Requests for locker combinations made by someone other than the SBA Treasurer or lessee must be cleared through the office of the Dean of the law school.

§ 1309 Waiver

Upon renting a locker, all students are required to read and knowingly sign a waiver form that states the following:

By signing above, you (“the renter”) are acknowledging that UW SBA makes no warranty of any kind, express or implied, relating to the locker.  UW SBA accepts no responsibility for the contents of the locker and encourages renters to use locks properly to ensure property security.  Any damages or losses are at the renter’s expense.  Failure to comply with any provisions of this locker rental may cause UW SBA to terminate the agreement, retain any deposits, and/or dispose of any contents remaining in the locker.  Lockers must be emptied at the end of the rental period by the renter; any items that remain after the rental period may be forfeited and discarded at the renter’s expense.  Under no circumstances shall UW SBA be liable for any incidental or consequential damages in connection with the use of the locker or loss of locker contents.

Any student who refuses to sign the waiver shall be denied rental of a locker.

§1400 SBC COMMITTEES—OTHER

Each Officer shall at their discretion create a committee, which meets once a semester. The Officer shall give notice of committee meetings to the SBA 48 hours prior to the meeting.

§ 1401 – Establishment of Internal SBA Committees

(a)  The President shall have the authority to create ad hoc committees at his or her discretion to address any subject or issues that the SBC deems appropriate.

(b)  Each officer of the SBA, excluding the president, secretary and treasurer, shall establish a standing committee that must meet, at least, once per semester.  Such committee shall have the jurisdiction to address any matter that falls within the subject matter jurisdiction of its presiding officer. The treasurer shall establish a budget committee in accordance with the rules and procedures established in § 1200, et seq.

(c)  All internal committee meetings shall be open meetings subject to observation of, and participation by, any member of the student body except for the Budget Oversight and Finance Committee.  All committee meetings shall be publicized to the student body at least 48 hours prior to each meeting.  Only SBC members who have been assigned as members of each committee shall be afforded a vote on committee business.

(d) All members of the SBC shall sit on at least one internal SBA committee during their term in office.  Attendance at the meetings of their assigned committee is required.

(e)  The president, in consultation with the executive council, shall designate which committee each member of the SBC shall sit on.  The President shall request from each member of the SBC their preference of which committee or committees they prefer to sit on, and shall consult such lists when assigning SBC members to committees.

§ 1402 – Accounting of External Committees

(a)  By the first Monday of April of each academic year, the outgoing Vice President of Academic Affairs shall make an accounting of all the standing and ad hoc faculty committees, on which, there is at least one student sitting.

(b)  This accounting must identify the committee name, function, and the student or students currently sitting on the committee, the class standing of each student sitting on the committee, whether or not there will be a vacancy of a student seat in the next academic year, and if so, how many vacancies.

§ 1403 – Assigning of External Committee Members

(a)  The SBC, through the Vice President of Academic Affairs shall have to the authority to appoint all members of standing, or ad hoc faculty committees on which a student is entitled to sit.

(b)  In the event that a faculty committee has seats for two students, one seat shall be occupied by a 2L and one seat shall be occupied by a 3L.  In filling vacancies under the ordinary process for appointment to external committees, a rising 2L/current 1L shall be appointed to fill a position that will be vacated by a graduating 3L.

§ 1404 — Ordinary Process for Appointment to External Committees

(a)  By the third Monday of April of the academic year, or as soon as possible thereafter, the incoming Vice President of Academic affairs shall solicit applications from the student body to fill any coming vacancy on a faculty committee.  Such solicitation shall be made by email to the student body and by physical notice being place in visible areas of the law school.

(b)  An individual in the student body may apply for as many vacancies as are forthcoming in the following school year. If there is more than one application submitted for each position to which they apply, they may only be appointed to fill one of the forthcoming vacancies.

(c)  The content required in each application shall be determined at the discretion of the Vice President of Academic Affairs, subject to the following restrictions:

(1)  Each applicant shall include a statement of interest describing why they would like to sit on the committee in question.

(2)  If an applicant whishes to apply for multiple vacancies, he or she shall include a separate statement of interest for each vacancy for which they wish to apply.

(3)  If the individual is applying for more than one vacancy, they must indicate the order of their preference in receiving an appointment.

(d) By no later than May 31st of each academic year, the Vice President of Academic Affairs shall determine which of the applicants shall fill each forthcoming vacancy on any ad hoc or standing faculty committee. The Vice President of Academic Affairs shall then inform both the chosen applicant and the faculty member who chairs the committee to which a new student is being appointed.  This process shall be done for each forthcoming vacancy.

§ 1405 — Extraordinary Process for Appointment to External Committees

(a)  In the event that a seat on an ad hoc or standing faculty committee becomes vacant in the middle of the year, the Vice President of Academic Affairs shall have the power to make a recess appointment by appointing any member of the student body to fill such a vacancy without an application process for the remainder of the academic year.

(b)  If a recess appointment is necessary, the student who fills the vacancy shall be of the same class year was the student who has vacated the seat in question.

(c)  At the end of the academic year, any seat that was filled by recess appointment shall become vacant, and the ordinary appointment process, as described in paragraph c shall be used to fill such a seat.  The individual who filled such a seat by recess appointment may apply to fill that seat permanently if eligible.

§ 1406 – Publication of External Committee Members

(a)  By no later than the first Monday of each school year a list of current student members of all ad hoc and standing faculty committees shall be published in the following ways:

(1)  By email to the student body, and

(2)  By physical posting in the law school in a conspicuous manner, and

(3)  By posting to the SBA Website.

§1410 SBC members shall sit on at least one committee during their term. Attendance is required unless excused.

§1420 The SBC shall create special committees at the President’s discretion.

§1500 AMENDMENTS TO SBA BYLAWS

All amendments to these Bylaws shall be proposed to the SBC.  Amendments must be proposed by an SBC member.  No Bylaw amendment may be passed at the same meeting at which it is proposed.  A Bylaw amendment must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the SBC members present at the meeting at which it is voted upon.

§1600 GRADUATION SPEAKERS

Members of the graduating third-year class will elect two students and one faculty member to speak during the law school’s spring graduation ceremony.

§1610 Student Speaker Selection Process

The selection of the two student speakers is a three-step process, consisting of: a nomination procedure, a primary election, and a final election.

§1615 Nomination Procedure

Each graduation third-year student will be able to nominate one student and one faculty member to speak at graduation by sending an e-mail to the Student Bar Association (SBA) e-mail account or submitting a nomination form.  All nominations are due not less than one week (seven days) from the beginning of the nomination period.

At the end of the nomination period, all nominated students’ names will be posted on the SBA door and e-mailed to all third-year students.  Any student who does not want his or her name to appear on the ballot may cross his or her name off the posted list.  Students may also remove their names from the list by e-mailing the SBA e-mail account.

§1616 Primary Election

All willing students and faculty nominated for graduation speaker will be put on the primary ballot.  Each graduating third-year student will be able to vote for six nominate students and three nominated faculty speakers.  The top five student speakers and top three faculty speakers will be placed on the final election ballot.

§1617 Final Election

The SBC will hold an election to determine the student graduation speakers.  The ballot will consist of the students and faculty nominated in the procedure set forth above.  All third-year students will have an opportunity to vote for up to two students and one faculty member on the ballot.  Each third-year student submits only one ballot.

§1618 Graduate Student Speaker

The SBC representatives from the graduate programs will coordinate with the Graduate Programs Office to elect a graduate student to speak at graduation. The process of election will be left to the discretion of these graduate program representatives and the Graduate Programs Office.  Once a selection is made, that name is submitted to the SBA.

§1630 Timing

Nominations for third-year student and faculty graduation speakers will occur not less than two weeks before the elections for 2L and 3L SBA Representatives.  Nominations will take place over one week (seven days) and will end at 5:30 p.m. on the seventh day.

Student will have one week (seven days) to cross their names off the nomination list and the list will be finalized at 5:30 p.m. on the seventh day.

The election for the student and faculty speakers will take place at the same time as the elections for 2L and 3L SBA Representatives.

§1640 In Case of a Tie

If two or more candidates (student or faculty members) should tie for the most votes received in the election, a run-off election shall be held between those candidates involved in the tie.  The run-off election shall be held on the second day following the initial election.  This shall continue on consecutive class days until one candidate receives

a plurality of votes cast.  All valid ballots in the run-off election must be submitted in person.

§1650 Announcement of Results

Once the student and faculty speakers are selected, their names will be posted on the SBA office door and a member of the SBC will personally notify each person.  The SBC will provide the Assistant Dean of Students the names and e-mail addresses of the students and faculty members selected to speak at graduation.

1605 Commencement Speaker Selection Process

The selection of the Commencement speaker is a three-step process consisting of the formation of the Commencement Speaker Selection Committee, preliminary selection, and final selection.

§ 1606 Timing of Commencement Speaker Selection

The Commencement Speaker Selection Committee shall be formed and hold its initial meeting no later than the end of the spring semester of the proceeding academic year. The preliminary selection of the proposed speaker shall take place before the beginning of the fall semester. The final selection and extension of an invitation to a proposed speaker shall take place no later than October of the fall semester.

§1618 Graduate Student Speaker

The SBC representatives from the graduate programs will coordinate with the Graduate Programs Office to elect a graduate student to speak at graduation.  The process of election will be left to the discretion of these graduate program representatives and the Graduate Programs Office.  Once a selection is made, that name is submitted to the SBA. This process will be amended to be consistent with those for 3L Graduation speakers