Title 1 The Legislature 

§ 1 The Senate 

 

As the elected representatives of the undergraduate student body, all legislative power 

shall be vested in the Senate. The Senate shall have the duty and power to legislate 

policies in order to carry out the Mission of the USGA, and for the general welfare of the 

Loyola University Chicago undergraduate student body. The Senate shall vote on the 

approval of all Executive nominations. 

 

§ 2 Legislative Authority  

(A) Legislations  

(i) Bills 

The Senate may enact legislation concerning governmental rules, regulations, 

and policies, or to amend USGA bylaws, which shall take the form of a bill. 

(ii) Resolutions 

The Senate may enact legislation to express the official opinion of the Loyola 

University undergraduate student body, which shall take the form of a resolution. 

 

(B) Veto Override 

The Senate shall have the authority to override a veto of the President by a two-thirds 

majority vote. 

 

§ 3 Members 

There shall be 35 undergraduate members elected to the Senate. Senators shall be 

responsible for the representation of their constituents before the Senate and Loyola 

University Chicago community. Senate membership shall be composed as follows: 

(A) Seven Freshman Senators 

 (B) Seven Sophomore Senators 

 (C) Seven Junior Senators 

 (D) Seven Senior Senators 

(E) Seven Undesignated Senators 

 (F) Temporary Undesignated Senators 

(a) Open Senator shall be transformed to Temporary Undesignated Senator 

positions. These positions shall cease to exist upon the start of the Spring 

Election and said positions shall not be added to the ballot. Temporary 

Undesignated Senators shall be called Undesignated Senators and shall be 

called by their original name only in reference to when the position is being voted 

on. 

 

§ 4 Officers of the Senate 

 (A) Speaker of the Senate 

The Speaker of the Senate shall be the chairperson of the Senate, internally nominated 

and elected from the membership of the Senate. The Speaker shall relinquish her ability 

to sponsor legislation, participate in debate, and shall vote only in the case of a tie. The 

Speaker shall be responsible for setting the agenda at all Senate meetings, as well as 

maintaining order in accordance with the most current edition of Roberts Rules of Order, 

and with the USGA Bylaws. 

 
(B) Secretary of the Senate 

 The Secretary of the Senate shall be nominated by a member of the Senate and shall be 

approved by a majority vote of the Senate. The Secretary of the Senate shall organize 

senate agendas, record the senate minutes, and provide the necessary materials to the 

Senate. The Secretary of the Senate shall not sponsor legislation, debate, or vote. 

 
(C) Speaker Pro Tempore 

The Speaker Pro Tempore, hereafter referred to as the Pro Temp, shall be a Senator 

elected by a simple majority of the Senate.  The Pro Temp shall assist the Speaker in his 

duties and shall assume the role of the Speaker in the event of the Speaker’s absence 

or dismissal.  The Pro Temp may participate in debate, introduce legislation, and vote, 

except when he is acting as Speaker during a Senate session. 

 

§ 5 Meetings 

(A) Regular Sessions 

 (i) The Senate shall convene weekly during the regular academic term. 

 (B) Special Sessions 

The Senate may convene for a Special Session upon recommendation by the Speaker 

of the Senate or the President and approved by the majority of Senate members. 

 (C) Emergency Sessions 

The Senate shall convene for an Emergency Session upon the joint order of the 

President and the Speaker of the Senate. 

 (D) Quorum 

Quorum of the Senate shall be constituted by a plurality of seated senators. 

 

§ 6 Standing Committees 

(A) Meetings

Standing Committees shall meet on a regular basis throughout the academic year and 

shall provide a written report at each regular session of the Senate. 

 

 (B) Membership 

(i) Each Senator shall be appointed by the Speaker to serve on a single standing 

committee. The membership of each of the standing committees shall elect a 

Chairperson. 

 

(ii) Committee Bylaws: At the first meeting each standing committee shall 

establish bylaws to facilitate the efficient operation of the committee for the 

appointed term. These bylaws shall include but are not limited to meeting time, 

attendance, and disciplinary procedures. These aforementioned bylaws shall 

be submitted to the Attorney General and the Judicial Board before the next 

scheduled Senate meeting. 

 

(C) The Standing Committees shall be: 

(i) Academic Affairs 

The Academic Affairs Committee shall be concerned with academic issues at 

Loyola University Chicago, including, but not limited to, classes, curriculum, 

finals scheduling, library services, University Core requirements, and major/ 

minor requirements. The Academic Affairs Committee shall also be the primary 

representative of the USGA to the Academic Council. 

 

(ii) Allocations 

The Allocations Committee shall hear Student Activities Fund requests from 

Registered Student Organizations.  The Allocations Committee will then 

determine whether to fund the Student Organization and inform SAGA of their 

decision.  The Allocations Committee may also review and propose changes to 

the Funding Guidelines as necessary.  Any changes to the funding guidelines 

proposed by the Allocations Committee must be approved by the full Senate.

 

(iii) Facilities and Transportation 

The Facilities and Transportation Committee shall be concerned with issues 

regarding campus facilities and transportation services, including, but not limited 

to, 8-Ride, Inter-Campus Shuttles, room reservations, and building maintenance. 

 

(iv) Justice 

The Justice Committee shall be concerned with issues of social justice, 

environmental sustainability, and issues of Catholic and Jesuit identity at Loyola 

University Chicago. 

 

(v) Residence Life and Dining 

The Residence Life and Dining Committee shall be concerned with issues 

including but not limited to Residence Hall policies, and dining services on 

campus. 

 

(vi) Safety and Wellness 

The Safety and Wellness Committee shall be concerned with issues including but 

not limited to issues of safety on campus and in the neighborhood, and student 

health, and shall be the primary representative of the USGA to the Wellness 

Center and Campus Safety. 

 

§ 7 Special Committees 

(A) Members and Procedure 

A Special Committee shall be activated by order of the Senate, or as prescribed by 

law. Five or more members shall be nominated and confirmed by the Senate to each 

of the following special committees. At the first meeting of all special committees, the 

membership shall pass by-laws which shall govern the committee for its duration.  These 

by-laws must be submitted to the Chief Justice for judicial approval and shall thereafter 

be maintained by the Judicial Board.  Once activated, Special Committees shall provide 

a written report to the Secretary of the Senate no less than 48 hours before the weekly 

Senate meetings. 

 

(B) The Special Committees shall be: 

 (i) Budget 

The Budget Special Committee shall be concerned with preparing the annual 

budget of the USGA, after an amount is determined by the Vice President of 

Student Affairs. 

 

(ii) Constitutional Review 

The Constitutional Review Special Committee shall be concerned with evaluating  

the status and effectiveness of the USGA bylaws. 

 

(iii) Elections Board 

The Elections Board shall convene prior to and be concerned with the 

administration of all USGA elections.  All members standing in the election for 

which the Elections Board has convened shall be prohibited from serving as 

members of this Board. 

 

(C) Community Chair 

 A senator who is devoted to maintaining community within USGA and organizing social 

events for its members. 

 

§ 8 Ad-Hoc Committees 

 Ad-Hoc Committees may be established as needed by order of the President, the Speaker 

of the Senate, or by majority vote of the Senate.  Once established, ad-hoc committees shall 

provide a written report to the Secretary of the Senate no less than 48 hours before the weekly 

Senate meetings. 

 

Title 2 The Executive 

§ 9  All executive authority and power shall be vested in the executive branch. The executive 

branch shall have the duty and power to carry out actions and implement changes as legislated 

by the Senate. 

 

§ 10 President 

 (A) Executive Power 

As the elected undergraduate student body president, the President shall have executive 

power and responsibility for the effective and efficient administration of the affairs of 

the USGA and the leadership of the Loyola University Chicago undergraduate student 

body. The President shall nominate student representatives to the board of trustee 

subcommittees to the Senate. The President shall nominate to the Senate individuals to 

any vacant appointee positions. The President shall be the official spokesperson of the 

USGA, and shall serve on the University Coordinating Committee. 

 

(B) Executive Order 

The President shall have the authority to issue Executive Orders to further the official 

governance of the USGA. All Executive Orders shall conform to the USGA bylaws. 

 

(C) Veto Power 

The President shall have the power to veto Bills and Resolutions that have been passed 

by the Senate. The President shall return vetoed bills or resolutions to the Senate with 

specific recommendations for change. 

 

§ 11 Executive Committee 

The President shall chair the Executive Committee composed of the following: 

 

(A) Vice President 

The Vice President shall assist the President in maintaining the efficient operation of 

the Executive Branch. In the event that the position of President is vacant, the Vice 

President shall become the President. The Vice President may also serve as Acting 

President at the written request of the President. The Vice President shall act as the 

liaison between UPC student representatives and the USGA, and shall make monthly 

reports to the Senate on the activity of the UPCs. He/she shall oversee the activities of 

USGA appointees. 

 

(B) Chief Financial Officer 

The Chief Financial Officer, hereafter referred to as the CFO, shall attend all Allocations 

Committee meetings act as an advisor to that committee. Only in the event of a tie 

shall the CFO have a vote in the Allocations Committee.  The CFO shall be charged 

with the maintenance and management of the USGA budget in accordance with The 

Financial Code.  This shall include delivering weekly reports to the Senate concerning 

the transactions and balances of the USGA financial accounts.  Further, the CFO shall 

work with SAGA to complete quarterly sweeps of RSO accounts to reclaim any unused, 

yet allocated, funding to be reallocated by the Senate. 

 

(C) Chief Communications Officer 

The Chief Communications Officer, hereafter referred to as the CCO, shall manage the 

Department of Communications. The CCO shall be responsible for communicating the 

USGA agenda and actions to the student body. The CCO shall make weekly reports to 

the Senate regarding the activities of the Department of Communications. 

 

(D) Chief of Student Organizations 

The Chief of Student Organizations, hereafter referred to as the CSO, shall serve in an 

auxiliary role for student organizations, through the promotion of connections between 

organizations and as a student resource for these groups. The CSO shall also chair the 

Campus Activities Network, comprised of a representative from each registered student 

organization. He shall make a monthly report to the Senate regarding his activities 

pertaining to student organizations. The CSO shall be the primary liaison between 

student organizations and the USGA and administration of the university as needed. 

 

(E) Attorney General 

The Attorney General, hereafter referred to as the Attorney General, shall maintain 

parliamentary order in all sessions of the Senate. He shall investigate and enforce all 

censurable and impeachable acts of members of the USGA. 

 

(F) Speaker of the Senate 

The Speaker of the Senate shall be the primary representative of the Senate to the 

Executive Committee, attending Executive Committee meetings. The Speaker shall 

not have the power to vote within the Executive Committee. The Speaker shall give 

reports of the actions of the Senate. Responsibilities of the Speaker within the Executive 

Committee shall be determined in a meeting held between the President and the 

Speaker. 

 

(G)  Chief Justice 

The Chief Justice shall serve as the primary Judicial advisor to the Executive 

Committee.  The Chief Justice shall not have the power to vote within the Executive 

Committee.  Responsibilities of the Chief Justice within the Executive Committee shall 

be determined in a meeting held between the President and the Chief Justice. 

 

§ 12 The Cabinet

The Cabinet shall be chaired by the President and shall consist of the members of the Executive 

Committee (The Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Communications Officer, Chief 

of Student Organizations, Attorney General, Speaker of the Senate, and Chief Justice) and the 

chairs of the standing Senate Committees.  The chairmen of any ad hoc committee which the 

membership of the Cabinet deem appropriate to invite, may attend at the request of a majority 

of the Cabinet.  The Cabinet shall serve as a coordinating body for the USGA.  It shall convene 

bi-weekly at a time and place determined by the President of the USGA to discuss overall 

USGA strategy and vision.  At the first meeting of the term, the Cabinet shall pass by-laws 

which shall govern the body for the duration of the year.  These by-laws shall be submitted for 

approval to the Judicial Board and will be maintained by that body.  The Cabinet shall also serve 

to foster collaboration between the three branches of the USGA. 

 

§ 13 Campus Activities Network 

The Campus Activities Network, hereafter referred to as CAN, shall be a body composed of one 

representative of each registered student organization. CAN shall serve the collective interest of 

Loyola student organizations. CAN meetings shall be held at the discretion of the CSO, though 

no less than once a semester. A general meeting shall be called to address an issue pertinent 

to general membership. The CSO has the ability to address concerns of individual student 

organizations outside the scope of CAN in the manner he deems appropriate. 

 

§ 14 Appointed Positions 

Appointed positions shall consisted or, but are not limited to, any student seat held on the 

Board of Trustees Committees, University Policy Committees, and other coordinating or search 

boards.  The President shall have the right to appoint these positions with the consent of a 

plurality of seated members of the Senate.  These appointees shall be tasked with representing 

the USGA and student body in their capacity as a student representative.  They shall be under 

the purview of the Vice-President who shall report on their activities to the Senate.  Any failure 

to properly represent the USGA shall result in Judicial action. 

 

§ 15 Order of Succession 

(a) If, by resignation or removal from office, there is neither a President or Vice- 

President  to discharge the powers and duties of the office of President, then the 

Speaker of the Senate shall, upon his resignation from the Senate, act as President. 

 

(b) If, at the time when under subsection (a) of this section there is no Speaker of the 

Senate, then the Chief Justice shall, upon his resignation from the Judicial Board, act as 

President. 

 

(c) An individual acting as President under this subsection shall continue to do so 

until the expiration of the current Presidential term. 

 

(d) If by resignation or removal from office, the officers listed in subsections (a) and (b) 

are exhausted, an Emergency Internal Election shall be called to fill all vacant positions 

within the Order of Succession, as determined by the USGA Advisor. 

Title 3 The Judiciary

§ 1 USGA Judicial Board 

The USGA Judicial Board shall be responsible for hearing motions of impeachment and censure 

that have been passed by the Senate, as well as any other alleged violations of the USGA 

Charter, Constitution, or Code. The USGA Judicial Board shall have the authority to exercise 

review of the constitutionality of any legislation passed by the Senate, or Executive Order issued 

by the President. The Judicial Board is in charge of maintaining an updated copy of the Charter, 

Constitution, and Code. 

 

§ 2 Membership 

(A) Chief Justice 

The Chief Justice shall preside over all meetings of the Judicial Board. The Chief 

Justice, or his designee, shall provide a written report, which shall include dissenting 

opinions, if any, to the Senate no later than one week after issuing a ruling. The Chief 

Justice shall also serve as an advisor to the Executive Committee. The Chief Justice 

shall be elected by the student body at large. 

 

(B) Associate Justices 

Four Associate Justices shall serve on the USGA Judicial Board. The Associate Justices 

may write a concurring or dissenting opinion regarding a case heard by the Judicial 

Board. The President shall nominate Associate Justices for confirmation by the Senate. 

 

§ 3 Misconduct 

 (A) Censure 

A censure shall be a judicial reprimand of any member of the USGA. Censures shall be 

enacted through the following process: 

(i) Any member of the Loyola University of Chicago community may file a 

complaint, which outlines the specific violation of the USGA charter, USGA 

Constitution or USGA code with the Attorney General. A complaint shall be 

filed no less than 72 hours before the judicial meeting in which it be heard. The 

Attorney General shall notify the defendant no less than 36 hours prior to the 

judicial meeting in which it shall be heard. 

 

(ii) The Attorney General shall conduct an investigation of all relevant parties. 

After investigation, he shall file a censure of the party under investigation with the 

Judicial Board if he sees fit. 

 

(iii) The complaint shall be heard at the next scheduled Judicial meeting. The 

Attorney General shall present the USGA complaint and the defendant shall have 

the right to defend themselves. If the complaint is sustained, the Chief Justice 

shall present the ruling at the next scheduled Senate meeting. 

 

(iv) After a member of the USGA receives his third censure, the Senate must 

review his misconduct and vote to file an impeachment complaint. This subject 

shall appear under “Unfinished Business” in the meeting’s agenda.

 

(v) The recipient of a censure may choose to appeal his censure to the Judicial 

Board on the grounds that no rule was, in fact, violated, or if there were mitigating 

factors, which shall be determined by the Judicial Board after the Board has 

announced the censure to the Senate. 

 

(vi) The Judicial Board shall have the discretion to issue multiple censures should 

they deem it appropriate. 

 

(B) Impeachment 

Grounds for impeachment shall consist of failure to fulfill the duties of a member’s 

position as enumerated in the USGA By-Laws, and failure to conduct oneself in a 

manner befitting a member of the USGA.  The impeachment process may be preceded 

by the equivalent of three censures. 

(i) Impeachment complaints against any member of the USGA may only be 

filed by the Attorney General after being passed by a two-thirds majority vote of 

the Senate.  At this point, the USGA official in question shall be stripped of all 

privileges associated with his position, which shall include but are not limited to 

the capacity to vote in the Senate, until the Judicial Board issues a ruling in the 

case. 

 

(ii) The Judicial Board shall be presented with pending impeachment complaints 

once they are voted on by the Senate, and shall hear the complaints at that 

meeting. 

 

(iii) The Judicial Board may remove a member of the USGA from office should an 

Impeachment complaint be sustained. 

 

(iv) Individuals who are impeached and removed from office shall be ineligible for 

any USGA elected or appointed position for the rest of that academic year. 

 

(v) Individuals who have been removed from office retain the right to submit 

an appeal to the Judicial Board.  Should the petition for appeal be granted, the 

Judicial Board shall hear the appeal the week following the original ruling. 

 

(vi) While a case is being appealed, the defendant shall remain a member of the 

USGA under the conditions of his impeached status. 

 

(C) Resignations 

A resignation shall be deemed official once the resignee has tended his resignation in 

writing to the Chief Justice, President, and Speaker of the Senate. Should any individual 

choose to resign from USGA, he will need to seek judicial approval before elected or 

appointed to any USGA position for that academic year. 

 

(D) Respect 

(i) When any member of the USGA identifies himself as such, he shall not 

comport himself so as to reflect poorly on the USGA.

(a) To identify oneself as a member of the USGA shall include, but not 

limited to, introducing oneself as such or wearing USGA apparel. 

 

(ii) At any University-affiliated event or meeting, each member of the USGA shall 

conduct himself in a professional manner and shall demonstrate proper respect 

for the USGA and its rules of order. 

 

(iii) Violation of this section is punishable by censure. For all complaints, the 

Judicial Board may issue warnings, probation, or other disciplinary action as 

provided by law. 

 

§ 4 Judicial Review 

The USGA Judicial Board shall have the power of Judicial Review over the USGA Code.  The 

Judicial Board is further charged with the maintenance of the USGA by-laws, committee by- 

laws, and all other internal USGA documents. 

 

§ 5 Meetings and Agenda 

(A) The USGA Judicial Board shall meet weekly at a time and location determined by the 

Chief Justice. 

 

(B) All four Associate Justices and the Chief Justice must attend the meetings of the 

Judicial Board, exceeding no more than four (4) excused absences. 

 

(C) Quorum for the Judicial Board requires attendance of the Chief Justice and two 

Associate Justices; all meetings will be closed to the public. 

 

(D) Senators and members of the Executive may attend, but must be approved before 

the meeting by the Judicial Board. 

 

(E) Meetings shall adhere to the following Agenda. 

 (i) Call to order and Roll Call. 

 

(ii) Review pending cases. 

 

(iii)Review passed legislation. 

 

(iv)Hold Hearings 

 

(F) Hearings shall adhere to the following Agenda. 

 (i) Pre-hearing motions 

 

(ii) Introductory statements 

 (a) Plaintiff-five minutes 

 

(b) Defendant-five minutes

 

(iii) Presentation of Plaintiff’s case-15 minutes 

 

(iv) Presentation of Defendant’s case-15 minutes 

 

(v) Closing arguments 

(a) Plaintiff-five minutes 

 

(b) Defendant-five minutes 

 

§ 6 Rights of the Accused 

(A) The accused shall be entitled to the following: 

(i) To have prior knowledge of all the charges and have the charges explained 

clearly and fully at every point during the hearing, 

 

(ii) To be informed of the names of the witnesses to testify against him, 

 

(iii)To hear all testimony and see all written statements concerning the charges, 

 

(iv)To refute statements made by witnesses and question them, 

 

(v) To have a fair and prompt hearing, 

 

(vi) To be notified promptly of the results of the hearing, 

 

(vii) The opportunity to present a counter claim to the court, which will be handled 

as an original petition. 

 

§ 7 Justice Removal 

A member of the Judicial Board may be removed from office by a 2/3 majority of the Senate. 

 

Title 4 Auxiliary Officers 

§ 1 Advisor to the USGA  

The Division of Student Affairs shall appoint an Advisor to the USGA. The Advisor shall not 

have a vote in the USGA. 

 

§ 2 Chaplain to the USGA 

The Department of University Ministry may appoint a Chaplain to the USGA. The Chaplain shall 

not have a vote in the USGA. 

 

Title 5 Amendments

§ 1 The Constitution may be amended by 2/3 of USGA Senate members present voting in the 

affirmative, at any scheduled meeting of the USGA Senate. 

 

§ 2 The proposed amendment to the USGA Constitution shall be submitted in writing at the 

scheduled meeting of the USGA Senate prior to the meeting at which the amendment shall be 

considered. A copy of the proposed amendment shall be distributed at the time of its proposal. 

 

§ 3 All Amendments to this document shall be listed in consecutive order at the end of this 

document, following approval by the University’s Vice President of Student Development.