Student Government

  1. The Constitution of the Student Body of Calvin Theological Seminary

    Article 1 Name
    The name of this organization shall be the Student Body of Calvin Theological Seminary.

    Article 2 Purpose
    The purpose of this organization is to give representative voice of student opinion and ideas in all areas of seminary life, to promote Christian fellowship within the seminary community, and to initiate programs of action consistent with such goals and the purpose of the seminary.

    Article 3 Membership
    All students registered at Calvin Theological Seminary shall be members of the Student Body.

    Article 4 Officers
    The officers of the Student Body shall be designated by the term "Executive Committee." The Executive Committee shall consist of four elected officers: president, vice president, treasurer and secretary.

    Article 5 Student Senate
    1. The governing body of the Student Body shall normally consist of the Executive Committee and two elected senators from each M.Div. class (6 senators total), the M.T.S. program (2 senators), the combined M.A. programs (2 senators), and from the combined Th.M./Ph.D. graduate programs (2 senators).
    2. The faculty representative to the Student Body, the dean of students/international student advisor, is a non-voting ex officio member of the Student Senate.

    Article 6 Meetings
    1. A Student Body meeting may be called by a majority vote of the Student Senate, or by a petition signed by at least twenty percent of the members of the Student Body. In such a case that the meeting is called by petition the president or vice president of the Student Senate shall preside over the meeting. Thirty percent of the membership in residence shall constitute a quorum.
    2. The Student Senate shall meet a minimum of once per month at the call of its president, or whenever a majority of the members of the Student Senate shall request the president to call a meeting.
      1. These meetings shall be open to all members of the Student Body, unless the Student Senate votes unanimously for a closed meeting.
      2. A simple majority of the members of the Student Senate, including at least one member of the Executive Committee, shall constitute a quorum.
    3. The Executive Committee shall draw up the agenda for all meetings. The Executive Committee may act in any emergency when the senate cannot meet, with such action subject to review by the senate at its next meeting.
    4. The secretary of the Student Senate shall publish the minutes of every meeting of the Student Body or Senate, accessible by all students in residence, within seven days of said meeting.

  2. Bylaws of the Constitution

    Section 1 Qualifications and Duties of Officers
    1. President
      1. The president shall be a full-time student in at least his or her second year in residence at Calvin Theological Seminary.
      2. The president shall preside at all meetings as a non-voting member. However, the president shall be given a vote in the case of a tie.
      3. The president shall also serve as liaison with the seminary administration, faculty and with the dean of students/international student advisor.
    2. Vice President
      1. The vice president shall be a full-time student at least in her or his second year in residence at Calvin Theological Seminary.
      2. The vice president shall preside at all meetings in the absence of the president, and perform the duties of the secretary in his or her absence.
      3. The vice president shall preside over the election of senators.
      4. The vice president shall also serve as liaison with the seminary administration and faculty.
      5. The vice president shall facilitate Student Senate representation at faculty and administration meetings.
    3. Secretary
      1. The secretary shall be a full-time student at least in his or her second year in residence at Calvin Theological Seminary.
      2. The secretary is in charge of records, keeps records of all meetings, publishes minutes, and attends to necessary correspondence.
    4. Treasurer
      1. The treasurer shall be a full-time student at least in her or his second year in residence at Calvin Theological Seminary.
      2. The treasurer shall formulate a budget in consultation with the Student Senate, and approve and pay all bills, which are in accordance with the budget.
      3. Records of all financial transactions will be kept and audited, and a statement will be made public to the Student Body at the end of the academic year.

    Section 2 Duties of Senators
    1. The senators shall represent their class or program on the Student Senate, and shall call and preside at their respective class or program meetings when deemed necessary.
    2. They shall provide and/or coordinate leadership in responding to joys or sorrows in the lives of class members.
    3. They shall be liaisons for all communication between faculty and their respective class or program.
    4. They shall also serve on ad hoc committees appointed by the Student Senate.
    5. They are expected to attend all meetings of the Student Senate.

    Section 3 Elections
    1. Student Body Officers
      1. The Executive Committee shall request nominations for the offices of president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer from the members of the Student Body by April 1 of the year preceding the academic year of service.
      2. The Executive Committee shall determine the willingness of those nominated to run for office and acquaint them with the responsibilities of office.
      3. The names of those accepting nomination shall be posted one week prior to elections held in May prior to the final Student Senate meeting.
      4. All Student Body officers shall be elected by receiving the most votes.
    2. Class Senators
      1. The senators from each class or program will be elected during the first two weeks of classes.
      2. The vice president will request nominations from the members of the Student Body for the senators from their respective classes or programs.
      3. All class senators shall be elected by receiving the most votes.
    3. Removal of a Member of Student Senate from Office
      1. A two-thirds vote of Student Senate can remove an officer or senator from office if he/she is not fulfilling the responsibilities of the position.
      2. Within 15 days the Executive Committee shall request nominations for the vacated position from the members of the respective class or program.
      3. The Executive Committee shall determine the willingness of those nominated to run for office and acquaint them with the responsibilities of office.
      4. The names of those accepting nomination shall be posted one week prior to elections held in within 30 days of the officer's or senator's removal from office.
      5. All Student Body officers or class senators shall be elected by receiving the most votes.

    Section 4 Committees
    1. Faculty Standing Committees - The Student Senate shall facilitate the process of selecting student representatives to various faculty standing committees, as requested by the seminary administration.
      1. These appointments shall normally be arranged by October 1 of the academic year of appointment.
      2. These representatives shall report periodically to the senate concerning the business of the committees and subcommittees.
    2. Student Senate Ad Hoc Committees - The Student Senate shall have the power to form ad hoc committees as deemed necessary.

    Section 5 Publications
    1. The Kerux is normally a bi-weekly publication of the Student Body, serving as a vehicle of information, opinion and theological reflection for students.
      1. Application for editorship shall be pursued and evaluated by the Student Senate from students enrolled in studies at Calvin Theological Seminary, the appointment being made by May 1, preceding the academic year of service as editor.
      2. The editor shall receive an honorarium for each issue and production expenses shall be budgeted separately.
    2. The Stromata is an annual publication of the Student Body, normally published during the Spring quarter, serving as a vehicle for scholarly expression.
      1. Application for editorship shall be pursued and evaluated by the Student Senate from students enrolled in studies at Calvin Theological Seminary, the appointment being made by November 1 of the academic year of service as editor.
      2. The editor shall receive an honorarium and production expenses shall be budgeted separately.

    Section 6 Amendments
    This constitution and these by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of at least a quorum of the Student Body. Proposed amendments shall be published for one week preceding such a Student Body vote.

    (Revised constitution adopted and ratified April 25, 2003)