COUNCIL OF STUDENT LEADERS2014 Candidate Information Session

HISTORY OF CSL

The Winthrop Student Government Association (SGA) officially dissolved on November 1, 2001 due to a lack of student interest and productivity. At the request of Dr. Frank Ardaiolo, Vice President for Student Life, Winthrop President Anthony DiGiorgio approved an ad-hoc structure known as the Council of Student Leaders. The Council would fulfill the responsibilities previously belonging to SGA. The nine students involved with SGA at the time, along with then current leaders of the Resident Students’ Association, Dinkins Student Union, Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and the National Pan-Hellenic Council, served as the first CSL members.

On November 8, 2002, the Winthrop University Board of Trustees recognized the Council as the official vehicle for student governance.

COUNCIL OF STUDENT LEADERS

President & Vice President

19 automatic members representative of the 12 largest student organizations, student athletics, student publications, and each academic college

19 annually selected members (minimum of 5 freshmen/transfers)

COUNCIL OF STUDENT LEADERS MISSION STATEMENT

“We, the Council of Student Leaders, as the voice of the student body, are committed to Winthrop University and our extended community, through appreciating diversity and encouraging unity. We facilitate the organization of student groups, promote campus wide events, communicate student needs, and enhance our understanding of Winthrop in order to better serve the university. Through our actions, we aim to further student development; to promote integrity and accountability; and to empower students to take an active role in campus life. Empowered students will become accountable citizens, will shape positive change, and will encourage community pride through their investment in Winthrop University and the world.”

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNCIL To serve as the official student voice to the Winthrop

University Board of Trustees and administration on appropriate matters

To strengthen relations among the administration, faculty, students, and Rock Hill community

To review and approve charter applications from new student organizations, including the annual registration of existing campus clubs and organizations

To oversee the distribution of student activity funds to all eligible campus clubs and organizations through the actions and guidelines of the Student Allocations Committee (SAC)

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNCIL

To make all student appointments to University Committees as requested by the university’s governances structures

To promote campus-wide institutional events such as Homecoming, Convocation, and other events

To mutually support the student activities of the Council’s members and other campus clubs and organizations

To perform such acts as are necessary to advance student welfare

2014 CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY

Must be a full time student who has earned a minimum of 12 Winthrop credit hours

Must have a 2.75 cumulative GPA

Must choose a running mate

Must be able to serve fall and spring of the same academic year

Must submit an application packet (received at interest meeting)

2014 STUDENT BODY ELECTION APPLICATION

Application Questions

Leadership PortfolioResumeLetter of Intent

Candidate’s Leadership QualitiesLeadership ExperiencePlatform Statement

Goals for Winthrop University Student Body

Personal Information

2014 STUDENT BODY OFFICE RESPONSIBILITIES

Must hold at least a sophomore status (24 Winthrop Credit hours)

Must be in good academic and disciplinary standing with the University

Must maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA

Must be able to work at least 10 office hours a week

Must represent CSL at university sponsored events (Winthrop Day, First Look Friday, Eagle Fest)

2014 COUNCIL PRESIDENTIAL DUTIES Preside over all meetings of the Council of Student Leaders

Serve as the official student representative to the Winthrop University Board of Trustees and the Winthrop University Administration

Appoint a secretary from among Council members to write and maintain all minutes of meetings, to keep a roster of all members in good standing eligible to vote, and to tally all votes

Call special meetings of the Council of Student Leaders, as needed

Create committees as needed

2014 COUNCIL PRESIDENTIAL DUTIES• Appoint chairs of all committees, except the Student

Allocations Committee

• Serve as an ex-officio member of all Council committees

• Vote in case of a tie

• Coordinate all appointments to University Committees

• Perform all other duties as usually pertaining to this office

• May appoint positions for the Council if deemed necessary

2014 PRESIDENTIAL BENEFITS

Networking opportunities with distinguished staff, faculty, administration, alumni and Winthrop supporters

Leadership training and mentoring

Stipend of $1,200 per semester

2014 COUNCIL VICE-PRESIDENTIAL DUTIES

• Conducts all duties of the President if absent or unable to serve

• Assist the President in planning weekly meeting agenda and retreats

• Manage the Chartering process for new clubs and organizations by serving on the Student Allocations Committee (SAC)

• Assist the President and/or council in any initiatives or projects not directly assigned to a specific committee

• Meet with the University President, along with the Student Body President, as scheduled to give updates on all above duties

2014 VICE-PRESIDENTIAL BENEFITS

Networking opportunities with distinguished staff, faculty, administration, alumni and Winthrop supporters

Leadership training and mentoring

Stipend of $800 per semester

2014 ELECTION PROCESS/CAMPAIGNING

The election process will follow the election cycle calendar approved by CSL and will conclude by the second Friday in April

The ticket that obtains a majority vote (50%+1) will be declared winners of the election

There is $1000 allotted to be divisible amongst approved tickets, with a limit of $250 per ticket Tickets will not be permitted to spend additional funds, and

must submit receipts for every purchase made in order to verify the limit is not exceeded. If expenses cannot be verified, the ticket will be disqualified

No ticket will be allowed to pool expenses with another ticket

2014 ELECTION PROCESS/CAMPAIGNING

Campaigning will begin the Monday after Spring Break and end before voting begins at midnight

All campaign literature to be posted must abide by the Winthrop University Posting PolicyFailure to follow the Posting Policy may result in a candidate’s disqualification

Candidates are encouraged to pursue “green” measures of campaigning (text blasts, email, Facebook etc.)

2014 ELECTION PROCESS/CAMPAIGNING

All social gatherings and tabling must be held on campus, and a valid space request must be submitted Space request can be requested using the Winthrop

University Space Request System www.winthrop.edu/spacereservations/event

Candidates will not violate the Winthrop University Student Code of Conduct and will be expected to uphold the Dedication for Excellence

2014 VOTING PROCEDURES

CSL will host an Election Rally to promote and advertise all candidates

Voting will take place on the Winthrop Voting system anytime within the voting window

There will be no campaigning inside of Dacus Library or in any Winthrop computer lab

Candidates may not coordinate the use of personal computers as polling sites

2014 VOTING PROCEDURES

Winners will be declared based on meeting the following criteria:

Must receive a majority plus one of the votes cast

The Vice President for Student Life, Dean of Students, and the Assistant Director of Student Activities shall certify the election results once the polls have closed

Election results, including the percentage of votes that each candidate receives, shall be posted online for every office; candidate petitions shall remain on file for one month in the event of a contestation

2014 CONTESTATIONS

Any candidate may contest the election by submitting to the Dean of Students a written statement requesting an investigation and specifying alleged irregularities. The written statement must be submitted within two days following the closure of the polls

If insufficient evidence exists, the election results will stand

All records of contested elections shall be kept on file in the Office of the Dean of Students. Complaint records shall not become a part of the involved parties’ permanent record unless the party is guilty of violating the Student Code of Conduct

2014 STUDENT BODY ELECTIONS

2014 Election Timeline

2014 STUDENT BODY ELECTIONS February 24 Interest Meeting 6pm

February 26 Interest Meeting 12:00pm

February 27 Interest Meeting 11:00am

March 4 Interest Meeting 11:00am

March 6 Applications Due 5:00pm

March 7 Eligibility Notice 5:00pm

March 10 Candidate Meeting 6:00pm

2014 STUDENT BODY ELECTIONS March 11-14 Material Planning

March 17-21 Spring Break 2014

March 24- April 4 Campaigning

March 31 Elections Panel

April 7-9 Voting

April 8 Election Rally – Common Time

April 11 Election Results 5:00pm

2014 STUDENT BODY ELECTIONS

Questions?