SGA working to amend constitution for 1st time since 2021
SGA is working to amend its constitution for the first time since 2021 after Syracuse University’s request for revision. The 2021 changes implemented a fall school-wide assembly election and more student participation opportunities within SGA. Charlie Hynes | Staff Photographer
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During its weekly meeting last Monday, President German Nolivos announced Syracuse University’s Student Government Association would revise its constitution and bylaws — the first time in five years.
The constitution is SGA’s “supreme governing document,” dictating the body’s governing procedures, according to SU’s webpage on transparency and records.
The constitution outlines several different measures for amendments or revisions:
- The assembly, with two-thirds of representatives present, vote to approve and accept a proposal
- A petition signed by at least 5% of the undergraduate student body
- A petition signed by two-thirds of the president, speaker of the assembly and chief justice
- A petition by the majority of justices or the SGA Advisor
SGA members called an executive session during last week’s meeting, asking all non-assembly members to leave the meeting to discuss possible revisions. The revisions were requested by SU administration, Nolivos said in the meeting.
SGA last revised its constitution in 2021, including changing election procedure, implementing school-wide assembly elections in the fall and spring and increasing student representation. The 2021 constitution gave more SU students opportunities to participate in SGA, rather than only allowing seats for schools and colleges.
A valid revision to the constitution requires approval from the majority of voters, in which at least 10% of the student body participates. Only 10.2% of students voted to update the constitution in a 2021 referendum. SGA extended the voting period by one day to meet the threshold.
The assembly then unanimously approved several revisions to the constitution.
Prior to 2021, the constitution was revised in 2018 to transfer the public relations chair’s ability to vote on the cabinet to the director of diversity affairs.
The original constitution was enacted in 1944, according to the 2021 constitution.
SGA will host its first meeting Monday since announcing the working changes, featuring guest speaker Mayor Sharon Owens.
