Cuesta College Student Life & Leadership: ASCC Bylaws

Senate Conduct Bylaws

The manner in which the Senate conducts its business is vital to its success each semester.

  1. Parliamentary Procedure
    1. All Senators, Club Representatives, and guests who wish to participate in Senate meetings should have a basic understanding of parliamentary procedure. The Senate will conduct its business under parliamentary procedure as it is dictated in The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure, Alice Sturgis. All members are encouraged to participate, and should learn more about the procedures of a meeting, as the semester progresses.
    2. Meeting participants should remember that the Chair regulates all discussion during the meeting. The Chair is an impartial, elected member of the Senate. All discussion must be regulated by the Chair to insure efficiency.
    3. In order to speak, members must obtain the floor from the Senate Chair. The Chair will allow access to the floor for the purpose of presenting reports, or discussion before a vote. The floor may be gained by raising an arm and waiting for the Chair's acknowledgement to proceed.
    4. When the meeting has been called to order, and the Secretary has assessed the roll sheet, the meeting will proceed. Any member who is not on the roll sheet, and has not made previous arrangements with the ASCC Advisor or Senate Chair, may not vote for an item currently under discussion if the member entered the meeting late.
  2. Senate Ceremonies
    1. The Senate Chair will lead the ASCC in the Pledge of Allegiance. All members are requested to participate in the Flag Salute. Those who choose not to are invited to stand and remain quiet until the Senate is finished.
    2. The Chair's gavel is used for three reasons. First, it calls the meeting to order. Second, it brings unruly discussion or distractions to an end. Third, it announces the adjournment of the meeting. Members are requested to quiet themselves when the gavel is used for the first two reasons.
  3. Food
    1. The coordinator of Student Life & Leadership does not allow eating inside Senate Chambers during class periods. The Senate Chair will enforce the director's ban of food. Water will be provided at each meeting, so it is not necessary to bring beverages. Food may be left in the ASCC refrigerator prior to meetings.
  4. Dress

    The Senate Chair will enforce a dress code.

    1. Shoes/sandals must be worn throughout the meeting.
    2. Gentlemen may not wear hats inside.
    3. Clothing of a prurient nature will not be allowed.
    4. Dressing/undressing may not occur during the meeting.

    Although the Chair would appreciate members to have a professional appearance, Senators and other members may dress as they please providing they take into consideration the dress code stated above.