Description
Co-chairs are appointed student representatives of a particular group or organization on the Mary Baldwin campus. Each Co-Chair acts as a liaison between her respective group or organization and the Student Senate, much in the way that Senators represent their halls.
Co-Chairs do not have voting power in Senate; since it is a student run organization, it is only permissible to allow student representatives — Senators and Hall Presidents — to cast a vote in Senate. However, Co-Chairs are encouraged to actively participate in discussions by asking questions and providing information. They are discouraged to speak for or against proposals and are asked to present unbiased information.
Students need to have a 2.4 GPA to be eligible for a Co-chair position in Senate.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Faculty Liaisons
- Co-Chairs must have regular communication with the faculty liaison for the group or organization which they represent.
- When issues and concerns are brought up and moved to Co-Chairs during Senate, Co-Chairs need to contact their faculty liaison within 48 hours in order to initiate a resolution to the problem.
- If a Co-Chair does not know who her faculty liaison is or how to get in touch with him/her, she should contact the Senate Advisor or the Senate President.
Co-Chair Reports
- Co-Chairs must provide an update on the group or organization that they represent at least twice a semester.
- The reports must be given orally during the “Co-Chair Reports” section of the Senate agenda and must be submitted electronically to the Senate Secretary on or before the day they are given as well.
Committees
- Committees will be assigned on a need basis only, so Co-chairs will need to let the Senate President know if they would like one.
- Each Co-Chair that requests a committee will be assigned a certain number of Senators to make up a committee. The purpose of having a committee is to assist the Co-Chair with the duties required of her by the group or organization that she represents.
- Co-chairs will be responsible for organizing and conducting meetings at their own discretion.
- Co-chairs must submit a committee report to the Senate President and Secretary stating the progress of their committees. Committee reports are presented orally during the “Co-Chair Reports” section of Senate as well as submitted electronically before or the day they are given.
- Co-chairs should keep track of committee member’s attendance to committee meetings and report absences in their submitted committee reports to the Senate President.
POSITIONS
Academic Affairs
This Co-Chair shall act as a link between the faculty and the student body in order to represent the students’ views concerning educational policy. The Education Policy Committee (EPC) is comprised of various faculty members, the Registrar of the College, and the Dean of the College. The EPC addresses and evaluates new courses, majors and minors introduced into the Mary Baldwin curriculum, assists in planning exam periods, helps coordinate May term, and handles other academic concerns. The Academic Affairs Co-Chair is required to attend all EPC meetings and provide student opinion on any issues that are raised.
Board of Elections
These Co-Chairs shall assist in coordinating student elections throughout the year for both regular and special elections. They handle the freshmen class elections that occur in the fall and the spring elections for the Student Government Association. The SGA elections occur in February and include the election of Judicial Board, Honor Council, Student Advocate, Baldwin Program Board, and Residence Hall Association board members, as well as Class Officers over three slates. They are responsible for organizing election workshops to inform students about the rules and regulations for running for an elected position and will address any and all questions, comments, and concerns related to elections. The Board of Election Co-Chairs are also be responsible for organizing “Meet the Candidates” sessions for major elections throughout the year, particularly the three SGA slates in February.
Constitutional Revisions
This Co-Chair shall oversee all proposed constitutions and amendment revisions for all legislation brought forth during Senate. She serves as the facilitator for most of the constitutional changes and introduces the bulk of legislation passed through Senate, including such items as new student organization constitutions. The Constitutional Revisions Co-Chair also handles procedural changes; she should be well versed in the Senate process.
Commuter
This Co-Chair shall specialize in serving the needs of commuter students by acting as an unbiased voice of representation. She is responsible for keeping commuter students informed of Senate business and reporting important questions, comments and concerns on behalf of the commuter population.
Dining Services
This Co-Chair shall address all concerns related to Dining Services provided on campus, including the dining facilities of Hunt Dining Hall, the Pub, and the Nuthouse. Such concerns can be related to the quality of food, operation hours of dining areas, possible changes to the menus, and other food related questions. All concerns should be taken directly to the head of the Food Services Department and a report should be made about its status upon the next Senate meeting. The Food Services Co-Chair is also responsible for making regular announcements in Senate about important details or changes regarding Dining Services that the student body should be aware of.
Physical Plant
This Co-Chair shall address all concerns related to the physical condition, both interior and exterior, of all dormitory, academic and service buildings. She should also address concerns related to the physical appearance of the college campus, such as trees, shrubbery, flowers, walkways, and more. All concerns should be taken directly to the head of the Physical Plant and a report should be made about its status upon the next Senate meeting. The Physical Plant Co-Chair is also responsible for making regular announcements about important details or changes related to the physical conditions of all Mary Baldwin Campus buildings.
Publicity
This Co-Chair shall be responsible for publicly advertising Senate and its proceedings to the entire Mary Baldwin community, including the student body and faculty. This includes emphasizing, by any means necessary, the dates, times, and locations of Senate as well as any upcoming issues that will be discussed. The main concern of the Publicity Co-Chair is ensuring that the entire Mary Baldwin community is updated about Senate business and aware of its purpose and procedure. She can also publicize other Senate related events to inform the student body of activities Senate members will be involved in, such as Senate Service Saturdays.
Recycling
This Co-Chair shall be in charge of the recycling efforts of the Mary Baldwin community. She should emphasize the efforts of the college to be a “green campus” and encourage the act of recycling campus wide. The Recycling Co-Chair should work closely with the Physical Plant employee who is responsible for heading all recycling efforts and providing recycling bins and containers to every building on campus. She can also promote campus-wide recycling initiatives and events.
Security
This Co-Chair shall address all concerns related to the safety and security of the Mary Baldwin Community on the Staunton campus. Such concerns can be related to theft, parking assignments, parking tickets, vandalism, threats, and more. She is also responsible for making regular announcements related to important details and changes concerning the Security Department of the college.
Spirit
This Co-Chair shall be responsible for fostering school spirit and pride for the Mary Baldwin community. She shall be in charge of presenting dates, times, and locations of Mary Baldwin events such as athletic games, dances, mixers, game nights, and more. The Spirit Co-Chair should be energetic and enthusiastic when making announcements in order to excite and encourage students to support and participate in campus activities. Other responsibilities include attending as many events as possible in order to inspire the attendees as well as reporting on the turnout of the event and its overall success.
Status of Women
This Co-Chair shall be responsible for handling all concerns that may arise regarding the role and awareness of women within the Mary Baldwin community. Such concerns can be related to sexual harassment, leadership, personal issues, and more. She is also responsible for organizing events during Women’s History Month in March and making regular announcements about any issues that arise related to the status of women.
Student Affairs
This Co-Chair shall be in charge of collaborating and assisting various departments within the Student Life Office including Residence Life, Student Events, Career Development, First and Second Year Experience, and African-American Multicultural Affairs. She should frequently visit the Student Life center and learn about important information and happenings as well as report such findings in Senate. The Student Affairs Co-Chair is also responsible for handling any and all concerns related to the Student Life Office and its various departments.
Technology
This Co-Chair shall be in charge of presenting technological innovations to the Mary Baldwin community. She should inform the student body of the various forms of technology available for use, including phone services, Internet (wireless or bus), television, cable, Blackboard, classroom components, and many more. When new technology is introduced to the campus, she should be well-informed and able to answer general questions about the new addition. The Technology Co-Chair should work closely with the staff in Computer Information Services in order to present technological updates to the student body and faculty.
