Professional Documents
Culture Documents
PREAMBLE
We, the bona fide College Students of Xavier University, with the guidance of the Almighty God,
upholding our inherent right to establish a government that shall embody and preserve our dignity,
common interests and aspirations, following the vision of the University of forming men and women
for others, do hereby ordain and promulgate this constitution.
ARTICLE I. NAME & SEAL
Section 1
The student government established under this constitution shall be known as the
Central Student Government of Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan. For
purposes of tradition and brevity, it shall be referred to as XU-CSG.
Section 2
Section 1
All bona fide college students of Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan are
constituents of the XU CSG; the term constituency shall refer to all students of
Xavier University, both of the graduate and undergraduate colleges.
DURA LEX SED LEX
Section 2
Section 1
The XU - CSG shall be the highest seat of student governance of Xavier University. Its
officers shall represent its constituents in all university bodies and other
association, both within and outside of the campus, which directly affect the
students welfare and interests.
Section 2
The XU - CSG shall envision a government that is socially aware and involved,
rooted in a clear grasp of reality and vigilantly responding to the general interest of
its constituents in a dynamic, effective and united effort; a governance that is
founded on the principles of authentic Christian humanism, thereby it shall be a prostudent, pro-people, pro-country, Christ centered and gives due recognition to the
rights of those of other religious denomination. It upholds genuine student
participation and democratic representation in a dialogical, consultative and nonviolent manner.
Section 3
The XU CSG shall pursue for the implementation and enforcement of the Magna
Carta of Students Rights, Responsibilities and Welfare for undergraduate
students of Xavier University.
Section 4
Section 5
The XU CSG, in exercise of its powers and jurisdiction, shall foster transparency in
all undertakings at all levels of governance and encourage participation among its
constituents.
ARTICLE IV. JURISDICTION AND COUNCIL AUTONOMY
Section 1
Section 2
The XU-CSG shall formulate a General Plan of Action with which to oversee student
activities concerning the constituency; implementation of these activities shall be
directly handled by the respective CSG Departments and special committees with
the participation of the College Councils and Student Organization.
Section 3
Departments and special committees which shall compose the executive units
may be created to closely monitor and coordinate the activities of the XU-CSG,
College Councils and student organizations.
Section 4
The College Councils shall abide by the constitution of the CSG. They shall initiate
and implement activities in conformity with the needs and objectives of the CSG,
ensuring that the laws are faithfully followed.
Section 5
Section 6
The officers and members of each College Council shall maintain powers vested
upon them by their respective charter and consistent with the provisions of this
constitution.
Section 7
The Executive President of the Central Student Government shall exercise general
supervision over local governments, which shall be composed of the College
Councils and Student Organizations.
Section 8
Local government units shall have a just share, as determined by the University
Administration, in the appropriation of funds which shall be automatically
released to them.
Section 9
Legislative bodies for the local governments shall be represented in the Central
Student Government respectively as may be provided by law.
Section 10
Section 11
All powers, functions and responsibilities not granted by this Constitution and
its by laws to the autonomous units shall be vested in the Central Student
Government.
ARTICLE V. STRUCTURE
The executive power of the Central Student Government shall be vested in the
Executive Level.
Section 2
The Executive Level shall be composed of the Executive President, Executive Vice
President, and the heads of the Executive Units and Committee Chairpersons.
Section 3
Section 4
4.2.7. shall appoint, immediately at the start of his/her term, the heads of
the executive units and the Student Rights and Welfare Chief
Commissioner, to be confirmed by the Directorate. The executive
heads and the commissioners shall co-terminate with the President.
Should there be vacancies in the executive departments and the
Students Rights and Welfare Commission the President shall appoint
officers to hold the positions, provided that there is no direct
successor to the said commission or department seats.
4.2.8. shall act as the presiding officer of the executive units and the
constituency during any form of formal gathering it conducts.
4.2.9. shall be a signatory to all transactions, agreements or contracts
entered into by the XU-CSG in behalf of its general membership,
upon the concurrence of at least a simple majority of the members of
the Directorate sitting en banc.
4.2.10. may create Departments at the start of his term which will monitor
and coordinate all plans and policies enacted by the Directorate and
approved by the President.
4.2.11. the President shall appoint an Executive Secretary who:
4.2.11.1. shall derive his/her power solely from the President
4.2.11.2. shall monitor the day to day operations of the CSG
4.2.11.3. shall facilitate in the formulation of the GPOA of the
Executive Level, composed of the Executive
Department Heads
4.2.11.4. shall enforce all provisions of the Executive Policies
4.2.11.5. may create administrative policies and protocols which
will facilitate the smooth flow of various office
transactions
4.2.11.6. may endorse certain Executive Policies as proposed by
the Department Secretaries and Committee Heads
4.2.12. may appoint a Press Relations Officer, whom shall be responsible
for all the council press releases and/or communications, and shall
be the head of the Information Heads College Councils. He/She may
also represent the council on inside or outside campus activities, as
may be requested, on behalf of the President.
4.2.13. shall appoint a Secretary of the Department of Budget and
Finance or an equivalent in the Executive Units thereof, whom shall
be the custodian of funds of the XU CSG, and shall be the
cosignatory with the President of any financial transactions entered
into by the XU-CSG.
4.3. As responsibility, the President:
4.3.1. shall first submit the guidelines defining the function of the
departments for the directorate to confirm.
4.3.2. shall submit the names of the persons he/she wishes to appoint as
Department Secretaries to the Directorate for confirmation no later
than 15 days after assuming office.
4.3.3. may create committees to respond to certain pressing concerns
that need to be addressed immediately.
Section 5
The Vice-President shall have the second highest seat in the Executive Department.
5.1. He/She shall be elected to office at large, provided he/she meet the
requirements mandated in this Constitution.
DURA LEX SED LEX
The Executive Level shall serve for a term of one year, which shall begin on the
noon of the 31st day of March and shall end at the same date the year after. The
formal turn-over ceremony shall take place within 10 days after the new President
assumes office.
ARTICLE VII. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
The Directorate
Section 1
The Legislative powers of the Central Student Government shall be vested in the
Directorate.
Section 2
The Directorate shall be composed of the College Council Presidents, and the
authorized representative of the extra-curricular organizations. Any member
of the Directorate may appoint a proxy to attend any of its proceedings in his/her
absence. Appointment procedures shall be defined further in the charters of each
college councils.
Section 3
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8
The heads of the departments may initiate, with the consent of the Executive
President, or upon the request of the Directorate, to appear before and be heard
by the body on any matter pertaining to their departments. Should there be
imminent queries, written questions must be submitted to the Convener at least a
day before the scheduled appearance. The questioning is not limited to the written
DURA LEX SED LEX
The members of the Directorate shall serve for a term of one academic year, which
shall begin on the noon of the 31st day of March and shall end at the same date
the year after.
ARTICLE VIII. JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
Supreme Constitutional Court
Section 1
The Judicial powers of the Central Student Government shall be vested in one
Supreme Constitutional Court.
Judicial power denotes also the obligation of the court to settle actual controversies
involving student rights which are demandable and enforceable, and to ascertain
whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or
excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch of this Student Government as
mandated by the Constitution.
Section 2
The Supreme Constitutional Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and the
seven (7) Justices of the different College Councils.
2.1. The Chief Justice shall be appointed by the XU-CSG President of the
outgoing administration and subject to the approval of the Directorate.
2.2. The Justices shall be appointed by their respective College Council
Presidents to be approved by their respective Central Committee or its
equivalent.
2.3. The Supreme Constitutional Court shall have a secretary, appointed by
the Chief Justice, and shall keep a record of its proceedings.
2.4. The Supreme Constitutional Court shall have a treasurer, appointed by
the Chief Justice, and shall be responsible over financial records and
liquidation reports.
Section 3
Qualifications
3.1. No person shall be appointed to the Court unless he/she is a bona fide
student of Xavier University for at least two (2) semesters, not a
candidate in any elective position prior to his appointment, and must not
be on academic or disciplinary probation.
3.2. The Chief Justice and the Justices must be of proven capacity, integrity,
probity and independence.
Section 4
Prior to the confirmation of the appointment of the Chief Justice and Justices, they
must be able to pass an exam conducted by the outgoing members of the court
or any member of court of the previous administrations.
Section 5
Section 7
The members of the Judiciary shall serve for a term of one academic year, which
shall begin on the noon of the 31st day of March and shall end at the same date
the year after.
ARTICLE IX. THE COMMISSIONS
Section 1
Section 2
Electoral Commission
2.1. Structure and Responsibilities
2.1.1. The Electoral Commission shall enforce and administer all laws and
regulations relative to the conduct of an election, plebiscite,
referendum and recall.
2.1.2. The Electoral Commission shall be composed of the Chief
Commissioner, and the seven (7) Deputy Commissioners which are
the ELECOM heads of the different College Councils.
2.1.3. The Electoral Commissioners must not have been a candidate for an
elective position preceding academic year and shall be non-partisan.
2.1.4. The Chief Commissioner shall be appointed by the outgoing
Executive President of the preceding year.
2.1.5. Secretary to the Commission, if any, shall be appointed by the Chief
Commissioner with the concurrence of the members of the
commission.
DURA LEX SED LEX
Section 4
Commission on Audit
4.1. Structure and Responsibilities
4.1.1. The Commission on Audit shall be composed of the XU-CSG Audit
Commissioner and Audit Secretary.
4.1.2. The Commissioner shall be appointed by the outgoing Directorate.
4.1.3. The Audit Secretary, if any, shall be appointed by the XU-CSG Audit
Commissioner with the consent of the Directorate.
4.1.4. The Audit Commissioner and Audit Secretary must not have been a
candidate of or an elective position receding academic year and
shall be non-partisan.
4.1.5. The Commission on Audit shall be responsible for auditing or
validating all financial transactions entered into by the XU-CSG on
a mid-year basis.
4.1.6. The commission shall also coordinate with all student organizations
for a consolidated audit report for the CSG President to act upon.
4.1.7. The commission shall adopt the policies and guidelines promulgated
by the Directorate in the conduct of any audit.
4.1.8. The Commission on Audit shall have authority to promulgate its own
rules and regulations, create its own techniques or methods for a
transparent accounting and auditing process, and must at all times
adopt the generally accepted accounting principles.
4.1.9. For transparency, the Commission on Audit shall submit a copy of its
financial report to the XU-CSG President, Directorate Convener, and
the Chief Justice. A copy must also be given to the Press Relations
Officer, or its equivalent, to be posted mid-yearly in all the University
information boards for the guidance of its Constituents.
Section 5
The preceding commissions shall maintain & exercise autonomy from the
Executive President and the other offices of the XU-CSG.
Section 6
The Electoral Commission and the Commission on Students Rights and Welfare
shall decide by a simple majority vote of all its members in any case or matter
brought before it within five (5) days from the date of its submission for decision or
resolution.
Section 7
Each Commission en banc may promulgate its own rules concerning pleadings and
practice before it or before any of its offices. However, such rules shall not diminish,
increase, or modify substantive rights.
Section 8
Each Commission shall perform such other functions as may be provided by law.
Section 9
Section 1
Section 2
Qualifications
2.1. No person shall be elected to office unless he/she:
DURA LEX SED LEX
The election for the positions of President and Vice-president must be held no
earlier than two months and no later than one month prior to the end of the regular
school year.
The elections of the college councils and students organization officers must also be
held within this period.
ARTICLE XI. FISCAL AUTONOMY
Section 1
Section 2
Fiscal Autonomy from the Executive Department shall be granted to the Legislative,
Judicial Departments as well as to the Electoral Commission and the Students
Rights and Welfare Commission.
The Legislative and the Judicial Departments, as co-equal branches of the council,
shall each enjoy two (2) percent allocation of funds from the total CSG budget of
the two semesters respectively or as may be provided by law.
Section 3
The Commission on Students Rights and Welfare, being an independent body, shall
observe fiscal autonomy and enjoy two (2) percent allocation of funds from the
total CSG budget of the two semesters of the whole academic year or as may be
provided by law.
Section 4
Section 5
In accordance with the law, the Commission on Audit shall inspect and examine all
financial records and financial reports, as it shall be preserved and be opened to the
public.
ARTICLE XII. ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE OFFICERS
Section 1
XU-CSG officers including its College Council officers must at all times be
accountable to the members, serve them with paramount dependability, honesty,
loyalty, and competency, and do all with justice.
Section 2
The Executive President, the Executive Vice-President, the members of the Supreme
Constitutional Court, the members of the Commissions, the members of the
DURA LEX SED LEX
Directorate, and all the Elected Council officers, may be removed or suspended from
office on the following grounds:
2.1. culpable or willful violation of this constitution;
2.2. gross incompetence
2.3. gross misconduct
2.4. neglect of duty
2.5. malversation of funds
2.6. conduct unbecoming of a student leader
2.7. misrepresentation of duties and responsibilities in any organization or
gathering within and outside the campus
2.8. academic deficiencies acquired in the duration of his/her term
2.9. grave abuse of authority
Section 3
The Directorate shall have the exclusive power to initiate all cases of
impeachments.
Section 4
Section 5
The Councils elected officers, the members of its Commissions, Legislative Body,
and Judiciary, shall be under the jurisdiction of their respective Councils
Legislative Body.
Except for the heads of the CSGs Judiciary, Legislative and Constitutional
Commissions, the term member on this section shall refer to the other officers that
belong to the said bodies.
Section 6.
Section 1
The term of office of all XU-CSG officials elected and appointed, after the ratification
of this Constitution, shall be one (1) year, starting from the noon of the 31st of
March and shall end at the same date the year after.
DURA LEX SED LEX
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
to fill the vacant seat(s). The Directorate may also call for special elections, however
with the approval of the President and the Judiciary.
ARTICLE XIV. AMENDMENTS
Section 1
Any amendments to, or revision of, this constitution may be proposed by the
Directorate or a Constituent Assembly, supported by at least ten percent of the
total student population of Xavier University.
A Constituent Assembly shall compose of representatives from all the College
Councils, who are special delegates to specifically and solely address the
amendment in congress.
Section 2
Any amendments to, or revision of, this constitution shall be valid when ratified in a
plebiscite by a simple majority of the members of the XU - CSG as defined in Section
1 of article III of this Charter; provided, however that at least fifty (50) percent of
its members cast their votes in the plebiscite.
ARTICLE XV. TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
Section 1
Section 2
Upon ratification and approval, this constitution shall supersede any previous
existing constitution of the CSG.
Section 3
Upon ratification and approval, the College Councils shall seek the assistance of the
CSG in reformulating their respective charters with their defined functions, powers
and responsibilities to align with this constitution.