Table of usu.edu/ususa

USUSA Elections Packet 2016

Table of Contents Elections Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Candidate/Officer Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Elections Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 USUSA Officer Positions/Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Appointed Officer Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 USUSA Officer Expectations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 USUSA Officer Mandatory Events/Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Declaration of Candidacy Form. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Candidate Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Primary Election Financial Statement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Final Election Financial Statement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Elections Bylaws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-19

Candidate Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14



Timeline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15



Voting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15



Money & Finance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16



Campaign Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16-19



Violations & Penalties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

A-Frame Placement Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Off-Campus Sign Placement & Contact Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Stay Connected

Stay up-to-date with election happenings by following the USU Student Association and by using the hashtag #USUSAElections!

@UtahStateSA usu.edu/ususa Elections Packet | 2016 | Utah State University Student Association

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USUSA Elections Introduction Dear Candidate, Congratulations on your decision to participate in this year’s student body officer elections at Utah State University! We are excited for the weeks that you have ahead of you and wish you the best of luck with your campaign. The USUSA Elections Committee is available to answer any questions or concerns you have about the elections process. Please educate yourself on the USUSA Elections Bylaws (a copy of them can be found included in this packet). There are many changes from previous years’ bylaws, so we would encourage you to familiarize yourself with them. Candidates are expected to adhere strictly to the bylaws or face the risk of penalty. A mandatory election orientation meeting will be held Wednesday, January 27, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. in the Taggart Student Center Auditorium. If you plan on running for any position, you must attend this meeting. Please note that a campaign manager or committee member may

not attend in your place, but may attend the meeting with you. You will be assigned a facilitator at the meeting who will be your campaign’s point of contact on the USUSA Elections Committee. The USUSA Elections Committee will produce a 30-second video of your campaign platform and take your photo to include in election advertising. You may sign up for your video and photo time when you turn in your official declaration of candidacy form. Shoots will take place during the week of February 1-5. You can also reserve your A-frame spots upon form submission. A filing fee of $20 (checks made payable to USUSA Elections) must be paid upon submitting your declaration of candidacy form. Please contact us if you wish to appeal this fee. Declaration of candidacy forms can be submitted to the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, TSC 326, as early as Tuesday, January 19 at 8:30 a.m. and no later than Monday, January 26 at 4:30 p.m. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or stop by TSC 326 should you have questions regarding this year’s elections. Again, we congratulate you on your decision to run for office. Good luck! Sincerely, Madison Maners, USUSA Elections Co-Chair Sawyer Hemsley, USUSA Elections Co-Chair

Elections Packet | 2016 | Utah State University Student Association

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Candidate/Officer Eligibility In strict compliance with the Constitution of the Utah State University Student Association, Article III, Section 3, candidates for office must adhere to the following requirements: •

Carrying a minimum of 12 credits per semester or be considered a full-time student by the School of Graduate Studies (Including the semester candidates seek for office.).*

•

Have a USU cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 or above.*

•

Free from academic warning, probation, or suspension.

•

Payment of the $20 filing fee on or before the filing deadline.

•

Senatorial candidates must be a declared major in the college they wish to represent.

* These requirements are subject to change Other Candidate Requirements

For further clarification, reference Article III, Section 3 of the USUSA Constitution below: Section 3. Eligibility A. No student shall be eligible to run or apply for any USUSA office if not in good standing. Once in office, any officer who fails to maintain good standing will immediately be placed on probation.

Good Standing shall be defined as: 1. Carrying a minimum of 12 credits per semester, or considered a full-time student by the School of Graduate Studies during their entire term of office, including the spring semester of election or appointment. Regional Campus and Distance Education students are in good standing if carrying a minimum of six credits per semester as an undergraduate, or a minimum of three credits per semester as a graduate student during the academic year. 2. Maintaining a USU cumulative GPA at or above 2.5 if the student has completed two or more semesters at USU. If the student has not completed two semesters at USU, then the student’s overall college cumulative GPA must be at or above 2.5. 3. Maintaining a GPA of 2.5 or higher, for all semesters while in office, including the spring semester of election or appointment. The summer semester shall only count for or against an officer’s good standing if nine or more credits are taken. However, all summer classes will be calculated into the cumulative GPA. 4. Free from academic warning, probation, or suspension.

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Elections Timeline Event/Deadline Dates Time Place Declaration of Candidacy Begins Candidate Filing Deadline

Tuesday, January 19 Monday, January 25

*$20 Fee must be paid when Declaration of Candidacy form is submitted. *Candidates may reserve A-frame locations upon submission.

8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.

TSC 326 TSC 326

Mandatory Candidates Meeting Wednesday, January 27 8:30pm TSC Auditorium *Mandatory for all candidates. Campaign managers/committee members may attend if they wish. Candidate Profile Submission Deadline Wednesday, February 3 *Send candidate profile information to [email protected].

4:30 p.m.

Photo/Video Shoot February 1—5 TBA TBA

*Photos and videos will be placed on the USUSA website and published on other elections mediums. * Location and time sign-ups are available upon Declaration of Candidacy form submission.

Social Media Campaigning

Monday, February 15

7:00 a.m.

Write-in Candidate Filing Deadline Elections Set-Up

Tuesday, February 16 Sunday, February 21

4:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m.





*See p. 18 for social and electronic media campaigning bylaws.

A-Frame Placement Areas

*A-Frames can be put up on campus and campaign materials put up off-campus at candidate’s discretion.

Primary Elections Begin

TSC 326

Monday, February 22

7:00 a.m.

*All campaigning may begin at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, February 22.

Primary Elections End

Tuesday, February 23

3:00 p.m.

Primary Elections Announcement

Tuesday, February 23

5:00 p.m.

TSC HUB

Primary Elections Cleanup Deadline

Tuesday, February 23

11:30 p.m.

On & Off Campus



*Primary elections materials for those candidates not advancing to finals must be fully removed.

Final Elections Begin

Wednesday, February 24

7:00 a.m.

Final Elections End Final Elections Cleanup Deadline

Thursday, February 25 Thursday, February 25

3:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.



*All candidates’ campaign materials must be removed from campus or fines may be incurred.

Candidate’s Banquet

Final Announcement Officer Meeting

Thursday, February 25

4:30 p.m.

Colony Rooms

*For all final election candidates and one campaign manager/committee member from each campaign.

Thursday, February 25 Thursday, February 25

6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

TSC Lounges USUSA Senate Chamber

*All newly-elected officers will meet for a brief meeting immediately following the final announcement.

Appointed Officer Application Deadline

Friday, February 26

4:30 p.m.

TSC 326

**Candidate debates, town hall meetings, and other elections events will be announced at the Mandatory Candidates Meeting on Wednesday, January 27. ***This timeline is subject to change. All changes will be announced to candidates as needed.

Elections Packet | 2016 | Utah State University Student Association

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Officer Positions & Compensation USUSA Executive Council Position Status Scholarship Stipend President Elected $3500/Semester $1000/Month (10 Months Total) Executive Vice President* Elected $3,000/Semester $300/Month (8 Months Total) Student Advocate Vice President

Elected

$3,000/Semester

$300/Month (8 Months Total)

Programming Vice President Elected $3,000/Semester $300/Month (8 Months Total) Athletics & Campus Recreation Vice President

Elected

$3,000/Semester

$300/Month (8 Months Total)

Organizations & Campus Diversity Vice President

Elected

$3,000/Semester

$300/Month (8 Months Total)

Service Vice President Elected $3,000/Semester $300/Month (8 Months Total) Student Alumni Vice President Elected $3,000/Semester $300/Month (8 Months Total) Public Relations & Marketing Director

Appointed

$2,900/Semester

$225/Month (8 Months Total)

Administrative Assistant* Appointed $2,900/Semester $225/Month (8 Months Total)

USUSA Academic Senate Position Status Scholarship Agriculture & Applied Sciences Senator

Elected

$2,800/Semester

Arts Senator Elected $2,800/Semester Business Senator Elected $2,800/Semester Engineering Senator Elected $2,800/Semester Education & Human Services Senator





Elected

$2,800/Semester

Graduate Studies Senator* Elected $3,000/Semester Humanities & Social Sciences Senator





Elected

$2,800/Semester

Natural Resources Senator Elected $2,800/Semester Science Senator Elected $2,800/Semester

USUSA Student Traditions, Activities, & Arts Board (STAB) Position Status Scholarship Activities Director Appointed $2,800 Arts & Lectures Director Appointed $2,800 Traditions Director Appointed $2,800 *Officers are members of both the Executive Council and the Academic Senate.

To view official officer charters, go to

www.usu.edu/legislation

Elections Packet | 2016 | Utah State University Student Association

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Appointed Officer Information Several appointed officer positions exist within the USU Student Association. Generally, these positions require a more specialized skill set than those of elected positions. Appointed positions include:

•

Administrative Assistant (appointed by the President-elect)



•

Public Relations & Marketing Director (appointed by the President-elect)



•

Activities Director (appointed by the Programming Vice President-elect)



•

Arts & Lectures Director (appointed by the Programming Vice President-elect)



•

Traditions Director (appointed by the Programming Vice President-elect)



•

Director of Graduate Studies* (appointed by the Graduate Studies Senator-elect)

Responsibilities and charters for appointed positions can be viewed at www.usu.edu/legislation.

Application and Appointment Details Appointed officers must meet the same eligibility requirements as elected officers. Applications may be (tentatively) picked up in the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, TSC 326, beginning the first week of February. Applications for all appointed positions are due by Friday, February 26, at 4:30 p.m. in the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, TSC 326. Interviews for appointed positions will take place February 29-March 4.

*Application and appointment details for the Director of Graduate Studies may differ from the application and appointment details above. Elections Packet | 2016 | Utah State University Student Association

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Officer Expectations Knowledge Expectations • • • • •

A solid understanding of the purpose of USUSA. A working knowledge of the USUSA Constitution. A working knowledge of the Student Code of Conduct. A solid understanding of your officer charter. A working knowledge of your university committee assignments.

Behavior Expectations • Professionalism in all your dealings. • Complete job responsibilities as listed in officer’s charter and/or assigned. • Be a role model for the USU student body. • Support USUSA events and activities. • DWYSYWD (Do What You Say You Will Do) • Treat the office staff with professionalism and courtesy. • Provide appropriate and timely information to your advisor and the office staff. • Do whatever is in your power to enhance the quality of life for students. • Meet with your advisor on a regular basis and provide feedback on individual, council, and university issues.

Fiscal Responsibility Expectations • • • •

Have a working knowledge of your budget. Monitor your budget and regularly track your budget balance. Remember you are stewards of this money. It is really the students’ money, not yours. Have a working knowledge of university fiscal procedures.

Time Expectations: • • • • •

Academic Senate Meetings: Mondays Executive Council Meetings: Tuesdays Officers Committee/Council: TBD Assigned University Committees: TBD Office Hours: Executive Council Members: 2-3 Hours/Day Academic Senate Members: 2-3 Hours/Day Programmers: 1 Hour/Day

Elections Packet | 2016 | Utah State University Student Association

5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. TBD TBD

Weekly Weekly Weekly As Required

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2016-2017

Mandatory Officer Dates/Events Mandatory Events Event Date New Officer Retreat March 18-19, 2016 USUSA Officer Inauguration April 15, 2016 Programming Retreat* May 9-10, 2016 Fall Officer Retreat August 26-27, 2016 Spring Officer Retreat January 13, 2017 USUSA Awards Banquet April 12, 2017 USUSA Officer Inauguration April 14, 2017 Robins Awards April 15, 2017 Outgoing Officer Banquet April 17, 2017

Highly Recommended Events Event Date Utah Leadership Academy (ULA) Aggie BLUE Facilitator Training Aggie BLUE Fall Leadership Conference

May 11-13, 2016 August 19-20, 2016 August 22-23, 2015

Weekly Meetings Event Date Academic Senate Executive Council

Weekly, Mondays at 5:00 p.m. Weekly, Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m.

*The USUSA Programming Retreat date only applies to the Programming Board, which consists of the following officers: Programming Vice President, Athletics and Campus Recreation Vice President, Organizations and Campus Diversity Vice President, Service Vice President, Public Relations & Marketing Director, Activities Director, Traditions Director, and Arts & Lectures Director.

Elections Packet | 2016 | Utah State University Student Association

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Declaration of Candidacy A DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY FOR AN OFFICE IN THE UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT ASSOCIATION I, ,do hereby declare my official candidacy for the office of (Print your name as it should appear on the ballot) within the Utah State University Student Association. (List of the office that you would like to run for)

A Number GPA Major(s) Minor(s) Credit Hours Enrolled in this Semester



Cell Phone

Email Address



Twitter Handle







Campaign Manager Name

Campaign Manager Cell Phone

Campaign Manager Email

T Shirt & Polo Size



I do further declare that I have read and I do understand the provisions of the USUSA Constitution and the current Elections Bylaws, and that I am willing to comply with them.



I do further declare that I understand that the dates listed on the Mandatory Officer Dates/Events page of the elections packet are part of the duties of the elected position, and should I be elected, I will be available on these dates as part of my commitment to the office.



I hereby authorize the Student Involvement and Leadership Center at Utah State University to check my grades for eligibility to run for USUSA office; and if elected, during the term of my office.



Utah Code 63G-12-402 requires the University to verify the lawful presence in the United States of individuals who apply for any scholarships, fellowships, grants or other aid administered by the University. Individuals who apply for these benefits are also required to certify under penalty of perjury that they are lawfully present in the United States. I certify under penalty of perjury that: I am a United States citizen [ ] Yes [ ] No

Student Signature

Date: Signature: Office Use Only



I do hereby certify that the above-named student is in compliance with Article III, Section 3, of the USUSA Constitution, which reads:



No student shall be eligible to run or apply for any USUSA office if not in good standing. Once in office, any officer who fails to maintain good standing will immediately be placed on probation.



IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CANDIDATE TO CERTIFY ELIGIBILITY WITH A SILC STAFF MEMBER IN THE STUDENT INVOLVEMENT OFFICE, TSC 326.

Current USUSA Officer or Advisor Elections Packet | 2016 | Utah State University Student Association

SILC Staff Assistant (for grade certification) 10

Candidate Profile The Candidate Profile will be published in the Utah Statesman and on the USUSA website.

This information must EMAILED to the USUSA Elections Committee at [email protected] by Wednesday, February 3 at 4:30 p.m. Submissions sent after the deadline will not be published.

NOTE: DO NOT send any attachments. Please cut & paste or type directly into the email the information below. Failure to do so will result in non-publication of your information.



SUBJECT LINE: Your subject line must be as follows:

USUSA Elections, YOUR NAME, Office for which you’re running Office for which you are running: Name:



Email:

Cell Phone:



Gender:

Hometown:











M / F

Years at USU:

Class Rank: F

So

J

Sr

Twitter Handle:

Major(s): Minor(s): Qualifications Please list qualifications that will help you in the office for which you are running. (Limit to most relevant.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Goals and/or Plans for Office Please list your top 5 goals and/or plans you wish to accomplish in office. (Limit to most relevant.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Campaign Platform In 30 words or less, state your campaign platform. Failure to comply with word limit may result in editing.

*All submitted content may be edited for clarity and length.

Elections Packet | 2016 | Utah State University Student Association

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Primary Financial Statement Each primary candidate must present this audit on February 22 or 23, 2016 by 2:00 p.m. Audits must be conducted by the current officer in the position for which you are running. You will sign up for an audit time with the respective officer at the Mandatory Candidates Meeting. This statement should include all expenditures and donations used for primary elections. Receipts for items must be attached to this form. Donation requests must be sent to the USUSA Elections Committee at [email protected] at least 48 hours prior to your audit. The appointed committee member will then establish a fair market value for said donation and add it to this sheet upon submission. This statement need not include readily available items such as tape, markers, screws, paint brushes, etc. Failure to stay within the spending limit will result in candidate disqualification. Election Spending Limit: $200 for Senatorial candidates, $ 400 for Executive Council candidates.

Items Purchased Quantity Price

Purchased Items Total

Items Donated Quantity FMV

Donated Items Total

Total Purchased & Donated Items

Candidate Signature Current USUSA Officer Signature Please Note: All information provided on this form is public information. Elections Packet | 2016 | Utah State University Student Association

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Final Financial Statement Each final candidate must present this list on February 24 or 25, 2016 by 2:00 p.m. Audits must be conducted by the current officer in the position for which you are running. You will sign up for an audit time with the respective officer at the Mandatory Candidates Meeting. This statement should include all expenditures and donations used for final elections. Receipts for items must be attached to this form. Donation requests must be sent to the USUSA Elections Committee at [email protected] at least 48 hours prior to your audit. The appointed committee member will then establish a fair market value for said donation and add it to this sheet upon submission. This statement need not include readily available items such as tape, markers, screws, paint brushes, etc. Failure to stay within the spending limit will result in candidate disqualification. Election Spending Limit: $200 for Senatorial candidates, $ 400 for Executive Council candidates.

Items Purchased Quantity Price

Purchased Items Total

Items Donated Quantity FMV

Donated Items Total

Total Purchased & Donated Items

Candidate Signature Current USUSA Officer Signature Please Note: All information provided on this form is public information. Elections Packet | 2016 | Utah State University Student Association

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Utah State University Student Association  Election Bylaws – Logan Campus   

This document is ancillary to the USUSA Constitution. Preamble  The Utah State University Student Association election bylaws govern the election of both USUSA candidates and referenda affecting the USU student body. These bylaws drive their authority from the USUSA Constitution Article III, Section 7.    The foundation of USUSA elections rests on campaign ethics. Therefore candidates, campaign committees and supporters, and proponents and opponents of referenda must follow all university policies, and local, state, and federal law. This includes, but is not limited to, a prohibition of:  A. Bribery, in any form, either to voters or other candidates.   B. Slander.    I. Candidate Requirements  A. All candidates, including write-ins, shall qualify according to Article III, Section 3 of the USUSA Constitution (the following section related to eligibility are a summary from the constitution and should be automatically updated).  B. Eligibility  1. No student shall be eligible to run or apply for any USUSA office if not in good standing. Once in office, any officer who fails to maintain good standing will immediately be placed on probation.   a. Good Standing applies to both academic and behavioral conduct, which shall be defined as:  i. Carrying a minimum of 12 credits per semester, or considered a full-time student by the School of Graduate Studies during their entire term of office, including the spring semester of election or appointment.  ii. Maintaining a USU cumulative GPA at or above 2.5 if the student has completed two or more semesters at USU. If the student has not completed two semesters at USU, then the student’s overall college cumulative GPA must be at or above 2.5.  iii. Maintaining a GPA of 2.5 or higher, for all semesters while in office, including the spring semester of election or appointment. The summer semester shall only count for or against an officer’s good standing if nine or more credits are taken. However, all summer classes will be calculated into the cumulative GPA.  iv. Free from academic warning, probation, or suspension.  v. Free from major USU Student Code violations and/or student conduct probation.  i. If a student has any pending student conduct hearings, he/she may proceed in running/ applying for office. If found guilty, the student is subject to removal from office.  2. If after election a USUSA officer does not maintain good standing in any sense, then the following terms of probation will apply:  a. Probation will last one semester and serve as an opportunity for the officer to regain good standing.  b. Any USUSA officer not in good standing will be ineligible to receive their USUSA scholarship; however, the monthly stipend is excluded from this restriction. For those officers not receiving a monthly stipend, they will be eligible to receive $1,200.00 for the semester they are on probation.   c. Any USUSA officer who fails to regain good standing at the completion of the probation period will be immediately removed from office.  d. Any appeals to the eligibility criteria may be submitted to the Office of the Vice President for Student Services. Any decisions made by this office are final.  e. The USUSA Executive Council will have the authority to place an officer on probation by a 2/3-majority vote if the officer is deemed to have acted in a way that is unbecoming of the appropriate office.  C. Graduate Studies Senator: Candidates running for Graduate Studies Senator must be a current fully matriculated graduate student in the School of Graduate Studies by the filing deadline. Matriculation requires the student to be in good standing and taking graduate courses.  D. College Senatorial Positions: Candidates for the office of a college Senator must be registered in the college they wish to represent as of the filing deadline for Declaration of Candidacy in the USUSA Election. Graduate students may run for a senatorial position in their respective college.  E. Write-in Candidates:  1. Upon entering a race, write-in candidates must file a Declaration of Candidacy, but are not required to pay the $20 filing fee.  2. Write-in candidates will not be included in ads, pictures, or biographies paid for by the Elections Committee.  3. Write-in candidates must notify the Elections Committee if they choose to participate in forums and debates during USUSA Elections Week.  4. Write-in candidates will not be present on the primary election ballot and will only be included on the final election ballot if:  a. A candidate comes in either first or second in total vote count, is eligible to hold office;  b. And reaches or exceeds 10% of the vote total in the respective election. (See EC Bill 2014-06)  5. Write-in candidates must abide by the election bylaws.  F. Candidate Requirement Appeals  1. Truly extenuating circumstances may be cause to appeal candidate eligibility.  2. The Student Hearing Board may grant exception to candidate requirements based on circumstance. Those

Elections Packet | 2016 | Utah State University Student Association

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II.

III.

wishing to appeal candidacy, see TSC 326.    Timeline  A. Deadlines:  1. A signed Declaration of Candidacy form is required to be an official candidate. The current USUSA officer holding the position should sign the form. If the current officer is unavailable, or is a candidate, then the appropriate USUSA advisor may sign. This form and $20 non-refundable filing fee are due in TSC 326 on the date set by the Elections Committee.  a. Any student may apply for a waiver of this $20 fee through a written appeal to the Student Involvement and Leadership Center (SILC).  b. The $20 filing fee is for processing purposes and publicity by the Elections Committee. Checks shall be made payable to USUSA Elections. The filing fee is not included in the total campaign expenditure limit of $200 or $400.  2. A candidate wishing to withdraw his or her Declaration of Candidacy may do so at any time in writing by submitting it to the Elections Co-Chairs prior to the announcement of final election results. After the Elections Co-Chairs have received the withdrawal, the candidate cannot be reinstated and the $20 filing fee will be forfeited. If, after the filing deadline, there are no constitutionally-qualified candidates for an office(s), the Elections Committee shall reopen the filing process for that particular office(s), accepting Declaration of Candidacy forms at the date set by the Elections Committee. Notice of the secondary deadline shall be printed in The Utah Statesman.  B. Declared candidates must be at the mandatory campaign meeting held by the Elections Committee to review the election policies and procedures, and answer questions. Absence will result in automatic forfeiture of candidacy. While campaign managers are encouraged to come, they cannot take the place of the candidate.  1. Exceptions are rarely granted. Possible exceptions may include death in the immediate family or hospitalization and must be given in writing by Elections Co-Chairs.  C. Every effort will be made to avoid conflict between college weeks and Elections Week.   D. The Elections Committee shall facilitate town hall meetings and candidate debates.  E. Clean-Up:  1. Primary candidates not advancing into final elections are responsible for removal of all campaign materials by the appropriate time set by the Elections Committee on the second night of Elections Week following primary elections.  2. Final election candidates are responsible for the removal of all campaign materials by 4:00 p.m. on the final day of Elections Week.  3. A $50 fee will be charged to any candidate who does not clean up all of his/her campaign materials by the appropriate time set by the Elections Committee. If the student does not abide by this regulation, the Hearing Board will meet with the student accordingly.  4. The Student Hearing Board will investigate any charges of vandalism. USU is not responsible for any acts of vandalism committed by candidates, their campaigns, or their supporters.    Voting  A. Plurality to Elect:  1. The names of the two candidates on the primary ballot receiving the greatest number of votes shall be placed on the final ballot.  2. In final elections and special elections, the candidate or ballot item that has the greatest number of votes will be declared the winner.  B. Ballots:  1. The names of all candidates for each office shall be placed on the ballot in alphabetical order by last name, along with a space(s) for write-in candidate(s).  a. All names of all candidates for each office shall be placed on the ballot in alphabetical order by last name, along with a space(s) for write-in candidate(s).  i. Permanent nicknames, however, may be approved by the Elections Committee (e.g. Bob for Robert, Sue for Susan, etc.).  ii. Ballots will be access via www.vote.usu.edu.  C. Eligibility to Vote:  1. A voter must be a current student of the Logan Campus of USU.  2. In USUSA Presidential and select referenda, elections will be open to all Regional Campus students.  3. Proxy voting is prohibited.  4. In senatorial races, students are only eligible to vote for senators of their respective college.  5. If a student has declared a major in two or more separate colleges, they are eligible to vote for the senatorial candidates running to represent each college. Only matriculated graduate students can vote for the Graduate Studies Senator.  D. Counting Votes:  1. Votes shall be tabulated immediately following the closing of the polls.  2. No ballots will be accepted after the published time of closing. Votes are tabulated and verified by a committee of two student involvement advisors, one staff member of the Information Technology (IT) department, Elections Co-Chairs, and the USUSA President.  a. In the event that the current USUSA President is running for office, the officer following the line of authority shall take his/her place.  3. Tie Breaking Procedures. 

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a.

b.

Should an exact numerical tie occur between any candidates running for a USUSA elected position, the following procedure has been outlined and established as the method of breaking the tie.  i. Upon announcement of the final elections results, the tied candidates will be brought together by the Elections Co-Chairs, the current officer in the position of the tied candidates, and at least one of the student involvement advisors to follow these tie breaking procedures.  ii. The tied candidates will be given one hour to choose, at their discretion, whether they would like to participate in a coin toss by neutral party or in a special one-day election to break the tie.  i. This election will occur within two weeks of the final announcement, will be on the selected day from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and all election bylaws shall apply (including remaining within the given budget allotment).  ii. If the candidates cannot come to a consensus within the hour given, the choice will be removed and a special one-day election will occur.  If a second numerical tie should occur between the same candidates, the tie breaking procedure will be a coin toss by a neutral third party. 

E.

IV.

V.

Results:  1. All results are final after votes are tabulated and verified. This extends to candidates, initiatives, referenda, or any other matter submitted to the USU student body for a vote.     Money and Finance  A. Campaign Spending:  1. Total Expenditures: money directly spent on campaign materials and supplies  2. Candidates violating the campaign-spending limit (overspending) will be referred to the Student Hearing Board.  a. Executive Council candidates shall not exceed $400.  b. Senatorial candidates shall not exceed $200.  3. Audits: All candidates must submit a complete list of receipts for all campaign expenditures and donations to the Elections Committee.   a. Candidates will be required to have two election audits; one during primary elections and one during final elections. Candidates may be subject to additional audits if deemed necessary by the Elections Committee.  b. If a receipt for an item is not available, or if the item has been donated, it will be assessed at Fair Market Value by the Elections Committee.  c. These financial statements must be submitted to the Elections Committee by the specified audit deadlines. In the case of failure to submit a financial statement by the specified deadline, the candidate is disqualified.  4. Donations: defined as any monetary contributions or physical good used as campaign materials (see Article V.A.3).  a. The Elections Committee will give a Fair Market Value to donations and other un-purchased material.  i. Donations are included in the campaign expenditures of $200 or $400.  ii. Donations or other un-purchased material must be presented to the Elections Committee in writing and may not be used until the candidate has an official response from the Committee. Donations exceeding $50 must have appropriate documentation to be presented to the Elections Committee members serving as auditors.  5. Fair Market Value  a. Fair Market Value: FMV is defined as an estimate of the value of property and services based on what an average buyer would pay to an average seller in the market.  b. Actual Cost: Actual Cost is defined as the cost presented on an official sales receipt.  c. All donated materials are to be priced at FMV.  d. It is the responsibility of the candidate to obtain from the Elections Committee a FMV for any campaign material not appearing on the list provided at the mandatory candidate meeting.  e. Should a candidate feel that FMV has been determined inaccurately or unfairly, they may submit a written appeal to the SILC Director and the Student Advocate VP who will then make a decision. All decisions by the SILC Director and Student Advocate VP will be final. This decision will then be communicated to the Elections Co-Chairs.  i. If the Student Advocate VP is running for office, the SILC Director will select an elected student body officer to take their place.     Campaign Rules  A. Campaigning definitions:  1. Active: engaging directly with students with the intent of pursuing their vote. Includes any action where a candidate and/or his/her committee are directly soliciting students for votes (e.g. handing flyers directly to students, knocking on doors, etc.).  2. Passive: any action where a candidate is NOT directly soliciting students for votes. Students may communicate with organizations and individuals to learn the issues facing students to gain insight as to how to address those issues and concerns.   3. Campaign Materials: any image, text, or physical item with the purpose of garnering attention and increasing awareness for a specific candidate or ballot item.  B. Neutrality: 

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1.

Elections Committee members, current USUSA officers, and Student Hearing Board members are not allowed to wear campaign materials or publicly endorse any candidate.  a. Current USUSA officers running for reelection or new position are exempt from neutrality restrictions.  2. Anyone with violations will be sent to the Student Hearing Board for review.  C. Campaign Committees and Meetings  1. Campaign committee members are people that are specifically helping candidates campaign and must be current students from USU.  2. All meetings held by the candidate prior to the filing deadline must be private and arranged by the candidate specifically for the purpose of organizing a campaign.  a. Social and electronic media may be used for the purpose of communicating with campaign committee members.  D. Pre-Filing Deadline Rules  1. All active campaigning is prohibited prior to the filing deadline. However, students may participate in passive campaigning (see Article V.A.2).  a. Published/broadcasted campaign materials (e.g. social media, videos, flyers, posters, text messages, emails, radio, etc.) are strictly prohibited.  E. Post-Filing Deadline Rules  1. Printed campaign materials (e.g. posters, cards, flyers, shirts, etc.) are not to be distributed prior to Elections Week.  2. Social and online campaigning may begin one week before primary elections begin, starting Monday at 7:00 a.m.  F. On-Campus Campaigning during Elections Week  1. Candidates may not stand in front of any door entering the Taggart Student Center (TSC).  2. Active campaigning in the TSC, including the patio and plaza, is prohibited except at events sponsored by the Elections Committee.  3. No in-person solicitation or distribution of campaign materials is allowed in or within 50 feet of any computer lab or its entrances.   4. No candidate is permitted to engage in active campaigning in the library, or on the immediate sidewalks on the east side of the library.  5. Candidates are strictly prohibited from active campaigning in classrooms.  a. Classrooms are defined as any gathering of faculty members and students for the purposes of teaching and learning authorized by USU or any of its units (See USU Student Code of Conduct Article V.3.C).  i. This includes, but is not limited to, online classroom forums, email lists, and other activities such as field trips and labs.  6. Candidates are not allowed to engage in active campaigning during any USU athletic event, club sport, programming event, or outside of these events while patrons are entering or exiting the building.  a. This includes, but is not limited to, distributing campaign materials such as posters, banners, buttons, or flyers.  7. Sidewalk chalk and stickers are not allowed.  8. Candidates are prohibited from campaigning in on-campus housing buildings.  9. No signs, posters, or banners may be hung on the outside of campus buildings, including residence halls.  10. Flyers and other campaign materials must be handed directly to potential voters.  a. There will be no distribution of materials on vehicles within university parking lots or metered areas.  b. No campaign materials shall be:  i. Placed on unapproved bulletin boards (see Article V.F.11).  ii. Left on tables.  11. Posters (Reserved for USUSA senatorial candidates, excluding the Graduate Studies Senator only.)  a. Posters: printed or other types of campaign materials on paper to be hung in appropriate buildings on campus. This excludes digital TV screens.  b. Senatorial candidates are allowed four (4) posters during primaries and an additional four (4) posters during finals, totaling eight (8) posters allowed during final elections.  i. These posters should be hung in the candidate’s respective college only.  ii. Posters are limited to 24”x36” (maximum).  i. Posters must be hung in areas of each building approved by the individual colleges.  ii. It is up to the individual senatorial candidates to get permission from their respective Dean’s office to hang posters in the appropriate areas of his or her college.  iii. While colleges are not physical locations, for the purpose of campaigning in the elections, the location of the Dean’s office is what defines the location of each college with the exception of the Caine College of the Arts where candidates may campaign in the Fine Arts complex. Classrooms are not to be campaigned in (see Article V.F.5).   12. A-frames On Campus  a. A-frames are defined as a freestanding constructed object that must fit in an 8’x8’x8’ square.  b. Two A-frames will be permitted during primary elections. Those same A-frames will be permitted during final elections, for a total of two A-frames.  i. A-frames will only be permitted in designated areas, and will be assigned in the order of candidacy declaration. Please see the map included in the elections packet for designated A-frame areas. Placing A-frames in all other areas, including off-campus, is prohibited. If there is

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snow, A-frames must be on grass areas to ensure that facilities can clear walkways.  ii. A-frames cannot be moved except in extenuating circumstances.  c. Senatorial candidates may place A-frames near their respective colleges if given approval (see Section V.D.10).  d. A-frames must not lean against or be attached to trees, shrubs, or list posts. No stakes or signs stuck into the ground are allowed. No A-frames will be on grass areas between sidewalks and streets.  e. A-frames must be constructed so they are not a hazard.  f. USUSA is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged A-frames during the course of elections.  g. USUSA is not responsible for any damage done to a person or property due to a candidate’s A-frame. The candidate will take full responsibility. Candidates must respect each other and not vandalize A-frames or other campaign material. This also applies to campaign committee members.  h. At each candidate A-frame station, candidates are allowed two stationary voting devices for students to vote upon during primary and final elections.  i. USUSA candidates and their respective committee members are not allowed to have students vote on the candidates and/or committee members’ smart devices. Students may vote on their own personal smart device or on the stationary voting device at a candidate’s A-frame station.  ii. Each candidate must use their table only and will not be permitted to share with another candidate.  i. Each A-frame must display a bylaw reference card in plain sight. Card will be provided by the Elections Committee.  13. Copyright:  a. Use of USU, USUSA, and all affiliated organizations’ copyrighted material is prohibited.   b. Any campaign material must comply with copyright laws. Candidates assume full responsibility for failure to comply.  c. USUSA, USU SILC, and/or USU claim no responsibility for the illegal use of copyrighted materials by candidates.  G. Social and Electronic Media:  1. All social and electronic media active campaigning will be restricted from use until the Monday prior to Elections Week starting at 7 a.m.  2. Facebook  a. All pages and groups must be kept private until the Monday prior to Elections Week starting at 7 a.m.  b. Throughout the election process, candidates are not allowed to post on any official university or departmental Facebook pages or groups (e.g. USU, USUSA, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Huntsman School of Business, etc.).  3. Twitter  a. To stay connected to elections activity, candidates may use the official hashtag decided upon the by the Elections Committee.  4. Pinterest, Tumblr, YouTube, and other social media outlets  a. Candidates may use these platforms as they wish, however, they must comply with timeline rules and must use personal accounts. Use of any official university or departmental social media accounts is prohibited.  5. Election Video  a. A video will be made by the Elections Committee of the candidates’ platforms to be added to the USUSA website and social media accounts.  6. Election Website  a. All final candidates’ election information (one picture, campaign platform, goals, and qualifications) will be placed on the USUSA website.  7. Email  a. The use of electronic mail to actively campaign and solicit votes is prohibited. Mass email is limited to communicating with campaign committee members who have opted into receiving such communications.  H. Receptions  1. Definitions  a. Formal Receptions: meetings organized by the Elections Committee where students meet the candidates and ask the candidates questions about their platform and goals.  2. Candidates are not allowed to set up computers at formal receptions hosted by the Elections Committee, but are encouraged to talk with students. The Elections Committee will have computers set up at the receptions where voting can take place. Candidates or committee members with campaign materials are not allowed within 20 feet of the voting booths.  3. During formal election receptions, candidates must be in close proximity to their designated areas to pass out flyers and may not infringe on the area directly in front of another candidate’s area. If a member of the Elections Committee thinks that a candidate is breaking this rule, or getting too close to the voting booths, he/she has the right to dismiss the candidate from the reception.  4. During primary and final election receptions, senatorial candidates will be allowed to campaign in his/ her respective college, with permission from the building administrators. It is up to the candidate to get permission to campaign in his/her college.  I. Off-Campus Campaigning  1. Candidates must have the permission of the building or apartment owner/landlord/manager and

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2. 3. 4.   VI.

appropriate tenant(s) to display or distribute any campaign materials.  a.  Campaign materials must be directly distributed to potential voters with their permission (e.g. materials must be handed to an individual directly and not taped to a door).  The policy for off-campus banners and signs comes directly from the Logan City Land Development Code Section 17.40 and is included as an appendix to these bylaws (this policy is subject to change).  Campaigning is limited to apartment complexes and/or residential properties (i.e. no campaigning in businesses, churches, etc.).  Use of campaign materials on vehicles in prohibited. 

Violations and Penalties  A. Hearing Board  1. Jurisdiction  a. Pursuant to Article V of the USUSA Constitution, the USUSA Hearing Board will hear all election grievances. The Hearing Board will render a decision on each grievance, and will assess a penalty if necessary.  2. Membership  a. The USUSA Hearing Board shall consist of the seven student members of the Hearing Board Pool.  i. Quorum requirement: a quorum of at least five members of the Hearing Board must be present to hear and rule on grievances.  ii. The student members of the Hearing Board Pool shall be appointed by the newly-elected USUSA President and approved by a majority vote of the USUSA Executive Council. The former president will assist the newly-elected USUSA President during the selection process.  iii. The Hearing Board Pool chair shall be a student appointed by the USUSA President.  iv. Board members serve a one-year term, although members can be appointed to serve more than one term.  v. Board members shall be members of USUSA. One voting member of USUSA Executive Council will be appointed to the Hearing Board by the President. The members of the Hearing Board shall be subject to the same eligibility requirements as the USUSA officers as outlined in Article III of the USUSA Constitution. Vacancies shall be filled as needed.  3. The Violation Process will be as follows:  a. During Elections Week, any charges of violation of campaign regulations will be submitted in writing to the Hearing Board within 24 hours of the incident, but no later than the closing of the polls.  b. If an elections bylaw violation comes to light after the final election results have announced, a complainant may file a grievance until noon on the day of inauguration.  i. Prior to the election, there is no time limit, although the Hearing Board will not meet regularly, and will hear cases on an as-needed basis.  c. In the event of a violation, or a grievance being filed, both the accuser and accused must be called before the Hearing Board together. Upon hearing both sides, the Hearing Board will render a decision and assess a penalty if necessary.  d. Election results for the office(s) in question will not be made public until all grievances have been heard by the Hearing Board, ruled upon penalties assess, and the candidate(s) notified of the decision.  e. Candidates will be responsible for submitting grievances for his/her own campaign.  i. Any student must file an election grievance who was affected by or a direct witness to any violation of election bylaws by campaigns or those campaigning for ballot issues.  f. The burden of proving that a bylaws violation occurred is on the person filing the grievance.  g. Explanation of how to file a grievance will be discussed at the mandatory elections meeting.  4. Penalties:  a. Penalties from which the Hearing Board may choose are as follows:  i. Confiscation and/or restriction of campaign materials (e.g. only one sign as opposed to two);  ii. Restrictions on campaign times (e.g. not being allows to attend town hall meetings or campaign on campus during certain times);  iii. Budget restrictions;  iv. Ordering a new election for a particular office pursuant to Article III, Section 1 of the USUSA Constitution;  v. Disqualification of candidate(s);   vi. Or fines to be paid if the violation is discovered after the election has already taken place.  i. Fines shall not exceed the respective candidate’s campaign expenditure limit (see Article IV.A.2.a and IV.A.2.b). 

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A-Frame Placement Map Candidate A-Frames may be placed on the highlighted areas of the map below:

Map courtesy of USU Public Relations & Marketing Office.

*Senatorial candidates may place A-Frames near their respective college if prior permission is granted. *See Section V. F. 12 of the USUSA Election Bylaws for A-Frame specifications. *Space is allocated on a first come, first served basis according to declaration of candidacy.

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Off-Campus Sign Placement Candidates who place signs or banners off-campus should comply with the City of Logan Land Development Code. Due to length reasons, the applicable section of the code is not listed in the elections packet. To view the code, please visit http://bit.ly/1INjvFG

Elections Contact Information Elections Committee Chairs: Madison Maners & Sawyer Hemsley Email: [email protected] Office: TSC 326

Elections Advisors Linda Zimmerman Email: [email protected] Office: TSC 326 Phone: (435) 797-2911

Student Conduct Coordinator Krystin Deschamps Email: [email protected] Office: TSC 220 Phone: (435) 797-0977

Nathan Laursen Email: [email protected] Office: TSC 326 Phone: (435) 797-1757

Elections Packet | 2016 | Utah State University Student Association

Stefanie Brooksby Email: [email protected] Office: TSC 326 Phone: (435) 797-9300

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