Article V – Boards, Commissions and Executive Committees

Section 1. Appointments Board 

1. The Appointments Board shall interview and nominate students to University-wide Committees and the positions listed in these bylaws or as directed by the Senate, when vacant. 
2. The Appointments Board shall consist of the Appointments Board Chair, and two (2) appointed at-large members. The at-large members may not serve concurrently as an ASUN executive or senator, member of Committee on Fee Allocations or on the Student Court. 
3. The President shall appoint two candidates for at large membership to the appointments board, confirmed by the Senate with a 2/3 majority vote.  
4. The new members of the Appointments Board shall assume their positions upon installation with the new executives and senators or, in the case of a vacancy, immediately following Senate confirmation.  
5. The Appointments Board shall define its policies and procedures for selecting students.  
6. All decisions of the Appointments Board must be unanimous. 
7. Each nomination must be ratified by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Senate. 
8. All persons appointed to a position must give the Director of Administration and/or the Appointments Board Chair two (2) weeks’ notice, should they choose to forfeit their position. 
9. No member of the Appointments Board may seek to be appointed to the positions they are to fill during their term on the Appointments Board. 

Section 2. Government Liaison Committee  

1. The Government Liaison Committee (GLC) shall educate and engage students in civic duties and legislative actions, and deliberately communicate student views and concerns to the University’s administration and the Nebraska State Government, while representing the student body as a whole and remaining impartial. 
2. The GLC shall be composed of a chair appointed by the President and up to fifteen (15) members nominated by the President and approved by the Senate by a majority vote. The Chair may be removed by the President at their own discretion. 
3. The GLC shall: 
   1. Advocate such policies as the Senate may direct at all levels of government. If time does not permit Senate approval, approval may be granted by the Executive Committee or President; 
   2. Do research on political and legal issues that the committee deems relevant to students and to continue that research until the committee reaches a point where they need Senate direction for future action.  Such action could include (but is not limited to) taking a public stance, advocating a position to the university, city council, state legislature, national government, or any other political organization; or continuing research; 
   3. Direct and maintain programs to promote positive relations between ASUN and governments at all levels. 

Section 3. Electoral Commission 

1. The Electoral Commission shall consist of six (6) voting members, one (1) appointed by the President as Electoral Commission Director, one (1) member from the Executive Committee, two (2) at-large members nominated by the Appointments Board and  confirmed by the Senate, and two (2) faculty advisors nominated by the President and  confirmed by the Senate. 
2. Any survey to appear on the general election ballot must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Senate. 

Section 4. Freshmen Campus Leadership Associates (FCLA) 

1. Freshmen Campus Leadership Associates (FCLA) is the freshmen representation in student government. Up to thirty (30) of the University's most promising freshmen leaders are selected to serve for the remainder of their freshman year in this capacity. Overarching goals of the group include an introductory education of the construction and operation of student government at the University, networking with other involved freshmen, working closely with ASUN senators and executives, participating in several well-established University traditions, and preparation for future involvement both at the University and beyond. 
2. Membership: 
   1. Associates must apply, interview, and be appointed by the FCLA Appointments Board consisting of four (4) members:  
      1. Two (2) general Senate members, elected by the Senate. 
      2. One (1) at-large member nominated by the Appointments Board and confirmed by the Senate. 
      3. The President or their designee. 
   2. FCLA shall consist of up to thirty (30) freshmen students currently enrolled full-time at the University. 
   3. All attempts are to be made at making FCLA as diverse as possible, in all respects, while still maintaining its mission of employing and educating some of the University’s most promising leaders. 
   4. Should a member of FCLA choose to resign, their spot will be filled from a pool of five (5) acceptable applicants maintained by the FCLA Appointments Board. 
3. Attendance: 
   1. Associates are required to attend every meeting as scheduled by the Directors. 
   2. All absences should be reported to the Directors. 
   3. The Directors may together agree to excuse an absence, though all attempts must be made to ensure that abuses of this power are not recurring. 
   4. More than two (2) unexcused absences a semester will result in the associate being placed under review for removal from FCLA.  
4. Leadership: 
   1. The Directors shall be nominated by the ASUN President and confirmed by the Senate. 
   2. The Directors shall facilitate the overall direction of the program as designated by the President of ASUN, maintain continual contact with the President, provide logistic information to assist with projects, facilitate idea creation and goal setting with a pragmatic timeline, ensure that associates are fulfilling their responsibilities, organize FCLA attendance at ASUN meetings, and oversee the completion of tasks towards goals. 
   3. The Directors shall act as FCLA Chair in representation at all meetings of the ASUN Senate. 
5. Individual Project: 
   1. Each member of FCLA is responsible for creating and carrying out an individual project. Members may be allowed to team up on a single project with the approval of the FCLA Directors. 
      1. Each individual project must first be presented in a project proposal to the FCLA Directors. 
      2. Once approved, legislation must be written and presented to the executive team to be assigned to a committee for approval. 
      3. Once approved by a committee, the legislation will be brought to the Senate floor for Senate approval.  

Section 6. Laura Cockson Memorial Scholarship Steering Committee 

1. The Laura Cockson Memorial Scholarship Steering Committee shall be composed of any interested family member of Laura Cockson, the previous year’s recipient of the Laura Cockson Memorial Scholarship, a Gamma Phi Beta representative, and the President or their appointee. 
2. The Laura Cockson Memorial Scholarship Steering Committee shall select the Laura Cockson Memorial Scholarship recipient for the year, an individual who with character and leadership has actively and effectively promoted alcohol education and responsible alcohol consumption. 

Section 7. Student Legal Services 

1. The Student Legal Service (SLS) Center shall advise, counsel and have court representation in areas of the law that most often concern students. 
2. The SLS Board shall be composed of the following members: the President, the SLS Coordinator, a member of the faculty of the College of Law, and a practicing attorney within Lancaster County who's a member in good standing of the Nebraska State Bar Association. 
3. Members of the SLS Board shall be appointed by the President for one-year terms, and vacancies shall be filed at the President's discretion. 
4. Meetings shall be held subject to the call of the President or the SLS Coordinator who shall serve as chairperson of the SLS Board. 

Section 8. Graduate Student Assembly  

1. As a unique population with roles as students, teachers, researchers, and/or staff, graduate students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln require a special representative body that is tailored to their needs. The Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) will exercise the student governance of affairs solely involving graduate students at the University, as well as collaborate with the ASUN Senate, executives, and committees on issues affecting the entirety of the University’s student body.  
2. Membership: 
   1. The GSA shall consist of one (1) representative per department or program of the University that awards a graduate degree, elected or appointed as follows:  
      1. For such department or program where a Departmental Graduate Student Association (DGSA) exists, said organizations shall be responsible to determine the method of election or appointment of the representative. 
      2. In a department or program without an organized DGSA, the Graduate Chair shall be responsible for organizing the selection of the representative.  
      3. The constituent DGSA or Graduate Chair shall fill all representative openings within a period of one (1) month of its occurrence, after which such vacancy may be filled by an at-large representative appointed by the Vice President of Representation and approved by two-thirds (2/3) of the Assembly. 
   2. All representatives shall serve a renewable term of one (1) academic year.  
3. Officers: 
   1. The GSA shall have the following officers: President, Executive Vice President, Vice President of Student Affairs, Vice President of Representation, and Vice President of Finance. 
      1. The President shall represent the GSA in all University and student government business and shall serve on the Academic Planning Committee, and the Graduate Council, and shall be a voting member of the ASUN Executive Committee.   
      2. The Executive Vice President shall serve on the Graduate Council. If the office of the President becomes vacant, the Executive Vice President shall act as President for the remainder of the term. At the request of the President, the Executive Vice President may attend ASUN Senate and Executive Committee meetings. 
      3. The Vice President of Student Affairs shall serve on the Parking Advisory Committee and the Student Affairs Advisory Council and may attend ASUN Senate and Executive Committee meetings at the request of the Executive Vice President, when they are meant to attend. 
      4. The Vice President of Representation shall ensure that all Department Representatives have been appointed and are fulfilling their duties, as well as nominate graduate students to University-wide committee positions. 
      5. The Vice President of Finance shall be responsible for the finances of the GSA. 
      6. Additional responsibilities of officers shall be defined in the GSA Bylaws.  
   2. The President and Executive Vice President shall be directly elected during the ASUN spring election and may not concurrently serve as representatives. Provided the office becomes vacant, the Assembly shall elect among its membership a President and/or Executive Vice President.  
   3. The Vice President of Student Affairs, Vice President of Representation, and Vice President of Finance shall be elected by the membership of the GSA following the ASUN spring election and may not concurrently serve as representatives. 
   4. The times and methods governing the election of these officers will be specified in the GSA Bylaws and Electoral Commission Rules.  
4. Advisors: 
   1. The GSA Advisor shall be nominated by the GSA President and confirmed by the Assembly with a two-thirds (2/3) vote and must be a graduate faculty member. Additionally, the ASUN Director of Administration shall serve as an advisor to the GSA. 
5. Committees: 
   1. The GSA Bylaws shall determine the number, nature and composition of the committees. Committee chairs or co-chairs shall be elected by the Assembly by a plurality vote.  
   2. The Executive Vice President shall appoint, taking into account individual preferences, all representatives to at least one (1) committee. 
   3. Service in University-wide or ASUN committees shall exempt representatives from service in GSA committees.  
6. Reserved Powers. ASUN delegates the GSA the power to: 
   1. Recommend to the Senate bills and resolutions pertaining issues important to or involving graduate students. 
   2. Develop a strategic plan with measurable goals to assess the success of the Graduate Student Assembly in meeting its goals. 
   3. Serve as the liaison between graduate students and the Office of Graduate Studies, the Dean of Graduate Studies, and the Graduate Council. 
   4. Manage and allocate funds originating from student fees and contributions obtained from University and non-University sources to the effect of carrying out its purpose in accordance with federal, state, municipal, University, and ASUN directives. 
   5. Nominate graduate students to University-wide committees and offices, as nominated by the Vice President of Representation, and confirmed by the GSA. 
   6. Adopt and modify its own Bylaws, and submit them to the Senate, that can reject them by a two-thirds (2/3) vote but may not introduce any modifications. 
   7. Provide uniform rules for the organization of Departmental Graduate Student Associations, subject to University and ASUN regulations, and the oversight of the Student Services Committee. 
   8. Protect the interests of graduate students on campus and pursue any actions furthering their causes. 
   9. Promote student government in all levels, as well as networking among graduate students, and between graduate students and the other members of the University community. 
7. ASUN-GSA Relations, Settlement of Issues, and Dissolution 
   1. No alteration may be introduced into this Section of the ASUN Bylaws without written request or consent of the GSA. Such modifications must initially be approved by three-fourths (3/4) of the membership of first the GSA and ultimately by three-fourths (3/4) of the membership of the Senate.  
   2. The GSA and ASUN officers shall conduct a periodic review of the structure and function of the Assembly and suggest any changes towards its improvement. No more than two (2) years may elapse between such reviews. 
   3. The Student Court shall have the authority to settle conflicts arising between the ASUN Senate and officers and the GSA. The University Appeals Board shall serve as appellate jurisdiction to the Student Court.  
   4. The GSA may by three-fourths (3/4) vote, at any time, petition the Senate for its dissolution or separation. A three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Senate shall be required to dissolve the GSA or approve separation. In the case of dissolution, all outstanding assets and liabilities will be transferred to ASUN. In the case of separation, all assets that would rightfully be used by the GSA would be transferred to the GSA. 

Section 9.  Environmental Leadership Program  

1. The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) is designed to develop future campus leaders. Participants will gain hands-on experience working on environmental projects, obtain knowledge on environmental issues, and develop leadership skills including communication, self-awareness, time management, and resource utilization. ELP will work closely with the ESC to promote sustainability at the University.  
2. Membership: 
   1. Associates must apply, interview, and be appointed by the ELP Appointments Board consisting of the appointed ELP Director, one (1) delegate of the ASUN Appointments Board, and a maximum of two (2) general Senate members, elected by the Senate.  
   2. ELP shall consist of twenty (20) freshmen and sophomores currently enrolled full-time at the University. 
   3. Should a member of ELP choose to resign, their spot will be filled from a pool of acceptable applicants maintained by the ELP Appointments Board. 
3. Attendance: 
   1. Associates are required to attend every meeting as scheduled by the Director. 
   2. All absences should be reported to the Associate Director. 
   3. The Director and Associate Director may together agree to excuse an absence, though all attempts must be made to ensure that abuses of this power are not recurring.  
   4. More than two (2) unexcused absences a semester will result in the Associate being placed under review for removal from ELP. 
4. Leadership: 
   1. The Director: 
      1. The Director is appointed by the ASUN President and approved by the Senate. 
      2. The Director shall facilitate the overall direction of the program as designated by the President of ASUN, maintain continual contact with the President, maintain continual contact with the ESC Chair, develop educational curriculum and its implementation, and oversee the completion of tasks towards goals. 
      3. The Director shall act as ELP Chair in representations at all meetings of the ASUN Senate. 
      4. The Director will serve as a voting member of ESC.  
5. Duties. ELP associates shall: 
   1. Work with ESC members on their projects. 
   2. Work as a group to outline, research, and implement a group project.  
   3. Promote environmental education on campus. 

Section 10. The Big Event 

1. The Big Event shall maintain bylaws governing the structure and operations of the committee. The committee shall annually submit its bylaws (in the fall semester) to the Senate for approval. 
2. The co-chairs shall be appointed by the ASUN President following the event each spring.  
3. All other executive members will be appointed by the co-chairs following an application process during the spring semester.  

Section 11. ASUN Grants Selections Committee 

1. The ASUN Grants Selections Committee (GSC) provides overall direction for grants offered by ASUN and shall have sole authority to receive and approve or reject grant requests for funds from ASUN grants with advice and consent from the ASUN Student Senate in some cases.  
2. The GSC has three primary functions: 
   1. Green Fund Selections 
   2. Equity Grant Selections 
   3. Wellness Grant Selections  
3. The GSC shall consist of ten members elected by the student body in the spring election. 
   1. One elected member will be appointed by the President to serve as the Chair.  
   2. The remaining nine (9) members will serve on one (1) selection subcommittee (Equity Grant, Green Fund, or Wellness Fund). 
   3. Duties of the Chair: 
      1. Serve as a non-voting member on all of the subcommittees. 
      2. Assign three (3) members to each subcommittee to meet and vote on fund requests. 
      3. Organize regular meetings with the subcommittees. 
      4. Maintain communication with applicants and act as the spokesperson for the committee. 
4. The GSC chair shall submit rules for each grant subcommittee outlining the application procedures, objectives, requirements, and due process for selecting funded projects to the ASUN Senate by September 1 of each academic year. The Senate must adopt these rules with a 2/3 vote. 
5. The following guidelines apply to all grant selections decisions: 
   1. State Law and Regent Policy supersede these rules. 
      1. In accordance with NU Board of Regents Policy 5.9.1, grants may only be made on a one fiscal year basis and may not be granted to a single organization more than once in a two-year period.  All projects must be completed by the end of the fiscal year in which the grant was approved. 
   2. The primary purpose of proposed projects should fall under the scope of the subcommittee in which they are applying. For a project to receive funding it must also meet the following requirements: 
      1. Have a clearly defined, measurable outcome. 
      2. Incorporate publicity, education, or outreach. 
      3. Have a staff/faculty sponsor. 
      4. Willing to display the ASUN logo on all marketing materials if the project is awarded funding. 
      5. Neither Green, Equity, or Wellness funds may be used for any purposes that violate University of Nebraska-Lincoln policies and procedures. 
      6. Completion by June 1^st of the academic year in which they are proposed. 
6. Projects exceeding a total allocation request of $1,250 must be approved by the Senate. 
   1. All of the subcommittees of the GSC shall have the authority to approve projects without Senate consent that request $1,250 or less.  
   2. The GSC Chair shall inform the Senate of the approval of projects that request $1,250 or less. 
   3. The Wellness Grant will have an asking limite of $2,000 per RSO.  
7. Each subcommittee shall maintain an objective rubric based upon the rules approved by the Senate. The rubric shall be made available to each applicant after a determination of funding. 
8. In the case an applicant is denied funding, the applicant has a right to appeal the decision of the GSC to the Executive Committee within 10 academic days. Appeals must be made in writing to the chair of the GSC. The Executive Committee shall then conduct an appeal hearing in closed session but will vote on the appeal in open session. A two-thirds (2/3) vote is necessary to grant an appeal. 
9. If an applicant does not receive notification of funding status from the GSC within 15 academic days of initial submission, the application and request for approval will be added to the subsequent Senate agenda for consideration by the full Senate. 
10. Allocation of Funds: 
    1. The President will include in their annual budget proposal to CFA, the Senate, and the Chancellor, an allocation of part of the ASUN UPFF proposal to be set as a line item serving as the total budgeted allocation to the GSC for the following year.  
       1. The GSC will operate as long as there is money in the Green Fund, Equity Grant, and Wellness Grant line items. 
       2. Money will only be removed from the Green Fund, Equity Grant, and Wellness Grant line items to fund projects that were approved for grant money awards by the GSC. 
    2. Funds may be accessed in the following ways: 
       1. Reimbursement of expenses (check) through the SOFS office from the Green Fund, Equity Grant, and Wellness Grant account in the ASUN budget. 
       2. Direct purchase through the ASUN office (i.e. purchase order). 
       3. All reimbursements and purchases made are subject to the review and approval of the ASUN Treasurer. 
    3. Accurate financial records must be kept: 
       1. The GSC must keep an accurate account of currently approved projects for funding and accurate listings of how much has been disbursed to those projects. Staff in the ASUN office must have access to this account so that they can appropriately reimburse and issue purchase orders. 
       2. Receipts for reimbursements and purchase orders must be kept for all existing and completed projects. 
11. This Bylaw takes effect during the Spring 2026 general election cycle. Th Green Fund, Equity Grant, and Wellness Grant will continue operations until this Bylaw goes into effect. 

Section 12: Earthstock 

1. Earthstock shall be a month-long event celebrating Earth Day which serves to promote sustainability. 
2. The co-chairs shall be appointed by the ASUN President following the event each spring. 
3. All other executive members will be appointed by the co-chairs following an application process during the spring semester.