Mission Statement

We, the Inter-Professional Council being those professional students of The Ohio State University elected and appointed by our peers, with our authority derived from the professional student body and recognized by the faculty, staff, and administration of this university, dedicate ourselves to the betterment of higher education and student life at The Ohio State University. We hereby promise to be accessible to the professional students, remain sensitive to the concerns of all undergraduate and graduate students, and to be a voice for professional issues. Therefore, the Inter-Professional Council at The Ohio State University charges itself with creating and maintaining an environment for the promotion of student excellence.

Constitution

The legislative branch of the Inter-Professional Council shall consist of a Senate, which shall be the official representative of the professional student body.

1. Powers
   The senate shall be empowered to
   1. Select one senator from each college to represent the professional student body on the University Senate. One senator of the sit shall be randomly selected to serve as an alternate, in accordance with University Senate rules.
   2. Recommend action and express opinion on behalf of the professional student body in all areas of student life, legislate in all areas of student life, and to legislate in all areas of student interest not directly delegated to other governmental organization by the student body, the university administration or the Board of Trustees.
   3. Ratify all executive appointments to university wide committees and the Senate.
   4. Require and receive written, biannual reports from all students serving on university wide committees, Inter-Professional Council committees, and the Cabinet. These reports shall be filed at the Inter-Professional Council office.
   5. Establish such temporary and standing committees that are required in order to study legislation and issues affecting the professional student body.
   6. Impeachment and/or censure of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Chief of Staff, Senators, Justices, and professional students on university-wide committees.
   7. Ratify the budget after approval from the Justices
   8. Elect a Speaker of the Senate, as well as any other officers as specified in the Bylaws.
      1. The Speaker must be a voting Senator serving the current term.
      2. The Speaker shall be elected by the first meeting of the Senate during Fall Quarter of the term year.
         1. Nominations shall be taken at any time preceding the election
         2. All candidates shall be entitled to give a speech explaining their qualifications for office.
         3. Voting shall be by secret ballot.
         4. A candidate must obtain a majority to be elected. If no candidate receives a majority, the top two candidates shall be put forth for a further vote.
      3. The Speaker, after election, shall be considered an ex-officio member of the Senate, with all rights and privileges of a Senator.
      4. The Speaker may only vote in order to break a tie vote of the Senate.
      5. The Speaker shall have the following responsibilities:
         1. To chair all meetings of the Senate.
         2. To attend, as an ex-officio member, all meetings of the Cabinet.
2. Senators
   1. The Senate shall have the designated number of Senators popularly elected within each individual college for one year terms from the following Constituencies:
      

      Dentistry	(5)
      Law	(5)
      Medicine	(5)
      Optometry	(5)
      Pharmacy	(5)
      Veterinary Medicine	(5)

      All college senators and justices must be enrolled in the college they are representing for the entire term of representation

   2. Voting Senators shall have all powers of speech, debate, and voting, including the right to introduce motions, and introduce and sponsor legislation.
3. University Senate
   1. The president shall present both a written and oral report of the activities of the Inter-Professional Council to the University Senate as a whole whenever requested. Moreover, this report is to be published, and available to all professional students.
   2. Each constituency represented by an elected seat on the Senate shall have or share one seat on the University Senate.
4. Meetings

   Senate meeting shall be held twice per month during Autumn, Winter and Spring Quarters. The Speaker shall have the power to call a special meeting of the Senate at any time. A Meeting may be omitted by a two- thirds vote of the senate, no less than 14 days prior to the planned meeting date.

5. Removal/Replacement
   1. If a student senator or justice fails to take his/her obligation seriously and does not attend 2 consecutive meetings, the senator or justice may be replaced by an appropriate representative from the same college.
   2. If a senator qualifies for removal or replacement, they shall be notified at least 14 days in advance to submit an explanatory statement to the senate which will be presented at the next senate meeting for a vote.
   3. The Senate will review the statement and vote with 2/3 majority required for removal.
   4. In the event of a vacancy a senator without another member from that constituency the president shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, a new senator or justice to the seat from the appropriate constituency.
   5. Any person succeeding to an elected seat shall hold that seat until the end of the regular term.
6. Quorum

   One-half of the total number of senators shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of the Senate. Vacant seats shall not be counted in determining quorum.

7. Collective Bargaining

   The Senate shall be recognized as the agent of the professional students to any collective bargaining contract subject to the limits imposed by federal or state law.

1. President
   1. The president shall be elected annually, after successfully completing a petition containing the signatures of at least 25 professional students from each of the professional colleges as set forth in the Bylaws, no later than the day of the election, by majority vote of the outgoing senate and shall serve as its chief executive and spokesperson.
   2. The President shall have the power to:
      1. Hold an ex-officio seat on the Senate with no voting rights.
      2. Appoint the Chief of Staff and Internal Committee Chairs
      3. Remove from Office any appointed Cabinet members or administrative assistants.
      4. Hold a non-voting seat on the University Senate.
      5. Serve as a voting professional representative on the University Senate Steering Committee.
      6. Have oversight of one IPC Internal Committee
   3. The responsibilities of the President shall include:
      1. Chair meetings of the Cabinet, or designate someone to serve as Chair.
      2. Direct and advise all other appointed and elected executive officials.
      3. Schedule and preside over monthly general body meetings of the Inter-Professional Council
      4. Appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, representatives to university- wide committees.
      5. Serve on the Board of Trustees Selection Committee or chair it as needed.
      6. Attend all other meetings as requested on behalf of IPC
2. Vice President
   1. The Vice President shall be elected annually, after successfully completing a petition containing the signatures of at least 25 professional students from each of the professional colleges as set forth in the Bylaws, no later than the day of the election, by majority vote of the outgoing Senate and shall serve as its secondary executive and spokesperson
   2. The Vice President shall have the power to:
      1. Serve as President in the case of the death, impeachment or resignation of the President.
      2. Hold an ex-officio seat on the Senate with full voting rights.
      3. Hold a non-voting seat on the University Senate.
      4. Serve on the Board of Trustees Selection Committee
      5. Serve as chair of the President's Council and call for meetings of the Council at least once quarterly.
      6. Have oversight of one IPC Internal Committee
   3. The responsibilities of the Vice President shall include:
      1. Evaluating reports received from representatives of university wide committees to discover issues important to professional students.
      2. Receive and safely keep funds of the Inter-Professional Council and pay out same, serving as treasurer.
      3. Prepare and submit audits of IPC banking once after Autumn and once after Spring Quarter.
      4. Coordinate the activities between the Inter-Professional Council and the professional schools, including elections and social events.
      5. Appoint in coordination with the President and with the advice and consent of the Senate, representatives to university-wide committees.
      6. Serve as the professional student representative on Athletic Council
      7. Serve as one of the professional student representatives on the Council of Student Life.
      8. Engage all speakers for General Body or Senate meetings.
      9. Attend all meetings when the president is unable as a full alternate with voting privileges in his/her place.
3. Cabinet
   1. The Cabinet shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Speaker, Chief of Staff, and IPC Internal Committee Chairs.
   2. The Cabinet shall advise the President and recommend programs, and be responsible for the execution of programs ordered by the President.
   3. The Cabinet shall meet at the discretion of the President.
   4. Cabinet Directors shall have responsibility for the internal organization of their offices or committees.
   5. Cabinet Members shall be responsible for the filing of quarterly reports with the President.
4. Speaker of the Senate
   1. The Speaker of the Senate shall be elected by the incoming Senate no later than the first meeting of the Senate in Autumn Quarter
   2. The Speaker shall be elected by a two-thirds majority vote of the Senate as stipulated in Powers.
   3. The Speaker of the Senate shall have the power to:
      1. Have oversight of one IPC Internal Committee
      2. Serve in place of the Vice-President in the case of death, impeachment, resignation, or absence.
      3. Present legislature on behalf of the Senate and introduce motions.
      4. Serve as an ex-officio member of the Senate without voting privileges except in the case of a tie.
   4. The responsibilities of the Speaker shall include:
      1. Chair all meetings of the Senate and ensure they are conducted in a timely manner
      2. Conduct meetings using basic parliamentary procedures to ensure fairness and to expedite discussions
      3. Maintain contact with the Legal Affairs division of the university and keep the Senate aware of state and national government issues relating to professional students. This may include things such as lobby days and collective bargaining.
      4. Prepare and distribute the agenda for all Senate meetings
5. Secretary
   1. The Secretary shall be elected annually, after successfully completing a petition containing the signatures of at least 25 professional students from each of the professional colleges as set forth in the Bylaws, no later than the day of the election, by majority vote of the outgoing Senate.
   2. The Secretary shall have the power to:
      1. Have oversight of one IPC Internal Committee
      2. Serve on the Cabinet and take part in all executive decisions
   3. The responsibilities of the Secretary shall include:
      1. Weekly email to professional student body summing up events for that week on or off campus that would be of interest.
      2. Minutes for Senate and General Body Meetings. These minutes must be posted on webpage no later than 2 weeks after meeting date.
      3. Track senate meeting attendance. The Secretary shall bring to attention of the Speaker any senator who has missed two or more senate meetings without an excuse.
      4. Send email reminders to the Senate and Justices of upcoming Senate meeting dates and other IPC events
      5. Send email reminders to the professional student body of upcoming General Body Meetings and other IPC events
      6. Send out Thank-You notes to invited speakers and guests and other notes/invitations/greetings as needed.
      7. Prepare an agenda for all General Body Meetings
6. Chief of Staff
   1. The Chief of Staff shall be appointed by the President no later than 3rd week in May prior to the start of the term.
   2. The Chief of Staff shall have the power to:
      1. Appoint with the advise of the President and Vice-President representatives to university wide committees
      2. Bring to the attention of the President and Vice-President senators and representatives to university wide committees that are not attending their meetings.
      3. Serve one voting term as a professional representative on the Council of Student Life
      4. Serve on the Cabinet and take part in all executive decisions
   3. The responsibilities of the Chief of Staff shall include:
      1. Compile monthly reports to the Senate and General Body of University wide issues currently in committee that are important to the professional student body.
      2. Notify the Vice-President of issues in committee that may be important for IPC to address.
      3. Maintain contact with university wide committee chairs and serve as a liaison between them and IPC.
7. Chain of Command
   1. In the event of the resignation, death or impeachment of the President, the Vice President shall succeed to the Presidency. The Vice President, whose appointment must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.
   2. In the event of the registration, death or impeachment of both the President and the Vice-President, the Speaker of the Senate shall succeed to the Presidency. The Speaker of the Senate, after succession to the Presidency, shall select a new Vice President, whose appointment must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.
   3. If the Speaker of the Senate refuses the office of President, or there is a vacancy in the office of Speaker of the Senate, shall take nominations from within that body and shall elect within eight days, a President and Vice President.
   4. If there is no member of the Senate who will take the office of President and Vice President, or an election is deadlocked, then the Senate reserves the right to elect Professional students from outside the Senate to the office of President and Vice President.
   5. In the event of the resignation, death or impeachment of the Vice President, the President shall select a new Vice President, whose appointment must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.
   6. Any person succeeding to an elected seat shall hold that seat until the end of the regular term.

1. Elections
   1. Six justices shall be elected, 1 from each college represented by IPC, and shall take office not later than 5 weeks into Fall Quarter.
   2. The term of office shall be one year.
   3. In the absence of an elected justice, the President may appoint a justice which must be ratified by 2/3 majority vote of the senate.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
   1. The judicial branch serve as an oversight body for the senate and IPC and is therefore a non-voting position
   2. The Judicial Panel shall select from amongst themselves a Chief Justice
   3. Each panel justice shall have one vote
   4. Quorum shall consist of 3 panel justices.
   5. The judicial branch shall be responsible for assurance that IPC is in compliance with its constitution and shall therefore be responsible for recommending changes of the constitution to the Speaker as needed.
   6. The justices shall review the IPC budget and operating expenditures quarterly
   7. The judicial panel shall be responsible for reviewing all cases brought to them.
   8. The justices shall have full control over the Professional Development Fund including guidelines, application creation and revision, application screening, and award decisions.
3. Procedure for Case Review
   1. The panel must thoroughly investigate the case, securing all relevant information in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct
   2. Panel must deliberate and render a decision based on a preponderance of the evidence
   3. Panel must deliberate and render a decision based on a preponderance of the evidence.
   4. The panel must apply the and election Constitution, and organizational election bylaws as written
   5. The panel must reach a conclusion supported by evidence
   6. The panel must impose sanctions commensurate with the nature of the violation of this constitution
   7. A panel justice will relinquish his/her seat during a case in which a conflict of interest arises; in such a case, the empty justice will remain vacant as long as quorum is secured
   8. If a quorum is not secured due to conflicts of interest and other extenuating circumstances, the case will be considered an appellate case and will be referred to University Court for adjudication
4. Jurisdiction
   1. The judicial Panel will have original jurisdiction over all alleged violations of the Constitution and organizational bylaws of the Inter-Professional Council.
   2. The Judicial Panel, or its designee, will have jurisdiction on any or all alleged violations of the election bylaws.
5. Adjudication Process
   1. The member of the Inter-Professional Council in question (hereinafter referred to as Member) will have been notified by the Chair of the Judicial Panel in writing of the alleged violation at least seven days in advance of any Judicial Panel proceeding. The Judicial Panel will convene no less than seven, but within fourteen days of receipt of the alleged violation, unless there is an immediate threat of harm. The chief justice has primary procedural control of the hearing. The member may respond in writing to the alleged violation. The member will have the opportunity to present evidence on the member's behalf to the Judicial Panel. The member may make an oral testimony in the member's defense and answer any questions from the Judicial Panel at least twenty-four hours in advance of the Judicial Panel proceedings. The Judicial Panel reserves the right to limit witness testimony so long as the accused has reasonable opportunity to explain the allegation. All Judicial Panel proceedings will be recorded for the purpose of appeal only. The Judicial Panel reserves the right to establish those policies and procedures heretofore not expressed.
   2. In closed session, with the member not present, the member will be found in violation or not in violation of the Constitution or organizational or election bylaws. Those facts and circumstances which deal specifically with the allegation at hand may be introduced at this time.
   3. If the member is found in violation, mitigating circumstances will be considered at this time.
   4. Prohibitive areas such as the following are not to be considered during the sanction process:
      1. voting behavior,
      2. personality,
      3. sex, race, religion, or any other characteristics which the university identifies in its non-discrimination policy, or
      4. involvement in activities outside of the Inter-Professional Council.
   5. Upon consideration of the mitigating circumstances, the member who has been found in violation will be sanctioned by the Judicial Panel. A two-thirds vote in necessary to accept the sanction.
6. Opinions

   The Judicial Panel must submit its written opinion of the case or interpretation in question no later than three weeks from its receipt by the Chair of the Judicial Panel. Opinions or excerpts wherefrom may be released only on a need to know basis in consultation with the advisor of the Inter-Professional Council.

7. Appeal

   Members of the Inter-Professional Council can appeal the decision of the Judicial Panel to the University Court only if: new facts introduced, there is a violation of the accused's due process rights, there is a procedural error or a Justice of the University Court has received notification for appeal no later than seven days from the original decision. The last instance, the University Court will serve as the final level of appeal.

8. Impeachment, Censure or Removal of Members of the Judicial
   1. In the event that a member of the Judicial Panel be accused of Violation the Constitution, or organizational or election bylaws:
      1. The member shall relinquish the member's seat on the Judicial Panel from receipt of notice of alleged violation until completion of the judicial proceedings. These Judicial proceedings will be administered by the University Court.
      2. In the event that the accused member is found in violation, the member must permanently relinquish the member's position.
   2. Replacement of a removed justice can occur by general election within the necessary college or can be an appointment by the President with ratification of the senate.
   3. Replacement should occur within two weeks.

The President or Vice President may be called by a majority vote of the student body. Such an election shall be called by the submission of a petition for such an election, containing the number signatures of 1/3 of the professional student body and the approval of 2/3 of the Senate. A Senator may be recalled by a majority vote of the representative's constituency in a recall election. Such an election shall be called by the submission of a petition for such an election, containing the signatures of 1/3 of the professional students in the representative's constituency.

1. A set of organization Bylaws shall be established.
2. A set of election Bylaws shall be established.
3. These Bylaws may be established and amended by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.

This constitution may only be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Senate

1. The terms of office for the voting Senators shall be one year, starting the 1st day of June.
2. The term of office for the President and Vice President shall be one year, starting the 1st day of June.
3. The term of office for the Speaker of the Senate shall be no longer than one year, from the Speaker's election until the 1st day of June. The Speaker shall act as Interim Speaker, from the beginning of the following Senate term, until the second week of that term when the new Speaker is elected. The interim Speaker shall not be considered a Senator serving the current term, for purposes of new Senate officer elections, unless otherwise elected to a Senate seat in the previous college ballot.

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