The document provides information about the Council of Student Leaders (CSL) at Winthrop University and the 2014 student body election process. It discusses the history and formation of CSL after the dissolution of the Student Government Association in 2001. It outlines the roles, responsibilities, and eligibility requirements for the CSL President and Vice President positions. It also details the election timeline, campaigning guidelines, voting procedures, and process for contestations.

1. COUNCIL OF STUDENT LEADER
2014 Candidate Information Session

2. HISTORY OF CSL
 The Winthrop Student Government Association (SGA)
officially dissolved on November 1, 2001 due to a lack of
student interest and productivity. At the request of Dr.
Frank Ardaiolo, Vice President for Student Life, Winthrop
President Anthony DiGiorgio approved an ad-hoc
structure known as the Council of Student Leaders. The
Council would fulfill the responsibilities previously
belonging to SGA. The nine students involved with SGA
at the time, along with then current leaders of the
Resident Students’ Association, Dinkins Student Union,
Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and the
National Pan-Hellenic Council, served as the first CSL
members.
 On November 8, 2002, the Winthrop University Board of
Trustees recognized the Council as the official vehicle
for student governance.

3. COUNCIL OF STUDENT LEADERS
 President & Vice President
 19 automatic members representative of the
12 largest student organizations, student
athletics, student publications, and each
academic college
 19 annually selected members (minimum of 5
freshmen/transfers)

4. COUNCIL OF STUDENT LEADERS MISSION
STATEMENT
“We, the Council of Student Leaders, as the voice of the
student body, are committed to Winthrop University and
our extended community, through appreciating diversity
and encouraging unity. We facilitate the organization of
student groups, promote campus wide events,
communicate student needs, and enhance our
understanding of Winthrop in order to better serve the
university. Through our actions, we aim to further student
development; to promote integrity and accountability; and
to empower students to take an active role in campus life.
Empowered students will become accountable citizens,
will shape positive change, and will encourage community
pride through their investment in Winthrop University and
the world.”

5. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNCIL
 To serve as the official student voice to the Winthrop
University Board of Trustees and administration on
appropriate matters
 To strengthen relations among the administration, faculty,
students, and Rock Hill community
 To review and approve charter applications from new student
organizations, including the annual registration of existing
campus clubs and organizations
 To oversee the distribution of student activity funds to all
eligible campus clubs and organizations through the actions
and guidelines of the Student Allocations Committee (SAC)

6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNCIL
 To make all student appointments to University Committees
as requested by the university’s governances structures
 To promote campus-wide institutional events such as
Homecoming, Convocation, and other events
 To mutually support the student activities of the Council’s
members and other campus clubs and organizations
 To perform such acts as are necessary to advance student
welfare

7. 2014 CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY
 Must be a full time student who has earned a minimum
of 12 Winthrop credit hours
 Must have a 2.75 cumulative GPA
 Must choose a running mate
 Must be able to serve fall and spring of the same
academic year
 Must submit an application packet (received at interest
meeting)

8. 2014 STUDENT BODY ELECTION APPLICATION
 Application Questions
 Leadership Portfolio
Resume
Letter of Intent
Candidate’s Leadership Qualities
Leadership Experience
Platform Statement
 Goals for Winthrop University Student Body
 Personal Information

9. 2014 STUDENT BODY OFFICE RESPONSIBILITIES
 Must hold at least a sophomore status (24 Winthrop
Credit hours)
 Must be in good academic and disciplinary standing
with the University
 Must maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA
 Must be able to work at least 10 office hours a week
 Must represent CSL at university sponsored events
(Winthrop Day, First Look Friday, Eagle Fest)

10. 2014 COUNCIL PRESIDENTIAL DUTIES
 Preside over all meetings of the Council of Student Leaders
 Serve as the official student representative to the Winthrop
University Board of Trustees and the Winthrop University
Administration
 Appoint a secretary from among Council members to write and
maintain all minutes of meetings, to keep a roster of all members
in good standing eligible to vote, and to tally all votes
 Call special meetings of the Council of Student Leaders, as
needed
 Create committees as needed

11. 2014 COUNCIL PRESIDENTIAL DUTIES
• Appoint chairs of all committees, except the Student
Allocations Committee
• Serve as an ex-officio member of all Council committees
• Vote in case of a tie
• Coordinate all appointments to University Committees
• Perform all other duties as usually pertaining to this office
• May appoint positions for the Council if deemed necessary

12. 2014 PRESIDENTIAL BENEFITS
 Networking opportunities with distinguished staff,
faculty, administration, alumni and Winthrop
supporters
 Leadership training and mentoring
 Stipend of $1,200 per semester

13. 2014 COUNCIL VICE-PRESIDENTIAL DUTIES
• Conducts all duties of the President if absent or unable to serve
• Assist the President in planning weekly meeting agenda and
retreats
• Manage the Chartering process for new clubs and organizations by
serving on the Student Allocations Committee (SAC)
• Assist the President and/or council in any initiatives or projects not
directly assigned to a specific committee
• Meet with the University President, along with the Student Body
President, as scheduled to give updates on all above duties

14. 2014 VICE-PRESIDENTIAL BENEFITS
 Networking opportunities with distinguished staff,
faculty, administration, alumni and Winthrop
supporters
 Leadership training and mentoring
 Stipend of $800 per semester

15. 2014 ELECTION PROCESS/CAMPAIGNING
 The election process will follow the election cycle calendar
approved by CSL and will conclude by the second Friday in
April
 The ticket that obtains a majority vote (50%+1) will be
declared winners of the election
 There is $1000 allotted to be divisible amongst approved
tickets, with a limit of $250 per ticket
 Tickets will not be permitted to spend additional funds, and must
submit receipts for every purchase made in order to verify the limit
is not exceeded. If expenses cannot be verified, the ticket will be
disqualified
 No ticket will be allowed to pool expenses with another ticket

16. 2014 ELECTION PROCESS/CAMPAIGNING
 Campaigning will begin the Monday after
Spring Break and end before voting begins at
midnight
 All campaign literature to be posted must
abide by the Winthrop University Posting
Policy
Failure to follow the Posting Policy may result in a
candidate’s disqualification
Candidates are encouraged to pursue “green”
measures of campaigning (text blasts, email,
Facebook etc.)

17. 2014 ELECTION PROCESS/CAMPAIGNING
 All social gatherings and tabling must be held on
campus, and a valid space request must be
submitted
 Space request can be requested using the Winthrop University
Space Request System
www.winthrop.edu/spacereservations/event
 Candidates will not violate the Winthrop University
Student Code of Conduct and will be expected to
uphold the Dedication for Excellence

18. 2014 VOTING PROCEDURES
 CSL will host an Election Rally to promote and
advertise all candidates
 Voting will take place on the Winthrop Voting system
anytime within the voting window
 There will be no campaigning inside of Dacus Library or
in any Winthrop computer lab
 Candidates may not coordinate the use of personal
computers as polling sites

19. 2014 VOTING PROCEDURES
 Winners will be declared based on meeting the
following criteria:
 Must receive a majority plus one of the votes cast
 The Vice President for Student Life, Dean of Students, and the
Assistant Director of Student Activities shall certify the election
results once the polls have closed
 Election results, including the percentage of votes that each
candidate receives, shall be posted online for every office;
candidate petitions shall remain on file for one month in the
event of a contestation

20. 2014 CONTESTATIONS
 Any candidate may contest the election by submitting to the
Dean of Students a written statement requesting an
investigation and specifying alleged irregularities. The written
statement must be submitted within two days following the
closure of the polls
 If insufficient evidence exists, the election results will stand
 All records of contested elections shall be kept on file in the
Office of the Dean of Students. Complaint records shall not
become a part of the involved parties’ permanent record
unless the party is guilty of violating the Student Code of
Conduct

21. 2014 STUDENT BODY ELECTIONS
2014 Election Timeline

22. 2014 STUDENT BODY ELECTIONS
 February 24 Interest Meeting 6pm
 February 26 Interest Meeting 12:00pm
 February 27 Interest Meeting 11:00am
 March 4 Interest Meeting 11:00am
 March 6 Applications Due 5:00pm
 March 7 Eligibility Notice 5:00pm
 March 10 Candidate Meeting 6:00pm

23. 2014 STUDENT BODY ELECTIONS
 March 11-14 Material Planning
 March 17-21 Spring Break 2014
 March 24- April 4 Campaigning
 March 31 Elections Panel
 April 7-9 Voting
 April 8 Election Rally – Common Time
 April 11 Election Results 5:00pm

24. 2014 STUDENT BODY ELECTIONS
Questions?