St Michael’s Prep
Parent/Student Handbook

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Chapter 8: Student Offices

1. INTRODUCTION

Students foster the common good of the school in a variety of manners. Many of these forms of service come about through election or appointment to a position in the student government. Understood properly and undertaken with a generous spirit, student office holders develop and refine many life skills that they will continue to use long after graduation is behind them. These abilities include operating effectively within an organization by goal setting, reliability, a Christian work ethic, peer review, and maturity in dealing with conflict. These forms of self-knowledge and self-expression truly prepare one for responsible adulthood. [Return to Table of Contents]

2. THE STUDENT LEADERS

THE STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT

The Student Body President acts as the final link of representation between the students and the administration. He leads the student council and their activities. He ensures that other council members are active with their respective groups and carry out their duties. He shares the responsibility for maintaining order in student activities with the student body vice president. During an emergency the President works the roomleaders to confirm the safety and care of the student body.

This office requires the additional qualification that he be a roomleader at the time of election.

STUDENT BODY VICE PRESIDENT

The Student Body Vice President supports the president. When the student body president is not able to be present to lead an activity, the vice president leads it. Additionally, this officer supports the roomleaders in fulfilling their responsibilities. He shares the responsibility for maintaining order in student activities with the student body president. [Return to Table of Contents]

THE CLASS PRESIDENT

The Class President conducts himself as an example which others will see and imitate. The president is the leader of his class while he is at school. He actively influences his classmates to support not only the rules of the school but also a healthy and Christian rule of life. In the delay of a teacher, he keeps order before class. He holds class meetings as needed, briefs his class on upcoming school activities, and organizes all activities that his class undertakes. Specific class presidents also hold additional responsibilities.

Specific duties: The Senior Class President supervises the other class presidents in the successful fulfillment of their assigned duties. The Junior Class President is responsible for the banquet that honors the seniors and their parents at the end of the academic year. [Return to Table of Contents]

3. THE ROOMLEADERS

Roomleadership is an office of leadership and service. Roomleaders, appointed by the school administration, promote the well being of the student body by supporting the personal growth of their roommates in virtue, knowledge, and responsibility.

Responsibilities:

1. Within the room:
   1. He introduces newcomers to the values and rules of the school;
   2. He sets the example for and compels his roommates to be diligent with regard to personal grooming and completing homework;
   3. He insures that proper order is maintained at all times in his room - especially silence during study period and at lights out;
   4. He makes sure that those in his room are neat in appearance and meet academic obligations;
   5. He may issue detentions for those students who neglect or refuse his directions;
   6. He makes a brief weekly evaluation of his roommates and submits it Thursday night to the dean of students;
   7. He ensures that his roommates are punctual for the flag salute.

2. Outside the room:
   1. He sets an example of proper behavior for a St. Michael’s student;
   2. He leads his fellow students in proper table manners;
   3. He oversees his roommates’ daily fulfillment of their assigned chores;
   4. He should report to the dean of students any irregularity or damage to property;
   5. He obtains and returns cell phones of his own and his roommates at the appropriate times;
   6. He reports to the dean those students who are sick;
   7. He reports to the evening administrator the attendance of his roommates at dinner;
   8. He is responsible for the safety and care of his roommates during any emergency (fire or earthquake).

Qualifications:

Roomleaders are expected to subscribe completely to the school philosophy and administration policies and to see to it that they are carried out not only in their rooms but also throughout the campus. Every roomleader must meet the following minimum requirements:

• good Christian example;
• consistent respect for school values and rules;
• positive attitude;
• demonstrated personal initiative;
• willingness to work with the deans to ensure the success of his position;
• a 88% Honor Roll GPA based on the prior two academic quarters, with no allowance for a "D" or "F";
• a "B" or better in conduct over the previous four quarters;
• certified in adult CPR and first aid.

Privileges:

Roomleaders on Second Honors also enjoy the First Honors Privilege of being able to use a personal computer in their room. Once a quarter there will be an evening on which a movie will be shown solely for the roomleaders.

Removal:

A roomleader may be removed when he falls below the minimum requirements for appointment or when he consistently fails in his duties. [Return to Table of Contents]

4. METHOD OF ELECTING STUDENT LEADERS

The first step is taken when the administration publicly invites those students interested in a position to declare their candidacy. Next, the administration confirms that each candidate does have the minimum requirements to hold the particular office. Finally, the date and time of election are established.

The students elect leaders who are respected by the majority and capable of close cooperation with the administration. All signs and blackboard slogans are barred on campus as such procedures are irrelevant to the process of choosing a worthy officer. The campaign should not resemble the mud-slinging outbursts of modern political campaigns. Any candidate or his supporters who engage in any of the above-mentioned activities will cause the disqualification of the candidate. Any candidate or his supporters who seek or claim the endorsement of a member of the faculty or administration will be barred in that election from elective office.

The electors cast the first ballot for their candidates. The two or three with the most votes are nominated unless one person receives a “two-thirds plus one” majority on the first ballot. The candidate wins the following ballot with a simple majority. [Return to Table of Contents]

5. ELECTORS

The electors of the student body president and the student body vice president are all those students who are returning for the next academic year at the time of the election. Electors of the class presidents are all those members of the class who can vote for student body president. The members of groups entitled to representation are the electors of their representative. [Return to Table of Contents]

6. SEQUENCE OF ELECTIONS

1. Student Body President
2. Student Body Vice President
3. Class Presidents

The specifics of when each election takes place is determined by the administration. Typically, the majority of elections are at the end of the prior school year. Appointments to offices also take place at this time. In contrast, the freshman president is elected in the second quarter. [Return to Table of Contents]