Constitutional Council Application Fall 2017:

What is Constitutional Council? 1 Last updated September 2017 Constitutional Council is the main body of the Student Union Judicial Branch. It is comprised of four Associate Justices, one or two Alternate Justices, and one Chief Justice. It is mainly an internal body, concerned with deliberating on grievances submitted by members of the student body, writing opinions on our decisions, up- dating and interpreting the Student Union Constitution and Statutes, and monitor- ing the activities of the other branches of Student Union to ensure that they adhere to the Student Union Constitution and Statutes. Constitutional Council positions are lifetime appointments and seats become available when a Justice graduates, goes abroad, or steps down.

For more information, please visit our website at http://su.wustl.edu/judicial/con- stitutional-council/

What is the application process like?

After you fill out this application and turn it in via email to [email protected], you will receive an email confirmation that we have received your application and it is complete. You may then be invited to an interview with the Chief Justice and other Constitutional Council and Student Union Executive members. The SU Pres- ident will then appoint new Justices from the applicants.

These applicants will then be confirmed by Senate and Treasury before officially becoming Justices.

What are the main responsibilities of the Associate and Alternate Justice positions?

1. You commit to attending meetings. Meetings are scheduled according to the Justices’ particular schedules and change every semester. They usually last between an hour and an hour and a half. 2. You commit to attending SU Treasury and Senate meetings when it is your turn during rotation. 3. You are expected to be easily reachable by email or phone. 4. You should expect to spend a good deal of time working with the SU Consti- tution and Statutes. 5. You should expect to be called upon to advise SU representatives on the lan- guage of their legislation and/or internal documents. 6. You agree to be prepared for infrequent additional meetings if necessary.

Constitutional Council Application Please send the answers to the following questions either in an attached word document or in the body of an email to [email protected]. Submit by midnight of September 23rd.

2 Last updated September 2017 Name:

Year:

School:

Major(s)/Minor(s):

Email Address:

Short answer questions:

Please list your current extracurricular activities and commitments (include approximate number of hours per week):

What, if any, involvement have you had with Student Union in the past?

Are you planning to go abroad? If so, when?

Long answer questions: 1. What are the reasons you want to get involved in Constitutional Council? What traits make you a good fit for Constitutional Council? (Please limit answers to maximum 150 words) 2. Pick one of following topics. Choose a side and argue your case. There is no right or wrong side (you can even argue for the side you don’t believe in). Feel free to use outside sources and/or entertaining logic. (Please limit answers to maxi- mum 400 words) a. Should the U.S. replace the Electoral College with direct popular vote? b. Should WashU allow speakers who have public positions which campus groups have designated as offensive? c. Should WashU facilitate safe spaces? d. Is free trade a net benefit or cost for the U.S.

Thank you for your interest in Constitutional Council! If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email [email protected].

3 Last updated September 2017