Chief Justice

AUTHORITY:
This Code is established under the authority of Article IX of the Associated Students Constitution.

PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Code is to establish the office of the Chief Justice and to outline and define the duties and responsibilities of the A.S. Chief Justice.

DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS:
This Code shall be effective when approved by a majority vote of the Associated Students Senate.

AMENDMENTS:
This Code may be amended by a majority of the total voting membership of the Senate.

I. APPOINTMENT, TENURE AND RESPONSIBILITY

A. The Chief Justice shall serve as a member of the AS President's Cabinet.

B. The tenure of office for the Chief Justice shall be one year, to be concurrent with the term of the President who appoints them. Should the office be vacated during the school year, the new appointee's tenure of office shall end when the term of the AS President who appointed them ends.

C. The Chief Justice shall be immediately responsible for the discharge of their duties to the Associated Students President.

D. The Chief Justice shall be a student in good standing as defined in Article V, Section 1 of the A.S. Constitution and the Chancellor’s Office guidelines.

E. The Chief Justice shall be a paid student employee of Associated Students and must adhere to all policies, procedures, and expectations outlined in the A.S. Student Employee Personnel Manual, including but not limited to employment eligibility requirements, student employee performance, and workplace conduct.

II. DUTIES

A. Head the Judicial Branch and is responsible for the administration of investigations and hearings of the Judiciary.

B. Prepare and appropriately distribute agendas for all meetings and proceedings of the Judicial Court.

C. Chair all meetings and proceedings of the Judicial Court.

D. Deliver, in writing, the majority, and if applicable, minority rulings of the Judicial Branch to the parties involved as well as to Senate.

E. Present pending constitutions for approval and address Senate questions related to those constitutions.

F. To function as the official administrator of the Judiciary.

G. To act as a liaison between University recognized clubs and organizations and the Associated Students.

H. To increase campus awareness of all clubs and organizations activities.

I. To Chair meetings wherein the goal is to bridge the gap between clubs and organizations and AS Leadership.

J. To organize roundtable discussions with club and organization leaders and the A.S. President and Vice President.

K. To advise clubs and organizations regarding MIC recognition and AS Funding.

L. To attend club and organization meetings, events, and committees in collaboration with the members of: University Affairs Committee, Internal Affairs Committee, External Affairs Committee at the discretion of the A.S. President.

M. The chair shall attend senate once a month to report to the AS cabinet and senate of any conversations had between CSUN clubs and organizations and the MIC to ensure these duties are being fulfilled.

N. Will serve as a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Internal Affairs Committee.

III. REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS

A. This Code shall be reviewed annually at the end of the Spring semester by the A.S. Internal Affairs Committee to ensure its relevance and effectiveness. The annual review process shall be followed in reference to the code on Codes.

B. Proposed amendments to this Code must be made in consultation with the A.S. President, Student Leadership Manager, and A.S. Human Resources Manager to ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations.

C. Amendments to this Code must be made during the annual review unless there is a dire need for immediate changes, as determined by the A.S. Internal Affairs Committee in consultation with the A.S. President, Student Leadership Manager, and A.S. Human Resources Manager.

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY:
All meetings called by the Chief Justice shall be conducted according to parliamentary law as set forth in Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

ENABLING CAUSE:
This Code shall supersede all Codes on the A.S. Chief Justice prior to March 3, 2025.

Approved on: November 7, 2023 (15-0-0)
Amended on: March 3, 2025 (12-0-1)
Amended on: May 5, 2025 (13-0-0)