Texas A&M University Graduate Student Council

GSC CONSTITUTION

The Constitution of the Graduate Student Council of Texas A&M University

Article I. Mission of the Organization

The Graduate Student Council (GSC), serving as the graduate student government at Texas A&M University, exists to share and discuss information important to all TAMU graduate and professional students and to advocate for their interests in dealing with the University, its constituents, and all other appropriate entities.

Article II. Name

The name of the organization shall be The Graduate Student Council.

Article III. Goals

The goals of the Graduate Student Council are:
1. To represent all degree seeking graduate and professional students at TAMU, to identify, share, and discuss issues pertinent to graduate and professional students, to maintain academic freedom, to improve the quality of instruction, to develop and strengthen the University's recruitment and retention programs, to encourage training, fair compensation and benefits, and to insure that quality student services are made available.
2. To establish open and effective communications with the graduate, professional, and undergraduate student bodies on issues that affect the graduate student population.

Article IV. Membership

Section I. Membership Classes:

1. Delegate - All TAMU graduate and professional programs that grant masters and/or doctoral degrees, as well as approved TAMU recognized, non-departmental, student organizations, representing graduate student issues not addressed by degree granting and professional programs are eligible to provide one delegate to sit on the general body of the Graduate Student Council. Delegates have voting privileges.

2. Representative - Any individual degree seeking graduate student sent to fill the roll of delegate or any individual sent to at least two meetings in a semester as a delegate from an eligible program as defined in number one above. Programs may have no more than three representatives. Representatives do not have voting privileges unless acting as delegate. While a program may have more than one representative, only one can serve as delegate at any given meeting.

3. Officer - The Officers of the Graduate Student Council shall be the President, Executive Vice President, Vice President for Information, Vice President for Finance, and Vice President for University Affairs. Officers have voting privileges.

4. Liaison – Individuals representing various GSC approved entities that have the right to speak at meetings, but have no voting privileges. Approved entities include all recognized organizations whose membership consists of a majority (51 percent or greater) of graduate students.

Section II. Membership Selection:

1. Delegate - Each eligible program shall provide a delegate for each general and special meeting. That delegate shall be selected from one of that programs’ representatives.

2. Representative - Graduate and professional programs, and approved, non-departmental organizations, can select up to three degree seeking graduate students as representatives to fulfill the duties of delegate. At least one representative should be recognized by each eligible program by the last meeting of the spring semester pursuant to the By-Laws. Each representative must serve on at least one GSC committee or an external committee as coordinated by the Vice President for University Affairs, and agrees to perform all duties as listed in the by-laws.

3. Officers - Officers are elected by the voting members of the GSC. Officer elections will be held during the Spring Semester pursuant to the By-Laws. In the event any office is vacant, the president will appoint individuals to fulfill those duties until a replacement is elected.

4. Liaison - Individuals serving as liaison are selected by the GSC approved entity. The general membership or the Executive Committee approves entities that may provide liaisons.

Section III. Terms of Office :

1. Delegate - The position of delegate continues in perpetuity.

2. Representative - Representatives will serve up to a one-year term coinciding with the terms of the officers. Representatives are eligible for renewal.

3. Officer - Officers begin and end their term of office at the last general meeting of the Spring Semester.

4. Liaison - Liaisons serve as long as their sponsoring organization recognizes them as Liaison.

Article V. Staff and Advisors

1. Staff hired by the Graduate Student Council shall perform duties as assigned by the President or Executive Vice President.

2. The Advisors of the GSC are a person appointed by the Office of Graduate Studies and a person appointed by the Department of Student Life.

3. Advisors shall meet and follow all requirements for advisors set forth by the Department of Student Activities. In addition, they shall work closely at all times with the Executive Committee, advise all members of the GSC about university rules and regulations, help maintain good order at all GSC functions, aid the transition of GSC members and officers from year to year and work for the goals of the GSC.

Article VI. Committees

1. Executive Committee - The voting members of the Executive Committee of the GSC shall consist of the Officers. GSC Standing Committee Chairs and GSC Advisors are non-voting members of the Executive Committee. In addition, the Executive Committee, by vote, may appoint additional, non-voting members to the executive committee. The previous president may serve as a non-voting member of the Executive Committee. The GSC executive committee may speak for the GSC body during the summer term. All decisions during such time require a two-thirds vote of the executive committee for approval. The Executive Committee shall annually examine the constitutions and by-laws of Delegate NDOs to determine if any changes have been made that are inconsistent with the mission and goals of the GSC and report such findings to the General Body and initiate a review if necessary.

2. GSC Standing Committees - specified in the By-Laws.

3. Ad Hoc Committees - created as specified in the By-Laws.

4. Other Special Purpose Committees - exist as specified in the
By-Laws.

Article VII. Meetings

1. All Business Meetings {also called "stated" or “general” meetings} of the GSC shall be open to the public unless a closed session is called by unanimous consent of the active members present and voting. Active members of the Assembly are delegates that have sent representatives to at least one previous meeting in that semester. Stated meetings shall be held the first and third Tuesday of every month of the Fall and Spring semesters. No general meeting will be held when classes are not in session. The Executive Committee may, for cause, cancel these Business meetings. Two consecutive meetings cannot be cancelled without approval of the body. The Executive Committee may schedule other general meetings as necessary. To be considered an official meeting, the membership must be informed via the standard mass communication medium at least 7 days in advance. For all meetings, the lesser of 15 or at least 20% of voting members in good standing according to the By-Laws constitute a quorum.

2. All Executive Committee meetings shall be held the second and fourth week of every month of the Fall and Spring semesters. Executive Committee meetings are open only to Executive Committee members and invited guests. The Executive Committee may, for cause, cancel these meetings. The Executive Committee may schedule other Executive Committee meetings as necessary. To be considered an official Executive Committee meeting, the Officers must be contacted at least 2 days in advance. For all Executive Committee meetings, a simple majority of voting members in good standing according to the By-Laws and physically able to attend constitute a quorum.

Article VIII. Parliamentary Authority

1. The Executive Committee shall determine each semester whatever form of parliamentary procedure shall be used at the general and/or special meetings. The method chosen shall be posted on the GSC website each semester. The Executive Vice President is charged to facilitate the effective, professional, and efficient exchange of information and to conduct meetings in such a manner as to accomplish the goals of the GSC. The Executive Vice President is the final authority in deciding procedural matters in all general and/or special meetings. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to modify the parliamentary procedures as deemed necessary by the executive committee to facilitate conducting GSC business.

Article IX. Finance

1. All monies belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed through a bank account established for this organization at the Student Organization Finance Center and/or the Fiscal office. All funds must be deposited within 24 hours after collection. The advisor to this organization must approve and sign each expenditure before payment.

Article X. Amendments

Section I. Amendment or Revision

1. An amendment or revision to this Constitution shall require a two-thirds majority vote of the active members present and voting at a Regularly Scheduled General Meeting. All amendments and revisions must be presented to the GSC and entered into the minutes one regularly scheduled General Meeting prior to any action on said amendments

Section II. All previous Constitutions are null and void.

Section III Constitution Review

1. The constitution is reviewed annually and subject to the approval of the

Department of Student Activities.

Adopted 2 April 2002
Amended 6 April 2004

Amended 1 November 2005

Amended 7 March 2006

Amended 21 March 2006

Amended 31 May 2006

The By-Laws of the Graduate Student Council of Texas A&M University

These By-Laws to the Constitution of the Graduate Student Council (hereinafter referred to as the GSC) of Texas A&M University shall govern the GSC and official committees in all cases in which they are not in conflict with the Constitution of the Graduate Student Council. These By-Laws will be reviewed annually and revised if necessary.

Article I. Regular Membership

Section I. Delegates

1. Delegates are selected per the Constitution.

2. Each entity must provide a delegate for all Business, and Special meetings as defined in the Constitution.

3. A delegate that does not have representation at two (2) consecutive stated and/or special meetings, shall be placed on probation. Representatives for entities on probation shall not be permitted to vote on GSC business. Delegates will regain voting privileges at the beginning of the second consecutive meeting where they have representation. When an entity is placed on probation, the Vice President for Information will inform the entity of the probation.

4. Non-departmental Delegates

A. Criteria

1. The non-departmental organization (NDO) shall represent graduate student issues that are not addressed by delegates from degree granting and professional programs in the GSC.

2. The mission and goals of the NDO shall be congruent with those of the GSC.

3. The business and activities of the NDO shall be consistent with the policies of the GSC.

4. The NDO shall be student organizations currently recognized by Student Activities.

B. Approval Process for NDO Delegate Status

1. The NDO shall submit a written proposal to the GSC Executive Committee, not to exceed 2 pages total, in a legible font, (a) discussing their reasons for seeking delegate status, and (b) highlighting how they fulfill the criteria for acceptance as outlined above.

2. The NDO shall submit a copy of their constitution and bylaws to the GSC Executive Committee.

3. The GSC Executive Committee shall meet with representatives from the NDO to discuss their application, no later than 1 month after submission of the application and constitution and bylaws.

4. The GSC Executive Vice President shall place the applicant NDO on the agenda of a stated or general meeting within 3 meetings following the meeting with the GSC Executive Committee as specified above.

5. The leadership of the applicant NDO shall make a presentation to the general body explaining its goals and relevant issues.

6. The vote shall be conducted by secret ballot.

7. Applying non-departmental groups will be approved by the general body through a simple majority and notified of the outcome by the Secretary.

C. Review and Removal Process for NDO Delegates

1. Initiating NDO Review

a. The GSC Executive Committee may initiate an NDO Review, at any time, for due cause.

b. A GSC Delegate may move to initiate an NDO Review, and the motion must pass with a 2/3-majority vote.

2. NDO Review Process

a. The GSC Executive Vice President shall place the NDO Review on the agenda of a stated or general meeting.

b. The NDO shall be informed of the cause for and time of the review at least 2 meetings prior to the review.

c. NDO representatives shall be allowed to participate in discussion and debate at the review.

d. Following discussion and debate, a vote on whether the NDO has passed the review will be taken. Delegate status will be retained unless there is a 2/3-majority vote in the negative. In that event, the NDO loses delegate status.

e. Loss of Recognition - If Student Activities removes an NDO's recognition that NDO immediately loses delegate status.

Section II. Representatives

1. Representatives should be chosen, preferably, by the graduate students in the program or organization, or as a result of elections. However, if a representative is not chosen by the program or organization, or as a result of elections, as of the first day of fall classes, eligible students may then apply without election by their program or organization directly to the GSC executive committee to be a representative for their current graduate or professional program. The eligible representative(s) will be selected by the GSC executive committee. Representatives must meet the following requirements:

A. have at least a 3.00 GPR at the time of their selection and post at least a 3.00 GPR for the preceding regular semester or the two preceding summer terms at the time of election and during the term of office;

B. be in good standing with the University and enrolled in at least 1 credit hour in a regular semester during the term of office for continuing registration;

C. be seeking a graduate or professional degree from Texas A&M University;

D. be subject to removal as Representative by the GSC and/or the GSC’s official University advisor should the individual fail to maintain the requirements described in (A), (B), and (C).

2. Representatives to the GSC shall be required to satisfy all Texas A&M regulations for elected officers of officially recognized student organizations and for non-probationary graduate or professional student status.

3. In the event that a representative fails to meet any requirements in the Constitution or by-laws, the representative shall be determined to be an unqualified member and automatically shall be subject to replacement or removal. The Vice President for Information shall inform the entity that the representative can no longer serve as delegate or representative.

4. Representatives have the following minimum duties:

A. Attend every GSC General Assembly meeting and the University Committee meetings for which they are assigned. In the event that a representative is unable to attend, it is their responsibility to ensure that one of the alternate representatives attends in their place.

B. Collect concerns from and communicate pertinent information back to graduate students in their constituency; disseminate facts about graduate and professional students’ issues and concerns to their constituencies from the GSC in a timely fashion.

C. Speak for the best interests of the entire graduate student body as a member of the GSC and for the best interests of the graduate student body of their constituency in GSC General Assembly meetings.

D. Participate in at least one GSC Issues Working Group

E. Respect all members of the GSC and University Committees and conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.

F. Promote general awareness about the GSC to the graduate student body and the University community.

5. Representatives will contribute to the committee work of the GSC via actively serving on GSC internal committees or external committees as coordinated by the Vice President of University Affairs. Representatives are responsible for the following items with regard to external committees:

A. Attend each Committee meeting and speak for the best interests of the entire graduate student body

B. Write a report, as outlined by the guidelines of the Vice President of University Affairs, at least once a semester; this report should consist of at least the minutes of each meeting attended and should be submitted to the Vice President for University Affairs in a timely manner. Reports should also be made orally to the entire assembly in GSC general meetings when appropriate. Representatives who wish to give oral reports should respond to the Executive Vice President’s Call for Agenda items to get on the meeting agenda.

C. Collect concerns from general graduate students about topics related to the External Committee on which they serve.

D. Respond to inquiries from graduate students about issues related to the External Committee on which they serve.

E. Promote general awareness of the GSC through the External Committee on which they serve.

F. Relay meeting dates to the GSC Executive Committee in a timely fashion.

G. Send an approved, alternate representative to External Committee meetings in the event you can not attend your committee meeting. Alternates are approved by the GSC Executive Committee

Section III. Officers

1. The officers of this organization must meet the following requirements:

(a) Have a minimum grade point ratio (GPR) as stated below and meet that minimum GPR in the semester immediately prior to the election/appointment, the semester of election/appointment and semesters during the term of office.

1. For graduate level students the minimum GPR is a 3.00. In order for this provision to be met, at least four hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration. In one limited circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point ratio prior to election/appointment, at least four credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s) unless fewer credits are required as they complete the final stages of their degree.

(b) Be in good standing with the university and enrolled:

At least half time (four or more credits), if a graduate level student (unless fewer credits are required in the final stages of their degree as defined by the Continuous Registration Requirement) during their term of office.

(d) The President and Executive Vice-President must have served at least one year either as an active representative or as member of the Executive Committee prior to being elected to their offices unless otherwise approved to run for election by the General Assembly prior to the application release date.

Section IV. Liaison

1. Texas A&M University Student Liaisons to the GSC must meet the following requirements:

A. have at least a 3.00 GPR at the time of their election and post at least a 3.00 GPR for the preceding regular semester or the two preceding summer terms at the time of election and during the term of office;

B. be in good standing with the University and enrolled in at least 1 credit hour in a regular semester during the term of office for continuing registration;

C. be seeking a graduate or professional degree from Texas A&M University;

D. be subject to removal as Officer by the GSC and/or the GSC’s official University advisor should the individual fail to maintain the requirements described in (A), (B), and (C).

2. Non-Texas A&M University Students

A. Non-Texas A&M University student liaisons are those that are chosen by their entity to work with the GSC in accomplishing their mutual goals.

B. GSC reserves the right to refuse participation of non-Texas A&M University student liaisons for due cause.

3. Liaisons can include:

A. The previous year’s president;

B. An entity approved by the Executive or the general body;

C. Any person who is not an officer or representative but serves on a university committee through the GSC can be granted temporary liaison status for the duration of their service on the committee.

4. Removal of Liaisons

A. Texas A&M University Student Liaisons can be removed for due cause, through the Disciplinary Review Committee process as outlined Article III, Section IV.

B. Non-Texas A&M University student liaisons can be removed by simple majority vote of the general body. Through the simple majority vote, the GSC can remove an individual from liaison status and/or revoke the privilege of the non-Texas A&M University student liaison group.

Section V. Special Definitions

1. "Graduate student" shall mean any degree-seeking student enrolled at Texas A&M University with graduate student classification as defined by the Office of Graduate Studies.

2. “Suspension” shall mean revocation of good standing with GSC and notification to all external committees as coordinated by the External Affairs Officer on which the member in question serves.

3. “Entities” shall be departments, programs and non-departmental organizations currently having membership in the GSC.

Article II. Officers

Section I. Election of officers

1. Officers shall be elected by a simple majority of the voting members present and voting at the first stated or special meeting in April. Officer candidates shall complete an application provided at the first stated or special meeting in February. Completed applications for officer candidates shall be returned to the GSC Executive Committee no later than the first stated or special meeting in March. Completed applications of officer candidates shall be provided to GSC representatives either by photocopy or by electronic posting to the GSC website at least one week prior to the second stated or special meeting in March. Officer candidates shall have the opportunity during the first stated or special meeting in March to provide the council with a short introduction and campaign platform. Council representatives shall, in turn, have an opportunity during the second stated or special meeting in March to question officer candidates regarding the candidate’s qualifications and platform. Current officers seeking a consecutive term are subject to the same application and election process as described above. Special elections shall be called when an office is vacant and there is at least one candidate.

Section II. Term of office

1. Transition of officers shall occur at the beginning of the last general meeting in the Spring semester.

2. Officers may not be an Officer and a GSC representative simultaneously.

3. Officers may not hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms.

Section III. Vacancies

1. An office is considered vacant when an Officer simultaneously fails to attend two consecutive general meetings and two consecutive Executive Committee meetings or four consecutive GSC meetings of any type unless absent as approved by the Executive Committee.

Section IV. Duties

1. President - Represents the GSC to the university and non-university communities; Plan, prepare and chair all Executive Committee meetings; complete annual GSC recognition procedures as mandated by the Department of Student Activities; serve as the graduate student president; serve on all university committees requiring the presence of the graduate student President; Appoint GSC Representatives and other graduate students to external committees, or delegate that power to the Vice President of University Affairs on a case by case basis; upon resignation of an Officer the President shall appoint a temporary replacement for the officer until an election can be held; the Student Research Week Planning Committee reports to the President unless the President delegates this duty to another member of the Executive Committee for logistical purposes; the president shall take steps to facilitate the realization of the goals of the GSC; Maintain a protocol and procedures manual to be passed onto successive Presidents.

2. Executive Vice President - Plan, prepare and chair all general and special meetings as outlined in (a); Serve as Risk Management Officer; oversee the upkeep and enforcement of the Constitution/By-Laws; serve on committees as appointed by the President; serve as the President when the President is not able to do so; Maintain a protocol and procedures manual to be passed onto successive Executive Vice-Presidents.

a.) The Executive Vice President shall arrange for speakers to attend the General Assembly meeting in a timely fashion; will invite groups offering pertinent information or services to graduate students to give short presentations to the Council in an effort to help disseminate that information and raise awareness about those services; coordinate with the Vice President of Information to ensure that all speakers or presenting groups’ presentations are made available to the Council; issue a “call for agenda” items, verbally at meetings and through the GSC Listserv; organize and oversee Issues Working Groups.

3. Vice President for Information - record and maintain minutes of general, special and Executive Committee meetings, coordinate the annual membership elections as specified in the By-Laws, record attendance at GSC meetings, maintain an up-to-date roster, notify delegates of probation status and representative suspension from the GSC, contact appropriate entities to announce open seats on the GSC, maintaining a current list of entities, serve as historian for the GSC; Maintain listserv; Maintain a protocol and procedures manual to be passed onto successive Vice President for Information officers.

4. Vice President for Finance - maintain fiscal records; coordinate with GSC officers and standing committees on budgets for events and activities; present fiscal requests to the Student Service Fee Allocation Board (SSFAB); work with the President to place at least one (1) representative from the GSC on the Student Government Finance Committee; coordinate with the Executive Committee to identify possible sources of funding from institutes (by coordinating with the Development Foundation), grants, individuals, etc. to raise funds; Maintain a protocol and procedures manual to be passed onto successive Vice President for Finance officers.

5. Vice President for University Affairs - facilitate and coordinate communication with other campus entities; maintain a list of GSC facilitated appointments to committees and other entities and assist the president in finding and appointing representatives to non GSC committees; maintain an up-to-date list of persons, such as deans, graduate advisors, university administrators, leaders of the Faculty Senate and Student Government, campus graduate student organizations, etc. that are frequently contacted by the GSC; notify external committees of GSC member suspensions; Maintain a protocol and procedures manual to be passed onto successive Vice President for University Affairs officers.

Section V. Assistance Committees

1. Officers may establish and staff committee(s) to assist them with their duties.

Section VI. Miscellaneous Duties and Responsibilities

1. The Executive Committee may assign other duties and responsibilities.

Section VII. Removal of Officers

1. Officers are subject to the same conditions of removal as other members by the Disciplinary Review Committee as outlined in Article III, Section IV.

2. If the President is removed from their position, it is understood that they will not lose their assistantship provided by the Office of Graduate Studies.

Article III. Committees

Section I. Executive Committee

1. The Executive Committee exists as per the Constitution.

Section II. Standing Committees

1. The Executive Committee shall appoint and remove the chair of all standing committees. The Chair of each standing committee may appoint any graduate student in good standing with the University as a member of his or her committee. GSC officers may, at their own initiative, serve on a standing committee.

2. Descriptions

A. The Graduate Quality of Life Committee shall be responsible for addressing issues concerning education, research, and financial support that affect the quality of the graduate student academic experience at Texas A&M University and for addressing issues concerning graduate student health, personal and family welfare, personal budget, child care, etc. that affect the quality of graduate student life outside of the academic experience.

B. International Student Issues Committee shall be responsible for dealing with issues unique to the International community of Texas A&M University. The Committee will work closely with offices such as International Student Services and other interested parties to ensure that graduate student interests are voiced, and to keep graduate students apprised of relevant and pertinent information related to International Student issues.

C. The Legislative Committee shall be responsible for addressing legislation that affects graduate students at the local, state, and national levels. The committee will examine legislative issues, especially during years that the Texas legislature is not in session, so that the GSC body will be prepared to address issues effectively within the legislature’s limited timetable.

D. Disciplinary Review Committee shall be comprised of volunteer Representatives from the general body to serve as part of a Disciplinary Review Committee if/when necessary. Representatives may apply at the beginning of the semester and 9 members will be selected from the pool of applicants by the second meeting of the fall semester. The application process will include a brief written application and a short interview with the Executive Committee and Advisor.

E. The Student Research Week (SRW) Planning Committee - The mission of Student Research Week is to recognize and celebrate student research at Texas A&M University by providing an opportunity for students to present their research to the students, faculty, staff and administration. SRW also aims to highlight the excellence and broad range of this research to the University community. The SRW Planning Committee shall organize, oversee and run Student Research Week to be held during the last week of March each year. The Committee will consist of, at minimum, a: Director, who will serve as chair of the committee, Co-Director, the Past-Director (if available), the GSC President, the GSC Advisor, Sessions Coordinator, Judges Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Advertising Coordinator, Sponsorship Coordinator, Media Relations Coordinator, and Technical Coordinator. Additional positions on the committee may be added on an ad-hoc basis. Also, one person may fill more than one committee position with the approval of the Director, the Executive Committee and the Adviso. The Director, and in this case, also the Co-Director, will be appointed by the Executive Committee as stated, with the additional requirement that each representative interested in the Director and or Co-Director position must fill out an application and will be subject to a short interview by the Executive Committee and Advisor. These selections will be made before the first day of classes of the first 5-week summer session each year. All other positions will be filled by the Director with the approval of the Co-Director and Executive Committee, by the first day classes of the second 5-week summer session each year. Additionally, the SRW Planning Committee, the President and Advisor will inform the SRW Advisory Board (consisting of the University administrators, faculty and staff with a particular vested interest in the continuing success of SRW) of plans and results at least once a semester, including the summer term (subject to the schedules of the Advisory Board members).

i. General duties are implied by the name of each position, but are outlined below; additional specific duties will be defined by the Advisor, President, and Director from year-to-year.

Director – Chair of the SRW Planning Committee; reports to the President and Advisor unless otherwise notified; organizes the committee and delegates assignments; responsible for the overall planning of the event and scheduling of rooms and food; will arrange for a keynote speaker and set a theme for SRW; will set and maintain an SRW calendar for the entire year, which contains deadlines and other important dates; will work with the Advisor to maintain the budget; will work with the GSC web master to develop the website and web registration processes, in coordination with the Sessions and Judges Coordinators; will work with the President to increase awareness of SRW among the administration, Colleges and Departments of the University; will work closely with the Office of Graduate Studies, the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Research and the Director of the Honors Program in planning SRW; will order t-shirts, mugs and other gifts/prizes unless done so by the advisor or delegated to a SRW Planning Committee Member; will maintain a binder of records for the entire event and a protocol and procedures manual; will maintain electronic copies of every form or item printed for the entire event; after the event is over, will write a thorough statistical report of the event to present to the Council and to the SRW Advisory Board.

Co-Director – will serve as the second-in-command of the SRW Planning Committee; will oversee the funding of awards and will work with the President and Advisor to obtain that funding; will work with the Director in organizing the overall planning and scheduling of the event; will organize, plan and schedule accessory events (such as Abstract Help Sessions); will particularly work with the Advertising Coordinator and Media Relations Coordinator to increase awareness of SRW on campus and in the community; will serve as Director if the Director is unable to do so.

Sessions Coordinator – will determine the competition/presentation schedule for both oral and poster presentations, working closely with the Judges Coordinator; will sort participants into Categories, Subdivisions, and Sessions based on abstract contents, and give each participant a number and presentation spot; will coordinate an ad-hoc Abstract Sorting Committee if necessary; Will organize competition/presentation check-in and set-up; is responsible for the participant FAQ page on the SRW website.

Judges Coordinator – responsible for recruiting judges each year; will upkeep and maintain records of judges; will work closely with the Sessions Coordinator to set the competition/presentation schedule.

Volunteer Coordinator – responsible for recruiting and organizing volunteers for the actual week of SRW; will assign volunteer jobs; will work with other Coordinators to assure that there are enough workers for every job during that week; responsible for organization and implementing the Organization Volunteer Competition and for advertising that competition to the organization, with the help of the Advertising Coordinator.

Marketing and Advertising Coordinator – will create and implement all advertising for SRW, including, but not limited to: newspaper ads, bus ads, posters, fliers, and table tents; will work with the Director, Co-Director and Advisor to set a marketing plan for SRW.

Sponsorship Coordinator – will contact local and area businesses regarding donations to SRW via letters and follow-up phone calls; will collect and catalog donations and send thank-you letters to donors; will upkeep and maintain records of contacted businesses and which ones donated.

Media Relations Coordinator – responsible for writing all news releases for on-and off-campus media and for coordinating any interviews; will work with the Battalion Editor and Aggie Life Editor and Graduate Beat reporter regarding all SRW-related news.

Technical Coordinator – responsible for coordinating A/V equipment for the competitions/presentations and assuring that all necessary equipment or software is ready and available for presentations; will troubleshoot problems during competitions/presentations, with the help of assigned volunteers; will evaluate previous SRW and determine equipment and or software needs and will make suggestions for the next SRW.

Section III. Ad hoc Committees

1. Ad hoc committees may be created by a majority vote at any Stated or Special meeting. A motion to create an ad hoc committee must include the purpose of the committee, the method for the selection of a chair, the method for the selection of members and the deadline before which the committee will report back to the body. Motions related to the outcome of the committee report are out of order until the date the committee is to report has passed.

Section IV. Disciplinary Review Committee

1. Committee Selection and Membership

A. The Disciplinary Review Committee (DRC) shall consist of six members: The advisor will chair the committee and have no vote, but will be responsible for randomly selecting, two Officers and three GSC Representatives from the members of the Disciplinary Review Standing Committee. A complainant or a defendant cannot serve on the Committee. If there are not enough Officers to serve on the Committee, additional members will be randomly selected from the members of the Disciplinary Review Standing Committee.

B. In the event that one or more of the positions on the Panel are unfilled for any reason, the Advisor shall appoint an alternate Panel member from among the pre-selected pool of volunteers.

2. Complaint Process

A. Any GSC Representative or Officer may file a complaint against any other GSC member.

B. A complaint may only be directed at one individual.

C. A complaint must be written and signed by two members.

D. Complaint must be specific.

E. Complainants must submit two copies of the complaint. One is given to an advisor, the second is given to the President.

3. Schedule Hearing

A. Within 7 days, the Committee Members and the Chair will determine if the complaint warrants a full hearing. Moreover, the defendant will be informed that there has been a complaint filed. Complainants and the defendant will be informed of the outcome of this determination.

B. If a full hearing is deemed necessary, the committee must schedule in good faith a meeting time acceptable by all parties.

4. Hearing

A. Complainants and the defendant can bring an advocate who is a member of the GSC.

B. Complainants make a presentation first.

C. The defendant makes a presentation second.

D. Each presentation will be limited in time by the committee members with each getting equal time.

E. Committee members may ask questions of anyone at anytime.

F. Complainants and the defendant will leave during committee deliberations.

G. All parties of the dispute will be notified of the outcome within 24 hours.

5. Sanction

A. If the DRC finds in favor of the complainants, the defendant will be placed on suspension for a period determined by the DRC. Suspension means that the individual is no longer a member in good standing with the GSC and may not attend any GSC meetings or functions and may be removed from GSC affiliated committees.

6. Appeal

A. Either party can appeal any DRC decisions to the GSC body at the next general meeting. A simple majority is required for the GSC body to hear a case being appealed. If the body hears the appeal, a two-thirds majority vote is required to vacate a DRC decision.

Section V. Membership Contribution Review Committee

1. The Executive Vice-President shall chair a Membership Contribution Review Committee consisting of the Vice President for Information and the Vice President of University Affairs. At least once each semester, the Committee shall briefly review the contribution of each representative to the work of the GSC. If the Committee determines that a representative has not fulfilled representative requirements, that representative shall be placed on suspension from the GSC for the remainder of the semester. Any representative placed on probation can appeal the decision to the GSC body. It takes a 2/3 vote to vacate the Committee’s decision.

Article IV. GSC Coordinated Committee Service

1. The GSC Vice President of University Affairs coordinates appointments of graduate and professional students to many committees. The primary function of these appointees is to serve as a liaison between the GSC and the committee to which they have been appointed. The appointee's position on matters before their committee must reflect the position of the Graduate Student Council. Each Representative must serve on at least one of these committees or an internal GSC committee unless excused by the Executive Committee. Representatives must report at least once a semester.

Article V. Budget

A budget shall be prepared annually. The budget shall be created by the Executive Committee. The budget shall be approved by a majority vote of the membership at a Stated or Special meeting. The membership may approve the budget as recommended by the Executive Committee, or request a new budget from the Executive Committee. Budgets must remain positive.

Article VI. By-Laws Change or Approval

Section I. Amendment or Revision

1. An amendment or revision to these By-Laws shall require a two-thirds majority vote of the active members present and voting at a Regularly Scheduled General Meeting. All amendments and revisions must be distributed via standard mass communication medium to the GSC and entered into the minutes at least seven days prior to the regularly scheduled General Meeting at which any action will be made on said amendments.

Section II. All previous By-Laws are null and void.

Article VII. Constitution Review

1. The constitution is reviewed annually and subject to the approval of the

Department of Student Activities.

Adopted 2 April 2002
Amended 6 April 2004

Amended 1 November 2005

Amended 7 March 2006

Amended 21 March 2006

Amended 31 May 2006