Bylaws & Constitution

Bylaws

Article I. MEMBERSHIP

Article II. EXECUTIVE BOARD

Article III. AMMENDMENTS

Constitution

Article I. IDENTIFICATION

Article II. MEMBERSHIP

Article III. EXECUTIVE BOARD

Article IV. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Article V. ASSIGNMENT/ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Article VI. MEETINGS

Article VII. AMENDMENTS

 

Bylaws of the Graduate Student Association

Article I. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. 

Meetings shall occur at least bimonthly during the Fall and Spring terms. They will include the GSA members and Dean of Graduate Studies.

Article II. EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1.

Board members shall be members of the GSA who are enrolled in at least six (6) semester hours for the Fall and Spring terms for which they are elected. Board members shall be appointed by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Section 2.

There will be at least one executive board meeting bimonthly during the academic year. The President shall establish the date, time, and location of these meetings. The President will send notice of these meetings to all executive board members.

Section 3.

The vote of the majority of the executive board shall be sufficient to take any action, unless the executive board consists of two or less members or is otherwise limited by these bylaws.

Section 4.

Any executive board member may be removed from office for good cause by the Dean of Graduate Studies consistent with policies and procedures outlined in the Graduate Assistantship Handbook.

Section 5.

The following is expected of each officer:

• Attend and actively contribute during meetings of the executive board
• Serve on university committees, college committees or subcommittees to represent graduate interests
• Serve as an advocate for the particular interests of graduate students from the college he/she represents
• Serve in any other capacity beneficial to the GSA as determined by the GSA president or Dean of Graduate Studies
• Promote the best interest of Towson University’s graduate students

Article III. AMMENDMENTS

Section 1.

These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the executive board.

 

Constitution of the Graduate Student Association 

Article I. IDENTIFICATION

 Section 1.

The name of the organization is the Towson University Graduate Student Association, hereafter referred to as the GSA.

Section 2.

The principal office of the GSA shall be located on the Towson University campus. Currently, it is located in the Psychology Building, Room 205.

Section 3.

The fiscal year of the GSA shall be from July 1st to June 30th.

Section 4.

The purpose of the GSA is the following:

• To represent all graduate students at Towson University 
• To increase the visibility of and uphold and support the mission of
  Towson University
• To provide a vehicle for graduate students to express their needs, interests, and concerns to Towson University’s administration
• To provide a vehicle for graduate students to participate in social, academic, and professional pursuits as participants in the GSA
• To provide graduate student representation on college committees and councils

Article II. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.

The membership of the GSA shall consist of all graduate students enrolled at Towson University. This includes non-degree students and fully and conditionally admitted degree seeking students.

Article III. EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1.

The executive board shall exercise the authority of the GSA. The board is comprised of the GSA President and five Vice Presidents, one from each of the Colleges not represented by the President.

Section 2.

The Dean of Graduate Studies shall be an ex-Officio, non-voting member of the executive board. The position also serves as the GSA faculty advisor.

Section 3.

The executive board meets with the Dean of Graduate Studies at least twice monthly during the Fall and Spring terms to present a progress report detailing the accomplishments of the GSA and discuss plans for the following week

ARTICLE IV. Duties of Officers

 Section 1.

The President shall be the chief executive officer of the GSA. The President shall preside at all open and executive board meetings and shall act as official spokesperson for the GSA and student members. The President, in consultation with the Vice Presidents, shall appoint chairpersons to all non-standing committees. The President or his/her Vice President designee shall be a member ex-officio of all such committees. The President shall coordinate all activities of the GSA and assign the Vice Presidents to serve on University committees. The President shall perform all other duties usually incidental to the office of the president, which this constitution does not assign to another officer.

The duties and responsibilities of the President will include the following:

• Determine and formulate agenda items for GSA meetings taking into consideration the full board’s recommendations
• Coordinate the distribution of responsibilities and duties for the GSA among the other Board members
• Attend and represent graduate students’ interests and needs on university committees
• Serve as spokesperson on GSA and University events (including graduate student orientation, university committees, and commencement ceremonies)
• Request finances for GSA Events/Activities and collaborate with Graduate Students Office on the allocation of funds
• Monitor the working condition of all GSA supplies, equipment and office space and report concerns to Graduate Studies Office
• Oversee all GSA activities (working closely with each executive board member)
• Communicate updates regularly to the Dean of Graduate Studies
• Act as liaison on behalf of the GSA to academic colleges and University Offices
• Hold office hours at the minimum of five (5) hours per week. Time Commitment on average is ten (10) hours per week.

Section 2.

One of the Vice Presidents shall be appointed by the Dean of Graduate Studies to assume the office of the President if for any reason the office becomes vacant. The Vice Presidents shall perform all duties as the president and executive board assign him/her in the administration of the GSA, including attendance at assigned university committee meetings.

The duties and responsibilities of the members of the Executive Board will include the following:

• Assume responsibilities of the President, when the President is unable to carry out his/her duties
• Assist with approval and management of graduate assistant research and travel awards
• Plan and coordinate special events such as graduate student orientation, workshops, and social activities
• Promote the GSA events and functions through electronic media and print
• Attend and represent graduate students’ interests and needs on university committees
• Maintain and update the GSA calendar
• Develop, monitor, and expand use of GSA website, Facebook and Twitter
• Identify and establish relationships with vendors and university offices for different events (workshops, cookouts, and networking events)
• Record minutes at all meetings
• Develop and disseminate the Graduate Student newsletter
  Guide students in forming graduate student organizations and clubs
• Assist clubs in using allocated monies during the fiscal year
• Act as liaison on behalf of the GSA with graduate programs
• Establish and maintain working relationships with SGA and Student Affairs to promote graduate student needs and interests within the larger student body
• Host Graduate Student Orientation twice yearly
• Facilitate organization of and meetings for the Graduate Assistant Advisory Council
• Collaborate with University Admissions and University Marketing in graduate student recruitment and marketing initiatives
• Hold office hours at the minimum of five (5) hours per week. Time commitment on average will be ten (10) hours per week.

Article V. ASSIGNMENT/ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1.

The Dean of Graduate Studies will appoint the President and Vice Presidents for the GSA.

Article VI. MEETINGS

Section 1.

Meetings shall occur at least twice monthly between all executive board members and the Dean of Graduate Studies during the Fall and Spring terms.

Article VII. AMENDMENTS

Section 1.

Amendments to this constitution can be proposed by the executive board.