Our governing documents are made available for public viewing.
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.