Southeast Missouri State University

Constitution for Graduate Student Advisory Council

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Article I. Name and Purpose

Section 1. Name

The name of the organization shall be known as the Graduate Student Advisory Council of Southeast Missouri State University (hereafter as GSAC).

Section 2. Purpose

  1. The GSAC serves primarily as an advisory group. The members of the GSAC serve as liaisons between the graduate student body and the graduate faculty and administration.
  2. The GSAC will also give recommendations for the allocations of Student Professional Development and Research funds.

Article II. Membership

All students enrolled for any graduate level degree offered by Southeast Missouri State University shall be eligible to participate in the GSAC.

Article III. Officers

Section 1.

The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the President, Vice President, and the Secretary.

Section 2.

The President of the GSAC shall:

  1. serve as a member and chairperson of the Executive Committee;
  2. represent the GSAC at university functions;
  3. represent GSAC at Graduate Council meetings;
  4. act as chair of the GSAC and preside over meetings;
  5. vote in GSAC meetings only to break a tie;
  6. appoint committee members, interim Vice President, and Secretary in the event of a vacancy; and
  7. supervise all elections.

Section 3.

The Vice President of the GSAC shall:

  1. preside over the meetings in the absence of the President;
  2. serve as a member of the Executive Committee;
  3. oversee committee activities; and
  4. vote unless acting as president.

Section 4.

The Secretary of the GSAC shall:

  1. serve as a member of the Executive Committee;
  2. keep a record of the minutes of the meetings;
  3. submit minutes for posting on the web;
  4. notify members of upcoming meetings;
  5. send agenda out to members before the meetings;
  6. take attendance at meetings; and
  7. keep a list of all members and contact information.

Article IV. Representatives

Section 1. Composition

The GSAC representatives shall be composed of individuals enrolled in the School of Graduate Studies and Research who are elected or appointed to the council by their respective colleges.

Section 2.

The Representatives of the GSAC shall:

  1. attend monthly meetings;
  2. relay information to their respective colleges and fellow students;
  3. have one vote during GSAC meetings;
  4. represent the concerns of their constituents; and
  5. serve a two year term and may be re-nominated after fulfilling their term.

Section 3:

Department Representatives include:

  1. two representatives per college; and
  2. a minimum of one student in their first year of enrollment.

Article V. Elections

Section 1. Election Process

  1. The President, Vice President, and the Secretary shall be elected by vote by majority of GSAC members present at election meeting.
  2. Representatives shall be voted on/nominated by respective departments.
  3. If in any election no candidate receives a majority vote a run-off election shall be held for the top two candidates.

Section 2. Vacancy

  1. In the case of a vacancy for the office of the President, the Vice President will fill the vacancy and a new Vice President shall be nominated in a timely manner with a majority approval by the GSAC.
  2. In the case of a vacancy for the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a new Vice President in a timely manner with a majority approval by the GSAC.
  3. In the case of a vacancy for the office of the Secretary, the President shall nominate a new Secretary in a timely manner with a majority approval by the GSAC.
  4. In the case of a vacancy for the office of a representative, that department may nominate a new representative in a timely manner.
  5. The Department of Graduate Studies and Research may appoint officers if necessary.

Section 3. Time of Elections

  1. Elections are to be held at the March meeting and terms of the office shall be for one year beginning on April 1 and ending on March 31 of the following year.
  2. Representatives shall be nominated by their respective departments by September 15.

Article VI. Removal From Office/Reappointment

Section 1.

An officer or representative can be removed at anytime for abuse of power or a lack of fulfilling duties.

Section 2.

Any member of the GSAC shall be able to initiate the removal process by bringing a petition (with reason for removal stated), signed by at least 25% of the current representatives.

Section 3.

Individuals being removed shall be notified and have an opportunity to defend themselves. They may also include a written defense.

Section 4.

A final vote will be taken with the decision made by the majority of votes.

Section 5.

Departments will be notified if a member is removed from the GSAC.

Article VII. Amendments

An amendment(s) to the constitution can be made with a 2/3-majority vote. A quorum must be present for a vote to be valid.

Article VIII. Adoption

The GSAC constitution will be implemented on adoption and shall take effect upon approval by appropriate University bodies.

  1. Constitution of the graduate student government. (1994). Retrieved June 23, 2001, from The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia: http://www.student.virginia.edu/~gsasc/const.html.
  2. The Constitution of the University of Florida Graduate Student Council. Retrieved June 27, 2001, from The University of Florida.
  3. The Graduate Student Council Constitution. Retrieved June 27, 2001, from Harvard University Graduate Student Council: http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~gsc/info/constitution.shtml.
  4. Constitution of the GraduateSchool Government. (1994). Retrieved June 23, 2001, from The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia: http://www.student.virginia.edu/~gsasc/const.html.

By Laws

Article I. Meetings

Section 1.

Meetings shall be held monthly from September through April.

Section 2.

Meetings shall follow Robert's Rules of Order.

Section 3.

Any graduate student may attend a GSAC meeting.

Article II. Attendance

Section 1.

Attendance shall be taken by the Secretary and those in attendance shall be listed in the meeting’s minutes.

Section 2.

No more than two unexcused absences are allowed.

Section 3.

Members will be removed if there are more than two unexcused absences.

Article III. Committees

Committees shall be formed as necessary at the discretion of the Executive Committee. These committees will be developed as needed to examine specific topical concerns.

Approved by Graduate Council: 11/27/2001
Last Updated: 10/30/2005

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