Rule 3359-43-02 | Graduate student government constitution.
(A) Preamble.
The governing body of graduate students at the university of Akron shall be known as graduate student government (GSG) and shall serve as the representative student government for graduate students. The GSG's purpose is to advocate on behalf of graduate students in the formulation and application of university and community policies, with the intent of enhancing the quality of life for all graduate students at the university of Akron.
(B) Purpose.
As the official representative body for graduate students enrolled at the university of Akron, the GSG shall:
(1) Communicate with university administration regarding decisions and issues that affect the graduate student body;
(2) Communicate with the graduate student body about issues as deemed necessary;
(3) Allocate funds received from the division of student affairs in compliance with university policies and procedures;
(4) Encourage academic and professional development opportunities for graduate students;
(5) Establish working relationships with faculty members, administrators, and staff throughout the campus community;
(6) Consider graduate student opinions concerning matters of interest to the graduate student body; and
(7) Appoint GSG representatives to university committees, that afford opportunity for graduate student representatives, in order to ensure graduate student input on matters concerning the university and the graduate student body.
GSG shall maintain a current registration with the division of student affairs, consistent with applicable policies and procedures. In case of doubt or silence in its constitution, a recent copy of Robert's Rules of Order shall be the acknowledged authority.
(C) Membership.
(1) Eligibility.
All full-time and part-time graduate students attending the university of Akron currently enrolled in graduate degree-granting programs and in good standing, as determined by the standards of the graduate school, are eligible to be members of GSG.
(a) Eligibility, attendance requirements and duties for elected and appointed positions shall be outlined in the GSG bylaws.
(b) There shall be no dues required for membership in GSG. GSG shall manage its own finances in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the university of Akron.
(2) Role.
All GSG members are eligible for appointment to committees within GSG and the university community, if members otherwise meet committee eligibility requirements.
(D) Leadership.
(1) Executive positions.
The elected GSG executive committee shall be determined by general election and voted upon by eligible students from the graduate student body and shall consist of the president, vice president, and treasurer.
(a) President.
The president shall be the principal executive officer and shall supervise and control all of the business and affairs of GSG. The president is responsible for corresponding between all constituencies.
(b) Vice president.
In the absence of the president, the vice president shall perform the duties of the president and when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president. The vice president shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the president.
(c) Treasurer.
The treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and budgets of GSG. The treasurer is also responsible for maintaining, reviewing, and revising EAF/SAF/PEG processes and policies and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the president.
(2) Senators.
There shall be one senator from each graduate degree granting college within the university of Akron to represent the interests of the graduate population within the college. The combination of the senator positions and the executive committee will be known as the central committee.
(3) Advisor.
GSG shall be advised by at least one full-time member of the university of Akron's graduate faculty or administration in accordance with the guidelines established by the university. The faculty advisor(s) shall have a one-year term. At the first executive committee meeting of the year, a vote of confidence will be taken. A majority vote from the total seated executive committee shall be needed to continue the faculty advisor in office. If a new advisor is needed, the president will appoint a faculty advisor until the executive board nominates and votes on a new advisor. The vice president for student affairs and director of the graduate school shall serve in consultation to the executive committee as needed during the absence of a faculty advisor.
(4) Multiple offices.
No person may hold more than one voting position or more than one compensated position in GSG at a time.
(E) Meetings.
(1) GSG meetings.
The GSG president may call meetings of GSG members when deemed necessary and/or appropriate. The GSG vice president, treasurer, or senators may call for a meeting with the approval of a majority of all GSG members.
Quorum to conduct business at meetings shall be a minimum of two officers and one-half of the sitting senators.
(2) Campus wide meetings
Campus wide meetings may be held to inform and educate the graduate student body on issues of interest, while further allowing graduate students the opportunity to suggest and contribute to the discourse on major policies impacting the graduate student body at the university of Akron.
Quorum to conduct business at campus wide meetings shall be a minimum of two officers and one-half of the sitting senators.
(F) Amendments.
(1) Amendments to this constitution shall be proposed by the GSG executive committee or by a petition of twenty-five graduate students at the university of Akron.
(2) Proposed amendments shall be disseminated to the graduate student body.
(3) Proposed amendments shall be adopted by a three-fourths majority vote of the voting membership of GSG.
(4) In accordance with university rule, any changes made to this chapter of the Administrative Code must be approved by the board of trustees.
Last updated March 1, 2022 at 9:26 PM
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