GradSEA Constitution
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Article I: Name
The name of this organization is GradSEA, which stands for the Graduate Student English Association.
Article II: Purpose
The purpose of this organization is to improve the quality of life of graduate students and graduate teaching assistants in the Department of English, Purdue University, by providing a forum for discussion of issues related to our roles as graduate students, teachers, employees, and colleagues.
Article III: Membership
All graduate students and graduate teaching assistants in the Department of English, Purdue University, are regular members of the organization. Purdue University staff and faculty are eligible for associate membership. However, only regular members may vote on matters brought before the organization. Membership and participation are free from discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.
Article IV: Officers
- Section 1. The officers of the organization are the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary/Treasurer, and the Web Master/List Administrator.
- Section 2. The terms of office are one year.
- Section 3. Election of officers will be by simple majority vote of those regular members attending the last regular meeting in the academic year and must be held on or before the last day of classes for the spring semester. Alternatively, paper ballots may be distributed if they allow more regular members to participate in the election process.
- Section 4. All regular members are eligible to hold office.
- Section 5. The faculty advisor shall be selected by the President and shall serve for one calendar year during good behavior.
- Section 6. Regular members may serve as GradSEA representatives to standing and ad hoc English Department committees. These representatives are elected by simple majority, following the procedure established for election of officers.
Article V: Duties of Office
- Section 1. The duties of the President are to organize and to direct the business of the organization by (a) presiding at all regular meetings, (b) maintaining an agenda of new and unfinished business, and (c) appointing ad hoc committee to work on issues brought before the organization.
- Section 2. The duties of the Vice-President are to perform the duties of the President in her absence and to serve as liaison with the faculty by attending their meetings, representing GradSEA opinion on business conducted there, and reporting back to GradSEA.
- Section3. The duty of the Secretary/Treasurer is to inform the members of the proceedings and business of the organization by (a) taking the minutes of regular meetings and distributing a copy of those minutes to each member, (b) keeping all organizational records, (c) notifying members of all meetings, and (d) maintaining the GradSEA bulletin board. In addition, the Secretary/Treasurer keeps accounts, deposits the organization's funds, and makes expenditures in a manner approved by the Business Office for Student Organizations.
- Section 4. The duties of the Web Master/List Administrator are to maintain the GradSEA web site and to administer the Gradtalk discussion list.
- Section 5. GradSEA representatives serve as liaisons between graduate students and the faculty on their respective department committees, and they are responsible for attending both GradSEA meetings and their department committee meetings.
Article VI: Amendments
- The constitution may be amended by simple majority vote of those regular members attending a regular meeting, so long as all members have been given 30 days notice of the proposed amendment. All amendments to the constitution and bylaws are subject to the approval of the Office of the Dean of Students.
- Bylaws
- 1. Regular meetings of the organization shall be held at least once each month at a time and place to be announced by the President at least 10 days in advance of such meetings.
- 2. Decisions concerning the business of the organization shall be taken by a simple majority of those regular members attending regular meetings. For the purpose of conducting business, a quorum shall consist of 9 regular members.
- 3. Generally, Robert's Rules of Order shall govern meeting procedure. However, these rules of procedure may be waived or modified at the discretion of the President.
- 4. In the event one of the officers or representatives does not complete the term of office or does not fulfill the duties associated with the office, the alternate for the position shall assume the duties of the vacated office until the next election.
- 5. The bylaws may be amended in the same manner as the constitution (see VI above).
Adopted January 13, 1986
Recognized January 15, 1986
Amended March 29, 2002