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Graduate Program > GSAG

Graduate Student Advisory Group (GSAG)

Constitution

 

Constitution (October 2003)

ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1
The name of this organization shall be:
GRADUATE STUDENT ADVISORY GROUP (GSAG) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOSYSTEMS & AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING


Section 2
The purpose of this organization shall be: GSAG is a graduate student coordinating body within the Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering. The main purpose of GSAG is to coordinate and initiate graduate student activities, to provide a channel of communication among graduate students, and between the graduate student body and the Faculty.

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ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.
GSAG represents all enrolled graduate students in the Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering. Graduate students include all candidates for Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

A person remains a constituent member in good standing by subscribing to the guidelines of the group as written in this constitution.

Section 2.
GSAG will not discriminate on the basis of age, color, gender, handicapper status, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or weight. Also, only MSU students may be officers and/or voting members.

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ARTICLE III: OFFICERS

Section 1
The GSAG shall include a Chairperson, First Vice-Chairperson, Second Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer, and Secretary. Each elected officer serves a one-year term.

Section 2
Only constituent members in good standing may nominate, be nominated, or vote. Elections are held by secret ballot, which may also be by mail or E-mail ballot.


Section 3
The GSAG shall consist of five (5) members. The board can be made up of any combination of M.S and Ph. D. candidates enrolled in the Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering.


The five GSAG offices shall be divided among these five duly elected representatives under the direction of the old officers.

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Section 4
General elections for the GSAS representatives shall take place in the month of April, spring semester, under the direction of the old officers. The new GSAG shall take office at the beginning of the following fall semester. Election of replacement members can take place at any time as deemed necessary by the GSAG.

Section 5
The GSAG is charged with the following specific responsibilities:


1. To solicit and receive any opinions, suggestions and problems from the graduate students of the Department pertaining to any aspect of graduate student activity.

2. To initiate and coordinate graduate student activities in the Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering.

3. To provide representatives to Departmental Committees and review matters currently being considered by said Committees, and to acquaint the graduate students with matters concerning them.

4. To formulate recommendations regarding these above matters and present them to the graduate student body and to the appropriate Departmental Committee.

5. To provide a channel of communication between the Council of Graduate Students and the students and faculty of the Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering.

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Section 6
The Chairperson is to:


1. Call and preside at all meetings of the GSAG.

2. Provide an annual report of the activities of the GSAG to the faculty and graduate students at the end of spring semester.

3. When necessary act on behalf of GSAG, but such action is subject to the approval of the entire GSAG.

4. Oversee that graduate students are represented on Departmental Committees.

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The First Vice-Chairperson is to:


1. Call and preside in the absence of the chairperson.

2. Promote professional enhancement and development of the graduate students, such as encouraging membership in professional organizations, assist in organizing technical seminars, and inviting speakers from outside the Department.


The Second Vice-Chairperson is to:


1. Call and preside in the absence of both the Chairperson and the First Vice-Chairperson.

2. Oversee the ad-hoc committees of GSAG, and function as a liaison to the undergraduate student groups in the Department.

3. Serve as the GSAG representative to COGS

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The Treasurer is to:


1. Take care and handle all funds incoming and outgoing of GSAG.

2. Be responsible for all financial accounts of GSAG.

3. Oversee fund raising activities of GSAG.


The Secretary is to:


1. Record all actions taken by the GSAG.

2. Inform graduate students and faculty of proposals and actions taken by the Executive.

3. Forward recommendations of the GSAG to the appropriate committee, faculty member(s), or graduate student(s).

4. Transmit all actions of the GSAG to the incoming officers.

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Section 7
An officer failing to maintain membership in good standing, may be removed at any meeting by vote of the general membership.


ARTICLE IV: REPRESENTATIVES

Section 1
The Second Vice-Chair will serve as the representative for the graduate students of the Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering to COGS. An alternate shall also be selected.

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Section 2
The following are committees of the Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering which include a graduate student representative from GSAG:


• Academics Committee
• Computer Committee
• Biosystems Engineering Industry Advisory Group
• Activities Committee


Section 3
Election of all representatives shall take place at the end of spring semester under the direction of the new GSAG. Election of replacement members can take place at any time as deemed necessary by the GSAG.

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ARTICLE V: OPERATING PROCEDURES


Section 1
The GSAG shall call at least one general meeting of the graduate students per semester. More frequent meetings may be called at the discretion of the GSAG. Business at general meetings other than Bylaw changes shall be conducted on the basis of a simple majority.


Section 2
The GSAG will meet on a monthly basis or more often, and will convene at the call of the Chairperson. A quorum consists of three (3) officers. The Chairperson will vote on all motions made by the GSAG. Passage of these motions will be by simple majority.

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GSAG meetings will be closed and minutes will not be distributed. Items of interest will be reported to the graduate students and faculty by the Secretary through posting or circulation.


Section 3
The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order (newly revised edition) shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the constitution of GSAG.

ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS


Section 1
Any member of this organization may propose amendments to this constitution.

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Section 2
Any amendment must be submitted in writing to the members of the GSAG at least three weeks before a vote is called by the GSAG.


Section 3
Approval of amendments is by 3/4 vote of those graduate students responding to a mail or E-mail ballot which has been preceded by one week's notice.

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