CONSTITUTION OF THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION

Article I: The Association

1.1  The name of this organization shall be “The Biological Sciences Graduate Student Association.”

1.2  The following definitions apply to this constitution of the Biological Sciences Graduate Student Association in the Department of Biological Sciences at Mississippi State University

1. “B.S.G.S.A.” and “The Association” are alternative terms for “The Biological Sciences Graduate Student Association.”
2. “The University” and “MSU” are alternative terms for “Mississippi State University.”
3. “The Department” is an alternative term for “the Department of Biological Sciences” at Mississippi State University.
4. “Biology Graduate Students” is an alternative term for members of the Association.

Article II: Membership

2.1       Membership categories shall be the following:

1. Full membership will be composed entirely of graduate students currently enrolled in the Department of Biological Sciences at MSU.

2. Inactive members, which shall be defined as individuals who have previously graduated from the Department with either a Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degree may attend all Association meetings, but are not permitted to vote, or hold elected positions, or hold appointed positions in the Association.

2.2       The rights of active members in the Association are:

1. The right to vote in all Association elections and referendums.

2. The right to attend the general meeting of the Association.

3. The right to move or second motions at the meeting of the Association.

4. The right to speak for or against motions at meetings of the Association as allowed this constitution and by-laws.

5. The right to vote at meetings of the Association.

2.3       The obligations of active members in the Association are:

1. To obey the constitution.

2. To uphold the concepts of academic freedom and intellectual integrity.

Article III: Purpose

3.1       The primary purpose of this organization will be to serve as a representative body for the graduate students in the department of Biological Sciences at Mississippi State University.

3.2       The specific purpose of the Association shall be the following:

1. Promote the common interests of all members.

2. To serve as a medium for communication between biology graduate students, the Department, the Student Association, and central administration.

3. To promote the work of Association members, the Department, and MSU in areas of biological study.

4. To promote a closer relationship between new and current graduate students in our department.

Article IV: Location and Government

4.1 The location of this organization shall be the Department of Biological Sciences

      at Mississippi State University.

4.2 The organization shall be governed by this constitution and its by-laws.

Article V: Meetings

5.1 The Association will hold a general meeting monthly.

1. The general monthly meeting can be at any time, provided that a notice of no less than 72 hours is provided.

5.2 The Association president may call a special session meeting in addition to the

      general meeting, as long as a notice is provided to all members at least 4 days in

      advance.

5.3 The order of business at meetings will be as follows:

1. Association President Report
2. Reading and Approval of the Minutes (of the previous meeting)
3. Business arising from minutes
4. New Business
5. Treasurer’s report
6. Committee reports
7. Student Association and Graduate Student Association report
8. Discussion period
9. Adjournment

5.4 Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used as a meeting reference source for rules of order

      not covered in this constitution.

5.5 A voting quorum shall be defined as all full members present at said meeting.

5.6 Prior to votes on any business pertaining to organizations other than the Department,

      the Student Association, or the Graduate Student Association, voting members must

     declare any conflicts of interest to the president.                                    

Article VI: Dues and Assessments

6.1 Membership into the Association is based solely upon entrance into the graduate

      program in the Department of Biological Sciences at MSU and therefore, no

      membership dues are required of members.

6.2 Any financial transaction made on behalf of the Association must be signed by the

       faculty advisor and the President or Treasurer.

Article VII: Amending Procedure

7.1 Amendments to this Constitution shall be placed on the agenda at least 14 days prior

      to the meeting at which the amendment is to be voted on.

7.2 Adoption of amendments shall be by a two – thirds vote of those present and voting.

Article VIII: Non-Discrimination Clause 

8.1 The clause that we require is "(Name of Organization) does not discriminate of the

basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, handicap/disability, or veteran status.

BYLAWS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION

 These bylaws shall serve as a companion to the Constitution of the Association. Should any conflict exist between the two documents, the Constitution shall prevail.

Bylaw 1: Elected Officers

1.1  President

1. Organize and preside over general meetings of the Association.

2. Act as moderator for all meetings of the Association.

3. Chair any committee that reviews and updates the Constitution and/or bylaws

4. Ensure that all motions presented at meetings are worded clearly and appropriately.

5. Serve as the graduate student liaison with the Department Graduate Coordinator, Department Faculty Graduate Committee, Department faculty, and the Department Head to discuss matters of importance relating to the biological sciences graduate students.

6. Shall serve as the Union contact person for the Student Association, Graduate Student Association, and Administration.

7. Is responsible for training incoming President on his/her duties.

8. Signs financial transactions as allowed by the constitution (Article 6.2)

1.2  Vice-President

1. Assumes responsibility of the President in case of his/her absence.

2. Coordinates and directs the activities of all other committees of the Association.

1.3  Secretary

1. Records and files records of the activities of the Association to include general meeting minutes.

2. Responsible for corresponding with all Association membership and distribution of all promotional flyers

1.4  Treasurer

1. Shall prepare a budget.

2. Signs financial transactions as allowed by the constitution (Article 6.2)

3. In charge of all bookkeeping.

4. Chairs fundraising committees.

Bylaw 2: Committees

2.0 Committee rosters will be composed of non-elected positions filled by active and

       or inactive members. An individual may be on more than one committee and elected 

       official may hold committee positions.

2.1 New – International Student Committee

1. The committee purpose is:

9.       Serve as the graduate student hosts for potential departmental students and 

                  guests of the Department of Biological Sciences.

ii.                   Helps all incoming students with any questions – problems they may have.

iii.                  Relays information of importance to international students about issues of importance to them.

2.2 Social Activities Committee

a.          The committee purpose is to:

i.           Plan and organize all social events within the Union.

ii.                     Coordinate joint social events with the student association, graduate student association, alumni association, and MSU.

2.1  Public Relations Committee

    a.     The committee purpose is to:

    i.      Maintains Association internet site and keeps site current

ii.      Develops the Association portion of departmental newsletter

iii.     Oversee promotion of the department through news and other media outlets.

2.2  Other committees may be established as needed by vote at the Association general meetings.

Bylaw 3: Elections

3.1 Elected officer terms will run from August 1 of the current year until July 31 of the

      following year.

3.2 An individual may not hold the same elected position for consecutive terms, but may

      hold different elected positions in consecutive years.

3.3 Elected officers must be active or full members of the Association.

3.4 Nominations for elected positions will be taken during the April general meeting and

       the election will be by during the May general meeting.

3.5 Only members who plan to be enrolled in the department of Biological Sciences at

       Mississippi State University during the entire following academic year (Fall semester

       of the current year and Spring semester of the following year) are eligible to accept

       nomination for an elected position during that academic year.

3.6 An active member does not have to be present to be nominated for an elected office.

3.7 The nominated member must agree to accept the nomination before his/her name may

      be added to the election ballot.

3.8 Elections must be by written secret ballot.

3.9 The individual with the highest number of votes will be declared the winner.

3.10 In the event that an election ends in a tie:

        a. A run – off election will be held the following week including only the names of

            the individuals who tied on the original ballot.

        b. If the run – off election ends in a tie, then the Department Chair will serve as the

            tie-breaker.

This Constitution and Bylaws of The Biological Sciences Graduate Student Association was first drafted on August 21, 2004.

This Constitution and Bylaws of The Biological Sciences Graduate Student Association was revised on August 30, 2004.

This Constitution and Bylaws of The Biological Sciences Graduate Student Association was revised for the second time on January 25, 2005.