Case Western Reserve University
Graduate Student Senate

Constitution

Ratified 5 March 2003

Article I. Name of the Organization

The name of the organization shall be the Graduate Student Senate of Case Western Reserve University, hereafter referred to as the GSS.

Article II. Purpose

In the belief that a representative voice is need to insure that both the individual and collective interests of graduate students will be heard and acted on by the faculty and administrative units of the University, the GSS accepts the responsibilities described herein and pledges to address the concerns of the graduate student body.

Article III. Membership

  1. Senate Representation

Each department, division, center or program having graduate student enrollment through the School of Graduate Studies shall select annually a representative to serve as their senator on the GSS, in accordance with the GSS Bylaws. The GSS shall consist of:

    1. One (1) senator from each department, division, center, or program,
    2. One (1) additional senator from any department, division, center or program whose total graduate student enrollment exceeds one hundred full or part-time students, if the majority of the graduate students of that department vote to elect and additional senator.
  1. Each senator shall have one (1) vote at GSS meetings which may be cast in person or by proxy, as set forth in the GSS Bylaws.
  2. The GSS shall make every effort to obtain representation from all departments, divisions, centers and/or programs.

Article IV. Administration

  1. Officers
    1. The officers of the GSS shall be a President, Vice-President, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary and Treasurer.
    2. GSS officers shall be elected annually by the membership as set forth in the bylaws.
    3. The GSS officers shall serve on the Executive Committee.
    4. The GSS officers shall not be senators while in office, but shall have all the rights accorded to senators.
    5. The GSS officers shall perform such duties as are specified in the bylaws.
    6. An officer may be recalled according to the provisions set forth in the GSS Bylaws.
  2. Committees of the Senate
    1. The standing committees of the GSS shall include the Executive Committee, the Activities Committee, the Diekhoff Award Committee and the Student Organizations & Allocations Committee.
    2. The creation and elimination of additional GSS standing committees shall require approval at a Senate meeting by two-thirds (2/3) of all voting members present.
    3. The creation and elimination of ad hoc committees shall require approval at a Senate meeting by a simple majority of those voting members present.
  3. Other Administrative Positions

The GSS may have such other non-elected, paid administrative positions as recommended annually by the President in consultation with the other GSS officers and approved by a simple majority vote of Executive Committee, and approved at a Senate meeting by a simple majority vote of those senators present, in person or by proxy. In consultation with the other officers, the President shall hire for these purposes.

Article V. Senate Meetings

  1. It is intended that a regular GSS meeting shall be held each month of the academic semester, but no less than three (3) meetings shall be held each semester.
  2. The President shall call special GSS meetings when requested by the Executive Committee or by a written petition from one-third (1/3) of all senators, or as he or she deems necessary. The President shall designate the time and place of such meetings.

Article VI. Bylaws

Bylaws conforming to this constitution shall be adopted at a Senate meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those voting members present, in person or by proxy.

Article VII. Amendments to this Constitution

  1. Any senator may propose an amendment to this constitution.
    1. The proposed amendment shall be submitted to the Corresponding Secretary at least two (2) weeks before it can be considered.
    2. The Corresponding Secretary shall distribute copies of the proposed amendment to the GSS within one (1) week of its receipt.
  2. Any amendment to this constitution shall require approval at a Senate meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of all voting members, in person or by proxy.
  3. Any amendment which receives approval shall become effective immediately after adjournment of the meeting at which it is adopted, unless the motion to amend specifies a time that the amendment shall take affect.

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