Constitution

Article I - Name

The Sociology Graduate Student Association (SGSA)

Article II - Purpose

  1. To promote communication and understanding among graduate students in Sociology,, between graduate students and faculty in Sociology, and between graduate students in Sociology and other parties of the University community.
  2. To define common problems and objectives for graduate students in Sociology.
  3. To represent and promote the interests of the graduate students in Sociology vis-a-vis the faculty, administration, and other parties of the University,
  4. To provide an organ for social expression for graduate students in Sociology.

Article III - Membership

The Association accepts as members all graduate students in Sociology either part time or full time. All members have the right to participate in all activities of the Association, and to vote and hold elective positions in the governing body.

Article IV - Administrative Structure

The officers of this Association shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

All officers of this Association are to be elected by majority vote, provided that a quorum of members is present at the voting meeting.

Elections are held annually for positions extending for the academic year.

Article V - Duties of the officers

  1. The President: calls for and presides at meetings; appoints acting officers in case of absence; supervises all the Association's activities; represents the Association vis-a-vis other parties, either in [her or] his person or through [her or] his appointees.
  2. The Vice-President, assists the President in the performance of the latter's duties; acts, as President in case of absence.
  3. The Secretary: keeps the membership list; informs members of coming meetings and activities; keeps the minutes of the meetings; serves as correspondent for the Association.
  4. The Treasurer: manages and is responsible for all property of the Association; keeps accounts of the economic and financial affairs of the Association; prepares budgets; advises the President on all economic and financial matters; renders accounts of the finances before the membership, at intervals to specified by the President.

Article VI - Committees

Representatives shall be elected to the following committees at the end of the Spring semester of each academic year for a one year term the following academic year. 

1.    Faculty-Student Committee (Standing):

a.    Membership: three graduate students will be elected to this committee. One student may be a first of second year student who is working toward the M.A. degree, and the other two members must have the M.A. degree and be working toward the PhD. Degree.

b.    Duties: This committee shall serve to bring faculty and graduate students into open discussion of problems, issues, and policies, and other matters that affect the operation of the department and faculty-student relationships.  It shall also serve as a planning group that makes recommendations to strengthen the department and improve the graduate program.  It shall direct its recommendations to the appropriate office or committee in the department, and expect a response in a reasonable length of time.

c.     Authority: This committee has no formal authority to enact or enforce any of its recommendations.

2.    Student Grievance Committee (Ad hoc):

a.    Membership: three graduate students will be elected to this committee.

b.    Duties: The Department Chair, and the Director of Graduate Studies shall receive and attempt to resolve complaints.  If these officers are not able to resolve the conflict, the Student Grievance Committee will be formed to determine whether the grievance is legitimate and justifies investigation.  A majority vote of its members is required to determine that the grievance is legitimate for investigation.  The investigation shall be conducted in strict confidence and without publicity.

c.     Grievances submitted from graduate students will follow the procedures established by the University.

Faculty Meeting Representative

1.    A faculty meeting representative shall be elected who may attend faculty meetings as a non-voting participant.  An alternate will also be elected, and will assume the duties of the elected representative in the case that the elected representative is unable to attend the faculty meeting.

Article VII - Procedure

All meetings shall proceed by Roberts Rules of Order.

Article VIII - Amendments

This constitution is subject to amendment by 2/3 vote, provided that a quorum is present at the meeting and the procedures in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.

 

 

Copyright 1998. Sociology Graduate Student Association.
Please direct comments and questions about this site to Tim Sentman .
Viewpoints expressed on this page are not necessarily those of the UB Sociology Department, the College of Arts and Sciences, the University at Buffalo, or the SUNY system.
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