GSG Constitution

We, the graduate and professional students of the University of Cincinnati hereby establish this Constitution to represent and serve the graduate student body, for effective promotion of all academic, professional and social interests, to improve and foster communication within the body and among faculty, staff and administration, encouraging a fair and inclusive campus community following the policies of the University of Cincinnati and applicable laws.

Name
This organization shall be known as Graduate Student Government (GSG) of the University of Cincinnati.

Objectives

Section 1.  Act as official representative body for all UC graduate and professional students.

Section 2. Advocate for policies and initiatives that promote the academic, professional and social experiences of graduate and professional students.

Section 3. To facilitate the academic (research and educational) and professional development goals of graduate and professional students at the University of Cincinnati.

Section 4. To establish effective communication among graduate and professional students, other student groups, as well as the academic and administrative units of the University.

Section 1. Membership in the GSG shall consist of representatives from each Graduate Student Association (GSA) under the GSG umbrella. One elected  representative or an alternate from each GSA will be the members of the GSG and all other students will be the members of General Assembly

Section 2. Full membership in in GSG is limited to full-time or part-time matriculating students at the University of Cincinnati. Full membership entitles members to full voting privileges.

• Honorary membership shall be open to any non-student elected to such membership by a majority of voting members. Honorary members cannot outnumber voting members.

Section 1. Graduate, half-time students, and professional students may form Representative Member Groups, herein defined as Graduate Student Association (GSA) - by graduate program or college, who apply for membership to the General Assembly of GSG and meet the criteria of the Constitution and its Bylaws. To apply for membership as a GSA, organizations must first be a registered student organization with the Center for Student Involvement (CSI). GSAs shall consist of at least ten (10) graduate and professional students from a degree-granting program, department or college at the University of Cincinnati. One graduate degree-granting academic program can be represented by only one GSA.

Section 2. GSAs shall elect a representative or alternate to the GSG.

Section 3. GSAs must comply with GSG Bylaws and Constitution to receive the full benefits of GSG. Complying with the Bylaws and Constitution entails regular representation at GSG meetings and completion of registration requirements (as required by the Center for Student Involvement).

Section 1. The Graduate Student Government (GSG) shall be the policy-making body, and shall abide by all University, State, and Federal laws.

Section 2. Members of the General Assembly of GSG at University of Cincinnati have right to attend General Assembly meetings.

Section 3. Graduate Student Government shall consist of one Representative or alternate from each GSA, as well as the President, the Vice-President, the Treasurer, and the Campus Ambassador of GSG. They are the members of the GSG and voting privileges are reserved for designated members of GSG. Even if the executive members are members of GSG they are excluded from voting. In case of any tie GSG President will get a tie-breaker vote.

Section 4. Each member of GSG shall have one (1) vote. An Alternate serving in the place of the GSG member has full rights, duties, and privileges accorded each member of the GSG.

Section 5. All members and alternates shall serve for a term of one year. Re-election will be in accordance with the respective GSAs Constitution. 

Section 1. The GSG shall have 4 officers elected by the members of the GSG to serve on the Executive Board. The officers are:

• President
• Vice-President
• Treasurer
• Campus Ambassador

Section 2. Officers must be matriculating graduate and professional students, registered in an approved/official graduate program maintain a 2.3 cumulative grade point average and be in good standing with their college before and during term of office. 

Officers who do not meet eligibility requirements must relinquish their position immediately upon notification from the University that they do not meet the eligibility requirements. Ineligible officers will be replaced according to the RSO's constitution.

Section 3. The President shall preside over all GA meetings. In case of absence from the President, the other Officers will preside the GA, in the order of Vice-President, Treasurer, and Campus Ambassador.

Section 4. The term of office for all GSG officers shall be one (1) year, commencing with beginning of summer semester through the end of the following academic year’s Spring semester. Officers may be elected for up to two terms in a specific office, with a maximum of three years' service on the GSG executive board.

Section 5. Officers are paid over a twelve (12) month period that includes summer duties. If an officer is unable to perform duties during any semester, he/she will not get compensation for that semester.

Section 1. GA meetings will be held twice a month during the Fall and Spring semesters for the first and last month of the semester. One of the meetings must be a physical meeting and the second meeting can be either physical or virtual.  

Section 2. All members have speaking privileges at GA meetings. All speakers must be recognized by the presiding officer at the meeting. The presiding officer has the right to limit discussion to designated GSG members .

Section 3. In the event of a disturbance of the GA meeting, the Presiding Officer is empowered to clear the meeting of non-voting members and/or to adjourn the meeting.

Section 4. A quorum (66% of GSAs) shall be present to conduct any voting.

Section 5. All meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order,

Section 6.  This Constitution and the GSG Bylaws shall be the rules of the GA and the GSG.

Section 8. Voting Procedures

1. Quorum Requirements
   1. A quorum of 66% of all recognized GSG members must be present to conduct any official voting.
   2. If quorum is not met, voting on any business requiring official approval shall be postponed to the next scheduled meeting or a specially convened session.
2. Voting Procedures
   1. Voting Method: All votes (elections only) shall be conducted through GetinvolvedUC.
   2. Ballot Requirements:
      1. Every vote must include the option to abstain from voting.
      2. Any additional options or write-ins must be approved by the GA before voting begins.
   3. Tiebreakers:
      1. In the event of a tie in a GA vote, a secondary round of voting shall take place immediately. 
      2. If the tie remains unresolved after two rounds, Chair of the Evaluation Committee shall determine the resolution process.
3. Proxy Voting
   1. GSAs may designate a proxy voter if their official representative is unable to attend a scheduled vote.
   2. Reasonable use of proxy voting is permitted, but the following conditions must be met:
      1. The proxy voter must be a member of the same GSA they are representing.
      2. The GSG executive board must receive written notice of the proxy designation at least 24 hours before the scheduled vote.
      3. The proxy designation must include the name of the proxy voter and a statement confirming authorization by the absent representative.
   3. Emergency Proxy Designations:
      1. If an emergency prevents a representative from providing 24-hour notice, they must notify the Chair of the Evaluation Committee as soon as possible, and the GA may vote to approve the proxy at the start of the meeting.
   4. Limitations on Proxy Voting
      1. A single individual may not serve as a proxy for more than one GSA per meeting.
      2. A GSA may not use proxy voting for more than two consecutive GA meetings without approval from the EB.
4. Vote Certification and Review
   1. The GSG Evaluation Committee shall certify and record the results of all votes and retain official records in a publicly accessible folder with no timeline.
   2. Results of all votes shall be made available to GSAs within three (3) school days after voting concludes.

Section 1. The GSG shall have at least two (limited to three) University Co-advisors who shall be a full-time member of the University faculty or Staff.

Section 2. University Co-advisors are chosen after a series of meetings with probable candidates and selected by GSG executive board based on the alignments with the present needs of GSG. Selected Co-advisors shall be approved by the GSG members by a majority vote at the general assembly.

Section 3. The GSG University Co-advisors will be selected and approved at the beginning of each academic year if there is any change or on account of electing an additional advisor.

Section 1. A motion to amend this Constitution may be made by any of the GSG members, seconded by any of the other GSG members and approved by at least 50% of the quorum.

Section 2. A motion to amend shall be voted on within eight (8) weeks after said motion has been made. A motion to amend this Constitution can only be tabled once.

Section 3. Amendments to this Constitution shall be declared ratified and adopted following a three-fourths (75%) affirmative vote by all voting Representatives present.

Section 1. This Constitution shall be ratified and adopted following a three-fourths (75%) affirmative vote by all voting GSG members present.

Section 2. This Constitution shall be effective upon ratification.

Section 3. The officers at the time of ratification shall remain in their respective positions until the next regularly scheduled election of officers. If an officer is removed from office during this period, the position shall be filled according to the procedures outlined in the bylaws.

Section 1. Dissolution of GSG requires a three-fourths (75%) majority vote of the GSG members and a subsequent referendum approved by three-fourths (75%) of graduate and professional students voting, the referendum must meet any quorum requirements specified in the bylaws.

Section 2. Upon dissolution, all GSG assets and funds shall be disposed of in accordance with UC regulations and returned to the department that issued the assets and funds.