Bylaws & Constitution

Our governing documents are made available for public viewing.

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Bylaws


Article I. MEMBERSHIP

Article II. EXECUTIVE BOARD

Article III. AMMENDMENTS

Constitution


Article I. IDENTIFICATION

Article II. MEMBERSHIP

Article III. EXECUTIVE BOARD

Article IV. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Article V. ASSIGNMENT/ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Article VI. MEETINGS

Article VII. AMENDMENTS

 

Bylaws of the Graduate Student Association

Article I. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. 

The Graduate Student Association shall consist of one representative per college within Towson University and an additional representative for Doctoral students. Each representative will hold the role of Vice President on the GSA while a Spring election will take place to determine the President of the GSA. Each executive board member will be awarded a 10-hour assistantship for a full academic year, including in-state tuition rates, 6 credits of tuition remission and a stipend. 

Article II. EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1.

The executive board shall consist of members that fulfill the following requirements for the Fall and Spring terms for which they are hired for.

  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA
  • Enrolled in at least 6 semester credits
  • Be a graduate, doctoral, or PBC student at Towson University
    o Does not include accelerated students who have yet to complete their undergraduate degree and matriculate fully into a graduate program
  • Commit to 10 hours of GSA-related work throughout the week; These will take place within normal business hours and include a mandatory one-hour weekly meeting with all representatives present in person
  • The majority of hours will be completed throughout the work week and during business hours. Some hours will be fulfilled by attending commitments outside of business hours throughout the academic year
  • Attendance at service events, graduate school orientations, graduate school open houses, and representation at various university committees and events
  • Commit to at least two semesters worth of service

Executive board members shall be appointed by the Dean of Graduate Studies, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Office of Graduate Studies Staff, and current executive board members through an application process. The President of the GSA will be elected through a graduate student body election in the Spring semester preceding the start of their term.

Section 2.

There will be one mandatory executive board meeting throughout the week. The President will establish an effective system to determine board members' availability for a weekly GSA meeting. After careful review of the availability of the board, the President will establish the date, time, and location of these meetings. The President will send notice of these meetings to all executive board members and the Office of Graduate Studies Staff. 

Section 3.

The majority vote of the executive board shall be sufficient to take any action. If the executive board consists of two or less members and/or is otherwise limited by these bylaws, then the majority vote of the executive board is not sufficient.

Section 4.

If any executive board member is not fulfilling his/her/their responsibilities outlined by these bylaws and expectations set by the Office of Graduate Studies Staff, the following will occur: 

  • An in-person meeting scheduled by the Associate Dean and/or Dean of Graduate Studies to outline areas of improvement and create a plan of action. The purpose of this is to give the board member constructive feedback through a performance evaluation and provide an opportunity for improvement.
  • Following the in-person meeting, if the board member does not fulfill the performance evaluation expectations, the Associate Dean and/or Dean of Graduate Studies may remove the member in a manner consistent with policies and procedures outlined in the Graduate Assistantship Handbook
Section 5.

The following is expected of each officer:

  • Attend and actively contribute during meetings of the executive board
  • Serve on university committees, college committees or subcommittees to represent graduate interests
  • Serve as an advocate for the interests of graduate students from the college he/she/they represent
  • Serve in any other capacity beneficial to the GSA as determined by the GSA President or Dean of Graduate Studies
  • Promote the best interest of Towson University鈥檚 graduate students

Article III. AMMENDMENTS


Section 1.

These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the executive board. The executive board is free to utilize any shared governance staff member if mentorship or guidance on amending the bylaws is needed.

Constitution of the Graduate Student Association 

Article I. IDENTIFICATION

 Section 1.

The name of the organization is the Towson University Graduate Student Association, hereafter referred to as the GSA.

Section 2.

The principal office of the GSA shall be located on the Towson University campus. Currently, it is located in the Administration Building, Room 301.

Section 3.

The fiscal year of the GSA shall be from July 1st to June 30th.

Section 4.

The purpose of the GSA is the following:

  • To represent all graduate students at Towson University 
  • To increase the visibility of graduate student needs
  • Uphold and support the mission of Towson University
  • To provide a vehicle for graduate students to express their needs, interests, and concerns to Towson University鈥檚 administration
  • To provide a vehicle for graduate students to participate in social, academic, and professional pursuits
  • To provide graduate student representation on college committees and councils
  • Assist the Office of Graduate Studies with other duties and projects as assigned that fall within the position description

Article II. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.

The membership of the GSA shall consist of all graduate students enrolled at Towson University. This includes non-degree students and fully and conditionally admitted degree seeking students. It does not include accelerated students who have yet to complete their undergraduate degree and matriculate fully into a graduate program.

Article III. EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1.

The executive board shall exercise the authority of the GSA. There may be only one representative per college with the exception of the Doctoral representative. The President and Vice Presidents must represent the affiliated college of their academic program, with the exception of the Doctoral representative, who represents doctoral students across all colleges. No preconceived scheme can detail the handling of every circumstance that arises in the operations of the Graduate Student Association.  The President, Vice President, and members are charged to follow these procedures as closely as possible.  They should deal with exceptions not covered by this document according to their best judgment and suggest any modifications of the procedures to improve the structure and governance of the Graduate Student Association as needed.

Members of the GSA executive board shall be recruited via the graduate assistantship process. This includes sending the position description and request for applications to the appropriate college deans and graduate program directors, promoting the position on social media, and posting the position on the university student opportunity recruitment website (currently, Handshake). The candidate will undergo a phone screening and interview process performed by current executive board members. An additional interview will be with the Associate Dean/ Dean of Graduate Studies. After review and discussion of each candidate by the current executive board, the new GSA executive board member shall be appointed by the Associate Dean/ Dean of Graduate Studies. The President of the GSA shall be a current executive board member who volunteers to run for election to be instated for the following term. Towson University graduate students shall vote on the Presidential candidates through an electronic voting system in the Spring semester. The candidate who receives the most votes shall be declared the GSA President and begin their presidency in the following semester. 

Section 2.

The Dean and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies shall be an ex-Officio, non-voting member of the executive board. The position also serves as the GSA faculty advisor.

Section 3.

The executive board meets with the Dean of Graduate Studies at least twice monthly during the Fall and Spring terms to present a progress report detailing the accomplishments of the GSA and discuss plans for the following week.

ARTICLE IV. Duties of Officers

 Section 1.

The President shall be the chief executive officer of the GSA. The President shall preside at all open and executive board meetings and shall act as official spokesperson for the GSA and student members. The President, in consultation with the Vice Presidents, shall appoint chairpersons to all non-standing committees. The President or his/her/their Vice President designees shall be a member ex-officio of all such committees. The executive board will coordinate all activities of the GSA and University committee assignments. The President shall perform all other duties usually incidental to the office of the President, which this constitution does not assign to another officer.

The duties and responsibilities of the President will include the following:

  • Determine and formulate agenda items for GSA meetings taking into consideration the full board鈥檚 recommendations

  • Coordinate the distribution of responsibilities and duties for the GSA among the other Board members

  • Attend and represent graduate students鈥� interests and needs on university committees

  • Serve as spokesperson on GSA and University events (including graduate student orientation, university committees, and commencement ceremonies)

  • Request finances for GSA Events/Activities and collaborate with Graduate Students Office on the allocation of funds
  • Monitor the working condition of all GSA supplies, equipment and office space and report concerns to Office of Graduate Studies
  • Oversee all GSA activities (working closely with each executive board member)
  • Communicate updates regularly to the Dean of Graduate Studies
  • Act as liaison on behalf of the GSA to academic colleges and University Offices
  • Hold office hours at the minimum of five (5) hours per week. Time Commitment on average is ten (10) hours per week.

Due to the additional organizational and administrative responsibilities of the GSA President, they shall be eligible to receive a higher level of compensation than other members of the executive board. The level of compensation will be negotiated and decided upon by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Section 2.

One of the Vice Presidents shall be elected by the Executive Board to assume the office of the President if for any reason the office becomes vacant prior to an election. The Vice Presidents shall perform all duties the president and executive board assign him/her/them in the administration of the GSA, including attendance at assigned university committee meetings.

The duties and responsibilities of the members of the Executive Board will include the following:

  • Assume responsibilities of the President, when the President is unable to carry out his/her/their duties
  • Assist with approval and management of graduate assistant research, travel, and professional development awards
  • Plan and coordinate special events such as graduate student orientation, workshops, and social activities
  • Promote GSA events and functions 
  • Attend and represent graduate students鈥� interests and needs on university committees
  • Develop, monitor, and expand use of GSA website and social media accounts
  • Identify and establish relationships with vendors and university offices for different events (workshops, cookouts, and networking events)
  • Record minutes at all meetings
  • Develop and disseminate the Graduate Student newsletter
  • Guide students in forming graduate student organizations and clubs
  • Assist clubs in using allocated monies during the fiscal year
  • Act as liaison on behalf of the GSA with graduate programs
  • Establish and maintain working relationships with SGA and Student Affairs to promote graduate student needs and interests within the larger student body
  • Host Graduate Student Social twice yearly
  • Facilitate organization of and meetings for the Graduate Assistant Advisory Council
  • meet and confer meeting for Teaching/Research/Graduate Assistants yearly
  • Support the Fall & Spring Open House recruitment events
  • Collaborate with University Admissions and University Marketing in graduate student recruitment and marketing initiatives
  • Hold office hours at the minimum of five (5) hours per week. Time commitment on average will be ten (10) hours per week

Article V. ASSIGNMENT/ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1.

The Vice Presidents for the GSA will be appointed via the process described in Article III. The President of the GSA will be a current Vice President who volunteers to run for candidacy in a Spring election. They will be chosen through an election process in which all fee-paying graduate students may place one vote for their chosen candidate. 

Section 2. 

Below is an outline of the campaigning and election process for executive board members that are interested in running for GSA President:

  •  Send an official announcement to the Dean of Graduate Studies stating interest in the position
  • The current GSA President and those interested in running for election must coordinate a mandatory meeting to outline the roles and responsibilities of the President
  • Candidates interested in the position will create campaign materials to be distributed at university events, GSA weekly newsletters, and through GSA emails.
  • Campaigning will take place the week after Spring Break over the course of 5 days
  • Elections will take place the week following campaigns
  • The election will be held online through 鈥淚nvolved at TU鈥� (or Towson鈥檚 current student organization platform)
    • This platform is designed only for student and faculty use
    • Utilizing this platform will allow one vote per student
  • The new President will be announced via email and social media by 8 am the day after the polls close

The remaining five weeks of the semester will be dedicated for the selected President and outgoing President to do transitioning work/ training. The President鈥檚 term is one full year (Summer to Spring semester).

Section 3.

The current President of the GSA may run for reelection if they are able to commit to the position for a full academic year.

Article VI. MEETINGS

Section 1.

Meetings shall occur at least twice monthly between all executive board members and the Dean of Graduate Studies during the Fall and Spring terms.

Article VII. AMENDMENTS

Section 1.

Amendments to this constitution can be proposed by the executive board. The executive board is free to utilize any shared governance staff member if mentorship or guidance on amending the constitution is needed.