GSA Constitution

• Article I: NAME
• Article II: PURPOSE
• Article III: MEMBERSHIP
• Article IV: OFFICERS
• Article V: MEETINGS
• Article VI: UNIVERSITY ADVISORS
• Article VII: ADMENDMENTS
• Article VIII: RATIFICATION

The name of the organization shall be the University of Cincinnati College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services Graduate Student Association (CECH GSA). 

The purpose of the CECH GSA is to serve as the official Graduate Student Government body in the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology and to serve as that body which considers matters of concern to graduate students.

3.1 There shall be three (3) classes of members: voting, non-voting, and honorary.

3.2 Voting membership shall be open to the CECH GSA Officers listed in Article IV.

3.3 Non-voting membership shall be open to any graduate student, faculty member, or member of the administrative staff in the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology.

3.4 Honorary membership shall be open to any person in the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology, elected to such membership by vote of majority of the voting members.

3.5 There shall be no non-voting and honorary membership limit on the size of the CECH GSA. The CECH GSA Officers are limited to those in Article IV.

4.1 The officers of the CECH GSA shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Distance Learning Representative, and Special Committee Chair(s).

4.2 Each officer shall be a voting member of CECH GSA and a matriculating graduate student achieving and maintaining a 2.000 semester grade point average. Graduate students must be in good standing within the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology.

4.3 All officers serve for a term of one (1) year, or until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified.

4.4 Any officer who, during the term of their office, ceases to be a voting member, does not adequately fulfill the required Officer duties, fails to maintain their status as a matriculating graduate student maintaining a 2.000 semester grade point average, or fails to remain in good academic standing with the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology shall be removed from their office and a replacement shall be elected thereto. Officer duties are listed in CECH GSA Bylaws Section 1.

5.1 Regular meetings of the CECH GSA shall be held at a minimum of once per month, the time for such meetings shall be determined by the Executive Board.

5.2 Special meetings of the CECH GSA may be called at any time by any member of the Executive Board. Requests for special meeting should be submitted one week in advance of the meeting, unless the CECH GSA Executive Board wishes to waive this one week requirement.

6.1 The CECH GSA shall have a University Advisor (further known as CECH GSA Advisor) who shall be a full-time member of the University faculty, staff, or administration. The CECH GSA Advisor shall be selected by the Executive Board.

7.1 Amendments to the Constitution of the CECH GSA may be proposed by any voting member and shall be voted upon at the next meeting of the CECH GSA following a notice of such proposed amendment to the voting members. Such notice shall be given within one week of the time any such amendment is proposed. The Executive Board has the option to waive the one-week period.

7.2 Amendments to this Constitution shall be the affirmative vote of majority (50% + 1) of all voting members and with the approval of the appropriate governing board.

8.1 Majority of the CECH GSA voting members (50% +1) is required to ratify the CECH GSA Constitution.

• Section I: STUDENT OFFICERS
• Section II: ELECTION
• Section III: EXECUTIVE BOARD
• Section IV: UNIVERSITY ADVISOR
• Section V: SPECIAL COMMITTEES
• Section VI: MEETINGS
• Section VII: REVENUE
• Section VIII: DISCIPLINE
• Section IX: IMPEACHMENT
• Section X: VACANCY OF OFFICE
• Section XI: RULES OF ORDER
• Section XII: AMENDMENTS OF BY-LAWS
• Section XIII: NON-HAZING CLAUSE
• Section XIV: NON-DISCRIMINATION CLAUSE 
• Section XV: DISSOLUTION CLAUSE 

All Executive Board Officers, as defined below, shall abide by all policies and guidelines of the University of Cincinnati and their duties listed below in these Bylaws. All Executive Board members are to be designated as a Graduate Student Government (GSG) Representative. One of the CECH GSA voting members is required to serve on a GSG Committee. The President will appoint one voting member to serve.

To be considered an active Registered Student Organization, the CECH GSA must have a President and a Treasurer. If no CECH Graduate Student fulfills this requirement, then the CECH GSA is to be dissolved for the following AY.

Section 1.A: President

1. The President shall be the Executive Officer of the CECH GSA and shall preside over the meetings of the organization. They shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees, if formed.
2. The President shall attend Graduate Student Government (GSG) General Assemblies (GA). If they are unable to attend a GA, the President is to appoint another CECH GSA Voting Member to attend on their behalf.
3. The President will delegate all tasks not specific to an Officer duty upon their discussion.
4. The President shall work with the Executive Board to host internal CECH events. The President shall delegate all related tasks to Executive Board officers.
5. The President shall work with the GSG Executive Board to host shared events and stay up to date on important changes within the University of Cincinnati.
6. The President shall work with the Treasurer to maintain a budget and any financial expenditures.
7. The President shall send emergency updates to the CECH Graduate Student listserv.
8. The President shall run the elections for the following AY, unless running for that AY. If the President is running for an Executive Board decision for the following AY, the Vice President shall take on this responsibility.
   1. The election duties are as follows: Send a ‘Call for Nominations’ email to the listserv with a JotForm for submissions.
   2. Run the election (in-person or virtual).
   3. Once elections are completed, the President shall update: (1) UC CECH GSA website, (2) UC CECH GSA GetInvolvedUC membership, and (3) UC CECH GSA shared email inbox access.
9. The President shall attend the GSG Officer Training at the beginning of the AY.

Section 1.B: Vice-President:

1. The Vice President, in the absence of the President, shall preside over all CECH GSA meetings.
2. The Vice President shall perform duties delegated to them by the President, unless unable to. The Vice President shall delegate these unfulfilled duties to the other Executive Board members.
3. The Vice President shall record meeting minutes of the CECH GSA if a secretary is not elected.
4. The Vice President shall act as a social media spokesperson and maintain all social media accounts of the CECH GSA alongside the Secretary and Distance Learning Representative.
5. The Vice President shall attend GSG General Assemblies if the President appoints them to.
6. The Vice President shall help the Executive Board plan any internal CECH events.

Section 1.C: Treasurer

1. The Treasurer shall oversee all financial expenditures of the CECH GSA.
2. The Treasurer shall submit all forms to the GSG required for reimbursement.
3. The Treasurer shall attend GSG Officer Training at the beginning of the AY.
4. The Treasurer shall complete a Final Report of all expenditures of the CECH GSA. This report is to be sent to the CECH GSA Advisor and to the GSG upon request.
5. The Treasurer shall report spending to the CECH GSA during their monthly meetings.

Section 1.D: Distance Learning Representative (DLR)

1. The DLR maintains communications between distance learning graduate students in CECH.
2. The DLR will organize events tailored to distance learning graduate students in CECH.
3. The DLR will act as a social media liaison to students and the CECH GSA Executive Board.

Section 1.E: Secretary

1. The Secretary shall record meting minuts for all CECH GSA monthly meetings.
2. The Secretary shall run all CECH GSA social media for all graduate students other than those who are distance learners (online graduate students).

Section 1.F: Special Committee Chair(s)

1. The Special Committee Chair can be comprised of the outgoing CECH GSA Officers , if elected, to help transition the new Executive Board.
2. The Special Committee Chair shall serve as support for the Executive Board, in a less demanding role, for purposes of fulfilling good standing with the GSG.
3. The Special Committee Chair will ensure that the GSA remains in good standing with the University of Cincinnati and the GSG.

2.1 Elections for the forthcoming academic year (AY) will be held before the last week of the Spring Semester. Any standing member of the present Executive Board that wishes to stand for election should express interest upon submitting their Call for Nomination.

2.2 Officer-designates and CECH GSA Advisor shall work with the existing Executive Committee during the rest of the spring semester and summer semester. They shall take office before the beginning of the Fall semester.

2.3 Elected Officers are determined by a majority vote (50% + 1) of the previous Executive Board. This majority vote should not include any Executive Board members that are running for Office in any position other than Special Committee Chair.

2.4 Individuals should only run for Office if they are going to be a matriculating graduate student in CECH GSA for the entire AY.

3.1 The CECH GSA Executive Board shall be composed of the elected officers of the CECH GSA and the CECH GSA Advisor.

3.2 The Executive Board shall determine the policies and activities of the CECH GSA, discipline members, approve the budget, and have general management of the CECH GSA.

3.3 The Executive Board shall meet regularly at least once each month.

3.4 If the outgoing President will be a matriculating graduate student the following AY, they shall be granted the opportunity to be a voting member of the CECH GSA Executive Board as long as they (1) are a full/part-time graduate student enrolled in CECH (2) hold a 2.000 semester grade point average, and (3) are in good academic standing in CECH.

3.5 The Executive Board will be responsible for disbursement of funds in accordance with University policy.

4.1 The University Advisor (CECH GSA Advisor) shall consult with the CECH GSA Executive Board and support them with any concerns throughout the AY.

4.2 The CECH GSA Advisor shall grant approval for all off-campus activities in which students formally represent the organization, such as conventions, meetings, etc.

4.3 The CECH GSA Advisor is required to file an official certification of academic standing of the organization officers with the Student Activities and Programming Office (340 TUC). Certifications are due each semester.

4.4 The CECH GSA Advisor will sponsor any programs that utilize off- campus speakers.

4.5 The CECH GSA Advisor will collaborate with the CECH GSA Treasurer for reporting financial expenditures within the official means.

5.1 Special Committees may be established by the Executive Board and shall perform such duties as defined in their establishment.

5.2 The Executive Board shall appoint, and may remove, committee members and a chairperson for each committee.

5.3 Special Committees are not required to be formed, but can be formed if needed.

6.1 Meetings shall be held at such places as determined by the Executive Board. These meetings can be held in-person or virtually.

6.2 The CECH GSA meeting dates shall be posted to the CECH GSA Teams channel at least two weeks before the meeting.

6.3 At all meetings, a quorum shall be one-half (1/2) of the voting members of the CECH GSA. Quorum is required for any voting.

7.1 Revenue may be raised as determined by the Executive Board and approved by the CECH GSA, GSG, and the University.

7.2 The disbursement of said revenue shall be determined by the CECH GSA and should be in accordance with University Policies.

8.1 Any member may be expelled from CECH GSA membership by a majority (50%+1) vote by the Executive Board members.

8.2 Any student whose membership in the CECH GSA has been terminated in any manner shall forfeit all interest in any funds or other property belonging to the CECH GSA and may not use the organization's name in connection with any further activities.

8.3 Appeal process: Any member whose membership in the CECH GSA has been terminated by vote of the Executive Board may appeal their expulsion, in writing, and within two weeks of the Executive Board's decision to terminate the graduate student. If the expulsion is upheld by the governing board, the student may appeal to the Student Activities and Programming Office, in writing, and within two weeks of the governing board's action.

9.1 Any Officer of CECH GSA may be impeached by the following process.

(a) Petition to impeach the officer shall be signed by 1/3 of all voting members and state the reason for removal.

(b) The Executive Board shall notify officers and call for an impeachment vote within fourteen days of filing the petition.

(c) Membership shall be notified at least one week prior to the impeachment meeting.

(d) At the meeting for removal, the petition's stated grievances shall be made public and the officer charged shall be allowed to respond to the charges of the petition.

(e) Impeachment shall require a vote of 2/3 of all voting members.

10.1 In case of resignation or removal of any officer, an interim acting officer shall be appointed by the Executive Board.

10.2 The President shall call for an election within fourteen days after vacancy of office.

10.3 Election shall be conducted as stated in the by-laws.

10.4 Should the office of President become vacant, the Vice President should complete the President’s unexpired term and call for an election of the new Vice President.

“Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised” shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by these by-laws.

12.1 Amendments to these By-Laws may be proposed by any Officer and shall be voted upon at the next meeting of the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services Graduate Student Association (CECH GSA) following notice of such proposed amendment to the voting members. Notice shall be given to voting members within one week of the the proposed amendment, unless waived by the Executive Board.

12.2 Amendments to these By-Laws shall be by the affirmative vote of majority (50% +1) of all voting members and with the approval of the College Senate.

13.1 The laws of the state of Ohio and the University of Cincinnati policies concerning hazing shall be observed.

13.2 The University prohibits discrimination and harassment in any of its activities, programs, admissions, or employment on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, military status (including veteran status), national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), parental status (including status as a nursing mother and status as a foster parent), pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law (each a “protected class”).

13.3 Actions and activities, which are explicitly prohibited, include, but shall not be limited to the following:

(a) Any activity that creates a substantial risk of physical or mental harm.

(b) Paddling, beating, or hitting individuals.

(c) Wearing anything designed to be degrading or to cause discomfort.

(d) Depriving individuals of the opportunity to obtain a minimum of six hours of sleep per day, proper and adequate means, or access to means, of maintaining body cleanliness.

(e) Activities that interfere with an individual’s academic efforts by causing exhaustion of loss of reasonable study time.

14.1 The laws of the state of Ohio and the University of Cincinnati policies concerning discrimination shall be observed.

14.2 Set forth that the organization will abide by the laws and policies concerning hazing.

(a) Non-Hazing: Hazing is intolerable and presents a serious risk to the health and safety of students. University of Cincinnati prohibits hazing as set forth in the Anti-Hazing Policy and the laws of the state of Ohio. RSOs must review and comply with Anti-Hazing Policy.  A complete copy of the policy may be found at University Board rule 40-5-06 Conduct, rights and responsibilities: anti-hazing policy. The Anti-Hazing Policy applies to all members of the University community, including RSOs, students seeking to register as a RSO, and other student groups, including but not limited to athletic teams, spirit groups, military organizations, honor societies, fraternities and sororities, musical or theatrical ensembles, bands, and clubs.

(b) Anti-Discrimination: The University prohibits discrimination and harassment in any of its activities, programs, admissions, or employment on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, military status (including veteran status), national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), parental status (including status as a nursing mother and status as a foster parent), pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law (each a “protected class”).

15.1 In case of dissolution of the organization and liquidation of its affairs, any money or other assets remaining after the payment of all obligations shall be distributed in accordance with the provisions of disbursement statement of these By-Laws.