CONSTITUTION FOR BIOLOGY GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
ARTICLE I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the Biology Graduate Student Association (BGSA) of Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). It is a graduate student organization of FIT and will abide by all university policies and standards as stated in the current General Catalogue and all other official publications.
ARTICLE II: Nature and Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to create a social group for graduate level students in the biological sciences. The organization shall provide an interaction between students to talk in confidence with other students without the pressures of faculty and staff involvement. The organization will allow for collaboration among developing students. The organization will also attempt to reach out to the surrounding communities to inform them of the research and progress in scientific knowledge that is accomplished at Florida Institute of Technology.
The nature of the Biology Graduate Student Association is exclusively educational within the mean of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It shall not engage in activities not permitted of a 501(c)(3) organization or in organizational contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of that code or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Review Law. No part of its net earnings shall insure to the benefit of its members, officers, or other private persons, except that it may pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and make distributions in furtherance of its purpose. No substantial part of the organization’s activities shall involve political propaganda or campaigns, or the attempt to influence legislation.
ARTICLE III: Membership
Section 1: Qualifications
Membership shall not be excluded by, nor shall it exclude from, membership in any other social, academic, or fraternal organization. Membership shall not be restricted by race, sex, age, religion, creed, or national origin. Membership shall be open to all enrolled graduate students within the Department of Biological Sciences. Members must abide by all policies set forth by both the Department of Biological Sciences and Florida Institute of Technology. The scholastic requirements of members are those required for students to be actively enrolled in the graduate programs of the Department of Biological Sciences. No dues or fees are required of members.
Section 2: Standards and Status
Members are considered to have the scholastic standards of membership if the qualifications for active enrolment in the graduate programs of the Department of Biological Sciences are maintained.
ARTICLE IV: Officers
Section 1: Qualifications and Terms
Only active members in good standing as defined by the policies set forth by the Department of Biological Science shall be eligible for office within the organization. The terms of office for all appointed officials shall begin the day of their appointment and span the length of their tenure at FIT.
Section 2: Duties
All presiding officers shall divide the following duties amongst themselves:
Setting the date for all meetings, appointing members to chair committees (such as publicity, field trips, organizations, and guest speakers), archival of organization records, keep a list of all members, update the website of the organization, keep and maintain accurate minutes of all meetings and necessary records, and distribute minutes and records to all active members, handle all organizational correspondence, keep and maintain all financial records of the organization, and give a financial report at every meeting of the organization.
Section 3: Additional Officers
If additional officers are needed, they shall be appointed by the current officers.
Section 4: Appointment of Officers
Officers shall be appointed by their predecessors. Should an officer choose to step down prior to their graduation, they shall be in charge of recommending a successor in a timely fashion. However, the final decision of appointing an officer must come from the existing officers.
Appointment of officers will also occur as needed to replace officers that are graduating. The current officer(s) shall appoint a successor from the existing pool of members. Only active members that have completed one full semester of graduate coursework can be appointed to office. To be appointed, a member must be nominated by their predecessor, and subsequently receive the approval of the remaining officers. All nominations must be submitted and accepted by three (3) weeks prior to the end of term.
Section 5: Impeachment and Office Vacancies
Any officer may be removed from their position due to negligence of duty, inefficiency in office, or any other action that is considered detrimental to the name or purpose of the organization. Impeachment proceedings begin with a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the other officers. A written notice of intent must be sent to the officer asking for resignation and stating the reasons for the request. If the officer in question refuses to resign or does not respond, the other officers must delineate the charges against the accused at the next chapter meeting. A vote by secret ballot will be taken with all ballots being certified as those of active members. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of active members is required.
If a vacancy in an office occurs, nominations to fill the vacancy must be completed by the following general meeting of the organization.
ARTICLE V: Faculty Advisor
The Faculty Advisor shall be a member of the faculty or staff of the Department of Biological Sciences and shall serve in an advisory capacity to the organization.
ARTICLE VI: Meetings
Regular meetings shall be held every semester, with the days being appointed in advance each semester. Special meetings may be called by the officers as needed for which prior announcements shall be put forth. Only the business for which the special meeting is called will be transacted.
ARTICLE VII: Amendments
Proposed amendments to this constitution must be submitted in writing prior to the meeting at which voting wpill occur. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of active members is required to pass amendments. Proposed changes must be submitted in writing to all active members no less than one (1) week prior to the meeting during which such changes will be voted upon.
ARTICLE I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the Biology Graduate Student Association (BGSA) of Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). It is a graduate student organization of FIT and will abide by all university policies and standards as stated in the current General Catalogue and all other official publications.
ARTICLE II: Nature and Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to create a social group for graduate level students in the biological sciences. The organization shall provide an interaction between students to talk in confidence with other students without the pressures of faculty and staff involvement. The organization will allow for collaboration among developing students. The organization will also attempt to reach out to the surrounding communities to inform them of the research and progress in scientific knowledge that is accomplished at Florida Institute of Technology.
The nature of the Biology Graduate Student Association is exclusively educational within the mean of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It shall not engage in activities not permitted of a 501(c)(3) organization or in organizational contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of that code or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Review Law. No part of its net earnings shall insure to the benefit of its members, officers, or other private persons, except that it may pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and make distributions in furtherance of its purpose. No substantial part of the organization’s activities shall involve political propaganda or campaigns, or the attempt to influence legislation.
ARTICLE III: Membership
Section 1: Qualifications
Membership shall not be excluded by, nor shall it exclude from, membership in any other social, academic, or fraternal organization. Membership shall not be restricted by race, sex, age, religion, creed, or national origin. Membership shall be open to all enrolled graduate students within the Department of Biological Sciences. Members must abide by all policies set forth by both the Department of Biological Sciences and Florida Institute of Technology. The scholastic requirements of members are those required for students to be actively enrolled in the graduate programs of the Department of Biological Sciences. No dues or fees are required of members.
Section 2: Standards and Status
Members are considered to have the scholastic standards of membership if the qualifications for active enrolment in the graduate programs of the Department of Biological Sciences are maintained.
ARTICLE IV: Officers
Section 1: Qualifications and Terms
Only active members in good standing as defined by the policies set forth by the Department of Biological Science shall be eligible for office within the organization. The terms of office for all appointed officials shall begin the day of their appointment and span the length of their tenure at FIT.
Section 2: Duties
All presiding officers shall divide the following duties amongst themselves:
Setting the date for all meetings, appointing members to chair committees (such as publicity, field trips, organizations, and guest speakers), archival of organization records, keep a list of all members, update the website of the organization, keep and maintain accurate minutes of all meetings and necessary records, and distribute minutes and records to all active members, handle all organizational correspondence, keep and maintain all financial records of the organization, and give a financial report at every meeting of the organization.
Section 3: Additional Officers
If additional officers are needed, they shall be appointed by the current officers.
Section 4: Appointment of Officers
Officers shall be appointed by their predecessors. Should an officer choose to step down prior to their graduation, they shall be in charge of recommending a successor in a timely fashion. However, the final decision of appointing an officer must come from the existing officers.
Appointment of officers will also occur as needed to replace officers that are graduating. The current officer(s) shall appoint a successor from the existing pool of members. Only active members that have completed one full semester of graduate coursework can be appointed to office. To be appointed, a member must be nominated by their predecessor, and subsequently receive the approval of the remaining officers. All nominations must be submitted and accepted by three (3) weeks prior to the end of term.
Section 5: Impeachment and Office Vacancies
Any officer may be removed from their position due to negligence of duty, inefficiency in office, or any other action that is considered detrimental to the name or purpose of the organization. Impeachment proceedings begin with a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the other officers. A written notice of intent must be sent to the officer asking for resignation and stating the reasons for the request. If the officer in question refuses to resign or does not respond, the other officers must delineate the charges against the accused at the next chapter meeting. A vote by secret ballot will be taken with all ballots being certified as those of active members. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of active members is required.
If a vacancy in an office occurs, nominations to fill the vacancy must be completed by the following general meeting of the organization.
ARTICLE V: Faculty Advisor
The Faculty Advisor shall be a member of the faculty or staff of the Department of Biological Sciences and shall serve in an advisory capacity to the organization.
ARTICLE VI: Meetings
Regular meetings shall be held every semester, with the days being appointed in advance each semester. Special meetings may be called by the officers as needed for which prior announcements shall be put forth. Only the business for which the special meeting is called will be transacted.
ARTICLE VII: Amendments
Proposed amendments to this constitution must be submitted in writing prior to the meeting at which voting wpill occur. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of active members is required to pass amendments. Proposed changes must be submitted in writing to all active members no less than one (1) week prior to the meeting during which such changes will be voted upon.