Constitution Of The BioSciences Graduate Society

  • Article I - Name

    The name of this organization is "BioScience Graduate Society" abbreviated "BSGS" for all informal buisness transactions. The name can only be changed by majority vote at the first meeting of the fall semester.

  • Article II - Purpose

    It shall be the purpose of this organization to promote social and professional interaction between the biology and biochemistry graduate students and to report concerns or suggestions of the graduate student population to the appropriate authority.

  • Article III - Affiliations

    This organization is supported and affiliated with the Department of Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Houston.

  • Article IV - Membership

    • Section 1

      Membership of this organization shall consist only of currently enrolled University of Houston graduate students.

    • Section 2

      Each graduate student of the Department of Biology and Biochemistry, regardless of degree objective, is a member of this organization upon entering the program. It is his/her choice whether or not to actively participate in organization functions.

    • Section 3

      Membership in this organization will not be based on race, handicap, age, gender, color, creed, religion, political persuasion, sexual orientation or national origin.

    • Section 4

      Members will pay no dues to the organization.

  • Article V - Officers

    • Section 1

      Officers of this organization shall consist of the following:
      • President
        Duties include:
        Attending official departmental, college and university meeting where graduate student participation is requested.
        Overseeing meetings of the BSGS.
        Organizing BSGS-sponsored departmental events.
        Facilitating communication between graduate students and the faculty/staff.
      • Vice President
        Duties include:
        Assisting with presidential duties when needed.
        Organizing BSGS-sponsored social events.
        Assuming the above duties in the absence of the President.
      • Secretary
        Duties include:
        Assisting with presidential duties when needed.
        Completing official paperwork.
        Taking meeting minutes.
        Designing and posting organization announcements.
        Assuming the above duties in the absence of the President and Vice President.
      • Treasurer
        Duties include:
        Maintaining bank account and records.
        Collecting, counting and depositing money earned.
        Reimbursing members for items purchased for the use by the BSGS.
        Assuming the above duties in the absence of the other officers.
      • Sports Coordinator
        Duties include:
        Organizing BSGS sports activities and events.
        Assuming the above duties in the absence of the other officers.
      • Webmaster
        Duties include:
        Designing, updating and maintaining the website.
        Posting news.
        Assuming the above duties in the absence of the other officers.

    • Section 2

      Each officer of this organization must be a currently enrolled, full-time graduate student in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry. Officers must have at least a 3.0 grade point average and be in good academic standing with the university. No student shall hold office in his/her first semester.

    • Section 3

      Each officer holds a term of one year beginning on June 1. Officers can only hold one office per year. There is no term limit on any office.

  • Article VI - Election

    • Section 1

      Nominations and elections of the officers will occur during the last two weeks of May. The current secretary will see to it that the graduate student population is informed of meetings, voting times and locations by posting flyers in common areas, placing flyers in student mailboxes and emailing students at least one week before the meeting. A reminder email will be sent two days prior to the meeting.

    • Section 2

      If an officer is removed from office a new officer will be nominated and elected at the next official meeting. This meeting will be announced in the same fashion as the initial election meeting. The new officer will hold office until the end of the original semester.

    • Section 3

      Nominations for each office will be accepted by members present at the nomination meeting. Each nomination must be seconded by another member and approved by the nominee. Members will be permitted to run for multiple offices in one election. Once nominations have been completed for each office, nominees will be given the option of giving a short speech. Elections will be held within one week of the nomination meeting. Two voting station, one in SRII and one in HSC, will be manned by current officers on election day. Voting will be done by secret ballots that will be collected in a sealed box. Each graduate student in the department will be allowed one vote. Once voting has closed for the day the current president and any member not nominated shall count the ballot. The candidate with the majority of the votes wins. In the case of a tie the highest elected official from the election breaks the tie. If one person receives the majority vote for more than one office, that person shall have the opportunity to choose which office he/she would prefer. Once ballots have been counted and offices determined, the current president should announce the result of the election by email to all faculty, staff and graduate students in the department.

  • Article VII - Meetings

    • Section 1

      Regular meetings will be held on an as needed basis throughout the year. The current secretary will notify members through posted flyers, flyers in mailboxes and email of meeting times and places at least one week in advance with a reminder email two days prior to the meeting.

    • Section 2

      Special meetings may be called any time by the approval of three presiding officers. Members will be notified at least three days in advance of the meeting by the same routes listed above.

    • Section 3

      Every official meeting will be considered a business conducting meeting. All members present will have a vote regarding official business. Any member not present must make arrangements with an officer prior to the meeting in order to be involved in business making decisions.

  • Article VIII - Executive Board

    • Section 1

      The executive board will consist of all elected officers, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Sports Coordinator and Webmaster.

    • Section 2

      The executive board will have the power to make executive decisions regarding the organization when a meeting is not necessary or there is not enough time to give members proper notice.

    • Section 3

      There shall be one faculty advisor who shall be a member ex officio with no voting privileges.

    • Section 4

      The faculty advisor will be the associate chair for graduate affairs, as appointed by the department. If a conflict arises between the organization and the faculty advisor, he/she can be replaced via the same method as officer replacement.

    • Section 5

      Duties of the faculty advisor include assisting in the organization of departmental events and voicing graduate student concerns to the faculty.

  • Article IX - Parliamentary Authority

    Standard procedures for conducting business will be informal unless conflict dictates a formal approach be taken. All business decisions will be made at official meetings by majority vote. Any member can bring an order of business to attention at any meeting and this business will be discussed and acted upon as necessary.

  • Article X - Amendment of Constitution

    The constitution may be revised by an officer of the BSGS with the authorization of the executive board. If drastic revisions are necessary which affect the organization as a whole they must first be approved by majority vote at an official meeting and then authorized by the executive board.