Constitution

Article I

Name of Organization

• The name of this organization shall be the Graduate Student Association (GSA) of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), hereinafter referred to as “GSA” or “the GSA.”

Article II

Mission

• To support, promote and represent all graduate students at UMBC;

• To provide a forum for discussions of and recommendations on matters involving graduate students and their welfare at UMBC; and

• To provide opportunities for intellectual, professional and social development through grants, public presentation of research, graduate community events and campus service support.

Article III

Membership and Organization

• Membership in the GSA is extended to all students currently enrolled in graduate programs at UMBC, hereinafter referred to as “general membership.”

• The GSA shall consist of the Executive Council, the Senate, the Office of Graduate Student Life (OGSL), and the general membership. The voting membership shall consist of Executive Council members, Senate members and OGSL members.

• The GSA shall function in accordance with the UMBC Plan of Organization.

Article IV

Executive Council

• The Executive Council shall consist of the President, Vice President, Vice President for External Affairs, Treasurer, Historian, and Chair of Graduate Research Conference (GRC).

• The Executive Council is responsible for ensuring that the GSA mission statement is carried out in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws.

• The Executive Council is elected in accordance with the Bylaws.

Article V

Graduate Senate

• The Graduate Senate (hereinafter referred to as “Senate”) consists of a senator from each degree-granting graduate program at UMBC.

• The Senate is a governing body that serves as a voice for all graduate students at UMBC.

• Senators shall be selected in accordance with the Bylaws.

Article VI

Office of Graduate Student Life

• The OGSL consists of graduate assistants as defined in the Bylaws.

• The OGSL provides services to graduate students and support to the GSA.

Article VII

Meetings

• GSA meetings shall consist of, but not limited to, Senate meetings, Executive Council meetings and Standing Committee meetings.

• GSA meetings shall be held regularly during the academic year.

• Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised Edition, shall be the guide on parliamentary procedure at all GSA meetings.

• Senate meetings are open to the general membership.

• A quorum for all GSA meetings shall be defined as two-thirds (2/3) of the voting membership.

• On all voting matter except as noted in the Constitution or Bylaws, a motion shall be passed by a majority vote of a quorum.

Article VIII

Amendments

• If an amendment to the Constitution or Bylaws is proposed, a vote to adopt the amendment must be held at the next meeting of the Senate.

• A two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting membership is required to adopt the amendment.

Ratification

This Constitution, as revised, of the Graduate Student Association of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County is hereby adopted and ratified by the Graduate Senate by a majority vote on this Seventh day of March of 2005; as amended on this Sixth day of March of 2006.

UMBC Graduate Student Association
Mission Statement

“We represent the interests and concerns of all graduate students attending UMBC,
by providing them with a forum for discussions of and recommendations on matters involving graduate students and their welfare at UMBC