Official Documents

Article I—Name

The name of this organization shall be Graduate Student Council, abbreviated to GSC. The organization is a sanctioned university student organization at Texas Woman’s University. 

Article II—Objectives

The purposes for which the Council is organized are imbedded in its Mission Statement and Core Values: 

Section 1—Mission Statement

The Graduate Student Council is a multi-purpose organization designed to give graduate students a formal collective presence, to advise the Dean of the Graduate School and the Director of the Center for Student Development who serve as its official advisors, and to promote graduate student development. Thus, its purpose is to serve as a voice for all graduate students, to work in support of the core values of the council, and to advocate for graduate students’ concerns and ideas related to graduate education at Texas Woman’s University.

Section 2—Core Values

Advocacy - Creating a community that encourages intellectual curiosity, creative expression, collaboration, innovation, contributions of new knowledge, and developing respect for self and others through social responsibility, accountability and ethical behavior.
Community - Offering opportunities for networking and community creation among students, faculty and administrators; addressing graduate student issues; celebrating student successes;
Excellence - Committing to student individual and professional growth through lifelong learning, fostering the preparation of students for success and sustainability in careers, leadership, and service and promoting a strong student voice.

Article III—Responsibilities of the Council

The Graduate Student Council members’ responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Creating a Coalition. The Graduate Student Council creates a coalition amongst the graduate student body, serving academic and professional development needs.
2. Making Recommendations. The Graduate Student Council makes recommendations and provides feedback regarding graduate student issues to the Dean of the Graduate School who in turn corresponds with the Provost.
3. Disseminating Information. The Graduate Student Council disseminates information relating to activities and issues affecting graduate students.
4. Assisting the Dean of the Graduate School and the Center for Student Development as requested. 

Article IV—Membership

Section 1—Eligibility

Graduate students must be officially enrolled in the academic terms in which they serve and in “good standing” at Texas Woman’s University.

A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required of all officers.

Section 2—Membership/Non-Voting Member Criteria

All graduate students in active status at Texas Woman’s University are members of the Graduate Student Council. The executive board are voting members of the Graduate Student Council and the members can be a part of the discussion for decisions being made revolving Graduate Student Council.

Section 3— Elections

GSC President is an appointed position by the Executive Director of the Center for Student Development and the Dean of the Graduate School.

All officers are appointed via an application process by the President and Advisors.

Article V—Officers

Section 1—Officers

The officers of the Graduate Student Council comprise the Executive Board. The Executive Board will include the following elected officers: President, Vice President, Executive assistant, Chair of professional development, Chair of social media, Chair of events, Houston Representative, Dallas Representative. All council members will be required to attend all executive council meetings and large GSC events. The Executive Council of GSC will meet on a regular monthly basis.

Section 2— Responsibilities of officers

President

The President-Elect assumes the role of the President at the Pioneering Spirit Awards banquet.  The President’s responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Chairing the meetings of the Graduate Student Council.
2. Chairing the Graduate Student Council Executive Committee.
3. Preparing the agenda for the Graduate Student Council meetings and providing them to the Executive Assistant to communicate to the executive board and members. This should be done at least 3 days prior to meeting time.
4. Recruiting and nominating chairs and members of the various standing and ad hoc committees of the Graduate Student Council.
5. Representing graduate students in formal interaction with TWU administrators.
6. Representing graduate students on various university committees and at functions where appropriate, or appointing another officer/member in their place.
7. The President will be responsible for establishing a plan to ensure financial sustainability in conjunction with the organization’s advisor(s) and the Vice President of Sustainability.
8. Prepares the budget proposal for the December/January meeting of the Student Service Fee Committee and assists in the presentation of the budget to this committee in conjunction with the Vice President.
9. The President will seek out committee involvement opportunities for Graduate Student Council officers and members.
10. The President will be the point of contact and support for all officers. 

Vice President

Prepares and reports updates to the senate on the budget at each general meeting.

1. Serves as the lead officer at all GSC functions in the absence of the president.
2. Keeps all financial ledgers and receipts of all funds paid and received, submits all necessary paperwork to the appropriate offices, and assists committee chairs when funding is required.
3. Creates a budget proposal for social events (when necessary and as Council funding increases over time).
4. Attends monthly GSC Officer meetings and monthly general meetings.
5. Present monthly budget reports at GSC meetings.

Executive Assistant

1. Shall make and keep available a permanent record of all proceedings of the Executive Board, the Constitution, and minutes.
2. Shall post copies of the approved minutes of the Executive Board meetings for public viewing.
3. Responsible for all official correspondence of the Executive Board.
4. Assist Executive Board members with event planning logistics.
5. Attends monthly GSC Officer meetings and monthly general meetings.

Events Chair

1. Creating and facilitating at least one fundraising event per year with a focus on social, economic, or environmental issues.
2. Generating graduate student interest and involvement through events, email communications, and other initiatives.
3. Organizes Council socials and networking events.
4. Collaborate with the Professional Development Chair when necessary.
5. Attends monthly GSC Officer meetings and monthly general meetings.

Professional Development Chair

1. Researching and proposing possible advocacy initiatives to the General Assembly for voting at the beginning of each year, with the goal of selecting one year-long advocacy project.
2. Managing the work of the organization on the advocacy initiatives, creating a committee if necessary.
3. Updating the General Assembly monthly on the progress of the advocacy initiative.
4. Propose and facilitate the planning of at least two Professional Development Series events per semester
5. Collaborate with the Events Chair when necessary.
6. Attends monthly GSC Officer meetings and monthly general meetings.

Social Media Chair

1. Manage all social media accounts, posting event notices and relevant information and responding to messages
2. Creates a social/networking calendar for the Council
3. Serves as the primary point of contact for Pioneer Engage
4. Work with officers to generate interest in events, create event pages, and facilitate any other social media-related tasks
5. Attends monthly GSC Officer meetings and monthly general meetings.

Houston & Dallas Campus Chairs

1. Responsible for promoting and supporting the continued interrelationships between graduate students across TWU’s campuses.
2. Promoting representation of the respective campus on the Graduate Student Council at council meetings and GSC events.
3. Seeking input on graduate student matters from students, staff and faculty on the respective campus and relaying this information to the Graduate Student Council.
4. Establishing and executing GSC events on the respective campus.

Section 3 — Disciplinary Procedures

1. Officers may be removed from their respective position for non-compliance of university policies and procedures, non participation in GSC events and meetings, or failure to uphold the job responsibilities.
2. Members will be notified in writing of their removal after a verbal and written warning process. The individual member will have the opportunity to speak to other officers at their next board meeting to discuss actions.

ARTICLE VI— Meetings

Section 1—Regular Meetings

The Graduate Student Council meets seven times per year, September, October, November, January, February, March, and April. All meetings are open to all graduate students.

Section 2—Special Meetings

The President may call special meetings as needed including during the summer session. At least 5 working days’ notice should be given unless an emergency situation does not permit.

Section 3—Quorum

A simple majority of the Senate of the Graduate Student Council (or of the Executive Council of the Graduate Student Council when applicable) present constitutes quorum

Section 4—Standard Agenda

The Standard Agenda below is distributed to Graduate Student Council members. Items for the Agenda must be submitted to the President at least seven (7) calendar days before the regular monthly meetings. All appointed and elected individuals of the Graduate Student Council are expected to provide a progress report at the monthly General Assembly and Executive Council meetings.

Section 5—Minutes

The minutes of the regular meetings are taken by the Executive Assistant and posted to the Graduate Student Council’s website.

Section 6 — Meeting with Advisors

To ensure proper organization and following Texas Woman’s University policies:

1. The Executive Board meets one week prior to each general meeting or as needed.
2. The President meets with Advisors bi-weekly or as needed.
   
   1. Advisors will meet with the President bi-weekly to discuss relevant issues regarding GSC.
   2. Advisors may attend monthly meetings, events, and workshops as needed.
   3. Advisors will work with the executive board to ensure all policies and procedures are being followed.
   4. Advisors will guide executive board members with all fiduciary responsibilities, including budgeting, fundraising, and student service fee hearings.

Section 7— General Meetings

General meetings are held monthly.

ARTICLE VII— Amendment of the Constitution

Amendments may be proposed by any member or officer of GSC by submitting the proposed amendment to the executive board. Upon receipt of a proposed amendment, the executive board shall schedule at least one session open for students to come and speak  in the issue. The executive board shall also announce the date upon which the proposed amendment shall be called for vote. The proposed amendment may be modified or accepted by a majority vote of the executive board.

ARTICLE VIII—Dissolution

The Texas Woman’s University Graduate Student Council may be dissolved only if two-thirds of its members recommend dissolution to the Dean of the Graduate School who must approve the recommendation.

ARTICLE IX—Not-for-profit Statement

This is a not-for-profit organization.

ARTICLE X—Statement of Non-discrimination

This organization shall not discriminate on the basis of age, color, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, national origin, disability or handicap, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. This policy will include, but is not limited to, recruiting, membership, organization activities or opportunities to hold office.

ARTICLE XI—Statement of Non-Hazing

This organization will not engage in hazing, participate in hazing, or commit any act that causes or is likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to any fellow student or person attending the  institution.

ARTICLE XII—Statement of Compliance with Campus Regulations

This organization shall comply with all University and campus policies and regulations and local, state, and federal laws.

ARTICLE XIII—Financial Information
This organization’s finances are managed by the Center for Student Development. Funding is allocated to the organization from grants and fundraisers sponsored by organization members. The organization also has a set budget from allocated funding within the Center of Student Development’s overall budget.