Graduate students create t-shirt designs outside on CSU campus

Mission

The mission of the Graduate Student Council is to foster a sense of worth and camaraderie among graduate students; to encourage and recognize that a diverse and inclusive student body strengthens our community; to listen to the needs and concerns of the graduate student body through representatives and amplify their voices to the Graduate School. Additionally, the GSC provides professional development and social opportunities, procures funds for graduate student organizations, and provides quarterly awards for supply and travel.

The GSC has developed long-standing and effective relationships with administrators to advance the interests and protect the rights of the graduate student body. The GSC is proud of its history of advocacy and will continue to act as a strong and unified proponent for graduate students at CSU.

Vision

Graduate students are embarking on an educational journey to prepare them for a long and successful career. We envision a diverse, enriching research and academic environment with mentors who foremost support the needs and future direction of students, and an administration that prioritizes the physical, mental, and social well-being of the graduate student body.

Constitution

Article I. Name and Purpose

Section 1. Name. This organization shall be known as the Graduate Student Council (“GSC”)

Section 2. Purpose. The Graduate Student Council represents and advocates for Colorado State University (CSU) graduate and professional students within the university and beyond. Our goal is to improve the experience of graduate education at CSU through:

representing graduate and professional students within the Associated Students of CSU (ASCSU), our campus-wide student government,
representing graduate and professional students on committees of Faculty Council, boards overseeing student fee areas, and other university committees,
advocating for the concerns of graduate and professional students beyond the university, to the state legislature and other bodies,
spending fee money allocated to the GSC by ASCSU and other entities for the benefit of graduate and professional students,
building relationships with university faculty and administrators to advocate for changes to policies, procedures, and programs that benefit graduate and professional students, and
bringing students from diverse graduate and professional programs together for the purposes of networking, collaboration, and advocacy on issues of common concern.

Article II. Membership and Meetings

Section 1. General membership. Active membership is open to all CSU graduate and professional students with the right to hold positions as in Article III. Associate membership is open to faculty and interested community partners outside of the University. Alumni membership is open to former CSU graduate and professional students who were active members of the GSC. Associate and alumni members may not vote or hold office. As a recognized student organization at Colorado State University, our organization shall not deny membership to any student on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy.

Section 2. Department representatives. The voting membership of the GSC will consist of representatives from each department (or intra-university program) which enrolls graduate or professional students, with two representative seats allocated to each department. Voting representatives or alternates, who may vote in the absence of their departments’ representative, shall be enrolled as a degree-seeking graduate student within the department or program they represent and shall be confirmed by a majority vote of the GSC. Membership as a representative shall continue indefinitely following approval, until a representative resigns, fails to meet the qualifications above, or is absent (without notice) from any two meetings in the same semester. Department representatives are expected to assist in at least one GSC event or effort per academic year.

Section 3. Meetings. The GSC shall hold at least one general meeting in each of the months of September through May, excepting January. General meeting dates shall be publicly announced at least one week in advance by the President to all active members including those holding positions under Article III. Special meetings may be called with at least 48 hours advance notice to all voting members by any three members of the Executive Committee.

Section 4. Quorum and Rules of Order. The quorum at general meetings shall consist of at least one voting representative or alternate from five of the colleges at CSU. If the quorum is not achieved at a meeting, those present may place the business on the agenda for the following meeting, and that business can be voted on at the following meeting even if the quorum is not met. Although only department representatives shall have voting rights, any other individual may attend meetings, speak in debate and discussion, and participate in all other activities of the GSC. Except as stated in this constitution, all meetings shall be held in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.

Section 5. Executive Committee. The executive committee, consisting of the GSC officers, shall meet at least once at the beginning of each semester as called by the President. The committee shall have full power to take action on behalf of the GSC, except that it shall not have the authority to appoint officers, and shall report all action taken between meetings to the full GSC for review and approval at the following general meeting.

Section 6. Platform. The voting representatives may adopt or amend, by majority vote at a general meeting, adhering to the requirements of Section 4 of this article, a platform stating the GSC’s position on issues affecting CSU graduate students. Any platform plank may be repealed by a majority vote at a general meeting.

Article III. Positions and Responsibilities

Section 1. Officers. The following officer positions and responsibilities shall exist within the GSC:

President:

Set the agenda for and chair all meetings of the GSC and the executive committee.
Coordinate the overall activities of the GSC, directing and assisting any officers as needed.
Maintain the GSC’s relationship with the Graduate School and the Vice-Provost for Graduate Affairs.
Compose and send communications intended for all current CSU graduate and professional students
Serve as spokesperson for GSC mission and activities at Graduate School events
Organize GSC involvement in Graduate School-wide events (e.g. The Graduate Student Showcase)
Ensure compliance with ASCSU, Slice, and other University student organization requirements.

Vice-President for Graduate Engagement:

Coordinate programs and activities with the goal of recruitment and retention of graduate student representatives from all departments
Organize GSC social events (e.g. Picnics, Trivia, Friday Afternoon Clubs, Hikes, etc.
Identify new events, promotion, or engagement opportunities.

Vice-President for Graduate Advocacy:

Ensure that graduate students are fully represented within all applicable faculty councils and university committees
Coordinate lobbying of local, state, and national elected official
Function as National Association for Graduate and Professional Students liaison, or appoint and oversee the liaison
Seek out and coordinate GSC-led campus advocacy projects.
Develop and analyze the results of an annual survey given to all current graduate and professional students.
Organize nomination, grading, and awarding process for GSC Graduate Advisor Award

Vice-President of Finance:

Ensure fiscal needs of GSC are met including budget, incoming funds/fundraising, and reimbursement of members
Attend slice officer orientation training with one additional executive member in the beginning of the fall semester, which allows management of the SOFA account.
Coordinate with funding sources on campus at beginning of fall semester to obtain funding for academic year—possibly including the Graduate School, ASCSU, and the Lory Student Center.
Pay any national membership dues such as CSU’s National Association of Graduate and Professional Student membership
Update Executive Council on funds as requested through Slice accounts office.
Reserve meeting rooms and catering, if applicable, for GSC functions.
Purchase GSC promotional materials.

Vice-President of Information:

Take minutes and attendance at all GSC meetings.
Distribute nametags for GSC members at all general meetings.
Ensure compliance with the Constitution.
Ensure the GSC website, Facebook page, RamLink, University Calendar and GSC listserv are current and fully utilized in coordination with other members of the Executive Committee.
ASCSU Assistant Director of Graduate Student Affairs (position dependent on ASCSU funding):

Attend all GSC general meetings and maintain regular communication with other GSC officers
Recruit ASCSU senators and associate senators
Inform GSC members of any ASCSU activity/event that may be of interest
Advocate for graduate student interest in ASCSU endeavors

Section 2. Standing Committees. The GSC may develop a standing committee to serve the needs of graduate and professional students upon the request of any department representative or officer and approval by majority vote at a GSC general meeting. Chairs, vice-chairs, and officers of committees may be appointed as needed by the president and/or through the majority vote at a general meeting.

Section 3. Additional Positions. The following additional GSC positions shall exist:

  • Senator, Associated Students of Colorado State University
  • Associate Senator, Associated Students of Colorado State University Liaison
  • National Association of Graduate and Professional Students Representative
  • Faculty Council Committee on Scholarship, Research, and Graduate Education Representative
  • Faculty Council Committee on Strategic and Financial Planning Representative
  • Faculty Council Committee on Teaching and Learning
    Representative
  • University Curriculum Committee Representative
  • Faculty Council Committee on Libraries
    Representative
  • Faculty Council Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics
    Representative
  • Faculty Council Committee on University Programs
    Representative
  • University Facilities Fee Advisory Board
    Representative
  • University Technology Fee Advisory Board
    Representative
  • University Alternative Transportation Fee Advisory Board
    Representative (2)
  • Parking Services Committee
    Representative
  • President’s Sustainability Committee

Section 4. Responsibilities of positions. Holders of positions shall advocate on behalf of graduate and professional students in a manner consistent with the GSC platform. All holders of positions (except for alternates and associate senators) shall provide a written report on their area of responsibilities prior to each regular GSC meeting. If holders of positions do not provide written or verbal reports for two consecutive GSC meetings, they may be removed from office by a majority vote at a general meeting.

Section 5. Qualifications for positions. The only qualification to hold any position within the GSC (officer, committee chair, committee member, or other position) shall be current enrollment as a degree-seeking graduate or professional student at Colorado State University.

Section 6. Elections and vacancies for positions. The terms of officers, committee chairs, and additional positions shall expire on June 30. Elections shall be held at the April GSC general meeting to fill all positions with terms beginning July 1. Any other current or pending vacancies may be filled by election at any time. The Executive Committee may appoint individuals to fill any positions listed in Article III, Section 3 on a provisional basis until the next general GSC meeting, at which time an election shall be held.

Section 7. Removal. Any elected position or representative may be subject to removal by a two-thirds vote of the GSC. Except for vacancies created by absences under Article II, Section 2, no position holder may be removed without written notice of such a motion at least seven days in advance of the meeting, and the person being removed shall be granted the right to speak at their removal proceedings. All removals shall be for cause, such cause shall be explicitly stated in the motion for removal, and such causes shall be limited to failure to fulfill the obligations as stated in this constitution or for actions deleterious to the functioning of the GSC. Appeals of removal shall be referred to the ASCSU Supreme Court for resolution.

Section 8. Presidential vacancies. In the event of a vacancy in the position of President or in the temporary absence of the President, the position of Acting President shall be assumed by the individual next in the list of officers, committee chairs, or additional positions (“eligible Acting Presidents”) in Article III until such time as an election can be held or until the President returns, at which time the Acting President shall resume their previous position. Eligible Acting Presidents may decline the title of Acting President, whereas selection will fall to the next eligible Acting President until an individual accepts the position

Section 9. Advisor. The Associate Dean of The Graduate School shall serve as the advisor to the Graduate Student Council. In the event that they decline this position, another CSU faculty member shall be chosen by majority vote of the GSC. The advisor may not vote but can participate in debate and discussion.

Article IV. Amendments

This constitution may be amended at any general meeting of the GSC by a two-thirds vote per the requirements of Article II Section 4 of this document, provided that the amendment has been submitted to the active membership at least one week in advance.