FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY NEUROSCIENCE GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

Article I: Name

The name of this organization is the Neuroscience Graduate Student Association (NGSA).

Article II: Purpose

The NGSA will provide an avenue for academic, professional, and social activities to the graduate students in the interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience at Florida State University. Our program includes faculty and students across campus from the departments of Biological Science, Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, Psychology, Mathematics and the College of Medicine. The main goals of this organization will be to facilitate academic and professional development of its members, and to promote collegiality and social interaction among the students and faculty of the Program in Neuroscience.

Article III: Membership

All graduate students in the interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience will be voting members of the NGSA. This includes students enrolled in a departmental degree program with a strong neuroscience focus and whose major professor is a member of the Program in Neuroscience. No university student will be denied membership on the basis of race, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national orientation, national origin, marital status, parental status, disability, or the inability to pay dues. No hazing or discrimination will be used as a condition of membership in this organization. Graduate and undergraduate students who are not affiliated with the Neuroscience program may participate as non-voting members of the NGSA. Membership cannot be revoked as long as the individual is enrolled in the Program in Neuroscience at the Florida State University. Six members of NGSA will be elected to serve as the graduate student advisory committee (GSAC).

Article IV: Offices

1. Terms of Office

   All terms of office will be for one or two years. Each year the members will vote for one newly elected officer for a two year term. The first year this person will serve as President Elect and the subsequent year this person will serve as President. The President’s term will be restricted to a total of two years in office, the first year serving as President Elect. During the second year a new member will be appointed as President Elect. Other officers shall be elected to replace officers whose term is ending. Members may run for no more than two consecutive terms of office but with no restrictions on the total number of terms served.

2. Qualification for Office and Nominations

   All voting members are eligible to run for office. Faculty and/or Staff Advisors must be members of the Neuroscience Program at Florida State University. All nominations must be submitted to the Secretary at least a week before the elections meeting. All nominees must accept their nominations in writing, via email or formal letter, to the secretary a week before the elections meeting, or their names will not appear on the ballot.

3. Elections

   Elections will take place at a meeting scheduled some time within the first four weeks of the fall term. Voting members shall elect up to six members to serve on the NGSA committee, which also acts as the GSAC as defined by the By-Laws article II (and in the Program in Neuroscience By- Laws, Article III Section 1C). All members must be notified by email or other means at least five days before the meeting, and shall have the option of voting electronically or by mail. All mail and electronic votes must be received by the secretary before the end of the meeting at which other members vote in person.

4. Officers

   The GSAC/NGSA officers include President, President Elect, Secretary, and a Treasurer. Additional offices may be created as agreed upon by vote during the fall term election process or during an ad hoc meeting scheduled by the committee. At least one member of GSAC should be a member of an underrepresented minority group. If a minority-group member is not elected, the Program in Neuroscience Director has the authority to appoint an additional member. Any student member may propose a change in office or other issue for NGSA member vote. All proposals for changes in offices, including those proposed for an ad-hoc meeting, must be distributed to all members of the NGSA at least 5 days prior to a scheduled meeting.

   1. President

      The President shall be responsible for chairing NGSA and GSAC meetings, seminars, workshops, etc. The President will act as the official, though not the only, liaison to the faculty and/or staff advisor as well as Florida State’s Student Government Organization and the Congress of Graduate Students.

   2. President Elect

      Upon election of GSAC members, one member will be elected to the position of President Elect. This position is designed to ensure that at least one member of GSAC will fulfill a two year term and is considered the first year of a two year presidency. The President Elect will shadow the current president to learn the requirements and duties of that position and represent the president in his or her absence.

   3. Secretary

      The Secretary will record the minutes of the meetings, prepare and distribute agendas, ballots and information for planned NGSA and GSAC meetings, seminars, workshops, etc. The Secretary is also responsible for the files of the NGSA and GSAC, and for keeping a current list of the NGSA and GSAC memberships. The Secretary is responsible for receiving completed ballots during elections and, with the GSAC members who are not officers, for counting votes.

   4. Treasurer

      The Treasurer shall keep accounts, prepare the annual budget, deposit the association’s funds, and make expenditures as approved by the NGSA and GSAC. The Treasurer shall act as Secretary in the absence of the Secretary.

   5. Other Officers

      The two additional committee members in conjunction with the named officers will be responsible for completing duties outlined in Article III of the NGSA By-Laws. GSAC committee members who are not officers shall constitute, with the secretary, the elections committee and shall be charged with counting votes during elections or when the membership votes on changes in By-Laws or Constitution.

5. Officer Vacancies
   1. Removal of Officers

      The Graduate Student Advisory committee may at any time remove the President or Treasurer with a minimum of 4 out of 6 votes.

   2. Resignation

      Officers no longer wishing to serve on the board must submit their resignation to the Graduate Student Advisory Committee at least two (2) weeks in advance. Prior to the officers final day he/she shall provide all documents relating to the organization and brief his/her replacement of current projects in his/her care.

   3. Filling Vacant Officer Positions

      New officers shall be selected by the Graduate Student Advisory Committee from the current members of the committee. If no current members of the Committee are willing to serve as an officer then all members of NGSO shall vote to elect a replacement officer.

Article V: Advisor

The advisor is to be selected by the officers of this organization (GSAC) and must be approved by a simple majority vote of eligible members. The advisor serves as a mentor to the organization providing guidance to the officers and members. The advisor has no voting rights. The advisor position has no term limit other than he/she must be a current FSU faculty or staff member.

Article VI: Finances

No university student may be denied membership due to the inability to pay dues. If a member is not able to pay dues, other arrangements will be made.

Article VII: Publications

1. Compliance

   All advertisements of the organization must comply with the University Posting Policy

2. Approval

   The Secretary and President must approve all publications, shirts, flyers, etc. prior to duplication and distribution.

Article VIII: Amendments

Amendments to this constitution must be approved by a majority-plus-one of the membership voting in person or by mail or e-mail, after due notice.