The Constitution of the CSGSA

Transcription

1 The Constitution of the CSGSA Date Prepared / Amended: 10/1/2015 Date Approved (LEAD Center staff): / / Approved by (LEAD Center staff):... ARTICLE I Name 1. This constitution is for the Computer Science Graduate Student Association ( CSGSA ) at the University of California, Berkeley. ARTICLE II Purpose 1. The purpose of the CSGSA is to promote the common good and general welfare of the computer science graduate student community at the University of California at Berkeley ( University ), the general University community, and the wider computer science community in the San Francisco Bay Area and the United States, through sponsoring meetings, gatherings, and other events designed to facilitate computer science learning, professional growth, and the development of new technologies, as well as representing and advocating for the interests of and providing collegial interaction for computer science graduate students. 1

2 ARTICLE III Membership 1. Membership is generally restricted to currently registered computer science graduate students. Any computer science graduate student may join. Membership becomes effective immediately upon a declaration of intent to join. 2. Other registered graduate students may join when approved by a majority vote of the general meeting. 3. Only currently registered students, faculty and staff may be active members in a registered student organization. Only active members may vote or hold office. 4. CSGSA will not haze according to California State Law. CSGSA will not restrict membership based upon race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services (including membership, application for membership, performance of service, application for service, or obligation for service in the uniformed services). ARTICLE IV Officers/Elections 1. Officers (a) The officers of the CSGSA shall include either a President and at least one Vice President, or at least two Co-Presidents, as well as a Treasurer, comprising the executive committee, and such other officers as the President or Co-Presidents or Bylaws shall direct. (b) At least once a year the CSGSA shall adopt a budget, by majority vote of officers. (c) Money may only be disbursed by majority vote at a CSGSA officer s meeting, or else by the Treasurer in accord with the CSGSA budget. 2

3 2. Elections and Recalls (a) At least one CSGSA general meeting each year shall be designated as an election meeting, during which officers will be elected. The intent to hold an election meeting must be announced to the membership at least one week in advance. All officers terms expire after the first election meeting of the academic year. (b) An election meeting must take place during the regular academic term, at a time convenient for, and in a location readily accessible to, the graduate students of the department. (c) When a person elected to any office is not already a member of CSGSA, the election shall be deemed approval to join the CSGSA pursuant to ARTICLE III(2). (d) In the event that more than one candidate seeks any particular office, voting for that office shall be done by secret ballot of CSGSA members present. Otherwise, voting shall be done by acclamation. (e) In the event that an office remains or becomes vacant after the first election meeting of the year, an election may be held at any CS- GSA general meeting, provided that the intent to hold an election for that office shall be announced at least one week in advance. (f) In the event that ten or more CSGSA members sign a recall petition, a special recall meeting must be held within two weeks. Recall meetings must follow the same notice and timing requirements as CSGSA general meetings. At a recall meeting, any CSGSA officer may be removed by a two-thirds vote of members present. In the event that an officer is removed, an election will be immediately held to fill the newly vacant office. Notice of a recall meeting constitutes notice of intent to hold an election. ARTICLE V Meetings 1. The officers of the CSGSA shall meet at least once a year, at a time to be scheduled by the president. No business may be transacted without a quorum of at least half of the officers appointed. Officers meetings must be scheduled at least 72 hours in advance, and announced in 3

4 writing 1 to the officers. 2. General meetings of the CSGSA membership must be announced to the graduate student body at least one week in advance. Quorum for a general meeting shall consist of ten members. 3. The CSGSA bylaws may further specify or restrict the times at which general meetings shall be held. ARTICLE VI Acceptance and Use of CSGSA Assets 1. The officers of CSGSA (hereinafter referred to as officers in this ARTICLE VI) may receive and accept property, whether real, personal, or mixed, by way of gift, bequest, or devise, from any person, firm, trust, or corporation, to be held, administered, and disposed of in accordance with and pursuant to the provisions of this Article VI; but no gift, bequest, or devise of any such property shall be received and accepted if it is conditioned or limited in such manner (a) as to require the disposition of the income or its principal for other than furthering the purpose of the CSGSA or (b) as shall, in the opinion of the officers, jeopardize the federal income tax exemption of the CSGSA pursuant to section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code ( Code ), or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code. 2. The principal and income of all property received and accepted by the officers shall be irrevocably dedicated to further the purpose of the CSGSA and shall be administered under this ARTICLE VI. The officers may make payments or distributions from income or principal, or both, in such amounts as the officers shall from time to time select and determine, but only in furtherance of the purpose of the CSGSA. The officers may also make payments or distributions of all or any part of the income or principal to organizations described in Code Section 501(c)(3), to states, territories, or possessions of the United States, any 1 qualifies as writing for the purposes of this Constitution. 4

5 political subdivision of any of the foregoing, or to the United States or the District of Columbia but only as is consistent with the purpose of the CSGSA. No part of the net earnings of the CSGSA shall inure or be payable to or for the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. 3. The officers are authorized to reimburse members for reasonable expenses incurred in the administration of the CSGSA. 4. Upon dissolution of the CSGSA, all remaining CSGSA funds shall be disposed of in accordance with the terms of ARTICLE VIII. ARTICLE VII Constitutional Amendments and Bylaws 1. Amendments to the CSGSA constitution can be adopted at any general meeting of the CSGSA by a two-thirds vote. Such amendments must be proposed to the membership at least 72 hours prior to the meeting at which it will be voted upon. 2. The Associated Students of University of California ( ASUC ) may propose mandated language to be included in the constitution of all U.C. Berkeley student groups. Amendments to the CSGSA constitution implementing such language may be adopted at any officer meeting of the CSGSA by a majority vote of the officers. 3. All amendments, additions or deletions to this document must be filed with the Leadership, Engagement, Advising, and Development Center ( LEAD Center ) in 102 Hearst Gym. 4. The bylaws of the CSGSA may be approved, repealed, or amended by a two-thirds vote of CSGSA officers. ARTICLE VIII Dissolution 1. A three-quarters vote of the officers of the CSGSA may propose dissolving the organization. Consequent to such a vote, the membership shall be notified, and a general meeting held to discuss the circumstances leading to the proposed dissolution. The meeting must take 5

6 place within two weeks. Notice must be given at least one week in advance. Subsequent to such a meeting, the CSGSA may be dissolved by a three-quarters of the officers. 2. All remaining funds shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of 26 U.S. Code 501(c)(3), or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. 6