The name of this organization shall be the “Graduate Student Association.”
The mission of the Graduate Student Association is to serve the needs of, advocate for the interests of, and foster collaboration among graduate students at The University of Alabama
Membership of the Graduate Student Association shall consist of all graduate students at The University of Alabama who do not inform the GSA Executive Vice President, or the designee thereof, of their intention to opt out of membership.
Members are eligible to seek any office under this Constitution. No member shall hold more than one Executive Council office.
Membership in registered student organizations shall be open to all students of The University of Alabama, without regard to race, religion, sex, disability, national origin, color, age disability, gender identity or expression, sexual identity, or veteran status except in cases of designated fraternal organizations exempted by federal law from Title IX regulations concerning discrimination on the basis of sex.”
The Graduate Student Association shall hold Town Hall General Meetings during the fall and spring semesters of each academic year. This meeting shall serve as a forum for GSA members to voice concerns directly to the GSAEC.
Winners of GSA-sponsored awards shall be recognized at the Town Hall General Meetings. The inauguration of GSA officers shall also take place at the fall Town Hall Meeting.
Other General Meetings may be called by the GSA President or by resolution of the GSA Assembly. No more than four General Meetings shall take place during the course of one academic or calendar year, nor more than two in a single semester.
General Meetings shall be announced no fewer than thirty calendar days in advance.
GSA shall have no relationship to or be controlled by any other local, state or national organization
In the event that the organization becomes defunct or is terminated, all funds held in the GSA account at the Alabama Credit Union shall be donated in full to the University of Alabama Student Organization Scholarship Fund and the account officially closed
One or more advisors shall be elected each year in the same manner as the association’s officers. Responsibilities shall be those assigned by The University of Alabama Student Handbook.
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Council.
This constitution may be replaced in its entirety provided that the replacement is proposed by a three-fourths majority vote of the Executive Council and adopted by a three-fifths majority vote of the full Graduate Student Association membership (not to be interpreted as three-fifths of those voting in such a referendum).
The Executive Council and any other bodies established under this Constitution shall adopt by-laws to govern themselves.
No provision in any By-Laws established under this Constitution shall contradict this Constitution.
The standard for amendment of by-laws or replacement of by-laws shall be a two-thirds majority vote of the group subject to those by-laws.
Only the group governed by a set of by-laws shall vote regarding adoption or amendment.
The GSA is a student organization of The University of Alabama, and shall comply with the conditions prescribed by the University for student organizations. The GSA shall be advised by one or more faculty or staff member(s) of the University, who shall be permitted to, but not required to, attend all GSA meetings, including meetings of constituent bodies established under this Constitution, and sub-groups thereof.