Constitution and By-Laws

Constitution and By-Laws of the Graduate and Professional Student Government Association of Oklahoma State University. The attached PDF document is the official version. The plain text document available on this website is undergoing revisions and hence should not be considered as the official governing document. Once considerable amount of revisions are made the revisions would be presented to the GPSGA general assembly for approval. Upon approval by the general assembly the official document would be amended to reflect the revisions.

Constitution

CONSTITUTION OF THE GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY (Under Revision) 

ARTICLE I NAME OF ORGANIZATION

Section 1 The name of the organization shall be the Graduate and Professional Student Government Association, hereafter referred to as the GPSGA.

ARTICLE II PURPOSE

Section 1 The GPSGA shall serve as the official advisory body to the President and System CEO on issues of concern to the graduate and professional student body.

Section 2 The GPSGA shall serve as the representative voice of the graduate and professional student body at all Oklahoma State University System campuses on matters that impact graduate and professional students.

Section 3 The GPSGA will examine University System policies and procedures that impact graduate and professional students and make recommendations to the appropriate University administrators, academic units or other appropriate bodies according to the procedures outlined in the By-Laws in Article IX.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 All graduate and professional students on all Oklahoma State University System campuses are members of the GPSGA. Two representatives are selected from and by each department with a graduate, professional, or interdisciplinary graduate program as outlined in Article I, Section 2, of the By-Laws.

Section 2 Term of office for each representative shall conclude the day after the spring semester of each year, regardless of time of appointment to office.

Section 3 Any representative who desires to serve another term may seek to be re-selected by his/her department or program.

Section 4 In the event that a representative shall become ineligible to serve on the GPSGA, he/she shall be replaced according to the procedure outlined in the By-Laws in Article I, Section 2, Clause B.

ARTICLE IV STRUCTURE OF THE GPSGA

Section 1 The officers of the GPSGA shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Communications Director, Parliamentarian, and Intergovernmental Liaison.

  • Clause A Elected officers shall retain all the rights and duties of the GPSGA representatives with the exception of the President who no longer qualifies as a departmental representative and may only vote in the case of a tie.
  • Clause B Elections shall proceed and duties of the officers shall be performed as outlined in the By-Laws in Article II, Section 1.

Section 2 The GPSGA shall be divided into Standing and Ad Hoc Committees as outlined in the By-Laws. Election of the chairperson shall be conducted in accordance with procedures outlined in the By-Laws in Article IV, Section 1, Clause A.

Section 3 The GPSGA shall have two co-advisors who will regularly meet with and advise the GPSGA. One co-advisor shall be the Dean of the Graduate College and the other will be chosen from the graduate faculty.

ARTICLE V EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section I The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Communications Director, Parliamentarian, Intergovernmental Liaison, and any other appointed position deemed necessary by the President.

Section 2 The Executive Committee shall answer to and be responsible to the GPSGA at all times.

Section 3 Executive Committee members may be removed from office as the result of misconduct in office. Removal of officers shall be conducted in accordance with Article II, Section 2 of the By-Laws.

Section 4 The Executive Committee is authorized to take action on behalf of the GPSGA in emergency situations in accordance with Article VIII, Section 2 of the By-Laws.

ARTICLE VI MEETINGS

Section 1 At least one regular meeting shall be held by the GPSGA per calendar month during the Fall and Spring
semesters. The Executive Committee shall have the option to call summer meetings.

Section 2 The President shall call special meetings when requested by the Executive Committee, or by a written petition from one-third of the voting membership presented by any member of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VII PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Section 1 Meetings of the GPSGA shall operate in accordance with the procedures in Robert's Rules of Order at the discretion of the President.

Section 2 It shall be the Parliamentarian’s responsibility to resolve procedural questions and to ensure that the business of the GPSGA is carried out in a legal and orderly fashion.

Section 3 A quorum shall consist of one-half plus one of the average meeting attendance during the semester past.

Section 4 In the event of two consecutive meetings in which a quorum is not present, a motion must be presented in each of the two consecutive meetings. At the second meeting the motion may be voted on and passed by a two-thirds majority of the voting representatives present.

ARTICLE VIII AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

Section 1 Any representative may propose an amendment to this Constitution.

  • Clause A The amendment shall be submitted in writing to the GPSGA Executive Committee at least one meeting in advance of consideration of the amendment.
  • Clause B Any amendment to the Constitution shall require a two-thirds majority of quorum to pass.

Section 2 By-Laws not in conflict with the Constitution may be adopted by the GPSGA representatives. The By-Laws of the GPSGA are to be attached to and considered a part of the constitution.

By-Laws

BY-LAWS OF THE GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY (Under Revision)

ARTICLE I MEMBERSHIP

  • Section 1 Composition
    • Clause A The GPSGA shall be composed of the following:
      1. The representative(s) from each academic unit awarding a graduate or professional degree, hereafter referred to as representatives.
      2. Ex officio members shall include the Dean of the Graduate College, Associate Dean of the Graduate College, the Director of Student Services of the Graduate College, the GPSGA Co- advisor, and the immediate past GPSGA President;
    • Clause B Within each academic unit awarding a graduate or professional degree, two representatives shall be elected in accordance with Article I, Section 2 of the By-Laws.
    • Clause C A representative shall become ineligible to serve under the following conditions:
      1. Promotion to the rank of instructor or higher at OSU.
      2. Enrollment in less than two credit hours during the Fall or Spring semester.
    • Clause D In the event a vacancy occurs after the beginning of the academic year, it shall be filled in accordance with Article I, Section 2, of the By-Laws.
    • Clause E Attendance at all regularly scheduled GPSGA meetings is expected of all representatives.
    • Clause E F Active contribution to committee work is required of both representatives as outlined in Article III, Section 1, Clause A of the By-Laws. Failure to meet this requirement will result in ineligibility for graduate student group funding (GSGF) and travel funds for the following semester.
    • Clause F G Each academic unit awarding a graduate or professional degree and/or graduate groups without representation at two regularly scheduled general assembly meetings will become ineligible for graduate student group funding (GSGF) and travel funds for the following semester.
    • Clause G H Each representative must complete the GPSGA membership form and be approved and seated by the current GPSGA President.
    • Clause H I An academic unit representative may also represent an organization(s) affiliated with that unit with prior approval of the GPSGA President. Organizational representation must be specified in the membership form.
    • Clause I J A person acting as a proxy for his/her department must complete the proxy sheet and present it to the GPSGA President and/or the Secretary at the beginning of the meeting.
    • Clause J K GPSGA members have all the rights and privileges of representatives except voting and holding any GPSGA office.
  • Section 2 Election Procedures
    • Clause A Candidates shall be nominated for representation status in accordance with the following rules:
      1. The candidate, having been admitted to the Graduate College or professional school, must be enrolled for two or more graduate credit hours.
      2. The candidate must have a rank of less than instructor.
    • Clause B Representatives shall be elected in accordance with academic unit guidelines:
      1. Each academic unit awarding one or more graduate or professional degrees will be asked to select a GPSGA representative from among their graduate students. The department head or program coordinator shall submit the results to the Graduate Dean and the GPSGA secretary.
      2. Alternately, the academic unit head shall recommend the name of a representative to the Graduate Dean and the GPSGA secretary.

 

ARTICLE II EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE GPSGA

  • Section 1 Election of officers
    • Clause A The executive officers shall be elected for a one-year term by the General Assembly prior to “Dead Week” of the spring semester.
    • Clause B The term of office shall begin the day after the end of the spring semester to the last day of the following spring semester.
    • Clause C Nominees for GPSGA officer position must be currently serving or have served as a GPSGA representative. Other nominees, such as those who are serving or have served as an officer in another OSU organization, are eligible with the express consent of the GPSGA General Assembly.
    • Clause D Nominees for the office of President must have served as a GPSGA representative or officer for at least one academic year and have attended a majority of the General Assembly meeting that year.
    • Clause E A GPSGA co-advisor or his/her designee shall preside over the nominations and elections of officers. Designee must be pre-approved by the GPSGA representatives.
    • Clause F Officers shall be elected by a simple majority.
    • Clause G An executive officer of the GPSGA cannot serve in the same officer position for more than two consecutive terms or as an officer for more than three consecutive terms or a total of four terms.
  • Section 2 Removal Procedures
    • Clause A Removal of Executive Committee members shall require formal removal proceedings resulting in a vote of two-thirds of the General Assembly in favor of removal. The requirements of quorum must be met for these proceedings. Removal proceedings shall require four steps:
      1. A written complaint of misconduct must be presented to the GPSGA Vice-President by a GPSGA representative except in the case that the removal complaint is against the Vice-President in which the written complaint must be presented to the Secretary.
      2. An Ad Hoc Committee appointed by a co-advisor shall conduct inquires regarding the complaint and shall, within two weeks, recommend to the full Executive Committee whether the removal complaint be placed on the agenda for consideration by the full body of GPSGA. The investigating committee may recommend to the Executive Committee either (1) to present the complaint and the committee’s findings to the General Assembly, or (2) to dismiss it and enter it into the record of the GPSGA Executive Committee in accordance with the Confidentiality Clause below.
      3. Upon receipt of the investigating committee's recommendation the Executive Committee must act. If the reporting committee, by a simple majority decision, recommends a vote of the GPSGA body then the Executive Committee must place the matter on the agenda of the next meeting of the GPSGA. If, however, the reporting committee (by simple majority vote) recommends dismissal of the complaint then the Executive Committee upon review of the committees findings, must vote on whether to accept the committee's recommendation or to proceed with bringing the removal complaint and the committee's findings before the GPSGA. If the inquiring committee or the Executive Committee recommends that the matter proceed to the General Assembly, then the matter must be placed on the agenda of the next meeting.
      4. Upon consideration of the removal complaint, if placed on the agenda, a two-thirds vote of the GPSGA shall be required to remove an Executive Officer. Quorum must be met.
    • Clause B Confidentiality Clause
      1. Unless the person or persons who presented the removal complaint publicly identify themselves, all concerned in the handling of the complaint must keep the identity of those who brought the complaint confidential.
      2. If the complaint is dismissed, all documentation regarding the complaint is to be destroyed and the identity of the Executive Officer against whom the complaint was brought must be kept confidential by all concerned in the handling of the complaint. The only records kept in this case is that a complaint was filed to the appropriate Executive Officer, reviewed by the appropriate Committee and the Executive Committee, and the complaint was dismissed. The details of the investigation, including all names, will not be recorded nor made public in any way.
  • Section 3 Duties of Officers
    • Clause A The President
      • Call and preside over all meetings of the GPSGA and the Executive Committee.
      • Make appointments or approve the members of Committees of the GPSGA.
      • Perform any other duties as designated by the GPSGA. • Initiate discussion on which sessions of regularly scheduled meeting will be run according to Robert's Rules of Order during the first meeting. Take a formal vote to establish the period during that these rules will apply towards.
      • Prepare and send out a meeting agenda via e-mail listserve to all representatives two days before each meeting. • Send meeting reminders to all representatives via e-mail one week and two days before each meeting.
      • Coordinate election and/or appointment of representatives to University Committees .
      • Schedule facilities for all GPSGA meetings. • Make contact with Graduate College to arrange appearance at annual Fall New Graduate Student Orientation.
      • Prepare GPSGA information flier for each semester complete with all officer contact, office hours, and pertinent information for distribution at meetings and university functions.
      • Coordinate GPSGA office hours schedule by requesting a minimum of two office hours/week from each officer.
      • Attend and prepare brief (<5 minute) presentations at monthly Faculty Council meetings.
      • Attend and prepare presentations for each monthly Graduate Faculty Council meetings.
      • Arrange a visit by the University President during a regularly scheduled meeting.
      • Arrange a visit by the Vice President of Student Affairs during a regularly scheduled meeting.
      • Coordinate posting of all information on web page through the Communications Director.
      • Send email out to all graduate department head and/or graduate coordinator announcing the fall meeting times and locations and request for departmental and program representatives.
      • Contact and attend all Group (5 total) meeting for Graduate Faculty Council each semester.
      • Coordinate the election of a Research Awards Committee Chair during the first two months of classes in the fall semester.
      • Initiate the formation of the Phoenix Awards Committee chaired by the GPSGA Vice President during the first two months of classes during the fall semester.
      • Get all GPSGA officer contact information to all administrative offices on campus including: (1) the President’s office, (2) the Vice President of Business and External Relations office, (3) the Vice President of Student Affairs office, (4) the Vice President of Research office, and (5) the Vice President for Academic Affairs office.
      • Arrange for all new GPSGA officers to get keys to the GPSGA office from Campus Life.
      • Contact the Graduate College and arrange for monthly meetings with the Dean and Associate Dean.
      • Invite the Dean, Associate Dean, and Director of Student Services from the Graduate College to all regularly scheduled GPSGA meeting.
      • In conjunction with the Treasurer, set GPSGA Travel Award deadline for Fall and Spring Semester during the 11th week of classes. Arrange for that date to be posted on the web with the appropriate travel award forms with the Communications Director.
      • Present and get the fiscal year (July 1 – June 31) fiscal budget for the upcoming year approved by the general assembly at the first meeting of the fall semester.
      • Coordinate and arrange for the President and Treasurer to attend the Treasurer’s Workshop offered by Accounting Service during the fall semester.
      • In conjunction with the Secretary, closely monitor all representative attendance and notify a representative and their graduate coordinator or advisor prior to missing > 2 (more than two) of all regularly scheduled meetings for AFAP eligibility.
      • In conjunction with the Secretary, post all fliers, minutes, and information at the GPSGA bulletin board at the Graduate College.
    • Clause B The Vice-President
      • Preside in the absence of the President.
      • Serve as chair of the Policies and Procedures committee.
      • Serve as one of the departmental graduate representatives to the GPSGA.
      • Coordinate the GPSGA Fall Welcome Reception.
      • Perform any other duties as designated by the GPSGA.
      • In case of the permanent absence of the President before the end of the term, the Vice-President shall assume the position of President for the remainder of the former President's term. The Vice- President's position will then be filled by appointment by the President.
      • Coordinate all functions of the Phoenix Awards Committee including formation, meeting scheduling, the selection process, and final reception for awardees.
      • Assist President with all tasks
    • Clause C The Secretary
      • Serve as the recording officer of the GPSGA and the custodian of its records including placing all relevant records in the Library Archives.
      • Send out proper notices of all open meetings.
      • Conduct the correspondence of the GPSGA except as otherwise provided.
      • Record representative attendance at all regularly scheduled meetings.
      • In conjunction with the President, notify all representatives and their graduate coordinators or advisors prior to missing >2 (more than two) of regularly scheduled meeting for AFAP eligibility.
      • Within one week after every meeting, post the minutes to all representatives via the list serve and post at the GPSGA bulletin board at the Graduate College.
      • Distribute any information to representatives via e-mail list serves or in writing via campus mail.
      • Advertise all GPSGA forums or other special events in the O’Colly for one week prior to the event.
      • Assemble a representative contact list and post on the web in conjunction with the Communications Officer.
      • Record minutes at all regularly scheduled GPSGA meetings.
    • Clause D The Treasurer
      • Be responsible for the maintenance of all financial records as required by the GPSGA and shall serve as chair of the Finance Committee.
      • Present the proposed budget for the next year to the GPSGA. The initial budget for each semester shall be presented for approval by the GPSGA at the first meeting during the Fall and Spring semesters following the election of representatives. The final budget shall be presented to the GPSGA before “Dead Week” of the Fall and Spring semesters.
      • Prior to each meeting, obtain the account balance from Accounting and announce to the general assembly during the Treasurer’s report.
      • Collect and process all receipts and invoices that need processing. Fill out one disbursement voucher for each invoice and submit as described above. Retain yellow copy for Treasurer’s records.
      • Categorize and subtract all expenses from the accounting system on Quicken software. • Monitor all expenses and insure that all are within budgeted categories and have obtained pre- approval.
      • Obtain our Financial By Month Forms 90 and 91 each month from Campus Life if they are not sent to us from the Graduate College. All FBM’s are mailed approximately one month later. For example, the January FBM should be available by the end of February. Balance monthly expenses between the FBM’s and our records on Quicken.
      • Monitor and inform all officers and committee chairs of their remaining budget amounts at the end of each month.
    • Clause E Communications Director
      • In conjunction with the President, post all relevant information on the GPSGA web site.
      • Serve as chair of the Communications and Publications Committee.
      • Post all representative information after each meeting.
      • Post any resolutions passed during GPSGA meetings.
      • Post any announcements relevant to graduate students.
      • Coordinate the distribution and posting of committee information through committee chairs.
      • Maintain all representative and executive list serves as a moderator.
      • Maintain GPSGA discussion room for feedback linked to the President’s e-mail address.
      • Post all executive officer information including contact info, officer hours, and department affiliation.
      • Monitor university websites to ensure all information regarding the GPSGA is up-to-date and correct, including any links to the GPSGA website.
    • Clause F The Intergovernmental Liaison
      • Attend SGA Senate meetings and report to the GPSGA on SGA activities and legislation that concern graduate students
      • Inform the SGA of GPSGA activities that may be of interest to undergraduate students.
      • Coordinate GPSGA/SGA collaborative legislation with the SGA liaison to the GPSGA.
      • Prepare executive reports of intergovernmental activities to be presented at GPGSA meetings.
      • Faithfully present the positions of the GPSGA to SGA
    • Clause G The Parliamentarian
      • Be responsible for resolving procedural questions and interpreting the Constitution.
      • Insure that the business of the GPSGA is carried out in a legal and orderly fashion.
      • Serve as chair of the Constitution and By-Laws Committee.
      • Familiarize yourself with Robert’s Rules of Order.
      • Utilize formal rules during all legislative sessions or portions of regularly scheduled meetings as agreed upon by the general assembly at the first meeting of the fall semester.
      • Insure that all resolutions are presented in writing one week prior to consideration at meetings.
      • Insure that once passed, all resolutions are signed by the President and Parliamentarian and distributed to the appropriate people.
      • Insure that all approved resolutions are posted on the web site in conjunction with the Communications Officer.
      • Insure that all changes to the constitution or by-laws are incorporated into the existing document.
      • Insure that new representatives receive copies of the constitution and by-laws at the first regularly scheduled meeting that they attend.
      • Insure that copies of the updated constitution and by-laws are maintained on file and at regularly scheduled meetings at all times.
    • Clause H Any vacated elected office shall be filled by an appointment made by the President and approved by the Executive Committee. The appointee shall serve out that term in office.
  • Section 4 The Executive Committee shall meet at least once a month with a co-advisor to review the progress of the GPSGA committees and to examine proposed legislation and general business to be presented at the regularly scheduled meeting of the GPSGA.
  • Section 5 The Executive Committee shall discuss and make recommendations on matters to be presented to the GPSGA. If a representative cannot bring business before an Executive Committee Meeting, an officer should be contacted prior to the scheduled GPSGA meeting.

 

ARTICLE III COMMITTEES OF THE GPSGA

  • Section 1 Membership Composition Each GPSGA representative shall serve on at least one GPSGA Standing Committee, Ad hoc Committee, or Campus Committee.
    • Clause A Active contribution shall be determined by the chair of each committee.
  • Section 2 Standing Committees
    • Clause A Membership Composition
    1. Appointment of members to the Standing Committees shall be made or approved by the President.
    2. Committee chairs shall be elected by the committee members if not otherwise specified in the Constitution or By-Laws.
    • Clause B The Committees may recommend to the President the establishment of Ad Hoc Committees to investigate and recommend solutions to specific problems.
    • Clause C Standing Committees shall be permanent committees of the GPSA and shall function throughout the existence of the organization. They shall be:
    1. The Constitution and By-Laws Committee
      1. The Committee shall be composed of not less than four members and the Parliamentarian shall serve as chair of this Committee.
      2. The Committee shall review the Constitution and By-Laws of the GPSGA and shall draft amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws when requested or the need arises.
      3. It shall draft a new Constitution and/or By-Laws when deemed necessary.
      4. It shall be responsible for making available copies of the GPSGA constitution and By-Laws to all GPSGA representatives.
      5. It shall be responsible for insuring that the procedure of the election of officers is carried out in a legal and orderly fashion as described in Article II, Section 1 of these By-Laws.
    2. The Policies and Procedures Committee
      1. The Committee shall be composed of not less than four members and the GPSGA Vice-President shall serve as chair of the Committee.
      2. This committee investigates, formulates, and recommends policies pertaining to graduate education and graduate student benefits.
    3. The Communications and Publications Committee
      1. The Committee shall be composed of not less than four members and the Communications Director shall serve as chair of this Committee.
      2. This committee promotes good public relations between the GPSGA and the University, provides needed published information to graduate students, coordinates and updates the GPSGA web page, and facilitates communication between graduate students, faculty, administration, and undergraduate students.
    4. Finance Committee
      1. The Committee shall be composed of not less than four members and the Treasurer shall serve as chair of this Committee.
      2. Function
        1. The Committee shall meet with the chairs of the Standing Committees to prepare an annual budget for presentation to the Executive Committee.
        2. The Committee shall record all income and expenditures.
        3. The Committee shall review all GPSGA projects and proposals requiring more than $250 of GPSGA moneys and make recommendations to the General Assembly concerning the availability of funds.
        4. The Committee shall be charged with evaluating Travel, Group, and Mixed Constituency Funds requests, and shall submit their recommendations to the General Assembly for approval.
  • Section 3 Ad Hoc Committees
    • Clause A Formation and Termination
    1. The GPSGA may establish Ad Hoc Committees to deal with special programs and problems not within the jurisdiction of any one Standing Committee. The Chair of an Ad Hoc Committee shall be appointed by the President for the approval of the General Assembly.
    2. An Ad Hoc Committee shall be dissolved when its function is completed or at the discretion of the GPSGA.
    • Clause B Annual Ad Hoc Committees shall be:
    1. Phoenix Awards Committee
      1. The Committee shall be composed of not less than four members and the GPSGA Vice President shall serve as chair of the Committee.
      2. Function: It shall be responsible for evaluating applicants for the Phoenix Awards. The process will be comprised of the following steps: the Committee Chair shall issue a call for nominations to all department heads and graduate coordinators; establish a committee comprised of a minimum of three members to evaluate applicants; evaluate all applicants and select the top three candidates in each category (i.e. Master’s Student, Doctoral Student, and Faculty) for interviews; and interview all finalists and select a recipient in each of the three categories. Also, the committee, in cooperation with the Research Awards Committee, will coordinate an awards banquet to honor the recipients.
    2. Research Awards Committee
      1. The Committee shall be composed of not less than four members and the chair shall be appointed by the President of the GPSGA and approved by the Executive Committee.
      2. This committee is responsible for cooperating with the Graduate College in the coordination of the Annual Graduate College Research Symposium. In this role, this committee will be responsible for coordinating the evaluation and judging of scholarly presentations given at the Research Symposium and presenting awards to the outstanding presentations determined by the committee. Also, the committee, in cooperation with the Phoenix Awards Committee, will coordinate an awards banquet to honor the awardees.
  • Section 4 General Function of the Committees
    • Clause A Committees have the responsibility of submitting proposals or resolutions to the GPSGA for action.
    • Clause B At no time shall a Committee act on behalf of the organization without the express approval of the General Assembly.
    • Clause C All GPSGA committees must keep minutes of their meetings.

 

ARTICLE IV FISCAL POLICY

Section 1 Authority of Expenditures

  • Clause A Expenditures of $250 or less shall require only the approval of the Treasurer and/or President.
  • Clause B Expenditures of more than $250 shall require the approval of the GPSGA.
  • Clause C There shall be a line item in the budget called the President's Discretionary Fund that will reflect a maximum spending limit of $250 for items not already approved in the budget.

 

ARTICLE V MINORITY OPINION

Section 1 Any and all minority opinion(s) or dissenting opinion(s) shall be included in the minutes of the GPSGA, provided that such opinions are presented to the Secretary by that minority prior to the next regular meeting of
the GPSGA.

ARTICLE VI BILL OF RIGHTS

Graduate Students assume the role of employees while working as teaching assistants, research associates, research assistants, or graduate assistants. Graduate students working in these capacities provide many valuable services to Oklahoma State University. As students and employees, the Oklahoma State University Graduate & Professional Student Government Association asserts the following rights as necessary to maintaining our self-respect as members of the university community:

  1. The right to a fair living wage, comparable to other Big-12 schools.
  2. The right to be represented as research and/or teaching colleagues in university or college decision-making bodies.
  3. The right to work under clear, equitable, and mutually agreed-upon job descriptions and working conditions.
  4. The right to an impartial, just, and mutually agreed-upon set of procedures for the swift resolutions of workplace grievances.
  5. The right to adequate parental leave and child care benefits as do staff and faculty.
  6. The right to remission of tuition and the cost of books and educational materials (when serving as a teaching assistant, a teaching associate, a research assistant, and/or a graduate assistant).
  7. The right to organize in promotion of our interests as graduate students.
  8. The right to adequate health, eye, and dental care which will meet the needs of graduate student employees, their dependents, and their spouses and /or mates, regardless of a formal marriage.
  9. The right to be free from any form of reprisal for activities related to organizing graduate students or promoting their interests.
  10. The right to a workplace free from sexual harassment.
  11. The right to workplace free from discriminations based on sex, age, race, religion, creed, political philosophy, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or status as a student.
  12. The right to representation at the campus, state, and national levels in order to advocate and advance the interests of graduate students.
  13. The right to work at teaching or research jobs related to the student’s field or area of interest. These jobs should not be so time-consuming as to deter the student from fully pursuing his/her educational objectives.
  14. The right to workers’ compensation for job-related illness or injury.
  15. The right to employment security for the duration of a particular job assignment.
  16. The right to sufficient teacher training, ongoing professional support, and formal assessment and evaluation of teaching assistants.
  17. The right to appropriate workspace, sufficient technological resources and adequate clerical staff support and supplies.

We assert that education is a right, not a privilege. This assertion of rights provides focus and clarity to graduate student employees in an effort to avoid ambiguity, which has the potential for abuse to manifest itself at an unacceptable level, regardless of the honor, intentions, and integrity of all involved in the Oklahoma State University community. 

ARTICLE VII RESOLUTIONS AND OTHER OFFICIAL ACTIONS OF THE GPSGA

  • Section 1 Any representative may propose a resolution for consideration by the General Assembly.
    • CLAUSE A The resolution shall be submitted in writing to the GPSGA Executive Committee at least one week in advance of the consideration of the resolution.
    • CLAUSE B Any resolution shall require a two-thirds majority of quorum to pass.
  • Section 2 Emergency resolutions and other official actions may be authorized by the Executive Committee on behalf of the GPSGA in emergency situations.
    • CLAUSE A Emergency situations are defined as those instances when any member of the GPSGA learns of decisions or actions to be taken by the University System that will impact graduate and/or professional students and there is insufficient time to pass a resolution regarding such decisions or actions following standard procedures.
    • CLAUSE B Any emergency resolution or decision to take official action on behalf of the GPSGA shall require a two-thirds majority of Executive Committee quorum to pass.
    • CLAUSE C A quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of three-fourths of the members.
    • CLAUSE D The Executive Committee shall use all reasonable efforts to contact all GPSGA representatives to obtain their views prior to considering emergency resolutions or other official actions.
    • CALUSE E The Executive Committee shall provide written copies of all emergency resolutions and other official actions to the GPSGA representatives as soon as is feasible.