THE GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY

(Revised April 4, 2005 )

Article I: GPSA MEMBERSHIP

Section I : Members of the GPSA. All graduate and professional students at Washington State University shall be members of the GPSA.

A. Duties and Privileges of Membership. Members of the GPSA are entitled to all benefits and privileges of the GPSA and share in its responsibilities and duties.

• Members of the GPSA are entitled to the benefits and privileges of voting in the GPSA's general elections, and can be elected as a GPSA Executive Officer or Senator.

• Members of the GPSA may share in the responsibilities and duties of the GPSA by serving as a GPSA Senator or a GPSA representative on a University, Faculty Senate, or GPSA committee.

Article II: GPSA MEETINGS

Section I : GPSA Senate Meetings. The GPSA Senate shall meet every other week during the Fall and Spring semesters, with exception for official university holidays, during the period of May 16 of one general election year to May 15 of the following general election year.

A. Dates, Times and Places of GPSA Senate Meetings. The dates, times and places of GPSA Senate meetings shall be determined by the GPSA Executive Committee or its designated representative(s).

B. Holding of the First GPSA Senate Meeting During the Fall Semester of a Regular Academic Year. The first meeting of the GPSA Senate shall be held in September of the Fall semester of the regular academic year.

C. Attainment of a Quorum at a GPSA Senate Meeting. A quorum shall exist at a GPSA Senate Meeting when (1/2) one-half of the active GPSA Senators and District Representatives are physically present at a GPSA Senate Meeting. (An inactive Senator is defined in Bylaws, Article IV, Section IV, B1).

D. Absence of GPSA Senators from GPSA Meetings. A Senator who cannot be present at a Senate meeting may notify the Chair of the GPSA Senate, directly or through a GPSA office staff member, no later than one (1) hour prior to its official commencement, and receive an excused absence. An excused absence will not count toward Inactivation (Article IV, Section IV, B1). Two such excused absences shall be allowed during one Senatorial term.

Section II : Voting in GPSA Senate Meetings. Each voting member of the GPSA Senate physically present at a given GPSA Senate meeting may cast only one (1) vote on each matter before the Senate that requires a vote of the GPSA Senate.

A. Budget and Financial Requests. Matters concerning the approval of the GPSA budget or the disbursement of GPSA funds may be approved based on a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the GPSA Senate physically present.

B. Other Matters before the GPSA Senate. All other matters before the GPSA Senate, except for the amendment of the GPSA Constitution or the GPSA Bylaws, shall be approved by a majority vote of the GPSA Senate physically present.

Section III : GPSA Executive Committee Meetings. The membership of the GPSA Executive Committee consists of the President, Vice-President, and the District Representatives. The GPSA Executive Committee shall meet every other week during the Fall and Spring Semesters with exception for official university holidays, at least one (1) week prior to GPSA Senate meetings. One meeting per month may be held via electronic communication.

A. Dates, Times and Places of GPSA Executive Committee Meetings. The dates, times and places of GPSA Executive Committee meetings shall be prepared at the start of each Fall and Spring semester during the regular academic year.

B. Holding the First GPSA Executive Committee Meeting during the Fall Semester of the Regular Academic Year. The first meeting of the GPSA Executive Committee shall be held in September of the regular academic year.

C. Voting in GPSA Executive Committee Meetings. Each member of the GPSA Executive Committee may cast only one (1) vote on each matter.

• All matters before the GPSA Executive Committee, except for the amendment of the GPSA Constitution or the GPSA Bylaws, shall be approved by a majority vote of the GPSA Executive Committee physically present.

Article III: GPSA ELECTIONS

The GPSA shall conduct two (2) types of elections: General Elections of GPSA Executive Officers, and special replacement election of GPSA Executive Officers.

Section I: Academic Department or Professional Program GPSA Senator Election. The GPSA encourages students within all departments and programs to organize in order to elect someone to represent their concerns. The election of GPSA Senators should be conducted at least once annually in each academic department or professional program. District Representatives will be responsible for informing GPSA Members within their districts of Senatorial vacancies, and Senatorial responsibilities.

• Method of Election of GPSA Senators in Academic Departments or Professional Programs. The method of electing GPSA Senators must afford each GPSA member of the academic department or professional program the opportunity to both run for available Senate seats and cast a ballot in the election to fill them. In the case of a Senator's Inactivity (Bylaws, Article IV, Section IV, B1), a replacement election will be coordinated by the remaining Senator(s) or by the District Representative if there are no remaining Senators.

• GPSA Senate Representation of Academic Departments or Professional Programs. The Members of the GPSA in each academic department or professional program shall be apportioned no less than one (1) and no more than five (5) Senatorial seats in the GPSA Senate. Academic department or professional program apportionment in the GPSA Senate shall be calculated as follows:

• Verification of the Academic Department or Professional Program GPSA Senator Election Process. An elected GPSA Senator from each academic department or professional program shall provide the GPSA Vice President at the time of his/her election a written statement describing the manner in which the academic department or professional program chose him/her as its GPSASenator.

• Challenges to the Academic Department or Professional Program GPSA Senator Election Process. The electoral apportionment of an academic department or professional program can be appealed to the GPSA Senate by submission of a petition signed by ten (10) percent of the members of the department or program in question.

• Ruling on Challenges to the Academic Department or Professional Program GPSA Senator Election Process. The GPSA Senate shall determine the outcome of academic department or professional program challenges to the academic department's or professional program's electoral apportionment.

• Elections to Fill Seats Vacated by Senators Declared Inactive. The method of replacing Inactive GPSA Senators in each academic department or professional program shall be determined by its respective GPSA members in accordance with the conditions stated in Item A above. Any previously Inactive Senator shall be eligible to fill Inactive Seats unless prohibited by the procedures or preference of fellow GPSA Members in the same department or program.

Section II: General Election of GPSA Executive Officers. The GPSA shall conduct a general election of GPSA Executive Officers in the Spring semester of each regular academic year. The procedures for this election shall be governed by Appendix II of the GPSA Bylaws.

Section III: Replacement General Election of GPSA Executive Officers. In the case that the GPSA Election Committee declares the General Election to be invalid, a second General Election may be held. This second General Election shall be completed no later than the second Friday of April of the regular academic year. With the exception of the completion deadline, the procedures for this election shall be governed by Appendix II of the GPSA Bylaws.

Section IV: Special Replacement Elections of GPSA Executive Officers. Vacancies in the Executive Offices of the GPSA shall be filled by a vote of the GPSA Senate. It is the duty of the GPSA President to immediately inform the Senate in writing of a vacancy by resignation, or otherwise. In the event that the GPSA President is unable to fulfill this duty, it shall fall first to the GPSA Vice President and then to the Executive Committee.

• Notice of Vacancy of GPSA Executive Offices. Notice of the vacancy of a GPSA Executive Officer shall be sent to each GPSA Senator in each academic department or professional program. In the case of a vacant District Representative Executive Office, notice of the vacancy shall be sent to each academic department or professional program in the relevant district only. The notice of vacancy shall be sent at least two (2 weeks prior to the GPSA Senate meeting in which the election to fill the vacancy is scheduled to take place. In addition, the notice of vacancy will be published in the Daily Evergreen with the same two (2) weeks lead time.

• Eligibility to Fill Vacant GPSA Executive Officer Positions. Any member of the GPSA may file as a candidate for a vacant GPSA Executive Officer position.

• Information Supplied by Candidates for Vacant Executive Officer. Candidates for vacant GPSA Executive Offices shall draft a Candidate Information Statement (Bylaws, Appendix II, Article I, Section VI) and present it to the GPSA Program Support Supervisor at least one (1) full business day prior to the one (1) week Senators' deliberation period that must precede the Special Election.

• Distribution of Information Supplied by Candidates for Vacant GPSA Executive Offices. The information provided by candidates for vacant GPSA Executive Offices shall be distributed to all GPSA Senators at least one (1) week prior to the Senate meeting at which the vacancy will be filled.

• Distribution of Ballots for the Election of Candidates to Vacant GPSA Executive Offices. Provided that the majority present at the GPSA Senate meeting at which a vacant GPSA Executive Office is to be filled, a designated representative of the Executive Committee will distribute ballots containing each candidate's name and collect them upon completion of the election.

• Tallying GPSA Special Replacement Election Ballots. The ballots for Replacement Executive Officers shall be tallied by the Election Committee.

Article IV: GPSA EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND GPSA SENATORS

Section I: Duties of the GPSA President.

• Duties of the GPSA President. The duties of the GPSA President shall include, but not necessarily be limited to,

• Attending Faculty Senate and Presidential committees which specifically require the representation of the GPSA President. If the GPSA President is unable to attend said meetings, a designated representative may be sent in his/her place.

• Attending all WSU Board of Regents meetings. If the GPSA President is unable to attend a WSU Board of Regents meeting, a designated representative may be sent in his/her place.

• Regularly attending WSU Faculty Senate meetings to represent the interests of graduate and professional students

• Ensuring that all GPSA Executive Officers are performing their duties in accordance with the GPSA Constitution and Bylaws. If GPSA Executive Officers are negligent in their duties, the GPSA President shall attempt to rectify the situation, or failing this, recommend recall of the negligent GPSA Executive Officers.

• Coordinating relations between the GPSA and the WSU Foundation, the WSU Alumni Association, the WSU Administration, the Associated Students of Washington State University and all other relevant internal groups. Coordination of relations may include attendance at meeting of the Board of Directors of the WSU Alumni Association and the WSU Foundation as well as all other relevant meetings.

• Annually reviewing the GPSA Constitution and Bylaws as an ex officio member of the Constitution and Bylaws Review Committee to ensure that they are current, consistent and coherent documents.

• Appointing representatives of the GPSA to all Presidential, Faculty Senate, and other University Committees which request such representation. In the case of a position having multiple-year term and which is not vacant, no new appointment shall be made. The GPSA President shall also seek volunteers for GPSA committees as needed.

• Serve as a representative of GPSA on the Services and Activities Fee Committees and present GPSA's funding requests to said committees. If the GPSA President is unable to fulfill this duty, the GPSA President may delegate this responsibility to a designated representative who will attend in his/her place.

• Assisting the GPSA Program Support Supervisor in the administration of the GPSA.

• Acting as an ex officio member of the Advisor Award and Teaching Assistant Excellence Award Committees, Student Appreciation Week Committee and assisting members of that committee to plan, organize, and conduct the Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week.

• Setting the GPSA Executive Committee calendar for semi-monthly meetings of the GPSA Executive Committee at the start of the Fall and Spring semesters of the regular academic year.

• Preparing written agendas for GPSA Executive Committee meetings and distributing said agendas to all GPSA Executive Committee members.

• If a committee is vacant, the GPSA President may appoint a Senator or District Representative to said committee.

• Calling the first meeting of the GPSA Executive Committee, and

• Due to the work requirements, the GPSA President shall conform to Graduate School Document No.12.

• Limit to Term of Service. Persons shall be limited to a total of two (2) years service as GPSA President.

Section II: Duties of the GPSA Vice President.

• Duties of the GPSA Vice President. The duties of the GPSA Vice President shall include, but not necessarily be limited to,

• Preparing written agendas for GPSA Senate meetings prior to GPSA Senate meetings and distributing said agendas to all GPSA Senate members and GPSA Executive Committee members prior to the beginning of the Senate meetings for which said agendas are prepared.

• Calling the first meeting of the GPSA Senate of each academic year.

• Keep records on the number of active and inactive senators and listing those departments with inactive senators.

• Notifying members of the GPSA in an academic department or a professional program that their GPSA Senator has been declared an inactive GPSA Senator (Bylaws, Article IV, Section IV, B2).

• Regularly attending WSU Faculty Senate meetings to represent the interests of graduate and professional students.

• Preparing GPSA budgets to be made available to the members of the GPSA Executive Committee and the GPSA Senate.

• Notifying the GPSA Executive Committee and the GPSA Senate when any GPSA budget line item is in danger of, or is in, deficit and proposing funds transfers to alleviate these situations.

• Serve as a representative of GPSA on the Services and Activities Fee Committees and present GPSA's funding requests to said committees. If the GPSA Vice President is unable to fulfill this duty, the GPSA Vice President may delegate this responsibility to a designated representative who will attend in his/her place.

• Tasks associated with fundraising may be assigned to a GPSA employee or other designee by the GPSA Vice President.

• Assisting the GPSA President, the GPSA Program Support Supervisor in the administration of the GPSA, and

• Due to the work requirements, the Vice President shall conform to Graduate School Document No.12.

• Limit to Term of Service. Persons shall be limited to a total of two (2) years service as GPSA Vice President.

Section III. GPSA District Representatives.

• Duties. The duties of the GPSA District Representatives shall include, but not necessarily be limited to,

• Attending all GPSA Senate meetings.

• Attending all GPSA Executive Committee meetings.

• Serving on three (3) Presidential, Faculty Senate, or GPSA committees, and

• Other tasks necessary to fulfill the duties of the office of the GPSA District Representative as assigned by the GPSA Executive Committee.

• Inactivity. Inactivity shall be defined by failure to attend two (2) GPSA Executive Committee or GPSA Senate meetings without providing a valid excuse to the GPSA Office at least two (2) hours before the commencement of said meeting. Absences from these meetings shall commence with the first executive meeting of the fall semester of the regular academic year. The Executive Committee may determine what constitutes a valid excuse.

• Notification of Inactivity. When a District Representative is absent for more than two (2) GPSA Senate and/or GPSA Executive Committee meetings without a valid excuse, the GPSA President shall send written notification to said District Representative to inform him/her of his/her declaration of inactivity and to inform him/her that he/she has one (1) week to respond. If no response is received, the District Representative will be declared inactive and will be removed from the payroll.

• Reactivation. Following the procedures as stated in Bylaws, Article III, Section IV, C, said District Representative can be reactivated with the approval of the GPSA Senate.

• Special Replacement. Special replacement (Bylaws, Article III, Section IV) will occur when either,

• The GPSA Senate does not reactivate said District Representative, or

• Said District Representative does not respond within one (1) week, or

• Said District Representative responds with a letter of resignation to the GPSA President.

Section IV: Senators.

• Duties. The duties of the GPSA Senators shall include, but not necessarily be limited to,

• Attending all meetings of the GPSA Senate.

• Communicating to their constituents in their respective academic departments or professional programs the actions taken by the GPSA Senate, the GPSA Executive Committee or their designated representative(s).

• Communicating to the GPSA Senate, the GPSA Executive Committee or their designated representatives the concerns of their constituents in their respective academic departments or professional programs.

• Serving on at least one (1) Presidential, Faculty Senate or GPSA committee as representatives of the GPSA or the GPSA Senate, unless all committee positions are already filled.

• Reporting to the Senate the activities of any Presidential or Faculty Senate committees on which they serve as representatives of the GPSA.

• Being familiar with the GPSA Constitution and Bylaws, and

• Other tasks necessary to fulfill the duties of the office of a GPSA Senator as assigned by the GPSA Senate, or the GPSA Executive Committee.

B. Inactivity.

• Definition of an Inactive GPSA Senator. A GPSA Senator will be deemed Inactive after having failed to attend a total of two (2) GPSA Senate meetings without a valid excuse (Bylaws, Article II, Section I, D). The count for absences shall commence with the first meeting of the GPSA Senate after the Senator is elected by his/her academic department or professional program in the fall semester of the regular academic year.

• Notification of the Inactive GPSA Senators. After a Senator's initial failure to attend a GPSA Senate meeting without being excused, the GPSA Vice President shall send written notification of impending inactive status to that Senator, the appropriate District Representative, and any other Senators from the same department or program. Upon that Senator's subsequent absence from a Senate meeting without excuse, written notification shall be sent to his/her constituents as well as to the parties named above informing them of the Senator's inactive status and of the procedure for filling the resultant gap in Senate representation.

Article V: OTHER GPSA COMMITTEES

Section I : General Guidelines for GPSA Committees

A. Committee Records

• Committees must maintain complete records of meeting minutes and correspondence.

• Committees must provide copies of records to the GPSA office in electronic format for inclusion in the GPSA records and for inclusion of minutes on the GPSA web site.

• Committees must maintain an updated file/binder in the GPSA office to be used for reference and to document that committee's activities and progress towards its goal(s).

B. Committee chairs must keep records on their committee's activities.

C. Committee members should attend all committee meetings in order to represent the interests of the graduate and professional student population to the committee on which they serve.

D. Committee chairs shall replace non-performing committee members in a timely manner, subject to the approval of the GPSA Senate.

E. Committee chairs shall prepare a list of suggestions for their successors in order to transmit their experience to their successors.

Section II : GPSA Advisor Award, Teaching Assistant Excellence Award, and Student Appreciation Week Committees.

A. Composition of the GPSA Advisor Award and Student Appreciation Week Committees. The GPSA Advisor Award and Student Appreciation Week Committees shall be composed of the GPSA President, the GPSA Vice President and the Dean of the Graduate School , acting as ex officio members, one GPSA District Representative, acting as chair, one (1) GPSA Senator elected by the Senate, and two additional graduate or professional student volunteers approved by the GPSA Senate.

• Duties of the GPSA Advisor Award. The duties of the GPSA Advisor Award Committee shall include, but not necessarily be limited to,

• soliciting nominations for the Graduate and Professional Advisor Awards,

• establishing the criteria for selecting the winner(s) of the Graduate and Professional Advisor Awards,

• selecting the winner(s) of the Graduate and Professional Advisor Awards, and

• other tasks necessary to award the Graduate and Professional Advisor Awards.

• Duties of Student Appreciation Week Committee. The duties of the Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week Committee shall include, but not necessarily be limited to,

• coordinating with the GPSA Vice President to secure the financial resources necessary to fund a GPSA Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week,

• securing the human resources necessary to support GPSA Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week, and

• other tasks necessary to hold a GPSA Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week.

B. Composition of the TA Excellence Awards committee. The GPSA Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week's TA Excellence Awards committee shall be comprised of one (1) GPSA District Representative, who shall serve as chair; a representative of the WSU Alumni Association; a representative of the WSU Graduate School; and representative of the WSU Faculty; and one (l) GPSA Senator approved by the Senate.

• Duties of the TA Excellence Awards committee. The duties of the TA Excellence Awards Committee shall include, but not necessarily be limited to,

• beginning meeting by the second Friday of October of each academic year,.

• soliciting nomination for TA Excellence Awards,.

• holding two (2) nomination periods, one (1) at the end of the fall semester and one (1) at the beginning of the spring semester,

• establishing the criteria for selecting the winners of TA Excellence Awards,.

• selecting the winners of the TA Excellence Awards, and

• other tasks necessary to award the TA Excellence Awards.

C. Composition of the Dr. William R. Wiley Exposition of Graduate and Professional Studies committee. The Dr. William R. Wiley Exposition of Graduate and Professional Studies committee shall be comprised of the GPSA President and the GPSA Vice President, acting as ex-officio members, the Associate Dean of the Graduate School, one (1) GPSA Senator, and three (3) additional graduate or professional student volunteers approved by the GPSA Senate.

• Duties of the GPSA Dr. William R. Wiley Exposition of Graduate and Professional Studies committee. The duties of the GPSA Dr. William R. Wiley Exposition of Graduate and Professional Studies committee shall include, but not necessarily be limited to,

• beginning meeting by the first Friday of November of each academic year,

• soliciting abstracts for the Exposition of Graduate and Professional by the first Friday of December,

• establishing the criteria for submitting abstracts, final papers and poster session displays for the Exposition of Graduate and Professional,

• collecting submitted abstracts by the first Friday of January,

• selecting judges in conjunction with the Graduate School and developing judging criteria to evaluate participants in, and winners of, the Exposition of Graduate and Professional Studies,

• coordinate with the Program Support Supervisor and/or other GPSA employees assigned to this event in order to advertise and promote the Exposition of Graduate and Professional Studies,

• coordinate with the GPSA Vice President, or the Vice President's designated representative to raise funds for the Exposition of Graduate and Professional Studies, and

• other tasks necessary to execute the successful holding of the Exposition of Graduate and Professional Studies.

Section III : GPSA Budget Committee. There shall be a GPSA Budget Committee.

A. Composition of the GPSA Budget Committee. The GPSA Budget Committee shall be comprised of the GPSA Vice- President as chair, five (5) GPSA Senators, each from a different district, elected by the GPSA Senate and the GPSA President and GPSA Advisor acting as ex officio members. Formation of the GPSA Budget Committee shall occur by the second GPSA Senate meeting of Fall Semester.

• Duties of the GPSA Budget Committee. The duties of the GPSA Budget Committee shall include, but not necessarily be limited to,

• presenting the budget to the GPSA Senate by the third GPSA Senate meeting of Fall Semester,

• meeting at least monthly to review all line item expenditures made by the GPSA Executive Officers or their designated representative(s),

• ensuring that all line item expenditures made by the Executive Officers or their designated representative(s) have been documented,

• allocating affiliate funds up to $500 (Bylaws, Appendix I, Article II, Section I, A),

• reporting promptly any suspected discrepancies in the disbursement of GPSA funds,

• preparing, with the assistance of the GPSA Program Support Supervisor and the Business Manager of the CUB accounting office, GPSA budgets to be made available to the members of the GPSA Executive Committee and the GPSA Senate,

• preparing a GPSA Budget proposal for the following fiscal year to be submitted to the GPSA Senate at the Senate meeting immediately preceding the S & A deadline,

• following GPSA Senate approval, which must take place at the above mentioned meeting submit a revised budget proposal to the S & A Fees Committee by the deadline set by the S&A Fees Committee,

• following funding allocation by the S&A Fees Committee, preparing a finalized budget proposal to be presented to the GPSA Senate by the last GPSA Senate meeting of the spring semester,

• reviewing all requests for GPSA funding and submitting recommendations for funding of these requests to the GPSA Senate, and

• establishing guidelines and timetables for submitting funding requests to the GPSA Senate. This information shall be made readily available to all interested parties.

Section IV : GPSA Professional Student Travel Grant Committee.

A. Composition of the GPSA Professional Student Travel Grant Committee. The GPSA Professional Student Travel Grant Committee shall be comprised of a GPSA District Representative, acting as chair, and additional graduate or professional student volunteers approved by the GPSA Senate. These additional graduate or professional students shall include one (1) graduate or professional student from the College of Veterinary Medicine , one (1) graduate or professional student from the College of Pharmacy , and at least one (1) additional graduate or professional student.

• Duties of the GPSA Professional Student Travel Grant Committee. The duties of the GPSA Professional Student Travel Grant Committee shall include, but not necessarily be limited to,

• evaluating all applications for funding from the GPSA Professional Student Travel Grant Fund,

• selecting recipients of funds and determining the amount they are to receive from the GPSA Professional Student Travel Grant Fund,

• writing letters of award or rejection to all applicants who requested funding from the GPSA Professional Student Travel Grant Fund, and

• other tasks necessary to meet the obligation of the GPSA Professional Student Travel Grant committee .

Section V: GPSA Election Committee

A. Composition of the GPSA Election Committee. The GPSA Election Committee shall be comprised of four (4) graduate or professional students. The committee shall be chaired by a Senator. Candidates for GPSA Executive Office shall not serve on the GPSA Election Committee. Members campaigning for or on behalf of candidates of the GPSA Executive Office shall not serve on the GPSA Election Committee.

• Duties of the GPSA Election Committee. The GPSA Election Committee shall conduct the general election of GPSA Executive Officers in accordance with the GPSA Constitution and GPSA Bylaws Appendix II.

Section VI : GPSA New Student Orientation Committee

A. Composition of the GPSA New Student Orientation Committee. The GPSA New Student Orientation committee shall be comprised of four (4) graduate or professional student volunteers, one of whom shall serve as chair. The GPSA President, the GPSA Vice President and the Graduate School Representative, also may serve as ex officio members.

• Duties of the GPSA New Student Orientation Committee. The duties of the GPSA New Student Orientation Committee shall include, but not necessarily be limited to,

• beginning to meet before the end of Spring semester to start organizing August-September orientation activities,

• producing and distributing the graduate and professional New Student Orientation package, and

• developing, implementing and promoting orientation programs for new and returning graduate and professional students, including the GPSA Picnic.

Section VII : GPSA Constitution and Bylaws Review Committee. There shall be a GPSA Constitution and Bylaws Review Committee.

A. Composition of the GPSA Constitution and Bylaws Review Committee. The GPSA Constitution and Bylaws Review Committee shall be comprised of a GPSA District Representative, acting as chair; two (2) GPSA Senators elected by the Senate; two additional graduate or professional student volunteers approved by the GPSA Senate; and the GPSA President and the GPSA Advisor acting as ex officio members.

• Duties of the GPSA Constitution and Bylaws Review Committee. The duties of the GPSA Constitution and Bylaws Review Committee shall include, but not necessarily be limited to,

• annually reviewing the GPSA Constitution and Bylaws to ensure that they are current, consistent and coherent documents, and

• rule on all challenges by candidates relating to the validity of the election procedures, balloting, or other aspects of the general election of GPSA Executive officers after the general election.

Section VIII : GPSA Ethics Committee. The members of the GPSA recognize a Code of Ethics and Conduct by which all graduate and professional students associated with GPSA must abide (Bylaws, Article VIII).

A. GPSA Ethics Committee Membership.

• The GPSA Ethics Committee shall be selected and convened upon the submission of a complaint of violation(s) as defined in Bylaws, Article V, Section VIII, A2, A3 and B is brought against a member of the GPSA.

• The GPSA Ethics Committee shall consist of a Chair (or Acting Chair) and Secretary (or Acting Secretary) elected by the GPSA Senate from among their members and four (4) committee members, including two (2) members from the Senate and two (2) members from the GPSA Executive Committee.

• The Dean of the Graduate School , or a substitute designated representative, shall serve as Advisor to the GPSA Ethics Committee and shall sit as an ex-officio member of the committee.

• In case of absence or disability of the Chair or Secretary, the GPSA Senate shall select a temporary replacement to serve as Acting Chair or Acting Secretary.

B. Purposes and Duties of the GPSA Ethics Committee.

• The GPSA Ethics Committee shall review all cases of alleged violations of the GPSA Code of Ethics and Conduct by members of the GPSA and shall make recommendations to the GPSA Senate for action in those cases in which a violation is deemed to have occurred.

• Allegations of violation(s) of the GPSA Code of Ethics and Conduct may be reported by any GPSA member by the submission of a complaint to the GPSA Senate Chair signed by the complainant and supported by the signatures of at least five (5) other GPSA members. The Senate Chair shall then inform the Chair of the Ethics Committee.

• Allegations of violation(s) of the GPSA Code of Ethics and Conduct may be reported by individuals who are not members of the GPSA by the submission of a complaint to the Dean of the Graduate School signed by the complainant. The Dean shall then inform the Chair of the GPSA Senate of the complaint and the Senate Chair shall inform the Chair of the Ethics Committee.

• In cases where allegations of violation(s) are directed toward the Chair of the Senate or member(s) the GPSA Executive Committee, all complaints shall be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School and the Dean shall directly inform the Chair of the Ethics Committee.

• When a complaint of violation(s) by a GPSA member is reported to the GPSA Ethics Committee, the Chair of the GPSA Ethics Committee shall inform the member that the case is being considered and the Chair of the GPSA Senate shall inform this member of the final disposition of the case.

• Confidentiality must be maintained in accordance with Bylaws, Article V, Section VIII, C. The GPSA Ethics Committee shall not divulge the name or the testimony of any person giving testimony at either a preliminary investigation or hearing of the committee. Once a decision has been rendered by the GPSA Ethics Committee, the committee may release only its decision, the nature of the complaint, and the name of the individual against which the complaint was filed .

• The Chair of the GPSA Ethics Committee shall conduct and control all aspects of the GPSA Ethics Committee hearings.

• The Secretary of the GPSA Ethics Committee shall ensure that minutes of all committee meetings and hearings are recorded and that a permanent record is maintained in accordance with the provisions of Bylaws, Article V, Section VIII, C.

C. Procedures of the GPSA Ethics Committee

• All persons appearing before the GPSA Ethics Committee at a hearing or preliminary investigation shall be informed of the reasons for their presence.

• When a suspected violation of the GPSA Code of Ethics and Conduct is reported in accordance with Bylaws, Article V, Section VIII, B, and the GPSA Ethics Committee convened, the committee shall conduct a preliminary investigation to examine all relevant facts. The committee may formally request the presence of any persons involved, or thought to have pertinent information, to discuss their knowledge of any information concerning the case.

• Any person asked to attend a preliminary investigation may be accompanied by any one member of the Washington State University Community of his/her choice. No one else may attend the preliminary investigation.

• After completing their preliminary investigation, the GPSA Ethics Committee shall decide whether to accept or refuse jurisdiction. Factors which may result in a determination to refuse jurisdiction include, but are not limited to, urgency of resolution to the Washington State University community, safety, prolonged duration of hearings, extreme seriousness or complexity of the alleged violation, or insufficient interest of the Washington State University community.

• Following a determination to refuse jurisdiction the Chair shall immediately refer the matter to the Dean of the Graduate School for resolution, as the Dean deems appropriate. Copies of all relevant documents shall be passed on to the Dean.

• If jurisdiction is not retained by the GPSA Ethics Committee, the matter referred to the Dean of the Graduate School shall not be considered further by the GPSA Ethics Committee, except as requested by the Dean, nor shall actions taken by the Dean in such matters be considered actions of the GPSA Ethics Committee.

• If jurisdiction is retained by the GPSA Ethics Committee and if the committee determines that a reasonable suspicion exists, the Chair of the GPSA Ethics Committee shall convene a hearing.

• The suspected violator's name remains confidential. Only the GPSA Ethics Committee may be present at this hearing.

• The committee then votes whether to consider the case in a formal hearing. The committee may also, at their discretion, recommend that the case be referred to the GPSA Senate due to special circumstances.

• Failing such actions, the Chair shall dismiss the case and all records shall be destroyed after a ninety (90) day period has elapsed.

• A dismissed case can be re-opened only if there is new evidence. Since records of dismissed cases are destroyed after ninety (90) days, there shall be a limit of ninety (90) days on the re-opening of a case.

• If there are two (2) or more suspected violators, the committee shall decide if the suspected violators' cases shall be heard individually.

• If the committee votes to consider the case in a formal hearing:

• The Chair appoints one (1) member of the committee to act as "counselor'' to the suspected violator(s).

ii. The counselor's purpose is not to act as an advocate but merely to explain the GPSA Ethics Committee's procedures to the suspected violator(s), answer any questions, and keep them informed of any proceeding for which they are not present.

iii. The Chair and the counselor shall inform the suspected violator(s) that any information given and any questions asked of the counselor are not privileged and that the counselor shall vote on the case.

• A summary of the evidence presented to the committee at the preliminary hearing; and any other appropriate information, at the Chair's discretion, shall be presented to the suspected violator(s).

i. The committee shall examine all evidence and witnesses may be called; any committee member may directly question a witness or the suspected violator(s).

ii. The suspected violator(s) may submit questions to the committee on information presented by witnesses and on evidence considered by the committee.

iii. Each suspected violator may request of the Chair that witnesses be asked to appear on his/her behalf.

iv. A suspected violator attending a formal hearing may be accompanied by any one member of the Washington State University community, of his/her choice, who may speak on behalf of the suspected violator with the committee's permission; this person may not be an attorney.

• The suspected violator and the member of the Washington State University community may be present at all aspects of the hearing except the committee's private deliberations.

• Witnesses may be present only during their questioning.

• No one else may attend the hearing.

• After all of the evidence has been presented and all of the witnesses heard, a majority vote of approval by the committee shall be required to determine that a violation of the GPSA Code of Ethics and Conduct has been committed.

• If no violation is deemed to have been committed, the case is dismissed and all records pertaining to the case are destroyed in accordance with the provisions outlined above (Bylaws, Article V, Section VIII, C6).

• If a violation is deemed to have been committed by only some of the suspected violators in a multiple suspected violator case heard together, only the violator's names and cases shall appear in the record, except for the participation of suspected violators as witnesses.

• If a GPSA Code of Ethics and Conduct violation is deemed to have been committed, the Chair shall inform the committee of any previous violations committed by the suspected violator and of any pertinent information provided by the Dean of the Graduate School .

• Prior violations shall not be disclosed unless a violation is deemed to have occurred and not until after all suspected violations have been decided. The committee then shall decide what action to recommend to the GPSA Senate:

• Any recommendation to the GPSA Senate must have the approval of the majority of the Ethics committee. The committee may recommend any action it deems appropriate. The Chair and Secretary shall present to the GPSA Senate the recommendation of the committee.

• i. Persons who feel that either any members of the GPSA Ethics Committee have unfairly treated them or that their personal rights have been violated may petition the GPSA Senate.

• No decision of a previous committee shall be revoked, unless the panel is convinced that new evidence or changed conditions alter the status of the original case, or upon recommendation of the GPSA Senate.

• Minutes of all proceedings of the GPSA Ethics Committee shall be recorded by the Secretary in a book of minutes stored and maintained in strictest confidence by the Dean of the Graduate School .

i. Records of the proceedings shall include the names of all present, the names of witnesses, a record of the suspected violator's waiver or failure to take advantage of any important right, the decisions reached by the panel with corresponding vote tallies, a description of any previous violations, the concurring opinion, dissenting opinions, and a statement of the recommended action.

ii. No other recording of the proceedings shall be permitted. Only the GPSA Ethics Committee Chair, GPSA Ethics Committee Secretary, and the Dean of the Graduate School , or his/her designated representative may have access to these records; violators may access only their portions of these records.

• If a suspected violation involves both undergraduate and graduate/professional students, the GPSA Ethics Committee may invite a representative of the ASWSU to participate in their private deliberations.

• All those appearing before the GPSA Ethics Committee, and the committee itself, are expected to maintain absolute secrecy regarding hearings of the committee.

• Divulgence of any of the proceedings shall be considered a violation of the GPSA Code of Ethics and Conduct.

• Should the suspected violator wish to discuss the issues involved in his/her case with others, after his/her case has been completed, the suspected violator may do so at any time, provided no portion of the case that concerns other suspected violators or the testimony of witnesses is made public without the permission of those persons.

• Once the suspected violator initiates public discussion, witnesses in the case and the accuser(s) are no longer bound to secrecy and the GPSA Ethics Committee, by a majority vote of approval, may make public statements about the case.

Section IX : GPSA Registration Grant and Special Travel Funds Committee.

A. Composition of the GPSA Registration Grant and Special Travel Funds Committee. The GPSA Registration Grant and Special Travel Funds Committee shall be comprised of a graduate or professional student (usually the GPSA Vice President), acting as chair, and at least four (4) additional graduate or professional students approved by the GPSA Senate.

• Duties of the GPSA Registration Grant and Special Travel Funds Committee. The duties of the GPSA Registration Grant and Special Travel Funds Committee shall include, but not necessarily be limited to,

• evaluating all applications for funding from the GPSA Registration Grant and Special Travel Fund,

• selecting recipients of funds and determining the amount they are to receive from the GPSA Registration Grant and Special Travel Fund, and

• writing letters of award or rejection to all applicants who requested funding from the GPSA Registration Grant and Special Travel Fund.

Section X : Additional GPSA Committees.

• The GPSA Executive Committee or its designated representative(s) may form additional committees of the GPSA, as the need arises and subject to the approval of the GPSA Senate. The membership in said committees shall be subject to the approval of the Senate.

Article VI: GPSA EMPLOYEES

Section I : GPSA Program Support Supervisor.

• The GPSA Executive Committee or its designated representative(s) shall be empowered to interview, hire and employ the GPSA Program Support Supervisor.

• Duties of the GPSA Program Support Supervisor. The duties of the GPSA Program Support Supervisor shall include, but not necessarily be limited to,

• coordinating the operations of the GPSA in cooperation with the GPSA President, GPSA Vice President, and other officers. The GPSA Program Support Supervisor is supervised by the Associate Dean of the Graduate School . The Program Support Supervisor also receives work assignments and direction from the GPSA executive officers.

• exercising independent judgment in interpreting and applying rules and regulations. Prioritizing tasks as needed.

• providing information and advice to students, staff, program participants and/or the public regarding GPSA programs, services, policies, and procedures; recommending alternative courses of action as needed. Performing general problem solving and trouble shooting. Answering phones, receiving, assisting and referring visitors. Taking and relaying messages. Providing general customer service for students using office equipment.

• monitoring GPSA budget status in line with program activities; maintaining budgets; initiating corrective actions. Anticipating recurring expenditures and prepare purchase orders and related paperwork for GPSA programs and services including purchase orders for student organizations granted GPSA funds; following-up on requests. Ordering, receiving, and maintaining inventory; anticipating supply needs and ensuring that supplies will be available when needed. Handling cash sales; processing and depositing funds. Assisting in the preparation of grants and grant proposals. Preparing for the annual audit.

• seeking approval from GPSA Budget Committee prior to spending GPSA funds for anything other than basic office supplies.

• monitoring GPSA activities in accordance with set goals and within established program parameters, determining variance from program standards. Organizing, scheduling, and promoting GPSA activities in cooperation with GPSA events Committees and Executives. Monitoring and evaluating activities to determine consistency with goals.

• performing complex word processing tasks; using word processing, graphics, statistical software; composing correspondence, printed materials, and/or news releases related to GPSA policies, procedures, and operations; seeking approval from GPSA committees and executives on any promotional materials prior to their use; editing material for accuracy, appearance, readability, and style. Compiling and distributing information relative to GPSA activities. Attending GPSA Senate meetings; preparing and distributing minutes to all active Senators and Executives for said meetings in a timely manner. Preparing reports regarding GPSA operations.

• establishing and maintaining GPSA records and files including both paper and electronic documents; maintaining filing system for overall office, budget, executive officers, archives, travel grants, and other programs. Maintaining office in a neat and organized state. Recording statistical information; interpreting statistical data, historical activity reports, and other materials. Maintaining GPSA e-mail list. Picking up and distribute mail.

• performing complex scheduling including independently prioritizing program needs; coordinating arrangements for activities such as meetings, conferences, and banquets; scheduling appointments and meetings; coordinating schedules for executive officers; making travel and registration grant paperwork and forward in a timely manner to GPSA Travel and Registration Grant Committee. Creating letters and notifying recipients chosen by the committee.

• providing basic and ongoing training for new executive officers. Developing student and hourly position descriptions and advertise position vacancies in the Daily Evergreen and electronically to Human Resources. Screening applicants and make hiring decisions. Initiating, documenting and processing personnel and payroll paperwork. Supervising and directing the work of student employees; providing training, assigning work, and ensuring that student employees remain busy with GPSA work; ensuring satisfactory completion of work.

• developing student and hourly position descriptions and advertise position via the Daily Evergreen and electronically to Human Resources vacancies for the Graduate and Professional Study Center . Screening applicants and make hiring decisions. Initiating, document and process personnel and payroll paperwork. Supervising the GPSC employees and ensure that they are mindful of the Lab policies and procedures.

• promoting GPSA programs on campus and with organizations; may make public presentations related to GPSA programs, services, and procedures; may attend meetings and/or conferences to represent GPSA when student representatives are unable to attend; may confer with representatives of off-campus organizations and agencies regarding GPSA programs and procedures.

• attending Senate meetings and preparing meeting minutes for distribution according to deadline. Providing staff support such as creation and distribution of notification letters and award certificates for GPSA programs including travel grants, registration grants, TA Excellence, Research Expo, and Graduate and Professional Advisor Award.

• performing related duties as required.

Section II : Office Assistant(s ) : One or more students may be employed to assist with GPSA office tasks. Duties may include word processing, typing, data entry in spreadsheets, cash handling, filing of paperwork, assisting students with use of photocopier, answering phones, preparation of purchase orders, and other clerical duties as assigned.

Section III : Other GPSA Employees. The GPSA Program Support Supervisor, GPSA President and GPSA Vice-President shall be empowered to interview, hire and employ other GPSA employees as needed.

Article VII: SOURCES AND DISBURSEMENT OF GPSA MONIES

The GPSA shall receive funding and disburse monies to facilitate the operation of the GPSA.

Section I : Funding of the GPSA. The GPSA shall be funded by Washington State University student service and activities fees, gifts from the Washington State University Foundation, dividends from the Students Book Corporation as well as other sources, including business enterprises. All sources of funding for the GPSA require the approval of the GPSA Executive Committee and/or GPSA Senate.

Section II : Disbursement of GPSA Monies.

A. Only the following GPSA Officers or employees may initiate purchases, enter into binding contracts or otherwise disburse GPSA monies:

• the GPSA President,

• the GPSA Vice President,

• the GPSA Program Support Supervisor, or

• a designated representative of the GPSA subject to the prior approval of the GPSA Senate.

B. The budget of the GPSA shall be prepared by the GPSA Budget Committee (Bylaws, Article V, Section III) and approved by the GPSA Senate.

• All funding requests to the GPSA shall be submitted to the GPSA Budget Committee.

• There shall be four (4) types of funding requests.

• Budget requests for GPSA Affiliates. GPSA Affiliates may apply annually for a budget of up to $500. Additional funds may be requested separately for specific programs.

• Event and program funding for GPSA Affiliates. These requests shall be considered on a first-come first-served basis.

• Event and program funding requests for non-affiliated student and community organizations. These requests shall be considered on a first-come first-served basis.

• Emergency funding requests.

i. There are no deadlines for emergency funding requests.

ii. Emergency funding requests will only be considered when other funding options have been exhausted or when the GPSA Senate makes a special request.

Section III : Right of Prior Approval of GPSA Senate to Disburse GPSA Monies. The GPSA Executive Officers, GPSA employees or designated representatives shall only disburse GPSA monies in accordance with the GPSA budget or with prior approval of the GPSA Senate as specified in the official minutes of a GPSA Senate meeting. The GPSA President and GPSA Vice President may authorize expenditures during the summer in accordance with the approved budget (through June 30) or the proposed budget (beginning July 1). An accounting of summer expenditures authorized by the GPSA President or GPSA Vice President shall be presented to the Senate by the third Senate meeting in the fall.

Section IV : Official Audit of GPSA Financial Records. The financial records of the GPSA shall be subject to an annual audit by an independent auditor who shall be selected by the Washington State University Board of Regents or its designated representative.

Section V : Salaries Paid to GPSA Executive Officers or GPSA Employees. The GPSA shall pay the GPSA Program Support Supervisor and other GPSA employees.

A. Salary of the GPSA President and GPSA Vice President. The GPSA President and GPSA Vice President shall be paid a salary based on the twelve-month term for the period of May 16 through May 15. The rate will be that of a (1/2) time staff assistant at step 50.

B. Salaries of the GPSA District Representatives. The total annual District Representative salary shall be equal to six and one-tenth percent (6.1%) of the total annual salary paid to the GPSA President. Salary shall be disbursed to each active District Representative approximately every two (2) weeks during the Fall and Spring semester of each academic year. District Representatives who do not serve a complete term will be paid on a pro-rated basis for the time they actually serve in office. District Representatives who resign or are dismissed from their office will be paid only for their time served as a GPSA District Representative. GPSA District Representatives will not be paid while "inactive" (Bylaws, Article IV, Section III, B).

C. Salary of the GPSA Program Support Supervisor. The salary of the GPSA Program Support Supervisor shall be set at the rate appropriate to Washington State University 's pay scale for that position.

D. Salaries of Other GPSA Employees. The salaries of other GPSA employees shall be set by WSU pay scale for that position.

Section VI : Disbursement of GPSA Funds for Graduate and/or Professional Student Travel Grant Funds. The GPSA shall make monies available to two (2) travel grant funds. These funds are the Graduate Studies Travel Grant Committee and the Professional Student Travel Grant Committee.

A. Disbursement of GPSA Monies to the Graduate Studies Travel Grant Committee. The GPSA shall make available to the Washington State University Graduate School a portion of the service and activities fees allocated to the GPSA to support graduate student travel, provided that the Graduate Studies Travel Grant committee includes representatives of the GPSA.

B. Distribution of GPSA Monies to the GPSA Professional Student Travel Grant Committee. The GPSA shall make available to the Professional Student Travel Grant Committee a portion of the service and activities fees allocated to the GPSA to support professional student travel.

Article VIII: GPSA Code of Ethics and Conduct

Section I. GPSA members shall perform their duties, specified or unspecified, in conformance to Washington State University Standards of Conduct for Students.

Section II. The GPSA shall act in conformance to and grant all persons under its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws of the State of Washington and the United States of America .

Section III. The GPSA shall make no law, or pass any resolution restricting or enhancing the rights of any person or group on the basis of race; religion; gender; age; sexual orientation; political ideology; national or ethnic origin; color; creed; physical, mental or sensory disability; marital status; or status as a Vietnam-era or disabled veteran.

Section IV. All official GPSA documents, records, and other written and recorded information with the exception of that involving personnel, confidential matters divulged to the GPSA Ethics Committee (Bylaws, Article V, Section VIII), litigation, or pending investment matters shall be made accessible to Washington State University graduate or professional students upon request. The GPSA shall furnish copies of requested information to interested students without undue delay and may not charge above cost for doing so.

Section V. No person serving as an Executive Officer GPSA may be otherwise employed, either directly or indirectly, by the GPSA, without the specific approval of a majority vote of the GPSA Senate.

Section VI. Officers of GPSA affiliated organizations may not hold executive office within the GPSA unless approved by a two-thirds majority of the GPSA Senate.

Section VII. No member of the GPSA shall offer or use employment with the GPSA as a reward for personal service or support.

Section VIII. No member of the GPSA shall use or offer to use their position within the organization for the purposes of rewarding supporters.

Article IX: AMENDMENT OF THE GPSA BYLAWS

The GPSA Bylaws shall be amended in accordance with the procedures outlined in the GPSA Constitution.