Section 1 Name

The name of this organization is the Department of Education Policy, Planning and Administration (EDPA) Graduate Students Association, also known as the EDPA GSA or the Association.

Section 2 Jurisdiction

The Association shall serve as an advocacy and planning body on behalf of EDPA graduate students, both full-time and part-time.

Section 3 Purposes

The purposes of this Association shall be to:

• promote the general welfare of our student body;
• represent the opinions of the student body to the appropriate authorities;
• plan activities that complement our scholarly endeavors;
• provide forums for the students to express their concerns on departmental issues;
• conduct regular meetings that foster dialogue on various issues;
• promote collective efforts in areas relating to the purpose of the department;
• establish policies and procedures relevant to governance in the Association; and
• seek participation in activities relating to the organization and management of the department.

Section 1

Students are deemed members of the GSA by virtue of their enrollment in an EDPA program.

Section 1 Elected Officers

The elected officers of the Association shall be: President; Vice President and Secretary; two Department Assembly Representatives; Faculty Advisory Representative; and a Delegate to the College Assembly.

Section 2 Appointed Officers

Appointed officers shall be

• parliamentarian;
• campuswide GSA representative;
• part-time liaison;
• Curriculum Development Committee Representative; and
• Any such officers that may be needed to effectively carry out the purposes of the Association.

Section 3 President

The duties of the President shall be to

• preside at Executive and General meetings of the Association;
• appoint committee chairpersons of all committees ;
• serve as ex-officio of all committees;
• synthesize the work of the Association for public review;
• serve as the spokesperson for the Association;
• carry out the wishes of the Association;
• report on relevant issues;
• if necessary, countersign all documents involving finances;
• exercise general executive authority on behalf of the Association between meetings, subject to ratification by the Executive Council and/or the Association; and
• perform other duties and functions as may be voted on from time to time.

The duties of the Vice President and Secretary shall be to

• perform all duties of the president in his/her absence and/or during any vacancy;
• maintain all Association records;
• take notes and prepare all minutes;
• if necessary, aid, coordinate and integrate the work of the committees for Association and/or public review;
• countersign with the president any documents related to finances;
• chair the Special Elections Committee; and
• perform other duties and functions as may be voted on from time to time.

The duties of the two Department Assembly Representatives shall be to perform duties as described in the Department's Organizational Plan as attached, perform other duties from time to time and attend GSA and committee meetings or send a proxy when necessary.

Section 6 Faculty Advisory Committee Rep./Department Assembly Rep.

The duties of the representative to the EDPA Faculty Advisory Committee shall be to perform duties as described in the Department's Organizational Plan as attached, perform other duties from time to time and attend GSA and committee meetings or send a proxy when necessary. This person also attends the Department Assembly Meetings.

Section 7 Delegate

The duties of the Delegate to the College Assembly shall be to perform duties as described in the Department's Organizational Plan as attached, perform other duties from time to time and attend GSA and committee meetings or send a proxy when necessary.

Section 8 Curriculum Development Committee Rep.

The duties of the representative to the EDPA Curriculum Development Committee shall be to perform duties as described in the Department's Organizational Plan as attached, perform other duties from time to time and attend GSA and committee meetings or send a proxy when necessary.

Section 9 Vacancies

With the exception of the presidency, all vacancies of elected positions shall be filled by a plurality vote by the membership through Special Elections at the next regularly scheduled GSA meeting.

Section 1 Standing Committees

The following shall be standing committees of the Association:

• Executive Committee;
• Executive Council;
• the Alumni Affairs Committee;
• Committee on Part-Time Students;
• Special Events Committee; and
• Academic Development Committee.

The Executive Committee shall consist of departmental fellows and graduate assistants as described in the Department's Organization Plan. The duties of the Executive Committee shall be as described in the Department's Plan of Organization.

Section 3 Executive Council

The Executive Council shall consist of:

• President;
• Vice President and Secretary;
• all elected representatives as previously defined; and
• all standing committee chairs.

• have general authority of the affairs of the Association, subject to the authority of the general Association and the provisions of this Constitution;
• assist the appropriate graduate assistant/fellow with the planning of the annual Graduate Research Conference, the annual Department Open House and developing the EDPA newsletter;
• prepare reports, as needed, for the general membership or for public review;
• recommend policies and procedures to govern Association in its entirety, subject to the approval of the Association;
• create or eliminate committees; and
• approve any coalitions with other organizations.

The duties of the Standing Committees shall be:

• ALUMNI AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: To develop networking opportunities with department alumni, plan annual function with alumni and keep the Association abreast of alumni activities in the department or College.


• COMMITTEE ON PART-TIME STUDENTS: To provide opportunities for part-time students to contribute to the Association and develop communication mechanisms to encourage maximum participation.


• SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE: To plan at least three social events per semester and keep the Association abreast of departmental special events. The chairperson will also serve as the GSA Representative to the Department's Special Events Committee.


• ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: To plan at least two activities a semester that promote scholarship and intellectual development, monitor journals for conference and fellowship opportunities.

Section 1 Timeline

Elections of elected officers shall be handled in the following manner:

March meeting: Nominations (self or by others) must be made at this meeting in person or in writing. Candidates should provide a short statement of interest and brief resume for circulation to the membership prior to elections. The Executive Council shall establish an election period, circulate ballots, along with candidate information, to all currently registered students, and post such information on the department listserve. Only non candidates shall count ballots.

April meeting: Voting shall be tallied and elected officers shall be announced.

May meeting: New officers should be sworn in by the department chair or his/her designate and shall assume positions.

Section 2 Procedures

Regarding the election, it shall be the responsibility of the Executive Council to establish and communicate in a timely fashion procedures, materials or requirements that do not conflict with these bylaws.

Section 3 Term of Office

All elected officers shall be elected by secret ballot for a one year term, ending April 30. The term of each elected officer shall commence May 1.

Section 4 No Nominations

In the event that there are no nominations, the Executive Committee shall assume responsibility for conducting election procedures the following September and/or until such time that an Executive Council is elected.

Section 5 Oath of Office

No official shall assume office until s/he has been administered the Oath of Office by the Chairman of the Department or his/her designate unless this oath conflicts with religious or other beliefs. The Oath: " I, (state your name), do commit to faithfully executing the office to which I have been elected, and will to the best of my ability support and defend the constitution of the EDPA GSA."

Section 1 General meetings

General meetings of the GSA shall be established the second month of each semester. General meetings are open to all registered EDPA students.

Section 2 Special meetings

Special meetings may be called by the President or by a petition to the President of at least ten members.

Section 3 Executive Council Meetings

The Executive Council shall meet at least twice-a-semester. All meetings shall be held before the general Association meeting so that information may be shared immediately. Special meetings may be called by the President or by a petition to the President of at least five Executive Council members. Executive Session meetings may be held to ensure confidentiality of deliberations if needed.

Section 4 Committee Meetings

All standing committees shall meet as needed.

Section 5 Quorum

The quorum of general Association meetings shall be at least five present in order for official business to occur.

Section 1

Any officer or committee chairperson may be removed from his/her position for neglected duties prescribed in this Constitution or for failing to carry out actions properly agreed upon by the Executive Council and/or the general Association by a two-thirds vote of those present at expulsion meeting. Prior to taking any action against any officer, the Executive Council must establish procedures in writing.

Section 1

The Association may cooperate and affiliate with other groups when there is an incentive and purpose of affiliation on specific issues which are in accord with the program and policies of the Association.

Section 1

Proposed amendments to the adopted constitution and bylaws shall be posted and communicated through various forms of communication in advance of a vote at the next general membership meeting. Amendments must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the membership present at the meeting.