CONSTITUTION OF THE HORTICULTURE
GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
Ratified: October 16, 1987

 Article I. Name:
  The name of the organization shall be the Horticulture Graduate Student Association of the University of Nebraska, hereafter referred to as the HGSA.
 Article II. Purpose:
   Section I. To serve as a representative body for graduate students.
  Section II. To promote a closer relationship among graduate students.
   Sections III. To serve as a channel of communication between graduate students and faculty and staff.
   Section IV. To investigate problems unique to graduate students and propose solutions to these problems.
     
 Article III.  Membership:  
   Section I. Membership shall be open to all students currently enrolled in the Graduate College and whose major advisor is a Horticulture staff member.
   Section II. This organization does not discriminate in the selection of members or appointments when discrimination is defined as denying individuals membership or appointment on the basis of a person's age, race, national origin, color, gender, sexual orientation, creed, handicap, or place or residence.
   Section III. The HGSA shall consist of at least five currently enrolled student members. Non-students will be allowed to participated in any student organization activity, but will not be a voting member, or an elected or appointed officer of the HGSA. A non-student is someone who is not currently enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
   
 Article IV.  Officers of the HGSA:
  The officers of the HGSA shall be designated as follows: a President, a Vice President and a Secretary. The duties of the officers are to listen to suggestions and problems from graduate students and staff and to prepare them for discussion at a general meeting of the HGSA, to nominate students for departmental committees and to listen to and decide on grievances. Additional duties and responsibilities of the specific officers shall be as follows:

 A.  President:
  1. To preside over general meetings of the HGSA.
  2. To act as liaison between HGSA and the Graduate Student
Association (GSA):
  ...a) To attend GSA meetings and report to HGSA.
  ...b) To represent HGSA at GSA meetings.
  3. Other responsibilities as authorized by the HGSA.
  4. To submit current list of Officers and Advisors of the HGSA to the Office of Student Involvement by the third week of the Fall semester.
 B. Vice President:
  1. To assume responsibility of President in case of his/her absence.
  2. To act as liaison between HGSA and the Agronomy Graduate Student Association (AGSA):
  ...a) To attend AGSA meetings and report to HGSA.
  ...b) To represent HGSA at AGSA meetings.
  3. To act as liaison between HGSA and Department Head, and the Department Graduate Committee Chair.
 C.  Secretary:
  1. To record and file records of the activities of the HGSA and
its agencies.
  2. To handle all correspondence and maintain a record file of
all correspondence.
  3. To act as liaison between HGSA and the Horticulture Club:
  ...a) To attend Horticulture Club meetings and report to HGSA.
  ...b) To represent HGSA at Horticulture Club meetings.
 D. Treasurer:
  1. To record and file financial records pertaining to the activities of the HGSA with the Student Activities Financial Services (SAFS).
  2. To keep officer/advisor update form/signature cards current with SAFS, and turn in treasurers books by June 30 each year for an annual audit.
  3. To provide a financial report to HGSA meetings.
  4. To register activities and fund raisers with the Office for Student Involvement.
   
 Article V.  Meetings:
  Meetings shall be called by the President of HGSA at least once per semester. The meetings will be official and proper if the following conditions are met:
  A. Advance notice of the meeting is made no less than 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
  B. Advance notice is distributed in writing to all HGSA members.
  C. To be considered an official meeting no less than 2/3 of the HGSA members must be present.
   
 Article VI.  Election of HGSA Officers:
  Officers of the HGSA shall be nominated and elected by HGSA members as follows:
  A. Nominations and elections shall be held on the first meeting of the academic year.
  B. The above nominees shall be graduate students who are enrolled in the Graduate College for the current academic year.
  C. Each HGSA member shall have one vote. Voting shall be done by secret ballot.
  D. Election shall be determined by 2/3 of members present at the first meeting held of the academic year.
   
 Article VII.  Terms of Office:
  Section I. .Elected officers shall be elected for a term of one calendar year.
  Section II. Officers are eligible for reelection provided their status as a graduate student does not change.

Article VIII  Advisors
   Section I. The advisor must be Academic /Administrative or Managerial Professional faculty staff of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
   Section II. The advisor shall be elected by of members present at the first meeting held of the academic year.
  Section III. Length of term shall be one year. In case of renomination the maximum term shall not exceed 3 years.
     

 Article IX.

 Finances  
   Section I. No dues or membership fees are required by the HGSA.
   Section II. Organizational monies will be handled by the Student Activities Financial Services, regardless of source.
     
Article X. Standing Committees:  
   Section I. Membership: Membership of Standing Committees shall be determined by the President subject to the approval of the HGSA by simple majority of those present and voting.
   Section II. The HGSA may establish standing or temporary committees as its business requires.
     
 Article XI. Amendments and Ratification:  
  Section I. Amendments. Amendments to this constitution may be made by a 2/3 vote of approval from those present and voting at any properly announced HGSA meeting providing that the proposed amendment has been presented at a prior general meeting of the graduate students.
  Section II. Amendments must be ASUN approved.
  Section III. Ratification. This constitution shall be ratified by the Graduate Students of the Horticulture Department by 2/3 of approval from those voting by ballot.

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