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Constitution
Amended August 27, 2007
Article I: Name and Purpose
Section 1: Name
The name of this organization shall be the Graduate School Advisory Council of the University of Colorado at Boulder; herein referred to as the GSAC.
Section 2: Purpose
The purpose of the GSAC shall be:
To act as an advisory body to the Dean of the Graduate School;
To recognize achievements of alumni of the Graduate School and others;
To assist in publicity and public relations concerning the Graduate School;
To promote the success of graduate students so they are proficient in their chosen fields as professional scholars and teachers, but are also able to productively and actively use their education in the broader community as leaders in non-academic areas in business and professions;
To develop relationships between the Graduate School and business, industry, and governmental groups;
To act as advocates for higher education through community, state, and national publicity; and
To encourage resource development through advocacy for state funding, internal budgeting, and private gifts to benefit the Graduate School through the University of Colorado Foundation, Inc.
Article II: Organization and Administration
Section 1: Membership
GSAC shall consist of at least eighteen (18) regular members and five (5) ex-officio members. The membership should reflect the diverse ethnic, cultural and academic backgrounds of the Graduate School alumni and the community. The ex-officio members shall include the Dean of the Graduate School, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, the Associate Dean of the Graduate School, a Graduate Student Government (UGGS) representative, and the Director of Development for the Graduate School.
Section 2: Selection and Terms
Any regular or ex-officio member may propose candidates to GSAC. New members shall be elected by a majority of a quorum of GSAC. Members shall serve three-year (3) terms, ending on August 31. Any member may be re-elected for one additional term (serving two terms total), after which the member should rotate off the Council. Former GSAC members will receive e-mail updates from the Graduate School and be invited to the GSAC dinners and receptions. GSAC members who serve as Chair, Vice Chair, or Immediate Past Chair may have their terms extended to cover these periods of service if they commence with or extend beyond the two (2) consecutive terms of normal service.
Council members would be expected to accept the following commitments:
- Actively serve on a committee
- Regularly attend meetings
- Make a financial contribution to the Adopt-A-Graduate Student Program (beginning spring 2008).
Section 3: Meetings
GSAC shall hold two (2) regular meetings each academic year; the date, time, and place of which shall be designated by the Executive Secretary to GSAC in agreement with the Dean of the Graduate School, Director of Development for the Graduate School, and the Chair of GSAC; one of the regular meetings to be in the fall and the other in the spring. Unless otherwise designated by the Secretary, Dean, Director of Development, and Chair, meetings shall be held at the University of Colorado, Boulder campus. Written notice of each regular meeting shall be given to each member of GSAC at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting. The Executive Secretary shall be responsible for issuing notices of all regular meetings. In addition, the Chair may call a special meeting at any time. The Chair, in consultation with the Dean of the Graduate School and the Director of Development for the Graduate School, shall designate the time and place of special meetings, and provide the adequate notice of all meetings to GSAC members.
Section 4: Quorum
A quorum at a regular meeting shall consist of nine (9) regular members of GSAC. Whenever a quorum is present, a majority vote of those members of GSAC constituting the quorum shall determine all actions, except sub-committee action.
Section 5: Mail Vote
Should a meeting fail to have a quorum, the members present may record their votes and request a mail vote to be taken that includes those not in attendance, limiting the time for reply to not more than ten (10) business days. Upon receipt of votes by mail, the votes of those present at the meeting and the mail votes shall be tallied, and the majority of all votes cast, whether or not the total number of votes cast should constitute the vote of the quorum, shall determine all actions, excepting amendment of the Bylaws, which shall require approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the vote so cast.
Section 6: Minutes
Minutes of the meetings of GSAC and the Executive Committee shall be recorded at all meetings by the Executive Secretary. As soon as practicable after the close of the meeting, copies of the minutes shall be distributed to all GSAC members and ex-officio members of GSAC. The agenda, information packets, and copies of the minutes for previous meeting will be sent by email or regular mail thirty (30) days prior to any future meeting.
Article III: Officers and Executive Secretary
Section 1: Officers
The presiding officer shall be the Chair of GSAC, hereinafter referred to as “Chair.” The Chair shall be selected by Dean of the Graduate School and shall serve for a period of two (2) years. The Vice-Chair shall be selected by the Dean of the Graduate School and the Chair of GSAC and shall serve a like term of two (2) years. The Vice Chair shall be considered ‘Chair Elect” and shall be the Chair’s nominee for successor. The Vice Chair shall preside at the meetings of GSAC in the absence of the Chair and represent him/her at such other time and in such a manner as may be designated by the Chair. In the event neither the Chair nor the Vice-Chair is able to preside, a member of the GSAC designated by the Dean of the Graduate School shall preside.
Section 2. Executive Secretary
The Executive Assistant to the Dean of the Graduate School will serve as the Executive Secretary of GSAC.
Article IV: Committees
Section 1: Standing Committees
GSAC may have Standing Committees for planning, coordinating and implementing specific activities which assist the Dean of the Graduate School and the Director of Development for the Graduate School. There shall be three (3) standing committees, to wit: the Executive Committee, the Alumni Relations Committee, and the Resource Development Committee. The need for additional Standing Committees and the focus of each Standing Committee will be determined by the Executive Committee with functions and duties designated by the Chair.
Each Standing Committee will elect its own Chair and Co-chair; determine its agenda in consultation with the Dean of the Graduate School and the Director of Development for the Graduate School; and make a report of its activities at each regularly scheduled meeting of the GSAC.
Section 2: Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Chair of GSAC, who shall be Chair of the Committee, the Vice Chair of GSAC, and four (4) other members appointed by the Chair. The Dean of the Graduate School and the Director of Development for the Graduate School shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee without vote. Committee service is for one year, renewable by appointment of the Chair.
The Executive Committee shall meet upon the call of the Chair at such times by methods as he/she may designate. This may include telephone conferences. In addition, the Committee can hold meetings in conjunction with the spring and fall GSAC meetings.
The Executive Committee shall discuss candidates for membership on GSAC upon the recommendation of the Dean; shall perform such other duties and functions as GSAC may from time to time designate; and shall function in lieu of the GSAC between the times of their meetings. The Executive Committee shall assist the Chair and the Dean in the general operation of GSAC and the strategic planning for the Graduate School.
Section 3: Alumni Relations Committee
This committee shall be composed of past or present GSAC members residing outside of the Boulder/Denver Metro Area, the Dean of the Graduate School, the Executive Secretary, and the Director of Development. The purpose of the committee is to connect Graduate School Alumni and encourage development activities.
Section 4: Resource Development Committee
The Resource Development Committee shall be composed of members of GSAC, the Dean and Associate Dean of the Graduate School, the Development Director for the Graduate School, and the Chair of GSAC. The Chair of the Resource Development Committee shall be selected by the Chair and Vice Chair of GSAC, and the Dean. Members shall serve terms of two (2) years, and may serve on no more than two (2) consecutive terms. The Chair shall serve a two-year term and shall appoint, subject to approval by the Chair and Vice Chair of GSAC and the Dean, a Vice Chair who shall become Chair at the end of that term.
The Resource Development Committee shall meet at least twice annually, usually in conjunction with the spring and fall GSAC meetings. The Resource Development Committee shall be responsible for providing guidance and direction to the College’s development efforts and for approving priorities and strategies for the Graduate School’s fundraising activities. Committee members will assist in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors who can make endowment and capital gifts, deferred gifts, and gifts for special and current fund projects. All solicitations shall be coordinated with the fundraising activities of the University of Colorado Foundation, Inc. through the Director of Development.
Section 5: Other Committees
As determined by the Executive Committee, other committees may be formed. Membership on any such committees shall be determined by the Chair and the Dean of the Graduate School, but members of GSAC can request specific membership.
Time shall be committed at each GSAC meeting for any such committees to meet and then report to GSAC. The committees may work on assignments between GSAC meetings and participate in telephone conferences. The committees shall define specific agendas, and shall select the next committee chair at the conclusion of the spring GSAC meeting.
Article V: Acquisition of Funds
GSAC members may solicit gifts for the purposes of GSAC described in this Constitution. Any solicitation of funds must be approved by the Executive Committee of GSAC. Any solicitation shall be coordinated with the fund raising activities of the University of Colorado Foundation, Inc., and all gifts received shall be administered by the Foundation.
Article VI: Amendments
The Constitution may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the GSAC, provided a description of the amendment and a proxy and ballot are given to members of GSAC at least thirty (30) days before the meeting at which the amendment is to be presented for vote. A two-thirds vote of members of the GSAC is required to approve an amendment.
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