GSC Mission and By-Laws
Article I: Representation |
Article II: Gemstone Student Council Committees
Article III: Gemstone Student Council Executive Positions |
Article IV: Revising GSC By-Laws
By-Laws
Mission Statement
We, the 2008-2009 Gemstone Student Council, aim to improve and support the Gemstone Program. strive to foster a tangible sense of program-wide community through the creation of committees dealing with public relations, academic affairs and student activities.
As a Council, our ultimate goal is to improve and support the Gemstone Program by acting as a liaison between students and staff.
Section A: Representatives
- The Gemstone Student Council shall be comprised of representatives from all
four classes of the Gemstone program and have exactly sixteen members. If
fewer than four members from any class run for office, the vacant
spots will be delegated to the eldest class with individual(s) who show interest. - Elections for sophomore, junior, and senior representative positions will take
place in the spring of the academic year prior to which the representatives will
serve. Elections for freshmen representatives will take place in the fall of the
academic year for which the representatives will serve. - The term of office for each GSC representative shall follow the academic
calendar (August-May). Any student running for GSC representative must be
enrolled in classes on campus both semesters of the academic year. - Each GSC representative will be assigned to one of three committees based
upon a self-selection process facilitated by the GSC Chair, and it is
expected that all GSC representatives will attend their respective committee
meetings.
Section B: Attendance Policy
- If a GSC representative is aware that he/she will have to miss a general body meeting, it is his/her responsibility to notify the GSC Advisor and the GSC Chair as soon as possible.
- If a GSC representative is aware that he/she will have to miss a committee meeting, it is his/her responsibility to notify the Committee Chair as soon as possible.
- Each GSC representative is allowed two absences, either one excused and
one unexcused or two excused, per semester from a general body or committee meeting.
Reasons for excused absences must be acceptable by the UMCP guidelines for excused absence from class. - Upon a third absence or a second unexcused absence from a GSC meeting,
the member will be informed by the GSC Advisor that he/she must come to
the following meeting to explain his/her absence. - If a Committee Chair experiences problems with a GSC representative’s
attendance at committee meetings, he/she will inform the Advisor, who will
then arrange a meeting with the representative in question to discuss
his/her attendance record.
Section C: Impeachment Policy of GSC Representatives
- If a Gemstone student feels a representative of his/her class is not
fulfilling his/her duties,the process for removal shall be as follows:
a) Contact the GSC Advisor who will contact the representative in question.
b) The representative in question will be allowed to plead his/her case at the next
general meeting.
c) After hearing from the representative, the GSC will deliberate the case at
the next general body meeting in private and vote by a simple majority
whether to remove the representative from the council.
d) The GSC Advisor has final discretion over action taken against the representative in question. - If the GSC advisor feels that a representative is not fulfilling his/her duties is at his/her discression to remove the representative in question.
Section D: Replacement of GSC Representatives
- The Chairperson and the Advisor of GSC will first advertise the opening to
the class of the removed representative. An emergency election may be
held if more than one person has interest. - If nobody from that particular class expresses interest, the position will be
made available to the GSC committee in which the vacancy occurs. - The GSC Advisor and Chairperson will solicit interest within the
committee. If more than one person from the committee is interested in
the position, an election will occur. Members of all GSC committees who
are present on the day of the election will be allowed to vote. The winner
will be the person who receives the highest number of votes. - If there is still no interest, the position will be made available to members
of all committees. An election will be held if more than one person is
interested. The new representative will then be transferred to the
committee in which the vacancy occurs. - If there is no interest within any of the committees, the position will be
made available to the entire Gemstone student body. An election will be
held if more than one person is interested. The new representative will
then be transferred to the committee in which the vacancy occurs.
Section E: Replacement of a GSC Representative
- The Chair and the GSC Advisor will first advertise the opening to
the class of the removed representative. An emergency election may be
held if more than one person has interest. - If nobody from that particular class expresses interest, the position will be
made available to the GSC committee in which the vacancy occurs. - The GSC Advisor and Chair will solicit interest within the
committee. If more than one person from the committee is interested in
the position, an election will occur. Members of all GSC committees who
are present on the day of the election will be allowed to vote. The winner
will be the person who receives the highest number of votes. - If there is still no interest, the position will be made available to members
of all committees. An election will be held if more than one person is
interested. The new representative will then be transferred to the
committee in which the vacancy occurs. - If there is no interest within any of the committees, the position will be
made available to the entire Gemstone student body. An election will be
held if more than one person is interested. The new representative will
then be transferred to the committee in which the vacancy occurs.
Section F: Conduct
- It is expected that GSC representatives will demonstrate respect for
others at all Gemstone functions. - It is expected that all GSC representatives will follow the code of conduct.
Article II: Gemstone Student Council Committees
The Gemstone Student Council will break down into three committees, working both independently and cooperatively, each committee responsible to the Chairperson, the Advisor, and the entire GSC. Each committee must report their plans for upcoming activities at GSC general body meetings. It is expected that each committee will meet at least once bi-weekly.
Section A: Public Relations Committee
The Public Relations committee will strive to publicize the Gemstone program among high school students, the campus community, and the general public. The committee will collaborate with the Student Activities and Academic Affairs committees and keep current and past Gemstone students informed about the program. Specifically, the PR committee will assume responsibility for “The Stone,” (Gemstone newsletter), any necessary revisions to prospective student literature, open house student panels, the Gemstone table at Maryland Day, and phone calls to students invited to join Gemstone. In addition, the PR committee will spearhead the effort to stay connected with Gemstone alumni.
Section B: Academic Affairs Committee
The Academic Affairs Committee of the Gemstone Student Council seeks to continuously improve the academic structure and environment of the Gemstone Program. The committee will periodically review the curricula of the various Gemstone classes, and it will suggest revisions to the curricula based on constructive and relevant student input. The committee will also serve to facilitate communication between the Gemstone student body and Gemstone faculty and staff. The committee will also work closely with Resident Life staff in Ellicott Hall to improve the living/learning environment and establish good relations between Gemstone and Ellicott Resident Life staff. Finally, the committee will create and provide various academic services to meet the needs of Gemstone students and their teams. These services may include but will not be limited to forums, workshops, student mentor programs, and organizational tools for research.
Section C: Student Activities Committee:
Student Activities Committee: Student Activities Committee: The mission of the Gemstone Student Activities Committee is to develop social community within the Gemstone Program. The committee will create and organize drug- and alcohol-free events every month, including but not limited to sporting games, dances, barbeques, and other bonding activities. Furthermore, the activities will promote a personal connection to the Gemstone Program and increase student involvement. The committee is also responsible for collaborating with the campus community. Programs will be advertised with banners, fliers, and through the Gemstone listserv.
Section D: Committee Chairs:
- Each GSC Committee shall have a Committee Chair.
- Duties of the Committee Chairs
a.) To lead the committee in setting goals for the year.
b.) To ensure the committee accomplishes its goals.
c.) To recruit new members for the committee.
d.) To plan agendas for meetings and lead the committee meetings.
e.) To involve all committee members in projects and committee work.
f.) To notify committee members about upcoming meetings.
g.) To coordinate all functions of the committee not explicity stated above. - The term of office for each GSC Committee Chair shall follow the academic
calendar (August-May). - Eligibility
a.) The Committee Chair must be a GSC representative.
b.) The Committee Chair must have at least one year experience on
the committee they intend to chair. - Election of Committee Chairs
a.) At the last committee meeting of the spring semester, an open
nomination will take place where any committee member can
nominate an eligible member of the committee to serve as Committee
Chair.
b.) If there is more than one candidate for Committee Chair, then all
candidates shall have an opportunity to speak on their own behalf.
c.) After each candidate has spoken the members of the committee will
have a silent vote on the candidates for Committee Chair.
d.) All committee members in attendance are eligible to vote for the
Committee Chair.
e.) The candidate with the most votes shall be the Committee Chair. In the
event of a tie, the committee may decide whether it wants co-chairs. - The Committee Chair may establish any other leadership positions as
needed within the committee.
Article III: Gemstone Student Council Executive Positions
Section A: Chair
- Roles of the Chair
a.) To ensure that the Gemstone Student Council functions smoothly,
effectively, and with credibility.
b.) To be a vocal and visible contact for Gemstone students with
questions about the program or how to get involved.
c.) To be a link between the Council and Gemstone staff. - Duties of the Chair
a.) To stay abreast of all committee actions and goals by either attending
committee meetings or staying in constant contact with the Committee
Chair. The Chair will not be a member of a singular committee,
but will work on all three committees.
b.) To run elections for freshman representatives in the fall and all other
class representatives in the spring.
c.) To meet with the Advisor at least once every 2 weeks to
schedule meetings and cover items that need to be discussed at
upcoming meetings.
d.) To be in contact with Gemstone staff and keep them abreast of
Council activities.
e.) To be active in Open House Forums as well as the Gemstone
Freshman Welcome and other social events. To be a "face of the
Gemstone Program."
f.) To run meetings, make sure that they stay on topic, and compose
an agenda for each meeting.
g.) To help Committee Chairs determine the feasibility of ideas they
want to implement.
h.) To be available as a reference for Gemstone students who have
questions about how to get involved.
i.) Assign GSC members to committees based on a self-selection
process.
j.) Send out meeting reminders.
k.) Work with the GSC Advisor during the summer to start planning fall events. - Term of the Chair: The academic year (August-May)
- Eligibility: Candidates for the position must fulfill the following requirements:
a.) The candidate must have at least 2 years experience on a Gemstone
Student Council committee.
b.) The candidate must have participated as a member of the Gemstone
Student Council the year prior to running for Chair. - How Elected:
a.) At the last GSC meeting of the spring semester, an open nomination
will take place where any eligible GSC member may be nominated to
serve as Chair.
b.) If there is more than one candidate for GSC Chair, then all
candidates shall have an opportunity to speak on his/her behalf.
c.) All GSC representatives in attendance, except the current Chair, are eligible to vote for the Chair.
d.) The candidate with the most votes shall be the Chair for the following academic year. In the event of a tie, the current Chair shall break the tie.
Section B: Secretary
- Duties of the Secretary
a.) Take careful minutes at GSC meetings so that each Council
member knows what every other Council member is doing. Record
attendance at meetings.
b.) Type minutes and, send the minutes to the GSC Advisor by the Monday morning following the meeting. The minutes will then be revised, sent to all GSC representatives, and posted on the Gemstone website.
c.) Spearhead the revision of the GSC bylaws annually. The secretary
will record all changes suggested at the GSC retreat, retype the
suggested changes, and get approval from the council on the revised
bylaws at the following Council meeting. - Term: One semester
- Eligibility: Any GSC member
- How Chosen: After open nominations at the last GSC meeting of each semester, a vote will take place.
Section C: Faculty Advisory Board Representative
- Duty of the Faculty Advisory Board Representative: Attend the Faculty Advisory Board Meeting and communicate on behalf of the Gemstone student population.
- Eligibility: Must be a current member of the GSC.
- How Chosen: The GSC will choose the person based on who is available
to attend the meeting and who feels comfortable speaking on behalf of
the students about the agenda items.
Section D: The GSC may establish other leadership positions as needed within the council
Article IV: Revising GSC By-Laws
Section A: Proposing a Revision
- The GSC chair will send out a call for proposals two weeks before the
annual GSC retreat. - Any GSC member can submit a proposal at any time.
- If at any time revisions are desired, the proposal shall be formally
presented in written format to the chair at least one week prior to the
following GSC meeting so they may be added to the agenda. - The GSC Chair will notify all representatives that a proposed revision
to the By-Laws will be discussed at the next meeting. - Anyone who proposes a revision shall be given fair time during the
designated meeting to defend their position.
Section B: Voting Procedures
- Proposed revisions brought before the GSC for discussion will be enacted
by support from at least a quorum of council members present at the time
of voting. - If a GSC member cannot attend the deliberation meeting, he/she may
select a cohort GSC member to vote on his/her behalf.These bylaws were last revised October 19th, 2007
These bylaws were last approved: November 17th, 2006.
Article I: Representation | Article II: Gemstone Student Council Committees
Article III: Gemstone Student Council Executive Positions | Article IV: Revising GSC By-Laws
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