University of Georgia Department of Plant Biology

Membership in the PBGSA includes all those students working towards M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in the Plant Biology Department. The organization provides the opportunity for graduate students to have a true and meaningful representation in the administration of the Department. The President of the organization and one additional officer attend all faculty meetings and have one vote on all matters considered by the faculty except as pertains to faculty personnel. The PBGSA also sends a representative to Recruitment Committee meetings.

The faculty sends a representative to the meetings of the PBGSA for the purpose of fostering communication between the graduate students and the faculty. It is hoped that these avenues of communication will aid in the progress of the Department for the mutual benefit of both the faculty and the graduate students.

The PBGSA also seeks to improve communication among the graduate students themselves. With this goal in mind the organization serves as a clearinghouse for suggestions and information on student activities in the Department and promotes social functions so that the graduate students may become better acquainted. A PBGSA bulletin board is maintained in the hallway outside the departmental office and students are encouraged to consult it frequently. Tax information and written comprehensive exam questions are kept in the office for graduate student use.

The PBGSA is important both to the graduate students and to the faculty of the Department. Unanimous support is essential for the success of the organization; therefore, your participation is urged and your enthusiasm is necessary.

Constitution of the Plant Biology Graduate Students Association (PBGSA)

Purpose of the Association
The purpose of this organization is as follows:

1. to provide an opportunity for the graduate students of the Department of Plant Biology of the University of Georgia to have true and meaningful representation in the administration of the Department,
2. to relay important information to the graduate students regarding University affairs, scientific opportunities, and educational resources,
3. to promote communication among the diverse groups in the Department through social functions and other activities, and
4. to provide for any other such matters as the Association considers appropriate.

Purpose of this Document
The purpose of the Constitution of the Plant Biology Graduate Students Association is to provide mechanisms for the administration of the Association and to insure that the actions of the officers of the Association are consistent with the desires of the membership.

Definitions of Terms Used in this Constitution
Membership - The membership of this Association shall consist of those persons working towards the degrees of Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Plant Biology at the University of Georgia.

Quorum - A quorum comprises the members present at a meeting that was generally announced at least one week in advance of the meeting.

Majority - More than half of the quorum.

The Officers and Their Duties
The officers of the Association shall include a President, a Vice President, a Secretary-Treasurer, and a Peer Teaching Evaluation Officer.

The President shall conduct meetings and elections of the Association. He or she shall serve as the PBGSA representative to the University of Georgia Graduate Students Association. He or she shall serve as the voting student representative at Departmental faculty meetings. He or she shall report the minutes of the faculty meetings to the Association. He or she shall survey the membership in order to properly represent their opinions at Departmental meetings. He or she may create and dissolve committees from the membership as necessary.

The Vice President shall also attend Departmental faculty meetings as a student representative. He or she shall be responsible for coordinating the business of the Association, such as fundraising events, and educational and social activities. He or she shall conduct the duties of the president in the president's absence.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall serve as the alternate student representative to faculty meetings. He or she shall record and keep minutes of Association meetings, and communicate them to the membership and to the faculty representative of the Association. He or she shall be responsible for the maintenance of a bank account and for collection and dispersal of funds. He or she shall also be responsible for the maintenance of the PBGSA office and records.

The Peer Teaching Evaluation Officer shall support the needs of PBGSA members who are currently involved in graduate teaching or are laboratory assistants. He or she shall be available to critique the teaching of peers as well as offer advice and aid for improvement.

Election and Terms of the Officers
An election of officers shall be made from nominations from the membership once during each school year, preferably during spring quarter or during the first meeting after an office has been vacated. Each office shall be filled by a majority of votes received from the membership within a specified voting period, not less than one week.

No limit shall be placed on the number of terms of office that a member may hold.

Faculty Representative to the Association
A faculty representative to the Plant Biology Graduate Students Association shall be appointed by the Department Head in consultation with the officers.

Meetings
Meetings of the membership shall be held at the discretion of the officers. The procedures described in Robert's Rules of Order are recommended for use in conducting the meetings except in those matters specified in this document. In any case, procedures described in this constitution shall have precedence over any other procedures. In matters other than those specified in this document, a majority vote of the quorum shall carry a motion.

Amendments
This constitution may be amended by a majority of the membership.