The Ohio State University The Department of History of Art The College of the Arts

Constitution of the History of Art Graduate Student Association of the Ohio State University

Mission and Objectives

  1. to provide self-government by the graduate students of the department of the History of Art at The Ohio State University
  2. to serve as communicative liaison between faculty, staff and graduate students of the History of Art department
  3. to disperse policy information form the Graduate School and the History of Art department to the graduate student population
  4. to provide a system through which representation to departmental committees and the campus-wide Council of Graduate Students is elected
  5. to act as a clearinghouse of opportunities for the graduate students of the department (i.e. career, grant, funding, etc.)
  6. to plan, organize and develop social and intellectual events and programs
  7. to promote graduate student relations and interaction
  8. to provide a forum for debate regarding policy and curriculum

Discrimination Policy

This organization and its members shall not discriminate against any individual(s) for reasons of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, age, handicap, or Vietnam-era veteran status.

Membership Qualifications

Voting membership is limited to currently enrolled Ohio State University graduate students in the Department of the History of Art.

Organization Leadership

President
Responsible for calling and conducting GSA meetings. Attends departmental faculty meetings and acts as liaison between graduate students, Departmental Chairperson and Graduate Studies Chairperson.
Vice-President
Requires a willingness to serve as president if the need arises. Is responsible for annual GSA elections.
Secretary
Responsible for taking minutes at GSA meetings and compiling GSA notebook.
Treasurer
Responsible for GSA dues, petty cash and association transactions and account records.
Social Secretary
Organizes social activities and bestowal of congratulations, condolences, etc.
Posting Secretary
Responsible for posting career opportunities and maintaining bulletin boards.
Lecture Committee Representative
Serves on the departmental lecture committee which decides on annual lectures. Attends departmental faculty meetings.
Curriculum Committee Representative
Serves on the departmental curriculum committee. Attends departmental faculty meetings. Serves as voting member of the Curriculum Committee of the College of the Arts.
Graduate Studies Representative
Requires advanced graduate student (3rd year or more) to serve on the departmental Graduate Studies Committee.
Council of Graduate Students (CGS) Representatives
Attend CGS meetings which take place 3 times per quarter. Meetings are scheduled on Sunday afternoons and require regular attendance. Delegates are also required to serve on at least one committee during his/her tenure. Opportunities also exist for delegates to serve on university-wide committees that are governed by the university senate and/or Board of Trustees.

Committee Structure

Committees are formed on an ad hoc basis and report to the president of the association.

Meetings of the Organization

Meetings will be called a minimum of 2 times per quarter and additional meetings as needed.

Method of Amending the Constitution

Proposed amendments should be in writing, should not be acted upon but read in the general meetings in which they are proposed, should be read again at the next meeting at which time votes should be taken. Amendments require a 2/3 majority of voting members present.

Dissolution of the Organization

Dissolution of the organization will be decided by 2/3 vote of current membership. Should dissolution of the association be required, all assets (after restitution of debts) are to be placed in a departmental discretionary fund to be made available, by application, only for graduate student professional development.

By-laws

  1. Membership is contingent upon enrollment status in the department.
  2. Dues are voluntary, suggested, and payable to the Treasurer.
  3. Leadership will be elected through a simple ballot procedure each Spring quarter. All members (see above) are eligible for leadership positions. Candidates for office are selected through public process of nomination. Ballots are collected and counted by a current officer.
  4. Method of amending By-Laws: Proposed amendments should be in writing, should not be acted upon but read in the general meetings in which they are proposed, should be read again at the next meeting at which time votes should be taken. Amendments require a 2/3 majority of voting members present.