Preamble

This constitution shall regulate the activities of the History Graduate Students of Marquette University.


Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be the History Graduate Student Organization— Marquette University


Article II: Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be to serve as a forum to discuss issues pertinent to history graduate students and to make decision when requested by the Department of History. This organization shall also nominate representatives to serve on departmental committees, organize social and service opportunities for graduate students, and provide graduate students with opportunities for professional development.


Article III: Membership

Section 1: Regular membership shall be open to any Marquette University history graduate student. All History Graduate students are automatically members of the Association unless they revoke said membership in writing. Revoked memberships may be reinstated at the discretion of the President and membership.

Section 2: Associate membership shall be conferred by a vote of the regular membership.

Section 3: Non-discrimination clause. Consistent with all applicable federal and state laws and University policies, this organization and its subordinate bodies and officers shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, veteran’s status, sex, national origin, or disability in its selection of members, educational programs, or activities.

Section 4: No dues will be charged for membership. This provision may changed by a 2/3 vote of regular membership.


Article IV: Officers

Section 1: Officers of the organization shall be as follows: President, Vice President, Secretary-Archivist, Teaching Chair, Professional Development Coordinator, and Social Media Coordinator. The responsibilities may be combined with any of the other Executive positions at the discretion of the President.

Section 2: Election of officers. Officers shall hold office for the term of one year from the date of their election. Elections shall be decided/announced at the regular meeting in April. Election to an office shall be by a plurality of votes for a given position by a quorum of regular members. Elections may be held electronically or by paper balloting outside a regular meeting at the discretion of the president.

Section 3: Officers shall take office after the April elections and shall serve for a period of one year.

Section 4: Officers shall not be on academic or university probation at the time of their elections or throughout their terms in office.

Section 5: Duties of Officers:

  1. The President is responsible for conducting organization business, and serving as a liaison to the History Department Chair (HDC) and the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS).
  2. The Vice President is responsible for coordinating social activities, preparing a list of members, including contact information such as address, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. The Vice President also organizes the voluntary reading groups for the Casper and Klement lectures.
  3. The Teaching Chair conducts two pedagogy workshops per semester.
  4. The Professional Development Coordinator is responsible for organizing two professional development workshops per semester including reserving rooms and lining up speakers.
  5. The officer responsible for conducting meetings is the President. If the president is unavailable, the Vice President shall serve as President pro tempore.
  6. The Communication Chair shall take minutes of all regular and extraordinary meetings as well as maintain the appropriate records, shall manage the HGSO website and all official HGSO social media activities on Facebook or other social media applications.


Article V: Removal of Officers

Section 1: Officers failing to fulfill the given responsibilities and duties may be removed by the regular members of the organization.

Section 2: The removal of an officer requires 2/3 vote of a quorum following the notification of the officer in question. Such notification shall be provided in writing no less than seven working days prior to the vote.


Article VI: Meetings

Section 1: A regularly scheduled general meeting shall be held at least once a semester. The officers may call additional meetings when the need arises or when requested by the Department of History.

Section 2: A quorum shall consist of 40% of regular members in residence. Votes or opinions can be registered by proxy, as designated by the member.

Section 3: A quorum shall be present in order for any official business to be conducted. Official business shall include the election of officers, setting of dues, and any other major decisions affecting the organization.

Section 4: Robert’s Rules of Order shall serve as the Parliamentary authority


Article VII: Committees

Section 1: The officers of the organization, with the concurrence of a majority of a quorum, shall have the authority to create any committees, standing or special, that will further the purpose of the organization.

Section 2: Standing committees are as follows: Welcoming, Department Seminar, Service Projects, Graduate Conference, Athletics. Custom dictates that Graduate students will field at least one team in the following sports: Bowling (fall, spring), Basketball (winter), and Softball (spring).

Section 3: The Elected Officials and Membership of the Association shall approve nominations for Graduate Student positions on History Department Committees; these nominations and approvals shall take place immediately after the announcement of the new Board of Officers each year, to allow new Representatives a transition period with old Representatives.

Section 4: The Humanities Conference Committee, if applicable, shall consist of the President, Vice President, Conference Coordinator, and one Member at Large, selected by the President


Article VIII: Amendments

Section 1: All amendments to this constitution require notice of one week prior to being discussed and voted upon.

Section 2: All amendments require a 2/3 vote of a quorum for adoption.

Section 3: Amendments become effective only after approval of the Office of Student
Development.


Article CCXXXI: War Guilt Clause

Section 1: The Association affirms and Germany accepts the responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the loss and damage to which the Association and its members have been subjected as a consequence of the war imposed upon them by the aggression of Germany and her allies.