THE BY-LAWS OF THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY GRADUATE STUDENT BODY

Article I SENATE MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES
Section 1 Selection of Senators for the Senate
(a) Select: The word “Select” as used in this code means elect by the
graduate students of the respective program of study or appoint
through another process as determined by the graduate coordinator
of the respective program of study.
(b) The right for each graduate program of study to choose its own
method to select Senators for representation in the Senate shall not
be infringed upon by GSG.
(c) A Graduate Student selected to be a Senator before the call-toorder
of the second Senate meeting shall be given Senate
membership rights and privileges when:
i. The graduate coordinator of the student’s program of study
sends an appropriate correspondence to the Secretary
indicating the name of the student to become a Senator.
(d) A Graduate Student selected to be a Senator after the call-to-order
of the second Senate meeting shall be given Senate membership
rights and privileges when:
i. The graduate coordinator of the student’s program of study
sends an appropriate correspondence to the Secretary
indicating the name of the student to become a Senator.
ii. The student attends the next Senate meeting as an observer.
Consent of the Senate shall be required to accept the
student’s membership to the Senate at said Senate meeting.
iii. The student is sworn in by the presiding officer immediately
preceding the adjournment of said Senate meeting.
Section 2 Senator Absence
(a) Excused absence: The phrase "Excused absence" as used in this
code means an absence where the President of the Senate received
notification prior to or forty-eight (48) hours after a Senate
meeting.
(b) Unexcused absence: The phrase "Unexcused absence" as used in
this code means an absence where the President of the Senate did
not receive notification prior to or forty-eight (48) hours after a
Senate meeting.
(c) Senate privileges shall be suspended for the following cases:
i. A Senator accumulates two consecutive unexcused absences.
ii. A Senator accumulates a combination of three consecutive
excused and unexcused absences.
(d) The following procedure shall be followed if Senate privileges are
to be suspended:
i. The President of the Senate shall convey a message to the
Senator indicating the suspension of privileges.
ii. The President of the Senate shall convey a message to the
coordinator of the Senator's program of study if the Senator
is not present at the Senate meeting following their
suspension.
iii. Senate privileges for said Senator shall be suspended and the
name of said Senator shall be removed from the active
membership and not counted for quorum requirements. The
list of active and inactive members shall be maintained by the
Senate Secretary.
iv. Said Senator shall be readmitted to the active membership of
the Senate by consent of the Senate.

Article II EXECUTIVE ELECTION CODE
Section 1 Graduate Election Commission
(a) Graduate Election Commission (GEC): The Graduate Election
Commission shall have the task of the independent management of
Executive Branch elections.
(b) The President shall appoint two (2) members and one (1)
Commissioner from the Clemson University graduate student body
to the GEC. Appointees shall be confirmed by a majority of the
Senate. A graduate student running for an Executive Office is not
permitted to serve on the GEC.
(c) The powers and duties of the GEC shall include:
i. Jointly ensure all rules regarding campaigning are followed
and set punishment when violations occur.
ii. Verify the qualifications of each candidate within two (2)
business days of said candidate’s completed filing.
iii. File election reports and rulings with the Executive Branch
no later than one (1) calendar day following the conclusion of
the election.
iv. Present recommendations of amendments to this Election
Code at the first Senate meeting following the conclusion of
the election.
(d) The Commissioner shall ensure the GEC is performing assigned
duties.
Section 2 Candidates
(a) Candidate: The word “Candidate” as used in this code means a
graduate student running for a position in the Executive Branch of
the Graduate Student Government.
(b) Any graduate student desiring to file as a candidate must:
i. Indicate the elected office for which said student desires
candidacy.
ii. Sign an Election Code compliance document.
iii. Pay a non-refundable filing fee of twenty ($20) dollars.
iv. Agree to attend all candidate meetings designated by the
GEC.
v. Submit a nomination for one (1) elected office only.
Candidates may not run for multiple offices in the same
election.
(c) A candidate may withdraw from the election by submitting a letter
indicating such to the GEC. Said letter must be submitted at least
seven (7) calendar days prior to the election date.
(d) Any student desiring to file as a candidate for the position of
President of the Graduate Student Body must:
i. Have completed at least one semester as a graduate student at
Clemson University no more than two (2) years prior to the
current election year.
ii. Have at the time of filing a minimum 3.0 cumulative
graduate grade point ratio.
iii. Intend to be enrolled as a graduate student at Clemson
University for the calendar year following their election.
iv. Not be on disciplinary probation with Clemson University.
v. Have not been disqualified from two (2) previous elections.
vi. Be eligible to hold office under any and all guidelines
established by the Constitution of the Graduate Student
Body.
(e) Any student desiring to file as a candidate for the position of Vice-
President of the Graduate Student Body must:
i. Fulfill all qualification defined in §2(d) of this Election Code.
ii. Have completed at least one semester of service in the Senate
or have equivalent experience with parliamentary procedure
and Senate rules and policies as determined by the GEC.
Section 3 Nomination and Verification Process
(a) Nominations shall be made in the following time frame:
i. Nominations shall be accepted during and after the first
Senate meeting of the spring semester.
ii. Nominations shall not be accepted after 5:00 PM on February
20 or the next business day if February 20 falls on a
weekend.
(b) Nominations for an elected office shall be made by either:
i. A written nomination submitted to the President or the GEC
by mail, email, or drop-off at the GSG office.
ii. A verbal announcement at a Senate meeting.
(c) Upon acceptance of said nomination, the graduate student shall
complete all required items in §2(b) of this Election Code to
complete the nomination.
(d) Upon verification, said graduate student shall be considered a
registered candidate.
Section 4 Campaign Rules
(a) Campaigning and fund raising of any form shall not be permitted
prior to March 1.
(b) Candidate Meetings
i. A mandatory candidate information meeting shall be held no
earlier than February 21 and no later than March 1.
ii. The GEC shall have the power to call candidate meetings to
inform candidates of election information.
iii. Attendance at said meetings is required for all candidates.
(c) Expenditures
i. Net expenditures for a candidate shall not exceed $500.00.
ii. All donations to a campaign shall be counted toward the net
expenditure limit.
iii. All non-monetary donations shall be appraised by the GEC.
iv. A candidate must submit a final budget with copies of all
receipts to the GEC for review no later than three (3)
business days after the election date.
(d) Campaign Advertisements
i. Campaign advertisement: The phrase “Campaign
advertisement” as used in this code means all forms, written
and verbal, of promoting a candidate and said candidate’s
platform. The two (2) largest physical dimensions shall be
used to determine the size of the advertisement.
ii. All written campaign advertisements must be registered with
the GEC by providing either:
1. A copy of the campaign advertisement, either digital or
physical.
2. A photograph of the campaign advertisement with all text
clearly readable.
iii. Candidates shall only use advertisements registered with the
GEC and, as appropriate, the University.
iv. All campaign advertisements must adhere to Clemson
University policies.
v. The following guidelines shall be observed for
advertisements smaller than eleven (11”) inches by seventeen
(17”) inches:
1. All campaign advertisements must be removed within
forty-eight (48) hours of the conclusion of the election.
vi. The following guidelines shall be observed for
advertisements eleven (11”) inches by seventeen (17”) inches
or larger:
1. An advertisement shall not exceed the size of eight (8)
square feet.
2. An advertisement shall be posted on campus only within
five (5) academic days of the election date.
3. A candidate shall be restricted to six (6) advertisements.
4. If more than one candidate’s name appears on said
advertisement, said advertisement shall be counted as one
advertisement for each candidate indicated on said
advertisement.
5. All advertisements must be removed within twenty-four
(24) hours of the conclusion of the election.
Section 5 Campaign Rule Violations
(a) Minor Infraction: The phrase “Minor Infraction” as used in the
code means a violation which would likely not change the outcome
of the election.
(b) Major Infraction: The phrase “Major Infraction” as used in this
code means a violation which would likely change the outcome of
the election.
(c) Unless otherwise stated in this Election Code, classification of
infractions for campaign rule violations is at the discretion of the
GEC.
(d) The punishment for a minor infraction shall be:
i. Maximum fifteen ($15) dollar fine
(e) The punishment for a major infraction shall be either or a
combination of:
i. Maximum thirty ($30) dollar fine
ii. Disqualification from the election
(f) Candidates shall be disqualified if one of the following limits are
reached:
i. Thirty ($30) dollar fine
ii. A combination of three (3) minor and major infractions
(g) Fines must be paid to the GEC within three (3) academic days of
issuance or further penalties may be assessed.
(h) A candidate with unpaid fines who is elected to an Executive
Branch position may not assume office.
Section 6 Candidate Forum
(a) A candidate forum shall be organized by the GEC to occur no
earlier than March 1 and at least three (3) calendar days before the
election date.
(b) The forum shall be advertised to the Graduate Student Body and
shall be open to the general public.
(c) All registered candidates or their representatives for each office
shall be allowed to speak about their platform and to answer
questions from those in attendance.
(d) The GEC shall facilitate the forum in an organized manner in
which all registered candidates are given equal opportunity to
express themselves.
Section 7 Method and Locations of Polling
(a) The following rules shall be observed for all elections:
i. Only currently enrolled graduate students shall be allowed to
vote in elections for GSG Executive Officers.
ii. A method to verify currently enrolled graduate status of a
voter must be used before said voter is allowed to cast a vote.
iii. A paper or printable receipt must be issued to the voter
indicating the vote cast by said voter.
(b) Elections shall be conducted online, with the exception of
extenuating circumstances defined within this section. The
following guidelines shall be observed:
i. The GEC shall coordinate with Clemson University the
creation of the online voting site.
ii. The GEC shall provide the URL of the online voting site to
the Clemson University graduate student body only on the
day of the election.
(c) Extenuating circumstances shall include:
i. Any failure of infrastructure where an electronic vote is not
possible.
ii. Conclusive evidence of voter fraud or tampering is found
when an electronic vote is taken.
(d) In the event of extenuating circumstance, elections shall be
conducted with paper ballots and polling stations. The following
guidelines shall be observed:
i. The GEC shall print ballots.
ii. The GEC shall advise the Clemson University graduate
student body of the number and locations of polling places at
least three (3) calendar days prior to the election, the day
prior to the election, and the day of the election.
iii. Graduate students attending Clemson by distance education
only or living more than fifty (50) miles from the Clemson
campus shall be allowed to vote by email.
iv. Campaign advertisements must be at minimum one-hundred
(100) feet from designated polling locations.
Section 8 Election Determination and Announcement of Results
(a) The winning candidate for each contested position must receive a
plurality of the total number of votes cast.
(b) In the case of a tie, run-off elections for the tied office shall be
conducted, in the same manner as the general election, until a
candidate receives a plurality.
(c) The GEC shall notify the Executive Branch of the results of the
election within one (1) hour of the completion of the count.
(d) The Executive Branch shall notify the graduate student body of the
results of the election within one (1) hour of notification by the
GEC.
(e) In the case of a paper ballot, the GEC shall also post a copy of the
results in a public place within one (1) hour of the completion of
the count.
Section 9 GSG Involvement in Elections
(a) Graduate Student Government shall not endorse or support any
candidate.
(b) No written campaign advertisements shall be posted in spaces
controlled by GSG.
(c) No materials pertaining to a candidate’s campaign shall be stored
in spaces controlled by GSG.
(d) Physical materials and electronic items belonging to or under the
control of GSG shall not be used to support any candidate.

Article III STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1 The Chairs of all GSG Committees shall call and preside over
meetings of their committees and shall enlist members at their
discretion. All Committees shall submit a verbal or written report on
committee activities, except where issues of confidentiality are
concerned, at each Senate Meeting. Committees shall consist of
members of the Graduate Student Body and ex officio members as
specified by the Committee guidelines or appointed by the Senate. By
majority vote, the Senate can suspend or reinstate any Committee.
Section 2 All ad hoc committees shall terminate with the administration under
which they serve.
Section 3 Standing Committees
(a) The standing departments and boards of the Graduate Student
Executive shall be determined at a future date.
(b) The standing committees of the Senate shall include:
i. Activities Committee
1. Mandate – The Activities Committee shall be responsible
for planning and organizing social and cultural events for
the Graduate Student Body.
2. Chair – The Activities Committee shall be chaired by an
appointee of the Senate President. For the purposes of this
committee, the chair shall be permitted one vote during
the meetings of the committee.
3. The Activities Committee shall organize and carry out at
least two (2) events per semester benefiting the Graduate
Student Body.
ii. Grants Committee
1. Mandate – The Grants Committee shall ensure fair
distribution of the Book and Travel Grants, as well as, the
annual Student and Faculty Grants.
2. Chair – The Grants Committee shall be chaired by the
Director of Grants. For the purposes of this committee,
the chair shall be permitted one vote during the meetings
of the committee.
3. Membership – The Grants Committee must have at least
one member from each College. Committee membership
must be approved by the Senate.
iii. Finance Committee
1. Mandate – The Finance Committee shall be responsible
for allocating all monies dedicated to the Graduate
Student Government. This allocation shall be in
accordance with all guidelines set forth in the Graduate
Student Body Constitution and By-Laws.
2. Chair – The Finance Committee shall be chaired by a
Senator appointed by the Senate President and confirmed
by the Senate. For the purposes of this committee, the
chair shall be permitted one vote during the meetings of
the committee.
3. Membership – The Finance Committee shall consist of no
fewer than five (5) and no more than seven (7) members,
including the Chair, all of which shall be Senators.
Committee membership must be approved by the Senate.
4. Meetings – All meetings of the Finance Committee shall
be held in open session, except if the committee votes to
enter executive session. The committee shall only enter
executive session to debate personnel issues and
confidential budgetary matters. A majority of the
committee membership must be present in order to satisfy
quorum. Two-thirds (2/3) of the committee membership
must approve of items in order to obtain approval from
the Finance Committee.
5. Appropriations Bills
i. The Finance Committee shall be responsible for
presenting an appropriations bill for the next
academic year to the Senate by the final meeting of
the legislative session.
ii. Appropriations bills shall outline the Finance
Committee’s recommended allocation of monies to
designated recipients and recognized funded
organizations.
iii. Appropriations bills approved by the Finance
Committee shall not be amendable by the Senate.

Article IV SUBPOENAS
Section 1 A subpoena is a formal request for the submission of information or
the appearance of a specific individual.
(a) A typed subpoena shall be presented to the Senate Clerk stating at
minimum:
i. The person or committee submitting the subpoena
ii. The recipient of the subpoena
iii. The requested information or individual
iv. The reason for the subpoena
(b) The Senate Clerk shall maintain a record of all subpoenas issued
and shall provide the Senate with a list of all newly issued
subpoenas at each Senate meeting.
(c) A subpoena is only valid when properly filed with the Senate
Clerk.
(d) A subpoena is issued on behalf of the Senate in the care of the
specified member or committee.
(e) A subpoena may only be issued to members of GSG.
(f) A subpoena cannot be ignored and the recipient must challenge or
respond within five (5) University business days of issuance.
(g) A subpoena may be challenged by the recipient by submitting a
redress request to the Attorney General and the Senate Clerk.
(h) Failure to respond to the subpoena may result in the recipient to be
held in contempt of the Senate.
(i) A subpoena may be invalidated by the GSG Advisor if the Advisor
determines it violates University, state, or Federal privacy
guidelines.
(j) Abuse of the subpoena power may result in, but is not limited to,
censure or impeachment.
Section 2 Subpoena power shall be provided to:
(a) All committee chairs only for requests pertinent to their respective
committee mandate. A majority vote of the committee is required
to authorize the committee chair to issue a subpoena.
(b) The Senate may compel the Senate President Pro-Tempore to issue
a subpoena with a vote of at least twenty-five (25) percent of the
Senate members present.

Article V STUDENT ACTIVITY FEE
Section 1 The Graduate Student Activity Fee
(a) The Graduate Student Activity Fee shall be per Fall and Spring
semester:
i. $10.00 per full-time graduate student regardless of
assistantship
ii. $1.00 per credit hour per part-time graduate student
(b) The Graduate Student Activity Fee as accorded by the Clemson
University Board of Trustees shall be used for the provision of
Clemson University graduate student activities.
(c) Graduate Student Government may not recommend more than a
100% increase per academic year to the Activity Fee.
Section 2 Activity Fee Guidelines.
(a) The Graduate Student Government, on behalf of the Graduate
Student Body, shall have control over the allocation of the Activity
Fee.
(b) Allocations must be approved by the Vice President for Student
Affairs.
(c) The Activity Fee shall be distributed annually to Activity Fee
Recipients.
(d) All Activity Fees shall be spent in accordance with the purchasing
guidelines for South Carolina state agencies.
Section 3 Activity Fee Recipient Guidelines
(a) The following entities shall be considered “Activity Fee
Recipients”:
i. Funded Recognized Graduate Organizations;
ii. Graduate Student Government;
iii. Graduate Student Organizational Support; and
iv. Professional Enrichment Grants.
(b) Activity Fee Recipients shall be held accountable for all
expenditures of Activity Fees.
(c) Activity Fee Recipients not complying with all rules and
regulations in the allocation process or not spending allotted sums
shall be subject to a reduction and or loss of funding for the
following year.
(d) Activity Fee Recipients shall submit a budget to the Graduate
Student Body Treasurer by February 1.
(e) If the position is deemed necessary by Activity Fund Recipients,
salaries for Graduate Assistants shall be included in the submitted
budget.
Section 4 Activity Fee Allocation
(a) Budgets submitted to the Treasurer shall be presented to the
Finance Committee during Spring semester Budget Hearings.
(b) The Finance Committee shall recommend allocations of the
Activity Fee in an Appropriations Bill.
(c) Said Appropriations Bill shall be submitted to the Senate for
approval by April 30.
Section 5 Activity Fee Assessment
(a) A fee effectiveness assessment shall be completed jointly by:
i. The Finance Committee
ii. Chair of the Grants Committee
iii. Chair of the Activities Committee
(b) The assessment shall be completed by the last day of February.
(c) The assessment shall determine the effectiveness of the allocations
assigned to Activity Fund Recipients for the current budget year.

Article VI STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Section 1 Rights and Privileges:
(a) The structure of each student organization shall be decided solely
by that organization provided that it does not conflict with any
University policies and it continues to meet recognition
requirements.
(b) An organization may be recognized as either non-funded or
funded.
(c) A non-funded organization shall be entitled to all the rights and
responsibilities accorded by the University community, excluding
the right to receive funding from Clemson University Graduate
Student Government.
(d) A funded organization shall be entitled to all rights and
responsibilities accorded by the Clemson University community,
including the right to receive funds through the Clemson
University Graduate Student Government.
(e) All recognized organizations have the right to:
i. Invite their own faculty or staff advisors.
ii. Publish their organization picture in the Clemson yearbook.
iii. Reserve University facilities provided they meet the
requirements for the use of the facility.
iv. Have an organizational e-mail and Web account.
v. Sponsor a candidate for Miss Homecoming.
Section 2 Requirements for Recognition:
(a) Non-Funded Organizations: All organizations petitioning for nonfunded
recognition must:
i. Have an advisor who is a full-time employee of Clemson
University.
ii. Hold at least two meetings each semester.
iii. Not deny membership on the basis of race, sex, creed, color,
religion, or national origin.
iv. Limit their active membership to the students of Clemson
University with all others to be considered honorary,
advisory, associate, etc.
v. Provide an initial list of at least six (6) members (or 20
percent of graduate students in a department if the
organization is sponsored by an academic department) (with
the exception of groups chartered by a national organization,
which must meet the national organization's membership
requirements) to the Organizations Director. This list is to
remain confidential.
vi. Have a Constitution and/or By-Laws. Included within the
organization's Constitution or By-Laws must be the name
and purpose of the organization, the requirements for
membership in the organization, a list of the official positions
of the organization, their duties, the method of selection, and
provisions for filling a vacancy and the method of selection
of Faculty/Staff Advisor(s).
vii. Obtain and complete an Organization Report Form and a
Petition for Recognition from Graduate Student Government.
viii. The completed Organization Report Forms, petition for
recognition, and the organization's constitution and by-laws
shall be submitted to the Graduate Student Government
Organizations Director. The Organizations Director shall
review the information submitted to verify that the
organization meets the requirements for non-funded
recognition, and will draft legislation to recognize the
organization as a non-funded student organization. The
Organizations Director shall present the bill before Senate
and the bill shall require a majority vote of the Senate, the
approval of the President (or a veto override by the Senate),
and the approval of the Vice President for Student Affairs
before the organization is officially recognized as a nonfunded
student organization.
ix. Attend Mandatory Organizations Meetings called by the
Organizations Director.
(b) Funded Organizations: All organizations applying for funded
recognition must:
i. First be a recognized non-funded organization.
ii. Have assumed non-funded status for the equivalent of one
academic year before becoming eligible for funded
recognition.
iii. Meet the recognition requirements for non-funded
organizations.
iv. Organizations which have otherwise fulfilled the recognition
requirements for non-funded status, but have failed to attend
Mandatory Organizations meetings called by the
Organizations Director, will be restricted from applying for
funded recognition for an additional period of six months per
failure to attend, with a maximum penalty of one year.
v. Collect dues. Of the dues collected, at least $5 per semester
per dues-paying member must be used by the Clemson
organization.
vi. Not request funding from Undergraduate Student
Government for the same term.
vii. Meet the definition of one of the following categories:
1. Service: An organization with the primary purpose of
providing services benefiting Clemson University and its
surrounding community, yielding no personal or tangible
rewards.
2. Professional: An organization with the primary purpose of
promoting future professional activity such as one's
occupation or major.
3. International: An organization seeking to assist students
international students acclimate to the Clemson
community.
4. Sports and Fitness: An organization of which the primary
activity and purpose is promoting athletics, physical
recreation, or fitness.
5. Honorary: An organization with the primary function of
conferring distinction for honorable achievement.
6. Performing Arts: An organization with the primary
purpose of promoting an art through public performance.
viii. Submit an estimated budget to the Organizations Director.
The Organizations Director shall verify that the organization
meets the requirements for funded recognition and shall place
the organization in one of the six funded organization
categories. The Organizations Director shall present a bill to
recognize the organization as a funded student organization.
Section 3 The Organizations Director reserves the right to make inquiries into
the purposes, programs, etc. of any organization seeking either nonfunded
or funded recognition or any student organization currently
recognized as non-funded or funded. Religious, political, and social
organizations may only apply for non-funded status.
Section 4 Retaining Recognition
(a) It is the responsibility of the chief officer of each organization to
file all updated forms, including new listings of officers, new By-
Laws, etc., with Graduate Student Government.
(b) If an organization wishes to change its recognition, it must reapply
for recognition and meet all present standards of recognition.
(c) The Graduate Student Government reserves the right to change the
classification or revoke the recognition or funding of any student
organization based on Graduate Student Government guidelines.
(d) To retain non-funded recognition, an organization must annually:
i. Continue to conform to Graduate Student Government
regulations, including all the requirements for non-funded
recognition.
ii. Complete and return to the Graduate Student Government
Organizations Director an updated Organization Report
Form.
iii. Inform the Graduate Student Government Organizations
Director of any change(s) to its list of officers.
iv. Submit a copy of the organization’s Constitution and By-
Laws to the Organizations Director.
(e) To retain funded recognition, an organization must:
i. Continue to conform to Graduate Student Government
regulations, including all the requirements for funded and
non-funded recognition. Continue to meet all requirements
for retaining non-funded recognition.
ii. Fundraising events must be approved by the University
Union & Student Center’s Student Activities Office and
register through Graduate Student Government prior to
holding the event.
iii. Sign-up for a Finance Committee Budget Hearing time in the
spring, and send a representative to the scheduled hearing
time.
iv. Obtain a Budget Packet from Graduate Student Government
in January, accurately complete all enclosed materials, and
submit five (5) copies of a completed budget proposal (which
shall include a completed Budget Information Form,
Allocation Request Form, and a detailed account of proposed
revenues and expenses for the upcoming fiscal year) to the
Graduate Student Government Main Office on or before the
deadline date set by the Student Body Treasurer.
v. Send at least one (1) representative to each Graduate Student
Government Organization Meeting.
vi. Any organization not complying with the requirements for
retaining funded recognition will lose funded recognition.
Section 5 Organizational Funding
(a) Only organizations recognized as funded may apply for Graduate
Student Government funding.
(b) Only recognized funded organizations that comply with all
organizational regulations and funding guidelines by the deadline
set for the Budget Summary Form will be eligible to receive funds
from Graduate Student Government.
(c) The Finance Committee may hold hearings for the
recommendation of funding during the spring semester.
(d) Records of all organizations seeking funds may be required. The
Graduate Student Body Treasurer may review financial records at
any time.
(e) After the hearings, the Finance Committee will submit
recommended allocations within the Appropriations Bill to the
Senate for approval.
(f) If an organization is to be funded for the upcoming fiscal year it
must:
i. Obtain a Budget Packet from Graduate Student Government
and accurately complete all enclosed forms and information.
Budget Packets shall be available to recognized funded
organizations in the Graduate Student Government Main
Office and at the Mandatory Organizations Meeting.
ii. Submit five copies of a completed budget proposal (which
shall include a completed Budget Information Form,
Allocation Request Form, and a detailed account of proposed
revenues and expenses for the upcoming fiscal year) to the
Graduate Student Government Main Office on or before the
deadline date set by the Graduate Student Body Treasurer.
Any organization not complying with this deadline will not
be eligible for either general budget or emergency funding.
iii. Send at least one representative to the scheduled hearing
time. General budgets will be heard during the specified
scheduled hearings only, and failure to show up for the
scheduled hearing time will render the organization ineligible
for either general budget or emergency funding.
Section 6 Guidelines for the Use of Funds
(a) The funds allocated by Graduate Student Government are state
monies and are to be used under the same purchasing guidelines of
all state agencies.
(b) When an organization applies for funding, this contract requires
that the funds only be used for those categories applied for by the
organization and specified by the final allocation of the Senate. If
an organization wishes to reallocate funds, a Budget Reallocation
Request Form must be completed and submitted to the Graduate
Student Body Treasurer for approval. These forms shall be
available to organizations in the Graduate Student Government
Main Office.
Section 7 Emergency Funding
(a) Requests for emergency funding are limited to specific purposes or
events that are considered essential to the function of the club but
could not be planned for or foreseen at the time annual budgets
were approved; except in the case of unforeseen debt, which is not
considered emergency funding. Funding will not be granted
retroactively.
(b) Organizations requesting emergency funding must complete an
Emergency Funding Request Form (available in the Graduate
Student Government Main Office) and submit it to the Student
Body Treasurer for review. If the Student Body Treasurer feels the
request warrants consideration, it will be forwarded to the Finance
Committee and an Emergency Funding Hearing will be scheduled,
if necessary.
(c) During an Emergency Funding Hearing, five copies of the
organization's current budget, the organization's emergency
funding request and the emergency funding case will be presented
by the organization to the Finance Committee.
(d) After the hearing, if necessary, the Finance Committee will follow
the same procedures used for regular funding requests. The
chairperson of the Finance Committee shall present the emergency
funding legislation to the Senate for approval.
Section 8 Subsistence Funding
(a) Any recognized organization attaining funded recognition without
having yet received either general budget or emergency funding
from Graduate Student Government since attaining funded
recognition is eligible for a maximum of $500 in subsistence
funding.
(b) Eligible organizations must contact the Graduate Student Body
Treasurer to apply for subsistence funding. The Graduate Student
Body Treasurer, in turn, may arrange a Finance Committee hearing
to review the organization's funding proposal.
(c) The same procedures used for regular funding requests will be
used by the Finance Committee to allocate subsistence funds.
(d) Organizations granted subsistence funding will not be eligible for
emergency funding.

Article VII LEGISLATION
Section 1 Legislation considered by the Senate shall include:
(a) Constitutional Amendments. Legislation titled “A Bill to Amend
the Constitution” shall be used to make changes to The
Constitution of the Graduate Student Body.
(b) By-Law Amendments. Legislation titled “A Bill to Amend the By-
Laws” shall be used to make changes to The By-Laws of the
Graduate Student Body.
(c) Bills. Legislation titled “A Bill” shall be used to enact legislation
of a general nature requiring the approval of the Executive Branch.
Such bills include, but are not limited to, Appropriations Bills,
Approval Bills, Recognition Bills, and Special Funding Bills.
(d) Resolutions. Legislation titled “A Resolution” shall be used to
either perform Senate business not requiring the approval of the
Executive Branch or to state the opinion of the Senate.
(e) Concurrent Resolutions. Legislation titled “A Concurrent
Resolution” shall be used to amend the Supreme Constitution of
the Undergraduate and Graduate Student Body, perform joint
business of the Undergraduate and Graduate Senates not requiring
the approval of either Executive Branch, or to state a joint opinion
of the Undergraduate and Graduate Senates.
Section 2 Signatories
(a) The President of the Graduate Student Body shall sign and have
veto power over the following items of legislation:
i. By-Law Amendments
ii. Bills
(b) The Vice-President for Student Affairs shall sign and have
approval power over the following items of legislation:
i. Constitutional Amendments
ii. By-Law Amendments
iii. Bills
iv. Concurrent Resolutions only when the purpose is to amend
the Supreme Constitution.
(c) The President of the Senate and Senate President Pro-Tempore
may sign each approved item of legislation to indicate said
legislation was approved by the Senate. The signatures of said
Senate officers do not indicate individual approval of said
legislation.
(d) The Senator listed as the Author of an item of legislation may sign
said legislation. The signature of said Senator does not indicate
individual approval of said legislation.
(e) All required signatories must approve each item of legislation
before said legislation can be enacted.

Article VIII OATH OF OFFICE
Section 1 An Oath of Office shall be administered to a graduate student upon
entry to the respective position the student shall hold within GSG. The
Oath shall be administered at the first Senate meeting following the
student’s acceptance of the office.
Section 2 President
(a) I, [NAME], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully
execute the Office of President of the Graduate Student
Government, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect
and defend the Constitution of the Graduate Student Body.
Section 3 Vice-President and Cabinet Officers
(a) I, [NAME], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and
defend the Constitution of the Graduate Student Body, that I will
bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation
freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and
that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of [TITLE]
under the Constitution and By-Laws of the Graduate Student Body
on which I am about to enter.
Section 4 Senator
(a) I, [NAME], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and
defend the Constitution of the Graduate Student Body, that I will
bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation
freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and
that I will faithfully discharge my duties as Senator under the
Constitution and By-Laws of the Graduate Student Body on which
I am about to enter.

Article IX AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS
Section 1 Amendments to these By-Laws may be approved by a majority vote of
the Senate.
Section 2 By-Law amendments must be presented at least one week before the
Senate meeting in which they are to be considered. The Vice-President
cannot waive this requirement.