PREAMBLE

We, the members of the Roanoke Graduate Student Association at Virginia Tech, to fully realize our purpose, do hereby adopt and establish this constitution as the guiding instrument for our organization.

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ARTICLE I - Name

The name of this organization shall be Roanoke Graduate Student Association, hereafter referred to as RGSA.

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ARTICLE II - Purpose

The purpose of the RGSA shall be the following:

1. To advocate for the graduate life and wellbeing of graduate students of Virginia Tech living and/or working in Roanoke.

2. To address, support, and promote issues and concerns of the Roanoke graduate student community by serving as a liaison between the Graduate Student Assembly and the Roanoke graduate students.

3. To address, support, and promote issues and concerns of the Roanoke graduate student community by serving as a liaison between the university administration and the Roanoke graduate students.

4. To facilitate growth and development of the Roanoke campus. 

5. To complement initiatives towards University Diversity and Inclusion.

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ARTICLE III - Membership

Section I. Restrictions

Membership and participation will be free from discrimination on the basis of age, sex, gender or gender identity, race, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation or identity, and political affiliation.

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Section II. Eligibility

General membership shall be extended to any graduate student of Virginia Tech who lives and/or works in Roanoke.  All members of the RGSA General Body will be eligible to vote in elections for Executive Board positions. This organization shall not collect dues nor require meeting attendance as a condition of membership.

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Section III. Extended Members

Extended membership shall be granted to any graduate student who lives and/or works in Roanoke with a demonstrable connection to Virginia Tech. Extended members shall be full members of the RGSA General Body.

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ARTICLE IV - Positions and Elections

Section I. General Body

The General Body shall be comprised of any members of the RGSA as defined in ARTICLE III.

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Section II. Elected Officers

The elected officers of RGSA shall be:

1. Executive Chair

2. Special Delegate to Graduate Student Assembly (hereafter GSA)

3. Administrative Chair

4. Student Health and Services Chair(s)

5. Social Chair(s)

Elected officers are not to serve in a single position for more than one term, except for the position of Special Delegate, in which individuals may serve for no more than two terms. Individuals who have been appointed to positions but have not served a full term are eligible to be elected into the position.

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Section III. Executive Chair

This office shall be filled by a single individual elected by the RGSA General Body. 

The powers and duties of this office shall be to:

1. Moderate General Body RGSA meetings

2. Moderate RGSA Executive Board meetings

3. Chair the Executive Board

4. Coordinate RGSA activities with VTCRI and VTCRI leadership

5. Coordinate with the key representatives of the Executive Board to meet with VTCRI leadership on a regular basis

6. Disseminate information to RGSA community

7. Maintain transparency in the operations of the RGSA Executive Board 

8. Coordinate annual elections for RGSA Executive Board

 

To be eligible for this position, a candidate for Executive Chair:

1. Must be in good academic standing from the time of their election through the duration of the term.

2. Cannot hold other leadership positions within RGSA through the duration of the term.

 

Section IV. Special Delegate to the Graduate Student Assembly

This office shall be filled by a single individual elected by the RGSA General Body. The powers and duties of this office shall be to:

1. Maintain an active and collaborative relationship between Virginia Tech campuses

2. Attend RGSA meetings

3. Attend RGSA executive board meetings

4. Collaborate with the rest of the Executive Board

5. Coordinate with Executive Chair to meet with VTCRI leadership on a regular basis

6. Attend GSA meetings on campus

7. Disseminate GSA information to RGSA community

8. Attend boards and commissions on which RGSA has been appointed a position

 

To be eligible for this position, a candidate for Special Delegate to the Graduate Student Assembly:

1. Must be in good academic standing with Virginia Tech from the time of their election through the duration of the term.

2. Cannot hold other leadership positions within RGSA through the duration of the term.

3. Must have demonstrated prior involvement with the GSA and/or Virginia Tech Administration.

 

Section V. Administrative Chair

This office shall be filled by a single individual elected by the RGSA General Body. The powers and duties of this office shall be to:

1. Maintain transparency in the operations of the RGSA Executive Board.

2. Maintain publicly accessible records (including Minutes and/or a record of RGSA activities) of the substantive work of each RGSA General Body and Executive Board that facilitate the use of these records by future graduate students, and that include records of attendance at meetings.

3. Manage internal and external communications of RGSA.

4. Fill all responsibilities associated with Student Budget Board including maintenance and planning of the RGSA budget.

5. Keep up to date and accurate financial records of RGSA.

6. Manage collection and disbursement of all money on behalf of RGSA with direction of the executive officers and members.

7. Fulfill all of the RGSA financial obligations in a timely manner.

8. Coordinate, schedule and attend RGSA meetings.

9. Coordinate, schedule, and attend RGSA Executive Board meetings.

10. Collaborate with the rest of the Executive Board.

 

To be eligible for this position, a candidate for Administrative Chair:

1. Must be in good academic standing from the time of their election through the duration of the term.

2. Cannot hold other leadership positions within RGSA through the duration of the term.

 

Section VI. Student Health and Services Chair(s)

This office shall be filled by one or two individuals elected by the RGSA General Body. 

The powers and duties of this office shall be to:

 

1. Address the health and wellness of the entire Virginia Tech graduate student body living and/or working in Roanoke.

2. Address the student service needs of the entire Virginia Tech graduate student body living and/or working in Roanoke.

3. Attend RGSA meetings 

4. Attend RGSA executive board meetings

5. Collaborate with the rest of the Executive Board

6. Schedule and moderate publicly accessible committee meetings to occur at least once per semester

 

To be eligible for this position, a candidate for Student Health and Services Chair:

1. Must be in good academic standing from the time of their election through the duration of the term.

2. Cannot hold other leadership positions within RGSA through the duration of the term.

 

Section VII. Social Chair(s)

This office shall be filled by one or two individuals elected by the RGSA General Body. 

 

The powers and duties of this office shall be to:

1. Address the social environment and needs of the entire Virginia Tech graduate student body living and/or working in Roanoke

2. Attend RGSA meetings 

3. Attend RGSA executive board meetings

4. Collaborate with the rest of the Executive Board

5. Schedule and moderate publicly accessible committee meetings to occur at least once per semester

 

To be eligible for this position, a candidate for Social Chair:

1. Must be in good academic standing from the time of their election through the duration of the term.

2. Cannot hold other leadership positions within RGSA through the duration of the term.

 

Section VIII. Interest Ambassadors

Interest Ambassadors shall be any representative constituents from a group with meaningful presence among, or impact on, RGSA members. These ambassadors can include, but are not limited to, program delegates, leaders from other student organizations, and/or representatives of other student interest groups. Powers of ambassadors shall be to:

1. Request attendance at RGSA Executive Board meetings.

2. Request funding for events by coordinating with the Administrative Chair.

3. Serve as an RGSA Executive Board member representing a committee in proposal and consideration of Resolutions.

Interest Ambassadors shall be granted or removed from this position by two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Board.

 

Section IX. Faculty Advisor

The powers and duties of this position shall be to:

1. Serve as an advisor and resource individual in the implementation of actions of this organization.

2. Oversee elections and other RGSA proceedings to ensure fairness and adherence to University Policies.

3. Be a member of the Virginia Tech Faculty or Administrative Staff.

 

Section X. Removal and Vacancies of Executive Board Members

If an elected Executive Board member ceases to meet the requirements of their role, they immediately abdicate all powers and responsibilities associated with their position. Removal of an Executive Board member may be initiated by a vote of no confidence and initiation of impeachment proceedings, as defined in the RGSA Bylaws. 

 

Should a vacancy occur in any elected position, the remaining members of the Executive Board will be responsible for nominating a candidate to be appointed to fill the vacant position. The Executive Chair may not directly nominate individuals, but may participate in discussions with other Executive Board members regarding nominees. If any two members of the executive board oppose a nomination, the candidate shall be removed from the list of nominees. The Executive Chair will then appoint an individual from among those nominated to fulfill the duties of the office for the duration of the term. If a vacancy occurs in the case of a co-Chaired position, the remaining Chair will support the Executive Board in determining whether the vacant co-Chairship must be filled.

 

Should a current Chair who was elected without a co-Chair determine that they are unable to fulfill the duties of their office alone, they may request the appointment of a co-Chair.  The Executive Board will then vote on the issue of appointing a co-Chair.  If the Executive Board unanimously supports the appointment of a co-Chair, the position will be filled as a vacancy in any elected co-Chairship.

 

Should a vacancy occur in the office of Executive Chair, the Special Delegate will serve as interim Executive Chair.  The Administrative Chair will oversee a special election to replace the Executive Chair, reviewed by the Faculty Advisor.

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ARTICLE V - Meetings

Section I. Logistics

The date, time and place of General Body meetings shall be decided and announced to the graduate students of the RGSA by the Executive Board.

 

Section II. Frequency

The Executive Board shall meet at least four times per semester. The General Body shall meet at least three times per semester. A special meeting may be called as necessary by the Executive Chair after consultation with the Executive Board.

 

Section III. Attendees

General Body meetings shall be open to the public.

 

Section IV. Attendance

Executive Board meeting attendance is mandatory by all officers and may be in person or over distance. General Body meeting attendance is mandatory by all officers. Should an officer be unable to attend a meeting, they must notify a member of the Executive Board in advance and send another representative.  

 

Graduate Student Assembly meeting attendance, as well as attendance of meetings of Boards and Commissions on which RGSA has been appointed a position is mandatory by the Special Delegate to Graduate Student Assembly, unless a proxy is found to vote on behalf of the RGSA.

 

Section V. Absences

If any officer fails to attend meetings or send proxies, as appropriate, and if the Executive Board believes it to be appropriate, the person may be impeached from office in accordance to the RGSA Bylaws.

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ARTICLE VI - Amendments

Section I. Proposal of Amendments

This Constitution is meant to exist as a living document sensitive to the needs of students living and/or working in Roanoke. Any member of the RGSA General Body may make recommendations for an amendment to this Constitution at any time.  All amendments must adhere to all University Policies and Procedures. All amendments must be written in the form of a Resolution to Amend the Constitution, which is given in these Bylaws.

 

Section II. Ratification of Amendments

Amendments must be proposed, considered, and decided by process of a Resolution, which is given in these Bylaws.