GSG Position Descriptions
Holding a position in the Graduate Student Government (GSG) is an important role. Those who
are elected to these positions are expected to devote an adequate amount of time to their
respective role. Please consider the extra time commitment and how it may fit into the rest of
your graduate obligations.
Each of the positions outlined below will have a voting privilege within the GSG and is expected
to represent the best interests of its appropriate constituents. Stipends are still being negotiated,
as the GSG is still working out the nuances of becoming an independent organization. The
specifics of each position are outlined below.
The Officers of the GSG are responsible for assuring that approved business of the GSG is
carried out. The Officers must be available to perform their duties throughout the entire
academic year for which they were elected.
President
The President is responsible for presiding over meetings and overseeing that the functions of the
GSG are carried out as laid out in the constitution and bylaws. They will also serve as the main
liaison and spokesperson between graduate students and NAU administrators and are responsible
for all duties as stated in the bylaws.
Duties and responsibilities as stated in the bylaws include:
a) Preside over the GSG, in accordance with the expressed will of the graduate students, and
serve as the chief advocate for graduate students at NAU as the Graduate Student Body
President, with the Arizona Board of Regents, local, state and federal governments, and
all relevant media outlets
b) Act as primary spokesperson for the GSG, in accordance with the expressed will of the
graduate students at NAU
c) Serve on or appoint other GSG officers or representatives to serve on university-wide
external committees, GSG internal committees, Arizona Students’ Association (ASA)
committees, and the National Association of Graduate Students (NAGPS)
d) Serve as a director on the Arizona Students’ Association or appoint a designee
e) Serve as an ex-officio member of all GSG committees and sub-committees
f) Chair and organize regular meetings of the GSG Executive and Voting Membership
g) Co-sign on all GSG disbursements
Vice President
The Vice President is responsible for assisting the President in advocating for graduate students
and will be responsible for coordinating Representatives and for all duties as stated in the
bylaws.
Duties and responsibilities as stated in the bylaws include:
a) Assist the GSG President in advocating for the needs of graduate students with the
Arizona Board of Regents, local, state and federal governments, and all relevant media
outlets
b) Serve with the President, where possible, on university-wide committees
c) Maintain close communication with the National Association of Graduate and
Professional Students (NAGPS), providing regular reports to the GSG as needed
d) Preside over the GSG in the President’s absence
e) Assume the office of President in the event that the President does not complete his or her
term
f) Preside over the GSG when no President is elected in the regular elections, until a special
election is held and a President installed
g) Meet with each newly elected Representative to review their responsibilities
h) Ensure that the constituent Representatives hold constituency meetings once per
semester, and, where necessary, assist the Representatives in coordinating the meetings.
Treasurer
The Treasure is responsible for administering and auditing the GSG’s fund, preparing the annual
budget, and for all duties as stated in the bylaws.
Duties and responsibilities as stated in the bylaws include:
a) Be prepared to report on all fund balances at each meeting of the GSG
b) Record in a monthly report all fund balances and maintain records of all income and
expenditures, in accordance with applicable Northern Arizona University Policy
c) Prepare the annual budget in consultation with the officers, committee and subcommittee
chairs
d) Report regularly to the Executive Board to recommend and formulate appropriate
policies to most effectively utilize GSG resources
e) Co-sign on all GSG disbursements
f) Serve as chair for the GSG Appropriations Committee
g) To submit the names of those Representatives or Officers that will not be receiving a
stipend for that quarter, based on information provided by the Secretary to the individual
managing GSG accounts.
Secretary
The Secretary is responsible for keeping and maintaining the records of the GSG, as well as
coordinating all communication for the GSG including social media, marketing, assessment and
the website, and for all duties as stated in the bylaws.
Duties and responsibilities as stated in the bylaws include:
a) Notify the GSG and all graduate students of meetings and ensure that the meeting time
and places provide for a quorum
b) Provide for the accurate keeping of GSG minutes and attendance
c) Conduct an annual review of all GSG governing documents
d) Shall be in charge of all GSG communications and assessments
e) Shall monitor GSG Representative participation in meetings and committees during every
semester
Representatives
Representatives will be elected from each of the Academic Units within NAU. Based on
proportional representation of enrollment numbers for each Academic Unit, a certain number of
representative seats are assigned. The breakdown of the number of representatives per Academic
Unit is described below:
Academic Unit
College of Arts and Letters
W.A. Franke College of Business
College of Health and Human Services
College of Education
College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences
NAU-YUMA
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Extended Campuses
At Large
Elected Seats
1
1
1
2
2
0
1
2
2
Duties and Responsibilities include:
a) Attending at least three-quarters of meetings of the GSG
b) Appointing a proxy for any meetings that are not attended in person
c) Bringing constituent proposals before the GSG
d) Serving on committees established by the GSG
e) Serving on University committees as directed by the GSG President
f) Informing their constituents, graduate program advisors, department heads, and graduate
student organizations within their constituent units about GSG activities and events
g) Constituent Representatives will conduct at least one (1) meeting per academic year to be
held no later than February 1 of the students in the constituent unit
h) At-Large Representatives will conduct at least one (1) meeting per academic year to be
held no later than February 1 for a group of students as designated by the GSG.