Article 1
Name of the organization:
The official name of this organization shall be Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduate
Students Association. (BMBGSA)
Article11
Statement of purpose:
To provide an outstanding setting for the BMBGSA members to build a prolific career in the
field of biochemical sciences.
To establish a network for the graduate students with the academic and industrial professionals
to broaden the understanding in diverse areas of biochemical sciences.
To provide an opportunity for discussion of issues of concern for graduate students and offer
leadership to direct action, when appropriate and necessary, to protect graduate students' rights
and responsibilities.
Article111
Officers:
Section 1. The officers/executives of the organization shall be President, Vice president,
Secretary, Treasurer, Faculty representative and two Graduate Student Representatives.
Section 2. No student shall hold office in this association unless he/she is a full time student
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department of OSU, and maintain normal progress
towards a degree as consistent with OSU policy regarding Student Right and Responsibilities.
Section 3.Duties of the officers
President: The president will be the chief administrative officer of the association and will
provide dynamic leadership. The president will chair all open- and closed-session meetings of
BMBGSA and call special meetings as required. The president will prepare meeting agendas
and provide outstanding setting for fair and impartial discussions.
Vice-president: The Vice-president shares the responsibilities of the President and assumes
primary responsibility in the President’s absence. The vice-president will head the various subcommittees.
Secretary: The secretary will be responsible for maintaining precise minutes of the meetings
and storing those records in a file for future reference in the department reading room. A copy
of the minutes for each meeting shall also be sent to graduate student at email address on file
with the BMBGSA. The secretary will assist the president in calling meeting and assisting with
technical support in preparation of those meetings.
Treasurer: The treasurer will maintain all records of the financial accounts held by the
association. Treasurer will pay all the association dues promptly and spend the funds prudently.
Treasurer will take minutes at regularly scheduled meeting in absence of the Secretary.
Faculty Representative: The faculty representative will communicate the assigned issues by
the executive committee to the Department head and faculty. Faculty representative will
communicate the outcome of the student related issues, which has risen in each faculty meeting
to executive committee and BMBGSA.
Graduate Student Association Representative: The Graduate Student Association
representative will attend the regularly scheduled meetings of the Graduate Student
Association of the University of OSU Stillwater. The representative will represent BMBGSA
to the Graduate Student Association and communicate the position of BMBGSA and viceversa on all matters.
Section 4. Elections shall be held at the beginning of the spring semester during a regular
BMBGSA meeting. Nominations for all offices will be taken on the day of elections prior to
taking of the vote at meeting of the organization. All elections are decided by democratic
majority of no less than a quorum. If there are more than two candidates and no candidate
receives a majority, there will be a run-off vote between the top two vote recipients in the
general voting. All officers serve a term of one year. No officer can hold the same post for
more than two years consecutively.
Section 5.Faculty Advisor: The faculty advisor will ensure that BMBGSA adheres to the
policies outlined in the Student Conduct Code. The faculty advisor may help in creating a highquality environment for graduate students to interact with academic and industrial
professionals. The faculty advisor assume responsibility for budget management, oversee
allocation of information and assist executive Officers when necessary
Section 6. Sub-committees and other offices may be established, as it deems necessary as
either temporary or permanent. These offices may be special invitees to the executive
meetings. Committees have the authority to make decisions on matters entrusted to them by the
Executive Committee.
Presiding officer shall not be a permanent officer. Election of the presiding officer shall be
conducted before any voting by democratic process. Executive members shall not hold the
presiding officer post.
Article 1V
Quorum:
A quorum shall be defined as 51% of the voting membership.
Meeting:
The serving president and presiding officer shall call a special meeting at the beginning of each
spring semester to elect the executive committee. Additionally, scheduled regular meetings
shall be called to discuss the issues, which directly affect the association as a whole. Executive
Committee shall hold a meeting prior to each general meeting. Time, place and frequency of
regular and executive meetings shall be determined by the general consensus of both bodies
accordingly, and members should be given at least one day in advance. A special meeting may
be called at such other times as the Executive Council determines it to be warranted. Issues to
be addressed will follow a motion floored by at least one graduate student, and seconded by
one additional member present. Association decisions requiring a vote shall be decided by a
simple majority vote at the meeting.
Article V
Membership:
Currently enrolled full time and part-time graduate students of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology department of Oklahoma state university are active members by default. Other
graduate students, who are currently enrolled with OSU, may apply for the membership,
provided they demonstrate that the objective of this organization is highly constructive for their
career. Graduate students who petition for membership require approval by majority vote with
no less than a quorum present. No members of this organization may discriminate in its
membership with regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation,
veteran status or disability.
Article V1
Dues: Shall be payable to BMBGSA and shall be according to the needs of the organization.
There shall be no regular or one-time membership fees for the members.
ArticleV11
By-Laws: Bylaws can be altered and/or added to this constitution at a closed-session meeting
by a simple majority vote of the quorum
ArticleV111
Section 1: At the beginning of the fall semester BMBGSA shall report of its officers and
faculty advisors name to the department of campus life, 060 student union and shall report any
changes that occur during the school year.
Section 2: At the beginning of the fall semester BMBGSA will file with the department of
campus life a signed “Affirmation of Compliance”
Section3. The funds of BMBGSA will be deposited with the university banking services and
these will be audited yearly, preferably at the time a new treasurer is installed.
Section 4: It is understood that the failure to submit such materials, either through continued
negligence or willful omission, might result in the suspension of the charter of this organization
by the committee on student organizations.
Article 1X
Amendments: Amendments to this Constitution will be made by a motion floored by at least
one member, and seconded by one additional member present. Amendments to this
constitution will require the approval of two-thirds of the membership. No amendment will be
considered final until the Executive Committee of the BMBGSA has approved.