UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN
Department of Graduate Studies
Graduate Student Association
CONSTITUTION
Article I:
Name and Purpose
Name
The name of this organization shall be the Graduate Student Association of the University of the
Southern Caribbean, heretofore known as the Graduate Student Association (GSA).
Purpose
The purpose is to serve graduate students of USC; to make USC experience more enjoyable; and
to make USC the Graduate Programmes of Choice.
The GSA shall:
1. Serve as a forum for the discussion of matters pertaining to the welfare of graduate
students at University of the Southern Caribbean.
2. Serve as a liaison between the graduate student body and the University.
3. Contribute to the orientation and integration of graduate students at the University.
4. Select graduate students to serve on University committees for which graduate
representation is necessary.
5. Foster unity among graduate students at the University by sponsoring social activities and
other events.
6. Strive to continuously improve the standards of the academic experience of graduate
students.
Constituency
Members of the USCGSA are graduate students who pay graduate student fees and enrolled in
one of the following schools:
School of Business
School of Education & Human Sciences
School of Humanities
School of Social Sciences
School of Religion & Theology
School of Sciences & Technology
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Article II: Scope
This organization is subject to the jurisdiction of Student Development and Services of the
University of the Southern Caribbean, as well as to the Associate Vice-President for Academic
Administration of the University.
Article III: Membership and Nondiscrimination
All graduate students enrolled for Master’s degree programmes at the University are
automatically entitled to membership of the USCGSA upon payment of requisite fees.
Membership in the GSA will not be denied because of race, ethnicity, age, gender, physical or
mental challenges, national origin or religion.
Article IV: Voting
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All GSA members, as defined in the Constitution, shall be entitled to cast one vote on any
proposal or in any election. Members must be present at the meeting at which a vote is
conducted.
If a member is unable to attend a meeting they may choose to assign a temporary
replacement representative for that meeting who may vote in their stead. The absent
member must notify the GSA Secretary of this action and provide the name of the
replacement representative no less than 4 hours before the meeting.
All proposals, unless otherwise specified in the Constitution shall require a simple
majority of votes cast to be approved.
A quorum shall be defined as one-half of the minimum GSA membership plus one.
Minimum GSA membership is defined as five (5) representatives from each School, for a
total of 25. Therefore, quorum would be 13 plus one.
If the GSA is unable to make the quorum at a given meeting they may elect to, by a
minimum two-thirds vote of the present members, grant attending non-member graduate
students voting rights for that meeting only.
Article V: Officers and Elections
The officers of USCGSA shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and
Chaplain. The duties of the President shall include presiding at all meetings, coordinating the
work of the other officers, and serving as the official representative for all purposes relating to
communication with GSA and staff.
1. The President shall:
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Convene GSA meetings as necessary
Organize and advertise GSA meetings, or appoint members to do so
Preside at all GSA meetings
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Represent the GSA in an official capacity at the University, regional, or national level,
or appoint members to do so
Perform any other functions necessary and proper for the welfare of the GSA not
expressly prohibited or otherwise delegated by the provisions of the Constitution or
Bylaws
2. The Vice President shall:
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Assist the President and preside at meetings in the President’s absence.
Serve as a liaison between the University administration and GSA, in conjunction with
the President.
Report administrative decisions and developments impacting graduate student life to
the GSA.
Serve as GSA parliamentarian, assuring proper interpretation and implementation of
the Constitution.
Collect and present all applications for GSA recognition from graduate student groups
to the GSA for approval.
3. The Treasurer shall:
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Maintain financial records for all transactions utilizing GSA funds, ensuring
compliance with all financial rules and guidelines, and organizing fundraisers.
Submit and propose a yearly budget to the GSA for membership approval.
Collect and present all requests for funding from outside groups or individuals to the
GSA or executive officers for approval.
Assist the President in the execution of his/her duties.
4. The Secretary shall:
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Maintains a list of all USCGSA members.
Record and distribute GSA meeting minutes.
Record and distribute executive officer meeting minutes.
Assist the President in the execution of his/her duties.
Coordinate matters related to election of officers.
5. The Chaplain shall:
 Direct all religious and spiritual activities and events of the Association
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Elections
All officers shall be elected to a term of two years starting in January and ending in January.
Election of officers shall be between the first and second semester and whenever vacancies occur.
At least10 days notice shall be given before the election meeting. Nomination shall be initiated
from the floor and elections done by a secret ballot. The person receiving the most votes from
members present at the election meeting shall be elected. Officers may be removed throughout
the two year term by unanimous consent of the other officers or a majority vote of members
present at a USCGSA meeting.
No student may hold more than one office or serve as representative to more than one School
committee, unless no other eligible person is willing to serve. If an executive position becomes
vacant, an election to fill the position may be held at the next General meeting of the GSA. All
candidates for executive officer positions or committee representatives shall be allowed to make a
speech on their own behalf.
Article VI:
Fees & Use of Funds
1. Annual membership fees would be determined by Student Development Services and
payable through Financial Affairs of the University.
2. The GSA must approve a yearly budget.
3. All funds must be approved by one of the following:
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Items or requests specifically approved in annual budget.
Submit funding requests to the Treasurer.
If funding is requested for an event during a month in which the General meeting does
not meet, voting on the request by the general meeting shall be carried out via e-mail
pending majority approval of the Executive Officers.
The GSA will not approve requests for funding retroactively.
Article VII:
Meetings
1. The GSA members shall meet no less than twice during each semester, and no less than
once during the summer term, and as often as necessary to fulfill the purpose stated.
2. The GSA shall meet at a consistent day and time each semester to be designated by the
President or Vice-Presidents and approved by the Executive and membership.
3. The executive officers shall meet no less than once per month during each of the first,
second and summer semesters, separate from the GSA members meetings.
Article VIII:
Amendments
This Constitution may be amended by a two thirds vote of members present during a general
meeting provided 10 days notice is given. All amendments must be approved in accordance with
the University Student Development and Services policy before becoming legally binding.
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