GRADUATE STUDENT ORGANIZATION FOR NURSING

Bylaws

ARTICLE I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Graduate Student Organization of the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing, herein referred to as the Graduate Student Organization for Nursing (GSO).

ARTICLE II. Purpose

• The purpose of the GSO is to facilitate intra-communication of graduate nursing students and intercommunication between graduate and undergraduate nursing students, nursing faculty, administration, alumni, and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

• The GSO will serve as a body to which students may obtain information, convey concerns, and explore issues regarding academic and extracurricular activities that affect the quality of graduate nursing education at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing.

ARTICLE III. Membership

All graduate degree seeking (M.S., D.N.P., Ph.D.) and graduate certificate-seeking students currently enrolled in an academic program in the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing and regional campuses (Peoria, Rockford, Urbana, and Quad Cities) whose fees, in part, are paid to the College of Nursing shall be members of the GSO.

ARTICLE IV. Officers

Section 1. Definition

The Officers of this organization shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Representatives of Graduate Admissions and Academic Standards, Curriculum, Research, Graduate Student Council, Health Professions Student Council, Senate Representative, International Representative, and Webmaster.

Section 2. Eligibility

Each office will be held by one graduate nursing degree seeking (M.S., D.N.P., Ph.D.) student or one graduate nursing certificate seeking student, with the exception of the positions for the Graduate Student Council and Health Professions Student Council, which will be held by two graduate nursing degree or certificate seeking students.

Section 3. Duties

The term of office is for one year, which begins with the summer term of the preceding academic year and ends with the closure of the spring semester. The Officers shall plan and coordinate special events of the GSO, such as social events or special conferences. Such activities may include mailing, purchasing, and/or arranging that are necessary for the event. The Officers will prepare an annual budget for submission to the GSO. The budget must be approved at the first GSO meeting of the academic school year.

• The President shall lead all meetings, coordinate the activities of the GSO, and request volunteers and/or appoint to ad hoc committees. The President or designee shall represent the GSO body at official undergraduate nursing student organization meetings, on the Student-Faculty Committee, and at meetings with the Dean.

• The Vice President shall assume the responsibilities and duties of President, Secretary, or Treasurer in their absence at the President's request. The Vice President directs the nomination and election process. The Vice President shall prepare the ballot for elections of GSO officers, standing faculty committees, Graduate Student Council, and the Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards.

• The Secretary shall keep record of all GSO meetings, distribute the minutes to all GSO members, and post copies of the minutes in all designated places.

• The Treasurer shall maintain a bank account for GSO funds, keep track of and report all expenses, income, and the balance of funds in the treasury.

• The Graduate Admissions Representative shall participate in the admission meeting to review graduate student applications to the College of Nursing, GRE efficacy, and services offered to improve success of graduate students.

• The Curriculum Representative shall participate in the faculty curriculum meeting to review curriculum changes and to discuss the issues that students may have with the various curriculums. Dialogue with students from the various graduate programs is recommended.

• The Research Representative shall participate in the College research meeting to review research proposals from the College of Nursing awarded by the committee from a budget line item in the College of Nursing.

• The Graduate Student Council Representatives (GSC) shall participate in the GSC University meeting to review issues beneficial to graduate students (e.g. student health insurance and assistantships).

• The Health Student Professional Council Representatives (HPSC) shall participate in the HPSC University meeting to review issues beneficial to health professional students (e.g. travel and project awards).

• The Senate Representative shall participate in the University of Illinois at Chicago meetings and discuss issues that are beneficial to graduate nursing students.

• The International Representative shall assist in international student advocacy and activities on an as needed basis.

• The Webmaster shall create and maintain GSO website and organize e-mail listserv of GSO officers.

ARTICLE V. Elections and Appointments

Section 1. Process

• Elections shall be held once per academic year in April and as needed to fill vacant positions.

• Nominations for the position of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer will be accepted from the Officers and Representatives and shall be given to the Vice President in writing or by email. Nominations will be accepted up to one week before the elections.

• The President shall make appointments for the Representative positions.

• The slate will be circulated to the membership no less than 15 days before the election. If the slate is incomplete, the President may accept nominations from the floor at any meeting prior to voting.

• The eligible candidate who receives the majority of votes cast for the position shall be elected.

• The election results shall be announced at the April GSO meeting.

Section 2. Vacancy

Any vacancy of an office that occurs in the middle of a term shall be filled by the candidate who received the second highest number of votes in the election, by special election, or by appointment of the President.

ARTICLE VI. Committee Liaisons

Section 1. Definition

GSO representatives to standing faculty committees and GSC are the voice of the graduate nursing student body and shall serve as liaisons, communicating between the committees, GSC and the GSO. The President will appoint these positions as necessary.

Section 2. Duties

1. If the liaison is unable to attend the assigned faculty committee/GSC meeting, the liaison will notify the President prior to the meeting whenever possible.

2. If any faculty committee/GSC meeting is missed without notification, the President shall appoint a new liaison.

3. Liaisons will report the committee’s activities at scheduled meetings of the GSO as directed by the President. If unable to attend a GSO meeting, a written report shall be provided to the President.

ARTICLE VII. Meetings

• The time and place of meeting shall be arranged and posted by the Officers in accordance with the designated student activity hour. There shall be a minimum of two meetings per semester. Special meetings will be held if requested by at least five members of the GSO.

• The Officers shall meet prior to each GSO meeting to set the agenda for the general meeting.

• Roberts Rules of Order will be used at meetings as appropriate.

• A quorum for a meeting shall be six members including no less than two Officers.

• The Dean of the College of Nursing and the GSO Faculty Adviser may participate in discussions with the GSO at any time.

• Non-members may attend and participate in any or all GSO discussions by invitation of the membership.

• Non-members who have had item(s) placed on the agenda shall be given the opportunity to discuss the item(s) before the GSO. At the beginning of each meeting, those in attendance may place item(s) on the agenda.

• The current President of the official undergraduate nursing student organization shall be invited to GSO meetings to represent the interests of the undergraduate student body.

ARTICLE VII. Bylaws  

Section 1. Review

An official review of these bylaws shall be made no less than every three years by the Officers.

Section 2. Revisions

Proposed changes to the bylaws will be circulated to the membership and posted at designated places at least 15 days prior to a vote. Following this distribution and review of the proposed change, a majority vote of the membership present at a scheduled meeting may institute a change to the bylaws.

Revised, March 2010
Proposed Revisions, February 2010
Revised, April 2006