(Prepared November, 1986, Finalized March 5, 1987 - Revised September 13, 1994, November 12, 1998, April 6, 2000, October 29, 2015)
Article I - Name
The name of this organization shall be The New York Medical College Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Student Association (GSBMS-GSA).
Article II - Purpose
Article III - GSBMS-GSA Membership
Membership with voting privileges is established upon payment of a student activity fee, per semester. The amount of said fee shall be determined or re-evaluated each semester at an Executive Council meeting by a majority vote of those present. If a change in the fee schedule is recommended, the Dean of the Graduate School and the Board of Trustees Finance Committee must approve of such a change. If no change is requested, the previous semester's established fee will remain effective unless re-evaluated and voted on accordingly.
Article IV - Officers, Representatives, Meetings, and Election Procedures
Section 1. Officers
Officers shall be chosen from among the matriculated student population and shall serve as President, Vice President, Chair of the Graduate Student Research Forum, Vice Chair of the Graduate Student Research Forum, Chair of Community Building, Treasurer, and Secretary. Their term should not be less than one semester nor exceed one year (two consecutive semesters) unless re-elected. The exception shall be for the Vice President who will assume the responsibilities of the President after a two semester term.
Section 2. Meetings
Officers have the responsibility to meet monthly and discuss topics for consideration by the general membership. This group will be hence named The Executive Council of the Graduate Student Association. At each meeting, a quorum of at least four members of the Executive Council is required. At such meetings, each member has one vote on any motion. A plurality wins in all motion except for amendments to the GSBMS-GSA constitution in which a majority of all members is required.
Section 3. Elections of Executive Council Officers
Section 4. Terms of Office
Article V - Duties of Officers
President
It shall be the duty of the President to call and preside over all meetings and elections, to appoint representatives to faculty and administrative standing committees at the approval of the dean and/or chancellor, to attend Graduate Faculty Council meetings, to attend the meeting of the Board of Trustees, to meet, when necessary, with the Dean, faculty and administration, and to report all business at Executive Council meetings.
Vice President
It shall be the duty of the Vice President to assist the President in overseeing all activities of the GSBMS-GSA. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President. The Vice President will assume the role of President in the year following their term as Vice President without a re-election.
Chair of the Graduate Student Research Forum
It shall be the duty of the Chair of the Graduate Student Research Forum to organize and oversee the organization of the annual Graduate Student Research Forum, including all aspects of public relations.
Vice Chair of the Graduate Student Research Forum
It shall be the duty of the Vice Chair of the Graduate Student Research Forum to assist the Chair of the Graduate Student Research Forum in organizing and overseeing the annual Graduate Student Research Forum.
Chair of Community Building
It shall be the duty of the Chair of Community Building to organize and oversee all social activities regarding the GSA, including all matters of public relations with exception to the forum. It shall also be the duty of the Chair of Social Events to oversee an annual GSA community service project.
Treasurer
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to oversee the finances of the GSA including all matters of fundraising concerning, but not limited to, the Annual Research Forum.
Secretary
It shall be the duty of the Secretary to make a written record of the business addressed at all general and Executive Council meetings and to make these minutes available to the graduate student body. The secretary is also responsible for the production and distribution of a GSA newsletter as well as keeping the GSA Webpage up to date.
Article VI - Non-member Representation
Faculty and administration of New York Medical College's Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences may be invited to attend Executive Council meetings. None shall, however, have a vote but may speak to the Executive Council.
Article VII - Separation of Basic Medical Sciences from Health Sciences Graduate Student Association
The organization, The New York Medical College Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Student Association (GSBMS-GSA), is a separate organization from that of the School of Health Sciences and Practice Student Association (SHSP-GSA), the Student Senate serving the medical students, or any other student association at New York Medical College.
Article VIII - Amendments to the Constitution