Constitution

As Approved March 27th, 2014

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be Civil Engineering Graduate Student Advisory Council (CEGSAC).

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The Civil Engineering Graduate Student Advisory Council (CEGSAC) was formed with the purpose of building communication and camaraderie between students, faculty, alumni, and the administration of the Lyles School of Civil Engineering. CEGSAC is committed to communicating the concerns and issues of the civil engineering graduate student body to school administrators.

ARTICLE III. DEFINITION OF MEMBERSHIP

Student members of CEGSAC shall consist of four executive officers, including a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary, the civil engineering Purdue Graduate Student Government (PGSG) representative, and other specialty group representatives. The council shall strive to include at least one member from each of the following specialty groups within civil engineering: Architectural, Construction, Environmental, Geomatics, Geotechnical, Hydraulics, Materials, Structures, and Transportation. In addition, the council will include a Faculty Advisor and the Civil Engineering Graduate Program Administrator.

Purdue University graduate students registered in the Lyles School of Civil Engineering are eligible for active membership in the organization, while Purdue University staff and faculty are eligible for adjunct membership.

Membership and participation are free from discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICER REQUIREMENTS AND ELECTIONS

The CEGSAC Executive Board is comprised of the following officers: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. All aforementioned officers must be full-time graduate students enrolled in the Lyles School of Civil Engineering. Nominations for Executive Board positions should be opened by the third to last meeting of the spring semester. Active members have the option of either nominating themselves or other active members for each position. All nominations must be accepted by the nominee before they are voted upon. Elections may occur electronically, beginning by the second to last meeting of the spring semester, and must close by the day prior to the last meeting of the spring semester. Results will be announced by the last meeting of the spring semester. The length of the term will be one year, with a possibility of re-election. All active members can stand for election as Vice President, Treasurer, or Secretary. Only active members who have previously served on the Executive Board or committee co-chairs are eligible for election as the President.

ARTICLE V. OFFICER DUTIES

President:  The President is responsible for the direction of the activities of CEGSAC, delegating activities to fellow CEGSAC members, presiding over meetings, and representing the organization in external affairs.  The President will also act as CEGSAC representative for the College of Engineering Graduate Student Organization and Civil Engineering representative for the College of Engineering Graduate Student Advisory Council.

Vice President:  The activities of the Vice President shall be directed by the President.  The Vice President will serve as President if the position of President becomes vacant or the President is absent. The Vice President is also responsible for maintaining and updating the Constitution.

Treasurer:  The Treasurer keeps accounts, deposits the organization’s funds, and makes expenditures in a manner approved by the Business Office for Student Organizations.

Secretary:  The Secretary is responsible for documenting CEGSAC meetings and activities.

ARTICLE VI. ACTIVE MEMBER DUTIES

All active members of CEGSAC are expected to attend meetings. In the event that an active member is unable to attend a CEGSAC meeting, prior notice should be submitted to the President. All active members of CEGSAC except the President and the PGSG representative are required to serve on at least one committee per semester.

ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Each committee shall be led by a minimum of one chair. Method of assigning committee members is at the discretion of the President. CEGSAC Committees include, but are not limited to: Community, Professional Development, Sports, Outreach, and Cultural. Each committee is responsible for the planning and execution of at least one event per academic semester.

ARTICLE VIII. FINANCES

The necessary expenses of CEGSAC shall be met by funding provided by the College of Engineering at Purdue University, CEGSAC fundraising activities, and donations.

The Executive Board shall propose an annual budget to be voted upon before the submission of the College of Engineering Graduate Student Organizations proposal report for the upcoming school year. The budget must be approved by a majority vote of CEGSAC active members.

CEGSAC funds shall not be used to purchase or reimburse students for the purchase of alcoholic beverages.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS

The Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of CEGSAC active members. All amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws are subject to the approval of the Office of the Dean of Students.