WOMEN’S STUDIES GRADUATE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
2009 - 2010 CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE:                                                                                                                       
The Women’s Studies Graduate Students Association (WSGSA) at Florida International University, formed by an interdisciplinary graduate and doctoral students membership, propose and will respect the following Constitution.

MISSION:                                                                                                                             
The mission of the WSGSA is the creation of a wide social network between graduate and doctoral students from different disciplines through which aims, concerns and professional goals regarding gender issues can be collectively represented.  The WSGSA, recognized by the Women’s Studies Center as the central association to promote graduate and doctoral students interests, will exist to encourage a collective and interdisciplinary work between professional students.

MEMBERSHIP:                                                                                                                  
The membership is composed by graduate and doctoral students. It is open to all graduate students from different disciplines from Florida International University. It won’t be any limit regarding gender, race, religion and/political views.

OFFICERS:                                                                                                                         
President: The President’s duties are: appoint, be present and direct each meeting; organization of meetings, activities and events; attendance to guest lectures; responsible of the organization of successful activities and events.

Vice-President: The Vice-President’s duties are: assist the President in his/her duties, like preside in President’s absence; liaison with IOTA and WSSA.

Secretary: The Secretary’s duties are: keep record of meeting attendance, activities and events; meeting minutes; dispatch correspondence as directed by the president.

CSO Representative: The CSO Representative’s duties are: attend CSO meetings and reports its events and announcements; liaison with DOHGSA and other graduate associations.

MEETINGS                                                                                                                         
Every each month the WSGSA will have a general meeting. Every two months the WSGSA E-Board will have a meeting.

ELECTIONS                                                                                                                                   
Elections for Executive Board Officers’ will be held between April 1st and April 30th to start representing the association from April 30th.

COMPLIANCE WITH THE HAZING LAW_________________________________
To comply with the Florida Statute pertaining to hazing, this organization agrees to abide by the following Florida International University policy: Any group or individual action or activity that inflicts or intends to inflict physical or mental harm or discomfort or which may demean, disgrace, or degrade any person, regardless of location, intent, or consent of participant(s). Although hazing is related to a person’s initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, a student group or organization, it is not necessary to have direct proof that a person’s initiation or continued membership is contingent upon participation in the activity for a charge of hazing to be upheld. The actions of either active or associate members (pledges) of an organization may be considered hazing. Hazing includes, but is not limited to:
1.   Interference with a student’s academic performance.
2.   Forced consumption of any food, alcohol, controlled substances, drugs, or any other substance.
3.   Forced physical activity.
4.   Deprivation of food or sleep.
5.   Kidnapping, including restricting a person to move about in free and lawful manner.