GPSS Bylaws. Updated February 2008.

Article 1. Name, graphic identity, and definitions.

Section 1. Name.

The name of this corporation is The Graduate and Professional Student Senate at Yale. The official abbreviation is GPSS. The name is registered with the Secretary of the State of Connecticut, as GPSS is incorporated in this state as a nonstock corporation (relevant statutes in Title 33, Section 602).

Section 2. Definitions.

“Senate Meeting.” Official meeting of Senate Members.
“General Meeting.”
“Board Meeting.”
“Officers.” The President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Chair of the Public Relations Committee, Chair of the Funding Committee (or “Funding Chair”), and Chair of the Student Advocacy Committee (or “Student Advocate” or “Advocacy Chair”).
“Statute Law.” Connecticut Statute Law for Nonstock Corporations, Title 33, Chapter 602.
“GPSS.” This corporation.
“Senate” and “Senators.” The voting members of GPSS (identified as “members” in Statute Law). Classes, eligibility, and terms are discussed in Article 3.
“Executive Committee.” The committee of the Officers (identified in Statute Law as “Board of Directors”). Positions and terms are discussed in Article 4.
“Yale,” “The University,” “University.” Yale University of Connecticut; as an adjective, “of Yale University.”
“Schools.” The graduate and professional schools of Yale.
“Graduate School” or “GSAS.” The Graduate School of the Arts and Sciences of Yale University.
“Division.” For the purposes of these bylaws, the academic departments of the GSAS are divided into four divisions: Humanities, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences.
“Professional Schools.” Exclusively these twelve schools of Yale University: the School of Architecture, the School of Art, the Divinity School (including the Institute of Sacred Music), the School of Drama, the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, the Law School, the School of Management, the School of Medicine (including the Physician Associate Program), the School of Music, the School of Nursing, and the School of Public Health. Abbreviated reference to an individual school may omit the words “School” or “the School of.”
“Constituents” and “Students.” The students of the Schools.
“Alumni.” Former graduate or professional students of Yale. A Student who receives a degree en route to a higher degree is not considered an alum until completion of the final degree or official termination of studies. Singular alumnus (masculine), alumna (feminine), or alum (anglicized, gender neutral).
“The Bylaws.” These bylaws.
“Internal.” Concerning exclusively the business and internal affairs of the Senate; within the Senate.
“External.” Concerning affairs or persons outside of the Senate, such as the affairs of Yale University or the people of the City of New Haven.
“GPSCY.” The Graduate and Professional Student Center at Yale: 204 York Street, New Haven, Connecticut.
“Pub.” Gryphon’s Pub at GPSCY.
“Graduate and Professional Student Survey,” “Annual Survey,” or “The Survey.” The survey of the Students conducted annually or as frequently as possible or practical.
“Fall Term” or “First Semester.” The first academic term of Yale University.
“Spring Term” or “Second Semester.” The second academic term of Yale University.
“Senate Session.” The period of time from the beginning of the first Senate Meeting until the conclusion of the last Senate Meeting.
“Spring Recess.” The official period in the Spring Term when classes cease.
“Summer vacation.” The period in between the Spring and Fall Terms.
“Spring Break.” The mid-term break in Spring Term.
“Mailing address”:
GPSS
PO Box 209118
New Haven CT 06520

Section 3. Graphic identity.

The official logo of GPSS is the gryphon. The gryphon is a hybrid creature with the body of a lion and the head, wings and talons of an eagle. The current graphic design depicting the GPSS gryphon is shown below:

bylaws

The simple majority of the Officers is required to approve or reject a new design to be utilized for the gryphon. Following the approval of the design by the Officers, the simple majority of the quorum of a Senate Meeting is required to authorize the official change to a new gryphon design.

Article 2. Purpose.

Section 1. Positive statements of purpose.

It is the mission of the GPSS

To foster interaction among students through the creation, promotion, funding, and sponsorship of

Community service and charitable events,
Social events,
Events of academic, intellectual, and professional interest,
Events or activities organized by official student organizations,
Events or activities of unofficial student groups (“small groups”);

Influence the policy, culture, and views of the University

Through representation on official University Committees,
By expressing views of the student body to the administration,
By issuing statements of our position to the media and administration;

Build relationships to external groups for the purposes of official business and social interaction, including but not limited to

Yale student organizations,
Yale alumni and the Association of Yale Alumni (AYA),
Yale undergraduate students and student organizations,
Yale faculty,
Yale staff,
The municipal administration and citizens of New Haven.

To oversee the management and maintenance GPSCY and Gryphon’s Pub, and to maintain the liquor license of the Pub.

Article 3. Membership.

Section 1. The Four Classes of Members of the GPSS

There are three classes of members of the GPSS: Student Members, Alumni Members, and Senators, and Senate Affiliates.

Section 2. Student Members.

Each student registered and in good standing at Yale University in one of the following twelve schools is a Student Member unless he or she files a statement with the Secretary of the GPSS declining such membership:
School of Architecture
School of Art
Divinity School
School of Drama
School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
Graduate School of the Arts and Sciences
Law School
School of Management
School of Medicine
School of Music
School of Nursing
School of Public Health
Failure on the part of any Student Member to maintain good standing at one of the above schools, as determined by such schools, automatically terminates his or her status as a Student Member.
Student Members are entitled to attend Senate Meetings and upon request to and approval majority of committee, can serve on the committee requested.
Unless elected as Senators, Student Members are not entitled to receive notice of Senate Meetings or to vote at such meetings on matters where statutory law or these bylaws require the vote of the GPSS.

Section 3. Alumni Members.

A person who because of completion of Yale University graduate or professional studies no longer qualifies to be a Student Member, may on submission of a letter of interest to the Board of Directors, become an Alumni Member, in a manner as set forth by the resolution of the Board of Directors.
For the purposes of these bylaws, a person has completed his or her graduate or professional studies at Yale University if and only if the following two conditions are true: (1) he or she has been granted a graduate or professional degree by Yale University and (2) he or she is no longer enrolled as a student at Yale University.
Emeritus officers of the Senate, shall upon graduation from the University, become an Alumni Member for life.
Alumni members are entitled to attend Senate Meetings and General Meetings.
Alumni members enjoy all franchise privileges and representation privileges, including election to the Board of Directors, enjoyed by other Members, but are not be eligible for any officer position of the Board of Directors.

Section 4. Senate Members.

Senate Members are:

Student Members or Alumni Members who are elected to Senate Membership in accordance with these bylaws and who are therefore known as Senators;
Officers of the GPSS who are elected in accordance with these bylaws.
Senate Affiliates whose membership class is further explained in these bylaws.

Senate Members are the only class of Members entitled to vote on each matter where the Nonstock Corporation Act of the State of Connecticut, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these bylaws require the vote of the members of the Corporation.
Senate Members have other duties, responsibilities, obligations and privileges as set forth in the bylaws.
The Senate Members constitute the Board of Directors of the GPSS and shall be known as the Senate.

Article 4. Senators.

Section 1. Duties, responsibilities, and obligations.

Each Senator of each Professional School acts as a representative of the students of his or her respective School.
Each Senator of the GSAS acts as a representative of the students of his or her respective Division.

Section 2. Election of Senators.

The current official list of students and Schools, Programs, Divisions, and Departments compiled by the Office of the Secretary of the University is considered binding for the purpose of determining eligibility for Senate membership. If that list is not readily available, the most recently published counts from the Office of Institutional Research of the University shall be valid for the Professional Schools.
The Executive Committee oversees all election procedures and has the final say in resolving disputes in situations in which the bylaws and established procedures are not sufficiently clear.
Students in the professional schools may organize their own elections. If they choose not to do so, the Executive Committee organizes the election and holds it at the beginning of the academic year. The senate organizes the election for students in the GSAS at the beginning of the academic year.
The students in each professional school may elect the number of senators that is the larger of (a) and (b):
(a) 2 senators;
(b) 1 senator for every 150 students. In calculating the number of openings, round the number of students up to the nearest 150 (for example, 301 students would yield three openings).
Students in the GSAS may elect 1 senator for every 150 students (calculated as shown above in 3.b.). Students in the GSAS vote only for senators within their division (see Article 3, Section 2.2).
For every professional school and every division of the GSAS, the Executive Committee may restrict one seat to candidates who are first-year students.
When the Executive Committee runs an election for the general membership:

The Public Relations Chair makes public information regarding election procedures;
The Secretary receives nominations and Statements by Candidates via email or online form;
The Webmaster posts on the GPSS website information regarding election procedures submitted by the Public Relations Chair along with the list of nominees and Statements by Candidates;
Nominations must be submitted prior to the Deadline for Nominations set by the Executive Committee;
Polls open on the Date of Opening and Date of Closing set by the Executive Committee (should be at least 3 days). The elections GPSS runs are held before October 1st, while elections held by the schools should also be finished in a timely manner.
The Secretary and at least one other member of the Executive Committee are responsible for counting the votes. A third party from within the Senate may be invited to act as an auditor to check the tallies.
The Public Relations Chair announces the results of the election within one week after the Deadline of Acceptance and gives the results to the Webmaster for posting online.

Elected Senators serve one Senate Session.
Each Student Member may cast only one ballot.
Each Student Member of each Professional School may vote only for the candidates in the Professional School in which he or she is enrolled.
Each Student Member of each GSAS Division may vote only for the candidates in the Division in which he or she is enrolled.
Each Student Member who is enrolled in a double-degree program may be a candidate for Senator in either but not both of the Schools or Divisions in which he or she is enrolled.
For each division of GSAS preference will be given to elect senators from that division, however, in the event that there are insufficient nominations from a division of GSAS a student from another division of the GSAS can run for that senate position since they are students of the same school.
Each Student Member who is enrolled in a double-degree program may cast a ballot in either but not both of the Schools or Divisions in which he or she is enrolled.
Election by Acclamation

If in a given School or Division there are fewer candidates than openings for the position of Senator, then the name or names of candidates appear on the ballot and, barring irregularities in the election procedures, they shall be declared by the President or presiding officer to be elected by acclamation.
If following an election cycle a School or Division has fewer than the allotted number of Senators, a Student from that School or Division may petition the President for the position of Senator. In advancing such a petition, the Student becomes a Mid-Term Candidate. The President or presiding officer shall present the Mid-Term Candidate to the Senate at the next Senate Meeting, and the Mid-Term Candidate must make a statement at that time. The Senate shall vote following the presentation of and statement by the Mid-Term Candidate. The Mid-Term Candidate requires the majority vote of the Senate to become a Senator.

Abdication. If a Senator abdicates his or her position, Students may petition to become Mid-Term Candidates (see above).

Article 6. Officers.

Section 1. Duties.

The President shall

Be the Chief Officer of the GPSS and ex officio a member of all committees of the Senate;
Have general charge of the business, affairs, and property of the GPSS and control over the Officers;
Preside at all meetings and perform the duties prescribed elsewhere in the Bylaws and as are usual of this office;
Not contradict, veto, or otherwise undermine the resolutions of the Senate majority.

The Vice President shall

Be second in command to the President;
Have the authority to act independently but according to the will of the President in the general charge of the business, affairs, and property of the GPSS and control over the Officers;
Oversee the activities that are initiatives of the Senate and GPSCY;
Monitor the physical plant, administer the office space, and be the liaison to the Pub of GPSCY;
Control the logistics, planning, and internal communications for Meetings.

The Treasurer shall

Be responsible for the receipt and custody of all monies of the Corporation, the accurate accounting thereof, and the disbursement thereof as authorized by the Senate;
Execute contracts and other instruments as authorized by the Senate;
Prepare and issue the budget and other financial statements and reports;
Report to the Senate on the finances of the Corporation at each regular meeting;
Raise funds for the Senate by such means as seeking out grants, donations and sponsors.

The Secretary shall

Be responsible for the day to day internal administration of the Senate;
Draft, distribute, and file all official communications;
Issue notices of all meetings of the Members;
In meetings record motions, total votes, the outcomes of votes, and the minutes, which the Secretary shall file and make publicly available;
Maintain the public records of the Corporation, including the Bylaws, lists of Members and Officers, and the Annual Report;
Submit annually the list of Officers and the Annual Report to the Secretary of State.
Maintain institutional memory of the organization to be distributed to all officers each year
Be the lead officer in charge of coordinating and running the elections for senate across the schools for which the GPSS operates elections.

The Public Relations Chair shall in the direction of the Public Relations Committee

Coordinate and disseminate information about GPSS and GPSCY to external parties, including the offices of the University administration, the schools and departments, student organizations, and the Association of Yale Alumni;
Release announcements of events initiated by the GPSS or, at the discretion of this Officer, events relevant and potentially of interest to the constituencies of the GPSS;
Promote a favorable image of GPSS and GPSCY;
Maintain and update the graphic identity of GPSCY from time to time, but alter the logo only in accordance to Article 1, Section 3.2.

The Funding Chair shall in the direction of the Funding Committee

Uphold the Funding Guidelines;
Receive applications for funding;
Communicate with applicants during the application process;
Represent to the Senate the opinion of the Funding Committee;

The Advocacy Chair shall in the direction of the Advocacy Committee

Receive, record, and file student concerns brought to the Senate for regular review by the Executive Committee;
Review the policies of the University, Schools, and Departments as they relate to the life and well-being of students;
Produce petitions and surveys for the purpose of updating, evaluating, or changing University policy, including the principal GPSS Survey;
Produce and administer surveys of student opinion, including the Annual Survey;
Report student opinion to the Senate, sponsor relevant motions, and initiate other forms of action consistent with the bylaws of GPSS and the University;
Maintain and publish online a document listing:

The grievance procedures of the University,
The grievance procedures of the Schools, and
Other official proceedings treating disputes and advocacy.

Duties applicable to all officers ranking below the President:

The Officers shall be responsible to the President for the proper and faithful discharge of their duties and shall report to the President;
All Officers shall report at each regular meeting of the Senate. Officers with nothing to report at regular meetings must announce that there is nothing to report.

Section 2. Election of Officers.

Candidates for Officer positions must be nominated by the Senate Membership.
Candidates for Officer positions must be part of the Senate Membership (also including current officers) at the time of nomination.
Each Senate Member may nominate himself or herself.
The Executive Committee sets the opening and closing dates of the nominations period.
The nominations period must begin no later than the first meeting after the Spring Recess.
Candidate statements are received during the nominations period. The Executive Committee may decide to receive candidate statements following the close of the nominations period. Candidate statements must be received in time to be published in the agenda preceding the election meeting. (The Secretary sets the deadline for agenda submissions.)
A candidate can be nominated for multiple positions although they can only serve as an officer in one position.
The election is a secret ballot. Three members of the Senate not running for office are appointed by the Executive Committee to receive and tally ballots.
The results are announced after each tally.
The newly elected Officers may be installed at the meeting of the election or at the beginning of the following meeting.
Acclamation. If a Senator runs unopposed for an Officer position, then his or her name appears on the ballot and, barring irregularities in the election procedures, he or she shall be declared by the President or presiding officer to be elected by acclamation.
Abdication.

If an Officer abdicates his or her position in the period following the Installment of the Executive Board but before the end of the Senate Session, then the following procedure applies:

The Senators are asked for nominations via email and again in a Period of Nominations to appear in the agenda of the following Senate meeting. Nominations close at the end of the Period of Nominations.
If there is only one candidate, then he or she shall be declared by the President or presiding officer to be elected by acclamation following the Period of Nominations.
If there are two or more candidates, the Senators vote on the candidate in the manner outlined above.

If an Officer abdicates his or her position in the period following the Installment of the Executive Board but before the end of the Senate Session, then the following procedure applies:
If an Officer abdicates his or her position in the period following the end of the Senate Session (that is, after the last Senate Meeting in the Spring Term), then the following procedure applies:

The Students who were Senators in the most recently dissolved Senate are asked for nominations via email. Those Senators shall constitute the Senate in Time of Abdication. The Senate in Time of Abdication does not require a quorum to vote on a candidate running for the abdicated position.
If there is only one candidate, then he or she shall be declared by the President or presiding officer to be elected by acclamation following the Period of Nominations.
If there are two or more candidates, then the vote must be conducted in one of two ways: either (1) the secret ballot procedure as outlined above or (2) electronic means that ensures authentication of individual votes.

Article 7. Alumni Senators.

Alumni Senators

Up to three Alumni Members at any time may be Senators.
Alumni Members may be elected at any Senate Meeting during the Senate Session.

Article 8. Senate Affiliates.

Section 1. Definition.

Senate Affiliates is a title that may be given to volunteers who volunteer in events, committees, and activities run by Senate Members.
The title Senate Affiliate is also known as Affiliate to the Graduate and Professional Student Senate.
When reasonable senate affiliates are: 1) held to the same responsibilities and expectations as senators, and 2) enjoy any and all non-voting privileges of senate membership

Section 2. Appointment.

All Student Members and Alumni Members are eligible for the title Senate Affiliate.
Eligible persons may petition the senate for the position of Senate Affiliate. The petition shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary and President (electronic mail is valid).
Senate Affiliates shall be appointed by majority vote of the Senate.
Senate Affiliates shall not be voting members of the Senate.
Senate Affiliates shall be required to participate in at least one project or one committee. Senate Affiliates shall be required to attend meetings when the officer or senator supervising their project or committee activities deems such attendance necessary.
The term of each Senate Affiliate shall be coextensive with the term of Senate at the time of appointment.
Following the dissolution of a Senate session, a former Senate Affiliate may petition for renewal of his or her appointment.
The process of appointment renewal shall be identical to that of the initial appointment.
The Executive Committee shall be permitted to appoint an unlimited number of Senate Affiliates.

Article 9. The Senate.

Section 1. Responsibilities

The activities, property and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by the Senate.

Section 2. Composition

The Senators shall constitute the Senate.

Section 3. Regular Meetings of the Senate

The Senate shall hold at least four (4) regular meetings a semester at such time and place as it may direct. Notice of the place, day and hour of each regular meeting shall be given to each Senate Member not less than five (5) days before the meeting.

Section 4. Special Meetings of the Senate

Special meetings of the Senate may be called by the President, and shall be called by the President upon written request of one-fifth of the Senate membership stating the purpose of such meeting. If the President shall not, within ten (10) days of the request, call such a meeting to be held within fifteen (15) days thereafter, such Senate Members may call the same. Notice of a special meeting shall state the place, day and hour of the meeting and the purpose for which it is called.

Section 5. Quorum

The holders of one-third of the number of elected Senators of the current Senate Session (as listed in Article 3, Section 6, Subsection 1) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business by the Senate. The Senators present at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present may not continue to do business if the withdrawal of Senator leaves less than a quorum present.

Section 6. Voting

The vote of a majority of the Senate Membership present at a meeting at which a quorum is present at the time of the act shall be the act of the Senate, unless the act of a greater number is required by the Nonstock Corporation Act of the State of Connecticut or by the By-Laws.

Section 7. Dues and Assessments

The Senate may levy dues and assessments against Student Members and Alumni Members, including Senate Members.

Article 7. Special Meetings.

Section 1. Annual Meeting of Members of the Corporation

The Annual Meeting of the members of the Corporation shall be held between February 15 and March 15 of each year at such time and place to be determined by the Senate. Written notice stating the place, day and hour of such meeting shall be given to each Senate Member not more than fifty or less than seven days before the meeting. Any matter relating to the affairs of the Corporation may be brought up which requires the vote of members pursuant to the Nonstock Corporation Act of the State of Connecticut.

Eligibility to vote at the Annual Meeting shall be limited to Senate Members who have attended one of the two Senate meetings immediately preceding the Annual Meeting.

Section 2. Special Meetings of Members of the Corporation

Special Meetings of the members may be called by the President, by the Senate or upon a written request of one-fifth of the members of the Corporation directed to the President. The President shall call a special meeting for purposes specified in such a request and cause notice to be given thereof. If the President shall not within fifteen days of the receipt of the request so call such a meeting to be held within thirty days thereafter, such members may call same. Notice of a special meeting shall state the place, day and hour of the meeting and the general purposes for which it has been called. Such notice shall be given to each Senate Member not more than fifty or less than seven days before the meeting.

Section 3. Quorum

At Special Meetings, the holders of one-third of the number of elected Senators of the current Senate Session (as listed in Article 3, Section 6, Subsection 1) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business by the Senate. The Senators present at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present may not continue to do business if the withdrawal of Senator leaves less than a quorum present.

Section 4. Voting

Each Senate Member shall be entitled to one vote, in person and not by proxy, provided, however, that with the approval of the Senate any representative who for good cause is unable to attend a meeting may designate in writing a member of the Corporation from the same constituency as a substitute, who may attend and vote in his or her place. For the purposes of this section, constituency means that Student Members who are Senators can only proxy their votes to a Student Member from the same Department, Program or School, that Alumni Senators may only proxy their vote to another Alumni Member and that Senate Officers may only proxy their vote to another Senate Officer.

Representation by proxy shall not be counted as attendance for purposes of maintaining active Senate membership.

All matters shall be determined by a majority vote unless otherwise required by these By-Laws or by the Nonstock Corporation Act of the State of Connecticut.

Section 5. Summer Session

The Summer Session shall run from the conclusion of the last official Senate meeting of the Senate Session until the commencement of the first official meeting of the next Senate Session.

During the Summer Session, the Senate shall be comprised of the Officers and three non-graduating Senators, who shall be called Summer Observers and who shall be appointed by the Senate prior to the conclusion of the last meeting of the previous Senate Session. The Senate may also designate alternates to serve to as Summer Session Observers.

During the Summer Session the Senate cannot amend these By-Laws nor remove an Officer from office.

Section 6. Vacancies

A vacancy among the Senate Members shall exist when a Department, Program or School as listed in Section 2 of this Article is not represented at Senate meetings for two (2) consecutive meetings. Any vacancy so designated by the Recording Secretary shall be filled by special election of the Student Members of that Department, Program or School. If after notifying the Director of Graduate Studies or the Dean of the respective Department, Program or School, no Senator is elected within four (4) weeks after the initial notice, the Director of Graduate Studies of the Dean of the respective Department, Program or School may appoint a Senator as a Temporary Senator.

Temporary Senators shall have all rights, powers and responsibilities of regular Senators for no longer than four (4) weeks, after which the Department, Program or School must send an elected Senator in order to be represented. A Temporary Senator shall cease to hold Senate Membership upon election of a Senator by the Student Members of the respective Department or School. Thus a Temporary Senator is deemed to fill a vacancy only until a Senator is elected by the respective Department, Program or School.

Article 9. Committees of the Senate.

Section 1. Establishment

The Senate may designate two (2) or more Senate Members to serve on committees to plan or conduct business of the senate. Members who are not Senate Members may also serve on committees of the Senate.

Section 2. Reporting Requirement

Every committee created by the resolution of the Senate must submit a written report updating their activities to be filed with the Recording Secretary no less than twice each semester on dates determined by the Executive Committee.

Section 4. Reporting Requirements

It shall be the responsibility of each Officer to report to the Senate at least twice each semester on the progress of his/her work. It shall be the responsibility of each Officer to hold at least one office hour each week during the Senate Session, excluding holidays, in the Senate Office.

Section 5. Officer Absence or Disability

In the absence or the disability of the President, the Vice-President shall assume the duties of that office. The President shall perform or cause to be performed the duties of the other officers in the event of their absence or disability until a replacement or interim officer can be elected. In the event of the absence or disability of the President and the Vice-President to serve as president an election will be called for the office of President.

Section 6. Removal

A GPSS Officer may be removed from office at a regular or special meeting of the Senate by a two-thirds of all the non-vacant Senate seats voting in the affirmative. No Officer may be removed from office during the Summer Session as per Article I, Section 10. Fifteen (15) affirmative votes shall be required for the removal of any Officers.

Section 7. Executive Committee

The GPSS officers shall report to the President at regularly scheduled meetings of the Officers known as Executive Committee meetings.

During the Senate Session the Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers, including the President, plus two (2) Senate Members appointed by the Senate for a term of one month and shall be known as Observers. Three (3) Senate members appointed to the Executive Committee for the Summer Session shall serve the entirety of the Summer Session. If more than three Senate Members seek appointment to the Executive Committee, then an election shall be held. The Observers shall have full voting authority on the Executive Committee, and may be appointed for consecutive terms of Executive Committee membership. A quorum of the Executive Committee shall be three (3) officers. Executive Committee meetings are opened to any member of the Corporation, but such members shall not be entitled to vote at such meetings.

Section 8. Honoraria

Each semester during the Senate Session the Senate Members may vote to award the Officers honoraria. In both of these semesters an officer evaluation committee shall be convened for the purpose of:

1. Determining the amount of honoraria each officer shall receive, subject to prior budgetary allotments,

2. Preparing a written report concerning their findings and presenting such report to the Senate and

3. presenting the officers with written evaluations.

This committee shall include at least three (3) Senators who have served as an Executive Committee Observer during the semester for which honoraria are being awarded.

In order to receive honoraria each officer must fulfill the duties of his/her office as set forth in these By-Laws and must submit a written report at a time designated by the officer evaluation committee. The committee may also require officers to participate in an interview with the committees.

Section 9. Emeritus officers

At the discretion of 2/3 of the Senate body, an officer of the Graduate and Professional Senate may be voted into emeritus status.

Article 10: Graduate-Professional Student Center

Section 1. Operation

The Graduate-Professional Student Center at Yale (GPSCY) shall be operated through the general oversight of the Senate by a committee of the Senate called the GPSCY Supervisory Council.

Section 2. GPCSY Supervisory Council

The GPCSY Supervisory Council shall consist of eight (8) individuals with annual terms as follows:

1. The GPSS Treasurer, President, and Vice President, whose terms shall run from their election to the next annual meeting,

2. One (1) Senator selected by the Senate whose term shall run one Senate Session,

3. One (1) member of the GPSCY Advisory Committee (as defined in Article V, Section 3) selected by the committee whose term shall run one Senate Session and

4. Three (3) Yale University Administrators appointed by the GPSS President whose terms shall run one (1) year from the date of the Officers election.

The GPSCY Supervisory Council is responsible for overseeing the operations and development of the Graduate-Professional Student Center at Yale at 204 York Street, New Haven, Connecticut. The Council shall meet no less than quarterly to review the performance of the Center and its professional staff, to recommend improvements in operations and administration and to assist with development and fundraising projects for the Center where appropriate. The professional staff shall report to the GPSCY Supervisory Council in any way that the Council deems appropriate.

As a committee of the Senate, the GPSCY Supervisory Council shall report to the Senate no less than once a semester and as requested by the Senate.

The GPSS Treasurer shall serve as chair of the GPSCY Supervisory Council.

Section 3. GPSCY Advisory Committee

The GPSCY Advisory Committee shall be an ad hoc committee of Graduate and Professional students, including the Vice President, who shall make recommendations with regard to programming, operations and coordination of Graduate and Professional social activities campus wide. The committee will be convened by the Vice President no less than once a semester.

Section 4. Membership

All individuals enrolled as a Graduate or Professional School students at Yale University are members of the Graduate-Professional Student Center at Yale. Admission policies and/or assessments shall be established periodically by the GPSCY Supervisory Council and approved by the Senate.

Article 11: Finance and Records

Section 1. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end June 30 of each year.

Section 2. Budget

The annual budget of estimated income and expenditure of the Corporation shall be approved by the Senate. The budget for the following fiscal year shall be presented to the Senate for approval by the newly elected Treasurer within six (6) weeks of the annual meeting. A vote to amend the budget may be taken at the beginning of the next Senate Session. No expense shall be incurred in excess of total budgetary appropriations without prior approval of the Senate, unless the Executive Committee decide the expenditure must be made before an appropriate Senate meeting can be called. If such a non-budgeted expenditure is made before the next Senate meeting, it must be presented and explained by the Treasurer at the next Senate meeting.

Section 3. Records

Before the Annual Meeting of the Senate, the Treasurer shall prepare or cause to be prepared a balance sheet showing the complete financial condition of the Corporation.

Section 4. Liability of Members

Any Student Member, Alumni Member or Senate Member who receives any distribution of income or assets from the Corporation in violation of the Nonstock Corporation Act of the State of Connecticut of the Certification of Incorporation, whether by dividend, in liquidation or otherwise, and who accepted or received such distribution knowing it was improper, shall be liable for the amount received to any creditors existing at the time of the distribution and to the Corporation. Nothing in this section shall preclude the awarding of honoraria to the officers.

Article 12: Parliamentary Procedure

Section 1. Parliamentary Authority

Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the final parliamentary authority for all meetings of the Corporation.

Article 13: Amendment to the By-Laws

Section 1. Procedure

These By-Laws may be amended, and new By-Laws not inconsistent with the Certificate of Incorporation or with any law may be adopted, at any annual or special meeting of Senate, by a two-thirds majority of the Senate Members at such meeting at which a quorum is present at the time of the vote. Any notice of a meeting of members of the Senate at which By-Laws are to be adopted, amended or repealed shall include notice of such proposed action. Pursuant to Article I, Section 10, By-Laws are not to be adopted, amended or repealed during the Summer Session.