ARTICLE I. THE BLACK GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION 

Section 1: Name 
The name of this organization shall be the Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA). 

Section 2: Purpose 
Founded in 1995, the Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA) is a student run organization dedicated to the support of the Pan-African student experience at Claremont Graduate University. 

Section 3: Mission 
BGSA supports a variety of objectives including the following, which parallel the mission of the National BGSA: 

A. Providing resources that will enhance the likelihood of academic and career success of current graduate and professional students and 

B. Developing a network of emerging African descended scholars dedicated and sensitive to the needs and concerns of an increasingly diverse academic community, 

C. Interdisciplinary and collaborative research forums fostering the intellectual aspirations of black academics. 

D. Assisting in the Preparation of Future Faculty and Professionals 

E. Connecting with other BGSA's nationwide to encourage exchange of scholarly ideas and goals with people of globally-minded interests and backgrounds. 

F. Representing the high academic standards of Claremont Graduate University and showcasing the innovative scholarship produced at our university.

A. Active membership status shall be granted to those University students who:

1. Participate in at least one BGSA projects per academic year; 
2. Participate in at least half of the set meetings per semester (at least 2). 
3. Are committed to the mission outlined in Sections 2 and 3. 

B. Inactive membership status shall be granted to all university students, alumni and community members who do not meet all requirements in Section 4A, but who wish to be a part of the goals and purposes of the BGSA. 

C. Associate membership shall be offered to all faculty, staff, alumni, and community members who are interested and committed to the goals and purpose of the BGSA as outlined in Sections 2 and 3. In addition, special consideration will be given to undergraduates who are interested and committed to the goals and purpose of BGSA as outline in Sections 2 and 3.

ARTICLE II. EXECUTIVE BOARD 

Section I: 
There shall be an Executive Board of at minimum 3 members. The Executive Board will be elected once a year. 

Section 2: Duties and Powers of the Executive Board

A. Overseeing BSGA activities. 

B. Enforcing association policies, programs, and directives of the membership. 

C. Chairing and setting agenda for said meetings. 

D. Calling, with ample notice, special and regular meetings as deemed necessary. 

E. Generating new activities with officers. 

F. Delivering an address to the membership at the beginning of each quarter regarding state of BGSA and Black graduate issues. The delivery shall include visions, recommendations, and resolutions for the association. 

G. Requesting committee reports from all chairpersons. 

H. Overseeing financial transactions. 

I. Submitting proposals and resolutions. 

J. Submitting end of the year reports. 

Section 4: Duties and powers of the Secretary shall include: 

Finance

A. Maintaining a current and detailed record of the fiscal condition and financial transactions of BGSA, including, revenues, obligations, and expenditures. 

B. Submitting financial and quarterly reports at each meeting and maintaining these reports in BGSA Master File. 

C. Bringing to the attention of the Executive Board discrepancies, improprieties and inefficiencies in the fiscal policies and operations of the BGSA. 

D. Coordinating all proposals for event-funding that need to be submitted to the CGU Black Graduate Student Association and other potential funders.

E. Co-Organizing all fund raising events. 

F. Co-signing with the selected member and/or advisor of the BGSA on purchases or other expenditures including deposits and withdrawals. 

G. Working actively with other committees and BGSA members.
 

Historian

A. Serving as recording Scribe to the BGSA and the Executive Board. 

B. Maintaining roll sign-in sheets for meetings including the active and non-active status of members. 

C. Recording, reproducing, and distributing minutes of executive meetings, general meetings and special meetings. (includes posting meeting minutes to the BGSA listserv.) 

F. Providing current versions of the Constitution. 

G. Notifying members of meetings and distribution of agenda prior to meetings. 

H. Providing and maintaining updated files of history of BSGA at CGU. 

I. Working actively with other committees and BGSA members.

A. Producing and distributing general outreach information such as flyers, emails, brochures and newsletters. 

B. Producing and distributing special event information such as flyers, emails and posters.

C. Working actively with other committees and BGSA members. 

A. Coordinating at least four to six social events per year. Three each semester, including two social dinners, one First-year grad student welcome activity/beginning of the year welcome, one end of the year activity/reception and one planning retreat.

B. Working with other BGSA participants to accomplish duties and goals. 

C. Coordinate media coverage and promotion. 

D. Working actively with other committees and BGSA members. 

A. Serving as a contact person for graduate student academic, institutional and departmental concerns.

B. Co-Coordinating the Preparing Future Faculty Program with IDBS. 

C. Coordinating 2 interdisciplinary research colloquiums per year. 

D. Coordinating 2-4 academic workshops per year. (such as qualifying exam workshops, speakers etc) 

E. Keep updated database of Scholarships, Internships and potential employment. 

F. Working actively with other committees and BGSA members.

A. Serving as a contact person for members of the community, media for any current activity in BGSA.

B. Developing and Maintaining positive relationships with the 7-college community and encourage collaborative efforts.

C. Working actively with other committees and BGSA members. 

D. Developing and Maintaining relationship with the National BGSA. 

E. Developing and maintaining relationsips with local businesses and non-profit organizations.

A. To make recommendations in any matter of policy affecting Black graduate students. 

B. To create or authorize programs and any action to accomplish the goals and purposes of the BGSA in serving the interests of Black graduate students. 

C. To override or disapprove any action to accomplish the goals and purposes of the BGSA in serving graduate students. 

D. To enact revenue-producing measures and to allocate, obligate or expend monies of the BGSA. 

E. To establish Standing and Ad Hoc Committees deemed necessary to carry out the goals, purposes, and activities of the BGSA. 

F. Throughout this Constitution, the terms 'majority vote' or 'two-thirds vote' refers to a 51% percentage of members present, unless a specific policy requires the 'full membership.' A 'full membership' means the total of all eligible voting members of the BGSA.

A. To make recommendations in any matter of policy affecting Black graduate students. 

B. Invited to participate in any function or activity of BGSA. 

C. Shall be encouraged to participate in committees.

ARTICLE III: BGSA ADVISOR 

Section 1: 
The Advisor must be a faculty or staff member of the Claremont Colleges, dedicated to the support of Pan-African participation and ultimate success in higher education. 

Section 2:
The Advisor must be recommended by the Black Faculty, Staff, and students on campus, and approved by the Executive Board and BGSA membership. 

Section 3:
The Advisor must attend all Executive Committee meetings (monthly) and, if deemed necessary, attend general and special meetings. 

Section 4:
The Advisor shall provide guidance, assistance and recommendations to the BGSA officers and members. 

Section 5:
The Advisor shall support a growing network of diverse research topics. 

Section 6:
The Advisor shall play a significant part in Preparing Future Faculty and Professionals. 

Section 7:
The Advisor should be willing to fulfill a one-year term. 

ARTICLE IV: ELIGIBILITY FOR OFFICE; CONFLICT OF INTEREST 

Section 1:
All Executive Board Members must be enrolled graduate, professional students at CGU. Graduate or Professional students on a one-year hiatus may also be eligible under approval of majority vote. 

Section 2: 
Candidates for any position established by this Constitution are also required to meet any additional eligibility requirements contained in other Articles of this constitution. 

ARTICLE V. VACANCIES AND REMOVAL 

Section 1: 
Vacancies occur immediately in offices or positions established herein by: 

A. Resignation. 

B. Removal from office. 

ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS

Section 1:
Any member may propose Amendments to this Constitution. 

Section 2: 
Amendments shall be adopted upon two-thirds vote of the full active membership. 

Section 3: 
Any Amendment to this Constitution shall take effect upon the date specified by the Membership at the time the Amendment is ratified. 

ARTICLE VII. RATIFICATION 

Section 1:
This document will take immediate effect upon ratification by simple majority vote of all the Black graduate students voting. 

Section 2:
Times, places, and procedure for a general referendum of issues concerning Black graduate students will be established by the Executive Board.