Graduate Students of the Visual Arts
of
Kansas State University
(revised Fall 2005)

Article I

Name and Location

Name:   The name of the association shall be GRADUATE STUDENTS OF THE VISUAL ARTS OF KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, also referred to herein as “GSOVA”.

Location:   The address of GSOVA shall be:
GSOVA
322 Willard Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506

Article II

Affiliation

GSOVA claims no affiliation with any other organization.

Article III

Purpose and Policy

Purpose:   GSOVA is organized to provide a means of community, to motivate greater involvement and interest, and to provide supplemental opportunity for education and professional endeavors in the Visual Arts.

Policy:   The general policies of GSOVA shall be determined at all times by its current executive board, acting in direct accordance with the constitution, and in a manner consistent with the published policies of Kansas State University.

Article IV

Membership

Membership in GSOVA shall be open to graduate and special students in pursuit of an advanced degree in the Fine Arts.  Provisional membership status will be extended to final semester graduating seniors intending to continue beyond the Bachelors Degree in the discipline of the Visual Arts.  Special membership status will be extended to faculty and student alumni with a special interest in the advancement of the Visual Arts at Kansas State University.

Qualifications for membership:  Candidates for membership to GSOVA must be enrolled in a minimum of three (3) credit hours in pursuit of an advanced degree in the Visual Arts at Kansas State University.  Provisional membership is available to final semester graduating seniors in the Visual Arts.  Special membership is available to Graduate Students and Faculty Alumni of the Department of Art of Kansas State University, and to those individuals interested in promoting the Visual Arts at Kansas State University.

Admissions to Membership:  No student or potential member will be admitted without payment of ascribed dues (covered in section below).

Standards for membership:  Members must maintain high scholastic standing, maintain a professional attitude toward their work, and agree to uphold the Constitution of GSOVA, and the policies of Kansas State University.

Dues:  Annual dues of twenty (20) dollars ($10.00 per semester) will be collected from each member by the Treasurer.  Dues for provisional and special members will be two (2) dollars per semester.

Faculty Advisor:  The Faculty Advisor shall be a member of the Department of Art Faculty, Kansas State University, and be of Graduate Faculty status.  His/ Her appointment will be by approval and invitation of the members of GSOVA, and subject to the approval of the Head of the Department of Art at Kansas State University.  The Faculty Advisor shall be invited to attend all regular, special and executive board meetings, and shall have no vote in the proceedings of those meetings, but will serve as consult.

Article V

Officers and the Executive Board

Officers:  The officers of GSOVA shall include: President, Vice-President and Treasurer.  These officers shall together comprise the Executive Board.

Nominations and Elections:  Nominations for officers will be made from the floor at the first scheduled meeting at the beginning of the fall semester.  Election will take place the same meeting, and the newly elected officers shall assume their post and duties from that time forward.

Vacancies:  Vacancies that occur in office(s) shall be filled by regular election at the first meeting following the vacancy.

Term of Office:  The term of office for elected officers of GSOVA shall be two (2) semesters but shall not be limited to that period.  Extended terms of office may be appointed by the vote of the members.

Exclusions:  Provisional and special members of GSOVA may not be elected to positions of the Executive Board.

Eligibility of Voters:  Full membership in GSOVA carries with it the right and responsibility to vote.  Provisional membership also carries this right and responsibility whereas Special membership does not.

Article VI

Powers and Duties of Officers

President:  The President shall be the chief executive officer of GSOVA.  It is his/ her responsibility to preside at all meetings of GSOVA and the Executive Board.  Responsibility for the enforcement of GSOVA by-laws shall be that of the President.  He, along with the Secretary-Treasurer, shall be responsible for the signing of all written contracts pertaining to GSOVA, and which the members have previously approved.  He/ She shall appoint such committees as the Executive Board may authorize and he/ she shall be a member ex-officio of all committees.  He/ She shall act as spokesperson for GSOVA in any communication with the education chairman assigned to GSOVA, in the event a chairman is assigned.

Vice-President:  In the absence of the President, the Vice-President will assume the responsibilities of the President.  Additionally, he/ she shall serve as program chairman, and as membership chairman.  He/ She also performs the any duties assigned to him/ her by the President.

Secretary-Treasurer:  The Secretary-Treasurer of GSOVA shall keep a written record of the proceedings of all GSOVA and Executive Board meetings.  He/ She shall be custodian of all by-laws, and recorder of changes in membership or constitutional amendments.  He/ She shall receive and retain all funds, dues, and contributions and keep a true and accurate record of all accounts.  Expenditures of funds shall be carried out by the Secretary-Treasurer only upon the approval of the Executive Board, and must be countersigned by the President.  He/ She shall also have the responsibility of notification of membership concerning any meetings of GSOVA. 

Article VII

Meetings

Executive Board Meetings:  Executive Board meetings must be held prior to regular and special meetings.  The President may call executive Board meetings at any time. 

Regular Meetings:  GSOVA shall hold meetings on a minimum basis of three (3) times a semester, and additionally at the discretion of the Executive Board.  GSOVA will hold its elective meetings at the beginning or just prior to the beginning of each Fall Semester.  Notification of regular meetings will be no later than one (1) week prior to each meeting. 

Special Meetings:  Special meetings will be called at the discretion of the executive board, and notice of time and location of special meetings will be posted no later than one (1) week prior to the meeting. 

Committee Meetings:  Committees approved by the Executive Board will have the right to designate meeting times and locations appropriate to their circumstances, without the notification of the entire GSOVA membership.

Article VIII

Rules and Procedures

Amendments:  Any by-law may be repealed or amended, or new by-laws adopted at any regular or special meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) majority or members in attendance and the written votes of members not in attendance.

Notice of the proposed repeal, amendment, or adoption of a by-law must be presented, with any discussion and/ or research and comment on topic, at the regular meeting prior to the meeting at which it is to be voted upon.

Procedure:  Vote shall be by written ballot on all elections, and any amendment proceedings.