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Department of Philosophy
101 Manchester Hall
344 Mansfield Road
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06269-2054


Phone: (860) 486-4416
Fax: (860) 486-0387
shelly.burelle@uconn.edu


 

The Constitution of the UConn Philosophy Graduate Student Association (PGSA)

 

1.1

The formal name of this organization shall be the Philosophy Graduate Student Association, hereafter referred to as PGSA.

1.2

The purpose of this organization is two-fold. First, PGSA will organize social activities for graduate students in the philosophy department and other graduate students. In particular, a series of graduate student talks (grue-bags) will be conducted several times throughout the year. These talks will last no more than thirty minutes and are to be followed by a discussion period of no more than thirty minutes. Second, PGSA will serve as a forum for addressing concerns specific to graduate students in the philosophy department at the University of Connecticut.

1.3

Membership in this organization will be limited to Graduate Students and Post-Doctoral Students. Special consideration will be considered for some Undergraduate Students majoring in Philosophy.

1.4

In general, the organization shall use the Consensus model of decision making, although certain scheduling decisions will not require a consensus. In cases where a consensus cannot be reached, the President will determine the course of action based on the Mission of PGSA and his or her best judgment. The President shall appoint all heads of committees.


1.5

The Positions of Leadership for this organization will be:

  1. President. The President will be elected by Majority Vote. The President will serve to uphold the Mission of PGSA, organize meetings and events, and delegate responsibilities to heads of committees. The President shall maintain the e-mail listserv. The President shall not be given so many duties that his or her progress towards a degree suffers. Dereliction of these duties shall be sufficient grounds for the replacement of the President.

  2. Treasurer. The Treasurer will be elected by Majority Vote. The Treasurer shall keep track of the PGSA bank account. The Treasurer will make the required deposits and withdrawals from the PGSA bank account as dictated by consensus in the group. The Treasurer shall only make withdrawals from the bank account voted on by PGSA or ordered by the President. Making unauthorized withdrawals or failure to make required deposits will be grounds for replacement of the Treasurer.

  3. Senator. The Senator will be elected by Majority Vote. The Senator will strive to attend all regular meetings of the Graduate Student Senate (GSS). The Senator will advocate for PGSA at GSS meetings. Failure to attend most regular meetings of the GSS or to represent the interests of PGSA will be grounds for replacement of the Senator.

  4. Grue-Bag Coordinator. The Grue-Bag Coordinator will be elected by Majority Vote. The Grue-Bag Coordinator will organize the time and place for grue-bag meetings, motivate their fellow students to take part in grue-bag meetings, and provide nourishment at each grue-bag meeting. In the event that the Grue-Bag Coordinator cannot attend a grue-bag meeting, he or she will arrange for someone else to provide nourishment. Failure to organize grue-bag meetings or to ensure the provision of nourishment at said meetings will be grounds for replacement of the Grue-Bag Coordinator.


1.6

Standing Committees shall be:

  1. The Website Committee.

    1. The Website Committee will maintain the graduate student portion of the website on the department of philosophy’s website. They shall immediately respond to all requests to remove and/or change material posted on the website.

    2. They shall also actively harass members of the department who have not submitted material for the website, unless those members refuse to put material on the website. Material need not be added immediately.

    3. They shall review submitted material for the website and make recommendations for revision if needed in order to maintain the professional image of the individual pages and the recruitment appeal of the main page.

    4. At least one person must sit on this committee at all times.

  2. The Fundraising Committee.

    1. The Fundraising Committee will organize and execute fundraising activities voted on by the main body.

    2. They will work closely with the Treasurer to ensure that all proceeds are deposited in the groups bank account.


1.7

Elections shall be held at the end of the Spring Semester. Elected Officials shall serve until the end of the following Spring Semester. Elections must be announced one meeting in advance of the elections.

1.8

The following procedure must be followed to change or amend this document: 75% of active members attending meetings regularly must approve changes, eliminations, or amendments to this document in order for said changes to become part or subtract part of this document. Proposed amendments shall be announced to all members of the group at least one meeting in advance, and must be announced to those not attending meetings via listserv or phone if the member is not available via the listserv.

2.0

In the event this organizations account remains inactive for 12 consecutive months, the following beneficiary will receive the balance of the organization funds. This should go to the departmental secretary.

Currently:

Beneficiary name: Shelly Burelle
Beneficiary Address: 198 Rogers Road
Beneficiary City, State, Zip: Hampton, CT 06297
Beneficiary Contact: Shelly Burelle
Beneficiary Phone: 860.486.4416