Constitution
of the
Graduate Journalism Students Association

School of Journalism
University of Southern California

The Graduate Journalism Students Association is an organization designed to enrich the academic, cultural and social education of the graduate students in the USC School of Journalism. The ultimate goal of the Graduate Journalism Students Association is to promote excellence in journalism by providing educational and social experiences that complement the School's curriculum.

• Section 1. The title of this organization shall be the Graduate Journalism Students Association (herein referred to as "GJSA").
• Section 2. The purpose of the GJSA is to enrich the academic, cultural and social education of the graduate students in the USC School of Journalism. The ultimate goal of the Graduate Journalism Students Association is to promote excellence in journalism by providing educational and social experiences that complement the School's curriculum.

• Section 1. Every registered student in the USC School of Journalism's Graduate Program shall be considered a member of the GJSA. Membership is automatic upon registration and no formal application for membership is required.
• Section 2. The GJSA affirms that it will not restrict or discriminate membership on the basis of national origin, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation.

• Section 1. The GJSA shall be governed by an Executive Board of four officers who are primarily responsible for the operation of the organization. The officers of the Executive Board shall be the President, Academic Secretary, Treasurer and Social Secretary.
• Section 2. The officers of the GJSA shall be elected at the first official meeting of the Spring semester. The officers elected at that time shall serve through the remainder of the Spring semester, the subsequent Fall semester and until the conclusion of elections for the following year. Nomination forms shall be circulated to all GJSA members during the first week of the Spring semester. Every member of the GJSA is eligible to be elected to an office. Nominations are by secret ballot. Nominees shall be informed and shall have the opportunity to decline his or her nomination. Ballots based on the nominations shall be distributed to all GJSA members. The official balloting shall occur during the first meeting of the Spring semester.
  Newly elected officers of the GJSA shall assume office after they take the oath of office. The oath-of-office ceremonies shall commence immediately after the election results have been tabulated. The retiring President shall first administer the oath of office to his or her successor. The newly-elected President shall then administer the oath of office to the rest of his or her fellow officers.
  
  GJSA Oath of Office

"I (state your name) solemnly swear to uphold the Constitution of the Graduate Journalism Students Association and to serve the office of (state your office) to the best of my abilities. I promise to execute the duties of my office in the best interests of the GJSA and the University of Southern California. I now assume the office of (state your office)."
After every GJSA election, the Academic Secretary shall officially notify the Office of Student Activities and the Council of Graduate and Professional Students in writing of the persons who have been elected to the GJSA offices. The Academic Secretary shall make this notification within one week of the elections.

• Section 3. An officer of the GJSA may be removed from office through impeachment proceedings conducted at an official GJSA meeting. If impeachment proceedings are to be brought against any GJSA officer, that officer and the entire GJSA membership must be notified in writing of the charges and when the impeachment proceedings will be held at least two weeks prior to those proceedings. An officer of the GJSA shall be removed from office by a two-thirds vote.
• Section 4. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection and disbursement of GJSA funds. The Executive Board of the GJSA or a majority vote at an official GJSA meeting can authorize the expenditure of GJSA funds.
• Section 5. If a GJSA officer or the GJSA decides by a majority vote at an official meeting that a standing committee of any kind is necessary to the organization's operation, it shall be created and the Bylaws shall be amended to show that it exists. The Social Secretary shall oversee any committee.

• Section 1. The GJSA President shall preside at all official GJSA meetings and is ultimately responsible for the operation of the organization. The President is the official GJSA representative and shall attend all requisite functions and meetings unless he or she appoints an alternate member of the Executive Board to take his or her place. It is the duty of the President to meet with all of his or her officers on a continual basis to make sure the organization is functioning properly.
• Section 2. The Academic Secretary shall assist the President in his or her duties and shall preside over all official GJSA meetings when the President is not present. In the event that the President resigns or is no longer able to conduct the duties of his or her office, the Academic Secretary shall assume the presidency. The Academic Secretary shall be responsible for all official GJSA correspondence, including the GJSA newsletter and directory, and shall take minutes at all official GJSA meetings. The Academic Secretary shall maintain a permanent file of all GJSA information. The Academic Secretary is responsible for notifying the membership of all official GJSA meetings and events.
• Section 3. The Treasurer shall be primarily responsible for the financial operations and well-being of the GJSA. The Treasurer shall be responsible for disbursing GJSA funds and maintain financial records of all GJSA expenditures. The Treasurer must submit all requests for money to GPSS and present a monthly finance report at official GJSA meetings.
• Section 4. The Social Secretary shall be primarily responsible for organizing and scheduling distinguished speakers. The Social Secretary shall coordinate all official GJSA social events, including the welcoming party and graduation party. The Social Secretary will organize trips to professional media outlets. The Social Secretary will be responsible for forming standing committees as required by the GJSA.

• Section 1. The GJSA shall meet for a minimum of four meetings per semester, or once a month, on a regular basis to be determined at the first official meeting of the Fall and Spring semesters. Ten members of the GJSA, including the Executive Board, shall constitute a quota at an official GJSA meeting.
• Section 2. A special meeting of the GJSA may be called by the President provided that the entire GJSA membership has been notified in writing 48 hours in advance.
• Section 3. Each member of the GJSA shall have one vote in the GJSA.

• Section 1. The GJSA is a recognized student organization at the University of Southern California, but is not a part of the University itself.
• Section 2. In all correspondence and business transactions, it may refer to itself as an organization at USC, but not as part of USC itself.
• Section 3. GJSA accepts full financial and production responsibility for all activities it sponsors.
• Section 4. GJSA agrees to abide by all pertinent USC policies and regulation. Where USC policies and regulations and those of GJSA differ, the policies and regulations of USC will take precedence.
  Part A. GJSA and its officers will not conduct or condone any initiation rites, or "hazing." If any officer is implicated in such actions he or she is subject to the full prosecution of the law and impeachment.
• Section 5. GJSA recognizes and understands that the University assumes no legal liability for the actions of the organization, and that the University is not providing blanket indemnification insurance coverage for any activities of the GJSA, unless those activities expressly benefit and further the goals of the University, and have received prior review, approval and consent of the Offices of Student Activities, Risk Management and/or General Counsel.

• Section 1. As a recognized organization at the University of Southern California, GJSA is required to have an official advisor from the USC faculty and staff.
• Section 2. The advisor must sign the recognition application each year, or whenever officer information changes or amendments are made to the constitution.
• Section 3. An advisor, unless he or she is also a regular voting member, may not vote in GJSA matters, hold office or unduly influence decisions of the student organization.

• Section 1. The Constitution of the GJSA shall be amended by a two-thirds vote at an official GJSA meeting. The motion for an amendment to the Constitution shall be made and seconded at an official GJSA meeting. The motion will then be tabled automatically until the next official GJSA meeting at which time it will be put to a vote. If the proposed amendment then receives a two-thirds vote, it will take effect immediately.
• Section 2. The Academic Secretary will officially notify the Office of Student Activities and the Council of Graduate and Professional Students of any amendments to the GJSA Constitution within one week of the amendment's passage.

• Section 1. Bylaws of the GJSA shall be established by a simple majority at any official GJSA meeting.
• Section 2. The Academic Secretary shall update the bylaws within one week after bylaws have been amended and shall maintain a current copy of the GJSA bylaws in the Academic Secretary's permanent files at all times.

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