Constitution

BGSA Constitution

Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be the Biomedical Graduate Student Association, hereafter referred to as BGSA.

Article II: Purpose

BGSA shall be the coordinating student body charged with representing all students enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania Perelman Medical School Biomedical Graduate Studies (BGS) program.

BGSA shall represent the concerns of BGS students to BGS administration, the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA), the twelve graduate schools (G12), and University of Pennsylvania administration.

BGSA shall serve as a liaison amongst the student populations and subprograms of BGS.

BGSA shall monitor issues of importance to the BGS community and foster dialogue among its members for the purpose of identifying relevant issues of advocacy.BGSA shall advocate for changes that will enhance the quality of life and the quality of education for BGS students.

BGSA shall sponsor academic, cultural, and social events of interest to the BGS community in order to strengthen social and academic bonds between BGS students themselves and between BGS students and faculty.In doing so, BGSA aims to strengthen the tie of BGS students to BGS, the Perelman School of Medicine, and the University of Pennsylvania.

The primary vehicles for these purposes shall be the Executive Board and the General Assembly.

Article III: Affiliation

This organization is affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania Perelman Medical School Biomedical Graduate Studies program.

Article IV: Membership

Section I: Restrictions
Membership is restricted to all currently enrolled students of the University of Pennsylvania’s BGS programs.(See Article III.)

Section II: Eligibility
Membership into BGSA and the General Assembly is automatically conferred on all currently enrolled BGS students. Application for membership is not required.Membership remains valid while the student is an enrolled BGS student and cannot be revoked for any other reason.

Section III: Rights
The rights of voting and holding an office are reserved for BGSA members only.

Section IV: Non-discrimination Policy
This organization and its members shall not discriminate against any individuals for reasons of race, national origin, color, religion, gender, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/or ability status.

Article V: Executive Board

Section I: Officer Positions
The officers of BGSA shall consist of:
- Chair
- Vice Chair for Administration
- Vice Chair for Academic Affairs
- Vice Chair for Social Affairs
- Vice Chair for Finance
- Vice Chair for Operations
- Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA) Representatives

Section II: Eligibility
Any member of BGSA may run for any office. No officer may simultaneously hold more than one office in BGSA. Additionally, no officer may simultaneously act as a BGSA program representative.

Section III: Term
The term of each office shall be one fiscal year, from July 1st to June 30th.

Section IV: Special Election
Should an officer’s position become vacant during his/her term, a special election shall be held at the next BGSA General Assembly meeting, provided there is at least one week until the meeting. If less than a week remains before the next General Assembly meeting, the election shall be held at the first subsequent General Assembly meeting.The General Assembly shall be given at least one week’s notice of the election.

Section V: Removal of an officer
A member of the Executive Board who is found to be in violation of this Constitution, the BGSA By-Laws, the Rules of the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, or University policy may be removed upon a vote of three-fourths of the General Assembly at any meeting, provided that the member whose conduct is in question has been given fourteen days’ written notice stating the violation or violations and has been granted an opportunity to be heard.
- Just cause, i.e., malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance, must be shown in any case involving the removal of a member of the Executive Board.

Article VI: Amendments

Section I: Constitutional Amendments
This constitution shall be amended by a vote of three-fourths majority of the General Assembly at any regular or special meeting.

Section II: By-Law Amendments
The BGSA By-Laws shall be amended by a vote of two-thirds majority of the General Assembly at any regular or special meeting.

Section III: Notice of Amendment
The General Assembly and the Executive Board shall be given ten days’ notice of amendment, including the text of the proposed amendment