New Constitution Passed: 2/12/03
Committee: Laura Lancieri & Joshua Wolfe

| Article I | Article II | Article III | Article IV | Article V |
| Article VI | Article VII | Article VIII | Article IX |

Article I - Purpose

The Gay/Straight Alliance works to create an awareness of and respect for sexual diversity. Because of the prevalence of heterosexism and homophobic attitudes, the GSA recognizes the difficulty sexually diverse students may have in realizing and celebrating all aspects of their personalities and cultures. By providing educational programs to the Susquehanna University campus, the Gay/Straight Alliance will combat myths, prejudgments and fears about LGBT persons and their cultures in order to dispel them. We will sponsor lectures, panels, residence hall programs, discussions, films, showcases, literature, and entertainment events concerning issues of sexual diversity.

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Article II - Membership

GSA is open to all students regardless of sexual orientation, race, gender, gender identity, age, religion, color, national origin, or disability. To become an associate member of GSA, it is necessary to attend one general meeting and express an interest in membership. As an associate member, one would receive the minutes each week, but would lack voting privileges. To become a full member of GSA, it is necessary to attend three consecutive general meetings. As a full member, one would receive minutes and full voting privileges. If a full member fails to attend two consecutive meetings without an excuse acceptable to the guidelines set forth in Article VI; misses six total meetings per semester; or fails to attend an emergency meeting, he/she will be subject to a review by the board members, which may result in the demotion or the revoking of membership status. This policy encompasses all members, including executive officers.

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Article III - Executive Positions and Duties

The duration of terms for officers will be one full academic year with unlimited possibilities for re-election. In the event that any officer is relieved of his/her duties for academic reasons or negligence, emergency elections will ensue.

• President
  The president shall serve as official spokesperson for the group, schedule and moderate general and emergency meetings and monthly board meetings to ensure that the group's objectives and goals are met. The president will ultimately preside over the other officers, offering assistance in fulfilling duties and responsibilities. The president will be responsible for meeting with the Student Government Association annually to discuss budget proposals for the following school year.

• Vice President
  The vice-president will assume the president's responsibilities in the event that the president is unavailable. This officer will also be responsible for all public relation affairs, such as recruitment and event flyers, e-newsletter postings, and mailbox stuffers.

• Treasurer
  As treasurer, this officer will maintain an account of the group's financial status, will remain accountable for the security and the dispersal of the group's funds, and will organize fund raisers. This officer will also assist the president in writing the budget proposal for the following year. This officer will also be responsible for attending Diversity Council meetings and appointing a lay member to the representative position if he/she cannot make the meetings.

• Secretary
  The secretary will be responsible for reading a roll call at the beginning of each meeting, keeping an attendance record of members present at each meeting, sending out minutes after all meetings and maintaining a roster of both associate and full members including responsibilities for which they have volunteered. This officer will inform the members of the group's progress and notify them of future meetings and events. The secretary will also reserve rooms and equipment for activities.

• Webmaster
  The webmaster will be responsible for maintaining and updating the GSA webpage and checking the organizations e-mail account. This officer will also be responsible for all intercollegiate networking actions.

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Article IV - Elections

Elections for new officers will take place on the last week in February to provide ample time for training of new officers. Nominations will be held on the week prior to elections. The vote will proceed in descending order from the office of president; each candidate will have five minutes to explain why he/she would be best to serve in that particular office. The vote will be carried out in an anonymous fashion by means of paper ballots.

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Article V - Impeachment

If an officer fails to meet the attendance requirements or neglects the duties of his/her office, an impeachment may be considered. Impeachment proceedings may be initiated by any full member and brought to a vote by a motion to second. A two-thirds vote is required to impeach an officer. If an impeachment occurs, an emergency election will ensue.

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Article VI - Meetings

There must be a general meeting weekly, unless canceled on account of the absence of the president and the vice president. In event of the previously stated situation the meeting will be cancelled if there is a majority vote in favor of such an action. Additional executive board meetings will be called monthly at the discretion of the president. Excuses shall be granted for academic reasons, or for reasons of personal emergency.

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Article VII - Voting

One must be a full member in order to vote. All nominations must be seconded by another member. Two months prior to the end of the academic year, a general meeting will be held to discuss the group's objective goals for the coming term. Members will be elected to office by a majority vote. Although elections are held the last week in February, the term for office begins at the start of the following academic year, with exception to emergency elections, in which case the elected officer will immediately resume the duties of the office.

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Article VIII - Advisor

An advisor to the Gay/Straight Alliance shall be appointed by the officers and confirmed by a majority vote of the members at the end of each academic year. The advisor will be responsible for making judgments and offering expert advice and input.

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Article IX - Amendments

A two-thirds vote is needed to ratify the constitution. The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote by full group members. The constitution may be revised by a committee consisting of full members, and brought before all full members to be ratified by a two-thirds vote. If the revision fails to obtain a two-thirds vote, it will be sent back to the committee for further revision with suggestions. The constitution will undergo a mandatory review and if necessary revision every 3 years.

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