GRADUATE SCHOOL STUDENT BOARD

Bicol University

Legazpi City

CONSTITUTION AND BAY-LAWS

PREAMBLE

We, the students of the Graduate School of the Bicol University, imploring the aid of the Divine Providence, in order to establish an organization that shall embody our ideals and promote the general welfare of its members under an atmosphere of love, justice, and freedom do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.

ARTICLE I

GENERAL PROVISION

Section 1.1    Official Name – This organization is known as the Graduate School Student Board of the Bicol University, Legazpi City.

Section 1.2    Objectives and Purpose – The following are the general objectives of this organization:

i)        To promote the general welfare of the Graduate School Students;

ii)      To serve as a means of developing the spirit of love, justice and freedom between and among the students of the different degree programs and administration of the BiIcol University Graduate School;

iii)    To support the educational, scientific and cultural undertaking of the Bicol University Graduate School;

iv)    To assist the administration in the implementation of school rules and regulations of the bicol University; and  

v)      To coordinate and serve as representative body to the Administrative Council and various organizations of the Bicol University.

Section 1.3    Principal Office – The office of the Graduate School Student Board shall be designated by the Dean of Graduate School within the perimeters of the Graduate School Building.

Section 1.4    Officers – The officers as used in this By-Laws shall include all the officers elected in the representative assembly composed of the officers of the different degree programs of the Graduate School he had been elected from among the class officers of their respective programs in an election called for the purpose.

Section 1.5    Qualification of Officers – The following are qualified to become officers of the organization:

i)        Bona Fide students of the Bicol University Graduate School; and

ii)      Duly elected officers of any Graduate Program of the Bicol University Graduate School.

Section 1.6    Form of Office – The officers of the Graduate School Student Board shall be elected for a term of one (1) year until his successor shall have qualified and elected.

Section 1.7    Vacancies – Any vacancy in the Graduate School Student Board shall be filled by means of appointment by the President from among the officers of the different degree program. He shall serve the unexpired term of the resigned/dead/incapacitated/removed officer.

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

Section 2.1    Members – All officers of the different programs of the Bicol University Graduate School who paid the semester’s dues are bona fide members of this organization.

Section 2.2    Classification of Members – One is a regular member if he is an officer of the Bicol University Graduate School and paid his semester’s dues. One is an honorary member if he is an alumnus of the Bicol University Graduate School.

Section 2.3    Dues – A membership fee of P_____ shall be paid by the member upon enrollment per semester and P_____ during summer season. Ten percent (10%) of this amount shall be given to the program offices representing the share of each program.

Section 2.4    Special contributions – A special contribution may be required from each member of the organization for a particular project or activity and may be fixed and approved by the board, the program chairman and the adviser or their duly authorized representatives.

Section 2.5    Termination of membership – Membership in this organization may be terminated by non-enrollment in the Bicol University Graduate School for the semester/year concerned.

ARTICLE III

RIGHTS, DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

Section 3.1    Regular Members

i)        To uphold and support the constitution and By-Laws of the organization;

ii)      To present any support for the benefit of the organization, provided that such suggestion shall be in writing duly signed and submitted to the board;

iii)    To vote and be voted upon;

iv)    To inspect or cause to be inspected at anytime during office hours the books and papers of the organization for a lawful and definite purpose.

Section 3.2    Honorary Members – rights of honorary members shall be outlined to participate in the activities of the organization except to vote and to be voted upon.

ARTICLE IV

ORGANIZATION

Section 4.1    Board – The governing body of the organization shall be the officers selected from the representative assembly of the different programs of the Bicol University Graduate School in a meeting duly called for the purpose.

Section 4.2    Powers and Functions of the Board.

i)        The board shall be the policy-making body and the implementing arm of the organization;

ii)      The board shall change and promulgate rules and regulations consistent with these By-Laws as the need arises;

iii)    The board shall purchase or acquire property for the organization and issue negotiable instruments for the purpose of carrying out the functions of the organization. No individual member of the board has the power to get for and in behalf of the organization without express authority from the board;

iv)    To approve all programs and projects;

v)      To accept gifts, endowments and grants for and in behalf of the Graduate School Student Board and to cause the implementation and enjoyment of the same in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof;

vi)    To approve contracts, agreements and covenants entered into by duly authorized officials of the Graduate School Student Board;

vii)  To exercise such other powers, functions and duties as are inherent to any corporate governing board.

Section 4.3    Meeting – The board shall hold a regular meeting every second Saturday of each month at 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon at the designated Bicol University Graduate School Student Board office. Special meetings may be called by the President or upon a written request of at least five (5) members of the board.

Notice of regular meeting shall be serve one week prior to the scheduled date – in within forty eight (48) hours in case of special meetings.

                                    A written agenda shall accompany such notice.

Section 4.4    Quorum – A majority of all the members of the board shall constitute a quorum to transact business. Decisions arrived at shall be considered enforceable. 

ARTICLE V

OFFICE OF THE BOARD AND THEIR DUTIES

Section 5.1    The officers of the board shall be the following: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Public Information Officer and two (2) Business managers.

Section 5.2    Duties of the Officers

i)        The President

a.      Enforces the By-Laws

b.      Calls and presides at the meeting of the board and the organization;

c.      Exercise general supervision over the affairs of the organization;

d.      Appoints, removes or suspends for justifiable cause any officer subject to the approval of the board;

e.      Signs, as authorized by the board, all contracts and other instruments of the organization;

f.        Submits reports to the board and the organization;

g.      Submits reports to the board and the organization;

h.      Sees that all resolutions of the board are duly executed and carried out;

i.        Performs other duties inherent to his office and required of him by the board.

ii)      Vice President

a.      Assist the president in planning all matters pertaining to the activities of the organization;

b.      Consults with the Chairmen of the different degree programs and is responsible for the attainment of the objectives of the organization;

c.      Serves as the acting President in case a vacancy should arise in the office of the President, whether temporary or permanent, provided, however, that such acting capacity shall only be for the duration of the term for which he had been elected.  

iii)    Secretary

a.      The Secretary acts as the official records keeper keeps of all minutes and proceedings of the organization.

iv)    Treasurer

a.      Collects, disburses, keep records of all contributions and remittances to the council and report upon the same when called for by the council in a meeting.

b.      Receives and has charge of all monies, legacies, gifts, and properties of the organization;

c.      Deposits funds and valuables in the name and to the credit of the organization an the banks and trust companies designated by the board;

d.      Authorizes disbursement of funds in accordance with prescribed rules and regulations;

e.      Keeps a book of account which shall be made available for inspection by any member of the board whenever requested and subject to audit anytime and thirty (30) days after the close of his term of office by the auditor or certified public accountant designated by the board.

v)      Auditor

a.   Examines and certifies all the receipts and disbursements of the organization and perform such duties as may be assigned to him by the board.

Section 5.3    Compensation – all officers and members of the board shall serve without compensation. Any officer and member of the board of the organization who is designated as official representative of the organization shall be allowed representation expense subject to the approval of the board. 

Section 5.4    Reports – The secretary shall prepare a semester report of the activities undertaken by the board.

Section 5.5    Turn-Over – Within thirty (30) days after the election of the new set of officers, the out-going officers shall turn-over to the in-coming board all monies and properties to the organization.

Section 5.6    Suspension – In the event that the President is absent or unable to perform his duties, the Vice President shall take over the President’s duties and responsibilities until the President returns or becomes capable of discharging his duties and powers.

                                    In the event of the resignation, disability, or death of both the President and the Vice President, the successor shall be appointed by the Adviser of the board and shall serve for the unexpired term.

ARTICLE VI

ELECTION

Section 6.1    Date and Venue of election – The date and election of officers of the board shall be held on the second Saturday of July of the first semester of each school year at a venue and time designated by the Adviser of the board.

Section 6.2    Method of Voting – The election of the officers of the board shall be by secret ballots cast in person to be supervised by a COMELC whose members shall be designated by the Adviser of the board, provided, however, that no person shall be nominated or voted upon in absentia.

ARTICLE VII

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Section 7.1    Frequency and Venue – The organization shall hold a semestral general assembly/meeting at a place and time the board may determine.

Section 7.2    Notice of Meeting – The announcement of the venue and assembly/meeting should be issued not less than fifteen (15) days before the scheduled date by a written notice to the members.

Section 7.3    Special Meeting – a special meeting of the members of the organization may be called by the President or by a written request of at least five (5) members of the board, or by then (10) active members of the organization.

Section 7.4    Quorum – Fifty percent plus one of all registered members in the assembly shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VIII

FUNDS

Section 8.1    Collection of funds – The treasurer shall be in charge with the collection of funds.

Section 8.2    Disbursement – All disbursement shall be the duty of the Treasurer under the control of the board and the adviser.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

Section 9.1    Procedure – The organization may amend/repeal/adopt new By-Laws by a majority vote of its members at a regular/special meeting called for the purpose. All proposed amendments shall be circulated to all members at least one month before the semestral meeting specially called for the purpose.

ARTICLE X

OFFICIAL SEAL

Section 10.1 Design – The board shall take the initiative to have a design of a official logo for the organization which shall be submitted to the members for approval.

ARTICLE XI

EFFECTIVITY

Section 11.1  Effectivity – These By-Laws shall take effect immediately after the approval of the members.

Prepared and submitted by the “Constitution and By-Laws Drafting Committee” on August 5, 1989.

            Chairman – Ms. Merly Balmes

            Co-Chairman – Mr. Larry Perez

            Secretary – Ms. Jocelyn E. Laguno

            Members:

                        Ma. Josefa Severo

                        Mr. Boy Raquintan

Ms. Preciosa Lim

Mr. Jed Villanueva