A tradition shall refer to any customs, beliefs, objects, and any culture that helps to strengthen the institution of Graduate Student Senate. The naming of a tradition allows for tradition to be passed from generation to generation.
15.02 Adopting a Tradition
A tradition shall be proposed by any member and is the only way that these R&P may by altered outside of the Governance Committee.
Any tradition may be proposed to the entire body via a resolution.
A tradition needs two-thirds majority vote to pass.
The tradition shall be recorded in this chapter, under a new section heading. The resolution calling for the change must be cited at the end of the section.
15.03 Removing a Tradition
Removing a tradition can only happen through a change of the R&P, in accordance with Chapter 16 of these R&P.
15.04 “The Gavel"
“The Bicentennial Gavel” shall be the official gavel of Graduate Student Senate.
The Bicentennial Gavel shall only be used at the first and last meeting of an academic year.
Another gavel shall be used for the other meetings throughout the academic year.
15.05 “The Last Meeting”
The last meeting of the academic year shall be laid out as follows:
Roll call of the current Senate.
Final business of the current Senate.
Final announcements from the current Senate.
Final executive statements.
Induction of newly elected Senators.
Induction of newly elected Vice Presidents.
Induction of newly elected President.
Announcements by the new Executives and Senators.
Adjournment.
15.06 Oaths of Office for New Members
The GSS advisor or their designee will administer the oaths of office for newly elected Executive members and that senators, commissioners, and representatives’ oaths of office will be administered by the current Executive council members.
Oath of office for Department Representatives, Commissioners, and College Senators Commissioners, and College Senators to be recited by newly elected representatives and senators or appointed commissioners of GSS during their induction at the last meeting of the academic year or when confirmed by a resolution to appoint new members: “I, state name, hereby affirm that I will faithfully serve the Graduate Students of Ohio University, act in accordance to the Graduate Student Senate Constitution, R&P, and the Ohio University student handbook, and that I will fulfill all duties and responsibilities of a Graduate Student Senate representative, commissioner, or senator.”
Oath of office for Vice Presidents to be recited by the newly elected Vice Presidents during their induction at the last meeting of the academic year: “I, state name, hereby affirm that I will faithfully serve the Graduate Students of Ohio University, act in accordance with the Graduate Student Senate Constitution, R&P, and the Ohio University student handbook, and that I will fulfill all duties and responsibilities of the Vice President for (Legislative Affairs, Communications, or Finance) of the Graduate Student Senate. I will, to the best of my ability, strive to achieve the high level of expectation that accompanies the Office of the Vice President for (Legislative Affairs, Communications, Finance) of the Graduate Student Senate.
Oath of office for the President to be recited by the newly elected President during their induction at the last meeting of the academic year: “I, state name, hereby affirm that I will faithfully serve the Graduate Students of Ohio University, act in accordance with the Graduate Student Senate Constitution, R&P, and the Ohio University student handbook, and that I will fulfill all duties and responsibilities required of the President of the Graduate Student Senate. I will, to the best of my ability, strive to achieve the high level of expectation that accompanies the Office of the President of the Graduate Student Senate.
15.07 Senator Emeritus and Graduating Senator Awards
Voting members who wish to be considered for Executive Emeritus or Senator Emeritus must have attended at least twelve Graduate Student Senate meetings.
Voting members who wish to be considered for Graduating Senator Awards must have attended at least six Graduate Student Senate meetings.
The application must request all activities and work for GSS by the member. This work can be used to make sure that the most dedicated members receive the Executive Emeritus and Senator Emeritus status, the most prestigious awards GSS can give to a member.
GSS alumni can apply for either Executive Emeritus or Senator Emeritus status when the application becomes available; however, they cannot receive honor cords.
Benefits of Graduating Senator awards include a certificate of thanks on the behalf of GSS and an honor cord provided by GSS.
Benefits of Senator Emeritus status include:
Speaking privileges in any and all future GSS meetings (including any executive sessions).
A certificate of thanks on the behalf of GSS, and an honor cord provided by GSS.
This member will serve as a role model and reference for future GSS members.
Benefits of Executive Emeritus status include:
Speaking privileges in any and all future GSS meetings (including any executive sessions).
A certificate of thanks on the behalf of GSS, and an honor cord provided by GSS.
This member will serve as a role model and reference for future GSS members.
15.08 Recognizing Graduating Members of the Graduate Student Senate
This section will recognize current graduating members of the Graduate Student Senate
Graduating members will qualify for a cord for their graduation ceremony if they have attended at least five meetings of the semester in which they graduate.
Former members will also qualify for a cord for their graduation ceremony if they completed their last term in good standing within GSS.
If a member meets this standard, then they will be awarded the cord to be recognized for their service in GSS
15.09 Annual End of the Year Review
At the end of each academic year, the current GSS body shall compile a document describing the issues and topics that were worked on during that academic year. This document will detail progress made on these issues, identification of important resolutions passed with regard to these issues, and potential future directions on said issues. Information that can be included (but is not limited to):
Descriptions of important issues being targeted and why
Resolutions passed with regard to those issues
Conversations with individuals in administration regarding these issues
Dead-ends or missteps in attempting to address the issues
Further goals or possible courses of action regarding said issues
This review document will be ratified by the body during the last meeting of the academic year during the “Final business of the current Senate” section of the last meeting (see 15.05) by majority vote.
Issues described in the annual review are to be restricted to 2 page summaries in the body of the document, and must be authored by at least two voting members within the current year’s body. Additional materials and commentaries can be added as appendices.
All voting members of the body will be provided the option to participate in the drafting of the end of the year review.
Executives of the current year’s GSS body are to be responsible for the compilation of the end of the year review but are not responsible for the drafting of the document. Executives may ask certain body members to write on an issue that they championed, but executives may not prevent an issue from being entered into the review.
This document will be provided to the next year’s body and be reviewed at that bodies first meeting as part of the agenda.
This document will have no actual legislative power and will simply serve to inform the incoming GSS members of previous work on important issues facing graduate students and provide a potential roadmap for new members.
