EGO Constitution
English Graduate Organization
Western Illinois University
One. Name
Sec. 1 The name of this organization shall be English Graduate Organization.
Two. Purpose
Sec. 1 The purpose of this organization shall be to provide a space for dialogue among graduate students and the graduate committee, to advocate for graduate curriculum in the English Department, to network with other English graduate organizations nationally and regionally, to further the work and interests of graduate students in this organization by providing assistance in areas of academic and professional development, and to critique ideas important to the discipline of English.
Sec. 2 An objective shall also be to sponsor a graduate student level state-wide, annual reading/writing conference.
Three. Membership
Sec. 1 Membership in this organization shall be extended to graduate English majors and alumni of the WIU Graduate English Department.
Sec. 2 Active members include a graduate student in the English program who attends at least one meeting per semester. Candidates for active membership must be registered at least part-time in the WIU English Graduate Program on the Macomb or QC campus in the participating semester.
Sec. 3 Associate members include EGO alumni who are interested in remaining involved.
Four. Elections
Sec. 1 Elections of the officers and all appointments in this organization shall be by a majority of the members present and shall be held each Fall and Spring semester on the second to last meeting of the semester.
Sec. 2 Only active members shall be eligible for officer positions in this organization.
Sec. 3 Terms for resignation shall be submitted in writing by an officer giving two weeks notice to EGO.
Sec. 4 Severe derelict of duty shall be grounds for an officer’s impeachment by a present majority and written correspondence in case of absence of all active members of EGO.
Five. Officers
Sec. 1 President -- It shall be the duty of the president to preside at all meetings of the organization; to fill, with the advice of the Faculty Advisor and active members, all appropriate offices; to order drafts on the treasury; and to exercise a general supervision over the activities of the organization.
Sec. 2 Vice President -- It shall be the duty of the Vice President to perform all the duties of the President, in his or her absence; and to cooperate with him or her in all ways to promote the interests of EGO.
Sec. 3 Secretary -- It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep an accurate record of all meetings of the organization; to make a complete record-file of the members and associate members of the organization; and to keep the membership book up-to-date. Roll shall be kept by the Secretary at every EGO meeting. The Secretary shall provide a legible copy of the minutes to the committee for approval at each meeting and shall publish this organization’s minutes on the EGO website. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to maintain the EGO website; to supervise the organization’s treasury; and to work with the President to create meeting agendas. The Secretary shall furnish to officers and committee members any information that will be of help to them.
Sec. 4 Faculty Advisor -- It shall be the duty of the Faculty Advisor to supervise all activities engaged in by this organization.
Six. Committees
Sec. 1 Any committee member may appoint a committee to help with some of the officers’ duties.
Sec. 2 A committee called by an officer may be comprised of active and/or associate EGO members or by faculty members from the English Department.
Seven. Appointments
Sec. 1 The Faculty Advisor from the English Department shall be appointed by EGO, with a majority of members present.
Sec. 2 The student seat on the department Writing Committee shall be a Teaching Assistant appointed by EGO, with a majority of members present.
Sec. 3 When granted a seat on the department Graduate Committee, EGO shall make this appointment of an active member, with a majority of members present.
Eight. Meetings
Sec. 1 There shall be a meeting of EGO every other week during the Fall and Spring semester.
Sec. 2 Special meetings may be called by the President, Faculty Advisor, or by a member if necessary.
Sec. 3 The dates of upcoming meetings will be advertised on campus bulletin boards and on EGO’s website.
Nine. Parliamentary Authority
Sec. 1 Parliamentary Procedure for EGO will be loosely based on Roberts Rules of Order.
Sec. 2 An inclusive list of EGO’s procedures shall be posted on the EGO website.
Ten. Finances
Sec. 1 Funds shall be handled in agreement with the current university policy.
Sec. 2 This is a not-for-profit organization.
Sec. 3 The source of funds shall be by any fund-raising activities or donations.
Sec. 4 Funds shall be used for necessary materials to carry out the purposes of this organization.
Eleven. EGO Constitution
Sec. 1 The constitution of this organization shall be made available to new members during the Fall and Spring semester each year.
Sec. 2 The current EGO Constitution shall be posted on the EGO website.
Sec. 3 This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting with a majority vote of members present.
Sec. 4 All proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing and read to the organization at a regular meeting, at least one meeting in advance.
Sec. 5 Amendments to this constitution become effective upon approval of the Student Welfare Committee or other appropriate university group, which may be designated by WIU.
Twelve. Statement Of Non-Discrimination
Sec. 1 Western Illinois University complies fully with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws, orders, and regulations. The University is committed to providing equal opportunity and an educational and work environment for its students, faculty, and staff that is free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status.
Thirteen. Statement Of Non-Hazing
Sec. 1 This organization shall not conspire to engage in hazing, participate in hazing, or commit any act that causes or is likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to any fellow student or person attending the institution.
Fourteen. Statement Of Compliance With Campus Regulations
Sec. 1 This organization shall comply with all university and campus policies and regulations and local, state, and federal laws.
Revised November, 2004