English

Guest Speaker Ariana Ruiz and other graduate students

English Graduate Organization (EGO)

The English Graduate Organization (EGO) represents all English graduate students, providing a space for dialogue among graduate students and the graduate and writing committees, advocating for graduate curriculum in the English Department, networking with other English graduate organizations nationally and regionally, furthering the work and interests of graduate students in this organization by providing assistance in areas of academic and professional development, and critiquing ideas important to the discipline of English.

The English Graduate Organization is, as the name indicates, an organization whose focus is on English graduate students. The organization meets once a week throughout the school year to plan and discuss upcoming events, allow students an opportunity to share thesis work with peers and faculty, and cater to other needs of the English graduate students. The EGO Conference is a graduate conference the English Graduate Organization plans and funds every fall semester during which students have the opportunity to present papers they have been working on and gain experience in the conference setting. Students are highly encouraged to take part in the conference.

All English graduate students should get involved with EGO in some capacity; if not from a sense of institutional or communal pride, then because EGO offers graduate students the opportunity to build their Curriculum Vitae.

Members of EGO also typically have more intimate relationships with faculty--which can open the proverbial door for other, perhaps more prestigious opportunities!--than do non-members, and are also better acquainted with second-year graduate students.

Contact

If you would like to become involved with EGO, we need volunteers to help with each year's conference, please contact us at ego@wiu.edu. Please find us, and "like" us, on Facebook at English Graduate Organization.

EGO Officers 2022-2023
  • Co-Presidents:
    • Isabella Perez (im-perez@wiu.edu)
    • Mark Brown (mj-brown2@wiu.edu)
  • Treasurer: Emily Woods (e-woods@wiu.edu)
  • Secretary: Logan Volkert (lt-volkert@wiu.edu)

EGO Constitution

Article I

The name of this organization is: English Graduate Organization

The organization is a student organization at Western Illinois University.

Article II

The objectives of the organization are:

  • To promote interest in academic life and conferences.
  • To provide fellowship among students and faculty.
  • To represent student needs and wants in regard to choices affecting Western Illinois University English graduate students.
  • To provide a forum for the presentation of innovative ideas to benefit the University Community.

Article III

  • Any student at Western Illinois University is eligible to be an active member and may hold office.
  • Non-students may act as associate members, but may not vote or hold office.
  • The English Graduate Organization does ask that active members have a graduate level standing and/or is applying to graduate school in the Western Illinois University English Department.

Article IV

Election of Officers
  • The officers of this organization are co-president, co-president, EGO liaison to faculty, records officer, and treasurer.
  • The president and co-president will hold the same amount of power and responsibility for decisions made while they are in office.
  • Officers will be elected by written ballot, with each active member casting a vote. A majority of votes will constitute a victory.
  • Election of officers will take place during the last week of the fall semester. The officers will serve from spring semester through the fall semester or until he/she graduates, whichever occurs first.
  • Officers will assume office for the period of one year.
Recall of Officers
  • Officers are subject to recall for malfeasance in office.
  • Recall procedures will be initiated at the request of five active members.
  • A hearing will be conducted at a regular meeting for the presentation of evidence from all concerned parties.
  • A majority of those active members voting in a recall at the end of the hearing is necessary to remove any office.

Article V

  • This constitution and by-laws may be amended by a 2/3 majority vote of those voting, a quorum being present.
  • Voting on amendments must be conducted after a minimum notice of 2 weeks.

Article VI

This is a not-for-profit organization.

Article VII

No organization at Western Illinois University shall discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Article VIII

  • A majority of voting members of this organization may determine reasonable dues and fees assessed to each member at the beginning of each semester.
  • A specific member or members, designated by this organization shall be responsible for payment in full of all debts accumulated by the organization not covered by funds on deposit.

Article IX

This organization will not conspire to engage 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.

Article X

This organization shall comply with all university and campus policies and regulations and local, state, and federal laws.

By-Laws

Cabinet

Co-Presidents

  • Coordinate all activities of the organization.
  • Official representative of organization.
  • Calls regular and special meetings.
  • Presides at meetings.
  • Prepares agenda for meetings.

EGO Liaison to Faculty

  • Inform English Faculty of Graduate Activities
  • Maintain communication between Faculty and EGO.
  • Initiate communication and activity between Faculty and EGO.

Records Officer

  • Maintains accurate and current information of the organization and membership.
  • Assists president and co-president to coordinate organization activities.
  • Keeps accurate minutes of meetings and forwards copies to other officers.
  • Keeps attendance records for meetings.

Treasurer

  • Liaison to WIU for all purpose of organizational funding.
  • Maintains accurate and current account of all organizational funds.
  • Responsible for dispensing of funds in accordance with the goals and programs established by the English Graduate Organization.
Meetings

Meetings will be open to all organization active and associate members, faculty, and Student Programs representatives. A notice of at least1 week will be given prior to all meetings. The meetings are to be organized and controlled by officers and active members.

Minutes

Below, please find the minutes from EGO's weekly meetings for the past semester. Future EGO secretaries should also try to emulate the writing style of the current "Minutes" pages, including headings and sub-headings, bolded keywords, and bulleted lists; for more information on web writing please consult the Web Style Guide's page on Online Style. For other visitors, you will find a meticulous record of EGO's weekly meetings and fall semester labors.