[Gsc-anno] GSC Announcements 03/08/05

[GSC Secretary]

*********************  GSC ANNOUNCEMENTS  *********************
  more extensive annoucements online: http://gsc.mit.edu/anno
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headlines (details below):

                       1. GSC OFFICERS NOMINATION
                              http://gsc.mit.edu/elections/

                       2. GSC TAX WORKSHOP
                              Mar 12 (Sat)10am-5pm in Sidney-Pacific

                       3. GSC PASSES LEGISLATION AT MARCH 2nd MEETING
                              Four amendments to GSC Bylaws,  Resolution 
                              regarding Mass. Ave. construction

                       4. GSC MEETINGS
                              Mar 08 (Tue) - Family Housing Subcommittee
                              Mar 15 (Tue) - Housing & Community Affairs
                              Mar 16 (Wed) - Activities Committee
                              Mar 17 (Thr) - Academic, Research, & Careers


details:
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*GSC Nomination*

Nominations are now open for the GSC Officer positions for the academic year
2005-2006!

Candidates who are nominated and accepts the nomination have till 5:00 pm on the
second day after accepting the nomination to submit to the GSC Vice President,
their statement of purpose. An up-to-date list of candidates is posted at
http://gsc.mit.edu/elections/. Election of the 2005-2006 Officers of the
Graduate Student Council (GSC) will take place at the April General Council
Meeting.

If you're interested in running for a GSC Officer position, or would like to
nominate someone, please contact gsc-vicepresident at mit.edu. Nominations will
remain open until 5:00 pm on March 30th, 2005. (one week before the April GCM)

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*GSC Tax workshop*

(intended towards US citizens and permanent residents)

Workshops will be held on Mar 12/Apr 2/Apr 10, 2005 from 10am-5pm (walk-ins) in
Sidney-Pacific Dormatory.

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*GSC PASSES LEGISLATION AT MARCH 2nd MEETING*

The GSC approved four (and tabled one) amendments to its Bylaws and passed an
article of legislation regarding the Massachusetts Avenue reconstruction
project at its March 2nd General Council Meeting. A brief recap of these items
is given below:

-- The Council approved an amendment to the GSC Bylaws to reflect an updated and
clarified description of its legislative processes. Among other things, the
updated Bylaws now make explicit a process the Council has been utilizing for
the past three years in which legislation must be introduced at one Council
meeting before it can be voted on at the next, ensuring that the GSC
representatives are able to adequately discuss a matter with their constituency
before casting a vote.  A special provision was put into place to allow for an
emergency suspension of this rule if the Council deems that it cannot afford to
wait a month to vote upon an item. The amendment also makes explicit how an
item is voted upon, what items may be put up for vote, and how many votes are
required to pass an item of legislation.

-- The Council approved an amendment to the GSC Bylaws which clarifies the role
and functioning of the Association of Student Activities (ASA). Because the ASA
is a joint committee of the GSC and the Undergraduate Association (UA), the
amendment must also be approved by the UA Senate(they will be voting on March
14). The amendment clarifies the relationship between the GSC, UA, and ASA. It
also allows the ASA Executive Board to have more flexibility in carrying out
their duties, while keeping appropriate checks and balances.  Pending approval
of the amendment, the current ASA Constitution will be replaced by the revised
GSC/UA Bylaws and a set of ASA Operating Guidelines. The procedures for
changing these guidelines is described also described in the amendment.
Finally, the amendment also introduced a procedure for student groups to appeal
decisions of the ASA through the GSC and UA.

-- The Council approved an amendment to modify the descriptions of "Committee
Structures" and "Committee Procedures" in the GSC Bylaws. The amendment
essentially made these sections of the Bylaws much easier to read, and
shortened them by removed a number of redundancies.

-- The Council approved an amendment the GSC Bylaws to clarify certain duties of
the GSC Officers. Particularly, the amendment charges the GSC President to
present a year-end report of the Council, makes explicit the Vice-President's
responsibility to maintain a record of GSC representatives, and clarifies the
role of the Secretary as the chair of the Publications and Publicity Board.

-- The Council passed an article of legislation in which it resolved that the
upcoming reconstruction project on Massachusetts Avenue poses a serious threat
to student safety and should not be allowed to continue as currently planned.
The Council delegated to the GSC President and chairs of the Housing and
Community Affairs committee the task of writing a letter to President Susan
Hockfield to this effect. Because of the timeline of the reconstruction
project, the Council voted to suspend its standard process for passing
legislation, thus allowing for an immediate vote.

-- An amendment to the GSC Constitution and Bylaws regarding procedures for the
election of standing committee chairs was tabled pending further discussion
among the members of the Council. Because of upcoming elections and the
following transition, it was left to the representatives and future Officers to
revisit the issue in the future.

Further details regarding the amendments can be found on the GSC website at: 
http://gsc.mit.edu/legislation In addition, minutes to the meeting can be found
at: http://gsc.mit.edu/minutes