About the UIGPS:
Mission Statement:
The UI
Graduate Philosophical Society's mission is to promote a community for
philosophy (and philosophically-minded) graduate students, which will help
facilitate the philosophical exchange of ideas and provide a forum for graduate
students to more closely interact with others in the field.
History and Goals:
The UIGPS was started in Spring 2004 to give graduate students the opportunity
to share their philosophical ideas and endeavors with one another, and to open
up new ways for students to interact with other members of the philosophical
community. As a fledgling society, the UIGPS has already held three conferences, the last of which was open to other University graduate students. Our fourth conference will be November 12th, 2005. Additionally, the
society plans in upcoming semesters to bring in speakers of interest to
philosophy graduate students and possibly to publish a UIGPS Journal.
For more information about how you can become a member of the UIGPS, click here, or email john-depoe@iowa.edu
Officers of the UIGPS:
President: John DePoe
Vice-President: Jessica Engelking
Treasurer: Jeremy Shipley
GSR: Daniel Schultz
Secretary: Benjamin Hassman
Webmaster: George Wrisley
The Constitution of University of Iowa Graduate Philosophical Society:
(Inclusive of revisions passed by general membership meeting on 9/10/04.)
ARTICLE I
Purpose
To promote a community for the philosophy graduate students, which will help facilitate the philosophical exchange of ideas and provide a forum for graduate students to more closely interact with others in the field.
ARTICLE II
Membership
a) "In no aspect of its programs shall there be any difference in the treatment of persons because of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preference, or any other classification which would deprive the person of consideration as an individual. The organization will guarantee that equal opportunity and equal access to membership, programming, facilities, and benefits shall be open to all persons.”
b) i. Open to all University of Iowa philosophy graduate students who are currently enrolled.
ii. Graduate students from other University of Iowa departments, who are currently enrolled, may petition for membership. See article II d) for admission guidelines.
c) Individuals who do not meet the conditions set out in article II b) may petition for membership provided that they hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. See article II d) for admission guidelines.
d) Membership shall be granted for candidates who meet condition b) i. upon payment of dues. Candidates who petition for membership under the conditions b) ii or c) may be admitted by a 3/5ths majority vote of the admissions committee, which consists of the presiding officers, and upon payment of dues.
ARTICLE III
Officers and Duties
a) There shall be five offices within the University of Iowa Graduate Philosophical Society: The President, the Vice-President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, and the Webmaster. Additional titles may be added by a majority vote of Members as needed.
President: The duties of the President shall be to conduct all meetings, to prepare the agenda beforehand and to implement the agenda, and to authorize expenditures. Additionally, the President will act as liaison to UISG, OSL, and other University of Iowa organizations.
Vice President: The duties of the Vice President shall be to assist the President whenever necessary, to answer email, to help in arranging for visiting speakers, and to act as President in the President’s absence.
Treasurer: The duties of the Treasurer shall be to take care of all administrative financial affairs, including the collection of dues and dispersal of funds.
Secretary: The duties of the Secretary shall be to record the minutes for meetings and to maintain records of members.
Webmaster: The duties of the Webmaster shall be to maintain the organization’s website, including all notifications to members, e.g., of meetings, deadlines for dues, general announcements.
b) Any member satisfying II b) i. and who is in good standing, paid the required dues, and who has been a member for at least one year—except in the case of the founding officers—may become an officer. Officers must remain in exemplary attendance. Officers may be subject to review and recall at any time due to concerns of the Members regarding their attendance and/or performance (See III d).
c) All members meeting the requirements of III b) may run for office in the University of Iowa Graduate Philosophical Society. A 2/3 majority vote by members shall place them in office.
If elected, a member may decline office for whatever reason.
Voting occurs at meetings only, or by absentee ballot, which shall be sent out with the meeting notification; and officers will be elected in April for the following academic school year. If an office is vacated, the position will be filled at the next meeting by a 2/3 majority of members.
Office terms are of one year duration and there are no term limits.
The founding officers were elected by a quorum.
d) A majority of members may petition for an officer to be considered for removal from office. A 2/3 majority vote of members is then required for removal.
ARTICLE IV
Advisor
The University of Iowa Student Philosophy Society shall not have an advisor.
ARTICLE V
Meetings
a) Officers shall meet three times per semester in addition to possible special meetings. There shall be at least one meeting of the general body per semester.
b) Special meetings along with auxiliary social gatherings shall be announced to members two weeks prior to the event by means of verbal and posted announcements in normal meetings and in the department, and by means of an e-mail mailing list.
c) A quorum shall consist of 2/5 of current membership or all of the officers plus two members.
d) President and Vice President have the authority to call meetings.
ARTICLE VI
Elections
a) Elections shall be held during the first week of April every year.
b) Members shall be notified of the time and date of each election two weeks in advance by means of verbal and posted announcements in normal meetings and in the department, and by means of an e-mail mailing list.
ARTICLE VII
Finances
a) Dues are five dollars per semester, except for Spring semester 2004, when dues shall be ten dollars. Money may also be separately raised to fund any activities hosted by the University of Iowa Graduate Philosophical Society, if necessary.
b) The Treasurer shall be responsible for administrative financial affairs, i.e., collection of dues, disbursement of funds, etc. The President and Vice President shall be responsible for the authoritative financial affairs, i.e., authorization and expenditures, etc.
c) Upon dissolution state money and mandatory student fees revert back to the granting organization.
Group fees should be divided as stated in the constitution and carried out by the dissolving group’s members and officers.
If group has dissolved and group fees have not been divided as stated in constitution by 5 years from last account activity, monies in the group’s account will revert to an account specified for this purpose within UISG. The funds will then be available for distribution through SABAC guidelines in compliance with University of Iowa policy.
If group dissolves the dues money shall go toward funding a graduate student activity to be voted on by officers.
ARTICLE VIII
Amendments
a) All members shall be informed of the proposal of amendment to the constitution by means of notification by e-mail, posting on the Society’s website, and by verbal notification at meetings.
b) A 3/4-majority vote of those present and voting shall be required to ratify an amendment.
c) All amendments or changes to the constitution of the University of Iowa Graduate Philosophical Society shall, upon the finalization of their change, be submitted to the Student Activities Board for approval.