Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be EdPsych Graduate Organization hereinafter referred to as “the Organization”.  

The purpose of the Organization is to collect, organize and disseminate information to all educational psychology graduate students regarding department news; scholarship, fellowship, assistantship, and research opportunities; employment opportunities; and social gatherings. A further purpose of the group is to serve as a hub for networking and establishing support systems. The group will also serve as a colloquia from which to learn about the latest theories, ideas, technologies, and practices within the specific areas of Instructional Psychology and Technology, the Counseling Programs, and Special Education. The group will also serve as an agency from which to invite outside or local speakers on relevant subjects. Further, the group will serve to foster understanding, cooperation, and collaboration between the specific areas of focus within Educational Psychology.

Article III: Membership

Section 1:    All students currently enrolled in graduate courses in the College of Education, Educational Psychology Department at the University of Oklahoma are eligible for membership.

Section 2:   Membership in, association with, and benefits emanating from the Organization and its related activities shall be based upon such considerations as performance, educational achievement, and other criteria related to the goals of the organization and purposes of the activities. Judgments in this regard based solely on an individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, marital status, or political belief are not judgments based on such considerations. Further, the purpose of the organization must be consistent with public policy as established by prevailing University Community standards.

Article IV: Officers & Advisor

Section 1:    The Officers of the Organization shall be President, Past President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Media Coordinator.

Section 2:  The Officers of the Organization shall be elected by a simple majority of the qualified voting membership present at a general meeting.

Section 3:    In the absence of 40% of qualified voting membership present at the general meeting, elections shall be conducted via online ballot with all registered members contacted via OU email.

Section 4:   Any Officer or Advisor may be removed for cause by a three-fourths vote of the qualified voting membership.

Section 5:   The President will chair all regular meetings and take a leadership role in the planning of programs and events of the Organization with the advice and consent of the other officers. The president will work closely with all other officers to ensure effective communication between all members, faculty, and governing agencies on the campus of University of Oklahoma. In the event that there is no current President, the remainder of the President’s term shall be filled in the following order of succession: Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, then Media Coordinator.

Section 6:   The Past-President will serve as a mentor/advisor to the president and other officers.

Section 7:   The Vice-President shall perform such duties that are delegated by the President. The Vice-President shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President.

Section 8:   The Treasurer shall collect all monies keeping records thereof and be responsible for all financial reports for the organization and the officers.

Section 9:  The Secretary shall maintain a written record of all regular meetings and submit minutes to all members. The Secretary shall also document every election. The Secretary is responsible for maintaining a list of qualified members of the Organization.

Section 10: The Media Coordinator will be responsible for public relations and maintaining the Organization website.

Section 11: The Organization shall have as an Advisor a full-time member of the University faculty or staff.

Section 12: The Advisor’s role in the Organization shall be limited to offering advice or feedback to the Organization, in addition to other duties delegated by the President.

Section 13: The Advisor shall be appointed by the Educational Psychology Department or by a majority vote of the Officers, and shall serve a term of one year from appointment, unless a majority of the Officers vote to remove the Advisor and appoint someone else.

Article V: Election Procedure

Section 1:   Elections shall not be valid absent substantial compliance with this Article.

Section 2:   Elections shall be held at the end of the Spring Semester before the commencement of final examinations. In the event that there are no candidates for an office, the office may remain open until an election is called.

Section 3:   All terms for elected offices are one academic year in duration, with the exception of President who will operate as Past-President in their second year in office.

Section 4:   Elections may only take place if at least one week’s notice of the date, time, and location of the election is given to members of the Organization. In the event of an electronic ballot elections may only take place if eligible voting members are sent the ballot URL at least one week prior to the ballot closing date and time.

Section 5:   Voting shall be by secret paper or electronic ballot, with each qualified member present having one vote for each position.

Section 6:   The Secretary shall document the names of the qualified members present at the election and the number of votes that each candidate for an office receives.

Section 7:   When an election is for more than one office, the order of voting shall be in the following order: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, then Media Coordinator.

Section 8:   Any qualified member of the Organization may run for any office.

Section 9:   A qualified member may be a candidate for more than one office, but shall immediately remove himself or herself for consideration of any other Officer position after being elected. In no instance may one person fulfill more than one Officer position.

 Article VI: Additional Governing Principles 

Section 1:   The Organization is subject to Local, State, and Federal Laws.

Section 2:   The Organization is independent from any national or parent organization.

Article VII: Amendment Procedure

Section 1:    An amendment can be submitted to the secretary of the organization from any member of the organization.

Section 2:    Proposed amendments should be provided in writing electronically to members one week prior to voting.

Section 3:    This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Organization’s qualified voting membership present at a general meeting.