CONSTITUTION


The Following articles shall be the Constitution of the Graduate Economics
Union (GEU)

1.      Purpose

        The Union will undertake all actions which are of common interest to 
        the members of the Union.

2.      Membership

        All students (part-time and full-time) enrolled in a minimum of one 
        economics graduate course and working towards a graduate degree 
	offered by the Department of Economics at the University of 
        Toronto shall be members of the Union

3.      Executive

        All executive members shall be candidates for a graduate degree in
        Economics in the Department of Economics.

        The executive shall consist of a President, Vice President, 
        Treasurer, and a minimum of three other officers.  Among the latter, 
        there shall be a GSU representative, as well as MA
        and PhD representatives.  Efforts shall be made to recruit a first 
        year PhD student as a PhD representative. 

	Executive officers shall serve for a term equal to the lesser of two years or
	until the termination of their academic program.  No executive officer
	shall serve more than two consecutive terms (four years) in the same
	position.  In the event that an executive officer does not complete his/her
	term due to resignation, ineligibility or removal, the position shall be filled
	at the next general meeting.  The President may appoint an eligible graduate
	student to fill any vacancy on the executive until a general meeting can be held.

        The Signing Officers (SO) of the Union shall consist of the Treasurer 
        and one other member of the executive to be designated at the first 
        meeting.  Any financial transaction shall be agreed to by both SO, 
	with the executive responsible for authorizing an overall plan for
	expenditures for each year.


        The executive shall:
                - carry out the normal business of the Union;
                - recommend policy to the general meeting and implement 
                  policy ratified by such meetings;
                - under such circumstances requiring immediate policy action, 
                  undertake such action subject to review by the next general
                  meeting;
                - represent or choose delegates to represent economics 
                  graduate students in all other relations with other bodies.

        1. President
           The President shall act as the first representative of the 
           members of the Union. He/She sall undertake all duties assigned to 
           him/her by the Union or executive, and shall be an ex-officio
           member of all committees of the Union.

        2. Vice-President
           The Vice-President shall keep records of all business 
           undertaken by the Union; be responsible for the minutes of the 
           executive and general meetings and for informing students of 
           meetings.  He/she shall assume all the powers the President in the 
           latter's absence.  In the event that the President is an MA
           student, then when possible, the Vice-President shall be a PhD 
           student.

        3. Treasurer
           The Treasurer is responsible for the procurement and disbursment of
           any funds of the Union.  Also he/she will be responsible for book 
           keeping.

        4. The GSU Representative
           The GSU Representative shall represent the concerns of the GEU to
           the GSU, and report to the executive and Union members of any 
           important issues raised at the GSU council meetings.

        5. Officers
           The Officers shall be members-at-large of the executive and shall 
           undertake any duties assigned to them by the executive, or be 
           designated specific functions at the time of their election (e.g., 
           Social Convenor, Masters Representative, PhD Representative, etc.).


4.      Meetings

        There shall be at least one general meeting of all members in each 
        academic year.  Meetings may be called by the executive or upon 
        written request of any ten members of the Union.  Notice must be 
        posted 48 hours in advance of any general meeting.  Meetings will be
        chaired by the President or, in his/her absence, by the Vice-President.

        The agenda of the general meeting shall be the business of the 
        executive, and its approval shall be the first order of business.  
        New business may be introduced following consideration of items in
        the agenda.

        A quorum for a general meeting shall be constituted by 1/3 of the 
        membership or ten members, whichever is less.  Motions shall be passed 
        by a simple majority.

5.      Elections

        Elections of the executive officers shall be held in the fall at the 
        first general meeting.  If there is more than one candiate for a 
        position, the Chair of the meeting will act as a returning officer
        and a secret ballot will take place.  Election shall be by a majority 
        vote.  In the event of a tie, the Chair will have the deciding vote.

6.	Removal

	Executive officers may be removed from office by a 2/3 majority
	vote of any general meeting.

7.      Amendments

        This constitution may be amended by the consent of a 2/3 majority of
        those members attending a general meeting that is quorate.

8.      By-laws

        By-laws may be passed or changed by a simple majority at a general
        meeting.