Queer Student Alliance

In 1971, at what was then West Georgia College, students and faculty member Dr. Ara Dostourian began a GLBT activist organization in coordination with a similar group in Atlanta. They were inspired by the Stonewall Riots in New York, NY and the related organization of pride marches across the country. Under the guidance of Dr. Dostourian, the organization strived to fight for equal rights for GLBT persons, to create positive visibility on the West Georgia College campus, and to improve the lives of GLBT persons in the campus community.

The organization has survived on campus since then, in one form or another, though it has undergone many changes in advisorship, name, level of outreach and support, and membership.

Most recently, from the mid 90's to the present, our organization has undergone some serious changes in name, structure and purpose. We have developed from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance, to the Gay Bisexual Straight Alliance, to Lambda, to our current name: QSA. QSA's mission is still inspired by the original ideals of the organization started by Dr. Dostourian; however, QSA is directed by three main focuses developed in the past few years: education, outreach, and support. Until 2001, these alone were QSA's constitution. They came to inspire the mission and purpose set out in QSA's current constitution.

Currently, QSA has a strong but broad mission. QSA seeks to foster and create an open, honest and supportive environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and questioning persons and their allies in and around the University of West Georgia. In order to do this, QSA seeks to promote education of LGBTQ history, rights, struggles, and issues; to celebrate the diversity that exists among the UWG community; and to inspire understanding and acceptance, especially of LGBTQ persons. Additionally, we strive to create an active and dynamically supportive environment for LGBTQ persons to attend. This is largely carried out by our weekly meetings.

1. Article I. NAME
1.1. The name of the organization shall be QSA: Queer Student Alliance.

2. Article II. PURPOSE
2.1. Section 1.
2.1.1. QSA fosters and promotes an open and honest environment for queer students, including trans, bisexual, lesbian, gay, non-binary, asexual, intersex, and pansexual students, as well as allies, partners, faculty, and staff in the University of West Georgia community. QSA promotes equality based on sexual and gender identity in the UWG community and encourages advocacy and activism to achieve its goals. QSA also provides the UWG community with opportunities for education, discussions, social services, peer support, and general resources based on queer issues, history, and culture.
2.2. Section 2.
2.2.1. QSA shall achieve its goals each academic year by continuing the following agenda:
2.2.1.1. Host weekly meetings. These meetings shall be open to any and all students, faculty members, staff members, and members of the local community (so long as those members are determined to be well meaning).
2.2.1.2. Promote queer visibility in the community.
2.2.1.3. Encourage a sense of community among all queer members as well as among friends/supporters.
2.2.1.4. Organize educational events to help foster equality and understanding in the UWG community about issues of sexual and gender identity.
2.2.1.5. Get involved and coordinate with other university organizations in order to establish and maintain a broader community of understanding and equality on campus.
2.3. Section 3.
2.3.1. By advocating for diversity within the community, QSA shall maintain a policy of comprehensive inclusion and representation. QSA shall respect and embrace the cultural diversity existing on campus. QSA shall also offer a fundamentally safe place to be a member of the queer community at the University of West Georgia.

3. Article III. MEMBERSHIP
3.1. Section 1.
3.1.1. Any UWG students, faculty, and staff may become members. QSA shall actively encourage and pursue gender and ethnic diversity among members. Membership in QSA shall not be contingent upon sexual or gender identity.
3.1.2. As pertaining to the University of West Georgia's set regulations, at least 85% of the recorded membership must be registered students.

3.2. Section 2.
3.2.1. At weekly membership meetings, the secretary will maintain a sign-in sheet and a member list. Anyone who attends a QSA meeting is eligible to become a member.

4. Article IV. EXECUTIVE BOARD
4.1. Section 1. Officer Positions
4.1.1. President
4.1.2. Vice-President
4.1.3. Secretary
4.1.4. Treasurer
4.1.5. Program Coordinator
4.2. Section 2. General Officer Guidelines
4.2.1. Elected officers will be responsible for upholding the QSA Constitution and abiding by the UWG regulations at all times.
4.2.2. Officers may choose to swap tasks to accommodate preferences and skills.
4.2.3. Officers will meet at least once a week in conjunction with general meetings, in order to coordinate activities for the upcoming general meeting as well as decide upon future events.
4.2.4. Officers must maintain open, honest, and constant contact with each other and QSA's advisors.
4.2.5. Officers will be responsible for helping manage QSA's office. Office hours will be established for the Executive Board.
4.3. Section 3. Duties and Powers
4.3.1. President
4.3.1.1. The president is responsible for presiding over weekly meetings.
4.3.1.2. The president will ensure all activities of QSA fall within the organizational goals as stated in the Constitution.
4.3.1.3. The president will ensure that group activities and functions are properly managed and abide by CSI guidelines and regulations.
4.3.1.4. The president is the official representative of QSA and will make decisions for the organization in cases of emergency.
4.3.1.5. The president will assign the duties of officers, if positions are vacant or responsibilities are unfulfilled, and call for elections if necessary.
4.3.1.6. The president will establish and maintain communication between all committees, the general group body, and the officers.
4.3.1.7. The president will formulate a yearly agenda for QSA in consultation with the executive board and the faculty advisor, such as a list of planned activities and events. Goals and priorities will also be determined.
4.3.1.8. In the event any other executive board member resigns from their position, all of the board will share duties as a combined executive board until positions are filled.
4.3.1.9. Compile and submit the proposal for SAFBA funds for the following year on Orgsync.
4.3.2. Vice-President
4.3.2.1. If a president resigns or is unable to fulfill their role, then the vice president will keep their same title, but also act in the role of president .
4.3.2.2. The vice-president is responsible for supporting the current president as well as learning how to run the organization, with the expectation that they will run in the next election to fill the vacancy left by the current president.
4.3.2.3. The vice-president will maintain communication between the president, the executive board, and members.
4.3.2.4. The vice-president will ensure that executive board members are fulfilling their responsibilities in a timely manner.
4.3.3. Secretary
4.3.3.1. A. Maintain the QSA records:
4.3.3.1.1. Minutes for executive and committee meetings.
4.3.3.1.2. Records and information regarding activities and events.
4.3.3.1.3. Attendance at meetings and events
4.3.3.1.4. Membership list
4.3.3.1.5. Upload all records to Orgsync, including but not limited to: attendance list at meetings and at events, membership list, and meeting minutes.
4.3.4. Treasurer
4.3.4.1. Oversee finances of QSA for the year.
4.3.4.2. Set up and maintain a budget for the year, including funds spent, planned spending, and current budget.
4.3.4.3. Fill out and handle all budget paperwork.
4.3.4.4. Communicate regularly with the president and other members of the executive board about remaining funds and plans.
4.3.4.5. Keep in communication with the CSI to ensure that all spending falls within student organization guidelines.
4.3.4.6. Coordinate with the president and vice-president about the SAFBA budget proposal for the following year.
4.3.5. Program Coordinator
4.3.5.1. Promote and increase publicity of QSA by distributing flyers, posting to social media, and other methods of promoting awareness of our organization on campus.
4.3.5.2. Set up and maintain QSA’s events calendar, post QSA events on Orgsync and UWG’s general events calendar.
4.3.5.3. Maintain and update the QSA website and social media sites.
4.4. Section 4. Terms of Office
4.4.1. All officers shall serve at least one full year.
4.4.2. If an officer resigns from his/her position, the officer must give the advisors and the Executive Board sufficient notice of his/her resignation. An announcement will then be made during a general meeting to inform the members. Within the next two weeks, an election shall be held to fill the position for the remainder of the academic year.
4.4.3. All officers shall attend meetings. Officers shall not miss more than two meetings per semester, unless officer communicates to the Executive Board any anticipated absences.
4.4.4. All officers are expected to contribute to the planning, publicizing, setup, purchasing, coordination, and cleanup for all QSA events.
4.4.5. All officers must attend e-board meetings.
4.4.6. All officers are expected to pitch in with ideas for weekly meeting topics and help run the meetings.
4.5. Section 5. Elections
4.5.1. Elections will take place when a vacancy arises in the executive board. Sufficient public notice must be made for ALL elections whether annual elections or those called by the President.
4.5.2. Elections will be held on Orgsync. Voting will be open for one week, and one QSA meeting will be dedicated to ensuring all attendees have the opportunity to vote.
4.5.3. During elections, one may run for multiple positions on the Executive Board. However, a person may only serve as an officer for a single position on the Executive Board.
4.5.4. Candidates may officially nominate themselves for a position at an election meeting.
4.5.5. Candidates must be registered students and must be planning to remain as registered students for the duration of their term in office.
4.5.6. Officers shall be elected by a 50% majority plus one vote. The vote will consist of QSA members. (Ex. person A=4 votes, person B=2 votes, person C=3 votes, i.e. the election must continue between person A and C because majority vote wasn't reached)
4.5.7. A voter may only vote for one candidate per position. Every vote counts equally.
4.5.8. Current officers must create time in order to train their replacing officers on performing their duties and responsibilities. This must occur before the following academic school year begins.
4.5.9. Candidates must announce their intent to run and "register" for each position they seek at least one week prior to elections.
4.5.10. Any and all campaigning for a given position, including speeches, shall be made in the time leading up to the election of at least one week. Meeting time shall be allotted to anyone wishing to make a speech at any time between the announcement of re-elections and the election itself.
4.5.11. Candidates may not run for more than a maximum of 2 positions.
4.5.12. Candidates must be a member of QSA in order to run for office, unless deemed acceptable by the current executive board.
4.6. Section 6. Impeachment
4.6.1. An officer may be impeached by a two-thirds majority vote in the general assembly held by the voting members of QSA, the advisors of QSA, and the remaining Executive Board members.
4.6.2. Impeachment shall occur for any of the following violations:
4.6.2.1. Repeated and documented failure to complete tasks for a given position as outlined in the Constitution. Documentation shall be filed with the Secretary and entered into the organization's records.
4.6.2.2. Failure to regularly attend executive board meetings and/or general assembly meetings except in cases involving sudden illness or hospitalization, death or illness in the family, or prior given notice that is to be approved by the Executive Board.purposes. For example: AIDS Walk and the Ovarian Cancer Walk may be placed under a single committee.
4.6.2.3. Committees shall be responsible for encouraging and suggesting social and public activities.
4.6.2.4. Because some of the events organized by the committees fall into the agendas of some of the officers, those officers are expected to actively guide and participate in the committee.
4.6.2.5. Defamation of QSA, the official positions, officers, or members in a public forum.
4.7. Section 7. Temporary positions
4.7.1. Officers may create temporary positions, with approval from the Executive Board, to assist in performing the duties of office.

5. Article V. MEETINGS
5.1. QSA shall host weekly meetings at a regular time and place as determined by the Executive Board.

6. Article VI. AMENDMENTS
6.1. Any amendments to QSA's Constitution may be suggested by a member, an officer, or an advisor.
6.2. The proposed amendment must be submitted to the Executive Board Co-Presidents in writing.
6.3. The proposed amendment shall then be discussed at an Executive Board meeting and at least one general weekly meeting. Voting on amendments to the constitution will follow the same procedures as officer elections, and will shall occur no later than two weeks after the proposal of the amendment.
6.3.1. Proper notification to all members, officers, and advisors must occur.
6.3.2. The amendment must be put into effect immediately, unless directly stated otherwise.

7. Article VII. NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
7.1. QSA will fully support and actively contribute to the UWG non-discrimination policy: “The University of West Georgia forbids discrimination or harassment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender, identity, sexual orientation, disability (including pregnancy), age, religion, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by Institutional policy, or state, local, or federal law.

Campus resources at UWG:

• All-Gender Restrooms Map
• Counseling Center (individual & LGBT support group)
• Health Services (safer sex resources, STI testing)

Resources in the Atlanta area and across Georgia:

• Georgia Safe Schools Coalition
• Georgia Equality
• The GA Voice
• Trevor Project
• AID Atlanta

Nationwide resources:

• GLAAD
• Human Rights Campaign
• Lambda Legal
• National Center for Transgender Equality

We have a UWG campus pride fest every Fall, and a drag show every spring. Check out our Facebook or Instagram page for more info!