Your best source of information on GSO policies and procedures is the constitution, revised Spring 2008, which is available in DOC or PDF formats.

Below you can find .pdfs of several sections of the constitution that will answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the GSO's organization, membership, and procedures.

What is the GSO?

The GSO is the parent body for all chartered departmental and non-departmental graduate student groups at Binghamton University. GSO works to promote the educational, political, and socio-cultural development of Binghamton University graduate students, and to ensure adequate graduate representation and participation in decision-making processes at all institutional levels. GSO distributes graduate activity fees to various graduate student groups, and enacts policies decided upon by its constituents, through the GSO Senate.

When and where does the GSO Senate meet? Can I attend a meeting?

Senate meetings are held 4:30-6 p.m. on alternate Wednesdays in LN 1104, the Graduate Student Lounge. Meetings are open to the public.

Am I represented by the GSO in any way?

All graduate students are represented by their departmental delegates to the GSO Senate. Every department has one senator per 75 enrolled graduate students. Each senator gets one vote in the Senate. In addition, sociocultural and multicultural organizations have 7 votes in the Senate through the Sociocultural and Multicultural Assembly (SCMA).

How do I run for GSO office?

Executive Board elections are held each Spring semester for the following year. Notice of the election will be posted on this Web site, and distributed by departmental senators early in the Spring.

Can the GSO help fund my travel and research?

Yes! GSO offers reimbursement up to $200 for expenses incurred traveling to and presenting at academic conferences. The forms can be downloaded here.

I am a graduate student not in residence at BU this semester. What can the GSO do for me?

You can apply for a waiver of your student activity fee. The form can be downloaded here.

I have a preschool-age child. Does the GSO offer any assistance with daycare?

Yes! See the application form here.