CSGPDC Bylaws

Overview

Computer Science Graduate Professional Development Club (CS-GPDC) is a student club run by and for graduate students, housed in the Computer Science Department at CU Boulder. Its main goal is to create a community of students and help them develop skills needed to prepare for job opportunities in the tech industry after graduation.

The club bridges the gap between academic learning, professional development, and research, creating a collaborative community that prepares students for careers in top tech companies and academia. CS-GPDC organizes a variety of events, including:

  • Networking sessions
  • Research talks
  • Mock interviews
  • Resume review sessions
  • Coding sessions

These events help students build the skills needed to thrive in both professional and academic environments.

Professional Development

CS-GPDC supports students in their professional development by working with other groups within the university to provide events and programming relevant to the needs of its membership.

Personnel

CS-GPDC has a three-person administration:

  • Chair
  • Vice-Chair
  • Treasurer

The administration positions are held for one year, starting from the first day of classes in the fall semester. Additionally, the club recruits student representatives/coordinators to support various events as needed.

Role Descriptions

Chair

  • Manage all open activities and events
  • Work closely with identified resources (both on and off campus) to organize events
  • Identify questions from various companies to run practice coding events
  • Host meetings of CS-GPDC
  • Arrange meetings and develop agendas
  • Assign responsibilities to members as appropriate

Vice-Chair

  • Run CS-GPDC meetings in the chair’s absence
  • Manage and maintain membership records
  • Handle regular email communication with members
  • Be responsible for minutes of meetings
  • Assist the Chair where necessary

Treasurer

  • Handle all financial matters
  • Apply for funding each year from multiple sources
  • Submit reimbursement forms when needed
  • Assist the Chair where necessary
  • Report regularly on the financial status of the club

Student Representatives/Coordinators

  • Identify gaps in the professional development of students
  • Organize events catered towards students
  • Assist the administration team with additional roles as required

Note: A student cannot simultaneously hold positions in both CSGSA and CS-GPDC.

Ad Hoc Committees

At any time, forming an ad-hoc committee may be appropriate (e.g., for a certain event or issue). These shall be formed at the discretion of the administration.

Operations

Membership

The Vice-Chair approves membership and maintains the roster. Members must be either:

  • A graduate student in the Department of Computer Science

Those who don’t meet these criteria may become members by arrangement with the Vice-Chair.

To become a member, students should express interest to the Vice-Chair.

Procedures

Meeting Frequency

CS-GPDC shall hold regular meetings between executive members and advisor(s).

Meeting Details

The Chair shall distribute a meeting agenda to members at least 24 hours prior to the meetings.

Meeting Attendance

Executive members are expected to attend all meetings or inform the Chair in case of special circumstances.

Networking Events

It is expected that the club holds networking events, and that the events be diverse in nature.

Charter Amendments

Changes to the charter may be proposed by the administration at any time. The deliberation period for any proposed change is 2 weeks. If any dissenting opinion is expressed by CS-GPDC members within the deliberation period, the Chair will call for a vote in the next meeting.

If no dissenting opinion is expressed or a majority of participants votes to adopt the change, the Chair will incorporate it.

Annual Charter Review

CS-GPDC will review this charter during the first meeting of the spring semester.

Voting

General Elections

  • All votes will be conducted online, and voting will be open for one week.
  • General elections of the administration will be held annually, no later than the last day of classes in the spring semester.
  • The elected term begins the first day of classes in the fall semester.
  • The date of the elections will be announced two weeks in advance, during which time members may nominate themselves.

Charter Updates

As described above, charter updates will also be conducted online for one week.

Vote of No Confidence

A vote of no confidence can be initiated by any student member at a CS-GPDC meeting.

Election Process

  • Elections will be weighted based on votes:
    • 75% weight will be allocated to votes through the election.
    • 25% weight will be allocated to votes by the club administration.
  • The criteria could include:
    • Number of sessions attended
    • Number of volunteering activities in department events
    • Administration’s faith in the capabilities of the student.

Elections happen at the end of each academic year so that the new team begins in Fall.