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Written by GJIL Editor-in-Chief   

 

 

THE GONZAGA JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW

BY-LAWS

(copyright October 1, 1996)

Amended January 1999
Amended February 2002
Amended November 2004
Amended September 2005
Amended January 2007
Amended April 2007
Amended November 2007

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

Organization

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of the organization is GONZAGA JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW.  Hereinafter GJIL.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The purpose of the GJIL is three-fold:

1.                  To publish an online and printed journal on diverse international topics related to law, social influences that impact the law, and the international ramifications of legal decision-making.

2.                  To provide a forum for international legal scholarship by Gonzaga School of Law students and faculty and members of the international legal community at large;

3.         To provide members of GJIL with an additional academic and intellectual experience.

ARTICLE III - STRUCTURE

(a)       GJIL uses an integrated team approach for publishing each issue.  The Executive Editorial Board shall consist of an Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Executive Editor, Technical Editor, Articles Editor, Public Relations Editor, and Special Project(s) Editor(s).  The Editor-in-Chief shall supervise the overall operation of GJIL. The organizational structure of the GJIL is depicted in a diagram attached to the proposal.

(b)      Manuscript Timeline Objectives: The below stated guideline is subject to each author and manuscript's particular circumstance.  All efforts should be made to comply with the objective.

1.      Day 1-5: Initial read of manuscript will be completed within 3-5 days of receipt from author.

2.      Day 7: Response to author within one week of receipt of the manuscript with an offer or rejection.

3.      Day 14: If an offer is made, the author should have one week to reply to the offer with an acceptance or rejection.

4.      Day 21: An Articles Editor shall be assigned and cite-checking assignments distributed within one week of author's acceptance of the offer.

5.      Day 22-42: 3 weeks should be allowed for the completion of the cite-checking assignments, including inter-library loans.  Assignments should be returned to Articles Editor by the end of the three weeks.

6.      Day 49: Articles Editor shall return a complied, final corrected manuscript to the Managing Editor.  Managing Editor shall send corrected manuscript to the author by Day 49.

7.      Day 56: Author shall have one week to reply to corrected manuscript and make corrections, changes, etc.

8.      Day 63: One week from author's reply, manuscript shall be posted on the GJIL website by the Technical Editor.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 - Vested Membership

The Vested membership of the GJIL consists of those individuals who have completed the Vesting requirements.

A.        Rights & Privileges, Certificate of Membership

  • 1. All members who are vested shall be issued a certificate of membership.
  • 2. The Editor-in-Chief shall ensure that the certificate of membership is distributed to each vested member prior to graduation.
  • 3. Persons who have not satisfied the vesting requirements in subsection (B) of this Article by the time they graduate are not authorized to claim past membership of GJIL.

B.         Vesting Requirement       

Requirements for vested GJIL membership are as follows:

  • 1. Serve continuously from acceptance of GJIL membership until graduation;
  • 2. Complete all assigned cite-checking and initial read assignments or editorial duties by the established deadline.
  • (a) Failure to satisfactorily complete assignments or duties will result in disciplinary procedures as set forth in this Article, Section 3;
  • 3. Attend all properly called, mandatory GJIL meetings unless excused by the Editor-in-Chief or his/her designate;
  • 4. Participate in a cite-check training session;
  • 5. Write, and have accepted as publishable, a scholarly work for the Journal.
  • (a) This requirement is not satisfied by publication of a note submitted in the Notes Competition.
  • (b) "Publishable" shall mean not necessarily to be published, but shall be of acceptable GJIL quality as determined by the Executive Editor.
  • (c) All members must satisfy the vesting requirement per the following guidelines:
  • i. The vesting requirement shall not fall under fifteen (15) pages, double-spaced, in length and including footnotes. Any exception to this rule must be obtained from the Editor-in-Chief prior to submission.
  • ii. Paper may not have been used previously for any Gonzaga Law School credit unless the member is not accepting credit for GJIL participation or is reducing the amount of creditors by the amount received for the original paper.
  • (d) The final manuscript must be received or postmarked no later than thirty (30) days before the end of the members graduating semester.
  • (e) Editor, an extension of not more than thirty (30) days may be granted for a bonafide reason.
  • (f) All papers for vesting shall be turned into the Executive Editor.
  • i. If the Executive Editor determines that the paper is of publishable quality the Executive Editor shall notify the member and the Editor-in-Chief that the member has vested.
  • (g) If the Executive Editor determines the paper is not of publishable quality the paper shall be forwarded to the Managing Editor and the Editor-in-Chief.
  • i. A majority of vote of the three editors shall determine whether the paper vests.
  • (h) In the event a paper is not of publishable quality, the Managing Editor, Executive Editor and Editor-in-Chief shall:
  • i. Highlight on a standard "GJIL Publishable Quality Criteria" form the specific areas where the paper falls short of being publishable; and
  • ii. The author shall be given twenty-one (21) days (from the date of final notice that the paper was not of publishable quality) deadline to submit a revised paper for vesting. However, if a majority vote of the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor and Executive Editor deems the quality of the first paper so inadequate that it would be unjust to grant an extension, an extension will be denied.
  • (i) If upon resubmission the paper still does not vest as determined above, that member shall be permanently expelled from GJIL membership and notice of such expulsion shall be given to the Law School Dean by the Editor-in-Chief.
  • 6. Board members who satisfactorily complete vesting requirements 1-4 above will earn vested membership at the conclusion of their term as a board member without having to complete a vesting paper.

C.    Academic Credit

  • (a) Academic Credit will be permitted and is available only to those associate members and those holding board positions as specified below. To change the requirements of Academic Credit in this provision section, the Editor-in-Chief must provide a proposal to the faculty for consideration. Only upon approval by the faculty can the provisions of this section be amended to accurately reflect the changes made by faculty.
  • 1. The Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Executive Editor, Article Editors, Technical Editor and the Public Relations Editor will each be qualified to receive up to three (3) law school credits per semester. (THIS AMENDMENT REQUIRES THE APPROVAL OF THE LAW FACULTY, WHICH HAS YET TO BE OBTAINED)
  • 2. Vested Associate Editors will each be qualified to earn one (1) law school credit per semester.
  • 3. Non Vested Associate Editors cannot earn academic credit. Academic credit can be earned for writing a vesting paper.
  • a. A paper used for a class or directed research, for which the member received a grade, may not be used for vesting purposes.
  • 4. All Credits will be awarded on a pass/fail method.
  • 5. The maximum number of credits for anyone participating in GJIL, in any combination from above, is six (6). (THIS AMENDMENT REQUIRES THE APPROVAL OF THE LAW FACULTY, WHICH HAS YET TO BE OBTAINED)
  • 6. In November and March of each year the Editor-in-Chief will email all vested associate editors and board members and ask if any of these members wish to be registered for 1 credit for the following semester. The Editor-in-Chief will then submit a request to the Law School Registrar to register the member(s) for academic credit. The Editor-in-Chief will then provide a list of registered members to the Executive Editor.
  • 7. In December and April of each year, on a date designated by the Editor-in-Chief, the Executive Editor will recommend to the Editor-in-Chief which member's performance merits a passing grade and which member's performance merits a failing grade.
  • 8. For any member whom a failing grade is recommended the Executive Editor must include a brief and reasonably detailed report explaining why that member merits such a grade.
  • 9. The Editor-in-Chief is the final authority on the granting of grades.
  • 10. The Editor-in-Chief will provide a completed list of recommended pass/fail grades for members registered for credit to one of the Faculty Advisors for submission to the registrar in a timely manner.

Section 2 - Associate Membership

The non-vested membership in GJIL consists of those individuals who have been selected for membership pursuant to the Notes Competition Spring Symposim Competition, or Performance based admission, but who have not yet met the requirements of Vested Membership under this Article, Section 1(B).

Section 3 - General Requirements for ALL Members and Editors

  • A. Mandatory Cumulative GPA
  • 1. All members, associates, and editors must maintain a cumulative 2.700 GPA.
  • 2. A member who falls below this mandatory academic requirement will be placed on probation for one (1) semester. During this probationary semester, such members will be required to fulfill their GJIL duties, obligations, and responsibilities. If such member fails to restore his or her grades to a 2.700 or above after the probationary semester, such member will be permanently expelled from GJIL membership.
  • i. The same one semester probationary period shall be extended to applicants as outlined in Article IV, section 7, clause A.
  • 3. The Editor-in-Chief will check with the registrar at the beginning of each semester to ensure maintenance of the mandatory GPA by all members. Approval to do so is conditioned upon membership and in accordance with the Buckley Waiver.

Section 4 - Discipline and Removal

A vested member or associate of GJIL may be removed from membership:

  • 1. Upon the third strike being issued, after notice and a hearing before the Executive Editorial Board which must then recommend removal to the full membership; and
  • 2. By a majority vote of the Executive Editorial Board for good cause stated in writing.

 

  • A. Strike Policy - General
  • A. The Editor-in-Chief shall issue a strike for each failure to attend a mandatory meeting, unless otherwise excused by the Editor-in-Chief.
  • B. The Editor-in-Chief shall keep a log of all absences from mandatory meetings, including written reasons for the absence, if made available to the Editor-in-Chief by the absent GJIL member prior to the missed meeting.
  • C. The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for maintaining a written record of all strikes issued and reasons thereof.
  • D. The general provisions apply to all GJIL members.
  • B. Strike Policy - Cite Checking Assignments
  • 1. Policy - The cite-checking strike policy is instituted to ensure proper, efficient and complete cite checking assignments in order to expeditiously continue the editorial process. There are two degrees of violations to a cite-checking assignment.
  • 2. First Degree Violation - A first-degree violation warrants an immediate strike. A strike shall only be administered when:
  • (a) An assignment is not fully completed by the set date and time and prior arrangements have not been made with the executive board editor whom they are under for an extension; or
  • (b) A written warning has already been administered, and a subsequent assignment is done in an unsatisfactory manner that would constitute a second-degree violation.
  • 3. Second Degree Violation - Unsatisfactory work will not be tolerated. When the Executive Editor or an Articles Editor determines that an assignment has been done in an unsatisfactory manner, either may issue a written warning to that staff member. That written warning constitutes notice of the Second Degree Violation and shall include the reason for deeming the work unsatisfactory and notification that any further work done in an unsatisfactory manner will result in an immediate strike. The person issuing the notice of second-degree violation shall report such action to the Editor-in-Chief.
  • (a) Examples of Unsatisfactory Work (including but not limited to):
  • i. Failing to identify a substantial percentage of technical errors;
  • ii. Failing to identify a substantial percentage of substantive errors.

Section 5 - Non-Strike Removal of Members

Removal of any member must be preceded by a petition, signed by at least five (5) vested GJIL members, clearly setting forth the reasons for removal, and presented to the Chief Faculty Advisor:

  • A. The Chief Faculty Advisor or his/her designate will call a closed session of the Executive Editorial Board that he/she will chair.
  • B. The member involved and one representative of the petitioning group will be allowed to present their respective cases.
  • C. The Executive Editorial Board will anonymously vote on a recommendation of whether or not the member should be removed and that recommendation will be forwarded to the General Membership.
  • D. The Chief Faculty Advisor shall not vote on the recommendation of removal, unless necessary to break a tie.
  • E. A General Membership meeting will be called within two weeks of the Editorial Board meeting, by the Chief Faculty Advisor, who will also chair the meeting.
  • F. The Editor involved and one representative of the petitioning group will each be allowed to present their cases.
  • G. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership is required to remove a Member.
  • H. Except as otherwise provided, any vacancy occurring in the Executive Editorial Board positions shall be filled by appointment by the Editor-in-Chief, subject to approval by a majority of the membership at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

Section 6 - Strike Issued Against Executive Editorial Board Members

1.         Policy - The Editorial Board strike policy is instituted to ensure thorough and timely editorial performance.

2.         The Editor-in-Chief may issue a strike to Executive Editorial Board members who fail to satisfactorily perform their duties as Executive Editorial Board members.  The issuance of a strike shall be subject to ratification by the Executive Editorial Board by a majority vote, secret ballot.  An unexcused absence from a mandatory meeting or an Executive Editorial Board meeting is grounds for a strike.  The Editor-in-Chief must make written records of all strikes, detailing the reasons for those strikes.

3.         A strike may be issued to the Editor-in-Chief upon a majority vote of the Editorial Board (not to include the Editor-in-Chief) for unsatisfactory performance of his or her duties or unexcused failure to attend mandatory meetings.

Section 7 - Selection of Members

  • A. Summer Write-on Competition
  • 1. GJIL is open to all law students with a minimum 2.700 GPA that have completed their first year of study or equivalent (part-time students) and satisfy the following requirements.
  • 2. GJIL is temporarily open to law students with a minimum 2.650 G.P.A. that have completed their first year of study or its equivalent (part-time students) and satisfy the following requirements.
  • i. Applicants admitted on a temporary basis have one (1) semester to raise their G.P.A. to a minimum 2.700.
  • ii. Applicants who meet the 2.700 G.P.A. requirement after one (1) semester will be allowed to remain a member of GJIL so long as they satisfy all other requirements outlined in Article IV.
  • iii. Applicants who fail to meet the 2.700 G.P.A. requirement after one (1) semester will be automatically disqualified from membership.
  • 3. Not later than the third Sunday of April of each year the Executive Editor shall make available to all interested students application materials for membership on GJIL for the following fall semester.
  • i. In addition, the Executive Editor and Editor-in-Chief shall hold an open meeting to explain the operation and purpose of the review and to explain the rules of the membership selecting process.
  • ii. Board members shall be required to attend informational and recruitment meetings at the request of the Editor in Chief or the Executive Editor.
  • iii. Notice of this meeting shall be posted on the GJIL board on the Second Floor and via email by the Editor-in-Chief.
  • B. Spring Symposium Competition
  • 1. 1.GJIL is open to first-year (1L) and second-year (2L) law students with a minimum 2.700 GPA that have completed one semester or equivalent (part-time students) and satisfy the following requirements.
  • 2. GJIL is temporarily open to first-year (1L) and second-year (2L) law students with a minimum 2.650 G.P.A. that have completed their first semester of study or its equivalent (part-time students) and satisfy the following requirements.
  • i. Applicants admitted on a temporary basis have one (1) semester to raise their G.P.A. to a minimum 2.700.
  • ii. Applicants who meet the 2.700 G.P.A. requirement after one (1) semester will be allowed to remain a member of GJIL so long as they satisfy all other requirements outlined in Article IV.
  • iii. Applicants who fail to meet the 2.700 G.P.A. requirements after one (1) semester will be automatically disqualified from membership.
  • 3. Not later than December 1 the Editor-in-Chief shall make available to all interested students the Spring Symposium topic and requirements for membership on GJIL for the following academic year
  • i. In addition, the Editor-in-Chief shall hold an open meeting to explain the operation and purpose of the review and to explain the rules of the membership selecting process.
  • ii. Board members shall be required to attend informational and recruitment meetings at the request of the Editor-in-Chief.
  • iii. The Editor-in-Chief shall post notice of this meeting on the GJIL board on the Second Floor and via email.
  • C. Performance Based Admission
  • 1. CALI Award Admission:
  • a. First-Year Students: At the end of each academic year, any first-year student who received a CALI award in Legal Research and Writing may apply for membership on the GJIL.
  • b. Such qualifying students must submit a resume and a letter of intent with a maximum page limit of five (5) pages.
  • c. The Executive Editor and two (2) other board members will review any applications under this provision.
  • d. Acceptance requires an affirmative vote of two out of three of the reviewing board members.
  • 2. Phillip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition: At the end of each academic year, any second-year student who participated in the Phillip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition may apply for membership on the GJIL.
  • a. Such qualifying students must submit a resume and a letter of intent with a maximum page limit of five (5) pages.
  • b. The Executive Editor and two (2) other board members will review any applications under this provision.
  • c. Acceptance requires an affirmative vote of two out of three of the reviewing board members.
  • D. New Member Selection Process

1.      In the spring semester of each year GJIL will begin the process of recruiting new candidates for membership.

2.      Any eligible student interested in joining GJIL must participate in the Summer Write-on Competition, the Spring Symposium Competition, or be accepted under one of the performance based admission processes.

3.      The outgoing Executive Editor shall coordinate with and assist the newly elected Executive Editor in the procedures to be followed for the candidate selection process.  All procedures should be designed to ensure anonymity of the applicant and a fair grading process.

4.      Each applicant shall be provided with written guidelines for the competition, a copy of the evaluation sheet that will be used in grading, specific research and writing rules, and a deadline for submission.

5.      For the Summer Write-on Competition, all applicants must submit a legal writing sample between ten (10) and fifteen (15) double spaced pages in length.  For the Spring Symposium Competition, all applicants must submit a legal writing sample with a minimum page limit of twenty (20) pages.

  • a. Length is determined by the body of the writing sample and does not include Table of Contents, Questions Presented, Table of Authorities, and/or Appendixes.
  • b. Length does includes footnotes or endnotes.

6.      Summer Write-on Submissions, resumes and cover letters shall not contain the applicant's name.  This is to ensure anonymity in the grading process.  If an applicant erroneously places name on selection materials, a non-grading member of the board will immediately ink-out the applicant's name or other identifying marks. 

7.       Summer Write-on submissions shall be scored according to the rubric and shall account for ninety-percent (90%) of the total scoring criteria in regards to accepting new members.  Spring Symposium submission shall be scored according to the rubric and shall account for one hundred percent (100%) of the total scoring criteria in regards to accepting new members.

8.      Each prospective applicant shall submit a cover letter indicating their interest in GJIL.  A professional resume may be included as part of the application process. 

9.      Cover letters and resumes (if included as part of the application process) shall account for ten percent (10%) of the selection criteria. 

10.  For the Summer Write-on Competition, the decision of the Executive Editor will be final on the acceptance or denial of an application for membership.  For the Spring Symposium Competition, the decision of the Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor will be final on the acceptance or denial of an application for membership.

E.                 Deadlines

The deadlines for submitting completed applicant packages and Notes shall be as follows:

1.      Applicant packages containing a submission, cover letter, resume, and a Buckley Waiver form must be turned in at a time and place determined by the Editorial Board.

2.      All applicants must turn in completed application packets at a time and place to be determined by the Editorial Board.  However, in no case shall this date be any later than the first day of July for the Summer Write-on Competition or the date set by the Editor-in-Chief for the Spring Symposium Competition.

F.                Selection

  • 1. Summer Write-on Competition
  • i. The Executive Editor shall make all final decisions as to which applicants are accepted. Acceptance will be determined based on applicant's scores on writing sample and review of cover letter and resume.
  • ii. The Executive Editor shall utilize the entire board in scoring submissions. Executive Editor is charged with ensuring that each writing sample submission is scored anonymously by 2 separate members of the board.
  • iii. Members who will be scoring any writing sample shall not review resumes and cover letters during the scoring process.
  • iv. The Executive Editor may request an additional board member score a writing sample when any dispute or question is addressed concerning the applicant's other scores.
  • 2. Spring Symposium Competition
  • i. The Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor shall make all final decisions as to which applicants are accepted. Acceptance will be determined based upon a submission's acceptance for publication.
  • ii. The Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor utilize all members of the GJIL in scoring submissions. Three (3) separate members of the GJIL must score each submission.

E.                 Number of New Members to be selected

1.      Selection of new GJIL members shall be limited to a number that the Executive Editorial Board feels is necessary for the optimum operation of the Journal.

2.      The number of members selected shall be determined by a majority vote of the Editorial Board.

Section 7 - Miscellaneous

All members of GJIL are expected to work on GJIL during summer and winter vacations.  Members who do not remain in the Spokane area during such vacations must maintain communication with the Editorial Board by e-mail or other method so that they may assist with on-going work projects.

ARTICLE V - MEETINGS

Section 1

All meetings relating to GJIL are open to all members unless otherwise stated in these By-Laws.

Section 2

Mandatory meetings must be preceded by reasonable notice accompanied by a non-binding agenda.

Section 3

Mandatory meetings may not be held during any official law school vacation period.

Section 4

A.        General Membership:  Meetings of the general membership may be called by:

  • b. The Editor-in-Chief or the Managing Editor;
  • c. A majority of the Executive Editorial Board in a signed petition to the Editor-in-Chief;
  • d. Twenty percent of the GJIL membership in a signed petition to the Editor-in-Chief.

B.         Executive Editorial Board:

  • 1. The Editor-in-Chief must call a meeting of the Editorial Board once each month to maintain accountability, resolve issues as they arise, set journal goals and update the editorial staff on GJIL progress unless a majority of the committee signs a statement waiving that month's meeting.
  • 2. An Editorial Board meeting may also be called by written request of three members of the Executive Editorial Board to the Editor-in-Chief.

C.         Other:  Any other committee meeting may be called by the Editor-in-Chief or the committee chairperson.

Section 5 - Required Meetings

The Editor-in-Chief is required to call mandatory general membership meetings at least two times each fall and spring semester for the purpose of maintaining accountability and updating the membership on the progress of GJIL.

ARTICLE VI - EDITORS

Section 1 - Editor-in-Chief

A.        General Description of Duties: The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for the content of GJIL and for the timely and professional publication of the GJIL.  The duties of the Editor-in-Chief include interpretation and determination of all questions concerning GJIL rules.  The Editor-in-Chief is the final arbiter of all editorial and managerial decisions.

B.         Duties Include:         

  • 1. Supervising all aspects of GJIL publication including the authorizing of articles ready for publication,
  • 2. Coordinating the GJIL staff and overseeing all facets of the publication process,
  • 3. Supervising and directing all editors in carrying out their duties;
  • 4. Supervising and directing the Spring Symposium Competition;
  • 5. Calling and presiding at Executive Editorial Board and General Membership meetings;
  • 6. Supervising GJIL expenditures;
  • 7. Maintaining relations between the GJIL, its advisors, the faculty and administration of the University and Law School, and the practicing Bar;
  • 8. Meeting and conferring as necessary with Faculty Advisors, law school Faculty or Administration.
  • 9. Informing the Chief Faculty Advisor of credits and grades to be issued to Editorial Board Editors and Associate Editors;
  • 10. Determining at the beginning of each semester whether applicants and current GJIL members comply with the G.P.A. requirements by communicating with the law school registrar.
  • 11. Issuing copyright releases;
  • 12. Issuing Gonzaga Law GJIL: THE GONZAGA JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW certificates to all members;
  • 13. Preparing an annual report of GJIL to be presented by April 15 of each year to the incoming editorial board in order to facilitate a smooth transition;
  • 14. Appointing committee members and chairpersons pursuant to Art. IX;
  • 15. Resolving disputes arising out of the Applicant Selection process or any other disputes between Associate Members or Board Members.
  • 16. Any other duties provided for in the Bylaws.

Section 2 - Managing Editor

A.     General Description of Duties: The Managing Editor shall supervise personnel, and the general operation of the submission process. The Managing Editor shall be responsible for assigning articles, notes and comments accepted for publication to an Articles Editor and the respective cite-checking team. 

B.         Duties Include:

  • 1. Supervising any Associate Members assigned to him/her;
  • 2. Supervise personnel and external resources;
  • 3. Assisting in the supervision of the Spring Symposium Competition;
  • 4. Assigning associate editors and cite-checkers to editing teams, which will act under the supervision of the Executive and/or Associate Editors supervising said teams;
  • 5. General Supervision of the editing and cite-checking process.
  • 6. Calling and presiding at Executive Editorial Board and General Membership meetings if the Editor-in-Chief is not available.
  • 7. Any other responsibilities delegated by the Editor-in-Chief; and
  • 8. Any other duties delegated for in the by-laws.

Section 3- Executive Editor

A.            General Description:  The Executive Editor supervises the notes competition and vesting process and works with the Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor in a supervisory, administrative and advisory capacity on all aspects of Journal operations.  The Executive Editor shall serve as the Journal secretary and shall be responsible for minutes of all General Membership and Editorial Board Meetings.  

B.            Duties Include:

  • 1. Research, coordinate, select, present and distribute the topic and instructions for the Notes Competition.
  • 2. Participate as a grader in the review of the Notes competition submissions.
  • 3. Maintain vesting requirements for all members
  • 4. Determine whether vesting papers are of publishable quality
  • 5. Each semester present to the Editor-in-Chief a list of GJIL members that should be awarded credits, and then submitting a report at the end of each semester to the Editor-in-Chief of whether those members should receive a pass or fail grade.

Section 4- Technical Editor

A.     General Description: The Technical Editor is responsible for the maintenance of the web site and training assigned members of the Journal on web site posting and editing.

B.     Duties Include:             

  • 1. Updating and trouble-shooting the operation of the webpage.
  • 2. The posting of finished articles designated by the Editor-in-Chief.
  • 3. Maintaining and updating the archive page and all other necessary pages of the Journal.
  • 4. When a marquee is in use, keeping the marquee current
  • 5. Exercising initiative in presenting new ideas and suggested software to the Editorial Board that would improve the operation and quality of the Journal
  • 6. Training and supervising of associate editor(s) on the maintenance and related technical procedures respective to publication of the Journal.
  • 7. Any other duties assigned by the Editor-in-Chief or the Managing Editor

 

Section 5 - Articles Editors

A.    Description of Duties: Each Articles Editor is responsible for carrying out the cite-checking of all articles, notes/comments assigned by the Executive Editor.  He/she may select, or will be assigned, an editing team and is responsible for all cite-checking on assigned projects.

B.    Duties Include:

  • 1. Select & maintain contact with all members of the team assigned to a particular article;
  • 2. Draw up a deadline schedule for the article to be completely edited with Managing Editor approval;
  • 3. Divide up assignments among team members and monitor their deadlines and reporting violations to the Managing Editor for possible strike policy implementation;
  • 4. Ensuring that all footnotes meet bluebook accuracy prior to turnover to the Managing Editor;
  • 5. Training all first-year members assigned to him/her in the Journal cite-checking procedures, and training all second-year members assigned to him/her in Journal Associate Editor procedures.
  • 6. Supervising all Journal members assigned to his/her editing team; and supervising primary edits, cite-checking and final edits of projects assigned to Article Editors.
  • 7. Present to the Managing Editor and Editor-in-Chief all completed assigned cite-checking projects.
  • 8. Maintain up to date records on the standing of any article that has entered the editorial process (no more than a 5-day gap from one entry to the next).
  • 9. Be prepared to bring the staff up-to-date on articles under your supervision at all meetings.
  • 10. Put together all corrected cites, in proper Bluebook format, before presentation to the Managing Editor for his/her substantial edit.
  • 11. Work with the Managing Editor on identifying materials that must be requested from the author or on interlibrary loan in order to complete the cite-checking process, and obtaining these materials prior to the time the manuscript is assigned for cite-checking; and;
  • 12. Any other duties assigned by the Managing Editor.
  • 13. Maintain up to date records of the progress of each vested associate editor assigned to his/her group who is registered for academic credit; report at the end of semester to the Managing Editor on the progress of these respective members.
Section 6 - Marketing Editor

A.    Description of Duties: The Marketing Editor is responsible for carrying out a prepared marketing plan for the Journal, all advertising and general public relations with anyone who contacts the Journal or the Journal seeks to contact.  The main goal of this position is full time solicitation of submissions and new areas for GJIL to grow into. 

B.    Duties Include: 

1.     Draw up a Marketing Plan for the Journal, subject to the initial approval of the Editor-In-Chief and the Managing Editor, and a majority vote by the Executive Board;

2.     In conjunction with the Editor-In-Chief, actively seek and maintain relations between GJIL, its advisors, the faculty and administration of the University and Law School, and the practicing Bar;

3.     Write and distribute all press releases concerning GJIL;

4.     Perform periodic searches on the Internet for new areas to actively solicit articles or advertise the Journal.

5.     Maintain files on references, personal contacts, "hits," and articles written about the Journal.

6.     Prepare periodic (professional quality) press articles about the Journal for submission to magazines, Journals, and/or on-line sites.  A staff assistant should be selected for this.

7.    Any other duties assigned by the Editor-In-Chief or the Managing Editor.  

Section 7 - Symposia Editors (2)

A.     Description of Duties: there will be two Special Projects Editors on the Executive Editorial Board. The Special Projects Editors are responsible for researching an area of law which the annual Symposium by GJIL will be focused on. They are responsible for obtaining speakers, proposing a date for the Symposium to the Board and for organizing the event.

B.     Duties Include:

  • 1. Research an area of law that has an international scope but can also relate to law firms in the United States.
  • 2. Propose to the Executive Editorial Board by the first week in October at least two topics for the Symposium.
  • 3. The Executive Editorial Board will vote on which topic the Symposium will be focused on.
  • 4. Reserve either the Moot Court Room or Room 226 for the event to be held sometime in March.
  • 5. Contact potential Speakers for the Symposium and after discussion and the approval of the Managing Editor and Editor-in-Chief obtain signed contracts to commit the Speakers for the event.
  • 6. Speak with and Faculty and the law school administration to verify Continuing Legal Education Credits (CLE) can be credited to attorneys attending the Symposium
  • 7. Report to The Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor regarding the progress of the event planning on a monthly basis.
  • 8. The Special Projects Editors may obtain the assistance of 5 committee members who will volunteer or be selected from the GJIL membership.
  • 9. Obtain the assistance of the Public Relations Editor to advertise for the event.
  • 10. Keep track of expenditure related to the Symposium
  • 11. Keep accurate records to be passed onto the next year's Special Projects Editors.

Section 8- Other

A.     Faculty Advisors - There shall be two (2) Faculty Advisors selected by the Editor-in-Chief with the approval of a majority of the Editorial Board.

B.     Duties include:

  • 1. Solicitation of articles, comments, and notes, and assistance in the operation of the GJIL so as to lend continuity to the Editorial Board.
  • 2. One of the two advisors shall be designated as Chief Faculty Advisor, and he/she may attend all mandatory meetings.
  • 3. Faculty Advisors will meet with the Editor-in-Chief at least once during the summer session, fall semester, and spring semester.

C.         Filling Vacancies on the Executive Editorial Board -

  • 1. Vacancy in the position of Editor-in-Chief:
  • i. Should the Editor-in-Chief permanently vacate his/her position, the Managing Editor shall be appointed new Editor-in-Chief subject to a majority vote (secret ballot) of the Executive Editorial Board. In case of a tie, the Chief Faculty Advisor shall cast the deciding vote. In the event the Managing Editor does not receive a majority vote the Chief Faculty Advisor shall appoint a member of the Editorial Board to serve as interim Editor-in-Chief, to serve until the next regularly scheduled elections.
  • ii. The new Editor-in-Chief shall then appoint either an Associate Editor(s) or an Editorial Board member to fill any and all vacancies on the Board.
  • 2. Vacancies on the Editorial Board other than the position of the Editor-in- Chief:
  • i. The Editor-in-Chief shall appoint either a vested Member or an existing Editor on the Executive Editorial Board to the vacant position. This process will continue until all positions on the Editorial Board are filled

ARTICLE VII - ELECTION OF EDITORS

Only those members of the Journal that can serve for two continuous semesters are eligible to hold Editorial Board positions.  Editors must maintain the minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.7 and Editorial Board members must be willing to balance and prioritize GJIL responsibilities with other school activities. 

Section 1 - Election Date

A.     Elections will be held each March, no later than the third Saturday of March.  In the event of exigent circumstances the Executive Editorial Board, by majority vote, may move the date of elections to a date, which will be no later than the second Saturday in April.

B.     The Editor-in-Chief shall give notice of the date, place, and time no later than the date of the final regularly scheduled class of the preceding fall semester.

Section 2 - Election Committee

A.            Membership - the committee shall be composed of one (1) faculty advisor and two (2) members who are not presently holding an elective or appointive position and who are not anticipating running for an elective position.

  • 1. One (1) member of the committee will be from the third year class. This member shall be a carryover from the prior year's committee, if possible.
  • 2. One (1) member of the committee shall be from the second year class.
  • 3. One (1) member of the committee shall be a current faculty advisor who will certify the final ballot tally.
  • 4. The Editor-in-Chief shall appoint members of the committee.

 

B.            Duties -

  • a. No later than one week prior to the election date, the committee will publish a memo setting forth the rules by which the election will be run. These rules shall include, but not be limited to:
  • i. Voting membership: The election meeting is a mandatory meeting for all second and third-year students.
  • ii. Speech limitations: Speeches shall be limited to three (3) minutes per position.
  • iii. There will be no speeches for run-off elections.
  • iv. Questions shall be limited to five (5) minutes per position
  • v. A set of questions will be compiled for each position prior to the election. Each candidate will be asked the same set of questions, as time permits. The board member currently holding that particular position will ask the first question (candidates will not have access to the set of questions).
  • b. No later than one week prior to the filing date, the committee will provide a form for filing for each editor's position and designate a place where the forms may be filed.
  • c. The committee will preside over the election meeting.
  • d. The committee will conduct the voting process. The committee will count all ballots and declare winners immediately after the ballots are counted. This will be the final and controlling decision.

Section 3 - Filing

  • A. An individual may put his/her own name into consideration for any and all positions by filing, at the designated place and at the designated time, the form provided by the election committee and a statement of candidacy.
  • B. Deadline for filing will be 6:00 p.m. Friday, 8 days prior the date of the election.
  • C. All statements of candidacy will be made available to the general membership eight (8) days prior to the date of the election.

Section 4 - Voting

A.        GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

  • 1. Voting will be conducted by secret ballot.
  • 2. For a vote to be valid, a quorum of 60 percent of the membership must be present in the room at the time of each vote.
  • 3. Except during run-off elections, GJIL members may abstain in lieu of voting for candidates.
  • 4. If a controversy arises over the run-off process, the election committee may exercise its discretion and judgment in making a final determination.
  • 5. Except as described below, the person receiving the majority vote during the election process shall be declared the winner. Any challenges to the announcement must be made immediately.
  • 6. If there is a dispute over the announced winner, an immediate re-vote shall be taken and the winner determined. Once the winner is announced, that is the final and controlling decision.

B.         ELECTION OF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, MANAGING EDITOR, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, AND TECHNICAL EDITOR.

1.     An individual must gain a simple majority of votes cast in order to be declared a winner.

  • a. If more than ten (10) people are running for oneposition:
  • 1. The candidates will be reduced to the top four (4) vote receivers. If there is a tie for the fourth position, then all candidates tied advance to the next run-off.
  • 2. Another vote is then held and the candidates are reduced to the top two (2) vote receivers. Again if there is a tie, all candidates tied advance to the next run-off.
  • 3. The final run-off is then held with the majority vote receiver being declared the winner.
  • 4. If a majority is not gained by one individual on the first vote, a run-off between the top two (2) vote receivers shall be conducted.
  • b. If six (6) to ten (10) people are running for oneposition:
  • 1. The candidates will be reduced to the top three (3) vote receivers. If there is a tie for the third position, all candidates tied advance to a run-off.
  • 2. The final vote is then held with the majority vote receiver being declared the winner.
  • 3. If a majority is not gained by one individual on the first vote, a run-off between the top two (2) vote receivers shall be conducted.

 

  • c. If one (1) to five (5) people are running for one position:
  • i) The person who receives a majority of votes will be declared the winner.
  • ii) If a majority is not gained by one individual on the first vote, a run- off between the top two (2) vote receivers shall be conducted.

ARTICLE VIII - EXECUTIVE EDITORIAL BOARD

Section 1

The Executive Editorial Board is the policy body for the GJIL and all matters of policy must be approved by a majority vote of that board.

Section 2 - Membership

  • A. The following are members of the Executive Editorial Board: Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Executive Editor, Article Editors, Marketing Editor, Technical Editor and two Special Projects Editor(s).
  • B. Each member of the Editorial Board has one vote.
  • C. In case of a tie, the Editor-in-Chief's vote is determinative.

ARTICLE IX - COMMITTEES

The Editor-in-Chief may serve as the ex-officio chair on any committee or may appoint members to chair any committee. The Editor-in-Chief may create any committees and appoint committee members, as he/she shall deem appropriate. 

ARTICLE X - MANUSCRIPT ACCEPTANCE/REJECTION AND EDITING

Section 1 - Selection Process

A.            Acceptance/Rejection:

  • 1. The initial reading of manuscripts is to be performed by three (3) Associate Editors assigned to the review. A simple majority vote by reviewing editors will determine if the work gets accepted for publishing.
  • 2. The Executive Editorial Board may comment on the work, or move to suspend determination until they have an opportunity to read the work.
  • 3. A majority vote of the Executive Board is required to overturn the decision of reviewing associates.
  • 4. No acceptance, tentative or otherwise, will be given to authors whose work requires major revisions.
  • 5. Acceptances are conditioned upon the materially being substantially correct. This notice is to be given in writing to all authors.

ARTICLE XI - MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1 - Quorum

A quorum for all meetings, unless otherwise stated, will be 60 percent of the total membership.  A quorum for an Executive Editorial Board meeting will be 3 of 5 board members. When only three members of the are the quorum, all votes must be unanimous.

Section 2 - GJIL Year

Each newly elected group of editors will begin to serve on March 15.  In addition, the new board will participate formally in all meetings of the outgoing board beginning March 1.  However, the authority to make all decisions will remain vested in the outgoing board through March 14.

Section 3 - Amendments to By-Laws

  • A. Any proposed amendment to the By-Laws must be presented in written form to the Editor-in-Chief.
  • B. Any amendment to the By-Laws that affect requirements for receiving academic credit for work on GJIL must accurately reflect what has been approved of by the faculty in faculty minutes.
  • C. The Editor-in-Chief will make available the written proposal to all Executive Editorial Board members at least one (1) week prior to the next scheduled Editorial Board meeting at which the proposed change will be discussed and voted upon. The decision of the Executive Editorial Board will serve as a recommendation only.
  • D. The Editor-in-Chief will make available the written proposals to all members at least one week prior to the next scheduled general membership meeting at which the proposed changes will be discussed and voted upon. If waiting for the next scheduled general membership meeting to vote on the proposals is not expedient and expediency is necessary, the Editor-in-Chief may email the proposed amendments to the by-laws to the entire membership and ask for a vote by email.
  • E. At a properly called, mandatory, general membership meeting, the proposal must gain a 2/3 majority of those members present to gain approval.

ARTICLE XII - COMMUNICATION AND NOTICE

  • 1. The accepted form of communication and notice is the law school computer lab e-mail. Any notice placed in any individual mailbox is presumed proper notice.
  • 2. Other arrangements for formal communication may be made through the Editor-in-Chief.
 
 
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