Grad students' constitution ratified by several groups

Independence is the goal of the Graduate and Professional Student Organization, and the organization is rapidly approaching its achievement. A constitution proposed in December, which establishes the GPSO as an independent organization and breaks it away from the IU Student Association, has been ratified by several academic departments.\nEmily Nagoski, GPSO director of public relations, said the process to get the constitution ratified is in the hands of the students it will affect.\n"Currently we are in the process of ratifying a new constitution that clearly asserts (the GPSO's) status as the sole governing body for professional and graduate students," she said. "Because these actions are driven by the voices of our constituents and not the agenda of the organization leaders, this constitution will not be valid unless ratified by the majority of graduate and professional student body."\nThe move for independence had a mixed reception by the students it would affect.\n"While the original vote for independence was not unanimous, we had a clear majority," Nagoski said. "That vote happened over a year ago, and the sentiment among graduate students has grown more and more positive. As we move towards independence, graduate students are becoming more and more aware of the important work we do, and that only increases their positive view of our independence."\nSeveral departments have already ratified the new constitution, with many more to vote before spring break. Craig Ortsey, graduate government committee chair, said the departments to vote will most likely vote in favor of the independence. \n"Those departments with active GPSO reps should be conducting their votes before spring break, and we are in the process of contacting those departments without active representation," he said. "My department has already unanimously ratified the constitution, and more should as soon as we approach the spring break deadline."\nGPSO astronomy representative Heidi Tebbe said the response in her department has been positive.\n"The graduate students in my department have responded positively to this new constitution," she said. "I think ratification will be successful. Separating the two governments is in the best interest of all students, and I think most people will see that."\nRachel Anderson, GPSO moderator, said she expects an independent GPSO to work closely with the IUSA, regardless of the outcome of the elections. Kirkwood and Synergy tickets support the GPSO bid for independence, while Steel maintains that graduates should be represented through IUSA.\n"We hope to work with those elected in an amicable way that fosters cooperation and the mutual furtherance of our goals," Anderson said. "We hope that a spirit of cooperation can continue, no matter who wins."\nBy gaining independence the GPSO hopes to more effectively represent the concerns of graduate students.\nElizabeth Rytting, GPSO secretary, said the split will make the organization more efficient and helpful to graduates.\n"We hope that being recognized as an independent government will help us get more regular, systematic access to the trustees to make them aware of the needs of graduate and professional students which will work for the long-term benefit of graduate and professional students," she said. "We also believe that having a separate governing body will allow graduate student views to be consulted more when changes that affect the entire student body are considered"