The GPSO assembly, in charge of passing resolutions and making policy recommendations, organized the meeting , where the GPSO executive committee, in charge of implementing resolutions and making policy changes , acclimated new members and discussed current goals.
Brady Harman , fourth-year graduate student and second-term GPSO president , stressed the recent emphasis on advocacy over programming.
“We are the only representative body, so we do have a responsibility to represent students and lobby for policy change at the University,” Harman said. “Last year was a lot about refocusing this organization on advocacy work and developing an active assembly that had ownership over the process.”
The GPSO assembly represents nearly 100 departments with a graduate or professional program.
The body is divided into five committees: benefits, diversity, programming, student affairs and ?sustainability.
Committee goals range widely in topic.
The benefits committee, led by third-year graduate student Benjamin Draper , will advocate for increased education on graduate student health insurance, the reinstatement of graduate student carpool parking permits and increased resources for graduate student families, Draper said.
Meanwhile, the sustainability committee, led by second-year graduate student Andrew Bredeson , will advocate for carbon footprint reduction, fossil fuel divestment, and a better transportation environment for pedestrians and bicyclists, Bredeson said.
All five committees plan to focus on community identity, benefits, services and resource access, Harman said.
When pursuing an initiative, committee members adhere to five steps, Harman said.
Committee members listen to the student voice through surveys and focus groups. They then research the topic, discuss the initiative at committee and assembly meetings and draft a ?resolution.
The executive committee then collaborates with committee members to implement the resolution.
Assembly meetings open with committee meetings followed by updates, speakers, general business and an open floor, Harman said.
Committee members are expected to attend committee and assembly meetings and then report back to their department.
Committee representative positions from several departments with graduate or professional programs are still available, Harman said.
“People should join a committee because committees are able to harness the position of GPSO, the passions of those we represent, and the vast knowledge of our students, faculty and staff to identify issues and promote change, Bredeson said. “GPSO Committees are places where ideas can take off and lead to real, important change to make our University better in so many ways.”
