We in the current GSA are emailing to let you know about an exciting opportunity for service during the next school year through UC Merced's graduate student government, the Graduate Student Association (GSA). Among our many roles, we advocate on behalf of the graduate student population, organize graduate student representation among various campus committees, encourage graduate student social life, and organize small travel awards for graduate and professional students.
As of right now, the GSA spring 2021 election is underway. Among the positions up for election are officers in the Executive Council as well as delegates in the Delegate Assembly. Officers in the Executive Council handle issues ranging from leading initiatives to improve campus climate to distributing funding to graduate student organizations. A detailed description of each position up for election is detailed in the attached GSA bylaws document.
In addition, each graduate department elects one delegate to serve in the GSA as a representative and advocate for the unique needs of graduate students from their respective department. The Delegate Assembly operates as a body that assists the Executive Council as well as develop its own initiatives to serve the graduate community best.
Serving in either the Executive Council or Delegate Assembly is a fantastic opportunity to serve your graduate community and make UC Merced an even better place for graduate students. In this past year, the GSA has been involved in service ranging from organizing virtual social events to serving on committees addressing basic needs concerns for graduate students. This work is deeply rewarding and can broaden your experience in giving back to your professional community. For those interested in a career in academia, this type of experience will greatly strengthen your CV and diversity statements when applying to academic jobs, where service is often a major component.
If this sounds appealing to you, then you can apply for a position by nominating yourself or someone you know at the survey linked below.
https://ucmerced.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9plLshDTFe9UHDo
If you are interested in serving in the Delegate Assembly but do not see your department here, then your department likely chooses its delegate internally. Relevant contacts for these departments are listed below.
- Cognitive & Information Sciences - Ben Falandays (jfalandays@ucmerced.edu)
- Electrical Engineering & Computer Science - Maryam Khazaei (mkhazaeipool@ucmerced.edu)
- Environmental Systems - Yulissa Perez Rojas (yperezrojas@ucmerced.edu)
- Interdisciplinary Humanities - Hugo Lopez Chavolla (hlopez22@ucmerced.edu)
- Public Health - Shaina Sta Cruz (sstacruz@ucmerced.edu)
- Materials and Biomaterials Science and Engineering - Angela Macedo Andrade (amacedoandrade@ucmerced.edu)
- Quantitative & Systems Biology - Yumary Vasquez (yvasquez8@ucmerced.edu)
- Sociology - Jay Colond (jcolond@ucmerced.edu)
Last but not least, we have received the final wording for the proposed Athletics and Recreation Referendum! Should the referendum pass, graduate students will pay an additional $55 per semester to use facilities such as the pool and basketball courts.
Thank You,
GSA
