ORIGINS OF THE
GSA
Fr. Stauder, the former Graduate Dean, was the
impetus behind the formation of the GSA. While working with a group of graduate
students some years ago, it was discovered that the students in various
departments shared similar concerns, but had no forum with which to address
them. There was no representation of the graduate student body in social or
academic matters. Fr.Stauder encouraged them to organize. He put together a
constitution so that they would have a starting point. These initial organizing
steps allowed the GSA to be recognized by the University and the Student
Government Association. As a result of these ground-breaking efforts, the GSA
received money from the Student Government Association for an operating budget
and began to function as an advocate for the long-neglected graduate students.
Through
department representatives, many students have let us know what they need, and
we have put together an agenda for the year which should meet the needs of many
graduate students. However graduate students and the GSA are still often
ignored in major decisions affecting us. Our voice is rarely heard by
administrators and department heads. An exception is the Graduate Dean who has
called upon the GSA to provide input on various issues that affect graduate
students. At various times, the graduate Dean has called upon GSA to provide
input on various issues that affect graduate students. The GSA has also written
critiques and responses to administration documents and actions that have
endangered the rights or interests of graduate students.
The
GSA has recommended students to committees and governing bodies which
previously lacked graduate student representation. These have included: the
search committees for the Graduate Dean in 1987, the Vice President of Academic
Affairs in 1988, the Director of Libraries in 1990, and the Vice President of
Student Development in 1992. Graduate students also serve on the University
Board of Graduate Studies, and the Graduate Council and the Advisory Group of
the Vice President for Student Development.