The Graduate Student Association

Sumedh WarudkarPresident, Graduate Student Association

Rice Administrators ForumTuesday, 13th September, 2011

What is the Graduate Student Association?

• The Graduate Student Association (GSA) of Rice University is the inclusive governing body of all Rice students enrolled in a graduate-level degree program.

• The Graduate Student Association (GSA) comprises of all degree seeking graduate students at Rice University.

• The GSA mission is to enrich the graduate student experience and to represent, support, and promote graduate student interests and values.

• An integral and essential part of the Rice community, the GSA provides programs and services aiding in recruitment and retention of graduate students, represents graduate student interests to the University administration, and builds a strong sense of community both on and off campus.

A little about the GSA…

• Governing body of all students engaged in graduate-level degree programs

• Started in 1969, into its 43rd year• Consists of two levels – the GSA

Council which is made up voting representatives of various graduate degree programs and an officers panel elected by the GSA Council

• Annual operating budget - ~$80,000 (Each student contributes $21/semester)

University AdministrationUniversity Administration

Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Graduate Student Association

Graduate Student Association

Graduate Student Association OfficersGraduate Student

Association OfficersGSA Council

(Department Reps)GSA Council

(Department Reps)

Graduate StudentsGraduate Students

The GSA Officers (2011-12)

• Sumedh Warudkar, President, Chemical Engineering• Kenneth Evans, Vice-President for Internal Affairs, Applied Physics• Clark Needham, Vice-President for External Affairs, Bioengineering• Emily Breazeale, Treasurer, Jones School (MBA)• Anne Hellebust, Secretary, Bioengineering• Erin O’Brien, Community Service Chair, Biochemistry & Cell Biology• Gabriel Ceriotti, Graduate Lounge Manager, Chemistry• Varun Shenoy, Historian, Chemical Engineering• Corinne Allen, Parliamentarian, Psychology• Sravani G, Publicity & Marketing Co-chair, Chemical Engineering• Michael ‘GOAT’ Domeracki, Publicity & Marketing Co-chair, Religious

Studies

What does the GSA do?

• University Governance• Social and Recreational• Funding Grants for Graduate Clubs and Organizations• Sports• Career and Professional Development• Community Outreach• International Students• Recognition and Awards

We are the voice of graduate students…

• Represent graduate students on Graduate Council (consists of Dean Sanders & faculty from various departments)

• Participate on University Standing Committees• Provide inputs on infrastructure development

programs• Participate in selection of candidates for important

university positions (e.g. Deans, CCD Director, etc.)• Work with various departments (e.g. Housing and

Dining) to advocate policies and provision of resources beneficial to graduates

We foster professional and career development of graduate students…

• Center for Career Development– GSA-CCD Final Fridays– GSA-CCD Workshops on Career

Development and Job Search Preparations

• Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

– Teaching Workshops facilitated by Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

• Student Association– SA/GSA Research Mixer– How to apply to graduate schools?

• Other Schools– Networking mixers with Baylor

College of Medicine and Jones School (MBA) students

We help graduate students socialize…

We help graduate students to compete in sports and stay healthy…

We also give a bit back to the community…

A number of us are internationals.. We try to engage them..

4 out of 11 GSA officers are Internationals

Recognition and Awards

• GSA Faculty Teaching/Mentoring Award– Recipients are selected based on demonstrated commitment to graduate education on

teaching graduate students at Rice.

• GSA Faculty/Staff Service Award– Recipients are selected in recognition of efforts beyond the call of duty to improve the

quality of life for graduate students at Rice.

• Friends of Rice Graduate Students– Recipients are selected in recognition of individuals who have significantly enhanced

the lives of graduate students at Rice University in some way.

• GSA Service Award– Recipients are selected based on contribution of time, effort, and devoted service to the

cause of improving graduate student life and education at Rice.

• Robert Lowry Patten Award– The Robert Lowry Patten awards, funded by an endowment, are intended to honor

graduate students who might NOT have been honored for their service and achievements on behalf of graduate students.

Looking Ahead

• Engage Rice alumni – both undergraduate and graduate alumni with graduate students

• Continue focus on Professional and Career Development

• Bid to host the Southcentral Regional Conference for National Association for Graduate and Professional Students (NAGPS)

• Initiate a GSA Leadership Lecture

PROBABLY THE MOST EXCITING

THE PHD MOVIE(Based on the popular PHD Comics)

October 7th, 7:15 pm

Academic (Central) Quadrangle

All Staff and Faculty are invited

How to reach us

GSA Council Meetings3rd Tuesday, each month, Graduate Lounge

Websitegsa.rice.edu

E-mailgsa@rice.edu

QUESTIONS