A RESOLUTION
COMMEMORATING THE THIRTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY

A.R. 7

WHEREAS, the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) at The University of Texas at Austin was first registered as a student governance organization on August 11, 1968; and

WHEREAS, according to the Handbook of Operating Procedures and Graduate School Policy Manual:

Graduate students at The University of Texas at Austin are represented principally by the Graduate Student Assembly, which is their official means of communication with the administration of The University. The Graduate Student Assembly selects six of its members to serve as voting members of the Graduate Assembly. The Graduate Student Assembly reports administratively to the Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies. The Constitution and Bylaws of the Graduate Student Assembly are maintained in the office of the Graduate Student Assembly [1]; and

WHEREAS, the General Objectives of the Graduate Student Assembly are:

• To represent the views of graduate students to the university community and the community at large.
• To facilitate graduate student communication and interaction.
• To gather and disseminate information pertinent to graduate students.
• To conduct activities that promote the general welfare of graduate students.
• To provide a means of assisting in the selection of graduate student members of departmental, college, and university bodies [2]; and

WHEREAS, the university administration has made great strides over the past thirty-five years in improving graduate education and permitting graduate student input in university decision-making; and

WHEREAS, the Graduate Student Assembly, through the generous support of the Office of Graduate Studies and Center for Teaching Effectiveness, are able to maintain a small office on the 24th floor of the Main Building; and

WHERERAS, Dean Victoria Rodriguez, Associate Dean John Dollard, Assistant Vice President Terry Newman, Executive Assistant Karen Bancroft, Executive Assistant Debbie Hirsch, Executive Assistant Maggie Keeshan, Senior Systems Analyst Tim Brace, and many other former and current staff members in the Office of Graduate Studies have provided unwavering commitment and support to the GSA over the past thirty-five years; and

WHEREAS, on August 11, 2003, the GSA entered its thirty-fifth year of service as a student governance organization on the UT campus.

BE IT RESOLVED that the 2003-2004 academic year shall commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the Graduate Student Assembly at The University of Texas at Austin.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Graduate Student Assembly shall continue to be the official voice of graduate students to the university administration.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Graduate Student Assembly wishes to thank all past and present graduate students at The University of Texas at Austin for their support of the GSA.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Graduate Student Assembly wishes like to thank all current and former staff in the Office of Graduate Studies for their support of the GSA.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Graduate Student Assembly calls upon the university community to continue to work together with the GSA and graduate students in creating a supportive campus community supportive of graduate students including:

• Ensuring that graduates students continue to be included in governance structures and university committees at all possible levels;
• Ensuring continued support of graduate students and the GSA;
• Ensuring adequate space for the GSA to conduct business;
• Ensuring communal spaces for graduate students and graduate student organizations; and
• Ensuring that university resources remain relevant and accessible to graduate students.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that an official copy of this resolution be printed and distributed to the President of the University; Provost and Executive Vice President; Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies; Chair of the Graduate Assembly; Chair of the Faculty Council; Vice President for Student Affairs; and Dean of Students.

Authors: Erik D. Malmberg (Electronic Resources Coordinator)

Sponsors:

[1] UT Austin Handbook of Operating Procedures and Policy Memoranda (2004). Retrieved on January 29, 2004 from http://www.utexas.edu/policies/hoppm/. The Graduate School Policy Manual (July 2003). Retrieved on January 29, 2004 from http://www.utexas.edu/ogs/gspolicymanual/36.html.

[2] GSA Objectives (2004). Retrieved on March 20, 2004 from http://studentorgs.utexas.edu/gsa/website/charter_docs/objectivesT.html.