The Graduate
Student Association Senate (GSAS) was put in place to represent
the views of graduate students and their needs.
“As an organization we are working to improve the education
of graduate students and the quality of life in and outside of the
institution,” GSAS President Brad C. Miller said Thursday.
With about 1,500 students in the graduate program representing 20
departments, GSAS has many goals on its agenda this year and hopes
its needs will be met.
One goal is to obtain more money for graduate student research and
travel.
In an attempt to meet financial needs, Dr. Floyd R. Domer, a professor
in the department of biology, and Dr. E.D. Huntley, the senior associate
dean of the graduate school, collaborated on the idea to set up
the Graduate School Endowment Fund.
Every student that graduates from the program will donate $20 the
first couple of years after they graduate in order to start the
fund. Faculty and other organizations, such as the Biology Graduate
Students Association, offered to donate money in support.
“The great thing about this is the fact that graduate students
are helping out other graduate students,” Miller said.
The graduate school also hopes to obtain money through offering
travel and research grants.
“Any graduate with an active senator in their department can
apply for the grant money.
Each student may only be rewarded $50 to $150, but every little
bit helps,” Miller said.
“Graduate students affect the quality of life on campus, teach
labs and spend hours on research for professors and on their own
research, and they often get overlooked,” GSAS treasurer Cassie
Rutherford said Sunday.
In addition to the graduate-level courses, a stipend increase is
being requested by GSAS.
A stipend is the amount graduate students are paid per semester,
and there has not been an increase in a long period of time, said
Miller.
“Graduate students have to pay the increases in tuition, parking
and cost of living, and it is hard to work outside the university
in order to pay for these increases,” Miller said.
Miller said Appalachian State University’s stipend is lower
than those of its sister universities.
GSAS is also concerned with the availability of library access.
As of last summer, graduate students were not allowed library access
during the summer. When school is in session the ability to check
out journals is limited, even though the extensive research they
participate in necessitates the use of such sources.
Concerns are rising around campus with the removal of Whitener Parking
Lot. Graduate students are directly affected and worried about where
they will park.
“We have the perk of being able to park in Raley so we have
easy accessibility to the classes we are taking and teaching. With
the removal of Whitener, we are stuck. Where will we park?”
Miller said.
In a an attempt to recognize outstanding graduate students, the
graduate school and GSAS will begin “Graduate Student of the
Month.”
Beginning in the latter part of next semester, a graduate student
will be profiled for outstanding work done in the graduate program.
The graduate students will nominate and vote on the candidates. |
