GSA Mission Statement

The Graduate Student Association of the University of California, Davis provides a forum where matters of concern to graduate students are discussed, where opinions on actions and proposals of the University Administration and campus departments may be expressed, and where proposals of the Administration, departments and graduate groups may be initiated, and (b) to conduct programs and services of special interest to graduate students.

In addition to our academic missions, the GSA also functions with the social interests of graduate students in mind. We provide numerous opportunities for students to interact with each other and broaden their experiences in graduate school. All of this serves the purpose of producing well-rounded and well-educated graduates.

All registered graduate students are members of the Graduate Student Association (GSA). The GSA is made up of four units: the General Membership, the Graduate Student Program Representatives, the Executive Council, and the Judicial Board. Representatives are chosen within their home departments and programs; the GSA Assembly, which consists of the GSA Program Representatives, elects the Executive Council (the Chair, Vice Chair, External Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Public Relations Officer, and the Campus Organizing Director) and the three-member Judicial Board. The responsibilities of all four units of the GSA are explained in detail in the GSA Constitution and By-Laws.

The GSA represents graduate students' academic, professional, and social interests to the University administration. Program Representatives convey graduate student concerns and ideas from their home departments to the General Assembly and Executive Council. The Executive Council is the conduit through which these concerns are communicated to the administration.

The GSA is primarily representational and informational in nature. The GSA can intervene on behalf of graduate students in many venues. However, without knowledge of the spectrum of graduate student opinions, the representative powers of the GSA are greatly diminished. Therefore, active participation at meetings and on committees is crucial to effective graduate student presence.

• Seeks to improve graduate education and student life by providing services, social events, and a forum for graduate student concerns.
  

• Takes part in crucial UCD committees to advocate graduate student opinion in establishing policy.
  

• Provides information on, and referrals to, campus services for graduate students.
  

• Funds and administers services such as free legal aid and the computer lounge.
  

• Enriches graduate programs through the financial support of the Department Fund and Orientation Fund.
  

• Assists with student grievances.
  

• Offers funds to defray travel expenses to conferences and professional meetings.
  

• Funds graduate student-created projects which benefit students from all disciplines.

In addition, we follow the Principles of Community of the University of California, Davis.