Mission Statement:

The graduate student association hereafter referred to as GSA, will represent the interests of students wishing to attain an advanced degree by communicating with the university to effect positive change. The GSA will work to make UAA a more competitive institution by maintaining a living wage, adequate health insurance, sufficient resources and administrative support for all teaching and research assistants. The GSA will be a supportive community for students in all departments.

Composition

1. Membership is open to all students.

2. Any graduate or professional student enrolled in a minimum of 3 credits and pursuing a master or doctoral degree at the University of Alaska Anchorage may vote at GSA meetings.

3. The GSA committee will consist of the following positions (*designates that position must be filled for the GSA to function):

a. Danielle Giroux, GSA Coordinator 2012-2013
i. Ensures progress of GSA objectives.
ii. Assists other committee members when needed.
iii. Performs duty of another member in the event that the person primarily responsible for a particular activity is unavailable.

b. Emily Lescak, Administrative Chair 2012-2013
i. Records and posts meeting minutes.
ii. Archives all official GSA documents (i.e. letters written on behalf of the GSA, petitions, etc).
iii. Assists Coordinator.

c. Chantel Justice, Treasurer 2012-2013
i. Develops and submits budget to USUAA.
ii. Reports finance status to committee.

d. Jacob Chapman, Technology Chair 2012-2013
i. Maintains website.
ii. Communicates with the UAA Technology Board.

e. Tracy Stewart, USUAA Liaison 2012-2013
i. Attends and votes weekly at USUAA meetings.
ii. Facilitates communication between USUAA and GSA.

f. Rachel Boschma-Wynn, Graduate Council Representative 2012-2013
i. Attends bimonthly GAB meetings as the voting graduate student representative.

g. Jaime Spatrisano, Graduate Academic Board Representative - 2012-2013
i. Attends Faculty Senate meetings

4. All committee members serve a term of 1 academic year beginning in August.

5. All committee members must be in good academic standing (maintain 3.0 average) or their seat will be forfeited.

6. If a committee member has two or more unscheduled absences (for GSA meetings or as a GSA representative to an outside meeting) their seat will be forfeited.

7. If a seat is forfeited or a committee member is unable to serve their full term all members will be notified of the vacancy and any wishing to fill the position may contact the coordinator. The position will remain open for two weeks or until a member agrees to take on the position. If more than one member expresses interest in a given position a special election will be held and a simple majority will determine the winner.

8. If unopposed, a committee member may serve a second academic year in the same position.

9. If necessary a simple majority election will be held to determine a particular seat.

Responsibilities

The GSA will:

10. Work with the administration in the best interest of student wishing to attain an advanced degree.

11. Facilitate unity between departments to achieve common goals.

12. Prepare annual budgets and have sole authority over allocation of GSA funds.

13. Encourage and advise undergraduate students interested in graduate education. 

Subcommittees

14. The GSA committee may form a temporary subcommittee to perform a desired task by a simple majority vote.

15. A representative from each subcommittee will report to the GSA committee at each meeting.

16. If a subcommittee exists for over one year, the GSA will reevaluate its function and a vote will be taken to determine if the committee should carry on with their assignment, be disbanded, or become a permanent fixture. 

Meetings

17.    GSA meetings will occur at least three times per semester.  In fall semester there will be one meeting in September, October and November.  In the spring semester’s meetings will be held in January, February, and March.

18.    Meeting leadership will rotate among GSA committee members, however it is the coordinator’s responsibility to ensure that someone has committed to this task for the next meeting.  Whenever possible a committee member who has not lead a meeting in a given semester will be chosen.    

19.    Meeting times and locations will be announced through the mailing list, gsa@lists.uaa.alaska.edu by the Coordinator no later than one week prior.  

20.    Any member may raise a topic for discussion.

21.    Any votes will pass if a simple majority of those present are in favor.

22.    Official decisions and communications should be approved by a simple majority of the GSA.

Amendments

23.    This document can be amended by proposal, but the committee must give notice of proposed amendments at least two weeks in advance and new amendments can only be passes by a three-quarters vote.