How can I get involved with the Graduate Student Assembly?

I am so glad you asked. There are several ways to get involved, all listed below:

1. Join the GSA Executive Board by running for the office of President, Vice-President of Membership, Vice-President of Programs, Secretary, or Treasurer. These elected positions serve office for one year terms and are voted into office by the delegate body. The elections are held annually in early to mid spring semester. A description of the job responsibilities and the current board can be found on the GSA website.
   
   
2. Well, who is the delegate body? The delegate body consists of graduate students who are currently enrolled at Virginia Tech and are representatives of one of the academic departments. Each academic department has two delegates who serve as representatives to the GSA board for that department at the monthly GSA meetings and various other activities throughout the year. Each department chooses to select their graduate student representatives differently. Some departments hold formal elections, while others hold more of an informal process of allowing students to sign up and it is on a first come first serve basis. If you are interested in becoming a delegate for your department check with GSA VP of membership, the GSA website to see if your department delegates have already been chosen, and check with your academic department chair. The delegates keep the students and faculty aware of graduate students issues, activities, etc. For more information see our website.
   
   
3. If the delegates for your department have already been chosen and you still want to get involved, good news there are more ways. The graduate students at Virginia Tech serve as graduate student representatives to the GSA on the various commissions and committees with faculty, staff, and administrators on campus. For example, University Council, Transportation Committee, Commission on Student Affairs, Graduate Curriculum Committee, and the Commission on Equal Opportunity and Diversity. There are several more to serve on and you do not have to be a delegate for your department to serve on one or more of these commissions and committees. It is imperative to keep in mind that we as graduate students are highly encouraged by faculty and administrators to serve alongside them at this level of university governance, it is important that we attend the meetings if we decide to get involved. We will be joining the GSA Cabinet which also holds periodic meetings, two or three per year. The graduate student cabinet members’ responsibility fluctuates depending on the charge and/or the agenda of the committee or commission.
   
   
4. Well you asked, are there any other ways to get involved with GSA. Good question, yes as a matter of fact there is. Another way is to apply for one of the GSA Chair positions: Graduate and Professional Day Chair, Webmaster, Travel Fund Program Chair, Research Symposium Chair, and Graduate Research and Development Program Chair. The announcements for opening for these positions, who serve as part of GSA Executive Board, are typically every spring following the election of the new executive board for the upcoming academic year. The duties and responsibility of these graduate students can be found on the GSA website.
   
   
5. Are there more ways to get involved with GSA? Well, yes just come out support and enjoy some of the many events that are put on by GSA all throughout the academic year for and by graduate students. We want to not only hear from you but we want to see you too!! Please contact any of the executive board members at GSA@vt.edu, we will point you in the right direction to getting more involved or answer any questions you might have. SEE YOU SOON!!!

GSA VP Membership, Toni Stroter