Current Issues Under Consideration

Graduate Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities (GSBORR)

After struggling with my advisor and department, I went looking for rules and regulations to help me file a complaint. What I found was the "Expectations of Graduate Study," a well-written document, but that seemed to be unimportant to those in control of my degree program. Also, I figured that I was probably not the only person dealing with the issues that I was, so I went searching.

What I found is an initiative called the "Student Bill of Rights," and aptly called "Graduate Student Bill of Rights" in the context of graduate studies. Many institutions have adopted such documents, and examples of this are listed below. Virginia Tech attempted to implement one back in the 2003-2004 timeframe, led by former GSA President Pankaj Gupta and Dean DePauw, but met resistance from the Faculty Senate and from Kay Heidbreder, University Legal Counsel. At that point, it was revised and terminology was changed from "rights" to "expectations." http://www.facultysenate.vt.edu/Minutes_1_20_04.html)

In all this, you will also notice the word "responsibilities." This is very important to this movement, as no rights should come without responsibilities - in graduate study or otherwise. As such, we show that we respect both parties of concern in the rights for which we seek.

If you wish to get involved, please contact Ken Stanton at kstanton@vt.edu - we have plenty of things to do, and even 30min/week can be a big help!

Karen DePauw Graduate Fund

A previous administration of GSA established the Karen DePauw Graduate Fund. The purpose and objectives of the fund was not substantiated and ratified. We are currently in the process of doing so. Please see the first reading of the fund description in the following document.

If you interested in getting involved with this project please contact Joe McFadden at gsa@vt.edu.

Updating of GSA Constitution

Current version of the GSA constitution: pdf file

Proposed revision of the GSA constitution: html file

Your feedback on the revisions are encouraged and can be submitted to the Joe McFadden at gsa@vt.edu

Proposed Tuition and Fee Rates for 2008-2009

Viriginia Tech intends to increase tuition and associated fees for the next school year. The proposed fees can be reviewed in the following document.