- The Office of Graduate Student Affairs can help graduate students on assistance with student issues, career and professional development planning and other-related topics such as mentor/mentee training and student-focused policies. They have a few initiatives in the works for the near future to offer even more assistance and programs for graduate students.
- Virtual Town Hall will be Monday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. that will consist of a brief presentation by GPSA President, followed by breakout rooms with one GPSA moderator in each where people will feel comfortable and be able to voice their concerns. A sign up sheet for GPSA moderators will be released shortly after the Assembly.
- Resolution 70-06 Bylaws Amendment (Clarification of Committees and Legislative Roles) was approved that clarified roles of the President and committees so that terminology was consistent among the document.
- Resolution 70-07 Bylaws Amendment (Change of At-Large Delegate Role) was passed which will change the role to no longer backfill vacancy of college delegates, as they consist of different responsibilities and skill sets.
- Resolution 70-08 University Response to COVID-19: GPSA Concerns and Recommendations passed which gives recommendations on the handling of COVID-19 at the University including free testing to graduate students and more updates to the dashboard.
- Bill 70-07 Virtual, At-Home Pottery-Painting Event was passed to approve budget for the event being organized by the programming committee.
The Assembly kicked off with a special presentation from Associate Dean for Student Affairs with the graduate school, Sarah Ades. Ades broke down her role of dealing with graduate student life and what her office does that offers assistance to all graduate students.
The Office of Student affairs can help with:
- Assistance with student issues
- Career and professional development planning
- Other related topics- mentor/mentee training, student-focused policies
Graduate Student Ombudsperson policy is an initiative ready to be approved in the near future to help graduate students in being able to bring up student issues easily and efficiently. Two new programs: Accelerate to Industry Program and Expanded Teaching Development Programming are also in the works to help graduate students in career and development.
In Executive Officer Reports, President Alex reminded everyone about the virtual town hall coming up this Monday, September 28 at 6 p.m. This Friday, student government leaders will meet with university leadership and bring up any issues students have. An update on COVID testing sites was given.
Vice President, Julia gave more details on the town hall that will consist of a brief presentation by Alex followed by breakout rooms with one GPSA moderator in each where people will feel comfortable and be able to voice their concerns. A sign up sheet for GPSA moderators will be released shortly after the Assembly.
Other updates included a summary about the first Faculty Senate of the year that took place the day before. Starfish platform at Penn State will be implemented for graduate students next week which allows teachers and students to interact for classes.
In New Business, Resolution 70-06 Bylaws Amendment (Clarification of Committees and Legislative Roles) was approved that clarified roles of the President so that terminology was consistent among the constitution and clarified different roles among the Assembly. Resolution 70-07 Bylaws Amendment (Change of At-LargeDelegate Role) was also passed that will change the At-Large Delegate role. At-Large Delegates represent the whole at-large student body that will no longer backfill any vacancy of college delegates, as they consist of different responsibilities and skill sets.
Kade Crittenden was elected as a new delegate. Resolution 70-08 University Response to COVID-19: GPSA Concerns and Recommendations passed which gives recommendations on the handling of COVID-19 such as free COVID-19 testing for graduate students and the University should provide information of what would trigger the move to online learning, and should enact stricter penalties for people who are not following regulations regarding mask-wearing and such, among much more. Bill 70-07 Virtual, At-Home Pottery-Painting Event was passed to approve budget for the event being organized by the programming committee.
In reports, a resolution regarding racial and social justice is in the works from the Advocacy and Diversity Committee with a potential for a roundtable to advocate for marginalized people. Student trustee, Bryan Culler, spoke about the initiative to increase diversity in representation at the university.