Center opens as place to meet
GPSF still looks for campus spot
By: Whitney Kisling, University Editor
Issue date: 9/6/07 Section: University
It's time for graduate students to find their center.
The Graduate and Professional Student Federation is meeting for the first time today in the new Graduate Student Center location at 211A W. Cameron Ave.
"Graduate students now can have a place to meet - a centralized location," said Justin Kita, vice president of internal affairs for the GPSF Senate.
The year's first meeting will serve as an introduction for its student members, as well as a look at the year's agenda of issues from recruitment and outreach to student fees.
The Senate meets once per month to discuss these and other issues that relate to graduate students on campus.
Each of about 75 degree-granting departments on campus has a representative in the Senate so that all relevant issues are discussed.
"Our priorities sort of change year to year where we see opportunities to do things and make progress," said Lauren Anderson, president of GPSF.
But there are some agenda items that carry over.
Tuition remissions and child care are two topics that always tend to be at the top of the priority list.
"That's something that they'll be looking at and we'll be helping them research," Anderson said of the child care fee.
Last semester GPSF ended the year on the controversial topic of tuition remissions, which are given to students to ease financial loads.
Students eligible for the remission are only responsible for paying student fees - which total $1,623.05 this year. Fees usually increase at a rate of 3.6 percent each year.
While helpful for many students, tuition remissions also can be problematic because they expire after five years, and many doctorate programs take longer to complete.
Anderson said that she hopes the state will increase funds for remissions this year and that the issue will continue to be prevalent.
"That's a very complicated formula," she said.
Anderson represents graduate students in administrative advisory groups, such as the student fee advisory subcommittee and the tuition and fee task force. Both bodies discuss proposed fee and tuition increases, then make recommendations to Chancellor James Moeser.
Those topics are discussed on the undergraduate level in student government's executive branch, of which Anderson is a Cabinet member.
And while the undergraduate student government is housed in a central location in the Student Union, Anderson said the new center will serve as a space for graduate students to connect with each other and the rest of campus.
Previously, the center was located on Franklin Street in space above Carolina Coffee Shop.
GPSF officials said the new location, which is 2,800 square feet and more ideal for networking and academic events, will be key to this year's recruitment goals.
But they added that the center's new location is only temporary, as they are still looking into locations on campus. "We know the need is there for a permanent space for graduate students," Anderson said.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
ATTEND THE GPSF MEETING
Time: 6 p.m. today
Location: Graduate Student Center, 211A W. Cameron Ave.
Info: http://gpsf-wiki.unc.edu
The Graduate and Professional Student Federation is meeting for the first time today in the new Graduate Student Center location at 211A W. Cameron Ave.
"Graduate students now can have a place to meet - a centralized location," said Justin Kita, vice president of internal affairs for the GPSF Senate.
The year's first meeting will serve as an introduction for its student members, as well as a look at the year's agenda of issues from recruitment and outreach to student fees.
The Senate meets once per month to discuss these and other issues that relate to graduate students on campus.
Each of about 75 degree-granting departments on campus has a representative in the Senate so that all relevant issues are discussed.
"Our priorities sort of change year to year where we see opportunities to do things and make progress," said Lauren Anderson, president of GPSF.
But there are some agenda items that carry over.
Tuition remissions and child care are two topics that always tend to be at the top of the priority list.
"That's something that they'll be looking at and we'll be helping them research," Anderson said of the child care fee.
Last semester GPSF ended the year on the controversial topic of tuition remissions, which are given to students to ease financial loads.
Students eligible for the remission are only responsible for paying student fees - which total $1,623.05 this year. Fees usually increase at a rate of 3.6 percent each year.
While helpful for many students, tuition remissions also can be problematic because they expire after five years, and many doctorate programs take longer to complete.
Anderson said that she hopes the state will increase funds for remissions this year and that the issue will continue to be prevalent.
"That's a very complicated formula," she said.
Anderson represents graduate students in administrative advisory groups, such as the student fee advisory subcommittee and the tuition and fee task force. Both bodies discuss proposed fee and tuition increases, then make recommendations to Chancellor James Moeser.
Those topics are discussed on the undergraduate level in student government's executive branch, of which Anderson is a Cabinet member.
And while the undergraduate student government is housed in a central location in the Student Union, Anderson said the new center will serve as a space for graduate students to connect with each other and the rest of campus.
Previously, the center was located on Franklin Street in space above Carolina Coffee Shop.
GPSF officials said the new location, which is 2,800 square feet and more ideal for networking and academic events, will be key to this year's recruitment goals.
But they added that the center's new location is only temporary, as they are still looking into locations on campus. "We know the need is there for a permanent space for graduate students," Anderson said.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
ATTEND THE GPSF MEETING
Time: 6 p.m. today
Location: Graduate Student Center, 211A W. Cameron Ave.
Info: http://gpsf-wiki.unc.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Lauren Anderson
posted 9/06/07 @ 7:52 AM EST
CORRECTION: The GPSF Senate meeting scheduled for tonight (Thursday September 6, 2007) will be held at the School of Public Health, Michael Hooker Research Building, in the Blue Cross Blue Sheild Foundation Auditorium, Room 0001 beginning at 5:30pm. (Continued…)
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