Greetings and welcome to the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) website. I encourage you to look around and explore our website, you will discover that our organization is one of the most influential organizations here on the 40 acres. GSA’s task, as one of three student governance organizations, is to represent and advocate on behalf of the almost 13,000 graduate students here at the University of Texas at Austin.

GSA’s ultimate objective is to improve the graduate experience for all graduate students. This is accomplished through a number of ways such as directing student concerns to high-level university administrators, providing funding opportunities for graduate organizations, testifying at the Texas Capital on higher education issues, visit with federal legislators on graduate education issues, etc. Simply put, GSA’s purpose is to address your concerns whether they be academically related or related to your well-being here on at the university.

If you are curious as to how you can become a part of GSA, it’s simple: You already are. Graduate students are automatically included as a member within the assembly regardless of degree program or years of experience with student governance. As members, graduate students are able to serve on various committees throughout the university and represent the graduate perspective on those committees. Members also meet with various administrators throughout the year as well. If you have an interest in joining a committee or becoming involved with our organization, contact our membership director about how you can start. GSA is always welcoming of eager students who want to serve as Department Representatives or committee members. Please do not take it for granted that you, as graduate students, have a voice. Take advantage and make sure your voice is heard on any issue that affects you as a student here.

This year, we will be working on several initiatives that will impact you as graduate students. Some of those initiatives include: addressing graduate student funding, graduate student housing, health insurance for students on fellowships, the graduate student voice on university issues, and the academic support of underrepresented graduate students across the university. Many additional issues arise throughout the year however these items are some of the main points GSA will be addressing on behalf of the graduate student community.

Thank you for taking an interest in the Graduate Student Assembly by visiting our website. We look forward to working with and for you this coming year. Please know that you always have strong support from our organization if you are ever in need. Take care and welcome to UT!

Hook ‘em,

-Manuel “Manny” Gonzalez