Graduate Student Association

Getting involved on campus is a great way to meet other graduate students at URI while also having your voice be heard on issues related to the graduate student body. The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is one organization on campus hosting social and service events for all to take part in. GSA is a government body maintained by and for the graduate students of URI with the purpose of enhancing the academic, intellectual, and social opportunities of its members. Officers and members of the GSA Senate distribute GSA funds to graduate students and other qualifying groups, organize social events, and serve as graduate student representatives on University-wide committees.

On February 6th, GSA hosted the annual Winter Bash semi-formal at the Village Inn in Narragansett. It was a night full of dancing and fun. The event sold out with 125 graduate students and their guests in attendance. An ice skating social was also held on March 4th at the Boss Arena.

Last semester, GSA held a Graduate School Forum in which administrators, faculty and graduate students came together to discuss issues affecting the graduate student body. There were about 85 students and 17 administrators and deans, said Jack Szczepanski, GSA president. Issues discussed included housing and maintenance, academics and accessibility of resources and software, funding, teaching assistantships, and tuition. As a result of the forum, many meetings have been set up with administration at the University Village Apartments and Parking Services, more resources have become available to graduate students, and graduate students have been appointed to various University committees, such as the Strategic Budget and Planning Council.

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