1. The Graduate Student Association Anna Dodson Saikin President, Graduate Student Association Rice Administrators’ Forum Tuesday, 11 th September, 2012

2. What is the Graduate Student Association? The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is the inclusive governing body of all Rice students enrolled in a graduate-level degree program. The GSA includes all degree seeking graduate students at Rice. Our mission is to enrich the graduate student experience and to represent, support, and promote graduate student interests and values. The GSA provides programs and services aiding in recruitment and retention of graduate students, represents graduate student interests to the University administration, and builds a strong sense of community both on and off campus.

3. The GSA Officers (2012–13) Anna Dodson Saikin, President, English Kiri Kilpatrick, Vice-President for Internal Affairs, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Heng Ji, Vice-President for External Affairs, Physics Aparna Sagi, Treasurer, Chemical Engineering Niffy Hargrave, Secretary, English Man Chen, Community Service Chair, Physics Kaushik Kalaga, Graduate Lounge Manager, MEMS Carolyn Van Wingerden, Historian, Art History Anne Hellebust, Parliamentarian, Bioengineering Jeanette Pasuizaca, Publicity & Marketing Chair, Jones School (MBA)

4. Goals Improve graduate student wellbeing on campus Facilitate interactions between various departments on campus Graduate Student Survey

5. Improve Graduate Student Wellness Recognize and address wellness concerns of graduate students Improve awareness of facilities on campus Create new wellness initiatives

6. Improve Graduate Student Wellness Collaboration with Wellness Center GSA Representative Retreat 9/7, featuring Kate Noonan and Emily Page GSA Coffee Break 9/25 during Wellness Week Wellness Lecture Series collaboration

7. Facilitate Interdisciplinarity Goal: increased interaction between departments Research, social, professional development Increasing participation from smaller departments Example: Research Mixer, 9/12

8. Graduate Student Survey Rice has the “Happiest students”—is this true for graduate students? Complements Wellness theme Will include questions about advisors, research opportunities, administrative support (awareness of University policies), and interaction with Rice community Found: 1995 survey Hope to roll out by end of Fall semester

9. Graduate Student Survey Consult GPS, Sociology, Statistics, and others Goal: Initiate conversations with students, faculty, and administrators on ways to improve through panels and workshops

10. How to reach us GSA Council Meetings 3 rd Tuesday, each month, Graduate Lounge Website gsa.rice.edu E-mail gsa@rice.edu

11. QUESTIONS