GSA recap – Dec. 3

The Graduate Students Association is the voice of graduate students on campus. The association meets for forum every three weeks and takes positions on current issues affecting graduate students. Forum meetings are at 5:30 p.m. in the Ackerman Viewpoint Lounge.

Agenda

• The forum voted unanimously to call for UCLA Transportation to ask the Big Blue Bus not to make changes to Route 12, which connects Westwood and Palms. Officials are considering canceling the route next year.
• Forum discussed upgrading the GSA website. Director of Communication Adewunmi Adelaja said he would like for the website to be moved to a new host and to have better navigation tools, as well as a mobile version.
• Matthew FitzGerald, GSA representative to the Drug Free Schools Committee, asked members to discuss their thoughts on graduate student substance abuse.

Officer reports

• GSA President Mike Hirshman said he attended the November meeting of the University of California Board of Regents, where regents approved future student fee increases and potential tuition hikes for graduate students. He also discussed the effects of tuition hikes and fee increases for different graduate schools on campus.
• Hirshman said Milan Chatterjee, vice president of internal affairs, proposed that forum meet early before a future meeting to eat at Wolfgang Puck in a more informal setting.
• Hirshman said GSA must appoint a member to a two-year transsexual student advocacy and inclusion task force by Friday.
• The association must also approve a commissioner of elections, who will serve during the winter and fall quarters, he said.
• Vice President of External Affairs Andres Schneider also discussed the potential tuition hikes.

Appointments

• Chiao-Wen Lan, a graduate student in community public health, was unanimously approved as the new director of discretionary funding.

Compiled by Sam Hoff, Bruin senior staff.