Graduate Student Organization (GSO)

GSO is one of the largest Student Organizations on Campus and is located in the Campus Center. We have many services offered at the GSO office (CC 165B), including a fax machine, printer, and copier, free local phone calls, coffee club, lounge area, and a place to connect with other graduate students. The GSO President and the GSO Officers are elected positions and are chosen by vote through Graduate Students. Various Committees (see below) are responsible for the GSO activities. RGSO groups are sub-organizations of the GSO.

The programs and services offered by the GSO are funded by the graduate student activity fee ($20.00 per semester for full-time students, $10 per semester for part-time students) that appears on your tuition bill. You pay the fee, you are a member and you are entitled to all the privileges of being a member.

Please see Directory page to learn more about the GSO Officers and the Office Managers.

Recognized Graduate Student Organization Group (RGSO)

There are over 20 recognized GSO groups campus-wide and they offer a variety of cultural & educational events. Check the RGSO page and Events for more details.

MultiCultural and Affirmative Action (MCAA)

The Multi-cultural Affirmative Action Officer chairs the Affirmative Action Committee. The committee is made up of persons representing the diversity of the graduate student body. The purpose of the Affirmative Action Committee is to review GSO policies; suggest improvements; monitor the implementation of the policies; address concerns and questions regarding affirmative action and discrimination; and act in an advisory and advocacy role.

All questions of legality of policies are referred to the Judiciary Board. This committee shall operate within the GSO By-Laws and the GSO Financial Guidelines.

Grants Committee

The Grants Committee is chaired by the Grants Chairperson, who appoints a committee of GSO members. The committee must be confirmed by majority vote of the GSO assembly.

The purpose of this committee is to allocate and disburse research and travel grant funds to qualifying applicants. The committee operates within the GSO By-Laws and the GSO Financial Guidelines.

Programming Committee

The GSO Programs Committee develops and implements campus wide educational, cultural, and social activities and any activity designated Programming@ by the Executive Committee or the GSO Assembly.

A report of GSO activities is made to the GSO Assembly at the beginning of each semester and at the first GSO Assembly meeting of each month during the academic year. Wherever possible, the Programming Chairperson works in conjunction with the SCORO Chairperson to incorporate activities developed by recognized student groups with GSO activities.

President

The President shall act as Chief Executive Officer of the GSO and as its chief spokesperson and representative. The President has the power to call a special session of the GSO Assembly. The President shall be responsible for co-authoring large expenditures. The President shall appoint GSO members as the Grants Chair and Programming Chair and to the other unassigned seats on the various University Committees. These appointees must be confirmed by majority vote of the assembly.

Vice President

The Vice President shall chair the Recognized Graduate Student Organization (RGSO) Funding Committee.

Assembly Speaker

The Assembly Speaker shall chair GSO Assembly meetings.

Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the GSO, preparing the budget and submitting it to the GSO Assembly for approval. The Treasurer shall report on the financial status of the GSO to the GSO Assembly and officers upon request. The Treasurer shall operate in accordance with the financial guidelines approved by the GSO Assembly.

MultiCultural Affirmative Action Officer

The Multi-cultural Affirmative Action (MCAA) Officer has the primary responsibility for development, implementation, and maintenance of the organization's affirmative action and anti-discrimination policies. The MCAA Officer will be responsible for assuming that all officers, committees, and programs are in accordance with the anti-discrimination and affirmative action policies. They will act as the liaison between the GSO and the University's Affirmative Action Officer, and they will be the spokesperson for the GSO Multi-cultural Affirmative Action Committee.