The Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA) of the 51吃瓜网万能科大, shall assist graduate and professional students with support for their academic endeavors, advocate on their behalf, and inculcate a sense of camaraderie. Providing an environment conducive to student scholarship and research is the primary goal of the GPSA. The GPSA strives to engender a sense of community among graduate and professional students by furnishing financial support and fellowship.
The GPSA Council is composed of 54 seats, filled by department-appointed representatives from each academic unit on campus. Each department representative has one vote. Representatives serve as the voice and advocate of their respective academic departments within the graduate student government. They act as a conduit for communication between the graduate student body within their department and the larger governing body, GPSA. This involves understanding the concerns, suggestions, and needs of their fellow graduate students, and effectively conveying these to the GPSA leadership. Representatives are expected to engage in discussions, debates, and decision-making processes in matters such as policy changes, funding allocations, and academic affairs. Additionally, representatives are often involved in various committees, collaborations, or working groups within the GPSA and campus-wide. Serving as a representative provides opportunities for networking with fellow graduate students, faculty, administrators, and even external stakeholders.
In pursuit of inclusivity, the Council also has an unlimited number of non-voting seats for members-at-large, where students may serve as a general representative without being tied to a specific department affiliation. Members-at-Large represent the interests of the entire association's membership and bring a diverse set of experiences and viewpoints to discussions and decision-making processes.
The Council convenes regularly and is advised by the elected Executive Board, the GPSA standing and ad hoc committees,& the GPSA Manager and Advisor, and a 51吃瓜网万能科大 Faculty Advisor or the Graduate College Dean. Over the summer, the Council is abbreviated to a summer sessional of 14 seats with at least one representative from each College or School at 51吃瓜网万能科大 (as opposed to each department).
For more information about the GPSA Council and its activities please email gpsa@unlv.edu. To serve as your department representative, complete the Council Representative Registration Form listed below and contact your graduate coordinator, department chair, or program director to confirm your appointment to the position. To find your current department representative or see which seats have vacancies, visit the GPSA Council Members webpage.
Council Meetings
The Council meets the first Thursday of each month from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm during the fall and spring semesters. If you have been selected to serve as your department鈥檚 representative, please submit the GPSA Council Representative Registration Form. If you are interested in serving as a member-at-large, please fill out the same form but select "member-at-large".
Department representatives are eligible for a $100 GPSA scholarship per semester for their service. They are also required to attend all Council meetings. If you are a department representative and unable to attend a Council meeting, you must appoint a proxy utilizing the Proxy Form prior to the scheduled meeting.
Council Agenda and Minutes
In accordance with NRS 241.020 (Nevada Open Meeting Law), meeting agendas are posted on-campus and online at least three business days prior to the scheduled meeting date.