The Graduate College

GOALS
This year we look forward to pursuing many new initiatives in the Graduate Student Organization (GSO). We are currently working on becoming an independent graduate student organization separate from the mainly undergraduate Associated Students of NAU (ASNAU). As always, we will continue to advocate for graduate students as we maintain a presence on campus committees and serve as your voice in discussions with NAU administration.

INDEPENDENCE
This year is an important step on our path to become an independent organization. We have an independence committee that has been working to create a new constitution with ASNAU and NAU administrators to accomplish this goal.

Becoming an independent governing organization means that NAU graduate students will have a voice equal to undergraduates. It would also give NAU graduate students a presence and representation equal to the graduate student groups at other Arizona public universities within organizations such as the Arizona Students' Association.

With independent status, we will receive and control our own budget and not be totally dependent on outside funding each year. This recognition also will aid us as we advocate for graduate students on campus.

REPRESENTATIVES
We need representatives from each department to aid us in our quest for independence. Come to a meeting; find out if your department has a representative; become involved in the GSO. The more students we have involved, the more we can be sure that we are accurately representing graduate students' wide range of needs.

WATCH FOR SURVEY
Please share your ideas with us so that we can create an organization that is shaped by students. We will be sending out a survey this fall to gather information about what YOU would like to see the GSO work toward. Please help us by responding with any concerns or ideas you may have.

IMPORTANT DATES
The executive committee has worked to put together the following schedule for the semester, and we hope to see you or hear from you at our meetings. The agenda, location, and call-in instructions will be sent out prior to meetings via the graduate student listserv.

Sun, Sept 12 2-5
GSO BBQ at Kiwanis Park

Mon, Sept 13 5:30-7
GSO Meeting, Ashurst 109

Fri, Oct 1 GSO Travel Award: Applications Due

Mon, Oct 4 5:30-7
GSO Meeting, Ashurst 109

Mon, Nov 1 5:30-7
GSO Meeting, Ashurst 109

Mon, Nov 29 5:30-7
GSO Meeting, Ashurst 109

GET INVOLVED!
We look forward to working with you this year. Please get involved during this exciting time in the Graduate Student Organization by attending meetings, asking questions (gso@nau.edu), or visiting our website for more information.

Good luck this year!

The GSO Executive Committee

Sheena Kauppila, M Ed Counseling-Students Affairs, president
Athena Hagerty, MS Clinical Speech Pathology, vice president
Moussa Tankari, EdD Curriculum and Instruction, secretary
Mariah Giardina, MS Environmental Science and Policy, communications and
outreach officer