GPC plans events for spring semester

By Gwen Daniels

Published Feb. 1, 2008

The Graduate Professional Council will work with the Missouri Students Association this semester on issues that affect the entire campus.

GPC is the student government for graduate and professional students.

GPC President Jennifer Holland said the organization focuses on every graduate and professional student at MU.

“Our main responsibilities include listening to the students we represent and trying to get a feel for issues that are facing them on campus during their experience at MU,” Holland said.

Holland said Graduate School Dean Pam Benoit has included GPC while making decisions about the Graduate School.

“I have every confidence that our viewpoints are being represented,” Holland said. “Nothing will be done without lots of thought and consideration.”

GPC frequently works with MSA to address student concerns, Holland said. She often works alongside the MSA president and vice president to prepare legislation, she added.

“If there is an issue we can take the same side on, it speaks a lot more favorably,” Holland said. “It’s not always possible, but when it’s possible, we try to do that. We try to work hand-in-hand in a lot of capacities.”

Kelley said he considers Holland a good resource.

“We’re looking forward to continuing that,” Kelley said.

Holland said GPC is also working with MSA to create warmer relationships between graduate and undergraduate students.

The groups plan to facilitate roundtable discussions between graduate instructors and undergraduate students. Teaching assistants and students would have the opportunity to talk about their expectations and the changes they would like to see, Holland said. GPC would like to use surveys to gather early feedback about courses taught by graduate students, she added.

“Then we can hopefully get some change happening within the semester,” she said.

This April, GPC will co-sponsor Graduate Education Week at MU.

GPC organizes the week with the Graduate School and the Graduate Student Association.

Holland said the week gets people excited about the higher education opportunities at MU.

Graduate Education Week will include informational panels for prospective graduate students, a reception to identify outstanding researchers and teaching assistants and a graduate school open house.

“We use the open house to get the word out there about the resources that are available for graduate students,” Holland said. “There are a number of things that seem a little mysterious, like how to finish your dissertation and how to fill out all the paperwork.”

The week culminates with Adventures in Education, a fair for local elementary school children. At the fair, children visit fun, educational booths organized by the various graduate schools and departments, Holland said.

“It’s a chance for young children to get a kind of a higher education,” Holland explained. “It’s one of my favorite events.”

GPC will host several other events this semester, Holland said.

The Research and Creative Achievements Forum in March will give graduate and professional students the opportunity to present their work to fellow students and faculty advisors, Holland said.

“We really take a lot of pride in the RCAF event,” Holland said. “It’s a rare opportunity we get to have graduate students shine on the campus.”

Participants at the forum can receive immediate feedback on the projects from faculty members from across the state, including professors from UM-Kansas City, UM-St. Louis, and other universities in the region.

Students can receive prize money for their projects, Holland added, and winners will be recognized at a banquet.

This spring, GPC will also host the Gold Chalk Awards, acknowledging mentors at the graduate level.

“It’s a really touching event because the mentees get to tell their story and share their perspective not only with their mentors but also a slightly larger audience,” Holland said. “It’s a lot of fun.”

In addition, GPC will induct members into the Rollins Society, the graduate student honors society, on Tap Day, Holland added.

GPC also plans social events like barbeques and bowling parties throughout the year.

Holland said some socials, such as movie nights, aim to attract graduate students with families.