<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><b><span style="line-height:21px;font-size:14pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial">What is “GSA”?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><b><span style="line-height:21px;font-size:14pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial"><br></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px"><span style="line-height:21px;font-size:14pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial">GSA stands for “Graduate Student Association.” We represent the <u>entire</u> body of graduate students at UC Riverside, and our mission is </span><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:21px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">“to advance, through our advocacy and programs, the academic, social, and physical environment of current and future graduate students at the University of California, Riverside” (GSAUCR Constitution).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:21px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px">
<span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><b><span style="line-height:21px;font-size:14pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial">How do we work to improve the lives of graduate students?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><b><span style="line-height:21px;font-size:14pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial"><br></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="line-height:18px;font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial">In <i>lots </i>of ways! Here are just a few things we do:</span></p>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><u><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">The President</span></u><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color:white"> </span><font class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Represents all graduate students to various campus leaders, oversees the overall operation of the GSA office, works with presidents (undergrad & grad) from all other UC schools on systemwide concerns, and chairs the Graduate Student Council.</font></span></li>
</ul><div><font face="'Times New Roman', serif" size="3"><span style="line-height:18px"><br></span></font></div><ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px">
<u><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">Th</span></u><u><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">e Executive Vice President</span></u><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"> acts as the liaison between UCR and the other UCs, and keeps grad students up-to-date on pertinent state and federal issues that affect them and works to get students invested on issues outside of Riverside.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial"></span></li>
</ul><div><font face="'Times New Roman', serif" size="3"><span style="line-height:18px"><br></span></font></div><ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px">
<u><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">The Vice President of Academic Affairs</span></u><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"> works with departmental mini-GSA organizations to make sure that the needs and concerns of our entire graduate community<br>
are addressed;</span><u><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial"></span></u></li></ul><div>
<font color="#222222" face="'Times New Roman', serif" size="3"><span style="line-height:18px"><br></span></font></div><ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px">
<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">The <u>Public Relations Officer</u> throws a Grad Bash for all grad students once a quarter providing an opportunity for you to informally meet other UCR graduate students, and makes sure you get fed for free simply by attending any meetings and events hosted by the GSA;<u></u></span></li>
</ul><div><font face="'Times New Roman', serif" size="3"><span style="line-height:18px"><br></span></font></div><ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px">
<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">The <u>Health Insurance Committee Chairperson</u> works in collaboration with the Student Insurance Coordinator at the Campus Health Center and with the UCSHIP Committee, comprised of current graduate students and advocates on our behalves to ensure that we are fairly represented in matters pertaining to our health insurance;</span></li>
</ul><div><font face="'Times New Roman', serif" size="3"><span style="line-height:18px"><br></span></font></div><ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px">
<span style="line-height:18px;font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial"><u>The Finance Officer</u> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">makes sure that our budget is being maintained, wisely spent, and adequately supports our organization’s needs;</span></li>
</ul><div><font face="'Times New Roman', serif" size="3"><span style="line-height:18px"><br></span></font></div><ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px">
<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">The <u>Secretary/Webmaster</u> records the minutes for every GSA Council Meeting, and keeps our grad students informed of what’s currently happening in the GSA through our website (<a href="http://gsa.ucr.edu" target="_blank">gsa.ucr.edu</a>);</span></li>
</ul><div><font face="'Times New Roman', serif" size="3"><span style="line-height:18px"><br></span></font></div><ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px">
<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">The <u>Conference Travel Grant Coordinator</u> processes your applications for conference travel grants, thus making it financially easier for you to pursue your academic goals;</span></li>
</ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0.5in"><span style="line-height:18px;font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial">and</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0.5in"><span style="line-height:18px;font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial"><br></span></p>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">The <u>International Student Affairs Officer</u> ensures that the rights of our international grad students are protected.</span></li>
</ul><div><font face="'Times New Roman', serif" size="3"><span style="line-height:18px"><br></span></font></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><b><span style="line-height:21px;font-size:14pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial">Why are we telling you this?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><b><span style="line-height:21px;font-size:14pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial"><br></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="line-height:18px;font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial">We want to see you get involved! We frequently have paid positions open that give you not only some supplemental cash, but also, and more importantly, the opportunity to help grad students be fairly represented, receive the financial aid needed to go to conferences, and help build a stronger and more cohesive graduate community. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12pt;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><b><span style="line-height:21px;font-size:14pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial">How can you become more involved</span></b><span style="line-height:21px;font-size:14pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial">? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12pt;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="line-height:18px;font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial">Become an officer of the Graduate Student Association! Run for an elected position during our (Feb 27<sup>th</sup>) elections. All you have to do is submit a candidate statement of 4 sentences stating why you think you’d be a good candidate!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12pt;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="line-height:18px;font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial">You don’t want to run for a position? Please express your opinion by voting during our general election in spring!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12pt;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="line-height:18px;font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial">Once a month we hold our Graduate Student Association Council meeting, open to <i>all </i>graduate students. Feel free to stop by and check out what we do – we promise it’s important stuff! </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12pt;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><span style="line-height:18px;font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial"><br></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12pt;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px"><b><span style="line-height:21px;font-size:14pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;background-image:initial">What positions can I run for?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px">
<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Annual General Officer Elections are held in Spring Quarter for the purpose of electing:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px">
<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">1. President</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">2. Executive Vice President (External)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">3. Vice President of Academic Affairs</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">4. Public Relations Officer</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px">
<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">5. Finance Officer</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">6. Health Insurance Chair</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px">
<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">The election shall be conducted via secure online procedures provided by the University.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px">
<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Filing is to last at least 5 weeks and close at least 2 weeks prior to start of the election.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px">
<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Thank you for reading this entire email,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-left:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Rachel</span></p>-- <br><font style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif" face="arial narrow,sans-serif">President Graduate Student Association 2011-2012</font><br style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">
<div style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">PhD Candidate GSOE<br>UCR<br><a href="http://www.gsa.ucr.edu" target="_blank">www.gsa.ucr.edu</a><br>Office: (951) 827-3740<br>Fax: (951) 827-6358</div><br>