GSA Senate Committees are integral to the effective operation and advancement of the GSA. Committees are led by the respective GSA Senate members, and seats are open to all graduate students, offering a great opportunity to get involved with minimal commitment. 

Committee Descriptions

Grants & Awards
  1. Focused on providing funding and recognition for research activities conducted by graduate students at ESF. Encourages the development of detailed research proposals and provides a robust application and review process to select recipients and improve graduate student products. 
  2. Must update and follow the process outlined in the ‘Grant Review Process’ document. 
  3. No selection by the Grants & Awards Committee shall discriminate, or promote any form of discrimination, on basis of race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital or veteran’s status in any program, activity, or service. 
  4. Grants offered are: 
    1. Research Grants for original research 
    2. Travel Grants for presenting at a conference or attending a professional workshop or seminar.
    3. Professional Development Grants for activities to be attended that would enhance the applicant’s development within their field professionally. 
    4. Other grants created and approved by the GSA Senate. 
Inclusion, Equity, & International Student Affairs
  1. The mission of this committee is to represent the needs of international students as well as historically marginalized graduate population through activities and events that create deeper awareness and also showcase the cultural diversity on campus.  
  2. The objectives of this committee are: 
    1. Represent the International Graduate Student and IDE interests at GSA meetings. 
    2. Attend new international graduate student orientation at the beginning of each academic year. 
    3. Maintain a working relationship with the Syracuse University Office of International Services and the OIDE 
    4. This committee shall host events commensurate with the GSAs mandate of inclusion, equity and access. 
    5. Work closely with the Social Activities & Engagement committee to plan and host events catered to international students.
    6. Work closely with the Professional Development committee to organize and host panels regarding immigration paperwork and similar topics.
Orientation
  1. The Orientation Committee shall be responsible for organizing and executing graduate student orientation activities during the week of Fall Semester New Graduate Orientation (traditionally the week prior to the Fall semester starting). 
  2. The Orientation Committee shall be chaired by a Senator who shall be on/around campus in August to coordinate the organization and execution of events (preferred order: Social VP, other VPs, President, other Senators, any GSA member; due to similarity of responsibilities for regular duties).  
  3. Orientation Committee chair and members shall be determined in the Final Meeting of the Academic Year. As with all committees, graduate students who do not hold positions in the GSA Senate can participate in a non-voting capacity on the Orientation Committee as well.  
  4. Orientation Committee members should plan to attend the Graduate Student Panel during Orientation if possible. 
Activities planned by the Orientation Committee should seek to introduce new graduate students to SUNY-ESF and the local community and promote camaraderie among the incoming class of graduate students as well as returning grads. 
Professional Development
  1. Focused on providing opportunities that facilitate the graduate school process and the transition of graduate students into future careers. Aims to address the various needs of beginning, intermediate, advanced, and graduating students to help them develop the necessary skills to succeed as future leaders, researchers, educators, and professionals in various fields. 
  2. Methods: 
    1. Educate graduate student population on the resources, rights, and responsibilities of graduate school at ESF and the opportunities beyond graduation. 
    2. Organize events (panels, workshops, etc.) that serve the professional interests of the graduate student body. 
    3. Determine where professional development services and information are on campus and assemble these resources for the student body. 
    4. Maintain a working relationship with the Office of Instruction and Graduate Studies (OIGS) and other key collaborators. 
    5. Assist the Research Committee in preparation of the graduate student portion of the Spotlight on Student Research event. 
    6. Assist the Grants and Awards Committee in determining recipients of the Professional Development Grants during the application review process. 
Research & Curriculum
  1. Serves to inform the administration of any problems and opportunities that relate to university research policies. 
  2. Provides the opportunity for the faculty and students to engage in identifying problems during research. 
  3. Hosts any events that would encourage the graduate student body to showcase the research being done at ESF, such as the “4-minute Thesis Competition.” 
  4. Focused on providing new courses and course modifications for graduate students at ESF.  
  5. To recommend minimum academic standards. 
  6. Encourages the development of detailed courses to provide opportunities for other coursework for graduate students. 
  7. Work with faculty members to identify holes in various curriculums across campus.  
  8. All course modifications shall be finalized via the specific department the course is held within.   
Social Activities & Engagement
  1. Focused on fostering a sense of community and connectivity among graduate students across all academic departments at ESF. Strives to fulfill this mission by providing social opportunities that are varied in nature and engage a diversity of the graduate community’s interests.   
  2. Recognizes the importance of a balance between our work as graduate students and our non-academic experiences. Believes that a strong sense of community and connectivity amongst members of the ESF graduate body shall enhance an individual’s graduate student experience; promote pride in ESF; create opportunities for meaningful friendships; and encourage collaboration amongst ESF students during and after graduate school. 
  3. Hosts social events that shall appeal to a diverse group of graduate students. 
Sustainability

Want to get involved?

If you're interested in getting involved, please contact [email protected] or reach out directly to the chair of the respective committee (see Current Senate Members).