Monday night, the Graduate Leadership Council hosted a grad student forum to hear grad student concerns. This was an event that we had been spammed about for weeks. It was billed as a good opportunity for grad student to hear concerns, share ideas, get answers and to help move the university forward. It wasn't. Monday night had less than 15 people present or less than one-half of 1 percent of the graduate student population. While there were representatives of the individual schools, our university-wide graduate student leadership couldn't be bothered to show up. Aside from the ever-dedicated Dean of Academic Affairs Haig Mardirosian and our visionary university librarian, Bill Mayer, not a single university staff member was present. Questions came up about student fees - no-one from the Office of Campus Life was there to answer. Questions came up about club funding - no one from Student Activities was there. This event has become typical of the Graduate Leadership Council - poorly planned and poorly executed activities without engagement from the university community.
The Graduate Leadership Council was a great idea, but it has drastically failed to perform. In the past two years, we have had four different GLC leaders. We have not had representation on faculty senate issues, we have failed to partner effectively with the undergraduate students on matters of mutual concern, and we have failed to have a voice on issues of social justice. At University Trustee meetings issues of direct concern to graduate students are not even brought up, rather silly reports about "branding" or GIS training is discussed. Issues related to quality of life or research grants are left unmentioned. Simply put, the GLC has failed the Graduate Student body.
We, as graduate students, must demand better. I see three ways of moving forward.
1) Enfranchise the graduate students. For the past two years, five graduating grad students through a closed door, opaque process that makes the election of Saddam Hussein look fully participatory and democratic. The past two years, this process has failed. Why not let graduate students vote? While each school has different enrollment it also means there would be more candidates from each school. With a simple run off election (50 percent needed) a democratically elected leader could be chosen. If it works for the undergraduates and law school students, why not try it for the graduate students?
2) Devolve the GLC to the school level. The school-level councils work very nicely. The School of Public Affairs Graduate Council is blessed to have a tremendous school president that works hard for our interests and concerns and makes himself available to the student body. This is 180-degree different from the experience we have had with the GLC.
3) Merge the GLC with the AU Student Government. The AUSG, in comparison to the GLC, is highly functional and does its job. When SG President Seth Cutter goes into board meetings he speaks with the authority of a person who knows his constituents and works with them and actually represents the real issues of the student body. When the AUSG plans a speaker, people show up. The AUSG plans a town hall, people show up. The Faculty Senate asks for representatives, the AUSG shows up. The same can't be said for the GLC. I call upon the leadership of the GLC to put forward these three scenarios as referendum to the Graduate Student Body and actually hear the voice of the students.
Peter W. Brusoe Former executive chairman, Graduate Leadership Council
