The Graduate Student Alliance (GSA) provides an easily accessible and organized forum where graduate students pitch, plan, and produce their ideas.
GSA sponsors initiatives that strengthen community among graduate departments, and promotes constructive dialogue between students, and the administration and faculty.
Every graduate student has the opportunity to be informed and active without the hassle of applying for membership or paying fees. Student voices fuel our efforts and direct our focus at every stage of activity.
As an alliance of graduate students we continue to achieve concrete and visible improvements on campus that stimulate and enrich the already vibrant culture at CCA.
The goals of GSA are:
- Sponsor events or initiatives proposed and executed by graduate students that foster community, discourse, and entertainment across departments.
- Provide convenient venues for open communication between individuals and departments on the student, faculty, and administrative levels.
- Maintain and publish an updated record of student opinions about classroom, department, and school wide issues.
- Advocate for students on varied issues ranging from greater diversity in the curriculum to greater accessibility of campus facilities.
Leadership Opportunities
Now, more than ever, students can take the lead through GSA. Leadership positions are perfect for individuals who enjoy advocating, planning, networking, or reporting. Active leaders have the greatest accessibility to all students, faculty and administrators. Therefore, they play the greatest role in guaranteeing that students are part of the processes that most affect student life. Positions include:
Director of Programming & Director of Advocacy — Both positions are a one-year paid position beginning this Spring and finishing at the end of the Fall semester. This position is ideal for a first year graduate student and will not impose upon their final thesis semester. The overall time commitment of this position averages around 10-12 hours a month and is compensated with fixed stipend each semester. Directors believe in the importance in engaging the community and advocating for the graduate students and will stay attuned to their needs throughout the year.
Active members receive priority consideration for leadership positions.
GSA Leadership Position Application
Propose a Graduate Community Event
A popular way to get involved on campus is creating an event or initiative that addresses the broad range of graduate concerns or needs. For ideas you may review the list of past projects, however we encourage new and unique suggestions. Proposals are presented at the start of each school year and then voted on.
Consider in your proposal:
- Budget — GSA has a set amount of funds to allocate for all events which occur during the academic year. Try pitching a great idea that requires a smaller portion of funding.
- Reach — GSA sponsored community events should appeal to students from all programs.
- Creativity — Bring fresh and engaging ideas.
Past Events Sponsored by Graduate Student Alliance
- CCA Family Suppers
- Spitshiny ‘zine: fine arts magazine for the CCA community
- Corporate Sponsorship Teach-In
- FARM project
- Visiting Printmakers
- Mini-Livestock Lunch
- Bean-in: a temporary restaurant
Email gsa@cca.edu to learn more about these events.