Charles Harless Harless is the 2001-2002
GSA president. He is a master’s student in biomedical
engineering and a Ph.D. student in computer science..
Are graduate students at UCLA apathetic toward student
government? UCLA has historically had a low voter turnout for
student government elections. But does this really mean
“apathy?”
Graduate student life is very complex and very different from
undergraduate life. We live in a decentralized environment where
graduate students only have contact with their departments and
research units.
Rarely do graduate students have a need to cross Bruin Walk.
Many only come to campus a few days a week because they also work
other jobs. Graduate students often have lives outside the
university, including family responsibilities.
These are the things that supposedly make us grad students so
“apathetic.”
On the contrary, graduate students are typically very involved
in graduate student life ““ just on a local level.
UCLA does not provide any campus-wide services dedicated
exclusively to graduate students. But the Graduate Students
Association began last year to provide campus-wide social events,
called GradBar, which proved to be very popular.
As this year’s GSA president, I plan to continue these
events, as well as expand into new ventures. But for the most part,
graduate students are fairly content with the activities provided
by departments and individuals. However, our contentedness does not
address low voter turnout.
UCLA, we do have a problem!
We had that problem for almost 12 years, until GSA finally
decided to try something different. Taking into consideration the
decentralized nature of graduate life, the GSA held online
elections, leading to increased participation.
For any referendum to go into effect, we need at least 10
percent of the graduate population to vote. After last year’s
online elections, we reached 15 percent and hope to push that
number higher each year.
I’m pleased to see this participation increase. I believe
that GSA works best in its decentralized mode of operation, because
individual departmental events are important. As I approach my job
this year, I plan to keep that in mind.
The online elections are a good example of how we need to be
able to provide for the graduate community’s unique
needs.
I want to continue campus-wide events such as GradBar, but I
also realize the need to continue supporting individual
departmental events. It is through these specialized activities
that GSA is most effective. I plan to reach out to areas of campus
through smaller events so that I can listen to what people have to
say about graduate life at UCLA.
Many graduate students do not know about the various activities
of GSA that, just like graduate life, are very decentralized. I
encourage students to reach out beyond their personal world and to
explore what is available.
We provide services including the free Melnitz Movies program,
funding for student-run publications, funding for graduate student
events, and promoting environmental concerns.
We are setting up a Graduate Student Services office in
Kerckhoff that will house various GSA offices to serve student
needs. We are also planning to increase the number of campus
activities and their publicity.
GSA exists to serve its membership. We are focusing on issues
that affect every graduate student at UCLA, including housing,
transportation, graduate student welfare, student health and many
more.
But most importantly, we are here to listen. If you are a
graduate student who needs help, please contact us. GSA is here to
work for you. I can try to decide what issues I think are most
important, but I want to know what issues concern you.
Everybody needs a voice and you can be a part of ours in the
Graduate Students Association. GSA needs to hear the voices of its
membership. I plan to seek out those voices and make sure they are
heard at UCLA.