|
Last Updated:
March 10, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
The GSG has held
general elections for its six officer positions: President, Vice President,
Communications Director, Secretary, Treasurer and Social Chair.
Information about the duties of these offices can be found here. Keep in mind that, while officers are expected to bring new ideas to the GSG, they are elected to serve the GSG Assembly, not to pursue a personal agenda.
Each candidate has been given the opportunity
to submit a statement describing why he or she should
get your vote. The statements received by the Election Committee are reproduced below. Please read them carefully and e-mail the candidates if
you have any questions. You can click on a candidate's name in the list below to go directly to
his or her statement.
In addition to these candidate statements, two referendum statements are provided at the bottom of this page, along with the text of the referendum question. The
first statement, approved by the GSG Assembly on February 12, is a neutral explanation of what the referendum
question is about, and what the effects of "Yes" and "No" votes are. It can be found here. The
second statement was submitted by members of the GSG Assembly who favor a "Yes" vote on the
referendum question. No Assembly member wished to submit a statement in favor of a "No" vote.
We have also recorded the Meet-the-Candidates
Forum, which was held on February 17. During this event, each
candidate and referendum committee had the opportunity to make a closing
and an opening statement, and to debate his/her/their opponents by
answering questions asked by the audience. Each candidate's or
committee's videos follow his/her/their statement. Enjoy the
show!
The polls were opened from March 1 to March 8 and are now closed.
Results were approved by the GSG Assembly on March 10 and can be found here.
|
|
|
|
- President
- Vice President
- Communications Director
Secretary
Treasurer
Social Chair
|
|
|
|
I bring to this position much experience with the GSG. I have been a representative, sat on the
Transportation Committee, co-chaired the Academic Affairs Committee, and currently sit on the
Executive Committee as Parliamentary Secretary. In that time I've helped the GSG improve university
policy, streamline its budget, and create better social events. Based on this experience, I have
also learned what advocacy strategies work best. Using that experience, if elected I will pursue
four key initiatives:
Initiate an annual survey of graduate student needs. In the past, I helped field and analyze a
survey of transit needs that was essential in improving shuttle services. A short annual survey on
this and other topics will help us ensure the voice of our whole community is heard in the GSG's
advocacy work.
Increase transparency with improved GSG website and blog. While the GSG has long relied on mass
e-mails to communicate with the student body, by improving our website and including a blog, we can
provide information without overcrowding inboxes.
Increase financing of the GSG Events Board. The primary source of funding for all graduate student
groups on campus is the Events Board, which currently can't keep up with demand. However, a
referendum on this ballot (which I fully support) would increase the graduate student fee from to
$20 a year. I would dedicate 50% of this money to the events board, doubling the funds for student
groups.
Create a user-editable database of research and education grants. I proposed this idea as a
co-chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, but was tied up in administrative red-tape. However, we
can create such a database ourselves. A site accessible to and editable by all Princeton grad
students, this project will help us learn from one another and win more grants.
If you share my vision for a more transparent GSG that gives better voice to graduate student needs
and budgets more money for student groups, I humbly ask for your vote.
Meet-the-Candidates Forum Videos for Kevin Collins (POL)
- Answer to a Question on the Role of the President
- Answer to a Question on Pressing Graduate Student Issues
- Answer to a Question on the GSG / Departmental Committees Relationship
- The candidate did not make a closing statement.
|
|
|
Candidate Statement for Brookes Brown (POL)
(Vice President)
If elected as GSG Vice-President, I intend to initiate several proposals that I think would help improve the academic and social lives of graduate students.
- I want to organize meetings with and between graduate committees inside academic departments. Discussing the policies and programs, both academic and social that have been effective in different departments can serve as an effective way of prompting discussion about best practices.
- I would like both to allocate funding for, and to help organize, more inter-departmental events between students in cognate fields. It can be surprisingly different for students to meet those who are approaching similar questions with related methodologies, promoting more interaction would have both academic and social benefits. For that reason, I would also like to help develop an internal database where students can list their areas of academic interest to help connect students with similar interests.
- I would also like to develop a clearinghouse where students can create their own support groups- whether it be developing writing groups that work for them (building of the successful dissertation bootcamp model) or locating fitness buddies.
- I would like to increase the number of casual locations and situations where students not living in the GC can meet and interact, by, for example hosting more graduate student nights at campus club.
Each of these initiatives would enhance students ability to develop more extensive academic and social networks. Moreover, these programs could do so with relatively little alterations in budgeting an important consideration given current economic conditions. Most importantly, as reflected in my first proposal, I want to increase the access and level of awareness that most graduate students have to and about the GSG, allowing the GSG to more effectively promote students interests.
Meet-the-Candidates Forum Videos for Brookes Brown (POL)
- Answer to a Question on the Interaction between Graduate Students, Postdocs, and Alumni
Candidate Statement for Judd Cramer (ECO)
(Vice President)
This candidate did not submit a candidate statement.
Meet-the-Candidates Forum Videos for Judd Cramer (ECO)
- Answer to a Question on the Interaction between Graduate Students, Postdocs, and Alumni
|
|
|
Candidate Statement for Khee-Gan Lee (AST)
(Communications Director)
In my 3 years of involvement in the GSG as a departmental representative,
I have witnessed first-hand the importance of the GSG in working towards
the wellbeing of the graduate population at Princeton. On issues ranging
from housing to funding to the shuttle system, the GSG works with
administration and other campus organizations to improve our lives. This
has motivated me to run for a position in the GSG Executive Committee in
order to participate in the work that will impact the lives of all
graduate students over the next few years.
The effectiveness of the GSG's work is predicated on its ability to
communicate with both grad students and the University in general. Without
the input of all graduate students to guide its advocacy, the GSG would
become irrelevant. On the flip side, it often needs to be able to muster
full support from us, the entire body of grad students, in order to
pressure the administration to implement measures that would improve our
lives.
In the face of these challenges, I believe that I am an ideal candidate to
manage the GSG's communications and public relations as the Communications
Director.
As the only graduate student to have a regular column in the Daily
Princetonian (http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/accounts/profile/2169/), I
have been vociferous in bringing up issues that affect us, ranging from
the lack of adequate academic supervision to the social marginalization of
grad students in the University. This has also allowed me to establish
contacts with various people and groups on-campus in a way that few
graduate students have. In addition to this, I have already had prior
experience working as a journalist and freelance writer, which means that
I possess many of the skills that will allow me to function effectively as
the Communications Director.
I have spent 3 years being actively involved in the GSG as the
Astrophysics Department's representative to the GSG Assembly.
Meet-the-Candidates Forum Videos for Khee-Gan Lee (AST)
The candidate did not attend the Meet-the-Candidates Forum.
|
|
|
Candidate Statement for Jianhua He (ELE)
(Secretary)
I am a 5th year graduate student in Electrical Engineering, running for the secretary in the upcoming GSG election. If elected, I will take the assembly meeting minutes in the organized, balanced way as possible, and work with other colleagues on the issues that grad students care for a more convenient life such as housing, shuttle and health insurance. By serving in GSG, I look forward to sharing the thoughts from myself and others that I have learned in these years, and advocating good ones to benefit the graduate student community. with no involvement in GSG before, I am ready to bring fresh perspectives and ideas to GSG. I'm confident and ready because of the experiences that I chaired in several student organizations from my high school to college, and the passion that I would like to run for a position in GSG in my last year at Princeton. Thank you for your support.
Meet-the-Candidates Forum Videos for Jianhua He (ELE)
Candidate Statement for Marina Paul (MOL)
(Secretary)
Dear members of the graduate student body,
I have held the position of Recording Secretary for the past three years, and I ask for your support as I run for the position of Secretary in the 2010 Graduate Student Government election.
As Recording Secretary for the past three years, I have recorded minutes for all Graduate Student Government (GSG) monthly Assembly meetings. Keeping an accurate and detailed history of the Graduate Student Government has been critical to the transfer of information from former to future GSG members and to the success in our advocacy efforts. This year, I look forward to accepting the challenge of additional responsibilities in the role of Secretary that will help to further maintain the institutional memory of the GSG.
In addition to my formal responsibilities as Recording Secretary, I have worked with my colleagues as part of the GSG executive committee on a range of efforts from housing to GSG-sponsored social events. It has been a privilege to serve on the GSG for the past three years, and I look forward to advocating for you during the upcoming year!
Sincerely,
Marina Paul
Meet-the-Candidates Forum Videos for Marina Paul (MOL)
|
|
|
|
I have held several leadership roles as an undergraduate at Middlebury and now at Princeton. In fact, at Middlebury I was the Treasurer of the Physics Club (I love Astronomy even though then I studied Politics, Economics and foreign languages), so I clearly have the necessary experience for this position. At Princeton I study Linguistics within the Slavic Department, and I also organize and lead fun outdoor trips on behalf of the Davis International Center. Here are the priorities I will have as GSG Treasurer:
-- Make sure the opinion of graduate students is heard. Officers must not forget that their job is to represent the graduate student body! I will consult with friends among graduate students, and any graduate student who has an opinion about the issues. I am very accessible, and will make sure that any legitimate graduate student's concern is heard at the meetings.
-- Work on improving communication between the graduate students, and the Graduate Housing office. I have heard many complaints from felow students about how certain issues are handled at Housing, and I believe we need to address those. I think that, given the fact that Princeton is an extremely expensive town, it's unacceptable that PU housing is unavailable to many students beyond their 4th year in graduate school.
-- Emphasize the importance of outdoor recreation when it comes to organizing GS events. I have organized several hiking, skiing, and backpacking trips on belalf of the International Center, but I think the Graduate School should make more of them available to all graduate students.
-- Perform all my duties as Treasurer conscientiously. Princeton graduate students deserve representatives who take this work very seriously!
I would appreciate your vote for me, Anton Koychev, for GSG Treasurer.
Meet-the-Candidates Forum Videos for Anton Koychev (SLA)
The candidate did not attend the Meet-the-Candidates Forum.
|
|
|
|
I first became interested in running social events because, as I like to tell people, one day I got tired of sitting around and waiting for someone to entertain me. As an undergrad at Lehigh University, I served as both a club treasurer and a member of the student government allocations committee. At Princeton, while serving as the molecular biology representative on the current GSG Assembly, I have been heavily involved in many of the major GSG events by serving on both the social committee and the Campus Club Advisory Board. You may recognize me as the person who ran around Campus Club delivering bottles to all of the serving stations during the annual Wine and Cheese event. In addition, I am a member of the Mol Bio graduate student committee, on which I am responsible for organizing and running a monthly social hour for the graduate students and post-docs in the department. All of these positions have provided many opportunities for me to become familiar with the logistics and the hidden costs of running a large-scale social event on campus.
Despite the effort that often goes into planning and executing these events, I find it extremely rewarding to see hard-working graduate students have a good time. Graduate students are a diverse and interesting group, which is why I am always looking for ways to get out of my department and have fun with other students. If I am elected Social Chair, I will transform lessons from past years into improvements for this years traditional GSG events. I will also explore the possibility of jointly hosting events with such groups as the GC House Committee or the USG, as well as encourage the use of the Campus Club for graduate student social events. In doing so, I hope to attract students to these events who might not have participated in the past, and make the 2010 events the best yet. Overall, I want to work hard to improve the quantity and quality of graduate student social life at Princeton.
Meet-the-Candidates Forum Videos for Daniell Rowles (MOL)
- Answer to a Question on Ideas for New Social Events
- Answer to a Question on the Difficulty to Organize New Social Events
- The candidate did not make a closing statement.
|
|
|
Referendum Question
The text of the referendum question is as follows:
"Should the graduate student fee be changed from $10 per year to $10 per semester?"
Neutral Statement Approved by the GSG Assembly
This statement explains what the referendum
question is about, and the effects of "Yes" and "No" votes.
The Graduate Student Government (GSG) Constitution specifies that a $10 annual fee shall be assessed to all graduate students who are enrolled full-time and are in residence. As a result, enrolled students, which includes students in DCE status, have $10 charged to their student accounts every Fall semester. The Graduate School then credits the GSG account by the amount of money thereby collected. The GSG Constitution also specifies that the proceeds from this fee are to be used to help fulfill the purpose of the GSG, in particular to fund GSG events and activities, to support other organizations and events that address graduate concerns, and to cover GSG operating and communication costs.
If the proposed amendment is approved, the annual GSG fee will change from $10 per year to $10 per semester.
Starting in September 2010, $10 will be charged each semester to the accounts of all students who are enrolled full-time and in residence.
If the proposed amendment is rejected, the GSG annual fee will remain unchanged at $10/year.
Statement from the "Vote YES" Committee
This statement was submitted by members of the GSG Assembly who support a "Yes" vote on the referendum question. No Assembly member wished to submit a statement in favor of a "No" vote.
This year, you had a $10 fee taken out of your graduate student stipend to fund a wide range of graduate student activities on campus. This fee -- so small you may not have noticed it -- funds student group activities, events organized by the Graduate Student Government (GSG), and the GSG's advocacy efforts. In past years, a wide range of both GSG-run and student-organized events have been funded by this fee, including:
The GSG Autumn Wine and Cheese
The GSG Winter Gala
The GSG End of the Year Bash
The GSG Summer Barbecue
The Formal at the Graduate College
The Princeton Research Symposium
The Chinese New Year Celebration hosted by the Association of
Chinese Students and Scholars
The Festival of Lights hosted by the Association of South Asians
at Princeton
Passport to Indonesia hosted by The Permias
Stage Hypnotist Show
Comedy Night at the Dbar
Princeton Area Alumni and Student Mixer
Events put on by Committees, like the Hibben-Magie Fall Fest and
Butler Caribbean Salsa Night
A variety of performing arts events , like the Princeton Tango
Festival and the Princeton Georgian Choir
Unfortunately, the GSG may have been too successful. By increasing the quality of GSG parties, we have drawn more graduate students in attendance but now struggle to keep up with demand for food and drink. Similarly, the money available for student groups cannot keep pace with funding requests from new student groups and the activities they would like to plan. Nor do we have the funds to provide other types of services. With more money, we could fund an annual survey to keep track of graduate student needs and better organize information of value to graduate students by creating a database of internal and external research and education grants. In short, with more money we could throw better parties, fund more activities organized by student groups, and advocate more effectively for graduate students.
Consequently, we ask for your authorization to increase the graduate student fee from $10 a year to $10 a semester. Princeton graduate students currently enjoy the lowest fee in the Ivy League. The proposed fee increase won't change that, but it will foster a more vibrant social and academic environment on campus. That's why the GSG assembly unanimously voted in support of this referendum, and why we are seeking your support.
When you vote on the fee referendum, please vote YES.
Meet-the-Candidates Forum Videos for the "Vote YES" Committee
- Answer to a Question on the Timing of the Proposed Change and on Tracking GSG Spending
- Answer to a Question on How the Student Fee Money is Used
- Answer to a Question on the GSG / GC House Committee Relationship
- Answer to a Question on the Amount of the Proposed Change
|
|
