Graduate & Professional Student Campus Committees

Academic Senate: Academic Freedom Committee

Time Commitment: As needed, typically every once a quarter, 2 hours

Considers issues related to academic freedom, particularly as they affect faculty.

Academic Senate: Educational Policy

Time Commitment: Monthly, 1-2 hours

Makes recommendations to the Division concerning all matters of educational policy.

Academic Senate: Graduate Council

Time Commitment: Monthly, 2 hours

Makes recommendations to the administration, Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs, and systemwide Senate on all matters related to graduate and professional student academic matters.

Academic Senate: International Education Committee

Time Commitment: Quarterly, 2 hours

Considers all matters concerned with the Education Abroad Program and all aspects of international education and exchange.

Academic Senate: Research Committee

Time Commitment: Monthly, 1-1.5 hours

Considers matters related to organized research activities.

Academic Senate: Preparatory Education Committee

Time Commitment: Quarterly, 1-1.5 hours

Monitors academic aspects of preparatory and remedial education, particularly the Entry Level Writing Requirement and other similar courses.

Academic Senate: Representative Assembly

Time Commitment: Twice a quarter, 2 hours

Considers proposals from Academic Senate committees, receives regular updates from Administration, and considers other issues affecting faculty at large.

GPSA Academic & Professional Development Committee

Time Commitment: Monthly, 1-1.5 hours

Representatives advise the VP Academic on academic and professional development matters related to grad students, help plan and execute the regular events for the Office of Academic Affairs, and provide recommendations on GPSA's academic priorities.

Academic Senate: Library Committee

Time Commitment: Quarterly, 2 hours

Provides liaison between the faculty and the Library administration in all matters of Library policy and advises the Administration regarding Library issues.

Academic Senate: Senate Awards

Time Commitment: As needed, usually 2-3 a year, 2 hours

Solicits nominations for the Distinguished Teaching, Faculty Research Lecturer, and other Senate awards, and presents nominations for recipients of these awards to the Representative Assembly for approval.

Campus/Community Planning Committee (CCPC) 

Time Commitment: Monthly, 1-1.5 hours

CCPC advises the Administration on issues pertaining to the physical development of the campus. 

Community Safety & Security Advisory Committee (CSSAC)

Time Commitment: Monthly, 1 hour

CSSAC advises on issues that impact safety, security, and quality of life for all members of the community. Issues vary from COVID-19 protocol on campus to functions of the UCSD Police Department.

Library Graduate Advisory Committee (LGAC)

Time Commitment: Quarterly, 1 hour

This committee creates an open channel for graduate and professional students at the library staff.

GPSA Social Programming Committee (SPC)

Time Commitment: Every 2-3 weeks, 1 hour + volunteering at a minimum of 1 event per quarter

Helps plan fun events to strengthen our graduate student community. Representatives will advise the Social Affairs office on quarterly Free-for-All events, the 4-6 Roaming Socials each quarter, and help decide on themes, venues, scheduling, advertising, and other improvements for our events.

GPSA Student Affairs Advisory Committee (SAAC)

Time Commitment: Every week, 1-1.5 hours

The GPSA Student Advisory Committee works closely with the VP Campus on all issues of student affairs.

Open Space Committee (OSC)

Time Commitment: Monthly, 1-1.5 hours

OSC advises and provides recommendations about open space planning and landscape design. The group includes faculty, campus administration, student representatives, and representatives from the UC Natural Reserve.

University Centers Advisory Board (UCAB)

Time Commitment: Every 2-3 weeks, 1-1.5 hours

This committee advises University Centers (UCEN) on new buildings and vendors at the Old Student Center, Price Center, and the co-ops such as the G-store, the food co-op, Groundworks Bookstore, and Che Cafe. UCAB has its own budget and votes on proposed improvements to UCEN facilities, such as the grand opening of Soda & Swine and Seed & Sprout.

GPSA Elections Committee

Time Commitment: As needed, typically quarterly, 1 hour

The Elections Committee organizes GPSA’s elections for officers in the Winter/Spring and organizes special elections as necessary to fill vacant positions as needed.

GPSA Governance Documents Maintenance Committee (GDMC)

Time Commitment: As needed, typically every 2-3 weeks, 1 hour

Keeps GPSA’s Constitution, bylaws, and other documents up to date, reflecting the most current roles and duties of the GPSA and its members. When needed, representatives will also help graduate students with language when planning to propose a resolution, committee charges, or other documents to the GPSA Council. Committee sends out Doodles when a meeting is necessary.

GPSA Legislative Advocacy Committee (LAC)

Time Commitment: Every 2-3 weeks, 1 hour

Open to all graduate students who are interested in advocacy or civic engagement in the local, state, and national communities. There are opportunities to meet with local, state and national lawmakers on issues related to graduate students such as funding, affordable housing, mental health, climate change, transportation, police/protests, food insecurity, and immigration.

Academic Senate: Diversity and Equity Committee

Time Commitment: Monthly, 1-1.5 hours

Confers with Administration and Academic Senate on general policies bearing on affirmative action and diversity.

GPSA Diversity Advisory Council (DAC)

Time Commitment: Every 2 weeks, 1 hour

GPSA DAC serves as a platform to support and advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity actions across campus; it is open to all graduate & professional students. DAC addresses student concerns using institutional channels made available by the GPSA. The four required members are the GPSA VP EDI, the Community Outreach Coordinator, and two elected DAC Chair and Co-Chair.

DAC meets bi-weekly for about an hour to discuss presentations by Graduate/Professional Student orgs, Campus Administration, and reviewing emerging UC/UCSD policies.

Previous/Ongoing work by DAC:

• Sub-committee Bullying & Harassment Advocacy Committee to support Students in Distress
• Responding and holding space to discuss major world events: hate crimes, state/federal legislation, etc.
• Collaborating with campus partners such as BGPSA, Basic Needs, and Resource Centers
• Hosting an annual Donation Drive
• Hosting the Fall and Spring Student Organization Fairs

Academic Senate: Campus Climate Change Committee

Time Commitment: Monthly, 1-1.5 hours

Confers with Administration and Academic Senate on matters pertaining to campus decarbonization, climate change impacts and mitigation, climate change in educational programs, and climate change research.

Academic Senate: Campus and Community Environment Committee

Time Commitment: Monthly, 1-1.5 hours

Studies and makes recommendations regarding development and utilization of buildings, land, transportation, and parking facilities on the campus and in the general vicinity of the campus. 

GPSA Climate Action Policy Committee (CAP) 

Time Commitment: Monthly, 1-1.5 hours

CAP serves as the voice and center of advocacy on sustainability. Activities include keeping the GPSA and UCSD accountable to sustainability practices and environmental friendly practices, organizing speakers, and more!

Laboratory and Chemical Safety Committee

Time Commitment: Monthly, 1-1.5 hours

Advises the Chancellor on all matters relating to the safe use of hazardous chemicals. It is charged with reducing risks associated with hazardous checmicals and established policies and procedures. 

Academic Senate: Planning and Budget Committee

Time Commitment: Monthly, 1-1.5 hours

Confers with and advises the administration and the Academic Senate Leadership on planning, budget, and resource allocations.

GPSA Finance Committee

Time Commitment: Every 2 weeks, 1 hour

Reviews funding bills by graduate students for various events organized by student organizations and departments, which range from professional and academic development to promotion of diversity, and grad-family events. Works with the Financial Affairs office to propose a GPSA budget for the following academic year and advises council on all matters pertaining to the GPSA budget.

Student Fee Advisory Committee (SFAC)

Time Commitment: As needed.

SFAC is charged with evaluating Student Fee Funded Units and making recommendations on allocations of the Student Fees that every student pays while attending UC San Diego. Ensures that the proposed Student Fee uses are in the best interests of the university and its students, and in compliance with existing policies and guidelines. The committee is composed of students, faculty, and campus administrators, with students comprising a substantial majority. Annually, the committee compiles and submits recommendations for allocations of the Student Services Fees.

Student Health & Well-Being Advisory Board (SHWAB)

Time Commitment: Biweekly, 1-1.5 hours

This committee serves as an advisory board to the UCSD Student Health and Wellbeing Cluster, a diverse group representing various campus interests. 

Student Mental Health Advisory Committee (SMHAC)

Time Commitment: Monthly, 1.5-2 hours

This committee serves as the official representative body for all Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Student Mental Health Fee matters.

Sports Facilities Advisory Board (SFAB)

Time Commitment: As needed.

SFAB is the principal advisory committee on sports facilities and related policies at the University of California, San Diego. SFAB operates under this charter with the approval of the Chancellor, the Associated Students Council and the Graduate Student Association Council. The Committee is charged by the Chancellor and given the responsibility of ensuring that the sports facilities have the emphasis, breadth, and coordination to optimally complement the philosophy, missions, and goals of UCSD.

UC Student Health Insurance Plan Committee (UCSHIP)

Time Commitment: As needed.

The UCSD UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) Committee is responsible for reviewing the services, benefits and fees associated with the UC SHIP plan and providing input in the negotiations of the UC system-wide Student Health Insurance Plan. The committee will provide a platform to advocate for students, ensuring quality care and wellness services at UC San Diego, and providing formal, campus-level student participation in the administration of the UC SHIP.

Basic Needs

Time Commitment: Monthly, 1-1.5 hours

This committee advises on programs that try to alleviate food and housing insecurity, identify challenges students are facing in their basic needs and to help tackle those challenges.

Campus Child Care Advisory Committee

Time Commitment: Monthly, 1-1.5 hours

This committee advises the Chancellor, through the VC for Resource Management & Planning, on all matters related to child care concerns and facilitates discussion on the preservation and expanstion of high-quality childcare facilities and services.

Graduate Family Housing Advisory Committee (GFHAC)

Time Commitment: Every week, 1-1.5 hours

GFHAC sets the policies for graduate housing on campus, including rent structures, time limits for graduate students, pet policies, parking policies, and more.  The committee is co-chaired by a graduate student and is majority graduate student voters.

Graduate Family Housing Appeals Committee

Time Commitment: As needed, usually bi-weekly 1 hour

Reads residents’ appeals and votes on housing appeals as outlined in the HDH Handbook.

GPSA Students Who Are A Parent/Caregiver/Guardian (SPCG)

Time Commitment: Quarterly, 1 hour

Advocates for students with dependents in addition to helping build a community among students with dependents. You DO NOT need to have a dependent to be a part of the committee.

Student Transportation Advisory Committee (STAC)

Time Commitment: Bi-Weekly, 1-1.5 hours

STAC is a board of student representatives from each of the undergraduate colleges, the Associated Students, and the GPSA to advise Transportation Services on the executive of various transportation and parking issues on campus.  

Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

Time Commitment: Monthly, 1.5-2 hours

TAC advises the Administration on the development of UCSD’s transportation programs and facilities.