Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Q: What is the Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS)?
A: GPSS is a shared governance body at VT that represents all graduate and professional students across all Virginia Tech campuses. It acts as a liaison to university administration, advocates through legislative recommendations, distributes various funding for individuals and student organizations, and fosters a strong community through organizing events.
Q: What does GPSS do?
A: GPSS engages in multiple activities:
- Shared governance: Members participate in VT’s shared governance meetings, suggest policy changes, and vote on them.
- Advocacy: GPSS advocates for student interests and needs, whether they are recent issues or long-term concerns.
- Programs: Designed to support your academic journey through funding opportunities and presentation experiences.
- Events: Organized for engagement and community building. Many events offer free food.
- Graduate Student Budget Board (GSBB): Allocates funds to graduate student organizations.
- Biweekly meetings: GPSS meets every other Thursday to discuss policy changes, learn about resources at VT, and vote on resolutions.
Q: Who comprises the Senate?
A: The Senate is comprised of an executive board elected by the senators, senators, and delegates of all academic departments and represented groups.
Q: What is the process of becoming a GPSS senator?
A: Each department/academic subunit or represented group can send up to two senators. Senators are typically selected through a nomination or election by the department’s student organization (GSA/RSO/GSO) or nominated directly by the graduate coordinator. The process may vary by department. Graduate coordinators or student organization presidents must confirm senator names by emailing gpss@vt.edu.
Q: What are the duties of a senator?
A: Roles & Responsibilities
- Attend biweekly meetings (hybrid): Every other Thursday from 5:30–7:00 PM to discuss graduate and professional student matters, vote on motions, and receive university updates.
- Communicate with constituents: Share GPSS updates, such as travel/research funding opportunities, advocacy efforts, events, programs, and university initiatives with peers in your academic unit, and bring their perspectives to Senate discussions.
- Serve on a committee or commission: Senators may represent graduate and professional students on a university committee or commission, typically requiring 2–3 hours per month.
Q: How can I join the GPSS executive board?
A: The executive board is elected by senators every year during the Spring semester. More information is available by attending biweekly meetings or checking announcements.
Q: How does GPSS interact with university admin?
A: GPSS serves as a liaison between graduate students and university administration. This is done by representing student interests on university committees and through regular meetings. GPSS has three voting representatives on the University Council and one on the University Committee for Committees. The GPSS President serves on an advisory committee to the University President. The executive board members meet regularly with deans of various offices and senate presidents to discuss policy changes and advocate for graduate and professional students.
Q: How can I become a graduate representative for a university commission or committee?
A: The GPSS Vice President nominates senators to different external (university) committees and commissions based on their interests. Since positions are limited, senators who join later may not receive an appointment on the external(university) committee or commission, but they are assigned to serve on GPSS internal committees that support executive board members.
Q: How else can I get involved with GPSS?
A: You can attend Senate meetings, serve as a senator, volunteer for events, and participate in events like Lunch with the Dean and programs such as the Research Symposium.
Q: What are Senate meetings and how do they work?
A: Senate meetings are held biweekly during the academic year, both in person and over Zoom. All graduate students are welcome to attend, and discussion topics can be submitted in advance.
Q: What is the difference between a program and an event?
A: Programs support research and professional development, such as the GPSS Research Symposium, Travel Fund Program, and cap and gown loan program. Events focus on community building.
Q: Why did I not receive travel funding (TFP) or research funding (GRDP)?
A:
- TFP: Funds are limited and awarded to eligible applicants in descending order of financial need until the grant runs out. For eligibility or application questions, see the TFP website.
- GRDP: This is a competitive, merit-based grant. Eligible applications are reviewed by anonymous reviewers who score proposals. GPSS awards at least four grants in STEM fields and four in Social Science, Business, Education, and Humanities. For questions on formatting, naming, and criteria, see the GRDP website.
Q: How can students contact GPSS?
A: Students can email GPSS at gpss@vt.edu or submit anonymous feedback. GPSS also shares updates through social media and its website.
Q: For what issues can I contact GPSS, and what should I expect?
A: You can contact GPSS for any problems you face. The executive board can advocate with you, advocate on your behalf, or redirect you to appropriate resources.
Q: How are the campuses other than Blacksburg Campus connected to GPSS?
A: DC area GSA and Roanoke GSA send two senators each to represent these campuses. GPSS president hold regular President’s Cabinet Meetings with GSA presidents and the BOV rep for policy discussions.
Q: Is it possible for me to be a senator if I am completely remote?
A: Yes, you can be a senator remotely by attending meetings via Zoom. GPSS will need you to be fully committed in engaging with your constituents and participate in all duties assigned to you as a senator. These duties can be completed remotely.
Q: Do I have to be a full-time student to participate?
A: No, the requirement for participation is a registered graduate or professional student.
Q: If I graduate in the winter so cannot stay full term, how should I inform my department, the senate and executive board?
A: A few weeks before graduation, inform your department graduate coordinator or your department graduate student organization president through their email or other formal medium. You can inform the senate and executive board through the email: gpss@vt.edu