About GSS

In addition to advocacy and representation, GSS provides a platform for student-led legislation, resolutions, awards, funding, and events. We strive to enhance graduate students’ academic and social experiences during their time at BGSU.

Values

We are graduate students for graduate students—an interconnected and distinct community where each individual perspective and experience converges to co-construct the very essence of our university. As the nexus between the graduate student body and the broader university, the Graduate Student Senate serves the following core commitments:

• Co-creating environments of belonging, empathy, support, and well-being to achieve our full potential.
• Inspiring collective engagement in stewardship, shared governance, and service to positively contribute to our university, professions, communities, and world.
• Supporting the development of our voice, agency, and each other to represent and advocate for the benefit of the graduate student experience.
• Forming positive partnerships to drive the transformation of graduate education.

Vision

To be a model of graduate student governance that inspires service, growth, and leadership. To be recognized as an engaged graduate community for its commitment to developing active, exceptional, and altruistic people who contribute meaningfully to their professions and communities.

Mission

To advance the well-being, success, and representation of all BGSU graduate students through collaborative advocacy, meaningful partnerships, and innovative structures. To strengthen connections across campus, fostering a supportive community that promotes development, shared governance, and policies that benefit graduate students. To ensure the creation of platforms for leadership, mentorship, and academic excellence. To engage in continuous organizational learning and action.

Why Participate In GSS?

Universities are wonderful yet complex places. Decisions are made at BGSU every day that affect graduate students and those decisions must be made whether or not we participate in the governance process. Changes occur all the time and the things that are most important to you as a graduate student are always in jeopardy. When the university listens, we must not be silent; when the univeristy looks, we must not be still. Our voice is strongest when we speak collectivey, in unison, and with university-wide support.

Graduate Student Senate exists to ensure the graduate student voice, when key issues are being addressed, is ever present and always heard. While the GA is the central arena for acquiring and disseminating information, the GSS is also present in the Faculty Senate, Graduate Council, Inclusion and Belonging Council, Center for Faculty Excellence, Public Safety Advisory Council, Academic Honesty Commitee, and the Board of Trustees, and so much more. Successful communication is only possible with the help and support of GSS senators; the departments and organizations they represent; and you, the individual gradaute student.

Opportunities for Representation

Each academic department, program, or degree, as recognized by the Graduate College, is eligible for representation within GSS. Each department, program, or degree can be awarded a Senator within the perimeters outlined in the GSS Constitution and Bylaws.

Both full-time as well as part-time students are eligible to participate in GSS. Academic departments and graduate student organizations are strongly encouraged to elect or appoint their GSS senators at the start of the fall semester. Appointing or electing a proxy, a student who is able to attend in the absence of a senator, is encouraged.

Additionally, there are over a dozen SEC officer positions available to any gradaute student. These positions are elected by the GA. Check with your Senator or with an SEC member if there are any vacancies.

Benefits of Representation

Your representation in Graduate Student Senate allows for:

• programs and departments to be knowledgeable on issues are affecting graduate students;
• the ability to bring individual graduate student departmental needs to the general assembly;
• the ability to vote on issues and concerns;
• exposure to the successes and challenges of other departments;
• the ability to receive professional development funding for all graduate students in your department or program; and
  
• the opportunity for graduate student participants to get "outside the box," enlarge their network, enhance their resume, gain leadership experience, become aware of the institutional structure and how it operates, meet key administrators on campus, and have the ability to affect change.

Contacting GSS

For questions or assistance please contact the Graduate Student Senate's President: