It’s election week at UCSB, so we wanted to give you the inside scoop on the ballot and the voting process. For graduate students, the primary focus is on the Graduate Students Association officers. As your representative government, the GSA ensures that graduate student concerns are addressed in policy decisions, provides information concerning decisions that are relevant to student life, and provides social activities. All eight Executive Officer positions are up for election this year. Four positions have declared candidates, currently running uncontested. Their bios and platforms are available at the GSA Elections page.
- President: Mario Galicia, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education (4th year)
- Vice President of External Affairs: Ellie Sciaky, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education (3rd year) (incumbent)
- Vice President of Academic Affairs: Gary Haddow, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education (4th year) (incumbent)
- Vice President of Committees & Planning: Dusty Hoesly, Department of Religious Studies (2nd year) (incumbent)
The remaining four positions are open to write-in candidates:
- Vice President of Internal Affairs
- Vice President of Graduate Student Affairs
- Vice President of Budget & Finances
- Vice President of Communications & Records
Officer duties are listed on the GSA website, with further information and quarterly stipend amounts ($500 to $2,000 per quarter) detailed in the GSA Bylaws. If you are interested in running as a write-in candidate, the GradPost is happy to provide a platform for you to announce your intentions and campaign. Contact the editors at ucsbgradpost@gmail.com for more information.
We've covered the GSA and its activities before. Check out Your Voice, Your Support Network: The Graduate Students Association from March and We Love GSA from last February for more about what the GSA does for you.
Besides the officer elections, grad students will also vote on the proposed amendments to the GSA Constitution (see proposed changes here) and a reaffirmation of the UCSB/MTD Superticket Bus Program fees (see voter guide).
Are you ready? Vote online starting Monday, April 23 at 8 a.m. through Thursday, April 26 at 4 p.m. through GOLD or at survey.ucsb.edu/elections.