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GSS Election 2020

Election Results

Please welcome Austin Boyd, PhD student, Educational Psychology and Counseling Department as President-Elect, and Shahram Hatefi Hesari, Ph.D. Student, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department as Vice President-Elect. Both Austin and Shahram have been a part of GSS this past year, so we are excited to have them continue their involvement as elected officials.

Thank you for allowing us to serve you this past year. We look forward to seeing the accomplishments of the Senate under its new leadership with President-Elect Austin Boyd and Vice President-Elect Shahram Hatefi Hesari.

Sincerely,

David and Sue

This page will stay online with the election criteria for reference.

 

 

It is now time to elect the next GSS President and Vice President. The positions are challenging, but more importantly, rewarding. They allow a glimpse into the complex network of individuals and offices across campus and afford opportunities to meet and work closely with key administrators. Of course, there are also perks that are more quantifiable. Each elected official (President and Vice President) receives:

  • A monthly stipend paid out over 10 months totaling $3,000 for the President and $2,000 for the Vice President.
  • An “Orange Dot” parking pass that, when combined with any current parking pass, allows one to park in any unreserved staff or non-commuter parking spot on campus.

Serving in these roles will give you the opportunity to impact change in graduate student life at UT. The Senate needs student leaders who are willing to work hard and advocate on behalf of all graduate and professional students. The duties of both the President and Vice President are outlined in the GSS Bylaws. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to current President David Willis at gss@utk.edu.

To learn more about the election process, please see the Election Timeline 2020. All in-person events are cancelled due to the COVID-19 guidelines. Online events will be shared in lieu of the events. 

 

Interested in Running?

We are no longer accepting statements of intent. Please use this information as a reference for the future.

If you are interested in running, email Secretary Simon Rotzer (gss3@utk.edu) with the following information: 

  • Your name
  • Your Department
  • Position for which you would like to run (either President or Vice President)
  • Your leadership experience (including GSS service)
  • Short statement of intent (i.e. explain to the electorate why you would like to be elected).

All emails of intent must be sent by March 18, 2020 at 11:59 pm. Note: This deadline is during spring break, so interested parties are encouraged to submit their intent to run prior to travel. 

In addition, you should plan to attend the GSS Picnic in the Park on April 1, 2020 in Circle Park to meet other graduate and professional students. Voting will take place from March 30 – April 3, 2020 and the transition ceremony will take place during the final GSS meeting of the year on April 14, 2020 at 6:00 pm. (Update: All in-person events have been cancelled. Online events will be shared in place of these events.)

 

Eligibility

  • Must be currently enrolled in one or more credit hours and in good academic standing in the Graduate School, College of Veterinary Medicine, or College of Law.
  • Must be enrolled as a full-time student for no less than two consecutive semesters (excluding summer) following the elections and not schedule class, work, etc. that would conflict with regularly scheduled meetings or obligations as GSS President or Vice President.