Projects & Advocacy

The GSG engages in a wide array of projects and advocacy efforts on behalf of the graduate student community at Princeton University. We encorage all interested parties to get invloved.

Projects and Advocacy efforts are currently headed up by the the GSG's four standing committees:

Academic Affairs

The Academic Affairs committee focuses on academic issues and resources. Since co-chairs Kevin Collins and Silvia Bulow reconstituted the committee in 2008, the AAC and its sub-committees has worked to change library policies regarding digital camera use in the Rare Books collections, consulted with the University's Study Space Assessment Project to provide feedback on graduate student needs for late night study space, and lobbied for expanded stipend and travel funding. Current projects include establishing a searchable datbase of internal and external reserach project grants and developing an online platform for posting talks and other research-relevant materials in order to foster greater cross-disciplinary discourse. 

Current Chair: Silvia Bulow

Campus Relations

The Campus Relations committee focuses on improving relations amongst graduate students, graduate alumni, undergraduates, and the university community at large. Areas of focus include: diversity issues, academic and social interaction between graduate and undergraduate students, community outreach, alumni networking. The committee organizes the annual GSG Furniture Drive with the Office of Community and State Affairs, proceeds of which are donated to charity. In 2005, the Committee worked closely with the Task Force on Dining and Social Options to include initiatives that encourage greater social interaction between graduate and undergraduate students as part of their recommendations for improvements to the residential college system.

Current Chair: Christina Hultholm

Facilities

The Facilities committee focuses issues and needs relating to the physical infrastructure of the university. Areas of focus include: housing, dining, shuttle, parking, computing, and sustainability. From 2001-2003, the GSG was instrumental in collaborating with the University, Princeton Borough, Princeton Township, New Jersey Transit, and the Greater Mercer County Transportation Management Authority, to establish successfully the Green Line shuttle service between graduate housing and the Princeton main campus, starting in the spring of 2003. Since 2003, the committee has been working closely with the Housing Office to automate and improve the housing draw process. The committee continues to work with Greening Princeton to support expanded dining options and other environment-friendly university practices.

Current Chairs: Jeffrey Dwoskin and Bill Zeller

Health and Life

The Health and Life Committee focuses on mental and physical health issues. Areas of focus include: student health plan services and optional coverage, availability of health and fitness resources during summer and break periods, public safety, and graduate students with partners and/or children. The committee ensures graduate student representation on two university committees: the Student Health Advisory Board and the Public Safety Advisory Committee. The committee is currently working to support implementation of recommendations made by the Task Force on Heath and Wellbeing in 2004 that are relevant to graduate students.

Current Chair: Kelly Kearney